Abstract:
A quick connector including a female part with a stepped bore arranged to receive an endpiece and a collar of a male part, and a latch including a ring in a housing arranged in the female part to slide radially between an eccentric position and a position coaxial with the bore, and the latch including a latching indicator mounted to slide radially in the ring between two indication positions, and at least one blocking member for blocking the indicator in a first indication position, the blocking member being movable between an indicator-blocking position and a retracted release position, and having a contact portion projecting into the female portion beyond the latch to co-operate with the collar in such a manner that the collar takes the blocking member into its release position when the male part is inserted into the female part.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
     This application is continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/FR07/001,862 filed Nov. 13, 2007, which designated the United States, and which claims priority to French Patent Application 0609995, filed Nov. 15, 2006, the disclosure of each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a quick connector including a male part and a female part that couple together merely by inserting one into the other. 
     In pressurized fluid circuits that include quick connectors, it is desirable, or even required, to implement positive latching means for the connection. Poorly-established connection is firstly a source of leakage and secondly runs the risk of coming uncoupled, where the least-harmful consequence is to prevent operation of the machine that includes the pressurized fluid circuit, but that can also give rise to an accident if the machine is a vehicle (no pressure in a hydraulic brake circuit, fuel leaking into the engine compartment giving rise to fire). 
     Numerous devices exist for latching the male element in the female element of a quick connector. Substantially all of them operate on the same principle, implementing identical general means that consist in a keying member that is interposed between a radial surface of the endpiece (a groove or a collar) and a radial surface of the female element (likewise a groove or a collar). The keying member may be inserted manually or it may be held in its latching position by a resilient return member, with it being possible to place it in a retracted position against the effect thereof (either by moving it or by deforming it) when inserting the endpiece. 
     In a particularly simple embodiment of such a device, as shown in document FR 2 705 430, the latch is constituted by a ring mounted to slide radially in a housing formed in the female part of the connector between a rest, first position for latching, in which position it is off-center relative to the axis of the bore of the female part, and a retracted, second position for unlatching where it is substantially coaxial with the bore. 
     A resilient member constituted by two tongues made integrally with the ring is interposed between the ring and the female part and urges the ring towards its first position after the collar has passed through. 
     It is found that the above latching technique does not provide sufficient guarantee that the male part has been properly pushed home into the female part. The male part might be pushed only sufficiently to cause the collar to force the ring to move against the return spring, but not enough to ensure that the collar has gone beyond the ring, thereby preventing the ring from returning to its latching position behind the collar under the effect of the resilient tongues. That situation need not be immediately obvious to the operator, who might think that the connection has been made properly. 
     Documents EP0505930, EP0846907, FR2705431, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,886 disclose connectors having latching indicators that demonstrate that the connector has been properly latched, the latching indicator being located downstream from the latching member so as to be operated by a collar of the male part after the collar has gone beyond the latching member. In the connectors shown in those documents, the female part has special openings to allow the indicator to co-operate with the collar of the male part during insertion thereof, thereby weakening the female part and complicating fabrication. 
     In document EP 0 992 729, the indicator is likewise located axially offset from the latching member, but upstream from the latching member at the end of the female part. The indicator is driven not by the collar of the male part, but by an accessory entrained by the male part while it is being inserted in the female part, making that type of connector more complex. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention seeks to remedy those drawbacks, and more particularly it provides a quick connector including a female part with a stepped bore having a first section suitable for sealingly receiving an endpiece of a male part, and a second portion of larger diameter suitable for receiving an external collar on the male part beyond a latch that is constituted by a ring having a through orifice of diameter close to the diameter of the collar, the ring being mounted in a housing formed in the female part at the second section so as to slide radially between an eccentric first position for latching, and a retracted position coaxial with the bore, the latch including a latching indicator mounted to slide radially in the ring between a first indication position in which the latching indicator does not obstruct the through orifice, and a second indication position in which the latching indicator obstructs said through orifice. The latch includes at least one blocking member for blocking the indicator in its first indication position, the blocking member being movable between an indicator-blocking position and a retracted release position, and having a contact portion projecting into the second section towards the first section to co-operate with the collar in such a manner that the collar brings takes the blocking member from its blocking position towards its release position when the male part is inserted in the female part. 
