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 being 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-connect fitting.

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick-connect device for transferring fluid in a fluid transport circuit such as air or water. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a quick-connect device for connecting a rigid male fitting to a flexible female hose.

[0002] Generally, in a fluid transfer circuit for a motor vehicle, for example a cooling circuit, it is known that to create a leak-proof connection between a flexible hose and a rigid male fitting, a connection device is used. This device comprises a female socket fitting and a ring designed to be mounted on the rigid male fitting and configured to cooperate with the socket, for example, by push-fitting or snap-fitting. The female fitting also includes a tubular end specially designed to facilitate the insertion of the flexible hose.

[0003] Such connection devices generally conform to a standard recommended by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (in German, "Verbrand der Automobilindustrie") and are commonly referred to in the trade as "VDA fittings." Such quick-connect fittings, known as "VDA" fittings, are used by the majority of manufacturers of fluid transfer lines in the automotive and truck markets.

[0004] Generally, the tubing includes 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 designed to engage 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 fitting, one or more indexing or coding marks formed, for example, by one or more protruding lugs, generally two, arranged diametrically opposite each other around the periphery of the ring. These lugs are intended to cooperate, for example, with complementary recessed reliefs provided in the female fitting. Optionally, such a device may also include a male tubing with lugs directly mounted on the male tubing without the need for an additional ring.

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

[0006] Existing "VDA" quick couplings are generally made of plastic and are used to connect plastic or flexible hoses. made of rubber. They include a metal fastener to lock the fitting onto the pipes and orientation lugs to stop the male locking ring fitting from rotating in a predefined orientation.

[0007] However, in the field of cooling circuits, in order to reduce the size of the fluid circuits, these may have complex geometries to make the best use of the available space. It is then necessary to guarantee wide tolerance ranges for the orientation of the circuit's pipes relative to each other.

[0008] It is already known from the prior art, in particular from patent application FR3087516A1, a fitting offering a plurality of discrete, step-by-step positions of the male end relative to the female end 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 and female ends without limitation to discrete positions that may prove unsuitable for the environment. Description of the invention

[0010] The invention relates in particular to a female end fitting of a fluid transfer fitting, comprising a first socket component and a second locking ring component, in which the second component is provided with a distal end for the insertion of a male end fitting along a principal axis of the female end fitting, characterized in that, the first and second components being configured to be irreversibly fixed to each other by a weld bead in any relative position around the principal 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 relative to each other, one of the end fitting components being provided with at least one projection shaped as a point for initiating a welding operation of the two components together,configured to extend between an internal surface of the skirt of the second component and the external surface of the first component.

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

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

[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 blind U-shaped slits not opening onto an edge of the end proximal to delimit a plurality of tabs, at least one of the tabs bears 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 fluidic conduit element.

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

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the circumferential relief is formed by a continuous rib, carried along 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 being of the annular groove type, the female end includes a locking element arranged to tighten the male tubular end in the annular groove through the second ring component.

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

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body of main axis forming the socket extended by an end of 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 outer periphery of the male tubular end to allow the rotational immobilization of the second component and the male tubular end.

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

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the elastically expandable skirt has a plurality of blind U-shaped slits 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 at the right of the priming protrusion.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the visual marker 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 of a circle or in the shape of a heel.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the first component comprises a main body in the form of a socket delimited axially on one side by its free end bearing 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 inner surface of the ring skirt is supported by elastic return, for example by snapping onto the projection.

[0034] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

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

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

[0037] [Fig.3] The [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] The [Fig.6] is a cross-sectional view of the female tip according to the second embodiment.

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

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

[0043] This female end 10 forms part of a quick connection device, also designated as a quick connection 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 fluid transport circuit, such as the coolant for an engine or a battery in a motor vehicle. For example, it is intended for the rapid assembly of a first fluidic tubing element, such as a tube with an annular groove or flange, to a second fluidic conduit element, such as a flexible hose (not shown in the figures), which connects, for example, by push-fitting, to the female end 10 of the device. The flexible hose is, for example, made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber.

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

[0046] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], part 16 comprises an external surface shaped for the insertion of a flexible hose (not shown) and includes, on this external surface, means for axially retaining the flexible hose. For example, part 16 has a stepped relief of the fir-tree notch type intended to receive a flexible hose by insertion (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 can be 90° to form a right-angle bend or take any other value without departing from the scope of the invention. Optionally, the angle can then be zero.

[0048] In the described example, the main body 14 of the first component 12 internally defines a housing 18 configured to receive the end of the male tube. This housing 18 communicates with an internal axial passage of the tubular portion 16. For example, the female fitting 12 includes 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 fitting 10 further comprises a second component, called a locking ring 20, hereinafter referred to as the "ring" or "ring fitting". The ring 20 is configured to cooperate with the first component 12 in order to axially and rotationally immobilize the male tubing.

[0051] In the example illustrated in the figures, the ring 20 has a general annular sleeve shape. In the described example, the ring 20 comprises a distal end portion 20A located, for example, on the side of the tubing and a proximal end portion 20B located, for example, on the side of the connection to the socket 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 such that the tubular skirt 30 is elastically dilatable.

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

[0055] By "clicking" is meant in particular any means involving crossing the relief 26 by elastic deformation of the ring 20 and then by returning to an elastically unconstrained position after crossing the relief 26.

