Quick connector latch authentication with scannable code

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quick connector adapted to display a code for verifying that a latching member is fully engaged to retain an installed pipe in the quick connector. The quick connector includes a connector body having a receiving portion surrounding an internal passageway configured to receive a pipe therein. A latching member retained on the receiving portion is arranged to be movable between a pipe insertion position and a latched position. In the pipe insertion position, the latching member permits insertion of the pipe into the internal passageway. When the latching member moves to the latched position, a code readable by a scanning device becomes readable, thereby verifying that the pipe is installed and latched in the connector body. The present invention also relates to a method for verifying a latched connection of a connector.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 056,243, filed on July 24, 2020. This provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to quick connectors and, more particularly, to a quick connector that displays a scannable code for verifying a proper latching connection has been made to a pipe. Background Art

[0004] A quick connector is a connector assembly that allows for a convenient, quick, fluid-tight connection between two or more pipes, tubes, or similar components. Quick connectors are commonly used in the automotive industry to connect tubes such as those used in engine cooling line connections, fuel and brake connections, steam connections, or more recently, in cooling circuits for cooling batteries in electric or hybrid vehicles. A quick connector typically includes a female / female connector for receiving a male / male connector, or a male connector for receiving a female connector. In operation, when fully disposed within the female connector, the male connector is locked in place, thereby allowing leak-free fluid communication between a first tube in fluid communication with the female connector and a second tube in fluid communication with the male connector. Unfortunately, many conventional quick connectors have numerous disadvantages associated with locking together components that are not fully connected or locked in place, resulting in connection failures and leaks.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a scannable image for verifying that the components of a quick connector are locked into place.

[0006] It would also be desirable to provide a machine-readable method for determining whether a quick connector has been properly assembled. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a quick connector adapted to display a code for verifying that a latching member is fully engaged to retain an installed pipe in the quick connector. The quick connector includes a connector body having a receiving portion surrounding an internal passageway configured to receive a pipe therein. A latching member retained on the receiving portion is movable between a pipe insertion position and a latched position. In the pipe insertion position, the latching member permits insertion of the pipe into the internal passageway. When the latching member moves to the latched position, a code readable by a scanning device becomes readable, thereby verifying that the pipe is installed and latched in the connector body.

[0008] In a first embodiment, the connector body includes at least one flange surrounding an internal passageway. The latch member includes at least a first leg retained on the receiving portion adjacent the flange. At least a first local code is applied to the first leg, and at least one additional local code is applied to the flange. When the latch member is moved to a latched position, the first local code becomes aligned with the at least one additional local code, thereby forming a readable code readable by a scanning device.

[0009] In a second embodiment, the connector body includes at least one flange surrounding the internal passageway. The latching member includes at least a first leg retained on the receiving portion near the flange. The first leg includes a cover member extending from the first leg above the flange. In the pipe insertion position, a code applied to the flange is obscured by the cover member. When the latching member is moved to the latched position, the cover member exposes the code, thereby allowing the code to be read by a scanning device.

[0010] In a third embodiment, a method for verifying a latched connection of a connector is disclosed. The method includes providing a connector body having a receiving portion surrounding an internal passageway and a latching member retained on the receiving portion, the latching member being movable between a pipe insertion position and a latched position. The method also includes moving the latching member to the latched position, in which a code becomes readable, thereby verifying that the pipe is installed and latched in the connector body.

[0011] Other technical features will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings, description, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a quick connector according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a side view of a quick connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the quick connector having a latch mechanism in a pipe insertion position;

[0015] Figure 3 According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 A side view of a quick connector having a latch mechanism in a latched position;

[0016] Figure 4 is a side view showing a quick connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the quick connector having a latch mechanism in a pipe insertion position; and

[0017] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment according to the present disclosure, Figure 3 A side view of a quick connector having a latch mechanism in a latched position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The accompanying drawings discussed below and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are exemplary only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention can be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.

