Coupling device for valve and valve assembly equipped therewith

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device for valves, comprising a coupling body which extends along a main axis and which has a plurality of consecutive valve mounting positions, at which valves can be mounted, and which is provided with at least one row of receiving recesses which communicate with a coupling body channel running in the coupling body, the coupling body has a receiving recess into which a coupling unit suitable for coupling a fluid line can be inserted, the inserted use position of the coupling unit being releasably secured with respect to the coupling body by means of a locking device having a U-shaped locking bracket, the locking device comprising a locking channel extending in the coupling body along the main axis thereof, a U-shaped locking bracket can be inserted into the locking channel in a longitudinally movable manner, the locking bracket can have a locking position in which the locking bracket simultaneously passes through a plurality of actions in successive receiving recesses and is in locking engagement with the coupling unit inserted therein while preventing extraction thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection device for a valve, which has a connection body extending along a main axis, the connection body having a plurality of valve assembly positions which are consecutive in the direction of the main axis, the valves can be assembled or are assembled at the valve assembly positions, and the connection body is provided with at least one row of accommodating recesses which are composed of a plurality of accommodating recesses which are also consecutive in the direction of the main axis and which are transverse to the main axis and lead to a common connection surface of the connection body, the accommodating recesses being connected to a connection body channel extending in the connection body, and a connection unit which is suitable for connecting a fluid pipeline can be inserted or is inserted into the accommodating recesses, and the inserted use position of the connection unit can be releasably fixed relative to the connection body by a locking device having at least one U-shaped locking bracket. Background Art

[0002] Such a coupling device for a valve has been known for a long time, for example from US 6,832,788 B2. The valve assembly described therein comprises a coupling device for a facility with a valve, which has a coupling body that is multiply divided in the direction of its longitudinal axis and is penetrated by a coupling body channel. There is a row of receiving recesses at the lateral coupling surface of the coupling body, into which coupling units suitable for connecting fluid lines are inserted. These coupling units are fixed to the coupling body by locking devices, which for each coupling unit include a U-shaped locking bracket, which can be inserted into the coupling body transversely to the main axis (i.e., from top to bottom in the normal loading position) so that it engages in the corresponding coupling unit and fixes it to prevent it from being pulled out. Although the coupling unit can be fixed to the coupling body very reliably here. However, due to the large number of components, the operation is quite cumbersome. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coupling device in which a larger number of coupling units of a fluid line can also be assembled in a time-saving manner.

[0004] This object is achieved by a coupling device for a valve of the type mentioned at the outset having the features of independent claim 1. Developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0005] The connection device according to the present invention is characterized in that the locking device includes at least two locking channels extending along the main axis of the connection body and respectively transversely penetrating at least a plurality of accommodating recesses in at least one row of accommodating recesses, having a transverse distance from each other and being oriented parallel to each other, and the U-shaped locking bracket can be inserted or inserted into the locking channel in a longitudinally movable manner, wherein the locking bracket can occupy a locking position in which the locking bracket simultaneously passes through a plurality of effects in consecutive accommodating recesses and is locked with the connection unit inserted therein to prevent it from being pulled out.

[0006] In the prior art presented above, the connecting units associated with a row of receiving recesses are fixed separately. Only when there are multiple rows of receiving recesses can two receiving recesses arranged one above the other in the height direction be fixed simultaneously by a U-shaped locking bracket. In any case, a large number of locking brackets are required here. The present invention creates the possibility of fixing together multiple, preferably all, connecting units associated with the same row of receiving recesses. By inserting the locking bracket into a locking channel that is oriented in the same direction as the main axis of the connecting body, all previously introduced connecting units can be fixed in one process and thus in a very time-saving manner. In addition, by making at least one locking bracket simultaneously associated with multiple receiving recesses of the same row of receiving recesses, a significant saving of components is produced.

