Coupling element and process for manufacturing such a coupling element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025035244-A1
Application number	US-202418784714-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 25, 2024
Priority date	Jul 27, 2023
Publication date	Jan 30, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupling element comprising a cannula, a body and at least one first jaw movable in rotation about a first axis of rotation. In a clamping position, the first jaw presses a hose against the cannula in a zone defined by a boundary plane spaced from the first axis of rotation by a first distance. The coupling element further comprises a movable pusher having a first bearing surface configured to exert a movement force on a force-receiving surface of the first jaw. When the first jaw is in the clamping position thereof, a first radial gap between the first axis of rotation and a contact point of the force-receiving surface and of the first bearing surface has a value greater than the value of the first distance.

First claim

1 . A coupling element for connecting a fluid pipe to a hose, the coupling element comprising:
a cannula defining a passage for fluids and extending along a longitudinal axis of the coupling element, between a front part configured for the fitting on of the hose and a rear part to be coupled to the fluid pipe; a body extending longitudinally about the cannula and secured thereto, defining a mouth for access to the front part of the cannula; a first jaw movable in rotation about a first axis of rotation perpendicular to and offset from the longitudinal axis between
a clamping position wherein the first jaw presses the hose against the front part of the cannula in a zone comprised, radially to the longitudinal axis between the longitudinal axis and the first axis of rotation and bounded along the longitudinal axis by a boundary plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and spaced from the first axis of rotation by a first distance, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, which is non-zero, and
a retracted position wherein the first jaw does not press the hose against the forward portion of the cannula;
a maneuvering member, accessible from outside the body, for moving the first jaw between the clamping position thereof and the retracted position thereof, wherein the coupling element comprises:
a pusher, housed in an internal volume of the body around the cannula and movable, in translation along the longitudinal axis, relative to the body;
a member for elastic return of the pusher toward the forward position thereof;
the pusher is provided with a first surface, bearing against the first jaw; the first bearing surface of the pusher is configured to exert on the first jaw a force for moving the first jaw from the released position thereof to the clamping position thereof; the first bearing surface is arranged opposite the first axis of rotation in relation to the longitudinal axis; and when the first jaw is in the clamping position thereof, with the first bearing surface against the first jaw, a first radial gap, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between the first axis of rotation and a contact point of the force-receiving surface of the first jaw and the first bearing surface has a value greater than the value of the first distance.

2 . The coupling element according to claim 1 , wherein the member for elastically returning the pusher to the advanced position thereof, is also a member for returning the first jaw to the clamping position thereof.

3 . The coupling element according to claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the value of the first radial gap and the value of the first distance is comprised between 1.5 and 10.

4 . The coupling element according to claim 3 , wherein the ratio between the value of the first radial gap and the value of the first distance is comprised between 4 and 6.

5 . The coupling element according to claim 4 , wherein the ratio between the value of the first radial gap and the value of the first distance is equal to 5.

6 . The coupling element according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first coupling element further comprises a second jaw movable in rotation about a second axis of rotation perpendicular to and offset from the longitudinal axis, between:
a clamping position wherein the second jaw presses the hose against the front part of the cannula in a zone comprised, radially to the longitudinal axis between the longitudinal axis and the second axis of rotation and bounded along the longitudinal axis by a boundary plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and spaced from the first axis of rotation by a second distance, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, which is non-zero, and
a retracted position wherein the second jaw does not press the hose against the front part of the cannula;
the pusher comprising a second surface, bearing against the second jaw; the second bearing surface of the pusher is configured to exert on the second jaw a force for moving the second jaw from the retracted position thereof to the clamping position thereof; the second bearing surface is arranged opposite the second axis of rotation in relation to the longitudinal axis; and when the second jaw is in the clamping position thereof, with the second bearing surface against the second jaw, a second radial gap, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, between the first axis of rotation and a contact point of the force-receiving surface of the second jaw and the second bearing surface has a value greater than the value of the second distance.

7 . The coupling element according to claim 6 , wherein a ratio between the value of the second radial gap and the value of the second distance is comprised between 1.5 and 10.

8 . The coupling element according to claim 7 , wherein the ratio between the value of the second radial gap and the value of the second distance is comprised between 4 and 6.

9 . The coupling element according to claim 8 , wherein the ratio between the value of the second radial gap and the value of the second distance is equal to 5.

10 . The coupling element according to claim 6 , wherein the values of the first and second distances are equal and wherein the values of the first and second radial gaps are equal.

11 . The coupling element according to claim 6 , wherein the pusher comprises a relief configured to exert on the second jaw a force for moving the second jaw from the clamping position thereof to the retracted position thereof.

12 . The coupling element according to claim 1 , wherein the maneuvering member of the first jaw is a lever secured to the first jaw.

13 . The coupling element according to claim 1 , wherein the maneuvering member of the first jaw is a ring which is axially movable, along the longitudinal axis, relative to the body.

14 . A manufacturing method for a coupling element according to claim 1 , wherein:
the body is provided with at least one inner radial guiding surface; the pusher is provided with at least one outer radial guiding surface configured to engage the inner radial guiding surface to guide the pusher during the movements thereof along the longitudinal axis; the pusher is movable, inside the passage of the body, to a reference position, wherein the or each outer radial guiding surface of the pusher is disengaged from any inner radial guiding surface of the body and vice versa; and the method comprises a step consisting of: a) making simultaneously, by additive manufacturing, the body and the pusher, while the pusher is in the reference position thereof.

15 . The method according to claim 14 for manufacturing a coupling element where:
the first coupling element further comprises a second jaw movable in rotation about a second axis of rotation perpendicular to and offset from the longitudinal axis, between
a. a clamping position wherein the second jaw presses the hose against the front part of the cannula in a zone comprised, radially to the longitudinal axis between the longitudinal axis and the second axis of rotation and bounded along the longitudinal axis by a boundary plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and spaced from the first axis of rotation by a second distance, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, which is non-zero;
b. a retracted position wherein the second jaw does not press the hose against the front part of the cannula;
the pusher comprising a second surface, bearing against the second jaw;
the second bearing surface of the pusher is configured to exert on the second jaw a force for moving the second jaw from the retracted position thereof to the clamping pos

Assignees

• Staubli Sa Ets

Inventors

• Durieux Christophe

Classifications

• F16L37/18

  Joints tightened by eccentrics or rotatable cams · CPC title

• F16L37/20

  Joints tightened by toggle-action levers · CPC title

• F16L37/22 Primary

  in which the connection is maintained by means of balls, rollers or helical springs under radial pressure between the parts · CPC title

• F16L33/00

  Arrangements for connecting hoses to rigid members; Rigid hose-connectors, i.e. single members engaging both hoses (connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics F16L47/00) · CPC title

• F16L37/28 Primary

  with fluid cut-off means · CPC title