Patent Description:
Fluid connectors, fluid connections, and fluid connection assemblies are integral components for many applications, and especially for automotive applications. Since an automotive system is made up of various components such as a radiator, transmission, and engine, fluid must be able to travel not only within each component but also between components. An example of fluid traveling between components is the transmission fluid traveling from the transmission to the transmission oil cooler in order to lower the temperature of the transmission fluid. Fluid predominantly moves between components via flexible or rigid hoses which connect to each component by fluid connectors. Such fluid connectors typically include a retaining clip, retaining ring clip, or snap ring carried on the connector body which is adapted to snap behind a raised shoulder of a tube when the tube is fully inserted into the connector body. However, in order for the fluid connector to properly function, slots or apertures must be machined in the connector body such that the retaining clip can protrude therethrough and engage the tube, which requires extra post-process manufacturing. During the assembly process, installation of the retaining clip onto the connector body is difficult and failure to install the retaining clip properly can jeopardize the structural integrity of the retaining clip. Additionally, the force required to engage the tube into the connector body, and overcome the radial force of the retaining clip, is very large with current designs. Also, since the retaining clips are very thin and small, it is easy to lose them if dropped or misplaced. Furthermore, some connection assembly solutions take a long time to secure and require tools for the assembly process.

Thus, there has been a long-felt need for a fluid connection assembly including a retainer that allows for disassembly, eliminates the need for post-process machining, and reduces the insertion force required to assemble the fluid connector. Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> relate to fluid connection assemblies of the prior art. In particular <CIT> discloses a connector body and a retainer that is operatively arranged to be removably connected to the connector body. Said retainer comprises a female connector arranged to engage with a male connector and a flange that engages a radially outward facing groove of the connector body.

According to the invention, there is provided a fluid connection assembly as claimed in claim <NUM>. Further aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:.

It should be appreciated that the term "tube" as used herein is synonymous with hose, pipe, channel, conduit, tube end form, or any other suitable pipe flow used in hydraulics and fluid mechanics. It should further be appreciated that the term "tube" can mean a rigid or flexible conduit of any material suitable for containing and allowing the flow of a gas or a liquid.

Adverting now to the figures, <FIG> is a perspective view of fluid connection assembly <NUM>, in a locked state. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of fluid connection assembly <NUM>. Fluid connection assembly <NUM> generally comprises retainer <NUM>, tube <NUM>, and connector body <NUM>. The following description should be read in view of <FIG>.

Tube <NUM> comprises end <NUM>, section <NUM>, bead or shoulder <NUM>, section <NUM>, end <NUM>, and through-bore <NUM>. Through-bore <NUM> extends through tube <NUM> from end <NUM> to end <NUM>. Section <NUM> is arranged between end <NUM> and shoulder <NUM> and comprises radially outward facing surface <NUM>. Radially outward facing surface <NUM> includes a substantially constant diameter. In some embodiments, radially outward facing surface <NUM> comprises a frusto-conical taper or curvilinear surface proximate end <NUM> (see <FIG>). Shoulder <NUM> is arranged between section <NUM> and section <NUM> and comprises surface <NUM> and surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, surface <NUM> is an axial surface facing at least partially in axial direction AD1 and surface <NUM> is an axial surface facing at least partially in axial direction AD2. In some embodiments, surface <NUM> is a frusto-conical surface extending from the radially outward facing surface of shoulder <NUM> radially inward in axial direction AD1. For example, surface <NUM> may be a linear conical shape and increases in diameter in axial direction AD2. In some embodiments, surface <NUM> may comprise linear portion and a conical or frusto-conical portion. Section <NUM> is arranged between shoulder <NUM> and end <NUM> and comprises radially outward facing surface <NUM>. Radially outward facing surface <NUM> includes a substantially constant diameter. Tube <NUM> is arranged to be inserted, specifically with end <NUM> first, into connector body <NUM>. Tube <NUM> is inserted into connector body <NUM> until section <NUM>, or radially outward facing surface <NUM>, engages seal <NUM> (see <FIG>). Shoulder <NUM> is arranged outside of and axially spaced from connector body <NUM>, at which point retainer <NUM> is assembled to secure tube <NUM> to connector body <NUM>, as will be described in greater detail below. It should be appreciated that tube <NUM> may be any traditional tube or tube end form comprising a bead, radially outward extending protrusion or flange, or ramp profile, which extends radially outward and axially on the outer surface of the tube, to secure the tube within the connector body. In some embodiments, tube <NUM> comprises a metal. In some embodiments, tube <NUM> comprises a polymer. In some embodiments, tube <NUM> comprises a ceramic.

