Coupling element and process for manufacturing such a coupling element

A quick-coupling element for connecting fluid lines, said coupling element comprising:

• a monobloc body defining a passage extending along a longitudinal axis of the coupling element between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being configured for connection to a fluid pipe and defining a proximal opening for the passage of a fluid or for connecting a hollow channel through which the fluid flows and the distal end having a distal mouth for receiving a mating coupling element;
• wherein:
• the coupling element comprises a pusher mounted in the body and movable along the longitudinal axis between a forward position toward the distal end and a rearward position toward the proximal end;
• the body is provided with at least one inner radial guiding surface;
• the pusher is provided with at least one outer radial guiding surface configured to engage the inner radial guiding surface to guide the pusher during movements thereof along the longitudinal axis between the forward and rearward positions thereof;
• the pusher has a radial size defined by a largest radial dimension thereof;
• a section of the proximal opening, transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a maximum dimension smaller than the radial size of the pusher;
• a section of the distal mouth, transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a maximum dimension less than the radial size of the pusher;
• the pusher is mounted captive in an internal volume of the body;
• and
• the pusher is movable, in the internal volume of the body, to a reference position, wherein each outer radial guiding surface of the pusher is disengaged from all inner radial guiding surfaces of the body and each inner radial guiding surface of the body is disengaged from all outer radial guiding surfaces of the pusher;
• the pusher is provided with two outer radial guiding surfaces spaced apart along the longitudinal axis;
• the body is provided with two inner radial guiding surfaces;
• each inner radial guiding surfaces is configured to engage with an inner radial guiding surface, respectively to guide the pusher during the movements thereof along the longitudinal axis between the forward and rearward positions thereof;
• and
• when the pusher is in the reference position, the two outer radial guiding surfaces thereof are disengaged from the two inner radial guiding surfaces of the body.

A quick-coupling element for connecting fluid lines, said coupling element comprising:

• a monobloc body defining a passage extending along a longitudinal axis of the coupling element between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being configured for connection to a fluid pipe and defining a proximal opening for the passage of a fluid or for connecting a hollow channel through which the fluid flows and the distal end having a distal mouth for receiving a mating coupling element;
• wherein:
• the coupling element comprises a pusher mounted in the body and movable along the longitudinal axis between a forward position toward the distal end and a rearward position toward the proximal end;
• the body is provided with at least one inner radial guiding surface;
• the pusher is provided with at least one outer radial guiding surface configured to engage the inner radial guiding surface to guide the pusher during movements thereof along the longitudinal axis between the forward and rearward positions thereof;
• the pusher has a radial size defined by a largest radial dimension thereof;
• a section of the proximal opening, transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a maximum dimension smaller than the radial size of the pusher;
• a section of the distal mouth, transverse to the longitudinal axis, has a maximum dimension less than the radial size of the pusher;
• the pusher is mounted captive in an internal volume of the body;
• the pusher is movable, in the internal volume of the body, to a reference position, wherein each outer radial guiding surface of the pusher is disengaged from all inner radial guiding surfaces of the body and each inner radial guiding surface of the body is disengaged from all outer radial guiding surfaces of the pusher;
• the outer radial guiding surface has a first length, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• the inner radial guiding surface has a second length measured parallel to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• the second length is greater than or equal to a sum of the first length and a travel of the pusher between the forward and rearward positions thereof;
• or
• the first length is greater than or equal to the sum of the second length and the travel of the pusher between the forward and rearward positions thereof.