Connection device for connecting fluid line to connection body

Abstract

To provide a connection device for connecting a fluid line to a connection boody.SOLUTION: In a connection device 1 for connecting a fluid line 2 to a connection body 4, the connection device 1 incudes a foundation body 3 insertable to a connection opening 5 of the connection body 4 by a connecting portion 21 by means of forcible fitting and / or shape fitting methods, the foundation body 3 includes a through opening 16 for receiving a terminal end portion of the fluid line 2 in a longitudinal direction L, fastening means 7 designed to retain the fluid line 2 in the foundation body 3 is disposed in the through opening 16, first spacer means 9 and first seal means 10 disposed in adjacent to the fastening means 7 in the longitudinal direction L are pressed on the terminal end portion of the fluid line 2, and closing means 8 having an insertion opening 19 for the fluid line 2 is disposed on a closing part 22 of the foundation body 3 facing a direction separating from the connection body 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a fluid line to a connector according to the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] Several embodiments of a connecting device for a fluid line to be connected to a connecting body are known. The connecting device is inserted into the connecting body, after which the end of the fluid line is introduced into the connecting device. As a rule, the end of the fluid line engages with a fastening means and is thus fixed to the connecting body.

[0003] DE 101 01 666 A1 describes a connection device for plug-in connection of fluid lines, which comprises a basic body with a closure means. In the front area in the installation direction, the basic body has a threaded shaft with an external thread, by means of which the threaded shaft is screwed into a threaded hole of the connecting body. Adjacent to the external thread in the direction opposite to the installation direction is a sealing part of the basic body, which has a circumferentially extending groove in which an annular sealing means is arranged, so that the basic body is sealed against the connecting body by the sealing means. The basic body further comprises an axially extending inner through-opening with a contact shoulder, on which contact shoulder the fastening means are next to the spacer means and the sealing means, in the installation direction. In this case, the spacer means are arranged between the fastening means and the sealing means. The sealing means, the spacer means and the fastening means are held in the installation direction in the through-opening of the basic body by the inwardly facing contact shoulder, so that an axial displacement of the connecting body is prevented. After the fastening means, the spacer means and the sealing means have been inserted into the through-openings of the basic body, the closing means is inserted at the rear end of the basic body as viewed in the installation direction. The closing means has an insertion opening in the axial direction for inserting the fluid line, an internal groove is formed in the insertion opening of the closing means and the sealing means is arranged in it. In the inserted state, the closing means is placed in the installation direction and its inwardly facing end face is on the step face in the through-opening and on the sealing means resting in the through-opening, so that when pressure is applied, the inserted sealing means, the spacer means and the fastening means together with the fluid line can be prevented from being pulled out of the through-openings of the basic body in the opposite direction to the installation direction. The closing means is fixed, for example, by folding it at the rear end of the basic body in the installation direction. However, fixing can alternatively also be performed by pushing or latching the closing means into place.

[0004] It has been found that in the above-mentioned connecting devices according to the prior art, the closure means and the basic body are irreleasably connected: in order to be able to release the closure means from the basic body, the closure means and / or the basic body on which it rests must be destroyed.

[0005] The disadvantage of this solution is that when replacing a faulty connection device, the plug-in fluid line with the fastening means, spacer means and sealing means pressed against it cannot be easily pulled out of the basic body, since the basic body is closed by a non-removable closing means. The faulty connection device can only be replaced by disconnecting the fluid line.

[0006] Due to the irremovable connection between the closure means and the basic body, the fluid lines have to be cut outside the connecting device, which has the disadvantage that the fluid lines after cutting no longer have the minimum required length and therefore cannot be connected to new connecting devices and bodies, and therefore the fluid lines also have to be replaced to have the minimum required length for connection.

[0007] Another disadvantage is that when replacing a faulty connection device, the sealing means, spacer means and fastening means inserted in the basic body cannot be removed and reused, since the connection between the closure means and the basic body is non-removable, and therefore are lost when the faulty connection device is replaced.

[0008] In order to optionally reuse the sealing means, spacer means and fastening means inserted in the foundation body after replacement, the failed connection device must be destroyed to allow the sealing means, spacer means and fastening means inserted in the foundation body to be removed, which may result in the sealing means inserted in the foundation body being damaged, since the sealing means rests flat inside the non-removable closure means in the foundation body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 129667A1 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention is based on the object of providing a connection device for connecting a fluid line to a connector, which makes it possible to mount and dismount the connection device simply and reliably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The basic object of the invention is achieved by means of the features of the main claim. Preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0012] The connecting device according to the invention is used, for example, in a connection of a motor vehicle, preferably referred to as a pressure medium supply device or valve block, so that the pressure medium supply device can be connected to other parts of the motor vehicle via fluid lines, preferably referred to as pressure medium lines.

