Coupling device for the pressure-tight connection of a fluid line to a connection element
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing coupling devices for pressure-tight connections of flexible fluid lines often cause damage to the hose surface and are difficult to assemble, leading to leakage issues, especially when connecting hoses to hot drink machines or other applications.
A coupling device with a clamping sleeve featuring two pivoting elements connected in an articulated manner, allowing for a folding movement to enclose the fluid line end without direct pushing, and a union element that secures the clamping sleeve using a multi-start thread or bayonet lock for quick and secure assembly.
This design enables damage-free, leak-free connections with reduced assembly forces and time, ensuring the hose remains undamaged and functional throughout its service life, while providing a reliable mechanical connection.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024062506_21112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Coupling device for the pressure-tight connection of a fluid line with a connecting element
[0002] The invention relates to a coupling device for the pressure-tight connection of a flexible fluid line to a connecting element, preferably having a connecting piece, with
[0003] - a clamping sleeve enclosing a fluid line end in the assembled state and
[0004] - a union element that surrounds the clamping sleeve in the assembled state and enables the clamping sleeve to be pressed against the end of the fluid line.
[0005] A coupling device with the features described above is known in the prior art. The fluid line can be used to transport, for example, pressurized gases and / or liquids. Pressure-tight therefore means in particular that the coupling device ensures a leak-free connection between the fluid line and the connecting element. The flexible fluid line can in particular be a polymer hose line, which in turn can be unreinforced or reinforced. For example, when connecting hose lines for watering gardens and the like to a mating coupling device, one end of the hose line is pushed into a receiving area of the coupling device provided with clamping wedges on the outside. The union element is then screwed onto the coupling device and presses the clamping wedges onto the outer surface of the hose line end.Although this concept has proven itself in practice, it can easily lead to local damage to the hose line surface or the clamping wedges themselves when the hose line end is pushed in along the clamping wedges. In addition, the insertion process is comparatively cumbersome.
[0006] Even when connecting hoses, for example made of silicone, to connection elements in hot drink machines, solutions are often chosen in practice which, although they initially ensure the required tightness, damage the end of the hose during the assembly process and can therefore cause tightness problems, particularly in the long term.
[0007] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a coupling device with the features described above, which enables simple and at the same time damage-free assembly at the end of the fluid line.
[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the clamping sleeve has at least two pivoting elements which are articulated to form a pivot axis and which, when the clamping sleeve is mounted on the fluid line end, enable the fluid line end to be enclosed by a pivoting movement relative to one another. According to the invention, it was recognized that the pivoting movement enables the fluid line end to be enclosed by the clamping sleeve in a damage-free and completely uncomplicated manner. Compared to the solutions known in the prior art, this offers the advantage of secure, leak-free compression over the entire service life as well as the possibility of very simple and therefore quick assembly. The pivot axis is preferably aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the clamping sleeve axis.According to the invention, the clamping sleeve can therefore be easily applied to the fluid line end by a kind of folding movement of its pivoting elements, enclosing it, and then pressed onto this end by means of the coupling element. The laborious process of sliding the clamping sleeve onto the fluid line end, with the problems described above, is thus eliminated within the scope of the teaching of the invention. The required assembly forces are thereby reduced, and the process times for assembly can also be shortened. The assembly according to the invention also prevents damage to the fluid line end when applying the clamping sleeve. Even after disassembly of the coupling device (which can be done without causing damage), the fluid line, for example, remains undamaged and can be reused without any problems.The connection according to the invention is further characterized in that it not only reliably ensures the required tightness, but also creates a very good mechanical connection between the fluid line and the connecting element. The pivoting elements are expediently connected to one another via at least one hinge, which can be designed as a film hinge, for example, when the clamping sleeve is manufactured using an injection molding process. The clamping sleeve expediently has, for example on each pivoting element, at least two lever elements, which facilitate the closing pivoting movement of the pivoting elements by reducing the force. In this case, the lever elements can in particular be aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. Preferably, the lever elements are provided, expediently at their ends, with hooks, which enable a pivotable connection of the clamping sleeve to a flange of the connecting element.It is further within the scope of the invention that the clamping sleeve has a non-circular contour in its contact area with the flange, which ensures that the clamping sleeve is secured against rotation. In this case, the clamping sleeve is inserted into the flange, which has a corresponding recess with a corresponding negative contour. For this purpose, the clamping sleeve can have a polygonal base plate, in particular with a hexagonal outer contour, that can be inserted into the flange.
