JP2024073700A - Straight Pipe Fittings - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a pipe joint capable of coupling and removing a joint member opening/closing a valve in a narrow environment.SOLUTION: A straight type pipe joint (310) is equipped with a cylindrical joint body (321) that has one end to which another joint (800) can be connected, and the other end to which another piping can be connected, a valve seat portion (311) that is provided in the joint body and is formed with an opening (312) communicating one end and the other end in a joint body, and a flat valve device (400) that is stored in the joint body and rotates to switch a valve-closing state sealing the opening and a valve-opening state opening the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

This disclosure relates to straight pipe fittings.

As a pipe joint for connecting two pipes, various pipe joints have been proposed in which two pipe joint members, called "plug and socket" or "male pipe joint member and female pipe joint member", each have a valve structure inside, and when these joint members are connected to each other, each valve structure transitions from a closed state to an open state. For example, the pipe joint of Patent Document 1 has a valve structure called a plunger valve, and when the plug and socket are connected, the member in the socket pushes back the cylindrical outer valve member in the plug in the axial direction, thereby releasing the sealing engagement between the outer valve device in the plug and the inner valve member (plunger) arranged in the outer valve device. Also, in the socket, when connected, the valve member is pushed back in the axial direction by the inner valve member in the plug, and the sealing engagement between the valve member and the members around it is released. The pipe joint of Patent Document 2 also has a valve structure called a plunger valve.

JP 2020-29933 A JP 2019-138380 A

However, in pipe fittings with plunger valves such as those in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the valve member (valve body) housed inside strokes in the axial direction to switch between open and closed states, so an axially long structure must be adopted to ensure a certain stroke length. This poses the problem that these fittings cannot be used in environments where a certain stroke length cannot be ensured, such as small spaces such as the engine compartment of a vehicle. For this reason, there is a demand for pipe fittings that can connect and disconnect fitting members, which involves opening and closing the valve, in small environments.

This disclosure can be realized in the following forms:

