초록 ▼

A fluid coupler comprises a ball valve a through hole provided between a female coupler body and a valve holding casing connected to the female coupler body and surrounding the ball. The ball valve has a first flat sliding surface formed on a spherical outer surface of the ball valve which extends i

A fluid coupler comprises a ball valve a through hole provided between a female coupler body and a valve holding casing connected to the female coupler body and surrounding the ball. The ball valve has a first flat sliding surface formed on a spherical outer surface of the ball valve which extends in a direction normal to a rotational axis of the ball valve, and a flat stop surface raised from the first flat sliding surface and reaching said spherical outer surface of said ball valve, the first flat sliding surface and the flat stop surface together defining a recess. The valve holding casing has an alignment portion formed on and raised from an interior surface thereof. The alignment portion has a second flat sliding surface slidably engaged with said first flat sliding surface. The flat stop surface is adapted to engage with the alignment portion to limit the rotational movement of the ball valve.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fluid coupler comprising:a female coupler; and, a male coupler adapted to be inserted into and connected to said female coupler; said female coupler comprising: a cylindrical coupler body having a first axial end and a second axial end, said cylindrical coupler body further having a first throu

1. A fluid coupler comprising:a female coupler; and, a male coupler adapted to be inserted into and connected to said female coupler; said female coupler comprising: a cylindrical coupler body having a first axial end and a second axial end, said cylindrical coupler body further having a first through hole extending from said first axial end to said second axial end, said first axial end being adapted for connection with a conduit; a ball valve including a second through hole having a first axial opening end and a second axial opening end, said ball valve being positioned at said second axial end of said cylindrical coupler body such that said ball valve is rotatable around a rotational axis extending through a center of said ball valve between a first rotational position wherein said first axial opening end of said second through hole is in alignment with and fluidly connected with said first through hole and a second rotational position wherein said first axial opening end is out of alignment with and fluidly disconnected from said first through hole; and, a valve holding casing connected to said cylindrical coupler body and disposed around said ball valve to rotatably hold it, said valve holding casing having an elongated through hole provided along a path along which said second axial opening end of said second through hole moves when said ball valve is moved between said first and second rotational positions, said elongated through hole allowing said male coupler to be inserted into said second through hole from the outside of said valve holding casing through said second axial opening end of said second through hole when said ball valve is in said second rotational position and allowing said male coupler which has been inserted into said second through hole between said first and second rotational positions; said ball valve having a first flat sliding surface formed on a spherical outer surface of said ball valve which extends in a direction normal to said rotational axis, and a flat stop surface raised from said first flat sliding surface and reaching said spherical outer surface of said ball valve, the first flat sliding surface and the flat stop surface together defining a recess; said valve holding casing having an interior surface and an alignment portion formed on said interior surface and extending into said recess, said alignment portion having a second flat sliding surface extending in parallel and slidably engaged with said first flat sliding surface; said flat stop surface being adapted to engage with said alignment portion when said ball valve has been moved to a first one of said first and second rotational positions from a second one said first and second rotational positions to stop the rotational movement of said ball valve. 2. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 1 wherein:said flat stop surface is adapted to engage said alignment portion when said ball valve has been moved to said first rotational position from said second rotational position to stop the rotational movement of said ball valve; and, said flat stop surface is also adapted to engage said alignment portion when said ball valve has been moved to said second rotational position from said first rotational position to stop the rotational movement of said ball valve. 3. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 2 wherein:said flat stop surface is flat and lies in a plane containing said rotational axis; and said alignment portion has a first flat side adapted to be engaged by said flat stop surface when said ball valve has been moved to said first rotational position from said second rotational position, and a second flat side adapted to be engaged by said flat stop surface when said ball valve has been moved to said second rotational position from said first rotational position. 4. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 3 wherein:said first and second flat sides intersect at said rotational axis at a predetermined angle. 5. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 1 wherein:said ball valve has an interior surface defining said second through hole and an irregular portion formed in said interior surface; and said fluid coupler further comprises a sealing sleeve securely held to said interior surface defining said second through hole by interference-fit of the outer surface of said sealing sleeve with said irregular portion of said interior surface, said sealing sleeve being adapted to sealingly engage with the outer surface of said male coupler inserted into said second through hole. 6. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 1 wherein:said cylindrical coupler body further comprises a cylindrical valve sealing member positioned in said first through hole of said cylindrical coupler body at said second axial opening end of said first through hole, and having a third through hole axially aligned with said first through hole; said cylindrical valve sealing member has a valve support surface which is provided with inner and outer annular raised sealing portions extending coaxially with said third through hole and sealingly engaged with said spherical outer surface of said ball valve; and, said inner and outer annular raised sealing portions are spaced away from each other such that the third through hole can not extend from the radially outer side of the outer annular raised sealing portion to the radially inner side of the inner annular raised sealing portion, thereby avoiding leakage of the fluid in the first through hole via the third through hole when the ball valve is rotated between the first and second rotational positions. 7. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 1 wherein:said first through hole of said cylindrical coupler body has a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion successively arranged from said second axial opening end towards said first axial opening end, and a radially extending portion provided between and connecting said large and small diameter portions; and, said fluid coupler further comprising in said large diameter portion a cylindrical valve sealing member having a third through hole axially aligned with said first through hole and a spring placed between said cylindrical valve sealing member and said radially extending portion to urge said cylindrical valve sealing member against said ball valve. 8. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 7 wherein:said valve holding casing has a valve support member provided on said interior surface thereof for engagement with said outer spherical surface of said ball valve and to cooperate with said cylindrical valve sealing member to rotatably hold said ball valve therebetween. 9. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 8 wherein:said cylindrical valve sealing member has a valve support surface which is provided with inner and outer annular raised sealing portions extending coaxially with said third through hole and sealingly engaged with said spherical outer surface of said ball valve; and said inner and outer annular raised sealing portions are spaced away from each other such that the third through hole can not extend from the radially outer side of the outer annular raised sealing portion to the radially inner side of the inner annular raised sealing portion, thereby avoiding leakage of the fluid in the first through hole via the third through hole when the ball valve is rotated between the first and second rotational positions. 10. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 9 wherein:said elongated through hole has a male coupler inserting portion for allowing said male coupler to be inserted into said second through hole from the outside of said valve holding casing through said second axial opening end of said second through hole when said ball valve is in said second rotational position and a male coupler guide portion for allowing said male coupler inserted into said second through hole to move between said first and second rotational positions, said male coupler guide portion being defined by side edges extending along said path; and said male coupler comprises a rotation-prevention portion which is positioned between said side edges defining said elongated hole when said male coupler inserted into said female coupler is moved between said first and second rotational positions and has a cross section configured such that said rotation-prevention portion is prevented from rotating around an axis thereof by engagement of said rotation-prevention portion with said side edges. 11. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 1 wherein:said male coupler comprises a cylindrical male coupler cover fixedly mounted on and surrounding the male coupler; and a cylindrical locking member coaxially and slidably mounted on the cylindrical male coupler cover so that the cylindrical locking member is movable between a securing position, wherein the cylindrical locking member engages with the valve holding casing for prevention of movement of the male coupler inserted into the ball valve positioned at the first rotational position, and a non-securing position, wherein the cylindrical locking member disengages from the valve holding casing to allow the male coupler inserted into the ball valve to move between the first rotational position and the second rotational positions; said cylindrical male coupler cover and said cylindrical locking member being made from material which is resistant to adhesion of a fluid which is transferred through the fluid coupler. 12. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 7 wherein:said small diameter portion of said first through hole has a first portion and second portion successively arranged in a direction from said large diameter portion towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole, the second portion being smaller than the first portion in diameter; said cylindrical valve sealing member has an end surface directed towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole and a cylindrical small diameter portion extending from said end surface through said first portion of said small diameter portion into said second portion of the same; and said fluid coupler further comprises: a cylindrical sealing sleeve having a cylindrical fastening portion sealingly secured to an interior surface of said first portion and a cylindrical sealing portion extending from said cylindrical fastening portion radially inwardly to sealingly engage with an outer surface of said cylindrical small diameter portion; and a cylindrical wedge member provided around said cylindrical small diameter portion of said cylindrical valve sealing member and between said end surface of said cylindrical valve sealing member and said cylindrical sealing sleeve, said cylindrical wedge member having a conical wedge surface and the diameter of which is gradually reduced in a direction towards said one axial opening end of said first through hole and engaging with an interior surface of said sealing sleeve. 