Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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4UICK CONNECTOR WITH VISUAL INDICATOR
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending application
no. PCT/US95/12282, filed September 26, 1995, fully incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a conduit coupling through
which fluid flows. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
quick connector which retains a male conduit within a female receptacle)
and a connection of this type which includes an indicator for confirming
proper connection.
In the automotive industry (as welt as for many other industries)
the need always exists for low cost, reliable, and easy-to-assemble
components. This need is especially apparent with respect to providing
a connection between fluid conveying conduits, such as fuel) brake, or
refrigerant lines. Traditionally, such a connection is comprised of a male
conduit being retained within a female receptacle through use of
threaded fittings, flare fittings, or through bolted-on flanges.
More recently, a variety of snap together quick connect retainers
have been used in place of the conventional methods. These quick
connectors typically have a plurality of flexible legs which engage an
annular bead attached to a male conduit and also engage an undercut
groove formed within a female member. Two such examples are
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,601,497 entitled "Swivelable Quick
Connector Assembly" which issued on July 22, 1986) and U.S. Patent
No. 4,778,203 entitled "Swivelable Quick Connector for High
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Temperature Connection" which issued on October 18, 1988, both of
which were invented by the inventor of the present invention and are
incorporated by reference herewithin. Another quick connector has a
retainer which is flat with pairs of annular arms extending therearound
which are radially flexible. Other quick connectors which were invented
by the inventor of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,524,995 and 4,423,892, both of which are entitled "Swivelable Quick
Connector Assembly" and which issued on June 25, 1985, and January
23, 1984, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herewithin.
A more recent development in quick connectors has been
advanced by the inventor of the present invention in the discovery of a
system for indicating that the quick connector-male conduit assembly is
properly seated with the female receptacle. This system is set forth in
co-pending application no. PCT/US95/12282) the application being titled
"Quick Connector with Confirmation Feature". According to that
invention) a connector having a frangible ring is positioned in relation to
the male conduit such that upon movement of the installer toward the
female housing, a ring portion of the indicator franges as the installer
applies pressure to achieve engagement of the male conduit to the
female housing. As the installer continues to apply pressure against the
ring portion, it breaks away from the connector body, thus confirming
that the male conduit is fully engaged to the female housing by its new
position along the male tube.
The quick connector of the present invention has its retainer part
(to hold the male and female portions together) situated in the female
part (as opposed to the male part in Applicant's co-pending application
PCT/US95/12282 "Quick Connector with Confirmation Feature"
incorporated herein by reference) and the confirmation feature has two
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rings. One of these rings, the outer ring, has been described above and
the other is positioned on the inside of the retainer and is driven by the
bead on the male conduit. As the male conduit is installed inside the
female receptacle, engaging jaws in the. female receptacle on the
retainer are pushed open by the bead on the male conduit. As these
jaws are passed by the bead on the male conduit, the bead pushes on
this inner ring. Installing the male conduit (and its bead) deeper within
the female receptacle eventually causes the outer ring to frange from the
one or more arms connecting the two rings.
While the above-described assembly provides an improvement in
quick connector assemblies, other improvements and variations are
possible and desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment
of the coupler includes a retainer having included therewith an indicator.
The indicator confirms to the installer that proper engagement of the
male conduit within the female housing has been made.
The present invention includes an indicator assembly which is
comprised of a pair of spaced apart, parallel rings connected by one or
more arms perpendicularly positioned between the rings. One of the
rings is disposed within the retainer and is the inner ring. The other of
the rings is disposed outside the retainer and is the outer ring. An end
of each of the one or more arms is frangible from the outer ring.
The inner ring is disposed within a retainer. The retainer is
positioned within a female receptacle. The indicator includes an inner
ring having one or more spring arms extending therefrom. At the end
of each arm is a franging area, separating each arm (if more than one
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is used) from the inner ring, which has an outside diameter large enough
to be stopped by the female housing open end.
The male conduit includes a lead end, a radial bead, and a
reduced area formed between the lead end and the radial bead to
provide good sealing. Upon insertion of the lead end of the male
conduit into the female housing) the reduced area passes easily
between the jaws of the retainer. However, as the radial bead is passed
between the jaws, they are forced open, allowing the radial bead to be
moved to the inner side of the jaws. As this happens, the jaws snap
back to their original positions, forced by the springing action of the
spring arms to which the jaws are connected. Simultaneously, the radial
bead engages the outer surtace of the inner ring of the indicator
assembly and forces it inwardly toward the inside. Where the indicator
assembly is of the double ring type, the outer ring is drawn against the
end surface of the female housing as the male conduit is inserted into
the housing and forces the inner ring to move inwardly toward the
inside. At a certain point the outer ring is forced to break from the arms,
thus indicating that a proper connection has been made by the outer
ring now being positioned along the mate tube.
Extra length between the end of the retainer locking jaws (that
retain the male tube by means of the jaws springing back behind the
radial bead on the male) and a front retainer ring (from which the spring
arms that mount the retainer jaws depend), is preferred. This can be
simply accomplished by changing the jaws.
With the extra length, the installer now has an extra length to push
the male into the female which will assist in franging the outside ring off
of the arms and onto the tubing and to allow room for the length along
the connector axis (in front of the radial bead) for the inner ring.
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The present invention overcomes some of the difficulties
associated with assembly of quick connectors. Specifically, the retainer
made be made from either metal or a plastic, thus providing the
possibility to use the best material for the job. The indicator (which is
5 preferably composed of a plastic) assembly is easily manufactured for
low cost. In addition, the indicator assembly is easily operated and does
not interfere with the installation of the male conduit into the female
housing.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
i 0 hand-insertable quick connector that incorporates an indicator that
quickly and clearly confirms proper connection of a male conduit within
a female housing.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a
quick connector that is made from a minimum number of parts.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an
indicator that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a quick
connector which can be a part of the conduit between connections.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a quick
connector which has a pop-off ring to show when a connection is
properly made.
Additional objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description and appended claims,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-noted advantages as well as other advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art by
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reading the following specification and subjoined claims in conjunction
with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a plastic retainer of the present
invention having a plastic retainer indicator assembly situated therein;
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a
metal retainer of the present invention having a variation of a plastic
indicator assembly situated therein;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an indicator assembly according
to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a sectional view of a quick connector and male
conduit according to the present invention having a female receptacle
and the plastic retainer fitted therein with an indicator assembly
positioned within the retainer;
Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 4 but showing
the male conduit seated within the female receptacle;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a quick connector and male
conduit according to the present invention having a female receptacle
and the metal retainer fitted therein within an indicator assembly
positioned within the retainer; and
Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 6 but showing
the male conduit seated within the female receptacle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In general, the present invention is directed to a quick connector-
conduit assembly incorporating a retainer having a seating indicator
assembled therewith. The seating indicator includes an inner ring
spaced apart from an outer ring, the rings being connected by at least
one arm. The outer ring is frangible from the arm(s). Upon seating of
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the male conduit within the female receptacle, the arms) become further
recessed within the female housing and the outer ring is broken from the
arm(s), thereby confirming proper connection. In a first embodiment) the
retainer is composed of a plastic. In another embodiment the retainer
is composed of a metal.
The female receptacle may be of a variety of types, including
those formed from deep-drawn, thin-walled construction as well as those
formed from injection molding.
The present invention finds utility in, for example) coupling the
tubing disposed between the elements of fuel, water, or oil systems. It
may be used with plastic or metal conduits, as shown in the inventor's
co-pending United States patent application Serial No. 08/503,454) titled
MEANS OF COUPLING NON-THREADED CONNECTIONS.
More particularly, the connector of the present invention also finds
application in external oil lines and hoses as well as in automotive fuel
and cooling systems. The present connector may also be used in
vehicle fuel systems between, for example, the fuel tank and the fuel
pump and the carburetor or fuel injection system. While having
particular usefulness in motor vehicles, the connector of the present
invention may also find application in virtually any situation in which male
and female fluid-carrying lines must be connected.
