Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02639994 2008-07-23
CONNECTION SUBASSEMBLY FOR CONNECTING A SUPPLY CONTAINER
TO A TARGET CONTAINER
The invention relates to a connecting subassembly for
connecting an initial container and a target container, in
particular for topping up fuels in motor vehicles.
A connecting subassembly of this type permits the
filling of the target container with a medium, such as a
liquid or a small-grained, pourable material. The initial
container and the target container are connected to each
other by the connecting assembly in such a manner that, as
far as possible, there should be no concern that any part of
the medium will be lost. In particular, fuels of motor
vehicles, in particular additives, in order to achieve low-
polluting combustion, can be poured from a small, portable
initial container into a target container built into the
motor vehicle.
One simple possibility constitutes the connection by
means of a tube fastened on both sides. A drawback here is
that, depending in each rase on the position of the initial
container and of the target container with respect to each
other, some of the medium may be lost when opening the
initial container or when disconnecting the tube connection.
This is a drawback in particular in the case of expensive or,
for example, toxic media.
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2
To pour a medium into the target container, a funnel may also be used as
the starting container. A funnel of this type usually has, as the connecting
subassembly, for fastening it to an extension piece of the target container,
an
external thread or a tubular outlet section, which is pushed into the
extension piece
of the target container. A drawback in this case is that, if medium remains in
the
funnel, said medium may escape when the funnel is disconnected from the target
container, since, firstly, residues may flow out of the funnel and, secondly,
the
target container may overflow.
It is the object of the invention to provide a connecting subassembly which
makes it possible to fill medium from an initial container into a target
container
without some of the medium being lost.
According to the present invention, there is provided a connecting
subassembly for connecting an initial container and a target container,
comprising:
an outlet cylinder with a first end side which can be connected to the initial
container, wherein the first end side is open or at least one opening of the
outlet
cylinder is arranged in the region of the first end side, the outlet cylinder
including a
second closed end side with at least one outlet opening in a surface area, and
a control cylinder surrounding the outlet cylinder in the region of the outlet
opening,
wherein, in an operating position, in which the connecting subassembly is
connected to the target container, the outlet cylinder and the control
cylinder are
designed for displacement with respect to each other between a closed
position, in
which the control cylinder interrupts a flow path through the outlet opening
of the
outlet cylinder, and an open position, in which the control cylinder releases
the flow
path through the outlet opening of the outlet cylinder, wherein at least one
locking
pawl locks the displaceability of the control cylinder relative to the outlet
cylinder in
a blocking position of the locking pawl, in order to lock the control cylinder
and the
outlet cylinder in the closed position, and wherein by connecting the
connecting
subassembly to an extension piece of the target container an actuation of the
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3
locking pawl is triggered by which the locking pawl is moved from the blocking
position into a release position so that the outlet cylinder is displaceable
with
respect to the control cylinder.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a connecting
subassembly for connecting an initial container and a target container,
comprising:
an outlet cylinder with a first end side which can be connected to the initial
container, wherein the first end side is open or at least one opening of the
outlet
cylinder is arranged in the region of the first end side, the outlet cylinder
including a
second closed end side with at least one outlet opening in a surface area, and
a control cylinder surrounding the outlet cylinder in the region of the outlet
opening,
wherein, in an operating position, in which the connecting subassembly is
connected to the target container, the outlet cylinder and the control
cylinder are
designed for displacement with respect to each other between a closed
position, in
which the control cylinder interrupts a flow path through the outlet opening
of the
outlet cylinder, and an open position, in which the control cylinder releases
the flow
path through the outlet opening of the outlet cylinder, the connecting
subassembly
further comprising at least two locking pawls, by means of which the
displaceability
of the control cylinder relative to the outlet cylinder can be locked in a
blocking
position of the locking pawls, said locking pawls arranged on the outer
circumference of the control cylinder and connected to each other by elastic
intermediate elements oriented in the circumferential direction, and wherein
said
locking pawls are acted upon in the direction of the blocking position by a
spring
force.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a connecting
subassembly for connecting an initial container and a target container,
comprising:
an outlet cylinder with a first end side which can be connected to the initial
container, wherein the first end side is open or at least one opening of the
outlet
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3a
cylinder is arranged in the region of the first end side, the outlet cylinder
including a
second closed end side with at least one outlet opening in a surface area, and
a control cylinder surrounding the outlet cylinder in the region of the outlet
opening,
wherein, in an operating position, in which the connecting subassembly is
connected to the target container, the outlet cylinder and the control
cylinder are
designed for displacement with respect to each other between a closed
position, in
which the control cylinder interrupts a flow path through the outlet opening
of the
outlet cylinder, and an open position, in which the control cylinder releases
the flow
path through the outlet opening of the outlet cylinder, the connecting
subassembly
further comprising at least two locking pawls, by means of which the
displaceability
of the control cylinder relative to the outlet cylinder can be locked in a
blocking
position of the locking pawls, said locking pawls provided on an annular
locking
ring, wherein the locking ring has an annular disk and locking pawl
projections
arranged perpendicularly with respect to the annular disk, wherein said
locking
pawls are acted upon in the direction of the blocking position by a spring
force.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a connecting
subassembly for connecting an initial container and a target container,
comprising:
an outlet cylinder with a first end side which can be connected to the initial
container, wherein the first end side is open or at least one opening of the
outlet
cylinder is arranged in the region of the first end side, the outlet cylinder
including a
second closed end side with at least one outlet opening in a surface area, and
a control cylinder surrounding the outlet cylinder in the region of the outlet
opening,
wherein, in an operating position, in which the connecting subassembly is
connected to the target container, the outlet cylinder and the control
cylinder are
designed for displacement with respect to each other between a closed
position, in
which the control cylinder interrupts a flow path through the outlet opening
of the
outlet cylinder, and an open position, in which the control cylinder releases
the flow
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3b
path through the outlet opening of the outlet cylinder, the connecting
subassembly
further comprising at least one locking pawl with which a relative
displacement of
the control cylinder and the outlet cylinder can be blocked in a blocking
position of
the locking pawl, wherein the at least one locking pawl is integrally formed
on the
control cylinder.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a connecting
subassembly for connecting an initial container and a target container,
comprising:
an outlet cylinder with a first end side which can be connected to the initial
container, wherein the first end side is open or at least one opening of the
outlet
cylinder is arranged in the region of the first end side, the outlet cylinder
including a
second closed end side with at least one outlet opening in a surface area, and
a control cylinder surrounding the outlet cylinder in the region of the outlet
opening,
wherein, in an operating position, in which the connecting subassembly is
connected to the target container, the outlet cylinder and the control
cylinder are
designed for displacement with respect to each other between a closed
position, in
which the control cylinder interrupts a flow path through the outlet opening
of the
outlet cylinder, and an open position, in which the control cylinder releases
the flow
path through the outlet opening of the outlet cylinder, the connecting
subassembly
further comprising at least one locking pawl having a blocking limb, wherein a
free
end of the blocking limb can project into a path of movement of the control
cylinder,
and wherein the free end of the blocking limb is bent in the direction of the
control
cylinder.
Preferably, according to the invention, this is achieved by a connecting
subassembly for connecting an initial container and a target container,
wherein the
connecting subassembly has an outlet cylinder with an open first end side,
which
can be connected to the initial container, with a second closed end side and
with at
least one outlet opening in a surface area, and also has a control cylinder
surrounding the outlet cylinder in the region of the outlet opening, wherein,
in an
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3c
operating position, in which the connecting subassembly is connected to the
target
container, the outlet cylinder and the control cylinder are designed such that
they
can be displaced with respect to each other between a closed position, in
which the
control cylinder closes the outlet opening of the opening cylinder, and an
open
position, in which the control cylinder releases the outlet opening of the
outlet
cylinder.
Preferably, the initial container and the target container serve to receive
media, such as, in particular, liquids and small-grain and/or pourable
substances.
