Abstract:
A fluid quick connector couples an endform having a raised flange in a bore of a fluid operative element. In one aspect, a retainer in the form of a plate has opposed edges forming channels movably mounting the plate on a housing. Side tabs releasably lock the retainer in a moved position to latch the endform in the housing. In another aspect, the retainer includes spring arms which bias the retainer to the second position. The retainer is held in the first position by a lip of a top hat extending outward from the housing. The top hat moves longitudinally inward upon engagement with an endform to free the spring arms to automatically move the retainer to the second position latching the endform in the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates, in general, to fluid quick connectors which couple fluid connector 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 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 can be of the axially-displaceable or radially-displaceable type. The terms “axially-displaceable” or “radially-displaceable” are taken relative to the axial bore through the component which receives the retainer.  
         [0003]     In a typical quick connector with an axially displaceable retainer, the retainer is mounted within a bore in a housing of one connector component or 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 an endform with 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.  
         [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 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.  
         [0005]     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 an end. The barbs provide secure engagement with another tube or conduit which is forced over the barbs to connect the housing with one end of the conduit.  
         [0006]     Most fluid quick connectors include multiple components which require separate manufacturing processes and assembly. Further, the typical quick connector has an overall length to accommodate the retainer. This increases the overall length of the fluid quick connector beyond that which is desirable in many applications. In addition, the increased length of the fluid quick connector adds to material costs.  
         [0007]     In certain applications, such as automobile fuel systems, it is important for verification of fuel system integrity in case of a fire that the quick connector be made of metal.  
         [0008]     Thus, the present invention aims to provide an improved fluid quick connector.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     The present invention is a fluid quick connector with a slidable retainer. In one aspect, the fluid quick connector includes a housing having a bore extending from a first end. A retainer is mounted on the housing for movement between first and second positions relative to the housing. The retainer includes an aperture with a first larger diameter portion and a contiguous second smaller diameter portion. The first diameter aperture portion, when the retainer is in the first position, is coaxially aligned with the bore in the housing to allow insertion of the flange on the endform into the bore in the housing. The second diameter aperture portion is coaxially aligned with the bore in the housing and blocks separation of the flange on the endform from the housing when the retainer is in the second position.  
         [0010]     In one aspect, the retainer includes biasing means for automatically moving the retainer from the first position to the second position. A sleeve, when can be in the form of a top hat, is movably mounted in the bore in the housing and moves between a first position in which a portion of the sleeve engages the first aperture in the retainer to hold the retainer in the first position, and a second position during insertion engagement with an endform, to release the retainer for automatic movement to the second position. Biasing means are carried on the retainer and engage the housing for normally biasing the retainer to the second position.  
         [0011]     Alternately, a redundant latch is mounted through the aperture in the housing and around one side edge of the housing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0012]     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:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of one aspect of a fluid quick connector according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the fluid quick connector shown in  FIG. 1 , disposed in an assembled, open position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the fluid quick connector shown in  FIG. 1 , disposed in an assembled, closed position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional plan view of the assembled quick connector depicted in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another aspect of a fluid quick connector according to the present invention shown in an open position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the fluid quick connector shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the retainer shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is rear perspective view of the retainer shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the quick connector of  FIG. 5 , disposed in assembled, closed position latching an end form in the quick connector; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the assembled quick connector of  FIG. 9  depicted in a closed, latched position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     Before describing the various aspects of the fluid quick connector of the present invention, a brief explanation of the general use of fluid quick connectors will be provided for clarity in understanding the features and advantages of the present invention.  
         [0024]     The following description of the use of the fluid quick connector of the present invention to connect tubular members will be understood to apply to the connection of conduits, hoses, and/or metal or plastic tubes to each other in fluid flow communication. The end of a conduit, tubular member or fluid use component inserted into the interior of one end of the quick connector 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 on a fluid use device, such as a pump, filter, valve, manifold, etc., rather than as part of an elongated conduit.  
         [0025]     All of the aspects of the present fluid quick employ a housing and a retainer which are used to fluidically couple fluid operative elements, such as, pumps, valves, manifolds, etc., as well as individual tubes, hoses, etc.  
         [0026]     Referring briefly to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the illustrated fluid quick connector includes a housing  20 , typically formed of metal or plastic, with metal being used by way of example only in the present invention. The housing has a stepped exterior shape extending from an enlarged diameter first end  22  to an opposed second end  24 . The enlarged first diameter end  22  is formed of a radially outer flange  26  extending from the end  22  and spaced from an inner flange  28 . A step  30  creates a transition between the inner flange  28  and a reduced diameter portion  32  extending axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing  20 . A second step  34  is formed in the housing  20  spaced from the first step  30  and forms a seat for one or more seal elements, such as O-rings  36  and  38 , which are separated by a rigid annular spacer  40 . Another reduced diameter bore portion  42  extends axially from the transition or shoulder  34  to the second end  24  of the housing  20 . Conduit retention barbs  44  may be formed along the housing spaced from the second end  24  for retaining a flexible hose or tube on one end of the housing  20 .  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , a rigid top hat  50  is mounted in the bore of the housing  20 . The top hat  50  can be formed of a rigid plastic material and serves to hold the seal members  36  and  38  and the spacer  40  in the bore in the housing  20 .  
