Coupling socket with flexible angular position and its production

By decoupling axial and tangential locking in coupling sockets, the invention achieves a greater number of angular positions and improved assembly efficiency, enhancing flexibility and reliability.

JP2025165863APending Publication Date: 2025-11-05TI AUTOMOTIVE FULDABRUCK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025037983
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-04-23
Filing Date
2025-03-11
Publication Date
2025-11-05

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing coupling sockets lack sufficient flexibility in the number of tangential angular positions, limited by the design of locking elements which are fragile and restrict the range of angular adjustments.

Method used

Decouple axial locking from tangential locking to allow for a greater number of angular positions by replacing traditional locking elements with a fixing part that can be introduced translationally, enabling angular adjustments in smaller increments without compromising axial stability.

Benefits of technology

This approach provides a coupling socket with enhanced flexibility and variability in angular positions, ensuring robust axial fixation while allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, reducing the need for additional structural space.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a coupling socket providing a larger number of tangential angular positions.SOLUTION: A coupling socket 1 includes a socket body 2 and a retainer 3. The socket body includes a connecting section 4 and a coupling section 5. The socket body has a head part 8 and a sealing part 9. The head part and the sealing part are manufactured separately from each other and are connected to each other at a prescribed angular position in a circumferential direction via a joint. The coupling socket includes a securing part 7 for connecting the head part and the sealing part. The securing part defines an axially locked state in which the head part and the sealing part are axially locked to and in contact with one another by the securing part. The socket, the socket body or the securing part is formed such that the establishment of the axially secured state is decoupled spatially and / or temporally from a tangential securing of the connection between the head part and the sealing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting socket including a socket body and a retainer, wherein the socket body includes a coupling section and a coupling section, the retainer is disposed on the coupling section, the coupling section is configured to receive a complementary connecting plug therein, the socket body has a head portion and a sealing portion, the head portion and the sealing portion are manufactured separately from each other and are or can be connected to each other at a predetermined angular position in the circumferential direction via a coupling portion, the connecting socket includes a fixing portion that connects the head portion and the sealing portion, the fixing portion defines an axially fixed state, and in this axially fixed state, the head portion and the sealing portion are fixed in axial contact with each other by the fixing portion. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a connecting socket. [Background technology]

[0002] Socket bodies with head portions and sealing portions are known from practical use. An important reason for providing the head and sealing portions is that they can be combined with one another according to a modular principle. This allows differently shaped head portions to be combined with different sealing portions without requiring a unique injection molding tool for each combination. The sealing portion types differ from one another, for example, with respect to different angles in the longitudinal cross section. Another difference lies in the configuration of the connecting sections. Thus, for example, three types of head portions and seven types of sealing portions require only 10 injection molding tools in total, rather than as many as 21. The modular principle therefore reduces the number of costly injection molding tools, making the interlocking socket more inexpensive to manufacture.

[0003] Such a two-part socket body is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,623,999. The head part has four locking arms extending axially and including locking projections on their radially outer surfaces that project radially outward. The locking projections engage radially outward in the sealing parts and lock into corresponding, complementary recesses in the sealing parts. The locking arms form a radial positive fit with the inner surfaces of the sealing parts. Furthermore, by locking each locking projection into a corresponding recess, a positive fit is created in the axial direction as well as the tangential direction, so that the head part is connected to the sealing parts in the radial, tangential, and axial directions practically without play.

[0004] The four locking projections are offset from one another by 90° at equal distances in the circumferential or tangential direction. The same applies to the notches. This allows a total of four circumferential angular positions between the head part and the sealing part. The fixing part thus simultaneously acts as an angle adjustment element that defines the tangential angular positions. However, these four angular positions are often not sufficient. It has been found that greater flexibility is also desirable with regard to the number of circumferential or tangential angular positions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102016111194 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coupling socket that can provide a greater number of tangential angular positions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved by a coupling socket according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the coupling socket or the socket body or the fixing part is configured in such a way that the establishment of the axially fixed state is spatially and / or temporally decoupled from the tangential fixing of the connection between the head part and the sealing part.

[0008] The present invention is based on the recognition that the number of tangential angular positions between the head portion and the seal portion is determined by the shaping of the fixing portion or locking protrusion / locking arm in the head portion and the corresponding notch in the seal portion as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. It has been found that the locking protrusion and locking arm cannot be arbitrarily reduced in the tangential direction. Therefore, the fragility of the fixing portion or locking element in the head portion limits the number of tangential angular positions between the head portion and the seal portion.

