Fluid line coupling for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle, coupling housing and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid line coupling (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a coupling plug (12), a coupling housing (14), a receptacle (16) bounded by an inner wall into which the coupling plug (12) can be inserted in an axially extending insertion direction (24), wherein the inner wall (18) has a conical region (20) in which an inner diameter (22) of the coupling housing (14) tapers in the insertion direction (24), a sealing ring (26) which, in the connected state of the coupling plug (12) with the coupling housing (14), radially surrounds the coupling plug (12) and bears circumferentially against the conical region (20) of the inner wall (18) of the coupling housing (14), and a locking ring (28) which, in the connected state of the fluid line coupling (10), radially surrounds the coupling plug (12) in the insertion direction (24) behind the sealing ring (26) is arranged and is equipped to do so,to fix the position of the sealing ring (26) in the insertion direction (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid line coupling for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle with a fluid line coupling, a coupling housing for a fluid line coupling of a motor vehicle and a method for closing a fluid line coupling.

[0002] DE 10 2016 223 308 A1 discloses a fluid line coupling with a coupling plug, a coupling housing, an O-ring seal, and a locking ring. A substantially cylindrical displacement chamber with an inner diameter is provided in the coupling housing for the locking ring and the O-ring seal, wherein the inner diameter of the displacement chamber substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the O-ring seal. On its side facing away from and spaced from the opening for the coupling plug, the displacement chamber has an axial boundary with a reduced inner diameter. The locking ring is axially displaceable within the displacement chamber. When the fluid line coupling is plugged together, the locking ring can be pushed through the coupling plug into the coupling housing, so that an O-ring groove provided for the O-ring seal can be formed by the inserted locking ring and the axial boundary of the displacement chamber.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 20 2007 018 786 U1 discloses a fastening device for fastening a housing component in a functional element, wherein the housing component has a connection part fixed thereto, and the functional element also has a connection part fixed thereto. The two connection parts are designed as detachable and liquid-tight plug-in connections. Furthermore, a securing element is provided, by means of which the two plugged-together connection parts are held together.

[0004] Furthermore, a fluid line plug-in coupling with a coupling housing is known from WO 2019 / 011492 A1.

[0005] Quick-coupling systems for coolant lines can often involve high joining forces. In particular, a full O-ring compression when joining the quick-coupling to the nozzle can take effect from initial contact on the sealing surface of the nozzle until the coupling is locked.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution which enables a full compression of a sealing ring in a fluid line coupling to occur only when the fluid line coupling is finally locked.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0008] The invention relates to a fluid line coupling for a motor vehicle. The fluid line coupling is part of a fluid-conducting system of the motor vehicle. The fluid line coupling is designed to tightly connect two fluid lines, each designed to carry a fluid, in particular a liquid. The fluid line coupling comprises a coupling plug and a coupling housing. The coupling plug can be held on a first fluid line, and the coupling housing can be held on the second fluid line. Inserting the coupling plug into the coupling housing connects the fluid lines to one another in a fluid-conducting manner.

[0009] The coupling housing comprises a receptacle defined by an inner wall, into which the coupling plug can be inserted in an axially extending insertion direction. In other words, to connect the first fluid line to the second fluid line, the coupling plug is inserted into the receptacle of the coupling housing in the insertion direction. The inner wall of the coupling housing has a conical region in which an inner diameter of the coupling housing tapers in the insertion direction. This means that the inner diameter of the coupling housing becomes smaller the deeper it is inserted into the receptacle in the insertion direction.

[0010] The fluid line coupling further comprises a sealing ring, in particular a so-called O-ring, which radially encloses the coupling plug when the coupling plug is connected to the coupling housing. Furthermore, when the coupling plug is connected to the coupling housing, the sealing ring rests circumferentially against the conical region of the inner wall of the coupling housing. The sealing ring is made in particular of an elastic material and can thus be compressed at least in certain areas to seal the coupling plug against the coupling housing. In particular, the sealing ring comes to a stop on the conical region of the inner wall of the coupling housing when the coupling plug has reached its coupling plug end position upon insertion of the coupling plug into the receptacle of the coupling housing.Because the sealing ring is designed to come into contact with the conical area of ​​the inner wall of the coupling housing as soon as the coupling plug has reached its coupling plug end position in the coupling housing receptacle, the force applied to the sealing ring due to squeezing between the coupling plug and the coupling housing increases the further the coupling plug is inserted into the coupling housing receptacle in the insertion direction. Thus, upon initial contact of the sealing ring with both the coupling plug and the inner wall of the coupling housing, there is only minimal compression of the sealing ring in the fluid line coupling, with full compression of the sealing ring only occurring when the coupling plug is positioned in the coupling plug end position in the coupling housing receptacle.

