Connecting piece for fluid lines

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2004057280 A1

Απgr.hl .lgKShiir- - f.iτ τ 1 ni dl ei hπngen?

The invention relates to a connector for connecting a fluid line to a fluid power device, such as a drive, a valve or maintenance unit, and with a line connection for fixing a fluid conduit with a device connector for attachment to a see fluid power device and a between the line connection the device connection running, the flow therethrough of a fluid facilitating compound channel.

A connector of this kind is for example, from German Utility Model 20,008,129th It allows the connection of a fluid line in a pressure medium to be supplied with a fluid power device. A trained, for example, as a screw device connection allows the attachment of the connector advises on fluidic Community. A separate line connection allows the particular releasable fixing a fluid line. In operation, pressure medium, depending on the configuration of the connector, over flow in either direction between the two terminals, where it flows through a connecting passage of the connection piece.

In the operation of fluid power equipment, it is necessary from time to time to determine the usually designated as "flow" flow rate of pressure medium to and / or from the respective fluid power device. In such cases it is known to provide a flow sensor in the course of the

turn fluid line, as for example from DE 29821673 Ul or clear from the US 5,332,005th In the case of DE 29821673 Ul, the flow sensor includes a housing having axially continuous channel in which a spring-loaded baffle member is housed. The incoming print medium shippers siege the bluff body which actuates a position sensor depending on its position. In the case of the US 5332005 a so-called laminar flow element is provided to cause a pressure drop of the flowing through medium. A before and after the laminar flow element einmündender bypass channel is associated with a mass flow sensor device, allowing the readings to calculate the flow rate or the flow rate.

Both known flow measuring devices require cumbersome installation in the course of a fluid line. If it is a flexible fluid conduit, such as a compressed air hose, additional fastening measures are also to meet in order to securely fix the flow-measuring device in place.

It is the object of the present invention is to propose measures enabling an easier flow measurement.

To achieve this object it is provided in a connector of the aforementioned type that the connector itself is equipped with a flow detection device switched into the connecting channel pressure drop generating means and spaced in the range of pressure drop generating means in the running direction of the connecting channel sites in containing the connecting channel which opens the bypass channel, wherein the bypass channel a placed outside of the connecting channel, is assigned to calorimetric function principle based mass flow sensor device in or on the connector. In this way, the flow detection device is designed as a direct component of the connecting piece, and consequently does not require separate manufacture or installation. During the installation of the connector the flow detection device is automatically installed with no special attachment measures are needed because the device connection provides the required secure fixation. It is possible to integrate the flow detection means in a common standard connector. Overall, it can be found in an extremely reduced space of the current flow. The use of a mass flow sensor device can be realized extremely compact, especially if it has been prepared using micromechanical technologies. In addition, can the possibility be created through the determined heat transfer fluid directionally to determine the current mass flow (Heat Transfer anemometer).

Advantageous developments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.

The mass flow sensor device is advantageously housed securely in a receiving housing, which is attached to the connecting channel containing the main body of the connection piece or is even completely or partially formed by this main body. In this way, any problems a protection of IP65 or better realized. Is the receiving housing provided with a removable cover, if necessary, replacement of the mass flow sensor device can be made when a changeover to other flow rates is required.

The receiving housing expediently contains also an optional evaluation of the flow detector. Particularly small dimensions are possible, when the mass flow sensor device is designed as a chip. It can be realized with high precision by the technologies of microsystem technology, for example, casting and / or Ätztechni- ken or micromechanical machining using appropriately miniaturized tools.

In all cases the Durchflus allows s-detection device to diagnose the equipped with the fitting fluid power device, the detected values ​​of a superordinate control device can be supplied, which causes dependent on results certain measures.

The pressure drop generating means are expediently piece component of an exchangeable insert body of the connector. In particular, the insert can be installed interchangeably in the main body of the connector. The resulting unrealized modular structure allows individual case the use of different pressure drop generating means as a function of the available flow rates. To comparable for different flow rates pressure difference values ​​to obtain, which are responsible for the flow through the bypass channel, modular manner different pressure drop generating means can thus be used without having to make an exchange of the mass flow sensor device. So you can maintain the electronic components and has only to replace the purely mechanical part.

The pressure drop generating means are expediently formed by a screen. This bi-directional measuring is favored. The flow in the bypass channel is expediently generated by a suitable aperture geometry Corner tapped, wherein the bypass channel two corner areas between the diaphragm and on either side adjoining channel sections opens out into the into the connecting channel. It is also advantageous if the flow measurement in the connecting piece is additionally combined with a pressure and / or temperature measurement. In this way, the essential parameters of the flow can be detected and further diagnostic operated nosemaßnahmen.

The shape of the connector is based on the circumstances. Particularly expedient appears a configuration as elbow, wherein the device connection and the coverage are both angularly and in particular perpendicular to each other oriented. Thereby, a particularly low design is possible, especially when the mass flow sensor device is placed on the line connecting the opposite side.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therein:

1 shows a fluid power arrangement with an end portion of an only indicated in chained lines fluid power device, which is equipped with a preferred design of the connector according to the invention,

2 saw the fitting of Figure 1 from a different direction, and

Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section through the fitting of fi gures 1 and 2, wherein dot-dash line to a connected or connectable fluid line is indicated.

1 shows in dotted lines the end section of a pneumatic or hydraulic pressure medium-operated fluid power device 1, the one operated by fluid power drive in the exemplary embodiment, For example, a pneumatic cylinder. It could also be in the fluid power device 1 to another type of device which is operated with fluidic pressure medium, such as a valve or an inserted for compressed air preparation equipment maintenance.

The formed as a linear drive fluid control device 1 of the embodiment has an elongated device housing 4, which defines a housing interior 5, in which a piston 6 is arranged axially displaceable. The housing space 5 is closed at both end faces by a respective cover 7, of which only one is shown. Means connected to the piston 6, the piston rod 8 passes through the casing cover 7, not shown, and allows the connection to a member to be moved (not shown).

The piston 6 divides the housing interior 5 in a sealed manner into two working chambers 9, 10, with respect to which a flui- Dische pressure medium can be supplied and removed in order to displace the piston 6 in a desired manner linear. The supply and discharge of pressure medium with respect to the piston rod-side working chamber 10 is via a device channel in the interior of the housing cover, not shown. The increase continued and extends removal of the printing medium with respect to the lying on the opposite side of the piston 6 working chamber 9 is performed by a device channel 14 therethrough, which passes through the device housing 4, and in particular in the housing cover. 7 The device channel 14 opens with an inner orifice 15 in particular coaxially to the associated working chamber 9 and is back with an outer opening 16 to an outer surface 17 of the device housing 4, in the present case on the housing cover 7, open.

The outer mouth 16 is the embodiment rechtwin- Kelig to the longitudinal axis 18 of the fluid power device-oriented, whereas the inner orifice 15 points along the longitudinal axis 18 so that the device channel 14 to a 90 ° bend of the course has. Specifically, the device channel 14 has in the embodiment a of the inner orifice 15 outgoing axial length of section 19 as well as a 16 emanating from the outer mouth radial Längenab- cut 20th

The supply and discharge of pressure medium takes place by means of a connection piece 3 of the type according to the invention. This connection piece 3 has the advantage that it is directly provided with a flow detection device 2, which enables a very accurate detection of the flow rate of the flowing through the connector 3 and thus to-to or from the fluid power device 1 or outflowing pressure medium. So it's a flow detection device 2 integrated into the connector 3, which therefore has a dual function and enables a compact size, both the flow pattern and the flow sensing.

As seen in more detail in particular in Figure 3, the connector 3 has a in its entirety designated with reference numeral 21 main housing which is firstly with a device connector 24 and the other equipped with a line connecting the 25th Between the two terminals 24, 25 extends in the interior of the main housing 21 in its totality, designated by reference numeral 26 connection channel. Through the connecting channel 26 fluid can pass between the two terminals 24, 25 - in the embodiment in both directions - to flow.

With the device connection 24 the connecting piece 3 can be particularly releasably attached at the mouth of the outer mouth 16 of the device channel 14th The attachment is done in the embodiment by screwing in the device connection 24 into the outer orifice 16 and the to it subsequent channel section. The Device port 24 is a hollow cylinder formed for this purpose and provided with an external thread 27, which in a complementary internal thread the device channel 14 can be screwed. The device connection 24 is thus a screw and can be used by a screwing in the device channel 14th

In an alternative construction not shown in detail the device connection 24 is formed as a plug shaft, wherein the device side in the region of the outer mouth 16, a plug-connection device is located in, which allows fixing of the connecting piece 3 by a plug-in operation.

The lead terminal 25 is provided for releasably securing a particular dash-dot indicated fluid line 28th The fluid conduit 28 can be in particular a pressure fluid hose.

The lead terminal 25 may be performed in principle also as a screw connection, in or on which a fluid line 28 can be attached by a screwing. However, in the embodiment, it contains the preferred embodiment of a male terminal, in which the fluid line 28 only needs to be coaxially inserted for connection. access for releasing a release member 29 of the lead terminal 25 is operated, so that holding means not shown out of engagement with the wall of the fluid line 28 and fluid line 28 can be pulled out without being destroyed.

The connector 3 is formed in the embodiment as elbow. The two terminals 24, 25 are angled to one another and preferably perpendicular to each other arranged. The lead terminal 25 is placed laterally on the connecting piece. 3

The connecting channel 26 is divided into a first and a second connection channel portion. These two connecting channel sections 32, 33 extend at right angles to one another embodiment. In addition, the two connecting passage sections 32, 33 in two separate components th of the main body housed 21, wherein the first connection channel portion 32 in a device connection 24 having first main housing body 34 extends while the second connection channel portion 33 extends in a provided with the lead terminal 25 second main housing body 35th

The two main case body 34, 35 are coupled together. It may be a fixed connection, the embodiment, however, a rotatable connection provides, since the connection piece 3 is formed in the manner of a banjo.

The second main housing body 35 is designed as a pivoting part is formed, which is rotatably mounted on the elongate, in particular formed as a hollow screw the first main housing body 34th To rotatably support the swing member 36 has a coaxially on the first main housing body 34 seated annular body 37 from which a Anschlussstut en 38 is radially off, is provided at the free end of the lead terminal 25th

The second communication passage portion 33 extends through the connecting piece 38 in the longitudinal direction and meets with rechtwinke- liger alignment with the first main housing body 34. The first communication passage portion 32 is connected via one or more radial bores 39 with between the first main housing body 34 and the annular body 37 defined concentric annular channel 42 in connection. The second connection channel portion 33 opens at the inner surface of the ring body 37 at the level of the ring channel 42nd Thus it is independent of the instantaneous rotational position of the pivoting part 36 always with the first connecting duct portion 32 in shear fluidic connection.

Two axially spaced annular seals 43 between the two main housing bodies 34, 35 ensure a leak-free Passage of fluid between the two connecting channel sections 32, 33rd

The first communication passage portion 32 terminates at the devices device port 24 opposite upper side of the connection piece 3 within the first main case body 34. This is followed there to a head 44 of the first main case body 34 whose outer surface is preferably designed such that a screwing tool for the A - in and out of the first main housing body 34 can begin with respect to the device channel 14th

The fitting 3 could also be, for example, designed as a T-piece and two feature to the longitudinal axis 45 of the first main housing body 34 diametrically opposed lead terminals 25, both of which are connected to the connecting channel 26th

The above-mentioned flow detection device 2 is equipped with pressure drop generating means 46, which are turned on in the connection channel 26th Preferably they are in the running in the first main housing body 34 first connecting passage section 32. They cause a pressure drop of the flowing through it pressure medium so that, relative to the direction of flow, in front of them a higher pressure than afterwards. Preferably, the pressure drop generating means 46 are formed by a diaphragm 47 which defines a flow cross-section narrowing constriction concentrically inside the connecting channel 26th

In the area of ​​the pressure drop generating means 46 opens a bypass channel 48 to a two taps 52, 53 in the connecting channel 26th The taps 52, 53 26 are arranged at a distance in the extending direction of the connection channel to one another, whereby they are provided at least in connection with an aperture 47, on the one before and the other after the pressure drop generating means 46th If flows through the connecting channel 26 during operation of the fitting pressure medium arises in the connecting channel 26, a pressure difference between the two by the diaphragm 47 separate channel sections a. This pressure difference causes a portion of the print medium, the aperture 47 flows around through the bypass channel 48 therethrough. The taps 52, 53 are here expediently in the two corner regions between the diaphragm 47 and on either side adjoining channel portions of the connecting channel 26, so that one can speak of a Corner tapped.

The bypass channel 48 is placed outside one of the connecting channel 26, based on calorimetric principle function mass flow sensor device 54 associated with, provided on or in the connection piece. 3 The mass flow sensor device 54 determines the air flowing through the Send a relatively small diameter aufwei- compared to the connecting channel 26 bypass channel 48 mass flow, which is correlated in a provided also on or in the connector 3 transmitter 55 to the flow in the connecting channel 26th Thus ultimately done a tap of the desired measured values ​​are connected via the transmitter 55 electric cables 56 or other electromechanical connection measures.

The mass flow sensor device 54 is housed together with the transmitter 55 in a receiving housing 57 that is executed as part of the connection piece. 3 There may be a separate component which is fixed by any fixing means to the main housing 21st In the embodiment, the receptacle housing 57 is formed in part from the main body 21, the extent has a dual function. The receptacle housing 57 defines a receiving space 58 that contains the aforementioned components. This receiving space 58 can be made accessible by removing a removable housing cover 62 of the accommodation housing 57th This can be easily replaced in case of defect the individual components.

Conveniently, the receiving housing 57 is provided on the first main housing body 34th It is expediently on the line terminal 25 with respect to the longitudinal axis 45 diametrically opposite side. Accordingly, the mass flow sensor device 54 is disposed in this area. This allows in the longitudinal direction of the first main housing body 34, ie in the vertical direction of the connecting piece 3, very compact dimensions.

As a further measure, which enables very compact dimensions, the mass flow sensor device 54 is configured as a chip, which is produced by known technologies of microsystems technology. It contains an active chip area

63, which is arranged so that it is contacted by the flowing through the bypass duct pressure medium.

The mass flow sensor device 54 can not only determine the flow through the bypass channel, but is also able to detect the direction of flow. Here, the measurement method of the so-called Heat-Transfer anemometry is applied. Since the flow direction in the bypass channel of the current flow direction in the connecting channel 26, corresponds to the flow detection device 2 is therefore also able to detect the direction of flow of the pressure medium in the connecting channel.

Only dot-dash line is indicated in Figure 3, that the connector in addition to the flow detection device 2 even with pressure sensing means 64 and / or temperature detection means 65 for detecting the corresponding may be provided relevant information about the ruling in the connecting channel pressure medium. The tap of the measured values ​​is preferably via corresponding tap ports 66 directly in the connecting channel 26. The active ingredients are advantageously, as the active chip area 63, directly to the optional chip.

Thus, the rotation of the pivoting part is given 36 leading to the two taps 52, 53 channel branches of the bypass duct are divided in a similar manner in two channel portions, as is the case with the connecting channel 26th Between the two channel sections in each case a ring channel 67 which is provided between the annular body 37 and the first main housing body 34 and which ensures fluid communication regardless of the rotational position of the pivoting part 36 extends.

The connector 3 of the embodiment is characterized by a high degree of flexibility in terms of processable measuring range. The flow detection device 2 can be used without replacement in turn, to measure different sizes of volume flows in the connecting duct 26th In this case, a simple replacement of the pressure drop generating means 46. In the embodiment satisfies this the existing aperture 47 is replaced by a diaphragm with a larger or smaller aperture diameter. One can thus achieve that, independent of flow comparable pressure differentials occur at the diaphragm that the mass flow sensor device 54 handle comfortably.

In the embodiment, the modularity is realized that the pressure drop generating means 46 - in this case the aperture 47 - part of an insert body 68 which is fixed interchangeably in the main body 21st

The insert body 68 is in the exemplary embodiment, a sleeve-för strength component with shaped aperture 47. It can in a complementary housing 69 of the first main housing body 34 are used, which is defined simultaneously with its inner circumference a length of the first section Verbindungskanalab- 32nd

In the manufacture or during the subsequent use of the connecting piece 3 a plurality of insert bodies may be provided 68, which have different cross-sectional geometries and are alternatively inserted into the receptacle 69, according to the expected Strδmungsverhältnissen.