Abstract:
A fitting or coupling to connect a rigid tube to a flexible hose. It has a through bore and includes a quick connector port at one end and a crimp collar at the other. In one form the coupling includes multiple quick connector ports.

Description:
This application claims the benefit, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C. §119, of provisional application Ser. No. 60/609,399 filed Sep. 13, 2004, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application is related to application Ser. No. 11/218,666, filed Sep. 5, 2005, entitled “Quick Connector For High Pressure Applications.” Both this application and application Ser. No. 11/218,666 claim priority to application 60/609,399 filed Sep. 13, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to coupling assemblies. In particular, it relates to a coupling having a body for connecting a rigid tube to a flexible hose. 
     In many fluid system applications it is necessary to connect a rigid tube that comprises part of the fluid system to a flexible hose. Such an arrangement is often necessary where relative movement exists between different parts within a fluid system. An example is found in vehicular brake systems where rigid metal tubes form part of the fluid line and are connected by flexible hose to a brake caliper or other component. There is relative movement between parts of the vehicle that carry, for example, the master cylinder and associated rigid lines, and the brake cylinders at the vehicle wheels. To accommodate such movement, a flexible line must be incorporated into the system. Such a flexible line is usually in the form of a flexible rubber or polymeric hose called a jounce line. 
     A coupling to connect a rigid tube to a flexible hose has numerous other applications. Moreover, it has been determined that a coupling that couples a plurality of rigid tubes to a single flexible hose is also a desirable fluid system component. 
     To make the transition between a rigid line and a flexible line, a coupling or fitting must provide a fluid tight connection to the rigid tube, and also to a flexible hose. In high pressure applications, the portion that connects to the flexible hose must take the form of a crimp connection to ensure that no fluid leakage exists in the system. 
     The coupling or fitting, therefore, has an end arranged to be connected to a flexible hose by a crimp connection. The other end of such a coupling is traditionally a threaded connection to a flare on the tube end. Such a fitting is shown in  FIG. 1 . There are fitting  114  is connected to a flexible hose  115  by a crimp connection  116  at one end of the fitting  114 . The opposite end of the fitting defines a threaded bore  118  with an interior conical surface  120  or seat to receive the flare of an end of a rigid tube. A threaded nut (not shown) carried by the rigid tube is screwed into the threaded bore  118  until it forces the tube end against the conical surface  120  to seat the seat tube in a fluid tight relation. 
     This design has several disadvantages. It has a propensity to leak due to the threaded connection interfaces and the differences between the surface condition of each component. Also, the labor involved in installing the assembly is substantial. It requires a torque operation to the mating components usually in a confined area. Extra clips are required to keep the tube from rotating during torque operations. Cross-threading, rework and scrap associated with torque process is prevalent. Bulky torque guns and hand starting fittings are required. 
     The present invention is directed to a connector that greatly reduces the possibility of a leak by eliminating the leak path between two machined components, (tube fitting to crimp collar). The present invention also provides for a method of installation which is much less labor intensive than a torque operation during assembly. It also combines a high-pressure quick connector body and a crimp collar shell into one unique fluid coupling. 
     In the automotive and other fields, one type of coupling assembly often utilized to provide a fluid connection between two components or conduits are quick connectors, which generally include a male member received and retained in a female connector body. Use of a quick connector is advantageous in that a sealed and secure fluid line may be established with minimum amount of time and expense. 
     A retainer is often used to secure the male member within the connector body. One such type of retainer includes a plurality of locking members which extend between a radially enlarged upset formed on the male member and an annular face defined in the connector body. The abutment of the retainer with the upset of the male member at one end and the annular face of the connector body at the other end prevents the withdrawal of the male member from the connector body. This type of retainer is prevalent in the art and has proven effective in many fluid line applications. 
     The present invention incorporates the benefits of a quick connector coupling for connection to a rigid tube coupling with the direct connection to a flexible hose by incorporating into a single coupling element a configuration to receive a quick connect coupling to a rigid tube and a crimp connector for connection to a flexible hose. 
     Such an arrangement greatly reduces the time to make and verify a fluid connection. It eliminates the use of a threaded connection and the well known disadvantages associated with threaded connection. It reduces assembly processing costs and labor scrap resulting from misconnections of threaded fittings and provides an improved joint with a reliable fluid tight seal. 