         [0028]     The inner diameter of bores through the top hat  50 , the seals  36  and  38 , the spacer  40  and the bore portion  42  are sized to sealingly receive a tip end  60  of an endform  62 . The endform  62  has an enlarged diameter bead or flange  64  spaced from a tip end  66 .  
         [0029]     Referring now to one aspect of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the fluid quick connector of this aspect includes a retainer  70  slidingly mounted over the enlarged end flange  26  at the first end  22  of the housing  20 . The retainer  70  is formed of a suitable high strength material, with a metallic material, such as stainless steel, being used by example only.  
         [0030]     The retainer  70  is in the form of a generally planar plate  72  having shorter length side edges  74  and longer length side edges  78  and  80 . It will be understood that the plate portion  72  may have other shapes, such as square, oval, circular, etc. The longer side edges  78  and  80  are formed by a pair of opposed, inward turned, opposing flanges  82  and  84 . The flanges  82  and  84  have opposed facing inner edges  86  and  88 , respectively. The edges  86  and  88  are spaced from the adjacent portions of the plate  72  to define recesses  90  and  92 . The recesses  90  and  92  have a width slightly larger than the axial length of the end flange  26  of the housing  20  to enable the retainer  70  to be slidably mounted over the end flange  26  of the housing  20  for sliding movement in both directions shown by arrow  94 .  
         [0031]     The plate or wall  70  includes an aperture  100  generally having a keyhole shape formed of a first smaller diameter aperture portion  102  and an adjacent, contiguous, larger diameter aperture portion  104 .  
         [0032]     The retainer  70  is mounted over the end flange  26  of the housing  20  for sliding movement between a first position shown in  FIG. 2 , which is defined as an open position in that the larger diameter aperture portion  104  of the retainer  70  is aligned with the open end of the bore extending from the first end  22  of the housing  20  to a second position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . This larger diameter  104  aperture portion allows the enlarged flange  64  on the endform  62  to be inserted through the first portion aperture  104  in the retainer  70  and into the bore in the housing  20 .  
         [0033]     After the flange  64  has been fully inserted into the housing such that the tip end  66  of the endform  62  is fully engaged with the seals  34  and  36  in the bore in the housing  20 , the retainer  70  can be moved to the second position shown in  FIG. 3  which is defined as the latched or closed position. In this second position, the smaller diameter aperture  102  in the wall  72  of the retainer  70  is disposed adjacent to the flange  64  on the endform  62  and blocks separation of the endform  62  from the housing  20 . When in the second latched position, an end tab  110  projecting from the side edge  74  is bent around the end flange  26  of the housing  20  to lock the retainer  70  in the second position on the end flange  26  of the housing  20 . At the same time, the pre-bent tab  112  on the side edge  76  fits around the flange  26  on the endform  62 .  
         [0034]     The end tabs  110  and  112  may be disengaged from the end flange  26  from the housing  20  to permit sliding movement of the retainer  70  back to the first position to allow separation of the endform  62  from the housing  20 .  
         [0035]     A pair of lock tabs  114  and  116  may be integrally punched out of one surface of the wall  72  or formed as separate members fixedly joined to the wall  72 . The lock tabs  114  and  116  engage the peripheral edge of the end flange  26  of the housing  20  to releasably hold the retainer  70  in the second position.  
         [0036]     As also shown in  FIG. 4 , an optional redundant clip or latch  116  is employed to retain the housing  20  in the second latched position. The redundant latch  116  is in the form of a U-shaped clip having a pair of spaced legs  117  and  118  interconnected on one end by a central leg  119 . The side legs  117  and  118  may have a slight inward taper to provide a degree of resiliency to engage the housing  20  with a spring force. As shown in  FIG. 4 , one leg  118  of the redundant latch  116  is inserted through the opening between one end of the large diameter aperture  104  and the edge of the flange  26  on the end form  20 . The other leg  117  slides over the side edge  74  of the wall  72  and over the bent end portion of the tab  110 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-10  there is depicted another aspect of the fluid quick connector  130  of the present invention. In this aspect, the same housing  20  is employed. However, the top hat  50 , shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , has a sleeve portion  120  extending from one end. A shoulder  122  acts as a transition between the smaller diameter sleeve  120  and an enlarged diameter flange  124 . The transition  122  defines a shoulder or recess  123  in conjunction with an axially extending, annular lip  126  projecting from the flange  124  and disposed at a radius between the outer radius of the flange  124  and the inner radius of the sleeve  120 . The recess  123  which extends between the transition  120  and the outer end of the lip  126  is sized to receive the entire flange  64  on the endform  62  when the endform  62  is fully inserted into the bore on the housing  20 .  
