Abstract:
A fluid quick connector includes first and second coupled housings having aligned bores. A biased shut off valve is mounted in the first housing and has a seal end normally biased into a fluid flow blocking position; but movable away from the seal upon contact with an end form inserted into the bores to a fluid flow enabling position. The first and second housings interact at an adjustable axial interface formed of mating threads to vary the insertion distance of the endform into the first housing after the endform is latched in the first and second housings by a retainer carried in the second housing, to regulate the fluid flow through the quick connector.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates, in general, to fluid quick connectors which couple fluid connector components and, more particularly, to fluid quick connectors with means operative to check the flow of fluid therethrough under certain operating conditions. 
   Snap-fit or quick connectors are employed in a wide range of applications, particularly, for joining fluid carrying conduits in automotive and industrial application. Such quick connectors utilize retainers or locking elements for securing one connector component, such as a tubular conduit, within a complimentary bore of another connector component or housing. Such retainers are typically of either the axially-displaceable or radially-displaceable type. The terms “axially-displaceable” or “radially-displaceable” are taken relative to the axial bore through another component. 
   In a typical quick connector with an axially displaceable, retainer, the retainer is mounted within a bore in a housing of one connector component of housing. The retainer has a plurality of radially and angularly extending legs which extend inwardly toward the axial center line of the bore in the housing. A tube or conduit to be sealingly mounted in the bore in the housing includes a radially upset portion or flange which abuts an inner peripheral surface of the retainer legs. Seal and spacer members as well as a bearing or top hat are typically mounted in the bore ahead of the retainer to form a seal between the housing and the tube when the tube is lockingly engaged with the retainer legs in the housing. 
   Radially displaceable retainers are also known in which the retainer is radially displaceable through aligned bores or apertures formed transversely to the main throughbore in the housing. The radially displaceable retainer is typically provided with a pair of depending legs which are sized and positioned to slip behind the radially upset portion or flange on the tube only when the tube or conduit is fully seated in the bore in the housing. This ensures a positive locking engagement of the tube with the housing as well as providing an indication that the tube is fully seated since the radially displaceable retainer can be fully inserted into the housing only when the tube has been fully inserted into the bore in the housing. 
   Regardless of the type of retainer, the housing portion of a fluid connector typically includes an elongated stem having one or more annular barbs spaced from a first end. The barbs provide secure engagement with a tube or conduit which is forced over the barbs to connect the housing with one end of the conduit. 
   It is desirable in fluid handling conduits and fluid quick connectors to ensure that the connectors have their mating portions properly coupled together. A faulty connector enables an associated host system to leak fluid. This can be particularly disadvantageous when the system is under pressure. 
   In fluid quick connectors, it is important that the two mating portions of the connector are properly coupled when one portion is inserted into the other portion to establish the fluid connection therebetween while seal elements fluidically seal the coupled portions together. 
   It is known to provide a one-way, shut-off valve in the connector housing which is normally biased to a fluid blocking position until the tubular component is fully inserted into and coupled to the housing. Only at this fully inserted, sealed position does the tubular component move the valve to an open or flow enabling position to enable fluid to flow through the connector. 
   However, such previously known quick connect fluid couplings with shut-off valves have all switched fluid flow between full off and full on, with the quantity of fluid flow through the quick connector being determined solely by the diameter of the connector portions. 
   In many fluid handling applications, it would be desirable to have a quick connector with a one way shut-off valve which ensures that the connector components are fully coupled and sealed before flow is enabled; while at the same time providing adjustability in the quantity of fluid flow after the check valve has been moved to a flow enabling position. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is a fluid quick connector for joining first and second fluid elements, such as conduits, hoses, etc. 
   In one aspect, the fluid quick connector includes a first housing having a throughbore and a second housing having a throughbore. The second housing is coupled to the first housing with the throughbores in fluid flow communication with an end form having a bore extending from a tip end. 
   A shut off valve is disposed in the bore in the first housing, the valve having a seal end and a shoulder. The valve is axially movable from a fluid flow blocking position to an open, fluid flow position in response to insertion from the end form in the bores in the first and second housings into contact with the shoulder of the valve. 
   A retainer is carried on the second housing for releasably locking the end form in the second housing. 
