DE102017209607A1 - Connecting device for fluid lines and related manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection device (1) for fluid lines (5) is proposed which has a connection unit (4) which is penetrated by a insertion recess (26) into which a fluid line (5) to be connected can be inserted. The connection unit (4) has a base unit (6) on which a holding structure (14) serving to hold the base unit (6) is arranged and which is composed of an annular housing body (12) and a sealing ring (13) arranged on the front side thereof , The housing body (12) is made of plastic and the sealing ring (13) made of thermoplastic elastomer. Both components are non-detachably fastened to each other by laser transmission welding by means of at least one laser transmission welded connection (27).

Description

The invention relates to a connecting device for fluid lines, having a longitudinal axis having terminal unit which is designed to be used in a position of use with its front in advance in a mounting recess of a separate carrier component and attached to the support member, wherein the terminal unit passes axially through a Einsteckausnehmung in which a fluid line to be connected can be inserted from the rear side of the connection unit and wherein the connection unit has a sleeve-shaped base unit to which an annular retaining structure designed to hold the inserted fluid line is fixed and which has an annular housing body and a front side attached to the housing body and sealing ring attached to the housing body.

The invention further relates to a method for producing such a connection device.

One from the DE 10 2011 109 788 A1 known connection device of the aforementioned type has a connection unit with a multi-part base unit, wherein the base unit has an annular housing body and a front side attached to the housing body sealing ring. The sealing ring is fastened to the housing body by means of a latching connection device, which facilitates the mounting of the connection unit in the fastening recess of a support component. By means of an anchoring ring which is supported on the housing body, the connection unit can be fixed in a mounting recess of a separate support component.

The DE 10 2015 000 990 A1 discloses a fluid line connector including a connector assembly having a retaining ring for retaining an inserted fluid conduit. The retaining ring is fixed to an assembly formed from a circlip and a support ring to which a sealing ring is attached. The sealing ring is attached, for example, by gluing or scorching on a front end face of the support ring. Alternatively, the sealing ring can also be designed as a separate component relative to the support ring.

The invention has for its object to make measures that allow a simple, fast and cost-effective production of a connection device.

To achieve this object, it is provided in a connection device of the type mentioned that the sealing ring consists of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and is permanently attached by means of at least one laser beam welding connection to the existing plastic housing body.

The object is further achieved by a method of the type mentioned, in which independently of each other, the sealing ring made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and the housing body are made of plastic and then the sealing ring and the housing body by means of laser transmission welding are permanently attached to each other.

The connecting device designed and manufactured according to the invention has, with the sleeve-shaped base unit, a structural unit preassembled prior to insertion into a carrier component into which the housing body preferably responsible for the stability of the connection unit and the sealing ring serving to seal the fluid line relative to the carrier component are integrated , When mounting the connection unit saves you thus a separate insertion of the sealing ring, which would be handling technically complicated and prone to error especially for small sizes. Accordingly, eliminates the need for automated assembly of the connection device, a separate assembly station for the insertion of the sealing ring, which reduces the investment required as well as the space required and also the necessary assembly time. Particularly advantageous is the fixed connection between the sealing ring and the housing body by means of at least one laser transmission welded joint, which is realized by the method of laser transmission welding. The welded connection is carried out depending on the selected combination of materials through the housing body or through the sealing ring, to form at least one laser weld seam without separate supply of a welding material in the transition region between these two components. The process of laser transmission welding during assembly of the base unit allows short joining times, which is why it is particularly suitable for integration into an automated assembly process with short cycle times and high quantities. On additional auxiliaries such as adhesives can be dispensed with. The use of a thermoplastic elastomer allows injection molding of the sealing ring independent of the housing body and provides optimum elasticity to ensure the desired sealing function. As the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) is preferably used.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The housing body can in principle consist of any suitable for a laser transmission welding plastic. Preferably, however, it is made of a thermoplastic material, which allows inexpensive injection molding. As particularly useful polyamide is considered.

The cohesive joining process of the laser transmission welding is based on the fact that of the two joining partners, one of a laser-transparent material and the other consists of a laser beam absorbing material. These terms are not meant to be absolute but are to be understood as meaning that the laser-transparent material has a high transmittance in the wavelength range of the laser light, while the laser-beam absorbing material has a high degree of absorption for this laser light. The laser beam used for the welding process is introduced through the laser-beam transparent material into the previously mated in a joining region joining partner, which is absorbed in the joining region of the laser beam absorbing material, wherein heat is released by the two joining partners are melted so that they are preferred with the simultaneous application of an external joining force, make a material connection with each other.

In one possible embodiment of the connection device, the sealing ring consists of a material that is transparent to laser radiation, and the housing body is made of a laser-beam-absorbing material, wherein the laser transmission welded connection is or is formed through the sealing ring in the transition region between the sealing ring and the housing body.