         [0038]     The top hat  50  is captured in the bore in the housing  20  by a retainer means denoted generally by reference number  130 . The retainer means  130  is formed of a one-piece member, generally of a high strength material, such as a metal and, by example only, stainless steel. The entire retainer  130  may be formed as a one-piece stamping.  
         [0039]     The retainer  130  includes a housing portion  132  and a biasing portion  134 . The housing portion  132  is formed of a wall  136  with a first end  138 , an opposed second end  140 , and spaced side edges  142  and  144 . The side edges  142  and  144  transition into spaced side walls  146  and  148 , respectively, each of which terminates in an inward extending flange  150  and  152 , respectively.  
         [0040]     The wall  136  and the in-turned flanges  150  and  152  on the side walls  146  and  148  form channels which movably receive the enlarged end flange  26  of the housing  20  to mount the housing portion  132  of the retainer  130  over the enlarged end  26  of the housing  20 .  
         [0041]     An aperture  158  is formed in the wall  136 . The aperture  158  has a first, larger diameter aperture  160  and a contiguous second smaller diameter aperture  162 . The contiguous apertures  160  and  162  form the aperture  158  with a key-hole shape.  
         [0042]     The larger diameter first aperture  160  is sized to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the flange  64  on the endform  62 . The inner diameter of the second diameter  162  is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flange  64  and the endform  62  to engage the flange  64  and block or retain the endform  62  in the housing  20  when the retainer  130  is mounted over the enlarged end  26  of the housing  20 .  
         [0043]     The second end  140  of the wall  136  transitions to a flange  164 . One end of the flange  164  is connected to the second end  140  of the wall  136 . The opposite end of the flange  164  transitions into the biasing  134  which, by way of example only, is formed of a pair of spring arms  166  and  168  which extend at an angle, typically perpendicular by way of example only, from the flange  164 . The spring arms  166  ad  168  have a lower portion adjacent the flange  164  which is the same or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the main portion of the housing  20 . The spring arms  166  and  168  are bent inward from the end adjacent the flange  164  and curve or bend slightly outward to form tips  170  and  172 . The normal or nominal spacing between the tips  170  and  172  is less than the outer diameter of the main portion of the housing  20 .  
         [0044]     The biasing means  134  formed of the spring arms  166  and  168  provides a biasing force which automatically moves the retainer  130  from the first position shown in  FIG. 10  to the second position shown in  FIG. 9  in which the second smaller diameter aperture  162  is aligned with the flange  64  and the endform  62  blocking at longitudinal axial separation of the endform  62  from the housing  20 .  
         [0045]     In assembling the quick connector of this aspect of the present invention, the retainer  130  is mounted on the housing  20  in the first position shown in  FIG. 5 . In this position, the first larger diameter  160  is aligned with the bore in the housing  20  for receiving the enlarged diameter flange  64  on the endform  62 . The top hat  50  has been moved axially toward the first end  22  of the housing  20  such that the lip  126  extends through the inner surface of the aperture  160  to hold the retainer  130  in the first pre-latched position.  
         [0046]     In this first position, the spring arms  166  and  168  position the tips  170  and  172  on the housing  20  under a preload biasing force whereby the tips  170  and  172  are just over the largest diameter portion of the housing  20 .  
         [0047]     Upon insertion of the tip end  60  of the endform  62  through the aperture  160  in the retainer  130  and into the bore in the housing  20 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the flange  64  on the endform  62  engages the recess on the end of the top hat  50  and axially moves the top hat  150  in the direction of continued insertion of the endform  60  into the bore in the housing until the tip end  60  of the endform  62  is fully inserted in sealed contact with the seal members  34 ,  36 , and  38  in the housing  20  and the transition portion or shoulder  122  of the top hat  50  is seated against an inner surface of the end of the housing  20 . At this time, the end lip  126  on the top hat  120  has disengaged from the inner surface of the aperture  60  in the retainer  30 . The biasing force provided by the bent over spring arms  166  and  168  immediately urges the entire retainer  130  from the first position shown in  FIG. 5  to the second position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 . This movement to the second position brings the second, smaller diameter aperture  162  in alignment with the bore in the housing  20 . The smaller diameter second aperture  162  engages the flange  64  on the endform  62 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , to latch the endform  62  in the housing  20 .  
         [0048]     Manual movement of the retainer  130  back to the first position shown in  FIG. 5  will align the larger diameter first aperture  160  with the flange  64  and the endform  62  and allow separation of the endform  62  from the housing  20 . The outward movement of the tip end  60  of the endform  62  from the housing  20  will cause axial movement of the top hat  50  by frictional contact until the lip  126  on the top hat  50  extends through the aperture  160  to fix the retainer  130  in the pre-latched, first position.