Fluid duct arrangement and connectors for a fluid duct

Abstract

A connector arrangement (100) for connecting a first tube (102) and a second tube (104) in a detachable manner has a first connector (110) and a second connector (130), wherein both connectors (110, 130) have a closed circumference. For establishing a connection between the first and second connectors (110, 130) an internal surface of a first circumferential portion (115) of the first connector (110) is arranged on an external surface of a first circumferential portion (135) of the second connector (130) and an external surface of a second circumferential portion (118) of the first connector (110) is arranged on an internal surface of a second circumferential portion (138) of the second connector (130). An air duct having such a connector arrangement (100) and connectors for such a connector arrangement (100) is disclosed.

Claims

1. A connector arrangement for connecting a first tube and a second tube of a fluid duct in a detachable manner, comprising a first connector; and a second connector, wherein both connectors have a closed circumference, wherein for establishing a connection between the first and second connectors an internal surface of a first circumferential portion of the first connector is arranged on an external surface of a first circumferential portion of the second connector; an external surface of a second circumferential portion of the first connector is arranged on an internal surface of a second circumferential portion of the second connector wherein one or both of the connectors have: a body having one or more openings in a first circumferential portion, and one or more protrusions arranged at a circumferential portion of the body opposite the first circumferential portion.

2. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors comprise one or more elements of a locking mechanism configured to lock the established connection of the first and second connectors.

3. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and second circumferential portions of the first connector, and/or the first and second circumferential portions of the second connector comprise one or more mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors in an axial direction.

4. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the interior surfaces of the first and second connectors comprise one or more steps which cooperate with one or more corresponding edges and/or end faces for locking the first and second connectors in axial direction.

5. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second connectors comprises a guiding portion for mutually guiding the first and second connectors in a direction generally perpendicular to an axial direction when establishing the connection.

6. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second connector comprises a first segment with a closed circumference and a second segment having a gap in a circumference of the second segment.

7. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the connectors are integrally formed with a tube.

8. The connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the connectors are attached to a tube.

9. An air duct comprising: a first tube; a second tube; and a connector arrangement according to claim 1, connecting the first tube to the second tube of the air duct.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein one or more steps are provided at an interior surface of the body.

11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein one or more notches are provided at an external surface of the body.

12. A connector for the connector arrangement for connecting the first tube to the second tube according to claim 1, comprising: a body having: one or more pins in a first circumferential portion; and one or more circumferential grooves arranged in a circumferential portion of the body opposite the first circumferential portion.

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein one or more steps are provided at an interior surface of the body projecting to an interior of the body.

14. The connector according to claim 13, wherein one or more clips are provided at an external surface of the body.

15. A connector arrangement for connecting a first tube and a second tube of a fluid duct in a detachable manner, comprising a first connector; and a second connector, wherein both connectors have a closed circumference, wherein for establishing a connection between the first and second connectors an internal surface of a first circumferential portion of the first connector is arranged on an external surface of a first circumferential portion of the second connector; an external surface of a second circumferential portion of the first connector is arranged on an internal surface of a second circumferential portion of the second connector wherein one or both of the connectors have: a body having one or more pins in a first circumferential portion, and one or more circumferential grooves arranged in a circumferential portion of the body opposite the first circumferential portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention together with the above-mentioned and other objects and advantages may best be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but not restricted to the embodiments, wherein is shown in:

(2) FIG. 1 an isometric view of a connection arrangement comprising a first and second connector according to a first embodiment of the invention where both connectors are manufactured by injection molding;

(3) FIG. 2 an isometric view of the first connector of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 an isometric view of the second connector of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 a cut view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1 in the process of establishing the connection;

(6) FIG. 5 a cut view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 a side view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 a cross-sectional view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 a top view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 an isometric view of a connection arrangement comprising a first and second connector according to another embodiment of the invention where the first connector is manufactured by injection molding and the second connector is manufactured by blow molding;

(11) FIG. 10 an isometric view of the first connector of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 an isometric view of the second connector of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

(13) FIG. 12 a cut view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9 of a first step in the process of establishing the connection;

(14) FIG. 13 a cut view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9 of a second step in the process of establishing the connection;

(15) FIG. 14 a cross-sectional view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

(16) FIG. 15 a top view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9;

(17) FIG. 16 a cross-sectional view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9; and

(18) FIG. 17 a top view of the connection arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(19) In the drawings, like elements are referred to with equal reference numerals. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Moreover, the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

(20) FIGS. 1 to 8 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a connection arrangement 100 comprising a first connector 110 and a second connector 130 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Both connectors 110, 130 are manufactured by injection molding. The other FIGS. 2 to 8 show various views of the connectors 110, 130 and the connection arrangement 100.

