Coupler and hydraulic equipment using coupler

Abstract

This coupler (11) comprises: a far-side sealing member (91) provided on the far side, in the insertion direction, of an opening (28) in a first oil channel (31) and an opening (43) in a second oil channel (32); and a near-side sealing member (92) provided on the near side, in the insertion direction, of the opening (28) in the first oil channel (31) and the opening (43) in the second oil channel (32). In a connected state in which the first member (20) and the second member (40) are connected, the seal diameter (L1) of the near-side sealing member (92) is set equal to or less than the seal diameter (L2) of the far-side sealing member (91).

Description

Coupler and hydraulic equipment using the coupler

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved coupler and a hydraulic device using the coupler.

[0002] Pipes through which fluids such as hydraulic oil flow can be connected by couplers. Prior art relating to couplers is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The coupler disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a plug (first member) having an insertion portion in which a first oil passage is formed, and a socket (second member) having an insertion portion into which the insertion portion is inserted, and in which a second oil passage that can communicate with the first oil passage is formed in the insertion portion.

[0004] In the disconnected state where the plug and socket are disconnected, the first valve element provided in the first oil passage of the plug is seated on the first valve seat, closing the first oil passage. Similarly, in the disconnected state, the second valve element provided in the second oil passage of the socket is seated on the second valve seat, closing the second oil passage.

[0005] In the connected state where the plug and socket are connected to each other, the first valve body and the second valve body press against each other, the first valve body moves away from the first valve seat, and the first oil passage is opened. Similarly, in the connected state, the second valve body moves away from the second valve seat, and the first oil passage is opened.

[0006] Patent No. 4121018

[0007] However, when the socket and plug are connected, the internal pressure of the hydraulic oil applies a force to the socket and plug in a direction that causes them to separate from each other. Therefore, the socket and plug must have a connection strength that is strong enough to prevent the connection from being released by the internal pressure. Furthermore, when the connection is released, there is a possibility that hydraulic oil will splash out from the first oil passage and the second oil passage, so there is room for improvement.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a coupler that can reduce the force acting in a direction to release the connection due to the internal pressure of the hydraulic oil.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a hydraulic oil pump includes a first member having an insertion portion in which a first oil passage is formed, and an opening of the first oil passage is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion; a first valve mechanism having a first valve body capable of opening and closing the first oil passage; a second member having an inserted portion into which the insertion portion can be inserted, and an opening of a second oil passage capable of communicating with the first oil passage being formed on an inner peripheral surface of the inserted portion; a rear side seal member provided further back in the insertion direction than the opening of the first oil passage and the opening of the second oil passage, and sealing a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inserted portion; and a front side seal member provided further forward in the insertion direction than the opening of the first oil passage and the opening of the second oil passage, and sealing a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inserted portion, wherein in a connected state in which the insertion portion is inserted into the inserted portion and the first member and the second member are connected, the seal diameter of the front side seal member is The coupler is provided with a seal diameter set equal to or smaller than the seal diameter of the rear seal member.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a coupler that can reduce the force acting in the direction of disconnection due to the internal pressure of the hydraulic oil.

[0011] Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating a hydraulic shock absorber equipped with a coupler as Example 1. Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating a brake fluid pressure regulator equipped with a coupler in a separated state where a first member and a second member are separated from each other. Fig. 5C is a diagram illustrating a coupler in a connected state where a first member and a second member are connected to each other. Fig. 5D is a diagram illustrating a brake fluid pressure regulator equipped with a coupler in a separated state.

[0012] The first and second embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] 1 shows a hydraulic shock absorber 10 equipped with a coupler 11 as a first embodiment. The hydraulic shock absorber 10 is mounted on, for example, a motorcycle and includes a shock absorber 12 that absorbs shock, a compression coil spring 13 (elastic member) that applies force to the shock absorber 12 in a direction that extends the length of the shock absorber 12 whose overall length has been shortened by a shock, a spring retainer 14 that supports the end of the compression coil spring 13 that faces the vehicle body, an adjustment mechanism 16 that can adjust the position of the spring retainer 14 using the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil, and an electric pump 15 that serves as a hydraulic pressure source for the hydraulic oil. The electric pump 15 and the adjustment mechanism 16 are connected to each other via a pipe 17 and the coupler 11.

