Abstract:
The invention relates to a fluid line coupling and comprises a receiving part ( 1 ) as well as a fixing assembly ( 15 ) for the fixation of an insertion part ( 10 ). The fixing assembly has a retaining part ( 17 ) which is, in a steady state, located in the receiving space ( 4 ) of the receiving part ( 1 ) and is equipped with pivotable support wings ( 22, 23 ) engaging behind the existing front coil ( 14 ) which is located on the insertion part ( 10 ). Said fixing assembly also features a locking element ( 16 ) which is movably connected to the retaining part ( 17 ) and has, along with the receiving part ( 1 ), elements of a blocking assembly which impede the movement of the locking element ( 16 ) from an extended to a retracted position, if the insertion part ( 10 ) is not positioned accordingly. Thus, an easily attainable and stable fixation of the insertion part ( 10 ) in the receiving part ( 1 ) is achieved.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. National Phase patent application based on International Application Serial No. PCT/EP2007/002529 filed Mar. 22, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby explicitly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention is directed to a fluid line coupling. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    One fluid line coupling is known from DE 10 2004 038 912 B3. The prior fluid line coupling comprises a receiving part, into which an insertion part configured with an end union can be inserted. A fixing arrangement for locking the insertion part in the receiving part is configured in one piece in the form a clamp-like security part that can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position and that comprises two arms connected to each other via a transverse portion, and further comprises a retaining portion disposed radially inward of the transverse portion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a fluid line coupling having a blocking assembly configured on its receiving part and on its security part, such that when the insertion part is not properly inserted into the receiving part, elements of the blocking assembly are engaged with one another in such a way that the security part is prevented from shifting from the extended position to the retracted position, while when the end union is disposed in the region of the arms, the engagement between the elements of the blocking assembly is released and the security part can be moved into the retracted position, in which the retaining portion configured on the security part engages behind the end union. A relatively simple means of ascertaining the proper arrangement of the insertion part in the receiving part is obtained in this way, since the security part can be in the retracted position only if the insertion part is properly arranged in the receiving part, taking the elements of the blocking assembly out of engagement. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides a fluid line coupling that is distinguished by being particularly easy to manipulate and produce, and by being usable under difficult conditions in securing the insertion part in the receiving part and in verifying the correct arrangement of the insertion part in the receiving part. 
         [0008]    By virtue of the fact that in the fluid line coupling according to the invention, the fixing arrangement has two separate components, namely the retaining part and the security part, for the function of retaining the insertion part and for the function of indicating the correct arrangement of the insertion part in the receiving part, each component can be optimally designed for its assigned function, it being the case that the retaining part, which can be quite sturdily dimensioned, remains in an embracing position in a stationary state and need not be moved in a radial direction, while the security part, which is provided solely to perform the function of confirming the successful insertion of the insertion part into the receiving part, can be configured as more delicate and thus as more easily movable. 
         [0009]    In one form thereof, the present invention provides a fluid line coupling, including a receiving part for receiving an insertion part configured with an end union, and including a fixing arrangement having a security part, which is configured with two security arms, and at least one retaining portion, the security part being insertable into a receiving space of the receiving part and movable at right angles to an insertion direction of the insertion part between an extended position and a retracted position, and the receiving part and the security part including a blocking arrangement, wherein if the insertion part is not properly inserted in the receiving part, blocking elements of the blocking arrangement which are configured on the receiving part and on the security part are engaged with one another in such a way that the security part is prevented from shifting from the extended position into the retracted position, and wherein when the end union is disposed in the region of the security arms, the engagement between the elements of the blocking arrangement is released and the security part can be moved into the retracted position, it being the case that in the retracted position, the or each retaining portion engages behind the end union, characterized in that the fixing arrangement further includes a retaining part on which the or each retaining portion is configured and which in a stationary state is disposed in the receiving space in an embracing position, and in that the security part is displaceably connected to the retaining part. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    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: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid line coupling according to the invention, comprising a fixing arrangement having a retaining part and a security part; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional representation of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  in the region of the fixing arrangement during the insertion of an insertion shaft of an insertion part, with the security part in an extended position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows the arrangement according to  FIG. 2  with an end union configured on the insertion part in a position located in the region of the fixing arrangement during the insertion of the insertion part; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal section of the arrangement according to  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows the arrangement according to  FIGS. 2 to 5  immediately after the end union has passed through the fixing arrangement; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal section of the arrangement according to  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 6  with the security part in a retracted position and with an electrical measuring arrangement for detecting the retracted position of the security part; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment modified in the region of the receiving part by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment modified in the region of the security part by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 7 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a section of an exemplary embodiment modified in the region of the security part by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 7  and the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    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 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluid line coupling according to the invention. The inventive fluid line coupling comprises a receiving part  1  that can be tightly connected at one end to an end of a fluid line  2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . At the other end, receiving part  1  has a security body  3 , which surrounds a receiving space  4 . 