     The invention relates to a fluid coupling that connects a flexible hose on one side of the body and the other side a built-in port that will house the internal workings of a quick connector. In other words, the fluid coupling comprises a connector part to retain the rigid hydraulic line and a hose connection in the form of a crimp collar to retain the flexible hose. 
     The connector body has a through bore to provide a fluid passage between the connected tube and hose elements. This will allow the fluid path to be uninterrupted. It has an entrance opening and defines a retainer receiving portion and a seal receiving portion to form a quick connection port. The opposite end defines a crimp collar to receive a flexible hose. 
     The connector pocket or port retains the hydraulic lines within the connector body at the entrance side and at the terminal end the crimp collar mechanism is used to secure a flexible hose to the connector body. 
     Another embodiment is a multiple port coupling. It has multiple connector ports to accommodate the plurality of rigid hydraulic lines secured by quick connector. Such a fluid coupling is particularly desirable for use as a junction block where plural hydraulic lines join together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view partially in section of a prior art fitting; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a fluid coupling in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the fluid coupling of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the fluid coupling body illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid coupling along line  5 - 5  as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the retainer utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the retainer illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the retainer illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the retainer along line  9 - 9  as shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a spacer utilized in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of the spacer illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the spacer illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the spacer taken along line  13 - 13  as shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional side view of the connector body portion of an assembled coupling embodying the present invention; and 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of a multiple port fluid coupling embodying the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A fluid coupling in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-15 . The fluid coupling comprises a coupling body  400  having a quick connector portion  402  and a hose connection portion  404 . The coupling defines a through bore for fluid communication between connected fluid system elements. 
     The quick connector portion includes a hollow connector body portion  414 , a retainer  216  for securing a male member  212  within the connector body portion  414 , an O-ring or seal member  218 , a seal member retainer  217  preventing axial movement of the O-ring  218  relative to the connector body  414 . Hose connection portion  404  includes a crimp collar portion  428  to connect to flexible hose  428 . 
     A male member  212  is formed at the end of a hollow and rigid tube  220  which forms a part of a fluid line system. The tube  220  may lead to a component in a fluid line system, or may itself be a portion of a component in a fluid line system. The male member  212  includes a radially enlarged annular upset  222  formed at a given distance from the terminal end. The male member  212  also includes a cylindrical portion  224  between the upset  222  and the terminal end. The cylindrical portion  224  has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the tube  220 . 
     The connector body portion  414  is best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The female connector body portion  414  is hollow and defines an axial bore  430  extending axially inwardly from a first opening  432 . The bore  430  is divided into three portions: a retainer receiving portion  449 , a seal receiving portion  450 , and a reduced diameter portion  448 . The first opening  432  is defined by a radially inwardly extending rim  434  having an outward surface and a first annular face  438 . The rim  434  is chamfered at the outward surface to facilitate the insertion of the retainer  416  into the retainer receiving section  449 . Axially inward from the rim  434  is a first cylindrical surface. Axially inward from the first cylindrical surface is a radially inwardly extending annular rib  435  having an outward surface and a second annular face  439 . The first annular face  438 , the first cylindrical surface and the outward surface of the annular rib  435  define the retainer receiving portion  449  of the axial bore  430 . 
     The annular rib  435  is chamfered at the outward surface to facilitate the insertion of the spacer  217  into the seal receiving section  450 . Axially inward from the annular rib  435  is a conical surface  444  and a second cylindrical surface  442  terminating at a shoulder  452 . The second annular face  439 , the conical surface  444 , the second cylindrical surface  442  and the shoulder  452  define the seal receiving portion  450  of the axial bore  430 . Axially inward from the shoulder is the reduced diameter portion  448  of the axial bore  430  that is in fluid communication with the hose connection portion of the coupling. 
     The retainer  216  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 . The retainer  216  includes a cylindrical ring  256  at a first axial end. The ring  256  has a forward facing surface  258 , a rearward facing surface  260  and a reduced diameter cylindrical surface  261 . A bore  262  is defined in the ring  256 . Four duckbill shaped flexible arms  276  extend axially forward and radially inward from the ring  256 . The arms  276  are not connected at a second axial end. Four axially extending elongated slots  266  are defined between each of the adjacent arms  276  and extend from the second axial end to the ring  256 . The slots  266  allow the arms  276  to flex radially relative to the ring  256 . Each arm  276  has a front abutment surface  278 , a first ramped top surface  280 , a second ramped top surface  282 , a rear abutment surface  284 , a ramped bottom surface  288 , and a cylindrical bottom surface  290 . The forward facing surface  258  of the ring  256 , the reduced diameter cylindrical surface  261  of the ring  256 , and the rear abutment surfaces  284  of the arms  276  defines a channel  264 . The channel  264 , and thus the reduced diameter surface  261 , is configured and sized to allow the rim  434  of the connector body portion  414  to be situated and retained in the channel  264 . 
