SE1451049A1 - Attachment device for mandrel-free connection of media conduits - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an attachment device (1) for mandrel-free connection of media conduits, comprising an attachment body (3) with a receiving opening (5), and comprising a cartridge element (7) for inserting into the receiving opening (5), wherein the cartridge element (7) has an insertion opening (9) for the insertion of a conduit end (11) of a media conduit and has fixing means (15) for fixing the conduit end (11) of the media conduit so as to prevent the latter from being released from the insertion opening (9). The attachment device (1) has a plate-shaped cover part (13) for holding the cartridge element (7) in the receiving opening (5), connecting means for connecting the cover part (13) to the attachment body (3), and clamping means (21) for generating a clamping force between cover part (13) and cartridge element (7).

Description

ATTACHMENT DEVICE FOR MANDREL-FREE CONNECTION OF MEDIA CONDUITS The invention relates to an attachment device for mandrel-free connection of mediaconduits, comprising an attachment body with a receiving opening, and comprising acartridge element for inserting into the receiving opening, wherein the cartridge element hasan insertion opening for the insertion of a conduit end of a media conduit and has fixingmeans for fixing the conduit end of the media conduit so as to prevent the |atter from being released from the insertion opening.

The expression “media conduits” is to be understood basically to mean pipe or hoseconduits for any flow and/or pressure media such as gases and liquids, but in particular pipe conduits composed of plastic.

Attachment devices that serve for the rapid and in particular also detachable attachment ofmedia conduits by simple insertion into a receiving opening are basically known. Merely byway of example, reference is made here to the publications EP 0 616 161 B1, EP 0 160 559B1 and EP 1 199 506 A1.

Attachment devices of said type must, for practical use, be provided for a multiplicity ofmedia conduits that differ in terms of their cross-sectional sizes and materials. lt has hithertobeen necessary for a separate attachment device, with all of its individual parts, to beprovided for each conduit external and/or internal diameter and for the different materials.This leads to very high outlay in terms of production, stockkeeping and logistics. Particularlycumbersome valve blocks with attachment contours of said type entail high costs in terms ofstockkeeping. Furthermore, it is often necessary for multiple media conduits to be connectedto one attachment body. ln the case of conventional attachment devices, every mediaconduit must be mounted and secured against detachment individually, in particular bymeans of a screw connection or detent connection, and must be dismounted individually in order to be detached. This entails high outlay in terms of assembly and disassembly.

The present invention is based on the object of reducing the outlay in terms of production,assembly and/or disassembly in the case of attachment devices of said type for configuration for different conduit cross sections and materials. 2 The object is achieved according to the invention by means of a cover part for holding thecartridge element in the receiving opening, connecting means for connecting the cover partto the attachment body, and clamping means for generating a clamping force between cover part and cartridge element.

An embodiment of said type makes it possible for different cartridge elements in terms of theinternal diameter of the insertion opening but with the same outer diameter to be used withthe same cover parts and attachment bodies, such that the production of attachment devicesfor media conduits with different external diameters is possible in a particularly simple mannef.

By means of the attachment device according to the invention, it is thus advantageouslypossible, with one and the same attachment body, for attachment devices for severaldifferent media conduits to be provided in modular fashion, merely by virtue of use beingmade of the cartridge element respectively adapted to the media conduit. Since theattachment device may be part of a complex assembly, for example of a valve block, it isadvantageous if only one assembly, with the attachment device according to the invention,can be used for multiple different attachment sizes. Since the attachment body is the mostcomplex and expensive constituent part of the attachment device, the invention leads toeconomical production of different embodiments adapted to different media conduits.Furthermore, however, it is also possible for different attachment bodies and cover parts tobe provided, which are then designed in each case for different maximum conduit externaldiameters. ln this way, with the respectively associated cartridge elements designedaccording to the invention, groups, so-called “clusters”, are formed, wherein eachattachment body and each cover part is suitable for multiple different media conduits within aparticular structural size range. ln this way, it is possible, with only a small number ofcomponents, to realize attachment devices for a large range of media conduits which differin terms of their cross-sectional sizes; in particular, the number of expensive attachmentbodies is reduced, because each attachment body is suitable for a group of multiple different media conduits. ln a further refinement of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if multiple passageopenings are arranged in the cover part and a corresponding number of receiving openingsare arranged in the attachment body, and a corresponding number of cartridge elements are arranged in the receiving openings for the purpose of connecting a corresponding number of 3 media conduits, wherein all of the cartridge elements simultaneously can, by means of a cover part, be held in the receiving openings and/or released.

