HK1069199B - Quick-release coupling for pipes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a quick coupling for pipes with a tubular inner part, an inner casing, a clamping ring, a tooth ring with partial circular teeth and an outer casing.

In the construction of pipelines, especially for domestic engineering piping systems, that is, for the internal supply of hot and cold water for the sanitary sector and for heating circuits, plastic pipes are increasingly used. Especially for heating systems with hot water pipes in the floor, at least two couplings must be made for each heatable room. For a typical single-family house, about 20 to 30 couplings are necessary. The couplings must be able to be used quickly, safely and permanently.

The connecting area of the adapter comprises a cone-shaped connecting sleeve, a clamp cone, which interacts with the connecting sleeve and is held by a spring in axial direction under spring tension. The clamp cone has gears on the tube-facing side which act on the outer face of the tube. The tube conduit is inserted into the adapter. When a pressure stop bar that holds the spring under tension is pulled out, the spring cone is pulled out with a defined force in the same direction as the spring cone. This is used as a medium for rapid temperature conversion and is used as a medium for the rapid flow of a tube in the tube conduit.

On the basis of this state of the art, the invention is intended to specify a quick coupling which is made up of as few individual parts as possible, which is compatible with the piping system and which can be manufactured inexpensively, both in production and on site assembly, and which is intended to ensure an absolutely safe and reliable connection even without the use of installation tools.

This is achieved by a quick coupling for pipes with a tubular inner part, an inner casing, a clamping ring, a tooth ring with partial circular teeth and an outer casing, the outer casing having a cylindrical area with at least two different internal diameters and a conical area to accommodate the clamping ring and the inner casing being composed of two nearly identical semi-circular shell parts.

The quick-coupling is made up of as few individual parts as possible.

To facilitate the handling of the coupling, the inner sleeve is composed of two nearly equal halves.

Handling is further simplified by the formation of grippers on the inner sleeve to hold the tooth ring before assembly on the site.

Preferably, the parts of the quick-clutch are essentially made of plastic, with the advantage of transparent outer and/or inner shells.

For safety reasons, i.e. to verify that the coupling is correctly connected to the pipeline, the outer and/or inner casing are made of a transparent plastic material.

Other features of the invention are listed in the other subclaims, and the description of Figures 1 to 10 is used to support the claims.

An example of the design according to the invention is shown in the drawing.It shows:Figure 1 an intersectional view of the quick coupling without a connecting pipe,Figure 2 a three-dimensional view of the inner casing, the tooth ring and the clamping ring,Figure 3 an intersectional view of the quick coupling with pipeline in the built-in state before the first commissioning of the pipe,Figure 4 an intersectional view of the quick coupling with pipeline in the built-in state after the pressure load on the pipe,Figure 5 a possible application of the quick coupling,Figure 6 an intersectional view of the quick coupling in the second transmission not connected to a second transmissionFigure 7 an intersectional view of the quick coupling with a three-phase connection,Figure 6 an intersectional view of the quick coupling in a second transmission not connected to a second transmission,Figure 7 an intersectional view of the pipe with a three-phase connection,Figure 8 a three-phase view of the quick coupling in a two-phase connection,Figure 6 an intersectional view of the quick coupling with a three-phase connection in a two-phase connection,Figure 8 an intersectional view of the quick coupling with a three-phase coupling in a three-phase in a two-phase in a two-phase in a two-phase in a three-phase in a three-phase in the pipe,Figure 6 and a three-phase in a three-phase in the two-phase in the pipe.Figure 9 an intersection view of the quick coupling with piping in the finished state,Figure 10 a further possible application of the quick coupling,Figure 11 a partially cut view of a section of a piping system with two quick couplings not part of the invention,Figure 12 a view of the section of the piping system of Figure 11 in the assembled state,Figure 13 a section by an adapter of the quick couplings of Figure 11 and 12 before assembly,Figure 14 a section by the adapter of Figure 13 in an initial phase of assembly,Figure 15 a section by the adapter of Figure 14 in a final phase of assembly,Figure 16 a section by the adapter of Figure 15 in a medium-pressure piping,The following are examples of rapid coupling applications not covered by the invention.

Figure 1 shows an intersection of the quick coupling 1 for connection to a pipeline shown in Figures 2 and 3. The quick coupling 1 consists of a nipple-shaped, essentially cylindrical inner part 2, an inner sleeve 3, an outer sleeve 4, a clamping ring 5 and a gear 6. With the exception of the metal gear 6, all parts of the quick coupling 1 can be made of plastic material by injection moulding. The quick coupling 1 is used to make a connection between a pipeline not shown here and a tube connection part 10. On the right side of the inner part 2 the pipeline can be pushed and connected on a nipple and on the opposite side of the inner part 2 the nipple connection is placed on a tube like a 10th column.

On the outer side of the cylindrical inner part 2, grooves 21 are formed into which O-ring seals 22 are arranged, thus ensuring a sealing of the medium in the piping system against the outside. About in the middle between the two nipple-shaped areas with the grooves 21 and the O-ring seals 22 two different protrusions 23,24 are formed on the outer perimeter of the inner part 2.

The inner shell 3 is made up of at least two partially circular parts, for example, two semi-shells 31.32. The semi-shells 31.32 of the inner shell 3 are produced in a cast on a plastic injection molding system, can be connected to each other by a small step 39 and can be produced in pairs. The inner shell 3 can also be made from several partially circular shell parts 31.32. On the inside of the inner shell 3 further protrusions 33.34 are formed. Between the first protrusion 33 and the second protrusion 34 a groove 35 with a precisely defined geometry is formed. The geometry of this groove 35 is precisely matched with the preparation of the second protrusion of the second protrusion 31.22.

On the outer side of the inner sleeve 3 in the area of the protrusions 33.34 there is an outer wind 36 which interacts with an inner wind 41 formed on the inner side of the outer sleeve 4. On the right side of the inner sleeve 3, that is on the side of the piping, several fingers 37 are formed on the inner sleeve 3. At the free ends of the fingers 37 the radially outward-pointing surfaces of the fingers 37 are formed in such a way that, at least in the previous month, the tooth ring is held by 6 of these outer finger surfaces. The fingers 37 are relatively slender and shaped like a cone on the inner sleeve 3. The fingers 37 and 31 can also be lost by several slits in the inner sleeve. The total tension in the inner sleeve is not increased by 6 m. If the inner sleeve is not easily drawn through the front of the sleeve, the inner sleeve can not be easily drawn through.

On the side of the tube, next to the tooth ring 6, the clamp ring 5 is located within the outer shell 4 of the clamp ring 5. The outer shell 4 encloses successively the clamp ring 5, the tooth ring 6 and the inner shell 3. The outer shell 4 has four distinct areas with different functions, seen from the tube: a conical area with a conically shaped inner surface 42, which interacts with the equally conically shaped inner surface 52 of the clamp ring 5, a subsequent first cylindrical area 43 with an inner diameter d1 to accommodate the outer shell of the tooth ring 6 and the inner shell of the ring 31, 37 and 3, and a further 38 m wide, which acts as a smaller outer shell for the inner shell 4 while maintaining a fixed area 452 with a final inner edge of the inner shell 31 and 383 through the inner shell.

The clamping ring 5 is conical at the cover area 52 and is adjusted according to the conical inner area 42 of the outer shell 4. Furthermore, the clamping ring 5 has at least one projection 53 in the inner area. The projections 53 serve to increase the pressure exerted on the pipeline in the state of the quick coupling 1 when it is built with the pipeline. The cover area 52 of the conical clamping ring 5 is at all times, i.e. both after the previous month and in the finished state, always at least partially in contact with the conical inner area 42 of the outer shell 4. The inner shell and 3/shell 4 are made of material that is exposed, for example plastic.

In Figure 2, the inner sleeve 3, the tooth ring 6 and the clamp ring 5 are shown in three dimensions. To facilitate installation, the inner sleeve 3 can be made of two half-shells 31 and 32, with the half-shells 31 and 32 connected by a rod 39. All other reference marks correspond to those in Figure 1. The tooth ring 6 has 62 teeth on the inner perimeter to stop the pipeline. The conical outer surface 52 and the protrusions 53 have already been described in Figure 1. The conical clamp ring 5 has a slot 54 on the side. The clamp ring 5 is tensioned before the first introduction into the conical area of the outer sleeve 4. The front teeth of the clamp 5 serve to keep the tension on the inner ring 6 37 unobstructured before the first introduction into the conical area of the outer sleeve 3.

The installation of the quick coupling 1 shall be carried out in such a way that, in a first step, after the O-rings 22 have been placed in grooves 21 of the inner part 2, the two halves 31 and 32 are placed on the inner part 2 in the corresponding manner, the protrusion 24 of the inner part 2 being inserted into the groove 35 of the inner sleeve 3. The protrusion 24 is exactly fitted to the groove 35. The two halves 31 and 32 are so constructed that, in the closed, folded state, a closed outer winding 36 is produced which acts together with the inner winding 41 of the outer sleeve 4. In the second step, the tooth ring 6 is pushed onto the fingers 37 of the folded outer sleeves 3 and the fingers 37 are fixed on the flaps.

In a third step, the clamp ring 5 is inserted into the outer shell 4 under pre-tensioning. In a fourth step, the outer shell 4 is finally screwed up to the 38th connection to the inner shell 3. The quick coupling 1 is thus pre-mounted for use on the construction site. When the tube connection part is introduced, 10 free-range resting fingers 17 formed at the inner shell 3 spring are inserted into a groove 18 of the tube connection part 10. The groove 18 is shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. The arrangement of the resting fingers 17 at the half of the inner shell 3 is best seen in Figure 2.

The operation of the quick coupling 1 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the pressure-free state, a pipe 20 is introduced into the quick coupling 1 as shown in Figure 3 to the first protrusion 34 of the inner housing 3. If the pipe 20 is pressurised, the situation as shown in Figure 4 occurs. The pipe 20 moves slightly away from the protrusion 34 of the inner housing 3 and is held by the teeth 62 in the gear 6 and by the protrusions 53 of the clamp ring 5 so that a secure connection is established.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 560 (char 559)

Figures 6 to 10 show a second example of the rapid coupling.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the quick coupling 101 for connection to a pipeline 120, which can still be seen outside the quick coupling. Over a nipple-shaped inner part 102 serving as a support for the pipeline 120, the inner shell 103 is arranged, to which in turn the outer shell 104 is screwed. Inside the quick coupling 101 the inner shells 103 of the tooth ring 106 and the clamping ring 105 are followed in the direction of the pipeline 120 when viewed in the direction of the tube. The inner shell 103 is composed in two parts of two half-shells 107 and 108, as shown in Figure 7 below. The inner shell 103 shows a wind which is aligned with the winds 104 which are aligned with the conical conical area of the inner shell 110 at the outer shell.

The clamp ring 105 has at least one protrusion 118 in the inner part; the inner sleeve 103 has protrusions 112 that interfere with the grooves 113 arranged in the inner part; the inner part 102 has at least two tubular areas 114 and 115 with different diameters; two O-rings 116 and 117 119 are mounted on the tubular areas 114 and 115 of the inner part for sealing purposes.

In Figure 7 the inner sleeve 103, the tooth ring 106 and the clamp ring 105 are shown in three dimensions. To enable mounting, the inner sleeve is made of two half-shells 107 and 108, the half-shells 107 and 108 being connected by a stand 126. All other reference marks correspond to those in Figure 6.

The gear 106 has teeth 127 on the inner rim to stop the pipe 120.

The clamp ring 105 has a break 123, the conical area 111 and the ledge 118 have already been described in Figure 6.

The quick coupling is installed in such a way that, in a first step after the O-rings 116 and 117 are applied, the two halves 107 and 108 are applied to the inner part 102 in a suitable way, the protrusions 112 of the inner housing 103 being inserted into the grooves 113 of the inner part.

In the second step, the clamping ring 105 and the gear ring 106 are inserted into the outer shell 104.

Finally, in the third step, the outer shell 104 is screwed on to the inner shell 103 until the attachment 119.

The quick-clutch 101 is therefore fitted for use.

The operation of the quick coupling 101 is shown in Figures 8 and 9. In the pressure-free state, the pipe 120 is inserted into the quick coupling 101 up to the inner terminus 128 as shown in Figure 103. If the pipe 120 is pressurised, the situation as shown in Figure 9 occurs. The pipe 120 moves slightly away from the terminus 128 and is held in place by the teeth 127 and 105 in the gear 6 and by the clamp ring 105 to create a secure connection.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 449 (char 448)

Quick couplings not part of the invention are shown in Figures 11 to 19.

Figure 11 shows a section of a piping system with two quick couplings. The quick coupling is made up of an adapter 201, 201' and a pipe connection part 202. The adapter 201,201' consists of a coupling area 203 which is complementarily formed into a coupling area 204 of the pipe connection part 202 and a connection area 205. The complementary formation of the adapter 201,201' and the pipe connection part 202 allows a piping connection to be easily and quickly made. The connection area of the adapter 205 201 is for connection to one end of a pipeline 206 207 and is described in more detail in Figures 13 to 16. The piping system of Figure 11 includes a lightweight plastic composite with a capacity of 202 metric tons or 207. The piping connections can be made of three materials.

Err1:Expecting ',' delimiter: line 1 column 254 (char 253)

In Figure 12 the section from the piping system in Figure 11 is again shown, but here in the assembled state. In the connecting areas 205, 205' view windows 209, 209' are shown. Through these 209,209' view windows it can be observed that the connection of the adapter 201 to the tube 207 is complete and that a secure connection has been established.

The sections in Figures 13 to 16 describe the connection of the tube head 206 to the adapter 201 at the various stages of the process.

Figure 13 shows the end 206 of a pipeline 207 and an adapter 201. The adapter 201 is shown as delivered to the site. The adapter 201 consists of the connection area 205 and is adjacent to the clutch area 203 in an axial direction and is made mainly of plastic materials, for example in a injection molding process. The end 206 of the plastic pipeline 207 is calibrated internally before assembly, i.e. adjusted to the correct internal diameter and attached to the end on the inside to form a phase 210. In the connection area 205 of the adapter 201, viewed from the inside, the following items are visible:

At least two resting fingers 215 are formed in the connecting region 205 of the adapter 201. At the boundary between the connecting region 205 and the coupling region 203, a stop 216 is formed to limit the axial movement of the connecting shell 214 in relation to the connecting region 205 of the adapter 201. The stop 216 is formed as a circular continuous ring protrusion on the outer perimeter of the adapter 201. The passenger nutring is fitted into a 211 217 on the inside of the connecting shell 214.

The fit between the connecting sleeve 214 and the connecting ring 211 is so precise that, in an axial movement of the connecting ring 211, the connecting sleeve 214 is subject to the same axial movement. Both the connecting ring 211 and the connecting sleeves 214 are continuously formed at least in the area of the nut 217 over the full circumference, forming a stable and resilient composition. This composition is used in the assembly of the adapter 201 with the pipe end 206 to transmit the forces that must be applied for the assembly.

The 211-ring is shaped like a 211-ring. The 211-ring has 218 partial-circular and axially continuous openings. Each 215 resting finger has 218 openings. The 215 resting fingers are arranged in a circle at a distance from the inner wall of the 205 connecting area. There can be two, three or more 215 resting fingers, all extending axially in the 201 adapter. The 215 resting fingers have several 219-resting steps, which are shaped radially outwards at the resting fingers.

The gear 212 and the clamp cone 213 are partially circular, that is not all round. The gear 212 and the clamp cone 213 are made open on part of their circumference so that when a force is exerted in a radial direction on the gear 212 and on the clamp cone 213, they can change in diameter, that is, rejuvenate. The gear 212 is fitted into a recess 221 on the inside of the clamp cone 213.

The tooth ring 212 and the clamp cone 213 thus form a stable unit. When pressure is applied to the clamp cone 213 from the outside to the inside, the diameter of the tooth ring 212 will decrease. The tooth ring 212 is made of a metal band by punching, cutting and bending and has a profile that is precisely matched to the functions of the tooth ring. The clamp cone 213 is made of plastic, like all other components of the quick-coupling in an injection molding process.

In the delivery state, the 213 clamp cone is located within the 214 connecting sleeve on a circle with the largest possible diameter. The 211 connecting ring, which carries the 214 connecting sleeve in the axial direction, is located with the 220 resting noses in a collision with the one of the 219 resting steps, which is the furthest from the 203 clamp area in the axial direction. The front surface of the 211 connecting ring is at the same height or slightly higher than the front side of the 215 resting finger. The 213 clamp cone is located on the front side of the 211 connecting sleeve.

In comparison with Figure 13, the adapter 201 is placed directly on the end 206 of pipe 207 with the connection area 205 in Figure 14. On the job site, the installer takes the free end 206 of the already laid plastic flexible pipe 207 with one hand, bends it away from the wall or floor as far as necessary for processing, and with the other hand plugs the adapter 201 onto the pipe 206 end. In the condition shown in Figure 14, no pressure has been applied to the end 206 or to the adapter 201. The 206 of the pipe 207 directly touches the participant 211 and the clamp cone 213 has not yet been moved axially. In the condition of Figure 14, the clamp cone can still be seen to move in relation to the 213 in the case of Figure 139, as the clamp cone can still be seen to move in relation to the 214 in Figure 20.

In Figure 15, the adapter 201 is shown again, but after being plugged into pipe 207 and compressed. The adapter 201 with the resting fingers 215 in the connection area 205 was pushed as far as possible through the opening 218. The resting nose 220 of the passenger ring 211 skips the resting steps 219 of the resting fingers 215. The skipping of the resting steps is perceived as an audible and tangible signal by the installer. Because before the impact movement the end of the pipe 207 is on the passenger ring 211, as a result of the impact movement of the clamping cone 213 in relation to the connection shell 214 and in relation to the pipe 207 moves axially. The axis of the connection shell 214 moves in relation to the connecting pipe 217. The adapter shell moves not in relation to the connecting pipe 217.

The adapter 201 is pushed into the connecting sleeve 214 until the stroke 216. Because the connecting sleeve 213 is conical on the outside and the connecting sleeve 214 is also conical on the inside, the connecting sleeve 213 and thus the gear 212 are compressed in radial direction as a result of this axial movement, i.e. towards the outer wall of the tube 207. Unlike many other quick couplings, such as those with a bayonet or overhead clutch, the clutch is not made by a cup or a barrel motion, but by a linear shock. The adapter 202 is connected to the tube 207 by a clutch in the axial direction without a clutch and can be connected to the tube 207 or 202 by a clutch.

The metal gear 212 has a distributed array of 222 teeth on the inside, of which two 222 teeth are shown in Figure 15. The metal gear 222 cuts into the outer wall of the plastic pipe 207. In the view window 209, the clamp cone 213 is no longer visible. By observing the audible and tangible signal of the 220 stoppers that cross the 219 step steps and by observing the view window 209, the installer can make sure that the adapter 201 has been securely and completely connected to the end of the 207 pipe. In the view window 209, or in the view windows 2029, the 213 clamp cone is no longer visible.

In Figure 16 the connection of the adapter 201 to the end 206 of the pipe 207 is shown again. In contrast to the condition in Figure 15, the adapter 201 was connected to the pipe connection part 202 not shown here and the piping system was pressurised with medium pressure. The medium pressure pushes the pipe 207 and the clamp cone 213 slightly out of the adapter 201.

In Figure 16, this condition is shown in a slightly exaggerated way to better understand the situation. The extraction movement of the 213 clamp cone as a result of the pressure increase held radially by the 214 connecting sleeve will further reduce the diameter. The teeth 221 of the 212 tooth ring will further cut into the outer wall of the tube conductor 206. In the areas of the 212 tooth ring where no teeth 222 are directed away, the tooth ring has an essentially cylindrical profile and is flattened exactly on the outlines of the 207 tube conductor. The special profile of the 212 tooth ring prevents the 222 tooth ring from cutting deep into the plastic. The 222 tooth ring is also defined as a special cutting material with a high thermal conductivity, which does not cut the 222 tooth material at a depth as deep as the 223 tooth.