During initial filling, topping up or decanting into the target container, and
for mixing
multi-component media in the target container, the initial container may
occasionally be connected to the target container by means of the connecting
subassembly. In the context of this invention, target containers are
understood as
meaning, for example, tanks, canisters or else pipelines or tube lines for
conveying
the medium. In addition, funnels are also suitable as initial containers.
Depending
on the embodiment of the invention, the extension piece on the target
container
may be a simple opening or else a more complex extension piece, such as a
section of pipe, with an external thread or part of a bayonet-type fastening.
Instead
of an open first end side of the outlet cylinder, at least one opening which
can be
brought into connection with the initial container may also be provided in the
region
of the first end side.
Preferably, the outlet cylinder of the connecting subassembly
is a hollow cylinder, which is connected to the initial
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container in such a manner that the medium of the initial
container can flow through the first open end side into the
outlet cylinder. In the closed position of the control
cylinder, the outlet cylinder is otherwise outwardly sealed
off such that the medium cannot escape. The at least one
outlet opening located on the surface area is closed by means
of the control cylinder, which is likewise designed as a
hollow cylinder. For this purpose, the outlet cylinder and
the control cylinder are designed in such a manner that the
control cylinder bears with an inner surface, at least in the
region of the outlet opening, against an outer surface of the
outlet cylinder and/or the outlet opening is sealed off to
the outside by means of additional sealing means, such as
sealing lips. The outlet cylinder and the control cylinder
preferably each has a circular cross section. However, other,
for example polygonal, cross sections may also be expedient.
The control cylinder does not have to completely surround the
outlet cylinder but rather may, for example, also be slit
longitudinally.
The control cylinder and the outlet cylinder can be
displaced in relation to each other along a main access in
such a manner that, after connection of the connecting
subassembly to the target container, the outlet opening of
the outlet cylinder can be opened, and in this open position,
the medium can flow through the outlet cylinder from the
initial container into the target container. After the
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CA 02639994 2014-05-26
filling operation is completed, the control cylinder and the outlet cylinder
are again
displaced in relation to each other such that the outlet opening is closed
again by
the control cylinder. The initial container can subsequently be disconnected
from
the target container without medium which has remained in the initial
container or in
the outlet cylinder being lost.
The at least one outlet opening can be adapted in terms of its size to the
specific medium and the desired filling speed. Furthermore, the filling speed
can
also be controlled by the extent to which the control cylinder is displaced
relative to
the outlet cylinder.
The connecting subassembly can be connected to the initial container both
as a single piece and also separately, and can be provided for permanent or
temporary fastening to the initial container. In the case of a separate
connecting
subassembly, the fastening to the initial container by means of a plug-in,
screw-
type or bayonet-type fastening is expedient. In addition, a snap-fit
connection is
also possible. In order to connect the connecting subassembly to the target
container, in particular plug-in, screw-type or bayonet-type fastenings are
expedient. It may be expedient to provide seals both on the side of the
initial
container and on the side of the target container in order effectively to
prevent an
inadvertent emergence of the medium.
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Preferably, in a development of the invention, in the operating position, the
control cylinder is arranged in a fixed position relative to an extension
piece of the
target container.
Preferably, in this development, in the operating position, the outlet
cylinder
is displaced relative to the target container and the control cylinder, with
the control
cylinder remaining in a fixed position with respect to the target container.
As a
result, particularly simple designs can be realized, since it is not necessary
here for
the outlet cylinder, which is located on the inside, on the other side of the
control
cylinder, which is located on the outside, to rest on the extension piece of
the target
container and therefore to have to engage on the target container through the
control cylinder or around the latter. Also, only the outlet cylinder and the
control
cylinder then have to be sealed off from each other.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the at least one outlet opening
is arranged in such a manner that, in the operating position of the connecting
subassembly and the open position of the control cylinder and of the outlet
cylinder
with respect to each other, it is located within the target container.
By this means, inadvertent spilling of medium during the disconnection of the
connecting subassembly from the target container does not occur. After the
outlet
cylinder is displaced relative to the control cylinder into the closed
position, the
initial container can be removed together with the connecting subassembly from
the
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target container, wherein no part of the medium that no longer fits into the
target
container can escape from the initial container and, if appropriate, at the
same time
the level in the target container drops because of removal of the outlet
cylinder.
Preferably, in one development, the control cylinder and the outlet cylinder
are pressed against each other by a spring force which acts in the direction
of the
closing position.
In such an embodiment, the connecting subassembly can be transferred into
its open position by, for example, manual application of a force opposed to
the
spring force. If this force ceases, the connecting subassembly returns into
the
closed position because of the prestressing of the spring force. This reduces
the
risk of the connecting subassembly being inadvertently removed from the target
container in the open position. Furthermore, a metered filling of the target
container
is also possible in a simplified manner if the outlet cylinder and the control
cylinder
do not have to be drawn back manually into the closed position in order to end
the
media flow.
In a development of the invention, the connecting subassembly has at least
one locking pawl, by means of which the displaceability of the control
cylinder
relative to the outlet cylinder can be blocked in a blocking position of the
locking
pawl.
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In the blocking position, a displacement of the outlet cylinder and of the
control cylinder with respect to each other is not possible or is only
possible to the
extent that medium cannot emerge from the outlet cylinder through the outlet
opening. This ensures that an inadvertent opening of the outlet opening does
not
occur. The locking pawl provides a preferably interlocking connection between
the
outlet cylinder and the control cylinder for this purpose. It can be designed
in such a
manner that it is directly moved manually into the blocking position or a
release
position, or else can be indirectly actuated in that the connecting
subassembly is
brought into an operating position.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the at least one locking pawl
is
designed in such a manner that it is moved from the blocking position to a
release
position by the connecting subassembly being placed onto an extension piece of
the target container.
Preferably, in this development, an actuation of the locking pawl is triggered
by connection of the connecting subassembly to the extension piece of the
target
container. Only as a result of this is said locking pawl brought into the
release
position, in which the outlet cylinder and the control cylinder can be
displaced
relative to each other into the open position. The open position therefore
cannot be
produced inadvertently before the operating position of the connecting
subassembly on the extension piece of the target container is reached. The
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movement of the locking pawl into the release position can be obtained both by
indirect or direct action of the extension piece and by manual relative
movement of
components of the connecting subassembly with respect to each other, for
example
by rotation of the bayonet ring of a bayonet-type fastening of the connecting
subassembly.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the at least one locking pawl
is
provided between the control cylinder and an outer sleeve, wherein the outer
sleeve, to fasten it to the extension piece of the target container, can be
displaced
relative to the control cylinder in such a manner that the locking pawl is
tilted out of
a blocking position into a release position.
In an embodiment of this type, the control cylinder and the outer sleeve can
be displaced in relation to each other in an attachment direction. When the
connecting subassembly is attached to the extension piece of the target
container,
in particular when the connecting subassembly is screwed on, the two
components
are displaced in relation to each other as soon as one of the components,
preferably the control cylinder, bears against a shoulder on the extension-
piece
side. The relative displacement between control sleeve and outer sleeve that
then
occurs in the course of the further movement of the outer sleeve leads to a
tilting of
the at least one locking pawl, which is arranged between control sleeve and
outer
sleeve and is thereby pivoted out of a previous, blocking tilting state into a
releasing
CA 02639994 2014-05-26
tilting state and therefore permits a relative movement between outlet
cylinder and
control cylinder. A configuration of this type is simple to realize and
provides a high
degree of security, since there need not be any concern that the control
cylinder
and the outer sleeve will be inadvertently displaced. Configurations are
particularly
advantageous in which, in the non-attached state of the connecting
subassembly,
the control cylinder is difficult to access manually, or in which an
additional spring is
provided between the outer sleeve and the control cylinder and opposes an
undesired relative displacement. The locking pawl may be, for example, of T-
shaped design, with it then being possible for a tilting movement to take
place by
10 displacement of one of the outer ends of the T shape.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the at least one locking pawl
is
of L-shaped design and has a blocking limb and an actuating limb, wherein a
proximal end of the actuating limb rests on a pivoting step of the control
cylinder
and, in the release position, a distal end of the actuating limb bears against
an
actuating step of the outer sleeve.
