FLUID LINE COUPLING

Abstract

A reversibly detachable fluid-line coupling (1), at least having a coupling sleeve (2, 3), a locking element (7) and a coupling plug (8). The invention was based on the object of providing a fluid-line coupling (1) of the type described in the introduction that can be constructed from plastic while avoiding the stated difficulties. Said object is achieved in that the locking component (7) is in the form of a flat, open spring-steel ring (70) which has latching claws (72) projecting radially into the interior of the spring-steel ring (70) and distributed over the circumference of the spring-steel ring (70) and which has axially oriented support tongues (73), wherein, in the region of the coupling head (2), the locking component (7) resiliently surrounds the coupling head (2) in such a way that the latching claws (72) project into the interior of the coupling sleeve (2, 3) through the slots (20) in the coupling head (2) and the support tongues (73) of the spring-steel ring (70) correspond to the support webs (21) of the coupling head (2) in such a way that in each case one support tongue (73) is assigned to one support web (21).

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A reversibly detachable fluid-line coupling comprising a coupling sleeve, a locking component and a coupling plug, wherein the coupling has a coupling head and a coupling body, wherein the coupling head and the coupling body are formed from plastic and are connected in a fluid-tight and non-detachable manner to form a tubular coupling sleeve which is suitable for plugging-in to the coupling plug and which has a first opening, assigned to the coupling head, for plugging-in to the coupling plug, and has a second opening, assigned to the coupling body, for connection with further lines; wherein the coupling head has circumferentially oriented slots and ring segment-like, radially outwardly pointing support webs, and wherein a locking component is in the form of a flat, open spring-steel ring which has latching claws projecting radially into an interior of a spring-steel ring and distributed over a circumference of the spring-steel ring, and which has axially oriented support tongues; and, wherein, in the region of the coupling head, the locking component resiliently surrounds the coupling head in such a way that the latching claws project into an interior of the coupling sleeve through slots in the coupling head, and wherein the support tongues of the spring-steel ring correspond to the support webs of the coupling head in such a way that in each of the support tongues is assigned to one of the support webs.

18. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the coupling head is of conical form at least in a region provided for being surrounded by the locking component, and wherein a larger diameter of the cone is assigned to the first opening.

19. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein, at respective radially outer ends, the support webs of the coupling head have blocking noses which point axially back from the plug-in opening of the coupling sleeve, and which are spaced apart radially from the coupling head, and wherein spacing between the blocking noses and the coupling head is suitable for engagement of the support tongues of the locking component.

20. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support tongues of the locking component, at their ends which are assigned to the support webs of the coupling head, are beveled in a circumferential direction of the coupling sleeve and the support webs of the coupling head each have a slope which corresponds to the bevel of the support tongues, wherein the slopes are configured in the manner of a right-hand thread and in the manner of a left-hand thread and there are an equal number of left oriented slopes and right orientated slopes.

21. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the latching claws of the locking component, in each case in pairs, have different radial lengths.

22. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking component has, in relation to the coupling head, a rotation-prevention means.

23. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein, at their radially inner ends, the latching claws have blocking noses which point axially back from the plug-in opening of the coupling sleeve.

24. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the coupling head has ring segment-like blocking webs which are spaced apart axially from plug-in opening, and which point radially outward, and wherein the axial spacing between the support webs and the blocking webs is of such a size that the locking component comes to be situated in the spacing with axial play.

25. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein, in its transition regions to the, in each case, radially inwardly projecting latching claws, the flat, split spring-steel ring has beads which reinforce the transition regions.

26. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the radially inwardly projecting latching claws have recesses, and, in the region of the slots, the coupling head has saddle-shaped tips at one end, situated in a circumferential direction, of the respective slots, wherein recesses and tips correspond in terms of their shaping and the split spring ring can be opened manually beyond an opening amount that is achievable when the coupling plug is plugged in, and wherein the recesses of the latching claws come to be situated against the tips of the coupling head, so that, in this open position, the spring-steel ring latches in.

27. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein the coupling head has beveled, radially inwardly projecting, axially oriented support struts which are spaced apart from the plug-in opening, and wherein the bevel is configured in such a way that, as the distance from the plug-in opening increases, the support struts project increasingly further radial inward.

28. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein, at its end facing away from the coupling head, the coupling body has a connection region with a pushed-on onward-leading fluid line, and wherein the connection region and the fluid line are connected to one another in a fluid-tight and materially bonded manner by way of a plastic encapsulation.

29. The fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, wherein, at its end facing away from the coupling head, the coupling body has a further fluid line which is connected in a materially bonded and fluid-tight manner to the coupling body by way of injection-molding directly onto the coupling body.

30. A method for producing the fluid-line coupling as claimed in claim 17, the method comprising: A) injection-molding in each case the coupling head and the coupling body in a first injection-molding stage of a production apparatus; B) stamping and bending the locking component in the form of a split spring-steel ring with latching claws in a stamping and bending tool of the production apparatus; C) folding over the coupling head and the coupling body in a common second injection-molding stage of the production apparatus; and, E1) co-molding the coupling body and the coupling head to form the coupling sleeve in the second injection-molding stage, with mounting of the locking component on the coupling head.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, the method further comprising: D) pushing on a further fluid line at the second opening of the coupling sleeve which is provided for connection of further fluid lines; and, E2) co-molding the coupling body and the coupling head to form the coupling sleeve in the second injection-molding stage, with mounting of the locking component on the coupling head and encapsulation of the fluid-line coupling and a further fluid line in a region of the second opening of the coupling sleeve which is provided for connection of further fluid lines.

Description

[0052] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be discussed in more detail below on the basis of the drawing.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a fluid-line coupling 1 according to the invention in a perspective illustration. The fluid-line coupling 1 has a coupling head 2 and a coupling body 3, wherein coupling head 2 and coupling body 3 are connected to one another in a fluid-tight and non-detachably materially bonded manner.

[0054] An onward-leading fluid line, a plastic hose 4 in this case, is pushed onto the coupling body 3. The plastic hose 4 is sealed off by a plastic ring 5 and is thereby connected in a fluid-tight and materially bonded manner to the coupling body 3.

[0055] Coupling head 2, coupling body 3 and plastic ring 5 are produced in a common apparatus (not shown here) by injection molding.

[0056] The fluid-line coupling 1 has a first end 6 for plugging-in of a coupling plug (not shown here). A locking component 7 which is in the form of a stamped and bent part is arrange on the coupling head 2. A spring-steel ring 70 forms the axial part of the locking component 7. The spring-steel ring 70 surrounds the coupling head 2 and has a slot 71. The slot 71 is necessary for being able to resiliently open out the spring-steel ring 70 for the purpose of mounting and of ensuring its functionality.

[0057] The coupling head 2 has distributed over the circumference a predetermined number of slots 20 which extend in a circumferential direction. The locking component 7 has latching claws 72 which extend radially into the interior of the fluid-line coupling 1 through the slots 20. The locking component 7 moreover has support tongues 73 which extend axially in the direction of the plug-in opening 6.

[0058] The coupling head 2 has distributed over the circumference a predetermined number of support webs 21 which are formed in the manner of ring segments and which correspond in terms of number and position to the support tongues 73.

[0059] At each latching claw 72, the locking component 7 has a reinforcement bead 74 in the transition from the latching claw 72 into the spring-steel ring 70, the reinforcement beads reinforcing the latching claws 72 with respect to the spring-steel ring 70.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows the coupling head 2 in a partial detail as a plan view. The view shows the fluid-line coupling 1 in a locked state. In this state, the fluid-line coupling 1 is subjected to tensile load axially by a coupling plug (not shown here) that has been plugged into the plug-in opening 6, this meaning that the locking component 7 is pulled in the direction of the plug-in opening 6 via the latching claws 72. Here, the support tongues 73 are pulled against the support webs 21 and are supported there.

[0061] At their in each case radially outer end, the support webs 21 have blocking noses 211 which point axially back from the plug-in opening 6. In this state, the support tongues 73 engage between the coupling head 2 and blocking noses 211, with the result that the support tongues cannot yield radially outward.

[0062] The coupling head 2 has ring segment-like blocking webs 22 which are spaced apart axially from the plug-in opening 6 and which point radially outward. In the position shown, the locking component 7 is pulled in the direction of the plug-in opening 6. In this way, on the other hand 21, a gap is formed between the spring-steel ring 70 and the blocking webs.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a sub-portion of the fluid-line coupling 1 according to the invention. The state shown here shows the coupling head 2 with locking component 7 in a state which represents the beginning of the pushing-in of a coupling plug (not shown here).

[0064] The locking component 7 is pushed axially in a direction away from the push-in opening, and abuts against the blocking webs 22 by way of its spring-steel ring 70. The support tongues 73 do not engage behind the blocking noses 211. Support webs 22. In this way, resilient opening-out of the spring-steel ring 70 in a radial direction is possible.

[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates, perspectively as a partial section, the coupling head 2 with loss of component 7 when looking into the push-in opening 6. A coupling plug is not illustrated. At a predetermined point on its circumference, the coupling head 2 has an aperture 23 into which a rotation-prevention tongue 75 of the locking component 7 engages. In this way, the locking component 7 is secured against rotation on the coupling head 2.

[0066] Some of the latching claws 72 have recesses 721 at their radially inner ends.

[0067] FIG. 5 shows the coupling head 2, likewise when looking into the push-in opening 6. Here, too, a coupling plug is not shown. The support webs 21 are arranged in such a way that they are situated obliquely in the circumferential direction, that is to say have a thread-like lead. The assigned support tongues 73 have correspondingly beveled ends 731.

[0068] The lead of the support webs 21 is configured in a manner analogous to a left-hand thread at one side and in a manner analogous to a right-hand thread at the other side. The lead direction switches at the rotation-prevention tongue 75, so that, by way of the leads of the support webs 21 with the leads of the support-tongue ends 731, under tensile loading, that is to say when the support-tongue ends 731 are pressed against the support webs 21, a circumferential force which is directed in the direction of a closure of the spring-steel ring 70 can be generated such that the locking component 7 does not open under loading.

