Quick coupler for two-way check valve and fluid coupling equipped with two of said quick couplers

Abstract

A quick coupler for a fluid transmission line includes a tubular body (3) having an outer sleeve surface (19), an inner receiving cavity, an axial fluid flow path (12, 13) through the tubular body (3), and a valve seat (18); an extension body (2) having an axial fluid flow path (14) through the extension body (2) and an outer sleeve surface (20); and a valve including a valve ball (4), a stem (1), and a compression spring (6), wherein the outer sleeve surface (20) of the extension body (2) is oversized to account for the inner receiving cavity of the tubular body (3) to generate an outward force on the outer sleeve surface (19) of the tubular body (3) when introduced into the tubular body (3), and the valve ball (4) is secured to the stem (1) by a compression spring (6). The valve ball (4) is disposed between the spring (6) and the stem (1), and the spring (6) is disposed to apply any pressure lower than a predetermined threshold to the valve ball (4) from the direction of the stem (1) so as to pretension the valve ball (4) against the valve seat (18) and close the axial fluid flow path (12, 13) through the quick coupler, and the stem (1) extends beyond the front face of the tubular body (3) when the valve ball (4) is in contact with the valve seat (18), and the axial fluid flow path (12, 13) through the quick coupler is opened when the stem (1) is pushed toward the valve ball (4) so ​​that the front face of the stem (1) is flush with the front face of the tubular body (3).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick coupler for a two-way check valve and a fluid coupling equipped with two such quick couplers. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bidirectional check valve for controlling fluid movement. The valve body has an opening on one side, an additional opening on the opposite side of the valve, and a passage connecting the opening and the additional opening. A movable poppet defines a cavity and is disposed within the passage in the valve body. A spring is connected to the movable poppet. A further poppet is disposed within the cavity, and a further spring is connected to the movable poppet and the additional poppet, the additional spring being on the opposite side of the spring. When fluid passes through the opening in the valve body and applies a force to the movable poppet greater than the spring force, a further portion of the movable poppet's outer surface is induced to move away from a further portion of the wall of the passage, allowing fluid to flow from the opening in the valve body through the channel to the further opening in the valve body. When fluid passes through the further opening in the valve body and applies a force to the further poppet that is greater than the further spring force, a further portion of the outer surface of the further poppet is induced away from the further opening in the valve body to open a further channel in the movable poppet, allowing fluid to flow from the further opening in the valve body through the further channel and multiple grooves or recesses in the outer surface of the further poppet to the opening in the valve body.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a coupling including a coupler and a nipple. The nipple has a valve in a normally closed position and an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of spaced-apart closed-end cam paths. The coupler has a valve in a normally closed position and includes a set of latch balls for engaging with the cam paths to secure the coupler to the nipple. The coupler further includes a sleeve mounted on the coupler and movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. In the advanced position, the latch balls are pressed into an inward position that prevents the latch balls from disengaging from the cam paths, and in the retracted position, the latch balls are allowed to extend to an outward position that allows initial engagement with or disengagement from the cam paths. The coupler also includes a set of locking balls that prevent the sleeve from moving to the retracted position.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a ball detent fluid coupling for liquids and gases, which has a ball retaining sleeve in the socket that can be manually retracted to connect and disconnect the socket and plug, and includes a pressure-activated check valve mounted on a valve guide in the flow path to prevent backflow to the supply side of the coupling. The valve also operates to block flow when the mating parts of the coupling are disconnected or flow through the coupling is blocked. A conventional valve can be mounted in the fluid flow passage opposite the pressure-activated check valve and biased to separate the mating plug and socket and stop flow in the discharge line when the sleeve releases the ball detent from engagement with the plug.

