Crimped end connection for flexible hose

Abstract

The hose assembly includes a hose, a connector body, and a collar. The connector body has an outer end defining a fluid connector, an inner end defining a nose portion received in the bore of the hose end, and an intermediate portion including first and second annular flanges spaced apart to define a dog-lock groove. The collar includes an outer end defining an inner radial dog-lock portion received in the dog-lock groove, an annular step portion extending radially outward and axially inward from the dog-lock portion in axial alignment with the first annular flange, and an inner end extending radially outward and axially inward from the step portion, the inner end being in radial compression against the outer surface of the hose end.

Description

Cross - reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims the priority and all benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 907,808, entitled "CRIMPED END CONNECTION FOR FLEXIBLE HOSE", filed on September 30, 2019, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a flexible hose assembly and a method of manufacturing a flexible hose assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a flexible plastic hose having a crimped end connection.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one or more embodiments of the invention presented in the present disclosure, a hose assembly includes a hose, a connector body, and a collar. The connector body has an outer end portion defining a fluid connector, an inner end portion defining a nose portion received in the inner bore of the hose end, and an intermediate portion including a first annular flange and a second annular flange spaced apart to define a dog - lock groove. The collar has an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog - lock portion received in the dog - lock groove, an annular step portion extending radially outward and axially inward of the dog - lock portion in an axially aligned state with the first annular flange, and an inner end portion extending radially outward and axially inward from the step portion and being in a radially compressed state against the outer surface of the hose end. The outer surface of the hose end has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the step portion such that the outer surface of the hose end is fixed axially inward of the first annular flange.

[0004] According to one or more other embodiments of the invention presented in the present disclosure, the hose assembly includes a hose, a connector body, and a collar. The connector body has an outer end portion defining a fluid connector, an inner end portion defining a nose portion received in the inner bore of the hose end portion, and an intermediate portion including a first annular flange and a second annular flange spaced apart to define a dog lock groove. The collar has an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock portion received in the dog lock groove, and an inner end portion extending radially outward and axially inward of the dog lock portion and being in a radially compressed state against the outer surface of the hose end portion. At least one of the first annular flange and the second annular flange defines a tapered side surface of the dog lock groove, and the dog lock portion contacts the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove to electrically connect the collar and the connector body.

[0005] According to one or more other embodiments of the invention presented in the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing a hose assembly is contemplated. In an exemplary method, a collar is provided that includes an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock portion, an annular step portion extending radially outward and axially inward of the dog lock portion, and an inner end portion extending radially outward and axially inward from the step portion. The hose end portion is inserted into the inner end portion of the collar such that the axial outer edge of the outer surface of the hose end portion abuts the axial inner end of the annular step portion. The nose portion of the connector body is inserted through the outer end portion of the collar into the inner bore of the hose end portion such that the dog lock portion is axially aligned with the annular dog lock groove of the intermediate portion of the connector body. The collar is crimped radially inward such that the dog lock portion is received in the dog lock groove and the hose end portion is radially compressed between the inner end portion of the collar and the nose portion of the connector body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 4A

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The various aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention may be described and illustrated herein as being embodied in combination in exemplary embodiments, but these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative forms, either individually or in any of their various combinations and sub - combinations. All such combinations and sub - combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention unless expressly excluded herein. Further, various alternative forms regarding the various aspects, concepts, and features of the present invention, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, and further alternative forms regarding shape, fit, and function, may be described herein, but such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative forms, whether currently well - known or later developed. One of ordinary skill in the art can readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts, or features of the present invention to additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Further, some features, concepts, or aspects of the present invention may be described herein as a preferred structure or method, but such descriptions are not intended to suggest that such features are essential or necessary unless expressly stated as such. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to aid in the understanding of the present disclosure, but such values and ranges should not be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if expressly stated as such. A parameter specified as "approximate" or "about" a particular value is intended to include both the particular value and values within 10% of the particular value, unless expressly specified otherwise. Additionally, the drawings attached to the present disclosure need not be to scale, and thus it should be understood that they can be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions that are apparent in the drawings.Furthermore, various aspects, features, and concepts may be explicitly identified herein as being part of the present invention or forming part of the present invention, but such identification is not intended to be exclusive. Rather, there may be aspects, concepts, and features of the invention that are described in detail herein without being explicitly identified as such or as part of a particular invention, and the present invention is defined in the appended claims. The description of an exemplary method or process is not limited to including all steps as being required in all cases, and the order of the steps presented should not be construed as being essential or required unless explicitly stated as such.

