Quick connector

• US 7,467,813 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems LLC
• Inventors: Gunderson, Stephen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunwoody; Aaron M
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEE, FANNIE C
• Application Number:
  US11/174,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 285/305, 285/319
• US Class Current: 285/319
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/0987 the flexible hook being progressively compressed by axial tensile loads acting on the coupling

Abstract

A fluid coupling assembly comprising a connector body defining a bore extending axially forward from an entrance opening, a tubular male member with an upset, a seal member, and a retainer. The retainer is received within the bore and includes locking members to releaseably retain the tube. The retainer includes a forward extension to support the seal against fluid pressure. The retainer and seal are configured to be applied to the male member before insertion of the male member into the bore of the connector body. Two of the locking members include ramps extending radially outwardly to contact the body portion defining the entrance opening sequentially prior to contact by the locking arms of the other locking members.

Claims

1. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:

a connector body defining an axially extending tube receiving bore including an axial cylindrical surface defining an entrance opening,

a retainer axially insertable into said bore of said connector body through said entrance opening, said retainer including a body portion disposed within said bore, and four spaced apart locking members extending rearward from said body portion toward said entrance opening, capable of radially inward deflection on insertion of said retainer through said entrance opening, said locking members each including a rear abutment surface and a front abutment surface disposed radially inward of said rear abutment surface,

said locking members each defining at least one radially outward facing deflection surface engageable with said axial cylindrical surface defining said entrance opening during insertion of said retainer into said bore, said at least one deflection surface on at least one of said locking members being disposed axially forward, toward said retainer body portion, of said deflection surfaces on at least two other of said locking members and engageable with said axial cylindrical surface defining said entrance opening prior to engagement of said axial cylindrical surface defining said entrance opening prior to engagement of said axial cylindrical surface defining said entrance opening by said at least one deflection surface on said at least two other of said locking members.

2. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein two of said locking members include at least one deflection surface disposed axially forward of said deflection surfaces on the other two of said locking members.

3. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking members in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking members in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

4. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly includes a seal member and said retainer includes an extension extending forward of said retainer body portion and includes a forward radial annular surface in abutting relation to said seal member.

5. A quick connector coupling assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retainer is molded from a polyetheretherketone polymer.

6. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:

a connector body defining an axially extending tube receiving bore including a surface defining an entrance opening,

a retainer axially insertable into said bore of said connector body through said entrance opening, said retainer including a body portion disposed within said bore, and at least two locking members extending rearward from said body portion toward said entrance opening, said at least two locking members being capable of radially inward deflection on insertion of said retainer though said entrance opening,

said locking members each defining at least one deflection surface engageable with said surface defining said entrance opening during insertion of said retainer into said bore, said at least one deflection surface on one of said at least two locking members being disposed axially forward of said at least one deflection surface on another of said locking members of said at least two locking members toward said retainer body portion and engageable with said entrance opening defining surface nor to engagement of said entrance defining opening surface by said at least one deflection surface on said another of said at least two locking members,

wherein said at least one locking member having said at least one deflection surface disposed axially forward of said at least one deflection surface on another of said at least two locking members includes at least one ramp defining said at least one deflection surface, and

wherein said retainer body portion comprises an annular ring and, said locking members include at least one column extending axially rearward away from said annular ring and wherein said at least one ramp on said at least one locking member is disposed on said at least one column.

7. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said locking members includes a locking arm supported by said at least one column, said locking arms including a front abutment surface, a rear abutment surface, and a ramped outer surface extending therebetween defining a deflection surface of said locking member.

8. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said at least one deflection surface defined by said at least one ramp is disposed axially forward of said deflection surfaces of said locking arms.

9. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

10. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body wit said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

11. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said assembly includes an O-ring seal disposed in said bore of said connector body surrounding said outer cylindrical portion of said tube and wherein said retainer includes an annular extension extending forward of said ring, said annular extension including a forward radial annular surface disposed in abutting relation to said O-ring seal.

12. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said assembly includes

a tubular male member with an outer cylindrical portion disposed in said bore,

an O-ring seal disposed in said bore in sealing relation to said connector body in said bore and with said outer cylindrical surface of said tubular male member,

said retainer including an annular extension forward of said retainer body portion including a forward radial annular surface disposed in abutting relation to said O-ring.

13. A fluid assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said connector body bore includes a cylindrical seal surface surrounding said cylindrical portion of said tubular male member and said O-ring is disposed in sealing relation to said cylindrical seal surface of said connector body.

14. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface in said bore, wherein said tubular male member includes a radially extending upset on said cylindrical portion and wherein said retainer includes locking arms defining abutment surfaces in abutting relation to said upset and said annular radial surface.

15. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one locking member including said at least one ramp includes two said columns having a ramp on each said column.

16. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein each of said locking members includes a locking arm supported between said columns, said locking arms including a front abutment surface, a rear abutment surface, and a ramped outer surface extending therebetween defining a deflection surface of said locking member.

17. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said deflection surfaces defined by said ramps are disposed axially forward of said deflection surfaces of said locking arms.

18. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

19. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

20. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said retainer includes two locking members having a ramp on each said column.

21. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein each of said locking members includes a locking arm supported between said columns, said locking arms including a front abutment surface, a rear abutment surface, and a ramped outer surface extending therebetween defining a deflection surface of said locking member.

22. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said deflection surfaces defined by said ramps are disposed axially forward of said deflection surfaces of said locking arms.

23. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

24. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radiaily outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

25. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said retainer includes four locking members, two of said locking members having a ramp on each said column.

26. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein each of said locking members includes a locking arm supported between said columns, said locking arms including a front abutment surface, a rear abutment surface, and a ramped outer surface extending therebetween defining a deflection surface of said locking member.

27. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein said deflection surfaces defined by said ramps arc disposed axially forward of said deflection surfaces of said locking arms.

28. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radiaily outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

29. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

30. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said two locking members having ramps on each column thereof are disposed diametrically opposite each other and said two of said another locking members are disposed diametrically opposite each other between said locking members having said ramps on each of said columns.

31. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein each of said locking members includes a locking arm supported between said columns, said locking arms including a front abutment surface, a rear abutment surface, and a ramped outer surface extending therebetween defining a deflection surface of said locking member.

32. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 31 wherein said deflection surfaces defined by said ramps are disposed axially forward of said deflection surfaces of said locking arms.

33. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 31 wherein said connector body includes an annular radial surface inward of said entrance opening, and wherein said assembly includes a tubular member with an outer cylindrical portion and an annular upset extending radially outward therefrom, said tubular member is disposed in said bore of said connector body with said front abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said upset and said rear abutment surfaces of said locking arms in abutting relation to said annular radial surface of said connector body.

34. A fluid coupling assembly as claimed in claim 33 wherein said assembly includes an O-ring seal disposed in said bore of said connector body in surrounding relation to said cylindrical surface of said tube and in sealing relation to said body and wherein said retainer includes an annular extension forward of said retainer body portion having a forward radial annular surface disposed in abutting relation to said O-ring seal, said forward radial annular surface receiving an axial load imparted to said O-ring under fluid pressure conditions.