Male connector holder for automatic chemical supply apparatus

The present disclosure relates to a male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus in which, before a chemical is supplied, a neck region of a male connector is pressed through a clamping holder and a support pad to perform alignment on the male connector so that the male connector may be accurately fastened to a female connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0094857 filed on Jul. 20, 2021 and Application No. 10-2020-0185233 filed on Dec. 28, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, and particularly, to a male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus that performs alignment on a male connector so as to accurately and precisely mount the male connector on a female connector.

2. Discussion of Related Art

In general, in all companies that use hazardous chemicals, such as companies that manufacture semiconductors, semiconductor devices, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), pharmaceutical companies, and paint companies, various types of chemicals are used, and methods of safely supplying these chemicals are also diversified.

These chemicals are transferred from a chemical tank of a tank lorry stopped outside a building to a chemical storage tank installed inside the building and are then transferred from the chemical storage tank to a chamber in which a unit process is performed. Further, in contrast, chemicals may be transferred from a chemical storage tank to a tank lorry.

Currently, an automatic chemical supply apparatus called an automatic clean quick coupler (ACQC) unit has been released and is in use. Here, the chemical storage tank is generally provided inside the building, and the ACQC unit serves as a relay supplying between the chemical tank of the tank lorry located outside the building and the chemical storage tank located inside the building. In detail, the ACQC unit includes a chemical male connector holder and a chemical female connector, and may allow a transfer unit to move the chemical male connector holder to the chemical female connector so that a chemical male connector is automatically inserted into and fastened to the female connector. Accordingly, the chemicals may be supplied safely while a worker is not exposed to the chemicals.

FIG.1is a view for describing a side surface of a general ACQC unit.FIG.1illustrates Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1779493 (Automatic chemical supply apparatus). As illustrated, the automatic chemical supply apparatus1000(ACQC unit) may include a holder100′, a housing body200, a transfer housing300, a transfer unit400, and a female connector500.

One end of the transfer unit400may be inserted into an opening601formed in a wall body600. The wall body600means a wall constituting a building, and the opening601is formed in a shape that is penetrated so that the outside and the inside of the building communicate with each other.

When the worker seats and fixes a male connector20, to which a chemical hose700is connected, onto the holder100′, the holder100′ is moved forward by driving the transfer unit400, and thus the male connector20is inserted into the female connector500. The transfer unit400includes one or more stages and a driver, and thus the holder100′ may slide forward or rearward on the stages.

In general, a nitrogen hose800is also connected to the automatic chemical supply apparatus1000together with the chemical hose700and thus may accelerate the supply of the chemicals by pressurization by supplying nitrogen (N2) to the tank lorry.

FIG.2shows views for describing cross sections of a male connector and peripheral components. As illustrated, the male connector20may be divided into a head region20-1of the male connector20inserted into the female connector500and a neck region20-2of the male connector20fastened by a buffer flange. A buffer flange30is fastened to a hose flange40by a plurality of bolts and nuts, and the chemicals are discharged to the outside of the male connector20through the chemical hose (not illustrated) connected to a hose flange40and a nozzle of the male connector20.

However, due to a problem of the male connector20itself or a connection problem between the buffer flange30and the hose flange40, a central axis A (solid line) of the male connector20and a central axis B (dotted line) of the hose flange40may not coincide with each other. Accordingly, the central axis A of the male connector20and a central axis of the female connector500do not coincide with each other, the male connector20cannot be accurately inserted into the female connector500, and thus a smooth chemical supply may not be achieved. Thus, collision between the male connector20and the female connector500may cause damage, and accordingly, big accidents may occur. When there is a problem in fastening by a plurality of bolts/nuts, separation distances d and d′ between the buffer flange30and the hose flange40will be different from each other (d≠d′).

