DE10247684A1 - Plug connector for pipes and hoses has cuboidal latch on its outer surface which cooperates with internal groove on socket and only allows connection when connector is in correct position and has correct orientation - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug connector for pipes and hoses has a cuboidal latch (10) on its outer surface (4). This cooperates with an internal groove on a socket and only allows connection when the connector is in the correct position and has the correct orientation.

Description

The invention relates to a connector Positioning aid for the connection of pipe and hose lines according to the generic term of claim 1.

A connector mentioned at the beginning - but without assembly aid - is from the same registration EP 0 750 152 B1 known. Reference is made to the disclosure of the connector described there. The disclosure of this document is intended to be fully encompassed by the present invention.

In the known connector a separate assembly aid was missing. It could therefore happen that existing for making the snap connection on a part The beads are not inserted at the right angle into the locking openings on the other part were. This was particularly the case with weak-walled materials occur where the connector is made using tools. It could therefore happen that the locking connection was pressed into each other without the beads serving for the detent with the assigned Locking springs locked. A visual control in the assembled State whether the connection was plugged together correctly, however, there was no such thing. So you could put it together External connection do not see whether it was properly put together or Not.

The in the EP 0 750 152 B1 The beads described, which are assigned to the snap-in connection, could not in all cases - in particular not in the case of tool assembly - prevent incorrect, angularly twisted insertion.

Also a protection against twisting in the circumferential direction when the connection was plugged in high temperatures and with corresponding torque loads not always guaranteed become.

The invention is therefore based on the object, based on the subject of EP 0750152B1 to further develop a connector for connecting pipe and hose lines to a suitable receptacle, for example in the form of a socket, in such a way that a positioning aid is provided in the connection area between the outer sleeve and the socket, which ensures that the two are locked together before they are locked parts to be locked (support and outer sleeve) can be brought together in the correct position and angle before they lock together in the desired locking position.

To solve the task the invention is characterized by the technical teaching of claim 1.

This is done on that part of the connector, for example on the outer circumference of the outer sleeve (which part of two, outer sleeve and Support sleeve, for Includes a hose or tube that into a Connection, a nozzle, to be inserted), one radially over the lateral surface protruding from the outer sleeve and attached positioning aid aligned in the axial direction is that with an associated groove on the inner circumference of the opposite connector cooperates and axially displaceable in this groove with little play is.

With the given technical teaching The main advantage now is that there is now a positioning aid between the outer sleeve and the nozzle in which the connector of the invention is inserted should be proposed, this positioning aid in a preferred embodiment consists of a separate punched bead part, which with the outer sleeve of the Connector is connected and that this positioning aid with little play in the opposite groove engages on the nozzle. This will ensure that the two parts to be locked together, namely socket and outer sleeve first in seen on top of each other in the axial direction and in the axial direction for example up to half the length the positioning aid can be inserted into each other until the actual Locking between socket and outer sleeve engages and locks.

With the given technical teaching is therefore in addition to that in the EP 0750152B1 shown connector proposed an additional positioning aid.

However, the invention is not limited to that in the EP 0750152B1 described locking limited. All latches between an outer sleeve and a pipe socket are claimed, which use the positioning aid according to the invention as described herein.

Because of the function of the in the EP 0750152B1 shown connector is made to the disclosure there. This disclosure is intended to be fully encompassed by the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment The present invention becomes a special, highly effective and backlash-free attachment of the positioning aid to the outer circumference the outer sleeve claimed. This type of attachment between the positioning aid and the outer sleeve claimed as essential to the invention and is accordingly independent of enjoy protection for the other features described.

According to a special feature of this embodiment, it is provided that the Positioning aid consists of a simple stamped sheet metal bent part, which is approximately box-shaped with surfaces closed on all sides - with the exception of an open base area - and the side surfaces of this stamped sheet metal bent part are extended downwards and form locking lugs, on the free outer ends of which projecting locking projections are arranged.

With this type of training the Positioning aid as a practical box-shaped part with on the side walls extended below Latches now have the main advantage that this positioning part in a correspondingly punched out window in the lateral surface of the Inserted outer sleeve and the locking lugs on the positioning part through the window reach through and at the free front ends of the locking lugs arranged locking projections Snap in behind the assigned locking edges of the window.