[0009] The clamping sleeve can be constructed from several, for example at least two (e.g., two or four), sleeve segments, which are separated from each other circumferentially by slots aligned at least substantially parallel to the clamping sleeve axis. This further facilitates the folding of the clamping sleeve onto the fluid line end.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping sleeve has at least one - e.g., at least two - radial, annular projections on the inside, which, when the clamping sleeve is assembled, press against the outside of the end section of the fluid line. In conjunction with the compression by the coupling element, the projection ensures the required tightness in the transition area between the outside of the fluid line end section and the inside of the clamping sleeve. If multiple projections are provided, they can be designed differently; in particular, one projection can be wider than another in the axial direction.
[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling element can be connected to the clamping sleeve via a multi-start thread. Alternatively, however, it is also particularly within the scope of the invention for the coupling element to be connected to the clamping sleeve via a bayonet lock. The bayonet lock enables the desired compression, preferably by means of just a single turn or less than one turn of the coupling element, and thus very fast and, at the same time, secure assembly. In principle, the screw connection - whether via the multi-start thread or alternatively via the bayonet lock - can be monitored via SPC (statistical process control). Furthermore, as an alternative to the multi-start thread or the bayonet lock, other connection mechanisms can also be used, such as clip connections or slip-on sleeves.The clamping sleeve and / or the coupling element can be designed radially symmetrically with a rotation angle of 180°.
[0012] The clamping sleeve may have a circumferential bevel at its end facing away from the cut edge of the fluid line end, which allows for additional clamping of the clamping sleeve to the coupling element. Furthermore, the clamping sleeve and / or the coupling element may be provided with a position marking to facilitate assembly.
[0013] The invention is particularly applicable to connecting polymer hoses, e.g., made of silicone, to connecting elements in hot beverage vending machines. However, other applications, such as in the industrial sector or more generally for transporting industrial or drinking water, e.g., in sanitary facilities or for watering gardens, etc., are of course not excluded. In particular, the invention can also be used with other polymer hose materials, such as PE, PVC, EPDM, PTFE, PU, TPE, etc.
[0014] The invention further relates to a coupling system comprising a coupling device of the type described above and the connecting element, preferably comprising the connecting piece, onto which the fluid line end can be pushed. The connecting element can have a flange on which hooking elements are arranged for hooking the hooks. The hooking elements expediently have pins for engaging the hooks, which serve as stationary pin pivot axes during the closing pivoting movement of the clamping sleeve. In particular, the clamping sleeve can be designed such that its pivot axis moves toward the flange during the closing pivoting movement.
[0015] The invention furthermore also relates to a method for the pressure-tight connection of a fluid line to a connecting element, preferably having a connecting piece, with a coupling device having a clamping sleeve and a coupling element, wherein the clamping sleeve having at least two pivoting elements is pushed onto a fluid line end, wherein the clamping sleeve is then advanced against the outer surface of the fluid line end by means of a pivoting movement of these pivoting elements and
[0016] - whereby the coupling element is then applied to the outer surface of the swivel elements and the clamping sleeve is thereby pressed pressure-tight to the fluid line end.
[0017] The invention is explained below with reference to a drawing that represents only one exemplary embodiment. The drawings schematically show:
[0018] Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a clamping sleeve according to the invention connecting a fluid line end to a connecting element,
[0019] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 in a cross-sectional view,
[0020] Fig. 3 the representation according to Fig. 2 with mounted coupling element,
[0021] Fig. 3a shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in a partial representation corresponding to Fig. 3,
[0022] Fig. 4 a three-dimensional representation of an alternative embodiment of the invention
[0023] Fig. 5a, 5b further embodiments of the teaching according to the invention,
[0024] Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a clamping sleeve according to the invention in an individual view and
[0025] Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a coupling element according to the invention used for pressing.
[0026] - 5 -
[0027] REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP Figs. 1 to 3 show a coupling device 100 for the pressure-tight connection of a fluid line 1 designed as a polymeric hose line to a connecting element 3 having a connecting piece 2. The connecting piece 2 is profiled on its outer side and has a plurality of axially spaced, circumferential piece projections 30 there, over which the end section of the fluid line 1 was pushed during its assembly on the connecting piece 2 (see Fig. 2). The coupling device 100 has a clamping sleeve 5 that encloses a hose line end 4 in the assembled state and a union element 6 that encloses the clamping sleeve 5 in the assembled state and enables the clamping sleeve 5 to be pressed onto the hose line end 4 (see Fig. 3).The clamping sleeve has two pivoting elements 7, 7' which are articulated to form a pivot axis s and which, when the clamping sleeve 5 is mounted on the hose end 4, enable the hose end 4 to be enclosed by a relative pivoting movement A (see Fig. 2). The enclosure takes place in such a way that the entire clamping sleeve 5 comes to rest on the end section of the hose 1. The two pivoting elements 7, 7' are connected to one another via a hinge 50 and each form a half-shell of the clamping sleeve 5. Since the clamping sleeve 5 is designed as a polymer injection-molded component, the hinge 50 was formed directly as a film hinge by injection molding. In the exemplary embodiment, the hose 1 is made of silicone and is used to transport brewing water in a hot drinks machine (not shown in detail).The aforementioned coupling device 100 forms, together with the connecting element 3, onto whose connecting piece 2 the hose line end 4 is pushed, a coupling system 200.
[0028] 1 in particular, it can be seen that the pivot axis s is aligned perpendicular to the clamping sleeve axis x. The clamping sleeve 5 has lever elements 8 which facilitate the closing pivoting movement A of the pivot elements 7, 7' in a force-reducing manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the lever elements 8 are aligned perpendicular to the pivot axis s and are provided with hooks 9 at their ends which enable the clamping sleeve 5 to be pivotally connected to a flange 10 of the connecting element 3. For this purpose, hooking elements 11 for hooking in the hooks 9 are arranged on the flange 10. The hooking elements 11 have pins 12 for the engagement of the hooks 9, which pins serve as stationary pin pivot axes z during the closing pivoting movement of the clamping sleeve 5. The clamping sleeve 5 is designed in such a way that its pivot axis s moves kinematically along the sleeve axis x towards the flange 10 during the closing pivoting movement Z.The lever elements 8 can alternatively be suspended with their hooks 9 in pockets 40 on the flange 10, as shown in Fig. 3a.
[0029] 1 to 3, the clamping sleeve 5 is constructed from four sleeve segments 13, which are separated from one another on the circumference by slots 14 aligned at least substantially parallel to the sleeve axis x. The two pivoting elements 7, 7' of the clamping sleeve 5 each comprise two sleeve segments 13, each spanning a circumferential angle of just under 90°. The clamping sleeve 5 further has two axially spaced, radial, annular projections 15, 15' on the inside, which, when the clamping sleeve 5 is in the assembled state, press against the outside of the end section of the hose line 1. The two projections 15, 15' are designed differently, with the projection 15' further away from the cutting edge K of the hose line end 4 having a greater axial extent and tapering more flatly on one side than the projection 15 located closer to the cutting edge K of the hose line end 4.This adapts this projection 15' to the end geometry of the connecting piece 2. In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3, the union element 6 is screwed onto the clamping sleeve 5 via a multi-start thread 16 and in doing so presses the hose end 4 pressure-tight onto the connecting piece 2. Furthermore, it can be seen that the clamping sleeve 5 has a circumferential bevel 17 at its end facing away from the cutting edge K of the hose end 4, which enables additional clamping of the clamping sleeve 5 to the union element 6. The thread 16 preferably has a 180° radial symmetry, which ensures simplified assembly of the clamping sleeve 5 on the flange 10.