[0005] US Patent No. 5,949,233 discloses a further ball-detent fluid coupling having a push-to-connect and pull-to-disconnect mechanism and a heat-responsive breakaway mechanism for gas fuel appliances and similar devices; Patent Document 5 discloses a quick-action fluid coupling for connecting two fluid transmission lines, including a plug for attachment to one line and a socket for attachment to the other line. The socket has a tubular body and includes a valve having a valve sleeve and a fixed valve stem coaxially disposed within the tubular body. The valve sleeve is moved axially to open a fluid flow path between the valve sleeve and the valve stem when the plug and socket are connected. A plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses are defined in the outer surface of the valve stem. A circumferential groove is defined in the inner surface of the tubular body, spaced radially outward from and axially aligned with the recesses in the valve stem. A plurality of separately formed individual retaining elements are partially engaged with the recesses in the valve stem and partially engaged within the grooves in the tubular body. Each retaining element is captively held between the forward and rearward slopes of the corresponding recess and between the forward and rearward slopes of the corresponding groove. The retaining element thus cooperates with the surfaces of the groove and the recess to prevent axial movement of the valve stem. The plug includes a valve member that slides to an open position by engagement with the valve stem of the socket when the plug is inserted into the socket.

[0006] Further documents relating to this technical field are US Pat. No. 5,629,499, US Pat. No. 5,629,499 and US Pat. No. 5,629,499. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 03 / 087638 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 191595 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 6,354,564 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 5,540,250 [Patent Document 5] European Patent Application Publication No. 1148285 [Patent Document 6] European Patent No. 2376741 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent No. 1,331,720 [Patent Document 8] British Patent Application Publication No. 2,571,933 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a quick coupler for fluid transmission lines that can be easily used with fluid couplers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Such a quick coupler includes a tubular body having an outer sleeve surface, an inner receiving cavity, an axial fluid flow path therethrough, and a valve seat, an extension body having an axial fluid flow path therethrough and an outer sleeve surface, and a valve including a valve ball, a stem, and a compression spring, wherein the outer sleeve surface of the extension body is oversized to accommodate the inner receiving cavity of the tubular body to generate an outward force on the outer sleeve surface of the tubular body when introduced into the tubular body. The valve ball is disposed between the spring and the stem, the spring is arranged to apply any pressure below a predetermined threshold to the valve ball from the direction of the stem so as to pretension the valve ball against the valve seat and close the axial fluid flow path through the quick coupler, the stem extends beyond the front face of the tubular body when the valve ball is in contact with the valve seat, and the axial fluid flow path through the quick coupler is opened when the stem is pushed toward the valve ball so that the front face of the stem is flush with the front face of the tubular body, and the spring and valve ball are at least partially disposed within a cylindrical housing attached to the tubular body.

[0010] The stem can have a flange with a larger diameter than the guide bore of the expander body.

[0011] The housing may have a side opening near its attachment to the tubular body to allow fluid to pass through the valve ball and exit the housing.

[0012] The housing can have a first inner diameter near the attachment portion to the tubular body adapted to receive and guide the valve ball, and a second inner diameter opposite the attachment portion to the tubular body adapted to receive and guide the spring.

[0013] The housing may then have a bottom opening and / or a side opening along the portion of the housing having the second diameter.

[0014] Furthermore, the first diameter can then be greater than the second diameter, with a tapered section being provided between the two portions of different diameter.

[0015] The axial fluid flow path within the expandable body may comprise at least one, and preferably several, axial through-holes within the expandable body radially distal from the longitudinal axis of the expandable body.

[0016] A fluid coupling for a fluid transmission line includes first and second quick couplers according to the present invention, and male and female hydraulic connectors. The male hydraulic connector has an axial fluid flow path therethrough and a receiving cavity having a diameter of the tubular body of the first quick coupler, and has a front end opposite a rear end for connecting with a first fluid transmission line, and a fitting end. The female hydraulic connector has an axial fluid flow path therethrough, including a receiving cavity having a diameter of the tubular body of the first and second quick couplers, and has a front end opposite a rear end for connecting with a second fluid transmission line and a receiving cavity for the fitting end of the male hydraulic connector. The first and second quick couplers are disposed within the male and female hydraulic connectors, each having a front face that does not extend beyond the front face or inner wall surface of the receiving cavity of the male and female hydraulic connectors when the quick coupler extensions are fully disposed within the respective quick couplers. The female and male hydraulic connectors are configured such that the front end of the male hydraulic connector can be axially inserted into the front end of the female hydraulic connector to establish a continuous fluid flow path between the hydraulic connectors.

