Air conditioning circuit connector

Abstract

Title: Air Conditioning Circuit Connector The invention relates to an air conditioning circuit hose connector comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2) designed to cooperate so that the connector is alternately in a connected or disconnected position, the first part (1) comprising a first longitudinal body (3) providing a passage and the second part (2) comprising a second longitudinal body (4) providing a passage, the connector in which the first part (1) comprises an external thread (12a) and the second part (2) comprises a ring (12) with a tapped hole (29), the external thread (12a) cooperating with the tapped hole (29) by screwing the ring (12). The ring (12) comprises an outer surface having an additional thread (21) and the first part (1) comprises a nut (22) having an additional tapped hole cooperating with the additional thread. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Air conditioning circuit connector technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for joining the pipes of an air conditioning system, these pipes being able to establish a fluid connection between various air conditioning units of said system. The invention will find its use for hermetic interconnection under pressure during the installation of air conditioning units, particularly for wall-mounted split-system air conditioners. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Such an air conditioning system comprises an indoor unit and at least one outdoor unit connected to each other by connecting pipes.

[0003] A conventional method for installing an air conditioner, so as to expel air from the indoor unit and the connecting pipes after installation, consists of charging the main part of the outdoor unit with refrigerant gas to a volume exceeding the specified volume required for the system's air conditioning function. This excess refrigerant gas purges the air from the rest of the circuit. A two-way valve is used for this purpose on the outdoor unit so that, once the installation is complete, the circulation of the refrigerant gas expels the air into the atmosphere. This traditional method is particularly harmful to the environment since it induces the release of refrigerant gas into the atmosphere, which is especially damaging, notably through the destruction of the ozone layer.

[0004] We therefore sought to propose devices to prevent such leaks of refrigerant gas into the atmosphere. In this regard, once the connection between the indoor and outdoor units is made in the traditional way using a copper pipe that connects to the indoor and outdoor units with a nut tightened onto a threaded fitting, intervention by a refrigeration technician is required to limit the risk of outgassing into the atmosphere and prevent the system from being evacuated. This step requires not only the intervention of a qualified professional but also the use of appropriate and often expensive pumping equipment. Furthermore, the risk of outgassing is not, in any case, completely eliminated.

[0005] A connector is known from document FR2994592 Al allowing two connector parts to be reliably joined, by means of a mechanism ensuring that the gas circuit is opened only when the connection has been successful.

[0006] However, there is a need to further improve the connection in order to prevent any disconnection. The present invention falls within this framework.

[0007] The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from an examination of the following description and accompanying drawings. It is understood that other advantages may be incorporated. SUMMARY

[0008] To achieve this objective, according to an embodiment, an air conditioning circuit pipe connector is provided comprising a first part and a second part intended to cooperate so that the connector is alternately in a connected position or a disconnected position, the first part comprising a first longitudinal body providing a first through passage and the second part comprising a second longitudinal body providing a second through passage, connector in which the first part includes an external thread and the second part includes a ring with a tapped hole, the external thread being configured to cooperate with the tapped hole by screwing the ring into the connected position.

[0009] Advantageously, the ring includes an outer surface having an additional thread, and the first part includes a nut having an additional tapping configured to cooperate by screwing with the additional thread in the connected position, the nut including a stop coming into contact with a stop surface of the first longitudinal body at the end of screwing.

[0010] Thus, the usual connection is made between the two parts of the connector to ensure a leak-proof fluidic communication through the passages formed in each of the bodies, which meet in the connected position. At the same time, in this connected position, the connector is completely locked by the additional connection using the additional thread of the ring and the tapped hole of the nut. In particular, the connection provided by the ring and the nut prevents any accidental loosening of the threaded hole in the ring and the thread of the first part. Such loosening would otherwise be possible during use, particularly due to vibrations.

[0011] Another aspect relates to a method of fluid connection between a first air conditioning unit and a second air conditioning unit, including the use of the connector, with: • an assembly of the first part and the second part by screwing the threaded ring onto the external thread; then • screwing the additional tapped hole of the nut onto the additional thread. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] The aims, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof, which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents an example of the first part of a connector according to the state of the technique.

