Common component, mounting structure, and valve

Abstract

This mounting structure for at least one type of common component to at least two different first drive unit 20A of a first valve and second drive unit 20B of a second valve is configured such that the first drive unit includes: a first housing 21A having a first through-hole 26A through which the outside and the inside are communicated with each other; and a first piston 30A slidably housed inside the first housing, the second drive unit includes: a second housing 21B different from the first housing and having a second through-hole 26B through which the outside and the inside are communicated with each other; and a second piston 30B different from the first piston and slidably housed inside the second housing, and the at least one type of common component is detachably inserted into the first through-hole from the outside of the first housing and disposed to be able to cooperate with the first piston, and is also detachably inserted into the second through-hole from the outside of the second housing and disposed to be able to cooperate with the second piston.

Description

Common parts, mounting structures and valves

[0001] The present invention relates to a common part, a mounting structure, and a valve.

[0002] Generally, the larger the diameter of a valve, the larger the overall configuration must be. For example, the diaphragm valve described in Patent Document 1 includes a valve body, a diaphragm, and an actuator with a piston. When working fluid is supplied to the actuator, the piston rises against the biasing force of a spring, opening the diaphragm valve. When the working fluid is discharged, the piston descends due to the biasing force of the spring, closing the diaphragm valve. The components, such as the valve body and diaphragm, become larger as the diameter of the valve increases, resulting in a larger overall diaphragm valve.

[0003] On the other hand, there are components whose main functional parts do not increase in size or do not need to increase in size regardless of the valve diameter. Examples of such components include the display portion of a display member (indicator) that appears and disappears depending on the open / closed state of the valve, as described in Patent Document 2, and operating portions such as an operating member for manually opening and closing the valve. Specifically, operating members are the cylindrical rotating operating portion described in Patent Document 2 and the lever-shaped swinging operating portion described in Patent Document 3.

[0004] JP 2023-83160 A JP 2005-344918 A JP 2008-39156 A

[0005] However, even when display members and operating members are attached to the actuators of valves whose sizes vary depending on the valve diameter, the configuration of at least the attachment portion relative to the actuator must be changed depending on the size of the valve. Furthermore, it is difficult to replace display members and operating members with different types of display members and operating members. Specifically, for example, it is difficult to replace the rotary operating unit in Patent Document 2 with the swing operating unit described in Patent Document 3. For design or manufacturing reasons, inventory management reasons, and the like, it is desirable to be able to use display members and operating members as common components.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a new common part, a new mounting structure, and a valve.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an attachment structure for at least one type of common part to a first drive unit of at least two different first valves and a second drive unit of at least two different second valves, wherein the first drive unit has a first housing having a first through hole communicating between an outside and an inside, and a first piston slidably housed inside the first housing, the second drive unit has a second housing different from the first housing having a second through hole communicating between the outside and an inside, and a second piston slidably housed inside the second housing and different from the first piston, and the at least one type of common part is configured to be detachably inserted into the first through hole from the outside of the first housing so as to be able to cooperate with the first piston, and to be detachably inserted into the second through hole from the outside of the second housing so as to be able to cooperate with the second piston.

[0008] It is preferable that the first piston has a first connection portion, the second piston has a second connection portion, and the at least one type of common component has a common connection portion configured to be detachably connected to the first connection portion and the second connection portion. It is preferable that the first connection portion for the first through hole and the second connection portion for the second through hole are in the same positional relationship, thereby allowing the at least one type of common component to be detachably connected to the first piston and the second piston. It is preferable that a first engagement portion is provided on an outer surface of the first housing around the first through hole, and a second engagement portion is provided on an outer surface of the second housing around the second through hole, and the at least one type of common component has a common engagement portion engageable with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

[0009] A valve is provided that includes the first housing and the first housing having the first piston, the at least one common component, and the mounting structure.

[0010]

[0013] It is preferable that the at least one type of common part is an operating member configured to raise or lower the first piston or an indicator member that shows the open / closed state of the valve.

[0014] It is preferable that the operating member is a rotary operating member, the rotary operating member including an operating knob, an inner cylinder, a rotation restricting member, and a stem detachably connectable to the first piston, the operating knob is fitted to the inner cylinder so as to be non-rotatable about a central axis but movably along the central axis, the inner cylinder and the stem are threadedly engaged with each other such that the stem rises or falls in response to rotation of the inner cylinder, the operating knob is switchable between an engaged position spaced apart from the rotation restricting member in the axial direction and an unlocked position, the operating knob being engaged with the rotation restricting member when in the engaged position so that rotation of the operating knob about the central axis relative to the rotation restricting member is restricted, and the operating knob is rotatable when in the unlocked position.

[0011] A valve is provided which comprises the first housing, the first piston, the at least one type of common part, and the mounting structure of the first aspect, wherein the at least one type of common part is arranged so as to be able to abut against the upper end of the first piston, thereby being a flow control member capable of regulating the rise of the first piston.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a common part that is detachably attached to at least two different first drive parts of a first valve and a second drive part of a second valve, wherein the first drive part has a first housing having a first through hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and a first piston slidably housed inside the first housing, and the second drive part has a second housing different from the first housing having a second through hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and a second piston slidably housed inside the second housing and different from the first piston, and the common part is configured to be detachably inserted into the first through hole from the outside of the first housing so as to be able to cooperate with the first piston, and to be detachably inserted into the second through hole from the outside of the second housing so as to be able to cooperate with the second piston.

