WO2000057096A1

WO2000057096A1 - Pipe connector

Info

Publication number: WO2000057096A1
Application number: PCT/AT1999/000071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Mocivnik; Karl BÖHM
Original assignee: Techmo Entwicklungs- Und Vertriebs Gmbh; Alwag Tunnelausbau Gesellschaft Mbh
Priority date: 1999-03-18
Filing date: 1999-03-18
Publication date: 2000-09-28
Also published as: AU2910999A

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe connector for connecting two partially overlapping pipe ends (1', 2'). Said pipe ends (1', 2') have matching grooves or recesses (3, 4) on the overlapping end segments located on the peripheral surfaces that face each other for receiving a locking element (5). According to the invention, at least two continuos self-contained grooves or recesses (3, 4) disposed at a distance from one another and having mutually matching positions are embodied in the ends of the pipes (1', 2') on the overlapping end segments on the peripheral surfaces that face each other, in which an individual, annular locking element (5) is mounted when the pipe ends (1', 2') are connected. The annular locking elements (5) in the tube segment having the tip of the ends (1') of the pipe connection are received with substantial positive fit in the corresponding recesses (3) before the pipe connection is effected, thereby enabling a simple and reliable pipe connection using simple means.

Description

PIPE CONNECTION

The present invention relates to a pipe connection for the connection of two partially overlapping pipe ends, the pipe ends at the mutually overlapping end sections having mutually coordinated recesses or depressions for receiving at least one locking element.

Pipe connections for the connection of two partially overlapping pipe ends are generally known, for example in the form of screwed pipe ends. For example, when using adjacent pipe ends overlapping sleeves or coupling sleeves from EP-A 0 587 131 or DE-B 16 75 199 is known, either in the area between the abutting pipe ends or between the outer circumference of the pipe ends and the inner circumference of the Coupling sleeves to provide at least one locking or clamping element. In the embodiment according to DE-B 16 75 199, the element arranged between the ends and overlapped by the coupling sleeve serves in particular to achieve a sufficient sealing effect, the coupling or connecting sleeve being screwed onto the two pipe ends, each with an opposing thread. In contrast, in the embodiment according to EP-A 0 587 131 between the outer circumference of the respective pipe ends and the inner circumference of the coupling sleeve, a plurality of clamping or. Locking elements are provided, which should result in a correspondingly secure connection of the adjoining pipe ends by means of the coupling sleeves, in particular by means of coordinated, cone-shaped surfaces.

A disadvantage of these known pipe connections, either using a thread or using an additional coupling sleeve, is in particular the fact that with a thread for proper loosening and locking tie the individual pipe parts must be ensured that no damage to the thread occur, this requirement can not always be easily met when used in harsh environmental conditions. Furthermore, when using known designs using a separate coupling sleeve, which overlaps the adjoining pipe ends, it is disadvantageous that an additional connecting element in the form of the coupling sleeve must be provided, which in turn must be matched exactly to the pipe ends to be connected to one another.

Pipe connections of the type mentioned at the outset can be found, for example, in EP-A 0 340 499 or DE-B 15 25 525. In these known embodiments, an essentially rectangular cross-section is provided on the pipe ends in the region of the overlapping end sections on the mutually facing circumferential surfaces, wherein after the pipe ends to be connected have been brought together or plugged together, they penetrate from the outside and thus penetrate the outer pipe a locking element is inserted into the coordinated recesses or depressions. In the embodiment according to EP-A 0 340 499, an obviously band-shaped locking member or locking element is used, which is inserted into the coordinated recesses or recesses through a corresponding opening in the outer tube, while in the embodiment according to DE-B 15 25 525 a hook-shaped or U-shaped locking element is inserted through a plurality of recesses in the outer tube into the mutually coordinated recesses in the tube ends, thereby preventing the tube connection from being released in the known embodiments. A disadvantage of these known embodiments, however, is the fact that in order to introduce the locking members or locking elements, the outer tube must have at least one recess, so that not only is there a corresponding weakening of the outer tube, but also corresponding problems in achieving a sufficiently tight connection are also to be expected.