     The spacer or seal member retainer  217  is illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 . The seal retainer  217  includes a cylindrical ring  292  at a first axial end. The ring  292  has a forward facing surface  294 . A bore  298  is defined in the ring  292 . Four legs  300  extend axially rearward and radially outward from the rear of the ring  292 . The legs  300  are not connected at a second axial end. Four axially extending elongated slots  302  are defined between each of the adjacent legs  300  and extend from the second axial end to the ring  292 . The slots  302  allow the legs  300  to flex radially relative to the ring  292 . Each leg  300  has a ramped top surface  304 , a cylindrical top surface  306 , a rear abutment surface  308 , and a conical bottom surface  310 . 
     To form the quick connection of the tube to the fluid coupling as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 11 , the O-ring  218  is positioned within the seal receiving portion  450  of the connector body portion  414 . The spacer  217  is then inserted into the seal receiving portion  450  of the connector body portion  414 . As the spacer  217  is inserted axially inward into the connector body portion  414 , the ramped top surface  304  of each leg  300  contacts the rim  434 . Further insertion of the spacer  217  in the axially inward direction causes the legs  300  to flex radially inward relative to the ring  292 . After the legs  300  have surpassed the rim  434 , the legs  300  spring radially outward within the retainer receiving portion  449  of the connector body  214 . Upon further axially inward insertion of the spacer  217 , the ramped top surface  304  of each leg  300  contacts the annular rib  435 . The legs  300  then flexes radially inward relative to the ring  292 . After the legs  300  have surpassed the annular rib  435 , the legs  300  spring radially outward within the seal receiving portion  450  to a position that the ramped top surface  304  is located immediately radially inward of the conical surface  444  of the connector body  414  with the rear abutment surface  308  in abutting relation with the annular face  439  of the annular rib  235 . In its properly inserted position, the spacer  217  is constrained radially and axially within the seal receiving portion  449  of the connector body  414 . The ring  292  abuts the second cylindrical surface  442  and the ramped top surface  304  abuts the conical surface  444  to constrain the spacer  217  radially within the connector body  214 . The ramped top surface  304  abuts the conical surface  444  to prevent the spacer  217  from moving axially inward. The rear abutment surfaces  308  of the legs  300  abut the annular face  439  of the annular rib  435  to prevent the spacer  217  from moving axially outward. 
     With the spacer  217  properly inserted into the seal receiving portion  249  of the connector body portion  414 , the O-ring  218  is constrained radially and axially within the seal receiving portion  449  of the connector body portion  414 . The outer diameter surface of the O-ring  218  abuts the second cylindrical surface  442  of the to constrain the O-ring  218  radially within the connector body  414 . The O-ring  218  abuts the shoulder  452  to prevent the O-ring  218  from moving axially inward. The O-ring ring abuts the forward facing surface  294  of the spacer  217  to prevent the O-ring  218  from moving axially outward. 
     Once the seal retainer  217  has been properly inserted into the seal receiving portion  449  of the connector body portion  414 , the retainer  216  is then inserted into the connector body portion  414 . As the retainer  216  is inserted into the connector body  214 , the first ramped top surface  280  of each arm  276  contacts the rim  434 . Further insertion of the retainer  216  axially inward causes the arms  276  to flex radially inward relative to the ring  256 . After the retainer  216  has been properly inserted into the retainer receiving portion  449  of the connector body portion  414 , the arms  276  spring radially outward. In its properly inserted position, the retainer  216  is constrained radially and axially within the connector body portion  414  The rim  434  is situated in the channel  264  of the retainer  216 . The cylindrical surface  261  abuts the rim  234  to constrain the retainer  216  radially within the connector body portion  414 . The forward facing surface  258  of the ring  256  abuts the outer surface of the rim  434  to prevent the retainer  216  from moving axially inward. The rear abutment surfaces  284  of the arms  276  abut the first annular face  438  of the annular rib  435  to prevent the retainer  216  from moving axially outward. 
