Abstract:
A fluid quick connector assembly ( 20 ) according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a housing ( 22 ) having a passage ( 32 ) configured to receive an endform ( 26 ), and a retainer ( 24 ) including a bridge ( 68 ). A beam ( 78 ) extends from the bridge. Two retainer arms ( 70 ) extend from the bridge to retain the male endform ( 26 ) in the passage of the housing when the retainer is in an engaged position. Two guiding legs ( 72 ) extend from the bridge that guide the retainer ( 24 ) during movement to the engaged position. The bridge ( 68 ), the beam ( 78 ), the two retainer arms ( 70 ), and the two guiding legs ( 72 ) are an integral unitary single piece component, and the beam ( 78 ) contacts the endform ( 26 ) when the retainer ( 24 ) is in the engaged position.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/972,369 filed Mar. 30, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/910,555 filed Dec. 2, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A quick connect assembly is employed to releasably retain an endform in a housing with a retainer. Quick connect assemblies can be used in fluid systems. Prior quick connect assemblies include a separate latch and a separate verifier to verify that the endform is properly secured by the latch. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A fluid quick connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a housing having a passage configured to receive an endform, and a retainer including a bridge. A beam extends from the bridge. Two retainer arms extend from the bridge to retain the male endform in the passage of the housing when the retainer is in an engaged position. Two guiding legs extend from the bridge that guide the retainer during movement to the engaged position. The bridge, the beam, the two retainer arms, and the two guiding legs are an integral unitary single piece component, and the beam contacts the endform when the retainer is in the engaged position. 
         [0004]    In a further embodiment of the foregoing fluid quick connector assembly, the endform includes a tubular body having an annular bead, and the beam is positioned axially forward of the annular bead when the retainer is in the engaged position to provide a redundant latch. 
         [0005]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the beam has a curved lower surface. 
         [0006]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the housing includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and the second portion are connected by first flanges with a first space defined therebetween. The second portion and the third portion are connected by second flanges with a second space defined therebetween. The two retainer arms are received in the first space, and the two guiding legs are received in second space. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the second portion of the housing includes a stop and the two retainer arms each include a hooked projection that engages the stop of the housing to prevent the retainer from moving to the engaged position. 
         [0008]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the two retainer arms of the retainer each include an upset encountering tab, and an annular bead of the endform engages the upset encountering tabs to bias the two retainer arms outwardly to remove the hooked projections from the stop to allow the retainer to move to the engaged position. 
         [0009]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, when the retainer is in the engaged position, the two retainer arms bias inwardly to secure the endform in the housing. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the second portion of the housing includes a first detent and the two retainer arms of the retainer includes a second detent. The first detent and the second detent engage to prevent removal of the retainer from the housing when the retainer is in the engaged position. 
         [0011]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the two guiding legs each include an upper detent, a lower detent, and a middle detent located therebetween, 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, when the retainer is in a service position, the first flanges are located between the middle detent and the lower detent, when the retainer is in a shipping position, the first flanges are located between the middle detent and the upper detent, and when the retainer is in the engaged position, the upper detent is received in the slot of the first flange. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, each of the two retainer arms includes a chamfered inner surface that is engaged by the annular bead of the endform. 
         [0014]    A fluid quick connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes an endform including a tubular body having an annular bead. A housing has a passage configured to receive the endform. The housing includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and the second portion are connected by first flanges with a first space defined therebetween. The second portion and the third portion are connected by second flanges with a second space defined therebetween. A retainer includes a bridge. A beam extends from the bridge. The beam has a curved lower surface. The retainer includes two retainer arms extending from the bridge to retain the male endform in the passage of the housing when the retainer is in an engaged position. Two guiding legs extend from the bridge that guide the retainer during movement to the engaged position. The bridge, the beam, the two retainer arms, and the two guiding legs are an integral unitary single piece component. The beam contacts the endform when the retainer is in the engaged position. The beam is positioned axially forward of the annular bead when the retainer is in the engaged position to provide a redundant latch. The two retainer arms are received in the first space of the housing, and the two guiding legs are received in second space of the housing. 
         [0015]    In a further embodiment of the foregoing fluid quick connector assembly, the second portion of the housing includes a stop and the two retainer arms each include a hooked projection that engages the stop of the housing to prevent the retainer from moving to the engaged position. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the two retainer arms of the retainer each include an upset encountering tab, and an annular bead of the endform engages the upset encountering tabs to bias the two retainer arms outwardly to remove the hooked projections from the stop to allow the retainer to move to the engaged position. 
         [0017]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, when the retainer is in the engaged position, the two retainer arms bias inwardly to secure the endform in the housing. 
         [0018]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the second portion of the housing includes a first detent and the two retainer arms of the retainer includes a second detent, and the first detent and the second detent engage to prevent removal of the retainer from the housing when the retainer is in the engaged position. 
         [0019]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, the two guiding legs each include an upper detent, a lower detent, and a middle detent located therebetween, 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, when the retainer is in a service position, the first flanges are located between the middle detent and the lower detent, when the retainer is in a shipping position, the first flanges are located between the middle detent and the upper detent, and when the retainer is in the engaged position, the upper detent is received in the slot of the first flange. 
         [0021]    In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing fluid quick connector assemblies, each of the two retainer arms includes a chamfered inner surface that is engaged by the annular bead of the endform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a quick connect assembly in an engaged position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an endform; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a housing; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the housing; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the housing; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of a retainer/verifier; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of the retainer/verifier; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the retainer/verifier; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the retainer/verifier; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the quick connect assembly in a service position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the quick connect assembly in the service position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of the quick connect assembly in a shipping position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the quick connect assembly in the shipping position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  illustrate a cross-sectional perspective view of the quick connect assembly in the shipping position taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13  with the endform shown in phantom; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the quick connect assembly in the shipping position when a bead of the endform engages and biases outwardly the retainer arms of the retainer/verifier; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the quick connect assembly in the engaged position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of the quick connect assembly in the engaged position taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  illustrates a front view of the quick connect assembly in the engaged position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a second quick connect assembly in a shipping position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of an endform; 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of a housing of the second quick connect assembly; 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  illustrates a side view of the housing; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  illustrates a top view of the housing; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  illustrates a front view of the housing; 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  illustrates a cross-sectional front view of the housing taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  illustrates a front view of a retainer of the second quick connect assembly; 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  illustrates a rear view of the retainer; 
           [0049]      FIG. 28  illustrates a side view of the retainer; 
           [0050]      FIG. 29  illustrates a perspective view of the retainer; 
           [0051]      FIG. 30  illustrates a front view of a verifier of the second quick connect assembly; 
           [0052]      FIG. 31  illustrates a side view of the verifier; 
           [0053]      FIG. 32  illustrates a side view of the second quick connect assembly in a shipping position; 
           [0054]      FIG. 33  illustrates a cross-sectional front view of the second quick connect assembly in the shipping position taken along line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0055]      FIG. 34  illustrates a side view of the second quick connect assembly in the shipping position; 
           [0056]      FIG. 35  illustrates a cross-sectional front view of the second quick connect assembly in the shipping position taken along line  35 - 35  of  FIG. 34 . 
           [0057]      FIG. 36  illustrates a side view of the second quick connect assembly in an engaged position; and 
           [0058]      FIG. 37  illustrates a cross-sectional front view of the second quick connect assembly in the engaged position taken along line  37 - 37  of  FIG. 36 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0059]      FIG. 1  illustrates a quick connect assembly  20 . The quick connect assembly  20  includes a housing  22 , a retainer/verifier  24 , and an endform  26 . The retainer/verifier  24  retains the endform  26  in the housing  22 . The direction forward is defined as the direction X, and the direction rearward is defined as the direction Y. The direction upward is defined as the direction A, and the direction downward is defined as the direction B. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the endform  26  includes a tubular body  28  and an annular bead  30  that circumferentially surrounds from the tubular body  28 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  illustrate the housing  22 . The housing  22  includes a stem  58  that is receivable in a plastic tube or a rubber hose (not shown). The housing  22  includes a passage  32  that receives the endform  26 . The housing  22  includes a first portion  34  having a first opening  36  and a second portion  38  having a second opening  42  aligned with the first opening  36  and the passage  32 . The first portion  34  is positioned axially in front of the second portion  38  and attached to the second portion  38  by flanges  46 . A space  44  is defined between the first portion  34  and the second portion  38 . Flanges  50  extend behind the second portion  38  and are attached to a third portion  56  to define a space  48  on each side of the passage  32  between the second portion  38  and the third portion  56 . An outer surface of each flange  50  includes a slot  52  that extends downwardly to a lower surface  54 . 
         [0062]    A stop  60  is located on a front surface of the second portion  38  in the space  44  and includes a projection  69  on each upper corner of the stop  60 . A substantially triangular detent  62  is located on a back side of the second portion  38  on each side of passage  32  near a bottom of the housing  22 . Each detent  62  includes a locking surface  66  that is substantially perpendicular to the second portion  38  and a ramped surface  64  that extends upwardly to the second portion  38 . The locking surface  66  is located below the ramped surface  64 . 
         [0063]    The retainer/verifier  24  is a single, integral, unitary, monolithic component. The retainer/verifier  24  includes an upper flange  68 , two retainer arms  70  extending downwardly from the upper flange  68 , and two guiding legs  72  extending downwardly from the upper flange  68 . The two retainer arms  70  are located in front of and inwardly of the guiding legs  72 . 
         [0064]    The two retainer arms  70  each include a chamfered surface  75  on a front inner surface of each retainer arm  70  that can be engaged by the bead  30  of the endform  26  when inserted into the passage  32  of the housing  22 . A back surface of each of the two retainer arms  70  include a hooked projection  74  each having a recess  71  located at a bottom. An upset encountering tab  76  is located above each hooked projection  74 . A beam  78  having a curved lower surface  80  extends downwardly from the upper flange  68  in between of the two retainer arms  70 . 
         [0065]    The two guiding legs  72  each include an outer side surface having a first detent  82 , a second detent  84  and a third detent  86 . The first detent  82  is located near the upper flange  68 , the third detent  86  is located near an end of each leg  72 , and the second detent  84  is located between the first detent  82  and the third detent  86 . 
         [0066]    A front surface of each guiding leg  72  includes a substantially triangular detent  98  near a bottom of each guiding leg  72 . The detent  98  includes a ramped surface  100  and a locking surface  102  that is substantially perpendicular to the guiding leg  72 . The locking surface  102  is located above the ramped surface  100 , and the ramped surface extends downwardly towards an end of each guiding leg  72 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show the quick connect assembly  20  in a service position. The retainer arms  70  are located in the spaces  44 , and the guiding legs  72  are located in the spaces  48 . The retainer/verifier  24  is positioned relative to the housing  22  such that the flanges  50  are located between the second detent  84  and the third detent  86 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 12 to 15  show the quick connect assembly  20  in a shipping position. The retainer/verifier  24  is pushed downwardly relative to the housing  22  such that the flanges  50  are located between the first detent  82  and the second detent  84 . Both the projections  69  of the stop  60  on the front side of the second portion  38  of the housing  22  engage in the recesses  71  in the hooked projections  74  of the retainer arms  70  (portions of the retainer arms  70  are not shown in  FIG. 14 ), preventing the retainer/verifier  24  from moving into an engaged position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 16 to 18 . 
         [0069]    The endform  26  is inserted into the passage  32 , and the bead  30  engages the chamfered surface  75  of the retainer arms  70  of the retainer/verifier  24 , causing the retainer arms  70  to bias outwardly. When the bead  30  engages the upset encountering tab  76 , the retainer arms  70  bias outwardly, causing the projections  69  of the stops  60  to disengage from the recesses  71  of the hooked projections  74  (shown in  FIG. 15 ). This then allows the retainer/verifier  24  to move downwardly to the engaged position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 16 to 18 . 
         [0070]    When the retainer/verifier  24  is moved to the engaged position, the guiding legs  72  are moved downwardly such that the first detent  82  is received in the slot  52  of the flange  50  and above the lower surface  54 . The ramped surface  100  of the detent  98  of each guiding leg  72  travels along the ramped surface  64  of the detents  62  of the housing  22 . The locking surface  102  of the detent  98  of the retainer/verifier  24  then engages the locking surface  66  of the detent  62  of the housing  22  to prevent the removal of the retainer/verifier  24  from the housing  22  in an upwardly direction. Once the bead  30  passes through the retainer arms  70  of the housing  22 , the retainer arms  70  bias inwardly to their original position, securing the endform  26  in the housing  22 . 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , when the quick connect assembly  20  is in the engaged position, the curved lower surface  80  of the beam  78  of the retainer/verifier  24  is positioned axially in front of the bead  30  of the endform  26 . The beam  78  provides a redundant latch with a single push lock to prevent removal of the endform  26  from the housing  22  of the quick connect assembly  20 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 19  illustrates another quick connect assembly  120  in a shipping position. The quick connect assembly  120  includes a housing  122 , a retainer  124 , a verifier  126 , and an endform  128 . The retainer  124  secures the endform  128  in the housing  122 . The directions rearward is defined the direction X, and the direction forward is defined as the direction Y. The direction upward is defined as the direction A, and the direction downward is defined as the direction B. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the endform  128  includes a tubular body  130  and an annular bead  132 . 
         [0073]      FIGS. 21 to 25  illustrate the housing  122 . The housing  122  includes a passage  134  that receives the endform  128 . The housing  122  includes a first portion  136  having a first opening  138  that is attached to a second portion  140  having a second opening  142 . The openings  138  and  142  are aligned with the passage  134  to receive the endform  128 . The first portion  136  is spaced axially in front of the second portion  140 , and a space  144  is defined therebetween. 
         [0074]    The first portion  136  and the second portion  140  are connected by flanges  146 . The housing  122  also includes a third portion  152  that is connected to the second portion  140  by flanges  150  to define a space  148  on each side of the passage  134 . Each of the flanges  150  includes a slot  154  that extends to a lower ledge  157 . 
         [0075]    The housing  122  also includes a stem  155  that is receivable in a plastic tube or a rubber hose (not shown). A substantially triangular detent  160  is located on each side of passage  134  on a back side of the second portion  140 . Each detent  160  includes a locking surface  164  that is substantially perpendicular to the second portion  140  and a ramped surface  162  that extends upwardly from the locking surface  164  to the second portion  140 . The locking surface  164  is located proximate to a bottom of the housing  122 . 
         [0076]      FIGS. 26 to 29  illustrate the retainer  124 . The retainer  124  is a single, integral, monolithic unitary component made of a single component. The retainer  124  includes an upper flange  166 , two retainer arms  168  extending downwardly from the upper flange  166 , and two guiding legs  170  extending downwardly from the upper flange  166 . The two retainer arms  168  are located inwardly of the two guiding legs  170 . 
         [0077]    The two retainer arms  168  each include a chamfered surface  172  on a front inner surface of each retainer arm  168  that can be engaged by the bead  132  of the endform  128  when inserted into the housing  122 . A beam  174  having a curved lower surface  176  extends downwardly from the upper flange  166 . Tabs  180  on a front surface of each retainer arm  168  of the retainer  124  prevent the endform  128  from pulling out when inserted. A back surface of each of the two retainer arms  168  includes a stop  167  near the curved lower surface  176 . 
         [0078]    The two guiding legs  170  each include an outer surface having a first detent  182 , a second detent  184  and a third detent  186 . The first detent  182  is located near the upper flange  166 , the third detent  186  is located near an end of each guiding leg  170 , and the second detent  184  is located between the first detent  182  and the third detent  186 . 
         [0079]    A front surface of each guiding leg  170  includes a substantially triangular detent  188  near the bottom of the guiding leg  170 . The detent  188  includes a ramped surface  190  and a locking surface  192  perpendicular to the guiding leg  170 . The locking surface  192  is located closer to the upper flange  166 , and the ramped surface  190  extends downwardly towards the end of the guiding leg  170 . 
         [0080]      FIGS. 30 and 31  illustrates the verifier  126 . The verifier  126  includes a bridge  194  and two arms  196  that extend downwardly. Each arm  196  includes a substantially triangular stop  198  having a first angled surface  200  and a second angled surface  202 . An end surface  204  is located at the end of each arm  196 . An inner surface of each arm  196  includes an inwardly facing tab  206 . Two flanges  195  extend upwardly from the bridge  134  and center the verifier  126  in the housing  122 . 
         [0081]    Returning to  FIG. 19 , in the shipping position, the retainer  124  cannot be pushed downwardly in the direction B until the endform  128  has been fully inserted into the housing  122 . If the endform  128  is fully inserted, but the retainer  124  is not pushed downwardly, the quick connect assembly  120  will still function until service is performed. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 32 and 33  illustrate the quick connect assembly  120  in the shipping position. The verifier  126  is positioned in the housing  122  such that the end portions  204  each touches the stop  176  of the retainer  124 . This contact prevents the retainer  124  from moving upwardly or downwardly. 
         [0083]      FIGS. 34 to 35  also illustrate the quick connect assembly  120  in the shipping position. When the endform  128  is inserted in to the passage  134 , the bead  132  engages the chamfered surface  172  of the two retainer arms  168  of the retainer  124 , causing the retainer arms  168  to bias outwardly. When the bead  132  of the endform  128  engages the inwardly facing tab  206  of the verifier  126 , the arms  196  bias outwardly, releasing the end portion  204  of the verifier  126  from the stops  167  of the retainer  124 . 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIGS. 36 and 37 , a force can then be applied downwardly to the retainer  124  to move to the engaged position. The locking surface  192  of the detent  188  of the retainer  124  engages the locking surface  164  of the detent  160  of the housing  122  to prevent the removal of the retainer  124  in an upward direction. Additionally, the curved lower surface  176  of the beam  174  of the retainer  124  is positioned axially in front of the bead  132  when the retainer  124  is in the engaged position to provide for a redundant latch with a single push lock. 
         [0085]    The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of the invention. Many modifications and variations 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 using the example embodiments which have been specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.