Figures 17 to 19 show further applications of the quick coupling not covered by the invention. Figure 17 shows the quick coupling from Figures 11 to 16 in connection with a connector 225 for plumbing fixtures.

Figure 18 shows a pipe connector 202 with a dead stop 208 and two adapters 201, 231. The adapter 231 has a larger diameter than the adapter 201. This is to indicate that reductions or transitions of different diameters can also be made using the same module 202. The module 202 can be made of plastic or metal and is thus adaptable to different pipe materials.

Figure 19 shows two adapters 201 and two modules 202 connected by a 232 intercom. Intercom 232 has two opposite sides of clutch area 235 identical to the clutch area 205 shown in Figures 11 to 16. This is to indicate that any number of modules 202 and intercom 232 can be used to produce manifolds or distributor fixtures. Instead of another module 202 a transition section 236 with a thread, such as an outer winding, can be attached to intercom 232. The formation of the clutch area 235 is carried out in Figure 19 with four outgoing coupled sections and 238 with correspondingly shaped coupled sections.

The advantages of the invention lie in particular in the simple pre-assembly of the rapid coupling itself. On the other hand, it provides a secure connection of the pipeline with the coupling. The rapid coupling is characterized by a particularly small number of easily manufactured parts.

Claims (14)

1. Quick-action coupling (1) for pipes, with a tubular inner part (2), with an inner sleeve (3), with a clamping ring (5), and with an outer sleeve (4), characterized in that the outer sleeve (4) has a cylindrical region with at least two different inside diameters (d1, d2, d3) and a conical region for receiving the clamping ring (5), in that the inner sleeve (3) is composed of two virtually identical semicircular shell parts (31, 32) and in that the quick-action coupling comprises a toothed ring (6) having part-circular teeth (61).
2. Quick-action coupling according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two semicircular shell parts (31, 32) forming the inner sleeve (3) are provided with an external thread (36) onto which the outer sleeve (4) provided with an internal thread (41) can be screwed.
3. Quick-action coupling according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner sleeve (3) has fingers (37) with radially outward-pointing finger surfaces, which are designed in such a way that the toothed ring (6) is carried by the fingers (37) and, at least during premounting, is held firmly.
4. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner sleeve (3) has, on the inner circumference, two inwardly directed peripheral projections (33, 34) which form a peripheral groove (35) for receiving a further projection (24), fitting with the latter, on the outer circumference of the inner part (2).
5. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the clamping ring (5) has a slot (54) in the circumferential direction and is arranged under pretension in the conical region of the outer sleeve (4).
6. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping ring (5) has at least one projection (53) on the inner circumference.
7. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer sleeve (4) has a conically shaped region (42) for receiving the conically shaped clamping ring (5).
8. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner sleeve (3, 31, 32) has, on the outer circumference, a stop (38), arranged over the entire circumference, for the outer sleeve (4).
9. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part (2) has at least two tubular regions with different outside diameters.
10. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part (2) has at least two grooves (21) for receiving O-ring seals (22) for sealing off the inner part (2) relative to a pipeline (20) and a pipe connection part (10).
11. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothed ring (6) is closed in the circumferential direction.
12. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer sleeve (4) and/or the inner sleeve (3, 31, 32) consist/consists of plastic.
13. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer sleeve (4) and/or the inner sleeve (3, 31, 32) are/is transparent.
14. Quick-action coupling according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part (2) has arranged on it, as seen in the axial direction, first the inner sleeve (3, 31, 32), followed by the toothed ring (6) and the clamping ring (5), the outer sleeve (4) being screwed, so as to engage over the clamping ring (5) and the toothed ring (12), onto the inner sleeve (3, 31, 32) as far as the stop (38) of the inner sleeve (3, 31, 32).