CA2060495C - Positive transition quick connect coupling - Google Patents
Positive transition quick connect couplingInfo
- Publication number
- CA2060495C CA2060495C CA002060495A CA2060495A CA2060495C CA 2060495 C CA2060495 C CA 2060495C CA 002060495 A CA002060495 A CA 002060495A CA 2060495 A CA2060495 A CA 2060495A CA 2060495 C CA2060495 C CA 2060495C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- axially
- bore
- seal
- axial
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
- F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
- F16L37/098—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks
- F16L37/0985—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part
- F16L37/0987—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
- F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
- F16L37/02—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained only by friction of the parts being joined
- F16L37/04—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is maintained only by friction of the parts being joined with an elastic outer part pressing against an inner part by reason of its elasticity
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S285/00—Pipe joints or couplings
- Y10S285/921—Snap-fit
Abstract
A unique quick connect fluid coupling is disclosed in which tube inner end does not contact a seal if the tube is not fully connected. Preferably, a retainer retains the tube within the bore.
The retainer is of the avalanche type such that a high force is required to insert the tube, and once this high force is overcome the momentum of the tube carries it to its fully inserted position. No seal is formed between the tube and seals within the housing unless the tube has moved beyond the point where the high force begins. Once the tube has moved beyond that point, it will be fully connected. The invention ensures that there would be no seal between a tube and a housing unless the tube is fully connected.
The retainer is of the avalanche type such that a high force is required to insert the tube, and once this high force is overcome the momentum of the tube carries it to its fully inserted position. No seal is formed between the tube and seals within the housing unless the tube has moved beyond the point where the high force begins. Once the tube has moved beyond that point, it will be fully connected. The invention ensures that there would be no seal between a tube and a housing unless the tube is fully connected.
Description
b ~
POSITlv~ Ql~c~NNE;cL5;:-o~
~CKGROUND OF T~ lNVENTlON
Thi6 application relate~ to a quick connect fluid coupling which ~nsures that a tube i6 not sealed unle~s the tube l6 fully inserted into a connector 6tructure.
Qu~ck connect fluid coupl~ng6 ~re ~ell known in the art and used to quickly co~nect a tube to a housing or cecond tube. Several qulck connect coupling6 are utllized in mo6~ modern Yehioles to connect brake line6, alr conditioning l$nefi, power 6teerin~ llnes and other high pre6sure lines to a hou6ing, or 6econd tube.
A particularly Guccessful prior Hrt coupling con6ist6 of a 6prlng or retainer received within a ~emale housing bore. Tl-e reta~ner has a plurality oE arms which extend rfldially lnwardly in a directio moving Qxlallg into the bore. The tube has a r~dlally greater up6et portion which move6 into the bore and sbut6 an lnner peripheral surface of the arms. Ihe axlally and r~dlally lrmermost ends o~ the srm~ define an inller di~meter approximately equal to the outer di~neter u~ the tube at loc~tion~ other than the upset portlon. A~ the tube la inaerted further lnto the bore, the up6et portion force~ the arms radially outwardly, and mo~e~ ~xially pa6t the arms. Once the upset portion has moved ~xially beyond the arm6, the ar~s spr~ng back to a po6ition where they are radially outwardly of the tube, and axl~lly between the up~et portion of the tube an outer end of the bore. The tube i~ then fully lnserted, and the retalner recurely reta~ns the tube withln the housi~
.~ .
~J ~ s,J ~,1 .
In Dne prior ~rt coupling, the ret~lner i8 of a 60-called "avalanclle" type where the force reguired to Incert tlle tube lnto the housing i~ at a first relatively low polnt for in~tial ~xi81 in~ertion~
and then rlsefi sharplg to ~ relatively hlgh point after the up6et portiDn inltially contact6 the inner periphery of the ~rm~. Tlle point where this hi~h required force begins ~6 defined as an "avalanche"
point. Once ~n operator has gupplied ~ufficlent force to overcome thi6 high required force, the momentum carrie~ the tube further ~xinlly inwardly and ensures that it is fully lnserted.
Problem~ ~re 60metime6 encountered with thi~ type of quick connect coupllng ~ince a tube inner end i5 0t an axial position where it i6 aligned w~th ~eals in tlle hou6ing prior to reaclling the avalanche point. The ~ealg ~nsaBe the outer periphery o~ the tube and provides ~ome re6ista~ce to further insertion of the tube. Thi~ may give ~ ~alse ~mpre6sion or feel to the a66embler that the high required force ~ay have been overcome. Thus, the prior art ha6 sometlmes resulted ln an as6embler m~sinterpreting thl~ feel ~6 sn indication that the tube 18 fully inserted. Further, lf an ~66embler naglecta to fully insert the tube for whatever rea~on, it i~ Gtlll pos~lble that the prior ~rt couplings w~ll provide n 0eul between the tube and the housing.
It is undeslrable for the tube not to be fully in6erted ~ince it could become dlsconnected ~n u6e. Tl-is i6 particularly true when the tube i~ used ~n a vehlcle. ~ith the prior urt fitructure discu6~ed sb~ve, should the tube not be ~ully ~nserted withln the housing, a 6eal may ~till be provlded between the hou61ng ~nd the tube.
