Pipe joints or couplings – With assembly means or feature – Particular tool-engaging means or with tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2002-04-30
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
With assembly means or feature
Particular tool-engaging means or with tool
C285S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06378908
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to high pressure quick connectors employed in fluid conduit systems.
2. Description of the Art
Snap fit or quick connectors have been found to be useful in a wide range of applications. In particular, they are frequently employed for joining fluid carrying conduits in automotive and industrial applications. Such connectors have found general acceptance as they are typically capable of being closed in a single uni-axial movement which facilitates automated assembly, and entail simple designs which are relatively inexpensive to produce.
A further advantage of quick connect fittings is that they provide an effective seal for handling volatile or hazardous fluids, such as gasoline, while permitting ease of disassembly and reassembly during repair of a host system.
In applications where hazardous material is to flow through a fitting, for example, in vehicle brake lines, prevention of inadvertent release of the quick connector is of primary concern. Accordingly, relatively high axial pull apart strength specifications are mandated. In addition, low insertion forces are required.
Currently, for many high pressure applications, such as with brake lines, threaded fittings are used as connection means. If not aligned correctly, cross threading may result. If excessive torque is applied, over threading may result. As a result of cross-threading or overthreading, the threads are stripped and the fittings must be scrapped and replaced.
In current anti-lock brake systems, the brake lines are connected to a brake manifold or junction during the assembly process of the vehicle. The threaded connections of the prior art are located close together which increases assembly time and labor as well as the potential for error.
A further disadvantage typical of prior art high pressure quick connectors is that they must be assembled with an associated tube and shipped to a final destination as a single assembly. Such shipment is expensive and subjects the connectors to damage from mishandling.
Further, such quick connector designs frequently require the presence of a resilient seal between the outer peripheral surface of the tube and a mating bore which can result in leakage. This is a particular problem with multi-layer, high pressure steel tube typically used in automotive brake lines.
Finally, it is difficult to perform in-process leak checks prior to final installation and very expensive to correct leaks after final installation. Other high pressure quick connects use expensive and costly spring loaded connectors.
Prior high pressure quick connectors have experienced problems with one or more of insertion effort, performance at pressure, the ability to be removed for service, and/or the ability to transport the product from the initial manufacturer to the final user without damage to the quick connector components.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a quick connector for high pressure system applications which facilitates quick and easy assembly of the quick connector. It is also desirable to provide a high pressure quick connector which eliminates and/or reduces the likelihood of the existing problems encountered with prior art high pressure quick connector designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a high pressure quick connector which is usable in interconnecting fluid conduits or elements in a high pressure fluid system.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the quick connector includes a first connector having a bore extending therethrough and a first annular groove opening from the bore and spaced from one end of the first connector. A second connector includes a spool having a bore extending therethrough. An end of a conduit is mounted in the bore in the spool and establishes a fluid flow path through the second connector. At least one and preferably two or more seal elements are mounted in the bore in the first connector and provide a seal between the bore in the first connector and the spool.
A retaining ring is disposed in the first groove in the first connector and has a through aperture. The retaining ring is radially expandable by insertion of the spool therethrough so as to snap-mount the spool in the bore in the first connector upon insertion of the spool to a fully inserted position in the bore in the first connector. A collar is mounted between the spool and the retaining ring for centering the retaining ring with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the spool.
The collar is mounted on the spool by means carried on the collar and the spool. Preferably, such means comprises an interlocking projection and groove.
According to another aspect of the present invention, another groove is formed in the first connector and opens to the bore in the first connector. At least one of the seal elements has a radially outward extending flange which engages the another groove to mount the seal element in a fixed position within the bore and the first connector.
Preferably, the seal element comprises a resilient seal and a top hat seal elements.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a unique method of assembling a quick connector is discloses. The method comprises the steps of:
pre-mounting the seal element and the retainer ring in the bore in the housing; and
then snap mounting the spool in the bore in the housing.
The method of the present invention further comprises the step of centering the retaining ring with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the spool when the spool is fully mounted in the bore in the housing. The centering step preferably comprises the steps of providing a collar with a circular outer surface, and mounting the collar over the spool such that the outer surface of the collar engages the retaining ring.
The method of the present invention also defines the step of snap mounting the spool in the housing as including the step of providing the spool with an outwardly tapered surface of expanding the retaining ring from a nominal diameter to an expanded diameter during insertion of the spool through the retaining ring to permit the retaining ring to snap behind an end of the spool upon full insertion of the spool into the bore in the housing.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the step of remounting the seal and retainer ring in the bore in the housing comprises the steps of: mounting the retaining ring in a conical sleeve having inward tapered side walls converging from a first end in which the retaining ring is initially mounted to an opposed second end;
providing an elongated stuffer pin;
mounting a retainer collar over one end of the stuffer pin, the retainer collar having an annular flange with an inner diameter equal to a diameter of the second end of the sleeve;
urging the retaining ring from the first to the second ends of the sleeve to compress the retaining ring while the sliding the retaining ring and the stuffer pin relative to each other to compressively mount the retainer ring about the stuffer pin;
mounting the one seal element on the stuffer pin spaced from the retaining ring;
sliding the stuffer pin into the bore in the housing;
fixing the one seal element in a predetermined position within the bore in the housing;
engaging the retainer ring in an annular groove opening to the bore in the housing wherein the retaining ring expands radially outward from a compressed state; and
disengaging the stuffer pin from the seal element and the retainer ring mounted in the bore in the housing.
Preferably, the method of the present invention further comprises mounting a second seal on the stuffer pin adjacent to the first seal.
The quick connector constructed in accordance with the present invention overcomes many of the problems encountered with the previously devised quick connectors for use in fluid systems, particularly high pressure quick connectors. The present quick connector provides a low insertion force, retention at operating pressure, the ability to be easily removed for servi
Tincknell Lyle D.
Walker Daniel H.
Binda Greg
Browne Lynne H.
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
Young & Basile P.C.
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