[0007] In a further development of the invention, the locking channels respectively penetrate all receiving recesses in at least one row of receiving recesses. In a particularly preferred manner, at least one locking bracket inserted into two associated locking channels acts through all receiving recesses in the row of receiving recesses in its locked position and can thereby jointly fix all coupling units associated with the row of receiving recesses in their use position. This multiple locking is particularly useful in the case of higher loads, since the U-shaped locking bracket can act on different circumferential sections of the coupling units that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction.

[0008] Advantageously, the receiving recess is cut by the corresponding associated locking channel in the region of its periphery in a manner similar to a secant. Thus, the locking engagement can be limited to the adjacent region of the periphery of the coupling unit, and its remaining cross section can be used for fluid penetration without restriction.

[0009] In a development of the invention, a plurality of rows of receiving recesses are formed on the coupling body one above the other in a height direction oriented transversely to the main axis, wherein each row of receiving recesses is associated with two locking channels above and below the receiving recesses.

[0010] In a particularly preferred manner, the locking channel is designed in a groove-like manner and is open on the longitudinal side. Preferably, the locking channel is open on the longitudinal side toward the coupling surface, to which the receiving recess also opens. If necessary, such a locking channel can be realized both in a cutting process and, particularly advantageously, directly in the extrusion process without cutting during the production of a one-piece coupling body designed as an extruded part.

[0011] In a particularly preferred manner, the U-shaped locking bracket has two bracket legs which are oriented essentially parallel to one another and which are connected to one another via a bracket bridge.

[0012] The support legs expediently each have a circular, in particular a perfectly circular, cross section.

[0013] Suitably, the U-shaped locking bracket is composed of a wire material, wherein it can be formed from a bent wire rod by multiple bending to form the U-shaped locking bracket.

[0014] For example, it is also possible to provide a multiple locking bracket having more than two (e.g. four) bracket legs at the same time, by which two rows of overlapping receiving recesses can be fixed simultaneously via such a multiple locking bracket. Such a multiple locking bracket can also be made by bending a wire rod that is initially long.

[0015] In an improved version of the invention, the fixing device has at least one curved portion constructed on one of the bracket legs of the locking bracket, which has a contact surface that, in the locked position, contacts a mating contact surface constructed on one of the connecting bodies and prevents the locking bracket from being accidentally pulled out.

[0016] In a particularly preferred manner, the two support legs of the respective locking support have cranks which are located opposite one another and are curved toward one another.

[0017] In the case of a locking bracket consisting of a wire material, the crank can be produced in a simple manner by a suitable compression process of the two bracket legs.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the coupling body is a one-piece component.

[0019] The present invention also includes a valve assembly having a coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an electrically operated valve is installed at the valve assembly position, the valve preferably being a multi-way valve, such as a 3 / 2 multi-way valve, a 5 / 2 multi-way valve or a 5 / 3 multi-way valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention as a component of a valve assembly,

[0022] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a valve assembly with an inserted but unlocked coupling unit,

[0023] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a valve assembly having a coupling unit inserted and locked, and

[0024] Figure 4 Shown along Figure 1The line IV-IV in passes through the longitudinal section of the valve assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figures 1 to 4 A preferred embodiment of a valve assembly 11 according to the invention is shown, which is equipped with a coupling device 12 according to the invention. The coupling device 12 comprises a plurality of valves 13.

[0026] The connection device 12 is implemented only in Figure 3 The fluid line 14 indicated in FIG. 1 , which leads to a consumer not shown in further detail, is fluidically connected to the valve 13. In this way, the fluid flow in the fluid line 14 can be influenced by the valve 13.

[0027] The coupling device 12 comprises a coupling body 15 which extends along a main axis 16 , in particular a longitudinal axis of the coupling body.

