Fluid connection unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid connection unit (10), wherein the fluid connection unit (10) includes a connecting pipe section (14), at least one sealing element (18), and a protective element (22), the protective element being externally movably disposed on the connecting pipe section (14) and comprising a substantially cylindrical section (38), wherein the at least one sealing element (18) overlaps radially externally with the cylindrical section (38) in an initial position, wherein the cylindrical section (38) has an inner diameter corresponding to the connecting pipe section. The nominal outer diameter (28) of the segment (14), wherein the cylindrical segment (38) receives the fluid conduit on its outer side, and wherein the fluid connection unit (10) further includes a calibration segment (26) disposed at the free end of the connecting pipe segment (14), and the calibration segment has an outer diameter (44) decreasing in the direction toward the free end of the connecting pipe segment (14), wherein the maximum outer diameter of the calibration segment (26) is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical segment (38) of the protective element (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid connection unit designed for connecting a fluid line that is not part of the fluid connection unit to another fluid line that is also not part of the fluid connection unit. Background Technology

[0002] A fluid connection unit is known, designed to connect one fluid line to another. However, the known fluid connection unit has the problem that the sealing element, such as an O-ring, arranged on such a fluid connection unit can move from its base when the fluid connection unit is connected to the fluid line, thereby failing to achieve a sufficient seal relative to the outside. There are also fluid connection units that attempt to solve this problem by using a protective element for the O-ring; however, this problem only overlaps with the fluid line to the protective element, which can push or pull the sealing element from its base when the fluid connection unit is connected to the fluid line. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a fluid connection unit that enables the connection between the fluid connection unit and the fluid pipeline while ensuring that the sealing element is functionally retained.

[0004] According to the present invention, this task is solved by a fluid connection unit designed to connect a fluid line not belonging to the fluid connection unit to another fluid line not belonging to the fluid connection unit, wherein the fluid connection unit includes a connecting pipe section designed to be inserted into the fluid line, and the connecting pipe section has a nominal outer diameter.

[0005] At least one sealing element, particularly an O-ring, is arranged on the outer periphery of the connecting section. This sealing element is designed to bridge the distance between the fluid connection unit and the fluid pipeline, and thus seal the outward-facing connection, when the fluid connection unit and the fluid pipeline are already connected.

[0006] The fluid connection unit includes a protective element that is externally and movably arranged on the pipe section from an initial position to a final position, and the protective element comprises a substantially cylindrical section.

[0007] In its initial position, the at least one sealing element overlaps radially outward with the cylindrical section of the protective element.

[0008] The cylindrical section of the protective element has an inner diameter that substantially corresponds to the nominal outer diameter of the connecting pipe section.

[0009] The cylindrical section of the protective element is designed to receive the fluid line to be connected on its outer side, and

[0010] The fluid connection unit further includes a calibration section disposed at the free end of the connector section, and the calibration section has an outer diameter that decreases in the direction toward the free end of the connector section, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the calibration section is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical section of the protective element.

[0011] In the sense of this specification, the direction referred to as “radial” or “axial” should be relative to the axis defined by the longitudinal extension direction of the fluid flow channel constructed within the nozzle section. “Nominal outer diameter of the nozzle section” should refer herein to the portion of the nozzle section designed for insertion into the fluid conduit. Possible support ribs, gaps, or abutment ramps may be considered as part of the nominal diameter if necessary.

[0012] Since the inner diameter of the cylindrical section of the protective element may not have a radially inward protrusion and the fluid line can be pushed to the outer periphery of the cylindrical section of the protective element, the sealing element can be reliably protected from such movement by the fluid line or the protective element, which would prevent it from properly performing its function when the fluid connection unit and the fluid line are connected.

[0013] In particular, the other fluid conduit does not necessarily have to be constructed as a tubular fluid conduit, but can be, for example, a flexible hose or another fluid guiding device that can connect to the fluid connection unit. Therefore, the end of the fluid connection unit that connects to the other fluid conduit may be provided with, for example, threads, a serrated profile, a T-shaped element, or the like. Alternatively, the fluid connection unit may be constructed symmetrically so that a tubular fluid conduit can be mounted at both ends.

