Connection Arrangement Device and Method for Fluid Lines

Abstract

A connection arrangement for making a firm connection with at least one tube in a fluid line includes at least one adapter body having a passage bore forming at least one fluid channel and comprising at least one outlet and a receptacle, and a mating block in which at least one longitudinal channel for receiving at least one adapter body is formed, the at least one adapter body including a holding mechanism formed in the receptacle and coupled to the mating block such that the at least one adapter body is firmly held in the mating block. In particular, the holding mechanism of the adapter body has an annular lip formed at an end of the receptacle so as to be coupled to the mating block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connection arrangements in fluid line assemblies. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a connection arrangement having an adapter with a mating block for making a secure connection within a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] The description in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0003] In the assembly of fluid lines in vehicles including electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles, connection arrangements are generally used. In particular, connection arrangements are used in air conditioning systems, cooling systems (e.g., refrigerant circuits), valve units, and pump units. This design needs to be particularly compact and lightweight within limited space, and the connection parts of pipes or tubes in the air conditioning system may be composed of metal materials, rubber materials, and plastic materials. Further, the pipe or tube is attached via an adapter provided with a sealing element. Therefore, it is necessary to connect the adapter firmly and removably to the pipe with a durable seal and also to another component within the further pipe or air conditioning system. However, in addition to high pressure and high temperature, vibrations occur and are transmitted within the components of the air conditioning system. Therefore, the connection arrangement used in the air conditioning system needs to be configured to provide a durable connection even under conditions such as vibrations, high pressure, high temperature, and corrosive media, and to prevent fluid leakage.

[0004] Generally, a fluid line system, such as an air conditioning system in a vehicle, is configured to be lightweight and durable within a limited space. However, according to the research of the present inventors, the number of fastening means for fixing the components of the fluid line system is limited, and it has also been found to be difficult to configure an adapter for providing a durable seal of a connection arrangement for making a firm connection in the fluid line system. In order to effectively arrange a sealed and firm fluid line in a vehicle, numerous devices and methods for connection arrangements have been continuously developed and are used in various fluid line systems.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a connection arrangement device for making a firm connection (i.e., a fluid-tight connection) with at least one tube within a fluid line. According to the connection arrangement device of the present disclosure, it is possible to make a lightweight and stable durable connection in a fluid line system such as an air conditioning system of a vehicle. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the connection arrangement device includes at least one adapter body having a passage bore forming at least one fluid channel and including at least one outlet and a receptacle, and a mating block having at least one longitudinal channel for receiving the at least one adapter body. Further, a retaining mechanism is formed in the receptacle of the adapter body that is coupled to the mating block so that the at least one adapter body is firmly held within the mating block.

[0006] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, in the holding mechanism of the adapter body, an annular lip is formed at an end of the receptacle such that the annular lip is coupled to a second surface of the mating block. The annular lip is formed with a notch at the end of the receptacle to provide radial flexibility so that the annular lip is firmly held by the mating block. The annular lip is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the annular lip has a first diameter sized to pass through the longitudinal channel of the mating block at the unlocked position, and in the locked position, the annular lip has a second diameter larger than the diameter of the longitudinal channel of the mating block at the locked position. Further, the annular lip has a tip that extends radially from an outer surface of the receptacle such that the tip is formed in an L-shape and configured to couple with the mating block. The annular lip of the receptacle is formed to have a pocket around the tube, and the pocket is used to couple between the tube and the adapter body when the tube is inserted into the receptacle of the adapter body.

[0007] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the adapter body includes an adapter bead formed outwardly and radially around a first end of the outlet such that the adapter bead is coupled to a first surface of the mating block. The adapter body includes the outlet and the receptacle formed in a straight flow direction within the fluid line.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal channel of the mating block has a first dimension, and the adapter bead of the adapter body has a second dimension larger than the first dimension so that the adapter body is firmly held within the mating block. Further, a sealing ring is disposed around the outlet of the adapter body, and the sealing ring is configured to seal within the fluid line when the outlet is connected to the tube or attached to a component of a fluid line system.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, at least one tube or hose is inserted into the receptacle of the adapter body and connected so as to be firmly joined to the adapter body.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the adapter body is formed of a plastic material, and the mating block is formed of a metal material or a polymer material.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of a connection arrangement with at least one tube for making a firm connection in a fluid line, the method comprising the steps of providing at least one adapter body having a receptacle; inserting one end of the tube into the receptacle and connecting the inserted tube so as to be firmly joined to the adapter body; providing a mating block having at least one longitudinal channel; and coupling the adapter body, together with the inserted tube, to the at least one longitudinal channel of the mating block such that the adapter body is firmly engaged with the mating block.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of fitting a sealing ring by interference fit into an outlet formed within the adapter body so as to connect with another tube. Further, the method includes the step of attaching the mating block engaged with the adapter body in the fluid line by a fastening element through a through hole of the mating block.

