Connecting device for the fluid-tight connection between two pipes in an internal combustion engine
A connecting device for the fluid-tight connection of a first and a second duct provided with a connector having a fixed electrical connection terminal; a mobile electrical connector for establishing an electrical connection with the fixed electrical connection terminal; a control unit suited to check the presence of a connection between the fixed electrical connection terminal and the mobile electrical connector; and an intermediate connecting body interposed in use between the connector and the mobile electrical connector, suited to establish an electrical connection between the fixed electrical connection terminal and the mobile electrical connector and suited to allow the fixed electrical connection terminal and the mobile electrical connector to be coupled to each other, only when there is a fluid-tight joint between the two ducts.
1. A connecting device ( 12 ) for the fluid-tight connection of a first and a second duct ( 2 , 11 ); the connecting device ( 12 ) comprises:
a connector ( 14 ), which is suited to establish a fluid-tight joint between said two ducts ( 2 , 11 ) and is provided with a fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 );
a mobile electrical connector ( 18 ), which is mechanically independent of the first and the second duct ( 2 , 11 ) and, furthermore, is mechanically separated from and independent of the connector ( 14 ) and is suited to establish an electrical connection with the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 );
a control unit ( 13 ), which is suited to check the presence of a connection between the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) and the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ); and
an intermediate connecting body ( 17 ), which is interposed between the connector ( 14 ) and the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ), is suited to establish an electrical connection with both the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) and the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ), and is adapted to allow the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) and the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) to be coupled to each other, only when there is a fluid-tight joint between the two ducts ( 2 , 11 );
the connecting device ( 12 ) further comprising coupling means ( 25 , 27 ; 28 , 29 ) for coupling the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) to the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) and to the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) respectively; the coupling means ( 25 , 27 ; 28 , 29 ) being manufactured so as to mechanically prevent the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) and the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) from being connected, when there is no fluid-tight joint between the two ducts ( 2 , 11 ).
2. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ), the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ), and the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) all comprise bipolar electrical connectors, which are suited to establish an electrical continuity between the respective conductor bodies, once the mutual coupling has been carried out.
3. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling means ( 25 , 27 ) for coupling the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) to the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) present shapes and/or sizes that are different from those of the coupling means ( 28 , 29 ) for coupling the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) to the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ).
4. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling means ( 25 , 27 ; 28 , 29 ) comprise a male connector element ( 25 ; 28 ), which is suited to engage, in use, a respective coupling groove ( 27 ; 29 ).
5. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connector ( 14 ) is integral to The first duct ( 2 ) and is suited to receive a second duct ( 11 ), so as to establish a fluid-tight joint between the two ducts ( 2 , 11 ); the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) being suited to allow the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ) and the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) to be coupled to each other, only when the second duct ( 11 ) is regularly connected to the connector ( 14 ).
6. The connecting device according to claim 1 and comprising an elastic fixing means ( 33 ) for locking the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) to the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ).
7. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) comprises a number of appendages ( 30 ), which protrude outwards; each appendage ( 30 ) is suited to engage, in use, a respective seat ( 32 ) obtained in the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) and/or in the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ), so as to lock the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) to the mobile electrical connector ( 18 ) and/or to the fixed electrical connection terminal ( 15 ).
8. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein a central portion ( 20 ) of the intermediate connecting body ( 17 ) is fitted into a respective seat ( 16 ) obtained in the connector ( 14 ).