In an alternative embodiment, the housing body is made of a laser beam transparent material and the sealing ring is made of a laser beam absorbing material. Here, the laser transmission welded connection is then produced by applying the laser beam through the housing body.

In the case of the laser transmission welded connection, at least one laser welding seam is preferably produced, which is designed as a self-contained annular seam coaxial with the housing body and with the sealing ring. The laser welding process is preferably carried out by so-called contour welding. One and the same laser weld can result from only a single laser beam treatment or preferably from a plurality of superimposed laser beam overflows.

In the welding operation, the base unit is expediently fixed in place and the laser beam is moved once or several times along a circumferential angle of 360 ° about the longitudinal axis of the drive unit around. Basically, however, it is also possible to leave the laser beam or a laser beam emitting laser beam outlet unit stationary and to rotate by means of a suitable device to be welded base unit.

It is advantageous if the laser transmission welding in the region of the sealing ring facing the front of the housing body is made to produce there at least one laser transmission welded joint.

In particular, if the thermoplastic elastomer of the sealing ring has the properties transparent to laser radiation, it is advantageous if at least one laser transmission welded connection is or is formed in the region of an outer peripheral surface of the housing body facing away from the insertion recess of the connection unit. In particular, in this context, it is expedient to provide the housing body on its front side facing the sealing ring with a radially inwardly projecting annular front end portion which has a facing away from the Einsteckausnehmung outer peripheral surface, which has a total of axially forward, but at least one axially forward pointing directional component has. This annular front end portion may be bent in particular with respect to the adjoining longitudinal portion of the housing body, which is preferably realized by an ultrasonic treatment. The sealing ring has a rear end face, with which it is attached to the aforementioned outer peripheral surface in the application of the welding process, wherein at least one laser transmission welded joint is formed by the laser transmission welding in the transition region between the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the housing body and the rear end surface of the sealing ring.

Viewed in longitudinal section of the base unit, the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the housing body is preferably convexly curved, while the rear end surface of the sealing ring is adapted to this convex curvature and correspondingly concavely curved. This allows a large-scale mutual investment of housing body and seal realize.

In particular, when the plastic of the housing body from that required for the laser transmission welded connection laser-transparent material, it is advantageous if the at least one laser transmission welded connection is or is formed in the region of an inner circumferential surface of the housing body facing the insertion recess. In this case, the sealing ring protrudes into the housing body and the welded connection is made by means of a laser beam penetrating the housing body.

It is advantageous if the housing body ends on its front side facing the sealing ring with a hollow cylindrical front end portion into which the sealing ring with a rear annular mounting portion dips axially. At least one laser transmission welded joint is or is then formed in the radial transition region between the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylindrical front end portion of the housing body and the outer peripheral surface of the annular mounting portion of the sealing ring.

For automated production, it is particularly favorable in this context if the sealing ring is annularly stepped on its outer circumference and has an axially rearwardly oriented support surface adjoining the fastening section, which abuts against a front end face of the front end section of the housing body. As a result, the insertion depth of the sealing ring is defined defined in the welding operation preceding axial abutment of the components to be welded together.

The annular holding structure serving for fixing the inserted fluid line expediently comprises an annular holding element which has a plurality of spring-elastic holding claws projecting into the insertion recess. When inserting the fluid line the retaining claws are bent radially outwardly elastically, so that builds up a resilient restoring force with which the retaining claws are pressed against the outer circumference of the inserted fluid line, so selbige is held.

The annular holding structure, in particular an annular holding element, is expediently fixed in a holding recess formed in the region of the inner circumference of the base unit. In one possible embodiment, this holding recess is formed solely by the housing body, wherein an edge of the holding recess is expediently formed by a bent annular front end section of the housing body.

There is also alternatively the advantageous possibility to provide an axial gap between the housing body and the sealing ring, which forms the annular retaining recess. In this case, the holding structure may be incorporated between these two components prior to fitting the housing body and the sealing ring together.

The connecting device has for fixing the connection unit in the mounting recess of a support member expediently with respect to the base unit separate anchoring ring. The anchoring ring has at least one radial anchoring projection, which engages in the wall of the carrier component, when the anchoring ring is pressed into the fastening recess for fixing the connecting unit. When pressing and preferably in the pressed state, the anchoring ring is expediently supported on a rear end face of the housing body of the base unit.

If the connection device is to offer the possibility of being able to remove an inserted fluid line from the connection unit at any time, simply and without damage, the connection unit is expediently equipped or equipped with a release sleeve which is axially displaceably mounted in the housing body of the base unit and can be acted upon manually Operating section protrudes from the back of the housing body.

