Connection device for connecting two connection ports of a fluid circuit, fluid circuit, motor vehicle battery and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device (1) for fluidically tight connecting two connection nozzles (9, 10) of a fluid circuit (5), in particular a motor vehicle battery (4). Each channel element axial end (12, 13) of a channel element (11) of the connecting device has a sealing clamping element (14, 15), and two coupling devices (16, 17) each have an inner cylindrical element (18) translationally fixed to the channel element (11).An outer cylinder element (19) is axially movably mounted on the inner cylinder element (18), wherein the respective coupling device (16, 17) can be adjusted by axially moving the outer cylinder element (19) in a clamping direction (25) relative to the inner cylinder element (18) from a ready-to-connect position, in which the outer cylinder element (19) is arranged in a connection position relative to the inner cylinder element (18), in which the sealing clamping element (14, 15) of the associated channel element axial end (12, 13) has a relaxed sealing inner radius (R1), to a coupling position in which the outer cylinder element (19) is arranged in a sealing position relative to the inner cylinder element (18), in which the sealing clamping element (14, 15) is clamped by means of the outer cylinder element (19) such that it has a clamped sealing inner radius (R2) that is smaller than the relaxed sealing inner radius. (R1) is.

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting device for fluidically tightly connecting two connecting pieces of a fluid circuit, for example a fluid circuit of a motor vehicle battery, in particular two fluid circuit portions of the fluid circuit. The invention further relates to a fluid circuit for a motor vehicle battery and to a motor vehicle battery which has the fluid circuit. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such a motor vehicle battery, in particular as a traction battery.Motor vehicle batteries are known from DE 10 2019 212 861 A1 or DE 10 2020 103 457 B3, which have a round cell arrangement and an intermediate cell tempering unit. The intermediate cell tempering unit can be flown through by a cooling or tempering agent. During operation of the motor vehicle battery, a heat transfer takes place between the round cells and the intermediate cell tempering unit. In order to fluidically couple two fluid circuit portions of a fluid circuit-in particular of the intermediate cell temperature control unit-of the motor vehicle battery to one another in a sealed manner during the production of such motor vehicle batteries, connecting sleeves can be used. In order to prevent coolant from emerging from the intermediate cell tempering unit, care must be taken to ensure that the connection between the fluid circuit portions is fluidically tight. It has been found to be problematic if this required sealing effect is only produced by a seal of the connecting sleeve having an undersize being pushed onto a connecting piece of the corresponding fluid circuit portion. This is because the oversize of the connecting piece must be particularly large for sufficient sealing action with respect to the seal of the connecting sleeve, which leads to a high compression between the connecting piece and the seal. This results in particularly high assembly forces which-although the assembly is often automated nowadays-have a negative effect on a correct assembly result or on the sealing effect. Furthermore, an axial and radial load of the components involved cannot be increased as desired. For, from weight and space saving requirements, the fluid circuit components and the connecting sleeve are particularly light and consequently have a thin wall design. As a result, the high demands made on the geometric position of the individual parts cannot often be fulfilled at present. The compression that can be achieved and the sealing effect achieved therewith are currently not sufficiently robust. There is a need to further increase the sealing effect, since during assembly, foaming and operation high lateral forces and displacements act on the sleeve and thus the sealing system.It is the object of the present invention to create a particularly reliably tight and easily mountable connection for the fluidic connection of two fluid circuit components.This object is achieved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description and the figures. Features, advantages and possible configurations which are set forth in the context of the description for one of the subjects of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, across all categories and embodiments as features, advantages and possible configurations of the respective subject of the other independent claims and of each possible combination of the subjects of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims.According to the invention, a connecting device is proposed, by means of which two connecting pieces of a fluid circuit or of two fluid circuit portions can be connected or coupled to one another in a fluidically tight manner. In particular, the connecting device can be used to connect two connecting pieces of a fluid circuit of a motor vehicle battery to one another in a fluidically sealed manner. Although the connecting device is described herein in connection with a motor vehicle battery, it is to be understood that the connecting device can be used easily to connect any type of fluid circuit components to one another in a fluidically sealed manner. Moreover, according to the invention, a fluid circuit for a motor vehicle battery is proposed, which has the connecting device or two or more of such connecting devices. The fluid circuit has two fluid circuit portions which are connected to one another in a fluidically sealed manner by means of the connecting device or connecting devices. Furthermore, according to the invention, a motor vehicle battery is proposed, which is designed in particular as a traction battery for a motor vehicle. In this case, a component of the motor vehicle battery is formed by the fluid circuit. A motor vehicle having the motor vehicle battery forms a further subject matter of the present invention. The motor vehicle is in particular a purely electrically or hybrid-electrically drivable motor vehicle.The connecting device has a channel element through which a fluid can flow, the respective channel element axial end of which has a seal clamping element or is designed as such a seal clamping element. Furthermore, the connecting device