[0014] (Coupler) See Figure 2. The coupler 11 includes a first member 20 (plug) on ​​the electric pump 15 side and a second member 40 (socket) on the pipe 17 side, which is connectable to the first member 20, based on the direction of hydraulic oil flow. Figure 2 shows the coupler 11 in a separated state, where the first member 20 and the second member 40 are separated from each other. Figure 3 shows the coupler 11 in a connected state, where the first member 20 and the second member 40 are connected to each other.

[0015] (First Member) See Figure 2. The first member 20 has a connecting portion 21 connectable to a member on the electric pump 15 side, a large-diameter portion 24 having an outer diameter larger than that of the connecting portion 21, and a substantially cylindrical insertion portion 25 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 24. A male thread 21a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting portion 21 so that the connecting portion 21 can be fastened to a member on the electric pump 15 side. Furthermore, the connecting portion 21 is provided with a seal member 22 that seals any gaps between the connecting portion 21 and the member on the electric pump 15 side.

[0016] (Second member) The second member 40 (socket) has an insertion portion 41 into which the insertion portion 25 can be inserted. Hereinafter, the direction in which the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the insertion portion 41 will be referred to as the back side, and the direction in which the insertion portion 25 is removed from the insertion portion 41 will be referred to as the front side.

[0017] (First Oil Passage) A first oil passage 31 through which hydraulic oil flows is formed inside the first member 20. An opening 23 is formed in the connecting portion 21. An outer peripheral surface opening 28 is formed in the outer peripheral surface 27 of the insertion portion 25.

[0018] The first oil passage 31 is formed from the opening 23 on the electric pump 15 side to the outer peripheral surface opening 28. The first oil passage 31 has, for example, a radial oil passage 31b having the outer peripheral surface opening 28 and extending in the radial direction of the insertion portion 25, and an insertion direction oil passage 31a extending in the insertion direction and having the opening 23. The radial oil passage 31b is a hole that penetrates the insertion portion 25 in the radial direction. The center of the radial oil passage 31b is connected to the rear end of the insertion direction oil passage 31a.

[0019] (First valve mechanism) The first oil passage 31 is provided with a first valve mechanism 50 having a first valve body 51 that can move along the insertion direction to open and close the first oil passage 31. The first valve mechanism 50 opens the first oil passage 31 when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41 (see FIG. 3), and closes the first oil passage 31 when the insertion portion 25 is removed from the inserted portion 41 (see FIG. 2).

[0020] Specifically, the first valve mechanism 50 includes a first valve body 51, a first valve seat 58 formed on the wall surface of the insertion direction oil passage 31a of the first oil passage 31 and on which the first valve body 51 can be seated, and a first compression coil spring 59 (first elastic member) capable of applying force to the first valve body 51 in a direction in which the first valve body 51 comes into close contact with the first valve seat 58.

[0021] (First Valve Seat) The inner diameter of the first valve seat 58 decreases toward the back.

[0022] (First Valve Body) The first valve body 51 is composed of a first hard member 52 and a first soft member 55 which have different hardnesses. A convex portion 52a formed on the first hard member 52 is fitted into a concave portion 55a formed on the first soft member 55. The first hard member 52 is located on the rear side, and the first soft member 55 is located on the front side.

[0023] (First Soft Member) The first soft member 55 has a first spring receiving portion 56 that receives the first compression coil spring 59, and a first seating portion 57 that can be seated on the first valve seat 58. The first soft member 55 may have any softness that allows it to deform when seated on the first valve seat 58. The first soft member 55 is made of, for example, urethane resin.

[0024] (First Hard Member) The first hard member 52 has a first tapered portion 53 whose outer diameter decreases toward the rear, and a first pillar portion 54 that extends further toward the rear from the rear end of the first tapered portion 53. The first pillar portion 54 has a constant outer diameter and serves as a guide for the movement of the first valve body 51.

