Ergonomic filliing adapter

Abstract

Adapter (1) for filling a reservoir with a filling fluid, intended to be connected, on the one hand, to the reservoir and, on the other hand, to a filling cell, the adapter (1) comprising a handle (7) for gripping the adapter, arranged on an upper part (3) of the adapter, characterized in that the adapter further comprises a weight take-up means (8) intended to bear on the forearm of an operator when the latter handles the adapter (1).

Description

ERGONOMIC FILLING ADAPTER Designation of the technical field concerned

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling adapter intended to transfer one or more fluids from a filling cell to a reservoir of a fluid circuit. It finds particular application for the transfer of fluids such as coolant, brake fluid or power steering fluid, to the corresponding fluid circuit of a vehicle, for example on an automobile assembly line, or in the energy sector for filling liquid into a reservoir.

[0002] Technical problems addressed by the invention and technical background

[0003] We will take the example of automobile assembly lines below to illustrate the invention without this limiting the uses of the invention.

[0004] On automotive assembly lines, there are filling stations for the various vehicle circuits. The filling adapter is a specific tool that connects to the fluid circuits in a sealed manner via a temporary connection, either automatic or manual, in order to ensure a fluid connection between the filling cell and the circuits to be filled. The filling adapter is connected to the fluid circuits by a flexible sheath containing hydraulic and pneumatic conduits and electrical lines. The operator handles the assembly formed by the adapter and the connecting sheath with a manual grip, with one hand, at the adapter. The equivalent weight of this assembly handled by the operator is significant, often between 3 kg and 4 kg. The operator moves it from a storage station where it is hung when not in use to a filling station on the tank to be filled and vice versa.This operation requires up-and-down arm movements over heights that can be significant, for example, one meter. This operation can be performed many times by an operator during a work shift. This results in physical fatigue and a risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

[0005] It is known from EP3126284 that the adapter includes a handle to facilitate its handling. This solution is not entirely satisfactory, as it places a lot of strain on the wrist joint when handling the adapter.

[0006] The invention provides a new solution to these problems.

[0007] An adapter is proposed for filling a tank with a filling fluid, intended to be connected on the one hand to said tank and, on the other hand, to a filling cell, the adapter comprising a handle for gripping the adapter arranged on an upper part of the adapter, characterized in that the adapter further comprises a weight-bearing means intended to rest on the forearm of an operator when the latter handles the adapter.

[0008] By taking some of the weight of the adapter and the flexible connecting sheath to the filling cell onto the operator's forearm, the operator's wrist is relieved when handling the adapter. This results in less physical fatigue and a reduced risk of musculoskeletal disorders for the operator.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the weight recovery means is connected to the grip handle of the adapter.

[0010] This configuration frees up space for the operator to grip the adapter. This allows them to easily slide their hand under the weight-bearing device to grasp the handle.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the adapter comprises a main body, a head positioned at a first end of the main body which is intended to be connected to the tank to be filled, and a connecting piece positioned at another end of the main body and intended to be connected to a flexible sheath of the filling unit, the weight recovery means is connected to the main body of the adapter or to the connecting piece.

[0012] This configuration simplifies the shape of the grip handle, reducing its volume and mechanical strength. It can therefore lead to a lighter adapter compared to a configuration where the weight recovery means is connected to the grip handle.

[0013] Advantageously, the weight-bearing means may be connected to the gripping handle, or to the main body of the adapter, or to the connecting part, by a flexible means.

[0014] The flexible connecting means allows slight freedom of movement of the operator's forearm. This makes it easier for the operator to grip the adapter when he slides his forearm under the weight-bearing means to grasp the handle of the adapter. It also allows better support of the weight-bearing means on the operator's forearm when he moves the adapter up or down. This prevents the weight being taken up on a reduced surface of the weight-bearing means, which would have the effect of generating discomfort for the operator.

[0015] Advantageously, the adapter may further comprise an adjustment assembly making it possible to adjust the position of the weight recovery means relative to the operator's forearm.

[0016] The operator can thus adjust the position of the weight-bearing device so that it is positioned on the forearm where it is most comfortable for him. He can thus position it closer to his wrist or, on the contrary, further away from his wrist.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the adapter may further comprise a positioning assembly arranged to adjust the spacing between the weight-bearing means and the main body of the adapter and / or the spacing between the weight-bearing means and the connecting portion.

[0018] The operator can thus adjust the position of the weight-bearing means according to his morphology and the clothing covering his forearm so that he can easily slide his forearm between the main body of the adapter and the weight-bearing means. He can also move the weight-bearing means away from the main body of the adapter, or from the connecting part between the main body and the flexible sheath, the time to place his forearm under the weight-bearing means and then reposition the weight-bearing means in a working position.

[0019] Advantageously, the adjustment assembly and / or the positioning assembly are capable of being manipulated by one hand of the operator when the second holds the handle for gripping the adapter.

[0020] The operator can thus adjust the position of the weight-bearing device on his forearm after taking it in hand.

[0021] Advantageously, the weight recovery means can be removable from the adapter. It is thus possible to replace a worn weight recovery means with a new one. It is also possible to replace a weight recovery means with another of a different nature to meet a particular need for use of the adapter or to allow the operator to choose a model that suits him better. It is thus also possible to remove the weight recovery means, for example when constraints linked to the shape of the tank do not allow it to be used.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the weight recovery means is retractable while remaining on the adapter or possibly removable.

[0023] Advantageously according to the invention, the weight-recovery means is capable of being positioned on the adapter so that it is located substantially above the center of gravity of the assembly formed by the adapter and a part of the flexible sheath, the weight of which is supported by the operator.

[0024] Thus, the adapter is positioned more stably on the operator's forearm. In fact, this eliminates, or limits, the rotation of the adapter around the support point of the weight-bearing means on the operator's forearm, which would result from a weight-bearing means positioned very far in front of or very far behind the vertical where said center of gravity is located.

[0025] Advantageously, the handle can be adjustable by rotation around a connecting axis with the upper part of the adapter. This allows the adjustment of the angle of inclination of the handle relative to the body of the adapter and thus to adapt the ergonomics of the tool to the use, and in particular to the constraints of accessibility to the customer tank / product. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to the state of the art;

[0028] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0029] is a schematic view of the filling adapter of the, seen from a different angle, perpendicular to that of the;

[0030] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, and;

[0031] is a schematic view of the filling adapter of the, seen from a different angle, perpendicular to that of the,

[0032] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0033] An adapter 1 according to the state of the art can be seen represented. It comprises a body 2 having an upper part 3, a head 4 intended to be connected to a tank to be filled, a connecting part 5 between the body 2 and a flexible sheath 6 connected to a filling unit. The adapter comprises a gripping handle 7 by which an operator grasps and uses the adapter.

[0034] An adapter 1' according to a first embodiment of the invention can be seen from a first viewing angle and the same adapter from another viewing angle perpendicular to the first. A handle 7 is positioned on the upper part 3 of the adapter, being substantially centered on the longitudinal axis of the adapter.

[0035] The adapter 1' comprises a weight-bearing means 8 comprising a support surface 9 intended to come to bear on the forearm of an operator when the latter handles the adapter. The weight-bearing means is also substantially centered on the longitudinal axis of the adapter.

[0036] When handling an adapter according to the invention, the operator holds it by the handle 7 with his forearm substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the adapter. The weight of the adapter, and that of a portion of the flexible sheath, is supported by the operator partly via the handle and partly via the weight-bearing means. All of this weight is supported via the weight-bearing means when the operator opens his hand and no longer grasps the handle.

[0037] The weight-bearing means may comprise two metal rods 10 with which the bearing surface 9 is connected to the gripping handle of the adapter. Due to their limited diameter, the two rods have a flexibility allowing a slight relative displacement of the bearing surface 9 with respect to the body 2 of the adapter.

