Line connector and ready-made media line

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9890889-B2
Application number	US-80858808-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 10, 2008
Priority date	Dec 21, 2007
Publication date	Feb 13, 2018
Grant date	Feb 13, 2018

Abstract

A line connector for media lines including a fluid connector having at least one connection section for terminal connection to a fluid line and having a transition section with an inner fluid channel adjoining the connection section. An electric heating element is provided at least in certain areas. The fluid connector is encased by encapsulation at least in the region of the heating element. The encapsulation has a branch for an electric supply conductor for the heating element. A ready-made media line includes the above mentioned line connector and an attached fluid line.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A line connector and media line, comprising:
a fluid connector having at least one attachment section connected to a fluid line having corrugated sheathing located thereabout, the fluid connector having a transition section which adjoins the attachment section and has an inner fluid duct, an electrical heating element disposed about the fluid connector for heating the fluid connector,
a casing surrounding the fluid connector in the region of the heating element and engaging the fluid connector at an end opposite of the attachment section, the casing also surrounding the attachment section and including a tubular projection extending beyond the attachment section, the tubular projection surrounding the sheathing located about the fluid line in a positive locking engagement with the sheathing, the casing further including portions defining a branch opening, a branch part including a branch containing electrical supply cables, the branch part being releasably connected to the casing over the branch opening and being selectively positioned in one of a plurality of different alignments with respect to the casing, the branch being one of acute, obtuse and parallel to the attachment section;
wherein the heating element is configured to generate heat and is formed by at least one electrical conductor extending about the outer circumference of the fluid connector and surrounding at least part of the transition section in a helical fashion, wherein the at least one electrical conductor is electrically connected to the electrical supply cables for receiving a voltage and generating heat, wherein the casing encloses the electrical conductor.

2. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing is composed of two housing shells which are substantially symmetrical in relation to a parting plane and which can be latched to one another by a latching member, the housing half shells being formed as one of separate molded parts or as a single-piece molded part and are connected to one another in a hinged fashion by means of at least one film hinge.

3. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 wherein the branch is configured to hold an end region of a tubular cable sheath for the supply cables in a positively locking fashion.

4. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 wherein the branch has an electrical connection element, in the form of a plug connection, for external supply cables, with the connection element being connected within the casing to the heating element of the fluid connector or to a fluid line heating means of an attached fluid line for heating the fluid line.

5. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical conductor runs in a helical fashion over the circumference of the fluid line.

6. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 wherein the branch, with regard to its branch axis, encloses an angle (a) in the range from 20° to 160° with a fluid line attachment axis aligned approximately parallel to the attachment axis.

7. The line connector and media line according to claim 1 , further comprising a second fluid connector and a second casing, the second fluid connector having a second attachment section connected to an opposing end of the fluid line, the second casing surrounding the attachment section, engaging an end of the second fluid connector opposite of the second attachment section and including a second tubular projection extending beyond the second attachment section, the second tubular projection surrounding the sheathing located about the fluid line in a positive locking engagement with the sheathing, electrical cables within the sheathing, in a free space between the fluid line and the sheathing, the electrical cables configured to connect connectors for external supply cables in the region of the branches of the line connector to one another.

8. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an air volume is formed within the casing enclosing the fluid connector for heat insulation.

9. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a remaining free space is provided within the casing, the remaining free space being at least partially filled with a casting compound.

10. The line connector and media line as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the branch part is connected to the casing by a latched engagement.

Assignees

• Lechner Martin
• Borgmeier Olav
• Schwarzkopf Otfried
• Linnepe Andreas
• Mitterer Reiner
• Rosenfeldt Sascha
• Brandt Josef
• Voss Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Lechner Martin
• Borgmeier Olav
• Schwarzkopf Otfried
• Linnepe Andreas
• Mitterer Reiner
• Rosenfeldt Sascha
• Brandt Josef

Classifications

• F01N2610/02

  the substance being ammonia or urea · CPC title

• F01N2610/10

  the substance being heated, e.g. by heating tank or supply line of the added substance · CPC title

• F01N2610/14

  Arrangements for the supply of substances, e.g. conduits · CPC title

• H05B3/42

  non-flexible · CPC title

• F16L25/01

  specially adapted for realising electrical conduction between the two pipe ends of the joint or between parts thereof · CPC title