[0025] (Column storage section) The first member 20 has a column storage section 60 that stores approximately half of the rear side of the first column section 54 of the coupler 11. The column storage section 60 is located further rearward than the radial oil passage 31b and is a cylindrical space that is open on both the rear and front ends. The inner circumferential surface 61 of the column storage section 60 has a reduced diameter section 62 with a small inner diameter in part of it. The outer circumferential surface 54a of the first column section 54 is slidable relative to the reduced diameter section 62.

[0026] (Column sealing member) The column storage section 60 is provided with an annular column sealing member 63 at the back side of the reduced diameter section 62, which fills the gap between the inner surface 61 of the column storage section 60 and the outer surface 54a of the first column section 54.

[0027] (Holding member) The pillar storage section 60 is provided with a cylindrical holding member 64 capable of holding the first pillar section 54, further back than the pillar section seal member 63. The outer peripheral surface 54a of the first pillar section 54 is slidable relative to the inner peripheral surface 65 of the holding member 64. The outer diameter of the end on the back side of the holding member 64 is set to be larger.

[0028] (Second Oil Passage) The second member 40 is formed with a second oil passage 32 that is connected to the first oil passage 31 and through which hydraulic oil can flow. The second oil passage 32 extends in the radial direction of the inserted portion 41. The second oil passage 32 has an inner peripheral surface opening 43 that is formed in the inner peripheral surface 42 of the inserted portion 41. The inserted portion 41 has a lid portion 44 that has an opposing surface 45 that can face the tip surface 26 of the insertion portion 25.

[0029] (Second valve mechanism) The second member 40 is provided with a second valve mechanism 70 having a second valve body 71 that can open and close the second oil passage 32 by moving along the radial direction of the inserted portion 41. The second valve mechanism 70 opens the second oil passage 32 when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41 (see FIG. 2), and closes the second oil passage 32 when the insertion portion 25 is removed from the inserted portion 41 (see FIG. 3).

[0030] Specifically, the second valve mechanism 70 includes a second valve body 71, a second valve seat 78 formed on the wall surface of the second oil passage 32 and on which the second valve body 71 can be seated, and a second compression coil spring 79 (second elastic member) capable of applying force to the second valve body 71 in a direction in which the second valve body 71 comes into close contact with the second valve seat 78.

[0031] The second member 40 is provided with a support member 49 that can support the second compression coil spring 79. A hole that can communicate with the second oil passage 32 is formed in the center of the support member 49.

[0032] (Second Valve Seat) The inner diameter of the second valve seat 78 decreases toward the inside in the radial direction of the inserted portion 41 .

[0033] (Second Valve Body) The second valve body 71 is composed of a second hard member 72 and a second soft member 75 which have different hardnesses. A convex portion 72a formed on the second hard member 72 is fitted into a concave portion 75a formed on the second soft member 75. The second hard member 72 is located radially inside the inserted portion 41, and the second soft member 75 is located radially outside the inserted portion 41.

[0034] (Second Soft Member) The second soft member 75 has a second spring receiving portion 76 that receives a second compression coil spring 79, and a second seating portion 77 that can be seated on a second valve seat 78. The material of the second soft member 75 is the same as that of the first soft member 55.

[0035] (Second hard member) The second hard member 72 has a second tapered portion 73 whose outer diameter decreases as it extends radially inward of the inserted portion 41, and a second pillar portion 74 extending radially inward from the radially inner end of the second tapered portion 73.

[0036] When the coupler 11 is in a disconnected state (see FIG. 2), the second pillar portion 74 has a protrusion 74a that protrudes radially inward beyond the inner circumferential surface 42 of the inserted portion 41. When the inserting portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41, the protrusion 74a can come into contact with the outer circumferential surface 27 of the inserting portion 25. The diameter of the protrusion 74a decreases toward the tip of the protrusion 74a. In a connected state (see FIG. 3), the tip of the protrusion 74a is located further back than the outer circumferential surface opening 28.

[0037] (Pushing member) The first member 20 is provided with a pushing member 80 that comes into contact with the tip surface 54b of the first column portion 54 of the first valve body 51 when the inserting portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41 (the state shown in Figures 2 and 3), and pushes the first valve body 51 in a direction away from the first valve seat 58.