[0009] The present invention provides a particularly advantageous solution here, since by decoupling the axial locking from the tangential locking or rotation prevention, a significantly smaller angular adjustment element is made possible. It has been found that, when decoupled in this way, the tangential angular adjustment element can be configured without a locking element for axial locking. The invention is therefore based on the recognition that relatively long, problematic, thin locking arms are not necessary.

[0010] The present invention is based, inter alia, on the recognition that the locking element for axial fixation can be replaced with a proper fixation part, thereby decoupling the axial fixation from the tangential fixation between the head part and the sealing part. This allows a relatively large number of relatively small angular adjustment elements to be provided, which correspondingly allow a large number of angular positions, for example, 8, 10, 12 or more. This allows, for example, tangential angular positions in increments of 45°, 36° or 30°. This therefore results in angular adjustment in small increments and thus greater product variability. This ultimately solves the problem mentioned at the beginning.

[0011] The central axis of the connection section defines the axial, radial and circumferential or tangential directions of the connection section. The term "circumferential" is used hereinafter as a synonym for "tangential". The different directions preferably relate to the connection section of the socket body, but may also relate to the connection section in the case of a connection section that is not angled away from the connection section but extends linearly or coaxially. Preferably, the directions also relate to the fixing part, the retainer and / or the connection plug or a specific section of the connection plug in addition to the connection section, since these elements are expediently arranged in the area of ​​the connection section.

[0012] The term "axially inner" preferably means in the axial direction from the connecting section to the joining section. Advantageously, "radially inner" means in the radial direction towards the central axis.

[0013] Axial fixation by the fixing portion or an axially fixed state can be understood to mean that axial movement between the head portion and the sealing portion relative to each other is preferably prevented, thereby preventing the connection between the head portion and the sealing portion from being released.

[0014] The connecting section may be or may be connectable to the pipe in a material-, force- and / or form-locking manner. The material connection may be established, for example, by welding or gluing. The connecting section may be connected to the unit (e.g., pump, tank, valve, etc.) in a material-, force- and / or form-locking manner. In particular, the material connection to the unit may be integrally formed. The term "integrally" preferably means that the material connection is established by injection molding, whereby the connecting section is a constituent part of at least one injection-molded part of the unit.

[0015] According to a highly preferred embodiment, the connecting socket or socket body and / or the fixing portion are configured such that the axially fixed state can be established—at least in a predetermined circumferential section of the sealing portion, and preferably over the entire circumference of the sealing portion—independently of the angular position between the head portion and the sealing portion. This preferably means that the axially fixed state can be established steplessly or continuously—preferably by radially introducing the fixing portion—over at least a predetermined circumferential section of the sealing portion. The sealing portion may have, for example, a groove or shoulder that engages with the fixing portion, which groove or shoulder extends along the circumference of the sealing portion at least in a predetermined section, and preferably along the entire circumference of the sealing portion. The extension of the groove or shoulder along the entire circumference allows any rotation of the sealing portion relative to the head portion, whereby the number of angular positions depends solely on the number of angular adjustment elements or complementary angular adjustment elements, and not on the fixing portion.

[0016] The sealing portion preferably includes at least one, and preferably multiple, angular adjustment elements for adjusting the angular position between the sealing portion and the head portion. This allows for extremely easy and simultaneous accurate adjustment of specific predefined angular positions. Advantageously, the head portion preferably includes at least one angular adjustment element complementary to the angular adjustment element. The number of angular adjustment elements or complementary angular adjustment elements expediently defines the number of angular positions. The angular adjustment element or complementary angular adjustment element is preferably formed as a protrusion or as a notch complementary to the protrusion. According to one embodiment, the at least one angular adjustment element is a protrusion protruding radially outward, and the complementary angular adjustment element is a notch complementary to the protrusion. The at least one angular adjustment element is expediently arranged on the outer surface of the sealing portion. The complementary at least one angular adjustment element is preferably arranged on the inner surface of the head portion.

[0017] It is highly advantageous if the angle adjusting elements are identical to one another. It is highly advantageous if the complementary angle adjusting elements are identical to one another. This allows for free selection of a defined angular position via the angle adjusting element or the complementary angle adjusting element. Preferably, the angle adjusting elements or the complementary angle adjusting elements are arranged equidistantly distributed over the entire circumference of the sealing part or the head part. Advantageously, the number of angle adjusting elements corresponds to the number of complementary angle adjusting elements or the number of angular positions.