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

[0057] In its proximal locking part 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 opposing circumferential slots 44 or symmetrical slots 44. The pin 42, for example, has a general U-shape and has two substantially parallel branches 46, adapted to pass through the proximal end part 20A of the ring 20, from the outside, to engage in the circumferential slots 44 of ring 20.

[0059] In this example, the locking element 42 consists of an elastically deformable wire element and comprises a pair of parallel arm parts 46 and a connecting part 48 linking the upper ends of the arms 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 arms 46 and the connecting part 48 extending perpendicularly to the X-axis, and the two arms 46 being passed through and retained by the circumferential slots 44 of the ring 20 respectively.

[0060] Consequently, the two ends of each arm 46 are retained by the two end parts of the corresponding retaining slots 44, respectively, and the intermediate part of each arm 46 extends inside the bore of the ring 20.

[0061] In addition, the ring 20 has on its internal surface at least one radially embedded recess 110 suitable for cooperating with at least one indexing or coding mark formed on the outer periphery of the male end.

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

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

[0064] In the described example, these axial projections 38 form snap-on tabs and are spaced 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, generally rectangular in shape and extending from the continuous rim 22. The plurality of tabs 38 protrude axially into the windows 36 from the continuous rim 22. In other words, the tabs 38 are supported by the continuous rim 22 and occupy most of the surface 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 (designated here as a window) which passes radially 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 border 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 rim 22 to the locking portion 20A. The bars 37 preferably occupy a sufficient angular sector to ensure the rigidity of the ring 20. The bars 37 exhibit high rigidity, unlike the tabs 38, which have a certain radial flexibility allowing them to temporarily retract radially. In other words, each bar 37 forms a connecting bridge between the continuous rim 22 and the locking portion 25.

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

[0069] Preferably, the elastically expandable skirt 30 has a plurality of blind U-shaped slots 36 that do not open 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 edge of the end 20B towards the proximal end 20A. The tabs 38 are preferably delimited by the axially closed 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 thickness 34 forming a snap-in bead 34 oriented towards the inside of the skirt 30. For example, the internal thickness is formed by a thickening of a free end edge of the end 20B. Thus, the hooking of the ring 20 onto the sleeve 12 produces its axial immobilization on the latter.

[0071] When mounting the snap-on part 20B onto the first component 20, the tabs 38 flex radially outwards when passing over the protruding relief 26.

[0072] For example, the protruding relief 26 includes 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 onto 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 onto 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 starting point for a welding operation between the two components 12, 20. The projection 32 is shown here with a crested point but may also have a conical point. The function of this projection 32 is to conduct The energy of ultrasonic waves is concentrated to initiate the fusion of the material of the two components 12 and 20 during welding. Preferably, components 12 and 20 are made of synthetic material, for example, plastic.

[0074] Preferably, the elastically expandable skirt 30 having a plurality of blind U-shaped 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 has said priming projection 32.

[0075] As already described, 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 axially closed 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 protrusion 32 is supported, not by the skirt 30 as in the first embodiment, but by an external surface of the first component 12. Preferably, the protrusion 32 forms a relief that extends radially outwards from the external surface of the first component 12. Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], the protrusion 32 is adjacent to the snap-on relief 26 so that when the ring 20 is inserted onto the component 12, the skirt 30 deforms as it passes over the relief 26 and, by elastic return, comes to rest on the protrusion 32 after snap-on. Preferably, the free ends of the tabs 38 of the skirt 30 come to be positioned by elastic return on the protrusion 32.

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

[0078] We will now describe, with reference to the figures, the main aspects of operation of the device 10 according to the first and second embodiments.

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

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

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

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

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

[0084] Next, the ring 20 is inserted around the component 12, in this example by snapping or clipping.

[0085] Finally, in 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 initiation protrusion 32 to cause localized melting 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 tube and the connector tip 16 during the assembly of the connection device. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments within the grasp of a person skilled in the art can also be considered without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A female end (10) of a fluid transfer fitting, comprising 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 about a principal axis (X) of the female end (10), 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), and the second locking ring component (20) has at a proximal end (20B) 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, one of the components (12, 20) of the tip (10) being provided with at least one projection (32),shaped as a starting point for a welding operation of the two components together and 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), characterized in that this projection (32) is provided on the skirt (30) of the second component (20), oriented towards the inside of this skirt (30), or forms a relief, adjacent to the circumferential relief (26) and which extends radially outwards from the external surface of the first component (10).

2. Tip (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the elastically expandable skirt (30) has a plurality of blind U-shaped 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, wherein the second component (20) is provided with a visual marker (50) on an external surface located substantially at the priming protrusion (32).

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

5. Tip (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the visual marker (50) is formed by a round or heel-shaped relief.

6. Nozzle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 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 socket for connection to a fluidic conduit element.

7. Tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 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. Tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 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 from 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 inner surface of the skirt of the ring (20) comes to rest by elastic return, for example by snapping onto the projection (32).

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

11. Tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the male tubular tip being of the annular groove type, the female tip (10) includes a locking element arranged to clamp the male tubular tip in the annular groove through the second ring component.

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

13. Tip (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second component (20) has on its inner surface at least one radially embedded recess adapted to cooperate with at least one indexing or coding marker formed on the outer periphery of the male tubular tip to allow the rotational immobilization of the second component (20) and the male tubular end.

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