DE102021104710A1 - CONNECTOR, SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH CONNECTOR, AND METHOD OF CONNECTING A LINE CARRIAGED WITH FLUID TO A PORT OF A CONNECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting element (100) with a connection (20) for connecting a line (10) carrying a fluid to the connecting element (100), the connection (20) having a first part (21) and a second part (25) which surrounds the first part (21) in such a way that an annular space (27) is formed between the first part (21) and the second part (25), the connection (20) being formed in such a way that one end (11 ) of the line (10) can be arranged in the annular space (27), the second part (25) having a wall (25a) which has at least one opening (26) through which an adhesive (30) can be introduced into the annular space ( 27) can be introduced so that the adhesive (30) fixes the end (11) of the line (10). Furthermore, a corresponding system (1000) and a method for connecting a line (10) carrying a fluid to a connection (20 ) of a connecting element (100).

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting element with a connection for connecting a line carrying a fluid to the connecting element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system with such a connecting element and a method for connecting a line carrying a fluid to the connecting element.

STATE OF THE ART

From the DE 10 2010 010 765 A1 a connecting element is known for connecting a line carrying a fluid and with a component which can be connected to this line. There, at least one end of the line with an inner cross-section is arranged in a sealing manner on a first part of the component that is provided with a bore for the onward transmission of the fluid and is fixed in relation thereto. The component is additionally provided with a second part surrounding the first part. To connect the line to the component, adhesive is filled into an annular space formed between the first part and the second part. The line is then pushed into the annular space filled with free-flowing adhesive and fixed in the pushed-in position by curing of the adhesive. The disadvantage is that the connecting element is error-prone during manufacture and leads to a high level of rejects.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector, system and method which overcome the above problems and disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a connecting element, a system and a method that are less prone to errors and therefore ensure fewer rejects and more good parts.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved with a connecting element according to claim 1, a system according to claim 7 and a method according to claim 8. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The solution according to the invention consists in particular in specifying a connecting element with a connection for connecting a line carrying a fluid to the connecting element, the connection having a first part and a second part which surrounds the first part in such a way that an annular space between the first part and the second part is formed, wherein the connection is formed such that one end of the line can be arranged in the annular space.

The fluid-carrying line can in particular be a hose. The hose can be constructed in one or more layers, in which case one of the layers can be formed by a reinforcing fabric. Preferably, the fluid can be an SCR agent.

The first part is preferably formed in such a way that an end of the line can be pushed onto the first part. The end of the line with an inner wall can thus be arranged at least essentially in a sealing manner on an outer wall of the first part. It is preferably provided that the line is pushed onto the first part with a press fit. As a result, the sealing effect can be improved. The first part preferably has a line area, for example a bore, for conducting the fluid. In this way, the fluid can flow from the line into the connecting element and vice versa.

The connection element can be, for example, a plug, a T-distributor or a quick connector, a so-called quick connector.

The connecting element can be used in particular for connecting plugs and hose couplings.

According to the invention, the connecting element is constructed in such a way that the second part has a wall which has at least one opening through which an adhesive can be introduced into the annular space in such a way that the adhesive fixes the end of the line.

This allows the order of assembly to be changed. While in the prior art the adhesive is first introduced into the annulus and then the line is pushed onto the first part, in the present invention the line can be arranged on the connecting element before the adhesive is introduced. As a result, it is no longer necessary to ensure that the pot life of the adhesive is not exceeded. In addition, there is no longer a risk of the line area in the first component filling up with adhesive, resulting in a defective component. Furthermore, connectors where the leads have been incorrectly knocked open can be reused.

The at least one opening is preferably designed to run in a radial direction. The opening can have any desired cross section, for example the opening can be circular or elliptical. Further the opening can also be formed at least substantially in the shape of a truncated cone.

The adhesive can be any adhesive. In particular, it can be a chemically curing adhesive, physically setting adhesive or an adhesive with combined solidification mechanisms. For example, in the case of chemically curing adhesives, curing can take place by polymerisation, polyaddition or polycondensation. In the case of the physically setting adhesives, solidification can take place in particular by drying or cooling. If an adhesive with combined solidification mechanisms is present, curing can take place, for example, by means of UV light and/or heat.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the annulus has a floor located between the first portion and the second portion, the annulus having at least a narrow portion and a wide portion, and wherein the narrow portion is located between the base and the wide portion .

