JP2007085471A - Coupler - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupler, reliably coupled by simple operation and installed in a small space, besides discriminating only one type to be attached and detached. <P>SOLUTION: A plug P10 is provided with a lock arm 23 as a coupling holding means 20 for holding the coupling state between a socket S10 and the plug P10, and another socket S10 is provided with an arm engagement part 21 where the lock arm 23 is engaged to enable crossing-over in coupling. Sure coupling is achieved by simple operation such as crossing-over of only the socket S10 and the plug P10. When this coupler is applied to methanol fuel battery, coupling can be surely achieved, and also only methanol having a required concentration is discriminated and supplied, or the whole container can be replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a coupler that is configured by a socket and a plug and is detachably connected, and can be reliably connected by a simple operation when transferring liquid or the like from a container to a container on the main body side or when replacing the whole container. In addition, only one type can be identified and connected by a simple operation, and is particularly preferably provided between the cartridge container of the methanol fuel cell and the fuel cell main body.

  In many cases, it is often necessary to replenish liquids such as raw materials that decrease with the operation and use of equipment, and supply by supplying liquids such as raw materials by connecting cartridge containers to containers provided on the equipment body side. Or by replacing the container on the device body side with another container.

  Various types of detachable couplers are used to simplify the connection between the containers and the replacement of the containers.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coupling device as shown in FIG. 16, and includes a plug P having a main flow path and a sub flow path, and a main flow path and a sub flow path, and can be fitted to the plug. And a socket S capable of communicating the main flow path and the sub flow path of the plug in a fitted state.

  In this connection device, the socket S includes a main channel 2a formed on the outer periphery of the valve pusher 2 fixed to the holding body 1, a sub-channel 2b formed outside the main channel 2a, and Valves 3a and 3b for closing the flow paths 2a and 2b are provided. The valves 3a and 3b are pressed toward the valve seat by the urging force of the springs 4a and 4b, and the main flow path 2a and the sub flow path 2b can be closed. It has a configuration.

  On the other hand, the plug P has a main flow path 6a formed on the outer periphery of the valve main body 6 slidably held by the valve holder 5, a sub flow path 6b formed outside the main flow path 6a, and their flow. The valves 7a and 7b for closing the passages 6a and 6b are provided, and the valves 7a and 7b are pressed toward the valve seat by the urging force of the springs 8a and 8b so that the main flow path 6a and the sub flow path 6b can be closed. It has become.

  When such a connection between the socket S and the plug P is made, first, the auxiliary valve 3b of the socket S and the auxiliary valve 7b of the plug P are brought into contact with each other, and both are separated from each other against the urging force of the springs 4b and 8b. It moves to a direction and the subchannels 2b and 6b communicate.

  Further, when the socket S and the plug P are connected, the main valve 3a of the socket S is pushed by the end surface of the inner cylindrical body of the plug P, retreats against the spring 4a, and the valve body of the valve pusher 2 The main flow path 2a with the valve pusher 2 is opened away from the valve seat, and the top surface of the valve pusher on the socket S side and the plane of the valve member provided on the valve body 6 on the plug P side come into contact with the plug P The valve body 6 on the side is pressed against the urging force of the spring 8a, the valve body is retracted, the main valve 7a on the plug P side is opened, and the main flow path 6a is communicated.

As a result, when the sub-flow path communicates, gas is supplied from the gas supply source into the container, and the inner bag is contracted by the gas pressure, and the liquid in the inner bag passes from the plug-side main flow path to the socket-side main flow path. Thus, the liquid can be delivered out of the container.
JP 2003-172487 A

  When such a connecting device is used as, for example, a coupler for replenishing fuel of a methanol fuel cell or a coupler for replenishment by replacing each container, a device that can be reliably connected by simple operation is required. The concentration (purity) of methanol required depending on the battery specifications is not constant, and various concentrations are required.

  For this reason, it can be reliably connected with simple operation, and only the fuel with the concentration that meets the specifications of each methanol fuel cell can be supplied. Development of a coupler that can do this is desired.

  This invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and is intended to provide a coupler that can be reliably connected by a simple operation and can be installed in a small space. The present invention intends to provide a coupler that can identify and detach only one type.

  In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, a coupler according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a socket including a valve body and an urging means for urging the valve body in a closing direction, a valve body and the urging means in the closing direction. A coupler comprising: a biasing means for biasing; and a plug that is detachably fitted and connected to the socket, and that can be communicated by opening both valve bodies in the fitted and connected state. Connecting holding means for holding the connecting state between the socket and the plug is provided with a lock arm in either one of the socket and the plug, and the other arm is engaged with the lock arm. An engagement portion is provided, and at least one of the lock arm and the arm engagement portion is configured to be able to get over when connected.

According to this coupler, as a connection holding means for holding the connection state between the socket and the plug, a lock arm is provided on either the socket or the plug, and the arm on which the lock arm is engaged is provided on the other By providing the engaging portion and allowing at least one of them to get over at the time of connection, the connection can be surely made by a simple operation of getting over only the socket and the plug.
As a result, the methanol in the container can be supplied to the methanol fuel cell, or the entire container can be replaced with a simple operation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, at least one of the distal end portions of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion is increased from the connecting insertion distal end side toward the proximal end side. It is configured to be able to get over as an inclined surface that increases.

  According to this coupler, at least one of the lock arm and the distal end portion of the arm engaging portion is formed as an inclined surface whose height increases from the connecting insertion distal end side to the proximal end side, thereby easily overcoming and engaging. So that they can be combined.

  Furthermore, the coupler according to claim 3 of the present invention is the lock that is engaged with each other after getting over the lock arm and the base end portion of the arm engaging portion in addition to the configuration according to claim 1 or 2. An engaging surface of the arm and an engaging surface of the arm engaging portion are formed, and the engaging surfaces are formed by planes substantially perpendicular to the connecting insertion direction.

  According to this coupler, the engagement surface that is engaged after the lock arm and the arm engagement portion get over each other is formed, and each of these engagement surfaces is constituted by a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the coupling insertion direction. Thus, the connected state can be reliably maintained.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the second aspect, at least one of the engagement surface provided in the arm engagement portion and the engagement surface provided in the lock arm is connected and inserted. It is characterized by comprising a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the direction.

  According to this coupler, at least one of the engagement surfaces that are engaged after the lock arm and the arm engagement portion get over each other is configured by a tapered surface or a curved surface that is inclined with respect to the coupling insertion direction. The connected state is maintained, and the connected state is released for a large force of a certain level.

