CONNECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A connection device (1) for at least one plug-in portion (3) comprising an annular external groove (2) comprises a housing (7), into which at least one plug-in portion (3) can be plugged, and also at least in each case one integral locking element (9) and a securing device (15). A locking element (9) comprises a securing portion (11) and a locking portion (10) which can be preassembled in the housing (7). In the preassembled state, the locking portion (10), by elastic deflection, permits a plug-in portion (3) to be plugged into the housing (7) and brings about the locking of said plug-in portion in the housing (7). By means of the securing device (15), the securing portion (11) can be secured on an outer side of the housing opening (13) against displacement in a circumferential direction (14). A securing device (15) is designed as a ring which engages around the housing (7) and is movable on said housing (7) at least axially counter to a resistance and has an axial recess (16) in a plugging-in direction (8). A cam (17) arranged on the securing portion (11) of the locking element (9) engages in said recess (16), as a result of which displacement of the locking element (9) in relation to the securing device (15) is prevented.

Claims

1. A connection device (1) for a plug-in portion (3) comprising at least one ring-shaped outer groove (2) of a hose-shaped or tubular line (4), a tubular nozzle (5), or a molded body (6), wherein the connection device (1) comprises: a) a housing (7), into which the at least one plug-in portion (3) is pluggable in a plug-in direction (8), b) at least one integral locking element (9), which comprises a locking portion (10) in the form of an open ring and a securing portion (11), wherein each locking portion (10) is preinstallable in a ring-shaped inner groove (12) formed in the housing (7) and, in the preinstalled state with elastic deflection, enables the plugging of a plug-in portion (3) into the housing (7) and causes its locking in the housing (7), by the locking portion (10) engaging in the inner groove (12) of the housing (7) and latching in the outer groove (2) of the plug-in portion (3), and wherein each of the locking portions (10) is insertable through an associated housing opening (13) essentially in a circumferential direction (14) into these grooves (2, 12) and can be withdrawn from these grooves (2, 12), c) at least one securing apparatus (15), by means of which the securing portion (11) can be secured on an outer side of the housing opening (13) and thus the locking portion (10) of a locking element (9) connected to the securing portion (11) can be secured against a displacement in a circumferential direction (14), characterized in that at least one of the securing apparatuses (15) is formed as a ring, which encloses the housing (7) and is movable on this housing (7) at least axially against a resistance, and which has an axial recess (16) in the plug-in direction (8), which is formed to engage an essentially radially protruding cam (17) arranged on the securing portion (11) of the locking element (10), wherein this engagement prevents a displacement of the locking element (9) in relation to the securing apparatus (15), both in the preinstalled state and also after the plugging of a plug-in portion (3) into the housing (7), in a circumferential direction (14).

2. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing apparatus (15) has nubs (24) attached to at least one spring web (25) on its inner side, which are formed to click into a ring groove (26) on the outer side of the housing (7) after overcoming the resistance in the axial direction.

3. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing apparatus (15), after an axial attachment on the housing (7), is additionally designed as rotatable on the housing (7) in its circumferential direction (14) and is designed to drive the cam (17) in the axial recess (16) in this circumferential direction (14).

4. The connection device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the securing apparatus (15) is designed for rotating open and for withdrawing the locking portion (10) of the locking element (9) from the housing opening (13), from the inner groove (12) of the housing (7) and from the outer groove (2) of the plug-in portion (3) opposite thereto by means of rotation in a corresponding circumferential direction (14), wherein the withdrawal of the locking element (9) is secured against an initial resistance.

5. The connection device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the securing apparatus (15) is designed for rotating closed and for reinsertion of the locking portion (10) of the locking element (9) into the housing opening (13) and into the inner groove (12) of the housing (7) or for insertion of the locking portion (10) of the locking element (9) into the housing opening (13), into the inner groove (12) of the housing (7) and into the outer groove (2) opposite thereto of an inserted plug-in portion (3) by means of rotation in a corresponding circumferential direction (14).

6. The connection device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that one end (18) of the inner groove (12) is formed as a stop for a tip (19) of the locking portion (10) and thus as an end point during the rotation closed of the securing apparatus (15).

7. The connection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that an axial web (20) is arranged on the inner side of the securing apparatus (15) as an end stop during a rotation open of the securing apparatus (15), wherein the position of the axial web (20) is dimensioned such that upon reaching this end stop, the tip (19) of the locking portion (10) still remains in the housing opening (13).

8. The connection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it is conceived for rotating closed and rotating open the ring-shaped securing apparatus (15) multiple times, by this connection device (1) defining a space (21) between an inner side of the securing apparatus (15) and an outer side of the housing (7), in which the locking element (9) remains after each detachment of a plug-in connection by rotating open the attached securing apparatus (15).

9. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing opening (13) is formed as an intake window adapted to a cross-sectional shape and an inclination of the locking portion (10) in relation to a plug-in direction (8).

10. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking portion (10) of the locking element (9) has a helical pitch (29) in the non-installed, tension-less state and/or the locking element (9) has a bent or buckled rotating portion (32) in the securing portion (11) toward the locking portion (10) and/or the locking element (9) has a bent or buckled region (34) at the tip (19) of the locking portion (10).

11. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (7) has at least one additional ring-shaped inner groove (22) for accommodating a seal (23) between the housing (7) and the at least one plug-in portion (3).

12. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in portion (3) is secured in relation to the housing (7) against pivoting, preferably by means of at least one positioning cam (27) on the inner side of the housing (7) and corresponding positioning cutouts (28) in the end face of the plug-in portion (3).

13. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (7) is designed to accommodate precisely one plug-in portion (3) or two or more plug-in portions (3), wherein in the second case the housing (7) is designed as a connecting part for accommodating two opposing plug-in portions (3), as a T-piece, or as a multiple fitting for accommodating more than two plug-in portions (3).

14. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that plastics or composite materials are selected as the material for the locking element (9) and/or the securing apparatus (15) and plastics, composite materials, ceramics, glass ceramics, glasses, or metals are selected as the material for the housing (7) and/or for the plug-in portion (3).

15. The connection device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the plastics comprise polyamides, wherein the plastics or the polyamides preferably contain additives, fillers, and/or reinforcing agents.

16. The connection device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the polyamides are selected from the group comprising polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 46, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide elastomers, polyphtalamides, partially-aromatic partially-crystalline co-polyamides, and mixtures of these polyamides.

17. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the molded body (6) is selected from the group comprising solid bodies, hollow bodies, closures, and lids.

18. A use of a connection device (1) according to claim 1, for attaching, connecting, or closing fluid lines in automotive engineering, in the sanitary field, in air-conditioning systems and ventilation installations, in the industrial and transportation fields, or as fittings and/or mounts in industrial manufacturing methods.

Description

[0037] The connection device according to the invention will be explained in greater detail hereafter on the basis of figures, which show exemplary embodiments, which do not limit the scope of the present invention. In the figures:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a connection device according to the invention in the non-assembled state;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an axial longitudinal section through the connection device of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows an axial longitudinal section through an assembled connection device;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a cross section through an assembled connection device at the height of the locking element;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the connection device having preinstalled locking element and securing apparatus without plug-in portion;

[0043] FIG. 6 A shows a side view of a locking element having helical pitch of the locking portion in double-tooth embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the locking element of FIG. 6A;

[0045] FIG. 6C shows a perspective side view of a locking element having a locking portion bent or buckled in the region of the tip;

[0046] FIG. 7A shows a detail of a locking portion having rectangular meandering;

[0047] FIG. 7B shows a detail of a locking portion having elongated meandering;

[0048] FIG. 8A shows an axial longitudinal section through a connection device having two opposing plugged-in plug-in portions;

[0049] FIG. 8B shows an axial longitudinal section through a connection device having an extension on the housing in the form of a wall;

[0050] FIG. 9 shows an axial longitudinal section through a connection device embodied as a T-piece having three plugged-in plug-in portions and a molded body formed as a closure.

[0051] FIGS. 1 to 9 show details of the connection device according to the invention and a pair of possible variations, which are not to be understood as restrictive, to illustrate the invention by way of example. In the individual figures, corresponding parts are provided with the same reference signs and have the same function, even if this is not described in detail in each case.

[0052] In the figures FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, essential parts of the connection device 1 according to the invention and also several preferred features are illustrated, as explained hereafter:

[0053] The plug-in portion 3, which comprises an outer groove 2, is pluggable into the housing 7 in a plug-in direction 8. The plug-in portion 3 is associated with a hose-shaped or tubular line 4, or a tubular nozzle 5, or a molded body 6. A one-piece locking element 9 or the locking section 10 thereof is preinstalled in a ring-shaped inner groove 12 formed in the housing 7. In the illustrated preinstalled state, the securing portion 11 of the locking element 9 still protrudes through the housing opening 13 on the outer side of the housing 7. The housing 7 generally also has an extension 7, in the form of a collar, for example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. When the plug-in portion 3 is inserted and plugged in the plug-in direction 8 into the housing 7, the locking portion 10 or its region protruding obliquely inward is elastically deflected and then latches in the outer groove 2 of the plug-in portion 3, so that the plug-in portion 3 is locked in the housing 7. Using a securing apparatus 15 in the form of a closed ring shown here, the locking element 9 is then secured against undesired detachment, by moving or pushing the ring-shaped securing apparatus 15 with its axial recess 16 axially over the housing 7 such that it engages at the axial recess 16 with the essentially radially protruding cam 17 of the securing portion 11. The axial pushing on of the securing apparatus takes place against a resistance. The engagement of the cam 17 in the axial recess 16 of the attached securing apparatus 15 prevents a displacement of the locking element 9 in relation to the securing apparatus 15. A space 21, which will be discussed in greater detail in FIG. 4, is formed between an inner side of the attached securing apparatus 15 and an outer side of the housing 7. Moreover, a variant of an open ring for the securing apparatus 15 can also be imagined on the basis of FIG. 1, in which the axial recess 16 extends up to the opposing edge of the ring and thus would form a continuous axial gap.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment, the securing apparatus 15 according to the invention has springy attached nubs 24 on its inner side, preferably on at least one spring web 25, which are preferably formed to click into a ring-shaped channel, i.e., a ring groove 26 on the outer side of the housing 7, after overcoming the resistance in the axial direction. The resistance in the axial direction can be implemented, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, by a flat part 8 and a protrusion 8, over which a corresponding nub 24 has to slide and has to overcome the protrusion 8. The resistance could also be formed, for example, by a ring-shaped bead.

[0055] If the securing apparatus 15 is rotatable in the circumferential direction 14 (as shown in FIG. 1), in this case the rotation is advantageously guided by the nubs 24 attached to spring webs 25 on the inner side of the securing apparatus 15, which preferably slide in the mentioned ring-shaped groove or ring groove 26 (which is circular in this case) on the outer side of the housing 7.

[0056] The housing 7 of the connection device 1 according to the invention preferably has at least one additional ring-shaped inner groove 22 for accommodating a seal 23 (for example, an O-ring seal) between the housing 7 and the at least one plug-in portion 3.

[0057] In one preferred embodiment, in a connection device 1 according to the invention, the plug-in portion 3 can also be secured against pivoting in relation to the housing 7 with circular cross section. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this is preferably implemented by means of at least one positioning cam 27 on the inner side of the housing 7 and corresponding positioning cutouts 28 in the end face of the plug-in portion 3, which interlock when they are joined together in a correctly positioned manner. Two opposing positioning cams 27 and two corresponding positioning cutouts 28 are particularly preferred.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows an axial longitudinal section through a connection device 1 according to the invention in the assembled state. All reference signs already occurred in the explanation of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, except for the number 20, which identifies an axial web 23 on the inner side of the securing apparatus 15 in FIG. 3, the meaning of which will be explained in greater detail in FIG. 4. The seal 23 and a protrusion 8 on top are well visible in this longitudinal section. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the latter forms the resistance for a nub 24 attached on the spring web 25 when the securing apparatus 15 is axially pushed on.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection device 1 is preferably designed so that one end 18 of the inner groove 12 is formed as a stop for a tip 19 of the locking portion 10 and therefore as an end point when rotating the securing apparatus 15 closed. The connection device 1 is moreover preferably designed so that an axial web 20 on the inner side of the securing apparatus 15 is arranged as the end stop when rotating open the securing apparatus. At the end stop, the axial web 20 on the outer side of the housing opening 13 presses against the locking portion 10. The position of the axial web is dimensioned so that upon reaching this end stop, the tip 19 of the locking portion 10 still remains in the housing opening 13. A simple reinsertion of the locking portion 10 of the locking element 9 into the housing opening 13 and into the inner groove 12 of the housing 7 or an insertion of the locking portion 10 of the locking element 9 into the housing opening 13, into the inner groove 12 of the housing 7, and into the outer groove 2 opposite thereto of an inserted plug-in portion 3 by rotating closed is thus enabled.

[0060] In one advantageous embodiment of this preferred connection device 1, it is conceived for rotating closed and rotating open the ring-shaped securing apparatus 15 multiple times, by this connection device 1 defining a space (well visible in FIG. 4) between an inner side of the securing apparatus 15 and an outer side of the housing 7, in which the locking element 9 remains after each detachment of a plug connection by rotating open the attached securing apparatus 15.

[0061] It is moreover well visible in FIG. 4 that the housing opening 13 preferably extends essentially tangentially out of the inner groove 12 in its base alignment.

[0062] A locking element 9 preinstalled in an inner groove 12 is well visible in FIG. 5. This locking element 9, which is also shown once again separately hereafter in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C, has in this embodiment a continuous strip-shaped core 9 having double teeth 9 in the locking portion 10. Moreover, a positioning cam 27 is visible.

