COUPLING

Abstract

A coupling comprising a receiving element, a securing element, a retaining element and an insertion element, wherein the securing element is adapted to be displaceable between a release position and a locking position along a displacement axis, the securing element being adapted to engage the at least one retaining element in such a manner that a displacement of the securing element from the release position in the direction of the locking position is prevented, and wherein the insertion element is adapted to interact with the at least one retaining element upon insertion of the insertion element into the receiving space of the receiving element in such a way that a displacement of the securing element from the release position into the locking position is enabled.

Claims

1. A coupling comprising a receiving element, a securing element, at least one retaining element formed separately from the securing element, and an insertion element, wherein the insertion element is insertable into a receiving space of the receiving element along an insertion axis, wherein the securing element is adapted to be displaceable along a displacement axis between a release position and a locking position, wherein the securing element is adapted to engage with the at least one retaining element in its release position, without an insertion element inserted into the receiving space of the receiving element, in such a way that a displacement of the securing element from the release position in the direction of the locking position is prevented, wherein the insertion element is adapted to interact with the at least one retaining element when the insertion element is inserted into the receiving space of the receiving element, in such a way that a displacement of the retaining element from the release position into the locking position is enabled.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the insertion element is adapted to displace the at least one retaining element radially outwards at least partially when the insertion element is inserted into the receiving space of the receiving element.

3. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the displacement axis of the securing element is substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis of the insertion element.

4. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the securing element is adapted to be transferable from a state separated from the receiving element into the receiving element provided with the at least one retaining element into the release position, the securing element being further adapted to displace the at least one retaining element over an insertion slope provided on the securing element.

5. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein two diametrically opposed, in particular with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the receiving element, retaining arms, advantageously disposed on a common support element, are provided.

6. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining element is connectable to the receiving element parallel to the insertion axis.

7. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein, in a state in which the securing element is disposed on the receiving element, in particular in the locking position, a free space is disposed between a portion of the securing element and a portion of the receiving element adjacent thereto in a direction parallel to the insertion axis, which free space is suitable for the insertion of a tool in order to displace the securing element from the locking position into the release position, the portion of the securing element adjacent to the free space having in particular a recess facing the free space, which recess is adapted to receive the tool.

8. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein, for each retaining element, the securing element has a recess disposed radially outwards on the securing element that is adapted to engage a respective retaining element in the release position of the securing element, such that displacement of the securing element along the displacement axis of the securing element in either direction is substantially prevented.

9. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein each retaining element has a projection extending radially inwards when connected to the receiving element.

10. The coupling according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the projection extending furthest radially inwards extends further radially inwards than a portion extending furthest radially inwards of an inner wall of the receiving space into which the projection extends, but is preferably disposed further radially outwards than a portion extending furthest radially inwards of an inner wall of the through-hole of the securing element through which the insertion element is passed when the insertion element is connected to the receiving element.

11. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein that the insertion element has a portion on its outer circumference in which the outer diameter of the insertion element changes, the securing element further comprising a securing portion which is adapted to engage with the portion of the insertion element with changed outer diameter in the locking position of the securing element, in order to prevent axial displacement of the insertion element in at least one direction, preferably a release direction of the insertion element and the receiving element, along the insertion axis.

12. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein each retaining element may include a retaining arm extending parallel to the insertion axis and resilient in a radial direction with respect to the insertion axis.

13. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling further comprises a latching device acting between the receiving element and the securing element.

14. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the receiving space of the receiving element is divided into a first receiving space and a second receiving space, the securing element being disposed between the first and second receiving spaces in its locking position and its release position, viewed in a direction along the insertion axis.

15. The coupling according to claim 14, wherein a smallest radial distance from a portion of the securing element in its release position to an extended longitudinal central axis of the second receiving space is greater than or equal to a smallest radial distance from a portion of an inner wall of the second receiving space to the longitudinal central axis of the second receiving space, but a smallest radial distance from a portion of the securing element in its release position to an extended longitudinal central axis of the first receiving space is smaller than or equal to a smallest radial distance from a portion of an inner wall of the first receiving space to the longitudinal central axis of the first receiving space.

Description

[0024] The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show the following:

[0025] FIG. 1 a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a coupling according to the invention.

[0026] FIG. 2a a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 without the insertion element inserted.

[0027] FIG. 2b a further side cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 without the insertion element inserted.

[0028] FIG. 3a a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 with the insertion element inserted.

[0029] FIG. 3b a further side cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 with the insertion element inserted.

[0030] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 showing a latching device of the securing element with the receiving element.

[0031] FIG. 5 a perspective exploded view of a further embodiment of a coupling according to the invention.

[0032] FIG. 6 a side cross-sectional view of the further embodiment of the coupling according to the invention in FIG. 5, taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 7.

[0033] FIG. 7 a further side cross-sectional view of the further embodiment of the coupling according to the invention in FIG. 5, taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

[0034] In FIG. 1, a coupling according to the invention is generally designated by the reference number 10. The coupling 10 comprises a receiving element 12, a securing element 14, a retaining element 16 and an insertion element 18 (see FIG. 3a).

