WO2016146820A1

WO2016146820A1 - Drain plug with rotary valve

Info

Publication number: WO2016146820A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/055980
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yves Gricourt
Original assignee: Cryl
Priority date: 2015-03-18
Filing date: 2016-03-18
Publication date: 2016-09-22
Also published as: FR3033783A1; FR3033783B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid-transfer device which includes a plug with a rotary valve intended for being sealingly secured to a liquid-transfer opening, the plug comprising a body (1) defining a liquid passage (7) on the inside and a rotary valve (2) mounted rotatably inside said passage between a closed position of the plug and an open position of the plug. The rotary valve includes a gripping member (11) which can be operated manually by a user.

Description

Drain plug with rotary valve

The invention relates generally to the transfer of liquids, in particular by gravity, by pumping, or under the effect of a pressure difference.

It relates more particularly, in a more particularly interesting application of the invention, the plugs intended to be fixed on the emptying holes of crankcases of motor vehicles, and machine tools.

It may for example be to drain the oil present in a crankcase. But it is not beyond the scope of the invention when it is a question of draining any other liquid, such as a refrigerating liquid, a cutting fluid for a machine tool, etc.

In order to facilitate the emptying of such casings, numerous solutions have been proposed to reduce the operations performed on this plug and consequently reduce the duration of completion of the emptying.

Such plugs are intended to be screwed at the level of the housing orifice and comprise a movable valve intended to close the plug and capable of being displaced in translation by means of a suitable device, in particular an adapter mounted to the end of a drain line. Once installed at the plug, this adapter induces the penetration of the valve inside the housing or, in general, the container, thereby releasing the emptying orifice to ensure the flow of the liquid and in particular oil.

Such a plug is for example described in the document FR 2 773 365.

The cap described in this document comprises a cap body comprising a radial skirt located between one third and one half of the height of the body and which is intended to bear against the wall of the housing when the cap is screwed down. In the mounted state, the body defines a projecting extension, which is provided with an annular groove for fixing the adapter.

Internally, the plug defines a bore in which is mounted the valve.

An assembly of jo ints, on which is supported the valve in the open position of the cap, on the one hand, and in the closed position, on the other hand, are provided inside the internal bore of the body. of the cap.

This type of arrangement suffers from a number of disadvantages.

It has been found, in the first place, that the body of the plug, which constitutes a connecting element of the device, protrudes from the tank and is therefore liable to be tampered with.

Secondly, the device is screwed onto the container with a flat key.

Third, the outwardly facing seal of the container is not protected and is therefore susceptible to tampering.

Finally, it was found that the cap is made in one piece, which does not allow to achieve different materials.

Reference may also be made to document FR 2 996 2 17 which describes a liquid transfer device making it possible to overcome this drawback.

This device comprises a tubular connection element and an adapter that can be reversibly connected to the connecting element by providing, in the adapter, longitudinal grooves in which radial teeth are engaged in the adapter. Although this device has many advantages, it has been found that in use, and in particular during tightening, the teeth and grooves were susceptible to deform. In addition, it is necessary to provide a specific form for the adapter difficult to achieve by machining.

In all cases, in the state of the art, it has been found that the operation of the movable valve is effected by means of an adapter, making their use relatively difficult and thus limiting the diffusion on a very large scale of such transfer devices.

The object of the invention is thus to overcome this drawback and relates to a liquid transfer device comprising a rotating valve cap intended to be fixed in a sealed manner on a liquid transfer orifice, the stopper comprising a body delimiting internally a liquid passage and a rotary valve rotatably mounted in said passage between a closed position of the stopper and a position of opening of the stopper.

The rotary valve comprises a gripping member manually manipulated by a user.

Thus, the transfer device, after mounting on the liquid transfer orifice, can easily be handled by a user, without requiring specific tools.

In one embodiment, the body has a hollow cylinder delimiting the internal axial passage that opens on one side to a liquid outlet port and on the other side to an assembly of at least one inlet lumen. liquid in said passage and an annular shoulder.

The gripping member comprises, in one embodiment, a radial finger, the shoulder comprising an outer housing in which the radial finger is loosened and which extends along an angular sector corresponding to the stroke of the rotating valve.

It has been found that producing the gripping member in the form of a radial finger makes it possible to avoid contact of the liquid with the skin of the user, which makes the device safe to maneuver, particularly when the liquid is hot or toxic. According to yet another feature of the device according to the invention, it may further comprise a plate which is fixed on the annular shoulder of the body.

Such attachment can be made by riveting or by screwing, welding or gluing.

Advantageously, the plate comprises a lateral finger locking fingerprint in the closed position of the valve.

