BR102016018135A2 - FAST HOSE CONNECTOR FOR THERMOPLASTIC PIPES - Google Patents

Abstract

the connector comprises a tubular body (10) internally defining an axial housing (13) having an annular bottom (14) and into which are mounted: a sealing ring (40); a support ring (50); a locking ring (60) provided with internal teeth (61); a tubular bushing (70) axially retaining the locking ring (60) on the tubular body (10) and against the bearing ring (50); and a tubular knob (80) mounted within the tubular bushing (70) and selectively displaceable to move the inner teeth (61) of the locking ring (60) from the outer surface of a thermoplastic tube (20) inserted into the axial housing (13). the annular bottom (14) of the axial housing (13) is provided with an axial recess (16), an extension of the thermoplastic tube (20) being tightly mounted around a tubular reinforcement (30) having an extreme head (31) protruding out of the thermoplastic tube (20) and interference-fitted into the axial recess (16).

Description

(54) Title: QUICK COUPLING CONNECTOR FOR THERMOPLASTIC TUBES (51) Int. Cl .: F16L 37/08; F16L 37/00; F16L 21/08; F16L 21/06 (73) Owner (s): PARKER HANNIFIN INDÚSTRIA E COMÉRCIO LTDA (72) Inventor (s): MÁRCIO UWAROW (74) Attorney (s): ANTÔNIO MAURÍCIO PEDRAS ARNAUD (57) Abstract: The connector comprises a body tubular (10) internally defining an axial housing (13) having an annular bottom (14) and within which are mounted: a sealing ring (40); a support ring (50); a locking ring (60) provided with internal teeth (61); a tubular bushing (70) axially retaining the locking ring (60) on the tubular body (10) and against the support ring (50); and a tubular button (80) mounted inside the tubular bushing (70) and selectively displaceable to separate the internal teeth (61) from the locking ring (60) from the outer surface of a thermoplastic tube (20) inserted inside the axial housing (13). The annular bottom (14) of the axial housing (13) is provided with an axial recess (16), an extension of the thermoplastic tube (20) mounted, justly, around a tubular reinforcement (30) having an extreme head (31) projecting out of the thermoplastic tube (20) and fitted, by interference, inside the axial recess (16).

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QUICK HITCH CONNECTOR FOR THERMOPLASTIC PIPES

Field of the invention [001] The present invention refers to a quick connector to allow the assembly, quite simple and without the use of tools, of the end of a thermoplastic tube inside the quick connector, generally in the form of a metallic tubular body normally used to connect two thermoplastic tube extensions or one end of a thermoplastic tube to any device, such as a valve, an actuator, etc., in pneumatic systems, such as that applied to air brakes in vehicles heavy vehicles, for example, buses and trucks and also in secondary pneumatic systems, such as those applied to the activation of windows, mirrors, seats, windshield wipers, horns, temperature controls, gear lever, locking doors, etc. .

[002] The quick connector in question is particularly useful in installations where assembly, disassembly and quick reassembly of the thermoplastic tubes are required in relation to the quick connector, guaranteeing a risk-free connection of the thermoplastic tube of its fit and retention inside the quick connector, promoting a better fixation in conditions of extreme curvature of the tube.

State of the art [003] Various quick-connect connectors of the aforementioned type are well known in the art, to allow a quick and safe connection of the end of a thermoplastic tube inside the quick-connect connector, to allow the tube to be connected other pipe extension or the

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2/14 different devices or devices associated with a pneumatic system.

[004] These quick connectors comprise a metal tubular body with one end generally provided with a thread and with the other end defining an axial housing designed to receive and retain inside and in a watertight way, the end of a thermoplastic tube, preventing the latter from being moved out of its secure slot inside the quick connector.

[005] In these known constructions, the quick connector also comprises an elastomer sealing ring, acting between the outside of the tube end and the interior of the axial housing of the connector body; a support ring holding the seal ring in position; and a locking ring mounted inside the axial housing, held in position next to the support ring and provided with internal teeth that are slightly radially curved outwards, during insertion of the tube inside the axial housing, the internal teeth of the locking ring tend to bite the outer surface of the thermoplastic tube in order to oppose the extraction of the latter.

[006] The coupling connector also comprises a tubular bushing axially locked inside the axial housing of the metallic tubular body and a disconnecting button, in the form of a tube housed inside the tubular bushing and with an internal end configured to act against the teeth internal of the locking ring, producing the radial curvature of said teeth outwards, to allow a quick disconnection of the thermoplastic tube from the inside of the quick connector.

