EP1317639A1

EP1317639A1 - Plug-in hose connector device

Info

Publication number: EP1317639A1
Application number: EP01971614A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Markus Huck; Bernd Halbrok; Thomas Luft; Harald Twardawski
Original assignee: Eaton Fluid Power GmbH
Current assignee: Eaton Fluid Power GmbH
Priority date: 2000-09-11
Filing date: 2001-08-16
Publication date: 2003-06-11
Also published as: WO2002021035A1; US20040093726A1; AU2001291602A1; TW499554B; JP2004508522A; DE10044765A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in hose connector device (1), for particularly simple and secure assembly, comprising a fluid-tight plug connection and a clip device (25), the axial connection of the retaining parts of which occurs very easily and which lock together on passing a clip-point. A tensioning spring in the form of a ring serves as clip element and also serves as the locking element. The above permits, in particular, low operating forces and minimises axial play.

Description

Leitunσssteckverbindunαseinrichtunσ

The invention relates to a line connector device, in particular for fluid lines in motor vehicles.

In air conditioning systems of motor vehicles in particular, but also in other systems, fluid lines are provided which connect different components of the system to one another. Such fluid lines must be tight in the long run, which also applies in particular to their connections. On the other hand, the fluid connections between the cables and the connected system components can be manufactured in the simplest possible way during assembly. There are several requirements here: For units that are to be installed in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle, as is the case, for example, with air conditioning systems and their components, access to the individual connection points is usually very limited. Screwdrivers and similar tools often have little access to the connection points. Other special tools for the production of fluid connections can usually also hardly be used. This leads to the requirement to be able to establish the connection as reliably as possible in the simplest possible way - if possible without the use of special tools. In addition, the connection technology must be reliable regardless of the respective training of the assembly personnel. This means that the possibility of incorrect assembly can largely be excluded.

In addition to the required simple assembly and the long-term stable tightness of the connection, even under unfavorable environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, moisture and vibration influences, the connection should be as cost-effective as possible. This is all the more so since there are a large number of connection points in fluid-carrying systems.

From US Pat. No. 5,727,304 a connection system for fluid lines is known which largely meets the requirements mentioned. The system is used to connect one end of a fluid-carrying pipe to a corresponding unit. For this purpose, the tube in question carries at its free end in an annular groove an O-ring which is to be sealed against the wall of an opening of the the aggregate. A retaining clip is used to mechanically secure the pipe end in the opening, which grips around the pipe end and is secured to the unit by means of a bolt. The bolt is designed as a locking bolt and passes through an opening of the retaining clip provided for this purpose. The locking bolt has a conical head, which is followed by a locking shoulder. In the opening of the retaining clip there is a snap ring in a radially inwardly open ring groove, which engages behind the ring shoulder of the bolt as a locking element.

If a pipe is to be connected to an assembly using this connection technology, the pipe end with the 0-ring is inserted into the opening and at the same time the holding clip with its opening is pushed over the conical head of the holding bolt until the snap ring engages behind the ring shoulder and the holding clip thus locked on the bolt.

On the basis of this known line connection device, it is the object of the invention to develop it in such a way that the insertion forces or actuation forces required for establishing the connection can be reduced.

This object is achieved with the line connector device according to claim 1.

The line plug connection device includes two connecting parts which, in the merged state, connect two line channels to one another. In order to maintain this connection in the long term, a holding device is provided which is designed as a latching device. forms is. A tension spring element designed as a closed ring serves as the locking element. When it is transferred to the locking position, it is first guided over a locking projection, whereby it expands in the circumferential direction. The latching projection is preferably rotationally symmetrical. Likewise, the tension spring element is brought into a rotationally symmetrical shape when it rests on the latching projection. When it is transferred over the locking projection, it is only stretched so that the same inward radial forces occur over its entire circumference. The result of this uniform force distribution is that the latching element can be moved relatively easily over the latching projection. The latching forces for producing the latching connection are correspondingly small. The connection can therefore be made by hand without the need for particularly high forces. It is therefore necessary to use such cable connector devices even in places that are difficult to access and where the assembly personnel can only exert small forces by hand. In addition, the risk of incorrect assembly is low. Experience has shown that the risk of incorrect installation as a result of improper use of force is minimized for connections that can be made with low forces.

