AT17372U1 - Mating connector for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media, and a plug assembly and a method for producing such a mating connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mating connector (3) for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media, comprising a connector body (11) with: - an insertion section (7) which is used for insertion into a receiving opening (6) of a connector (2); - A component connection (10), which is used for connection to one of the components, characterized in that the connector body (11) is designed as a sheet metal part.

Description

description

The invention relates to a mating connector for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media, and a connector assembly and a method for producing such a mating connector.

[0002] EP 2 360 411 A1 discloses a generic plug assembly with a plug connector and a mating plug connector. The connector for connecting lines for liquid or gaseous media includes a sleeve that has an insertion opening. The mating connector can be inserted into the insertion opening. The connector also includes a latching spring surrounding the sleeve at least over part of its circumference, which springs between a latching position for latching the mating connector plugged together with the connector and a release position latched relative to the sleeve, in which the latching with the mating connector is released and the mating connector is disconnected the insertion opening of the sleeve can be pulled out, is adjustable. The detent spring, at least in its detent position, protrudes over at least a portion of its longitudinal extent, in which it can be locked with the mating connector, through a passage opening in the sleeve into the interior space surrounded by the sleeve. Furthermore, in its locked release position, the detent spring is locked at at least one detent point of the detent spring behind a retaining projection of the sleeve in a retaining recess of the sleeve. The holding projection projects in relation to the holding recess in the axial direction of the sleeve.

The mating connector of EP 2 360 411 A1 is expensive to produce.

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a mating connector which is easy to manufacture.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device and a method according to the claims.

According to the invention, a mating connector for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media is designed. The mating connector includes a connector body with:

- An insertion portion, which is used for insertion into a receiving opening of a connector;

- a component connection, which is used to connect to one of the components. The connector body is designed as a sheet metal part.

The mating connector according to the invention has the advantage that it is easy to manufacture and also has a very low weight with sufficient strength for the intended use.

In particular, it can be provided that the connector body is designed as a deep-drawn part. In particular, a connector body designed as a deep-drawn part is easy to produce.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the connector body is designed in one piece. A one-piece connector body is easy to manufacture and has a low susceptibility to failure.

In particular, it can be provided that the components to be connected are designed, for example, in the form of lines or hoses. In this case, the lines can be coupled to the component connection by means of a clamp connection.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable that at least one of the components to be connected is formed, for example, as a sheet metal component. The component connection can be welded directly to the sheet metal component. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the connector body is pressed in or glued to the component. Alternatively, a combination of pressing and gluing is also conceivable.

Furthermore, it can be expedient if the connector body has a sleeve-shaped first jacket section surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the connector body in cross section and a sleeve-shaped second jacket section surrounding the central longitudinal axis in cross section, the first jacket section being surrounded by the second jacket section and the first casing section is connected to the second casing section at a first longitudinal end in the area of the plug-in section by a first end wall section, and wherein the second casing section has a cylindrical sealing section in the area of the plug-in section. This brings with it the advantage that the connector body can have sufficient stability and, in addition, can have all the components for realizing the functionality of the connection with the plug connector. The cylindrical sealing section can be formed on an outer jacket surface of the second jacket section.

Furthermore, it can be provided that in the area of the insertion section, both the first jacket section and the second jacket section have a cross-sectional reduction starting from the cylindrical sealing section towards the first longitudinal end of the connector body. This has the advantage that the mating connector can be easily plugged into the connector. In addition, the stability of the connector body can be further increased by the tapering.

In addition, it can be provided that the second jacket section has a cross-sectional enlargement on the side of the cylindrical sealing section facing away from the first end wall section, adjoining the cylindrical sealing section. This brings with it the advantage that the detent spring can be pressed open by the cross-sectional enlargement and thus the joining of the mating connector to the connector can be simplified.

Also advantageous is an embodiment according to which it can be provided that the second casing section has a contact surface for a locking element of the connector on the side facing away from the cylindrical sealing section at a distance from the cross-sectional enlargement. This brings with it the advantage that, as a result of this measure, the locking element can securely secure the mating connector in the connector.