[0018] Preferably, the sealing portion includes at least five, six, seven, or eight angular adjustment elements. Preferably, the head portion includes at least five, six, seven, or eight complementary angular adjustment elements. This allows for a relatively large number of angular positions, and thus a great flexibility or choice of available angular positions. It is possible for only a few angular adjustment elements to oppose a large number of complementary angular adjustment elements, and vice versa. Advantageously, the socket body is formed such that the at least one angular adjustment element or elements and the complementary at least one angular adjustment element or elements allow for at least five, six, seven, or eight defined angular positions. The number of angular positions is preferably finite. The adjustment of the angular positions is preferably stepwise.

[0019] The connection between the head portion and the sealing portion is preferably provided by a reversible connection between the socket body and the fixing portion, which allows the socket body to be subsequently opened so that, for example, the sealing ring can be replaced for maintenance or repair purposes.

[0020] Preferably, the coupling socket is formed in such a way that the fixing part can be or is introduced radially into the socket body or into one or more fixing grooves in order to establish an axially fixed state, which allows the use of a relatively simple assembly device that introduces the fixing part into the socket body based on a purely translational, linear movement.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the socket body has a fixing groove, and preferably the fixing part and / or the socket body are formed such that the fixing part engages at least partially in the fixing groove when introduced into the socket body and / or during the axially fixed state. The provision of the fixing groove allows for an axially very compact fixing device, so that the coupling socket requires almost no additional structural space in the vehicle by providing the fixing part separate from the angle adjustment element.

[0022] Advantageously, the head portion includes the first section of the fixing groove. Preferably, the sealing portion includes the second section of the fixing groove. Preferably, the first section of the fixing groove occupies only a portion of the circumference of the head portion. Advantageously, the second section of the fixing groove extends to at least partially, and preferably completely, surround the sealing portion. The fixing portion can be positively coupled with the fixing groove, or with the first and / or second sections of the fixing groove, in at least a predetermined circumferential section and in at least one axial direction, preferably in the axially inward direction and the axially outward direction. Highly preferably, when the socket body or the connecting socket is in the axially fixed state, the U-shaped base of the fixing portion and / or the free ends of the U-shaped legs of the fixing portion are located in the first section. Particularly preferably, when the socket body or the connecting socket is in the axially fixed state, one or more main sections of one or both of the U-shaped legs of the fixing portion are located in the second section of the fixing groove.

[0023] Preferably, the fixing part is / is locked in the fixing groove. According to a preferred embodiment, the socket body or head part and / or the fixing part includes a position-fixing element, in particular a locking element or a clamping element, that fixes the fixing part in the fixing groove. This allows for a permanent attachment of the fixing part in the socket body or in the fixing groove, which can be achieved exclusively by a translational movement of the assembly device / devices, and in particular during the introduction movement of the fixing part. The position-fixing element may be a locking projection or a clamping element. The position-fixing element may be arranged in the fixing groove, in particular in the first section of the fixing groove. Preferably, the position-fixing element engages with one / the above-mentioned U-shaped base of the fixing part.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing portion is manufactured separately from the sealing portion and / or from the head portion. Preferably, at least a portion of the fixing portion, and more preferably the entire fixing portion, is movable relative to the socket body or the sealing portion and / or relative to the head portion while axially fixed. The entire fixing portion may be movable relative to the socket body, the sealing portion, or the head portion, for example, by being reversibly releasable from a locked state within the socket body. A portion of the fixing portion may be movable relative to the socket body, the sealing portion, or the head portion despite being irreversibly locked within the socket body, for example, by being movable by hand or a tool, or by having easily expandable legs.

[0025] Particularly advantageously, the fixing part and / or the socket body are configured in such a way that, in the fixed state, the fixing part is at least partially, and preferably completely, recessed into the socket body. The preferably complete recession of the fixing part into the socket body serves to facilitate assembly and to prevent unintentional release of the fixing means after assembly has taken place. Due to this recession, the fixing part provides an improved reliability of the connection between the head part and the sealing part.