In one embodiment, the rotary valve and the body are provided with complementary latching means, the valve and the body including one set of axial pins and the other of the corresponding slots having end locking zones. axial nipples.

In one embodiment, the gripping member comprises an end strap.

Moreover, according to various embodiments, the body comprises a liquid outlet orifice having a shape adapted to receive a screwing tool.

The rotary valve may also include a set of through holes and the body comprise a corresponding set of blind holes adapted to receive pins of a screwing tool through said holes of the rotary valve.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are exploded perspective views respectively in the assembled state of a first embodiment of a liquid transfer device according to the invention;

- Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of a second embodiment of a liquid transfer device according to the invention; - Figure 5 is a perspective view, in the assembled state, of the device of Figures 3 and 4;

FIGS. 6a and 6b respectively show an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device of FIGS. 3 to 5, and of a screwdriver of the device of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a liquid transfer device according to the invention; and

- Figure 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 which illustrate a first embodiment of a liquid transfer device according to the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment envisaged, such a transfer device is intended to ensure the emptying of a crankcase motor vehicle oil or machine tool. It thus constitutes a plug capable of closing or opening a housing orifice on which it is mounted to allow its emptying.

But it is not beyond the scope of the invention when it is a question of transferring any other type of liquid, such as refrigerating liquid, cooling liquid, a cutting fluid of a machine tool, stored in a crankcase. corresponding.

As can be seen, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the device essentially comprises a body 1 which is fixed to a liquid transfer orifice made in the housing, and a rotary valve 2 rotatably mounted in the body 1. By rotating valve means a part comprising or consisting of a rotatably mounted element in the body to open or close the cap.

The body 1 essentially comprises a hollow cylinder C having an external thread 3 for its screwing on the housing and an annular shoulder 4 through which the body 1 rests on the housing. As can be seen, the hollow cylinder is provided, in the vicinity of its free end, with a liquid inlet light assembly 5 in the body, with an axial outlet orifice 6 formed in the annular shoulder 4, and an internal axial passage 7 extending between the apertures 10 and the outlet port 6.

As can be seen, after screwing, the annular shoulder 4 rests on the casing via a joint J.

As regards the rotary valve 2, it also comprises a cylindrical body 8 having an internal axial passage 9 opening outwards and communicating with several radial end holes 10.

In the vicinity of its end opposite the hole 10, the rotary valve 2 comprises a gripping member constituted here by radial finger 1 1 extending transversely relative to the cylindrical body 8 and having a end flange maneuverable manually by a user .

The device 1 is completed by a plate 12 provided with crimping orifices 13 intended to cooperate with corresponding nipples 14 extending axially towards the outside of the body in order to fix the plate 12 to the annular shoulder 4.

When mounting, the rotary valve 2 is mounted in the passage 7. The inner and outer diameters respectively of the body and the rotary valve will be chosen so that the rotary valve is mounted rotatably in the hollow cylinder 2 between a closed position of the device 1, in which the holes 10 of the rotary valve and the lights 5 of the body are angularly offset and one or more opening positions of the device in which the holes 10 are situated opposite a light 5.

Note that the annular shoulder 4 advantageously comprises an outer housing 15 receiving the operating finger 1 1 and which extends in a sector corresponding to the stroke of this finger of maneuver, in particular between the closed and open positions.

After mounting the rotary valve in the body, the Latin p 12 is riveted on the shoulder by engaging the pins 14 in the crimping orifices 13.

As can be seen, it will advantageously provide a lateral imprint 16 on the peripheral edge of the plate 12 to receive the end flange of the operating finger, in the closed position of the liquid transfer device.

The assembly is completed by a cap 17 which caps the plate, the rotating valve and the annular shoulder of the body. This cap 17 is provided with a lateral cutout 18 in which engages the operating finger 1 1 in the closed position of the device.

Finally, we see that the annular shoulder 4 and the plate 12 are provided with two panels such as 19 adapted to receive a screw wrench.

Such sections may also be provided on the cap 17.

As indicated above, during assembly, the body 1, provided with the rotary valve and on which is crimped the plate 12, is screwed tightly on the liquid transfer port of a housing.

When it is desired to proceed with a drain, it is simply necessary to remove the cap 17 and to operate the rotary valve so as to position the device in the open position.

The liquid contained in the housing then flows through the openings 5, the holes 10, and is output through the passage 9 and then through an axial orifice 20 formed in the plate.

