FR2839765A1 - Connection system of air conditioning circuit comprises male and female connectors, male delimiting axial chamber connected to fluid access and communicating with external annular chamber communicating with other fluid access - Google Patents

Abstract

The connection system comprises a male connector (10) which is sealed into a female connector (12). The male connector delimits an internal axial chamber (24) which is connected to a fluid access (18) and which communicates through a wall (14) of the male connector with an external annular chamber (50) delimited by the male connector wall and by a female connector wall. The external chamber communicates with another fluid access (48) so that the fluid can pass from one to the other access. An Independent claim is included for an air conditioning circuit utilizing the connection system.

Description

gearbox report currently engaged remains retained.

  Connection device for a fluid circuit, in particular for air conditioning. The invention relates to connections for fluid circuits, in particular for pressurized fluid, such as, for example,

air conditioning circuits.

  It is necessary to provide connection devices between different elements of the circuit. Ideally, such devices must ensure a sealed and dismountable connection between the elements of the circuit, and withstand pressures which can

achieve high values.

  Thus, for example, an air conditioning circuit, in particular for a motor vehicle, is traversed by a refrigerant which can reach high nominal pressures. At the outlet of the compressor, the refrigerant, in the gaseous state, frequently reaches pressures of the order of 30 bars. It is then sent to a condenser where it is gradually transformed into the liquid state before being expanded and sent to an evaporator. The different elements of the circuit, and in particular the connections, must be able to withstand nominal values

  which typically winds around 100 bars.

  There are already known connection devices which include a male connector arranged to be received sealed in a female connector to provide what is called a "quick connector"

  which allows you to connect different elements of the circuit.

  Such quick couplings are used, for example, to connect a conduit such as a flexible hose to a tubing of a

heat exchanger.

  As these connections must withstand high pressures, it is often necessary to provide mechanical means intended to prevent any risk of disconnection of the male connector and the female connector. On the other hand, in an air conditioning circuit, as defined above, the condenser is usually provided with a

  fluid reservoir, also known as a "bottle".

  Generally, this reservoir forming a buffer is relic at the outlet of a first part of the condenser, in which the fluid is condensed, and a second part of the condenser, in

  which the condensed fluid is then sub-cooled.

  Thus, the refrigerant fluid, in gaseous state, is first condensed in the first part of the condenser, then passes into the reservoir, before gaining the second part of the condenser where the fluid condensed in the liquid state is sub-cooled. This reservoir, also called bottle, houses

  usually a desiccant and a filter.

  It is therefore necessary to provide a sealed and dismountable connection between the condenser and the reservoir, if only to allow the replacement of the desiccant and the filter.

if needed.

  Usually, this tank is connected to a base which is attached to a collecting tank of the condenser. The assembly of the tank on the base requires mechanical means

  complex, expensive and difficult to implement.

  I1 is known in particular to screw the reservoir on the base, or to fix the reservoir on the base by screws, studs, or other mechanical holding system. Alternatively, the tank can be brazed on the base and include a plug

demountable.

  In all cases, the assembly devices used must make it possible to withstand a high internal pressure of the fluid contained in the air conditioning loop. Furthermore, when the reservoir must be removed from the condenser, for example to replace the desiccant and / or the filter, it is necessary beforehand to drop the internal pressure of the refrigerant in the circuit to ensure safety.

of the operator.

  The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. Wile aims in particular to provide a connection device for a fluid circuit, in particular a pressurized fluid circuit, which allows a simple, tight connection and

  removable between two elements of the fluid circuit.

  The invention also aims to provide a connection device which allows rapid assembly, without requiring the use of mechanical connecting elements between the two elements of the

circuit to be connected.

  Wile also aims to provide a connection device of this type which provides high security vis-à-vis users. Indeed, in case of double depressurization of the

  circuit, disassembly is without risk.

  In addition, the invention aims to provide a connection device of the precise type which makes it possible to assemble different types.

of circuit elements.