[0030] 4, the coupling element 6 is connected to the clamping sleeve 5 via a bayonet lock 18, the clamping sleeve 5 having only one thread 19. In this embodiment, the clamping sleeve 5 is constructed from two pivoting elements 7, 7', each having a half-shell-shaped sleeve segment 12, i.e. both pivoting elements 7, 7' each have only one sleeve segment 12 that spans an angle of just under 180°. The coupling element 6 has an internally protruding locking element 20, which during assembly is initially guided in an axial groove 21 on the outside of the clamping sleeve 5 when the coupling element 6 is pushed onto the clamping sleeve 5. To make it easier to identify the position of the locking lug 20, a corresponding marking 22 is provided on the outside of the coupling element 6.As soon as the coupling element 6 has been pushed on far enough that the locking element 20 is located behind a thread flank 23 of the bayonet lock 18 on the outside of the clamping sleeve 5, the coupling element 6 can be screwed onto the clamping sleeve 5 with one turn (here clockwise as seen from the coupling element 6). After one turn, the locking element 20 engages in a corresponding locking device 24 on the outside of the clamping sleeve 5, which makes correct assembly easy to recognize. In addition, the clamping sleeve 5 also has a marking 22' which, when correctly assembled, is aligned with the marking 22 on the coupling element 6 and thus additionally visually indicates a flawless connection process. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, the clamping sleeve 5 is also designed as a polymer injection-molded component, so that the hinge 50 connecting the two sleeve segments 12 can be formed directly as a film hinge by injection molding.
[0031] 1 to 3, the clamping sleeve 5 is first pushed axially onto the corresponding hose end 4 with play. Beforehand, or alternatively afterward, the hose end 4 has been pushed onto the connecting piece 2 of the connecting element 3. The clamping sleeve 5 is then advanced against the outer surface of the hose end 4 by means of a pivoting movement Z of its two pivoting elements 7, 7' relative to one another. The clamping sleeve 5 is connected via its lever elements 8 and their end hooks 9 to the hooking elements 11 of the flange 10 of the connecting element 3, said hooking elements being provided with the pins 12, the pins 12 serving as stationary pin pivot axes z for the lever elements 8.The coupling element 6 is then applied to the outer surface of the swivel elements 7, 7' either by screwing it on several times using the thread 15 (Figs. 1 to 3) or by closing the bayonet lock 18 (Fig. 4). This press-fits the inner side of the clamping sleeve 5 to the outer side of the hose end 4 in a pressure-tight manner, ensuring a leak-free connection between the hose end 4 and the connecting element 3.
[0032] In the embodiments according to Fig. 5a and 5b, the connecting element 3 is designed as a hose nipple. In the longitudinal section shown in Fig. 5a, the clamping sleeve 5 has locking elements 90 that can be locked to the hose nipple 3. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5b, the clamping sleeve 5 is screwed onto stop elements 95 arranged on the outer circumference of the hose nipple 3 and has corresponding engagement elements 96 for this purpose.
[0033] Fig. 6 shows a further variant of a clamping sleeve 5 according to the invention. It can be seen that the clamping sleeve 5 has a non-circular contour 60 in its contact area K with the flange 10, which ensures that the clamping sleeve 5 is secured against rotation. In this case, the clamping sleeve 5 is inserted into the flange 10 (not shown here), which has a corresponding recess with a corresponding negative contour. In the exemplary embodiment, the clamping sleeve 5 has a polygonal base plate 70, in particular with a hexagonal outer contour, which is to be inserted into the flange 10. It can also be seen that the clamping sleeve 5 has a film hinge 80, which in particular enables a resilient clamping of the clamping sleeve 5 in the flange 10.It is understood that with regard to the clamping sleeve 5, the formation of an anti-twist device by the described non-circular contour 60 on the one hand and the film hinge 80 on the other hand are possible and can be useful independently of each other.
