Plug-in connection having an outflow prevention means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug-in connection (1), comprising a coupling part (2) and a plug part (8). The plug part (8) can be plugged into the coupling part (2) and locked. A check valve (14) is configured and arranged in each of the plug part (8) and the coupling part (2) in such a way that, in the plugged-in and locked state, the check valves (14) open reciprocally and, in a disconnected and / or a pre-mounted state of the plug part (8) relative to the coupling part (2), are closed - in each case on account of a closing spring (16). Each check valve (14) comprises a valve tappet (24) which interacts with a valve seat (22). The valve tappets (24) are arranged so as to lie opposite one another in an axially aligned manner along a flow duct (18, 20), and butt against one another on the end side by way of abutting surfaces (26). In order to fluid-tightly close the check valve (14), a valve head (28) of the valve tappet (24) has a head seal (52), and the valve seat (22) has a sealing surface (56) of corresponding configuration. The abutting surfaces (26) are each configured on an annular collar (34) of the valve tappet (24) which, on the rear side of the abutting surface (26), has a bearing surface (36) for the respective closing spring (16). The closing springs (16) can be braced counter to a restoring force between the respective bearing surface (36) and a tensioning surface (38) of the respective valve seat (22).

Description

[0001] VOSS Automotive GmbH, Leiersmühle 2-6, 51688 Wipperfürth

[0002] “Plug connection with leak protection”

[0003] The invention relates to a plug-in connection. In particular, such a plug-in connection is used for the fluidic transport of a cooling liquid. The plug-in connection comprises a coupling part with a socket section and a plug-in part. The plug-in part can be inserted into the socket section of the coupling part by means of a shaft. The plug-in part is locked or can be locked in the coupling part in the inserted state by means of a retaining element. Furthermore, a check valve is arranged in each of the plug-in part and the coupling part. The check valves are designed and arranged in relation to the respective other check valve such that the check valves open mutually in the inserted and locked state and are closed relative to the coupling part in a separated and / or pre-assembled state of the plug-in part. The closure of the check valves is brought about by a closing spring.Each check valve has a valve stem that is axially movable within a flow channel and sealingly interacts with a valve seat. The valve stems are arranged axially aligned opposite one another along the flow channel, with their end faces abutting against one another. Furthermore, to ensure fluid-tight closure of the check valve, a valve head of the valve stem has a head seal, and the valve seat has a correspondingly shaped sealing surface.

[0004] A plug-in connection of the type mentioned is known, for example, from air conditioning technology, in particular from EP 0 568 076 B1. This plug-in connection consists of a plug part and a coupling part and two check valves that interact in a flow channel of the plug part and the coupling part. The arrangement of the check valves has the technical effect that no coolant can leak out when the coupling part is released or separated from the plug part, since a closing spring is arranged on each valve head, which urges the respective check valve into its closed position. To seal, the valve head is pressed with a conical sealing surface against a correspondingly conical sealing surface of the valve seat formed directly in the flow channel by a restoring force of the closing spring.

[0005] A disadvantage of this design is that the structure of the plug-in connection is very complex, so that the flow channels of the coupling part and the plug part have to be adapted at great expense in order to accommodate and ensure sufficient tightness. In addition, the known prior art requires that at least the plug part must have an insert body on one side to accommodate the respective check valve, so that the check valve can be inserted into the flow channel of the plug part and the flow channel can then be closed with the insert body. In the known plug-in connection, a valve stroke or the axial movement of the valve tappet is therefore limited on the one hand by the sealing surface of the valve seat formed by the flow channel and on the other hand by the insert part.The use of an insert part disadvantageously increases the complexity, assembly effort and susceptibility to errors of the plug connection.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of creating a plug connection which overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art while maintaining at least the same leakage safety, in particular having a lower assembly effort and a lower susceptibility to errors due to preferably a lower complexity.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 in that the abutment surfaces are each formed on an annular collar projecting radially from the valve tappet, wherein the annular collar has a contact surface for the closing spring on the rear side of the abutment surface such that the respective closing springs are braced against a restoring force between the respective contact surface and a clamping surface of the respective valve seat, at least in the inserted and locked state. The design according to the invention results in the closing springs being arranged between the annular collar or the abutment surface and the valve head relative to the respective valve tappet. Advantageously, the valve head can therefore be designed to be smaller in diameter than the valve tappet in the region of the annular collar or the abutment surface, such that the check valve can always be inserted from one side into the flow channel of the coupling part or the plug part.

[0008] Furthermore, this type of arrangement and design allows the respective check valve to be inserted completely, including the valve seat, in a modular manner into the flow channel of the plug part or the coupling part. In particular, the check valve according to the invention is designed as a press-in cartridge and particularly preferably according to the identical part principle, which means that the same check valve designed as a press-in cartridge is used or can be used in both the plug part and the coupling part. Thus, the check valve in the plug part and the coupling part are preferably designed identically. Advantageously, the design according to the invention allows the coupling parts, the plug parts and the check valves to be manufactured as standard parts, which means that requirements to be met for the plug connection to be manufactured, such asFlow rate or closing spring preload can be achieved via a relative combination of the coupling part, the plug part and the check valves. The identical part principle also has the great advantage over a design without identical parts that there is always a flow balance between the two check valves. This means that, for example, when designing the closing springs, no differences due to diverging flow paths need to be taken into account. The use of identical parts is therefore particularly advantageous, even with changing flow directions. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing spring is designed as a helical spring in such a way that it is arranged coaxially on the respective valve tappet. The closing spring expediently surrounds the valve tappet in such a way that the valve tappet forms an internal guide for the closing spring, so that breakage of the closing spring in the event of compression is prevented oris limited.

