Fluid connectors and methods for assembling them

Description

Domaine technique de l'invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluidic connector and its assembly method. Arrière-plan technique

[0002] The technical background includes, in particular, documents US-B2-11,168,819, AT-B1-512,397 and US-B2-7,438,328.

[0003] A fluid connector is a device that connects two tubular fittings in a fluid circuit to allow fluid to flow through the fittings and into the circuit. The two fittings are usually male and female, and the connection of these two fittings is therefore made by a male-female push-fit.

[0004] To prevent accidental disconnection of the two connector fittings, it is known to equip the connector with a lock. The lock is carried by one of the fittings, for example the female fitting. When the male and female fittings are engaged with each other, the lock can cooperate with the male fitting to retain it axially in the female fitting. The axial direction here is the direction of engagement of the fittings with each other.

[0005] In the present invention, the lock is a metal pin that has a generally U-shape and is mounted astride the female connector. The pin has two lateral branches that pass through slots in the female connector and can engage in a groove in the male connector.

[0006] The pin is elastically deformable by moving its branches apart and closer together. When the branches are brought together, they are engaged in the groove of the male connector and lock it axially with respect to the female connector. When the branches are moved apart, they are extracted from the groove of the male connector, which can be removed from the female connector by axial translation.

[0007] The transition from the separated position to the close position of the branches of the pin is preferably carried out automatically by elastic return of these branches. In practice, when inserting the male connector into the female connector, the male connector bears on the branches of the pin and forces them radially outwards to separate them from each other. The radial direction is here expressed relative to the aforementioned axis. This insertion is continued until the groove of the female connector and the pin are located in the same plane perpendicular to the axis. The branches then move towards each other by elastic return and are housed in the groove of the female connector.

[0008] In the current technique, it is a truncated part of the male connector which cooperates with the branches of the pin during its insertion into the female connector. During insertion, the branches move apart from each other due to their sliding on this truncated part, from the axial end of this truncated part with the smallest diameter to its axial end with the largest diameter.

[0009] The axial retention capacity of the male connector in the female connector depends in particular on the force required to separate the branches from each other. It is therefore preferable, to avoid involuntary separation of the branches, for this force to be relatively large. To generate this force, it is necessary to forcefully engage the male connector in the female connector so that, as mentioned above, the male connector cooperates with the branches and exerts the force necessary to separate them.

[0010] In current technology, the forceful engagement of the male connector into the female connector is carried out manually and can be difficult to achieve by an operator carrying out the assembly.

[0011] The present invention proposes an improvement to the current technique, which provides a simple, effective and economical solution to this problem. Résumé de l'invention

[0012] The invention relates to a fluidic connector, comprising: a female tubular connector having a first axis, a male tubular connector having a second axis and configured to be engaged coaxially in the female connector, and a metal pin having a general U shape mounted astride the female connector, this pin comprising two lateral branches, portions of which are configured to pass through at least one lumen of the female connector and to be engaged in a groove of the male connector to block it axially with respect to the female connector, the pin being elastically deformable by separation and bringing together of its branches and being able to adopt several configurations, in particular between a close configuration in which said portions are at a distance D1 from each other and are housed in the groove, and a spaced configuration in which said portions are at a distance D2 from each other and allow the withdrawal of the male connector with respect to the female connector, D2 being greater than D1, characterized in that the pin is axially movable on the female connector from a non-functional position in which its branches are kept apart by the female connector so that said portions are at a distance D3 from each other, D3 being between D1 and D2, to a functional position in which said portions are located at said at least one lumen and are able to pass through it by elastic return, and in that the male connector comprises a part configured to be engaged in the female connector and having an external diameter which is greater than D3, so that, when the male connector is engaged in the female connector, this part cooperates directly with said portions to move the pin from its non-functional position to its functional position.In the present application, the term "position" means a position of the pin and in particular two positions are defined for the pin, namely a non-functional position and a functional position. The term "configuration" means a state of the branches of the pin, more or less separated or brought together from each other. The branches may be in a spaced position (extreme - corresponding to the distance D2) necessary for the disengagement of the male connector from the female connector. The branches may be in a close position (extreme - corresponding to the distance D1) allowing the axial locking of the male connector in the female connector. The branches may also be in a spaced position (intermediate - corresponding to the distance D3) to cooperate with the male connector during its insertion into the female connector.

[0013] In the prior art, the legs of the hairpin can adopt essentially two extreme "stable" configurations, namely a spaced-apart configuration and a close-together configuration. In the present invention, the hairpin can adopt an intermediate "stable" configuration in which its legs are spaced apart from each other but less than in the extreme spaced-apart configuration.

[0014] The connector according to the invention is intended to be delivered with its pin whose branches are in this intermediate configuration. Thus, when an operator engages the male connector in the female connector, the force required to separate the branches is lower than in the prior art since the branches are already slightly separated from each other. Indeed, the force required corresponds to the separation of the branches from this intermediate configuration to the extreme separated configuration (and not from the extreme close configuration to the extreme separated configuration). The assembly of the connectors is therefore simpler for the operator to carry out.

[0015] It is therefore understood that the pin is mounted on the female connector in a pre-stressed manner so that its branches are already spaced apart from each other in the non-functional position. It is also understood that the pin is moved axially on the female connector to move from its non-functional position to its functional position in which its branches can be housed in the groove of the male connector by elastic return.

[0016] In the present invention, it is the male connector that cooperates with the pin and moves it onto the female connector. The engagement force of the male connector in the female connector therefore allows, firstly, the pin to be moved onto the female connector and then, secondly, the branches of the pin to be further separated. This force remains less than the force required in the prior art to separate the branches between their extreme positions.

[0017] In the present application, "upstream" and "downstream" are also defined as locations relative to the direction of engagement of the male connector in the female connector. The male connector thus has an upstream free end which is engaged in a downstream free end of the female connector.

[0018] The connector according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation from one another, or in combination with one another: in said operative position, the pin extends mainly in a plane perpendicular to said first axis, and in said non-operative position, the pin extends mainly in an inclined manner relative to said first axis; in said non-operative position, the pin is inclined so that free ends of the branches are located downstream relative to opposite ends of the branches, relative to a direction of engagement of the male connector in the female connector; the female connector comprises two lumens which are substantially diametrically opposite relative to said first axis and which each have an elongated shape in the circumferential direction around this first axis, each of these lumens being intended to be crossed by one of said portions; the female connector further comprises two notches which are substantially diametrically opposite with respect to said first axis and which communicate respectively with said slots, each of the notches having a side wall which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to said first axis and on which one of said portions is able to cooperate by axial support when the pin is in its non-functional position; each of the notches has a general V- or wedge-shaped shape and comprises a thin end and a widened end which is located on the side of a free end of the corresponding branch; each of the notches comprises a first part which opens into the interior of the female connector, and a second part which defines a step, this step being configured to cooperate by radial support with a free end of the corresponding branch, in order to maintain the pin in its non-functional position;said step comprises a projecting corner on the side of the corresponding light, this projecting corner comprising a lug for retaining the pin in its non-functional position; said step is connected, on the side opposite the lug, to a stop for stopping the pin; the steps of the female connector comprise parallel sliding surfaces for the free ends of the branches; in its functional position, the pin is able to move in a plane perpendicular to said first axis, and in its non-functional position, the pin is able to move in a different plane, which is preferably inclined relative to said first axis; said part of the male connector is a frustoconical part which comprises an upstream end of smaller diameter and a downstream end of larger diameter, this part cooperating by bearing with said portions in areas which are closer to its downstream end than to its downstream end;the female connector comprises recesses which are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to said first axis, and which are configured to receive bent free ends of said branches when the pin is moved from its operative position to a disassembly position in which the pin has said spread configuration; ;

[0019] The present invention also relates to a fluid circuit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one connector as described above.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a fluidic connector as described above, comprising the steps of: mounting the pin on the female connector, the pin being in its non-functional position, and engaging the male connector in the female connector, this engagement causing the pin to move from its non-functional position to its functional position in which said portions are located at the level of said at least one slot and are housed in the groove of the male connector by elastic return. Brève description des figures