  Furthermore, the coupler according to claim 5 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to claim 1, elastically deforms at least one of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion in a direction intersecting the connecting insertion direction. It is characterized by being configured to be able to get over.

  According to this coupler, at least one of the lock arm and the arm engagement portion is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the connection insertion direction so as to be able to get over, so that it can be securely connected by a simple operation. Or can be released.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first aspect, at least one of the lock arm and the arm engagement portion may be provided with a separate elastic deformation member to be able to get over the coupler. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to this coupler, a separate elastically deformable member is provided on at least one of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion so as to be able to get over, so that even a separate member such as a spring can be used for easy operation. It can be connected to or opened.

  Further, in the coupler according to claim 7 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to claim 6, the separate elastically deformable member is configured to be able to get over and serve as a lid covering the socket or the plug. It is characterized by.

  According to this coupler, the separate elastically deformable member is configured so as to be able to get on and over as a lid that covers the socket or the plug, so that the socket and the plug can be protected by the lid while releasing the connection. ing.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the arm engaging portion is provided in a recessed portion of the member to be installed, and the lock arm is inserted into the recessed portion. Thus, it is configured to be connectable to the arm engaging portion.

  According to this coupler, the arm engaging portion is provided in the recessed portion of the member to be installed, and the lock arm is inserted into the recessed portion so as to be connectable to the arm engaging portion. It can be installed so that the joint does not protrude outward.

  Furthermore, the coupler according to claim 9 of the present invention is provided with the engagement surface of the lock arm facing inward or outward in the insertion direction in addition to the configuration according to any of claims 1-8. It is characterized by.

  According to this coupler, by providing the engagement surface of the lock arm toward the inner side or the outer side in the insertion direction, the coupling surface can be coupled with a simple operation in combination with the engagement surface of the outward or inward arm engagement portion, Can be released.

  In addition to the structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the coupler according to claim 10 of the present invention is configured by providing the lock arm and the arm engaging portion at two opposing positions. It is a feature.

  According to this coupler, the lock arm and the arm engaging portion are provided at two opposing positions so that a reliable connection state can be secured with a small installation space.

  Furthermore, in the coupler according to claim 11 of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to claim 10, the two lock arms and the arm engaging portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the thickness of the member to be installed. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to this coupler, the two lock arms and the arm engaging portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to the thickness of the member to be installed, so that an installation space can be secured even with a thin member to be installed. I have to.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, an operation portion for releasing the engagement with the arm engagement portion is provided on the lock arm. It is characterized by being provided.

  According to this coupler, by providing the lock arm with the operation portion for releasing the engagement with the arm engagement portion, the release operation can be reliably performed, and the engagement surface is particularly vertical. The case can be easily released.

  Furthermore, in the coupler according to claim 13 of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the lock arm of the connection holding means is provided on the plug side which is a member to be installed, while the arm The engagement portion is provided on the main body side which is a member to be installed.

  According to this coupler, the locking arm of the connection holding means is provided on the plug side which is the installation member, while the arm engagement portion is provided on the main body side which is the installation member, thereby forming the unevenness on the main body side. It will be possible to install without.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the key is inserted into one of the socket and the plug, and the key is inserted into the other. It is characterized in that an identification coupling mechanism is provided that can identify and couple these keys and key grooves by changing at least one of the shape, number, and installation position thereof.

  According to this coupler, the key is provided in one of the socket and the plug, and the key is inserted in the other, and the key and the key groove are at least one of the shape, the number, and the installation position. By configuring an identification connection mechanism that can be identified and connected by changing the above, it becomes possible to easily identify and connect the necessary types.

    Furthermore, a coupler according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the coupler according to the fifteenth aspect, in which the identification connecting mechanism is changed by changing at least one of the shape, number, and installation position of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion. It is characterized by being configured.

  According to this coupler, the identification connecting mechanism is configured by changing at least one of the shape, the number, and the installation position of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion, so that the lock arm It becomes possible to easily identify and connect the necessary types with the arm engaging portion.

  Moreover, in addition to the structure in any one of Claims 1-15, the coupler of Claim 16 of this invention provided the identification part of the same color in the said socket and the said plug, respectively, and comprised it so that identification was possible. It is a feature.

  According to this coupler, it is possible to visually identify the socket and the plug by providing an identification portion of the same color on each of the socket and the plug so that they can be identified.

According to the coupler of the first aspect of the present invention, as the connection holding means for holding the connection state between the socket and the plug, the lock arm is provided in one of the socket and the plug, and the lock is provided in the other. Since the arm engaging portion with which the arm is engaged is provided so that at least one of the arms can be climbed during the coupling, the coupling can be surely performed by a simple operation of getting over only the socket and the plug.
Thereby, the methanol in the container can be supplied to the methanol fuel cell, or the entire container can be replaced with a simple operation.

  According to the coupler of claim 2 of the present invention, at least one of the lock arm and the distal end portion of the arm engaging portion has an inclined surface whose height increases from the connecting insertion distal end side to the proximal end side. Therefore, it can be easily overcome and engaged.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler according to claim 3 of the present invention, the lock arm and the arm engaging portion are formed with engagement surfaces that are engaged after getting over each other, and the engagement surfaces are respectively connected in the connecting insertion direction. On the other hand, since it is constituted by a substantially vertical surface, the connected state can be reliably maintained.

  According to the coupler of claim 4 of the present invention, at least one of the engagement surfaces to be engaged after the lock arm and the arm engagement portion get over each other has a tapered surface inclined with respect to the connecting insertion direction or Since it is configured by a curved surface, it is possible to maintain the connected state by the engagement, and the connected state is automatically released for a certain large force.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler according to claim 5 of the present invention, since the lock arm and the arm engaging portion are configured to be able to get over by elastically deforming at least one of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion in a direction intersecting the connecting insertion direction. It can be reliably connected and released with simple operations.

  According to the coupler of claim 6 of the present invention, a separate elastic deformation member is provided on at least one of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion so as to be able to get over. The member can be reliably connected or released by simple operation.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler according to claim 7 of the present invention, the separate elastically deformable member is configured so as to be able to be climbed over using the lid covering the socket or the plug. Can be protected with a lid.

  According to the coupler of claim 8 of the present invention, the arm engaging portion is provided in the recessed portion of the member to be installed, and the lock arm is inserted into the recessed portion so as to be connectable to the arm engaging portion. For example, the arm engagement portion can be installed so as not to protrude outward by the concave portion on the main body side.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler according to claim 9 of the present invention, since the engagement surface of the lock arm is provided toward the inner side or the outer side in the insertion direction, it is combined with the engagement surface of the outward or inward arm engagement portion. Can be connected and released with a simple operation.

