Abstract:
A fluid quick connect includes a body having a conical, split end retainer slidably mounted in a recess in at least one end of the body. The retainer has a leading edge extending into a through bore in the body which is engagable with an annular flange on an endform inserted into the housing forcing the retainer angularly outward in the recess to allow passage of the annular flange of the endform past the retainer. A biasing force on the retainer due to the expansion of the diameter of the retainer moves the retainer back to a position in which the leading edge extends behind the trailing edge of the annular flange on the endform to latch the endform in the housing. The retainer and conical recess maybe used at one end of the housing for connection with one end form or at both ends of the housing to fluidically couple two end forms.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to fluid quick connectors which couple fluid components.  
           [0002]    Snap-fit or quick connectors are employed in a wide range of applications, particularly, for joining fluid carrying conduits in automotive and industrial applications. Such quick connectors utilize retainers or locking elements for securing a male connector component, such as a tubular conduit, within a complimentary bore of a female 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 the female component.  
           [0003]    In a typical quick connector with an axially displaceable, retainer, the retainer is mounted within a bore in a housing of the female 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 male component to be sealingly mounted in the bore in the female component 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 male fitting when the male fitting is lockingly engaged with the retainer legs in the housing.  
           [0004]    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 female component 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 male conduit only when the male connector or conduit is fully seated in the bore in the female component. This ensures a positive locking engagement of the conduit with the female component as well as providing an indication that the conduit is fully seated since the radially displaceable retainer can be fully inserted into the female component only when the conduit has been fully inserted into the bore in the female component.  
           [0005]    In brake fluid connections, the high pressure brake lines typically employ threaded connections for connecting two high pressure lines together. A male and female threaded connection must be properly aligned and tightened to the specified torque. This involves care in assembly which adds to the overall assembly time.  
           [0006]    It would be desirable to provide a fluid quick connect for use in high pressure applications which eliminates the need for assembly tools to complete the connection.  
           [0007]    It would still be desirable to provide a fluid quick connect which is useful in high pressure applications to provide an easy and convenient fluid connection to interconnected fluid elements, such as an interconnection between a brake line and a mating housing, caliper or fluid or reservoir.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    The present invention is a high pressure fluid quick connect useful in attaching a fluid conduit to a mating fluid operative element.  
           [0009]    In one aspect, the present fluid quick connect fluidically couples an endform having an enlarged annular flange spaced from one end and a fluid operative device. The fluid quick connect includes a housing having a through bore extending between first and second ends. An angular recess is formed in the housing adjacent to at least the first end of the housing, the recess communicating with the bore in the housing.  
           [0010]    A retainer is mounted in the recess and is moveable from a first position disposed in interference with the annular flange on an endform inserted through the first end of the housing to a second position by contact with the annular flange on the endform during insertion of the endform in the housing allowing passage of the annular flange past the leading edge of the retainer. The retainer is movable back to the first position after the annular flange on the endform has been inserted past the leading edge of the retainer to latch the endform in the housing.  
           [0011]    The retainer is mounted in a conical-shaped recess in the body. The retainer has a conically-shaped body with a through bore. A discontinuity is formed in the conical body and forms first and second expandable ends in the conical body.  
           [0012]    Another aspect of the invention is a method of manufacturing a high pressure fluid quick connect. The method includes the steps of:  
           [0013]    forming a body having a through bore extending from an open end;  
           [0014]    forming a recess adjacent the open end of the body; and  
           [0015]    capturing a retainer in the recess of the body; and  
           [0016]    A fluid coupling also forms the invention. The fluid coupling includes an endform having an enlarged diameter annular flanged spaced from a tip end and a quick connector. A fluid quick connect includes a housing having a through bore extending between first and second ends. An angular recess is formed in the housing adjacent at least the first end of the housing, the recess communicating with the bore in the housing. A retainer is captured in the recess and moveable from a first position adapted for interference with the annular flange on an endform inserted through the first end of the housing to a second position by contact with the annular flange on the endform during insertion of the endform allowing passage of the annular flange passed the leading edge of the retainer. The retainer is moveable back to the first position after the annular flanged on endform has been inserted past the leading edge of the retainer to latch the endform in the housing. The second end of the housing is mounted in a fluid use device.  
           [0017]    The fluid quick connect of the present invention can be advantageously employed in high pressure fluid coupling applications without the need for the typical threaded connection between an endform and the connector. This eliminates the need for special assembly tools thereby simplifying and reducing the cost of assembling the fluid quick connect of the present invention. The retainer employed in the inventive fluid quick connect may also be employed at the both ends of a housing to form a single point connection between the endforms on two tubular conduits.  
