Pipe connector

Abstract

The pipe connector (1) includes a pipe connector body (2) for receiving a pipe (T). A collet (6) has a ring (8) and a plurality of flexible arms (9) extending into the body. An O-ring (7) seals the pipe. The collet arms (9) have heads (11) for engaging with the tapered surface (13) of the body and the pipe so as to be pressed against the pipe by outward movement of the collet. The body and the collet have a cam surface (22) forming a collet lock and a follower (20). At least one lug (43) protrudes radially outward from the ring of the collet. A compressible annular seal (30) is retained in the connector body to seal the distal end of the pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a pipe connector. In particular, this disclosure relates to a pipe connector for sealing with the outer diameter of a pipe inserted into the connector. The connector has a collet for holding the pipe, thereby preventing the pipe from being pulled out of the connector. Background Technology

[0002] Such connectors are well known in the art. In order to remove the tube from the connector, the collet must be moved axially into the connector body so that the teeth on the collet are kept away from the tube, thereby allowing the tube to be removed.

[0003] To prevent accidental removal of the tube, various collet locks are known in the art. This is typically achieved using a locking clip located between the end of the connector body and the collet ring, thereby preventing axial movement between the body and the collet.

[0004] These clips have several drawbacks. They are fragile and exposed components, making them prone to damage. Because they are exposed, they can become clogged with dirt, making them difficult to remove. These clips can accidentally detach during installation and are easily lost, rendering the connector unusable without a spare clip.

[0005] An alternative method for locking the collet within the connector was disclosed in the applicant's earlier EP2131089. It disclosed a concept of a locking ring rotatably mounted on the body. The body has a cam surface that engages with a cam follower on the locking ring. Rotation between the body and the locking ring changes the axial distance between the two components. The end of the locking ring abuts against the collet ring. In the locked position, the axial distance between the locking ring and the body is at its maximum. The engagement between the locking ring and the collet ring prevents axial movement of the collet, preventing the collet from shifting inward to a position where the tube can be released.

[0006] WO2021 / 005319 discloses the development of this concept. It discloses a locking ring that is set in the body together with the collet. This is done to protect the collet and lock from dust, since the connector is specifically designed for connecting fiber optic cables and is therefore often buried underground.

[0007] Both EP2131089 and WO2021 / 005319 disclose O-ring seals contained within a body and positioned to seal the outer diameter (OD) of the tube into which the connector is inserted. The seal is positioned a short distance rearward from the end of the tube. As a result, a small dead zone exists between the tube and the connector body upstream of the O-ring seal. This can trap potentially stagnant fluid and create hygiene problems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a connector body is provided having a passage for receiving an end opening of a tube; a collet located at the open end of the passage, the collet having a ring and a plurality of flexible arms extending generally axially into the passage along the ring; an O-ring in the passage to seal against the outer diameter of the tube in use; the passage having a tapered surface converging toward the open end, and the arms of the collet having heads at their distal ends for engaging the tapered surface and the tube, the heads being pressed against the tube via the tapered surface in use as the collet moves outward relative to the passage. The connector includes a device for securing a tube in a passageway; a collet lock having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, the collet lock holds the collet in an outward tube-fixed position, and in the outward tube-fixed position, axial movement of the collet relative to the connector body is eliminated or reduced, preventing the tube from being pulled out of the connector; and in the unlocked position, the collet can move axially relative to the body to release the tube; and a compressible annular seal held in the connector body to seal the distal end of the tube in use, thereby sealing the interface between the distal end of the tube and the connector body.

[0009] A stagnant zone between the end of the pipe and the inner wall of the connector body is eliminated by an annular seal located at the distal end of the pipe. The seal is preferably an elastic element compressed by the distal end of the pipe. The seal is preferably a component separate from the O-ring.

[0010] The seal can be configured to extend into the tube. However, alternatively, the seal may not extend proximally beyond the distal end of the tube. This allows for a simple end-to-end interaction between the tube and the seal.

[0011] However, in some cases, simply using this type of seal may not be sufficient to provide a adequate seal. For this type of pipe connector, utilizing the sidewall of the pipe for sealing is often a reasonable design. When the seal is applied to the end of the pipe, the pipe is pressed against the seal during insertion. The seal is typically made of a resilient material, such that when the pipe is released, the sealing ring tends to push the pipe backward toward the open end of the connector. Therefore, this seal cannot reliably provide a tight fluid seal to the distal end of the pipe.

