CONNECTORS AND CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR MULTI-CHAMBER PROFILES AND / OR CABLES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of claim 1 and a connector assembly according to claim 10.

[0002] Various connectors for connecting differently dimensioned fluid lines are known from the prior art. In the field of electric vehicles, for example, connectors are required by means of which different fluid lines of a temperature control device of energy storage devices can be coupled to one another. The energy storage devices can be, for example, accumulators or batteries. The present invention relates to such a connector, which can be used in the field of a temperature control device. Connectors and connector assemblies according to the invention can of course also be used in areas other than vehicle construction or electric vehicle construction. In principle, their use is possible in all areas or applications in which differently dimensioned fluid lines are connected to one another and there is an increased cooling requirement with limited installation space.Its use in plant engineering is conceivable, particularly in the chemical, food, or pharmaceutical industries. The invention is particularly suitable for applications where production facilities require cooling and where space is limited or the available installation space is limited. It is also conceivable for use in commercial vehicles with conventional drives, for example, excavators, forestry machinery, and rail vehicles.

[0003] Generic connectors are used to connect conventional pipes with a circular cross-section to flat profiles or to pipes that have a flat, elongated cross-section and in which a plurality of separate, usually parallel pipe ducts form a corresponding flat profile.

[0004] US2017343144 A1 discloses a fluid connection assembly comprising a connector body having an intermediate portion extending between opposite end portions and having a first bore. The connector body has an elongated wall projecting outwardly from the intermediate portion and surrounding a second bore opening into the first bore. A flat tube made of a second material different from the first material and having at least one fluid passage is in fluid communication with the second bore of the connector body.

[0005] There are high demands on the operational reliability of the energy storage devices, the corresponding temperature control device and thus also the connectors installed therein.

[0006] In particular, the safety standards common in the automotive industry must be adhered to. For example, it must be ensured that any leaks within the energy storage unit are prevented. Furthermore, the connectors must be designed to withstand the pressure conditions in commonly used fluids, such as water-glycol mixtures.

[0007] A fundamental problem with such connectors arises from the fact that they must securely connect lines of two completely different geometries, one of which has a completely unusual geometry with a narrow, almost linear cross-section. This narrow cross-section complicates the necessary sealing of the connection. Furthermore, the narrow cross-section, with its corresponding straight planes, makes it difficult to fix the flat tubular line axially to the connector. The flat profile, for example, cannot be secured with a thread.

[0008] Due to the rapid advances in the charging speed of energy storage systems and the performance requirements of corresponding electric vehicles, the demands on the temperature control system of energy storage systems are also increasing. This, in turn, necessitates corresponding improvements in the area of ​​fluid lines and their connectors.

[0009] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide an improved connector by means of which fluid lines of significantly different geometries can be tightly and firmly coupled to one another. Furthermore, the connector should be as simple to manufacture as possible and enable simple, tool-free and / or automatic creation of a corresponding connection. The connector can be used in the field of automotive energy storage devices and generally in any areas in which different fluid lines must be coupled to one another. The connector offers particular advantages in areas with limited installation space and in applications with increased cooling requirements. The main features of the invention are specified in claims 1 and 10. Further embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 9.

[0010] The invention relates to a connector for two fluid lines or for multi-chamber profiles and / or lines of different geometries. The connector is designed to connect these two fluid lines to one another. The connector comprises a housing with a first and a second connection section and with a fluidically connecting fluid channel. The connection sections are designed to be coupled to the fluid lines. The connector further comprises a locking element that can be coupled to the housing and a seal that can be arranged between the housing and the locking element. The locking element and the housing can be arranged relative to one another such that a receiving section for receiving the seal is formed between the housing and the locking element.

[0011] By coupling the housing to the locking element, the seal and / or one of the two fluid lines can be secured, in particular clamped, to the connector. The housing and the locking element can, for example, be positively engaged with one another in such a way that the seal is enclosed between the two housing parts, i.e., between the housing and the locking element, is secured, and / or subjected to tension for sealing and is deformed in the process. When the two housing parts are coupled, one fluid line can be secured at least in one radial direction. In this case, the radial direction is understood to mean a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or the main flow direction of the fluid line.

