FLUID CONNECTION UNIT

Abstract

A unit for connecting a fluid line to a port of a superordinate assembly, comprising a base body comprising a connection piece at one axial end for connection to the fluid line and a receiving portion at another axial end. The unit comprises an insert element comprising a resilient material and at least one radially outwardly projecting protrusion. The insert element defines, in its interior, an axial central connection opening and is separate from and connectable to the base body. The at least one protrusion projects into a corresponding aperture formed in an area of the receiving portion. Each protrusion comprises a blocking flank extending outwardly in a substantially radial direction and facing the axial end of the base body opposite the connection piece. The blocking flank is configured to abut against a respective blocking protrusion on the base body in a receiving portion engaged state of the insert element.

Claims

1. A fluid connection unit for connecting a fluid line to a fluid line port of a superordinate assembly, comprising: a base body comprising a connection piece at one axial end of the base body for connection to the fluid line and comprising a receiving portion at another axial end of the base body; an insert element comprising a resilient material and comprising at least one radially outwardly projecting protrusion, wherein the insert element defines, in an interior of the insert element, an axial central connection opening, wherein the insert element is separate from the base body and is connectable to the base body such that the at least one radially outwardly projecting protrusion projects into a respective corresponding aperture formed in an area of the receiving portion; and wherein each radially outwardly projecting protrusion of the at least one radially outwardly projecting protrusion comprises has a respective blocking flank that extends, together with the radially outwardly projecting protrusion, outwardly in a substantially radial direction and that faces the axial end of the base body opposite the connection piece, wherein the respective blocking flank is configured to abut against a respective blocking protrusion on the base body in a receiving portion engaged state of the insert element.

2. The fluid connection unit of claim 1, further comprising a clamping element configured to engage the receiving portion and, in a state engaged with the receiving portion, to apply a force to the least one radially outwardly projecting protrusion to radially inwardly bias an inner wall defining the axial central connection opening of the insert element.

3. The fluid connection unit of claim 2, wherein the base body further comprises a further receiving portion configured to be engaged by the clamping element in an initial position of the clamping element.

4. The fluid connection unit of claim 1, the fluid connection unit further comprising a code portion comprising a code, wherein the code is suitable for identifying a fluid connection unit.

5. The fluid connection unit of claim 3, further comprising a code portion comprising a code, wherein code portion is arranged in the area of the further receiving portion such that the code, in an engaged state of the clamping element with the further receiving portion, is superimposed radially outside by the clamping element.

6. The fluid connection unit of claim 4, wherein the code portion is separate from the base body and is connectable to the base body.

7. The fluid connection unit of claim 3, further comprising a retaining protrusion disposed between the receiving portion and the further receiving portion, wherein the retaining protrusion projects radially outwardly from the base body such that the clamping element is prevented from being displaced from engagement with the further receiving portion toward engagement with the receiving portion without changing a diameter of the clamping element.

8. The fluid connection unit of claim 1, wherein the blocking protrusion is connected to the remaining base body via webs, wherein a minimum radial extension of the webs is less than a minimum radial extension of the remaining blocking protrusion.

9. The fluid connection unit of claim 1, wherein an inner wall of the axial central connection opening of the insert element comprises a plurality of recesses recessed radially outwardly from a nominal diameter of the axial central connection opening, wherein the plurality of recesses extend in an axial direction relative to the connection opening at least in portions along the inner wall of the axial central connection opening of the insert element.

10. The fluid connection unit of claim 8, wherein a respective web of the base body is associated with a respective recess of the connection opening of the insert element such that a web and a recess, viewed in a radial direction, are aligned overlapping one another.

11. The fluid connection unit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of recesses extend from the axial end of the insert element, wherein the insert element is associated with the blocking protrusion of the base body along the inner wall of the axial central connection opening of the insert element to a maximum of a location which is still just overlapped in a radial direction by the at least one protrusion.

12. The fluid connection unit of claim 9, wherein the inner wall of the axial central connection opening of the insert element comprises a circumferential notch.

13. The fluid connection unit of claim 12, wherein the notch is spaced apart from the plurality of recesses.

14. The fluid connection unit of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve unit configured to be disposed radially outwardly of the connection piece and to secure a connection of the connection piece to the fluid line.

15. The fluid connection unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion of the insert element, in the area of the receiving portion, projects radially outward further than the base body.

16. The fluid connection unit of claim 4, wherein the code comprises a code unique to a respective fluid connection unit.

17. The fluid connection unit of claim 4, wherein the code comprises a machine readable code comprising one or more of a data matrix code (DMC) or a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

18. The fluid connection unit of claim 6, wherein the code portion is connectable to the base body using one or more of an adhesive, a printing, or a form closure.

19. The fluid connection unit of claim 18, wherein the form closure comprises a latching.

Description

[0030] The present invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of an embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of a fluid connection unit according to the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the fluid connection unit in accordance with FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the fluid connection unit;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a fluid connection unit according to the invention;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the fluid connection unit according to the invention in accordance with the section line V-V of FIG. 4; and

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a fluid connection unit according to the invention in accordance with section line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

[0037] In FIG. 1, a fluid connection unit according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numerals 10. The fluid connection unit 10 comprises a base body 12, which comprises a connection piece 14 at the end shown on the right in FIG. 1 for connecting the base body 12 to a fluid line (not shown in FIG. 1). A receiving notch 16 is arranged on the connection piece 14, which is designed to receive a sealing element 18 (see FIG. 2) for sealing against the fluid line.

[0038] The base body 12 comprises a receiving portion 20 and a further receiving portion 22, between which a retaining protrusion 24 is arranged, the radially outward extension of which is greater than that of the receiving portion 20 or the further receiving portion 22. In the receiving portion 20, in the embodiment shown here, four webs 26 are arranged connecting the retaining protrusion 24 to a blocking protrusion 28. It can be seen that the webs 26 are connected to the substantially annularly designed blocking protrusion 28 at a radially inner surface thereof, that is, projecting further radially inwardly than the blocking protrusion 28.

[0039] In the area of the further receiving portion 22, a receiving surface 30 is provided which is adapted to be connected to a code portion 32. A code is arranged on the code portion 32, which can be detected, for example, using an electronic reader.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid connection unit 10 further comprises a clamping element 34, which is designed here as an annular resilient clip. In an as-delivered state of the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention, the clamping element 34 can be connected to the further receiving portion and held in place there by the retaining protrusion 24 and an increase in the outer diameter 36 of the base body 12. In this position, the clamping element 34 can cover/shield the code portion 32 in such a manner that it cannot be read out.

[0041] Furthermore, the fluid connection unit 10 according to the invention comprises an insert element 38, which is manufactured from an elastic material, for example rubber. The insert element 38 has protrusions 40 on the outer periphery thereof which project radially outwardly and which are dimensioned to engage in openings 42 designed in the receiving portion 20 of the base body 12 between respective adjacent webs 26.

[0042] The insert element 38 has an axial central connection opening 44 that is adapted to receive a fluid port. A plurality of recesses 46 are circumferentially distributed on an inner wall of the insert element 38 defining the axial central connection opening 44, which recesses 46 are recessed radially outwardly from a nominal diameter of the axial central connection opening 44 and which extend in a groove-like manner from the end of the insert element 38 shown on the left in FIG. 1 in an axial direction, that is, a direction substantially parallel to an axis X defined by the axial central connection opening 44 (see FIG. 3).

[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the insert element 38 is rotationally secured and aligned relative to the base body 12 by the engagement of the protrusions 40 with the ridges 26 of the base body 12 such that a recess 46 is associated with a respective web 26 radially inwardly.

[0044] When the fluid connection unit 10 is pushed onto a corresponding fluid line port, the elastic material of the insert element 38, particularly when displaced over a so-called olive of the fluid line port, can escape into an arcuate free space which is left free on an inner side of the blocking protrusion 28 between two respective adjacent webs 26.

[0045] FIG. 3 further shows that the protrusions 40 of the insert element 38 have a blocking flank 48 on a side facing the blocking protrusion 28, which, particularly in the state of the fluid connection unit 10 connected to a respective fluid line port, prevent the insert element 38 from detaching from the base body 12 by contact with the blocking protrusion 28. On a side opposite the blocking protrusion 28, the protrusions 40 of the insert element 38 have insertion flanks 50 that facilitate connection of the insert element 38 to the base body 12.

[0046] It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that the groove-like recesses 46 still terminate in an area of the insert element 38 which is overlapped in a radial direction by the protrusions 40.

[0047] A notch 52 is further disposed on the inner wall of the axial central connection opening 44 of the insert element 38, which is adapted and designed to engage the olive of a fluid line port.

[0048] In the area of the connection piece 14 of the base body 12, a sleeve unit 54 is arranged radially outwardly, which can secure a connection of the connection piece 14 with the fluid line 56, for example by crimping.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment 10 of a fluid connection unit according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment 10 only in that the connection piece 14 of the base body 12 is arranged on the latter to form an angle. Moreover, it should be explicitly noted that all features, effects and advantages of the first embodiment 10 may also be applicable to the second embodiment 10, and vice versa.

[0050] As indicated by the line V-V in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through the receiving portion 20 including the insert element 38 connected thereto. In FIG. 5, it can be clearly seen that the protrusions 40 of the insert element 38 project further radially outwards than a maximum radial extension of the webs 26 of the base body 12 or 12.

