Abstract:
An in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle including a first member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a projection extending outwardly. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly also includes a second member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a cavity to receive the projection. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly further includes a seal ring disposed in the cavity to engage the first member. The second member has opposed latches adjacent the cavity and being movable to engage the projection for retaining the first member and the second member together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
   The present invention claims the priority date of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/246,874, filed Nov. 8, 2000. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to fuel tanks for vehicles and, more particularly, to an in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly for a fuel tank of a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is known to provide a fuel tank for a vehicle to hold fuel to be used by an engine of the vehicle. In some vehicles, the fuel tank includes a fuel pump module disposed therein with a removable cover sealed to the top of the fuel tank having an electrical connector and a fuel line outlet connector. The fuel pump module includes a fuel reservoir and an electrical fuel pump disposed in the reservoir. 
   Quick connect fittings have been used in fuel systems to make connections external to the fuel tank. Inside the fuel tank, hydraulic connections have been made using hoses and clamps or by press fitting polymer tubes onto various end-forms, the most common one referred to a as a “fir tree” connection. As more and more components of the fuel tank such as regulators, filters, and valves are installed inside the fuel tank in order to meet tighter emission standards, there is a need to use quick connect fittings to make (hydraulic) liquid connections without the use of tooling. 
   Quick connect fittings used outside of the fuel tank have specific performance requirements which include that the connection be leak free under all conditions and temperatures. The quick connect fitting must prevent separation of a connection between the connector and the tubing to which it is assembled. Because of these requirements, the connector is longer than what it needs to be for the inside of the fuel tank. For example, the space required by O-rings and glands as well as the need for barbs to ensure the retention of the quick connect fitting to polymer tubes create an undesirable length. Further, additional space is needed to allow a release tool to be inserted. Inside the fuel tank, space (length) is at a premium, and the smaller a component can be made, the easier it is to work into the design. 
   Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new quick connector to be used inside of a fuel tank for a vehicle. It is also desirable to provide an in-tank fuel line quick connector for a fuel tank in a vehicle that has a smaller size. It is further desirable to provide an in-tank fuel line quick connector for a fuel tank in a vehicle that reduces the number of parts and cost. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a new quick connector assembly for inside of a fuel tank in a vehicle. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle. 
   To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is an in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly for a fuel tank in a vehicle including a first member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a first projection extending outwardly. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly also includes a second member adapted to be disposed inside of the fuel tank and having a cavity to receive the first projection. The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly further includes a seal ring disposed in the cavity to engage the first member. The second member has opposed latches adjacent the cavity and are movable to engage the projection for retaining the first member and the second member together. 
   One advantage of the present invention is that an in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly is provided for inside of a fuel tank of a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly reduces the size of the package and space needed for the insertion of a removal tool to meet space constraints inside of the fuel tank. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly reduces the number of components needed to seal the connection and the insertion force of the male to female quick connect fittings. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly simplifies the assembly process as it can be installed by hand. A further advantage of the present invention is that the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly reduces cost because it can be assembled by an operator without the use of a mechanical assist and the function is accomplished with the addition of one molded part and an o-ring. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly has added value because it allows for serviceability of the components within the fuel module. 

   
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary elevational view of an in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly, according to the present invention, illustrated in operational relationship with a fuel tank of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary elevational view of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly of FIG.  4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly of FIG.  1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings and in particular  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of an in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10 , according to the present invention, is shown for a fuel tank, generally indicated at  12 , in a vehicle (not shown). In this embodiment, the fuel tank  12  is of a generally rectangular type. The fuel tank  12  has a bottom wall  14 . The fuel tank  12  also has a side wall  16  around a periphery of the bottom wall  14  and extending generally perpendicular thereto. The fuel tank  12  has a top wall  18  around a periphery of the side wall  16  and extending generally perpendicular thereto. The top wall  18  includes at least one opening  20  therein. The fuel tank  12  includes a fuel pump module  22  disposed therein with a removable fuel tank cover  24  disposed in the opening  20  and sealed to the top wall  18  of the fuel tank  12 . The fuel tank cover  24  has an electrical connector (not shown) and a fuel line outlet connector  26  extending therethrough. The fuel pump module  22  also includes a return fuel member  28  extending upwardly. The return fuel member  28  is tubular and has a generally circular cross-sectional shape. The return fuel member  28  has a passageway (not shown) extending axially therethrough. The return fuel member  28  is integral and formed as one-piece with the fuel pump module  22 . It should be appreciated that, except for the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10 , the fuel tank  12  is conventional and known in the art. 
