CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/312,984, filed February 23, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to connector assemblies to join fluid lines together, and in particular, connector assemblies providing visual connection verification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Quick connectors are often used in the automotive industry to provide a fluid connection between two components. For example, VDA quick connectors (taking their name from the Germany Association of the Automotive Industry, or “VDA”), are commonly used for engine cooling circuits and for cooling the batteries of electric or hybrid vehicles. Known VDA quick connectors include a barbed tube at one end and a push-and-lock collar at the other end. The push-and-lock collar can include an internal retainer ring configured to be mounted around a male fitting. Once the retainer ring and the male fitting are inserted within the collar, a locking element such as a metallic clip or spring extends around the collar and prevents its withdrawal.

[0004] VDA quick connectors sometimes include a verification tab to provide visual verification that the male fitting is securely engaged within the quick connector. Once such quick connector is disclosed in US2020/0355308 entitled “Quick Connector Assembly with

Verification Tab,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. This quick connector includes a verification tab that is slideably displaced along a slot in the quick connector collar. When the male fitting is fully inserted into the open end of the collar, the verification tab moves from a negative verification position to a positive verification position, providing visual (optionally machine readable) confirmation of a secure connection.

[0005] Despite their advantages, there remains a continued need for an improved push-and-lock quick connector with visual confirmation of a secure connection. In particular, there remains a continued need for an improved VDA quick connector for providing versatility among a range of physical configurations, including straight connections and angled connections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An improved quick connector is provided. The quick connector includes a connector body, a connector head, a verification tab, and a locking clip. The connector body can be coupled to the connector head at multiple rotational orientations, and the connector head includes a retainer ring integrally formed therein. The connector head further includes an axial slot for the verification tab and includes first and second tangential slots for the locking clip. Upon insertion of a male fitting (e.g., a VDA-type spigot) into the connector head, the verification tab is slideably displaced from a concealed position to a visible position, and the locking clip prevents retraction of the male fitting from the connector head.

[0007] In one embodiment, the connector head includes an outer sidewall connected to an inner sidewall by an annular shelf. The inner sidewall and the annular shelf are functionally a VDA retainer ring. The connector head includes a plurality of resilient latching arms at regular intervals about the circumference of the outer sidewall. The resilient latching arms are angled inwardly to engage locking tabs disposed about the connector body. The outer sidewall also includes a plurality of keyed recesses to allow insertion of the connector body into the connector head at a finite number of rotational orientations. The outer sidewall further includes a lower engagement aperture and an upper engagement aperture that connect to the axial slot, the engagement apertures being shaped to receive a ramped projection of the verification tab.

[0008] In this and other embodiments, the connector body includes a collar having a plurality of locking tabs. The collar also includes an alignment recess (or projection) that is keyed to an alignment projection (or recess) in the connector head. Optionally, the alignment recess is defined in the leading peripheral edge of the collar, and the alignment projection is formed in the annular shelf between the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall of the connector head. The connector body can include a wide variety of fittings, including an elbow fitting or a straight fitting. Further, the connector body can include a sensor port. When assembled, an O-ring is compressed between the collar of the connector body and the annular shelf of the connector head to provide a liquid-tight connection between the connector head and the connector body.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention provide a quick connector having a retainer ring that is integrally molded to the connector head. All other components of the quick connector are separate, including the connector body, the verification tab, the O-ring, and the locking clip. The connector body can be snap-fit into the connector head, using alignment projections as visual guides. The connector head can be used with a wide variety of connector bodies for a wide range of fluids (e.g., coolant, oil, fuel), simplifying tooling and assembly of the quick connector. For example, the connector head can be joined to an elbow connector body, a straight connector body, or a connector body having a sensor port, without requiring a change in tooling or assembly of the connector head, verification tab, or locking clip.

[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying description of the invention, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a quick connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 is a first perspective view of the connector body of Figure 1.

[0013] Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the connector body of Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector head of Figure 1.

[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector head of Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the connector head of Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 7 are views of a verification tab for the quick connector of Figure 1.

