FR2758379A1 - Pneumatic coupling implant cartridge for pneumatic cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

The cartridge has a cylindrical body (10) with a first opening for fitting of a connecting pipe (14) and a second opening connected to a duct (28), such as a flexible pneumatic pipe. The body of the cartridge (10) can have elastic teeth (216) extending radially outwardly and inclined with respect to a radial plane towards the first opening to receive the connection pipe. The elastic teeth can be formed on an elastic washer (214) fixed by clipping onto the casing of the cartridge.

Description

 The present invention relates to an implantation cartridge for a connection of a pipe, for example a pneumatic connection, intended to take place in a housing.

 A pneumatic implantation cartridge is generally used for direct implantation of the fitting in a component. The latter can be a jack body, a plate receiving several connections, etc.

Such a cartridge contains a device allowing the connection of a pipe. Thus, when the cartridge is in place in its support, the pipe can be conventionally connected to the device allowing the connection.

 To save space and significantly reduce the size, the cartridges generally do not have a threaded system for their implementation, but are put in place with a bracket or other similar means allowing the cartridge to be pushed inside. a housing in which the cartridge must hold tightly.

For a good anchoring of the cartridge in its support, the external surface of the cartridge presents irregularities, of the shark teeth type. I1 are annular projections which have on one side a relatively small slope allowing an introduction of the cartridge into its housing and on the opposite side a steep slope preventing removal of the cartridge from its housing.

 A known cartridge containing a quick coupling device comprises a socket with an outer profile in shark teeth, an elastic ring, a washer, a seal and a push button.

 The mounting of this cartridge in a support, for example a plate intended to receive several pneumatic connections, or else a pneumatic cylinder body, firstly requires the drilling of a stepped hole, or stepped well. The latter can be obtained by machining or else by molding, during the production of the plate or of the body. The well is of predetermined dimensions and the tolerances relating to these dimensions are fairly reduced, so as to be able to obtain good tightening of the cartridge in its housing. Quite high precision is required for the realization of this stepped well.

 The cartridge is assembled by threading the sleeve, the elastic ring, the washer and the seal on a support. The latter is presented vertically above the stepped well intended to receive the cartridge and introduced into it. It is then necessary to push on the support using for example a press or the like to make the sleeve fully penetrate into its housing.

 The support is then removed. The components remain in place, held by the sleeve which is tightly mounted. The push button is snapped in once the support has been removed. The cartridge is then ready to receive a connecting pipe, for example a pipe from a pneumatic device.

 Such a cartridge therefore requires the presence of a hole made with precision and its assembly requires the use of tools. I1 must also be careful during mounting that the cartridge mounted on its support is presented well parallel to the well, because otherwise when introducing the cartridge into its housing, there is a risk of damaging the cartridge.

 When the cartridge housing is a little too small, there is a strong stress on the constituent elements of the cartridge and this generally leads to a malfunction of the cartridge.

 This type of cartridge is used mainly in supports made of synthetic material and are less suitable for harder materials such as steel or even an aluminum alloy. In fact, a shark-tooth profile is easier to implant in a relatively flexible material than in a hard material. To be used in a metal, it is also necessary that the material of the socket having the shark tooth profile is suitable.

 The constraints, or stress, imposed on the material, in particular the material constituting the support, are quite significant and can cause premature fatigue of the latter.

 The object of the invention is to provide an implantation cartridge for the connection of a pipe, the assembly of which is easier than what is described above, that is to say which can be carried out without the need for tools. heavy, such as a gallows or a press.

 Advantageously, the device according to the invention, the mounting of which is facilitated, will not present the above-mentioned problems and may be either in a support made of synthetic or metallic material and will minimize the stresses existing in the support.

 To this end, the cartridge which it offers is an implantation cartridge for a connection of a pipe intended to take place in a housing comprising a body of generally cylindrical shape with a first opening provided for the introduction of a pipe. to be connected and a second opening connected to a conduit, as well as means making it possible to connect the hose, for example a pneumatic flexible hose, to the cartridge.

 According to the invention, the cartridge body is provided with elastic teeth extending radially outwards, inclined relative to a radial plane towards the first opening intended to receive the pipe to be connected.

 The cartridge thus includes a new anchoring system which is very reliable and which can very easily be installed. When the cartridge is pushed into its housing, the elastic teeth deform without putting up significant resistance. On the other hand, thanks to their inclination towards the opening intended to receive the pipe to be connected, which is also on the same side as the opening of the housing receiving the cartridge, the teeth prevent any removal of the cartridge from its housing, whether this either by direct action on the cartridge or by acting on a pipe fitted therein. During such an action, the teeth are curved by bearing on the interior wall of the housing, thus preventing any withdrawal from the housing.

 This system also has the advantage of being able to be installed indifferently in a housing made of a synthetic material or a metal.

 In addition, no important details are necessary to achieve the housing of the cartridge. This housing has only one shoulder serving as a stop for the cartridge to determine its insertion depth.

