Fluid connector for a fluid circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid connector for a fluid circuit. There is provided a fluid connector (10) for a fluid circuit, in particular for an automobile, comprising a male end piece (12) and a female end piece (18) of the SAE type, the female end piece comprising a body (20) and a single pin (22) mounted across the body (20) and capable of axially retaining the male end piece (12) in the female end piece, the pin (22) being formed as a single piece and comprising: a first pair of lateral tabs (30), the lateral tab comprises, at its free end (30a), an inclined surface (34) and a gripping protrusion (36) adapted to be manipulated by an operator in order to move the pin (22); and a second pair of lateral tabs (40) comprising, at their free ends (40a), first teeth (42) oriented parallel to the axis (A) and capable of cooperating with complementary second teeth (44) of the body (20).

Description

Cross-references to related applications for fluid connectors for fluid circuits

[0001] This application claims priority to French patent application No. FR2411881, filed on October 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a fluid connector for fluid circuits, particularly for automobiles. Background Technology

[0003] Fluid circuits, particularly automotive ones, may include multiple fluid connectors to allow sections of the circuit to be connected together or to allow devices to be connected to the rest of the circuit.

[0004] These connectors are typically “quick connect (QC)” connectors, which have the advantage of enabling a rapid fluid connection between two components to be connected.

[0005] This connection is usually made manually.

[0006] Typically, a fluid connector consists of a male and a female, with the male engaging within the female.

[0007] Known types of QC and connectors include VDA and SAE technologies. This invention relates to SAE technology, characterized by end pieces comprising external annular ribs.

[0008] To ensure that the male end is held in the female end, it is known to assemble pins or latches onto the female end, wherein a first pin of these pins is configured to engage with a rib of the male end to ensure that the male end is held in the female end, and a second pin of these pins is typically configured to lock the first pin in the holding position of the male end or to confirm that the first pin is properly locked.

[0009] This invention proposes an improvement to the technology, which in particular allows for a simplification of the manufacture of fluid connectors while retaining at least some of the aforementioned functions (rib engagement with end pieces, locking, indicators for correct positioning, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0010] This invention relates to a fluid connector for fluid circuits, particularly for automobiles, comprising an SAE-type male end including an external annular rib and a female end adapted to receive the male end. The female end includes: - a body including an internal fluid passage extending from an inlet to an outlet, the internal fluid passage being adapted to receive the male end along an axis from the inlet by engagement; and - a single pin mounted across the body and capable of axially retaining the male end within the internal fluid passage of the body. The pin is formed as a single piece and is capable of moving in a plane perpendicular to the axis from a raised position for releasing the male end to a lowered position for retaining the male end. The pin includes a first pair of lateral tabs. The first pair of lateral tabs (tab) have lateral tabs located on both sides of the axis and extending parallel to the plane from the middle portion of the pin. Each lateral tab has a chamfer at its free end opposite the middle portion. When the pin is in the raised position and the male end is engaged in the female end, the rib of the male end can support on the chamfer, allowing the lateral tabs to move elastically away from each other. When the pin is in the lowered position, the lateral tabs can engage by axially abutting against the rib of the male end, axially holding the male end in the female end. Each lateral tab also has gripping protrusions at its free end, which can be manipulated by the operator. To move the pin from its lowered position to its raised position, the pin also includes a second pair of lateral tabs, one of which is located on both sides of the axis and extends parallel to the plane from the middle portion of the pin, and is axially spaced from the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs. The lateral tabs of the second pair of lateral tabs are located between the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs and the inlet, and the lateral tabs of the second pair of lateral tabs include first teeth at their free ends opposite the middle portion. These first teeth are oriented parallel to the axis on the side opposite the first pair of lateral tabs, and these first teeth can engage with complementary second teeth of the body by means of a support, so as to define the raised position and prevent the pin from accidentally disengaging from the body.

[0011] The first distinctive feature of the fluid connector according to the invention is that it comprises a single pin or a single latch, which is quite different from fluid connectors in the prior art that typically have at least two pins or at least two latches.

[0012] Another feature of the invention is that the pin includes two pairs of tabs with different functions.