[0012] It is further provided that the first connection section is designed for connecting a first fluid line with an elongated cross-section and the second connection section is designed for connecting a second fluid line with a further, in particular round, cross-section.

[0013] Furthermore, it is provided that a locking section is provided on the locking element, which is designed to lock the first fluid line and that the locking section comprises at least one recess for inserting a locking element, wherein the locking element is designed to lock the first fluid line in a form-fitting manner on the connector.

[0014] Advantageously, two fluid lines of different geometries can be connected to each other easily and cost-effectively without leakage.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the housing and / or the locking element are manufactured in one piece, in particular by injection molding, die-casting, or additive manufacturing. The housing parts can be made of metal and / or plastic. Using casting processes to manufacture the housing parts makes this particularly cost-effective and suitable for mass production. Additive manufacturing processes include, in particular, all common 3D printing processes.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the housing and the locking element can be locked together. Such a locking mechanism represents a particularly convenient and simple form of connection between the two components. For this purpose, snap connections and corresponding recesses can be provided on the housing part and the locking element, which engage with each other when the two parts are positioned in or against each other.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that a locking section is provided on the housing, which is designed to lock the first fluid line. The locking section can be designed to lock the first fluid line in an axial direction. This advantageously ensures that the fluid line does not inadvertently change from a state coupled to the connector to a state decoupled from the connector, thereby preventing fluid flowing through the connector from inadvertently flowing out of the connector.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the locking section comprises at least one snap connection, wherein the locking element and the snap connection are designed to positively secure the first fluid line to the connector. For this purpose, the fluid line can comprise a recess or passage into which the locking element or the snap connection can be at least partially inserted. In a simple embodiment, the snap connection can be designed integrally with the corresponding housing part. The snap connection can be designed such that when the first fluid line is inserted into the connector, the snap connection engages in the recess or passage of the fluid line. The fluid line is thereby secured in the axial direction.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable for the connector to consist of precisely the three components: housing, locking element, and seal, or for the connector to consist of the three components: housing, locking element, seal, and at least one locking element. The two fluid lines can be in direct contact with all of the aforementioned components when connected to one another. The locking element can be a component separate from the other three components, such as a locking pin, a sheet metal insert, which can be made, in particular, of spring steel, or another locking device.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the external dimensions of the housing and the locking element are identical in their cross-sections. This ensures a uniform exterior of the connector in a state in which the housing and the locking element are coupled to each other. The two housing parts can thus have different longitudinal extensions, but neither of the two housing parts extends significantly further in a radial direction than the other housing part.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the fluid channel is formed, at least in sections, as a flat and planar recess within the housing. A flat recess is understood to be one that extends significantly further in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions than in the third spatial direction. Such a flat fluid channel as a connecting channel between the two distinctly different fluid lines enables the most constant, unimpeded fluid flow possible between the two fluid lines, which can be maintained with correspondingly low flow resistance or low pressure loss.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the first fluid line can be at least partially inserted into the fluid channel, and / or that the housing comprises stiffening ribs on the outside. Due to the planar or flat design of the fluid channel, the likewise flat or flat-tubular first fluid line can be at least partially inserted into the fluid channel, thus ensuring the best possible connection of the first fluid line to the connector.

[0023] The invention further relates to a connector assembly comprising a connector, wherein the connector is coupled to a fluid line configured as a flat channel. Advantageously, the connector assembly can be preassembled if necessary, allowing it to be more easily used in subsequent assembly steps during the assembly of an energy storage device.

[0024] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1A: a perspective view of a connector assembly; Fig. 1B: a perspective longitudinal sectional view of a connector assembly; Fig. 2A: a perspective view of a locking element; Fig. 2B: another perspective view of the locking element; Fig. 3A: another perspective longitudinal sectional view of the connector assembly; Fig. 3B: a side longitudinal sectional view of the connector assembly; Fig. 4: a cross-sectional view of the first fluid line; Fig. 5A: a top view of a locking element in a semi-finished state; Fig. 5B: a perspective view of a locking element in the finished state; Fig. 6: an exploded view of a connector assembly with locking element; and Fig. 7: the functionality of the locking element.