[0038] The pushing member 80 is movable along the insertion direction. The pushing member 80 is, for example, a screw, and has a shaft portion 82 that penetrates the lid portion 44 of the inserted portion 41, and a head portion 81 that is provided at the rear end of the shaft portion 82 and can be operated from the outside. A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 82. The lid portion 44 is formed with a female thread 44a that can mesh with the male thread of the shaft portion 82. The diameter of the shaft portion 82 is the same as the diameter of the first column portion 54 of the first valve body 51.

[0039] Although the pressing member 80 is separate from the second member 40, it may be formed integrally with the second member 40 using the same material.

[0040] (Movement Range of Pushing Member) See Figure 3. With the insertion portion 25 inserted into the insertion receiving portion 41, the pushing member 80 can be moved toward the rear or the front by rotating the head portion 81. See Figure 4. The movement range of the pushing member 80 includes a state in which the shaft portion 82 of the pushing member 80 is separated from the tip surface 54b of the first valve body 51 and the first valve body 51 is seated on the first valve seat 58 (the state shown in Figure 4).

[0041] 2 and 3 . An annular rear seal member 91 is provided rearward of the outer peripheral surface opening 28 of the first oil passage 31 and the inner peripheral surface opening 43 of the second oil passage 32. The rear seal member 91 seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface 27 of the insertion portion 25 and the inner peripheral surface 42 of the inserted portion 41. In the separated state, the rear seal member 91 is attached to a rear groove 42 a formed on the inner peripheral surface 42 of the inserted portion 41 rearward of the inner peripheral surface opening 43.

[0042] (Front-Side Seal Member) An annular front-side seal member 92 is provided on the front side of the outer peripheral surface opening 28 of the first oil passage 31 and the inner peripheral surface opening 43 of the second oil passage 32. The front-side seal member 92 seals the gap between the outer peripheral surface 27 of the insertion portion 25 and the inner peripheral surface 42 of the inserted portion 41. The front-side seal member 92 is attached to a front groove 42b formed on the inner peripheral surface 42 of the inserted portion 41, on the front side of the inner peripheral surface opening 43. Note that in the separated state, the rear-side seal member 91 and the front-side seal member 92 may be attached to the outer peripheral surface 27 of the insertion portion 25.

[0043] (Seal Diameter of Seal Member) See Figure 3. When the coupler 11 is in the connected state, the seal diameter L1 of the front seal member 92 is set equal to the seal diameter L2 of the rear seal member 91 (L1 = L2). Here, the seal diameter L1 is the inner diameter of the front seal member 92 when it is installed, in other words, the diameter of the portion of the outer circumferential surface 27 of the insertion portion 25 that the front seal member 92 contacts. The seal diameter L2 is the inner diameter of the rear seal member 91 when it is installed, in other words, the diameter of the portion of the outer circumferential surface 27 of the insertion portion 25 that the rear seal member 91 contacts.

[0044] (Air Vent) The second member 40 has an air vent 47 that connects the inserted portion 41 of the second member 40 with the outside and allows the air to pass through. The air vent 47 is, for example, a hole that penetrates the lid portion 44.

[0045] (Effects of the embodiment) Referring to Fig. 2, first, coupler 11 includes a first member 20 having an insertion portion 25 in which first oil passage 31 is formed, and an opening 28 of first oil passage 31 is formed on an outer peripheral surface 27 of insertion portion 25, a first valve mechanism 50 having a first valve body 51 that can open and close first oil passage 31, and a second member 40 having an inserted portion 41 into which insertion portion 25 can be inserted, and an opening 43 of second oil passage 32 that can communicate with first oil passage 31 is formed on an inner peripheral surface 42 of inserted portion 41.

[0046] Furthermore, the coupler 11 is provided with a rear seal member 91 that is located further back in the insertion direction than the opening 28 of the first oil passage 31 and the opening 43 of the second oil passage 32, and that seals the gap between the outer surface 27 of the insertion portion 25 and the inner surface 42 of the inserted portion 41, and a front seal member 92 that is located further forward in the insertion direction than the opening 28 of the first oil passage 31 and the opening 43 of the second oil passage 32, and that seals the gap between the outer surface 27 of the insertion portion 25 and the inner surface 42 of the inserted portion 41.

[0047] 3 , in a connected state in which the inserting portion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 41 and the first member 20 and the second member 40 are connected, the seal diameter L1 of the front seal member 92 is set to be equal to the seal diameter L2 of the rear seal member 91.

[0048] When the coupler 11 is connected, the first oil passage 31 and the second oil passage 32 are filled with hydraulic oil, and the hydraulic pressure is increased by the electric pump 15, a force acting toward the rear side acts on the rear seal member 91. A force acting toward the front side acts on the front seal member 92. The force pushing the rear seal member 91 toward the rear side and the force pushing the front seal member 92 toward the front side cancel each other out. Therefore, a coupler 11 can be provided that can reduce the force acting in a direction to release the connection between the first member 20 and the second member 40 due to the internal pressure of the hydraulic oil. In other words, the internal pressure of the hydraulic oil can be set higher. The strength of the coupler 11 can be increased. The force required to attach and detach the coupler 11 can be reduced.

[0049] 2 and 3 . Second, in the first coupler 11, the second member 40 is provided with a second valve mechanism 70 having a second valve body 71 that can open and close the second oil passage 32. The second valve mechanism 70 opens the second oil passage 32 when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 41, and closes the second oil passage 32 when the insertion portion 25 is removed from the receiving portion 41. That is, a valve mechanism is provided not only in the first oil passage 31 but also in the second oil passage 32.

[0050] Third, in the second coupler 11, the second valve mechanism 70 includes a second valve seat 78, a second valve seat 78 formed on the wall surface of the second oil passage 32, a second valve body 71 capable of seating on the second valve seat 78, and a second compression coil spring 79 capable of applying force to the second valve body 71 so that the second valve body 71 closely contacts the second valve seat 78. Furthermore, when the insertion portion 25 is removed from the inserted portion 41, the tip of the second valve body 71 protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface 42 of the inserted portion 41, and the second valve body 71 is seated on the second valve seat 78. When the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41, the tip of the second valve body 71 contacts the outer circumferential surface 27 of the insertion portion 25, and the second valve body 71 is separated from the second valve seat 78.

[0051] 3. Fourth, in the first coupler 11, the second member 40 is provided with a pushing member 80 that comes into contact with the first valve body 51 and pushes the first valve body 51 in a direction away from the first valve seat 58 when the inserting portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41. That is, when the inserting portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41, the pushing member 80 can open the first oil passage 31.

[0052] Fifth, in the fourth coupler 11, the pushing member 80 is movable relative to the second member 40. Since the position of the first valve body 51 changes depending on the position of the pushing member 80, the flow path area of ​​the first oil passage 31 can be adjusted.

[0053] See Figure 4. Sixth, in the fifth coupler 11, the movement range of the pushing member 80 includes a state in which, when the insertion portion 25 is inserted into the insertion receiving portion 41, the pushing member 80 is separated from the first valve body 51 and the first valve body 51 is seated on the first valve seat 58. When the coupler 11 is released from the connection, the first oil passage 31 can be closed in advance, thereby preventing the hydraulic oil from splashing when the connection is released.

[0054] See Fig. 3. Seventh, the first coupler 11 includes a pillar portion housing portion 60 formed in the first member 20 and housing a part of the rear side of the first valve body 51, and a pillar portion sealing member 63 that closes the gap between an inner peripheral surface 61 of the pillar portion housing portion 60 and an outer peripheral surface 54a of the first valve body 51.

[0055] Hydraulic oil flows into the column housing 60, which houses a portion of the first valve body 51. However, the column housing 60 is provided with a column seal member 63. The column seal member 63 can receive the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil that flows into the column housing 60. This prevents the hydraulic oil from reaching the second member 40 via the column housing 60, and also prevents the force of the hydraulic oil acting in a direction that separates the first member 20 and the second member 40.

[0056] See Fig. 2. Eighth, in the first coupler 11, the second member 40 has an air vent 47 that connects the inserted portion 41 of the second member 40 with the outside and allows air to pass through. When the inserting portion 25 is inserted into the inserted portion 41, the air in the inserted portion 41 can be released to the outside.