A locking pawl of this type constitutes a particularly simple configuration.
In
the blocking position, the blocking limb preferably extends in the direction
of
displacement of outlet cylinder and control cylinder with respect to each
other. In
this case, the blocking limb bears with its distal end against a shoulder
surface of
the outlet cylinder and with its proximal end against the pivoting step of the
control
CA 02639994 2014-05-26
11
cylinder. It thereby prevents a relative displacement between outlet cylinder
and
control cylinder and therefore a reaching of the open position being possible.
If the
outer sleeve is displaced toward the control cylinder, it uses the actuating
step to
grasp the distal end of the actuating limb, such that the latter is tilted,
during the
course of further displacement of the outer sleeve, about the pivoting step of
the
control cylinder, and therefore the blocking limb, which is connected
integrally to the
actuating limb, is thus also pivoted outwards in the region of the shoulder
surface of
the outlet cylinder. The release position, in which the outlet cylinder can be
displaced toward the control cylinder, is therefore reached.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the at least one locking pawl
is
acted upon in the direction of the blocking position by a spring force.
As a result, the blocking pawl automatically passes back again into the
blocking position, for example after the connection subassembly is removed
from
the extension piece of the target container. A manual movement of the locking
pawl
into its blocking position can be omitted as a result.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the connecting subassembly
has at least two locking pawls which are arranged on the outer circumference
of the
control cylinder and are connected to each other by elastic intermediate
elements
oriented in the circumferential direction.
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Configurations with four or more locking pawls preferably arranged uniformly
on the circumference of the control cylinder are particularly advantageous.
The
plurality of locking pawls block the relative movement of the outlet cylinder
and of
the control cylinder particularly reliably and uniformly as a result. By means
of the
elastic intermediate elements, the locking pawls are pressed at all times in
the
direction of the blocking position by a spring force without a structurally
more
complicated construction with separate spring elements between the individual
locking pawls and the control cylinder or the outer sleeve being required. The
elastic intermediate elements can be formed, for example, by elastically
expandable bands or else helical springs.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the locking pawls are together
formed as a single piece from plastic, and the intermediate elements are
designed
as elastic plastic webs.
This constitutes a particularly cost-effective design which is simple to
handle
during installation. The single-piece plastic part comprises a plurality of
locking
pawls which are connected to each other by plastic webs, which are integrally
formed on them as a single piece, to form an entire ring of locking pawls and
connecting webs. The plastic webs are designed with regard to their cross
section
and their material properties such that the entire ring can be expanded
elastically
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13
until all of the locking pawls can be pressed outwards at the same time from
their
particular blocking position into their release position.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, at least two locking pawls are
provided on an annular locking ring, wherein the locking ring has an annular
disk
and locking pawl projections arranged perpendicularly with respect to the
annular
disk.
A plurality of locking pawls can thereby be arranged in the connecting
subassembly by means of a single component. The locking pawls are designed,
for
example, as rectilinear, strip-like projections which extend vertically
upwards from
the inner circumference of the annular disk. In this case, the locking pawls
are
actuated by the outer circumference of the annular disk being deflected. On
the
other hand, the inner circumference of the annular disk is secured, and
therefore, in
conjunction with an elastic deformation of the annular disk, those ends of the
locking pawls which are remote from the annular disk then move, for example
outwards, in order to unblock the connecting subassembly.
Preferably, in a development of the invention, the annular disk and the
locking pawl projections are formed as a single piece from elastic material,
in
particular plastic.
The single-piece design of annular disk and locking pawl projections makes
it possible to manufacture the annular locking ring in high piece numbers and
at
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14
reasonable cost as a plastic injection-molded part. The annular disk, which is
elastic at least in some sections, takes over the connection of the individual
locking
pawl projections to one another in this case and also makes it possible, by
means
of its elastic deformability, to deflect the locking pawl projections. At the
same time,
by use of an elastic annular disk, the locking pawl projections can also be
prestressed into a position, for example the locking position.
Further features of the invention emerge from the description in conjunction
with the drawings. Three preferred embodiments of the invention are
illustrated and
described below. Individual features of the different embodiments can be
combined
in any desired manner without departing from the framework of the invention.
In the
drawings:
figs. 1a - 1c show a first embodiment of a connecting subassembly according to
the invention, in three stages of a filling operation,
figs. 2a - 2c show a second embodiment of a connecting subassembly according
to the invention with locking pawls, in three stages of a filling
operation,
figs.3a-3c show a third embodiment of a connecting
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subassembly according to the invention with
locking pawls, in three stages of a filling
operation,
fig. 4 shows a schematic illustration of some of the
locking pawls of the third embodiment,
fig. 5 shows a plan view of a locking ring as can be
used in a connecting subassembly according to
figures 3a to 3c,
fig. 6 shows a side view of the locking ring of
fig. 5,
fig. 7 shows a sectional view along the line VII-VII
of fig. 5,
fig. 8 shows a sectional view along the line
VIII-VIII of fig. 5,
figs. 9a - 9c show a fourth embodiment of a connecting
subassembly according to the invention with
locking pawls, in three stages of a filling
operation,
fig. 10 shows a plan view of an outlet cylinder of the
connecting subassembly of fig. 9a, which
outlet cylinder is halved in its center plane,
fig. 11 shows a view of the sectional plane XI-XI of
fig. 10, with a seal of the outlet cylinder
being illustrated in the removed state,
fig. 12 shows a view of an outer sleeve of the
connecting subassembly of fig. 9a in the state
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in which it is cut open along a center plane,
fig. 13 shows a plan view of the outer sleeve of
fig. 12, cut open in the center,
fig. 14 shows a sectional view of a control cylinder
of the connecting subassembly of fig. 9a with
locking pawls integrally formed on it as a
single piece,
fig. 15 shows a sectional view of a fifth embodiment
of a connecting subassembly according to the
invention with a venting tube,
fig. 16 shows a side view of an initial container
according to the invention and
figs. lia - lic show a sectional view of a sixth embodiment of
a connecting subassembly according to the
invention.
In conjunction with the description of the drawings,
"up" refers to movements and orientations in direction 90a,
190a, 290a, 700a and "down" refers to movements and
orientations in direction 90b, 190b, 290b, 700b.
Figures la to lc show a first exemplary embodiment of
a connecting subassembly according to the invention, and an
initial media container 80 and a target media container 70.
The connecting subassembly has an outlet cylinder 30 onto
which a control cylinder 50 is pushed from below.
The outlet cylinder 30 is designed as a hollow
cylinder with a circular cross section and has a tubular
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surface section 32. An upper end side 34 is of open design
and has an internal thread 36, by means of which the outlet
cylinder 30 can be connected to the initial media container
80, which has an external thread 82 matching the internal
thread 36. The lower end side 38 of the outlet cylinder 30 is
closed. A total of four output openings 40 are provided at
the lower end of the surface section 32 and perforate the
surface section 32.
The control cylinder 50 is likewise designed as a
hollow cylinder with a circular cross section. The inside
diameter of the control cylinder 50 corresponds, in a lower
closing section 52, approximately to the outside diameter of
the surface section 32 of the outlet cylinder 30, with a
close clearance fit being used such that the outlet cylinder
30 and the control cylinder 50 can be displaced relative to
each other in relation to each other in the direction of
their respective main axis 90. Above the closing section 52,
a collar section 54 is provided, the collar section
encircling the closing section on the outside and being
intended for resting on an extension piece 72 of the target
container 70. A total of six latching lugs 56, which are
latched over an encircling securing web 42 of the outlet
cylinder 30, adjoin the collar section 54 above it. By means
of the securing web 42 and the latching lugs 56, the outlet
cylinder 30 and the control cylinder 50 are connected to each
other in a manner such that they can be released and
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displaced relative to each other.
