Fluidic connection device
The fluidic connection device addresses the complexity and reliability issues of existing fittings by using a movable verification element and spring blade to ensure accurate coupling indication with a reduced part count and simplified structure.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TRISTONE FLOWTECH SOLUTIONS TFS
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing fluidic connection fittings with visual indicators often have complex structures or indicators that remain locked in the conforming position after separation, limiting their usefulness, and require numerous parts, which complicates manufacturing and increases size.
A fluidic connection device with a simplified structure featuring a movable verification element and a return element, such as a spring blade, that masks the visual safety element when uncoupled to ensure readability only in the coupled state, reducing the number of parts and ensuring reliability.
The device provides a reliable and efficient visual indication of coupling status with a simplified design, minimizing parts and maintaining long-term functionality while allowing quick connection and disconnection.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Fluidic connection device technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fluidic connection. In particular, the invention relates to a fluidic connection comprising coupling fittings. Prior art
[0002] To connect two fluid circuits, it is known to use quick-connect fittings that can be coupled together, in particular an assembly comprising a male fitting and a female fitting. These fittings are called "quick-connect" because the coupling is achieved by inserting one fitting into the other.
[0003] It is also known to have a visual connection indicator on one of the fittings that switches to a conforming position when the fittings are correctly coupled. Examples include the fittings described in documents EP3736481 and EP3936752.
[0004] In some cases, after the initial coupling of the fittings, the visual indicator remains locked in the conforming position, even after the fittings are separated, thus limiting the indicator's usefulness. In other cases, the visual indicator's operation involves a large number of parts, making its manufacture complex and potentially increasing the fitting's size. Description of the invention
[0005] There is a need for a fluidic connection device comprising such a visual indicator while having a simplified and reliable structure. Summary of the invention
[0006] The present invention addresses this need by means of, according to one of its aspects, a fluidic connection device comprising:
[0007] - a male fitting;
[0008] - a female fitting that can be coupled by insertion to the male fitting;
[0009] the female fitting comprising:
[0010] a hollow body delimiting a cavity developing longitudinally between at least a first end of connection to the male fitting and a second end;
[0011] and a body-mounted connection verification assembly,
[0012] This verification assembly includes a verification element comprising a safety visual element, the verification element being mounted movable relative to the body between a reading position, in which the safety visual element is fully readable outside the body, and a masking position, in which said visual safety element is illegible, the verification device being configured to be in the reading position in the coupled state of the male fitting and the female fitting;
[0013] the verification assembly further comprising a return element for the verification element in the masking position,
[0014] characterized in that at least a part of the recall member masks at least a part of the visual safety element when the verification member is in a position other than the reading position to prevent the readability of the entire visual safety element.
[0015] By "prevent the legibility of the entire visual safety element", it is understood that at least a part of the visual safety element is illegible.
[0016] The fact that the return element allows at least part of the visual safety element to be masked when the verification element is in a position other than the reading position makes it possible to limit the number of parts required to implement a correct connection indicator. This limited number of parts also ensures the long-term reliability of the verification assembly, and therefore of the device.
[0017] The device may be quick-connect.
[0018] In particular, the female fitting may include a connecting ring configured to hold the male and female fittings together when coupled. The ring may be configured to release the fittings when deformed, in particular elastically, such as by pressure from a user. The male fitting may include a groove configured to receive at least a portion of the ring when the male and female fittings are coupled.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the checking member is mounted to move along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. In one embodiment of the invention, the cavity has a circular cross-section, and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cavity along which the checking member (11) is mounted to move is a radial direction. Such an orthogonal and / or radial direction of movement makes it possible to limit the longitudinal size of the female connector, particularly compared to a mounting that moves along the longitudinal axis.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the verification member comprises an outwardly facing surface including the visual safety element, the return member is configured to apply a return force on the outwardly facing surface of the verification member.
[0021] The visual safety element may cover only a portion of the outward-facing surface. In particular, the visual safety element may cover less than 95% of the outward-facing surface.
[0022] The return element can be configured to apply a return force on the surface facing outwards of the checking device. Preferably, the restoring force is applied to the surface facing outwards of the checking device regardless of the position of the checking device.
[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return member comprises a spring blade.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, a part of the spring blade masks at least a part of the visual safety element when the checking device is in a position other than the reading position.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the part of the spring blade which masks at least part of the visual safety element when the checking member is in a position other than the reading position is formed by an end of the spring blade constantly in contact with a part of the checking member.
[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, said part of the visual safety element of the checking device is on the outwardly facing surface of the checking device.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, said part of the visual safety element of the checking device which is masked by at least a part of the spring blade varies according to the position of the checking device.
[0028] Part of the spring blade can mask at least part of the outwardly facing surface of the checking member regardless of the position of the checking member.