   The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10  includes a male fitting or first member  30  having a tubular configuration. The first member  30  has an exterior surface  32  with an annular projection or retaining bead  34  extending radially outwardly therefrom and spaced from one end thereof. The first member  30  also has a locking bead  36  extending radially and spaced axially between the retaining bead  34  and the end thereof. The locking bead  36  extends radially a distance greater than the retaining bead  34 . The first member  30  further has a reduced diameter end  38  extending axially from the retaining bead  34 . The first member  30  also has a passageway  39  extending axially therethrough. The first member  30  is made of a rigid material such as a plastic material and has a predetermined diameter and wall thickness. It should be appreciated that the first member  30  may be made of any suitable material, diameter, and wall thickness. It should also be appreciated that a hose  39   a  interconnects the end of the first member  30  and the fuel line outlet connector  26 . 
   The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10  also includes a female fitting or second member  40  for connection to the first member  30 . The second member  40  has a housing or body  42  extending axially. The body  42  is generally cylindrical and has a connector portion  43  extending axially with a plurality of barbs  44  at one end. The barbs  44  extend radially and are annular and spaced axially for insertion into the return fuel member  28  of the fuel pump module  22 . Preferably, the second member  40  is made of a fuel resistant polymer material such as POM (Acetal) that is unfilled or filled with a low percentage of glass or carbon fiber. It should be appreciated that the polymer material has material properties such that it can be used in snap fit designs. 
   The second member  40  includes a cavity  46  extending axially therein at the other end. The cavity  46  has an inner surface  48  and receives the reduced diameter end  38  and retaining bead  34  of the first member  30 . The second member  40  also has a passageway  50  extending axially through the body  42  to the other end thereof and communicates with the cavity  46 . The second member  40  has a pair of opposed flex arms or latches  52  on the body  42  and located radially adjacent the cavity  46 . The flex arms  52  have a first edge  54  and a second edge  56  axially spaced from the first edge  54 . The first edge  54  is molded as integral part of the body  42 . The body  42  includes an aperture  58  extending radially therethrough around the sides and second edge  56  of the flex arms  52  to allow the flex arms  52  to flex via the first edge  54 . It should be appreciated that the flex arms  52  extend into the apertures  58  from the first edge  54  and are integral with the body  42  retain the first member  30  when pressed into it. 
   The in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10  also includes a seal  60  disposed in the cavity  46  for engaging the first member  30  and providing sealing between the body  42  and the first member  30 . Preferably, the seal  60  is made of an elastomeric material. The seal  60  is annular. The seal  60  has a generally circular cross-section. The seal  60  is disposed about the reduced diameter end  38  of the first member  30  and sandwiched between the retaining bead  34  and a shoulder  62  of the body  42  extending into the cavity  46 . It should be appreciated that the seal  60  resists leakage of fluid between the first member  30  and second member  40 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10  is shown assembled in a connect position. The seal  60  is disposed in the cavity  46 . The first member  30  engages the seal  60  and is disposed in the cavity  46  of second member  40  and about the first member  30 . The connection between the body  42  and the first member  30  is made when during insertion, the locking bead  36  on the first member  30  flexes the flex arms  52  outward and the second edge  56  of each flex arm  52  drops down on the backside of the locking bead  36 . 
   To release the first member  30  from the second member  40 , a tool such as a sleeve (not shown) is moved axially by an operator toward the second member  40 . The axial end of the sleeve engages the flex arms  52 . The flex arms  52  are expanded to a release position. The first member  30  is then moved axially by an operator away from the second member  40  to remove the first member  30  from the cavity  46  of the second member  40 . It should be appreciated that once the first member  30  is removed, the flex arms  52  return to their original position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the body  42  of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10  is shown. Like parts have like reference numerals increased by one hundred (100). In this embodiment, the body  142  has only two barbs  144  on the connector portion  143  onto which the interface of either a flexible tubing (not shown) or fuel return member  30  is pressed onto to save space. The application of this connector assembly  10  is intended specifically for the inside of the fuel tank  12  where no forces other than the force created by the hydraulic pressure acting on the inside of the tubing can pull the tubing and the body  142  apart. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , one of the retaining latches or flex arms  152  is illustrated on the body  142 . The second edge  156  of the flex arm  152  is the edge, which in combination with the locking bead  36  provides the retention of the first member  30  and second member  40 . The second edge  156  has a slot  190  that allows for the insertion of a tool (not shown) such as pins of a snap ring pair of pliers. When the pins of the snap ring pliers are inserted in the direction of the arrow into the slots  190 , and the pliers are activated, the flex arms  152  flex outward and the connection between the first member  30  and second member  40  are released, and the two can be separated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , yet another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the body  42  of the in-tank fuel line quick connector assembly  10  is shown. Like parts have like reference numerals increased by two hundred (200). In this embodiment, the body  242  has the connector portion  243  with the barbs  244  at an angle such as forty-five or ninety degrees to the remainder of the body  242 . As illustrated, the connector portion  243  is at an angle of ninety degrees relative to the remainder of the body  242 . It should be appreciated that the smaller package size of this design is accomplished by reducing the number of barbs  244  at the tube to body interface, by reducing the number of o-rings from two to one, and by eliminating the need to provide insertion room for a removal tool. 
   The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
   Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.