FLUID PIPE SPACER

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacer for fluid pipes comprising, on the one hand, a central spacer provided with at least two lateral housings (11), each intended to receive a longitudinal section (C1, C2) of these pipes, and, on the other hand, locking rings (2) for said pipes in their housings, characterized in that each locking ring (2) comprises an open loop (20), the diameter of which is less than or equal to the outside diameter of said pipes, extended at its ends by two lateral arms (21) parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipes and carrying lugs (22) intended to snap into two orifices (10) formed opposite each other in the wall of the housings (11) so as to ensure a forceful clamping of the pipes in their respective housings. (Fig. 3)

Description

Title of the invention: SPREADER FOR FLUID PIPES

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of mechanical connections between fluid pipes and is concerned, more particularly, with an improved spacer intended to ensure a determined space between at least two fluid pipes.

[0002] Numerous spacers already exist whose function is to ensure a fixed lateral interface between longitudinal functional components such as cables, pipes, or fluid lines. However, it has been observed that in the presence of vibrations or under the effect of unintentional tension, these spacers have a very strong tendency to slip in the axial direction on these components, which leads to an uncontrolled change in their position.

[0003] This situation of instability is unfortunately very common and leads to risks of contact between these components and adjacent parts. This contact is highly detrimental, especially in the automotive sector, when it involves fuel lines that could ignite due to the heat produced in the immediate vicinity.

[0004] Patent DE3106735 C2 describes a spacer comprising, on the one hand, a spacer with two lateral recesses, each intended to receive a longitudinal section of a pipe, and, on the other hand, two collars or rings for covering the pipes. These rings have, on the one hand, internal tabs that bear vertically against the pipes and, on the other hand, lateral ribs that snap transversely into grooves formed in the wall of the recesses. However, due to the freedom of movement of the ribs in the grooves, the sole support of the internal tabs on the pipes does not prevent their axial displacement within the recesses.

[0005] US patent application 3462804 A describes a clip for securing a pipe. This clip comprises a lower cradle for supporting a section of the pipe and a locking collar mounted on the pipe and snapped onto the lateral edges of the cradle on either side. However, this clip is neither suitable nor intended to form a spacer between several parallel pipe sections.

[0006] In this context, the invention aims to provide an improvement to known spacers allowing stable locking of the pipes in their housing by means of integrated, simple and effective clamping means, ensuring better resistance to vibrations.

[0007] This objective is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a spacer for fluid pipes comprising, on the one hand, a central spacer provided with at least two lateral housings intended to receive each a longitudinal section of these pipes and, on the other hand, locking rings for said pipes in their housings, characterized in that each locking ring comprises an open loop, the diameter of which is less than or equal to the outside diameter of said pipes, extended at its ends by two lateral branches parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipes and bearing lugs intended to snap into holes provided opposite each other in the wall of the housings so as to ensure a forceful tightening of the pipes in their respective housing.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the spacer of the invention, the housings are formed of collars connected, on the inside, to the spacer and extending, on the outside and on both sides, by a flexible tab intended to protrude beyond the wall of the pipes.

[0009] This leg is curved towards the spacer to delimit a narrowed opening in housings whose width is less than or equal to the diameter of the pipes.

[0010] According to a specific embodiment, this leg is provided, on its outer side, with transverse reinforcing ribs.

[0011] The rib located at the end of said flexible leg has a rounded section facilitating its pivoting outwards upon contact with the pipe.

[0012] The invention further provides that the width of the rings is less than the length of the housings.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the spreader of the invention, the snap-fit ​​holes of the rings are separated by a longitudinal rib carried by the outer wall of the housings.

[0014] Another object of the invention is a method for assembling fluid pipes using at least one spacer as defined above, characterized in that longitudinal sections of these pipes are capped by the locking rings, the spacer is then brought to the opposite side by placing the lugs and the orifices opposite each other, and then pressure is applied to the spacer to snap the lugs into the orifices and lock the pipe sections in their respective housing.

