Tool for feeding a flexible line through to a connecting piece

Abstract

A tool for feeding a flexible line through to a connecting piece is provided. In order to simplify the process of connecting a flexible line to a connecting piece in a confined space, the tool includes an elongate shank running axially at least at a first end of the tool and having an axially extending recess for receiving an end portion of the line. The recess has an axially and, in some sections, radially configured through opening for the end portion. The tool further includes a handling region, distanced from the first end, for a user.

Claims

1. A tool for feeding a flexible hose through to a connecting piece, the tool comprising: an elongate shank running axially between a first end and a second end and having an axially extending recess for receiving an end portion of the flexible hose, the recess being partially surrounded by a casing portion of the elongated shank and including an axially and radially configured through opening for the end portion of the flexible hose; mutually opposing cheek elements extending axially from the outer circumference of the elongate shank, wherein at least one of the mutually opposing cheeks is elastically radially deflectable and each of the mutually opposing cheek elements comprises a radially inwardly projecting holding portion with an arcuate bearing portion such that an inward facing projection formed by the radially inwardly projecting holding portion is configured to form a force closure on the flexible hose is provided; and a handling region distanced from the first end of the tool, for a user.

2. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate shank is cylindrical.

3. The tool as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible hose with an end portion positioned in the axially extending recess of the elongated shank, wherein each of the opposing cheek elements includes the arcuate bearing portion and the arcuate bearing portions are pretensioned against the end portion of the flexible hose.

4. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein an axial dimension of the recess measures at least double a radial dimension of the recess.

5. The tool as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a light cone at the first end of the tool configured to illuminate a region lying axially before the first end of the tool.

6. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the through opening has an axially arranged end face portion and a radially arranged side portion, wherein the radially arranged side portion extends in a radial direction over at most half of a circumference of the elongate shank.

7. The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate shank defines at least one of a length of at least 30 cm and a transverse dimension of at most 6 cm.

8. A tool comprising: a shank running in an axial direction between a first end and a second end; a recess partially surrounded by a casing portion of the shank, and including a through opening having an end face portion and a side portion; mutually opposing cheek elements extending axially from the outer circumference of the shank, wherein at least one of the mutually opposing cheeks is elastically radially deflectable and each of the mutually opposing cheek elements comprises a radially inwardly projecting holding portion with an arcuate bearing portion such that an inward facing projection formed by the radially inwardly projecting holding portion is configured to form a force closure on a flexible hose is provided; and a handle region adjoining the shank.

9. The tool as claimed in claim 8, wherein the end face portion of the through opening extends in the axial direction and the side portion of the through opening extends in a radial direction.

10. The tool as claimed in claim 8, wherein the side portion of the through opening extends in a radial direction over at most half of a circumference of the shank.

11. A tool for feeding a flexible line through to a connection piece, the tool comprising: a shank running in an axial direction and including a casing portion comprising opposing cheek elements extending axially from the outer circumference of the shank, wherein at least one of the opposing cheek elements is elastically deflectable and an end of each of the opposing cheek elements includes a radially inwardly projecting holding portion with an arcuate bearing portion such that an inward facing projection formed by the radially inwardly projecting holding portion is configured to form a force closure on the flexible line is provided near a first end of the tool; a recess partially surrounded by the casing portion of the shank, the recess being partially surrounded by a casing portion of the shank and including a through opening having an end face portion extending in the axial direction and a side portion extending in a radial direction; a handle region adjoining the shank; and a flexible hose comprising an end portion with a quick connector, wherein the recess receive the end portion of the flexible hose and the opposing cheek elements establish the force closure on the quick connector of the flexible hose.

12. The tool as claimed in claim 11, wherein; the arcuate bearing portion of each of the opposing cheek elements is pretensioned against the end portion of the flexible hose.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a representation of a tool and of a heating hose according to the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a representation of a tool with a partially inserted heating hose according to the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a tool within an engine compartment in a first phase of an assembly process according to the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of a tool within an engine compartment in a second phase of the assembly process according to the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a side view of a tool within an engine compartment in a third phase of the assembly process according to the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7A shows a side view of a tool according to the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 7B shows a top view of the tool of FIG. 7A;

(10) FIG. 7C shows a front view of the tool of FIG. 7A; and

(11) FIG. 7D shows a perspective view of the tool of FIG. 7A.

(12) In the different figures, same parts are provided with the same reference symbols, and so these are generally also only described once.

(13) The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

(15) FIG. 1 shows a side view of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle in a relatively late stage of assembly. A medium-carrying hose 20, which, for the sake of simplicity, is hereinafter referred to as a heating hose 20, that on one side is fastened to an engine 30, is here intended to be connected to an extending distributor port 40 fastened to the body of the vehicle. For the establishment of the connection, the flexible heating hose 20 has, on an end portion 20.1, a quick connector 21, which can establish a non-positive connection to the distributor port 40. To this end, at least the end portion 20.1 is guided, however, it may be guided through a region offering little free space for movement, which is difficult if a user guides the end portion 20.1 with the user's hand 50.

(16) In order to avoid these issues, a tool 1 according to the present disclosure represented in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 7A to 7D, which has an elongate shank 2, can be used. In the present case, the shank 2 is of cylindrical configuration and extends straight along an axial direction A. Adjacent to a first end 1.1 of the tool 1, in the shank 2 is configured a recess 3, which is partially surrounded by a casing portion 2.1 of the shank 2. The casing portion 2.1 extends in the axial direction and partially tangentially around the recess 3. The recess 3 has a through opening 4, which can be divided into an axially arranged end face portion 4.1 and a radially arranged side portion 4.2. The side portion 4.2 here forms to some extent, an interruption of the casing portion 2.1. At a second end 1.2, lying opposite the first end 1.1 of the tool 1, a handling region 5 (omitted in FIGS. 7A to 7D) having a handle 6 for the hand 50 of the user is formed adjoining the shank 2. The handle 6 has an ergonomically profiled surface.

(17) The casing portion 2.1 has two (2), with respect to the recess 3, mutually opposing cheek elements 7, which are both elastically radially deflectable. In the present case, the cheek elements 7 are configured as elastic separately produced parts, though they can also be produced in one piece with the rest of the shank 2. Each cheek element 7 has at its end a radially inwardly projecting holding portion 7.1, on which an arcuate bearing portion 7.2 is configured. In the form shown, each bearing portion 7.2 runs along an arc of about 150°, which should be seen, however, merely as an example. Close to the first end 1.1 is formed on the casing portion 2.1, by the holding portions 7.1, an inward facing projection 2.2, the function of which is further explained below. In order to further facilitate the work with the tool 1, at the first end 1.1 is arranged a light source (not represented here in detail), by means of which a light cone 60 can be generated in order to illuminate a region lying axially before the first end 1.1. The light source can be switched on and off, for instance, via a switch on the handle 6.

(18) The user, while with one hand 50 keeping hold of the tool 1 by the handle 6, can with the other hand 51 insert the end portion 20.1 into the recess 3, as represented in FIG. 3. In order to be able to insert the end portion 20.1, the two cheek elements 7 are elastically deflected, so that, with the end portion 20.1 inserted, they bear against this from both sides under pretension and thus, via the bearing portions 7.2, establish a form closure and a force closure. The projection 2.2 formed by the holding portions 7.1 can here establish in the axial direction a form closure with the quick connector 21, whereby the heating hose 20 is additionally inhibited from moving away from the first end 1.1 in the axial direction.

(19) FIGS. 4-6 show the manipulation of the heating hose 20 by the tool 1 within the engine compartment. In FIG. 4, as can clearly be seen, the user can keep sufficient distance from the cramped region with his hand 50 and yet has secure control over the guidance of the end portion 20.1. Moreover, the region around the distributor port 40 is sufficiently illuminated by the light cone 60, whereby a visual monitoring is facilitated. The user proceeds to push the tool with the end portion 20.1 forward in the axial direction A, until the quick connector 21 engages on the distributor port 40. The force which is desired for this can be readily applied by the user via the tool 1.

(20) FIG. 5 shows a state in which the connection between the end portion 20.1 and the distributor port 40 has been established. Since the end portion 20.1 is by now secured, the tool 1 can be withdrawn counter to the axial direction A, wherein the end portion 20.1 is brought out of the recess 3 through the through opening 4. The actual exit from the recess 3 here takes place predominantly through the end face portion 4.1, while a part of the heating hose 20 slides substantially axially along the side portions 4.2. For a final detachment of the heating hose 20, an elastic deflection of the two cheek elements 7 occurs once again. This deflection can be aided by providing on each of the bearing portions 7.2, for instance, in FIG. 7C, the topmost region, a beveled region or a chamfer, by which, in the axial extraction of the tool 1, a radial force upon the respective cheek element 7 is generated.

(21) The tool 1 which is shown here has in the axial direction a total length of about 53 cm, wherein the shank 2 has a length of about 40 cm and a diameter of about 4.5 cm. These dimensions are, of course, purely illustrative, and can be varied according to the diameter of the hose 20 or according to the spatial conditions in the region of the connection to be established. In any event, it is clear that the shank 2 is configured markedly slimmer than a hand 50, 51 of a user, wherein a relatively long reach is also obtained.

(22) The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.