[0011] The fluid line coupling additionally comprises a locking ring, which radially surrounds the coupling plug when the fluid line coupling is connected, is arranged behind the sealing ring in the insertion direction, and is designed to fix a position of the sealing ring in the insertion direction. The locking ring is thus designed to prevent the sealing ring from being moved counter to the insertion direction in the receptacle and thereby detaching from the inner wall of the coupling housing, in particular from the conical region of the inner wall of the coupling housing. The locking ring thus ensures the reliable pressing of the sealing ring between the coupling plug and the inner wall of the coupling housing.Because the coupling housing has an inner diameter that tapers in the insertion direction, the pressing force exerted on the sealing ring increases the further the coupling plug is inserted into the receptacle of the coupling housing. At the beginning of inserting the coupling plug into the receptacle of the coupling housing in the insertion direction, the sealing ring is therefore not compressed at all or only very slightly, which makes it particularly easy to insert the coupling plug into the receptacle of the coupling housing in the insertion direction. The fluid line coupling described enables particularly easy insertion of the coupling plug into the coupling housing and particularly reliable sealing of the coupling plug against the coupling housing by means of the sealing ring in the coupling plug end position of the coupling plug.

[0012] In a possible development of the invention, it is provided that the locking ring rests against a stop on the coupling plug in the insertion direction, whereby the locking ring is moved along with the coupling plug in the insertion direction when inserted into the coupling housing. In particular, the locking ring can be convex with its area resting against the stop. The locking ring with the coupling plug is moved into the receptacle of the coupling housing via the stop on the coupling plug, against which the locking ring rests. By moving the locking ring along with the coupling plug, the locking ring can be moved particularly easily into a locking ring end position, in which the locking ring is arranged when the coupling plug is arranged in the coupling plug end position.

[0013] It can thus be ensured that all components of the fluid line coupling are arranged at their respective assigned end positions when the coupling plug is arranged in the coupling plug end position.

[0014] In this context, it can be provided in particular that the stop is provided by a circumferential enlargement of the coupling plug running counter to the insertion direction. In this case, the coupling plug can, for example, have a collar which provides the axial stop for the locking ring. The coupling plug therefore has a smaller outer diameter in a region arranged further forward in the insertion direction than in a region arranged further back in the insertion direction, whereby the axial stop for the locking ring is provided in particular at a transition between the region arranged further forward in the insertion direction and the region arranged further back in the insertion direction. The axial stop for the locking ring can be provided particularly easily via the circumferential enlargement of the coupling plug, which runs counter to the insertion direction.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the locking ring has at least one locking lug which, when the locking ring is in an axial locking ring end position, engages in an associated recess in the inner wall of the coupling housing, whereby the locking ring is fixed in this locking ring end position along the insertion direction and thus axially. The locking ring end position is precisely predetermined by the locking lug and the associated recess in the inner wall of the coupling housing. Furthermore, a locking connection between the locking lug and the associated recess can ensure that the locking ring, once arranged in its locking ring end position, is reliably held in the locking ring end position. The risk of the locking ring becoming loose from the locking ring end position can thus be kept particularly low.

[0016] In this context, it can be provided in particular that the locking ring comprises four locking lugs distributed over the circumference of the locking ring and that the inner wall of the coupling housing has an associated recess for each locking lug. The locking lugs can be evenly or unevenly distributed over the circumference of the locking ring. In the locking ring end position of the locking ring, each of the locking lugs engages in the associated recess in the inner wall of the coupling housing. Because the locking ring comprises several locking lugs, via which respective locking connections can be established with the coupling housing, the locking ring is particularly well secured against loosening from the receptacle in the locking ring end position. By means of the locking ring, the sealing ring can thus be held particularly securely in a sealing ring end position when the locking ring is arranged in the locking ring end position.

[0017] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a fluid line coupling as already described in connection with the fluid line coupling according to the invention. The fluid line coupling is particularly designed to tightly connect two fluid lines of a fluid-conducting system of the motor vehicle to one another in a fluid-conducting manner. Because the motor vehicle comprises the described fluid line coupling according to the invention, the fluid line system and, consequently, the motor vehicle can be installed particularly easily. Furthermore, the risk of leakage in the fluid line system of the motor vehicle can be kept particularly low.