(1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a straight-type pipe fitting is provided, comprising: a cylindrical fitting body having one end to which another fitting can be connected and another end to which another pipe can be connected, a valve seat portion provided inside the fitting body and having an opening for communicating the one end with the other end inside the fitting body, and a flap valve device housed in the fitting body, the flap valve device rotating to switch between a closed state in which the opening is sealed and an open state in which the opening is opened.
According to this embodiment of the straight pipe joint, a flap valve device that switches between an open state and a closed state by rotating inside the joint body is provided, so that the opening and closing operation of the valve (flap valve device) can be realized even in a situation where only a narrow space can be secured in the direction along the central axis of the joint body. Therefore, the connection and disconnection of the joint members (straight pipe joint and joint) that involve the opening and closing operation of the valve can be realized in a narrow environment. In addition, since the valve is opened and closed by the flap valve device, the flow resistance (pressure loss) can be reduced compared to a plunger valve. Also, since the valve is opened and closed by the flap valve device, the configuration can be made more compact compared to a plunger valve that requires a configuration that extends in the axial direction inside the joint.
(2) In the straight-type pipe fitting of the above embodiment, the flap valve device may include a fixed member arranged along an inner wall of the fitting body, a valve body configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis provided on the fixed member, the valve body realizing the closed valve state by sealing the opening and the open valve state by opening the opening, and an elastic member fixed to the fixed member, the elastic member biasing the valve body to seal the opening.
According to this form of straight-type pipe fitting, the flap valve device has a valve body and an elastic member, so that when no other fitting is connected to the straight-type pipe fitting, the elastic member biases the valve body to seal the opening, thereby realizing a closed valve state, and on the other hand, when another fitting is connected to the straight-type pipe fitting, the valve body rotates to open the opening, thereby realizing an open valve state.
(3) In the straight-type pipe fitting of the above aspect, the opening may be formed in the valve seat portion such that a second central axis of the opening is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to a first central axis of the fitting body.
According to this embodiment of the straight-type pipe joint, the opening is formed in the valve seat portion so that the second central axis of the opening is inclined at 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to the first central axis of the joint body. Therefore, when the valve body is pushed along the first central axis by the same length, the flow passage cross-sectional area inside the joint body can be made larger and the pressure loss can be reduced, compared to when the second central axis is parallel to the first central axis. In addition, since the inclination angle is 30 degrees to 60 degrees, the flow passage cross-sectional area inside the joint body in the open state can be made larger, compared to a configuration with a relatively small inclination angle. On the other hand, compared to a configuration with a relatively large inclination angle, the force required to transition to the open state when connected to another joint can be reduced. In addition, compared to a configuration with a relatively large inclination angle, the load applied to the elastic member is small in both the open and closed states, so damage to the elastic member can be suppressed.
(4) In the straight-type pipe fitting of the above embodiment, the opening may be formed in the valve seat portion so as to have an elliptical external shape when viewed in the second central axis direction, and the valve body may have a main body portion that seals the opening in the closed valve state, and the main body portion may have an elliptical external shape when viewed in the second central axis direction in the closed valve state.
In this embodiment of the straight pipe fitting, the opening is formed in the valve seat so as to have an elliptical external shape when viewed in the second central axis direction, so that the opening area can be made larger in the opening having the second central axis tilted relative to the first central axis compared to when the opening is perfectly circular. This can further reduce pressure loss. In addition, the valve body has a main body portion with an elliptical external shape when viewed in the second central axis direction in the closed state, so that the opening can be reliably sealed.
(5) In the straight-type pipe fitting of the above embodiment, the valve body has a pressing portion that protrudes toward the one end side of the fitting body in the closed valve state and is pressed in a direction parallel to the first central axis by the other fitting, and the pressing portion may be provided on a side of the valve body closer to the rotation axis in a direction along the long axis of the main body.
In this straight-type pipe fitting, the pressing part is provided on the side of the valve body closer to the rotation axis in the direction along the major axis of the elliptical main body when viewed in the second central axis direction, so that when the pressing part is pressed by another fitting by the same length along the first central axis, the valve body can be rotated by a larger angle, compared to a configuration in which the pressing part is provided on the side farther from the rotation axis. This makes it possible to increase the flow path cross-sectional area inside the fitting body and further reduce pressure loss.
(6) In the straight-type pipe fitting of the above embodiment, the opening may be formed in the valve seat portion such that, when viewed in the direction of the second central axis, the center of the opening is located farther from the rotation axis in a direction along the major axis than an intersection of the opening and the first central axis.
In a straight-type pipe fitting of this form, the opening is formed in the valve seat portion so that, when viewed in the direction of the second central axis, the center of the opening is located farther from the rotation axis in the direction along the long axis than the intersection of the opening and the first central axis. Therefore, when another fitting is connected to the fitting body, the central axis of the other fitting is connected to coincide with the first central axis, and in a configuration in which the pressing portion is pressed at a location on the central axis of the other fitting, the pressing portion provided on the side of the valve body closer to the rotation axis in the direction along the long axis can be pressed with greater accuracy.
(7) In the straight-type pipe fitting of the above embodiment, the main body portion may have an exposed surface that is exposed on the one end side in the closed valve state, and the valve body may have a rod-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the exposed surface and is connected to the pressing portion at a tip.
In this form of straight-type pipe fitting, the valve body protrudes from the exposed surface and has a rod-shaped protrusion that connects to the pressing portion at its tip. Therefore, when another fitting is connected to the fitting body, it is possible to prevent a portion of the valve body other than the pressing portion from being pressed.
(8) In the straight pipe joint of the above aspect, the protrusion may be disposed parallel to the first center axis in the valve closed state.
In this straight-type pipe fitting, the protrusion is disposed parallel to the first central axis in the closed valve state, so that the force applied to the pressing portion is reliably transmitted to the main body when connecting another fitting, thereby enabling the valve to be released smoothly with a small force.
(9) In the straight pipe joint of the above aspect, a contact surface of the pressing portion that comes into contact with the other joint may be configured by a curved surface that is a set of involute curves.
In this straight-type pipe fitting, the contact surface of the pressing part that comes into contact with the fitting is configured as a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves, so that excessive displacement of the contact position between the fitting and the pressing part can be suppressed, and since the contact part can be configured as a point or a line, the pressing force can be stably transmitted to the valve body when the fitting is connected. This allows the valve body to rotate smoothly and with a small force.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a straight pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a straight pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a straight pipe joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a joint body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a joint body. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a straight pipe joint. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a flap valve device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a flap valve device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a valve body. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a valve body. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effect of the second central axis being inclined with respect to the first central axis. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a straight-type pipe joint.