So it will be a snap connection described between the positioning part in the outer sleeve and the socket, which is characterized according to a further feature of the invention, that they have an additional unsolvable Has attachment.

As soon as the locking connection between the positioning part and the outer sleeve a rag bent out of the window of the outer sleeve, the one with its foot side still connected to the material of the outer sleeve is used to be bent back into the window, which makes it a locking part behind the locking projections Latches of the positioning part rests and thus the window completely fills. In this way, the locking projections are prevented from being inadvertently except Engaging with their latching engagement with the window because of the bent back into the window Rag prevents this.

The positioning part is still essential that the molded on the side surfaces of the positioning part Locking lugs are designed to be bendable so that the positioning part can be latched in the locking lugs are pressed inwards against each other using a tool and as soon as they reach through the window, the assembly pressure is reduced removed so the locking tabs Snap elastically behind the assigned recesses in the window.

• – Am Blechteil muss nur ein einfach herzustellendes rechteckiges Loch ausgestanzt oder ein „Lappen" hineingebogen werden.
• – Stanzbiegeteil im Folgeverbund o. ä. schnell, billig und in verschiedenen Materialien herstellbar!
• – Beim Fügen gibt es vorrangig eine Richtung, was die Montage erheblich vereinfacht.
• – Position wird durch das Blechteil definiert.
• – Beide zu verbindenden Teile können aus verschiedenen Materialien hergestellt werden. Kostengünstig, und optimale Materialauswahl möglich (keine Kompromisse erforderlich).
• – Das zusätzliche Teil könnte andersfarben ausgeführt werden.
• – Hoher Gestaltungsfreiraum, durch zweiteilige Ausführung.
• – Keine Oberflächenbehandlung erforderlich.
• – Einfaches Fügen durch eine Montagerichtung und einen Verbindungsvorgang (mit Verspreizen nur eine Richtung).
• – Nach dem Montieren bereits fixiert, so dass beim Verbinden die Lage definiert ist.
• – Keine Temperatureinbringung erforderlich. (Versprödung, Weichglühen,....)
• – Festigkeit der Verbindung wird fast ausschließlich durch die Zugfestigkeiten der verwendeten Materialien bestimmt. (ohne Zusatzwerkstoffe)
• – Keine / kaum überstehenden Features.
• – Spielfreie Verbindung.
• – Geringer Materialeinsatz.
• – „geschlossene" Oberflächen / Verbindungsstellen.
• – Auch eine Verbindung herstellbar, wenn ein, oder beide Teile aus Kunststoff hergestellt sind.
• – Elastische „Widerhaken", die genau und mit Vorspannung, bzw. Überdehnung der zusammenwirkenden Features (Hacken, Loch, Blechdicke) in das vorgefertigte Loch einschnappen.
• – Durch das Verspreizen (mit separatem Teil, oder durch Lappen am Blechteil, oder Stanzbiegeteil) wird durch eine teilweise plastische Verformung eine spielfreie Verbindung hergestellt.
• – Dünnwandiges, dadurch „scharfkantiges" Teil kann mit einem dickwandigen Blechteil aus anderem Material spielfrei verbunden werden.
• – Ausbuchtung, damit keine überstehenden Komponentenabschnitte entstehen.

The following advantages are achieved with a positioning aid according to the present invention:

• - Only a rectangular hole that is easy to produce has to be punched out of the sheet metal part or a “rag” bent into it.
• - Punched bent part in the follow-up assembly or similar quickly, cheaply and in different materials can be produced!
• - When joining, there is primarily one direction, which considerably simplifies assembly.
• - Position is defined by the sheet metal part.
• - Both parts to be connected can be made of different materials. Inexpensive and optimal material selection possible (no compromises required).
• - The additional part could be executed in different colors.
• - High design freedom, thanks to the two-part design.
• - No surface treatment required.
• - Easy joining due to an assembly direction and a connection process (with expansion only one direction).
• - Already fixed after assembly, so that the position is defined when connecting.
• - No temperature input required. (Embrittlement, soft glow, ....)
• - The strength of the connection is determined almost exclusively by the tensile strength of the materials used. (without filler materials)
• - No / barely protruding features.
• - Play-free connection.
• - Low use of materials.
• - "closed" surfaces / joints.
• - A connection can also be established if one or both parts are made of plastic.
• - Elastic "barbs" that snap precisely and with pre-tension or overextension of the interacting features (hooks, holes, sheet thickness) into the pre-made hole.
• - By spreading (with a separate part, or by rags on the sheet metal part, or stamped and bent part), a partially plastic deformation creates a play-free connection.
• - Thin-walled, thereby "sharp-edged" part can be connected with a thick-walled sheet metal part made of other material without play.
• - Bulge so that there are no protruding component sections.