[0029] The recall element and the verification element can be separate. In other words, they are not fixed to each other.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the body includes a window between the cavity and the outside through which the visual safety element is readable from the outside when the checking member is in the reading position, the checking member is mounted movably to slide in the window for the passage from one position to another.
[0031] The cross-section of the window can be substantially corresponding to the cross-section of the checking device.
[0032] The body may include a locking stop preventing the checking organ from exiting the body.
[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the visual safety element is oriented towards the outside of the body.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the verification member comprises a bearing surface facing inwards towards the body cavity and configured to be in contact with the male fitting when coupled with the female fitting, a support on the bearing surface allowing the verification member to move from the position of masking at the reading position.
[0035] The support surface can extend in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0036] The male fitting may comprise a hollow body forming a cavity, the cavity of the male fitting being in fluidic communication with the cavity of the female fitting when they are coupled.
[0037] The female fitting and / or the male fitting may include a sealing gasket preventing flow out of the cavities.
[0038] The sealing gasket can be positioned downstream of the verification assembly, in particular downstream of the window, following the coupling direction when the male fitting is coupled to the female fitting. Placing the gasket in this downstream location avoids sealing the body around the verification device, thus simplifying the structure.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the visual security element is a code and / or pictogram. Preferably, the visual security element is a QR code.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the recall device masks at least 20%, preferably at least 50% of the visual safety element when the verification device is in the masking position.
[0041] The device can be used for a circuit of a non-compressible fluid, by example of water or oil.
[0042] Alternatively, the device can be used for a circuit of a compressible fluid.
[0043] The device can be used with fluids at a pressure less than or equal to 2.5 bar. Brief description of the drawings
[0044] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, in which
[0045] [Fig. 1] illustrates, in perspective, an example of a device according to the invention in which the male fitting and the female fitting are uncoupled,
[0046] [Fig.2] illustrates, in top view, the device of [Fig.1],
[0047] [Fig.3] is a section along III of the device of [Fig.2],
[0048] [Fig.4] is a section along IV of the device of [Fig.2],
[0049] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.1] in which the male fitting and the fitting The females are paired,
[0050] [Fig.6] illustrates, in top view, the device of [Fig.5],
[0051] [Fig.7] is a section along VII of the device of [Fig.6], and
[0052] [Fig.8] is a section along VIII of the device of [Fig.6]. Detailed description
[0053] In the following description, identical elements or elements with identical functions bear the same reference numeral. For the sake of brevity, they are not described opposite each figure; only the differences between the embodiments are described.
[0054] Figures 1 to 8 illustrate an example of a fluidic connection device 1 according to the invention.
[0055] The device 1 includes a male fitting 2, comprising a hollow body forming a cavity 3, and a female fitting 4, which can be coupled by insertion into the male fitting 2 at a first end 6 of the female fitting 4.
[0056] The female fitting 4 comprises a hollow body 7 forming a cavity 5, preferably of circular cross-section, extending longitudinally along an axis L.
[0057] The female fitting 4 further includes a connection verification assembly 10 mounted on the body 7 and comprising a verification member 11.
[0058] The verification device 11 includes, on an outwardly facing surface 12, a visual safety element 13, in this example a QR code.
[0059] The visual safety element 13 covers only part of the outward-facing surface 12.
[0060] The checking member 11 is movably mounted to slide in a window 15 of the body 7 between the cavity 5 and the outside in a radial direction R, between a reading position (figures 5 to 8), in which the safety visual element 13 is fully readable outside the body 7 through the window 15, and a masking position (figures 1 to 4), in which the safety visual element 13 is unreadable, as will be described in more detail later.
[0061] As illustrated, the section of the checking member 11 in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction R is substantially corresponding to the section of the window 15 in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction R.
[0062] The checking member 11 comprises, opposite the outwardly facing surface 12, a bearing surface 16 facing inward of the cavity 5 of the body 7 and configured to be in contact with the male fitting 2 in the coupled state with the female fitting 4.
[0063] A support on the support surface 16 makes it possible to produce a force on the verification member 11 along the radial direction R and thus cause the movement of the verification member 11 from the masking position to the reading position.
[0064] The bearing surface 16 extends for example in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The bearing surface 16 can also be parallel to an external surface 17 of the male fitting 2 opposite the bearing surface 16 in the coupled state of the male fittings 2 and female fittings 4.
[0065] Thus, in the coupled state of the male fitting 2 and the female fitting 4, the verification element Fication 11 is in the reading position.
[0066] The verification assembly 10 also includes a return element 20 of the verification element 11 in the masking position.
[0067] This return member 20 is formed by a spring blade whose first end 21 is in contact with the body 7, and whose second end 22 is constantly in contact with the outwardly facing surface 12 of the checking member 11.