[0018] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the locking clip of Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 9 illustrates a verification tab in the negative verification position.

[0020] Figure 10 illustrates a verification tab in the positive verification position.

[0021] Figure 11 illustrates the connector body in multiple rotational configurations.

[0022] Figure 12 illustrates a connector body including a sensor port.

[0023] Figure 13 illustrates a connector head including an alternative construction.

[0024] Figure 14 illustrates a connector body including an alternative construction.

[0025] Figure 15 illustrates a connector head for use with the connector body of Figure

14.

[0026] Figure 16 illustrates a partial cross-section of the connector head of Figure 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring to Figure 1 , a quick connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated 10. The quick connector 10 includes a connector body 12, a connector head 14, a verification tab 16, and a locking clip 18. An O- ring 20 provides a seal between the connector body 12 and the connector head 14. Each such feature of the quick connector 10 is described below. Though primarily described in connection with coolants lines, the quick connector 10 can be used in a wide variety of other applications as desired, including the connection of brake lines and fuel lines, by non-limiting example.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector body 12 defines a fluid passage between an input end 22 and an output end 24. The terms “input end” and “output end” are recited for clarity and are not intended to be limiting, as the moving fluid (e.g., coolant, oil, fuel) may move in the opposite direction in some applications. The connector body 12 comprises an angled coupling in the illustrated embodiment, for example an elbow fitting, such that the fluid passage includes an approximately 90-degree bend between the input end 22 and the output end 24. In other embodiments, the angled coupling can be 30-degrees, 45- degrees or 60-degrees for example. In still other embodiments, the connector body 12 can comprise a straight coupling.

[0029] As also shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector body 12 includes a barbed stem 26 at the output end 24 and a collar 28 at the input end 22. The collar 28 includes a cylindrical sidewall having an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the connector head 14, such that the collar 28 can be received within the connector head 14. In addition, the collar 28 includes a plurality of locking tabs 30 at regular intervals along the exterior radial surface of the collar 28. Four locking tabs 30 are disposed at 90-degree intervals in the illustrated embodiment, however greater or fewer number of locking tabs 30 can be included in other embodiments (for example, three locking tabs at 120-degree intervals, or six locking tabs at 60-degree intervals). The locking tabs 30 include a ramped surface, opposite of an engagement surface, to facilitate easy insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14.

[0030] As shown, the locking tabs 30 are adjacent the leading edge of the collar 28. For each locking tab 30, the collar 28 includes a circumferential rib 32 that is axially offset from the locking tab 30. The circumferential rib 32 and the locking tab 30 have approximately the same width in the tangential direction. Between adjacent circumferential ribs 32, the collar 28 includes a flat side surface 34 or an alignment projection 36. The flat side surfaces 34 provide a sliding surface for the verification tab 16, with two flat side surface 34 being shown in Figures 2 and 3. The alignment projection 36 is a triangular-shaped projection in the illustrated embodiment and is functionally a poka-yoke feature to facilitate error-free attachment to the connector head 14, discussed below. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment projections 36 are positioned at 3-o’clock and at 9-o’clock on the collar 28, and the flat side surfaces 34 are positioned at 12-o’clock and at 6-o’clock on the collar 28. A circumferential flange 38 separates the collar 28 from the remainder of the connector body 12, which as noted above can include a wide variety of configurations, including the illustrated elbow fitting, by non-limiting example.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the connector head 14 includes an outer side wall 40 having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer dimeter of the collar 28 of the connector body 12. The connector head 14 is configured for locking attachment to the connector body 12 at one of a finite number of rotational orientations (two as shown in the illustrated embodiment). In particular, the connector head 14 includes four latching arms 42 that extend radially inward from the outer sidewall 40 and which engage the collar locking tabs 30. The latching arms 42 are resiliently deformable in the radial direction, such that the ramped surface of each locking tab 30 flexes the latching arms 42 upon insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14. Once the collar 28 is fully inserted into the connector head 14, the flat engagement surface of each locking tab 30 prevents removal of the connector head

14. As also shown in Figure 4, the interior surface of the cylindrical sidewall includes an axial recess 44 in alignment with each latching arm 42 for receiving the circumferential ribs 32 therein.

