HYDRAULIC BANJO CONNECTION

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of banjo-type hydraulic fittings. More particularly, the invention concerns such a banjo fitting comprising a sleeve through which a hollow body passes axially and which is equipped with sealing washers which are axially interfaced between the sleeve and axially antagonistic bearing stops of the hollow body on the sleeve.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to the methods of fixing the washers on the sleeve, the washers being fixed to the sleeve by being immobilized against rotation on it. Previous art

[0003] Banjo-type hydraulic fittings allow two lines to be connected along converging lines, particularly those perpendicular to each other. In the automotive industry, banjo fittings are commonly used to connect a vehicle's hydraulic system to a line supplied with fluid from that system. Banjo fittings are frequently used for distributing fluids—such as coolant or brake fluid—from the vehicle's hydraulic circuit.

[0004] Structurally, a banjo fitting generally comprises an axial extension sleeve with a radial bore providing a first channel through which the sleeve can be hydraulically connected to a first conduit in the hydraulic circuit. Within the sleeve's axial recess, a partially axially hollowed body is also drilled with a radial bore providing a second hydraulic connection channel between the first channel and the recess in the body, which can be connected to a second conduit.

[0005] The fluid from the hydraulic circuit can thus - via the first conduit connected to the first channel - be introduced radially into the sleeve, then flow radially through the second channel towards the axial recess of the hollowed body, then flow axially through the recess of the hollowed body for distribution out of the banjo fitting towards the second conduit.

[0006] To provide the connection between the hollow body and the sleeve, the hollow body is commonly formed by a threaded element, such as a screw or bolt. This allows the hollow body to be inserted axially into the sleeve and held in position by axial clamping against the sleeve, via axially opposing bearing stops between the hollow body and the sleeve.

[0007] For example, depending on various designs, a first stop can be formed by a head or shoulder of the threaded component, or by a first nut cooperating with the threaded component. A second stop can be arranged as a second nut or as a wall of a support for the banjo fitting to which it is fixed—a support that may advantageously include the second conduit—said support being provided with a threaded passage cooperating with the threaded component.

[0008] To create a watertight seal between the hollow body and the sleeve, sealing washers are placed axially between the axially opposite faces of the sleeve's axial ends and the stops, respectively. Such sealing washers are commonly made of a metallic material, particularly copper or aluminum. As a result of the axial clamping of the hollow body onto the sleeve, the washers are compressed between the stops and the axial end faces of the sleeve, thus providing the required seal between them.

[0009] It was deemed advisable to equip the sleeve with washers in the workshop, so that the sleeve and washers form a single unit that can be transported to a banjo fitting assembly site and / or to a vehicle mounting site. It was also deemed advisable to prevent the washers from rotating during axial tightening of the sleeve by the hollow body, as such rotation could compromise the seal between the sleeve and the stops.

[0010] For this purpose, it is known, for example, from document US7226088-B2 (DAYCO PRODUCTS LLC), to assemble the washers together by means of a link, forming a single-piece body configured as an elastically deformable fastener. The fastener is integral with the sleeve, partially encircling its outer wall. Furthermore, the fastener bears against the flat lateral faces of the sleeve via plates integrated into the link. This prevents the fastener from rotating on the sleeve to maintain its position, particularly during assembly between the hollow component and the sleeve that make up the banjo fitting described in this document.

[0011] However, such a solution has several drawbacks.

[0012] For example, the way the washers are attached to the sleeve presents a risk of loss of reliability, particularly due to the elastic deformability of the fastener. Furthermore, installing the fastener on the periphery of the sleeve and / or the methods used to prevent the washers from rotating on the sleeve expose the fastener to a risk of unwanted retraction or breakage relative to the sleeve during handling of the one-piece body and / or the banjo fitting itself.

[0013] For example, installing the washers via the attachment on the sleeve is cumbersome and / or difficult to achieve in automated series production, which affects the economic competitiveness of the banjo fitting.

[0014] In addition, the presence of the attachment increases the overall size of the banjo fitting and makes it difficult to handle when installing on a motor vehicle, in a vehicle environment known to be congested, particularly in the final stages of vehicle assembly on an assembly line and / or during maintenance operations.

[0015] For example, during a maintenance operation, the joining of the washers to each other via the fastener complicates the replacement of the washers in case of wear.