According to a development, it is possible that the contact surface is formed circumferentially and forms a second longitudinal end of the second casing section. A contact surface designed in this way is easy to produce and can also have sufficient stability.

In an alternative embodiment it can be provided that a locking slot is formed, in which the contact surface is arranged, the locking slot penetrating the second casing section, in particular the cylinder section, and extending over a peripheral region of the second casing section. This has the advantage that such a locking slot is easy to manufacture.

In addition, it can be provided that a tab is formed, which is bent outwards from the second casing section, the tab extending over a peripheral area of the second casing section and the tab extending over a longitudinal area of the second casing section. Such a tab can simply serve as an anti-twist device.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the second casing section has an outwardly bent collar in the region of a second longitudinal end. This has the advantage that such an outwardly bent collar can serve as an axial stop. In addition, the outwardly bent collar can provide increased stability to the connector body.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, it is possible for the first jacket section to have a taper at a second longitudinal end. This has the advantage that the mating connector can be easily joined to a line.

The invention also relates to a connector assembly comprising: - a mating connector;

- A connector which has a receiving opening, the receiving opening being designed in such a way that the mating connector can be inserted into it. The mating connector is designed in accordance with the above statements.

[0022] A connector assembly designed in this way is easy to produce.

According to the invention, a method for producing a mating connector is provided. The process comprises the process steps:

- Providing a flat sheet;

- Drawing a cup from the flat sheet;

- Turning the cup inside out to form a sleeve-shaped first jacket section surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the connector in cross section and a sleeve-shaped second jacket section surrounding the central longitudinal axis in cross section, the first jacket section being surrounded by the second jacket section and the first jacket section being surrounded by the second Shell section is connected at a first longitudinal end in the area of the plug-in section by a first end wall section and wherein the second shell section has a cylindrical sealing section in the area of a plug-in section.

The method according to the invention has the advantage that the method makes it easy to produce a mating connector and, moreover, has a very low weight with sufficient strength for the intended use.

Provision can also be made for a locking slot to be punched into the cup after the cup has been pulled out. By this measure, the locking slot can be easily made.

In addition, it can be provided that after the cup has been turned inside out, a tab is bent outwards from the second jacket section, the tab extending over a peripheral area of the second jacket section and the tab extending over a longitudinal area of the second jacket section. With this measure, a tab, which serves as an anti-twist device, can be easily produced.

Also advantageous is an embodiment according to which it can be provided that a central hole is punched out of the cup after the cup has been turned inside out. Through this measure, fluid permeability of the mating plug connector can be achieved by removing the base that has arisen as a result of production.

For a better understanding of the invention, it will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

It shows in each case in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of an embodiment variant of a plug assembly in a quarter section;

2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a mating connector;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a quarter section of the first embodiment of the mating connector;

4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a mating connector;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a quarter section of the second embodiment of the mating connector;

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a first method step for producing the second exemplary embodiment of the mating connector;

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a second method step for producing the second exemplary embodiment of the mating connector;

8 shows a third method step for producing the second embodiment of the mating connector;

[0038] FIG. 9 shows a fourth method step for producing the second exemplary embodiment of the mating connector;

10 shows a fifth method step for producing the second exemplary embodiment of the mating connector.

First of all, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numbers or the same component designations, with the disclosures contained throughout the description being able to be transferred analogously to the same parts with the same reference numbers or the same component designations. The position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., is related to the figure directly described and shown and these position information are to be transferred to the new position in the event of a change of position.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector assembly 1 with a connector 2, which are shown in a quarter section. Furthermore, a mating connector 3 which can be connected to the connector 2 is shown schematically in FIG. 1 . The interaction between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 is sufficiently described in AT 509 196 B1.

Furthermore, a tube 4 is shown schematically, to which the connector 2 can be coupled. The tube 4 can, for example, be a rigid element such as a plastic tube. In another embodiment, the tube 4 can be designed as a flexible line made of a rubber material.

The connector 2 comprises a main body, which is preferably formed as a one-piece formed part, such as a deep-drawn part, in particular from a stainless steel sheet. In particular, it can also be provided that this can be a coated sheet steel or a production from sheet steel, which is then coated.

