SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING A HOSE CLAMP ON A HOSE END, IN PARTICULAR LADELUFTUND OF KÜHLWASSERSCHLAUCHS
This application is a continuation application of international patent application PCT/EP 2007/057361, filed Jul. 17, 2007, designating the United States and claiming priority from German applications 10 2006 039 847.5 and 10 2006 057 497.4, filed Aug. 25, 2006 and Dec. 6, 2006, respectively, and the entire contents of said applications are incorporated herein by reference. The invention relates to a system for pre-positioning a hose clamp on a hose end, in particular of a charge-air hose and cooling-water hose. Charge-air hoses have to be securely connected to fixed components, such as plastic or metal pipes, the turbocharger, the charge-air cooler or the engine inlet system. The hitherto used connections between the elastomer hoses and the rigid components are predominantly based on the clamping principle. This applies both to conventional connections, for example, the fastening of a hose with a hose clamp, and for more recent plug-in connections in which an end piece is likewise pressed onto the hose. In this type of connection, the hose end is pushed onto a fixed connecting piece and is subsequently clamped with a hose clamp. The hose and hose clamp are customarily manufactured such that they are preassembled at a distributor and are supplied for the final assembly. To this end, the hose clamp is to be fastened to the hose so as not to become separated therefrom. The hose clamp is to be fastened such that it is axially and radially secure in preassembly. However, the hose clamp must not be restricted or blocked. European patent publication 0 593 852 B1 discloses a hose clamp with a retaining part which is of annular design and is comprised of elastic material, wherein the retaining part comprises two coaxial and open rings which are arranged next to each other. The ends of the rings are connected in pairs to each other in the axial direction by webs. In this case, the hose clamp is inserted between the open rings. U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,354 discloses a hose arrangement which comprises a hose made of polymeric material and is in particular provided with an embedded reinforcement. At least one hose end is pushed onto a metal or plastic pipe stub and a screw clamp presses the hose end onto the pipe stub. The known solutions for fastening the hose clamps have substantial disadvantages residing in possible assembly errors. Furthermore, it is not precluded that the particular fastening means damage the hose pipe stub during the assembly of the hose clamp. It is an object of the invention to realize a pre-fastening of a hose clamp to a hose end in an easy-to-assemble manner, in particular to provide a structurally simple system for pre-positioning a hose clamp, with the system securing the hose clamp on a hose end in a manner so as to prevent twisting and axial displacement. The system according to the invention for pre-positioning a hose clamp on a hose end includes a) a fixing part which is connected non-releasably to an annular segment of the hose clamp and is fastened to the hose end, and b) one or more, preferably two, fixing parts which each have a U-shaped element which, fastened to the hose end, is directed with its open side to the hose surface. The web, which connects the two U-legs, runs axially and parallelly to the hose surface and the U-leg closest to the hose end has a connecting element with which the U-shaped element is fastened to the end face of the hose end. According to the invention, the U-shaped element is designed in such a manner that the hose clamp, which is pulled onto the hose end, is fixed releasably in the intermediate space of the U-shaped element by means of an annular segment such that the hose clamp is released from the fixation during tightening. The fixing part remains without function on the hose end after the hose clamp has been tightened. Or, the U-shaped element is designed in such a manner that the hose clamp, which is pulled onto the hose end, is placed loosely but securely in the intermediate space of the U-shaped element with an annular segment. The hose clamp is secured by the two U-legs against axial displacement, with the fixing part remaining without function on the hose end after the hose clamp has been tightened. The effect achieved by a simple system of this type is that the hose clamp is positioned on the hose end in a defined, easy-to-install and captive manner. The fixing parts, which are preferably spaced uniformly from one another, prevent twisting of the hose clamp in the axial and radial directions. The fixing part, which is connected non-releasably to the annular segment of the hose clamp and is fastened to the hose end, forms a clamp fixation point and prevents radial twisting or rotation of the hose clamp. Axial displacement of the hose clamp is prevented by the further fixing part or by the further, preferably two further, fixing parts. The hose clamp is preferably fixed releasably or placed loosely in these fixing parts at a clear distance from the hose surface. When the hose clamp is tightened, the hose clamp band diameter is reduced, with the hose clamp being pulled out of the above-mentioned fixing parts. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fixing part, which is connected non-releasably to the annular segment of the hose clamp preferably by means of spot welding, is connected to the annular segment in such a manner that, after the fixing part has been installed on the hose end, the hose clamp rests on the hose surface in the region of the annular segment. Like the further fixing part or the further fixing parts, the fixing part connected non-releasably to the annular segment of the hose clamp preferably has a U-shaped element which, fastened to the hose end, points with its open side to the hose surface, with the web, which connects the two U-legs, running axially and parallelly to the hose surface, and with the U-leg closest to the hose end having a connecting element with which the U-shaped element is fastened to the end face of the hose end. A further embodiment of the invention provides that the fixing parts and the hose clamp can be connected to form a unit before being installed on the hose end in order to be fastened to the hose end in a simpler and better manner. The fixing parts can subsequently be fastened by their connecting elements to the end face of the hose end such that the hose clamp is then pre-positioned in the open state on the hose end in a manner so as to be secure against twisting and against radial and axial displacement. After the hose end has been pushed onto a pipe stub, the hose clamp can then be securely tightened, with the hose clamp being released from the fixing part or the further fixing parts and pressing the hose end onto the pipe stub. There need be no concern that the fixing parts will have a negative influence. They remain without function on the hose end. Since the fixing part according to the invention is reduced in number of parts and can be produced with small dimensions, the space required is extremely small. The system is simple to install on the hose end. As an alternative to the releasable fixing, a fixing part, which is intended to secure the pre-positioned hose clamp on the hose end only against axial displacement, is formed in a surprisingly simple manner in that the hose clamp, which is pulled onto the hose end, is placed loosely in the intermediate space of the U-shaped element with an annular segment, with the fixing part likewise remaining without function on the hose end after the hose clamp has been tightened. In this way, the two U-legs secure the hose clamp against axial displacement before and during tightening. A further embodiment of the invention provides that the releasable fixing is defined by a releasable snap-in or latching connection between the annular segment and the U-legs. This involves a particularly simply designed connection which readily fulfils its purpose of releasably fixing the hose clamp. Furthermore, it is provided that the insides of the U-legs each have, for the releasable fixing of the annular segment, one or more hooks, nubs, bulges or other projections which, toward the web, form undercuts into which the side edges of the annular segment can be releasably latched. As a result, the hose clamp can be connected particularly simply to the fixing part or the fixing parts. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the outsides of the U-legs have a crease running parallel to the hose surface such that a corresponding projection is produced in each case on the insides of the U-legs in order to form an undercut into which the side edges of the annular segment can be releasably latched. An alternative advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the outsides of the U-legs have at least one punch indent such that a corresponding projection is produced in each case on the insides of said U-legs in order to form an undercut into which the side edges of the annular segment can be releasably latched. Another embodiment of the invention provides that the insides of the U-legs each have, for the releasable fixing of the annular segment, one or more undercuts, in particular in the form of grooves, notches or other depressions into which the side edges of the annular segment can be releasably latched. The U-legs essentially form the snap-in arms. According to the invention, the releasable fixing can also be produced by means of a releasable snap-in or latching connection between the annular segment and the web. For this purpose, the web is preferably designed as a U-shaped plastic part which is directed with its open side to the hose surface, with the web of the plastic part, which web connects the two U-legs, running axially and parallelly to the hose surface. The ends of the U-legs of the web have respective inwardly pointing projections and these projections form undercuts toward the web of the plastic part into which the side edges of the annular segment can be releasably latched. A further embodiment of the invention provides that parts of the U-shaped element or of the annular segment are plastically deformable for releasably fixing the hose clamp. For this purpose, the U-legs preferably each have a tab, one tab lying opposite the other and being pressed at its free end out of the leg wall into the intermediate space and being aligned with the hose surface such that the annular segment of the hose clamp is arranged fixed between the web and tab, with the tabs being pressed back into the leg wall during tightening of the hose clamp. This involves a releasable fixing by means of deformation rather than a latching or snap-in connection. The hose clamp or the annular segment thereof is first brought into the intermediate space of the U-shaped element. The hose clamp is then fixed between web and tab by the tabs being pressed in. When the hose clamp is tightened, the force acting on the tabs undoes the pressing-in thereof again. Furthermore, it is provided that both the web of the U-shaped element and the annular segment of the hose clamp have a through bore and can be connected to each other by means of a plastic rivet in such a manner that the plastic rivet is pulled out of the through bore during tightening of the hose clamp, with the hose clamp being released. Furthermore, it is provided that the web of the U-shaped element has a through bore, and the annular