[007] The construction of the aforementioned type is found

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3/14 described, for example, in US 5,487,572 in which the support ring has a skirt inside which the peripheral edge of the locking ring is seated, the positioning of the latter being guaranteed only by its peripheral axial seating against the end bottom of a tubular bushing retained inside the axial housing of the quick connector. This previous construction does not guarantee a solid retention of the peripheral portion of the lock ring between the support ring and the tubular bushing, allowing the lock ring to undergo small oscillations in its positioning, unduly flexing the action of the internal teeth on the external surface of the thermoplastic tube and making possible axial movements of the thermoplastic tube, backwards, after it has been fully inserted into the quick coupling connector to have its extreme portion fitted and guided justly in a corresponding final internal section of the axial housing.

[008] The improper displacement of the thermoplastic tube out of the said final housing section reduces the bearing area and guide of the end of the tube, impairing the quality of its retention and the maintenance of its circularity in the region where the sealing ring and internal teeth of the lock ring.

[009] Another known solution for these quick-connect connectors is described in US 5,911,443. Although this previous solution promotes a solid axial locking of the peripheral region of the locking ring between the support ring and the tubular bushing, the latter, built in metallic alloy, is provided with pointed peripheral projections, designed to be anchored against the internal surface.

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4/14 of the facing region of the axial housing of the metallic body of the quick connector. Thus, the responsibility for the axial anchoring of the entire assembly inside the quick connector connects to the crimping of said pointed metal projections against the confronting internal surface of the metallic tubular body of the quick connector. This anchorage is not strong enough to allow the quick connector to meet strict safety requirements for retaining the assembly inside the quick connector.

[0010] Another known solution is that described in US 6,783,161. In this construction, the peripheral portion of the lock ring is simply housed in an internal peripheral groove of a single piece that simultaneously defines the seal ring support ring and the tubular bushing. As previously noted, this type of fixation does not guarantee an effective compression of the peripheral portion of the lock ring between two parts compressed together, allowing some undesirable movement of the ring structure, when acting on the external surface of the thermoplastic tube.

[0011] The construction of this third document is clearly complex, requiring, for the locking of the tubular bushing in the body of the quick connector, a retaining ring made of synthetic resin.

[0012] A common aspect to the known and commented constructions is the fact that they use a tubular bushing formed in metallic alloy and whose conformation is obtained by machining operations, burdening the connector, and in two of these previous constructions this inconvenience is still

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5/14 intensified by the fact that the disconnect button is also obtained by machining a metal part.

[0013] Another drawback of the solutions described above results from the fact that none of them provides, at the bottom of the axial housing, a cylindrical seat to accommodate an internal reinforcement element of the thermoplastic tube, in its insertion and retention region inside the axial housing, limiting to the extreme portion of the thermoplastic tube all the responsibility for centralizing and maintaining this positioning of the thermoplastic tube, during the operation of the pneumatic line in a static or dynamic way.

Summary of the invention [0014] Due to the limitations and drawbacks of the known construction solutions as mentioned above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a quick coupling connector of simple construction and of relatively low cost and that guarantees a solid and secure watertight retention. an extreme portion of a thermoplastic tube inside a metallic tubular body of the quick coupler in pneumatic systems working under high levels of pressure and degree of movement and curvature of the thermoplastic tube.

[0015] These objectives are achieved with a connector of the type that comprises a metallic tubular body defining, internally, an axial housing, having an annular bottom open to a first end of the tubular body, and being directly open to a second end of said body tubular. Inside the axial housing, from the inside out: an o-ring; a support ring retaining the seal ring; a locking ring with teeth

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6/14 internal and having a peripheral flange axially retained against the support ring; a tubular bushing axially retaining the locking ring on the metallic tubular body and against the support ring; and a tubular button mounted inside the tubular bushing and selectively displaceable to separate the inner teeth of the locking ring from the external surface of a thermoplastic tube inserted into the axial housing.

[0016] According to the invention, the annular bottom of the axial housing is provided with an axial recess, an extension of the thermoplastic tube being tightly mounted around a tubular reinforcement having an extreme projecting head out of the thermoplastic tube and fitted, by interference, inside the axial recess.

[0017] The aforementioned constructive characteristic allows the extension of the thermoplastic tube inserted into the metallic tubular connector to be kept centralized by the fitting of the extreme head of the tubular reinforcement in the axial recess of the housing, ensuring a homogeneous performance of the internal teeth against the external surface of the thermoplastic tube that remains properly structured by the tubular reinforcement to resist the radial efforts of penetration of the internal teeth when any axial effort is exerted on the thermoplastic tube in order to extract it from the quick connector.

[0018] In addition to the above aspects, the locking ring shoring system between the support ring and the tubular bushing ensures adequate stabilization of the locking ring, preventing its unwanted displacement outside the transverse plane of operation of its internal teeth against the surface of the thermoplastic tube.

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7/14 [0019] The correct and stable positioning of the thermoplastic tube extension inside the quick connector is also advantageous to guarantee the proper performance of the sealing ring between the thermoplastic tube and the facing internal surface of the axial housing.

Brief description of the drawings [0020] The invention will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of example only and in which:

[0021] Figure 1 represents an exploded perspective view of the quick connector of the invention, further illustrating the thermoplastic tube;

[0022] Figure 2 represents a longitudinal diametrical cross-sectional view of the quick connector in question, with its component parts and an extreme extension of the thermoplastic tube, in an exploded condition, before assembly; [0023] Figure 3 represents a longitudinal diametrical cross-sectional view of the quick coupling connector retaining an extreme portion of the thermoplastic tube inside and with the disconnecting button in an inoperative resting position; and [0024] Figure 4 represents a view similar to that of figure 3, but with the disconnecting button moved axially to the operating position of releasing the thermoplastic tube. Description of the invention [0025] As previously mentioned and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the quick connector in question is of the type comprising a tubular body 10, metallic and hollow, having a first and a second end 11, 12 and defining, internally, an axial housing 13, directly

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8/14 open to the second end 12 and having an annular bottom 14 connected to the first end 11, through an internal extension 15 of the tubular body 10, which defines the inner diameter of the latter.

[0026] In the illustrated configuration, the first end 11 of the tubular body 10 is axially aligned with the second end 12 and provided with an external thread 11a to allow the quick connector to be coupled to any element of a non-pneumatic system illustrated. However, it should be understood that the coupling of the quick coupling connector to other devices or equipment can be done by means other than that represented by said external thread 11a. The tubular body 10 can have different shapes such as straight nipples, tees and elbows, facilitating the assembly in places of difficult access.

[0027] According to the invention, the annular bottom 14 of the axial housing 13 is provided with an axial recess 16, cylindrical, coaxial to the geometric axis of the tubular body 10 and having a diameter with an intermediate value to the value of the external and internal diameters of a thermoplastic tube 20 and larger than the diameter of the inner extension of the tubular body 10. [0028] The thermoplastic tube 20 has an extreme extension 21 fitted justly around a tubular reinforcement 30 with an internal diameter equal to the diameter of the extension inner 15 of the tubular body 10 and having an extreme head 31, which protrudes out of the thermoplastic tube 20 and which is interference fit into the axial recess 16. This interference fit ensures centralization and radial stabilization the extreme extension 21 of the thermoplastic tube 20 inside the tubular body 10.

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9/14 [0029] To ensure the correct positioning of the extreme extension 21 of the thermoplastic tube 20 the axial recess 16 of the axial housing 13 has a longitudinal extension corresponding to that of the extreme head 31 of the tubular reinforcement 30, which is preferably extended up to at least the second end 12 of the tubular body 10, to maintain said positioning of the thermoplastic tube 20 to the region where it protrudes out of the tubular body 10.

[0030] Still according to the invention, the axial housing 13 is provided with a first step 17 adjacent and coaxial to the axial recess 16 and dimensioned to allow an extreme portion 22 of the tube to be externally and radially seated in it Thermoplastic 20. Thus, this extreme portion 22, involving a respective extension of the tubular reinforcement 30, remains radially propped up, in the said first step 17, contributing to the stabilization of the thermoplastic tube 20 inside the tubular body 10.

[0031] In the exemplary construction illustrated in the drawings, the axial housing 13 is further provided with a second step 18 adjacent and coaxial to the first step 17 and having a larger diameter than that of the latter by a value lower than that of the generally circular cross section , of a sealing ring 40, preferably in elastomer and which is radially seated, with interference, against the second step 18, which has an axial extension slightly less than the cross section of the sealing ring 40, to allow it to be axially compressed in the assembly assembly, as described later.

[0032] Also according to the illustrated construction, the axial housing 13 is provided with a third step 19,

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10/14 adjacent and coaxial to the second step 18, and having a diameter larger than that of the second step 18 by a value less than the radial thickness of a support ring 50 which, according to the invention, is easily formed in polymer of engineering, without requiring the usual machining operations of metal parts, ie, ensuring high productivity and high reliability at a reduced cost. The support ring 50 is radially seated on said third step 19 and maintained in contact with the sealing ring 40, to axially retain the latter on the first step 17.

[0033] The assembly described above for sealing rings 40 and support 50 allows the connector to present excellent sealing characteristics in temperature ranges from -40 ° C to + 104 ° C, even in extreme cases of curvature of the thermoplastic tube 20.

[0034] O-ring 40 is preferably defined as a lubricated Buna-N O'ring, ensuring a fast and secure seal.

[0035] The quick connector in question is also provided with a lock ring 60 provided with internal teeth 61 and having a peripheral flange 62 axially retained against the support ring 50. The lock ring 60 is formed of stainless steel and obtained by stamping process, which guarantees high productivity and high reliability with low cost, being designed to allow the quick connector to meet the traction requirements of the DOT FMVSS 571.106 standard.

[0036] To axially retain the lock ring 60 against the support ring 50, a tubular bushing 70 is provided, axially retained within the tubular body 10, as described

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11/14 ahead.

[0037] In the illustrated construction, the peripheral flange 62 of the locking ring 60 is radially seated on the third step 19 of the axial housing 13, being further axially seated against the support ring 50, by acting of the tubular bushing 70 against the peripheral flange 62 of the lock ring 60. Thus, the peripheral flange 62 is sandwiched between the support ring 50 and the tubular bushing 70, ensuring a solid retention of the lock ring 60 within the axial housing 13.

[0038] To operate as described above, the tubular bushing 70 is preferable and radially seated on said third step 19 to be kept axially seated against the peripheral flange 62 of the locking ring 60.

[0039] To axially retain the tubular bushing 70 within the tubular body 10, the third step 19 of the axial housing 13 is provided with at least one circumferential recess 19a, with the tubular bushing 70 incorporating at least one external peripheral shoulder 71 a be fitted and axially retained within a respective circumferential recess 19a of the third step 19.

[0040] The quick connector in question further comprises a tubular button 80 mounted inside the tubular bushing 70 to be selectively moved from an inoperative position to an operating position, in which it separates the internal teeth 61 of the locking ring 60 from the surface of the thermoplastic tube 20 inserted inside the axial housing 13.

[0041] As can be seen, the elements defined by the sealing ring 40, support ring 50, locking ring 60, tubular bushing 70 and tubular button 80 are assembled

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12/14 sequentially, from the inside out, inside the axial housing 13, preferably on the respective steps, as described above.

[0042] To simplify and make the construction and assembly of the quick connector parts cheaper, the tubular bushing 7 0 and the tubular button 80 are formed in engineering polymer, with the advantages already mentioned in relation to the application of the same material in the formation of the support ring 50.

[0043] The construction of the quick coupling connector described above leads to a device to be used with thermoplastic tubes and developed for application in pneumatic systems, particularly in vehicle air brake systems, presenting characteristics of assembly, disassembly and reassembly of the thermoplastic tube very simple and fast, without the use of tools and guaranteeing a solid and secure fixation of the thermoplastic tube, even in conditions of extreme curvature of the latter.

[0044] For the assembly of the thermoplastic tube 20 in the tubular body 10, the first is cut squarely within a perpendicularity tolerance of ± 5 °, using a specific tube cutter. Then, an extreme extension of the thermoplastic tube 20 is fitted just around the tubular reinforcement 30, until the free end of the thermoplastic tube 20 touches the enlarged head 31.

[0045] In sequence, the extreme extension of the thermoplastic tube 20 together with the tubular reinforcement 30, is introduced manually through the tubular button 80, the tubular bushing 70 and, with light effort, through the locking ring 60, deforming elastic and slightly your inner teeth 61 and

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13/14 then passing through the support ring 50 and the sealing ring 40 to have the enlarged head 31 of the tubular reinforcement 30 engaged, by interference, inside the axial recess 16 provided in the annular bottom 14 of the axial housing 13.