     With the spacer  217  and the retainer  216  properly inserted into the connector body  214 , the male member  212  is then inserted into the assembly. As the male member  212  is inserted axially inward into the upset  222  of the male member  212  contacts the ramped bottom surfaces  288  of the arms  276 . Since the diameter of the upset  222  is greater than the diameter of portions of the ramped bottom surfaces  288 , further axially inward insertion of the male member  212  causes the arms  276  to spread radially outward. Once male member  212  has been sufficiently inserted axially inward for the upset  222  to surpass the arms  276 , the arms  276  spring radially inward. 
     The male member  212  is constrained radially and axially within the connector body portion  414 . The cylindrical portion  224  of the male member  212  abuts the cylindrical surface defining the reduced diameter portion  428  to constrain the male member  212  radially within the connector body  214 . The conical bottom surface  310  of the seal retainer  217  abuts the forward surface of the upset  222  to prevent the male member  212  from moving axially inward. The rearward surface of the upset  222  abuts the front abutment surfaces  278  of the arms  276  to prevent the male member  212  from moving axially outward. 
     Turning now to the hose connection portion  404  of the coupling  400  there is provided a crimp connection in the form of crimp collar or shell  428 . Located radially inward of the crimp collar  428  is a barrel  460  defining an opening to a barrel bore  464  extending axially into the coupling and joining in fluid communication with reduced diameter portion  448  of axial bore  430 . The barrel bore  464  intersects the axial bore  430 . An annular groove  466  is defined radially between radially inner surface of the crimp collar  428  and the radially outer surface of the barrel  460 . The diameter of the annular groove  466  is approximately the same diameter of the flexible hose  419  to which the connector body  414  is to be connected. Likewise, the thickness of the annular groove  466  is slightly larger than the thickness of the flexible hose  419 . 
     To establish the fluid path from the flexible hose  419  to the rigid tubing  420 , the flexible hose  419  is installed to hose connection portion  404  of coupling  400 . The terminal end of the flexible hose  419  is inserted into the annular groove  466  defined between the crimp collar  428  and the barrel  460 . After the flexible hose  419  is inserted into the annular groove  466 , the crimp collar  428  is crimped or crushed radially inward, thereby collapsing the groove  466  and pinching the flexible hose  419  between the crimp collar  428  and the barrel  460 . This crimping process retains the flexible hose  419  to the coupling  400  and provides a seal to prevent fluid leakage between the crimp collar  428  and the flexible hose  419 . The completed crimp connection to hose  419  is exemplified by the hose connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Once the flexible hose is installed to the hose connector portion  404 , the rigid tubing  420  is inserted into the quick connector portion  402 . Often the coupling  400  is connected to a brake system component such as an activator at the vehicle wheel. When the vehicle is assembled, the quick connector portion  402  of the coupling  400  is connected to a tube  412 . 
     The coupling  500  of a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The connector body portion  514  is dual ended,  514   a  and  514   b  and defines a bore  529  extending through the connector body portion  514  from a first opening  532  to a second opening  533 . Inwardly of each opening  532  and  533  is a receiving section. Each receiving section  530   a  and  530   b  is divided into three portions: a retainer receiving portion  549 , a seal receiving portion  550 , and a reduced diameter portion  548 . Each receiving section is adapted to receive an O-ring, a spacer and a retainer similar to the O-ring  218 , the seal retainer  217 , and the retainer  216  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 2-14 . 
     The coupling  500  further includes a cylindrical crimp collar  528 . Located radially inward of the crimp collar  528  is a barrel  560  defining a third opening  562  to a barrel bore  564  extending into the coupling  500 . The barrel bore  564  intersects the bore  529  to provide fluid communication between all connected fluid system elements. 
     An annular groove  566  is defined radially between radially inner surface of the crimp collar  528  and the radially outer surface of the barrel  560 . It receives an end of a hose such as hose  419  described earlier. Crimp collar  528  is crimped onto hose  419  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  to connect the coupling  500  to the hose. Rigid tubes, such as tube  220 , are inserted into quick connector portions  532  and  533  to complete a fluid system. 
     It should be noted that the embodiment of  FIG. 15  is for purposes of illustrating the utility of a coupling embodying the present invention and is not limiting. For example, the coupling could include more than two quick connector portions. It could also include more than one crimp connection as well. 
     Various features of the present invention have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It should be understood that modifications may be made to the connector for connecting a hose to a metal tube without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as recited by the following claims.