COUPLING ELEMENT FOR CONNECTING FLUID CONDUCTING CONDUITS AND CORRESPONDING COUPLING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A coupling element for connecting a first conduit with a second conduit, includes a tubular body, a valve element arranged in the tubular body for displacement between a sealing position in which the valve element interacts with a valve seat thereby closing the coupling element, and a release position in which the valve element releases a flow connection through the coupling element; and at least one actuating arm engaging on the valve element, said at least one actuating arm traversing a wall of the tubular body in a radial direction and protruding radially over the tubular body so that when a counter coupling element coupled with the second conduit or the second conduit is pushed onto the coupling element the counter coupling element or the second conduit exerts a force on the actuating arm so that the valve element is urged from the sealing position in a direction of the release position.

Claims

1. A coupling element for connecting a first fluid conducting conduit with a second fluid conducting conduit, said coupling element comprising: a tubular body having a wall; a leak protection including a valve element arranged in the tubular body and displaceable in the tubular body between a sealing position in which the valve element rests against a valve seat to inhibit a fluid flow through the coupling element, and a release position in which the valve element is removed from the valve seat to permit a fluid flow through the coupling element; and an actuating arm operably connected to the valve element, said actuating arm being configured to traverse the wall of the tubular body in a radial direction and to extend beyond the tubular body in the radial direction so as to allow application of a force to move the valve element from the sealing position towards the release position.

2. The coupling element of claim 1, constructed for connection into the second fluid conducting conduit, said valve element moving from the sealing position to the release position, when the force is applied as the second fluid conducting conduit is pushed onto the coupling element.

3. The coupling element of claim 1, constructed for connection into a counter coupling element which is coupled with the second conduit, said valve element moving from the sealing position to the release position, when the force is applied as the counter coupling element is pushed onto the coupling element.

4. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the tubular body has a receptacle for receiving the actuating arm, said receptacle being formed in the wall of the tubular body with a closed rim and completely traverses the wall in radial direction.

5. The coupling element of claim 4, further comprising a latching element arranged adjacent the receptacle, said latching element being adapted to interact with a counter latching element of the counter coupling element to thereby fix the coupling element relative to the counter coupling element or to form an end stop for the second conduit.

6. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the valve element has a bearing part, wherein a ratio between dimensions of the bearing part in axial direction and dimensions of the bearing part in radial direction is at least 1.5, said bearing part and having at least two bearing surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in axial direction and each rest against an inner circumferential surface of the tubular body.

7. The coupling element of claim 6, wherein the ratio is at least 1.75.

8. The coupling element of claim 6, wherein the ratio is at least 2.0

9. The coupling element of claim 6, wherein the ratio is at least 2.25

10. The coupling element of claim 6, wherein the ratio is at least 2.5.

11. The coupling element of claim 1, wherein the valve element has a closing part, which in the sealing position of the valve element rests against the valve seat and in the release position is spaced apart for the valve seat.

12. The coupling element of claim 1, further comprising a spring exerting a spring force on the valve element, which urges the valve element toward the sealing position.

13. The coupling element of claim 12, wherein the spring exerts the spring force on the closing part of the valve element.

14. The coupling element of claim 12, further comprising a latching body, which is latchingly fastened in the tubular body, wherein on a side of the spring that faces away from the valve element the spring engages on the latching body.

15. The coupling element of claim 12, wherein on the side of the spring that faces away from the valve element the spring is supported on the first conduit.

16. The coupling element of claim 6, wherein the bearing part is traversed in axial direction by a flow channel which is fluidly connected with a radial channel formed between the bearing part and the closing part.

17. The coupling element of claim 6, wherein the valve element has a closing part, which in the sealing position of the valve element rests against the valve seat and in the release position is spaced apart for the valve seat, said bearing part and said closing part being interconnected via at least one web, with the radial channel being arranged adjacent the web or being formed in the web.

18. A coupling arrangement for connecting a first fluid conducting conduit with a second fluid conducting conduit, said coupling arrangement, comprising: a coupling element, said coupling element comprising a tubular body, a leak protection including a valve element arranged in the tubular body and displaceable in the tubular body between a sealing position in which the valve element rests against a valve seat to inhibit a fluid flow through the coupling element, and a release position in which the valve element is removed from the valve seat to permit a fluid flow through the coupling element; and an actuating arm operably connected to the valve element, said actuating arm being configured to traverse a wall of the tubular body in a radial direction and to extend beyond the tubular body in the radial direction; and a counter coupling element, wherein the counter coupling element engages with the actuating when the counter coupling is pushed onto the coupling arm so that the valve element is urged from the sealing position in a direction of the release position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view o though a coupling element wherein a valve element of a leak protection is arranged in a sealing position, and

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the coupling element, which engages in a counter coupling element, wherein the valve element is arranged in a release position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a part of a coupling arrangement 1, i.e., a coupling element 2. The coupling arrangement 1 serves for connecting a first fluid conducting conduit 3 with a here not shown second conduit 4. The first conduit 3 is hereby arranged in the coupling element 2 or can be connected therewith. In particular the first conduit 3 is inserted into the coupling element 2 where it is held in a form fitting manner. The coupling element 2 has a tubular body 5 which can for example be fastened by mean s of a tube bracket 6 or the like, for example on a motor vehicle part.

[0037] In order to prevent leakage of a fluid out of the first conduit or the coupling element 2 when the coupling element 2 is not connected with the second conduit 4 a leak protection 7 is proved. The leak protection has a valve element 8, which is supported for displacement in the tubular body 5, in particular in axial direction relative to a longitudinal center axis 9 of the coupling element 2. The valve element 8 in particular a closing part 10 of the vale element 8 interacts in a closing position with a valve seat 11 in order to interrupt a flow connection through the coupling element 2 or to close the coupling element 2 so that no fluid can exit from the first conduit 3 though the coupling element 2.