If the holding structure has resilient retaining claws, the release sleeve is expediently preceded on the back of these retaining claws, so that they act on the retaining claws by a pressure on the actuating portion and can lift it from the outer circumference of the inserted fluid line.

The release sleeve is held within the housing body expediently by a latching connection.

The release sleeve is optional. In order to realize the connection unit very inexpensively, the release sleeve can also be omitted if necessary.

In the carrier component expediently involved in the connecting device, a fluid channel is preferably formed, which communicates with the fastening recess. The conduit formed in a fluid line is thus in fluid communication with the fluid channel of the carrier component when the fluid line is connected.

The carrier component is expediently a housing body of a fluid-technical component, for example a valve or a fluid-actuated drive. The connection unit can be very simple in this way be mounted directly on a fluid power component. However, the connection device can also be realized as a connector present as a structural unit, in which the carrier component is designed as a fastening component for fixing the connector to a fluidic component and has a suitable attachment interface, for example a threaded connector.

• 1 einen Längsschnitt durch eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung, wobei die Anschlusseinheit in ihrer in ein strichpunktiert angedeutetes Trägerbauteil eingesetzten Gebrauchsstellung gezeigt ist und eine angeschlossene Fluidleitung gestrichelt angedeutet ist,
• 2 eine axiale Vorderansicht der Anschlusseinheit gemäß 1 mit Blickrichtung gemäß Pfeil II aus 1,
• 3 eine isometrische Darstellung der Anschlusseinheit aus 1 und 2,
• 4 eine Explosionsdarstellung der in 1 bis 3 illustrierten Anschlusseinheit,
• 5 einen Längsschnitt durch eine weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anschlussvorrichtung in einer der 1 entsprechenden Darstellungsweise,
• 6 eine Seitenansicht der Anschlussvorrichtung aus 5 mit Blickrichtung gemäß Pfeil VI aus 5,
• 7 eine isometrische Darstellung der Anschlusseinheit aus 5 und 6, und
• 8 eine Explosionsdarstellung der aus 5, 6 und 7 ersichtlichen Anschlusseinheit.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

• 1 a longitudinal section through a preferred embodiment of the connecting device according to the invention, wherein the connection unit is shown in its position of use inserted in a dot-dash line carrier component indicated and a connected fluid line is indicated by dashed lines,
• 2 an axial front view of the connection unit according to 1 looking in the direction indicated by arrow II 1 .
• 3 an isometric view of the connection unit 1 and 2 .
• 4 an exploded view of in 1 to 3 illustrated connection unit,
• 5 a longitudinal section through a further preferred embodiment of the connecting device according to the invention in one of 1 appropriate representation,
• 6 a side view of the connection device 5 looking in the direction indicated by arrow VI 5 .
• 7 an isometric view of the connection unit 5 and 6 , and
• 8th an exploded view of 5 . 6 and 7 apparent connection unit.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following description refers to all the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, all in which reference numbers are used 1 designated connecting device according to the invention.

The connection device 1 contains a connection unit 4 that in the 2 to 4 and 6 to 8th is shown in isolation and in their position of use in a mounting recess 3 a dot-dash line indicated carrier component 2 is used. The connection unit 4 is in the use position in the mounting recess 3 fastened captive, which expediently by means of a part of the connection unit 4 executed anchoring ring 10 he follows.

The connection device 1 is suitable for connecting a fluid line 5 , which is designed for passing a fluidic pressure medium such as compressed air or pressure fluid. Preferably, the connectable fluid line 5 around a flexible hose. However, it can also be a rigid tube. In the 1 and 5 is the fluid line 5 shown in the connected state.

Deviating from the embodiment, even the connection unit 4 only the connection device 1 form. The connection unit 4 can with any carrier component 2 that has a suitably designed mounting hole 3 has to be combined. There is thus in particular the possibility of already existing carrier components 2 as required with one or more connection units 4 equip or retrofit.

The connecting device is preferred 1 executed according to the embodiment as an assembly, which consists of at least one connection unit 4 and a carrier component 2 , the at least one to the connection unit 4 adapted mounting recess 3 has, composed. In this case, the connection unit 4 already ex works at delivery, assuming its position of use on the carrier component 2 be mounted. Alternatively, the connection unit 4 and the carrier component 2 Also be delivered as separate components that are assembled by the user, that is assembled.

In the illustrated embodiments, the support member is 2 formed by a component of a fluid power component such as a valve, a fluid-operated drive or a compressed air maintenance device. The carrier component is preferably 2 to a housing body of such a fluid power component, for example, a cylinder housing or a valve housing. In the drawing, the support member 2 rendered very simplified.