The subject of the present invention arises not only from the subject of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual claims.

All in the documentation, including the Summary, disclosed information and characteristics, in particular the spatial training shown in the drawings are called claimed according to the invention insofar as they are used individually or in combination across from the state of the art are new.

The invention is described below of just one way of execution illustrative drawings explained. Here go from the drawings and their description essential features and advantages of the invention.

Show it:

1 : A perspective view of the outer circumference of an outer sleeve of a connector with a positioning part before it is attached,

2 : the inside view of the outer sleeve after 1 with the provisionally attached positioning part,

3 : the interior view after 2 with the positioning part finally attached,

4 : the external view of the outer sleeve with the positioning part finally attached.

In 1 is generally an outer sleeve 1 a connector shown, which preferably consists of an aluminum material. The outer sleeve essentially consists of a circumferential flange 2 that in a circumferential surface 4 passes, whereby in a manner known per se 2 Lugs on the outer circumference in the area of the lateral surface 3 are available, which are used to produce the locking connection according to the aforementioned EP.

According to the invention should now be in the area of the lateral surface 4 form-fitting with the outer sleeve 1 a positioning part 10 get connected.

The positioning part 10 consists essentially of a stamped and bent part, which preferably consists of a stainless steel or another material. For example, it can also be formed from plastic.

If it is manufactured as a stamped sheet metal bent part, then the positioning part has 10 a top surface 11 on, from the corresponding side surfaces by bending 12 are bent out. The front and back of the positioning part 10 is through front and rear end faces 15 . 16 formed, which also consist of bent tabs of this sheet metal part.

Overall, an approximately box-shaped, rectangular part is formed on the side surfaces 12 locking lugs 13 are formed, the downward arranged in the free end and protruding locking projections 14 end up.

For fastening this positioning part 10 in the area of the lateral surface 4 is in the area of the lateral surface 4 the outer sleeve 1 a radially outward bulge 5 intended. The bulge 5 is made of the material of the outer sleeve 1 formed and is correspondingly deformed radially outwards. The purpose of this measure is to ensure that when the positioning part engages later 10 in an assigned window 7 in the area of the bulge 5 the locking projections serving for locking 14 not in the clear width of the outer sleeve 1 protrude.

Of course, it is also possible in another embodiment of the invention, on the bulge 5 to do without, but then the locking projections 14 into the clear width of the outer sleeve 1 would protrude.

In any case, it is important that this is in the area of the bulge 6 punched out windows 7 is designed so that the locking lugs 13 reach through this window and also a front stop edge 18 on the positioning part 10 at the front edge of the window 7 stops, while the rear slide stop is formed by the rear face 16 of the positioning part 10 on the flange 2 is applied.

In this way, when the positioning part engages and clicks into place 10 in the window 7 made sure that the positioning part 10 is held practically immovable in the axial direction and with very little play in this window.

The 2 shows further details of the still unsecured locking connection. It can be seen there that the locking projections 14 behind assigned locking edges 17 on the side surfaces of the window 7 engage behind.

To secure this locking connection, it is now provided that the previously when punching the window 7 resulting rag 8th who is still with his foot side 9 on the material of the outer surface 4 connected, now back in the window 7 in the direction of the arrow 20 is bent back.

The representation according to 3 where it can be seen that the rag 8th practically form-fitting - with slight bending and recycling - the window 7 fills in and lies behind the locking projections 14 who can not only spring back unintentionally.

