Connector for connecting conduits for liquid or gaseous media

A connector has a connector body, which connector body includes an annular space which lies between a sleeve-like first casing section and a sleeve-like second casing section of the connector. The first casing section of the connector body is connected to the second casing section at a first end section by a first end wall section. The casing sections are open to one another at a second end section. In the first casing section and in the second casing section at least two passages are formed which are provided for mounting a locking element. In the connector body between the first casing section and the second casing section a reinforcing element is inserted, wherein the reinforcing element is arranged at least in the area of one of the passages.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of PCT/EP2016/073540 filed on Oct. 3, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Austrian Application No. A 50855/2015 filed on Oct. 7, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a connector for connecting conduits for liquid or gaseous media and to a method for producing such a connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

From EP 2 360 411 A1 a generic connector is known for a motor vehicle. The connector for connecting conduits for liquid or gaseous media comprises a sleeve which has an insertion opening. A connecting piece can be inserted into the insertion opening. Furthermore, the connector comprises a locking spring surrounding the sleeve at least over a portion of its circumference, which locking spring can be adjusted between a locking position for locking the connecting piece fitted to the connector and a release position that is locked relative to the sleeve, in which the locking connection with the connecting piece is released and the connecting piece can be removed from the insertion opening of the sleeve. The locking spring projects at least in its locking position over at least a portion of its longitudinal extension in which it can be locked to the connecting piece through a passage of the sleeve into the inner space surrounding the sleeve. Furthermore, wherein the locking spring is locked in place in its locked release position in at least one locking position of the locking spring behind a holding projection of the sleeve in a holding recess of the sleeve. The holding projection projects relative to the holding recess in the axial direction of the sleeve.

The connector of EP 2 360 411 A1 can easily be damaged by the application of force in the area of the locking spring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and provide a device in which the components are much less likely to break, and provide a method for producing such a device.

Said objective is achieved by a device and a method according to the invention.

The device according to the invention is a connector for a motor vehicle, comprising a connector body, which connector body comprises an annular space, which lies between a sleeve-like first casing section in cross-section surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the connector and a sleeve-like second casing section of the connector in cross-section surrounding the central longitudinal axis. The first casing section is surrounded by the second casing section and the first casing section of the connector body is connected to the second casing section at a first end section by a first end wall section. The casing sections are open to one another at a second end section. In the first casing section and in the second casing section at least two passages are formed, which are provided for receiving a locking element, which locking element is provided for securing the connector relative to a counter connector. In the connector body a reinforcing element is inserted between the first casing section and the second casing section, wherein the reinforcing element is arranged at least in the area of one of the passages.

An advantage of the design of the connector according to the invention is that the connector body is reinforced by the reinforcing element particularly in the area of the passages for receiving the locking element. Thus by means of the reinforcing element the unwanted widening of the passages can be prevented. In particular, it can be ensured in this way that the connection between the connector and counter connector has the greatest degree of strength and highest sealing effect over the lifetime of the motor vehicle.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the reinforcing element has a at least one recess which corresponds at least partly with one of the passages. It is an advantage here that the recess of the reinforcing element can reinforce the passage in the connector body.

Furthermore, it is possible for the connector body to comprise four passages which are designed to be passed through by the locking element, wherein the at least one recess of the reinforcing element is congruent with at least one of the passages and in this way a joint passage is formed. It is an advantage here that the joint passage can be produced in a punching process, wherein the reinforcing element and the connector body are punched jointly. It is thus ensured that the recess in the reinforcing element and the passage in the connector body are congruent. Furthermore, by means of the joint punching process it is possible that the reinforcing element and the connector body fit into one another in a wedge-like manner, as during the punching process a cutting burr is produced.

Furthermore, it is possible that the at least one recess of the reinforcing element is designed to be smaller than the corresponding passage. It is an advantage here that in this way a support area can be created and the locking element can bear on said support area in the release position.

A design is also advantageous in which the reinforcing element is designed as a sleeve segment. It is an advantage here that the reinforcing element can be punched out of a metal strip and can be shaped into a sleeve segment. A sleeve segment is defined as a sleeve which is not circumferential but which only extends over portions of the circumference. As an alternative to a sleeve segment it is also possible to use a closed sleeve.

According to one development it is possible that an outer diameter of the first casing section is the same size as an inner diameter of the reinforcing element. It is an advantage here that the reinforcing element bears on the first casing section and can thus reinforce the latter.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous that a beading is formed in the second casing section, by means of which the reinforcing element is fixed in radial direction. By means of the beading the reinforcing element can be clamped between the first casing section and second casing section.

