CN-121986233-A - Plug-in connector for connecting a first fluid line to a second fluid line

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in connector (1) for connecting a first fluid tube (2) to a second fluid tube (3), provided with an outer sleeve (5) and an inner sleeve (4) having two locking claws (6), which in an initial position of the outer sleeve (5) are in a standby position and in a locking position of the outer sleeve (5) are in a locking position, the outer sleeve (5) comprising a locking element (9) having a first locking section (10) which is accommodated between two adjacent locking claws (6) and having two second locking sections (11) which are connected to the first locking section (10), the first locking section (10) comprising an actuating projection (12) and the second locking section (11) each comprising a locking projection (13) having a locking end face (13 a) facing the first inner sleeve (4 a), the outer sleeve (6) each having an actuating section (14) which comprises a first end face (16) which abuts against the first end face (16 a) in the initial position (16 a), the actuating projection (12) can be pushed out in the radial direction by the holding section (8) when the first fluid tube (2) is connected, so that the latching projection (13) can be disengaged from the second stop end face (16 a) and the outer sleeve (5) can be moved into the locking position, in which the latching end face (13 a) bears against the first stop end face (15 a).

Inventors

• HOPF MATTHIAS

Assignees

• 亨恩有限及两合股份公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20240903

Priority Date

20230904

Claims (20)

