This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 215 896.4, filed on Sep. 8, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to an elastomer hose. The invention furthermore relates to a hose connection equipped with such an elastomer hose, in particular, in a fresh-air system of an internal combustion engine. The present invention further relates to another method to manufacture such a hose connection.
An elastomer hose according to this class is, for example, known from DE 10 2004 063 459 A1. The elastomer hose serves to connect to a nozzle. Thereby, the known elastomer hose is used to connect a venting device of an internal combustion engine to a fresh-air system of the internal combustion engine in order to return blow-by gas from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to the fresh-air system. The elastomer hose comprises a circumferential edge on a longitudinal end. In the case of the known elastomer hose, a plurality of breakthroughs distributed in the circumferential direction are formed on the longitudinal end, being axially distanced from the circumferential edge. Complementary to the breakthroughs barbs on formed on the related nozzle, which radially engage through breakthroughs onto the nozzle from the inside during insertion of the elastomer hose in order to fix the elastomer hose onto the nozzle in an axial manner.
When installing such an elastomer hose, the longitudinal end is manually inserted onto the nozzle, thereby being pressurized. Thereby, the edge can collide with a face side of the nozzle. The elasticity allows for the longitudinal end to slightly deform, whereby, in the case of such a collision and the pressure forces, it can deform and fold in. This fold-in on the longitudinal end inserted onto the nozzle may remain unnoticed by the respective installer, whereby the hose connection is not sufficiently tight.
The present invention deals with the problem of indicating an improved or at least another embodiment for such an elastomer hose or for a hose connection equipped with it, which is particularly characterized in that a fault-free installation is simplified.
According to the invention, this problem is solved by means of the object of the independent claims. Favourable embodiments are the object of the dependent claims.
The invention is based on the general idea, on the one hand, to form a support structure on the edge of the longitudinal end to be inserted onto the nozzle and, on the other, a grip structure. Thereby, the support structure is conceived in such a way that the longitudinal end can be axially attached in a positively form-locking manner to the counter-support structure that is complementary to it formed on the nozzle when connecting the elastomer hose to the nozzle. In contrast, the grip structure is designed in such a way that an installer can manually grip the longitudinal end on this grip structure in order to be able to pull up the longitudinal end when axially connecting the elastomer hose to the nozzle. By means of this, the elasticity of the elastomer hose is taken advantage of during installation. In order to attach the longitudinal end to the nozzle with the help of the support structure, the longitudinal end must be applied at an angle, meaning inclined toward an axial orientation to the nozzle. In order to fully be able to insert the longitudinal end onto the nozzle, the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose must be elastically deformed. This takes place when pulling on the grip structure. Thereby, the hose end is completely pulled over the nozzle At the same time, a coaxial orientation between the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose and the nozzle is achieved. While, in the case of the presently described most recent prior art, the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose is pressed onto the nozzle under pressure, in the case of the elastomer hose according to the invention, a pulling up of the longitudinal end onto the nozzle subject to an axial tensile load takes place. By means of this, such fold-ins on the edge can be avoided. Due to avoiding fold-ins, the desired tightness is ensured.
In the case of the elastomer hose according to the invention, the support structure protrudes from the of the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose in a first circumferential section while the grip structure protrudes from the edge of the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose in a second circumferential section. Thereby, the second circumferential section is offset to the first circumferential section in the circumferential direction.
In accordance with a favourable embodiment, it can be provided that the support structure extends in the circumferential direction of the edge across a maximum of 90°. In addition or as an alternative, it can be provided that the grip structure extends in the circumferential direction of the edge across a maximum of 90°. In this way, it is clear that the edge can elastically deform in the circumferential direction between the support structure and the grip structure when pulling up onto the nozzle
An embodiment is expedient where the grip structure is arranged on the edge offset to the support structure by at least 90° and a maximum of 180° in the circumferential direction of the edge. Thereby, an embodiment is preferred where the support structure and the grip structure on the edge primarily lie diametrically opposite to one another. By means of this, the pulling up of the elastomer hose onto the nozzle is simplified.
