Fluid connection unit

Abstract

Fluid connection unit (10, 110) which is designed to connect a fluid line to a connector, comprising a base body (12) which is made of plastic, and an insert element (14, 114, 214) which is made of a plastic, wherein the base body (12) defines a fluid flow channel (32) inside it, which extends from a first longitudinal end of the base body (12) to a second longitudinal end of the base body (12), wherein the insert element (14, 114, 214) has an internal thread (28, 228) for connection to the connecting piece, wherein a nozzle (44) is arranged at the first longitudinal end of the base body (12), which is designed for connection to the fluid line, wherein a receptacle (24) is arranged at the second longitudinal end of the base body (12), which is configured to receive the insert element (14, 114, 214) in such a way that a service-tight connection is formed between the base body (12) and the insert element (14, 114, 214), which is non-destructively detachable at least in one direction opposite to the insertion direction of the insert element (14, 114, 214) into the base body (12), characterized in that the fluid connection unit (10, 110) further comprises a locking element (136) which has at least one radially inwardly projecting projection (138), which is in particular designed as a bolt, wherein the base body (12) and the insert element (14) have recesses (26, 134) that match the shape and number of the at least one projection or projections (138), wherein the respective recesses (26, 134) of the base body (12) and the insert element (14) are aligned with each other in the relative state to be joined, wherein in a locking position of the locking element (136) the at least one projection (138) projects into the recesses (26, 134) of the base body (12) and the insert element (14) in such a way that the insert element (14) is secured at least in the axial direction to the base body (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid connection unit which is designed to connect a fluid line to a connector.

[0002] For example, in water installations (e.g., heating or drinking water), screw connections are used for a variety of applications, such as connecting a water meter, a pump, changing pipe systems, etc. According to the state of the art, these connections are usually made with imperial, conical threads. The conical external thread is coated with sealant (hemp, sealing tape, sealing cord) and screwed into a conical internal thread to create a tight connection. This involves additional work. Therefore, the connection may become leaky because the internal thread part tears due to too much sealant, or fails to seal due to too little sealant. This can result in water damage with significant financial loss for the owner.

[0003] The present invention therefore has the object of providing a fluid connection unit with improved properties.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the present invention by a fluid connection unit which is designed to connect a fluid line to a connector, comprising a base body made of plastic and an insert element made of a plastic, wherein the base body defines in its interior a fluid flow channel which extends from a first longitudinal end of the base body to a second longitudinal end of the base body, wherein the insert element has an internal thread for connection to the connector, wherein a nozzle is arranged at the first longitudinal end of the base body, which is designed for connection to the fluid line, wherein a receptacle is arranged at the second longitudinal end of the base body, which receptacle is designed to receive the insert element in such a way that a permanently operational connection is formed between the base body and the insert element, which connection is non-destructively detachable at least in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the insert element into the base body, wherein the fluid connection unit further comprises a securing element which has at least one radially inwardly projecting projection which is in particular bolt-like, wherein the base body and the insert element have recesses which match the shape and number of the at least one projection or projections, wherein the respective recesses of the base body and the insert element are aligned with one another in the relative state to be connected, wherein in a securing position of the securing element the at least one projection projects into the recesses of the base body and the insert element in such a way that the insert element is secured to the base body at least in the axial direction.

[0005] Thus, the base body and the insert element can be formed separately from one another, particularly in a simplified manufacturing process, and then joined together to form the fluid connection unit according to the invention. In this way, geometries and / or material combinations can be realized that would not be possible in a conventional manner, particularly with an integral design of these two components.

[0006] In particular, the insert element can be non-rotationally symmetrical, in particular hexagonal, in the region where it connects to the base body, so that rotation of the insert element relative to the base body is essentially prevented in the connected state. In this way, the connecting piece can be screwed into the insert element without the insert element rotating relative to the base body.

[0007] Furthermore, the base body can have at least two surfaces on its outer side that run parallel to one another and, in particular, are diametrically opposite one another with respect to a central axis of the base body. These two parallel surfaces on the outer side of the base body can be used, for example, as a wrench size for a tool in order to be able to rotate the base body with the insert element inserted therein more easily using the tool, for example relative to the connecting piece. In conjunction with the feature described above that the insert element is designed as a polygon, for example hexagonal, in the region in which the insert element connects to the base body, an outer side of the base body can also be designed correspondingly as a polygon, for example hexagonal.Thus, a substantially constant wall thickness of the base body along the circumference thereof in this area can result.

[0008] Advantageously, the base body can be made of a high-temperature plastic, in particular PPSU. Since, due to the process involved in manufacturing components from a high-temperature plastic, radially inwardly projecting projections, in particular internal threads, can only be formed to a very limited extent during the production of components from a high-temperature plastic, threaded bushings with an internal thread must be subsequently introduced in a complex manner in base bodies made of a high-temperature plastic, for example, using a vibration process. The present invention therefore allows the advantageous properties of a base body made of a high-temperature plastic to be fully utilized while still providing it with an internal thread in a simple manner.

[0009] The base body and / or the insert element can be manufactured using an injection molding process. This allows for cost-effective production of the fluid connection unit according to the invention.

[0010] The insert element can also comprise PE_RT (polyethylene with increased temperature resistance) or cross-linked polyethylene, for example, PEX or PEX_C, or PTFE. The materials described above, such as radiation-cross-linked PEX_C, can impart a self-sealing property to the insert element or its internal thread with respect to the connector or its external thread.

[0011] In a further development of the present invention, the insert element can have a cylindrical region at its end opposite the internal thread, the outer diameter of which approximately corresponds to the diameter of the thread and which defines a fluid flow channel in its interior. This makes it possible to achieve a fluid flow channel defined in the cylindrical region having a substantially identical diameter to a fluid flow channel defined within the external thread of the connecting piece, in order to ensure substantially consistent fluid flow properties across the fluid connection unit and the adjacent regions of the connected components. The fluid flow channel of the insert element can advantageously be fluidly connected to the fluid flow channel of the base body, in particular along a common axis.

[0012] The cylindrical region of the insert element can have one or more circumferential grooves for accommodating a sealing element or sealing cord. Sealing the insert element against the inside of the base body in this area can prevent fluid from entering an inner contact area of ​​the insert element with the base body and escaping to an outer side of the fluid connection unit.

[0013] In particular, the internal thread of the insert element can be conical. This conical design of the internal thread can achieve a self-sealing property, which is often required or at least desired by standards for such fluid connections.

[0014] The insert element can have at least one radially outwardly projecting locking knob on its outer surface, which is designed to engage with a corresponding recess in the base body. In particular, knob-like projections can be formed on all surfaces of the polygon, for example, the hexagon. If the insert element is radially compressed / expanded when screwing in the connector, this results in a very stable connection that can only be released by destruction, for example, shearing.

[0015] In this case, the at least one recess in the base body, into which a respective locking stud engages when the base body and insert element are connected, can be designed as a through-hole that completely penetrates the wall of the base body. Such through-holes can be produced inexpensively using retractable and extendable bolts, particularly with high-temperature materials such as PPSU, since disintegration nuclei can only be used to a limited extent, if at all, due to the necessary cooling / temperature control.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the base body can have a plurality of recesses, each having a central axis, of which at least two, in particular all, run essentially parallel to one another. This respective central axis can be understood in particular as an axis which runs along a main direction of extension through the wall of the base body and through the center of gravity of a cross-section of the recess formed orthogonally thereto. This makes it possible for an injection molding tool, which in the simplest embodiment is made of two parts, to have parallel and inwardly projecting pin-like projections, and for the two halves of this injection molding tool to be easily separated from one another in order to remove the injection-molded part.

[0017] The insert element can further have a shoulder which extends from a longitudinal end of the insert element, in particular a longitudinal end of the outer polygon thereof. The shoulder can be substantially annular. The central internal thread of the insert element can continue through the shoulder. The shoulder can in particular be designed and arranged such that, even after the insert element has been connected to the base body, it extends away from the base body with respect to the central axis of the fluid flow channel, i.e. extends further in this axial direction than the base body. The shoulder preferably has a flat end face at its free end, the plane of which is oriented substantially orthogonally, in particular to the central axis of the fluid flow channel.

[0018] If the fluid connection unit is now connected to a higher-level assembly, the shoulder can rest against it, thus providing an additional seal. In one possible design, the shoulder can be plastically deformed to adapt to the mating surface of the higher-level assembly in a sealing manner.

[0019] The shoulder can, for example, protrude by 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably by 2 mm, from the remaining insert element, in particular from its polygon, or from the base body in the axial direction.

[0020] In the following, the present invention will be described using two exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fluid connection unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an insert element of the first embodiment of the fluid connection unit according to the invention; Fig. 3 a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a fluid connection unit according to the invention; Fig. 5 a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit from Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 a perspective view of a second embodiment of the insert element.