     Thus, the latching indicator cannot be moved into its second indication position until the collar has retracted the blocking member, such that the ring is then necessarily located behind the collar. It is thus certain that the connection has been made correctly. The indicator in accordance with the invention is incorporated without it being necessary to provide special openings in the female part of the connector, and without requiring additional parts or accessories. The blocking member is thus incorporated in the latch without making special arrangements to the female part, thereby simplifying fabrication. The connector is thus generally unchanged, with only the ring being modified to incorporate the indicator. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the latching indicator in the first indication position does not obstruct the through orifice in the ring, while the latching indicator in the second indication position obstructs said through orifice. 
     In order to verify that the connection between the male part and the female part has been made correctly, the operator making the connection brings the latching indicator into its second indication position after inserting the male part in the female part. The latching indicator in its second indication position then opposes extraction of the male part. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the holder means are resilient return means for returning the indicator towards either of its two indication positions on either side of an unstable intermediate position. 
     When the latching indicator is in the first indication position, it is prevented from moving relative to the ring by the holder means. When the collar has gone past the ring, the ring moves into the rest position, and the latching indicator remains held in the first indication position until it is driven manually by the operator towards the second indication position in which it is once more prevented from moving relative to the ring. These holder means serve to guarantee that the latching indicator remains stationary relative to the ring, and cannot move between the two indication positions unless it is driven deliberately by the operator. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the indicator has a drive portion that projects from an outside portion of the female part when the latching indicator is in the first position, and that is substantially retracted relative to the outside portion when the latching indicator is in the second indication position. 
     The drive portion includes an opening for inserting a driver tool, which opening is accessible when the latching indicator is in the second indication position. 
     With the drive portion pushed into the female part, it is difficult to take hold of it with the fingers in order to move the drive portion. For this purpose, it is necessary to insert a tool in the opening through a setback provided in the female part giving the tool access to the opening. 
     The latching indicator also includes an active portion extending from the drive portion towards the inside of the housing of the ring, the active portion being in part in register with walls defining the housing, at least when the latching indicator is in the second indication position. 
     In two embodiments of the blocking member: 
     the blocking member has a resilient arm that is secured to the ring and that extends at least in part under the latching indicator when the blocking member is in the blocking position and the latching indicator is in its first indication position, so as to constitute an abutment for the latching indicator, and preferably the arm extends in a substantially axial direction of the ring and possesses a free end arranged to be moved away from said axis by the collar of the male part, thereby retracting the arm relative to the latching indicator; and 
     the blocking member including a resilient leg that is secured to the latching indicator and that extends in part in register with an abutment surface of the ring when the blocking member is in the blocking position and, preferably the leg extends in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the latching indicator and has a free end portion arranged to be pushed into the second section by the collar, thereby escaping from the abutment surface of the ring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood in the light of the following description of an embodiment of the invention given with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a longitudinal section view of a quick connector in a first embodiment of the invention, the male part being shown not yet inserted in the female part, the ring being in the rest position, while the latching indicator is in the first indication position; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary view from beneath of the quick connector in section on line II-II of  FIG. 1 , the collar of the male part penetrating into the latch; 
         FIG. 3  is a view analogous to  FIG. 1 , the collar having moved the latch into its retracted position; 
         FIG. 4  is a view analogous to  FIG. 1 , the ring being in its rest position while the latching indicator is in its first position; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary view from below of the quick connector, in section on line V-V of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view analogous to  FIG. 1  after the male part has been pushed home into the female part, the ring being in the rest position, while the latching indicator is in the second indication position; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are front and rear perspective views of the latch of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a view analogous to  FIG. 8  showing a quick connector latch in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a view analogous to  FIG. 1  of a quick connector in accordance with the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary view analogous to  FIG. 10 , once the male part has been pushed home into the female part, the ring being in the rest position while the latching indicator is in the first indication position; and 
         FIG. 12  is a view analogous to  FIG. 11 , after the latching indicator has been moved into the second indication position, the ring being in the rest position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the connector of the invention includes a female part given overall reference  1 , extending along a longitudinal axis and subdivided into a plurality of sections, namely a first section  2  and a second section  3  extending on either side of an intermediate section  20 . The section  2  of diameter d is designed to receive a cylindrical endpiece  25  of a male part  21  that is provided on the outside with a collar  22 . The intermediate section  20 , of diameter greater than d, receives gaskets  26  disposed in the female part  1  so as to bear against the endpiece  25  of the male part  21  in order to seal the connection, and a guide insert  28  for guiding the male endpiece  25  in the female part  1 . The second section  3  of diameter D greater than the diameter of the intermediate section  20  and greater than the diameter of the collar  22  is designed to receive the collar  22 . The section  3  is provided with a housing  4  defined by two facing plane side walls  18  that extend perpendicularly to the axis of the female part  1 , thereby forming a passage to enable a ring  5  to slide radially in the housing  4 . According to the invention, the housing  4  also receives a latching indicator  8 , described in greater detail below. 
     With reference also to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ring  5  includes, in known manner, resilient tongues  6  that bear against the bottom of the housing  4  and that exert a return force towards a return position for the ring  5 , which position is defined, in known manner, by co-operation between steps in the housing  4  and steps on the ring  5 . 
     The ring  5  also has a conical surface  7  extending along a cone as far as a circular edge  27  of diameter slightly greater than the diameter D of the section  3 . The edge  27  defines a portion of a circular orifice for passing the collar  22  through the ring  5 . 
     This orifice is embodied here solely by the edge  27 , however it should be considered as being a virtual orifice of axis parallel to the axis of the female part  1  and presenting a cylindrical shape of diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the collar  22 . 
     According to the invention, the female part  1  is provided with a latching indicator given overall reference  8 . 
     The latching indicator  8  includes a drive portion  9  in the form of a T-shape projecting from the ring  5 , and an active portion  10  that is slidably received in the ring  5  and that is connected to the drive portion  9  via the free end of the upright of the T-shape. 
     Two prongs  11  extend from the active portion  10  on either side of the upright of the T-shape of the drive portion  9 , each prong presenting an intermediate portion that is curved convexly away from the upright of the T-shape. The prongs  11  form a rubbing and resilient bearing surface for two branches  12  of the ring  5 . The prongs  11  define recesses  15 ,  16  in the vicinity of the active portion  10  and in the vicinity of the drive portion  9  so as to define respectively a first indication position in which the active portion  10  and the edge  27  define a through section of diameter greater than that of the collar  22  and the free ends of the branches  12  are received in the recesses  15 , and a second indication position in which the active portion  10  and the edge  27  define a through section of diameter close to that of the endpiece  25 , and the free ends of the branches  12  are received in the recesses  16 . It will be understood that the curved intermediate portions of the prongs  11  form a hard point defining an unstable position in the movement of the latching indicator  8  between its first indication position and its second indication position, which indication positions are themselves stable. In the first indication position, the drive portion  9  of the latching indicator  8  projects from an outside portion  19  of the ring. In the second indication position, the drive portion  9  is flush with the outside portion  19 . 
     The ring  5  includes a blocking member for blocking the latching indicator  8  in its first indication position. 