[0068] Said restoring force is therefore applied to the outwardly facing surface 12 of the checking member 11 via the second end 22.
[0069] The first end 21 has a general U shape. This U shape is the main source of the restoring force, in this example, and allows the blade to be assembled on the body 7.
[0070] Furthermore, the position of the second end 22 on the outwardly facing surface 12 of the checking member 11 varies according to the position of the checking member 11. This allows the blade to obscure at least part of the safety visual element 13 when the checking member 11 is in a position other than the reading position to prevent the entire safety visual element 13 from being readable.
[0071] For example, at least 20% of the visual safety element 13 is obscured by the blade of the return device 20.
[0072] This variation in the position of the end 22, combined with the safety visual element 13 covering only part of the outwardly facing surface 12 and the constant contact of the end 22 on the outwardly facing surface 12, also allows the entirety of the safety visual element 13 to be readable when the checking member 11 is in the reading position while maintaining a restoring force applied to the checking member 11.
[0073] The body 7 also includes a locking stop 25 preventing the checking member 11 from coming out of the body 7, in particular by manual pressure on the bearing surface 16.
[0074] The body 7 also includes a slide 26 in which the checking member 11 moves. The slide 26 prevents the checking member 11 from tilting into the window 15 when the male fitting 2 is inserted, particularly near the reading position.
[0075] The female fitting 4 may include an elastic coupling ring 30 configured to snap into a groove 31 of the male fitting 2 in the coupled state of the female fitting 4 with the male fitting 2, in a manner known as such.
[0076] The female fitting 4 includes a sealing gasket 35 preventing outflow from cavities 3 and 5.
[0077] The sealing gasket 35 is advantageously positioned downstream of the assembly of verification 10, in particular downstream of window 15, following the coupling direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal axis L in this example, when the male fitting 2 is coupled to the female fitting 4.
Claims
Demands
1. Fluidic connection device (1) comprising: - a male fitting (2); - a female fitting (4) which can be coupled by insertion into the male fitting (2); the female fitting (4) comprising: a hollow body (7) delimiting a cavity (5) extending longitudinally between at least a first end (6) of connection to the male fitting (2) and a second end;and a connection verification assembly (10) mounted on the body (7), this verification assembly (10) comprising a verification member (11) including a safety visual element (13), the verification member (11) being movable relative to the body (7) between a reading position, in which the safety visual element (13) is fully readable outside the body (7), and a masking position, in which said safety visual element (13) is unreadable, the verification member (11) being configured to be in the reading position in the coupled state of the male fitting (2) and the female fitting (4);the verification assembly (10) further comprising a return element (20) of the verification element (11) in the masking position, characterized in that at least a part (22) of the return element (20) masks at least a part of the visual safety element (13) when the verification element (11) is in a position other than the reading position to prevent the entire visual safety element (13) from being readable.;
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the checking member (11) is mounted movable along a direction orthogonal (R) to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cavity (5).
3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cavity (5) has a circular cross-section, and the direction orthogonal (R) to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cavity (5) along which the checking member (11) is mounted movable is a radial direction (R).
4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the checking member (11) comprises an outwardly facing surface (12) comprising the visual safety element (13), the recall member (20) is configured to apply a force of reminder on the outward facing surface (12) of the checking device (11).
5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return member (20) comprises a leaf spring.
6. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a part (22) of the spring blade masks at least a part of the visual safety element (13) when the checking member (11) is in a position other than the reading position.
7. Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the part (22) of the spring blade which masks at least a part of the visual safety element (13) when the checking member (11) is in a position other than the reading position is formed by an end (22) of the spring blade constantly in contact with a part of the checking member (11).
8. Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 in combination with claim 4, characterized in that said part of the visual safety element (13) of the checking member (11) is on the outwardly facing surface (12) of the checking member (11).
9. Device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said part of the visual safety element (13) of the checking member (11) which is masked by at least a part of the spring blade varies according to the position of the checking member (11).
10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (7) comprises a window (15) between the cavity (5) and the outside through which the visual safety element (13) is readable from the outside when the checking member (11) is in the reading position, the checking member (11) being movably mounted to slide in the window (15) for passing from one position to another.
11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual safety element (13) is oriented outwards from the body (7).
12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the checking member (11) comprises a bearing surface (16) facing inwards towards the cavity (5) of the body (7) and configured to be in contact with the male fitting (2) in the coupled state with the female fitting (4), a support on the bearing surface (16) allowing the checking member (11) to move from the position masking to the reading position.
13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual safety element (13) is a code and / or pictogram.
14. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recall member (20) masks at least 20%, preferably at least 40% of the visual safety element (13) when the verification member (11) is in the masking position.