Fig. la shows the connecting subassembly before an
operating position is reached. The connecting subassembly,
comprising the outlet cylinder 30 and the control cylinder
50, is connected to the initial container 80. The control
cylinder 50 is with respect to the outlet cylinder 30 in a
closed position, in which the closing section 52 projects
over the outlet openings 40 and thereby closes the latter.
Fig. lb shows the connecting subassembly in the
operating position. In this operating position, it is plugged
together with the initial container onto the extension piece
72 of the target container 70. In the closed position, the
control cylinder 50 is unchanged with respect to the outlet
cylinder 30.
Starting from this closed position, the initial
container 80 is displaced downwards together with the outlet
cylinder 30 of the connecting subassembly until the open
position, illustrated in fig. lc, is reached. In this open
position, the outlet openings 40 are located below the lower
edge of the control cylinder 50 and are thereby exposed. The
medium located in the initial container 80 can therefore flow
along the flow paths 92 through the outlet cylinder 30 into
the target container 70.
It is particularly advantageous if the counterforce
caused by the frictional resistance when pulling the
connecting subassembly off from the target container 70 is
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greater at the contact surface between the control cylinder
50 and the extension piece 72 than between the control
cylinder 50 and the outlet cylinder 30. The effect achieved
by this is that a pulling-off force, which acts upwards on
the initial container 80, first of all leads to the outlet
cylinder 30 and the control cylinder 50 again being
transferred into the closed position before the control
cylinder 50 is detached from the extension piece 72. A
specific transfer of the connecting subassembly into the
closed position can be omitted as a result.
The described first embodiment of a connecting
subassembly according to the invention enables the target
container 70 to be filled without it being possible for
medium to be lost. Even if the initial container 80 is not
empty after the filling operation is completed, closure of
the connecting subassembly before the initial container 80
and the connecting subassembly are removed from the target
container 70 makes it possible to prevent medium from
escaping.
Figs. 2a to 2c show a second embodiment of a
connecting subassembly according to the invention. Like the
first embodiment which is illustrated in figs. la to lc, this
second embodiment also has an outlet cylinder 130, which has
a tubular surface section 132 with four perforating outlet
openings 140 at the lower end, an upper open end side 134 and
a lower closed end side 138. An encircling securing web 142
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and an encircling blocking groove 144 are provided on the
outside of the surface section 132. In a departure from the
first exemplary embodiment of figs. la to lc, the outlet
cylinder 130 is connected to an initial container 180 as a
single piece.
A control cylinder 150 is pushed from below onto the
outlet cylinder 130. This control cylinder 150 has a tubular
closing section 152, the inside diameter of which forms a
close clearance fit with the outside diameter of the surface
section 132. Above the closing section 152, the control
cylinder 150 has six latching lugs 156 by means of which the
control cylinder 150 is fastened releasibly and displaceably
to the encircling securing web 142 of the outlet cylinder
130. At the upper end of the closing section 152, the control
cylinder 150 has a blocking section 154 with a relatively
large diameter, in which a downwardly open, annular receiving
groove 157 with an internal thread 158 is formed, the
receiving groove serving to fasten the connecting subassembly
to an extension piece 172 of a target container 170. A total
of four recesses 159, which extend in the radial direction
from the inside of the control cylinder and are intended for
receiving locking pins 160 intersect the receiving groove 157
at the base of the groove.
A locking pin 160, which has a cutout with an angled
wedged surface 162 on its lower side, is pushed into each of
the recesses 159. The locking pins 160 can be displaced in
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
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the receptacles 159 in the radial direction, with a
respective locking pin spring 164 being positioned at the
outer end of the receptacles 159 and acting upon the locking
pin 160 with a radially inwardly acting spring force.
A helical spring 164 is placed between the outlet
cylinder 130 and the control cylinder 150, by means of which
helical spring the outlet cylinder 130 is acted upon in
relation to the control cylinder 150 by a spring force, which
is directed upwards in the direction of the closed position,
and the outlet cylinder is therefore prestressed into the
closed position.
Fig. 2a shows the connecting subassembly, which is
connected to the initial container 180 as a single piece,
before the operating position on the extension piece 172 of
the target container 170 is reached. In this state, the
control cylinder 150 and the outlet cylinder 130 are relative
to each other in a closed position, in which the closing
section 152 of the control cylinder 150 lies above the outlet
openings 140 of the outlet cylinder 130, thereby preventing
the medium from escaping from the initial container 130. A
displacement of the outlet cylinder 130 and of the control
cylinder 150 before the operating position of fig. 2b is
reached is not possible, since, in this blocking position,
the locking pins 160 project into the blocking groove 144 of
the outlet cylinder 130.
Starting from the state of fig. 2a, the connecting
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subassembly is screwed together with the initial container
130 onto the target container 170 by means of the internal
thread 158 and an external thread 174 on the extension piece
172. During the screwing-on operation, an upper edge of the
extension piece 172 presses against the wedge surface 162 of
the locking pins 160 and, as a result, pushes them outwards
counter to the spring force of the locking pin springs 164.
The locking pins 160 thereby pass into the release position,
which is illustrated in fig. 2b and in which they are
disengaged from the blocking groove 144 of the outlet
cylinder 130.
In this operating position of the connection
subassembly, the outlet cylinder 130 can be pressed from the
closed position of figs. 2a and 2b into the opening position
of fig. 2c. For this purpose, the outlet cylinder 130 is
pressed downwards together with the initial container 180
counter to the spring force of the helical spring 146, such
that the outlet openings 140 are pushed out of the region of
the closing section 152 of the control cylinder 150. When the
state of fig. 2b is reached, the medium located in the
initial container 180 can flow through the outlet cylinder
130 along the flow path 192 into the target container 170.
As soon as the outlet cylinder 130 and the initial
container 180 are no longer being pressed downwards, they
shift upwards again on account of the spring force of the
helical spring 146, and the outlet cylinder therefore passes
(00112455.DOC)
,
CA 02639994 2008-07-23
P 46072 WO - 23 -
again relative to the control cylinder 150 into the closed
position and the flow of medium is interrupted. As soon as
the control cylinder 150 is unscrewed again from the
extension piece 172 of the target container 170, the locking
pins 160 are inserted again by the locking pin springs 164
into the blocking groove 144 such that it is not possible for
this closed position to be left outside the operating
position of the connecting subassembly.
This second embodiment of figs. 2a to 2c is
particularly secure on account of the locking pins, since
only in the operating position do the latter permit a
transfer into the open position and therefore an escape of
the medium.
Figs. 3a to 3c show a third embodiment of a
connecting subassembly according to the invention.
In this third embodiment, the connecting subassembly
has an outlet component 210, which comprises an attachment
section 220 for fastening to an initial container, and an
outlet cylinder 230 connected fixedly to said attachment
section. Furthermore, the connecting subassembly has a
control cylinder 250, seven locking pawls 260 connected to
one another, and an outer sleeve 267.
The outlet cylinder 230 has a tubular surface section
232, which is perforated at the lower end by two outlet
openings 240. An upper end side 234 of the outlet cylinder
230 is open and permits free flow of media into the outlet
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cylinder 230 when the latter is connected to the initial
container. The opposite, lower end side 238 is closed.
The control cylinder 250 is pushed from below onto
the outlet cylinder 230 and has a lower closing section 252,
the inside diameter of which forms a close clearance fit with
the outside diameter of the outlet cylinder 230, and which
closing section covers the outlet openings 240 in a closed
position of figs. 3a and 3b. Above the closing section 252,
the control cylinder has an encircling collar section 254
which, in an operating position, rests on an extension piece
of a target container. An encircling pivoting step 257 is
provided on the upper side of the collar section.