The connector assembly 1 is preferably used in a motor vehicle, in particular in a road-bound motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, such as a car or a truck.

Of course, it is also conceivable that the connector assembly 1 is used in another application with an internal combustion engine. This can be, for example, the use of the connector assembly 1 in a stationary unit, in a ship's engine, in an aircraft engine, in a construction machine, in battery-powered or hybrid-powered vehicles, etc.

In particular, the connector assembly 1 can be used to connect various components of the fresh air supply to the internal combustion engine. For example, it can be provided that the connector 2 is provided with the corresponding mating connector 3 for connecting two parts in the intake area of a turbocharger. Furthermore, provision can also be made, for example, for such a connector assembly 1 to be used in the pressure side leading from the turbocharger to connect two components. In yet another application, it is also conceivable that the connector assembly is used to connect a water-carrying line.

[0047] As can also be seen from FIG. 1, it can be provided that the connector 2 has a receiving opening 6 which serves to receive an insertion section 7 of the mating connector 3 . A seal 8 can be arranged in the area of the receiving opening 6 , which seal serves to produce a sealed connection between the plug connector 2 and the mating plug connector 3 . In particular, it can be provided that when the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are plugged together, the seal 8 , which is arranged in the receiving opening 6 , rests against a cylindrical sealing section 9 of the mating connector 3 .

[0048] As can also be seen from FIG. 1, it can be provided that the mating connector

3 has a component connection 10, which is used to connect a fluid-carrying or gas-carrying component. The fluid-carrying or gas-carrying component is not shown here for the sake of simplicity.

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, it can be provided that a locking element 5 is formed, which can be activated and deactivated so that the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 can be separated from one another or connected to one another as required. The locking element 5 can be brought into a locking position in which the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are secured to one another. Furthermore, the locking element 5 can be brought into a release position in which the mating connector 3 can be inserted into the connector 2 or removed from it. In particular, it can be provided that the locking element 5 is designed in the form of a detent spring.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the mating connector 3. Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment of the mating connector 3 in a perspective view of a quarter section.

The first exemplary embodiment of the mating connector 3 is described by looking at FIGS. 2 and 3 together.

2, it can be provided that the mating connector 3 is designed as a sheet metal part. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the mating connector 3 is designed as a plastic injection molded part. In particular, it can be provided that the mating connector 3 includes a connector body 11 . The connector body 11 may have a first shell portion 12 and a second shell portion 13 . The two jacket sections 12, 13 can be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis 14 of the connector body 11, at least in their basic form.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, provision can be made for the first casing section 12 and the second casing section 13 to be coupled to one another at a first longitudinal end 15 of the connector body 11 by means of a first end wall section 16 . In particular, it can be provided that the first jacket section 12 and the second jacket section 13 as well as the first end wall section 16 are formed from a one-piece, continuous metal sheet. In particular, it can be provided that the metal sheet is folded over by 180° in the region of the first end wall section 16 and transitions from the first casing section 12 into the second casing section 13 , viewed in longitudinal section.

[0054] As can also be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that the first jacket section 12 and the second jacket section 13 have a cross-sectional taper 17 in the region of the first longitudinal end 15 . The first casing section 12 can have a cylindrical shape adjoining the cross-sectional reduction 17 . As can also be seen from FIG. 2 , it can be provided that the first casing section 12 has a taper 19 at a second longitudinal end 18 of the first casing section 12 . In particular, the taper 19 can be designed in the form of a collar protruding 90° from the cylindrical section of the first casing section 12 .

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that the second jacket section 13 has the cylindrical sealing section 9 adjoining the cross-sectional constriction 17 . A cross-sectional enlargement 20 can be formed adjoining the cylindrical sealing section 9 . A contact surface 22 for contacting the locking element 5 can be formed at a distance 21 from the cross-sectional enlargement 20 . As can be seen from FIG. 2, it can be provided that the contact surface 22 is formed in that the second jacket section 13 ends here.

Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the mating connector 3. Fig. 5 shows the second embodiment of the mating connector 3 in a perspective view of a quarter section.