1. 1. Plug connector (1) for connecting a first fluid tube (2) with a second fluid tube (3), the plug connector (1) comprising an inner sleeve (4) and an outer sleeve (5) surrounding the inner sleeve (4), the inner sleeve having an open first inner sleeve end (4 a) and an open second inner sleeve end (4 b) connected to the first inner sleeve end, the outer sleeve being movable relative to the inner sleeve (4) between an initial position and a locking position, the inner sleeve (4) having a first connection section (V1) for connecting the first fluid tube (2) in the region of the first inner sleeve end (4 a) and a second connection section (V2) for connecting the second fluid tube (3) in the region of the second inner sleeve end (4 b), characterized in that the first connection section (V1) comprises at least two locking jaws (6) which are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction, which are located in an initial position of the outer sleeve (5) in a ready position, in which the first fluid tube (4) is able to be held in the ready position (8) in which the first fluid tube (4) is able to be inserted in the first fluid tube (4) in the ready position (8) and in the first fluid tube (4) in the ready position (8) is able to be locked in the locking position, the outer sleeve (5) comprises at least one locking element (9) having a first locking section (10) and having two second locking sections (11), the first locking section (10) being accommodated in the circumferential direction between two adjacent locking claws (6) of the inner sleeve (4), the two second locking sections being connected to the first locking section (10), the first locking section (10) comprising a handling projection (12), the second locking sections (11) each comprising a locking projection (13) having a locking end face (13 a) facing the first inner sleeve end (4 a), the locking claws (6) each having at least one handling section (14) on the outer circumferential surface, the handling sections comprising a first stop projection (15) having a first stop end face (15 a) and a second stop projection (16) having a second stop end face (16 a), the locking end faces (13 a) of the locking projections (13) in the initial position of the outer sleeve (5) bearing against the second stop projections (16) in the radial direction (8) and being able to press against the second stop projections (16) in the radial direction (8 a) when the first inner sleeve end face (4 a) is pressed against the second stop projections (16 a), the latching projection (13) can be disengaged from the second stop projection (16) and the outer sleeve (5) can be moved from the initial position into the locking position, in which the latching end face (13 a) of the latching projection (13) rests against the first stop end face (15 a) of the first stop projection (15).
2. 2. Plug connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer sleeve (5) is movable along the longitudinal direction of the inner sleeve (4) between the initial position and the locking position and/or in that in the initial position of the outer sleeve (5) a first inner sleeve end (4 a) of the inner sleeve (4) protrudes from a first outer sleeve end (5 a) of the outer sleeve (5).
3. 3. Plug-in connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking claws (6) each have a free first claw end (6 a) on which the first inner sleeve end (4 a) is situated and an opposite second claw end (6 b) which is connected to the inner sleeve (4), the first claw ends (6 a) being movable in the radial direction relative to the second claw ends (6 b) between the preparation position and the locking position, the locking claws (6) each having circumferential grooves (7) on the inner circumferential surface, which circumferential grooves are arranged between the first claw ends (6 a) and the second claw ends (6 b), the circumferential grooves (7) being configured for positively receiving the holding sections (8) of the first fluid tube (2) in the locking position of the locking claws (6).
4. 4. A plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one latching element (9) is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve (5) and has a free first latching element end (9 a) facing the first inner sleeve end (4 a) and has an opposite second latching element end (9 b) which is connected to the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve (5), the first latching element end (9 a) being movable in a radial direction relative to the second latching element end (9 b).
5. 5. Plug connector (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the handling projection (12) comprises a first handling ramp (29) on the first latching element end (9 a) configured for co-acting with a holding section (8) of the first fluid tube (2) for extruding the handling projection (12) when the first fluid tube (2) is inserted into the first inner sleeve end (4 a), and/or that the handling projection (12) comprises a second handling ramp (30) on the side facing the second latching element end (9 b) configured for co-acting with a holding section (8) of the first fluid tube (2) for extruding the handling projection (12) when the first fluid tube (2) is removed from the first inner sleeve end (4 a).
6. 6. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first latching section (10) is arranged centrally between the two second latching sections (11) in the circumferential direction and comprises the first latching element end (9 a), the actuating projection (12) is arranged on the first latching section (10) in the region of the first latching element end (9 a), and the latching projections (13) of the second latching sections (11) are each arranged in the longitudinal direction between the actuating projection (12) and the second latching element end (9 b).
7. 7. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least three, preferably at least four, locking pawls (6) are provided and/or at least two latching elements (9) are provided.
8. 8. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating sections (14) of the locking pawls (6) each comprise a sliding surface (17) which connects the first stop end surface (15 a) with the second stop end surface (16 a), the sliding surfaces (17) comprising blocking surfaces (17 a) which are inclined in the direction of the first pawl end (6 a).
9. 9. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the inner sleeve (4) is made of plastic, the locking claw (6) is integrally constructed with the inner sleeve (4) and the first claw end (6 a) is elastically bendable between the locking position and the preparation position, and/or the outer sleeve (5) is made of plastic, the at least one locking element (9) is integrally constructed with the outer sleeve (5) and the first locking element end (9 a) is elastically bendable in a radial direction relative to the second locking element end (9 b).
