JPH0826983B2 - Liquid transfer device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid transfer device that transfers liquid from a first liquid storage container to a second liquid storage container.

2. Description of the Related Art In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 is a cartridge tank conventionally used in an oil heater, to which a cap body 2 is attached. An opening 3 is formed in the center of the cap body 2.

A valve body 4 for opening and closing the opening 3 is provided in the cap body 2.
Are urged by the compression spring 5 in the “closed” direction. When refilling the cartridge tank 1, the cap body 2 is placed on the floor 7 with the cap body 2 on the upper side, and the cap body 2 is removed from the refueling port portion 6 to refuel with a pump (not shown) or the like. .

However, with the above-described configuration, when refilling the cartridge tank 1, kerosene adheres to the hand when the cap body 2 is removed from the refueling port portion 6, which makes it uncomfortable. Further, there is a problem that opening and closing of the cap body 2 is troublesome.

Therefore, there has been proposed a device as shown in FIG. 7 as a device which can replenish a liquid such as kerosene to the cartridge tank 1 without removing the cap body 2 and without soiling the hands. In FIG. 7, when the cartridge tank 1 is filled with oil, the cap body 2 of the cartridge tank 1 is turned up and the valve body 4 is pushed down against the compression spring 5 by the tip of the discharge side pipe 8 while the discharge side pipe 8 is capped. By inserting the cap body 2 through the opening 3 of the body 2 and covering the periphery of the cap body 2 with the holder 9, the annular protrusion 10 of the cap body 2 is engaged with the engaging recess 11 of the holder 9. , The holder 9 is held by the cap body 2. By operating the oil supply pump 12 in this state, kerosene is sucked up from a kerosene tank (not shown) through the pipe 13 as shown by a dashed arrow A in FIG. 7, and passes through the notch portion 14 of the discharge pipe 8 to the cartridge tank. The air in the tank 1 is replenished into the opening 1 of the cap body 2 and the holder 9 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line arrow B.
The gas is discharged to the outside through the gas vent hole 15. (For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-70238) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-mentioned configuration, the cap body 2
Kerosene flow path inside (dashed line arrow) and air flow path (dashed line arrow)
And are not partitioned, and because kerosene, which is a liquid, and air, which is a gas, collide with each other, as a result, it is not possible to refuel the cartridge tank 1 quickly, or when trying to refuel quickly, the tank 1 will only have a small amount. Even when there is no kerosene, there is a problem that kerosene is blown out together with the air from the opening 3 and the gas vent hole 15, resulting in a dirty hand.

Further, since the diameter of the opening 3 is limited, the pressure loss in the flow path is large in this conventional configuration, and also from this point, there is a problem that it is not possible to refuel quickly and the refueling time is long.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and can refuel without removing the cap main body 2 from the cartridge tank 1 and the trouble can be eliminated, and the kerosene can be prevented from adhering to and dirtying the hands, Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid transfer device that can refuel quickly in a short time.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the liquid transfer apparatus of the present invention is
A pump unit that conveys the liquid in the first liquid storage container, a cap body provided in the second liquid storage container,
An adapter that is detachably attachable to the cap body and that communicates with the liquid in the first liquid storage container,
By connecting the cap body and the adapter, at least between the first liquid storage container and the second liquid storage container to form two channels of a forward flow path and a return flow path, the cap body and the adapter A sponge-like liquid absorbing material that is compressed when the cap body and the adapter are separated and absorbs liquid while expanding to the original state is attached to at least one of the facing surfaces of the cap body and the adapter. The liquid transporting device is provided.