   Means are provided for varying the position of the valve in the first housing after the endform is latched in the fully inserted position in the first housing to provide fluid flow regulation. In one aspect, the position varying means includes means for selectively varying the position of the valve between the fluid flow blocking position and the fluid flow open, position to selectively regulate fluid flow through the first and second housings and the end form. 
   In one aspect, the means for selectively varying the position of the valve includes threads formed on adjoining portions of the first and second housings whereby threading of the first and second housings relative to each other varies the position of the valve by axially translating the end form relative to the first housing causing movement of the valve between the two positions. 
   The fluid quick connector of the present invention uniquely provides a fluid quick connector for fluidically coupling fluid elements which has an automatic break capability provided by an internally biased shut off valve which moves to an open fluid flow position only when an end form is fully inserted into a housing of the quick connector. The inventive fluid quick connect provides this capability along with flow regulation by allowing the position of the fully latched and sealed end form to be selectively varied relative to the first housing thereby varying the position of the valve between the fully opened fluid flow position and the fully closed, fluid blocking position so as to regulate the fluid flow through the housings and the end form. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an assembled quick connector according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of the quick connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one aspect of a retainer used in the quick connector shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the retainer mounted in a prelatched, shipping position in the quick connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the retainer and the quick connector in a fully latched position; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the shut off valve shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the fluid quick connector shown in  FIG. 1 , depicting the valve in a flow blocking position prior to insertion of an endform into the quick connector; 
       FIG. 8  is a longitudinal cross sectional view through an the assembled fluid quick connector shown in  FIG. 1 , with the valve disposed in the open, fluid flow enabling position; 
       FIG. 9  is longitudinal cross section of the assembled fluid quick connector of  FIG. 1 , with the valve shown in the closed, fluid flow enabling position by threading movement of the connector housings. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–6 , there is depicted one aspect of a quick connector  10  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As is conventional, the quick connector  10  is adapted for sealingly and lockingly, yet removably interconnecting first and second conduits  12  and  14  in a fluid tight, leak proof, sealed connection by a snap-together connection. 
   The first conduit  12  is formed of metal or plastic and has an endform with a tapered end or tip  18  at one end, a through bore  20 , and an enlarged annular flange  22  spaced from the tip end  18 . 
   Further, the following description of the use of the fluid quick connector  10  to connect tubular members will be understood to apply to the connection of conduits, hoses, and/or solid metal or plastic tubes to each other in fluid flow communication. The end of a conduit or tubular member inserted into the interior of one end of the quick connector  10  is defined herein as an endform. The endform can be a separate member which receives a separate hose or conduit at one end or a shape integrally formed on the end of an elongated metal or plastic tube. Further, the endform can be integrally formed on or mounted as a separate element to a fluid use device, such as a pump, filter, etc., rather than as part of an elongated conduit. 
   The second conduit  14  is typically formed of a flexible material, such as a polymer, i.e., nylon, in one or more layers. The conduit  14  has an internal bore which communicates with a bore extending through the quick connector  10 , as described hereafter, and the bore  20  in the first conduit  12 . 
   The quick connector  10  includes a first housing  26  and a second housing  28  which are adapted to be axially connected to provide an axially extending throughbore between opposite ends. 
   The first housing  26  is formed of a one piece body, typically metal or a high strength plastic, and has a stepped exterior surface formed of a raised annular flange  30  at one end, an enlarged diameter portion  32  extending from the flange  30 , an intermediate, smaller diameter portion  34 , and a necked-down portion or stem  36  which extends from the intermediate diameter portion  34  to an annular flange  38  formed at another end of the first housing  26 . At least one and, preferably, a plurality of longitudinally spaced barbs or projections  40  and  42  are formed along the exterior of the stem  36  for secure engagement with the second conduit  14 , which is slidably urged thereover. 
   An endform interface member  50  in the form of a cap having a conical end portion which smoothly merges with an annular end portion is slidably mounted over the end of the stem  36  of the first housing  26 . A seal member  52 , typically in the form of an O-ring is interposed between the annular end portion of the cap  50  and the barb  40 . 