A. Embodiments:
A1. Overall device configuration:
1 to 3 are perspective views showing the external configuration of a straight pipe fitting 310 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that FIGS. 1 to 3 show a state in which an L-shaped pipe 323 is connected to the straight pipe fitting 310. In FIGS. 1 to 3, three mutually orthogonal axes (X, Y, and Z axes) are shown. In this embodiment, the "X-axis direction" is a general term for the +X direction and the -X direction. Similarly, the "Y-axis direction" is a general term for the +Y direction and the -Y direction, and the "Z-axis direction" is a general term for the +Z direction and the -Z direction. Note that the X, Y, and Z axes in FIGS. 4 to 12 are the same as the X, Y, and Z axes in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The straight pipe joint 310 is used to connect two pipes together in a small space. Specifically, it is used to connect two pipes together when the central axes of the two pipes do not coincide with each other (i.e., when they cross at a predetermined angle). In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "predetermined angle" is 90 degrees. It is not limited to 90 degrees, and may be any angle other than 0 degrees. In this embodiment, the "two pipes" correspond to pipes for circulating a cooling medium, such as pure water, LLC (Long Life Coolant), air, and oil, for adjusting the temperature of a battery module in a battery pack mounted on a vehicle and containing multiple batteries in a case. In this embodiment, one of the two pipes connected to the straight pipe joint 310, the pipe 323, is connected to the straight pipe joint 310 from the -X direction. The other pipe is connected to the straight pipe joint 310 from the +Z direction. In addition, the other pipe is omitted from the illustration in Figures 1 to 3. The other pipe is a tubular joint, and when connecting to the straight pipe joint 310, it presses a part of the flap valve device 400 of the straight pipe joint 310, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the straight pipe joint 310 is provided inside the case of the battery pack and connects to the other pipe attached to the surface of the case of the battery pack. The straight pipe joint 310 may also be used to connect pipes (and joints) for circulating a temperature adjustment medium in the battery pack described above.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the straight pipe fitting 310 includes a fitting body 321 and a flange 322. Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the external configuration of the fitting body 321. The fitting body 321 has a cylindrical external shape with a first central axis C1 parallel to the Z axis. The straight pipe fitting 310 has an opening at one end in the +Z direction and the other end in the -Z direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the fitting body 321 has a valve seat portion 311 with an opening 312 formed on the inside. Note that Figures 1 to 5 show a state in which the opening 312 is sealed by a valve body 450 of the flap valve device 400 described later (closed valve state). As shown in Figure 4, the fitting body 321 has a flange attachment portion 324 which is a groove along the circumferential direction. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the flange 322 is attached to the flange attachment portion 324. The flange 322 has a plurality of engagement portions 325. The engagement portion 325 engages with another fitting when the other fitting is connected to the straight-type pipe fitting 310. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of claw portions 326 and a seal member 302 are provided on the circumference of the fitting body 321 in the -Z direction. The plurality of claw portions 326 engage with the pipe 323 when the pipe 323 is connected. The seal member 302 is sandwiched between the pipe 323 and the fitting body 321, and seals the gap between the pipe and the fitting body 321.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the straight pipe fitting 310. Figure 6 shows a cross section along the VI-VI cross-sectional line in Figure 1. In Figure 6, a part of the other fitting 800 connected to the straight pipe fitting 310 is shown by a broken line. The flap valve device 400 is housed inside the fitting body 321. When the other fitting 800 is not connected, the flap valve device 400 seals the opening 312. The detailed configuration of the flap valve device 400 will be described later. A seal portion 459 is sandwiched between the flap valve device 400 and the fitting body 321. The seal portion 459 seals the gap between the flap valve device 400 and the fitting body 321. The opening 312 is an opening that communicates both ends of the fitting body 321 in the Z-axis direction. In addition, the opening 312 is an opening that is inclined so as to be positioned in the -Z direction as it approaches the -Y direction. In other words, the second central axis C2 of the opening 312 is inclined with respect to the first central axis C1 of the joint body 321. Specifically, the second central axis C2 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the first central axis C1. The angle of inclination is not limited to 45 degrees and may be any angle between 30 degrees and 60 degrees. The reason why the second central axis C2 is inclined with respect to the first central axis C1 will be described later. Also, the opening 312 is elliptical with a major axis along the -Y direction and the -Z direction when viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2. Also, the opening 312 is formed in the valve seat portion 311 so that the center P1 of the opening 312 is located farther from the rotation axis of the valve body 450 in the direction along the major axis than the intersection P2 between the opening 312 and the first central axis C1 when viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2. The deviation between the center P1 and the intersection P2 will be described later.

The joint 800 has an annular seal portion 810 and a flap valve 820 in the inner hole 801. The flap valve 820 rotates in the same manner as the flap valve device 400 to switch between a closed state in which the opening of the seal portion 810 is sealed and an open state in which the opening of the seal portion 810 is opened. The flap valve 820 has an abutment portion 821 that protrudes parallel to the central axis of the joint 800 in the closed state. The function of the abutment portion 821 will be described later.

