Fluid connection device and fluid connection assembly comprising such a fluid connection device

Abstract

Fluid connection device and fluid connection assembly comprising such a fluid connection device The present invention relates to a fluid connection device (2), comprising a flange (23), and an end piece (25) traversed by a distal internal channel (251) and configured to be fluidically coupled to a complementary connection device (3). The end piece, mounted in the flange with the possibility of inclination relative to the flange (23), comprises a rear end (252), and a front end (259).The invention also comprises a rod (27) having an intermediate internal channel (271), a front end, mounted in sealing cooperation with the rear end of the tip with the possibility of inclination of the rod relative to the tip and relative to the flange for fluid communication between the distal internal channel (251) of the tip and the intermediate internal channel of the rod, and a rear end (273) for fluid communication between a proximal internal conduit (213) and the intermediate internal channel. Figure for abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid connection device and fluid connection assembly comprising such a fluid connection device

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid connection device and a fluid connection assembly comprising such a fluid connection device.

[0002] In the field of thermoregulation circuits, in particular those designed to cool computer server installations, using all types of fluid, in particular a heat transfer fluid, at a maximum pressure of 16 bar, it is known to connect, using a connection assembly, the different elements of the thermoregulation circuit so as to establish between them a fluid connection to circulate said fluid in the thermoregulation circuit.

[0003] The known fluid connection assembly comprises at least one first fluid connection element, for example a male element, and at least one second complementary fluid connection element, for example a female element, being arranged to be coupled with the first fluid connection element.

[0004] However, due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, the first connecting element of the connection assembly and the second complementary element are generally not perfectly aligned, which increases the coupling forces, the risk of jamming and / or wear during connection.

[0005] It is known from CN102691844 to use a first tip of the connection assembly which comprises a movable valve in the tip body and a rear end of the tip body provided with a convex spherical surface. The convex spherical surface cooperates in a sealing manner with a spherical ring. A retaining ring locks the tip body and prevents it from being removed from the mounting base. A clearance space is provided between the surface of the inner wall of the mounting base and respectively the spherical ring, the retaining ring, the outer peripheral surface of the tip body and so that the tip body can tilt relative to the spherical ring while the spherical ring can move radially relative to the mounting base.

[0006] It is also known from EP4155596 to use a clearance flange in which two first end pieces of the connection assembly are housed, each first end piece being tiltable relative to the flange and capable of taking a misaligned configuration relative to the flange to tolerate an angular misalignment during coupling with a second associated connection end piece of the connection assembly. However, the seals, arranged between the connection assembly support and the flange movement surface, increase the friction caused by the flange movement, which increases the connection forces.

[0007] The aim of the invention is then to propose a fluid connection device which tolerates an angular and / or radial misalignment at the start of the coupling and which limits the coupling forces, in particular due to the movement of the flange.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a fluid connection device, comprising:

[0009] - a flange, forming an external front axial surface and a rear axial surface external, opposite the external front axial surface, the external front axial surface and the external rear axial surface being annular, perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the flange, and facing respectively in a front direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange, in a rear direction opposite to the front direction; and

[0010] - at least one end piece centered on a longitudinal axis, crossed by an internal channel distal and configured to be fluidically coupled to a complementary connecting device, the tip comprising: • a rear end, mounted in an internal housing of the flange, and • a front end, arranged beyond the external front axial surface of the flange according to the forward direction;

[0011] the end piece being mounted in the flange with the possibility of inclination relative to the flange and with the possibility of limited movement relative to the flange in the front and rear directions and in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis of the flange;

[0012] - a cover, which forms a rear axial surface capable of cooperating with the surface external front axial of the flange to guide a displacement of the flange relative to the cover radially to the longitudinal axis of the flange,

[0013] According to the invention, the fluid connection device further comprises a rod comprising:

[0014] - an intermediate internal channel;

[0015] - a front end, mounted in sealed cooperation with the rear end of the tip with the possibility of tilting the rod relative to the tip and relative to the flange and with the possibility of limited movement of the rod relative to the tip in all directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tip and in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis of the tip, for fluid communication between the distal internal channel of the tip and the intermediate internal channel of the rod; and

[0016] - a rear end disposed beyond the flange, following the rear direction for a fluid communication between the intermediate internal channel of the stem and a proximal internal conduit, relative to which the cover is intended to be fixed;

[0017] the intermediate internal channel passing through the rod from the front end of the rod to the rear end of the rod.

[0018] Thanks to the invention, in particular thanks to the presence of the rod and the sealed connection between the distal internal channel and the intermediate internal channel which form a sealed fluid passage from the front end of the tip to the rear end of the rod, the flange no longer intervenes in the sealing of the connection. In particular, when the flange is mounted in a support, the invention makes it unnecessary to mount a seal between the front axial surface of the flange and the support or between the rear axial surface of the flange and the support. This absence of a seal makes it possible to limit friction during radial movement of the flange in the support and thus to limit connection forces.

[0019] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the fluid connection device comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0020] - the front end of the rod is received in a sealed manner in an internal housing from the rear end of the nozzle,

[0021] - the rod comprises a tubular body and a front ring which surrounds in a manner seals the tubular body of the rod to form the front end of the rod and which, in a mounted configuration of the rod in the internal housing, has an external surface in the form of a portion of a sphere which cooperates by complementarity of shapes with an internal surface in the form of a portion of a sphere of the internal housing of the rear end of the end piece and is capable of coming into rear abutment against a stop surface formed by the partially spherical internal surface of the internal housing and delimited by an opening in the end piece opening onto the rear of the end piece and, on the front, into the internal housing of the end piece, said opening extending, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end piece, over a section larger than the external section of the front ring, taken in a longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the end piece and in the mounted configuration of the rod in the internal housing,

[0022] - no seal is interposed directly between the flange and the end piece.