Referring to Figure 1, a sectional view of a plastic retainer
assembly, generally illustrated as 10, is shown. The retainer assembly
10 according to the embodiment of Figure 1 is formed from a
polymerized material such as a plastic. The retainer assembly 10
includes a front ring 12 which has a centrally positioned male conduit-
passing bore 13 formed therethrough.
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Suspended substantially perpendicularly from the front ring 12 are
a plurality of spring arms 14. There is at least one such arm 14,
although there may be more. The arms 14 are fixed at one end to the
front ring 12 and include at the other end a joining area (between the
two arms) from which depends a jaw for engagement with the male
conduit. The arms 14 are constructed so that they may be slightly bent
from the illustrated perpendicular position upon insertion of a male
conduit, as will be explained below.
Formed on the pair of the arms 14 is a jaw 16. Each of the jaws
16 includes an inner end 17 and an outer end 18. The outer end 18 is
for abutment against an inner surface of a female housing, as illustrated
in Figures 4 and 5. It should be understood that the arrangement of
arms and jaws as disclosed herein is intended to be illustrative and not
limiting. For example, although a pair of arms is shown to support the
jaw, only a single arm may be used in lieu of the illustrated pair.
Positioned substantially within the retainer assembly 10 is an
indicator assembly 20. The assembly 20 is also preferably formed from
a polymerized material such as a plastic. The assembly 20 includes an
indicator arm 22, an outer indicator ring 23, and an inner indicator ring
24 that stays connected to the arms 22. The outer indicator ring 23 is
attached to the arms 22 by a frangible area 27. As illustrated, the arm
22 is formed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the inner
indicator ring 24. While only one arm 22, a half ring 23, and a half ring
24 are illustrated, there may be two or more such arms. A centrally
positioned male conduit-passing bore 26 is formed through the inner
indicator ring 24 and a centrally positioned male conduit-passing bore
29 is formed through the outer indicator ring 23. The outer ring 23 must
have an inside diameter large enough to pass at least the raised bead
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on the male conduit, as shown and discussed below with respect to
Figures 4 and 5. Reference numeral 28 is directed to an area provided
on the indicator 20 (behind the ring 24 in the figure) which has as its
purpose the stabilization of the indicator 20 in the retainer 10.
Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of
the retainer assembly of the present invention, generally illustrated as 30.
The retainer assembly 30 according to this embodiment is composed of
a metal. The retainer assembly 30 includes a front ring 32 having
centrally formed therein a male conduit-passing bore 33.
Extending from the front ring 32 is at least one arm 34, although
three such arms 34 are illustrated. The arms 34 have holes in them, as
shown, to increase the springiness of the arms 34 while leaving enough
stability for the locking jaws 36. Each of the arms 34 includes an outer,
female housing-contacting end (or bent area) 3fi. The outer end 36 is
for abutment against an inner surface of a female housing, as illustrated
in Figures 6 and 7.
Inwardly suspended from the end 36 is a jaw 37. As with the
embodiment of the retainer assembly illustrated in Figure 1, the arms 34
may be flexed in one direction toward or away from the illustrated
position. Each jaw 37 terminates at an inner end 38.
Positioned substantially within the retainer assembly 30 is an
indicator assembly 40. The indicator assembly 40 is preferably formed
from a polymerized material such as a plastic. The assembly 40
includes an indicator arm 42) an outer indicator ring 43, and an inner
indicator ring 44. The outer indicator ring 43 is detachably connected
to the indicator arm 42 by a frangible area 47. The outer indicator ring
43 includes an inner diameter 49 which is larger than the outer diameter
of the bead formed on the male conduit thereby allowing it to pass.
