Device for the quick connection of a plurality of fluid-conducting line sections

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for the quick connection of a plurality of fluid-conducting line sections, each having a connection piece, in particular an SAE connection piece. The device (10) comprises a first and at least one further housing (13a, 13b), which each have a line-side receiving region (14a) for receiving a line section and a connection-piece-side receiving region (15a, 15b) for receiving a connection piece. A coupling device (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) is proposed, by means of which the housings (13a, 13b) can be detachably coupled to each other.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device for quickly connecting multiple fluid-carrying pipe sections

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for quickly connecting several fluid-carrying pipe sections with the features of claim 1. Furthermore, a connection arrangement according to claim 13 is the subject of the present invention.

[0004] It is known from the prior art to connect fluid-carrying lines and fittings using quick-connect fittings or quick-release couplings, so-called quick-connectors ("QC"), in order to save assembly time. These quick-connect fittings are used for device connections that are designed, for example, as nozzles according to SAE standards, such as SAE J2044. Such quick-connect fittings are frequently used in the automotive industry, for example, in the low-pressure range of fluid-carrying lines, i.e., at fluid pressures up to approximately 10 bar, at various interfaces, such as on a tank, pumps, filters, valves, or the like.

[0005] From DE 10 2012 107 463 A1, a quick-connect fitting is known that enables a detachable connection of a fluid line to a connection fitting according to SAE standards. The quick-connect fitting comprises a housing and a locking element for detachably locking the connection fitting. The housing has a fluid channel to guide a fluid between a fluid line and the connection fitting. Each such quick-connect fitting can connect one fluid line to a connection fitting. Since, for example, a large number of fluids must be conveyed to and from components in motor vehicles, this results in a large number of connections or quick-connect fittings.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device that enables the quick connection of several fluid-carrying pipe sections with multiple connection ports, ensuring sufficient flexibility in routing the pipe sections even in confined spaces and facilitating a compact arrangement of the pipe sections. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a connection arrangement with such a device.

[0007] This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Preferred features are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features can be found in the general description and the exemplary embodiments. With regard to the connection arrangement, the problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 13.

[0008] The device according to the invention for the quick connection of several fluid-carrying pipe sections, each with a connection fitting, in particular SAE fitting, has:

[0009] - a first housing which on the one hand has a cable-side receiving area, in particular a plug-in area, for receiving a first cable section and on the other hand has a nozzle-side receiving area for receiving a first connection nozzle, which adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing,

[0010] - at least one further or a second housing, which on the one hand has a cable-side receiving area, in particular a plug-in area, for receiving a second cable section and on the other hand has a socket-side receiving area for receiving a second connection socket, which adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0011] The device is characterized by a coupling device by means of which the first and second housings can be detachably coupled to each other.

[0012] The invention has the significant advantage that the individual housings can be installed separately in a fluid system and then coupled to form a common system. This simplifies the installation of fluid systems and also provides a simple way to bundle the individual pipe sections, thus creating a compact pipe routing. For example, the pipe sections can first be connected to the respective housings, then the fluid lines can be routed, and finally the housings can be coupled.

[0013] The invention has the further advantage that the device can be easily adapted to the number of cable sections to be connected.

[0014] The coupling device can have two complementary coupling parts, each arranged on one of the housings, which can be detachably connected to each other. For example, a first coupling part is arranged on the first housing and a second coupling part is arranged on the second coupling part. The coupling device can have a male coupling part and a female coupling part. In particular, the male coupling part can be inserted into the female coupling part for the purpose of coupling. The coupling device can also, in principle, have more than two coupling parts.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, each housing has both a first coupling part and a second coupling part, which is designed to be complementary to the first coupling part. To simplify manufacturing, it is preferably provided that the housings are essentially identical in construction, i.e., except for the coupling parts.

[0016] According to the invention, each housing has a receiving area on the line side and a receiving area on the nozzle side, which are located one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the housing. The two receiving areas are therefore preferably arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing. Within the scope of the invention, the receiving areas correspond to longitudinal sections of the respective housing.

[0017] The receiving areas of each housing serve, on the one hand, to accommodate a fluid-carrying pipe section and, on the other hand, to accommodate a connection fitting. Within the pipe-side receiving area of ​​the respective housing, which is adapted to accommodate the two fluid-carrying pipe sections, a fluid channel runs for guiding the fluid. The pipe-side receiving area may also have a connection for attaching a pipe section. Preferably, the pipe-side receiving area is designed as a plug-in area into which the pipe section can be plugged onto the connection.

[0018] The device according to the invention is preferably used in motor vehicles to connect a fluid line to a connection fitting on the component side. The connection fitting(s) are preferably provided on the component side, e.g., as part of a water cooler, engine block, charge air cooler, or the like. Preferably, the connection fitting(s) are fittings that meet the SAE standard (Association of Automotive Engineers standard).