         [0023]    In this exemplary embodiment, a first sealing ring  5 , a second sealing ring  6 , and an intermediate ring  7 , disposed between sealing rings  5  and  6 , of a sealing arrangement  8  can be inserted into receiving part  1  through receiving space  4 , proceeding on into a sealing space confronting the fluid line  2 . Sealing arrangement  8  is sealed off from receiving space  4  by a spacer  9 . 
         [0024]    Also depicted in  FIG. 1  is an insertion part  10  which is to be inserted into receiving part  1 , and which can be connected by an elongated line shaft  11  to an end of another fluid line, not shown in  FIG. 1 . Configured in roughly the middle of insertion part  10  is a fully circumferentially extending stop collar  12 , which serves, among other things, as an abutment for the end of the fluid line. Configured on the opposite side of stop collar  12  from line shaft  11  is an elongated, substantially cylindrical insertion shaft  13 , comprising, in its end region adjacent stop collar  12 , a fully circumferentially extending end union  14  whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of stop collar  12 . 
         [0025]    The inventive device according to  FIG. 1  further comprises a fixing arrangement  15  which can be inserted into the receiving space  4  and arranged as intended therein, and which in the exemplary embodiment shown is formed by a security part  16  and a retaining part  17 . 
         [0026]    In this exemplary embodiment, security part  16  is made of metal, preferably of stamped sheet metal, and is substantially U-shaped, with two oppositely disposed security arms  18 ,  19 , connected to each other via a flat top portion  20 . Security part  16  thus has some resilient flexibility and is very resistant to high temperatures. The security arms  18 ,  19  are configured to converge toward each other in the direction heading away from top portion  20 , causing them to be biased toward each other when in a substantially parallel or splayed-apart arrangement. It can also be seen from  FIG. 1  that longitudinal slits  21  have been introduced as openings in the ends of security arms  18 ,  19  directed away from top portion  20 . 
         [0027]    The retaining part  17  is configured as two parts in this exemplary embodiment, with two separate retaining wings  22 ,  23 , each roughly semicircular in shape, each having on its inner side facing the other a respective retaining portion  24  that protrudes radially inwardly in an approximately circular-arc shape and is beveled in the insertion direction of insertion part  10 . With a view toward both high stability and high mobility, the retaining wings  22 ,  23  are connected to each other at one end by an articulation  25  that allows them to pivot radially inward and outward, each retaining wing  22 ,  23  having, adjacent the articulation  25 , an actuating structure  26  in the form of a protuberance arrangement that can preferably be grasped well with the fingers. 
         [0028]    Finally, retaining wings  22 ,  23  each have on their radially outwardly disposed outer sides a respective holding lug  27 , which protrudes radially outward and is angled away from articulation  25 , and which is dimensioned to engage in a longitudinal slit  21  formed in a respective one of the security arms  18 ,  19  when security part  16  is properly guided by its security arms  18 ,  19  through insertion openings provided between articulation  25  and actuating structure  25  and the security arms  18 ,  19  bear radially outwardly against the retaining wings  22 ,  23 . Security part  16  and retaining part  17  are thus reliably connected to each other. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 1  in the region of fixing arrangement  15  during the insertion of insertion shaft  13  of insertion part  10 , security part  16  being in an extended position. As is apparent from  FIG. 2 , the outer diameter of insertion shaft  13  is smaller than the inner diameter of the ring formed by retaining wings  22 ,  23 , which ring encircles insertion shaft  13  in this stationary embracing position of retaining part  17 . In the extended position of security part  16 , top portion  20  is spaced apart from articulation  25 , and the free ends of retaining wings  22 ,  23 , i.e., those disposed oppositely from articulation  25 , bear against each other due to the radially inward biasing force exerted by the biased security arms  18 ,  19 . 
         [0030]    In this arrangement, the free ends  28  of security arms  18 ,  19 , i.e. those directed away from top portion  20 , bear, as elements of a blocking assembly, against blocking surfaces  29 ,  30 , which are oriented in the insertion direction of fixing arrangement  15  and are configured between receiving space  4  and, as immersion spaces, immersion ducts  31 ,  32  extending in alignment away from receiving space  4  in the insertion direction of fixing arrangement  15 , as additional elements of the blocking assembly, such that further displacement of security part  16  toward the center of security body  3  is blocked. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows the arrangement according to  FIG. 2  with end union  14 , which is configured on insertion part  10 , disposed in a position located in the region of fixing arrangement  15  during the introduction of insertion part  10  at the instant when retaining wings  22 ,  23  are farthest apart, in a splayed-apart position, due to the passage of end union  14  through the region where retaining wings  22 ,  23  have the smallest diameter owing to retaining portions  24 . In this arrangement, the free ends  28  of security arms  18 ,  19  no longer bear against blocking surfaces  29 ,  30 , but are disposed opposite blocking surfaces  33 ,  34 , which are aligned in the insertion direction of security part  16  and are configured radially outwardly on the opposite sides of immersion ducts  31 ,  32  from blocking surfaces  29 ,  30 , such that displacement of security part  16  from the extended position toward the center of receiving space  4  continues to be blocked. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal section of the arrangement according to  FIG. 3 , from which it will be clearly discerned that when end union  14  is positioned between retaining portions  24 , which project radially inward in a collar-like manner into receiving space  4 , the retaining wings  22 ,  23  are forced into the splayed-apart position, so that in this transitional phase, despite the fact that insertion part  10  appears from the outside to be nearly properly inserted in receiving part  1 , it is clearly apparent from the fact that security part  16  is still protruding and is blocked against being pushed in that retaining portions  24  have not yet engaged behind end union  14 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows the arrangement according to  FIGS. 2 to 4  immediately after the passage of end union  14  through fixing arrangement  15 , in which, due to suitable dimensioning of end union  14 , security arms  18 ,  19  are no longer oriented in alignment with immersion ducts  31 ,  32 . In this arrangement, security part  16  can be shifted from the extended position into a retracted position by exerting a force on top portion  20  in the direction of the center of receiving space  4 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal section of the arrangement according to  FIG. 5 , from which it is clear that retaining portions  24  have latched behind end union  14  and are securing insertion part  10  in receiving part  1 , with portions of retaining wings  22 ,  23  that are situated behind retaining portions  24  in the insertion direction of insertion part  10  resting against end union  14 , such that once security part  16  has been pushed in, the connection process can be recognized as having been properly completed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  shows the arrangement according to  FIGS. 2 to 6  with the security part  16  in the retracted position, in which security arms  18 ,  19  are disposed in immersion ducts  31 ,  32  and extend to the outside of security body  3 . In this retracted position of security part  16 , retaining portions  24  of retaining wings  22 ,  23  engage behind end union  14  under a radially inwardly directed bias, and insertion part  10  is fixed in receiving part  1  against inadvertently being pulled out against the insertion direction. 
         [0036]    Also depicted in  FIG. 7  is an electrical measuring arrangement  35  for detecting the retracted position of a security part  16  made of metal or another electrically conductive material, and comprising substantially two contact leads  36 ,  37 , each of which is connected by one end to an evaluator  38 . When the other free end of a contact lead  36  is contacted with cover portion  20  of security part  16 , and the free end of the other contact lead  37  is disposed at the external opening of an immersion duct  31 ,  32 , an electrical connection is created between the free ends of the contact leads  36 ,  37  that causes a signal change, visually represented in  FIG. 5 , in the evaluator  38  and is therefore significant of the retracted position of security part  16 . 
         [0037]    In order to release the insertion part  10  in a comparatively simple manner, after security part  16  has been shifted from the retracted position into the extended position, the actuating structures  26  are subjected to forces that cause retaining wings  22 ,  23  to pivot radially outwardly into the splayed-apart position, thereby canceling the rear engagement of retaining portions  24 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary embodiment modified by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 7 , in the arrangement according to  FIG. 3 , with the immersion ducts  31 ,  32  configured as radially outwardly open immersion spaces and the blocking surfaces  33 ,  34  eliminated, such that security part  16  can be shifted directly from the splayed-apart position into the retracted position, and moreover, the removal of insertion part  10  can be effected by shifting retaining wings  22 ,  23  into the splayed-apart position without the need to move security part  16  from the retracted position into the extended position. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment modified in the region of security part  16  by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 7 , in which security part  16  is configured in one piece with via a pliable, flexible connection portion  39 , which pivotably connects retaining wings  22 ,  23  to each other in the manner of a film hinge. This exemplary embodiment is distinguished by advantageously simple construction. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment further modified in the region of security part  16  by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 7  and by comparison to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 9 . In the exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 10 , a separating pin  40  is formed on security body  3 , and, after retaining part  17  is inserted in receiving space  4  for the first time, severs a thin bridge portion  41  originally configured between retaining wings  22 ,  23 , causing retaining wings  22 ,  23  to be connected to each other by way of security part  16 , rather than directly, as before. This embodiment, while being of mechanically simple construction, makes the retaining wings  22 ,  23  particularly easy to splay apart and endows them with a high pressure force. 
         [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.