The line connector device according to the invention can be used in the air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, for example as a condenser connection, as an evaporator connection, as a connection to a compressor or as a connection to the thermal expansion valve. Here, a connection between a device component and a line is to be established, ie one of the connection parts is on the relevant device component arranged or trained. In addition, the line plug connection device can also be used to connect two lines. In addition, line bushings can be produced using such line plug connection devices, for example on the fire protection wall of a motor vehicle. Other fluid lines such as low-pressure hydraulic lines (return lines), fuel lines, oil lines or water lines are also to be connected to the line plug connection device according to the invention.

The line connector device according to the invention preferably has an opening in one of its holding parts, in which the tension spring element is held in a radially movable and axially essentially immobile manner. For example. the opening is a through opening through which a corresponding fastening bolt (second connecting part) protrudes. The tension spring element is mounted for radially movable and axially essentially immobile mounting, for example in a corresponding pocket, which can be formed by an annular groove provided in the wall of the opening of the holding part. The tension spring element and the ring groove are matched to one another in their diameter so that the tension spring element sits with radial play in the ring groove without being able to fall out of the opening.

The second holding part, which is essentially formed by an elongated element with a latching contour, is preferably a latching bolt with an annular latching shoulder. The locking pin can be formed in one piece with the (second) connecting part assigned to it. However, it is preferably screwed to it. to To solve the cable plug connection, the bolt can be removed, for example, from the connecting part in question, which also makes it possible, for example, for maintenance purposes, to separate the cable plug connection device.

Preferably, the tension spring element is in the locked state between two, e.g. held annular, contact surfaces, one of which belongs to the first holding part and the other to the second holding part and which, in particular at their locations where they are in contact with the tension spring element, enclose an outwardly opening acute angle. The surfaces are positioned so that they hold the tension spring element in a stretched state between each other. The tendency of the tension spring element to contract is converted into an axial clamping force by the angular position of the contact surfaces, which presses the connecting parts against one another in the latching position. As angles between the two surfaces, acute angles between 1 ° and 15 °, preferably of approximately 5 °, with an inclination of the contact surfaces of 20 ° to 25 ° against the radial direction have been found to be particularly expedient. When using these angles, particularly secure snap-in connections are produced which are easy to produce and cannot be released by axial forces acting between the connecting parts. The tension spring element thus acts between the wedge-shaped contact surfaces and causes the tension of the connecting elements against one another.

The tension spring element is preferably designed as a thorus with a circular cross section. It is preferably made of a flexible material,

-β- flexibility allows a rolling movement around its central axis. The tension spring element can thus roll over the latching projection assigned to it, which reduces the insertion forces, ie the forces required to produce the plug connection, to very low values. The friction encountered here is avoided. In addition, a clearly defined detent point is generated, which is perceived by the assembly personnel, so that incorrect assemblies, such as can occur, for example, because other detent elements are not fully engaged, are avoided.

The use of an annularly closed helical spring as a tension spring element has proven to be particularly expedient. The helical spring is preferably made of spring steel and slides or rolls over corresponding locking projections with low actuation forces. The extensibility can be adjusted as required by appropriate selection of the spring constants and the wire thickness of the screw spring element. Regardless of this, the annular coil spring is in terms of its axial direction, i.e. the direction of actuation of the connecting elements is very rigid, which benefits the safety of the latching connection. While the individual turns of the self-contained helical tension spring are arranged to a certain extent in series with regard to their direction of expansion (circumferential direction), they are arranged in parallel for the axial direction. As a result, the ratio between rigidity in the axial direction and rigidity or extensibility in the circumferential direction can be made very large, which is advantageous for the safety of the latching connection.