segment of the hose clamp has a protuberance, with the protuberance being guided through the through bore and being bent outward in order to releasably fix the hose clamp to the U-shaped element. This connection is preferably an annular snap-in connection. As an alternative thereto, the annular segment of the hose clamp can be clamped or wedged releasably between the U-legs in a frictional manner, with the insides of the U-legs converging in a wedge-shaped manner toward the web. The connecting element is preferably pressed onto the hose end or pushed and pressed into the hose end or inserted and pressed into shaped openings. Since there is the risk during pressing that the hose stub will be damaged, the insertion variant is preferable. The connecting element is preferably a U-shaped part, the open end of which is directed to the end face of the hose end, with one U-leg of the connecting element being connected to the U-leg of the U-shaped element to form an integral element therewith. The fixing part is preferably comprised of metal and/or of plastic. The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings described below. FIGS. 1 FIGS. 2 FIGS. 3 FIGS. 4 FIGS. 5 FIGS. 6 FIGS. 7 FIG. 8 shows, schematically, in side view, a fixing part with a connecting piece which is pushed into the hose end illustrated in longitudinal section. FIG. 9 shows, schematically, in side view, a fixing part with a connecting piece which is pressed onto the hose end illustrated in longitudinal section. FIG. 10 shows, in a perspective view, a system which is fastened to a hose end and is for pre-positioning a hose clamp on the hose end. In all the figures, identical reference numbers refer to identical components. FIGS. 1 The fixing part 1 serves to pre-position a hose clamp on a hose end before the latter is pushed onto a pipe stub. Here, it is necessary for the hose clamp to be initially arranged in spaced relationship to the hose, that is, to be able to be tightened so that the hose end can be pushed onto the pipe stub. Only thereafter is the hose end fastened to the pipe stub by the hose clamp being tightened. According to the invention, the fixing part 1 comprises a U-shaped element which, fastened to the hose end, faces with its open side 3 to the hose surface and the web 6 which connects the two U-legs (4, 5) runs axially and parallelly to the hose surface. The U-leg 4 closest to the hose end has a connecting element 7 with which the U-shaped element is fastened to the end face of the hose end. According to the invention, the connecting element 7 is a U-shaped part, the open end 22 of which faces to the end face of the hose end and a U-leg 23 of the connecting element 7 is connected to the U-leg 4 of the U-shaped element, preferably as an integral part. The connecting element 7 is either pressed onto the hose end, with the end-face hose wall being located between the U-legs of the connecting element 7, or the connecting element 7 is pushed into the hose end, with the U-leg of the connecting element 7, which U-leg is not connected to the U-leg 4 of the U-shaped element, then being disposed in the end-face hose wall. The U-shaped element is configured so that the hose clamp 2, which is pulled onto the hose end, is fixed releasably in the intermediate space 8 of the U-shaped element by an annular segment so that the hose clamp 2 is released from the fixing when tightened, with the fixing part 1 remaining without function on the hose end after the hose clamp 2 has been tightened. The releasable fixing shown in FIG. 1 is a releasable snap-in or latching connection between the annular segment of the hose clamp 2 and the U-legs (4, 5). According to the invention, the outsides of the U-legs (4, 5) have respective creases 9 running parallel to the hose surface (not shown here) such that corresponding projections 10 are formed on respective sides of the U-legs to form an undercut into which the side edges of the annular segment are releasably latched. In this case, the creases 9 are designed in such a manner that the hose clamp is released from the fixing, that is from the undercut, during tightening. FIGS. 2 With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIG. 1 in order to avoid repetition, with identical reference numbers referring to identical parts. The fixing part 1 illustrated in FIGS. 2 FIGS. 3 With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIGS. 1 For releasably fixing the annular segment of the hose clamp 2, the inner sides of the U-legs (4, 5) of the fixing part 1 have respective undercuts in the form of notches 13 into which the side edges of the annular segment are latched releasably or, with respect to FIG. 3 Instead of a releasable snap-in or latching connection between the annular segment and the U-legs (4, 5), a releasable snap-in or latching connection can also be provided between the annular segment and the web 6. A fixing part 1 of the above type is shown in FIGS. 4 With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIGS. 1 According to the invention, in the embodiment of the fixing part 1 shown in FIGS. 4 Furthermore, it is possible for parts of the U-shaped element or of the annular segment to be plastically deformable for releasably fixing the hose clamp 2. One such fixing part 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 For the releasable fixing of the hose clamp 2, the U-legs (4, 5) each have a tab 19. The tabs 19 lie opposite each other and are pressed at their respective free ends out of the corresponding leg wall into the intermediate space 8 and are aligned with the hose surface (not shown here) in such a manner that the annular segment of the hose clamp 2 is fixed between the web 6 and tabs 19. According to the invention, when the hose clamp is tightened, the tabs 