has two coupling devices, wherein the respective coupling device is arranged at a respective one of the channel element axial ends of the channel element. The two coupling devices each have a radially inner cylinder element or circular ring cylinder element, the first inner circumferential surface of which and a channel element outer circumferential surface of the channel element are firmly connected to one another in a translatory manner. For example, the inner cylinder element and the channel element are connected to one another in a force-fitting, form-fitting and / or materially integral manner, for example adhesively bonded, welded, etc. The respective coupling device furthermore has a radially outer cylinder element or circular ring cylinder element, the second inner circumferential surface of which is mounted on a first outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder element in an axially movable manner. The two cylinder elements and the channel element are arranged coaxially, which means that the two cylinder elements and the channel element share a common longitudinal central axis. The first outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder element and the second inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder element contact one another in a surface-parallel manner along the circumferential direction. In other words, the bearing element on which the outer cylinder element is mounted in a translatory movable manner is the inner cylinder element.The respective coupling device is adjustable from a connection ready position into a coupling position by axial movement of the outer cylinder element in a clamping direction relative to the inner cylinder element. It is understood that the respective coupling device can be adjusted from the coupling position into the connection ready position relative to the inner cylinder element by axial movement of the outer cylinder element in a de-tensioning direction opposite to the tensioning direction. In the connection readiness position, the outer cylinder element is arranged with respect to the inner cylinder element in a connection position in which the seal clamping element of the associated duct element axial end has a relaxed seal inner radius. In the coupling position, the outer cylinder element is arranged in a sealing position with respect to the inner cylinder element, in which sealing clamping element is clamped by means of the outer cylinder element in such a way that it has a clamped sealing inner radius which is smaller than the relaxed sealing inner radius.The connecting device or the respective coupling device can thus be connected or coupled in a fluidically sealed manner in a particularly simple and / or low-complexity manner, wherein the seal formed in this case between the connecting piece and the connecting device is particularly reliable. This is because undesirably high assembly forces are not required when connecting the connecting device or the respective coupling device to the connecting piece due to the design of the connecting device. The connecting device is designed such that the inner seal radius that the channel element axial end has in the connection ready position is greater than an outer radius of the corresponding connecting piece. As a result, the corresponding coupling device can be pushed onto the connecting piece in an axially translatory manner in a particularly simple and low-resistance manner. Likewise, the connecting piece or a further connecting piece can be inserted axially translationally particularly easily into the coupling device at the other channel element axial end. As soon as the connecting pieces and the connecting device are arranged in a desired position relative to one another, wherein the connecting pieces each project axially into the connecting device, the coupling devices are each adjusted from their connection ready position into their coupling position. In this case, an axial or translatory relative movement between the channel element and the connecting piece is advantageously omitted. By axially moving the outer cylinder element in the clamping direction, the seal clamping element is clamped such that it has the clamped seal radius, whereby the channel element is radially clamped to an outer circumferential surface of the connecting piece.The invention is based on the principle of decoupling an assembly force required for mounting the connecting device from a sealing force providing the sealing effect. As a result, very high pressings between the connecting piece and the channel element can be achieved, wherein, in addition, the robustness or stability and the reliability of the seal between the connecting piece and the channel element are significantly increased. The assembly force required to bring the connecting device and the connecting piece into cooperation with one another axially or translationally can furthermore remain in a predefined range or even be reduced. As a result, the assembly of the connecting device, in particular the production of a motor vehicle battery having the connecting device, is greatly simplified. Moreover, more precise tolerances in respective intended final installation positions of the elements of the motor vehicle battery, in particular of the fluid circuit, of a cell stack, of the connecting devices, etc., are made possible. When the motor vehicle battery is produced or when connecting the connecting pieces by means of the connecting device, the connecting pieces and the connecting devices are first brought-almost force-free-into their respective predetermined mounting position or final installation position. The respective coupling device is then adjusted from its connection ready position into its coupling position by the outer cylinder element being moved translationally or axially relative to the inner cylinder element in the clamping direction. The channel element is thus pressed against the respective connecting piece.In a further possible embodiment of the connecting device, the outer cylinder element of one of the coupling devices or the respective outer cylinder element of the coupling devices has a radial clamping ring portion, the inner circumferential surface of which bears against the duct element outer circumferential surface. The seal clamping element is formed by a seal length region of the channel element arranged on the channel element axial end, in which region the channel element has a greater wall thickness than away from the seal length region. In the connection ready position, the radial clamping ring portion is arranged away