Fluid connector and fluid circuit

Abstract

A fluid connector and a fluid circuit are provided. The fluid connector (10) comprises: a tubular female fitting (14); a tubular male fitting (12); and a metal pin (16) substantially U-shaped straddling on the female fitting (14), characterized in that the pin (16) is axially movable on the female fitting (14) from a non-operative position, in which branches (16a, 16b) of the pin are held spaced apart by the female fitting (14), to an operative position, in which the branches (16a, 16b) of the pin (16) are spaced apart by the female fitting (14). The part (31) is located at the level of at least one slit (32) of the female fitting (14) and is able to pass therethrough by elastic recovery, and wherein the male fitting (12) comprises a frustoconical member (12a2) configured to engage with the female fitting (14) and to directly mate with the branches (16a, 16b) of the pin (16), to move the pin (16) from a non-operating position of the pin to an operating position of the pin. The fluid circuit includes the fluid connector.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a fluid connector and a fluid circuit. BACKGROUND

[0002] The technical background includes the following documents: US-B2-11, 168, 819, AT-B1-512 397 and US-B2-7, 438, 328.

[0003] A fluid connector is a device that allows the connection of two tubular fittings in a fluid circuit to allow the circulation of fluid through the fittings into the circuit. The two fittings are usually a male fitting and a female fitting, so the two fittings are connected by a male-female fitting.

[0004] To prevent the accidental separation of the two fittings of the connector, the connector is known to be equipped with a lock. The lock is carried by one of the fittings, for example the female fitting. When the male fitting and the female fitting are engaged, the lock can cooperate with the male fitting to axially retain the male fitting in the female fitting. In this case, the axial direction is the direction in which the fittings engage each other.

[0005] In the context of the utility model, the lock is a metal pin, usually U-shaped and straddling the female fitting. The pin comprises two lateral branches that pass through slits in the female fitting and can engage a gorge in the male fitting.

[0006] The pin is elastically deformable by moving the branches of the lock apart and close to each other. When the branches are moved close to each other, they engage the gorge of the male fitting and axially block the male fitting with respect to the female fitting. When the branches are apart, they are extracted from the gorge of the male fitting and the male fitting can be removed from the female fitting by axial translation.

[0007] Preferably, the passage of the branches of the pin from the spaced apart position to the close together position is performed automatically by the elastic return of the branches. Indeed, when the male fitting is inserted into the female fitting, the male fitting rests on the branches of the pin and pushes the branches radially outward to separate them from each other. The radial direction is represented here in association with the aforementioned axis. This insertion will continue until the gorge of the male fitting and the pin are located in the same plane perpendicular to the axis. Then, the branches move close to each other by elastic return and are housed in the gorge of the male fitting.

[0008] In the prior art, a frustoconical portion of the male fitting cooperates with the branches of the pin when the pin is inserted into the female fitting. During the insertion, as the branches slide over this frustoconical portion, the branches move apart from each other from an axial end of smaller diameter of this frustoconical portion to an axial end of larger diameter of this frustoconical portion.

[0009] The axial retention capacity of the male fitting in the female fitting depends in particular on the force required to move the branches apart. This force is therefore preferably relatively large in order to avoid unintentional movement apart of the branches. In order to generate this force, the male fitting needs to be forcibly mounted into the female fitting so that, as mentioned above, the male fitting cooperates with the branches and exerts the required force to move the branches apart.

[0010] In the current technology, the male fitting is manually forcibly mounted onto the female fitting, which can be difficult for the assembly operator to do.

[0011] The utility model is an improvement on the prior art and provides a simple, effective and economic solution to this problem. Utility model content

[0012] The utility model relates to a fluid connector, the fluid connector comprising:

[0013] a tubular female fitting having a first axis,

[0014] a tubular male fitting having a second axis and being configured to be coaxially engaged with the female fitting, and