   The second housing  28  is preferably formed of a one piece, unitary body of a high strength plastic, such as nylon, for example. The second housing  28  has a first end  124  and an opposed second end  126 . As shown by example in  FIG. 2 , the housing  28  has a generally cylindrical, linear form between the first and second ends  124  and  126 . 
   As shown in detail in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the first end  124  of the housing  28  is formed with a pair of opposed, exterior flat surfaces  140  and  142 . The flat surfaces  140  and  142  are diametrically opposed on the first end  124  and may be centrally located on each diametrical side of the first end  124 . The adjacent surfaces of the housing  28  to one side of the flat surfaces  140  and  142  form an opposed pair of lock surfaces or flats, such as a first flat  143  and a second flat  144 . A second pair of flats  145  and  146  are formed on the housing  28  or the other side of the flat surfaces  140  and  142 . The flats  143  and  144  extend axially a short distance from the first end  124  of the housing  28 . Opposed surfaces  148  and  150  of the first end  124  of the housing  28  between the flats  143  and  144  and the flats  145  and  146  have a generally arcuate shape as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Apertures  149  and  151  are formed respectively in each surface  148  and  150 . The apertures  149  and  151  are aligned to form a transverse bore extending through the first end  124  of the housing  28  which is disposed in communication with the throughbore in the housing  28 . 
   The retainer  16  is formed of a one-piece body of a suitable plastic, such as a high strength plastic, for example, PPA, and has an end wall  162  formed of a generally curved or arcuate shape, by way of example only, and first and second spaced side legs  164  and  166 . The side legs  164  and  166  extend generally parallel to each other from opposite ends of the end wall  162 . Further, each side leg  164  and  166  has an outer end  172 , although it is also possible to connect the side legs  164  and  166  at a lower portion by an arcuate member. 
   A pair of projections  170  extend along the length of the retainer  16  between opposed side edges of the side legs  164  and  166 , respectively. The projections  170  are located adjacent the outer end  172  of each leg  164  and  166 . The projections  170  engage surfaces on the housing  28  to position the retainer  16  in the shipping position shown in  FIG. 4 , or in the fully inserted, latched position shown in  FIG. 5 . Further, a pair of outward extending lock tabs or edges  174  are formed adjacent the end wall  162  on each side leg  164  and  166  and engage notches  196  in the second housing  28  in the fully latched position of the retainer  16 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3–5 , the projections  170  on the legs  164  and  166  of the retainer  16  are formed with an angled hook-like shape terminating in a tip  156 . The tip  156  is disposed at an acute, upturned angle with respect to the corresponding legs  164  and  166 . 
   Grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′ are formed in the interior of the flat surfaces  140  and  142 , respectively, and include a recess or notch  158  at one end which is shaped complimentary to the shape of the tip  156  of the projection  170  on each of the legs  164  and  166  of the retainer  16 . In this manner, pull out of the retainer  16  from the housing  28  is resisted by the interlocking tips  156  on the legs  164  and  166  of the retainer  16  which are seated within the notches  158  in the grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′ in the housing  28  as shown in the partially inserted, shipping position of the retainer  16  in  FIG. 4 . The flats or lock edges  144  and  146  are disposed at an angle complimentary to the acute angle of the tips  156  on the legs  164  and  166  of the retainer  16 . This enables interlock of the tips  156  with the flats  144  and  146  resists pull out of the retainer  16  from the housing  28  from the fully latched position shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   The hook shaped tips  156  on the legs  164  and  166  of the retainer  16  in conjunction with the grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′ in the housing  28  also provide a distinct, “avalanche effect” snap action of the retainer  16  in the housing  28 . The grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′ in the housing  28  are formed in generally planar flat surfaces. The inner surfaces force the ends  172  of the legs  164  and  166  laterally inward toward each other when the retainer  16  is inserted into the housing  28 . When the tips  156  clear one edge of the grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′, the resilient nature of the legs  164  and  166  snaps the ends  172  and the tips  156  laterally outward to create an “avalanche effect” which provides a distinct tactile feedback to the user indicating that the retainer has lockingly engaged the housing  28  in either the partially inserted position, shown in  FIG. 4 , or the fully inserted position shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   It should be noted that further insertion force on the retainer  16  moving the retainer  16  from the partially inserted position in  FIG. 4  to the fully inserted position shown in  FIG. 5  again causes the ends  172  of the legs  164  and  166  to be urged laterally inward when the tips  156  of the legs  164  and  166  slide along the lower portion of the inner surfaces. When the tips  156  clear the outer end of the inner surfaces, the legs  164  and  166  spring laterally outward in a distinct “avalanche effect” manner. The lower ends of the grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′ are angled to enable the tips  156  to slide out of the grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′ toward the fully latched position. 
