KR102011576B1 - Pipe joint between two pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to pipe joints between two tubes (1, 2), in particular between two exhaust gas tubes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the pipe joint is a linear connector 6 circumferentially arranged and circumferentially arranged with the tube ends 3, 4 to be connected, spaced axially and coaxially of the two tubes 1, 2. It includes. The annular gap 21 between each tube end 3, 4 and the connector 6 is respectively on the outer circumferential surface 19 of the connector 6 and / or each tube end 3, 4. Sealed by a circumferential seal 7 seated on its outer circumferential surface 20.

Description

PIPE JOINT BETWEEN TWO PIPES}

The present invention relates to a pipe joint between two tubes, in particular between two exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.

Pipe joints between two tubes, in particular two exhaust tubes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, are actually well known. In this case, the tube ends to be connected of the two tubes are usually connected to each other via correspondingly formed tube clamps or flanges. In the meantime, however, pipe clamps have been found to produce more and more leaks in the meantime, which do not fully meet the high requirements, especially the legal requirements, with respect to the air tightness of the exhaust system. It has also been found that in the case of flanges in common use, axial tolerance compensation between the tubes to be connected is not possible.

Tube clamps of this type for the connection of two exhaust pipes are already known from DE 10 2010 037 318 A1. The tube clamp consists of an outer shell and an inner shell, each of which has one longitudinal slot, the longitudinal slot of the outer shell being arranged circumferentially offset relative to the longitudinal slot of the inner shell. By means of pressure clamps arranged on the outer shell, a clamping force is introduced into the outer shell, forcibly fitting the tube clamp consisting of the outer shell and the inner shell onto the exhaust pipes to be connected.

US 2006/0175837 A1 likewise already describes a device for the connection of two exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. Here, the tube ends of the exhaust gas pipes are engaged with each other, and a pipe clamp with a seal is arranged in the overlapping area between the two pipe ends. In this case, the pipe clamps with the pipe ends and the seals of the exhaust pipes should be arranged mutually so as to form a connection between the exhaust pipes at the defined position. For this purpose, the exhaust gas pipes comprise, in their respective end sections, profile sections and / or grooves which have to be engaged with one another when the exhaust gas pipes are fitted together. The sealability of the connection is not guaranteed if the exhaust pipes are not arranged according to the regulations, and already small gap tolerances, in particular too large a gap between the pipe ends, cause leaks in the pipe joint.

Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide an airtight tube joint which allows the axial spacing tolerance between the tube ends of the tubes to be connected to be compensated at the same time.

The problem is solved by a joint in accordance with the features of patent claim 1. Each dependent claim relates to particularly suitable refinements of the invention.

Thus, according to the invention, a pipe joint is provided between two tubes, in particular two exhaust gas tubes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, which pipe joints overlap the tube ends to be connected coaxially spaced and coaxially arranged in the two tubes. A straight connector arranged and circumferentially closed, the annular gap between each tube end and the connector being respectively circumferentially seated on the outer circumferential surface of the connector and / or on the outer circumferential surface of the respective tube end Are sealed by a seal. This provides a hermetic pipe joint between two tubes that can be assembled simply, economically and without leakage. In addition, the spacing between the tube ends without leakage occurs within the pipe joint, by means of a straight connector and assigned seals, as well as the resultant connecting tube and the variable overlap region between the respective tube ends. Tolerances can be compensated for. Thereby, the tightness of the pipe joint is ensured even if the axial spacing between the two pipe ends of the pipes to be connected is different. Preferably the connecting tube is made of the same material as the tube ends or tubes to be connected, in particular of suitable steel, whereby the connecting tube and the tube ends have the same coefficient of thermal expansion. The seal is preferably formed of deformable, in particular elastically deformable, graphite. Pipe joints according to the invention can be used anywhere in the exhaust system of automobiles, especially where hot medium or fluid is guided through the tubes. Examples include power plants, swimming pools, and heating facilities.

