GB2031089A - Valve and connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve and connector device for temporarily connecting a branch tyre inflator air supply pipeline 80 into the main brake air supply pipeline of the compressed air supply system of a motor vehicle having air operated brakes comprises a valve unit 10 and branch pipeline terminal connector element 12. Sliding valve member 38 controls communication between inlets 24, 26, from the air supply, and outlet 28 to the brakes and outlet 40 for the branch pipeline. When branch pipeline 80 is disconnected valve member 38 closes communication to outlet 40 and compressed air flows to outlet 28. When branch pipeline 80 is connected connector element 12 plugs into outlet 40, engages and interlocks with valve actuating element 64, and moves valve member 38 to close communication to outlet 40 and divert the air supply to pipeline 80. Interlocking hook projections 68 and 88 ensure that connector element 12 and valve actuating element 12 cannot be disengaged to disconnect pipeline 80 until valve member 38 is reset to its original position by withdrawing element 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Valve and connector device The present invention relates to a valve and connector device for use in pressurised fluid supply systems. It is also specifically concerned with means for enabling compressed air supply systems in motor vehicles having air operated brakes to be used for tyre inflation purposes.

Thus, in a general aspect, the invention provides a valve and connector device designed for temporarily connecting a branch supply pipeline into a main supply pipeline and diverting the fluid flow from the main supply pipeline to the branch supply pipeline.

In a more specific aspect, the invention provides a valve and connector device constituting an adaptor designed for temporarily connecting a branch tyre inflator air supply pipeline into the main brake air supply pipeline of the compressed air supply system of a motor vehicle having air operated brakes and for diverting the air flow from the main brake air supply pipeline to the temporarily connected branch tyre inflator air supply pipeline thereby to enable the air supply system to be used for tyre inflation purposes.

Although in principle it might appear to be quite straightforward to adapt a brake air supply system in a motor vehicle for tyre inflation purposes by providing a tyre inflator air supply branch pipeline controlled, for example, by a simple manually operable on/off or two-way valve or tap in the main air supply line, such simple arrangements are not acceptable in practice because of the inherent risk of them accidentally or inadvertently being left set or remaining in the tyre inflation air supply condition, after carrying out a tyre inflation operation. This would result in the brakes being rendered inoperative or impaired in functioning with potentially most serious or disastrous consequences.Because of such hazards, when tyre inflation facilities have been required in motor vehicles, particularly in commercial road transport vehicles, it has been most usual for a separate engine driven compressor to be provided for this purpose which is completely independent of any compressed air supply system for the brakes. This, however, involves additional costs and complexity.

Valve and connector devices in accordance with the invention comprise a valve unit which, in use, can be permanently fitted into the main pressurised fluid or air supply pipeline. The valve unit has a main inlet for connecting with the upstream section of said main supply pipeline and a first outlet for connecting with the downstream section of said main supply pipeline.The valve unit also has a second outlet to which a branch pipeline can be releasably connected, and a movable valve member which controls communication between the inlet and respective first and second outlets, the arrangement being such that when the branch pipeline is not connected the valve member takes up a first position in which the inlet is in communication with the first outlet and not with the second outlet but, when the branch pipeline is connected, the operation of fitting and connecting the branch pipeline automatically causes the valve member to move to a second position in which the inlet is in communication with the second outlet and not with the first outlet, while subsequent disconnecting of the branch pipeline causes the valve member to return to its first position.

This result is most conveniently achieved by providing spring bias means to urge the valve member to its first position and by providing the valve member with an actuating element, integral or operatively connected therewith, which lies in or adjacent the second outlet so that it is engaged by the end of the branch pipeline, or by an associated connector element, such that it is forced inwards and moves the valve member against the biassing force when fitting and connecting the branch pipeline.

In preferred embodiments, a terminal connector element is provided for the end of the branch pipeline which is adapted to interlock mechanically with the valve actuating element when connecting the branch pipeline and which can only be released to disconnect the branch pipeline when the valve member is reset in its first position thereby providing an additional safety feature and ensuring that the valve member must reset correctly when the branch pipeline is disconnected.Preferably, such mechanical interlock is achieved by providing the terminal connector element fitted to the branch pipeline with at least one hook-like projection adapted to engage a complementary hook-like projection of the valve actuating element such that these hook-like projections can be disengaged to separate the branch pipeline only by relative lateral movement which is not possible unless the valve actuating element is moved to a position in which the valve member is reset. With this arrangement, axial movement of the end of the branch pipeline necessary to disengage and separate it from the valve unit can thereby be relied upon positively to reset the valve member independently of the action of the spring bias means, thus safeguarding against any failure of the latter.

By way of example, two forms of valve and connector devices, representing two different embodiments of the invention, for providing tyre inflation facilities in a motor vehicle having brakes operated from a compressed air supply system, are illustrated in the accompanying drawngs.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section of the valve unit of the first embodiment to gether with part of the associated terminal connector element (shown in broken lines) of a branch pipeline for supplying air to the tyres, before connection of this branch pipel ine; Figure 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1, but showing the branch pipeline connected to the valve unit; and Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively but illustrating the second embodiment.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the device of the first embodiment illustrated therein comprises the valve unit which is designated generally by the reference 10, and the termi nal connector element, designated by reference 12, which is fitted to the end of a flexible hose 14 constituting the branch pipeline for coupling with the tyres.

The valve unit 10 comprises a body 1 6 in the form of a metal block having an axial bore 1 8 with an enlarged section 20 at its outer end and opening through at its opposite inner end to a smaller diameter axially extending passage 22 communicating with alternative inlet ports 24 and 26.

Towards the inner end, the bore 1 8 also communicates with a main outlet port 28 through a side passage 30 adjacent an end wail 32 in which a central opening leading to the inlet passage 22 is bounded by a conical surface 34 providing an annular seating for an annular valve face 36 of a valve member 38 slidably mounted in the bore 1 8.

The outer end of the body 10 is fitted with a tubular extension 40 secured by bolts 42 passed through a fixing flange 44 at the inner end, and the outer end of the extension 40 is provided with an external screw thread 46.

The valve member 38 is of elongate generally cylindrical form with portions of different diameters, and it extends into the tubular extension 40 at the outer end. A cylindrical central portion 48 is a close sliding fit in the bore 1 8 but the inner portion 50 between the central portion 48 and valve face 36 is of reduced diameter and mounts a helical coil compression spring 52 as shown. To the right of the central portion 48 there is a short portion 54, again of reduced diameter, which provides an annular groove 56 separating the central portion 48 from a sealing portion 58 of similar diameter. The sealing portion 58 carries a sealing ring 60 and fits closely in an enlarged mouth or innermost bore section 62 of the tubular extension 40.

The outermost end portion 64 of the valve member 38 beyond the sealing portion 58 is also of reduced diameter but fits in close sliding engagement within a relatively narrow bore section 66 of the tubular extension 40.

This end portion 64 includes a shallow annular groove 65 immediately adjacent the seal ing portion 58 and, at its end beyond a main end face 67, terminates in an eccentrically disposed axially extending hook-like projection or claw 68.

Extending through the centre of the valve member 38 from opposite ends, either side of the sealing portion 58, are axial passages 70 and 72 which communicate, respectively, with transverse passages 74 and 76. The transverse passage 74 opens out at its oppo site ends into the annular groove 56, and the passage 76 opens out into the annular groove 65.

The terminal connector element 1 2 has a tubular body 80 which is a push fit at its inner end into the end of the flexible hose 1 4.

Towards its outer end, the body 80 has a cylindrical spigot portion 82 which fits closely in the outer-most bore section 78 of the valve unit extension 40 and carries a rubber sealing ring 84, and it terminates in an axial projection 86 having an end face 87. The projection 86 is recessed or set back at one side to provide a hook-like formation 88 adapted to engage and mechanically interlock with the hook-like projection or claw 68 of the valve member when the latter and the connector element 1 2 are brought together in axial alignment.

A flange 90 on the body 80 limits the depth to which the spigot portion 8 can be introduced into the bore section 78, and behind the flange 90 the body 80 carries a loosely mounted union nut 92 for engaging the the screw thread 46 of the tubular extension 40 when coupling the hose to the valve unit.

When the hose 14 is disconnected and separated from the valve unit 10, as shown in Fig. 1, the open end of the tubular extension may be closed by a dust cap 94.

In use, when installed in the compressed air supply system of a motor vehicle, such as a commercial road vehicle for example, having air operated brakes, one or other of the alternative inlet ports 24 or 26 is connected by a suitable coupling to the upstream section of the main air supply pipeline leading to the usual motor driven compressor or other source of compressed air, and the main outlet port 28 is connected to the downstream section of the main air supply pipeline leading to the brakes and other services.

Normally, the hose 14 is disconnected and separated from the valve unit as shown in Fig.

1, and in this condition the valve member 38 is biassed by the spring 52 to its right hand position as illustrated so that the valve face 36 is spaced from the valve seating 34 and the inlet passageway 22 communicates with the main outlet port 28, while communication, through the valve member 38, between the inlet passageway 22 and the branch outlet provided by the tubular extension 40 and outermost bore section 78 is closed by the sealing ring 60 engaging in the bore section 62. The braking system is therefore unaffected.

When it is desired to use the air supply for inflating the tyres, the dust cap 94 is removed and the hose 1 4 is connected to the valve unit 10, as shown in Fig. 2, by inserting the connector element 1 2 into the tubular extension 40, butting the end face 87 against the end face 67 of the end portion 64 of the valve member so that the hook-like formation 88 fits within the claw 68, and screwing home the coupling union nut 92. As a result, the valve member 38 is pushed to the left, the valve face 36 engages the valve seating 34 shutting off the air supply from the inlet to the brakes through the main outlet port 28, and a through way is established between the inlet passageway 22 and the flexible hose 1 4 constituting the branch pipeline via passages 70 and 74, enlarged bore section 20, and passages 76 and 72.The air supply is thus available for inflating the tyres.

After use for inflating the tyres, the union nut 92 is unscrewed and the connector element 1 4 is withdrawn from the tubular extension 40 of the valve unit 10 to disconnect and separate the flexible hose so that the condition of Fig. 1 is re-established.

It will be noted, however, that the mechanical interlocking engagement between the hook-like formation 88 of the connector element 14 and the claw 68 of the valve member can only be released by a relative lateral movement of the connector element and this is not possible until the spigot portion 82 has moved clear of the bore section 78 so that, in withdrawing the connector element 14, during the first stage of the withdrawal movement the valve member is also pulled and is positively reset to its right hand outermost position, thereby restoring it to the condition of Fig. 1, independently of the bias action of the spring 52.

Therefore, even if the spring should fail to reset the valve member, resetting and restoration of the air supply to the brakes is still ensured by the operation of disconnecting and separating the flexible hose branch pipeline, and with this additional safeguard the device is eminently suitable and acceptable for use in temporarily connecting a branch tyre inflation air supply pipeline into the main brake air supply pipeline of a motor vehicle.

In effect, the end portion 64 of the movable valve member 38 constitutes a valve actuating element which, in this particular case, is integral with the valve member.

The second embodiment, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is similar in many respects in that it comprises a valve unit 10a having a body 16a provided with an axial bore 18a slidably mounting an elongate cylindrical valve member 38a and with alternative inlet ports 24a and 26aand a main outlet port 28a, the body 1 6a being fitted at its outer end with a tubular extension 40a terminating in an externally screw-threaded portion 46 a at the open outermost end which is adapted to receive a union nut 92a and the end portion of the body 80a of a connector element 1 2a carried by the flexible hose of a tyre inflation branch pipeline.Again, the valve member 38a is biassed, by a spring 52a, to the position shown in Fig. 3 in which the inlets 24a and 26a are in communication with the main outlet 28a but are blocked off by a sealing portion 58afrom communication with the branch pipeline outlet provided by the extension 40a, and when the branch pipeline is connected, as shown in Fig. 4, the valve member 38a is pushed to the left, closing off the outlet 28a and placing the inlets in communication with the branch pipeline, so that the air supply is diverted to the latter, through passages 70a and 74a, bore section 18 a, and passages 76a and 72a of the valve member.

In this embodiment, however, the valve member 38 a and connector element 12 a are slightly modified. To the left of the sealing portion 58a, communication between the inlets and the main outlet 28a is controlled by a sealing ring 36a engaging the wall of an enlarged inlet passage portion 22a at the inner end of the bore 18a, and the bias spring 52a is housed within an enlarged section 70'a of the passage 70a To the right of the sealing portion 58a, the outermost end portion 64a of the valve member, constituting the valve actuating element, is somewhat longer and terminates in a double hook-like projection or claw 68a which, when the valve member is in the position of Fig. 3, protrudes beyond the open end of the tubular extension 40a Similarly the body 80a of the connector element 12a has a spigot portion 82a which terminates in an axial projection 86a providing a pair of spaced hook-like formations 88a, 88a, adapted to engage and interlock with the claw 68awhen the branch pipeline is connected, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be seen that the axial projection 86 a can only be brought into engagement or disengaged from the claw 68a by a relative lateral movement which can only be carried out when the valve member is in the position of Fig. 3, and in disconnecting and separating the branch pipeline the valve member is automatically moved to this position by the interlocking engagement of the claw 68a and hook-like formations 88a, 88a, independently of the action of the bias spring 52a.

As with the first embodiment, there is therefore a similar additional safety feature, and the device can be used in a similar manner for temporary connection of a flexible hose branch pipeline for tyre inflation purposes.

Claims (9)

1. A valve and connector device for use in pressurised fluid supply systems in order to enable a branch supply pipeline to be temporarily connected into a main supply pipeline of the supply system, said device comprising a valve unit which, in use, fits permanently in said main supply pipeline and a separate branch pipeline terminal connector element which, in use, is fixed to the end of the branch pipeline and fits detachably to the valve unit for temporary connection of said branch pipeline, said valve unit having a main inlet which connects with the upstream section of the main supply pipeline, a first outlet which connects with the downstream section of the main supply pipeline, a second outlet which connects with the branch pipeline when the terminal connector element is fitted to the valve unit, a valve member which controls communication between said inlet and respective first and second outlets, and a valve actuating element disposed in or adjacent to said second outlet, the valve member being movable between a first position effective to establish communication between the main inlet and said first outlet while simultaneously closing communication between the main inlet and said second outlet and a second position effective to establish communication between the main inlet and said second outlet while simultaneously closing communication between the main inlet and said first outlet, and the arrangement being such that so long as the branch pipeline terminal connector element is detached from the valve unit such that the branch pipeline remains disconnected the valve member sets to said first position but when the branch pipeline is connected the terminal connector element, which is then fitted to the valve unit, coacts with the valve actuating element thereby automatically to set the valve member to said second position and divert fluid flow from the main supply pipeline to the branch pipeline, said valve member being caused to reset to said first position by the operation of subsequently detaching the terminal connector element in disconnecting the branch pipeline.

2. A valve and connector device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the branch pipeline terminal connector element and the valve actuating element are adapted to interlock mechanically prior to setting the valve member to its second position when fitting the terminal connector element to the valve unit in connecting the branch pipeline and can only be released from interlocking engagement to disconnect the branch pipeline after the valve member is reset to its first position during the operation of detaching the terminal connector element.

3. A valve and connector device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the mechanical interlocking engagement between the terminal connector element and the valve actuating element is achieved by providing the terminal connector element with at least one hook-like projection arranged to engage a complementary hook-like projection of the valve actuating element, said valve actuating element being slidably movable axially of the second outlet which forms a socket for receiving the branch pipeline terminal connector element.

4. A valve and connector device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the hook-like projections of the valve actuating element and of the branch pipeline terminal connector element are such that they can be engaged and disengaged only by relative lateral displacement of said elements and the second outlet of the valve unit is in the form of a sleeve arranged in co-axial relationship with the valve actuating element so as to obstruct and prevent such relative lateral displacement except when the valve actuating element is in its axially outermost position which corresponds to the valve member being set in its said first position.

5. A valve and connector device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the valve member is slidably movable between said first and second positions, and the valve actuating element is provided by an axial extension of said valve member at one end thereof.

6. A valve and connector element as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the valve member is spring loaded so as to be maintained in said first position while the branch pipeline remain disconnected.

7. A valve and connector element constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A valve and connector element constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A motor vehicle having air operated brakes and a compressed air supply system therefor in which is incorporated a valve and connector device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the valve unit of said device being fitted in the main brake air supply pipeline of said air supply system and the terminal connector element being fixed to a branch air supply pipeline for tyre inflation purposes.