[0026] Advantageously, the fastening part is U-shaped. This allows for a particularly compact design of the fastening part, with a small axial extension, while simultaneously providing a reliable fastening function. Preferably, the fastening part has two U-shaped legs and a U-shaped base. The U-shaped legs expediently each have a free end. Advantageously, each of the two U-shaped legs of the fastening part has a main section between its free end and the U-shaped base. The fastening part may have an expansion at the free end of the U-shaped leg, which ensures better lead-in assembly of the fastening part. The expansion at the open end of the holding clamp can preferably be understood as an outwardly extending bend or bend. The fastening part may have a bulge for easy release of the fastening part.

[0027] It is highly preferred that the fastening part comprises a metal, in particular steel. It is particularly preferred that the fastening part comprises a wire. It is highly advantageous that the fastening part is formed as a wire bend. The strength and robustness of metal therefore make it possible to provide a compact and durable fastening part.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the retainer is formed as a wire bend. The retainer can be formed substantially U-shaped or completely circular. Preferably, the retainer is U-shaped and has two U-shaped legs and one U-shaped base. Advantageously, the retainer is formed separately from the socket body, the head portion, or the sealing portion. Preferably, the entire retainer or at least a part of the retainer is movably supported in the socket body or the head portion. Expediently, the retainer defines a push-in direction along which the retainer is pushed into the socket body or the head portion. Advantageously, the retainer is formed in accordance with VDA standards.

[0029] The head portion and / or the sealing portion preferably comprise plastic, and it is particularly preferred that the head portion and / or the sealing portion are manufactured by injection molding, which allows for an inexpensive production of the socket body.

[0030] The connecting socket preferably includes a sealing ring for providing a fluid-tight seal between the connecting socket and the connecting plug. The socket body conveniently includes a sealing groove in which the sealing ring is preferably disposed. The sealing groove may include an axially inner groove wall and / or an axially outer groove wall and / or a groove bottom. The sealing ring may include an elastomer.

[0031] Preferably, the connecting socket or socket body includes a break-away ring that separates the head portion from the sealing portion. This desirably provides a connecting socket that, on the one hand, provides great flexibility in terms of rotation of the head portion relative to the sealing portion, and, on the other hand, allows the connecting plug to pass relatively easily when introduced. The easy introduction of the connecting plug is achieved by the sealing ring being not purely rotationally symmetrically arranged or shaped, but rather by an asymmetrical arrangement that extends axially beyond its axial thickness. This somewhat extends and at the same time somewhat reduces the introduction force required over the introduction path.

[0032] The separating ring is preferably manufactured separately from the head part, so that it is preferably not integrally connected to the head part. Advantageously, the axially inwardly facing back surface of the separating ring forms at least one section of the axially outer groove wall of the sealing groove. Preferably, the separating ring is positively connected to the sealing part in the circumferential direction, in particular via a keyway connection. This allows a defined positioning of the separating ring in the circumferential direction relative to the inner groove wall or the sealing part. Preferably, the separating ring includes an angular fixing element. Advantageously, the sealing part has a complementary angular fixing element.

[0033] Advantageously, the groove bottom and / or the inner groove wall and / or the outer groove wall of the sealing groove have a curved contour at least in a certain section, when viewed in a longitudinal cross section of the connecting socket. This allows for a more secure reception of the sealing ring. Preferably, the curved contour of the inner groove wall includes a bulge directed axially inward, when viewed in a longitudinal cross section. The outer groove wall can have a straight contour or a contour that extends exclusively in the radial direction. The groove bottom can have a contour that extends exclusively in the axial direction, when viewed in a longitudinal cross section of the connecting socket.

[0034] Advantageously, the coupling socket includes an indicator element for indicating the position of the coupling plug in the coupling socket, which provides a high degree of assembly reliability. The coupling socket can be configured in such a way that the indicator element indicates when the coupling plug is fully inserted into the coupling socket. According to one embodiment, the coupling socket is configured in such a way that the indicator element indicates when the coupling plug is not fully inserted into the coupling socket.

[0035] The display element can display an optical and / or tactile and / or electrical or electronic display signal. The display element can be configured, for example, as a QR code and / or as an element protruding from the connector body and / or as a radio signal. Preferably, the display element is in direct or indirect contact with the connecting plug. A sliding element on the outer surface of the connector body can slide axially only when the connecting plug is fully inserted, allowing the display element in the form of an optical code, for example a QR code or barcode, to become visible to the user.

[0036] The retainer can include an indicator element, in which case the retainer or indicator element can be inserted into the connector body only when the mating plug is fully inserted. When the mating plug is not inserted, the electrical circuit remains open or closed, allowing the chip to emit a corresponding wireless signal and function as an indicator element.