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As illustrated, the arm 42 is formed substantially perpendicularly
with respect to the inner indicator ring 44. While only one arm 42 is
illustrated, there may be two or more such arms. A centrally positioned
male conduit-passing bore 46 is formed through the inner indicator ring
5 44.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary generic
embodiment of an indicator assembly according to the present
invention, generally illustrated as 100. The "tell-tale" indicator assembly
100, which is also preferably formed from a polymerized material such
10 as a plastic, may be used in lieu of the indicator assemblies 20 and 40
illustrated and discussed above with respect to Figures 1 and 2. The
assembly 100 substantially embodies the various features of the
assemblies 20 and 40. The alignment and centering tabs that are used
in Figures 1 and 2 that align and center indicators 20 and 40 (hidden by
front indicator ring 24 in Figure 1, and shown as 45 in Figure 2) are the
major differences between the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 and
Figure 3. An element, indicated by 105, is representative of such an
alignment tab.
The indicator assembly 100 includes an inner indicator ring 102
having suspended therefrom in a substantially perpendicular manner a
plurality of arms 104. At their ends opposite the inner indicator ring 102)
each of the arms 104 includes an area 106 which is defined by an easy
to-fracture gate which is frangible. The area 106 connects each of the
arms 104 to an outer indicator ring 108. (While not illustrated) it should
be understood that an outer indicator ring could also be attached to the
outer end of each of the arms 22 of the indicator assembly 20 of Figure
1 or to the outer end of each of the arms 42 of the indicator assembly
40 of Figure 2.) The inner indicator ring 102 has a bore 110 centrally
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formed therein to provide for the passage of a male conduit. The outer
indicator ring 108 also has a bore 112 centrally formed therein also to
provide for the passage of a male conduit bead. The area 105 in Figure
3 indicates means to keep the indicator assembly 100 located in the
retainer.
Figure 4 illustrates a male conduit, generally illustrated
as 200) in
spaced apart relation from an exemplary female receptacle,
generally
illustrated as 210, according to the present invention.
The female
contains the plastic retainer assembly 10 shown in and
discussed with
respect to Figure 1. The male conduit 200 is an elongated
cylindrically-
shaped part which includes a tube 212 which has formed
thereon a
chamfered lead end 214, a reduced area 216 (for improved
sealing with
the seal of the female receptacle as set forth below),
and a tube bead
218 formed at a predetermined distance from the lead end
214. The
male conduit 200 may be formed from either a plastic or
a metal. The
male conduit 200 acts as a fluid conduit for a fuel, braking,
or
refrigeration system within an automotive vehicle or the
like. Therefore,
the male conduit 200 must be securely affixed within the
female
receptacle 210.
The female receptacle 210 includes a housing 220 having
an end
222, a radially reducing shoulder 224) and a tube stabilizing
end 226.
The housing 220 may be formed from either a metal or a
polymerized
material such as a plastic. Preferably, the female housing
220 is of the
deep drawn type and is made of a drawn metal or other material.
Also provided within the female receptacle 210 is a bushing
228
and an O-ring 230. (It is to be understood that the O-ring
230 is
provided for sealing and could consist of, for example,
a pair of O-rings
separated by a washer [not shown].) (The bushing 228 [of
which there
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might also be more than oneJ is annular shaped and is preferably
defined by walls forming a pentilateral cross-sectional shape.) The
bushing 228 is useful in "piloting" the male conduit 200 into the female
receptacle 210. The bushing 228 is made from a plastic material or from
a metallic material. The 0-ring 230 is preferably formed from an
elastomeric material such as rubber. The bushing 228 and the O-ring
230 are sealing and supporting members, and their configuration and
even their numbers could be altered as necessary to provide for proper
fluid-tight assembly of the male and female components.
The retainer assembly 10 and the indicator assembly 20 are fitted
within the female housing 220. (However, it is to be understood,
alternatively) the indicator assembly 40 could also be used in conjunction
with the retainer assembly 10.)
Figure 5 illustrates the male conduit 200 seated within the female
receptacle 210. The outer indicator ring 23 has been broken from the
indicator assembly 20) thus indicating that proper seating of the male
conduit 200 within the female receptacle 210 has occurred. The steps
which preceded the successful connection of the male conduit 200 and
the female receptacle 210 are as follows.