[0019] According to this embodiment, a quick connector of the type commonly used in the automotive industry is provided for connecting pipes used in engine cooling line connections, fuel and brake connections, steam connections, and the like. The quick connector includes a connector body and a slidable latching mechanism. The connector body includes an internal passageway centrally located therein, adapted to allow insertion of a pipe into the passageway. The latching mechanism is located on the connector body and is slidable from a pipe insertion position, which facilitates insertion of the pipe into the internal passageway of the connector body, to a latched position, which captures and retains the pipe within the connector body.

[0020] In a first embodiment, the slidable latch mechanism further comprises a guide leg and a latch leg, each of the guide leg and the latch leg having a partial portion of a scannable code printed on an outer surface of the guide leg and the latch leg. Another partial portion of the scannable code is printed on the surface of a flange molded on the connector body. The partial portion of the scannable code can be a barcode, a QR code, or any other code that can be scanned and read by a machine vision device, a handheld scanner, or other code scanning device. When the slidable latch mechanism is in the pipe insertion position, the partial portion of the scannable code is misaligned and cannot be read by the scanning device. The latch mechanism is moved to the latched position to capture the pipe, and the partial portion of the scannable code is aligned to construct a complete scannable code that can be read and recorded by a user using a handheld scanner, thereby indicating a form-fitting latch connection between the pipe and the connector body. Alternatively, the complete scannable code can be scanned by a code reader during assembly or manufacturing.

[0021] In a second embodiment, the latch mechanism includes a cover member that, when in the pipe insertion position, covers a scannable code, such as a barcode, QR code, or other machine-readable code, printed or etched on an outer flange of the connector body. Sliding the latch mechanism into the latched position captures the pipe installed in the connector body and exposes the scannable code. The scannable code can be recorded by the user to indicate a form-fitting pipe connection, or scanned by a code reader during assembly or manufacturing.

[0022] Now go to Figure 1 , shows a quick connector assembly of the type used in the present disclosure. The quick connector includes a connector body 11, a pipe 7 and a latch mechanism 30. The pipe 7 is arranged to be installed in the connector body 11 and can be made of, for example, a metal or plastic material, formed into a generally circular pipe shape. The flange portion 8 forms a protruding portion that protrudes annularly from the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 7, and the protruding portion is spaced a predetermined distance from the front end portion 9 of the pipe 7. The pipe 7 can be an end structure formed on the end of a pipe, or can be, for example, a fitting that can be attached to the pipe 7 by any convenient means, such as by brazing, laser welding, etc.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector body 11 is made of, for example, resin plastic and is formed into a generally cylindrical shape. One end of the connector body 11 includes a pipe receiving portion 12, which is arranged to receive the pipe 7 into the opening 15. The other end of the connector body 11 includes a coupling end 20 for coupling the connector body 11 to another device. The coupling end 20 may include a protrusion 22 for mating with a receiving portion of another device. The protrusion 22 may also include one or more barbed flanges 24, such as Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the barbed flange may comprise a tubular member (not shown) made of, for example, a synthetic resin, which is frictionally fitted over the protruding stems 22 on the flange 24 to thereby fluidly couple with the connector body 11. Fluid from the conduit 7 may enter an internal passage, partially shown through the passage 16 in the connector body 11, and pass through the protruding stems 22 of the coupling end 20 and into the tubular member, or vice versa.

[0024] An internal passage 16 is formed inside the connector body 11 and includes an annular inner wall shaped to receive the front end portion 9 of the tube 7 and the tube protrusion 8. One or more O-rings (not shown) may be installed in the internal passage 16 to provide a liquid-tight seal between the tube 7 and the connector body 11.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, first and third flange members 41 and 43 are arranged parallel to each other on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe receiving portion 12 at both ends of the receiving portion 12. Each of the first and third flange members 41 and 43 is formed into a generally rectangular / square shape with upper, lower, left, and right side edges. The second flange member 42 is formed to expose the upper portion of the pipe receiving portion 12. A flat lower surface 44 extends horizontally between the second flange 42 and the third flange 43 along a tangential direction of the lower end surface. The flat lower surface 44 is slightly recessed relative to the lower edges of the first and second flange members 42 and 43.

[0026] The plate-like portion 45 extends horizontally between the first and second flange members 41 and 42 in the left-right direction along the tangential direction of the lower end surface of the pipe receiving portion 12. The left and right ends of the lower plate-like portion 45 are flush with both side edges of the two flange members 41 and 42.