[0017] Such fluid couplings can include a male hydraulic connector with a connecting device, particularly a thread, and a female hydraulic connector. In one coupling system, the male connector is secured to the female connector by a fastening screw located on one side of the connector. This introduces an angle to the opening force applied to the check valve, preventing it from being perfectly aligned along the longitudinal axis of symmetry. In a different solution, a connector with a linear, axisymmetric geometry is selected, and the engagement of the cylindrical surfaces of the male and female connectors, along with the axisymmetric engagement of the threads on a nut as part of the connecting device with the complementary threads on the female connector, ensures perfectly aligned application of the opening force along the longitudinal axis of symmetry.

[0018] Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, preferred embodiments of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid control element according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed position of the valve when not coupled. [Figure 2] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid control element of FIG. 1 when the valve is in an open position, i.e., when the fluid control element is coupled. [Figure 3] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the two fluid control elements shown in FIG. 1 positioned within the male and female hydraulic connectors of a two-way check valve, one facing the other; [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 when the two-way check valve is closed. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of a fluid control element. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fluid control element of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the two fluid control elements shown in FIG. 1 positioned within the male and female hydraulic connectors of another two-way check valve, one facing the other. [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 when another two-way check valve is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fluid control element 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention in a closed valve position when not docked. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid control element 100 of Figure 1 when the valve is in an open position, i.e., when the fluid control element 100 is docked. Note that Figures 1 and 2 show the fluid control element 100 with a fully inserted expansion pin 2, which effectively blocks ejection from a functionally inserted female hydraulic connector 22 or male hydraulic connector 23 of the fluid control element 100, respectively.

[0022] The flow control element 100 according to the present invention is a quick coupling element that is inserted into a coupling member, in particular into the hydraulic connection 200 of the male hydraulic connector 23 and the female hydraulic connector 22 between two hoses 25, 25', or into a junction inside a hydraulic system as seen in Figures 3 and 4, and in the following description the coupling element 100 is in a fully inserted state.

[0023] The quick coupling element 100 comprises a sleeve-shaped or tubular base body 3, an expansion pin 2, a sealing sphere 4, a load spring 6, a housing 5 for the load spring 6 and the sealing sphere 4, and an opening piston 1. All these elements are arranged around a longitudinal axis 10 of the quick coupling element 100, which is simultaneously the longitudinal axis 10 of the female hydraulic connector 22 and the male hydraulic connector 23. The tubular base body 3 comprises a reduced diameter shoulder 31 in which a receptacle for the housing 5 is provided, and a corresponding curvature seat 18 for the sealing sphere 4. Outside the receptacle for the housing 5, a circumferential extension 37 or a number of longitudinal extensions around the periphery are provided that are bent towards the centerline 10 to fix the position of the housing 5.

[0024] The housing 5 is a hollow cylinder having a diameter that accommodates the load spring 6. The housing 5 may have an open bottom opening and / or a side opening aligned with the spring 6. The diameter of the housing 5 can be increased to accommodate a sealing sphere 4 having a diameter larger than that of the spring 6. As the sphere 4 is guided by the housing to move longitudinally against the force of the spring 6 through the pressure of the opening piston, at least one side channel 11 is provided that allows fluid entering through the coaxial cavity 12 to flow around the sphere 4 and out of the housing 5.

[0025] Two identical quick coupling elements 100 can be inserted inside the installation bores 30, 30′ of the two hydraulic connectors 23, 22 of the hydraulic connection 200, featuring diameter-restricting shoulder or stepped sections 26, 26′ that allow their installation from the outer faces 27, 27′ of the hydraulic connectors 23, 22. During installation, when the stepped feature or shoulder 31 of the base 3 contacts the opposite step feature or shoulder 26, 26′ of the installation bore 30, 30′, a pressing force applied to the expansion pin 2 allows the element to be inserted inside the base 3, resulting in an outward radial force that causes plastic expansion of the inner wall 20 of the hollow portion of the base 3. This plastic deformation is transferred to the outer surface 19 of the base 3, which presses firmly against the bore faces 32, 32' of the respective male and female hydraulic connectors 22, 23, thus providing both an anchoring and a sealing function between the outer surface 19 of the base 3 and the walls of the bores 32, 32' of the male and female hydraulic connectors 22, 23, respectively, in the fully fitted state shown in Figures 3 and 4. The front face 38 of the base 3 is then flush with the aforementioned front faces of the hydraulic connectors 23, 22, respectively, and therefore the reference numerals 38 and 27 are used for the central proximal and distal portions of this front face.

[0026] The closed state of the quick coupling element is shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this closed state, the spring 6 presses the sphere 4 against the base 3, and the narrow spherical section of the sphere 4 contacts the corresponding narrow spherical section 18 on the base 3, which has a matching radius of curvature. In the configuration shown in Figure 3, a fluid, in particular a liquid at a defined pressure, is present in the circuit 25, 25' and exerts a pressure, called counter pressure, on the back of the quick coupling element 100. This counter pressure presses the sphere 4 firmly against the narrow spherical section 18 against the base 3, providing a sealing function and eliminating liquid leakage. In this configuration, the opening piston 1 does not offer any resistance to the movement of the sphere 4 and is in the rest position shown in Figure 1. The quick coupling element 100 has small dimensions compared to prior art solutions, making it suitable for high-pressure applications, and liquid sealing is achieved without the use of any plastic O-rings.

[0027] The open state of the quick coupling elements is shown in Figures 2 and 4. This state occurs when a male hydraulic connector 23 having an inserted and expanded quick coupling element 100 is mated with a female hydraulic connector 22 having another opposing inserted and expanded quick coupling element 100. In this configuration, the outer surface 34 of the male connector 23, together with the inner surface 33 of the female connector 22, form a guide system that aligns the two opposing quick coupling elements 100 along their common main longitudinal axis of symmetry 10, which in turn also coincides with the main longitudinal axis of symmetry 10 of the male connector 23 and the female connector 22 in their mated state of Figure 4.

[0028] During the transition from closed to open, as shown by the transition between Figures 3 and 4, when the male connector 23 and the female connector 22 are plugged together, the outermost front surface 21 of the piston 1 becomes the first element of the quick coupling 100 to contact each other. Further connection of the two plugs 23 and 22, to the final position where the front surface 27 of the male connector 23 contacts the rear surface 27' of the female connector 22, pushes the sphere 4 back through the contact surface 16 between the sphere 4 and the piston 1, compressing the spring 6 in the housing 5 and fully opening the two opposing quick coupling elements 23 and 22, as shown in Figure 4. The expansion pin 2 is provided with a central bore 17 that guides the piston 1 during its forward and backward movements so that the piston 1 is always centered about the main longitudinal axis of symmetry 10 of the quick coupling element 100. This is achieved by the tolerance between the diameter of the midsection 8 of the piston 1 and the diameter of the central bore 17 of the expansion pin 2. In Figure 2, the central hole reference number 17 appears to indicate the cylindrical surface of the opening piston 1, but there is an allowable sliding distance between the piston 1 and the expansion pin 2. This guidance ensures reliable functioning of the quick coupling element 100 over several opening and closing circles by ensuring reliable contact of the piston rear surface 16 with the spherical front surface symmetrically centered about their common axis of symmetry 10.

[0029] The reliability of the quick coupling opening and closing mechanism is also improved by the larger diameter of the front section of the piston 1 and the flange 9, which increases the contact surface 21 of the part of the piston 1 that serves to open the quick coupling element. The flange 9 can be a disk. When pressed inside the expansion pin 2, the back side of the flange 9 can abut against the inner front surface or front part 15 of the expansion pin 2, affecting the maximum opening displacement of the sphere 4.