  According to the coupler of the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the lock arm and the arm engagement portion are provided at two opposing positions, a reliable connection state can be ensured with a small installation space.

  Further, according to the coupler of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the two lock arms and the arm engaging portion are arranged at positions orthogonal to the thickness of the member to be installed, the thin member to be installed is provided. Even installation space can be secured.

  According to the coupler of claim 12 of the present invention, since the lock arm is provided with the operation portion for releasing the engagement with the arm engagement portion, the release operation can be performed reliably. In particular, the release can be easily performed when the engagement surface is vertical.

  Furthermore, according to the coupler of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the lock arm of the connection holding means is provided on the plug side which is the installation member, and the arm engagement portion is provided on the main body side which is the installation member. Since it comprised, the unevenness | corrugation of a main body side can be eliminated and it can install.

  According to the coupler of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the key is provided in one of the socket and the plug and the key is inserted in the other, and the key and the key groove are Since the identification coupling mechanism that can be identified and coupled is configured by changing at least one of the shape, the number, and the installation position, the necessary types can be easily identified and coupled.

    Furthermore, according to the coupler of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the identification connecting mechanism is configured by changing at least one of the shape, number, and installation position of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion. It is possible to easily identify and connect the necessary types between the lock arm and the arm engaging portion without using the groove.

  According to the coupler of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the sockets and the plugs are provided with the same color identifying portions so that they can be identified, so that they can be identified visually.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 relate to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler of the present invention and its biasing means are omitted, and FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view and a bottom view of a socket, and a plan view and a longitudinal sectional view of a plug. 2 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of the connection holding means, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view and a bottom view of the socket in the case where an identification coupling mechanism is provided, and a plan view and a longitudinal sectional view of the plug.

  The coupler 10 includes a socket S10 and a plug P10 fitted and connected to the socket S10. For example, the socket S10 is provided on the main body side of the methanol fuel cell, and the plug P10 is provided on the cartridge side as a methanol container. The main part is made of a non-metallic material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyphenylene sulfide.

  In the following description, the upper and lower sides in the drawing will be described as a reference, but the actual mounting direction to the container body is not limited at all, and any direction may be used.

  A socket S10 of the coupler 10 is configured by attaching a substantially cylindrical socket body 12 to a central portion of a substantially cylindrical socket member 11 attached to a concave mounting hole formed in the body of the fuel cell. 12 is positioned in the groove portion of the socket member 11 via the two protrusions 12a on the outer periphery of the intermediate portion.

  In the socket body 12, a partition portion 12b is integrally formed in the middle portion, and a flow path 12c is formed in the center portion through the partition portion 12b. The base end side of the partition portion 12b (in the drawing, The flow path 12c on the upper end side is provided with a valve body (not shown) and an elastic body that urges the valve body in the closing direction, and the flow path 12c on the tip end side (lower end side in the figure) of the partition 12b. A plug connection hole 12d for connection to the plug P is formed in the contact hole.

  The plug connection hole 12d is configured by forming a conical portion in the middle part of a two-stage cylindrical shape having a small diameter at the top and a large diameter at the bottom.

  And in this socket S10, a valve body is automatically opened and closed by operating the operation part integral with the valve body which is not shown in figure with the connection with the plug P10.

  Next, the plug P10 of the coupler 10 fitted and connected to the socket S10 is made of a non-metallic material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyphenylene sulfide, as in the socket S10.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the plug P10 includes a substantially cylindrical plug body 16 attached to the outer periphery of the tip of a nozzle of a container in which methanol, which is a fuel of a fuel cell (not shown), is placed. The nozzle of the container (not shown) is locked to the locking ring portion 16b at the inner periphery of the lower end of the double cylindrical outer large-diameter portion 16a of the base end portion (lower end portion in the figure) of the plug body 16, and the inner small-diameter portion 16c. Is inserted into the container nozzle and attached to the container.

  The plug body 16 is formed with a substantially cylindrical projecting connection portion 16d that protrudes from the tip portion and is fitted into the plug connection hole 12d of the socket S10. The central portion of the plug body 16 including the projecting connection portion 16d is formed. A flow path 16e is formed through.

  In the plug body 16, similarly to the socket S <b> 10, a valve body (not shown) and an elastic body that urges the valve body in the closing direction are provided.

  The projecting coupling portion 16d of the plug P10 mounted in the plug coupling hole 12d of the socket S10 has a two-stage cylindrical shape having a small diameter on the upper side and a large diameter on the lower side corresponding to the inner shape of the plug coupling hole 12d, and a step portion in the middle portion. An O-ring 17 for sealing is attached to. As a result, when the O-ring 17 is inserted into the large-diameter portion below the plug connecting hole 12d, sealing by the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 17 is started, and the O-ring 17 hits the conical portion of the plug connecting hole 12d. Thus, the tip surface is also sealed.

  And in this plug P10, the valve body is automatically opened and closed by operating the operation portion integral with the valve body in connection with the connection with the socket S10. The flow path 12c of the socket S10 is communicated in a sealed state.

  In such a coupler 10, a connection holding means 20 is provided to hold the connection state between the socket S10 and the plug P10. For example, one side of the connection holding means 20 is used as an arm engagement portion 21 and the other side is a lock arm. 23, etc., which can be engaged and held by one action to push over each other, and can be released by one action to pull out.

  And in socket S10 of this coupler 10, the arm engaging part 21 used as the one side of the connection holding means 20 is provided in the front-end | tip part of the socket member 11 attached to the mounting hole of the main body of a fuel cell, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the two locking grooves 22 formed in the tip end portion of the socket member 11 are formed in, for example, a rectangular shape and are opposed to each other with the central axis of the plug connecting hole 12d interposed therebetween. The arm engaging portions 21 are formed so as to protrude inside the locking grooves 22 at the two diagonal positions, and the locking arm 23 on the plug P10 side, which will be described later, is engaged. It has come to be.

  By forming the locking grooves 22 at two such diagonal positions and forming the arm engaging portion 21 inside thereof, the two locking grooves 22 are arranged along the direction orthogonal to the thickness. The arm engaging portion 21 can be formed, the installation space can be made as small as possible, and it can be easily installed in a thin apparatus.

  The arm engaging portion 21 has an inclined surface 21a whose lower end portion is obliquely cut out in order to facilitate overriding at the time of connection and release, and also engages the lock arm 23 after the upper end portion has been climbed over. The engaging surface 21b is in a combined state, and is an inclined surface opposite to the lower end portion, where the height from the lower end to the middle gradually increases from the lower end, and the height gradually decreases from the middle to the upper end. It is formed as follows.

  On the other hand, in the plug P10 of the coupler 10, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the end of the plug body 16 is connected to the connection holding means 20 that holds the connection state with the socket S10. Two lock arms 23 are formed so as to protrude upward corresponding to the arm engaging portions 21 in the two locking grooves 22.

  Each of these two lock arms 23 has, for example, an outer surface having an arc shape having the same diameter as that of the outer large-diameter portion 16a, an inner surface being a flat surface, and an engaging portion 24 projecting inside the tip end portion. These are arranged so as to face each other across the central axis, and the respective circumferential widths can be inserted into the locking grooves 22.

  The engaging portion 24 of the lock arm 23 is formed into an inclined surface 24a whose upper end is obliquely cut out in order to make it easier to get over at the time of connection and release, and the lock after the lower end is overtaken. The engaging surface 24b that engages the arm 23 is an inclined surface opposite to the upper end portion, and the height from the upper end to the middle is gradually higher from the upper end to the middle, contrary to the arm engaging portion 21. Thus, the height is gradually reduced from the middle to the lower end.

  In addition, since the engaging portion 24 of the lock arm 23 is connected or released so as to get over the arm engaging portion 21, the lock groove 22 has a clearance that allows the lock arm 23 to get over and deform. It is provided outside the engaging portion 21.

In the coupler 10 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, when the socket S10 and the plug P10 are connected and held, the protruding connecting portion 16d of the plug P10 is inserted into the plug connecting hole 12d of the socket S10, and The lock arm 23 is pushed in so as to face the lock groove 22 of the socket member 11 provided with the arm engaging portion 21 of the connection holding means 20.
Then, when the O-ring 17 of the projecting coupling portion 16d of the plug P10 is inserted into the large-diameter portion below the plug coupling hole 12d of the socket S10, sealing by the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring 17 is started, and the socket S10 and the plug P10. The valve body is automatically opened by a connecting operation by an operation section (not shown) provided between the valve bodies so that the flow path 16e of the plug P10 and the flow path 12c of the socket S10 communicate with each other in a sealed state. Further, when the O-ring 17 hits the conical portion of the plug connecting hole 12d, the tip end surface is also sealed, and a more complete sealing state is achieved.

  In connection with such a connection operation, in the connection holding means 20, the lock arm 23 is moved to the outer side by contact between the inclined surface 21 a at the lower end of the arm engaging portion 21 and the inclined surface 24 a at the tip of the engaging portion 24 of the lock arm 23. When the plug P10 is pushed in, the arm engagement portion 21 and the engagement portion 24 of the lock arm 23 move over each other and lock the engagement surface 21b of the arm engagement portion 21 and lock. The engaged state is brought into contact with the engaging surface 24b of the engaging portion 24 of the arm 23, and the connected state is maintained.

  On the other hand, when releasing the connected holding state, when the plug P10 is pulled out from the socket S10, the engaging surface 21b of the arm engaging portion 21 and the engaging surface 24b of the engaging portion 24 of the lock arm 23 are inclined. Since it is constituted by a surface, the lock arm 23 can be elastically deformed so as to spread outward, and the connected holding state can be released by pulling it over and pulling over each other.

  According to such a coupler 10, the socket S10 and the plug P10 can be connected to each other and the connection can be released only by pushing and pulling operations, and can be easily operated with one action. As a result, the installation space can be reduced, and for example, it is not necessary to secure a space for rotation as compared to a mechanism (twist lock mechanism) that is connected and held by combining insertion and removal and rotation. Space saving.

  Further, since the engaging surfaces 21b and the engaging surfaces 24b are configured to be engaged with each other in the coupled holding state, the coupler 10 is in an overloaded state in which a large force is applied to the plug P10 or the like. The locked state is released by elastic deformation of the lock arm 23 without breaking or damaging the components, and the plug P10 can be safely removed from the socket S10.

  Therefore, if the angle of the inclined surface of the engaging surface 21b of the arm engaging portion 21 and the engaging surface 24b of the engaging portion 24 of the lock arm 23 is set to be perpendicular to the insertion / withdrawal direction, the inclination is sharpened. The more the engagement force is increased, the more difficult it is to disengage. Conversely, if the slope is gentle, the engagement force can be reduced to prevent damage to an overload. To set the angle of the inclined surface.

  Further, in this coupler 10, since it is in a connected holding state so as to get over the arm engaging portion 21 and the engaging portion 24 of the lock arm 23, or the connected state is released, it gets over especially during the connecting operation. After entering the engaged state, a click feeling is generated, and it is possible to know that the engaged state has been established.

  As one of the identifying connecting means for preventing the connecting and holding means 20 from connecting the plugs P10 having different concentrations of methanol, for example, a fuel to be used in a methanol fuel cell, the two locking grooves 22 and the arm An identification function can be added by changing the size (width) of the engaging portion 21 in the circumferential direction and changing the size (width) of the lock arm 23 of the mating plug P10 correspondingly.

  Further, the coupler 10 has a key groove 31 on one side as another identification connecting means 30 for preventing the plug P10 having a different concentration of methanol, which is a fuel to be used in a methanol fuel cell, from being inserted and connected. The key 32 is provided on the other side. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the key groove 31 is provided in the socket S10 and the key 32 is provided in the plug P10.

  The key grooves 31 of the socket S10 on one side of the identification connecting means 30 are formed at two diagonal positions on the inner periphery of the lower end portion of the plug connecting hole 12d of the socket body 12. Then, the key 32 of the plug P10 on the other side of the identification connecting means 30 is formed in two diagonal positions on the outer periphery of the lower end of the protruding connecting portion 16d of the plug body 16 so as to correspond to the key grooves 31.

  Thereby, in this coupler 10, with respect to the arm engaging part 21 in the locking groove 22 on one side of the connection holding means 20 arranged at a fixed position and the engaging part 24 of the lock arm 23 on the other side, By changing the angle of the key groove 31 at the two diagonal positions on one side of the identification connecting means 30 and the key 32 at the two diagonal positions on the other side, only one socket S10 and one plug P10 are completely provided. Can be inserted and connected, and can be distinguished from others.