[0063] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B: In one advantageous embodiment of the connection device 1, the locking portion 10 of the locking element 9 has a helical pitch 29 in the non-installed, tension-less state. This means the open ring of the locking portion 10 is preformed in this preferred variant with a coiled pitch. This is used for counter compensation in the alignment of the locking portion 10 during its intake movement into the inner groove 12 during the rotation closed of the securing apparatus 15. This preferred helical embodiment of the locking portion 10 enables the locking portion 10 to run accurately in the inner groove 12 of the housing 7 even if the plug-in portion 3 is not yet present as the securing apparatus 15 is rotated closed. Thus, after a removal of a plug-in portion 3, the locking element 9 can be moved rapidly back into a preinstalled position by simply rotating the securing apparatus 15 closed, and a new plug-in portion 3 can subsequently be plugged in and latches with its outer groove 2 on the locking portion 10. Alternatively to the helical pitch 29 or in combination with the latter, to achieve this advantageous effect, the locking element 9 can have a rotating portion 32, which is bent or buckled, in the securing portion 11 toward the locking portion 10. The locking portion 10 is framed by dashed lines in FIG. 6B.

[0064] A further alternative for achieving the advantageous effect explained in the previous paragraph is illustrated in FIG. 6C, where the locking portion 10 is also framed by dashed lines. FIG. 6C shows a perspective side view of a locking element 9 having a bent or buckled region 34 at the tip 19 of the locking portion 10, wherein the bending or curvature points in the same direction as would be the case with a helix shape having a helical pitch 29. This variant is also possible alone or in combination with the other described variants.

[0065] Locking elements 9 or locking portions 10 without helical preforming 29 and/or without bent or buckled rotating portion 32 and/or without a bent or buckled region 34 can also be used per se in the connection device 1 according to the invention. However, the use thereof is linked to the restriction that a simple preinstallation by rotating closed the securing apparatus 15 is not possible in all cases without an inserted plug-in portion 3. It is then generally necessary, to join together the connection, to firstly insert a new plug-in portion 3 into the housing, so that a closed ring-shaped channel is formed from the inner groove 12 of the housing 7 and the outer groove 2 of the plug-in portion 3 opposite thereto. Such a locking portion 10 extends in this channel during the subsequent rotating closed of the securing apparatus 15, guided by the spatial delimitation of the two groups 2 and 12, in the correct path and not adjacent thereto.

[0066] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B: A locking portion 10 can also be formed according to the concept of meandering instead of a strip-shaped core 9 having spring-like fingers or teeth 9 formed thereon. In the concept of meandering, it is no longer possible to differentiate between a continuous strip and teeth, but rather the locking portion is then formed in a meandering manner. The elastic deflection of such a locking portion 10 takes place by torsion of the entire locking portion per se. FIG. 7A shows a detail of a locking portion 10 having rectangular meandering 30. FIG. 7B shows a detail of a locking portion 10 having elongated meandering 31. Alternatively, however, a locking portion 10 could be constructed from alternating segments of both concepts.

[0067] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9: The housing 7 of the connection device 1 according to the invention is preferably designed to accommodate precisely one or two or more plug-in portions 3. In one preferred embodiment, the housing 7 of the connection device 1 according to the invention is designed as illustrated in FIG. 8A as a double-sided connecting part for accommodating two opposing plug-in portions 3 on both sides. This would be, for example, a coupling for connecting two pipe ends of two tubular lines 4.

[0068] FIG. 8B shows a housing 7 having precisely one plug-in portion 3, wherein the extension 7 of the housing 7 represents a wall. The latter could be, for example, the wall of a large container, on which a hose-shaped or tubular line 4 is connected using the plug-in portion 3.

[0069] In other advantageous embodiments, the housing 7 of the connection device 1 according to the invention is formed as a T-piece or as a multiple fitting. A corresponding T-piece is illustrated in FIG. 9, with the additional variant that the third fitting is closed using a closure 33, as an example of a possible molded body 6.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0070] 1 connection device [0071] 2 outer groove (of plug-in portion 3) [0072] 3 plug-in portion [0073] 4 line [0074] 5 nozzle [0075] 6 molded body [0076] 7 housing [0077] 7 extension of 7 [0078] 8 plug-in direction [0079] 8 flat part [0080] 8 protrusion [0081] 9 locking element [0082] 9 strip-shaped core of 10 [0083] 9 double teeth of 10 [0084] 10 locking portion of 9 [0085] 11 securing portion of 9 [0086] 12 inner groove (in the housing 7) [0087] 13 housing opening [0088] 14 circumferential direction [0089] 15 securing apparatus [0090] 16 axial recess [0091] 17 cam of 11 [0092] 18 end of the inner groove 12 [0093] 19 tip of 10 [0094] 20 axial web [0095] 21 space [0096] 22 additional inner groove [0097] 23 seal [0098] 24 nub [0099] 25 spring web [0100] 26 ring groove [0101] 27 positioning cam [0102] 28 positioning cutout [0103] 29 helical pitch of 10 [0104] 30 rectangular meandering of 10 [0105] 31 elongated meandering of 10 [0106] 32 rotating portion of 11 [0107] 32 closure (example of 6) [0108] 34 bent or buckled region of 10 at the tip 19