IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,305,781
Granted Patent B2
US 12,305,781 · App. 17/774,580 · Granted May 20, 2025

Connector and connector assembly for multi-chamber profiles and/or conduits

Inventors: Dennis Unger (Maintal, DE); Detlef Henrich (Maintal, DE); Nina Harm (Maintal, DE)
Assignee: Norma Germany GmbH
F16L25/14F16L21/022H01M10/6556H01M2220/20
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,305,781
App. No.
17/774,580
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connector for two fluid conduits of different geometries includes a housing having a first and a second connection portion and a fluid channel fluidically connecting both connection portions; a locking element which can be coupled to the housing; and a seal which can be positioned between the housing and the locking element. The locking element and the housing can be positioned relative to one another with respect to the fluid channel such that a receiving portion for receiving the seal is formed between the housing and the locking housing. The first connection portion is designed to connect a first fluid conduit with an elongated cross-section and the second connection portion is designed to connect a second fluid conduit with a round cross-section.

Claims (20)

1. A connector for two fluid lines of different geometries, having

a housing, which comprises a first and a second connection section and a fluid channel which fluidically connects both connection sections,

a locking element, which can be coupled to the housing, the locking element having a first fixing section having at least one hole, and

a seal, which can be arranged between the housing and the locking element,

wherein the locking element and the housing can be arranged with respect to one another in relation to the fluid channel in such a way that a receiving section for receiving the seal is formed between the housing and the locking element,

wherein the first connection section is configured for connection of a first fluid line having an elongate cross section and at least one through-hole, the second connection section is configured for connection of a second fluid line with another cross section,

wherein the at least one hole and the at least one through-hole align to receive a fixing element for fixing the first fluid line to the connector in a form-fitted manner.

2. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing is manufactured as a single piece by injection molding or die casting or additive production.

3. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing and the locking element are latch-able to one another.

4. The connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second fixing section is provided at the housing and/or at the locking element and is configured for fixing of the first fluid line.

5. The connector as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the second fixing section includes at least one cutout for introduction of at least one snap-fit connection, wherein the at least one snap-fit connection is configured for fixing the first fluid line to the connector in a form-fitted manner.

6. The connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector consists of the exactly three components housing, locking element and seal.

7. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein outer dimensions of the housing and the locking element, in terms of their cross sections, are complementary to each other.

8. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fluid channel is formed planar within the housing.

9. The connector as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the first fluid line is introducible at least partially into the fluid channel.

10. The connector as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises stiffening ribs at an outside.

11. A connector arrangement having a connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connector is coupled to the first fluid line which is in the form of a flat channel.

12. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking element is manufactured as a single piece by injection molding or die casting or additive production.

13. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the housing and locking element are manufactured as a single piece by injection molding or die casting or additive production.

14. The connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connector consists of the three components housing, locking element, and seal and at least one fixing element.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2022
From: UNGER, DENNIS; HENRICH, DETLEF; HARM, NINA
To: NORMA GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 059828/0466 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2019 129 828.8 · Nov 5, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220399594A1 · Dec 15, 2022
References Cited (31)
US 5219461A · Hyll et al. · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 5257904A · Sullivan · 1993 [cited by applicant]
US 8689837B1 · Smith · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 9939096B2 · Tiberghien et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10208879B2 · Hunt · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10765043B2 · Siedl et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20030131981A1 · Kohler · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20170343144A1 · Hunt et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20210249711A1 · Kollar · 2021 [cited by examiner]
CA 2844977A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CN 108539319A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
DE 3615476A1 · 1986 [cited by applicant]
DE 9204442U1 · 1992 [cited by applicant]
DE 202006006756U1 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
DE 202010014349U1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
DE 102016125859A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
FR 3080166A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
JP 2001178666A · 2001 [cited by applicant]
Japanese Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2022-526245 dated Jun. 20, 2023 (7 pages). [cited by applicant]
English Translation of Japanese Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2022-526245 dated Jun. 20, 2023 (9 pages). [cited by applicant]
Japanese Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2022-526245 dated Dec. 5, 2023 (3 pages). [cited by applicant]
English Translation of Japanese Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2022-526245 dated Dec. 5, 2023 (5 pages). [cited by applicant]
European Office Action for European Application No. 20808304.8 dated Dec. 8, 2023 (5 pages). [cited by applicant]
Chinese Office Action for Chinese Application No. 202080065619.4 dated Mar. 18, 2024 (7 pages). [cited by applicant]
Second Chinese Office Action for Chinese Application No. 202080065619.4 dated Jul. 26, 2024 (3 pages). [cited by applicant]
Summary of Second Chinese Office Action for Chinese Application No. 202080065619.4 dated Jul. 26, 2024 (1 page). [cited by applicant]
German Office Action for German Application No. 10 2019 129 828.8 dated Jul. 27, 2020 (5 pages). [cited by applicant]
International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/EP2020/080639 dated Jan. 21, 2021 (3 pages). [cited by applicant]
English Translation of International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/EP2020/080639 dated Jan. 21, 2021 (2 pages). [cited by applicant]
Korean Office Action for Korean Application No. 10-2022-7012758 dated Dec. 20, 2023 (7 pages). [cited by applicant]
English Translation of Korean Office Action for Korean Application No. 10-2022-7012758 dated Dec. 20, 2023 (7 pages). [cited by applicant]