FLUID LINE DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fluid line device comprising a plastic pipe, a connecting sleeve which is joined to the plastic pipe in a materially bonded and preferably fluid-tight manner in an overlap region between the connecting sleeve and the plastic pipe, and a metal flange which has a fluid passage, wherein the connecting sleeve extends into the fluid passage.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an air conditioning system for building or vehicle air conditioning, with a fluid line device.

[0003] In a variety of applications where aluminum pipes were previously used for fluid transmission, it is observed that aluminum pipes are being replaced by plastic pipes in practice. The plastic pipes are often connected to connecting parts using axial seals, whereby a fluid-tight connection between the plastic pipe and the connecting part must be ensured.

[0004] DE202004013061U1 shows an injection-molded saddle for the connection between gas / water pipes made of polyethylene, consisting of polyethylene treated with electron / gamma rays to convert it into cross-linked polyethylene, which corresponds to the pipe material for welding.

[0005] Due to the creep tendency of plastic, the problem in practice is that the sealing effect of the axial seal decreases over time due to the creep behavior of the plastic and the associated reduction in seal compression, which can lead to unintentional leaks.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve the permanent sealing when connecting plastic pipes.

[0007] The object is achieved by a fluid line device according to claim 1. The connecting sleeve of the fluid line device according to the invention has a circumferential contact web, wherein the circumferential contact web has a sealing contact surface on the side facing away from the metal flange, which is in contact with a circumferential axial seal.

[0008] When the plastic pipe is connected to a connector, the axial seal is brought into contact with the connector on the side facing away from the contact web. The connector can be, for example, a counterflange to the metal flange or a connector of a fluid power device, such as a connector of a heat exchanger, evaporator, compressor, or pump.

[0009] The web height of the contact web defines the axial distance between the metal flange and the axial seal.

[0010] The connecting sleeve is made of plastic. Only creep processes in the area of ​​the contact land impair the sealing effect of the axial seal. While creep processes in plastic components generally lead to a loss of strength and can thus cause deformation of the plastic component, in this case only creep processes in the contact land can impair the sealing effect. However, the creep processes in the contact land are not capable of significantly affecting the seal compression, so the design-related reduction of creep processes on the contact land, which affects the sealing effect, leads to a permanently durable and tight fluid connection.

[0011] The metal flange of the fluid line device is preferably made of aluminum. The plastic tube of the fluid line device is preferably cylindrical.

[0012] The fluid conduit device according to the invention is advantageously further developed in that the contact web has a flange contact surface on the side facing the metal flange, which is in contact with the metal flange. The contact web is thus arranged between the axial seal and the metal flange. The flange contact surface and the seal contact surface are circumferential contact surfaces. The flange contact surface and the seal contact surface are annular and / or run parallel to each other.

[0013] Furthermore, a fluid conduit device according to the invention is advantageous in which the connecting sleeve is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. For example, the entire connecting sleeve is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. However, at least the contact web of the connecting sleeve is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0014] Fiber reinforcement further reduces the creep tendency of the connecting sleeve or contact web. The fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastic can be glass fibers, carbon fibers, and / or aramid fibers.

[0015] Furthermore, a fluid conduit device according to the invention is preferred in which the axial seal comprises a circumferential and deformable sealing ring and a support structure connected to the sealing ring, which limits the deformation of the sealing ring in the axial direction. The support structure can be a metallic support ring. The axial seal preferably has a defined compression dimension, which is predetermined by the height of the support structure. The circumferential, deformable sealing ring can be an arrow-shaped rubber lip. The axial seal can be a so-called slim-line seal washer.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the fluid conduit device according to the invention, the connecting sleeve is located in the overlap area on the inside of the plastic pipe. The connecting sleeve is thus inserted into an end region of the plastic pipe. The outer plastic pipe can be pressed into the fluid passage of the metal flange. Alternatively, there can be clearance between the plastic pipe and the inner contour of the fluid passage of the metal flange.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the fluid conduit device according to the invention, the connecting sleeve is located in the overlap area on the outside of the plastic pipe. An end region of the plastic pipe is thus inserted into the connecting sleeve. The external connecting sleeve can be pressed into the fluid passage of the metal flange. Alternatively, there can be clearance between the connecting sleeve and the inner contour of the fluid passage of the metal flange.

[0018] In another embodiment of the fluid conduit device according to the invention, the plastic pipe has a widening or a constriction in the overlap area. The widening or constriction in the overlap area can prevent a cross-sectional jump, in particular a diameter jump, at the transition to the overlap area. Depending on whether the connecting sleeve is arranged inside or outside the plastic pipe in the overlap area, and whether the plastic pipe has a widening or constriction in the overlap area, a constant inner diameter can be implemented, for example, for fluid flow with as little resistance as possible, or a constant outer diameter in the case of design-related space restrictions.