[0015] a metallic pin, the pin being generally U-shaped, the pin being straddled on the female fitting, the pin comprising two lateral branches, a portion of the branches being configured to pass through at least one slit in the female fitting and to engage with a groove in the male fitting to axially block the male fitting with respect to the female fitting, the pin being elastically deformable by moving the branches apart and close to each other and being able to adopt several configurations, in particular a configuration between a configuration in which the branches are close to each other and a configuration in which the branches are spaced apart, in the configuration in which the branches are close to each other, the portion being at a distance D1 from each other and being housed in the groove, in the configuration in which the branches are spaced apart, the portion being at a distance D2 from each other and allowing the male fitting to be removed from the female fitting, D2 being greater than D1,

[0016] wherein the pin is axially movable on the female fitting from a non-operational position in which the branches are held spaced apart by the female fitting so that the portion is at a distance D3 from each other, D3 being between D1 and D2, to an operational position in which the portion is at the level of the at least one slit and is able to pass through the at least one slit by elastic return,

[0017] The male fitting comprises a truncated cone configured to be engaged in the female fitting and comprising an outer diameter greater than D3, so that when the male fitting is engaged in the female fitting, this truncated cone directly cooperates with this portion to move the pin from the non-operational position of the pin to the operational position of the pin.

[0018] In the present application, "position" refers to the position of the pin, in particular two positions are defined for the pin, namely the non-operational position and the operational position. By "configuration" we mean the state of the branches of the pin, more or less spaced apart or close to each other. The branches can be in a position (extreme - corresponding to the distance D2) spaced apart enough for the male fitting to be disengaged from the female fitting. The branches can be in a position (extreme - corresponding to the distance D1 ) close to each other to allow the axial locking of the female fitting in the male fitting. The branches can also be in a position (intermediate - corresponding to the distance D3) spaced apart to cooperate with the male fitting when it is inserted into the female fitting.

[0019] In the prior art, the branches of the pin can essentially adopt two extreme "stable" configurations, namely the spaced apart configuration and the close to each other configuration. In the present application, the pin can adopt an intermediate "stable" configuration in which the branches of the pin are spaced apart but less than in the extreme spaced apart configuration.

[0020] The connector according to the present application is intended to be delivered with a pin whose branches are in this intermediate configuration. As a result, when the operator engages the male fitting in the female fitting, the force required to separate the branches is lower than in the prior art because the branches are already slightly spaced apart. This is because the force required corresponds to the spacing of the branches from this intermediate configuration to the extreme spaced apart configuration (and not from the extreme close configuration to the extreme spaced apart configuration). This makes it easier for the operator to install the fitting.

[0021] It should therefore be understood that the pin is installed on the female fitting in a pre-stressed manner, so that its branches are already separated from each other in the non-operational position. It should also be understood that the pin is moved axially on the female fitting to move from the non-operational position of the pin to the operational position of the pin, in which the branches of the pin can be accommodated in the grooves of the male fitting by elastic return.

[0022] In the present application, it is the male fitting that cooperates with the pin and moves the pin on the female fitting. The force with which the male fitting engages the female fitting therefore first moves the pin on the female fitting and then further separates the branches of the pin. This force is still less than the force required in the prior art to move the branches apart between their extreme positions.

[0023] In the present application, "upstream" and "downstream" are also defined as the position relative to the direction of engagement of the male fitting in the female fitting. Thus, the male fitting has an upstream free end which engages with a downstream free end of the female fitting.

[0024] The connector according to the present application can comprise one or more of the following features, used independently from each other or in combination with each other:

[0025] In the operating position, the pin mainly extends in a third plane perpendicular to the first axis, in the non-operating position, the pin mainly extends obliquely relative to the first axis;

[0026] In the non-operating position, the pin is tilted so that the free end of the branch is located downstream relative to the opposite end of the branch with respect to the direction of engagement of the male fitting in the female fitting;

[0027] The female fitting comprises two slits which are substantially diametrically opposite relative to the first axis and each have an elongated shape in a circumferential direction around this first axis, each of these slits being intended to be crossed by one of the parts;

[0028] The female fitting also comprises two notches which are substantially diametrically opposite relative to the first axis and which respectively communicate with the slits, each of these notches having a side wall which is oblique relative to a third plane perpendicular to the first axis, and one of the parts is adapted to be engaged on the side wall by axial abutment when the pin is in the non-operating position of the pin;

[0029] Each of the notches is substantially V-shaped or wedge-shaped and comprises a thin end located on one side of the free end of the respective branch and a widened end;

[0030] Each of the notches comprises a first portion which opens into the interior of the female fitting and a second portion which delimits a step configured to cooperate with the free end of the respective branch by radial abutment in order to retain the pin in the non-operating position of the pin;

[0031] The step comprises a protruding wedge located on one side of the respective slit, this protruding wedge comprising a lug for retaining the pin in the non-operating position of the pin;

[0032] The step is connected to a stop of the pin on the side opposite the lug;

[0033] The step of the female fitting comprises a parallel sliding surface of the free end of the branch;

[0034] In the operational position of the pin, the pin is movable in a third plane perpendicular to the first axis, in the non-operational position of the pin, the pin is movable in a different second plane, which is preferably inclined with respect to the first axis;

[0035] The female fitting comprises a groove which is substantially diametrically opposite with respect to the first axis and which is configured to accommodate the curved free end of the branch when the pin is moved from the operational position of the pin to the disassembly position in which the pin has the spaced-apart configuration.

[0036] The female fitting comprises a groove which is substantially diametrically opposite with respect to the first axis and which is configured to accommodate the curved free end of the branch when the pin is moved from the operational position of the pin to the disassembly position in which the pin has the spaced-apart configuration.

[0037] The utility model also relates to a fluid circuit for a motor vehicle, the fluid circuit comprising at least one connector as described above.

[0038] The utility model also relates to a method for assembling a fluid connector as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0039] mounting the pin on the female fitting, with the pin in the non-operational position, and

[0040] engaging the male fitting in the female fitting, this engagement moving the pin from the non-operational position of the pin to the operational position of the pin, in which position the portion is located at the height of the at least one slit and is accommodated in the groove of the male fitting by elastic return. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the utility model, with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a female fitting and a pin for a connector according to the utility model;

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a male fitting for a connector according to the utility model;

[0044] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic front view of the male fitting shown;

[0045] Figure 4a and Figure 4b is Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of two joints of the female fitting of

[0046] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a schematic axial sectional view of the female fitting shown in

[0047] Figure 6a and Figure 6b is Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of one of the joints of the female fitting shown in

[0048] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a schematic perspective view of the pin shown in

[0049] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are respectively Figure 1 schematic side and front views of the female fitting and the pin of

[0050] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a connector according to the present utility model, the connector comprising Figure 1 the female fitting and the pin of Figure 2 and the male fitting of

[0051] Figure 10 is Figure 9 a schematic axial sectional view of the connector shown in

[0052] Figure 11 is Figure 9 a schematic front view of the connector of

[0053] Figure 12a and Figure 12b are respectively Figure 1 schematic side and front views of the female fitting and the pin of and showing the pin in a position in which its branches are in a spaced-apart configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figures 1 to 12b shows an embodiment of a fluid connector 10 according to the present utility model.

[0055] Figure 9 and Figure 10 shows the complete connector 10.

[0056] The connector 10 essentially comprises three elements: a male fitting 12, a female fitting 14 and a pin 16.

[0057] Figure 2 and Figure 3 shows the male fitting 12 alone. Figure 7 shows the pin 16 alone. In Figure 1 ,Figures 4a to 4b , Figure 5 , Figures 6a to 6b , Figures 8a to 8b , Figure 11 and Figures 12a to 12b The female fitting 14 is equipped with a pin 16 can be seen in

[0058] We will successively describe these elements of the connector 10.

[0059] The male fitting 12 (Fig. 1) Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) generally has a tubular shape and comprises a main axis Y corresponding to the elongated axis of its internal passage. Although the male fitting 12 in the figures has a straight elongated shape, it can alternatively have a curved shape.

[0060] The male fitting 12 comprises two axial stretches 12a, 12b. The first stretch 12a is an engagement stretch designed to be engaged in the female fitting 14. The second stretch 12b is a connection stretch designed to be connected to a pipe or conduit of a fluid circuit.

