Patent Description:
In the prior art, a connector is formed by a piston, i.e., a male/inner component, and by a cylinder, i.e., a female/outer component. A rubber sealing ring (O-ring) is interposed between the two elements, which ring may be mounted, depending upon requirements, on the piston or else on the cylinder. The assembly thereof requires the O-ring to be housed in a designated location and compressed by inserting the piston into the cylinder.

With known connectors, both the O-ring and the location where the O-ring is arranged have an axisymmetric shape. Consequently, during assembly, the compression of the O-ring takes place simultaneously throughout the extension thereof.

There is an increasing demand to optimize the components in order to minimize the force required for the assembly of the connector.

<CIT> discloses a connector for distributing a fluid, the connector comprising a female component, a hollow male component and an annular sealing ring, which, when held in the female component, has an annular extension profile having at least one axial component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector, in order to reduce the insertion forces needed to insert a male component into the female component, whereby the axial component of the annular extension profile is maintained by the cooperating form of the sealing seat.

<CIT> discloses a coupling device for connecting a tube in the opening of a fitting by using a retaining ring having gripping fingers. This coupling device also includes an unlocking collar for releasing the tube from engagement by the gripping fingers, the unlocking collar having a raised bead portion on its internal surface, which engages the outside of the tube and serves to seal against leakage between the unlocking collar and the outside surface of the tube. A fluid-tight packing ring is provided between the wall of the opening and the outside surface of the unlocking collar, thus providing a double seal arrangement to ensure a fluid-tight connection of the tube within the opening of the fitting.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing bushing for a connector which, compared to known connectors, makes it possible to reduce the force required for assembly whilst ensuring an optimal seal between the components.

This object is achieved by means of a sealing bushing according to claim <NUM> and a connector according to claim <NUM>. Those claims that are dependent upon these relate to advantageous embodiments of the bushing and of the connector according to the invention.

The features and advantages of the sealing bushing and of the connector according to this invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example according to the accompanying figures, wherein:.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a sealing bushing that is the object of the present invention is indicated overall with the numeral <NUM>.

The sealing bushing <NUM> is suitable for use in a connector <NUM> for the distribution of a fluid. The invention therefore also relates to a connector <NUM> that comprises the sealing bushing <NUM>.

The sealing bushing <NUM> extends about a bushing axis X-X.

In one embodiment, the connector <NUM> extends predominantly along a connector axis S-S.

In one embodiment variant, the connector <NUM> has an "L" shape, that is, it has two portions substantially transverse to one another.

The connector <NUM> comprises a female component <NUM>, or cylinder, and a hollow male component <NUM>, or piston, which, in an engagement configuration, engages the female component <NUM> to allow the fluid to pass.

According to one embodiment, each component <NUM>, <NUM> is made by molding.

According to one embodiment, the female component <NUM> extends along a female axis Y-Y and the male component <NUM> extends along a male axis Z-Z.

For example, the connector axis S-S, the female axis Y-Y and the male axis Z-Z are coincident with respect to one another.

In one embodiment, in the engagement configuration, that is, with the sealing bushing <NUM> housed in the connector <NUM>, the bushing axis X-X also coincides with said axes S-S, Y-Y and Z-Z.

In one embodiment, the female component <NUM> and the male component <NUM> are axisymmetric with respect to the relative Y-Y, Z-Z axes thereof.

The female component <NUM> terminates with a female distal end <NUM>; the male component <NUM> terminates with a male distal end <NUM>.

A bushing seat <NUM> suitable for receiving the sealing bushing <NUM> is obtained in an end portion of the female component <NUM>.

For example, the bushing seat <NUM> is axisymmetric in relation to the bushing axis X-X.

The sealing bushing <NUM>, when inserted into the bushing seat <NUM>, allows the sealing engagement between the male and female components <NUM>, <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the bushing seat <NUM> is delimited, at the opposite end thereof with respect to the female distal end <NUM>, by an annular shoulder <NUM> which axially constrains the sealing bushing <NUM> in the insertion direction of the male component <NUM> into the female component <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the connector <NUM> further comprises a matching ring <NUM> suitable for being fixed, for example by welding, to the end of the bushing seat <NUM> opposite the annular shoulder <NUM>, in such a way as to prevent, during assembly operations or during use, the sealing bushing <NUM> from undergoing undesired axial displacements.