In a non-illustrated embodiment of the connection device 1 has the carrier component 2 in addition to the at least one mounting recess 3 via a further attachment interface, with which it can be fixed to a fluid power component of the aforementioned type. In this case, the support member acts 2 as a link between the connection unit 4 and the fluidic component to be equipped therewith.

The in the support member 2 trained mounting recess 3 opens with a mouth opening 19 to one below as a connection outer surface 7 designated outer surface of the support member 2 out, which is the mouth opening 19 framed. Inside the carrier component 2 joins the one longitudinal axis 15 having mounting recess 3 with particular coaxial alignment a fluid channel 11 on, with the one the fluid line 5 passing through duct 9 with connected fluid line 5 is in fluid communication.

The connection unit 4 has a longitudinal axis 16 and has a right angle to this longitudinal axis 16 over an annular cross-section. It has an axially oriented front 22 and an axially opposite rear side in this respect 23 , The connection unit 4 is coaxial from one side to the front 22 and then to the back 23 opening out Einsteckausnehmung 26 interspersed. The connected fluid line 5 is from the back 23 forth in the Einsteckausnehmung 26 plugged in.

To the connection unit 4 include an annular and preferably one-piece housing body 12 , a sealing ring 13 , an annular support structure 14 , the anchoring ring already mentioned 10 and a release sleeve 8th , The release sleeve 8th serves to release the connected fluid line 5 and may optionally be omitted if a solvability of the connected fluid line 5 not desired. Also the anchoring ring 10 may be omitted or replaced by other means of anchoring, if the anchoring of the terminal unit differs from that described below 4 in the mounting recess 3 is provided.

The annular housing body 12 consists of plastic, wherein it preferably consists of a thermoplastic material, in particular of a polyamide. He is expediently formed in one piece.

The sealing ring 13 consists of a thermoplastic elastomer (common abbreviation: TPE). A urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer known by the abbreviation "TPU" has proven particularly recommendable.

Preferably, both are in the housing body 12 as well as the sealing ring 13 around an injection-molded body. These two components are used in the manufacture of the connection device 1 manufactured independently of each other.

The sealing ring 13 is in to the housing body 12 Coaxial arrangement frontally front of the housing body 12 stated. Terms such as "front" or "front" used in this specification refer to the same orientation as the front side mentioned above 22 , The same applies to terms used in connection with any of the existing components, such as "back" or "back" with respect to the above-mentioned orientation of the back 23 ,

By means of a laser transmission welded connection 27 are the housing body 12 and the sealing ring 13 permanently attached to each other. The resulting unit is considered a base unit 6 designated. The laser transmission welded joint 27 is generated by the per se known method of laser transmission welding. Exemplary are the housing body 12 and the sealing ring 13 each with only a single laser transmission welded joint 27 fixed to each other, which can be handled particularly cost-effective and time-saving. Basically, the mutual attachment of said components but also by means of several separate laser transmission welded joints 27 be caused.

The base unit 6 encloses a central axial passage opening 17 , at least in the area of the sealing ring 13 the insertion recess 26 Are defined. The optional release sleeve 8th is from the back 23 forth in the passage opening 17 the base unit 6 inserted, but expediently extends over the maximum length of the housing body 12 , Through the release sleeve 8th Coaxially extends through opening 28 through, which is a longitudinal portion of the Einsteckausnehmung 26 defined and that of the connected fluid line 5 is interspersed.

The annular support structure 14 is at the base unit 6 fixed and has several rings around the longitudinal axis 16 distributed around spring-elastic retaining claws 24 which protrude radially inwardly, in particular with an oblique orientation in the direction of the front side 22 out. In the annular support structure 14 it is in particular an annular retaining element 14a with a self-contained ring body 25 to which the retaining claws 24 are integrally formed and of which the retaining claws 24 , project radially inward, in particular with an inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis 16 , The holding element 14a is preferred by mediating the ring body 25 at the base unit 6 in this respect fixed axially immovable or limited axially movable. This fixation is preferably effected by the fact that on the inner circumference of the base unit 6 a radially inwardly open annular retaining recess 32 is formed, in which the holding element 14a with the ring body 25 immersed radially.

In the unconnected state of the fluid line 5 enclose the retaining claws 24 a diameter which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fluid line to be connected 5 , When the fluid line 5 for the purpose of connecting it from the back 23 in the connection unit 4 plugged in, she interspersed that retaining element 14a , where there are the retaining claws 24 under extension of the retaining claws 24 enclosed cross-section pushes outwards. The resulting elastic restoring force causes a clamping fixation of the inserted fluid line 5 through the retaining claws 24 ,

The release sleeve 8th has a front end section 33 that is axially behind the retaining claws 24 ends. It also has a rear operating section 34 at the back 23 from the base unit 6 and in the position of use of the connection unit 4 also from the carrier component 2 protrudes. To release the fluid line 5 can on the operation section 34 a forward pressing force be applied so that the release sleeve 8th forward in the direction of the support structure 14 is moved and with its front end section 33 on the facing back surfaces of the retaining claws 24 suppressed. The retaining claws 24 are thereby bent under elastic deformation radially outward and from the outer peripheral surface 35 the inserted fluid line 5 lifted off, then again comfortable from the connection unit 4 pull out.