An outer sleeve 267, which has an internal thread 268
for connecting the connecting subassembly to the target
container, is pushed from above onto the outlet component 210
and the control cylinder 250. An encircling actuating step
269 is provided on the inside of the outer sleeve.
Between the outer sleeve 267 and the control cylinder
250, the seven locking pawls 260 are arranged annularly and
uniformly spaced apart from one another. The locking pawls
each have an L-shaped cross section with a blocking section
262 extending approximately in the axial direction 290, and
with an actuating section 264 extending approximately
radially. In a manner not illustrated, the locking pawls 260
are connected annularly to one another in the region of the
blocking section 264 by elastic plastic webs. The spring
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
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force of the elastic plastic webs always presses the locking
pawls 260 in the direction of the blocking position
illustrated in the fig. 3a. A helical spring can be arranged
between an upper end of the control cylinder 250 and the
flange of the attachment section 220, which flange extends
inwards above this upper end, in order to produce
prestressing into the blocking position illustrated.
Fig. 3a shows a state of the connecting subassembly
before it is connected to the target container. In this
state, the closing section 252 of the control cylinder 250 is
situated above the outlet openings 240 of the outlet cylinder
230, and therefore medium cannot escape from the initial
container (not illustrated), which is connected to the outlet
cylinder 230. A manual displacement of the control cylinder
250 in relation to the outlet cylinder 230 is not possible,
since the blocking sections 262 of the locking pawls 260 bear
against the outlet cylinder 230 and prevent a displacement of
the control cylinder 250 by bearing with their proximal end
against the pivoting step 257 of the control cylinder 250 and
with their distal end against an axially extending securing
collar 222 of the outlet component 210 and thereby blocking a
shortening of the distance between these components.
Starting from this state, the connecting subassembly
is placed with the collar section 254 of the control cylinder
250 onto an extension piece (not illustrated) of a target
container, and the outer sleeve 267 is firmly screwed to the
{00112455.DOC}
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P 46072 WO - 26 -
extension piece by means of the internal thread 268. As
illustrated in fig. 3b, by this means, a
relative
displacement of the outer sleeve 267 in relation to the
control cylinder 250 in direction 290b occurs and therefore
also a displacement of the actuating step 269 of the outer
cylinder 267 in relation to the pivoting step 257 of the
control cylinder 250 occurs. Consequently, the actuating
sections 264, which are situated inbetween, of the locking
pawls 260 are tilted about a tangential axis, which, owing to
the single-piece design, also has the consequence of a star-
shaped tilting of the blocking sections 262 outwards counter
to the spring force of the elastically stressed plastic webs
and away from the securing collar 222. The tilted position of
the locking pawls 260 that is illustrated in fig. 3b
constitutes a release position, in which a displacement of
the outlet cylinder 230 in relation to the control cylinder
250 is possible.
Fig. 3c shows the connecting subassembly in its open
position, in which the outlet cylinder 230 is pressed
downwards in relation to the control cylinder 250, such that
the outlet openings 240 are no longer covered by the closing
section 252 of the control cylinder 250. The medium coming
from the initial container (not illustrated) can flow through
the outlet cylinder 230 along the flow path 292 into the
target container (likewise not illustrated).
This third embodiment is advantageous in particular
00112455.DOCI
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on account of the simple construction. The locking pawls 260
together with the connecting plastic webs form an single,
annular component which is favorable to produce and simple to
handle during installation. A schematic illustration of part
of an annular component of this type is illustrated in
fig. 4. The individual locking pawls 260 are connected to one
another by means of two plastic webs 294, 296 in each case.
When the locking pawls 260 are tilted outwards, in particular
the upper plastic webs 296 are subjected to an extension
stress whereas the lower plastic webs 294 are located in the
vicinity of the respective axis of rotation and are not
subjected or are subjected to a lesser degree to an extension
stress.
The plan view of fig. 5 shows a locking ring 360
which can be used instead of the locking pawls 260 in the
connecting subassembly of figures 3a to 3c. The locking ring
360 has an annular disk 362 and a total of twelve locking
pawl projections 364 arranged on the annular disk 362. The
locking pawl projections 364 are arranged adjacent to an
inner circumference of the annular disk 362 and thus spaced
apart uniformly from one another along this inner
circumference. The locking pawl projections 364 each have a
rectangular cross section and extend from the annular disk
362 perpendicular with respect thereto.
As has already been mentioned, the locking ring 360
can be used instead of the locking pawls 260 in the device of
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
P 46072 WO - 28 -
figures 3a to 3c. The inner circumference of the annular disk
362 is accordingly supported by means of a shoulder, and,
when the connecting subassembly is screwed on, a force is
exerted in the region of the outer circumference of the
annular disk 362, downwards in fig. 6. As a result, the
annular disk 362 is elastically deformed, the inner
circumference remains essentially at the same position, and
the outer circumference is pressed downwards, in the
illustration of fig. 6. Since the locking pawl projections
364 are formed as a single piece with the annular disk 362,
they are deflected outwards in the radial direction at their
upper ends (in fig. 6), which are not connected to the
annular disk 362, by the deformation of the annular disk 362.
As a result, the connecting subassembly can be unlocked.
Owing to the elastic deformation of the annular disk
362, the latter moves back again into its starting position
(shown in fig. 6) when the connecting subassembly is removed,
and at the same time the upper ends of the locking pawls 364
also move back again into their locking position.
The sectional view of fig. 7 along the line VII-VII
of fig. 5 shows a section through the locking ring at the
location of a locking pawl projection 364. It can be seen
that the annular disk 362 and the locking pawl projections
364 are designed as a single piece and are realized, for
example, as a plastic injection-molded part. The inner
circumference of the annular disk 362 is beveled in the
{00112455.DOC}
CA 02639994 2008-07-23
P 46072 WO - 29 -
intermediate spaces between two locking pawl projections 364.
A lower side of the annular disk 362, which side lies
opposite the locking pawl projections 364, then defines the
smallest inner circumference of the locking ring 360 and,
towards the upper side of the annular disk 362, the inner
wall of the annular disk 362 then runs in a manner inclined
outwards between two locking pawl projections 364. These
measures make it possible to increase the mobility of the
locking pawl projections 364, and advantages arise for the
removal of the locking ring 360 from the mold.
The sectional illustration of fig. 8 shows a
sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of fig. 5, and the
beveled design of the inner circumference of the annular disk
362 can readily be seen here.
Overall, by means of the single-piece locking ring
360, a locking pawl component is provided which can also be
produced cost-effectively in very high piece numbers and is
extremely reliable and also readily withstands numerous
operating cycles.
The sectional views of figs. 9a, 9b and 9c show a
connecting subassembly 100 according to a fourth embodiment
of the invention in three different stages of a filling
operation. Fig. 9a shows a closed position, in which there is
no flow connection from an initial container (not
illustrated) to a target container (not illustrated) and
through the connecting subassembly 400. Fig. 9b shows the
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
P 46072 WO - 30 -
connecting subassembly of fig. 9a in an operating position,
in which the connecting subassembly is already screwed onto
the target container (not illustrated) and is thereby in an
unlocked state. Finally, fig. 9c shows an open position of
the connecting subassembly 400, in which there is a flow
connection between the initial container (not illustrated)
and the target container (not illustrated) and through the
connecting subassembly 400. The arrangement of the initial
container and of the target container on the connecting
subassembly 400 takes place in the same manner as described
in conjunction with fig. 15.
