WO2010043474A1

WO2010043474A1 - Connecting element for flow media

Info

Publication number: WO2010043474A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/062204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Hagen; Martin Lechner; Günter SIEPER
Original assignee: Voss Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-10-17
Filing date: 2009-09-21
Publication date: 2010-04-22
Also published as: DE202008013641U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting element (1) for flow media, comprising a connector part (2), designed in particular substantially as one piece, comprising at least two connecting sections (4), each for connecting to a media line or a unit, and comprising a transitional section (8) arranged between the connecting sections (4). The connecting sections (4) each have an inner connecting channel (6), and connecting channels (6) are aligned with respect to the longitudinal axes (10) thereof at a certain connector angle (α) between 0° and 180° relative to one another and have a flow connection via the transitional section (8). The connecting sections (4) are arranged with an offset (X) relative to one another with respect to the longitudinal axes (10) thereof, at least in the area of the transitional section (8), such that a connecting space (12) having an enlarged flow cross-section relative to the cross-sections of the adjacent connecting channels (6) is formed within the transitional section (8).

Description

VOSS Automotive GmbH, Leiersmühle 2 - 6, 51688 Wipperfuerth

"Connecting element for flow media"

The present invention relates according to the preamble of claim 1, a connecting element for flow media, consisting of a particular substantially integral connector part with at least two connecting portions each for connection to a media line or an aggregate and with a arranged between the terminal sections transition portion, wherein the terminal portions each have a Having inner connecting channel and the connecting channels with respect to their longitudinal axes in a certain connector angle between 0 ° and 180 ° aligned with each other and are fluidly connected to each other via the transition portion.

Specifically, it may be any conceivable type of connector with multiple (at least two) outlets, in particular an angle connector with two connection sections, a cross connector with four connection sections or a T or Y connector with three connection sections, wherein at least two of the connection sections are aligned at an angle to each other.

A connection or connection element of the described, generic type is described in the document DE 20 2007 012 584 U1. Specifically, these are versions as an angle connector or T-connector, wherein (at least) two connection sections form a specific connector angle between 0 ° and 180 °, but especially in the range of 30 ° to 120 ° and in particular 90 °. In this case, an inner, the connecting channels connecting, over the respective connector angle away extending connecting channel should have a streamlined inner cross-sectional profile. For the production of the connector part as a one-piece injection molded part of a dimensionally stable material (plastic or metal) are special molding technology Required measures that are associated with a relatively large production cost and quite high tool cost.

The present invention is based on the object to provide a connecting element of the type mentioned, with the improved production characteristics can still be ensured with significantly simplified manufacturability.

This is achieved by the features of claim 1 according to the invention. Advantageous design features of the invention are contained in the dependent claims and the following description.

According to the invention, the (at least two) connection sections are offset relative to one another with respect to the longitudinal axes of their connection channels such that a connection space with a flow cross section enlarged relative to the cross sections of the adjacent connection channels is formed within the transition section. According to the invention, the offset is designed so that each connecting portion in the inner region of its connection channel in the preferred case of a production molding as injection molding with a simple slide-like, axially demoldable mold core is formed, wherein the mandrels are divided in the region of the transition portion such that they by a Area overlap to form the enlarged connection space.

Alternatively, in principle, a machining production of solid material is possible by the connecting channels - instead of with cores - are formed with appropriately introduced chip tools (drills, milling cutters).

The invention and preferred embodiments will be explained in more detail below with reference to some illustrated in the drawings embodiments. Show it: 1 is a side view of a connecting element according to the invention in a first embodiment as an angle connector,

2 is a view in the direction of arrow II of FIG. 1,

3 shows a section in the plane III-III of FIG. 1,

4 is a view as in Fig. 3 for further explanation of the invention,

Fig. 5 is another view as in Fig. 3 with an example drawn

Mold cores,

6 is a side view of a connecting element according to the invention in a second embodiment as a cross connector,

7 is a view in the direction of arrow VII of FIG. 6,

8 is a section in the plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 6,

9 is a representation as in Fig. 8 for further explanation,

Fig. 10 is a further illustration as in Fig. 8 with exemplary drawn

Mold cores,

11 is a view of another embodiment of the connecting element as a T-connector,

12 is a side view in the direction of arrow XII of FIG. 11,

13 is a section in the plane XIII-XIII of FIG. 12, 13a is a view, slightly enlarged relative to FIGS. 11 to 13, of a special mold core arrangement for producing the connecting element according to FIGS. 11 to 13, but in an advantageously modified development,

14 shows a further embodiment of the connecting element as T

Connector in side view,

15 is an axial section of the connecting element according to FIG. 14,

16 is a side view of another embodiment of the

Connecting element, again as a T-connector,

17 is a plan view in the direction of arrow XVII of FIG. 16 and

18 is an enlarged detail view of the area XVIII in FIG. 16.

In the various figures of the drawing, like parts are always provided with the same reference numerals.

An inventive connecting element 1 consists of a - preferably integrally molded from a dimensionally stable material - connector part 2 with at least two connection sections 4, each for connection to a not shown media line (pipe or hose for any flow media) or to any aggregate ( also not shown, for example, a compressed air cylinder or pressure accumulator) are formed. As a result, at least two lines can be connected to one another via the connecting element 1, or at least one line can be connected to an aggregate. Each connection section 4 has an inner connection channel 6, wherein the connection channels 6 via a between the Connection portions 4 arranged transition portion 8 of the connector part 2 are fluidly connected to each other. The connection channels 6 of the respectively two adjacent connection sections 4 are aligned with respect to their longitudinal axes 10 in a certain connector angle α between 0 ° and 180 ° to each other. In most applications, the connector angle α is in the range between 30 ° and 120 ° and preferably in the range of 90 °.

According to the invention, the connection sections 4 or respectively at least two of the existing connection sections 4 are offset relative to one another with respect to their longitudinal axes 10 by an offset X such that within the transition section 8 an enlarged connection space 12 is formed with a flow cross section which is larger relative to the cross sections of the adjacent connection channels 6 , The thus enlarged connection space 12 is exemplified by hatching in FIGS. 4, 9 and 13. Each connection channel 6 extends starting from the free end of the respective connection section 4 with a constant, z. B. circular, oval or rounded polygonal inner cross section into the region of the transition section 8 into it.

Due to the inventive design, the connector part 2 can be prepared in a simple and economical manner as a one-piece injection molded part, advantageously using simple slider-like mandrels. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to the individual embodiments.

In the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the connecting element 1 is designed as an angle connector with two connecting sections 4, which for example enclose a right angle α = 90 °. Actually, the longitudinal axes 10 of the two connection sections 4 together define a connector plane, but in this embodiment according to the invention, the longitudinal axes 10 are offset parallel to the offset X perpendicular to this connector plane. As a result, the enlarged connection space 12 is created. According to FIG. 5, two simple mandrels 14, 16 can be used, which are located in the region of the transition section 8 overlap such that the connecting space 12 is formed with an increased inner volume and thereby increased flow cross-section.

In an analogous manner, this can be achieved according to FIGS. 6 to 10, even with a cross connector.

In the embodiment of the connecting element 1 as a T-connector illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 11 to 13, the connecting sections 4, which would actually be arranged coaxially opposite each other, are offset from one another by the offset X in the connector plane. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the enlarged connection space 12 is created.

The same applies to the embodiment according to FIGS. 14 and 15.

In the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 11 to 13 or FIGS. 14 and 15, alternatively or additionally, an offset X could be provided perpendicular to the connector plane (corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 5 or FIGS. 6 to 10).

In Fig. 11 and 13, the connecting element 1 in the inner transition regions between the connection sections 4 and their connection channels 6 is shown in simplified sharp-edged. However, these transitions for flow optimization can also be streamlined in terms of flow. This can be achieved, for example, with a mold core arrangement with mold slides 14, 16a, 16b, as shown by way of example in FIG. 13a with rounded portions 18. The demolding movements are illustrated by double arrows.

16 to 18, the connecting element 1 is again designed as a T-connector with three connecting sections 4, two of which are arranged opposite to one another and lie at least with their free terminal ends on a common flow axis 0 ("zero axis") are the connection channels 6 of the two opposite Connection sections 4 with respect to their longitudinal axes 10 so opposite in an acute angle ß, for example, 1 ° to 2 °, in the example shown in particular 1, 43 °, obliquely aligned to the common flow axis 0 that in the region of the connecting space 12 of the transition section. 8 the offset X between the preferably parallel longitudinal axes 10 of the two connection channels 6 and thus the enlarged flow cross-section results. In this case, the oblique longitudinal axes 10 can tumble virtually arbitrarily around the flow axis 0 (zero axis). This results from a comparison of FIGS. 16 and 17.