The release sleeve 8th can be attached to the base unit in any way 6 be fixed. Preferably, a latching connection, which applies to the embodiments. The release sleeve 8th has here in the area of the front end section 33 at least one radially outwardly projecting locking projection 36 placed in one on the inner circumference of the housing body 12 trained, preferably annular detent recess 36 is engaged. The flexibility required for the locking results in particular from the fact that the front end section 33 the release sleeve 8th slotted several times and is thus segmented in its circumferential direction.

The anchoring ring 10 , which expediently consists of metal, in particular has the shape of a perforated disc with a plurality of formed on the outer circumference, radially outwardly projecting anchoring projections 37 , Alternatively, only a single, annular self-contained anchoring projection 37 to be available. The anchoring ring 10 is preferably rigid and has one of the at least one anchoring projection 37 defined outer diameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the mounting recess 3 in the area of the anchoring ring 10 in the use position of the connection unit 4 assumed anchoring position. By applying a certain insertion force of the anchoring ring 10 in the mounting recess 3 be pressed so that he is with the at least one anchoring projection 37 in the mounting recess 3 peripherally delimiting wall of the support member 2 digs slightly, so that there is an axial positive connection.

The anchoring ring 10 can in principle be in the base unit 6 be integrated and in particular a part of this base unit 6 be. However, preference is given to the illustrated embodiment, in which he at the the sealing ring 13 axially opposite rear side of the housing body 12 in this coaxial arrangement and separately from the base unit 6 is placed. The housing body 12 There has an annular rear face 42 on which the anchoring ring 10 axially supported. Through the in the mounting recess 3 anchored anchoring ring 10 becomes the base unit 6 at a backward movement, that is a movement from the mounting recess 3 out, impaired. One with respect to the carrier component 2 Total axially immovable fixation undergoes the base unit 6 in that they go through the anchoring ring 10 at the front 22 with the sealing ring located there 13 to one of the mouth opening 19 facing annular support surface 43 of the carrier component 2 is pressed, which consists of a stepped contour of the mounting recess 3 results.

The for pressing in the anchoring ring 10 required pressing force is expediently with the interposition of the release sleeve 8th applied by means of a suitable press-in tool. The pressing in takes place in the assembled state of the connection unit 4 , where the anchoring ring 10 outside the base unit 6 with radial play on a sleeve section 44 the release sleeve 8th sits, located between the front end section 33 and the operation section 34 the release sleeve 8th extends. The operating section 34 dominates the sleeve section 44 in the radial direction, so that he the anchoring ring 10 on the back with a section opposite, as the Einpressabschnitt 45 is designated. For inserting the connection unit 4 in the mounting recess 3 is on the operating section 34 exerted a forward pressing force, so that the release sleeve 8th pushes forward until it with its press-fit section 45 on which in turn on the housing body 12 supporting anchoring ring 10 is applied. By continued application of the press-in force the anchoring ring 10 in the mounting recess 3 pressed in, being the base unit 6 until the gasket rings 13 on the support surface 43 pushing in front of him.

The laser transmission welded joint 27 is preferred and according to the illustrated embodiments in the region of the sealing ring 13 facing front of the housing body 12 educated. In all embodiments, the laser transmission welded joint comprises 27 a laser weld 46 , as self-contained, to the housing body 12 and the sealing ring 13 coaxial annular seam is formed. The laser weld 46 is in a transition area 48 between the housing body 12 and the sealing ring 13 , In the 1 and 5 is by dash-dotted arrows 47 each indicated a preferred beam direction of the laser beam used to carry out the laser transmission welding.

The 1 to 4 illustrate an embodiment of a connection device 1 , which is optimized with respect to a laser transmission welding, in which the laser beam through the material of the sealing ring 13 through into the transition area to be welded 48 is directed. In contrast, this is in 5 to 8th illustrated embodiment optimized with respect to a manufacturing method in which the laser beam to perform the laser transmission process through the material of the housing body 12 through into the transition area to be welded 48 is directed.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of the 1 to 4 the sealing ring 13 and in the embodiment of 5 to 8th the housing body 12 from a laser-transparent material. In addition, in the embodiment of the 1 to 4 the housing body 12 and in the embodiment of 5 to 8th the sealing ring 13 from a laser beam absorbing material.

