EP4185800A1

EP4185800A1 - Connector for insertion into a receiving recess of a housing

Info

Publication number: EP4185800A1
Application number: EP21736550.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marc Peron; Francois DOLIVET; Sebastien PAITRY
Original assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
Current assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2020-07-21
Filing date: 2021-06-21
Publication date: 2023-05-31
Also published as: CN116194700A; US20230265954A1; KR20230020531A; DE102020119170A1; WO2022017706A1; JP2023534710A

Abstract

According to the invention, in a connector for insertion into a receiving recess of a housing, having a spigot with a flow channel formed therein, which flow channel extends as far as a front-side end of the spigot and is surrounded by a lateral surface, a clamping ring surrounds the lateral surface with at least one circumferentially arranged predetermined breaking point on the front-side end, wherein the clamping ring is designed such that the at least one predetermined breaking point is broken by an axial force acting on the clamping ring and directed towards the front-side end, so that the clamping ring can be slid fully over the lateral surface as the result of an enlargement of outer diameter of said ring.

Description

Connector for plugging into a receiving recess of a housing

The invention relates to a connector for plugging into a receiving recess of a housing according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a coupling which has such a connector and a housing with a receiving recess.

Various connectors and couplings for connecting fluid-carrying components are known. Usually these are adapted to the fluid in question, the expected pressure, installation conditions and the like. It is known, inter alia, from the automotive industry to prefabricate assemblies, transport them to a final assembly line and install them there in the course of final assembly. If such an assembly has, for example, a connector that is inserted in a receiving recess, its spatial alignment may sometimes be desired to simplify installation of the assembly.

Known couplings for connecting fluid-carrying components can have a plug-in connector and a housing with a receiving recess for receiving the connector. If the connector is simply inserted into the receiving recess and aligned, the alignment can change during transport due to transport-related vibrations or the like

to change. It is known to lock the alignment of the connector after plugging it in to secure it from twisting. However, this affects the manufacture of the housing in particular with the receiving recess, since additional precautions must be taken to prevent rotation. A simple production of the housing that can be carried out with a lathe is to be supplemented by additional, cost-intensive processing steps.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a reliably alignable connector that can be introduced into a receiving recess of a housing, the manufacture of the housing or the receiving recess being as simple as possible and preferably only possible by using a lathe machine.

Main features of the invention are set out in the characterizing part of claim 1. Designs are the subject of claims 2 to 11.

In a connector for insertion into a receiving recess of a housing, having a socket with a flow channel formed therein, which extends to a front end of the socket and is surrounded by a lateral surface, it is provided according to the invention that a clamping ring with at least one circumferentially arranged The predetermined breaking point at the front end surrounds the lateral surface, with the clamping ring being designed so that the at least one predetermined breaking point breaks through an axial force acting on the clamping ring and directed towards the front end, so that the clamping ring completely hits the lateral surface with an enlargement of an outer diameter can be postponed.

The socket can in particular be a tubular element with one or more circular cross-sections. The socket serves to be inserted into a complementary shaped receiving recess, so that a fluid can flow from a component connected to the socket into a component connected to the housing. For this purpose, the socket has a flow channel which extends axially through the socket.

The clamping ring is arranged on the lateral surface at the front. For example, only an edge or a narrow edge area of the clamping ring can be arranged on the lateral surface, so that the clamping ring is held on the lateral surface but does not yet substantially surround the lateral surface. Before being inserted into the receiving recess, the connector can accordingly form an assembly in which the two components in the form of the clamping ring and the connecting piece are connected. A predetermined breaking point is a targeted weakening of a peripheral area of the clamping ring. This makes it possible for the clamping ring to break in the circumferential direction and increase its diameter.

The socket is preferably at least partially conical in shape and consequently has at least a slight widening in the axial direction facing away from the front end. If the clamping ring is subjected to an axial force in the direction of the socket by inserting the connector into the receiving recess, it is pushed onto the socket. Due to the widening of the connecting piece, a mechanical stress arises in the clamping ring in the circumferential direction, which leads to the breaking of the at least one predetermined breaking point. If at least one predetermined breaking point is broken, the clamping ring can enlarge and can be slid onto the lateral surface until it lies completely on the lateral surface. By sliding the clamping ring onto the lateral surface, the maximum outer diameter of the combination of lateral surface and clamping ring can increase, so that a clamping effect of the socket in the receiving recess is achieved. The dimensions of the clamping ring, the socket and the receiving recess are to be adjusted in such a way that the socket can be pushed completely into the receiving recess and the desired clamping effect can be achieved.

The clamping ring allows the connection piece to be clamped in the receiving recess of a housing, so that there is a non-rotatable connection between the connector and the housing. Due to the design of the connector, it is not necessary to implement additional lateral bores, slots or other precautions on the receiving recess, with which a non-rotatable locking of the connector in the receiving recess is achieved. Consequently, the receiving recess can be manufactured very easily using a lathe and no costly additional work needs to be carried out. Consequently, in particular a housing made of a metallic material can be produced inexpensively. However, the connector could be made of a plastics material and both the spigot and the collet could be injection molded.

In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping ring is formed in one piece with the connecting piece and a transition area between the clamping ring and the connecting piece is weakened in order to provide the at least one predetermined breaking point. Through the targeted weakening of the transition area, the clamping ring can be easily detached from the socket by the action of an axial force. One advantage is that the clamping ring is already correctly aligned and ready for use when the connector is ready. It is preferred that the transition area comprises webs spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and/or a reduced material thickness. The clamping ring could be connected to the connecting piece by a few webs spaced apart from one another, so that the clamping ring is precisely positioned and only a slight compressive force in the axial direction leads to the loosening of the clamping ring. The spacing of the webs in the circumferential direction can significantly exceed the width of the webs. Equally, the material thickness in the transition area can be reduced in such a way that the compressive force is sufficient to loosen the clamping ring.

It is preferred that the at least one predetermined breaking point has at least one slot that extends in an axial direction. The slot runs radially through the entire material thickness of the clamping ring. It can extend along a straight, a curved and/or a jagged line, preferably in the axial direction. The slot could be made integrally, for example during injection molding, or then realized by sawing in a clamping ring that is closed after manufacture. Depending on the dimensioning of the slot and in particular its axial extension, the circumferential force required for breaking, which is caused by the axial force on the end face, can be controlled.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the slot is closed at the front. The assembly consisting of the connecting piece and the clamping ring consequently has a closed, annular surface and can be inserted into the receiving recess without tilting. The slot therefore extends in this variant in the axial direction not completely through the clamping ring and there remains a circumferential direction in order to two adjacent segments of the clamping ring bridging connecting section, which acts as a predetermined breaking point. The slot can taper in the direction of the connecting section or widen from the connecting section in the opposite axial direction, which supports the targeted breaking of the connecting section. The axial force that must be exceeded in order for the clamping ring to break open is determined by the dimensioning of the connecting section and the shape of the slot.

In order to widen the clamping ring, it makes sense for the lateral surface to taper at least in certain areas in the direction of the end face. When the clamping ring is pushed on in the opposite axial direction, its inner surface consequently expands, which leads to the breaking of the at least one predetermined breaking point, so that the clamping ring can be pushed further onto the lateral surface. The socket is consequently conical in shape, at least in certain areas.

In addition, the clamping ring can be designed as a separate component. The clamping ring could be made of a different, for example, slightly softer material than the socket. This improves the function of the at least one predetermined breaking point and the shape of the socket can be maintained. At least one sealing ring is particularly preferably inserted into the clamping ring on the inside. When the socket is pushed into the receiving recess, sealing can take place at the same time and the separate work step of inserting sealing rings when assembling the connector can be saved.

It is advantageous if the at least one sealing ring is axially adjacent to the front end of the socket or is axially spaced from it. The socket supports the introduction of the at least one sealing ring since the clamping ring can be pushed onto the lateral surface and the at least one sealing ring is held by the end face of the socket. The at least one sealing ring can be dimensioned such that when the connector is inserted into the receiving recess, the at least one sealing ring is pressed flush and into a sealing seat with a slight axial compressive force.

In addition, it is preferred that at least one radially resilient latching element is arranged on or on the jacket surface for locking in a circumferential groove of the receiving recess. The connector can thereby be locked in a pushed-in state in the axial direction. The at least one latching element is arranged in such a way that at a predetermined insertion depth, the latching element snaps radially into a circumferential groove of the housing. To establish the connection between the connector and the receiving recess, it is therefore sufficient to plug in the connector.

The invention further relates to a coupling, comprising a connector according to the preceding description and a housing with a receiving recess, the receiving recess being formed complementary to the connector. The housing can be made of a different material than the connector. For example, it may be advisable to combine the housing made of a metallic material with a connector made of a plastic. The design of the invention results in an easy-to-manufacture housing, the sen essential features for the connection to the connector by a lathe forth are adjustable.

It is preferred that the receiving recess has a clamping section with an inner surface and a radial shoulder, the inner surface having a diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the clamping ring in the relaxed state. The clamping ring can be brought to a stop and held in place by the paragraph. Pressing the connector in the direction of the receiving recess then leads to a relative movement of the Stut zens and the clamping ring. Due to the diameter ratio, a wedge effect can occur Clamping of the socket occurs when the socket is inserted to the intended depth.

