Connection system
Disclosed is a connection system for releasably coupling a first body ( 5 ) with a flange ( 25 ) to a fluid-conducting system in a force-fitting manner, and the invention also relates to a connection system for releasably coupling the interior of a first fluid-conducting body ( 5 ) to the interior of a second fluid-conducting body ( 3 ) in a force-fitting manner. The second body ( 3 ) has a second end with a circumferential wall ( 22 ), a membrane contact portion ( 9 ) which can be found on the wall, and an opening ( 43 ). A retaining element ( 2 ) has a passage ( 35 ) and a peripheral outer edge ( 24 ). One side and/or the passage ( 35 ) of the retaining element ( 2 ) is coupled to the membrane ( 1 ), and an annular wall ( 26 ) is arranged on the same side, said annular wall being connected to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) of the second body ( 3 ). The other side is designed to contact the surface of the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ). The retaining element ( 2 ) can also be integrated into the second body ( 3 ) when the first body ( 5 ) is fluid-conductive. The releasable connection element ( 4 ) is designed to at least partly surround the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the retaining element ( 2 ) and the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ).
1. A connection system for releasably force-fittingly coupling a first body ( 5 ) to a fluid-carrying system via a fluid-tight membrane ( 1 ),
the connection system comprising the membrane ( 1 ) and a second body ( 3 ) having an interior space coupled to the fluid-carrying system, and the first body ( 5 ) comprising a first end with a flange ( 25 ),
wherein the second body ( 3 ) comprises a second end with an interior space ( 23 ), a circumferential wall ( 22 ) and an opening ( 43 ), wherein the circumferential wall ( 22 ) comprises a membrane contact portion ( 9 ) circumferential around the opening ( 43 ), the membrane contact portion ( 9 ) being in contact with the membrane ( 1 ), wherein
(a) the connection system comprises a disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) with a passage ( 35 ), a first side, a second side and a peripheral outer edge ( 24 ), at least one of the first side and the passage ( 35 ) of the holding member ( 2 ) being coupled to the membrane ( 1 ), wherein the second side of the holding member ( 2 ) is designed for surface-to-surface contact with the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), and wherein the disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) has a diameter that is larger than the height thereof, or
(b) the second end of the second body ( 3 ) defines a flange-like disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ′) having a peripheral outer edge ( 24 ), the flange-like disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ′) being in contact with the membrane ( 1 ) and being designed for surface-to-surface contact with the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), and wherein the first body is fluid-carrying, and
wherein the connection system comprises a releasable connection member ( 4 ), which is designed to at least partially grip around the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the holding member ( 2 , 2 ′) and the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ) circumferentially, such that the holding member ( 2 , 2 ′) is releasably force-fittingly fixable to the first body ( 5 ) by means of the connection member ( 4 ).
2. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the connection system comprises said disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) with a passage ( 35 ), a first side, a second side and a peripheral outer edge ( 24 ), wherein
on the first side of the holding member ( 2 ) there is arranged a circumferential wall ( 26 ), which is connected to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) of the second body ( 3 ).
3. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) and the connection member ( 4 ) lockably engage each other.
4. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein
(a) the membrane contact portion ( 9 ) that is circumferential around the opening ( 43 ) is connected to the membrane ( 1 ); or
(b) at least one of the first side and the passage ( 35 ) of the disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) is connected to the membrane ( 1 ).
5. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the first body ( 5 ) is a measuring element and the second body ( 3 ) is a measuring chamber connectable to a fluid system such that passage of fluid is allowed through the connection,
wherein the membrane ( 1 ) is substantially more flexible than the walls of the interior space of the second body ( 3 ) and allows a transmission of compressive forces from the measuring chamber to the measuring element ( 5 ),
wherein the first side and the passage ( 35 ) of the holding member ( 2 ) are in contact with the membrane ( 1 ),
wherein the first side of the holding member ( 2 ) is coupled to the membrane ( 1 ) and to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) of the measuring chamber ( 3 ), and the second side is adapted for surface-to-surface contact with the flange ( 25 ) of the measuring element ( 5 ).
6. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein
(a) the membrane ( 1 ) is welded, glued or sealed to at least one of the circumferential wall ( 22 ) of the second body ( 3 ) and to the holding member ( 2 ), or the membrane ( 1 ) is clamped, connected or a combination thereof to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) wherein the membrane ( 1 ) is connected to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) by means of at least one of multi-component injection molding and liquid silicone rubber or by a combination thereof; or
(b) the holding member ( 2 ) is connected to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) of the second body by one of welding, gluing, sealing, clamping, multi-component injection molding, of liquid silicone rubber or by a combination of multi-component injection molding and liquid silicone rubber; or
(c) the holding member ( 2 ) is connected to the circumferential wall ( 22 ) of the second body by one of welding, gluing sealing, or clamping, and by means of one of multi-component injection molding, liquid silicone rubber or a combination thereof.
7. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein
the holding member ( 2 ) comprises at least one arm ( 10 ) and wherein the connection member ( 4 ) comprises an essentially U-shaped clamp with two legs ( 31 ), and wherein the essentially U-shaped clamp comprises an opening or an outlet accommodating the arm ( 10 ), and/or
the connection member ( 4 ) comprises one or more clamping levers which are movably coupled to the holding member ( 2 ) and are adapted to at least partially grip around the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), or
the connection member ( 4 ) comprises an arm ( 30 ), the arm being movably coupled to the holding member ( 2 ) and adapted to grip around the outer side of the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ) and the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the holding member ( 2 ) or
the connection member ( 4 ) comprises a first thread and the holding member ( 2 ) comprises a second thread, wherein the first and the second thread fit into one another and are screwed together, or
the connection member ( 4 ) comprises a circumferential wall comprising the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the holding member ( 2 ), the circumferential wall comprising a plurality of axially offset recesses, and wherein the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the holding member ( 2 ) comprises a plurality of axially offset protrusions and wherein the plurality of axially offset protrusions are held in the plurality of offset recesses in the form of a bayonet closure.
8. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the second side of the holding member ( 2 ) comprises a peripheral hook element ( 7 ), the hook element ( 7 ) being adapted to at least partially grip around the outer side of the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ).
9. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the connection member ( 4 ) comprises
one or more clamping levers and a holding member ( 2 ) with at least one hook element ( 7 ), or
one or more snap connections and a holding member ( 2 ) with one or more hook elements ( 7 ), or
two or more clamping levers, or
an essentially U-shaped clamp and a holding member ( 2 ) with one or more hook elements ( 7 ).
10. The connection system of claim 1 , wherein the connection member ( 4 ) is defined by an essentially U-shaped clamp having an upper pair of legs, a lower pair of legs and a side wall ( 28 ) connecting each upper and lower leg, the side wall ( 28 ) comprising a recess ( 13 ) on the side of each leg,
the holding member ( 2 ) comprising a pair of arms ( 10 ) arranged parallel to the plane of the flange ( 25 ),
wherein the holding member ( 2 ) is arranged between the upper and the lower leg of the essentially U-shaped clamp ( 6 ) such that the ends of the arms ( 10 ) are insertable into the recess ( 13 ).
11. A connection system for releasably force-fittingly coupling the interior space of a first fluid-carrying body ( 5 ) to the interior space of a second fluid-carrying body ( 3 ),
wherein the first body ( 5 ) comprises a first end with a flange ( 25 ) and an outlet of the interior space of the first fluid-carrying body ( 5 ), and the second body ( 3 ) comprises a second end defining a flange-like disc-shaped holding member ( 2 ′), comprising a peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) and a central opening ( 55 ) of the interior space of the second fluid-carrying body ( 3 ),
the holding member ( 2 ′) being coupled to the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), such that the holding member ( 2 ′) can be seated on the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ),
wherein the connection system comprises a connection member ( 4 ) which is designed to at least partially grip around the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the holding member ( 2 ′) and the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), such that the holding member ( 2 ′) is force-fittingly fixed to the first body ( 5 ) by means of the releasable connection member ( 4 ),
wherein the holding member ( 2 ′) comprises at least one arm ( 10 ), and wherein the connection member ( 4 ) comprises an essentially U-shaped clamp with two legs ( 31 ), and wherein the essentially U-shaped clamp comprises a recess ( 13 ), into which the arm ( 10 ) can be slid.
