Device for connecting a pipeline of a refrigerant circuit to a counterpart, and use of a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for connecting a pipeline (11) of a refrigerant circuit to a counterpart (50), said device comprising an end section (13) of the pipeline (11) and the counterpart (50), wherein the pipeline (11) comprises a first free end (12) and the end section (14) is arranged at the first end (12). The pipeline (11) comprises a thickened portion (14) in the end section (13), wherein the thickened portion (14) comprises a first contact surface (20) on a first side (15) in the longitudinal direction (13a) of the end section (13). The first contact surface (20) is arranged at the first end (12) of the pipeline (11), wherein the first contact surface (20) has the shape of a section (21) of a first sphere having a first radius (22), wherein the thickened portion (14) comprises a second contact surface (30) on a second side (16) in the longitudinal direction (13a), and wherein the second contact surface (30) has the shape of a section (31) of a second sphere having a second radius (32).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device for connecting a refrigerant circuit pipeline to a counterpart and use of a device

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a pipe of a refrigerant circuit with a counterpart and to the use of a corresponding device according to the independent claims.

[0004] Devices for connecting pipelines to corresponding counterparts are generally known from the prior art. For example, DE 102015 006024 A1 describes a pipe connection arrangement for connecting two pipe ends, in particular two pipe ends arranged on an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. EP 2 963 232 B1 also relates to the use of a pipe connector for conveying hydrogen gas.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of further developing a device for connecting a pipe of a refrigerant circuit with a counterpart in such a way that a reliable sealing effect and a uniform force transmission are achieved.

[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved by a device for connecting a refrigerant circuit pipe to a counterpart, comprising an end section of the pipe and the counterpart. The pipe has a free end, with the end section located at this free end. The pipe has a thickening in the end section. This thickening includes a first contact surface on a first side in the longitudinal direction of the end section, with the first contact surface being located at the first end of the pipe. The first contact surface has the shape of a segment of a first sphere with a first radius. The thickening can be formed directly from the pipe. In this case, no soldered connections by forming the sphere onto the pipe are necessary, since the thickening is preferably formed directly onto the pipe. Mechanical processing, preferably machining, on the pipe is eliminated.

[0007] The thickening has a second contact surface on a second side in the longitudinal direction, specifically on the opposite side of the thickening. This second contact surface also has the shape of a segment of a sphere, namely a second sphere with a second radius. The two contact surfaces are thus located on the thickening, on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the thickening.

[0008] The pipeline is a component of a vehicle's refrigerant circuit, particularly a motor vehicle's. Specifically, the pipeline can serve to connect two components of the refrigerant circuit, achieved by means of the aforementioned device. The connecting piece is also preferably part of the refrigerant circuit. R774 is primarily used as the refrigerant.

[0009] Preferably, the first radius and the second radius can be identical. In other words, the first radius of the first sphere corresponds to the second radius of the second sphere. Furthermore, the first sphere and the second sphere preferably each have a center point, whereby the centers of the first sphere and the second sphere can coincide. The first contact surface and the second contact surface can thus have the shape of segments of the same sphere.

[0010] The spherical first and / or second contact surface serves to self-center the pipeline and to compensate for any angular misalignment. The second contact surface serves for sealing, while the first contact surface serves to transmit the force necessary for the seal.

[0011] In particular, a transition zone can be arranged between the first and second contact surfaces. This transition zone can have a flattened and / or concave shape. Thus, the end section of the pipeline, or its thickening, does not have a continuous spherical shape, but rather the two spherical sections are interrupted by the transition zone. The transition zone can be stepped. In particular, the transition zone completely separates the first and second contact surfaces. It extends completely around the thickening in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pipeline.

[0012] Advantageously, the first radius and the second radius are not the same. Thus, the first contact surface and the second contact surface form sections of different spheres that can share the same center point. The centers can also differ from each other. In particular, the second radius can be smaller than the first radius.

[0013] The counterpart may comprise, in particular, a contact surface, wherein the contact surface has the shape of a conical segment. The counterpart may comprise, in particular, a recess into which the end section of the pipeline is inserted, the inner surface of the recess being at least partially formed by the contact surface. The cone widens towards the free end of the recess. The cone may enclose an angle between 45° and 100°, preferably between 50° and 90°, and most preferably between 60° and 80°. A spherical sealing contour is provided on the pipeline side, which is preferably formed directly onto the pipeline end by means of the thickening. The conical sealing contour of the counterpart enables full, annular contact with the first contact surface, ensuring uniform force transmission and improved sealing.

[0014] The device can include a clamping element, in other words a pressing element, for pressing the second contact surface of the thickening against the contact surface of the counterpart. The clamping element can also include a contact surface having the shape of a section of a third sphere, wherein the contact surface is designed to encompass, preferably completely enclose, the second contact surface of the thickening. The clamping element can thus have a spherical cap that then has the same radius as the second contact surface, i.e., the second sphere of the shape of the second contact surface of the thickening. This ensures uniform compression and a reliable seal even if there is an misalignment between the pipe and the contact surface of the counterpart.

[0015] The clamping element can preferably be designed as a clamping bracket, in other words a clamping bracket or hold-down clamp, and / or as a nut, e.g., a union nut, and / or as a screw. It can be made of sheet metal, bent material, forgings, or produced by machining. The union nut can also include a spherical contact surface that forms a contact surface with the second contact surface of the pipeline, facilitating movement or alignment during the clamping or tightening process of the nut. In the case of a union nut, the clamping action is primarily coaxial. Preferably, the clamping element can also be used to achieve an off-center connection between the pipeline and the mating part. In other words, the clamping element, for example, the screw or the nut, can be arranged off-center and thus not coaxially, i.e., in line with the longitudinal direction of the pipeline.The counterpart can have at least one, preferably exactly one, recess for inserting a screw and / or a nut, arranged laterally. This allows for a one-sided screw connection. Alternatively, the counterpart can have two recesses for inserting a screw on each side, thus enabling a two-sided screw connection.

[0016] Due to the provision of the first and second contact surfaces and their aforementioned design, the connection is relatively insensitive to positional and angular tolerances. The second contact surface is used to introduce the clamping force, while the first contact surface, together with the mating surface, ensures a seal. The seal is achieved along the contact line between the conical contact surface of the mating piece and the first contact surface. This results in a uniform force transmission. Angular and positional tolerances can be reduced, leading to cost savings. Furthermore, fewer components are required to create the connection compared to the prior art, which also has a positive impact on costs.

[0017] In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of a device described above for connecting a pipeline with a corresponding counterpart, wherein the pipeline and the counterpart can be designed as mentioned above.

[0018] They show, in purely schematic form:

[0019] Figure 1: on the left and on the right side, a longitudinal section of a pipeline of a device 10 for connecting the pipeline to a counterpart;

[0020] Figure 2: a longitudinal section of a counterpart of a device 10 for connecting a pipeline to the counterpart; Figure 3: on the left a longitudinal section and on the right a perspective view of a device for connecting a pipeline to the counterpart;

[0021] Figure 4: a perspective view of a device for connecting a pipe to a counterpart; and

[0022] Figure 5: on the left and on the right side, a longitudinal section of a device for connecting a pipeline to the counterpart.

[0023] Figure 1 shows on the left and right sides a longitudinal section of a pipe 11 of a device 10 for connecting the pipe 11 to a counterpart 50 (see Figure 2).

[0024] The two sides show different embodiments. In both cases (left and right), the pipeline 11 has a first end 12. This is the free end. At this end 12, the pipeline has an end section 13 with a longitudinal direction 13a. A thickening 14 is provided in the end section 13. The thickening 14 has a first side 15, which faces the free first end 12, and a second side 16, which faces the rest of the pipeline 11.

[0025] The thickening 14 comprises a first contact surface 20. The first contact surface 20 has the shape of a section 21 of a first sphere with a first radius 22 and a center point 23. Furthermore, the thickening 14 has a second contact surface 30, which has the shape 31 of a section of a second sphere with a second radius 32 and a second center point 33. In both embodiments of Figure 1, the centers 32 and 33 coincide. Also, in the left embodiment, the first radius 22 is identical to the second radius 32. In the right embodiment, the first radius 22 is smaller than the second radius 32.

[0026] A transition area 40 is arranged between the contact surfaces. It completely separates the first contact surface 20 from the second contact surface 30. Furthermore, the contact pressure 26 is shown with arrows in Figure 1. The contact surface 25 between the first contact surface 20 and a contact surface 51 of the counterpart 50 (not shown in Figure 1, see, for example, Figure 2) is also shown. The contact surface 25 is depicted as a line. This results in an annular contact between the first contact surface 20 and the contact surface 51 of the counterpart, creating a seal 27, which is also shown with corresponding arrows in Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of a counterpart 50 of a device 10 for connecting a pipeline 11 to the counterpart 50. The counterpart 50 has a contact surface 51. This contact surface 51 has the shape of a cone. The cone widens towards the opening of the counterpart 50, into which the end section 13 of the pipeline 11 is to be inserted for connection. In particular, the contact surface 51 includes an angle 51a.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section on the left and a perspective view on the right of a device 10 for connecting a pipe 11 to a counterpart 50. The pipe 11 is designed according to the embodiment shown on the right in Figure 1. The counterpart 50 is designed according to Figure 2, except for the following differences.

[0029] The counterpart 50 is connected to the pipe 11 off-center on one side and is therefore not coaxial. For this purpose, the device 10 includes a clamping element 52, which is a clamping bracket 57, in other words, a pressure bracket. This includes a contact surface 53 that corresponds to the section 54 of a third sphere. In particular, the radius of the third sphere is identical to the radius 32 of the second sphere of the second contact surface 30. The contact surface 53 is designed to enclose the second contact surface 30 of the thickening 40. The contact surface 51 of the counterpart 50 and the first contact surface 20 of the pipe 11 also form an annular contact surface.

[0030] The counterpart 50 can include an off-center recess 60 into which a screw 55 can be inserted to press the clamping element 52 against the second contact surface 30 and thus exert a clamping force. In other words, the clamping element 52 can have a spherical cap that then has the same radius as the second contact surface, i.e., the second sphere of the shape of the second contact surface of the thickening. Thus, Figure 3 shows a one-sided screw connection.

[0031] During the crimping process, the dome of the clamping bracket cannot be positioned vertically above the conical contact surface 51 of the counterpart 50; however, the surface contact still ensures that the sealing forces are applied without interference. Even if the pipe 11, the clamping bracket 52, and the contact surface 51 of the counterpart 50 are misaligned, uniform crimping and a reliable seal are ensured.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for connecting a pipe 11 and a counterpart 50, which is designed analogously to Figure 3, but with two recesses 60 and two screws 44 provided, and thus the screwing is done on two sides.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a further device 10 for connecting a pipeline 11, which is designed according to the right-hand embodiment of Figure 1, and a counterpart 50, which is designed according to Figure 2.

[0034] The clamping element 52 is designed as a nut 56, specifically as a union nut. It thus fully encloses the pipe 11, specifically its thickening on the first side 15. The nut 56 has a contact surface 53 that encompasses a section 54 of a third sphere, which has the second radius 32 of the second contact surface 30. The contact surface 53 can therefore enclose the second contact surface 30.

[0035] The nut 56 exerts a contact pressure 26 in the longitudinal direction 13a. This creates a seal 27 between the contact surface 25 of the first contact surface 20 of the thickening 14 and the contact surface 51 of the counterpart. The spherical contact surface 53 of the nut 56 forms a contact surface with the second contact surface 30, which facilitates movement or alignment during the crimping or tightening process of the nut. This ensures uniform crimping and a reliable seal even if there is an misalignment between the pipe 11, the nut 56, and the contact surface 51 of the counterpart 50. Reference numeral list

[0036] Device for connecting a pipeline to a counterpart

[0037] Pipeline

[0038] first end

[0039] End section of the pipeline

[0040] a Longitudinal direction of the end section

[0041] thickening

[0042] first side of the thickening

[0043] second side of the thickening

[0044] first contact surface

[0045] Section of a first ball

[0046] first radius

[0047] first center

[0048] Contact surface

[0049] Contact pressure

[0050] Sealing

[0051] second contact surface

[0052] Section of a second sphere

[0053] second radius

[0054] second center

[0055] Transition area

[0056] counterpart

[0057] Contact surface of the counterpart

[0058] a angular clamping device

[0059] Contact surface of the clamping element, section of a third ball screw

[0060] Mother

[0061] Clamping bracket

[0062] Exclusion

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (10) for connecting a pipe (11) of a refrigerant circuit to a counterpart (50), wherein the device (10) comprises an end section (13) of the pipeline (11) and the counterpart (50), wherein the pipeline (11) includes a first free end (12), wherein the end section (14) is arranged at the first end (12), wherein the pipeline (11) in the end section (13) comprises a thickening (14), wherein the thickening (14) on a first side (15) in the longitudinal direction (13a) of the end section (13) comprises a first contact surface (20), wherein the first contact surface (20) is located at the first end (12) of the pipeline (11), characterized by the fact that the first contact surface (20) has the shape of a section (21) of a first sphere with a first radius (22), wherein the thickening (14) comprises a second contact surface (30) on a second side (16) in the longitudinal direction (13a), wherein the second contact surface (30) has the shape of a section (31) of a second sphere with a second radius (32).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first radius (22) and the second radius (32) are identical.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the first sphere and the second sphere each encompass a center point, where the centers of the first ball and the second ball coincide.

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a transition area (40) is arranged between the first contact surface (20) and the second contact surface (30), wherein the transition area (40) has a flattened and / or concave shape.

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the first radius (22) and the second radius (32) are unequal.

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the second radius (32) is smaller than the first radius (22).

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the counterpart (50) comprises a contact surface (51), wherein the contact surface (51) has the shape of a section of a cone, wherein the device (10) comprises a clamping means (52) for pressing the second contact surface (30) of the thickening (14) against the contact surface (51) of the counterpart (50).

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the clamping means (52) comprises a contact surface (53) which has the shape of a section (54) of a third sphere, wherein the contact surface (53) is designed to encompass the first contact surface (20) of the thickening (14).

9. Device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the clamping means (52) is designed as a clamping bracket (57) and / or as a nut (56) and / or screw (55).

10. Use of a device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for connecting a pipe (11) of a refrigerant circuit to a counterpart (50).

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