[0015] Yet another object of the invention is a specific use of the spacer defined above for assembling fuel lines in a motor vehicle.

[0016] A final object of the invention is a motor vehicle comprising fluid lines, including fuel lines, and spacers as defined above for assembling these lines.

[0017] In its most general aspect, the improvement brought by the invention to known spacers makes it possible to simplify and facilitate the assembly of fluid lines while ensuring good holding and stable positioning of these lines over time, even in the presence of vibrations.

[0018] Thanks to the "Omega" shaped geometry of the locking ring cooperating with the snap-fit ​​holes provided in the collar housings, the spreader of the invention ensures optimal clamping of the pipes. This clamping prevents, or at least significantly limits, any sliding and translational movements, and thus complies with industry requirements.

[0019] Moreover, by eliminating complex moving parts, the spreader of the invention offers increased durability and reduces maintenance over time. Safety is thus improved, in particular, when the spreader of the invention is used to assemble fuel lines in motor vehicles.

[0020] Finally, the dismantling of these spacers and the unlocking of the pipes are also easy operations which only require the separation of the rings by removing the lugs from the orifices, which facilitates maintenance.

[0021] The spreader of the invention can find its application in various industrial sectors, such as the automotive industry, the chemical and petrochemical industries, the food industry, the energy sector, where pipes of different fluids or cable bundles are assembled and grouped... and therefore has extensive economic potential in different markets.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, for which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the spreader of the invention in the assembly position of two pipes.

[0024] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from below of the spreader of [Fig.1].

[0025] [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of the various constituent elements of the spacer of the invention during the initial phase of the pipe assembly process.

[0026] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0027] Naturally, the embodiment of the spreader according to the invention, schematically illustrated in the figures above and described below, is given only by way of non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided within the scope of the invention that different embodiments can be proposed and combined to create others.

[0028] The invention relates to the general field of the assembly of fluid pipes or conduits in a support structure such as those found, in particular, in a motor vehicle.

[0029] In particular, the invention relates to spacers intended to group longitudinal sections of fluid pipes and to keep them together, at a distance, in parallel directions.

[0030] In a manner known in itself, and as illustrated by [Fig.1], such a spacer generally comprises, on the one hand, a spacer 1 formed of a central body 12 and at least two lateral housings 11 intended to receive each a longitudinal section Cl, C2 of pipes and, on the other hand, two rings 2 ensuring the locking of these sections in their respective housing 11.

[0031] However, traditional spacers and / or pipe sections tend, over time or in the presence of traction or vibration, to undergo relative translational displacement and to change their positioning, which is problematic both for the quality and reliability of the assembly and for safety.

[0032] The invention aims to strengthen the assembly by means of an improved spreader shown in Figures 1 to 3 in which the traditional locking rings 2 and housings 11 are modified. According to the invention, the rings 2 comprise an open loop 20 ([Fig. 3]) whose diameter is less than or equal to the outside diameter of the pipe sections Cl, C2 to be assembled and which is extended at its ends by two lateral arms 21. These rings thus have an "Omega" shaped cross-section.

[0033] The width of the rings 2 is here less than the length of the housings 11. However, it would be possible, without leaving the scope of the invention, to provide that the rings 2 have a width at least equal to the length of the housings 11, depending, in particular, on the diameter of the pipes to be assembled.

[0034] The lateral arms 21 of the rings 2, which extend downwards in Figures 1 and 2, are parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipes C1, C2 and have lugs 22 forming hooks. The lugs 22 are designed to snap into opposite holes 10 in the wall of the housings 11 so as to ensure a tight fit of the pipes in their respective housings. In the embodiment shown in the figures, these holes are in the form of a single slot. However, an alternative embodiment may provide that each housing 11 is provided with two holes, each dedicated to one of the two lugs 22.

[0035] The housings 11 are formed here of collars connected, on the inside, to the central body 12 of the spacer 1 and extend, on the outside, by flexible tabs 13 intended to protrude beyond the wall of the pipes Cl, C2.

[0036] These legs 13 are slightly curved towards the central body 12 of the spacer 1 to delimit a narrowed opening in the housings 11 whose width is less than or equal to the diameter of the sections Cl, C2 of the pipes so as to participate, by elastic deformation and / or pivoting and in cooperation with the rings 2, in the grip of these sections.

[0037] Preferably, the legs 13 are provided, on their outer side and on either side, with two transverse reinforcing ribs 13a. Similarly, the two openings The snap-fit ​​10 on each ring 2 are separated by a longitudinal rib 13b carried by the outer wall of the housings 11. The rib 13a located at the end of the flexible leg 13 has a rounded section which comes into contact with the pipe and facilitates the movement of the leg outwards when the collar forming the housing 11 is opened.

[0038] The two housings 11 described and shown in Figures 1 to 3 are identical and symmetrical because the two pipes C1, C2 to be joined have identical profiles and dimensions. It would nevertheless be possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to make the spacer with a series of lateral housings to allow the joining of more than two pipes. Similarly, the spacer 1, whose housings 11, as well as the locking rings 2, could have different dimensions on either side of the spacer to adapt to pipe sections of different diameters.

[0039] The implementation of the pipe assembly method according to the invention, using the spreader described above, is illustrated in [Fig. 3]. It consists of first placing the longitudinal sections Cl, C2 of these pipes over the locking rings 2. The spacer 1 is then brought to the opposite side, aligning the lugs 22 of the rings 2 with the openings 10. Then, pressure is applied to the central body 12 to deform or pivot the tabs 13 outwards in order to open the recesses 11 and engage the sections Cl, C2 with their rings 2. Continued pressure leads to the lugs 22 clicking into the openings 10 and locking the pipe sections Cl, C2 in their respective recesses 11.

Claims

Demands

1. A spacer for fluid pipes comprising, on the one hand, a central spacer having at least two lateral housings (11) intended to receive each a longitudinal section (Cl, C2) of these pipes and, on the other hand, locking rings (2) for said pipes in their housings, characterized in that each locking ring (2) comprises an open loop (20), the diameter of which is less than or equal to the outside diameter of said pipes, extended at its ends by two lateral branches (21) parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipes and carrying lugs (22) intended to snap into orifices (10) provided opposite each other in the wall of the housings (11) so as to ensure a forceful tightening of the pipes in their respective housing.

2. A spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that said housings (11) are formed of collars connected, on the inner side, to the spacer (1) and extending, on the outer side, by a flexible tab (13) intended to protrude beyond the wall of the pipes.

3. A spacer according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said leg (lia) is curved towards the spacer (1) to delimit a narrowed opening in the housings (11) whose width is less than or equal to the diameter of the pipes (Cl, C2).

4. Spreader according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said leg (13) is provided, on its outer side and on both sides, with transverse reinforcing ribs (13a).

5. Spreader according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rib (13a) located at the end of said flexible leg (13) has a rounded section facilitating its pivoting outwards in contact with the pipe.

6. A spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of said rings (2) is less than the length of the housings (11).

7. A spreader according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said snap-in holes (10) for the rings (2) are separated by a longitudinal rib (13b) carried by the outer wall of the housings (11).

8. Method of assembling fluid pipes using at least one spreader according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that longitudinal sections (Cl, C2) of these pipes are capped by the locking rings (2), the spacer (1) is then brought to the opposite side by placing the lugs (22) and the orifices (10) opposite each other and then pressure is applied to the spacer to snap the lugs into the orifices and lock the pipe sections in their respective housing (11).

9. Use of the spreader according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for assembling fuel lines in a motor vehicle.

10. Motor vehicle comprising fluid lines including fuel lines assembled by means of spacers according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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