An embodiment is particularly favourable where the grip structure and the support structure are designed and arranged in such a way that a two-phase installation can be implemented to connect the elastomer hose to the nozzle, wherein, during a first installation phase, the support structure of the elastomer hose is attached to the counter-support structure of the nozzle in such a way that the grip structure is axially distanced away from the nozzle at the end of the first installation phase and wherein the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose is pulled up onto the nozzle during a subsequent second installation phase in such a way that the distance between the grip structure and the nozzle declines.
In addition or as an alternative, it can be provided that the support structure or the counter-support structure are designed and/or match each other in such a way that the support structure attached to the counter-support structure defines a swivel axis, around which the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose can be swivelled when pulling up over the nozzle.
In addition or as an alternative, it can be provided that the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose defines a hose-longitudinal centre axis while the nozzle defines a nozzle-longitudinal centre axis, wherein the hose-longitudinal centre axis runs inclined toward the nozzle-longitudinal centre axis after attaching the support structure of the elastomer hose to the counter-support structure of the nozzle and before pulling up the longitudinal end onto the nozzle, while the hose-longitudinal centre axis runs parallel to the nozzle-longitudinal centre axis after attaching the support structure of the elastomer hose to the counter-support structure of the nozzle and after pulling up the longitudinal end onto the nozzle.
As described further above, the above-mentioned measures lead to the elastomer hose being subjected to tensile strain and not pressure strain, which would reduce the formation of kinks.
In accordance with a favourable embodiment, the elastomer hose can comprise an oval cross-section at least in the area of the longitudinal end so that the edge comprises two diametrically opposite short circumferential sections with smaller curvature radii in addition to two diametrically opposite long circumferential sections with larger curvature radii offset by 90°. Such oval, in particular, elliptical cross sections can be favourable in the case of certain installation-space situations. In accordance with a preferred further embodiment, it can be provided that the support structure is arranged in the one short circumferential section while the grip structure is arranged in the other short circumferential section. By means of this, it is ensured that, during installation, the elastic deformation of the longitudinal end primarily occurs in the long circumferential sections, which have a greater amount of elasticity than the short circumferential sections. By means of this, insulation a simplified.
In accordance with another embodiment, the grip structure can comprise a grip section that radially protrudes from the edge and a second grip section that axially protrudes from the first grip section. By means of this, the grip structure can, in particular, possess an L-shaped profile, which facilitates the manual gripping of the grip structure.
Another embodiment provides that the support structure comprises a bracket that axially protrudes from the edge and extends into the circumferential direction of the edge, which comprises a holding contour inside in the radial direction, on which the counter-support structure of the nozzle can engage in positively form-locking manner to attach the longitudinal end. By means of this, a particularly efficient axial fixation is implemented between the support structure and counter-support structure when mounting elastomer hose.
In accordance with a further embodiment, the bracket can hook into a bracket opening, which enters into the bracket in radial direction or enters into the bracket in the real direction without penetrating this. By means of this, a positively form-locking engagement between the support structure and the counter-support structure is facilitated. The support contour can expediently limit bracket opening an axial direction at a side that is remote from the edge. Thereby, the support contour encompasses the bracket opening and protrudes from the edge in the axial direction which is ultimately favourable for fixing the hose onto the nozzle.
In accordance with another embodiment, the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose can comprise a circumferential fitting groove radially on the outside, that is preferably closed, in which a clamp to attach the longitudinal add to the nozzle can be inserted. The longitudinal end of the elastomer hose that is attached to the nozzle is braced in the radial direction with the nozzle, whereby, on the one hand, a sufficient excellent fixation between the elastomer hose and the nozzle is implemented while, at the same time, sufficient tightness between the elastomer hose and the nozzle is ensured on the other.