The connecting subassembly 400 of fig. 9a has an
outlet cylinder subassembly 402, which comprises the actual
outlet cylinder 404 with a plurality of outlet openings 406,
and a seal 408 and a connecting piece 410 for the initial
container. Furthermore, a control cylinder 412 with locking
pawls 414 integrally formed on it as a single piece, an outer
sleeve 416 and a helical spring 418 between the outer sleeve
416 and the connecting piece 410 of the outlet cylinder
subassembly 402 are provided. The helical spring 418 can be
molded onto the outer sleeve 416 or the outlet cylinder
subassembly 402 as a single piece. The connecting piece 410
is screwed to a matching external thread of the initial
container (not illustrated), and there is therefore a flow
connection between an interior space of the initial container
and the outlet cylinder subassembly 402. The connecting piece
{00112455.DOC)
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410 is provided above its internal thread turns with a
plurality of latching cams 420, which are distributed over
its inner circumference and can latch with matching latching
cams of the initial container (not illustrated). After the
connecting piece 410 is completely screwed onto the initial
container, the connecting subassembly 400 and the initial
container are then connected fixedly to each other in such a
manner that the operation (still to be described below) of
the connecting subassembly and especially the screwing
thereof onto the target container and the movement thereof
between an open position and a closed position can take place
solely by movement of the initial container. The connecting
subassembly 400 no longer has to be touched for this purpose.
This is of great significance in particular in the event of
poor accessibility, for example in the engine compartment of
a motor vehicle.
Even after the connecting piece 410 is screwed onto
the initial container, the connecting subassembly 400 remains
in the closed state illustrated in fig. 9a. Even if it were
attempted to displace the outlet cylinder subassembly 402
relative to the outer sleeve 416, a displacement of this type
would only be possible to a very small extent, but would not
at any rate have any effect on the closed state of the
connecting subassembly 400. In the illustration of fig. 9a, a
displacement of the outlet cylinder subassembly 402 upwards
relative to the outer sleeve 416 is restricted by stops 422
(00112455.DOC}
CA 02639994 2008-07-23
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against which outwardly projecting projections 424, which
start from the connecting piece 410, strike. The projections
424 are guided in each case in longitudinal grooves 426 in
the outer sleeve 416. The outlet cylinder subassembly 402 can
therefore be displaced relative to the outer sleeve 416 only
parallel to the center longitudinal axis 428. A displacement
of the outlet cylinder subassembly 402 downwards is stopped
by the encircling outer shoulder 430 of the outlet cylinder
404 stopping against the upper side of the locking pawls 414,
which are L-shaped in cross section.
The locking pawls 414 are integrally formed as a
single piece on the control cylinder 412 which, in turn,
rests with an encircling outer shoulder 432 on projections
434 of the outer sleeve 416, which projections project
inwards towards the control cylinder 412. As a result, a
relative movement of the outlet cylinder 404 with respect to
the control cylinder 412 is possible within vary narrow
limits and does not at any rate lead to the release of a flow
path from the initial container through the outlet openings
406 into the target container.
Even if the initial container is screwed onto the
connecting piece 410 of the connecting subassembly 400, a
medium can only pass out of the initial container through the
outlet openings 406 into the control cylinder 412 and is
then, however, retained by the seal 408, which bears with an
encircling sealing lip against an inner wall of the control
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P 46072 WO - 33 -
cylinder 412, in the annular space between the surface area
of the outlet cylinder 404, in which the output openings 406
are provided, the seal 408 and the inner wall of the control
cylinder 412. The liquid cannot escape from this annular
space in the direction of the initial container either, since
an encircling sealing lip 436 is integrally formed on the
outlet cylinder 404 and prevents the medium from flowing back
into the region between the outlet cylinder 404 and the outer
sleeve 416.
In order to release a flow path from the initial
container into the target container, the connecting
subassembly 400 has first to be brought into the operating
position illustrated in fig. 9b. This takes place by the
outer sleeve 416 being screwed onto the connecting piece of
the target container (not illustrated). For this purpose, the
outer sleeve 416 is provided in its lower region with an
internal thread 438 which is screwed onto a corresponding
external thread of a connection piece of the target
container. As has already been mentioned, in order to screw
the connecting subassembly 400 onto the connecting piece of
the target container, the connecting subassembly 400 does not
itself have to be rotated but rather this can take place by
rotation of the initial container which is generally more
readily accessible. Since the initial container is in any
case retained in a substantially rotationally fixed manner in
the connecting piece 410 of the outlet cylinder subassembly
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
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402 by the latching cams 420 and the outlet cylinder
subassembly 402 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on
the outer sleeve 416, a rotation of the initial container
about the center axis 428 causes the entire connecting
subassembly 400 to rotate at the same time and, as a result,
the internal thread 438 can be screwed onto an external
thread of the target container.
After the outer sleeve 416 is completely screwed onto
the connecting piece of the target container, the upper edge
of the target container presses the control cylinder 412
upwards relative to the outer sleeve 416 at the locations
indicated by means of the arrow 440. An encircling projection
442 on the outer sleeve 416, which projection projects into
the interior of the outer sleeve 416, thereby presses onto
the outwardly projecting bearing surfaces 444 of the locking
pawls 414, as a result of which the locking pawls 414 are
pivoted outwards and release the encircling outer shoulder
430 of the outlet cylinder 404. The outlet cylinder
subassembly 402 can thereby be displaced downwards relative
to the outer sleeve 416 and relative to the control cylinder
412 until the open position illustrated in fig. 9c has been
reached.
Upon displacement of the outlet cylinder subassembly
402 downwards relative to the outer sleeve 416, the control
cylinder is secured relative to the outer sleeve 416, since
the upper edge of the connecting flange of the target
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container presses the control cylinder 412 upwards at the
points 440 against the projection 442 on the outer sleeve
416. The displacement of the outlet cylinder subassembly 402
downwards merely requires the exertion of a force on the
initial container, which is connected to the connecting
subassembly 400. As soon as the encircling edge of the seal
408, which edge bears on the inner wall of the control
cylinder 412, leaves the control cylinder 412, a flow path is
released between the initial container and the target
container. Liquid or pourable medium from the initial
container can then pass through the outlet cylinder 404
through the total of six outlet openings 406 having a large
cross section and through the annular gap between the seal
408 and the lower edge of the control cylinder 412 into the
target container. Owing to the large cross section of the
outlet openings 406, an exchange of media can take place at a
great speed.
The open position (illustrated in fig. 9c) of the
connecting subassembly 400 constitutes an end position,
since, in this position, the outlet cylinder 404 strikes with
its encircling outer shoulder 430 against the rear side of
the locking pawls 414. Furthermore, a frustoconical outer
surface of the outlet cylinder 404, which outer surface is
arranged below the encircling outer shoulder 430, strikes
against a likewise frustoconical inner surface of the control
cylinder 412 and thereby prevents a further displacement of
{00112455.DOC}
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the outlet cylinder 404 downwards, in the illustration of
fig. 9c, relative to the control cylinder 412.
In order to interrupt the flow path between initial
container and target container, all that is necessary is to
pull the initial container in the direction away from the
target container. Given an appropriate configuration of the
helical spring 418, such a movement back takes place
automatically, and therefore, in order to interrupt the flow
path, the initial container merely has to be released or a
compressive force in the direction of the target container
reduced. After the initial container is completely moved
back, the operating position (illustrated in fig. 9b) of the
connecting subassembly 400 is reached again, said operating
position being maintained as long as the outer sleeve 416 is
still screwed onto the connecting piece of the target
container. After the connecting subassembly 400 is unscrewed
from the connecting piece of the target container, the
control cylinder 412 can then move downwards again relative
to the outer sleeve 416 until its projection 432 strikes
against the projection 434 of the outer sleeve 416 and the
locking pawls 414 have moved back again into the locking
position illustrated in fig. 9a.
An emptying of the initial container is therefore
possible only if the connecting subassembly 400 is screwed
onto a target container. In the closed state illustrated in
fig. 9a, the numerous locking pawls 414, which are arranged
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
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in a ring shape, reliably prevent a flow path from being
released through the connecting subassembly 400.