[0018] The invention further relates to a coupling housing for a fluid line coupling of a motor vehicle, in particular a fluid line coupling as already described in connection with the fluid line coupling according to the invention. The coupling housing has a receptacle delimited by an inner wall, into which a coupling plug of the fluid line coupling can be inserted in a plug-in direction. The inner wall has a conical region in which an inner diameter of the coupling housing tapers in the plug-in direction. A sealing ring radially surrounding the coupling plug can be brought into contact with this conical region in order to seal the coupling plug against the inner wall of the coupling housing. Due to the conical design of the inner wall of the coupling housing, a pressing force increases the further the sealing ring is moved in the plug-in direction along the inner wall of the coupling housing.Before inserting the coupling plug into the coupling housing, the sealing ring is only slightly compressed, allowing the coupling plug to be inserted into the coupling housing's receptacle with particular ease. The further the coupling plug is inserted into the receptacle of the coupling housing, the more the sealing ring is compressed between the coupling plug and the inner wall of the coupling housing, ensuring a secure seal between the coupling plug and the coupling housing.

[0019] The invention further relates to a method for closing a fluid line coupling as already described in connection with the fluid line coupling according to the invention. The method provides for the locking ring and the sealing ring to be arranged so as to surround the coupling plug on the circumference. For this purpose, the locking ring and the sealing ring are arranged in the receptacle of the coupling housing, with the locking ring being arranged behind the sealing ring in the insertion direction. Subsequently, the coupling plug is inserted into the coupling housing. As a result, the sealing ring is placed on the inner circumference of the coupling plug and on the outer circumference of the conical region of the inner wall of the coupling housing.By further pushing the coupling plug in the insertion direction into the coupling housing, the sealing ring is pressed against the coupling plug by the tapered inner diameter of the coupling housing. As soon as the locking ring's end position is reached, the locking ring engages with the inner wall of the coupling housing, thereby fixing the sealing ring in the insertion direction. To close the fluid line coupling, the sealing ring and / or the locking ring are arranged in the receptacle of the coupling housing and then the coupling plug is inserted into the receptacle in the insertion direction, in particular into an opening in the locking ring and into an opening in the sealing ring. Due to the described design of the coupling housing, the pressing force of the sealing ring between the coupling plug and the coupling housing increases the further the coupling plug is inserted into the coupling housing in the insertion direction.At the beginning of the insertion process of the coupling plug into the coupling housing, the sealing ring is compressed very lightly, and when the coupling plug reaches its final position in the coupling housing receptacle, the sealing ring is compressed most firmly. This enables particularly easy closing of the fluid line coupling by inserting the coupling plug into the coupling housing. When the fluid line coupling is plugged together, a reliable seal between the coupling plug and the coupling housing is ensured.

[0020] Further features of the invention may emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0021] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a fluid line coupling; Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of a section of the fluid line coupling; and Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of a locking ring of the fluid line coupling.

[0022] In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0023] In Fig. 2 shows a sectioned view of a fluid line coupling 10 for a motor vehicle. The fluid line coupling 10 can be part of a fluid-conducting system of a motor vehicle. The fluid-conducting system is designed to conduct a fluid, in particular a liquid, within the motor vehicle. The fluid line coupling 10 comprises a coupling plug 12 and a coupling housing 14. Fig. 1, the coupling housing 14 is shown in section, with a section of the fluid line coupling 10 additionally shown enlarged.

[0024] The coupling housing 14 has a receptacle 16 into which the coupling plug 12 can be inserted for connection to the coupling housing 14. This receptacle 16 is delimited by an inner wall 18 of the coupling housing 14. The inner wall 18 has a conical region 20. In this conical region 20, an inner diameter 22 of the receptacle 16 decreases in an insertion direction 24. In this insertion direction 24, the coupling plug 12 is to be inserted into the receptacle 16 in order to establish a closed state of the fluid line coupling 10.

