DE102022132333B3 - Retaining clamp for a line connection and line connection unit with such a retaining clamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding clamp (60) for a line connection unit (10), having at least two legs (61), each with a first end (61a) and a second end (61b), which are spaced apart from one another at an angle of less than 10° extend, wherein the two legs (61) are connected to one another at their respective first ends (61a) by two arcuate brackets (64), which together form a closed ring, the ring being in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L of at least one of the legs (61) is elastically bendable. The invention also relates to a line connection unit (10) into which such a retaining clamp (60) is inserted.

Description

The invention relates to a retaining clamp for a line connection, in particular for a line connection in a hydraulic system of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a line connection unit with such a retaining clamp.

In the prior art, for the connection of lines and connections, e.g. connections of housings, in hydraulic systems, rivets are used, for example, which are first inserted into an opening at a connection point between the line and connection perpendicular to the line and riveted there in a further step must. Furthermore, it is also known to use a U-shaped metal bracket, the legs of which are inserted into an elongated hole in the connection on both sides of the line.

The disadvantage here is that a high level of precision is required for the production of these connecting elements and assembly is difficult if there are deviations in the dimensions of individual elements. This makes a corresponding line connection unit more expensive. From the US 4,454,632 A a transport lock for a linear actuator is known, which has two legs which are connected to one another via a collar, the collar being designed to be bendable. Further state of the art is from the US 2003 / 0 136 255 A1 as well as the DE 10 2017 221 416 A1 known.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a retaining clamp for a line connection, in particular for a line connection in a hydraulic system of a motor vehicle, which is easy to assemble and can compensate for dimensional tolerances in the line connection.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a retaining clamp for a line connection according to claim 1 and a line connection unit according to claim 9. Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

A holding clamp according to the invention for a line connection unit has at least two legs, each with a first end and a second end, which extend spaced apart from one another at an angle of less than 10 °, the two legs being connected to one another at their respective first ends by two arcuate brackets are, which together form a closed ring, the ring being elastically bendable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L of at least one of the legs.

Due to the aforementioned elastic bendability of the arcuate brackets that form the ring, it is possible to compensate for tolerances or even different distances from holes or openings into which the legs are to be inserted. This is possible because when the arched brackets are compressed, the ring is compressed at the pressure point and the legs can either move apart or be brought closer together, depending on where the ring is compressed. This means that there is less waste in the production of the retaining clamp and the same sizes of retaining clamps can be used for different line connection units.

The legs extend to one another at an angle of a maximum of approximately 10°, preferably less than 5° and particularly preferably less than 2°. This means that the legs extend parallel to one another or approximately parallel to one another, at least in the unloaded state of the retaining clamp.

According to a preferred embodiment, two of the legs therefore extend parallel to one another. In particular, the holding clamp according to the invention should be manufactured so that the legs are designed parallel to one another.

In addition, it is particularly advantageous for reasons of simplicity of production if the legs and the brackets are formed in one piece with one another. To be more precise, the retaining clamp according to the invention can be produced in one step, for example, using an injection molding process.

The retaining clamp is advantageously made of a plastic material. This means that manufacturing costs can be kept low and the desired degree of elasticity can be achieved through the composition of the plastic material. Furthermore, this design is characterized by a low weight.

It can also be provided that the second end of at least one leg has a slot in the axial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis L of the leg. In other words, the slot at the second end of the leg extends toward the first end, preferably extending over the entire diameter of the leg. This configuration has the advantage that the second end of the leg can be compressed when it is inserted into a hole or opening. This also makes installing the retaining clamp easier. Both legs preferably have such a slot.

As far as a length of the axial slot is concerned, this is, based on a longitudinal extent of the leg from the second end to the first end, preferably less than half of the longitudinal extent of the leg, in particular less than a third and very particularly preferably less than 20% thereof. In other words, the slot is formed only in an end region of the second end of the leg in order not to impair the stability of that leg.

According to the invention, the second end of at least one leg has a conical region on which the at least one leg tapers in the direction away from the two arcuate brackets forming the ring. This further improves the manageability of the retaining clamp during assembly.

In order to further improve the bendability of the ring of the retaining clamp, at least one of the arcuate brackets can have linear areas of reduced thickness which extend parallel to plane E. The reduced thickness areas form predetermined bending points when the ring is compressed. For example, when assembling the retaining clamp, the user can place a finger on the reduced-thickness area and exert pressure there.

It is advantageous if the line-shaped areas of reduced thickness are formed on both of the arcuate brackets, with between 2 and 20 line-shaped areas of reduced thickness being present on each arcuate bracket. The linear areas of reduced thickness are preferably opposite one another, so that a user's thumb is placed on one of the two areas and a user's index finger is placed on the other of the two areas, and in this way the ring can be easily compressed. The number and width of the reduced-thickness areas should be chosen so that, on the one hand, the desired bendability is achieved and, on the other hand, the stability of the ring is not impaired. In this regard, between approximately 2 and 20 linear areas with a width of a few millimeters have proven to be particularly suitable.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of a retaining clamp according to the invention, the linear areas of reduced thickness are formed at equal distances from one another.