           [0018]    The present high pressure fluid quick connect provides a low cost fluid coupling solution to high pressure fluid connections, a fluid coupling in which the connector can be installed in a quality controlled environment on a use element, and a fluid connection that does not require assembly tools at the end customer to complete the connection. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0019]    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:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one aspect of a fluid quick connect according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-sectional, perspective view of the housing of the fluid quick connect shown in FIG. 1, depicted in a preassembled state;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 2B and 2C are side cross-sectional views of the process for forming the recess in the quick connect housing;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial, longitudinal cross-sectional, perspective views of different terminal ends of the housing of the fluid quick connect shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged, side elevational, cross-sectional views showing the movement of the retainer between first and second positions;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional, perspective view of the fluid quick connect of FIG. 1 depicted in an assembled state;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is an exterior, perspective view of the assembled fluid quick connect shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional, perspective view of another aspect of the fluid quick connect of the present invention; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view showing the operation of the release tool of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]    Referring now to the drawing, and to FIGS.  1 - 6  in particular, there is depicted one aspect of a fluid quick connect  10  according to the present invention. Although the fluid quick connect  10  may be employed in many diverse high pressure, fluid applications, it will be understood that the following description of the fluid quick connect  10  in a high pressure vehicle brake line application is by way of example only. Further, the term “fluid” used in connection with the present invention will be understood to encompass any liquid, such as fuel, water, for example, and, also, any gas or vapor.  
         [0030]    The fluid quick connect  10  includes a housing  12  which is attachable to a fluid operative device  14 , such as a brake line terminal, caliper, brake fluid reservoir, ABS housing, etc. Although the housing  12  is provided with external threads  16  extending from a first end  18  for threaded attachment with mating threads  20  in a bore  22  in the fluid operative device  14 , it will be understood that the fluid quick connect  10  of the present invention may employ a housing which is integrally formed as a one-piece extension of the fluid operative device  14 . The housing  12  is formed of a suitable high strength material, such as metal, or a high strength plastic, etc.  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 1 and in greater detail in FIGS.  2 A- 5 , the housing  12  also includes a second end  24  with a through bore  26  extending completely from the second end  24  to the first end  18 .  
         [0032]    By way of example only, the bore  26  is in the form of a stepped bore having a first diameter end bore portion  30 , an intermediate, smaller diameter bore portion  32 , and a yet smaller diameter second end bore portion  34 .  
         [0033]    A plurality of flats, such as hex flats  40 , are formed externally on the housing  12  adjacent the second end  24 . The flats  40  provide for threading attachment of the housing  12  in the bore  22  in the fluid operative device  14 . However, it would be understood the provision of the flats  40  is by way of example only as the housing  12  may be effectively utilized without the flats  40 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and  4 , an annular shoulder or angled flat  42  is formed at the juncture of the first end bore portion  30  and the intermediate bore portion  32 . Similarly, a second annular shoulder  44  is formed at the juncture of the other end of the intermediate bore portion  32  and the second end bore portion  34 . The first end bore portion  30  is designed to receive at least one seal member  48 , such as an O-ring, an optional sleeve or top hat  49 , press fit in the bore portion  30  and enlarged, annular flange or bead  50  spaced from a tip end  52  of an endform, tube or conduit  54 . The shoulder  42  acts as a seat for insertion of the O-ring  48 , the top hat  49 , and the annular flange  50 , with the top hat  49  acting as an insertion limit or stop for the flange  50  of the endform  54  as shown in FIG. 4. The top hat  49  is press fit in the bore portion  30  to retain the O-ring portion  48  in the bore portion  30 .  
         [0035]    As shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  3 A and  3 B, the first end  18  of the housing  12  has a conical end shape denoted by reference number  53 . Enhanced sealing with a conical seat formed in certain fluid operative devices  14  at the end of the bore  20  may be provided by mating annular surfaces formed on the first end  18  of the housing as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In FIG. 3A, the first end of the housing  12  has a machined or precision formed, internal, conical seat  56  designed to mate with a complementary annular conical formed in the fluid use device  14 . In FIG. 3B, first end of the housing  12  has an inverted, annular, conical shape surface  58  designed to mate with the external surface of a seat formed in the fluid operative device  14 .  
         [0036]    The fluid quick connect  10  includes a retainer means  60  formed of a retainer clip  62  movable mounted in an annular recess  64  formed in the first end  24  of the housing  12 .  
         [0037]    The retaining clip  62  is formed of a suitable spring or resilient material, such as spring metal. As shown in FIG. 1 the retaining clip  62 , hereafter referred to simply as the clip  62 , has a conical shape with a discontinuity or a split forming first and second ends  66  and  68 , respectively. The discontinuity or split allows the first and seconds ends  66  and  68  to spread apart during engagement of the clip  62  with the annular flange  50  on the endform  54  during insertion of the endform  54  into the bore  26  in the housing  12 .  