[0009] A useful further development provides that at least one spring guide is formed on an outer circumference of the valve tappet in at least one of the check valves. The spring guide is intended in particular to prevent the closing spring from tilting or breaking off. One design of the spring guide provides that the spring guide is raised radially from the valve tappet and, starting from the annular collar, extends axially in the direction of the valve head at least partially over the outer circumference of the valve tappet. In the area of ​​the spring guide, the closing spring is thereby forced into a coaxial position with respect to the valve tappet. In particular, the closing spring rests on the spring guide, surrounding the valve tappet. The spring guide can, for example, be designed as a circumferential annular collar or, according to a particularly advantageous variant, as four webs evenly distributed over the circumference of the valve tappet.

[0010] In an advantageous variant, the spring guide merges into the outer circumference of the valve tappet in a stroke stop, which is in particular designed perpendicular to the flow channel. The stroke stop is preferably designed such that a maximum displacement path of the valve tappet against the restoring force of the closing spring is positively blocked by a contact of the stroke stop with the valve seat. In special designs, according to which the spring guide is formed, for example, from four axially extending webs, each web can merge into the outer circumference of the valve tappet in a surface, which is in particular designed perpendicular to the flow channel, in such a way that a stroke stop is provided. In an alternative design of the stroke stop, in particular if the spring guide is omitted or the spring guide is not necessary, it can be provided that the stroke stop is provided by the closing spring itself.For this purpose, the closing spring is expediently designed such that the closing spring blocks the stroke when it forms a block stop due to the tension, i.e., in particular, when the windings of the closing spring are in contact with each other axially relative to the flow channel. It may be provided that the closing spring forms the block stop when inserted and locked.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment, at least one of the valve seats is designed as an insert sleeve. This valve seat, designed as an insert sleeve, is expediently arranged in the respective flow channel in such a way that the valve seat is axially supported, at least in the inserted and locked state, on a stepped surface, in particular one formed perpendicular to the flow channel. The stepped surface is preferably formed in an inner circumferential surface of the flow channel. The inserted and locked state, in the sense of the invention, describes the inserted arrangement of the plug part in the coupling part while simultaneously locking the plug part to the coupling part by means of the retaining element. This embodiment expediently enables the plug connector to be adapted to different check valves, in particular without the need for structural changes to the plug part and / or coupling part.

[0012] It is preferable for at least one of the valve seats, particularly if this valve seat is designed as a plug-in sleeve, to have a circumferential sealing groove. This sealing groove is preferably designed to be open in the direction of the inner circumferential surface of the respective flow channel. Expediently, particularly to prevent fluid from escaping, a seal, in particular an annular seal, is arranged in the sealing groove such that the valve seat is radially sealed against the inner circumferential surface. The design according to the invention enables a special variant in which the valve seat has a guide surface which is designed in particular coaxially to the respective flow channel in which the valve seat is arranged. Expediently, a guide surface of the valve head which interacts with the valve seat can also be designed coaxially to the respective flow channel in a corresponding manner. This advantageously facilitates assembly and disassembly of the plug-in connection, e.g.B. for maintenance of the check valves, as well as the movement of the valve tappets to open or close the check valves.

[0013] In particular, when the plug connection is completely separated, the plug part is completely detached from the coupling part. In a pre-assembled state, the plug connection is expediently only partially separated, so that the locking by means of the retaining element is released and the plug part is partially axially withdrawn from the socket section. In the pre-assembled state, however, a residual section of the shaft of the plug part remains in the socket section of the coupling part. Expediently, the axial displacement of the plug part from the fully inserted state to the partially inserted pre-assembled state is sufficient for the check valves to assume their closed position and prevent fluid flow or fluid leakage from the respective flow channel.

[0014] An advantageous sealing mechanism provides that at least one of the valve heads has a circumferential head seal groove. In particular, the head seal groove is designed to open radially toward the respective valve seat, so that a head seal, expediently an annular head seal, can be arranged or is arranged in the head seal groove. The head seal is advantageously designed such that the valve head is or can be sealed radially and axially against the sealing surface of the respective valve seat.

[0015] In order to improve the function of the check valves and to avoid malfunctions, a special variant of the invention provides that the sealing surface on an end of one of the valve seats opposite the clamping surface is conical. This conical sealing surface is preferably conically widening in diameter in the direction away from the clamping surface. The conical sealing surface advantageously results in the valve tappet, in particular the valve head, being easier to guide through the valve seat and, in particular, jamming is avoided. A particular advantage arises from the interaction with the head gasket. In this case, the respective check valve can advantageously be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a sealing contact of the head gasket formed on the valve head against the conical sealing surface of the valve seat. The conical sealing surface also prevents damage, e.g.This prevents shearing of the seal, and the head seal is pressed axially and radially into the head seal groove by the conical sealing surface when the check valve is moved from the open to the closed position, improving the sealing properties. An increase in pressure within the flow channels effectively reinforces the sealing potential of the respective check valve.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the assembly or insertion of the valve tappet into the flow channel, in particular into and / or through the valve seat, is improved in that at least one of the valve heads has a conical insertion section.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the valve seat of at least one of the check valves has a guide sleeve formed thereon. The guide sleeve is in particular formed monolithically in one piece with the valve seat and expediently arranged radially outwardly on the clamping surface of the valve seat. It has proven advantageous if the guide sleeve projects axially beyond the clamping surface of the valve seat. Advantageously, when the plug part is inserted and locked, the closing spring is axially clamped against the clamping surface relative to the coupling part and is mounted in a radially guided manner by the guide sleeve and the valve tappet. The guide sleeve thus provides an advantageous means for guiding the closing spring and preventing the closing spring from breaking out.