from the seal length region, in particular axially on the inside, as a result of which the seal clamping element or the seal length region has the relaxed seal inner radius. In contrast, the radial clamping ring portion is arranged in the coupling position at the associated channel element axial end in such a way that the radial clamping ring portion encloses the seal length region with the inner circumferential surface of the radial clamping ring portion on the outer circumferential side, as a result of which the seal clamping element or the thickened seal length region has the tensioned seal inner radius.In this way, the channel element is particularly efficiently radially tensioned on the outer circumferential surface of the respective connecting piece by adjusting the outer cylinder element, which leads to a particularly stable or reliable seal between the connecting piece and the channel element. In addition, the channel element and the respective coupling device can be produced in a particularly simple and / or low-complexity manner, since kinematics for adjusting the respective coupling device between the connection ready position and the coupling position are particularly simple.According to a further possible embodiment, the outer cylinder element of one of the coupling devices or the respective outer cylinder element of the coupling devices has an axial clamping ring portion, wherein the sealing clamping element is formed by an end shoulder body of the channel element extending radially outwards. This is arranged axially between a cylinder element end side of the inner cylinder element and the axial clamping ring portion. The axial clamping ring portion and the inner cylinder element are axially spaced apart from one another by a release distance in the connection ready position, whereby the end shoulder body is axially unloaded and the seal clamping element or the end shoulder body has the relaxed seal inner radius. In contrast, the axial clamping ring portion and the inner cylinder element are axially spaced apart from one another in the coupling position by a sealing distance which is smaller than the release distance. As a result, the end shoulder body is axially clamped between the axial clamping ring portion and the cylinder element end face, so that the seal clamping element or the end shoulder body has the clamped seal inner radius. An axial length dimension of the end shoulder body is thus smaller than an axial extension of the clearance distance or equal to and greater than an axial length dimension of the seal distance.By axially clamping the end shoulder body between the axial clamping ring portion and the inner cylinder member, it is axially squeezed, thereby radially expanding. As a result, the inner radius of the end shoulder body or seal clamping element decreases, as a result of which the seal clamping element or the end shoulder body assumes the clamped seal inner radius. The production of the seal between the connecting piece and the channel element is thus particularly advantageous since a radial force is exerted on the connecting piece only in the region of the seal clamping element or end shoulder body.Embodiments of the connecting device are thus conceivable in which both coupling devices each have the outer cylinder element comprising the radial clamping ring portion. Furthermore, embodiments of the connecting device are conceivable in which both coupling devices have the outer cylinder element comprising the axial clamping ring portion. In addition, embodiments of the connecting device are conceivable in which one of the coupling devices has the outer cylinder element having the radial clamping ring portion, whereas the other of the coupling devices has the outer cylinder element having the axial clamping ring portion.The connecting device and the connecting pieces can be brought into cooperation with one another in a particularly simple manner if--as a further possible embodiment provides--in the connection ready position of the respective coupling device the associated channel element axial end is funnel-shaped with the relaxed inner seal radius. In other words, the corresponding channel member axial end has the funnel shape when having the relaxed seal inner radius. In this way, the connecting device can be pushed particularly easily axially onto the connecting piece or the connecting piece can be pushed particularly easily into the connecting device. When manufacturing the motor vehicle battery or when connecting the fluid circuit components, it is therefore sufficient first to roughly position the connecting pieces and the connecting device relative to one another and then to move them translationally towards one another, wherein the connecting pieces and the connecting device are efficiently aligned with one another in that an inner wall of the funnel-shaped duct element axial end and the outer circumferential surface of the connecting piece slide against one another.In a further possible embodiment, the outer cylinder element of one of the coupling devices or the respective outer cylinder element of the coupling devices is designed as a sliding sleeve which can be moved axially along the inner cylinder element by being movable purely translationally. The sliding sleeve is in particular designed without threads. As a result, the connecting device can be produced particularly easily on the one hand and, on the other hand, it can be adjusted from the connection ready position into the coupling position particularly easily, namely by the purely translatory movement of the outer cylinder element. During the translatory movement of the outer cylinder element, it slides purely translationally on the first outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder element by means of its second inner circumferential surface.According to a further possible embodiment, the outer cylinder element of one of the coupling devices or the respective outer cylinder element of the coupling devices is designed as an internal thread nut with an internal thread. In addition, the inner cylinder element has an external thread corresponding to the internal thread, wherein the internal thread nut is axially movable along the inner cylinder element by being rotatable with respect to the external thread. That is, the outer cylinder member is axially moved along the inner cylinder member by rotating the outer cylinder member about the common longitudinal central axis of the cylinder members, so that the axial movement of the outer cylinder member is performed by the threaded engagement between the inner