[0025] Figure 1A shows a connector arrangement with a connector 1 for two fluid lines, wherein a first fluid line 11 is shown on the right at the first connection section 21, and a second fluid line (not shown but on the left at the second connection section 22) can be coupled to the connector 1. The second fluid line can be connected via any standard connection, such as an SAE connection. The first connection section 21 can be an area inside a housing 2 of the connector 1.

[0026] The first fluid line 11 can be designed as a very flat, flat tube or flat profile, while the second fluid line can be a fluid line with a conventional circular cross-section. The two fluid lines 11 can thus have significantly different geometries.

[0027] The first fluid line 11 can have a width of up to 120 mm and a height of, for example, only 3 mm. It can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, another metal alloy, or a suitable plastic, for example.

[0028] In the housing 2 with the first and the second connection section 21, 22, a fluid channel 23 is provided which fluidically connects both connection sections 21, 22 and which is shown in the following Figure 1B A locking element 3 is coupled to the housing 2. The locking element 3 can also be referred to as a clamping piece. The housing 2 has stiffening ribs 24, which can be arranged in particular in an area adjacent to the second connection section 22 and further away from the first connection section 21.

[0029] Both the housing 2 and the locking element 3 can be manufactured in one piece, in particular injection-molded or die-cast. As in Figure 1A As indicated, the housing 2 and the locking element 3 can be locked together. For this purpose, five elongated recesses 31 arranged one above the other are shown, into which the snap connection 32 shown in the following figures engage.

[0030] Two holes are shown on the locking element 3 as a locking section 6. A locking element (not shown) can be inserted into these holes or recesses, which also extends through a corresponding recess or hole in the first fluid line 11. In this way, the fluid line 11 can be locked relative to the connector 1.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, at least one snap connection 32 can be provided as the locking section 6, which snap connection is also designed to positively secure the first fluid line 11 to the connector 1. This snap connection 32 can be arranged on an inner side of the housing 2 and / or the locking element 3 and can be oriented towards the first fluid line 11 that can be arranged therein. When the first fluid line 11 is inserted into the housing 2 or into the locking element 3, this snap connection 32 can engage in a corresponding recess or bore in the first fluid line 11 and thus secure this fluid line 11 to the connector 2.

[0032] Figure 1A further shows that the outer dimensions of the housing 2 and the locking element 3 are identical in their cross-sections. Thus, both housing parts 2, 3 extend in Figure 1Ain the vertical direction and in the direction of the plane of the drawing essentially the same distance. In contrast, the housing 2 extends in the axial direction or approximately in the horizontal direction of the Figure 1A significantly further, namely more than 2 or more than 3 times as far as the locking element 3.

[0033] Figure 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of the Figure 1A In addition to the connector arrangement shown in Figure 1A Among the components visible here is a seal 4, which is arranged between the housing 2 and the locking element 3. The seal 4 can be designed as an O-ring that completely surrounds the first fluid line 11, so that no fluid can flow from the fluid lines to the outside of the connector 1.

[0034] The housing 2 and the locking element 3 are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that a receiving section 5 is formed for receiving the seal 4. The seal 4 is held in a chamber which forms the receiving section 5 and which is bounded radially outwardly by the housing 2 and / or the locking element 3, radially inwardly by the first fluid line 11, and in the two axial directions by the housing 2 and the locking element 3.

[0035] A fluid channel 23 is shown within the connector 1, which fluidically connects the two fluid lines. The fluid channel 23 is flat. It can essentially have a triangular basic shape. The fluid channel 23 widens from the first connection section 21 to the second connection section 22, so that in the areas where it communicates with the fluid lines, it essentially has the same width as the fluid lines. This enables the lowest possible loss of flow through the fluid channel 23 and thus through the connector 1.

[0036] It can also be seen that the first fluid line 11 comprises a plurality of, for example, parallel line channels 13, and that between the line channels 13 and the upper and lower edges of the fluid line 11, an edge region 12 without such line channels 13 is provided. In this edge region 12, a passage 14 is shown at the bottom and top, into which locking elements or snap connections 32 can be inserted to secure the fluid line 11 to the connector 1.

[0037] Figure 1B shows that the connector 1 can consist of exactly three components: housing 2, locking element 3, and seal 4. If a locking pin, for example, is used as the locking element instead of a snap connection 32, the connector 1 can consist of exactly four different components, although, of course, more than one locking pin can also be used.

[0038] Figures 2A and 2Bshow different views of the locking element 3. In this embodiment, the locking element 3 has snap connections 32, while the housing 2 must have corresponding recesses 31 or passages into which the snap connections 32 can engage. The exemplary embodiment shows a total of ten snap connections 32, with five snap connections 32 arranged opposite one another. It can also be seen that the locking element 3 comprises passages or bores as locking sections 6. However, an embodiment is also conceivable in which, alternatively or additionally, corresponding snap connections 32 and / or locking sections 6 are provided on the housing 2. If the snap connections are additionally or alternatively provided on the housing 2, corresponding recesses 31 must of course be present on the locking element 3 in order to enable locking.

[0039] Figure 2Bshows ribs 33 arranged inside the locking element 3, which are designed to contact the first fluid line 11 and secure it within the locking housing 3. One rib 33 and one snap connection 32 can be arranged alternately. The ribs 33 can be arranged along a long side and a wide side of the locking element 3. In particular, two ribs 33' can be arranged in a plane of symmetry of the locking element 3. These two ribs 33' can laterally contact or secure the fluid line 11.

[0040] Figures 3A and 3B show two sectional views of the connector assembly, showing details regarding the position of the first fluid line 11 and the coupling of the housing 2 to the locking element 3. Thus, the first fluid line 11 is partially inserted into the fluid channel 23, thereby achieving a better coupling of the fluid line 11 to the connector 1.

[0041] Furthermore, two snap connections 32 of the locking element 3 are shown in a locked state. The snap connections 32 extend into corresponding recesses 31 of the housing 2 and thus secure the locking element 3 to the housing 2. The locking element 3 is further secured to the housing 2 by an edge portion 34 of the locking element 3, which rests on a circumferential edge region of the housing 2 and forms a stop. The edge portion 34 and the snap connections 32 together secure the locking element 3 to the housing 2 in both axial directions.

[0042] How further from the Figures 3A and 3BAs can be seen, both the housing 2 and the locking element 3 can be designed symmetrically with respect to the plane in which the first fluid line 11 extends. Furthermore, it can be seen that the receiving section 5 extends approximately the same distance in the axial direction as the locking element 3. In particular, it is conceivable that the axial extent of the receiving section 5 corresponds to at least 50% of the axial extent of the locking element 3.

[0043] Figure 4Finally, it shows a cross-sectional view of the first fluid line 11. It can be seen that a plurality of longitudinal partition walls are provided within the fluid line 11, which separate a corresponding plurality of line channels 13 from one another within the fluid line 11. The line channels 13 do not extend over the entire width of the fluid line 11, but there is an edge region 12 to the left and right of the line channels 13, in which no line channels 13 are provided. This edge region 12 can extend up to half the width of the fluid line 11. The width of the fluid line 11 is defined as its horizontal extent in Figure 4 To understand the axial direction as the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0044] Figure 5Ashows a locking element 60 in a semi-finished state and, for comparison, a locking element 3. The locking element 60 can be a metal clamping piece made from a circuit board or a metal sheet. The locking element 60 can be cut out of a metal sheet, for example, using a laser cutter.

[0045] The locking element can comprise a circumferential section 61 consisting of two parallel and / or straight longitudinal sections 62 and two curved sections 63 connecting the longitudinal sections 62. These sections form a continuous circumferential section 61 through which the first fluid line 11 can pass in the completed state of the circumferential section 60. The completed state of the circumferential section 60 is shown in Figure 5B. The length of a longitudinal section 62 corresponds approximately to the width of the first fluid line 11.

[0046] Bending sections 64 are provided along the longitudinal sections 62 of the circumferential section 61. A total of six bending sections 64 can be provided on the outer edge of the circumferential section 61, two of which are arranged opposite each other. Bending sections 64 can also be provided on the inner edge of the circumferential section 61. The inner bending sections 64 can each be arranged offset from each other. The inner bending sections 64 can be shorter than the outer bending sections 64. In the Figure 5A In the semi-finished state of the locking element 60 shown, both the circumferential section and the bent sections 64 can be arranged in one plane. The bent sections 64 of the locking element 60 can be arranged along the longitudinal sections 62 such that the bent sections 64 are at least partially located between ribs of the locking element 3 in the assembled state of the connector 1.