[0038] When on the other hand the valve element 8 is displaced out of the sealing position, in particular into the release position the flow connection though the coupling element 2 is released. In the release position the closing part 10 insofar is spaced apart from the valve seat 1. The valve seat 11 can for example be formed by the coupling element 2 or the tubular body 5 itself. However particular preferably a valve seat element 12 is inserted into the tubular body 5 by which the valve seat 11 is formed. The valve seat element 12 is preferably formed by a more elastic material than the tubular body 5 so that the sealing effect is improved.

[0039] The valve element 8 is impinged by a spring 13 with a spring force, which urges the valve element 8 in the direction of the sealing position or into the sealing position. On the side of the spring which faces away form the valve element 8 the spring 13 is for example supported on a latching body 14 which is form fittingly in the tubular body 5 by means of one or multiple latching elements 15 or latching arms. For example the latching element 15 or the latching elements 15 for this purpose engage in latching recesses 16 that are formed in the tubular body 5.

[0040] Beside the closing part 10 the valve element 8 has a bearing part 17. The bearing part is preferably completely arranged in the cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical, region of the tubular body 5 and serves for reliable support of the valve element 8. The bearing part 17 has at least two bearing surfaces 18 that are spaced apart in axial direction relative to he longitudinal center axis 9 and rest against an inner circumferential surface 19 of the tubular body 5 for supporting the valve element 8, in particular continuous in circumferential direction. On the bearing part 17 sealing receptacles 20 with gaskets 21 arranged therein can be formed. The gaskets 21 are preferably configured as sealing rings, i.e., they completely embrace the vale element 8 in circumferential direction. The gaskets 21 hereby rest on one side sealingly against the vale element 8 and on the other side sealingly in the inner circumferential surface 19 of the tubular body 5.

[0041] For displacement f he valve element 8 form the sealing position in the direction of the release position or into the release position at least one actuating arm 22 is provided in the here shown exemplary embodiment multiple actuating arms 22. When multiple actuating arms 22 are present these are preferably arranged evenly distributed over the circumference of the vale element 8. In the following only always one actuating arm 22 is discussed. Of course according to the description above multiple actuating arms 22 can be present.

[0042] The actuating arm 22 protrudes out of the tubular body 5, in particular in radial direction. It traversed for this an actuating arm receptacle 23, which is formed in the tubular body 5. Preferably each of the actuating arms 22 is assigned such an actuating arm receptacle 23. The actuating arm receptacle 23 is present with a closed border in a wall 24 of the tubular body 5 and traverses this wall completed in radial direction. For example the actuating arm receptacle 23 is hereby configured so that it fixes the actuating arm 22 in circumferential direction. For this purpose it has the same or similar dimensions in circumferential direction as the actuating arm 22 arranged on it.

[0043] Adjacent the actuating arm receptacle 23 a latching element 25 is arranged, in particular formed one-piece with and/or made of the same material as, the tubular body 5. The latching element 25 serves for establishing a form fitting connection between a counter coupling element 26, which is fluidly connected with the second conduit 4 (here not shown) or as an end stop for the second conduit 4 itself.

[0044] For example the actuating arm 22 is fastened on a base body 27. When multiple actuating arms 22 are provided for example all actuating arms 22 are fastened in the base body 27 for example one-piece with and/or made of the same material as the base body. The base body 27 can be configured as an annular ring and embrace the valve element 8, in particular the bearing part 17 in circumferential direction at least partially, preferably completely.

[0045] Preferably the valve element 8 has a radial protrusion 28 with which the base body 27 can come into contact with one of its end sides. The base body 27 can thus generally be freely displaced together with the actuating arms 23. However, when the base body 27 is displaced in the direction of the radial protrusion 28 and comes into contact with the radial protrusion the base body 27 urges the valve element 8 in the direction of the release position or into the release position upon further displacement. The actuating arms 22 and/or the base body 27 can also be fastened on or be configured one-piece with and/or made of the same material as the valve element 8.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the coupling arrangement 1. Shown is again the coupling element 2 and additionally the counter coupling element 26 with pushed-on second conduit 4. It can be seen that a latching device 29 of the counter coupling element 26 when pushing the counter coupling element 26 onto the coupling element 2 interacts with the actuating arm 22 and urges the actuating arm 22 in the direction of the first conduit 3. Correspondingly the base body 27 is urged against the radial protrusion 28 and the valve element 8 is displaced from the sealing position into the here shown release position. In this release position the flow connection through the coupling element 2 is released. Correspondingly fluid can flow from the first conduit 3 into the second conduit 4.

[0047] The flow connection hereby extends through a radial channel 30, which is formed between the bearing part 17 and the closing part 10. For this purpose for example the bearing part 17 and the closing part 10 are interconnected spaced apart by at least one web 31. Preferably the closing part 10, the bearing part 17 and the web 31 are configured one-piece with each other and/or of the same material as each. On the radial channel 30 adjoins a flow channel 32, which is preferably coaxial to the longitudinal center axis 9. The flow channel 32 completely traverses the bearing part 17 in axial direction. Through the radial channel 30 and the flow channel 32 a flow connection between the first conduit 3 and the side of the coupling element 2 that faces away from the first conduit or the coupling element 26 and thus the second conduit 4 is established or can be established.

[0048] Particularly preferably the coupling element 2 is entirely made of plastic. In particular the tubular body 5, the valve element 8 and the actuating arm 22 are made of a plastic material, wherein either the same plastic material or different plastic materials can be used.

[0049] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: