Closure cap for fluid lines, fluid line with such a closure cap and motor vehicle with such a fluid line

Abstract

End cap (20) for fluid lines (21), with a main body (1) in which one end (22) of a fluid line (21) can be placed, wherein the main body (1) has a longitudinal section (3) which extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body (1) and surrounds the fluid line (21), and a main body end wall (4) which closes the main body (1) at an end opposite to an open end (5) of the main body (1), and an actuating body (8) in which the main body (1) can be arranged in contact therewith; the longitudinal section (3) has Locking arms (6) which are only fastened at their end facing the main body end wall (4) and have insertion edges (26) on the radially outwardly facing sides, at which the diameter increases in the direction away from the main body end wall (4), and have bevels (24) on their ends facing away from the main body end wall (4) on the radially inwardly facing sides, and Wedge projections (7) which project radially outwards from the longitudinal section (3) and are arranged closer to the main body end wall (4) than the insertion edges (26); the actuating body (8) has a ring section (10) which is closed all the way around and which is dimensioned such that, from a certain degree of expansion of the locking arms (6), in which the locking arms (6) are bent radially outwards, it hooks onto the insertion edges (26), whereby the main body (1) can be pushed over the end (22) when a pushing force is applied to the actuating body (8) in a pushing-on direction (25), and the ring section (10) fits over the insertion edges (26) in a relaxed state of the locking arms (6), in which the end (22) is pushed maximally into the main body (1), whereby the actuating body (8) can be pushed completely onto the main body (1), and Latching engagements (15) which can be pushed over bevels of the wedge projections (7) in the pushing-on direction (25) in which the main body (1) and the actuating body (8) are moved into one another and which hook onto the wedge projections (7) in an opposite pulling-off direction (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a closure cap for fluid lines for temporarily closing and sealing pressurized fluid lines. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid line with such a closure cap and a motor vehicle with such a fluid line.

[0002] During the production of internal combustion engines for motor vehicles, the coolant circuit is filled and tested before delivery for final assembly. The coolant circuit typically operates at a pressure of 1 to 2 bar. However, during this test, there are media connections in the coolant circuit that are unoccupied because the engine has not yet been installed. These connections must therefore be sealed both for testing and for transport to final assembly. Previously, blind plugs were used for this purpose. These plugs consist of hose sections sealed at one end and attached to these media connections, for example, using clamps. Although these blind plugs are relatively easy to install, they are difficult to remove when installing the internal combustion engine in the vehicle.

[0003] DE 10 2006 062 894 B4 describes a protective cap as an assembly for a quick coupling. The assembly comprises a protective cap with a hollow sleeve, an annular component located at a distance from the sleeve, at least one strut for connecting the sleeve to the ring, and at least one securing clip extending from the sleeve. A sealing component is arranged radially within the at least one strut and the at least one securing clip. The assembly further comprises a retaining element that includes an annular component portion, wherein the annular portion of the retaining element is detachably connected to the protective cap by the at least one securing clip, and the at least one securing clip is configured such that it can be bent to release the retaining element from the protective cap.

[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a closure cap for fluid lines that reliably closes the fluid line and is easy to assemble and disassemble. This object is achieved by a closure cap according to claim 1, a fluid line according to claim 8, and a motor vehicle according to claim 9. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the invention, a closure cap for fluid lines is provided, comprising a main body in which one end of a fluid line can be placed, the main body having a longitudinal section extending along the longitudinal direction of the main body and surrounding the fluid line, as well as a main body end wall closing the main body at an end opposite an open end of the main body, and an actuating body in which the main body can be arranged in contact therewith. The longitudinal section has locking arms that are fastened only at their end facing the main body end wall and have insertion edges on the radially outward-facing sides, at which the diameter increases in the direction away from the main body end wall, and have bevels on the radially inward-facing sides of their ends facing away from the main body end wall.In addition, the longitudinal section has wedge projections that project radially outwards from the longitudinal section and are arranged closer to the main body end wall than the insertion edges. The actuating body has a ring section that is closed all around and is dimensioned in such a way that, from a certain degree of expansion of the locking arms, in which the locking arms are bent radially outwards, it hooks onto the insertion edges, whereby the main body can be pushed over the end of the fluid line when a pushing force is applied to the actuating body in a pushing-on direction, and the ring section fits over the insertion edges in a relaxed state of the locking arms, in which the end of the fluid line is pushed maximally into the main body, whereby the actuating body can be pushed completely onto the main body.In addition, the actuating body has locking engagements which can be pushed over bevels of the wedge projections in the pushing-on direction, in which the main body and the actuating body are moved into one another, and which hook onto the wedge projections in an opposite pulling-off direction. This exemplary embodiment offers a closure cap for fluid lines with which the end of a fluid line can be closed and opened again very easily. The closure cap is pushed onto the end of the fluid line to be closed in a single operation and a single, continuously executable movement and locks automatically when fully or essentially fully inserted. In addition, the closure cap can be made available for installation at the place of use. Dismantling the closure cap orThe cap can also be removed in a single operation and a single, continuous movement, without the need for tools. The actuation mechanism, with its two-stage actuation of the cap, achieves a positive locking action that ensures high pressure resistance. Apart from the cap itself, no additional elements, such as fasteners, clamps, etc., are required to close the end of the fluid line.

