Quick-connect fitting.

Abstract

The female end fitting (10) comprises a first socket component (12) and a second locking ring component (20), wherein the second component (20) has a distal end (20A) for inserting a male end fitting along a principal axis (X) of the female end fitting (10). In particular, the first (12) and second (20) components are configured to be irreversibly fixed to each other by a weld bead in any relative position around the principal axis (X). The second ring component (20) has a proximal end (20B) of an elastically expandable skirt (30) configured to grip a circumferential relief (26) formed on an external surface of the first component (12) so as to allow free rotation of the two components (12, 20) relative to each other. Figure 1_

Description

Title of the invention: Quick coupling end piece.

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick connection device for transferring fluid in a fluid transport circuit such as air or water. It relates more particularly but not exclusively to a quick connection device for connecting a rigid male end piece to a flexible female pipe.

[0002] Generally speaking, in a fluid transfer circuit for a motor vehicle, for example a cooling circuit, it is known, in order to tightly connect a flexible pipe to a rigid male end piece, to use a connection device comprising a female socket connector part and a ring suitable for being mounted on the rigid male end piece configured to cooperate with the socket, for example by fitting or by snap-fastening. The female connector further comprises a tubular end piece specially designed to facilitate the fitting of the flexible pipe.

[0003] Such connecting devices generally meet a standard recommended by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (in German for "Verbrand der Automobilindustrie") and are commonly referred to in the trade as "VDA coupling". Such so-called "VDA" quick couplings are used by the majority of manufacturers of fluid transfer lines in the automotive and truck market.

[0004] Generally, the tubing comprises a peripheral annular groove forming a locking groove and the ring is provided with a locking element such as a metal spring or metal clip capable of engaging in the annular groove of the tubing to immobilize the ring relative to the tubing. Furthermore, the ring also preferably has in this type of connector, one or more indexing or coding marks formed for example by one or more projecting lugs, generally two, arranged diametrically opposite on the periphery of the ring. These lugs are intended to cooperate for example with complementary hollow reliefs provided in the female connector. Optionally, such a device may also comprise a male tubing with lugs directly mounted on the male tubing without the use of an additional ring.

[0005] The invention applies in particular to the technical field of fluid connection in the cooling circuits of the engine or of a battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The invention can also be used in other similar systems containing fluid or gas.

[0006] Existing “VDA” quick connectors are generally made of a plastic material and are used to connect plastic pipes or flexible pipes made of rubber. They include a metal clip to lock said fitting onto the pipes and orientation lugs to stop the rotation of the male fitting part with locking ring in a predefined orientation.

[0007] However, in the field of cooling circuits, in order to reduce the size of the fluid circuits, the latter may have complex geometries making it possible to make the best use of the available space. It is then necessary to guarantee large tolerance ranges in the orientation of the circuit pipes with respect to each other.

[0008] It is already known from the prior art, in particular from patent application FR3087516A1, a connector offering a plurality of discrete positions, in step by step, of the male end piece relative to the female end piece thanks to a circumferential notched relief.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a solution offering a continuous range of relative positions of the male end piece and the female end piece without limitation to discrete positions which may prove unsuitable for the environment. Description of the invention

[0010] The invention relates in particular to a female end piece of a fluid transfer connector, comprising a first socket component and a second locking ring component and in which the second component is provided with a distal end for inserting a male end piece along a main axis of the female end piece, characterized in that, the first and second components being configured to be fixed to each other irreversibly by a weld bead in any relative position around the main axis, the second ring component is provided at a proximal end with an elastically expandable skirt configured to grip a circumferential relief formed on an external surface of the first component so as to allow free rotation of the two components with respect to each other, one of the components of the end piece being provided with at least one projection shaped as a tip for initiating an operation of welding the two components together,configured to extend between an inner surface of the skirt of the second component and the outer surface of the first component.