[0013] The lateral tabs in the first pair of lateral tabs are configured to resiliently engage with the ribs of the male end member to retain the male end member within the female end member. The lateral tabs in the first pair of lateral tabs also include gripping protrusions that allow an operator to manually move the pin from its lowered position to its raised position. The pin can then be moved from its raised position to its lowered position. This movement is preferably automatic. Disassembly (i.e., the movement of the pin from its lowered position to its raised position) can be performed manually or using, for example, a tool.

[0014] The function of the teeth of the second pair of lateral tabs is to engage with the female end piece, especially when the pin is in the raised position, so that the pin is captured.

[0015] The fluid connector according to the invention may include one or more of the following features, which may be used individually or in combination: - The lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs have elastic deformation capability when bent about an axis parallel to the axis, and the elastic deformation capability of the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs is greater than that of the lateral tabs of the second pair of lateral tabs; - The lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs have a radial thickness at their connection height with the intermediate portion, and the radial thickness of the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs is less than half or even less than one-third of the radial thickness of the lateral tabs of the second pair of lateral tabs at their connection height with the intermediate portion, and the radial thicknesses of the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs and the second pair of lateral tabs are measured relative to the axis; - Each of these first teeth includes a planar upper surface that supports a planar lower surface of each of these second teeth, the upper surfaces of the first teeth of the first pair of lateral tabs lying in the same plane parallel to the axis; - These first teeth project from an end face of the pin, the end face extending on the lateral tabs of the second pair of lateral tabs to the intermediate portion; - A boss project from the end face, the boss defining two lateral guide edges located on either side of the axis, and the two lateral guide edges being able to engage with a complementary track of the body by sliding when the pin moves between its raised and lowered positions; - The first pair of lateral tabs includes two first hooks oriented radially toward the axis, and being able to engage with a complementary second hook or notch supporting the body to prevent the pin from moving from its raised position to its lowered position without the two lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs being spread apart by the ribs of the male end member; These first hooks are axially located directly behind these bevels relative to the engagement direction of the male and female ends; - These first hooks are located at the height of these gripping protrusions; - These gripping protrusions define the maximum width of the pin; - Each of the two lateral protrusions in the second pair of lateral protrusions includes: two concave curved first edges with a diameter greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the rib of the male end; and two convex curved second edges with a diameter less than the outer diameter, the first edges being centered on the axis when the pin is in the raised position, and the second edges being centered on the axis when the pin is in the lowered position; - These second edges are axially thickened relative to these first edges to form an axial protrusion on the same side as the lateral protrusions in the first pair of lateral protrusions; - The pin includes at least one indexing and / or guiding element capable of engaging with complementary elements of the body by means of complementary shapes;- The body includes a tubular segment and a ring coaxial with the tubular segment and connected to the tubular segment by two material bridges parallel to and radially opposed to the axis, with the pin mounted across both sides of the two material bridges; - The body is in two or more pieces, with at least one sealing gasket mating with the male end piece installed between these pieces; - The body is integral or formed in one piece; - The pin includes a protrusion opposite a hollow portion of the body having a complementary shape, which, when the pin is in its lowered position, can be spaced apart from the hollow portion without axial force applied to the pin, and when the pin is in its lowered position, the protrusion can engage in the hollow portion with the presence of an axial force applied to the pin; the axial force corresponds, for example, to the force of fluid circulating in the fluid connector during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Referring to the accompanying drawings, further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which: FIG1 is a schematic perspective view of a fluid connector according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG2 is a schematic perspective view of the female end of the fluid connector in FIG1; FIG3 is a schematic side view of the body of the fluid connector in FIG1; FIG4a and FIG4b are schematic perspective and cross-sectional views of the body shown in FIG3; FIG5a and FIG5b are schematic perspective views of the pin of the fluid connector in FIG1; FIG6a and FIG6b are another schematic perspective view of the pin shown in FIG5a and FIG5b; FIG7 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of the female end of the fluid connector in FIG1; FIG8a and FIG8b are another schematic cross-sectional view of the female end of the fluid connector in FIG1; FIG9 is a view similar to that of FIG7, showing a step in which the male end is inserted into the female end; FIG10 is a view similar to that of FIG7. Figures 8a and 8b are views similar to those in Figures 7 and 8, showing the steps of inserting the male connector into the female connector; Figure 11 is a view similar to that in Figure 7, showing the pin in a lowered position, whereas it was in a raised position in Figure 7; Figure 12 is a view similar to that in Figures 8a and 8b, showing the pin in a lowered position, whereas it was in a raised position in Figures 8a and 8b; Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of a modified pin according to an embodiment of the fluid connector according to the invention; Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of the body of a modified female connector according to the embodiment shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the female connector in the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 13; Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of a modified embodiment of the pin; Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view of a modified embodiment of the female connector body; and Figure 18 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of an alternative variant of the embodiments of Figures 16 and 17, wherein the pin is in its lowered position. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the fluid connector 10 according to the present invention.