The invention also relates to a line connection unit which has a fluid line and a housing element with a housing connection into which the fluid line can be at least partially inserted, the housing connection having at least two elongated holes, with a retaining clamp according to at least one of the above embodiments being inserted into the fluid line for fixing the fluid line Elongated holes are inserted. According to an alternative, the elongated holes can also be located in the fluid line, with the housing connection being able to be inserted into the fluid line in this alternative. The retaining clamp clamps the housing connection to the fluid line so that these two elements cannot slide apart. Such a connection can be achieved by simply inserting the retaining clamp into the elongated holes, with the ring that connects the two legs of the retaining clamp to one another also serving as a stop against the housing connection.

The invention is explained in more detail below using a non-limiting exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing.

• 1a bis 1c eine Leitungsverbindungseinheit nach dem Stand der Technik in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• 2a; 2b eine Querschnittsansicht und eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Leitungsverbindungseinheit des Standes der Technik;
• 3a eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Leitungsverbindungseinheit in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• 3b ein Gehäuseelement als Teil der Ausführungsform von 3a in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• 3c eine Detailansicht der Ausführungsform von 3a; und
• 3d eine Halteklemme nach einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung in perspektivischer Ansicht.

Show in the drawing:

• 1a to 1c a line connection unit according to the prior art in a perspective view;
• 2a ; 2 B a cross-sectional view and a perspective view of another prior art line connection unit;
• 3a an embodiment of a line connection unit according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 3b a housing element as part of the embodiment of 3a in perspective view;
• 3c a detailed view of the embodiment of 3a ; and
• 3d a retaining clamp according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective view.

The figures are only of a schematic nature and serve exclusively to understand the invention. The same elements are given the same reference numbers.

With reference to the 1a to 1c a first prior art is described. The figures show a line connection unit 10, which is essentially constructed from a housing element 20 and a fluid line 30. In 1a the line connection unit 10 is shown in an assembled state.

1b shows the housing element 20 and fluid line 30 in a more detailed view in a state before assembly. The housing element 20 includes a housing connection 21, in in which two elongated holes 22 are formed, a receiving opening 23 for the fluid line 30 extending perpendicular to the elongated holes 22.

1c shows the line connection unit 10 again in the assembled state, with rivets 40 being inserted into the elongated holes 22 to hold the fluid line 30 on the housing connection 21. This is a common means of connecting fluid line 30 and housing connection 21 to one another.

A line connection unit 10 according to another prior art is shown in the illustrations 2a and 2 B shown. This shows 2a a section through the housing connection 21. In contrast to the according 1c In this embodiment of the prior art, a metal bracket 50 is inserted using the rivets 40 in order to clamp the fluid line 30 on the housing element 20 or the housing connection 21. In 2 B This embodiment can be seen in a perspective view obliquely from below at an end region 51.

With reference now to the 3a to 3d an embodiment of the invention is explained in detail. As can be seen, the housing element 20 and the fluid line 30 are essentially the same as in the prior art 1a to 1c educated. In contrast to the prior art, however, the connection between the housing element 20 and the fluid line 30 is made by a retaining clamp 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. This shows 3a a perspective view of the housing element 20 under fluid line 30 in a state in which the retaining clamp 60 is in the two elongated holes 22 of the housing connection 21 (see 3b) is recorded.

Like this in 3b can be seen, the elongated holes 22 extend parallel to one another at a distance d1, with the receiving opening 23 of the housing connection 21 running between them. The respective longitudinal axes of the elongated holes 22 and the receiving opening 23 are perpendicular to one another. The distance d1 between the two elongated holes 22 can vary depending on manufacturing tolerances. Such tolerances can be compensated for with a retaining clamp 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. This will now be done with reference to the 3c and 3d explained in more detail.

In 3d is shown in isolation, in a perspective view, a retaining clamp 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. The holding clamp 60 is made in particular from a plastic material and has two legs 61, which extend essentially parallel to one another at a distance d2. In other words, the longitudinal axes L (in 3d For reasons of clarity of the illustration, only one longitudinal axis L is shown) of the two legs 61 parallel or substantially parallel to one another. The legs 61 can in particular be made solid, ie without an internal cavity. This increases the stability of the structure.