     The blocking member includes two arms  13 , each having an end portion  13 . 1  secured to the ring  5  under the active portion  10  of the latching indicator  8 , and an end portion  13 . 2  that is free, extending axially to project from the ring  5  via a side thereof opposite from the latching indicator  8 , i.e. into the second section  3  in this example. The arms  13  are elastically deformable between: 
     a blocking state in which the end portions  13 . 2  of the arms  13  are separated by a distance smaller than the diameter of the collar  22  and in which the end portions  13 . 1  of the arms  13  prevent an abutment surface  13 . 3  extending under side portions  17  of the active portion  10  of the latching indicator  8  in its first indication position, thereby opposing movement of the latching indicator  8  towards its second indication position; and 
     a release state in which the end portions  13 . 2  are spaced apart by a distance equal to the diameter of the collar  22  and in which the abutment surfaces  13 . 3  are retracted relative to the side portions  17  of the active portion  10 , thereby allowing the latching indicator  8  to move towards its second indication position. 
     In the position shown in  FIG. 1 , the through orifice has its axis offset from the axis of the female part  1 . The conical surface  7  then leaves a free passage for the endpiece  25  of the male part in the section  2 , but forms an obstacle for insertion of the collar  22  into the section  3  downstream from the ring  5 . The latching indicator  8  is in its first indication position. 
     In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cylindrical endpiece  25  of the male part  21  has been slid between the ring  5  and the latching indicator  8  so as to be inserted in the section  2  of the female part, and it has been possible to slide the collar  22  under the active portion  10  of the latching indicator  8 , but it has come into abutment against the conical surface  7  of the ring  5  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     By forcing the male part  21  into the female part  1 , the ring  5  is caused to move radially under the effect of the collar  22  thrusting against the conical surface  7  that forms a ramp, and against the return force exerted by the flexible tongues  6 . The ring  5  moves until the edge  27  of the conical surface  7  passes under the collar  22 , which position is shown in  FIG. 3 . In this position, the through orifice defined by the edge  27  and the active portion  10  is centered on the axis of the female part  1 , the latching indicator  8  being retained in its first indication position by the branches  12  of the ring  5 , with the free ends thereof being received in the hollow  15 , such that the latching indicator  8  does not obstruct the through orifice. The collar  22  can then pass between the ring  5  and the portion of the latching indicator  8  in its first indication position. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the collar  22  has gone beyond the ring  5 , and the ring has returned to its initial rest position under the effect of the return force exerted by the flexible tongues  6 . The through orifice once more has its axis offset, with the latching indicator  8  still in the first indication position, while the drive portion  9  projects clearly from the female part  1 . 
     In this position, the periphery of the ring  5  faces the walls  18  of the housing  4 , while the ring  5  possesses a wall portion  29  facing the collar  22 . The ring  5  forms a latch that latches the connection between the male part  21  and the female part  1 , opposing withdrawal of the male part  21 . 
     In addition, as can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the collar  22  received in the second section  3  beyond the ring  5  has moved the end portions  13 . 2  of the arms  13  apart so as to bring them into their release state. 
     The operator can then confirm the connection by pressing on the drive portion  9  of the latching indicator  8 , so as to bring the indicator into its position shown in  FIG. 6 , which is the second indication position, and in which the ends of the branches  12  of the ring  5  are snapped into the recesses  16  defined by the prongs  11  of the latching indicator  8 . 
     If it is possible to move the indicator, that indicates the collar  22  is properly pushed into the female part  1  beyond the ring  5 , and that the ring has been able to return to its initial rest position. 
     If the male part has been pushed only part way into the female part  1 , without the collar  22  reaching the ring  5 , and the operator then presses on the drive portion  9  of the latching indicator  8 , the ring and indicator assembly will move against the flexible tongues  6 : the side portions of the active portion  10  of the latching indicator  8  come into abutment against the abutment surfaces  13 . 3  and bring the ring  5  into the centered position. When the operator stops pressing, the ring  5  rises to return to its initial position and the drive portion  9  of the latching indicator  8  projects from the outside portion  19  of the ring  5 . The operator can thus observe visually that the connection has been made. 
     Should it happen that the collar  22  goes past the ring  5 , but without the ring returning to its initial position, e.g. because of the presence of an obstacle or because of one of the flexible tongues  6  breaking, then the operator can see prior to applying any pressure that the latching indicator  8  has remained in an intermediate position with the drive portion  9  still projecting from the outside portion  19 . If the operator does not notice this and attempts to press the latching indicator  8  into the second indication position, then the drive portion  9  continues to project from the outside portion  19  of the ring  5 . The operator is then also made aware that the connection has not been made properly. 
