Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-232016 filed on Aug. 10, 2005 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a quick connector which includes a male connector member and a female connector member, to connect hoses, pipes or the like, for transferring various fluids. 
   DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND ART 
   Generally, there is known a quick connector which is provided with a female connector member, a male connector member which fits into this female member via a sealing member, and a retainer which exists in a circular space between the connector members and which is interposed between the inner periphery of the female connector member and the outer periphery of the male connector member to be engaged therewith, thereby preventing the male connector member from coming off from the female connector member in the axial direction. See, for example, JP-A No. 201355/1999. This type of connector can be removed and disassembled easily without using a tool such as a releasing tool. In addition, this type of connector has another advantage in that the retainer is reusable. 
   However, in the configuration as described above, a portion where the female connector member seals and retains the male connector member is offset away from a portion where the male connector member is fixed on the female connector member. Therefore, there is a possibility that vibrations may occur on each component. 
   SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to further improve the conventional art as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick connector which is capable of reducing wobbling due to vibrations. 
   An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a quick connector which is provided with, a female connector member, a male connector member which fits into the female connector via a sealing member, and a retaining member which exists in a circular space between these connector members, that is interposed between the inner periphery of the female connector member and the outer periphery of the male connector member to be engaged therewith, thereby preventing the male connector member from coming off in the axial direction. A locking ring is provided having a first fitting part which fits between the inner periphery of the retaining member and the outer periphery of the male connector member on the outer periphery of the male connector member. 
   According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fitting part of the locking ring fits between the inner periphery of the retaining member and the outer periphery of the male connector member. Therefore, the support strength between the male connector member and the retaining member is improved, whereby vibrations of the members can be suppressed. 
   In this case, the locking ring may be provided with a second fitting part which fits between the inner periphery of the female connector member and the outer periphery of the male connector member. Since this configuration includes the second fitting part, the support strength between the male connector member and the female connector member is improved, thereby suppressing the vibration of each member even further. 
   It is also possible that the locking ring is provided with a locking ring body, and a pair of operational pieces which extend continuously from the locking ring body and extend to the direction for intersecting the connector central line. In this configuration, the pair of operational pieces thus provided may enhance the assembling properties of the locking ring. Furthermore, the retaining member is provided with operational arm parts for a diameter-reduction operation, and the direction to which a pair of the operational pieces extends may be orthogonal to the direction to which the operational arm parts extend. In this configuration, even in the case where the operational pieces are bent and simultaneously the operation for bending the operational arm of the retaining member is performed, it can be carried out easily without a loss of operability. Furthermore, the locking ring may be configured such that a projecting amount of the second fitting part from the locking ring body is smaller than a stroke amount at the time when the locking ring is operated. Since the stroke amount is larger, it is possible to easily detach and attach the locking ring. 
   The second fitting part may be formed on both surfaces of the locking ring body. In this configuration, the locking ring body is available for use regardless of the sides, front or back. Therefore, erroneous assembling can be prevented and this enhances the assembling properties. In addition, the male connector member may be provided with a positioning part for aligning the locking ring. This may enhance the assembling properties of the locking ring, as well as preventing the locking ring from dropping off. 
   In an embodiment of the present invention, not only is the reuse of the retaining member is easily performed, but also the removing and disassembling are easy even without using a tool such as releasing tools. In addition, wobbling of the member due to vibrations can be reduced. 
   Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an ATV vehicle relating to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the ATV vehicle; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vicinity of a throttle body of the ATV vehicle; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the throttle body; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a quick connector; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the quick connector; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a retaining member and a locking ring; 
       FIG. 8   a  to  FIG. 8   d  are a plan view and cross-sectional views of the locking ring; 
       FIG. 9  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the quick connector at the time of coupling; and 
       FIG. 10  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the quick connector at the time of coupling. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Orientations such as front, back, right, and left described in the following are identical to those with respect to the traveling direction of a vehicle, unless otherwise specified. In the drawings, arrow FR, arrow LH, and arrow UP indicate, respectively, the front side of the vehicle, left side of the vehicle, and upper side of the vehicle. 
   A saddle-ride type vehicle  1  of the present embodiment is a so-called ATV, whose front and rear wheels  2  and  3  are equipped with low-pressure balloon tires having a large diameter, assuring a large minimum road clearance to enhance the operation through performance mainly on the uneven road. 