[0030] Furthermore, the piston 1 is characterized by a spherical abutment 7, the diameter of which is slightly larger than that of the intermediate section 8 of the piston 1, which is guided through the expansion pin 2. Naturally, the difference in diameter between the intermediate section 8 of the piston 1 and the flange 9 is directly visible in the drawings, while the difference in thickness between the intermediate section 8 and the spherical abutment 7 is small and hardly visible in FIGS. 1 and 2. This difference in diameter allows the piston 1 to move within tolerance limits and prevents it from coming off the quick coupling element 100 due to the forces acting on the pin 1 during normal operation. In fact, the rear section 7 of the piston 1, which has the contact surface, is designed with a finely adjusted diameter that prevents it from passing through the central hole 17 of the expansion pin 2. During the opening phase, while the sphere 4 is pushed backward through the operating flange 9, the reference number 29 designates the section that follows the coaxial channel 12 for the liquid to flow, and opens at a position corresponding to the sealing point provided by the tight contact of the narrow spherical section 18 between the sphere 4 and the base 3 in the closed state of the quick coupling element 100. The compression of the load spring 6 during the opening phase is guided by the housing element 5, the geometry of which features a side channel 11 for the passage of fluid.

[0031] The passage of fluid through the expansion pin 2 occurs through a pattern of circular holes 14 connecting the front 15 of the quick coupling 100 to the back of the expansion pin 2. In summary, in the fully open configuration shown in FIG. 4, flow channels are provided through the open sections 15, 14, 13, 12, 29, and 11. Identical open channels are found on opposing quick coupling elements in a mirror image arrangement with respect to the contact plane 35 between the male and female connectors. The back of the expansion pin 2 is provided with a flow-permitting cavity 13, which may be a circumferential cavity around the pin 1 having a diameter that allows fluid to flow from the circular holes 14 into this cavity 13.

[0032] The channel then continues through the mounting bores 30, 30′ into the hoses 25, 25, respectively, traversing from one quick fitting 100 to the adjacent quick fitting 100, which together form a two-way check valve 200 when the outer surface 34 of the male hydraulic connector 23 is inserted into the corresponding cavity 28 of the female hydraulic connector 22 until mating of the hydraulic connection 200 is made, which may be achieved by a bayonet, cam follower, complementary threads, etc. The two-way check valve 200 may also include an O-ring disposed in the recess 24 of the outer surface 34 of the male hydraulic connector, and a threaded or bolted connection in the corresponding opening.

[0033] Finally, during disconnection, which is the transition from Figure 4 to Figure 3, the quick coupling 100 gradually closes on both sides as the two front faces 21 of the piston 1 of the fluid coupling element 100 move apart, and the narrow spherical section 18, which matches the radius of curvature of the sphere 4, cuts off the connection in the central channel 29, providing a liquid seal with negligible liquid loss during the transient phase in each of the circuits 25 and 25'.

[0034] 5 shows a front view of the fluid control element 100. The opening piston 1 is disposed on the central longitudinal axis 10, and its outermost front face 21 extends beyond the base body 3 (out of the plane of the drawing). The front face 27 of the base 3 is also flush with the front face of the expansion pin 2 when fully housed within the base 3. There are six circular holes in the expansion pin. Of course, there could be only one or two, but this will cause less disruption to the flow distribution when the sphere 4 retracts from the narrow spherical section 18.

[0035] 6 is a perspective view of the fluid control element 100 of FIG. 1. The housing 5 has an open side channel 11. The flange 9 is larger than the mid-section 8 of the piston 1. The mid-section 8 has a slightly larger diameter than the sphere-adjacent section 7 to allow for the introduction of the piston 1 under pressure, thereby ensuring that the piston 1 cannot slide off the fluid control element 100 when the fluid control element 100 is oriented with its flange 9 downward.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of two fluid control elements 1 shown in Figure 1 positioned one towards the other within the male and female hydraulic connectors 123, 122 of another two-way check valve, and Figure 8 shows the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 7 when the other two-way check valve is closed. Features of the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 that are identical to features of the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 are given the same reference numbers.

[0037] Two identical quick coupling elements 100 can be inserted into the installation bores 30, 30′ of two further hydraulic connectors 123, 122 of the hydraulic connection 210, which feature diameter-restricting shoulder or stepped sections 26, 26′ as in the embodiment of FIG. 3 , thereby allowing installation from the outer surfaces 27, 27′ of the hydraulic connectors 123, 122. During installation, when the stepped feature or shoulder 31 of the base 3 contacts the opposing step feature or shoulder 26, 26′ of the installation bores 30, 30′, a pressing force applied to the expansion pin 2 allows this element to be inserted inside the base 3, resulting in an outward radial force that causes plastic expansion of the inner wall 20 of the hollow portion of the base 3. This plastic deformation is transferred to the outer surface 19 of the base 3, which presses firmly against the bore faces 32, 32' of the respective male and female hydraulic connectors 122, 123, thus providing both an anchoring and sealing function between the outer surface 19 of the base 3 and the walls of the bores 32, 32' of the male and female hydraulic connectors 122, 123, respectively, in the fully installed state shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0038] The cylindrical male connector 123 and female connector 122 are secured together by a threaded nut 130. The cylindrical nature of the male-female connectors 123, 122 ensures greater control with tighter tolerances than conical connectors. This aspect allows for symmetrical and repeatable opening of the quick coupling system 210 when the rear faces 127' and front faces 127 of the male and female connectors are engaged.

[0039] A nut 130 having a threaded inner surface 131 mates with a threaded outer surface 135 of the female connector 122. This mating mechanism ensures gradual and smooth opening of the two check valves that together form the quick coupling system 210.

[0040] An O-ring 150 is provided on the outer surface of the male connector 123, preferably in a circular groove in the front half of this surface. The O-ring 150 is used for pre-sealing before the coupling system 210 is opened. In fact, the O-ring 150 engages with the inner surface 133 of the female connector 122 before the quick coupling system 210 is opened. When the nut thread 132 and the thread 135 of the female connector 122 further engage, the outermost front faces 21 of the flanges 9 of the two pistons 1, preferably of the male connector 123 and the female hydraulic connector 122, come into contact with each other and are pushed back into the fluid coupling element 100, opening the quick coupling system 210. This ensures that the sealing provided by the O-ring 150 prevents any fluid from leaking out at any stage during this opening phase.

[0041] The presence of the step feature 140 on the male connector 123 controls the quick coupling system 210 to be fully closed when the front face 127 of the female connector 122 hits the front face 127' of the step 140 and is blocked, ensuring optimal opening.

[0042] The closed state of the quick coupling element is shown in Figures 1 and 7. In this closed state, the spring 6 presses the sphere 4 against the base 3, and the narrow spherical section of the sphere 4 contacts the corresponding narrow spherical section 18 on the base 3, which has a matching radius of curvature. In the configuration shown in Figure 7, a fluid, in particular a liquid at a defined pressure, is present in the installation bores 30, 30', which can be connected to the circuits 25, 25' (as shown in Figure 3 and represented in Figure 7 through the bores 30, 30') on the axis of symmetry 10, exerting a pressure, called counter pressure, on the back of the quick coupling element 100. This counter pressure presses the sphere 4 firmly against the narrow spherical section 18 against the base 3, providing a sealing function and preventing leakage of the liquid. In this configuration, the open piston 1 does not offer any resistance to the movement of the sphere 4 and is in the rest position shown in Figure 1.

[0043] Note that the front face of the nut 130 extends further along the axis 10 than the front face 21 of the flange 9 of the piston 1 , thus protecting the piston 1 .

[0044] The open state of the quick coupling elements is shown in Figures 2 and 8. This state occurs when a male hydraulic connector 123 with an inserted and expanded quick coupling element 100 is mated with a female hydraulic connector 122 with another opposing inserted and expanded quick coupling element 100. In this configuration, the outer surface 132 of the male connector 123, together with the inner surface 133 of the female connector 122, form a guide system that aligns the two opposing quick coupling elements 100 along their common main longitudinal axis of symmetry 10, which also coincides with the main longitudinal axis of symmetry 10 of the male connector 123 and the female connector 122 in their mated state in Figure 8.

[0045] A groove in the outer surface 132 of the male connector 123 carries an O-ring 150 which engages the inner surface 133 of the female connector 122 to prevent leakage before and when the final configuration of Figure 8 is reached. The nut 130 rotates about its axis of symmetry 10, moving the male and female connectors 122 together until the front face 127 of the female connector 123 contacts the front shoulder of the shoulder 140.

