(19)
(11) EP 2 466 110 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
25.02.2015 Bulletin 2015/09

(21) Application number: 10195077.2

(22) Date of filing: 15.12.2010
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F02M 55/02(2006.01)
F02M 63/00(2006.01)
F02M 59/44(2006.01)

(54)

Fluid fitting arrangement and fluid system

Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung und Flüssigkeitssystem

Agencement de fixation de fluide et système de fluide


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
20.06.2012 Bulletin 2012/25

(73) Proprietor: Continental Automotive GmbH
30165 Hannover (DE)

(72) Inventor:
  • Ricci, Roberto
    57124, Livorno (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
DE-A1- 10 257 953
DE-C- 882 157
DE-A1- 19 936 535
FR-A1- 2 872 252
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The invention relates to a fluid fitting arrangement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fluid system comprising such fluid fitting arrangement.

    [0002] With respect to fuel systems in vehicles, fittings are known that are welded, for example, on high-pressure fuel pumps. These fittings conventionally provide a hydraulic as well as a mechanical connection in one single element. Particularly with regard to the outlet connections of the high-pressure fuel pumps, these conventional fittings are subjected to fatigue stresses due to pressure pulsations of the fluid.

    [0003] The fluid fitting arrangement of prior art document FR 2 872 252 comprises an intermediate part disposed in a junction fixed to a common rail at each connection which is arranged in a wall and comprises a conical flare whose base is oriented towards the outside of said rail and comprises a connector which is provided with an internal channel which is arranged in the junction and whose top end interacts with the end of the tube and whose low end interacts with said conical flare.

    [0004] It is desirable to create a fluid fitting arrangement which is reliable. Furthermore, it is desirable to create a fluid system which works reliably.

    [0005] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fluid fitting arrangement comprises a first part of a fluid system. The fluid fitting arrangement further comprises a coupling arrangement.

    [0006] The coupling arrangement comprises a tube element for hydraulically coupling the first part of the fluid system with a second part of the fluid system. The tube element is hydraulically coupled with the first part of the fluid system. Furthermore, the tube element is hydraulically coupleable with the second part of the fluid system.

    [0007] The coupling arrangement further comprises a threaded sleeve for mechanically coupling the first part of the fluid system with the second part of the fluid system. The threaded sleeve is mechanically coupled with the first part of the fluid system. The threaded sleeve is further mechanically coupleable with the second part of the fluid system.

    [0008] The coupling arrangement comprises two elements for providing the hydraulic and the mechanical coupling to the first part of the fluid system. Therefore, the threaded sleeve that provides the mechanical coupling is not subject to direct pressure pulsations since the fluid under pressure is guided only in the tube element during operation. Therefore, the coupling between the threaded sleeve and the first part of the fluid system, for example a high-pressure pump, is reliable and durable. Particularly, a tension force in direction away from the first part is only affected to the threaded sleeve. The tension force is not affected to the tube element. The tension force is for example affected due to the pressure pulsation of the fluid during operation.

    [0009] Furthermore, a welded connection to couple the treaded sleeve with the first part is provided, wherein the tube element and the threaded sleeve are provided as separate parts. The threaded sleeve surrounds the tube element coaxially and the threaded sleeve is radially disposed at a distance from the tube element.

    [0010] Due to the separation of the tube element and the threaded sleeve the coupling of the coupling arrangement with the first part of the fluid system is particularly reliable, since the tube element primarily serves for the hydraulic coupling and the threaded sleeve primarily serves for the mechanical coupling. On the other hand, that means that the tube element primarily serves not for a mechanical coupling of the first part with the second part and the threaded sleeve primarily serves not for a hydraulic coupling of the first part with the second part.

    [0011] According to further embodiments, the first part of the fluid fitting arrangement is a pump for the delivery of the fluid, for example a high-pressure pump for the delivery of fuel in a vehicle. The coupling arrangement provides a reliable fluid supply to the high-pressure pump. In particular, the coupling arrangement provides a reliable fluid supply on the outlet of the pump.

    [0012] According to an embodiment, the fluid system comprises such a fluid fitting arrangement. The fluid system further comprises the second part that is coupled to the coupling arrangement.

    [0013] That way, a coupling between the first and the second part of the fluid system is provided in which the hydraulic coupling and the mechanical coupling are separate from each other. Therefore, the coupling is reliable. Particularly, a tension force by the second part in direction away from the first part is only affected to the threaded sleeve. The tension force is not affected to the tube element. The tension force is for example affected due to the pressure pulsation of the fluid during operation.

    [0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

    [0015] The figure schematically shows a fluid fitting arrangement according to an embodiment.

    [0016] The figure schematically shows a fluid fitting arrangement 100. The fluid fitting arrangement 100 comprises a first part 101 of a fluid system. In the exemplary embodiment, the first part 101 is part of a high-pressure pump for the delivery of the fluid. For example, the first part 101 is a housing of the pump.

    [0017] The fluid fitting arrangement 100 further comprises a coupling arrangement 110. The coupling arrangement 110 is coupled with the first part 101, for example with the housing of the pump 101.

