KR20180049806A - Pipe joint between two pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pipe joint between two pipes (1, 2), especially between two exhaust gas pipes of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. According to the present invention, the pipe joint has a linearly connected pipe (6) spaced in the shaft direction of the two pipes (1, 2), stacked with pipe end portions (3, 4) arranged in the coaxial direction, and closed in the circumferential direction. Moreover, an annular gap (21) between each of the pipe end portions (3, 4) and the connected pipe (6) can be sealed by a circumferential seal (7) placed on an outer circumferential surface (19) of the connected pipe (6) and/or an outer circumferential surface (20) of the pipe end portions (3, 4).

Description

{PIPE JOINT BETWEEN TWO PIPES}

The present invention relates to a pipe joint between two exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine of an automobile, particularly between two pipes.

The pipe joints between the two exhaust pipes of the two pipes, in particular the internal combustion engine of an automobile, are actually well known. In this case, the tube ends to be connected of the two tubes are connected to each other through the tube clamps or flanges correspondingly formed. However, in the case of pipe clamps, it has been found that more and more leaks are created that do not adequately meet the increased requirements, especially the legal requirements, in relation to the airtightness of the exhaust gas system. It has also been found that in the case of a commonly used flange, axial tolerance compensation between the pipes to be connected is not possible.

A tube clamp of this type for connection of two exhaust pipes is already known from DE 10 2010 037 318 A1. The tube clamp consists of an outer shell and an inner shell each having one longitudinal slot and the longitudinal slot of the outer shell being disposed circumferentially offset relative to the longitudinal slot of the inner shell. By means of the pressure clamps disposed on the outer shell, a clamping force for clamping the tube clamps composed of the outer shell and the inner shell on the exhaust gas pipes to be connected is introduced into the outer shell.

US 2006/0175837 A1 similarly describes a device for the connection of two exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine of an automobile. Here, the tube ends of the exhaust gas tubes are engaged with each other, and a tube clamp having a seal is disposed in the overlapping area between the two tube ends. In this case, the tube clamps with the tube ends of the exhaust gas tubes and the seals must be arranged so as to form a connection between the exhaust tubes at defined positions. To this end, the exhaust gas pipes comprise, in their respective end sections, profile portions and / or grooves which must mesh with each other when the exhaust gas pipes are fitted together. The sealing of the connection is not ensured if the exhaust gas pipes are not arranged in accordance with the regulations, and already a small clearance tolerance, especially a too large gap between the tube ends, causes the leakage to occur.

On the basis of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas tight fitting which allows the axial gap tolerance between the tube ends of the tubes to be connected to be simultaneously compensated.

The above problem is solved by a pipe joint according to the features of claim 1. Each dependent claim relates to particularly suitable modifications of the present invention.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a pipe joint between two exhaust pipes of two pipes, in particular of an internal combustion engine of an automobile, said pipe joint comprising a plurality of pipe ends to be connected which are axially spaced and coaxially arranged, Wherein the annular gap between each tube end and the connecting tube is formed in a circumferential direction in which the annular gap between the tube end and the connecting tube is seated on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting tube and / or on the outer circumferential surface of each tube end, It is sealed by a seal. This provides a gas tight seal between two pipes that is simple and economical to assemble and without leakage. Not only that, but also the linear joints and the assigned seals, as well as the resultant formed joints and the variable overlapping areas between the respective ends of the tubes, the leakage between the tube ends, Tolerances can be compensated. Thereby, even if the axial gap between the two tube ends of the tubes to be connected is different, the sealing of the tube joint is ensured. Preferably the connecting tube is made of the same material as the tube ends or tubes to be connected, in particular a suitable steel, whereby the connecting tube and the tube ends have the same coefficient of thermal expansion. The seal is preferably formed of deformable, especially elastically deformable graphite. The pipe joint according to the present invention can be used in an exhaust system of an automobile, and particularly where high temperature medium or fluid is guided through pipes. Examples include power plants, swimming pools, and heating facilities.

There is provided a tubular outer shell surrounding the connecting tube, the seals and both tube ends and having at least one longitudinal slot for securing the connecting tube and the seal on the tube ends, Lt; / RTI > As such, the connectors and seals are disposed relative to the tube ends at defined locations, or relative to the annular gap between the connector tubes and respective tube ends. A longitudinal slot formed as a continuous gap extending over the entire axial length of the outer shell within the outer shell ensures the possibility of assembling the outer shell about the circumference of the tube ends to be connected and around the joint tube and seals. At the same time, through the diameter reduction of the outer shell, where the dimension of the longitudinal slot is reduced, process-safe fixing of the outer shell on the tube ends and sealing of the seals in the region of the annular gap between the tube and the tube ends The defined placement is guaranteed. Preferably, the outer shell is formed as a curved steel plate.

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

According to another modified embodiment of the present invention, the outer shell comprises two or more longitudinal slots. To this end, the outer shell is formed in a two-member or multi-member shape and consists of a plurality of segments which together can be fixed on the tube ends and together enclose the connecting tubes and seals.

The outer shell also includes a central section surrounding the connector, two outer sections provided for securing on each of the tube ends, two sealing sections extending between the central section and the outer sections and surrounding the seals, . In this case, the diameter is matched to the diameter of the tube ends to be connected in the outer sections, to the outer diameter of the seals in the sealing sections, and to the diameter of the coupling tube in the central section so that the outer shell has a plurality of stepped sections . By dividing the outer shell into several sections, the seals are placed in a force shunt, that is, they are not placed on sections where the outer shell is fixed on the tube ends.

To ensure process-safe fixing of the outer shell on the tube ends, the two outer sections and the respective tube ends of the outer shell can be connected to one another in a forced fit manner, and the outer sections of the outer shell and the respective tube ends Are made by a tube clamp surrounding each outer section. Through the operation of the tube clamps, the inner diameter of the tube clamps and, accordingly, the diameter of the outer sections of the outer shell are gradually reduced until a process-safe, forced-fit connection is formed.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is also characterized in that the sealing sections of the outer shell comprise a respective one of the chambers for receiving the circumferential seal and the chamber is formed so that the volume reduction of the chamber is induced by the diameter reduction of the outer shell ≪ / RTI > Thereby, the seals are deformed or displaced in such a manner as to contact the linear tube and the transition portion between the respective tube ends to seal the annular gap. The sealing effect is enhanced by squeezing the seals against the outer circumferential surface of the connecting tube and the outer circumferential surface of each tube end at the transition portion with a defined force.

It has also proved particularly advantageous that the central section of the outer shell surrounds the overlapping region between the connecting tube and the tube ends in a noncontact manner. Through the annular free space portion extending along the periphery between the central section of the outer shell and the overlap region, the central section of the outer shell is prevented from reaching the connecting tube or tube ends in the overlap region. As a result, it is ensured that the clamping effect of the tube clamps optimally acts on the tube ends to be connected, so that optimal force and torque transmission between the tube ends or tubes and the outer shell to be connected are performed.

Another feature of the present invention is that the connecting tube, the seals, the outer shell and the tube clamps form one connecting member that can be preassembled and operated together. In this case, the seals, the connecting tube and the tube clamps are integrated in the outer shell formed in a single member type or fixed on the outer shell, in particular in a destructive manner so that the connecting member for the formation of the tube joint has a single structure And can be disposed between the tube ends to be connected as a unit. This makes it possible to assemble the connection member in a simple and process-safe manner. At the same time, the assembly time for forming the airtight pipe joint is also optimized.

In this case, it has proved particularly appropriate that the tube ends to be connected respectively fit into the connector tube. This further simplifies the assembly of the connecting members and the formation of the pipe joints. The tube ends must be inserted into the coupling tube surrounded by the outer shell at the time of assembly, thereby forming an overlapping area between each tube end and the coupling tube. Of course, in one alternative embodiment, the connector may be engaged within each of the tube ends.

Further, the re-modified embodiment of the pipe joint according to the invention is also provided through that the joint pipe is fixed on each tube end, via a respective flange joint, in particular in a forced fit manner .

In this case, the first flange of each flange joint is fixed on the connecting tube and the second flange of the flange joint is fixed on a tubular outer shell each having a longitudinal slot, and each outer shell has a respective tubular end And can be fixed on each tube end through a diameter reduction while being displaceably in the longitudinal direction. The operation of fixing the first flange on the connector and fixing the second flange on each of the outer shells is carried out, for example, by welding. By allowing the outer shell to be displaced longitudinally on each tube end, the second flange can be displaced continuously on each tube end and can be fixed relative to the first flange of the tube at the desired location, So that the spacing tolerance between the tube ends can be compensated. The operation of securing each outer shell on the tube ends is performed in a forced fit manner through a tube clamp surrounding the outer shell.

In addition, a preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that each one seal is disposed in a chamber between the flanges to be connected of the respective flange joints, said seals and chambers being configured such that the formation of the ferrule fitting flanges leads to volume reduction of the chamber Is formed and disposed. The force fitting flange joint is realized through one or more fastening means formed, for example, as screws, through the two flanges, in which case the seal is disposed within the force transducer. Through volume reduction of the chambers, the seals disposed in the chamber are deformed or displaced in such a way that they hermetically seal the annular gap between the connecting tube and the respective tube end, while they abut the outer circumferential surfaces of the respective tube ends. The seals are compressed against the outer circumferential surface of the tube ends by a defined force, thereby enhancing the sealing effect.

The present invention allows for a number of embodiments. For further explanation of the basic 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 pipes.
2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a pipe joint between two pipes;

1 shows a first embodiment of an airtight pipe joint between two pipes 1 and 2, in particular between two exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine of an automobile. 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, which is constructed as a structural unit which can be preassembled and operated together, is provided with one circumferentially closed rigid straight connecting pipe 6, two circumferential seals 7, A tubular outer shell 8, and two tube clamps 9.

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

In the region of the outer sections 12, the tube clamps 9 are disposed on the outer shell 8 in a destructive manner to 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.

The tube end portions 3 and 4 and the connecting member 5 of the tubes 1 and 2 are connected to each other between both tube ends 3 and 4 to be connected and the connecting tube 6 Are arranged and moved relative to each other in such a manner that the overlapped portions are formed on the base portion. In this case the tube ends 3 and 4 are inserted into the connecting tube 6 and more specifically the overlapping areas 15 are formed between the respective tube ends 3 and 4 and the surrounding connecting tubes 6 And an axial gap 17 is formed between the end faces 16 of the tube ends 3, 4. The axial spacing 17 should be selected in such a way that the tube ends 3, 4 which engage or project into the connecting tube 6 do not contact one another. Whereby the axial spacing tolerance between the tube ends 3, 4 of the tubes 1, 2 can be compensated.

The diameter 18 or inner diameter of the outer shell 8 is then reduced through the tube clamps 9 disposed in the outer sections 12 of the outer shell 8. Shrinkage of the diameter 18 is possible through the longitudinal slot 10 provided in the outer shell 8. In the region of the outer sections 12, the outer shell 8 is fastened in a fit-fit manner on the tube ends 3, 4 by the tube clamps 9. At the same time, the reduction of the diameter 18 of the outer shell 8 leads to a reduction in the volume of the chambers 14 which 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 displaced by the volume variation of the chambers 14 on the outer circumferential surface 19 of the connecting tube 6, The annular gap 21 between each of the tube ends 3 and 4 and the connecting tube 6 is made to pass through the circumferential seal 7 in an airtight manner And is configured to be sealed. In this case, the two seals 7 are disposed in the force transducing portion and pressed against the outer peripheral surfaces 19 and 20 with a defined force.

According to the invention, the central section 11 of the outer shell 8 surrounds the connection tube 6 in a noncontact manner, and thus the connection tube 6 and the outer shell 8 are provided in the region of the central section 11, An annular free space portion 22 extending along the outer periphery is formed. The central section 11 of the outer shell 8 does not abut on the connecting tube 6 so that the clamping effect of the tube clamps 9 optimally acts on the tube ends 3, 4 to be connected, It is ensured that the optimum force and torque transmission between the tube ends 3, 4 to be connected or the tubes 1, 2 are carried out via the connecting member 5. [

An alternative embodiment of the pipe joint according to the invention between the two pipe ends 3, 4 is shown in Fig. Each of the tube ends 3 and 4 is fitted into a circumferentially closed straight connecting tube 6 so that the connecting tube is located in the overlapping arrangement with the two tube ends 3 and 4. The connecting tubes 6 surrounding the two tube ends 3, 4 are fixed on the respective tube ends 3, 4 through respective flange joints 23. In this case, one first flange 24 is fixed on each of the end sections of the connector tube 6 facing each other in opposite directions, in particular through welded joints. The second flange 25 of each flange joint 23 is each secured on an outer shell 26 which surrounds one of the two tube ends 3 and 4, respectively. The two outer shells 26 each have one longitudinal slot 27 and are arranged on each tube end 3, 4 in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The longitudinal slots 27 in the outer shells 26 can extend until they pass through the respective second flanges 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, Fit to the desired positions on the first and second sides (3, 4). In this case, the outer shells 26 are arranged such that the two flanges 24, 25 of the respective flange joints 23 are adjacent to each other and between the end faces 30 of the tube ends 3, Are fixed on the respective tube ends 3, 4 in such a manner that an axial spacing 31 is formed in each tube end 3, 4. The axial spacing 31 should be selected in such a way that the two end faces 30 of the tube ends 3, 4 do not contact each other. Between the two adjacent flanges 24, 25 of the flange joint 23, one circumferential chamber 32 is formed, one in each of which a seal 7 is arranged. The chamber 32 is defined by a circumferential groove 33 in the first flange 24 and a wall surface 34 of the second flange 25 located opposite the groove 33.

To form the flange joint 23, the two adjacent flanges 24, 25 are connected to each other in a forced fit manner through one or more fastening means 35, which are shown only in dashed lines in FIG. In this case, the chamber 32 and the seal 7 between the flanges 24 and 25 are disposed in the force transducing portion and in such a way that the volume reduction of each chamber 32 is made in forming the flange joint 23 . As a result, the seals 7 abut on the outer circumferential surface 20 of each of the tube ends 3 and 4, respectively, so that the annular gap 21 between the connecting tube 6 and the respective tube ends 3, Seal it in an airtight manner.

1: tube
2: tube
3:
4: tube end
5:
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: overlap area
16: end face
17: Spacing
18: Diameter
19: outer circumference of connector
20: outer peripheral surface of the tube end
21: Annular gap
22: Free space part
23: Flange 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: Groove
34: Wall
35: Fixing means

Claims (15)

A pipe joint between two pipes (1, 2), in particular between two exhaust pipes of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, said pipe joint comprising a pipe end (1, 2) And an annular gap 21 between each of the tube ends 3 and 4 and the connecting tube 6 is formed by a plurality of linearly connected tubes 6, Which are sealed by circumferential seals 7 which are seated on the outer circumferential surface 19 of the connecting tube 6 and / or on the outer circumferential surface 20 of each tube end 3, 4, Coffin. 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a tubular outer shell (8) surrounding the connecting tube (6), the seals (7) and both end tubes (3, 4) and having at least one longitudinal slot (10) Characterized in that the shell (8) can be fixed on the tube ends (3, 4) by means of a reduction in diameter (18). 3. A pipe joint as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal slots (10) are formed as overlapping slots. A pipe joint between two pipes according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer shell (8) comprises two or more longitudinal slots (10). 5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer shell (8) comprises one central section (11) surrounding the connector tube (6); Two outer sections (12) provided for fixing on the respective tube ends (3, 4); 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). 6. A method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two outer sections (12) and the respective tube ends (3, 4) of the outer shell (8) And the pipe joint between the two pipes. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the force-fit connection between the outer sections (12) of the outer shell (8) and the respective tube ends (3, 4) 12. A pipe joint between two pipes, characterized in that it is carried out by means of a pipe clamp (9) surrounding the pipe (12). 8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing sections (13) of the outer shell (8) each comprise one chamber (14) for receiving the circumferential seal (7) The chamber (14) is characterized by the fact that the reduction of the diameter (18) of the outer shell (8) is effected to induce volume reduction of the chamber (14). 9. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central section (11) of the outer shell (8) comprises a non-contact area (15) between the connecting tube (6) and the tube ends (3, 4) A tube joint between the two tubes. A connector according to at least one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connecting tube (6), the seals (7), the outer shell (8) and the tube clamps (9) To form a member (5). A pipe joint between two pipes according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the pipe ends (3, 4) to be connected are each engaged in a connecting pipe (6). 11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting tube (6) is fixed on each tube end (3, 4) via a respective flange joint (23) Pipe joint between two pipes. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first flange (24) of each flange joint (23) is fixed on the connecting tube (26) and the second flange (25) of the flange joint (23) And each outer shell 26 surrounds each tubular end 3, 4 in a longitudinally displaceable manner and is connected to each tubular outer shell 26 through a reduction in diameter 29, , Which can be fixed on the ends (3, 4). 14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that each outer shell (26) can be fastened on each tube end (3, 4) in a forced fit manner by a tube clamp (28) Of course. A method according to at least one of the claims 13 and 14, characterized in that a respective seal (7) is arranged in the chamber (32) between the flanges (24, 25) of the respective flange joint (23) The seal (7) and the chamber (32) are formed and arranged such that the formation of a forced fit flange joint (23) induces volume reduction of the chamber (32).

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