Press fitting for a pipe joint and assembly group for a press fitting

Abstract

A press fitting for a pipe connection is provided. The press fitting comprises a fitting body for connecting the press fitting to a pipe, a substantially cylindrical pressing sleeve fixed to the fitting body and having a pressing area, and a stop ring fixed to the pressing sleeve and limiting the pressing area in an axial direction of the press sleeve. The stop ring has a substantially cylindrical inner contour with protruding first regions and second regions receding from the first regions. The first areas of the first stop ring encompass an outer contour of the pressing sleeve in a clamping manner. The second areas of the stop ring are spaced from the outer contour of the pressing sleeve.

Claims

1. A press fitting for a pipe connection, comprising: a fitting body for connecting the press fitting to a pipe; a substantially cylindrical pressing sleeve fixed to the fitting body and having a pressing area; and a stop ring fixed to the pressing sleeve, which limits the pressing area in an axial direction of the pressing sleeve, wherein the stop ring has a substantially cylindrical inner contour with protruding first regions and second regions receding from the first regions, wherein the first areas of the stop ring encompass an outer contour of the pressing sleeve in a clamping manner, and wherein the second areas of the stop ring are spaced from the outer contour of the pressing sleeve.

2. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein: the pressing sleeve has a predetermined outside diameter d.sub.3 with a predetermined tolerance range; an inside diameter d.sub.1 between the first regions is smaller than the predetermined outer diameter d.sub.3 minus a negative tolerance; and an inside diameter d.sub.2 between the second areas is larger than the predetermined outer diameter d.sub.3 plus a positive tolerance.

3. The press fitting according to claim 2, wherein: the specified tolerance range is approximately 1% of a diameter of a pipe to be connected to the press fitting and/or at least 0.2 mm; the inside diameter d.sub.1 between the first areas is smaller by about 0.5% and/or at least 0.1 mm than the predetermined outer diameter d.sub.3 minus the negative tolerance; and the inside d.sub.2 between the second areas is approximately 0.5% and/or at least 0.1 mm larger than the specified outside diameter d.sub.3 plus the positive tolerance.

4. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein: the fitting body has a circumferential groove; and the pressing sleeve has, at a first axial end on the fitting side, a first projection pointing inwards in the radial direction, in particular a lip, which engages in the groove in the state fixed to the fitting body, so that the pressing sleeve is fixed directly to the fitting body.

5. The press fitting according to claim 4, wherein the pressing sleeve has, at a pipe-side second axial end, a second projection, in particular a flange, which points outwards in the radial direction and delimits the pressing region in the direction of the second axial end of the pressing sleeve.

6. The press fitting according to claim 4, wherein the pressing sleeve includes one or a plurality of slots extending from the first axial end towards the pressing area.

7. The press fitting according to claim 4, wherein: the stop ring is arranged at the first axial end of the pressing sleeve and limits the pressing area in the direction of the first axial end of the pressing sleeve; and the stop ring has a third projection pointing inward in the radial direction, in particular an open bottom face, which engages in the groove of the fitting body in the state fixed to the fitting body.

8. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein the first regions are connected to the second regions by arcuate transition regions.

9. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein the second areas are formed by a substantially cylindrical inner surface of the stop ring and the first areas are formed by webs projecting from the inner surface.

10. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein the connection ring comprises a plastic material, in particular a polymer material.

11. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein the pressing sleeve comprises a metal material, in particular stainless steel.

12. The press fitting according to claim 1, wherein the fitting body comprises a metal material and/or a plastic material, in particular a polymer material.

13. An assembly group for a press fitting, comprising: a substantially cylindrical pressing sleeve having a pressing area; and a stop ring fixed to a first axial end of the pressing sleeve, which ring limits the pressing area in an axial direction of the pressing sleeve, wherein the stop ring has a substantially cylindrical inner contour with protruding first regions and second regions receding from the first regions, wherein the first areas of the stop ring encompass an outer contour of the pressing sleeve in a clamping manner, and wherein the second areas of the stop ring are spaced from the outer contour of the press sleeve.

14. The press-fitting of claim 1, comprising an assembly group including the substantially cylindrical pressing sleeve and the stop ring fixed to a first axial end of the pressing sleeve.

Description

[0031] The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of various embodiment examples with reference to the attached figures. The same reference signs denote the same or similar components of different embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a press fitting with a stop ring.

[0033] FIGS. 2 to 4 show different representations of a stop ring according to FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows the press fitting according to FIG. 1 in the assembled state.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the press fitting according to FIG. 5.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows an alternative design of a stop ring.

[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 show different views of another stop ring.