For example, the elastomer hose can be designed as a bellow or at least comprise one longitudinal section designed as a bellow. Such a bellows allows for tolerance compensation to take place in a simple manner. At the same time, it allows for relative movements between the longitudinal end of the elastomer hose, which may occur during use of the elastomer hose within a motor vehicle.
A hose connection according to the invention, which, in particular, can be used within a fresh-air system of an internal combustion engine, is equipped with an elastomer hose of the previously described kind. Furthermore, this hose connection is equipped with a nozzle, which comprises a counter-support structure on the outside, which is engaged with the support structure of the elastomer hose in a positively form-locking manner.
In accordance with a favourable embodiment, the nozzle can comprise at least one axial end-stop on the outside, which interacts with an axial face side of the edge when connecting the elastomer hose. The axle and stop makes it easier to find a predetermined axial relative position between the elastomer hose and the nozzle.
A favourable further embodiment recommends that the axial end-stop abuts the face side of the edge in the circumferential direction between the support structure and the grip structure. To axial and stops can be expediently provided that are also diametrically opposite to each other.
Being fitting for the respective axial and stop, on its axial face side, the edge can comprise a depression formed to be complementary to the axial end-stop, which improves the positioning between the elastomer hose and the nozzle.
Within an internal combustion engine, the elastomer hose can be expediently used to connect a crankcase venting device on the output side to the fresh-air system in order to supply blow-by gases discharged from the crankcase to the fresh-air system. Usually, such a venting device contains an oil separation system in order to separate the oil contained in the discharged blow-by gas. The separated oil is returned to the oil circuit of the internal combustion engine. The blow-by gas released from oil is supplied again the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine via the fresh-air system. As an alternative, the elastomer hose presented here and the hose connection presented here can also be used in the case of lines conveying any other fluid, such as raw and clean air lines for an internal combustion engine for example or lines of a motor-vehicle air-conditioning system in general and lines conveying air belonging to an air-conditioning system for ventilating a vehicle interior in particular.
A method according to the invention to manufacture such a hose connection, characterized by a two-phase installation, wherein, during a first installation phase, the support structure of the elastomer hose is attached to the counter-support structure of the nozzle in such a way that the grip structure is axially distanced away from the nozzle at the end of the first installation phase and wherein the longitudinal end is pulled up onto the nozzle during a subsequent second installation phase in such a way that the distance between the grip structure and the nozzle declines.
Other important features and advantages of the invention result from the sub claims, the drawings and the related figure description based on the drawings.
It is to be understood that the features explained in the aforementioned and following cannot only be used in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numbers will refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.
On a schematic level respectively, the figures show
In accordance with
The elastomer hose serves to connect to the said nozzle 4. In
The elastomer hose 3 comprises a circumferential edge 9 at least at a longitudinal end 8, which comprises a support structure 11 protruding from the edge in a first circumferential section 10 and a grip structure 13 protruding from the edge 9 in a second circumferential section 12. The support structure 11 can be attached to the nozzle 4 on a counter-support structure 14 when connecting the elastomer hose 3 which is designed complementary to the support structure 11 and which is shaped onto the nozzle 4 in an integral manner. In
The first circumferential section 10 and the second circumferential section 12 are arranged offset to each other in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the circumferential direction refers to the edge 9 on the longitudinal end 8 of the elastomer hose 3 and is indicated in the figures by a double arrow and with the number 15. The support structure 11 and the grip structure 13 extend in the circumferential direction 15 across a maximum of 90°. In the case of the example shown here, the grip structure 13 extends across a smaller angular range than the support structure 11. Thereby, an embodiment where the support structure 11 and the grip structure 13 on the edge 9 are primarily diametrically opposite to one another is preferred. The grip structure 13 is then arranged at the edge 9 offset in the circumferential direction 15 by approximately 180° to the support structure 11.