  Therefore, for example, by changing the angles of the two key grooves 31 and the two keys 32 at diagonal positions by 10 degrees as shown in FIG. 3, 18 types of identification can be made.

  And in this identification connection mechanism 30, since the connection holding | maintenance means 20 only inserts / removes the arm engaging part 21 of the locking groove 22, and the engaging part 24 of the lock arm 23, it does not rotate, Therefore Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a moving range for rotation with respect to 32, so that it can be installed in a small space, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the key groove 31 and the key 32 increases.

  It should be noted that many identifications can be made by combining the coupling holding means 20 with changing the angle formed by the two key grooves 31 and the two keys 32 of the identification coupling mechanism 30.

    In addition, when it is necessary to further increase the identification pattern, in addition to the angle between each other, the size and shape of each of the two key grooves 31 and the two keys 32 may be changed, or the number of keys themselves may be increased. Thus, the identification pattern can be greatly increased.

  On the other hand, when the number of patterns that can be identified increases, it becomes difficult to distinguish the arrangement of keys and key grooves in appearance. For example, the socket S10 and the plug P10 of the coupler 10 that can be connected to each other are color-coded in the same color. Or combining the same color pattern can be identified more easily.

  Furthermore, as one of the identification mechanisms, in order to prevent reversal connection by changing the size of the arm locking portion 21 of the locking groove 22 and the engagement portion 24 of the lock arm 23 of the connection holding means 20, In addition to changing the size (width) in the circumferential direction, the size (height) in the radial direction may be changed so that it cannot be reversed and connected, and the shape and the like are changed. You may do it.

  In addition, the angle of the two lock arms may be changed instead of the diagonal position, and when the diagonal position is set, the balance of the force applied to the connecting portion when connecting and holding is good. The thickness can be reduced and installation space can be minimized.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the key of the identification means may be, for example, a substantially quadrangular shape or other shapes. In particular, when it is necessary to use a split mold for resin molding, the cross-sectional shape of the key is changed. If it is changed corresponding to the split mold, molding becomes easy.

  In addition, the arm engaging portion and the lock arm of the lock groove may be provided so as to be replaced with each other by the socket and the plug, or the key groove and the key may be provided so as to be replaced with each other. Instead of between the socket S and the plug P, it may be provided between the lock groove and the lock arm.

  In addition, although the case where the methanol container of the methanol fuel cell is connected to the main body has been described as an example of the use of the coupler, the present invention is not limited to this and may be used for other purposes, and is particularly suitable when it is necessary to identify many types. is there.

  Next, another embodiment of the coupler according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and redundant description is given. Is omitted.

  This coupler 10A is different from the coupler 10 mainly in connection and holding means 40, and the arm engaging portion 41 is made of a spring material such as metal or synthetic resin and is locked so that it protrudes outward. It is installed in the groove 42. The arm engaging portion 41 is formed by bending the front end portion of the plate material into a substantially U shape, thereby forming an inclined surface 41a at the lower end portion and an engaging surface 41b in the opposite direction at the upper end portion, and the flat portion as a socket member. 11, and a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the socket body 12 so as to allow elastic deformation.

  On the other hand, the lock arm 43 which is the other side of the connection holding means 40 is formed so that the engaging portion 44 protrudes inward at the upper end portion, and the tip end portion is a substantially flat surface 44a parallel to the insertion / removal direction. An inclined engaging surface 44b is formed.

  The other configuration of the coupler 10A is the same as that of the coupler 10 described above, but here the O-ring 17 is attached to the conical portion of the plug connecting hole 12d instead of the O-ring 17 of the projecting connecting portion 16d. The configuration is different.

  In the coupler 10A configured as described above, in the same manner as the coupler 10 described above, both valve bodies (not shown) are opened by the operation portion associated with the coupling operation, and the flow path 12c and the flow path 16e are communicated.

  Then, in the connection holding means 40 in accordance with the connection operation, when the lock arm 43 of the plug P10A is inserted into the lock groove 42 and pushed in, as shown in FIG. 5, the arm engagement portion 41 made of a spring material is formed. After the engagement portion 44 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed inward and the engagement portion 44 of the lock arm 43 gets over the arm engagement portion 41, the arm engagement portion 41 returns to the original position and the engagement surface 41b. 44b are engaged and the connected state is maintained.

  On the other hand, when releasing the connection, when the plug P10A is pulled out from the socket S10A, the arm engagement portion 41 is elastically deformed and pushed inward, and the engagement portion 44 of the lock arm 43 is moved over, It can be canceled.

  Such a coupler 10A has the same effect as the coupler 10 already described, and the arm engaging portion is made of a material different from the constituent material of the socket and plug, so that the constituent material of the socket and plug can be reduced. The degree of freedom of selection can be increased.

  Moreover, it goes without saying that the socket S10A and the plug P10A that can be connected can be identified by adding the identification connecting mechanism.

  Next, another embodiment of the coupler of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is given. Is omitted.

  The coupler 10B is different from the couplers 10 and 10A mainly in connection and holding means 50, and the arm engagement portion 51 urges the reciprocating protrusion member 51a having a substantially hemispherical tip to protrude forward. The coil spring 51b is configured so that the reciprocating protruding member 51a protrudes from the lateral outer side to the inner side in the locking groove 52.

  On the other hand, the lock arm 53 which is the other side of the connection holding means 50 is formed so that the engaging portion 54 protrudes to the outside at the upper end portion, and the tip end portion is a substantially flat surface 54a parallel to the insertion / removal direction. An engagement surface 54b that is substantially perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction is formed.

  The other configuration of the coupler 10B is the same as that of the coupler 10A already described. The coupler 10 is provided with an O-ring 17 attached to the conical portion of the plug connecting hole 12d instead of the O-ring 17 of the projecting connecting portion 16d. The configuration is different.

  In the coupler 10B configured as described above, in the same manner as the couplers 10 and 10A already described, both valve bodies (not shown) are opened by the operation unit accompanying the coupling operation, and the flow path 12c and the flow path 16e are communicated. .

  Then, in the connection holding means 50 in accordance with the connection operation, as shown in FIG. 7, when the lock arm 53 of the plug P10B is inserted and pushed into the lock groove 52, the reciprocating protrusion member 51a of the arm engagement portion 51 is coiled. After being pushed outward by the engaging portion 54 against the spring 51b and the engaging portion 54 of the lock arm 53 gets over the reciprocating protruding member 51a of the arm engaging portion 51, the reciprocating protruding member 51a is pushed back by the coil spring 51b. Thus, it engages below the engaging surface 54b, and the connected state is maintained.