For securing the connectors and seals on the tube ends, a tubular outer shell is provided which encloses the connectors, seals and both tube ends and has one or more longitudinal slots, the tubular outer shells being reduced in diameter through the tube ends. It can be fixed on the phase. As such, the connectors and seals are disposed relative to the tube ends at defined positions or relative to the annular gap between the connector and the respective tube ends. A longitudinal slot formed as a continuous gap while extending over the entire axial length of the outer shell in the outer shell ensures the possibility of assembling the outer shell about the perimeter of the tube ends to be connected and the perimeter of the connector and the seals. At the same time, through the diameter reduction of the outer shell, the dimension of the longitudinal slot is reduced, the process safe fixation of the outer shell on the tube ends, and of the seals in the region of the annular gap between the connecting tube and each tube end. Defined placement is guaranteed. Preferably the outer shell is formed as a curved steel sheet.

In contrast, according to one alternative configuration of the outer shell, the longitudinal slot is formed as an overlapping slot. In this case, the end regions of the outer shell overlap each other, and the overlapping region is enlarged upon diameter reduction for fixing the outer shell on the tube ends.

According to a further modified embodiment of the invention, the outer shell comprises two or more longitudinal slots. As such, the outer shell is formed in two or multiple pieces and consists of a plurality of segments, which segments can be fixed together on the tube ends and enclose the connectors and seals together.

In addition, the outer shell includes one central section surrounding the connector, two outer sections provided for fixing on respective tube ends, and two sealing sections extending between the central and outer sections and surrounding the seals. It includes. In this case, the diameter is matched to the diameter of the tube ends to be connected at the outer sections, to the outer diameter of the seals at the sealing sections and to the diameter of the connector at the central section, whereby the outer shell has a plurality of steps. . The outer shell is divided into sections so that the seals are placed in a force shunt, ie not in sections where the outer shell is fixed on the tube ends.

In order to ensure the process safe fixation of the outer shell on the tube ends, the two outer sections of the outer shell and the respective tube ends can be connected to each other in a forced fit manner, the outer sections of the outer shell and the respective tube ends The forced fit connection between them is carried out by a tube clamp surrounding each outer section. Through operation of the tube clamps, the inner diameter of the tube clamps and thus the diameter of the outer sections of the outer shell are also gradually reduced until a process safe force fit connection is formed.

Furthermore, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is that the sealing sections of the outer shell comprise one chamber each for the reception of a circumferential seal, the chamber being formed such that volume reduction of the chamber is induced by reducing the diameter of the outer shell. It is also achieved by. In this way, the seals are deformed or displaced in such a way as to contact the transition between the straight tube and the respective tube ends to seal the annular gap. The sealing effect is enhanced by pressing the seals against the outer circumferential surface of the connection pipe and the outer circumferential surface of each tube end at the transition portion with a defined force.

It has also proved to be particularly desirable for the central section of the outer shell to surround the overlapping region between the connector and the tube ends in a non-contact manner. Through the annular free space portion which extends along the periphery between the central section of the outer shell and the overlapping region, the central section of the outer shell is prevented from touching the connecting pipe or tube ends in the overlapping region. As a result, the fixing effect of the tube clamps works optimally on the tube ends to be connected, thereby ensuring that optimum force and torque transfer between the tube ends or tubes to be connected and the outer shell is performed.

Another feature according to the invention is that the connection tube, seals, outer shell and tube clamps form one connection member which can be preassembled and operated together. In this case, the seals, the conduit and the tube clamps are integrated in or fixed on the outer shell, which is formed in a single piece, in particular in an anti-loss manner, whereby the connecting member for the formation of the pipe joint is one structure. It can be arranged between the tube ends to be connected as a unit. This enables simple and process-safe assembly of the connecting member. At the same time, the assembly time for the formation of the hermetic pipe joint is also optimized.

In this case, it has proved particularly suitable that the tube ends to be connected respectively engage in the connecting pipe. This greatly simplifies the assembly of the connecting member and the formation of the pipe joint. The tube ends must be inserted into the conduit enclosed by the outer shell during assembly, thereby forming an overlap region between each conduit end and the conduit. Of course, in one alternative embodiment, a connection tube may be engaged in the respective tube ends.