In the case of the examples shown here in
As can be particularly seen in
In contrast, the support structure 11 possesses a bracket 22 extending in the circumferential direction 15 and axially protruding from the edge 9. This bracket 22 has a support contour 23 radially on the inside, at which the counter-support contour 14 of the nozzle 4 can engage or engages in a positively form-locking manner to attach the longitudinal end 8. In the example, the bracket 22 comprises a bracket opening 24 that radially penetrates the bracket 22. As an alternative to this, an embodiment is also possible where the bracket opening 24 is only a depression and does not fully penetrate the bracket 22 in a radial direction. The previously mentioned support contour 23 axially limits the bracket opening 24 on a side remote from the edge 9. In particular, it can be provided that the bracket open 24 is immediately axially delimited by the edge 9 on a side facing the edge 9.
In the embodiments shown here, the longitudinal end 8 possesses a fully circumferential fitting groove 25 radially on the outside, into which a clamp 26 inserted. Using the clamp 26, the longitudinal end 8 attached to the nozzle 4 can be fixed to the nozzle 4. Furthermore, here, it is provided that the elastomer hose 2 is designed as a bellow 27. In another embodiment, in contrast, it can be provided that the elastomer hose 3 comprises at least one longitudinal section designed as a bellow 27.
Furthermore, the nozzle 4 can additionally comprise at least one axial end-stop 28 in addition to the counter-support contour 14, which interacts with an axial face side 29 of the edge 9 when mounting the elastomer hose 3 in order to define a predetermined axial relative position between the elastomer hose 3 and the nozzle 4. For better positioning, furthermore, it can be provided that, on the face side 29 of the edge 9, a depression 30 is formed that is complementary to the axial end-stop 28, into which the axial end-stop 28 engages in a positively form-locking manner when reaching the predetermined axial and rotary relative position. This state can be recognized in
Assembling the elastomer hose 3 and connecting the elastomer hose 3 to the nozzle 4 takes place in such a way that, initially, in accordance with
In accordance with
In the case of the examples shown here, the grip structure 13 and the support structure 11 are designed and arranged in such a way that a two-phase installation can be implemented to connect the elastomer hose 3 to the nozzle 4, meaning when producing the hose connection 1, wherein, during a first installation phase, the support structure 11 of the elastomer hose 3 is attached to the counter-support structure 14 of the nozzle 4 in such a way that the grip structure 13 is axially distanced away from the nozzle 4 at the end of the first installation phase and wherein the longitudinal end 8 of the elastomer hose 3 is pulled up onto the nozzle 4 during a subsequent second installation phase in such a way that the distance between the grip structure 13 and the nozzle 4 declines.
In addition or as an alternative, it can be provided that the support structure 11 or the counter-support structure 14 are designed and/or match each other in such a way that the support structure 11 attached to the counter-support structure 14 defines a swivel axis 32, around which the longitudinal end 8 of the elastomer hose 3 can be swivelled when pulling up over the nozzle 4. Furthermore, the longitudinal end 8 of the elastomer hose 3 defines a hose-longitudinal centre axis 33 while the nozzle 4 defines a nozzle-longitudinal centre axis 34. The swivel axis 32 extends perpendicular to the hose-longitudinal centre axis 33 and perpendicular to the nozzle-longitudinal centre axis 34.
After the first assembly phase and before the second assembly phase, meaning after attaching the support structure 11 of the elastomer hose 3 to the counter-support structure 14 of the nozzle 4 and before pulling up the longitudinal end 8 onto the nozzle 4, the hose-longitudinal centre axis 33 runs at an incline to the nozzle-longitudinal centre axis 34. After the second assembly phase, meaning after attaching the support structure 11 of the elastomer hose 3 to the counter-support structure 14 of the nozzle 4 and after pulling up the longitudinal end 8 onto the nozzle 4, the hose-longitudinal centre axis 33 runs parallel to the nozzle-longitudinal centre axis 34.
A method to establish a hose connection 1 is therefore characterized by a two-phase assembly process as described in the above. In
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102017215896.4 | Sep 2017 | DE | national |