[0023] - a first spring, which is interposed between the flange and the end piece and which elastically returns- tically the end piece relative to the flange, towards a position where an external collar of the end piece is in forward abutment against an internal surface of the flange delimiting the internal housing, and the longitudinal axis of the flange is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the end piece,

[0024] - a support body, with which the cover is fixed and which forms a surface front axial which delimits, with the rear axial surface of the cover, a housing receiving the flange, the front axial surface being able to guide the movement of the flange relative to the support body, radially to the longitudinal axis of the flange, by cooperation with the external rear axial surface of the flange and the proximal internal conduit, which is centered on a central longitudinal axis, which opens into the housing of the support body in the front direction, and which receives the rear end of the rod for fluid communication between the intermediate internal channel of the rod and the proximal internal conduit,

[0025] - a recentering device, elastically returning the flange to a position where the longitudinal axis of the flange is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the proximal internal conduit,

[0026] - the refocusing device comprises a refocusing ring, arranged in the proximal internal conduit and movable in translation relative to the support body along the central longitudinal axis of the proximal internal conduit and a second spring, pushing a front surface of the recentering ring into contact with a rear surface of the flange and the rear surface of the flange is a frustoconical surface centered on the longitudinal axis of the flange and / or the front surface of the recentering ring is a frustoconical surface centered on the central longitudinal axis of the proximal internal conduit,

[0027] - a seal, integral with the rod along the central longitudinal axis of the conduit internal proximal and in sealing contact with an internal radial surface of the proximal internal conduit of the support body,

[0028] - the rear end of the rod is mounted in a slide in a sealed manner, with the possibility of tilting relative to the slider, and with the possibility of limited displacement relative to the slider in the forward and rear directions and in all radial directions to a longitudinal axis of the rod, and the slider has a cylindrical external radial surface and is mounted in the proximal internal duct with the possibility of displacement relative to the support body along the central longitudinal axis of the proximal internal duct,

[0029] - the intermediate internal channel of the rod is delimited by an internal surface, truncated cone flared outwards from the intermediate internal channel at the front end of the rod, respectively at the rear end of the rod,

[0030] - a length of the rod, measured between the front end and the rear end of the rod along a longitudinal axis of the rod, is strictly less than a length of the tip, measured between the front end and the rear end of the tip along the longitudinal axis of the tip,

[0031] - a valve arranged in the distal internal channel of the tip, which is movable by relative to the tip along the longitudinal axis of the tip between an advanced position for closing the distal internal canal and a retracted position for opening the internal canal distal,

[0032] The invention also relates to a fluid connection assembly comprising the fluid connection device as defined above and the complementary connection device, configured to couple with the end piece of the fluid connection device.

[0033] Preferably, the complementary connection device comprises a main body, comprising a stepped internal radial surface, the end piece comprises a stepped external radial surface and the stepped internal radial surface and the stepped external radial surface cooperate, in a coupled configuration, by complementarity of shapes.

[0034] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0035] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a longitudinal section of a fluid connection assembly comprising a connection device and a complementary connection device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the connection devices being shown in a configuration of start of coupling between the two devices.

[0036] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-section of the fluid connection assembly of [Fig.l] along section plane II-II shown in [Fig.l].

[0037] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a cross-section of the fluid connection assembly of [Fig.l] along section plane III-III shown in [Fig.l].

[0038] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a longitudinal section of the fluid connection assembly of [Fig.l], the connection devices being shown in a first intermediate coupling configuration.

[0039] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a longitudinal section of the fluid connection assembly of the preceding figures, the connection devices being shown in a second intermediate coupling configuration.

[0040] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid connection assembly of the preceding figures, the connection devices being shown in a coupled configuration.

[0041] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid connection assembly comprising a connection device and a complementary connection device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the connection devices being shown in a configuration of start of coupling between the two devices.

[0042] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid connection assembly of [Fig.7], the connection devices being shown in a first intermediate coupling configuration.

[0043] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid connection assembly of [Fig.7], the connection devices being shown in a second intermediate coupling configuration.

[0044] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a longitudinal sectional view of the fluid connection assembly of [Fig.7], with the connection devices shown in a coupled configuration.

[0045] A fluid connection assembly 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 6, comprises a fluid connection device 2, here a male fluid connection device, and a complementary connection device 3, here a female connection device. In [Fig.6] the complementary connection device 3 receives the fluid connection device 2 in a fitted manner, in a coupled configuration.

[0046] The complementary connection device 3 comprises a main body 31, here a female body, a central piston 33, an annular valve 35 and a spring 37.

[0047] The main body 31 is tubular and crossed from one side to the other by an internal channel 311 centered on a longitudinal axis XL. The internal channel 311 is delimited by a frustoconical front mouth surface 313 and by an internal radial surface S31 which is, advantageously, stepped, that is to say having several internal diameters which increase in the direction of the mouth surface 313.

[0048] The main body 31 further comprises a threaded rear surface 315. The threading of the rear surface 315 allows the main body 31 to be screwed onto a support 4, itself connected to a pipe or a hose, the sealing of the assembly between the main body 31 and the support 4 is ensured by a seal 41 interposed between the rear surface 315 and the support 4.

[0049] The central piston 33 is composed of a body 331 of revolution centered on the longitudinal axis XI, the body 331 is fixedly mounted along the longitudinal axis XI relative to the main body 31 in the internal channel 311.

[0050] The annular valve 35 is mounted in the internal channel 311 and is movable relative to the main body 31 and to the piston 33 along the longitudinal axis XI between an advanced position for closing the internal channel 311 and a retracted position for opening the internal channel 311. In its advanced position, the annular valve 35 cooperates in a sealed manner with a cylindrical seat formed on the main body 31 and with the piston 33.

[0051] The spring 37 is interposed between the central piston 33 or the main body 31 and the annular valve 35. The spring 37 pushes the annular valve 35 towards its advanced position.

[0052] The fluid connection device 2 comprises a flange 23, an end piece 25, a rod 27, a support 21 and preferably a slider 20.

[0053] The support 21 comprises a tubular support body 210, centered on a longitudinal axis X2. The support 21 comprises a first front internal axial surface S21A, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2 and a second cylindrical internal radial surface S21B, centered on the longitudinal axis X2.

[0054] The support 21 comprises a cover 215 fixed to the support body 210 by a stop segment or, alternatively, by screwing. The first and second surfaces S21A, S21B of the support 21 and a rear axial surface S215 of the cover 215, parallel and opposite to the first front internal axial surface S21A, delimit an internal housing 211 having an internal diameter d211. The cover 215 closes the housing 211 in a front direction Al parallel to the longitudinal axis X2.

[0055] For the present description, terms such as “axial”, “radial” and "longitudinal" are defined relative to the central or longitudinal axis of the element to which they relate. For example, with respect to the support 21, terms such as "axial", "radial" and "longitudinal" are defined relative to the axis X2. In this case, for example, an axial surface of the support 21 extends perpendicular to the axis X2, a radial surface of the support 21 extends parallel to the axis X2 and around the axis X2. Terms such as "front" and "distal", when they relate to the fluid connection device 2, relate to the front direction AL. Terms such as "rear" and "proximal", when they relate to the fluid connection device 2, relate to a rear direction A2 opposite to the front direction AL. A "front surface" faces in the front direction, a "rear surface" faces in the rear direction.

[0056] The support 21 also comprises a proximal internal conduit 213 passing through the support body 210 and opening, in the front direction A1, into the housing 211. The proximal internal conduit 213 is centered on the longitudinal axis X2. The proximal internal conduit 213 comprises a peripheral cavity 212, formed as a hollow, and an internal radial surface S213, that is to say a surface whose normal at any point is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X2. At the rear, the proximal internal conduit 213 is intended to be connected to a pipe or a pipeline. By being fixed on the support body 210, the cover is fixed relative to the proximal internal conduit 213.

