阅读说明：本技术 具有扭转防护装置的分离式耦联器 (Split coupling with a torsion protection device ) 是由 乌尔里克·迈耶 于 2020-05-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于连接两个流体管路的分离式耦联器包括能与第一流体管路连接的第一耦联部件(3)和能与第二流体管路连接的第二耦联部件(4)。耦联部件(3,4)能够以限定的分离力彼此分开,其中耦联部件(3,4)中的至少一个具有出流防护阀(20),出流防护阀具有阀座(21)和构造用于与阀座(21)配合工作的密封体(14)。出流防护阀(20)具有开放保持件(16),开放保持件构造成能在耦联部件(3,4)的组合状态下引导流体穿流。出流防护阀(20)构造用于在耦联部件(3,4)的分离状态下防止流体从流体管路中的至少一个流出。分离式耦联器具有扭转防护装置,扭转防护装置在耦联器运行期间防止第一耦联部件(3)和第二耦联部件(4)相对彼此扭转。根据本发明,阀座(21)具有用于密封体(14)的支承面(24),其中在支承面(24)的区域中设有补偿元件(25),补偿元件由与阀座(21)材料和/或密封体(14)材料相比硬度更低的材料构成。(A split coupling for connecting two fluid lines comprises a first coupling part (3) which can be connected to a first fluid line and a second coupling part (4) which can be connected to a second fluid line. The coupling parts (3, 4) can be separated from each other with a defined separating force, wherein at least one of the coupling parts (3, 4) has an outflow protection valve (20) with a valve seat (21) and a sealing body (14) configured for cooperating with the valve seat (21). The outflow protection valve (20) has an opening holder (16) which is designed to guide the fluid through in the assembled state of the coupling parts (3, 4). The outflow protection valve (20) is designed to prevent fluid from flowing out of at least one of the fluid lines in the disengaged state of the coupling parts (3, 4). The split coupling has a torsion protection device which prevents the first coupling part (3) and the second coupling part (4) from twisting relative to one another during operation of the coupling. According to the invention, the valve seat (21) has a bearing surface (24) for the sealing body (14), wherein a compensating element (25) is provided in the region of the bearing surface (24), said compensating element being made of a material having a lower hardness than the material of the valve seat (21) and/or the material of the sealing body (14).)

1. A split coupling for connecting two fluid lines, comprising a first coupling part (3) connectable with a first fluid line and a second coupling part (4) connectable with a second fluid line, having the following features:

a. the coupling parts (3, 4) can be separated from each other with a defined separating force;

b. at least one of the coupling parts (3, 4) has an outflow protection valve (20) having a valve seat (21) and a sealing body (14) designed to cooperate with the valve seat (21),

c. the outflow protection valve (20) has an opening holder (16) which is configured to guide a fluid through in the assembled state of the coupling parts (3, 4),

d. the outflow protection valve (20) is designed to prevent fluid from flowing out of at least one of the fluid lines in the disengaged state of the coupling parts (3, 4),

e. the outflow protection valve has a slotted guide for the sealing body (14), which guide is designed to allow an angular deviation of at least 0.1 DEG between the axial direction of the valve seat (21) and the axial direction of the sealing body (14) in the closed position,

f. the separate coupling further comprises a torsion protection device which prevents the first coupling part (3) and the second coupling part (4) from twisting relative to one another during operation of the coupling, wherein the torsion protection device comprises a protective element (12) which is arranged between the first coupling part (3) and the second coupling part (4),

characterized by the additional features of:

g. the valve seat (21) has a bearing surface (24) for the sealing body (14),

h. a compensating element (25) is provided in the region of the bearing surface (24), said compensating element being made of a material that has a lower hardness than the material of the valve seat (21) and/or the material of the sealing body (14).

2. The split coupling according to claim 1, wherein the compensating element is arranged between the valve seat (21) and the sealing body (14) such that it prevents a direct contact between the valve seat (21) and the sealing body (14) in the region of the bearing surface (24).