[0013] It is preferable that the piston has a common connecting portion configured to be detachably connected to a first connecting portion provided on the first piston and a second connecting portion provided on the second piston.

[0014] Aspects of the present invention have the common effect of providing new common parts, new mounting structures, and valves.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a diaphragm valve. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a drive unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a drive unit to which a rotation operation member is attached. FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit and the rotation operation member. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation operation member. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rotation restricting member. FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing engagement of the rotation restricting member with a housing. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a combination of a rotation operation member and multiple drive units. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a drive unit to which a swing operation member is attached. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a drive unit to which a display member is attached. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a drive unit to which a flow rate adjusting member is attached. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another drive unit to which a flow rate adjusting member is attached. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit of FIG. 12 to which a cover member is attached.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components throughout the drawings are designated by common reference numerals.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve 1, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit 20. The diaphragm valve 1 has a valve unit 10 and a drive unit 20 which is an actuator or drive mechanism. In describing the drive unit 20, the side facing the valve unit 10 is defined as the "lower" side, and the opposite side is defined as the "upper" side.

[0018] The valve section 10 has a valve body 11 and a diaphragm 12, which serves as a valve element. The valve body 11 has a first port 13, a second port 14, and a valve seat 15 provided in the flow path between the first port 13 and the second port 14.

[0019] The drive unit 20 includes a housing 21, a piston 30 housed within the housing 21, and a spring 22. The housing 21 includes an upper housing 21a and a lower housing 21b. The housing 21 may be formed from a single, integrally formed component, rather than from two separate components such as the upper housing 21a and the lower housing 21b. A cylinder is formed within the housing 21, allowing the piston 30 to slide. The interior of the housing 21 is divided into an upper space 23 and a lower space 24 by the piston 30. The spring 22 is disposed within the upper space 23 and constantly biases the piston 30 downward. The downward bias of the piston 30 brings the diaphragm 12 into close contact with the valve seat 15, keeping the diaphragm valve 1 closed. A supply port 25 communicating with the lower space 24 is provided on the side of the housing 21. A working fluid can be supplied to the lower space 24 via the supply port 25. When working fluid is supplied into the lower space 24, the piston 30 rises, the diaphragm 12 separates from the valve seat 15, and the diaphragm valve 1 opens. When the working fluid is discharged from the lower space 24, the piston 30 descends due to the biasing force of the spring 22, and the diaphragm valve 1 closes again. In other words, the actuator 20 is a so-called normally closed type actuator whose normal position is the closed state.

[0020] A circular through-hole 26, which connects the exterior of the housing 21 with the internal upper space 23, is provided concentrically with the piston 30 in the upper surface of the housing 21. That is, the through-hole 26 is provided directly above the piston 30. Four recesses 27 are provided concentrically with the through-hole 26 and equidistantly spaced along the circumferential direction. The four recesses 27 constitute an engagement portion. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the recesses 27 has an oval or rounded rectangular cross section with semicircular short sides. As shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, an engagement recess 27a is provided on the side surface near the bottom of the recess 27, specifically on both circumferential ends. The drive unit 20A shown in FIG. 1 is used for a valve with a smaller diameter than the drive unit 20B shown in FIG. 2. That is, the drive unit 20A's drive unit 20A's drive unit 20B ... Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the recess 27 in FIG. 1 is an oval shape as shown in FIG. 2, or a rounded rectangle having semicircular short sides, cut in half along the longitudinal direction.

[0021] The piston 30 has a flange-shaped piston body 31 provided in the center and slidable against the inner surface of the housing 21, a connection part 32 provided on the upper part of the piston 30, and a coupling part 33 provided on the lower end of the piston 30. The diaphragm 12 is attached integrally to the piston 30 via the coupling part 33.

[0022] The connection portion 32 has a vertical hole 34 and a horizontal hole 35. The vertical hole 34 is formed to extend downward from the top surface of the piston 30 along the central axis. The vertical hole 34 has a cross-sectional shape defined by parallel strings of the same length and opposing arcs connecting the ends of opposing strings, i.e., an elliptical cross-sectional shape, as opposed to a circular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the vertical hole 34 may be any non-circular shape. The horizontal hole 35 is formed to penetrate the side surface of the piston 30. The horizontal hole 35 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The central axis of the horizontal hole 35 is perpendicular to the central axis of the piston 30. A rectangular protrusion 36 is formed on the lower surface inside the horizontal hole 35.

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional oblique view of the drive unit 20 to which the rotation operating member 40 is attached, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional exploded oblique view of the drive unit 20 and the rotation operating member 40, Figure 5 is an exploded oblique view of the rotation operating member 40, Figure 6 is a plan view of the rotation restricting member 43, and Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the engagement of the rotation restricting member 43 with the housing 21.

[0024] The rotation operating member 40 is a common part. In this specification, a part that can be attached to and used with multiple types of valves, multiple types of drive units, or multiple types of housings is referred to as a "common part." Furthermore, "multiple types" refers to different types if any of the size, shape, and function are different.

[0025] The rotation operation member 40 has an operation knob 41, an inner cylinder 42, a rotation restriction member 43, and a stem 44, and these members are assembled together to form an assembly.