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a female connector and a pin for a connector according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a male fitting for a connector according to the invention; [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is a schematic front view of the male connector of the figure 2 ; [ Fig. 4a-4b ] THE figures 4a et 4b are schematic perspective views of two parts of the female connector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 is a schematic axial sectional view of the female connector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 6a-6b ] THE figures 6a-6b are schematic perspective views of one of the parts of the female connector of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 7 ] there figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the hairpin of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 8a-8b ] THE figures 8a et 8b are schematic views, respectively from the side and from the front, of the female connector and the pin of the figure 1 , and illustrate the pin in a non-functional position; [ Fig. 9 ] there figure 9 is a schematic side view of the connector according to the invention, which comprises the female connector and the pin of the figure 1 as well as the male connector of the figure 2 , and illustrates the pin in a functional position and its branches in a close-up configuration; [ Fig. 10 ] there figure 10 is a schematic axial sectional view of the connector of the figure 9 ; [ Fig. 11 ] there figure 11 is a schematic front view of the connector of the figure 9 without the male connector; and [ Fig. 12a-12b ] THE figures 12a et 12b are schematic views, respectively from the side and from the front, of the female connector and the pin of the figure 1 , and illustrate the pin in a position in which its arms are in a spread configuration. Description détaillée de l'invention

[0022] THE figures 1 à 12b illustrate an embodiment of a fluidic connector 10 according to the invention.

[0023] Connector 10 is shown complete at figures 9 And 10 .

[0024] The connector 10 essentially comprises three elements, namely a male connector 12, a female connector 14 and a pin 16.

[0025] The male connector 12 is shown alone in the figures 2 And 3 . Pin 16 is shown alone at the figure 7 . The female connector 14 equipped with the pin 16 is visible at figures 1 , 4a-4b , 5 , 6a-6b , 8a-8b 11 And 12a-12b .

[0026] We will describe the elements of connector 10 one after the other.

[0027] The 12 male connector ( figures 2 And 3 ) has a generally tubular shape and includes a main axis Y which corresponds to the elongation axis of its internal passage. Although the male connector 12 has a rectilinear elongated shape in the drawings, it could alternatively have an angled shape.

[0028] The male connector 12 comprises two axial sections 12a, 12b. The first section 12a is an engagement section intended to be engaged in the female connector 14. The second section 12b is a connection section intended to be connected to a pipe or a conduit of a fluid circuit.

[0029] The section 12a comprises three successive parts, namely a cylindrical part 12a1, a frustoconical part 12a2 and another cylindrical part 12a3. The part 12a1 has a diameter H1 and the part 12a3 has a diameter H2 which is greater than H1. The part 12a2 extends from the part 12a1 to the part 12a3 and therefore has a diameter which varies from H1 to H2. The part 12a3 is located on the side of the section 12a, and the part 12a1 is located on the side opposite the section 12a and forms a free end of the male connector 12.

[0030] The male connector 12 comprises an annular groove 22 at its outer periphery. In the example shown, this groove 22 is located in the part 12a3 and close to the part 12a2 (or at the intersection between the parts 12a2 and 12a3).

[0031] The groove 22 has an axial dimension L. The groove 22 has an internal diameter H3 and an external diameter H2 ( figure 10 ). In the example shown, H3 is greater than or equal to H1.

[0032] The male connector 12 may further comprise at least one protruding or, on the contrary, hollow member 24, for example on its part 12a3, which is configured to cooperate by fitting with a complementary member 26 of the female connector 14. In the example shown, the members 24 are two in number and are diametrically opposed. They protrude from the part 12a3 and have a generally elongated shape along the Y axis. The cooperation of the members 24, 26 may have a function of indexing and / or guiding in translation the male connector 12 in the female connector 14.

[0033] The connector 12 can be made of plastic, metal or composite material. It can be made of a single piece.

[0034] Pin 16 ( figure 7 ) has a general U-shape and is mounted astride the female connector 14 as shown in figure 1 . The hairpin 16 has two lateral branches 16a, 16b which are connected to each other by an intermediate bridge 16c.

[0035] In the example shown, the branches 16a, 16b are essentially rectilinear but could alternatively be curved. The free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b opposite the bridge 16c are bent or curved, for example at 90°.

[0036] The bridge 16c can have any shape, for example curved. It preferably comprises a middle portion 30 facilitating the gripping of the pin 16 by an operator, directly by hand or using a tool.

[0037] The pin 16 is elastically deformable by moving its branches 16a, 16b apart and closer together. The pin 16 can adopt several configurations, in particular between an (extreme) close configuration visible at figures 9 à 11 , and a (extreme) configuration visible at the figures 10 , 12a et 12b .

[0038] The branches 16a, 16b have portions 31 configured to pass through at least one lumen 32 of the female connector 14 and to be engaged in the groove 22 of the male connector 12 to block it axially with respect to the female connector 14.

