Hose Connection System

Abstract

A hose connecting system, comprising at least two hoses, adapted to be connected to each other, a fitting, adapted to fixedly hold each of the hoses, and realize the fluid connection of the hoses, a holder, adapted to hold the fitting, so that the fitting is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the hoses and/or move along a longitudinal axis of the hoses and/or move along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the hoses, when the holder holds the fitting.

Claims

1. A hose connecting system, comprising at least two hoses, adapted to be connected to each other, a fitting, adapted to fixedly hold each of the hoses, and realize the fluid connection of the hoses, a holder, adapted to hold the fitting, so that the fitting is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the hoses and/or move along a longitudinal axis of the hoses and/or move along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the hoses, when the holder holds the fitting.

2. The hose connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the fitting has a first connection part, adapted to hold a hose, and a second connection part, adapted to hold a hose, and a middle part, connecting the first and second connection part, and wherein the middle part is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the hoses.

3. The hose connecting system according to claim 2, wherein the cross-section of the middle part of the fitting has a circular shape.

4. The hose connecting system, according to claim 2, wherein the cross section of the middle part of the fitting has a rectangular shape.

5. The hose connecting system according to claim 2, wherein the holder is adapted to be fitted to a crane.

6. The hose connecting system according to claim 2, wherein the holder comprises a base part and a cover part.

7. The hose connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the middle part of the fitting has a circular shape.

8. The hose connecting system according to claim 7, wherein the holder is adapted to be fitted to a crane.

9. The hose connecting system according to claim 7, wherein the holder comprises a base part and a cover part.

10. The hose connecting system, according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the middle part of the fitting has a rectangular shape.

11. The hose connecting system according to claim 10, wherein the holder comprises a base part and a cover part.

12. The hose connecting system according to claim 10, wherein the holder is adapted to be fitted to a crane.

13. The hose connecting system according to claim 12, wherein the holder comprises a base part and a cover part.

14. The hose connecting system according to claim 10, wherein the holder comprises a base part and a cover part.

15. The hose connecting system according to any of the previous claims, wherein the holder comprises of a base part and a cover part.

16. The hose connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises an additional bushing, adapted to be placed between the fitting and the holder, so that the bushing acts as a bearing element.

17. The hose connecting system according to claim 16, wherein the bushing comprises PTFE.

18. The hose connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least a bearing between the fitting and the holder.

19. The hose connecting system according to claim 1, wherein the fitting and the holder are adapted to limit the translational movement in the longitudinal direction within the holder.

20. A hydraulic crane for a working vehicle comprising a hose connecting system, comprising at least two hoses, adapted to be connected to each other, a fitting, adapted to fixedly hold each of the hoses, a holder, adapted to hold the fitting, so that the fitting is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis (A) and/or move along a longitudinal axis and/or move along an axis orthogonal (B) to the longitudinal axis, when the holder holds the fitting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 2 depicts an arrangement of another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a different embodiment of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4 depicts a cut view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In FIG. 1 the hose connecting system 100 is shown in an exploded view and an assembled state. The hoses 110, 120 are connected to the fitting by the first and second connection part 131, 132. The hoses 110, 120 can be crimped, wherein there can be additional elements pressing the hoses 110, 120 to the first and second connection part 131, 132 in the crimped state, which is not shown. The crimping is usually supported by a crimping machine. The hoses 110, 120 are applied to the first and second connection parts 131, 132 and then inserted in the crimping machine which by force deforms the material of the first and second connection part 131, 132 so that the connection of the hoses 110, 120 is secured by the deformed material. Nevertheless, repetitive stress and temperature influences can still loosen a common crimping connection. Usually the fitting is fixed to a holder 140 and fixed in one holding position, so that the forces applied to the hoses 110, 120 during application are affecting the hose connection and the holder-fitting connection so that these may become loose over time.

[0041] The fitting with the connected hoses 110, 120 is then placed inside a holder 140 which has openings in circular shape. As the fittings middle part 133 also is provided with a round shape, both parts can glide easily and thus the fitting with the hoses 110, 120 is able to rotate inside the holder base part 141 and the cover part 142. The cover part 142 is preferably fixed with screws to the base part 141, yet, also other designs are possible, such as a riveting fixation or straps. In the fixed or closed holder state, the fitting is able to undergo twisting movement in the supported state. When the working machine is moving and the hydraulic hoses 110, 120 are moved, e.g. bend, twisted, elongated, the fitting can move to a certain degree in the lengthwise direction of the hoses 110, 120 but most importantly can twist together with the hoses 110, 120 so that the twistable length of one hose is extended to include the connected hose. This reduces the torque applied on the hoses and increases lifetime and durability of the hose-fitting-hose connection. It is also superior to a single hose, as the fitting connection allows for shorter hoses and better maintenance and exchangeability of the components.

[0042] In another version the middle part 133 of the fitting may be covered by an additional bushing 150 which can serve as a bearing surface between the holder 140 surface and the middle part 133. This further reduces friction and facilitates the twisting and elongation motion.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of multiple hose connecting systems 100 on a crane part. A usual hydraulic application requires multiple hydraulic lines and hoses 110, 120 so that a space saving packaging is of high advantage. The hose connecting systems 100 are shown as being side-by side, yet, also a higher packaging rate, e.g. a 2×2 matrix of holders 140 is only one variation possible. The hoses 110, 120 are able to twist inside the holders 140 without hindering the adjoining hoses.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment. It is visible that axis A is in the direction of the hoses 110, 120 or a lengthwise direction. Due to the design of the fitting and the first and second connection parts 131, 132, the fitting is establishing an end stop together with the outer surfaces of the holder 140. In this way, the length of the middle part 133 of the fitting is used to set a lengthwise travel for the fitting inside the holder 140 and limits the displacement.

[0045] In case the holder 140 has an elongated hole for the fitting in an orthogonal direction B of the axis A, the holder 140 also enables the fitting to have a sideways movement, further reducing strain on the hoses 110, 120 during use.

[0046] Also, the holder 140 can have a rectangular opening, as well as the middle part 133 of the fitting having a rectangular cross section. The middle part 133 can slide in a lengthwise direction by limiting any twist movement. This can be advantageous if any twisting movement of the hoses 110, 120 is not occurring, but a larger axial lengthwise movement is expected.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a cross cut section view of another embodiment. The middle part 133 of the fitting is extended in a lengthwise direction and surrounded by a bushing 150. The fitting and the bushing 150 are being movably held inside the holder 140 between a base part 141 and a cover part 142. The number of hose connections can be increase to the available space requirements without further changes to the crane or working machine. This system is advantageous for outfitting or refitting machines to increase the maintenance intervals and reduce the hose failure risks.