[0061] The first stretch 12a comprises three successive portions, namely a first cylindrical piece 12a1, a frustoconical piece 12a2 and a second cylindrical piece 12a3. The first cylindrical piece 12a1 has a diameter H1, the second cylindrical piece 12a3 has a diameter H2, the diameter H2 being greater than the diameter H1. The frustoconical piece 12a2 extends from the first cylindrical piece 12a1 to the second cylindrical piece 12a3 and thus has a diameter varying from H1 to H2. The second cylindrical piece 12a3 is located on the same side as the second stretch 12b and the first cylindrical piece 12a1 is located on the opposite side of the second stretch 12b and forms the free end of the male fitting 12.

[0062] The male fitting 12 comprises an annular groove 22 at its outer periphery. In the example shown, this groove 22 is located in the second cylindrical piece 12a3 and close to the frustoconical piece 12a2 (or at the intersection between the frustoconical piece 12a2 and the second cylindrical piece 12a3).

[0063] The groove 22 has an axial dimension L. The groove 22 has an inner diameter H3 and an outer diameter (i.e. diameter H2) (Fig. 2). Figure 10 In the example shown, H3 is greater than or equal to H1.

[0064] The male fitting 12 may also include at least one hollow member 24, for example, located on the second cylindrical member 12a3 of the male fitting, which is configured to engage with the complementary member 26 of the female fitting 14 via interlocking. In the example shown, there are two diametrically opposite members 24. They protrude from the second cylindrical member 12a3 and have a generally elongated shape along the Y-axis. The engagement of members 24, 26 may have indexing and / or translational guiding functions for the male fitting 12 in the female fitting 14.

[0065] The fitting 12 can be made of plastic, metal, or composite materials. The fitting can be integrally molded.

[0066] like Figure 1 As shown, pin 16 ( Figure 7 It is generally U-shaped and spans across the female fitting 14. The pin 16 includes two lateral branches 16a, 16b connected by an intermediate bridge 16c.

[0067] In the example shown, branches 16a and 16b are substantially straight, but may alternatively be curved. The free ends 28 of branches 16a and 16b opposite to the bridging member 16c are, for example, bent or curved at 90°.

[0068] The bridging member 16c can be of any shape, such as curved. Preferably, the bridging member includes an intermediate member 30 to allow the operator to hold the pin 16 directly by hand or with a tool.

[0069] Pin 16 can elastically deform by moving its branches 16a and 16b apart and closer together. Pin 16 can be configured in several ways, especially in… Figures 9 to 11 The (extreme) configurations that are visible close to each other and Figure 10 , Figure 12a and Figure 12b The configurations between the visible, spaced-out (extreme) configurations.

[0070] Branches 16a and 16b have portions 31 configured to pass through at least one slit 32 in the female fitting 14 and engage with a groove 22 in the male fitting 12 to axially block the male fitting relative to the female fitting 14.

[0071] When branches 16a and 16b are in Figures 9 to 11 In the (extremely) close-to-each configuration visible in the diagram, the distance between parts 31 is D1 ( Figure 10 and Figure 11). In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and the portions 31 thereof are not necessarily parallel, and the distance D1 is the minimum distance between the branches 16a, 16b within the female fitting 14, measured in the first plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female fitting 14. Figure 11 ). In this configuration, as shown in Figure 10 , the portions 31 are housed in the grooves 22, so it is understood that the distance D1 is close to or equal to H3.

[0072] When the branches 16a, 16b are in the (extreme) spaced-apart configuration shown in Figure 10 , the portions 31 are at a distance D2 from each other. In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and the portions 31 thereof are not necessarily parallel, and the distance D2 is the minimum distance between the branches 16a, 16b, measured in the first plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female fitting 14. In the example shown, D2 is close to or equal to H2. Therefore, D2 is greater than D1. In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and the portions 31 thereof are no longer housed in the grooves 22 of the male fitting 12, which can be removed from the female fitting 14 by axial pulling.

[0073] According to the present invention, the pin 16 can adopt an intermediate spaced-apart configuration, as shown in Figure 8a and Figure 8b . In this configuration, the portions 31 are at a distance D3 from each other. Figure 8b The branches 16a, 16b and the portions 31 thereof are not necessarily parallel, and the distance D3 is the minimum distance between the branches 16a, 16b within the female fitting 14, measured on the first plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female fitting 14.