[0026] 5, the operation knob 41 is a cylindrical member with one closed end. The operation knob 41 has a grip portion 41a having an uneven surface for easy gripping with fingers, a small-diameter portion 41b provided below the grip portion 41a and having a smaller diameter than the grip portion 41a, a first tooth portion 41c provided on the lower end surface of the small-diameter portion 41b and formed of a plurality of ridges and valleys, and an annular protrusion 41d provided on the outer surface of the small-diameter portion 41b near the first tooth portion 41c.

[0027] The inner tube 42 is a cylindrical member. An internal thread 42a is formed on the inner surface of the inner tube 42. Two cylindrical portions 42b formed in a cylindrical shape and two flat portions 42c formed by scraping off the cylindrical surface along the axis are formed on the outer surface of the inner tube 42. The two cylindrical portions 42b are disposed symmetrically with respect to the central axis, and the two flat portions 42c are also disposed symmetrically with respect to the central axis. Therefore, the two flat portions 42c are disposed parallel to each other. The inner surface of the operation knob 41 is formed to be approximately complementary to the outer surface of the inner tube 42.

[0028] The rotation restricting member 43 is a cylindrical member. The rotation restricting member 43 has a support wall 43a with approximately the same outer diameter as the grip portion 41a of the operation knob 41, a buffer slit 43b provided so as to vertically divide the support wall 43a into two, and comb-toothed portions 43c provided at both circumferential ends of the support wall 43a. The comb-toothed portions 43c are formed thick so as to protrude radially inward from the inner surface of the cylindrical support wall 43a. Each of the comb-toothed portions 43c defines two locking gaps 43d that extend circumferentially and are aligned vertically.

[0029] The rotation restricting member 43 includes a partition wall 43e that axially divides the interior of the rotation restricting member 43, second teeth 43f that are provided on the periphery of the upper surface of the partition wall 43e, and four common engagement portions 43g that protrude in an arc shape on the lower surface of the rotation restricting member 43. Two engagement claws 43h that protrude away from each other are provided at both circumferential ends of each common engagement portion 43g. As shown in FIG. 6 , the partition wall 43e includes an insertion hole 43i that penetrates the partition wall 43e. The insertion hole 43i has an elliptical cross-sectional shape that is defined by parallel strings of the same length and opposing arcs that connect the ends of opposing strings. The cross-sectional shape of the insertion hole 43i is generally the same as that of the vertical hole 34 of the piston 30, but any non-circular shape may be used.

[0030] The stem 44 is a columnar member. The stem 44 has an externally threaded head 44a at its upper end, a first insertion portion 44b below the externally threaded head 44a and narrower than the externally threaded head 44a, a second insertion portion 44c below the first insertion portion 44b and narrower than the first insertion portion 44b, and a common connection portion 44d below the second insertion portion 44c and at the lower end of the stem 44. The externally threaded head 44a is configured to threadably engage with the internally threaded portion 42a of the inner tube 42. The first insertion portion 44b has an oval cross-sectional shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the insertion hole 43i and is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole 43i of the rotation restricting member 43. Therefore, the first insertion portion 44b has an outer shape including a planar portion and a cylindrical portion. The second insertion portion 44c has a substantially cross-sectional shape. Similar to the first insertion portion 44b, the common connection portion 44d has an oval cross-sectional shape that is approximately complementary to the shape of the insertion hole 43i and is configured so that it can be inserted into the insertion hole 43i of the rotation restricting member 43. A protrusion 44e is provided on the lower surface of the common connection portion 44d, i.e., the lower surface of the stem 44. Note that the second insertion portion 44c may be configured arbitrarily as long as it does not interfere with the insertion of the stem 44 into the insertion hole 43i of the rotation restricting member 43 and the vertical hole 34 of the piston 30, as will be described later.

[0031] The rotation operating member 40 is assembled by threading the female threaded portion 42a of the inner cylinder 42 onto the male threaded head 44a of the stem 44, fitting the operation knob 41 to the outside of the inner cylinder 42, and then passing the stem 44 from above through the insertion hole 43i of the rotation restricting member 43. As described above, in the rotation operating member 40, the inner surface of the operation knob 41 and the outer surface of the inner cylinder 42 are formed to be approximately complementary, so that when the operation knob 41 is rotated about the central axis, the inner cylinder 42 can also be rotated integrally. In other words, the operation knob 41 is fitted to the inner cylinder 42 so as to be non-rotatable about the central axis but movable along the central axis.

[0032] On the other hand, the first insertion portion 44b of the stem 44 is disposed in the insertion hole 43i of the rotation restricting member 43, thereby restricting rotation of the stem 44 relative to the rotation restricting member 43. Therefore, when the operation knob 41 is rotated relative to the rotation restricting member 43, the female thread portion 42a of the inner tube 42 and the male thread head 44a of the stem 44 threadably engage with each other, thereby raising or lowering the stem 44 relative to the inner tube 42. Furthermore, as will be described later, the stem 44 of the rotation operating member 40 is connected to the piston 30, and therefore, raising or lowering the stem 44 raises or lowers the piston 30 and the diaphragm 12 attached to the piston 30, thereby opening or closing the diaphragm valve 1.

[0033] The small-diameter portion 41b of the operation knob 41 is surrounded by the support wall 43a of the rotation-restricting member 43. The annular protrusion 41d of the operation knob 41 is engaged with the rotation-restricting member 43 so as to be positioned in one of two locking gaps 43d aligned above and below the rotation-restricting member 43. That is, when the operation knob 41 is positioned on the rotation-restricting member 43, the annular protrusion 41d must overcome the inner surface of the thick comb-tooth portion 43c. At this time, the buffer slits 43b facilitate elastic deformation of the support wall 43a radially outward, facilitating the positioning of the operation knob 41 on the rotation-restricting member 43. Furthermore, because the two locking gaps 43d aligned above and below are positioned opposite each other on the support wall 43a, the annular protrusion 41d forms two guide rails spaced apart from each other. Therefore, the operation knob 41 can be engaged with the rotation-restricting member 43 at two positions: an upper position and a lower position.

[0034] When the operating knob 41 is in the upper position relative to the rotation restricting member 43, i.e., the unlocked position, the operating knob 41 can be rotated around the central axis as described above. From this state, the operating knob 41 can be switched to the lower position, i.e., the locked position, by pressing the operating knob 41 downward. At this time, a clicking sensation occurs when the annular protrusion 41d of the operating knob 41 overcomes the comb-tooth portion 43c, allowing the user to recognize the change in position of the operating knob 41 by sound or touch. When the operating knob 41 is in the lower position relative to the rotation restricting member 43, the first tooth portion 41c of the operating knob 41 meshes with the second tooth portion 43f of the opposing rotation restricting member 43. This prevents the operating knob 41 from being rotated around the central axis. As a result, unintended raising or lowering of the stem 44, i.e., unintended opening / closing of the diaphragm valve 1 or adjustment of the flow rate, can be prevented.

[0035] In other words, the operation knob 41 can be switched between an engaged position spaced apart from the rotation restricting member 43 in the axial direction and an unlocked position. When the operation knob 41 is in the engaged position, the operation knob 41 is engaged with the rotation restricting member 43 so that rotation around the central axis relative to the rotation restricting member 43 is restricted. When the operation knob 41 is in the unlocked position, the operation knob 41 is rotatable. From this state, the operation knob 41 can be switched back to the operable upper position by pulling the operation knob 41 upward. Even in this case, a clicking sensation occurs when the annular protrusion 41 d of the operation knob 41 rides over the comb-tooth portion 43 c, allowing the user to recognize the change in position of the operation knob 41 by sound or touch.

[0036] The first tooth portion 41c of the operation knob 41 and the second tooth portion 43f of the rotation restricting member 43 may be configured in any manner as long as they restrict the rotation of the operation knob 41. Furthermore, as long as the operation knob 41 can be locked at two positions, an upper position and a lower position, relative to the rotation restricting member 43, they may have a shape different from the comb-tooth portion 43c, and the buffer slit 43b may be omitted. For example, a locking protrusion protruding inward from the rotation restricting member 43 may be used instead of the comb-tooth portion 43c.

[0037] The outer surface of the operation knob 41 may be colored or patterned so that it is visible from between the comb-tooth portions 43c when the operation knob 41 is in an upper position relative to the rotation restricting member 43, and is not visible from between the comb-tooth portions 43c when the operation knob 41 is in a lower position relative to the rotation restricting member 43, or vice versa. This allows the user to recognize whether the operation knob 41 is operable or not not only by the slight difference in the up and down position of the operation knob 41 but also by the color or pattern.

[0038] Each of the four common engagement portions 43g of the rotation restricting member 43 can be inserted into and engaged with a corresponding recess 27 provided on the top surface of the housing 21. At this time, the engagement claws 43h of the common engagement portions 43g fit into the engagement recesses 27a provided in the recesses 27 while elastically deforming. As a result, the rotation restricting member 43 can be more firmly engaged with the housing 21. Note that the shape and position of the engagement claws 43h of the common engagement portions 43g and the shape and position of the engagement recesses 27a in the corresponding recesses 27 of the housing 21 can be configured arbitrarily as long as they can fit together. For example, the engagement claws 43h may be formed to protrude inward on the radial inner surface of the common engagement portion 43g, and the engagement recesses 27a may be provided on the corresponding side surface of the recess 27, and / or the engagement claws 43h may be formed to protrude outward on the radial outer surface of the common engagement portion 43g, and the engagement recesses 27a may be provided on the corresponding side surface of the recess 27.

[0039] The rotation operation member 40 is removably inserted into the through-hole 26 from outside the housing 21 and arranged to cooperate with the piston 30. Specifically, the common connection portion 44d of the stem 44 of the rotation operation member 40 is configured to be removably connected to the connection portion 32 of the piston 30. That is, the stem 44 of the rotation operation member 40 is inserted into the housing 21 through the through-hole 26 and then into the vertical hole 34 of the piston 30. At this time, the orientation of the common connection portion 44d, which has an oval cross-sectional shape, around the central axis is adjusted, i.e., aligned, so that it can be inserted into the vertical hole 34. After the common connection portion 44d is inserted into the horizontal hole 35, the rotation operation member 40 is rotated 90 degrees around the central axis. As a result, a portion of the common connection portion 44d is positioned within the horizontal hole 35, locking the stem 44, and therefore the rotation operation member 40, in the axial direction.

[0040] As a result, the piston 30 and the rotation operation member 40 can be connected to each other so that they move together. Furthermore, the rotation operation member 40 can be prevented from being pulled out of the piston 30. Rotation of the rotation operation member 40 is restricted by the projection 44e of the stem 44 engaging with the projection 36 provided inside the horizontal hole 35 of the piston 30. The rotation restricting member 43 of the rotation operation member 40 is engaged with the recess 27 of the housing 21 as described above. The stem 44, i.e., the rotation operation member 40, can be easily removed from the piston 30 by reversing the above procedure.