[0019] Preferably, the housings each have a locking element in their nozzle-side receiving area for releasably locking the respective connection nozzle.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, a fluid is understood to be a liquid, a gas or a mixture thereof.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the coupling device is designed to create a friction-fit and / or positive-fit connection between the housings. A friction-fit connection can be achieved, for example, by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, in which one of the coupling parts forms a snap-fit ​​projection and the other coupling part forms a snap-fit ​​receptacle. Alternatively or additionally, a friction-fit connection can be achieved by means of a magnetic connection, in which one of the coupling parts contains a magnet and the other coupling part contains a magnet or a metal. A positive-fit connection can be achieved, for example, by means of a dovetail connection, in which one of the coupling parts forms a dovetail projection and the other coupling part forms a dovetail groove.In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, each housing has both a first coupling element and a second coupling element of the coupling device that is designed complementary to the first coupling element. In this way, for example, identically designed housings can be provided that can be assembled to form the device according to the invention, which significantly reduces manufacturing effort. Preferably, the first coupling element and the second coupling element are arranged on opposite sides of the respective housing, i.e., along a circumferential direction at an angle of 180 degrees to each other, so that more than two housings can be easily coupled to form a system. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first coupling element and the second coupling element can also be arranged at an angle to each other along the circumferential direction other than 180 degrees, e.g., 90 degrees or 120 degrees.In this way, a system with more than two housings can be advantageously bundled and adapted to different spatial conditions.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the coupling device is designed such that the housings can be detachably coupled to one another by sliding the housings in the longitudinal direction. This enables convenient coupling of the housings in cases where the installation space is limited in the radial direction.

[0023] Preferably, the coupling device has a dovetail joint with a dovetail extension and a dovetail groove.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the coupling device is designed such that the housings can be detachably coupled to one another by sliding the housings perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housings. This enables convenient coupling of the housings in cases where the installation space is limited in the longitudinal direction of the housings or where the cable sections attached to the cable-side receiving areas of the housings are not sufficiently movable along their longitudinal direction. Preferably, the coupling device has a snap-fit ​​connection with a snap-fit ​​extension and a snap-fit ​​receptacle.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the coupling device is designed to couple the partial housings to one another in a rotationally secure manner when coupled. In this way, the orientation of the housings relative to each other can be predetermined, thereby allowing targeted control of the fluid flow. Preferably, the line-side receiving area of ​​each housing comprises a fluid channel that transitions into the respective nozzle-side receiving area in such a way that the fluid channel can be fluidly connected to the respective connection nozzle, wherein the coupling device is designed such that the fluid channels extend parallel to each other when the housings are coupled. This enables a compact fluid flow.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first receiving area of ​​each housing has a projection extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing, onto which one or more fluid lines containing the line sections can be attached. In this way, the line sections can be easily connected to the device. The projection is preferably an integral part of the respective housing. The projection preferably forms a connection nipple for a fluid line containing the respective line section to be received.

[0027] As described above and below, the problem stated at the outset is also solved by a connection arrangement with the features of claim 13. With regard to the advantages and modifications of the connection arrangement according to the invention, reference is therefore first made to the advantages and modifications of the device according to the invention.

[0028] According to the invention, the connection arrangement includes

[0029] - a device according to one of the preceding claims,

[0030] - at least two pipe sections and

[0031] - at least two connection ports, wherein the pipe sections are received by a pipe-side receiving area and the connection ports are received by a port-side receiving area such that the two pipe sections are fluidly connected to a connection port.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, the two line sections are combined in one fluid line and each has a fluid channel, or each of the line sections runs in a separate fluid line, wherein each line section comprises a fluid channel.

[0033] It is expressly pointed out that the embodiments of the invention described above can each be combined individually or in any technically meaningful combination with each other with the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0034] Variations and embodiments of the invention, as well as further advantages and details of the invention, can be found in the following description and the drawing. The schematic figure shows:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a coupled state in a perspective view; and

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention in an uncoupled state in a perspective view.

[0037] Individual technical features of the embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described embodiments, as well as with the features of the independent claims and any further claims, to form objects according to the invention. Figures 1 and 2 show a first and a second embodiment of a device according to the invention for the quick connection of several fluid-carrying pipe sections, each with a connection nozzle. The device 10 has a first housing 13a, which has, on the one hand, a pipe-side receiving area 14a for receiving a first pipe section and, on the other hand, a nozzle-side receiving area 15a for receiving a first connection nozzle, wherein the receiving areas 14a and 15a adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction LR of the housing.The device 10 further comprises a second housing 13b, which has, on the one hand, a cable-side receiving area 14b for receiving a second cable section and, on the other hand, a connector-side receiving area 15b for receiving a second connector, wherein the receiving areas 14b and 15b adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction LR of the housing. The device 10 comprises a coupling device 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b by means of which the first and the second housings 13a and 13b can be detachably coupled to each other.

[0038] In the present case, the receiving areas 15a, 15b on the nozzle side are each designed to receive an SAE nozzle.