[0006] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a sealing ring is arranged in the main body, which sealing ring is adapted to seal a gap between the main body and an end of the fluid line placed in the main body.

[0007] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating body has an actuating body end wall which closes the actuating body at an end opposite to an open end of the actuating body, wherein the actuating body end wall is connected to the ring section via longitudinal struts.

[0008] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the locking engagements are formed on actuating arms which are only fastened at their end facing the end wall of the actuating body.

[0009] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an actuating arm is arranged between two longitudinal struts adjacent in the circumferential direction of the actuating body.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating body has a ring-shaped handle. The ring shape allows the user to easily grip and remove the closure cap in the pull-off direction.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one locking projection is provided on the inside of the actuating body. In a fully inserted state, in which the main body and the actuating body are maximally moved into each other, this locking projection engages an edge on an outer side of the longitudinal section. To move the main body and the actuating body from the fully inserted state, the locking projection must overcome the edge. In this embodiment, the actuating body locks when the closure cap is fully pushed on and thus positioned in a sealing manner, so that the actuating body cannot become detached automatically.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention provides a fluid line with a closure cap according to one of the above embodiments or a motor vehicle with such a fluid line. The fluid line and the motor vehicle achieve the same advantages as those already mentioned above in connection with the closure cap.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings show the following: Fig. 1a shows a three-dimensional view of a main body of the closure cap according to the invention; Fig. 1b shows a three-dimensional view of the main body of Fig. 1a from a different perspective looking into the interior of the main body; Fig. 2a shows a three-dimensional view of an actuating body of the closure cap according to the invention; Fig. 2b shows a three-dimensional view of the actuator body from Fig. 2a from a different perspective; Fig. 3a shows a three-dimensional view of a sealing ring; Fig. 3b shows a three-dimensional view of the main body with the sealing ring inserted therein; Fig. 4 is a three-dimensional representation of the closure cap according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a state in which the main body has already been partially pushed onto the end of a fluid line; Fig. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the closure cap in a state in which a ring portion of the actuating body hooks onto insertion edges of the main body; Fig. 7 shows the closure cap in a state completely pushed onto the end of the fluid line; Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of Fig. 7 along the section plane AA passing through the longitudinal axis; Fig. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of the cap in a state where the cap is pulled back from the end of the fluid line in a pulling direction; Fig. 10 shows a state in which the closure cap can pass the expanded diameter region, and Fig. 11 shows a three-dimensional representation of the closure cap completely removed from the end of the fluid line.

[0014] Fig. 1a shows a three-dimensional view of a main body 1 of the closure cap according to the invention and Fig. 1b shows a three-dimensional view of the main body 1 from a different perspective, looking into the interior of the main body 1. The main body 1 is essentially cylindrical with a longitudinal axis 2. The following terms "radial", "radial direction", etc. in connection with the main body 1 refer to this longitudinal axis 2. The main body 1 is preferably formed in one piece, in particular monolithically. The preferred material is plastic, but other materials can also be used, and production as a multi-component component is also conceivable. The main body 1 comprises a longitudinal section 3, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body 1, and a main body end wall 4, which completely closes one end of the main body 1 in a plate-like manner at an end opposite an open end 5 of the main body 1.The main body end wall 4 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 and is formed integrally with the longitudinal section 3. The longitudinal section 3 has locking arms 6 which are integrally connected to the rest of the main body 1 only at their end facing the main body end wall 4 (hereinafter referred to as the fixed end), so that the opposite end of the locking arms 6 (hereinafter referred to as the free end) can be resiliently bent radially outwards or inwards. In the area between the fixed end of the locking arms 6 and the main body end wall 4, the main body 1 is only open on its side facing the open end 5; otherwise, the main body 1 is completely closed in this area. Wedge projections 7 are formed between the main body end wall 4 and the fixed end of the locking arms 6, which project radially outwards from the outside of the longitudinal section.The side of the wedge projections 7 facing the main body end wall 4 is designed as a slope (preferably straight), and the side facing the open end 5 of the main body 1 is designed as a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2, i.e., the wedge projections 7 rise obliquely in the direction away from the main body end wall 4 and then fall vertically. Between two adjacent locking arms 6, gaps are formed which are free of material of the main body 1, with, for example, imaginary extensions of the wedge projections 7 running parallel to the longitudinal axis 2 extending through these gaps.