As an alternative to this, the annular space can, of course, also be of the same width throughout and/or have ribs in the axial direction.

Here, the term "width" refers to the distance from the inner wall of the second part to the outer wall of the first part. The adhesive can be distributed particularly well in the wide area. In contrast, sealing is easier in the narrow area.

Provision can particularly preferably be made for a bevel which widens towards the bottom to be formed on the first part and forms a stop spaced from the bottom for the end of the line. This ensures that the end face of the line facing the component is at a distance from the bottom of the annular space and can therefore also be surrounded by the adhesive.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the at least one opening is arranged leading to the wide area.

In particular, the at least one opening is arranged leading directly to the wide area. In this way, the adhesive flows directly into the wide area in which the adhesive can be distributed well. As an alternative to this, the opening could also be arranged leading to the narrow area. In particular, the opening could also generally lead to a lower area of the annular space. This has the advantage that the air can simply escape upwards when the adhesive is poured in.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the first part has a shorter axial length than the axial length of the second part. In particular, the axial length of the first part is so short that the at least one opening is located over the end of the first part.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that between the narrow area and the wide area, an oblique, at least essentially circumferential transition area is formed.

At the sloping transition area, the adhesive can flow well from the wide area to the narrow area. This ensures that even the narrow area is sufficiently filled with adhesive.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the at least one opening is designed as a radial opening.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides that the first part preferably has at least two openings.

The at least two openings are preferably distributed at at least substantially equal distances around the circumference. So the openings face each other in two openings. Furthermore, three openings in particular would also be conceivable. The adhesive can be introduced into the annular space at a number of points through a number of openings. In this way a better distribution of the adhesive can be achieved.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by means of a system comprising: one of the connection elements described above, a line which is connected to the connection element at the port; and an adhesive introduced into the annulus through the at least one opening such that the adhesive fixes the end of the conduit.

The aspects and advantages already described in connection with the connecting element are equally valid for the system. Accordingly, the advantages and aspects already mentioned with regard to the individual connecting elements can be transferred to the system and will not be repeated individually here.

Furthermore, the object is also achieved by means of a method for connecting a line carrying a fluid to a connection of a connector ung element solved, wherein the connection has a first part and a second part surrounding the first part, wherein an annular space is formed between the first part and the second part, and wherein the second part has at least one opening in a wall, the method following comprising the steps of: placing an end of the lead on the first part of the connector; and pouring flowable adhesive through the at least one opening to fix the end of the conduit to the port.

In particular, the steps also take place in the order specified. By placing the lead on the connector prior to applying the adhesive, several advantages can be achieved. First of all, it is no longer necessary to ensure that the pot life is not exceeded. In addition, there is no longer a risk of the line area in the first component filling with adhesive. Furthermore, connectors where the leads have been incorrectly knocked open can be reused.

The connecting element can preferably be one of the connecting elements according to the invention described above, so that all individual aspects and advantages can also be transferred here.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the method also has the following step: curing of the adhesive, the adhesive at least partially filling the annular space after curing in such a way that the adhesive fixes the end of the line.

Depending on the adhesive, curing takes place using different methods. All of the above-mentioned adhesives can be used here.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the free-flowing adhesive flows through the at least one opening into a wide area of the annular space during filling.

The advantage here is that the adhesive spreads well over a wide area. Here, the connecting element is arranged in such a way that the adhesive flows by gravity in the direction of the bottom of the annular space.

The connector, system and method are particularly suited to be used in an SCR system.

character list

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Verbindungselements in einem System im Stand der Technik; und
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungselements in einem System gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Further features, advantages and embodiments of the invention result from the following description of embodiments of the connecting element, the system and the corresponding method with reference to the figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a connecting element in a system in the prior art; and
• 2 a perspective view of a connecting element according to the invention in a system according to the present invention;

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

1 FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a connection element 100 in a system 1000 in the prior art. The system 1000 includes the connector 100, the conduit 10, and an adhesive 30 that fixes the conduit 10 to the connector 100. FIG.