The illustration of fig. 10 shows the plan view of an
outlet cylinder subassembly 402 which is sectioned along a
center plane XI-XI. A knurled portion 448, which is provided
in the region of the connecting piece 410 and facilitates the
screwing of the outlet cylinder subassembly 402 onto the
connecting piece of an initial container, can readily be
seen. The latching cams 420 on the inner circumference of the
connecting piece 410, which latching cams, in the completely
screwed-on state, latch with matching latching cams on the
connecting piece of the initial container and thereby bring
about antitwist protection of the outlet cylinder subassembly
402 on the initial container, can likewise readily be seen.
The outlet openings 406 are arranged on the outer
surface of a section of the outlet cylinder 404, which
section tapers conically in the direction of the target
container, and provide a very large, free cross section for
medium to be discharged.
The illustration of fig. 11 shows a view of the
sectioned outlet cylinder subassembly 402 of fig. 10. The
projections 424, which can be guided into matching guides of
the outer sleeve 416 and ensure a rotationally fixed but
axially displaceable arrangement of the outlet cylinder
subassembly 402 in the outer sleeve 416, can readily be seen.
Furthermore, the encircling sealing lip 436, which is
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
P 46072 WO - 38 -
integrally formed on the outer circumference of the outlet
cylinder 404 at the transition between a cylindrical section
and the frustoconical section with the outlet openings 406,
can be readily seen. This frustoconical section with the
outlet openings 406 is adjoined by a cylindrical section 450,
onto which the seal 408 can be pushed by means of its
matching piece and can be secured there. In the region of the
frustoconical section, it can also be seen that a surface
452, which is opposed to the outflowing medium during the
exchange of media between initial container and target
container, is of conical design, and therefore the tip of
this flat, conical surface 452 is opposed to the medium
flowing out of the initial container and through the outlet
cylinder 404. With the conical surface 452, good and, as far
as possible, low-loss flow conditions can be ensured in the
outlet cylinder 404, such that an exchange of media can take
place at high speed.
The illustration of fig. 12 shows an outer sleeve 416
half cut open. In addition to the illustration in figs. 9a,
9b and 9c, latching lugs 454 can be seen on the lower edge of
the outer sleeve 416, which latching lugs project inwards
from the inner circumference of the outer sleeve 416 and can
engage with matching latching cams 454 on the connecting
piece of a target container. The latching cams 454 can
additionally ensure that the connecting subassembly 400
always sits fixedly on the target container such that there
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CA 02639994 2008-07-23
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is no risk of the connecting subassembly 400 being
inadvertently unscrewed again from the target container
during the filling operation. The latching lugs 454 are
expediently arranged in such a manner that only when the
latching cams 454 of the outer sleeve 416 engage with
matching mating latching cams on the target container are the
locking pawls 414 pivoted according to fig. 9b into the
release position. The latching cams 454 and the arrangement
thereof on the inner circumference of the outer sleeve 416
can also be seen in fig. 13.
The illustration of fig. 14 shows a sectional view of
the control cylinder 412 with the locking pawls 414, which
are molded onto the control cylinder 412 as a single piece.
The sectional view of fig. 15 shows a fourth
embodiment of a connecting subassembly 500 according to the
invention. The connecting subassembly 500 is explained in
detail only with reference to those parts which differ from
the connecting subassembly 400 of figs. 9a, 9b, 9c. An outlet
cylinder subassembly 502 is constructed identically per se
and in itself to the outlet cylinder subassembly 402 of the
connecting subassembly 400, only, in the frustoconical region
with outlet openings 506, a tube connecting piece 507 is
provided instead of one of the outlet openings. A venting
tube 510 is pushed into the tube connecting piece 507 and
produces a connection between an initial container 520 and
the annular space 514 between outlet cylinder 504, seal 508
{00112455.DOC}
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and inner wall of the control cylinder 512. The venting tube
510 projects into the interior space of the initial container
520 to an extent such that, in a state of the connecting
subassembly 500 and the initial container 520 in which they
are attached to a target container 522, said venting tube is
located over a liquid level in the initial container 520. In
the illustration of fig. 15, the target container 522 is
illustrated merely schematically and in part in the region of
its connecting piece. During the exchange of media with the
target container, the air displaced by the medium flowing
into the target container 522 can thereby pass through the
tube connecting piece 507 and the venting tube 510 into the
initial container 520. Therefore, with the use of a
connecting subassembly 500, a bidirectional exchange of media
takes place by, namely, liquid or pourable medium passing out
of the initial container 520 into the target container 522
and air displaced at the same time passing out of the target
container 522 into the initial container 520. As a result, a
system which is closed during the exchange of media can be
realized for aggressive or toxic media.
As can be seen in the illustration of fig. 15, the
initial container 520 has a shape matched to the mounting
conditions, with a frustoconical region adjoining its
connecting piece. The generally cylindrical section of the
initial container 520 that adjoins the frustoconical region
is designed with a polygonal outer circumference in order to
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design the initial container 520 such that it can be grasped
by an operator, and therefore, as has already been explained,
the connecting subassembly 500 can be screwed onto the target
container 522, opened and, after exchange of media has taken
place, can also be unscrewed again from the target container
522 merely by handling the initial container 520.
The side view of fig. 16 shows an initial container
600 according to the invention, which can be connected to one
of the connecting subassemblies described above. For this
purpose, a bottle thread 602 of the bottle 600 would be
connected (in a manner not illustrated) to a connecting
subassembly, for example to the outer sleeve thereof. In
order to be able to readily handle the initial container 600
with the connecting subassembly screwed on, even in the case
of very constricted space conditions, for example in the
engine compartment of a motor vehicle, and especially in
order to be able to set the different positions of the
connecting subassembly merely by handling the bottle 600, the
latter has two finger grooves 604 and 606, a main body 608,
which is twelve-angled in cross section, and furthermore
finger-gripping recesses 610. The finger-gripping rer-PqqPq
610 are each designed as depressions which are in the shape
of portions of a circular cylinder and extend with their
longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the
bottle 600. The plurality of finger-gripping recesses 610 are
placed next to one another in a such a manner that in each
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case two finger-gripping recesses 610 are connected to each
other by a web 612 running in the longitudinal direction of
the bottle 600. All of the finger-gripping recesses 610 are
distributed annularly around the outer circumference of the
bottle 600 and are arranged directly above a standing ring
614 of the bottle 600, the bottle then merging into the
bottle base 616. A first stiffening ring 618 is arranged
between the finger-gripping recesses 610, which are arranged
in ring form, and the main body 608, the stiffening ring
imparting increased rigidity to the bottle 600, which is
preferably produced from plastic. A further stiffening ring
620 is arranged between the main body 608 and the finger
groove 606, and a third stiffening ring 622 is arranged
between the two grooves 606 and 604. Following from the
bottle thread 602, there is first of all a latching cam ring
624, which can ensure a fixed support in the connecting
thread of a connecting subassembly. The latching cam ring 624
is adjoined by a region 626 which widens conically and then
merges into the first finger groove 604. There is also a
cross-sectional widening of the bottle 600 in the region of
the first finger groove 604, and only in the region of the
stiffening ring 622 is the largest diameter of the bottle 600
then achieved.
After a connecting subassembly is screwed onto the
bottle thread 602, wherein also a seal of the bottle 600 can
be automatically severed as the connecting subassembly is
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screwed on, the connecting subassembly, as has previously
been described, is in a closed position. In order to bring
the connecting subassembly with the initial container 600
screwed onto it into an operating position, the connecting
subassembly has to be attached, for example screwed, to the
connecting piece of a target container. This can take place
merely by handling the initial container 600, namely by the
operator's first hand engaging in one or both finger grooves
604, 606 and the operator's other hand engaging on the
standing ring 614 and in at least one of the finger-gripping
recesses 610. When the initial container 600 is rotated, the
rotational movement is then applied to the hand acting on the
finger-gripping recesses 610 and the fingers of the second
hand can slide along in the grooves 604, 606. Already shortly
after attachment to the target container, even a single-
handed rotation of the connecting subassembly with the
initial container 600 onto the target container can then take
place. The connecting subassembly can then be brought, as has
likewise already been described, into an open position and
back again into the operating position by simple handling of
the initial container 600 and, for example after complete
emptying of the initial container, the latter can be
unscrewed again together with the connecting subassembly from
the target container.
The sectional views of figs. 17a, 17b and 17c show a
connecting subassembly 702 according to the invention in
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various states in accordance with a sixth embodiment.
In the illustrations of figs. 17a, 17b and 17c, the
connecting subassembly 702 is connected to a target container
704 by an outer sleeve 706 of the connecting subassembly 702
being screwed with an internal thread 708 onto a screw-type
connecting piece 710 of the target container 704. The target
container 704 is only partially illustrated here together
with its screw-on connecting piece 710.
In the state of fig. 17a, the connecting subassembly
702 is not yet completely screwed onto the target container
704 and is still in a locked closed position. According to
the illustration of fig. 17b, the connecting subassembly 702
is completely screwed onto the screw-on connecting piece 710
of the target container 704 and is in an operating position,
in which, although the connecting subassembly still does not
permit any media to flow through, it is already in the
unlocked state. Finally, fig. 17c shows an open position of
the connecting subassembly 702, in which medium can flow
according to an arrow 712 from the initial container (not
illustrated) into the target container and conversely air can
flow back according to the arrow 714 from the target
container into the initial container.
It can be seen with reference to fig. 17a that the
connecting subassembly 702 has an outlet cylinder 716 which
is provided as a single piece with a connecting part 718 with
an internal thread with which the connecting subassembly 702
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can be screwed onto a screw-on connecting piece (not
illustrated) of an initial container. The connecting
subassembly furthermore has a control cylinder 720, in which
the outlet cylinder is displaceably guided and with respect
to which the outlet cylinder is sealed in the closed position
illustrated in fig. 17a by means of two sealing rings 722 and
724. As can be seen with reference to figs. 17a, 17b and 17c,
displacement of the outlet cylinder 716 downwards according
to the arrow 700b when the outlet cylinder 720 is stationary
causes the outlet openings 726 thereof to be released, and
therefore medium can flow through the connecting subassembly
702 according to the arrow 712 and conversely air can flow
back again into the initial container through the outlet
openings 726 and a venting tube 728. The sealing rings 722,
724 ensure that even media which are highly likely to creep
are reliably kept within the connecting subassembly 702 in
the state illustrated in fig. 17a and, in particular during
the screwing onto the target container 704, still no medium
emerges.
In the closed position illustrated in fig. 17a, a
movement of the outlet cylinder 716 relative to the control
cylinder 720 is largely blocked by locking pawls 730 which
have an L-shape cross section and each have a blocking limb
732 and an actuating limb 734. A plurality of locking pawls
730 are spaced apart uniformly from one another around the
circumference of the circular cylindrical outlet cylinder
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716. The locking pawls 730, of which there is a plurality,
are held in the blocking position illustrated in fig. 17a,
for example by means of elastic webs (not illustrated) as are
indicated in the schematic illustration of fig. 4 by way of
example with the reference numbers 294 and 296.
Alternatively, the locking pawls 730 are connected to one
another in the region of their actuating limbs 734 by means
of a continuous ring as illustrated by way of example in
figs. 5 and 6, for example.
It can be seen that, during a movement of the outlet
cylinder 716 downwards, even after a short distance an
encircling projection 736, which extends to the outside, of
the outlet cylinder 716 runs onto a respective free, upper
end of the blocking limbs 732 of the locking pawls 730. This
blocks a movement of the outlet cylinder 716 relative to the
control cylinder 720 downwards according to the arrow 700b.
In the reverse direction upwards, i.e. according to
the arrow 700a, the outlet cylinder 716 is prestressed by
means of the spring 738, wherein a movement upwards is
blocked by an outwardly extending, encircling step of the
connecting part 718 bearing against a likewise encircling,
inwardly projecting projection of the outer sleeve 706.
Before the connecting subassembly 702 is screwed on, it will
accordingly remain in the closed position illustrated in
fig. 17a because of the prestressing of the spring 738 and
also, because of the locking pawls 730 which are in the
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blocking position, it cannot be moved counter to the force of
the spring 738 into the open position illustrated in
fig. 17c.
In the illustration of fig. 17b, the outer sleeve 706
is fully screwed onto the screw-on connecting piece 710 of
the target container 704, as a result of which an inwardly
extending, encircling step of the outer sleeve 706, which
step is situated above the actuating limbs 734 of the locking
pawls 730, is moved downwards relative to the state of
fig. 17a and thereby comes into contact with the upper side
of the actuating limb 734 and then presses this actuating
limb 734 downwards by a certain amount. Since the locking
pawls 730 in the region of the transition between actuating
limb 734 and blocking limb 732 are mounted pivotably on an
encircling bead 742 of the control cylinder 720, the blocking
limbs 732 of the locking pawls 730 are thereby pivoted
outwards. The free, inwardly bent ends of the blocking limbs
732 are thereby moved out of the path of movement of the
encircling step 736 of the outlet cylinder 716, and therefore
the latter can now be displaced downwards counter to the
force of the spring 738.
The state finally reached after full displacement
downwards corresponds to an open position and is illustrated
in fig. 17c. In this open position, the spring 738 is
completely compressed and thereby blocks further movement of
the outlet cylinder 716 downwards. It is to be stressed,
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however, that, in contrast to the embodiment illustrated in
figs 3a to 3c, the locking pawls 730 are moved completely out
of the path of movement of the outlet cylinder 716, and
therefore the outlet cylinder 716 and especially the
encircling step 736 can be moved completely past the locking
pawls 730. It can readily be seen that this is achieved by
the inwardly bent, free ends of the actuating limb 732 of the
locking pawls 730 and that, as a result, given an appropriate
design of the outlet cylinder 716, very large opening paths
can be obtained which can release very large through flow
cross sections.
High through flow rates can also be achieved by the
media exchange, provided according to the invention, between
initial container and target container 704. The medium
flowing according to the arrow 712 from the initial container
into the target container is replaced by air flowing back at
the same time according to the arrow 714. In order to ensure
effective ventilation of the target container 704 during the
filling operation, the venting tube 728 extends into the
initial container to an extent such that its free end is
already above the liquid level of the medium in the initial
container at the beginning of the filling operation.
The helical spring 738 can be designed either as a
steel component or else as a plastic component. This
considerably facilitates the recycling of the connecting
subassembly 702, since the latter, with the exception of the
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sealing rings 722 and 724, can thereby consist entirely of
plastic, in particular the same plastic.
In the region of the outlet openings 726 in the
outlet cylinder, a plurality of outlet openings 726 are
distributed over the circumference of the outlet cylinder 716
in such a manner that the latter is open over an angular
region of overall approximately 270 .
The control cylinder 720 has an outwardly extending,
encircling flange 744 which, after the control cylinder has
been placed onto the target container, comes to lie on the
upper end of the screw-on connecting piece 710 and, as a
result, defines an end position of the control cylinder 720
on the Larget container 704. In order to reliably seal off
this encircling flange 744 and therefore, the connecting
subassembly 702 from the target container 704, the encircling
flange 744 is provided on its lower side, which faces the
target container 704, with an encircling projection 746 which
is triangular in cross section and rests with its point on
the upper side of the screw-on connecting piece 710 of the
target container 704. When the outer sleeve 706 is screwed
onto the target container 704, this projection 746 is pressed
flat and thereby ensures reliable sealing between connecting
subassembly 702 and target container 704. Since the locking
pawls 730 are only pivoted from their blocking position into
the release position when a predefined, travel-dependent and
force-dependent screwing distance is passed through, it is
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also ensured that this projection 746, which fulfils the
function of a sealing ring, provides a reliable seal on the
screw-on connecting piece 710.
(00112455.DOCI
