hose connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a hose connector (1) with a sleeve-shaped union nut (2) which (2) engages a sleeve-shaped connector (3) which (3) is connected to a hose end (4) of a flexible hose (5) and which (3) has an annular flange (6) at its end face away from the hose end (4), which (6) rotatably rests on an annular shoulder (7) of a circumferential wall (8), and with at least one sealing ring (9) which is held in a retaining groove (10) provided on the outer circumferential side of the connector (3) and which radially seals an annular gap provided between the connector (3) and the circumferential wall (8). A characteristic feature of the hose connector (1) according to the invention is that a clearance of such dimension is provided between the connector (3) and the circumferential wall (8) that the connector (3) and the circumferential wall (8) can be tilted relative to each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hose connector with a sleeve-shaped union nut that encompasses a sleeve-shaped connector which is connected to a hose end of a flexible hose line and which has an annular flange provided on the end face of the connector opposite the hose end and which rotatably rests on an annular shoulder of a circumferential wall, and with at least one sealing ring which is held in a retaining groove provided on the outer circumferential side of the connector and which radially seals an annular gap provided between the connector and the circumferential wall, wherein a clearance of such dimension is provided between the connector and the circumferential wall that the connector and the circumferential wall can be tilted relative to each other.

[0002] Hose connectors of the type mentioned above are regularly provided at the ends of flexible hose lines to connect a fluid source, such as a sanitary angle or connection valve, to a fluid outlet, such as a hand shower or sanitary fitting. If the fluid outlets need to be operated as required, like a hand shower, the previously known hose connectors are sometimes designed to rotate freely around their longitudinal axis to facilitate the operation of such a hand shower or similar fluid outlet. To seal the interface between the hose connector and the associated fluid inlet or outlet, seals made of elastic material, usually in the form of an O-ring, are provided.A disadvantage is that this O-ring can become clogged with dirt particles or similar deposits, such as limescale, which can completely prevent the already inherently limited rotational capability of such hose connections. In some cases, a loss of seal can also occur as a result of such dirt particles, potentially causing serious damage.

[0003] A hose connector of the type mentioned above, with a sleeve-shaped union nut that engages a sleeve-shaped connector, is already known from DE 42 16 168 C1. The connector is connected to one of the hose ends of a flexible hose and has an annular flange that rotatably rests on an annular shoulder of a circumferential wall and is provided on the end face of the connector facing away from the hose end. The known hose connector has a sealing ring that is held in a retaining groove provided on the outer circumference of the connector and that radially seals an annular gap provided between the connector and the circumferential wall. A small amount of clearance is provided between the connector and the circumferential wall of the known hose connector, allowing the connector and the circumferential wall to tilt slightly relative to each other.Since the connector has a roughly constant outer circumference in the area of ​​the retaining groove, and since the clearance provided between the connector and the circumferential wall is only dimensioned such that the union nut can be easily rotated relative to the connector, tilting of these components of the previously known hose connector is possible only to a limited extent. Therefore, even with the hose connector known from DE 42 16 168 C1, there is a risk that the sealing ring located in the retaining groove between the connector and the circumferential wall will become stuck, which significantly impedes relative rotation between the union nut and the connector.

[0004] Hose connections are also known from the prior art which have a lip seal instead of an O-ring, which require a low breakaway torque, but this has the disadvantage that a loss of tightness can occur in case of contamination if these dirt particles or similar deposits, such as limescale, are to be broken off by rotary movements.

[0005] The particular task is therefore to create a hose connection of the type mentioned at the beginning, whose functionality and rotatability can be guaranteed for as long as possible, even in the case of accumulating dirt particles.

[0006] The solution to this problem according to the invention consists in particular in the fact that the edge surrounding the retaining groove and facing the hose end is designed as a circumferential projection, and that the part of the connector facing the hose end has a reduced outer diameter compared to the outer diameter of the projection.