[0057] The slide 20 comprises an annular body 200, centered on a longitudinal axis, which, in service, coincides, apart from radial clearances, with the longitudinal axis X2 and which will therefore be considered as being the longitudinal axis X2 hereinafter for convenience.

[0058] The slider 20 comprises a cylindrical external radial surface S20, which cooperates with reduced radial clearance with the internal radial surface S213 of the proximal internal conduit 213, and an internal housing 207 in the form of a portion of a sphere which are centered on the longitudinal axis X2 as well as an opening 203 and a rear shoulder 205. The opening 203 opens onto the front of the slider 20 and, at the rear, into the internal housing 207. The opening 203 is elongated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2. The opening 203 has a width L203, measured in a direction orthoradial to the longitudinal axis X2, and a height h203, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2 and perpendicular to the width L203. The height h203 is strictly greater than the width L203 of the opening 203.

[0059] The slider 20 is housed in the proximal internal conduit 213 of the support 21 and a seal 209 is interposed radially between the cylindrical external radial surface S20 of the slider 20 and the internal radial surface S213 of the proximal internal conduit 213. Preferably, the seal 209 is carried by the cylindrical external radial surface S20 of the slider 20 so that the seal 209 is integral along the longitudinal axis X5 of the rod 27.

[0060] The flange 23 comprises a tubular body 230 centered on a longitudinal axis X3, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis X2 in the mounted configuration of the flange 23 in the support 21. The forward directions A1 and rear directions A2 therefore also apply to the longitudinal axis X3. Preferably, the tubular body 230 is formed by screwing several parts together.

[0061] The flange 23 comprises an external front axial surface S23A and an external rear axial surface S23B which are planar, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X3. The external front axial surface S23A and the external rear axial surface S23B are annular surfaces centered on the longitudinal axis X3. The external front axial surface S23A and the external rear axial surface S23B extend at least partially at the same radial level with the longitudinal axis X3.

[0062] The flange 23 also defines an internal housing 231 centered around the longitudinal axis X3. The internal housing 231 is delimited by an internal surface S231 facing in the rear direction A2, by a rear internal shoulder 232, by a counterbore 235, by a rear internal radial surface and by an internal radial surface 233 arranged along the longitudinal axis X3 between the internal surface S231 and the rear internal shoulder 232. The internal surface S231 delimits the internal housing 231 in the front direction AL. The internal housing 231 opens out at the front of the flange 23 and at the rear of the flange 23.

[0063] The flange 23 also has holes T23 connecting the internal housing 231 of the flange 23 and the exterior of the flange 23.

[0064] The flange 23 advantageously comprises a tubular rear protrusion 237 which projects from the external rear axial surface S23B of the flange 23 towards the rear in the proximal internal conduit 213 and which forms the rear internal radial surface of the flange 23. Advantageously, the rear protrusion 237 forms a rear surface S237. Advantageously, the rear surface S237 is frustoconical, converging in the rear direction A2 and being centered on the longitudinal axis X3, and has a angular aperture 0237.

[0065] The flange 23 is mounted in the housing 211 with the possibility of having a radial displacement relative to the support 21 in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis X2.

[0066] A maximum external diameter d23 of the flange 23, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X3, is strictly less than the internal diameter d211 of the housing 211, advantageously between 15% and 25% less than the internal diameter d211 of the housing 211, preferably 20% less than the internal diameter d211 of the housing 211.

[0067] A longitudinal dimension 123 of the flange 23, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X3 between the external front axial surface S23A and the external rear axial surface S23B of the flange 23, is substantially equal to a longitudinal dimension 1211 of the housing 211, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X2 between the first front axial surface S21A of the support 21 and the rear axial surface S215 of the cover 215.

[0068] After assembly of the fluid connection device 2, the cooperations by plane-plane contact, with the assembly clearances close, between the external front axial surface S23A and the rear axial surface S215 and between the external rear axial surface S23B and the first front axial surface S21A, facilitate and guide the movement of the flange 23 in the housing 211 radially to the longitudinal axis X3. In the event of a large radial movement of the flange 23 relative to the longitudinal axis X2, the rear protuberance 237 is housed in the peripheral cavity 212 of the proximal internal conduit 213.

[0069] Preferably, the flange 23 is assembled by screwing several parts together. Preferably, the external front axial surface S23A, the external rear axial surface S23B, the internal radial surface 233 and the internal surface S231 are formed on a first part of the flange 23 while the protrusion 237, the shoulder 232 and the counterbore 235 are formed on a second part of the flange 23 screwed onto the first part from the rear of the first part. The first and second parts can be made of two different materials, for example polymer for the first part and metal for the second part. The holes T23 are used for mounting the two parts of the flange 23 with a tool. The flange 23, and in particular the external front axial surface S23A and the external rear axial surface S23B, is devoid of a seal.The first front internal axial surface S21A and the rear axial surface S215 of the cover 25 are also devoid of a seal. Thus no seal is interposed directly between the flange 23 and the support 21 or the cover 215.

[0070] The tip 25 comprises a male tubular body 250, centered on a longitudinal axis X4, and crossed from one side to the other along the longitudinal axis X4 by a distal internal channel 251. The tubular body 250 comprises an external radial surface S25 which is arranged at the front of the support 21 and which is, advantageously, stepped, that is to say having several external diameters which decrease in the front direction Al.

[0071] The end piece 25 houses a valve 254 mounted movably in the distal internal channel 251 and a spring RI. The valve 254 is movable in the tubular body 250 of the end piece 25, along the longitudinal axis X4, between an advanced position for closing the distal internal channel 251 and a retracted position for opening the fluid passage in the distal internal channel 251. The valve 254 is secured to the tubular body 250 radially to the longitudinal axis X4. The valve 254 is pushed back towards its advanced position by the spring RI interposed between a washer bearing rearwardly against the tubular body 250 and the valve 254. In the advanced position, the valve 254 cooperates in a sealed manner with a seat formed on a front end 259 of the tubular body 250.

[0072] The tubular body 250 comprises a cylindrical outer flange 257 disposed at a rear end 252 of the tubular body 250. The outer flange 257 comprises a front surface S257A and a rear surface S257B parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4. An outer diameter d257 of the outer flange 257, centered on the longitudinal axis X4, is greater than the diameters of the outer radial surface S25. The tubular body 250 also comprises a skirt 256 which extends rearwardly from the outer flange 257 and whose outer diameter is less than the outer diameter d257.

[0073] The collar 257 faces, on the front, the internal surface S231 and, on the rear, the internal shoulder 232. The end piece 25 is therefore mounted in the flange 23 with the possibility of limited movement relative to the flange 23 in the front A1 and rear A2 directions.

