Abstract:
An electric resonant circuit is provided in a receiving part of a coupling for a fluid line, the resonant circuit interacting with a tuning device in a contactless manner. In an intermediate position of an insert part, which differs from a closed position, the resonant circuit has a resonant frequency that differs from the characteristic closure frequency, and in the closed position the resonant circuit has the characteristic closure frequency. The tuning device acts on the inductance of the electric resonant circuit. An acting part is provided that mechanically acts on the coil when the insert part is inserted into the receiving part such that the shape of the coil in the closed position differs from the shape of the coil in the intermediate position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. National Phase Patent Application based on International Application No. PCT/EP2012/062839 filed Jul. 2, 2012, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2011 107 186.9 filed Jul. 14, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a receiving part of a coupling for a fluid line. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A receiving part of this kind is known from DE 10 2008 014 255 B3. In general, a receiving part may have a coupling with an electric resonant circuit that interacts contactlessly with a tuning device in such a way that when the plug-in part is in an intermediate position, which is different from the closed position, the resonant circuit has a resonant frequency that differs from the characteristic closure frequency. In the closed position the resonant circuit has the characteristic closure frequency, such that the tuning device acts on the inductance of the electric resonant circuit via two relatively heavy coil core parts that are slidable relative to each other. In the closed position of the coupling, the coil core parts rest against the receiving portion of the receiving part and against the plug-in shaft of the plug-in part. One coil core part also rests against a sealing ring of the sealing unit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a receiving part of a coupling that is very stable mechanically, particularly when acted upon by relatively strong acceleration forces. 
         [0007]    Because the shape of the coil is changed during operation, designs using relatively heavy parts offer greater latitude, such that even in the presence of high acceleration forces, the long-term mechanical stability of the coupling parts essential for tightness is not adversely affected by the inertia of coupling parts. A coupling of this kind can be disconnected and properly closed again even after relatively long use. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving part of the coupling is designed such that, as a difference in shape, the length of the coil in the intermediate position differs from the length of the coil in the closed position. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the receiving part of the coupling is designed such that, as a difference in shape, the diameter of the coil in the intermediate position differs from the diameter of the coil in the closed position. 
         [0010]    In one form thereof, the present invention provides a receiving part of a coupling for a fluid line, which receiving part is adapted to receive a plug-in part and lock the latter in a closed position, wherein an electric resonant circuit including a coil is present and is connected to the receiving part and, in the closed position of the plug-in part, when exposed to electromagnetic energy, is adapted to resonate at a certain resonant frequency corresponding to a characteristic closure frequency, wherein the resonant circuit is permanently closed and wherein a tuning device is present that interacts contactlessly with the resonant circuit and mechanically with the plug-in part in such a way that when the plug-in part is in an intermediate position that differs from the closed position, the resonant circuit has a resonant frequency that differs from the characteristic closure frequency, and in the closed position has the characteristic closure frequency, wherein the tuning device acts on the inductance of the electric resonant circuit, characterized in that an acting part is present, which when the plug-in part is inserted into the receiving part acts mechanically on the coil in such a way that the shape of the coil in the closed position differs from the shape of the coil in the intermediate position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a coupling having a receiving part and a plug-in part, in which the length of a coil in the intermediate position differs from the length of the coil in the closed position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  with the plug-in part in an intermediate position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  with the plug-in part in the closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a coupling having a receiving part and a plug-in part, in which the length of a coil in the intermediate position differs from the length of the coil in the closed position and in which the coil has two coil part windings that are spaced apart from each other; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal section of a coil carrier in the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4 , with coil; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective representation of the coil carrier according to  FIG. 5 , without the coil; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4  with the plug-in part in an intermediate position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4  with the plug-in part in a closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a coupling having a receiving part and a plug-in part, in which the diameter of a coil in the intermediate position differs from the diameter of the coil in the closed position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9  with the plug-in part in an intermediate position; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9  with the plug-in part in the closed position. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a coupling provided to connect ends of a fluid line (not illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) and comprising a receiving part  1  and a plug-in part  2 . In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1 , the receiving part  1  is formed as elongated. It is provided with a connection nozzle  3  at a back end that is to be connected to an end of the fluid line. The receiving part  1  has a capacitor support plate  4  with a capacitor of fixed capacitance, a coil  5  and, as an example of an acting part, a thrust slide  6  that is formed as sleeve-like. The plug-in part  2  is also formed as elongated in the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1 . It is provided with a connection nozzle  7  at a back end that is to be connected to another end of the fluid line. The plug-in part  2  has a plug-in shaft  8 , a latching collar  9  to effect fixation in the receiving part  1 , and a pressing collar  10 . The receiving part  1  configured in this way permits a high detection range, since its coil  5  has a large diameter and losses in the core of the coil are eliminated. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal section of the first exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  in an intermediate position, in which the plug-in part  2  is inserted by its plug-in shaft  8  into a receiving sleeve  11  of the receiving part  1  until the pressing collar  10  rests against the thrust slide  6 , in which arrangement the plug-in shaft  8  rests by its radially outward-facing side against a sealing unit  12  integrated into the receiving sleeve  11 . 