[0012] However, because the connector body has a collet lock, this allows the collet lock to be actuated before the tube is released. As a result, even if the annular seal can push the tube back toward the open end of the connector, it can only be pushed back to a very limited extent, because the collet lock will ensure that the collet engages with the tube, which produces very little axial movement, thus significantly limiting the extent to which the tube can be pushed back.

[0013] This allows for a reliable and complete seal to be maintained at the distal end of the pipe. Therefore, this provides a "gapless" connection that eliminates stagnant space.

[0014] If the connector is used in an application where stagnant spaces do not pose a problem, it can be used without an annular seal. However, by simply adding an annular seal, the same connector can be used to provide a gapless seal according to this disclosure.

[0015] The annular seal is not the primary seal to prevent leakage from the connector, as this is achieved by an O-ring seal against the outer diameter of the pipe. Therefore, even if the annular seal is not properly sealed, the pipe connector will continue to function like a conventional pipe connector without an annular seal.

[0016] If the user wants to fully utilize the annular seal to provide a gapless seal, the connector should be in the locked position before releasing the tube. This can be achieved by inserting the tube with the collet lock in the unlocked position, and then moving the collet lock to the locked position before the tube is released.

[0017] Alternatively, the connector is configured such that, with the collet lock in the locked position, there is sufficient clearance between the collet and the connector body to allow the tube to be fully inserted even with the collet lock in the locked position. This provides a more reliable operating mode because the connector can be factory-set to have the collet lock in the locked position. The operator then only needs to insert the tube until the distal end of the tube abuts against and compresses the annular seal. After the tube is released, the lock is engaged, meaning the collet will hardly move axially before engaging the tapered surface and clamping the tube, thus preventing further axial movement of the tube. In this configuration, the insertion force that must be applied to the tube may be slightly greater because the extent to which the collet head can deviate during tube insertion is more limited. However, this method is particularly useful for softer tubes that are easier to insert into collets with smaller radial clearance in the head.

[0018] The annular seal can have any suitable shape. For example, the annular seal can be an O-ring. However, alternatively, the annular seal has an axially elongated rectangular cross-section. The annular seal may optionally be held on a flange on the connector body, the flange having an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the annular flange and / or an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular seal in its unstressed state. This allows the annular seal to be well supported by the flange extending radially across its entire width. This allows the diameters of the annular seal and the flange to closely match the inner diameter of the tube inserted into the connector, thereby providing a smooth flow path through the connector.

[0019] Therefore, it is desirable to make the inner diameters of the flange and the annular seal match as closely as possible. The relative diameter variation between the flange and the annular seal may optionally be 5% and optionally 10%. For example, the flange may have a smaller inner diameter than the annular seal to provide enhanced support for the seal when it is compressed by the distal end of the pipe. In this case, this may result in a slight bulge in the annular seal when it engages with the distal end of the pipe, such that, in practice, the inner diameters of the annular seal and the flange match each other in use.

[0020] The collet lock can be, for example, a clip used in the prior art. However, alternatively, one of the body and the collet is provided with a cam surface, and the other of the body and the collet is provided with a cam follower, thereby forming a collet lock on the body and the collet. This provides the aforementioned advantages by eliminating the need for a separate clip.

[0021] Optionally, one of the cam surfaces in the body and the collet is provided with at least one protrusion, which the cam follower passes over when approaching the locked and / or unlocked positions. This protrusion provides slight resistance to movement to ensure that the lock is not accidentally unlocked when subjected to small forces, such as those caused by vibration, which could otherwise loosen the lock.

[0022] At least one bump may be on the cam surface itself. However, alternatively, the bump may be on the sidewall of the connector body. This means that movement along the cam surface is not directly blocked by the presence of the bump.

[0023] At least one lug may protrude axially from the collet ring. Alternatively, at least one lug may protrude radially from the collet ring. The radially protruding lug extends further relative to the center of the connector than the axially protruding lug. This makes clamping easier because the collet is effectively configured with a larger footprint to facilitate clamping. Additionally, rotational forces can be applied at locations away from the central axis of the connector, making rotational force application easier.

[0024] While lugs projecting over a larger radial range are ideal from an ease-of-grip viewpoint, alternatively, the maximum outer diameter of the lugs may not exceed the maximum outer diameter of the connector body. As a result, the radially projecting lugs are contained within the outer diameter of the body, thus providing a more compact design. This facilitates the use of the connector according to this disclosure in locations where existing connectors are deployed, as the connector according to this disclosure can fit within the same tight space as existing connectors.

[0025] The radially projecting lug forms a second aspect of this disclosure, which is broadly defined as a pipe connector, comprising: a connector body having a passage for receiving an end opening of a pipe; a collet located at the open end of the passage, the collet having a ring and a plurality of flexible arms extending generally axially into the passage along the ring; an O-ring in the passage to seal against the outer diameter of the pipe in use; the passage having a tapered surface converging toward the open end, and the arms of the collet having heads at their distal ends for engaging the tapered surface and the pipe, the heads moving with the pipe in use. The collet moves outward relative to the passage and is pressed against the tube by a tapered surface to secure the tube in the passage; and a collet lock has a locked position and an unlocked position, in which the collet lock holds the collet in an outward tube-fixed position, and in the unlocked position, the collet can move axially relative to the passage to release the tube; wherein one of the body and the collet is provided with a cam surface, and the other of the body and the collet is provided with a cam follower, thereby forming a collet lock on the body and the collet; and wherein at least one lug protrudes radially outward from the collet's clamping ring.

[0026] The connector may have any of the optional features of the first aspect of this disclosure. In particular, the outer diameter of the lug may optionally not be greater than the maximum outer diameter of the connector body. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Examples of connectors according to this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a side view of the connector according to the first aspect of the invention in a locked configuration with the tube inserted;

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The axial cross-sectional view of the arrangement structure shown is shown.

[0030] Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A similar view, where the connector is in an unlocked configuration;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The axial cross-sectional view of the arrangement structure shown is shown.

[0032] Figure 5 yes Figures 1 to 4 Exploded perspective view of the connector;

[0033] Figure 6 Through Figure 3 The cross section intercepted by line VI-VI in the middle;

[0034] Figure 7 Through Figure 1 The cross section intercepted by line VII-VII in the middle;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the connector in a locked configuration according to the first and second aspects of this disclosure; and

[0036] Figure 9 Is with Figure 8 A similar view in the unlocked configuration. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Now refer to Figures 1 to 7 The first example describing a connector.

[0038] The manual refers to the proximal end and distal end, as well as the proximal direction and distal direction. The proximal end is the open end of the connector, and the distal end is the end furthest from the open end. The proximal direction is the direction from the distal end towards the proximal end, that is, the direction away from the connector. The distal direction is the direction from the proximal end towards the distal end, that is, the direction into the connector.

[0039] The connector 1 shown has only one connection port. A similar arrangement can be provided at the opposite end of the connector. Alternatively, the connector may include a bend, a T-joint, an end stop or end, a branched manifold, or any other suitable shape or fitting. In other cases, connector 1 may have a single joint, and different types of connectors can be used for other joints. As another alternative, connector 1 may be part of a larger component (such as a valve or other piping facility or device) and provide means for connecting that larger component to the pipe.

[0040] The connector 1 includes a body 2 having an axial through-hole 3. The body 2 includes a housing 4 and a cap 5, for example, connected to the housing by ultrasonic welding. A collet 6 is held within the body 2, and an O-ring 7 is configured to form a seal with the outer wall of the tube T inserted into the connector.

[0041] The collet 6 includes a collet ring 8 outside the body 2, and a plurality of flexible collet legs 9 extend from the collet ring into the connector. Each collet leg 9 has an enlarged head 11, which is provided with angled teeth 12 facing inward. The cap 5 has a cap corner 13 that mates with the head 11 so that the teeth 12 clamp the tube T as described below.

[0042] The collet 6 and the cap 5 are provided with complementary locking features. The collet 6 has a cam follower 20, which is arranged around the collet 6 to extend axially from the ring 8. Although in Figure 6 and Figure 7 Three cam followers 20 are shown, but there may be fewer or more cam followers. Each cam follower has a radially projecting rib 21.

[0043] The cap 5 is provided with a complementary bevel 22 for each cam follower 20 (in Figure 5 (Best shown in the middle). To either end of the slope, the sidewall of the cap 5 is provided with an inwardly protruding rib 23, which is complementary to the rib 21 on the cam follower 20.

[0044] As the collet 6 rotates within the body 2, the cam follower 20 travels along the inclined plane 22, thereby moving the axial position of the collet 6 within the body 2 from the locked position at the top of the inclined plane 27 (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 7 (As shown) Move to the unlock position at the bottom of ramp 22 ( Figure 4 and Figure 6 As the collet 6 approaches the locked or unlocked position, the rib 21 on the cam follower 20 passes over the complementary rib 23 on the main body 5, causing... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The collet shown is held in either position by the engagement of complementary ribs. The engagement of ribs 21 and 23 provides the user with tactile feedback indicating that the connector is locked / unlocked.