The present invention now aims to further develop a connection of the type mentioned in the introduction such that, with a simple construction, a secure connection of two partially overlapping pipe ends can be achieved by a simple actuation process, in particular while avoiding a complex screwing process. To achieve this object, the pipe connection according to the invention for the connection of two pipe ends which at least partially overlap one another is essentially characterized in that the pipe ends at the overlapping end sections on their mutually facing peripheral surfaces with at least two spaced apart positions in their position on one another coordinated, in each case closed, continuous recesses or depressions are formed, in which in the connected state of the tube ends a separate, annular, self-locking locking element is arranged, and that the annular locking elements in the pipe section having the spigot end of the pipe connection prior to manufacture the pipe connection are essentially received in a form-fitting manner in the respective recesses. Such spaced-apart, self-contained recesses or depressions can be formed in a simple manner on the respective mutually facing peripheral surfaces of both the spigot end and the socket end of the pipes to be connected to one another, it being immediately apparent that the formation of at least two spaced-apart depressions or recesses which are coordinated with one another in their position and require significantly less effort than the formation of a thread. To lock or maintain the connection of the pipe ends to be connected to one another, a separate, ring-shaped locking element is arranged in the recesses in the connected state of the pipe ends. According to the invention, the separate, ring-shaped locking elements are arranged essentially in a form-fitting manner in each of the recesses at the tip end of the pipe connection to be produced, whereupon a safe plug-in connection which can be produced easily can be achieved by a simple plug connection by overlapping the tip end through the socket end formed with corresponding recesses. A form-fitting receptacle in the respective recesses ensures that when the spigot end engages through the socket end, there is no displacement or emergence of the locking elements from the associated recesses. It is immediately apparent that the pipe connection proposed according to the invention creates a simple plug-in connection which, in contrast to the production of threaded connections, requires a greatly reduced production and actuation effort, this being particularly advantageous, for example, under harsh environmental conditions. Furthermore, in contrast to the prior art, it is not necessary to provide at least one opening in the outer tube for introducing the locking or locking elements, so that in addition to the provision of at least two locking elements to achieve a corresponding locking with small-sized locking elements additional weakening or breakthrough of the end of the outer tube, which already has a smaller cross section, is necessary.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is proposed for the pipe connection according to the invention that the recesses each have an essentially rectangular cross section and that the annular locking elements which can be received in the recesses also each have an essentially rectangular cross section. Such recesses, which have an essentially rectangular cross section, and correspondingly complementary annular locking elements can be produced in a correspondingly simple and cost-effective manner, the recesses also for a secure and correct reception the locking elements and the thereby achievable, secure connection required accuracy can be achieved with simple means. Furthermore, after the connection has been established, the ring-shaped locking elements, which likewise have an essentially rectangular cross section, result in secure positioning of the overlapping pipe ends relative to one another, since the at least partially provided, rectangular contours provide corresponding locking stops for a secure connection of the pipe ends Make available without the need, if necessary, to provide additional, for example precisely matched, conical counter surfaces or locking surfaces.

In order to facilitate the movement of the sleeve end over the spigot end with the locking elements already arranged thereon, at least partially protruding beyond the surface of the spigot end, it is provided according to a further preferred embodiment that the ring-shaped locking elements on the in the direction of pushing on the sleeve end of the pipe-facing end face are chamfered or rounded. In order to support the sliding movement of the sleeve end over the spigot end, provision can also be made for the sleeve end of the pipe connection to be configured on its end face with a bevel or rounding substantially adapted to the bevel or rounding of the annular locking elements, as is one corresponds to another preferred embodiment of the pipe connection according to the invention. By providing a corresponding bevel or rounding on the end edge in the direction of the pushing on, a correspondingly simple and safe displacement movement of the partially overlapping pipe ends is achieved, while if essentially rectangular side boundaries are formed, at least on the surface opposite this end face after the connection has been made, secure Stop surfaces are formed, which counteract a random, unwanted solution of the pipe connection. In order to achieve a simple and secure overlap of the pipe ends to be connected to one another without affecting the annular locking elements during the displacement movement in the case of relatively rigid materials of the tube ends, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the annular locking elements have a thickness which is less than that Total depth of the mutually interacting recesses of the pipe ends. In this way, there is a corresponding play in the area of the recesses and of the locking elements, which enables a safe and simple displacement movement of the pipe ends to be connected to one another.