The installer (not shown) grasps the male conduit 200 and directs
the lead end 214 (Figure 4) through the bore 112 of the outer conduit
ring 23 and into the female receptacle 210. The lead end 214 and its
adjacent reduced area 216 are of such diameter that the end of the male
conduit 200 readily passes between the opposed inner ends 17 of the
jaws 16 as well as through the bore 26 of the inner indicator ring 24 and
the bore 13 of the front ring 23 of the retainer assembly 10. However,
the outer diameter of the bead 2i 8 is larger than the inner diameter of
all of these passages. Accordingly, as the bead 218 is forced against
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the interior surfaces of the ends 17 of the jaws 16, the arms 14 are
caused to be flexed outwardly, allowing the inner diameter formed by
the ends 17 to be enlarged enough so as to allow passage of the bead
218 therethrough. Once the bead 218 passes the ends 17, the jaws 16
snap back to their unfiexed positions, locking the bead 218 (and hence
the male conduit 200) into the female receptacle 210. During this
operation and after the bead 218 passes through the jaws 16) it
encounters the inner indicator ring 24. Because the inner diameter of
the bore 26 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead 218 and
because the bore 26 is not expandable, the bead 218 presses against
the outer surtace 28 of the inner indicator ring 24 and carries the ring 24
forward with it toward the seated position of the conduit tube 212. The
outer indicator ring 23) being connected to the inner indicator ring 24
through the arms 22, also moves axially inwardly until its inner surface
contacts the end 222 of the female housing 220. When the outer
indicator ring 23 reaches this point it cannot be moved any further
because of the impact of ring 23 on the end 222, and the areas 27 -
designed to fracture - break, thus releasing the outer indicator ring 23
from the remainder of the indicator assembly 20. The outer indicator
ring 23, now free from its constraints, is allowed to move freely in an
axial and longitudinal manner along the conduit tube 212) thus indicating
to the installer that the male conduit 200 is properly seated in the female
receptacle 210.
Also illustrated in Figure 5 is an optional notched area, generally
identified as 213, which allows for the ring 23 to be split and removed
from the conduit tube 212, thus preventing the ring 23 from vibrating or
rattling or otherwise interfering with operations.
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Figures 6 and 7 disclose sectional views of a quick connector and
male conduit according to the present invention having a female
receptacle and the metal retainer assembly 30 of Figure 2 fitted therein
within the indicator assembly 40 substantially positioned within the
retainer assembly 30. Figure 6 illustrates the components prior to
insertion of the male conduit and Figure 7 illustrates the components
following insertion.
Figures fi and 7 illustrate a male conduit, generally illustrated as
200', in spaced apart relation from an exemplary female receptacle)
generally illustrated as 210', according to the present invention. Both
the male conduit 200' and the female receptacle 210' are preferably but
not exclusively identical to their counterparts shown in Figures 4 and 5.
However, and as illustrated, the female receptacle 210' contains the
metal retainer assembly 30 shown in and discussed with respect to
Figure 2. The male conduit 200' includes a tube 212' which has formed
thereon a chamfered lead end 214', a reduced area 216' (for improved
sealing with the seal of the female receptacle as set forth below), and a
tube bead 218' formed at a predetermined distance from the lead end
214'. As with its counterpart of Figures 4 and 5, the male conduit 200'
may be formed from either a plastic or a metal. The male conduit 200'
acts as a fluid conduit for a fuel, braking, or refrigeration system within
an automotive vehicle or the like. Therefore) the male conduit 200' must
be securely affixed within the female receptacle 210'.
Again as with its counterpart of Figures 4 and 5, the female
receptacle 210' includes a housing 220' having an end 222', a radially
reducing shoulder 224', and a tube stabilizing end 226'. The housing
220' may be formed from either a metal or a polymerized material such
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as a plastic. Preferably, the female housing 220' is of the deep drawn
type and is made of a drawn metal or other material.