[0035] The receiving element 12 has a flange 20 at its end shown on the right in FIG. 1, which is adapted to be connectable to a fluid line. At its end opposite the flange 20, the receiving element 12 has a receiving space 22 into which the insertion element 18 can be inserted (see FIGS. 2a and 3a).

[0036] The retaining element 16 is designed here as a ring on which two radially resilient retaining arms 24 are disposed diametrically opposite to one another. Each of the retaining arms 24 has a radially inwards extending projection 26. The retaining arms 24 are received in the receiving element 12 in recesses 28 provided for this purpose. In the case of the annular retaining element 16, with the retaining element 16 connected to the receiving element 12, the receiving space 22 may also be considered to be defined by the through-opening of the retaining element 16.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the retaining element 16 as well as two O-rings 30 and two spacers 32 are connected to the receiving element 12 along an insertion axis X, which here also forms a longitudinal central axis X of the receiving element 12 or of the receiving space 22.

[0038] The securing element 14 is shown in FIG. 1 in a position disengaged from the receiving element 12 and can be introduced into the receiving element 12 along a displacement axis Y. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the displacement axis Y is orthogonal to the insertion axis X. The securing element 14 has a through-hole 34 into which the insertion element 18 can be inserted and which is here fully enclosed by the securing element 14. In two diametrically opposed portions, the securing element 14 has two recesses 36 on its outer side, which are adapted to engage with the retaining arms 24 in a release position P1 (see FIG. 2b).

[0039] A leaf spring 38 is further disposed on the receiving element 12, the leaf spring 38 having an end portion 40 adapted to engage with a recess 42 of the securing element 14 in order to prevent displacement of the securing element 14 relative to the receiving element 12 in a locking position P2 (see FIG. 3b). The leaf spring 38 further comprises an actuating portion 44 which is formed here as at least one bend of the leaf spring, such that displacement of the actuating portion 44 onto the receiving element 12 causes displacement of the end portion 40 of the leaf spring 38 out of the recess 42 of the securing element 14.

[0040] FIG. 2a shows a side cross-sectional view of the embodiments of a coupling 10 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 in the assembled state, with the exception of the insertion element 18. It can be seen that the resilient retaining arms 24 engage with the recesses 36, preventing displacement of the securing element 14 from the release position P1 shown in FIG. 2b relative to the receiving element 12.

[0041] FIG. 3a shows a cross-sectional view analogous to FIG. 2a, with the insertion element 18 inserted into the receiving space 22 of the receiving element 12. Here, an annular protruding portion 46 of the insertion element 18 has made contact with the projections 26 of the resilient retaining arms 24 of the retaining element 16 and has displaced the resilient retaining arms 24 radially outwards. The annular projection 46 of the insertion element 18 is located in a first receiving space 22a, whereas a front end portion of the insertion element 18 is inserted through the securing element 14 into a second receiving space 22b, which has a smaller inner diameter d2 compared to an inner diameter d1 of the first receiving space 22a, so that the insertion element 18 can be inserted into the receiving space 22 until the annular projection 46 abuts against the securing element 14. In other words, the first receiving space 22a has a smallest radial distance r1 from the longitudinal central axis X, the second receiving space 22b has a smallest radial distance r2 from the longitudinal central axis X, and the wall surrounding the through-hole 34 of the securing element 14 has a smallest radial distance r3 from the longitudinal central axis X. In the undisplaced state, i.e. with the insertion element not inserted, the projections 26 project into the first receiving space 22a up to a radial distance r4 from the longitudinal central axis X.

[0042] In FIG. 3a, the resilient retaining arms 24 are disengaged from the recesses 36 of the securing element 14, so that the securing element 14 can be displaced from the release position P1 shown in FIG. 2b to a locking position P2 shown in FIG. 3b.

[0043] In the locking position P2 shown in FIG. 3b, the annular projection 46 of the insertion element 18 is partially embraced by a locking portion 50 of the securing element 14, thereby preventing displacement of the insertion element along the axis X. Naturally it is conceivable also to secure the insertion element 18 against rotation relative to the securing element 14 or the receiving element 12. In the locking position P2, with the leaf spring 38 unactuated, the end portion 40 of the leaf spring 38 engages in the corresponding recess 42 of the securing element 14.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the interaction of the leaf spring 38 with the receiving element 12 and the securing element 14. It can be seen that a displacement of the actuating portion 44 of the leaf spring 38 onto the receiving element 12 causes a displacement of the end of the leaf spring 38 opposite to the end portion 40 of the leaf spring 38, shown on the right in the illustration of FIG. 4, causing a rotation of the end portion 40 of the leaf spring 38 in and along a receiving portion 52 of the receiving element 12 in which the leaf spring 38 is mounted, so that the end portion 40 is displaced out of the recess 42 of the securing element 14.