[0074] The rear end 252 of the tip 25 comprises an internal housing 258 which opens into the distal internal channel 251 in the front direction A2 at a front shoulder 255 of the tubular body 250. An opening 253 opens onto the rear of the tubular body 250 of the tip 25 and, at the front, into the internal housing 258. A plane P253 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4, coplanar with the section plane III-III, intersects the opening 253. The internal housing 258 of the tip 25 is delimited by an internal surface S258 in a portion of a sphere centered on the longitudinal axis X4. The opening 253 is elongated perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4. The opening 253 has a width L253 measured in a direction orthoradial to the longitudinal axis X4, and a height h253 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4 and perpendicular to the width L253.

[0075] The rear end 252 of the nozzle 25 is housed in the internal housing 231 and is arranged in front of the external rear axial surface S23B. In particular, in the uncoupled configuration of the fluid connection device 2, the external collar 257 is in plane-plane contact with the internal surface S231 of the flange 23. The radial clearance of the connection between the end piece 25 and the flange 23, which corresponds to the radial clearance between the internal radial surface 233 and the external radial surface of the collar 257, is less than 1% of the external diameter d257 of the external collar 257, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4, for example for an external diameter d257 of the external collar 257 of 24.5 mm, the radial clearance is of the order of 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Thus the tubular body 250 cooperates with reduced radial clearance with the flange 23 and is mounted with the possibility of inclination in the flange 23 while having limited relative movement with the flange 23 in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis X3.

[0076] A spring R2 bears on the flange 23 in the counterbore 235 and on the rear surface S257B of the external collar 257 of the end piece 25 while being guided radially by the external radial surface of the skirt 256. The spring R2 pushes the front surface S257A of the external collar 257 of the end piece 25 forwards towards a position in which the external collar 257 is in front longitudinal abutment against the internal surface S231 of the flange 23, with the longitudinal axis X4 of the end piece 25 in a coaxial position, with the radial clearances between the external collar 257 and the internal radial surface 233 of the flange 23 close, with the longitudinal axis X2 of the flange 23, position which is reached in the uncoupled configuration. The inner surface S231 of the flange 23 limits the forward movement of the tip 25 relative to the flange 23.The rear end 252 of the end piece 25 is integral in movement with the flange 23 radially to the longitudinal axis X2, with the radial clearances between the external collar 257 and the flange 23.

[0077] The end piece 25 partially protrudes from the flange 23 and the support 21 in the forward direction A1 and passes through the cover 215. For this purpose, the cover 215 has a central opening compatible with the movements of the flange 23 and the end piece 25 relative to the support 21.

[0078] No seal is interposed directly between the flange 23 and the end piece 25, in particular between the external radial surface of the rear end 252 of the end piece 25 and the flange 25, in particular between the collar 257 and the internal radial surface 233 of the flange 23. This facilitates the inclination of the end piece 25 in the flange 23.

[0079] The rod 27 comprises a tubular body 270 centered on a longitudinal axis X5, monopartite and delimits an intermediate internal channel 271 passing through the tubular body 270 from one side to the other along the longitudinal axis X5. At a rear end 273 of the rod 27, the intermediate internal channel 271 is delimited by a rear internal surface S271A that is frustoconical and diverges rearwardly and outwardly from the intermediate internal channel 271. At a front end 275 of the rod 27, the intermediate internal channel 271 is delimited by a front internal surface S271B that is frustoconical and diverges forwardly and outwardly from the intermediate internal channel 271. The intermediate internal channel 271 is devoid of a valve or other closing means.

[0080] A length 127 of the rod 27, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X5 between the front 275 and rear 273 ends of the rod 27, is advantageously at least equal to 0.6 times, preferably at least equal to 0.75 times, a length 125 of the end piece 25, measured between a front face S259 of the front end 259 of the end piece 25 and a rear face of the end piece 25. The length 127 of the rod 27 is strictly less than the length 125 of the end piece 25. The length 127 of the rod 27 makes it possible to limit the inclination of the rod 27 relative to the end piece 25 to limit the stresses on the joints interposed between the rod 27 and the end piece 25 in the event of a maximum angular defect. Advantageously, the length 127 of the rod 27 is chosen close to the length 125 of the end piece 25 to limit the radial space necessary, in the support 21 and in the flange 23, for the inclination of the rod 27 when the maximum radial displacement of the flange 23 in the support 21 is reached.In practice, the maximum inclination of the rod 27 relative to the end piece 25 is approximately 6° and the maximum inclination of the end piece 25 relative to the flange 23 is approximately 6°.

[0081] The rod 27 comprises a front ring 277 attached around a front portion 280 of the tubular body 270, secured to the tubular body 270 along the longitudinal axis X5 and forming the front end 275 of the rod 27. The front ring 277 forms an external surface S277 in a portion of a sphere with an external diameter d277, centered on the longitudinal axis X5 and extending all around the longitudinal axis X5 in the mounted configuration of the front ring 277 on the tubular body 270. A seal J1 is radially interposed, relative to the longitudinal axis X5, between the front ring 277 and the front portion 280 of the tubular body 270 of the rod 27 and ensures sealed cooperation between the tubular body 270 and the ring 277.

[0082] A thickness e277 of the front ring 277, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X4, in the mounted configuration of the front ring 277 in the end piece 25 and when the longitudinal axis X4 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X5, as shown in [Fig.l], is less than the width L253 of the opening 253 of the rear end 252 of the end piece 25. The width L253 is strictly less than the external diameter d277. The external diameter d277 of the front ring 277 is less than the height h253 of the opening 253 of the rear end 252 of the end piece 25 and strictly greater than the width L253 of the opening 253.Thus the external section of the ring 277, taken in a longitudinal plane P277 passing through the longitudinal axis X4 in the mounted configuration of the rod 27 in the end piece 25 and defined by the thickness e277 and the external diameter d277, is less than the section of the opening 253 taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4, for example in the perpendicular plane P253, and defined by the width L253 and the height h253. The section of the opening 253 is visible in [Fig.3], on which the retaining ring 284 has been omitted. The external section of the rear ring 277 is visible in Figures 1 and 4 to 6.