A2. Detailed configuration of the flap valve device 400:
7 and 8 are perspective views showing a detailed configuration of the flap valve device 400. The flap valve device 400 includes a fixed member 410, a valve body 450, and an elastic member 430.

The fixing member 410 is a rectangular plate-shaped member extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 8, an engagement groove 411 is formed on both ends of the fixing member 410 in the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing member 410 is disposed inside the joint body 321 by engaging the engagement groove 411 with a groove provided along the inner wall of the joint body 321. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the fixing member 410 includes an elastic member fixing portion 412. The elastic member fixing portion 412 is provided on the surface of the fixing member 410 in the -Y direction and fixes the elastic member 430. In this embodiment, the elastic member 430 is formed of a bent leaf spring. The elastic member fixing portion 412 fixes one end of the leaf spring. As a result, the elastic member fixing portion 412 causes one end of the elastic member 430 to function as a fixed end.

The fixed member 410 includes a pair of bearings 414 in addition to the engagement groove 411 and the elastic member fixing portion 412. The pair of bearings 414 are formed at both ends in the X-axis direction at the end of the fixed member 410 in the +Z direction. The bearings 414 rotatably support a pair of shafts 453 of the valve body 450. In this embodiment, the bearings 414 are provided with a gap, i.e., play, that allows the shafts 453 to move in the +Z direction and the -Y direction. The play is provided so that the shafts 453 can move in a direction parallel to the second central axis C2 of the opening 312. The movement of the valve body 450 along the play will be described later.

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the detailed configuration of the valve body 450. When connected to the joint 800, the valve body 450 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the X-axis direction. The valve body 450 achieves a closed state by sealing the opening 312 of the valve seat portion 311, and achieves an open state by opening the opening 312.

In addition to the pair of shaft portions 453 described above, the valve body 450 includes a main body portion 455, a pair of elastic member guide portions 451, a protrusion portion 457, a pressing portion 458, and a support portion 452.

The main body 455 has a thin cylindrical external shape. The main body 455 has the same second central axis C2 as the opening 312 in the closed state. When viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2, the main body 455 has an elliptical external shape that seals the opening 312. As described above, the second central axis C2 is inclined with respect to the first central axis C1. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effect of the second central axis C2 being inclined with respect to the first central axis C1. The left side of FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of the fitting body 310 and the main body 455 of this embodiment. The dashed line shown on the left side of FIG. 11 indicates the position of the main body 455 in the closed state. The solid line shown on the left side of FIG. 11 indicates the position of the main body 455 in the open state, where the end of the main body 455 in the -Y direction and the +Z direction is pushed a distance d1 from the +Z direction in a direction parallel to the first central axis C1. On the right side of FIG. 11, a pipe 600 and a valve 650 are shown as a comparative example. The pipe 600 is a straight pipe having a central axis C10. An opening 620 having a central axis C20 parallel to the central axis C10 is provided in the pipe 600. The valve 650 has a central axis C20 parallel to the central axis C10 and is configured to be rotatable by a rotation axis parallel to the X-axis direction. The valve 650 switches between a closed state in which the opening 620 is sealed and an open state in which the opening 620 is opened by rotating. The dashed line shown on the right side of FIG. 11 indicates the position of the valve 650 in the closed state. In addition, the solid line shown on the right side of FIG. 11 indicates the position of the valve 650 in the open state when the end of the valve 650 in the -Y direction and the +Z direction is pushed a distance d1 from the +Z direction in a direction parallel to the central axis C10 and the central axis C20, and the valve 650 is in the open state. As is clear from FIG. 11, even if the main body 455 and the valve 650 are pushed the same distance d1, the second central axis C2 is inclined relative to the first central axis C1 as in this embodiment, so that the flow passage cross-sectional area near the main body 455 in the open state can be made larger than in the comparative example when viewed in the direction of the first central axis C1. This can further reduce the pressure loss of the cooling medium flowing inside the fitting body 310. For this reason, in this embodiment, the second central axis C2 is inclined relative to the first central axis C1.

