WO2000066921A9

WO2000066921A9 - Brake quick connect fluid coupling

Info

Publication number: WO2000066921A9
Application number: PCT/US2000/012110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerry L Holden; Erik E Pierson; Christopher J Kargula; Matthew D Lutzke
Original assignee: Form Rite Corp; Jerry L Holden; Erik E Pierson; Christopher J Kargula; Matthew D Lutzke
Priority date: 1999-05-04
Filing date: 2000-05-04
Publication date: 2002-02-21
Also published as: AU4983900A; WO2000066921A3; WO2000066921A2

Abstract

A fluid coupling is provided that includes a housing (12) having a bore (14) with an opening (16). A tube (18) is at least partially disposed within the bore, and a first member (30) is connected to the tube and at least partially disposed within the bore. The first member has a flange (34) with an annular ramped surface (40). A second member (44) has an end portion (50) retained within the bore to prevent the second member from being forced out of the housing. The second member includes an annular ramped portion (62), which is complementary to the annular ramped surface (40), in abutting relationship to the ramped surface. The second member is rotated relative to the first member to move the tube further into the bore away from the opening and seat either the tube or the first member against the housing. In this manner, clearance is accommodated between the housing and the tube. Interlocking features on the first and second members engage one another to prevent relative rotation between the first and second members so that the tight fitting relation between the tube and housing is maintained.

Description

BRAKE QUICK CONNECT FLUID COUPLING

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a quick connect fluid coupling, and more specifically, a quick connect fluid coupling adapted for accommodating clearance and firmly seating a tube within a housing.

Fluid couplings are widely used in automotive applications for such fluid systems as braking, engine cooling, and transmission cooling. Many of the fluid systems include a rigid tube that must be coupled to another member such as a brake housing. The tube may be coupled to the housing in any number of ways. In one example, the end of the tube may be flared and a threaded nut may be fastened to a threaded nipple on the housing to secure the flared end to the housing. While such a coupling arrangement provides a robust design, they may take longer than desired to assemble. In another example, a quick connect coupling may be used to simplify assembly and decrease assembly time. The tube, or a component associated with the tube, is inserted into the housing in an interlocking fashion, that is, the tube is snap fit into the housing. A seal is arranged between the tube and the housing to prevent fluid from leaking. Typically, there is some clearance or play between the tube and the housing resulting from component tolerances or the quick connect coupling configuration.

Some fluid coupling applications experience severe conditions, such as brake systems that are subjected to high pressure pulses. Under these severe conditions, clearances that are common with typical quick connect couplings will cause the coupling to fail. However, resorting to threaded fastener couplings is undesirable due to the increase in assembly time and complexity. Therefore, what is needed is a quick connect fluid coupling that is suitable for severe applications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention provides a fluid coupling includes a housing having a bore with an opening. A tube is at least partially disposed within the bore, and a first member is connected to the tube and at least partially disposed within the bore. The first member has a flange with an annular ramped surface. A second member is arranged adjacent to the first member and is rotatable relative to the first member. The second member has an end portion retained within the bore to prevent the second member from being forced out of the housing. The second member includes an annular ramped portion, which is complementary to the annular ramped surface, in abutting relationship to the ramped surface. The second member is rotated relative to the first member to move the tube further into the bore away from the opening and seat either the tube or the first member against the housing.

Accordingly, the above invention provides a quick connect fluid coupling that is suitable for severe applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the quick connect fluid coupling of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the quick connect fluid coupling shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of first alternative seal and tube arrangement;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative seal and tube arrangement;

Figure 5 is an end view of the second member shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support member that may be used with the present invention quick connect fluid coupling; ^~~

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the ramped surface and ramped portion of the first and second members, respectively; Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the first member; and

Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the second member for use with the first member shown in Figure 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A fluid coupling 10 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Subsequent Figures are best understood with additional reference to Figures 1 and 2. The fluid coupling 10 includes a housing 12, that may be a portion of any component such as a brake housing. The housing 12 has a bore 14 with an opening 16. A tube 18, which may be metal or plastic, is at least partially disposed within the bore 14 in the assembled position and carries fluid to or from the housing 12. The tube 18 may include a ridge or bead 20 extending radially from the tube 18 that is used to retain the tube 18 within the bore 14, as will be discussed in more detail below. A seal 22, preferably an O-ring, is arranged between the tube 18 and the housing 12 for preventing the fluid from leaking. An additional back-up seal 24 may also be used. The seals 22, 24 are located along the tube 18 by bead 20.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tube 18 and seals 22, 24 may be configured in any number of ways. The tube 18 may be made more stable within the housing 12 by having the tube 18 extend farther beyond the bead 20. Alternatively, the end of the tube may be flared, as shown in Figure 2. To provide improved sealing, the bore 14 may include an annular sloped surface 26 that supports the seal 22. As the tube 18 is forced deeper into the bore 14, the seal 22 compresses and creates a tight fit between the housing 12 and the tube 18. The fluid coupling 10 also includes a first member 30 that is connected to the tube 18. As shown in the Figures, the tube^~T8 and the first member 30 are non- integrally formed with one another, that is, the tube 18 and the first member 30 are not formed in a single operation as one piece. For example, a preferred method of connecting the first member 30 to the tube in a non-integral manner is to mold the first member 30 over the tube 18. The first member 30 is at least partially disposed within the bore 14 in the assembled position and abuts the bead 20 to further prevent the tube 18 from moving axially relative to first member 30.

The first member 30 has a tapered annular flange 34 with an angled surface 36. The bore 14 includes an angled surface 38 that is complementary to the angled surface 36 for engaging the angled surface 36. The angled surfaces 36, 38 seat against one another in the assembled position so that the tube 18 is securely retained in the housing 12, which will be discussed in more detail below. The flange 34 also includes an annular ramped, or cammed, surface 40 opposite the angled surface 36. The ramped surface 40 is helical and is similar to a single thread of a threaded fastener.

A second member 44 is arranged adjacent to the first member and is rotatable relative to the first member. The first member 30 includes elongated slots 46 that form fingers 48 that flex inward to permit the second member 44 to be installed onto the first member 30. The first 30 and second 44 members are keyed to for initially aligning the second member 44 relative to the first member 30. A support member 47, shown in Figure 6, may be installed between the first 30 and second 44 members to force the fingers 48 outward and retain the second member 44 securely on the first member 30. Support member 47 includes tabs 49 that are received in elongated slots 46.

The second member 44, also shown in Figure 5, has an end portion 50 retained within the bore 14 in the assembled position to prevent the second member 44 from being forced out of the housing 12. Specifically, the bore 14 includes an annular recess 52 and the second member 44 includes a flange 54 on the end portion 50 that is received within the recess 52 to retain the end portion 50 within the bore

14. To facilitate insertion of the end portion 50 into the bore 14, the second member 44 has a plurality of axially extending spaced apart fingers 56 formed by elongated slots 58. The annular flange 54 is arranged on the fingers 56 and includes an inclined surface 60 for coacting with the opening 16 of the housing 12 and forcing the fingers 56 inward when the second member 44 is inserted into the bore 14.

The second member 44 also includes an annular ramped, or cammed, portion 62, which is complementary to the annular ramped surface 40. The ramped portion 62, preferably arranged on the flange 54, is in abutting relationship with the ramped surface 40. As the second member 44 is rotated relative to the first member 30, the ramped surface 40 and portion 62 cooperate with one another to move first member 30 axially away from the second member 44 since the second member 44 is retained within the bore 14. As a result, the first member 30 is seated against the housing 12, and the tube 18 is forced further into the bore 14 away from the opening 16. Additionally, multiple ramped surfaces 40 and portions 62 may be used with varying contours and angles.

To prevent the second member 44 from rotating relative to the first member 30 once the first member 30 has been seated in the housing 12, any number of interlocking features may be used. The first 30 and the second 44 members include first 66 and second 68 interlocking members, respectively, that engage one another for preventing relative rotation between the first 30 and second 44 members. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the first interlocking member 66 includes teeth on an outer surface of the first member 30 and the second interlocking 68 member includes teeth on an inner surface of the second member for engaging the teeth on the first member 30.

Another embodiment is shown in Figure 7. The first interlocking member 66 may include teeth on the ramped surface 40, and the second interlocking member 68 may include teeth on the ramped portion 62 that engage the teeth on the ramped surface 40. One set of teeth may be formed by curved protrusions, and the other set of teeth may be formed by curved recesses complimentary to the curved protrusions.