[0007] The hose connector according to the invention has a sleeve-shaped union nut with which the hose connector can be connected to an inlet or outlet pipe section via a screw connection. The union nut encompasses a similarly sleeve-shaped connector piece, which is connected to a hose end of a flexible hose line. At its end face facing away from the hose end, the connector piece has an annular flange that rotatably rests on an annular shoulder of a circumferential wall located inside the sleeve of the union nut. To radially seal an annular gap provided between the connector piece and the circumferential wall, at least one sealing ring is provided, which is held in a retaining groove arranged on the outer circumference of the connector piece. A clearance of such dimension is provided between the connector piece and the circumferential wall that the connector piece and the circumferential wall can tilt relative to each other.Such tilting between the fitting and the outer wall is achieved by bending the hose connected to the hose fitting, or even simply by moving the hose during use. Since the outer wall of the union nut and the fitting can tilt relative to each other, even if the union nut and fitting become stuck, the sealing ring can easily break free. This easy breaking free of the sealing ring prevents the union nut and fitting from seizing, which could otherwise impede the smooth rotation of these components of the hose fitting.In order to facilitate a tilting movement between the connector on the one hand and the union nut and the intermediate ring on the other hand, the invention provides that the edge surrounding the groove and facing the hose end is designed as a circumferential projection, and that the part of the connector facing the hose end has a reduced outer diameter compared to the outer diameter of the projection.

[0008] The circumferential wall with the ring shoulder can be provided on the inner circumference of the union nut. In contrast, a preferred and particularly reliable embodiment according to the invention provides that the hose connection has an intermediate ring which carries the ring shoulder on the circumferential wall surrounding an annular opening and which is rotatably held on the inner circumference of the union nut.

[0009] A further development of the invention, which is of independent patentable significance, provides that the retaining groove has a groove base designed as a convex protrusion. The retaining groove provided for the at least one sealing ring thus has a groove base designed as a convex protrusion. The sealing ring, which is tightly clamped between the groove base and the circumferential wall, is therefore subjected to tangential loads during a tilting movement, or rather, the spherical or convex shape of the groove base and the sealing ring are aligned tangentially to each other. Since the sealing ring thus bears against the surface on all sides with a reduced, circumferentially linear contact area, the sealing ring is more easily released even by a slight tilting of the connecting piece relative to the union nut.

[0010] It is advantageous if the ring flange and the ring shoulder provided on the circumferential wall are rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the hose connection. Such rotatability and / or freedom of rotation of the hose connection according to the invention about its longitudinal axis significantly facilitates the handling of a hand shower or other freely movable fluid outlet. To allow the intermediate ring and the union nut to rotate together, it is advantageous for the intermediate ring to have an annular flange on its outer circumference at the end face furthest from the hose end. This annular flange rests, preferably rotatably, on an annular shoulder or flange provided on the inner circumference of the sleeve of the connection nut. The rotatable connection between the intermediate ring and the union nut facilitates screwing the union nut onto the end of a pipe section on the inlet or outlet side and also allows for positioning.

[0011] To prevent an unwanted leakage of a portion of the fluid directed towards the hose connection, it is advantageous to have a ring seal on the end face of the intermediate ring facing away from the hose end, which axially seals an annular gap between the outer circumference of the intermediate ring and the inner circumference of the sleeve-shaped union nut.

[0012] A particularly advantageous embodiment, which ensures a high degree of tightness in the area of ​​the hose connection, provides that the sealing ring and preferably also the ring seal are made of elastic material.

[0013] In order to prevent the connector from tilting due to the ring seal resting on the end face of the intermediate ring, it is advisable if the end face of the connector facing away from the hose end is spaced apart from an adjacent end face of the ring seal.

[0014] A preferred further development of independent, patentable significance provides that the ring flange provided on the connector is stepped and has an annular circumferential fold on its inner flange surface facing the hose end. This fold has a reduced outer diameter compared to the clear diameter of the intermediate ring. This fold forms a support edge that ensures the connector remains concentric with the intermediate ring and the union nut, even during tilting. The support edge formed by the fold facilitates the tilting movement of the connector within the union nut. The concentric arrangement of the connector relative to the union nut and the intermediate ring ensures that the sealing ring effectively seals the annular gap between the connector and the circumferential wall.