[0039] When branches 16a, 16b are in the (extreme) close configuration visible from the figures 9 à 11 , the portions 31 are at a distance D1 from each other ( figures 10 And 11 ). In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and their portions 31 are not necessarily parallel and the distance D1 is the smallest distance measured between the branches 16a, 16b inside the female connector 14 and in a plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female connector 14 ( figure 11 ). In this configuration and as illustrated in the figure 10 , the portions 31 are housed in the groove 22 and it is therefore understood that the distance D1 is close to or equal to H3.

[0040] When branches 16a, 16b are in the (extreme) spread configuration visible in dotted lines at figure 10 , the portions 31 are at a distance D2 from each other. In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and their portions 31 are not necessarily parallel and the distance D2 is the smallest distance measured between the branches 16a, 16b in a plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female connector 14. In the example shown, D2 is close to or equal to H2. D2 is therefore greater than D1. In this configuration, the branches 12a, 12b and their portions 31 are no longer housed in the groove 22 of the male connector 12 which can be removed by axial traction from the female connector 14.

[0041] According to the invention, the pin 16 can adopt a spaced intermediate configuration visible to the figures 8a et 8b in particular. In this configuration, the portions 31 are at a distance D3 from each other ( figures 8b ). The branches 16a, 16b and their portions 31 are not necessarily parallel and the distance D3 is the smallest distance measured between the branches 16a, 16b inside the female connector 14 and in a plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female connector 14.

[0042] The distance D3 is between D1 and D2 and therefore between H1 and H2. It is therefore understood that the frustoconical part 12a2 of the male connector 12 is able to cooperate with the portions 31 of the pin 16 when its branches 16a, 16b are in this configuration. The cooperation of the male connector 12 with the pin 16 will be described in detail after the detailed description of the female connector 14.

[0043] When branches 16a, 16b are in the (extreme) spaced configuration visible from the figures 12a et 12b , the portions 31 are at a distance D4 from each other. In this configuration, the branches 16a, 16b and their portions 31 are not necessarily parallel and the distance D4 is the greatest distance measured between the branches 16a, 16b in a plane P1 passing through the axis X of the female connector 14 ( figure 12b ). In the example shown, D4 is greater than D2. The pin 16 can be maintained in this configuration by cooperation of its branches 16a, 16b and in particular of its ends 28 with the female connector 14.

[0044] Pin 16 is metallic.

[0045] The female connector 14 ( figures 4a et 4b ) has a generally tubular shape and comprises a main axis X which corresponds to the elongation axis of its internal passage. Although the female connector 14 has a rectilinear elongated shape in the drawings, it could alternatively have an angled shape.

[0046] When engaging the male connector 12 in the female connector 14, the X and Y axes are merged or aligned.

[0047] The female connector 14 comprises two parts 14a, 14b in the example shown which are separated from each other at figures 4a et 4b . Alternatively, the female connector 14 could be formed from a single piece.

[0048] The two parts 14a, 14b are intended to be fitted into each other. Part 14a of the figure 4b is an engagement part of which a first section 14a1 is intended to receive the male connector 12 and a second section 14a2 is intended to receive the other part 14b.

[0049] Part 14b of the figure 4a is a connecting part of which a first section 14b1 is intended to be engaged in the section 14a2 and a second section 14b2 is intended to be connected to a pipe or a conduit of a fluid circuit. This second section 14b2 may for example comprise an external thread or anchoring ribs 35 although this aspect is not limiting.

[0050] In the example shown which is not limiting, the part 14b and in particular its section 14b1 comprises tabs 36 distributed around the axis X and configured to cooperate by elastic snap-fastening with complementary means 37 of the part 14a and in particular of the section 14a2 of the latter. This cooperation and the mounted position of the parts 14a, 14b one in the other is notably visible at figure 5 .

[0051] The female connector 14 comprises an internal passage 34 comprising in particular three parts 34a, 34b, 34c which are intended to receive the male connector 12. The part 34a is a part of larger diameter R1 which is slightly greater than the diameter H2 so that this part 34a can accommodate the part 12a3 of the male connector 12 as illustrated in figure 10 . This part 34a is defined by the section 14a1 in the example shown. The part 34c is a part of smaller diameter R2 which is slightly greater than the diameter H1 so that this part 34c can accommodate the part 12a1 of the male connector as illustrated in the figure 10 . Finally, part 34b is a truncated cone-shaped part which is located between parts 34a, 34c and has a diameter which varies from R1 to R2. This part 34a is intended to accommodate part 12a2 of the male connector 12 as illustrated in figure 10 .