[0011] A device according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the second component is provided with a visual marker on an external surface located substantially in line with the priming projection.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the visual cue is formed by a round-shaped relief.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the elastically expandable skirt has a plurality of U-shaped blind slots not opening onto an edge of the proximal end to delimit a plurality of tabs, at least one of the tabs carries said priming projection.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body of generally annular shape around the main axis forming the socket and an end piece extending the socket for connection to a fluid conduit element.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body in the form of a sleeve delimited axially on one side by its free end carrying said circumferential relief.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential relief is formed by a continuous rib, carried at the edge of a free end of the first component.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the skirt is provided with at least one snap-on bead oriented towards the inside of the skirt.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the male tubular end piece being of the annular groove type, the female end piece comprises a locking element arranged to clamp the male tubular end piece in the annular groove through the second ring component.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the second component is provided with symmetrical slots and the locking element has two elastic locking branches joined together by a gripping head and adapted to be pushed transversely and reversibly through the two symmetrical slots.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body with a main axis forming the socket extended by an end piece with an extension axis which together form a non-zero angle, for example between 5° and 90°.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the second component has on its internal surface at least one radially embedded recess suitable for cooperating with at least one indexing or coding mark formed on the external periphery of the male tubular end piece to allow the second component and the male tubular end piece to be immobilized in rotation.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the female end piece comprises a housing for receiving an O-ring.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the elastically expandable skirt has a plurality of U-shaped blind slots not opening onto an edge of the proximal end to delimit a plurality of tabs.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the second component is provided with a visual marker on an external surface located substantially in line with the priming projection.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the visual cue is carried by an outer surface of at least one tab.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the visual cue is formed by a relief in the shape round or heel-shaped.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body in the form of a sleeve delimited axially on one side by its free end carrying said circumferential relief.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the projection is carried by the first component and is formed by a continuous or discontinuous circumferential rib.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential relief is formed by a continuous or discontinuous rib, set back from a free end of the first component.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential relief is formed by a continuous or discontinuous rib, extending back from a free end of the first component.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the projection is carried by the first component and is formed by a circumferential rib adjacent to the relief, the relief extending on the side of the free end and the projection extending behind the relief.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the internal surface of the skirt of the ring comes to bear by elastic return, for example by snapping onto the projection.

[0034] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better, on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the appended drawings in which:

[0035] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a female end piece according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising a ring and a first component.

[0036] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view of the female end piece in which the ring and the first component are separated.

[0037] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the ring [Fig.2].

[0038] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the first component of a tip female according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0039] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the ring of the female end of the [Fig.4],

[0040] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a sectional view of the female end piece according to the second embodiment.

[0041] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a sectional view of the female end piece at another angle of rotation relative to an insertion axis. Detailed description of the invention

[0042] Figures 1 to 3 show a female end piece according to a first embodiment of the invention and Figures 4 to 7 show a female end piece according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the remainder of the description, this female end piece is designated by the general reference 10.

[0043] This female end piece 10 forms part of a quick connection device, also designated as a quick connector for the assembly of two fluid transfer pipe elements according to the invention.

[0044] Such a connection device may in particular be part of a circuit for transporting a fluid, such as a cooling fluid for an engine or a battery of a motor vehicle. For example, it is intended for the rapid assembly of a first tubular fluidic element such as a tube with an annular groove or collar to a second fluidic conduit element such as a flexible pipe (not shown in the figures) which is connected for example by fitting to the female end piece 10 of the device. The flexible pipe is for example made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber.

[0045] According to [Fig. 2], the female end piece 10 comprises a first socket component 12. This first component 12 comprises a main body 14 of generally annular shape around a main axis X forming the socket 14. Preferably, at another end 12B, the female connector 12 is provided with a part 16 for connection to a second fluid conduit element such as a flexible pipe (not shown in the figures). In the example described, the part 16 is formed of a tubular part extending the main body 14 of the female connector 12.

[0046] In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the part 16 comprises an external surface shaped for the fitting of a flexible pipe (not shown) and comprises, on this external surface, means for axially retaining the flexible pipe. For example, the part 16 has a stepped relief of the fir tree notch type intended to receive a flexible pipe by fitting (not shown).

[0047] Furthermore, as can be seen in the figures, the tubular extension 16 extends along an axis XI, forming a deflection angle with the axis X of the main body 14. In this illustrated example, the deflection angle may be 90° to form a right-angle bend or take any other value without departing from the scope of the invention. Optionally, the angle may then be zero.

