PLUG AND USE OF THE PLUG

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug-in piece comprising a sleeve-shaped carrier part made of a tough material, which has a first sealing bead on a first end face and a second sealing bead on a second end face in the axial direction, wherein the first sealing bead and the second sealing bead are formed from rubber-elastic material.

[0002] Plug-in connectors are used to connect media-carrying units, for example, components of the cooling system of an internal combustion engine or the battery cooling system of accumulators. Such a plug-in connector is known, for example, from EP 1 024 322 B1.

[0003] The previously known plug-in piece comprises a sleeve-shaped support part, which is coated on its outer circumference with a rubber-elastic material. Sealing beads extending radially outward are arranged on both end faces of the support part. To connect the media-carrying units, the plug-in piece is inserted into openings provided in adjacent units to be connected. The sealing beads form a sealing contact with the inner wall of the units to be connected.

[0004] Depending on the design of the sealing beads, it is possible to achieve a sealed connection even between units whose openings have an axial offset. However, the bridgeable axial offset is limited due to the limited maximum radial extension of the sealing beads.

[0005] US Patent 2015 / 192206 A1 discloses a seal for sealing between a first and a second element, comprising a first and a second annular insert, wherein the first and second annular inserts are axially spaced apart. The first and second annular inserts are partially surrounded by an elastomer body.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a plug-in piece which has an improved seal in the case of a larger axial offset of the openings of the assemblies to be connected.

[0007] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The subclaims refer to advantageous embodiments.

[0008] The plug-in piece according to the invention comprises a sleeve-shaped carrier part made of a tough material, which has a first sealing bead on a first end face in the axial direction and a second sealing bead on a second end face, wherein the first sealing bead and the second sealing bead are formed from a rubber-elastic material, wherein the carrier part is formed in two parts and comprises a first partial carrier part and a second partial carrier part, which are each sleeve-shaped and arranged adjacent to one another at an axial distance, wherein the first partial carrier part is connected to the first sealing bead and the second partial carrier part is connected to the second sealing bead and wherein a rubber-elastic intermediate piece is arranged in the gap formed by the axial distance between the first partial carrier part and the second partial carrier part, which elastically and flexibly connects the two partial carrier parts to one another.

[0009] Because the support element comprises two adjacent sub-supports arranged at an axial distance from each other, the connector as a whole is flexible and compliant, allowing the two sub-supports to shift relative to each other in both axial and radial directions, and also enabling tilting relative to each other. This allows the connector to join assemblies whose openings have a significant axial or angular offset from each other.

[0010] The first and second sub-support sections can be designed as identical parts. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacturing of the sub-support sections and the connector. On the one hand, the costs for providing tooling for manufacturing the sub-support sections are reduced. Furthermore, the risk of assembly errors is minimized, since the two sub-support sections are identical.

[0011] Sub-support parts designed in this way are particularly easy and cost-effective to produce using injection molding. The sub-support parts are preferably made of a tough, hard plastic such as polyamide. Alternatively, the sub-support parts can also be made of metallic material.

[0012] The first sub-support part and the second sub-support part can be designed symmetrically with respect to an imaginary radial plane in the axial direction centered on the respective sub-support part. In this design, the two sub-support parts are designed symmetrically with respect to the central radial plane and are therefore mirror-symmetrical. This design simplifies the manufacture of the plug-in piece, as it is not necessary to arrange the sub-support parts in a predetermined orientation in the tool for producing the plug-in piece. A further advantage is the higher mechanical load-bearing capacity of the sub-support parts in the radial direction.

[0013] According to the invention, the first sub-support part and the second sub-support part each have a radially outwardly extending collar with a radial height on their axially facing end faces. Compared to a cylindrically shaped sub-support part, the radially outwardly extending collar provides a large connection surface for the rubber-elastic intermediate piece. This results in good performance characteristics over a long service life.

[0014] The first sub-support part and the second sub-support part can each have a circumferentially extending, groove-shaped recess on their axially opposite end faces, which is filled with the material of the corresponding sealing beads and enclosed by the respective sealing beads. This allows the sealing beads to be arranged in a form-fitting manner in the sub-support parts, resulting in a particularly high mechanical load-bearing capacity of the plug-in piece.

[0015] The first sealing bead and the second sealing bead can be formed integrally, merging into one another, and made of the same material. With this design, the first sealing bead and the second sealing bead can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively in one go.

[0016] The first sealing bead and / or the second sealing bead and the intermediate piece can merge into one another in one piece and be made of the same material. In this configuration, both the sealing beads and the intermediate piece can be manufactured in one go. This is preferably done using an injection molding process.

[0017] The sub-support parts and the intermediate piece can be jointly covered by a protective layer on the inner circumference, without a weld line. The protective layer forms a barrier and prevents aggressive media flowing through the plug-in piece from attacking the sub-support parts. Furthermore, the protective layer ensures a secure seal for the media passing through the plug-in piece. The protective layer preferably extends over the entire axial length of the plug-in piece on the inner circumference and forms the inner wall of the plug-in piece.