[0028] The coupling body 15 has a mounting surface 17 which is divided into a plurality of valve mounting positions 18 ( Figure 4 ), at which one of the valves 13 already mentioned is respectively mounted, in particular in a releasable manner. The valve 13 is a multi-way valve, for example in the form of a 3 / 2-way valve or as in this case in Figures 1 to 4 , a 5 / 2 or 5 / 3-way valve is shown. Multi-way valves can be electrically actuated and each have an electrically activatable valve drive, for example in the form of one or more solenoid valves.

[0029] As especially Figure 4 As shown in the figure, a fluid supply body 19 is docked at the coupling body 15 in a manner oriented side by side with the valve 13 in the main axis direction, especially at the end side of the coupling body 15. The fluid supply body 19 has a feed interface 20, through which the compressed fluid can be supplied and reaches the coupling body 15 and from there to the valve 13. In addition, an exhaust interface 21 is also provided at the fluid supply body 19, through which exhaust can be centrally exhausted.

[0030] The coupling body 15 is penetrated in particular in the direction of its main axis 16 by a plurality of first coupling body channels (not shown), which lead via branch channels (not shown) to the individual valve assembly locations 18. There, they communicate with valve channels of the valve 13, not shown in more detail.

[0031] Typically, one of the first coupling body pipes is a feed pipe, and at least one other coupling body pipe of the first coupling body pipes is a discharge pipe. The valve 13 can be supplied with compressed fluid to be distributed by the valve 13 across the feed channel (which is connected to the feed interface at the fluid supply body 19), while the used compressed fluid flows back via the discharge channel. Preferably, compressed air is used as the compressed fluid.

[0032] For example, two second coupling body passages 22 ( Figure 1 ), the coupling body channel penetrates the coupling body 15 transversely to the main axis 16 and leads to the longitudinal side coupling surface 23 of the coupling body 15.

[0033] The two coupling body channels 22 each end in a receiving recess 24 ( Figure 1 ), the receiving recess is suitable for completely or partially receiving a coupling unit 25 for coupling the fluid line 14. The receiving recess 24 has a longitudinal axis 26 ( Figure 1 ), which longitudinal axis extends at a right angle to the main axis 16 and is in particular also oriented at a right angle to the connecting surface 23.

[0034] The mounting surface 17 and the connecting surface 23 have, in particular, an orientation that is offset by 90° to one another, wherein they are, in particular, directly connected to one another.

[0035] The coupling unit 25 has a base 27 that can be inserted into the corresponding receiving recess 24 in a matching manner, and the base is a fastening device 28 that protrudes outward in the direction of the longitudinal axis 26 and in particular protrudes beyond the coupling surface 23. The fastening device 28 is especially designed to realize a releasable, sealed plug connection of the fluid line 14, in particular a fluid hose. For this purpose, the fastening device 28 can have clamps and / or fastening claws, which act on the inserted fluid line 14 at the outer circumference to fix it.

[0036] Each coupling unit 25 is mounted on or removed from the coupling body 15 according to arrows 29 , 30 by being inserted into or pulled out of the receiving recess 24 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 26 .

[0037] Such a connection unit 25 that can be assembled or disassembled by plugging and pulling out can also be referred to as a push-in fitting.

[0038] The second connecting body channels can be referred to as working channels, since respectively associated valves 13 in the consumers to be actuated can be connected individually via them.

[0039] In contrast to the embodiment in which each valve assembly position 18, and therefore each valve 13 arranged therein, is connected to a second coupling body channel 22, for example, a design with only one second coupling body channel 22 is also conceivable. The number depends essentially on the type of valve 13 used, wherein in the latter case a 3 / 2-way valve is conceivable as an alternative to the 5 / 2-way valve shown.

[0040] The receiving recesses 24 are combined into two rows of receiving recesses, which are referred to below as the first receiving recess row 31 and the second receiving recess row 32. The latter extend parallel to each other at a certain distance and in the direction of the main axis 16. If all receiving recesses 24 are equipped with coupling units 25, two rows of coupling units 25 arranged side by side are thus produced.