[0045] FIG. 5 now shows a further embodiment 110 of a coupling according to the invention, the differences between the embodiment 110 and the coupling 10 described above being discussed below. For this reason, in the description of coupling 110, components similar to those of coupling 10 are designated with the same reference numbers, but increased by 100. To the extent applicable, any features, effects, and advantages described with respect to coupling 10 may also apply to coupling 110, and vice versa.

[0046] The coupling 110 comprises a receiving element 112, a securing element 114, a retaining element 116 and an insertion element 118.

[0047] In its state connected to the receiving element 112, i.e. in the release position P1 or the locking position P2, the securing element 114 is connected to the receiving element 112 via a latching mechanism 138. The securing element 114 may include at least one pair (or, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, two pairs) of indentations 156. The indentations 156 are adapted to engage a resiliently mounted latch projection 158 disposed on the receiving element 112. The lower indentations 156 of the pair of indentations 156 shown in FIG. 5 are associated with the release position P1 of the securing element 114 on the receiving element 112, and the higher indentations 156 are associated with the locking position P2. A distance from a center of an upper indentation 156 to a center of a lower indentation 156, that is to say, the ‘travel’ of the securing element 114 from the release position P1 to the locking position P2, may be approximately 3 mm.

[0048] Here, the securing element 114 may be essentially U-shaped in two sectional planes disposed perpendicular to one another, so that the securing element 114 may engage with the receiving element 112 in only a single orientation relative thereto.

[0049] Once the securing element 114 is connected to the receiving element 112 in the release position P1, the retaining element 116 can be introduced into the receiving element 112. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the retaining element 116 is integrally formed with an annular spacer 132 which is adapted to hold a sealing element 130 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) in a predetermined position after it has been inserted into the receiving element 112. The spacer 132 is connected via webs to an annular portion 160 of the retaining element 116, the inner diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter of the spacer 132.

[0050] The annular portion 160 of the retaining element 116 is connected to at least one retaining arm 124 (in the illustrated embodiment, a second retaining arm 124 is diametrically opposed to the illustrated retaining arm 124 (see FIG. 7)), such that a projection 126 disposed on the retaining arm 124 is resiliently supported relative to the annular portion 160 of the retaining element 116. When the retaining element 116 is inserted into the receiving element 112, the retaining arms 124 engage recesses 128 provided on the receiving element 112. This prevents the retaining element 116 from rotating relative to the receiving element 112. With the retaining element 116 correctly positioned on the receiving element 112, a detent 162 of the retaining element 116 may engage with a corresponding recess formed on the receiving element 112 to prevent displacement of the retaining element 116 along the insertion axis X in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion into the receiving element 112.

[0051] Here, the retaining element 116 further comprises a projection 164 extending from the annular portion 160 toward the spacer 132 of the retaining element 116, the projection 164 engaging a recess 166 of the securing element 114 when the retaining element 116 is connected to the receiving element 112, thereby preventing displacement of the securing element 114 radially outwards from the release position P1, that is, disengagement of the securing element 114 from the receiving element 112 beyond the release position P1.

[0052] Two studs 168 are disposed on the securing element 114 which are adapted to abut against the retaining arms 124 of the retaining element 116 in response to a force pressing the securing element 114 from the release position P1 toward the locking position P2 without the insertion element 118 having been correctly introduced, in order to prevent the securing element 114 from reaching the locking position P2 before the insertion element 118 has been correctly introduced.

[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the insertion element 118 introduced into the receiving element 112 until it meets a stop, which may be formed, for example, by the interaction of an annular projecting portion 146 of the insertion element 118 with a portion of the retaining element 116, in particular the portion of the retaining element 116 forming the spacer 132, and/or with the retaining arms 124, in particular by displacement of the latter into contact with the receiving element 112 (see FIG. 7). In this case, the retaining arms 124 are displaced radially outwards from the annular projection 146 of the insertion element 118 in such a way that the studs 168 of the securing element 114 can be displaced past the retaining arms 124, i.e. so that the securing element 114 can be displaced from the release position P1 to the locking position P2, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0054] In the locking position P2, a securing portion 150 of the securing element 114 engages behind the annular projection 146 of the insertion element 118 in order to prevent displacement of the insertion element 118 along the insertion axis X in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion of the insertion element 118 into the receiving element 112.

[0055] FIG. 6 further shows that a free space 172 is formed between the securing element 114 and a portion 170 of the receiving element 112. The free space 172 is configured to allow insertion of a tool, such as a screwdriver, to enable the securing element 114 to be displaced from the locking position P2 toward the release position P1. The tool may be supported by the portion 170 of the receiving element 112 to allow the securing element 114 to be levered upwards in the view shown in FIG. 6, for example, by rotating the tool. To enable the tool to be guided accurately to a predetermined location on the securing element 114, the portion 170 of the receiving element 112 is formed with a slope 174 along which the tool can slide. To ensure better engagement of the tool on the securing element 114, the securing element 114 is provided with a projection 176 facing the free space 172.