Flow rate control device

Abstract

[Problem] To achieve a coupling between a first part 100 and a second part 200 without adopting the coupling technique of screw fastening. [Solution] This flow rate control device comprises: a first part 100 and a second part 200 that are coupled to one other; and a coupling portion 300 that couples the first part 100 and the second part 200 using a protruding portion 300e accompanying a first projecting portion 300A provided in the first part 100, and a recessed portion 300f provided in the second part 200 and accompanying a second projecting portion 300B that comes into contact with the first projecting portion 300A.

Description

Flow Control Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow control device, and more particularly to various flow control devices including a shut-off valve device, a switching valve device, a suck-back valve device, a needle valve device, a check valve device, and a pressure control valve device (a pressure reducing valve device, a relief valve device, etc.).

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fluid control valve in which an actuator part is fixed to a body or the like by screw fastening, and which can improve workability when assembling and disassembling the fluid control valve while preventing the screws from loosening.

[0003] Specifically, a through hole through which the bolt is inserted is formed in the cover, cylinder, body and mounting plate, and the cover is formed with a first recess that communicates with the through hole and supports and accommodates the head of the bolt, and a head-side cap is provided that closes the opening of the first recess and prevents the bolt's fastening force from loosening by being in close contact with the inner surface that forms the first recess and the head of the bolt in an elastically deformed state.

[0004] JP 2011-196398 A

[0005] However, since the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a connection method called screw fastening, it can be said that it is physically impossible to completely prevent the loosening of the screws.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a connection between predetermined parts without adopting a connection method such as screw fastening.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a flow control device comprising: a first part and a second part that are connected to each other; and a connecting part that connects the first part and the second part by utilizing a convex part associated with a first protrusion provided on the first part and a concave part associated with a second protrusion provided on the second part that abuts against the first protrusion, and controls the flow rate of a fluid passing through an interior thereof.

[0008] A connector may be provided that is connected to communication holes formed in the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0009] The first and second parts and the connector may be made of a material that is resistant to the fluid. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] The flow control device 1000 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and their derivatives, such as "upper side," "lower side," "left side," and "right side," are used in this specification in a relative sense and not in an absolute sense.

[0011] 1 is a perspective view including a partial cross section of a flow control device 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flow control device 1000 shown in Fig. 1 controls the flow rate of a fluid (pure water, hydrochloric acid, etc.) passing through its interior, and specifically, can function as a valve actuator related to the flow path of a fluid such as pure water or hydrochloric acid.

[0012] The flow control device 1000 is broadly divided into a first part 100, a second part 200, and a connecting part 300, which will be described below. Materials that are resistant to fluids are used for these parts, and examples of such materials include resins such as fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and stainless steel such as SUS304.

[0013] First part 100 is, for example, a part whose general shape is cylindrical. The general shape of first part 100 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, and it may be, for example, a rectangular tube.

[0014] The first part 100 includes a cylinder portion 110 which is the main part, a first operation port 120 and a second operation port 130 which serve as air inlet / outlet ports for the cylinder portion 110, and an indicator 140 for checking the inside of the first part 100 main body.

[0015] Second part 200 is, for example, a part having a generally cylindrical shape. The general shape of second part 200 is also not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, and may be, for example, a rectangular tube shape.

[0016] The second part 200 includes a fluid inlet 210 and a fluid outlet 220 located at both ends in the extension direction thereof.

[0017] The second part 200 and the first part 100 have their axes perpendicular to each other and are connected to each other. Specifically, the first part 100 is connected to the second part 200 midway between the inlet 210 and the outlet 220.

[0018] For example, in the case of a normally closed type, flow control device 1000 shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that when the supply of compressed air, also called operating air, to cylinder portion 110 begins through second operating port 130 of first part 100, the fluid that has flowed into first part 100 from inlet 210 flows out from outlet 220, and when the compressed air supplied to cylinder portion 110 is released, the outflow of fluid from outlet 220 stops.

[0019] The connecting portions 300 connect the first part 100 and the second part 200 to each other. In the example shown in Figure 1, a total of four connecting portions 300 are provided (one of which is in an invisible position), but the number may be more or less. The specific configuration of the connecting portions 300 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0020] Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of cross-sectional region A shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of each part appearing in Fig. 2, with Fig. 3(a) showing parts other than the connector 310 and Fig. 3(b) showing the connector 310.

[0021] 3(b), a description will be given first of the connector 310. A tensile force is generated in the connector 310 when the pressure of the fluid flowing into the flow control device 1000, the thrust force of the compressed air in the cylinder portion 110, etc. are applied.

[0022] The connector 310 may have a single layer or multiple layers. The connector 310 may have a surface coated with a fluororesin such as perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), but is not limited to these. Alternatively, the connector 310 may have a fluororesin layer formed by two-color molding, insert molding, or the like to impart chemical resistance.

[0023] Just to be clear, the connector 310 according to this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, connectors having an I-shaped metal or other core material at the deep portion and one or more resin layers of the type described above at the surface portion.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3(b), the connector 310 is broadly divided into a first portion 350 that is cylindrical and has a relatively large diameter and is low; a central portion 360 that is cylindrical and has a relatively small diameter and is high and is adjacent to the first portion 350; and a second portion 370 that is generally spherical and has a relatively large diameter and is adjacent to the central portion 360.

[0025] 2 and 3(a), first portion 350 is received by first receiving portion 320 formed on first protruding portion 300A that protrudes radially from the axis of first part 100. Second portion 370 is received by second receiving portion 340 formed on second protruding portion 300B that protrudes in the same manner as first protruding portion 300A in second part 200 and abuts against the first protruding portion after assembly. Central portion 360 is received by third receiving portion 330 located between first receiving portion 320 and second receiving portion 340.

[0026] In this embodiment, the connector 310 is shown having a small diameter central portion 360. However, as will be described later in embodiment 4, it is not essential that the central portion 360 has a small diameter, and may have the same diameter.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3(b), first part 350 has hole 352 formed in the center of its end face, into which stopper 400 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is press-fitted. Furthermore, first part 350 has bottom surface 354 formed on the side of central part 360, which is a main part for maintaining the connected state between first part 100 and second part 200.

[0028] The stopper 400 and the hole 352 are intended to prevent the first part 350 from coming off the first receiving part 320, but other configurations may be used instead as long as they can prevent the first part 350 from coming off the first receiving part 320.

[0029] Second part 370 has curved surface 372 formed on the side of central part 360, which is the main part for maintaining the connected state between first part 100 and second part 200. In the example shown in Figure 3(b), second part 370 is configured so that connector 310 body can be rotated around this curved surface 372. However, second part 370 may have the same shape as first part 350; that is, second part 370 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may have a hole formed in the center of its end face.

[0030] Next, a method for assembling the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment will be described.

[0031] First, as shown in Fig. 2, the lower side of first protrusion 300A and the upper side of second protrusion 300B are brought into contact with each other. In this state, connector 310, which functions as a convex portion associated with first protrusion 100A, is rotated around the position of second receiving portion 340, which functions as a concave portion associated with second protrusion 300B, as a fulcrum. After first portion 350 is pressed into first receiving portion 320, stopper 400 is press-fitted into hole 352 through hole 380.

[0032] When the first part 100 and the second part 200 are connected through the connecting part 300, the bottom surface 354 of the first part 350 is received by the first receiving part 320, and the curved surface 372 of the second part 370 is received by the second receiving part 340. Therefore, if a gasket having chemical resistance or the like is placed between the first part 100 and the second part 200, they can be connected without any rattling.

[0033] As described above, the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment can connect the first part and the second part without employing a connecting method such as screw fastening.

[0034] 4 is an explanatory diagram of a flow control device 1000 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The flow control device 1000 shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c) is a modified version of the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment in the connector 310 and associated parts.

[0035] Specifically, with respect to Figure 4(a), the first part 350 of the connector 310 is cylindrical in the case shown in Figure 1, whereas in the case shown in Figure 4(a), it is approximately triangular prism-shaped, and accordingly the shape of the central part 360 and the shape of the first receiving part 320 corresponding to the first part 350 are also different.

[0036] In the flow control device 1000 shown in Fig. 4(a), the contact surface between the first part 350 and the first part 100 is relatively wide, so a relatively high frictional force can be ensured and it is not necessarily necessary to provide the stopper 400. However, the use of the stopper 400 is not excluded even in the flow control device 1000 shown in Fig. 4(a), and the frictional force may be increased mechanically or chemically, for example, by making the contact surface matte.

[0037] Next, with regard to Figure 4(b), in addition to the deformation shown in Figure 4(a), the second part 370 is spherical in Figure 1, but in Figure 4(b) it has the same shape as the first part 350, and therefore the shape of the second receiving part 340 corresponding to the second part 370 is also different.

[0038] The connection of the flow control device 1000 shown in Fig. 4(b) is achieved by sliding the connector 310, rather than by rotating the connector 310 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4(a). Although it is necessary to provide a stopper 400 to prevent the connector 310 from coming off the flow control device 1000, structurally, there is little play between the first part 100 and the second part 200.

[0039] Next, with regard to Figure 4(c), in addition to the modification shown in Figure 4(b), the stopper 400 is not made as a separate part, but is provided by forming protrusions on the first part 350 and the second part 370, and accordingly, hole parts 380 corresponding to the first receiving part 320 and the second receiving part 340 are provided.

[0040] The case of FIG. 4(c) has the advantage that the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case of FIG. 4(b).

[0041] In the case of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment, the connector 310 functions as a convex portion associated with the first protrusion 100A, and the second receiving portion 340 or the corresponding hole portion 380 on the second part 200 side functions as a concave portion associated with the second protrusion 300B.

[0042] (Embodiment 3) Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a flow control device 1000 and its constituent parts according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 5(a) shows a manifold-type flow control device 1000 assembled using, for example, two first parts 100 shown in Fig. 5(b), for example, one second part 200 shown in Fig. 5(c), and a connector 310 shown in Fig. 5(d).

[0043] 5(b), first protrusions 300A are formed, for example, at each corner of first part 100. This eliminates the need for unnecessary gaps between adjacent first parts 100, thereby preventing flow control device 1000 from becoming larger.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 5(c), second protrusions 300B are formed, for example, at each corner of the second part 200. Each second protrusion 300B corresponds to each first protrusion 300A shown in Fig. 5(b), which prevents the flow control device 1000 from becoming too large.

[0045] 5(d), the connector 310 includes a pair of first connectors 300C and a second connector 300D that connects them together. The first connector 300C has a stopper 400 on the bottom surface 354 of the first section 350, and a hole 390 formed in the center section 360 through which the second connector 300D is passed. The second connector 300D functions as a second section 370, with a curved surface 372 on the upper side in the figure.

[0046] It should be noted that a pair of first connectors 300C do not necessarily have to be connected to each other by one second connector 300D; for example, two second connectors 300D each having a length of about one-third that of the connector shown in Figure 5(d) may be prepared and connected to each of the pair of second connectors 300D.

[0047] In addition, in the case of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment, the connector 310 and the second connector 300D passed through the hole 380 formed in the first protrusion 300A function as a convex portion associated with the first protrusion 100A, and the second receiving portion 340 formed in the second protrusion 300B functions as a concave portion associated with the second protrusion 300B.

[0048] Like the flow control device 1000 of the first embodiment, the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment can also connect the first part and the second part without employing a connecting method such as screw fastening.

[0049] (Embodiment 4) Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a flow control device 1000 and its components according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 6(a) shows the state before the first part 100 and the second part 200 are attached, Figure 6(b) shows the state after the first part 100 and the second part 200 are attached, Figure 6(c) shows the second part 200, and Figure 6(d) shows the first part 100. Note that Figure 6(b) also shows a connector 310.

[0050] 6( d ), first protruding portion 300A having a concave portion (a portion that receives a convex portion, described below, of second protruding portion 300B after first part 100 is attached) is formed on the underside of first part 100, for example, at the four corners. First protruding portion 300A has holes 382, ​​386 formed therein, through which connector 310 is passed by press fitting or the like. The axes of holes 382, ​​386 are on the same line, and these axes are parallel to the axis of first part 100.

[0051] The bottom of hole 386 may be closed to prevent connector 310 from falling out, but in this embodiment, it is open with a diameter smaller than that of connector 310. In this way, for example, when it is necessary to disassemble flow control device 1000 or replace parts, connector 310 can be removed from holes 382, ​​386 by inserting a jig (not shown) through the opening.

[0052] 6(b) is designed so that its length is shorter than the overall length of holes 382 and 386, and its diameter is the same as the opening diameter of holes 382 and 386. However, such dimensions are not essential, and for example, the upper side of connector 310 in the drawing may have a larger diameter and the lower side thereof may have a smaller diameter, and holes 382 and 386 and hole 384 described below may have corresponding shapes to prevent connector 310 from falling off.

[0053] 6(c), second protrusions 300B having convex portions (portions that are received by the concave portions of first protrusions 300A after attachment to first part 100) are formed on the upper side of second part 200, for example, at the four corners. Hole 384, which corresponds to holes 382 and 386 and through which connector 310 is passed, is formed in second part 200. The axis of hole 384 is aligned with the axis of holes 382 and 386 after assembly of flow control device 1000, so that the holes communicate with each other.

[0054] Next, a method for assembling the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment will be described.

[0055] 6A, first, the lower side of the first protrusion 300A and the upper side of the second protrusion 300B are brought into contact with each other so that they face each other. In this state, the convex portion of the second protrusion 300B is not received by the concave portion of the first protrusion 300A.

[0056] 6(b), when first part 100 is then rotated about its axis, the convex portion of second protrusion 300B is received by the concave portion of first protrusion 300A, causing the axes of holes 382, ​​384, and 386 to coincide and communicate with each other.

[0057] Then, connector 310 is passed through holes 382, ​​384, and 386, for example by press fitting. This connects first part 100 and second part 200 through the concave portion of first protrusion 300A and the convex portion of second protrusion 300B, and assembly of flow control device 1000 is completed.

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 6, the first protrusion 300A has a concave portion and the second protrusion 300B has a convex portion, but it is also possible to interchange these structures so that the first protrusion 300A has a convex portion and the second protrusion 300B has a concave portion.

[0059] However, it should be noted that the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment does not necessarily have to have a structure consisting of a set of concave and convex portions. For example, the first protrusion 300A appears to be U-shaped in the front view of Fig. 6(d), but it may have an inverted L-shape, i.e., a structure in which the upper surface of the second protrusion 300B is exposed, as if the opposing surface portion of the upper surface had been removed.

[0060] In the case of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment, the connector 310 passed through the hole 382 formed in the first protrusion 300A functions as a convex portion associated with the first protrusion 300A, and the second protrusion 300B (the hole 382 formed therein) functions as a concave portion associated with the second protrusion 300B.

[0061] Like the flow control device 1000 of embodiment 1, the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment can connect the first part and the second part without using the connection method of screw fastening, and like the flow control device 1000 of embodiment 3, it can also avoid increasing in size.

[0062] 7A and 7B are perspective views illustrating components of a flow control device 1000 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7A shows a second part 200, and Fig. 7B shows a first part 100.

[0063] 7(b), first protruding portion 300A having a concave portion is formed, for example, at the four corners of the underside of first part 100. Upward protruding portion 300e is formed on the surface of first protruding portion 300A that faces the bottom surface of second protruding portion 300B, but instead of or in addition to this, protruding portion 300e may be formed on the surface that faces the top surface of second protruding portion 300B.

[0064] 7( a), second protrusions 300B having convex portions are formed, for example, at the four corners of the upper side of second part 200. Recesses 300f corresponding to protrusions 300e are formed in the bottom surface of second part 200, but instead of or in addition to this, recesses may be formed in the top surface of second protrusions 300B.

[0065] As in the fourth embodiment, it is also possible to configure the first protrusion 300A to have a convex portion and the second protrusion 300B to have a concave portion. Alternatively, a concave portion 300f may be formed in the first protrusion 300A, and a convex portion 300e may be formed in the second protrusion 300B. Furthermore, for example, a concave portion may be formed on the surface of the first protrusion 300A that faces the upper surface of the second protrusion 300B, and a convex portion may be formed on the surface of the second protrusion 300B that faces the upper surface of the first protrusion 300A.

[0066] The assembly of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment is similar to that of embodiment 4 described based on Figures 6(a) and 6(b), in that first, the lower side of the first protrusion 300A and the upper side of the second protrusion 300B are brought into contact in an opposing manner, and then the first part 100 is rotated around its axis so that the convex portion of the second protrusion 300B is received by the concave portion of the first protrusion 300A.

[0067] As a result, convex portion 300e of first protrusion 300A fits into concave portion 300f of second protrusion 300B, connecting first subpart 100 and second subpart 200, and completing the assembly of flow control device 1000.

[0068] In order to make it easier for the convex portion 300e to reach the concave portion 300f, one method is to provide an inclination at the tip of the convex portion 300e so that the side to which the convex portion 300e advances during the rotation is lower and the side to which the convex portion 300e advances is higher. In this case, the concave portion 300f may have an inclined shape such that the bottom thereof corresponds to the tip of the convex portion 300e, or the depth thereof may be equal to or greater than the height of the convex portion 300e.

[0069] In the case of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment, the convex portion 300e functions as a convex portion associated with the first protruding portion 300A, and the concave portion 300f functions as a concave portion associated with the second protruding portion 300B.

[0070] Like the flow control devices 1000 of the other embodiments, the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment can connect the first part and the second part without using a connecting method such as screw fastening, and since no connecting devices are used, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0071] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating components of a flow control device 1000 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8(a) shows a first part 100, Fig. 8(b) shows a second part 200, and Fig. 8(c) shows an enlarged cross section of the vicinity of a connecting portion 300 between the first part 100 and the second part 200.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8(a), first protrusions 300A having recessed portions are formed, for example, at the four corners of the underside of first part 100. As can be easily understood from Figure 8(c), the recessed portions of first part 100 are formed with protrusions 300e that engage with recesses 300f described below.

[0073] As shown in Figure 8(b), second protrusions 300B having convex portions are formed, for example, at the four corners of the upper side of second part 200. As can be easily understood from Figure 8(c), the convex portions of second part 200 are formed with concave portions 300f that engage with convex portions 300e.

[0074] As in the case of embodiment 4, it is also possible to configure the first protruding portion 300A to have a convex portion and the second protruding portion 300B to have a concave portion. Alternatively, the first protruding portion 300A may be formed with a concave portion 300f, and the second protruding portion 300B may be formed with a convex portion 300e.

[0075] The assembly of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment is similar to that of embodiment 5, in that the lower side of the first protrusion 300A and the upper side of the second protrusion 300B are first brought into contact in a manner that they face each other, and then the first part 100 is rotated around its axis so that the convex portion of the second protrusion 300B is received by the concave portion of the first protrusion 300A.

[0076] As a result, the convex portion 300e of the first protrusion 300A engages with the concave portion 300f of the second protrusion 300B, the first part 100 and the second part 200 are connected at the connecting portion 300, and the assembly of the flow control device 1000 is completed.

[0077] In the case of the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment, as in embodiment 5, the convex portion 300e functions as a convex portion associated with the first protrusion portion 300A, and the concave portion 300f functions as a concave portion associated with the second protrusion portion 300B.

[0078] Like the flow control devices 1000 of the other embodiments, the flow control device 1000 of this embodiment can connect the first part and the second part without using a connecting method such as screw fastening, and since no connecting devices are used, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0079] In the above, each embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to a shut valve that is opened and closed by compressed air, but the present invention can be applied to various flow control devices in place of conventional screw fastening.

[0080] FIG. 1 is a perspective view including a partial cross section of a flow control device 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of cross-sectional region A shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of each part appearing in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a flow control device 1000 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a flow control device 1000 according to a third embodiment of the present invention and its constituent items. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a flow control device 1000 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and its constituent items. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating constituent items of a flow control device 1000 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating constituent items of a flow control device 1000 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 First part 110 Cylinder portion 120 First operation port 130 Second operation port 140 Indicator 200 Second part 210 Inlet 220 Outlet 300 Connecting portion 300A First protrusion 300B Second protrusion 300C First connector 300D Second connector 300e Convex portion 300f Concave portion 310 Connector 320 First receiving portion 330 Third receiving portion 340 Second receiving portion 350 First portion 360 Central portion 370 Second portion 380, 382, ​​384, 386, 390 Hole portion 400 Stopper 1000 Flow control device

Claims

1. A flow control device comprising: a first part and a second part which are connected to each other; and a connecting part which connects the first part and the second part by utilizing a convex part associated with a first protrusion provided on the first part and a concave part associated with a second protrusion provided on the second part which abuts against the first protrusion, and which controls the flow rate of a fluid passing through an interior thereof.

2. The flow control device according to claim 1, further comprising a connector connected to communication holes formed in said first protrusion and said second protrusion.

3. A flow control device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second parts and each of said connectors are made of a material that is resistant to said fluid.

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