[0013] Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary connection device. [Figure 2a] 4 shows a closure means with differently designed fastening means; [Figure 2b] 4 shows a closure means with differently designed fastening means; [Figure 2c] 4 shows a closure means with differently designed fastening means; [Figure 2d] 4 shows a closure means with differently designed fastening means; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 shows an exemplary connecting device 1 in a cross-sectional view, which comprises a basic body 3 in the form of a hollow cylinder having a through opening 16 for receiving an end of a fluid line 2, which is received in a connecting opening 5 in a connecting body 4. The connecting body 4 can be, for example, a pressure medium supply or a valve block of a vehicle.

[0016] As an example, the foundation body 3 is screwed into the connection opening 5 by means of a screw. For this purpose, the foundation body 3 comprises an external thread at the joint 21 and is correspondingly provided with an internal thread at the connection opening 5. This means that the foundation body 3 is fixedly connected to the connection opening 5 in the connection body 4. Other force-fit and / or form-fit ways of connecting the foundation body 3 and the connection body 4 are also possible. For example, the foundation body 3 can be pressed into the connection opening 5 in the connection body 4.

[0017] By means of the connecting device 1 the end of the fluid line 2 is fixedly connected to the connecting body 4 so that a pressure medium can be conducted through the fluid line 2 to or from the connecting body 4 .

[0018] To connect the fluid line 2 to the connection body 4, the end of the fluid line 2 is inserted along the longitudinal axis L of the connection device 1 through the plug-in opening 19 in the closure means 8 into the through-opening 16 of the basic body 3. A fastening means 7 is arranged in the basic body 3, which is designed to receive the end of the fluid line 2 and hold it in the connection device 1. The fastening means 7 can be, for example, a serrated lock washer or a lock washer. The fastening means 7 is axially displaceable and rotatable in the through-opening 16 in the basic body 3. The loose reception of the fastening means 7 in the basic body 3 results in a free movement along the longitudinal axis L and a free rotational movement of the received end of the fluid line 2 about this axis in the basic body 3. As a result, the fluid line 2 connected to the connection device 1 is easy to install and remove, and can be held and displaced in various holding positions. When the end of the fluid line 2 is inserted through the fastening means 7, the radially inward tabs of the fastening means 7 are folded away from the end. The tabs, which interact with the outer wall of the fluid line 2 during processing, act on the fluid line 2 as barbs with a certain resistance. The end of the fluid line 2 is thus held in the basic body 3 and fixed against pulling out or pushing out. The fastening means 7 rests with its outer ring on a contact shoulder 20 of the basic body 3. The contact shoulder 20 is formed in the through opening 16 in the basic body 3 and projects radially inwards. For this reason, the diameter of the through opening 16 also tapers in the direction of the connecting opening 5.

[0019] To prevent the end of the fluid line 2 from being pushed too deeply into the connection body 4 at the time of introduction, an annular end stop 17 is also formed in the basic body 3. The end stop 17 is formed as a radially inward collar at the lower edge of the joint 21 of the basic body 3. The end of the fluid line 2 abuts against said collar and cannot proceed further. At the same time, the end stop 17 forms the outlet opening of the connection device 1.

[0020] The closure means 8 is arranged on the exposed part of the foundation body 3 and serves as a closure part 22 in the mounting direction Y of the foundation body 3. The closure means 8 comprises fastening means 13, which fixedly but releasably connects the closure means 8 to the foundation body 3. The non-destructive fastening and the various types of connections of the closure means 8 to the foundation body 3 are described in more detail in the description of figures 2a-d. The plug-in opening 19 of the closure means 8 has a smaller diameter than the through opening 16 in the foundation body 3. The closure means 8 therefore at least partially covers the through opening 16 from above.

[0021] In addition to the fastening means 7, further means are arranged inside the through opening 16, which contribute to the fastening and sealing of the fluid line 2 in the connection device 1. As seen in the direction opposite to the mounting direction Y, the fastening means 7 is followed by a first spacer means 9 arranged on the fastening means 7. This is followed by a first sealing means 10 at a small distance from it. This is followed by a second spacer means 11 at a small spatial distance from it and a second sealing means 12 at a small spatial distance from the latter. This completes the arrangement of the closing means 8, which holds the means 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the through opening 16 in the basic body 3. As a result, the first spacer means 9, the first sealing means 10, the second spacer means 11 and the second sealing means 12 are inserted over the end of the fluid line 2.