13. A fluid coupler comprising:a female coupler; and a male coupler adapted to be inserted into and connected to said female coupler; said female coupler comprising: a cylindrical coupler body having a firswt axial end and a second axial end, said cylindrical coupler body further having a first through hole extending from said first axial end to said second axial end and adapted for connection with a conduit; a ball valve including a second through hole extending through said ball valve and having a first axial opening end and a second axial opening end, said ball valve being positioned at said other axial end of said cylindrical coupler body such that said ball valve is rotatable around a rotational axis extending through a center of said ball valve between a first rotational position wherein said first axial opening end of said second through hole is in alignment with said first through hole and a second rotational position wherein said first axial opening end is out of alignment with said first through hole; and a valve holding casing connected to said cylindrical coupler body and displaced around said ball valve to rotatably hold it, said valve holding casing having an elongated through hole provided along a path along which said second axial opening end of said second through hole moves when said ball valve is moved between said first and second rotational positions, said elongated through hole having a male coupler inserting portion for allowing said male coupler to be inserted into said second through hole from the outside of said valve holding casing through said other axial opening end of said second through hole when said ball valve is in said second rotational position and a male coupler guide portion for allowing said male coupler inserted into said second through hole to move between said first and second rotational positions, said male coupler guide portion being defined by side edges extending along said path; said first through hole of said cylindrical coupler body having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion successively arranged from said second axial opening end towards said first axial opening end and a radially extending portion provided between and connecting said large and small diameter portions; said fluid coupler further comprising a cylindrical valve sealing member received in said large diameter portion of said first through hole and having a third through hole axially aligned with said first through hole, and a spring positioned between said cylindrical valve sealing member and said radially extending portion to urge said cylindrical valve sealing member against said ball valve. 14. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 13 wherein:said male coupler comprises a rotation-prevention portion which is positioned between said side edges defining said elongated hole when said male coupler inserted into said female coupler is moved between said first and second rotational positions and has a cross section configured such that said rotation-prevention portion is prevented from rotating around an axis thereof by engagement of said rotation-prevention portion with said side edges. 15. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 14 wherein:said cross section has two parallel sides in parallel with said side edges to be slidably engaged with said side edges when said ball valve with said male coupler is moved between said first and second rotational positions. 16. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 13 wherein:said valve holding casing has a valve support member provided on said interior surface thereof for engagement with said outer spherical surface of said ball valve and to cooperate with said cylindrical valve sealing member for rotatably holding said ball valve therebetween. 17. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 16 wherein:said cylindrical valve sealing member has a valve support surface which is provided with inner and outer annular raised sealing portions extending coaxially with said third through hole and sealingly engaged with said spherical outer surface of said ball valve; and said inner and outer annular raised sealing portions are spaced away from each other such that the third through hole can not extend from the radially outer side of the outer annular raised sealing portion to the radially inner side of the inner annular raised sealing portion, thereby avoiding an occurrence of leakage of fluid in the first through hole via the third through hole when the ball valve is rotated between the first and second rotational positions. 18. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 13 wherein:said male coupler comprises: a cylindrical male coupler cover fixedly mounted on and surrounding the male coupler; and a cylindrical locking member coaxially and slidably mounted on the cylindrical male coupler cover so that the cylindrical locking member is movable between a securing position, wherein the cylindrical locking member engages with the valve holding casing for prevention of movement of the male coupler inserted into the ball valve positioned at the first rotational position, and a non-securing position, wherein the cylindrical locking member disengages from the valve holding casing to allow the male coupler inserted into the ball valve to move between the first rotational position and the second rotational positions; said cylindrical male coupler cover and said cylindrical locking member being made from material which is resistant to adhesion of a fluid which is transferred through the fluid coupler. 19. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 13 wherein:said small diameter portion of said first through hole has a first portion and second portion successively arranged in a direction from said large diameter portion towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole, the second portion being smaller than the first portion in diameter; said cylindrical valve sealing member has an end surface directed towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole and a cylindrical small diameter portion extending from said end surface through said first portion of said small diameter portion into said second portion of the same; and said fluid coupler further comprises: a cylindrical sealing sleeve having a cylindrical fastening portion sealingly secured to an interior surface of said first portion and a cylindrical sealing portion extending from said cylindrical fastening portion radially inwardly to sealingly engage with an outer surface of said cylindrical small diameter portion; and a cylindrical wedge member provided around said cylindrical small diameter portion and between said end surface of said cylindrical valve sealing member and said cylindrical sealing sleeve, said cylindrical wedge member having a conical wedge surface and the diameter of which is gradually reduced in a direction towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole and engaging with an interior surface of said sealing sleeve. 