Fluid Connector Assembly

• US 20070029796A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited (TATA Motors Limited)
• Original Assignee: Land Rover (TATA Motors Limited)
• Inventors: Bibby, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,976,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/308
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/10 Indicators for correct coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0982 with a separate member for releasing the coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0985 the flexible hook extending radially inwardly from an outer part and engaging a bead, recess or the like on an inner part F16L37/0982 takes precedence

Abstract

A fluid connector assembly 10 for a fuel pipe of a motor vehicle comprises a plug 12 and a housing 11. The housing 11 has an end opening 23 and the plug 12 has a free end 26 for insertion through the end opening 23. The housing 11 also includes a seal housing portion 16 for receiving the free end 26 of the plug 12 and a coupling portion 17. The plug 12 includes first and second annular ribs 27, 28 spaced apart from each other and offset from the free end 26. The annular ribs 27, 28 are arranged to successively be held by a pair of grips 24 located inside the coupling portion when the plug 12 is inserted into the housing 11 in such a way that when the first annular rib 27 is retained by the grips 24 the plug 12 is sealed by seal means 18 in the seal housing portion 16 and when the second annular rib 28 is retained by the grips 24 the first annular rib 27 is housed between the coupling portion 17 and the seal housing portion 16.

Claims

1. A fluid connector assembly comprising a tubular conduit and a housing, the housing having an end opening and the tubular conduit having a free end for insertion through the end opening, the housing also including a seal housing portion for receiving the free end of the tubular conduit and a coupling portion, wherein the tubular conduit includes first and second locking elements spaced apart from each other and offset from the free end, the locking elements being arranged to successively be held by a retainer element located inside the coupling portion when the tubular conduit is inserted into the housing in such a way that when the first locking element is retained by the retainer element the tubular conduit is sealed by seal means in the seal housing portion and when the second locking element is retained by the retainer element the first locking element is housed between the coupling portion and the seal housing portion.

2. Connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the second locking element is visible when the first locking element is retained by the retainer element.

3. Connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which each locking element comprises an annular rib.

4. Connector assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the retainer element includes a release mechanism to allow the retainer element to be released from the locking element and allow the tubular conduit to be dismantled from the housing.

5. Connector assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the tubular conduit includes an annular collar which is arranged to cover the end opening when the second locking element is held by the retainer element but is spaced from it when the first element is held by the retainer element.

6. A connector assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.