Hybrid Fitting for Connecting to an End of a Pipe

Abstract

A hybrid fitting for connecting to pipe end and having a metal base; a connection body for supporting the end of the pipe, the connection body being formed separate from the base body and being made from a plastic material, wherein the connection body has a axial end; the base body comprises an opening for accommodating the axial end; the axial end of the connection body being insertable into the opening such that a form-fitted connection to the base body is formed; a locking element is slid over the connection body to engage with the base body such that the locking element is mechanically locked in an axial direction with respect to the base body; and in the locked state the locking element engages with the inserted connection body such that the inserted connection body is mechanically locked in the axial direction with respect to the base body.

Claims

1. A hybrid fitting for connecting to an end of a pipe, the hybrid fitting comprising; a base body made from a metal material; a connection body to support the end of the pipe, the connection body being formed separate from the base body and being made from a plastic material, wherein the connection body has an axial end; the base body comprising an opening for accommodating the axial end; the axial end of the connection body being insertable into the opening such that a form-fitted connection to the base body is formed; a locking element being slidable over the connection body to engage with the base body such that the locking element is mechanically locked in an axial direction with respect to the base body; and in the locked state the locking element being engageable with the inserted connection body such that the inserted connection body is mechanically locked in the axial direction with respect to the base body.

2. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the axial end of the connection body is press-fitted into the opening of the base body to form a fluid tight connection between the base body and the connection body.

3. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is a locking ring.

4. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the locking element is a slotted ring.

5. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises an at least partially circumferential projection, which in the locked state of the locking element engages with a corresponding inner recess of the base body.

6. The hybrid fitting according to claim 5, wherein the at least partially circumferential projection comprises an inclined surface at a peripheral surface of the projection.

7. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the base body comprises an undercut defining a recess, and the locking element being engageable with the base body via the undercut by a snap-in connection.

8. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the connection body comprises an at least partially circumferential projection, which comprises a first abutting face, wherein the first abutting face engages with a second abutting face of the base body in the inserted state of the connection body.

9. The hybrid fitting according to claim 8, wherein the circumferential projection of the connection body is axially locked between the second abutting face of the base body and the locking element.

10. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the material of the connection body is in compliance with potable water regulations and the locking element is made from a further material, in particular a further plastic material, different from the material of the connection body, such that a fluid flowing through the fitting, in particular potable water, is separated from the further plastic material.

11. The hybrid fitting according to claim 10, wherein the further material of the locking element comprises a greater stiffness than the plastic material of the connection body.

12. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a means for connection in order that a pressing sleeve, which is slidable over the connection body, can be axially locked to the locking element.

13. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the connection body is formed as a nipple for connecting a pipe or hose to the hybrid fitting.

14. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the plastic material of the connection body comprises a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the metal material of the base body.

15. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the connection body comprises a connection section having a plurality of annular recesses and/or protrusions and wherein the fitting has a pressing sleeve, wherein the pressing sleeve is arranged on the fitting such that a pipe can be arranged between the connection section and the pressing sleeve.

16. The hybrid fitting according to claim 1, wherein the connection body comprises a connection section having a plurality of annular recesses and/or protrusions and wherein the fitting is designed for a quick connection technique or a quick connection procedure.

Description

[0033] In the figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a hybrid fitting with a locking element according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematical, sectional view of the fitting during assembly of the fitting;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a further schematical, sectional view of the fitting during assembly of the fitting;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematical, sectional view of the fitting in an assembled state of the fitting;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the fitting in the assembled state; and

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a locking element for the fitting according to a further embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a hybrid fitting 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Hybrid means that the fitting 1 is composed of different, separate parts and not manufactured as one piece made from one single material.

[0041] The hybrid fitting 1 comprises a base body 2, which is made from metal. The base body 2 is formed such as to accommodate a connection body 3, which in the embodiment is a supporting body. The connection body 3 forms a nipple and thus is designed for a pipe to be attached to. The connection body 3 is made from a first plastic material. The fitting 1 further comprises a locking element 4, which is made from a second plastic material. The base body 2 may be made from brass material oder stainless steel, which ist in compliance with the drinking water directives or regulations. The connection body 3 may be made from a polysulfon material, e.g. PPSU or PSU. This first plastic material is in compliance with the regulations mentioned above. The locking element 4 is made from polyamide with a fibre reinforcement. An exemplary material is PA6.6 GF30. Alternatively, the locking element 4 may be made from polysulfon materials as well.

[0042] The fitting 1 can be assembled such that the connection body 3 is safely and fluid-tightly connected to the base body 2, as will be explained in the following.

[0043] With respect to FIG. 2, which shows a sectional view of the fitting 1 in a first assembling step, the connection body 3 comprises a first axial end 5, which is formed to be inserted into a first opening 6 of the base body 2. At the first axial end 5, the connection body 3 comprises a cylindrical, outer first contact surface 7, which is press-fitted into the first opening 6 of the base body 2. For the press-fit, the base body 2 comprises a corresponding second contact surface 8, which defines the first opening 6. In other words, with respect to a central longitudinal axis 9 of the fitting 1 (or at least of the base body 2) the first contact surface 7 has a first diameter 10, which is slightly larger than a second diameter 11 of the first opening 6. The press-fit creates a surface compression such that a sealing between the base body 2 and the connection body 3 is caused. In other words, by the press-fit a fluid-tight connection between said two components is formed. However, this press fit connection may not result in a sufficient holding force in a pull-out direction.

[0044] The connection body 3 comprises a disc-shaped first projection 12 extending outwards from the connection body 3. The first projection 12 can also be named flange ring. The first projection 12 is arranged adjacent to the first axial end 5, in particular adjacent to the first contact surface 7. The first projection 12 of the connection body 3 has a first abutting face (surface) 13, which runs orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis 9, orin other wordsruns in a radial direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis 9.

[0045] The first projection 12 of the connection body 3 is adapted to be form-fitted into a second opening 14 of the base body 2. The second opening 14 is adjacent to the first opening 6 an has a larger diameter than the first opening. The form-fit connection is similar to the connection as described above, not necessarily causing a fluid-tight or press-fit connection.

[0046] In the inserted state, the connection body 3 abuts with the first abutting face 14 on a second abutting face 15 of the base body 2. The second abutting face 15 defines a transition of an inner wall defining the first opening 6 of the base body 2 to the second opening 14.

[0047] In the first assembling step as described above, the connection body 3 can still be pulled out of the base body 2. In other words, the connection body 3 is not fully axially locked with respect to the base body 2, one degree of freedom still remains. In general, the axial direction is parallel to the central longitudinal axis 9 of the fitting 1. Rather, the connection body 3 axially abuts against the second abutting face 15 such that the connection body 3 cannot be inserted even further into the base body 2.

[0048] With regard to FIG. 2, both the connection body 3 and the base body 2 comprise cavities 28, 29 formed inside said bodies, respectively for carrying fluids like water. In the inserted state, the fitting 1 comprises a fluid passage, which comprises the first and the second cavities 28, 29.

[0049] In a subsequent second assembling step the locking element 4 is mounted (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0050] The locking element 4 is a locking ring and comprises a central ring opening 16, which is adapted to be slid over the connection body 3 (see FIG. 3). The locking element 4 can also be called locking clip.

[0051] The locking element 4 comprises a disc-shaped second projection 17 at an axial end 18 facing the base body 2. The second projection 17 can also be named second flange ring.

[0052] When sliding the locking element 4 towards the base body 2 over the connection body 3, the locking element 4 abuts against an undercut 19 of the base body 3. The undercut 19 is a wall section of the base body 3, defining a recess 20 within the base body 2. In other words, the undercut 19 is a wall section extending inwardly in a radial direction, i.e. towards the central longitudinal axis 9. The recess 20 is formed circumferentially within the base body adjacent to the second opening 14. An inner diameter 21 of the recess 20 is larger than the first and second diameters 10 and 11 as described above. The recess 20 is formed as a groove.