[0008] Many applications have requirements for a flexible hose to fluidly connect two points within a fluid system, and the flexibility of the hose allows for various fluid line routing requirements, thermal expansion, misalignment, and intermittent or continuous flexure (e.g., due to system vibration). For example, a flexible plastic hose configured to provide a desired system temperature rating, system pressure rating, and chemical compatibility generally includes an inner or plastic (e.g., PTFE, PFA) core tube and an outer sheath, cover, or other such reinforcing layer (e.g., a metal braided sheath) that protects the core tube while allowing for bending movement.

[0009] To facilitate installation within a fluid system, a hose assembly generally includes any of a variety of end connections, such as, for example, tube fittings, tube ends (e.g., for welding or installation within a tube fitting), or quick disconnect couplings, and thus requires a leak-proof connection between the inner and outer flexible hose tube components and the end connection. In the case of a plastic hose assembly, such an end connection may be crimped to the hose end. In some such applications, aligning the hose end within the connector being crimped can be a challenge, and it can be difficult to determine or ensure proper alignment of the hose end within the end connection.

[0010] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the connector body can be fixed to the hose end by a crimp collar including an internal hose end positioning feature configured to provide a tactile and / or visual indicator of the appropriate hose end insertion depth within the collar during installation of the hose end connection to the hose end. In one such embodiment, the hose end positioning feature can be configured to axially (i.e., along the central axis of the hose assembly component) position the hose end inside the mating annular flange of the connector body to prevent capture of the hose sheath between the annular flange and the crimped inner surface of the collar. The connector body and the collar can be made of various suitable materials, including, for example, metal (e.g., stainless steel).

[0011] The hose end positioning feature can be provided as a radially inward protrusion within the inner bore of the collar that is radially aligned with the outer surface of the inserted hose end or positioned to obstruct the outer surface of the hose end to reliably stop the inserted hose end. Various different radially inward protrusions can be utilized. In an exemplary embodiment, the hose end positioning feature is formed as an annular step that extends radially outward and axially inward from the outer axial dog lock portion of the collar.

[0012] FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A show a collar 10 for a hose end connection including an outer end 11 defining an inner radial dog lock portion 12, an annular step 13 extending radially outward and axially inward from the dog lock portion 12, and an inner end 14 extending radially outward and axially inward from the step 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular step 13 extends directly from the dog lock portion 12. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1B, the step 13' can be axially spaced from the dog lock portion 12' to form a separate material rib. In still other embodiments (not shown), the step is not circumferentially continuous and instead, separate protrusions sufficient to reliably stop and abut the hose end can be formed on the inner circumference of the collar.

[0013] Color 10 can be used with a hose having a hose end portion with an outer surface having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the stepped portion such that the outer surface of the hose end is fixed axially inwardly of the first annular flange. Many different types of hoses can be utilized. As an example, a plastic (e.g., PTFE, PFA) hose can include a flexible plastic core tube defining an inner bore or fluid passageway and an outer sheath (e.g., a braided metal sheath) to, for example, improve hose pressure containment and / or protect the core tube from wear. FIG. 2 shows the collar 10 of FIG. 1 loosely assembled (e.g., slip-fitted) to an exemplary hose 20 including a hose end portion 21 having a plastic core tube 22 defining an inner bore 23 and an outer sheath 24 (e.g., a braided metal sheath) covering the plastic core tube 22 to define the outer surface 25 of the hose 20. As shown, the outer diameter D1 of the hose end outer surface 25 is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the stepped portion 13 such that the stepped portion 13 securely stops against the inserted hose end portion 21. As shown, the inner end portion 14 can include a chamfered inner end portion 15 to, for example, facilitate alignment and reception of the hose end portion 21 within the inner end portion 14 of the collar 10. In an exemplary embodiment, a collar 10 for a 1 / 2 inch (1.27 cm) hose has an inner end portion 14 with a diameter of about 0.65 inches (about 1.65 cm) and a stepped portion 13 with a diameter D2 of about 0.63 inches (about 1.6 cm).

[0014] To form an end connection for the hose end portion 21, the nose portion of the connector body can be inserted through the outer end portion 11 of the collar into the inner bore 23 of the core tube 22, and the collar 10 is crimped to the connector and the hose end portion 21 to leak-tightly grip-engage the core tube 22 and the nose portion of the connector body and to meshingly hold the connector body and the collar 10 together.