The curved teeth enable the members 30, 44 to be rotated relative to one another more easily. In yet another embodiment, shown in Figures 8 A and B, the first interlocking member 66 may include an oval outer surface. The second interlocking member 68 may include an oval inner surface that is slightly larger than the oval outer surface so that the members 30, 44 wedge against one another as the second member 44 is rotated. Furthermore, interlocking features may be used in combination with one another to further ensure that the second member 44 remains rotationally fixed relative the first member 30 once in the assembled position. The second member 44 may include a plurality of outwardly extending handles 70 for use when rotating the second member 44 relative to the first member 30. Alternatively, the second member 44 may have a portion with a hexagonal cross-section for receiving a wrench.

The quick connect fluid coupling 10 includes mechanism for determining when the coupling 10 is in the assembled, or locked position, and the unassembled, or open position. The first member 30 includes first 74 and second 76 position indices, preferably raised lettering such as "OPEN" and "LOCKED". The second member 44 includes an indicator 78, such as the arm shown, for exposing one of the position indices 74, 76. As discussed above, the second member 44 is keyed to the first member 30, which is used to align the indices 74, 76 and the indicator 78.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAPMSWhat is claimed is

1. A fluid coupling comprising: a housing having a bore with an opening; a tube at least partially disposed within said bore; a first member connected to said tube and at least partially disposed within said bore, said first member having a flange with a ramped surface; a second member adjacent to said first member and rotatable relative to said first member, said second member having an end portion retained within said bore, and said second member having a ramped portion abutting said ramped surface for moving said tube further into said bore away from said opening and seating one of said tube and said first member against said housing when said second member is rotated relative to said first member.

2. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said tube is disposed within said first member and said first member is disposed within said second member.

3. The fluid coupling according to claim 2, wherein said tube and said first member are non-integrally formed with one another.

4. The fluid coupling according to claim 3, wherein said first member is molded over said tube.

5. The fluid coupling according to claim 2, wherein tube has a bead extending radially therefrom and said first member abuts said bead for preventing said tube from moving relative to said first member along an axis.

6. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a seal interposed between said tube and said housing for preventing fluid from escaping said housing.

7. The fluid coupling according to claim 6, wherein said bore has a sloped surface with said seal adjacent to said sloped surface, said seal compressing against said sloped surface when said second member is rotated relative to said first member.

8. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said bore and said first member include complimentary angled surfaces that engage one another, said first member angled surface seating against said bore angled surface when said second member is rotated relative to said first member.

9. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said bore includes a recess and said second member includes a flange received within said recess to retain said end portion within said bore.

10. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said second member has a plurality of axially extending spaced apart fingers, said flange arranged on said fingers and including an inclined surface for coacting with said housing and forcing said fingers inward when said second member is inserted into said bore.

11. The fluid coupling according to claim 10, wherein said flange includes said ramped portion.

12. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second members include first and second interlocking members, respectively, engaging one another for preventing relative rotation between said first and said second members.

13. The fluid coupling according to claim 12, wherein said first interlocking member includes a first set of teeth on an outer surface of said first member and said second interlocking member includes a second set of teeth on an inner surface of said second member engaging said first set of teeth.

14. The fluid coupling according to claim 12, wherein said first interlocking member includes an oval outer surface and said second interlocking member includes an oval inner surface slightly larger than said oval outer surface.

15. The fluid coupling according to claim 12, wherein said first interlocking member includes a first set of teeth on said ramped surface and said second interlocking member includes a second set of teeth on said ramped portion engaging said first set of teeth.

16. The fluid coupling according to claim 15, wherein said first set of teeth include curved protrusions and said second set of teeth include curved recesses complimentary to said curved protrusions.

17. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said first member includes a plurality of said ramped surfaces and said second member includes a plurality of said ramped portions.

18. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said second member includes a plurality of outwardly extending handles for use when rotating said second member relative to said first member.

19. The fluid coupling according to claim 1, wherein said first member includes first and second position indices, and said second member includes an indicator for exposing one of said first and said second position indices.

20. The fluid coupling according to claim 19, wherein said second member is keyed to said first member to align said indices and said indicator.

21. A method of installing a quick connect tube into a housing comprising the steps of: a) inserting a tube assembly into a bore in the housing; b) inserting a retaining member into the bore; c) rotating the retaining member relative to the tube assembly to move the tube assembly further into the bore and seat the tube assembly against the housing thereby accommodating clearance there between; and d) locking the retaining member against rotation relative to the tube assembly.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein steps c) and d) occur simultaneously.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein step b) further includes retaining the retaining member within the bore with the tube assembly arranged between the housing and the retaining member.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein step a) is preceded by the step of e) installing the retaining member on the tube assembly.