   The retainer  16  can be first be installed on the housing  28  in a shipping or storage position depicted in  FIG. 4 . In this position, the projections  170  on the side legs  164  and  166  of the retainer  16  snap into and engage the longitudinally extending grooves  140 ′ and  142 ′. 
   Further insertion of the retainer  16  through the aligned apertures  149  and  151  in the housing  28  causes the ends  172  of the legs  164  and  166  to pass along the lower portion of the inner surfaces of the flat surfaces  140  and  142  until the tips  156  clear the ends of the surfaces and then snap outward exteriorly of the outer surface of the first end  124  of the housing  28  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this fully inserted position of the endform  12  in the housing  28 , an annular locking surface recess  28  on the endform  12  is situated ahead of the arms  182  and  184  of the retainer  16 . This position represents the fully latched position in which the endform  12  is fully seated in and lockingly engaged with the connector housing  28 . The full insertion of the retainer  16  into the housing  28  also provides visible indication of the fully locked connection of the endform  12  and the housing  28 . 
   It will also be apparent that if the retainer  16  is in the fully latched position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , prior to insertion of the endform  12  into the housing  28 , the radially inward extent of the arms  182  and  184  block full insertion of the endform  12  into the housing  28 . If the tip end  20  of the endform  12  is spaced from the fully inserted position in the bore in the housing  28  shown in  FIG. 2 , the arms  182  and  184  on the retainer  16  will engage on the flange on the endform  12  such that the retainer  16  cannot be transversely moved into the fully latched position. When this occurs, the outer edge of the central leg  162  of the retainer  16  will extend outward from the housing  28  to provide an indication of a non-fully inserted endform  14 . 
   Further details of the construction and operation of the retainer  16  can be had by referring to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,716; 5,782,502; 5,951,063; and 5,782,502, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   It will be understood that the above-description of a retainer configured for releasable engagement with a recess in an endform to releasably latch the endform to the quick connector housing is by way of example only. Other retainer/endform latching configurations, such as the transversely mounted retainer which engages a recess in an endform as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,779 can also be employed as the quick connector of the present invention. 
   In addition, axially mounted retainers and quick connector housing configurations typically employed with raised SAE flanged or beaded endforms, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,204, may also be employed as the quick connector of the present invention. 
   A top hat  84 , shown in FIGS.  2  and  7 – 9 , is in the form of a one-piece member typically of a rigid plastic having an annular sleeve  86  projecting from a flange  82 . A through bore  88  extends through the sleeve  86  and the flange  82  for accommodating the end portion of the first conduit  12  and for allowing the tip end  18  of the first conduit  12  to slide therethrough as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Referring briefly to  FIG. 7 , an end face  72  of the sleeve  86  on the top hat  84  holds a plurality of seal and spacer elements including, by example, one O-ring  73 , an annular spacer  74  and another O-ring  75  in position adjacent a sleeve  76  disposed in the bore of the first housing  26 . A seal member, such as an o-ring  278 , is interposed between an inward extending flange at one end of the sleeve  76  and an adjacent portion of the housing  26 . 
   As also shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the seal elements  73 ,  74  and  75  sealingly engage the outer surface of the first conduit  12  when the tip end  18  of the first conduit  12  is inserted through the top hat  84  and into the stepped bore in the first housing  26 . The bore  88  formed through the sleeve portion  86  of the top hat  84  acts as a bearing surface for the end portion of the first conduit  12 . In this position, the flange  82  on the top hat  84  is disposed adjacent to the annular flange  30  on the first housing  26 . 