The inclination angle is preferably 30 degrees to 60 degrees. If the angle is small (e.g., less than 30 degrees), the flow path cross-sectional area in the open state will be small. On the other hand, if the angle is large (e.g., more than 60 degrees), the force transmitted from the +Z direction when connecting to another joint will escape in the X-axis or Y-axis direction, increasing the force required to push the main body 455. In addition, in both the closed and open states, the force applied to the elastic member 430 will be greater than when the angle is small, which may cause the elastic member 430 to be damaged. For this reason, the inclination angle is preferably 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pair of elastic member guide portions 451 are provided at a predetermined distance from each other in the X-axis direction on surface S1, which is the end surface in the -Z direction of the main body portion 455. The elastic member guide portion 451 has a substantially rectangular prism-like external shape and protrudes in the -Z direction from surface S1. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, on surface S1, the folded portion 433 of the elastic member 430 is disposed in region SP1 sandwiched between the pair of elastic member guide portions 451. The length of region SP1 in the X-axis direction is longer than the length of the folded portion 433 in the X-axis direction.

Here, the configuration of the elastic member 430 will be described. As described above, the elastic member 430 is composed of a bent leaf spring, and the end in the +Y direction is fixed by the elastic member fixing part 412. In addition to the above-mentioned end, the elastic member 430 has an intermediate part 431 connected to the end, and a folded part 433 connected to the intermediate part 431 and located at the end opposite to the end. As described above, the end is a fixed end, while the intermediate part 431 and the folded part 433 are released. In other words, the intermediate part 431 and the folded part 433 are not fixed to the valve body 450, and can be deformed and moved by applied stress. As shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate part 431 is arranged diagonally so as to be located in the -Z direction as it moves toward the -Y direction. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, an opening is provided in the intermediate part 431, which reduces weight and reduces the biasing force. 6 and 8, the folded portion 433 is bent so as to form a slope opposite to that of the intermediate portion 431 at the boundary where it comes into contact with the surface S1 of the main body portion 455. When the released folded portion 433 switches between the open state and the closed state, it slides along the surface S1 so that the position where it comes into contact with the surface S1 changes. The pair of elastic member guide portions 451 prevent the folded portion 433 from being displaced excessively in the X-axis direction during this movement and from moving out of the region SP1.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the support portion 452 is provided between the shaft portion 453 and the main body portion 455, and connects the center of the shaft portion 453 in the X-axis direction to the main body portion 455.

As shown in Figures 7 to 10, the protrusion 457 has a rod-like external shape. The protrusion 457 protrudes from the exposed surface 456, which is the surface of the main body 455 in the +Z direction, and its tip is connected to the pressing portion 458. The pressing portion 458 has a curved plate-like external shape. In the pressing portion 458, a surface S2 (hereinafter referred to as "contact surface S2") that is opposite in the thickness direction to the surface that is connected to the tip of the protrusion 457 comes into contact with the joint 800 (abutment portion 821) when the joint 800 is connected.

The contact surface S2 is composed of a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves. In other words, the contact surface S2 is a curved surface whose cross section is an involute curve. An involute curve is a plane curved surface whose normal line is always tangent to a fixed circle. The reason why the contact surface S2 is composed of a curved surface whose cross section is an involute curve will be explained later.

A3. Connection and removal of joint members:
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the straight-type pipe fitting 310. Like Figure 6, Figure 12 shows a cross section taken along the VI-VI cross-sectional line in Figure 1. Figure 12 shows a state in which a fitting 800 is connected to a fitting body 321, that is, the straight-type pipe fitting 310 in an open state.

From the closed valve state shown in Figure 6, the straight pipe fitting 310 moves in the +Z direction and is inserted into the fitting 800. When the tip of the fitting body 321 hits the seal portion 810 of the fitting 800 as shown in Figure 12, the connection between the fitting 800 and the straight pipe fitting 310 is completed.

During the insertion of the straight pipe fitting 310, the abutment portion 821 of the flap valve 820 of the fitting 800 contacts the contact surface S2 of the pressing portion 458 of the valve body 450. Thereafter, as the insertion of the straight pipe fitting 310 progresses, the abutment portion 821 presses the pressing portion 458 in a direction parallel to the first central axis C1 of the fitting body 321, i.e., in the -Z direction. Here, in this embodiment, the tip surface of the abutment portion 821 of the fitting 800 is also composed of a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves, just like the contact surface S2. Therefore, as the abutment portion 821 presses the pressing portion 458, the contact portion between the abutment portion 821 and the pressing portion 458 is displaced at the abutment portion 821 and the pressing portion 458, respectively. That is, at the contact surface S2, the portion in contact with the abutment portion 821 is displaced in a curved shape along the longitudinal direction of the contact surface S2. This causes the valve body 450 to rotate around the shaft portion 453. At this time, the valve body 450 as a whole is pushed and displaced in the -Z direction by the pressure of the abutment portion 821. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the opening 312 is opened, and the openings in the +Z direction and -Z direction of the fitting body 321 are connected via the opening 312.

