Hose connecting method and connector arrangement

(54) Title: METHOD TO CONNECT A FLEXIBLE HOSE MEMBER TO A SOCKET AND CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT TO CONNECT A FLEXIBLE HOSE MEMBER TO A SOCKET (30) Unionist Priority: I8 / 04/2008 ep O8103615.4 (73) Holder ( es): Eaton Fluid PowerGMBH (72) Inventor (s): andreas richard hilgert, markus ÂNGELO ULLRICH, RALPH PETER MERKEL, THOMAS ZENON ZAKRZEWSKI (57) Summary: method to connect a FLEXIBLE HOSE member to a SOCKET and CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT to CONNECT a FLEXIBLE HOSE MEMBER to a SOQUET. A new method (4) providing a hose-tube connection is disclosed which starts with a tube (2) having an enlarged end portion (4) A sleeve (10) is inserted into the end (5) of the flexible hose (3 ). The sleeve (10) has an internal diameter (11) that is equal to the internal diameter (9) of the hose (3). Preferably the inner diameter of the sleeve (1) is increased while the end (5) of the hose (3) is already placed on the sleeve. The hose assembled with the sleeve (10) is then inserted into the widened end (4) of the tube (2) The wrinkle of the widened end (4) will then secure the sleeve (10) and the hose (3) and provide a connection to the fluid proof and mechanically resistant.

ΡΙ0901351-2

METHOD FOR CONNECTING A FLEXIBLE HOSE MEMBER TO A SOCKET AND CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT TO CONNECT A FLEXIBLE HOSE MEMBER TO A SOCKET.

Generally, the invention relates to a method for connecting a flexible hose member to a socket and in particular “for connecting the flexible hose member to a pipe member. In addition, the invention relates to a connection arrangement for connecting a flexible hose member to a socket or a pipe member.

Flexible hoses and rigid tubes are used to conduct fluids such as oil, water, air and / or gas in various applications and in particular in automotive applications. Very often flexible hoses must be connected to other elements, eg terminal connections, devices or tubes. The flexible hose is typically formed as' a composite of different materials including plastic, elastomer, rubber, cords and wires or the like. The connection technique must provide a reliable and sealed connection.

US 2,902,299 relates to a hose coupling assembly having a metal cone-shaped sleeve that is inserted into an extreme portion of the hose and is provided with circumferentially pressed outwardly extending edges. The edges coat with the protrusions of an internally staggered external sleeve enclosing the extreme portion of the hose. The external sleeve is provided with an external thread or forms a nut, such that two complementary external gloves can be provided which can be fixed together.

Another coupling assembly is shown in US 5,476,291 with a male and a female section which can be threaded interconnected. Two hose ends can be attached to the male and female section by means of a hub or collar respectively, each having an axial hole for receiving the hose end.

From WO 01/46611 A1 a coupling assembly for coupling two tubes is known. A coupling part has a nipple, which is inserted and connected to the plastic tube by means of radial expansion of the nipple. A nut is connected to the nipple. A coupling piece is threaded onto the metal tube and provides an external thread to be threaded to the nut.

WO / 2006/040082 discloses a pipe connection that uses a specifically shaped pipe end which is inserted into the open end of a hose. A retainer serves to secure the end of the hose to the end of the tube. The retainer is anchored to a flange of the tube and comprises axially extending retaining members which are attached to the outside of the tube by means of clamping strips. The retaining members rest between the outside of the tube and the clamping straps and are fastened between them.

Although this set provides a reliable and inexpensive pipe and hose connection that is easy to produce, the internal diameter of the fluid channel can change in the transition from the pipe to the hose. This is due to the different diameters of the tube and the hose. If, on the other hand, a tube and a hose of the same internal diameter are used, the end of the specifically profiled tube has to be guided internally from the open end of the hose which can require great axial force and cause problems during production.

Although this assembly is generally reliable, a pipe connection arrangement is desirable which removes any internal shoulder or change in internal diameter that may affect the flow of fluid.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a tube-hose connection having a smooth internal shape.

This objective is achieved by the method of claim 1 and the connection arrangement of claim 10.

The invention uses a glove having a tubular portion of a primarily reduced diameter. Once you have inserted this portion into the open end of a hose, the portion will be expanded until its inner diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the hose. This assembly attached to a socket provides a duct having a uniform internal wall. The sleeve forms an ndpTe that has an outside diameter that is larger than the inside diameter of the hose. The flexible hose can in particular include a steel braid or a wire braid. Although these braided hoses are flexible, in general they are usually so rigid that they support all attempts to extend them. This is particularly true in view of tubes that comprise an inflexible inner lining, eg made of plastic. This type of coating is often used for tubes for aggressive fluid or fluids that would otherwise dissolve or permeate the elastomeric body of the tube. The inventive method provides a way to place the nipple into the hose while no relative axial movement of the nipple and hose is necessary since the nipple and hose are extended. The method produces a set having a smooth, non-staggered inner wall and a uniform inner diameter.

The nipple can comprise additional connecting means as there are flanges, internal and external threads and so on. Then it can be connected fluidly to other hoses, tubes, device fluid channels and assemblies.

nipple can be fastened inside a housing or inside a socket. In a preferred configuration the socket is defined by an end of expanded tube which receives the end of the hose therein with the sleeve at least partially enlarged. After compressing areas at the end of the tube, the hose and glove are fixedly attached to it. Preferably the inner diameter of the tube is equal to the inner diameter of the sleeve after enlarging it. In short, the connection arrangement is formed by a compressible tube end socket, an expandable flanged sleeve and a hose locked between them.

The hose-pipe connection arrangement will in particular avoid any restriction of a fluid flow and provide a very low pressure drop. It can be used for automotive air conditioning systems. Due to the reduced pressure drop the arrangement helps to increase efficiency and reduces the energy consumption of the system where the inventive arrangement is used. Those systems can be air conditioning systems, hydraulic systems or the like. The inventive system is particularly useful in systems with fluids with high flow rates.

The sleeve inserted inside the open hose end defines the inner wall of the tube connector. In addition, it provides an internal backrest for the flexible hose wall. The socket portion of the end of the tube comprises internally deformed areas that press the hose wall against the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve. Consequently, the hose is locked between the sleeve and the socket and will be firmly retained. So, the invention provides both a durable mechanical connection and a tight seal. In particular, it is guaranteed that the internal diameter of the channel will not be reduced by deformation of the socket portion. The glove will prevent the hose from collapsing or even decreasing

<td colspan="2">the cross section of the</td><td>duct</td><td>as a result</td><td>gives</td>

<td>application of</td><td>forces</td><td>in</td><td colspan="2">compression directly</td>

<td>internally.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Preferably</td><td colspan="2">the extension</td><td>tubular comprises</td><td>an</td>

smooth cylindrical inner circumferential surface. It can also have a smooth cylindrical outer surface. However, the outer surface of the glove can be provided with fastening means to better secure the hose to the glove. For this purpose the outer surface can be provided with a knurl, annular ribs, shoulders, teeth, protrusions, notches or the like.

A flange can be provided at one end of the sleeve. The flange may contact a compressed region of a socket portion. This will help the joint to resist axial forces, stresses and vibrations and therefore increase the reliability of the connection arrangement.

Optionally, sealing members can be placed on the sleeve in at least one of the elongated tubular portion and the flange portion. The sealing members can be omitted if the interface between the sleeve and the inner wall of the hose and the socket and the outer surface of the hose provide a fluid-proof seal in any case.

Configurations of details and additional advantages of the invention must be extracted from the drawing, description or claims. The description is reduced to the main topics of the invention and related facts as well.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connection arrangement according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe end before deformation;

Fig. 3 is the tube end partially expanded to form a socket portion;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hose end;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a glove having a tubular extended portion with reduced diameter; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the glove inserted into the hose;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement according to fig. 6 after the expansion of the tubular extension;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connection arrangement prior to compression of the socket portion of the pipe end; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration of the inventive connection assembly.

Fig. 1 illustrates a pipe connection arrangement notably connecting a pipe 2 and a hose 3. The pipe can be of any type^_ad'equãdo, 'p. ex. , a thin-walled steel tube. It can consist of any suitable material, eg steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum or any other plastically deformable material. The hose 3 preferably consists of at least one sheet of an elastomeric material optionally reinforced with a textile material, steel wire or the like. Both of the tube 2 and the hose 3 have extreme portions 4, 5 and ducts 6, 7 extending from them. Ducts 6 and 7 each have a diameter 8, 9. Diameter 8 is preferably equal to diameter 9. The end portion 4 forms a socket receiving and mechanically securing the end 5 therein. An outwardly protruding end 4a of the socket circumscribes hose 3 at a radial distance and provides some protection for hose 3.

The extreme portions 4 and 5 overlap and define a region The connection sleeve. A sleeve 10 is located within the connection port and within the extreme portion 4 of the tube 2.

comprises cylindrical defining a through hole diameter 11.

having a wall diameter 11 is preferably circumferential equal to the outer diameter 8 of the sleeve

Alternatively she

9.

surface can be provided to be smooth.

with retaining means, eg, that provide a limp in them.

it comprises an annular flange 12 and an end-tapered surface 13 provided therein. The circumference of ribs, shoulders, teeth or similar glove and the

The sleeve 10 a shape engaging engagement of the outer of the flange 12 is defined by a cylindrical surface 14. Optionally at least one sealing element 15 can be provided in the groove intercepting the outer surface 14. The sealing element 15 can be any element preferably an annular sealing ring, e.g., an O-ring or the like.

A tubular extension 16 extends from the flange 12 internally from the open end 5 of the hose 3. The tubular end 16 preferably ends at a rounded annular edge 17'7 um^- shoulder 18 can be provided between the flange 12 and the tubular extension 16. The tubular extension 16 can optionally carry one or more sealing elements, for example O-rings 19, 20. Figs. 2, 4 and 5 illustrate the tube 2, the hose 3, and the sleeve 10 before assembly. As can be seen, the sleeve 10 comprises a portion of reduced diameter. A considerable length of tubular extension 16 has a reduced diameter 21 which is much smaller than the diameter 11. A trunk-conical transition zone 22 is located close to the shoulder 18. The reduced diameter portion of the tubular extension 16 comprises an outer diameter 23, which is less than, equal to, or even slightly larger than the inner diameter 9 Preferably the diameter 23 is selected to facilitate inserting the sleeve 10 into the open end 5 of the hose 3. Fig. 6 illustrates the sleeve assembly 10 and the hose 3.

Although figs. 2 to 5 illustrate tube 2, hose 3 and sleeve 10 prior to assembly and deformation, the following will describe the process of assembly and deformation to establish the tube connection of fig. 1.

A first step involves bulging out end 4 of tube 2 by expanding the cross section of end 4 of tube 2. This expansion can be performed in a hot or cold metal working process using any suitable technique. The extreme portion 4 defines a cylindrical inner wall 24 and a tapered shoulder 25 between the cylindrical portion 24 and the tube 2. The opposite end of the inner wall 24 may differ slightly. The extreme portion 4 is a socket for receiving the hose.

Another step involves introducing the sleeve 10 as illustrated in fig. 5 inside the 5 end of the hose

3. The next step will involve expanding the extension 16 and therefore increasing the diameter 21. This can be done by driving a mandrel or gualguer another suitable tool internally from the through hole clan sleeve 10 to increase the diameter of the tubular extension 16. As a result the tubular portion 16 it will have a uniform internal diameter as illustrated in fig. 7. Preferably sleeve 10 now has the same internal diameter 11 at both ends of it. The end 5 of the hose 3 is slightly widened.

Although in the previous one the expansion of the tubular extension of the glove 10 was illustrated, it is noted that it is also possible to start with a glove having a uniform reduced diameter 21. If this is the case the glove 10 will be expanded along its entire length.

After providing the set of fig. 7 in any of the techniques mentioned above it will be inserted into the expanded tubular socket portion 4 of tube 2 as illustrated in fig. 8. As can be seen from figs. 3 and 8, the inner diameter 27 of the socket portion

4, that is, its bore, is preferably a little wider than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface 14 and / or the sealing element 15. Also, the diameter 27 is preferably a little larger than the outer diameter of the extreme portion 5 of the hose 3. Consequently, the hose assembly can be easily inserted into the socket portion 4 until the extreme surface 13 touches the conical boss 25.

A next step involves deformation of the extreme portion 4 to transform it from its shape in fig. 8 in the format of fig. 1. Internally directed radial forces will be applied in at least one, preferably in some locations, preferably in the annular zones 28, 29, 30 and will create annular grooves 31, 32,

33. The groove 31 fits between the shoulder 18 and the end of the surface 34 of the hose 3. The groove 31 axially holds the sleeve 10 and connects it firmly to the tube 2. The grooves 32 and 33 lock the extreme portion 5 against the circumferential surface external of the tubular extension 16. Consequently the hose 3 is firmly attached between the socket portion 4 of the tube 2 and the tubular extension of the sleeve 10. Sleeve 10 will provide a firm back and prevent any reduction in diameter 11 during deformation of the socket portion.

Figure 9 discloses another configuration of the inventive hose-pipe connection set similar to that shown in figure 1. Same reference numerals refer to similar elements. The previous description is also valid for the configuration in figure 9.

The sleeve 10 was mounted inside the open end while the outside diameter of the sleeve 10 was smaller than the diameter 9. After that the sleeve 10 was enlarged such that the internal diameters 9 and 11 were the same. The hose end 5 has been widened without having to force the hose over a larger diameter nipple. 0 the inventive method particularly provides a way to extend very rigid braided hoses, which can additionally be provided with a liner 34, in an easy and simple process. In addition, a method is provided for mounting the hose end 5 over the tubular sleeve portion 10 without scraping the o-rings 19 and 20 or any other similar sealing element.

The sleeve 10 can comprise a socket end 35 which can receive the tube end 4. A sealing element, for example o-ring 36, can be provided within an internal groove of this socket end 35 or an external groove of the tube end 4. Tube end 4 can be provided with a radial flange 37 to secure tube end 4 over or at socket end 35.

The whole assembly can be held together by retaining means which can be formed by a housing 38. In the preferred configuration, the housing 38 is formed by a sleeve which is at least locally radially deformed and compressed to secure the hose end 5 in the enlarged portion of the sleeve 10 ', to axially lock the flange 37 against the extreme surface of the socket end 35.

A new method 4 providing a hose-pipe connection is disclosed which begins with a tube 2 having an enlarged end portion 4. A sleeve 10 is introduced at the end 5 of the flexible hose 3. The sleeve 10 has an internal diameter 11 that is equal to the inner diameter 9 of the hose 3. Preferably the inner diameter of the sleeve 10 is increased while the end 5 of the hose 3 is already placed over the sleeve. The hose assembled with the sleeve 10 is then inserted into the extended end 4 of the tube 2. The wrinkle of the extended end 4 will then secure the sleeve 10 and the hose 3 and provide a fluid-proof and mechanically resistant connection.

List of pieces:

hose pipe tube connection

4, 5 extreme portions of tube 2 and hose 3 tube duct 2 hose duct 3 tube inner diameter 2 tube inner diameter 3 sleeve inner diameter 10 flange extreme surface outer circumferential surface of the flange 12 sealing element tubular extension edge bounce

19, 20 reduced internal diameter O-rings

22 trunk-conical portion outside diameter internal wall conical shoulder edge

27 diameter

29-31 zones

32-33 groove, shoulders extending internally socket end liner

36 sealing element radial casing