As mentioned above, the male component <NUM> is crossed axially by a male component duct <NUM>; a female component duct <NUM> is obtained within the female component <NUM>. In particular, in the engagement configuration, the male component duct <NUM> is suitable for merging into the female component duct <NUM>, so as to form a single fluidic duct <NUM> for the distribution of the fluid. In the usage configuration, the fluidic duct is delimited by an inner duct surface <NUM> and an outer duct surface <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the annular shoulder <NUM> is made in the inner duct surface <NUM> of the female component <NUM>. Therefore, with reference to <FIG>, in the female component <NUM> the fluidic duct <NUM> comprises an end portion 12a, upstream of the annular shoulder <NUM>, and a proximal portion 12b, downstream of the inner shoulder <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the bushing seat <NUM> is delimited radially by a cylindrical inner surface <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the annular shoulder <NUM> is obtained at a certain axial distance from the female distal end <NUM> of the female component <NUM>. In one embodiment, said axial distance is at least equal to the axial dimension of the sealing bushing <NUM>. In one embodiment, said axial distance is greater than the axial dimension of the sealing bushing <NUM>, such that the latter is housed in a rearward position in relation to the female distal end <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the sealing bushing <NUM> will now be described in detail, in some possible embodiments thereof.

The sealing bushing <NUM> consists of a cylindrical body <NUM> which extends about the bushing axis X-X. The cylindrical body <NUM> defines an inner side surface <NUM> and an outer side surface <NUM>.

At least on the inner side surface <NUM> or on the outer side surface <NUM> of the cylindrical body <NUM>, at least one annular rib <NUM> is obtained that is suitable for creating a fluid seal with the outer surface <NUM> of the male component <NUM> or with the inner surface <NUM> of the bushing seat <NUM>.

In accordance with one embodiment, in an assembly configuration of the connector <NUM>, the sealing bushing <NUM> is inserted by shape and/or force coupling into the bushing seat <NUM>. In some embodiments, the sealing bushing <NUM> is elastically deformed upon insertion into the bushing seat <NUM>.

According to the invention, the annular extension profile of the at least one annular rib <NUM> has at least one axial component parallel to the bushing axis X-X. In this way, the compression of the annular rib <NUM> during the insertion of the male component <NUM> into the sealing bushing <NUM> housed in the female component <NUM> takes place gradually.

In other words, by breaking down the extension profile of the annular rib <NUM> along the bushing axis X-X and along an axis perpendicular to the bushing axis X-X, at least one section of the annular rib <NUM> has at least one component parallel to the bushing axis X-X.

In yet other words, at least one section of the annular rib <NUM> is inclined in relation to an axis perpendicular to the bushing axis X-X.

The annular rib <NUM> does not therefore lie in a single transverse plane in relation to the bushing axis X-X, as occurs in the case of O-rings of the prior art, but intersects multiple transverse planes.

In some embodiments, at least one section of the annular rib <NUM> is inclined both with respect to an axis perpendicular to the bushing axis X-X and to the bushing axis X-X itself.

The technical effect given by such a configuration of the annular rib <NUM> is that of a progressive compression thereof during engagement with the male component <NUM>. Therefore, the compression is not uniform and simultaneous throughout the extension of the annular rib <NUM>.

In more detail, in a first step of engagement between the male component <NUM> and the sealing bushing <NUM>, the male component <NUM> engages the annular rib <NUM> only in at least one point, preferably only in two diametrically opposite points.

In one embodiment, the annular extension profile of the annular rib <NUM> is shaped such that the compression of the annular rib <NUM> during the insertion of the male component <NUM> into the sealing bushing <NUM> grows linearly as a function of the penetration of the male component <NUM> into the sealing bushing <NUM>.

In other words, starting from an initial engagement configuration with the sealing bushing <NUM>, shown for example in <FIG>, the male component <NUM> progressively engages the annular rib <NUM> such that it is progressively compressed between the female component <NUM> and the male component <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the connector <NUM> being assembled with the male component <NUM> in an intermediate position of partial engagement of the sealing bushing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the connector <NUM> assembled, with the male component <NUM> having reached the end-of-stroke position within the female component <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the annular extension profile of the at least one annular rib <NUM> forms two semi-annular arcs <NUM>. Each semi-annular arc <NUM> extends between two arc ends <NUM> diametrically opposed to each other and substantially tangent to one end of the bushing body <NUM>. Each semi-annular arc <NUM> forms an arc curve <NUM> substantially tangent to the other end of the bushing body <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the two semi-annular arches <NUM> are connected to each other at the arc ends <NUM>.

With particular reference to the axial cross-section of <FIG>, the arc curve <NUM> is tangent to an imaginary first plane P1 which is orthogonal to the bushing axis X-X and in which a first end of the cylindrical body <NUM> lies.

The two arc ends <NUM> are tangent to a second imaginary plane P2 which is orthogonal to the bushing axis X-X and in which a second end of the cylindrical body <NUM> lies, opposite to the first.

According to a first embodiment (shown in <FIG>), an inner annular rib <NUM>, suitable for implementing a fluid seal with the outer surface <NUM> of the male component <NUM>, is obtained only on the inner side surface <NUM>.