3. The split coupling according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material of the compensation element (25) has a lower hardness than the material of the valve seat (21) and the material of the sealing body (14).

4. The decoupled coupling according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compensation element (25) is connected to the sealing body (14), wherein the connection is preferably realized in a friction fit or a form fit or a material fit.

5. The divided coupling according to claim 4, wherein the sealing body (14) has a circumferential groove into which the compensating element (25) is inserted, wherein the sealing body (14) is preferably designed to be elastic, so that a clamping action is exerted on the compensating element (25) inserted into the groove.

6. The decoupled coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compensation element (25) is connected to the valve seat (21), wherein the connection is preferably realized in a friction-fit or form-fit or material-fit manner.

7. The split coupling according to claim 6, wherein the valve seat (21) has a circumferentially encircling groove into which the compensating element (25) is inserted, wherein the valve seat (21) is preferably configured to be elastic, so that a clamping action is exerted on the compensating element (25) inserted into the groove.

8. The breakaway coupling of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the compensation element (25) is constructed of a material having a hardness in a range between 25 Shore A and 100 Shore A, preferably in a range between 70 Shore A and 95 Shore A, and further preferably in a range between 75 Shore A and 90 Shore A.

9. The separate coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the compensation element (25) comprises or is formed from a plastic, in particular an elastomer.

10. The separate coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing body (14) and/or the valve seat (21) have or are formed from plastic or metal.

11. The separate coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sealing body (14) and/or the valve seat (21) have an average roughness depth R in the region of the bearing surface (24) in accordance with standard DIN EN ISO 4287:1984_zThe average roughness depth is between 1 μm and 63 μm, preferably between 4 μm and 25 μm, further preferably between 4 μm and 10 μm.

12. The split coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the outflow protection valve (20) is arranged at the second coupling part (4), wherein the open holder (16) in the assembled state of the coupling parts (3, 4) bears against a bearing surface of the first coupling part (3) and holds a valve body (14) of the outflow protection valve (20) in an open position against a closing force.

13. The split coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the protective element (12) has a non-rotationally symmetrical protective ring which forms a form-fit connection with the first coupling part (3) and the second coupling part (4).

14. The breakaway coupling of one of claims 1 to 13 having a locking ring (5) which engages into a first locking ring receptacle of the first coupling member (3) and a second locking ring receptacle of the second coupling member (4) and which can be unlocked with a defined breakaway force.

15. The split coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the coupling parts (3, 4) are connectable with at least one further pair of fluid lines, wherein the coupling part (3, 4) has at least one further outflow protection valve which is associated with the further fluid line, and the further outflow protection valve has a valve seat (21) and a sealing body (14) configured for cooperating with the valve seat (21), wherein the further outflow prevention valve (20) comprises an open retainer (16), the open holder is designed to be able to guide a fluid through the open holder in the assembled state of the coupling parts (3, 4), wherein the further outflow protection valve (20) is designed to prevent fluid from flowing out of at least one of the further fluid lines in the disconnected state of the coupling parts (3, 4).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a split coupling for connecting a plurality of fluid lines. The split coupling comprises a first coupling part which can be connected to the first fluid line and a second coupling part which can be connected to the second fluid line. The coupling parts can be separated from each other with a defined separating force. At least one of the coupling parts has an outflow protection valve with a valve seat and a sealing body configured to cooperate with the valve seat. The outflow protection valve has an opening holder which is configured to guide a fluid through in the assembled state of the coupling parts. The outflow protection valve is also designed to prevent fluid from flowing out of at least one of the fluid lines in the disengaged state of the coupling part. The split coupling also has a torsion protection device, which prevents the first coupling part and the second coupling part from twisting relative to one another during operation of the coupling.

Background

Such a separate coupling is used for: two fluid lines are connected to one another and at the same time a controlled and defined separation between the fluid lines is achieved in the event of a large force acting on one or both fluid lines. The separate coupling thus prevents damage to the fluid line and the resulting undesired fluid discharge. For example, a separate coupling is used to connect the shunt hose to a dispensing valve for dispensing fuel.

