FILLER ADAPTER

Abstract

TITLE: FILLING ADAPTER Adapter (1) 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) comprising a handle (7) for gripping the adapter disposed on an upper part (3) of the adapter, characterized in that the adapter further comprises a weight-bearing means (8) intended to rest on the forearm of an operator when the latter is handling the adapter (1). Figure for publication: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: 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 in particular an 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 being limiting of the uses of the invention.

[0004] On automobile assembly lines there are stations for filling 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, automatic or manual, so as 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 in which there are 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 level of the adapter. The equivalent weight of this assembly handled by the operator is for example 5 kg (weight to be specified). The operator moves it from a removal 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 carried out 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 comprises a handle to facilitate its handling. This solution is not entirely satisfactory, because it places a lot of strain on the wrist joint when handling the adapter.

[0006] The invention makes it possible to provide a new solution to these problems. Summary of the invention

[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 gripping handle 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] Taking up part of the weight of the adapter and the flexible connecting sheath with the filling cell at the level of the operator's forearm makes it possible to relieve the operator's wrist when handling the adapter. This results in less physical fatigue and a reduction in the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for the operator.

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

[0010] This configuration makes it possible to free up space for the operator to grip the adapter. He can thus easily slide his hand under the weight-bearing means 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 makes it possible to simplify the shape of the gripping handle, to reduce its volume and its mechanical strength. It can thus lead to a lighter adapter compared to a configuration where the weight-recovery means is connected to the gripping handle.

[0013] Advantageously according to the invention, the weight-recovery means is 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 upwards or downwards. This prevents the weight being taken up on a reduced surface area of ​​the weight-bearing means, which would have the effect of generating discomfort for the operator.

[0015] Advantageously according to the invention, the adapter further comprises an adjustment assembly making it possible to adjust the position of the weight-bearing means relative to the operator's forearm.

[0016] The operator can thus adjust the position of the weight-bearing means so that it is positioned on his 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 further comprises 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 part.

[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 according to the invention, 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 means on his forearm after having taken hold of it.

[0021] Advantageously according to the invention, the weight recovery means is 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.

[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. Brief description of the figures

[0025] 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:

[0026] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to the state of the technique;

[0027] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0028] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the filling adapter of [Fig.2], seen under a different angle, perpendicular to that of [Fig.2];

[0029] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a filling adapter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, and;

[0030] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the filling adapter of [Fig.4], seen under a different angle, perpendicular to that of [Fig.4].

[0031] An adapter 1 according to the state of the art can be seen represented in [Fig.l]. 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.

[0032] An adapter according to a first embodiment of the invention can be seen in [Fig.2] from a first viewing angle and in [Fig.3] 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.

[0033] The adapter 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The weight-bearing means comprises two metal rods 10 with which the support 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 support surface 9 in relation to the body 2 of the adapter.

[0036] 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 the adjustment of the position of the bearing surface 9.

[0037] We can see represented in [Fig.4] an adapter according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention according to a first viewing angle and in [Fig.5] the same adapter according to another viewing angle perpendicular to the first.

[0038] In this embodiment, the weight recovery means 8 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 metal rods 10 are fixed for holding the support surface 9 of the weight recovery means 8.

[0039] Each of the two curved parts 12 comprises a groove 13 allowing the metal rods 10 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 9 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 9, and to hold them 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 9.

Claims

Claims

1. Adapter (1) 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) comprising a handle (7) for gripping the adapter arranged on an upper part (3) of the adapter, the adapter further comprising a weight-bearing means (8) intended to rest on the forearm of an operator when the latter handles the adapter (1), characterized in that the weight-bearing means (8) is connected to the handle (7) for gripping the adapter.

2. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight-recovery means (8) is connected to the gripping handle (7) by flexible means.

3. 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.

4. An adapter according to any preceding claim, further comprising a positioning assembly (11) arranged to adjust the spacing between the weight-bearing means and the main body of the adapter.

5. Adapter according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the adjustment assembly (13) and / or the positioning assembly (11) are capable of being manipulated by one hand of the operator when the second holds the handle for gripping the adapter.

6. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weight-recovery means (8) can be removed from the adapter.

7. Adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weight-retaining means (8) is capable of being positioned on the adapter so that it is 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.

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