The diameter of the housing and the position of the shoulder acting as a stop can be made with fairly wide tolerances.

 Another advantage of this device is that the stresses in the surrounding material are very significantly reduced. There is then less risk of rupture in this material.

 In a first advantageous embodiment, the elastic teeth are the teeth of an elastic washer fixed, for example by snap-fastening or crimping, on the cartridge body.

 Of course, it is possible to have elastic teeth directly implanted in the cartridge body or else forming only one piece with it.

 In the case of an elastic washer, the body of the cartridge is preferably made of synthetic material and the elastic washer is advantageously metallic.

 To have a good seal at the connection, the cartridge is preferably provided with a seal intended to seal between the exterior surface of the cartridge body and the housing thereof.

 An advantageous embodiment provides that the elastic teeth of the cartridge body are intended to be arranged at the bottom of the housing.

 A cartridge as described above is well suited when the means for connecting a pipe are an instant fitting for a pneumatic flexible pipe comprising an elastic ring, with teeth extending radially inwards, bearing against a shoulder formed inside the cartridge body, a ring intended to hold the elastic ring in position, a seal to ensure the seal between the outer surface of the pipe to be connected and the inner surface of the cartridge body, and a push button movable axially and intended to act on the teeth of the elastic ring so as to be able to release a pipe held in the fitting.

 The invention also relates to a plate comprising several wells serving as housing for at least one cartridge as described above, as well as a pneumatic jack provided with such a cartridge.

 In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing two preferred embodiments of an implantation cartridge according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a cartridge according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is another view in longitudinal section of another embodiment of a cartridge according to the invention, and
Figure 3 is a top view of an elastic washer used for the cartridge of the previous figure.

 Figures 1 and 2 show an implantation cartridge for an instant connection for a pneumatic installation. Such a connection is known per se.

 I1 comprises an elastic ring 2 having teeth extending radially towards the inside of the ring, a ring 4, a seal 6 and a push button 8.

 In the case of a cartridge according to the invention as shown in the drawing, these elements 2 to 8 are mounted in a socket 10 constituting the body of the cartridge.

 The seal 6 comes to bear on a shoulder formed in the socket 10. The elastic ring 2 has an annular flange 12 which rests on a second interior shoulder of the socket 10. The ring 10 keeps the annular flange 12 in contact with the corresponding shoulder. The ring 10 is crimped in the embodiment of Figure 1, it is snapped on Figure 2. Other methods of attachment, for example screwing, are also possible.

 When a pipe to be connected 14 (in phantom in Figures 1 and 2), made of synthetic material such as polyamide, polyurethane, polyethylene, etc., or metal, is introduced into the connector, it pushes the teeth of the ring elastic 2, which are inclined to allow such an introduction. The pipe to be connected 14 abuts against a third inner shoulder 16 of the socket 10.

 A withdrawal of the pipe 14 by simple pulling in the axial direction thereon is not possible, because the teeth of the elastic ring 2 are anchored in the pipe and when such traction is exerted, these teeth are bent , preventing the withdrawal of the pipe 14.

 The push button 8 acts on the teeth of the elastic ring 2 in order to disengage the pipe 14 from their socket and authorize the withdrawal of the latter.

 Such an instant connection device is known per se and is therefore not described in more detail here. Of course, other connection devices can be used in the context of the invention.

 The cartridges shown in the drawing are placed in a housing 18 having a single shoulder 20. This housing 18 can be produced for example in a machine wall, in a connection plate or else in a pneumatic cylinder. The narrower diameter part of the housing is the end of a duct 28 intended to be connected with the pipe 14. This duct 28 may for example be in connection with a source of compressed air or else a jack chamber.

 The cartridge proper comprises the socket 10 constituting the body of the cartridge, a seal 22 and an elastic washer 24 provided with teeth 26.

 The seal 22 is housed in an annular groove made in the outside surface of the socket 10. I1 makes it possible to seal between the socket 10 and the interior wall of the housing 18.

 The sleeve 10 is of generally circular cylindrical shape. It is open at both ends. A first opening is intended to receive the pipe to be connected 14 while the second opening is located on the side of the conduit 28, that is to say on the side of the bottom of the housing 18. The connector described above is preferably located on the side from the first opening, which seems a priori logical.

 The elastic washer 24 is fixed to the cartridge body 10 on the side of the second opening. In the mounted position, it is therefore at the bottom of the housing 18.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the socket 10 has a tubular projection 30 on the side of the bottom of the housing 18 on which the washer 24 is positioned. To make the washer integral with the socket 10, the wall of the projection 30 is flared so that the washer 24 can no longer leave the projection 30.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the sleeve also has a projection 31. At the top of this projection 31 is formed an annular rib 32, the outside diameter of which is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the washer 24. Thus, the washer 24 can be snapped onto the projection 31. This embodiment is particularly suitable in the case where the sleeve 10 is made of a material having good elasticity, for example a synthetic material.