and outer threads. It is advantageous here that a rotational force with which the outer cylinder element is rotated about the inner cylinder element is translated by means of the intermeshing threads, depending on the thread pitch, into a particularly high axial force by means of which the outer cylinder element is moved in the clamping direction. Thus, the channel element or its channel element axial ends can be particularly strongly tensioned on the connecting pieces.Embodiments of the connecting device are conceivable in which both coupling devices have the outer cylinder element formed as the sliding sleeve. Furthermore, embodiments of the connecting device are conceivable in which both coupling devices have the outer cylinder element formed as the internal thread nut. Furthermore, embodiments of the connecting device are conceivable in which one of the coupling devices has the outer cylinder element formed as the sliding sleeve, whereas the corresponding other of the coupling devices has the outer cylinder element formed as the internal thread nut.In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that an inner latching element is formed on the inner cylinder element of one of the coupling devices or on the respective inner cylinder element of the coupling devices, wherein an outer latching element is formed on the associated outer cylinder element. The latching elements correspond to one another for producing a latching connection which, in the coupling position, blocks an axial movement of the cylinder elements relative to one another. As a result, the connecting device can be locked in the coupling position particularly efficiently. It is provided that the latching connection between the latching elements or between the inner and the outer cylinder element is produced by moving the outer cylinder element in the clamping direction with respect to the inner cylinder element from the connecting position into the sealing position. When the sealing position of the outer cylinder element is reached, the latching elements latch into one another. For example, the outer cylinder element has a latching ring as an outer latching element, which engages behind the cylinder element end face of the inner cylinder element or is placed axially against it when the sealing position is reached or when the coupling position is reached. This prevents the outer cylinder element from moving counter to the clamping direction or in the releasing direction as long as a force releasing the latching connection is not exerted on the latching connection and / or the latching connection is destroyed. In a possible development, the latching connection or the latching elements are or are designed to be reversibly elastically deformable in such a way that, when the outer cylinder element is moved from its sealing position in the direction of its connecting position, the latching elements are disengaged from one another by applying a latching connection release force and, when the outer cylinder element is moved again in the clamping direction into its sealing position, produce the latching connection again with one another.In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the inner cylinder element of one of the coupling devices or the respective inner cylinder element of the coupling devices has a protective tube body which extends axially inwards and by means of which the channel element is surrounded along at least part of its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction. In this case, it is provided in particular that the protective tube body is harder or more rigid than the channel element, so that a protective element for the channel element is formed by the protective tube body. If both inner cylinder elements of the connecting device each have the protective tube body, it is provided that an axial annular gap is formed between the protective tube bodies, via which the protective tube bodies are spaced apart axially from one another. As a result, the channel element axial ends of the connecting device are movable relative to one another, which offers the advantage, among other things, that during the production of the motor vehicle battery, in particular during the connection of the connecting pieces by means of the connecting device, position tolerances of the connecting pieces can be compensated by means of the connecting device. Nevertheless, the channel element is protected-in particular for the most part-by means of the protective tube body. The axial annular gap, via which the protective tube bodies are spaced apart from one another, is small, extends along the longitudinal extent of the channel element, for example, over only one millimeter or less or over only a few millimeters.It can be provided that the channel element is only plastically deformable. This means that, when the motor vehicle battery is produced or when connecting the connecting pieces, the channel element is deformed once as required, for example, in order to compensate for the positional tolerances between the connecting pieces, wherein the channel element retains this shape in a self-shape-stable manner. In contrast, in a further possible embodiment of the connecting device according to the invention, it is provided that the channel element has an elastic length range between its channel element axial ends, in which range the channel element is reversibly elastically deformable. This means that when connecting the connecting pieces, the channel element is reversibly elastically deformed, for example in order to compensate for the position tolerances of the connecting pieces. If the connecting device is removed from the connecting pieces, it or its channel element automatically assumes an initial shape. The range of elastic lengths between the channel member axial ends may extend over an overall length over which the channel member axial ends are spaced apart from each other, for example. Furthermore, it can be provided that the channel element axial ends are connected axially inward to a rigid or flexurally rigid channel element section, and these two channel element sections are connected to one another over the range of elastic lengths of the channel element. Furthermore, it can be provided that two or more elastic length ranges are arranged between the channel element axial ends.According to a possible development of the connecting device, one of the seal clamping elements is designed to be reversibly elastically deformable between a shape having the relaxed seal inner radius and a shape having the tensioned seal inner radius. Furthermore, it