As already indicated above, the pipe connection according to the invention enables a simple plug-in connection which, in order to form a correspondingly safe and reliable connection, requires a greatly reduced actuation and compared to a screw connection. However, in order to achieve a correspondingly play-free fit of the pipe ends to be connected to one another even with such a plug-in connection, even if the dimensions of the locking elements are not completely adapted to the dimensions of the recesses, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that at least one pair of interacting with one another Recesses of the overlapping pipe ends are inclined relative to a plane normal to the axis of the pipe connection. By means of an inclination of at least one pair of interacting recesses provided in this way, after the plug connection has been made, a slight additional twisting of the pipe ends relative to one another by a fraction of a full turn can result in a corresponding additional locking in the manner of a thread, without the thread coupling usually required for a threaded connection to require at least multiple rotary movements over the entire circumference. In order to ensure that the coupling of the partially overlapping pipe ends is complete, for example in areas which are not readily accessible when the pipe connection is being made, it can be provided that the recesses and the annular locking elements which can be accommodated therein have a different, in particular in the direction of the axis of the pipe connection have an increasing extension towards the free end of the tip end in the direction of the axis of the pipe connection, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the pipe connection according to the invention. By providing recesses with different extents and annular locking elements which can be accommodated therein, it is ensured that a secure and exact connection between the pipe ends can only be established when the interacting recesses and locking elements have been fully accommodated or matched, in particular when providing in the direction of Axis of the pipe connection to the free end of the spigot end towards increasing extension of both the recess and the locking elements ensures that a complete penetration of the locking elements into the corresponding recesses of the spigot end overlapping ends can only take place when the overlapping pipe ends in the desired, complete Extent shifted relative to each other.

As already indicated above, for a simple production of a connection it can be provided that the ring-shaped locking elements are received in the corresponding recesses at the tip end of the pipe connection to be produced, whereupon a reliable production of the pipe connection takes place by the spigot end reaching over the socket end. In order to avoid damage to the locking elements, in particular of the locking elements, even with rigid materials of the pipe ends to be connected, seeing a bevel or rounding of the locking elements and optionally the end edge of the socket end, it is also preferably proposed that the recesses at the tip end of the pipe connection have a greater depth than the recesses at the socket end.

In order to be able to take into account the different tensions or load conditions that occur in the area of the pipe ends that overlap, it is also preferred that the recesses and the annular locking elements that can be accommodated therein have different overall depths or thicknesses. In this way it can be ensured in the area of increased stress, for example by reducing the depth of the recesses and, in connection therewith, the thickness of the locking elements, that the material of the overlapping pipe ends is of sufficient strength so as not to damage or break in the area of the pipe connection.

In order to achieve a particularly reliable and secure pipe connection with the simplest possible structure and using as few locking elements as possible, it is also preferably provided that three recesses and three annular locking elements, each with a different extension in the direction of the axis of the pipe connection, are provided.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In this show:

1 shows a side view, partly in section, of a pipe connection according to the invention;

2 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detailed view in the region of a recess and an annular locking element between the two pipe ends which overlap; and

Fig. 3 schematically diagrams of the tension or load states of the pipe ends, wherein in Fig. 3a in the area of Stresses occurring at the end of the inner tube are indicated, while the stresses occurring in the region of the outer tube end are shown in FIG. 3b.

