EP3881000A1

EP3881000A1 - Assembly for connecting fluid conveying pipes

Info

Publication number: EP3881000A1
Application number: EP19801563.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-François VALLET; Philippe Guillard; Cédric FORGIT
Original assignee: Parker Hannifin EMEA SARL
Current assignee: Parker Hannifin EMEA SARL
Priority date: 2018-11-12
Filing date: 2019-11-12
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Also published as: KR102548945B1; US11774023B2; KR20210086697A; CN113167424A; CN113167424B; FR3072154B1; FR3072154A1; US20210396337A1; WO2020099401A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a connection assembly for a fluid conveying circuit, comprising a connecting device (1) and a tool (50) for removing the device, the connecting device comprising a tubular body (2) having at least one end section (2.1) in which there is sealingly and removably engaged a tubular insert (100) for connection to a pipe (T) that comprises an external projection (104) extending into a recess of the body, the body comprising at least one retaining tab (3) that is elastically deformable between a position protruding into the recess and a retracted position. The tool comprises two lifting ramps (55) and the body comprises two transverse passages (4) opening on the outside of the body and in the recess on each side of the retaining tab in order to allow the lifting ramps to be inserted into the recess under the sides of the retaining tab (3), in order to bring the latter into the retracted position and allow the tubular insert to be extracted.

Description

CONVEYOR CONNECTION ASSEMBLY

OF FLUID

The present invention relates to the field of transporting liquid or gaseous fluids and more particularly the devices for connecting fluid transport conduits to each other, these conduits being defined in connection tubes and / or in elements of transmitter or receiver circuits of fluid.

STATE OF THE ART

There are known connection devices comprising a tubular body having at least one end section in which is engaged a tubular connection insert arranged to receive and sealingly retain a pipe end. The body comprises at least one retaining tab applied elastically behind an external recess of the tubular insert to oppose an extraction of the tubular insert. At least one annular sealing element extends between the tubular insert and the end section of the body to seal between them.

These connection devices are generally not removable so that a failure of the tubular insert means that the connection device must be replaced entirely.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a means for limiting the maintenance costs of connection devices of this type.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

To this end, provision is made, according to the invention, for a connection assembly for a fluid transport circuit, comprising a connection device and a device removal tool, the connection device comprising a tubular body having at least an end section in which is engaged in a leaktight and removable manner a tubular insert which is arranged to be connected to an external conduit and which comprises an external recess extending in a housing of the body, the body comprising at least one tab of elastically deformable retainer between a projecting position in the housing to be applied behind the external recess and to oppose an extraction of the tubular insert from the body and a retracted position in which it is released from the external recess. The tool comprises two lifting ramps and the body comprises two transverse passages opening on the one hand to the outside of the body and on the other hand into the housing on each side of the retaining tab to allow the insertion of the lifting ramps. lifting in the housing under the sides of the retaining tab in order to bring the latter in the retracted position and allow the extraction of the tubular insert.

Thus, the lifting ramps make it possible to raise the retaining lug over its entire width by a predetermined height just sufficient to remove from it the external detachment of the insert, without excessively deforming the retaining lug or twist it.

According to a particular embodiment, the body comprises two diametrically opposite retaining lugs and two passages for opening into the housing opposite each retaining lug, and the tool comprises four lifting ramps.

In particular, the tool comprises two identical parts, each part having two lateral projections at the end of which the lifting ramps are arranged.

Advantageously, the two parts of the tool are connected by a flexible strip.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows of particular nonlimiting embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will be made to the appended drawings, among which:

- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connection device according to the invention, partially assembled;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of the connection device once assembled;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connection device after insertion of a tool according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection device showing the lifting ramps of the tool after partial insertion;

- Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, while the insertion is almost complete;

- Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tool alone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is here described in application to the connection of a tube T forming a first fluid transport conduit to a second fluid transport conduit formed in a fluid emitting or receiving member O (see FIG. 2).

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the connection assembly comprises a connection device, generally designated at 1, and a tool, generally designated at 50, for dismantling the device.

The connection device comprises a body tubular 2 having a first end section 2.1 in which is engaged in a removable and sealed manner an insert 100 arranged to be connected to one end of the tube T and a second end section 2.2 in which is engaged in a removable and sealed manner a insert 200 arranged to be connected to member O.