The laser-transparent material has a high transmittance in the range of the wavelength of the laser light used. By contrast, the laser-absorbing material has a high degree of absorption in this wavelength range.

The according to arrow 47 Introduced laser light passes through the laser-transparent material and hits in the transition region 48 on the laser beam absorbing material. In the latter becomes adjacent to the transition area 48 The laser beam absorbs, resulting in a heat development, by which the laser beam absorbing material is melted. The resulting heat also leads to heating and melting of the laser-transparent material in the vicinity of the transition region 48 , so that the two melted materials unite and form a material connection. This joining process is advantageously supported by the external application of a joining force, by means of which the two components to be welded together are pressed against each other. For this purpose used or usable devices are not shown in the drawing.

According to the embodiment of the 1 to 4 can the laser transmission welded joint 27 advantageous in the region of one of the Einsteckausnehmung 26 remote outer peripheral surface 52 of the housing body 12 be educated.

In this context, it is expedient if the housing body 12 at the sealing ring 13 front facing a radially inwardly projecting annular front end portion 53 at which the involved in the welding process, in the transition region 48 lying outer peripheral surface 52 is arranged. For better distinction, this outer peripheral surface 52 in the following also as welding outer peripheral surface 52 designated.

Exemplary has the housing body 12 a sleeve-shaped main section 54 , at the expediently also the rear end face 42 is formed and has a greater wall thickness than the adjoining him front end portion 53 , The latter is relative to the main section 54 expediently radially inwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis 16 bent over so that in longitudinal section according to 1 considered an arcuate contouring results. Together with the main section 54 forms the front end portion 53 one to the longitudinal axis 16 towards open annular groove, which expediently in the embodiment of 1 to 4 the above-mentioned retaining recess 32 defined for fixing the retaining element 14a is being used.

The bent front end section 53 is after the original formation of the housing body 12 , which preferably takes place by injection molding, initially expediently still shaped as a hollow cylinder. The front end section 53 then has an initial shape, the shape of the in the embodiment of the 5 to 8th existing front end portion 55 the local housing body 12 corresponds and is a hollow cylindrical shape. Only after the original shaping of the housing body 12 is the first still hollow cylindrical front end portion 53 bent into the desired final shape, in particular by ultrasonic action or alternatively by another forming process, for example by hot forming. Before bending is expediently still the retaining element 14a inserted so that it is present in the present after bending retaining recess 32 is fixed.

The thus shaped and radially inwardly projecting front end portion 53 of the housing body 12 defines a welding outer peripheral surface 52 , in longitudinal section of the base unit 6 viewed convexly curved.

The sealing ring 13 has according to the embodiment of 1 to 4 at its the housing body 12 facing back an annular rear end face 56 with which he attaches to the welding outer peripheral surface 52 is applied. This rear face 56 is preferably complementary to the welding outer peripheral surface 52 shaped and has the embodiment in longitudinal section of the base unit 6 considered over a concave curvature.

In the production of the base unit 6 become the case body 12 and the sealing ring 13 with the welding outer peripheral surface 52 and the rear end face 56 attached to each other axially and expediently pressed against each other with bias. Then follow the arrow 47 the formation of the laser transmission welded joint 27 with a material of the sealing ring 13 penetrating laser beam. The jet direction is preferably axial, that is to say in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 16 oriented, wherein the jet entry into the sealing ring 13 from the front 22 forth at a radial distance to the longitudinal axis 4 he follows. During beam exposure, the base unit becomes 6 and the laser beam as indicated by the arrow 57 around the longitudinal axis 16 twisted relative to each other, either at a standstill base unit 6 by rotating the laser beam or a laser beam emitting laser beam exit unit or vice versa with stationary laser beam exit unit by uniform rotation of the housing body 12 and the sealing ring 13 around the longitudinal axis 16 ,

There are several complete turns in the welding process feasible to a laser weld 46 form, which has arisen from several superimposed laser beam overflows. The selected number of laser beam overflows can be used to influence the intensity of the welded connection without having to change the radiation intensity of the laser beam.

In the embodiment of the 5 to 8th is the laser transmission welded joint 27 having transitional area 48 between one of the Einsteckausnehmung 26 facing inner peripheral surface 58 of the housing body 12 , which in the following for better distinction as a welding inner peripheral surface 58 is designated, and an opposite outer peripheral surface 62 of the sealing ring 13 , Preferably and according to the in 5 to 8th illustrated embodiment is the welding inner peripheral surface 58 from the inner peripheral surface of the already mentioned front end portion 55 of the housing body 12 formed, which is designed as a hollow cylinder. This front end section 55 has a smaller wall thickness than an adjoining sleeve-shaped main section 54 of the housing body 12 , which is the front end section 55 concentrically projecting radially inwards.