The seal may be adequate ~or a perlod of time until the vehlcle ha~
driven off the afisembly line ~nt ~way from thç factory. ~he fluid pre6sure ln the linet vibration or temperoture cyellng, will eventually cause the tube to become di~conneoted from the hou~in~. It i~ far more preferable for the l~proper connection to be idel-tiIiea before the vehicle leaves the as6embly line.
~24~Y o~ NV~XL~,Y
In ~ dl6clo6ed embodiment 8 qulck connect fluid coupling does not provide a seal between ~ tube end a hou61ng w~tll the tube ha6 moved beyund a point where it will be fully inserted. In one di~rlosed embodiment, a required tube in6ertion force begins at A low level, then increa~e6 c11arpl~ to a relatively high level at ~ fir6t ~xi~1 positlon.
Once this rzlatively high level of force 16 overcome, ~omentum carries the tube to its fully inserted po6ition. The axially innermo6t end of the tube i6 not received within a 6eal in the housing until the tube pa66e6 this first axial po~ition. Thus, no false feel i8 ~iven to an operator that the tube is fully insertedO M~reover, if the tube iB not fully in~erted there i6 no Eesl. lf the vehicle 16 moved off oE an ~s6embly line, the high pres6ure fluid will noticeably leak.
The tube pre~erably ha0 ~ radl~lly Breat~r up~et portion spaced from 0n inner ~x~ul end. The retainer prefer~bly hcs e nwmber o~
resilient urms whicl) ~xtend radially inwardly from all outer ell~ of the bore ~xially into the bore. Th~ tube i6 inuerted until tlle up~et ~nd initially contact6 sn inner peripheral surface of theGe arms. Thi~
initial insertion iB the low level reguired force di~cus6ed ~bove. Ihis point i6 the first ~xial position, or avalanche point. Further insertion Df the tube requires the up~et portion to bias the arms radially outwardly, ~h~ch require6 the ~harply lncre~sed t~be in6ertion force.
A6 the tube move6 beyond the ~valanelle po~nt, tlle up~et portion of tbe tube begins to bia~ the arms radially outwardly. The ~7~ 3 Axially innermo~t end of the tube may then move into a fir6t 6esl. As noted above, once thiG ~Y~Ianche polnt is pa66ed, the momentum of the tube o~rries it to itB fully as~embled positlon. Thus, lt l6 des~rable that the ~eal be8in cont~cting the tube soon after the avalallclle point i8 pa~sed.
Further, any re6~ctance to the ~ube ln6ertion f~om the ~ecl wIll occur wlthin the area where the charply increased force i~
provided. Thu~, tbe re6ist~nce from the gesl wlll be e~6ily overcome, snd will not provide ~ false feel to an operstor.
In ~ mo6t preferred embodiment of the pre6ent inventlon, the axlAlly innermost end of the tube ~ ~djacent to the OExially outermost end of ~ first seal when the tube re~ches thi6 a~lnnche polnt. Thls preferred alignment of the 6eal and axi~l end of the tube result6 in the greatest nmount of ~ealing po6s~ble, while 6tlll not providing a senl until the tube ic fully inserted.
The6e nnd other object6 snd fe~ture6 of the pre~ent invention can be best under~tood from the following ~pecificction and drawing~ of which the following i~ ~ brief de~cription.
~R~P.F DE~scR~PTIoN OF ~IF. D~.tL~Q~
Flgure 1 i6 on exp~oded per6pectlve view o~ a con~truction embodying the pre6ent invention.
Figure 2 iB a cro6~-6ectional ~iew of a portion of the con~truct~on ~hown in ~lgure 1.
Flgure 3 i6 a cro6~-6ectional vlew of the constrtctlon 6hown in Figure 1.
Flgure 4 16 a ~iew 6~mller to Flgure 3.
Fl~ure 5 i8 a view 61milar to Figure 4.
Figure 6 16 a view ~im~l~r to Figure 5.
DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION 0~ A ~REFERRFn EM~ODIMENT
Flgure 1 di6closss a ~uick connect fluid eoupling 20 for c~nnecting a tube 22 wlthin a houslng 24. HouEing 24 ba6 st~ucture 26 , at a downstrPEutt end to be connected to a dowTt6treE~t tube 28.
:~ A retainer 30 i8 in6erted within housing 24 and include~ a ¦plur~lity of arms 32 whlch extend r~dlally inwardly to sbut an up~e~
:lportion 34 of tube 22. U~et portion 34 i~ of ~ grenter r~diAl outer dl~meter than portions o,n e~ther axi~l ~ide of up~et portlon 34. An inner tube end 36 extends through an op~ninK 3B in retainer 32, through spEtcer 40, and ~eallngly engEtge~ O-rlng ~eAl6 4Z and 44 to provide fluld tlght 6eal between tube 22 and ho w 1ng 24.
r As shown ~n Flgure 2, retainer 30 i6 in~erted within borP 46 in hou6ing 24. Bu6hing 40 and O-rings 42 and 44 are positioned in bore 46 axially inwardly of retainer 3~.