[0015] It is advantageous if the connecting piece can be tilted between a zero position arranged coaxially or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the union nut and a tilting position angled to the longitudinal axis of the union nut, and that in the tilting position the annular groove and the annular shoulder provided on the ring flange of the connecting piece engage at least in a circumferential partial area.

[0016] It is advantageous if the projection is rounded. Further developments according to the invention are described in the claims in conjunction with the description and the drawing. The invention is described in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment.

[0017] It shows: Fig. 1 a hose connection shown in a longitudinal section, which has a sleeve-shaped connector piece connected to a hose end and which is enclosed by a sleeve-shaped union nut, Fig. 2 the hose connection in an enlarged detailed longitudinal section according to Fig. 1 in the area between the connector and the union nut, Fig. 3 one with Fig. 1 comparable longitudinal section, wherein the union nut and the connecting piece are positioned relative to each other in such a way that their longitudinal axis is approximately coaxial, Fig. 4 one with Fig. 2 comparable detailed longitudinal section in which in Fig. 3 marked area between connector and union nut, Fig. 5 a longitudinal section of the in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 hose connection shown, wherein the connection nozzle is slightly tilted relative to the union nut, Fig. 6 one with Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 comparable detailed longitudinal section in which in Fig. 5 circled area between connector and union nut, Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 hose connection shown, wherein the longitudinal axes of the connector and the union nut are parallel to each other but slightly spaced apart laterally, Fig. 8 one with the Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 comparable detailed longitudinal section in which in Fig. 7 circled area between the connector and the union nut, and Fig. 9. Remove the hose connection from the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 in a skewed perspective view of its components.

[0018] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 9 shows a hose connector 1 for a flexible hose 5, and in particular for a flexible sanitary water connection. The hose connector 1 has a sleeve-shaped union nut 2, with which the hose connector 1 can be connected via a hose connection to an inlet or outlet pipe section (not shown here). The union nut 2 engages a similarly sleeve-shaped connector 3, which is connected to a hose end 4 of a flexible hose 5. At its end face away from the hose end 4, the connector 3 has an annular flange 6, which rotatably rests on an annular shoulder 7 of a circumferential wall 8 located inside the sleeve of the union nut 2.

[0019] To radially seal an annular gap provided between the connecting piece 3 and the circumferential wall 8, at least one sealing ring 9 is provided, which is held in a retaining groove 10 arranged on the outer circumference of the connecting piece 3. A clearance dimensioned such that the connecting piece 3 and the circumferential wall 8 can tilt relative to each other is provided. The retaining groove 10 provided for the at least one sealing ring 9 has a groove base 11, which is designed as a convex protrusion. The sealing ring 9, which is tightly clamped between the groove base 11 and the circumferential wall 8, is thus subjected to tangential loading during a tilting movement, or the spherical or convex shape of the groove base 11 and the sealing ring 9 are aligned tangentially to each other.

[0020] Since the sealing ring 9 thus rests on all sides with a reduced, circumferentially linear contact surface, the sealing ring 9 can break away more easily even with a slight tilting of the connector 3 relative to the union nut 2. This slight breakage of the sealing ring 9 prevents the union nut 2 and the connector 3 from seizing up, which could otherwise impede smooth rotation between these components 2, 3 of the hose connection 1.

[0021] The circumferential wall 8 supporting the ring shoulder 7 could also be located on the inner circumference of the sleeve-shaped union nut 2. However, here the hose connection 1 has an intermediate ring 12 which supports the ring shoulder 7 on the circumferential wall 8 surrounding an annular opening. This intermediate ring 12 is rotatably held on the inner circumference of the union nut 2, thus facilitating the screwing of the union nut 2 onto the end of a supply or outflow pipe section. It also allows the hose to be twisted during use.