Furthermore, it is possible for the connector body to be made from a first material and the reinforcing element to be made from a second material, wherein the second material is stronger than the first material. It is an advantage here that a material can be used for the reinforcing element which has high strength and which if necessary does not change its shape easily. For the connector body a material can be used which has a high degree of formability in order to create the complex geometry of the connector body.

In the method for producing the connector in a first method step the connector body is shaped and optionally the passages are formed in the connector body; in a further method step a reinforcing element is pre-formed; in a further method step the reinforcing element is pushed axially into the connector body and is positioned in the connector body. An advantage of the method according to the invention is that the reinforcing element can be preformed in a separate method step and thus the reinforcing element can be shaped independently of the connector body.

Furthermore, according to a further method step the connector body and the reinforcing element are punched jointly and a joint passage is formed thereby. It is thus ensured that the recess in the reinforcing element and the passage in the connector body are congruent. Furthermore, by means of the joint punching process it is possible that the reinforcing element and the connector body fit into one another in a wedge-like manner, as during the punching process a cutting burr is produced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First of all, it should be noted that in the variously described exemplary embodiments the same parts have been given the same reference numerals and the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied to the same parts with the same reference numerals and same component names. Also details relating to position used in the description, such as e.g. top, bottom, side etc. relate to the currently described and represented figure and in case of a change in position should be adjusted to the new position.

FIG. 1shows a perspective view of a connector assembly1with a connector2, wherein the latter is shown in a quarter section. Furthermore,FIG. 1shows schematically a counter connector3, which can be connected with the connector assembly1. The interconnection between the connector assembly1and a counter connector3is described in detail in AT 509 196 B1.

Furthermore, a pipe4is shown schematically to which the connector2can be coupled. The pipe4can for example be rigid, such as plastic pipe. In another embodiment variant the pipe4can be made as a flexible conduit from a rubber material.

The connector2comprises a connector body5, which is preferably designed as a one-piece molded part, such as a deep-drawn part, in particular made of stainless steel plate.

The connector assembly1is preferably used in a motor vehicle, in particular in a road vehicle with a combustion engine, such as a car or a lorry.

Of course, it is also possible for the connector assembly1to be used differently with a combustion engine. This can include for example the use of the connector assembly1in a stationary assembly, a ship's engine, an aircraft engine, a construction machine etc.

In particular, the connector assembly1can be used for connecting different components of the fresh air supply to the combustion engine. For example, it is possible that the connector2is provided with the corresponding counter connector3for connecting two parts in the suction area of a turbocharger. Furthermore, it also possible for example to insert such a connector assembly1in the pressure side coming from the turbocharger for connecting two components.

FIG. 2shows a cross-section of the connector2, wherein the cross-sectional line is selected so that a locking element6installed in the connector2for securing the connector2and the counter connector3to one another is shown.

The locking element6is constructed so that it can be activated and deactivated easily, so that the connector2and the counter connector3can be separated from one another or connected to one another as necessary. The locking element6can be moved into a locked position, in which the connector2and the counter connector3are secured to one another. Furthermore, the locking element6can be moved into a release position, in which the counter connector3can be inserted into the connector2or can be removed from the latter.

As also shown inFIG. 2, a reinforcing element7is inserted into the connector body5which reinforcing element is used for improving the rigidity of the connector body5. The reinforcing element7can be designed as a sleeve segment, as shown clearly inFIG. 2, and can therefore comprise an intermediate piece which has an open circumference. In a further embodiment variant the reinforcing element7can be designed as a sleeve and can therefore have a closed circumference.

FIG. 3shows a cross-section of the connector assembly1along a central longitudinal axis8of the connector2.

As shown clearly inFIG. 3, the connector2can comprise a connector seal9next to the connector body5, which seal is mounted in the connector body5. The connector seal9is used to seal the connector sufficiently in the plugged-in state with the counter connector3.

As shown inFIG. 3, on the connector body5a first casing section10is formed which surrounds the central longitudinal axis8of the connector2in a sleeve-like manner. In other words, the first casing section10is a rotationally-symmetrical hollow cylinder.

The first casing section10comprises an inner casing surface11and an outer casing surface12. A second casing section13surrounds the first casing section10, which second casing section is also designed to be rotationally symmetrical relative to the central longitudinal axis8. The first casing section10is connected to the second casing section13at a first end section14by means of a first end wall section15. The first end wall section15can be designed differently. In particular, the first end wall section15can be designed in the form of a fold, the second casing section13being folded by about 180° relative to the first casing section10, whereby the second casing section13is arranged surrounding the first casing section10.

As with the first casing section10the second casing section13also comprises an inner casing surface16and an outer casing surface17.