[0083] The longitudinal connection between the tubular body 270 and the end piece 25 is achieved by the front ring 277 interposed along the longitudinal axis X5 between the front shoulder 255 and the opening 253 of the end piece 25. The rod 27 is assembled to the end piece 25 by engagement of the front ring 277 in the internal housing 258 of the rear end 252 of the end piece 25 by longitudinal engagement of the front ring 277 through the opening 253 into the internal housing 258, the front ring 277 being oriented so that its thickness e277 is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4. This is possible because the external section of the ring 277 is smaller than the section of the opening 253.Then, in the internal housing 258, the front ring 277 is rotated around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4 and parallel to the dimension according to which the height h253 of the opening 253 of the rear end 252 of the end piece 25 is maximum, so as to replace the front ring 277 with its thickness e277 parallel to the longitudinal axis X4. The front ring 277 is then able to come into rear abutment against a stop surface S258A formed by the internal surface S258 of the internal housing 258 and delimited by the opening 253. The tubular body 270 is then engaged in the front ring 277 equipped with the seal J1 until it comes into front abutment against a shoulder of the front ring 277 and a stop ring 284 is put in place between an external shoulder of the front portion 275 of the tubular body 270 and the front ring 277 to limit the movement of the tubular body 270 towards the rear of the front ring 277.The front end 275 of the rod 27 is therefore mounted in the end piece 25 with the possibility of limited movement relative to the end piece 25 in all directions parallel to the longitudinal axis X4. In other words, apart from the operating clearances, the front end 275 of the rod 27 is integral with the rear end 252 of the end piece 25 along the longitudinal axis X4.

[0084] During assembly, a seal J3 is radially interposed between the front ring 277 and the rear end 252 of the end piece 25. The seal J3 ensures the sealed cooperation between the front end 275 of the rod 27 and the tubular body 250 whatever the relative inclination position between the end piece 25 and the rod 27. The cooperation by complementary shapes between the external surface S277 of the front ring 277 and the internal surface S258 allows an inclination movement of the rod 27 relative to the end piece 25, i.e. an inclination of the longitudinal axis X5 relative to the longitudinal axis X4 in all planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X4. In addition, thanks to the cooperation between the external surface S277 of the front ring 277 and the internal surface S258, the front end 275 of the rod 27 is mounted in the end piece 25 with the possibility of limited movement relative to the end piece 25 in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis X4.In other words, apart from the operating clearances, the front end 275 of the rod 27 is integral with the rear end 252 of the end piece 25 radially to the longitudinal axis X4 and in particular integral with the . movements of the tip 25 relative to the support 21 radially to the longitudinal axis X4.

[0085] The rod 27 is partially disposed in the internal housing 231 in the flange 23. In other words, a portion of the rod 27 is surrounded by the flange 23. The rod 27 partially protrudes out of the flange 23 rearwardly relative to the external rear axial surface S23B and relative to the rear surface S237 and out of the end piece 25 rearwardly relative to the rear end 252 of the end piece 25.

[0086] The rod 27 also comprises a rear ring 279 attached around the rear portion 282 of the tubular body 270, secured to the tubular body 270 along the longitudinal axis X5 and forming the rear end 273 of the rod 27. The rear ring 279 forms an external surface S279 in the form of a portion of a sphere with an external diameter d279, centered on the longitudinal axis X5 and extending all around the longitudinal axis X5 in a mounted configuration of the rear ring 279 on the tubular body 270. A seal J2 is radially interposed, relative to the longitudinal axis X5, between the rear ring 279 and the rear portion 282 of the tubular body 270 of the rod 27.

[0087] A thickness e279 of the rear ring 279, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X2, in the mounted configuration of the rod 27 in the slide 20 and when the longitudinal axis X2 is coaxial with the longitudinal axis X5, as shown in [Fig.l], is less than the width L203 of the opening 203 of the slide 20. The width L203 is strictly less than the external diameter d279. The external diameter d279 of the rear ring 279, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X5, is less than the height h203 of the opening 203 of the slide 20. Thus the external section of the ring 279, taken in a longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis X2 in the mounted configuration of the rod 27 in the slide and defined by the maximum thickness e279 and the external diameter d279, is less than the section of the opening 203 taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2 and defined by the width L203 and the height h203.The section of the opening 203 is visible in [Fig. 2], in which the snap ring 286 has been omitted. The external section of the rear ring 279 is visible in Figures 1 and 4 to 6.

[0088] The longitudinal connection between the tubular body 270 and the slider 20 is achieved by the rear ring 279 interposed along the longitudinal axis X5 between the rear shoulder 205 and the opening 203 of the slider 20. The rod 27 is assembled to the slider 20 by longitudinal engagement of the rear ring 279 in the slider 20 into the internal housing 207 through the opening 203, the rear ring 279 being oriented so that its thickness e279 is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2. This is possible because the external section of the ring 279 is smaller than the section of the opening 203. Then, in the internal housing 207, the rear ring 279 is rotated around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2 and parallel to the dimension according to which the height h203 of the opening 203 of the slide 20 is maximum, so as to replace the rear ring 279 with its thickness e279 parallel to the longitudinal axis X2. The rear ring 279 is then able to come into abutment forward against a stop surface S207A formed by the internal surface of the internal housing 207 and delimited by the opening 203. The tubular body 270 is then engaged in the rear ring 279 equipped with the seal J2 until it comes into abutment backward against a shoulder of the rear ring 279 and a stop ring 286 is then put in place between an external shoulder of the rear portion 273 of the tubular body 270 and the ring 279 to limit the movement of the tubular body 270 towards the front of the rear ring 279. The rear end 273 of the rod 27 is therefore mounted in the slide 20 with the possibility of limited movement relative to the slide 20 in the front directions A1 and rear directions A2.In other words, apart from the operating clearances, the rear end 273 of the rod 27 is integral with the slide 20 along the longitudinal axis X2.

[0089] During assembly, a seal J4 is radially interposed between the rear ring 279 and the slider 20. The cooperation by complementary shapes between the external surface S279 of the rear ring 279 and the internal surface of the internal housing 207 allows an inclination movement of the rod 27 relative to the slider 20, and therefore relative to the support 21, i.e. an inclination of the longitudinal axis X5 relative to the longitudinal axis X2 in all planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X2. In addition, thanks to the cooperation between the external surface S279 of the front ring 279 and the internal surface of the internal housing 207, the rear end 273 of the rod 27 is mounted in the slider 20 with the possibility of limited movement relative to the slider 20 in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis X5.In other words, apart from operating clearances, the rear end 273 of the rod 27 is integral with the slide 20 radially to the longitudinal axis X5. In the mounted configuration of the rod 27 in the slide 20, whatever the relative position of the rod 27 with respect to the slide 20, the seal J4 ensures leaktight cooperation between the rear end 273 of the rod 27 and the slide 20 and the proximal internal conduit 213 is in fluid communication with the intermediate internal channel 271.

[0090] An external diameter d273 of the rear end 273 of the rod 27, respectively an external diameter d275 of the front end 275 of the rod 27, is strictly less, preferably at least 2 times less, than the maximum external diameter d23 of the flange 23. The external diameter d273 of the rear end 273 of the rod 27, respectively the external diameter d275 of the front end 275 of the rod 27, is strictly less than the external diameter d257 of the external collar 257 of the end piece 25.