In Fig. 1, two pipes are designated by 1 and 2, a pipe connection to be made by at least partially overlapping the pipe ends designated by 1 'and 2'. Hiebei is shown in Fig. 1 in the upper half a section through the pipe connection with overlapping pipe ends 1 'and 2', while in the lower half of FIG. 1 only the spigot end 1 'is shown with the locking elements arranged thereon, while the sleeve end 2 'has broken away.

Reconciled recesses 3 and 4 are formed both at the tip end or tube end 1 'of the inner tube and at the socket end or tube end 2' of the outer tube 2, these recesses 3 and 4 each having an essentially rectangular cross section, as is still clear - Licher from Fig. 2 will be apparent. Separate, ring-shaped locking elements 5 are accommodated in the recesses 3 and 4 to produce a locked pipe connection, which also have an essentially rectangular cross section, matched to the cross-sectional shape of the recesses 3 and 4. From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the locking elements 5 are each formed with a bevel 6 on the front end pointing in the direction of the pushing on of the sleeve end 2 '. As can be seen from FIG. 1 above, the sleeve end is also formed at its free end with a bevel 7 which is adapted to the bevel 6 of the annular locking elements, so that the sleeve end 2 'is simply pushed onto the pointed end 1' can achieve locking elements 5 arranged in the recesses 3 at the tip end. From Fig. 1 it can also be seen that the locking elements 5 have a total thickness which is slightly less than that formed by mutually complementary recesses 3 and 4 velvet depth, so that a total of 8 indicated play is achieved in the locking state shown in Fig. 1 above. The opposite edges or edges of the locking elements 5, which are provided with a bevel 6, are essentially rectangular, so that there is a sufficient abutment surface in cooperation with the recesses 3 and 4, which prevents the pipe connection from being accidentally or accidentally detached counteracts.

From Fig. 1 it can also be seen that all the locking members formed by the coordinated recesses 3 and 4 and the locking elements 5 are arranged inclined relative to a plane normal to the axis 9, this inclination angle being indicated schematically by α. If recesses and locking members arranged in this way are provided, additional support for the connection or a backlash-free connection can be achieved after the plug connection has been formed by slightly rotating the tubes 1 and 2 relative to one another by a fraction of a full turn. Of course, in order to achieve such a supporting connection function, it would be sufficient if only one of the recesses 3 and 4 and the associated locking element were arranged at an appropriate angle to the axis 9.

From Fig. 1 it can also be seen that the provided three pairs of mutually cooperating recesses 3 and 4 or the locking elements 5 accommodated therein each have different extensions or lengths L1, L2, L3 in the direction of the axis 9, the largest extension L3 is provided at the free end of the tip end 1 ', while the further locking elements or recesses 3 and 4 each have a smaller extent L2 and Ll. Due to the differently designed dimensions of the recesses 3, 4 and the rin recorded locking elements can be ensured that a reliable connection or locking can only be achieved when the individual locking elements have completely entered the corresponding recesses. Furthermore, since the locking member with the largest dimensions is provided in the area of the free end of the tip end 1, it is ensured that not a recess in a front area of the sleeve end 2 'already leads to a locking effect, but that actually a complete penetration of the locking elements into the corresponding recesses 4 at the sleeve end 2 'is only possible when the tip end 1' is completely overlapped by the sleeve end 2 '.

2, the relationships in the region of mutually cooperating recesses 3 and 4 at the tip end 1 'and sleeve end 2' are shown on an enlarged scale. The depth of the recess 3 on the inner tube or tip end is denoted by ti, while the depth of the recess 4 on the outer tube is denoted by ta. The remaining material cross section in the area of the recesses 3 and 4 is designated Si for the inner tube and Sa for the outer tube. The total depth of the recesses 3 and 4 is denoted by T in FIG. 2, wherein, as already indicated above, the total thickness of a locking element (not shown in more detail) to be accommodated in the recesses 3 and 4 is at most equal to the depth T and is advantageously somewhat less is selected in order to enable a recording with play of a locking element in the recesses 3 and 4 in the locked state. 2 clearly shows that the depth ti on the inner tube is usually greater than the depth ta on the outer tube.