This ensures that the snap-in connection is properly secured against unintentional opening and this results in a play-free positive fit between the positioning part 10 and the outer sleeve 1 ,

In 2 it is still recognizable that the bulge 5 increases outward edge areas 6 has because the bulge radially outwards from the outer surface 4 protrudes.

The 4 shows that in the lateral surface 4 the outer sleeve still further radially projecting centering bulges 19 can be provided in which no windows are clamped. This centering bulges 19 serve the on the outer surface 4 center to be pushed on, not shown, so that it is centered on the outer sleeve 1 aligns.

It is also not shown that the positioning part 10 in the direction of the arrow 21 now engages in an assigned groove in the area of the nozzle.

It is important here that a blunt end face 15 is provided as a safeguard against incorrect insertion.

When turning the two parts to be connected (namely outer sleeve 1 and connector) "searches" for the positioning part 10 the assigned axial groove in the area of the connector. Now would be the face 15 possibly wedge-shaped, it can happen that when these two parts are put together by force, the groove and the positioning part are not found 10 is inserted into the plug as a wedge in any other rotational position.

But now after the face 15 obtuse and at right angles to the lateral surface 4 is formed, such a wedge effect cannot occur and the plug connection can only be brought together if the blunt end face actually 15 of the positioning part 10 was inserted into the assigned slot on the connector.

The two parts to be locked together thus remain along the positioning part 10 along until the connector described in the aforementioned EP patent has been merged and locked.

In summary, it is again stated that the present invention is a plug connector, consisting of an inner support sleeve and an outer sleeve and having a latching device, for connecting pipe and hose lines to a corresponding receptacle in the form of a connector. This is characterized in that on the outer circumference of the outer sleeve 1 a radially over the lateral surface 4 the positioning sleeve protruding and aligned in the axial direction 10 is attached, which cooperates with an associated groove on the inner circumference of the socket, with which the pipe or hose line by means of the connector 1 is connected.

The positioning part 10 in the connection area between the outer sleeve 4 of the connector and the socket for receiving it ensures that the outer sleeve before locking the connector to the socket 4 and the spigot are brought together in the correct position and angle, before they lock together in the desired locking position.

It is also noted that a blunt end face 15 on the positioning part 10 as a safeguard against incorrect insertion is provided that the positioning part 10 is approximately box-shaped with all sides closed, with the exception of an open base, and the side surfaces 12 of the positioning part 10 are extended downward and locking lugs 13 form.

At the free outer ends of the locking lugs 13 are locking projections projecting outwards 14 arranged. The positioning part 10 in a correspondingly punched out window 7 in the outer surface 4 the outer sleeve 1 inserted, and the locking lugs 13 on the positioning part 10 reach through the window 7 through so that at the free front ends of the locking lugs 13 arranged locking projections 14 behind assigned locking edges 17 of the window 7 engage. The latches 13 are designed to be bendable.

For latching the positioning part 10 can the latches 13 pressed against each other, and as soon as they engage through the window, the locking projections 14 behind the assigned recesses in the window 7 snap in elastically. The bulge 5 can be made from the material of the outer sleeve 1 formed and deformed accordingly radially outward.

That in the area of the bulge 5 punched out windows 7 is designed so that the locking lugs 13 reach through this window and also a front stop edge 18 on the positioning part 10 at the front edge of the window 7 strikes. The rear slide stop of the positioning part 10 is formed by the rear face 16 of the positioning part 10 on the flange 2 is applied.

To secure this snap-in connection, it is used when punching out the window 7 resulting rag 8th who is still with his foot side 9 on the material of the outer surface 4 connected again in the window 7 bent back. The cloth 8th fills the window in a form-fitting manner 7 out and can get behind the locking projections 14 that can no longer spring back unintentionally.

The positioning part 10 is thus secured against unintentional opening, and a play-free form fit between the positioning part 10 and the outer sleeve 1 is given.

In the outer surface 4 the outer sleeve 1 can still further radially outwardly projecting centering bulges 19 be provided in which no windows are incorporated. The centering bulges 19 serve the on the lateral surface 4 to center the connecting piece to be pushed on, so that it is centered on the outer sleeve 1 aligns.