[0041] The coupling device 12 further comprises a locking device 33 which enables the coupling units 25 of the corresponding rows of receiving recesses 31, 32 to be releasably locked in the inserted use state so that they can no longer be pulled out. In the locked state, the coupling units 25 are fixed axially substantially immovably in the receiving recesses 24.

[0042] As especially Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the locking means 33 has at least one U-shaped locking bracket 34 , in the example shown, two locking brackets 34 which are each associated with a row of receiving recesses.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the locking means 33 for the two receiving recess rows 31, 32 are designed identically. Therefore, the further description can be limited to the locking means 33 of the first receiving recess row 31, which are respectively located at the top in the drawings. These explanations apply to the second receiving recess row 32 accordingly.

[0044] In addition to the locking bracket 34 already mentioned, the locking means 33 associated with the first row of receiving recesses 31 also comprises at least two locking channels 35, 36 extending in parallel to each other and in the same direction parallel to the main axis 16 at a certain distance from each other ( Figure 4 ), the locking channels are arranged in such a way that they pass through all the receiving recesses 24. In particular, they are placed in such a way that they are located at circumferential regions of the receiving recesses 24 that are diametrically opposite to each other and thus cut the receiving recesses in a manner similar to a cut line at the location of the circumference of the receiving recesses.

[0045] The two locking channels 35, 36 are open at the end, in particular at the two end sides. Therefore, they lead to two end faces 37 of the coupling body 15 oriented in the direction of the main axis 16. It is possible to push the U-shaped locking bracket 34 associated with the two locking channels 35, 36 longitudinally into the locking channels 35, 36 via one of the two end openings 38. In this way, the U-shaped locking bracket 34 can be positioned in the locking position ( Figure 4), in which locking position the U-shaped locking bracket 34 simultaneously acts through all receiving recesses 24 in order to engage in a locking manner with the coupling unit 25 inserted therein. In the exemplary case shown, the end openings of the locking channels for the upper and lower rows of receiving recesses are combined so that the multiple locking brackets described in more detail below can also be pushed in.

[0046] So external Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the U-shaped locking bracket has two bracket legs 39 a , 39 b oriented essentially parallel to one another and connected to one another via a bracket bridge 40 or transverse bridge.

[0047] In the example shown, the locking bracket 34 is composed of a wire material (eg a round wire). The locking rod can be formed in a simple manner from a straight wire rod by multiple bending to form the U-shaped locking bracket 34.

[0048] Such production can be performed relatively simply and quickly. The locking channels 35 , 36 are expediently also formed during the production of the coupling body which is formed in one piece in the example shown.

[0049] The coupling device 12 is expediently equipped with fixing means 41 which enable the locking bracket 34 to be fixed in position in its locking position. The fixing means 41 shown by way of example fix the axial position of the locking bracket 34 by form fit.

[0050] For this purpose, the fixing means 41 has at least one bend 42 which is formed on one of the bracket legs 39 a , 39 b of the locking bracket 34 .

[0051] In the exemplary case shown, the two support legs 39 a , 39 b of the respective locking support 34 have bends 42 a , 42 b which are located opposite one another and are arched toward one another.

[0052] The bends 42 a , 42 b each have a contact surface 43 which, in the locked position, comes into contact with a counter-contact surface 44 formed on one of the coupling units 25 and prevents an unintentional removal of the locking bracket 34 .

[0053] In an embodiment not shown, a multiple locking bracket is provided, with which the first row of receiving recesses 31 and the second row of receiving recesses 32 located therebelow can be locked simultaneously with the equipped coupling unit 45. For the embodiment shown, such a multiple locking bracket has four bracket legs, which optionally have a transverse bridge 40 connecting all four bracket legs to one another, which can be introduced through the opening 38.