FIG.3shows views for describing a state in which a central axis of the male connector and a central axis of a house flange do not coincide with each other.FIG.3(a)is a view of a state in which the male connector is lowered, andFIG.3(b)is a view of a state in which the male connector is raised upward. As illustrated inFIG.3(b), the male connector20is lowered (drooping), and the central axis A (solid line) of the male connector20is located below the central axis B (dotted line) of the hose flange40, and thus an angle between the central axis A of the male connector20and the central axis B of the hose flange40is formed by as much as an angle θ.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent misinjection of the chemicals, a first key code block31may be provided below the buffer flange30. The first key code block31may have a protruding shape and may also have a concave shape as illustrated. The first key code block31may be provided with a first key code (not illustrate).

Further, as illustrated inFIG.3(b), the male connector20is raised upward, the central axis A (solid line) of the male connector20is located above the central axis B (dotted line) of the hose flange40, and thus an angle between the central axis A of the male connector20and the central axis B of the hose flange40is formed by as much as an angle ϕ.

In this way, the reason why the central axis A of the male connector20and the central axis B of the hose flange40do not coincide with each other is that the male connector20is usually made of a Teflon material that is easily deformable. However, a part of the head region20-1of the male connector20is covered with a Steel Use Stainless (SUS) material and thus has relatively high strength, but the neck region20-2is made of a Teflon material, is exposed to the outside, and thus is frequently bent.

Further, since the neck region20-2is thinner than the head region20-1, the shape of the neck region20-2may be deformed due to prolonged use and a load. Further, the shape of the male connector20itself may be deformed due to dropping or external impact, and when the buffer flange30is fastened to the hose flange40, tightening between bolts/nuts is poor, an interval between the hose flange40and the buffer flange30is not horizontal, and thus these problems may occur. In addition, when the buffer flange30and the hose flange40are fastened, when one thereof is fastened with a force that is too strong, one Teflon surface is pressed, and thus the corresponding neck region20-2may be stretched and deformed. Thus, a separate structure is necessarily introduced to solve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present disclosure is to perform alignment on a male connector so that a central axis of the male connector and a central axis of a hose flange coincide with each other, and thus the male connector and a female connector are ultimately accurately fastened to each other.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, in which, in order to supply a chemical from one to the other one of a chemical tank and a chemical storage tank connected to each other, a male connector is transferred in a front-rear direction by a transfer unit so as to connect the male connector to a female connector in a state in which the male connector coupled to a buffer flange is seated, the male connector holder including a support plate, a lower clamping holder fixed to the support plate, and a lower support pad having an upper end in contact with a neck region of the male connector so that alignment may be performed on the male connector.

The male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus further includes a support plate, a lower support pad that has an upper end in contact with the male connector, and a lower buffering member that connects the support plate and the lower support pad to buffer front collision so that alignment may be performed on the male connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art may easily understand and reproduce the present disclosure through exemplary embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the detailed description of related widely known functions or configurations may make the subject of the embodiments of the present disclosure unclear, the detailed description will be omitted. Terms used throughout the present specification are terms defined in consideration of functions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and since the terms may be sufficiently modified according to the intention, the custom, or the like of a user or operator, a definition of these terms should be made on the basis of the contents throughout the present specification.

Further, the above aspects and additional aspects of the disclosure will become apparent through the following embodiments. Although the aspects selectively described in the present specification or configuration of the embodiments selectively described in the present specification are illustrated as a single integrated component in the drawings, it is understood that, unless otherwise stated, the aspects and configurations may be combined with each other when it is not apparent to those skilled in the art that there is a technical contradiction.

Thus, since the embodiments described in the present specification and configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all the technical spirit of the present disclosure, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that may replace the embodiments and the configurations are present at filling of the present application.

FIG.4shows views for describing a male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus according to one embodiment.FIG.4(a)is a perspective view, andFIG.4(b)is a view for describing a side surface vertically taken along line X-X′. As illustrated, a male connector holder100for an automatic chemical supply apparatus may include a support plate1, lower clamping holders2and3, an upper clamping holder4, a lower support pad5, an upper support pad6, a detachable unit7, and a second key code block9.