The holding parts can be on the side next to the manure parts can be arranged. It is possible to provide several holding devices for a pair of connecting parts (one fluid channel), as well as to hold together a plurality of connecting devices by means of one holding device, which establish the connection between several fluid channels.

Advantageous details of embodiments of the invention emerge from the drawing, the description or the subclaims.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. Show it:

1 a motor vehicle air conditioning system as a schematic block diagram,

2 shows a line connector device of the air conditioning system schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, in a longitudinal section,

3 shows the line connector device according to FIG. 2, in a perspective sectional view,

4 shows a latching device belonging to the line plug connection device according to FIGS. 2 and 3, in a sectional illustration and on a different scale,

5 shows the line connector device according to FIGS. 2 and 3, in an exploded view,

Fig. Β an alternative embodiment of a line connector, in perspective development,

7 is a top view of the line connector device according to FIG. 6,

8 shows a further alternative embodiment of a line connector device, in a perspective view,

9 shows a further embodiment of the line plug connection device, in plan view,

10 is a tension spring designed as a closed ring spring, in a perspective view, and

11 shows a schematic illustration of the geometric relationships on the holding device belonging to the line plug connection device.

In FIG. 1, an air conditioning system 2 of a motor vehicle is illustrated as an application example for a line connector device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2, the components of which include a compressor 3, a condenser 4, a liquid container with filter dryer 5 and an evaporator 6 as device components. These are interconnected by lines 7, 8, 9, 10, the lines 7, 8, 9, 10 defining fluid channels. The evaporator 6 is generally arranged in the interior of a motor vehicle, while the other components are arranged in the engine compartment. The interior and the engine compartment are separated from one another by a fire protection wall 11 through which the lines 7, 10 lead. Correspondingly, the lines 7, 10 are in line sections 7a, 7b; 10a, 10b divided. A bushing element 12 is arranged on the fire protection wall 11 and connects the part 7a, 10a of the respective line 7, 10 on the engine compartment side to the part 7b, 10b of the line 7, 10 on the passenger compartment side. The line connection device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 can be used to connect the lines 7, 8, 9, 10 to the device components 3, 4, 5, 6 and to the connecting element 12:

The line connecting device 1 includes a first connecting part 14 (female connecting part) which is provided with a connection opening 15. This forms a fluid channel 15a to which the line, for example the line 8, which contains a fluid channel 8a, is to be connected. The line 8 is connected to a second connecting part 16 (male connecting part), which is to be inserted as a tubular extension into the connection opening 15. The connecting part 16 has, as in particular 5, shows a first cylindrical section 17, the outer diameter of which corresponds approximately to the inner diameter of the connection opening 15 and fits into the connection opening 15 with little play. The outer diameter of the connecting part 16 is reduced at its free end, one or two locking ribs 18 being provided on its outer circumference. These serve for the captive mounting of an end ring 19 which, for example, forms the connection of the connecting part 16 as a plastic ring with a conical insertion bevel 20. The plastic ring 19, together with the end face of the cylindrical section 17, defines an annular groove 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in which an O-ring 23 is arranged or two or more O-rings 23 or other sealing elements are arranged. The O-ring 23 or the other sealing elements serve to seal the fluid channel 24, which is delimited by the two connecting parts 14, 16, and which is formed by the fluid channels 8a, 15a connected to one another.

In order to keep the connecting parts 14, 16 in an assembled state, ie the connecting part 16 inserted into the connection opening 15, a holding device 25 is provided, to which a first holding part 27 and a second holding part 26 belong. The second holding part 26 can be formed in one piece with the corresponding connecting part 16, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 3. The line 8 to be connected is omitted in FIG. 3. It can be connected to the connecting part 16 and / or the holding part 26 in a suitable manner, for example by means of an adhesive connection, soldered connection, crimp connection or otherwise. If flexible lines are required, a tubular, as indicated in FIG. ger extension can be provided, which extends away from the holding part 26 and serves as a seat for a flexible conduit.