[0047] Figure 5B shows the locking element 60 in a finished state, in which all bending sections 64 are bent in one direction by approximately 80°-90°. In this state, the locking element 60 can be coupled to the other components of the connector 1, wherein the first fluid line 11 can be guided through the passage of the circumferential section 61 defined by the circumferential section 61.

[0048] Figure 6shows an exploded view of a connector assembly with a locking element 60, which is arranged between the housing 2 and the locking element 3. For assembly of the connector assembly, the first fluid line 11 is pushed into the locking element 60, which is located within the further structure of the connector. In the fully assembled state of the connector assembly, the bent sections 64 of the locking element 60 can be located at least partially within the housing 2. In the fully assembled state, the circumferential section 61 of the locking element 60 lies between the contact surfaces of the housing 2 and the locking element 3 and is thereby secured.

[0049] Figure 7shows the functionality of the locking element 60. For clarity, the housing 2 and the locking element 3 are not shown. Due to the one-sided shape of the geometry or the bent sections 64 of the locking element 60, a geometry resembling barbs is created. These barbs prevent the aluminum profile or the first fluid line 11 from being accidentally pulled out in the opposite direction to the assembly direction (upper arrow). However, the fluid line 11 can still be assembled by simply inserting it into the connector 1 (lower arrow). List of reference symbols

[0050] 1Connector 2Housing 3Locking element 4Seal 5Receiving section 6Locking section 11First fluid line 12Edge area 13Line channel 14Feedthrough 21First connection section 22Second connection section 23Fluid channel 24Stiffening rib 31Recess 32Snap connection 33, 33'Rib 34Edge section 60Locking element 61Circular section 62Longitudinal section 63Curved section 64Bent section

Claims

1. Connector (1) for two fluid lines of different geometries, having a housing (2), which comprises a first and a second connection section (21, 22) and a fluid channel (23) which fluidically connects both connection sections (21, 22), a locking element (3), which is couplable to the housing (2), and a seal (4), which is arrangeable between the housing (2) and the locking element (3), wherein the locking element (3) and the housing (2) are arrangeable with respect to one another in relation to the fluid channel (23) in such a way that a receiving section (5) for receiving the seal (4) is formed between the housing (2) and the locking element (3), characterized in that the first connection section (21) is configured for connection of a first fluid line (11) with an elongate cross section, and the second connection section (22) is configured for connection of exactly one second fluid line with another, in particular circular, cross section, wherein provision is made of a fixing element (60) and, at the locking element (3), a fixing section (6), which are configured for fixing of the first fluid line (11), wherein the fixing element (60) is introducible into at least one cutout of the fixing section (6) and one cutout or lead-through of the first fluid line (11), and wherein the fixing element (60) is configured for form-fitting fixing of the first fluid line (11) to the connector (1).

2. Connector (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) and / or the locking element (3) are / is manufactured as a single piece, in particular injection-moulded or die-casted or additively manufactured.

3. Connector (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (2) and the locking element (3) are able to be latched to one another.

4. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fixing section (6) is provided at the housing (2) and is configured for fixing of the first fluid line (11).

5. Connector (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the fixing section (6) comprises at least one snap-fit connection, wherein the snap-fit connection is configured for form-fitting fixing of the first fluid line (11) to the connector (1).

6. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (1) consists of the exactly three components housing (2), locking element (3) and seal (4), or in that the connector consists of the three components housing (2), locking element (3), seal (4), and at least one fixing element (60) .

7. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer dimensions of the housing (2) and the locking element (3), in terms of their cross sections, are similar to one another.

8. Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid channel (23) is at least sectionally in the form of a flat and planar cutout within the housing (2).

9. Connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first fluid line (11) is able to be introduced at least partially into the fluid channel (23), and / or in that the housing (2) comprises stiffening ribs (24) at the outside.

10. Connector arrangement having a connector (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connector (1) is coupled to a first fluid line (11) which is in the form of a flat channel.