[0074] The distance D3 is between D1 and D2, and therefore between H1 and H2. Therefore, it is understood that, when the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 are in this configuration, the frustoconical element 12a2 of the male fitting 12 is able to cooperate with the portions 31 of the pin 16. The cooperation of the male fitting 12 with the pin 16 will be described in detail after the detailed description of the female fitting 14.

[0075] When the branches 16a, 16b are in the (extreme) spaced-apart configuration visible in Figure 12a and Figure 12b , the portions 31 are at a distance D4 from each other. In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and the portions 31 thereof are not necessarily parallel, and the distance D4 is the maximum distance between the branches 16a, 16b, measured in the first plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female fitting 14. Figure 12b In the example shown, D4 is greater than D2. The pin 16 can be kept in this configuration by its branches 16a, 16b, in particular by the free ends 28 thereof cooperating with the female fitting 14.

[0076] The pin 16 is made of metal.

[0077] The female fitting 14 (Fig. 1) Figure 4a and Figure 4b is generally of tubular shape and has a main axis X corresponding to the axis of elongation of its internal passage. Although the female fitting 14 has a straight elongated shape in the figures, it can alternatively have a curved shape.

[0078] When the male fitting 12 is engaged in the female fitting 14, the axis X and the axis Y coincide or align.

[0079] In the example shown, the female fitting 14 comprises two parts, a first joint 14a, a second joint 14b, which are separated from each other in Figure 4a and Figure 4b . Alternatively, the female fitting 14 can be formed as a single piece.

[0080] The two parts, the first joint 14a, the second joint 14b, are designed to nest in each other. Figure 4b The first joint 14a in is an engagement part, its first stretch 14a1 being designed to accommodate the male fitting 12, its second stretch 14a2 being designed to accommodate the second joint 14b.

[0081] Figure 4a The second joint 14b in is a connection part, its first stretch 14b1 being intended to be engaged in the second stretch 14a2, its second stretch 14b2 being intended to be connected to a pipe or conduit of a fluid circuit. This second stretch 14b2 can for example comprise threads or anchored ribs 35, but this aspect is not limiting.

[0082] In the non-limiting example shown, the second joint 14b, in particular its first stretch 14b1, comprises tabs 36 distributed around the axis X and configured to be elastically snap-fitted by complementary means 37 of the first joint 14a, in particular of the second stretch 14a2 of the first joint 14a. This fitting and the mounting position of the first joint 14a, the second joint 14b in relation to each other can be seen in Figure 5 .

[0083] The female fitting 14 comprises an internal passage 34 comprising three parts, a first accommodation 34a, a second accommodation 34b and a third accommodation 34c, designed to accommodate the male fitting 12. The first accommodation 34a is a part having a larger diameter R1 slightly larger than the diameter H2, so that this first accommodation 34a can accommodate the male fitting 12 as Figure 10The second cylindrical piece 12a3 of the male fitting 12 is shown. In the example shown, this first housing 34a is delimited by the first stretch 14a1. The third housing 34c is a portion having a smaller diameter R2 that is slightly greater than the diameter H1, so that this third housing 34c can house the head 16a of the pin 16 as shown Figure 10 The first cylindrical piece 12a1 of the male fitting is shown. Finally, the second housing 34b is a frustoconical portion located between the first housing 34a and the third housing 34c, the diameter of which varies from R1 to R2. This first housing 34a is designed to house the head 16a of the pin 16 as shown Figure 10 The frustoconical piece 12a2 of the male fitting 12 is shown.

[0084] The female fitting 14 comprises, at its free end, in particular its first joint 14a, the aforementioned member 26, which in this case is two notches diametrically opposite. This free end of the female fitting 14 delimits the orifice O for the insertion of the male fitting 12.

[0085] The female fitting 14, in particular its first joint 14a, comprises two diametrically opposite slits 32 through which the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 are intended to pass.

[0086] Each slit 32 has an elongated shape in the circumferential direction around the axis X. For example, each slit 32 has a circumferential extent greater than or equal to 30° around the axis X.

[0087] The female fitting 14, in particular its first joint 14a, also comprises two diametrically opposite notches 38, respectively communicating with the slits 32. The notches 38 are formed downstream of the slits 32.