[0051] When the clamping element 34 is connected to the receiving portion 20 after the fluid connection unit 10 or 10 has been fully connected to a respective fluid line port, the resilient restoring force of the clamping element 34 exerts a force on the protrusions 40 of the insert element 38 in such a manner that the resilient material of the insert element 38 is forced radially inward and pressed onto the fluid line port.

[0052] Further, FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment 10 of a fluid connection unit according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. Analogous to the sectional view of the second embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 5, the cross-section shown in FIG. 6 extends along the same section line of FIG. 4. In FIG. 6, however, the viewing direction extends in the opposite direction to the viewing direction in FIG. 5, namely in the direction of the connection opening 44 of the insert element 38. The third embodiment 10 of the fluid connection unit according to the invention differs from the first embodiment 10 and the second embodiment 10 only in that pressure clips 58 are provided on the protrusions 40 of the insert element 38. In particular, a pressure clip 58 is associated here with each protrusion 40. Moreover, it should be explicitly noted that all features, effects and advantages of the first embodiment 10 and/or and the second embodiment 10 may also be applicable to the third embodiment 10, and vice versa.

[0053] A respective protrusion 40 is preferably completely overlapped radially outwardly by a pressure clip 58. Further, the pressure clips 58 each have two radially inwardly extending side portions 60 which are adapted to prevent release of the pressure clip 58 from a respective protrusion 40. Thereby, the pressure clips 58 can generate a clamping force in the state shown in FIG. 6, due to which the pressure clips 58 can be firmly held on the protrusions 40.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, the pressure clips 58 can be bonded to the protrusions 40. The pressure clips 58 may be designed substantially U-shaped, wherein a respective base portion 62 of a pressure clip 58 extends in the circumferential direction and the two side portions 60 of a pressure clip 58, as legs of the U-shape, are arranged substantially at right angles to the base portion 62, in particular extending radially inwardly. The free ends of the two side portions 60 of a pressure clip 58 have a shorter distance from one another, particularly in the circumferential direction, than the maximum extension, viewed in the circumferential direction, of a respective protrusion 40.

[0055] By attaching the pressure clips 58, embodiment 10 of the fluid connection unit has an increased outer diameter in the area of the insert element 38 compared to embodiments 10 and 10. The pressure clips 58 may in particular be manufactured from a plastic material that is more rigid with respect to the material of the insert element 38, preferably polyamide 6 or polypropylene. When the fluid connection unit 10 is now in a fluid port connected state, the resilient restoring force of the clamping element 34 (not shown in FIG. 6) exerts a force on the pressure clips 58, wherein this force is transmitted from the pressure clips 58 to the protrusions 40. Due to the increased outer diameter in the area of the insert element 38, the elastic material of the insert element 38 can be forced further radially inwards via the clamping element 34 and an increased contact pressure force can be generated on the fluid port.

[0056] Further, a distance between a respective free end of a side portion 60 to an intermediate portion 64 of the insert element 38 can be adjusted by designing the radial extension of the side portions 60 of a pressure clip 58. This makes it possible to define after which displacement of a pressure clip 58 in a radially inward direction the latter strikes against the intermediate region 64 of the insert element 38, i.e. comes into contact with the latter, wherein the restoring force of the clamping element 34 can then be transmitted to the insert element 38 both via the base portion 62 and via the side portions 60 of the pressure clip 58. Furthermore, the U-shaped arrangement of the pressure clips 58 can reduce the deformation of the elastic material of the insert element 38 in the circumferential direction. Overall, this can prevent the clamping element 34 from contacting the webs 26 in the course of elastic deformation of the insert element 38 and transmitting force to them instead of to the insert element 38.

[0057] Attachment of the pressure clips 58 to the protrusions 40 may be accomplished by bending the side portions 60, which may initially be less bent with respect to the base portion 62, to the state shown in FIG. 6 only after a respective pressure clip 58 contacts a protrusion 40, wherein a respective side portion 60 may be bent toward an undercut of a protrusion 40. Alternatively, the pressure clips 58 may be manufactured in a U-shaped state and then pressed onto the protrusions 40, wherein a higher elasticity of the material of the insert element 38 may be advantageous compared to the material of the pressure clips 58.

[0058] At this location, it should be mentioned that instead of subsequently attaching the pressure clips 58 to the protrusions 40, it is also conceivable to manufacture the insert element 38 using a multi-component injection molding method, wherein in particular a protrusion 40 can have a portion of softer material and a portion of stiffer material. For example, a respective protrusion 40 has a stiffer material radially outwardly and a softer material radially inwardly.