Taking into account the tension relationships on the inner tube or on the outer tube shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, both the depth of the recess 3 on the inner tube and the depth of the recess 4 am can additionally be made in individual sections of the overlapping tube ends 1 'and 2' Outer tube can be chosen correspondingly smaller in order to maintain a possibly enlarged, remaining material cross section in individual areas of the tube connection. Such smaller dimensions of depressions are indicated in FIG. 2 by 3 'or 4'.

Regarding the diagrams shown in FIG. 3, it should be noted that starting from position X0, which, as can be seen in FIG. 1, corresponds to the inner end of the tip end 1, the load on the inner tube is greatest and in the region of the free end XI of the tip end 1 'drops to a minimum. In contrast, as can be seen from FIG. 3b, the load on the outer tube in the area of position X0, which corresponds to the free end of the sleeve end 2 ', is lowest, while the tension of the outer tube is greatest in the area of position XI. In order to maintain a sufficiently reliable connection or to avoid excessive weakening of the material of the overlapping pipe ends 1 'and 2', it is therefore provided that the sizes of the remaining material thickness Si and Sa are chosen as large as possible in the region of the greatest tension should, whereby, as already indicated above, this can be achieved by a corresponding restriction of the recesses ti or ta.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Pipe connection for the connection of two partially overlapping tube ends (1 ', 2'), the tube ends (1 ', 2') at the overlapping end sections on their mutually facing circumferential surfaces being matched recesses or depressions (3, 4 ) for receiving at least one locking element (5), characterized in that the tube ends (1 ', 2') on the mutually overlapping end sections on their mutually facing circumferential surfaces with at least two spaced apart, coordinated in their position, in each case are formed in closed, continuous recesses or depressions (3, 4), in each of which a separate, ring-shaped, self-locking locking element (5) is arranged in the connected state of the tube ends (1 ', 2'), and that the annular locking elements (5) in the spigot end (1 ') of the pipe connection having Rohrabsc hitte before the pipe connection is made essentially positively in the respective recesses (3).

2. Pipe connection according to claim 1, characterized in that the recesses (3, 4) each have a substantially rectangular cross-section and that the annular locking elements (5) which can be received in the recesses (3, 4) are also each essentially one have a rectangular cross section.

3. Pipe connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the annular locking elements (5) on the in the direction of pushing the sleeve end (2 ') of the pipe connection facing end are chamfered or rounded.

4. Pipe connection according to claim 3, characterized in that the sleeve end (2 ') of the pipe connection on its end face with a on the bevel or rounding (6) annular locking elements (5) is essentially adapted bevel or rounding (7).

5. Pipe connection according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the annular locking elements (5) have a thickness which is less than the total depth (T) of the mutually interacting recesses (3, 4) of the pipe ends (1 ', 2 ').

6. Pipe connection according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one pair of mutually cooperating recesses (3, 4) of the overlapping pipe ends (1 ', 2') is inclined relative to a plane normal to the axis of the pipe connection are.

7. Pipe connection according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the recesses (3, 4) and the annular locking elements (5) which can be accommodated therein have a different, in particular in the direction of the axis of the pipe connection to the free end of the tip end (1 ' ) increasing, extending (Ll, L2, L3) in the direction of the axis (9) of the pipe connection.

8. Pipe connection according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the recesses (3) at the tip end (l ¹ ) of the pipe connection have a greater depth (ti) than the recesses (4) at the sleeve end (2 ').

9. Pipe connection according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recesses (3, 4) and the annular locking elements (5) which can be accommodated therein have different overall depths (T) or thicknesses.

10. Pipe connection according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that three recesses (3, 4) and three annular locking elements (5), each with different Licher extension (Ll, L2, L3) in the direction of the axis (9) of the pipe connection are provided.