Abstract
A connection between one end of a Multi Port Extrusion (MPE) tube (1) of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and one header (2), the connection comprises an adapter (3) with a seal ring (4) fixed between the MPE tube and the header. The invention also relates to a method for connecting said parts.
Claims
1. A connection between one end of a Multi Port Extrusion (MPE) tube (1) preferably of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and one header (2), the connection comprising an adapter (3) fixed between the MPE tube (1) and the header (2), where the end of the MPE tube (1) is mating a cavity (1′) in a first end of the adapter (3); wherein the fixation between the MPE tubing (1) and the adapter (3) is established in that the MPE tubing (1) has at least one indent (5, 5′) close to its end that is complementary to a corresponding pre-shaped notch (12, 12′) in the adapter (3).
2. (canceled)
3. The connection according to claim 1, wherein a second end of the adapter (3) comprises a protrusion (7) that is entered into a cavity (7′) of the header (2).
4. The connection according to claim 1, wherein a seal ring (4) is arranged between the adapter (3) and the header (2).
5. (canceled)
6. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the fixation between the adapter (3) and the header (2) is established by mating snap-on elements.
7. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the fixation between the adapter (3) and the header (2) is established by gluing or cold hardening compound.
8. (canceled)
9. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the mating of the at least one notch (12, 12′) in the corresponding indent (5, 5′) is securely locked in that the header (2) embraces the adapter (3) and lays onto its outer surface in that area.
10. The connection according to claim 4, wherein the seal ring is arranged between an internal flange of the header (2) and a complementary flange of the adapter (3).
11. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the fixation between the adapter (3) and the header (2) is established by that the adapter's (3) second end has at least one notch 10, 10′ that is complementary to a corresponding opening 11, 11′ in a wall of the header (2).
12. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the adapter (3) is made of a flexible material, preferably plastic or the similar.
13. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the header (2) is made of aluminium or an alloy thereof or a plastic material.
14. The connection according to claim 1, wherein the MPE tubing has a protective coating.
15. A method for connecting one end of a Multi Port Extrusion (MPE) tubing (1) and one header (2), wherein the one end of the MPE tubing (1) is entered into a first end of an adapter (3) and fixed by mechanical fixation means provided by at least one indent (5, 5′) close to its end that is complementary to a corresponding pre-shaped notch (12, 12′) in the adapter (3) and where one second end of the adapter (3) is provided with a seal ring (4) and further entered into a corresponding recess in the header (2) and fixed by mechanical fixation means.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention will be further described in detail in the following by means of examples and with reference to the attached drawings where:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a connection between a MPE tubing and a header, seen in perspective,
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the connection of FIG. 1 in perspective and further in an exploded view including MPE tubing, adapter, sealing and header,
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the connection of FIG. 2, seen from above, including MPE tubing, adapter, sealing and header,
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an adapter, seen in perspective,
[0022] FIG. 5 shows the adapter of FIG. 4, seen from left end,
[0023] FIG. 6 shows the adapter of FIG. 4, seen from one side,
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the header of FIG. 2, seen in perspective,
[0025] FIG. 8 shows the header of FIG. 7 seen from left side,
[0026] FIG. 9 shows in steps the connection process between a MPE tubing and one adapter,
[0027] FIG. 10 discloses the connection process between the MPE tubing fixed to the adapter and a sealing ring,
[0028] FIG. 11 discloses the connection process of the MPE tubing with the adapter and the sealing ring and further to a header, seen in perspective,
[0029] FIG. 12 discloses a detail of the header supporting the fixation of adapter to the MPE tubing, in a cross-sectional view,
[0030] FIG. 13 discloses in a sideview the complete assembly of MPE tubing and header,
[0031] FIG. 14 discloses a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 13,
[0032] FIG. 15 discloses in perspective a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] FIG. 1 shows connection between a Multi Port Extrusion tubing (MPE tubing) with ports 8 and a header 2 with a fluid connection 6, seen in perspective. An adapter 3 is partly shown. The MPE tubing can be made from aluminium or an alloy thereof and can have various shapes or design. Other materials would also work within the scope of the invention such as other metallic materials as well as plastic materials. The header can be of metallic such as aluminium or an alloy thereof or any appropriate plastic material, and have alternative design. The same applies for the fluid connection 6 that can have alternative design, and for instance comprise more than one fluid connection.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows the connection of FIG. 1 and further in an exploded view including MPE tubing, adapter 3, seal 4 and header 2. The seal can be a standard, flexible O-ring of appropriate material, for instance a rubber based material, and having a circular cross section. The O-ring will have an oval form after assembly. The adapter 3 is provided with a notch 10 mating an opening 11 in the top side of the header. Similar notch (not shown) and opening 11′ is provided at the bottom side of the parts. The said notches and openings firmly locks the adapter to the header when the parts are brought together. The MPE tubing is provided with one indent 5 that corresponds with a notch in a cavity 1′ of the adapter. The adapter can be of any elastic or flexible material.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the connection of FIG. 2, seen from above, including MPE tubing 1 with two indents 5, 5′, adapter 3 with notch 10, seal 4 and header 2 with fluid connection 6 and opening 11. The locking function between the notch and the opening secures a predefined pressure onto the seal. The indents 5, 5′ can have different shape and design. One important feature of these indents is that they can be prefabricated in a production line where the position of the indents from the end of the tubing as well as the shape of same can be of very high accuracy. This will facilitate and secure that the assembly of the tubing with the rest of the parts will be accurate.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows an adapter 3, seen in perspective, with one upper notch 10, one lower notch 10′ and a receiving space for the MPE tubing having notches 12′, 12 (see FIG. 5) that mates the indents 5, 5′ of the MPE tubing for firmly locking same to the adapter. Further, the adapter has a protrusion 7 that serves as a seat for the seal 4. The adapter may have various shapes.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the adapter 3 of FIG. 4, seen from left end, with a cavity 1′ with upper and lower notches 10, 10′ and the notches 12, 12′ that mates the corresponding indents 5, 5′ of the MPE tubing. The side walls of the adapter are preferably provided with two slits 9, 9′, one at each side of the parts 13, 13′ where the notches are arranged. This will give a resilient movement of the parts, which becomes restricted against movement in the final part of the assembling process.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows the adapter 3 of FIG. 4, seen from one side, with upper and lower notches 10, 10′, and the protrusion 7. There is shown two slits 9, 9′ and the part 13 between these slits.
[0039] FIG. 7 shows the header 2 of FIG. 2, seen in perspective, with fluid connection 6 upper and lower openings 11, 11′.
[0040] FIG. 8 shows the header 2 of FIG. 7 seen from left side, with fluid connection 6, seal 4 and a receiving cavity 7′ for the protrusion 7 of the adapter 3.
[0041] FIG. 9 shows in steps the connection process between a MPE tubing and one adapter, where in step a the MPE tubing 1 and adapter 3 is aligned for assembly, in step b and c the MPE tubing is entered into the adapter and the flexible snap function of the notches 10, 10′ is activated, in step d the notches 12, 12′ of the adapter 3 have entered the corresponding indents 5, 5′ of the MPE tubing 1 and in step e the MPE tubing and adapter is assembled.
[0042] FIG. 10 discloses the connection process between the MPE tubing 1 fixed to the adapter 3 and a seal 4 as shown in steps f, g, h. In step f the adapter 3 with the MPE tubing 1 is positioned versus the seal 4. In step g the seal 4 is entered onto the end of the MPE tubing, which also can be seen in perspective in step h.
[0043] FIG. 11 discloses the connection process of the MPE tubing 1 with the adapter 3 and the sealing ring and further to a header 2 where the parts are aligned in step i and where the parts are brought together where the protrusion 7 of the adapter is entered into the cavity 7′ of the header 2 and locked in step i.
[0044] FIG. 12 discloses a detail of the header 2 supporting the fixation of adapter 3 to the MPE tubing 1. Here the notches 12, 12′ of the adapter 3 is securely fixed in the indents 5, 5′ by the header 2 which completely surrounds this part of the adapter and restrict the resilient parts 13, 13′ of the adapter 3 where the notches are arranged to move outwards in the area of arrow A and A′. The header 2 has a wall thickness and strength in this area to provide secure locking of the notches 12, 12′, so that the MPE tubing is kept in place even if high pressure is applied.
[0045] FIG. 13 discloses in a sideview the complete assembly of MPE tubing 1 and header 2, when the snap function of the parts is activated the parts can no longer be separated without use of special tooling.
[0046] FIG. 14 discloses a cross sectional view of the assembly in FIG. 13, where the adapter 3 is arranged between the MPE tubing 1 and the header. The seal 4 is arranged between one end flange of the adapter and an internal flange of the header. Further, the MPE tubing abuts one internal step of the header 2. Notches 10, 10′ are also shown.
[0047] FIG. 15 discloses in perspective a cross sectional view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 14.