[0018] The function of the connector is improved by a special design of at least one of the check valves in which the valve stem is partially hollow-cylindrical in such a way that, in the open position of the check valve, the fluid from the flow channel can be guided through a bore in the valve stem. This design advantageously provides for the valve stem to have a bore that is open toward the abutting surface and closed toward the valve head. Preferably, the valve stem has at least one, in particular four, radially open windows that open into the bore.

[0019] In order to ensure correct opening and closing depending on the position of the valve tappet in the flow channel, the window(s) are arranged such that, when the plug part is inserted and locked in the coupling part, the bore is fluidically connected to the flow channel via the at least one window, and in the separated and / or pre-assembled state, the at least one window opening into the bore is fluidically separated from the flow channel. This function orArrangement of the at least one window can be provided in that the window is arranged in the valve tappet in a section between the head gasket of the valve head and the annular collar, wherein the window is arranged in the valve tappet in such a way that in the open position of the check valve, viewed in the direction against the restoring force of the closing spring, it is arranged behind the valve seat and in the closed position of the check valve it is arranged in front of the valve seat.

[0020] Particularly expediently, the windows in the valve tappet and the conical sealing surface of the valve seat are designed to correspond to one another in such a way that the sealing surfaces form a flow path leading into the windows for a fluid flowing through the respective flow channel. In order to improve the tightness of the plug connector, in particular both in a fully inserted and locked state and in a partially inserted pre-assembled state, it can be provided that the shaft of the plug part has a radially outwardly facing groove for receiving a media seal. The media seal can expediently be annular. By means of the media seal, the shaft of the plug part is radially sealed against an inner surface of the sleeve section of the coupling part, at least in the inserted and locked state, and preferably also in the pre-assembled state.

[0021] An advantageous means for locking the plug part provides for the coupling part to have a radially outwardly projecting retaining collar on the socket section. The retaining collar can expediently be designed to extend around the socket section. Preferably, the retaining collar, for locking the plug part, can be axially engaged with its shaft in the socket section of the coupling part by radially elastic retaining arms of the retaining element in a form-fitting manner, or is engaged behind in the locked state.

[0022] In a further developed locking design using a retaining collar in the socket section, the retaining arms of the retaining element can be elastically expanded from a locking position engaging behind the retaining collar to a release position releasing the retaining collar. Advantageously, the locking of the plug part to the coupling part can be released non-destructively by deforming the retaining arms only in the elastic range. This design also allows for repeated assembly or re-locking of the plug part to the coupling part.

[0023] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the following description of the figures and the dependent subclaims.

[0024] Shown are: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector according to the invention,

[0025] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a

[0026] check valve,

[0027] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a

[0028] Valve tappet of a check valve according to Fig. 2,

[0029] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of the check valve according to Fig. 2 in a closed position,

[0030] Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the check valve according to Fig. 2 in an open position,

[0031] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive

[0032] Connector in a pre-assembled state,

[0033] Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the connector according to Fig. 6 in a plugged-in and locked state,

[0034] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a further variant of a connector according to the invention in a plugged-in and locked state and

[0035] Fig. 9 of the connector according to Fig. 8 in a 90° angle to a

[0036] Flow channel rotated sectional view.

[0037] In the various figures of the drawing, identical parts are always provided with the same reference numerals. Regarding the following description, it is claimed that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and not to all or several features of the described feature combinations. Rather, each individual partial feature of the / each exemplary embodiment is also relevant to the subject matter of the invention, both independently of all other partial features described in connection therewith and in combination with any features of another exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a plug connection 1, which is particularly suitable for conducting coolant. The plug connection 1 comprises a coupling part 2 with a sleeve section 4 and a plug part 8 that can be inserted into the sleeve section 4 with a shaft 6. In particular, Figs. 6 to 9 show different states of the plug connection 1 with the plug part 8 inserted into the sleeve section 4.

[0039] The plug part 8 is locked in the coupling part 2 in the inserted state by means of a retaining element 12. The retaining element 12 is expediently designed to be radially elastic and engages positively in an annular groove 10 of the plug part 8 for locking. The locked state is shown in particular in Figs. 7 and 8. The arrangement of the retaining element 12 on the plug part 8 is shown in particular in Fig. 1.

[0040] It is provided that a check valve 14 is formed in each of the plug part 8 and the coupling part 2 and arranged relative to the other check valve 14 in such a way that the check valves 14 open mutually when plugged in and locked. The check valve 14 is illustrated in particular in Figs. 2, 4, and 5, with the intended arrangement of the check valves 14, as intended for mutual interaction, being evident from Figs. 6 to 9.

[0041] Since the embodiment in Fig. 9 is the embodiment according to Fig. 8, only in a sectional view rotated by 90°, the repetition of all reference numerals in Fig. 9 has been omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0042] The check valves 14 are closed in a separated and / or pre-assembled state of the plug part 8 relative to the coupling part 2, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. It is provided that the closure of the check valves 14 is brought about by a closing spring 16.

[0043] Each of the two check valves 14 has a valve tappet 24 that is axially movable in a flow channel 18, 20 and sealingly interacts with a valve seat 22. As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, both the coupling part 2 and the plug part 8 each have a flow channel 18, 20 with a check valve 14 arranged in this flow channel 18, 20. The valve tappet 24 is shown in a special embodiment in Fig. 3.