[0034] Fig. 7 shows a further coupling element 6 according to the invention in a partial individual view. The coupling element 6 is designed to be 180° radially symmetrical, i.e., upon axial rotation of the coupling element 6 by 180°, an identical contour is visible in the view. The locking elements 20 can engage in the clamping sleeve 5 (not shown here) or, alternatively, can be arranged on the outside of the coupling element 6 and lock accordingly on the outside.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Coupling device (100) for the pressure-tight connection of a fluid line (1) to a connecting element (3), preferably having a connecting piece (2), with a clamping sleeve enclosing a fluid line end (4) in the assembled state (5) and a coupling element enclosing the clamping sleeve (5) in the assembled state (6), which enables the clamping sleeve (5) to be pressed onto the fluid line end (4), characterized in that the clamping sleeve (5) has at least two pivoting elements (7, 7') which are articulated to form a pivot axis (s) and which, when the clamping sleeve (5) is mounted on the fluid line end (4), enable the fluid line end (4) to be enclosed by a pivoting movement (A) relative to one another.
2. Coupling device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis (s) is aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the clamping sleeve axis (x).
3. Coupling device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (5) has lever elements (8) which facilitate the closing pivoting movement (A) of the pivoting elements (7, 7') by reducing the force.
4. Coupling device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lever elements (8) are aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis (s).
5. Coupling device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the lever elements (8) are provided with hooks (9) which enable a pivotable connection of the clamping sleeve (5) to a flange (10) of the connecting element (3).
6. Coupling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (5) is constructed from a plurality of sleeve segments (13) which are separated from one another on the circumference by slots (14) aligned at least substantially parallel to the pivot sleeve axis (x).
7. Coupling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (5) has on the inside at least one radial, annular circumferential projection (15, 15') which, in the assembled state of the clamping sleeve (5), presses onto the outside of the end section of the fluid line (1).
8. Coupling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling element (6) can be connected to the clamping sleeve (5) via a multi-start thread (15).
9. Coupling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coupling element (6) can be connected to the clamping sleeve (5) via a bayonet lock (18).
10. Coupling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (5) has, at its end facing away from the cutting edge (Z) of the fluid line end (4), a circumferential bevel (17) which enables additional clamping of the clamping sleeve (5) with the coupling element (6).
11. Coupling system (200) with a coupling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and the connecting element (3), preferably having the connecting piece (2), onto which the fluid line end (4) can be pushed.
12. Coupling system (200) according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting element (3) has a flange (10) on which hooking elements (11) for hooking the hooks (9) are arranged.
13. Coupling system (200) according to claim 12, characterized in that the hooking elements (11) for the engagement of the hooks (9) have pins (12) which serve as stationary pin pivot axes (z) during the closing pivoting movement (A) of the clamping sleeve (5).
14. Coupling system (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping sleeve (5) is designed such that its pivot axis (s) moves towards the flange (10) during the closing pivoting movement (Z).
15. Method for the pressure-tight connection of a fluid line (1) to a connecting element (3), preferably having a connecting piece (2), with a coupling device (100) having a clamping sleeve (5) and a coupling element (6), wherein the clamping sleeve (5) having at least two pivoting elements (7, 7') is pushed onto a fluid line end (4), - wherein the clamping sleeve (5) is then advanced against the outer surface of the fluid line end (4) by means of a pivoting movement (A) of these pivoting elements (7, 7') and - wherein the coupling element (6) is then applied to the outer surface of the pivoting elements (7, 7') and the clamping sleeve (5) is thereby pressed pressure-tightly onto the fluid line end (4).