[0019] Furthermore, a fluid conduit device according to the invention is advantageous in which the connecting sleeve and the plastic pipe are welded together in the overlapping region. The connecting sleeve and the plastic pipe are therefore connected to one another in the overlapping region by means of a welded connection. The welded connection is preferably fluid-tight. The welded connection is preferably circumferential. The welded connection can be single or multiple circumferential. The welded connection can be a friction welded connection. In this case, the connecting sleeve and the plastic pipe were connected to one another by means of friction welding. The welded connection can also be a laser welded connection. In this case, the connecting sleeve and the plastic pipe were connected to one another by means of laser welding.

[0020] Furthermore, a fluid conduit device according to the invention is advantageous in which the connecting sleeve and / or the plastic pipe are designed to be transparent at least in sections in the overlapping area. Due to the transparent design, the connecting sleeve and / or the plastic pipe is permeable to a laser welding beam. If the laser welding beam hits the overlapping area from radially outside, the outer part must be designed to be transparent at least in sections. Depending on the embodiment, the connecting sleeve or the plastic pipe can be on the outside in the overlapping area. If the welding laser beam hits the overlapping area from the inside, the inner part must be transparent at least in sections. Depending on the embodiment, the connecting sleeve or the plastic pipe can be on the inside.Alternatively, the welded joint can be created in a fillet area, eliminating the need for the welding laser beam to penetrate the connecting sleeve and / or the plastic pipe. Thus, it is not necessary for the connecting sleeve and the plastic pipe to be transparent in the overlap area.

[0021] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by an air conditioning system of the type mentioned above, wherein the fluid line device of the air conditioning system according to the invention is designed according to one of the embodiments described above. Regarding the advantages and modifications of the air conditioning system according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages and modifications of the fluid line device according to the invention.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures: Fig. 1 shows a fluid conduit device according to the invention in a schematic sectional view; and Fig. 2 shows a further fluid conduit device according to the invention in a schematic sectional view.

[0023] The Fig. 1 shows a fluid line device 10 with a cylindrical plastic tube 12 and a connecting sleeve 14.

[0024] The connecting sleeve 14 is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. The fiber-reinforced plastic of the connecting sleeve 14 can comprise, for example, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and / or aramid fibers.

[0025] The connecting sleeve 14 is joined to the plastic pipe 12 in a materially bonded and fluid-tight manner in an overlap area 16 between the connecting sleeve 14 and the plastic pipe 12. The joint 18 between the plastic pipe 12 and the connecting sleeve 14 is designed to be single-circumferential in the present case, but can also be multiple-circumferential in other embodiments. The connecting sleeve 14 and the plastic pipe 12 are laser-welded to one another in the overlap area 16, so that the joint 18 is a laser-welded connection.

[0026] To create the joint 18, a laser welding beam can be directed onto the joint either from the radial inside or from the radial outside. If the welding is performed from the inside, the connecting sleeve 14 is transparent at least in the area of ​​the joint 18, so that the laser welding beams can pass through the connecting sleeve 14 to the joint. If the welding process is performed from the outside, the plastic pipe 12 is transparent at least in the area of ​​the joint, so that the laser welding beams can pass through the plastic pipe 12 to the joint.

[0027] The fluid conduit device 10 further comprises a metal flange 20. The metal flange 20 is an aluminum flange and has a fluid passage 22. The connecting sleeve 14 extends into the fluid passage 22.

[0028] The connecting sleeve 14 comprises a circumferential contact web 24, wherein the circumferential contact web 24 has a web height 26. The circumferential contact web 24 has a sealing contact surface 28 on the side facing away from the metal flange 20. Furthermore, the circumferential contact web 24 has a flange contact surface 30 on the side facing the metal flange 20. The sealing contact surface 28 is in contact with a circumferential axial seal 32. The circumferential flange contact surface is in contact with the metal flange 20. The flange contact surface 30 and the sealing contact surface 28 are spaced apart from one another due to the web height 26 and run parallel to one another.

[0029] The axial seal 32 is brought into contact with a connecting part 42 on the side facing away from the contact web 24. The connecting part 42 can be a counterflange for the metal flange 20. Alternatively, the connecting part 42 can be part of a fluid power device, for example a connecting part of a heat exchanger, an evaporator, a compressor, or a pump.