[0041] In this state, when the operation knob 41 of the rotary operation member 40 is rotated as described above, the stem 44 rises or falls, and the piston 30 rises or falls integrally therewith, thereby opening or closing the diaphragm valve 1 and adjusting the flow rate. At this time, the rotation restricting member 43 of the rotary operation member 40 is engaged with the recess 27 of the housing 21, which restricts the stem 44 from rotating as the operation knob 41 rotates, preventing the rotation restricting member 43 from coming off. Note that the engaging portion, which is the recess 27, and the common engaging portion 43g may be of any shape, number, and arrangement as long as they are engageable with each other. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the top surface of the housing 21 instead of the recess 27, and a recess that engages with the protrusion may be provided on the rotation restricting member 43.

[0042] 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a combination of a rotation operation member 40 and multiple drive units 20. Three drive units 20 are shown in Fig. 8, which are, from left to right, drive unit 20A shown in Fig. 1, drive unit 20B shown in Fig. 2, and drive unit 20C, configured to accommodate valves with larger diameters in this order. On the other hand, as the drive unit 20 becomes larger, the housing 21 and piston 30 also become larger, but the mounting structure between the drive units 20 and the rotation operation member 40 is standardized.

[0043] Specifically, drive unit 20A has a housing 21A and piston 30A, drive unit 20B has a housing 21B and piston 30B, and drive unit 20C has a housing 21C and piston 30C, with the housings 21 and pistons 30 increasing in size in this order. The top surface of housing 21A is provided with a through-hole 26A and four recesses 27A as shown in Fig. 1, the top surface of housing 21B is provided with a through-hole 26B and four recesses 27B as shown in Fig. 2, and the top surface of housing 21C is provided with a through-hole 26C and four recesses 27C. Piston 30A has a connecting portion 32A, piston 30B has a connecting portion 32B, and piston 30C has a connecting portion 32C.

[0044] In each of the drive units 20, the positional relationship of the upper surface of the piston 30 and the connection portion 32 with respect to the through hole 26 is the same. That is, when drive unit 20A is compared with drive unit 20B, for example, the positional relationship of the upper surface of the piston 30A and the connection portion 32A with respect to the through hole 26A in drive unit 20A is the same as that of the upper surface of the piston 30B and the connection portion 32B with respect to the through hole 26B in drive unit 20B.

[0045] For example, in terms of distance in the axial direction, if the distance between the top surface of housing 21A, where through-hole 26A is provided, and the top surface of horizontal hole 35A of connecting portion 32A in drive unit 20A is L, then the distance between the top surface of housing 21B, where through-hole 26B is provided, and the top surface of horizontal hole 35B of connecting portion 32B in drive unit 20B is also L. The same is true for drive unit 20C. Therefore, by inserting the stem 44 of the same rotation operating member 40 through each vertical hole 34 of piston 30 and then rotating it around the central axis within the horizontal hole 35, it is possible to attach the rotation operating member 40 to the piston 30 regardless of the size of the drive unit 20.

[0046] As described above, an attachment structure can be realized in which the rotation operation member 40 is detachably inserted into the through-hole 26A and arranged to cooperate with the piston 30A, and is detachably inserted into the through-hole 26B and arranged to cooperate with the piston 30B. Therefore, the stem 44 of the same rotation operation member 40 can be detachably connected to the piston 30A of the drive unit 20A and can also be connected to the piston 30B of the drive unit 20B. The swing operation member 50, display member 60, and flow rate adjustment member 70, which will be described later, can also be applied to these multiple drive units 20 in the same manner.

[0047] Each of the drive units 20 is configured so that the positional relationship of the recess 27 with respect to the through-hole 26 is the same. That is, when comparing drive unit 20A and drive unit 20B, for example, the positional relationship between the recess 27A with respect to the through-hole 26A in drive unit 20A and the positional relationship between the recess 27B with respect to the through-hole 26B in drive unit 20B are the same.

[0048] For example, if the diameter of a circle centered on through-hole 26A and including recess 27A in drive unit 20A is D, then the diameter of a circle centered on through-hole 26B and including recess 27B in drive unit 20B will also be D. The same is true for drive unit 20C. Therefore, the common engaging portion 43g of the rotation restricting member 43 of the same rotation operating member 40 can be engaged with the recess 27 of the housing 21 regardless of the size of the drive unit 20.

[0049] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit 20 to which the swing operation member 50 is attached. The swing operation member 50 is a common part. The swing operation member 50 can be attached to the drive unit 20 in place of the rotation operation member 40 in the diaphragm valve 1 shown in Figure 1. The swing operation member 50 has an operation lever 51, a pin 52, a rotation restriction member 53, and a stem 54, and these members are assembled together to form an assembly.

[0050] The operating lever 51 is a rod-shaped member having an operating portion 51a at one end and a through-hole formed at the other end through which the pin 52 is inserted. The rotation restricting member 53 is a disk-shaped member. Four common engaging portions 53g are provided on the underside of the rotation restricting member 53. The common engaging portions 53g have the same shape as the common engaging portions 43g of the rotation restricting member 43 of the rotation operating member 40 described above. Therefore, each of the four common engaging portions 53g can be inserted into and engaged with a corresponding recess 27 provided on the upper surface of the housing 21. As a result, the rotation restricting member 53 can be more firmly engaged with the housing 21. An insertion hole 53i is provided on the upper surface of the rotation restricting member 53, penetrating the rotation restricting member 53. The insertion hole 53i has the same shape as the insertion hole 43i of the rotation restricting member 43 of the rotation operating member 40 described above.