In addition, the receiving recess could have a peripheral groove adjacent to a housing end face for receiving radially resilient latching elements. As mentioned above, an additional axial fixation can be achieved in this way. By using a circumferential groove, the locking elements can engage in any rotary position.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 a coupling in a side section with separate connector and Ge housing,

Fig. 2 shows the coupling in a side section with the connector partially inserted into the housing,

Fig. 3 shows the coupling in a side section with the connector fully inserted into the housing,

4 the connector in a perspective view,

5 shows the connector in a side section without sealing rings,

6 shows the connector in a perspective view with the clamping ring broken open,

7 shows the connector in a perspective view with two predetermined breaking points in the clamping ring,

8 shows the connector in a perspective view with four latching elements, and

Figures 9 and 10 show a modified connector in two perspective views.

Fig. 1 shows a coupling 2 with a connector 4 and a housing 6. The connector 4 has a socket 8 in which a flow channel 10 is formed. The connecting piece 8 has a front end 12 from which a fluid flowing through the flow channel 10 provides fluid. A lateral surface 14 surrounds the flow channel 10. A clamping ring 16 is arranged with an edge on the front end 12 on the lateral surface 14. The clamping ring 16 can be a separately manufactured component or is manufactured integrally with the socket 8 . In the latter case, it could be useful to realize only very fine connecting bridges between the clamping ring 16 and the socket 12, so that the clamping ring 16 can be detached from the socket 8 by the slight application of an axial force. As further explained below, the clamping ring 16 has at least one circumferential predetermined breaking point, which is not shown in this Dar position.

In the unstressed state shown here, the clamping ring 16 has an outer diameter D1. On the inside, two sealing rings 18 and 20 are placed in the clamping ring 16 as an example. The sealing ring 20 is directly adjacent to the front end 12 of the socket 8 .

A receiving recess 22 is provided in the housing 6 . This is shaped to complement the socket 8 . A clamping portion 24 is provided therein having an inner surface 26 and a radial shoulder 28 ei NEN. The paragraph 28 is used to come with a face 30 of the clamping rings 16 in surface contact. In this case, an inside diameter of the inner surface 26 is approximately identical to D1 or exceeds it by a customary fitting dimension.

Furthermore, a circumferential groove 32 is provided, which is arranged adjacent to a housing end face 34 . The connecting piece 8 has radially resilient latching elements 36 which, after the connecting piece 8 has been fully inserted into the receiving recess 22, engage with the circumferential groove 32. The circumferential groove 32 here extends over the entire circumference of the receiving recess 22, so that the rotational orientation of the connecting piece 8 is irrelevant for the function of the latching of the latching elements 36.

Fig. 2 shows the process of inserting the socket 8 into the receiving recess 22. In the state shown in Fig. 2, the end face 30 of the clamping ring 16 touches the paragraph 28 Leich tes pressing the socket 8 this connection can be solved. As further illustrated below, the action of an axial force on the clamping ring 16 also leads to at least one predetermined breaking point separating, so that the clamping ring 16 can be pushed further onto the lateral surface 14 .

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting piece 8 or the lateral surface 14 has a slightly conical shape in places, so that the diameter of the lateral surface 14 widens slightly from the end face 12 . The clamping ring 16 consequently increases its outer diameter from D1 to D2 by being pushed onto the socket 8 . This is ersicht in Fig. 3 Lich. There, the clamping ring 16 is pushed far onto the lateral surface 14 and has an outer diameter D2 that is larger than the diameter D1 in the relaxed state Fig. 1. Since the cross section of the receiving recess 22 is completely filled, at least locally, and the material of the clamping ring 16 is radially pressed, a wedge effect occurs between the inner surface 26 and the lateral surface 14. The clamping ring 16 consequently acts as a kind of wedge and the socket 4 is seated non-rotatable in the receiving recess 22.

Fig. 4 shows the connector 4 in a perspective view. Here the clamping ring 16 is placed on the socket 8, so that the socket 8 and the clamping ring 16 form a coherent assembly that is easy to assemble and handle. A predetermined breaking point 38 in the form of a slot 40 is provided on an outer surface of the clamping ring 16 . This is closed at the end 30 . For this purpose, a narrow web 42 is provided, for example, through which the slot 40 does not extend in the radial and axial direction. In addition to this, the slot 40 is designed to widen in the axial direction from the end face 30 , so that the mechanical stress required for breaking is concentrated in the area of the web 42 . When the clamping ring 16 is pushed onto the socket 8, the area of the slot 40 facing away from the web 42 is consequently pulled apart and the web 42 breaks. In the example shown, the connector 4 has two diametrically opposed latching elements 36 which can latch in the circumferential groove 32 .

As shown in FIG. 5, two predetermined breaking points 38 can also be provided in the form of two slots 40, which are arranged diametrically at opposite circumferential locations of the clamping rings 16.

6 shows a modified variant of the connector 4 with a single predetermined breaking point 38, but instead four latching elements 36 distributed over the circumference. Larger axial forces can thus be absorbed in the latched state.

7 once again shows the connector 4 in a side section without the sealing rings 18 and 20 in a delivery state in which the clamping ring 16 partially rests on the lateral surface 14 . The socket 8 widens directly adjacent thereto, so that the clamping ring 16 increases its inner diameter and consequently also its outer diameter.

Furthermore, FIG. 8 shows the clamping ring 16 pushed on completely, with the predetermined breaking point 38 being broken open here. The front end 12 of the socket 8 protrudes from the clamping ring 16. At the point of fracture it can be seen that the clamping ring 16 has expanded significantly, which leads to the wedge effect shown above when the connector 4 is in the receiving recess 22. 9 and 10 show a modified connector 44, which has a slightly different clamping ring 46, which is made with the nozzle 8 in one piece. A predetermined breaking point 50 is formed in a transition region 48 by weakening the material. This can be realized by arranging circumferentially spaced webs that run between the clamping ring 46 and the socket 8, or by a reduced material thickness. In FIG. 9, the clamping ring 46 hangs on the front end 12 of the lateral surface 14 and is ready for use. An axial compressive force acting on the clamping ring 46 can tear the webs and allow the clamping ring 46 to be displaced. This leads to the representation in FIG. 10, in which the clamping ring 46 is shifted in the direction of the locking elements 36 and is somewhat widened.

The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways.

All of the features and advantages resulting from the claims, the description and the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both on their own and in the most varied of combinations.

reference list

2 clutch

4 connectors

6 housing

8 sockets

10 flow channel

12 front end

14 lateral surface

16 clamping ring

18 sealing ring

20 sealing ring

22 recording well

24 clamping section

26 inner surface

28 front heel

30 face of the clamping ring

32 circumferential groove

34 housing front side

36 locking element

38 breaking point

40 slot

42 footbridge

44 connectors

46 clamping ring

48 transition area

50 breaking point

D1 outside diameter unclamped

D2 outside diameter clamped

Claims

patent claims

1. Connector (4, 44) for insertion into a receiving recess (22) of a housing (6), having a socket (8) with a flow channel (10) formed therein, which extends to a front end (12) of the socket ( 8) and is surrounded by a jacket surface (14), characterized in that a clamping ring (16, 46) with at least one predetermined breaking point (38, 50) arranged on the circumference on the front end (12) surrounds the jacket surface (14). , the clamping ring (16, 46) being designed such that the at least one predetermined breaking point (38, 50) breaks as a result of an axial force acting on the clamping ring (16, 46) and directed towards the front end (12), so that the clamping ring (16, 46) can be pushed completely onto the lateral surface (14) with an outer diameter being enlarged.

2. Connector (4, 44) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping ring (16, 46) is integrally formed with the socket (8) and for providing the at least one predetermined breaking point (38, 50) a transition region (48) between tween the clamping ring (16, 46) and the socket (8) is weakened.

3. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the transition region (48) comprises webs spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and/or a reduced material thickness.

4. Connector (4, 44) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one predetermined breaking point (38, 50) has at least one slot (40) extending in an axi alen direction.

5. Connector (4, 44) according to claim 2, characterized in that the slot (40) is closed at the front.

6. Connector (4, 44) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral surface (14) tapers in the front direction at least in certain areas.

7. Connector (4, 44) according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 6, characterized in that the clamping ring (16, 46) is designed as a separate component.

8. Connector (4, 44) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sealing ring (18, 20) is inserted on the inside in the clamping ring (16, 46).

9. Connector (4, 44) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one sealing ring (18, 20) axially at the front end (12) of the socket (8) borders on or is axially spaced therefrom.

10. Connector (4, 44) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one radially resilient latching element (36) on or on the surface surface (14) for locking in a circumferential groove (32) of the receiving recess (22) angeord net is.

11. Coupling (2) comprising a connector (4, 44) according to one of the preceding claims and a housing (6) with a receiving recess (22), wherein the receiving recess (22) complementary to the connector (4, 44) formed is.

12. Coupling (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the receiving recess (22) has a clamping section (24) with an inner surface (26) and a radial section (28), the inner surface (26) having a diameter , which corresponds to the outer diameter of the clamping ring (16, 46) in the relaxed state.

13. Coupling (2) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the receiving recess (22) adjacent to a housing end face (34) has a circumferential groove (32) for receiving radially resilient latching elements (36).