12. The connection system of claim 11 , wherein the holding member ( 2 ) comprises a first side and a second side, the first side of the holding member ( 2 ) being in contact with the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), and wherein a circumferential protrusion ( 46 ) is arranged on the first side of the holding member ( 2 ).
13. The connection system of claim 11 , further comprising a membrane ( 1 ) arranged between the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ) and the first side of the holding member ( 2 ) of the second body ( 3 ).
14. The connection system of claim 11 , wherein the first fluid-carrying body ( 5 ) and the second fluid-carrying body ( 3 ) are pivotally connected to each other.
15. The connection system of claim 11 , wherein the second side of the holding member ( 2 ) comprises a peripheral hook element ( 7 ), the hook element ( 7 ) being adapted to at least partially grip around the outer side of the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ).
16. The connection system of claim 11 , wherein the connection member ( 4 ) comprises
one or more clamping levers and a holding member ( 2 ) with at least one hook element ( 7 ), or
one or more snap connections and a holding member ( 2 ) with one or more hook elements ( 7 ), or
two or more clamping levers, or
an essentially U-shaped clamp and a holding member ( 2 ) with one or more hook elements ( 7 ).
17. The connection system of claim 11 , wherein the connection member ( 4 ) is defined by said essentially U-shaped clamp, the essentially U-shaped clamp having an upper pair of legs, a lower pair of legs and a side wall ( 28 ) connecting each upper and lower leg, the side wall ( 28 ) comprising a recess ( 13 ) on the side of each leg,
the holding member ( 2 ) comprising a pair of arms ( 10 ) arranged parallel to the plane of the flange ( 25 ),
wherein the holding member ( 2 ) is arranged between the upper and the lower leg of the essentially U-shaped clamp ( 6 ) such that the ends of the arms ( 10 ) are insertable into the recess ( 13 ).
18. A method of releasably force-fittingly coupling a first body ( 5 ) to a fluid-carrying system via a fluid-tight membrane ( 1 ),
wherein the first body ( 5 ) comprises a first end with a flange ( 25 ), and wherein an interior space ( 23 ) of a second body ( 3 ) is coupled to the fluid-carrying system,
wherein the second body ( 3 ) comprises a second end with a circumferential wall ( 22 ) as well as the interior space ( 23 ) with an opening ( 43 ) thereof, the circumferential wall ( 22 ) comprising a membrane contact portion ( 9 ) circumferential around the opening ( 43 ) and in contact with the membrane ( 1 ),
wherein furthermore the second end of the second body ( 3 ) is in contact with a disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ),
wherein the disc-shaped holding member ( 2 ) comprises a passage ( 35 ), a first side, a second side and a peripheral outer edge ( 24 ), the first side of the holding member ( 2 ) being in contact with the first end of the first body ( 5 ), and wherein at least one of the first side and the passage ( 35 ) of the disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) is furthermore coupled to the membrane ( 1 ), and wherein the second side of the holding member ( 2 ) is designed for surface-to-surface contact with the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ),
the method comprising:
aligning and bringing into contact the disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ), being located at the second end of the second body ( 3 ), and the first end of the first body ( 5 ), such that the second side of the disk-shaped holding member ( 2 ) rests on the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ), and
thereafter arranging a releasable connection member ( 4 ) to at least partially grip around the flange ( 25 ) of the first body ( 5 ) and the peripheral outer edge ( 24 ) of the disk-shaped holding member, such that the holding member ( 2 ) is force-fittingly fixed to the first body ( 5 ) by means of the connection member ( 4 ).