[0051] The stem 54 has a pin fixing portion 54a, a first insertion portion 54b provided below the pin fixing portion 54a, a second insertion portion 54c provided below the first insertion portion 54b, and a common connection portion 54d provided below the second insertion portion 54c at the lower end of the stem 54. The first insertion portion 54b, the second insertion portion 54c, and the common connection portion 54d have the same shapes as the first insertion portion 44b, the second insertion portion 44c, and the common connection portion 44d of the rotation operating member 40, respectively. A protrusion 54e is provided on the lower surface of the common connection portion 54d, i.e., the lower surface of the stem 54. The first insertion portion 54b has an oval cross-sectional shape that is approximately complementary to the shape of the insertion hole 53i and is configured to be insertable into the insertion hole 53i of the rotation restricting member 53. Therefore, the attachment of the stem 54 to the piston 30, and therefore the attachment of the swing operation member 50 to the drive unit 20, is the same as in the case of the rotation operation member 40. Therefore, the swing operation member 50 can be easily removed from the piston 30 by following the above-described procedure in reverse.

[0052] The operating lever 51 and the stem 54 are swingably connected via a pin 52. The pin 52 is attached at a position eccentric to the center line of the operating lever 51. Therefore, when the operating lever 51 is tilted to one side, the stem 54 rises, and when the operating lever 51 is tilted to the other side, the stem 54 descends. As the stem 54 rises or falls, the piston 30 and the diaphragm 12 attached to the piston 30 rise or fall, and the diaphragm valve 1 can be opened or closed.

[0053] 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit 20 to which the display member 60 is attached. The display member 60 is a common part. The display member 60 can be attached to the drive unit 20 in place of the rotation operating member 40 in the diaphragm valve 1 shown in FIG. 1. The display member 60 is a single, integrally molded member.

[0054] The display member 60 has a cylindrical portion 61 with a closed upper end, two elastically deforming portions 62 provided below the cylindrical portion 61, and lateral protrusions 63 that protrude radially outward from the outer surface of the lower end of each of the elastically deforming portions 62. The elastically deforming portions 62 are formed so as to be separated into two parts with a cylindrical surface having a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 61, and are arranged opposite each other. Therefore, an elastic force acts on the two elastically deforming portions 62 such that they return to their original positions when they move toward or away from each other.

[0055] The display member 60 can be snap-fitted to the piston 30 by elastically deforming the two elastic deformation portions 62 in directions toward each other. That is, after inserting the display member 60 into the through-hole 26 of the housing 21, the display member 60 is inserted into the vertical hole 34 of the piston 30 while elastically deforming the two elastic deformation portions 62 in directions toward each other. When the lateral protrusions 63 provided on the two elastic deformation portions 62 are inserted into the horizontal hole 35, the two elastic deformation portions 62 return to their original state, and the lateral protrusions 63 of the display member 60 engage with the side surfaces of the horizontal hole 35. As a result, the display member 60 is connected to the piston 30. The display member 60 can be easily removed from the piston 30 by performing the above-described procedure in reverse.

[0056] The length of the cylindrical portion 61 of the indicator member 60 is determined so that when the piston 30 is at its lowest position due to the biasing force of the spring 22, i.e., when the diaphragm valve 1 is in the closed state, the upper end of the indicator member 60 is within the through-hole 26 of the housing 21 or slightly protrudes. In other words, when the piston 30 is raised, i.e., when the diaphragm valve 1 is in the open state, the upper end of the indicator member 60 protrudes from the through-hole 26 of the housing 21. Therefore, when operating or stopping the drive unit 20 by supplying working fluid into the lower space 24 through the supply port 25, the protrusion of the indicator member 60 allows the user to immediately recognize whether the diaphragm valve 1 is in the open state or the closed state. Note that a photosensor may be attached to the housing 21 so as to detect the appearance or disappearance of the indicator member 60 without visually inspecting it.

[0057] 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit 20 to which the flow rate adjustment member 70 is attached. The flow rate adjustment member 70 is a common part. The flow rate adjustment member 70 can be attached to the drive unit 20 in place of the rotation operation member 40 in the diaphragm valve 1 shown in FIG. 1. The flow rate adjustment member 70 has an adjustment knob 71 and a nut member 72.

[0058] The adjustment knob 71 has a gripping portion 71a with unevenness to make it easy to grip with the fingers, and a small-diameter portion 71b located below the gripping portion 71a and having a smaller diameter than the gripping portion 71a. A male thread portion 71c is formed on the outer surface of the small-diameter portion 71b. The nut member 72 is an annular member with a female thread portion 72a formed on its inner surface that can be threaded onto the male thread portion 71c of the adjustment knob 71. Note that a female thread portion 26a similar to the female thread portion 72a is also formed on the inner surface of the through-hole 26 of the housing 21. The presence of the female thread portion 26a on the inner surface of the through-hole 26 of the housing 21 does not affect the attachment and operation of the rotation operation member 40, swing operation member 50, and display member 60 described above.

[0059] The flow rate adjustment member 70 is attached by inserting the male threaded portion 71c of the adjustment knob 71 into the female threaded portion 26a in the through-hole 26 of the housing 21 via the nut member 72. Rotating the adjustment knob 71 in one direction or the other raises or lowers the adjustment knob 71 due to the threaded engagement between the female threaded portion 26a of the housing 21 and the male threaded portion 71c of the adjustment knob 71. The lower end surface 71d of the adjustment knob 71 is positioned so as to be able to abut against the upper surface of the piston 30, thereby restricting the rise of the piston 30. In other words, when supplying working fluid into the lower space 24 through the supply port 25, the opening and flow rate of the diaphragm valve 1 can be adjusted according to the position of the lower end surface 71d of the adjustment knob 71. The flow rate adjustment member 70 can be easily removed from the housing 21 by unscrewing the adjustment knob 71 from the housing 21.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described using a so-called normally closed type actuator or valve whose normal position is a closed state, the above-described configuration may also be applied to a so-called normally open type actuator or valve whose normal position is an open state. Also, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described using a diaphragm valve as an on-off valve, the above-described configuration may also be applied to a needle valve or pinch valve as a similar direct acting flow control valve.

[0061] An example of a normally open type actuator 120 or valve will be described below with reference to Figures 12 and 13. The actuator 120 may be applied to the above-described diaphragm valve 1, or may be applied to a needle valve, a pinch valve, or the like.

[0062] 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another drive unit 120 to which a flow rate adjustment member 70 is attached. The flow rate adjustment member 70 has an adjustment knob 71 and a nut member 72. The drive unit 120 differs from the drive unit 20 described above only in the arrangement of a supply port 125 that supplies the working fluid and the arrangement of a spring 122.

[0063] The drive unit 120 has a housing 121, and the above-mentioned piston 30 and spring 122 housed inside the housing 121. The housing 121 has an upper housing and a lower housing. Note that the housing 121 does not have to be composed of two parts, such as the upper housing and the lower housing, but may be composed of a single part formed integrally with these. A cylinder is formed inside the housing 121 in which the piston 30 can slide. The inside of the housing 121 is divided into an upper space 123 and a lower space 124 by the piston 30.

[0064] A supply port 125 communicating with the upper space 123 is provided on the side surface of the housing 121. A working fluid can be supplied into the upper space 123 via the supply port 125. A through hole 126 identical to the through hole 26 of the housing 21 is provided on the top surface of the housing 121. Accordingly, an internal thread 126a that can be threaded onto the internal thread 72a of the adjustment knob 71 is provided on the inner surface of the through hole 126. Four recesses 127 identical to the recesses 27 of the housing 21 are provided concentrically with the through hole 126 on the top surface of the housing 121.

[0065] The spring 122 is disposed in the lower space 124 of the housing 121 and constantly biases the piston 30 upward. As the piston 30 is biased upward, the diaphragm 12 moves away from the valve seat 15, and the diaphragm valve 1 is in an open state. Therefore, the actuator 120 is a so-called normally open type actuator whose normal position is in an open state. The upward movement of the piston 30 is restricted by the upper surface of the piston 30 abutting against the lower end surface 71d of the adjustment knob 71.

[0066] When the adjustment knob 71 is rotated in one direction or the other, the female thread portion 126a of the housing 121 threads into the male thread portion 71c of the adjustment knob 71, causing the adjustment knob 71 to rise or fall. Therefore, when the adjustment knob 71 is rotated in one direction to lower the adjustment knob 71 together with the piston 30, the diaphragm 12 comes into close contact with the valve seat 15, and the diaphragm valve 1 is closed. On the other hand, when the adjustment knob 71 is rotated in the other direction to raise the adjustment knob 71 together with the piston 30, the diaphragm 12 moves away from the valve seat 15, and the diaphragm valve 1 is opened. By adjusting the rotation of the adjustment knob 71, it is possible to adjust the opening and flow rate of the diaphragm valve 1 according to the position of the lower end surface 71d of the adjustment knob 71.

[0067] 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the drive unit 120 of FIG. 12 with the lid member 73 attached. The lid member 73 is a common part. When the working fluid is supplied into the upper space 123 through the supply port 125, the lid member 73 closes the through hole 126 to prevent the working fluid from leaking from the through hole 126.

[0068] The lid member 73 has a gripping portion 73a with projections and recesses for easy gripping with fingers, and a small-diameter portion 73b located below the gripping portion 73a and having a smaller diameter than the gripping portion 73a. An external thread 73c is formed on the outer surface of the small-diameter portion 73b, and is capable of threadably engaging with the internal thread 126a of the through-hole 126. An O-ring 74 is disposed on the lower end surface of the gripping portion 73a so as to surround the small-diameter portion 73b.

[0069] The installation of the cover member 73 is completed when the male threaded portion 73c is threadedly inserted into the female threaded portion 26a in the through-hole 26 of the housing 21. In this state, the lower end surface 73d of the cover member 73 does not abut against the upper surface of the piston 30.

[0070] When working fluid is supplied into the upper space 123, the piston 30 descends, the diaphragm 12 comes into close contact with the valve seat 15, and the diaphragm valve 1 is closed. When the working fluid is discharged from the upper space 123, the piston 30 rises due to the biasing force of the spring 122, and the diaphragm valve 1 is again opened.

[0071] The flow rate adjusting member 70 may be a cover member, which makes it possible to adjust the opening and flow rate of the diaphragm valve 1 according to the position of the lower end face 71 d of the adjustment knob 71, even when the working fluid is being supplied into the lower space 24 through the supply port 125.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the rotation operating member 40, the swing operating member 50, the display member 60, and the flow rate adjusting member 70 are described as common components. However, any common components and mounting structures may be used as long as they are detachably attached to and usable with multiple types of valves, multiple types of actuators, or multiple types of housings. Any mounting structure may be used as long as the common connector on the common component and the connector on the piston are detachable. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the connector 32 of the piston 30 has a vertical hole 34 and a horizontal hole 35, and the common connector 44d is detachably inserted therein. However, the shapes of the common connector, the vertical hole, and the horizontal hole may be configured as long as the common connector can be inserted into the vertical hole of the piston and then rotated to engage with the horizontal hole.

[0073] For example, the common connection portion and the vertical hole may each have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. In this case, the insertion hole for the corresponding rotation restricting member is also formed with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the common connection portion. The through-hole in the housing may be shaped to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the common connection portion, and the rotation restricting member may be omitted. Furthermore, if a common component that may rotate upon operation, such as the above-mentioned rotation operating member 40, is not used, the engaging portion such as the recess 27 on the top surface of the housing 21 may be omitted. The common component and the piston may be configured to be simply snap-fitted or screwed together, making them detachable.

[0074] In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a common component and its mounting structure configured to be removably inserted into a through-hole from the outside of a housing and arranged to cooperate with a piston. These components can be applied to multiple types of valves and multiple calibers, thereby providing a new common component, a new mounting structure, and a new valve. This simplifies the design work for the common component and reduces the number of production lines, resulting in a reduction in the number and variety of inventory. For example, when designing a new common component, if the shape of the common connector is identical to that of other common components, it can be removably connected to an existing actuator, housing, and piston. Similarly, when designing an actuator for a valve of a different caliber, if the components of the actuator related to the common component, such as the housing and piston, are identical to the existing housing and piston, it can be removably connected to the existing common connector.

[0075] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 diaphragm valve 10 valve portion 11 valve body 12 diaphragm 13 first port 14 second port 15 valve seat 20 drive portion 21 housing 22 spring 23 upper space 24 lower space 25 supply port 26 through hole 27 recess 30 piston 31 piston body 32 connection portion 33 coupling portion 34 vertical hole 35 horizontal hole 40 rotation operation member 41 operation knob 42 inner cylinder 43 rotation restriction member 44 stem

Claims

1. A mounting structure for at least one type of common part for a first drive unit of at least two different first valves and a second drive unit of at least two different second valves, wherein the first drive unit has a first housing having a first through hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and a first piston slidably housed inside the first housing, and the second drive unit has a second housing different from the first housing having a second through hole communicating between the outside and the inside, and a second piston slidably housed inside the second housing and different from the first piston, and the at least one type of common part is configured to be removably inserted into the first through hole from the outside of the first housing so as to be able to cooperate with the first piston, and to be removably inserted into the second through hole from the outside of the second housing so as to be able to cooperate with the second piston.

2. The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the first piston has a first connecting portion, the second piston has a second connecting portion, and the at least one type of common component has a common connecting portion configured to be detachably connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

3. The mounting structure described in claim 2, wherein the first connection portion for the first through hole and the second connection portion for the second through hole are in the same positional relationship, so that the at least one type of common part is detachably connected to the first piston and the second piston.

4. A mounting structure as described in claim 1, wherein a first engagement portion is provided on the outer surface of the first housing around the first through hole, and a second engagement portion is provided on the outer surface of the second housing around the second through hole, and the at least one type of common component has a common engagement portion that can engage with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

5. A valve comprising the first housing and the first housing having the first piston, the at least one type of common part, and the mounting structure described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The valve according to claim 5, wherein the at least one common component is an operating member configured to raise or lower the first piston, or an indicator member that indicates the open / closed state of the valve.

7. A valve as described in claim 6, wherein the operating member is a rotary operating member, and the rotary operating member comprises an operating knob, an inner cylinder, a rotation restricting member, and a stem detachably connectable to the first piston, the operating knob is fitted to the inner cylinder so as to be unable to rotate around the central axis but movable along the central axis, the inner cylinder and the stem are screwed together so that the stem rises or falls in accordance with the rotation of the inner cylinder, the operating knob is switchable between an engaged position spaced apart from the rotation restricting member in the axial direction and an unlocked position, and when the operating knob is in the engaged position, the operating knob engages with the rotation restricting member so that rotation around the central axis relative to the rotation restricting member is restricted, and when the operating knob is in the unlocked position, the operating knob is rotatable.

8. A valve comprising the first housing, the first piston, the at least one type of common part, and the mounting structure described in claim 1, wherein the at least one type of common part is a flow rate adjusting member that is positioned so as to be able to abut against the upper end of the first piston and can regulate the rise of the first piston.

9. A common part that is detachably attached to at least two different first drive parts of a first valve and a second drive part of a second valve, wherein the first drive part has a first housing having a first through hole that communicates between the outside and the inside, and a first piston slidably housed inside the first housing, and the second drive part has a second housing different from the first housing having a second through hole that communicates between the outside and the inside, and a second piston that is slidably housed inside the second housing and different from the first piston, and the common part is configured to be detachably inserted into the first through hole from the outside of the first housing so as to be able to cooperate with the first piston, and to be detachably inserted into the second through hole from the outside of the second housing so as to be able to cooperate with the second piston.

10. A common part as described in claim 9, having a common connection portion configured to be detachably connected to a first connection portion provided on the first piston and a second connection portion provided on the second piston.

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