  It is also an object of the invention to provide such a connection device which is particularly suitable for air conditioning circuits, in particular for motor vehicles. To this end, the invention provides a connection device of the type defined in the introduction, in which the male connection delimits a closed internal axial chamber which is connected to a fluid access and which communicates through a wall of the male connection with at least one external annular chamber jointly delimited by the wall of the male connector and a wall of the female connector which surrounds the wall of the male connector, said external chamber communicating with another access of fluid, so that the fluid can pass from one to the other

fluid access.

  Thus, the fluid can circulate from the fluid access of the male fitting (forming inlet) towards the fluid access of the female fitting (forming outlet) or, conversely, from the fluid access of the female fitting (forming inlet) up to '' to the access of fluid of the male connection (forming exit). In the first case, the fluid enters the internal axial chamber of the male connector, crosses the wall of the latter to access the chamber

  external annular and, from there, gain access to the female fitting.

  Of course, the reverse route is possible, as

already indicates.

  It has been found, surprisingly, that such an arrangement makes it possible to withstand high pressure levels, due to the fact that this pressure is uniformly

  distributed within the connection device.

  In fact, a pressure balance is achieved inside the connection device itself, since it is the same pressure which prevails, on the one hand, in the internal axial chamber of the male connector, and, on the other hand , in the annular chamber

  external delimited between the male fitting and the female fitting.

  Therefore there is no risk of disconnection of the two connections, mfile and female, under the effect of the high pressure

fluid.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall of the male connector is of generally cylindrical shape, in particular of revolution, and has a closed end arranged to be received in the female connector and an open end arranged

to form the access of the fluid.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the wall of the male connector is crossed by at least one radial opening arranged to make the internal axial chamber communicate with the external annular chamber. It is advantageous that the wall of the male connector externally delimits an annular terminal which

  contributes to delimiting the external annular chamber.

  The invention also provides that wind seals interposed between the wall of the male connector and the wall of the female connector, on either side of the outer annular chamber. These seals advantageously wind O-rings each received in an annular groove formed at

  outside the wall of the male connector.

  According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the wall of the female connector comprises an interior face of generally cylindrical shape, in particular of revolution, arranged to receive the wall of the male connector and crossed by at least one radial passage arranged to lead into the chamber. annular

  external and form the access of the fluid of the female fitting.

  The inventive connection device can comprise a single external annular chamber. It can also include two external annular chambers which communicate respectively

  with two fluid connections from the female connector.

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  In another aspect, the invention relates to a fluid circuit, which comprises a connection device as defined above. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid circuit includes a heat exchanger and a conduit, the male connector and the female connector being attached to each other.

  the heat exchanger and the other to the duct.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid circuit includes a heat exchanger and a fluid reservoir, the male connector and the female connector being attached respectively to the fluid reservoir and to the heat exchanger. In this case, the connection device advantageously comprises

  two external annular chambers, as defined above.

  A first external annular chamber communicates, via a first access of the female connector, with a first part of the heat exchanger, while a second external annular chamber communicates, via a second access of the female connector, with a second part of the heat exchanger, so that a fluid can circulate from the first part to the second part of the heat exchanger, passing through the

tank.

  It is advantageous for the male connector to comprise at least a first opening making the first external annular chamber communicate with a first part of the internal chamber of the male connector and at least one second opening making the second external annular chamber communicate with a second part of the internal chamber of the male connector, said first part and second part of the chamber

internal communicating with each other.

  In this case, provision is preferably made for the first part of

7 2839765

  the internal chamber of the male connector opens into the tank, while the second part of the internal chamber of the connector

  male is closed by the wall of the male connector.

  Advantageously, a cartridge of a desiccant is housed in the first part of the internal chamber of the male connector and in the reservoir, while a filter is housed in the second part of the internal chamber of the male connector. Thus, the fluid which passes through the reservoir is successively dried and then filtered. It is then generally noted a slight pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet of the bottle which

  advantageously tends to press the bottle on the base.

  The heat exchanger is advantageously a condenser through which a refrigerant flows, while the tank is

  attaches to the condenser to form a bottle.

  In this embodiment, the reservoir advantageously comprises a casing and the male connector is then made in one piece with at least part of the casing of the reservoir. As for the female connector, it is advantageously made in the form of a base which is attached to a box.

  heat exchanger collector.

  In the following description, made only as

  example, we refer to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a connection device according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a male connector and a female connector shown in the state disconnected; - Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1 showing the male connector and the female connector in the assembled state; - Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a heat exchanger comprising a reservoir connected to the heat exchanger by a connection device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the reservoir being represented in the state disconnected; - Figure 4 shows a desiccant cartridge and a filter suitable for being housed inside the reservoir of Figure 3; - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the state tank assembled on the heat exchanger; - Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the heat exchanger and the reservoir of Figure 5, in the disconnected state, without desiccant cartridge or filter; - Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, the heat exchanger and the tank being in assembled state. The fluid connection device represented in FIG. 1 comprises a mfile connector 10 arranged to be received is sealed in a female connector 12 by forming a "quick connector". The mfile connector 10 comprises a wall 14 of generally cylindrical shape which presents a closed end 16 intended to be received in the female connector 12 and an open end 18 forming a fluid access. The end 18 is received in an opening 20 of an element of the fluid circuit, in the example a heat exchanger heat 22, partially represented The wall 14 internally delimits a closed internal axial chamber 24. The wall 14 is traversed by a radial opening 26 which communicates the chamber 24 with an annular groove 28 intended to form, jointly with the connector 12, as

9 2839765

  as will be seen later, an external annular chamber. On each side of the groove 28, two wind grooves 30 and 32 are provided for receiving respectively two O-rings of sealing 34 and 36. These seals are formed in a deformable material resistant to pressure, by example of the elastomer type. The wall 14 is surrounded by a flange 38 forming a stop to limit the introduction of the end 18 into the heat exchanger 22. The male connector 10, which forms a nozzle, is advantageously produced by machining and / or forming a metallic material

and / or plastic.

  The female connector 12 comprises an annular wall 40, forming a sleeve, having an internal face 42 of generally cylindrical shape arranged to receive the wall 14 of the male connector, as well as the seals 34 and 36. The wall 40 is crossed by a radial passage 44 whose direction is perpendicular to the axis XX of the cylindrical inner face 42. This passage 44 opens, on the one hand, inside the end piece 12 and, on the other hand, on a conduit 46, for example a flexible pipe. The passage 44 leads to the outside of the fitting 12 on a shoulder part 48 forming access to the fluid. The female connector 12 is also advantageously produced by

  machining and / or forming of a metallic and / or plastic material.

  The male connector 10 is designed to be received in a sealed manner in the female connector 12, as shown in FIG. 2. In this configuration, the seals 34 and 36 are in a compressed state, and the passage 44 of the connector 12 opens opposite the annular groove 28 of the male connector. This groove 28 contributes to delimiting, jointly with the internal face 42 of the female connector and with the two sealing joints 34 and 36,

an external annular chamber 50.

  In the embodiment of Figure 2, a fluid F. for example a refrigerant, flows through the conduit 46, as shown by the arrow, to reach the access 48 of the female end piece 12. From there, it gains the external annular chamber 50 passing through the passage 44. Then it crosses the wall 14 of the male connector through the radial opening 26 and enters the internal axial chamber 24 to reach the access 18. Of course, the circulation of the fluid F in reverse is possible. The fluid can, starting from the access 18 of the male connector, reach the internal chamber 24, pass through the wall 14 to reach the annular chamber 50, then gain access 48 through the passage 44 and then circulate in the

conduit 46.

  The connection device shown in Figure 2 offers the advantage of allowing a uniform distribution of the pressure of the fluid F since a pressure balance is achieved inside the chamber. In particular, the same fluid pressure is found both in the internal chamber 24 and in the external chamber 50. It follows that the two connections and 12 remain perfectly assembled together, even if the fluid pressure reaches high values, and in particular the values usually encountered in

air conditioning circuits.

  Thus, the fluid F can be a refrigerant fluid of an air conditioning circuit, in particular of a motor vehicle, circulating at high pressures, typically of the order of 30 bars,

or more.

  In this way, it is not necessary, in principle, to provide means for preventing a mutual separation of the connections 10 and 12. However, as a precaution, it can be provided a security to prevent any risk of

  disconnection, for example under the effect of vibrations.

  It will be noted that the two connections 10 and 12 are particularly simple to make and that they can be assembled together quickly so as to withstand high pressures. The disconnection of the two fittings 10 etl2

  is done quickly, and without risk to the user.

  We now refer to Figure 3 which shows another connection device according to the invention, which is part of a

heat exchanger.

  It comprises a male connector 62 connected to a reservoir 64 of generally cylindrical shape and a female connector 66 connected to a collecting bowl 68 of a heat exchanger 70. Said female connector can also be housed at other points.

  of the exchanger, in particular at its outlet pipe.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the heat exchanger 70 is a condenser of an air conditioning circuit, while the reservoir 64 forms a bottle and internally houses a desiccant cartridge 72 and a filter 74 (shown in FIG. 4). As will be seen in detail below, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the reservoir 64 is interposed on the

  refrigerant circuit in the condenser.

  In Figure 3, the male connector 62 is the space of the female connector 66 while, in Figure 5, the two connectors are

assemble each other.

  As can be seen in Figure 5, a ring 76 subdued to the manifold 68 contributes to the maintenance of the reservoir if necessary. This comprises a cylindrical envelope 78, one end 80 of which is extended by the male connector 62 and the other end of which 82 is for example arranged in the form of a substantially hemispherical cap. This other end may be removable in order to authorize the replacement of the

drying and / or filter.

  We now refer to Figures 6 and 7 to show

12 2839765

  the interaction between fittings 62 and 66.

  The header box 68 of the heat exchanger (Figure 7) is formed by the assembly of two half-shells 84 and 86, the half-shell 84 receiving the ends of the tubes 88 of a heat exchange bundle. These tubes wind flat tubes, and 90 wave corrugated spacers are placed every time

between two adjacent tubes.

  The collecting bowl is internally divided by a partition 92 to delimit a first compartment 94 into which opens a first part of the tubes and a second compartment 96 into which opens a second part of the

beam tubes.

  In the first part of the beam, the fluid circulates from left to right (in the figure), as shown by the arrows, while in the second part of the beam, the fluid circulates in the opposite direction, i.e. right to left, as shown by the arrows. The heat exchanger usually has another collecting box (not shown) through which the refrigerant enters. This enters the heat exchanger in the gaseous state coming from a compressor (not shown). The refrigerant is first condensed in the first part of the bundle by heat exchange with an air flow which scans the bundle. Then, it crosses the tank to be successively dried and filtered, then it crosses the second part of the tubes of the

beam to be sub-cooled.

  To allow the circulation of the fluid from compartment 94 in the cartridge, then from the cartridge in compartment 96, the

  fittings 62 and 66 are specially fitted.

  As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the connector 62 comprises a wall 98 of generally cylindrical shape having a closed end 100 and an open end 102 which opens inside the envelope 78 of the reservoir 64. In the 'embodiment, the male connector 62 is made in one piece with at least part of the casing 78. For this, one can use a synthetic material, for example a plastic material, or a metallic material. This connection can also be in several parts. A removable cap (not shown) can be provided for the introduction of the desiccant cartridge and

of the filter in the tank.

  The wall 98 of the male connector internally delimits a closed internal axial chamber 104 which has a cylindrical stage configuration. The wall 98 of the male connector is received inside a wall 106 of the female connector which delimits a face

internal cylindrical 108.

  Outside the wall 98 of the male connector, a first annular groove 110 and a second annular groove 112 are provided which contribute to delimiting a first external annular chamber 114 and a second external annular chamber

  116 (Figure 7) when the two connections are assembled.

  The chambers 114 and 116 communicate with the axial chamber 104 via a first opening 118 and a second opening 120. The opening 118 communicates the annular chamber 114 with a first part 122 of the internal axial chamber 104 , while the opening 120 communicates the annular chamber 116 with a second part

  124 of the internal axial chamber 104.

  The part 122 opens into the envelope 78 and contributes to the housing of the desiccated cartridge 72, while the part 124 rec receives the filter 74. This filter is positioned so as to be necessarily crossed by the fluid circulating between the

two parts 122 and 124.

  Through the wall 106 of the female connector, wind feeds two passages: a first passage 132 which communicates with the annular chamber 114 and a second passage 134 which communicates with the annular chamber 116. The passages 132 and 134 constitute two accesses of fluid. The passage 132 is surrounded by an end piece 136 re, cu in an opening 138 (FIG. 7) of the manifold box and opening into the compartment 94. The passage 134 is surrounded by an end piece 140 re, cu in an opening 142 ( Figure 7) of the collecting bowl and opening into the

compartment 96.

  The female connector 66 comprises a part 150 forming a base (on the left in FIG. 6) arranged to be attached to the collecting box 68 (FIG. 7) by any mechanical means

  suitable, or by brazing or gluing.

  The seal between the male and female connections in the assembled state is ensured by at least three O-rings 144, 146 and 148. The seals 144 and 146 are arranged on either side of the annular groove 110 (done from the annular chamber 114), while the seals 146 and 148 are arranged on either side of the annular groove 112 (done of the annular chamber 116). As in the previous embodiment, these trots

  seals re re, cus in respective annular grooves.

  When the male connector is received, in the female connector (Figure 7), the condensing coolant coming from compartment 94 enters the access 132, reaches the annular chamber 114, then crosses the opening 118 to reach the first part 122 of the axial chamber 104, which houses in

  part the desiccant cartridge 72.

  The refrigerant in the liquid state is dried (loses its water) and then gains the part 124 of the axial chamber 104 where it is filtered by the filter 74. Then, the filtered refrigerant passes through the opening 120 to gain the annular chamber 116. From there, it passes through access 134 to enter compartment 96 and pass through the tubes of the second

  part of the bundle to be sub-cooled.

  As in the previous embodiment, a pressure equilibrium is achieved inside the connection, on the one hand, between the first part 122 of the axial chamber 104 and the annular chamber 114 and, on the other hand, between the second part 124 of the axial chamber 104 and the annular chamber 116. Correspondingly, an identical and opposite force is exerted, on the one hand, on the seals 144 and 146 and, on the other hand on the seals 146 and 148, this has possibly slightly different inlet and outlet pressures due to the

pressure drop due to the filter.

  This connection is likely to withstand high pressures such as those encountered in an air conditioning condenser. As indicated above, for safety reasons, a ring 76 (Figures 3 and 5) may be provided for holding the reservoir. This support is intended for security purposes to avoid separation of the tank, for example under the effect of vibrations, as is the case in a motor vehicle. In addition, a protective cap 152 (Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7) can be provided in the lower part of the

female connector.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the two embodiments described above by way of example and setend

has other variations.

  In general, it makes it possible to produce connection devices comprising a threaded connection and a female connection suitable for being attached respectively to elements of a fluid circuit. This fluid circuit, which is advantageously intended for a pressurized fluid, is not

  limited to an air conditioning circuit.

Claims (19)

claims   1. Connection device for a fluid circuit, in particular for an air conditioning circuit traversed by a refrigerant, of the type comprising a male connector arranged to be received sealed in a female connector, characterized in that the mfile connector (10 ; 62) delimits a closed internal axial chamber (24; 104) which is connected to a fluid access (18; 102) and which communicates through a wall (14; 98) of the male connection with at least one external annular chamber ( 50; 114, 116) delimited jointly by the wall (14; 98) of the male connector and by a wall (40; 106) of the female connector (12; 66) which surrounds the wall of the male connector, said external chamber communicating with a other fluid access (48; 132, 134), so that the fluid can pass   from one to the other of the two accesses of fluid.   2. Connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (14; 98) of the male connector (10; 62) is of generally cylindrical shape and has a closed end (16; 100) arranged to be received in the female connector (12; 66) and an open end (18; 102) arranged to form the fluid access.   3. Connection device according to one of claims 1   and 2, characterized in that the wall (14; 98) of the male connector (10; 62) is crossed by at least one radial opening (26; 118, 120) arranged to communicate the internal axial chamber (24; 104) and the outer annular chamber (50; 114, 116).   4. Connection device according to one of claims 1   a 3, characterized in that the wall (14; 98) of the male connector (10; 62) externally delimits an annular groove (28;, 112) contributing to delimiting the external annular chamber 17 2839765 (50; 114, 116).   5. Connection device according to one of claims 1   a 4, characterized in that seals (34, 36; 144, 146, 148) wind interposed between the wall (14; 98) of the male connector and the wall (40; 106) of the female connector,   and on the other side of the external annular chamber (50; 114, 116).   6. Connection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the seals (34, 36; 144, 146, 148) wind O-rings received in an annular groove (30, 32) formed outside the wall (14; 98) of the male connector.   7. Connection device according to one of claims 1   a 6, characterized in that the wall (40; 106) of the female connector comprises an inner face (42; 108) of generally cylindrical shape arranged to receive the wall (14; 98) of the male connector and crossed by at least one passage radial (44; 132, 134) agency for opening into the external annular chamber (50; 114, 116) and forming the access of fluid to the female connector.   8. Connection device according to one of claims 1   a 7, characterized in that it comprises a single external annular chamber (50) which communicates with a fluid access (44) of the female connector (12).   9. Connection device according to one of claims 1   a 7, characterized in that it comprises two external annular chambers (114, 116) which communicate respectively with two   fluid access (132, 134) of the female connector (66).   10. Fluid circuit, characterized in that it includes a   connection device according to one of claims 1 to 9. 18 2839765   11. Fluid circuit according to claim 10, comprising a heat exchanger (22) and a duct (46), characterized in that the threaded connection (10) and the female connection (12) are attached to the heat exchanger. heat (22) and the other to the duct (46). 12. Fluid circuit according to claim 10, comprising a heat exchanger (70) and a fluid reservoir (64), characterized in that the mfile connection (62) and the female connection (66) are respectively attached to the reservoir.   fluid (64) and the heat exchanger (70).   13. Fluid circuit according to claim 12, characterized in that the connection device is as defined in claim 9 and comprises a first external annular chamber (114) communicating via a first fluid access (132) of the female connector ( 66) with a first part (94) of the heat exchanger, as well as a second external annular chamber (116) communicating via a second access of fluid (134) of the female connector with a second part (96) of the heat exchanger, so that a fluid can circulate from the first part to the second part of the heat exchanger   heat, passing through the tank.   14. Fluid circuit according to claim 13, characterized in that the mfile connection (62) comprises at least a first opening (118) communicating the first external annular chamber (114) with a first part (122) of the axial chamber internal (104) of the male connector and at least a second opening (120) communicating the second external annular chamber (116) with a second part (124) of the internal axial chamber (104) of the male connector, said first part and second part of the internal chamber communicating with each other.   15. Fluid circuit according to claim 14, characterized 19 2839765   in that the first part (122) of the internal axial chamber (104) of the male connector opens into the reservoir (64), while the second part (124) of the internal axial chamber of the   male connector is closed by the wall (98) of the male connector.   16. Fluid circuit according to claim 15, characterized in that a desiccant cartridge (72J is housed in the first part (122) of the internal axial chamber of the male connector and in the reservoir (64), while a filter (74) is housed in the second part (124) of the internal axial chamber of the male connector.   17. Fluid circuit according to one of claims 11 to 16,   characterized in that the heat exchanger (70) is a condenser through which a refrigerant flows, and the reservoir   (64) is attached to the condenser to form a bottle.   18. Fluid circuit according to one of claims 11 to 17,   characterized in that the reservoir (64) comprises a casing (78) and in that the male connection (62) is made in one piece   with at least part of the shell (78) of the reservoir.   19. Fluid circuit according to one of claims 11 to 18,   characterized in that the female connector (66) is produced in the form of a base which is attached to a box