Coupling for connecting hydraulic ducts

• US 20030155763A1
• Filed: 02/17/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STILL GmbH (KION GROUP AG)
• Original Assignee: STILL GmbH (KION GROUP AG)
• Inventors: Altenrath, Jorg, Wolf, Diethard, Macit, Recep
• Granted Patent: US 6,964,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/39
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/084 combined with automatic locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0842 by means of a ring which is split into a plurality of component parts which are held in place by means of a resilient ring member

Abstract

A coupling for connecting hydraulic ducts has a first coupling element (1), in the form of a female coupling, with a receptacle (3) and a first locking face (10), and a second coupling element (2), in the form of a male coupling, The second coupling element (2) has an annular groove (9) that forms a second locking face (27) insertable into the receptacle (3). Several locking elements (10) are arranged in the annular groove (9). The locking elements (10) are held in the annular groove (9) and can be pivoted between a locking position and a releasing position. In the coupled condition of the coupling elements (1, 2), the first locking face (24) is axially supported on the second locking face (25). An unlocking sleeve (28) is displaceable between a locking position and a releasing position on the second coupling element (2). By moving the unlocking sleeve (28) from the locking position into the releasing position, the locking elements (10) are displaced from the locking position into the releasing position.

Claims

1. A coupling for connecting hydraulic ducts comprising:

a longitudinal axis;

a first coupling element forming a first locking face circumferentially arranged around the longitudinal axis;

a second coupling element for coupling with the first coupling element, said second coupling element including an annular groove forming a second locking face;

a plurality of locking elements in the form of annular segments arranged in the annular groove of the second coupling element, said plurality of locking elements having a first longitudinal end with a holding mechanism engaging the locking element on the first longitudinal end holding the plurality of locking elements in the annular groove, said plurality of locking elements being radially pivoted between a locking position and a releasing position, wherein the plurality of locking elements are acted upon by the holding mechanism to take up the locking position, said plurality of locking elements having an abutment face interacting with the first coupling element wherein by coupling the second coupling element with the first coupling element said plurality of locking element being moved from the locking position into the releasing position, said plurality of locking elements in the coupled condition of the coupling elements are axially supported on one side by the first locking face and on another side by the second locking face, wherein the first locking face and the second locking face face each other; and

an unlocking sleeve axially displaceable relative to the second coupling element between a locking position and a releasing position, said unlocking sleeve interacting with displacement faces of said plurality of locking elements wherein moving the unlocking sleeve from the locking position into the releasing position the plurality of locking elements moving from the locking position into the releasing position, and said unlocking sleeve holding the locking elements on a second longitudinal end axially distanced from the first longitudinal end in the annular groove.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the first coupling element being a female coupling having a receptacle with the first locking face and an opening (5, 105), and the second coupling element being a male coupling insertable in the direction of the longitudinal axis through the opening into the receptacle of the first coupling element.

3. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism being an elastic ring arranged with a preloading around the plurality of locking elements holding said plurality of locking elements in the annular groove.

4. The coupling according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of the locking elements are pivotably held around a pivot axis spaced from the longitudinal axis and the plurality of locking elements have a lever arm portion around which the elastic ring is arranged.

5. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism being an undercut in the annular groove, said first longitudinal ends of the locking elements engaging said undercut, and said plurality of locking elements being pivotably held in the undercut, and an elastic ring arranged in the annular groove, said elastic ring acting on the plurality of locking elements to take up their locking position.

6. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein the coupled condition of the two coupling elements starting from the opening of the first coupling element, an annular gap is formed between the first coupling element and the second coupling element, said unlocking sleeve through said annular gap projecting from the receptacle.

7. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking sleeve in the locking position is axially supported by a securing ring which rests in a circumferential groove of the second coupling element.

8. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking sleeve has a tool engaging mechanism.

9. A coupling for connecting hydraulic ducts comprising:

a longitudinal axis;

a first coupling element in the form of a female coupling having a receptacle with a first locking face arranged circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and having an opening;

a second coupling element in the form of a male coupling having an annular groove forming a second locking face, said second coupling element being insertable in the direction of the longitudinal axis through the opening into the receptacle of the first coupling element;

a plurality of locking elements in the form of annular segments arranged in the annular groove of the second coupling element, said plurality of locking elements having a first longitudinal end receiving a holding mechanism, said holding mechanism engaging and holding the locking element at the first longitudinal end in the annular groove, said plurality of locking elements being radially pivoted between a locking position and a releasing position, wherein the plurality of locking elements being acted upon by said holding mechanism to take up the locking position;

said plurality of locking elements having an abutment face interacting with the first coupling element wherein when the second coupling element is inserted into the receptacle, said plurality of locking element can be moved from the locking position into the releasing position, said plurality of locking elements in the coupled condition of the coupling elements are axially supported on one side by the first locking face and on the other side by the second locking face.