[0057] Ninth, in the first coupler 11, the first valve body 51 includes a first hard member 52 and a first soft member 55 that have different hardnesses. The first soft member 55 has a first seating portion 57 that can seat on a first valve seat 58 formed in the first oil passage 31. By using a soft material for the portion of the first valve body 51 that seats on the first valve seat 58, the first oil passage 31 can be closed more reliably.

[0058] Tenth, in the second coupler 11, the second valve body 71 includes a second hard member 72 and a second soft member 75 that have different hardnesses. The second soft member 75 has a first seating portion 57 that can seat on a second valve seat 78. By using a soft material for the portion of the second valve body 71 that seats on the second valve seat 78, the second oil passage 32 can be closed more reliably.

[0059] 3. Eleventh, in the first coupler 11, the seal diameter L1 of the front seal member 92 is set smaller than the seal diameter L2 of the rear seal member 91. The seal diameter L1 need not necessarily be equal to the seal diameter L2 (L1 = L2), but may be set smaller than the seal diameter L2 (L1 < L2) within a range that does not impair the sealing function.

[0060] Twelfth, the first coupler 11 is a hydraulic device 10 (see FIG. 1) or 10A (see FIG. 5) equipped with the first coupler 11.

[0061] Thirteenth, in the twelfth coupler 11, the hydraulic device 10 is specifically a hydraulic shock absorber 10.

[0062] 1. Fourteenth, in a thirteenth coupler 11, the hydraulic shock absorber 10 includes a compression coil spring 13 (elastic member) that applies force in a direction to extend the length of the hydraulic shock absorber 10 that has been compressed by an impact, and an adjustment mechanism 16 that can adjust the position of the end of the compression coil spring 13 using the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil. The adjustment mechanism 16 and an electric pump 15, which is a hydraulic pressure source for the hydraulic oil, are connected via the coupler 11.

[0063] 5A and 5B show a hydraulic device 10A including a coupler 11 as a second embodiment. The hydraulic device 10A is a brake fluid pressure adjusting device 10A capable of adjusting the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil supplied to a brake caliper (not shown).

[0064] Specifically, the brake fluid pressure regulator 10A includes a block-shaped modulator body 101, a control device 102 disposed on one side of the modulator body 101 and housing control components, an electric motor 103 disposed on the other side of the modulator body 101, input connection ports 104, 104 for hydraulic oil, and a plurality of output connection ports 105 for hydraulic oil. A connection portion 21 (see FIG. 2) of a first member 20 is threadedly connected to one of the plurality of output connection ports 105. A second member 40 is fixed to the end of a pipe 18.

[0065] (Fixing Member) When the coupler 11 is in a connected state, the first member 20 and the second member are fixed to each other by a fixing member 86. The fixing member 86 has a bottom portion 87 that is sandwiched between the expanded diameter portion 24 (see FIG. 2) of the first member 20 and the modulator 101, and a pair of arms 88, 88 (see also FIG. 2) that extend from both ends of the bottom portion 87 toward the second member.

[0066] Each arm 88 is plate-shaped and bends when connecting the first member 20 and the second member 40. Each arm 88 has a bent portion 88a (see also FIG. 2 ) bent at its tip. Each bent portion 88a can be engaged with a frame-shaped frame member 89 that can be fixed to the second member 40.

[0067] Fifteenth, in the twelfth coupler 11, as described above, the hydraulic device is the brake fluid pressure adjusting device 10A that can adjust the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid to the brake caliper.

[0068] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 and 2. The first valve body 51 is composed of a first hard member 52 and a first soft member 55, which have different hardnesses, but may be integrally formed using the material of either the first soft member 55 or the first hard member 52 depending on the strength required. For example, if the strength required is not as great as that of the first hard member 52, the first valve body 51 may be formed using the material of the first soft member 55.