Each leg 61 includes a first end 61a, located at the top in the illustration shown, and a second end 61b, located at the bottom in the illustration shown. As can be seen, the second end 61b tapers conically downwards. This configuration serves to simplify the insertion of the legs 61 into the elongated holes 22 of the housing connection 21 during assembly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the legs 61 has a slot 62 which extends axially to the longitudinal axis L and in the radial direction over an entire diameter of the respective leg 61. This slot 62 also serves to simplify the insertion of the legs 61 during assembly, since the respective second end 61b can be easily compressed at a conical area 63. In addition, each conical region 63 of each of the second ends 61b ends at the top with a shoulder 63a, at which a diameter perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L is slightly larger than a diameter of the respective leg 61 above the conical region 63. Using the paragraph 63a together With the respective slot 62, the second end 61b of each leg 61 can engage behind a narrowing or a shoulder in the housing connection 21 and thus lock the retaining clamp 60 in the correct position. In other words, the slot 62 also fulfills a clamping function.

Adjacent to the first end 61a of each leg 61, two arcuate brackets 64 are formed, which together form an elongated or oval ring that holds the two legs 61 together. However, the two arcuate brackets 64 not only serve to connect the legs 61, but also give the retaining clamp 60 according to the invention a certain flexibility. The ring formed by the two arcuate brackets 64 can thus be at least perpendicular to one of the longitudinal axes L or perpendicular to both longitudinal axes L, i.e. perpendicular to a plane E which contains the two longitudinal axes L (if the two legs 61 are exactly parallel to one another are), compress or compress, whereby the distance d2 between the two legs 61 increases. In other words, the two arcuate brackets 64 make it more oval.

So if a fitter takes the ring between his thumb and index finger and presses them together, he can vary the distance d2 between the legs 61 from one another by the degree of pressure he exerts and thus possible manufacturing tolerances of the distance d1 between the two elongated holes 22 (see 3b) balance.

In order to facilitate the compression or compression of the ring perpendicular to the plane E, one or each of the two brackets 64, as shown in 3d is shown, have reduced-thickness areas 64a, which can, for example, be linear and preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L of one or both legs 61. The reduced-thickness areas 64a thus form predetermined bending points, which ensure that the ring formed by the two arcuate brackets 64 can be compressed evenly in the desired direction.

In 3c is the retaining clamp 60 according to the invention, which is in 3d was shown isolated, introduced as a connecting element between the housing element 20 and the fluid line 30. In this position, only the ring formed by the two arcuate brackets 64 is visible from the outside.

The housing 20 can be, for example, a slave cylinder housing, also called a CSC housing (CSC concentric slave cylinder), which serves to engage or disengage a clutch, for example of a motor vehicle. Accordingly, the fluid line 30 can serve to supply a hydraulic fluid to the slave cylinder housing.

Reference symbol list

10

Line connection unit

20

Housing element

21

Housing connection

22

Long hole

23

Recording opening

30

Fluid line

40

Rivet

50

Metal bracket

51

End area

60

retaining clamp

61

leg

61a

first ending

61b

second ending

62

slot

63

conical area

63a

Paragraph

64

arc-shaped bracket

64a

reduced thickness area

Claims (9)

Retaining clamp (60) for a line connection unit (10) for connecting a fluid line (30) to a housing connection (21), into which the fluid line (30) can be at least partially inserted, having two legs (61), each with a first end (61a) and a second end (61b) which extend spaced apart from one another at an angle of less than 10°, the two legs (61) being connected to one another at their respective first ends (61a) by two arcuate brackets (64) which are connected to one another form a closed ring, the ring being elastically bendable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L of at least one of the legs (61), the second end (61b) of at least one leg (61) having a conical region (63) on which the at least one leg (61) tapers away from the two arcuate brackets (64) forming the ring. Retaining clamp (60). Claim 1 , characterized in that the two legs (61) extend parallel to each other. Retaining clamp (60). Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the legs (61) and the brackets (64) are formed in one piece with each other. Retaining clamp (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material. Retaining clamp (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (61b) of at least one leg (61) has a slot (62) in the axial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis L of the leg (61). Retaining clamp (60) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the arcuate brackets (64) has linear thickness-reduced regions (64a) which extend parallel to a plane E which contains the two longitudinal axes L of the legs (61). . Retaining clamp (60). Claim 6 , characterized in that the line-shaped thickness-reduced areas (64a) are formed on both of the arcuate brackets (64a), with between 2 and 20 lines on each arcuate bracket (64). shaped thickness-reduced areas (64a) are present. Retaining clamp (60). Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the linear thickness-reduced areas (64a) are formed at equal distances from one another. Line connection unit (10), comprising a fluid line (30) and a housing element (20) with a housing connection (21) into which the fluid line (30) can be at least partially inserted, the housing connection (21) having at least two elongated holes (22), characterized in that to fix the fluid line (30), a retaining clamp (60) according to at least one of the preceding claims is inserted into the elongated holes (22).

Images