EP2095001A1

EP2095001A1 - Protection shell for liquid pipe connectors

Info

Publication number: EP2095001A1
Application number: EP07822823A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ayumi Kurose
Original assignee: Renault SAS
Current assignee: Renault SAS
Priority date: 2006-11-24
Filing date: 2007-11-22
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Also published as: FR2909158A1; WO2008062045A1; FR2909158B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection shell (4) for the connector (3) of a liquid pipe (2) in a vehicle, the shell comprising two opposite protection members (41, 42) defining a housing for confining liquid leaks from the connector (3), and a discharge means for said leaks capable of draining to the outside the leaks of liquid recovered in said shell (4), characterised in that one end (412) of the shell (4) includes an opening (413) for surrounding said pipe (2), said opening (413) having a width larger than the outer width of the pipe (2), and the shell (4) comprising tightening means (414,416,424,415,426,425) for tightening the pipe (2) and maintaining it essentially at the centre of the opening (413) while simultaneously maintaining the pipe (2) at a distance from the opening (413), the opening (413) being capable of conveying the liquid leaks to the outside.

Description

Protective shell for liquid pipe fittings

The invention relates to the field of protective devices adapted to liquid pipe connections.

The invention more particularly relates to a protective shell adapted to a liquid pipe connection, such as, for example, fuel supply pipe connections. In an engine compartment, an injection pump provides a pressurized delivery of fuel to a fuel rail. Leaks can occur when a connection between two supply hoses, or between a fuel supply line and an injection manifold is faulty or has been incorrectly installed. In this case, there is a risk of fuel leakage in the engine compartment due to the spraying of liquid impeding the operation of the vehicle for example.

A solution to this problem is described in WO2006059050 where a protection device makes it possible to contain the fuel leaks due for example to a poor seal of the fitting. This protection device comprises two protection elements delimiting a sealed and sealed enclosure for confining the fuel leaks of the coupling, and having a discharge orifice formed at one of said protective elements capable of allowing a flow of fuel towards the fuel tank. 'outside. An exhaust tip also extending from this port allows to evacuate the leaks by driving the fuel to a storage tank for example. In this arrangement of WO2006059050, the sealing of the protective device is provided by seals tightly sandwiched during assembly. This protection device therefore allows to contain possible fuel leaks and channel them towards a non-hazardous area for example. Such a protection device is ideal for fuel leaks and allows to recover such leaks. However, its use may seem too sophisticated if we just want to prevent leaks from spilling to specific locations, without having to recover liquid leaks, especially when the environment of the connection is already congested. An object of the invention is to provide an improved protective shell and easy to use.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a protective shell adapted to a fluid pipe fitting of a vehicle, the shell comprising two protective elements facing each other delimiting an enclosure for confining liquid leaks. from the coupling, and a means of evacuation of said leaks capable of allowing outward flow of liquid leaks recovered in said shell, characterized in that one end of the shell defines an opening provided to surround said pipe, said opening having a width greater than the outer width of said pipe, the shell having clamping means adapted to clamp the pipe and maintain substantially in the center of said opening while maintaining the pipe away from the opening, the opening being fit to direct outward liquid leaks.

Such a shell makes it possible not to recover liquid leaks but to direct them to a known area that does not involve risks. Indeed, fuel leaks may for example spray the engine compartment following a poor seal of one or more seals. The shell has an open end to the outside only to direct leaks to a known direction without recovering, especially when the recovery of the liquid is laborious and is not always possible in a crowded environment.

The use of such a shell advantageously allows leakage of liquids, such as for example fuel or a coolant, does not spray a turbocharger, or an exhaust manifold, thus avoiding a thermal shock. Many fittings are standardized and such a shell can also be standardized and thus fit them. According to other characteristics,

the opening may be circular and may be provided to surround a circular pipe in a concentric manner, the clamping means may comprise at least two arcuate membranes, directed towards the center of the opening,

the clamping means can be integrated into the shell, for example by molding, so as to optimize the manufacturing time of the protective shells, the clamping means comprise two membranes, each belonging to a protection element, the two membranes can be arched towards the center of the opening and each fixed on two points of the associated protection element; the protection elements can be half-shells, a half shell being substantially the image reflected the other half-shell symmetrically,

- the hull can be bent.

The invention also relates to a use of such a shell, the liquid being a fuel, a cooling liquid, an ice wash or an oil. The invention will be better understood from the following description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a profile view of a coupling disposed between a pipe and an injection rail, covered with a protective element of a shell according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the hull in the closed position

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the inside of the shell according to a first embodiment,

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the hull in the open position according to a second embodiment.

An injection manifold 1, partially shown in FIG. 1, is connected to one end of a pipe 2 via a coupling 3.