<FIG> is a perspective view of section 20A, 20B of retainer <NUM>. <FIG> is an elevational view of section 20A, 20B of retainer <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of fluid connection assembly <NUM> taken generally along line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of fluid connection assembly <NUM> taken generally along line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>. The following description should be read in view of <FIG>.

Retainer <NUM> generally comprises section 20A and section 20B. In some embodiments, and as shown, section 20A and section 20B are substantially the same. Section 20A, 20B generally comprises end <NUM>, end <NUM>, radial surface <NUM> connecting end <NUM> and end <NUM>, hole <NUM> extending from end <NUM> to end <NUM>, radially outward facing surface <NUM>, radially inward facing surface <NUM>, and radially inward facing surface <NUM>. Radially inward facing surface <NUM> extends from end <NUM> and comprises diameter D4. Radially inward facing surface <NUM> comprises flange <NUM> extending radially inward therefrom. Flange <NUM> is arranged adjacent to end <NUM> and comprises diameter D3. Flange <NUM> is operatively arranged to engage groove <NUM> and radially inward facing surface <NUM> is operatively arranged to engage radially outward facing surface <NUM> to connect retainer <NUM> to connector body <NUM>. Radially inward facing surface <NUM> extends axially from end <NUM> to radially inward facing surface <NUM> and comprises diameter D1. Radially inward facing surface <NUM> is connected to radially inward facing surface <NUM> via an axial surface which is arranged to abut against end <NUM> when retainer is fully connected to connector body <NUM> (see <FIG>). Radially inward facing surface <NUM> comprises groove <NUM> arranged between end <NUM> and radially inward facing surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, groove <NUM> arranged between and spaced apart from end <NUM> and radially inward facing surface <NUM>. Groove <NUM> comprises diameter D2. Groove <NUM> is operatively arranged to engage shoulder <NUM> to connect retainer <NUM> to tube <NUM>. Section 20A, 20B comprises center flange <NUM> which separates groove <NUM> and radially inward facing surface <NUM>. Center flange <NUM> generally forms both a first channel (i.e., axially between center flange <NUM> and flange <NUM>) and a second channel (i.e., channel <NUM>) and is operatively arranged to engage and/or abut against both end <NUM> of connector body as well as shoulder <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, diameter D4 is greater than diameter D3, diameter D3 is greater than diameter D2, and diameter D2 is greater than diameter D1.

Section 20A, 20B further comprises male connector <NUM> and female connector <NUM>. As shown, male connector <NUM> on section 20A is arranged to engage female connector <NUM> on section 20B and male connector <NUM> on section 20B is arranged to engage female connector <NUM> on section 20A such that sections 20A and 20B are fixedly secured. In some embodiments, male connector <NUM> is hook-shaped and includes projection 36A. Projection 36A extends generally radially inward in radial direction RD2. Male connector <NUM> extends from radial surface <NUM> and is arranged tangent to radially outward facing surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, male connector <NUM> is not arranged tangent to radially outward facing surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, female connector <NUM> comprises groove 38A arranged in radially outward facing surface <NUM> and protrusion 38B arranged in groove 38A. Groove 38A extends radially inward, generally in radial direction RD2, into radially outward facing surface <NUM>. Protrusion 38B extends radially outward in radial direction RD1 from groove 38A, but is still radially inward from radially outward facing surface <NUM>.