As shown, the two opposing connection sections 4 themselves can also be aligned obliquely in a manner analogous to their connection channels 6 and the longitudinal axes 10. But it is also possible to align the connecting portions 4 rectilinearly equiaxial according to the zero axis 0 and to form only the connection channels 6 with the inclination at an angle ß.

The particular advantage of this embodiment according to FIGS. 16 to 18 is that, despite the offset X according to the invention, a symmetrical connection geometry is achieved, wherein the connection sections 4 allow automatic connection of lines through the arrangement of at least their free connection ends on the common zero axis.

Finally, it should be mentioned that in addition to the embodiment according to the invention also a shaping or demoulding with split mandrels in the sense of the aforementioned publication DE 20 2007 012 584 U1 is possible, to which therefore reference is made at this point in its entirety.

Furthermore, the connector part 2 may also initially be formed in several parts from at least two individually preformed and then in particular cohesively interconnected parts. For this purpose, a priority application of the applicant with the official file reference 20 2008 013 639.3, and its content is also fully incorporated by reference.

The connector part 2 expediently consists of an injection-molded part made of a dimensionally stable, rigid material, in particular of plastic or metal. In the case of the production of plastic, the connector part 2 is formed as an injection molded part in particular of a fiber-reinforced polyamide. When using metal, the connector part 2 consists of a metal die-cast part, for example of aluminum, brass or copper.

In principle, a metal-cutting production would alternatively also be possible, with the mandrels 14, 16 being practically "to be replaced" by cutting tools (drills, milling cutters).

Each connection section 4 may be formed for easy attachment of a line as a mandrel element. Reference is made to FIGS. 16 to 18. At least one of the connecting sections 4 may be formed as part of a fluid connector, in particular as a circumferentially sealed and lockable via retaining means in a receiving sleeve, not shown, of any connector part plug-in plug shank. Alternatively, a configuration as a receiving sleeve for receiving a connector or directly a line end is possible. For this purpose, reference is made in particular to the embodiment according to FIGS. 14 and 15. In addition, a screw connection to the line connection is possible.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments, but also includes all the same in the context of the invention embodiments. Furthermore, the invention has hitherto not been limited to the combination of features defined in the respective independent claim, but may also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all individually disclosed individual features. This means that In principle, virtually every individual feature of the respective independent claim can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application. In this respect, the claims are to be understood merely as a first formulation attempt for an invention.

Claims

claims

1. connection element (1) for flow media, consisting of a particular substantially integral connector part (2) with at least two connection sections (4) each for connection to a media line or an aggregate and with a between the connection sections (4) arranged transition section (8) , wherein the connection sections (4) each have an inner connection channel (6) and the connection channels (6) with respect to their longitudinal axes (10) in a certain connector angle (α) between 0 ° and 180 ° aligned with each other and fluidly over the transition section (8) are connected to each other, characterized in that the connecting portions (4) with respect to their longitudinal axes (10) at least in the region of the transition section (8) offset by an offset (X) against each other, that within the transition section (8) a connecting space (12 ) with a relative to the cross-sections of the adjacent Anschlusskan Ae (6) enlarged flow cross-section is formed.

2. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector part (2) at least three connecting portions (4), of which at least two with respect to their longitudinal axes (10) in a certain connector angle (α) are aligned with each other, wherein at least one of Connection portions (4) with respect to its longitudinal axis (10) relative to the other terminal portions (4) offset by the offset (X).

3. Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the offset (X) is aligned perpendicular to a plane defined by the course of at least two mutually angularly arranged connection channels (6) common connector plane.

4. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the offset (X) parallel to the or from the course of at least two mutually angularly arranged connection channels (6) defined connector plane is aligned.

5. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connector part (2) has at least two oppositely opposite terminal portions (4) which lie at least with their free ends on a common flow axis (0), wherein the two connection channels (6) with respect to their longitudinal axes (10) are aligned at an acute angle (ß) obliquely to the flow axis (0), that in the region of the connecting space (12) of the transition section (8) of the offset (X) between the longitudinal axes ( 10) of the two connection channels (6).