[0014] [Fig.2] Fig.2 represents an example of a second part of a connector according to the prior art.

[0015] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] represents a cross-sectional view along the BB lines of the first part of the connector of the [Fig.1].

[0016] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] represents a cross-sectional view along the CC lines of the second part of the connector of the [Fig.2].

[0017] [Fig.5] Fig.5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment of the invention, in a connected but not locked position.

[0018] [Fig.6] Fig.6 illustrates a profile view of the connector according to the embodiment of the previous figure.

[0019] [Fig.7] Fig.7 presents a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector according to Figures 5 and 6, in the connected and locked position.

[0020] [Fig.8] Fig.8 shows possible embodiment details of a threaded portion of the second part of the connector.

[0021] [Fig.9] Fig.9 provides a perspective example of the realization of the nut.

[0022] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] and a longitudinal sectional view of the nut in the embodiment of the previous figure.

[0023] [Fig. 11] The [Fig. 11] shows an example of the use of the connector between two air conditioning units.

[0024] The drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate understanding of the invention. Nevertheless, they are representative of an example of the form ratio of the constituent parts of the connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Before proceeding to a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, optional features that may be used in combination or alternatively are listed below:

[0026] According to one example, the ring is made of steel and the nut of polymer material, preferably polyvinyl chloride. While heterogeneous materials in a screw assembly are generally discouraged, they prove advantageous here because the polymer material better accommodates vibrations by providing damping.

[0027] Optionally, the tapping extends to a distal end of the ring and the additional thread does not extend to the distal end.

[0028] Thus, the additional thread is located further back in the connection between the two parts of the connector, offering a tendency to compress the connection.

[0029] According to one mode, the tapping and the additional threading are not opposite each other or are only partially opposite each other.

[0030] This makes the overall connection less hyperstatic.

[0031] Advantageously, the screwing direction of the additional tapping relative to the additional thread is identical to the screwing direction of the external thread relative to the tapping.

[0032] In this way, the installation of the nut does not tend to loosen the primary connection made between the ring and the external thread.

[0033] Preferably, the length of the additional thread is less than 10 mm, and preferably less than or equal to 6 mm.

[0034] In this way, the connection with the nut is made over a small span, which limits the hyperstaticity of the superposition of the two filtered connections formed between the two parts of the connector.

[0035] Preferably, in the connected position, the relative screw length between the tap and the external thread is greater than the relative screw length between the additional tap and the additional thread.

[0036] Preference is given to the screw length of the primary connection to ensure a strong connection when sealing the connection in the connected position.

[0037] According to one possibility, the ring includes a stop coming into contact with a stop surface of the second longitudinal body at the end of screwing the external thread relative to the tapping.

[0038] Preferably, the passage formed in the first longitudinal body comprises a movable valve, said passage housing a first spring for maintaining the valve in tight contact with the first longitudinal body when the connector is in the disconnected position, the longitudinal body comprising an internal stop against which the valve is intended to be in contact by default under the action of the first spring at least when the connector is in the disconnected position, and wherein the second part comprises a movable sleeve and a piston, the piston being located at least partially in the sleeve and at least partially in the second longitudinal body and the piston being fixed relative to the second longitudinal body by means of a retaining ring on which the piston is fixed, a second spring being located between the retaining ring and the sleeve in the second longitudinal body so as to maintain the contact of the sleeve against the internal stop of the first longitudinal body when the connector is in the connected position.

[0039] The invention relates to a connection connector for air conditioning pipes. A pipe is defined as a conduit or duct, which may be flexible or rigid, intended for the flow of a fluid, for example, a liquid or a gas. These pipes can serve as fluid circulation elements by being connected to indoor and outdoor units forming an air conditioning system.

[0040] The connector according to the invention comprises a first part 1 preferably intended to be connected to an outdoor unit 16 of an air conditioning unit and a second part 2 which may be intended to be connected to an indoor unit 17 of an air conditioning unit, but this is not mandatory. An embodiment of an air conditioning unit with a positioning of the connectors will be detailed later with reference to [Fig. 1 1].