The insert 100 has a tubular shape divided into a first section 100.1 for connection to the first end section 2.1 of the body 2 and a second section 100.2 for connection to the tube T.

The section 100.1 is provided with annular grooves 101, 102, 103. The groove 101 is delimited between the section 100.2 and a flange 104, the groove 102 is delimited between the flange 104 and a flange 105, the groove 103 is delimited between the flange 105 and a collar

106 projecting from which extends axially a free terminal portion 107 of the section 100.1. The groove 102 receives an annular seal 108 and the groove 103 receives an annular seal 109. The seals 108, 109 are intended to ensure a seal between the section 100.1 and the body 2.

The section 100.2 extends projecting from the end section 2.1 against an end face of which it abuts by a shoulder 110 and is provided internally, in a manner known per se, with an instantaneous connection member comprising a retaining element elastic of the end of tube T introduced into the insert 100 and of at least one annular seal to ensure a seal between the end of tube T and the insert 100.

The insert 200 has a tubular shape divided into a first section 200.1 for connection to the second end section 2.2 of the body 2 and a second section 200.2 for connection to the member O.

The section 200.1 is identical to the section 100.1 and thus comprises: annular grooves 201, 202, 203; of flanges 204, 205, 206; and a free end portion 207. The grooves 202, 203 receive annular seals 208, 209.

The section 200.2 extends in projection from the end section 2.2 against an end face of which it is in abutment by a shoulder 210 and a part 211 of hexagonal external section having a side forming the shoulder 210 and, opposite, one side provided with an annular groove which receives a seal 212 and extends around a final threaded section 213 extending in axial projection to be engaged in a tapped end section of the conduit of the member O.

Each of the sections 2.1, 2.2 is provided with two retaining lugs 3 diametrically opposite one another. Each retaining tab 3 has a first end integral with the body 2 on the side of the outlet of the end face of the section 2.1, 2.2 concerned and, on the other hand, a second end which is free and is closer to the central axis of the section 2.1, 2.2 concerned as the first end. The retaining tabs 3 are elastically deformable between a state of rest in which they have their free end in a projecting position in a housing of the body by delimiting a passage section less than the diameter of the flange 104, 204 and a deformed state in which their free end is in a retracted position in which it defines a passage section greater than the diameter of the flange 104, 204.

Thus, when the section 100.1, 200.1 of the insert 100, 200 is engaged in the end section 2.1, 2.2, the free end of the retaining tabs 3 will come to rub on the flange 106, 206, on the joint d seal 109, 209, on the collar 105, 205, on the seal 108, 208, then on the collar 104, 204 before falling into the groove 101, 201 which extends into the housing. We understands that in the event of an attempt to extract the insert 100, 200 from the body 2, the free end of the retaining tabs 3 abuts against the flange 104, 204 which forms a step.

The removal of the inserts 100, 200, without degradation of either the insert or the body 2, is possible using the tool 50 which for this purpose comprises two identical rigid parts 51 facing each other and connected by a flexible strip 52 of substantially semi-circular shape. By rigid is meant here that the parts 51 do not undergo any deformation when the tool 50 is used to remove the inserts 100, 200 from the body 2.

Each part 51 comprises two substantially parallel lateral projections 53 and having main faces facing one another. The lateral projections 53 are symmetrical and have a free end 54 arranged to allow lifting of the sides of the retaining tab 3. Each free ends 54 are here chamfered so as to form lifting ramps 55 on the sides of the retaining tabs 3.

To allow access to the retaining tabs 3 from outside the body 2, each retaining tab 3 extends in a passage 4 extending transversely in the section 2.1, 2.2 to open into the housing. The passage 4 comprises a side wall 7.1 on the side of the end face of the section 2.1, 2.2, an end wall

7.2 separated by a distance substantially greater than the width of the lateral protrusions 53, a lower wall 5 extending to the housing in which protrudes an outer portion of the flange 104, 204, and an upper wall 6 allowing the deformation of the retaining tab 3 towards its deformed state. The walls 5 and 6 are parallel to each other and the passage 4 opens to the outside of the body.