During operation of the split coupling, a torque is generally transmitted to the coupling part by the fluid line to which the split coupling is connected, which torque causes the first coupling part to rotate relative to the second coupling part. The relative rotation is accompanied by frictional losses in the region of the coupling parts which are responsible for the detachably connected structural elements, which can lead to a functional impairment of the split coupling over the long term. In WO2012/163910a1 it is therefore proposed: a torsion protection device is provided which prevents the two coupling parts from twisting relative to each other and thus considerably improves the long-term durability. However, it has been shown that: the outflow protection valve is negatively affected during long-term operation with the torsion protection.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a split coupling with further improved reliability. This object is achieved by means of the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. According to the invention, the valve seat has a bearing surface for the sealing body, wherein a compensating element is provided in the region of the bearing surface, which compensating element is composed of a material having a lower hardness than the material of the valve seat and/or the material of the sealing body. According to the invention, it is also proposed: the separating coupling has a slotted guide for the sealing body, which guide is designed to allow an angular deviation of at least 0.1 ° between the axial direction of the valve seat and the axial direction of the sealing body in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment, which has independent inventive content if necessary, the above-described guide means with the gap need not be formed.

First, some terms used in the present invention are explained.

An outflow prevention valve is provided at least one of the coupling parts to prevent fluid from flowing out of the respective fluid line connected thereto.

To prevent the fluid from flowing out, the outflow prevention valve includes a valve seat and a sealing body. The outflow protection valve is held in the assembled state of the coupling parts in the open position by the opening holder, in which the sealing body is normally held in the open position against the closing force by the opening holder. With the coupling part disengaged, the opening holder is usually disengaged from the sealing body, so that the sealing body is brought into the closed position by a closing force, in which the sealing body is clamped against the valve seat. The outflow protection valve has a guide means for the sealing body, which guide means is "voided". This means that: the axial direction of the sealing body relative to the axial direction of the valve seat is not precisely defined but is variable within a certain range. The axial direction of the sealing body or valve seat can be determined by the symmetrical properties of the elements. In particular, in the closed position of the outflow protection valve, the slotted guide means realize an angular deviation between the above-mentioned axial directions of at least 0.1 °. Preferably, the guiding means in the closed position achieve an angular deviation between the axial directions of at least 0.2 °, more preferably at least 0.5 °. It is also preferred that: the guide means in the closed position effects an angular deviation between the axial directions of less than 5 °. Such a guide can be realized in a significantly simpler manner in terms of construction than a play-free guide, which determines the alignment of the valve seat and the sealing body precisely. The guide means with the gap also has a positive effect on the decoupling characteristic of the decoupling coupling.

It has been recognized within the scope of the invention that: in the case of a split coupling of the type mentioned at the outset, the avoidance of relative twisting of the coupling parts on the one hand has the advantage of low wear, but on the other hand, at least after a longer service life, however, has the disadvantage that this can lead to negative effects on the outflow protection valve, for example, to a misalignment of the sealing body of the outflow protection valve relative to the valve seat. This disadvantage is associated with the open holder of the split coupling. The open holder is used for: in the connected state of the coupling parts, the outflow protection valve is kept open, for example, by pressing it onto the sealing body, which is then held in the open position against the closing force of the outflow protection valve. If the split coupling does not have a torsion guard, a regular rotation of the coupling parts relative to one another causes: the opening holder at least partially transmits the rotation to the sealing body, so that the sealing body moves relative to the sealing seat. This movement has not received attention in the prior art to date.

Although a separate coupling with a torsion protection is known from documents US 20190086014 a1 or US 5,018,546, a sealing element is provided in the region of the bearing surface of the valve seat. The separate coupling in this prior art, of course, has an outflow protection valve with play-free guide means for the sealing body. This means that: in this prior art, the problem of the sealing body tilting relative to the valve seat does not arise at all, since the play-free guide prevents this tilting.

