FLUID CONNECTION UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid connection unit which is designed to connect a fluid line not belonging to the fluid connection unit to another fluid line which also does not belong to the fluid connection unit.

[0002] Fluid connection units are known which are designed to connect one fluid line to another fluid line. However, the known fluid connection units have the problem that a sealing unit arranged on such a fluid connection unit, such as an O-ring, can be pushed out of its seat when the fluid connection unit is connected to the fluid line, whereby sufficient sealing against an outside cannot be achieved. There are also fluid connection units which attempt to solve this problem by protective elements for the O-ring, but this merely shifts the problem from the fluid line to the protective element, which can push or pull the sealing element out of its seat when the fluid connection unit is connected to the fluid line.

[0003] Document DE 10 2014 115092 A1, which is considered the closest prior art, discloses a fluid connection unit comprising a protective element onto which a fluid line to be connected can be pushed to prevent damage to a sealing element. Reference is also made to document DE 10 2017 215675 A1.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a fluid connection unit which enables a fluid connection unit to be connected to a fluid line while at the same time ensuring that a sealing unit remains functional.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a fluid connection unit according to claim 1.

[0006] For the purposes of this description, the directions referred to as "radial" and "axial" are intended to refer relative to an axis defined by the longitudinal direction of a fluid flow channel formed inside the nozzle section. The "nominal outer diameter of the nozzle section" refers here to that part of the nozzle section that is designed to be inserted into a fluid line. Any support ribs, recesses, or bevels may be considered non-nominal diameters.

[0007] Because the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion of the protective element can be free of radially inwardly directed projections and the fluid line can be pushed onto an outer circumference of the cylindrical portion of the protective element, the sealing element can be reliably protected against being displaced by the fluid line or the protective element in such a way that it can no longer correctly perform its function when the fluid connection unit and the fluid line are connected.

[0008] In particular, the additional fluid line does not have to be designed as a tubular fluid line, but can be, for example, a hose connectable to the fluid connection unit or another fluid-conducting device. Therefore, a thread, a sawtooth profile, a T-piece, or the like can be arranged at the end of the fluid connection unit to which the additional fluid line is to be connected. Alternatively, the fluid connection unit can be designed substantially symmetrically to allow for the attachment of a tubular fluid line to both ends.

[0009] The at least one sealing element can be arranged in a groove of the connecting piece section, the groove base of which has a smaller diameter than the nominal outer diameter of the connecting piece section. Furthermore, the groove can be wider than the sealing element to be accommodated, viewed in the axial direction of the connecting piece section, in particular wider than 1.5 to 2 times the sealing element, whereby the groove can accommodate the sealing element even in a compressed state.

[0010] Of course, it is conceivable for multiple sealing elements to be arranged on the nozzle section. In this case, the axial length of the cylindrical section of the protective element can be adjusted accordingly to radially overlap all sealing elements in the initial position. Alternatively, the protective element can also contact or compress the other sealing elements only when the fluid line is pushed onto the protective element.

[0011] Advantageously, the calibration section can be formed separately or separably from the nozzle section and the protective element. Thus, the calibration section and the protective element can be formed integrally, for example, using an injection molding process, and configured such that the protective element can be separated from the calibration section upon sliding the fluid line onto the protective element.

[0012] The calibration section can have at least one recess on an outwardly facing surface. Such recesses can be designed, in particular, to reduce a friction surface and thus a resistance to relative displacement between the calibration section and the fluid line. For example, the recesses can be substantially rectangular. The recesses can be arranged so as to be distributed substantially uniformly over a circumference of the calibration section.

[0013] The protective element can comprise a section which, in the initial position, is overlaid on a radially inner side and / or on a radially outer side thereof by a section of the calibration section. Overlaying the calibration section on a radially outer side of the protective element can prevent an end of the fluid line from coming into direct contact with a longitudinal end of the cylindrical section of the protective element when pushed onto the cylindrical section of the protective element, and potentially displacing the protective element as a result. This can be particularly conceivable with non-circular cross-sections of one end of the fluid line.

[0014] In a further development of the present invention, the protective element can be coupled to the calibration section in an initial position. Release of the protective element can be achieved, for example, by exceeding a predetermined force when pushing on the fluid line.

