Fluidic connection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluidic connection device (1) comprising: - a male connector (2); and - a female connector (4) comprising a body (7) which has a cavity (5) and a connection verification assembly (10) mounted on the body (7) and comprising a verification member (11) which has a visual element (13), the verification member (11) being movable between a readable position for the visual element (13) and a concealing position for the visual element, the verification member (11) being in the readable position in the coupled state of the male connector (2) and female connector (4); the verification assembly (10) comprising a return member (20) for returning the verification member (11) to the concealing position, and a portion (22) of the return member (20) conceals a portion of the visual element (13) when the verification member (11) is not in the readable position in order to prevent the visual element (13) from being read.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Fluid connection device

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of fluid connection. In particular, the invention relates to a fluid connection comprising coupleable fittings.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] To connect two fluid circuits, it is known to use quick couplings that can be coupled together, in particular a set comprising a male connector and a female connector. These connectors are called "quick" because the coupling is done by inserting one connector into the other.

[0007] It is also known to have a visual connection indicator on one of the fittings that flips into a compliant position when the fittings are properly mated. Examples include the fittings described in EP3736481 and EP3936752.

[0008] In some cases, after initial coupling between the fittings, the visual indicator is stuck in the conformity position, even after separation of the fittings, which limits the interest of the indicator. In other cases, the operation of the visual indicator involves a large number of parts, making its manufacture complex, or even increasing the size of the fitting.

[0009] US2022 / 275894 describes a plug-in connector for liquid or gaseous media lines, with an indicator element. This indicator element is designed to visually signal whether the plug-in connector is properly connected to a female plug-in connector. The indicator element is housed in a guide receptacle and can move between a rest position and an indication position. When in the indication position, an indicator surface becomes visible, signaling the correct connection. This element may also have a coding surface with a machine-readable code for automatic verification. In addition, a spring is coupled to the indicator element to preload it in its rest position. However, the spring and the guide receptacle are two separate parts.

[0010] US2023 / 108924 describes a quick connector for fluid lines, used to assemble fluid lines in various applications, including automotive, industrial, aeronautical, marine and agricultural. The quick connector comprises a housing, a data matrix and a retainer. The data matrix allows for remote verification of whether a proper connection has been made, without the need for physical contact with the attachment site. The retainer interacts with the data matrix to obstruct or reveal the latter depending on the position of the connector, thus enabling automated and robotic verification of the connection. The data matrix is ​​either fixed or movable on a carriage between a masking position under the retainer and a reading position.

[0011] Statement of the invention

[0012] There is a need for a fluid connection device that includes such a visual indicator while having a simplified and reliable structure.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention meets this need thanks to, according to one of its aspects, a fluid connection device comprising:

[0015] - a male connector;

[0016] - a female connector which can be coupled by interlocking with the male connector; the female connector comprising: a hollow body delimiting a cavity extending longitudinally between at least a first end for connection to the male connector and a second end; and a connection verification assembly mounted on the body, this verification assembly comprising a verification member comprising a visual security element, the verification member being mounted to move relative to the body between a reading position, in which the visual security element is entirely readable outside the body, and a masking position, in which said visual security element is illegible, the verification member being configured to be in the reading position in the coupled state of the male connector and the female connector;the verification assembly further comprising a member for returning the verification member to the masking position, characterized in that at least a portion of the return member masks at least a portion of the visual security element when the verification member is in a position other than the reading position to prevent the entire visual security element from being readable.;

[0017] By "preventing the readability of the entire visual security element" is meant that at least part of the visual security element is illegible. The fact that the return member allows the masking of at least part of the visual security element, when the verification member is in a position other than the reading position, makes it possible to limit the number of parts required to install a correct connection indicator. This limited number of parts also ensures the reliability over time of the verification assembly, and therefore of the device.

[0018] The device can be quick-connected.

[0019] In particular, the female connector may include a connecting ring configured to hold the male and female connectors together when coupled. The ring may be configured to release the connectors when it is deformed, in particular elastically, in particular deformed by the pressure of a user. The male connector may include a groove configured to receive at least a portion of the ring when the male and female connectors are coupled.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the verification member is mounted to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. According to one embodiment of the invention, the cavity has a circular section, and the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cavity in which the verification member (11) is mounted to be movable is a radial direction. Such an orthogonal and / or radial direction of mobility makes it possible to limit the longitudinal size of the female connector, in particular in comparison with a movable assembly along the longitudinal axis.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the verification member comprises an outward-facing surface comprising the visual security element, the return member is configured to apply a return force to the outward-facing surface of the verification member. Thus, the circumferential size of the female connector may not be modified by the change in position of the visual security element.

[0022] The visual security element may cover only part of the outward-facing surface. In particular, the visual security element may cover less than 95% of the outward-facing surface.

[0023] The biasing member may be configured to apply a biasing force to the outwardly facing surface of the verification member. Preferably, the biasing force is applied to the outwardly facing surface of the verification member regardless of the position of the verification member.