10. 10. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outer sleeve (5) is movable relative to the inner sleeve (4) from the locking position into the release position via the initial position, the first latching sections (10) of the at least one latching element (9) each comprise a first wedge surface (18) on their circumferentially opposite sides, the first wedge surfaces (18) tapering in the direction of the second inner sleeve ends (4 b), the latching pawls (6) of the first latching sections (10) each comprising a second wedge surface (19) on their sides facing one another in the circumferential direction, the second wedge surfaces (19) tapering in the direction of the second inner sleeve ends (4 b), and the first wedge surfaces (18) being configured for co-operating with the second wedge surfaces (19) when the outer sleeve (5) is moved from the initial position into the release position in order to hold the latching pawls (6) out of the ready-to-hold-lock position in the profile-locking groove (8), in particular in the ready-to-release position (8).
11. 11. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the outer sleeve (5) is movable relative to the inner sleeve (4) from the locking position into the release position via the initial position, that at least one spreading projection (20) is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve (5), which spreading projection is accommodated between two adjacent locking claws (6) in the circumferential direction, that the spreading projections (20) each comprise a first wedge surface (18) on their circumferentially opposite sides, that the first wedge surfaces (18) taper in the direction of the second inner sleeve end (4 b), that the locking claws (6) accommodating the spreading projections (20) each comprise a second wedge surface (19) on their sides facing each other in the circumferential direction, that the second wedge surfaces (19) taper in the direction of the second inner sleeve end (4 b), and that the first wedge surfaces (18) are configured for releasing the locking engagement of the outer sleeve (5) from the initial position into the second locking groove (7), in particular in the release position, in the release position.
12. 12. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the plug connector (1) comprises at least one spring element (21) which is configured for exerting an actuating force on the outer sleeve (5) in the initial position directed in the direction of the first inner sleeve end (4 a).
13. 13. Plug connector (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the spring element (21) comprises a helical spring which surrounds the inner sleeve (4), preferably in the region of the second claw end (6 b) of the locking claw (6).
14. 14. Plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the second connection section (V2) of the inner sleeve (4) comprises a sealing assembly (22) configured for creating a seal between the first fluid tube (2) and the second fluid tube (3).
15. 15. Plug connector (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the sealing assembly comprises at least two sealing rings (23) and a spacer element (24) arranged between the sealing rings (23), the inner circumferential surface of the sealing rings (23) being configured for abutment against the outer circumferential surface of the end section of the first fluid pipe (2) and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing rings (23) being configured for abutment against the inner circumferential surface of the end section of the second fluid pipe (3).
16. 16. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the locking claws (6) each comprise an insertion surface (28) on the inner circumferential surface in the region of the first inner sleeve end (4 a), preferably in the region of the first claw end (6 a), which is inclined in the direction of the first inner sleeve end (4 a).
17. 17. Plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the second connection section (V2) has a plurality of connection tongues (25), preferably flexible, spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, which enclose receiving chambers for receiving end sections of the second fluid tube (3), locking openings (26) being provided in each case on the connection tongues (25), which openings extend through the connection tongues (25) in the radial direction and are configured for interaction with corresponding locking projections (27) of the second fluid tube (3) in order to lock the second fluid tube (3) on the inner sleeve (4), and/or locking projections are provided in each case on the inner circumferential surface of the connection tongues (25), which locking projections are configured for interaction with corresponding locking openings of the second fluid tube (3) in order to lock the second fluid tube on the inner sleeve (4).
18. 18. Plug connector assembly comprising a plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, a first fluid tube (2) connectable or connected to the first connection section (V1) and/or a second fluid tube (3) connectable or connected to the second connection section (V2), the first fluid tube (2) having a retaining section (8) on the outside for locking the first fluid tube (2) on an inner sleeve (4) of the plug connector (1), the plug connector (1) preferably being constructed according to claim 3, and the retaining section (8) preferably having a circumferential flange which is positively received in a circumferential groove (7) of a locking claw (6) of the inner sleeve (4).
19. 19. Use of a plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a first fluid tube (2) comprising a holding section (8) on the outside is inserted into an open first inner sleeve end (4 a) of the inner sleeve (4), the actuating projection (12) of the at least one latching element (9) being pressed out by the holding section (8) in the radial direction during the insertion of the first fluid tube (2), such that the latching projection (13) of the latching element (9) is disengaged from the second stop projection (16) of the actuating section (14) of the locking claw (6) of the inner sleeve (4) and the outer sleeve (5) is moved from the initial position into the locking position, preferably by the actuating force of the spring element (21), until the latching end face (13 a) of the latching projection (13) of the latching element (9) abuts against the first stop end face (15 a) of the first stop projection (15) of the actuating section (14) of the locking claw (6) and the first stop (15 a) of the locking claw (6) is preferably held in the first end (6) of the inner sleeve (4) and the locking claw (6) is held in the respective position of the locking claw (1) of the inner sleeve (4) by the actuating force of the spring element (21), the retaining section (8) preferably has a circumferential flange which is accommodated in a form-locking manner in a circumferential groove (7) of the locking claw (6) of the inner sleeve (4).
20. 20. Use of a plug connector (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the outer sleeve (5) is moved relative to the inner sleeve (4) from the locked position via the initial position into the release position, a first wedge surface (18) of a first latching section (10) of the at least one latching element (9) and/or a first wedge surface (18) of the at least one spreading projection (20) interacting with a second wedge surface (19) of the locking claw (6), whereby the locking claw (6) is spread out from the preparation position into the release position, in which the holding section (8) of the first fluid tube (2) can be decoupled from the inner sleeve (4).