A~ r~hown in Figur~ 3, coupling 20 16 ~66embled ~y inserting tube 22 lnto bore 46. Inner ¢nd 36 will eventually ~ealingly et-gage 6enl3 42 nnd 44.
CA 0206049~ l999-04-l9 As shown ln Figuré 4, tube 22 may be easily inserted into bore 46 until upset portion 34 initially contacts an inner peripheral surface of an arm 32. An outermost O-ring 42 is centered at a fir6t axial position x. Tlle location y on the inner periphery of srms 32 which upset portion 34 initially contact6 is defined as a second axial position. The distance x-y between the first and second axial positions is greater than the distance between upset portion 34 and inner end 36 of tube 22. Thus, when upset portlon 34 inltially contacts the inner peripheral surface of arms 32, inner end 36 does not sealingly engage the outermost seal 42. At this point there is no 6eal provided between tube 22 and housing 24.
The polnt where upset portion 34 reaches second axial position y 18 known as the avalanche point. Up to this point the insertion force was low, it will now increase sharply.
A~ tube 22 continues to be lnserted, upset portlon 34 begln~
to bend arms 32 radially outwardly. This ls known as the po6itive tran6ition zone and 18 lllu~trated in Figure 5. A sllarply increased force is required over the force requ;red to ln6ert tube 22 to the posltlon shown ln Figure 4. As upset portion 34 ls blasing arm~ 32 radially outwardly, inner end 36 of tube 22 begins to move within O-rings 42 and 44 and is sealingly engaged within housing 24.
Thu6, as tube 22 i6 moving through the positlve tran6ition zone where the charply increased force is required inner end 36 is also being forced lnto seal6 42 and 44. Any re6istance to insertlon of tube 22 from 6eal6 42 and 44 wlll occur during thl6 6harply lncreased force zone, and thus the resistance by the 6eals wlll not provlde any false feel to an assembler.
CA 0206049~ 1999-04-19 .
As shown in Figure 5, a flrst radially inwardly inclined surface 52 is formed on arms 32 and extends to a second 6urface 54 ~hich i9 formed at sn angle generally parallel to the axis of the bore. Once upset portion 34 reaches the apex between portions 52 and 54, the force resisting in6ertion of tube 22 decreases rapidly. Up6et portion 34 then snaps beyond second inclined portion 54 into a fully inserted pO6itiOIl.
The force required to move tube 22 beyond the initial avalanche point, such as shown in Figure 4, and through the po6itive transition zone, shown in Figure 5, carrie6 tube 22 to its fully inserted po6ition shown in Figure 6. Tube 22 is now fully inserted into housing bore 46. Upset portion 34 is received axially inwardly of an Axially innermost end of arm6 32. Tube 22 is securely retained within housing 24. Moreover, the axially inner end 36 of tube 2Z is received radially inwardly of seals 42 and 44 providing a fluid tight seal.
As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, when tube 22 has upset portion 34 at the ~econd axial position y, or avalanche polnt, inner end 36 is spaced 61igh-1y from seals 42. Inner end 36 is beveled, and a portion of it6 beveled surface is axially aligned with an axially outer portion of outer~st seal 42. Seal 42 is still spaced radially from inne.r end 36.
Once up~et portion 34 begins to bias arms 32 radially outwardly into the positive transition zone, as shown in Figure 5, inner end 36 immedistely contacts the outermost seal 42. As 6hown in Figure 6, once fully inserted inner end 36 i6 ~paced axially inwardly from the outermost ~eal 42 by the maximum distance tllat still provides no 6eal until upset portion 34 moves into the positive transition zone.
A preferred embodiment o~ the pre6ent invention lla~ been : disclosed, however, a worker of ordinary 6kill ln the srt would recognize that certaln modificetion6 wo~ld come within the scope of thi6 ~n~entlon. Thus, the following cl~im~ should be studied in order to determine the true 6cope alld content of the invention.
! ,
POSITlv~ Ql~c~NNE;cL5;:-o~
~CKGROUND OF T~ lNVENTlON
Thi6 application relate~ to a quick connect fluid coupling which ~nsures that a tube i6 not sealed unle~s the tube l6 fully inserted into a connector 6tructure.
Qu~ck connect fluid coupl~ng6 ~re ~ell known in the art and used to quickly co~nect a tube to a housing or cecond tube. Several qulck connect coupling6 are utllized in mo6~ modern Yehioles to connect brake line6, alr conditioning l$nefi, power 6teerin~ llnes and other high pre6sure lines to a hou6ing, or 6econd tube.
A particularly Guccessful prior Hrt coupling con6ist6 of a 6prlng or retainer received within a ~emale housing bore. Tl-e reta~ner has a plurality oE arms which extend rfldially lnwardly in a directio moving Qxlallg into the bore. The tube has a r~dlally greater up6et portion which move6 into the bore and sbut6 an lnner peripheral surface of the arms. Ihe axlally and r~dlally lrmermost ends o~ the srm~ define an inller di~meter approximately equal to the outer di~neter u~ the tube at loc~tion~ other than the upset portlon. A~ the tube la inaerted further lnto the bore, the up6et portion force~ the arms radially outwardly, and mo~e~ ~xially pa6t the arms. Once the upset portion has moved ~xially beyond the arm6, the ar~s spr~ng back to a po6ition where they are radially outwardly of the tube, and axl~lly between the up~et portion of the tube an outer end of the bore. The tube i~ then fully lnserted, and the retalner recurely reta~ns the tube withln the housi~
.~ .
