TUBE CONNECTION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection device equipped with a connection indicator. In particular, the indicator is a sound-emitting means, more specifically a whistle, which, when activated, reveals a connection fault, and in particular a leak, in the connection. The arrangement also incorporates cleaning means configured to limit, or even prevent, the entry of dust into the connection device. In order to effectively combine the sound-emitting means and the cleaning means, the present invention proposes providing one or more escape paths bypassing the cleaning means. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

[0058] Furthermore, the retaining section 22 has a diameter smaller than the extent of the base 21. In other words, if the base 21 is circular, its diameter is greater than the diameter of the retaining section 22.

[0059] The retaining section 22 is provided, on its lateral surface, with a snap-fit ​​collar 23 configured to allow the retaining ring to be held in the housing by snap-fitting. In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig. 1], the snap-fitting involves cooperation between the snap-fit ​​collar 23 and the annular surface 14a.

[0060] The retaining ring 20 defines a channel 24 through which a tube is intended to be inserted into the housing 11. It is understood, without the need to specify it, that the channel 24 extends coaxially to the housing.

[0061] Furthermore, and as illustrated in [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 6], the retaining ring 20 is mounted in the housing 11 with a non-zero axial clearance (by axial clearance, we mean clearance about the principal axis AA'). In particular, this clearance allows the retaining ring to adopt either a first position or a second position, for example by displacement along the direction AA'.

[0062] In this respect, the first position is one in which the collar 23 bears against the first shoulder (and in particular against the annular surface 14a) in the opposite direction to the insertion direction ([Fig. 5]). The second position is one in which the base 21 bears, in the insertion direction, against a stop formed on the main body ([Fig. 6]). In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the stop may be formed by an edge of the main body delimiting the opening 12. Alternatively, the stop may comprise a second shoulder 26 formed in the housing ([Fig. 13]). This latter configuration makes it possible to better limit the entry of particles and other contaminants into the housing.

[0063] According to the present invention, the retaining ring 20 can be provided with a sealing gasket 25. More particularly, the sealing gasket 25 can be mounted in the channel 24 of the retaining ring, and in particular retained in a groove of said channel 24.

[0064] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the locking means 30 is disposed downstream of the retaining ring 20 in the housing 11 and is intended to engage with a tube inserted into the housing. A locking means is described in particular in document [4] cited at the end of the description. In particular, this document describes the implementation of a locking ring that can be associated with the locking means according to the terms of the present invention.

[0065] In a particularly advantageous manner, the locking means includes a ring, called a locking ring, for securing a tube that can be inserted into the housing in the insertion direction "u". More particularly, the locking ring is arranged to prevent the extraction of the tube once the latter is inserted into the housing 11 and is engaged with said locking ring.

[0066] In this regard, the locking ring may be provided with gripping means enabling it to engage with the tube. More specifically, the locking ring may have a tapered inner section enabling it to grip the outer surface of the tube, and thus engage with it.

[0067] By "engaged," we mean two elements mechanically joined to one another. The expression "engaged" also has a reciprocal nature, such that a first element engaged with a second element implies that the second element is engaged with the first element. Thus, throughout the description, as soon as the locking ring is engaged with the tube, it implies that the tube is engaged with the locking ring.

[0068] The retaining ring, positioned upstream of the locking ring in the insertion direction "u", constitutes an obstacle against which the locking ring is likely to abut when it is engaged with the tube and a withdrawal force is applied in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. In other words, an extraction force, in the opposite direction to the insertion direction u, on a tube with which the locking ring is engaged, will position the latter against the retaining ring and thus prevent the tube from being withdrawn.

[0069] The connection device 1 according to the present invention also includes a guide 40.

[0070] In particular, the guide 40 includes a sleeve 41 which extends from a free end 40a in the insertion direction u and coaxially to the channel 24.

[0071] More specifically, the sleeve has an outer diameter smaller than that of the channel, and in particular smaller than the inner diameter of the tube. This latter aspect allows the sleeve to be inserted into the tube during its placement. In other words, the sleeve guides the tube into its housing.

[0072] According to the present invention, the sealing gasket 50 is disposed in the housing downstream of the locking means in the direction of insertion.

[0073] Thus, in operation, a tube 60 can be inserted into the channel 24 in the insertion direction "u". During its insertion, the external surface of the tube 60 comes into contact with the sealing gasket 25 which, by friction on said surface, retains any impurities that may be present on the external surface, while the sleeve enters (or fits into) the tube for guidance purposes. The gasket cleanliness also ensures a seal between an internal wall of the channel and the external surface of the tube 60.