[0015] Many different color / connector body engagement configurations may be utilized. In one embodiment, the connector body includes a dog lock groove disposed between a first annular flange and a second annular flange of an intermediate portion of the connector body, and a dog lock portion of the color is crimped into the dog lock groove for engagement retention of the connector body with the color. FIG. 3 shows the color 10 and hose 20 of FIG. 2 assembled to an exemplary connector body 30 prior to crimp attachment, the connector body 30 including an outer end portion 31 defining a fluid connector 32 (e.g., a tube end, a tube fitting, a quick connect coupling), an inner end portion 33 defining a nose portion 34 received within an inner bore 23 of the hose end portion 21, and an intermediate portion 35 including a first annular flange 36 and a second annular flange 37 spaced apart to define a dog lock groove 38. As shown, the nose portion 34 may include teeth or returns 39 configured to interference fit between the core tube 22 and the nose portion even prior to crimp attachment of the hose end connection.

[0016] When the connector body 30 is properly assembled to the collar 10 and the hose end portion 21, the dog lock portion 12 of the collar 10 is axially aligned with the dog lock groove 38, and the first annular flange 36 of the end connection portion 30 is axially aligned with the annular step portion 13. For example, many different techniques can be utilized to achieve axial alignment between the dog lock portion 12 and the dog lock groove 38, including visual inspection, automatic inspection / positioning, and / or the use of a gauge tool for axially positioning the collar 10 relative to the connector body 30 (e.g., by abutment of the surface of the gauge tool against the surface of either the collar and the connector body). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body 30 may be formed with a tool engagement groove 41 that may be defined by an axial gap between a second annular flange 37 and a third annular flange 42 axially outward of the second annular flange. The gauge tool 50 may be received or engaged within the tool engagement groove 41, and the gauge surface 51 of the tool 50 (e.g., the end of an axial protrusion 52 extending axially inward from the tool engagement groove) is positioned to abut the end face 16 of the outer end portion 11 of the collar 10 when the dog lock portion 12 is properly axially aligned with the dog lock groove 38.

[0017] The tool engagement groove 41 may be adapted or employed for yet another use. For example, the tool engagement groove 41 may serve as a location for the securing (e.g., welding operation) or attachment of a protective end cap or other accessory. Additionally or alternatively, the tool engagement groove may serve as a location for a leak test. In such a configuration, one or more of the first annular flange 36, the second annular flange 37, and the dog lock portion 12 may be provided with holes, notches, or other discontinuities configured to form a passage for fluid that has leaked past the seal between the core tube 22 and the nose portion 34 of the connector body. As used herein, "annular" may include both features that are continuous in the circumferential direction and features that have one or more discontinuities (e.g., an annular flange having one or more holes or notches).

[0018] When the connector body 30 is properly assembled to the collar 10 and the hose end 21, the collar 10 is radially crimped (e.g., using a conventional crimper), such that the dog lock portion 12 is received within the dog lock groove 38, and the inner end 14 of the collar 10 is radially compressed against the outer surface 25 of the hose end 21 to radially (and sealingly) compress the core tube 22 against the nose portion 34 of the connector body 30. As shown, the return 39 on the nose portion 34 can enhance the gripping and sealing engagement between the core tube 22 and the nose portion. A portion of the crimped core tube 22 can be extruded between the first annular flange 36 and the annular step 13 without affecting the gripping and sealing retention of the hose 20 by the end connection. The relative axial widths and radial heights of the first annular flange 36 and the annular step 13 can be selected to limit or control this extrusion. In an exemplary embodiment, the annular step has an axial width slightly wider than the axial width of the first annular flange, and the radial heights of the first annular flange 36 and the step 13 are selected to form a small radial gap g (e.g., from about 0.007 inches (about 0.0188 cm) to about 0.013 inches (about 0.033 cm), or about 0.01 inches (about 0.025 cm)) during crimping.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one tapered side surface extending from the wide outer width of the groove to the narrow inner width of the groove may be formed in the dog lock groove of the crimping collar hose connection portion, and the dog lock portion has an axial width that is wider than the inner width but narrower than the outer width. In the illustrated embodiment, as most clearly shown in FIG. 4A, the second annular flange 37 defines the tapered side surface 38a of the dog lock groove 38, and this tapered side surface 38a extends from the wide outer width w1 of the groove to the narrow inner width w2 of the groove, and the dog lock portion 12 has an axial width w3 that is wider than the inner width w2 but narrower than the outer width w1. The tapered surface 38a may include a taper of a certain angle (i.e., a frustum of a cone), for example, a taper of 12° to 18°, or a taper of about 15°, or a tapered surface with a rounded or other such contour. In other embodiments, the first annular flange may alternatively or additionally define the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove.