         [0038]    The recess  64  is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore  26 . One sidewall  70  of the housing  12  forming one side of the recess  64  is initially formed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore  26  as shown in the preassembled state of the housing  12  in FIGS. 2A and 2B. This allows the clip  62  to be inserted through the first end  24  of the housing  12  into the recess  64 , see FIG. 2B.  
         [0039]    The sidewall  70  is then formed, such as by swaging, into a conical position generally parallel to the opposed wall  65  of the recess  64 , as shown in FIGS. 2C, 5 and  6 , by advance of a suitably formed tool or die  67 . Thus, the walls  70  and  65  are disposed in parallel to define the conical annular recess  64  in which the clip  62  is trapped; but still capable of sliding moving as described hereafter.  
         [0040]    The width of the recess  64  is determined by the width of a flat  63  formed at one end of the wall  65  as well as the length of the wall  70 . The interface of the tool or die  67  will bend the wall  70  radially inward to the position shown in FIG. 2C wherein the wall  70  is parallel to the wall surface  65  as described above.  
         [0041]    The recess  64  as well as the shape of the clip  62  have been defined as being generally conical. However, it will be understood that other shapes, including a polygonal shape, i.e., square, recess, etc., and a complimentary formed clip may also be employed as the angular shape of the recess need only be capable of deforming or bending the resilient material of the clip  62  as the clip  62  moves within the recess  64  by interaction with the annular flange  50  on the endform  54  to cause energy to be stored in the clip  62  by deformation or bending. It is this energy, when released by the sliding insertion of the flange  50  past the leading edge  74  of the clip  62  which will cause the clip  62  to return to its normal position in the recess  64  latching the end form in the housing.  
         [0042]    The resiliency of the clip  62  will normally bias the clip  62  to the smallest inner diameter with the closest spacing between the first and second ends  66  and  68 . This will cause the clip  62  to slide downwardly in the recess  64  until the leading edge  74  projects a short distant outwardly from the open end of the recess  64  in the housing  12  as shown in FIG. 2C.  
         [0043]    As the tip end  52  of the endform  54  is inserted into the bore  26  in the in the housing  12 , the leading edge of the annular flange  50  on the end form  54  will contact the leading edge  74  of the clip  62  and force the clip  62  to slide angularly outward further into the recess  64  as shown in FIG. 4A. This angular sliding movement of the clip  62  is accompanied by a reversible deformation or separation of the first and second ends  66  and  68  which causes energy to be stored in the clip  62  as it is held in the expanded position shown in FIG. 4A within the recess  64  in the housing  12  by contact with the flange  50 .  
         [0044]    As insertion of the endform  54  into the bore  26  in the housing  12  continues, the outermost surface of the annular flange  50  on the endform  54  will pass beyond the leading edge  74  of the clip  62 . At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the energy stored in the clip  62  will cause the clip  62  to move downwardly along the recess  64  to its normal position shown in FIG. 5 with the first and second ends  66  and  68  closely spaced. This will in turn cause the leading edge  74  of the clip  62  to move and project outwardly from the open end of the recess  64 . At the same time, an inner surface of the clip  62 , as shown in FIG. 4B, will be behind against the annular flange  50  on the endform  54  to prevent retraction of the endform  54  from the housing  12 .  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 7 there is depicted the use of the retainer means  60  in a single point housing  90  designed to fluidly connect two tubular endforms  92  and  94 , both of which are constructed substantially identical to the endform  54  in that each has an annular flange spaced from a tip end.  
         [0046]    The housing  90  also includes two opposite, co-axial stepped bores extending between and first end  96  and an opposed second end  98 . An optional annular, reduced diameter shoulder  100  is formed intermediate to the first and second ends  96  and  98  of the housing  90 .  
         [0047]    The first and second ends  96  and  98  of the housing  90  include the retainer means  60  described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 to securely attach each endform to the housing  90 .  
         [0048]    Finally, a release tool  110  is shown in FIG. 8, for disengaging the endform  54  from the housing  12  or either of the endforms  92  and  94  from the housing  90 . The release tool  110  is in the form a cylindrical member which may be premounted on each endform  54 ,  92  or  94  or applied after assembly of the endforms to the respective housing by means of a split formed in the release tool  110 . A leading edge  112  of the release tool  110  may be formed with a flared outer diameter or as a simple flat edge having a diameter to engage and force the leading edge  74  of the clip  62  angularly outward into the recess  64  in the housing  12  a sufficient distant to allow the leading edge  74  to clear the outer diameter of the flange  50  on the endform  54 , for example, and be withdrawn from the housing  12 .