 The elastic washer 24 is shown in top view in Figure 3. It is advantageously made of metal, for example steel. It has a substantially planar central ring 34 and the teeth 26. The latter extend radially outwards and are inclined relative to the plane of the central ring 34.

The inclination is substantially the same for all the teeth 26. When the washer 24 is mounted, the teeth 26 are oriented towards the opening of the socket 10 intended to receive the pipe to be connected 14.

 The outside diameter of the washer 24, with the teeth in the rest position, is greater than the diameter of the housing 18 and the outside diameter of the bush 10.

 When the sleeve 10 is introduced into the housing 18, the teeth 26 then tilt more relative to the central ring 34. Once in the housing 18, an anchoring phenomenon is created. I1 is not possible to remove the cartridge, because by pulling it to extract it from its housing 18, the teeth 26 brace and prevent any movement.

 The cartridge can thus be very easily mounted in the housing 18. No tools are necessary.

The assembly is carried out manually. The holding of the cartridge in its housing is at least as good as for a cartridge of the prior art using a shark tooth profile.

 Compared to cartridges of the prior art, many advantages are surprisingly obtained.

 The ease of use of a cartridge according to the invention is quite remarkable. It suffices to orient the cartridge correctly in its housing to put it in place. The force exerted is minimal. It is not even necessary to use a hammer.

 The tolerances required for producing the housing 18 are much narrower than for a cartridge of the prior art, and this regardless of the material in which the housing is made. It suffices to make a shoulder to define the depth of insertion of the cartridge. A tolerance of one tenth of a millimeter, which can therefore be obtained with a hand drill, may be sufficient for the diameter of the housing. There is therefore no longer any risk of the cartridge being tightened in its housing, which eliminates a major cause of dysfunction of the cartridges of the prior art.

 The solution provided by the invention also makes it possible to reduce the stresses exerted on the material surrounding the cartridge. There is therefore much less fatigue in this material. Therefore, the cartridges can be located closer to each other. This allows a significant gain in terms of size.

 The cartridge according to the invention fits as well on a metal support as on a support made of synthetic material. The same cartridge can be indifferently mounted in these two distinct materials. For the cartridges of the prior art, it was necessary to adapt the cartridge to the material in which it was to be implanted. The cartridge according to the invention is therefore universal.

 Another important and surprising advantage is that the sleeve 10 can be made of synthetic material by molding. The cost price of this part can therefore be considerably reduced.

 For the embodiment shown in Figure 2, it is even possible by performing a two-component injection molding, to achieve in a single molding the sleeve 10 and the two seals 6 and 22. We see in Figure 2 that 'there is only one through joint.

 It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above by way of nonlimiting examples; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

 Thus, for example, the teeth of the cartridge body are not necessarily the teeth of a washer mounted on this body. I1 may for example be teeth each fitted into the body of the cartridge, for example at a peripheral annular groove. In the case of a molded part, these teeth can be an integral part of the body of the cartridge and form only one piece with it.

 Other fittings can also be used in the cartridge. The invention is not limited to so-called "instant fittings". In addition, it is possible to use the same mounting principle for a plug intended to close an orifice of a pneumatic machine or of a connection plate.

Claims (8)

 1. Installation cartridge for a connection of a pipe intended to take place in a housing (18) comprising a body (10) of generally cylindrical shape with a first opening provided for the introduction of a pipe to be connected (14 ) and a second opening connected to a pipe (28), as well as means making it possible to connect the pipe, for example a pneumatic flexible pipe, to the cartridge,  characterized in that  the cartridge body (10) is provided with elastic teeth (26) extending radially outwards, inclined with respect to a radial plane towards the first opening intended to receive the pipe to be connected (14).  2. implantation cartridge according to claim 1,  characterized in that the elastic teeth (26) are the teeth of an elastic washer (24) fixed, for example by snap-fastening or crimping, on the cartridge body (10).  3. implantation cartridge according to claim 2,  characterized in that the body of the cartridge (10) is made of synthetic material and in that the elastic washer (24) is metallic.  4. implantation cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 3,  characterized in that it is provided with a seal (22) intended to seal between the exterior surface of the cartridge body (10) and the housing (18) thereof.  5. implantation cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 4,  characterized in that the elastic teeth (26) of the cartridge body are intended to be arranged at the bottom of the housing (18).  6. implantation cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 5,  characterized in that the means making it possible to connect a pipe (14) are an instantaneous connection for a pneumatic flexible pipe comprising an elastic ring (2), with teeth extending radially inwards, coming to bear against a shoulder arranged at inside the cartridge body (10), a ring (4) intended to hold the elastic ring (2) in position, a seal (6) to seal between the external surface of the pipe to be connected (14) and the inner surface of the cartridge body, and a push button (8) movable axially and intended to act on the teeth of the elastic ring (2) so as to be able to release a pipe (14) held in the fitting .  7. Plate fitted with stepped wells comprising a shoulder, characterized in that at least some wells are provided with an implantation cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 6.  8. Pneumatic cylinder, characterized in that it comprises at least one implantation cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 6.