In the figures 4 and 5 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the mating connector 3 is shown, again for the same parts the same reference numerals or component designations as in the preceding Figures 2 and 3 are used. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding FIGS.

[0058] As can be seen from FIG. 4, provision can be made for a tab 23 to be formed in the second casing section 13, which tab is bent outwards from the second casing section 13. FIG. The tab 23 can serve as an anti-twist device.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the tab 23 can have a limited extent over a peripheral area of the second jacket section 13 or over a longitudinal area of the second jacket section 13 . In particular, provision can be made for the tab 23 to be arranged in a cylinder section 24 .

[0060] As can also be seen from FIG. 4, provision can be made for a collar 25 to be formed adjoining the cylinder section 24, which collar protrudes outwards with respect to the cylinder section 24. The collar 25 can be circumferential.

As can also be seen from FIG. 5, provision can be made for a locking slot 26 to be formed in the cylinder section 24 of the second jacket section 13, which is used to form the contact surface 22. The locking slot 26 can also have a limited longitudinal extent or a limited circumferential extent.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, provision can be made for a plurality of locking slots 26 to be formed in the second casing section 13 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, it can be provided that a plurality of tabs 23 are formed on the second casing section 13 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.

In particular, it can be provided that two tabs 23 are formed opposite one another by 180° in the second jacket section 13 .

In particular, it can be provided that two locking slots 26 are arranged opposite one another by 180° in the second jacket section 13 .

In the figures 6 to 10 individual process steps for the production of the second embodiment of the mating connector 3 are shown.

In particular, the entire external part of the connector body 11 is referred to as the second shell portion 13. FIG. As can be seen from Fig. 5, it can be provided that the second casing section 13 is divided into the following areas, starting from the first longitudinal end 15: cross-sectional narrowing 17, cylindrical sealing section 9, cross-sectional widening 20, cylindrical section 24, collar 25.

In the first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cylinder section 24 has only a very short length.

In particular, the entire interior part of the connector body 11 is referred to as the first shell portion 12. FIG. As can be seen from Fig. 5, it can be provided that the first casing section 12 is divided into the following areas, starting from the first longitudinal end 15: cross-sectional taper 17, main part 29 of the first casing section 12, taper 19.

The individual areas of the first casing section 12 can look the same in all the exemplary embodiments and can be designated the same.

6 shows a first method step for producing the second exemplary embodiment of the mating connector 3. As can be seen from FIG. 6, it can be provided that a cup 27 is drawn from the flat sheet metal blank in the first method step. The bowl 27 can have a bottom 28 for production reasons.

In a second method step, as shown in FIG. 7, it can be provided that a locking slot 26 is punched out of the cup 27 .

[0072] As can be seen from FIG. 8, provision can be made for the bottom 28 of the cup 27 to be turned inside out or pulled through in a third method step, so that the first casing section 12 and the second casing section 13 are formed.

It should be noted at this point that the proportions in the individual FIGS. 6 to 10 are not true to scale, but that the axial extent of certain sections of the mating connector 3 has been lengthened or shortened for the sake of clarity.

[0074] As can be seen from FIG. 9, provision can be made for the tab 23 to be punched or bent outwards from the second casing section 13 in the fourth method step.

10, it can be provided that in the fifth method step in the area of the first longitudinal end 15, both the first jacket section 12 and the second jacket section 13 are bent inwards, so that the cross-sectional constriction 17 is formed.

In a further method step, which is also shown in FIG. 10, the base 28 can be punched out so that the taper 19 is formed.

The method steps for producing the first exemplary embodiment of the mating connector 3 are similar to the method steps illustrated and described in FIGS. Since the first exemplary embodiment of the mating connector 3 is easier to produce and individual process steps are omitted here compared to the method described, this production process is not described separately or shown in the figures. In particular, the method steps according to FIG. 7 for punching out the locking slot 26 and the method step according to FIG. 9 for producing the tab 23 are not carried out or omitted for the production of the first exemplary embodiment.

Finally, for the sake of order, it should be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure, some elements are shown not to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced.

71717

REFERENCE LIST

1 connector assembly

2 connectors

3 mating connectors

4 pipe

5 locking element

6 receiving hole

7 male section

8 seal

9 cylindrical sealing section 10 component connection

11 connector body

12 first jacket section 13 second jacket section 14 longitudinal axis

15 first longitudinal end

16 first end wall section 17 cross-sectional taper 18 second longitudinal end

19 taper

20 O cross section expansion 21 distance

22 contact surface

23 tab

24 cylinder section

25 collar

26 locking slot

27 bowl

28 floor

29 main part

Claims (15)

Expectations 1. Mating connector (3) for connecting components for liquid or gaseous media, comprising a connector body (11) with: - an insertion section (7) which is used for insertion into a receiving opening (6) of a connector (2); - A component connection (10), which is used for connection to one of the components, characterized in that the connector body (11) is designed as a sheet metal part. 2. Mating connector (3) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connector body (11) has a sleeve-shaped first jacket section (12) surrounding a central longitudinal axis (14) of the connector body (11) in cross section and a sleeve-shaped first jacket section (12) in cross section, the central second casing section (13) surrounding the longitudinal axis (14), the first casing section (12) being surrounded by the second casing section (13) and the first casing section (12) having the second casing section (13) at a first longitudinal end (15) in the The region of the plug-in section (7) is connected by a first bulkhead section (16), and the second casing section (13) has a cylindrical sealing section (9) in the region of the plug-in section (7). 3. Mating connector (3) according to Claim 2, characterized in that in the area of the plug-in section (7) both the first casing section (12) and the second casing section (13) extend from the cylindrical sealing section (9) to the first longitudinal end (15) of the Connector body (11) towards a cross-sectional taper (17). 4. Mating connector (3) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second casing section (13) has a cross-sectional enlargement (20 ) having. 5. Mating connector (3) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the second casing section (13) on the side facing away from the cylindrical sealing section (9) has a contact surface (22) for a locking element of the Has connector. 6. Mating connector (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact surface (22) is formed circumferentially and forms a second longitudinal end (18) of the second casing section (13). 7. Mating connector (3) according to Claim 5, characterized in that a locking slot (26) is formed, in which the contact surface (22) is arranged, the locking slot (26) opening the second casing section (13), in particular the cylinder section (24 ), penetrates and extends over a peripheral area of the second casing section (13). 8. Mating connector (3) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that at least one tab (23) is formed, which is bent outwards from the second casing section (13), the tab (23) extending over a peripheral region of the second jacket section (13) and wherein the tab (23) extends over a longitudinal area of the second jacket section (13). 9. Mating connector (3) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the second casing section (13) in the region of a second longitudinal end (18) has an outwardly bent collar (25). 10. Mating connector (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first casing section (12) has a taper (19) at a second longitudinal end (18). A connector assembly (1) comprising: - a mating connector (3); - a connector (2) which has a receiving opening (6), the receiving opening (6) being designed in such a way that the mating connector (3) can be inserted into it, characterized in that the mating connector (3) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. 12. A method for producing a mating connector (3), comprising the steps of: - providing a flat metal sheet; - Drawing a cup (27) from the flat sheet; - turning the cup (27) inside out to form a sleeve-shaped connector body (11) with a first jacket section (12) surrounding a central longitudinal axis (14) of the connector body (11) in cross section and a sleeve-shaped, in cross section the central longitudinal axis (14) surrounding, second jacket section (13), wherein the first jacket section (12) is surrounded by the second jacket section (13) and the first jacket section (12) with the second jacket section (13) at a first longitudinal end (15) in the region of the insertion section (7 ) is connected by a first end wall section (16) and wherein the second casing section (13) has a cylindrical sealing section (9) in the region of an insertion section (7). 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that after pulling the cup (27) a locking slot (26) is punched in the cup (27). 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that after the cup (27) has been turned inside out, at least one tab (23) is bent outwards from the second casing section (13), the tab (23) extending over a peripheral region of the second jacket section (13) and wherein the tab (23) extends over a longitudinal region of the second jacket section (13). 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that after turning the cup (27) inside out, a central hole is punched out of the cup (27). 7 sheets of drawings