[0022] As from the Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 8, the intermediate ring 12 has an annular flange 13 on its outer circumference at the end face furthest from the hose end 4. This flange rests rotatably on an annular shoulder 14 or ring flange provided on the inner circumference of the sleeve of the union nut 2. A ring seal 15 rests on the end face of the intermediate ring 12 furthest from the hose end 4. This ring seal axially seals an annular gap between the outer circumference of the intermediate ring 12 and the inner circumference of the sleeve-shaped union nut 2. Both the sealing ring 9, which has a round cross-section, and the disc-shaped ring seal 15 are made of elastic material.

[0023] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 6 is particularly evident that the distance between the ring shoulder 7 provided on the intermediate ring 12 is greater than the height of the ring flange 6 projecting radially on the outer circumference of the connector 3, so that the end face of the connector 3 facing away from the hose end 4 is spaced away from an adjacent end face of the ring seal 15 in such a way that a tilting movement of the connector 3 relative to the union nut 2 and the intermediate ring 12 is not hindered.

[0024] In the detailed longitudinal sections in Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 shows that the ring flange 6 provided on the connector 3 is stepped and has an annular circumferential fold 16 on its inner flange surface facing the hose end 4. This fold 16 has a reduced outer diameter compared to the clear diameter of the intermediate ring 12. This fold 16 forms a support edge that ensures the connector 3 remains concentric with respect to the intermediate ring 12 and the union nut 2, even during tilting. The support edge formed by the fold 16 facilitates the tilting movement of the connector 3 within the union nut 2. The concentric arrangement of the connector 3 with respect to the union nut 2 and the intermediate ring 12 ensures that the sealing ring 9 can always effectively seal the annular gap between the connector 3 and the circumferential wall 8.The connecting piece 3 is located between a coaxial or axially parallel arrangement to the longitudinal axis of the union nut 2 and in the . Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 7 zero position shown and an angled position relative to the longitudinal axis of the union nut 2 and in Fig. The tiltable in the 5 tilting positions shown in more detail. In the Fig. 5 and Fig. In the tilting position shown in Figure 6, the groove 16 provided on the ring flange 6 of the connecting piece 3 and the ring shoulder 7 arranged on the inner circumferential side of the intermediate ring 12 engage into each other.

[0025] From a comparison of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 8 shows that the edge of the connector 3 surrounding the retaining groove 10 and facing the hose end 4 is designed as a circumferential and preferably rounded projection 17 and that the part of the connector 3 facing the hose end 4 has a reduced outer diameter compared to the outer diameter of the projection 17.

[0026] In order to connect the hose end 4 of the flexible hose 5 to the connector 3, the connector 3 has a Fig. 9 recognizable profiled connection nipples 18, onto which the hose end 4 can be pushed. As soon as the hose end 4 of the hose assembly 5 is pushed onto the connection nipple 18 on the connector 3, the hose end 4 is secured axially to the connector 3 with a crimp sleeve 19 crimped there.

[0027] To connect the union nut 2 to the end of a pipe section on the inlet or outlet side, an internal thread 20 is provided on the inner circumference of the section of the sleeve-shaped union nut 2 that projects beyond the connector 3 and the ring seal 15. This internal thread 20 allows the union nut 3 to be screwed onto a mating thread provided on the end of the pipe section on the inlet or outlet side, such that the ring seal 15 is clamped between the pipe end and the intermediate ring 12 provided in the union nut 2.