[0041] Generally, according to the present invention, the connectors are positioned in an air conditioning unit.

[0042] The first part 1 and the second part 2 are intended to cooperate so as to allow the connection of the pipes to which they are attached.

[0043] When the first part 1 and the second part 2 are connected, the connector is in the connected position. Conversely, when the first part 1 and the second part 2 are disconnected, the connector is in the disconnected position.

[0044] The disconnected position means that the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the connector are not connected. In this position, no fluid flows through the connector. Conversely, the connected position means that the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the connector are connected, whether or not fluid flows.

[0045] An example of a method for joining the two parts of the connector is described later. Previously, an example of the connector's internal structure is given, particularly its aspects enabling fluid connection through it. This forms a connector opening mechanism for the circulation of a fluid through it.

[0046] This example is provided with support from Figures 1 to 4 according to a currently known possibility that the invention can implement.

[0047] The first part 1 comprises a first longitudinal body 3 providing a through passage allowing the fluid to flow. The first longitudinal body 3 includes, within the through passage, a movable valve 5 which is closed by default. The valve 5 is provided with at least one sealing means 7 ensuring a seal by default with the first longitudinal body 3 at least when the connector is in the disconnected position.

[0048] The first longitudinal body 3 includes an internal stop 11 against which the valve 5 is intended to be in contact by default.

[0049] The valve 5 is held closed by default by means of a first elastic element such as a spring 14 disposed between the valve 5 and preferably the first longitudinal body 3. Advantageously, the internal stop 11 is formed in the first longitudinal body 3 in its proximal part 20, that is to say, at the end intended to be connected to the second part 2 of the connector. Similarly, the proximal end of the second part 2 is the one intended to be connected to the first part 1.

[0050] According to this arrangement shown in all the figures, the valve 5 comprises a head on which sealing means 7 are positioned which are in contact by default with the distal surface of the internal stop 11, preferably by means of the first spring 14 located at the stem of the valve 5. The distal surface of the internal stop 11 is constituted by the surface facing the distal end of the first part 1. The sealing means 7 exerts axial support oriented along the longitudinal axis of the valve 5 on the internal stop 11.

[0051] Thus, when the first part 1 is connected to the outdoor unit 16, there is no risk of introduction of gas or moisture or loss of the vacuum effect achieved at the outdoor unit 16.

[0052] The second part 2 of the connector comprises a second longitudinal body 4 providing a through passage for the flow of fluid. In the illustrated example, a movable sleeve 9 and a piston 6 are placed in the through passage. The sleeve 9 is advantageously located at least partially within the second longitudinal body 4 and receives the piston 6 inside it.

[0053] The piston 6 preferably comprises a head by which the piston 6 can abut the valve 5 at a distal end of the head. The head preferably has an inclined portion, such as a conical portion flaring out towards the distal end of the piston 6 and, towards the front, a portion having a rim that can form a stop.

[0054] Preferably, the piston 6 is provided with at least one sealing means 8 ensuring a default seal with the sleeve 9. Preferably, this seal is achieved at the proximal end of the second part 2. This sealing means 8 is preferably an O-ring arranged on the piston 6. More precisely, this sealing means 8 is positioned on the conical head of the piston 6 so as to cooperate with the proximal end of the sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 advantageously has, at its proximal end, a surface beveled towards the inside of the sleeve, intended to cooperate with the conical head of the piston 6. The support of the sealing means 8 on sleeve 9 is a mixed support comprising an axial component and a radial component.

[0055] According to one option, the sleeve 9 comprises at least two seals 10. At least one seal 10 is intended to provide the default seal between the second longitudinal body 4 and the sleeve 9. At least one other seal 10 is intended to provide the seal with the first longitudinal body 3 when the first part 1 and the second part 2 are connected. According to a preferred embodiment, the seals 10 are O-rings.

[0056] When the first part 1 and the second part 2 are disconnected, the second part 2 is hermetically sealed and does not allow the refrigerant gas to escape, for example outside an indoor unit 17 of the air conditioning unit.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piston 6 and the internal stop 11 are configured so as not to come into contact. The piston 6 is configured to cooperate with the valve 5. According to the embodiment shown, the piston 6 has a diameter smaller than that of the passage formed by the internal stop 11.