[0020] Due to the dog lock portion 12 having an axial width w3 that is wider than the inner width w2 but narrower than the outer width w1, the crimping dog lock portion can be reliably (a) fully engaged and received within the dog lock groove 38 and (b) contact the side surfaces 38a, 38b of the dog lock groove. This contact can ensure, for example, an electrical connection between the collar and the connector body (made of stainless steel or other conductive material) in a desired application. Additionally or alternatively, the contact can result in a stronger mechanical fixation between the connector body 30 and the collar 10.

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of aspects of the present invention have been described. Modifications and variations will be apparent upon reading and understanding this specification. All such modifications and variations are included as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hose assembly comprising: a hose including a hose end portion defining an inner bore and an outer surface; a connector body having an outer end portion defining a fluid connector, an inner end portion defining a nose portion received within the inner bore of the hose end portion, and an intermediate portion including a first annular flange and a second annular flange spaced apart to define a dog lock groove; a collar including an outer end portion defining an inner radial dog lock portion received within the dog lock groove, an annular step portion extending radially outward and axially inward of the dog lock portion, and an inner end portion extending radially outward and axially inward from an axial inner end of the annular step portion, wherein the axial inner end of the annular step portion is axially aligned with the first annular flange and the inner end portion is in a radially compressed state against the outer surface of the hose end portion; a hose assembly comprising: wherein the outer surface of the hose end portion has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the annular step portion such that the outer surface of the hose end portion abuts against the axial inner end of the annular step portion and is fixed axially inward of the first annular flange; wherein at least one of the first annular flange and the second annular flange defines a tapered side surface of the dog lock groove, and the dog lock portion contacts the tapered side surface of the dog lock groove; a hose assembly, wherein the dog lock portion has an axial width greater than the axial inner width of the dog lock groove such that an inner surface of the dog lock portion and an outer surface of the dog lock groove define a first annular radial gap.

2. The hose assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hose includes a plastic core tube defining the inner bore of the hose end portion.

3. The hose assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dog lock portion is crimped within the dog lock groove.

4. The hose assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner end portion of the collar is crimped against the hose end portion.

5. The hose assembly according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the first annular flange and an inner surface of the annular step portion define a second annular radial gap.

6. The hose assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of the connector body further includes a third annular flange spaced apart from the second annular flange to define a tool engagement groove.

7. A method of making a hose assembly, the method comprising: Providing a collar including an outer end portion defining an inner radial direction dog lock portion, an annular step portion extending radially outward and axially inward of the dog lock portion, and an inner end portion extending radially outward and axially inward from the annular step portion; Inserting the hose end portion into the inner end portion of the collar such that an axial outer edge of an outer surface of the hose end portion abuts an axial inner end of the annular step portion; Inserting a nose portion of the connector body into an inner hole within the hose end portion through the outer end portion of the collar such that the dog lock portion is axially aligned with an annular dog lock groove disposed between a first annular flange in an inner axial direction and a second annular flange in an outer axial direction within an intermediate portion of the connector body, and an axial inner end of the annular step portion is axially aligned with the first annular flange in the inner axial direction; Crimping the collar radially inward such that the dog lock portion is received within the annular dog lock groove, the dog lock portion contacts a tapered side surface of the annular dog lock groove, and the hose end portion is radially compressed between the inner end portion of the collar and the nose portion of the connector body; comprising; The method, wherein the dog lock portion has an axial width greater than an axial inner width of the annular dog lock groove such that an inner surface of the dog lock portion and an outer surface of the annular dog lock groove define an annular radial gap.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein an outer surface of the hose end portion is fixed axially inward of the first annular flange in the inner axial direction when the collar is crimped radially inward.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second annular flange in the outer axial direction defines the tapered side surface of the annular dog lock groove.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate portion of the connector body further includes a third annular flange that is axially outward of and spaced from the second annular flange in the outer axial direction and defines a tool engagement groove, and the method further comprises positioning a gauge tool assembled to the connector body for abutment with the outer end portion of the collar within the tool engagement groove.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein inserting the nose portion of the connector body into the inner hole within the hose end portion through the outer end portion of the collar comprises abutting the outer end portion of the collar against the surface of a gauge tool assembled to the connector body.

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