[0069] In the region of the run-out of the gaps 21 in the coupling head 2, the coupling head 2 has, in part, saddle-shaped, radially outwardly projecting tips 24. In the case of manual opening of the locking component 7, the recesses 721 of the latching claws 72 can engage with the tips 24 with snap-in action, so that the locking component 7 can remain in the opened position.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows a partial detail of the coupling head 2 with the locking component 7. The coupling head 7 is of conical form, so that, between the coupling head 2 and the spring-steel ring 70, there is a gap 76 which decreases in the direction of the plug-in opening 6. Said gap 76 makes possible elastic, undulating deformation of the spring-steel ring 70.

[0071] FIG. 7 shows a partial section of the fluid-line coupling 1 according to the invention with a plugged-in coupling plug 8. The coupling head 2 and the coupling body 3 are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner by injection molding and form an annular gap 10 at a seam 9, which annular gap is provided for accommodating a seal (not shown here).

[0072] The coupling head 2 has distributed over its circumference and spaced apart from the push-in opening 6 radially inwardly projecting, axially extending, beveled support struts 25, of which only one is illustrated here.

[0073] The support struts 25 serve for supporting the coupling plug 8, with a conical portion 81, in the plugged-in state, such that said coupling plug cannot be pushed further into the fluid-line coupling 1.

[0074] FIG. 8 shows the fluid-line coupling 1 according to the invention in a cross section. The coupling plug 8 has been plugged into the coupling head 2, but has not yet been latched. The locking component 7 has been resiliently opened out.

[0075] The latching claws 72 have different radial lengths, that is to say they project into the plug-in opening 6 to different extents. The latching claws 72 which are directly adjacent to the gap 71 have the largest radial length, said latching claws being the first to be contacted, and displaced outward, by the coupling plug 8.

[0076] The latching claws 72 which are situated opposite the gap 71 have the second largest radial length. Said latching claws are the first to be displaced outward by the coupling plug 8 during further pushing-in. The remaining latching claws 72 have a significantly smaller radial length and are not contacted by the coupling plug 8.

[0077] This arrangement is necessary in order for the locking component 7 to be able to be opened in such a way that the coupling plug 8 can be pushed in completely. Thus, during the pushing-in of the coupling plug 8, the locking component 7 undergoes both a radial opening movement and an eccentric displacement and is guided in a defined position by way of the rotation-prevention means 75.

[0078] FIG. 9 shows the fluid-line coupling 1 in a locked position. The latching claws 72 have snapped back into their initial position and lock the coupling plug 8 such that the latter cannot be pushed out of the coupling head 2 again.

[0079] FIG. 10 shows the fluid-line coupling in a manually opened position. The coupling plug 8 is still pushed in, and the locking component 7 has been opened completely, that is to say beyond the open position which can be reached by way of the contact with the coupling plug 8. By way of this opening, the recesses 721 of the latching claws 72 latch onto the tips 24 of the coupling head 2, so that the locking component 7 does not snap back into its initial position of its own accord. Owing to the low height of the tips 24, the latching can be unlatched very easily, such that the vibration during renewed pushing-in of the coupling plug 8 can already suffice for this purpose.

[0080] A section through the fluid-line coupling 1 according to the invention in the region of a latching claw 72 is illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG. 11. The coupling plug 8 is pushed in, and the latching claws 72 are in the locking position.

[0081] At their radially inner ends, the latching claws 72 each have a blocking nose 722 which is directed axially back from the push-in opening 6. The blocking noses 722 here make it more difficult for the latching claws 72 to slide out from the slots 20 of the coupling head 2 during pushing-in of the coupling plug 8, since they get caught at the edge of the slot 20.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

Part of the Description

[0082] 1 Fluid-line coupling [0083] 2 Coupling head [0084] 20 Slot in the coupling head 2 [0085] 21 Support webs [0086] 211 Blocking noses of the support webs 21 [0087] 22 Blocking webs [0088] 23 Aperture [0089] 24 Tips [0090] 25 Support struts [0091] 3 Coupling body [0092] 4 Plastic hose [0093] 5 Plastic ring [0094] 6 Plug-in opening [0095] 7 Locking component [0096] 70 Spring-steel ring of the locking component 7 [0097] 71 Slot in the spring-steel ring 70 [0098] 72 Latching claws [0099] 721 Recesses of the latching claws 72 [0100] 722 Blocking noses of the latching claws 72 [0101] 73 Support tongues [0102] 731 Ends of the support tongues 73 [0103] 74 Reinforcement bead [0104] 75 Rotation-prevention tongue [0105] 76 Conical gap [0106] 8 Coupling plug [0107] 81 Cone of the coupling plug 8 [0108] 9 Seam between coupling head 2 and coupling body 3 [0109] 10 Annular gap