The first casing section10is delimited by its inner casing surface11and the outer casing surface12, thereby forming a wall thickness18of the first casing section10. The second casing section13is also delimited by an inner casing surface16and an outer casing surface17, thereby forming the wall thickness19of the second casing section13.

The first casing section10is designed to be stepped in the shown embodiment. It is possible that a seal mount20adjoins the first casing section10on the opposite side of the first end section14of the connector2, which seal mount20is also formed in the connector body5. A connector seal9can be mounted in such a seal mount20. Furthermore, it is also possible that a third casing section21adjoins the seal mount20, which casing section together with the second casing section13forms an annular space22for receiving the pipe4.

The second casing section13and the third casing section21are open to one another at a second end section23of the connector2, thereby forming a pipe receiving side24of the connector body5.

It is possible for the third casing section21in the area of the second end section23to have a beveling25which is formed on the pipe receiving side24. Such a beveling25has the advantage that the pipe4or a sealing element used for sealing the pipe4can be inserted easily in insertion direction26into the annular space22. Furthermore, it is also possible for the second casing section13to have such a beveling27so that the pipe4can also be pushed easily into the annular space22. Afterwards, the pipe4can be pressed together with the connector body5so that the two components form a single unit.

The beveling25,27can be formed for example by beading having corresponding radii or by widenings and are preferably formed during the deep-drawing process.

Preferably, the connector body5is produced by means of a deep-drawing process, wherein all of the wall thicknesses of the casing sections of the connector body5are about the same size.

As shown in the view ofFIG. 3, it can also be advantageous for the seal mount20to have an end face wall28which adjoins the third casing section21. By means of the end face wall28in particular a mounting recess can be formed for the connector seal9.

The first casing section10has an outer diameter30and an axial extension29. An inner diameter31of the reinforcing element7is preferably approximately the same size as the outer diameter30of the first casing section10.

In the area of the first casing section10the connector2has a receiving space32. The receiving space32is surrounded by the first casing section10and is used for receiving a portion of the counter connector3.

The connector body5comprises a plurality of passages33which are spaced apart from one another in circumferential direction which are also arranged in the area of the first casing section10. In the locking position of the locking element6, which the latter adopts in the inserted and locked state, the locking element6projects through the respective passage33into the receiving chamber32. In said sections the locking element6interacts with a locking surface of a locking shoulder of the counter connector3.

It is also shown inFIG. 3that the reinforcing element7comprises a recess34which corresponds with one of the passages33and thus the locking element6can be guided through the reinforcing element7. In particular, it is possible for a first type of passage33′ and a second type of passage33″ to be formed. Corresponding with the latter a first type of recess34′ and a second type of recess34″ are formed.

In particular, the recess34″ of the reinforcing element7and the passage33″ of the connector body5have at least partly the same outer contour and are arranged to be congruent with one another.

In particular the passage33′ and the recess34′ can be designed to be fully congruent, thereby forming a joint passage35.

As shown in an overview ofFIGS. 2 and 3, it is also possible that in the second casing section13of the connector body5one or more beadings36are inserted, by means of which the reinforcing element7can be clamped into the intermediate space between the first casing section10and second casing section13. By means of the beadings36the reinforcing element7can be fixed in radial direction or can be held in position by radial clamping in axial direction if necessary. The beadings36can also be used to increase the stability of the second casing section13.

FIG. 4shows an exploded view of the individual components of the connector2, wherein the same reference numerals and component names are used for the same parts as in the precedingFIGS. 1 to 3. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description of the precedingFIGS. 1 to 3.

It is shown clearly inFIG. 4that the locking element6can comprise four locking areas37for example, which are designed to pass through the passages33of the connector body5. The locking areas37are therefore designed as inwardly pointing V-shaped elements. As also shown inFIG. 4, the connector2also comprises holding elements38, which are inserted into a holding element mount39and are used for securing the locking element6.

The reinforcing element7is shown as already prefabricated inFIG. 4, where it is prebent and the recesses34have already been formed in the reinforcing element7. In particular, as shown, the reinforcing element7can be designed as a sleeve segment. Furthermore it is shown for example that the two recesses34″ can be designed to be slit-like. The two recesses34′ can have exactly the same outer contour as the corresponding passages33′.

In a further not shown embodiment variant it is also possible that the recesses34are not made or are only partly formed in the prefabricated reinforcing element7and that the latter are only formed when the reinforcing element7is inserted into the connector body5. Here the reinforcing element7can be punched in the inserted state together with the connector body5.

In order to reinforce the connector body5with the reinforcing element7, the reinforcing element7can have a higher strength than the connector body5. As the reinforcing element7does not need to be shaped as much as the connector body5, the connector body5can be made from a first material and the reinforcing element7can be made from a second material, wherein the second material is less deformable than the first material.

In the following the possible method of assembly of the connector2is described. In a first method step the connector body5is produced by shaping, in particular by deep-drawing, from a flat sheet metal material. Here during the deep-drawing process the recesses34and39formed in the circumference of the connector body5can be punched out.

In a further method step the reinforcing element7can also be shaped by forming.

Furthermore, it is possible that at least one of the passages33and the corresponding recess34are only produced in a following punching process when the reinforcing element7is already placed into the connector body5. In this way the recess34and the passage33can be produced in the form of a joint passage35, wherein by means of the punching process the reinforcing element7and the connector body5can fit into one another in a wedge-like manner and in this way the axial positioning of the reinforcing element7is improved.

In an alternative variant it is possible that the recesses34are inserted into the reinforcing element7before placing into the connector body5.

In a further method step the reinforcing element7can be pushed into the connector body5in insertion direction26and inserted into the latter. It is possible in this case that the reinforcing element7is inserted into a fold area40which is formed in the connector body5in the area of the end wall section15. By means of this fold area40a narrow slit can be formed radially into which the reinforcing element7can be inserted. In particular, it is possible for the reinforcing element7to be clamped in the fold area40.

In addition, beadings36are used for the axial and radial positioning and for fixing the reinforcing element7. The latter can be inserted in advance into the connector body5. In an alternative method of production the beadings36can also be inserted after inserting the reinforcing element7into the connector body5in order to clamp the reinforcing element7.

In a further method step the locking element6can be inserted into the connector body5and afterwards the holding elements38can be used for securing the locking element6into the connector body5.

The locking element6comprises a holding area41which can be gripped in order to be inserted into the connector body5and moved between a locked position and a release position.

FIG. 5shows a perspective view of the connector2, where the locking element6is in the locked position.

FIG. 6shows a detailed view of the locking element6which is in the locked position.

FIG. 7shows a perspective view of the connector2, where the locking element6is in the release position.

FIG. 8shows a detailed view of the locking element6which is in the release position.

FIGS. 5 to 8show a further and possibly independent embodiment of the connector2, wherein the same parts and component names are used for the same parts as in the precedingFIGS. 1 to 4. To avoid unnecessary repetition reference is made to the detailed description of the precedingFIGS. 1 to 4.

The locking position of the locking element6is shown particularly clearly in an overview ofFIGS. 5 and 6, and the release position of the locking element6is shown in an overview ofFIGS. 7 and 8. When the locking element6is in its locking position the locking areas37project into the receiving space32and the counter connector3is secured axially relative to the connector2. When the locking element6is in its release position the locking areas37do not project into the receiving space32and the counter connector3can be displaced axially relative to the connector2.

As shown inFIG. 6the recess34can be designed to be slit-like in the reinforcing element7, where the slit has a width which corresponds approximately to the diameter of the locking element6. In this way the locking element6can be fixed axially.

If the locking element6at the holding area41is drawn in radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the connector2, due to the geometry of the locking element6the locking areas37are removed from the receiving space32. In particular, the locking element6is moved so far radially outwards until it is moved into the release position according toFIGS. 7 and 8.

Shortly before reaching the release position a guide pin42of the locking element6contacts the holding element38and is axially deflected by the latter so that the locking element6moves into the release position. In particular, it is possible for a beveling43to be formed in the holding element38, by means of which with radial tension on the holding area41an axial movement is introduced to the locking element6. After the completion of the axial displacement the locking element6can be released, whereby the guide pin42bears on the connector body5or, as shown particularly clearly inFIG. 8, bears on the reinforcing element7and thus remains in the release position in which the locking element6is pretensioned.

In order to move the locking element6out of the release position back into the locking position, the locking element6can be displaced slightly axially and from the prestressing of the locking element6the latter moves automatically back into the locked position, as soon as it can enter into the recesses34′ of the locking element6.

The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment variants shown in particular, but rather various different combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this variability, due to the teaching on technical procedure, lies within the ability of a person skilled in the art in this technical field.

The scope of protection is defined in the claims. To interpret the claims the description and the drawings should be referred to. Individual features or combinations of features from the various different shown and described embodiments can represent independent solutions of the invention. The problem addressed by the independent solutions according to the invention can be taken from the description.

All of the details relating to value ranges in the present description are defined such that the latter include any and all part ranges, e.g. a range of 1 to 10 means that all part ranges, starting from the lower limit of 1 to the upper limit 10 are included, i.e. the whole part range beginning with a lower limit of 1 or above and ending at an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10.

Finally, as a point of formality, it should be noted that for a better understanding of the structure some elements have not been represented true to scale in part and/or have been enlarged and/or reduced in size.