The support plate1may be formed in a quadrangular plate shape.

The lower clamping holders2and3may be fixed to the support plate1. The lower clamping holder may be divided into a first lower clamping holder2and a second lower clamping holder3having lower ends fixedly fastened to both side regions of the support plate1. The lower ends of the first lower clamping holder2and the second lower clamping holder3may be fixedly fastened to both side regions of the support plate1.

The upper clamping holder4may have one end hinge-coupled to the other end of the first lower clamping holder2and the other end detachably attached to the second lower clamping holder3. The detachable unit7for detachable attachment may be provided. Accordingly, as the upper clamping holder4is opened or closed, a male connector20may be loaded or unloaded. The upper clamping holder4may have an arch-shaped structure to be disposed adjacent to an upper part of the male connector20.

The lower support pad5may have a lower end fixedly fastened to a front end of the support plate1and an upper end at which a (lower) neck region20-2of the male connector20comes into contact therewith and is seated.

According to one embodiment, the male connector holder100may further include the upper support pad6that is provided above the lower support pad5and is fixedly fastened to the upper clamping holder4to come into contact with and press the neck region20-2of the male connector20. The upper support pad6may be provided above the lower support pad5and fixedly fastened to the upper clamping holder4to come into contact with and press an (upper) neck region20-2of the male connector20.

When the size of the male connector20is changed, a worker may continuously use the male connector holder100by replacing only the support pads5and6. Further, when the support pads5and6are worn, the worker may easily replace the support pads5and6.

The male connector holder100for an automatic chemical supply apparatus may further include the second key code block9. The second key code block9has a unique shape to prevent different chemicals being erroneously injected, and second key codes8may be arranged at a unique interval on the second key code block9and coded through the interval. The second key code8may include a female key code or may include a male key code. As illustrated, two bolts may be arranged and coded in various methods such as arranging the bolts according to different intervals between the bolts, different lengths of the bolts, and different diameters of the bolts, and two or more bolts may be arranged.

The second key code block9may have a concave shape or a protruding shape as illustrated and has a structure corresponding to a first key code block31provided below a buffer flange30ofFIG.3. Thus, when the male connector20is seated in the male connector holder100, it may be identified whether or not a first key code and the second key code8coincide with each other.

FIG.5shows views for describing the male connector holder for the automatic chemical supply apparatus to which the male connector is fastened.FIG.5(a)is a view for describing the male connector holder before the male connector is fastened, andFIG.5(b)is a view for describing the male connector holder to which the male connector is fastened.

As illustrated inFIG.5(a), the male connector20is coupled to the buffer flange30, and the buffer flange30is fastened or coupled to the hose flange40through bolts/nuts. The hose flange40is connected to a hose (not illustrate). The upper clamping holder4, of which one end is hinge-coupled to the other end of the first lower clamping holder2, may be rotated. The male connector20may be inserted into a space between the lower support pad5and the upper support pad6by opening by rotation of the upper clamping holder4and may be fixed by locking the detachable unit7as illustrated inFIG.5(b). The worker may correctly supply the chemical by identifying whether or not a first key code (not illustrated) having a structure corresponding to the second key code8is matched with the second key code8. The second key code block9may have a shape corresponding to a location corresponding to the first key code block31ofFIG.3and may have a concave shape or a protruding shape as illustrated.

FIG.6is a view for describing a cutaway side surface of the male connector holder for the automatic chemical supply apparatus on which the male connector is loaded. As illustrated, the male connector20may be divided into a head region20-1of the male connector20that is located on a front side and has a large diameter and a neck region20-2of the male connector20that is located on a rear side and has a small diameter. The neck region20-2of the male connector20may be divided into a front neck region20-2-1of the male connector20and a rear neck region20-2-2of the male connector20.