[0024] The return member of the verification member may be a single piece. According to one embodiment of the invention, the return member comprises a spring blade.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the spring blade masks at least a portion of the visual security element when the verification member is in a position other than the reading position.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the part of the spring blade which masks at least part of the visual security element when the verification member is in a position other than the reading position is formed by one end of the spring blade constantly in contact with a part of the verification member.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, said part of the visual security element of the verification member is on the surface facing outwards of the verification member.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, said part of the visual security element of the verification member which is masked by at least part of the spring blade varies depending on the position of the verification member.

[0029] A portion of the spring blade may mask at least a portion of the outwardly facing surface of the verification member regardless of the position of the verification member.

[0030] The recall organ and the verification organ can be disjointed. In other words, they are not fixed to each other.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a window between the cavity and the exterior through which the visual security element is readable from the exterior when the verification member is in the reading position, the verification member is mounted to slide in the window for moving from one position to another.

[0032] The cross-section of the window may be substantially corresponding to the cross-section of the verification organ.

[0033] The body may include a locking stop preventing the verification member from exiting the body.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the visual security element is oriented towards the outside of the body.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the verification member comprises a bearing surface facing the inside of the cavity of the body and configured to be in contact with the male connector in the state coupled with the female connector, pressing on the bearing surface allowing the movement of the verification member from the masking position to the reading position.

[0036] The bearing surface may extend in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0037] The male connector may include a hollow body forming a cavity, the cavity of the male connector being in fluid communication with the cavity of the female connector when coupled.

[0038] The female connector and / or the male connector may include a sealing gasket preventing flow out of the cavities.

[0039] The sealing gasket can be positioned downstream of the verification assembly, particularly downstream of the window, following the coupling direction when the male connector is coupled to the female connector. Placing the gasket at this downstream location eliminates the need to seal the body around the verification device, which simplifies the structure.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the visual security element is a code and / or pictogram. Preferably, the visual security element is a QR code.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the return member masks at least 20%, preferably at least 50% of the visual security element when the verification member is in the masking position.

[0042] The device can be used for a circuit of a non-compressible fluid, for example water or oil.

[0043] Alternatively, the device may be used for a circuit of a compressible fluid.

[0044] The device can be used with fluids at a pressure of 2.5 bar or less.

[0045] Brief description of the drawings

[0046] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which

[0047] [Fig 1] illustrates, in perspective, an example of a device according to the invention in which the male connector and the female connector are uncoupled,

[0048] [Fig 2] illustrates, in top view, the device of figure 1,

[0049] [Fig 3] is a section along III of the device of figure 2,

[0050] [Fig 4] is a section along IV of the device of figure 2, [Fig 5] is a view similar to figure 1 in which the male connector and the female connector are coupled,

[0051] [Fig 6] illustrates, in top view, the device of figure 5,

[0052] [Fig 7] is a section along VII of the device of figure 6, and

[0053] [Fig 8] is a section along VIII of the device of figure 6.

[0054] Detailed description

[0055] In the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference sign. For the sake of brevity in this description, they are not described with reference to each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described.

[0056] Figures 1 to 8 illustrate an example of a fluid connection device 1 according to the invention.

[0057] The device 1 comprises a male connector 2, comprising a hollow body forming a cavity 3, and a female connector 4, coupleable by fitting to the male connector 2 at a first end 6 of the female connector 4.

[0058] The female connector 4 comprises a hollow body 7 forming a cavity 5, preferably of circular section, developing longitudinally along an axis L.

[0059] The female connector 4 further comprises a connection verification assembly 10 mounted on the body 7 and comprising a verification member 11.

[0060] The verification member 11 comprises, on an outward-facing surface 12, a visual security element 13, in this example a QR code.

[0061] The visual security element 13 covers only part of the outward-facing surface 12.

[0062] The verification member 11 is mounted to slide in a window 15 of the body 7 between the cavity 5 and the exterior in a radial direction R, between a reading position (figures 5 to 8), in which the visual security element 13 is entirely readable outside the body 7 through the window 15, and a masking position (figures 1 to 4), in which the visual security element 13 is illegible, as will be described in more detail below.

[0063] As illustrated, the section of the verification member 11 in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction R is substantially corresponding to the section of the window 15 in a plane orthogonal to the radial direction R. The verification member 11 comprises, opposite the outwardly facing surface 12, a bearing surface 16 facing the inside of the cavity 5 of the body 7 and configured to be in contact with the male connector 2 in the coupled state with the female connector 4.

[0064] Pressing on the support surface 16 makes it possible to produce a force on the verification member 11 in the radial direction R and thus cause the verification member 11 to move from the masking position to the reading position.

[0065] The bearing surface 16 extends for example in a plane not parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The bearing surface 16 can also be parallel to an external surface 17 of the male connector 2 opposite the bearing surface 16 in the coupled state of the male 2 and female 4 connectors.

[0066] Thus, in the coupled state of the male connector 2 and the female connector 4, the verification member 11 is in the reading position.