[0038] FIG. 10 shows the assembly of a mounting group on a fitting body.

[0039] FIG. 11 schematically shows a method of assembling a press fitting.

[0040] FIG. 12 shows a first press fitting according to the state of the art.

[0041] FIG. 13 shows a second press fitting according to the state of the art.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a press fitting 1. The press fitting 1 has a fitting body 2, a stop ring 3 and a pressing sleeve 4.

[0043] In the embodiment example, the fitting body 2 is a straight, essentially cylindrical coupling for connecting two pipes with the same diameter. Of course, other fitting bodies, such as angled couplings, T-pieces or couplings for connecting pipes with different diameters, are also possible.

[0044] The fitting body 2 may be made from a plastic mold, such as a polymer material, or from a metal material. The surface of the fitting body 2 has a number of protrusions and grooves which ensure secure and tight pressing of a pipe not shown in FIG. 1, for example a plastic, metal or composite pipe, to the fitting body 2. For this purpose, further sealing elements not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity may be applied to the fitting body 2.

[0045] The fitting body 2 comprises a central area 5 and two opposing connection areas 6a and 6b. In the central area 5, adjacent to the respective connection area 6a and 6b, grooves 7a and 7b are provided, respectively, which serve to engage with first projections in the form of lips 8 projecting inwardly from the pressing sleeve 4.

[0046] The pressing sleeve 4 is typically made of a metal material, in particular stainless steel. To reduce a force required to engage the pressing sleeve 4 with the fitting body 2, a first axial end 9 of the pressing sleeve 4 is provided with a plurality of slots 10. The slots 10 facilitate an expansion of the first axial end 9 when the pressing sleeve 4 is pushed onto the fitting body 2. Thereby, the first axial end 9 of the pressing sleeve 4 points in the direction of the central area 5 of the fitting body 2 and can thus also be referred to as the proximal end. Before the pressing sleeve 4 is applied to the fitting body 2, the stop ring 3 is first mounted on it.

[0047] The stop ring 3 is typically made of a plastic tool, in particular a polymer material, and delimits a pressing area 11 of the pressing sleeve 4 at the first axial end 9 of the pressing sleeve 4. At the opposite, distal or second axial end 12 of the pressing sleeve 4, the pressing area 11 is delimited in the illustrated embodiment example by a second projection in the form of a flange 13 of the pressing sleeve 4 itself. During pressing of the press fitting 1, pressing jaws of a pressing tool not shown in the figures act on the pressing area 11 of the pressing sleeve 4 and thus establish a positive connection between the fitting body 3, a pipe end inserted into the press fitting and the pressing sleeve 4.

[0048] In order to securely fasten the stop ring 3 to the pressing sleeve 4 even before the pressing sleeve 4 is mounted on the fitting body 2, the stop ring 3 has an inner contour 14 on the sleeve side which is used to create a clamp connection.

[0049] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inner contour 14 in the illustrated embodiment example has a total of eight protruding, first areas 15. The stop ring 3 can deform slightly when it is pushed onto the first axial end 9 of the pressing sleeve 4. In particular, the first areas 15 create a tight fit.

[0050] For this purpose, a first inner diameter d.sub.1 of a remaining clear area between the first areas 15 is dimensioned so that it is smaller than an outer diameter d.sub.3 of the pressing sleeve 4 shown in FIG. 6 plus a possible negative manufacturing tolerance. For example, a pressing sleeve for a tube diameter of 25 mm diameter may have a tolerance range of approximately 0.25 mm, i.e. approximately 1% of the nominal diameter. In this case, the first inner diameter d.sub.1 between end faces of the first areas 15 is dimensioned in such a way that even with a minimum permissible outer diameter of the pressing sleeve 4, an overlap of 0.1 mm remains for providing a clamping force. Conversely, there is an overlap of 0.35 mm for a maximum permissible outer diameter of the pressing sleeve 4.

[0051] In contrast, a second inner diameter d.sub.2 between two opposing, most recessed parts of the second areas 16 is dimensioned so large that in each case a clearance remains between an outer surface of the pressing sleeve 4 and a corresponding second area 16 of the inner contour 14 of the stop ring 3. For example, a minimum clearance of 0.1 mm remains within the tolerance range in the case of a maximum outer diameter of the pressing sleeve 4 and a maximum clearance of 0.35 mm remains within the tolerance range in the case of a minimum outer diameter of the pressing sleeve 4.

[0052] In the embodiment example according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first areas 15 are connected to the second areas 16 by transition areas 30 with an arc-shaped cross section, in which the inner diameter of the stop ring 3 increases continuously. The advantage of this design is that the arcuate transition regions 30 are mechanically particularly stable. Furthermore, the protruding first areas 15 are designed to be so wide that they do not completely enter the slots 10 of the pressing sleeve 4 when the stop ring 3 is fitted.

[0053] In the cross-section according to FIG. 4, it can be seen that a first side 17 of the stop ring 3, which faces the pressing area 11 in the assembled state, has a first chamfer 18. The first chamfer 18 enables centering and easy fitting of the stop ring 3 onto the first axial end 9 of the pressing sleeve 3.

[0054] Furthermore, it can be seen that an opposite second side 19 of the stop ring 3, which faces the central region 6 of the fitting body 2 in the assembled state, has a fitting-side inner contour 20 with a second chamfer 21. The second chamfer 21 serves, among other things, to center an assembly group comprising the stop ring 3 and the pressing sleeve 4 when it is mounted on the fitting body 2. An arcuate outer contour 22 of the stop ring 3 continuously connects the outer diameter of the first side 17 to the outer diameter of the second side 19, so that there are no steps in the cross section. The sleeve-side inner contour 14 and the fitting-side inner contour 20 are separated from each other by an inwardly projecting third projection, which at the same time forms an open bottom face 23 of the sleeve-side inner contour 14 and limits a maximum insertion depth of the pressing sleeve 4.

[0055] In the assembled state according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the third projection or the open bottom face 23 of the stop ring 3, as shown in the cross-section of FIG. 6, can engage fully or partially in the groove 7 of the fitting body 2. If appropriately dimensioned, it can also rest on a surface of the fitting body 2 outside the groove 7. In the embodiment example, it limits the fitting depth of the assembly when the pressing sleeve 4 is applied to the connection area 6a by the second side 19 of the stop ring 3 abutting against an end face 35 of the central area 5.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows an alternative design of a sleeve-side inner contour 14 of a stop ring 3. Deviating from the stop ring 3 according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the inner contour 14 according to FIG. 7 comprises a substantially cylindrical inner surface 24 and webs 25 arranged thereon. In the embodiment example, a total of eight such webs 25 are present, which form the first areas 15 of the stop ring 1. The intermediate sections of the cylindrical inner surface 24 form the second areas 16. With regard to their dimensions, reference is made to what has been said above.

[0057] In the following, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, a further aspect of the fitting-side inner contour 20 according to a further embodiment of a connection ring is described. In this embodiment, the fitting-side inner contour 20 has a protruding element 26 arranged in a relatively small circular segment 27 of the stop ring 3. In the remaining part, corresponding to a larger circular segment 31, the stop ring 3 has a constant cross-section. In this context, protruding means that a surface of the element 26 facing the center of the stop ring 3 protrudes beyond a surrounding surface of the fitting-side inner contour 20 or the constant cross section in the circular segment 31.

[0058] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the element 26 may be formed as a tab 33 projecting radially inwardly from the inner circumference of the stop ring 3, that is, perpendicular to its axis of symmetry. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the element 26 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 as an insertion chamfer 32 that can also form part of the second chamfer 21. In this case, an obliquely inwardly inclined surface of the insertion chamfer 32 in the region of the smaller circular segment 27 in which the element 26 is formed is either displaced inwardly parallel to a surface of the chamfer 21 or has a greater inclination in the insertion direction than the second chamfer 21 of the fitting-side inner contour 20.

[0059] In particular, the element 26 serves to cause a relative tilting of their axes when the pressing sleeve 4 with the connection ring 3 fitted thereon is placed on a connection area 6 of the fitting body 2.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, an assembly group 28, comprising the pressing sleeve 4 and the connection ring 3, stands upright and with its first axial end 9 pointing upwards on a flat surface, such as a holding device of a machine tool. Next, a fitting body 2 with a downwardly facing connection portion 6 is inserted substantially vertically from above into the opening of the assembly group 28. Here, the axial directions of the mounting group 28 and the fitting body 2 initially coincide.

[0061] As soon as the second side 19 of the fitting ring 3 encounters a circumferential rib 29 located in front of the groove 7, the element 26, in the form of a tab 33 in FIG. 10, causes an asymmetrical distribution of force which, as shown, results in a slight relative tilting of the central axis A.sub.F of the fitting area 6 with respect to the axis of symmetry A.sub.S of the assembly group 28 or of the pressing sleeve 4. For example, the fitting body 2 can be tilted by approximately 2 to 5°.

[0062] This has the effect that the segments 34 of the pressing sleeve 4 formed between the slots 10 of the pressing sleeve 4 with lips 8 formed thereon expand slightly one after the other in time during latching. This considerably reduces the forces required to connect the assembly group 28 to the fitting body 2 and thus facilitates the insertion of the connection area 6 into the assembly group 28.

[0063] Under test conditions, the assembly forces for a press fitting 1 for a nominal pipe diameter of 25 mm could be reduced to a press-in force of 242 N by an offset or tilted insertion of the connection area 6 into the assembly group 28, compared to a press-in force of approximately 2100 N for a coaxial press-in, which considerably facilitates the assembly of the press fitting 1. For a nominal pipe diameter of 32 mm, the press-in force was reduced from 1500 N to 314 N. This reduction in the forces occurring during assembly has the additional advantage that damage to the fitting body 2 can be avoided, especially when plastic materials are used for the fitting body 2.

[0064] As soon as the assembly process is completed, i.e. as soon as the second side 19 of the stop ring 3 abuts against an end face 35 formed by the central area 5, the pressing sleeve 4 and the fitting body 2 align coaxially again. Thus, the offset or tilted application of the assembly group 28 does not adversely affect its alignment or the secure attachment of the pressing sleeve 4 to the fitting body 2.

[0065] FIG. 11 schematically shows the steps of a process for assembling a press fitting 1.

[0066] First, a pressing sleeve 4 with a predetermined nominal diameter is provided in a step S1. This diameter can vary within a predetermined tolerance range by a specific negative and/or positive tolerance value. Preferably, the pressing sleeve 4 has one or more protrusions, such as lips 8 in particular, for direct engagement with a fitting body 2.

[0067] In a subsequent step S2, a stop ring 3 is fitted onto the pressing sleeve 4 at a first axial end 9. Preferably, this is fastened to the pressing sleeve 4, for example by providing raised first areas 15 and recessed second areas 16, which result in the stop ring 3 jamming against the pressing sleeve 4. Alternatively, other connections, in particular form-fit connections, are also possible.

[0068] In a further step S3, the assembly group 28 of the pressing sleeve 4 produced in this way, with the stop ring 3 attached to it, is applied to a connection area 6 of a fitting body 2. This can be done, for example, by an industrial automatic fitting machine.

[0069] In a step S4, the longitudinal axes of the fitting body 2 and the assembly group 28 are tilted relative to each other. This can be ensured, for example, by appropriate control of an automatic placement machine or a press die or, as previously described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, by provision of a corresponding fitting-side inner contour 20 with a protruding element 26.

[0070] Subsequently, in a step S5, the assembly group 28 is further pushed or pressed onto the fitting body 2, and the pressing sleeve 4 is locked to the fitting body 2, for example by engaging lips 8 in a corresponding groove 7 of the fitting body 2.

[0071] In the described embodiment examples, the stop ring 3 remains intact during the actual pressing of the pressing sleeve 4 with a pipe end, since the pressing tool does not exert any force on the stop ring 3 in a radial pressing direction. Provided that an indication of the pressing is desired, the described press fitting 1 can be provided, for example, with a tubular banderole as a pressing identification. The application and advantages of such a band 114, as shown for example in FIG. 12, have already been described in detail in DE 2018 109 555 B3. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the disclosure thereof and the same is incorporated by reference in the present description.

[0072] The sleeve-side inner contour 14 described above on the side of the stop ring 3 facing the pressing area 11 and the fitting-side inner contour 20 on the side of the stop ring 3 facing the fitting body 2 can be combined with each other as described above. However, each of the inner contours 14 and 20 also has the described effects and advantages on its own and can therefore also be implemented individually.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0073] 1 press fitting

[0074] 2 fitting body

[0075] 3 connection ring

[0076] 4 pressing sleeve

[0077] 5 central area

[0078] 6, 6a, 6b connection area

[0079] 7, 7a, 7b groove

[0080] 8 lip (first protrusion)

[0081] 9 first axial end

[0082] 10 slot

[0083] 11 press area

[0084] 12 second axial end

[0085] 13 flange (second protrusion)

[0086] 14 (sleeve side) inner contour

[0087] 15 first area

[0088] 16 second area

[0089] 17 first side

[0090] 18 first chamfer

[0091] 19 second side

[0092] 20 (fitting side) inner contour

[0093] 21 second chamfer

[0094] 22 outer contour

[0095] 23 open bottom face (third protrusion)

[0096] 24 inner surface of the cylinder

[0097] 25 web

[0098] 26 element

[0099] 27 (small) circular segment

[0100] 28 assembly group

[0101] 29 rib

[0102] 30 transition area

[0103] 31 (larger) circular segment

[0104] 32 insertion chamfer

[0105] 33 tab

[0106] 34 segment (of the pressing sleeve)

[0107] 35 end face