[0048] In the example described, the main body 14 of the first component 12 internally delimits a housing 18 configured to receive the end of the male tubing. This housing 18 communicates with an internal axial passage of the tubular part 16. For example, the female end piece 12 comprises at its first end 12A, on an internal surface of the housing 18 a location for receiving an O-ring (not shown). Optionally, this location may be formed by a groove, for example by means of a retaining ring inserted into the first socket component.

[0049] Preferably, the tubular part 16 follows an extension axis XI and the axis XI forms a deflection angle with the main axis X, for example between 5° and 90°.

[0050] According to the invention, the end piece 10 also comprises a second component called a locking ring 20, hereinafter referred to as a “ring” or “ring connector”. The ring 20 is configured to cooperate with the first component 12 in order to immobilize the male tube axially and in relative rotation.

[0051] In the example illustrated in the figures, the ring 20 has the general shape of an annular sleeve. In the example described, the ring 20 comprises a distal end portion 20A located for example on the tubing side and a proximal end portion 20B located for example on the side of the connection to the sleeve 12.

[0052] According to the invention, the ring 20 and the sleeve 12 are configured to be fixed to each other irreversibly by a weld bead in any relative position around the main axis X. Preferably, the weld bead is obtained by a welding process using ultrasound.

[0053] Preferably, the ring 20 comprises, in its proximal part 20B, a radially expanding portion. This portion comprises a tubular skirt 30 having at least one slot 36 so that the tubular skirt 30 is elastically expandable.

[0054] In the example described, the elastically expandable end portion 20B is capable of being threaded around the component 12 by elastic expansion and of gripping an external relief 26 formed on the component 12 so as to allow free rotation of the two components 12, 20 with respect to each other. Preferably, the circumferential relief 26 is formed by a preferably continuous rib, set back from a free end 12A of the first component 12. Thus, in the example described, the ring 20 is mounted on the component 12 by snap-fastening its skirt 30 with this relief 26.

[0055] By “snap-fastening” is meant in particular any means involving the crossing of the relief 26 by elastic deformation of the ring 20 then by return to the elastically unstressed position after crossing the relief 26.

[0056] In the example described, the ring 20 comprises an annular end portion 30 for snap-fastening onto the first component 12 and an end portion 25 for locking the second component 20.

[0057] In its proximal locking portion 25, the ring 20 is configured to receive a locking element 42 such as a metal pin 42 arranged to clamp the first fluidic element through the ring 20.

[0058] For this purpose, preferably, the proximal part 20A is provided on its external surface with opposite circumferential slots 44 or symmetrical slots 44. The pin 42 has for example a general U shape and has two branches 46 substantially parallel to each other, suitable for passing through the proximal end part 20A of the ring 20, from the outside, to engage in the circumferential slots 44 of the ring 20.

[0059] In this example, the locking element 42 is composed of an elastically deformable wire element and comprises a pair of parallel branch portions 46 and a connecting portion 48 connecting the upper ends of the branches 46 to each other. In this example, the locking element 42 is configured to be retained by the ring 20, the plane defined by the branches 46 and the connecting portion 48 extending perpendicular to the X axis and the two branches 46 being passed and retained by the circumferential slots 44 of the ring 20 respectively.

[0060] Therefore, the two ends of each leg 46 are retained by the two end portions of the corresponding retaining slots 44, respectively, and the intermediate portion of each leg 46 extends inside the bore of the ring 20.

[0061] Furthermore, the ring 20 has on its internal surface at least one recess 110 embedded radially capable of cooperating with at least one indexing or coding mark formed on the external periphery of the male end piece.

[0062] Preferably, the end portion 20B comprises a free end annular edge 22, for example circumferentially continuous, and a central portion 30 arranged axially between the edge 22 and the locking portion 25, forming the skirt 30.

[0063] Preferably, the skirt 30 has a plurality of axial projections 38 or tongues extending from the annular edge 22. For this purpose, in the example illustrated, the central portion 30 comprises a plurality of slots 36 spaced at regular intervals, circumferentially and in a general U shape.

[0064] In the example described, these axial projections 38 form snap-on tabs and are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the ring 20. Thus, the central portion 30 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially regularly distributed windows 36, of generally rectangular shape and extending from the continuous edge 22. The plurality of tabs 38 protrude axially into the windows 36 from the continuous edge 22. In other words, the tabs 38 are supported by the continuous edge 22 and occupy the majority of the surface area of ​​the windows 36, leaving a U-shaped space free on the axial sides of the tabs 38 and on their free end.

[0065] In other words, the edge 22 from which the locking tabs 38 extend is continuous and each tab 38 is arranged in a closed-contour opening (referred to here as a window) which radially passes through the ring 20.

[0066] Preferably, the tabs 38 extend from the edge 22 of this ring 20 towards the locking part 20A. In the example described, the tabs 38 are attached to the continuous edge 22 and have a free end projecting radially inwards.

[0067] The central portion 30 comprises a plurality of bars 37 remaining between the windows and axially connecting the continuous edge 22 to the locking part 20A to each other. The bars 37 preferably occupy an angular sector sufficient to ensure the rigidity of the ring 20. The bars 37 have a high rigidity, unlike the tabs 38 which have a certain radial flexibility allowing them to temporarily disappear radially. In other words, each bar 37 forms a connecting bridge between the continuous edge 22 and the locking part 25.

[0068] As can be seen in [Fig. 5], the tongues 38 extend slightly in radial projection towards the inside of the ring 20. These tongues 38 are elastically deformable and cooperate with the relief 26 by a bending of the tongues 38 towards the outside and then by crossing the relief 26.

[0069] Preferably, the elastically expandable skirt 30 has a plurality of U-shaped blind slots 36 not opening onto an edge of the proximal end 20B to delimit the plurality of tabs 38. The tabs 38 extend longitudinally from their base 38B at the end edge 20B towards the proximal end 20A. The tabs 38 are preferably delimited by the axially non-opening U-shaped slots 36. These slots 36 advantageously provide elasticity to the skirt 30.

[0070] Alternatively, the skirt 30 may be provided with at least one internal excess thickness 34 forming a snap-fastening bead 34 oriented towards the inside of the skirt 30. For example, the internal excess thickness is formed by a thickening of a free end edge of the end 20B. Thus, the attachment of the ring 20 to the sleeve 12 produces its axial immobilization thereon.

[0071] When mounting the snap-in portion 20B on the first component 20, the tabs 38 flex radially outwards when passing the projecting relief 26.

[0072] For example, the projecting relief 26 comprises a proximal face having a snap-in ramp. As can be seen in [Fig. 4], the relief 26 is equipped with a ramp in the direction of insertion of the ring 20 on the first component 12 to guide the progressive and gradual deformation of the tabs 38 in radial bending during the mounting of the ring 20 on the first component 12.

[0073] According to the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the skirt 30 is provided with at least one projection 32 oriented towards the inside of the skirt 30 and shaped as a tip for initiating a welding operation of the two components 12, 20 together. The projection 32 has a shape here with a crest-line tip but can also have a conical tip. This projection 32 has the function of conducting the energy of the ultrasonic waves by concentrating it so as to initiate the fusion of the material of the two components 12 and 20 during welding. Preferably, the components 12 and 20 are made of synthetic material, for example plastic.

[0074] Preferably, the elastically expandable skirt 30 having a plurality of U-shaped blind slots 36 not opening onto an edge of the proximal end 20B to delimit the plurality of tabs 38, at least one of the tabs 38 carries said priming projection 32.

[0075] As already described, the tongues 38 extend longitudinally from their base 38B at the end edge 20B towards the proximal end 20A. The tongues 38 are preferably delimited by the axially non-opening U-shaped slots 36. These slots 36 advantageously provide elasticity to the skirt 30.

[0076] In the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the priming projection 32 is carried, not by the skirt 30 as in the first embodiment, but by an external surface of the first component 12. Preferably, the projection 32 forms a relief which extends radially outwards from the external surface of the first component 12. Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the projection 32 is adjacent to the snap-in relief 26 so that when the ring 20 is inserted onto the component 12, the skirt 30 deforms when crossing the relief 26 and comes to bear by elastic return on the projection 32 after snap-in. Preferably, the free ends of the tabs 38 of the skirt 30 come to be positioned by elastic return on the projection 32.