   As best viewed in  FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , a check or shut off valve  289  disposed within the bore  100  in the first housing  26 . The valve  289  includes a generally goblet-shaped valve member including a hemispherical seat portion  290 , elongated stem portion  291  and a radially extending guide portion  292 . The valve  289  is disposed concentrically within the bore, seat portion  290  having a concave recess formed therein. The seat, the stem portions, and the guide portions  290 ,  291 , and  292 , respectively, are integrally formed from suitable materials, such as injection molded plastic. The outer circumferential surface of the seat portion  290  defines a curved annular seat  293  which sealingly engages a fixed resilient annular seal  278 , such an O-ring, within bore  100  to selectively open or check the flow of fluid through bore  100 . 
   A helical spring normally biases the valve  289  from an open fluid flow position shown in  FIG. 8  towards a closed position shown in  FIG. 7 . Guide portion  292  forms a generally fishtail configuration defining a leftwardly facing abutment surface  294  configured to abut a tip end  20  of the endform  12  to displace valve  289  to its open position. Generally parallel laterally opposed surfaces  295  and  291  of the guide portion  292  provide clearance for fluid flow through the open end of the endform  12 . The rounded contour of abutment surface  294  provides a degree of swivel or rocking freedom to effect positive engagement between abutment surface  294  and leading edge or tip  18  of the endform  12  to ensure straight, axial displacement thereof. 
   Thus configured for high strength, light weight and minimal cross sectional area (flow resistance), the valve  289  is displaceable from the first or closed position illustrated in  FIG. 7  wherein the seat  290  contacts the seal  278  to entirely close off fluid flow through the bore in the housing  26 , to a second position illustrated in  FIG. 8  wherein the valve  289  is displaced to establish open communication through bore. The valve  289  is displaced from the first to the second position in response to full insertion of the tip end  18  of the end form  12  within the bore  100  and the interlocking of the retainer  16  with the endform  12  in the usual manner. Once engaged, the tip end  18  of the endform  12  contacts guide portion to displace the valve  289  to its open position. 
   As best viewed in  FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially elongated, radially inwardly directed guide ribs  298  are formed on the inner diameter of bore portion and serve to radially guide seat portion  290  of valve member  289  while permitting relatively free axial displacement thereof. 
   Recesses or slots  299  are formed between the ribs  298  for fluid flow around the seat  290  of the valve  289  when the valve  289  is in the open position shown in  FIG. 8 . The ribs  288  and slots  299  maybe formed in a cylindrical sleeve shown in  FIGS. 7–9  which is mounted in the bore  100  or integrally formed in the inner surface of the housing  26 . 
   In application, when the endform  12  and the retainer  16 , are fully engaged, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the valve  289  is retained in the open position to provide a free and relatively unrestricted flow of fluid through the bores in the housings  26  and  28  to the endform  12 . 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable interface denoted by reference number  210  is disposed between the top hat  86  and one end portion of the second housing  28 . The adjustable interface  210  may be, by example only, formed by external threads  31  on the flange  30  of the housing  26  and internal threads  61  on one end of the second housing  28 . The threads  31  and  61  are complimentary to each other and provided in a suitable length to enable adjustment of the valve  289  between the fully opened, flow enabling position in  FIG. 8  and the completely closed, fluid flow blocking position shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   It should be noted that in all positions, the tip end  18  of the end form  12  is fully retained within the mating housings  26 ,  28  by the retainer  16  in sealed engagement with the seal members  72 ,  73  and  74  in the first housing  26 . 
   In the fully opened position of the valve  288 , the second housing  28  is threaded as far axially forward relative to the first housing  26  as possible as shown in  FIG. 8 . This enables the tip end  16  of the end form  12  to be inserted further into the bore  100  in the first housing  26  thereby axially moving the valve  289  such that the lower portion of the valve  289  is spaced from the seal  278  thereby providing a large cross sectional opening between the recesses in the sleeve  76  and the remainder of the bore  100  of the first housing  26  for maximum fluid flow through the quick connector  10 . 
   However, when the second housing  28  is threaded as far as possible to the position shown in  FIG. 9 , the biasing spring acting on the valve  289  forces the tip end  18  of the end form  12  axially away from the end of the first housing  26  into the position shown in  FIG. 9 . This causes the lower portion of the valve  289  to seat against the seal  278  thereby closing the bore  100  in the first housing  26  to fluid flow.