Quick-connect fitting.

Abstract

The female end (10) comprises a first socket component (12) and a second locking ring component (20) in which the second component (20) is provided with a distal end (20A) for insertion of a male end along a principal axis (X) of the female end (10).In particular, the first (12) and second (20) components being configured to be irreversibly fixed to each other by a weld bead in any relative position around the principal axis (X), the second ring component (20) is provided at a proximal end (20B) with an elastically expandable skirt (30) configured to grip a circumferential relief (26) formed on an external surface of the first component (12) so as to allow free rotation of the two components (12, 20) relative to each other, the skirt (30) being provided with at least one projection oriented towards the inside of the skirt (30) and shaped as a starting point for a welding operation of the two components (12, 20) together. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Quick-connect fitting.

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick-connect device for transferring fluid in a fluid transport circuit such as air or water. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a quick-connect device for connecting a rigid male fitting to a flexible female hose.

[0002] Generally, in a fluid transfer circuit for a motor vehicle, for example a cooling circuit, it is known that to create a leak-proof connection between a flexible hose and a rigid male fitting, a connection device is used. This device comprises a female socket fitting and a ring designed to be mounted on the rigid male fitting and configured to cooperate with the socket, for example, by push-fitting or snap-fitting. The female fitting also includes a tubular end specially designed to facilitate the insertion of the flexible hose.

[0003] Such connection devices generally conform to a standard recommended by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (in German, "Verbrand der Automobilindustrie") and are commonly referred to in the trade as "VDA fittings." Such quick-connect fittings, known as "VDA" fittings, are used by the majority of manufacturers of fluid transfer lines in the automotive and truck markets.

[0004] Generally, the tubing includes a peripheral annular groove forming a locking groove, and the ring is provided with a locking element such as a metal spring or metal clip designed to engage in the annular groove of the tubing to immobilize the ring relative to the tubing. Furthermore, the ring preferably also has, in this type of fitting, one or more indexing or coding marks formed, for example, by one or more protruding lugs, generally two, arranged diametrically opposite each other around the periphery of the ring. These lugs are intended to cooperate, for example, with complementary recessed features in the female fitting. Optionally, such a device may also include a male tubing with lugs directly mounted on the male tubing without the need for an additional ring.

[0005] The invention applies particularly to the technical field of fluid connection in the cooling circuits of an engine or battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle. The invention can also be used in other similar systems containing fluid or gas.

[0006] Existing "VDA" quick couplings are generally made of plastic and are used to connect plastic or flexible hoses. made of rubber. They include a metal fastener to lock the fitting onto the pipes and orientation lugs to stop the male locking ring fitting from rotating in a predefined orientation.

[0007] However, in the field of cooling circuits, in order to reduce the size of the fluid circuits, these may have complex geometries to make the best use of the available space. It is then necessary to guarantee wide tolerance ranges for the orientation of the circuit's pipes relative to each other.

[0008] A fitting offering a plurality of discrete, step-by-step positions of the male end relative to the female end by means of a circumferential notched relief is already known in the prior art, in particular from patent application FR3087516A1. However,

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a solution offering a continuous range of relative positions of the male and female ends without limitation to discrete positions that may prove unsuitable for the environment. Description of the invention

[0010] The invention relates in particular to a female end fitting for a fluid transfer fitting, comprising a first socket component and a second locking ring component, wherein the second component has a distal end for inserting a male end fitting along a principal axis of the female end fitting, characterized in that, the first and second components being configured to be irreversibly fixed to each other by a weld bead in any relative position around the principal axis, the second ring component has a proximal end with an elastically expandable skirt configured to grip a circumferential relief formed on an external surface of the first component so as to allow free rotation of the two components relative to each other, the skirt having at least one projection oriented towards the inside of the skirt and shaped as a point for initiating a welding operation of the two components together.

[0011] A device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the The following characteristics.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the second component is provided with a visual marker on an external surface located substantially at the priming protrusion.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the visual cue is formed by a round-shaped relief.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the elastically expandable skirt has a plurality of blind U-shaped slits not opening onto an edge of the proximal end to delimit a plurality of tabs, at least one of the tabs having said priming protrusion.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body of generally annular shape around the main axis forming the socket and an end piece extending the socket for connection to a fluidic conduit element.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body in the form of a socket delimited axially on one side by its free end bearing said circumferential relief.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential relief is formed by a continuous rib, carried along the edge of a free end of the first component.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the skirt is provided with at least one snap-on bead oriented towards the inside of the skirt.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the male tubular end being of the annular groove type, the female end includes a locking element arranged to tighten the male tubular end in the annular groove through the second ring component.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the second component is provided with symmetrical lights and the locking element has two elastic locking arms joined together by a gripping head and adapted to be pressed transversely and reversibly through the two symmetrical lights.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body of main axis forming the socket extended by an end of extension axis which together form a non-zero angle, for example between 5° and 90°.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the second component has on its internal surface at least one radially embedded recess suitable for cooperating with at least one indexing or coding mark formed on the outer periphery of the male tubular end to allow the rotational immobilization of the second component and the male tubular end.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the female end includes a housing for receiving an O-ring.

[0024] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] The [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a female end fitting according to the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a view of the female end in which the two components are separated.

[0027] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a perspective view of one of the components of the [Fig.2]. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] Figures 1 to 3 show a female end fitting according to the invention. In the following description, this female end fitting is designated by the general reference numeral 10.

[0029] This female end 10 forms part of a quick connection device, also designated as a quick connection for the assembly of two fluid transfer pipe elements according to the invention.

[0030] Such a connection device may, in particular, be part of a fluid transport circuit, such as the coolant for an engine or a motor vehicle battery. For example, it is intended for the rapid assembly of a first fluidic tubing element, such as a tube with an annular groove or flange, to a second fluidic conduit element, such as a flexible hose (not shown in the figures), which connects, for example, by push-fitting, to the female end 10 of the device. The flexible hose is, for example, made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber.

[0031] According to [Fig. 2], the female fitting 10 comprises a first socket component 12. This first component 12 includes a main body 14, generally annular in shape around a principal axis X forming the socket 14. Preferably, at another end 12B, the female fitting 12 is provided with a portion 16 for connecting to a second fluid conduit element such as a flexible hose (not shown in the figures). In the example described, the portion 16 is formed by a tubular section extending from the main body 14 of the female fitting 12.

[0032] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], part 16 comprises an external surface shaped for the insertion of a flexible hose (not shown) and includes, on this external surface, means for axially retaining the flexible hose. For example, part 16 has a stepped relief of the notched type for receiving a flexible hose by insertion (not shown).

[0033] Furthermore, as can be seen in the figures, the tubular extension 16 extends along an axis XI, forming a deflection angle with the axis X of the main body 14. In this illustrated example, the deflection angle can be 90° to form a right-angle bend or take any other value without departing from the scope of the invention. Optionally, the angle can then be zero.

[0034] In the described example, the main body 14 of the first component 12 internally defines a housing 18 configured to receive the end of the male tube. This housing 18 communicates with an internal axial passage of the tubular portion 16. For example, the female fitting 12 includes at its first end 12A, on an internal surface of the housing 18, a location for receiving an O-ring (not shown). Optionally, this location may be formed by a groove, for example by means of a retaining ring inserted into the first socket component.

[0035] Preferably, the tubular part 16 follows an extension axis XI and the axis XI forms a deflection angle with the main axis X, for example between 5° and 90°.

[0036] According to the invention, the fitting 10 further comprises a second component, called a locking ring 20, hereinafter referred to as the "ring" or "ring fitting". The ring 20 is configured to cooperate with the first component 12 in order to axially and rotationally immobilize the male tubing.

[0037] In the example illustrated in the figures, the ring 20 has a general annular sleeve shape. In the described example, the ring 20 comprises a distal end portion 20A located, for example, on the side of the tubing and a proximal end portion 20B located, for example, on the side of the connection to the socket 12.

[0038] According to the invention, the ring 20 and the sleeve 12 are configured to be fixed to each other irreversibly by a weld bead in any relative position around the principal axis X. Preferably, the weld bead is obtained by a welding process using ultrasound.

[0039] Preferably, the ring 20 comprises, in its proximal part 20B, a radially expanding portion. This portion comprises a tubular skirt 30 having at least one slot 36 such that the tubular skirt 30 is elastically dilatable.

[0040] In the described example, the elastically expandable end portion 20B is adapted to be threaded around the component 12 by elastic expansion and to grip an external relief 26 formed on the component 12 so as to allow free rotation of the two components 12, 20 relative to each other. Preferably, the circumferential relief 26 is formed by a continuous rib, located on the edge of a free end of the first component.

[0041] Preferably, in the example described, the skirt 30 is provided with at least one internal thickness 34 forming a snap-on bead 34 oriented towards the inside of the skirt 30. For example, the internal thickness is formed by a thickening of a free end edge of the end 20B. Thus, the hooking of the ring 20 onto the sleeve 12 produces its axial immobilization on the latter.

[0042] According to the invention, the skirt 30 is provided with at least one projection 32 oriented towards the inside of the skirt 30 and shaped as a point for initiating a welding operation between the two components 12, 20. The projection 32 is here shaped with a crest-like point but may also have a conical point. The function of this projection 32 is to conduct the energy of the ultrasonic waves, concentrating it so as to initiate the fusion of the material of the two components 12 and 20 during welding. Preferably, the components 12 and 20 are made of a synthetic material, for example, plastic.

[0043] Preferably, the elastically expandable skirt 30 has a plurality of blind U-shaped slots 36 not opening onto an edge of the proximal end 20B to delimit a plurality of tabs 38, at least one of the tabs 38 has said priming projection 32.

[0044] The tabs 38 extend longitudinally from their base 38B at the end edge 20B towards the proximal end 20A. The tabs 38 are preferably delimited by axially closed U-shaped slots 36. These slots 36 advantageously provide elasticity to the skirt 30.

[0045] In its proximal part 20A, the ring 20 is configured to receive a locking element 42 such as a metal pin 42 arranged to clamp the first fluidic element through the ring 20.

[0046] For this purpose, preferably, the proximal part 20A is provided on its external surface with opposing circumferential slots 44 or symmetrical slots 44. The pin 42 has, for example, a general U-shape and has two branches 46 substantially parallel to each other, suitable for passing through the proximal end part 20A of the ring 20, from the outside, to engage in the circumferential slots 44 of the ring 20.

[0047] In this example, the locking element 42 consists of an elastically deformable wire element and comprises a pair of parallel arm parts 46 and a connecting part 48 linking the upper ends of the arms 46 to each other. In this example, the locking element 42 is configured to be retained by the ring 20, the plane defined by the arms 46 and the connecting part 48 extending perpendicularly to the X-axis, and the two arms 46 being passed through and retained by the circumferential slots 44 of the ring 20 respectively.

[0048] Consequently, the two ends of each arm 46 are retained by the two end parts of the corresponding retaining slots 44, respectively, and the intermediate part of each arm 46 extends inside the bore of the ring 20.

[0049] In addition, the ring 20 has on its internal surface at least one radially embedded recess 110 suitable for cooperating with at least one indexing or coding mark formed on the outer periphery of the male end.

[0050] We will now describe, with reference to the figures, the main aspects of operation of the device 10 according to the invention.

[0051] Initially, the tip 10 is composed of a plurality of distinct components, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0052] In a first step or subsequently, the locking element 42 is inserted transversely through the circumferential retaining slots 44. For In this, the spindle 42 is slightly inclined to allow the feet to be inserted into the circumferential slots 44.

[0053] Then, in a second step, the O-ring is positioned inside the housing 18 of the component 12 in its location.

[0054] Then, in a third step, a relative position of the ring and the sleeve is chosen from among the plurality of possible positions. This position is selected taking into account the desired relative orientation between the two fluidic conduit elements.

[0055] The coding receiving recess 110 serves as a visual reference point for the orientation of the ring 20 while the part 16 of the socket 12 fixes the orientation of the socket 12.

[0056] Next, the ring 20 is inserted around the component 12, in this example by snapping or clipping.

[0057] Finally, in a final step, an ultrasonic wave conductor or sonotrode is applied to the visual marker 50. The energy produced by the conductor is concentrated in the initiation protrusion 32 to cause a localized melting of the materials of the two components 12 and 20 and form the weld bead.

[0058] Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to choose a relative orientation of the male tube and the connector tip 16 during the assembly of the connection device. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments within the grasp of a person skilled in the art can also be considered without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Female end piece (10) of a fluid transfer connector, comprising a first component (12) with a socket and a second component (20) with a locking ring and in which the second component (20) is provided with a distal end (20A) for inserting a male end piece along a main axis (X) of the female end piece (10) characterized in that, the first (12) and second (20) components being configured to be fixed to each other irreversibly by a weld bead in any relative position around the main axis (X), the second component (20) with a ring is provided at a proximal end (20B) with an elastically expandable skirt (30) configured to grip a circumferential relief (26) formed on an external surface of the first component (12) so as to allow free rotation of the two components (12, 20) with respect to each other,the skirt (30) being provided with at least one projection (32) oriented towards the inside of the skirt (30) and shaped as a starting point for a welding operation of the two components (12, 20) together.,

2. Tip (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the second component (20) is provided with a visual mark (50) on an external surface located substantially in line with the priming projection (32).

3. End piece (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the visual marker (50) is formed by a round-shaped relief.

4. Tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elastically expandable skirt (30) has a plurality of U-shaped blind slots (36) not opening onto an edge of the proximal end (20B) to delimit a plurality of tabs (38), at least one of the tabs (38) carries said priming projection (32).

5. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first component (12) comprises a main body (14) of generally annular shape around the main axis (X) forming the socket and a part (16) extending the socket for connection to a fluid conduit element.

6. A nozzle (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first component (12) comprises a main body (14) in the form of a sleeve delimited axially on one side by its free end (12A) carrying said circumferential relief (26).

7. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circumferential relief (26) is formed by a continuous rib, carried at the edge of a free end of the first component (12).

8. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the skirt (30) is provided with at least one snap-on bead (34) oriented towards the inside of the skirt (30).

9. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the male tubular end piece being of the annular groove type, the female end piece (10) comprises a locking element arranged to clamp the male tubular end piece in the annular groove through the second ring component.

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