WO2000014444A1

WO2000014444A1 - Single-piece fast connector with reduced space requirement

Info

Publication number: WO2000014444A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/002063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Poder
Original assignee: Legris Sa
Priority date: 1998-09-02
Filing date: 1999-08-30
Publication date: 2000-03-16
Also published as: CA2341571A1; KR20010072860A; JP2002524713A; CZ2001477A3; FR2782773A1; AU5426999A; FR2782773B1; BR9913295A; EP1110021A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a fast connector for pipes comprising a tubular connecting end piece divided along a longitudinal axis (4) of said end piece into a first part (1) fixed to the pipe (T) and a second part (2) designed to co-operate with the duct (C) and a retaining member (5), inserted between the element and the end piece, and elastically deformable between an inoperative state locking the connection of the element end piece and an operative state for releasing said connection. The retaining member (5) is in a single piece with the end piece and comprises a plate (9) extending substantially parallel to the end piece longitudinal axis (4) and radially spaced from the second part (2) thereof having at its free end (10) a catching projection (12) and an element for operating (11) the plate between the inoperative state and the controlled operative state comprising a lever made of a single piece with the plate (9), the element (6) comprising at least one catching tooth (13) behind which, in the direction coupling the end piece with said element, the plate (9) projecting part (12) is urged to be housed.

Description

One-piece quick connector with reduced overall dimensions.

The present invention relates to a quick connector intended to be used in circuits conducting pressurized fluids to connect two elements of the circuit to one another, such as pipes, or a pipe to a transmitter or receiver of a fluid.

A quick connector of the known type generally comprises a connection end piece with a male part and a female part opposite and coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the connector. Each of these parts is intended to be coupled to one of the elements to be connected, that is to say to be force fitted into a tube for the male part (with fir tree teeth assembly and / or bonding and / or welding and / or clamp) and to receive for the female part, the element to be connected: either the end piece of another tube, or the end piece of any other member, and this in a removable and lockable manner. In order to avoid accidental disconnection, the quick connector comprises a retaining member, associated with the female part, movable or elastically deformable between a locking position in which the retaining member cooperates with a groove formed on the end piece of the 'other tube or part to be connected to keep it coupled with the female part and an unlocked position in which the retaining member is released from the groove to allow the disconnection of the element (member or other tube) concerned.

Commonly, a retaining member is produced in the form of an attached ring in a housing adjacent to the inlet orifice of the female part. The ring is held in its locking position by an elastic return member to the effect of which it is necessary to oppose when connecting or disconnecting with the element. Such a retainer allows effective retention of the pipe in the connected position. However, the presence of the ring on the endpiece requires a relatively complex structure to provide housing for the ring. and a mounting operation of the ring on the connector, which makes this connector relatively expensive.

To overcome this drawback, a quick connector has been produced comprising a retaining member produced in the form of a deformable ring, in one piece with the connector, having diametrically opposite internal radial projections to cooperate with a flange carried by the element inserted in the female part of the nozzle. The deformable ring is connected by two tabs to the female part of the element at the level of the entry orifice thereof so as to extend coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the connector. Thus, the quick connector comprises a minimum of parts limiting assembly operations and allows effective retention of the pipe in the end piece. However, such a quick connector has, due to the presence of the deformable ring, relatively large transverse dimensions requiring the availability of a corresponding space to allow its implantation in the installation. In addition, to release the pipe from the end piece, it is necessary to manually exert pressure on the ring in two diametrically opposite zones in a direction perpendicular to that of the projections. Once the connector is installed on the circuit, it is therefore necessary to have sufficient free space around the connector to allow the passage of two operator fingers on either side of the connector or of an appropriate tool. However, in installations comprising such circuits and for example in the engine compartment of automobiles, it is frequent that the free space around the connector is particularly reduced. It is then difficult to reach the deformable ring to operate the disconnection and the operator risks having to forcefully extract the connected element and damage the connector retaining member. It will then be necessary to replace the connector whole, or even the pipe, except to leave this connector in place and run the risk of accidental disconnection.