The sealing ring 13 has an annular attachment section on the back 63 with which he enters the hollow cylindrical front end section 55 is plugged in and on which the welding inner peripheral surface 58 radially opposite outer peripheral surface 62 is trained. The outer diameter of the attachment section 63 is equal to or preferably slightly larger than the inner diameter of the front end portion 55 the latter having the advantage that the inserted sealing ring 13 due to its rubber elasticity with radial bias on the annular welding inner circumferential surface 58 is applied.

The for the laser transmission welding connection 27 provided transition area 48 is located radially between the welding inner peripheral surface 58 the front end portion 55 and the outer peripheral surface 62 of the attachment section 63 ,

The welding process is carried out according to 5 by means of a laser beam, which according to arrow 47 from the radial outside at the axial height of the front end portion 55 through this front end portion 55 is passed to around the outer peripheral surface 62 be absorbed and thereby in the transition area 48 to trigger the above-described welding process.

Compared to the embodiment of the 1 to 4 this offers the advantage that the front end section 55 after the original formation of the housing body 12 , which also takes place preferably by injection molding, does not have to be transformed or bent. As holding recess 32 for fixing the retaining element 14a is preferably an axial gap, which is between the sleeve-shaped main portion 54 and in the housing body 12 inserted sealing ring 13 formed and of the sleeve-shaped front end portion 55 of the housing body 12 is enclosed.

To a defined insertion depth of the sealing ring 13 with respect to the housing body 12 To ensure it is advantageous if the sealing ring 13 is annularly stepped according to the embodiment on its outer circumference. From the gradation results in a rearwardly oriented annular support surface 64 on the sealing ring 13 located at the forward facing end face of the front end portion 55 of the housing body 12 is applied.

By limiting the insertion depth can be advantageously achieved that in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 16 measured width of the retaining recess 32 is slightly larger than the thickness of the in the retaining recess 32 immersed ring body 25 of the holding element 14a so that the latter leaves a slight mobility, the alignment with respect to the inserted fluid line 5 favored.

Also in the embodiment of 1 to 4 is the front end section 55 of the housing body 12 preferably bent so that the in the retaining recess 32 immersed ring body 25 is recorded with a small axial movement play.

Preferably, the sealing ring 13 an axially outside of the housing body 12 lying sealing section 65 that works with both the outer peripheral surface 35 the inserted fluid line 5 as well as with the mounting recess 3 peripherally delimiting wall 38 sealingly cooperating.

In the embodiment of the 5 is the support surface 64 at the sealing portion 65 ,

The sealing section 65 has an outside diameter before inserting the terminal unit 4 in the mounting recess 3 has a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the mounting recess 3 in the region of the sealing position, which is the sealing portion 65 in the use position of the connection unit 4 within the mounting recess 3 occupies. It is advantageous if the sealing portion 65 on the radial outer circumference via at least one raised annular sealing bead 66 has, in the position of use of the connection unit 4 through the interaction with the wall 38 of the carrier component 2 is compressed.

In the region of its inner circumference has the Abdichtabschnitt 65 preferably a radially inwardly projecting annular inner sealing bead 67 , whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the fluid line to be connected 5 , so that he with inserted fluid line 5 expanded and to the outer peripheral surface 35 the fluid line 5 is pressed sealingly.

Preferably, the sealing ring 13 in his holding claws 24 opposite region with respect to the longitudinal axis 16 concentric depression 68 providing a free radial mobility of the retaining claws 24 allows when the retaining claws 24 when inserting the fluid line 5 and when exposed by the release sleeve 8th be deformed radially outward. The depression 68 has in longitudinal section of the base unit 6 preferably considers a concave contour.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• DE 102011109788 A1 [0003]
• DE 102015000990 A1 [0004]

Claims (19)