[0025] In the present case, a sealing ring 26 and a locking ring 28 are arranged in the receptacle 16, wherein the sealing ring 26 is arranged in front of the locking ring 28 in the insertion direction 24. The sealing ring 26 is an O-ring. The sealing ring 26 is designed to be self-lubricating. Alternatively, the sealing ring 26 may not be designed to be self-lubricating. In the closed state of the fluid line coupling 10, which in Fig. 2 in a sectional view, the coupling plug 12 is radially enclosed by the sealing ring 26. Furthermore, the coupling plug 12 is radially enclosed by the locking ring 28 when the coupling plug 12 is connected to the coupling housing 14. In the closed state of the fluid line coupling 10, both the sealing ring 26 and the locking ring 28 are arranged in a gap 30 between the coupling plug 12 and the inner wall 18 defining the receptacle 16. In the closed state of the fluid line coupling 10, the gap 30 tapers in a length region of the receptacle 16 running in the insertion direction 24, in which length region the inner wall 18 has the conical region 20 in the insertion direction 24, whereby the sealing ring 26 is increasingly compressed the further it is moved in the gap 30 in the insertion direction 24.

[0026] As in Fig. 2, the coupling plug 12 has a constant outer diameter in the aforementioned length range, so that the sealing ring 26 is pressed into the gap 30 solely due to the reduction in the inner diameter 22 during a movement in the insertion direction 24. When the coupling plug 12 is inserted into the receptacle 16, the sealing ring 26 is at least partially carried along by the coupling plug 12 in the insertion direction 24 and is thereby increasingly pressed into the gap 30 due to the tapering of the inner diameter 22 of the receptacle 16, until the coupling plug 12 is arranged in a coupling plug end position.

[0027] The locking ring 28 is designed to fix the sealing ring 26 in a sealing ring end position as soon as the coupling plug 12 is arranged in the coupling plug end position. The locking ring 28 is designed to fix a position of the sealing ring 26 in the gap 30 by the locking ring 28 preventing movement of the sealing ring 26 in the gap 30 counter to the insertion direction 24. The locking ring 28 can be moved at least partially with the coupling plug 12 in the insertion direction 24, in particular until the locking ring 28 is arranged in a locking ring end position. In this locking ring end position, the locking ring 28 engages the inner wall 18 of the coupling housing 14. To enable the coupling plug 12 to at least partially carry the locking ring 28 along in the insertion direction 24, the coupling plug 12 has a stop 32.The locking ring 28 can be applied to this stop 32, whereby the locking ring 28 is moved along with the coupling plug 12 in the insertion direction 24. In this case, the stop 32 is provided by an increase in the diameter of the coupling plug 12 opposite to the insertion direction 24.

[0028] In order to enable the locking ring 28 to be fixed in the locking ring end position, the locking ring 28 has, as shown in Fig. 3, at least one locking lug 34, in this case four locking lugs 34. These locking lugs 34 are evenly distributed over a circumference of the locking ring 28. The locking lugs 34 are, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be seen in the sectional views, is held on a base body 38 of the locking ring 28 via resilient legs 36. The locking lugs 34 can be deflected relative to the base body 38 via the respective associated flexible legs 36, whereby the locking lugs 34 can engage in respective associated recesses 40 on the inner wall 18 of the coupling housing 14. By the locking lugs 34 engaging in the respective associated recesses 40 in the inner wall 18, a locking connection of the locking ring 28 to the coupling housing 14 can be established. By the locking connection of the locking ring 28 to the coupling housing 14, the locking ring 28 is fixed along the insertion direction 24 within the coupling housing 14 as soon as the locking ring 28 has been arranged in the locking ring end position.If the locking ring 28 is moved by the coupling plug 12 when the fluid line coupling 10 is closed in the insertion direction 24, the locking ring 28 engages with the coupling housing 14 as soon as the locking ring 28 has reached the locking ring end position and, as a result, the locking lugs 34 snap resiliently into the associated recesses 40 of the inner wall 18 of the coupling housing 14.

[0029] To close the fluid line coupling 10, the locking ring 28 and the sealing ring 26 are arranged circumferentially surrounding the coupling plug 12. For this purpose, the locking ring 28 and the sealing ring 26 are inserted into the receptacle 16 of the coupling housing 14. The coupling plug 12 is then inserted into the receptacle 16 of the coupling housing 14 in the insertion direction 24, whereby the sealing ring 26 is placed on the outer circumference against the conical region 20 of the inner wall 18 of the coupling housing 14. By further inserting the coupling plug 12 in the insertion direction 24 into the receptacle 16 of the coupling housing 14, the sealing ring 26 is pressed against the coupling plug 12 by the taper of the inner diameter 22 of the coupling housing 14. Due to this cone, which is incorporated into the coupling housing 14, maximum compression of the sealing ring 26 only occurs when the fluid line coupling 10 is finally locked.The locking ring 28, which fixes the sealing ring 26 in the insertion direction 24, is displaced together with the coupling plug 12 in the insertion direction 24 when the fluid line coupling 10 is closed and, when the sealing ring 26 is optimally positioned, engages the inner wall 18 of the coupling housing 14. In the present case, the coupling plug 12 has a socket with an at least substantially constant diameter, against which the sealing ring 26 rests on the outer circumference. Due to the gradual increase in the compression of the sealing ring 26 when the coupling plug 12 is inserted into the receptacle 16 of the coupling housing 14, particularly low joining forces are generated when the fluid line coupling 10 is closed.