Each passage 4 thus leads on the one hand to outside the body and on the other hand in the housing on each side of the retaining tab 3 to allow the insertion of the lateral projections 53 between the bottom wall 5 and the sides of the retaining tab 3 for the purpose of lifting the retaining tab across its width in order to remove the recess from the retaining tab 3 and thus allow the extraction of the insert 100, 200. More precisely, the lifting of the retaining tab 3 is obtained by inserting the ramps of lifting 55 on each side of said retaining tab.

An elastic deformation of the flexible strip 52 makes it possible to arrange the parts 51 of the tool 50 on either side of the section 2.1, 2.2 and more particularly to arrange the lateral projections 53 opposite the passages 4. The flexible strip 52 is shaped so that, at rest, the lifting ramps 55 of the lateral projections 53 exert a slight pressure under each of the sides of the retaining tabs 3. The flexible strip 52 can be made of plastic, metal or any other material. The tool 50 is here produced by injecting plastic material into a mold.

The insertion of the lifting ramps 55 under the retaining tab 3 is then caused by a pressure exerted on the external faces 56 of the parts 51, such as a pinch, tending to bring said parts simultaneously towards the center of the section 2.1, 2.2. The outer faces 56 of the parts 51 adopt here a concave shape so as to facilitate the pinching carried out by the fingers of a user.

In addition, the passages 4 being spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the distance separating the two lateral projections 53 from the parts 51, the lower walls 5 guide the lateral projections 53 in said passages 4. The lifting ramps 55 arranged at the end of the lateral projections 53 then raise substantially the two retaining tabs 3 of the same height.

When the lateral projections 53 are in contact with the flange 104, the insertion of the lifting ramps 55 is maximum. The lifting ramps 55 are then completely covered by the retaining tabs 3, so that said retaining tabs are raised from a height substantially equal to that of the lifting ramps 55.

The rigidity of the parts 51 of the tool 50 is such that the lifting of the retaining lugs 3 is carried out without deformation of the lateral projections 53, and in particular without deformation of the lifting ramps 55.

It will be noted that by stopping to exert pressure on the external faces 56, the parts 51 of the tool 50 tend to move away from the center of the section 2.1, 2.2 under the action of the flexible strip 52 to finally join the position obtained before the application of said pressure, which facilitates the removal of the tool.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant coming within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, the body may comprise only a single retaining tab (each part 51 of the tool then comprises only a single lateral projection 53) or be arranged to accommodate only one insert.

The parts 51 of the tool may not be integral with one another.

The inserts can be identical or not.

The means of connection of the inserts to the tubes or to the circuit elements can be of any kind.

Claims

1. Connection assembly for a fluid transport circuit, comprising a connection device (1) and a device removal tool (50), the connection device comprising a tubular body (2) having at least one end section (2.1) in which is engaged in a leaktight and removable manner a tubular insert (100, 200) which is arranged to be connected to an external conduit (T, O) and which comprises an external recess (104) extending in a housing of the body, the body comprising at least one retaining tab (3) elastically deformable between a projecting position in the housing to be applied behind the external recess (104) and to oppose an extraction of the tubular insert from the body and a retracted position in which it is released from the external recess (104), characterized in that the tool comprises two lifting ramps (55) and the body comprises two transverse passages (4) opening out on the one hand to the outside body s and on the other hand in the housing on each side of the retaining tab to allow the insertion of the lifting ramps in the housing under the sides of the retaining tab (3) in order to bring the latter into the retracted position and allow the extraction of the tubular insert.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the body comprises two diametrically opposite retaining tabs (3) and two passages (4) for opening into the housing opposite each of the tabs, and the tool (50) comprises four ramps lifting (55).

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the tool comprises two identical parts (51), each part having two lateral projections (53) at the end of which are arranged the lifting ramps (55).

4 The assembly of claim 3, wherein the two parts (51) of the tool (50) are connected by a flexible strip (52).

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one annular sealing element (108, 109) extending between the tubular insert and the end section of the body, the annular sealing element. (108, 109) being carried by an end section of the insert (100).

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tubular insert (50) is provided internally with an instant connection member comprising an elastic retaining element for the tube (T) introduced into the insert (100) .