[0058] Similarly, the sleeve 9 is configured to come into contact with the internal stop 11.

[0059] The piston 6 is fixedly mounted on the second longitudinal body 4 preferably by means of a retaining ring 13. The rod of the piston 6 is fixedly mounted at the retaining ring 13. The retaining ring 13 is located at the distal end of the second part 2.

[0060] According to one possibility, the positioning of the piston 6 can be controlled according to the positioning of the retaining ring 13.

[0061] The retaining ring 13 constitutes a stop for a second elastic element such as a spring 15 intended to be positioned between the retaining ring 13 and the sleeve 9 so as to keep the sleeve 9 partially outside the second longitudinal body 4.

[0062] The description of the internal elements for connecting the two parts 1 and 2, or for their watertight closure, represents only one non-limiting embodiment. In particular, the means described in the first part 1 could be located in the second part and vice versa.

[0063] The connector according to the invention advantageously comprises a clamping element in the form of a ring 12, with a thread 29, carried by the second part 2 and cooperating with a complementary means in the form of a thread 12a carried by the first part 1. These clamping means 12, 12a allow, during the connection of the first part 1 and the second part 2, for them to be brought together and held in position. According to a preferred embodiment, the bringing together is gradual.

[0064] More specifically, figures 5 to 10 provide an example of an embodiment of the clamping element formed with the ring 12 in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0065] Figure 5 shows a situation in which the first part 1 and the second part 2 are connected via the thread 12a and the tapped hole 29 in the ring 12, such that the fluidic connection through the passages of the two parts 1 and 2 is effective. In this figure, it is noted that, unlike the four preceding figures, the ring 12 has an additional thread 21 on its outer surface 20.

[0066] Figure 8 also shows a representation of the additional thread 21. Preferably, the filtered length is relatively short and preferably less than 10 millimeters; it may be less than or equal to 6 millimeters. In one possibility, the beginning of the thread 21 is located behind the distal end of the body of part 2, so that there is a recess between the opening of this connector part and the beginning of the thread 21. For example, this recess may be less than 10 millimeters, and possibly less than or equal to 6 millimeters. Preferably, the thread pitch is greater than that of the thread 12a and the tapped hole 29.

[0067] As can be seen in the situation of [Fig.5], when the two parts are connected by means of the link between the tapped hole 29 and the thread 12a, the ring 12 preferentially comes to rest against a corresponding surface of the outer surface of the second body 4. Optionally, the ring is mounted as a sliding pivot around the body 4 and its capacity for movement along the longitudinal direction relative to the body 4 is limited by this stop system which is activated when the connected position is reached between the tapped hole 29 and the thread 12a.

[0068] Figure 6 shows a situation in which the connection between the two parts 1, 2 is completed. In fact, the nut 22 is positioned to lock the connector, the additional thread 23 of the screen 22 cooperating in this situation with the additional thread 21 of the ring 12.

[0069] This arrangement is also apparent from [Fig.7], with a cross-sectional view.

[0070] Figures 9 and 10 show the nut 22 in isolation. The latter has a The outer surface advantageously includes a portion allowing mechanical driving with a screw-driving tool; the example shown includes flats allowing gripping by pliers or a wrench. The inner surface of the screen 22 includes an additional threaded hole 23. Preferably, this thread extends from an opening in the nut 22, this opening being intended to be positioned opposite the other part of the connector.

[0071] Preferably, the nut is made of a polymer material, advantageously polyvinyl chloride. This material ensures good compatibility with resistance to the elements and provides a certain shock absorption capacity, which is advantageous in an air conditioning context where vibrations are often encountered in use.

[0072] As shown in [Fig. 10], the nut 22 advantageously includes a stop 25 located opposite the previously described opening, which prevents the nut 22 from translating when it engages with a stop surface 26 formed on the outer surface of the body 3 of the first part 1. Typically, in a manner relatively similar to the mounting of the ring 12 on the body 4, the nut 22 has rotational freedom allowing it to be screwed in, but it is held in translation at least in a stop position in which the connector is locked, i.e., the additional thread 21 and the additional tapped hole 23 cooperate up to a limit switch corresponding to this stop. Advantageously, this mounting of the nut 22 around the body 2 is achieved by passing said body through an opening 24 in the nut 22, as shown in [Fig. 10].