[0018] The protective layer, the first sealing bead, the second sealing bead, and the intermediate piece can be formed as a single piece, merging into one another, and made of the same material. This enables particularly cost-effective production of the plug-in piece. The fact that the two sealing beads, the intermediate piece, and the protective layer are made of one piece results in a highly sealed plug-in piece. Furthermore, the partial carrier pieces are mechanically securely embedded in the material of the protective layer, sealing beads, and intermediate piece.

[0019] According to the invention, the intermediate piece completely covers the respective collar of the sub-carrier parts in the radial direction and comprises a substantially U-shaped constriction that is open radially outwards. This design results in a high elasticity of the plug-in piece in the region of the intermediate piece, which enables a particularly large axial offset of the two units to be connected, into which the plug-in piece is inserted. Furthermore, the constriction also enables compensation with regard to a variable axial distance between the two units to be connected. In the region of the constriction, the plug-in piece can be compressed in such a way that the distance between the two end faces and the two sealing beads is reduced.

[0020] According to the invention, a support ring is arranged in the constriction. If media are transported through the plug-in piece under high pressure, the plug-in piece can deform and bulge outward in the area of ​​the intermediate piece due to the relatively thin wall thickness. If the internal pressure is too high, the plug-in piece can be damaged in this area. In this case, a support ring can be provided on the outer circumference, which is arranged in the U-shaped constriction. The support ring counteracts the internal pressure and prevents excessive deformation of the plug-in piece in the area of ​​the intermediate piece.

[0021] In this context, it is advantageous if the support ring, with respect to the intermediate piece, is preferably manufactured separately and arranged unbound in the constriction. A suitable support ring can be selected depending on the internal pressure that occurs. According to an advantageous embodiment, the support ring can, for example, be a separately formed O-ring made of a rubber-elastic material, which is optionally inserted into the constriction. Alternatively, plastic rings, coiled springs, or the like can also be arranged in the constriction.

[0022] The constriction can have a radial depth corresponding to the radial height of the adjacent axial collar. Such a constriction allows for particularly high elasticity of the connector and the compensation of a particularly large axial misalignment while maintaining sufficient mechanical stability.

[0023] The plug-in piece according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a media guide for a battery cooling system in an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle. In electrically powered motor vehicles, it is usually necessary to cool the accumulators required for the electric drive, as these can heat up both during operation and during the charging process. For this purpose, the accumulators are provided with a cooling device comprising units and media lines through which a coolant flows. The plug-in piece according to the invention can be advantageously used for the simple and rapid connection of adjacent units. The plug-in piece enables rapid assembly of the adjacent units, whereby a large axial offset of the units to be connected is permissible due to the advantageous design of the plug-in piece.

[0024] An embodiment of the plug-in piece according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show, schematically: Fig. 1 a plug piece in cross-section; Fig. 2 the plug piece mounted in a cooling unit in cross-section; Fig. 3 the plug according to Figure 1 with support ring according to the invention in a spatial representation.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a plug-in piece 27 comprising a sleeve-shaped support part 1 made of a tough, hard material. The support part 1 has, in the axial direction 2, a first sealing bead 3 on a first end face 28 and a second sealing bead 4 on a second end face 29. The first sealing bead 3 and the second sealing bead 4 are made of a rubber-elastic material.

[0026] The support part 1 is formed in two parts and comprises a first sub-support part 5 and a second sub-support part 6, each of which is sleeve-shaped and arranged coaxially adjacent to one another with an axial spacing. In the present embodiment, the first sub-support part 5 and the second sub-support part 6 are made of an injection-moldable plastic, in this case polyamide (PA).

[0027] The first support section 5 is connected to the first sealing bead 3, and the second support section 6 is connected to the second sealing bead 4. A rubber-elastic intermediate piece 8 is arranged in the gap 7 formed by the axial distance between the first support section 5 and the second support section 6, which elastically and flexibly connects the two support sections 5 and 6.

[0028] The first sub-support part 5 and the second sub-support part 6 are designed as identical parts, with the first sub-support part 5 and the second sub-support part 6 being designed symmetrically to an imaginary radial plane 9 in the axial direction 2 centered on the respective sub-support part 5, 6. In this respect, the first sub-support part 5 and the second sub-support part 6 are identical and each designed mirror-symmetrically.

[0029] The first sub-support part 5 and the second sub-support part 6 each have, on their axially facing end faces 10, 11, a collar 13, 14 extending outward in the radial direction 12 and having a radial height 15, 16. Furthermore, the first sub-support part 5 and the second sub-support part 6 each have, on their axially remote end faces, a groove-shaped recess 20, 21 extending circumferentially in the circumferential direction 19, which is filled by the material of the corresponding sealing beads 3, 4 and enclosed by the respective sealing bead 3, 4.

[0030] The sub-support parts 5, 6 and the intermediate piece 8 are jointly covered on the inner circumference by a protective layer 22 without a weld line. The protective layer 22 extends on the inner circumference over the entire axial length 23 of the plug-in piece 27 and forms the inner wall of the plug-in piece 27.

[0031] The protective layer 22, the first sealing bead 3, the second sealing bead 4 and the intermediate piece 8 are integrally formed and made of the same material.

[0032] The intermediate piece 8 completely covers the respective collar 13, 14 of the sub-carrier parts 5, 6 in the radial direction and comprises a substantially U-shaped constriction 24 that is open radially outward. The constriction 24 has a radial depth 26 that corresponds to the radial height 15, 16 of the respective axially adjacent collar 13, 14.

[0033] Figure 2 shows the plug-in piece 27 according to Figure 1mounted in an arrangement. The plug-in piece 27 according to the present embodiment serves, in the present exemplary embodiment, to connect two adjacent assemblies 30, 31 of a media guide for a battery cooling system of an electrically powered vehicle. The assemblies 30, 31 to be connected to one another have openings 32 into which the plug-in piece 27 is inserted. The sealing beads 3, 4 of the plug-in piece 27 each bear sealingly against an inner wall of the openings 32 with radial preload. Due to the inventive design of the plug-in piece 27, it is possible for the openings 32 of the assemblies to be connected to one another to have a larger axial offset and to be sealingly connected to the plug-in piece 27, wherein the plug-in piece 27 functions as a media line. Furthermore, the assemblies 30, 31 are variable in terms of their axial spacing due to the flexibility of the constriction 24.

[0034] Figure 3shows a further development of the Figure 1 shown plug-in piece 27. The plug-in piece 27 according to Figure 3 is equipped with a support ring 25, which is arranged in the constriction 24. In the present embodiment, the support ring 25 is manufactured separately from the intermediate piece 8 and is arranged unbound in the constriction 24. In this embodiment, the support ring 25 is designed as an O-ring. In alternative embodiments, the support ring 25 can be designed as a plastic ring made of tough plastic or as a coiled ring spring.

Claims

1. Plug-in piece (27) comprising a sleeve-shaped support part (1) which is made of a tough material and has in the axial direction (2) a first sealing bead (3) on a first end face (28) and a second sealing bead (4) on a second end face (29), wherein the first sealing bead (3) and the second sealing bead (4) are formed from a rubber-elastic material, characterized in that the support part (1) is formed in two parts and comprises a first sub-support part (5) and a second sub-support part (6), each being sleeve-shaped and disposed so as to be mutually adjacent and axially spaced apart, in that the first sub-support part (5) is connected to the first sealing bead (3) and the second sub-support part (6) is connected to the second sealing bead (4) and in that a rubber-elastic intermediate piece (8) which connects the two sub-support parts (5, 6) to one another in an elastically resilient manner is disposed in the gap (7) formed by the axial spacing of the first sub-support part (5) and the second sub-support part (6), wherein the first sub-support part (5) and the second sub-support part (6) each have on their axially facing end faces (10, 11) a collar (13, 14) which extends outwards in the radial direction (12) and has a radial height (15, 16), wherein the intermediate piece (8) completely covers the respective collar (13, 14) of the sub-support parts (5, 6) in the radial direction (12) and comprises a substantially U-shaped constriction (24) which is open radially towards the outside, wherein a support ring (25) is disposed in the constriction (24).

2. Plug-in piece according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first sub-support part (5) and the second support part (6) are formed as identical parts.

3. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first sub-support part (5) and the second sub-support part (6) are formed in the centre of the respective sub-support part (5, 6) so to be symmetrical in relation to an imaginary radial plane (9) in the axial direction (2).

4. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first sealing bead (3) and the second sealing bead (4) are formed in one piece so as to transition into one another and are materially integral.

5. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first sealing bead (3) and / or the second sealing bead (4) and the intermediate piece (8) are formed in one piece so as to transition into one another and are materially integral.

6. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sub-support parts (4, 5) and the intermediate piece (8) are covered on the internal circumference conjointly and without weld lines by a protective layer (22).

7. Plug-in piece according to Claim 6, characterized in that the protective layer (22) extends on the internal circumference over the entire axial length (23) of the plug-in piece (27) and forms the internal wall of the plug-in piece (27).

8. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the protective layer (22), the first sealing bead (3), the second sealing bead (4) and the intermediate piece (8) are formed in one piece so as to transition into one another and are materially integral.

9. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the support ring (25) in terms of the intermediate piece (8) is produced separately and disposed freely in the constriction (24).

10. Plug-in piece according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the constriction (24) has a radial depth (26) that corresponds to the radial height (15, 16) of the respectively axially adjacent collar (13, 14).

11. Use of a plug-in piece (27) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 in a media routing of a battery cooling unit of an at least partially electrically powered motor vehicle.