[0069] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Hydraulic shock absorber (hydraulic equipment) 10A... Brake fluid pressure adjusting device (hydraulic equipment) 11... Coupler 12... Shock absorber 13... Compression coil spring 15... Electric pump (hydraulic source) 16... Adjustment mechanism 20... First member 25... Insertion portion 27... Outer peripheral surface of insertion portion 28... Outer peripheral surface opening (opening of first oil passage) 31... First oil passage 32... Second oil passage 40... Second member 41... Inserted portion 42... Inner peripheral surface of inserted portion 43... Inner peripheral surface opening (opening of second oil passage) 47... Vent 50... First valve mechanism 51... First valve body 52... First hard member 58... First valve seat 59... First elastic member 60... Pillar portion housing portion (housing portion) 61... Inner peripheral surface of pillar portion housing portion 63... Pillar portion sealing member (sealing member of housing portion) 70... Second valve mechanism 71... Second valve body 72... Second hard member 75... Second soft member 78... Second valve seat 79... Second compression coil spring (second elastic member) 80... Pressing member 91... Rear seal member 92... Front seal member L1... Seal diameter of front seal member L2... Seal diameter of rear seal member

Claims

1. A hydraulic oil pump comprising: a first member having an insertion portion having a first oil passage formed therein, and an opening of the first oil passage formed on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion; a first valve mechanism having a first valve body capable of opening and closing the first oil passage; a second member having an inserted portion into which the insertion portion can be inserted, and an opening of a second oil passage formed on an inner peripheral surface of the inserted portion capable of communicating with the first oil passage; a rear side seal member provided further back in the insertion direction than the opening of the first oil passage and the opening of the second oil passage, and sealing a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inserted portion; and a front side seal member provided further forward in the insertion direction than the opening of the first oil passage and the opening of the second oil passage, and sealing a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inserted portion; The coupler is set to be equal to or smaller than the seal diameter of the rear seal member.

2. A coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the second member is provided with a second valve mechanism having a second valve body capable of opening and closing the second oil passage, and the second valve mechanism opens the second oil passage when the insertion portion is inserted into the inserted portion, and closes the second oil passage when the insertion portion is removed from the inserted portion.

3. A coupler as described in claim 2, wherein the second valve mechanism comprises the second valve body, a second valve seat formed on the wall surface of the second oil passage on which the second valve body can be seated, and a second elastic member capable of applying a force to the second valve body so that the second valve body comes into close contact with the second valve seat, and wherein, when the insertion portion is removed from the inserted portion, a tip of the second valve body protrudes radially inward beyond the inner surface of the inserted portion and the second valve body is seated on the second valve seat, and when the insertion portion is inserted into the inserted portion, a tip of the second valve body contacts the outer surface of the insertion portion and the second valve body is spaced from the second valve seat.

4. A coupler as described in claim 3, wherein the second member is provided with a pushing member that contacts the first valve body when the insertion portion is inserted into the inserted portion and pushes the first valve body in a direction away from a first valve seat formed in the first oil passage.

5. The coupler of claim 4, wherein said pusher member is movable relative to said second member.

6. A coupler as described in claim 5, wherein the range of movement of the pushing member includes a state in which, when the insertion portion is inserted into the inserted portion, the pushing member is separated from the first valve body and the first valve body is seated on a first valve seat formed in the first oil passage.

7. A coupler as described in claim 1, comprising: a storage section formed in the first member in which a rear portion of the first valve body is stored; and a sealing member for sealing a gap between an inner peripheral surface of the storage section and an outer peripheral surface of the first valve body.

8. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein said second member has an air hole that connects said inserted portion of said second member with the outside and allows air to pass through.

9. A coupler as described in claim 1, wherein the first valve body comprises a first hard member and a first soft member having different hardnesses, and the first soft member has a first seat portion capable of seating on a first valve seat formed in the first oil passage.

10. A coupler as described in claim 3, wherein the second valve body comprises a second hard member and a second soft member having different hardnesses, and the second soft member has a second seat portion capable of seating on the second valve seat.

11. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the seal diameter of the front seal member is set smaller than the seal diameter of the rear seal member.

12. A hydraulic device equipped with the coupler according to claim 1.

13. A coupler according to claim 12, wherein the hydraulic device is a shock absorber.

14. The shock absorber comprises an elastic member that applies force in a direction to extend the length of the shock absorber that has been shrunk by impact, and an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the position of the end of the elastic member using the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil, and the adjustment mechanism and a hydraulic source of the hydraulic oil pressure are connected via a coupler as described in claim 13.

15. The coupler according to claim 12, wherein the hydraulic device is a brake fluid pressure adjusting device capable of adjusting hydraulic pressure of the brake.

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