[0016] We also know from document FR2933763A1 a banjo fitting corresponding to the preamble of claim 1. Presentation of the invention

[0017] In this context, the present invention relates to a banjo fitting equipped with washers which are axially interfaced between a sleeve and a partially hollowed body extending axially inside the sleeve.

[0018] The aim of the invention is to provide such a banjo fitting in which the washers are fixed to the sleeve and prevented from rotating. It also aims to facilitate maintenance of the fitting, particularly with regard to its disassembly and reassembly, allowing for quick and easy replacement of the washers in case of wear.

[0019] Based on the observation that has just been made and which is part of the process carried out to arrive at the invention, the invention aims in particular to find a solution that at least partially alleviates the disadvantages that have just been presented.

[0020] Such a goal is particularly constrained by the need to reduce costs related to the competitiveness of the resulting banjo fitting, in the context of severe economic competition in the automotive sector which may make a potential solution prohibitive due to the costs involved.

[0021] A banjo fitting according to the invention is of the hydraulic fitting type comprising a sleeve axially receiving a hollow body, the hollow of which opens at any one of the axial ends of the banjo fitting. The sleeve is provided with a first radial channel in hydraulic communication with the hollow of the body via a second radial channel provided in the hollow body. The hollow body axially clamps the sleeve between stops bearing axially opposite to each other against the axial end faces of the sleeve. Sealing washers are axially interfaced between the sleeve and the stops, respectively, and are fixed and rotationally immobilized on the sleeve.

[0022] Subsequently, the relative concepts axial and radial are considered with regard to the directions - or general orientation - of extension of the sleeve which are identified with respect to its axis of extension.

[0023] For each washer, the washer is individually fixed to the sleeve by a tight fit of at least one ridge integrated into the washer within a recess formed in the axial end face of the sleeve that is oriented towards the washer. According to the invention, and along a radially oriented plane, each of the recesses receiving said ridge has a substantially polygonal profile.

[0024] It is understood that the said relief, cooperating by close fit - or in other words by hard or tight fit - with the housing, is provided on the face of the washer which is oriented towards the axial end face of the sleeve comprising the housing for receiving the said relief.

[0025] Advantageously, according to one embodiment and for each of the washers, the washer is further individually immobilized against rotation on the sleeve by bearing the relief against lateral walls of the housing which extend along an axially oriented plane.

[0026] More specifically still and following an axial extension plan, the profile of each of the dwellings receiving said relief is shaped into a trapezoid.

[0027] Preferably, each of the washers is provided with at least two of said reliefs which are angularly equidistant on the washer by being housed inside said housings which are respectively assigned to them.

[0028] In one embodiment, each washer is provided with at least two equally spaced tabs on the washer. The tabs are folded against the outer face of a peripheral wall with axial orientation of the sleeve.

[0029] Preferably, the tabs extend respectively as a continuation of the plural reliefs that the washer comprises.

[0030] In one embodiment, said at least one relief is formed by pushing the material constituting the washer inwards towards the housing that receives it. Such a pushing of material results in particular from a localized flattening of the washer towards the interior of the housing receiving the relief, causing the relief to fit tightly inside the housing.

[0031] More specifically, these reliefs in plurality are formed by a crushing of the constituent material of the tongue which extends them.

[0032] The assembly between the sleeve and the washers can advantageously be carried out in the workshop using a localized pressing tool that presses the washers against the respective axial end faces of the sleeve, which are equipped with recesses. The pressing tool forms the reliefs by localized compression of the washer material towards the interior of the recesses; the recesses then act as matrices to receive the creep of the washer material subjected to deformation as a result of this localized compression.

[0033] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with at least one banjo fitting according to the invention. The banjo fitting is typically connected to a vehicle's hydraulic circuit via a first conduit connected to the first channel of the sleeve and via a second conduit connected to the recess in the hollow body. Depending on various potential applications, the hydraulic circuit may, for example, carry coolant, brake fluid, or lubricant. Presentation of the figures

[0034] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of an example embodiment of the present invention, in relation to the following figures: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic illustration in axial section of a banjo fitting according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is an illustration of an axial sleeve that is part of the banjo fitting shown on the figure 1 , on the one hand, in end view along any one of its axial extremities and on the other hand, partially along a section AA considered along a cutting plane oriented along the axial extension of the sleeve. Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a diagram illustrating, as an example, advantageous methods of securing sealing washers to the axial ends of the sleeve included in the banjo fitting shown on the figure 1 . Detailed description of the invention