[0073] The cooperation of the nut 22 and the additional thread 21 allows a definitive locking of the connector in the connected position and provides an additional connection between the two parts 1, 2 making it possible to limit, or even eliminate, the effects of vibrations or other external constraints which could lead to the risk of unscrewing the ring and the thread 12a.

[0074] The assembly process for the first and second parts 1, 2 includes, for example, the following steps.

[0075] The tightening means (tapping of the ring 12, thread 12a) of the first and second parts 1, 2 are brought into contact and progressively tightened. Advantageously, during tightening, the thread 12a passes through the ring 12 over the entire length of the tapped portion 29. Beyond a certain tightening depth, the sleeve 9 comes into contact with the internal stop 11. Preferably, the sleeve 9 makes contact with the proximal surface of the internal stop 11 at its proximal end. At this stage, although the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the connector are connected, the tightening depth of the clamping means 12 is insufficient, and therefore the valve 5 and the piston 6 remain closed by default. Furthermore, at this stage, the sleeve 9 is, by means of at least one of its seals 10, capable of sealing with the first part 1.

[0076] Thus, the fluid flow does not yet circulate between the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the connector. The seal between the first part 1 and the second part 2 is already achieved by the sleeve 9.

[0077] Continued screwing causes the piston 6 to advance relative to the sleeve 9 until the piston 6 comes to rest against the valve 5. The piston 6 generates a recoil movement of the valve 5 towards the distal end of the first Part 1 thus eliminates the seal between the valve 5 and the internal stop 11. Similarly, this movement moves the piston 6 and the sleeve 9 apart and eliminates the seal between the piston 6 and the sleeve 9. There is therefore fluid circulation between the first part 1 and the second part 2 while maintaining a perfect seal between the first part 1 and the second part 2 thanks to the sleeve 9 and its seals 10. During this step, the sleeve 9 and the valve 5 move in opposite directions.

[0078] The arrangement of the present invention makes it possible, when screwing the ring 12, to maintain constant sealing between the first part 1 and the second part 2 due to the simultaneous movement of the sleeve 9, a constituent element of the second part 2 and the first part 1. Indeed, the support between the internal stop 11 and the sleeve 9 is constant and perpetual when screwing the ring 12 with its complementary means, the thread 12a.

[0079] When the screwing of the ring 12 onto the thread 12a is completely finished, the nut 22 can be screwed around the ring 12 so as to make the additional thread 21 and the additional tapping 23 cooperate. When the nut 22 reaches the end of its travel, the connector is in the connected position and locked by a double threaded connection means.

[0080] An air conditioning unit according to the invention comprises, for example, at least one outdoor unit 16 intended to be positioned outside the space to be air-conditioned. Generally, the outdoor unit 16 includes forced convection means equipped with a fan and a circuit, referred to as the outdoor circuit, in which a refrigerant circulates. Connectors are generally arranged at the inlet and outlet of the outdoor circuit to ensure that the circuit is closed during assembly and disassembly.

[0081] The device also includes an indoor unit 17, for example consisting of a wall-mounted unit capable of blowing air at a selected temperature into the space to be air-conditioned. For this purpose, the indoor unit 17 has an internal circuit for the circulation of the refrigerant. The indoor and outdoor circuits of the indoor unit 17 and the outdoor unit 16, respectively, each having an inlet and an outlet, are connected respectively by one of the connecting pipes 18, 19 also illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0082] In [Fig. 11], the ends of the connecting pipes 18, 19 are secured to the second part 2 of a respective connector according to the invention. The first part 1 of the connector according to the invention is then mounted respectively on the outdoor unit 16 and the indoor unit 17. This is not necessarily the case in all embodiments of the invention.

[0083] In a preferred form of air conditioning unit, two connecting pipes 18, 19 respectively connect the inlet of the outdoor circuit of the unit outdoor 16 to the outlet of the indoor unit 17 or the outlet of the outdoor unit 16 to the inlet of the indoor unit 17, a connector being provided at each end of each pipe 18, 19.