can be provided that both seal clamping elements are designed to be reversibly elastically deformable between the two shapes. The respective reversibly elastic seal clamping element thus springs back from the shape in which it has the clamped seal inner radius to the shape in which it has the relaxed seal inner radius when the connecting device is removed or removed from the connecting pieces. If both of the seal clamping elements are designed to be reversibly elastically deformable, the connecting device can be attached and clamped again to the connecting pieces or other connecting pieces after it has been removed from the connecting pieces. Thus, the connecting device can be used multiple times, which is environmentally and economically favorable.In a further possible embodiment, an axial stop element extending radially outwards is fixed to one of the channel element axial ends or to both channel element axial ends, by means of which axial stop element the outer cylinder element is secured against axial removal from the channel element. In other words: the axial stop element prevents the outer cylinder element from being pulled off distally from the inner cylinder element and / or from the duct element. This results in particularly simple handling of the connecting device, whereby assembly of the connecting device and consequently the production of the motor vehicle battery are even further simplified.Further features of the invention can be derived from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and 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 respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.The drawing shows in FIGS. 1 to 3 each show a schematic and sectional view of a first variant of a connecting device during the production of a fluid circuit of a motor vehicle battery, and FIGS. 4 and 5 each show a schematic and sectional view of a second variant of the connecting device during the production of the fluid circuit of the motor vehicle battery.A connecting device 1 for fluidically tightly connecting two fluid circuit components 2, 3 of a motor vehicle battery 4, a fluid circuit 5 having the fluid circuit components 2, 3 and the connecting device 1, the motor vehicle battery 4 and a motor vehicle (not shown) having the motor vehicle battery 4 are explained below in the common description. In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals for this purpose.According to the present example, the motor vehicle is designed as a purely electrically or hybrid-electrically drivable motor vehicle and consequently has the motor vehicle battery 4, which has a battery cell pack having a multiplicity of battery round cells 6 (only one shown). Furthermore, the motor vehicle battery 4 has the fluid circuit 5, of which the fluid circuit portions 2, 3 are illustrated in the figures, which are or are connected to one another in a fluidically sealed manner by means of the connecting device. With the aid of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a method for connecting two connecting pieces 9, 10 of the fluid circuit 5 of the motor vehicle battery 4 is explained, wherein the two fluid circuit portions 2, 3 are connected to one another by means of the connecting device 1. This method is in particular part of a production method in which the motor vehicle battery 4 is produced. First, it will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 how the connecting device 1 is constructed.The connecting device 1 has a channel element 11 through which a fluid can flow, the respective channel element axial end 12, 13 of which has a respective sealing clamping element 14, 15. Furthermore, the connecting device has two coupling devices 16, 17, which are each arranged on a respective one of the channel element axial ends 12, 13 of the channel element 11. The coupling devices 16, 17 each have a radially inner cylinder element 18 and a radially outer cylinder element 19, wherein the cylinder elements 18, 19 are each designed as a circular ring cylinder element in the present case. A first inner circumferential surface 20 of the inner cylinder element 18 and a channel element outer circumferential surface 21 of the channel element 11 are translationally firmly connected to one another, for example welded, glued, etc. The cylinder elements 18, 19 are arranged coaxially with the channel element 11 with respect to a longitudinal central axis 22 of the connecting device 1, wherein a second inner circumferential surface 23 of the outer cylinder element 19 and a first outer circumferential surface 24 of the inner cylinder element 18 are in surface contact with one another, so that the outer cylinder element 19 is mounted so as to be axially movable with respect to the inner cylinder element 18.The coupling devices 16, 17 can each be adjusted from a connection ready position into a coupling position by moving the outer cylinder element 19 in relation to the inner cylinder element 18 in a clamping direction 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 4 ) axially, i.e. along the longitudinal central axis 22. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the respective coupling device 16, 17 is respectively shown in the connection readiness position, in which the outer cylinder element 19 is arranged with respect to the inner cylinder element 18 in a connection position, in which the seal clamping element 14, 15 of the associated duct element axial end 12, 13 has a relaxed seal inner radius R 1. In the coupling position (see FIGS. 3 and 5 ), the outer cylinder element 19 is arranged in a sealing position with respect to the inner cylinder element 18, in which the seal clamping element 14, 15 is clamped by means of the outer cylinder element 19 in such a way that the seal clamping element 14, 15 has a clamped seal inner radius R 2 which is smaller than the relaxed seal inner radius R 1. The relaxed inner seal radius R 1 is greater than a connecting piece radius R 3, so that the following applies to the radii R 1, R 2, R 3: R 1>R 3>R 2.FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the connecting device 1 in a first variant in which the outer cylinder element 19 of one of the coupling devices 14, 15-here in the example of both coupling devices 14, 15-has a radial clamping ring portion 26, the inner circumferential surface 27 of which abuts the channel element outer circumferential surface 21. In this variant, the associated seal clamping element 14, 15 is formed by a seal length region 28 of the channel element 11 arranged on the channel element axial end 12, 13, in which region the channel element 11 has a greater wall thickness than away from the seal length region 28. In the connection ready position (see FIGS. 1, 2 ), the radial clamping ring portion 26 is arranged axially on the inside away from the seal length region 28, whereby the seal clamping element 14, 15 or the seal length region 28 has the relaxed seal inner radius R 1. In contrast, the radial clamping ring portion 26 is arranged axially further outwards in the coupling position, i.e. closer to the corresponding channel element axial end 12, 13. There, the radial clamping ring portion 26 encloses the seal length region 28 on the outer circumference side with its inner circumferential surface 27, whereby the seal clamping element 14, 15 or the seal length region 28 has the clamped seal inner radius R 2.When connecting the fluid circuit portions 2, 3, see FIG. 1, the connecting device 1 is pushed onto the connecting piece 9 of the fluid circuit portion 2. As a result, the connecting device 1 and the connecting piece 9 are arranged in such a way that the connecting piece 9 protrudes axially at the channel element axial end 12 into the connecting device 1, in particular into the channel element 11. In the same way, the connecting piece 10 is arranged at the other channel element axial end 13 in such a way that it protrudes along the longitudinal central axis 22 into the connecting device 1 or into the channel element 11. The respective outer cylinder element 19 is then moved along the longitudinal central axis 22, i.e. axially, in the clamping direction, which in the first variant of the connecting device 1 is directed axially outwards, i.e. distally. As a result, the outer cylinder element 19 is adjusted from its connecting position into its sealing position, which is illustrated in FIG. 3, in which it can be seen how the respective seal clamping element 14, 15 is clamped to the respective connecting piece 9, 10. It is to be understood that the tensioned seal inner radius R 2 occurs or is to be measured in reality only when the connecting device or the corresponding coupling device 16, 17 is adjusted into the coupling position, while no connecting piece 9, 10 is inserted into the corresponding channel element axial end 12, 13. The channel element 11 or the corresponding seal clamping element 14, 15 is clamped between the corresponding connecting piece 9, 10 and the seal clamping element 14, 15 or the radial clamping ring portion 26.FIGS. 4 and 5 show a further variant of the connecting device 1, in which the outer cylinder element 19 of one of the coupling devices 16, 17-here in the example of both coupling devices 16, 17-has an axial clamping ring portion 29, wherein the respective seal clamping element 14, 15 is formed by an end shoulder body 30 of the channel element 11 extending radially outwards. The end shoulder body 30 is arranged axially between a cylinder element end face 31 of the inner cylinder element 18 and the axial clamping ring portion 29. It can be further seen in FIG. 4 that the axial clamping ring portion 29 and the inner cylinder element 18 or the cylinder element end face 31 are axially spaced apart from one another by a release distance D 1 in the connection ready position, as a result of which the end shoulder body 30 is axially unloaded. As a result, the seal clamping element 14, 15 or the respective end shoulder body 30 has the relaxed seal inner radius R 1. In contrast, in the coupling position-see FIG. 5-the axial clamping ring portion 29 and the inner cylinder element 18 or its cylinder element end face 31 are axially spaced apart from one another by a sealing distance D 2 which is smaller than the release distance D 1, so that the end shoulder body 30 is axially clamped between the axial clamping ring portion 29 and the cylinder element end face 31. In this state, the seal clamping element 14, 15 or the end shoulder body 30 has the clamped seal inner radius R 2. As a result, the respective seal clamping element 14, 15 or the respective end shoulder body 30 is radially clamped on the outer circumference side to the respective connecting pieces 9, 10.For the fluidically tight connection of the fluid circuit portions 2, 3 by means of the connecting device 1 and by means of the connecting pieces 9, 10, these are arranged analogously to the description of the first variant of the connecting device 1 in such a way that the connecting pieces 9, 10 project axially, that is to say along the longitudinal central axis 22, at the respective channel element axial end 12, 13 into the channel element 11. The respective outer cylinder element 19 is then moved in the clamping direction 25, which in the second variant of the connecting device 1 is directed axially inward, i.e. proximally, along the longitudinal central axis 22. By adjusting the axial clamping ring portion 29 in the clamping direction 25, the axial clamping ring portion 29 and the inner cylinder element 18 or its cylinder element end side 21 are spaced apart over the sealing distance D 2, in which the end shoulder body 30 is clamped in such a way that it grows radially. As a result, the end shoulder body 30, that is to say the respective seal clamping element 14, 15, assumes the clamped seal inner radius R 2, as a result of which the channel element 11 is clamped radially on the outer circumference side to the respective connecting pieces 9, 10. The state of the connecting device 1 in the second variant, in which the seal clamping elements 14, 15 each formed as the end shoulder body 30 are clamped to the connecting pieces 9, 10, is illustrated in FIG. 5.It is to be understood that the two variants of the connecting device 1 described above do not have to differ any further apart from the configuration of the respective seal clamping element 14, 15 and the orientation of the respective clamping direction 25. In particular, the features described below can be used on both variants of the connecting device 1. It can be seen, for example, from FIG. 1 that in the connection ready position of the respective coupling device 16, 17 the associated channel element axial end 12, 13 with the relaxed inner seal radius R 1 can be funnel-shaped. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that the outer cylinder element 19 of one or both of the coupling devices 16, 17 can be designed as a threadless sliding sleeve 32. The sliding sleeve 32 is axially movable along the inner cylinder element 18 by being movable purely translationally along the longitudinal central axis 22. It is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 that the outer cylinder element 19 of one or both of the coupling devices 16, 17 can be formed as an internal thread nut 33 with an internal thread 34. In this case, the inner cylinder element 18 has an outer thread 35 corresponding to the inner thread 34, wherein the inner thread nut 33 is axially movable along the inner cylinder element 18 by being rotatable with respect to the outer thread 35, i.e. about the longitudinal central axis 22.Regardless of whether the outer cylinder element 19 is formed as the sliding sleeve 32 or as the internal thread nut 33, an inner latching element 36 can be formed on the inner cylinder element 18 of one or both of the coupling devices 16, 17, wherein an outer latching element 37 is then formed on the associated outer cylinder element 19. The latching elements 36, 37 correspond to one another for producing a latching connection 38 (see FIG. 3 ) which, in the coupling position, blocks an axial movement of the cylinder elements 18, 19 relative to one another. In this connection, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that the inner latching element 36 is formed by the cylinder element end face 31 of the inner cylinder element 18. During an adjustment of the outer cylinder element 19 in the clamping direction 25, the outer latching element 37 latches on the inner latching element 36, that is to say on the cylinder element end face 31. As a result, the cylinder elements 18, 19 are locked to one another in a form-fitting manner in such a way that a movement of the outer cylinder element 19 counter to the clamping direction 26 is prevented as long as the latching connection 38 is closed.It can also be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that in the present example a radially outwardly extending stop element 39 is fixed to one or both of the duct element axial ends 12, 13, by means of which stop element the outer cylinder element 19 is secured against axial or distal removal from the duct element 11 or from the inner cylinder element 18. It can be seen with reference to the hatchings in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that the respective stop element 39 and the channel element 11 can be formed integrally with one another. In the specific exemplary embodiment of the connecting device 1, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the coupling position of the respective coupling device 16, 17 the outer cylinder element 19 is locally fixed between the cylinder element end face 31 and the axial stop element 39. As a result, the outer cylinder element 19 in the coupling position is axially movable neither in nor counter to the clamping direction 25.In the present example, it is also provided that the respective inner cylinder element 18 has a protective tube body 40 which extends axially inward, i.e. proximally, and by means of which the channel element 11 is surrounded along at least part of its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction. As a result, the channel element 11, which is sheathed by means of the protective tube body 40, is efficiently protected against undesired influences from outside the connecting device 1, in particular if, as provided here in the example, the channel element 11 has an elastic length range between its channel element axial ends 12, 13, in which the channel element 11 is reversibly elastically deformable. It is then provided that the respective protective tube body 40 is more stable than the channel element 11 in its range of elastic lengths. It can be provided that the range of elastic lengths extends over the complete longitudinal extension of the channel element 11. This is also provided in the present example, which means that the seal clamping elements 14, 15 are formed so as to be reversibly elastically deformable between a shape having the relaxed seal inner radius R 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and a shape having the tensioned seal inner radius R 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 5 ). Consequently, the entire channel element 11 according to the present example is embodied so as to be reversibly elastically deformable, whereby the connecting device 1 can be used or reused multiple times. Further exemplary embodiments are conceivable in which the channel element 11 and / or one or both of the seal clamping elements 14, 15 is plastically deformed during the adjustment of the correspondingly associated coupling device 16, 17 from the connection ready position into the coupling position.The connecting device 1, the fluid circuit 2, the motor vehicle battery 4 and the motor vehicle provide a respective possibility of achieving the object, explained at the beginning, of creating a particularly reliably tight and easily mountable connection for fluidically connecting second fluid circuit portions.List of reference characters1 Connecting device 2 Fluid circuit portion 3 Fluid circuit portion 4 Motor vehicle battery 5 Fluid circuit 6 Battery round cell 7 (not allocated) 8 (not allocated) 9 Connecting piece 10 Connecting piece 11 Channel element 12 Channel element axial end 13 Channel element axial end 14 Seal clamping element 15 Seal clamping element 16 Coupling device 17 Coupling device 18 Inner cylinder element 19 Outer cylinder element 20 First inner circumferential surface 21 Channel element outer circumferential surface 22 Longitudinal central axis 23 Second inner circumferential surface 24 First outer circumferential surface 25 Clamping direction 26 Radial clamping ring portion 27 Inner circumferential surface of the radial ring clamping portion 28 Seal length region 29 Axial clamping ring portion 30 End shoulder body 31 Cylinder element end side 32 Sliding sleeve 33 Internal threaded nut 34 Internal thread 35 External thread 36 Inner latching element 37 Outer latching element 38 Latching connection 39 Axial stop element 40 Protective tube body R 1 More relaxed Seal inner radius R2 Tensioned seal inner radius R3 Connection piece radius D1 Clearance distance D2 Seal clearance distanceReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2019 212 861 A1

[0002] DE 10 2020 103 457 B3

[0002]

Claims