1

outer sleeve

2

flange

3

locking lug

4

lateral surface

5

bulge

6

border area

7

window

8th

cloth

9

foot side

10

positioning

11

cover surface

12

side surface

13

locking lug

14

catch projection

15

End face (front)

16

End face (rear)

17

catch edge

18

stop edge

19

centering alignment

20

arrow

21

arrow

Claims (23)

Connector consisting of an inner support sleeve and an outer sleeve and having a locking device for connecting pipe and hose lines to a corresponding receptacle in the form of a socket, characterized in that on the outer circumference of the outer sleeve ( 1 ) a radially over the lateral surface ( 4 ) the positioning sleeve protruding and aligned in the axial direction ( 10 ) is fastened, which interacts with an assigned groove on the inner circumference of the connector, with which the pipe or the hose line is connected by means of the plug connector ( 1 ) is connected. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning part ( 10 ) in the connection area between the outer sleeve ( 4 ) of the plug connector and the socket for its receptacle ensures that the outer sleeve (before locking the plug connector to the socket) 4 ) and the nozzle must be brought together in the correct position and angle before they lock together in the desired locking position. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a blunt end face ( 15 ) on the positioning part ( 10 ) is provided as a safeguard against incorrect insertion. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the positioning part ( 10 ) is approximately box-shaped with surfaces closed on all sides, with the exception of an open base surface. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the side surfaces ( 12 ) of the positioning part ( 10 ) are extended downwards and locking lugs ( 13 ) train. Connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, at the free outer ends of the locking lugs ( 13 ) outwardly projecting locking projections ( 14 ) are arranged. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the positioning part ( 10 ) in a correspondingly punched out window ( 7 ) in the outer surface ( 4 ) the outer sleeve ( 1 ) is inserted, and the locking lugs ( 13 ) on the positioning part ( 10 ) through the window ( 7 ) reach through and the at the free front ends of the locking lugs ( 13 ) arranged locking projections ( 14 ) behind assigned locking edges ( 17 ) of the window ( 7 ) click into place. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that locking lugs ( 13 ) are designed to be bendable. Connector according to claim 8, characterized in that for latching the positioning part ( 10 ) the latches ( 13 ) can be pressed inwards against each other, and as soon as they reach through the window, the locking projections ( 14 ) behind the assigned recesses in the window ( 7 ) snap in elastically. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connector is arranged in the socket without play. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connector with low Game is axially displaceable in the nozzle. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that for fastening the positioning part ( 10 ) in the area of the lateral surface ( 4 ) the outer sleeve ( 1 ) a radially outward bulge ( 5 ) is provided. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the bulge ( 5 ) from the material of the outer sleeve ( 1 ) is formed and deformed radially outwards accordingly. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the in the region of the bulge ( 5 ) punched out windows ( 7 ) is designed so that the locking lugs ( 13 ) reach through this window and also a front stop edge ( 18 ) on the positioning part ( 10 ) on the front edge of the window ( 7 ) strikes. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the rear sliding stop of the positioning part ( 10 ) is formed by the fact that the rear face ( 16 ) of the positioning part ( 10 ) on the flange ( 2 ) is present. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in order to secure this latching connection when the window is punched out ( 7 ) rag ( 8th ) who is still with his foot ( 9 ) on the material of the outer surface ( 4 ) is connected again in the window ( 7 ) is bent back. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the tab ( 8th ) form-fitting the window ( 7 ) and fills up behind the locking projections ( 14 ) who can no longer spring back unintentionally. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the positioning part ( 10 ) is secured against unintentional opening, and a play-free form fit between the positioning part ( 10 ) and the outer sleeve ( 1 ) given is. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the bulge ( 5 ) raised, outward-facing edge areas ( 6 ), so that the bulge radially outwards from the outer surface ( 4 ) protrudes. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that in the outer surface ( 4 ) the outer sleeve ( 1 ) further radially protruding centering bulges ( 19 ) can be provided, in which no windows are incorporated. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the centering bulges ( 19 ) serve the on the outer surface ( 4 ) to push on the nozzle so that it is centered on the outer sleeve ( 1 ) aligns. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the positioning part ( 10 ) consists of a simple stamped sheet metal part. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the positioning part ( 10 ) is made of plastic.