The lower support pad5and the upper support pad6may be in contact with the front neck region20-2-1of the male connector20, and the buffer flange30is fastened to the rear neck region20-2-2of the male connector20.

Due to this structure, the lower support pad5and the upper support pad6vertically press the front neck region20-2-1of the male connector20, and thus a central axis A (solid line) of the male connector20coincides with a central axis B (dotted line) of the hose flange40.

The first key code block31and the second key code block9ofFIG.6may be engaged and fastened with each other. Complete fastening means that both the first key code block31and the second key code block9are matched with each other so that the first key code and the second key code8are engaged with each other.

According to one embodiment, the second key code block9may have a structure in which, when the second key code block9is fastened to the first key code block31, a void is formed between the front side and the rear side of the first key code block31and the second key code block9. Since a structure in which the void is formed between the first key code block31and the second key code block9is provided, rotational movement of the buffer flange30may be allowed. As illustrated, a separation distance (gap) corresponding to distances D and D′ may be formed between the first key code block31and the second key code block9to form the void. The distance D relates to a front empty space, and the distance D′ relates to a rear empty space. The values of the distances D and D′ may be freely set by those skilled in the art.

In order to form a structure in which the void is formed between the first key code block31and the second key code block9, the second key code block9may be structured to be sufficiently thin.

Due to this structure, while the lower support pad5and the upper support pad6vertically press the front neck region20-2-1of the male connector so that the central axis A (solid line) of the male connector20coincides with the central axis B (dotted line) of the hose flange40, the buffer flange30may be rotated and moved, and thus, alignment may be more easily performed on the male connector20.

FIG.7shows views for describing an operation in which a buffer flange is rotated during an alignment process of the male connector.

Since the void is provided between the first key code block31and the second key code block9as shownFIG.6, the buffer flange30may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction by an angle of θ as illustrated inFIG.7(a), and the buffer flange30may be rotated in a clockwise direction by an angle of ϕ as illustrated inFIG.7(b). Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG.3(a), when the male connector20is lowered downward by the angle of θ, alignment is performed such that the front neck region20-2-1of the male connector20is lifted upward from the bottom to the top and the buffer flange30is rotated and moved in a counterclockwise direction by the angle of θ. Further, as illustrated inFIG.3(b), when the male connector20is raised upward by the angle of ϕ, alignment is performed such that the front neck region20-2-1of the male connector20is pressed and lowered from the top to the bottom and the buffer flange30is rotated and moved in a clockwise direction by the angle of ϕ.

Due to such a structure, the rotational movement of the buffer flange30is allowed, and thus alignment may be more easily performed on the male connector20.

FIG.8is a view for describing a male connector holder that automatically comes into contact and is pressed according to another embodiment. As illustrated, the male connector holder100for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, in which, in order to supply a chemical from one to the other one of a chemical tank and a chemical storage tank connected to each other, the male connector20is transferred in a front-rear direction by the transfer unit400so as to connect the male connector to a female connector in a state in which the male connector20coupled to the buffer flange30is seated, may include the support plate1, the lower support pad5, a clamping drive unit50, the upper support pad6, and an upper stage60. Thus, in the present disclosure, the male connector holder100may be defined as extending to the clamping drive unit50and the upper stage60. The support plate1, the lower support pad5, the clamping drive unit50, and the upper support pad6may be classified for the chemical male connector and a nitrogen male connector and may exist in a pair or in a dual form.

The lower support pad5may be fixed to the support plate1and may be in contact with the neck region20-2of the male connector20at an upper end thereof. It is sufficient that the contact between the lower support pad5and the neck region20-2is made before the male connector20and the female connector500are completely fastened.

The clamping drive unit50may be provided above the lower support pad5and may be provided as a cylinder or a motor. The clamping drive unit50may include a connection part such as a shaft and may be connected to the upper support pad6through the connection part.