This makes it possible to realize a multiplex attachment device to which multiple mediaconduits can be connected simultaneously, wherein the mounting and in particular theretention of all of the cartridge elements in the receiving openings can be realizedsimultaneously, and thus in a particularly simple and effective manner, by means of thesingle cover part. Furthermore, simultaneous release of all of the media conduits is likewisemade possible by opening the single cover part, because all of the cartridge elements are released simultaneously by the single cover part.

Further advantageous design features of the invention can be found in the subclaims and in the following description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross section through a part of a first embodiment of an attachmentdevice according to the invention in the region of the cartridge element, Figure 2 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a cover part for an attachmentdevice according to the invention, Figure 3 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a cover part for an attachmentdevice according to the invention, with a partial cross section through aninserted media conduit and an inserted cartridge element, Figure 4a shows a cross section through a part of a second embodiment of anattachment device according to the invention in the region of the cartridgeelement, with the cover part, as per section A-A in Figure 3, and Figure 4b shows a cross section through a part of a second embodiment of an attachment device according to the invention in the region of the cartridge element with the cover part, as per section B-B in Figure 3. 4 ln the various figures of the drawing, identical parts are always denoted by the same reference signs.

With regard to the subsequent description, it is claimed that the invention is not restricted tothe exemplary embodiments, and here, is not restricted to all or several features ofdescribed feature combinations, it rather being the case that each individual sub-feature ofthe/each exemplary embodiment is of importance for the subject matter of the inventioneven independently of all of the other sub-features described in conjunction therewith and also in combination with any features of another exemplary embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a part of a first embodiment of an attachment device1 according to the invention for mandrel-free connection of media conduits. The attachmentdevice comprises an attachment body 3 with an in particular cylindrical receiving opening 5for receiving a cartridge element 7, a cartridge element 7 with an insertion opening 9 for theinsertion of a conduit end 11 of a media conduit, a cover part 13 for holding the cartridgeelement 7 in the receiving opening, fixing means 15 for fixing the conduit end 11 of themedia conduit so as to prevent the latter from being released from the insertion opening 9 ofthe cartridge element 7, and connecting means (not illustrated) for connecting the cover part13 to the attachment body 3.

A conduit port 4 of the attachment body 3, Which conduit port is provided for connecting tothe conduit end 11, opens out in a base 6 in the receiving opening 5 of the attachment body3. ln the assembled state of the attachment device 1, the cartridge element 7 is inserted inthe receiving opening 5 of the attachment body 3. The attachment device 1 comprises, inparticular, sealing means 14 for sealing off the outer circumference of the cartridge element7 in the receiving opening 5 of the attachment body 3 so as to prevent an escape of the medium situated in the media conduit.

The cover part 13 is in particular of plate-shaped form. ln an especially simple embodimentof the cover part 13, said cover part is for example in the form of a punched and bent part.The cover part 13 has a passage opening 17 for the conduit end 11 of the media conduit. lnthe closed state of the cover part 13, that is to say when the cover part 13 is connected tothe attachment body 3, the passage opening 17 is arranged in alignment with the insertionopening 9 of the cartridge element 7. ln this way, when a cartridge element 7 is inserted intothe receiving opening 5 of the attachment body 3, the conduit end 11 of the media conduit is inserted through the passage opening 17 of the cover part 13 into the insertion opening 9 of 5 the cartridge element 7 and is non-detachably locked in the cartridge element 7 by way ofthe fixing means 15. For this purpose, the fixing means 15 are in particular arranged in the insertion opening 9 of the cartridge element 7. ln the illustrated embodiment of the cartridge element 7, the cartridge element 7 is inparticular of hollow cylindrical form and has, at its end of the insertion opening 9 facing awayfrom the cover part 13, an encircling annular shoulder 20 that projects radially inward intothe insertion opening 9. The annular shoulder 20 forms a passage 23 which, when acartridge element 7 is inserted into the receiving opening 5, is arranged in alignment with theconduit port 4 of the attachment body 3. ln particular, that end of the cartridge element 7which faces toward the cover part 13 has a radially outwardly projecting encircling annularshoulder 24. Here, the maximum diameter of said annular shoulder 24 is in particular larger than the diameter of the receiving opening 5 of the attachment body 3.

The cartridge element 7 advantageously comprises sealing means 18 for sealing off theouter circumference of the conduit end 11 of the media conduit in the insertion opening 9 soas to prevent an escape of the medium in the media conduit. ln particular, the sealing means18 in the insertion opening 9 of the cartridge element 7 are formed as a sealing ring placedin the insertion opening 9 or an encircling sealing bead, in one piece with the cartridgeelement 7, as a single-component or two-component part. ln the illustrated embodiment ofthe cartridge element 7, the sealing means 18 are arranged in the insertion opening 9 of thecartridge element 7 in front of the fixing means 15 as viewed in the insertion direction.Alternatively, the sealing means 18 may be arranged in the insertion opening 9 of the cartridge element 7 behind the fixing means 15 as viewed in the insertion direction.

The attachment device 1 according to the invention advantageously comprises clampingmeans 21 for generating an in particular resiliently elastic clamping force between cover part13 and cartridge element 7. ln particular, the clamping means 21 are formed in one piecewith the cover part 13 or the cartridge element 7. The clamping means 21 areadvantageously formed as a two-component part, composed in particular of two differentplastics, with the cover part 13 or the cartridge element 7. ln the embodiment illustrated, theclamping means 21 are in the form of clamping beads formed on that face side of thecartridge element 7 which faces toward the cover part 13. Alternatively, the clamping beadsmay also be formed on that side of the cover part 13 which faces toward the cartridge element 7, in the region of the opposite face side of the cartridge element 7. The clamping 6 means 21 could instead be formed as integrally formed clamping beads or as integrally formed spring elements. ln a further alternative embodiment according to the invention, the cover part 13 is in theform of an undulating plate with peaks and troughs, wherein the vertices of the troughs ofthe undulations are arranged so as to be situated opposite a face surface, facing toward thecover part 13, of the cartridge element 7 and so as to interact, as the clamping means 21, with the cartridge element 7 when the cover part 13 is closed.

The connecting means (not illustrated) for fastening the cover part 13 to the attachmentbody 3 are in particular designed such that the cover part 13 can be connected to theattachment body by being slid, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X', on a face side, facing toward the cover part 13, of the attachment body 3.

An alternative embodiment of the connecting means which is not illustrated is designed suchthat the cover part 13 can be connected to the attachment body 3 by virtue of the cover part 13 being folded onto a face side, facing toward the cover part 13, of the attachment body 3.

A further advantageous embodiment of the connecting means is designed such that thecover part 13 can be connected to the attachment body 3 by being screwed onto a face side, which faces toward the cover part 13, of the attachment body 3.

Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the cover part 13 is connected to the attachmentbody 3 by means of a cohesive connection to a face side, which faces toward the cover part13, of the attachment body 3.

The passage opening of the cover part 13 is designed differently depending on theembodiment of the connecting means and the corresponding closing movement of the coverpart 13, such that a release movement of the cover part 13 is possible when there is a conduit end 11 inserted in the cartridge element 7.

Thus, for example, in the case of connecting means that permit sliding of the cover part 13,the passage opening 17 is of keyhole-shaped form, having a region of widened diameterwhich is larger than the diameter of the cartridge element 7 and having a second regionwhose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the cartridge element 7, wherein, in a closed position, the relatively narrow region of the passage opening 17 is arranged over the 7 receiving opening 5 such that the cartridge element 7 is held fixed in the receiving opening5, and in a release position, the widened region of the passage opening 17 is arranged overthe receiving opening 5 such that the cartridge element 7 can be pulled out of the receivingopening 5 through the passage opening 17. Alternatively, the passage opening 17 may also be of circular or rectangular form. ln one embodiment of an attachment device according to the invention, multiple passageopenings 17 are arranged in the cover part 13, and a corresponding number of receivingopenings 5 are arranged in the attachment body 3 and a corresponding number of cartridgeelements 7 are arranged for the purpose of connecting a corresponding number of conduitends 11 of media conduits, wherein all of the cartridge elements 7 simultaneously can, bymeans of the cover part 13, be held in the receiving openings 5 or released. Figure 2 showsan embodiment of a subregion of a cover part 13 according to the invention for anattachment device 1 of said type. Here, by way of example, four passage openings 17 areprovided for the connection of, for example, four conduit ends 11, wherein the attachmentbody has, by way of example, four receiving openings 5 into which in each case one cartridge element 7 is inserted. The four passage openings 17 are of keyhole-shaped form.

Figure 3, Figure 4a and Figure 4b show a further embodiment according to the invention of acover part 13. The cover part 13 forms, at the edge region of its passage opening 17, boththe fixing means 15 and the clamping means 21. Here, the fixing means 15 are in the formof holding lugs which are bent in the direction of the cartridge element and which, when thecover part 13 is closed, prevent an inserted conduit end 11 from being pulled out of thecartridge element 7. The clamping means 21 are in the form of clamping lugs which are bentin the direction of the cartridge element 7 and which, when the cover part 13 is closed,clamp the cartridge element 7, on its face side facing toward the cover part 13, in the receiving opening 5.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the attachment device 1 as per Figure 4a and Figure 4b,aside from the sealing means 14, 18 for sealing against an escape of the medium, additionaldirt seals 31, 33 are arranged both between the outer circumference of the cartridge element7 and the receiving opening 5 of the attachment body 3 and between the outercircumference of the conduit end 11 and the inner circumference of the insertion opening 9of the cartridge element 7. The dirt seals 31, 33 are each arranged in front, as viewed in the insertion direction, of the sealing means for sealing against an escape of the medium.

Claims (1)

1. Claims Attachment device (1) for mandrel-free connection of media conduits, comprising anattachment body (3) With a receiving opening (5), and comprising a cartridge element(7) for inserting into the receiving opening (5), wherein the cartridge element (7) hasan insertion opening (9) for the insertion of a conduit end (11) ofa media conduit andhas fixing means (15) for fixing the conduit end (1 1) of the media conduit so as toprevent the latter from being released from the insertion opening (9), characterized by a plate-shaped cover part (13) for holding the cartridge element (7) in the receivingopening (5), connecting means for connecting the cover part (13) to the attachmentbody (3), and clamping means (21) for generating a clamping force between cover part (13) and cartridge element (7). Attachment device (1) according to Claim 1,characterized bysealing means for sealing off the outer circumference of the conduit end (1 1) of the media conduit in the insertion opening (9). Attachment device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2,characterized bysealing means for sealing off the outer circumference of the cartridge element (7) in the receiving opening (5) of the attachment body (3). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover part (13) has a passage opening (17) for the conduit end of the mediaconduit, said passage opening being arranged in alignment with the insertionopening (9) of the cartridge element (7) when the cover part (13) is in the fastened state. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4,characterized in thatthe cover part (13) is in the form of an undulating plate, wherein the vertices of the undulations are arranged so as to be situated opposite a face surface, facing toward 10. 11. 9 the cover part (13), of the cartridge element (7) and so as to interact, as the clamping means (21 ), with the cartridge element (7) when the cover part (13) is closed. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping means (21) are in the form of clamping beads formed on that face sideof the cartridge element (7) which faces toward the cover part (13) or on that side of the cover part (13) which faces toward the cartridge element (7). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping means (21) are in the form of spring elements formed on that face sideof the cartridge element (7) which faces toward the cover part (13) or on that side of the cover part (13) which faces toward the cartridge element (7). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7,characterized in thatthe clamping means (21) are formed in one piece with the cover part (13) or with the cartridge element (7). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the clamping means (21) are formed as a two-component part, composed inparticular of two different plastics, in one piece with the cover part (13) or with the cartridge element (7). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that that end of the insertion opening (9) of the cartridge element (7) which faces awayfrom the cover part (13) has an encircling annular shoulder (20) that projects radially inward into the insertion opening (9). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10,characterized in thatthat end of the cartridge element (7) which faces toward the cover part (13) has an encircling annular shoulder (24) that projects radially outward. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11,characterized in that the fixing means (15) are arranged in the insertion opening of the cartridge element (7)- Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12,characterized in thatthe fixing means (15) are in the form of retaining teeth arranged in the passage opening (17) of the cover part (13). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the sea|ing means (18) in the insertion opening (9) of the cartridge element (7) areformed as an encirc|ing sea|ing bead in the insertion opening (9), in one piece with the cartridge element (7), as a single-component part or two-component part. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 14,characterized in thatthe sea|ing means (18) are arranged in the insertion opening of the cartridge element (7) in front of the fixing means (15) as viewed in the insertion direction. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14,characterized in thatthe sea|ing means (18) are arranged in the insertion opening of the cartridge element (7) behind the fixing means (15) as viewed in the insertion direction. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cover part (13) is connected to the attachment body (3) by means of a cohesiveconnection to a face side, which faces toward the cover part (13), of the attachmentbody (3). Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 17,characterized in that the passage opening (17) of the cover part (13) is of circular form. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 11 Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 17,characterized in that the passage opening (17) of the cover part (13) is of keyhole-shaped form. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 17characterized in that the passage opening (17) of the cover part (13) is of rectangular form. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized by multiple passage openings (17) in the cover part (13), and a corresponding numberof receiving openings (5) in the attachment body (3) and a corresponding number ofcartridge elements (7) arranged in the receiving openings for the purpose ofconnecting a corresponding number of media conduits, wherein all of the cartridgeelements (7) simultaneously can, by means of the cover part (13), be held in the receiving openings (5) or released. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 21,characterized in that the cover part (13) is in the form of a punched and bent part. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 21,characterized in that the cover part (13) is in the form of a plastics part. Attachment device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 21,characterized in that the cover part (13) is in the form of a metal injection moulded part.