CN102203491A

CN102203491A - Non-rotating coupling device

Info

Publication number: CN102203491A
Application number: CN2008801317007A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 戴维斯·A·怀特
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-31
Filing date: 2008-08-31
Publication date: 2011-09-28
Also published as: WO2010024828A1

Abstract

The invention is a quick connect and disconnect coupling which limits the free rotation between the female socket and the male plug of the coupling with respect to one another. It comprises a male plug having a coupling end and a female socket having a coupling end with a receiving opening therein to receive the coupling end of the male plug when the connectors are in a coupled condition. A holding mechanism is associated with the coupled ends. The male plug includes a non-circular surface that interengages the locking balls within the female quick connect socket to substantially prevent relative rotation of the male plug in relation to the female socket. The coupling is particularly useful for attaching accessories as used in highly pressurized spray applications to allow the ability to rotationally adjust the dispensing action.

Description

Non-rotating coupling arrangement

Technical field

The invention belongs to quick connection joiner field.

Background technique

Connect fast joiner for many known and be generally used for air powered tool is connected to the high pressure sprinkling system.Connect fast that joiner allows the user and can connect fluid or gas line as long as two-part of joiner are shifted onto together.The quick connection joiner that a lot of types are arranged in related domain.These joiners are typically designed to and can rotate freely around central axis.The problem of this joiner is, exists some to wish the very little or application without spin of rotation.In some distributors, there is for example following accessory: need user's swivel nozzle to regulate spray modes.This accessory can not be advantageously used in the quick joint construction for following reason: the joiner of conventional configurations can rotate freely, regulate the required resistance of accessory and need the operator to use two hands thereby can not provide, a hand is controlled workpiece in position and another hand adjustment joint controller.Another example is to use for example spray system of rotating sprinkler such as drift.The pedestal of this shower nozzle must remain and can not rotate, thereby shower nozzle is rotated as required.If the pedestal of joiner and shower nozzle rotates freely, then shower nozzle can stop at a position basically under the situation that showerhead base moves forward and backward.Another example is the situation that connects the hose line of pneumatic or hydraulic equipment.Have such situation: needs make the connector orientation so that connector remains on the mode of expection rotational position.Example comprises use pipeline inner gauge, venturi pipe valve (venturi valve) and other accessory.The joiner of conventional configurations does not allow the user to make connector orientation by this way, and this is because flexible pipe or accessory can freely be adjusted to the most natural position automatically under the influence of the gravity of hose line or distortion power.Another example is need open after joiner engages or before joiner separates or the situation of closed shut-off valve, as the situation of some industrial or medical hose lines.In case connect, the joiner rotation flowed to open to take over valve and allow.

These connect joiner fast is that related domain is known for a long time, and has carried out some these years and attempted preventing the nature rotation.These attempt usually with need to the convex part of joiner and matrix partly both modes of making amendment design, thereby the standard component on these parts and the market is incompatible.That is to say, the convex of present improved parts part can with the concave socket compatibility of standard, but anti-rotational feature can not work.Thereby, be desirable to provide a kind of so following quick connection joiner: its restriction rotation and in the additional function that still keeps the restriction rotation with the joiner back compatible of conventional configurations.In this connection, the present invention manage by realize a kind of and the tradition cooperate the interactional improved Quick Connect Kit of common trait of coupler component to limit rotation, to realize limited rotatablely moving.

Summary of the invention

The present invention includes quick connection and disconnect joiner, described joiner comprises corresponding convex joint and the concave joint with corresponding interlocking portions, and interlocking portions prevents to rotate relatively between the described convex joint and described concave joint under coupled situation.Described joiner is particularly useful for not wishing the application that the end of described joiner rotates freely, and for example accessory being connected to needs spinning movement to regulate the spraying implement that sprays action.

