DE29824260U1 - Connectors - Google Patents

Description

8757/VII/da

Armaturenfabrik Hermann Voss GmbH + Co. Leiersmühle 2-6, D-51688 Wipperfürth

Connectors

The present invention relates to a connector for hoses and/or pipes, consisting of a socket part and a plug part, wherein the plug part can be inserted with a plug shaft into a receiving opening of the socket part, and wherein the inserted plug part is sealed against the socket part via a peripheral seal and is locked against being pulled out via a locking device.

Such connectors are well known from numerous publications. They are used for the quick and detachable connection of hoses and/or pipes in pressure medium systems. In known connectors of this type, a sealing ring is usually arranged in an outer ring groove on the plug shaft as a peripheral seal. This can lead to problems when plugging in if the plug shaft is slightly tilted against the plug axis; this can then damage the peripheral seal.

The present invention is based on the object of improving the insertion process in such a way that even in the event of improper handling, damage in the area of the peripheral seal is largely excluded.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that a hollow cylindrical plug pin which engages axially in the inserted plug shaft is arranged within the socket part, wherein the peripheral seal is arranged in an annular chamber formed in the region lying radially between the plug pin of the socket part and the plug shaft.

This advantageous design initially achieves automatic centering of the plug part within the socket part, as the plug pin arranged within the socket part partially engages the plug shaft. This also effectively protects the peripheral seal, particularly as it is chambered within the plug shaft, in its end area, into which the plug pin of the socket part also engages.

Further advantageous features of the invention are contained in the subclaims and the following description.

The invention will be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawing.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the connector according to the invention in the insertion direction of the plug part,

Fig. 2 is a partial section through the connector of level II-II according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a significantly enlarged partial section in the plane III-III according to Fig. 2,

&Ggr;* i* ta .·

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of area IV in Fig. 3 and

Fig. 5 shows a further enlarged detail of area V in Fig. 3.

A connector according to the invention consists of a socket part (2) and a plug part (4). The plug part (4) can be inserted with a plug shaft (6) into a receiving opening (8) of the socket part (2) along a plug axis (10). In Fig. 2 and 3, the insertion direction is marked with an arrow (12) and the release or withdrawal direction is marked with an arrow (14).

The inserted plug part (4) is sealed against the socket part (2) by a peripheral seal (16) and is releasably locked against being pulled out by a locking device (18).

According to the invention, a relatively short, hollow cylindrical plug pin (20) that axially engages the inserted plug shaft (6) is arranged within the socket part (2). The peripheral seal (16) is chambered in an annular chamber (22) and is thus protected, which annular chamber (22) is formed in the area lying radially between the plug pin (20) and the plug shaft (6). In this regard, reference is made in particular to Figs. 3 and 5.

The annular chamber (22) receiving the peripheral seal (16) is expediently radially closed on the one hand outwards by a recess (24) of the plug shaft (6) which widens the inner diameter and on the other hand inwards by an outer, cylindrical peripheral surface

(26) of the plug pin (20). Furthermore, the annular chamber (22) is delimited in the axial direction on the one hand by a radial stepped surface (28) of the plug shaft (6) which delimits the inner recess (24) in the release direction (arrow 14) and on the other hand by a support ring (30) inserted in the free end area. This support ring (30) practically forms, together with the recess (24), an inner annular groove within the plug shaft (6) which is open radially inwards. The support ring (30) is expediently held within the plug shaft (6) by means of a locking connection.

It is also an essential aspect of the present invention that the locking device (18) consists of at least two locking arms (32) formed in one piece with the plug part (4). These locking arms (32) are preferably arranged diametrically opposite one another and extend axially in the release direction (14) approximately parallel to the plug axis (10) and are spaced radially from the plug part (4) in such a way that they are designed to be spring-elastic in the radial direction. When plugged in, the locking arms (32) each engage with nose-like locking edges (34) in a form-fitting manner behind an undercut surface (36) formed within the receiving opening (8) of the socket part (2). In this regard, particular reference is made to the enlarged illustration in Fig. 4. The undercut surface (36) can either be a circumferential, annular undercut within the receiving opening (8) or it can be a radial through-opening in the region of the locking edges (34) of the locking arms (32).

The locking arms (32) expediently extend at their free ends pointing in the release direction (14) to outside the

The locking arms (32) have actuating sections (38) projecting from the socket part (2). By means of these actuating sections (38), the locking arms (32) can be manually actuated for release, i.e. elastically deformed radially inwards, so that the plug part (4) can subsequently be removed from the socket part (2) (arrow 14).

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a protective cap (40) can be provided, which is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3 and covers the insertion area and is detachably fixed. This protective cap (40) completely covers the mouth area of the socket receiving opening (8) up to the inserted plug part (4) including the locking arms (32), so that an effective seal against dirt is ensured. Furthermore, the protective cap (40) advantageously also prevents the locking device (18) from being accidentally released or unlocked, because the protective cap (40) must first be removed before the locking arms can be released, since otherwise the locking arms or their actuating sections (38) would not be accessible.

Advantageously, at least the plug part (4) including the elastic locking arms (32) is designed as a one-piece plastic molded part. Preferably, the same also applies to the socket part (2).

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown and described, but also includes all embodiments having the same effect within the meaning of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. Plug connector for hoses and/or pipes, consisting of a socket part ( 2 ) and a plug part ( 4 ), wherein the plug part ( 4 ) can be inserted with a plug shaft ( 6 ) into a receiving opening ( 8 ) of the socket part ( 2 ), and wherein the inserted plug part ( 4 ) is sealed against the socket part ( 2 ) by a peripheral seal ( 16 ) and is locked against being pulled out by a locking device ( 18 ), characterized in that a hollow cylindrical plug pin ( 20 ) is arranged within the socket part ( 2 ) and axially engages in the inserted plug shaft ( 6 ), wherein the peripheral seal ( 16 ) is formed in a region lying radially between the plug pin ( 20 ) of the socket part ( 2 ) and the plug shaft ( 6 ). annular chamber ( 22 ) is arranged. 2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular chamber ( 22 ) receiving the peripheral seal ( 16 ) is formed by an inner recess ( 24 ) of the plug shaft ( 6 ) which widens the inner diameter and is delimited radially inwardly by an outer, cylindrical peripheral surface ( 26 ) of the socket plug pin ( 20 ). 3. Connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the annular chamber ( 22 ) is delimited in the axial direction on the one hand by a radial step surface ( 28 ) of the plug shaft ( 6 ) and on the other hand by a support ring ( 30 ) inserted in the free end region. 4. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the support ring ( 30 ) is snapped into the plug shaft ( 6 ). 5. Plug connector in particular according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking device ( 18 ) consists of at least two diametrically opposed locking arms ( 32 ) of the plug part ( 4 ) which extend axially in the release direction ( 14 ) approximately parallel to the plug axis ( 10 ) and are spring-elastic in the radial direction, wherein the locking arms ( 32 ) in the plugged-in state each positively engage behind an undercut surface ( 36 ) formed within the receiving opening ( 8 ) of the socket part ( 2 ). 6. Connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking arms ( 32 ) have actuating sections ( 38 ) projecting outside the sleeve part ( 2 ) at their free ends pointing in the release direction ( 14 ). 7. Connector according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by a releasably fixed protective cap ( 40 ) covering the insertion area. 8. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least the plug part ( 4 ) is designed as a one-piece plastic molded part.