Connecting device (1) for fluidically tightly connecting two connecting pieces (9, 10) of a fluid circuit (5), in particular a motor vehicle battery (4), wherein the connecting device (1) has: - a channel element (11) through which a fluid can flow, the respective channel element axial end (12, 13) of which has a sealing clamping element (14, 15), - two coupling devices (16, 17) each having: - a radially inner cylinder element (18), the first inner circumferential surface (20) of which and a channel element outer circumferential surface (21) of the channel element (11) are translationally fixedly connected to one another, - a radially outer cylinder element (19), the second inner circumferential surface (23) of which is mounted on a first outer circumferential surface (24) of the inner cylinder element (18) in an axially movable manner, wherein the respective coupling device (16, 16, 17) is mounted in an axially movable manner, 17) by axially moving the outer cylinder element (19) in a clamping direction (25) relative to the inner cylinder element (18) from a connection standby position into a coupling position, wherein - in the connection standby position the outer cylinder element (19) is arranged in relation to the inner cylinder element (18) in a connection position in which the seal clamping element (14, 15) of the associated duct element axial end (12, 13) has a relaxed seal inner radius (R1), - in the coupling position the outer cylinder element (19) is arranged in relation to the inner cylinder element (18) in a sealing position in which the seal clamping element (14, 15) is clamped by means of the outer cylinder element (19) in such a way that it has a tensioned seal inner radius (R2) which is smaller than the relaxed seal inner radius (R1).Connecting device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that - the outer cylinder element (19) of one of the coupling devices (16, 17) has a radial clamping ring portion (26), the inner circumferential surface (27) of which bears against the channel element outer circumferential surface (21), - the seal clamping element (14, 15) is formed by a seal length region (28) of the channel element (11) which is arranged on the channel element axial end (12, 13) and in which the channel element (11) has a greater wall thickness than away from the seal length region (28), wherein the radial clamping ring portion (26) - in the connection readiness position, is arranged axially inward away from the seal length region (28), as a result of which the seal clamping element (14, 15) has the relaxed seal inner radius (R1), in the coupling position at the associated axial end (12, 13) of the channel element, the seal length region (28) is surrounded on the outer periphery with the inner peripheral surface (27) of the radial clamping ring portion (26), as a result of which the seal clamping element (14, 15) has the clamped inner seal radius (R2).Connecting device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the outer cylinder element (19) of one of the coupling devices (16, 17) has an axial clamping ring portion (29), - the sealing clamping element (14, 15) is formed by an end shoulder body (30), which extends radially outwards, of the duct element (11) and is arranged axially between a cylinder element end face (31) of the inner cylinder element (18) and the axial clamping ring portion (29), wherein the axial clamping ring portion (29) and the inner cylinder element (18) - in the connection ready position are axially spaced apart from one another by a release distance (D1), as a result of which the end shoulder body (30) is axially unloaded and the sealing clamping element (14, 15) has the relaxed sealing inner radius (R1), - in the coupling position are axially spaced apart from one another by a sealing distance (D2), which is smaller than the clearance distance (D1), so that the end shoulder body (30) is axially clamped between the axial clamping ring portion (29) and the cylinder element end face (31), whereby the seal clamping element (14, 15) has the clamped seal inner radius (R2).Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the connection ready position of the respective coupling device (16, 17), the associated channel element axial end (12, 13) with the relaxed inner seal radius (R1) is funnel-shaped.Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer cylinder element (19) of one of the coupling devices (16, 17) is designed as a sliding sleeve (32), which can be moved axially along the inner cylinder element (18) by being movable purely translationally.Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer cylinder element (19) of one of the coupling devices (16, 17) is formed as an internal thread nut (33) with an internal thread (34), and the inner cylinder element (18) has an external thread (35) corresponding to the internal thread (34), wherein the internal thread nut (33) is axially movable along the inner cylinder element (18) by being rotatable with respect to the external thread (35).Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner latching element (36) is formed on the inner cylinder element (18) of one of the coupling devices (16, 17), wherein an outer latching element (37) is formed on the associated outer cylinder element (19), and the latching elements (36, 37) correspond to one another in order to produce a latching connection (38) which, in the coupling position, blocks an axial movement of the cylinder elements (18, 19) relative to one another.Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner cylinder element (18) of one of the coupling devices (16, 17) has a protective tube body (40) which extends axially inwards and by means of which the channel element (11) is surrounded along at least part of its longitudinal extent in the circumferential direction.Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel element (11) has, between its channel element axial ends (12, 13), an elastic length range in which the channel element (11) is reversibly elastically deformable.Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or both of the seal clamping elements (14, 15) is / are designed to be reversibly elastically deformable between a shape having the relaxed seal inner radius (R1) and a shape having the tensioned seal inner radius (R2).Connecting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a radially outwardly extending axial stop element (39) is fixed to one or both of the duct element axial ends (12, 13), by means of which axial stop element the outer cylinder element (19) is secured against axial removal from the duct element (11).Fluid circuit (5) for a motor vehicle battery (4), wherein two fluid circuit portions (2, 3) of the fluid circuit (5) are connected to one another in a fluidically sealed manner by means of a connecting device (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims.Motor vehicle battery (4) having a fluid circuit (5) designed according to Claim 12.Motor vehicle having a motor vehicle battery (4) designed according to Claim 13.

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