[0028] From the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 9 shows that a clearance of such dimension is provided between the connecting piece 3 and the circumferential wall 8 of the intermediate ring 12 that the connecting piece can be tilted relative to the circumferential wall 8 of the intermediate ring 12. As can be seen from Fig. As is clearly shown in Figure 8, this axial play also allows for an eccentric displacement of the connecting piece 3 relative to the intermediate ring 12 and the union nut (2). In contrast, the connecting piece 3 lies in the Fig. The detailed longitudinal section shown in Figure 4 only connects on one side with its outer circumference to the circumferential wall 8 of the intermediate ring 12. Reference symbol list 1 hose connection 2 Union nuts 3 connector 4 5 Hose end Hose line 6 ring flange (at connection piece 3) 7 Ring shoulder (on the circumferential wall 8) 8 Perimeter wall 9 Sealing ring 10 Holding groove 11 Groove 12 Intermediate ring 13 Ring flange (on intermediate ring 12) 14 Ring shoulder (on the inner circumference of the sleeve of the union nut 2) 15 ring seals 16 fold 17 lead 18 connecting nipples 19 crimp sleeve 20 internal threads (on the union nut 2)

Claims

[1] Hose connection (1) with a sleeve-shaped union nut (2) which engages a sleeve-shaped connector (3) which is connected to a hose end (4) of a flexible hose line (5) and which has an annular flange (6) which is provided on the end face of the connector (3) facing away from the hose end (4) and which rotatably rests on an annular shoulder (7) of a circumferential wall (8), and with at least one sealing ring (9) which is held in a retaining groove (10) provided on the outer circumferential side of the connector (3) and which radially seals an annular gap provided between the connector (3) and the circumferential wall (8), wherein a clearance of such dimension is provided between the connector (3) and the circumferential wall (8) that the connector (3) and the circumferential wall (8) are tiltable relative to each other, characterized by, that the edge surrounding the retaining groove (10) and facing the hose end (4) is designed as a circumferential projection (17), and that the part of the connector (3) facing the hose end (4) has a reduced outer diameter compared to the outer diameter of the projection (17). [2] Hose connection according to claim 1, characterized by , that the retaining groove (10) has a groove base (11) which is designed as a convexly shaped protrusion. [3] Hose connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the ring flange (6) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the ring shoulder (7) of the circumferential wall (8). [4] Hose connection according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the hose connection (1) has an intermediate ring (12) which carries the ring shoulder (7) on the circumferential wall (8) surrounding a ring opening, and which is rotatably held on the inner circumference of the union nut (2). [5] Hose connection according to claim 4, characterized by , that the intermediate ring (12) has a ring flange (13) on its outer circumferential end region facing away from the hose end (4), which ring flange (13) preferably rotatably rests on a ring shoulder (14) or ring flange provided on the inner circumference of the sleeve of the union nut (2). [6] Hose connection according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that a ring seal (15) rests on the end face of the intermediate ring (12) facing away from the end of the hose (4), which axially seals an annular gap between the outer circumference of the intermediate ring (12) and the inner circumference of the sleeve-shaped union nut (2). [7] Hose connection according to claim 6, characterized by that the sealing ring (9) and preferably also the ring seal (15) are made of elastic material. [8] Hose connection according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by, that the end face of the connector (3) facing away from the end of the hose (4) is spaced apart from an adjacent end face of the ring seal (15). [9] Hose connection according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by , that the ring flange (6) provided on the connecting piece (3) is designed in a stepped manner and has a ring-shaped circumferential fold (16) on its inner flange side facing the hose end (4), which fold (16) has a reduced outer diameter compared to the clear diameter of the intermediate ring (12). [10] Hose connection according to claim 9, characterized by, that the connecting piece (3) is tiltable between a zero position arranged coaxially or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the union nut (2) and a tilting position located away from the longitudinal axis of the union nut (2) and that in the tilting position the groove (16) provided on the ring flange (6) of the connecting piece (3) and the ring shoulder (7) engage each other at least in a circumferential partial area. [11] Hose connection according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the advantage (17) is rounded. [12] Hose connection according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the part of the connector (3) facing the end of the hose (4) has a reduced outer diameter compared to the outer diameter of the projection (17). [13] Hose connection according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the sealing ring (9) has a round ring cross-section. [14] Hose connection according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized by , that the ring seal (15) is designed in a disc shape.

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