At this time, in the joint 800, the flap valve 820 rotates to open the opening of the seal portion 810, and the inner hole 801 of the joint 800 communicates with the opening in the +Z direction of the joint body 321. A flow path is formed that passes through the gap that is generated in the -Y direction from the valve body 450 at the opening 312 as a flow path connecting the inside of the joint body 321 and the joint 800.

The arrow in FIG. 12 indicates the trajectory T1 of the position of the rotation axis when the valve body 450 rotates. As described above, the bearing portion 414 is provided with play to allow the shaft portion 453 to move in a direction parallel to the second central axis C2 of the opening 312. Therefore, when the joint 800 is connected, the valve body 450 rotates about a rotation axis parallel to the X-axis direction, and the rotation axis of the valve body 450 moves along the play in the +Y direction and the -Z direction. As a result, the rotation axis of the valve body 450 moves to describe a trajectory T1 parallel to the second central axis C2.

6 and 12, the pressing portion 458 is provided on the side of the valve body 450 closer to the rotation axis (trajectory T1) in the direction along the long axis of the elliptical main body 455 as viewed in the second central axis C2 direction. "The side closer to the rotation axis in the direction along the long axis of the main body 455" means the side closer to the rotation axis when the valve body 450 is divided into two in the direction along the long axis of the main body 455. In this way, since the pressing portion 458 is provided on the side closer to the rotation axis of the valve body 450 as viewed in the second central axis C2 direction, the valve body 450 is pressed in the -Z direction by the joint 800 on the side closer to the rotation axis. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the pressing portion 458 is provided on the side farther from the rotation axis, when pressed in the -Z direction by the joint 800 (butting portion 821) by the same length along the first central axis C1, the valve body 450 can be rotated by a larger angle. This increases the cross-sectional area of the cooling medium flow path near the valve body 450, further reducing pressure loss.

As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 457 is arranged parallel to the first central axis C1 of the joint body 321 in the closed valve state. Therefore, when the joint body 321 and the joint 800 are connected in a direction parallel to the first central axis C1, the force applied to the pressing portion 458 is reliably transmitted to the body portion 455, so that the closed valve state can be released smoothly.

In order to have the valve body 450 pushed in the -Z direction by the joint 800 on the side closer to the rotation axis, the opening 312 is formed in the valve seat portion 311 so that the center P1 of the opening 312 is located farther from the rotation axis (trajectory T1) in the direction along the long axis than the intersection P2 of the opening 312 and the first center axis C1 when viewed in the direction of the second center axis C2. In addition, the center of the main body portion 455 that seals the opening 312 is also located farther from the rotation axis (trajectory T1) in the direction along the long axis than the intersection P2 of the opening 312 and the first center axis C1 when viewed in the direction of the second center axis C2 in the closed valve state. On the other hand, the joint 800 is connected so that its center axis coincides with the first center axis C1 of the joint main body 321. Therefore, in the closed valve state, the pressing portion 458 is pushed in the -Z direction by the joint 800 on the side of the valve body 450 closer to the rotation axis.

Since the contact surface S2 of the pressing portion 458 of the valve body 450 is a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves, when the contact surface S2 comes into contact with the abutment portion 821 and is pressed in the -Z direction, the contact portion moves along the curved surface, and the valve body 450 can be rotated. In addition, the position of the contact portion at this time can be prevented from being displaced excessively in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the valve body 450 can be rotated smoothly. In this embodiment, the surface that comes into contact with the contact surface S2 at the abutment portion 821 of the joint 800 is also a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves, and the longitudinal direction of the curved surface and the longitudinal direction of the contact surface S2 are both aligned in the Y-axis direction when viewed in the Z-axis direction, so the contact portion between the pressing portion 458 and the abutment portion 821 is a point or line. Therefore, a larger pressure can be applied to the valve body 450 than in a configuration in which the contact is made by a surface.

According to the embodiment of the straight pipe fitting 310 described above, since the flap valve device 400 that switches between an open valve state and a closed valve state by rotating inside the fitting body 321 is provided, the opening and closing operation of the valve (flap valve device 400) can be realized even in a situation where only a narrow space can be secured in the direction along the first central axis C1. Therefore, the connection and disconnection of the fitting members (straight pipe fitting 310 and fitting 800) that involve the opening and closing operation of the valve can be realized in a narrow environment. In addition, since the flap valve device 400 realizes the opening and closing of the valve, the flow path resistance (pressure loss) can be reduced compared to a plunger valve. Also, since the flap valve device 400 realizes the opening and closing of the valve, the configuration can be made more compact compared to a plunger valve that requires a configuration that extends in the axial direction.