[0015] In particular, the calibration section can be engaged with the nozzle section, wherein in particular one of the calibration section and the nozzle section can have a projection and the other a recess matching thereto.

[0016] The projection and / or recess can be completely circumferential in the circumferential direction of the nozzle section or the calibration section. This can enable a simple design of the locking device.

[0017] Furthermore, the protective element can comprise a stop portion configured to contact a free end of the fluid line, so that the protective element is displaced together with the fluid line when the fluid line is pushed further onto the connecting piece portion after contacting the stop portion. The stop portion can be configured, for example, as a collar projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion of the protective element or as a slope extending obliquely radially outward.

[0018] The fluid connection unit may further comprise a sleeve and / or a mounting sleeve that at least partially surrounds the nozzle portion radially outward. In particular, the sleeve may be made of metal and / or the mounting sleeve may be made of plastic.

[0019] In this case, the sleeve and / or the attachment sleeve can comprise at least one opening extending radially through the wall of the sleeve or the attachment sleeve, respectively. The opening in the sleeve or the attachment sleeve is arranged such that it is detectable from the outside when the protective element has reached its final position on the connecting piece. Thus, a correct connection of the fluid line to the fluid connection unit can be detected.

[0020] At least that portion of the protective element which is recognizable in its final position through the opening in the sleeve or the attachment sleeve can have a predetermined color which is different from a color of a portion of the fluid connection unit which is recognizable through the opening in the sleeve or the attachment sleeve in an initial position of the protective element. This means that in the initial position of the protective element, in particular until the fluid line is completely pushed on and correctly connected to the fluid connection unit and the protective element has reached its final position, this portion of the protective element is

[0021] Breakthrough in the sleeve or mounting sleeve not visible.

[0022] In particular, the protective element can be configured to compress the at least one sealing element radially inward. The sealing element can be compressed such that it is substantially flush with the nominal outer diameter of the nozzle section.

[0023] Furthermore, the nozzle section can have a region with a reduced outer diameter, which, viewed in a displacement direction of the protective element from the initial position at the calibration section toward the final position of the protective element, is located downstream of the at least one sealing element. This can reduce friction between the protective element and the nozzle section and facilitate displacement of the protective element.

[0024] Advantageously, the inner diameter of the protective element can increase at at least one axial end thereof. This allows an insertion bevel to be formed for sliding the protective element onto the sealing element without damaging the sealing element or pushing the sealing element out of its groove.

[0025] The protective element can have a locking device configured to hold the protective element in the end position. The protective element can lock with a corresponding counter-locking device arranged on another component of the fluid connection unit, for example, a mounting sleeve.

[0026] The fluid connection unit can further comprise a clamping sleeve having a plurality of barbs configured to engage with the fluid line to prevent or impede withdrawal of the fluid line from the fluid connection unit counter to the insertion direction. The clamping sleeve can comprise a base ring. Projections can extend in the axial direction from both sides of the base ring. The barbs can each project radially inward from these projections, which can in particular be designed as resilient projections. If two projections extending in opposite directions relative to the base ring of the clamping sleeve are arranged at substantially the same location on the circumference of the base ring, i.e., if two projections are opposite one another in an axial direction relative to the base ring, a type of rocker mechanism can be formed.The rocker mechanism can enable an initially easy connection of the clamping sleeve and fluid line, since as long as only one of the opposing projections is pushed radially outward by the fluid line, the other projection can deflect radially inward. Conversely, if all barbs of the clamping sleeve are engaged with the fluid line, the rocker mechanism can enable a radially outward movement of a barb or a projection, for example, due to a pull-out movement of the fluid line from the fluid connection unit, to increase the engagement force of the other projection with the fluid line.

[0027] All of the above-mentioned components can be made of plastic, wherein the plastic can comprise, for example, thermoplastic polysulfone (e.g., PPSU and / or PSU). The plastic material can be glass fiber reinforced and / or carbon fiber reinforced. In particular, a base body on which the nozzle section is formed can comprise PPSU in order to improve its temperature stability with respect to hot fluids. Advantageously, the protective element can be made of a glass fiber reinforced and / or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. This can improve resistance to loads, in particular stresses, which are applied, for example, by an elastic spring force of the sealing element in its compressed state. However, the sleeve, in particular, can be made of metal, for example, steel or aluminum.This can improve the stability of the sleeve against the force of the clamping sleeve.

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments. It shows: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the fluid connection unit according to the invention according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a base body of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a protective element of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a calibration section of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 6 shows a further side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment in an assembled state; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a clamping sleeve of the fluid connection unit;Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a mounting sleeve of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a sleeve of the fluid connection unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a base body of a fluid connection unit according to the invention according to a second embodiment; Figure 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 13 shows an enlarged detail of the view from Figure 11. Figure 12 ; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a protective element according to the second embodiment; and Figure 15 is a perspective view of a sleeve and an attachment sleeve of the fluid connection unit according to a second embodiment.

[0029] In Figure 1 a fluid connection unit according to the invention according to a first embodiment is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. As in Figure 1As can be seen, the fluid connection unit 10 is constructed symmetrically redundant. This is because the Figure 1 The fluid connection unit 10 shown is configured to connect a first (not shown) fluid line, which is designed, for example, as a pipe, to a second (not shown) fluid line, which is also designed, for example, as a pipe. Alternatively, the fluid connection unit according to the invention could also be designed as a connection unit on a panel, so that the fluid connection unit only needs to have one of the two redundant symmetrical halves. For this reason, only one half of the fluid connection unit 10 will be discussed below, although this can also be applied to the other half of the fluid connection unit 10.

[0030] As in Figure 1As can be seen, the fluid connection unit 10 comprises a base body 12 with a nozzle section 14, an attachment sleeve 16, a sealing element 18, which is designed here as an O-ring, a clamping sleeve 20, a protective element 22, a sleeve 24 and a calibration section 26.

[0031] In Figure 2 the nozzle section 14 is shown separately. The nozzle section 14 has a nominal outer diameter 28. Furthermore, the nozzle section 14 has a groove 30 in which the sealing element 18 is arranged (see Figure 5 ). Furthermore, the nozzle portion 14 has a reduced outer diameter region 32 disposed between two portions of the nominal outer diameter 28, which is configured to reduce friction between the nozzle portion 14 and the protective element 22.

[0032] At the free end (in Figure 2shown on the right) of the nozzle section 14, a recess 34 is arranged, which is designed to engage with a projection 36 (see Figure 5 ) of the calibration section 26 to secure the calibration section 26 to the nozzle section 14.

[0033] The Figure 3 The protective element 22 shown has a cylindrical section 38 which is in the Figure 3 illustrated embodiment has a substantially constant wall thickness. At one axial end of the cylindrical section 38, webs 40 are connected to it, which extend radially outwards (in Figure 3 extend obliquely radially outward) to an indicator section 42 of the protective element 22. The indicator section 42, whose function will be described further below, here comprises three cylindrical sections, each of which is arranged along a section of a common circumference with the same outer diameter.

[0034] In Figure 4 The calibration section 26 is shown separately. The calibration section 26 has an outer surface 44 which has a Figure 4 shown on the left, has a decreasing outer diameter. On the outer surface 44 of the calibration section 26, rectangular recesses 46 are arranged, which are designed to form a contact surface between the outer surface 44 and an inner wall of a fluid line 48 (see Figure 5 ) and thereby reduce the frictional force that has to be overcome.

[0035] In Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention, wherein Figure 5In the left half of the fluid connection unit 10, a fluid line 48 is just beginning to be inserted into the fluid connection unit 10, wherein in addition a free end of the fluid line 48, which is to be connected to the fluid connection unit 10, has been cut off obliquely relative to a central axis X of the fluid connection unit 10. In the right half of the Figure 5 In the fluid connection unit 10 shown, the fluid line 48 is already completely connected to the fluid connection unit 10. Thus, by the representation of the Figure 5 The functioning of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention will be explained in more detail, whereby it can be assumed that the left and right halves of the Figure 5 show different assembly stages of a same half of the fluid connection unit 10.

[0036] As in the left half of the Figure 5As shown, the calibration section 26 is connected in an engaged manner to the free end of the nozzle section 14 of the base body 12. The protective element 22, in its initial position, is in turn engaged with the calibration section 26. In this case, the sealing element 18 is compressed radially inward by the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22. The cylindrical section 38 rests here on the sections of the nozzle section 14 with the nominal outer diameter 28. Also connected to the base body 12 is the attachment sleeve 16, to which the sleeve 24 is in turn locked. Also arranged within the attachment sleeve 16 and the sleeve 24 is the clamping sleeve 20, which serves to prevent the fluid line 48 from being pulled out via barbs 50 (see also the separate illustration of the clamping sleeve 20 according to Figure 8 ).

[0037] If the fluid line 48 is now, as in the right half of the Figure 5shown, is fully inserted into the fluid connection unit 10, the protective element 22 is displaced together with the fluid line 48. In the end position of the protective element 22, a locking device 52 of the protective element 22 engages with a corresponding counter-locking device 54 of the attachment sleeve 16, so that a backward movement of the protective element 22, that is to say in the Figure 5 shown right half, a movement of the protective element 22 to the right can be prevented. In this end position, the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22 is displaced such that the sealing element 18 has come out of contact with the protective element 22 and bears against an inner wall of the fluid line 48 in order to ensure a fluidic seal of an inner fluid flow channel 56 of the fluid connection unit 10 or the fluid line 48 with respect to an outside.

[0038] In Figure 6the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention is shown in a further side cross-sectional view analogous to Figure 5 shown, with the fluid line 48 omitted. The section plane of the Figure 6 shown section is relative to that of the one in Figure 5 shown section is rotated around the X axis in such a way that the cutting plane of the section of the Figure 6 through one of a plurality of openings 58 (see Figure 9 ) of the mounting sleeve 16. Thus, with reference to Figure 6 the function of the display section 42 of the protective element 22 will be explained.

[0039] As shown in the assembled representation of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention according to Figure 7 As can be seen, the sleeve 24 is connected to the housing 22 by means of an interaction of openings 60 arranged on the sleeve 24 (see also Figure 10 ) and associated locking projections 62 of the mounting sleeve 16 (see also Figure 9) is locked to the mounting sleeve 16. In this state, the openings 58 of the mounting sleeve 16 are limited on one side by the sleeve 24.

[0040] With reference now to Figure 6 , the protective element 22 and the associated display section 42 are located in the left half of the Figure 6 , in the initial position, so that the clamping sleeve 20 can be seen through the openings 58. The clamping sleeve 20, or at least the portion of the clamping sleeve 20 visible through the openings 58, can be made of a red plastic material, for example, to clarify that the protective element 22 has not yet reached its final position.

[0041] Once the protective element 22 has reached its final position, as shown in the right half of the Figure 6As shown, the section of the clamping sleeve 20 visible through the openings 58 is superimposed radially outwardly by the display section 42 of the protective element 22, i.e., only the display section 42 of the protective element 22 can now be seen through the openings 58. In particular, the display section 42 or the entire protective element 22 can be formed from a plastic material that has a different color than the clamping sleeve 20. In particular, the display section 42 or the protective element 22 can be green to clarify a correct connection of the fluid line 48 to the fluid connection unit 10.

[0042] In the separate illustration of the clamping sleeve 20 according to Figure 8It can also be seen that the clamping sleeve 20 has resilient arms 64 which, in the assembled state of the fluid connection unit 10, are supported against the base body 12 and / or against the attachment sleeve 16 and thus urge the clamping sleeve 20 in a direction opposite to a direction of insertion of the fluid line 48 into the fluid connection unit 10. This ensures that the barbs 50 of the clamping sleeve 20 engage with an outer circumference of the fluid line 48 as far as possible from the free end of the fluid line 48 in order to reduce or even eliminate any play in the fluid line 48 in the fluid connection unit 10. On the other hand, this preloading of the resilient arms 64 of the clamping sleeve 20 can cause a conical portion 66 of the clamping sleeve 20 to be pressed against a conical portion 68 of the sleeve 24, allowing the barbs 50 to engage more strongly with the fluid line 48.

[0043] It should be added at this point that the protective element 22 here has a stop section 70 (see Figure 5 ) with which the free end of the fluid line 48 can come into contact in order to displace the protective element 22 together with the fluid line 48 upon further insertion of the fluid line 48 into the fluid connection unit 10. The stop section 70 can also be configured to define the end position of the protective element 22 through contact with the base body 12 and / or with the attachment sleeve 16.

[0044] In order to facilitate sliding the protective element 22 onto the nozzle section 14 and in particular onto the sealing element 18 during assembly of the fluid connection unit 10 without damaging the sealing element 18 or displacing it from its seat, an insertion bevel 72 is arranged adjacent to the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22, that is to say a section of the inner diameter of the protective element 22 with an increasing diameter.

[0045] After the protective element 22 has been pushed onto the nozzle section 14 or onto the sealing element 18, the calibration section 26 can be connected to the nozzle section 14. In particular, in the Figures 5 and 6It can be seen that a maximum outer diameter of the calibration section 26 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22, so that the fluid line 48, even if its free end has a non-circular cross-section, is deformed by the calibration section 26 such that the fluid line 48 can be pushed onto the cylindrical section 38 of the protective element 22. The alternative described here, according to which the maximum outer diameter of the calibration section 26 is equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical section 38, is not part of the claimed invention. Alternatively, the calibration section 26 can also be formed as an integral part of the nozzle section 14. In this case, the protective element 22 could have elastic sections for assembly thereof, for example in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical section 38.

[0046] Furthermore, in Figure 8It can be seen that the clamping sleeve 20 has a base ring 74. Projections 76, in the illustrated embodiment three projections 76, extend from the base ring 74 in a first axial direction (in Figure 8 to the right). Barbs 50 project radially inward on the inside of the projections 76. Furthermore, projections 78 extend in a second axial direction (in Figure 8to the left), which is opposite to the first axial direction. The resilient arms 64 are arranged at the free end of the projections 78. Barbs 50 also protrude radially inward on an inner side of the projections 78 and are resiliently arranged here on the projections 78. Since the projections 76 and the projections 78 extend in opposite axial directions relative to the base ring 74 and are arranged at the same location, viewed in the circumferential direction of the base ring, the projections 76, 78 each form a rocker mechanism in pairs. This means that if one of the projections 76 or 78 is displaced radially outward, the other of the projections 78 or 76 can be displaced radially inward.

[0047] In the following, with reference to Figures 11 to 15A second embodiment of a fluid connection unit 110 according to the invention is described, which is a modification of the previously described fluid connection unit 10. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment will be discussed in more detail below, and reference will be made to the first embodiment with regard to all other features and functions. Accordingly, all features, effects, and advantages disclosed with respect to the first embodiment of the fluid connection unit 10 can be equally applied to the second embodiment of the fluid connection unit 110, and vice versa.

[0048] In Figure 11 is a perspective view of a base body 112 of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 11As can be seen, the base body 112, analogous to the base body 12, is constructed symmetrically in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the following will primarily focus on only one half of the base body 112 (or the fluid connection unit 110), although this can also be applied to the other half of the base body 112 (or the fluid connection unit 110).

[0049] In contrast to the base body 12 of the first exemplary embodiment, the base body 112 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 180 on its outer side, which are arranged between two flanges 182 and run essentially parallel to the axial extension direction of the base body 112. The reinforcing ribs 180 contribute significantly to ensuring that the flanges 182 do not deform even when forces are applied. Along the circumferential direction of the base body 112, two adjacent reinforcing ribs 180 can be arranged offset by an angle of 45°, for example, whereby a total of eight reinforcing ribs 180 are arranged on the base body 112. However, the number of reinforcing ribs 180 can be adjusted as desired.

[0050] Furthermore, the base body 112 has stop surfaces 184 which are designed so that a corresponding counter-contact surface 186 of the protective element 122 (see Figure 12) comes into contact therewith. This contact can, in particular, define the end position of the displacement range of the protective element 122 relative to the base body 112. The stop surfaces 184 are designed here such that they rise radially outward from the nominal diameter of the nozzle section 114 of the base body 112 in the direction of the collars 184. Thus, the stop surfaces 184 can also serve to stably center the protective element 122 and thus the end of the fluid line arranged thereon relative to the central axis X of the fluid connection unit 110, in the sense of a support. Of course, the stop surfaces 184 also contribute to reinforcing the corresponding section on the base body 112.

[0051] In this context, it is noted that the fluid connection unit 110 of the second embodiment may have the same control mechanism as the fluid connection unit 10 of the first embodiment for indicating a connected state of the fluid line with the fluid connection unit 110, which may be described with respect to Figure 6 and the color coding of the clamping sleeve as well as the display section of the protective element 122 is explained, wherein the color coding is visible from the outside through openings 158 (see Figure 15 ).

[0052] In Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the invention according to the second embodiment, wherein Figure 12 right half of the fluid connection unit 110, the protective element 122 is in its initial position, whereas in the left half of the Figure 12shown fluid connection unit 110, the protective element 122 is shown in its final position.

[0053] In Figure 13 , which shows an enlarged detail of the right half of the fluid connection unit 110 of Figure 12shows that the protective element 122 has a sectionally reduced outer diameter 186 at its front end, which in the initial position of the protective element 122 is arranged adjacent to the calibration section 126. Due to the reduced outer diameter 186, a step is created between the radially small protective element 122 at this point and the radially larger calibration section 126 adjacent to it. This can ensure that the free end of the fluid line, which is pushed over the calibration section 126, is first pushed over the reduced outer diameter 186 of the protective element 122 without contacting the protective element and thus possibly displacing it prematurely.

[0054] The calibration section 126, which, analogous to the calibration section 26 of the first embodiment, has a surface 144 tapering towards the free end to facilitate the insertion of the fluid line into the fluid connection unit 110, engages via a projection (not shown) in the nozzle section 114 of the base body 112 and is thus secured thereto.

[0055] Furthermore, in Figure 13It can be seen that the protective element 122 has a stop section 170 which extends essentially in the radial direction and is designed to come into contact with an end face of the free end of the fluid line and thus to be able to better absorb an insertion force from the fluid line and transmit it to the protective element 122. After the stop section 170, the protective element 122 continues with an enlarged outer diameter in the direction of the end of the protective element 122 which is opposite the reduced outer diameter 186, so that in its initial position it can counteract a restoring force of the sealing element (not shown in the second exemplary embodiment) and, for example, creep of the material of the protective element 122 can be reduced or even prevented.

[0056] In the perspective view of the protective element 122 from Figure 14It is evident that the stop portion 170 does not necessarily have to be formed as a continuous diameter enlargement, but, as shown here, can also be formed from a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 190, the end faces of which together contribute to the stop portion 170. This can prevent material accumulation on the protective element 122 and thus reduce costs and improve dimensional accuracy, particularly in plastic parts.

[0057] Figure 15shows a perspective view of a mounting sleeve 116 and a sleeve 124 of the fluid connection unit 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment, wherein the arrangement of the mounting sleeve 116 and the sleeve 124 corresponds to the connected state of the fluid connection unit 110. The mounting sleeve 116 comprises longitudinal slots 192 which extend substantially parallel to the central axis X. By providing the longitudinal slots 192, tab-like locking elements 194 are formed between them, which can be more easily elastically deformed than with a continuous sleeve in order to connect the mounting sleeve 116 to a respective collar 184 via the locking elements 194. Consequently, the longitudinal slots 192 can simplify assembly of the fluid connection unit 110, since they reduce the necessary force and can prevent damage.

[0058] The sleeve 124 has Figure 15Openings 160 which are essentially D-shaped or arcuate on one side, wherein the arcuate shape of the openings 160 is formed in particular on the side facing the attachment sleeve 116. Complementary to this, locking projections 162 are provided on the attachment sleeve 116, which are formed in a complementary shape in order to engage in the openings 160 and thus lock the sleeve 124 to the attachment sleeve 116. The arcuate shape of the locking projections 162 on one side has the advantage that a force occurring on the sleeve 124 in the event of axial tensile loading (for example, when pulling the fluid line out of the fluid connection unit 110) can be transmitted to the rounded locking projections more evenly than with rectangular locking projections 62, so that notch effects at the openings 160 can be reduced.

Claims

1. Fluid connection unit (10, 110), which is adapted to connect a fluid line (48) not belonging to the fluid connection unit (10, 110) to a further fluid line, also not belonging to the fluid connection unit (10, 110), wherein the fluid connection unit (10, 110) comprises a neck portion (14, 114) which is adapted to be inserted into the fluid line (48) and which has a nominal outer diameter (28), wherein at least one sealing element (18), in particular an O-ring, is arranged on the outer circumference of the neck portion (14, 114), which sealing element (18) is adapted to bridge a distance between the fluid connection unit (10, 110) and the fluid line (48) when the fluid connection unit (10, 110) is connected to the fluid line (48) and thus to seal the connection with respect to an outside, wherein the fluid connection unit (10, 110) comprises a protective element (22, 122) which is arranged on the outside of the neck portion (14, 114) so as to be displaceable from an initial position on the neck portion (14, 114) to an end position, and which comprises a substantially cylindrical portion (38) at least on its radially inner side, wherein the at least one sealing element (18) in the initial position is radially outwardly overlaid by the cylindrical portion (38) of the protective element (22, 122), wherein the cylindrical portion (38) of the protective element (22, 122) has an inner diameter which substantially corresponds to the nominal outer diameter (28) of the neck portion (14, 114), wherein the cylindrical portion (38) of the protective element (22, 122) is adapted to receive the fluid line (48) to be connected on its outer side, and wherein the fluid connection unit (10, 110) further comprises a calibration portion (26, 126) which is arranged at a free end of the neck portion (14, 114) and which has an outer diameter (44, 144) that decreases towards the free end of the neck portion (14, 114), characterised in that the maximum outer diameter of the calibration portion (26, 126) is greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion (38) of the protective element (22, 122) adjacent thereto in the initial position.

2. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 1, characterised in that the calibration portion (26, 126) is configured to be separate or separable from the neck portion (14, 114) and from the protective element (22, 122).

3. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the calibration portion (26, 126) has at least one recess (46) on an outwardly facing surface.

4. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective element (22, 122) comprises a portion which, in an initial position, is overlaid on a radially inner side and / or on a radially outer side thereof by a portion of the calibration portion (26, 126).

5. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in an initial position, the protective element (22, 122) is coupled to the calibration portion (26, 126).

6. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the calibration portion (26, 126) is engaged with the neck portion (14, 114).

7. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that one out of the calibration portion (26, 126) and the neck portion (14, 114) has a projection (36) and the other has a matching recess, and the projection (36) and / or the recess is fully circumferential in the circumferential direction of the neck portion (14, 114) or of the calibration portion (26, 126).

8. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective element (22, 122) comprises a stop portion (70, 170) which is adapted to come into contact with a free end of the fluid line (48), so that the protective element (22, 122) is displaced together with the fluid line (48) when the fluid line (48), after coming into contact with the stop portion (70, 170), is pushed further onto the neck portion (14, 114).

9. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fluid connection unit (10, 110) further comprises a sleeve (24, 124) and / or an attachment sleeve (16, 116) which at least partially surrounds the neck portion (14, 114) radially outside.

10. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 9, characterised in that the sleeve (24, 124) and / or the attachment sleeve (16, 116) comprises at least one aperture (58, 158) which runs in the radial direction through the wall of the sleeve (24, 124) or of the attachment sleeve (16, 116), the aperture (58, 158) of the sleeve (24, 124) or of the attachment sleeve (16, 116) being arranged in such a way that it is recognisable from the outside when the protective element (22, 122) has reached the end position on the neck portion (14, 114).

11. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to claim 10, characterised in that at least that portion (42) of the protective element (22, 122) which, in its end position, is recognisable through the aperture (58, 158) of the sleeve (24, 124) or of the attachment sleeve (16, 116) has a predetermined colour which is different from a colour of a portion (20) of the fluid connection unit (10, 110) which is recognisable through the aperture (58, 158) of the sleeve (24, 124) or the attachment sleeve (16, 116) with the protective element (22, 122) in an initial position.

12. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective element (22, 122) is adapted to compress the at least one sealing element (18) radially inwards.

13. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the neck portion (14, 114) has a region with a reduced outer diameter (32) which, viewed in a displacement direction of the protective element (22, 122) from the initial position at the calibration portion (26, 126) towards the end position of the protective element (22, 122), is located downstream of the at least one sealing element (18).

14. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inner diameter of the protective element (22, 122) increases at least at one axial end thereof.

15. Fluid connection unit (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective element has a latching device (52) which is adapted to hold the protective element in the end position.