19 are pressed back into the respective leg walls with the hose clamp 2 being released from the fixing. Another embodiment for the releasable fixing is shown in FIGS. 6 With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIGS. 1 According to the invention, both the web 6 of the U-shaped element and the annular segment of the hose clamp 2 have a through bore and are connected to each other by means of a plastic rivet 20 in such a manner that the plastic rivet 20 is pulled out of the through bore of the hose clamp 2 during tightening of the hose clamp 2, with the hose clamp 2 being released. Another embodiment for the releasable fixing is shown in FIGS. 7 With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIG. 1 According to the invention, the web 6 of the U-shaped element has a through bore, but the annular segment of the hose clamp 2 has a protuberance 21. The protuberance 21 is guided through the bore and is bent outwards to releasably fix the hose clamp 2 to the U-shaped element. When the hose clamp 2 is tightened, the protuberance 21 deforms and is pulled out of the through bore because of the deformation, with the hose clamp 2 being released from the fixing part 1. FIG. 8 shows, schematically, in side view, a fixing part 1 according to the invention with a connecting piece 7 which is pushed into a hose end 24 (shown in longitudinal section). In this case, the U-leg of the connecting element 7, which U-leg is not connected to the U-leg 4 of the U-shaped element, is located in the end-side hose wall. With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIGS. 1 FIG. 9 shows, schematically, in side view, a fixing part 1 according to the invention with a connecting piece 7 which is pressed onto the hose end 24 (shown in longitudinal section). In this embodiment, the end face of the hose wall is located between the U-legs of the connecting element 7. With regard to the general configuration of the fixing part 1, reference is made to the description for FIGS. 1 An annular segment (shown in cross section) of the hose clamp 2 is arranged in the intermediate space 8 of the U-shaped element of the fixing part 1. In contrast to the releasable attachments shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 After the hose clamp 2 is tightened, the fixing part 1 also remains here without function on the hose end 24. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a system according to the invention which is fastened to a hose end 24 and pre-positions a hose clamp 2 on the hose end 24. The system here comprises three fixing parts 1, 1′ and 1″ having respective U-shaped connecting pieces (7, 7′, 7″) inserted into the hose end 24. In this embodiment, the U-leg of the connecting element (7, 7′, 7″) is disposed in the end face of the hose wall. This U-leg of the connecting element (7, 7′, 7″) is not connected to the U-leg (4, 4′) of the U-shaped element. The fixing part 11 of the system is connected unreleasably to an annular segment of the hose clamp 2 by spot welding. In this region, the hose clamp 2 rests on the hose surface. With this fixing part 1′, the hose clamp 2 can be pre-positioned so as not to rotate on the hose end 24 and can be finally installed later. In the other two fixing parts 1 and 1″, the hose clamp 2 is fixed releasably, preferably latched-in or clipped-in with an annular segment and at a relatively large radial distance from the hose surface. By means of these fixing parts 1 and 1″, the hose clamp 2 can be pre-positioned on the hose end 24 in particular against axial displacement. With the system, the hose clamp 2 is secured axially and radially against displacement and therefore has good assembly characteristics. After the hose end 24 is pushed onto a pipe stub (not shown here), the hose clamp 2 can be securely tightened and consequently finally installed with the hose clamp being released from the fixing parts 1 and 1″ and pressing the hose end 24 securely onto the pipe stub. The fixing parts land 1 and 1″ remain without function on the hose end 24. It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. System for re-positioning a hose clip on a hose end consisting of: (a) a fixing part permanently fixed to an annular hose clip section and fastened to the hose end, and fixing parts each including a U-shaped element fastened to the hose end with its open side pointing to the hose surface. The web connecting the two U-limbs extends axially parallel to the hose surface. Each U-shaped element is designed so that the hose clip pulled onto the hose end is fixed releaseably in the intermediate space of the U-shaped element by means of an annular section so that is released from the fixing during tightening while the fixing part remains without any function on the on the hose end after the hose clip has been tightened. System for pre-positioning a hose clip (2) on a hose end (24), comprising
a) a first fixing part (1') which is connected to an annular section of the hose clip (2) and is fastened to the hose end (24), and b) one or more, preferably two, further fixing parts (1, 1") which each have a U-shaped element which, fastened to the hose end (24), points with its open side (3) to the hose surface, wherein the web (6) which connects the two U limbs (4, 5) runs axially and parallel to the hose surface, and wherein the U limb (4) closest to the hose end (24) has a connecting element (7) with which the U-shaped element is fastened to the end side of the hose end (24), wherein the U-shaped element is designed in such a manner that the hose clip (2) which is pulled onto the hose end (24) is fixed in the intermediate space (8) of the U-shaped element by means of an annular section, characterized in that the hose clip is fixed by means of a releasable snap-in or latching connection between the annular section and the U limbs (4, 5) or the web (6) in such a manner that the hose clip (2) is released from the fixing during tightening, with the fixing part (1) remaining without function on the hose end (24) after the hose clip (2) has been tightened, and in that the first fixing part is connected non-releasably to the hose clip. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fixing part (1') which is connected non-releasably to the annular section of the hose clip (2) preferably by means of spot welding is connected to the annular section in such a manner that, after the fixing part (1') has been installed on the hose end (24), the hose clip (2) rests in the region of said annular section of the hose surface. System according to Claim 2, characterized in that the fixing part (1') which is connected non-releasably to the annular section of the hose clip (2) has a U-shaped element which, fastened to the hose end (24), points with its open side to the hose surface, with the web (6') which connects the two U limbs (4') running axially and parallel to the hose surface, and with the U limb (4') closest to the hose end (24) having a connecting element (7') with which the U-shaped element is fastened to the end side of the hose end (24). System according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fixing parts (1, 1' , 1") and the hose clip (2) can be connected to form a unit before being installed on the hose end (24). System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insides of the U limbs (4, 5) each have, for the releasable fixing of the annular section, one or more hooks, studs, bulges or other projections which, toward the web (6), form undercuts into which the side edges of the annular section can be releasably latched. System according to Claim 5, characterized in that the outsides of the U limbs (4, 5) have a bead (9) running parallel to the hose surface such that a corresponding projection (10) is produced in each case on the insides of said U limbs in order to form an undercut into which the side edges of the annular section can be releasably latched. System according to Claim 5, characterized in that the outsides of the U limbs (4, 5) have at least one center-punch mark (11) such that a corresponding projection (12) is produced in each case on the insides of said U limbs in order to form an undercut into which the side edges of the annular section can be releasably latched. System according to Claim 5, characterized in that the insides of the U limbs (4, 5) each have, for the releasable fixing of the annular section, one or more undercuts, in particular in the form of grooves, notches (13) or other depressions into which the side edges of the annular section can be releasably latched. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the web is a U-shaped plastic part which points with its open side (14) to the hose surface, with the web (15) of the plastic part, which web connects the two U limbs, running axially and parallel to the hose surface, and with the ends of the U limbs (16, 17) of said web each having an inwardly pointing projection (18), said projections, toward the web (15) of the plastic part, forming undercuts into which the side edges of the annular section can be releasably latched. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that parts of the U-shaped element or of the annular section are plastically deformable for the releasable fixing of the hose clip (2). System according to Claim 10, characterized in that, for the releasable fixing of the hose clip (2), the U limbs (4, 5) each have a tab (19), one tab lying opposite the other tab and being pressed at its free end out of the limb wall into the intermediate space (8) and being aligned with the hose surface in such a manner that the annular section is arranged between the web (6) and tab (19), with the tabs (19) being pressed back into the limb wall during tightening of the hose clip (2). System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that both the web (6) of the U-shaped element and the annular section of the hose clip (2) have a through hole and can be connected to each other by means of a plastic rivet (20) in such a manner that the plastic rivet (20) is pulled out of the through hole during tightening of the hose clip (2), with the hose clip (2) being released. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the web (6) of the U-shaped element has a through hole, and the annular section of the hose clip has a protuberance (21), with the protuberance (21) being guided through the through hole and being bent outward in order to releasably fix the hose clip (2) to the U-shaped element. System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the annular section can be clamped or wedged releasably between the U limbs (4, 5) in a frictional manner, with the insides of the U limbs (4, 5) converging in a wedge-shaped manner toward the web (6). System according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the connecting element (7) is pressed onto the hose end (24). System according to one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the connecting element (7) is inserted into the hose end (24). System according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the connecting element (7) is a U-shaped part, the open side (22) of which points to the end side of the hose end (24), with a U limb (23) of the connecting element (7) being connected to the U limb (4) of the U-shaped element, preferably with a cohesive material joint. System according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the fixing part (1, 1', 1") is composed of metal and/or of plastic.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
(is Part of the Description)