(21) The connector arrangement 100 may be used as an air duct of a combustion engine, in particular of a vehicle, connecting a first tube 102 and a second tube 104 of the air duct.

(22) The connector arrangement 100 is intended for connecting a first tube 102 and a second tube 104 in a detachable manner. The tubes 102, 104 are indicated schematically in FIGS. 6 and 8 as butts extending on both sides of the connector arrangement 100. The connectors 110, 130 may be formed integrally with the tubes 102, 104 or attached to the tubes 102, 104, e.g. by welding, clamping or the like.

(23) The first connector 110 and the second connector 130 both have a closed circumference and show a generally oval-like cross section with rounded circumferential portions 115, 118 connected by linear portions 116, 117 in the first connector 110 and rounded circumferential portions 135, 138 connected by linear portions 136, 137 in the second connector 130. The linear portions 116, 117 and 136, 137 act as mutual guiding surfaces of the connectors 110, 130 when the connection arrangement 100 is assembled.

(24) The first connector 110 comprises a body 111 displaying openings 113 in the rounded first circumferential portion 115 and a protrusion 114 arranged at the rounded second circumferential portion 118 of the body 111 opposite the first circumferential portion 115. The openings 113 are located in a segment 120 of the first circumferential portion 115 which projects in axial direction of the first connector 110. The openings 113 are intended to cooperate with corresponding pins 133 arranged at the first circumferential portion 135 of the second connector 130. The pins 133 and openings 113 are mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors 110, 130 in an axial direction.

(25) A ring segment 122 is projecting in the opposite axial direction for attaching the first tube 102. Alternatively, the ring segment 122 may be a part of the first tube 102.

(26) Although three openings 113 are shown it is to be understood that the number of openings 113 may vary from one to any convenient number of openings 113.

(27) On the interior surface of the first circumferential portion 115 a step 127 is arranged. The wall portion 125 of the body 111 between its end face 121 and the step 127 is intended to cooperate with a segment 145 of the second connector 130. The wall portion 125 comprises the rounded second circumferential portion 118 and the two linear portions 116, 117.

(28) Opposing the first circumferential portion 115 the second circumferential portion 118 is arranged which has a protrusion 114 in the wall portion of the body 111 between its end face 121 and the step 127 extending radially outside of the body 111. The protrusion 114 is intended to cooperate with a groove 134 of the second connector 130 extending in circumferential direction. The protrusion 114 and the groove 134 are mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors 110, 130 in an axial direction.

(29) At the interfaces between the first circumferential portion 115 and the two adjoining linear portions 116, 117 of the wall portion 125 two notches 112 are arranged at the exterior surface of the first connector 110. The notches 112 are intended to cooperate with two corresponding clips 132 of the second connector 130. The clips 132 and the notches 112 are elements of a catch mechanism for locking the established connection of the first and second connectors 110, 130.

(30) In an axial distance of the protrusion 114 a circumferential protrusion 119 is arranged which covers the circumferential direction of the wall portion 125. The protrusion 119 is intended to cooperate with an end face 139 of the second connector 130.

(31) The body 131 of the second connector 130 comprises a segment 140 and an abutting segment 145 in axial direction, the segment 140 having a closed circumference and the segment 145 having a gap in its circumference. For establishing the connection between the two connectors 110, 130, wall portion 125 of the first connector 110 is inserted into the second connector 130 through the circumferential gap of the second connector 130. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 4.

(32) The body 131 is displaying pins 133 in the rounded first circumferential portion 135 and a groove 134 arranged at the rounded second circumferential portion 138 of the body 131 opposite the first circumferential portion 135. The pins 133 are located in the closed segment 140 of the first circumferential portion 135. The pins 133 are intended to cooperate with the corresponding openings 113 arranged at the first circumferential portion 115 of the first connector 110. The pins 133 and openings 113 are mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors 110, 130 in an axial direction.

