Abstract:
A quick connect coupling for connecting a fluid conduit to a header tank includes first and second engaged and sealed coupling parts. The first coupling part includes a radially inner hollow cylindrical wall with a radially outer surface and diametrically opposite, axially directed fingers spaced radially outward of the cylindrical wall and attached thereto. The second coupling part includes a generally circular radially inner wall sized to be axially received between the cylindrical wall and the fingers and has an interior surface facing the radially outer surface of the cylindrical wall. A radially inwardly opening groove is located in the interior surface and a circular seal is disposed therein to sealingly engage the radially outer surface of the cylindrical wall when the coupling is assembled. The second coupling part also includes a radially outer wall sized to fit about the sides of the fingers and a retaining clip carried by the radially outer wall and extends through slots to enter grooves in the outer surfaces of the fingers to effectuate assembly of the two coupling parts.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to quick connect couplings, and more particularly, to a quick connect coupling for coupling a conduit for a heat exchange fluid to the header tank of a heat exchanger.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Fluid conduits are conventionally connected to the headers or header tanks of heat exchangers to convey one heat exchange fluid to or from the heat exchanger from or to another part of the system with which the heat exchanger is associated. A commonplace example is a radiator employed for cooling the liquid coolant of a liquid cooled engine used for propulsion of a vehicle.  
           [0003]    In many cases, the conduit is connected to a nipple on the exterior of the header or header tank and in fluid communication with the interior thereof by means of a hose clamp. Some hose clamps not only require placement at the proper location on the end of the hose as the hose is slipped over the nipple, but in addition, require manual tightening. Others utilize spring clips but still require considerable manipulation in terms of properly locating the spring clip and then releasing pressure on the clip to allow the same to close tightly upon the hose and the nipple within the hose at that location.  
           [0004]    Both of these types of connections, while effective in preventing leakage at the interface of the conduit and the heat exchanger, require considerably manual manipulation and thus are not particularly economical, particularly in a manufacturing assembly operation. As a consequence, more recently, there have been proposals for so-called “quick-connect” couplings where it is merely necessary to fit one coupling half associated with the heat exchange fluid conduit to the other coupling half associated with the heat exchanger header.  
           [0005]    One such proposal is found in German Patent Publication DE 100 17 679 C1 while another is found in German Patent DE 199 57 946 A1.  
           [0006]    Ideally, such couplings should be made so as to occupy a minimum of space and require a minimum of axial movement of one coupling part toward the other to bring the two into sealing and coupled engagement. Moreover, particularly in the automotive field, heat exchangers such as radiators commonly employ header tanks which may be made of metal or which may be injection molded of plastic. Ideally, the couplings should be such that it an be employed with tanks formed of either type of material. Of course, the couplings should retain the ability to achieve coupling with a minimum of axial movement and because of spacial constraints in the engine compartment of a typical vehicle, should occupy a minimum of space.  
           [0007]    The present invention is directed to accomplishing one or more of the above goals.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is a principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved quick connect coupling. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a quick connect coupling for sealingly securing a heat exchange fluid conduit to the header or header tank (collectively referred to as “header tanks”) of a heat exchanger.  
           [0009]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing object in a construction that includes a first coupling part that may be mounted on one of the header tank or the conduit and a second coupling part on the other of the header tank and the conduit which is sealingly coupled to the first coupling part. The first coupling part includes a radially inner, hollow cylindrical wall defining an axis and a radially outer surface. It further includes diametrically opposite, axially directed fingers spaced radially outward of the cylindrical wall and attached thereto. The second coupling part includes a generally circular, radially inner wall size to be axially received between the cylindrical wall and the fingers and having an interior surface facing the radially outer surface of the cylindrical wall. A radially inwardly opening groove is located in the interior surface and a circular seal is disposed in the radially inwardly opening groove and is sealingly engageable with the radially outer surface of the cylindrical wall when the coupling is assembled. It further includes a radially outer wall sized to fit about the sides of the fingers. A retaining ring such as a clip is employed to hold the two in assembled relation.  