Description

Plug-in connector for connecting a first fluid line to a second fluid line Technical Field The invention relates to a plug connector for connecting a first fluid tube to a second fluid tube, comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve having an open first inner sleeve end and an open second inner sleeve end connected to the first inner sleeve end, the outer sleeve being movable relative to the inner sleeve between an initial position and a locking position, the inner sleeve having a first connection section for connecting the first fluid tube in the region of the first inner sleeve end and a second connection section for connecting the second fluid tube in the region of the second inner sleeve end. The invention further relates to a plug connector assembly and to the use of a plug connector. Background Plug connectors of this type are used in very different industrial fields for preferably sealingly connecting two fluid lines. This is generally done within the scope of a defined assembly process of the diversion product. The fluid tube may be a substantially rigid tube or a flexible hose, depending on the particular application and fluid used. The fluid pipe may be integrated in the component. The fluid used here may be a gaseous medium or a liquid medium. As gaseous medium, for example, air or defined process gases can be provided (compressed). As the liquid medium, for example, water, lubricating oil, cooling liquid, refrigerant, or the like is used. During the assembly process of the product, it may be necessary, for example, for a first fluid tube or fluid interface of the component to be assembled to be connected with a corresponding fluid tube or corresponding fluid interface of an existing product. As the production process becomes more efficient, the flow time in the assembly process is typically also reduced. Thereby, the time available for the individual assembly steps is less and less. In addition to high reliability, a quick connection of the fluid lines by means of plug connectors is therefore also desirable. Typically, one side of the plug connector is directly connected to one of the two fluid tubes and the other fluid tube is first connected to the insert sleeve. In order to connect the two pipes, the insertion sleeve is finally coupled to the plug connector in a generally releasable manner. Plug connectors of this type are known, for example, from EP1955413B1, EP3286477B1 and EP3379129B 1. Disclosure of Invention The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a plug connector which is simple to operate and which enables a reliable and rapid connection and disconnection of a fluid line. This object is achieved by a plug connector according to claim 1. The plug connector according to the invention enables simple and ergonomic handling and enables repeated use. The plug connector is of relatively simple design and ensures a high level of security of the connection by clearly identifiable states. In particular, the outer sleeve can be introduced into the locking position only when the connection is properly established. Another advantage is that the first fluid pipe can be rotated in the connected state. By means of the opening mechanism of the locking claw, a simple insertion and in particular a simple removal of the first fluid tube can be achieved with a low plug force. Preferably, the outer sleeve is movable along the longitudinal direction of the inner sleeve between the initial position and the locking position. Thereby, the operation is simplified, since no rotation of the outer sleeve is required. Preferably, the locking jaws each have a free first jaw end, on which the first inner sleeve end is located, and an opposite second jaw end, which is connected to the inner sleeve, the first jaw ends being movable in a radial direction relative to the second jaw ends between the preparation position and the locking position, respectively, the locking jaws each having a circumferential groove on an inner circumferential surface, which circumferential groove is arranged between the first jaw end and the second jaw end, the circumferential grooves being configured for positively receiving the holding section of the first fluid tube in the locking position of the locking jaws. The one-piece construction may simplify the production and an improved retention of the fluid tube by the retaining groove may be achieved. Preferably, the at least one locking element is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve and has a free first locking element end facing the first inner sleeve end and an opposite second locking element end connected to the inner circumferential surface of the outer sleeve, the first locking element end being movable in a radial direction relative to the second locking element end. Thereby, the outer sleeve can be constructed in one piece, whereby the manufactu