    [0018] The coupling arrangement comprises a tube element 111 and a threaded sleeve 112. The threaded sleeve 112 comprises a hollow cylindrical form such that the threaded sleeve 112 surrounds the tube element 111 radially. The threaded sleeve 112 surrounds the tube element 111 such that a distance 113 is disposed between the tube element 111 and the threaded sleeve 112 along the longitudinal extension of the threaded sleeve 112 and the tube element 111. Furthermore, the threaded sleeve 112 comprises a thread 114 which provides a mechanical coupling interface for a second part 120 of the fluid system.

    [0019] The tube element 111 and the threaded sleeve 112 of the coupling arrangement 110 are provided as separate parts. The tube element 101 is hydraulically coupled with the pump 101. Further, the tube element 111 is coupled with the pump 101 via a welded connection 103. A first end of the tube element 111 is coupled with the pump 101 and the opposite end region of the tube element is hydraulically coupleable. The tube element 111 provides a hydraulic interface to the pump 101 for a hydraulically coupling with the second part of the fluid system.

    [0020] The threaded sleeve 112 of the coupling arrangement 110 is mechanically coupled to the pump 101 via a second welded connection 104. A first end of the threaded sleeve 112 is coupled with the pump 101 and the opposite end region of the threaded sleeve is mechanically coupleable. The threaded sleeve 112 provides a mechanical interface to the pump 101 for a coupling with the second part of the fluid system.

    [0021] Each of the threaded sleeve 112 and the tube element 111 is coupled to the pump 101 by the respective welded connection 103, 104. The welded connections 103 and 104 are separate as well.

    [0022] When the coupling arrangement 110 is coupled with the second part 120 of the fluid system during operation, the threaded sleeve 110 provides the mechanical coupling between the pump 101 and the second part 120. The hydraulic coupling to the second part 120 is provided by the tube element 111. During operation, the fluid is guided from the pump 101 via the tube element 111 to a tube 121 of the second part 120. During operation, the threaded sleeve 111 is free of fluid and does not guide any fluid but secures the second part 120 to the pump 101, for example via a coupling nut 122 that is connected with the thread 114 of the threaded sleeve 112. The nut 122 mechanically couples the second part 120 to the pump 101 via the threaded sleeve 111. The threaded sleeve 121 is mechanically coupled to the pipe 121 that is hydraulically coupled to the tube element 111.

    [0023] Since the mechanical and the hydraulic couplings are divided into two separate couplings, the mechanical coupling is particularly independent from the hydraulic coupling. The welded connection 103 that couples the tube element 111 with the pump 101 primarily needs to resist the pressure of the fluid during operation. The welding 104 primarily needs to resist the mechanical connection of the second part 120. The welding 104 does primarily not need to resist the hydraulic pressure of the fluid guided through the coupling arrangement. Therefore, each of the welded connections 103 and 104 is particularly reliable. Furthermore, the tube element 101 provides a hermetically sealed fluid connection from the pump 101 via the outlet valve 102 to the tube 121. Since the hermetic fluid connection is provided by the tube element 111, the welded connection 104 of the threaded sleeve 112 must not be a hermetic welding.

    [0024] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling arrangement is part of an outlet valve 102 of the pump 101. The outlet valve 102 is arranged in a cavity of the housing of the pump 101 and provides an outlet of the delivered fluid under high pressure.

    [0025] According to further embodiments, the coupling between the tube element 111 and the housing of the pump 101 is provided by a threaded connection between the tube element and the pump.


    Claims

    1. Fluid fitting arrangement (100), comprising

    - a first part (101) of a fluid system and

    - a coupling arrangement (110), the coupling arrangement comprising:

    - a tube element (111) for hydraulically coupling the first part (101) of the fluid system with a second part (120) of the fluid system, the tube element (111) being hydraulically coupled with the first part (101) of the fluid system and being hydraulically coupleable with the second part (120) of the fluid system,

    - a threaded sleeve (112) for mechanically coupling the first part (101) of the fluid system with the second part (120) of the fluid system, the threaded sleeve being mechanically coupled with the first part (101) of the fluid system and being mechanically coupleable with the second part (120) of the fluid system,

    - a welded connection (104) to couple the threaded sleeve (112) with the first part (101), wherein

    - the tube element (111) and the threaded sleeve (112) are provided as separate parts,

    - the threaded sleeve (112) surrounds the tube element (111) coaxially, and

    - the threaded sleeve (112) is radially disposed at a distance (113) from the tube element (111),

    characterized in that the fitting arrangement comprises a welded connection (103) to couple the tube element (111) with the first part (101).
     
    2. Fluid fitting arrangement according claim 1, wherein the threaded sleeve (112) comprises an elongated hollow cylindrical form.
     
    3. Fluid fitting arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the threaded sleeve (112) comprises a thread (114) for mechanically coupling the threaded sleeve (112) with the second part (120) of the fluid system.
     
    4. Fluid fitting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the threaded sleeve (112) is free of fluid.
     
    5. Fluid fitting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first part (101) is a pump for the delivery of the fluid.
     
    6. Fluid fitting arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the coupling arrangement (110) is part of an outlet valve (102) of the pump (101).
     