The holding part 26 is fixedly or detachably connected to the connecting part 16 and has an essentially flat underside 28, with which it bears in the assembled (assembled) state on a corresponding flat surface 29 which is formed on the connecting part 14 or, if necessary, on the holding part 27 is. The connecting part 14 can here be a separate connecting element or part of one of the components to be connected. For example. The connecting part 14 can be provided on the condenser 4, the evaporator 6, the compressor 3 or the connecting element 12 and the liquid container with filter dryer 5.

The connecting part 26 has an opening, in the present exemplary embodiment a through opening 31 (see in particular FIG. 5), which can essentially be designed as a cylindrical bore. The inner wall of the opening 31 is provided with a radially inwardly opening annular groove 32, which is particularly evident from FIG. 4. The annular groove 32 has an approximately trapezoidal cross section and houses an annular tension spring element, in the present exemplary embodiment a tension spring 33, the two ends 33a, 33b of which are connected to one another so that it forms a closed ring. The ends 33a, 33b can be inserted into one another. If necessary, they can be connected to each other by a laser welding spot. In addition, they can be connected to one another by an elastomer which extends their interior space at least in the region of the ends 33a, 33b or entirely fills.

The tension spring 33, which is illustrated separately in FIG. 10, is wound and dimensioned in such a way that its windings 35 bear against one another under pretension. It is a preloaded spring element, the characteristic of which can be adjusted as required. In the relaxed state, the tension spring thus has an outer diameter which is somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the opening 31. It is thus held captive in the annular groove 32 and cannot fall out through the opening 31 - even if the holding part 27 holds the opening 31 does not reach through.

On the other hand, the tension spring 33 has a length such that it projects into the opening 31 in the freely relaxed state, preferably with a little more than half of its winding diameter. In this way, it can form a latching element for the holding part 27, the design of which is dealt with elsewhere.

The annular groove 32 forms a pocket for receiving the tension spring 31, the flank 34 facing the plane surface 28 forming a conical, ie an annular surface lying on a conical surface. It forms an angle of preferably approximately 70 ° with the axial direction A illustrated in FIG. 4, ie it is arranged at an angle of approximately 20 ° to the radial direction. The opposing annular flank 35 of the annular groove 32, however, can be designed as a flat surface, the inclination of this surface being of minor importance. The groove base 36, ie the outer diameter of the annular groove 32, is arranged or dimensioned such that the tension spring element 33 if necessary, can be fully pressed into the annular groove 32, ie disappears behind the wall of the opening 31 when it is stretched accordingly.

The connecting part 27 is designed as a latching bolt which projects from the flat surface 29. If necessary, the locking bolt 27 can be connected in one piece to the connecting part 14. Preferably ^' and in the present embodiment, however, it is detachably connected to the connecting part 14. For this purpose, a threaded bore 41 is used, which is arranged parallel to and at a distance from the connection opening 15. It is positioned so that the bolt 27 finds its way into the opening 31 without jamming when the connecting part 16 is pushed into the connection opening 15.

The connecting part 27 has a thread-carrying extension 42, which is adjoined, for example, by a cylindrical section 43. Its ring-shaped end face 44 adjoining the thread-carrying extension 42 is firmly seated on the plane face 29 when the bolt 27 serving as the connecting part is screwed into the threaded bore 41. The end face 44 thus defines the position of a locking shoulder 45 adjoining the cylindrical section 43, which is preferably designed as a conical face with a large opening angle. It preferably encloses an angle of approximately 25 ° with the radial direction. Its largest diameter is only slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the bore 31. Its smallest diameter can be measured at the transition to the cylindrical section 43, the outside diameter of which is smaller than the inside diameter of the freely relaxed tension spring 33. in the sense that the section 43 is not cylindrical, but is otherwise shaped, for example prismatic. In any case, this section 43 does not touch the tension spring 33 in the engaged state.

An insertion cone 46 adjoins the annular shoulder 45 and tapers from the largest diameter of the locking shoulder 45 to the free end of the bolt 27. In the present exemplary embodiment, the inclination of the lateral surface of the insertion cone 46 against the axial A is approximately 8 °. Deviating angles are possible in accordance with the requirements for the actuation forces for establishing the snap connection. The length of the insertion cone 46 is dimensioned such that a diameter is obtained at the free end which is smaller than the inside diameter of the fully released tension spring 33. The insertion cone 46 thus securely finds its way into the opening enclosed by the tension spring 33. Instead of the conical shape, other rotationally symmetrical shapes can also be used, the diameter of which increases towards the locking shoulder.

At its free end, the bolt 27 is provided with an actuating device, for example an internal hexagon 47 or an external hexagon or a Torx, in order to be able to detach the bolt 27 from the connecting part 14 if necessary.

The line connector device 1 described so far functions as follows:

It is initially assumed that assembly has not yet taken place, ie the connecting part 16 is still not inserted into the connecting part 14. Thus, the O-ring 23 or the O-rings lie relaxed in its respective groove 21. The tension spring 33 is also completely relieved, ie it has its smallest inside diameter. However, their outer diameter is at least somewhat larger than the inner diameter of the opening 31, so that, as illustrated in FIG. 5, it lies securely in its annular groove 32.

If the connecting part 16 is now inserted into the connection opening 15 to establish the connection, the holding part 26 with its opening 31 is simultaneously pushed over the conical head of the bolt .27. The annular tension spring 33 thereby comes into contact with the insertion cone 46 and is widened by the latter. The tension spring 33 rolls or rolls around its cord axis S illustrated in FIG. 10. Even tension springs 33, which are strong and generate a relatively large, radially inward force, i.e. are difficult to expand, therefore roll with little resistance on the insertion cone 46. The axial actuation forces required for this are low, so that the sliding friction between the flank 35 and the tension spring 33 remains low.

Shortly before the connecting part 16 is completely pushed into the connection opening 15, ie shortly before the flat surface 28 of the holding part 26 reaches the flat surface 29 and comes into contact with it, the tension spring 33 has reached the locking shoulder 45. In other words, the locking shoulder 45, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 11, is positioned such that the distance between the radially outer end 45a of the annular shoulder 45 (distance AI) is greater than the diameter D of the tension spring 33 (FIG 10), while the distance of the smallest diameter (inner end 34a) of the flank 34 from the opposite locking shoulder (distance A2 in FIG. 12) is smaller than the diameter D of the tension spring 33. As can also be seen from FIG. 11, the inclined position allows those involved Surfaces 34, 45 against the radial direction, the latching by the tension spring 33, which is circular in cross section, without the surfaces 45, 34 overlapping with respect to the axial direction A.

As soon as the tension spring 33 finds behind the locking shoulder 45, it snaps into the intermediate space (distance AI) illustrated in FIG. 11 and contracts there. It thus wedges in the gap between the flank 3 ^' 4 and the latching shoulder 45 and thereby pulls the holding part 26 against the connecting part 14 with great force. A latching connection which cannot be released by axial pull is thereby produced. It can only be opened again by removing the bolt 27. Otherwise, a permanent connection is preserved. In particular, a large locking force is obtained with a low actuation force (insertion force). The tightening (tensioning) action of the tension spring 33, which wedges between the inclined surfaces 45, 34, ensures that the holding device 25 is seated axially without play.

The above exemplary embodiment relates to a single-channel fluid connection and its securing by a single holding device. As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, fluid channels which are particularly stressed by high pressure can also be secured by two holding devices 25, 25a. Both holding devices 25, 25a are designed to match one another and speaking of the holding device 25 according to the above embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, they can be arranged diametrically opposite one another with respect to the line 8. The holding part 26 is then designed to be correspondingly geometrically and force-symmetrically. In addition, it has grown torsional loads. These are kept away from the O-ring 23. In particular, it receives no radial load, which benefits its tightness. This applies to all embodiments with two or more holding devices 25 (FIGS. 7, 8).

The arrangement of several identical to one another formed retaining means 25, 25a on a common H ^'old part 26 is possible since the tension spring 33 allows the corresponding support means 25, 25 a certain radial play. The coaxial position and alignment between the connecting parts 14, 16 is determined solely by the O-ring 23, but not by the holding devices 25, 25a. This also applies to the other embodiments. As a result, the O-ring 23 does not receive any additional radial load from the holding device 25 or 25a and can therefore seal optimally. The O-ring determines the radial position and effects the coaxial alignment. He thus creates his proper installation position himself. The holding device adapts.

Another embodiment of the line connection device is illustrated in FIG. 8. This can serve, for example, as a lead-through or connecting element 12 according to FIG. 1 for connecting lines 7a, 10a leading to the fire wall 11 on both sides with the respective line end on the other side. The structure this line connector device 12 largely corresponds to that according to FIG. 6, the connecting part 26 having two line connections 7a, 10a. Correspondingly, the connecting part 14 is provided with two connection openings which are coaxial to the lines 7, 10.

While two holding devices 25, 25a are provided for the holding part 26 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7, the connection can, as can be seen from FIG. 9, also be secured by means of a single holding device 25. The connecting element 12a illustrated here has a connecting part 14 with a connecting bolt 27 and two connection openings arranged diametrically opposite one another, which are not illustrated further. The holding part 26 has connections for the two lines 7, 10, which are arranged at corresponding positions of the holding part 26. The holding device 25 is arranged centrally between the two connections 7, 10, so that force-symmetrical relationships result.

A line connector device 1 for particularly simple and safe installation has a fluid-tight connector and a latching device 25 which, when its holding parts are brought together axially, is very easy to move and snaps into place when a latching point is exceeded. A tension spring, which is designed as a ring and itself serves as a locking element, serves as a locking element. In particular, this ensures low actuation forces and minimizes the axial play.

Claims

claims

1. line connector (i;

with a first connecting part (14) and with: a second connecting part (16) which define a continuous conduit (24) when the connecting parts (14, 16) are brought together, and

with a holding device (25) which serves to hold the connecting parts (14, 15) in the merged state, whereby

the holding device (25) is designed as a latching device and has a tension spring element (33) designed as a closed ring as the latching element.

2. line plug-in connection according to claim 1, characterized in that to the holder (25) e n first holding part (26), which is connected to one of the connecting parts (16), and a second holding part

(27), which is connected to the other of the connecting parts (14), and that the first holding part (26) has an opening (31) in which the tension spring element (33) is held radially movable and axially substantially immovable, and that the second holding part (27) has a n is the opening (31) einfuhrbaren extension (27) or is formed through this, on which a ring-shaped ^¬ latching shoulder is formed (45).

3. line plug connection direction according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension spring element (33) is held in the engaged state between two contact surfaces (45, 34) which together form an acute angle (α) which opens outwards.

4. Line connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension spring element (33) is designed as a thorus with a circular cross section.

5. Cable connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension spring element (33) is designed so flexible that it can perform a rolling movement about its central line axis (S).

6. Line connector device according to claim

1, characterized in that the tension spring element (33) is a helical spring, the ends (33a, 33b) of which are connected to one another.

7. Line connector device according to claim

2, characterized in that the second holding part (27) has a conical insertion section (46) which directly adjoins the locking shoulder (45).

8. Line connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that the line channels (24) is a fluid channel and that to seal the interconnected connecting parts (14, 16) to the outside in the mated state, an axially movable sealing device (23) is provided.

9. Line connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting parts (14, 16) are arranged coaxially to one another and that the holding device (25) is arranged at a lateral distance from the connecting parts (14, 16).

10. Line connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting device (25) allows lateral movements in the engaged state.