           [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the first coupling part further includes radially outwardly opening grooves in the sides of the fingers remote from the cylindrical wall and generally transverse to the axis while the second coupling part further includes slots in the radially outer wall generally transverse to the axis and alignable with the radially outwardly opening grooves in the fingers of the first coupling part. A retaining clip is disposed in the slots and enters the circumferentially directed grooves when the coupling is assembled.  
           [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, the fingers on the first coupling part are arcuate about the axis and concave in the direction of the axis while the radially outer wall of the second coupling part includes diametrically opposite arcuate sections concave in the direction of the axis.  
           [0012]    One preferred embodiment is especially adapted for use with a plastic header and the one of the coupling parts that is mounted on the header is plastic and is formed integrally with the header tank. Preferably such coupling part is the first coupling part and the hollow cylindrical wall opens to the interior of the header tank through a wall thereof and the fingers extend from such wall.  
           [0013]    In another embodiment, particularly suited for use with a metal header tank, the first coupling part is on the metal header tank and the hollow cylindrical wall is formed in a wall of the header. The fingers are formed in an additional part which is fitted and secured to the header tank about the hollow cylindrical wall.  
           [0014]    According the latter embodiment, in a preferred form thereof, the additional part is shaped to be complementary to the shape of the header tank at the hollow cylindrical wall so as to be fitted on the header tank and secured thereto by a metallurgical bond.  
           [0015]    Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line  1 - 1  in FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken from the right side of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a horizontal, fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along the line  3 - 3  in FIG. 2;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger header tank with one coupling part connected thereto;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second coupling part exploded away from the first coupling part shown in FIG. 4;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing both coupling parts assembled to one another;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a first coupling part attached to a plastic header;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the second coupling part exploded away from the first coupling part shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the first and second coupling parts according to the alternative embodiment secured to one another;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a metallic header tank having one coupling part applied thereto;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view of part of the first coupling part as applied to a header tank;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an additional piece used in the first coupling part according to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but of the embodiment of FIGS.  10 - 12  and taken approximately along the line  13 - 13  in FIG. 14;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, elevation taken from the right side of FIG. 13; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but of the embodiment shown in FIGS.  10 - 14  and taken approximately along the line  15 - 15  in FIG. 14. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    While the present invention, in its various embodiments, will be described herein in the environment of a tank to be applied to a header in a vehicular radiator, it is to be particularly observed that the invention may be susceptible to other uses and should not be considered as limited to use as a so-called radiator or as limited to use in a vehicle except insofar as expressly stated in the appended claims. Similarly, while the invention in its various embodiments will be described as a coupling for use with a header tank in a heat exchanger, it is to be understood that the invention can also be employed with efficacy in heat exchanger application having unified header and tank constructions and tanks used with headerless heat exchangers as opposed to separable headers and header tanks. That is to say, references herein to a “header tank” are intended to collectively refer to tanks fitted to separate headers, the tank part of a unitary header and tank assembly and tanks used on headerless heat exchangers.  
         [0032]    With the foregoing in mind, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.  1 - 6 , inclusive. This embodiment of the invention is intended for use in a construction that employs a plastic header tank.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and  6 , a plastic header tank, generally designated  20 , is illustrated and includes an exterior wall  22  including reinforcing ribs  24  extending to a peripheral plastic flange  26  which, as is well known, sealingly abuts the header plate (not shown) of a heat exchanger header. The tank  20  also includes an interior wall  28  from which protrudes a hollow, generally cylindrical wall  30  which in turn has a exterior surface  32  and an interior surface  34 . At its end remote from the interior wall  28  of the tank  20 , the hollow cylindrical wall  20  includes, in its outer surface  32 , a peripheral bevel  36  for purposes to be seen. The hollow cylindrical wall  30  forms a first part, generally designated  31 , of the coupling of the invention and, of course, is in fluid communication with the interior of the tank  20 . The hollow cylindrical wall  30  also defines an axis  38 , namely, its cylindrical axis, which is the axis along which relative movement of two coupling parts take place during assembly.  