         [0026]    The receiving part  1  has a coil carrier  13 , which is latchably connected to the receiving sleeve  11  on the outer side thereof, and which is configured with a coil support collar  14  at an end facing toward the connection nozzle  3  of the receiving part  1 . Resting against the coil support collar  14 , on the side facing away from the connection nozzle  3  of the receiving part  1 , is the annularly formed capacitor support plate  4 . The coil  5  is wound over the coil carrier  13  and is helically formed, it being made of a spring-wire-like material with space between the individual turns and being connected via a coil web  15  to a contact point  16  on the capacitor support plate  4 . 
         [0027]    To connect the plug-in part  2  to the receiving part  1 , the receiving part  1  comprises, connected to the receiving sleeve  11 , a retaining spring receiving body  17  with a retaining spring  18 . 
         [0028]    The thrust slide  6  is slidably mounted on the retaining spring receiving body  17 , the receiving sleeve  11  and the coil carrier  13 , and rests by its back end against the coil  5 . When the plug-in part  2  is inserted into the receiving part  1 , once the pressing collar  10  strikes a front end of the thrust slide  6  that is oppositely situated from the back end, the pressing collar  10  pushes the thrust slide  6  over the retaining spring receiving body  17 , the receiving sleeve  11  and the coil support  13 . In the process, the back end of the thrust slide  6  presses on the coil  5 , thus shortening the length of the coil  5 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  in the closed position. The plug-in part  2  is inserted all the way into the receiving sleeve  11  of the receiving part  1 , causing the latching collar  9  to latch behind the retaining spring  18 . The coil  5  is shortened in length compared to the intermediate position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thus changing its inductance. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a coupling provided to connect ends of a fluid line (not illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) and comprising a receiving part  1  and a plug-in part  2 . In the exemplary embodiments according to  FIGS. 1 to 3  and  FIG. 4 , mutually corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals and will not be described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4 , the coil  5  of the receiving part  1  according to the invention has two coil part windings  19  that are spaced apart from each other. The receiving part  1  comprises a retaining spring receiving body  17 , with a retaining spring  18 , and, as a further example of an acting part, a thrust slide  6  disposed partially inside the retaining receiving body [sic]  17  and having two thrust slide ends  20 , each formed in the manner of a prong and resting against the coil carrier  13 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal section of the coil carrier  13  from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The coil carrier  13  has two winding carriers  21  for receiving the coil part windings  19 , which are connected to each other via rod-shaped spring webs  22  extending obliquely between the winding carriers  21 . The coil part windings  19  are connected via an electrical line that is part of the coil  5  and runs along a spring web  22 . The winding carriers  21  are each formed with a substantially circular cross section and each have a respective winding carrier collar  23  disposed on each of their two sides. One of the winding carriers  21  comprises, on the side facing away from the spring webs  22 , latching grooves  24  that serve to ensure exact positioning of the coil carrier  13  during assembly. The other winding carrier  21  comprises, on the side facing away from the spring webs  22 , a latching lug  25  that also helps to bring about exact positioning during assembly, as well as thrust grooves  26  located on the inner side of the winding carrier  21  and provided to receive the thrust slide ends  20 . The winding carrier  21  formed with the latching grooves  24  surrounds a capacitor  28  equipped with two contact pins  27 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective representation of the coil carrier  13  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , without the coil  5  and contact pins  27 . The body of the winding carrier  21  formed with two latching grooves  24  has two contact pin lead-throughs  29 , formed in the manner of holes, for the through-passage of the contact pins  27  of the capacitor  28 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4  in an intermediate position, in which the plug-in part  2  with the plug-in shaft  8  has been inserted into the receiving sleeve  11  of the receiving part  1  until the latching collar  9  rests against the thrust slide  6 , in which arrangement the plug-in shaft  8  rests against a sealing unit  12  integrated into the receiving sleeve  11 . 
         [0034]    The thrust slide  6  of the receiving part  1  is slidably mounted in the retaining spring receiving body  17  and on the receiving sleeve  11 . Each thrust slide end  20  engages in a thrust groove  26  of the coil carrier  13 . The receiving part  1  has a coil carrier sleeve  30 , which is connected to the receiving sleeve  11  on the outer side thereof and is secured there by a securing ring  31 . The winding carrier  21  in whose thrust grooves  26  the thrust slide ends  20  engage is slidably mounted on the receiving sleeve  11  and in the coil carrier sleeve  30 . The other winding carrier  21  is mechanically fixedly connected to the coil carrier sleeve  30 . 
         [0035]    When the plug-in part  2  is inserted into the receiving part  1 , once the latching collar  9  strikes the front end of the thrust slide  6 , the latching collar  9  pushes the thrust slide  6  and the slidably mounted winding carrier  21 , counter to the spring force of the spring webs  22 , over the receiving sleeve  11  and thereby shortens the length of the coil carrier  13 . This reduces the distance between the coil part windings  19  and thus the length of the coil  5 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 4  in the closed position. Here, the plug-in part  2  is inserted all the way into the receiving sleeve  11  of the receiving part  1 . A retaining collar  32  of the coil carrier sleeve  30  engages slidably mounted winding carrier  21  from behind in order to absorb the relaxation forces exerted on the retaining spring  18  by the spring webs  22 . The coil carrier  13  and thus, likewise, the coils  5  are shortened in comparison to the intermediate position illustrated in  FIG. 7 , thereby changing their inductance. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a coupling provided to connect ends of a fluid line (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) and having a receiving part  1  and a plug-in part  2 . In the exemplary embodiments according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ,  FIGS. 4 to 8  and  FIG. 9 , mutually corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals and will not be described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9 , the receiving part  1  has, as an example of an acting part, a thrust slide  6 , formed as sleeve-shaped, which on its side facing away from the pressing collar  10  rests against a plastically deformably formed coil carrier  13 . A helically formed coil  5  is tightly wound outwardly around the coil carrier  13 . The coil carrier  13 , on its side facing away from the thrust slide  6 , rests against an abutment  33 . The abutment  33  is latchably connected to the receiving sleeve  11 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9  in an intermediate position in which the plug-in part  2  with the plug-in shaft  8  is inserted into the receiving sleeve  11  of the receiving part  1  until the pressing collar  10  rests against the thrust slide  6 , in which arrangement the plug-in shaft  8  rests against a sealing unit  12  integrated into the receiving sleeve  11 . 
         [0039]    The receiving part  1  comprises, connected to the receiving sleeve  11 , a retaining spring receiving body  17  with a retaining spring  18 . The thrust slide  6  is slidably mounted on the retaining spring receiving body  17  and the receiving sleeve  11 . When the plug-in part  2  is inserted into the receiving part  1 , once the pressing collar  10  strikes the thrust slide  6 , the pressing collar  10  pushes the thrust slide  6  over the retaining spring receiving body  17  and the receiving sleeve  11  onto the plastically deformable coil carrier  13  and thus regionally changes at least the diameter, but also usually the length, of the coil. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal section of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9  in the closed position. Here, the plug-in part  2  is inserted all the way into the receiving sleeve  11  of the receiving part  1 . The coil carrier  13  is now shortened in comparison to the intermediate position illustrated in  FIG. 10  and is bulged radially outward. Compared to the intermediate position illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the coil  5  regionally has an increased diameter, thus changing its inductance, and likewise usually has a reduced length. 
         [0041]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.