Described quick connection and disconnection joiner comprise: the convex plug, and it has joining end and attachment end; And concave socket, it has joining end, and this joining end band admits opening to admit the joining end of described convex plug.Locking framework links to each other with described convex plug and described concave socket and can cooperate between described convex plug and described concave socket, thereby be inserted into the joining end of fastening described convex plug when admitting in the opening at the joining end of described convex plug, and make described convex plug when described concave socket separates, the joining end of described convex plug be broken away from from described concave socket in hope.Described convex plug comprises male part and the annular groove with vertical one ridge of one, described one ridge engages one another with described locking framework on the described concave socket, thereby prevents that described convex plug carries out relative the rotation with described concave socket when described connector is in coupled situation.The form of one or more one ridge can be adopted in this interlocking or the surface that engages one another, and the spheroid of described one ridge from the joining end of described convex plug admits depressed part radially to extend to cooperate with at least one maintenance spheroid of the concave socket that is arranged in described locking framework.

Retaining mechanism can comprise at least one spheroid retaining hole of the joining end that runs through described concave socket, is provided with spheroid at least one spheroid retaining hole.Sleeve has first inner diameter part and extends to than major diameter tapering part partly from described first diameter parts, described sleeve is slidably mounted on the joining end of described concave socket and covers described at least one spheroid retaining hole, thereby described first diameter parts or described tapering part can optionally be aimed at at least one spheroid retaining hole.When described first diameter parts and described at least one spheroid retaining hole on time, described first diameter parts remains on inside position with the spheroid in described at least one spheroid retaining hole, puts in the described admittance opening at the described spheroid in this position.In the time of above described tapering part than the major diameter part is aligned to described at least one spheroid retaining hole, described tapering part allows the spheroid in described at least one spheroid retaining hole to move to the position of described admittance opening outside.Spring is biased into biased position with described sleeve, states first diameter parts in this biased position place and aligns with described at least one spheroid retaining hole.When the joining end of described convex plug was admitted in the admittance opening of described concave socket into, the spheroid in the joining end of described convex plug admitted depressed part to admit spheroid in described at least one spheroid retaining hole.By being remained on inside position, the spheroid in described at least one spheroid retaining hole, described convex joiner and described matrix joiner are kept together so that spheroid puts in the described spheroid admittance depressed part.

One of major character of improved quick connection joiner is: the part of system of connections only, promptly the convex plug has improved design.The improvement that is applied to described convex plug can be worked in the existing design of traditional concave socket.That is to say no matter have or not improvement, each in described matrix joiner and the described convex joiner all is can be shared, thereby guarantees and traditional or not improved design back compatible.

From accompanying drawing and detailed description subsequently, can find out other purpose of the present invention and advantage more significantly.

Description of drawings

Shown in the drawingsly be used to implement embodiments of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1A is the perspective view that is attached to the quick attachment plug of convex of spraying accessory, and this plug has the embodiment or the one ridge of non-circular surfaces, this ridged portion between spheroid engaging surface and sweptback surface, thereby these two surperficial bridge joints are got up.Figure 1B is the side view of the quick attachment plug of this convex.Fig. 1 C is the side view of the quick attachment plug of this convex;

Fig. 2 is matrix quick connect receptacle assembly and the perspective exploded view that is attached to the quick attachment plug of convex of spraying accessory;

Fig. 3 A is matrix quick connect receptacle assembly and the side view that is attached to the quick attachment plug of convex of spraying accessory.Fig. 3 B is the perspective view that is attached to this sprinkling accessory of matrix quick connect receptacle assembly;

Fig. 4 A is the fragmentary, perspective view of the quick attachment plug of convex, and the quick attachment plug of this convex has the optional embodiment of the one ridge between spheroid engaging surface and sweptback surface.Fig. 4 B is the side view of the quick attachment plug of this convex with one ridge of optional design;

Fig. 5 A is the perspective exploded view that quick attachment plug and optional design that can attached buckle are shown.Fig. 5 B is the perspective view that is assembled into the buckle in the convex attachment plug;

Fig. 6 is the transverse sectional view of Fig. 3 A, and the anti-rotation one ridge on the convex plug and the engaging surface of concave socket are shown;

Fig. 7 is the partial cross-sectional side-elevation view of Fig. 3 A;

Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the sprinkling accessory of rotatable adjusting;

But Fig. 9 is attached to the sectional side view of the sprinkling accessory of the quick attachment plug of convex for spiral;

Figure 10 is the perspective view that can be used for the multiple sprinkling accessory of same socket.

Embodiment

Those of ordinary skill in the art it will be appreciated that this paper only is described exemplary embodiment, and is not in order to limit broad aspect of the present invention.Provide following exemplary embodiment further to illustrate the present invention, limit the scope of the invention and should not be construed as inadequately.

With reference to figure 2, Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, non-rotating type quick connector 10 comprises: convex connector 31, matrix connector 67, tubular sleeve 62, pressure spring 63, lock ring 60, O shape ring 61 and one or more locking spheroid or sell 64.

Convex connector 31 comprises inside or external screw-thread part 57, and this helical thread portion 57 forms the attachment end that is integrally connected to convex plug or coupling part or end 50 by means of the shoulder part 54 that is positioned at plug 31 length middle part.Convex plug 31 also comprises: fluid or air passageways 97, and it partially or even wholly passes convex connector 31 and extends; One or more selectivity annular spheroid retaining grooves 55, it is around coupling part 50; One or more one ridge 52, its specially be set to across annular surface 55 between the spheroid engage angled that turns forward surface 51 and sweptback inclined surface 53 roughly along axis 20 longitudinal extensions, thereby the inclined surface 53 of the spheroid engage angled that turns forward surface 51 and rear-inclined is interconnected, and one ridge 52 is radially extended in groove 55; Annular surface (convex coupling part) 50; And Hexagon or other have the gripping surface 56 of flat-surface shapes.Spray attached accessory 30 as an example though high pressure is shown, can use other form or structure.Exist to be combined with single shutoff, having a double meaning disconnected and straight-through other convex plug design structure of constructing, these structures all can be applicable to the present invention.

Matrix connector 67 comprises outside or internal whorl part 73, and this helical thread portion 73 forms the attachment end that is integrally connected to quick attachment portion of matrix or end 67 by means of shoulder part 58.Matrix connector 67 comprises that also Hexagon or other have the gripping surface 72 of flat-surface shapes.Matrix connector 67 also comprises: water or air passageways 71, and it partially or even wholly passes matrix connector 67 and extends; The spheroid of one or more tapers or pin depressed part 65, it runs through matrix coupling part 66; And inner O shape ring groove (not shown), it is positioned at shoulder partial interior (not shown).Exist to be combined with single shutoff, having a double meaning disconnected and straight-through other concave socket design structure of constructing, these structures all can be applicable to the present invention.

Sleeve 62 comprises ring-shaped inner part shoulder 15 and annular gripping surface 69, and ring-shaped inner part shoulder 15 has annular tapering part 70 and annular planar part 75.At assembly process, at spheroid or sell and make under 64 situations about being in the depressed part 65 after sleeve 62 slips over matrix coupling part 66, lock ring 60 is fixed in the ring lock ring groove 68.There is other structure that can be applicable to quick coupling sleeve assembly of the present invention.

Pressure spring 63 is pressed in sleeve 62 on the lock ring 60, and pressure spring 63 comprises the single line material that twines a circle or multi-turn with the radius on the matrix coupling part 66 that fits snugly in matrix connector 67.There is other structure that can be applicable to quick connection spring assembly of the present invention.

Lock ring 60, O shape ring 61 and keep spheroid or sell 64 and adopt known normal structure in fluid or air flows industry, be used for spheroid or sell 64 remain in wherein spheroid or the structure of pin depressed part 65 also be like this.There is other structure that can be applicable to quick connection lock ring of the present invention or O shape ring member.

Matrix connector 67, sleeve 62, pressure spring 63, lock ring 60, O shape ring 61 and keep spheroid or sell 64 shown in Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, being combined together.Spring 63 is provided with around the matrix coupling part 66 of matrix connector 67, and sleeve 62 is provided with around spring 63, and the inside shoulder 15 of sleeve 62 will keep spheroid or sell 64 remaining in the corresponding depressed part 65.Be subjected to spring 63 bias voltages at sleeve 62 and arrive forward or during locked position, lock ring 60 is against the inside shoulder 15 of sleeve 62 and sleeve 62 is remained on the matrix connector 67, and wherein lock ring 60 is fixed in the ring lock ring groove 68 of matrix coupling part 66.When being in locked position, keeping spheroid or sell 64 inwardly being subjected to biased position, thereby partly put in the medium channel 71 by contacting to remain on the annular planar part 75 of sleeve 62.When the bias voltage that overcomes spring 63 manually acts on sleeve 62 so that sleeve 62 when arriving rear positions, spheroid or sell 64 and be positioned at the annular tapering part 70 of sleeve 62 or than near the major diameter annular portion 16, thus this allows spheroid or sells 64 and radially outwards move the inside of leaving medium channel 71.O shape ring 61 is arranged in the corresponding O shape ring groove (not shown).

Convex connector 31 and matrix connector 67 detachably are linked together by following steps: the bias voltage that overcomes spring 63 is pushed into rear positions with sleeve 62, thereby make convex coupling part 50 when fitting snugly in medium channel 71 in medium channel 71 when mobile, maintenance spheroid or sell 64 and can shift out from medium channel 71.When convex connector 31 and matrix connector 67 being rotated to correct position relative to each other or otherwise interconnect, one or more anti-rotation one ridge 52 are coupled to and keep spheroid or sell in the zone 17 between 64.Convex coupling part 50 is moved in the opening of matrix coupling parts 66, receive the interior spheroid of depressed part or sell 64 and aim at thereby make groove 55 and spheroid or pin joint receive depressed part 65 and this spheroid or pin joint, thus spheroid or sell 64 and can put in the groove 55.Unclamp sleeve 62 then, 63 bias voltages are back to the forward position thereby sleeve 62 is subjected to spring, thereby the annular planar part 75 of sleeve 62 will keep spheroid or sell 64 remaining in the spheroid or pin retaining groove 55 of convex connector 31.Under this coupled situation, convex connector 31 and matrix connector 67 vertically and on the sense of rotation are locking together, and O shape ring 61 seals between convex connector 31 and matrix connector 67.The step of taking convex connector 31 and matrix connector 67 apart is opposite with above-mentioned steps but need not to be rotated operation, because anti-rotation one ridge 52 has been engaged in spheroid with having aimed at or has sold in the zone 17 between 64.

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B illustrate another optional embodiment of anti-rotation one ridge 52, and wherein, one ridge 74 can be in one or more radially extensional surfaces in the groove 55 and the inclined surface 51 and sweptback inclined surface 53 that is maintained at deflection forward.One ridge 74 can across whole groove 55 extend and with the surperficial conllinear of coupling part 50 or shoulder part 54, perhaps one ridge 74 can have can prevent to keep spheroid or sell 64 around

annular surface

55 or 51 rotations or in groove 55 shape or the size of any amount of rotation.

Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B illustrate another optional embodiment of anti-rotation one ridge 52, and wherein, one ridge 77 is the buckles 18 as individual components, and attachable remaining on the convex quick connector 31.Buckle 18 is snapped in or is stuck in

groove

79 and 78, and

groove

79 and 78 also can be positioned at the another location on the convex quick connector 31, for example, and in shoulder part 54.Groove 78 on the convex quick connector plug engages with the section 76 of buckle 18, to keep buckle 18 in the vertical and to prevent that buckle breaks away from.Groove 79 is bonded with each other with one ridge section 77, rotates to prevent buckle 18.One ridge section 77 will put in the recess region 55 and thereby play the effect of one

ridge

52 or 74 in a similar fashion.Anti-rotation buckle 18 can be connected to convex connector 31 rigidly, perhaps can be connected to convex connector 31 movably in conjunction with the non-rigid features of compliance, but keep anti-rotation intended purposes.Can be along groove 55 in a plurality of one ridge 77 of one or more location arrangements.