(33) The groove 134 is intended to cooperate with the protrusion 114 in the wall portion 125 of the first connector 110.

(34) A step 141 is provided at an interior surface of the body 131 projecting to an interior of the body 131. A front face 121 of the first connector 110 abuts against the step 141 when both connectors 110, 130 are fully connected to each other.

(35) For establishing the connection between the first and second connectors 110, 130, as shown in FIG. 7, the internal surface of the first circumferential portion 115 of the first connector 110 is arranged on the external surface of the first circumferential portion 135 of the second connector 130 and the external surface of the second circumferential portion 118 of the first connector 110 is arranged on the internal surface of the second circumferential portion 138 of the second connector 130.

(36) As shown in FIG. 4 the first connector 110 is inserted with its wall portion 125 through the gap in the segment 145 of the second connector 130 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection arrangement 100. The perpendicular direction is indicated by a bold arrow in FIG. 4. When the wall portion 125 of the first connector 110 is fully inserted in the second connector 130, the pins 133 engage with the openings 113 and the projection 114 of the first connector 110 engages with the groove 134 of the second connector 130.

(37) Simultaneously, the clips 132 of the second connector 130 slide over the notches 112 of the first connector 110 and lock the connection arrangement 100.

(38) Due to the form fitting elements groove 134/protrusion 114 and pins 133/openings 113 the connection arrangement 100 is able to tolerate high pulling forces. For locking or opening the connection arrangement 100, the clips 132 and the notches 112 are used which are not subject to pulling forces in axial direction because of the form fitting elements 114, 134 and 113, 133. While pulling forces are more likely to act in longitudinal, axial direction, forces for locking the connection act perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection arrangement 100. Thus the joint and locking functions are separate from each other.

(39) In FIGS. 9 to 17 a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in various views of a connection arrangement 100 and first and second connectors 110, 130, where FIG. 9 displays an isometric view of the connection arrangement 100 comprising a first connector 110 and second connector 130 according to another embodiment of the invention where the first connector 110 is manufactured by injection molding and the second connector 130 is manufactured by blow molding.

(40) The connector arrangement 100 may be used as an air duct of a combustion engine, in particular of a vehicle, connecting a first tube 102 and a second tube 104 of the air duct.

(41) The connector arrangement 100 is intended for connecting a first tube 102 and a second tube 104 in a detachable manner. The tubes 102, 104 are indicated schematically in FIGS. 15 and 17, for instance, as butts extending on both sides of the connector arrangement 100. The connectors 110, 130 may be formed integrally with the tubes 102, 104 or attached to the tubes 102, 104, e.g. by welding, clamping or the like.

(42) The first connector 110 and the second connector 130 both have a closed circumference and show a generally oval-like cross section with rounded circumferential portions 115, 118 connected by linear portions 116, 117 in the first connector 110 and rounded circumferential portions 135, 138 connected by linear portions 136, 137 in the second connector 130. The linear portions 116, 117 and 136, 137 act as mutual guiding surfaces of the connectors 110, 130 when the connection arrangement 100 is assembled.

(43) The first connector 110 comprises a body 111 displaying openings 113 in the rounded first circumferential portion 115 and a protrusion 114 arranged at the rounded second circumferential portion 118 of the body 111 opposite the first circumferential portion 115. The openings 113 are located in the first circumferential portion 115 of the first connector 110. The openings 113 are intended to cooperate with corresponding pins 133 arranged at the first circumferential portion 135 of the second connector 130. The pins 133 and openings 113 are mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors 110, 130 in an axial direction.

(44) A ring segment 122 is projecting in the opposite axial direction for attaching the first tube 102. Alternatively, the ring segment 122 may be a part of the first tube 102.

(45) Although one opening 113 is shown it is to be understood that the number of openings 113 may vary from one to any convenient number of openings 113.

(46) On the interior surface of the first circumferential portion 115 a step 127 is arranged. The step 127 is intended to cooperate with an end face 147 of the second connector 130.

(47) The wall portion 125 of the body 111 between its end face 121 and the step 127 is intended to cooperate with a segment 145 of the second connector 130. The wall portion 125 comprises the rounded second circumferential portion 118 and the two linear portions 116, 117.

(48) Opposing the first circumferential portion 115 the second circumferential portion 118 is arranged which has a protrusion 114 in the wall portion of the body 111 between its end face 121 and the step 127 extending radially outside of the body 111. The protrusion 114 is intended to cooperate with a groove 134 of the second connector 130 extending in circumferential direction. The protrusion 114 and the groove 134 are mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors 110, 130 in an axial direction.

(49) At the interfaces between the first circumferential portion 115 and the two adjoining linear portions 116, 117 of the wall portion 125 two notches 112 are arranged at the exterior surface of the first connector 110. The notches 112 are intended to cooperate with two corresponding clips 132 of the second connector 130. The clips 132 and the notches 112 are elements of a catch mechanism for locking the established connection of the first and second connectors 110, 130.

(50) In an axial distance of the protrusion 114 a circumferential protrusion 119 is arranged on the wall portion 125 which spans the circumferential extension of the wall portion 125.

(51) The protrusion 119 is intended to cooperate with an end face 139 of the second connector 130.

(52) The body 131 of the second connector 130 comprises a segment 140 and an abutting segment 145 in axial direction, the segment 140 having a closed circumference and the segment 145 having a gap in its circumference. For establishing the connection between the two connectors 110, 130, wall portion 125 of the first connector 110 is inserted into the second connector 130 through the circumferential gap of the second connector 130. This is shown in more detail in FIGS. 12 and 13.

(53) The body 131 displays a pin 133 in the rounded first circumferential portion 135 and a groove 134 arranged at the rounded second circumferential portion 138 of the body 131 opposite the first circumferential portion 135. The pin 133 is located in the closed segment 140 of the first circumferential portion 135. The pin 133 is intended to cooperate with the corresponding opening 113 arranged at the first circumferential portion 115 of the first connector 110. The pins 133 and openings 113 are mutually form fitting elements for locking the first and second connectors 110, 130 in an axial direction.

(54) The groove 134 is intended to cooperate with the protrusion 114 in the wall portion 125 of the first connector 110.

(55) The first circumferential portion 135 of the second connector 130 is provided with a ridge 144 on its exterior surface. The pin 133 is arranged between the ridge 144 and the end face 147 of the first circumferential portion 135. The ridge 144 is intended to cooperate with an end face 124 of the first connector 110. When properly mounted, the end face 124 of the first circumferential portion 115 of the first connector 110 adjoins the ridge 144 of the first circumferential portion 135 of the second connector 130.

(56) A step 141 is provided at an interior surface of the body 131 projecting to an interior of the body 131. A front face 121 of the first connector 110 abuts against the step 141 when both connectors 110, 130 are fully connected to each other.

(57) For establishing the connection between the first and second connectors 110, 130, as shown in FIG. 16, the internal surface of the first circumferential portion 115 of the first connector 110 is arranged on the external surface of the first circumferential portion 135 of the second connector 130 and the external surface of the second circumferential portion 118 of the first connector 110 is arranged on the internal surface of the second circumferential portion 138 of the second connector 130.

(58) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 the first connector 110 is inserted with its wall portion 125 through the gap in the segment 145 of the second connector 130 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection arrangement 100.

(59) In a first step, the connectors 110, 130 are moved together in axial direction (FIG. 12) in order to allow the wall portion 125 of the first connector 110 entering the second connector 130 and in a second step in a crosswise direction (FIG. 13) for allowing engagement of protrusion 114 and corresponding groove 134 and pin 133 and corresponding opening 113.

(60) The axial and crosswise directions are indicated by bold arrows in FIGS. 12 and 13. When the wall portion 125 of the first connector 110 is fully inserted in the second connector 130, the pin 133 engages with the opening 113 and the projection 114 of the first connector 110 engages with the groove 134 of the second connector 130. The movement combines an axial movement and a movement perpendicular to the axial direction.

(61) Simultaneously, the clips 132 of the second connector 130 slide over the notches 112 of the first connector 110 and lock the connection arrangement 100.

(62) Due to the form fitting elements groove 134/protrusion 114 and pin 133/opening 113 the connection arrangement 100 is able to tolerate high pulling forces. For locking or opening the connection arrangement 100, the clips 132 and the notches 112 are used which are not subject to pulling forces in axial direction because of the form fitting elements 114, 134 and 113, 133. While pulling forces are more likely to act in longitudinal, axial direction, forces for locking the connection act perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connection arrangement 100. Thus the joint and locking functions are separate from each other.