[0044] When the plug part 8 is inserted into the coupling part 2, the valve tappets 24 are arranged axially aligned opposite one another along the flow channel 18, 20 such that they abut one another at the end faces with abutting surfaces 26. As can be seen in particular from Figs. 6 to 9, it is intended that this arrangement of the valve tappets 24 of the two check valves 14 or the contact of the two abutting surfaces 26 against one another is present both in the pre-assembly position, with an at least partially inserted shaft 6 of the plug part 8 into the sleeve section 4 of the coupling part 2, and in the fully inserted and locked state of the plug part 8 relative to the coupling part 2.

[0045] To close the check valve 14, the valve stem 24 is provided with a valve head 28. The valve head 28 has a head seal 52, and the valve seat 22 has a correspondingly designed sealing surface 56. To close the check valve 14, the valve stem 24 or the valve head 28 formed on the valve stem 24 is axially movable relative to the respective flow channel 18, 20 such that the head seal 52 of the valve head 28 and the sealing surface 56 of the valve seat 22 can be transferred into a sealing position, so that a fluid located in the flow channel 18, 20 cannot escape through the check valve 14 from the plug part 8 or the coupling part 2.

[0046] In particular, the inserted and locked state in the sense of the invention, as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, describes the inserted arrangement of the plug part 8 with its shaft 6 in the sleeve section 4 of the coupling part 2, wherein at the same time the plug part 8 is locked to the coupling part 2 by means of the holding element 12.

[0047] The pre-assembly state in the sense of the invention expediently describes, as shown in Fig. 6, that the plug connection 1 is only partially separated, so that the locking by means of the holding element 12 is released and the plug part 8 with its shaft 6 is partially pulled axially out of the sleeve section 4 of the coupling part 2. In the pre-assembly state, however, in particular a residual section of the shaft 6 of the plug part 8 remains in the sleeve section 4 of the coupling part 2. Expediently, the axial displacement of the plug part 8 from the fully inserted state to the partially inserted pre-assembly state is sufficient for the check valves 14 to assume their closed position and prevent fluid flow or fluid leakage from the respective flow channel 18, 20.

[0048] According to the invention, the abutment surfaces 26 of the respective valve tappets 24 are each formed on an annular collar 34 projecting radially from the valve tappet 24. The embodiment according to the invention is shown in particular in Figs. 4 to 9. According to the invention, the annular collar 34 has a contact surface 36 for the closing spring 16 on the rear side of the abutment surface 26. The contact surface 36 for the closing spring 16 is designed such that the respective closing spring 16 is braced against a restoring force between the respective contact surface 36 and a clamping surface 38 of the respective valve seat 22, at least when the plug part 8 is in the inserted and locked state relative to the coupling part 2.The embodiment according to the invention has the effect that during assembly of the plug connection 1 according to the invention, in particular when connecting the coupling part 2 to the plug part 8, the two valve tappets 24 are brought into contact with their abutting surfaces 26, whereby the two valve tappets 24 support one another. Due to the axial movement of the plug part 8 and the coupling part 2 towards each other in the direction of the respective flow channels 18, 20, the valve tappets 24, which are spring-loaded in the flow channels 18, 20 by the closing spring 16, perform a relative movement 39 to the plug part 8 or the coupling part 2 against the restoring force of the closing springs 16. Due to this relative movement 39, the respective valve tappet 24 of the check valve 14 in the coupling part 2 or in the plug part 8 is moved deeper into the respective flow channel 18, 20. In Fig. 6, the direction of movement of the relative movement 39 of the valve tappet 24 to the coupling part 2 orthe plug part 8, which is created when the plug part 8 is brought together with the coupling part 2, marked with arrows 39.

[0049] In the inserted and locked state of the plug part 8 relative to the coupling part 2, as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the valve tappets 24 are displaced so deeply into their respective flow channels 18, 20 that the check valves 14 are in their open state. Both closing springs 16 are in a tensioned state, with the restoring forces of the two closing springs 16 compensating each other.

[0050] When the plug connection 1 is separated or the plug part 8 is displaced axially relative to the flow channel 18, 20 away from the coupling part 2, for example, from a state shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 89 to a state shown in Fig. 6, the valve tappets 24 are pushed out relative to the respective flow channel 18, 20 in which they are arranged. This results in the check valves 14 automatically transitioning to a closed state when the plug connection 1 is separated, preventing fluid from escaping. In a particular embodiment, the closing spring 16 is expediently designed as a helical spring. As shown in Figs. 6 and 4 to 9, the closing spring 16, designed as a helical spring, is preferably arranged coaxially on the respective valve tappet 24. The closing spring 16 or the helical spring preferably surrounds the respective valve tappet 24.

[0051] To improve the arrangement of the closing spring 16 on the valve tappet 24, a special embodiment of the plug-in connection 1 provides that at least one spring guide is formed on an outer circumference of the valve tappet 24 in at least one of the check valves 14. Designs of the valve tappet 24 with spring guides are shown in particular in Figs. 3 to 7. It has proven particularly advantageous if the spring guide is designed as four webs 40 evenly distributed over the outer circumference of the valve tappet 24.

[0052] The spring guide is expediently designed to be raised radially from the valve tappet 24 and extends at least partially over the outer circumference of the valve tappet 24, starting from the annular collar 34, axially in the direction of the valve head 28. The spring guide reduces a radial freedom of movement of the closing spring 16 relative to the valve tappet 24. In this sense, it can advantageously be provided that the spring guide is designed such that the closing spring 16 rests radially on the spring guide surrounding the valve tappet 24.

[0053] A further developed variant of the plug connection 1, in particular of the spring guide, is shown in Figs. 4 to 7. The spring guide is intended to merge into the outer circumference of the valve tappet 24 in at least one stroke stop 42, which is designed in particular perpendicular to the flow channel 18, 20. The stroke stop 42 is expediently designed such that, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, a maximum displacement path of the valve tappet 24 is positively blocked against the restoring force of the closing spring 16 by a contact of the stroke stop 42 with the valve seat 22. An alternative to the aforementioned stroke stop 42 is shown in Fig. 8. This embodiment can expediently completely replace the aforementioned stroke stop 42 for limiting the maximum displacement path of the valve tappet 24 or can simply be combined with the aforementioned stroke stop 42 as a supplement. In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figs.8 and 9, the stroke stop 42 is provided by the closing spring 16 itself. For this purpose, the closing spring 16 is expediently designed such that the closing spring 16 blocks the maximum displacement path of the valve tappet 24 when, as a result of the tensioning, it forms a block stop. In the block stop, in particular, individual coils of the respective closing spring 16 are in contact with one another axially relative to the flow channel 18, 20. In a special embodiment, it is provided that, in the inserted and locked state, as shown in Fig. 8, the closing spring 16 already forms the block stop.

[0054] According to an advantageous embodiment, the plug connection 1 has a modular design. In particular, the check valve 14, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2, is inserted, in particular pressed, as an assembly into the flow channel 18, 20 of a prefabricated plug part 8 or coupling part 2.

[0055] Preferably, the check valve 14 in the plug part 8 and the check valve 14 in the coupling part 2 are technically identical to one another, designed according to the identical part principle, in particular as press-in cartridges. In particular, this results in an advantageous flow balance. For a modular design of the plug connection 1, it has proven advantageous if, in a particular embodiment, at least one of the valve seats 22 is designed as an insert sleeve and arranged in the respective flow channel 18, 20. This design is shown in particular in Figs. 6 to 9. The arrangement is expediently designed such that the valve seat 22 is supported on a stepped surface 44, 46 in the flow channel 18, 20, at least when the plug part 8 is inserted and locked in the coupling part 2.The step surface 44, 46 is preferably formed in an inner circumferential surface of the flow channel 18, 20, wherein the step surface 44, 46 is preferably formed perpendicular to the flow channel 18, 20.

[0056] An advantageous variant of the plug-in connection 1, shown in Figs. 6 to 9, is characterized in that at least one of the valve seats 22 has a circumferential sealing groove 48. The sealing groove 48 is preferably open in the direction of the inner circumferential surface of the respective flow channel 18, 20. It is expedient to provide a seal 50, in particular an annular seal, in the sealing groove 48 such that the valve seat 22 is radially sealed against the inner circumferential surface of the respective flow channel 18, 20. A valve seat 22 according to this embodiment is shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0057] In particular, the valve seat 22 has a guide surface 30 for guiding the valve tappet 24 or the valve head 28. It has proven advantageous for the mobility of the valve tappet 24 if the guide surface 30 of the valve seat 22, as shown in Figs. 4 to 8, is designed to run coaxially with the respective flow channel 18, 20. This results in the advantageous variant for the plug-in connection 1, according to which at least one of the guide surfaces 30 of the valve seats 22 is designed to run coaxially with the respective flow channel 18, 20. According to a further developed embodiment, the valve head expediently also has a guide surface 32. In particular, the guide surface 32 of the valve head 28 is designed to correspond to the respective valve seat 22 in such a way that the guide surface 32 of the valve head 28 is also designed to run coaxially with the flow channel 18, 20.

[0058] 4 to 9 show advantageous variants of the valve head 28, wherein the valve heads 28 each have a head seal groove 54. Accordingly, an advantageous embodiment of the plug-in connection 1 provides that at least one of the valve heads 28 has a circumferential head seal groove 54. This head seal groove 54 is designed to be open radially to the respective valve seat 22, as is also shown in Figs. 4 to 9. The preferably annular head seal 52 is arranged in the head seal groove 54 such that the valve head 28 is or can be sealed radially against the sealing surface 56 of the respective valve seat 22. The head seal 52 also has the advantage that it holds the valve tappet 24 in the valve seat 22. The head seal can in particular also be designed as a two-component component.

[0059] In order to particularly improve the sealing properties and, expediently, the movement of the valve stem 24 to close the check valve 14, a variant of the invention consists in the sealing surface 56 being conical at an end opposite the clamping surface 38 of at least one of the valve seats 22. This embodiment is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 4 to 9.

[0060] The sealing surface 56 is expediently designed to widen conically in diameter in the direction away from the clamping surface 38. In particular, due to the conical design, the sealing surface 56 presses when the check valve 14 is transferred from the open state, for example, as shown in Fig.

[0061] 5, 7, 8 and 9, in the closed state, for example according to Fig. 4 and 6, the head gasket 52 axially and radially into the head gasket groove 54.

[0062] One embodiment of the plug-in connection 1 expediently provides that at least one of the valve heads 28 has a conically tapering insertion section 58. The insertion section 58 is formed in particular at the end of the valve tappet 24 opposite the annular collar 34. The insertion section 58 advantageously improves the overflow of the valve head 28 by a fluid guided in the respective flow channel 18, 20.