The upper support pad6may be provided above the lower support pad5and may be fixedly fastened to the clamping drive unit50to come into contact with and press the neck region20-2of the male connector20by driving the clamping drive unit50. The upper support pad6may have a lower end in contact with the neck region20-2of the male connector20. The pressing may be performed in a vertical direction (arrow direction).

The upper support pad6and the lower support pad5have a semi-circular shaped or arc shaped contact surface therebetween, and when the upper support pad6and the lower support pad5vertically come into contact and are pressed, left and right parts of the male connector20are naturally pressed along the semi-circular shaped or arc shaped contact surface, and thus the left and right parts may be aligned as well.

It is sufficient that the upper support pad6and the lower support pad5are made to be in contact with or press the neck region20-2only before the male connector20and the female connector500are completely fastened. In other words, the neck region may come into contact or be pressed immediately before the male connector20and the female connector500are fastened. The division of the neck region20-2and the head region20-1of the male connector20is illustrated inFIG.2. Since the neck region20-2has a smaller diameter than that of the head region20-1, a step is formed at a boundary therebetween.

Alignment may be performed on the male connector20due to the neck region20-2vertically coming into contact with and pressing the lower support pad5and the upper support pad6. It is efficient to press the lower support pad5and the upper support pad6while being vertically located on the same line.

According to one embodiment, the male connector holder100may further include the upper stage60. The upper stage60may support and guide the clamping drive unit50so that the clamping drive unit50may be transported in the front-rear direction. The upper stage60may be fixedly disposed in an upper frame of the automatic chemical supply apparatus and may be fastened to the clamping drive unit50.

FIG.9is a view for describing a structure in which the male connector and the female connector are fastened to each other according to the embodiment ofFIG.8. As illustrated, the male connector20may move forward along the upper stage60and the lower stage70to be inserted into and fastened to the female connector500.

When the fastening is completed, an inlet surface of the female connector500and an end surface of the male connector20may be located on the same vertical line C-C′. Since the upper support pad6and the lower support pad5press the neck region20-2of the male connector20, the deformation of the neck region20-2is supplemented, and thus correct coupling (fastening) may be achieved.

FIG.10is a view for describing a male connector holder that automatically comes into contact and is pressed according to still another embodiment. As illustrated, the male connector holder100for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, in which, in order to supply a chemical from one to the other one of a chemical tank and a chemical storage tank connected to each other, the male connector20is transferred in a front-rear direction by the transfer unit400so as to connect the male connector to a female connector in a state in which the male connector20coupled to the buffer flange30is seated, may include the support plate1, the lower support pad5, a lower buffer member1-1, the clamping drive unit50, the upper support pad6, an upper buffer member6-1, and the upper stage60.FIG.10(a)is an enlarged side view a, andFIG.10(b)is a perspective view of A.

The support plate1, the lower support pad5, the lower buffer member1-1, the clamping drive unit50, the upper support pad6, and the upper buffer member6-1may be classified into the chemical male connector and the nitrogen male connector and may be present in a pair or in a dual form.

The upper end of the lower support pad5may be in contact with the male connector20.

The upper support pad6may be provided above the lower support pad5and may be fixedly fastened to the clamping drive unit50to come into contact with and press the male connector20by driving the clamping drive unit50.

The lower buffer member1-1may connect the support plate1and the lower support pad5to buffer front collision of the lower support pad5. The collision refers to a broad-sense physical touch including not only a strong impact but also a soft touch.

For example, when the lower support pad5or the lower buffer member1-1move forward along the upper stage60or the lower stage70to collide with or come into contact with a frame510around an inlet of the female connector500or on a side of the female connector500, the lower support pad5or the lower buffer member1-1may be buffered to have an elastic restoring force so that the lower support pad5is slowly moved rearward. The lower buffer member1-1may include a spring S1. As illustrated, the spring S1may be disposed on the support plate1to extend in the front-rear direction and may be disposed at a front end of the support plate1to be directly coupled to the lower support pad5.