[0046] During the transition from closed to open, as shown by the transition between Figures 7 and 8, when the male connector 123 and the female connector 222 are plugged, the hollow sleeve of the quick coupling 100 is the first element of the quick coupling 100 to contact each other, and the O-ring 150 of the male connector 123 is engaged by the female connector 122 before the outermost front faces 21 of the pistons 1 contact each other. Further connection of the two plugs 123 and 122 to the final position pushes the sphere 4 back through the contact surface 16 between them, compressing the spring 6 in the housing 5 and bringing the two opposing quick coupling elements 123 and 122 into a fully open state, as shown in Figure 8. The expansion pin 2 features a central bore 17 that guides the piston 1 during its forward and backward movements so that the piston 1 is always centered about the main longitudinal axis of symmetry 10 of the quick coupling element 100. This is achieved by the tolerance between the diameter of the mid-section 8 of the piston 1 and the diameter of the central hole 17 of the expansion pin 2 .

[0047] The reliability of the quick coupling opening and closing mechanism is also improved by the larger diameter of the front section of the piston 1 and the flange 9, which increases the contact surface 21 of the part of the piston 1 that serves to open the quick coupling element. The flange 9 can be a disk. When pressed inside the expansion pin 2, the back side of the flange 9 can abut against the inner front surface or front part 15 of the expansion pin 2, affecting the maximum opening displacement of the sphere 4.

[0048] The passage of fluid through the expansion pin 2 occurs through a pattern of circular holes 14 connecting the front 15 of the quick coupling 100 to the back of the expansion pin 2. In summary, in the fully open configuration shown in FIG. 8, flow channels are provided through the open sections 15, 14, 13, 12, 29, and 11, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The same open channels are found in the opposing quick coupling elements, which are in a mirror image arrangement with respect to the plane of contact between the male connector 123 and the female connector 122. The back side of the expansion pin 2 is provided with a flow-permitting cavity 13, which may be a circumferential cavity around the pin 1 having a diameter that allows fluid to flow from the circular holes 14 into this cavity 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Open Piston 2 expansion pins 3 Sleeve-shaped base 4. Sphere 5. Housing 6 Load spring 7 Sphere adjacent part 8. Mid-section 9 Piston flange 10 Axis of Symmetry 11 Side Channel 12 Coaxial Cavity 13 Back 14 circular holes 15 front 16 Contact surface 17 Center hole 18 Narrow spherical sections with matching radii of curvature 19 Exterior 20 Inner wall 21 outermost front 22 Female Hydraulic Connector 23 Male Hydraulic Connector 24 O-ring recess 25, 25' Circuit / Hose 26, 26' shoulder section 27 Front surface 27' rear side 28 Cavity 29 Central Channel 30, 30' installation bore 31 Shoulder 32, 32' bore surface 33 Inner 34 Exterior 35 Contact plane 36 Locking opening 37 Extension 38 Front 100 Fluid Coupling Element 122 Female Hydraulic Connector 123 Male Hydraulic Connector 127 Female connector front 127' Male Connector Front 130 Threaded Nut 131 Female thread surface 132 Nut screw 133 Inside 134 Exterior 135 Male thread surface 140 Step with front shoulder 150 O-rings 200 Hydraulic Connections 210 Hydraulic Connection

Claims

1. A quick coupler for fluid transmission lines, A tubular body (3) having an outer sleeve surface (19), an inner receiving cavity, an axial fluid passage (12) passing through the tubular body (3), and a valve seat (18), An expandable body (2) having an axial fluid passage (14) passing through the expandable body (2) and an outer sleeve surface (20), A valve comprising a valve ball (4), a stem (1), and a compression spring (6), Equipped with, The outer sleeve surface (20) of the expandable body (2) is sized larger than the inner receiving cavity of the tubular body (3) in order to generate an outward force on the outer sleeve surface (19) of the tubular body (3) when introduced into the tubular body (3). The valve ball (4) is positioned between the spring (6) and the stem (1), and the spring (6) is positioned to pretension the valve ball (4) relative to the valve seat (18) to close the axial fluid passages (12, 14) through the quick coupler in order to apply an arbitrary pressure lower than a predetermined threshold pressure to the valve ball (4) from the direction of the stem (1), the stem (1) extends beyond the front surface (38) of the tubular body (3) when the valve ball (4) is in contact with the valve seat (18), and the axial fluid passages (12, 14) through the quick coupler are opened when the stem (1) is pushed toward the valve ball (4) such that the front surface (21) of the stem (1) is flush with the front surface (38) of the tubular body (3). The spring (6) and the valve ball (4) are at least partially located within a cylindrical housing (5) attached to the tubular body (3). Quick coupler.

