WO2014178771A1

WO2014178771A1 - Connection arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2014178771A1
Application number: PCT/SE2014/050427
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emil Pettersson
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2013-05-03
Filing date: 2014-04-07
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: DE112014001721T5; SE537134C2; SE1350542A1

Abstract

A connection arrangement comprising : - tubular first and second connection parts (1 0, 20), - a sealing device (30) for sealing between the connection parts, and - a clamping device (50) for fastening the connection parts to each other with the sealing device (30) clamped between the connection parts ( 1 0, 20), whereby the clamping device comprises a long clamping unit (51 ) that can be tightened and extends around the connection parts and clips (53) arranged outside and evenly distributed around the first connection part. The clips are attached to a base part (40) in an articulated manner and have an engagement part (55) that is designed to engage with a corresponding clip bracket (25) on the second connection part. The clamping unit is engaged with the clips so that, when the clamping unit is tightened, they are caused to swivel towards the first connection part, thus drawing the connection parts towards each other in an axial direction.

Description

Connection arrangement

FIELD OF TH E I NVENTION AN D PR IOR ART The present invention concerns a connection arrangement in accordance with the preamble to claim 1 .

In a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an air filter is usually arranged in the internal combustion engine's air intake system to filter the intake air that is fed to the internal combustion engine, in which case the air filter is connected to the internal combustion engine via an air intake pipe. In a heavy motor vehicle, for exam ple a truck or a tractor, it is common to connect said air intake pipe to the air filter by an end part of the air intake pipe being displaced axially to engage with a pipe connection in the air filter, with the end part of the air intake pipe on the outside of the pipe connection and with a sealing device made of rubber arranged between the end part of the air intake pipe and the pipe connection . A hose clamp is then tightened towards the outside of the end part of the air intake pipe so that this end part and the sealing device are compressed to form a tight joint between said end part and the pipe connection. The end part of the air intake pipe has a circular cross-section in the area of the sealing device and is therefore difficult to compress with pressure distributed evenly in a peripheral direction . The end part of the air intake pipe is also usually made of plastic, with the result that the end part of the air intake pipe is initially deformed very marginally when the hose clamp is tightened . Therefore, there is a risk of the locking force between the end part of the air intake pipe and the pipe connection being relatively low, while the seal in the joint between said end part and the pipe connection is uncertain. To guarantee an adequate seal in said joint, the interacting parts must be precisely adapted to each other with small tolerances, with the result that a relatively high installation force is required to move the parts so that they engage correctly with each other, while the centre axis of the end part of the air intake pipe m ust be precisely oriented to the centre axis of the pipe connection when the end part of the air intake pipe is moved axially to engage with the pipe connection to avoid said end part assuming an oblique position in relation to the pipe connection and thus being fixed i n the incorrect position in relation to the pipe connection . It is therefore relatively difficult to connect the air intake pipe to the air filter in this conventional way and there is a risk that the seal in the joint between these parts will be unsatisfactory.

A connection arrangement in accordance with the preamble to claim 1 was previously described in US 2009/0230675 A1 . PU RPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to achieve a beneficial new solution for the mutual connection of two tubular connection parts that makes it possible to avoid the above problems.

SU MMARY OF TH E I NVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the above purpose is achieved by means of a connection arrangement with the characteristics defined in clai m 1 . The connection arrangement in accordance with the present invention comprises:

- a tubular first connection part with an inner end and a free outer end , whereby this connection part has a casing surface that tapers towards the outer end of the connection part,

- a tubular second connection part that can be connected to the first connection part on the outside of the latter via mutual axial displacement of the connection parts towards each other,

- a sealing device for sealing between said connection parts,

- a clamping device for fastening said connection parts to each other with the sealing device clamped between the connection parts, whereby the clamping device comprises a long clamping unit that can be tightened and is arranged to extend around said connection parts, and

- a base part that extends in a radial direction from the first connection part.

The clamping device comprises two or more clips that are arranged on the outside of the first connection part and evenly distributed around it, whereby the clips are attached to the base part in an articulated manner so that the clips are able to swivel in relation to the base part around a swivel axis that extends in a tangential direction in relation to the casing surface of the first connection part. The clips have an engagement part that is designed to engage with a corresponding clip bracket on the outside of the second connection part. The clamping unit engages with the clips in a fastening area of the clips located between the clips' swivel axis and the engagement part so that, when the clam ping unit is tightened , the clips are caused to swivel towards the first connection part under the influence of the clamping unit, thus drawing , via the respective engagement parts, said connection parts towards each other in an axial direction . The tightening force of the clamping unit is converted via the clips into an axial tensile force on the second connection part so that the latter is drawn in an axial direction, resulting in sealed engagement with the first connection part. The tightening of the clamping unit produces an axial tensile force in the second connection part that is evenly distributed around the centre axis of the second connection part, thus preventi ng the connection parts from being connected to each other obliquely. As a result of the first connection part tapering towards its outer end , the gap between the two connection parts will decrease gradually as the second connection part is drawn further and further down over the first connection part. This automatically produces the compression of the sealing device necessary for sealing between the connection parts when the connection parts are moved towards each other under the influence of the clips. This compression of the sealing device is achieved without the second connection part needing to be deformed in a radial direction , which entails a reduced risk of damage to the connection parts and a reduced risk of unevenly distributed compressive force on the sealing device. The connection arrangement in accordance with the present invention allows two connection parts to be connected to each other in an easy, fast manner with minimum risk of m istakes.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention , there are at least three said clips. Using three or more clips that are evenly distributed around the first connection part ensures an even distribution of force around the connection parts when the clamping unit is tightened . In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the clamping unit is engaged with the cli ps in said fastening area in such a way that, when the clamping unit expands, the clips are caused to swivel away from the first connection part under the influence of the clamping unit and thus, via the respective engagement parts, move said connection parts in an axial direction away from each other. Consequently, to achieve disassembly, the two connection parts can be separated from each other in an easy, controlled manner with even distribution of force around the centre axis of the second connection part.

Other advantageous characteristics of the connection arrangement in accordance with the present invention are contained in the dependent claims and the description below.

The present invention also concerns a motor vehicle with the characteristics defined in clai m 1 3.

Other advantageous characteristics of the motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention are contained in the dependent claims and the description below. BR IEF DESCR IPTION OF THE D RAW ING

In the followi ng , the present invention will be described in further detail using embodiments and with reference to the attached drawing.

Fig . 1 shows a perspective view of a connection arrangement in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, with the two connection parts of the connection arrangement separated from each other.

Fig . 2 shows a perspective view of the connection arrangement shown in Fig. 1 , with the two connection parts connected to each other.

Fig . 3 shows a section through the connection arrangement shown in Fig . 1 , with the two connection parts separated from each other. Fig . 4 shows the section in Fig. 3, with the two connection parts connected to each other.

Fig . 5 shows a section through part of a connection arrangement in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention , with the two connection parts of the connection arrangement connected to each other. shows a sketch of a motor vehicle fitted with a connection arrangement in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCR I PTION OF EM BOD IM ENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 1 -5 illustrate a connection arrangement 1 in accordance with two different embodiments of the present invention . The connection arrangement 1 comprises a tubular first connection part 1 0, a tubular second connection part 20, a sealing device 30 for sealing between said connection parts 1 0, 20, a base part 40 that extends in a radial direction from the first connection part 1 0 and a clamping device 50 for fastening said connection parts 1 0, 20 to each other with the sealing device 30 clamped between the connection parts.

The first connection part 1 0 has an inner end 1 1 , a free outer end 1 2 and an external casing surface 1 3 that tapers, preferably conically, towards the outer end 1 2. The outer wall 1 4 of the first connection part 1 0 thus inclines inwards towards the centre axis A1 of the connection part, viewed from the inner end 1 1 towards the outer end 1 2, as shown in Figs. 3-5. The first connection part 1 0 may be made of plastic or another suitable material.

In the embodiments illustrated, the first connection part 1 0 is firmly connected to the base part 40 at its inner end 1 1 . The first connection part 1 0 and the base part 40 are advantageously designed as one piece. The second connection part 20 has an inner end 21 , an outer end 22 that is designed to face the first connection part 1 0, and an internal surface 23 (see Fig. 3) that is adapted to the casing surface 1 3 of the first connection part 1 0 in such a way that the second connection part 20 can be connected to the first connection part 1 0 on the outside of the latter via mutual axial displacement of the connection parts 1 0, 20 towards each other. In the embodiments illustrated, the internal surface 23 of the second connection part 20 tapers, preferably conically, viewed from the outer end 22 inwards towards the inner end 21 . The inner wall 24 of the second connection part 20 thus inclines inwards towards the centre axis A2 of the connection part, viewed from the outer end 22 towards the inner end 21 , as shown in Figs. 3-5. The internal surface 23 of the second connection part 20 could alternatively be circular cyli ndrical. The second connection part 20 may be made of plastic or another suitable material . The second connection part 20 may constitute an end part of a hose or a pipe, whereby the second connection part 20 and said hose or pipe are advantageously designed in one piece.

In the embodiments illustrated, the two connection parts 1 0, 20 have a circular cross-section , but they could alternatively have an elliptical cross-section. The clamping device 50 comprises a long clamping unit 51 that can be tightened, preferably in the form of a band made of plastic or metal material , and is arranged to extend around the above connection parts 1 0, 20. The clamping unit 51 can advantageously be tightened using a tightening device 52 arranged on the clamping unit. In the embodiments illustrated , the clamping unit 51 is a hose clamp of conventional type.

The clamping device 50 also comprises at least two clips 53 that are arranged on the outside of the first connection part 1 0 and evenly distri buted around the latter. There are expediently three or more clips 53. In the embodiments il lustrated, the clamping device 50 comprises four clips 53 that are distributed around the centre axis A1 of the first connection part with an angle of 90 ° between two clips.

At a first end, each clip 53 is attached to the base part 40 in an articulated manner so that the clip is able to swivel in relation to the base part 40 around a swivel axis A3 that extends in a tangential direction in relation to the casing surface 1 3 of the first connection part. This swivel axis A3 is thus parallel to a tangent to the casing surface 1 3 of the first connection part. In the illustrated example in which the first connection part 1 0 has a circular cross-section , this means that the clips 53 are able to swivel in a radial direction in relation to the first connection part 1 0. At a second end , the clips 53 have an engagement part 55 that is designed to engage with a corresponding cli p bracket 25 on the outside of the second connection part 20. In the em bodiments illustrated, the engagement part 55 of each clip 53 is designed as a projection on the clip and has a shoulder 56 facing the base part 40 that is designed to engage with a shoulder 26 facing away from the base part in the associated clip bracket 25. Using these interacting shoulders 26, 56, the clips 53 can be fixed in the associated clip brackets 25 and draw the second connection part 20 towards the first connection part 1 0. The clamping unit 51 engages with a clip 53 in a fastening area 54 around the clip located between the clip's swivel axis A3 and the engagement part 55 so that, when the clamping unit 51 is tightened , the clip 53 is caused to swivel towards the first connection part 1 0 under the influence of the clamping unit 51 , thus drawing the connection parts 1 0, 20 towards each other in an axial direction via the engagement part's 55 engagement with the associated clip bracket 25 on the second connection part 20. The clamping unit 51 is able to slide in its longitudinal direction in relation to the clips 53 but prevented from sliding upwards and downwards on the clips. In the embodiments illustrated, the clips 53 are provided with a spring fastening tab 57 by means of which the clamping unit 51 is clamped to the outside of the clip 53, whi le being able to slide. At its free end , the fasteni ng tab 57 is provided with a hook 58 facing the first connection part 1 0, which hook prevents the clamping unit 51 from sliding off the clip 53.

To facilitate manual fastening of the clips 53 to the second connection part 20 and manual release of the clips from the second connection part, the clips 53, at their free outer end, in connection with the engagement part 55, are provided with a grasp part 60 that an installer can grasp with the fingers or a tool to manoeuvre the clip. To be easily accessible, this grasp part 60 is angled in such a way that it extends obliquely outwards from the second connection part 20 when the engagement part 55 of the clip is engaged with a clip bracket 25 on the second connection part. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig . 5, the clamping unit 51 is engaged with the clips 53 in said fastening area 54 in such a way that, when the clamping unit 51 expands, the clips are caused to swivel away from the first connection part 1 0 under the influence of the clamping unit 51 and thus push the connection parts 1 0, 20 away from each other in an axial direction via the engagement parts' 55 engagement with the clip brackets 25 on the second connection part 20. In this case, the engagement part 55 of each clip 53 also has a shoulder 59 facing away from the base part 40 that is designed to engage with a shoulder 29 facing the base part in the associated clip bracket 25. Via these mutually interacting shoulders 29, 59, the clips 53 are able to press the second connection part 20 away from the first connection part 1 0 in an axial direction .

The sealing device 30 is expediently fastened to the second connection part 20 so that it moves together with the latter. In the em bodiments illustrated, the sealing device 30 com prises a sleeve-shaped part 31 (see Fig. 3) , which , via its outside, is in contact with the internal surface 23 of the second connection part 20 and which , via its inside, is designed to be in contact with the casing surface 1 3 of the first connection part 1 0 when the connection parts 1 0, 20 are engaged with each other. In the em bodiments illustrated, the sealing device 30 also comprises a collar part 32 which is connected to the sleeve-shaped part 31 and extends over an end part 27, facing the base part 40, of the second connection part 20, whereby the sealing device 30 is attached to the second connection part 20 via locking engagement between the collar part 32 of the sealing device and said end part 27 of the second connection part. The locking engagement is expediently achieved via form-locking engagement between the collar part 32 of the sealing device and the end part 27 of the second connection part. Alternatively, the sealing device 30 could be glued to the second connection part 20.

The sealing device 30 is elastic and made of suitable rubber or plastic material , for example EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) .

When the two connection parts 1 0, 20 are to be connected to each other, the second connection part 20 is caused to engage with the first connection part 1 0 on the outside of the latter, with the sealing device 30 received between the casing surface 1 3 of the first connection part and the internal surface 23 of the second connection part and with the centre axis A2 of the second connection part in li ne with the centre axis A1 of the first connection part. At this stage, the clamping unit 51 is in an expanded state. The clips 53 are then attached to the clip brackets 25 on the second connection part 20. The clamping unit 51 is then tightened so that the clips 53 are caused to swivel around their swivel axes A3 towards the connection parts 1 0, 20, whereby the cl ips 53 draw the second connection part 20 in an axial direction further down over the first connection part 1 0 so that the sealing device 30 is clamped between the casing surface 1 3 of the first connection part and the internal surface 23 of the second connection part to form a tight joint between the connection parts 1 0, 20. The two connection parts 1 0, 20 are then kept in the connected position under the influence of the clamping unit 51 and clips 53. When, at a later time, the connection parts 1 0, 20 are to be released from each other, the clamping unit 51 is caused to expand.

The connection arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention can be used advantageously in a motor vehicle. Fig . 6 illustrates in a very outline manner a motor vehicle 2 that is fitted with an internal combustion engine 3 and an air filter 4 to filter intake air to the internal com bustion engine. The air filter 4 has an external filter housing 5, which is fitted with an inlet for receiving ambient air that is to be filtered and an outlet that is connected to an air intake pipe 6 via which filtered air is conducted from the air filter 4 towards the internal combustion engine 3. The air intake pipe 6 is connected to the filter housing 5 by means of a connection arrangement 1 of the type described above. In this case, the first connection part 1 0 of the connection arrangement 1 is firmly connected to the filter housing 5, while the second connection part 20 of the connection arrangement 1 is integrated with the air intake pipe 6 and constitutes an end part of the latter. The base part 40 of the connection arrangement is integrated with the filter housing 5 and constitutes, for example, a removable cover of the filter housing 5.

The connection arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention is particularly designed to be used in a heavy motor vehicle, for example a bus, a tractor or a truck.

The invention is, of course, not in any way restricted to the em bodiments described above. A wide range of possibilities for modification of the embodiments should be obvious to a person skilled in the art in the field without the latter deviating from the basic principle of the present invention as it is defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1 . A connection arrangement comprising :

- a tubular first connection part (1 0) with an inner end ( 1 1 ) and a free outer end ( 1 2),

- a tubular second connection part (20) that can be connected to the first connection part (1 0) on the outside of the latter via mutual axial displacement of the connection parts ( 1 0, 20) towards each other,

- a sealing device (30) for sealing between said connection parts (1 0, 20), and

- a clamping device (50) for fastening said connection parts ( 1 0, 20) to each other with the sealing device (30) clamped between the connection parts ( 1 0, 20), whereby the clamping device (50) comprises a long clamping unit (51 ) that can be tightened and is arranged to extend around said connection parts (1 0, 20),

characterised in that:

- the first connection part (1 0) has a casing surface ( 1 3) that tapers, preferably conically, towards the outer end (1 2) of the first connection part,

- the connection arrangement ( 1 ) comprises a base part (40) that extends in a radial direction from the first connection part ( 1 0),

- the clamping device (50) comprises two or more clips (53) that are arranged on the outside of the first connection part ( 1 0) and evenly distributed around the latter,

- each clip (53) is attached to the base part (40) in an articulated manner so that the clip is able to swivel in relation to the base part (40) around a swivel axis (A3) that extends in a tangential direction in relation to the casing surface (1 3) of the first connection part,

- the clips (53) have an engagement part (55) that is designed to engage with a corresponding cli p bracket (25) on the outside of the second connection part (20), and

- the clamping unit (51 ) engages with the clips (53) in a fastening area (54) of the clips located between the clips' swivel axis (A3) and the engagement part (55) so that, when the clamping unit (51 ) is tightened , the clips (53) are caused to swivel towards the first connection part ( 1 0) under the influence of the clamping unit (51 ), thus drawing , via the respective engagement parts (55), said connection parts ( 1 0, 20) towards each other in an axial direction .

A connection arrangement in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that there are at least three said clips (53).

A connection arrangement in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the clampi ng unit (51 ) is engaged with the clips (53) in said fastening area (54) in such a way that, when the clamping unit (51 ) expands, the clips are caused to swivel away from the first connection part ( 1 0) under the influence of the clamping unit (51 ) and thus, via the respective engagement parts (55), move said connection parts ( 1 0, 20) in an axial direction away from each other.

A connection arrangement in accordance with any of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the engagement part (55) of each clip (53) has a shoulder (56) faci ng the base part (40) that is designed to engage with a shoulder (26) facing away from the base part in the associated clip bracket (25) .

A connection arrangement in accordance with claims 4, characterised in that the engagement part (55) of each clip (53) also has a shoulder (59) facing away from the base part (40) that is designed to engage with a shoulder (29) facing the base part in the associated clip bracket (25) .

A connection arrangement in accordance with any of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the sealing device (30) is attached to the second connection part (20).

A connection arrangement in accordance with claim 6, characterised in that the sealing device (30) comprises a sleeve-shaped part (31 ) , which , via its outside, is in contact with an internal surface (23) of the second connection part (20) and which, via its inside, is designed to be in contact with the casing surface (1 3) of the first connection part (1 0).

A connection arrangement in accordance with claim 7, characterised in that the sealing device (30) comprises a collar part (32) which is connected to the sleeve-shaped part and extends over an end part (27) of the second connection part (20), whereby the sealing device (30) is attached to the second connection part (20) via locking engagement between the collar part (32) of the sealing device and said end part (27) of the second connection part (20).

9. A connection arrangement in accordance with any of claims 1 - 8, characterised in that the second connection part (20) has an internal surface (23) that tapers, preferably conically, viewed from the end (22) of the second connection part (20) facing the first connection part (1 0) and inwards.

1 0. A connection arrangement in accordance with any of claims 1 -9, characterised in that the two connection parts ( 1 0, 20) have a circular cross-section.

1 1 . A connection arrangement in accordance with any of claims 1 -1 0, characterised in that the clamping unit (51 ) takes the form of a band .

1 2. A connection arrangement in accordance with any of claims 1 -1 1 , characterised in that the clamping unit (51 ) can be tightened by means of a tightening device (52) arranged on the clamping unit.

1 3. A motor vehicle comprising an air filter (4) with an external filter housing (5), which filter housing (5) is fitted with an inlet for receiving ambient air that is to be filtered and an outlet that is connected to an air intake pipe (6) via which filtered air is conducted from the air filter (4) towards an internal combustion engine (3) in the motor vehicle (4) , characterised in that said air intake pipe (6) is connected to the outlet of the filter housing by means of a connection arrangement ( 1 ) in accordance with any of clai ms 1 -1 2.

4. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 1 3, characterised in that the first connection part (1 0) of the connection arrangement (1 ) is firmly connected to the filter housing (5) , and that the second connection part (20) of the connection arrangement (1 ) is integrated with said air intake pipe (6) and constitutes an end part of the latter. 5. A motor vehicle in accordance with claim 1 4, characterised in that the base part (40) of the connection arrangement is integrated with the filter housing (5).