The flap valve device 400 has a valve body 450 and an elastic member 430. When the straight pipe fitting 310 is not connected to another fitting 800, the elastic member 310 biases the valve body 450 to seal the opening, thereby realizing a closed valve state. On the other hand, when the straight pipe fitting 310 is connected to another fitting 800, the valve body rotates to open the opening, thereby realizing an open valve state.

In addition, the opening 312 is formed in the valve seat portion 311 so as to have a second central axis C2 inclined relative to the first central axis C1 of the fitting body 321. Therefore, when the valve body 450 is pushed along the first central axis C1 by the same length, the flow path cross-sectional area inside the fitting body 321 can be made larger and pressure loss can be reduced, compared to when the second central axis C2 of the opening 312 is parallel to the first central axis C1. In addition, since the angle of inclination is 30 degrees to 60 degrees, the flow path cross-sectional area inside the fitting body 321 in the open state can be made larger, compared to a configuration with a relatively small angle of inclination. On the other hand, compared to a configuration with a relatively large angle of inclination, the force required to transition to the open state when connected to another fitting 800 can be reduced. In addition, compared to a configuration with a relatively large angle of inclination, the load applied to the elastic member 430 is small in both the open and closed states, so damage to the elastic member 430 can be suppressed.

In addition, the opening 312 is formed in the valve seat portion 311 so as to have an elliptical external shape when viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2, so that the opening area of the opening 312 having the second central axis C2 tilted relative to the first central axis C1 can be made larger than when it is a perfect circle. This can further reduce pressure loss. In addition, in the closed state, the valve body 450 has a main body portion 455 with an elliptical external shape when viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2, so that the opening 312 can be reliably sealed.

In addition, the pressing portion 458 is provided on the side of the valve body 450 closer to the rotation axis in the direction along the major axis of the elliptical main body portion 455 when viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2. Therefore, when the pressing portion 458 is pressed by the fitting 800 for the same length along the first central axis C1, the valve body 450 can be rotated by a larger angle, compared to a configuration in which the pressing portion 458 is provided on the side farther from the rotation axis. This makes it possible to increase the flow path cross-sectional area inside the fitting main body 321 and further reduce pressure loss.

In addition, the opening 312 is formed in the valve seat portion 311 so that, when viewed in the direction of the second central axis C2, the second central axis C2 is located farther from the rotation axis than the first central axis C1 in the direction along the long axis of the opening 312. Therefore, when another fitting 800 is connected to the fitting body 321, the central axis of the fitting 800 is connected to coincide with the first central axis C1, and in a configuration in which the pressing portion 458 is pressed at a portion on the central axis of the fitting 800 (abutment portion 921), the pressing portion 458 provided on the side of the valve body 450 closer to the rotation axis in the direction along the long axis can be pressed with higher accuracy.

In addition, the valve body 450 has a rod-shaped protrusion 457 that protrudes from the exposed surface 456 and is connected to the pressing portion 458 at its tip, so that when the fitting 800 is connected to the fitting body 321, a portion of the valve body 450 other than the pressing portion 458 is prevented from being pressed.

In addition, since the protrusion 457 is disposed parallel to the first central axis C1 in the closed valve state, the force applied to the pressing portion 458 is reliably transmitted to the main body portion 455 when connecting the joint 800. This allows the closed valve state to be released smoothly with a small force.

In addition, the contact surface S2 of the pressing portion 458 that comes into contact with the fitting 800 is configured as a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves, so that excessive displacement of the contact position between the fitting 800 and the pressing portion 458 can be suppressed, and since the contact portion can be configured as a line, the pressing force can be stably transmitted to the valve body 450 when the fitting 800 is connected. This allows the valve body 450 to rotate smoothly and can be rotated with a small force.

B. Other embodiments:
(B1) In the above embodiment, the elastic member 430 was composed of a leaf spring, but it is not limited to a leaf spring and may be composed of any type of elastic member capable of biasing the valve body 450, such as a coil spring or a cylindrical member formed of an elastomer.

(B2) In the above embodiment, at least one of the contact surface S2 and the tip surface of the abutting portion 821 may be a curved surface that is a part of a sphere, instead of a curved surface that is a set of involute curves. At least one of the contact surface S2 and the tip surface of the abutting portion 821 may be a flat surface. Even in such a configuration, the abutting portion 821 can press the pressing portion 458 in the -Z direction, and the pressing portion 458 can receive force from the joint 800. Also, instead of the joint 800, the tube connected to the joint main body 321 may be, for example, a tube having a rod-shaped protruding portion that protrudes in the -Z direction at its tip. In such a configuration, when the tube is connected to the joint main body 321, the protruding portion of the tube can press the pressing portion 458 in the -Z direction to open the valve.

(B3) The straight-type pipe fitting 310 of the above embodiment is merely an example, and can be modified in various ways. For example, the pressing portion 458 may be provided on the valve body 450 on the side farther from the rotation axis in the direction along the major axis of the elliptical main body portion 455, or in the center position. In addition, the protruding portion 457 may be omitted from the valve body 450. In such a configuration, for example, the exposed surface 456 may be configured as a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves, and the exposed surface 456 may be configured to be pressed by the fitting 800. In such a configuration, the exposed surface 456, the pressing portion 458, and the contact surface S2 are coincident. In addition, the pressing portion 458 may be configured to be not parallel to the first center axis C1 in the closed valve state, but to intersect with it. In addition, the protruding portion 457 may be configured to intersect with the first center axis C1 in the open valve state.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the Summary of the Invention column can be replaced or combined as appropriate to solve some or all of the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

302...sealing member, 310...straight pipe fitting, 311...valve seat portion, 312...opening, 321...fitting body, 322...flange, 323...piping, 324...flange mounting portion, 325...engagement portion, 326...claw portion, 400...flap valve device, 410...fixing member, 411...engagement groove, 412...elastic member fixing portion, 414...bearing portion, 430...elastic member, 431...middle portion, 433...folding Return portion, 450...valve body, 451...elastic member guide portion, 452...support portion, 453...shaft portion, 455...main body portion, 456...exposed surface, 457...protruding portion, 458...pressing portion, 459...sealing portion, 800...joint, 801...inner hole, 810...sealing portion, 820...flap valve, 821...butt portion, C1...first central axis, C2...second central axis, S1...surface, S2...contact surface, SP1...area, T1...trajectory

Claims (9)

A straight pipe fitting,
a cylindrical joint body having one end to which another joint can be connected and another end to which another pipe can be connected;
a valve seat portion provided inside the joint body and having an opening formed therein for communicating the one end and the other end inside the joint body;
a flap valve device housed in the joint body, the flap valve device rotating to switch between a closed state in which the opening is sealed and an open state in which the opening is opened;
A straight pipe fitting comprising: 2. The straight pipe joint according to claim 1,
The flap valve device is
A fixing member disposed along an inner wall of the joint body;
a valve body configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis provided on the fixed member, the valve body realizing the closed state by sealing the opening and the open state by opening the opening;
an elastic member fixed to the fixed member, the elastic member biasing the valve body so as to seal the opening;
Straight type pipe fitting. 3. The straight pipe joint according to claim 2,
A straight-type pipe fitting, wherein the opening is formed in the valve seat portion such that a second central axis of the opening is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees with respect to a first central axis of the fitting body. 4. The straight pipe joint according to claim 3,
The opening is formed in the valve seat portion so as to have an elliptical external shape when viewed in the second central axis direction,
The valve body is a main body portion that seals the opening in the closed valve state, and the main body portion has an elliptical external shape when viewed in the second central axis direction in the closed valve state. This is a straight-type pipe fitting. 5. The straight pipe joint according to claim 4,
the valve body has a pressing portion that protrudes toward the one end side of the joint body in the closed valve state and is pressed in a direction parallel to the first central axis by the other joint,
The pressing portion is provided on a side of the valve body closer to the rotation axis in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body. 6. The straight pipe joint according to claim 5,
a straight-type pipe fitting, wherein the opening is formed in the valve seat portion such that, when viewed in the direction of the second central axis, the center of the opening is located farther from the rotation axis in a direction along the major axis than the intersection of the opening and the first central axis. 7. The straight pipe joint according to claim 6,
The main body portion has an exposed surface that is exposed to the one end side in the closed valve state,
The valve body has a rod-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the exposed surface and is connected to the pressing portion at its tip. 8. The straight pipe joint according to claim 7,
The protrusion is disposed parallel to the first central axis in the closed valve state. In the straight type pipe joint according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
A straight-type pipe joint, wherein a contact surface of the pressing portion that comes into contact with the other joint is configured by a curved surface that is a collection of involute curves.

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