[0035] The figures and their detailed, non-limiting descriptions set forth the invention in particular ways that do not restrict the scope of the invention. The figures and their detailed descriptions of an exemplary embodiment of the invention may serve to better define it, if necessary in relation to the general description just given. Furthermore, to avoid cluttering the figures and thus facilitate their reading, the reference numbers assigned to the terms and / or concepts used to describe the invention and indicated on any one of the figures may be repeated in the description of any other figure without implying their presence on all the figures. On the figure 1 A hydraulic fitting, commonly known as a banjo fitting, is configured to connect two lines with converging orientations, particularly perpendicular to each other. Such a banjo fitting is notably used in the automotive field to equip one or more hydraulic circuits of the vehicle, such as, for example, a hydraulic circuit carrying coolant, a hydraulic circuit carrying brake fluid, or a hydraulic circuit carrying lubricant.

[0036] In general, a banjo fitting 1 includes an axial extension sleeve 2 A1 provided with a first channel 3a for the intake of a fluid into the banjo fitting 1. The first channel 3a is in particular formed by a bore formed radially through the peripheral wall of the sleeve 2. The first channel 3a is potentially extended by an end fitting 4 for connecting the sleeve 2 to a fluid intake conduit from the hydraulic circuit.

[0037] The banjo fitting 1 also includes a hollowed body 5 partially following the axial extension A1 of the banjo fitting 1. The hollowed body 5 is axially inserted into the recess 2a of the sleeve 2, being closed at one of its axial ends and open at the other. The hollowed body 5 is also provided with a second inlet channel 3b within its recess 5a for the fluid coming from the sleeve 2.

[0038] The second channel 3b is provided as a radial extension of the first channel 3a. The fluid admitted into the sleeve 2 via the first channel 3a, can circulate inside the second channel 3b then inside the recess 5a of the hollowed body 5, and be discharged from the banjo fitting 1 for distribution.

[0039] Stops 6a, 6b bear axially opposite bearings against the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2, respectively. According to the illustrated example, the hollow body 5 is arranged as a threaded element, such as a screw for example, whose head forms a first stop 6a bearing axially against a first axial end face 7a of the sleeve 2. A second stop 6b is formed by a nut cooperating with the screw by bearing axially against a second axial end face 7b of the sleeve 2.

[0040] The hollow body 5 thus axially clamps the sleeve 2 between the screw head and the nut which respectively form the stops 6a, 6b. To give the banjo fitting 1 a satisfactory seal, sealing washers 8a, 8b are interposed axially between the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2 and respectively the stops 6a, 6b.

[0041] Referring also to the figure 2 , each of the washers 8a, 8b incorporates reliefs 9 for its attachment to the sleeve 2. The reliefs 9 are forced into the interior of housings 10 which are provided for them and which are made on the respective axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2. The reliefs 9 and the housings 10 which receive them extend along the axial extension orientation of the sleeve 2, and extend radially towards the peripheral axial extension wall of the sleeve 2.

[0042] The raised sections 9 and the recesses 10 that receive them thus form fixing elements 9, 10 for the washers 8a, 8b on the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2, cooperating with each other by a tight fit, or in other words, a hard fit. This provides a firm connection between the washers 8a, 8b and the body of the sleeve 2, the washers 8a, 8b being individually fixed to the sleeve 2 at its axial end faces 7a, 7b, forming a single, manipulable assembly.

[0043] Each of the washers 8a, 8b is provided with several reliefs 9 individually inserted into housings 10 assigned to them, being equidistributed angularly on the washer 8a, 8b. According to the illustrated example and for each of the washers 8a, 8b, the reliefs 9 and the housings 10 which receive them are two in number, the two sets of relief 9 and housing 10 cooperating by interlocking being arranged on the sleeve diametrically opposite each other.

[0044] On the figure 2 The housings 10 have a radially polygonal profile – specifically quadrilateral – along a radially oriented plane, as seen in the end view of sleeve 2 shown. Furthermore, along an axial extension plane, the axial profiles of the housings 10 are trapezoidal, as seen in section AA shown in sleeve 2. The trapezoidal shape of the axial profiles of the housings 10 reinforces the prohibition of spontaneous withdrawal of the washers 8a, 8b by preventing the reliefs 9 from escaping the housings 10.