The method of the anti-rotation structure of formation shown in one

ridge

52,74 and 77 can be made amendment in method and design aspect.For example, said structure also can be attached to convex connector 31 spirally, and itself is used as another this parts of anti-rotation one ridge as anti-rotation one ridge or maintenance.Anti-rotation structure can be constructed with multiple means, comprising: standard machine-tooled method, the individual components that connects with welding or epoxy resin fusion, use electro discharge machining (EDM), forging, casting, die forging or other known optional manufacturing technology.

Optional embodiment is as follows for another of anti-rotation one ridge: the user physically uses button or other connection set, makes this anti-rotation one ridge in place or off normal to apply bias voltage to anti-rotation one ridge.By this way, the user can select when to use anti-rotation structure or when allow system freely to rotate.The startup example of one ridge comprises: by the interlock of existing various connection sets back, make the one ridge rotation or slide into the appropriate location.

Optional embodiment is as follows for another of anti-rotation one ridge: anti-rotation structure will be configured to not exclusively prevent rotation, but only provide resistance with the power of expectation to twist process, allow one ridge to throw off and move past from the locking spheroid then.This can produce following ability: when one ridge engages with each locking spheroid, can provide " the click clatter " that can hear sound when rotated.In addition, the operator obtains the resistance feedback by the occurrence number of higher drag is counted, the physics indication that this resistance feedback provides plug to rotate to which kind of degree.

Optional embodiment is as follows for another of anti-rotation one ridge: with anti-rotation structure construction is the cam face that is used to keep spheroid, thereby radially outwards little by little spheroid is applied effect and thereby impels plug to separate from joiner.The operator makes nozzle assembly or the rotation of other mechanism, thereby connector receptacle is broken away from from the convex plug.This relates in particular to self-locking joiner mechanism, and wherein, the user pulls back the maintenance lasso, and by biasing spring mechanism the convex plug is automatically ejected from socket.

Fig. 8 illustrates fluid accessories 30 and is connected to socket (matrix connector) 67.Yet, the fluid accessories in Fig. 8, also can use other fluid accessories for example shown in Figure 10, for example can be connected to the stationary brush 28 of socket 67.Fluid accessories 29 can be exported the rotation spray modes, and fluid accessories 27 can be configured to for example export fixing (unadjustable) spray modes of wide angle spray modes, narrow angle spray modes or other type.

In addition, fluid accessories can be configured to according to the different pattern of the selected rotational position of user (nozzle turns to) output.Adjustable nozzles assembly 30 can axially be rotated housing by the user to be regulated.For example, the housing of adjustable nozzles 30 can axially rotate between the primary importance and the second place around the longitudinal axis 20, and wherein, at the primary importance place, fluid accessories 30 provides high pressure to spray, and at second place place, fluid accessories 30 provides low pressure to spray.In addition, but shown in the fluid accessories 30 of structure comprise the independent regulation mechanism 150 (ginseng Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) that is used to change spray modes.Can regulate spray modes by making housing center on the longitudinal axis 20 rotations, thereby provide wide angle spray modes, provide narrow angle spray modes in the second rotation orientation place fluid accessories 30 in the first rotation orientation place fluid accessories 30.Owing to can be that nozzle assembly 151 is regulated spray modes independently, so there are some various combinations of spray modes and head pressure.Nozzle 27 has the convex plug 154 of standard, so that native system has back compatible.Bar 153 shown in Figure 10 illustrates possible joint construction.

Though illustrated embodiment illustrates so-called straight-through coupling assembly, the present invention also can be applicable to the so-called unidirectional shutoff system in fluid and the air flows industry, for example is used for the unidirectional shutoff system of the pressurized air and the application apparatus that sprays paint.In addition, above-mentioned design also can be applicable to so-called having a double meaning disconnected system, for example usually with the hydraulics application and the having a double meaning disconnected system that is associated of other materials such as steam, solvent, cooling water, oils and many other media for example.