The clamping drive unit50may be provided above the lower support pad5and may be provided as a cylinder or a motor. The clamping drive unit50may include a connection part such as a shaft and may be connected to the upper support pad6through the connection part.

The clamping drive unit50and the upper stage60may each be driven by a drive unit configured as a cylinder or motor separate from each other or may also be driven together because the drive unit is configured in only one of the clamping drive unit50and the upper stage60, and the drive unit, the clamping drive unit50, and the upper stage60are mechanically connected to each other.

The upper support pad6may be provided above the lower support pad5and may come into contact with and press the male connector20by driving the clamping drive unit50. The upper support pad6may include a spring S2and may be connected to the upper buffer member6-1by the spring S2. Thus, the upper support pad6may separately and elastically press the male connector20due to the spring S2extending vertically.

The pressing may be performed in a vertical direction (arrow direction).

The upper buffer member6-1may connect the clamping drive unit50and the upper support pad6to buffer the front collision.

For example, when the upper support pad6or the upper buffer member6-1collide with the frame510around the inlet of the female connector500or on the side of the female connector500while moving forward along the upper stage60or the lower stage70, the upper support pad6may be moved slowly rearward by the buffering action. As illustrated, the upper buffer member6-1may be configured as a cylinder or may include a spring disposed to extend in the front-rear direction that is like the lower buffer member1-1.

The lower support pad5or the upper support pad6may first come into contact with and press the head region20-1of the male connector20, may then be located in the neck region20-2of the male connector20while the male connector20and the female connector500are fastened to each other, and may come into contact with and press the neck region20-2of the male connector20.

FIG.11shows views for describing changes of a contact location and a pressing location between a lower support pad and an upper support pad according to the embodiment ofFIG.10. As illustrated inFIGS.11(a) and11(b), in the male connector holder100for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, the upper end of the lower support pad5may come into contact with the head region20-1of the male connector20(seeFIG.11(a)), and thereafter, the lower support pad5may be located in the neck region20-2of the male connector20by buffering the lower buffer member1-1and may come into contact with the neck region20-2of the male connector20(seeFIG.11(b)).

The collision may be caused by a reaction when the lower buffer member1-1comes into contact with the frame510on the side of the female connector500as illustrated and may be caused by a touch between the lower support pad5and the vicinity of the inlet of the female connector500according to still another embodiment. A step difference between the lower buffer member1-1and the support plate1may be generated by as much as a distance d by compression or tension of the spring S1due to the reaction. The lower buffer member101may include the spring S or may include only the spring S. The collision refers to a broad-sense physical touch including not only a strong impact but also a soft touch.

According to an additional embodiment, in the male connector holder100for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, the upper support pad6may be in contact with the head region20-1of the male connector20(seeFIG.11(a)) and, thereafter, may be located in the neck region20-2of the male connector20due to the buffering of the upper buffer member6-1to come into contact with and press the neck region20-2of the male connector20(seeFIG.11(b)).

The upper support pad6is connected to the upper buffer member6-1through the spring S2, and thus even when the upper support pad6is located from the head region20-1to the neck region20-2of the male connector20, a downward pressing force may still be maintained. Accordingly, both the front buffering and the alignment of the neck region20-2of the male connector20may be achieved. The spring S2is an optional component which may or may not be provided.

The lower support pad5and the upper support pad6may press the neck region20-2of the male connector20while being vertically located on the same line.

According to the present disclosure, alignment can be performed on a male connector so that a central axis of the male connector and a central axis of a hose flange coincide with each other, and accordingly, the male connector and a female connector can be ultimately accurately fastened, and thus a chemical can be smoothly supplied. Further, malfunction of an automatic chemical supply apparatus can be prevented, and safety of workers can be achieved.

Further, front buffering of the male connector holder and alignment of a neck region of the male connector are achieved together so that malfunction of the automatic chemical supply apparatus can be prevented and the male connector can be aligned.