[0032] As also shown in Figure 4, the connector head 14 includes keyed recesses 46 for the collar alignment projections 36. The keyed recesses 46 allow insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14 in only a finite number of rotational configurations (two, in the illustrated embodiment). The outer sidewall 40 protrudes radially outward at each recess 46, thereby providing the operator with a tactile guide for insertion onto the collar 28 of the connector body 12. Like the alignment projections 36, the keyed recesses 46 are triangleshaped, however other shapes are possible, provided that the keyed recesses 46 include a complimentary shape with respect to the alignment projections 36. As also shown, the outer sidewall 40 is cylindrical and defines a first tangential slot 48 opposite of a second tangential slot 50 for the locking clip 18. Each such slot 48, 50 is orthogonal to the lengthwise axis of the connector head 14 and extends entirely through the thickness of the sidewall, thereby allowing the locking clip 18 (which extends around the outside of the connector head 14) to establish a lockable engagement with a male fitting (which is received inside the connector head 14).

[0033] As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the verification tab 16 is received within an axial slot 52 in the connector head sidewall 40. The axial slot 52 is defined within the sidewall 48 and extends entirely therethrough in the axial direction. The axial slot 52 is generally rectangular to house the verification tab 16 therein. The connector head sidewall 40 includes two engagement apertures 54, 55, axially offset from each other, for securing the verification tab 16 in one of two positions: a negative verification position (in which the verification tab 16 is concealed from view), and a positive verification position (in which a portion of the verification tab 16 having a verification indicia 60 is visible). The engagement apertures 54, 55 are illustrated as rectangular through-holes in the illustrated embodiment, but can include other shapes in other embodiments. As also shown in cross-section in Figure 5, the interior of the connector head 14 includes annular shelf 56 for the O-ring 20. The annular shelf 56 is bordered by an inner sidewall 58, which is functionally a retainer ring that has been integrally molded to the connector head 14. The inner sidewall 58 is sized to receive the appropriate male fitting (e.g., VDA and SAE spigots). When the quick connector 10 is assembled, the O-ring 20 is sandwiched between the collar 28 and the annular shelf 56 to provide a fluid-tight connection between the connector body 12 and the connector head 14. [0034] The verification tab 16 in accordance with one embodiment is shown in Figure 7. The verification tab 16 is shaped to be received within the axial slot 52 in the connector head 14 and includes a verification indicia 60. The verification indicia 60 can include for example a one-dimensional barcode (e.g. UPC code, EAN code, code 39, code 128, ITF, code 93, codabar, GS1 databar, MSI Plessey, etc.), a two-dimensional barcode (e.g. QR code, datamatrix code, PDF417, AZTEC, etc.), a holographic code, a human-readable alphanumeric code, or other codes, whether known or hereinafter developed, that are interpretable by machine or human. In other embodiments the verification indicia 60 is not machine readable and includes a color, a pattern, a logo, or other feature. The verification tab 16 also includes a locking member 62. The locking member 62 is illustrated as a ramped projection, but can include other configurations in other embodiments, for example a nub or a barb. The locking member 62 is sized to be received within the lower engagement aperture 54 in the negative verification position and the upper engagement aperture 55 in the positive verification position. Opposite of the locking member 62, the verification tab 16 includes a rectangular projection 66 which directly engages the male fitting as discussed below. The verification tab 16 further includes a side projection 68 along a side surface thereof to limit travel of the verification tab 16 in the axial slot 52. The side projection 68 also offers a poka- yoke feature during assembly into the axial slot 52 enabling the operator to properly insert the verifier tab 16 in the right orientation.

[0035] The locking clip 18 in accordance with one embodiment is shown in Figure 8. The locking clip 18 is generally U-shaped, being formed from metal, and having base portion 70 and first and second leg portions 72, 74. The leg portions 72, 74 are received within the tangential slots 48, 50 in the connector head 14 (generally shown in Figure 6). The locking clip 18 includes first and second tangs 76, 78 to prevent removal from the connector head 14. When a male fitting (for example a VDA-type spigot) is inserted into the connector head 14, the leg portions 72, 74 expand radially outward around a raised annular bead of the male fitting, and the leg portions 72, 74 spring back to rest behind the raised annular bead. Simultaneously, the male fitting abuts the rectangular projection 66 of the verification tab 16 to move the verification tab 16 from the negative verification position to the positive verification position.

[0036] As shown in Figure 9, for example, the verification tab 16 is illustrated in the negative verification position. In this position, the locking member 62 is received within the lower engagement aperture 54. Upon insertion of a male fitting into the connector head 14, the male fitting bears against the verification tab 16, and in particular, rectangular projection 66, causing the verification tab 16 to move to the positive verification position. In this positive verification, shown in Figure 10, the verification indicia 60 is visible above the axial slot 52. The locking member 62 is received within the upper engagement aperture 55, and the side projection 68 prevents further movement of the verification tab 16 in the axial direction.

[0037] In the embodiments discussed above, the outer sidewall 40 of the connector head 14 includes a framed-out recess 41 between adjacent locking arms 42 (e.g., see Figure 4). In the alternative embodiment of Figure 13, however, the framed-out recess is omitted from the outer sidewall 40 of the connector head 14, which simplifies tooling of the connector head 14.

[0038] Referring now to Figures 14—16, a quick connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designate 100. The quick connector 100 of Figures 14-16 is similar in structure and in function to the quick connector 10 of Figures 1-12, except that the connector body 12 (shown in Figure 14) includes an alignment notch 102 corresponding to an alignment projection 104 on the connector head 14 (shown in Figure 15), ensuring that the connector head 14 can be installed onto the connector body 12 in a finite number of rotational configurations (for example one rotational configuration in the illustrated embodiment). This configuration can be reversed in other embodiments, such that the alignment notch is defined in the connector head 14 and the alignment projection is defined in the connector body 12. In still other embodiments, each of the connector body 12 and the connector head 14 include an alignment notch and an alignment projection.

[0039] As shown in Figure 14, the connector body 12 defines a fluid passage between an input end 22 and an output end 24. The connector body 12 comprises an angled coupling in the illustrated embodiment, for example an elbow fitting, such that the fluid passage includes an approximately 90-degree bend between the input end 22 and the output end 24. The connector body 12 can comprise essentially any configuration, including elbow fittings, straight fittings, and/or fittings having sensor ports 90, by non-limiting example. The connector body 12 includes a barbed stem 26 at the output end 24 and a collar 28 at the input end 22. The collar 28 includes a cylindrical sidewall having an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the connector head 14, such that the collar 28 can be received within the connector head 14. In addition, the collar 28 includes a plurality of locking tabs 30 at regular intervals along the exterior radial surface of the collar 28. Four locking tabs 30 are disposed at 90-degree intervals in the illustrated embodiment, however greater or fewer number of locking tabs 30 can be included in other embodiments.

[0040] Turning now to Figure 15, the connector head 14 includes an outer sidewall 40 having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer dimeter of the collar 28. The connector head 14 is configured for locking attachment to the connector body 12 at one of a finite number of rotational orientations. The connector head 14 includes four latching arms 42 that extend radially inward from the outer sidewall 40 and which engage the collar locking tabs 30. The latching arms 42 are resiliently deformable in the radial direction, such that the ramped surface of each locking tab 30 flexes the latching arms 42 upon insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14. Once the collar 28 is fully inserted into the connector head 14, the flat engagement surface of each locking tab 30 prevents removal of the connector head 14. The connector head 14 according to this embodiment lacks the O-ring 20 found in Figure 1.

