RU2786649C2 - Component for hydraulic or pneumatic circuit and pipe fittings containing the specified component - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: hydraulic or pneumatic circuits.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a component for a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit. The component for the hydraulic or pneumatic circuit contains at least one tubular part (2) located around the axis (A), and at least one annular identification strip (3), which is connected to the tubular part (2), while the tubular part ( 2) is provided with an annular socket (4), the identification strip (3) is at least partially located in the specified annular socket (4), and the annular socket (4) and the identification strip (3) have a shape made with the possibility of impeding the axial movement of the identification strip (3) and with the possibility of its rotation around the axis (A).

EFFECT: improving access to information printed on the component.

20 cl, 6 dwg

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority over Italian utility model application No. 202017000108877 filed on September 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The invention relates to a component for a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydraulic or pneumatic components are usually used to create more or less complex circuits.

The term "hydraulic or pneumatic components" defines, for example, parts of pipe fittings of any type, parts of filters or connections, etc.

The technical information contained on these components is often required by installers or, if necessary, by maintenance operators who work on the circuit after it has been installed.

However, this information is printed directly on the component and becomes difficult to read once the component is placed in the circuit.

In fact, components are often placed in positions where technical information is hidden, or in positions where visibility is poor.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of the invention to improve access to information printed on a component in an easy and inexpensive manner, both from a functional and structural point of view.

According to these objects, the present invention relates to a component for a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit, having at least one tubular part located around the axis, and an annular identification strip, which is connected to the tubular part.

Thanks to this invention, all elements of information can be printed on the identification strip and will be easy to read.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be best understood by reading the following description of a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- fig. 1 is a schematic representation, partially exploded in perspective, with details removed for greater clarity, of a component in accordance with the invention;

- fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view, with details removed for clarity, of the component of FIG. one;

- fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a fragment of a component according to the first embodiment of the invention;

- fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a fragment of a component according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a fragment of a component according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a fragment of a component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, 1 denotes a component for a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit according to the invention.

In the non-limiting example shown and described herein, component 1 is a piece of pipe fitting specifically designed for hydraulic use.

The invention obviously can be applied to any other component intended to be installed in hydraulic circuits and/or in gas circuits and/or in circuits for conveying any other type of medium in liquid or gaseous form.

With reference to FIG. 1 and 2, component 1 comprises at least one tubular part 2 located around axis A and an annular identification strip 3 which is connected to the tubular part 2.

Preferably, the identification strip 3 is rotatably connected about axis A.

"Annular" means that the identification strip is in the form of a ring. The inner annular surface and/or the outer annular surface of the ring may be faceted or cylindrical, or various combinations of these solutions. In a non-limiting embodiment described and shown herein, the inner annular surface and the outer annular surface are cylindrical with a circular cross section. According to an embodiment not shown here, the inner annular surface and/or the outer annular surface of the ring may have a first cylindrical portion and a second faceted portion that follow each other in the axial direction.

In the non-limiting embodiment described and shown herein, the tubular portion 2 is provided with an annular socket 4 which, in use, at least partially accommodates the identification strip 3.

In more detail, the annular seat 4 and the identification strip 3 are shaped so as to avoid axial movements of the identification strip 3 and thus allow the identification strip 3 to rotate about axis A.

In a non-limiting embodiment described and shown herein, the annular seat 4 is essentially a groove along the outer surface 5 of the tubular part 2.

The annular seat 4 is axially demarcated by two stops 6. Thus, when the identification strip 3 is placed in the annular socket 4, the axial movements of the identification strip 3 are limited by the stops 6.

The annular socket 4 additionally has an annular base 7 located between the stops 6.

The identification strip 3 is placed in an annular seat 4 with a radial clearance to allow the identification strip 3 to rotate freely when needed.

The connection between the identification strip 3 and the tubular part 2 can obviously also be made in another way.

The identification strip 3 is preferably a ring having a constant axial width.

In other words, the identification strip 3 has no recesses or narrow sections.

In accordance with an embodiment which is not shown in this description, the strip is fixed on the tubular part in such a way as to avoid its rotation.

The identification strip 3 is provided with at least one graphic identification element.

The expression "graphical identity" means, for example, a color and/or an identification code and/or a special surface finish and/or technical information and/or installation date information and/or origin information (e.g. trademark manufacturer), and/or abbreviations referring to compliance with reference standards, etc.

For example, blue can be used to identify components used in cold water circuits, red can be used to identify components used in hot water circuits, and yellow can be used to identify components used in gas circuits. Of course, any color and/or combination of colors can be used to convey a specific message to consumers and/or installers.

With reference to FIG. 1, the identification strip comprises an annular carrier body 8 having an outer annular surface 9 which is visible when the identification strip 3 is placed in the annular socket 4 and an inner annular surface 10 which is not visible when the identification strip 3 is placed in the annular socket 4 (Fig. 2).

The outer annular surface 9 can preferably be at least partially covered with a coating made of a material different from that of the carrier body 8.

In a non-limiting embodiment described and shown herein, the inner annular surface 10 has a substantially smooth surface finish. In other words, there is no roughness or unevenness on the inner annular surface 9, which could limit the rotation of the identification strip 3 relative to the annular seat 4.

Further embodiments may obviously include connections between the identification strip 3 and the annular socket 4, which use a non-smooth surface finish and which, in any case, allow relative sliding between the parts.

Preferably, the outer annular surface 9 is covered with a material on which the user/installer can make notes with ink. Thus, after installation, texts/warnings/notes can be written on the strip, depending on the use of the component.

Preferably, the identification strip 3 is removable.

In a non-limiting embodiment described and shown herein, the carrier body 8 of the identification strip 3 is made of a material that allows the identification strip 3 to be radially deformed so that it can exit the annular seat 4 or the body in the annular seat 4 when loaded.

Preferably, the carrier body 8 of the identification strip 3 is made of a material that differs from the (ordinary metal) material constituting the annular seat 4 of the tubular part 2.

Preferably, the bearing body 8 of the identification strip 3 is made of a polymeric material. For example, the carrier body 8 may be made of plastic or rubber. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, identification strip 30 is an open ring. In other words, the identification strip 30 has a break 31. This break allows the ring to be radially deformed for easy installation and removal of the identification strip 30 from the ring seat 4.

According to an embodiment not shown in this specification, the identification strip is at least partially made of a heat-sensitive material capable of changing color with temperature. Thus, the identification strip is able to automatically signal a temperature that is considered too high or dangerous for operation.

In accordance with another embodiment, which is not shown in this description, the identification strip is at least partially made of a self-shrinkable heat-sensitive material capable of shrinking depending on temperature. Thus, the strip can be sized to fit easily into the corresponding ring socket. Once placed in the socket, the connection between the ring socket and the identification strip is achieved by simply heating the identification strip (eg with a lighter or hot air blower, etc.).

In accordance with another embodiment, which is not shown in this description, the identification strip is at least partially made of a fluorescent material. Thus, users can easily identify the component even in poor visibility conditions. This solution is very useful when dealing with pipe fittings that must be used in the event of an emergency.

In FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which the identification strip 3 is connected to a flat plate 35 located essentially tangentially to the outer annular surface 9.

The flat plate 35 is preferably provided with a slot for accommodating one or more tags (which is not clearly visible in FIG. 4). Preferably, the tags can be placed in such a way that they can be replaced depending on the needs of the installer and the maintenance operator. This solution is especially useful when it is required to indicate the function of a component and/or the overhaul/replacement date on the tag.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the carrier body 8 is connected to a magnifying glass 38 which surrounds the carrier body 8 substantially along a substantial portion of the annular length of the carrier body itself. Thus, all the information items written on the outer annular surface of the identification strip 3 become easier to read.

Preferably, there is a space 39 between the magnifying glass and the carrier body for the possible placement of a tag that can be easily inserted/removed so that it can be replaced according to the needs of the installer and/or maintenance operator. This solution is especially useful when it is required to indicate the function of a component and/or the overhaul/replacement date on the tag.

According to an embodiment which is not shown here, the carrier body is made in one piece with a magnifying glass.

The magnifying glass 38 is preferably made from a convex, flat, optical element.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the carrier body 8 is connected to a magnifying glass 40 in the form of an optical element with a rectangular cross section.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in this description, the carrier body is connected to a magnifying glass, which is slidably connected to the carrier body. According to this solution, the magnifying glass does not extend along the entire length of the carrier body. In order to facilitate the reading of information elements recorded along the entire identification strip, it is sufficient, in this case, to move the magnifying glass along the carrier body.

And, finally, it is obvious that the component and pipe fittings described here are subject to changes and variations, however, without going beyond the scope of the appended claims for this reason.

Claims (20)

1. A component for a hydraulic or pneumatic circuit, containing at least one tubular part (2) located around the axis (A), and at least one annular identification strip (3), which is connected to the tubular part (2), while the tubular part (2) is provided with an annular socket (4), the identification strip (3) is at least partially located in the specified annular socket (4), the annular socket (4) and the identification strip (3) have a shape made with the possibility of impeding the axial movement of the identification strip (3) and with the possibility of its rotation around the axis (A). 2. Component according to claim 1, in which the identification strip (3) is provided with at least one graphic identification element. 3. The component of claim 2, wherein the graphical identity contains at least one or more pieces of information relating to the component or the use of the component. 4. A component according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the identification strip (3) can be removed if necessary. 5. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the identification strip (3) is fixed on the tubular part (2). 6. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is made of a material which at least partially allows the identification strip (3) to deform radially. 7. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) may be an open ring. 8. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is at least partially made of a material which differs from that of the tubular part (2). 9. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is at least partially made of the same material as the tubular part (2). 10. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is at least partially made of a polymeric material. 11. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is at least partially made of a heat-sensitive material capable of changing color depending on temperature. 12. A component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is at least partially made of a self-shrinkable thermosensitive material capable of shrinking depending on the temperature. 13. Component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is at least partially made of a fluorescent material. 14. The component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) comprises an annular carrier body (8) having an outer annular surface (9) that is visible when the identification strip (3) is placed in the annular socket (4), wherein the outer annular surface (9) is at least partially covered with a material that differs from the material of the carrier body (8). 15. Component according to claim 14, wherein the coating material of the outer annular surface (9) is capable of being inscribed with ink. 16. The component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) comprises an annular carrier body (8) having an outer annular surface (9) that is visible when the identification strip (3) is placed in the annular socket (4), when in this case, the outer annular surface (9) is connected to a flat plate (35) located tangentially to the outer annular surface (9). 17. A component according to claim 16, wherein the flat plate (35) is provided with a tag pocket. 18. The component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) comprises an annular carrier body (8) having an outer annular surface (9) that is visible when the identification strip (3) is placed in the annular socket (4), when In this case, the identification strip (3) is provided with a magnifying glass connected to the carrier body (8) for easier reading of the information elements recorded on the outer annular surface (9). 19. A component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification strip (3) is a ring with a constant axial width. 20. Pipe fittings containing a hydraulic or pneumatic component according to any one of the preceding claims.

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