  On the other hand, when releasing the connection, if the plug P10B is pulled out from the socket S10B, the reciprocating protrusion member 51a of the arm engaging portion 51 is pushed outward against the coil spring 51b, and the lock arm 53 is engaged. It can be canceled by getting over the section 54.

  Such a coupler 10B can achieve the same effects as the couplers 10 and 10A already described, and it is easy to adjust the strength of the coil spring 51b, and the socket and plug engagement force can be easily adjusted. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, it goes without saying that the socket S10B and the plug P10B that can be coupled can be identified by adding the identification coupling mechanism.

  In the connection holding means 20, 40, 50 of the three embodiments described above, the connection and release of the socket S and the plug P can be performed only by pushing and pulling in / out operations. Thus, the connection can be released when a large force is applied to cause an overload.

  Next, an embodiment of a coupler provided with a connection holding means for releasing connection holding by a release operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Are given the same symbols, and redundant explanations are omitted.

  In the coupling holding means 60 of the coupler 10C, the arm engaging portion 61 on one side is provided in the socket S10C, and two points are provided outward in diagonal positions of the locking groove 62. And the inclined surface 61a is provided in the lower end part of this arm engaging part 61, and the engaging surface 61b of an upper end part is comprised by the right-angled surface orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction.

  Further, two lock arms 63 on the other side of the connection holding means 60 are provided on the plug P10C with the engaging portions 64 facing inward, and a notch groove 63a serving as an opening / closing fulcrum is formed on the lower end surface of the lock arm 63. In addition, an operating portion 63 b is provided along the outside of the plug body 16 integrally with the lock arm 63. And the upper end part of the engaging part 64 is made into the inclined surface 64a, and the engaging surface 64b of the lower end part is comprised by the right-angled plane orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction.

  Therefore, in this coupler 10C, when the lock arm 63 of the connection holding means 60 is pushed into the lock groove 62 provided with the arm engagement portion 61, the inclined surface 64a of the distal end portion of the engagement portion 64 of the lock arm 63 is obtained. And the inclined surface 61a at the lower end of the arm tilting portion 61 are brought into contact with each other so that the lock arm 63 is pushed in and extended outwardly with the notch groove 63a on the lower end surface as a fulcrum. It becomes.

  Then, in the engaged state, the engagement surface 64b of the engagement portion 64 of the lock arm 63 comes into contact with the engagement surface 61b of the arm engagement portion 61, and the engagement surfaces 61b and 64b are orthogonal to the drawing direction. In this state, it is in a connected state that cannot be pulled out.

  On the other hand, when releasing the connection, if the operation portion 63b of the lock arm 63 is closed, the lock arm 63 is operated so as to open the engaging portion 64 with the notch groove 63a on the lower end surface as a fulcrum. The engagement surface 64b of the engagement portion 64 of the arm 63 can be removed from the engagement surface 61b of the lock arm 61, and the lock can be released by pulling out in this state. In this case, the engagement surface may be an inclined surface, and the ease of extraction and the engagement force may be adjusted.

  The other configuration of the coupler 10C is the same as that of the coupler 10 described above.

  In the coupler 10C configured as described above, in the same manner as the coupler 10 described above, both valve bodies (not shown) are opened by the operation unit accompanying the coupling operation, and the flow path 12c and the flow path 16e are communicated.

  Even with such a coupler 10C, the same effects as the coupler 10 already described can be obtained, and the connected state can be reliably maintained.

  Moreover, it goes without saying that the socket S10C and the plug P10C that can be connected can be identified by adding the identification connecting mechanism.

  Next, another embodiment of a coupler provided with a connection holding means for releasing connection holding by a release operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. About the same part, the same symbol is described and the overlapping description is omitted.

  In the coupling holding means 70 of the coupler 10D, an arm engaging portion 71 on one side is provided on the socket S10D, and two holes 72a in the insertion / removal direction are formed at two diagonal positions of the locking groove 72 and the outer side from the bottom of the hole 72a. The arm engaging portion 71 is configured by a right-angled corner formed by the hole 72b formed toward the surface, and a horizontal plane orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction is an engaging surface 71a.

  Further, the lock arm 73 on the other side of the connection holding means 70 projects outwardly from the lower end portion of the outer large-diameter portion 16a of the plug body 16 and then is bent in a substantially inverted P shape toward the upper side, and is integrally formed. In addition, an engaging portion 74 is provided outside the upper end portion of each lock arm 73, the side surface of the engaging portion 74 is an inclined surface 74a, and the lower end surface is a horizontal engaging surface 74b orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction. .

  The portion of the lock arm 73 that protrudes outside the lower end portion is an operation portion 73a, and the operation portion 73a on both sides is elastically deformed so as to be compressed inward and closed, thereby engaging the upper end portion of the lock arm 73. The portion 74 can be pushed back inward.

  Therefore, in this coupler 10D, when the lock arm 73 of the connection holding means 70 is pushed into the lock groove 72 provided with the arm engagement portion 71, the inclined surface 74a of the distal end portion of the engagement portion 74 of the lock arm 73 is obtained. And the side of the hole 71a of the arm tilting portion 71 come into contact with each other, and the lock arm 73 is pushed in while being compressed inward by elastic deformation with the lower end portion as a fulcrum, and gets over each other to be engaged.

  Then, in the engaged state, the engaging surface 74b of the engaging portion 74 of the lock arm 73 comes into contact with the engaging surface 71a of the arm engaging portion 71, and the engaging surfaces 71a and 74b are orthogonal to the drawing direction. In this state, it is in a connected state that cannot be pulled out.

  On the other hand, in order to release the connection, if the operation portion 73a of the lock arm 73 is closed, the lock arm 73 is operated to be elastically deformed with its lower end portion as a fulcrum and the engagement portion 74 is closed. The engaging surface 74b of the engaging portion 74 of 73 can be removed from the engaging surface 71a of the lock arm 71, and the lock can be released by pulling out in this state. In this case, the engagement surface may be an inclined surface, and the ease of extraction and the engagement force may be adjusted.

  In addition, the other structure of this coupler 10D is the same as the coupler 10 already demonstrated.

  In the coupler 10D configured as described above, in the same manner as the coupler 10 described above, both valve bodies (not shown) are opened by the operation unit accompanying the coupling operation, and the flow path 12c and the flow path 16e are communicated.