20. A fluid coupler comprising:a female coupler; and a male coupler adapted to be inserted into and connected to said female coupler; said female coupler comprising: a cylindrical coupler body having a first axial end and a second axial end, said cylindrical coupler body further having a first through hole extending from said first axial end to said second axial end, said first axial end being adapted for connection with a conduit; a cylindrical valve including a second through hole transversely extending therethrough having a first axial opening end and a second axial opening end, said cylindrical valve being positioned at said second axial end of said cylindrical coupler body such that a central axis thereof is directed transversely relative to said cylindrical coupler body and said cylindrical valve is rotatable around said central axis thereof between a first rotational position, wherein said first axial opening end of said second through hole is in alignment with and fluidly connected with said first through hole, and a second rotational position, wherein said first axial opening end is out of alignment with and fluidly disconnected from said first through hole; and a valve holding casing connected to said cylindrical coupler body and displaced around said cylindrical valve to rotatably hold it, said valve holding casing having an elongated through hole provided along a path along which said other axial opening end of said second through hole moves when said cylindrical valve is moved between said first and second rotational positions, said elongated through hole having a male coupler inserting portion for allowing said male coupler to be inserted into said second through hole from the outside of said valve holding casing through said second axial opening end of said second through hole when said cylindrical valve is in said second rotational position and a male coupler guide portion for allowing said male coupler inserted into said second through hole to move between said first and second rotational positions, said male coupler guide portion being defined by side edges extending along said path; said first through hole of said cylindrical coupler body having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion successively arranged therein from said second axial opening end towards said first axial opening end and a radially extending portion provided between and connecting said large and small diameter portions; said fluid coupler further comprising a valve sealing member received in said large diameter portion of said first through hole and having a third through hole axially aligned with said first through hole, and a spring positioned between said cylindrical valve sealing member and said radially extending portion to urge said cylindrical valve sealing member against said cylindrical valve. 21. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 20 wherein:said male coupler comprises a rotation-prevention portion which is positioned between side edges defining said elongated hole when said male coupler inserted into said female coupler is moved between said first and second rotational positions and has a cross section configured such that said rotation-prevention portion is prevented from rotating around an axis thereof by engagement of said rotation-prevention portion with said side edges. 22. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 21 wherein:said cross section has two parallel sides in parallel with said side edges to be slidably engaged with said side edges when said cylindrical valve with said male coupler is moved between said first and second rotational positions. 23. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 20 wherein:said valve holding casing has a valve support member provided on said interior surface thereof to engage with a cylindrical outer surface of said cylindrical valve and to cooperate with said cylindrical valve sealing member for rotatably holding said cylindrical valve therebetween. 24. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 23 wherein:said cylindrical valve sealing member has a valve support surface which is provided with inner and outer annular raised sealing portions extending coaxially with said third through hole and sealingly engaged with said cylindrical outer surface of said cylindrical valve; and said inner and outer annular raised sealing portions are spaced away from each other such that the third through hole can not extend from the radially outer side of the outer annular raised sealing portion to the radially inner side of the inner annular raised sealing portion, thereby avoiding an occurrence of leakage of the fluid in the first through hole via the third through hole when the cylindrical valve is rotated between the first and second rotational positions. 25. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 20 wherein:said male coupler comprises a cylindrical male coupler cover fixedly mounted on and surrounding the male coupler; and a cylindrical locking member coaxially and slidably mounted on the cylindrical male coupler cover so that the cylindrical locking member is movable between a securing position, wherein the cylindrical locking member engages with the valve holding casing for prevention of movement of the male coupler inserted into the cylindrical valve positioned at the first rotational position, and a non-securing position, wherein the cylindrical locking member disengages from the valve holding casing to allow the male coupler inserted into the cylindrical valve to move between the first rotational position and the second rotational positions; said cylindrical male coupler cover and said cylindrical locking member being made from material which is resistant to adhesion of a fluid which is transferred through the fluid coupler. 26. A fluid coupler as set forth in claim 20 wherein:said small diameter portion of said first through hole has a first portion and second portion successively arranged in a direction from said large diameter portion towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole, the second portion being smaller than the first portion in diameter; said cylindrical valve sealing member has an end surface directed towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole and a cylindrical small diameter portion extending from said end surface through said first portion of said small diameter portion into said second portion of said small diameter portion; and said fluid coupler further comprises: a cylindrical sealing sleeve having a cylindrical fastening portion sealingly secured to an interior surface of said first portion and a cylindrical sealing portion extending from said cylindrical fastening portion radially inwardly to sealingly engage with an outer surface of said cylindrical small diameter portion; and a cylindrical wedge member provided around said cylindrical small diameter portion and between said end surface of said cylindrical valve sealing member and said cylindrical sealing sleeve, said cylindrical wedge member having a conical wedge surface and the diameter of which is gradually reduced in a direction towards said first axial opening end of said first through hole and engaging with an interior surface of said sealing sleeve.