[0027] A pair of left and right insertion holes 46 are located in the front half of the pipe receiving portion 12 between the third flange member 43 and the second flange member 42. Figure 1 As shown, a pair of receiving holes 48 ( Figure 1 The two insertion holes 46 (only one is shown) correspond to each other and are symmetrically formed in the lower half of the pipe receiving portion 12. Recesses 49 are formed in the upper halves of the two receiving holes 48, respectively.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the latch member 30, made of metal or resin plastic material, includes a top portion 31, left and right guide legs 32, left and right latch legs 34, and left and right pipe holders 37. The top portion 31 is formed into a generally flat plate shape and is sized to fit between a first flange member 41 and a third flange member 43 for insertion into the pipe receiving portion 12 from above. The left and right guide legs 32 are formed into elongated, plate-like shapes, each with flat front surfaces 33 extending symmetrically downward from the left and right ends of the rear half of the top portion 31. The two guide legs 32 are slidably engaged in the pipe receiving portion 12 from above between the first and second flange members 41, 42. The left and right latch legs 34 are formed into symmetrical shapes, extending from the left and right ends of the front half of the top portion 31, respectively, and are formed into an elongated, thin plate shape with a flat front surface 35 extending downward from the top portion 31. The two latch legs 34 are slidably engaged from upper side to lower side between the second flange member 42 and the third flange member 43 of the pipe receiving portion 12. The second flange member 42 also includes a flat front surface 40 located in the gap between the latch legs 34 and the guide legs 32.

[0029] The latch leg 34 is formed to be elastically deformable, that is, to be flexibly deformed in the direction in which the lower end portion expands. Figure 1 As shown, generally rectangular, plate-shaped latching projections 38 project from the lower ends of the two latching legs 34 so as to face each other. The two latching projections 38 engage with the upper ends of the corresponding receiving holes 48 of the pipe receiving portion 12 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the corresponding latching legs 34, thereby entering the recess 48. In this state, the distal ends of the two latching projections 38 project into the pipe connecting portion 12, thereby retaining the latch member 30 to the pipe receiving portion 12 in the "pipe insertion position."

[0030] When the retainer 30 is attached to the connector body 11 in the pipe insertion position, the two latching projections 38 slide along the outer peripheral surface of the pipe connecting portion 11, while the two latching legs 34 elastically deform beyond the complementary outer peripheral surface of the pipe receiving portion 12. The elastically deformed latching legs 34 elastically return to their original position by extending below the recesses 49 and entering the receiving holes 48, thereby engaging the two latching projections 38 in the two receiving holes 48. At this time, the upward and downward movement of the retainer 30 is restricted by the two latching projections 38 on the upper and lower surfaces of the recesses 49 facing the receiving holes 48.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the left and right retaining members 37 are formed into elongated, symmetrical left and right plate-like shapes extending downward from the front end of the top portion 31. A locking groove 39 is formed between the two retaining members 37, forming an inverted U-shape and radially receiving the pipe 7. The two retaining members 37 are inserted from above into the two insertion holes 26 of the pipe connecting portion 12. When the retainer 30 is in the pipe insertion position, the two retaining members 37 are only partially installed in the insertion holes 26. An interruption slot 36 is formed between the upper ends of the two retaining members 37. The interruption slot 36 is formed to relatively receive the partition 47 located between the two insertion holes 26.

[0032] As described above, the quick connector of the present invention is used as follows. When the latch member 30 is in the pipe insertion position, the pipe 7 is inserted into the pipe receiving portion 12 through the opening 15. The pipe 7 is inserted into the internal passage 16 until the flange 8 contacts the front end surface formed in the internal passage. The front end portion 9 extends into the internal passage 16 (not shown) within the coupling end 20. A rubber O-ring installed in the internal passage 16 contacts the outer surface of the front end portion 9 of the pipe 7 and provides a liquid-tight seal between the pipe 7 and the connector body 11 by utilizing elastic deformation.