Again as with the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, an O-ring 230'
is provided within the female receptacle 210' as is a bushing 228'. The
5 bushing 228' is useful in "piloting" the male conduit 200' into the female
receptacle 210'. The bushing 228' is made from a plastic material or
from a metallic material (having sufficient hoop strength to withstand the
radially outward-directed forces acting thereupon, or it may be slip-fitted
along the tube 212' from plastic or metal). The O-ring 230' is preferably
10 formed from an elastomeric material such as rubber. The bushing 228'
and the O-ring 230' are both sealing and supporting members, and their
configuration and even their numbers could be altered as necessary to
provide for proper fluid-tight assembly of the male and female
components. As in Figures 4 and 5, limitation of the movement of the
15 male conduit 200' in O-ring 230' is also in the inner bushing area
performed by housing 220' in the area of Figure 6 of the inside
diameter of the step 226' ) just right of the lead end 214' of the tube
212' as shown in Figure 7.
The installer (not shown) grasps the male conduit 200' and directs
the lead end 214' (Figure 6) through the bore 49 of the outer indicator
ring 43 and into the female receptacle 210'. The lead end 214' and its
adjacent reduced area 216' are of such diameter that the end of the
male conduit 200' readily passes between the opposed inner ends 38
of the jaws 37 as well as through the bore 46 of the inner indicator ring
44 and the bore 33 of the front ring 32 of the retainer assembly 30.
However, the outer diameter of the bead 218' is larger than the inner
diameter of all of these passages. Accordingly, as the bead 218' is
forced against the interior surfaces of the ends 38 of the jaws 37, the
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arms 34 are caused to be flexed, allowing the inner diameter formed by
the ends 38 to be enlarged enough so as to allow passage of the bead
218' therethrough. Once the bead 218' passes the ends 38, the jaws 37
snap back to their unflexed positions, locking the bead 218' (and hence
the male conduit 200') into the female receptacle 210'.
During this operation and after the bead 218' passes through the
jaws 37, it encounters the inner indicator ring 44. Because the inner
diameter of the bore 46 is smaller than the outer diameter of the bead
218' and because the bore 46 is not expandable, the bead 218' presses
against the outer surface of the inner indicator ring 44 and carries the
ring 44 forward with it toward the seated position of the conduit 200'.
The outer indicator ring 43, being connected to the inner indicator ring
44 through the arms 42, also moves axially inwardly until its inner surface
contacts the end 222' of the female housing 220'. When the outer
indicator ring 43 reaches this point it cannot be moved any further, and
the areas 47 - designed to fracture - break) thus releasing the outer
indicator ring 43 from the remainder of the indicator assembly 40. The
outer indicator ring 43, now free from its constraints) is allowed to move
freely in an axial manner along the conduit tube 212', thus indicating to
the installer that the male conduit 200' is properly seated in the female
receptacle 210'.
As an example of the present invention, the area between the
ends 38 of the jaws 37 and the inner side of the ring 32 of the retainer
assembly 30 is preferably at least 0.015 inches larger than the total
thickness of the inner indicator ring 44 and the width of the bead 218'.
This dimension is more than sufficient to effect the fracture of the area
47 upon insertion of the male conduit 200' into the female receptacle
210' and provides a large space for tolerances. The dimensions are
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established such that the outer indicator ring 43 impacts upon the end
222' of the housing 220' after the jaws 37 snap closed behind the bead
218' upon insertion. Pushing the male conduit 200' only slightly (before
the tube 212' is pushed in by the suggested 0.015 inches) fractures the
outer indicator ring 43 from the arms 42. The outer indicator ring 43 is
stopped from falling completely away by the tube 212'.
Regardless of the particular embodiment, the connectors of the
present invention disclose several advantages over the prior art including
a simple method of installing an indicator (and not having any separate
sleeve or intermediate part) into a female receptacle and for readily
verifying that the assembly is properly and fixedly attached at lower
overall cost. Furthermore, the connectors of the present invention
require no special guide means unlike connectors of the prior art.
Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing
i 5 description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be
implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore) while this invention has
been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true
scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications
will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the
drawings) specification) and following claims.
