Tube To Hose Coupling
AssigneeTI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
InventorsCharles Thrift, Rob Koshay, Carolyn Snyder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tube-to-hose coupling includes an elongated hollow insert connected between an end of the tube and defining an insert receiving portion and the end of the hose defining an insert receiving portion. The insert is disposed in the insert receiving portion of the tube end and the insert receiving portion of the hose end in fluid tight sealing relation. Thermoplastic polymeric material is bonded between the insert and the hose during insertion of the insert into the bore of the hose. The tube is connected to the insert and the hose by plastic deformation. In one embodiment the polymeric material is a layer defining the internal bore of the hose. In another, the polymeric material defines an outer layer on the insert.
Claims20
A tube-to-hose coupling comprising:
- a rigid tube having an internal bore including an end portion defining an insert receiving portion;
- a flexible hose having an internal bore defining an insert receiving portion;
- an elongate hollow insert defining a through bore, said insert including an end portion secured within said insert receiving portion of said internal bore of said tube in fluid tight relation, and
- an end portion secured within said insert receiving portion of said internal bore of said hose in fluid tight relation;
- one of said internal bore of said hose and said end portion of said inert secured within said insert receiving portion of said bore of said hose including a thermoplastic layer;
- said thermoplastic layer bonded to said hose and said insert.
A method of forming a coupling between a rigid tube and a flexible hose the steps comprising:
- providing a rigid tube having an internal bore defining an insert receiving portion insert,
- providing a flexible hose having an internal bore defining an insert receiving portion,
- providing an insert having an internal bore and having an end portion defining an outer cylindrical surface to be received in said insert receiving portion of said tube and an end portion defining an outer cylindrical surface to be received in said insert receiving portion of said hose;
- one of said outer cylindrical surface of said insert and said internal bore of said hose including a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material,
- inserting said end portion of said insert into said insert receiving portion of said hose,
- causing at least a portion of said thermoplastic layer to bond at least to of one of said internal bore of said hose and said outer cylindrical surface of said insert,
- inserting said portion of said insert into said insert receiving portion of said tube receiving said tube to said insert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.