[0045] By comparison Figure 2 and Figure 4 It is clear that the collet 6 has a greater axial range of free movement in the unlocked position than in the locked position. As a result, in Figure 4 In the unlocked position shown, the user can hold the clip 6 on the cap 5 and remove the tube T from the connector.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the locking configuration shown, there is almost no clearance that allows the collet to move relative to the cap 5, so that the collet head 11 remains against the cap corner 13. As a result, when the teeth 12 are forced to clamp the tube T by the interaction between the head 11 and the cap corner 13, any axial movement of the tube T in the proximal direction is prevented.

[0047] Pipe T can be in the connector position Figure 4 The tube T is inserted when the connector is in the unlocked configuration shown. Figure 2 The tube T is inserted in the locked configuration shown. A very small gap can be provided in the locked configuration to allow insertion. Alternatively, the tube T may encounter some resistance because the head 11 cannot be pushed radially outward to the same extent as in the unlocked configuration. However, as... Figure 2 As shown, the teeth 12 are inclined distally, and the inward movement of the tube T does not push the head 11 onto the cap corner 13. Therefore, although the teeth 12 may scrape the tube, they do not prevent the tube from being fully inserted.

[0048] Although tube T can be inserted with the connector in the locked configuration, it cannot be removed in the locked configuration because the angle of the teeth will mean that the teeth will embed into the tube wall, and the slight movement of the collet 6 in the proximal direction will cause the cap corner 13 to force the head 11 to move inward, thereby causing the teeth 12 to clamp tube T more tightly.

[0049] Therefore, in order to remove tube T, collet 6 must be rotated to the unlocked configuration and held in place. Figure 4 The position shown allows for the removal of tube T as described above.

[0050] The pipe connector is provided with an annular seal 30, which sits on a flange 31 with a body 4. The inner diameter of the annular seal 30 is shown to be the same as the inner diameter of the flange 31 and the inner diameter of the pipe T, thereby providing a constant flow path through the pipe T and the connector 1. In practice, the inner diameter of the flange 31 may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner seal 30 to enhance support for the annular seal 31 during pipe insertion.

[0051] Despite Figure 2 and Figure 4 The inner seal 30 is shown as having an elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape, but the inner seal 30 can have any cross-sectional shape. This maintains the uniformity of the flow path and also helps to fill the space between the end of the tube T and the housing 4, thereby ensuring no dead zones.

[0052] As described above, tube T can be inserted in either the locked or unlocked configuration of the connector. Tube T is inserted until its distal end engages with an annular seal 30, which is compressed by the end of tube T to provide a liquid-tight seal between tube T and housing 4. If the connector is not in the locked configuration, the connector should move to the locked configuration before tube T is released. When tube T is released, the compressed annular seal 30 tends to push tube T out of the connector. However, as from... Figure 2 As can be seen, when the connector is in the locked configuration, the tube will be allowed to move almost no distance before being tightly clamped by the interaction of the cap corner 13, the collet head 11, and the teeth 12. Thus, when the tube is released, the annular seal 30 will hardly experience any depressurization and will still maintain the liquid seal provided by the annular seal 30.

[0053] The collet ring 8 is provided with a pair of axially projecting lugs 40, which allow the collet 6 to be clamped and rotated to lock and unlock the connector.

[0054] The collet ring is also provided with symbols in the form of an arrow 41 and a locked padlock 42 to provide the user with a visual indication of the desired rotation direction of the collet 6 required to lock the connector. An image similar to an unlocked padlock can also be provided to indicate the unlocking direction. Alternatively, other symbols or text can be provided to convey this information.

[0055] Figure 8 and Figure 9 A second example of a connector according to the first and second aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0056] The operation of this connector is related to the above. Figures 1 to 7 The operation of the connector is the same and will not be repeated here. The same reference numerals are used to indicate the same parts.

[0057] The main difference from the first example is that the lug 43 on the collet ring 8 extends radially outward, rather than axially as in the previous example. Therefore, from Figure 8 and Figure 9 As can be seen, when the rotational force is applied at a position away from the axial center of the connector, the lug 43 is more likely to clamp and rotate the collet. The maximum outer diameter of the body 2 is greater than the maximum diameter at the location of the lug 43 of the collet ring 8.

[0058] The collet also features axial grooves 44, with three axial grooves evenly spaced around the inner surface of the collet at its proximal end. During semi-automatic assembly, these axial grooves allow the collet to be positioned in a fixed orientation on the tool for insertion into the body. If the body is also held in a fixed position, the collet can be directly inserted into the locked or unlocked position as needed, without subsequent rotation of the collet. Alternatively, the collet can be inserted in any orientation and held in that orientation, or subsequently rotated to the desired orientation.

[0059] Although axial grooves are not shown in the first example, they can be provided if needed.

Claims

1. A pipe coupling, comprising: a coupling body having a passage for receiving an end opening of a pipe; a collet at the open end of the passage, the collet having a ring and a plurality of flexible arms extending generally axially of the ring into the passage; an O-ring in the passage to seal on the outside diameter of the pipe in use; the passage having a tapered surface converging towards the open end, and the arms of the collet having heads at their distal ends for engagement with the tapered surface and the pipe, the heads being pressed against the pipe by the tapered surface in use as the collet moves outwardly relative to the passage to secure the pipe in the passage; and a collet lock having a locked position in which it holds the collet in an outwardly pipe securing position, and an unlocked position in which the collet can move axially relative to the passage to release the pipe; wherein one of the body and the collet is provided with a cam surface and the other of the body and the collet is provided with a cam follower, thereby forming the collet lock on the body and the collet; and wherein at least one lug projects radially outwardly from the ring of the collet. The maximum outer diameter of the lug is no greater than the maximum outer diameter of the coupling body.

2. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein, With the collet lock in the locked position, there is sufficient clearance between the collet and the coupling body so that the pipe can be fully inserted with the collet lock in the locked position.

3. The pipe coupling according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The one of the body and the collet having the cam surface is provided with at least one nub over which the cam follower passes on approach to the locked position and / or the unlocked position.

4. The pipe coupling of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one nub is on a side wall of the coupling body.

5. The pipe coupling according to claim 4, wherein, 6. A pipe coupling, comprising: a coupling body having a passage for receiving an end opening of a pipe; a collet at the open end of the passage, the collet having a ring and a plurality of flexible arms extending generally axially of the ring into the passage; an O-ring in the passage to seal on the outside diameter of the pipe in use; the passage having a tapered surface converging towards the open end, and the arms of the collet having heads at their distal ends for engagement with the tapered surface and the pipe, the heads being pressed against the pipe by the tapered surface in use as the collet moves outwardly relative to the passage to secure the pipe in the passage; and a collet lock having a locked position in which it holds the collet in an outwardly pipe securing position, and an unlocked position in which the collet can move axially relative to the passage to release the pipe; ​ a collet lock having a locked position in which the collet lock holds the collet in an outward tube securing position in which axial movement of the collet relative to the coupler body is eliminated or reduced so that the tube cannot be pulled out of the coupler, and an unlocked position in which the collet can move axially relative to the body to release the tube; and and a compressible annular seal held in the coupler body to seal over a distal end of the tube in use, thereby sealing the interface between the distal end of the tube and the coupler body.

7. The pipe coupling according to claim 6, wherein, With the collet lock in the locked position, there is sufficient clearance between the collet and the coupler body so that the tube can be fully inserted with the collet lock in the locked position.

8. The pipe coupling according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, The annular seal has an axially elongate rectangular cross-section.

9. The pipe coupling according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The annular seal is held on a flange on the coupler body, the flange having an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the annular seal in an unstressed state; and / or having an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the annular seal in an unstressed state.

10. The pipe coupling according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, One of the body and the collet is provided with a cam surface and the other of the body and the collet is provided with a cam follower, thereby forming the collet lock on the body and the collet.

11. The pipe coupling according to claim 10, wherein, The one of the body and the collet having the cam surface is provided with at least one nub over which the cam follower passes on approach to the locked position and / or the unlocked position.

12. The pipe coupling according to Claim 11, wherein, The at least one nub is on a sidewall of the coupler body.

13. The pipe coupling according to Claim 10, wherein, At least one lobe protrudes radially from a ring of the collet.

14. The pipe coupling according to Claim 13, wherein, A maximum outer diameter of the lobe is no greater than a maximum outer diameter of the coupler body.

15. The pipe coupling according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein, The seal does not extend proximally beyond a distal end of the tube.

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