[0088] In the example shown, each notch 38 is generally V-shaped or wedge-shaped and comprises a thin end 38a and a widened end 38b. The thin end 38a of the notch is located at the level of and communicates with the free end of the corresponding slit 32. The notch 38 also has an elongated shape in the circumferential direction and can have a circumferential extent similar to that of the slit 32. The widened end 38b of each notch 38 is located on one side of the other free end of the slit 32.

[0089] On the side opposite the orifice O, each slit 32 has a side wall 32a located on a third plane perpendicular to the axis X. The function of this side wall 32a is to guide the pin 16 during its deformation, and this wall can extend outside the slit 32. In the example shown, the side wall 32a of the slit 32 extends by a first peripheral edge 40 provided on the female fitting at the periphery of the female fitting 14. These first peripheral edges 40 are located upstream of the slits 32 and at the upper part of the female fitting 14.

[0090] Each notch 38 has a side wall 38c that is inclined with respect to a third plane perpendicular to the axis X. The female fitting 14 comprises, at its outer periphery and at its upper end, a second peripheral edge 42 that is axially spaced apart from the first peripheral edge 40 and forms an extension 38c' of the side wall 38c of the notch 38. These extensions 38c' can also be inclined with respect to the third plane perpendicular to the axis X. The second peripheral edge 42 is located downstream of the slit 32. The second peripheral edge 42 is substantially axially aligned with the first peripheral edge 40.

[0091] The wall 39 of the notch 38 is designed to cooperate with the pin, in particular with the branches 16a, 16b of the pin, by axial support. The side wall 32a and the extension 39' are designed to cooperate with the branches 16a, 16b to guide them during deformation of the branches.

[0092] Each notch 38 comprises a first portion that opens into the interior of the female fitting 14 and a second portion that delimits a step 44. The figures, and in particular Figure 5 show that the slit 32 and the relevant portion of the notch 38, for example the side wall 38c, form a "P".

[0093] The step 44 is configured to cooperate with the free end 28 of the respective branch 16a, 16b by radial support, as illustrated in particular Figure 1 .

[0094] The step 44 comprises a protruding wedge 44a on the side of the respective slit 32. This protruding wedge 44a preferably comprises a lug 46 for retaining this free end 28. On the side opposite the protruding wedge 44a or the lug 46, the step 44 is connected to a stop 48 of the pin 16.

[0095] Preferably, the step 44 comprises outwardly oriented surfaces 44b that are parallel and are configured to allow sliding of the free end 28 of the branch 16a, 16b.

[0096] Upstream of each slit 32, the female fitting 14 comprises an outwardly oriented cylindrical part 52. The cylindrical part 52 is substantially axially aligned with the step 44 and forms a radial bearing surface of the free end 28 of the branch 16a, 16b and a peripheral sliding surface of these free ends 28.

[0097] Each cylindrical part 52 extends around the axis X from an upper groove 50 that is substantially axially aligned with the wedge 44a of the respective step 44 and a lower stop 54.

[0098] These grooves 50 are substantially diametrically opposite with respect to the axis X and are configured to accommodate the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b in spaced-apart positions of the pin 16. These grooves 50 have an axial orientation and open outwards at the level of the side walls 32a of the slit 32.

[0099] The stop 54 is located directly below the free end of the notch 38 opposite the edges 40, 42.

[0100] As mentioned above, the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 can take several configurations. The pin 16 can also take two different positions on the female fitting 14, namely a non-operating position and an operating position.

[0101] The non-operating position and the operating position are axially separated, which means that the pin 16 is axially moved on the female fitting 14 from the non-operating position of the pin to the operating position of the pin and vice versa.

[0102] In the non-operating position shown in Figure 1 , Figure 8a and Figure 8b , the pin 16 is tilted with respect to a third plane perpendicular to the axis X, and thus lies in a second plane P2 tilted with respect to the axis X. In this position, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b are located downstream with respect to the bridge 16c and radially abut against the step 44, in particular the surface 44b of the step. The branches 16a, 16b, in particular their portions 31, are axially supported on the wall 39 of the notch 38. In addition, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b can cooperate on the one hand with the lugs 46 and on the other hand with the stop 48 to remain located on the step 44. The ends of the branches 16a, 16b located on one side of the bridge 16c can cooperate by axially abutting against the side walls 32a and the extension 39' of the edges 40, 42 to prevent accidental axial displacement of the pin 16 on the female fitting 14.

[0103] In this non-operating position in Figure 1 and Figures 8a to 8b , the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 have the above-mentioned spaced-apart intermediate configuration. This configuration is achieved and maintained by the cooperation of the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b with the step 44 of the female fitting 14.

[0104] However, the pin 16 can remain somewhat mobile in the tilted second plane P2 in which it lies, by sliding on the surface 44b of the step 44.

[0105] In the operating position shown in Figure 9and the operating position shown below, the pin 16 is located in a third plane P3 perpendicular to the axis X. In this position, the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 can adopt the two extreme positions of spaced apart and close to each other described above in the third plane P3.

[0106] In the operating position, the portions 31 of the branches 16a, 16b are located at the height of the slit 32 and can pass through the slit by elastic return. Then, the branches 16a, 16b move from the spaced apart position to the close to each other position shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 . Figure 9 It is shown that, in this position, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b are housed directly above the stop 54 and the portions 31 of the branches are housed in the groove 22 of the male fitting 12. Then, the male fitting 12 is axially blocked in the female fitting 14.

[0107] To move the male fitting 12 out of the female fitting 14, it is sufficient to move the pin 16 out of the groove 22 in the male fitting 12. To do this, a radial pulling force can be applied to the bridge 16c of the pin 16 to move the pin away from the female fitting 14. The movement of the pin 16 is guided by the cooperation of the branches 16a, 16b with the side walls of the groove 22 and takes place in the third plane P3. During this movement, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b slide over the cylindrical part 52 and become housed in the recess 50, thus keeping the branches 16a, 16b in the extreme spaced apart configuration shown in Figure 12a and Figure 12b .

[0108] As soon as the axial position of the pin 16 remains unchanged, it can also be considered that the spaced apart position of the branches 16a, 16b is as shown in Figure 9 and is further shown in dashed lines in Figure 10 .

[0109] According to the present invention, the pin 16 is axially moved by the male fitting 12 from a non-operating position of the pin to an operating position of the pin. In other words, it is the male fitting 12 itself that axially moves the pin 16 when the male fitting is inserted into the female fitting 14. When the male fitting 12 is inserted, the second frustoconical stretch 14a2 of the female fitting is supported on the portions 31 of the branches 16a, 16b. When the insertion continues, the branches 16a, 16b slide on the second stretch 14a2 and move apart from each other, moving from the distance D3 to the distance D2. The pin 16 is moved until it is axially supported on the side walls 32a of the slit 32. Then, the pin 16 is located in the third plane P3. When the axial position of the male fitting 12 in the female fitting 14 is such that the groove 22 of the male fitting 12 is also located in the third plane P3, the branches 16a, 16b are housed in the groove 22 by elastic return.

[0110] The greater D3, i.e. the further apart the branches 16a, 16b are separated, the less force is required to engage the male fitting 12 with the female fitting 14. D3 is therefore preferably closer to H2 than to Dl. In practice, this means that the portion 31 of the branches 16a, 16b will bear on the zone Z of the frustoconical piece 12a2 of the male fitting 12 closer to the end of this portion having the greater diameter H2 than to the end of this portion having the smaller diameter Hl. Figure 2 and Figure 3 These zones Z are shown schematically.

[0111] The utility model further relates to a fluid circuit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one connector 10 as described above.

[0112] The utility model further relates to a method for assembling a fluid connector 10, comprising the aforementioned steps:

[0113] - mounting the pin 16 on the female fitting 14, wherein the pin 16 is in a non-operational position of the pin, and

[0114] - engaging the male fitting 12 into the female fitting 14, this engagement causing the pin 16 to move from the non-operational position of the pin to an operational position of the pin, in which the portion 31 is at the level of the at least one slit 32 and is contained in the groove 22 of the male fitting 12 by elastic return.