[0038] The two metal rods 10 are connected to the handle by means 11 making it possible to adjust the distance of the bearing surface 9 relative to the body 2 of the adapter or the connecting part 5 between the body and the flexible sheath 6. Each of the rods thus has one end placed in a conduit 11 of the handle whose diameter and material allow the rod to slide in the conduit when the operator adjusts the position of the bearing surface 9, and to hold it in the conduit when the operator uses the adapter. A clamping means may be present to lock the position of the rods relative to the handle after adjusting the position of the bearing surface 9.

[0039] We can see represented an 11" adapter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention according to a first viewing angle and the same adapter according to another viewing angle perpendicular to the first.

[0040] In this embodiment, the weight recovery means 8a is connected to the connecting part 5 between the body 2 and the flexible sheath 6 connected to a filling unit. The connecting part 5 comprises two curved parts 12 to which are fixed metal rods 10a for holding the support surface 9a of the weight recovery means 8a.

[0041] Each of the two curved parts 12 comprises a groove 13 allowing the metal rods 10a to be moved along a length of the adapter and along the height of the adapter. These grooves constitute a means for adjusting the position of the weight-bearing means along the operator's forearm and for adjusting the spacing of the bearing surface 9a from the connecting part 5. The diameter and the material of the grooves 13 allow the rods to slide in the grooves when the operator adjusts the position of the bearing surface 9a, and to be held in the grooves when the operator uses the adapter. A clamping means may be present to lock the position of the rods after the adjustment of the position of the bearing surface 9a.

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment shown in, the weight recovery means 800 may be a single part 101 connected to the gripping handle 700 of the adapter 100 by the front part 102. Such a part may for example comprise rods of round or rectangular shape. Said part further comprises a bearing surface 900.

[0043] The adapter further comprises a main body 200 and a head 400 positioned at a first end of the main body 200. The second end is connected to a sheath 600.

[0044] According to an optional characteristic that can be added to all the embodiments described, the handle 700 can be connected to the upper part 300 of the body 200 by a pivoting connection around a connection axis 701 so as to allow its adjustment of the angle of inclination of the handle 7 relative to the body 2 and thus increase the ergonomics.

Claims

Adapter (1'; 1"; 100) for filling a tank with a filling fluid, intended to be connected on the one hand to said tank and, on the other hand, to a filling cell, the adapter (1'; 1"; 100) comprising a handle (7, 700) for gripping the adapter arranged on an upper part (3) of the adapter, characterized in that the adapter further comprises a weight-bearing means (8; 8a; 800) intended to rest on the forearm of an operator when the latter handles the adapter (1'; 1"; 100). Adapter according to claim 1, in which the weight-recovering means (8; 800) is connected to the handle (7) for gripping the adapter. Adapter according to claim 1, comprising a main body (2), a head (4) positioned at a first end of the main body (2) which is intended to be connected to the tank to be filled, and a connecting piece (5) positioned at another end of the main body (2) and intended to be connected to a flexible sheath (6) of the filling unit, the weight recovery means (8a) is connected to the main body (2) of the adapter or to the connecting piece (5). Adapter according to one of claims 2 or 3, in which the weight-recovering means is connected to the gripping handle (7), or to the main body (2) of the adapter, or to the connecting part (5), by flexible means. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an adjustment assembly (13) allowing the position of the weight recovery means to be adjusted relative to the forearm of the operator. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a positioning assembly (11; 11a) arranged to adjust the spacing between the weight-bearing means and the main body of the adapter and / or the spacing between the weight-bearing means and the connecting part (5). Adapter according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the adjustment assembly (13) and / or the positioning assembly (11; 11a) are adapted to be manipulated by one hand of the operator when the second holds the handle for gripping the adapter. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the weight-recovery means (8; 8a; 800) is removable from the adapter. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, in which the weight-recovery means (8; 8a; 800) is capable of being positioned on the adapter so that it is located substantially above the center of gravity of the assembly formed by the adapter and a part of the flexible sheath (6) whose weight is supported by the operator. Adapter (100) according to one of the preceding claims in which the handle (700) is adjustable by rotation around an axis (701) connecting with the upper part (300) of the adapter.

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