     In the second indication position, the latching indicator  8  projects very little from the outside portion  19 , unlike the situations mentioned above. Observing the position of the latching indicator  8  thus makes it possible at a glance to verify whether the connection has been made properly and has been confirmed by the operator. 
     The latching indicator  8  thus provides a visual indication that a proper connection has been made. 
     The recesses  15  and  16  defined by the prongs  11  and the branches  12  of the ring  5  are defined in such a manner that the force needed to bring the latching indicator  8  from the first indication position to the second indication position, and to snap the latching indicator  8  into the second indication position is less than the force needed to cause the flexible tongues  6  of the ring  5  to bend. 
     Furthermore, moving the latching indicator  8  into the second indication position serves to reinforce opposition to the male part  21  being removed from the female part  1 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the active portion  10  of the latching indicator  8  faces the collar  22  and thus projects into the through orifice in the ring  5 , and the active portion  10  and the base of the drive portion  9  face the walls  19  of the housing  4 . The latching indicator  8  thus constitutes an obstacle against withdrawing the male part  21  from the female part  1 . 
     The latching indicator  8  thus also acts as a latch, adding its own effect to the effect of the ring  5  for increasing opposition to the male part  21  being pulled out from the female part  1 . 
     In order to disconnect the male part  21  from the female part, it is necessary to return the latching indicator into its first indication position. Since the drive portion  9  is pressed against the female part  1 , it is not possible to move the latching indicator  8  by hand. It is necessary to insert the end of a tool between the drive portion  9  of the latching indicator  8  and the female part  1 , and to pull on the latching indicator  8  in order to return it into the first indication position. It is therefore not possible to return the latching indicator  8  unintentionally into the first indication position once it has been placed in the second indication position. 
     It is then necessary to press on the outside portion  19  of the ring  5  in order to retract the ring into a position similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 . The collar  22  can then pass between the ring  5  and the active portion  10  of the latching indicator  8 . 
     In the second embodiment of the invention, the female part  1  and the male part  21  are identical to those of the first embodiment, the quick connector of the second embodiment differing from that of the first embodiment only in the structure of the blocking member. 
     Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 9 to 12 , the blocking member has two resilient legs  33  that are secured to the latching indicator  8  via respective end portions  33 . 1  and each of which has a free end portion  33 . 2  that extends partially in register with an abutment surface  34  of the ring  5  when the blocking member is in the blocking position. Each leg  33  extends in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the latching indicator  8  and has its free end portion  33 . 2  provided with a fin  33 . 3  for making contact with the collar  22  so that the free end portion  33 . 2  can be pushed into the second section  3  by the collar  22  and thus escape from the abutment surface  34  of the ring  5 . The latching indicator  8  can then be moved into second indication position. 
     The drive portion  9  includes an opening  35  for inserting a driver tool (e.g. a screwdriver), which opening is accessible when the latching indicator  8  is in the second indication position so as to enable the latching indicator  8  to be returned to its first indication position. 
     The operation of the quick connector in the second embodiment is identical to that of the quick connector in the first embodiment. 
     The invention is not limited of the particular embodiments described above, but on the contrary covers any variant that comes within the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims. 
     The tabs  13  and  33  may be moved into their release position (e.g. by means of a hinge), rather than being deformed. 
     The invention may be implemented by combining and/or dynamically inverting the embodiments described above. 
     The means for preventing the latching indicator from moving in the ring may be means that are breakable and/or snap-fastener means. 
     The shapes of the ring and of the indicator may be other than those described. In particular, the outside portion  19  and the drive portion  9  may have any shape that makes it possible visually to perceive any change of position of one relative to the other. 
     As it is anticipated that certain changes may be made in the present invention without departing from the precepts herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. All references including any priority documents cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference.