Valve device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a valve device 1 capable of preventing passage of a foreign matter by sealing a space between a second filter 90 and the outer circumferential surface of a check valve housing 64 without damaging the second filter 90.　The valve device 1 is provided with a valve body 10 in which a fluid flow passage F is formed, and is characterized by comprising: the second filter 90 that is substantially cylindrical, is disposed in the fluid flow passage F, and extends along the fluid flow passage F; and an O-ring 69 and an O-ring 94 that are elastic and interposed in a gap from the outer circumferential surface of the check valve housing 64 to which the second filter 90 is attached. The valve device is characterized in that the second filter 90 is integrally composed of a substantially cylindrical filter body 91 formed by sintering metal beads, and a metal upstream cylindrical part 92 and a metal downstream cylindrical part 93 that are provided at both ends of the filter body 91 and that have circumferential surfaces abutting against the O-ring 69 and the O-ring 94.

Description

Valve equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device to be attached to a cylinder container filled with a fluid such as a high-pressure gas.

[0002] Conventionally, valve devices that allow fluids such as high-pressure gas to pass by opening and closing an on-off valve include container valve devices attached to cylinder containers and valve devices connected to an assembly of multiple cylinder containers called a curdle or bundle. Some valve devices also include a filter that prevents foreign matter from passing along with the fluid through the fluid flow path provided inside the valve body.

[0003] Known examples of such filters include cylindrical sintered filters formed by sintering metal beads, as described in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the corners of the filter are crushed while the filter is brought into close contact with the mounting surface, thereby ensuring a seal between the filter and the mounting surface.

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the pressure load that crushes the corners can cause the filter to deform or break, making it impossible to ensure stable sealing, and there is also a risk that fragments of the crushed corners may become conductive through the fluid flow path.

[0005] JP 2011-70420 A

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve device that can seal the gap between a filter and a mounting surface without damaging the filter, thereby preventing the passage of foreign matter.

[0007] This invention relates to a valve device comprising a valve body having a fluid flow path formed therein through which a fluid flows, and an on-off valve disposed within the valve body for opening and closing the fluid flow path, the valve device comprising: a substantially cylindrical filter disposed in the fluid flow path and extending along the fluid flow path; and an elastic sealing member disposed in a gap between the filter and a mounting surface to which the filter is attached, the filter being constructed as a single unit from a substantially cylindrical filter body formed by sintering metal beads and a pair of substantially cylindrical metallic cylindrical bodies disposed at both ends of the filter body, the metallic cylindrical bodies having peripheral surfaces against which the sealing members abut.

[0008] The valve device may be a container valve device attached to a gas cylinder, a piping valve device connected to a pipe, or a valve device connected to an assembly of multiple gas cylinders called a curdle or bundle. The mounting surface is the surface facing the inner or outer peripheral surface of the filter, such as the outer peripheral surface of a member inserted into the filter or the peripheral surface of a fluid flow path.

[0009] According to this invention, the sealing member abuts against a metal cylindrical body provided at both ends of the filter body, so that the sealing member can be tightly adhered to the filter without any gaps, compared to when the sealing member abuts against the filter body, which is a porous material.

[0010] In this case, the elastic force of the seal member does not act on the filter body, so the valve device can prevent damage to the filter body due to the elastic force of the seal member. As a result, the valve device can seal the gap between the filter and the mounting surface without damaging the filter, preventing the passage of foreign matter.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical body may be integrally formed with the filter body by sintering. This configuration allows the filter body and the cylindrical body to be reliably integrated. This prevents the filter body from separating from the cylindrical body due to pressure when a fluid passes through, and reliably prevents the passage of foreign matter.

[0012] As another aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical body may be recessed in the circumferential direction and provided with a groove into which the seal member fits. With this configuration, the position of the seal member relative to the filter can be easily regulated, so that the valve device can stably seal the gap between the filter and the mounting surface and prevent unintended contact between the seal member and the filter body.

[0013] Furthermore, since the gap between the filter and the mounting surface can be narrower than when no recessed groove is provided in the cylindrical body, the valve device can prevent the outer dimensions of the filter from becoming excessively large.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the fluid flow path may include an upstream flow path located upstream in the direction of fluid flow, and a downstream flow path that communicates with the upstream flow path and intersects with the upstream flow path, and the filter may be arranged in either the upstream flow path or the downstream flow path so as to intersect with the other flow path.

[0015] With this configuration, the flow direction of the fluid from the upstream flow path to the downstream flow path can be reliably intersected with the filter, so that the valve device can prevent the operation of a safety valve, for example, located in the downstream flow path, from being obstructed by foreign matter.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, the other flow path may have an internal space through which the fluid flows and may be provided with a check valve mechanism that regulates the flow of the fluid, and the filter and the sealing member may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the check valve mechanism.

[0017] With this configuration, the filter can prevent foreign matter from passing through the inside of the check valve mechanism, so the valve device can ensure stable operation of the check valve mechanism. Furthermore, by locating the check valve mechanism with the filter and seal member attached in the other flow path, the valve device can improve the ease of assembling the filter and seal member to the valve body.

[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, a pressure reducing mechanism may be provided that is connected to the check valve mechanism and reduces the pressure of the fluid. With this configuration, the filter can prevent foreign matter from passing through not only the check valve mechanism but also the pressure reducing mechanism. Therefore, the valve device can ensure stable operation of the check valve mechanism and the pressure reducing mechanism.

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a valve device that can seal the gap between the filter and the mounting surface without damaging the filter, thereby preventing the passage of foreign matter.

[0020] 1. A front view showing the appearance of the valve device as seen from the front. A sectional view taken along the arrows A-A in FIG. 1. A sectional view taken along the arrows B-B in FIG. 1. An explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a third flow path in cross section. An enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of a pressure reducing safety valve mechanism. A sectional perspective view showing the appearance of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism in a disassembled state. A sectional perspective view showing the appearance of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism in a disassembled state. An enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of a check valve mechanism. A sectional perspective view showing the appearance of the check valve mechanism in a disassembled state. An explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism. An explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism. An explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the check valve mechanism. A sectional perspective view showing the appearance of a first filter and a fixing member. A schematic configuration diagram showing an outline of a bundle to which the valve device is connected.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a valve device 1 connected to a cylinder container for storing gas will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 1 shows a front view of the valve device 1, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the third flow path Z in cross section, and FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30.

[0023] 6 and 7 show a cross-sectional perspective view of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30, FIG. 8 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the check valve mechanism 60, FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the check valve mechanism 60, FIG. 10 shows an explanatory diagram explaining the operation of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30, and FIG. 11 shows an explanatory diagram explaining the operation of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30.

[0024] In addition, Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the check valve mechanism 60, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the first filter 70 and the fixing member 80. In Figs. 5 and 8, the valve body 10 is shown by a two-dot chain line for clarity.

[0025] 1 is the upper side of the valve device 1, and the lower side of Fig. 1 is the lower side of the valve device 1. Furthermore, arrow D in the figure indicates the direction in which gas flows (hereinafter referred to as flow direction D), arrow Du in the figure indicates the upstream side of the flow direction D (hereinafter referred to as upstream side Du), and arrow Dd in the figure indicates the downstream side of the flow direction D (hereinafter referred to as downstream side Dd).

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve device 1 includes a valve body 10 having an internal space through which gas flows, an on-off valve mechanism 20 attached to the valve body 10 and regulating the flow of gas, and a pressure-reducing safety valve mechanism 30 which is a pressure-reducing mechanism.

[0027] Furthermore, the valve device 1 includes a check valve mechanism 60 (see FIG. 3) which is a residual pressure retention mechanism, a first filter 70 (see FIG. 2) attached to the lower end of the valve body 10, and a fixing member 80 (see FIG. 2) which fixes the first filter 70 to the valve body 10. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the valve device 1 includes a second filter 90 which is disposed inside the valve body 10 and into which the pressure-reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60 are inserted.

[0028] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the valve body 10 of the valve device 1 is integrally formed of an attachment portion 11 and a body portion 12 that extend in the vertical direction, and an outlet portion 13 that extends in a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction when viewed from the front.

[0029] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion 11 has a truncated cone shape with a small diameter at the bottom, and a male screw (reference number omitted) is formed on the outer circumferential surface to be threaded into a screw hole provided in a neck ring of a cylinder container (not shown).

[0030] The mounting portion 11 has a lower surface facing upward and recessed in a generally circular shape in bottom view, forming a filter mounting portion 14 for mounting the first filter 70 (see FIG. 13 ). The inner circumferential surface of the filter mounting portion 14 is formed with a female screw (reference numeral omitted) into which the fixing member 80 screws.

[0031] 1, the body portion 12 has a diameter larger than the large-diameter side of the mounting portion 11 and is formed in a generally cylindrical shape extending upward from the mounting portion 11. The outlet portion 13 has a diameter larger than that of the body portion 12 and is formed integrally with the body portion 12 at approximately the center in the up-down direction, as shown in FIG.

[0032] The outlet portion 13 is formed so that both ends in a direction generally perpendicular to the up-down direction in a front view protrude from the body portion 12. The outlet portion 13 is provided with a connection portion 15 at one end in a direction generally perpendicular to the up-down direction in a front view, i.e., at one end in the axial direction of the outlet portion 13, to which a gas consuming device is connected by screwing.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the valve body 10 is formed with a first flow path X that penetrates the mounting portion 11 and the body portion 12 along the axial direction (vertical direction) of the mounting portion 11, a second flow path Y that extends from the first flow path X toward the inside of the outlet portion 13, and a third flow path Z that penetrates the outlet portion 13 along the axial direction of the outlet portion 13 (a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction when viewed from the front).

[0034] The valve body 10 forms a fluid flow path F that connects the filter mounting portion 14 of the attachment portion 11 to the connection portion 15 of the outlet portion 13, using the above-mentioned filter mounting portion 14, first flow path X, second flow path Y, and third flow path Z.

[0035] In the fluid flow path F having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an opening / closing valve mechanism 20 and a first filter 70 are arranged in the first flow path X, and a pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30, a check valve mechanism 60, and a second filter 90 are arranged in the third flow path Z.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first flow path X is a flow path in which the axial direction in the mounting portion 11 and the body portion 12 is the conduction direction D, and is configured as a through-hole with an approximately circular cross section that communicates with the filter attachment portion 14 and penetrates the mounting portion 11 and the body portion 12.

[0037] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the first flow path X is composed of a lower flow path portion X1, which is a space with a substantially circular cross section extending from the filter mounting portion 14 to approximately the center of the body portion 12 in the vertical direction, and an upper flow path portion X2, which is a space with a substantially circular cross section and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the lower flow path portion X1, extending from the lower flow path portion X1 to the upper end surface of the body portion 12.

[0038] 2, the upper flow path X2 is configured as an on-off valve mechanism mounting portion to which the on-off valve mechanism 20 is mounted, and has an internal thread (reference numeral omitted) formed on its inner circumferential surface to be threadedly engaged with the on-off valve mechanism 20. Furthermore, a valve seat 12a is formed on the bottom surface of the upper flow path X2, protruding upward along the opening edge of the lower flow path X1.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second flow path Y is a flow path that connects the upper flow path X2 of the first flow path X and the third flow path Z (the third space Z3 of the third flow path Z described later), and is formed so that the direction that intersects the conduction direction D of the first flow path X and the conduction direction D of the third flow path Z is the conduction direction D.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the third flow path Z is a flow path in which the axial direction of the outlet portion 13 is the conduction direction D, and is connected to the flow path upper portion X2 of the first flow path X via the second flow path Y, and is composed of a through hole with an approximately circular cross section that penetrates the outlet portion 13.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, this third flow path Z is formed by connecting a first space Z1, a second space Z2, a third space Z3, a fourth space Z4, a fifth space Z5, a sixth space Z6, and a seventh space Z7, which have different diameters and are formed from the end face of the outlet section 13 opposite the connection section 15 to the connection section 15, along the axial direction of the outlet section 13.

[0042] More specifically, the third flow path Z has a first space Z1 that is formed with the largest diameter and opens onto the end face of the outlet portion 13 opposite the connection portion 15, a second space Z2 that is formed with a slightly smaller diameter than the first space Z1, a third space Z3 that is formed with approximately the same outer diameter as the first space Z1, and a fourth space Z4 that is formed with a smaller diameter than the third space Z3.

[0043] Furthermore, in the third flow path Z, the fifth space Z5 is formed with a smaller diameter than the fourth space Z4, the sixth space Z6 is formed with a smaller diameter than the fifth space Z5, and the seventh space Z7, which is formed as an opening on the end face of the connection portion 15, is formed with a smaller diameter than the sixth space Z6.

[0044] In this third flow path Z, pressure reduction safety valve mechanisms 30 are arranged in the first space Z1, the second space Z2, and the third space Z3, check valve mechanisms 60 are arranged in the third space Z3, the fourth space Z4, the fifth space Z5, the sixth space Z6, and the seventh space Z7, and a second filter 90 is arranged in the third space Z3. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, a female thread 13a that screws into the pressure reduction safety valve mechanism 30 is formed on the circumferential surface of the first space Z1 in the third flow path Z.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the on-off valve mechanism 20 of the valve device 1 is constructed by assembling a rotary handle 21, a gland nut 22, a spindle 23, an on-off valve 24, and a tip member 25 provided at the tip of the on-off valve 24 from top to bottom in this order.

[0046] Specifically, the rotary handle 21 is formed in a generally circular cloud shape in a plan view with a wave-shaped outer periphery that protrudes in eight directions, and is provided with a fitting portion 21a that fits onto the upper part of the spindle 23. As shown in Fig. 2, the gland nut 22 is composed of a hexagonal head portion 221 having a through-hole 22a through which the spindle 23 is inserted, and a generally cylindrical portion 222 that has an outer diameter smaller than that of the head portion 221 and extends downward from the underside of the head portion 221.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, two grooves (reference numerals omitted) are provided on the peripheral surface of the through hole 22a of this gland nut 22 at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction, and O-rings 26, which are elastic bodies that seal the gap with the spindle 23, are fitted into each groove.

[0048] On the other hand, an O-ring 27, which is an elastic body that seals the gap between the first flow path X and the upper part X2 of the flow path, is fitted into a groove (symbol omitted) near the upper end provided along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 222.

[0049] Furthermore, below the O-ring 27, the cylindrical portion 222 of the ground nut 22 has a male thread (symbol omitted) formed on its outer surface that screws into the female thread of the upper part X2 of the first flow path X, and a female thread (symbol omitted) that screws into the opening / closing valve 24 formed on its inner surface.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the spindle 23 is a generally columnar body extending in the vertical direction, with its upper portion fitting into the fitting portion 21 a of the rotary handle 21 and its lower portion fitting into the fitting recess 24 a of the on-off valve 24 described later.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, the on-off valve 24 is integrally formed of a substantially cylindrical male threaded portion 241 that screws into the female thread of the gland nut 22, and a valve body 242 that has a larger diameter than the male threaded portion 241 and is provided below the male threaded portion 241.

[0052] The inside of the male thread portion 241 of this on-off valve 24 is formed as a fitting recess 24a into which the lower part of the spindle 23 fits. On the other hand, the lower surface of the valve body 242 is provided with a threading recess 24b facing upward, into which the tip member 25 is screwed.

[0053] Furthermore, a groove (reference numeral omitted) is provided on the underside of the valve body 242, in a portion facing the valve seat 12a of the first flow path X, and the groove is recessed to have a generally annular shape in bottom view, and a sealing member 28, which is an elastic member and has a generally annular shape in bottom view, is attached to the groove. The sealing member 28 is a member that seals the lower flow path X1 of the first flow path X by being bitten into by the valve seat 12a.

[0054] 2, the tip member 25 is substantially cylindrical and has substantially the same diameter as the first flow path X, and is attached by screwing into the threaded recess 24b of the on-off valve 24. The tip member 25 cooperates with the lower flow path X1 of the first flow path X to guide the movement of the on-off valve 24 in the vertical direction.

[0055] In addition, the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 of the valve device 1 is a pressure reducing mechanism that operates due to the pressure difference of the fluid in the third flow path Z to reduce the pressure of the gas to a predetermined pressure, and is a composite valve mechanism that is constructed by assembling a pressure reducing valve unit (symbol omitted) arranged on the downstream side Dd and a safety valve unit (symbol omitted) arranged on the upstream side Du.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the pressure reducing valve unit of this pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 is configured by assembling a pressure reducing valve 31, a pressure reducing piston 32, a downstream housing 33, a first coil spring 34, and a pressure reducing valve cylinder body 35 in this order from the downstream side Dd to the upstream side Du.

[0057] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the safety valve unit of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 is configured by assembling an upstream housing 36, a first relief valve 37, a second relief valve 38, a washer 39, a second coil spring 40, a relief valve case 41, and a cap 42 in this order from the downstream side Dd to the upstream side Du.

[0058] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pressure reducing valve 31 is configured to have an internal space that penetrates in the conduction direction D, and is made up of a flange portion 311 that is a flat plate with an approximately circular ring shape when viewed from the conduction direction D, and a male screw portion 312 that is approximately cylindrical and has a smaller diameter than the flange portion 311 and screws into the pressure reducing piston 32.

[0059] This pressure reducing valve 31 has an O-ring 43, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the pressure reducing piston 32, attached to a recessed portion on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 311, and an O-ring 44, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the pressure reducing piston 32, attached to the outer peripheral surface of the male thread portion 312.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pressure reducing piston 32 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape with an internal space that penetrates in the conduction direction D, and includes an approximately cylindrical female screw portion 321 that screws into the male screw portion 312 of the pressure reducing valve 31, an approximately cylindrical middle body portion 322 that extends from the female screw portion 321 to the upstream side Du, and an approximately cylindrical male screw portion 323 that screws into the pressure reducing valve cylinder body 35.

[0061] 5, when the pressure reducing valve 31 is assembled, the female thread portion 321 of the pressure reducing piston 32 holds the above-mentioned O-rings 43 and 44 between the female thread portion 321 and the pressure reducing valve 31. Furthermore, an O-ring 45, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the downstream housing 33, is fitted into a recessed groove (reference numeral omitted) that is recessed along the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the middle body portion 322 of the pressure reducing piston 32.

[0062] In addition, an O-ring 46, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35, is fitted into a groove (symbol omitted) recessed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the male thread portion 323 of the pressure reducing piston 32.

[0063] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the downstream housing 33 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape with an internal space that penetrates in the conduction direction D, and is made up of a hexagonal cylindrical female screw portion 331, an approximately cylindrical upstream male screw portion 332, an approximately cylindrical large-diameter cylindrical portion 333, an approximately cylindrical small-diameter cylindrical portion 334, and an approximately cylindrical downstream male screw portion 335.

[0064] More specifically, the female screw portion 331 is a hexagonal tube having an outer shape larger than the diameter of the first space Z1 of the outlet portion 13, and is positioned so as to be exposed to the outside of the outlet portion 13 when assembled to the valve body 10.

[0065] The upstream male thread portion 332 is generally cylindrical and threads into the female thread 13a of the third flow path Z, and extends from the female thread portion 331 toward the downstream side Dd. The large-diameter cylindrical portion 333 is generally cylindrical and one size smaller than the upstream male thread portion 332, and extends from the upstream male thread portion 332 toward the downstream side Dd.

[0066] Furthermore, an O-ring 47, which is an elastic body that seals the gap between the second space Z2 of the third flow path Z and the large-diameter cylindrical portion 333, is fitted into a groove (reference numeral omitted) recessed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 333. The small-diameter cylindrical portion 334 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 333, is a substantially cylindrical shape that extends from the large-diameter cylindrical portion 333 toward the downstream side Dd, and is formed in a shape that has an annular bottom on the downstream side Dd.

[0067] The bottom of this small-diameter cylindrical portion 334 is formed as a reaction force support portion 334a that generates a reaction force in the first coil spring 34. The downstream-side male thread portion 335 has an inner and outer diameter smaller than those of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 334, is a generally cylindrical portion that extends from the small-diameter cylindrical portion 334 toward the downstream side Dd, and is formed so as to be able to be threaded into the check valve mechanism 60 (a check valve housing 64 described later).

[0068] 5 and 6, the first coil spring 34 is a coil spring fitted onto the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35. The first coil spring 34 is fitted onto the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 inside the downstream housing 33, and is configured so that the end portion on the downstream side Dd abuts against the reaction force support portion 334a and urges the flange portion 353 of the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 toward the upstream side Du by its elastic force.

[0069] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape with an internal space that penetrates in the conduction direction D, and includes a roughly cylindrical female screw portion 351 that screws into the male screw portion 323 of the pressure reducing piston 32, a roughly cylindrical upstream cylinder portion 352 that is inserted into the upstream housing 36, and a roughly annular flange portion 353 that protrudes radially outward between the female screw portion 351 and the upstream cylinder portion 352.

[0070] An O-ring 48, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the upstream housing 36, is fitted into a groove (number omitted) recessed along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the upstream cylindrical portion 352 of this pressure reducing valve cylindrical body 35.

[0071] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the upstream housing 36 is composed of an exposed portion 361 exposed to the outside of the downstream housing 33, an approximately cylindrical male screw portion 362 extending from the exposed portion 361 to the downstream side Dd and screwing into the female screw portion 331 of the downstream housing 33, and an approximately cylindrical small diameter portion 363 having a smaller diameter than the male screw portion 362.

[0072] In addition, an O-ring 49, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the upstream male thread portion 332 of the downstream housing 33, is fitted into a groove (number omitted) recessed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 363 of the upstream housing 36.

[0073] In such an upstream housing 36, a downstream recess 364 is formed, which is a cylindrical space in which the end face of the small diameter portion 363 is recessed toward the upstream side Du, and into which the upstream cylindrical portion 352 of the pressure reducing valve cylindrical body 35 is inserted.

[0074] Furthermore, the upstream housing 36 has an end face of the exposed portion 361 recessed toward the downstream side Dd, and a relief valve accommodating portion 366, which is a substantially cylindrical space that communicates with the downstream recess 364 via a communication passage 365 provided in the male thread portion 362. The relief valve accommodating portion 366 accommodates a first relief valve 37 (described later) and the like.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, this relief valve accommodating portion 366 has a female thread 36a formed on its inner surface into which the relief valve case 41 is screwed, and also has an approximately cylindrical fitting portion 367 formed therein that protrudes from the edge of the communicating passage 365 to the upstream side Du and into which the first relief valve 37 is fitted.

[0076] 5 and 7 , the first relief valve 37, together with the second relief valve 38 and the O-ring 50 described below, constitutes a valve body that seals the communication passage 365. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5 and 7 , the first relief valve 37 is substantially cylindrical and has substantially the same outer diameter as the relief valve accommodating portion 366, and is integrally formed with a female thread portion 371 into which the second relief valve 38 is threaded, and an annular bottom portion 372 that forms a bottom portion on the downstream side Dd of the female thread portion 371 and into which the fitting portion 367 of the upstream housing 36 fits.

[0077] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the second relief valve 38 is integrally formed of an approximately cylindrical male screw portion 381 that screws into the female screw portion 371 of the first relief valve 37, an approximately cylindrical upstream shaft portion 382 that extends from the male screw portion 381 to the upstream side Du, and an approximately cylindrical downstream shaft portion 383 that extends from the male screw portion 381 to the downstream side Dd.

[0078] Specifically, the upstream shaft portion 382 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the male thread portion 381. The downstream shaft portion 383 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the fitting portion 367 of the upstream housing 36.

[0079] Furthermore, an O-ring 50, which is an elastic body, is attached to the downstream shaft portion 383 and is sandwiched between the downstream shaft portion 383 and the first relief valve 37, and seals the gap between the downstream shaft portion 383 and the communication passage 365 of the upstream housing 36. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the washer 39 is formed as an annular flat plate having an inner diameter that fits loosely onto the upstream shaft portion 382 of the second relief valve 38.

[0080] 5 and 7, the second coil spring 40 is a coil spring that is disposed between the washer 39 and the relief valve case 41 and is fitted onto the upstream shaft portion 382 of the second relief valve 38. The second coil spring 40 is configured so that an end portion on the upstream side Du abuts against a bottom portion 412 of the relief valve case 41 (described later) and urges the second relief valve 38 toward the downstream side Dd by its elastic force.

[0081] 5 and 7, the relief valve case 41 is substantially cylindrical and has an inner diameter large enough to accommodate the second coil spring 40, and is integrally formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by a male thread portion 411 that screws into the relief valve accommodating portion 366 of the upstream housing 36 and a bottom portion 412 that is provided at an opening on the upstream side Du of the male thread portion 411. A plurality of through holes 41a (see FIG. 5) that penetrate radially are formed in the male thread portion 411 of the relief valve case 41 along the circumferential direction.

[0082] 5 and 7 , the cap 42 has an inner diameter large enough to accommodate the relief valve case 41, and is formed as a bottomed cylindrical body having a bottom on the upstream side Du. The cap 42 is attached to the relief valve accommodating portion 366 of the upstream housing 36.

[0083] The check valve mechanism 60 of the valve device 1 is a residual pressure retention mechanism that operates in response to the pressure difference of the fluid in the third flow path Z to leave gas at a desired pressure in the cylinder container. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the check valve mechanism 60 is configured by assembling a check valve 61, a check valve piston 62, a third coil spring 63, and a check valve housing 64 in this order from the downstream side Dd to the upstream side Du.

[0084] Specifically, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the check valve 61 is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape with an internal space that penetrates in the conduction direction D, and is made up of an approximately cylindrical tip tube portion 611 that is inserted into the seventh space Z7 and an approximately cylindrical male screw portion 612 that is smaller in diameter than the tip tube portion 611 and screws into the check valve piston 62.

[0085] More specifically, the tip tube portion 611 is formed with an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the seventh space Z7 of the third flow path Z, and is formed with a shape that is cut out approximately near the center in the conduction direction D. An O-ring 65, which is an elastic body that is sandwiched between the check valve piston 62 and seals the gap with the seventh space Z7 of the third flow path Z, is attached to the end of the upstream side Du of this tip tube portion 611 in a recessed groove (reference numeral omitted) that is recessed along the circumferential direction.

[0086] On the other hand, the male thread portion 612 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an internal space that communicates with the seventh space Z7 via the internal space of the tip tube portion 611. An O-ring 66, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the check valve piston 62, is attached to the base of the male thread portion 612 on the downstream side Dd.

[0087] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the check valve piston 62 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an internal space that penetrates in the conduction direction D, and is made up of a generally cylindrical outer fitting portion 621, a generally cylindrical female screw portion 622, and a generally cylindrical cylindrical portion 623.

[0088] Specifically, the outer fitting portion 621 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that fits onto the tip tube portion 611 of the check valve 61. As shown in Fig. 8, this outer fitting portion 621 is configured to sandwich the O-rings 65 and 66 together with the check valve 61 when the check valve 61 is assembled.

[0089] The female screw portion 622 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the outer fitting portion 621, is approximately cylindrical, and extends from the outer fitting portion 621 to the upstream side Du, and is formed so that the male screw portion 612 of the check valve 61 can be screwed into it.

[0090] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cylindrical portion 623 is approximately cylindrical and extends toward the upstream side Du with approximately the same inner and outer diameters as the female screw portion 622, and is provided with an expanded diameter portion 624 whose outer surface near the approximate center in the conduction direction D has an expanded diameter that forms an approximately mountain-shaped cross section.

[0091] Furthermore, at the end of the upstream side Du on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 623, a groove (symbol omitted) is recessed along the circumferential direction, and an O-ring 67 with a cross-shaped cross section, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the check valve housing 64, is fitted into the groove.

[0092] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the third coil spring 63 is a coil spring that is disposed in the internal space of the check valve piston 62 between the male thread portion 612 of the check valve 61 and the check valve housing 64 .

[0093] This third coil spring 63 is configured so that its end on the upstream side Du abuts against the reaction force support portion 647a of the check valve housing 64 described later, and uses its elastic force to urge the check valve 61 threaded onto the check valve piston 62 toward the downstream side Dd.

[0094] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the check valve housing 64 is integrally formed with an approximately cylindrical downstream tube portion 641, an approximately columnar column portion 642, an approximately cylindrical intermediate tube portion 643, an approximately annular partition plate portion 644, an approximately cylindrical upstream tube portion 645, and an approximately cylindrical female screw portion 646, which are arranged in this order from the downstream side Dd to the upstream side Du.

[0095] In addition, the check valve housing 64 has the downstream cylindrical portion 641 and cylindrical portion 642 arranged in the fifth space Z5, the intermediate cylindrical portion 643 and partition plate portion 644 arranged in the fourth space Z4, and the upstream cylindrical portion 645 and female thread portion 646 arranged in the third space Z3.

[0096] Specifically, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the downstream side tubular portion 641 is approximately cylindrical, having an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the expanded diameter portion 624 of the check valve piston 62 and an outer diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the seventh space Z7, and the end portion on the downstream side Dd is formed in a shape with a reduced diameter.

[0097] 8 and 9, the cylindrical portion 642 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an outer diameter that is generally the same as the diameter of the fifth space Z5. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 642 is provided with a recess (reference numeral omitted) that is recessed toward the upstream side Du on the end surface of the downstream side Dd inside the downstream-side cylindrical portion 641, with a generally circular cross section and a diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the downstream-side cylindrical portion 641.

[0098] The recess of the cylindrical portion 642, together with the downstream-side cylindrical portion 641, forms a fitting space 647 that fits around the check valve piston 62. The bottom of the fitting space 647 is formed as a reaction force support portion 647a that generates a reaction force in the third coil spring 63.

[0099] Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 642 has four through holes 642a formed at positions radially outward from the downstream cylindrical portion 641 and spaced a predetermined distance apart in the circumferential direction, penetrating in the conduction direction D of the third flow path Z.

[0100] 8 and 9, the intermediate cylinder portion 643 is generally cylindrical and has an outer diameter larger than that of the columnar portion 642 and generally the same as that of the fourth space Z4, and is formed so that its internal space communicates with the through-hole 642a of the columnar portion 642. An O-ring 68, which is an elastic body that seals a gap with the fourth space Z4, is fitted into a recessed groove (reference numeral omitted) recessed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of this intermediate cylinder portion 643.

[0101] 8 and 9 , the partition plate portion 644 is a generally annular flat plate that has a thickness in the conduction direction D and an outer diameter that is generally the same as the outer diameter of the columnar portion 642, and is provided to separate the intermediate tubular portion 643 and the upstream cylindrical portion 645 while allowing communication between them. An O-ring 69, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the second filter 90, is fitted into a groove (reference number omitted) that is recessed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of this partition plate portion 644.

[0102] 8 and 9, the upstream cylindrical portion 645 extends in the conduction direction D, and is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a downstream side Dd having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the partition plate portion 644. Four gas-conducting holes 64a are formed in the upstream cylindrical portion 645 at predetermined circumferential intervals, penetrating the upstream cylindrical portion 645 in the radial direction.

[0103] 8 and 9, the female thread portion 646 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an outer diameter that is generally the same as the outer diameter of the partition plate portion 644 and an inner diameter that is generally the same as the inner diameter of the upstream cylindrical portion 645. The outer peripheral surface of this female thread portion 646 is formed as a contact surface with which an O-ring 94, which will be described later, comes into contact.

[0104] The check valve mechanism 60 configured as described above has a check valve 61 fitted with O-rings 65 and 66 and a check valve piston 62 fitted with a third coil spring 63 housed in a check valve housing 64 and assembled thereto.

[0105] The operation of the pressure-reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60 having the above-described configuration will now be briefly described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. Note that the initial state of the on-off valve mechanism 20 is the closed state in which the on-off valve 24 seals the lower flow path X1 of the first flow path X, as shown in Figure 2.

[0106] 5, the initial state of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 is a closed state in which the pressure reducing valve 31 moves to the upstream side Du and the first relief valve 37 and the second relief valve 38 seal the communication passage 365 of the upstream housing 36. In addition, the initial state of the check valve mechanism 60 is a closed state in which the check valve 61 and the check valve piston 62 seal the seventh space Z7 of the third flow path Z, as shown in FIG.

[0107] First, when the on-off valve 24 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2, the rotary handle 21 is rotated in the loosening direction to move the on-off valve 24 to the open position. Then, the gas filled in the cylinder container flows from the lower flow path X1 of the first flow path X to the upper flow path X2 of the first flow path X, and then flows through the second flow path Y into the third space Z3 of the third flow path Z.

[0108] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the gas that has flowed into the third space Z3 flows into the interior of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the interior of the check valve mechanism 60 via a second filter 90 (described later) and the through hole 64a of the check valve housing 64.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 5 , the gas that has flowed into the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 passes through the internal space of the pressure reducing valve 31 in its initial state, the internal space of the pressure reducing piston 32, and the internal space of the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35, and reaches the downstream recess 364 and the communication passage 365 of the upstream housing 36.

[0110] At this time, when the pressure difference between the pressure in the space separated by the pressure reducing piston 32 and the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 and the downstream housing 33 and the pressure of the gas that has reached the downstream recess 364 and the connecting passage 365 exceeds the biasing force of the first coil spring 34 that biases it toward the upstream side Du, the pressure reducing valve 31, the pressure reducing piston 32 and the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 move together toward the downstream side Dd against the biasing force of the first coil spring 34, as shown in Figure 10.

[0111] When the pressure difference falls below the biasing force of the first coil spring 34, the pressure reducing valve 31, the pressure reducing piston 32, and the pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 move toward the upstream side Du due to the biasing force of the first coil spring 34, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0112] In this way, the pressure difference causes the pressure reducing valve 31, pressure reducing piston 32, and pressure reducing valve cylinder 35 to repeatedly move upstream Du and downstream Dd at high speed, thereby reducing the pressure of the gas flowing into the check valve mechanism 60.

[0113] Furthermore, when the pressure of the gas flowing into the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 is excessively high and reaches an overpressure state, the overpressurized gas moves the first relief valve 37 and the second relief valve 38, which seal the communication passage 365 of the upstream housing 36, toward the upstream side Du against the biasing force of the second coil spring 40, as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0114] Then, the gas that flows from the communicating passage 365 of the upstream housing 36 into the relief valve accommodating portion 366 of the upstream housing 36 passes through the through hole 41a of the relief valve case 41 and is released to the outside from an opening in the upstream housing 36 (not shown).

[0115] Furthermore, the gas that flows into the check valve mechanism 60 through the through hole 64a passes through the internal space of the partition plate portion 644 in the check valve housing 64, the internal space of the intermediate cylindrical portion 643, and the through hole 642a of the cylindrical portion 642, and reaches the fifth space Z5 and the sixth space Z6 of the third flow path Z, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0116] At this time, when the pressure difference between the pressure in the internal space of the check valve 61, the internal space of the check valve piston 62, and the fitting space 647, which are sealed by O-rings 65, 66, and 67, and the pressure of the gas that has reached the third flow path Z exceeds the biasing force of the third coil spring 63 that biases them toward the downstream side Dd, the check valve 61 and check valve piston 62, which are in the closed state, move together toward the upstream side Du against the biasing force of the third coil spring 63, as shown in Figure 12, and transition to an open state.

[0117] Therefore, the gas that has flowed into the check valve mechanism 60 passes through the seventh space Z7 of the third flow path Z and flows into the piping connected to the connecting portion 15 of the outlet portion 13. Note that while the gas is flowing into the piping connected to the connecting portion 15 of the outlet portion 13, the remaining amount of gas in the cylinder container decreases, causing a drop in the gas pressure.

[0118] At this time, when the pressure difference described above falls below the biasing force of the third coil spring 63 biasing toward the downstream side Dd, the check valve 61 and the check valve piston 62 move toward the downstream side Dd and transition to a closed state, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0119] In such a valve device 1, in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the opening / closing valve mechanism 20, which operates by rotating the rotary handle 21, and the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and check valve mechanism 60, which operate by pressure difference, the valve device 1 is equipped with a first filter 70, a fixing member 80, and a second filter 90.

[0120] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the first filter 70 of the valve device 1 is disposed in the filter mounting portion 14 of the valve body 10 to prevent the passage of foreign matter and further to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter into the on-off valve mechanism 20.

[0121] As shown in Figures 2 and 13, this first filter 70 is integrally constructed of a three-dimensional filter body 71 protruding toward the upstream side Du and an annular filter flange 72 provided at the edge of the filter body 71 on the downstream side Dd.

[0122] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 13, the filter body 71 is a sintered filter formed by sintering metal beads, and is formed with a cross-sectional concave shape that protrudes toward the upstream side Du (downward side) so as to have a main surface that intersects with the conduction direction D.

[0123] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13, the filter body 71 is formed in a generally hollow truncated cone shape with inner and outer diameters that gradually decrease from the downstream side Dd to the upstream side Du.

[0124] The filter body 71 is formed so that the inner diameter of the downstream side Dd, which is the largest diameter, is approximately the same as the diameter of the lower part X1 of the first flow path X, and the outer diameter of the downstream side Dd, which is the largest diameter, is smaller than the inner diameter of the filter mounting portion 14.

[0125] The inner peripheral surface of such a filter body 71 is formed to have an area that is approximately equal to a value calculated based on the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid flow path F. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the filter body 71 is formed to have an area that is approximately equal to a value obtained by dividing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path lower portion X1 by the filtration accuracy.

[0126] Furthermore, the upper end surface (end surface on the downstream side Dd) of the filter body 71 is composed of a flat plane 71a perpendicular to the vertical direction and an inclined surface 71b inclined radially outward and downward from the outer peripheral edge of the plane 71a.

[0127] 2 and 13, the filter flange 72 is a metal flat plate having a thickness in the vertical direction, and is formed in a circular ring shape in a plan view with an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the filter mounting portion 14, and an inner diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the downstream side Dd of the filter main body 71 and the diameter of the flow path lower portion X1 of the first flow path X. The filter flange 72 is integrally formed with the filter main body 71 by sintering metal beads.

[0128] A recess 72a, into which the filter body 71 fits, is formed in the lower surface of the filter flange 72. The recess 72a is recessed in a generally truncated cone shape, with a diameter that decreases toward the top. Specifically, the recess 72a has a generally truncated cone shape, with a bottom surface that contacts the flat surface 71a of the filter body 71 and a peripheral surface that contacts the inclined surface 71b of the filter body 71.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 2, when such a filter flange 72 is assembled to the filter mounting portion 14, the fixing member 80 is pressed against the lower surface radially outward of the recess 72a, and the upper surface abuts against the bottom surface of the filter mounting portion 14.

[0130] As shown in Figures 2 and 13, the fixing member 80 of the valve device 1 is generally cylindrical and extends in the conduction direction D, and is integrally formed with a generally cylindrical male screw portion 81 that screws into the filter mounting portion 14 of the valve body 10, and a generally hexagonal tubular hexagonal head portion 82 that is exposed to the outside of the filter mounting portion 14 when assembled to the valve body 10.

[0131] 2, the male thread portion 81 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the filter flange 72 of the first filter 70 and an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the recess 72a of the filter flange 72. Furthermore, the hexagonal head portion 82 is formed in a hexagonal tube shape with an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the male thread portion 81 and an outer diameter larger than that of the male thread portion 81, as shown in FIGS.

[0132] When such a fixing member 80 is screwed into the filter mounting portion 14 in which the first filter 70 is placed, the upper end surface (end surface on the downstream side Dd) of the male thread portion 81 presses against the lower surface of the filter flange 72, thereby tightly adhering the upper surface of the filter flange 72 to the bottom surface of the filter mounting portion 14.

[0133] Therefore, for example, gas introduced into the first flow path X passes through the filter body 71 of the first filter 70 and flows into the lower flow path X1 of the first flow path X. In this way, the valve body 10 prevents foreign matter from passing through the fluid flow path F and prevents foreign matter from entering the on-off valve mechanism 20.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 3 , the second filter 90 of the valve device 1 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the check valve housing 64 of the check valve mechanism 60 to prevent the passage of foreign matter and to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter into the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60.

[0135] The second filter 90 is pre-attached to the check valve mechanism 60 to which the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 is screwed, and is assembled to the outlet portion 13 of the valve body 10 together with the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60.

[0136] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, this second filter 90 is approximately cylindrical and extends along the conduction direction D of the third flow path Z, and is integrally formed of an approximately cylindrical filter main body 91, an approximately cylindrical upstream tube portion 92 provided at the end of the upstream side Du of the filter main body 91, and an approximately cylindrical downstream tube portion 93 provided at the end of the downstream side Dd of the filter main body 91.

[0137] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the filter body 91 is a sintered filter formed by sintering metal beads, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the partition plate portion 644 of the check valve housing 64. As shown in Fig. 8, this filter body 91 is formed to a length in the conduction direction D that spans the upstream cylindrical portion 645 of the check valve housing 64.

[0138] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upstream cylindrical portion 92 is generally cylindrical and has generally the same inner and outer diameters as the filter body 91, and is formed with a length in the conduction direction D that is shorter than that of the filter body 91.

[0139] Furthermore, an O-ring 94, which is an elastic body that seals the gap with the upstream cylindrical portion 645 of the check valve housing 64, is fitted into a groove portion 92a that is recessed circumferentially on the inner surface of the upstream cylindrical portion 92.

[0140] 8 and 9, the downstream cylindrical portion 93 is generally cylindrical and has generally the same inner and outer diameters as the filter body 91, and is formed with a length in the conduction direction D that is shorter than that of the filter body 91. The upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93 are integrally formed with the filter body 91 by sintering metal beads.

[0141] As shown in Figure 8, when such a second filter 90 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the check valve housing 64 of the check valve mechanism 60, the inner peripheral surface of the filter body 91 is positioned opposite the outer peripheral surface of the upstream cylindrical portion 645, the inner peripheral surface of the upstream cylindrical portion 92 is positioned opposite the outer peripheral surface of the female thread portion 646, and the inner peripheral surface of the downstream cylindrical portion 93 is positioned opposite the outer peripheral surface of the partition plate portion 644.

[0142] At this time, the gap between the upstream cylindrical portion 92 of the second filter 90 and the female thread portion 646 of the check valve housing 64 is sealed by an O-ring 94, and the gap between the downstream cylindrical portion 93 of the second filter 90 and the partition plate portion 644 of the check valve housing 64 is sealed by an O-ring 69.

[0143] Therefore, for example, gas introduced from the second flow path Y passes through the filter body 91 of the second filter 90 and flows into the introduction hole 64a of the check valve housing 64. In this way, the valve device 1 prevents foreign matter from passing through the fluid flow path F and prevents foreign matter from entering the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60.

[0144] As described above, the valve device 1 of this embodiment is provided with the valve body 10 having the fluid flow path F formed therein through which gas flows, and the opening / closing valve 24 that opens and closes the fluid flow path F inside the valve body 10.

[0145] Furthermore, the valve device 1 is provided with a second filter 90 that is arranged in the fluid flow path F and extends along the fluid flow path F, and elastic O-rings 69 and 94 that are interposed in the gap between the second filter 90 and the outer surface of the check valve housing 64 to which the second filter 90 is attached.

[0146] The second filter 90 is integrally constructed of a roughly cylindrical filter body 91 formed by sintering metal beads, a roughly cylindrical upstream metallic tubular portion 92 provided at the upstream Du end of the filter body 91 and having a circumferential surface against which an O-ring 94 abuts, and a roughly cylindrical downstream metallic tubular portion 93 provided at the downstream Dd end of the filter body 91 and having a circumferential surface against which an O-ring 69 abuts.

[0147] According to this configuration, the O-ring 94 and the O-ring 69 abut against the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93, respectively, which are made of metal and provided at both ends of the filter body 91. Therefore, the O-ring 69 and the O-ring 94 can be tightly attached to the second filter 90 without any gaps, compared to when the O-ring 69 and the O-ring 94 abut against the filter body 91, which is a porous material.

[0148] At this time, the elastic force of the O-rings 69 and 94 does not act on the filter body 91, and therefore the valve device 1 can prevent damage to the filter body 91 due to the elastic force of the O-rings 69 and 94. As a result, the valve device 1 can seal the gap between the second filter 90 and the outer peripheral surface of the check valve housing 64 without damaging the second filter 90, thereby preventing the passage of foreign matter.

[0149] Furthermore, since the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93 are integrally formed with the filter body 91 by sintering, the valve device 1 can reliably integrate the filter body 91 with the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93.

[0150] As a result, the valve device 1 prevents the filter body 91 from separating from the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93 due to the pressure generated when gas passes through, thereby reliably preventing the passage of foreign matter.

[0151] Furthermore, since the upstream cylindrical portion 92 is recessed in the circumferential direction and has a groove portion 92a into which the O-ring 94 fits, the valve device 1 can easily regulate the position of the O-ring 94 relative to the second filter 90.

[0152] Therefore, the valve device 1 can stably seal the gap between the second filter 90 and the outer peripheral surface of the check valve housing 64, and can prevent unintended contact between the O-ring 94 and the filter body 91.

[0153] Furthermore, since the gap between the second filter 90 and the outer surface of the check valve housing 64 can be narrowed compared to when the upstream cylindrical portion 92 does not have a recessed groove portion 92a, the valve device 1 can prevent the outer diameter of the second filter 90 from becoming excessively large.

[0154] The fluid flow path F also includes a second flow path Y located on the upstream side Du in the gas conduction direction D, and a third flow path Z that communicates with the second flow path Y and intersects with the second flow path Y. The second filter 90 is disposed in the third flow path Z so as to intersect with the second flow path Y.

[0155] With this configuration, the gas flow direction D from the second flow path Y to the third flow path Z can be reliably intersected with the second filter 90, so the valve device 1 can prevent the operation of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60 arranged in the third flow path Z from being obstructed by foreign matter.

[0156] The valve device 1 also has an internal space in the third flow path Z through which gas flows, and is provided with a check valve mechanism 60 that regulates the flow of gas. The second filter 90, the O-ring 69, and the O-ring 94 are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the check valve mechanism 60.

[0157] According to this configuration, the second filter 90 can prevent foreign matter from passing through the inside of the check valve mechanism 60, and the valve device 1 can ensure stable operation of the check valve mechanism 60. Furthermore, by arranging the check valve mechanism 60, to which the second filter 90, O-ring 69, and O-ring 94 are attached, in the third flow path Z, the valve device 1 can improve the ease of assembling the second filter 90, O-ring 69, and O-ring 94 to the valve body 10.

[0158] The valve device 1 also includes a pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 that is connected to the check valve mechanism 60 and reduces the pressure of the gas. With this configuration, the second filter 90 can prevent foreign matter from passing through not only the check valve mechanism 60 but also the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30. Therefore, the valve device 1 can ensure stable operation of the check valve mechanism 60 and the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30.

[0159] In correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-mentioned embodiments, the fluid of this invention corresponds to the gas in the embodiments, and similarly below, the filter corresponds to the second filter 90, the mounting surface corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the check valve housing 64, the sealing member corresponds to the O-ring 69 and the O-ring 94, the pair of cylindrical bodies correspond to the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93, the upstream flow path and one of the flow paths correspond to the second flow path Y, the downstream flow path and the other flow path correspond to the third flow path Z, and the pressure reducing mechanism corresponds to the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30, but this invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0160] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the valve device 1 is attached to a gas cylinder, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the valve device 1 may be connected to the pipe P of a bundle V (also called a curdle) which is an assembly formed by assembling a plurality of gas cylinders B, as shown in Fig. 14, which is a schematic diagram of the bundle V to which the valve device 1 is connected. In this case, the valve device 1 is a filling-side valve device 1A which conducts gas to the gas cylinder B, and / or a consumption-side valve device 1B which conducts gas to a gas-consuming device (not shown) that consumes the gas.

[0161] Furthermore, the valve body 10 is configured with the mounting portion 11, the body portion 12, and the outlet portion 13, but is not limited to this, and the valve body 10 may be a valve body with a shape suitable for connecting pipes. In this case, the first filter 70 may be attached to the mounting portion of the valve body that is attached to at least the pipe on the upstream side Du.

[0162] Furthermore, the valve device 1 is provided with the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60, but is not limited to this, and the valve device 1 may be a valve device provided with either the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 or the check valve mechanism 60, or a valve device provided with only the safety valve unit of the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30.

[0163] Alternatively, the valve device 1 may be a valve device that does not include the pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 30 and the check valve mechanism 60. Furthermore, although the valve device 1 is described as including the first filter 70, the valve device 1 may be a valve device that does not include the first filter 70.

[0164] Furthermore, the filter body 91 of the second filter 90, the upstream cylindrical portion 92, and the downstream cylindrical portion 93 are integrally formed by sintering metal beads, but this is not limited to this, and the second filter 90 may also be one in which the filter body 91, the upstream cylindrical portion 92, and the downstream cylindrical portion 93 are integrally formed by bonding.

[0165] Furthermore, the second filter 90 is generally cylindrical and extends in the conduction direction D, but this is not limited to this. The second filter 90 may be generally rectangular or polygonal as long as it has a cylindrical shape that extends in the conduction direction D.

[0166] Furthermore, although the second filter 90 is attached to the check valve housing 64 of the check valve mechanism 60, the present invention is not limited to this and the second filter 90 may be attached to the pressure-reducing safety valve mechanism 30. Alternatively, the second filter 90 may be attached to the circumferential surface of the third flow path Z so that the filter body 91 faces the second flow path Y. In this case, O-rings abutting the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93 of the second filter 90 close the gap with the circumferential surface of the third flow path Z.

[0167] Furthermore, although the second filter 90 is arranged in the third flow path Z, this is not limited to this, and the second filter 90 may also be arranged in the upper part X2 of the first flow path X so that the filter body 91 faces the second flow path Y.

[0168] Furthermore, the second filter 90 has a groove portion 92a in the upstream cylindrical portion 92 into which the O-ring 94 is fitted, but this is not limited to this, and the second filter may have no groove portion 92a in the upstream cylindrical portion 92, a groove portion in the downstream cylindrical portion 93 into which the O-ring 69 is fitted, or a groove portion in which an O-ring is fitted into both the upstream cylindrical portion 92 and the downstream cylindrical portion 93.

[0169] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1... valve device 10... valve body 24... on-off valve 30... pressure reducing safety valve mechanism 60... check valve mechanism 64... check valve housing 69... O-ring 90... second filter 91... filter body 92... upstream side cylindrical portion 92a... concave groove portion 93... downstream side cylindrical portion 94... O-ring D... conduction direction Du... upstream side F... fluid flow path Y... second flow path Z... third flow path

Claims

1. A valve device comprising a valve body having a fluid flow path formed therein through which a fluid flows, and an on-off valve within the valve body for opening and closing the fluid flow path, the valve body further comprising: a substantially cylindrical filter disposed in the fluid flow path and extending along the fluid flow path; and a resilient sealing member disposed in a gap between the filter and a mounting surface to which the filter is attached, the filter being integrally constituted by a substantially cylindrical filter body formed by sintering metal beads, and a pair of substantially cylindrical metallic cylindrical bodies disposed at both ends of the filter body, the metallic cylindrical bodies having peripheral surfaces with which the sealing member comes into contact.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is integrally formed with the filter main body by sintering.

3. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is provided with a groove recessed along the circumferential direction into which the seal member fits.

4. A valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid flow path comprises an upstream flow path located upstream in a direction of flow of the fluid, and a downstream flow path communicating with the upstream flow path and intersecting the upstream flow path, and the filter is disposed in either the upstream flow path or the downstream flow path so as to intersect the other flow path.

5. The valve device according to claim 4, wherein the other flow path has an internal space through which the fluid flows and is provided with a check valve mechanism that regulates the flow of the fluid, and the filter and the seal member are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the check valve mechanism.

6. The valve device according to claim 5, further comprising a pressure reducing mechanism connected to the check valve mechanism for reducing the pressure of the fluid.

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