Flexible coupling element with tolerance compensation for the flexible connection of two media-leading elements.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling element with tolerance compensation for the flexible connection of two media-carrying elements, in particular a pipe or hose with another pipe or hose or a unit, comprising a first component for connection to the first element, and a second component for connection to the second element, wherein the first component and the second component have a device for captive connection, and the first component and the second component have a common longitudinal direction, and the first component and the second component are translationally displaceable relative to each other in the direction of the common longitudinal direction, and that the first component and the second component are rotatable relative to each other about the common longitudinal direction, and that the first component and the second component are cardanically tiltable relative to each other perpendicular to the common longitudinal direction.

[0002] Pipes, hoses, tubes, etc., are used to transport media such as fluids, gases, or pasty substances. These can be connected to each other or to equipment to facilitate the flow of the media. For example, in the automotive industry, fluids such as fuels, oils, additives (AdBlue®), and coolants, or gases such as charge air, are conveyed in this way.

[0003] Couplings are used to create this connection. These ensure a secure, permanent, and leak-proof connection between the components.

[0004] Due to the manufacturing process, these cables have tolerances of varying degrees along their path, which may be acceptable depending on the application, such as the available installation space in the vehicle. Therefore, cables can be used that fall within the minimum and maximum tolerances of the application.

[0005] The degree of tolerance is determined according to the application, ensuring that the cable's path is not affected by the permissible tolerances, for example, by collisions with adjacent components. Despite the permissible tolerances, the cable's mounting points (supports) must also be maintained so that they align with the corresponding positions (bolt points), for example, on the engine.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2014 211 844 A1 discloses a coupling element of this type, which features a snap-fit ​​connection for a captive connection. The snap-fit ​​connection is based on snap-in locking elements. These elements must possess a certain degree of elasticity while maintaining high strength to prevent breakage upon snapping into place. This necessitates relatively high-quality materials, such as glass fiber-reinforced PA 6.6, which results in considerable costs, as the entire coupling element is manufactured from this material, even though only the locking elements require the necessary elasticity combined with high strength.

[0007] US Patent 2011 148098 A1 discloses a coupling element for an aircraft fuel line. The coupling element has a socket into which one end of a fluid line is inserted. The end of the fluid line is fitted with an O-ring seal, which is flanked on both sides by two circumferential plain bearings that have a slightly smaller diameter than the O-ring seal. Both the O-ring seal and the plain bearings run on an inner surface of the socket, which allows for translational, rotational, and tilting tolerance compensation. However, this design requires a relatively large amount of installation space.

[0008] US 3584902 A discloses a quick-release coupling for fluid lines that allows partial disconnection of the coupling components under gradual pressure relief, preventing them from flying apart due to high fluid pressure. For this purpose, a coupling element with a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots is proposed, into each of which a retaining clip can be inserted to lock the components to be coupled in a predefined relative position.

[0009] The invention was therefore based on the objective of improving a tolerance-compensating coupling element of the type described above in such a way that the use of materials with high strength but low requirements for elasticity is possible.

[0010] This problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

[0011] This arrangement has the advantage that no locking lugs are required. Therefore, a corresponding elasticity of the component is unnecessary, meaning that despite the use of high-strength materials, there are no special requirements regarding elasticity.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the retaining ring is designed in such a way that it can be elastically deformed radially outwards from the opening of the first component and removed.

[0013] This training has the advantage that the connection between the first and second components can be dissolved again.

[0014] In a further development of the invention, the second component has at least one further opening through which the correct seating of the retaining ring can be observed.

[0015] In this way, the secure locking of the coupling element can be easily verified.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0017] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a coupling element 1 according to the invention in its fully assembled state. The coupling element 1 comprises a first component 2 and a second component 3. Both components 2 and 3 each have a connection point 2A, 3A for connection with further fluid-carrying elements, not shown here.

[0018] Between the first and the second component 2, 3 an O-ring seal 4 is arranged in a groove 5, which ensures the tightness of the connection between the first component 2 and the second component 3.

[0019] The first component 2 has an approximately slot-shaped, at least partially radially circumferential opening 6.

[0020] The second component 3 has a radially outward pointing, radially at least partially circumferential bead 7, which is interrupted in a circumferential manner not visible here, resulting in a cam-shaped course of the bead 7 in the circumferential direction.

[0021] A spring-loaded retaining ring 8, which here is made of metal, reaches through the opening 6 of the first component 2 and comes to lie behind the bead 7 of the second component.

[0022] The first component 2 has a region 9 that extends around the bead 7 of the second component and is spaced from the bead 7 by a clearance 10 in the radial direction and by clearances 11A and 11B in the axial direction. The clearances 10, 11A, and 11B ensure that the first component 2 is movable relative to the second component 3 in translational, rotational, and gimbal tilting directions.

[0023] Because the retaining ring 8 passes through the opening 6 of the first component 2 and lies behind the bead 7 of the second component, the components 2 and 3 can only be pulled apart in the area of ​​the clearance 11A, so that the components 2 and 3 are permanently connected to each other. Reference symbol list

[0024] 1 Coupling element 2 First component of the coupling element 1 2A Connection point of the first component 2 3 Second component of the coupling element 1 3A Connection point of the second component 3 4 O-ring seal 5 Groove 6 Opening in the first component 2 7 Bead of the second component 3 8 Slotted retaining ring 9 Area of ​​the first component 10 Radial play 11A, 11B Axial play

Claims

1. Coupling element (1) with tolerance compensation for flexibly connecting two elements for conducting media, in particular a tube or hose to another tube or hose or an assembly, with a first component (2) for connecting to the first element, and a second component (3) for connecting to the second element, wherein the first component (2) and the second component (3) have an apparatus for captive connection, and the first component (2) and the second component (3) have a common longitudinal direction, and the first component (2) and the second component (3) can be displaced in a translational manner with respect to one another in the direction of the common longitudinal direction, and wherein the first component (2) and the second component (3) can be turned rotationally with respect to one another about the common longitudinal direction, and wherein the first component (2) and the second component (3) can be tilted cardanically with respect to one another perpendicularly with respect to the common longitudinal direction, characterized in that the first component (2) has a region (9) which engages around a single bead (7), running around at least partially radially, of the second component (3), and is spaced apart from the bead (7) with a play (10) in the radial direction and a play (11A, 11B) in the axial direction, wherein the captive connection has a slotted securing ring (8), and the first component (2) has at least one aperture (6) which runs around radially at least partially and corresponds with the securing ring (8), wherein, in a mounted state of the connection, the securing ring (8) engages through the aperture (6) of the first component (2) and comes to lie behind the bead (7) of the second component (3) in such a way that a translational and rotational and cardanic tilting movement of the first component (2) with respect to the second component (3) is possible, but it is prevented that the two components (2, 3) are pulled apart from one another.

2. Coupling element (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the securing ring (8) is designed in such a way that it can be elastically deformed radially outwards and removed from the aperture (6) of the first component (2).

3. Coupling element (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second component (3) has at least one further aperture, through which the correct fit of the securing ring can be observed.