         [0034]    A second component of the first coupling part  31  includes a pair of diametrically opposed fingers  40 , perhaps best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. As seen in FIG. 4, the fingers  40  are arcuate and concave in the direction of the axis  38 . They include, near their ends remote from the tank  20 , bevelled or ramped surfaces  42  which lead up to generally circumferentially extending (with respect to the axis  38 ) radially outwardly opening grooves  44 . The grooves  44  are retaining grooves and employed in holding the coupling together when assembled. And while described as grooves in the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1 - 9 , they could, at some locations, extend entirely through the fingers  40  so long as they do not sever completely the ramped surfaces  42  therefrom.  
         [0035]    It is to be noted that a space that is generally annular exists between the outer surface  32  of the hollow cylindrical wall  30  and the concave, radially inner surfaces  46  of the fingers  40 . This space is adapted to receive a radially inner part of a second coupling part, generally designated  47 , as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.  
         [0036]    It is also to be noted that in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 6 , both the hollow cylindrical wall  30  and the fingers  40  are integrally formed with one of the walls  22  of the tank  20 . In the usual case, the tank  20 , being of plastic, will be injection molded and the mold employed will incorporate cavities whereby the injection molding process will form the hollow cylindrical wall  30  and the diametrically opposite fingers  40  in the manner described previously.  
         [0037]    The second coupling part  47  has a nominally oval radially outer peripheral wall  50  as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. Just inwardly of the wall  50 , and diametrically opposite the axis  38 , that is, spaced along the major axis of the oval shape of the wall  50 , are arcuate apertures  52  which are sized to snugly receive the fingers  40 . Radially inwardly of the apertures  52  and thus the radially outer perimeter or wall  50 , the second coupling part  47  includes a radially inwardly located, generally circular wall  54  having an inner surface  56  (FIGS. 1 and 3) and an outer surface  58 . The radially inner surface  56  is generally cylindrical and sized to just fit about the outer surface  32  of the hollow cylindrical wall  30  of the first coupling part. The outer surface  58  is formed to fit within the radially inner surface  46  of the fingers  40  as best seen in FIG. 1 and thus, the radially inner circular wall  54  may be received in the space between the fingers  40  and the hollow cylindrical wall  30  as seen in FIG. 1.  
         [0038]    On its axially innermost end  60 , the second coupling part  47 , and specifically the circular wall  54 , includes a radially inwardly opening peripheral groove  62  which in turn receives an O-ring seal  64  which sealingly engages the radially outer surface  32  of the hollow cylindrical wall as seen in both FIGS. 1 and 3. For ease in forming, the groove  62  opens to the axially interior end  60  of the circular wall  54  and if desired, a snap ring  66  may be introduced into the groove  62  to hold the O-ring seal  64  in place as illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 3.  
         [0039]    The circular wall  54 , and the interior surface  56  thereof are in alignment with the interior surface  34  of the hollow cylindrical wall  30  to provide a heat exchange fluid passage to the interior of the header  20 . A web  70  (FIG. 5) extends between the radially outer wall  50  of the second coupling part and the circular wall  36  in areas between the openings  52  which receive the fingers  40 . Thus the two components of the second coupling part  47  are integral with one another and may be formed as a unitary part be injection molding, using any of a variety of known plastic materials.  
         [0040]    It will also be appreciated that, though not shown in detail in FIGS.  1 - 6 , the radially inner wall  54  is the end, or is connected to the end of a heat exchange fluid conduit as may be desired.  
         [0041]    As best seen in FIG. 1, the radially outer wall  50  of the second coupling part is provided with circumferentially directed slots  70  which, as seen in FIG. 1, align with the grooves or slots  44  in the fingers  40 . A retaining piece, typically a resilient snap ring  72 , can be inserted in the slots  70  to lodge in the grooves  44  to prevent relative axial movement between the two component parts upon assembly. In many cases, the snap ring will already be in place in the slots  70  in the radially outer wall  50  of the second coupling part and be cammed back into the groove  70  by the bevelled surface  42  on the ends of the fingers  40  and then simply drop into the slots  44  as a result of inherent resilience to effectuate the coupling.  
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that the coupling assembly can be effectuated simply by axial movement of the second coupling part relative to the first coupling part and that no rotative movement of either is required. The apertures  52  cooperate with the fingers  40  to provide adequate guidance during the assembly process in terms of aligning the two coupling parts  31 , 47  as they are being moved relatively towards one another.  