It will be recognized within the scope of the invention that: in outflow protection valves with a slotted guide for the sealing body, the relative movement transmitted from the opening holder to the sealing body is important in order to ensure correct alignment of the sealing body relative to the sealing seat also during long periods of use. If this relative movement is prevented by the torsion guard, a small deflection of the sealing body can occur over time. Of course, this disadvantage of the torsion protection device is not easy to detect, since it only manifests itself after a long use, after which the skew, for example due to impacts or other environmental influences, slowly develops, which cannot be compensated by a regular torsion of the coupling part.

In this context, it is recognized within the scope of the invention that: in order to compensate for slight skewing in a split coupling with a torsion protection device: a compensating element is arranged between the valve seat and the sealing body of the outflow protection valve, which compensating element consists of a material which is less hard than the material of the valve seat or the material of the sealing body. Despite the possible slight inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outflow protection valve, the softer material of the compensation element is realized for the sealing body: in the event of a disconnection of the coupling parts, the material bears sealingly against the valve seat in such a way that the compensating element allows a locally stronger deformation and thus compensates for the skew which develops over time. In the prior art, the provision of such a compensating element has hitherto been completely unusual, since the manufacturing process is more costly and costly due to the introduction of additional materials of lower hardness.

Preferably, the compensating element is arranged between the valve seat and the sealing body such that the compensating element prevents a direct contact between the valve seat and the sealing body in the region of the bearing surface. The positive effect of this design is based on the following recognition: in the event of a skewed sealing body, the remaining contact in the region of the bearing surface between the sealing body material and the valve seat material can lead to leaks that are not eliminated by the compensating element. If such contact is avoided, the compensating action of the compensating element can be used instead completely.

In a preferred embodiment, the material of the compensating element has a lower hardness than the material of the valve seat and the material of the sealing body. In this case, the sealing body and the valve seat can cause a deformation of the compensating element in the event of a deflection of the sealing body, by means of which the deflection is compensated.

In a preferred embodiment, the compensating element is fixed to the valve seat or the sealing body in a friction-fit and/or form-fit manner. In particular, the compensating element can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the valve seat, or can also be arranged around the sealing body in a friction-fitting and/or form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the sealing body or the valve seat can have a circumferential groove into which the compensating element is inserted, wherein the sealing body or the valve seat is preferably designed to be elastic in order to exert a clamping action on the compensating element inserted into the groove. Alternatively, the compensating element can be connected to the valve seat or the sealing body in a material-fit manner. For example, it can be proposed: the compensating element is sprayed or glued onto the material of the valve seat or the sealing body. Optionally, it can also be provided: the valve seat or the sealing body with the compensating element connected in a material-fitting manner is produced in a two-component injection molding process.

The material of the compensating element preferably has a hardness in the range between 25 and 100 shore a hardness, preferably in the range between 70 and 95 shore a hardness and further preferably in the range between 75 and 90 shore a hardness, as determined preferably according to standard DIN ISO 7619-1. The valve seat and/or the sealing body can be made of a metallic material, plastic or also of another material and have a hardness which is greater than that of the compensating element. For example, the valve seat and/or the sealing body may have or be formed from one of the following proposed materials: an aluminium alloy, preferably a hardness between 50HB and 160HB (preferably the Brinell hardness, hardenable/non-hardenable, as determined according to standard DIN EN 754-2/755-2), a hardenable steel, preferably a hardenable steel having a hardness between 40HRC and 64HRC (preferably the Rockwell hardness, as determined according to standard DIN EN 10083), a premium steel, preferably a premium steel having a hardness between 200HB and 250HB (preferably the Brinell hardness, as determined according to DIN EN 10088), a non-alloyed steel, preferably a non-alloyed steel with a hardness between 100HB and 120HB (preferably with Brinell hardness determined according to the standard DIN EN 10025), a plastic, preferably a plastic with a hardness between 46 Shore D and 100 Shore D (preferably determined according to DIN ISO 7619-1), and/or a ceramic, preferably a ceramic with a hardness between 900HV10 and 2500HV10 (Vickers hardness). It has been shown that: particularly good compensation of skew is achieved by the above-mentioned hardness range, wherein wear and tear on the sealing seat, the sealing body and the compensation element are simultaneously kept low.

In a preferred embodiment, the compensating element comprises or is formed from a plastic and in particular an elastomer. Furthermore, the sealing body and/or the valve seat preferably have or are formed from a metal, plastic or ceramic material. This material selection proves to be advantageous in that the deflection of the sealing body can be compensated effectively and at the same time a long-term reliable operation of the split coupling is ensured.

Due to the compensation element according to the invention it is possible to: the material of the sealing body and/or of the valve seat has a greater average roughness depth in the region of the bearing surface than is usual in the prior art. The production of the sealing body or the valve seat is thereby simplified. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing body and/or the valve seat have an average roughness depth R in the region of the bearing surface according to the standard DIN EN ISO 4287:1984_zThe average roughness depth is between 1 μm and 63 μm, preferably between 4 μm and 25 μm, and further preferably between 4 μm and 10 μm.

The outflow protection valve can be arranged at the first coupling part, wherein in the assembled state of the coupling parts the opening holder bears against the bearing surface of the second coupling part and the opening holder holds the valve body of the outflow protection valve in the open position against the closing force.

The torsion protection device can also have a protective element arranged between the first and second coupling parts, wherein the protective element preferably has a non-rotationally symmetrical protective ring which forms a form fit with the first and second coupling parts. Through this design, can realize turning back protector with simple and effectual mode. The breakaway coupling can furthermore have a locking ring which engages into the first locking ring receptacle of the first coupling part and the second locking ring receptacle of the second connecting part and can be unlocked from the locking ring receptacle with a defined breakaway force.

The coupling part of the split coupling can be designed to: at least one further pair of fluid lines is connected to one another, for example the first and second fluid lines can be designed for conveying a first fluid and the further pair of fluid lines can be designed for returning a second fluid. For this purpose, the coupling part can be connected to at least one further fluid line, wherein the coupling part has at least one further outflow protection valve which is associated with the further fluid line and which has a valve seat and a sealing body which is designed to cooperate with the valve seat, wherein the further outflow protection valve comprises an open holder which is designed to guide a fluid through in the assembled state of the coupling part, wherein the further outflow protection valve is designed to: in the disengaged state of the coupling part, fluid is prevented from flowing out of at least one of the further fluid lines. Further outflow protection valves can also be constructed in the manner according to the invention as already described above. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide: an outflow protection valve according to the invention is provided in each case at the two coupling parts, so that fluid is prevented from flowing out of the two fluid lines.

Drawings

The invention is exemplarily described below with reference to the accompanying drawings according to preferred embodiments. The figures show:

fig. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a split coupling according to the invention in the assembled state of the coupling parts;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 after the coupling members have been separated;

fig. 3 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of an alternative sealing body that can be used in a further embodiment of the split coupling according to the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a split coupling according to the present invention. The split coupling comprises a first coupling member 3 and a second coupling member 4. The coupling parts are in the assembled state in fig. 1. The second coupling part 4, which is in the present case designed as a male coupling part, engages in this state into the first coupling part 3, which is designed as a female coupling part. The coupling parts 3, 4 each have a fluid connection 13 for connection to a fluid line (not shown).

The two coupling parts 3, 4 are fastened to one another by means of a locking ring 5 which engages into a locking ring receptacle provided at the inner face of the first coupling part 3 and into another locking ring receptacle provided at the outer face of the second coupling part 4.

A rotationally asymmetrical protective ring 12 is arranged between the coupling parts 3, 4, which protective ring cooperates positively with the two coupling parts 3, 4 and in this way prevents a relative rotation of the two coupling parts 3, 4 relative to one another.

The split coupling also has an outflow protection valve 20 which is arranged in the end region 9 of the second coupling part 4. The outflow prevention valve 20 comprises a sealing body 14 and a valve seat 21. The sealing body 14 is connected to a return spring 15, which exerts a closing force on the sealing body 14 and presses the sealing body in the direction of the closed position. Of course, in the assembled state of the coupling parts 3, 4 shown in fig. 1, the sealing body 14 is held in the open position by the opening holder 16. The front face of the opening holder 16 facing the second coupling part 4 in this state abuts against a corresponding face of the sealing body 14 and thus holds it in the open position against the closing force. In this position, fluid can flow through the channels formed in the interior of the coupling parts 3, 4.

The valve seat 21 has a bearing surface 24 for a sealing surface 26 of the sealing body 14. In the region of the bearing surface 24, a compensating element 25 is provided, which is arranged concentrically to the longitudinal axis 22 of the valve seat and is connected to the bearing surface 24 of the valve seat 21 in a material-locking manner. The compensating element 25 is made of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and has a hardness of 85 shore a. The valve seat 21 is made of aluminium and the sealing body and its sealing surface 26 are made of plastic. The valve seat 21 and the sealing body 14 are significantly harder than the compensating element. The material of the sealing body 14 conforms to the standard DIN EN ISO 4287: average roughness depth R of 1984_zIn the present case 4 μm. By means of the compensating element 25, material of the sealing body 14 and material of the valve seat 21 are avoided in the region of the bearing surface 24There is direct contact between them.

Furthermore, a guide for the sealing body 14 is formed downstream of the valve seat 21 by the inner wall surface of the split coupling, along which guide the sealing body 14 can be moved. The guide means realize an angular deviation of more than 0.1 ° between the axial direction of the sealing body 14 and the longitudinal axis 22 of the valve seat 21.

In a conventional split coupling without a torsion guard (not shown), a rotation of the coupling parts 3, 4 relative to each other is regularly formed. Here, the sealing body 14 abutting against the open holder 16 is regularly set in motion, which results in an optimum alignment of the sealing body relative to the sealing seat. However, due to the current use of torsion protection, the sealing body 14 can be skewed with respect to the sealing seat 21 over time by environmental influences, such as impacts or asymmetrical wear. The skew is shown in exaggerated form in fig. 1 for illustrative purposes.

In the event of a large separating force acting on one of the coupling parts, the locking ring 5 is unlocked from the locking ring receptacle of the first and/or second coupling part, so that a controlled and defined separation of the two coupling parts 3, 4 relative to one another is achieved.

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of fig. 1 in a disengaged state of the coupling part. During the occurrence of separation, the front face of the open holder 16 is immediately away from the mating face of the sealing body 14, so that the sealing body 14 is moved to the closed position by the closing force exerted by the return spring 15. The sealing surface 26 of the sealing body 14 thereby rests on the compensating element 25 and thereby closes the fluid passage of the second coupling part 4.

However, the above-described skewing of the seal body 14 relative to the longitudinal axis 22 may result in: the sealing surface 26 does not seat optimally on the valve seat 21. Due to the deflection of the sealing body 14, the circumferential sections of the sealing surface 26 in the longitudinal direction project further than the opposing circumferential sections in the circumferential direction. Thus, a circumferential section which projects further in the longitudinal direction first emerges on the bearing surface 24. However, the soft material of the compensation element can be deformed at this point due to the compensation element 25 arranged there, so that the skew is compensated and, despite the skew, a closure of the seal between the sealing surface 26 of the sealing body 14 and the bearing surface 24 of the valve seat 21 is caused.

Fig. 3 shows a side sectional view of the sealing body 14 of an alternative embodiment of the split coupling according to the invention. In this alternative embodiment, the compensating element 25 is not arranged at the valve seat 21, but rather at the sealing body 14, as shown in fig. 3. For this purpose, the sealing body has a circumferential groove into which the compensating element is inserted. Fig. 3 shows an axial direction 27 of the seal body 14. Otherwise, this alternative embodiment is the same as the embodiment in fig. 1 and 2.