  Even with such a coupler 10D, the same effect as the coupler 10 already described can be obtained, and the connected state can be reliably maintained, and the connected state can be maintained until the operation unit 73a is operated and released. it can.

  Moreover, it goes without saying that the socket S10D and the plug P10D that can be connected can be identified by adding the identification connecting mechanism.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, an embodiment of a coupler constituted by connecting and holding the cover covering the socket or the plug together with an elastically deformable member capable of getting over each other will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. About the same part as the said embodiment described, the same symbol is described and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the coupling holding means 80 of the coupler 10E, the socket S10E is provided with a lid body 82 as one arm engaging portion 81, and the plug P10E is provided with the other lock arm 83.

  The lid 82 as the arm engaging portion 81 on one side provided in the socket S10E covers the lower end of the plug connecting hole 12d and is slidable in the left-right direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the plug P10E. It is provided so that the plug connecting hole 12d can be opened and closed.

  The lid 82 is urged in a closing direction by a coil spring 82a interposed at the left end.

  Then, two fork-like engaging portions 82b are provided so as to protrude from the distal end portion of the lid 82, and the engaging portions 82b are slid to be inserted into and removed from the engaging portion 84 of the lock arm 83 on the other side. By doing so, the connected state can be maintained or released.

  Further, an operating protrusion 82c is provided on the upper surface of the lid 82 so that the lid 82 can be reliably opened and closed.

  Two lock arms 83 on the other side of the connection holding means 80 are provided in a direction perpendicular to the opening / closing direction of the lid body 82 so as to protrude from the plug P10E. A groove 84a is formed and, as shown in FIG. 12, is arranged along the thickness direction rotated 90 degrees with respect to the lock arm of the embodiment described so far.

  The interval between the two engagement grooves 84a is matched to the interval between the fork-like engagement portions 82b formed in the lid body 82 of the arm engagement portion 81, and as shown in FIG. By engaging the fork-like engagement portion 82b of the lid 82 of the arm engagement portion 81 into the engagement groove 84a of 84, the engagement can be engaged and the connected state is maintained.

  That is, in this connection holding means 80, the lid 82 of the arm engagement portion 81 is put in a state in which the plug connection hole 12d is opened by putting the finger on the operation protrusion 82c and retreating against the coil spring 82a. The protruding connecting portion 16d of the plug P10E is inserted and connected to S10E.

  When the finger holding the lid 82 is released when the connection is made, the lid 82 moves so as to be closed by the coil spring 82 a, and the fork-like engagement portion 82 b at the distal end engages with the lock arm 83. It is drawn into the engaging groove 84a of the portion 84, and the connected state is maintained.

  When releasing the connected state, the fork-like engaging portion 82b at the tip is pulled out of the engaging groove 84a of the engaging portion 84 of the lock arm 83 by retracting the lid 82 against the coil spring 82a. The connected state is released, and then the plug P10E is pulled out.

  Even in the coupler 10E configured such that the connecting and holding means 80 can be used by an operation with a finger by using an elastic deformation member that allows the lid 82 covering the socket S10E or the plug P10E to get over each other. In addition, the connected state can be reliably maintained, and dust can be prevented from being attached by covering the plug connection hole when not in use.

  It goes without saying that the socket S10E and the plug P10E that can be connected can be identified by providing the identification connecting mechanism between the plug connecting hole and the projecting connecting portion.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a description will be given of another embodiment of the coupler in which the connecting and holding means is also used as an elastically deformable member that allows the cover covering the socket or the plug to pass over each other. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In the coupling and holding means 90 of the coupler 10F, the socket S10F is provided with an arm engaging portion 91 and a lid 92 on one side, and the lock arm 93 on the other side is provided on the plug P10F.

  The lid 92 on one side provided in the socket S10F is configured substantially the same as the above-described embodiment, covers the lower end of the plug connection hole 12d, and is slidable in the left-right direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the plug P10F. It is provided at the lower end portion of the socket member 11 and can open and close the plug connecting hole 12d. The lid body 92 is urged in a closing direction by a coil spring 92a interposed at the left end portion. In addition, this cover body is not provided with the fork-like engaging part.

  An arm engaging portion 91 is disposed to face the front end portion of the lid 92, and is constituted by a reciprocating projecting member 91a and a coil spring 91b that biases it forward.

  Further, an operating protrusion 92b is provided on the upper surface of the lid 92 so that the lid 92 can be reliably opened and closed.

  Two lock arms 93 on the other side of the connection holding means 90 are provided along the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and are provided along the longitudinal direction of the lid 92 so as to protrude from the plug P10F. An engaging portion 94 is provided on the outer side of the tip portion to form an engaging groove 94a.

  Then, the distal end portion of the lid 92 and the reciprocating protrusion member 91a of the arm engagement portion 91 are inserted into the two engagement grooves 94a of the engagement portion 94 of the lock arm 93 before and after the lid 92 is opened and closed. They are engaged with each other so that the connected state can be maintained.

  That is, in this connection holding means 90, the lid 92 of the arm engagement portion 91 is put in a state in which the plug connection hole 12d is opened by putting the finger on the operation protrusion 92b and retreating against the coil spring 92a. The projecting connecting portion 16d of the plug P10F is inserted and connected to S10F.

  When the finger holding the lid 92 is released when the connection is made, the lid 92 is moved by the coil spring 92a so that the reciprocating protrusion 91a of the arm engagement portion 91 is locked. Each is engaged with the engaging groove 94a of the engaging portion 94 of the arm 93, and the connected state is maintained.

  When releasing the connected state, the lid 92 is retracted against the coil spring 92 a, and the tip portion is extracted from one engagement groove 94 a of the engagement portion 94 of the lock arm 93. By pulling out the plug P10E in the state, the reciprocating protruding member 91a is pushed back against the coil spring 91b, and the connected state is released.

  Even in such a coupler 10F configured such that the connection holding means 90 is used as an elastically deformable member capable of getting over the lid 92 and the arm engaging portion 91 covering the socket S10F or the plug P10F, and can be moved over by a finger operation. In addition to the same effects as the coupler 10 described above, the connected state can be reliably maintained, and dust can be prevented from being attached by covering the plug connection hole when not in use.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the socket S10F and the plug P10F that can be coupled can be identified by providing the identification coupling mechanism between the plug coupling hole and the projecting coupling portion.

  In each of the above embodiments, as described in the first embodiment, as one of the identification means, by changing the size of the lock groove and the lock arm, it can be reversed and cannot be connected. The size (width) in the circumferential direction may be changed, the size (height) in the radial direction may be changed so that it cannot be reversed and connected, and the depth, etc., may be changed as the shape. Also good.

  In addition, the angle of the two lock arms may be changed instead of the diagonal position, and when the diagonal position is set, the balance of the force applied to the connecting portion when connecting and holding is good. The thickness can be reduced and installation space can be minimized.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the key of the identification means may be a substantially quadrangular shape or other shapes. In particular, when it is necessary to use a split mold for resin molding, the cross-sectional shape of the key is divided. If the shape corresponds to the mold, molding becomes easy.

  In addition, the socket and the plug that can be connected to each other are configured to be identified by combining two identification means. However, the identification may be performed by providing the identification unit alone. What is necessary is just to change a key, the size of a lock arm, an installation position, etc. for every.

    Further, the lock groove and the lock arm may be provided so as to be interchanged with each other by a socket and a plug, or the key groove and the key may be provided interchangeably.

  In addition, although the case where the methanol container of the methanol fuel cell is connected to the main body has been described as an example of the use of the coupler, the present invention is not limited to this and may be used for other purposes, and is particularly suitable when it is necessary to identify many types. is there.

It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of the socket concerning one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, The top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a connection holding unit according to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler according to the present invention and its biasing unit are omitted. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of a socket at the time of providing the identification connection mechanism concerning one embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, The top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug . It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of the socket concerning other one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, The top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug. FIG. 6 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of a connection holding means according to another embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler of the present invention and its biasing means are omitted. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of the socket concerning one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, The top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a connection holding unit according to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler according to the present invention and its biasing unit are omitted. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of the socket concerning other one embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, the top view of a plug, and the longitudinal cross-sectional view before and behind operation. FIG. 6 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view of a connection holding means according to another embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler of the present invention and its biasing means are omitted. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of the socket concerning one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, The top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a connection holding unit according to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler according to the present invention and its biasing unit are omitted. It is the bottom view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of the socket concerning one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, the top view of a plug, and the orthogonal | vertical cross-sectional view of two orthogonal directions. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a connection holding unit according to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler according to the present invention and its biasing unit are omitted. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view and bottom view of the socket concerning one Embodiment which abbreviate | omits and shows the valve body of the coupler of this invention, and its urging | biasing means, The top view and longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a connection holding unit according to an embodiment in which the valve body of the coupler according to the present invention and its biasing unit are omitted. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional coupling device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Coupler S10 Socket P10 Plug 11 Socket member 12 Socket main body 12a Projection part 12b Partition part 12c Flow path 12d Plug connection hole 16 Plug main body 16a Outer large diameter part 16b Locking ring part 16c Inner small diameter part 16d Protrusion connection part 16e Flow path 17 O-ring 20 connection holding means 21 arm engagement portion 21a inclined surface 21b engagement surface 22 locking groove 23 lock arm 24 engagement portion 24a inclined surface 24b engagement surface 30 identification mechanism 31 key groove 32 key 40 connection holding means 41 Arm engaging part 42 Locking groove 43 Lock arm 44 Engaging part 50 Connection holding means 51 Arm engaging part 52 Locking groove 53 Lock arm 54 Engaging part 60 Connection holding means 61 Arm engaging part 62 Locking groove 63 Lock Arm 64 Engagement part 70 Connection holding hand DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 71 Arm engagement part 72 Locking groove 73 Lock arm 74 Engagement part 80 Connection holding means 81 Arm engagement part 82 Lid body 83 Lock arm 84 Engagement part 90 Connection holding means 91 Arm engagement part 92 Lid body 93 Lock arm 94 Engagement portion In addition, additional symbols A, B, C.I. D, E and F indicate different embodiments of the coupler, socket and plug, respectively.

Claims (16)

A socket having a valve body and an urging means for urging the valve body in the closing direction; and a valve body and an urging means for urging the valve body in the closing direction, and detachably fitted and connected to the socket. A coupler constituted by a plug that can be communicated by opening both valve bodies in a joint state,
A connection holding means for holding the connection state is provided between the socket and the plug, the connection holding means is provided with a lock arm on one of the socket and the plug, and the lock arm is engaged on the other. A coupler comprising: an arm engaging portion to be combined, and at least one of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion being configured to be able to get over when connected. 2. At least one of the lock arm and the distal end portion of the arm engaging portion is configured to be able to get over as an inclined surface whose height increases from the distal end side of the connection insertion to the proximal end side. The described coupler. An engagement surface of the lock arm and an engagement surface of the arm engagement portion, which are engaged with each other after getting over the base end portion of the lock arm and the arm engagement portion, are formed, The coupler according to claim 1, wherein each coupler is constituted by a plane substantially perpendicular to the connecting insertion direction. The at least one of the engaging surface provided in the arm engaging portion and the engaging surface provided in the lock arm is formed by a tapered surface or a curved surface inclined with respect to the connecting insertion direction. 3. The coupler according to 3. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lock arm and the arm engaging portion is configured to be elastically deformed in a direction intersecting a connecting insertion direction so as to be able to get over. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein a separate elastic deformation member is provided on at least one of the lock arm and the arm engagement portion so as to be able to get over. The coupler according to claim 6, wherein the separate elastic deformation member is configured so as to be able to get on and over as a lid covering the socket or the plug. The said arm engaging part is provided in the recessed part of the to-be-installed member, The said lock arm was inserted in this recessed part, and it comprised so that it could connect with the said arm engaging part, The structure in any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Coupler. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engagement surface of the lock arm is provided inward or outward in the insertion direction. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lock arm and the arm engaging portion are provided at two opposing positions. 11. The coupler according to claim 10, wherein the two lock arms and the arm engaging portions are arranged at positions orthogonal to a thickness of a member to be installed. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lock arm is provided with an operation portion for releasing the engagement with the arm engagement portion. 13. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the lock arm of the connection holding means is provided on a plug side which is a member to be installed, and the arm engaging portion is provided on a main body side which is a member to be installed. Crab coupler. The socket is provided with a key groove into which one of the socket and the plug is inserted, and the other is inserted with the key. The key, the key groove, and at least one of its shape, number, and installation position are changed. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an identification coupling mechanism capable of identification coupling is configured. The coupler according to claim 14, wherein the identification connecting mechanism is configured by changing at least one of a shape, a number, and an installation position of the lock arm and the arm engagement portion. The coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the socket and the plug are provided with identification parts of the same color so as to be identifiable.

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