         [0043]    The showings in FIGS.  7 - 9  are substantial mirror images of FIGS.  4 - 6  respectively and substantially identical, except that, as can be seen in both FIGS. 8 and 9, the radially inner circular wall  54  of the second coupling part  47 , rather than being straight, is shown as curved. This embodiment is also formed of plastic. The actual configuration ultimately selected will, of course, depend upon the environment of the installation, spacial requirements thereof and the location of other system components to which the heat exchanger is to be connected.  
         [0044]    Turning now to FIGS.  10 - 15 , an alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated. As mentioned above, the embodiments shown in FIGS.  1 - 9  are preferably formed of plastic, including a plastic header tank  20 . However, as is well known, header tanks are often formed of metal and the embodiment of FIGS.  10 - 15  is intended to provide a coupling for such metal tanks.  
         [0045]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  10 - 15 , the second coupling part  47  is identical to that heretofore described and will not be redescribed in the interest of brevity.  
         [0046]    On the other hand, the first coupling part  31  includes the same components but which are formed somewhat differently by reason of the use of metal in forming the header tank.  
         [0047]    A metal header tank, generally designated  80 , is somewhat schematically shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and  13 - 15  and includes a generally U-shaped wall  82 . Within a flat part of the wall  82 , a radially inner, hollow cylindrical wall  84  is formed utilizing conventional metal forming techniques. The hollow cylindrical wall  84  defines an axis  86  and at its axially remote end  88  from the header  80 , the same may be bevelled as shown at  90  to allow the O-ring seal carried by the radially inner circular wall  54  of the second coupling part  47  to readily slip onto the outer surface  92  of the hollow cylindrical wall  84 .  
         [0048]    The first coupling part  31  in this embodiment requires the use of an additional component to provide fingers corresponding to the fingers  40 . The additional component is a J-shaped metal piece  96  has, in its long leg, an opening  98  formed and the metal previously occupying the opening  98  is formed into diametrically opposed fingers  100  which are arcuate and concave in the direction of the axis  86 . In their radially outer surfaces, the fingers  100  have ramped surfaces  101  extending to generally circumferentially directed, outwardly opening grooves or slots  102 . In the usual case, because of the thinness of the metal of the additional piece  96 , the elements  102  will be slots rather than grooves.  
         [0049]    The short leg  104  is spaced from the long leg  106  in which the opening  98  is formed by a distance about the same or just slightly less than the width of the bight  108  of the U-shaped wall  82 . It will be noted that opening  98  extends all the way to the side of the long leg  106  and as a consequence, the additional piece  96  may be slipped over the tank  80  and held in place by the clamping action between the short leg  104  and the long leg  106  of the additional piece  96 . The same may be shifted so that the fingers  100  are aligned with respect to the hollow cylindrical wall  84  to define a desired spacing between the outer surface  92  thereof and the inner surfaces  108  of the fingers  100 , which spacing should be sufficient to receive the second coupling part in the same manner as previously described in connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS.  1 - 9 . The additional piece is then metallurgically bonded to the tank  80  as by soldering, brazing or even welding.  
         [0050]    The second coupling part  47  may be slipped upon the first coupling part  31  in this embodiment in the same manner mentioned previously with the snap ring  70  entering the slots or grooves  102  in the fingers  100  to maintain an assembled relation as shown in FIG. 13. At this time, the O-ring seal  64  will sealingly engage the outer surface  92  of the hollow cylindrical wall  84  to establish a seal while the snap ring  70  establishes a connection between the two coupling parts  31  and  47 .  
         [0051]    It will be appreciated that the seal  64  and snap ring  70  are in substantially the same radial plane and thus, an extremely axially short coupling results to provide for a compact assembly. And again, with either embodiment, no twisting of the coupling is required during assembly. Rather, strictly axial relative movement is sufficient to effect assembly. The two coupling parts  31 , 47  may be fully assembled, including the O-ring  64  within the groove in the circular wall  54  of the second coupling part and with the snap ring  72  in place in the slots  70 , also in the second coupling part  47 . Thus assembly is quick and requires a minimum of movement as well as a minimum of space in which to effect assembly.