[0015] Fig. 2a shows a three-dimensional view of an actuating body 8 of the closure cap according to the invention and Fig. Figure 2b shows a three-dimensional view of the actuating body 8 from a different perspective. The actuating body 8 essentially has a cylindrical basic shape with a longitudinal axis 9. The following terms "radial", "radial direction", etc. in connection with the actuating body 8 refer to this longitudinal axis 9. The actuating body 8 is preferably formed in one piece, in particular monolithically. The preferred material is plastic, but other materials can also be used, and production as a multi-component component is also conceivable. The actuating body 8 has a ring section 10 that is closed all around. This has a hollow cylindrical shape whose center line corresponds to the longitudinal axis 9 and whose cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 9 corresponds to a circular ring shape. The ring section 10 is located at one end of the actuating body 8.At the opposite end of the actuating body 8, it has an actuating body end wall 11, which completely closes one end of the actuating body 8 in a plate-like manner. An annular handle 12 is formed on the actuating body end wall 11, the annular plane of which includes, for example, the longitudinal axis 9. The annular section 10 is connected to the actuating body end wall 11 via longitudinal struts 13, which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 9 and are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction. An actuating arm 14 is arranged between each two circumferentially adjacent longitudinal struts 13. Each of these actuating arms 14 is integrally connected to the rest of the actuating body 8 only at its end facing the actuating body end wall 11, so that the opposite end of the actuating arm can be resiliently bent radially inwards or outwards.The actuating arms 14 have locking engagements 15, which are designed as struts extending in the circumferential direction of the actuating body 8. In a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 9, in front of and behind the locking engagements 15, the actuating arms 14 are provided with rectangular openings, viewed in the radial direction.

[0016] Fig. 3a shows a three-dimensional view of a sealing ring 16. Fig. 3b shows a three-dimensional view of the main body 1 with the sealing ring 16 inserted therein. As can be seen, the sealing ring is inserted into a circumferentially extending recess on the inside of the longitudinal section 3, which is adapted to the shape of the sealing ring 16, so that a space between one end of a fluid line, which is inserted into the main body 1, and the inside of the main body 1 is sealed, so that the entire area from the sealing ring 16 to the main body end wall 4 is sealed.

[0017] The use and function of the closure cap according to the invention are explained below. For the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals shown in the preceding figures are also shown in the following figures.

[0018] Fig. Figure 4 is a three-dimensional representation of the closure cap 20 according to the invention, which has the main body 1 and the actuating body 8. Preferably, the closure cap 20 consists only of the main body 1, the actuating body 8 and the sealing ring 16. Fig. 4 a state of the closure cap 20, as it could be provided by a manufacturer or supplier. Reference numeral 21 denotes a fluid line, in particular a pressurizable fluid line, such as a coolant line, a refrigerant line, an oil line, a brake fluid line, etc. It is preferably a fluid line, i.e. a liquid and / or gas line, in a motor vehicle, in particular for an internal combustion engine. One end 22 of the fluid line 21 is designed as a connection piece. However, another connection can also be provided as a connection option. For example, the fluid line 21 itself can also have a correspondingly shaped connection formed integrally with the fluid line 21 as end 22.

[0019] While the fluid line 21 can be made of a flexible material, the end 22 is made of a rigid material, preferably metal. The end 22 or the connecting piece has a region 23 of larger diameter. In this region 23, the outer diameter is larger than that of the fluid line 21. In the Fig. 4, the main body 1 is inserted into the actuating body 8 and the main body 1 is pushed into the actuating body 8 until the wedge projections 7, with their end facing the main body end wall 4, rest against the end of the locking engagements 15 facing the ring section 10. If, in this state, the closure cap 20 is placed onto the end 22 of the fluid line 21 so that the end 22 of the fluid line extends into the interior of the main body 1, the free ends of the locking arms 6 can bend radially outwards because the ring section 10 is not located radially outside the locking arms 6 and therefore does not prevent this movement. For the purpose of better threading onto the end 22 of the fluid line 21 and for better passing through the area 23, the locking arms 6 are provided with chamfers 24 on their free end on the radially inward-facing side.As the closure cap 20 is pushed further over the end 22 of the fluid line 21 in a sliding direction 25 (along the longitudinal axes 2 and 9), the engagement between the wedge projections 7 and the locking engagements 15, as described above, initially holds the main body 1 and the actuating body 8 in the described relative position to one another. For this purpose, the slope of the wedge projections 7 is designed such that the force required for the locking engagements 15 to overcome the wedge projections 7 is greater than the force required to slide the closure cap 20 onto the end 22 of the fluid line 21.

[0020] Fig. 5 now shows a state in which the main body 1 has already been partially pushed onto the end of the fluid line 21. First, when the closure cap 20 is pushed onto the end 22, the pushing force applied to the actuating body 8 in the pushing-on direction 25 is transferred to the main body 1 via the engagement between the locking engagement 15 and the wedge projection 7. As soon as the force for pushing the main body 1 onto the end 22 becomes so great that the engagement between the locking engagements 15 and the wedge projections 7 is released or the locking engagements 15 are pushed up on the slope of the wedge projections 7, the main body 1 is moved further into the actuating body 8 so that insertion edges 26 come into engagement with the ring section 10. The insertion edges 26 are formed on the radially outward-facing sides of the locking arms 6.At the insertion edges 26, the diameter of the longitudinal section 3 increases in a step-like manner, in particular in the form of a single step, towards the open end 5 of the main body 1. Since in this state the locking arms 6 are bent slightly radially outward through the region 23 of enlarged diameter, the ring section 10, in particular the edge of the ring section 10 facing away from the actuating body end wall 11, hooks onto the insertion edges 26. Through this engagement, the main body 1 is pushed further over the end 22 when a pushing force is applied to the actuating body 8 in the sliding direction 25.

[0021] Fig. Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional representation of the closure cap 20 in a state in which the ring section 10 hooks onto the insertion edges 26. In this configuration, the main body 1 is pushed onto the end 22 by means of the actuating body 8 until the end 22 is completely, i.e., maximally, inserted into the interior of the main body 1. In this state, the open cable end rests against the inside of the main body end wall 4. When this completely inserted state is reached, the locking arms 6 are no longer pressed radially outward by the area 23, but return to their relaxed position, so that the ring section 10 can be pushed over the insertion edges 26, i.e., the ring section 10 passes the insertion edges 26. The actuating body 8 can thus be pushed completely onto the main body 1. This state is shown in Fig. 7 shown.

[0022] Fig. 7 shows the closure cap 20 in a state completely pushed onto the end 22 of the fluid line 21.

[0023] Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of Fig. 7 along the section plane AA passing through the longitudinal axis 2. As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, in this state, end detents 27 engage behind the area 23 of enlarged diameter. The end detents 27 are formed on the radially inwardly facing side of the locking arms 6. In particular, the end detents 27 on the locking arms 6 are formed in that the inner diameter of the main body 1 decreases at the locations of the end detents 27 towards the open end 5. In the Fig. 8, the end detents 27 are formed by inclined surfaces. These engage behind complementary surfaces of the areas 23. In order to prevent unintentional or accidental release in this fully pushed-on state of the closure cap 20, locking projections 28 in the form of pins, preferably hemispherical pins, are provided on the radially inwardly facing surfaces of the locking engagements 15, which engage at an edge on the radially outwardly facing surface of the longitudinal section 3. These locking projections 28 only come into the aforementioned engagement when the actuating body 8 is pushed completely, ie maximally, onto the main body 1. Since in the Fig. 8, the ring section 10 is pushed completely over the locking arms 6, in particular over the section of the locking arms 6 between the free end of the locking arms and the insertion edges 26, the locking arms 6 are prevented from moving radially outward. Due to the additional above-mentioned rear engagement, the main body 1 can no longer detach from the end 22 of the fluid line 21 (e.g. the connecting piece). The area in Fig. 8 within the main body 1 and to the right of the sealing ring 16 is sealed by the sealing ring 16. In addition, the open end 29 of the fluid line 21 is pressed against the inside of the main body end wall 4, so that the open end 29 of the fluid line 21 is reliably sealed by both this contact and the sealing ring 16.