[0077] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 4], the priming projection 32 is in the form of a continuous bead of material on the circumference, which may have a crest shape according to a cross-section to the circumferential direction of the bead. Alternatively, the projection 32 may form a non-continuous bead on the circumference of the first component 12.

[0078] The main operating aspects of the device 10 according to the first and second embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures.

[0079] Initially, the tip 10 is composed of a plurality of distinct components, as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0080] In a first step or later, the locking element 42 is inserted transversely through the circumferential retaining slots 44. For this, the pin 42 is slightly inclined to allow the insertion of the feet into the circumferential slots 44.

[0081] Then, during a second step, the O-ring 19 is positioned inside the housing 18 of the component 12 in its location.

[0082] Then, during a third step, a relative position of the ring and the sleeve is chosen from the plurality of possible positions. This position is selected taking into account the desired relative orientation between the two fluid conduit elements.

[0083] The coding receiving recess 110 serves as a visual reference point for the orientation of the ring 20 while the portion 16 of the sleeve 12 fixes the orientation of the sleeve 12.

[0084] Then, the ring 20 is inserted around the component 12, in this example by snap-fastening or clipping.

[0085] Finally, during a final step, an ultrasonic wave conductor or sonotrode is applied to the visual marker 50. The energy produced by the conductor is concentrated in the initiating projection 32 to cause a localized fusion of the materials of the two components 12 and 20 and form the weld bead.

[0086] Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to choose a relative orientation of the male tubing and the connector end piece 16 when mounting the connection device. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described. Other embodiments within the reach of those skilled in the art can also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims

Claims

1. Female end piece (10) of a fluid transfer connector, comprising a first component (12) with a socket and a second component (20) with a locking ring and in which the second component (20) is provided with a distal end (20A) for inserting a male end piece along a main axis (X) of the female end piece (10) characterized in that, the first (12) and second (20) components being configured to be fixed to each other irreversibly by a weld bead in any relative position around the main axis (X), the second component (20) with a ring is provided at a proximal end (20B) with an elastically expandable skirt (30) configured to grip a circumferential relief (26) formed on an external surface of the first component (12) so as to allow free rotation of the two components (12, 20) with respect to each other, one of the components (12,20) of the end piece (10) being provided with at least one projection (32) shaped as a tip for initiating a welding operation of the two components together, configured to extend between an internal surface of the skirt (30) of the second component (20) and the external surface of the first component (12).,

2. Tip (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the elastically expandable skirt (30) has a plurality of U-shaped blind slots (36) not opening onto an edge of the proximal end (20B) to delimit a plurality of tabs (38).

3. Tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second component (20) is provided with a visual mark (50) on an external surface located substantially in line with the priming projection (32).

4. End piece (10) according to claims 2 and 3 taken together, in which the visual marker (50) is carried by an outer surface of at least one tab (38).

5. Tip (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the visual marker (50) is formed by a relief in the shape of a circle or in the shape of a heel.

6. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first component (12) comprises a main body (14) of generally annular shape around the main axis (X) forming the socket and a part (16) extending the connecting socket to a fluid conduit element.

7. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circumferential relief (26) is formed by a continuous or discontinuous rib, extending back from a free end (12A) of the first component (12).

8. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the projection (32) is carried by the first component (12) and is formed by a circumferential rib adjacent to the relief (26), the relief (26) extending on the side of the free end (12A) and the projection (32) extending behind the relief (26).

9. End piece (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the internal surface of the skirt of the ring (20) comes to bear by elastic return, for example by snap-fastening on the projection (32).

10. End piece (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the skirt (30) is provided with at least one projection (32) oriented towards the inside of the skirt (30).

11. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the male tubular end piece being of the annular groove type, the female end piece (10) comprises a locking element arranged to clamp the male tubular end piece in the annular groove through the second ring component.

12. End piece (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the first component (12) comprises is provided with symmetrical slots (44) and the locking element (42) has two elastic locking branches (46) joined together by a gripping head (48) and adapted to be pushed transversely and reversibly through the two symmetrical slots (44).

13. End piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second component (20) has on its internal surface at least one radially embedded recess suitable for cooperating with at least one indexing or coding mark formed on the external periphery of the male tubular end piece to allow the second component (20) and the male tubular end piece to be immobilized in rotation.

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