FLUID COUPLING WITH TOLERANCE COMPENSATION FOR THE FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OF TWO MEDIA-CONDUCTING ELEMENTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid coupling (1) with tolerance compensation for the flexible connection of two media-conducting elements. The invention was based on the object of improving a fluid coupling (1) of the described type in such a manner that the use of complicated latching systems for transport can be omitted. This object is achieved in that the fluid coupling (1) has at least one transport securing device (8, 12), by means of which a separation of the components (2, 3) of the fluid coupling (1) from one another prior to installation can be prevented.

Claims

1.-4. (canceled)

5. A fluid coupling comprising a first component for connection to a first fluid-conducting element, and a second component for connection to a second fluid-conducting element, wherein the first component and the second component are displaced in a translational manner with respect to each other in the direction of a common longitudinal direction, and wherein the fluid coupling has at least one transport securing device to prevent separation of the first component from the second component prior to installation.

6. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid coupling provides compensation for flexible connection of the first fluid-conducting element with the second fluid-conducting element.

7. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein one of the first component or the second component comprises at least one axially projecting cantilever arm, while the other of the first component or the second component comprises at least one radially projecting latching lug, wherein the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm and the at least one radially projecting latching lug correspond in a transport position of the fluid coupling in such a manner that the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm protrudes over the at least one radially projecting latching lug, and wherein the at least one radially projecting latching lug projects to such a radially far extent that clamping contact can be achieved between the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm and the at least one radially projecting latching lug.

8. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm comprises a radial bore which, in a transport position, is assigned to the at least one radially projecting latching lug, and corresponds thereto.

9. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first component and the second component comprise a guide device which is effective between the first component and the second component only in a transport position of the first component and the second component.

10. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first component and the second component are rotatable in a rotational manner with respect to each other about the common longitudinal direction.

11. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first component and the second component are tiltable cardanically with respect to each other perpendicularly to the common longitudinal direction.

12. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first component and the second component are rotatable in a rotational manner with respect to each other about the common longitudinal direction, and wherein the first component and the second component are tiltable cardanically with respect to each other perpendicularly to the common longitudinal direction.

13. A fluid coupling comprising a first component for connection to a first fluid-conducting element, and a second component for connection to a second fluid-conducting element, wherein the first component and the second component are rotatable in a rotational manner with respect to each other about the common longitudinal direction, and wherein the fluid coupling has at least one transport securing device to prevent separation of the first component from the second component prior to installation.

14. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fluid coupling provides compensation for flexible connection of the first fluid-conducting element with the second fluid-conducting element.

15. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 13, wherein one of the first component or the second component comprises at least one axially projecting cantilever arm, while the other of the first component or the second component comprises at least one radially projecting latching lug, wherein the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm and the at least one radially projecting latching lug correspond in a transport position of the fluid coupling in such a manner that the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm protrudes over the at least one radially projecting latching lug, and wherein the at least one radially projecting latching lug projects to such a radially far extent that clamping contact can be achieved between the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm and the at least one radially projecting latching lug.

16. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm comprises a radial bore which, in a transport position, is assigned to the at least one radially projecting latching lug, and corresponds thereto.

17. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first component and the second component comprise a guide device which is effective between the first component and the second component only in a transport position of the first component and the second component.

18. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first component and the second component are displaced in a translational manner with respect to each other in the direction of a common longitudinal direction.

19. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first component and the second component are tiltable cardanically with respect to each other perpendicularly to the common longitudinal direction.

20. A fluid coupling comprising a first component for connection to a first fluid-conducting element, and a second component for connection to a second fluid-conducting element, wherein the first component and the second component are tiltable cardanically with respect to each other perpendicularly to the common longitudinal direction, and wherein the fluid coupling has at least one transport securing device to prevent separation of the first component from the second component prior to installation.

21. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 20, wherein the fluid coupling provides compensation for flexible connection of the first fluid-conducting element with the second fluid-conducting element.

22. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 20, wherein one of the first component or the second component comprises at least one axially projecting cantilever arm, while the other of the first component or the second component comprises at least one radially projecting latching lug, wherein the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm and the at least one radially projecting latching lug correspond in a transport position of the fluid coupling in such a manner that the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm protrudes over the at least one radially projecting latching lug, wherein the at least one radially projecting latching lug projects to such a radially far extent that clamping contact can be achieved between the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm and the at least one radially projecting latching lug, and wherein the at least one axially projecting cantilever arm comprises a radial bore which, in a transport position, is assigned to the at least one radially projecting latching lug, and corresponds thereto.

23. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first component and the second component comprise a guide device which is effective between the first component and the second component only in a transport position of the first component and the second component.

24. The fluid coupling as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first component and the second component are rotatable in a rotational manner with respect to each other about the common longitudinal direction.

Description

[0020] An example of the invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the drawing.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a fluid coupling 1 according to the invention, wherein the fluid coupling is in its transport position. The fluid coupling 1 has an inner part 2 and an outer part 3 which of tubular construction, wherein the inner part 2 can be pushed into the outer part 3. Inner part 2 and outer part 3 are spaced apart over a predetermined axial length by an annular gap 4. In the fitted state, the gap 4 provides for rotational, translational and cardanic movability of the inner part 2 in relation to the outer part 3. In addition, the inner part 2 has an annular groove 5 in which an O ring seal 6 is arranged. During the operation, the O ring seal provides for fluid-tight sealing of inner part 2 in relation to the outer part 3.

[0022] The inner part 2 has a radial end collar 7 at its first end 2A. Radially outwardly pointing latching lugs, of which only one latching lug 8 is shown here, are arranged at predetermined points on the radial end collar 7. In addition, the inner part 2 has a further supporting collar 9 spaced apart axially from the end collar 7. The supporting collar 9 serves for restricting the cardanic movability of inner part 2 and outer part 3 during the operation.

[0023] At its first end 3A, the outer part 3 has a sleeve-shaped axial region 10 which, in the state shown of the fluid coupling 1, partially protrudes over the radial end collar 7 of the inner part 2. The sleeve-shaped region 10 has a step 10A which, in the state shown, strikes axially against the supporting collar 9 of the inner part 2. At its first end 10B, the sleeve-shaped region 10 has a guide region 11 which reaches axially over the end collar 7 of the inner part with a small radial clearance (not visible here), and thus guides the outer part 3 and the inner part 2 radially in relation to each other, wherein said interaction is effective only in the transport position shown of the fluid coupling 1.

[0024] At its first end 10B, the sleeve-shaped region 10 has an axially projecting cantilever arm 12 which, in the position shown, protrudes in a radially clamping manner over the latching lug 8. The cantilever arm 12 has a bore 12A which corresponds to the latching lug 8, wherein the latching lug 8 projects radially into the bore 12A. As a result, a clamping connection with a form-fitting portion exists between the latching lug 8 and the cantilever arm 12.

[0025] In order to mount the fluid coupling 1 on fluid-conducting components (not shown here), inner part 2 and outer part 3 can be pulled apart axially from each other, wherein force has to be applied in order to release the clamping and latching connection between the cantilever arm 12 and the latching lug 8.

[0026] With this arrangement, the fluid coupling 1 is secured against the outer part 3 unintentionally falling out of the inner part 2 during transport and can nevertheless be provided with an acceptable force to be applied by the worker for the mounting.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

(Part of the Description)

[0027] 1 fluid coupling

[0028] 2 inner part

[0029] 2A first end of the inner part 2

[0030] 3 outer part

[0031] 3A first end of the outer part 3

[0032] 4 gap between inner part 2 and outer part 3

[0033] 5 annular groove in the inner part 2

[0034] 6 O ring seal

[0035] 7 end collar of the inner part 2

[0036] 8 latching lug

[0037] 9 supporting collar

[0038] 10 sleeve-shaped region of the outer part 3

[0039] 10A step of the sleeve-shaped region 10

[0040] 10B first end of the sleeve-shaped region 10

[0041] 11 guide region of the sleeve-shaped region 10

[0042] 12 cantilever arm

[0043] 12A bore of the cantilever arm 12