[0013] Further details and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Next, for a better understanding of the present disclosure, examples will be given and described for its various forms with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 1A

[0016]

Figure 2

Figure 2A

[0017]

Figure 3

Figure 3A

[0018]

Figure 4

[0019] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The following description is essentially exemplary only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or its application or use in any way. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0021] The connection arrangement device of the present disclosure is exemplified in relation to a fluid line system such as an air conditioning system or a cooling system in a vehicle including an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid vehicle. As an example, the connection arrangement device of the present disclosure is used in an air conditioning system having a compressor, a condenser, a heat exchanger, an evaporator, and further an intermediate connection part. In particular, the connection arrangement device is provided for an air conditioning system that is of low weight and has a durable and sealed connection of the components of the air conditioning system in the vehicle (i.e., suppresses leakage in the connection of the components). However, the connection arrangement device of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and is also used in other fluid line systems such as a cooling system (e.g., a refrigerant circuit), a valve unit, a pump unit, etc.

[0022] FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A show an embodiment of a connection arrangement device 10, which has at least one adapter body 100 and a mating block 200 coupled to the adapter body 100. Generally, the connection arrangement device 10 is fixed to a fluid line system (not shown) such as an air conditioning system by fastening elements for fluid lines such as refrigerant in an automobile. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the adapter body 100 has a passage bore 102 as a fluid channel formed in a linear shape along the longitudinal axis X of the adapter body 100 (see FIG. 4). Further, the adapter body 100 includes an outlet 104 formed at an end of the adapter body 100 and a receptacle 106 formed at the other end of the adapter body 100 along the longitudinal axis X, such that the outlet 104 communicates with the receptacle 106 through the fluid channel. The outlet 104 and the receptacle 106 are each connected by a tube or hose 12 in order to make a firm connection within the fluid line system. For example, the receptacle is connected to the tube or hose 12 by means of a firmly joining method such as laser welding or spin welding, and the outlet 104 is generally connected to one of the system components and fixed by a fastening member (e.g., a screw) within the through hole 208.

[0023] Figures 2 and 2A show an adapter body 100 having an outlet 104 and a receptacle 106. In Figures 2 and 2A, the receptacle 106 of the adapter body 100 extends along the passage bore 102, and the passage bore 102 is for receiving the tube 12 such that the tube 12 is inserted into the receptacle 106 and firmly connected to the adapter body 100. As shown in Figures 2 and 2A, an annular lip 110 is formed on the receptacle 106, and the annular lip 110 has a retaining mechanism utilized for holding the adapter body 100 within the mating block 200. The annular lip 110 has a plurality of cuts 112 formed on the circumference of the annular lip at the end 108 of the receptacle 106 for providing radial flexibility, and the annular lip 110 has a tip portion 109 extending radially from the outer surface of the receptacle 106, whereby the tip portion 109 is formed in an L-shape and is configured to couple with the mating block 200. Thereby, the adapter body 100 is firmly engaged with the mating block 200 by the retaining mechanism of the annular lip 110.

[0024] In Figures 2 and 2A, the outlet 104 has a first end 103 and a second end 105 extending from the first end 103 along the longitudinal axis X. Further, the adapter body 100 includes an adapter bead 114 formed radially around the first end 103 of the outlet 104. The adapter bead 114 includes a protrusion 116 protruding in the direction of the receptacle 106 along the longitudinal axis X from the second surface 115 of the adapter bead 114, where the protrusion 116 is laterally spaced from the passage bore 102. As shown in Figure 1, the second surface 115 of the adapter bead 114 is coupled to the first surface 204 of the mating block 200, whereby the adapter body 100 is firmly held by the mating block 200.