There therefore exists a need that has not yet been conveniently solved for a quick connector, of simple structure and relatively inexpensive, provided with a retaining means, the operation of which can be carried out in a reduced space around the quick connector once the latter implanted in the fluid circuit. To this end, provision is made, according to the invention, for a quick connector for connecting at least one pipe to a channel formed in an element comprising a tubular connection end piece divided along a longitudinal axis of this end piece in a first part subject to the pipe and in a second part intended to cooperate with the channel and a retaining member, interposed between the element and the end piece, and elastically deformable between a state of rest locking the connection of the end piece and the element and a commanded state of unlocking of this link. The retaining member is in one piece with the end piece and comprises, on the one hand, a blade extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end piece and radially spaced from the second part of the latter with at its free end a hooking projection and, on the other hand, a blade operating element between the rest state and the controlled state comprising a lever in one piece with the blade, the element comprising at least one hooking tooth behind which, in the direction of coupling of the nozzle to this element, is housed the projecting part of the blade.

Thus, the retaining member has a particularly simple structure allowing it to be made in one piece with the end piece, so that the number of pieces of the connector is limited and that its manufacture is inexpensive. Due to the arrangement of the operating element on a longitudinal side of the connector, the connector has a small footprint and the operating element can be accessible even when the free space around the connector is reduced. In addition, the structure of the locking member according to the invention allows connections to be made between a tube with end piece and any member which is not necessarily of tubular shape as required by the known locking ring.

According to a particular embodiment, the blade is carried by the endpiece by means of a connecting tab implanted between the two parts of the endpiece, the control lever being formed by an extension of the blade beyond this attachment tab. The structure of the retaining member is then particularly simple. Furthermore, the connector comprises a removable means for locking out the operation of the control lever. The coupling of the connected elements is therefore particularly resistant and any risk of accidental disconnection is eliminated. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

Reference will be made to the appended drawings, among which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are views in perspective of a quick connector according to a first embodiment of the invention, the connector being coupled to a Extremists ^¬ moth behavior, - Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, according to plane III of FIG. 2, of the connector according to the first embodiment,

- Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a connector according to a variant of the first embodiment, the connector being associated with a means of blocking of the blade in the locked position,

- Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views, front and rear, of a quick connector according to a second embodiment according to the invention, - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a quick connector according to a third mode of carrying out the invention,

FIG. 8 is a view in longitudinal section, along the plane VIII of FIG. 7, of the quick connector according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a quick connector according to a fourth embodiment,

- Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view, along the plane X of Figure 9, of the connector according to the fourth embodiment.

With reference to the figures, a quick connector according to the invention comprises a tubular connection end-piece, with two parts designated 1 and 2, connected to each other by an intermediate part 3 so as to be coaxial with a longitudinal axis 4 common. A deformable member, generally designated at 5, for mutual retention of an element 6 and of the connected endpiece is integral with the intermediate part 3.

The end piece 1, 2, 3 and the retaining member 5 are made in one piece, for example by injection or overmolding of a plastic material.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, and according to the first embodiment, part 1 of the endpiece is male and has an external surface provided, in a manner known per se, with annular fir teeth 7, and part 2 is also male and has an external surface having a groove receiving an O-ring 8. The part 1 is intended to receive a pipe or a tube T shown in phantom, in a non-removable manner. The retaining member comprises a blade 9 connected to the intermediate part 3 by an attachment tab 5a between its two ends 10 and 11 so that the blade 9 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 4.

It will be noted that the blade 9 is sufficiently spaced from the external surface of the part 2 so that the end piece can be inserted into the element 6 without the blade 9 constituting any discomfort. The distance separating the blade 9 from the part 2 will here be at least equal to the thickness of the wall at a given location of the element 6. The retaining member 5 forms an elastically deformable assembly between a locking state in which the blade and the attachment tab 5a are in a state of rest and other states in which the blade and / or the attachment tab are deformed, these other states being essentially a transient state upon connection in wherein the blade 9 is mainly bent elastically and an unlocked state in which the blade 9 is moved, without being practically deformed, due to an elastic bending of the attachment tab.