At the end of the emptying, the operating finger 1 1 is again maneuvered manually to position the device in the closed position and the cap is repositioned on the device. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary valve is mounted between the body and, more particularly, between the annular shoulder and the plate 12.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5, in which elements identical to those described above have the same reference numerals, the rotary valve is mounted and clipped on the body, which is also screwed on the housing.

In this embodiment, the annular shoulder 4 of the body has a peripheral groove 22 for snapping a godron provided on the rotary valve. This type of assembly is advantageous when the rotary valve is made of plastic. We could use a broken ring instead of the godron if the body and the valve are metallic.

The rotary valve further comprises axial pins 24, that is to say parallel to the axis of the cylindrical body of the rotary valve, here two in number, which engage in corresponding slots 25 made in the form of arcs in the annular shoulder 4.

Advantageously, in the end zones of the slots 25, localized sectional narrowing 26 will be provided to lock the nipples 24.

As seen, in this embodiment, the outlet port 6 of the body is shaped to receive a clamping tool, in this case a hexagonal shape.

Thus, the body is screwed on the housing with a hexagonal wrench. The rotary valve is then introduced into the body and is clipped into force on the latter so that the nipples 24 are inserted into the slots 25.

When it is desired to open or close the device, it is then simply necessary to maneuver manually the rotary valve.

Although the rotary valve can in this case be provided with a gripping head manually manipulated by the user having Various forms, in this embodiment, the head advantageously has the shape of a magnet 26.

As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, alternatively, the gripping head 26 may be provided with two through holes 27, or any number of such through holes, while the annular shoulder of the body has blind holes 28 in a corresponding number.

In this case, the screwing of the device can be carried out while the rotary valve is clipped on the body, using a tool O provided with lugs 29 intended to engage in the blind holes 28 through the through holes 27.

A third embodiment of a transfer device according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment is similar to that described previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

While in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the plate 12 is mounted by riveting on pins carried by the annular shoulder of the body, in the embodiment of Figure 7, the plate 12 comprises a peripheral rim 32 has holes such as diametrically opposed 33 for fixing by screwing with screws V of the plate 12 on the annular shoulder of the body.

As can be seen, by way of illustration, the end flange of the operating finger can here be made in the form of a screw attached to the operating finger. This screw V is intended to lock the finger coming to lodge in the impression 16.

Referring finally to FIG. 8, in a fourth embodiment, the annular shoulder 4 of the body is provided, at its peripheral wall, with slits 34 oriented radially, advantageously not opening towards the interior of the passage 7 and intended to receive the ends of axes 35 'inserting into the rotary valve for guiding the latter during its rotation relative to the body.

As can be seen, the rotary valve here comprises two actuating fingers 36.

Advantageously, it will be provided that these axes are threaded so as to ensure, during the complete screwing of the axes in the slots, a rotational locking of the valve in the body.

Finally, note that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

In particular, the shape of the gripping member is not limited to that which is illustrated in the figures. For example, one could use a gripper made in the form of a wheel in the embodiment of Figure 8, or a gripping member comprising any number of actuating fingers.

Likewise, in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, 6a and 6b and 8, it would be possible to interchangeably replace the wheel grip member by a gripping member comprising one or more actuating fingers without departing from the scope of FIG. 'invention.

Claims

1. Liquid transfer device comprising a rotating valve cap for sealingly attaching to a liquid transfer port, the cap comprising a body (1) internally defining a liquid passage (7) and a rotary valve (2). ) rotatably mounted in said passage between a closed position of the plug and a position of opening of the plug, characterized in that the rotary valve comprises a gripping member (1 1) manually manipulated by a user, and in that the body comprises a hollow cylinder (C) delimiting the internal axial passage which opens on one side towards an axial outlet orifice (6) and on the other side towards an assembly of at least one lumen (5) liquid inlet in said passage and an annular shoulder (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the gripping member comprises a radial finger (1 1), the shoulder comprising an outer housing (15) in which is housed the radial finger and which extends according to a sector angular corresponding to the race of the rotary valve.

3. Device according to claim 2, further comprising a plate (12) being fixed on the annular shoulder of the body.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the plate is fixed by riveting or screwing, welding or gluing.

5. Device according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the plate has a fingerprint (16) for locking the finger in the closed position of the valve.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary valve and said body are provided with complementary latching means, the valve and the body comprising one, a set of axial studs (24) and the other, slots (25) having end locking zones of the axial pins.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the gripping member comprises a mo lette (26) end.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body comprises a liquid outlet orifice (6) having a shape adapted to receive a screwing tool.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotary valve comprises a set of through holes (27) and wherein the body comprises a corresponding set of blind holes (28) adapted to receive lugs d '. a screwdriver through the holes of the rotating valve.