Device for the rapid assembly of a hose connection with an automotive vehicle heat exchanger

• US 5,228,724 A
• Filed: 07/26/1991
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur (Valeo SE), Hutchinson (Welltower, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hutchinson (Welltower, Inc.)
• Inventors: Godeau, Denis
• Primary Examiner(s): Arola, Dave W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHACKELFORD, HEATHER CHUN
• Application Number:
  US07/736,105
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 285/3, 285/4, 285/24, 285/27, 285/93, 285/307, 285/332, 285/319
• US Class Current: 285/93
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/098 by means of flexible hooks
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0258 of quick acting type, e.g. with snap action
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/921 Snap-fit

Abstract

This invention is concerned with an assembly device of a hose connection in which a tubular joint is connected to the hose connection and is capable of cooperating with an inlet and outlet nipple of the waterbox of the heat exchanger, the tightness being ensured by a seal of an elastomer material and the maintenance in the assembled condition of the joint and the nipple being ensured by a bracket (14 and 15), the component carrying the bracket being fitted with a ring (12) with a conical outer surface, axially mobile in the unassembled condition.

Claims

1. Device for assembling a hose connection with a heat exchanger, particularly of an automotive vehicle, in which a tubular joint is connected to the hose connection on the one hand and, on the other hand, is capable of cooperating with an inlet or outlet nipple of the waterbox of the heat exchanger by an easily dismountable elastic linkage, the tightness between the tubular joint and the nipple of the waterbox being ensured by a seal of an elastomeric type of material and the maintenance in the assembled condition of the joint and the nipple being ensured by at least one lug means carried by one of said joint or nipple and at least one bracket provided with a latching tooth axially oriented and carried by the other of said joint or nipple for the engagement with said at least one lug means, characterized in that a first end of the component carrying the said bracket is fitted with a ring with a conical outer surface, axially mobile in the unassembled condition, and in that the other component is matching so as to fit on the said ring, by pushing said ring during the assembly so as to mask said ring when the two components are assembled.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nipple (2) has at least one part (34) with a conical internal profile of the same taper as that of the ring (12) fitted to the joint (1).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the ring (12) comprises a short cylindrical part, and that the nipple (2) and the joint (1) are matching respectively, so as to completely mask the conical part and the cylindrical part respectively of the ring when the joint is latched into the nipple, and in that the joint has an internal groove designed to receive the said cylindrical part of the ring (12).

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (42) is provided with at least one elastic tab, which serves as a supplementary indication of latching, and in that the joint is provided with at least one through slot (44) positioned so that the tab is positioned in this slot and is deployed at the exterior when the joint is latched into the nipple, the tab remaining compressed and masked as long as matching has not been achieved.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said seal (9) is mounted on the joint (1) which carries the ring (12) in such a way that, in the unassembled condition said ring masks and protects said seal.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose connection assembly device has a spring maintaining the ring (12) pushed towards a free end of the joint (1) in the absence of external load.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (12,42) or at least its outer surface, is of a contrasting colour to the nipple.