In particular, only one connection 20 can be seen from the connecting element 100 . The connection 20 has a first part 21 with an axial bore 22 and a second part 25 . The second part 25 surrounds the first part 21 in such a way that an annular space 27 is formed between the first part 21 and the second part 25 . The annular space 27 has a floor 24 which extends from the first part 21 to the second part 25 .

The line 10 is preferably designed as a hose and has an inner wall 10a.

The representation in 1 shows the system 1000 in an assembled state, in which the line 10 is attached to the connecting element 100 . For assembly, the adhesive 30 is introduced into the annular space 27 in a first step. The insertion direction is in 1 indicated by the arrow shown. Then, in a second step, one end 11 of the line 10 is plugged onto the first part 21 of the connector 20 . Here, the adhesive 30 is partially displaced upwards. In a third step, the adhesive 30 is hardened so that it can fix the line 10 to the connecting element 100 in the hardened state.

With system 1000 assembled, fluid can flow from line 10 into bore 22 and vice versa.

2 shows a perspective view of a connecting element 100 according to the invention in a system 1000 according to the present Invention. Even though some of the in 2 shown parts already in connection with 1 have been described, these are introduced again below with an indefinite article in order to create a clear separation between the prior art and the invention.

This in 2 The system 1000 shown has the connecting element 100 according to the invention and also a line 10 and adhesive 30 which fixes the line 10 to the connecting element 100 .

Here, too, only the connection 20 of the connecting element 100 is shown. The connection 20 serves to connect the line 10 to the connecting element 100 . Here, too, the connection 20 has a first part 21 and a second part 25 .

The first part 21 in turn has a bore 22 through which fluid can flow into the line 10 and out of the line 10 . The bore 22 is formed along the axis of rotation R here. The second part 25 surrounds the first part 21 in such a way that in 2 an annular space 27 between the first part 21 and the second part 25 is formed.

This in 2 The assembled system 1000 shown is thus very similar in the above points to that in 1 shown system 1000 constructed. However, in particular the second part 25 of the connection 20 of the connecting element 100 according to the invention differs greatly from that in 1 connecting element 100 shown.

The second part 25 has a wall 25a which has at least one opening 26 therein. In 2 the wall 25a has two openings 26. However, the number of openings 26 is not limited to this, so that more or fewer openings 26 can be arranged. The openings 26 are designed, for example, as radial openings. As in 2 to recognize, the openings 26 preferably have chamfers 26a. The chamfers 26a can facilitate the insertion of an adhesive nozzle 31.

Another difference can be seen in the annular space 27. the inside 1 Annulus 27 shown is uniform, whereas in 2 Annulus 27 shown has different widths at different points. In 2 an upper broad portion 29 and a lower narrow portion 28 are shown. Between the two areas 28 and 29 there is a transition area 23 which connects the two areas 28 and 29 . The transition area 23 is formed by an inclined inner wall area of the wall 25a, which is formed at least essentially circumferentially. Even if this in 2 is shown differently, the two areas 28 and 29 could also be of the same width.

The openings 26 are formed leading directly to the wide area 29 so that the free-flowing adhesive 30 flows into the wide area 29 immediately after flowing through the opening 26 during filling. The adhesive 30 can be better distributed here. The adhesive 30 then also flows via the transition area 23 into the narrow area 28. The narrow area 28 is still so wide that there is still a distance between an outer wall 13 of the line 10 and the wall 25a. In this way, the adhesive 30 can also be distributed in the narrow area 28 . At the same time, however, the narrow area 28 is so narrow that it can be well sealed by the adhesive 30 . In particular, the adhesive 30 preferably flows to a bottom 24 of the annular space 27. As an alternative to this, the openings 26 could also be arranged in a lower region of the annular space 27. Then the air could escape upwards more easily when filling in the adhesive.

Since the line 10 does not reach the bottom 24 of the annular space 27 , an end face 12 of the line 10 is also fixed by means of the adhesive 30 . Even if this in 2 is not shown, the first part 21 can be inclined towards the bottom 24 (as in 1 ) exhibit. This serves to ensure that the line 10 or the hose cannot be placed in the annular space 27 right down to the bottom 24 .