   An engine  5  arranged in a vertical layout is mounted on nearly the center of the vehicle frame  4 , and power is outputted to each propeller shaft  8 ,  9 , respectively, for the front wheel and the rear wheel, via a change gear that is not illustrated. The propeller shafts  8 ,  9  transmit power respectively to the front and rear wheels  2 ,  3 , via power distribution mechanisms  11 ,  12 . It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, a crankcase  6  constituting the lower part of the engine  5  also serves as a change gear case which accommodates the change gear. 
   The vehicle body frame  4  includes upper pipes  41  and lower pipes  42  which extend approximately along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and which are provided on the right and the left sides thereof. Pipe linkages are made by linking both pipes  41 ,  42  on both sides of the vehicle body that are combined by multiple cross pipes  75 ,  75 A (see  FIG. 2 ), thereby constituting almost a box-like structure. 
   An engine  5  is mounted nearly at the center position on the bottom side of the vehicle frame  4 , and the cylinder head  7  part of the engine  5  is placed at a position slightly lower than the upper pipes  41 . At a position on the vehicle rear side of the engine  5 , the vehicle body frame  4  is provided with an air cleaner  18  of an engine inlet system. 
   This air cleaner  18  is connected to the inlet part on the rear side of the cylinder head  7  via a throttle body  17 . At a position that is offset in the vehicle width direction from the throttle body  17  on the front side of the air cleaner  18 , there is provided a snorkel  54  which extends obliquely in an upwardly and forward direction. Outside air is introduced from the opening on the front end of the snorkel  54 . An injector  17   a  which is a fuel introducing part is integrally assembled with the throttle body  17 . Fuel that is supplied from the fuel pump  51  described below is controlled by the controller (not illustrated), and injected into the inlet path. 
   On the other hand, the front part of the cylinder head  7  is connected to the base end part of an exhaust pipe  19 . The exhaust pipe  19  extends once to the front side and then is bent rearwardly, so that it is connected to the silencer  21  on the vehicle rear side. 
   A fuel tank  22 , made of resin, is placed on the upper side of the engine  5 . On the rear side of the fuel tank  22 , there is provided an openable and closable saddle-ride type seat  23 , in such a manner that the upper side of the throttle body  17 , the snorkel  54 , the air cleaner  18 , and the like are covered with this seat. Handlebar stem parts  43  are provided on the front side position of the engine in the vehicle body frame  4 . The handlebar stem parts  43  support a steering shaft  25 . 
   This steering shaft  25  is equipped with a handlebar  24  on the upper end thereof, having a shape of a bar, and a front wheel steering mechanism, not illustrated, is coupled with the lower end of the steering shaft  25 . The front part of the fuel tank  22  curves in almost a U-shape, in such a manner to go around both sides of the steering shaft  25 , thereby ensuring sufficient capacity. 
   Then, on the lower side of the fuel tank  22 , a fuel pump  51  is placed in such a manner as to be positioned on the front side of the engine  5 . A communication pipe  52  extends downwardly from the fuel tank  22  and is connected to the inlet port of the fuel pump  51 . A fuel supply pipe  53 , for supplying discharged fuel to the injector  17   a , is connected to the outlet port of the fuel pump  51 . 
   On the other hand, a heat shield plate  46  is mounted immediately below the position where almost a rear half part of the fuel tank  22  to the front part of the seat  23  is located. The heat shield plate is placed across the left and right upper pipes  41 ,  41  of the vehicle frame  4 . The heat shield plate  46  partitions the engine  5 , and the fuel tank  22  and the seat  23  on the upper side thereof, thereby serving as a shield to interrupt the spread of high heat from the engine towards the fuel tank  22  and the seat  23 . 
   The fuel supply pipe  53 , one end of which is connected to the fuel pump  51 , is drawn upwardly from the front-end part of the heat shield plate  46 , and installed along the upper surface of heat shield plate  46 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the fuel supply pipe  53  is bent in a shape of a crank from the top view, on the upper surface side of the heat shield plate  46 , so as to go around the snorkel  54  and the like which extend from the air cleaner  18  towards an upper side of the heat shield plate  46 . A portion of the bent part of the fuel supply pipe  53  is locked on a set position on the heat shield plate  46  via the clamp  55  as a part that is fixed in position. 
   The snorkel  54  is coupled and supported by the near center of the rear end part of the heat shield plate  46  and is joined with a bolt or the like. On a position of the snorkel  54 , a little tilted to the vehicle rear side rather than in conjunction with the heat shield plate  46 , there is provided a resonator  71  (vehicle body component) which is branching off towards the left side direction of the vehicle body. As shown in  FIG. 3 , this resonator  71  projects in approximately a trapezoidal shape, towards the vehicle rear side from the connection pipe part. 
   Under the condition that the seat  23  is raised upwardly, the air cleaner  18 , snorkel  54 , and the like which are located below the seat  23  are exposed to the outside of the vehicle together with the upper pipes  41  and the like of the vehicle body frame  4 . However, the upper side of the throttle body  17  is provided with a protect cover  80  made of resin, and the protect cover  80  covers this throttle body  17  so as to prevent the upper surface thereof from directly being exposed to the outside of the vehicle. 
   As for the protect cover  80 , support arms  82   a ,  82   b , and  82   c  provided to extend on the peripheral border of the cover base  81  which is curved upwardly. One support arm  82   a  is fixed by a clip  90  on a gusset plate  83  that is provided in such a manner as going across the joint between the cross pipe  75 A and the upper pipes  41 . Another support arm  82   b  is located on the diagonal position of the support arm  82   a  is fixed by the clip  91  on a flange, not illustrated, which is provided on the snorkel  54  in an extended manner. 
   The remaining support arm  82   c  is a supplemental arm, having a curl part  82   d  provided on the tip thereof, which is locked in such a manner as to wind around the near center of the cross pipe  75 A. Therefore, the protect cover  80  is supported by the vehicle body frame  4  having the cross pipe  75 A as a principal element and the snorkel  54 . 
   On the vehicle body left side of the cover base  81 , a guide wall  84  includes a circular arc shaped cross section which covers the upper side of the fuel supply pipe  53 . On the upper wall on the vehicle front side of the cover base  81 , a projecting part  85  that projects upwardly is formed. Inside the projecting part  85 , a component protecting space  93  is allocated to arrange the injector  17   a , a coupler  94  connected to the injector  17   a , a connector  95 , wiring  96 , and the like. 
   In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicle body cover  31  is made of resin which covers the vehicle front part including the fuel tank. A front fender  32  and a rear fender  35  are provided that are made of resin for, respectively, covering the front wheels and the rear wheels. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a front protector  33  and a front carrier  34  are provided together with a rear carrier  36 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the present embodiment, quick connectors  60  both have nearly the same structure and are connected between the communication pipe  52  and the fuel pump  51 , and between the fuel supply pipe  53  and the fuel pump  51 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a quick connector  70  having a different structure connects between the fuel supply pipe  53  and the injector  17   a . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the quick connector  60  is provided with a male connector member  61 , a female connector member  62  into which the male connector member  61  is inserted, a retaining member  63  for fixing the male connector member  61  so that it may not come off from the female connector member  62  and sealing members  64 ,  65  for providing a seal between the male connector member  61  and the female connector member  62 . 
   As for the male connector member  61 , its base (positioning part)  61   a  has a curved shape, and integrally continues to the cover member  51   a  of the fuel pump  51 . At nearly the center thereof, being apart from the tip  61   b  for a predetermined distance, projecting portions  61   c  are provided that project in the centrifugal direction. The male connector member as a whole forms a stick-like member having a nearly pipe shape. The tip  61   b  of the male connector member  61  is subjected to a drawing process so as to take the radius on the outer circumferential surface for facilitating insertion into the female connector member  62 . It is to be noted that the male connector member  61  forms a shape for rotational symmetry about the axis line. 
   The female connector member  62  is a nearly tubular shaped member produced from a single piece item that is, for example, made of a glass fiber reinforced nylon resin. The female connector member  62  includes a base  62   a , an intermediate part  62   b  and a tip part  62   c . The communication pipe  52  (or the fuel supply pipe  53 ) is connected to the outer periphery of the tip part  62   c  via an O-ring  66 . 
   On the periphery wall of the base end  62   a , a pair of window holes  62   d  is formed in an opposed manner, each having a large opening, nearly rectangular shaped, with a size also available for checking assembly. On the inner wall of the intermediate part  62   b , a contact surface  62   e  comes into contact with the outer surface of the ring-shaped sealing member  64  and an O-ring  65  is formed. In addition, a receiving surface  62   f  is formed for receiving the tip  61   b  of the male connector member  61 . 
   The retaining member  63  is a one-piece member made of polyamide resin, which is capable of being elastically deformed so that most of the retaining member  63  is inserted into the base  62   a  of the female connector member  62 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the retaining member  63  is provided with a main body part  63   a  having a cross section of almost a C shape, whose diameter can be expanded or reduced by the elastic deformation. The outside wall of the main body part  63   a  is provided with a pair of locking parts  63   b  for engaging with the end faces of the window holes  62   d , a pair of operational arm parts  63   c  that is used for removing the quick connector, and a pair of locking hole parts  63   d  for locking the projecting parts  61   c  of the male connector member  61 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , on the base  61   a  of the male connector member  61 , there is arranged an elastically deformable locking ring  10 , which is made of rubber, polyamide resin, or the like. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8   a  to  8   d , the locking ring  10  is provided with a ring-shaped locking ring body  10   a . The locking ring body  10   a  is provided with a first fitting part  10   b  for abutting against the inner periphery surface  63   e  of the retaining member  63  and which is capable of fitting between the inner periphery surface  63   e  of the retaining member  63  and the outer periphery surface of the male connector member  61 . A pair of second fitting parts  10   c  extend in almost a fan-like manner from each other in the periphery direction and is allowed to fit between the inner periphery surface of the female connector member  62  and the outer periphery part of the male connector member  61 , and a pair of operational pieces  10   d  which project from the locking ring body  10   a  and extend in the direction intersecting the connector center line. 
   The second fitting parts  10   c  are integrally formed on both sides of the locking ring body  10   a , and even when the locking ring  10  is mounted mixing up the front and the back side thereof, the second fitting parts  10   c  on either surface fit between the inner periphery part of the female connector member  62  and the outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . 
   When a pair of the operational pieces  10   d  is pressed and bent in such a manner as pressing against the cover body  51   a  of the fuel pump  51 , the operational pieces undergo displacement from the position as shown in  FIG. 8   c  to the position as shown in  FIG. 8   d , for example. According to this displacement, the width dimension of the second fitting part  10   c  is reduced in diameter from the dimension W 1  to the dimension W 2 . This operation for diameter reduction is carried out when the quick connector is removed as described below. 
   In  FIG. 8   c , the projecting amount of the second fitting parts  10   c  from the locking ring body  10   a  is set to T 1 , and when a pair of the operational pieces  10   d  is displaced, the second fitting parts  10   c  go backward for the dimension T 2  beyond the projecting amount T 1  as shown in  FIG. 8   d . This dimension T 2  is assumed as a so-called stroke amount at the time of operating the locking ring  10 . With this configuration, the stroke amount T 2  is set to be larger than the projecting amount T 1 . 
   In the configuration as described above, when a pair of the operational pieces  10   d  is displaced, the width of the second fitting parts  10   c  is reduced from W 1  to W 2 , and the second fitting parts  10   c  go backward to the depth T 2 . Therefore, the second fitting parts  10   c  can easily escape from the place between the inner periphery of the female connector member  62  and the outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . 
   Next, operations of the quick connector will be explained. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , for establishing a connection by the quick connector, first, the elastically deformable locking ring  10  is made to fit to the base  61   a  of the male connector member  61 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the O-ring  65  and the sealing member  64  sequentially in this order are made to fit into the intermediate part  62   b  of the female connector member  62 . Furthermore, the retaining member  63  is inserted into the base  62   a . Then, the locking parts  63   b  of this retaining member  63  are made to lock onto the end faces of the window holes  62   d  of the female connector member  62 , and the retaining member  63  is held within the base  62   a  of the female connector member  62 . 
   In other words, in the present procedure, the window holes  62   d  of the female connector member  62  and the locking parts  63   b  of the retaining member  63  are aligned in the circumferential direction, and this retaining member  63  is inserted into the base  62   a  of the female connector member  62 . Since the retaining member  63  has a C-shape, it is inserted while the diameter is reduced. When the retaining member  63  arrives at a predetermined insertion depth, the locking parts  63   b  of the retaining member  63  are urged towards the direction expanding the diameter by elasticity, and displaced towards the outside. Then, the locking parts  63   b  are engaged with the window holes  62   d  of the female connector member  62 . As a result, the retaining member  63  is held in the base  62   a  of the female connector member  62  without coming off therefrom in the axial direction. 
   Here, the operational ends of the operational arm parts  63   c  of the retaining member  63  are kept to be projecting from the insertion open end of the female connector member  62 . 
   Thereafter, the open end of the female connector member  62  and that of the retaining member  63  are positioned to the tip of the male connector member  61 , and the male connecter member  61  is inserted therein, to have nearly the same axis line. In this case, the locking ring  10  is made to rotate in the circumferential direction, and the positional relationship between the locking ring  10  and the retaining member  63  is maintained as the positional relationship shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   Accordingly, the shaft of the male connector member  61  penetrates into the retaining member  63 , the sealing member  64 , and the O-ring  65 , sequentially in this order, and the tip  61   b  of the shaft is accommodated in the receiving surface  62   f  of the intermediate part  62   b  of the female connector member  62 . 
   In this condition, the projecting parts  61   c  of the male connector member  61  enter while pushing the retaining member  63  aside, and fits into the locking hole parts  63   d  of the retaining member  63 . Further the first fitting part  10   b  of the locking ring  10  fits between the inner periphery surface  63   e  of the retaining member  63  and the outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . Then, the second fitting parts  10   c  fit between the inner periphery of the female connector member  62  and the outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . 
   In the present configuration, the tip  61   b  of the male connector member  61  is held on the receiving surface  62   f  of the female connector member  62 , and the first fitting part  10   b  of the locking ring  10  fits between the inner periphery surface  63   e  of the retaining member  63  and outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . Further, the second fitting parts  10   c  fit between the inner periphery of the female connector member  62  and the outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . Therefore, this male connector member  61  is held at two points, that is, on the receiving surface  62   f  and at the first fitting part  10   b  (second fitting parts  10   c ), thereby stabilizing the posture of the male connector member  61  against the female connector member  62 . Accordingly, wobbling between the male connector member  61  and the female connector member  62  is avoided, and further wobbling due to vibrations of each component can be suppressed, whereby the connection by the quick connector can be stable. 
   Since the sealing member  64  and the O-ring  65  are held between the outer periphery surface of the male connector member  61  and the intermediate part  62   b  of the female connector member  62 , high water tightness and air tightness can be obtained between the male connector member  61  and the female connector member  62 . 
   In removing and disassembling the quick connector, firstly by operating the operational pieces  10   d  of the locking ring  10 , the locking ring  10  is removed. 
   In this case, the operational pieces  10   d  are gripped and displaced from the position as shown in  FIG. 8   c  to the position as shown in  FIG. 8   d . With this displacement, the second fitting parts  10   c  are reduced in diameter to the width W 2 , and allowed to go backwardly to the depth T 2 . When this operation is carried out, the second fitting parts  10   c  easily escape from between the inner periphery of the female connector member  62  and the outer periphery of the male connector member  61 . It is to be noted that in some cases, the locking ring  10  can be torn off for removal. In this state, simultaneously, the operational arm parts  63   c  of the retaining member  63  are pressed to be shrunk by a fingertip or the like. Then, the locking parts  63   b  of the retaining member  63  can be detached from the window holes  62   d  of the female connector member  62 . Therefore, just by pulling out the male connector member  61 , the male connector member  61  and the retaining member  63  can be removed from the female connector member  62 . 
   In the aforementioned case, since the direction into which a pair of the operational pieces  10   d  extends is orthogonal to the direction to which the operational arm parts  63   c  extend, it is possible to improve the operability in performing the operation of the operational pieces  10   d  and the operation of the operational arm parts  63   c  simultaneously. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the quick connector  60 , the base  61   a  of the male connector member  61  has a curved shape. Since this curved part prevents the locking link body  10   a  of the locking link  10  from moving towards the back. Therefore, the curved part decides the position of the locking ring  10 . On the other hand, the quick connector  70  having a different structure as describe above (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that connects between the fuel supply pipe  53  and the injector  17   a , does not have a curve-shaped base  61   a  of the male connector member  61 , the illustration of which is omitted. In the case above, the base  61   a  does not decide the position of the locking ring  10 . 
   In such a case, it is desirable to establish a projection-shaped stopper  71  at the position corresponding to the base  61   a , for example, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   As described so far, the present invention has been explained based on one embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, in the configuration above, the quick connector is applied to the pipe arrangement for the fuel system, but it is not limited to this example. This connector may also be applied to the pipe connection for water, oil, air, or the like. 
   In addition, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an ATV vehicle, but it is not limited to this example. The present invention may be applied to a two-wheeled vehicle, three-wheeled vehicle, or the like. 
   The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 2