[0014] The at least one sealing element can be arranged in a groove in the pipe section, the bottom of which has a diameter smaller than the nominal outer diameter of the pipe section. Furthermore, the groove, viewed in the axial extension direction of the pipe section, can be wider than the enlarged sealing element, particularly 1.5 to 2 times wider, so that the groove can also receive the sealing element under compression.

[0015] It is also conceivable that multiple sealing elements are arranged on the connecting pipe section. In this case, the axial length of the cylindrical section of the connecting pipe element can be adjusted accordingly so that all the sealing elements radially overlap in the initial position. Alternatively, the protective element may contact or compress the additional sealing elements only after the fluid line has been pushed onto the protective element.

[0016] Advantageously, the calibration section can be constructed separately from or separably from the piping section and the protective element. Thus, the calibration section and the protective element can be constructed as a single piece, for example, using an injection molding method, and designed such that the protective element can be separated from the calibration section when the fluid line is pushed onto the protective element.

[0017] The calibration section may have at least one gap on its outward-facing surface. Such a gap can be specifically designed to reduce friction and thus resistance to relative displacement between the calibration section and the fluid conduit. For example, the gap can be substantially rectangular. The gaps can be arranged substantially uniformly around the perimeter of the calibration section.

[0018] The protective element may include a section that, in its initial position, overlaps with a section of the calibration section on its radially inner side and / or radially outer side. This overlap of the calibration section on the radially outer side of the protective element prevents one end of the fluid conduit from directly contacting the longitudinal end of the cylindrical section of the protective element when pushed against it, and thus preventing the protective element from moving if necessary. This is particularly conceivable in cases where the end of the fluid conduit has a non-circular cross-section.

[0019] In a further improvement of the invention, the protective element may be coupled to the calibration section in its initial position. Release of the protective element can be achieved, for example, by pushing the fluid line beyond a predetermined force.

[0020] In particular, the calibration section can engage with the connector section, wherein, in particular, one of the calibration section and the connector section has a protrusion and the other has a gap that mates with the protrusion.

[0021] Here, the protrusion and / or gap can completely surround the peripheral direction of the connecting section or calibration section. This enables a simple design for the locking device.

[0022] In addition, the protective element may include a stop section designed to contact the free end of the fluid line such that the protective element moves with the fluid line as the fluid line is further pushed onto the connecting section after contacting the stop section.

[0023] The stop section can be configured, for example, as a flange extending radially outward from a cylindrical section of the protective element, or as an inclined surface extending radially outward at an angle.

[0024] The fluid connection unit may further include a sleeve and / or a mounting sleeve that at least partially surrounds the pipe section radially outward. In particular, the sleeve may be made of metal and / or the mounting sleeve may be made of plastic.

[0025] Here, the sleeve and / or the mounting sleeve includes at least one through-hole extending radially through the wall of the sleeve or mounting sleeve, wherein the through-hole is arranged such that the protective element is visible from the outside when it reaches its final position on the pipe section. Therefore, the correct connection between the fluid line and the fluid connection unit can be detected.

[0026] At least the section of the protective element visible in its final position through the through-hole of the sleeve or mounting sleeve has a predetermined color, which is distinguished from the color of the section of the fluid connection unit visible in the initial position of the protective element through the through-hole of the sleeve or mounting sleeve. That is, in the initial position of the protective element, particularly until the fluid line is fully pushed up and properly connected to the fluid connection unit and the protective element has reached its final position, this section of the protective element is not visible through the through-hole of the sleeve or mounting sleeve.

[0027] In particular, the protective element can be designed to compress the at least one sealing element radially inward. The sealing element can be compressed so that it is substantially flush with the nominal outer diameter of the nozzle section.

[0028] Furthermore, the connecting pipe section may have a region with a reduced outer diameter, which is connected downstream of the at least one sealing element when viewed along the movement direction of the protective element from its initial position on the calibration section toward its final position. This reduces friction between the protective element and the connecting pipe section and facilitates movement of the protective element.

[0029] Advantageously, the inner diameter of the protective element can be increased at at least one axial end. Therefore, an inlet ramp can be formed for pushing the protective element onto the sealing element without damaging the sealing element or pushing it out of its groove.

[0030] The protective element may have a locking device designed to hold the protective element in its final position. Here, the protective element can be locked with a corresponding mating locking device arranged on another component of the fluid connection unit, such as a mounting sleeve.

[0031] The fluid connection unit may further include a clamping sleeve with multiple barbs designed to engage with the fluid line to prevent or impede the fluid line from being pulled out of the fluid connection unit in the reverse direction of entry. The clamping sleeve may include a base ring. Protrusions may extend axially from the base ring on both sides thereon. From these protrusions, which may be specifically configured as resilient protrusions, the barbs may extend radially inward. If two protrusions extending in opposite directions relative to the base ring of the clamping sleeve are arranged at substantially the same location on the periphery of the base ring, that is, if the two protrusions are axially opposed relative to the base ring, a seesaw mechanism can be formed. This seesaw mechanism allows for an initial, easy connection between the clamping sleeve and the fluid line, because as long as only one of the opposing protrusions is radially pushed outward away from the fluid line, the corresponding other protrusion can be radially offset inward. On the other hand, when all the barbs of the clamping sleeve engage with the fluid line, the seesaw mechanism can achieve radial outward movement of the barbs and / or protrusions, for example, due to the pull-out movement of the fluid line from the fluid connection unit, thereby enhancing the engagement force between the corresponding other protrusion and the fluid line.

[0032] All of the aforementioned components can be made of plastic, which may include, for example, thermoplastic polysulfone (e.g., PPSU and / or PSU). The plastic material may be glass fiber reinforced and / or carbon fiber reinforced. In particular, the matrix on which the nozzle section is formed may include PPSU to improve its temperature stability relative to the hot fluid. Advantageously, the protective element may be made of glass fiber reinforced and / or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. This improves resistance to loads, particularly stresses, applied, for example, by the elastic spring force of the sealing element in its compressed state. In particular, the sleeve may, however, be made of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum). This improves the stability of the sleeve against forces that clamp the sleeve. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings show:

[0034] Figure 1 An exploded view of a first embodiment of the fluid connection unit according to the invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 2 A perspective view of the substrate of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0036] Figure 3 A perspective view of the protective element of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0037] Figure 4A perspective view of the calibration section of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0038] Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0039] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of another side of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0040] Figure 7 A perspective view of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment in an assembled state is shown;

[0041] Figure 8 A perspective view of the clamping sleeve of the fluid connection unit is shown;

[0042] Figure 9 A perspective view of the mounting sleeve of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0043] Figure 10 A perspective view of the sleeve of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0044] Figure 11 A perspective view of the substrate of the fluid connection unit according to the invention, based on a second embodiment, is shown;

[0045] Figure 12 A side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit according to the second embodiment is shown;

[0046] Figure 13 Show Figure 12 Enlarged details of the illustration;

[0047] Figure 14 A perspective view of the protective element according to the second embodiment is shown; and

[0048] Figure 15 A perspective view of the sleeve and mounting sleeve of the fluid connection unit according to the second embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0049] exist Figure 1 The fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. For example, in... Figure 1 As can be seen, the fluid connection unit 10 is constructed symmetrically and redundantly. Therefore, this results in... Figure 1The fluid connection unit 10 shown is designed to connect, for example, a first fluid conduit (not shown) configured as a pipe to, for example, a second fluid conduit (not shown) also configured as a pipe. Optionally, the fluid connection unit according to the invention can also be configured as a connection unit on a panel, so that the fluid connection unit only needs to have one of two redundant symmetrical halves. For this reason, only one half of the fluid connection unit 10 will be discussed in detail below, although this can also be applied to the other half of the fluid connection unit 10.

[0050] As in Figure 1 As can be seen, the fluid connection unit 10 includes a base 12 having a pipe section 14, a mounting sleeve 16, a sealing element 18 configured as an O-ring, a clamping sleeve 20, a protective element 22, a sleeve 24, and a calibration section 26.

[0051] exist Figure 2 The nozzle section 14 is shown separately. The nozzle section 14 has a nominal outer diameter of 28.

[0052] In addition, the pipe section 14 has a groove 30 in which the sealing element 18 is arranged (see Figure 5 Furthermore, the nozzle section 14 includes a region 32 that reduces the outer diameter, which is located between the two sections of the nominal outer diameter 28 and is configured to reduce friction between the nozzle section 14 and the protective element 22.

[0053] At the free end of the takeover section 14 ( Figure 2 A gap 34 is arranged at the location shown on the right side of the diagram. This gap is configured to interact with the protrusion 36 of the calibration section 26 (see Figure 1). Figure 5 ) to engage, so as to secure the calibration section 26 to the connector section 14.

[0054] exist Figure 3 The protective element 22 shown has a cylindrical section 38, which in Figure 3 The embodiment shown has a substantially constant wall thickness. At the axial end of the cylindrical section 38, tabs 40 are connected to the section, these tabs being radially outward toward the display section 42 of the protective element 22 (in... Figure 3 It extends radially outward at an incline. Here, section 42 (whose function will be further described below) comprises three cylindrical partial sections, which are arranged accordingly along a common perimeter having the same outer diameter.

[0055] exist Figure 4 Calibration section 26 is shown separately. Calibration section 26 has an outer surface 44, which has a surface facing the calibration section 26. Figure 4The reduced outer diameter of the free end is shown on the left. A rectangular gap 46 is arranged on the outer surface 44 of the calibration section 26, designed to reduce the contact area between the outer surface 44 and the inner wall of the fluid conduit 48 (see [link]). Figure 5 This reduces the frictional force that needs to be overcome.

[0056] exist Figure 5 The figure shows a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the present invention, wherein, in Figure 5 At the half of the fluid connection unit 10 shown on the left, the fluid conduit 48 is just beginning to be pushed into the fluid connection unit 10, wherein, additionally, the free end of the fluid conduit 48 to be connected to the fluid connection unit 10 is cut off at an angle relative to the central axis X of the fluid connection unit 10. Figure 5 In the right half of the fluid connection unit 10 shown, the fluid line 48 is fully connected to the fluid connection unit 10. Therefore, through the attached... Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the working principle of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the present invention in more detail, wherein it can be assumed that, in addition, Figure 5 The left and right halves show different assembly levels of the same half of the fluid connection unit 10.

[0057] As in Figure 5 As shown in the left half, the calibration section 26 is connected to the free end of the connector section 14 of the base 12 in an engaging manner. The protective element 22 is then engaged in its initial position using the calibration section 26.

[0058] Here, the sealing element 18 is radially compressed inward through the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22. The cylindrical section 38 is located on the section of the connecting pipe section 14 having a nominal outer diameter 28. Furthermore, the mounting sleeve 16 is connected to the base 12, and the sleeve 24 is locked to the mounting sleeve. Additionally, a clamping sleeve 20 is arranged inside the mounting sleeve 16 and the sleeve 24, which is used to prevent the fluid line 48 from being pulled out by a barb 50 (see also [reference needed]). Figure 8 (A separate diagram of the clamping sleeve 20).

[0059] If now fluid line 48 is as follows Figure 5 As shown in the right half, when fully pushed into the fluid connection unit 10, the protective element 22 moves together with the fluid line 48. In the final position of the protective element 22, the locking device 52 of the protective element 22 engages with the corresponding locking device 54 of the mounting sleeve 16, thereby preventing the protective element 22 from moving backward. Figure 5The right half shown prevents the protective element 22 from moving to the right. In the final position, the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22 moves such that the sealing element 18 has disengaged from the protective element 22 and abuts against the inner wall of the fluid conduit 48 to ensure that the fluid flow passage 56 inside the fluid connection unit 10 or the fluid conduit 48 is sealed relative to the outside fluid.

[0060] exist Figure 6 China and Israel are similar Figure 5 Another side cross-sectional view shows the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention, wherein the fluid conduit 48 is omitted. Figure 6 The cutting plane of the cross section shown is relative to the Figure 5 The cutting plane of the cross-section shown is rotated about the axis X, such that... Figure 6 The cutting plane of the section extends through one of the plurality of through-holes 58 of the mounting sleeve 16 (see Figure 9 Therefore, refer to Figure 6 The function of the display section 42 of the protection element 22 can be explained.

[0061] As in accordance with Figure 7 As can be seen in the assembly diagram of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the present invention, the sleeve 24 passes through an opening 60 arranged on the sleeve 24 (see also...). Figure 10 ) and the associated locking protrusion 62 of the mounting sleeve 16 (see also) Figure 9 The sleeve 24 is engaged with the mounting sleeve 16 and locked in place. In this state, the through portion 58 of the mounting sleeve 16 is restricted on one side of the sleeve 24.

[0062] Now refer to Figure 6 ,exist Figure 6 In the left half, the protective element 22 and the display section 42 connected thereto are in their initial positions, so that the clamping sleeve 20 can be seen through the opening 58. The clamping sleeve 20, or at least the section of the clamping sleeve 20 visible through the through-hole 58, may be made of, for example, red plastic material, to indicate that the protective element 22 has not yet reached its final position.

[0063] If the protective element 22 reaches its final position, such as in Figure 6 As shown in the right half, the section of the clamping sleeve 20 visible through the through-hole 58 overlaps radially with the display section 42 of the protective element 22; that is, only the display section 42 of the protective element 22 is now identifiable through the through-hole 58. In particular, the display section 42, or the entire protective element 22, can be made of a plastic material with a different color than the clamping sleeve 20. Specifically, the display section 42, or the protective element 22, can be green to indicate the correct connection between the fluid line 48 and the fluid connection unit 10.

[0064] According to Figure 8 As can be seen in the separate diagram of the clamping sleeve 20, the clamping sleeve 20 has elastic arms 64 that are supported on the base 12 and / or on the mounting sleeve 16 in the assembled state of the fluid connection unit 10, thus pressing the clamping sleeve 20 in one direction opposite to the insertion direction of the fluid line 48 into the fluid connection unit 10. This allows, on the one hand, the barbs 50 of the clamping sleeve 20 to engage with the outer periphery of the fluid line 48 as far away as possible from the free end of the fluid line 48, reducing or even eliminating gaps in the fluid line 48 within the fluid connection unit 10. On the other hand, pre-clamping of the elastic arms 64 of the clamping sleeve 20 allows the tapered section 66 of the clamping sleeve 20 to be pressed against the tapered section 68 of the sleeve 24, and the barbs 50 to engage more strongly with the fluid line 48.

[0065] It should be added that the protective element 22 here has a stop section 70 (see Figure 5 The free end of the fluid line 48 can contact the stop section so that the protective element 22 can move with the fluid line 48 as the fluid line 48 is further pushed into the fluid connection unit 10. The stop section 70 can also be designed to define the end position of the protective element 22 by contacting the base 12 and / or the mounting sleeve 16.

[0066] In order to facilitate pushing the protective element 22 onto the pipe section 14 and especially onto the sealing element 18 when assembling the fluid connection unit 10, without damaging the sealing element 18 or causing it to move out of its base, an inlet ramp 72 is arranged adjacent to the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22, that is, a section with an increased diameter of the inner diameter of the protective element 22.

[0067] After the protective element 22 has been pushed onto the connector section 14 or the sealing element 18, the calibration section 26 can be connected to the connector section 14. Here, in particular... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As can be seen, the maximum outer diameter of the calibration section 26 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22. Therefore, even when the free end of the fluid conduit should have a non-circular cross-section, the fluid conduit 48 is deformed by the calibration section 26, allowing it to be pushed onto the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22. Alternatively, the calibration section 26 can also be constructed as an integral part of the connecting pipe section 14. Here, the protective element 22 may, for example, have a resilient section in the circumferential direction for its assembly.

[0068] In addition, Figure 8As can be seen, the clamping sleeve 20 has a base ring 74. Protrusions 76 (three protrusions 76 in the illustrated embodiment) extend from the base ring 74 along a first axial direction ( Figure 8 (From center to right). On the inner side of protrusion 76, barb 50 extends radially inward. Furthermore, protrusion 78 extends in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction ( Figure 8 Extending upwards (to the left) from the center. An elastic arm 64 is arranged at the free end of the protrusion 78. On the inner side of the protrusion 78, a barb 50 also extends radially inwards and is elastically arranged on the protrusion 78. Since the protrusions 76 and 78 extend in opposite axial directions relative to the base ring 74 and are located at the same position when viewed along the circumferential direction of the base ring, the protrusions 76 and 78 form a seesaw mechanism in pairs. That is, one of the protrusions 76 and 78 moves radially outwards, and the other of the protrusions 78 and 76 can move radially inwards.

[0069] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figures 11 to 15 A second embodiment of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the present invention is described. This second embodiment is a variation of the fluid connection unit 10 described above, so that only the differences from the first embodiment will be discussed in detail in further steps, and all other features and functions will be referred to the first embodiment. Therefore, all features, effects, and advantages disclosed with respect to the first embodiment of the fluid connection unit 10 can be equally applied to the second embodiment of the fluid connection unit 110, and vice versa.

[0070] exist Figure 11 The image shows a perspective view of the base 112 of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 As can be seen, the substrate 112 is constructed symmetrically in the longitudinal direction, similar to the substrate 12. For this reason, only one half of the substrate 112 (or fluid connection unit 110) will be discussed in detail below, which can also be applied to the other half of the substrate 112 (or fluid connection unit 110).

[0071] Unlike the base 12 of the first embodiment, the base 112 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 180 on its outer side, which are arranged between two flanges 182 and extend substantially parallel to the axial extension direction of the base 112. The reinforcing ribs 180 decisively help to prevent the flanges 182 from deforming even when a force is introduced. Along the circumferential direction of the base 112, two adjacent reinforcing ribs 180 may be arranged, for example, at an angle of 45°, thereby a total of eight reinforcing ribs 180 arranged on the base 112.

[0072] However, the number of reinforcing ribs 180 can be adjusted arbitrarily.

[0073] In addition, the substrate 112 has stop surfaces 184, which are designed to protect the element 122 (see Figure 12 The corresponding mating surface 186 of the protective element 122 comes into contact with it. This contact can, in particular, define the end position of the range of movement of the protective element 122 relative to the base 112. The stop surfaces 184 are constructed such that they project radially outward from the nominal diameter of the nozzle section 114 of the base 112 toward the flange 184. Therefore, the stop surfaces 184 also serve to stably center the protective element 122, and thus the end of the fluid conduit disposed thereon, relative to the central axis X of the fluid connection unit 110 in a supporting sense. Of course, the stop surfaces 184 also help to reinforce the corresponding section on the base 112.

[0074] In this case, it should be noted that the fluid connection unit 110 of the second embodiment can have the same control mechanism as the fluid connection unit 10 of the first embodiment in order to display the connection status between the fluid pipeline and the fluid connection unit 110. This control mechanism refers to... Figure 6 The color coding of the clamping sleeve and the display section of the protective element 122 are explained here, wherein the color coding can be seen from the outside through the through-hole 158 (see Figure 15 ).

[0075] exist Figure 12 The figure shows a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention, wherein, in Figure 12 In the right-hand half of the fluid connection unit 110, the protective element 122 is in its initial position, while... Figure 12 In the left half of the fluid connection unit 110 shown, the protective element 122 is located in its final position.

[0076] In the example Figure 12 Enlarged detail of the right half of the fluid connection unit 110 in the middle. Figure 13 As can be seen, the protective element 122 has a locally reduced outer diameter 186 at its front end, which is arranged adjacent to the calibration section 126 in the final position of the protective element 122. Due to the reduced outer diameter 186, a step is formed between the radially smaller protective element 122 and the adjacent radially larger calibration section 126 at this position. This ensures that the free end of the fluid line pushed onto the calibration section 126 is first pushed onto the reduced outer diameter 186 of the protective element 122 without contacting the protective element and therefore without prematurely moving the protective element if necessary.

[0077] Similar to the calibration section 26 in the first embodiment, in order to facilitate the insertion of the fluid line into the fluid connection unit 110, the calibration section 126 has a face 144 that tapers toward the free end, and the calibration section 126 is engaged with and thus fixed to the connector section 114 of the base 112 by a protrusion (not shown).

[0078] In addition Figure 13 As can be seen, the protective element 122 has a stop section 170 extending substantially radially, which is designed to contact the end face of the free end of the fluid conduit and thus better absorb the pushing force of the fluid conduit and transmit it to the protective element 122. Following the stop section 170, the protective element 122 continues to extend with an increasing outer diameter toward the end of the protective element 122 opposite to the decreasing outer diameter 186, thereby enabling it to resist the restoring force of the sealing element (not shown in the second embodiment) in its initial position and, for example, reducing or even preventing material creep of the protective element 122.

[0079] exist Figure 14 As can be seen in the perspective view of the protective element 122, the stop section 170 does not necessarily have to be constructed as a continuous diameter increase, but can also be composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 190, the end faces of which generally contribute to the stop section 170. This avoids material buildup on the protective element 122 and thus reduces costs and, particularly, improves dimensional stability in plastic parts.

[0080] Figure 15 A perspective view of the mounting sleeves 116 and 124 of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the second embodiment is shown, wherein the arrangement of the mounting sleeves 116 and 124 corresponds to the connection state of the fluid connection unit 110. The mounting sleeve 116 includes a longitudinal slot 192 extending substantially parallel to the central axis X. By providing the longitudinal slot 192, lug-shaped locking elements 194 are created between the sleeves, which can more easily elastically deform compared to a continuous sleeve, so that the mounting sleeve 116 is connected to the corresponding flange 184 via the locking elements 194. Therefore, the longitudinal slots 192 simplify the assembly of the fluid connection unit 110 because they reduce the necessary force consumption and prevent damage.

[0081] exist Figure 15In this sleeve 124, openings 160 are generally D-shaped or arc-shaped on one side, with the arc shape of the openings 160 particularly formed on the side facing the mounting sleeve 116. A locking protrusion 162 is complementaryly provided on the mounting sleeve 116, the locking protrusion being constructed in a complementary shape to engage with the openings 160, thereby locking the sleeve 124 to the mounting sleeve 116. The arc-shaped shape of one side of the locking protrusion 162 has the advantage that the force occurring on the sleeve 124 under axial tensile load (e.g., when pulling a fluid line out of the fluid connection unit 110) can be transmitted more evenly to the circular locking protrusion than in the case of a rectangular locking protrusion 162, thereby reducing the snagging effect at the openings 160.

Claims

1. A fluid connection unit (10, 110) designed to connect a fluid conduit (48) not belonging to the fluid connection unit (10, 110) to another fluid conduit that also does not belong to the fluid connection unit (10, 110). in, The fluid connection unit (10, 110) includes a pipe section (14, 114) designed to be introduced into the fluid line (48), and the pipe section has a nominal outer diameter (28). At least one sealing element (18) is arranged on the outer periphery of the connecting pipe sections (14, 114). The sealing element is designed to bridge the distance between the fluid connecting unit (10, 110) and the fluid pipeline (48) when the fluid connecting unit (10, 110) and the fluid pipeline (48) are connected, and thus seal the connection facing outward. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) includes a protective element (22, 122) externally movably arranged on the pipe section (14, 114) from an initial position to a final position, and the protective element includes a substantially cylindrical section at least on its radially inner side. In this configuration, at least one sealing element (18) is radially compressed outward by the cylindrical segment (38) of the protective element (22, 122) in its initial position. The cylindrical section (38) of the protective element (22, 122) has an inner diameter that substantially corresponds to the nominal outer diameter (28) of the connecting pipe section (14, 114). The cylindrical section (38) of the protective element (22, 122) is designed to receive the fluid conduit (48) to be connected on its outer side, and The fluid connection unit (10, 110) further includes a calibration section (26, 126) disposed at the free end of the connecting pipe section (14, 114) and having an outer diameter (44, 144) that decreases in the direction toward the free end of the connecting pipe section (14, 114). The maximum outer diameter of the calibration section (26, 126) is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical section (38) of the protective element (22, 122) adjacent to it in the initial position.

2. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The calibration sections (26, 126) are constructed separately from the control sections (14, 114) and the protective elements (22, 122).

3. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The calibration sections (26, 126) have at least one gap (46) on the outward-pointing surface.

4. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective element (22, 122) includes a segment that overlaps with a segment of the calibration segment (26, 126) on the radially inner side and / or radially outer side in the initial position.

5. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective elements (22, 122) are coupled to the calibration sections (26, 126) in their initial positions.

6. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The calibration sections (26, 126) are engaged with the connecting sections (14, 114).

7. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One of the calibration sections (26, 126) and the connecting pipe sections (14, 114) has a protrusion (36) and the other has a gap that mates with the protrusion, and the protrusion (36) and / or the gap completely surround the peripheral direction of the connecting pipe section (14, 114) or the calibration section (26, 126).

8. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective elements (22, 122) include stop sections (70, 170) designed to contact the free end of the fluid line (48) such that the protective elements (22, 122) move together with the fluid line (48) when the fluid line (48) is further pushed onto the connecting section (14, 114) after contacting the stop section (70, 170).

9. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fluid connection unit (10, 110) further includes a sleeve (24, 124) and / or a mounting sleeve (16, 116), which at least partially surround the pipe section (14, 114) radially outward.

10. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sleeves (24, 124) and / or the mounting sleeves (16, 116) include at least one through-hole (58, 158) extending radially through the wall of the sleeves (24, 124) and / or the mounting sleeves (16, 116), wherein the through-holes (58, 158) of the sleeves (24, 124) and / or the mounting sleeves (16, 116) are arranged such that they are externally visible when the protective element (22, 122) reaches its final position on the pipe section (14, 114).

11. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 10, characterized in that, At least the section (42) of the protective element (22, 122) visible in its final position through the through-hole (58, 158) of the sleeve (24, 124) and / or the mounting sleeve (16, 116) has a predetermined color, which is distinguished from the color of the section (20) of the fluid connection unit (10, 110) visible in its initial position through the through-hole (58, 158) of the sleeve (24, 124) and / or the mounting sleeve (16, 116).

12. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective elements (22, 122) are designed to compress the at least one sealing element (18) radially inward.

13. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connecting section (14, 114) has a region with a reduced outer diameter (32) which is connected downstream of the at least one sealing element (18) when viewed along the direction of movement of the protective element (22, 122) from the initial position on the calibration section (26, 126) toward the final position of the protective element (22, 122).

14. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the protective element (22, 122) increases at at least one of its axial ends.

15. The fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The protective element has a locking device (52) designed to hold the protective element in its final position.

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