[0033] When the top portion 31 of the retainer 30 is pushed downward, the retainer 30 is disengaged from the pipe insertion position. The latching protrusions 35 of the two latching legs 34 disengage from the receiving holes 48 and slide downward along the inclined surface 19 to descend and eventually pass through the flat lower surface 44. Once beyond the lower surface 44, the latching legs 34 return to their relaxed positions. The engagement of the two latching protrusions 35 against the bottom of the flat lower surface 44 prevents any upward movement of the retainer 30. At the same time, the interrupted slot 36 of the retainer 30 engages the partition 47 of the pipe receiving portion 12. With the slot 36 abutting against the engagement partition 47, the downward movement of the retainer 30 is stopped, thereby positioning the latch mechanism 30 in its "latched position."

[0034] Go to Figure 2 and 3 , showing the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2, the latch mechanism 30 is shown in the pipe insertion position. As shown, the guide leg 32 and the latch leg 34 have a first partial portion 51 of a scannable code printed or etched on the flat outer surface 33 of the guide leg 32. A third portion 53 of the scannable code is printed or etched on the flat outer surface 35 of the latch leg 34. A second portion 52 of the scannable code is printed on the flat outer surface 40 of the second flange member 42. The partial codes 51, 52, and 53 can be, for example, a barcode, a QR code, or any other code that can be scanned and read by a machine vision device, a handheld scanner, or other code scanning device. When the latch mechanism 30 is in the pipe insertion position, the partial codes 51, 52, and 53 are not aligned and cannot be read as a complete code by a scanning device.

[0035] As described above, moving the latch mechanism 30 to the latched position captures the pipe 7 and moves the code portions 51 and 53 into alignment with the code portion 52. When the latch member 30 is fully installed in the latched position, the code portions 51, 52, and 53 become aligned to form a complete scannable code 55 that represents the latched connector. Figure 3 As shown, the complete scannable code 55 represents the form-fitting latch connection between the pipe 7 and the connector body 11. During the installation of the quick connector on site or during the manufacturing process, the user can use a handheld scanner to read and record the complete scannable code 55. Although this embodiment has been explained using three partial codes 51, 52, and 53 to construct the final readable scannable code 55, the same result can be achieved using any other combination of movable and fixed code parts. For example, only one leg of the latch mechanism 30 can contain a code part that, when moved to the latched position, aligns with the fixed code part to construct a scannable code representing the latched connector.

[0036] Now go to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , showing the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 , the latch mechanism 30 is shown in the pipe insertion position. The guide leg 32 of the latch mechanism 30 includes a cover member 50 extending perpendicularly from the guide leg 32. The cover member 50 is formed as a flat plate fixed to the surface 33 of the guide leg 32 and extending therefrom. The cover 50 is attached near the bottom of the guide leg 32 and is arranged to extend over the edge surface 59 of the first flange member 41. The cover 50 is arranged to move with the guide leg 32 when the latch mechanism 30 moves from the pipe insertion position to the latch position. The scannable code 60 is printed or etched on the edge surface 59 of the first portion of the first flange member 41, as shown. Figure 5Scannable code 60 may be, for example, a barcode, QR code, or other machine-readable code printed or etched on edge surface 59 of flange member 41 and may be scanned and read by machine vision equipment, handheld scanners, or other code scanning devices.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown above, according to Figure 1 As explained in the previous disclosure, the latch mechanism 30 in the pipe insertion position is ready to receive the pipe 7. In this second embodiment, when the latch mechanism is in the pipe insertion position, the cover 50 is located over the scannable code 60, thereby covering the scannable code 60 and making the code unreadable.

[0038] Moving the latch mechanism 30 toward the latched position causes the guide legs 32 and the cover 50 to slide downward. When the latch mechanism enters the latched position, the cover 50 moves to the latched position. Figure 5 A second portion of the edge surface 59 of the flange member 41 is shown with the scannable code 60 exposed and which can now be read and recorded by the user using a handheld scanner during installation of the quick connector in the field or during the manufacturing process.