The present invention also comprises the method for using any anti-rotation device disclosed herein to connect quick connection joiner.

Though illustrate and described the present invention with reference to the embodiment who is considered to implement in practice preferred example of the present invention at present here, but it should be understood that, under the situation that does not break away from the disclosed broad notion of the present invention of this paper, can make various modifications and the present invention is deformed into different embodiments the present invention.

Claims

1. fluid coupling assembly comprises:

(a) concave joint, it has the opening of admittance and comprises one or more maintenance spheroids;

(b) convex joint, second joining end that it has first joining end, annular connection groove and is used for removably connecting with described concave joint; And

(c) interlocking one ridge, its described annular at described convex joint connects in the groove and between described first joining end and described second joining end radially extends at least in part.

2. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

Described interlocking one ridge has at least one spacer portion of extending with the longitudinal axis almost parallel ground of described convex joint.

3. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 2, wherein,

Described interlocking one ridge extends to described second joining end from described first joining end of described convex joint backward across described annular connection groove always.

4. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

Described convex joint comprises that the annular that is separated connects groove.

5. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

Described concave joint is that matrix connects joiner fast.

6. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

At least one spacer portion provides connection between described maintenance spheroid, to limit the rotation between described convex joint and the described concave joint.

7. fluid coupling assembly comprises:

(a) pipeline, it admits pressure fluid;

(b) fluid accessories, it links to each other with described pipeline fluid, to accept described pressure fluid from described pipeline;

(c) disconnect assembly fast, it optionally is connected described fluid accessories with described pipeline fluid, and described quick disconnection assembly comprises:

(d) convex joint, it is attached to described fluid accessories and described pipeline, and described convex joint comprises:

(1) first joining end, annular connect the groove and second joining end; And

(2) one ridge, it extends in described annular connection groove;

(e) concave joint, it is attached to the other end of described fluid accessories and described pipeline, and described concave joint comprises:

(1) opening, it is used to admit the joining end of described convex joint; And

(2) keep the spheroid system, its annular with described convex joint connects engage grooves.

8. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 7, wherein,

Described fluid accessories is the nozzle assembly that is configured to discharge described pressure fluid.

9. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 8, wherein,

Described nozzle assembly comprises adjustable mechanism, and described adjustable mechanism operationally is connected to described nozzle assembly and is configured to change the nozzles spray pattern.

10. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 7, wherein,

Described fluid accessories is the modulating valve that is configured to regulate head pressure or flow.

11. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 7, wherein,

Described fluid accessories is the adaptor that is used for a joiner is changed or extends to another joiner.

12. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 7, wherein,

Described fluid accessories is the detecting instrument that is configured to realize fluid measurement.

13. an interlocking assembly, it is used to prevent the rotation between convex joint and the concave joint, and described interlocking assembly comprises:

(a) first parts, it has the system that is made of the isolated diametrically maintenance spheroid that can connect engage grooves with the annular of second parts; And

(b) second parts, its have described annular connect extend in the groove and space between described maintenance spheroid in one ridge; The rotation of described first parts is limited by the radial distance between each described maintenance spheroid.

14. a fluid coupling assembly comprises:

15. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 14, wherein,

16. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 15, wherein,

Described at least one spacer portion provides connection between described maintenance spheroid, to limit the rotation between described convex joint and the described concave joint.

17. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 14, wherein,

18. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 14, wherein,

Described concave joint is that matrix connects joiner fast.

19. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 14, wherein,

Described interlocking one ridge can also be the individual components that can be connected to described convex joint attachedly.

20. fluid coupling assembly according to claim 14, wherein,

The temporary transient restriction of described interlocking one ridge rotatablely moves and provided sound or physical feedback to the operator before being further rotated.