[0021] In Fig. 1, a fluid connection unit according to the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The fluid connection unit 10 comprises a base body 12 and an insert element 14.

[0022] The insert element 14 has on its outer side in a Fig. 2 on the left a hexagonal shape 16 and in a Fig. 2 has a cylindrical shape 18 in the area shown on the right. A groove 20 is arranged on the cylindrical shape 18, in which a sealing element (not shown), such as an O-ring, can be received in order to form a seal between the insert element 14 and the base body 12 (see also Fig. 3).

[0023] On the hexagonal shape 16, a locking knob 22 is provided on each of the six hexagonal surfaces, which protrudes radially outwards from a respective surface. A radially outer surface of each locking knob 22 rises from a Fig. 2, on which a respective locking knob 22 is substantially flush with the surface of the hexagonal shape 16, to a Fig. 2 shown on the left side increasingly radially outwards. In this way, the insert element 14 can be pushed into a corresponding receptacle 24 of the base body 12 until a respective locking knob 22 engages / locks with an associated recess 26 (see also Fig. 3). Thus, the insert element 14 can be secured in the receptacle 24 of the base body 12 both rotationally via its outer shape and axially by the engagement of the locking knobs 22.

[0024] The insert element 14 has on its inside an internal thread 28, which is conical here and extends from a Fig. 3 left side to one in Fig. 3 right side of the internal thread 28 is tapered. At the Fig. 3, there is a substantially cylindrical fluid flow channel 30, which is arranged radially inside the region with the cylindrical shape 18. This cylindrical fluid flow channel 30 extends at a Fig. 3 right-hand side into a fluid flow channel 32 of the base body 12, wherein here an outer diameter of the region with the cylindrical shape 18 of the insert element 14 essentially corresponds to a nominal inner diameter of the internal thread 28.

[0025] If a connecting piece is now screwed into the internal thread 28 of the insert element 14, the insert element 14 is pushed radially outwards due to the conical shape of the internal thread 28 and the elastic material properties of the insert element 14, whereby the engagement between the locking knobs 22 and the respective recesses 26 is additionally reinforced.

[0026] As particularly in Fig. 1, the three Fig. 1 visible recesses 26, which are designed here as through-holes through the wall of the base body 12, have mutually parallel central axes. On a side diametrically opposite a central axis X of the fluid connection unit 10, the base body 12 in the illustrated embodiment has three further recesses 26, each of which is provided with a corresponding one of the Fig. 1 visible recesses 26, so that three through holes 26 are formed which completely penetrate the base body 12 from the outside to the opposite outside.

[0027] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment 110 of a fluid connection unit according to the invention. With respect to the second embodiment 110 of the fluid connection unit according to the invention, explicit reference is made to the advantages, features, and functions of the first embodiment 10 of the fluid connection unit according to the invention. Therefore, only the differences between the second embodiment 110 and the first embodiment 10 are referred to below. Identical components are designated by identical reference numerals. Analogous, but modified, components are designated by reference numerals that are incremented by 100 relative to a respective analogous component of the fluid connection unit 10.

[0028] The base body 12 of the fluid connection unit 110 is identical to the base body 12 of the fluid connection unit 10. Of course, it is also conceivable that the fluid connection unit 110 may have a base body that is designed differently than the base body 12 of the fluid connection unit 10.

[0029] In contrast to the insert element 14, the insert element 114 (see Fig. 5) does not have any radially outwardly projecting locking knobs, but comprises notches 134, which are aligned with the recesses 26 (see Fig. 4), are aligned when the insert element 114 is inserted into the base body 12. In this assembled state, two halves 136a and 136b of a securing element 136 can now be pushed onto the base body 12 from the outside in such a way that pin-like projections 138, which extend radially inward from the two halves 136a and 136b of the securing element 136 and fit the recesses 26, extend through the recesses 26 of the base body 12 and engage with the notches 134 of the insert element 114. In this way, the insert element 114 can be secured in the base body 12.

[0030] In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 it can also be seen that the securing element 136 has an edge 140 which is Fig. 5 engages around the end shown on the left in order to also come into contact with the insert element 114 and to secure it axially.

[0031] In Fig. 4 further shows that the two halves 136a and 136b of the securing element 136, in the assembled state, engage with one another via a locking mechanism 142 formed on both sides diametrically with respect to a main axis X of the fluid connection unit 110, so that an unintentional detachment of the two halves 136a and 136b of the securing element 136 from the base body 12 can be prevented.