[0041] As shown in Figure 15, the annular shelf 56 of the connector head 14 includes a projection 104 in alignment with a notch 102 in the input end 22 of the connector body 12. The projection 104 interconnects the inner sidewall 56 and the outer sidewall 40, being positioned between two of latching arms 42. The notch 102 allows insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14 in only a finite number of rotational configurations (one, in the illustrated embodiment). As shown in Figure 14, for example, the alignment notch 102 is defined in the leading peripheral edge 110 of the input end 22 of the connector body 12, which is otherwise uninterrupted about its circumference. The alignment notch 102 is depicted at the 3 o’clock position in Figure 14, however the alignment notch 102 (or two or more alignment notches) can be positioned at other locations of the collar 28. The alignment notch 28 ensures that the connector head 14 is seated onto the connector body 12 in the correct orientation. As shown in Figure 16, for example, the alignment projection 104 will physically abut the leading peripheral edge 110 of the collar 28, preventing the latch arms 42 of the connector head 14 from engaging the locking tabs 30 of the connector body 12. As a result, a mis-assembly of the quick connector 100 is prevented.

[0042] As also shown in Figures 14-16, the connector head 14 and the connector body 12 include mutually opposing flat sliding surfaces 106, 108, respectively. With respect to the connector head 14, the inner radial surface of the outer side wall 40 includes three flat sliding surfaces 106 spaced at ninety-degree intervals about the inner circumference of the connector head 14, the intermediate sliding surface 106 being opposite of the axial slot for the verification tab 16. With respect to the connector body 12, the outer radial surface of the collar 28 includes four flat sliding surfaces 108 spaced at ninety-degree intervals about the outer circumference of the collar 28. The mutually opposing flat sliding surface 106, 108 permit the connector body 12 to easily slide into the connector head 14 in a finite number of rotational positions. For example, four rotational positions are available in the illustrated embodiment. As also shown, the connector body 12 includes four sliding surfaces 108 while the connector head 14 includes three sliding surfaces 106. The alignment notch 102 extends partially into one of the four flat sliding surfaces 108 of the collar 28. Once seated in the connector head 14, the connector body 12 is prevented from rotating by operation of the mutually opposing flat sliding surface 106, 108. In such a manner, the mutually opposing sliding surfaces 106, 08 facilitate assembly of the connector head 14 onto the connector body 12 in a finite number of rotational positions according to pre-defined assembly requirements. For example, if assembly instructions require the connector head 14 to be assembled onto the connector body 12 in the 90-degree position (shown in Figure 14), the sliding surfaces 106, 108 and the notch 102 will aid the operator in assembling the connector head 14 in good manner while avoiding assembly mistakes.

[0043] To reiterate, the embodiments discussed above include a quick connector 10, 100 having a retainer ring that is integrally molded to the connector head 14. All other components of the quick connector 10, 100 are separate, including the connector body 12, the verification tab 16, the locking clip 18, and the O-ring 20. The connector body 12 and the connector head 14 can be formed from any suitable material, optionally a durable, chemicalresistant and lightweight polymerized material. The verification tab 16 can be shipped in the negative verification position as shown in Figure 9. The connector body 12 can be snap-fit into the connector head 14, using the flat side surfaces 34 and the alignment projections 36 as visual guides. The connector body 12 cannot be assembled onto the connector head 14 unless the alignment projections 36 are aligned with the corresponding recesses 46 it the connector head 14. Consequently, each connector body 12 can be joined to the connector head 14 in one of two orientations, as illustrated in Figure 11 by non-limiting example. The connector body 12 makes tooling and assembly easier, as the connector head 14 can be used with a wide variety of connector bodies 12. For example, the connector head 14 can be joined to a connector body 12 having a sensor port 90, as shown in Figures 12 and 14, without requiring a change in tooling or assembly of the connector head 14, verification tab 16, and locking clip 18. As noted above, the connector body 12 can comprise essentially any configuration, including elbow fittings, straight fittings, and fittings having sensor ports, by non-limiting example.

[0044] The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements by ordinal terms, for example “first,” “second,” and “third,” are used for clarity, and are not to be construed as limiting the order in which the claim elements appear. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.