[0074] During insertion, the tube successively encounters the locking means and then the sealing gasket 50. The locking means is configured, in particular, so that once it comes into contact with the external surface of the tube, it prevents the tube from being withdrawn from the housing. The sealing gasket 50 is configured to ensure a seal between the internal surface and a lateral surface of the tube that can be inserted into the housing 11.

[0075] Thus, as soon as the tube-connecting device assembly is traversed by a pressurized fluid, a recoil of the locking ring can be observed (displacement in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion), which positions itself against the retaining ring and in particular at the level of a free end of the retaining section 23. This last movement has the effect of pressing the snap collar 23 and the annular surface 14a.

[0076] There are also situations in which the tube assembly in the housing is not leak-proof. Such situations can occur, in particular, when the sealing gasket is not correctly, or uniformly, compressed between the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the tube. For example, defects on the outer surface of the tube, or the presence of impurities, can compromise the seal of the assembly and lead to a leak of pressurized fluid. Alternatively, a free end of the tube with an excessively pronounced bevel (indicated by an arrow in [Fig. 7]) can limit the contact between the outer surface of the tube and the sealing gasket, thus creating a leak path for pressurized fluid.

[0077] Thus, as soon as the assembly is not sealed, the pressurized fluid can escape to the outside only through the space provided between the main body and the retaining ring (indeed, as previously stated, the sealing gasket prevents any flow of fluid into the space provided between the internal surface of the channel and the external surface of the tube).

[0078]

[0079] Thus, the present invention provides for the implementation of one or more escape channels formed in the space between the lateral surface of the retaining ring and the internal surface of the housing. In particular, this or these escape channels are arranged to allow the escape, to the outside, of a fluid that may be present in the chamber downstream of the retaining ring when said retaining ring, under the effect of a pressure that may be exerted by the fluid, is in its first position.

[0080] In particular, and according to the present invention, the exhaust path(s) are provided so that the flow of said fluid in said exhaust paths generates the emission of a sound wave, and more particularly a sound wave with an energy of at least 80 decibels.

[0081] Such a sound wave can in particular be obtained by creating a passage for the pressurized fluid allowing a sufficiently large flow rate to decompress the pressurized fluid so as to generate a sound wave.

[0082] The dimensioning of the exhaust paths follows the laws of pneumatics (the pressure ratio and the passage cross-section limit the flow rate) and acoustics (the power of the sound wave is notably linked to the leakage rate and the hearing distance), and the person skilled in the art, upon reading what follows, will be fully able to dimension said exhaust paths.

[0083] Thus, [Fig. 8], [Fig. 9], [Fig. 10], and [Fig. 11] illustrate four examples of escapement path embodiments. In particular, [Fig. 8] and [Fig. 9] employ a large notch 22a ([Fig. 8]) and small notches 22b ([Fig. 9]) formed on an outer contour of the snap collar. [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11] employ holes 22c and 22d passing through the snap collar in the direction AA' ([Fig. 10]) and in a radial direction ([Fig. 11]).

[0084] Alternatively, it may be considered to provide grooves 22e (oriented along the direction AA') on the internal surface of the main body providing escape paths between the internal surface of said body and the external surface of the retaining ring ([Fig.1 1]).

[0085] The connection device according to the present invention thus proposes to combine exhaust paths and a retaining ring that limits, or even prevents, the entry of particles into the housing. The exhaust path(s) also bypass the retaining ring and are dimensioned so that a sound wave is emitted as soon as a pressurized fluid passes through them. Finally, the mounting clearance of the retaining ring compensates for the dimensioning tolerances of said ring and the main body.

[0086] The inventors were able to test the effectiveness of the escape paths in revealing, by emission of a sound wave, the presence of a leak.

[0087] In particular, the inventors were able, initially, to observe that in the absence of an escape path, no whistling (or emission of sound waves) is detectable in the presence of a leak.

[0088] However, if the retaining ring has one or more holes and / or one or more notches formed on the snap-on collar, a whistling sound with an intensity greater than 80 dB is detected as soon as the assembly is leaking. In particular, a whistling sound with an intensity of 90 dB was measured for an assembly subjected to an air pressure of 12 bar. The present invention thus enables the detection of leaks in a noisy environment.

[0089] Advantageously, the exhaust paths may have a cumulative cross-section greater than or equal to 1.5 mm2. This cross-section makes it possible to detect leaks by emitting an audible signal when the pressure of the fluid in question is around 12 bar.

[0090] By "section of the exhaust path(s)", we mean the transverse surface of said exhaust path.