[0025] One of the openings 104 is named "outlet", but those skilled in the art will recognize that the opening could be an "inlet". That is, the tube connected to the outlet 104 can supply fluid to the connection arrangement device 10, whereby the fluid flows through the passage bore 102 to the receptacle 106 and any tubes connected thereto. Similarly, the tube connected to the receptacle 106 can supply fluid to the connection arrangement device 10, whereby the fluid flows through the passage bore 102 to the outlet 104 and any tubes connected thereto. Since the arrangement device 10 is thus flexible and adaptable, the opening 104 is referred to herein as an outlet for simplicity, but can also be considered an inlet based on the selected arrangement.

[0026] The adapter body 100 is formed of a polymer material such as polyamide 612 (PA612), PA6, PA12, etc. of polyamide (PA), PPA, PPS, etc. Also, in order to increase strength and / or mechanical stability, it is also possible to form the adapter body 100 of a pressure-resistant plastic material by subjecting the plastic material to fiber reinforcement such as glass fibers. Furthermore, the adapter body 100 can also have a resin-based plastic material. The resin-based plastic material becomes a hard glassy member that is firmly three-dimensionally cross-linked via chemical bonds. This type of material has a low density and high thermo-mechanical strength.

[0027] In addition, as shown in Figure 1A, the tube 12 combined with the adapter body 100 within the connection arrangement device 10 is also made of a plastic material selected from a similar material to the adapter body 100, for example, polyamide (PA). Further, the adapter body 100 of the connection arrangement device 10 is usually combined with a multilayer tube having an outer layer (or inner layer) of a material adaptable for welding (for example, laser welding or spin welding). However, even if polyamide (PA) is used for the adapter body 100 and the tube, the polyamide (PA) materials used for both parts may be different. In a fluid line system, the tube can be a single-layer tube or a multilayer tube and is generally made of polyamide (PA6, PA12, PA612, semi-aromatic polyamide (PA 9T), HDPE, PP, etc.) that is weldable to the adapter body. However, the adapter body is generally made of PA12 (up to 30% glass fiber reinforced), PPA (polyphthalamide), or PP (polypropylene). As a result, the mechanical and chemical properties are equivalent.

[0028] Figures 3 and 3A show the mating block 200, which has at least one hole formed as a longitudinal channel 202 along the longitudinal axis X for receiving and coupling with the adapter body 100. For example, Figures 3 and 3A show a mating block 200 having one longitudinally formed circular channel 202, but in another approach, the mating block 200 can have one or more longitudinal channels. The longitudinal channel 202 is preferably formed as a through hole or bore as shown in Figure 3A and extends from the first surface 204 to the second surface 206 of the mating block 200.

[0029] In FIGS. 3 and 3A, the mating block 200 further includes at least one through hole 208 for attachment and fixation to the fluid line system by fastening elements (not shown) such as screws. Further, the mating block 200 is made of a metallic material such as aluminum or a polymeric material (e.g., a glass fiber reinforced material). In particular, the material of the mating block 200 is highly rigid and has a high stress capacity such that plastic deformation is suppressed by restricting creep due to the articulation assembly torque of the material of the mating block 200. The through hole 208 is spaced laterally, i.e., with respect to the longitudinal axis X, from the longitudinal channel 202 and the adapter body 100 coupled to the mating block 200 (see FIG. 1). Further, the mating block 200 includes at least one blind hole 210. In FIGS. 3 and 3A, for example, the mating block 200 has a first blind hole 209 and a second blind hole 211 formed in the first surface 204. The first blind hole 209 is located adjacent to the longitudinal channel 202 for receiving the protrusion 116 of the adapter body 100, and the second blind hole 211 is located adjacent to the through hole 208 for receiving the positioning pin 16 (see FIG. 1).