~J ~ s,J ~,1 .
In Dne prior ~rt coupling, the ret~lner i8 of a 60-called "avalanclle" type where the force reguired to Incert tlle tube lnto the housing i~ at a first relatively low polnt for in~tial ~xi81 in~ertion~
and then rlsefi sharplg to ~ relatively hlgh point after the up6et portiDn inltially contact6 the inner periphery of the ~rm~. Tlle point where this hi~h required force begins ~6 defined as an "avalanche"
point. Once ~n operator has gupplied ~ufficlent force to overcome thi6 high required force, the momentum carrie~ the tube further ~xinlly inwardly and ensures that it is fully lnserted.
Problem~ ~re 60metime6 encountered with thi~ type of quick connect coupllng ~ince a tube inner end i5 0t an axial position where it i6 aligned w~th ~eals in tlle hou6ing prior to reaclling the avalanche point. The ~ealg ~nsaBe the outer periphery o~ the tube and provides ~ome re6ista~ce to further insertion of the tube. Thi~ may give ~ ~alse ~mpre6sion or feel to the a66embler that the high required force ~ay have been overcome. Thus, the prior art ha6 sometlmes resulted ln an as6embler m~sinterpreting thl~ feel ~6 sn indication that the tube 18 fully inserted. Further, lf an ~66embler naglecta to fully insert the tube for whatever rea~on, it i~ Gtlll pos~lble that the prior ~rt couplings w~ll provide n 0eul between the tube and the housing.
It is undeslrable for the tube not to be fully in6erted ~ince it could become dlsconnected ~n u6e. Tl-is i6 particularly true when the tube i~ used ~n a vehlcle. ~ith the prior urt fitructure discu6~ed sb~ve, should the tube not be ~ully ~nserted withln the housing, a 6eal may ~till be provlded between the hou61ng ~nd the tube.
The seal may be adequate ~or a perlod of time until the vehlcle ha~
driven off the afisembly line ~nt ~way from thç factory. ~he fluid pre6sure ln the linet vibration or temperoture cyellng, will eventually cause the tube to become di~conneoted from the hou~in~. It i~ far more preferable for the l~proper connection to be idel-tiIiea before the vehicle leaves the as6embly line.
~24~Y o~ NV~XL~,Y
In ~ dl6clo6ed embodiment 8 qulck connect fluid coupling does not provide a seal between ~ tube end a hou61ng w~tll the tube ha6 moved beyund a point where it will be fully inserted. In one di~rlosed embodiment, a required tube in6ertion force begins at A low level, then increa~e6 c11arpl~ to a relatively high level at ~ fir6t ~xi~1 positlon.
Once this rzlatively high level of force 16 overcome, ~omentum carries the tube to its fully inserted po6ition. The axially innermo6t end of the tube i6 not received within a 6eal in the housing until the tube pa66e6 this first axial po~ition. Thus, no false feel i8 ~iven to an operator that the tube is fully insertedO M~reover, if the tube iB not fully in~erted there i6 no Eesl. lf the vehicle 16 moved off oE an ~s6embly line, the high pres6ure fluid will noticeably leak.
The tube pre~erably ha0 ~ radl~lly Breat~r up~et portion spaced from 0n inner ~x~ul end. The retainer prefer~bly hcs e nwmber o~
resilient urms whicl) ~xtend radially inwardly from all outer ell~ of the bore ~xially into the bore. Th~ tube i6 inuerted until tlle up~et ~nd initially contact6 sn inner peripheral surface of theGe arms. Thi~
initial insertion iB the low level reguired force di~cus6ed ~bove. Ihis point i6 the first ~xial position, or avalanche point. Further insertion Df the tube requires the up~et portion to bias the arms radially outwardly, ~h~ch require6 the ~harply lncre~sed t~be in6ertion force.
A6 the tube move6 beyond the ~valanelle po~nt, tlle up~et portion of tbe tube begins to bia~ the arms radially outwardly. The ~7~ 3 Axially innermo~t end of the tube may then move into a fir6t 6esl. As noted above, once thiG ~Y~Ianche polnt is pa66ed, the momentum of the tube o~rries it to itB fully as~embled positlon. Thus, lt l6 des~rable that the ~eal be8in cont~cting the tube soon after the avalallclle point i8 pa~sed.
Further, any re6~ctance to the ~ube ln6ertion f~om the ~ecl wIll occur wlthin the area where the charply increased force i~
provided. Thu~, tbe re6ist~nce from the gesl wlll be e~6ily overcome, snd will not provide ~ false feel to an operstor.
In ~ mo6t preferred embodiment of the pre6ent inventlon, the axlAlly innermost end of the tube ~ ~djacent to the OExially outermost end of ~ first seal when the tube re~ches thi6 a~lnnche polnt. Thls preferred alignment of the 6eal and axi~l end of the tube result6 in the greatest nmount of ~ealing po6s~ble, while 6tlll not providing a senl until the tube ic fully inserted.
