Quick connect tubing connector

Abstract: A quick connector (20) for forming a joint in a fluid line consists of a female connector body (24) having a bore which receives a male member (22). A sleeve (33) surrounds and is secured on the male member in close fitting relation with the male member and with the female connector body. A retainer (26) extends between the sleeve and a radial face formed in the connector body to secure the male member in the connector body. A secondary retainer provides enhanced retention capability. An optional plug may be positioned in the bore entrance to prevent introduction of external contaminants.

Description: This invention relates to fluid line systems which include quick connector couplings that provide a strong, fluid-tight seal, and more particularly to quick connector couplings that may be utilized in a high pressure system. In automotive and other fields, quick connector couplings are often utilized to provide a fluid connection between two components or conduits, thus establishing a fluid line between the two components, usually a rigid tube and a system element contained within a metal housing. Use of quick connector couplings is advantageous in that a sufficiently secured and sealed fluid line may be established with a minimum amount of time and expense. In high pressure fluid lines of the sort typically found in hydraulic brake, power steering, air conditioning or other systems, it is essential that quick connector couplings (1) provide a strong and secure connection that will withstand extreme ranges of operational pressures; (2) are quickly and easily connectable; and (3) maintain a fluid-tight seal. Prior art quick connectors have not been reliable and have failed to achieve at least one of the above goals. Connectors providing relatively quick connections have often been complex and have not always provided fluid-tight seals. Other connectors have failed to maintain system integrity while subject to high operational pressures. Connectors providing relatively strong connections have been cumbersome and difficult to assemble. A quick connector which addresses these deficiencies is disclosed in EP-A-0532242. The quick connector disclosed in this specification comprises a female connector body defining a bore, said bore extending axially inwardly into said connector body from an entrance, a radial face being defined by said bore axially inwardly of said entrance; a male member formed at an end of a tube, said male member being received within said bore and having a first enlarged upset formed thereon; a sleeve surrounding said male member axially outwardly of said first upset, an axially inner end of said sleeve contacting said upset to retain said tube in said bore; and a primary retainer surrounding said male member axially outwardly of said sleeve, an axially inner end of said primary retainer contacting an axially outer end of said sleeve to retain said sleeve in said bore, said primary retainer having arms extending away from said axially inner end and contacting said radial face of said connector body to retain said retainer in said bore. The present invention is directed to improvements in the quick connector disclosed in EP-A-0532242 in which a secondary retainer surrounds said male member axially outwardly of said primary retainer, said secondary retainer including an axially extending ring surrounding said male member and arms extending from said ring and contacting said radial face of said connector body to retain said secondary retainer in said bore. The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a quick connector according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the sleeve illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the quick connector of Fig. 1, rotated 90 degrees; Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view similar to that in Fig. 3, with the addition of a dust boot; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the primary retainer illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the primary retainer; Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 14-14 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the secondary retainer depicted in Fig. 3; Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the secondary retainer; Fig. 10 is a sectional view along the line 17-17 of Fig. 9; and Figs. 11-18 are a series of partial sectional views illustrating the assembly steps for the quick connector depicted in Fig. 1. An embodiment of the invention, especially applicable to automotive hydraulic brake systems, is illustrated in Figs. 1-18. Quick connector 200 shown in Fig. 1 is comprised of a female connector body 202 and a male member 204 formed at an end of a tube 206 which forms a part of a fluid line system. Female connector body 202 and male member 204 are connectable to form a permanent, but reversible, joint. Connector body 202 is hollow, defining an axial bore 208. It includes an enlarged retainer housing portion 210 at an end having an entrance 212 defined by a radial annular rim 214. Rim 214 is chamfered at 216 to facilitate insertion of male member 204 into bore 208. Connector body 202 further defines a sleeve housing portion 220, a seal housing portion 230, and a fluid discharge portion 240 at an end remote from retainer hosing portion 210. Retainer housing portion 210 is defined by a radial, annular face 218 extending at an angle away from rim 214, and a first frustroconical surface 219 extending from face 218. Sleeve housing portion 220 extends away from and is of reduced diameter relative to retainer housing portion 210. It is comprised of a first cylindrical sealing surface 222 and a second frustroconical surface 224. Seal housing portion 230 extends away from and is of reduced diameter relative to sleeve housing portion 220. It is comprises of a second cylindrical sealing surface 232 and a radial shoulder 234. Fluid discharge portion 240 includes a conduit 242 leading to a fluid system component (not shown). Male member 204 is formed at an end of a tube 206. Generally, an end of tube 206 remote from male member 204 will be connected to flexible tubing which leads to a fluid line component (not shown). For example, the remote end of tube 206 could be configured to connect to a hose assembly. Male member 204 includes a first enlarged upset 250 and a second enlarged upset 252, spaced apart by a first cylindrical surface 254. End 256 of male member 204 is received in fluid discharge portion 240 of female connector body 202. It is flared outwardly and is spaced from first upset 250 by a second cylindrical surface 258. A spacer 236 and a seal in the form of an 'O' ring 238 are disposed in seal housing portion 230 of female connector body 202. Spacer 236 and 'O' ring 238 surround and are secured on male member 204 between first upset 250 and flared end 256. 'O' ring 238 is in sealing engagement with second cylindrical surface 258 of male member 204 and second sealing surface 232 of female connector body 202, sealing off fluid discharge portion 240 from the remainder of female connector body 202. Additionally, 'O' ring 238 may be compressed between spacer 236 and flared end 256. A cylindrical sleeve 260 is disposed in sleeve housing portion 220 of female connector body 202. Sleeve 260 is hollow, defining a bore 262. It surrounds and is retained on male member 204 between first and second upsets 250 and 252. Sleeve 260 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 2. It extends between a forward face 264 and a rearward face 266. The majority of sleeve bore 262 is coaxial to, and has a diameter approximately equal to that of, first cylindrical surface 254 of male member 204, so that there is a mating relation between sleeve 260 and male member 204 between upsets 250 and 252. The snug fit between sleeve 260 and male member 204 is effective to eliminate or minimize relative radial movement between the two. An enlarged diameter portion of bore 262 defines a radially sloped shoulder 261 which engages first upset 250 of male member 204, preventing withdrawl of member 204 from body 202. Rearward face 266 extends past the crest of first upset 250, abutting spacer 236 and thus assisting in the seating of "O" ring 238. The outer peripheral surface of sleeve 260 mates with the the adjacent inner peripheral surface of sleeve housing portion 220 of connector body 202. A cylindrical surface portion 268 of the outer peripheral surface of sleeve 260 mates with first sealing surface 222 of sleeve housing portion 220, and a frusto-conical surface portion 270 of the outer peripheral surface of sleeve 260 mates with second frustro-conical surface 224. Surface 224 serves as a stop to limit inward axial insertion of sleeve 260 into bore 208. The close fit of sleeve 260 both around male member 204 and within connector body 202 enhances system stability by preventing radial displacement of tube 206 relative to body 202. This is particularly important in volatile systems such as automotive hydraulic brake systems, which are often subject to wide and extreme ranges of fluid pressures. Excessive vibration, or bouncing, of tube 206 within body 202 would lead to accelerated deterioration of the connection and a possible breakdown. The relation between sleeve 260, male member 204 and connector body 202 stabilizes the connection and prevents such a result. Grooves 272 and 276 are formed, respectively, in the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of sleeve 260. They receive "O" ring seals 274 and 278. These additional "O" rings provide further sealing protection in addition to that already provided by "O" ring 238. "O" ring 274 is in sealing engagement with first sealing surface 222 of sleeve housing portion 220 and the outer peripheral surface of sleeve 260, while "O" ring 278 is in sealing engagement with first cylindrical surface 254 of male member 204 and the inner peripheral surface of sleeve 260. While the additional sealing protection provided by seals 274 and 278 is desirable, seal 238 could be effectively utilized alone to seal fluid discharge portion 240. Two retainers, a primary retainer 280 (Fig. 1) and a secondary retainer 300 (Fig. 3 , , are disposed within retainer housing portion 210 of female connector body 202. Primary retainer 280, illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 - 7, includes a central, radial ring 282. Ring 282 surrounds and is retained on male member 204 between second upset 252 and forward face 264 of sleeve 260. Two 180 degree displaced arms 284 extend away from ring 282 to bends 285. Bends 285 contact radial face 218 of retainer housing portion 210 to retain the seal-sleeve-male member assembly within connector body 202. Extending away from bends 285 are tangs 286. Tangs 286 define openings 288 and are intended to assist in the installation of retainer 280. Each arm 284 supports along its side edges a pair of wings 290. Each wing 