[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection arrangement device 10 having the adapter body 100 and the mating block 200. The adapter body 100 includes an outlet 104 and a receptacle 106, which are formed in a straight flow direction. According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the outlet 104 and the receptacle 106 may be angled to create a desired flow direction such as 45 degrees or 90 degrees (i.e., an angled direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the adapter body 100 engages firmly with the mating block 200 by a retaining mechanism of an annular lip 102 formed within the receptacle 106. The annular lip 110 is operable between a locked position (shown in FIG. 4) and an unlocked position, such as in a collet-type design. In the unlocked position, the annular lip 110 has a first diameter sized to pass through the longitudinal channel 202 of the mating block 200, and in the locked position, the annular lip 110 has a second diameter D that is larger than the diameter d of the longitudinal channel 202 of the mating block 2ndIt has. Further, by the holding mechanism of the annular lip 110, the mating block 200 can have a simple hole (i.e., the longitudinal channel 202) for receiving the adapter body 100, whereby the mating block 200 does not need to be formed with additional features or notches to firmly couple with the adapter body 100. Further, since the adapter body 100 has an annular lip holding mechanism, the mating block 200 having a simple hole to be coupled with the adapter body 100 is adapted to fully support the sealing of the adapter body 100 when the connection arrangement device 10 is attached to the fluid line system, thereby also reducing the creep of the adapter body 100 due to assembly torque.

[0031] In FIG. 4, further, the adapter bead 112 has a diameter D larger than the diameter d of the longitudinal channel 202 of the mating block 200 such that the adapter body 100 is firmly coupled to the mating block 200. Further, in the annular lip 110 of the adapter body 100, when the tube 12 is inserted into the receptacle 106, a pocket 118 is formed for joining such as laser welding, spin welding, etc. between the adapter body 100 and the tube 12. For example, in FIG. 4, the pocket 118 formed in the inner portion of the annular lip 110 around the inserted tube 12 has a space for welding, whereby the annular lip 110 in which the pocket 118 is formed can save the package space of the connection arrangement device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, by the adapter bead 114 and the holding mechanism of the annular lip 110, the adapter body 100 is constrained in the vertical direction and / or the longitudinal direction so as not to be movable longitudinally (i.e., along the longitudinal axis X) with respect to the mating block 200. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the first surface 204 of the mating block 200 has a first blind hole 210, and this first blind hole 210 receives a protrusion 116 protruding along the longitudinal axis X from the second surface 115 of the adapter bead 100, whereby when the adapter body 100 is firmly coupled to the mating block 200, the adapter body 100 is also constrained in the rotational direction with respect to the mating block 200.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the tube 12 is inserted into the receptacle 106 of the adapter body 100 and firmly joined, particularly by laser welding, spin welding, and other adhesives. The adapter body 100 having the inserted tube 12 is joined to the longitudinal channel 202 of the mating block 200 by the retaining mechanism of the annular lip 110 so that the two function as a single unit and do not separate or rotate relative to each other. Further, the joined adapter body 100 and mating block 200 improve the mechanical stability and weight reduction of the connection arrangement 10 when mounted in a fluid line system operating within a vehicle.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the sealing ring 14 held around the first end 103 of the outlet 104 is disposed on the first surface 113 of the adapter bead 114. When the connection arrangement 10 is firmly attached to one of the fluid line system components (not shown), the sealing ring 14 is compressed and configured to seal connection leaks. The pressure exerted on the sealing ring 14 when the mating block 200 is tightly screwed with the fluid line system component is sufficient for sealing. That is, when an axial force (e.g., downward in the plane of FIG. 4) is applied to the sealing ring 14, the sealing ring 14 is compressed vertically (by the elasticity of the sealing ring material) and expands radially, thereby forming a seal between the tube or component pressed against the sealing ring 14 and the outlet 104. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, by disposing the positioning pin 16 within the second blind hole 212 of the mating block 200, it becomes possible to easily and accurately connect to other components when mounting the connection arrangement 10 to the fluid line system or assembling it to other mating blocks.

[0034] The connection arrangement device 10 of the present disclosure is suitable for various fluid line systems such as an air conditioning system or a cooling system of an automobile. For example, the connection arrangement device 10 is also suitable for a cooling system of a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle that cools / regulates the temperature of electronic components such as a battery, and an air conditioning system. Furthermore, although the fluid line system used in a vehicle is desirably as lightweight as possible, since there are vibrations and impacts during the operation of the vehicle, the fluid line system also provides a stable connection between components. Therefore, according to the connection arrangement device 10 of the present disclosure, it is possible to make a connection that is lightweight and has stable durability.

