FLUID CONNECTION DEVICE

• US 20190242508A1
• Filed: 02/01/2019
• Published: 08/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hutchinson (Welltower, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hutchinson (Welltower, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gaurat, Flavien, Milandre, Robin, Amaru, Cyril, Mongendre, Julien
• Granted Patent: US 11,131,411 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/084 combined with automatic locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0841 by means of a transversally slidable locking member surrounding the tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/088 by means of a split elastic ring
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0885 with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/144 the securing element being U-shaped

Abstract

A fluid connection device generally includes a male connector and a female connector configured to be co-inserted along an axis X, an elastically-deformable pin with a general U or C shape mounted on the female connector, the pin having one part passing through the female connector and configured to cooperate by elastic snap-fitting with the male connector, and a ring axially movable on the female connector between a pin release position and a locking position. In the device, the female connector may support elements that are radially mobile between a first radial position, for example, internal, whereby the ring is immobilized on the female connector, and a second radial position, for example, external, whereby the ring is released. The elements are generally configured to cooperate both with the male connector and the ring to release the ring when the pin is snap-fitted on the male connector.

Claims

1. A fluid connection device, comprising:

a male connector and a female connector configured to be co-inserted along an axis X;

an elastically-deformable pin having a substantially U or C shape mounted on the female connector, the pin having at least one portion intersecting with the female connector and configured to cooperate by elastic snap-fitting with the male connector; and

a movable ring that is displaced axially on the female connector, from a pin release position, to a locking position of the pin and the connectors,

wherein the female connector supports mobile elements displaced radially from a first radial position, wherein the ring is immobilized on the female connector, to a second radial position, wherein the ring is released, and wherein the elements are configured to cooperate both with the male connector and the ring to release the ring when the pin is snap-fitted onto the male connector.

2. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the elements are locating pins that feature a generally nail or dumbbell shape.

3. The fluid connection device of claim 2, wherein the locating pins have axes of elongation that extend radially with respect to the axis X.

4. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the locating pins each have a head configured to cooperate with the ring and a tip configured to cooperate with the male connector, or conversely.

5. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the pin is configured to limit the motion of the ring on the female connector, when the pin is not in a snap-fitted position, and when the elements are in the second position.

6. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the male connector comprises a cylindrical portion connected to a minor diameter end of a frustoconical ramp having a greater diameter end connected to an annular groove, the pin configured to cooperate by sliding with the ramp and by elastic snap-fitting with the groove, and wherein the elements are configured to cooperate by sliding with the ramp.

7. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises locking tabs that are elastically deformable, from a free unconstrained position wherein the locking tabs axially block the ring on the female connector, to a position of constraint by the elements, wherein the locking tabs permit the displacement of the ring on the female connector.

8. The fluid connection device of claim 7, wherein the tabs have an elongated shape in an axial direction.

9. The fluid connection device of claim 7, wherein the locking tabs comprise, at their free ends, skids that are housed with the heads of the locating pins in housings that feature a shape that fits with the female connector, and that are radially movable in the housings.

10. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the pin and the elements are at an axial distance that is less than the length of the ring, the length of the ring being less than the length of the female connector.

11. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the ring is configured to be able to cover and conceal the pin and the elements.

12. The fluid connection device of claim 11, wherein the ring is configured to be able to cover and conceal the pin and the elements in the locking position.

13. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the female connector comprises a visual mark and the ring is configured to cover and conceal this visual mark.

14. The fluid connection device of claim 13, wherein the ring is configured to cover and conceal this visual mark in the release position.

15. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the pin is formed by an elastic element selected from the group consisting of a metal, a plastic wire, and combinations thereof.

16. The fluid connection device of claim 1, wherein the first radial position is internal and the second radial position is external.