[0052] The female connector 14 and in particular its part 14a comprises at its free end the aforementioned members 26, which are here two diametrically opposed notches. This free end of the female connector 14 defines the orifice O for insertion of the male connector 12.

[0053] The female connector 14 and in particular its part 14a here comprises two diametrically opposed slots 32 which are intended to be crossed by the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16.

[0054] Each lumen 32 has an elongated shape in the circumferential direction around the X axis. Each lumen 32 has, for example, a circumferential extent greater than or equal to 30° around the X axis.

[0055] The female connector 14 and in particular its part 14a further comprises two notches 38 which are diametrically opposite and which communicate respectively with the slots 32. The notches 38 are here formed downstream of the slots 32.

[0056] In the example shown, each notch 38 has a general V or wedge shape and comprises a thin end 38a and a widened end 38b.

[0057] The thin end 38a of the notch is located at a free end of the corresponding light 32 and communicates with this free end. The notch 38 has an elongated shape also in the circumferential direction and may have a circumferential extent similar to that of the light 32. The widened end 38b of each notch 38 is located on the side of the other free end of the light 32.

[0058] On the side opposite the orifice O, each light 32 has a side wall 32a which is located in a plane perpendicular to the axis X. This wall 32a has the function of guiding the pin 16 during its deformations and can extend beyond the light 32. In the example shown, the walls 32a of the lights 32 are extended by means of first circumferential edges 40 provided on the female connector 14 at its external periphery. These edges 40 are located upstream of the lights 32 and on an upper part of the connector 14.

[0059] Each of the notches 38 has a side wall 38c that is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the X axis. The female connector 14 includes second circumferential flanges 42 at its outer periphery and at its upper end, which are axially spaced from the flanges 40, and which form extensions 38c' of the side walls 38c of the notches 38. These extensions 38c' may also be inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the X axis. The flanges 42 are located downstream of the slots 32. The flanges 42 are substantially axially aligned with the flanges 40.

[0060] The walls 39 of the notches 38 are intended to cooperate by axial support with the pin and in particular its branches 16a, 16b. The walls 32a and the extensions 39' are intended to cooperate with the branches 16a, 16b to guide them during their deformations.

[0061] Each of the notches 38 comprises a first (upper) part 38c which opens inside the female connector 14, and a second (lower) part which defines a step 44. The drawings and in particular the figure 5 show that the light 32 and the part 38c of the associated notch 38 form a “P”.

[0062] The step 44 is configured to cooperate by radial support with a free end 28 of the corresponding branch 16a, 16b, as illustrated in figure 1 notably.

[0063] The step 44 comprises a projecting corner 44a on the side of the corresponding light 32. This projecting corner 44a preferably comprises a lug 46 for retaining this free end 28. On the side opposite the projecting corner 44a or the lug 46, the step 44 is connected to a stop 48 for stopping the pin 16.

[0064] Preferably, the steps 40 comprise outwardly facing surfaces 40b which are parallel and which are configured to allow sliding of the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b.

[0065] The female connector 14 comprises, upstream of each port 32, a portion 52 of cylindrical surface facing outwards. The surface portions 52 are substantially axially aligned with the steps 44 and form radial support surfaces for the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b and for circumferential sliding of these free ends 28.

[0066] Each portion 52 extends around the X axis from an upper recess 50, which is substantially axially aligned with the corner 44a of the corresponding step 44, and a lower stop 54.

[0067] The recesses 50 are substantially diametrically opposite relative to the axis X and are configured to accommodate the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b in the position separated from the pin 16. These recesses 50 here have an axial orientation and open out at the walls 32a of the slots 32.

[0068] The stops 54 are located just below the free ends of the notches 32 opposite the edges 40, 42.

[0069] As discussed above, the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 can adopt several configurations. The pin 16 can further adopt two distinct positions on the female connector 14, namely a non-functional position and a functional position.

[0070] The non-operating and operative positions are axially spaced from each other, meaning that the pin 16 is axially moved on the female connector 14 from its non-operating position to its operative position, and vice versa.

[0071] In the non-functional position shown in figures 1 , 8a et 8b , the hairpin 16 is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis X and is therefore located in a plane P2 inclined relative to the axis X. In this position, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b are located downstream relative to the bridge 16c and are in radial support on the steps 40 and in particular their surfaces 40b. The branches 16a, 16b and in particular their portions 31 are in axial support on the walls 39 of the notches 38. Furthermore, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b can cooperate with the lugs 46 on the one hand and the stops 48 on the other hand to be held on the steps 40. The ends of the branches 16a, 16b located on the side of the bridge 16c can cooperate by axial stop with the walls 32a and the extensions 39' of the edges 40, 42 in order to avoid accidental axial displacement of the pin 16 on the female connector 14.

[0072] It is in this non-functional position of the figures 1 And 8a-8b that the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 have the intermediate spaced configuration mentioned above. This configuration is here ensured and maintained thanks to the cooperation of the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b with the steps 40 of the female connector 14.

[0073] The hairpin 16 can however retain a certain mobility in the inclined plane P2 in which it is located, by sliding on the surfaces 44b of the steps 40.

[0074] In the functional position illustrated in figures 9 and following, the pin 16 is located in a plane P3 perpendicular to the axis X. In this position, the branches 16a, 16b of the pin 16 can adopt the two extreme positions mentioned above, spaced apart and brought together, in the plane. P3

[0075] In the functional position, the portions 31 of the branches 16a, 16b are located at the level of the lights 32 and are able to pass through them by elastic return. The branches 16a, 16b then pass from a spaced apart position to the close position of the figures 9 And 10 . We note at the figure 9 that in this position, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b are housed just above the stops 54, and their portions 31 are housed in the groove 22 of the male connector 12. The male connector 12 is then axially locked in the female connector 14.

[0076] To remove the male connector 12 from the female connector 14, it is sufficient to remove the pin 16 from the groove 22 of the male connector 12. For this, a radial tensile force can be applied to the bridge 16c of the pin 16 to move it away from the female connector 14. The movement of the pin 16 is guided by the cooperation of the branches 16a, 16b with the side walls of the groove 22 and is carried out in the plane P3. During this movement, the free ends 28 of the branches 16a, 16b slide on the surface portions 52 and are housed in the recesses 50 which thus maintain the branches 16a, 16b in the extreme spaced configuration shown in figures 12a et 12b .

[0077] The spaced apart position of branches 16a, 16b could also be considered as illustrated by the figure 9 as the axial position of the pin 16 remains the same, and is further illustrated by dotted lines at the figure 10 .

[0078] According to the invention, the axial displacement of the pin 16 from its non-functional position to its functional position is achieved by means of the male connector 12. That is to say, it is the male connector 12 itself which, upon its insertion into the female connector 14, causes the axial displacement of the pin 16. During insertion of the male connector 12, its frustoconical part 14a2 bears on the portions 31 of the branches 16a, 16b. When the insertion is continued, the branches 16a, 16b slide on the part 14a2 and move away from each other, passing from the distance D3 to the distance D2. The pin 16 is moved until it bears axially on the walls 32a of the slots 32. The pin 16 is then in the plane P3. When the axial position of the male connector 12 in the female connector 14 is such that the groove 22 of the male connector 12 is also located in the plane P3, the branches 16a, 16b are housed in the groove 22 by elastic return.

[0079] The larger D3, that is to say the further the branches 16a, 16b are spaced from each other, the lower the force required to engage the male connector 12 in the female connector 14. D3 is thus preferably closer to H2 than to D1. In practice, this means that the portions 31 of the branches 16a, 16b will bear on zones Z of the part 12a2 of the male connector 12, which are closer to its end of larger diameter H2 than to its end of smaller diameter H1. These zones Z are schematically illustrated in figures 2 And 3 .

[0080] The present invention also relates to a fluid circuit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one connector 10 as described above.

[0081] The present invention also relates to a method of assembling the fluidic connector 10, comprising the steps mentioned above of: mounting the pin 16 on the female connector 14, the pin 16 being in its non-functional position, and engaging the male connector 12 in the female connector 14, this engagement causing the pin 16 to move from its non-functional position to its functional position in which said portions 31 are located at the level of said at least one slot 32 and are housed in the groove 22 of the male connector 12 by elastic return.