Claims

1. A fluid connector (10), characterized in that, The fluid connector includes: A tubular female fitting (14) having a first axis (X). A tubular male fitting (12), having a second axis (Y), and configured to coaxially engage with the female fitting (14), and A metal pin (16), U-shaped, straddles the female fitting (14). The pin (16) includes two lateral branches (16a, 16b), portions of which are configured to pass through at least one slit (32) in the female fitting (14) and engage with a groove (22) in the male fitting (12) to axially block the male fitting relative to the female fitting (14). The pin (16) is elastically deformable by moving its branches (16a, 16b) apart and closer together, and can be configured in several ways, including a configuration between close-to-each ... The pin (16) is characterized in that it is axially movable on the female fitting (14) from a non-operating position to an operating position. In the non-operating position, the branches (16a, 16b) of the pin are kept spaced apart by the female fitting (14) such that the distance between the branches is D3, which is between D1 and D2. In the operating position, the branches are located at the height of the at least one slit (32) and are able to pass through the at least one slit by elastic recovery. Furthermore, the male fitting (12) includes a truncated conical part configured to engage in the female fitting (14) and include a diameter (H2) greater than D3, such that when the male fitting (12) is engaged in the female fitting (14), the truncated conical part of the male fitting directly engages with the portion to move the pin (16) from the non-operating position of the pin to the operating position of the pin.

2. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein, In the operating position, the pin extends in a third plane perpendicular to the first axis, and in the non-operating position, the pin (16) extends obliquely relative to the first axis.

3. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 2, wherein, In the non-operating position, the pin (16) is tilted such that the free end (28) of the branch (16a, 16b) is located downstream of the opposite end of the branch relative to the direction in which the male fitting (12) engages with the female fitting (14).

4. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The female fitting (14) includes two slits (32) that are diametrically opposed to the first axis (X) and each slit has an elongated shape in a circumferential direction around the first axis (X), and each slit (32) is designed to be passed through by one of the parts.

5. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The female fitting (14) also includes two slots (38) that are diametrically opposed to the first axis (X) and communicate with the slit (32), each of the slots (38) having a sidewall that is inclined relative to a third plane perpendicular to the first axis (X), and one of the parts being adapted to engage axially with the sidewall when the pin (16) is in the non-operating position of the pin.

6. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the slots (38) is V-shaped or wedge-shaped and includes a narrow end (38a) and a widened end (38b), the widened end being located on one side of the free end of the corresponding branch (16a, 16b).

7. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein, Each slot (38) includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion opening into the interior of the female fitting (14), and the second portion defining a step portion (44) configured to engage with the free end (28) of the corresponding branch (16a, 16b) by radial adjacency in order to hold the pin (16) in the non-operating position of the pin.

8. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The stepped portion (44) includes a protruding wedge (44a) on one side of the corresponding slit (32), the protruding wedge (44a) including a lug (46) for holding the pin (16) in the non-operating position of the pin.

9. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 8, wherein, On the side opposite to the lug (46), the stepped portion (44) is connected to the stop (48) of the pin (16).

10. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The stepped portion (44) of the female fitting (14) includes a parallel surface (44b) for sliding the free end (28) of the branch (16a, 16b).

11. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, In the operating position of the pin, the pin (16) is able to move in a third plane perpendicular to the first axis (X), and in the non-operating position of the pin, the pin (16) is able to move in different second planes.

12. The fluid connector (10) according to claim 11, wherein, The second plane is inclined relative to the first axis.

13. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The truncated conical part of the male fitting (12) is truncated conical, the truncated conical part includes an upstream end with a smaller diameter (H1) and a downstream end with a larger diameter (H2), the truncated conical part of the male fitting is engaged with the partial support in a region (Z) closer to the downstream end of the truncated conical part than to the upstream end of the truncated conical part.

14. The fluid connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The female fitting (14) includes a groove (50) that is diametrically opposed to the first axis (X) and is configured to receive the bent free ends (28) of the branches (16a, 16b) when the pin (16) is moved from the operating position of the pin to the disassembled position of the pin (16) having the spaced-apart configuration.

15. A fluid circuit for use in a motor vehicle, characterized in that, The fluid circuit includes at least one fluid connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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