2. The quick coupler according to claim 1, wherein the stem (1) has a flange (9) having a diameter larger than the guide bore of the expansion body (2).

3. The quick coupler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (5) has a side opening (11) near the attachment portion to the tubular body (3).

4. The quick coupler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (5) has a first inner diameter near the mounting portion to the tubular body (3) which is adapted to house and guide the valve ball (4), and a second inner diameter on the opposite side from the mounting portion to the tubular body (3) which is adapted to house and guide the spring (6).

5. The quick coupler according to claim 4, wherein the housing (5) has a bottom opening and / or a side opening that opens along the portion of the housing (5) having the second diameter.

6. The quick coupler according to claim 4, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter, and a tapered section is provided between the two portions of the different diameters.

7. The quick coupler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial fluid passage (14) inside the expandable body (2) is provided with at least one, preferably several, axial through holes in the expandable body (2) at a radially distal portion from the longitudinal axis (10) of the expandable body (2).

8. Both are the first quick coupler (100) and the second quick coupler (100) described in claim 1 or 2, A male hydraulic connector (23, 123) having an axial fluid passage (14) passing through the male hydraulic connector (23, 123), a receiving cavity having the diameter of the tubular body (3) of the second quick coupler (100), a rear end for connecting to a second fluid transmission line (25) and a front end (27) opposite to it, and a joint end (34, 134), the male hydraulic connector (23, 123), A female hydraulic connector (22, 122) having an axial fluid passage (14) through the female hydraulic connector (22, 122) including a receiving cavity having the diameter of the tubular body (3) of the first quick coupler (100), and having a rear end for connection to a first fluid transmission line (25') and a front end opposite to it and a receiving cavity (28) for the joint ends (34, 134) of the male hydraulic connector (23, 123), and Equipped with, The first and second quick couplers (100) are positioned within the male hydraulic connectors (23, 123) and female hydraulic connectors (22, 122) having the front surface, such that when the extension (2) of the quick coupler (100) is fully positioned within each of the quick couplers (100), the extension (2) of the quick coupler (100) does not extend beyond the front surface (27) or beyond the inner wall surface (27') of the receiving cavity (28) of the male hydraulic connectors (23, 123) and female hydraulic connectors (22, 122). The female hydraulic connectors (22, 122) and male hydraulic connectors (23, 123) are configured such that the front end of the male hydraulic connector can be axially inserted into the front end of the female hydraulic connector in order to establish a continuous fluid flow path between the hydraulic connectors (22, 23; 122, 123). Fluid couplings (200, 210) for fluid transmission lines.

9. The fluid coupling (200, 210) according to claim 8, wherein the male hydraulic connector (23) and the female hydraulic connector (22) have a connecting device.

10. The fluid coupling (200) according to claim 9, wherein the connecting device includes a screw that connects the male connector (23) and the female connector (22) radially distal to the shaft (10) of the male connector (23) and the female connector (22), and the screw is oriented parallel to the shaft (10).

11. The fluid coupling according to claim 9, wherein the male connector and the female connector are connected by a connecting device having a bayonet catch, tension lock, or swing stopper.

12. The fluid coupling (210) according to claim 9, wherein the connecting device comprises a nut (130) having a female thread (132) surrounding the sleeve of the male connector (123) and a male threaded surface (135) provided on the sleeve of the female connector (122).

13. A circumferential groove is provided on the sleeve of the male connector (123), and an O-ring (150) is provided in the groove, which engages with the inner surface (133) of the female connector (122) when the front surface of the female connector (122) comes into contact with the stepped portion of the front shoulder (140) when the female connector (122) is moved toward the male connector (123) by rotating the nut (130) until an open fluid coupling (210) is achieved.

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