[0030] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 2, the fluid line coupling 10 can additionally have a tension spring 42, which automatically springs when the fluid line coupling 10 is closed. As soon as the locking ring 28, which can also be referred to as a support ring, is arranged in the locking ring end position, the locking ring 28 is firmly and permanently connected to the coupling housing 14.

[0031] Overall, the invention shows how VDA quick couplings, in this case the fluid line coupling 10, can be designed with an adapted design for lower joining forces. List of reference symbols 10 Fluid line coupling 12 coupling plugs 14 Clutch housing 16 recording 18 Interior wall 20 conical area 22 inner diameter 24 Insertion direction 26 Sealing ring 28 locking ring 30 gap 32 stops 34 locking lug 36 legs 38 basic bodies 40 recess 42 tension spring QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2016 223 308 A1

[0002] DE 20 2007 018 786 U1

[0003] WO 2019 / 011492 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Fluid line coupling (10) for a motor vehicle, with - a coupling plug (12), - a coupling housing (14) with a receptacle (16) defined by an inner wall, into which the coupling plug (12) can be inserted in an axially extending insertion direction (24), wherein the inner wall (18) has a conical region (20) in which an inner diameter (22) of the coupling housing (14) tapers in the insertion direction (24), - a sealing ring (26) which, when the coupling plug (12) is connected to the coupling housing (14), radially surrounds the coupling plug (12) and rests circumferentially on the conical region (20) of the inner wall (18) of the coupling housing (14), and - a locking ring (28) which radially surrounds the coupling plug (12) in the connected state of the fluid line coupling (10), is arranged behind the sealing ring (26) in the insertion direction (24) and is designed to fix a position of the sealing ring (26) in the insertion direction (24). [2] Fluid line coupling according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking ring (28) rests against a stop (32) of the coupling plug (12) opposite to the insertion direction (24), whereby the locking ring (28) is taken along with the coupling plug (12) in the insertion direction (24) when inserted into the coupling housing (14). [3] Fluid line coupling according to claim 2, characterized by that the stop (32) is provided by a circumferential enlargement of the coupling plug (12) running counter to the insertion direction (24). [4] Fluid line coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the locking ring (28) has at least one locking lug (34) which, in an axial locking ring end position of the locking ring (28), engages in an associated recess (40) of the inner wall (18) of the coupling housing (14), whereby the locking ring (28) is fixed in the locking ring end position along the insertion direction (24). [5] Fluid line coupling according to claim 4, characterized by that the locking ring (28) comprises four locking lugs (34) distributed over the circumference of the locking ring (28) and the inner wall (18) of the coupling housing (14) has an associated recess (40) for each locking lug (34). [6] Motor vehicle, comprising a fluid line coupling (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Coupling housing (14) for a fluid line coupling (10) of a motor vehicle, which has a receptacle (16) delimited by an inner wall (18) into which a coupling plug (12) of the fluid line coupling (10) can be inserted in a plug-in direction (24), wherein the inner wall (18) has a conical region (20) in which an inner diameter (22) of the coupling housing (14) tapers in the plug-in direction (24) and with which a sealing ring (26) radially surrounding the coupling plug (12) can be brought into contact in order to seal the coupling plug (12) against the inner wall (18) of the coupling housing (14). [8] Method for closing a fluid line coupling (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the locking ring (28) and the sealing ring (26) are arranged in the receptacle (16) of the coupling housing (14), wherein the locking ring (28) is arranged behind the sealing ring (26) in the insertion direction (24), and the coupling plug (12) is inserted into the coupling housing (14), whereby the sealing ring (26) is placed on the outer circumference side against the conical region (20) of the inner wall (18) of the coupling housing (14), wherein by further pushing the coupling plug (12) in the insertion direction (24) into the coupling housing (14), the sealing ring (26) is pressed against the coupling plug (12) by the taper of the inner diameter (22) of the coupling housing (14).

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