290 is comprised of a first portion 292 extending away from a side edge of an arm 284, and a second portion 294 which is bent over the first portion 292 and extends back towards the arm 284. Wings 290 extend between first edges 296 adjacent tangs 286, and second edges 298 adjacent ring 282. Wings 290 serve two important functions. First, they strengthen retainer 280, helping to prevent buckling of the retainer during exposure to operational pressures. Second, like arm bends 285, wing edges 296 contact radial face 218 to assist in the retention of the seal-sleeve-male member assembly within bore 208. The opposite wing edges 298 may abut forward face 264 of sleeve 260 to provide further retention force. Figure 3 rotated 90 degrees from Figure 1, shows secondary retainer 300. Secondary retainer 300, illustrated in greater detail in Figs.8 - 10, includes a central, axial ring 302 which surrounds the crest of second upset 252 of male member 204. A pair of 180 degree displaced arms 304 extend outwardly of ring 302. In their installed condition secondary retainer arms 304 are rotated 90 degrees from primary retainer arms 284, allowing accomodation of both retainers within retainer housing portion 210. Sections 306 of arms 304 bear against radial ring 282 of primary retainer 280. Sections 308 are substantially parallel to first cylindrical surface 219 of retainer housing portion 210 and extend from sections 306 to arm bends 310. Strengthening braces 309 are formed along the side edges of sections 308. Arm bends 310 have a planar surface of engagement with radial face 218 of retainer housing portion 210, providing secondary or reinforcement retention means for retaining the seal-sleeve-male member assembly within connector body 202. Tangs 312 extend from bends 310 outwardly of connector body 202, providing means for insertion and removal of secondary retainer 300. Primary retainer 280 is the principal means for retention of male member 204, along with the sleeve and seal assemblies, within connector body 202. Quick connector 200 would remain operational in the absence of secondary retainer 300. However, the provision of a secondary retainer ensures the continued integrity of the connection and seal in the event of a failure or weakening of the primary retainer. The steps involved in assembling connector 200 are illustrated in detail in Figs. 11-18. Upset 252 is initially formed on male member 204 (Fig. 11). Next, primary retainer 280 is slipped over end 256 of male member 204 until it abuts upset 252. Sleeve 260 is likewise slipped onto member 204 until its forward face 264 engages retainer ring 282 (Fig. 12). Upset 250 is then formed on male member 204, such that it engages sleeve shoulder 261 and firmly locks sleeve 260 and primary retainer 280 onto member 204 (Fig. 13.) After upset 250 is formed, spacer 236 is loaded on to member 204 to engage rearward face 266 of sleeve 260. End 256 is flared outwardly to retain spacer 236 on member 204 (Fig. 14). Finally, "O" ring 238 is expanded and slipped over flared end 256 (Fig. 15). The assembled seal-sleeve-retainer-male member unit is ready for insertion into female connector body 202. If the assembled unit is to be shipped elsewhere before installation, a shipping cap 320 may be slipped over the unit. A seal-sleeve-retainer-male member unit assembled as shown in Figs. 11-15 (with shipping cap 320 omitted) may be directly inserted into female connector body 202. As Fig.16 illustrates, all parts of the preassembled unit pass easily through entrance 212 into bore 208 with the exception of retainer 280. The close fit of sleeve 260 within sleeve housing portion 220 aids in guiding the assembly through bore 208. To move retainer 280 through entrance 212, tangs 286 are engaged by an insertion tool (not shown). Arms 284 are flexed inwardly, and retainer 280 is pushed through entrance 212. During this operation, "O" ring 238 goes from an expanded condition (Fig. 16) to a compressed condition (Fig. 17). When retainer 280 is fully inserted, the insertion tool is withdrawn, allowing arms 284 to expand outwardly to seat against the inner peripheral surfaces of retainer housing portion 210. Arm bends 285 abut radial face 218, securing "O" ring 238, spacer 236, sleeve 260 and male member 204 within female connector body 202 (Fig. 18). When connected in this manner, quick connector 200 provides a closed fluid communication between one component, represented by conduit 242, and another component, represented by tube 206. The connection is securely sealed, with "O" ring 238 being compressed in four directions: vertically between sealing surface 232 of seal housing portion 230 and surface 258 of male member 204; and horizontally between spacer 236 and flared tube end 256. "O" rings 274 and 278 ensure a fluid-tight connection. Secondary retainer 300 may be installed to provide reinforcement retention means. Retainer 300 is oriented with its arms 304 in 90 degree spaced relation relative to arms 284 of primary retainer 300. Retainer ring 302 is slipped over an end of tube 206 remote from male member 204. An insertion tool is used to engage tangs 312 and to flex arms 304 inwardly. In a fully inserted position (Fig. 3), arm bends 310 contact radial face 218 and arm sections 306 abut radial ring 282 of primary retainer 280. A dust boot 330 (Fig. 4) may be applied after assembly is complete to keep dust, system fluids and other unwanted elements out of bore 208 of connector body 202.

Claims: A quick connector (200) for forming a joint in a fuel line system comprises a female connector body (202) defining a bore (208), said bore (208) extending axially inwardly into said connector body (202) from an entrance (212), a radial face (218) being defined by said bore (208) axially inwardly of said entrance (212); a male member (204) formed at an end of the tube (206), said male member (204) being received within said bore (208) and having a first enlarged upset (250) form thereon; a sleeve (260) surrounding said male member (204) axially outwardly of said first upset (250), an axially inner end (266) of said sleeve (260) contacting said upset (250) to retain said tube (206) in said bore (208); and a primary retainer (280) surrounding said male member (204) axially outwardly of said sleeve (260), an axially inner end (282) of said primary retainer (280) contacting an axially outer end (264) of said sleeve (260) to retain said sleeve (260) in said bore (208), said primary retainer having arms (284) extending away from said axially inner end (282) and contacting said radial face (218) of said connector body (202) to retain said retainer (280) in said bore (208); said quick connector (200) being characterised in that a secondary retainer (300) surrounds said male member (204) axially outwardly of said primary retainer (280), said secondary retainer (300) including an axially inner end (302) surrounding said male member (204) and arms (304) extending from said axially inner end (302) and contacting said radial face (218) of said connector body (202) to retain said secondary retainer (300) in said bore (208). A quick connector (200) as claimed in Claim 1 and further characterised in that the sleeve (260) is located axially of the male member (204) between said upset (250) and a second upset (252). A quick connector (200) as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 and further characterised in that said primary retainer (280) comprises a first ring (282) surrounding said male member (204) and contacting said sleeve (260), said arms (284) of said first retainer (280) extending away from said first ring (282) to said interior radial face (218). A quick connector (200) as claimed in Claim 3 and further characterised in that said first ring (282) extends in a radial direction and is secured on said male member (204) between said sleeve (260) and said second upset (252). A quick connector (200) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 and further characterised in that said second retainer (300) comprises a second ring (302) surrounding said male member (204) the arms (304) of said second retainer (300) extending away from said second ring (302) to contact said interior radial face (218). A quick connector (200) as claimed in Claim 5 and further characterised in that said second ring (302) is positioned between said first ring (282) and said radial face (218). A quick connector (200) as claimed in Claim 6 and further characterised in that said first ring (282) extends in a radial direction and said second ring (302) extends in an axial direction, the first ring (282) being secured on said male member (204) between said sleeve (260) and said second upset (252) and said second ring (302) surrounding said second upset (252) and contacting said first ring (282). A quick connector (200) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further characterised in that said sleeve (260) defines inner and outer (268) cylindrical surfaces and annular grooves (272, 276) are formed in said inner and outer (268) cylindrical surfaces and O-ring seals (274, 278) are disposed in said grooves (272, 276) to provide a fluid seal between said sleeve (260) and said connector body (202) and between said sleeve (260) and said male member (204). A quick connector (200) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further characterised in that the arms (284) of said primary retainer (280) are rotated 90° from the arms (304) of said secondary retainer (300). A quick connector as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further characterised in that the arms (304) of said secondary retainer (300) contact said radially extending ring (282) of said primary retainer (280). A quick connector (200) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further characterised in that said arms (304) of said secondary retainer (300) have a planar surface of engagement with said radial face (218) of said connector body (202). A quick connector (200) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further characterised in that said arms (304) of said secondary retainer each include a tang (312) extending outwardly of said connector body (202). A quick connector (200) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further characterised in that the second enlarged upset (252) is formed on said male member (204) axially outwardly of said radially extending ring (282) of said primary retainer (280), said second upset (252) contacting said radially extending ring to secure said sleeve (260) and said primary retainer (280) on said male member (204). A quick connector as claimed in Claim 13 and further characterised in that said axially extending ring (302) of said secondary retainer (300) surrounds said second upset (252) formed on said male member (204).

Inventors: KETCHAM MARK G, LIIMATTA WALFRED J, MCNAUGHTON JAMES, KETCHAM, MARK G., LIIMATTA, WALFRED J., MCNAUGHTON, JAMES
Applicants: BUNDY CORP, BUNDY CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: F16L37, F16L55, F16L1