GB2049854A - Multi-way coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-way coupling, has a pair of elements each of which has a housing (1, 2) in which are housed respective base plates (8, 9) containing rows of coupling components (15, 16; 17, 18). To enable simple alterations to be made each baseplate (8, 9) is formed of a number of bars (11, 12; 13, 14) each of which carries a row of components, the bars being positioned side-by-side in the housings. The coupling may be used for fluidic, electrical, electropneumatic or electrohydraulic controls. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Multi-way coupling The invention relates to multi-way coupling elements, in particular for liquids, having coupling components arranged in a baseplate in a housing in a number of rows side-by-side.

Multi-way couplings of this kind are provided on machines or in installations into which movable components are integrated, for the connection of a plurality of supply, measurement or control leads for example. It is known to form the baseplates of such elements in one piece and to incorporate into them as needed the corresponding openings for the coupling components per se. The number of coupling components and their nominal widths are thereby preset in the baseplate so that it can receive only a give type of component. Alterations in the controls, in particular in the case of special machines, as regards the number of supply, measurement and control leads therefore require the use of a coupling element with a modified baseplate in the housing. Thus, the conversion or alteration can be an expensive operation.Also, the very different applications which may be required demand a wide range of baseplates for location in the housing. This leads to a more comprehensive production and to a large number of stock items.

According to the invention in a multi-way coupling element having coupling components arranged in a baseplate in a housing in a number of rows side-by-side, the baseplate comprises a number of bars, each bar carrying one row of coupling components, and the bars being held in positive engagement with the housing.

With this kind of multi-way coupling the bars forming the baseplates are assembled like building blocks according to the specific application. The positive fit of the bars in the housing helps to obtain a rigid seating of the coupling components.

With merely two differently formed bars a plurality of arrangements of plug-in components can be achieved. Thus, the outlay on production is reduced since fewer components have to be manufactured even for very different applications.

This also confers advantages in the stock required.

Any alterations as regards the controls can then be achieved with a relatively small outlay on the changeover. The selective construction allows a bar to be equipped for example with electrical coupling components in order to supervise, for example, reply signals from the machine.

Preferably, each bar has a rib on each of its two endfaces, which ribs engage in opposed channels in the housing. The assembly of the baseplate from individual bars is thereby very much simplified. The bars are formed into a block or baseplate by the channels and can be associated with the housing in a simple manner. The bars assume a rigid arrangement in the channels by means of endpieces which locate in the housing.

It proves of advantage if the endpieces have a plug-in coding device. This may consist, for example of appropriately positioned pins which serve for the non-interchangeability of the components. If a number of multiple couplings are needed in an installation the noninterchangeability of the multiple couplings with one another is achieved by programmable endpieces, where the non-interchangeability is made possible e.g., by holes being drilled in the end pieces, the holes being fitted with identification pins and indentification bushes in different combinations and positions.

The range of use of the multiple coupling is further increased by distance pieces being provided between the endpieces and the adjacent bars. It is thereby possible to bridge any space which remains after selection of the required bars and to fix the position of the bars even if they do not exactly fill the space available. Different gaps can be bridged very simply by the distance pieces being made in the form of interchangeable studs inserted in cavities in the endpieces.

Finally, advantageously, the endpieces lie in recesses in the edge of the housing wall and are fastened detachably by screws entering the housing wall. After undoing the latter the baseplate consisting of bars and endpieces can be removed as a whole.

Three examples of a coupling element according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a cross-section through a first fluid coupling; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the coupling at 900 to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the baseplate of a second coupling element having twenty connections; Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding with Figure 3, of an example in which twelve connections are provided; Figure 5 is a plan view of the first example which has fourteen connections; and, Figure 6 shows, in partial perspective, the bars inserted into the channels of the housing.

The multi-way fluid coupling shown in Figures 1 1 and 2 has a plug-like housing 1 and a fixed socket-íike housing 2 arranged to be coupled together. Flanges 3 are formed at the bottom of the housing 2 with holes 4 drilled through them for fixing of the housing 2.

As can be seen from Figure 2 pins 5 stand out from the wide sides of the housing 1, and cooperate with clamping levers 6 which are mounted on the fixed housing 2. These assure firm contact between the housings 1, 2 such that the housing 1 is pulled firmly against the flexible seals 7 on the lower fixed housing 2.

The plug-like housing 1 and the socket-like housing 2 have baseplates 8 and 9, respectively, which are formed by a number of bars 1 1, 12 and 1 3, 14 respectively, lying side-by-side. From Figure lit can be seen that the bars 1 1, 12 and 13, 14 are of different widths depending upon the size of the components 14, 16 or 1 7, 18 accommodated in the bars. The position of the bars 1 1, 12 and 13, 14 and coupling components is such that the coupling components align with one another for joining together, the ends 15', 1 6t of the plug-in components 1 5, 1 6 engaging in aligned sockets 17', 18' to form the connection with the components 17, 18.

The plug-in components are equipped, on the inside of the housing with connection spigots 19 which serve for fastening the individual fluid lines (not shown). The bundle of individual lines may (as indicated in Figure 1 in dash-dot line) be led out through a connector 20 aligned axially with the housing 1 or through a side connector 21. The coupling components 17. 18 have connection spigots 22.

The bars 1 1, 12 of the baseplate 8 and the bars 13, 14 of the baseplate 9 have respective ribs 23 and 24 on their endfaces, for engaging the inside of channels 25 and 26 respectively, arranged opposite one another in pairs. These channels hold the bars in a block. Endpieces 27 and 28 respectively secure the outermost bars at their sides. The endpieces 27, 28 are also located in the channels 25, 26.

The baseplate 8 or block formed by the bars and associated components etc. is fastened into the housing 1 by means of screws 36. Figure 1 shows that the endpieces 27 are sunk into recesses 29 adjacent the edge of the housing wall 30. The fixing of the baseplate 9 in the housing 2 is achieved in the same way by means of screws 31, the endpieces 28 being located in recesses 32 in the housing wall 33 of the housing 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 2 a free space exists between the outermost righthand bars 11 and 13 and the adjacent respective endpieces 27 and 28. This space is bridged by distance pieces 34 in the form of interchangeable studs inserted in cavities 35 in the endpieces 27, 28.

From Figures 3 to 5 it may be seen that the bars 1 1, 12 receive the coupling components in single rows. In the example shown in Figure 3 five narrower bars 11 are assembled into a baseplate 8 8 and housing to form a twenty-way coupling. The housing (not shown) which cooperates with this is formed in the same way.

The baseplate 8" shown in Figure 4 is assembled from four wider bars 12 which exhibit altogether twelve coupling components 16. The associated baseplate (not shown) of the other element is correspondingly provided with twelve coupling components.

The baseplate 8 illustrated in Figure 5 is the same as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Pins 37 lying in the endpieces 27 of the baseplate 8, 8', 8" cooperate with holes drilled in the associated endpieces 28. A coding can thus be realised such that only matching housing parts can be plugged together.

It is possible to develop the multi-way coupling in such a way that either the baseplate of the pluglike housing or of the other housing is made in the conventional way, whilst the other baseplate consists of individual bars.

Furthermore, the possibility exists of forming one or more bars in such a way that the use of the multi-way couplings is provided in the case of electrical, electropneumatic or eletrohydraulic controls. The corresponding bars having been equipped with electrical coupling parts rather than fluid ones.

Claims (9)

1. A multi-way coupling element having coupling components arranged in a baseplate in a housing in a number of rows side-by-side, the baseplate comprising a number of bars, each bar carrying one row of coupling components, and the bars beingheld in positive engagement with the housing.

2. A coupling element according to claim 1, in which each bar has a rib on each of its two endfaces, each rib engaging in a channel located in the housing.

3. A coupling element according to claim 1, or claim 2 in which the lateral position of the bars is fixed by endpieces located in the housing.

4. A coupling element according to claim 3, in which the endpieces have a plug-in coding device.

5. A coupling element according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which distance pieces are provided between one of the end pieces and the bar adjacent to it.

6. A coupling element according to claim 5, in which the distance pieces comprise interchangeable studs and are disposed in cavities in the respective endpiece.

7. A coupling element according to any of claims 3 to 6, in which the endpieces lie in recesses in a wall of the housing and are fastened to it by screws.

8. A coupling element according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A multi-way coupling comprising a pair of complementary coupling elements according to any of claims 1 to 8.