Claims

1. A coupling device for a valve (13), comprising a coupling body (15) extending along a main axis (16), the coupling body having a plurality of valve assembly positions (18) arranged successively in the direction of the main axis (16), at which the valve (13) can be assembled or is assembled, and the coupling body is provided with at least one row of accommodating recesses consisting of a plurality of accommodating recesses (24) also arranged successively in the direction of the main axis (16) and extending transversely to the main axis (16) to a common coupling surface (23) of the coupling body (15), the accommodating recesses being connected to a coupling body channel (22) extending in the coupling body (15), and a coupling unit (25) suitable for connecting a fluid pipeline (14) can be inserted or is inserted into the accommodating recesses, the inserted use position of the coupling unit being able to be releasably fixed relative to the coupling body (15) by a locking device (33) having at least one U-shaped locking bracket (34), characterized in that The locking device (33) comprises at least two locking channels (35, 36) extending in the coupling body (15) along its main axis (16) and respectively transversely penetrating at least a plurality of receiving recesses (24) in the at least one row of receiving recesses (31, 32), which are laterally spaced from each other and oriented parallel to each other, and the U-shaped locking bracket (34) can be inserted or inserted into the locking channel in a longitudinally movable manner, wherein the locking bracket (34) can have a locking position in which the locking bracket simultaneously passes through a plurality of consecutive receiving recesses (24) and is locked with the coupling unit (25) inserted therein to prevent it from being pulled out.

2. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The locking channels (35, 36) respectively penetrate all the accommodating recessed portions (24) in the at least one row of accommodating recessed portions (31, 32).

3. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: At least one locking bracket (34) inserted into the two corresponding locking channels (35, 36) acts through all the receiving recesses (24) in the row of receiving recesses (24) in its locking position, thereby being able to fix all the connecting units corresponding to the row of receiving recesses (24) together in their use position.

4. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The locking channels (35, 36) respectively cut the receiving recessed portion (24) penetrated by the locking channels at locations of the periphery of the receiving recessed portion in a manner similar to a cut line.

5. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that A plurality of rows of receiving recesses are constructed on the coupling body (15) in an overlapping manner in a height direction oriented transversely to the main axis (16), wherein each row of receiving recesses (31, 31) is associated with two of the locking channels (35, 36) above and below the receiving recesses (24).

6. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that Locking channels (35, 36) associated with the respective rows of receiving recesses (31, 32) penetrate the receiving recesses (24) in circumferential regions that are diametrically opposite to one another.

7. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The locking channels (35, 36) are designed in the form of grooves and are open on the longitudinal sides.

8. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The U-shaped locking bracket (34) has two bracket legs (39a, 39b) which are oriented substantially parallel to each other and are connected to each other via a bracket bridge (40).

9. The connection device according to claim 8, characterized in that The support legs (39a, 39b) each have a circular, in particular a perfectly circular, cross section.

10. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that There are fixing means (41) by means of which the at least one locking bracket (34) can be fixed in the locking position in a releasable and non-movable manner or can be fixed in the locking position.

11. The coupling device according to claim 10, characterized in that The fixing device (41) has at least one crank portion (42a, 42b) constructed on one of the bracket legs (39a, 39b) of the locking bracket (34), and the crank portion has an abutment surface (43) which, in the locking position, abuts against a mating abutment surface (44) constructed on one of the connecting units (25) and prevents the locking bracket (34) from being accidentally pulled out.

12. The coupling device according to claim 11, characterized in that The two bracket legs (39a, 39b) of the corresponding locking bracket (34) have cranked portions (42a, 42b) which are arranged opposite to each other and are arched toward each other.

13. A coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The coupling body (15) is a one-piece component.

14. The coupling device according to claim 13, characterized in that The coupling body (15) is a one-piece extruded component, and the locking channels (35, 36) are directly formed into the extruded component during extrusion manufacturing.

15. A valve assembly comprising a coupling device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an electrically actuatable valve (13) is mounted at a valve mounting position (18) of the coupling device.

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