[0053] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the locking element 4 is subsequently pressed further against the base body 2, until the locking element 4 snap-fits into the recess 20 via the second projection 17. Thus, the second projection 17 is form-fittingly accommodated in the recess 20, wherein the undercut 19 prevents the locking element 4 from being axially moved. In this locked state the locking element 4 engages with the base body 2 such that an axial movement of the locking element 4 is blocked.

[0054] Furthermore, in the locked state the locking element 4 axially locks the connection body 3 to the base body 2. In this regard, the first projection 12 of the connection body 3 comprises a third abutting face 23, which is arranged opposite the first abutting face 13. The locking element 4 comprises a fourth abutting face 24. In the locked state, the fourth abutting face 24 engages with the third abutting face 13. Thus, the first projection 12 is arranged between the second abutting face 15 of the base body 2 and the fourth abutting face 24 of the locking element 4 such that the connection body 3 is axially locked to the base body 2.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows the assembled hybrid fitting 1 in a perspective view.

[0056] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 4, the second projection 17 of the locking element 4 comprises an outer inclined surface 22, wherein its outer diameter decreases towards the base body 2. Thus, the assembly is simplified.

[0057] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, the locking element 4 is arranged on a further contact surface 27 of the connection body 3, at least in the locked and assembled state. The further contact surface is cylindrical with respect to the axis 9. Optionally, at least in the locked state, the locking element 4 may be arranged press-fittingly on the connection body 3, e.g. on the further contact surface 27.

[0058] As can be further seen in FIGS. 1 to 5, the locking element 4 comprises connection means 26, formed exemplarily as a recess and an undercut as explained above, which is adapted for a pressing sleeve to be arranged on the fitting 1. Then, in the assembled state, a pipe can be attached to the fitting by sliding an end of the pipe over the connection body 3, the pipe being surrounded by the pressing sleeve. In a subsequent pressing procedure, the pressing sleeve is pressed radially to establish a fluid-tight connection between the pipe and the connection body 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in this regard the connection body 3 comprises a connection section 25 having a plurality of annular recesses and/or protrusions.

[0059] As indicated above, the connection body 3 and the locking element 4 are made from different plastic materials. Thus, the materials can be adapted to different requirements. In particular, the first plastic material of the connection body 3 is in compliance with potable water regulations. The second plastic material exhibits a greater stiffness than the first plastic material. Thus, for example the mechanical locking function can be ensured.

[0060] The assembled fitting 1 enables the functions and advantages as indicated above. In particular, a sealing function and the press-fit locking function are separated to different components of the fitting 1. Thus, the press-fit of the connection body 3 to the base body 2 is essentially not influenced by the locking element 4.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a locking element 4, which mainly differs from the locking element according to FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the locking element 4 of FIG. 6 is slotted. The slotted locking element 4 may be radially pressed together to simplify the assembling process. When inserted in the recess, the slotted locking element 4 may expand due to elastic forces to ensure the locking as indicated above.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0062] 1 hybrid fitting [0063] 2 base body [0064] 3 connection body [0065] 4 locking element [0066] 5 first axial end [0067] 6 first opening [0068] 7 first contact surface [0069] 8 second contact surface [0070] 9 central longitudinal axis [0071] 10 first diameter [0072] 11 second diameter [0073] 12 first projection [0074] 13 first abutting face [0075] 14 second opening [0076] 15 second abutting face [0077] 16 ring opening [0078] 17 second projection [0079] 18 axial end [0080] 19 undercut [0081] 20 recess [0082] 21 inner diameter [0083] 22 inclined surface [0084] 23 third abutting face [0085] 24 fourth abutting face [0086] 25 connection section [0087] 26 connection means [0088] 27 further contact surface [0089] 28 first cavity [0090] 29 second cavity