To connect section 20A and section 20B, male connector <NUM> is displaced toward female connector <NUM>. As male connector <NUM> engages female connector <NUM>, projection 36A engages protrusion 38B causing male connector <NUM> to displace radially outward in radial direction RD1. Once projection 36A passes protrusion 38B, male connector <NUM> snaps back radially inward in radial direction RD2 and projection 36A engages groove 38A and protrusion 38B thereby locking male connector <NUM> and female connector <NUM> together. When section 20A is secured to section 20B, radial surfaces <NUM> abut against each other.

Connector body <NUM> comprises through-bore <NUM> extending from end <NUM> to end <NUM>, radially inward facing surface <NUM>, radially inward facing surface <NUM>, groove <NUM>, radially outward facing surface <NUM>, groove <NUM>, head <NUM>, and radially outward facing surface <NUM>. Connector body <NUM> is arranged to be connected to a component that is filled with a fluid or through which fluid flows. For example, connector body <NUM> may be connected to a refrigeration compressor or a transmission via radially outward facing surface <NUM>, which may comprise external threading. Connector body <NUM> may be screwed into a threaded hole in the compressor via head <NUM> (e.g., using a wrench), which is then filled with refrigerant fluid. In some embodiments, head <NUM> is hexagonal; however, it should be appreciated that head <NUM> may comprise any geometry suitable for applying torque to connector body <NUM>. Another component in which fluid connector <NUM>, specifically connector body <NUM>, may be installed into is a condenser, evaporator, or pump. It should be appreciated that fluid connector <NUM> may be used in various other components, assemblies, and subassemblies in which fluid connection is desired. Radially outward facing surface <NUM> may further comprise groove <NUM>. Seal or O-ring <NUM> is arranged in groove <NUM> to create a fluid tight seal between connector body <NUM> and the component it is connected to. Seal <NUM> is arranged in connector body <NUM>. Specifically, seal <NUM> is arranged in groove <NUM>. Groove <NUM> is arranged in radially inward facing surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, seal <NUM> is an O-ring. In some embodiments, and as shown, radially inward facing surface <NUM> is a frusto-conical surface that connects generally cylindrical radially inward facing surface <NUM> with end <NUM>. Groove <NUM> is arranged in radially outward facing surface <NUM> and comprises diameter D3. Groove <NUM> is arranged axially between end <NUM> and head <NUM>. In some embodiments, groove <NUM> is arranged immediately adjacent to head <NUM>. Groove <NUM> is operatively arranged to engage with flange <NUM> to connect retainer <NUM> to connector body <NUM>. In some embodiments, connector body <NUM> comprises a metal. In some embodiments, connector body <NUM> comprises a polymer. In some embodiments, connector body <NUM> comprises a ceramic.

Claim 1:
A fluid connection assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a connector body (<NUM>), including:
a first end (<NUM>);
a second end (<NUM>);
a first through-bore (<NUM>); and,
a first radially outward facing surface (<NUM>) comprising a first groove (<NUM>); and,
a retainer (<NUM>) operatively arranged to be removably connected to the connector body (<NUM>), the retainer (<NUM>) including:
a first section (20A), including:
a third end (<NUM>) engaged with the first groove;
a fourth end (<NUM>);
a first flange (<NUM>) arranged between the third end (<NUM>) and the fourth end (<NUM>);
a first male connector (<NUM>); and,
a first female connector (<NUM>); and,
a second section (20B), including:
a fifth end (<NUM>) engaged with the first groove;
a sixth end (<NUM>);
a second flange (<NUM>) arranged between the fifth end (<NUM>) and the sixth end (<NUM>);
a second male connector (<NUM>) arranged to engage with the first female connector (<NUM>); and,
a second female connector (<NUM>) arranged to engage with the first male connector (<NUM>);
wherein, in a locked state the first flange (<NUM>) and the second flange (<NUM>) abut against the second end (<NUM>).