[0091] The movement of the rod 27 along the longitudinal axis X2 is limited, relative to the end piece 25 and relative to the slide 20, respectively by the rear shoulder 205 of the slider 20 and the stop surface S207A and by the front shoulder 255 of the end piece 25 and the stop surface S258A.

[0092] The rear end 273 of the rod 27 is received in the proximal internal conduit 213 at the rear of the internal housing 231. In particular, the rear end 273 is arranged beyond the flange 23, in the rear direction A2. The proximal internal conduit 213 receives the rear end 273 of the rod 27 in a sealed manner by means of the slider 20 and the seals 209 and J4.

[0093] The flange 23, the end piece 25 and the rod 27 are, preferably, put in place in the support body 210 of the support 21 by the front of the support body 210 before screwing or fixing by stop segment of the cover 215 on the support body 210. Advantageously, the fluid connection device 2 has a radially compact construction.

[0094] The fluid connection device 2 advantageously comprises a recentering device 299 comprising a recentering ring 29 and a spring R3 both housed in the proximal internal conduit 213 of the support 21.

[0095] The recentering ring 29 comprises an annular body 290, centered on a longitudinal axis, which, in service, coincides, apart from radial clearances, with the longitudinal axis X2 and which will therefore be considered as being the longitudinal axis X2 hereinafter for convenience.

[0096] The recentering ring 29 advantageously comprises a frustoconical front surface S29A converging towards the rear. The front surface S29A has an angular opening 029 similar to the angular opening 0237 of the rear surface S237 of the protuberance 237.

[0097] The recentering ring 29 is mounted to move in translation along the longitudinal axis X2 in the proximal internal conduit 213 of the support 21 and is guided radially by the proximal internal conduit 213. The radial clearance does not allow radial movement to the longitudinal axis X2 of the recentering ring 29 in the proximal internal conduit 213.

[0098] After assembly of the fluid connection device 2, the front surface S29A is in surface contact with the rear surface S237 of the protrusion 237.

[0099] After assembly of the fluid connection device 2, the spring R3 is housed between, at the rear, a support ring 291 bearing rearwardly against the support 21 and, at the front, a rear surface S29B of the recentering ring 29. The spring R3 pushes the conical front surface S29 towards the rear surface S237 of the flange 23. The spring R3, due to the complementarity of shapes between the front surface S29A and the rear surface S237, exerts a radial elastic return force of the flange 23 towards a centered position where the longitudinal axis X3 is centered on the longitudinal axis X2, in particular centered in the housing 211 of the support 21, with the radial clearances between the external collar 257 and the internal radial surface 233 of the flange 23 close.

[0100] As shown in [Fig.l] in a coupling start configuration, the longitudinal axis X3 and the longitudinal axis XI are not necessarily aligned and may have an angular and / or radial defect. Advantageously, the angular defects between the fluid connection device 2 and the complementary connection device 3 are of the order of 6° at most and the radial defects between the fluid connection device 2 and the complementary connection device 3 are 3.75 mm at most.

[0101] As shown in [Fig. 4], when the female bodies 31 and the support 21 are brought together to achieve a first intermediate coupling configuration, the front end 259 of the end piece 25 engages in the main body 311 and, by cooperation with the mouth surface 313, is guided towards the longitudinal axis XI, which causes the radial displacement of the flange 23 in the support 21, an inclination movement of the rod 27 relative to the end piece 25, of the rod 27 relative to the flange 23 and of the rod 27 relative to the support 21. During these movements, the seal remains acquired between the end piece 25 and the tubular body 270 of the rod 27 and between the tubular body 270 of the rod 27 and the support 21. The slider 20 moves in the proximal internal conduit 213 along the longitudinal axis X2. The spring R2 maintains the external collar 257 in surface contact with the internal surface S231 of the flange 23.During this radial movement of the flange 23 in the support 21, the rear surface S29B moves relative to the front surface S29A, so that their cooperation is then by point contact.

[0102] If the maximum radial displacement is reached, that is to say that the flange 23 comes into radial contact with the second internal radial surface S21B of the support 21 while the end piece 25 is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis XI of the main body 31, as shown in [Fig. 5], the continuation of the coupling, to reach a second intermediate coupling configuration, will cause the angular movement of the end piece 25 relative to the flange 23 against the spring R2, and therefore the angular movement of the end piece 25 relative to the rod 27 and the longitudinal movement of the rod 27 and the slider 20 relative to the support 21. During these movements, the seal remains acquired between the end piece 25 and the tubular body 270 of the rod 27 and between the tubular body 270 of the rod 27 and the support 21.

[0103] The angular and / or longitudinal movement of the external collar 257 of the end piece 25 relative to the flange 23 is limited towards the rear by the rear internal shoulder 232 of the flange 23. The end piece 25 then aligns with the internal channel 311 of the main body 31, the end piece 25 is then in a misaligned position with respect to the flange 23, that is to say that the longitudinal axis X3 and the longitudinal axis X4 are inclined relative to each other. The valve 254 comes into contact with the central piston 33 of the main body 31 while the annular valve 35 of the main body 31 comes into contact with the body tubular 250 of the end piece 25, the valve 254 and the annular valve 35 of the main body 31 being respectively pushed against their spring towards their retracted position to allow the passage of fluid between the proximal internal conduit 213 of the support 21 and the internal channel 311 of the main body 31, via the intermediate internal channel 271 of the rod 27 and via the distal internal channel 251 of the end piece 25. The external radial surface S25 of the end piece 25 comes into sealing cooperation with the internal radial surface S31 of the main body 31 via a seal J5 carried by the internal radial surface S31 before the valve 254, respectively the annular valve 35, loses the seal with the tubular body 250, respectively the main body 31. The coupled configuration, shown in [Fig.6], is reached for a predetermined approximation of the female body 31 and the support 21.The end piece 25 is fluidically coupled to the complementary fluid connection device 3. The fitting of the end piece 25 into the main body 31 is advantageously facilitated by the cooperation by complementarity of shapes, that is to say by complementarity of their diameters, between the internal radial surface S31 of the main body 31 and the external radial surface S25 of the end piece 25 allowing guidance without jamming.

[0104] During uncoupling, a reverse sequence of movements occurs. As soon as the end piece 25 cooperates with the mouth surface 313, the spring R2 can push the external collar 257 into surface contact with the flange 23, to bring the end piece 25 back into a position aligned with the flange 23, with the longitudinal axis X3 parallel, or even coaxial with the longitudinal axis X4.

[0105] Thanks to the recentering device 299 and the spring R2, in the uncoupled configuration, the longitudinal axis X3 is recentered on the longitudinal axis X2 and the longitudinal axis X4 is recentered on the longitudinal axis X3, that is to say that the flange 23 is in the centered position in the housing 211 and that the tubular body 250 of the end piece 25 is in the centered position, in the internal housing 231, with the radial clearances between the external collar 257 and the flange 23 close, which makes it possible to increase the misalignment between the fluid connection device 2 and the complementary fluid connection device 3 admissible by the fluid connection assembly 1 at the start of the coupling, and therefore to reduce the size of the mouth surface 313 of the complementary fluid connection device 3.

[0106] The coupling sequence may first occur with the angular movement of the end piece 25 relative to the flange 23 and then with the radial displacement of the flange 23 in the support 21, or with a combination of the angular movement of the end piece 25 relative to the flange 23 with a radial displacement of the flange 23 in the support 21, depending on the force developed by the spring R2 on the end piece 25, the force developed by the spring R3 on the flange 23 and the pressure forces of the fluid at inside the fluid connection device 2.

[0107] In all configurations, all of the surfaces of the flange 23 are fluidically isolated from the distal internal channel 251 of the tip 25 and from the intermediate internal channel 271 of the rod 27. In all configurations, the front end 277 of the rod 27 is in sealing cooperation with the rear end 252 of the tip 25 and the proximal internal conduit 213 is in fluid communication with the distal internal channel 251 via the intermediate internal channel 271.

[0108] In a variant not shown, the return of the flange 23 to the centered position in the housing 211 of the support 21 is achieved by a deformable element, advantageously an elastomer or a spring, interposed between the rod 27 and the support 21 or between the flange 23 and the support 21.

[0109] In a variant not shown, the rod 27 is mounted around the end piece 25, instead of being mounted in an internal housing of the end piece 25, the rod 27 is mounted around the end piece 25 in a sealed manner, with the possibility of inclination relative to the end piece 25 and with the possibility of limited movement in all directions parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end piece.

[0110] In a variant not shown, only one surface among the front surface S29A of the recentering ring 29 and the rear surface S237 of the flange 23 is frustoconical, the other surface is arranged to come into contact with the conical surface, for example being a rounded surface.

[0111] In a variant not shown, the flange 23 is common to several end pieces, preferably two end pieces, the flange 23 then comprising as many separate internal housings 231, the support then comprising as many separate proximal internal conduits 213, each internal conduit of the support receiving in a sealed manner a rod which is mounted in a sealed manner with the respective end piece with the possibility of relative inclination.

[0112] In a variant not shown, the rear seal between the rod 27 and the support 21 is achieved by a seal housed in a groove formed in the internal radial surface S213 of the proximal internal conduit 213 and cooperating with the slider 20.

[0113] In a variant not shown, the fluid connection device 2 does not include a valve and / or the complementary fluid connection device 3 also does not include a valve.

[0114] Figures 7 to 10 illustrate a fluid connection assembly 1001 according to a second embodiment of the invention, the fluid connection assembly 1001 being identical to the connection assembly 1 of the first embodiment except for the characteristics described below. The reference signs for the fluid connection device 1001 correspond to those of the fluid connection device 1 when the referenced element is unchanged. The reference signs reference are increased by 1000 when they designate similar but modified elements in the connection device 1001.

[0115] The male tubular body 1250 comprises a cylindrical internal housing 1258 which opens onto the rear of the tubular body 1250 and which is intended to cooperate with the tubular body 270 of the rod 1027 via a seal J11 housed in the external radial surface S1027 of the front end 1275 of the rod 1027. The rod 1027 is mounted in the internal housing 1258 of the tubular body 1250 by a stop segment 1284 which limits the relative longitudinal movement between the end piece 1025 and the rod 1027 but which allows an inclination of the rod 1027 relative to the end piece 1025. Indeed, the radial dimensions of the front end 1275 of the rod 1027 and of the internal housing 1258 allow the inclination of the longitudinal axis X4 relative to the longitudinal axis X5.The front end 1275 of the rod 1027 is therefore mounted in the end piece 1025 with the possibility of limited movement relative to the end piece 1025 in all directions parallel to the longitudinal axis X4 and in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis X4, so as to allow the inclination of the rod 1027 relative to the end piece 1025 while maintaining the front end 1275 in the end piece 1025. In other words, apart from the operating clearances, the front end 1275 of the rod 1027 is integral with the rear end 1252 of the end piece 1025 along the longitudinal axis X4 and radially to the longitudinal axis X4. In the mounted configuration of the rod 1027 in the tip 1025, whatever their relative position, the seal J11 ensures the sealed cooperation between the front end 1275 of the rod 1027 and the tip 1025 and the distal internal channel 251 is in fluid communication with the intermediate internal channel 271.The rear end 1273 of the tubular body 270 of the rod 1027 cooperates with the surface delimiting the proximal internal conduit 213 via a seal J12 mounted in the rod 1027, therefore integral with the rod 1027 along the longitudinal axis X2, and interposed radially directly between the tubular body 270 and the proximal internal conduit 213. The seal J12 ensures the sealed cooperation between the rear end 1273 of the rod 1027 and the support 21 whatever their relative position. Thus the front and rear rings and the slider are eliminated in this embodiment.

[0116] In the uncoupled configuration, since the fluid connection device 1002 does not include a recentering device, the flange 23 is not necessarily in a centered position in the housing 211 of the support 21, as illustrated in [Fig.7], its position in the housing 211 of the support 21 being able to depend on a previous coupling sequence.

[0117] The coupling sequence is identical to that described for the first embodiment. When uncoupling, the flange 23 remains in its relative position in the housing 211 of the support 21.

[0118] This construction also allows for angular and radial misalignments. between the connecting devices to be coupled.

[0119] Any feature described above for one embodiment or variant is applicable to the other embodiments and variants described above, as far as this is technically possible.