[0063] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the valve seat 22 of at least one of the check valves 14 has a guide sleeve 60 formed thereon. Valve seats 22 having a guide sleeve 60 are shown as examples in Figs. 4 to 8. According to a preferred variant, the illustrated guide sleeves 60 are formed monolithically in one piece with the respective valve seat 22. It is advantageously intended that the guide sleeve 60 is arranged or formed radially outwardly on the clamping surface 38 of the valve seat 22. In particular, the guide sleeve 60 projects axially beyond the clamping surface 38 of the valve seat 22. The guide sleeve 60, in cooperation with the valve tappet 24 and the clamping surface 38, thus provides an advantageous means for guiding the closing spring 16.

[0064] Preferably, in one variant of the invention, at least one of the valve tappets 24 is partially hollow-cylindrical. Partially hollow-cylindrical valve tappets 24 are shown, in particular, in Figs. 3 to 9. The hollow-cylindrical design is an advantageous measure for providing fluid flow or fluid closure of the check valve 14.

[0065] According to an advantageous implementation of the plug connection 1, as shown in Figs. 6 to 9, at least one of the valve tappets 24 has a bore 62 that is open toward the abutment surface 26 and closed toward the valve head 28. It is provided that a radially formed window 64 arranged in the valve tappet 24 opens into the bore 62. In variants of the invention, as in the embodiments of the valve tappet 24 shown in Figs. 3 to 9, four radially open windows 64 can be provided, which open into the bore 62.

[0066] The at least one window 64 is expediently arranged in the valve tappet 24 such that, when the plug part 8 is inserted and locked in the coupling part 2 (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9), the bore 62 is fluidically connected to the flow channel 18, 20 via the at least one window 64. Furthermore, the at least one window 64 is preferably arranged such that, when the plug part 8 is in the separated and / or pre-assembled state relative to the coupling part 2, the at least one window 64 opening into the bore 62 is fluidically separated from the flow channel 18, 20, as shown in Fig. 6. The windows 64 are expediently separated from one another by webs, as shown in Figs. 3 to 9. In the preferred variant with four windows 64, the windows 64 are separated from one another by at least four webs.

[0067] This variant advantageously results in the fluid from the flow channel 18, 20 being able to be guided through the bore 62 of the valve tappet 24 when the check valve 14 is in the open position. For this purpose, a particular embodiment of the invention provides that when the check valve 14 is in the open position, the windows 64 are arranged at least partially in the region of the conical sealing surface 56 of the valve seat 22 or overlap therewith. As a result, the fluid guided through the flow channel 18, 20 is advantageously guided via the conical sealing surface 56 into the windows 64, with the windows 64 advantageously having a flow slope 65 in the direction of flow, which promotes the inflow of the fluid into the bore 62 of the valve tappet 24.

[0068] In particular, both valve tappets 24 are hollow-cylindrical in accordance with the aforementioned embodiment. As shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, this has the advantageous effect that a fluid can flow from the flow channel 18, 20 of the coupling part 2 or the plug part 8 into the bore 62 of the respective valve tappet 24 via the windows 64. Due to the mutual contact of the two abutting surfaces 26 of the two valve tappets 24, the bores 62 of both valve tappets 24 are fluidically connected to one another. This expediently allows the fluid from the bore 62 of one valve tappet 24 to flow into the bore 62 of the other valve tappet 24 and through the respective window 64 from the valve tappet 24 into the respective flow channel 18, 20.In order to ensure such functionally correct opening and closing depending on the position of the valve tappet 24 in the flow channel 18, 20, it can be expediently provided that the at least one window 64 in the valve tappet 24 is arranged in a section between the head seal 52 of the valve head 28 and the annular collar 34. The window 64 is arranged in the valve tappet 24 in particular such that in the open position of the check valve 14, as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, viewed in the direction against the restoring force of the closing spring 16, it is arranged behind the valve seat 22 and in the closed position of the check valve 14, as shown in Fig. 6, it is arranged in front of the valve seat 22.

[0069] According to a flow-optimized variant of the invention, the window 64, as shown in Fig. 3, is formed with the flow slope 65, which improves the overflow or inflow of the fluid into the bore 62, in particular in cooperation with a conical sealing surface 56. All windows 64 expediently have such a flow slope 65. Expediently, when the respective check valve 14 is open, the flow slope 65 and the conical sealing surfaces 56 overlap, so that a fluid flow from the flow channel 18, 20 into the bore 62 or from the bore 62 into the flow channel 18, 20 is enabled in a flow-optimized manner. In particular, the flow slope 65, as shown in Fig. 3, is formed such that it rises radially outwards towards the valve head 28, radially relative to the flow channel 18, 20.

[0070] A further optimization of the flow behavior can be achieved by providing the closed side of the bore 62 facing the valve head 28 with a convex bulge 69 projecting into the bore 62. The bulge 69 is conveniently identified in Fig. 9. The bulge 69 particularly advantageously harmonizes the fluid flow from the bore 62 through the windows 64 into the flow channel 18, 20 and vice versa.

[0071] In order to promote flow, a further embodiment of the invention provides for at least one pocket 67 to be formed in at least one of the flow channels 18, 20. Expediently, one or more pockets 67 are formed in each of the two flow channels 18, 20. This pocket 67 enlarges a flow cross-section of the flow channel 18, 20 in the region of the head gasket 52 when the respective check valve 14 is in its open position. The pockets 67 are identified in particular in Figs. 6 to 9. Embodiments of the flow channels 18, 20 with formed pockets 67 are shown in particular in Figs. 6 to 8. The pockets 67 make it easier for a fluid guided in the flow channel 18, 20 to flow around the head gasket 52.Particularly preferably, the pocket 67 of the flow channel 18, 20 is arranged opposite to the window 64 in the valve tappet 24, in particular such that the window 64 and the pocket 67 at least partially overlap.

[0072] An exemplary flow path for a fluid through the plug connection 1 in a fully inserted and locked state of the plug part 8 relative to the coupling part 2 can begin, for example, in the flow channel 18, as shown in Fig. 9. In particular, in the example described below, the check valve 14 in the plug part 8 and the check valve 14 in the coupling part 2 are designed according to the identical part principle and are technically similar to one another. Beginning in the flow channel 18 of the coupling part 2, a fluid flow is guided via the insertion section 58 toward the pockets 67 in a wall of the flow channel 18.Due to the enlarged flow cross-section in the area of ​​the pockets 67, the fluid can advantageously flow around the head gasket 52 and is then directed by the conical sealing surface 56 in the direction of the windows 64, where the flow slopes 65 formed on the windows 64 assist the flow of the fluid into the bore 62. When the fluid flows through the window 64, the curvature 69 directs the fluid in a direction parallel to the bore 62, so that the fluid is guided into the bore 62 of the opposite valve tappet 24. The curvature 69 in the bore 62 serves at this point to direct the fluid radially in the direction of the windows 64, whereby the flow slopes 65 and the pockets 67 direct the fluid in a controlled manner from the bore 62 into the flow channel 20 of the plug part 8, corresponding to the introduction of the fluid into the bore 62 and the discharge of the fluid from the bore 62.

[0073] According to a variant of the invention, the shaft 6 of the plug part 8 has a radially outwardly open groove 66 for receiving a media seal 68. The media seal 68 is preferably annular, corresponding to the groove 66. The media seal 68 is designed such that, in the inserted and locked state of the plug part 8 relative to the coupling part 2, as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the shaft 6 of the plug part 8 is radially sealed against an inner surface of the sleeve section 4 of the coupling part 2 by means of the media seal 68.

[0074] In a further embodiment of the plug connection 1, the coupling part 2 has a radially outwardly projecting retaining collar 70 on the sleeve section 4. The sleeve section 4 provided with a retaining collar 70 is particularly evident in the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 6 to 9. The retaining collar 70 is expediently designed such that, in order to lock the plug part 8 with its shaft 6 in the sleeve section 4 of the coupling part 2, the retaining element 12 can axially engage behind the retaining collar 70 in a form-fitting manner with radially elastic retaining arms. Preferably, the assembly reliability is improved by expediently designing the retaining collar 70 to extend all the way around the sleeve section 4. In particular, the retaining arms of the retaining element 12 are designed to be radially elastic such that the retaining arms can be elastically expanded from a locking position engaging behind the retaining collar 70 to a release position releasing the retaining collar 70.In particular, the retaining element 12 is designed as a retaining clip which can be radially plugged onto and removed from the plug part 8 or the coupling part. The retaining arms of the retaining element, designed as a retaining clip, expand radially elastically during plugging and unplugging.

[0075] In particular, identically designed check valves 14 are arranged in the flow channel 18 of the coupling part 2 and in the flow channel 20 of the plug part 8. This embodiment is shown in particular in Figs. 6 to 9. Since identically designed check valves 14 are shown in Figs. 6 to 9 in the flow channel 18 of the coupling part 2 and in the flow channel 20 of the plug part 8, the features of the check valves are identified only once with their reference numerals for the sake of clarity. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but also includes all embodiments having the same effect within the meaning of the invention. It is expressly emphasized that the exemplary embodiments are not limited to all features in combination; rather, each individual partial feature can also have an inventive significance in itself, independent of all other partial features.Furthermore, the invention is not yet limited to the combination of features defined in claim 1, but can also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all the individual features disclosed overall. This means that, in principle, practically every individual feature of claim 1 can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application.