Effect The present invention has the above-described structure, and when the liquid is transported, the adapter is first mounted and coupled to the cap body of the second liquid storage container so that the space between the first liquid storage container and the second liquid storage container is increased. An oil supply pipe line is formed of two flow passages, a forward flow passage and a return flow passage. In addition, since the sponge-like liquid absorbent material is attached to at least one of the coupling facing surfaces of the cap body and the adapter, the sponge-like liquid absorbing surface of the coupling facing surface is attached to the cap body when the adapter is mounted and coupled. The material is compressed and thinned. Next, by operating the pump unit in this state,
The liquid is transported from the first liquid storage container to the second liquid storage container by the pump unit. At this time, the liquid flows into the second liquid storage container through the forward flow path,
At the same time, the air in the second liquid storage container moves to the first liquid storage container through the return channel. Therefore, the liquid can be smoothly transferred to the second liquid storage container without the liquid and the air colliding with each other in the cap body during refueling. In other words, the flow resistance due to the residual air is small, the oil can be supplied quickly in a short time, and the liquid does not leak outside from the vicinity of the coupling portion between the adapter and the cap body, and the oil can be supplied without soiling the hands. Further, when the liquid level in the second liquid storage container reaches a certain amount, the liquid conveyed to the second liquid storage container by the pump unit returns to the first liquid storage container through the return flow path. Therefore, it is safe without overflowing the liquid from the second liquid storage container. Furthermore, when the adapter is removed from the cap body after refueling, a sponge-like liquid absorbent material is attached to at least one of the facing surfaces of the connection between the cap body and the adapter, so that the adapter can be attached to and attached to the cap body. The sponge-like liquid absorbent material on the coupling-opposing surface acts to absorb the liquid near the liquid absorbent material while the spongy liquid absorbent material that has been compressed and thinned is restored and expanded to the original state. In other words, when the adapter is removed from the cap body after refueling, the liquid absorbing material has an effect of wiping off the connecting portion between the adapter and the cap body, and the second liquid storage container is turned upside down to turn the cap body downward. Even so, it is possible to prevent even one drop of liquid from dripping, and it works to bring about a unique effect of keeping the surroundings clean.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the first liquid storage container 16 is a plastic tank for storing kerosene, and is controlled above the pump unit 18 having the suction part 17. The portion 19 is arranged, and the adapter 20 and the pump unit 18 are connected by a double tubular hose 21. The state of FIG. 1 is a state in which the adapter 20 is mounted and coupled to the cap body 23 of the cartridge tank, which is the second liquid storage container 22, and oil is being supplied. Further, 22 'is an oil amount display portion.

FIG. 2 shows the adapter 20 and the second liquid container of FIG.
The cartridge tank cap body 23 where it is 22
It shows the structure of the connection part with and around it. 3 and 4 show the configurations of the adapter 20 side and the cap body 23 side, respectively, when the adapter 20 and the cap body 23 are not connected. The fifth
The figure shows the configuration near the mounting portion of the liquid detection element 24. First, the adapter 20 includes an adapter case 29 having a claw portion 27 that is hooked on the hooking portion 26 of the coupling base 25 at the upper end of the cap body 23 and a handle portion 28 that opens and closes the claw 27, and the adapter case 29 has an adapter at the center thereof. The adapter outer valve body 30 that interlocks with the case 29 is fixed with screws 31, and at the center lower end inside the adapter outer valve body 30, the valve seat of the adapter inner valve body 32 and the center hole of the cap outer valve body 33 are seated. The valve seat body 35 inside the adapter, which also has a function of radially sealing 34, is press-fitted and fixed. The center hole valve seat 34 has a structure in which rubber is molded on the outside of the cap outer valve body 33 made of metal, but may be made of resin having elasticity. In addition, the valve 32 inside the adapter is O
A ring 36 is inserted and fixed, and a conical spring 37 for urging the adapter inner valve body 32 to close the adapter inner valve seat body 35 is attached. Furthermore, a donut ring-shaped continuous foam is formed at the lower end of the adapter outer valve body 30. A liquid absorbent material 38 formed of sponge is adhered and fixed. Although oil-resistant grade nitrile rubber foam material was used in this embodiment, polyester-type polyurethane foam which is also oil-resistant grade may be used. Further, it is not limited to adhesion, and one method is to mechanically sandwich and attach. A shaft hole 40, which is a part of the return flow path 39, is formed in the shaft center of the adapter outer valve body 30 and is provided on the side surface of the adapter outer valve body 30 in order to always communicate with the return hole 42 of the mouthpiece coupling member 41. The long hole 43 is opened. Further, in order to seal the forward flow path 44 of the base coupling member 41, O
A ring 45 and an O-ring 46 are provided. In addition, the base coupling member
The O-ring 47 fitted to the outer surface of the lower part of 41 is for sealing the outward flow path 44 and the outside air in the radial direction when the adapter 20 and the cap body 23 are coupled. A compression spring 48 provided between the adapter case 29 and the cap coupling member 41 urges the adapter outer valve body 30 in a direction to close the forward flow path 44 of the adapter 20. An O-ring 49 fitted on the lower side surface of the adapter outer valve body 30 is for closing the forward flow path 44 of the adapter 20. The return hole 42 and the forward hole 50 of the adapter 20 are connected via the double-tube flexible hose 21 to the first liquid container.
It communicates with 16.

Next, the cap body 23 is screwed and fixed to the mouth screw portion 51 of the second liquid storage container 22, and is sealed with the rubber packing 52. Inside the cap body 23, a compression spring is attached to the coupling base 25.
The cap outer valve body 33 is biased by 53, and the cap inner valve body 55 is biased inside the cap outer valve body 33 by a compression spring 54 to seal. That is, the compression springs 53 and 54 are urging means for urging the outer cap valve element 33 and the inner cap valve element 55 in the direction in which they are always closed.
Further, the cap inner valve body case 56, which is integrally sealed with the cap outer valve body 33 by press-fitting adhesion, forms the inner flow passage 57 and the outer flow passage 58 of the cap outer valve body 33 in a reliably separated flow passage. To do. Inner valve body case
At the bottom of 56 is a throat that enlarges the open end 59 of the return channel 39.
The 60 is attached so that the vertical position can be adjusted to some extent.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration example near the mounting portion of the liquid detecting element 24 is as shown in FIG.
The pump unit 18 having the plug portion 62 inserted into and fixed to the second liquid storage container by the pump unit 18 from the first liquid storage container 16 by the joint body 63 connecting the double tubular flexible hose 21. A forward flow path 44 for sending the liquid to the 22 and a return flow path 39 for returning the air in the second liquid storage container 22 to the first liquid storage container 16 are formed. A prism 66 is provided in the vicinity of an outlet of a branch flow channel 64 that branches the return flow channel 39 and the other branch flow channel 65 that is formed to have a flow channel resistance relatively larger than that of the branch flow channel 64. The liquid detection element 24, which is an optical sensor described above, is attached through the side wall of the joint body 63. Near the liquid detecting element 24 provided penetrating the flow path side wall, outside the side wall and in the joint body case.
A control unit including a control circuit 68 and an operation switch 69 in 67
19 are configured. Further, the opening joint portion 70 communicates with the return flow path 39 and is open to the atmosphere, and the adapter 20 can be attached to the opening joint portion 70 when the liquid is not conveyed. That is, at the time of mounting, the O-ring 47 of the adapter 20 seals and closes the air opening hole, and the claw portion 27 is caught by the hook portion 72 and temporarily lightly fixed.

In the above configuration, when refueling, the second liquid storage container with the cap body 23 facing upward as shown in FIGS.
22 is installed, and the adapter inner valve seat body 35 of the adapter 20 is opposed to the cap inner valve body 55 of the cap body 23 and pushed down, the adapter inner valve body 32 opens first while the cap inner valve body 55 opens. The return flow path 39, which is an open inner flow path, is pressed down by the 35 and communicates. At this time, the sponge-like liquid absorbing material 38 is compressed from the state of FIG. 3 to the state of FIG. 2, and the adapter inner valve seat body 35 radially seals the center hole valve seat 34 of the cap outer valve body 33. . At the same time,
The O-ring 47 fitted into the outer peripheral groove of the mouthpiece coupling member 41 on the adapter 20 side radially seals the inner surface of the hole of the coupling mouthpiece 25 on the cap body 23 side, and the adapter outer valve body 30 moves downward, The O-ring 49, which is a part of the adapter-side valve element 30, is opened while being shifted downward from the inner wall surface of the mouthpiece coupling member 41, and the adapter-outer valve element 30 pushes the cap-outer valve element 33 open to open the outer channel. To communicate with the forward flow path 44. This forms a coaxial double pipe line that is partitioned inside and outside from the adapter 20 to the inside of the cap body 23. In addition, the hook portion 26 of the cap body 23 is engaged with the claw portion 27 of the adapter 20 to maintain the connected state of the both.

Then, in this state, the operation switch 69 is turned on to operate the pump unit 18, whereby the liquid is transported from the first liquid container 16 to the second liquid container 22 by the pump unit 18. At this time, the liquid flows into the second liquid storage container 22 through the outward flow path 44 outside the double pipe, and at the same time, the air in the second liquid storage container 22 is the double pipe. It acts to return to the first liquid storage container 16 through the return flow path 39 which is the inside of the. Therefore, during refueling, the liquid and the air do not collide with each other in the cap body 23, and the liquid is smoothly supplied to the second liquid storage container 22.
There is an effect that can be transported to. That is, the flow resistance due to the residual air is small, oil can be supplied quickly and in a short time, and liquid can be supplied without soiling the hands without the liquid leaking out from the vicinity of the joint between the adapter 20 and the cap body 23.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the first liquid storage container during refueling
Kerosene carried by the pump unit 18 from 16 passes through the outer flow path of the double pipe as indicated by the solid arrow, and at the same time, the air in the second liquid storage container 22 is the double pipe. Since the liquid passes through the wide outer flow path and the gas passes through the narrow inner flow path by allowing the liquid to pass through the inner side of the container as shown by the dashed arrow and return to the first liquid storage container. Also, it is ideal to secure a low pressure loss from the viewpoint of pressure loss balance of liquid and gas flow paths. Also,
Since the atmosphere opening hole 71 communicating with the return flow path 39 is provided,
Even if there is a temperature difference between the first liquid storage container 16 and the second liquid storage container 22, expansion and contraction of liquid and gas occur, and the first liquid storage container 16 and the second liquid storage container 22. Even if an air pressure imbalance occurs between the and air, air enters or leaves the air opening hole 71 to automatically maintain the air pressure balance. There is a unique effect that can be refueled.

Further, when kerosene enters the opening end 59 of the return flow path 39 on the second liquid storage container 22 side, the return flow path 39 indicated by the broken line arrow inside the double pipeline that was the air flow path until then also flows through the kerosene flow. Become a road. At this time, the second liquid storage container is provided in the return channel 39 in FIG.
The liquid returns from 22 and flows into both the branch flow channel 64 and the branch flow channel 65 as indicated by the broken line arrow. When the liquid touches the prism 66 portion of the liquid detection element 24, the liquid detection element 24 and the control section 19 work to automatically stop the operation of the pump unit 18. Basically, the liquid detecting element 24 can be installed at any position in the return flow channel 39 or in the vicinity of the outlet of the return flow channel 39, and at any place where the return liquid touches. However, by branching the return flow path 39 as in the present embodiment and installing the liquid detection element 24 in the branch flow path 65 with large flow path resistance or in the vicinity of its outlet, the pump unit 18 returns to the flow before starting operation. When the liquid remains in the path 39, the remaining liquid returns to the first liquid storage container 16 through the branch path 64 having the smaller flow path resistance and does not touch the liquid detection element 24. Until kerosene enters the open end 59 of the return channel 39 on the side of the liquid storage container 22 and kerosene begins to return to the return channel 39, it is possible to prevent the operation of the pump unit 18 from being automatically stopped by mistake. is there.

Further, by configuring the two flow paths of the forward flow path 44 and the return flow path 39 between the first liquid storage container 16 and the second liquid storage container 22 with the flexible double pipe 21, the adapter 20 Can be freely moved to the left, right, up, or down to easily attach to and detach from the cap body 23 of the second liquid storage container 22 with good operability.In addition, the adapter 20 can be detached from the cap body 23 after the pump unit 18 is stopped. Adapter when inserting into the opening joint 70
By setting 20 to a position slightly higher, the liquid remaining in the flexible double pipe 21 drops and the first liquid storage container 16
Then, it is possible to prevent the pump unit 18 from stopping before the second liquid storage container 22 becomes full due to a malfunction when the pump unit 18 starts to operate next.

Furthermore, when the liquid in the second liquid storage container 22 reaches the full volume, it is detected that the liquid has continuously acted on the liquid detection element 24 provided in the return channel 39, and the automatic full stop is performed. By providing the control circuit 68, the return flow path 39 during liquid transfer
Even if the liquid remaining in the first liquid storage container 16 returns to the first liquid storage container 16 together with the air in the second liquid storage container 22, and the liquid remaining in the return flow channel 39 touches the liquid detection element 24 at that time. The pump unit 18 does not automatically stop unless liquid continuously acts on the liquid detection element 24. That is, the pump unit 18 stops automatically when only the liquid continuously returns to the return flow path 39, as when the second liquid storage container 22 is full. When the liquid remaining in the return flow path 39 returns to the first liquid storage container 16 together with the air in the second liquid storage container 22, the liquid is detected intermittently or only for a short time of about 1 second. Since the element 24 is not touched, the control circuit 68 can be easily achieved by incorporating a delay circuit of, for example, 2 seconds or more. Since the delay circuit may be a so-called CR timer circuit consisting of a resistor and a capacitor, it can be achieved at a very low cost.

Further, the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention is such that even if the automatic stop function fails, the return flow path 39 on the second liquid storage container 22 side is provided.
When the kerosene enters the open end 59 of the kerosene, the kerosene will circulate between the first liquid container 16 and the second liquid container 22 thereafter, and the second liquid container 22 will be full. As a result, a unique effect that kerosene can be prevented from overflowing out of the second liquid storage container 22 is obtained.

In the case of the conventional configuration as shown in FIG. 7, when the cartridge tank 1 becomes full, it is impossible to prevent the kerosene from overflowing out of the cartridge tank 1 when the pump 12 continues to operate. Pump 12 even if full volume is detected
Even if a function of automatically stopping the operation of is added, if the automatic stop function fails, it is still impossible to prevent kerosene from overflowing out of the cartridge tank 1.

However, in the case of the embodiment of the present invention, the kerosene does not overflow to the outside of the second liquid storage container 20 even if the full automatic stop function fails.

As can be seen from the above description, the cap body 23
The lower open end 59 of the second liquid storage container 22 is provided near the desired full depth position, so that the operation of the pump unit 18 is automatically stopped when the amount of refueling reaches the open end 59. , The oil level of the second liquid container 22 is the open end 59.
It does not rise above a certain level and is kept constant. Therefore, by providing the position of the opening end 59 near the desired full depth position, the full depth can be secured. If the throat with the opening end 59 at the bottom of the cap inner valve body case 56 can be slidably adjusted in the depth direction with an O-ring seal or the like, the position of the opening end 59 can be changed to some extent and the full depth Can be set arbitrarily.

Further, since the liquid detection element 24 is an optical sensor having the prism 66, the liquid detection element 24 may be installed in any place where even a single drop of the returned liquid can come into contact therewith, and thus there is a freedom of attachment. Further, the prism portion is penetrated through the side wall of the return flow channel 39, and the control unit 68 such as the control circuit 68 and the operation switch 69 is located outside the side wall of the return flow channel 39 and close to the prism.
Since the liquid detection element 24 and the control circuit 68 can be integrated with each other because of the configuration in which the above is provided, a simple configuration can also be achieved.

Further, the adapter 20 and the cap body 23 are connected by the engagement of the hooking portion 26 and the claw portion 27, so that the adapter case 29 can be attached by lightly pushing it in, and the handle portion 28 can be removed by lightly grasping it. . In this way, the unique effect that the adapter 20 can be attached / detached very easily, easily and surely in one operation is obtained.

Further, when the adapter 20 is removed from the cap body 23 after refueling, the sponge-like liquid absorbing material 38 is attached to the surface of the adapter 20 facing the coupling with the cap body 23.
As the sponge-like liquid-absorbent material 38 on the coupling facing surface, which was compressed and thinned in the state where the adapter 20 is attached and bonded, restores and expands to its original state, sucking the liquid in the vicinity of the liquid-absorbent material 38. To work. That is, when the adapter 20 is removed from the cap body 23 after refueling, the liquid absorbing material 38 has an effect of wiping off the connecting portion between the adapter 20 and the cap body 23, and the second liquid container 22 is turned upside down. Even if the cap body 23 is directed downward, it is possible to prevent any liquid from dripping, which has a unique effect of keeping the surrounding area clean. In this embodiment, the cap body of the adapter 20
Although the sponge-shaped liquid absorbent material 38 is attached to the surface facing the coupling with 23, the sponge-shaped liquid absorbent material 38 is attached to the surface facing the coupling with the adapter 20 of the cap body 23. The effect is replaced.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the liquid transfer device of the present invention has the following effects.

(1) Since the adapter is detachably attached to the cap body of the second liquid storage container, and it is not necessary to directly touch the cap body with the hand, there is an effect that oil can be supplied without soiling the hand.

(2) By press-fitting the cap body of the second liquid storage container and the adapter, two flow paths, a forward flow path and a return flow path, which are partitioned from the first liquid storage container to the second liquid storage container, are formed. With such a configuration, the liquid transfer path and the discharge path of the residual air in the second liquid storage container can be reliably separated, the flow path resistance is small, and there is a unique effect that the transfer oil can be quickly supplied in a short time. .

(3) Compressed when the cap body and adapter are joined,
Since a sponge-like absorbent material that absorbs liquid while expanding to the original when the cap body and adapter are separated is attached to at least one of the coupling facing surfaces of the cap body and adapter, the adapter after refueling When removing from the cap body, the sponge-like liquid absorbent material on the coupling facing surface restores and expands to its original state while acting to absorb the liquid in the vicinity of the liquid absorbent material. Even if the cap body is turned upside down and the cap body is faced down, no liquid will drip, and there is a unique effect that the surroundings can be kept clean.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the entire components of a liquid transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part of the liquid transfer device in which an adapter and a cap body are connected, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing a closed state on the adapter side of the liquid transfer device, FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing a closed state on the cap body side of the liquid transfer device, and FIG. 5 is a mounting of a liquid detection element of the liquid transfer device. FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a conventional cartridge tank, and FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a conventional liquid transport device. 18 ... Pump unit, 20 ... Adapter, 22 ... Second liquid container, 23 ... Cap body, 38 ... Liquid absorbing material, 39
...... Return channel, 44 …… Forward channel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pump unit for conveying a liquid in a first liquid storage container, a cap body provided in the second liquid storage container, and a first liquid which can be detachably attached to the cap body. An adapter that communicates with the liquid in the storage container, and a forward flow path and a return flow path between at least the first liquid storage container and the second liquid storage container by coupling the cap body and the adapter. And a sponge-like liquid absorbing material that is compressed when the cap main body and the adapter are joined and absorbs liquid while expanding to the original when the cap main body and the adapter are separated from each other. A liquid transfer device mounted on at least one of the surfaces facing the coupling with an adapter.