[0032] The base body 12 has, at its end opposite the receptacle 24 for receiving the insert element 14 or 114, a nozzle 44 which is designed to connect the fluid connection unit 10 or 110 to a fluid line, for example using a press sleeve (not shown).

[0033] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the insert element. Features of the second embodiment of the insert element that are analogous to the first embodiment of the insert element are designated by analogous reference numerals, but increased by the number 200. Features of the insert element 214 that are identical to the insert element 14 are designated by identical reference numerals.

[0034] In contrast to the insert element 14, the insert element 214 (see Fig. 6) a shoulder 246 which protrudes along the axial direction X from the hexagonal shape 16, on the side opposite the cylindrical shape 18. The shoulder 246 is essentially annular and has an end face 248 oriented orthogonally to the axis X. The central internal thread 228 of the insert element 214 continues through the shoulder 246.

[0035] When a fluid connection unit provided with the insert element 214 is connected to a higher-level assembly, the shoulder 246 can adapt to a mating surface of the higher-level assembly, being plastically deformed in this embodiment, and thus providing a seal of the fluid flow channel 30 to an outside.

Claims

[1] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) which is designed to connect a fluid line to a connecting piece, comprising a base body (12) which is made of plastic, and an insert element (14, 114, 214) which is made of a plastic, wherein the base body (12) defines in its interior a fluid flow channel (32) which extends from a first longitudinal end of the base body (12) to a second longitudinal end of the base body (12), wherein the insert element (14, 114, 214) has an internal thread (28, 228) for connection to the connecting piece, wherein a nozzle (44) is arranged at the first longitudinal end of the base body (12), which is designed for connection to the fluid line, wherein a receptacle (24) is arranged at the second longitudinal end of the base body (12), which receptacle is designed to receive the insert element (14, 114, 214) in such a way that a permanently operational connection is formed between the base body (12) and the insert element (14, 114, 214), which connection is non-destructively detachable at least in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the insert element (14, 114, 214) into the base body (12), characterized by that the fluid connection unit (10, 110) further comprises a securing element (136) which has at least one radially inwardly projecting projection (138), which is in particular designed in the manner of a bolt, wherein the base body (12) and the insert element (14) have recesses (26, 134) matching the shape and number of the at least one projection or projections (138), wherein the respective recesses (26, 134) of the base body (12) and of the insert element (14) are aligned with one another in the relative state to be connected, wherein in a securing position of the securing element (136) the at least one projection (138) projects into the recesses (26, 134) of the base body (12) and of the insert element (14) in such a way that the insert element (14) is secured to the base body (12) at least in the axial direction. [2] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1, characterized by that the insert element (14, 114, 214) is non-rotationally symmetrical, in particular hexagonal, in the region (16) in which the insert element (14, 114, 214) connects to the base body (12), so that rotation of the insert element (14, 114, 214) relative to the base body (12) in the connected state is substantially prevented. [3] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (12) has on its outer side at least two surfaces (16) which run parallel to one another and are diametrically opposite one another in particular with respect to a central axis of the base body (12). [4] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (12) is made of a high-temperature plastic, in particular PPSU. [5] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base body (12) and / or the insert element (14, 114, 214) are / is manufactured using an injection molding process. [6] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the insert element (14, 114, 214) comprises PE_RT or cross-linked polyethylene, for example PEX or PEX_C, or PTFE. [7] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the insert element (14, 114, 214) has, at its end opposite the internal thread (28, 228), a cylindrical region (18) whose outer diameter corresponds approximately to the diameter of the thread (28, 228) and which defines a fluid flow channel (30) in its interior. [8] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the cylindrical region (18) of the insert element (14, 114, 214) has one or more circumferential grooves (20) for receiving a sealing element or sealing cord. [9] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the internal thread (28, 228) of the insert element (14, 114, 214) is conical. [10] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the insert element (14, 214) has on its outer side at least one radially outwardly projecting locking knob (22) which is designed to engage with a corresponding recess (26) of the base body (12). [11] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the at least one recess (26) of the base body (12), with which a respective locking knob (22) engages in the connected state of the base body (12) and insert element (14, 214), is designed as a through hole which completely penetrates the wall of the base body (12). [12] Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that the base body (12) has a plurality of recesses (26), each having a central axis, of which at least two, in particular all, run substantially parallel to one another.

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