[0037] The aforementioned problem is solved by a fluid line including a connecting socket and a tube according to the present invention. This transfers the fluid engineering complexity to the fluid line, which significantly simplifies the construction of the connecting plug. As a result, the unit can be equipped with a simple connecting plug, which ensures a clear separation of tasks between different suppliers. Preferably, the tube and / or the connecting body contain at least 30, 50, 70, or 90% by weight of plastic.

[0038] Preferably, the connecting section of the connector body is configured as a plug-in section. The tube can be pressed onto the connecting section or inserted into the connecting section. The connection between the connecting section and the tube is preferably force-locking and / or form-locking and / or material-locking. For example, the tube can be pressed onto the connecting section by press-fitting, which results in a force-locking and form-locking connection. It is also possible for the tube to be inserted into the receiving section of the connecting section, which allows a form-locking connection to be established in a second step.

[0039] The problem stated at the outset is solved by the use of a coupling socket in a vehicle, preferably a land vehicle, more preferably a road vehicle.

[0040] The problem stated at the outset is solved by a method for producing a connecting socket according to the preamble of claim 10, characterized in that the connecting socket or the socket body or the fastening part is configured in such a way that after tangential fastening of the connection between the head part and the sealing part, an axially fastened state is established.

[0041] This achieves a temporal decoupling of the axial fixation from the tangential fixation, and thus also a spatial decoupling of these two fixations, which in turn allows for a finely divided tangential fixation to be achieved while at the same time providing a very robust axial fixation, thereby solving the problem mentioned at the outset.

[0042] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to four diagrammatically illustrated embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view showing a connecting socket according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connecting socket shown in FIG. 1 in an assembled state. [Figure 3] 3 is a rear view of the connecting socket according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the connecting socket shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, with the head portion and the retainer hidden. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] 1, the connecting socket 1 includes a socket body 2, a retainer 3, and a sealing ring 10. The socket body 2 expediently includes a sealing groove 12 in which the sealing ring 10 is arranged. The retainer 3 of this starting example preferably complies with the VDA standard and may be configured as a U-shaped wire bend with a U-shaped base and two U-shaped legs. The sealing ring 10 preferably includes an elastomer that seals the connecting socket 1 against a complementary connecting plug (not shown here) in a force-locking manner.

[0045] The connecting plug may have a groove or shoulder on its outer surface, which groove or shoulder allows the connecting plug to be locked in the connecting socket 1 in a known manner in the retainer 3. Preferably, the retainer 3 and / or the sealing ring 10 are reversibly removable from the connecting socket 1. The term "reversible" preferably means non-destructive removal.

[0046] 1 to 3, the socket body 2 has a head portion 8, a release ring 11, and a sealing portion 9. In this embodiment, the sealing ring 10 is preferably first inserted into the sealing portion 9, and then the release ring 11 is suitably inserted into the sealing portion 9 for pre-fixing the sealing ring 10 and for release.

[0047] Expediently, as shown in FIG. 3 , the sealing part 9 includes a plurality of, for example, eight, angle adjustment elements 13. Preferably, the head part 8 includes a plurality of, for example, eight, complementary angle adjustment elements 15. In this embodiment, the angle adjustment elements 13 are formed as protrusions that correspond to the complementary angle adjustment elements 15 in the form of notches. When the head part 8 and the sealing part 9 are combined, the angle adjustment elements 13 or the complementary angle adjustment elements 15 preferably fit together or interlock with each other. Highly preferably, the head part 8 and the sealing part 9 can be combined with each other—by means of the angle adjustment elements 13 or the complementary angle adjustment elements 15—at a plurality of tangential or angular positions around the central axis M. In this embodiment, the sealing part 9 and the head part 8 can be attached to each other in 45° increments.

[0048] The fixing portion 7 serves to axially connect the head portion 8 and the sealing portion 9 and defines an axially fixed state. Preferably, the axially fixed state is achieved when the fixing portion 7 is introduced into the socket body up to the stop. The fixing portion 7 is preferably configured such that the establishment of the axially fixed state by the fixing portion 9 in at least a predetermined circumferential section, and preferably over the entire circumference, is independent of the angular position between the head portion 8 and the sealing portion 9.