The connector 3 is fitted inside the pipe 2. The other end of the pipe 2 is connected to a not shown suction module located at the rear of a vehicle. A protective device in the form of a shell 4 is used for the containment of fuel leaks to allow outward evacuation directed towards non-hazardous areas or that pose no particular risk in case of leakage. In FIG. 1, only a protective element 42 of the shell 4, mounted around the coupling 3, has been shown to explain the internal arrangement of the coupling 3, the pipe 2 and the injection rail 1.

The shell 4 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 comprises two elements 41, 42 for protecting vis-à-vis delimiting an enclosure for the containment of leaks of the coupling 3 obtained for example by molding from a process plastic injection. When the hull 4 is used for protection of fuel leaks, the material used for molding is preferably polyamide, capable of withstanding high temperatures.

According to this embodiment, the shell 4 and the coupling 3 have a substantially complementary shape, the shell 4 having a generally bent shape adapted to a fitting 3 bent. The protection elements 41, 42 are symmetrical with respect to the axis ZZ '. Thus, each protection element 41, 42 has a generally semi-cylindrical, concave shape, capable of covering and protecting the connector 3. This angled shape is given by way of non-limiting example, the shell 4 may for example be straight . The shape of the shell 4 is able to receive a coupling 3, the protection elements 41, 42 being shaped according to the dimensions of the coupling 3.

The shell 4 comprises a leak evacuation means 413 capable of allowing leakage to flow outwards. For this purpose, an end 412 of the protective element 41 on the side of the pipe 2 extends in the direction of the axis YY 'the protection element 41 so as to define a first half-circular opening. Similarly, an end 422 of the protection element 42 on the pipe 2 side extends in the direction of the axis YY 'the protection element 42, thus delimiting a second semi-circular opening. The two circular half-openings are thus set back with respect to the outer end of the shell 4. The protection elements 41, 42 respectively comprise a bearing portion

431, 432 substantially planar forming a substantially planar peripheral rim, also called joint plane 431, 432. The bearing portions 431 and 432 are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis ZZ 'and are thus able to be in contact 431 with the other 432. The two protection elements 41, 42 are articulated to the means of a hinge or film hinge 44 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This joint connects an end 410 of the first protection element 41 and an end 420 of the second member 42 to allow rotation between them about the axis vertical ZZ '. Joint cords for example, not shown in the figures, may be arranged on the joint plane 431, 432 to allow sealing during closing of the two protective elements 41, 42. The protection elements 41, 42 thus form half-shells 41, 42, the half-shell 41 being substantially the reflected image of the half-shell 42 symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis ZZ 'of the shell 4. The connector 3, once placed inside the protective element 41 for example is covered by the protective element 42, the bearing portions 431, 432 being in contact with one another. The end 412,422 of the shell 4 thus delimits a circular opening 413 formed by the first and second circular half-opening mentioned above, able to surround and let the pipe pass. The diameter of the circular opening 413 is greater than the diameter of the pipe 2 so as to allow both the passage of the pipe 2 and the flow of any leaks. The circular opening 413 is provided to surround the circular pipe 2 in a concentric manner, however it will be understood that this form is given by way of non-limiting example and that it may be rectangular or otherwise, the purpose being to time to pass the pipe 2 and possible leakage to the outside of the shell 4, the opening 413 having a width greater than the outer width of the pipe 2 to allow the flow of leakage to the outside. The free space present between the shell 4 and the coupling 3 is preferably minimum so as to reduce as much as possible the space surrounding the coupling 3 and the shell 4.

The two protector elements 41, 42 are held together by, for example, fastening or closing means such as clip devices, or screws not shown in the figures.

The protection elements 41, 42 respectively comprise clamping means 414, 414, 244, 415, 426, 425 able to clamp the pipe 2 and to maintain it substantially in the center of the circular opening 413. The clamping means 414, 415, 414, 244, 425, 426 may belong to one of the protection elements. or 42 or both protection elements 41 and 42.

According to a first embodiment of FIG. 3, two upper half-supports 415 and lower 416 in the form of half closed parentheses symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis XX 'are located at the periphery of the upper and lower portions of the half-opening The half supports 415,416 are integral with the protection element 41 and are symmetrically extended respectively by two upper half-supports 425 and lower 426 with respect to the vertical axis ZZ '. Two diaphragms or tabs 414,424 in the form of open parentheses symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis ZZ 'respectively connect the left end of the upper support 415,425 to the left end of the lower support 416,426 on the one hand, and the right end top bracket 415,425 at the right end of the bracket lower 416.426. The membranes 414, 424 are made of material with respectively each of the two supports 415, 425 and 416, 426 and are directed, arcuate, towards the center of the circular opening 413 of the shell 4, so as to provide a vertical axis constriction ZZ 'allowing keep the pipe 2 in position in the center of the circular opening 413. Thus, once the shell 4 closed on the connector 3, it is possible for the pipe 2 to be held tight by the clamping means 414, 414, 244, 415, 426, 425. It will be understood that in this embodiment, the clamping means 414, 414, 244, 415, 426, 425 may be molded indifferently on the protection element 41 or the protection element 42. In another embodiment and in accordance with FIG. 4, the elements of FIG. protection 41, 42 respectively comprise clamping means 414, 415, 416 and 424, 425, 426 able to grip the pipe 2. Each membrane or tongue 414, 424 is integrally formed with a half support 415, 416 and 425, 426, respectively. Each half support 415,416 on the one hand and 425,426 on the other hand is integral with respectively the protection element 41 and the protection element 42.

Each of the two membranes 414,424 arched towards the center of the circular opening 413 of the shell 4, is then fixed on two points of the protective element 41, 42 associated. In this embodiment, the clamping means 414, 415, 416 and 424, 425, 426 are elements integrated in the protection elements 41, 42, for example by molding, and thus comprise two membranes or flanges, each belonging to a protection element 41, 42.

It will be understood that the above clamping means are given by way of non-limiting example and may also be elements attached to the protection elements 41, 42 not molded at the same time as these, or else be directly attached or integrally with the protective elements 41, 42 without supports 415,416,425,426.

The clamping means 414, 414, 244, 415, 426, 425 then make it possible to keep the pipe at the center of the circular opening 413 while maintaining an opening around said pipe so as to allow a flow of any leakage of liquid. Thus the pipe 2 is at a distance from the circular opening 413, the space between the circular opening 413 and the pipe not being closed.

According to FIGS. 1 to 4, the hull 4, bent, comprises a second opening 417 capable of flowing leaks on the side of the connector 3 connecting the injection manifold 1. The shape of this opening 417 is shaped as a connection between the connection 3 and the injection rail 1. It will be understood that when the connector 3 connects for example two pipes, this second opening 417 may be similar to the circular opening 413 previously described and may comprise clamping means identical to those of the circular opening 413. The diameters of the circular openings, as well as the dimensions of the clamping means being adapted to the pipes used. Thus, such a shell can advantageously be used for protecting the pipe connections of a vehicle, for liquids such as fuel, liquid for washing the windows or oil, or coolant. Such a hull 4 advantageously makes it possible to direct possible leakage of liquids to a known area such as, for example, the ground below the vehicle, which does not involve any risk.

The shell 4 may for example be extended along the axis of the pipe or pipes, to a suitable location, without risk, where possible liquid leakage can be directed.

The shell advantageously has an open end outwardly allowing only to direct the leaks to a known direction without recovering them but may also include other openings located according to the direction that it is desired to make the fluid take. The use of such a shell advantageously allows a fuel leak or a leak of coolant or ice wash for example does not spray a turbocharger, or an exhaust manifold, to avoid a thermal shock for example.

The protective elements 41, 42 are shaped according to the dimensions of the connector 3, and can advantageously adapt to several types of connection.

Such a shell can thus be used both for vehicles whose fuel is gasoline but also for vehicles using diesel. For diesel engines, the connections being larger, it is then sufficient to use shells having substantially the same general shape as that described above but with suitable dimensions.

Furthermore, there is a non-negligible number of standardized connectors, and a shell according to the invention can be made standard so that it can be used for several types of connection.

Claims

1) A protective shell (4) adapted to a connection (3) of pipe (2) of liquid of a vehicle, the shell comprising two protective elements (41, 42) vis-à-vis delimiting an enclosure for the confinement of leaks of the liquid coming from the connection (3), and a means of evacuation of said leaks able to allow outward flow of liquid leaks recovered in said shell (4), characterized in that one end ( 412) of the shell (4) delimits an opening (413) provided to surround said pipe (2), said opening (413) having a width greater than the outer width of said pipe (2), the shell (4) comprising means clamping device (414,416,424,415,426,425) adapted to clamp the pipe (2) and maintain it substantially in the center of said opening (413) while keeping the pipe (2) away from the opening (413), the opening (413) being able to direct outward leaks of liquid.

2) A shell (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening (413) is circular and provided to surround a pipe (2) circular in a concentric manner.

3) A shell (4 according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping means (414,416,424,415,426,425) comprise at least two membranes (414,424) arched, directed towards the center of the opening (413).

4) A shell according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping means (414,416,424,415,426,425) are integrated in the shell (4) for example by molding.

5) A shell (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping means (414,416,424,415,426,425) comprise two membranes (414,424), each belonging to a protective element (41, 42). 6) A shell (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that the two membranes (414,424) are arcuate towards the center of the opening (413) and each fixed on two points of the protective element (41, 42 ) associated.

7) A shell (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective elements (41, 42) are half-shells (41, 42), a half-shell being substantially the reflected image of the other half shell symmetrically.

8) A shell (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shell (4) is bent.

9) Use of a shell (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid is a fuel, a coolant, a washer or an oil.