[0035] The foregoing description of the various forms of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. Numerous modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The forms considered are selected and described in order to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application, thereby enabling one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present invention in various forms suitable for the particular purposes contemplated, with various changes made thereto. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when the appended claims are construed in accordance with the breadth to which rights are fairly, legally, and equitably recognized.

Claims

1. A connection arrangement device for making a rigid connection with at least one tube in a fluid line, comprising at least one adapter body having a passage bore forming at least one fluid channel and comprising at least one outlet and a receptacle, and a mating block having at least one longitudinal channel formed therein for receiving the at least one adapter body and wherein the at least one adapter body includes a retaining mechanism formed in the receptacle, the retaining mechanism being coupled to the mating block such that the at least one adapter body is rigidly held within the mating block. A connection arrangement device.

2. The connection arrangement device according to claim 1, wherein an annular lip is formed at an end of the receptacle such that the annular lip is coupled to a second surface of the mating block.

3. The connection arrangement device according to claim 2, wherein the annular lip has a notch formed at the end of the receptacle to provide radial flexibility such that the annular lip is rigidly held in the mating block.

4. The connection arrangement device according to claim 3, wherein the annular lip is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the annular lip having a first diameter sized to pass through the longitudinal channel of the mating block in the unlocked position and a second diameter larger than the diameter of the longitudinal channel of the mating block in the locked position.

5. The connection arrangement device according to claim 2, wherein the annular lip has a tip extending radially from an outer surface of the receptacle, the tip being configured to be L-shaped and coupled to the mating block.

6. The connection arrangement device according to claim 2, wherein the annular lip of the receptacle has a pocket around the tube, the pocket being used to couple between the tube and the adapter body when the tube is inserted into the receptacle of the adapter body.

7. The connection arrangement device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter body includes an adapter bead formed outwardly and radially around a first end of the outlet such that the adapter bead is coupled to a first surface of the mating block.

8. The adapter body includes the outlet and the receptacle formed in a linear flow direction, the connection arrangement device according to claim 1.

9. The longitudinal channel of the mating block has a first dimension such that the adapter body is firmly held within the mating block, and the adapter bead of the adapter body has a second dimension larger than the first dimension, the connection arrangement device according to claim 1.

10. A sealing ring is disposed around the outlet of the adapter body, and the sealing ring is configured to seal the fluid line when the outlet is connected to the tube or attached to a component of the fluid line system, the connection arrangement device according to claim 1.

11. At least one tube or hose is inserted into the receptacle of the adapter body and connected to be firmly joined to the adapter body, the connection arrangement device according to claim 1.

12. The mating block is formed of a metal material or a polymer material, the connection arrangement device according to claim 1.

13. The adapter body is formed of a plastic material, the connection arrangement device according to claim 12.

14. A method of connection arrangement by at least one tube for making a firm connection within a fluid line, comprising: providing at least one adapter body having a receptacle; inserting one end of the tube into the receptacle and connecting the inserted tube to be firmly joined to the adapter body; providing a mating block having at least one longitudinal channel; coupling the adapter body, together with the inserted tube, to the at least one longitudinal channel of the mating block such that the adapter body is firmly engaged with the mating block. The method.

15. The adapter body includes a holding mechanism formed within an end of the receptacle such that the holding mechanism of the adapter body is firmly coupled to a second surface of the mating block, the method according to claim 14.

16. The holding mechanism of the adapter body has an annular lip formed at the end of the receptacle such that the annular lip is coupled to the second surface of the mating block, the method according to claim 15.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the annular lip is formed with a notch at the end of the receptacle to provide radial flexibility so as to be firmly held by the mating block.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the annular lip is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the annular lip having a first diameter sized to pass through the longitudinal channel to the mating block in the unlocked position, and the annular lip having a second diameter larger than the diameter of the longitudinal channel of the mating block in the locked position.

19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of fitting a sealing ring by interference fit into an outlet formed in the adapter body for connection to another tube.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of attaching the mating block engaged with the adapter body in the fluid line by a fastening element through a through hole of the mating block.

21. A vehicle having a fluid line system, characterized in that it comprises the connection arrangement device according to claim 1.

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