Claims

1. A fluidic connector (10), comprising: - a female tubular fitting (14) having a first axis (X), - a tubular male fitting (12) having a second axis (Y) and configured to engage coaxially with the female fitting (14), and - a generally U-shaped metal pin (16) mounted astride on the female fitting (14), this pin (16) comprising two lateral branches (16a, 16b), portions (31) of which are configured to pass through at least one slit (32) in the female fitting (14) and to be engaged in a gorge (22) in the male fitting (12) to block it axially with respect to the female fitting (14), the pin (16) being elastically deformable by moving its branches (16a, 16b) apart and close together and being able to adopt several configurations, in particular between a close together configuration in which said portions (31) are at a distance D1 from one another and are housed in the gorge (22), and a spaced apart configuration in which said portions (31) are at a distance D2 from one another and allow the male fitting (12) to be removed from the female fitting (14), D2 being greater than D1, characterised in that the pin (16) is axially movable on the female fitting (14) from an inoperative position in which its branches (16a, 16b) are held spaced apart by the female fitting (14) so that said portions (31) are at a distance D3 from one another, D3 being between D1 and D2, to an operative position in which said portions (31) are located at the level of said at least one slit (32) and are able to pass through it by elastic return, and in that the male fitting (12) comprises a part (12a2) configured to be engaged in the female fitting (14) and comprising an external diameter (H2) which is greater than D3, so that, when the male fitting (12) is engaged in the female fitting (14), this part (12a2) cooperates directly with said portions (31) to move the pin (16) from its inoperative position to its operative position.

2. The fluidic connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said operative position the pin extends mainly in a plane perpendicular to said first axis, and in said inoperative position the pin (10) extends mainly inclined with respect to said first axis.

3. The fluidic connector (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in said inoperative position, the pin (16) is inclined so that free ends (28) of the branches (16a, 16b) are located downstream from opposite ends of the branches, relative to a direction of engagement of the male fitting (12) with the female fitting (14).

4. The fluidic connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the female fitting (14) comprises two slit (32) which are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to said first axis (X) and which each have an elongate shape in the circumferential direction about this first axis (X), each of these slits (32) being intended to be passed through by one of said portions (31).

5. The fluidic connector (10) according to claim 4, wherein the female fitting (14) further comprises two notches (38) which are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to said first axis (X) and which communicate respectively with said slits (32), each of the notches (38) having a lateral wall which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to said first axis (X) and on which one of said portions (31) is adapted to engage by axial abutment when the pin (16) is in its inoperative position.

6. The fluidic connector (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the notches (38) is generally V-shaped or wedge-shaped and comprises a thin end (38a) and a widened end (38b) which is located on the side of a free end of the corresponding branch (16a, 16b).

7. The fluidic connector (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the notches (38) comprises a first part (38c) which opens into the interior of the female fitting (14), and a second part which defines a step (44), this step (44) being configured to cooperate by radial abutment with a free end (28) of the corresponding branch (16a, 16b), in order to maintain the pin (16) in its inoperative position.

8. The fluidic connector (10) according to claim 7, wherein said step (44) comprises a projecting wedge (44a) on the side of the corresponding slit (32), this projecting wedge (44a) comprising a lug (46) for retaining the pin (16) in its inoperative position.

9. The fluidic connector (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said step (44) is connected, on the side opposite the lug (46), to a stop (48) for the pin (16).

10. The fluidic connector (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the steps (44) of the female fitting (14) comprise parallel surfaces (44b) for sliding the free ends (28) of the branches (16a, 16b).

11. The fluidic connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in its operative position, the pin (16) is able to move in a plane (P3) perpendicular to said first axis (X), and in its inoperative position, the pin (16) is able to move in a different plane (P2), which is preferably inclined with respect to said first axis.

12. The fluidic connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said part (12a2) of the male fitting (12) is a frustoconical part which comprises an upstream end of smaller diameter (H1) and a downstream end of larger diameter (H2), this part (12a2) cooperating by bearing with said portions in areas (Z) which are closer to its downstream end than to its upstream end.

13. The fluidic connector (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the female fitting (14) comprises recesses (50) which are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to said first axis (X), and which are configured to accommodate bent free ends (28) of said branches (16a, 16b) when the pin (16) is moved from its operative position to a disassembly position in which the pin (16) has said spaced apart configuration.

14. A fluid circuit for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. A method for assembling a fluidic connector (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: - mounting the pin (16) on the female fitting (14), with the pin (16) in its inoperative position, and - engaging the male fitting (12) in the female fitting (14), this engagement causing the pin (16) to move from its inoperative position to its operative position in which said portions (31) are located at the level of said at least one slit (32) and are housed in the gorge (22) of the male fitting (12) by elastic return.