Connecting device for fluid lines, with a longitudinal axis (16) having a terminal unit (4) which is adapted to advance in a use position with its front side (22) in a mounting recess (3) of a separate support member (2) and on the support member ( 2), wherein the connection unit (4) is penetrated axially by a Einsteckausnehmung (26) into which a fluid line to be connected (5) from the rear side (23) of the connection unit (4) forth can be inserted and wherein the connection unit (4 ) has a sleeve-shaped base unit (6) on which a for holding the inserted fluid line (5) formed annular support structure (14) is fixed and the an annular housing body (12) and a front side of the housing body (12) and attached to the Housing body (12) fixed sealing ring (13), characterized in that the sealing ring (13) made of a thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) and by means of at least one laser transmission welded joint (27) to the plastic housing housing body (12) is permanently attached. Connection device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the housing body (12) consists of thermoplastic material, wherein it expediently consists of a polyamide. Connection device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the sealing ring (13) of a laser beam transparent material and the housing body (12) consists of a laser beam absorbing material, wherein at least one laser transmission welded joint (27) through at least one of the sealing ring (13) in the transition region (48) between Having the sealing ring (13) and the housing body (12) formed laser weld (46). Connection device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the housing body (12) of a laser beam transparent material and the sealing ring (13) consists of a laser beam absorbing material, wherein at least one laser transmission welded joint (27) at least one through the housing body (12) through in the transition region (48) between Having the housing body (12) and the sealing ring (13) formed laser weld (46). Connection device according to Claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the at least one laser weld seam (46) is a self-contained, coaxially with the housing body (12) and the sealing ring (13) arranged annular seam. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that at least one laser transmission welded joint (27) in the region of the sealing ring (13) facing the front side (22) of the housing body (12) is formed. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that at least one laser transmission welded joint (27) in the region of the Einsteckausnehmung (26) facing away from the outer peripheral surface (52) of the housing body (12) is formed. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the housing body (12) on its the sealing ring (13) facing the front side (22) has a radially inwardly projecting and in particular bent annular front end portion (53) which faces away from the Einsteckausnehmung (26) outer peripheral surface (52 ) with axially forwardly facing directional component to which the seal ring (13) is attached with a rear end face (56), wherein at least one laser transmission weld joint (27) in the transition region (48) between the outer peripheral surface (52) of the front end portion ( 53) of the housing body (12) and the rear end face (56) of the sealing ring (13) is formed. Connection device according to Claim 8 characterized in that in longitudinal section of the base unit (6) viewed the outer peripheral surface (52) of the front end portion (53) of the housing body (12) is convexly curved and the rear end face (56) of the sealing ring (13) has a concave curvature adapted thereto , Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that at least one laser transmission welded joint (27) in the region of one of the Einsteckausnehmung (26) facing inner peripheral surface (58) of the housing body (12) is formed. Connection device according to Claim 10 characterized in that the housing body (12) terminates at its front side (22) facing the sealing ring (13) with a hollow cylindrical front end portion (55) into which the sealing ring (13) axially dips with a rear annular mounting portion (63), wherein at least one laser transmission weld joint (27) is provided in the radial transition region (48) between the inner peripheral surface (58) of the hollow cylindrical front end portion (55) of the housing body (12) and the outer peripheral surface (62) of the annular mounting portion (63) of the seal ring (13). is trained. Connection device according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the sealing ring (13) is annularly stepped on its outer circumference and has an axially rearwardly oriented support surface (64) adjoining the attachment portion (63), which faces a front end surface of the front end portion (55) of FIG Housing body (12) is applied. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the annular support structure (14) consists of an annular retaining element (14a) having a plurality of resilient in the Einsteckausnehmung (26) resilient retaining claws (24) which are adapted to the outer periphery of a in the Einsteckausnehmung (26 ) inserted fluid line (5) for the purpose of their adherence. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the annular support structure (14) is fixed in an alone by the housing body (12) formed or in an axially between the housing body (12) and the sealing ring (13) formed annular retaining recess (32). Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that the connection unit (4) has an anchoring ring (10) provided for its fastening in the fastening recess (3) of the carrier component (2), which expediently is supported on a rear end face (42) of the housing body (12) and Housing body (12) with at least one for positive engagement in the mounting recess (3) delimiting wall (38) of the support member (2) provided radially projecting anchoring projection (37). Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 15 , characterized in that in the housing body (12) for releasably operating the support structure (14) serving release sleeve (8) is axially displaceably mounted, which protrudes with an actuating portion (34) from the back of the housing body (12) and expediently in the Housing body (12) is engaged. Connecting device according to one of Claims 1 to 16 , characterized in that the carrier component (2) belongs to the connecting device (1) and has a with the mounting recess (3) communicating fluid channel (11). Method for producing a connecting device for fluid lines, which has a longitudinal axis (16) having a terminal unit (4) which is adapted to advance in a position of use with its front side (22) in a mounting recess (3) of a separate support member (2) used and to be attached to the support member (2), wherein the connection unit (4) is penetrated axially by a Einsteckausnehmung (26) into which a fluid line to be connected (5) from the rear side (23) of the connection unit (4) can be inserted forth and wherein the connection unit (4) has a sleeve-shaped base unit (6) on which an annular retaining structure (14) designed to hold the inserted fluid line (5) is fixed and which has an annular housing body (12) and a front face on the housing body (12). 12) and attached to the housing body (12) fixed sealing ring (13), characterized in that una The sealing ring (13) made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and the housing body (12) are made of plastic and then the sealing ring (13) and the housing body (12) are non-detachably fastened together by means of laser transmission welding. Method according to Claim 19 , characterized in that the connecting device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 18 is trained.

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