[0084] The connector according to the invention eliminates the need to handle the refrigerant on machines pre-charged with refrigerant (the refrigerant is contained in the compressor of the outdoor unit 16) and avoids a commissioning procedure that involves extracting the refrigerant, evacuating the system, and reintroducing the refrigerant. Consequently, any risk of outgassing or leakage due to improper handling or equipment defects is eliminated.

[0085] The invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described and extends to all embodiments covered by the invention.

[0086] NUMERICAL REFERENCES 1. Part One 2. Part Two 3. First longitudinal body 4. Second longitudinal body 5. Valve 6. Piston 7. Valve sealing means 8. Piston sealing means 9. Sleeve 10. Joints 11. Internal stop 12. Ring 12a. Threading 13. Retaining ring 14. First spring 15. Second spring 16. Outdoor Unit 17. Indoor Unit 18. Pipe 19. Pipe 20. Outer surface of ring 21. Additional thread 22. Nut 23. Additional tapping 24. Opening 25. Rear stop 26. Stopping surface 29. Tapping

Claims

Demands

1. Air conditioning circuit pipe connector comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2) intended to cooperate so that the connector is alternately in a connected or disconnected position, the first part (1) comprising a first longitudinal body (3) providing a first through passage and the second part (2) comprising a second longitudinal body (4) providing a second through passage, connector in which the first part (1) comprises an external thread (12a) and the second part (2) comprises a ring (12) with a tapped hole (29), the external thread (12a) being configured to cooperate with the tapped hole (29) by screwing the ring (12) into the connected position, characterized in that the ring (12) comprises an outer surface having an additional thread (21),and in that the first part (1) comprises a nut (22) having an additional thread configured to cooperate by screwing with the additional thread in the connected position, the nut (22) comprising a stop (25) coming into contact with a stopping surface (26) of the first longitudinal body (3) at the end of screwing.

2. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the ring is made of steel and the nut of polymer material, and preferably of polyvinyl chloride.

3. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tapping (29) extends to a distal end of the ring (12) and wherein the additional thread (21) does not extend to the distal end.

4. Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the tapping (29) and the additional thread (21) are not opposite each other or are only partially opposite each other.

5. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screwing direction of the additional tapping (23) relative to the additional thread (21) is identical to the screwing direction of the external thread (12a) relative to the tapping (29).

6. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the additional thread (21) is less than 10 mm, and preferably less than or equal to 6 mm.

7. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the connected position, the relative screw length between the tapped hole (29) and the external thread (12a) is greater than the relative screw length between the additional tapped hole (23) and the additional thread (21).

8. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (12) includes a stop coming into contact with a stop surface of the second longitudinal body (2) at the end of screwing the external thread (12a) relative to the tapping (29).

9. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passage formed in the first longitudinal body (3) comprises a movable valve (5), said passage housing a first spring (14) for maintaining the valve (5) in tight contact with the first longitudinal body (3) when the connector is in the disconnected position, the longitudinal body comprising an internal stop (11) against which the valve (5) is intended to be in contact by default under the action of the first spring (14) at least when the connector is in the disconnected position, and wherein the second part (2) comprises a movable sleeve (9) and a piston (6), the piston (6) being located at least partially in the sleeve (9) and located at least partially in the second longitudinal body (4), and the piston (6) being fixed relative to the second longitudinal body (4) by means of a retaining ring (13) on which the piston (6) is fixed,a second spring (15) being placed between the retaining ring (13) and the sleeve (9) in the second longitudinal body (4) so ​​as to maintain the contact of the sleeve (9) against the internal stop (11) of the first longitudinal body (3) when the connector is in the connected position.

10. A method for connecting fluid between a first air conditioning unit and a second air conditioning unit, comprising the use of a connector according to any one of the preceding claims, with: • an assembly of the first part (1) and the second part (2) by screwing the tapped hole (29) of the ring (12) onto the external thread (12a); then • a screwing of the additional tapped hole (23) of the nut (22) onto the additional thread (21).

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