[0045] The washers 8a, 8b are prevented from rotating on the sleeve 2, to avoid a risk of leakage which may result from the rotation of the washers 8a, 8b due to the rotation of the threaded part forming the hollow body 5. In addition to the secure connection obtained between the sleeve 2 and the washers 8a, 8b due to the tight fit of the ridges 9 inside the housings 10, the rotational immobilization of the washers 8a, 8b is reinforced by the bearing of the ridges 9 against the lateral walls of the housings 10 which extend along an axial and substantially radial extension plane of the sleeve 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the washers 8a, 8b are provided with tabs 11 for their radial positioning against the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2. The tabs 11 are formed as radial extensions of the ridges 9 towards the outside of the sleeve 2, and are folded against the outer face 7c of the axial peripheral wall of the sleeve 2. Such tabs 11 are used in particular to center the washers 8a, 8b on the sleeve 2 during the formation of the ridges 9, by deformation of the material of the washers 8a, 8b and more specifically of the tabs 11 as illustrated in the figure 3 .

[0047] According to other embodiment variants, the centering of the washers 8a, 8b can also be achieved via the axial inner face of the recess in the sleeve 2 or in combination via its outer face of the axial peripheral wall of the sleeve 2 and via the axial inner face of the recess in the sleeve 2.

[0048] On the figure 3, the washers 8a, 8b are fixed to the sleeve 2 by crimping the tabs 11 to its axial peripheral wall, allowing the washers 8a, 8b to be positioned against the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 fitted with the washers 8a, 8b is then placed in a tool 12 to form the reliefs 9 by pushing the material of the washers 8a, 8b towards the interior of the housings 10 which are assigned to them.

[0049] The washers 8a, 8b are each held against the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2 by a press 13. Then a pressing tool 14 is applied with force F1 against the tabs 11 in their area of ​​overlap of the axial end faces 7a, 7b of the sleeve 2. This has the effect of causing the material of the washers 8a, 8b to creep into the housings 10, and more specifically the material constituting the tabs 11 integrated into the washers 8a, 8b, forming the reliefs 9 which are then embedded inside the housings 10.

Claims

1. Banjo fitting (1) comprising a sleeve (2) axially receiving (A1) a hollow body (5) whose recess (5a) opens at any one of the axial ends of the banjo fitting (1), the sleeve (2) being provided with a first radial channel (3a) placed in communication with the recess (5a) of the hollowed-out body (5) via a second radial channel (3b) with which the hollowed-out body (5) is provided, the hollowed-out body (5) axially enclosing the sleeve (2) between stops (6a, 6b) taking axially antagonistic supports against respectively the axial end faces (7a, 7b) of the sleeve (2), sealing washers (8a, 8b) being axially interfaced between the sleeve (2) and respectively said stops (6a, 6b) being fixed and immobilized in rotation on the sleeve (2), for each of the washers (8a, 8b), the washer (8a, 8b) being individually fixed to the sleeve (2) by close fitting of at least one relief (9) integrated into the washer (8a, 8b) inside a housing (10) formed in the axial end face (7a, 7b) of the sleeve (2) which is oriented towards the washer (8a, 8b), characterized in that according to a plane oriented radially , each of the housings (10) receiving a said relief (9) has a substantially polygonal profile.

2. Banjo fitting (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that for each of the washers (8a, 8b), the washer (8a, 8b) is individually immobilized in rotation on the sleeve (2) by the relief (9) bearing against side walls of the housing (10) which extend along an axially oriented plane.

3. Banjo fitting (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that along an axial extension plane, the profile of each of the housings (10) receiving a said relief (9) is shaped like a trapezium.

4. Banjo fitting (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the washers (8a, 8b) is provided with at least two said reliefs (9) which are angularly equidistributed on the washer (8a, 8b) while being housed inside said housings (10) which are respectively assigned to them.

5. Banjo fitting (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the washers (8a, 8b) is provided with at least two angularly extending tabs (11) equally distributed on the washer (8a, 8b), the tabs (11) being folded against the outer face (7c) of an axially oriented peripheral wall of the sleeve (2).

6. Banjo fitting (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the tabs (11) extend respectively as an extension of said plurality of reliefs (9) included in the washer (8a, 8b).

7. Banjo fitting (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one relief (9) is formed by a displacement of the constituent material of the washer (8a, 8b) towards the inside of the housing (10) which receives it.

8. Banjo fitting (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said reliefs (9) in plurality are formed by a crushing of the constituent material of the tab (11) which them .

9. Motor vehicle characterized in that it is equipped with at least one banjo fitting (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.