Quick connector assembly for fluid lines with positive assurance feature

Provided is a quick connector assembly for joining a male member and a female connector member together to secure fluid communication in a fluid line system. The quick connector assembly includes a primary latch and a secondary latch configured to toggle between engaged and disengaged positions and to allow for a visual, audible, and/or tactile indication as to the status of a secure attachment between a male member and a female connector member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a quick connector assembly for fluid line systems that allow for the secure attachment and detachment of connectable fluid lines. In particular, this disclosure relates to providing a latching configuration with a positive assurance feature that indicates to a user that a quick and secure attachment has been achieved.

BACKGROUND

Quick connector assemblies or couplings generally include a female connector configured to receive and sealing retain a male member to provide a fluid connection between two lumens or conduits to establish fluid communication between the two conduits. Quick connector assemblies assist to provide a sealed and secured fluid line with a minimum amount of time and expense.

Known quick connector assemblies include various configurations for securing the male member and female connector. One type of retention mechanism involves use of a retainer inserted through slots formed in the exterior of the female connector. Support members extend through slots positioned in abutting contact between the male member upset and surfaces defining the slots to prevent withdrawal of the male member. Such retainers are often referred to as “horseshoe” retainers. Examples of this type of coupling are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,846,021, 7,390,025, and 7,484,774. These patents are incorporated by reference herein and disclose a secondary or redundant latch that provides additional security against unintentional separation and to confirm that a secure connection has been achieved during the assembly process. U.S. Pat. No. 7,484,774 discloses a redundant latch that is able to independently retain the male member in the female connector. Further, the redundant latch is configured to only be toggled between engaged and disengaged positions only when the male member is fully inserted within the female connector.

The quick connector assembly of the present disclosure provides an alternative to the type of assemblies disclosed by the prior art. The arrangement of the present disclosure provides primary and secondary latching members to secure the fluid communication between the male member and female connector and provides physical, visual, and/or tactile indication that the fluid connection is achieved in a redundantly secured manner.

SUMMARY

The quick connector assembly of the present disclosure provides an alternative to the type of assemblies disclosed by the prior art. In one embodiment, provided is a quick connector assembly comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving a male member and to define a lumen to allow the flow of fluid between the male member and the cavity, a transverse opening that is generally normal relative to the axis along which the flow of fluid is to travel through the cavity. A blocking member positioned in the cavity of the housing and configured to move between a blocking position aligned with the transverse opening and an unblocked position. A primary retaining member having an abutment surface and a biasing member, the primary retaining member slidably disposed within the transverse opening for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A secondary retaining member having an engagement member, the secondary retaining member slidably disposed within the transverse opening for movement between an engaged position and disengaged position when the blocking member is in the unblocked position.

In one embodiment, the abutment surface of the primary retaining member is a ramped surface. The secondary retaining member includes a pair of spaced apart legs that extend along a common direction with the engagement member. The cavity of the housing is configured to receive a male member having an enlarged portion and wherein the primary retaining member and the secondary retaining member are configured to prevent the male member from being released when the primary retaining member and the secondary retaining member are in the engaged position. In an embodiment, the blocking member further comprises a retention sleeve member configured to retain at least one o-ring within the cavity of the housing wherein the retention sleeve member is a single continuous component that includes a base, a bias member and the blocking member. The base may be a generally cylindrical shaped member positioned along an inner surface of the cavity and is configured to receive a portion of the male member and the bias member is a spring member that has a generally cylindrical shape and configured to receive a portion of the male member and to bias the blocking member towards the blocking position. The biasing member of the primary retention member applies a biasing force to maintain the primary retention member in the engaged position when in a static state. The primary retention member may include a ring shaped body that defines a primary cavity configured to receive a portion of the male member, the primary cavity is at least partially defined by the abutment surface and a space wherein the space is configured to receive the blocking member when placed in the blocking position and configured to receive the engagement member of the secondary retention member when the blocking member is placed in the unblocked position. The abutment surface of the primary retention member includes a first abutment surface spaced from a second abutment surface, wherein said space is positioned along the perimeter of the primary cavity and between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface. The primary bias member includes a pair of elongated legs that extend from a central attachment portion wherein opposing ends of the elongated legs are configured to abut against an outer surface of the housing to impart the bias force thereon. The primary retaining member includes at least one leg member wherein the leg member is configured to bias inwardly toward a primary cavity and to abut against ledges positioned along an inner surface of the housing to allow for a snap fit attachment of the primary retaining member and the housing.

The primary retention member may be received within a primary slot of the transverse opening and the secondary retention member is received within a secondary slot of the transverse opening that is along an opposite side of the housing relative to the primary slot. Alternatively, the primary retention member may be received within a primary slot of the transverse opening and the secondary retention member is received within the primary slot of the transverse opening that is along a common side of the housing relative to the primary slot. In one embodiment, the primary retention member is received within a primary slot of the transverse opening or within a secondary slot of the transverse opening and the secondary retention member is received within the other of the primary slot or secondary slot of the transverse opening.

In another embodiment, provided is a quick connector assembly comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving a male member and to define a lumen to allow the flow of fluid between the male member and the cavity, a transverse opening that is generally normal relative to the axis along which the flow of fluid is to travel through the cavity. A retention sleeve member that includes a base, a bias member and a blocking member wherein the base is a generally cylindrical shaped member positioned along an inner surface of the cavity and the bias member is a spring member that has a generally cylindrical shape and configured to bias the blocking member towards a blocking position aligned with the transverse opening and allow the blocking member to be moved to an unblocked position. A primary retaining member having an abutment surface and a biasing member, the primary retaining member slidably disposed within the transverse opening for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A secondary retaining member having an engagement member, the secondary retaining member slidably disposed within the transverse opening for movement between an engaged position and disengaged position when the blocking member is in the unblocked position. The retention sleeve member may be a single continuous component made or formed from a single piece of material such as a polymer based material. In an embodiment, the primary retention member includes a ring shaped body that defines a primary cavity configured to receive a portion of the male member, the primary cavity is at least partially defined by the abutment surface and a space wherein the space is configured to receive the blocking member when placed in the blocking position and configured to receive the engagement member of the secondary retention member when the blocking member is placed in the unblocked position.

In another embodiment, provided is a quick connector assembly comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving a male member and to define a lumen to allow the flow of fluid between the male member and the cavity, a transverse opening that is generally normal relative to the axis along which the flow of fluid is to travel through the cavity. A blocking member positioned in the cavity of the housing and configured to move between a blocking position aligned with the transverse opening and an unblocked position. A primary retaining member having an abutment surface and a biasing member, the primary retaining member slidably disposed within the transverse opening for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position wherein the primary retention member includes a ring shaped body that defines a primary cavity configured to receive a portion of the male member, the primary cavity is at least partially defined by the abutment surface and a space wherein the space is configured to receive the blocking member when placed in the blocking position and configured to receive an engagement member of the secondary retention member when the blocking member is placed in the unblocked position. A secondary retaining member having the engagement member, the secondary retaining member slidably disposed within the transverse opening for movement between an engaged position and disengaged position when the blocking member is in the unblocked position. The blocking member further comprises a retention sleeve member configured to retain at least one o-ring within the cavity of the housing and wherein the retention sleeve member is a single continuous component that includes a base, a bias member and the blocking member. The base may be a generally cylindrical shaped member positioned along an inner surface of the cavity and is configured to receive a portion of the male member and the bias member may be a spring member that has a generally cylindrical shape and configured to receive a portion of the male member and to bias the blocking member towards the blocking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present assembly described in this application involves embodiments of a multiple latch quick connector assembly for use in selectively attaching a male member to a housing within a fluid line system. The housing may be considered a female connector member herein. It is contemplated to establish a releasable and secure connection between a rigid tube and other fluid carrying components, particularly a flexible hose. However, the quick connector assembly has numerous other applications where a fluid tight, but releasable connection is desired, such as connection of rigid elements of a fluid path, whether pressurized, or unpressurized. One example is for use in automotive fluid delivery systems. However, the quick connector assembly may find utility in any environment in which a first fluid line is to be connected to a second fluid line. Such environments include, without limitation, airplanes, locomotives and ships. Other environments include factory, commercial and residential areas.

FIGS.1-14illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the quick connector assembly100of the instant application. More particularly,FIGS.1and2illustrate the female connector or housing10that includes a primary latch70and a secondary latch80. The housing10defines a cavity configured to receive a male member90therein to allow for the transfer of fluid therebetween. Here the secondary latch80is illustrated in the disengaged position or open position and no male member90is shown. The female connector10includes a generally cylindrical connector body12and the male member90is configured to be releasably secured together by the primary latch member70and by a separate and redundant secondary latch member80. The male member90(is illustrated byFIGS.7and8) may be a generally elongated shaped body with a rigid construction that defines a lumen for the transport of fluid therein. The male member90may be generally cylindrically and form a part of a fluid line system. In use, the female connector10is connected to a tubing or hose which is also a part of the fluid line system and which is opposite from the attachment of the female connector10with the male member90. The female connector10and the male member90may be connectable to form a permanent, but selectively attachable and detachable, joint in a fluid line system.

As illustrated byFIGS.7and8, the male member90includes an enlarged portion140along its outer surface. The enlarged portion140may include a cross sectional perimeter shape that is larger than a cross sectional perimeter shape of the remaining portions of the male member90. The enlarged portion140may be an annular shoulder that defines a radial abutment surface or an upset at a given distance from an open end or tip150of the male member.

An embodiment of the female connector member or housing10is illustrated further detail inFIGS.3and6-8, wherein the female connector10includes a cavity11that is defined by a generally cylindrical, stepped radially inner surface as illustrated byFIG.6. The illustrated housing and related components may be preferably molded of a plastic or polymer material or made by additive manufacturing techniques but the materials and manner of manufacturing these components is not limited. It may also be understood that the female connector10may take any desired shape without departing from the disclosure and could include a 90° bend or other configuration which is a common shape for a female connector for a quick connect assembly.

FIG.3illustrates an exploded view of the female connector or housing10along with associated components configured to be arranged therein. The components include a plurality of various shaped O-rings positioned axially along the direction of fluid flow or along an axis of abutment between the male member90and housing10to assist with a secure engagement and to allow rotatable movement of the male member90relative to the female member once engagement is achieved. These associated components may include a tube O-ring along an outer surface of the housing, a first O-ring13, a second O-ring14, a retention sleeve15, a retention sleeve member50, the primary latch70, and the secondary latch80. Notably, these elements may be configured to be aligned along the fluid flow axis which is the desired direction of fluid flow therein as illustrated inFIGS.6-8.

Embodiments of the retention sleeve member50are illustrated in the enlarged views ofFIGS.4and5. The retention sleeve member50may be configured to retain at least one O-ring within the female connector. The retention sleeve member50may include a base52that includes a generally cylindrical and hollow configuration defined to sit within the cavity11defined by the female connector10and to retain the O-rings13and14and the retention sleeve15within the female connector10. The base52may abut with or sit against an inner radial or shoulder portion16(FIG.6) along an inner surface of the cavity11of the female connector10and the base52may also be configured to receive a portion of the male member90therein. Further, at least one spacer53may be placed along the base52at a predetermined height. The spacer53may abut against an underside of the blocking member56when it is biased in the unblocking position. The dimensions of the spacer53can be modified to change the dimension that allows the blocking member56to be biased. Further, the retention sleeve member50may include a notch55along its underside to assist with placing the retention sleeve member50along the correct location within the cavity11and to ensure that the blocking member56is aligned with the space84of the primary latch70and the secondary engagement member82of the secondary latch80.

A biasing portion54may be attached to the base52and include a blocking member56. The biasing portion54of the retention sleeve member50may be a spring member that is attached to or generally continuous from the base52of the retention sleeve member50which may also include a cylindrical shape configured to receive a portion of the male member90. The retention sleeve member50may be a single continuous component or may be formed of various components configured to both bias and retain as described herein. The biasing portion54may extend from the base50along an opposite side from the O-rings13,14, and retention sleeve15. The biasing portion54may be positioned within the cavity11of the female connector10to be aligned to interact with the secondary latch80as illustrated and described. More particularly, the biasing portion54may at least partially extend axially from the base52to be in alignment with a transverse opening that extends transversely through the housing relative to the cavity11. The transverse opening may extend along a direction that is generally normal relative to the axis along which the flow of fluid is to travel through the cavity11. The transverse opening may include primary slot17positioned along a first side of the housing10and a secondary slot18along an opposite second side of the housing10. The transverse opening is configured to receive the primary latch70and secondary latch80, respectively. In one embodiment, the primary latch70is received within the primary slot17of the transverse opening and the secondary latch80is received within the secondary slot18of the transverse opening.

The retention sleeve member may have an outer surface20that includes a protrusion22configured to abut against and be generally retained within a recess23positioned along an inner surface21of the cavity11in the female connector10to retain the retention sleeve member50therein.

The blocking member56may extend from the biasing member54and be configured to bias between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. In the blocking position, the blocking member56is configured to prevent the secondary latch80from moving into an engaged position or closed position. Here, the blocking member56may extend to abut or interfere with a secondary engagement member82that extends from the secondary latch80and is positioned within the secondary slot18. The blocking member56, when positioned in the blocking position, prevents the secondary latch80from translating to an engagement position within the secondary slot18. The biasing member54when in the static position, positions the blocking member56in the blocking position. As such the blocking member56extends from the biasing portion54to be positioned in the blocking position in alignment within the secondary slot18. Additionally, in an embodiment, the blocking member56may include a plate57and a ring portion58wherein the plate57may extend from the ring portion58and the ring portion58may include an opening therein configured to receive and allow a portion of the male member90to extend therethough. Additionally, the plate57or ring portion58of the blocking member56may include a surface59configured to abut the enlarged portion140of the male member90such that as the male member90translates into the cavity11of the housing10, the enlarged portion140is configured to abut the surface59of the retention sleeve member50and bias the blocking member56to the non-blocking position. Here, the blocking member56is biased against the force of the bias member54towards the base50and out of alignment with the secondary slot18or thereby clearing a path of translation for the secondary latch80. In particular, the blocking member56may be moved out of alignment with the secondary latch80to allow the secondary latch to be moved into the engaged position to lock the male member90in place.

With reference toFIGS.2and14, the primary latch70may include a ring shape body that defines a primary cavity72configured to receive a portion of the male member90therethrough. The primary cavity72is at least partially defined by an abutment surface or surfaces74of the primary latch70. The abutment surface74and the primary cavity72may be positioned within the primary slot17of the housing10and be generally aligned with the cavity11of the housing10to allow a portion of the male member90to be received therein. The primary latch70may translate between engaged and non-engaged positions within the primary slot17. Further, in one embodiment, the primary latch may also include at least one primary bias member76that allows the primary latch70and abutment surface74to be biased at least partially between the engaged position and the disengaged position. Generally, the primary bias member76maintains the primary latch70in the static position which is the engaged position. Here, the abutment surface74may be placed at least partially within the line of travel of at least the enlarged portion140of the male member90. As a user depresses the primary bias member76to translate the primary latch to the disengaged positon, the abutment surface74may be moved out of the line of travel of the enlarged portion140of the male member90. Notably, in an embodiment, the primary latch70and the secondary latch80may be toggled to translate along a direction that is generally normal relative to the axis along which the flow of fluid is to travel through the cavity11. This action places the primary latch70and secondary latch80in either the engaged position to retain the enlarged portion140of the male member90or the disengaged position to allow the male member90to be withdrawn from the female connector10.

In an embodiment, the primary bias member76and the abutment surface74may be formed of a generally continuous material to form the primary latch70. The primary bias member76may include elongated legs77that extend from a central attachment portion78wherein opposing ends of the elongated legs77may be configured to abut against an outer surface of the housing10to impart the bias force thereon. Further, the abutment surface74may be a ramped surface that extends radially about a portion of the perimeter of the inner cavity72. Further, the abutment surface74may be positioned along an opposite side of the primary latch70than the primary bias member76. In operation, a user may depress the primary bias member76to slightly translate the primary latch70from the engaged position to the disengaged position while also translating the male member90out of (or into) the cavity11of the housing10. Further, when inserting the male member90into the cavity11, the enlarged portion140may abut against and slide against the abutment surface74to assist with translating the primary latch70from the engaged to disengaged positions to allow the male member90to be placed therein. As such, the primary bias member76may provide a bias force to place the primary latch in the engaged position that may be overcome by forcing the male member90and enlarged portion140against the abutment surface74to insert the male member from the cavity.

The secondary latch80may include a body81in which the secondary engagement member82and the elongated legs extends. The body81may include a surface ridge85that allows a user to easily grasp to pull the secondary latch80from the engaged positon to the disengaged position or to press to the secondary latch80from the disengaged position to the engaged position. The secondary engagement member82may extend from the body81and be configured to extend towards the cavity11and the path of fluid. The legs88may extend from the body81from opposing sides and be configured to extend within the cavity11and be placed outside the path of fluid. The secondary engagement member82may extend from at top portion of the body81and be aligned with the space84within the opposing wall92of the primary latch70. The legs88may extend from a portion of the body that is axially spaced from but generally parallel to the secondary engagement member82.

Referring toFIG.7, once the male member90is at least partially positioned within the cavity11of the housing10, the enlarged portion140of the male member90may at least partially depress against or otherwise translate passed the abutment surface74of the primary latch70. Notably, in a static state, the primary latch70may be in the engaged position while the abutment surface74may be aligned within the cavity11. The primary bias member76may apply a bias force to the primary latch70to maintain the primary latch in the engaged position. When the abutment surface74is engaged with a portion of the enlarged portion140of the male member90, the primary latch70may be biased a direction generally normal relative to the fluid flow axis of the cavity11of the female connector10to allow the male member90to translate closer within the cavity11of the female connector10. Alternatively, a user may depress the primary bias member76to allow the enlarged portion140to translate passed the abutment surface74of the primary latch70.

Further, in the static position, the blocking member56may be positioned at least partially within a space84(SeeFIGS.3,10, and14) in general alignment with the abutment surface74of the primary latch70(SeeFIG.6). The space84may be split between the abutment surface74and be a continuation of the primary cavity72.

As the enlarged portion140of the male member90translates along the direction of fluid flow within the cavity11and towards the housing10, as illustrated byFIG.7, a portion of the male member90is positioned within the O-rings13, and14, the retention sleeve15, the retention sleeve member50, the base52, the biasing portion54, and the primary cavity72of the primary latch70. Here, the enlarged portion140is shown to have already abut against the abutment surface74of the primary latch70whereas the primary latch is shown to be depressed “down” per the annotated white arrow. The secondary latch80remains in the disengaged position. Once passed the abutment surface74, the enlarged portion140engages against the surface59of the retention sleeve member50. At this point, the secondary latch80may still be in the disengaged position and may be prevented from translating to the engagement position as the blocking member56remains in its static position or blocking position preventing further translation of the secondary engagement member82of the secondary latch80.

As illustrated by page8, as the male member90is fully positioned within the housing10, the enlarged portion140has abutted against the surface59of the retention member50and has translated the biasing portion54towards the base52. This action may cause the blocking member56to translate away from its blocking engagement with the secondary engagement member82of the secondary latch80. The blocking member56may be moved from within the space84(FIG.4) aligned with the abutment surface74of the primary latch70. The primary latch70may also bias back to its static position in which the abutment surface74is aligned in the engaged position relative to the enlarged portion140. A portion of the primary latch70(i.e., the primary bias member76) may be in a “popped” out” position as a portion of the abutment surface74retains the enlarged portion140of the male member90within the cavity11of the housing10. This “popped out” position may provide visual and tactical indication that the primary latch70is in the engaged position and that the secondary latch80may now be actuated between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

FIG.8illustrates the secondary latch80positioned in the engaged position where the secondary engagement member82is translated towards the cavity11to retain the enlarged portion140of the male member90within the housing10. Here, the quick connect assembly100provides a redundant level of attachment wherein both the secondary engagement member82of the secondary latch80and the abutment surface74of the primary latch70prevent the male member90from being removed from the housing10while the male member90is able to rotate within the cavity11.

Here, the secondary engagement member82and abutment surface74are generally aligned along a common plane to prevent the removal of the male member90from opposing sides of the housing10. This arrangement may provide a desirable and structurally sound fluid connection.

FIGS.9-13illustrate various cross sectional views of the male member90and the female connector member10along with the primary latch70and secondary latch80. It illustrates various features including how the primary latch70is positioned along an opposite side from the secondary latch80relative to the housing10(co-planar orientation) along with various retaining members and shoulder support surfaces of each component.

Further, in one embodiment as illustrated byFIG.9, the primary latch may also include at least one primary leg member79that allows the primary latch to be positioned in the housing10through the primary slot17or the opposite secondary slot18. The leg members79may be positioned along a top surface of the primary latch and allow the primary latch70to be snap fit within the housing10and prevent the primary latch70from being dislodged from the housing10when the male member90is not attached thereto. The leg member79may abut against ledges83positioned along an inner surface of the housing10to allow for this snap fit orientation. When inserted into the housing10, the leg members79may abut against a surface protrusion95along an inner side wall surface of the housing and bias towards the cavity11. The surface protrusions95may be along either or both sides of the inner side wall surfaces of the housing and also define the ledges83. Notably, this configuration can allow the primary latch to be received through either the primary slot17or the secondary slot18. Once the leg members79, in the biased state, reach the ledges83, the leg members79bias back to static position and may abut against the ledges83to be maintained therein.

Additionally, the secondary latch member80may be configured to translate and interact with the geometry of the primary latch member70when positioned within the housing10. As illustrated byFIG.10A and10B, the secondary latch80may include legs88and protrusions89positioned along opposing sides of the latch80that are configured to be received within the secondary slot18of the housing as well as interact with surfaces of the primary latch member70. The primary latch70may include an opposing wall92that is configured to fit between the legs88of the secondary latch80and also includes the space84located therein. As described above, the space84may be for receiving the secondary engagement member82. The configuration of the opposing wall92may allow for the legs88to be axially spaced from the engagement member82, to extend along a generally parallel axial plane, and be inserted into the secondary slot18. The legs88may include inward facing protrusions89that may interact with a stop surface94along the opposing wall92wherein the legs88are configured to allow the secondary latch80to be translated between the engaged position (protrusions89spaced from stop surfaces94perFIG.10A) and disengaged position (protrusions89abut with stop surfaces94perFIG.10B). The legs88may be generally elongated and be positioned along either side of the cavity11when inserted. Further, the primary latch70may include guide arms96that may assist to guide the elongated legs88of the secondary latch into place within the housing. The guide arms may extend from the opposing wall92or surface of the primary latch70and be generally angled to allow the legs88from extending within the cavity11and conflicting with the fluid path configured to receive the male member90. The guide arms96may allow for slight warpage of the legs of the secondary latch80due to manufacturing tolerances or material bending issues. The legs88may be snap fit therein. Further, the protrusions89may be configured to abut against the stop surface94to prevent the secondary latch80from being dislodged from the housing10.

However, this disclosure also contemplates that the secondary latch80may also be aligned along and positioned along the same side of the housing10as the primary latch70. This embodiment is illustrated byFIGS.15-23which includes similar reference numbers as the features illustrated byFIGS.1-14but the primary latch70and secondary latch80are positioned in such a way as to allow the latches to move between engaged positions and non-engaged positions from the primary slot17along a common side of the assembly.

Here, the primary latch70and secondary latch80may be configured to interact with one another and with the housing10to allow the primary latch70to be positioned in an engaged position about the male member90. The male member90is configured to abut the surface59of the retention sleeve member50and bias the blocking member56towards the base52and out of alignment with the primary slot17and away from abutment with the secondary engagement member82. This would allow the secondary latch80to be positioned in the engaged position and to abut against the enlarged portion140of the male member90preventing its removal. The primary latch70may then also bias back to or otherwise be translated towards its static position in which the abutment surface74is aligned in the engaged position relative to the enlarged portion140. This provides a redundant level of attachment as both the primary and secondary latches prevent withdrawal of the male member90from the housing10.

FIG.19illustrates how the male member90may be translated into the housing from a “right to left” assembly stroke perspective. Here, the primary latch70has been depressed “down” as illustrated by the annotated arrow and the enlarged portion140is beginning to engage the surface of the In an embodiment, a portion of the primary latch70may be in a “popped” out” position as a portion of the abutment surface74retains the enlarged portion140of the male member90within the housing10. This “popped out” position may provide visual and tactical indication that the primary latch70is in the engaged position and that the secondary latch80may now be actuated between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

Also, this embodiment allows for the secondary latch80to retain a first portion30of the enlarged portion140and the primary latch90to retain an opposite second portion31of the enlarged portion140as illustrated byFIG.20. Here, the secondary engagement member82and abutment surface74are generally aligned along a common plane to prevent the removal of the male member90from opposing sides of the housing10. This arrangement may provide a desirable and structurally sound fluid connection.

Stated another way, the action of the primary and secondary latches may interact to allow for a visual, audible, and/or tactile indication about the secure attachment between a male member and a female connector member as described herein. Notably, the abutment or engagement of surfaces against the bias force of components described herein may provide the audible or tactile indication of a secured engagement or disengagement of such components.

Further, the secondary latch may be prevented from being engaged by a ring (blocking member) that is moved to a non-interfering location by the axial engagement of the male member. The ring or blocking member may be tabbed and made integral with a molded spring to an O-ring retention member forming a combo unit. The resulting assembly provides a quick connect assembly that provides smaller packaging space than known quick connect assemblies which allows for additional space within complicated systems in which space is valued.

Additionally, it may be possible to install the primary latch and the secondary latch from either side of the female housing. As such, both the primary latch can be inserted into the primary slot17or the secondary slot18and the secondary latch80can be inserted into the opposite side of the primary latch70. This is particularly advantageous with female connectors that are greater than 0 degree connections, for example 90 degrees. This configuration allows tailoring of the connection to the actual in-vehicle assembly method and is an improvement over known quick connect assemblies.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.