[0030] The web height 26 of the axial web 24 defines the axial distance between the metal flange 20 and the axial seal 32. Only creep processes in the area of ​​the contact web 24 impair the sealing effect of the axial seal 32 over time. Thus, despite the use of a plastic tube 12, a fluid connection is enabled that ensures permanent tightness and is not, or only slightly, affected by creep processes.

[0031] The axial seal 32 has a circumferential, deformable sealing ring 34 and a support structure 36 connected to the sealing ring 34. The support structure 36 limits the deformation of the sealing ring 34 in the axial direction when the axial seal 32 is pressed between the contact web 24 of the connecting sleeve 14 and the connecting part 42. For pressing, the metal flange 20 can comprise one or more recesses through which fastening elements 44, such as screws, extend. The metal flange 20 can be fastened to the connecting part 42 by means of the fastening elements 44, so that the axial seal 32 is compressed. The compression dimension of the axial seal 32 is predetermined by the overall height of the support structure 36. The support structure 36 can be a metallic support ring. The sealing ring 34 can be an arrow-shaped rubber lip. The axial seal 32 can be designed as a so-called flat seal-washer.

[0032] The plastic pipe 12 has a widened portion 38 in the overlap area 16. The connecting sleeve 14 is inserted into the plastic pipe 12 and is thus located in the overlap area 16 on the inside of the plastic pipe 12. The plastic pipe 12 is pressed into the fluid passage 22 of the metal flange 20. Alternatively, however, there may also be clearance between the plastic pipe 12 and the inner contour of the fluid passage 22.

[0033] The Fig. 2 shows an alternative fluid line device 10, wherein the plastic pipe 12 has a constriction 40 instead of an expansion 38.

[0034] The plastic pipe 12 is inserted into the connecting sleeve 14, so that the connecting sleeve 14 is located in the overlap area 16 on the outside of the plastic pipe 12. The connecting sleeve 14 is pressed into the fluid passage 22 of the metal flange 20. In an alternative embodiment, there may also be clearance between the connecting sleeve 14 and the inner contour of the fluid passage 22.

[0035] To create the joint 18, a laser welding beam can be directed onto the joint either from the radial inside or from the radial outside. If the welding is performed from the inside, the plastic pipe 12 is transparent at least in the area of ​​the joint 18, so that the laser welding beams can pass through the plastic pipe 12 to the joint. If the welding process is performed from the outside, the connecting sleeve 14 is transparent at least in the area of ​​the joint, so that the laser welding beams can pass through the connecting sleeve 14 to the joint. List of reference symbols

[0036] 10Fluid line device 12Plastic pipe 14Connecting sleeve 16Overlap area 18Joint connection 20Metal flange 22Fluid passage 24Contact web 26Web height 28Seal contact surface 30Flange contact surface 32Axial seal 34Sealing ring 36Support structure 38Wideening 40Constriction 42Connecting part 44Fastening link

Claims

1. Fluid line equipment (10), with - a plastic pipe (12), - a connecting sleeve (14), which is joined to the plastic pipe (12) in a material-tight and preferably fluid-tight manner in a covering area (16) between the connecting sleeve (14) and the plastic pipe (12); and - a metal flange (20), which has a fluid passage (22), wherein the connecting sleeve (14) extends into the fluid passage (22); wherein the connecting sleeve (14) has a circumferential contact bar (24), wherein the circumferential contact bar (24) on the side facing away from the metal flange (20) has a circumferential sealing contact surface (28), which is in contact with a circumferential axial seal (32), wherein the contact bar (24) on the side facing the metal flange (20) has a circumferential flange contact surface (30), which is in contact with the metal flange (20), characterized by the fact that the contact bar (24) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

2. Fluid line device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the connecting sleeve (14) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

3. Fluid line device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axial seal (32) has a circumferential and deformable sealing ring (34) and a support structure (36) connected to the sealing ring (34), which limits the deformation of the sealing ring (34) in the axial direction.

4. Fluid line device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (14) is located in the overlap area (16) on the inside of the plastic pipe (12).

5. Fluid line device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (14) is located in the covering area (16) on the outside of the plastic pipe (12).

6. Fluid line device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastic pipe (12) has a widening (38) or a constriction (40) in the cover area (16).

7. Fluid line device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (14) and the plastic pipe (12) are welded together in the cover area (16).

8. Fluid line device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting sleeve (14) and / or the plastic pipe (12) are transparent in the covering area (16), at least in sections.

9. Air conditioning for building or vehicle air conditioning, with - a fluid line device (10); characterized in that the fluid line device (10) is designed according to one of the above claims.