Quick coupling

Abstract

This coupling (R) includes a male element (A) including a male body () provided with a locking relief (), a purging ring () movable between a rear position, in which the purging ring closes off a purging passage of the male body, and a forward position, and a female element (B) including a female body (), a ball-retainer () carrying locking balls () of the male body, in a housing between a first position, in which they are able to oppose the removal of the locking relief, and a second position, in which the locking balls allow the removal of the locking relief, a valve body () secured to the ball-retainer, including coupling balls () suitable for securing the valve body and the female body in translation, an inner ring () suitable, in a retaining position, for keeping the valve body and the female body coupled by the coupling balls when the female element is uncoupled from the male element. In a first coupling configuration, the locking balls have crossed the locking relief of the male element; in a second coupling configuration, the inner ring has reached a position in which it no longer keeps the valve body and the female body coupled by the coupling balls; in a third coupling configuration, the female body keeps the locking balls in their first position; and in a fourth coupling configuration, the valve body has reached a position that allows fluid to pass between the two conduits. The female element includes steering means () able to drive the purging ring toward its forward position during the uncoupling.