Furthermore, an end of the first part 21 may have a taper as shown. This narrowing allows the line 10 to be pushed open more easily. The line 10 is widened when pushed open, so that there is a pressure between the inner wall 10a and an outer wall of the first part 21 . This results in a particularly good sealing effect.

The structural differences described also lead to a completely different assembly. In a first step, the line 10 is arranged on the connection 20 . In this case, one end 11 of the line 10 is plugged onto the first part 21 of the connection 20 . The inner wall 10a of the line preferably comes into at least essentially sealing contact with the outer wall of the first part 21 . In a second step, flowable adhesive 30 is then poured in through the at least one opening 26 . This is also indicated by arrows in 2 shown and can take place, for example, by means of the adhesive nozzle 31 . The adhesive 30 is distributed in the annular space 27 and fixes the line 10 to the connection 20 in the functional state, i.e. in the dried or hardened state.

The method described has the particular advantage that fewer rejects are generated during production.

It goes without saying that in the case of the present invention there is a connection between, on the one hand, features that have been described in connection with method steps and, on the other hand, features that have been described in connection with corresponding devices. Thus, method features described are also to be regarded as device features belonging to the invention—and vice versa—even if this was not explicitly mentioned.

It should be noted that the features of the invention described with reference to individual embodiments or variants, such as the type and design of the individual components and their exact dimensions and spatial arrangement, can also be present in other embodiments, unless otherwise stated or is automatically prohibited for technical reasons. In addition, of such features of individual embodiments described in combination, not all features necessarily have to be implemented in a relevant embodiment.

Reference List

1000

system

100

fastener

10

Management

10a

inner wall

11

End

12

face

13

outer wall

20

connection

21

first part

22

drilling

23

transition area

24

floor

25

second part

25a

Wall

26

opening

26a

chamfer

27

annulus

28

narrow area

29

wide area

30

adhesive

31

glue nozzle

R

axis of rotation

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102010010765 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Connecting element (100) with a connection (20) for connecting a line (10) carrying a fluid to the connecting element (100), the connection (20) having a first part (21) and a second part (25) which has the surrounds the first part (21) in such a way that an annular space (27) is formed between the first part (21) and the second part (25), the connection (20) being formed in such a way that one end (11) of the line ( 10) can be arranged in the annular space (27), characterized in that the second part (25) has a wall (25a) which has at least one opening (26) through which an adhesive (30) can be introduced into the annular space (27 ) can be introduced in that the adhesive (30) fixes the end (11) of the line (10). Connecting element (100) after claim 1 , characterized in that the annular space (27) has a base (24) arranged between the first part (21) and the second part (25), the annular space (27) having at least a narrow area (28) and a wide area ( 29), wherein the narrow area (28) is arranged between the bottom (24) and the wide area (29). Connecting element (100) after claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one opening (26) is arranged leading to the wide area (29). Connecting element (100) after claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that between the narrow area (28) and the wide area (29) an inclined at least substantially peripheral transition area (23) is formed. Connecting element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one opening (26) is designed as a radial opening. Connecting element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (21) preferably has at least two openings (26). A system (1000) comprising: - a connector (100) according to any one of Claims 1 until 6 ; - a line (10) connected to the connector (100) at the port (20); and - an adhesive (30), which is introduced through the at least one opening (26) into the annular space (27) in such a way that the adhesive (30) fixes the end (11) of the line (10). Method for connecting a line (10) carrying a fluid to a connection (20) of a connecting element (100), the connector (20) having a first part (21) and a second part (25) surrounding the first part (21), an annular space (27) being formed between the first part (21) and the second part (25). , and wherein the second part (25) has at least one opening (26) in a wall (25a), the method comprising the following steps: - arranging one end (11) of the lead (10) on the first part (21) of the connector (20); and - Filling flowable adhesive (30) through the at least one opening (26) in order to fix the end (11) of the line (10) to the connection (20). procedure after claim 8 , characterized in that the method also has the following step: - curing of the adhesive (30), wherein the adhesive (30) after curing the annular space (27) at least partially fills in such a way that the adhesive (30) the end (11) the line (10) fixed. procedure after claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the free-flowing adhesive (30) during filling through the at least one opening (26) flows into a wide area (29) of the annular space (27).

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