[0018] Connector 10 is particularly suitable for fluid circuits, especially in automobiles, such as air conditioning or cooling circuits.

[0019] The connector 10 includes a male end piece 12 of type SAE with an external annular rib 14. In a known manner, the male end piece 12 has a generally tubular shape and includes an external cylindrical surface 16 from which the rib 14 protrudes.

[0020] The connector 10 includes a female end 18 adapted to receive the male end 12.

[0021] The female component 18 includes a body 20 and a single pin 22.

[0022] Female end piece 18 is shown separately in Figure 2. Body 20 is shown separately in Figures 3, 4a and 4b, and pin 22 is shown separately in Figures 5a to 6b.

[0023] Body 20 includes an internal fluid passage 24 extending from inlet 26 to outlet 28. In the example shown, inlet 26 and outlet 28 are coaxial.

[0024] The internal fluid passage 24 is able to receive the male end piece 12 from the inlet 26 along axis A by engagement.

[0025] Pin 22 is mounted across body 20 and is able to axially hold male end piece 12 in internal fluid channel 24 of body 20.

[0026] Pin 22 is formed as a single piece and can be moved in a plane perpendicular to axis A from a raised position for releasing male end 12 (as seen in Figures 1, 2, 7, 8a, 8b, 9, and 10) to a lowered position for holding male end 12 (as seen in Figures 11, 12, and 18).

[0027] Pin 22 includes a first pair of lateral tabs 30, which are located on both sides of axis A and extend from the middle portion 32 of pin 22 parallel to plane P.

[0028] The first pair of lateral tabs 30 includes a ramp 34 at its free end 30a opposite the middle portion 32, on which the rib 14 of the male end member 12 can be supported, particularly when the pin is in the raised position and when the male end member 12 is engaged in the female end member 18, so that the two lateral tabs 30 can move elastically away from each other.

[0029] Both lateral tabs 30 also have gripping protrusions 36 at their free ends 30a, which can be manipulated by an operator to move the pin 22 from its lowered position to its raised position.

[0030] Pin 22 also includes a second pair of lateral tabs 40, which are located on both sides of axis A and extend from the middle portion 32 of pin 22 parallel to plane P and are axially separated from the lateral tabs 30.

[0031] Lateral tab 40 is located between lateral tab 30 and inlet 26, and lateral tab 40 includes first teeth 42 at its free end 40a opposite to the intermediate portion 32, which are oriented parallel to axis A on the side opposite to lateral tab 30.

[0032] The first tooth 42 can engage with a complementary second tooth 44 on the body 20 by means of a support to define the raised position and prevent the pin 22 from accidentally falling off the body 20. The second tooth 44 can be seen in particular in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4b and 14.

[0033] When pin 22 is in the lowered position, the lateral tab 40 can engage by axially abutting against the rib 14 of the male end member 12 to axially hold the male end member 12 in the female end member 18.

[0034] The embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 12 and their working principles will now be described in more detail.

[0035] In the example shown, the body 20 of the female end member 18 is assembled from two or more parts, with at least one sealing gasket 50 installed between these parts. This sealing gasket is capable of engaging with the male end member 12, and in particular the outer cylindrical surface 16 of the male end member (Figures 1 and 7). Alternatively, the body 20 may be integral or formed in one piece.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the body 20 includes a tubular section 20a and a ring 20b connected to the tubular section 20a.

[0037] The ring 20b is coaxial with the tubular section 20a and is connected to the tubular section 20a by two material bridges 52 and 54 that are parallel to axis A and radially opposed to axis A.

[0038] In the example shown, ring 20b defines the aforementioned entry 26.

[0039] The second tooth 44 can protrude from the face 56 of the ring or extend into the recess in the face 56 of the ring (Fig. 4b). The face 56 is perpendicular to the axis A and faces the side of the tubular section 20a.

[0040] Material bridges 52 and 54 extend from ring 20b and connect to surface 56.

[0041] Similarly, the tubular segment 20a includes a surface 58 that is perpendicular to axis A and faces surface 56 of ring 20b. Material bridges 52 and 54 are connected to this surface 58.

[0042] Surface 58 further includes two protrusions 60 arranged on both sides of axis A and between material bridges 52 and 54. Each of these protrusions 60 includes a recess 62 generally in the middle, which is radially oriented relative to axis A.

[0043] The notch 62 can be regarded as forming a housing for receiving the teeth of the lateral protrusion 30, or defining a hook that can engage with the teeth of the lateral protrusion 30.

[0044] Each protrusion 60 includes a surface 60a (FIG. 3) facing surface 56 and separated from surface 56 by a predetermined axial distance. Surfaces 56, 58 and 60a are used to guide pin 22 as it moves within plane P.

[0045] In the example shown, if we take into account that the material bridges 54 and 52 are located at the top and bottom relative to axis A and internal fluid channel 24, respectively, then the protrusion 60 is located on the left and right sides of axis A and internal fluid channel 24.

[0046] Pin 22 is installed across material bridges 54 and 52, especially when the pin is in the lowered position shown in Figure 12.

[0047] The lateral tab 30 of pin 22 has elastic deformation capability when bent about an axis parallel to axis A, and the elastic deformation capability of lateral tab 30 is greater than that of lateral tab 40. In other words, lateral tab 30 is softer and more flexible than lateral tab 40.

[0048] In practice, the lateral tab 30 may have a radial thickness E1 (relative to axis A) at its connection height with the intermediate portion 32, the radial thickness of the lateral tab 30 being less than half or even less than one-third of the radial thickness E2 of the lateral tab 40 at its connection height with the intermediate portion 32 (relative to axis A), as can be seen in particular in Figure 5b.

[0049] The two lateral tabs 30 preferably include two first hooks 64, which are radially oriented toward axis A (Fig. 5b).

[0050] The first hook 64 can engage with the recesses 62 (or teeth defined by these recesses) of the body 20 by engagement and / or support, as can be seen in FIG8a, so as to prevent the pin 22 from moving from its raised position to its lowered position when the two lateral tabs 30 are not spread open by the ribs 14 of the male end piece 12.

[0051] As can be seen in Figures 5b and 6b, these first hooks 64 can be axially located directly behind the inclined surface 34 relative to the engagement direction of the male end 12 and the female end 16.

[0052] As can be seen in Figures 5b and 6b, the first hook 64 can be located at the height of the gripping protrusion 36.

[0053] Figures 6a and 6b also show that the gripping protrusion 36 defines the maximum width Lmax of the pin 22, which makes the gripping protrusion easier to grip manually.

[0054] Each of the first teeth 42 of the lateral tabs 40 includes a flat upper surface 42a, which rests on a flat lower surface 44a of each of the second teeth 44 of the body 20 (Figs. 5a and 4b). Surfaces 42a, 44a may be parallel to the axis A of the body 20 (and parallel to the axis Q of the pin 22) or inclined relative to the axis, in particular to improve the retaining force of the pin 22.

[0055] The upper surface 42a of these first teeth 42 are preferably located in the same plane H parallel to axis A. Therefore, it can be understood that when pin 22 is in the raised position and surfaces 42a and 44a abut against each other, the lower surface 44a of the second tooth 44 is located in this plane H (Fig. 2).

[0056] Figures 5a and 6a specifically show the first tooth 42 protruding from the end face 70 of the pin 22, which extends over the lateral tab 40 to the middle portion 32.

[0057] When pin 22 is installed in body 20, surface 70 faces the aforementioned surface 56 of ring 20b.

[0058] Pin 22 includes a face 72 opposite to face 70, which also extends on these tabs and extends to the middle portion 32 (FIG. 5b). Thus, face 72 is on the same side as the lateral tab 40.

[0059] Figures 5a, 5b and 8b show that each lateral tab 40 may include two concave curved first edges 80, the diameter D1 of which is greater than or equal to the outer diameter D2 of the rib 14 of the male end piece 12 (Figures 8b and 10).

[0060] Each lateral protrusion 40 may also include two concave, curved second edges 82, the diameter D3 of which is smaller than the outer diameter D2 (Figs. 8b and 10).

[0061] As can be seen in Figure 8b, when pin 22 is in the raised position, the first edge 80 is centered on axis A, and the second edge 82 is configured to be centered on axis A when pin 22 is in the lowered position.

[0062] Figures 5b and 8b also show that the second edge 82 is axially thickened relative to the first edge to form an axial protrusion 84 on one side of the lateral tab 30.

[0063] When pin 22 is in the lowered position, the lateral tab 40 can engage with the rib 14 of the male end piece 12 through the axial support of the axial protrusion 84 to axially hold the male end piece 12 in the female end piece 18.

[0064] When pin 22 is in the raised position, male end 12 can engage with female end 18 by passing between the two lateral tabs 30, particularly at the height of the first edge 80. When pin 22 is in the lowered position, male end 12 is axially held by the two lateral tabs 30, and the rib 14 of male end 12 is axially supported on the axial protrusion 84 of the second edge 82.

[0065] Other aspects of the operation of the fluid connector 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 7 through 12.

[0066] Figures 7, 8a, and 8b show the female end member 18 with pin 22 in the raised position. In this position, the first hook 64 engages in the notch 62 (Figure 8a), which prevents the pin from moving from its raised position to its lowered position when the male end member 12 is not engaged in the female end member 18. In this position, the first tooth 42 engages with the second tooth 44 in the aforementioned plane H by means of a support to prevent pin 22 from disengaging from the body 20 (Figures 1 and 2). Pin 22 is then locked to the body 20.

[0067] Figures 1, 9, and 10 illustrate the engagement of the male end member 12 and the female end member 18. The male end member 12 is aligned with axis A and engages in the internal fluid channel 24 through inlet 26.

[0068] This engagement continues until the rib 14 of the male end piece 12 is axially supported on the inclined surface 34 of the lateral tab 30, and then the lateral tab 30 elastically deforms radially outward relative to axis A away from each other (Figures 9 and 10). Figure 10 shows, in dashed lines, the deformation position of the lateral tab 30 when it is radially supported on the outer periphery of the rib 14 (enlarged for clarity and ease of understanding).

[0069] When the first hook 64 is located on the deformed lateral protrusion 30, these first hooks 64 move out of the notch 62 when the lateral protrusion 30 is in this deformed state. Then the pin 22 is no longer prevented from moving from its raised position to its lowered position.

[0070] Therefore, pin 22 can automatically move from its raised position to its lowered position due to the elasticity of the lateral tab 30, and the lateral tab 30 returns to its initial shape, as shown by the arrows in Figures 9 and 10. The simple engagement of the free end 30a of the lateral tab 30 with the rib 14 of the male end piece 12 is sufficient to allow the lateral tab 30 to slide over the rib 14, dragging pin 22 from its raised position to its lowered position.

[0071] Pin 22 may include at least one indexing and / or guiding element capable of engaging with complementary elements of body 20 through complementary shapes to prevent and guide improper installation. In the example shown, this element may be formed or carried by an intermediate portion 32 having a specific shape complementary to body 20. For example, Figure 1 shows an intermediate portion 32 having a shape complementary to material bridge 54, such that pin 22 can only be mounted on body 20 in one manner.

[0072] Figures 11 and 12 show pin 22 in its lowered position, where the lateral tab 30 has returned to its stress-free position. In this position, the free end 30a of the lateral tab 30 preferably engages with the body 20 to ensure a certain holding force on pin 22 in this position.

[0073] However, for the operator, applying pressure to the gripping protrusion 36 (as indicated by the arrow in Figure 12) is sufficient to move the pin from its lowered position to its raised position, thereby allowing the male end 12 to be removed from the female end 18.

[0074] Figures 13 to 15 show a variation of an embodiment of the fluid connector 10, which differs primarily from the previously described variation in that the end face 70 includes a protruding boss 90.

[0075] The boss 90 defines two lateral guide edges 90a, 90b located on either side of axis A, and these two lateral guide edges can slide and engage with the complementary track 92 of the body 20 as the pin 22 moves between its raised and lowered positions.

[0076] Figures 16 to 18 show another alternative embodiment, which differs from the previous embodiment mainly in that the pin 22 includes a protrusion 94 positioned opposite a hollow portion 96 of a complementary shape in the body 20.

[0077] When pin 22 is in its lowered position, without any axial force applied to pin 22, protrusion 94 can be separated from hollow portion 96 by a distance (axial clearance Z in Figure 18).

[0078] When pin 22 is in its lowered position, protrusion 94 can also engage in hollow portion 96 if an axial force is applied to pin 22.

[0079] In the example shown, the protrusion 94 is located on the middle portion 32, for example, on the aforementioned surface 70 or the aforementioned boss 90. For example, the protrusion 94 is elongated in the transverse direction.

[0080] The hollow portion 96 is located on the ring 20b of the body 20 and can take the form of a through groove or a notch as shown in the example. For example, the hollow portion 96 has an elongated shape in the transverse direction.

[0081] During operation, the fluid circulating through the fluid connector 10 applies an axial force to the male end member 12, which in turn applies an axial force to the pin 22, pressing the pin 22 against the aforementioned surface 56. The protrusion 94 then engages in the hollow portion 96 to prevent any rise of the pin 22 under fluid pressure.

[0082] Alternatively, the protrusion may be located on the body 20, and the corresponding hollow portion may be located on the pin 22.

Claims

1. A fluid connector (10) for a fluid circuit, particularly for an automotive application, the fluid connector (10) comprising an SAE-type male end (12) including an external annular rib (14) and a female end (18) adapted to receive the male end (12), the female end (18) comprising: - A body (20) including an internal fluid passage (24) extending from an inlet (26) to an outlet (28), the internal fluid passage (24) being adapted to receive the male end piece (12) along an axis (A) from the inlet by engagement; and - a single pin (22) mounted across the body (20) and capable of axially holding the male end piece (12) within the internal fluid passage (24) of the body (20), the pin (22) being formed as a single piece and capable of moving in a plane (P) perpendicular to the axis (A) from a raised position for releasing the male end piece (12) to a lowered position for holding the male end piece (12), the pin (22) including a first pair of lateral tabs (30), one of the lateral tabs being located on both sides of the axis (A) and parallel to the plane (P) from the middle portion (32) of the pin (22). Extending further, the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) include a ramp (34) at their free ends (30a) opposite the intermediate portion (32). When the pin (22) is in the raised position and when the male end member (12) engages in the female end member (18), the ribs of the male end member (12) can be supported on the ramp so that the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) can move elastically away from each other. When the pin (22) is in the lowered position, the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) can engage by axially abutting against the ribs (14) of the male end member (12). In order to axially hold the male end member (12) in the female end member (18), the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) also include gripping protrusions (36) at their free ends (30a), which can be manipulated by an operator to move the pin (22) from its lowered position to its raised position. The pin (22) also includes a second pair of lateral tabs (40), the lateral tabs of the second pair of lateral tabs being located on both sides of the axis (A) and extending parallel to the plane (P) from the middle portion (32) of the pin (22), and being spaced one axis away from the lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs (30). The lateral protrusion of the second pair of lateral protrusions (40) is located between the lateral protrusion of the first pair of lateral protrusions (30) and the inlet (26), and the lateral protrusion of the second pair of lateral protrusions includes a first tooth (42) at its free end (40a) opposite to the middle portion (32), the first tooth being oriented parallel to the axis (A) on the side opposite to the first pair of lateral protrusions (30), and the first tooth being able to engage with a complementary second tooth (44) of the body (20) by means of support in order to define the raised position and prevent the pin (22) from accidentally disengaging from the body (20).

2. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The lateral protrusions in the first pair of lateral protrusions (30) have elastic deformation capability when bent about an axis parallel to the axis (A), and the elastic deformation capability of the lateral protrusions in the first pair of lateral protrusions is greater than that of the lateral protrusions in the second pair of lateral protrusions (40).

3. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The lateral protrusion in the first pair of lateral protrusions (30) has a radial thickness (E1) at its connection height with the intermediate portion (32). The radial thickness of the lateral protrusion in the first pair of lateral protrusions is less than half or even less than one-third of the radial thickness of the lateral protrusion in the second pair of lateral protrusions (40) at its connection height with the intermediate portion (32). The radial thicknesses (E1) of the lateral protrusion in the first pair of lateral protrusions and (E2) of the lateral protrusion in the second pair of lateral protrusions are measured relative to the axis (A).

4. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each of the first teeth (42) includes a planar upper surface (42a) supported on the planar lower surface (44a) of each of the second teeth (44), and the upper surface (42a) of the first teeth (42) of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) lies in the same plane (Q) parallel to the axis (A).

5. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first tooth (42) protrudes from the end face (70) of the pin (22), which extends on the lateral protrusions of the second pair of lateral protrusions (40) to the middle portion (32).

6. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein, A boss (90) protrudes from the end face (70) and defines two lateral guide edges (90a) located on both sides of the axis (A). When the pin (22) moves between its raised and lowered positions, the two lateral guide edges can slide to engage with the complementary track (92) of the body (20).

7. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Two of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) include two first hooks (64) that are radially oriented toward the axis (A) and are capable of engaging with a complementary second hook or notch (62) of the body (20) by means of a support, so as to prevent the pin (22) from moving from its raised position to its lowered position when the two lateral tabs of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) are not spread open by the rib (14) of the male end member (12).

8. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The first hook (64) is axially located directly behind the inclined surface (34) relative to the engagement direction of the male end (12) and the female end (18).

9. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The first hook (64) is located at the height of the gripping protrusion (36).

10. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The two gripping protrusions (36) of the first pair of lateral tabs (30) define the maximum width (Lmax) of the pin (22).

11. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The two lateral protrusions in the second pair of lateral protrusions (40) each include: two concave curved first edges (80), the diameter (D1) of which is greater than or equal to the outer diameter (D2) of the rib (14) of the male end member (12); and two convex curved second edges (82), the diameter (D3) of which is less than the outer diameter (D2). When the pin (22) is in the raised position, the first edge (80) is centered on the axis (A), and when the pin (22) is in the lowered position, the second edge (82) is centered on the axis (A).

12. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 11, wherein, The second edge (82) is axially thickened relative to the first edge (80) to form an axial protrusion (84) on the same side as the lateral protrusion in the first pair of lateral protrusions (30).

13. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The pin (22) includes at least one index and / or guide element capable of engaging with complementary elements of the body (20) by means of complementary shapes.

14. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The body (20) includes a tubular section (20a) and a ring (20b) coaxial with the tubular section (20a) and connected to the tubular section (20a) by two material bridges (54, 52) parallel to the axis (A) and radially opposed to the axis (A), with a pin (22) mounted across both sides of the two material bridges (54, 52).

15. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The pin (22) includes a protrusion (94) opposite to a hollow portion (96) of the body (20) having a complementary shape. When the pin (22) is in its lowered position, the protrusion (94) can be spaced apart from the hollow portion (96) without any axial force applied to the pin (22). When the pin (22) is in its lowered position, the protrusion (94) can engage in the hollow portion (96) with an axial force applied to the pin (22).

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