[0076] List of reference symbols

[0077] 1 plug connection

[0078] 2 coupling part

[0079] 4 socket section

[0080] 6 shaft

[0081] 8 Plug part

[0082] 10 ring groove

[0083] 12 Holding element

[0084] 14 Check valve

[0085] 16 closing spring

[0086] 18 Flow channel of the coupling part

[0087] 20 Flow channel of the plug part

[0088] 22 Valve seat

[0089] 24 valve tappets

[0090] 26 Impact surface

[0091] 28 valve head

[0092] 30 Guide surface of the valve seat

[0093] 32 Guide surface of the valve head

[0094] 34 ring bundle

[0095] 36 contact surface

[0096] 38 clamping surface

[0097] 39 Relative motion

[0098] 40 bridge

[0099] 42 stroke stop

[0100] 44 Step surface of the coupling part

[0101] 46 Step surface of the plug part

[0102] 48 Sealing groove

[0103] 50 Seal

[0104] 52 head gasket

[0105] 54 Head gasket groove sealing surface

[0106] Introductory section

[0107] Guide sleeve

[0108] drilling

[0109] Window

[0110] Flow slope

[0111] Nut

[0112] Bag

[0113] Media sealing

[0114] curvature

[0115] retaining collar

Claims

Claims 1 . Plug connection (1), in particular for the passage of coolant, comprising a coupling part (2) with a socket section (4) and a plug part (8) which can be inserted into the socket section (4) with a shaft (6), wherein the plug part (8) is locked in the coupling part (2) in the inserted state by means of a holding element (12), wherein a check valve (14) is designed in each case in the plug part (8) and in the coupling part (2) and is arranged relative to the other check valve (14) in such a way that the check valves (14) open mutually in the inserted and locked state and are closed in a separated and / or pre-assembled state of the plug part (8) relative to the coupling part (2) - due to a respective closing spring (16), wherein each check valve (14) has a valve tappet (24),wherein the valve tappets (24) are arranged opposite one another along the flow channel (18, 20) in axial alignment such that they abut one another at the end faces with abutting surfaces (26), wherein, for fluid-tight closing of the check valve (14), a valve head (28) of the valve tappet (24) has a head seal (52) and the valve seat (22) has a correspondingly designed sealing surface (56), characterized in that the abutting surfaces (26) are each formed on an annular collar (34) projecting radially from the valve tappet (24), wherein the annular collar (34) has a contact surface (36) for the closing spring (16) on the rear side of the abutting surface (26) such that the respective closing springs (16) are each clamped against a restoring force between the respective contact surface (36) and a clamping surface (38) of the respective valve seat (22), at least in the inserted and locked state.

2. Plug connection (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing spring (16) is designed as a helical spring such that it is arranged coaxially on the respective valve tappet (24).

3. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in one of the check valves (14) a spring guide is formed on an outer circumference of the valve tappet (24), wherein the spring guide is formed radially raised from the valve tappet (24) and, starting from the annular collar, extends axially in the direction of the valve head (28) at least partially over the outer circumference of the valve tappet (24), wherein the closing spring (16) rests on the spring guide surrounding the valve tappet (24).

4. Plug connection (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring guide is designed as four webs (40) evenly distributed over the circumference.

5. Plug connection (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the spring guide merges into the outer circumference of the valve tappet (24) in a stroke stop (42), wherein the stroke stop (42) is designed such that a maximum displacement path of the valve tappet (24) against the restoring force of the closing spring (16) is blocked in a form-fitting manner by a contact contact of the stroke stop (42) on the valve seat (22).

6. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the valve seats (22) is designed as a plug-in sleeve and is arranged in the respective flow channel (18, 20) in such a way that the The valve seat (22) is axially supported, at least in the inserted and locked state of the plug part (8) in the coupling part (2), on a stepped surface (44, 46), which is formed in particular perpendicular to the flow channel (18, 20) and is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the flow channel (18, 20).

7. Plug connection (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the valve seats (22) has a circumferential sealing groove (48), wherein the sealing groove (48) is open in the direction of the inner circumferential surface of the respective flow channel (18, 20), wherein an annular seal is arranged in the sealing groove (48) such that the valve seat (22) is radially sealed against the inner circumferential surface of the respective flow channel (18, 20).

8. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the valve heads (28) has a circumferential head seal groove (54), wherein the head seal groove (54) is designed to be open radially to the respective valve seat (22), wherein the head seal (52) is arranged in the head seal groove (54) in such a way that the valve head (28) is or can be sealed radially against the respective sealing surface (56) of the valve seat (22).

9. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing surface (56) is arranged on an end of at least one of the valve seats (22) opposite the clamping surface (38), wherein the sealing surface (56) is designed to widen conically in diameter in the direction away from the clamping surface (38).

10. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the valve heads (28) has a conical insertion section (58).

11. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve seat (22) of at least one of the check valves (14) has a guide sleeve (60) formed thereon, which is arranged radially outwardly on the clamping surface (38) and projects axially beyond the clamping surface (38).

12. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in one of the check valves (14) the valve tappet (24) has a bore (62) which is open towards the abutting surface (26) and closed towards the valve head (28), wherein the valve tappet (24) has at least one, in particular four, radially open windows (64) which open into the bore (62) and are arranged such that, in the inserted and locked state of the plug part (8) in the coupling part (2), the bore (62) is fluidically connected to the flow channel (18, 20) via the at least one window (64), and in the separated and / or pre-assembled state of the plug part (8) relative to the coupling part (2), the at least one window (64) opening into the bore (62) is fluidically separated from the flow channel (18, 20).

13. Plug connection (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the window (64) has a flow slope (65) which rises radially outwards towards the flow channel (18, 20) in the direction of the valve head (28), which improves an overflow or an inflow of the fluid into the bore (62).

14. Plug connection (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the side of the bore (62) closed towards the valve head (28) has a convex curvature (69) projecting into the bore (62).

15. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one of the flow channels (18, 20) at least one pocket (67) is formed such that the pocket (67) enlarges a flow cross-section of the flow channel (18, 20) in the region of the head gasket (52) in an open state of the respective check valve (14).

16. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the check valve (14) in the plug part (8) and the check valve (14) in the coupling part (2) are designed according to the principle of identical parts, so that they are designed identically to one another.

17. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft (6) of the plug part (8) has a radially outwardly facing groove (66) for receiving an annular media seal (68), wherein in the inserted and locked state the shaft (6) of the plug part (8) is sealed radially against an inner surface of the sleeve section (4) of the coupling part (2) by means of the media seal (68).

18. Plug connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling part (2) has on the sleeve section (4) a radially outwardly projecting retaining collar (70), which is expediently designed to be circumferential, and the retaining collar (70) for locking the plug part (8) with its shaft (6) in the sleeve section (4) of the coupling part (2) axially from radially elastic holding arms of the holding element (12) are positively engaged behind.

19. Plug connection (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the holding arms of the holding element (12) can be elastically expanded from a locking position engaging behind the holding collar (70) into a release point releasing the holding collar (70).

Images