The free end 10 of the blade 9 has a projection 12 oriented in the direction of the axis 4. The projection 12 is intended to cooperate, in the locking state of the member 5, with a flange 13 of the element 6 to constitute a stop opposing the disengagement of this element 6 and the nozzle. Note that in this case the element 6 is a tubular body (for example a nozzle mounted on another tube) and that any zone of the flange (or shoulder) 13 constitutes a hooking tooth of the projection 12 which fits behind it in the connection direction.

Advantageously, the projection 12 has, at the end, a ramp which forms, by cooperating with the collar 13, a cam for lifting the end 10 during connection. The collar could have a surface conical on the side of the tube 6 to form a lifting ramp at the end 10.

The end 11 of the blade 9, opposite the end 10, forms a lever 11 and is widened to form the operating element of the blade 9.

It is understood that during the engagement of the pipe 6 on the nozzle 2, the projection 12 of the blade 9 in the rest state meets the flange 13. Due to the cam effect of the ramps of the projection 12 and of the collar 13, the end 10 is raised and the blade 9 deforms elastically, until the collar 13 has passed, the blade 9 then returning under the effect of its own elasticity in the locked state wherein the projection 12 constitutes a stop which, being in contact with the flange 13, opposes the disengagement of the pipe 6 from one end piece.

To decouple the tube T and the pipe 6, the operator exerts pressure with a finger or a tool on the operating element 11 in the direction of the axis 4, which has the effect of deforming the attachment tab 5a and to bring the blade 9 into the unlocked state in which the projection 12 is raised and releases the collar 13 axially.

To secure the locking of the connection, provision may be made, as shown in FIG. 4, for locking the operation of the lever 11. In the example shown, it is a shim, here a rigid ring 16 , made of metal alloy or plastic, the internal diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the tube T into which the end piece is introduced 1. A claw 15 secured to the end piece and diametrically opposite the operating lever, it thus maintains in position of the rigid ring 16 on the connector before the latter is placed on the tube T. The end piece could also include two claws such as the claw 15 arranged at an angle of 120 ° relative to the operating lever or according to any other configuration adapted to ensure that the ring 16 is kept in position. It is also possible, in the absence of claw 15, to thread the ring onto the front tube T fitting of the end piece and sliding it under the operating lever to condemn the actuation thereof. This locking means could just as easily be a kind of split ring (a jumper) straddling the tube T and then slid under the lever 11.

The rigid ring 16 opposes any force on the operating element 11 tending to bring the blade 9 in its unlocked state. It will be understood that the rigid ring 16 does not oppose the connection of the element 6 on the part 2, the blade 9 remaining free to deform (transient state).

It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the element 6 is here a tubular end piece and that the projection 12 no longer cooperates with a flange but with a simple hooking tooth 13a.

To extract the end piece from line 6, the operator removes the rigid ring 16 by sliding it along the end of the element received around this end piece 1 then presses with a finger or a tool on the element maneuver 11 to bring the blade 9 in its unlocked state. This Figure 4 illustrates the fact that the invention is not limited to a connection of two tubular bodies. It applies to the connection of a tube with a nozzle according to the invention and of any body provided with an internal channel C which can receive the nozzle by one of its faces.

Identical or analogous elements will bear an identical reference in the following description. In Figures 5 and 6, we can see a connector according to a second embodiment.

The retaining member 5 comprises, as before, a blade 9. The blade 9 has one end secured to the intermediate part 3 of the endpiece by means of an attachment tab 5a so as to extend in carrier overhang relative to this intermediate part 3, parallel to the longitudinal axis 4.

The blade 9 has a free end 10 which has a projection 12 intended to cooperate with the flange 13 of the pipe 6.

The connector here also includes a means of operating 11a of the blade, forming a pusher situated at the diametric opposite of the projection 12 with respect to the axis 4 and connected to the end 10 of the blade 5 which is then itself even its operating lever, by means of a tab 19 for bypassing the end piece. The tab 19 is spaced from the end piece so as not to hinder the introduction of the latter into the tubular pipe 6 and therefore has a radius greater than the external radius of the pipe 6. It is understood that a pressure on the operating element 11a in the direction of the axis 4 brings the blade 9 in the unlocked state. It will be noted here that, unlike the previous embodiments, the transient state of the retaining member and its unlocking state are achieved by similar deformations, namely a bending of the blade 9 for example.

According to a third embodiment, and with reference to Figures 7 and 8, we can see a quick connector similar to that shown in Figure 4 and described above.

In this embodiment and unlike the others previously described, the projection 12 is not turned towards the axis 4 but towards the outside.

The element 6 then comprises a longitudinal housing 17 opening into a notch 18 defining a tooth attachment 13b. The tooth 13b can also be an element attached to the pipe and extending into the notch 18.

Upon connection, the blade 9 is inserted into the housing 17 and is forced into its unlocked state. The blade 9 is slid into the housing 17 until the projection 12 engages in the notch 18, which causes the blade 9 to return to its resting and therefore locking state, the projection 12 then cooperating with the tooth 13b and opposing any subsequent extraction of the end piece from the element 6.

It will be understood that in order to bring the blade 9 into its unlocked state, it is necessary to exert on the operating element 11 (lever) a force moving it away from the axis 4 so as to lower the end 10.

In order to secure the locking, a rigid ring 16 is arranged around the operating element 11 and the lug 15 to oppose the operation of the lever 11. In FIGS. 9 and 10, a connector is shown according to a fourth embodiment, in which the part 1 of the end piece is male while the part 2 is a female part in which is introduced a pipe 6 (or an end piece) having an annular collar 13 on the outside.

The retaining member 5 has a structure similar to that described in connection with Figures 1 to 3. However, in this embodiment the free end 10 of the blade 9 extends beyond the part 2 of the end piece so that the projection 12 can cooperate with the annular collar 13 extending outside of this part 2.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and it is possible to make variant embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Quick connector for connecting at least one pipe (T) to a channel (C) formed in an element (6), comprising a tubular connection end piece divided along a longitudinal axis (4) of this end piece a first part (1) subject to the pipe (T) and in a second part (2) intended to cooperate with the channel (C) and a retaining member (5), interposed between the element and the end piece, and elastically deformable between a state of rest locking the connection of the end piece and the element and a controlled state of unlocking of this connection, characterized in that the retaining member (5) is in one piece with the end piece and includes, on the one hand, a blade

(9) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (4) of the end piece and radially spaced from the second part (2) of the latter with at its free end

(10) a hooking projection (12) and, on the other hand, an operating element (11) of the blade between the rest state and the controlled state comprising a lever in one piece with the blade ( 9), and in that the element (6) comprises at least one hooking tooth (13) behind which, in the direction of coupling of the nozzle to this element, is housed the part (12) projecting from the blade (9).

2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the element (6) is tubular, the hooking tooth being constituted by any zone of an external shoulder (13) of this element.

3. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the element (6) has a housing (17) parallel to the channel (C) which it comprises to receive the blade (9), this housing being equipped in the end part with the above hooking tooth (13b).

4. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (2) of the endpiece is male to be introduced into the channel (C) of the nozzle is male to be introduced into the channel (C) of one element (6).

5. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the second part (2) of the end piece is female to receive the tubular element (6).

6. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blade (9) is carried by the end piece by means of a connecting lug (5a) located between the two parts (1, 2) of the end piece, the control lever (11) being formed by an extension of the blade (9) beyond this attachment tab (5a).

7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a removable means (16) for locking the operation of the control lever (11).

8. Connector according to claim 7, characterized in that this means is a ring (16) surrounding the first part (1) of the end piece and forming a blocking flange extending between the lever (11) and at least one claw (15) integral with the end piece to maintain the ring (16) on the end piece in position.

9. Connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the blade (9) is carried by the end piece by means of an attachment tab (5a) implanted between the two parts (1, 2 ), the control lever being formed by the blade itself while a pusher (11a) opposite the latching projection (12) is connected to the free end (10) of the blade (9) by a tab (19) bypassing the second part (2) of the end piece.