The6e nnd other object6 snd fe~ture6 of the pre~ent invention can be best under~tood from the following ~pecificction and drawing~ of which the following i~ ~ brief de~cription.
~R~P.F DE~scR~PTIoN OF ~IF. D~.tL~Q~
Flgure 1 i6 on exp~oded per6pectlve view o~ a con~truction embodying the pre6ent invention.
Figure 2 iB a cro6~-6ectional ~iew of a portion of the con~truct~on ~hown in ~lgure 1.
Flgure 3 i6 a cro6~-6ectional vlew of the constrtctlon 6hown in Figure 1.
Flgure 4 16 a ~iew 6~mller to Flgure 3.
Fl~ure 5 i8 a view 61milar to Figure 4.
Figure 6 16 a view ~im~l~r to Figure 5.
DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION 0~ A ~REFERRFn EM~ODIMENT
Flgure 1 di6closss a ~uick connect fluid eoupling 20 for c~nnecting a tube 22 wlthin a houslng 24. HouEing 24 ba6 st~ucture 26 , at a downstrPEutt end to be connected to a dowTt6treE~t tube 28.
:~ A retainer 30 i8 in6erted within housing 24 and include~ a ¦plur~lity of arms 32 whlch extend r~dlally inwardly to sbut an up~e~
:lportion 34 of tube 22. U~et portion 34 i~ of ~ grenter r~diAl outer dl~meter than portions o,n e~ther axi~l ~ide of up~et portlon 34. An inner tube end 36 extends through an op~ninK 3B in retainer 32, through spEtcer 40, and ~eallngly engEtge~ O-rlng ~eAl6 4Z and 44 to provide fluld tlght 6eal between tube 22 and ho w 1ng 24.
r As shown ~n Flgure 2, retainer 30 i6 in~erted within borP 46 in hou6ing 24. Bu6hing 40 and O-rings 42 and 44 are positioned in bore 46 axially inwardly of retainer 3~.
A~ r~hown in Figur~ 3, coupling 20 16 ~66embled ~y inserting tube 22 lnto bore 46. Inner ¢nd 36 will eventually ~ealingly et-gage 6enl3 42 nnd 44.
CA 0206049~ l999-04-l9 As shown ln Figuré 4, tube 22 may be easily inserted into bore 46 until upset portion 34 initially contacts an inner peripheral surface of an arm 32. An outermost O-ring 42 is centered at a fir6t axial position x. Tlle location y on the inner periphery of srms 32 which upset portion 34 initially contact6 is defined as a second axial position. The distance x-y between the first and second axial positions is greater than the distance between upset portion 34 and inner end 36 of tube 22. Thus, when upset portlon 34 inltially contacts the inner peripheral surface of arms 32, inner end 36 does not sealingly engage the outermost seal 42. At this point there is no 6eal provided between tube 22 and housing 24.
The polnt where upset portion 34 reaches second axial position y 18 known as the avalanche point. Up to this point the insertion force was low, it will now increase sharply.
A~ tube 22 continues to be lnserted, upset portlon 34 begln~
to bend arms 32 radially outwardly. This ls known as the po6itive tran6ition zone and 18 lllu~trated in Figure 5. A sllarply increased force is required over the force requ;red to ln6ert tube 22 to the posltlon shown ln Figure 4. As upset portion 34 ls blasing arm~ 32 radially outwardly, inner end 36 of tube 22 begins to move within O-rings 42 and 44 and is sealingly engaged within housing 24.
Thu6, as tube 22 i6 moving through the positlve tran6ition zone where the charply increased force is required inner end 36 is also being forced lnto seal6 42 and 44. Any re6istance to insertlon of tube 22 from 6eal6 42 and 44 wlll occur during thl6 6harply lncreased force zone, and thus the resistance by the 6eals wlll not provlde any false feel to an assembler.
CA 0206049~ 1999-04-19 .
As shown in Figure 5, a flrst radially inwardly inclined surface 52 is formed on arms 32 and extends to a second 6urface 54 ~hich i9 formed at sn angle generally parallel to the axis of the bore. Once upset portion 34 reaches the apex between portions 52 and 54, the force resisting in6ertion of tube 22 decreases rapidly. Up6et portion 34 then snaps beyond second inclined portion 54 into a fully inserted pO6itiOIl.
The force required to move tube 22 beyond the initial avalanche point, such as shown in Figure 4, and through the po6itive transition zone, shown in Figure 5, carrie6 tube 22 to its fully inserted po6ition shown in Figure 6. Tube 22 is now fully inserted into housing bore 46. Upset portion 34 is received axially inwardly of an Axially innermost end of arm6 32. Tube 22 is securely retained within housing 24. Moreover, the axially inner end 36 of tube 2Z is received radially inwardly of seals 42 and 44 providing a fluid tight seal.
As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, when tube 22 has upset portion 34 at the ~econd axial position y, or avalanche polnt, inner end 36 is spaced 61igh-1y from seals 42. Inner end 36 is beveled, and a portion of it6 beveled surface is axially aligned with an axially outer portion of outer~st seal 42. Seal 42 is still spaced radially from inne.r end 36.