[0039] The descriptions in this application should not be construed as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element that must be included within the scope of the claims. The scope of patented subject matter is limited only by the claims that allow. In addition, unless the exact words "mechanism for / mechanism for..." or "step for..." accompanied by a participle phrase identifying the function are expressly used in a particular claim, none of the claims is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any appended claim or claim element. The use of terms such as (but not limited to) "mechanism," "module," "device," "unit," "component," "element," "member," "device," "machine," or "system" in the claims is understood and intended to refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art (as further modified or enhanced by the features of the claim itself) and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

[0040] Although this disclosure describes certain embodiments and generally related methods, variations and substitutions of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description of the exemplary embodiments does not limit or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector comprising: a connector body having at least one flange surrounding an internal passage arranged to receive a conduit therein and a connector receiving portion; a latch member having at least a first leg retained on the connector receiving portion adjacent the flange, the latch member being movable between a pipe insertion position and a latched position, wherein in the pipe insertion position the pipe is inserted into the interior passage; and at least one first local code applied to the first leg and at least one additional local code applied to the flange; wherein the latch member is moved to the latched position to retain the pipe to the connector body and align the first local code with the at least one additional local code to form a readable code representative of the latched position.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein The connector body includes a first flange, a second flange, and a third flange, wherein the first flange and the third flange define the connector receiving portion, the second flange having a flat outer surface, wherein the at least one additional local code is a second local code applied to the flat outer surface of the second flange.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein: The latch member includes at least one additional leg, which is spaced apart from and positioned parallel to the first leg, the first leg and the at least one additional leg being positioned between the first flange and the third flange, wherein the second flange is interposed between the first leg and the at least one additional leg.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein The at least one additional leg of the latch member includes a third local code applied thereto.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein In the pipe insertion position, the first local code, the second local code, and the third local code are not aligned. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein: In the latched position, the first local code, the second local code, and the third local code are aligned and assembled into a readable code representing the latched position.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein The first local code, the second local code, and the third local code are machine-readable two-dimensional codes.

8. The connector according to claim 5, wherein The first local code, the second local code, and the third local code are machine-readable bar codes.

9. The connector according to claim 6, wherein The readable code representing the latch position is machine readable using a scanning device.

10. A connector comprising: a connector body having at least one flange surrounding an internal passage arranged to receive a conduit therein and a connector receiving portion; a latch member having at least a first leg retained on the connector receiving portion adjacent the flange, the first leg including a cover member extending therefrom above the flange, the latch member being movable between a pipe insertion position in which the pipe is inserted into the interior passageway and a latched position; and a scannable code applied to the flange and obscured by the cover member in the pipe insertion position, wherein the latch member moves to the latched position, thereby retaining the tubing to the connector body and moving the cover member to expose a scannable code representative of the latched position. The connector according to claim 10 , wherein: The connector body includes a first flange, a second flange, and a third flange, the first flange and the third flange defining the connector receiving portion, The latch member includes at least one additional leg, which is spaced apart from and positioned parallel to the first leg, the first leg and the additional leg of the latch member being positioned between the first flange and the third flange, wherein the second flange is interposed between the first leg and the additional leg.

12. The connector according to claim 11, wherein The first flange includes a planar edge surface having a scannable code applied to a first portion of the edge surface, wherein the cover member moves along the edge surface of the first flange from the first portion to a second portion when the latch member moves from the pipe insertion position to the latched position.

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein In the latched position, the cover member is in the second portion, exposing a scannable code representative of the latched position.

14. The connector according to claim 10, wherein The scannable code is a machine-readable QR code.

15. The connector according to claim 10, wherein The scannable code is a machine-readable barcode.

16. The connector according to claim 10, wherein The scannable code representing the latch position is machine readable using a scanning device.

17. A method for verifying a latch connection of a connector, the method comprising: providing a connector body having a connector receiving portion surrounding an internal passageway arranged to receive a conduit therein; A latching member is provided which is retained on the connector receiving portion and is movable between a pipe insertion position and a latched position, wherein In the pipe insertion position, the pipe is inserted into the internal passage; and The latching member is moved to the latched position to retain the tubing to the connector, wherein the code becomes readable, thereby verifying the latched position.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: providing a scanning device for reading said code; in, In the tube insertion position, the code is unreadable by the scanning device, and in the latched position, the code is readable by the scanning device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The code is a machine-readable QR code.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein The code is a machine-readable barcode.

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