[0067] The verification assembly 10 also comprises a return member 20 of the verification member 11 in the masking position.

[0068] The return member 20 is, in this example, a single piece.

[0069] This return member 20 is formed by a spring blade, a first end 21 of which is in contact with the body 7, and a second end 22 of which is constantly in contact with the outward-facing surface 12 of the verification member 11.

[0070] Said restoring force is therefore applied to the outward-facing surface 12 of the verification member 11 via the second end 22.

[0071] The first end 21 has a general U shape. This U shape is the main source of the restoring force, in this example, and allows the assembly of the blade on the body 7.

[0072] Additionally, the position of the second end 22 on the outwardly facing surface 12 of the verification member 11 varies depending on the position of the verification member 11. This allows the blade to mask at least a portion of the visual security element 13 when the verification member 11 is in a position other than the reading position to prevent the entire visual security element 13 from being readable.

[0073] For example, at least 20% of the visual safety element 13 is masked by the blade of the return member 20.

[0074] This variation in position of the end 22, combined with the visual security element 13 covering only part of the outward-facing surface 12 and the constant contact of the end 22 on the outward-facing surface 12, also allows the readability of the entire visual security element 13 when the verification member 11 is in the reading position while maintaining a restoring force applied to the verification member 11.

[0075] The body 7 also comprises a blocking stop 25 preventing the verification member 11 from exiting the body 7, in particular by manual pressure on the support surface 16.

[0076] The body 7 also comprises a slide 26 in which the verification member IL moves. The slide 26 prevents the verification member 11 from tilting in the window 15 when the male connector 2 is introduced, in particular near the reading position.

[0077] The female connector 4 may comprise an elastic coupling ring 30 configured to snap into a groove 31 of the male connector 2 in the coupled state of the female connector 4 with the male connector 2, in a manner known per se.

[0078] The female connector 4 includes a sealing gasket 35 preventing outward flow from the cavities 3 and 5.

[0079] The sealing joint 35 is advantageously positioned downstream of the verification assembly 10, in particular downstream of the window 15, in the coupling direction, which corresponds to the longitudinal axis L in this example, when the male connector 2 is coupled to the female connector 4.

Claims

Claims 1. Fluid connection device (1) comprising: - a male connector (2); - a female connector (4) coupleable by interlocking to the male connector (2); the female connector (4) comprising: a hollow body (7) delimiting a cavity (5) extending longitudinally between at least a first end (6) for connection to the male connector (2) and a second end; and a connection verification assembly (10) mounted on the body (7), this verification assembly (10) comprising a verification member (11) comprising a visual security element (13), the verification member (11) being mounted to move relative to the body (7) between a reading position, in which the visual security element (13) is entirely readable outside the body (7), and a masking position, in which said visual security element (13) is illegible, the verification member (11) being configured to be in the reading position in the coupled state of the male connector (2) and the female connector (4);the verification assembly (10) further comprising a return member (20) of the verification member (11) in the masking position, characterized in that at least a part (22) of the return member (20) masks at least a part of the visual security element (13) when the verification member (11) is in a position other than the reading position to prevent the readability of the entire visual security element (13).; 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the verification member (11) is mounted to move in a direction orthogonal (R) to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cavity (5).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cavity (5) has a circular section, and the direction orthogonal (R) to the longitudinal axis (L) of the cavity (5) in which the verification member (11) is mounted to move is a radial direction (R).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the verification member (11) comprises an outward-facing surface (12) comprising the visual security element (13), the return member (20) is configured to apply a return force to the outward-facing surface (12) of the verification member (11).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return member (20) comprises a spring blade.

6. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a part (22) of the spring blade masks at least a part of the visual security element (13) when the verification member (11) is in a position other than the reading position.

7. Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the part (22) of the spring blade which masks at least part of the visual security element (13) when the verification member (11) is in a position other than the reading position is formed by one end (22) of the spring blade constantly in contact with part of the verification member (11).

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7 in combination with claim 4, characterized in that said part of the visual security element (13) of the verification member (11) is on the outwardly facing surface (12) of the verification member (11).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said part of the visual security element (13) of the verification member (11) which is masked by at least part of the spring blade varies according to the position of the verification member (11).

10. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (7) comprises a window (15) between the cavity (5) and the exterior through which the visual security element (13) is readable from the exterior when the verification member (11) is in the reading position, the verification member (11) being mounted to slide in the window (15) for moving from one position to another.

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual security element (13) is oriented towards the outside of the body (7).

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the verification member (11) comprises a bearing surface (16) facing the inside of the cavity (5) of the body (7) and configured to be in contact with the male connector (2) in the state coupled with the female connector (4), pressing on the bearing surface (16) allowing the movement of the verification member (11) from the masking position to the reading position.

13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual security element (13) is a code and / or pictogram.

14. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return member (20) masks at least 20%, preferably at least 40% of the visual security element (13) when the verification member (11) is in the masking position.

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