Once up~et portion 34 begins to bias arms 32 radially outwardly into the positive transition zone, as shown in Figure 5, inner end 36 immedistely contacts the outermost seal 42. As 6hown in Figure 6, once fully inserted inner end 36 i6 ~paced axially inwardly from the outermost ~eal 42 by the maximum distance tllat still provides no 6eal until upset portion 34 moves into the positive transition zone.
A preferred embodiment o~ the pre6ent invention lla~ been : disclosed, however, a worker of ordinary 6kill ln the srt would recognize that certaln modificetion6 wo~ld come within the scope of thi6 ~n~entlon. Thus, the following cl~im~ should be studied in order to determine the true 6cope alld content of the invention.
! ,
Claims (6)
1. A quick connect tubing connector comprising:
a tube extending along an axis, having a first outer diameter over the majority of an axial length, and having at least one upset portion of a greater radially outer dimension at one axial position, said one axial position being spaced from an inner axial end of said tube by a first distance;
a body defining a bore to receive said tube, said bore extending from an outer end axially inwardly, a retainer means positioned within said bore for retaining said tube within said bore, at least one seal positioned within said bore, said at least one seal being centered at a first axial position;
said retainer means consisting of a plurality of resilient arms extending axially and radially inwardly from an axially outer end of said bore, said resilient arms having an inner peripheral surface with a greatest inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of said upset portion, and a smallest inner diameter smaller than the outer radially dimension of said upset portion, said resilient arms resisting insertion of said tube into said bore after said upset portion reaches a second axial position where it initially abuts an inner peripheral surface of said arms having an inner diameter intermediate said greatest and smallest inner diameters, and approximately equal to the outer diameter of said upset portion, the distance between said first and second axial positions being approximately equal to said first distance such that said inner axial end of said tube does not sealingly engage said at least one seal when said upset portion is at said second axial location; and said inner axial end of said tube being beveled, and said inner axial end being aligned with an axially outer portion of said at least one seal, such that said axially outer portion of said at least one seal being spaced radially outwardly of said inner axial end of said tube when said upset portion is at said second axial position, and such that a plane could be drawn normal to the axis of said tube and extending through said seal and said axially inner end of said tube.
a tube extending along an axis, having a first outer diameter over the majority of an axial length, and having at least one upset portion of a greater radially outer dimension at one axial position, said one axial position being spaced from an inner axial end of said tube by a first distance;
a body defining a bore to receive said tube, said bore extending from an outer end axially inwardly, a retainer means positioned within said bore for retaining said tube within said bore, at least one seal positioned within said bore, said at least one seal being centered at a first axial position;
said retainer means consisting of a plurality of resilient arms extending axially and radially inwardly from an axially outer end of said bore, said resilient arms having an inner peripheral surface with a greatest inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of said upset portion, and a smallest inner diameter smaller than the outer radially dimension of said upset portion, said resilient arms resisting insertion of said tube into said bore after said upset portion reaches a second axial position where it initially abuts an inner peripheral surface of said arms having an inner diameter intermediate said greatest and smallest inner diameters, and approximately equal to the outer diameter of said upset portion, the distance between said first and second axial positions being approximately equal to said first distance such that said inner axial end of said tube does not sealingly engage said at least one seal when said upset portion is at said second axial location; and said inner axial end of said tube being beveled, and said inner axial end being aligned with an axially outer portion of said at least one seal, such that said axially outer portion of said at least one seal being spaced radially outwardly of said inner axial end of said tube when said upset portion is at said second axial position, and such that a plane could be drawn normal to the axis of said tube and extending through said seal and said axially inner end of said tube.
2. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one seal being an axially outermost seal, and there being at least one additional seal spaced axially inwardly from said axially outermost seal.
3. A quick connect tubing connector comprising:
a tube extending along an axis and having an axially inner end;
a body defining a bore to receive said tube, said bore extending axially inwardly from an outer end, a retainer means positioned within said bore for retaining said tube within said bore, at least one seal positioned within said bore, said at least one seal being centered at a first axial position; and said retainer means providing a force resisting insertion of said tube into said bore until said tube reaches a position where it is fully inserted into said bore, after which said retainer means retains said tube within said bore, said force from said retainer means resisting insertion of said tube being initially at a relatively low level for a first portion of the axial insertion of said tube, said resistance increasingly sharply to a second higher level when said tube reaches a second axial position in said bore, and the momentum from said tube carrying said tube further into said bore such that it is fully inserted after said sharply increased force is overcome, said axially inner end of said tube not contacting said seal before said tube is at said second axial position, said retainer means being constructed such that once said tube moves beyond said second axial position, said tube will necessarily move to said fully inserted position, and not remain in any intermediate positions.
a tube extending along an axis and having an axially inner end;
a body defining a bore to receive said tube, said bore extending axially inwardly from an outer end, a retainer means positioned within said bore for retaining said tube within said bore, at least one seal positioned within said bore, said at least one seal being centered at a first axial position; and said retainer means providing a force resisting insertion of said tube into said bore until said tube reaches a position where it is fully inserted into said bore, after which said retainer means retains said tube within said bore, said force from said retainer means resisting insertion of said tube being initially at a relatively low level for a first portion of the axial insertion of said tube, said resistance increasingly sharply to a second higher level when said tube reaches a second axial position in said bore, and the momentum from said tube carrying said tube further into said bore such that it is fully inserted after said sharply increased force is overcome, said axially inner end of said tube not contacting said seal before said tube is at said second axial position, said retainer means being constructed such that once said tube moves beyond said second axial position, said tube will necessarily move to said fully inserted position, and not remain in any intermediate positions.
4. The connector as recited in claim 3, wherein said axially inner end of said tube being adjacent to an axially outermost portion of said at least one seal when said tube is at said second axial position.
5. The connector as recited in claim 4, wherein said axially inner end of said tube being beveled such that it has a smaller outer radial dimension than portions of said tube spaced axially outwardly, and said axially inner end being aligned with said axially outermost portion of said at least one seal, said axially outermost portion of said at least one seal being spaced radially outwardly of said axially inner end of said tube when said tube is at said second axial position such that said axially inner end of said tube does not contact said seal until said upset portion has moved inwardly of said second axial portion, and such that a plane could be drawn normal to the axis of said tube and extending through said seal and said axially inner end of said tube.
6. The connector as recited in claim 3, wherein said retainer means having a plurality of resilient arms extending axially and radially inwardly from an outer end of said bore, said tube having an upset portion of an outer diameter greater than the nominal outer diameter of said tube, said resilient arms having inner peripheral surface with a greatest inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of said upset portion, and a smallest inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of said upset portion, said resilient arms resisting insertion of said tube to said bore to apply said resistance force, said resilient arms having axially inner ends which define a surface lying generally in a planeperpendicular to said axis, and said axially inner ends abutting an outer face of said upset portion to define said fully inserted position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US751,196 | 1991-08-29 | ||
| US07/751,196 US5161833A (en) | 1991-08-29 | 1991-08-29 | Positive transition quick connect coupling |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2060495A1 CA2060495A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 |
| CA2060495C true CA2060495C (en) | 1999-07-27 |
Family
ID=25020915
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002060495A Expired - Fee Related CA2060495C (en) | 1991-08-29 | 1992-01-31 | Positive transition quick connect coupling |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5161833A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0529758B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH05196184A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100226029B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU641887B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9105053A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2060495C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69211625T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2089383T3 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9200370A (en) |
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| US5324082A (en) * | 1991-08-29 | 1994-06-28 | Bundy Corporation | Positive transition quick connect coupling |
| JP2556872Y2 (en) * | 1992-01-22 | 1997-12-08 | 臼井国際産業株式会社 | Fitting for connecting small diameter resin tube |
| US5261438A (en) * | 1993-03-10 | 1993-11-16 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Hot water tank construction, parts therefor and methods of making the same |
| US5401063A (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 1995-03-28 | Enhanced Applications, L.C. | Primary/secondary retainer for beaded/flared tubing |
| US5378025A (en) * | 1993-11-03 | 1995-01-03 | Itt Corporation | Quick connector with integral release member |
| GB9402758D0 (en) * | 1994-02-11 | 1994-04-06 | Guest John D | Improvements in or relating to tube couplings |
| US5527072A (en) * | 1994-06-28 | 1996-06-18 | Pilot Industries, Inc. | Quick connect coupling |
| US5518276A (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1996-05-21 | Bundy Corporation | Quick connector with pull back verification method |
| US6347815B1 (en) | 1995-08-31 | 2002-02-19 | Cooper Technology Services, Llc | Quick connect fluid coupling with components positioned to provide continuous insertion resistance |
| JP2880453B2 (en) | 1996-06-07 | 1999-04-12 | 三桜工業株式会社 | Retainers for piping fittings |
| US5711553A (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 1998-01-27 | Stmc-Llc | Quick connect fluid coupling |
| US5772263A (en) * | 1996-12-20 | 1998-06-30 | Itt Automotive, Inc. | One piece quick connector and integral retainer |
| US6199919B1 (en) | 1998-03-31 | 2001-03-13 | Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd. | Tube connecting structure |
| JP3674390B2 (en) | 1998-07-09 | 2005-07-20 | 東海ゴム工業株式会社 | Quick connector coupling and female housing |
| SE512411C2 (en) * | 1998-08-11 | 2000-03-13 | Aba Sweden Ab | Device for connecting two rigid tubular objects |
| JP3709765B2 (en) | 1999-07-21 | 2005-10-26 | 東海ゴム工業株式会社 | Connection structure |
| US6336667B1 (en) * | 1999-06-11 | 2002-01-08 | B/E Aerospace Intellectual Property Inc. | Latch mechanism |
| JP2001090888A (en) | 1999-09-24 | 2001-04-03 | Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd | Engagement holding member made of heat resistant resin |
| US6945422B2 (en) * | 2000-11-08 | 2005-09-20 | Delphi Technologies, Inc. | In-tank fuel line quick connector assembly |
| JP2002267074A (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2002-09-18 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Connector |
| DE20201574U1 (en) * | 2002-02-02 | 2003-06-18 | Voss Automotive Gmbh | Receiving part of a fluid plug-in coupling |