According to a second embodiment (shown in <FIG>), an inner annular rib <NUM> is obtained on the inner side surface <NUM>, which rib is suitable for creating a fluid seal with the outer surface <NUM> of the male component <NUM>, and an outer annular rib <NUM> is obtained on the outer side surface <NUM>, which rib is suitable for creating a fluid seal with the inner cylindrical surface <NUM> of the bushing seat <NUM>. In other words, an annular rib <NUM>, <NUM> is obtained on both surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to a third embodiment (not shown), an outer annular rib <NUM>, suitable for implementing a fluid seal with the inner cylindrical surface <NUM> of the bushing seat <NUM>, is obtained only on the outer side surface <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the outer annular rib <NUM> follows the same annular extension profile as the inner annular rib <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the outer annular rib <NUM> is located at the inner annular rib <NUM>, such that the outer annular rib <NUM> and inner annular rib <NUM> together form an annular sealing element <NUM> protruding, both internally and externally, from the side wall <NUM> of the cylindrical body <NUM>.

According to an embodiment shown in <FIG>, the sealing bushing <NUM> is provided with an inner annular rib <NUM> having a substantially circular cross-section. In this embodiment as shown, the sealing bushing <NUM> is provided with an outer annular rib <NUM> also having a substantially circular cross-section.

<FIG> show the sealing bushing <NUM> in many embodiment variants, wherein the inner annular rib <NUM> has a substantially lip-shaped cross-section.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the lip-shaped cross-section of the inner annular rib <NUM> has a substantially flat annular wall <NUM>', perpendicular to the bushing axis X-X, and an opposite curved wall <NUM>", that is, convex.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the annular rib <NUM> has substantially the same cross-section as the annular rib <NUM> of <FIG>, but the sealing bushing <NUM> has a lower axial extension and a greater cylindrical body wall thickness. Consequently, the extension profile of the annular rib <NUM> has a less accentuated radius of curvature.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the annular rib <NUM> has a more radially elongated but thinner lip-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the annular rib <NUM> is connected to one end of the sealing bushing <NUM> by means of a curved annular wall <NUM>", that is, convex, of greater thickness than the thickness of the remaining part of the side wall <NUM> of the cylindrical body <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing bushing <NUM> is made of a polymer material, for example rubber. Preferably, it is made in one piece, for example by molding.

Innovatively, the sealing bushing that is the object of the present invention, insofar as it allows for the distribution of the force exerted during assembly by reducing the assembly force required compared to known connectors, fully fulfills the determined purpose in overcoming the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art. Similarly, the connector that is the object of the present invention, as it comprises the sealing bushing, also fully fulfills the intended purpose.

Advantageously, the annular rib makes it possible to distribute the compression of the sealing bushing over a wider stroke, with a consequent reduction in the peak of the force required in order to assemble the connector.

Advantageously, the extension profile of the annular rib allows for controlled deformation of the sealing bushing, so as to render the compression thereof less instantaneous, more progressive and less wasteful in terms of force.

Advantageously, the sealing bushing makes it possible to reduce the amount of time necessary for the assembly of the connector.

Advantageously, the sealing bushing ensures less fatigue for the workforce involved in assembling the connectors.

Advantageously, the sealing bushing ensures high efficiency in terms of sealing.

Advantageously, in some embodiments the sealing bushing is insertable into the bushing seat without the need for precise orientation.

Advantageously, the connector components are easily molded, without presenting particular constructional complexities.

Claim 1:
A sealing bushing (<NUM>) for a connector (<NUM>) for distributing a fluid, wherein the connector (<NUM>) comprises:
- a female component (<NUM>) in which a bushing seat (<NUM>) is obtained;
- a hollow male component (<NUM>) which, in an engagement configuration, engages the female component (<NUM>) to allow the fluid to pass;
wherein the sealing bushing (<NUM>) is suitable for being inserted into the bushing seat (<NUM>) and for providing the
sealing engagement between said female component (<NUM>) and said male component (<NUM>);
wherein the sealing bushing (<NUM>) is characterized in that it consists of a cylindrical body (<NUM>) which extends about a bushing axis (X-X), wherein at least one annular rib (<NUM>) is obtained at least on an inner side surface (<NUM>) or outer side surface (<NUM>) of said cylindrical body (<NUM>), the at least one annular rib (<NUM>) being suitable for creating a fluid seal with an outer surface (<NUM>) of the male component (<NUM>) or an inner surface (<NUM>) of the bushing seat (<NUM>), wherein the annular extension profile of the at least one annular rib (<NUM>) has at least one axial component parallel to the bushing axis (X-X) such that the compression of the at least one annular rib (<NUM>) when inserting the male component (<NUM>) into the sealing bushing (<NUM>) housed in the female component (<NUM>) occurs gradually.