[0049] The fixing means 7 preferably comprises metal, more preferably steel, and very particularly preferably wire. Particularly preferably, the fixing part 7 is U-shaped, comprising a U-base and two U-legs. Preferably, the fixing part 7 has flared sections at the free ends of the U-legs, which advantageously allows for easy insertion of the fixing part 7 into the fixing grooves 14A, 14B. According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing grooves 14A, 14B or the socket body 2 and / or the fixing part 7 are preferably shaped such that, in the axially fixed state, the fixing part 7 is at least partially, and preferably completely, recessed into the socket body 2 or into the fixing grooves 14A, 14B.

[0050] Preferably, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the fixing portion 7 in this embodiment is U-shaped. The fixing portion 7 is preferably introduced into the socket body 2 to establish an axially fixed state. For this purpose, the socket body 2 expediently has fixing grooves 14A, 14B. Preferably, at least a first section 14A of the fixing grooves 14A, 14B is arranged in the head portion 8 and / or at least a second section 14B of the fixing grooves 14A, 14B is arranged in the sealing portion 9. In this embodiment, the first section 14A of the fixing groove 14A in the head portion is configured to extend only partially annularly. The second section 14B of the fixing groove 14A, 14B in the sealing portion 9 is preferably configured to extend completely annularly.

[0051] The fixing part 7 is expediently engaged in the fixing grooves 14A, 14B to axially secure the connection between the sealing part 9 and the head part 8. For a favorable engagement of the fixing part 7 in the fixing grooves 14A, 14B, the first section 14A of the fixing grooves 14A, 14B preferably has at least one positioning element 16 (see FIG. 2). The positioning element 16 is advantageously a locking element and may in particular include two locking projections. Advantageously, the positioning element 16 is configured such that it cooperates with a U-shaped base of the fixing part 7 to positionally secure the positioning element 16.

[0052] Preferably, the head portion 8, the release ring 11 and / or the sealing portion 9 are each manufactured from plastic, in particular by injection molding. Advantageously, the release ring 11 is manufactured separately from the head portion 8 and / or the sealing portion 9. Advantageously, the release ring 11 includes an angular fixing element that corresponds to a complementary angular fixing element of the sealing portion 9.

[0053] The head portion 8 may have a retainer receiving portion 18 in a known manner, which, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, may in particular receive the U-shaped leg of the retainer 3 therein. According to the invention, the head portion 8 includes at least a part of the connecting section 5. The connecting section 5 may in particular be defined by the maximum axial extension of the connecting plug in the connecting socket 1, which may extend as far as the sealing portion 9, as can be seen in Figure 2.

[0054] The head portion 8 or the socket body 2 may include a rotation prevention portion 17, which prevents the coupling plug from rotating within the socket body 2. The rotation prevention portion 17 may include at least one groove or one key, and may in particular have two grooves according to Figure 1.

[0055] According to the present invention, the sealing part 9 includes a connecting section 4 for connection to a pipe or unit. The connecting section 4 may be configured for a yet-to-be-established connection with the pipe or unit, or may already be connected to the pipe or unit. The connecting section 4 may be configured for press-on or plug-on application and may include a material, force, and / or form-fitting section. In the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connecting section 4 is configured with barbs or ribs on its outer surface, which ensure a secure attachment of the pipe or unit pressed onto the outer surface 4. Expediently, the connecting section 4 and the connecting section 5 are fluidly connected to each other via a fluid passage 6 in the socket body 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0056] In this embodiment, the connection socket 1 is configured angled according to Figures 1 to 3, so that the central axis M of the connection section 5 deviates from the central axis (not shown) of the joining section 4 in a longitudinal cross section of the connection socket 1. In particular, the central axis M and the central axis can be perpendicular to each other. The angulation in the longitudinal cross section of the connection socket 1 is preferably realized in the sealing section 9, so that this head section 8 can be connected to a number of different sealing sections 9, each with a different angulation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 connecting socket 2 Socket body 3 retainer 4. Socket body 2, sealing part 9 joint section 5. Socket body 2, head portion 8 connection section 6 Fluid passage of socket body 2 7 Fixed part 8 Head part 9 Seal part 10 Seal ring 11 Break-away ring 12 Seal groove of socket body 2 13 Angle adjustment element of fixed part 9 14A: First section of locking grooves 14A and 14B 14B Second section of the locking grooves 14A and 14B 15 Complementary angle adjustment element of head portion 8 16 Position fixing elements 18 Rotation prevention part 19 Retainer housing M Central axis of connecting section 5