    7. Fluid system, comprising:

    - a fluid fitting arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, and

    - the second part (120), the second part (120) being coupled to the coupling arrangement (110).


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung (100), umfassend:

    - einen ersten Teil (101) eines Flüssigkeitssystems und

    - eine Kupplungsanordnung (110), wobei die Kupplungsanordnung umfasst:

    - ein Rohrelement (111) zum hydraulischen Kuppeln des ersten Teils (101) des Flüssigkeitssystem mit einem zweiten Teil (120) des Flüssigkeitssystems, wobei das Rohrelement (111) mit dem ersten Teil (101) des Flüssigkeitssystems hydraulisch gekuppelt ist und mit dem zweiten Teil (120) des Flüssigkeitssystems hydraulisch kuppelbar ist,

    - eine Gewindemuffe (112) zum mechanischen Kuppeln des ersten Teils (101) des Flüssigkeitssystems mit dem zweiten Teil (120) des Flüssigkeitssystems, wobei die Gewindemuffe mechanisch mit dem ersten Teil (101) des Flüssigkeitssystems gekuppelt ist und mit dem zweiten Teil (120) des Flüssigkeitssystems mechanisch kuppelbar ist,

    - eine Schweißverbindung (104) zum Kuppeln der Gewindemuffe (112) mit dem ersten Teil (101), wobei

    - das Rohrelement (111) und die Gewindemuffe (112) als einzelne Teile bereitgestellt sind,

    - die Gewindemuffe (112) das Rohrelement (111) koaxial umgibt, und

    - die Gewindemuffe (112) radial in einer Entfernung (113) von dem Rohrelement (111) angeordnet ist,

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die
    Rohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung eine Schweißverbindung (103) zum Kuppeln des Rohrelements (111) mit dem ersten Teil (101) umfasst.
     
    2. Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Gewindemuffe (112) eine längliche hohlzylindrische Form umfasst.
     
    3. Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Gewindemuffe (112) ein Gewinde (114) zum mechanischen Koppeln der Gewindemuffe (112) mit dem zweiten Teil (120) des Flüssigkeitssystems umfasst.
     
    4. Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Gewindemuffe (112) frei von Flüssigkeit ist.
     
    5. Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der erste Teil (101) eine Pumpe für die Förderung der Flüssigkeit ist.
     
    6. Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Kupplungsanordnung (110) Teil eines Auslassventils (102) der Pumpe (101) ist.
     
    7. Flüssigkeitssystem, umfassend:

    - eine Flüssigkeitsrohrleitungsverschraubungsanordnung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, und

    - den zweiten Teil (120), wobei der zweite Teil (120) mit der Kupplungsanordnung (110) gekuppelt ist.


     


    Revendications

    1. Agencement de raccord de fluide (100), comprenant :

    - une première partie (101) d'un système de fluide ; et

    - un agencement d'accouplement (110), l'agencement d'accouplement comprenant :

    - un élément de tube (111) destiné à accoupler de manière hydraulique la première partie (101) du système de fluide à une seconde partie (120) du système de fluide, l'élément de tube (111) étant accouplé de manière hydraulique à la première partie (101) du système de fluide, et pouvant être accouplé de manière hydraulique à la seconde partie (120) du système de fluide ;

    - un manchon fileté (112) destiné à accoupler de manière mécanique la première partie (101) du système de fluide à la seconde partie (120) du système de fluide, le manchon fileté étant accouplé de manière mécanique à la première partie (101) du système de fluide, et pouvant être accouplé de manière mécanique à la seconde partie (120) du système de fluide ;

    - une connexion soudée (104) destinée à accoupler le manchon fileté (112) à la première partie (101), dans lequel :

    - l'élément de tube (111) et le manchon fileté (112) sont prévus en tant que parties distinctes ;

    - le manchon fileté (112) entoure l'élément de tube (111) de manière coaxiale ; et

    - le manchon fileté (112) est disposé de manière radiale à une certaine distance (113) de l'élément de tube (111) ;
    caractérisé en ce que l'agencement de raccord comprend une connexion soudée (103) destinée à accoupler l'élément de tube (111) à la première partie (101).


     
    2. Agencement de raccord de fluide selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le manchon fileté (112) présente une forme cylindrique creuse allongée.
     
    3. Agencement de raccord de fluide selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel le manchon fileté (112) comprend un filetage (114) destiné à accoupler de manière mécanique le manchon fileté (112) à la seconde partie (120) du système de fluide.
     
    4. Agencement de raccord de fluide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le manchon fileté (112) est exempt de fluide.
     
    5. Agencement de raccord de fluide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la première partie (101) est une pompe destinée à distribuer le fluide.
     
    6. Agencement de raccord de fluide selon la revendication 5, dans lequel l'agencement d'accouplement (110) fait partie d'une soupape de sortie (102) de la pompe (101).
     
    7. Système de fluide, comprenant :

    - un agencement de raccord de fluide selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 ; et

    - la seconde partie (120), la seconde partie (120) étant accouplée à l'agencement d'accouplement (110).


     




    Drawing








    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description