Furthermore, a further modified embodiment of the pipe joint according to the invention is also provided through the point where the connection pipe is fixed on each pipe end via each flange joint, in particular in a forced fit manner. .

In this case, the first flange of each flange joint is fixed on the connecting pipe, the second flange of the flange joint is fixed on the tubular outer shell each having a longitudinal slot, and each outer shell is connected to each tube end. It can be secured on each tube end via diameter reduction while longitudinally displaceable enclosing. The fixing of the first flanges on the connecting pipes and the fixing of the second flanges on each outer shell are carried out, for example, via welded joints. By allowing the outer shell to be displaced longitudinally on each tube end, the second flange can be continuously displaced on each tube end and fixed relative to the first flange of the connector at the desired position, Thereby the gap tolerance between the tube ends can be compensated for. The fixing of each outer shell on the tube ends is carried out in a forced fit manner through a tube clamp which surrounds the outer shell at the outer surface.

In addition, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that each seal is disposed in a chamber between the flanges to be connected of each flange joint, such that the seal and the chamber are such that the formation of the force-fitting flange joint leads to volume reduction of the chamber. It is also achieved through the formation and placement of points. A forced fit flange joint is realized through one or more fastening means formed through two flanges, for example as a screw, in which case the seal is arranged in the force converter. Through volume reduction of the chambers, the seals disposed in the chamber are deformed or displaced in such a way as to hermetically seal the annular gap between the connecting tube and each tube end while they abut against the outer peripheral surface of each tube end. The seals are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the tube ends with a defined force to enhance the sealing effect.

The present invention allows numerous embodiments. For further explanation of the principles of the invention, one of the embodiments is shown in the drawings and described below.

1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a pipe joint between two tubes.
2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a pipe joint between two pipes;

1 shows a first embodiment of a gas tight tube joint between two tubes 1, 2, in particular between two exhaust gas tubes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The tube ends 3, 4 of the coaxially arranged tubes 1, 2 are connected in an airtight manner to each other by a connecting member 5.

The connecting member 5 configured as a structural unit which can be pre-assembled and operated together has one rigid straight connector 6 circumferentially closed, two circumferential seals 7 and one formed in a single member form. Of tubular outer shell (8) and two tube clamps (9).

The tubular outer shell 8 has a longitudinal slot 10 and surrounds the connector 6 and the two seals 7, while the tube clamps 9 surround the outer shell 8. Thus, the connecting pipe 6 and the seals 7 are arranged inside the outer shell 8 or fixed in the outer shell. The outer shell 8 comprises one central section 11 enclosing the connector 6; Two outer sections 12 provided for fixing on respective tube ends 3, 4; And two sealing sections 13 extending between the central section 11 and the two outer sections 12.

In the area of the outer sections 12 the tube clamps 9 are arranged on the outer shell 8 in an anti-loss manner and surround the outer shell on the outer surface. The outer shell 8 has circumferential chambers 14 in the region of the sealing sections 13, into which the seals 7 are inserted.

For the formation of a pipe joint according to the invention, the pipe ends 3, 4 and the connecting member 5 of the pipes 1, 2 are connected between the two pipe ends 3, 4 and the connection pipe 6 to be connected. Are arranged relative to each other and move in such a way that overlapping arrangements are formed. In this case, the tube ends 3, 4 are inserted into the connector 6, more specifically, an overlapping region 15 is formed between each tube end 3, 4 and the surrounding connector 6. It is inserted in such a way that an axial gap 17 is formed between the end faces 16 of the tube ends 3, 4. The axial gap 17 should be chosen in such a way that the tube ends 3, 4 which engage or protrude into the connecting tube 6 do not contact each other. This makes it possible to compensate for the axial gap tolerance between the tube ends 3, 4 of the tubes 1, 2.

Subsequently, the diameter 18 or inner diameter of the outer shell 8 is reduced through the tube clamps 9 arranged in the outer sections 12 of the outer shell 8. Reduction of the diameter 18 is possible via the longitudinal slot 10 provided in the outer shell 8. In the region of the outer sections 12, the outer shell 8 is fixed in a forced fit on the tube ends 3, 4 by means of the tube clamps 9. At the same time, the reduction in the diameter 18 of the outer shell 8 also leads to a reduction in the volume of the chambers 14 that receive the seals 7 in the sealing section 13. In this case, the volume of the chamber 14 or the cross section of the seals 7 is such that the seals 7 are on the outer circumferential surface 19 of the connecting tube 6 and the respective tube ends through the volume variation of the chambers 14. By abutting on the outer circumferential surface 20 of (3, 4), the annular gaps 21 between the respective tube ends 3, 4 and the connecting tube 6 are respectively sealed in a hermetic manner via the circumferential seal 7 It is configured to be sealed. In this case, the two seals 7 are arranged in the force converter and pressed against the outer circumferential surfaces 19, 20 with a defined force.

According to the invention, the central section 11 of the outer shell 8 surrounds the connecting tube 6 in a non-contact manner, so that the connecting tube 6 and the outer shell 8 in the region of the central section 11. Between the annular free space portion 22 extending along the outer periphery is formed. Since the central section 11 of the outer shell 8 does not abut on the connector 6, the fixing effect of the tube clamps 9 works optimally on the tube ends 3, 4 to be connected. It is ensured that optimal force and torque transfer between the tube ends 3, 4 or the tubes 1, 2 to be connected accordingly is carried out via the connecting member 5.

An alternative embodiment of the pipe joint according to the invention between two pipe ends 3, 4 is shown in FIG. 2. Each tube end 3, 4 is fitted into a circumferentially closed straight connector 6, whereby the connector is located in an overlapping arrangement with the two tube ends 3, 4. The connecting pipe 6 enclosing the two pipe ends 3, 4 is fixed on each pipe end 3, 4 via respective flange seams 23. In this case, each one first flange 24 is fixed, in particular via a weld joint, on the end sections of the connecting pipe 6 facing in opposite directions. The second flange 25 of each flange seam 23 is respectively fixed on the outer shell 26 which respectively surrounds one of the two pipe ends 3, 4. The two outer shells 26 each have one longitudinal slot 27 and are arranged on each tube end 3, 4 so as to be longitudinally displaceable. The longitudinal slots 27 in the outer shells 26 may extend until they pass through each second flange 25. Through the tube clamps 28 surrounding the outer shells 26, the diameter 29 of the outer shells 26 can be reduced so that each outer shell 26 is independent of each other from each tube end. It is possible to fix in a forced fit manner to the desired positions on (3, 4). In this case, the outer shells 26 are provided between the end faces 30 of the tube ends 3, 4 with the two flanges 24, 25 of the respective flange seams 23 adjoining each other and facing each other. It is fixed on each tube end 3, 4 in such a way that an axial gap 31 is formed. The axial gap 31 should be chosen in such a way that the two end faces 30 of the tube ends 3, 4 do not contact each other. One circumferential chamber 32 is formed between two adjacent flanges 24, 25 of the flange joint 23, in which one seal 7 is arranged. The chamber 32 is formed by the circumferential groove 33 in the first flange 24 and the wall surface 34 of the second flange 25 located opposite the groove 33.

For the formation of flange joints 23, two adjacent flanges 24, 25 are connected to each other in a forced fit via one or more fastening means 35, each of which is only indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2. In this case, the chamber 32 and the seal 7 between the flanges 24, 25 are arranged in the force converter and in such a way that the volume reduction of each chamber 32 is achieved in the formation of the flange joint 23. Is formed. Thus, the seals 7 abut against the outer circumferential surface 20 of each tube end 3, 4, respectively, so that the annular gap 21 between the connecting tube 6 and each tube end 3, 4 is closed. Seal in an airtight manner.

1: tube
2: tube
3: tube end
4: pipe end
5: connecting member
6: connector
7: seal
8: outer shell
9: tube clamp
10: longitudinal slot
11: center section
12: outer section
13: sealing section
14: chamber
15: Overlapping Zone
16: end face
17: thickness
18: diameter
19: circumferential surface of the connector
20: outer peripheral surface of the tube end
21: annular gap
22: free space department
23: flanged joint
24: first flange
25: second flange
26: outer shell
27: longitudinal slot
28: tube clamp
29: diameter
30: end face
31: spacing
32: chamber
33: home
34: wall panel
35: fixing means

Claims (15)

As a pipe joint between two tubes (1, 2), the pipe joint overlaps and is circumferentially disposed with the tube ends (3, 4) to be connected coaxially spaced and coaxially arranged in the two tubes (1, 2). An annular gap 21 between each tube end 3, 4 and the connector 6, respectively, on the outer circumferential surface 19 of the connector 6. And / or sealed by a circumferential seal 7 seated on the outer circumferential surface 20 of each tube end 3, 4,
A tubular outer shell 8 is provided, which encloses the connecting tube 6, the seals 7 and both tube ends 3, 4 and having one or more longitudinal slots 10, the outer shell 8 having a diameter (18) Pipe joints between two pipes, which can be fixed on pipe ends 3, 4 through reduction. delete The pipe joint between two tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal slot (10) is formed as an overlapping slot. Pipe joint between two tubes according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer shell (8) comprises at least two longitudinal slots (10). The shell according to claim 3, wherein the outer shell (8) comprises one central section (11) surrounding the connector (6); Two outer sections (12) provided for fixing on said respective tube ends (3, 4); Pipe joint between two tubes, characterized in that it comprises two sealing sections (13) extending between the central section (11) and the outer sections (12) and surrounding the seals (7). The tube between two tubes according to claim 5, characterized in that the two outer sections 12 of the outer shell 8 and the respective tube ends 3, 4 can be connected to one another in a forced fit manner. Connection. 6. The tubular clamp 9 according to claim 5, wherein the force-fitting connection between the outer sections 12 of the outer shell 8 and the respective tube ends 3, 4 is enclosed in each outer section 12. Pipe joint between two tubes, characterized in that is carried out by 6. The sealing sections 13 of the outer shell 8 each comprise one chamber 14 for the reception of a circumferential seal 7, which chamber 14 comprises an outer shell (7). A joint between the two tubes, characterized in that the diameter 18 reduction of 8) is formed to induce a volume reduction of the chamber 14. 6. The central section 11 of the outer shell 8 is characterized in that it surrounds in a non-contact manner an overlapping region 15 between the connecting tube 6 and the tube ends 3, 4. Joint between two tubes. The connection tube 6, the seals 7, the outer shell 8 and the tube clamps 9 form one connection member 5 which can be preassembled and operable together. Made, pipe joint between two tubes. Pipe joint between two tubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube ends (3, 4) to be connected are respectively engaged in a connecting tube (6). 4. The connection tube 6 according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection tube 6 is fixed on each tube end 3, 4 via one flange joint 23, respectively. Pipe joint between pipes. 13. The first flange (24) of each flange joint (23) is fixed on the connecting pipe (6), and the second flange (25) of the flange joint (23) is a longitudinal slot (27). Respectively secured on a tubular outer shell 26 with the respective outer shell 26 through the diameter 29 reduction, while longitudinally displaceably surrounding each tube end 3, 4. Pipe joint between two tubes, characterized in that can be fixed on the ends (3, 4). 14. Between two tubes, according to claim 13, wherein each outer shell 26 can be fixed on each tube end 3, 4 in a forced fit by means of a tube clamp 28. Pipe joints. 14. The seal (7) and chamber (32) of claim 13, wherein one seal (7) is disposed in the chamber (32) between the flanges (24, 25) to be connected of each flange joint (23). Is a tube joint between two tubes, characterized in that the formation of the forced fit flange joints (23) is formed and arranged to induce a volume reduction of the chamber (32).

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