[0039] Each housing 13a, 13b has both a first coupling element 20a, 20b and a second coupling element 21a, 21b that is complementary to the first coupling element 20a, 20b. In this case, the first coupling element 20a, 20b and the second coupling element 21a, 21b are arranged on opposite sides of the respective housing 13a, 13b, i.e., along a circumferential direction U at an angle of 180 degrees to each other. In this way, identical housings 13a, 13b can be used, which reduces the effort in manufacturing and assembly and creates a simple, highly scalable quick-connect system. Alternatively, the first coupling part 20a, 20b and the second coupling part 21a, 21b can also be arranged at an angle to each other along the circumferential direction U other than 180 degrees, e.g. 90 degrees or 120 degrees.

[0040] In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the coupling device 20a, 21a is designed to create a positive-locking connection between the housings 13a, 13b. In the present case, the coupling device 20a, 21a is designed such that the housings 13a, 13b can be detachably coupled to each other by a displacement of the housings 13a, 13b relative to each other in the longitudinal direction LR. Furthermore, the coupling device 20a, 21a is designed to couple the housings 13a, 13b to each other in a rotationally secure manner when coupled. All of this is achieved in a simple manner by the coupling device 20a, 21a having a dovetail joint with a dovetail extension 20a and a dovetail groove 21a.

[0041] In the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the coupling device 20b, 21b is designed to create a force-fit and form-fit connection between the housings 13a, 13b. In the present case, the coupling device 20b, 21b is designed such that the housings 13a, 13b can be detachably coupled to each other by a displacement of the housings 13a, 13b perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LR of the housings. This is achieved in a simple manner by the coupling device 20b, 21b having a snap-fit ​​connection with a snap-fit ​​extension 20b and a snap-fit ​​receptacle 21b.

[0042] In both embodiments, the line-side receiving area 14a, 14b of each housing 13b, 13b comprises a fluid channel that transitions into the respective nozzle-side receiving area 15b, 15b in such a way that the fluid channel can be fluidly connected to the respective connection nozzle, wherein the coupling device 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b is designed such that the fluid channels extend parallel to each other when the housings 13a, 13b are coupled. Furthermore, the line-side receiving area 14a, 14b of each of the housings 13a, 13b has a projection 17a, 17b extending in the longitudinal direction LR of the housing, onto which one or more fluid lines containing the line sections can be attached.

[0043] It should be further noted that "comprising" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (10) for quickly connecting several fluid-carrying pipe sections, each with a connection fitting, in particular an SAE fitting, wherein the device (10) comprises a first housing (13a) which has, on the one hand, a pipe-side receiving area (14a), in particular a plug-in area, for receiving a first pipe section and, on the other hand, a fitting-side receiving area (15a) for receiving a first connection fitting, which adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the housing, wherein the device (10) comprises a second housing (13b) which has, on the one hand, a pipe-side receiving area (14b), in particular a plug-in area, for receiving a second pipe section and, on the other hand, a fitting-side receiving area (15b) for receiving a second connection fitting, which adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the housing, characterized in that the device (10) comprises a coupling device (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b).by means of which the first and the second housings (13a, 13b) can be detachably coupled to each other.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) is configured to create a force-fit and / or form-fit connection between the housings (13a, 13b).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each housing (13a, 13b) has both a first coupling part (20a, 20b) and a second coupling part (21a, 21b) of the coupling device (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) designed to be complementary to the first coupling part (20a, 20b).

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first coupling part (20a, 20b) and the second coupling part (21a, 21b) are arranged on opposite sides of the respective housing (13a, 13b).

5. Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first coupling part (20a, 20b) and the second coupling part (21a, 21b) are arranged along a circumferential direction (U) at an angle to each other other than 180 degrees.

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (20a, 21a) is configured such that the housings (13a, 13b) can be detachably coupled to each other by a displacement of the housings (13a, 13b) in the longitudinal direction (LR).

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) is designed to couple the housings (13a, 13b) to each other in a rotationally secure manner when coupled.

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (20a, 21a) has a dovetail joint with a dovetail extension (20a) and a dovetail groove (21a).

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (20b, 21b) is configured such that the housings (13a, 13b) can be detachably coupled to each other by a displacement of the housings (13a, 13b) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (LR) of the housings.

10. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (20b, 21b) has a latching connection with a latching extension (20b) and a latching receptacle (21b).

11. Device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the line-side receiving area (14a, 14b) of each housing (13b, 13b) comprises a fluid channel which leads into the respective nozzle-side receiving area (15b, 15b) transition in such a way that the fluid channel can be fluidly connected to the respective connection nozzle, wherein the coupling device (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) is designed such that the fluid channels extend parallel to each other in the coupled state of the housings (13a, 13b).

12. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the line-side receiving area (14a, 14b) of each of the housings (13a, 13b) has a projection (17a, 17b) extending in the longitudinal direction (LR) of the housing, onto which one or more fluid lines having the line sections can be attached.

13. Connection arrangement with a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, at least two line sections and at least two connection nozzles, wherein the line sections are received by a line-side receiving area (14a, 14b) and the connection nozzles are received by a nozzle-side receiving area (15a, 15b) such that the two line sections are fluidly connected to a connection nozzle.

14. Connection arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the two line sections are combined in a fluid line and each comprises a fluid channel, or each of the line sections runs in a separate fluid line, wherein each line section comprises a fluid channel.

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