Claims

1. A connecting socket (1) including a socket body (2) and a retainer (3), wherein the socket body (2) has a coupling section (4) and a connecting section (5), the retainer (3) is disposed or is disposable on the connecting section (5), the connecting section (5) is configured to receive a complementary connecting plug therein, the connecting section (4) is connectable or is connected to a pipe or unit, a fluid passage (6) of the socket body (2) fluidly connects the connecting section (5) and the connecting section (4) to each other, and a central axis (M) of the connecting section (5) defines axial, radial and circumferential directions of the connecting section (5), a connecting socket (1) in which the socket body (2) has a head portion (8) and a sealing portion (9), the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9) being manufactured separately from each other and being connected or connectable to each other at a predetermined angular position in the circumferential direction via a connecting portion, the head portion (8) at least partially including the connecting section (5), the sealing portion (9) at least partially including the connecting section (4), the connecting socket (1) including a fixing portion (7) connecting the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9), the fixing portion (7) defining an axially fixed state, in which the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9) are fixed in axial contact with each other by the fixing portion (7), 1. A coupling socket (1), characterized in that the coupling socket (1) or the socket body (2) or the fixing part (7) is formed in such a way that the establishment of an axially fixed state is spatially and / or temporally decoupled from the tangential fixation of the connection between the head part (8) and the sealing part (9).

2. 2. The coupling socket (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling socket (1) or the socket body (2) or the fixing portion (7) is formed in such a way that an axially fixed state can be established - at least in a predetermined section in the circumferential direction, and preferably over the entire circumference - regardless of the angular position between the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9).

3. 3. A connecting socket (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing portion (9) includes at least one angular adjustment element (13) for adjusting the angular position between the sealing portion (9) and the head portion (8), and the head portion (8) preferably includes at least one angular adjustment element (15) complementary to the angular adjustment element (13).

4. 4. The coupling socket (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling socket (1) is formed such that the fixing portion (7) can be or is introduced radially into the socket body (2) to establish an axially fixed state.

5. 5. A connecting socket (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the socket body (2) has a fixing groove (14A, 14B), and preferably the fixing portion (7) and / or the socket body (2) are formed such that the fixing portion (7) engages at least partially in the fixing groove (14A, 14B) when introduced into the socket body (2) and / or during an axially fixed state.

6. 6. A connecting socket (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fixing part (7) is manufactured separately from the sealing part (9) and / or the head part (8) and is movable relative to the socket body (2) or relative to the sealing part (9) and / or relative to the head part (8), preferably in an axially fixed state.

7. 7. A connecting socket according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fixing part (7) is U-shaped and is preferably formed as a wire bend.

8. 8. A coupling socket according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retainer (4) comprises metal and is preferably formed as a wire bend.

9. 9. The coupling socket according to claim 1, wherein the coupling socket (1) or the socket body (2) includes a release ring (11) that separates the head portion (8) from the sealing groove (12).

10. A method for manufacturing a connecting socket (1), the connecting socket (1) having a socket body (2) and a retainer (3), the socket body (2) including a coupling section (4) and a connecting section (5), the retainer (3) being disposed or positionable within the connecting section (5), the connecting section (5) being configured to receive a complementary connecting plug therein, the connecting section (4) being connectable or connected to a pipe or unit, a fluid passage (6) in the socket body (2) fluidly connecting the connecting section (5) and the connecting section (4) to each other, a central axis (M) of the connecting section (5) defining axial, radial and circumferential directions of the connecting section (5), a socket body (2) having a head portion (8) and a sealing portion (9), the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9) being manufactured separately from each other and connected to each other at a predetermined angular position in the circumferential direction via a connecting portion, the head portion (8) at least partially including the connecting section (5), the sealing portion (9) at least partially including the connecting section (4), the connecting socket (1) including a fixing portion (7) connecting the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9), the fixing portion (7) defining an axially fixed state, in which the head portion (8) and the sealing portion (9) are fixed in axial contact with each other by the fixing portion (7), 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein the connecting socket (1) or the socket body (2) or the fixing part (7) is formed in such a way as to ensure the establishment of an axially fixed state after the tangential fixing of the connection between the head part (8) and the sealing part (9).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Coupling part for a plug connector for producing hose and / or pipe connections and plug connector having such a coupling part

    DE102016111194A1