Claims

Claims

1. Fluid connection device (2; 1002), comprising: - a flange (23), forming an external front axial surface (S23A) and an external rear axial surface (S23B), opposite the external front axial surface (S23A), the external front axial surface (S23A) and the external rear axial surface (S23B) being annular, perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23), and facing respectively in a front direction (A1) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23), in a rear direction (A2) opposite the front direction (A1); and - at least one tip (25; 1025) centered on a longitudinal axis (X4), crossed by a distal internal channel (251) and configured to be fluidically coupled to a complementary connection device (3), the tip (25; 1025) comprising: • a rear end (252), mounted in an internal housing (231) of the flange (23), and • a front end (259), arranged beyond the external front axial surface (S23A) of the flange (23) in the front direction (Al); the tip (25; 1025) being mounted in the flange (23): • with the possibility of inclination relative to the flange (23), and • with the possibility of limited movement relative to the flange (23) in the front (Al) and rear (A2) directions and in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23); • a cover (215), which forms a rear axial surface (S215) capable of cooperating with the external front axial surface (S23A) of the flange (23) to guide a movement of the flange (23) relative to the cover (215) radially to the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23), characterized in that the fluid connection device (2) comprises a rod (27; 1027) comprising: an intermediate internal channel (271); a front end (275; 1275), mounted in sealed cooperation with the rear end (252) of the end piece (25; 1025) • with the possibility of inclining the rod (27) relative to the end piece (25; 1025) and relative to the flange (23); and • with the possibility of limited movement of the rod (27) relative to the tip (25; 1025) in all directions parallel to the longitudinal axis (X4) of the tip (25; 1025) and in all directions radial to the longitudinal axis (X4) of the tip (25; 1025), for fluid communication between the distal internal channel (251) of the tip (25; 1025) and the intermediate internal channel (271) of the rod (27; 1027); and a rear end (273; 1273) disposed beyond the flange (23), following the rear direction (A2) for fluid communication between the intermediate internal channel (271) of the rod (27; 1027) and a proximal internal conduit (213), relative to which the cover (215) is intended to be fixed; the intermediate internal channel (271) passing through the rod (27; 1027) from the front end (275; 1275) of the rod (27; 1027) to the rear end (273; 1273) of the rod (27; 1027).

2.

3. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to claim 1, wherein the front end (275; 1275) of the rod (27; 1027) is received in a sealed manner in an internal housing (258; 1258) of the rear end (252) of the tip (25; 1025). Fluid connection device (2) according to claim 2, in wherein the rod (27) comprises a tubular body (270) and a front ring (277) which sealingly surrounds the tubular body (270) of the rod (27) to form the front end (275) of the rod (27) and which, in a mounted configuration of the rod (27) in the internal housing (258): has an external surface (S277) in the form of a portion of a sphere which cooperates by complementarity of shapes with an internal surface (S258) in the form of a portion of a sphere of the internal housing (258; 1258) of the rear end (252) of the tip (25); and - is capable of coming into rear abutment against a stop surface (S258A) formed by the partially spherical internal surface (S258) of the internal housing (258) and delimited by an opening (253) of the end piece (25) opening onto the rear of the end piece (25) and, on the front, into the internal housing (258) of the end piece (25), said opening (253) extending, in a plane perpendicular (P253) to the longitudinal axis (X4) of the end piece (25), over a section larger than the external section of the front ring (277), taken in a longitudinal plane (P277) passing through the longitudinal axis (X4) of the end piece (25) and in the mounted configuration of the rod (27) in the internal housing (258).

4. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which no seal is interposed directly between the flange (23) and the end piece (25; 1025).

5. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first spring (R2), which is interposed between the flange (23) and the end piece (25; 1025) and which elastically returns the end piece (25; 1025) relative to the flange (23), towards a position where an external collar (257) of the end piece (25; 1025) is in front abutment against an internal surface (S231) of the flange (23) delimiting the internal housing (231), and the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23) is coaxial with the longitudinal axis (X4) of the end piece (25; 1025).

6. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support body (210), with which the cover (215) is fixed and which forms: - a front axial surface (S21A) which delimits, with the rear axial surface (S215) of the cover (215), a housing (211) receiving the flange (23), the front axial surface (21A) being capable of guiding the movement of the flange (23) relative to the support body (210), radially to the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23), by cooperation with the external rear axial surface (S23B) of the flange (23); and - the proximal internal conduit (213), which is centered on a central longitudinal axis (X2), which opens into the housing (211) of the support body (210) in the front direction (Al), and which receives the rear end (273; 1273) of the rod (27; 1027) for fluid communication between the intermediate internal channel (271) of the rod (27; 1027) and the proximal internal conduit (213).

7. Fluid connection device (2) according to claim 6, comprising a recentering device (299), elastically returning the flange (23) towards a position where the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23) is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis (X2) of the proximal internal conduit (213).

8. A fluid connection device (2) according to claim 7, wherein the recentering device (299) comprises: - a recentering ring (29), arranged in the proximal internal conduit (213) and movable in translation relative to the support body (210) along the central longitudinal axis (X2) of the proximal internal conduit (213); and - a second spring (R3), pushing a front surface (S29A) of the recentering ring (S29) into contact with a rear surface (S237) of the flange (23); and wherein the rear surface (S237) of the flange (23) is a frustoconical surface centered on the longitudinal axis (X3) of the flange (23) and / or the front surface (S29A) of the recentering ring (29) is a frustoconical surface centered on the central longitudinal axis (X2) of the proximal internal conduit (213).

9. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a seal (209; J12), integral with the rod (27; 1027) along the central longitudinal axis (X2) of the proximal internal conduit (213) and in sealed contact with an internal radial surface (S213) of the proximal internal conduit (213) of the support body (210).

10. Fluid connection device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the rear end (273) of the rod (27) is mounted in a slide (20): - in a sealed manner, - with the possibility of inclination relative to the slide (20), and - with the possibility of limited movement relative to the slider (20) in the forward (A1) and rear (A2) directions and in all radial directions to a longitudinal axis (X5) of the rod (27), and in which the slider (20) has a cylindrical external radial surface (S20) and is mounted in the proximal internal conduit (213) with the possibility of displacement relative to the support body (210) along the central longitudinal axis (X2) of the proximal internal conduit (213).

11. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate internal channel (271) of the rod (27) is delimited by an internal surface (S271A, S271B), frustoconical, flared towards the outside of the intermediate internal channel (271) at the front end (275; 1275) of the rod (27), respectively at the rear end (273; 1273) of the rod (27).

12. Fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length (127) of the rod (27), measured between the front end (275; 1275) and the rear end (273; 1273) of the rod (27) along a longitudinal axis (X5) of the rod (27), is strictly less than a length (125) of the end piece (25; 1025), measured between the front end (259) and the rear end (252) of the end piece (25; 1025) along the longitudinal axis (X4) of the end piece (25; 1025).

13. A fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any preceding claim, comprising a valve (254) disposed in the distal internal channel (251) of the tip (25; 1025), which is movable relative to the tip (25; 1025) along the longitudinal axis (X4) of the tip (25; 1025) between an advanced position for closing the distal internal channel (251) and a retracted position for opening the distal internal channel (251).

14. Fluid connection assembly (1; 1001), comprising the fluid connection device (2; 1002) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and the complementary connection device (3; 1003), configured to couple with the end piece (25; 1025) of the fluid connection device (2; 1002).

15. Fluid connection assembly (1; 1001) according to claim 14, wherein the complementary connection device (3; 1003) comprises a main body (31), comprising a stepped inner radial surface (S31), in which the end piece (25; 1025) comprises a stepped outer radial surface (S25) and in which the stepped inner radial surface (S31) and the stepped outer radial surface (S25) cooperate, in a coupled configuration, by complementarity of shapes.

Images