[0024] Fig. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of the closure cap 20 in a state in which the closure cap 20 is being pulled off again from the end 22 of the fluid line 21 in a pulling direction 30 (opposite to the sliding direction). To do this, a force must be applied to the closure cap 20 in the pulling direction 30 by pulling on the handle 12, which force is large enough for the locking projections 28 to pass the edge at which they engage. Initially, only the actuating body 8 is moved in the pulling direction 30, because the locking arms 6 are still engaged with the area 23 in this state. This movement continues until the locking engagements 15 hook onto the wedge projections 7 (on their flank facing the open side 5). With this engagement, as the actuating body 8 is pulled off further in the pulling direction 30, the main body 1 is also pulled along in the pulling direction 30 by the actuating body 8.At this point, the actuating body 8 has already been withdrawn so far from the main body 1 that the ring section 10 no longer blocks or allows a radially outward movement of the locking arms 6. Thus, the engagement of the end detents 27 can be released, or the end detents 27 can pass through the area 23 of enlarged diameter, as shown in FIG. Fig. 10 is shown.

[0025] Fig. 11 then shows a three-dimensional representation of the closure cap 20 completely removed from the end 22 of the fluid line 21.

[0026] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, this illustration and description is to be understood as illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive, and it is not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments. The mere fact that certain features are recited in various dependent claims is not intended to suggest that a combination of these features could not also be used to advantage.

Claims

[1] Cap (20) for fluid lines (21), with a main body (1) in which one end (22) of a fluid line (21) can be placed, wherein the main body (1) has a longitudinal section (3) which extends along the longitudinal direction of the main body (1) and surrounds the fluid line (21), and a main body end wall (4) which closes the main body (1) at an end opposite to an open end (5) of the main body (1), and an actuating body (8) in which the main body (1) can be arranged in contact therewith; the longitudinal section (3) has Locking arms (6) which are only fastened at their end facing the main body end wall (4) and have insertion edges (26) on the radially outwardly facing sides, at which the diameter increases in the direction away from the main body end wall (4), and have bevels (24) on their ends facing away from the main body end wall (4) on the radially inwardly facing sides, and Wedge projections (7) which project radially outwards from the longitudinal section (3) and are arranged closer to the main body end wall (4) than the insertion edges (26); the actuating body (8) has a ring section (10) which is closed all the way around and which is dimensioned such that, from a certain degree of expansion of the locking arms (6), in which the locking arms (6) are bent radially outwards, it hooks onto the insertion edges (26), whereby the main body (1) can be pushed over the end (22) when a pushing force is applied to the actuating body (8) in a pushing-on direction (25), and the ring section (10) fits over the insertion edges (26) in a relaxed state of the locking arms (6), in which the end (22) is pushed maximally into the main body (1), whereby the actuating body (8) can be pushed completely onto the main body (1), and Latching engagements (15) which can be pushed over bevels of the wedge projections (7) in the pushing-on direction (25) in which the main body (1) and the actuating body (8) are moved into one another and which hook onto the wedge projections (7) in an opposite pulling-off direction (30). [2] Closure cap (20) according to claim 1, wherein a sealing ring (16) is arranged in the main body (1), which sealing ring is adapted to seal a space between the main body (1) and an end (22) of the fluid line (21) placed in the main body (1). [3] Closure cap (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating body (8) has an actuating body end wall (11) which closes the actuating body (8) at an end opposite to an open end of the actuating body, wherein the actuating body end wall (11) is connected to the ring section (10) via longitudinal struts (13). [4] Closure cap (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking engagements (15) are formed on actuating arms (14) which are fastened only at their end facing the actuating body end wall (11). [5] Closure cap (20) according to claim 4 with reference back to claim 3, wherein an actuating arm (14) is arranged between each two longitudinal struts (13) adjacent in the circumferential direction of the actuating body (8). [6] Closure cap (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating body (8) has a ring-like handle (12). [7] Closure cap (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the inside of the actuating body (8) at least one locking projection (28) is provided, which in a fully inserted state in which the main body (1) and the actuating body (8) are maximally moved into each other, engages an edge on an outer side of the longitudinal section (3), and in order to move the main body (1) and the actuating body (8) from the fully inserted state, the locking projection (28) must overcome the edge. [8] Fluid line (21) with a closure cap (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Motor vehicle with a fluid line (21) according to claim 8.

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