[0022] The fastening means 7 is designed to transmit tensile and / or compressive forces acting on the fluid line 2 via the first spacer means 9 to the first sealing means 10 and further via the second spacer means 11 and the second sealing means 12 to the closure means 8. The fastening means 7, the first spacer means 9, the first sealing means 10, the second spacer means 11 and the second sealing means 12 are mounted longitudinally movably in the through opening 16 of the basic body 3, so that when tensile and / or compressive forces act on the fluid line 2, a further compression of the sealing means 10, 12 is achieved and thus a greater sealing effect against internal and external influences is obtained.

[0023] The second spacer means 11 has the advantage that the first sealing means 10 has a suitable seat and performs a suitable function in the basic body 3. The meaning and purpose of the second spacer means 11 is that the fastening means 7, the first spacer means 9 and the first sealing means 10 are aligned flat with each other after being mounted in the through opening 16 before the closing means 8 is placed on the basic body 3. The second spacer means 11 also has the advantage that the fluid line 2 is more easily guided and therefore better aligned during mounting and dismounting in the through opening 16 of the basic body 3. As a result, the fastening means 7 is forced vertically into the through opening 16 and is therefore not damaged by wedging.

[0024] It is further advantageous that the second spacer means 11 allows the fluid line 2 together with the second sealing means 12 to be removed from the faulty connection device 1 during removal and is later better guided and protected from damage when attached to a new connection device 1.

[0025] The second sealing means 12 seals the fluid line 2 in the region of the plug-in opening 19 of the closure means 8. This means that a closure means on the sealing means can be omitted. The second sealing means 12 serves for protection against environmental influences such as water, dirt or other media. The connection device 1 is thus sealed against external influences which may act on the fluid line 2 received therein.

[0026] In particular, when the connection device 1 is used in a vehicle, the fluid line 2 is subjected to tensile and / or compressive forces. The elastic sealing means 10, 12, by compression, particularly easily hermetically seal the fluid line 2 and protect it against the influences of the external environment.

[0027] The closure means 8, having a plug opening 19 relatively small in diameter to the through opening 16, is designed to absorb tensile and / or compressive forces acting on the fluid line 2, said forces being transmitted to said closure means via the fastening means 7, the first spacer means 9, the first sealing means 10, the second spacer means 11 and the second sealing means 12.

[0028] The base body 3 is made of, for example, a corrosion-resistant plastic material, so that corrosion between the connecting body 4 and the base body 3 is prevented. For example, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, fluororesin, etc. are used as the plastic. These plastic materials are cheaper than, for example, brass, and easier to manufacture and process the connecting device 1. Furthermore, these plastic materials provide galvanic corrosion resistance of the connecting device 1 relative to the connecting body 4 under active environmental influences, such as salt and water.

[0029] The foundation body 3 further comprises on its outer periphery, at the transition from the joint 21 in the direction of the closure portion 22, a flange 15 having a groove 14 extending in the circumferential direction and in which the foundation body sealing means 6 is used, so that the foundation body 3 is sealed against the connecting body 4. This prevents fluids from leaking from the connecting body 4 along its connection with the foundation body 3.

[0030] In the following figures 2a-d different types of fastening of the closure means 8 to the basic body 3 are shown.

[0031] Fig. 2a shows a first exemplary connection of the closure means 8 to the basic body 3. The connection of the closure means 8 to the basic body 3 is designed in the form of a bayonet closure. The fastening means 13 of the closure means 8 comprises an inner bayonet groove, which interacts with a bayonet cam formed in the area of ​​the closure part of the basic body 3. The closure means 8 is placed on the basic body 3 in the mounting direction Y. The cam engages in the groove by rotating the closure means 8 and the basic body 3 in the opposite direction. The closure means 8 is thereby axially releasably but fixedly connected to the basic body 3. The connection is opened again by simply rotating the closure means 8.

[0032] Fig. 2b shows a second exemplary connection of the closure means 8 to the basic body 3. The closure means 8 comprises a number of snap hooks as fastening means 13. These snap hooks extend in the mounting direction Y. As their counterparts, circumferentially extending grooves are provided in the closure part of the basic body 3 for the snap hooks to engage. In this type of connection, the closure means 8 is simply inserted axially into the basic body 3 until the snap hooks hook in the grooves. The closure means 8 can be removed from the basic body 3 by radially stretching the snap hooks.

[0033] Fig. 2c shows a third exemplary type of connection of the closure means 8 to the basic body 3, which is based on the same operating principle as the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2b. In this case, the fastening means 13 of the closure means 8 are provided with recesses which are designed to receive respective hooks formed on the basic body 3.

[0034] Finally, FIG. 2d shows a fourth exemplary type of connection of the closure means 8 to the basic body 3. In this case, the fastening means 13 is designed as an internal female thread of the closure means 8, which is designed to interact with an external thread formed in the area of ​​the closure part on the basic body 3. This means that the closure means 8 is provided on the basic body 3 in the mounting direction Y and is twisted until the pair of threads reaches the stop. In addition, it is protected against undoing by teeth that run circumferentially at the lower edge of the closure means 8 and engage with corresponding counterparts on the basic body 3 during fastening. In this case, the fastening teeth of the closure means 8 mesh with the fastening teeth of the basic body 3, securing the connection against twisting or undoing.

[0035] The advantage of the non-destructive removal of the closure means 8 according to figures 2a-d is that after the closure means 8 has been pulled out of the basic body 3, the fluid lines with the fastening means, spacer means and sealing means pressed against them can be pulled out of the basic body 3. It is therefore not necessary to disconnect the fluid lines in order to replace a faulty connection device.

[0036] Another advantage is that after the fluid line has been extracted, the fastening means can be broken and removed, meaning that the sealing and spacer means pressed against the fluid line can be extracted and reused, which has the advantage that the fluid line does not have to be disconnected when replacing a faulty connection device and can therefore be used to connect to a new connection device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Connection device 2 Fluid Lines 3. Basic Body 4 Connectors 5 Connection opening 6 Basic body sealing means 7 Fastening means 8 Closing means 9 First spacer means 10 First sealing means 11 second spacer means 12 Second sealing means 13 Fixing means 14 groove 15 Flange 16 Through hole 17 End Stop 18 Threads 19 Insertion opening 20 Contact shoulder 21 Joint 22 Closed part L Longitudinal axis Y installation direction

Claims

1. A connection device (1) for connecting a fluid line (2) to a connection body (4), comprising a base body (3) insertable in a force-fit and / or form-fit manner into a connection opening (5) of said connection body (4) by means of a joint (21), said base body (3) comprising a through opening (16) in a longitudinal direction (L) in which an end of said fluid line (2) is received, said fastening means (7) designed to hold said fluid line (2) in said base body (3) being arranged in said through opening (16), and first spacer means (9) and first sealing means (10) arranged adjacent to said fastening means (7) in said longitudinal direction (L) for fastening said fluid line (2) in said fluid line (2). a closure means (8) having an insertion opening (19) for the fluid line (2) is placed on a closing part (22) of the basic body (3) facing away from the connecting body (4), so that the fastening means (7), the first spacer means (9) and the first sealing means (10) arranged in the through opening (16) are held in the through opening (16) of the basic body (3), further characterized in that a second spacer means (11) arranged between the first sealing means (10) and the closure means (8) is pressed onto the end of the fluid line (2).

2. 2. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a second sealing means (12) is arranged in the through opening (16) of the basic body (3) between the second spacer means (11) and the closing means (8).

3. 3. A connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first spacer means (9) and the second spacer means (11) are not elastically deformable.

4. The connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plug-in opening (19) of the closing means (8) has a smaller diameter than the through opening (16) of the basic body (3).

5. The connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first spacer means (9), the first sealing means (10) and the second spacer means (11) are arranged spatially spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (L).

6. 6. The connecting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first spacer means (9), the first sealing means (10) and the second spacer means (11) are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (L) under a tensile and / or compressive load of the fluid line (2).

7. The connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the closing means (8) comprises at least one fastening means (13) by means of which the closing means is releasably and non-destructively connected to the basic body (3).

8. 8. The connecting device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means (13) are designed with a plurality of bayonet cams, which are designed to engage in corresponding bayonet grooves formed on the closing part (22) of the basic body (3).

9. 8. The connecting device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means (13) are designed with a plurality of snap-action hooks, which are designed to engage in corresponding grooves formed circumferentially extending on the closing portion (22) of the basic body (3).

10. 8. The connecting device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means (13) are designed with a number of tabs with internal recesses, said number of tabs being designed to receive corresponding hooks formed on the closure section (22) of the basic body (3).

11. 8. A connecting device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means (13) are in the form of an internal thread designed to be screwed into an external thread formed on the closing portion (22) of the basic body (3).

12. 12. A connecting device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the closure means (8) comprise circumferentially extending teeth designed to interact with corresponding teeth on the closure portion (22) of the basic body (3).

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