[0091] It is understood that, depending on the temperature, pressure, or expected noise level, it may be necessary to resize the exhaust paths (and in particular their cross-section). These latter aspects are within the grasp of a person skilled in the art who, based on their general knowledge in the fields of thermodynamics and acoustics, will be able to size the exhaust paths, and in particular the notches and / or holes, according to the imposed conditions.

[0092] The invention also relates to a method of connecting a tube with the connecting device according to the present invention.

[0093] The method comprising connecting the connecting device by its end 10b to a female element. The method also includes connecting a tube by inserting the tube into the housing in the insertion direction u, via the ring, and until it is engaged with the locking means.

[0094] The method further includes dimensioning the exhaust path to allow the emission of a sound signal with an intensity greater than 80 dB as soon as a fluid leak occurs. As a reminder, this dimensioning is accessible to those skilled in the art either theoretically, based on the laws of thermodynamics and acoustics, or empirically, particularly by carrying out experimental measurements. It is also understood that the dimensioning considered depends on various parameters, including the fluid pressure, the expected sound level intensity in the event of a leak, and the type of fluid involved.

[0095] Of course the invention is not limited to the described method(s) of implementation and alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. References

[0096] [1] WO2021148737A1;

[0097] [2] FR3021089A1;

[0098] [3] US10969041 B2;

[0099] [4] FR3128271 AL

Claims

Demands

1. A tube connection device (60) comprising: - a main body (10) defining a housing (12) having a rotational symmetry and having an opening allowing the insertion of a tube (60) in a direction of insertion, the housing (12) is delimited by an internal surface (13) and includes a first shoulder forming an enlargement of the housing (12) in the direction of insertion;- a retaining ring (20) at least partially inserted into the housing (12) through the opening and which comprises, depending on the direction of insertion, a base (21), for example circular, and a retaining section (22) with rotational symmetry of a diameter less than the extent of the base (21), the retaining section (22) being provided on its lateral surface with a snap-on collar (23) configured to allow the retaining ring (20) to be held in the housing (12) by snap-on engagement through cooperation of said collar with the first shoulder, said retaining ring (20) defining a channel (24) through which the tube (60) is intended to be inserted into the housing (12);The retaining ring (20) is mounted in the housing (12) with a non-zero axial clearance in order to adopt either a first position and a second position, the first position requiring the collar to bear against a first shoulder in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion, and the second position requiring the base (21) to bear, in the direction of insertion, against a stop means formed on the main body (10), escape paths are further provided in the space formed between the lateral surface and the internal surface (13), and arranged to allow the escape, to the outside, of a fluid that may be present in the chamber downstream of the retaining ring (20) when the ring, under the effect of a pressure that may be exerted by the fluid, is in its first position, the escape paths are provided so that the flow of said fluid in said escape paths generates the emission of a sound wave.;

2. Connection device according to claim 1, wherein the escape paths comprise one or more holes (22c, 22d) formed in the snap collar (23).

3. Connection device according to claim 1, wherein the escape paths comprise one or more notches (22a, 22b) formed on an outer contour of the snap collar (23).

4. Connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the escape paths comprise longitudinal grooves (22e) formed on the internal surface (13).

5. Connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said connection device further comprises a guide (40) provided with a sleeve (41) extending from a free end (40a) in the direction of insertion, and intended to guide the tube (60) during insertion of the latter into the housing (12).

6. Connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said connection device comprises a locking means disposed downstream of the retaining ring (20) in the housing (12) and intended to engage with a tube (60) inserted in the housing (12), advantageously, the locking means comprises a ring, referred to as the locking ring.

7. Connection device according to claim 6, wherein a sealing gasket (50) is disposed in the housing (12) downstream of the locking means, the sealing gasket (50) is configured to ensure a seal between the internal surface (13) and a lateral surface of the tube (60) capable of being inserted into the housing (12).

8. A connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a sealing gasket (25) is disposed in the channel (24), the sealing gasket (25) is configured to allow the removal of dirt and / or dust that may be present on a lateral surface of the tube (60) when it is inserted into the housing (12), advantageously, the sealing gasket is also configured to ensure a seal between an internal surface of the retaining section (22) and the lateral surface of the tube (60) that may be inserted into the housing (12) so as to prevent any escape of fluid that may be present in the chamber downstream of the retaining ring (20) when the ring, under the effect of a pressure that may be exerted by the fluid, is in its first position.

9. A connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base (21) is configured so that, when supported against means of stopping, limiting, or even preventing the entry of dust into the dwelling (12).

10. Connecting device according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the stop means are formed by an edge of the main body (10) delimiting the opening of the housing (12).

11. Connecting device according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the stop means are formed by a second shoulder formed on the internal surface (13).

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