| EP1561990B1 (en) * | 2004-02-05 | 2008-08-20 | TI Group Automotive Systems LLC | Quick connector for high pressure applications |
| GB2412416B (en) * | 2004-03-22 | 2008-04-16 | Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd | Quick connector |
| US20060066101A1 (en) * | 2004-09-29 | 2006-03-30 | Hollnagel Harold E | High pressure line connector |
| US7712319B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2010-05-11 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigerant charge adequacy gauge |
| US7610765B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2009-11-03 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigerant charge status indication method and device |
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| US7552596B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2009-06-30 | Carrier Corporation | Dual thermochromic liquid crystal temperature sensing for refrigerant charge indication |
| US7967342B2 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2011-06-28 | Ti Group Automotive Systems, Llc | Anti-rotation quick connector |
| US8113548B2 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2012-02-14 | Ti Group Automotive Systems, Llc | Quick connector for high pressure applications |
| US7419192B2 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2008-09-02 | Carrier Corporation | Braze-free connector utilizing a sealant coated ferrule |
| FR2893380B1 (en) * | 2005-11-15 | 2009-02-27 | Legris Sa | REDUCED SIZE RETAINER FOR ANCHORING A TUBE IN A CIRCUIT MEMBER AND CORRESPONDING CIRCUIT MEMBER |
| DE102005060135A1 (en) * | 2005-12-16 | 2007-07-05 | A. Raymond Et Cie | Coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes in a fluid pipe system has securing part with substantially closed annular sleeve with latching part(s) and locking piece(s) mounted on side of annular sleeve by radially sprung spring bridges |
| WO2008079111A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2008-07-03 | Carrier Corporation | Method for determining refrigerant charge |
| WO2008079108A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2008-07-03 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigerant charge indication |
| US20100052315A1 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2010-03-04 | Ti Group Automotive Systems, Llc | Quick connector coupling with lateral stabilization |
| US8297659B2 (en) | 2011-02-22 | 2012-10-30 | Miniature Precision Components, Inc. | Quick connector assembly |
| US9759465B2 (en) | 2011-12-27 | 2017-09-12 | Carrier Corporation | Air conditioner self-charging and charge monitoring system |
| CN102734583B (en) * | 2012-07-10 | 2013-12-18 | 浙江亿日气动科技有限公司 | Quick joint |
| US9759359B2 (en) | 2016-01-26 | 2017-09-12 | Tectran Mfg. Inc. | Grip and fitting assemblies and kits utilizing the same |
| US9869416B2 (en) | 2016-01-26 | 2018-01-16 | Tectran Mfg. Inc. | Swivel coupling and hose assemblies and kits utilizing the same |
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| US3711125A (en) * | 1971-06-29 | 1973-01-16 | Ford Motor Co | Quick connect fitting for a hydraulic conduit |
| US4423892A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1984-01-03 | Bartholomew Donald D | Swivelable quick connector assembly |
| US4936544A (en) * | 1980-10-29 | 1990-06-26 | Proprietary Technology, Inc. | Swivelable quick connector assembly |
| DE3525402A1 (en) * | 1985-07-16 | 1987-01-29 | Thyssen Plastik Anger Kg | QUICK CONNECTOR |
| GB8804337D0 (en) * | 1988-02-24 | 1988-03-23 | Albright & Wilson | Acetate product & process |
| JP2691550B2 (en) * | 1988-03-01 | 1997-12-17 | 臼井国際産業株式会社 | Connector for small-diameter piping connection |
| US4943091A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1990-07-24 | Proprietary Technology, Inc. | Quick connector |
| US5002315A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1991-03-26 | Proprietary Technology, Inc. | Quick connector |
| GB2217417A (en) * | 1988-04-13 | 1989-10-25 | Ford Motor Co | A snap-locking releasable pipe connector |
| DE3905722A1 (en) * | 1989-01-25 | 1990-07-26 | Festo Kg | CONNECTING DEVICE |
-
1991
- 1991-08-29 US US07/751,196 patent/US5161833A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-20 BR BR919105053A patent/BR9105053A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1992
- 1992-01-29 MX MX9200370A patent/MX9200370A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-01-30 DE DE69211625T patent/DE69211625T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-01-30 ES ES92300811T patent/ES2089383T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-01-30 EP EP92300811A patent/EP0529758B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-01-30 AU AU10583/92A patent/AU641887B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-01-31 CA CA002060495A patent/CA2060495C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-02-21 KR KR1019920002671A patent/KR100226029B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-04-28 JP JP4152596A patent/JPH05196184A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0529758A1 (en) | 1993-03-03 |
| ES2089383T3 (en) | 1996-10-01 |
| DE69211625D1 (en) | 1996-07-25 |
| JPH05196184A (en) | 1993-08-06 |
| MX9200370A (en) | 1993-02-01 |
| AU641887B2 (en) | 1993-09-30 |
| DE69211625T2 (en) | 1996-10-10 |
| US5161833A (en) | 1992-11-10 |
| CA2060495A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 |
| AU1058392A (en) | 1993-03-04 |
| EP0529758B1 (en) | 1996-06-19 |
| KR930004674A (en) | 1993-03-23 |
| KR100226029B1 (en) | 1999-10-15 |
| BR9105053A (en) | 1993-03-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |