Patent Publication Number: US-2018038531-A1

Title: Connecting apparatus comprising a retention collar

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to German patent application No. 10 2016 114 462.2, entitled “Verbindungsvorrichtung mit einer Haltemanschette”, and filed on Aug. 4, 2016 by the Applicant of this application. The entire disclosure of the German application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines which comprises a retention collar. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a connecting apparatus for connecting a first fluid-conducting line, in particular a charge air line, to a second fluid-conducting line, in particular a charge air line, wherein the connecting apparatus comprises a retention collar. 
     A plurality of fluid-conducting lines can be used in a motor vehicle in the form of hoses, tubes and the like such as, for example, a charge air line for conveying air within a motor vehicle. Air is thereby transported through the charge air line to the combustion engine in order to promote combustion of a fuel mixture. Conventionally used connecting apparatus can be damaged by movement and/or deformation of the fluid-conducting lines during motor vehicle operation. 
     DE 10 2013 012 369 A1 discloses a coupling assembly for pipelines comprising a locking element. 
     In this context, the task is that of providing a connecting apparatus for fluid-conducting lines which has a long operating life. 
     SUMMARY 
     This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous examples of the disclosure constitute the subject matter of the dependent claims as well as the figures and the description. 
     According to a first aspect of the disclosure, the task is solved by a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines which comprises a first fluid-conducting line having a first connecting section, a second fluid-conducting line having a second connecting section, wherein the second connecting section can be introduced axially into the first connecting section in order to provide a fluidic connection between the first and the second fluid-conducting line, a retention collar for fixing the connecting sections to one another, wherein the retention collar has first retaining projections designed to engage into a first locking contour on the outer surface of the first fluid-conducting line, and wherein the retention collar has second retaining projections designed to engage into a second locking contour on the outer surface of the second fluid-conducting line, wherein the first retaining projections engage into the first locking contour and wherein the second retaining projections engage into the second locking contour in order to limit an axial displacement of the first connecting section relative to the second connecting section. 
     Employing the retention collar can prevent the second connecting section from accidentally disengaging from the first connecting section and the fluidic connection between the first fluid-conducting line and the second fluid-conducting line thereby becoming separated. 
     To this end, the second connecting section of the second fluid-conducting line is displaceably supported axially within the first connecting section of the first fluid-conducting line. This can thereby ensure that upon, for example, vibrations or heating of the fluid-conducting lines during operation, the first and second fluid-conducting line can move axially against each other without resulting in a disconnecting of the fluidic connection between the fluid-conducting lines. 
     The first and second retaining projections of the retention collar thereby engage into the corresponding first and second locking contour and limit the axial movement of the first connecting section relative to the second connecting section. This thus enables the second connecting section to be displaced to a certain degree relative to the first connecting section. The design of the retention collar however prevents the second connecting section from being able to fully slide out of the first connecting section and thus ensures that the fluidic connection between the first and second fluid-conducting line is not separated. 
     Compared to conventional line mounts, the retention collar according to the disclosure has the advantage of being simpler to produce and being able to be installed with less effort, thereby enabling a significant cost reduction. In addition, the retention collar can be used with a plurality of different fluid-conducting lines since the stability of the fluidic connection does not depend on the material of the fluid-conducting lines. Furthermore, the retention collar can be individually adapted to the respective fluid-conducting lines with respect to the most diverse parameters, particularly as regards the range of tolerance to the axial displacement, and particularly as regards the material&#39;s temperature resistance. A universal applicability of the retention collar in widely diverse piping systems thus results. 
     In one advantageous example, the connecting sections are displaceably fixed by the retention collar. 
     Doing so achieves the advantage of, on the one hand, the retention collar ensuring an effective fixing of the connecting sections in order to prevent one of the connecting sections from sliding out. On the other hand, the displaceable fixing of the connecting sections ensures a certain degree of axial play so as to enable compensating for a bending or deforming respectively of the connecting sections. 
     In one advantageous example, the retention collar is designed as a circumferential retention collar around the first and second fluid-conducting line, wherein the first retaining projections and the second retaining projections are arranged on opposite sides of the retention collar. 
     This example thereby achieves the advantage of the circumferential retention collar affording uniformly stable fixing of the connecting sections of the fluid-conducting lines. By the first and second retaining projections being arranged on opposite sides of the circumferential retention collar, they can in each case effectively engage into the first locking contour of the first fluid-conducting line and the second locking contour of the second fluid-conducting line and thus prevent the second fluid-conducting line from unintentionally withdrawing out of the first fluid-conducting line. 
     In one advantageous example, respective first slots are arranged between the first retaining projections and respective second slots are arranged between the second retaining projections, wherein the first retaining projections are in particular arranged at an offset relative to the second retaining projections, and wherein the first slots are in particular arranged at an offset relative to the second slots. 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the slots formed between the respective retaining projections being able to ensure a sufficient amount of radial movement when fitting the retention collar. The longest possible slot length can ensure the longest possible mechanical leverage when fitting the retention collar, thus ensuring sufficient stability to the retention collar. The offset arrangement of the first retaining projections in relation to the second retaining projections or respectively the first slots in relation to the second slots can improve the stability of the retention collar. 
     In one advantageous example, layers of plastic are disposed in the first and second slots, whereby the plastic layers are designed to fluidically seal the slots vis-à-vis an outer surface of the first fluid-conducting line or an outer surface of the second fluid-conducting line, wherein the plastic layers in particular comprise a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the plastic layers being able to ensure a particularly effective fluidic seal between the retention collar and the first/second fluidic line. Doing so enables preventing impurities from outside of the fluidic lines from being able to infiltrate into the connecting region between the first and second fluidic line upon the first connecting section displacing axially relative to the second connecting section. This can thus ensure an effective sealing connection and, in particular, prevent sealing ring damage. 
     In one advantageous example, the connection between the first retaining projections and the first locking contour and/or the connection between the second retaining projections and the second locking contour is designed as a positive-fit connection, in particular as a latching connection. 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the positive connection, in particular latching connection, being able to ensure a particularly effective fixing of the fluidic connection between the first and second fluid-conducting line. This thereby ensures that the first and second retaining projections effectively engage into the respective locking contours so as to limit axial displacement of the first connecting section relative to the second connecting section. 
     In one advantageous example, the second connecting section, comprises an external circumferential sealing web, wherein the circumferential sealing web is in particular rounded on the side facing the first connecting section, and the second connecting section comprises a further external circumferential sealing web, whereby a circumferential sealing ring the around second connecting section is arranged between the circumferential sealing web and the further circumferential sealing web. 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the circumferential sealing web on the outer surface of the second connecting section ensuring that an effective fluid-tight connection can be made between the first fluid-conducting line and the second fluid-conducting line when the second connecting section is inserted into the first connecting section. The rounding of the circumferential sealing web on the side facing the first connecting section enables the second connecting section to tilt relative to the first connecting section, thereby enabling tolerance compensation upon a deformation of the first or second fluid-conducting line. Depending on the specific application, the second fluid-conducting line can be tilted up to 5° to the first fluid-conducting line in both respective directions. This thereby prevents the fluid conveyed through the fluid-conducting lines from leaking out of the fluidic connection upon high pressures and high temperatures. 
     In one advantageous example, the connecting apparatus further comprises a plastic tube which is drawn over the retention collar connected to the first and second connecting section. 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the plastic tube, which in particular can incorporate a shrink sleeve or a rubber sock, being able to prevent impurities from infiltrating into the connection between the first and second connecting section, whereby damage to the seal can be avoided. The plastic tube is thereby drawn over the first and second fluid-conducting line such that the plastic tube effectively encircles both the first and second connecting section as well as the retention collar. 
     In one advantageous example, the retention collar further comprises a plastic seal which is materially bonded to the retention collar, wherein the plastic seal in particular comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the plastic seal materially bonded to the retention collar being able to provide a particularly effective fluidic sealing of the retention collar relative to an outer surface of the first connecting section or relative to an outer surface of the second connecting section respectively. A plastic seal materially bonded to the retention collar can in particular encompass a plastic seal molded onto the retention collar. 
     In one advantageous example, the first fluid-conducting line comprises a first line section of a first diameter, whereby the first connecting section exhibits a further first diameter, and whereby the further first diameter is larger than the first diameter. 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the radial expansion of the first connecting section relative to the first line section enabling the second connecting section to be inserted into the first connecting section via the further first diameter of the first connecting section, which is larger than the first diameter of the first line section, so as to provide an effective fluidic connection between the first fluid-conducting line and the second fluid-conducting line. 
     In one advantageous example, the second fluid-conducting line comprises a second line section of a second diameter, whereby the second connecting section exhibits a further second diameter, and whereby the further second diameter is in particular smaller than the second diameter. 
     This for example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the radial narrowing of the second connecting section relative to the second, line section enabling the second connecting section to be inserted into the first connecting section via the further second diameter of the second connecting section, which is in particular smaller than the second diameter of the second line section, so as to provide an effective fluidic connection between the first fluid-conducting line and the second fluid-conducting line. In so doing, the first diameter of the first line section can in particular correspond to the second diameter of the second line section, whereby a consistent diameter of the first and second fluid-conducting lines can be ensured at least within the area of the first and second line section. In order to enable effective insertion of the second connecting section into the first connecting section, the further second diameter of the second connecting section is in particular smaller than the further first diameter of the first connecting section. 
     In one advantageous example, the first connecting section comprises an internal stop, whereby a front end of the second connecting section inserted into the first connecting section abuts against the stop in order to limit the insertion of the second connecting section into the first connecting section. 
     This for example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the stop on the inner surface of the first connecting section limiting the insertion of the second connecting section into the first connecting section. The second connecting section can thereby only be inserted up to the point of the front end of said second connecting section abutting against the stop in the first connecting section. The second connecting section thus cannot be inserted into the first connecting section without limitation, whereby an effective fluidic connection can be ensured between the first fluid-conducting line and the second fluid-conducting line. 
     In one advantageous example, first locking pins are arranged on the first locking contour, second locking pins are arranged on the second locking contour, and the first and second locking pins are designed to prevent the radial rotation of the retention collar on the connecting apparatus. 
     This for example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the first and second locking pins preventing the retention collar from being able to rotate radially on the connecting apparatus. The first and second locking pins thereby in particular insert in each case between the first and second retaining projections and thus lock the position of the first and second retaining projections with respect to radial rotation of the retention collar. 
     In one advantageous example, the retention collar comprises a thermoplastic substance, in particular a polyamide, nylon, polyphenylene sulfide or mixtures thereof. 
     This for example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the use of a thermoplastic substance, in particular polyamide, nylon, polyphenylene sulfide or mixtures thereof, providing on the one hand for particularly advantageous manufacturability of the retention collar and, on the other hand, ensuring sufficient retention collar stability so as to prevent the retention collar from being damaged due to high temperatures and high pressures of the fluid being conveyed through the fluid conducting line. 
     According to a second aspect of the disclosure, the task is solved by a retention collar for a connecting apparatus in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the retention collar comprises first retaining projections designed to engage into a first locking contour on the outer surface of the first fluid-conducting line, and wherein the retention collar comprises second retaining projections designed to engage into a second locking contour on the outer surface of the second fluid-conducting line, wherein the first retaining projections engage into the first locking contour and wherein the second retaining projections engage into the second locking contour in order to limit an axial displacement of the first connecting section relative to the second connecting section. 
     This example thereby achieves the technical advantage of the retention collar ensuring a particularly effective fixing of the first and second connecting section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of the present disclosure are depicted in the drawings and will be described in greater detail below. 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines; 
         FIG. 2  shows a sectional representation of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines in a first connecting position; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a sectional representation of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines in a further connecting position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1, 2 and 3  show different views of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines, wherein the fluid-conducting lines are in particular designed as lines for conducting air, e.g. in a motor vehicle. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines connected to a fluid line in an exploded view. The connecting apparatus  100  comprises a first fluid-conducting line  101 , a second fluid-conducting line  103  and a retention collar  105 . A fluid, in particular air, can be conveyed through the first and second fluid-conducting line  101 ,  103 . 
     The first fluid-conducting line  101  comprises a first line section  107  and a first connecting section  109 . The second fluid-conducting line  103  comprises a second line section  111  and a second connecting section  113 . The second connecting section  113  thereby has an external circumferential sealing web  115  and a further circumferential sealing web  117 , whereby a circumferential sealing ring  119  is arranged between the circumferential sealing web  115  and the further circumferential sealing web  117 . 
     Not depicted in  FIG. 1  is how a fluidic connection is provided between the first and second fluid-conducting line  101 ,  103  by the second connecting section  113  of the second fluid-conducting line  103  being axially inserted into the first connecting section  109  of the first fluid-conducting line  101 . 
     The retention collar  105  fixes the first and second connecting section  109 ,  113  and comprises in particular a thermoplastic plastic, e.g. polyamide (PA), nylon, polyphenylene sulfide or mixtures thereof. The retention collar  105  is thereby designed as a circumferential retention collar  105  around the first and second fluid-conducting line  101 ,  103 . The retention collar  105  has first retaining projections  121  and second retaining projections  123  arranged on opposite sides of the retaining projections  105 . 
     Respective first slots  125  are arranged between the first retaining projections  121  and respective second slots  127  are arranged between the second retaining projections  123 . The first retaining projections  121  are arranged at an offset relative to the second retaining projections  123 . The first slots  125  are arranged at an offset to the second slots  127 . The first slots  125  are arranged at the height of the second retaining projections  123  and the second slots  127  are arranged at the height of the first retaining projections  121 . Plastic layers, in particular incorporating a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), can thereby be arranged in the first and second slots  125 ,  127  to provide a fluidic sealing thereof. 
     A first locking contour  129  is provided on the outer surface of the first connecting section  109  of the first fluid-conducting line  101  into which the first retaining projections  121  can engage. A second locking contour  131  is provided on the outer surface of the second connecting section  113  of the second fluid-conducting line  103  into which the second retaining projections  123  can engage. The engaging of the first and second retaining projections  121 ,  123  into the respective first and second locking contours  129 ,  131  on different sides of the fluidic connection between the first and second fluid-conducting line  101 ,  103  can ensure that the retention collar  105  effectively fixes the connecting sections  109 ,  113  within the connecting apparatus  100 . The connection between the first and second retaining projections  121 ,  123  and the first and second locking contours  129 ,  131  can encompass a form-fit or force-fit connection, in particular a latching connection. Doing so thereby prevents unintentional disengaging of the connection between the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 . 
     Since the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 , in particular charge air hoses, are often axially stretched or compressed in particularly constricted installation spaces within motor vehicles, or the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103  buckle at the connection between the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103  respectively, the retention collar  105  enables a certain flexibility to the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 . 
     The first retaining projections  121  thereby engage into the first locking contour  129  and the second retaining projections  123  engage into the second locking contour  131  in order to limit axial displacement of the first connecting section  109  relative to the second connecting section  113 . The engaging of the retaining projections  121 ,  123  into the respective locking contours  129 ,  131  can thus prevent the second connecting section  113  of the second fluid-conducting line  103  from drawing out of the first connecting section  109  of the first fluid-conducting line  101  during operation. This can thereby prevent an unintentional disengaging of the connection between the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 . 
     If, however, the second connecting section  113  is fully inserted in the first connecting section  109  up to the stop, the retaining projections  121 ,  123  do not fully rest against the respective locking contours  129 ,  131 . The second connecting section  113  can thus be axially displaced to a certain degree within the first connecting section  109  which affords increased flexibility to the connection between the first fluid-conducting line  101  and the second fluid-conducting line  103 . 
     Furthermore, the circumferential sealing web  115  on the outer surface of the second connecting section  113  exhibits a rounded surface. When the second connecting section  113  is inserted into the first connecting section  109 , the rounded surface rests against an inner surface of the first connecting section  109 . Doing so can enable both fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103  to be tilted within the connecting apparatus  100  up to an angle of approximately 5°, thereby ensuring a particularly advantageous flexibility to the connecting apparatus  100 . 
     The first locking contour  129  is stabilized by first stabilizing props  133  on the first connecting section  109 . The second locking contour  131  is stabilized by second stabilizing props  135  on the second connecting section  113 . First locking pins  137  are arranged on the first locking contour  129  and second locking pins  139  are arranged on the second locking contour  131 . The first locking pins  137  are received in the first slots  125  and the second locking pins  139  are received in the second slots  127  so as to prevent radial rotation of the retention collar  105 . 
     The first line section  107  exhibits a first diameter  141  and the first connecting section  109  exhibits a further first diameter  143  which is larger than the first diameter  141 . So that the second connecting section  113  can be effectively inserted into the first connecting section  109 , the second line section  111  exhibits a second diameter  145  and the second connecting section  113  exhibits a further second diameter  147 , wherein the further second diameter  147  is smaller than the further first diameter  143 . The first diameter  141  hereby corresponds in particular to the second diameter  145  which can thereby ensure a consistent diameter  141 ,  145  to the first and second fluid-conducing line  101 ,  103  when connected together. 
     The connecting apparatus  100  can furthermore comprise a plastic tube, not shown in  FIG. 1 , which is drawn over the retention collar  105  connected to the first and second connecting section  109 ,  113 . Doing so can prevent impurities from infiltrating into the retention collar  105  on the connecting apparatus  100 . 
     The retention collar  105  can furthermore comprise a plastic seal which is materially bonded to the retention collar  105 , wherein the plastic seal in particular comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) so as to provide effective sealing. 
     A significant constructional simplifying of the components employed and the facilitating of their fitting provides a particularly economical connecting apparatus  100 . In addition, the retention collar  105  can be fastened to fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 , consisting of a plurality of different materials, such that the retention collar  105  not only can be used with different motor vehicle charge air hoses from different manufacturers but is also suited to connecting a plurality of different fluid-conducting lines, this thereby ensuring the universal applicability of the retention collar  105 . Moreover, a simplification of the constructional design of the retention collar  105  enables the connecting apparatus  100  to be individually adapted to the respective fluid-conducting lines to be connected in order to, for example, adapt to the permissible axial tolerance range of a particular installation space or to the temperatures of the fluid conducted within the fluid-conducting lines. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a sectional representation of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines in a first connecting position. The connecting apparatus  100  comprises a first fluid-conducting line  101  having a first line section  107  and a first connecting section  109 , whereby′ a first locking contour  129  is arranged on an outer surface of the first fluid-conducting line  101 . The connecting apparatus  100  comprises a second fluid-conducting line  103  having a second line section  111  and a second connecting section  113 , whereby a second locking contour  131  is arranged on an outer surface of the second fluid-conducting line  103 . The second connecting section  113  is inserted axially into the first connecting section  109  in order to provide a fluidic connection between the first fluid-conducting line  101  and the second fluid-conducting line  103 . 
       FIG. 2  further depicts first stabilizing props  133  for stabilizing the first locking contour  129  and second stabilizing props  135  for stabilizing the second locking contour  131 . 
     The connecting apparatus  100  further comprises a retention collar  105  having first retaining projections  121  which engage into the first locking contour  129  and second retaining projections  123  which engage into the second locking contour  131  in order to limit axial displacement of the first connecting section  109  relative to the second connecting section  113 . The engaging of the retaining projections  121 ,  123  into the respective locking contours  129  can thus prevent the second connecting section  113  of the second fluid-conducting line  103  from drawing out of the first connecting section  109  of the first fluid-conducting line  101  which thereby prevents the disengaging of the fluidic connection between the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 . 
     The second connecting section  113  exhibits an external circumferential sealing web  115  and a further circumferential sealing web  117 , wherein a circumferential sealing ring  119  is arranged between the circumferential sealing web  115  and the further circumferential sealing web  117 . The surface of the circumferential sealing ring  115  is rounded and rests against an inner surface of the first connecting section  109 , enabling the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103  to tilt against each other. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a sectional representation of a connecting apparatus for connecting fluid-conducting lines in a further connecting position. The connecting apparatus  100  comprises a first fluid-conducting line  101  having a first line section  107  and a first connecting section  109 , whereby a first locking contour  129  is arranged on an outer surface of the first fluid-conducting line  101 . The connecting apparatus  100  comprises a second fluid-conducting line  103  having a second line section  111  and a second connecting section  113 , whereby a second locking contour  131  is arranged on an outer surface of the second fluid-conducting line  103 . 
     In contrast to the representation depicted in  FIG. 2 , the second connecting section  113  in  FIG. 3  is fully inserted axially into the first connecting section  109  in order to provide a fluidic connection between the first fluid-conducting line  101  and the second fluid-conducting line  103 . A front end  149  of the second connecting section  113  thereby abuts against a stop  151  of the first connecting section  109  such that the second connecting section  113  cannot be axially inserted any farther into the first connecting section  109 . 
     The second connecting section  113  exhibits an external circumferential sealing web  115  and a further circumferential sealing web  117 , wherein a circumferential sealing ring  119  is arranged between the circumferential sealing web  115  and the further circumferential sealing web  117 . The surface of the circumferential sealing ring  115  is rounded and rests against an inner surface of the first connecting section  109 , enabling the fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103  to tilt against each other. 
     Pushing the second connecting section  113  completely into the first connecting section  109  results in the first retaining projections  121  and the second retaining projections  121  of the retention collar  105  not resting fully against the first/second locking contour  129 ,  131 . There is thus a respective limit gap  153  between the first retaining projections  121  and the first locking contour  129  as well as between the second retaining projections  123  and the second locking contour  131  in the further connecting position depicted in  FIG. 3 . The limit gap  153  ensures low axial displacement of the connecting sections  109 ,  113  against each other, which thereby ensures flexibility to the fluidic connection. 
     Since the second connecting section  113  is pushed completely into the first connecting section  109 , a stable fluidic connection is provided between the first fluid-conducting line  101  and the second fluid-conducting line  103  without the retaining projections  121 ,  123  needing to abut against the respective locking contour  129 ,  131  in order to provide a stable connection between the two fluid-conducting lines  101 ,  103 . 
     All of the features described and shown in connection with individual examples of the disclosure can be provided in different combinations in the inventive subject matter so as to realize their advantageous effects simultaneously. 
     The protective scope of the present disclosure is conferred by the claims and is not limited by the features defined in the description or illustrated in the figures. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           100  connecting apparatus 
           101  first fluid-conducting line 
           103  second fluid-conducting line 
           105  retention collar 
           107  first line section 
           109  first connecting section 
           111  second line section 
           113  second connecting section 
           115  circumferential sealing web 
           117  further circumferential sealing web 
           119  circumferential sealing ring 
           121  first retaining projections 
           123  second retaining projections 
           125  first slots 
           127  second slots 
           129  first locking contour 
           131  second locking contour 
           133  first stabilizing props 
           135  second stabilizing props 
           137  first locking pins 
           139  second locking pins 
           141  first diameter 
           143  further first diameter 
           145  second diameter 
           147  further second diameter 
           149  front end 
           151  stop 
           153  limit gap