[0046] After the assembly of the thermoplastic tube 20 is completed, its connection on the quick connector connects to ensure a fixation of the thermoplastic tube 20, which meets the traction requirements of the American regulation DOT FMVSS 571.106, guaranteeing the tightness level required by it regulation, even in adverse ambient temperature conditions, as previously mentioned.

[0047] When there is a need to dismantle the thermoplastic tube 20, after the pneumatic system has been depressurized, the tubular knob 80 is axially moved inward, to its operating position, to promote elastic deformation, radially outwardly, of the internal teeth 61 of the locking ring 60, deformation sufficient to release said internal teeth from their locking contact with the external surface of the facing region of the thermoplastic tube 20, which can then be simply pulled out of the axial housing 13 of the tubular body 10 [0048] The construction just described allows the thermoplastic tube to be disassembled and reassembled at least 5 times in the tubular body 10, without prejudice in terms of axial retention and tightness of the connection, being that in each reassembly, the tubular button 80 must be brought back to its inoperative position in which it does not act against the internal teeth 61 of the locking ring 60. The return of the tubular knob 80 to the pos inoperative resting rest can be done manually or by simple elastic memory of internal teeth return

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61 of the ring in locks 60 when of withdrawal of pipe thermoplastic 20. [0049] Despite to have been here illustrated only an concretization of quick connector, must to be understood that changes can be made to form From different constituent elements, without that run away of

inventive concept defined in the claims accompanying this report.

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Claims (11)

1. Quick connector for thermoplastic tubes, comprising a tubular body (10), hollow, having a first and a second end (11,12) and, internally, an axial housing (13) open to the second end (12) , having an annular bottom (14) connected to the first end (11) and inside which they are mounted, from inside to outside: a sealing ring (40) retained by a support ring (50); a locking ring (60) provided with internal teeth (61) and having a peripheral flange (62) axially retained against the support ring (50); a tubular bushing (70) retained in the tubular body (10) and axially retaining the locking ring (60) against the support ring (50); and a tubular button (80) mounted inside the tubular bushing (70) and selectively movable to an operating position, in which it separates the internal teeth (61) from the locking ring (60) from the external surface of a thermoplastic tube (20) inserted inside the axial housing (13), the quick connector is characterized by the fact that the annular bottom (14) of the axial housing (13) is provided with an axial recess (16), cylindrical and with an intermediate diameter to the external diameters and internal of the thermoplastic tube (20) and larger than the internal diameter of the tubular body (10), being an extension of the thermoplastic tube (20) mounted, justly, around a tubular reinforcement (30) having an extreme head ( 31) projecting out of the thermoplastic tube (20) and fitted, by interference, inside the axial recess (16). 2. Connector, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the axial recess (16) has a longitudinal extension corresponding to that of the extreme head (31) of the Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 19/27 2/3 tubular reinforcement (30). Connector according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that an extreme portion (22) of the thermoplastic tube (20) is externally and radially seated, justly, on a first step (17) of the housing axial (13), adjacent and coaxial to the axial recess (16). 4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the axial housing (13) is provided with a second step (18) adjacent and coaxial to the first step (17) and having a larger diameter than that of the first step (17) by a lower value than the cross section of the seal ring (40) which is radially seated against the second step (18). 5. Connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the second step (18) has an axial extension less than the cross section of the sealing ring (40). Connector according to either of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the axial housing (13) is provided with a third step (19), adjacent and coaxial to the second step (18), and having a larger diameter than that of the second step (18) by a value less than the radial thickness of the support ring (50), the latter being radially seated on said third step (19). 7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the peripheral flange (62) of the locking ring (60) is seated, radially, on said third step (19) and, axially, against the support ring ( 50). 8. Connector, according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the tubular bushing (70) is seated, radially, in said third step (19) and, axially, against the flange Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 20/27 3/3 peripheral (62) of the locking ring (60). 9. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the third step (19) is provided with at least one circumferential recess (19a), with the tubular bushing (70) incorporating at least one external peripheral shoulder (71 ) to be fitted and axially retained within a respective circumferential recess (19a) of the third step (19). Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tubular bushing (70), the tubular button (80) and the support ring (50) are formed of engineering polymer. Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the tubular reinforcement (30) is extended to at least the second end (12) of the tubular body (10). Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 21/27 1/4 Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 22/27 2/4 Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 23/27 3/4 Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 24/27 4/4 Petition 870160041962, of 08/04/2016, p. 25/27 1/1