Female quick-connect coupling element, and a quick-connect coupling incorporating such an element

A female quick-connect coupling element receives for the detachable connection of two pressurised fluid pipes, the female element by fitting, along a longitudinal axis of the female element and in an insertion channel located on a front side of the female element, a male coupling element, the female element comprising:

• a body through which passes a conduit for the circulation of fluid;
• balls for locking the male element in a coupled configuration, with these locking balls being positioned in radial housings of the body and able to protrude radially in the insertion channel;
• and
• an actuating member mobile in translation along the longitudinal axis between a first front position, in which the male element is locked in the female element in a coupled configuration, and a second rear position, in which the male element and the female element are in an uncoupled configuration, during a disconnection maneuver of the male element and the female element,
• wherein the female quick-connect coupling element includes an intermediate locking ring mobile in axial translation between a rear position, in which an internal wall of the intermediate ring maintains the locking balls protruding in the insertion channel in a coupled configuration of the coupling, and a front position of the front side of the female element, in which the locking balls are free to be pushed back opposite the longitudinal axis of the female element in order to no longer protrude in the insertion channel,
• wherein the intermediate ring is pushed back to its front position under the action of the actuating member during the disconnection maneuver, and
• wherein the female element further comprises means of locking in rear position of the intermediate ring in the coupled configuration of the coupling, wherein the unlocking of the intermediate ring towards its front position is triggered by the clearing of the actuating member towards its second rear position.