Quick connector socket

Abstract

The utility model provides a quick connector socket, which is used for being connected with a plug matched with the quick connector socket, the quick connector socket comprises a front shell, a locking element, an elastic element and a sliding sleeve, the front shell is provided with an accommodating space and comprises a locking hole communicated with the accommodating space, and the locking element is movably arranged in the locking hole and comprises a locking part; the locking part penetrates through the locking hole and is located in the containing space, the elastic element is arranged between the locking element and the locking hole, the sliding sleeve is movably arranged on the front shell in a surrounding mode and comprises a protruding structure, and after the quick connector socket and the plug are connected with each other, the protruding structure abuts against and drives the locking element to move towards the containing space. The locking element extrudes the elastic element, and the locking part of the locking element is clamped in the locking groove of the plug.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a quick connector socket, in particular to a quick connector socket used for conveying liquids and capable of preventing liquid leakage and improving locking stability. Background Art

[0002] Quick connectors are a common tool for connecting pipes. Generally, they consist of a matching socket and plug, each connected to a different pipe. Furthermore, the socket may include a locking element, and the plug may include a locking groove. When the socket and plug are connected, the socket's locking element engages with the locking groove during assembly, completing the connection.

[0003] In existing quick connector sockets, the locking elements of the sockets are mostly balls or guide rods. When the quick connector is assembled, the ball or guide rod is engaged in the locking groove by its own weight and gravity; when the quick connector is disassembled, the ball or guide rod is displaced by the structure on the plug to disengage from the locking groove. However, when the quick connector is disassembled too quickly or with too much force, the ball or guide rod cannot be displaced quickly, resulting in an inability to smoothly disengage from the locking groove, causing the socket and plug to get stuck, thereby reducing disassembly efficiency. In addition, when the quick connector is installed and connected, the ball or guide rod may be interfered with by other components, and the interfering force may be greater than the weight and gravity of the ball or guide rod, causing the ball or guide rod to get stuck, loosen, or fail to engage in the locking groove. In severe cases, liquid leakage may occur, thereby reducing safety.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new quick connector socket to solve the problems of the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a quick connector socket with a simple structure, convenient operation and maintenance, which effectively solves the defects of the existing technology, improves stability and safety, and improves disassembly and assembly efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the utility model discloses a quick connector socket for connecting a plug that matches the quick connector socket. The surface of the plug includes a locking groove. The quick connector socket is characterized in that it includes:

[0007] A front housing having an accommodating space and comprising a locking hole communicating with the accommodating space;

[0008] a locking element movably disposed in the locking hole and comprising a locking portion passing through the locking hole and located in the accommodating space;

[0009] an elastic element disposed between the locking element and the locking hole; and

[0010] A sliding sleeve is movably arranged around the front housing and includes a protruding structure. The position of the protruding structure corresponds to the position of the locking hole. Therefore, after the quick connector socket and the plug are connected to each other, the protruding structure abuts and drives the locking element to move toward the accommodating space so that the locking element presses the elastic element and the locking portion of the locking element is engaged with the locking groove of the plug.

[0011] The locking element includes a main body and a limiting structure. The limiting structure and the locking portion are respectively located at two ends of the main body. The size of the limiting structure is larger than that of the main body. The elastic element is sleeved on the main body.

[0012] The plug includes a protruding guide structure adjacent to the locking groove and corresponding to the locking hole, so that when the plug is inserted into the accommodating space of the front shell, the protruding guide structure presses against and drives the locking portion of the locking element to move away from the accommodating space.

[0013] The invention further comprises a rear housing and a sliding sleeve spring. The rear housing is sleeved on one end of the front housing. The sliding sleeve spring is ringed on the front housing and two ends of the sliding sleeve spring contact the rear housing and the sliding sleeve respectively.

[0014] The protruding structure of the sleeve includes a plane and an inclined surface. After the quick connector socket and the plug are connected to each other, the sleeve spring pushes the sleeve with spring force so that the locking element contacts and presses against the intersection of the plane and the inclined surface.

[0015] When the quick connector socket and the plug are disassembled, the elastic restoring force generated by the compression of the elastic element drives the locking element to move along the inclined surface and in a direction away from the accommodating space so that the locking element is separated from the locking groove.

[0016] Wherein, the sliding sleeve includes a positioning groove and the front housing includes a positioning structure, and the positioning structure corresponds to the positioning groove and is located in the positioning groove.

[0017] The number of the positioning grooves and the positioning structures is 3, and the angle between two adjacent positioning grooves and between two adjacent positioning structures is 120 degrees.

[0018] Wherein, the locking element is in an L-shape.

[0019] Wherein, the locking element is in a T-shape.

[0020] In summary, the quick connector socket of the present invention improves assembly and disassembly between the socket and the plug through a locking mechanism composed of a locking element and an elastic element. When the quick connector socket and plug are disassembled, the elastic restoring force of the elastic element allows the locking element to smoothly and easily disengage from the plug's locking groove. This prevents the locking element from suddenly springing up or becoming stuck during disassembly, thus preventing leakage caused by inaccurate disassembly of the quick connector socket and plug, thereby improving stability and safety. Furthermore, the quick connector socket of the present invention prevents the sleeve from rotating through a positioning groove and positioning structure, ensuring smooth movement between the locking element and the sleeve, thereby improving assembly and disassembly efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 An exploded view of a quick connector socket according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the quick connector socket after assembly.

[0023] Figure 3 Shows an exploded view of the quick-connect receptacle and plug.

[0024] Figures 4A to 4C The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the structure of a quick connector socket and a plug during assembly according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the quick connector socket and plug when disassembled is shown.

[0026] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the quick connector socket after assembly from another perspective. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] To facilitate a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the advantages, spirit, and features of this invention, the following detailed description and discussion will be provided using specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is important to note that these embodiments are merely representative of the present invention, and the specific methods, devices, conditions, materials, and the like exemplified herein are not intended to limit the present invention or its corresponding embodiments. Furthermore, the devices in the drawings are merely intended to illustrate their relative positions and are not drawn to scale, which should be noted.

[0028] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment," "another embodiment," or "part of an embodiment" indicate that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of these terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal, transverse, up, down, front, back, left, right, top, bottom, inside, outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0030] Please also refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 . Figure 1 The figure shows an exploded view of a quick connector socket 1 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the quick connector socket 1 after assembly. Figure 3 The figure shows an exploded view of the quick connector socket 1 and the plug 3. Figure 1 ,and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the quick connector socket 1 and the plug 3 are matched with each other, and the quick connector socket 1 includes a front housing 11, a locking element 12, a sliding sleeve 13, a rear housing 14, an elastic element 151, and a sliding sleeve spring 152. The locking element 12 and the elastic element 151 are disposed on the front housing 11. The sliding sleeve 13 is mounted on the front housing 11. The rear housing 14 is mounted on one end of the front housing 11. The sliding sleeve spring 152 is mounted on the front housing 11 and is located between the sliding sleeve 13 and the rear housing 14.

[0031] In this specific embodiment, the front shell 11 has a accommodating space 110 and includes a locking hole 111 and a locking groove 112. The accommodating space 110 is used for inserting the plug 3. The locking groove 112 is recessed inward from the outer surface of the front shell 11, and the locking hole 111 connects the locking groove 112 and the accommodating space 110. In practice, the front shell 11 is cylindrical and has an axis 1101. The front shell 11 includes a first end 11A and a second end 11B, and the locking hole 111 and the locking groove 112 are arranged at the first end 11A. The locking hole 111 is a through hole, and the axis of the locking hole 111 is perpendicular to the axis 1101 of the front shell 11.

[0032] In this specific embodiment, the locking element 12 is movably disposed in the locking hole 111 and the locking groove 112 of the front shell 11 and includes a main body 121, a locking portion 122 and a limiting structure 123. The locking portion 122 and the limiting structure 123 are respectively disposed at both ends of the main body 121. The size of the limiting structure 123 is larger than the size of the main body 121, and the size of the main body 121 and the size of the locking portion 122 may be the same. Further, the size of the locking groove 112 may correspond to the size of the limiting structure 123, and the size of the locking hole 111 may correspond to the size of the locking portion 122. The main body 121 and the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12 may be disposed in the locking groove 112, and the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 may pass through the locking hole 111 and protrude into the accommodating space 110 of the front shell 11. After the locking element 12 is disposed on the front housing 11, the locking element 12 can move along the axis of the locking hole 111 (ie, along the axis of the locking hole 111). Figure 2 In practical applications, the shape of the locking element 12 may be T-shaped, L-shaped, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0033] In this embodiment, the elastic element 151 is disposed in the locking recess 112 of the front housing 11. Furthermore, the elastic element 151 is sleeved onto the main body 121 of the locking element 12 and positioned between the retaining structure 123 and the locking hole 111. In practice, the elastic element 151 can be a compression spring, and its dimensions can be slightly smaller than those of the retaining structure 123. Once the locking element 12 and the elastic element 151 are disposed on the front housing 11, the elastic element 151 can be confined between the retaining structure 123 and the locking hole 111 of the locking element 12.

[0034] In this embodiment, the sleeve 13 is sleeved on the first end portion 11A of the front housing 11 and covers the locking groove 112 and the locking element 12 of the front housing 11. In practice, the sleeve 13 is cylindrical and the diameter of the sleeve 13 is slightly larger than the diameter of the front housing 11. When the sleeve 13 is installed on the front housing 11, the sleeve 13 can move along the axis 1101 of the front housing 11 (i.e., along the axis 1101 of the front housing 11). Figure 2 The locking element 12 is also restricted between the sliding sleeve 13 and the front housing 11 and moves in the locking groove 112 and the locking hole 111.

[0035] In this specific embodiment, the sliding sleeve 13 includes a protruding structure 131 disposed on the inner wall of the sliding sleeve 13, and the position of the protruding structure 131 corresponds to the position of the locking hole 111. In practice, the sliding sleeve 13 and the protruding structure 131 can be formed as one piece, and the size of the protruding structure 131 can correspond to the size of the locking groove 112. Furthermore, the shape of the protruding structure 131 can be trapezoidal and include a flat surface 1311 and an inclined surface 1312. When the sliding sleeve 13 is disposed on the front housing 11, the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13 can contact (or even resist) the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12. Moreover, when the sliding sleeve 13 moves along the axis 1101, the locking element 12 can move along the axis of the locking hole 111 along with the flat surface 1311 and the inclined surface 1312 of the protruding structure 131. In practical applications, when the sliding sleeve 13 is disposed on the front housing 11 , the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12 can be located at the intersection of the plane 1311 and the inclined surface 1312 and close to the inclined surface 1312 , so that the locking element 12 and the sliding sleeve 13 can move more easily and smoothly.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rear housing 14 is sleeved and fixed to the second end 11B of the front housing 11. Furthermore, the end of the rear housing 14 connected to the front housing 11 further includes a contact surface 142. When the sliding sleeve 13 and the rear housing 14 are installed on the front housing 11, the sliding sleeve 13 can cover a portion of the end of the rear housing 14 and the contact surface 142. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sliding sleeve 13 further includes a stop structure 133. When the sliding sleeve 13 and the rear housing 14 are installed on the front housing 11, the inner wall of the sliding sleeve 13, the stop structure 133, the outer surface of the front housing 11, and the contact surface 142 of the rear housing 14 form a cavity 138.

[0037] In this embodiment, the sleeve spring 152 is disposed around the front housing 11 and is located in the cavity 138. Furthermore, the two ends of the sleeve spring 152 can contact the stop structure 133 of the sleeve 13 and the contact surface 142 of the rear housing 14, respectively, and the sleeve spring 152 can be a compression spring.

[0038] In this embodiment, the quick connector receptacle 1 may further include a piston rod 16, a piston sleeve 17, and a piston spring 18. The base 161 of the piston rod 16 is disposed within the accommodating space 110 of the front housing 11 and is fixed to the second end 11B of the front housing 11. The piston sleeve 17 is movably disposed within the accommodating space and positioned between the piston head 162 of the piston rod 16 and the inner wall of the front housing 11. The piston spring 18 is disposed between the piston sleeve 17 and the base of the piston rod 16. When the piston sleeve 17 moves toward the rear housing 14, a gap is created between the piston head 162 and the piston sleeve 17.

[0039] like Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the plug 3 includes adjacent protruding guide structures 31 and locking grooves 32, and the positions of the protruding guide structures 31 and the locking grooves 32 correspond to the positions of the locking holes 111 of the front housing 11. In practice, the protruding guide structures 31 may also be trapezoidal, and the shape and size of the protruding guide structures 31 may correspond to the shape and size of the protruding structures 131 of the sliding sleeve 13.

[0040] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the quick connector receptacle 1 includes three locking elements 12, three elastic elements 151, the front housing 11 includes three locking holes 111 and locking grooves 112, and the sliding sleeve 13 includes three protrusions 131. In actual applications, the number of locking elements, elastic elements, locking holes, locking grooves, and protrusions can correspond to each other and can be one, two, or four or more. Furthermore, the arrangement of the locking holes and locking grooves can also be determined based on design or requirements.

[0041] Please also refer to Figure 2 、 Figures 4A to 4C . Figures 4A to 4C The structure cross-section diagram of the quick connector socket 1 and the plug 3 during assembly according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown, and Figures 4A to 4C They are schematic diagrams of different stages of assembly. Figure 4A As shown, when the plug 3 moves along the axis 1101 to connect to the quick connector socket 1, the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 located in the accommodating space 110 will first contact and press against the protruding guide structure 31 of the plug 3. In addition, the inclined surface of the protruding guide structure 31 will drive the locking element 12 to move in a direction away from the accommodating space 110 (i.e., move in the +Z axis direction). When the locking element 12 moves upward, the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12 will simultaneously press against and push the inclined surface 1312 of the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13. At this time, the sliding sleeve 13 will move toward the rear housing 14 (i.e., move in the +X axis direction), and the stop structure 133 of the sliding sleeve 13 will also squeeze the sliding sleeve spring 152. In addition, the plug 3 will also contact and push the piston sleeve 17 of the quick connector socket 1, causing the piston sleeve 17 to move toward the rear housing 14.

[0042] like Figure 4BAs shown, as the plug 3 continues to move, the retaining structure 123 of the locking element 12 continues to push the inclined surface 1312 of the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13, driving the sliding sleeve 13 toward the rear housing 14. Furthermore, when the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 rises to the top of the protruding guide structure 31, the retaining structure 123 of the locking element 12 contacts and abuts the inner wall of the sliding sleeve 13. At this point, the sliding sleeve 13 stops moving, and the sliding sleeve spring 152 is compressed to its maximum extent, generating an elastic restoring force. Furthermore, a gap is created between the piston head 162 and the piston sleeve 17.

[0043] like Figure 4C As shown, when the plug 3 continues to move, the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 will move to the locking groove 32 of the plug 3. Since the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 has no support point, the locking element 12 has no upward lifting force, so that the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12 can no longer resist and push the sliding sleeve 13. At this time, the elastic restoring force of the sliding sleeve spring 152 will push the sliding sleeve 13 in the direction away from the rear housing 14 (i.e., toward the -X axis direction), and the locking element 12 will move downward along the inclined surface 1312 of the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13, so that the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 is engaged in the locking groove 32, thereby achieving the connection and locking of the quick connector socket 1 and the plug 3. Furthermore, the flat surface 1311 of the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13 contacts and abuts the retaining structure 123 of the locking element 12, preventing movement of the locking element 12 and thereby increasing the stability of the locking element 12. Furthermore, the gap between the piston head 162 and the piston sleeve 17 is maximized, allowing liquid in the plug 3 to flow through the gap to the quick connector receptacle 1. It is worth noting that when the quick connector receptacle 1 and plug 3 are connected and locked, the elastic element 151 is squeezed by the retaining structure 123 of the locking element 12, generating an elastic restoring force.

[0044] See also Figure 2 and Figure 5 . Figure 5 The figure shows the cross-sectional view of the quick connector socket 1 and plug 3 when disassembled. Figure 5As shown, when the quick connector socket 1 and plug 3 are disassembled, the user can first push the sliding sleeve 13 toward the rear housing 14 (as indicated by the arrow in the figure), and the flat surface 1311 of the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13 will disengage the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12. Since the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12 has no support point, the elastic restoring force of the elastic element 151 will push the locking element 12 upward, so that the locking portion 122 of the locking element 12 disengages the locking groove 32, thereby achieving the unlocking of the quick connector socket 1 and plug 3. It is worth noting that in actual use, when the user pushes the sliding sleeve 13 to move, the elastic restoring force of the elastic element 151 will also push the locking element 12, so that the limiting structure 123 of the locking element 12 can continue to contact the inclined surface 1312 of the protruding structure 131 and move. Therefore, the locking element 12 will not suddenly bounce up.

[0045] Please also refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6 . Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 The quick connector socket 1 is a cross-sectional view of the structure from another perspective after assembly. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the sliding sleeve 13 includes a positioning groove 135, and the front housing 11 includes a positioning structure 115. The position and shape of the positioning groove 135 can correspond to the position and shape of the positioning structure 115. When the sliding sleeve 13 is mounted on the front housing 11, the positioning structure 115 is located in the positioning groove 135, preventing the sliding sleeve 13 from rotating and ensuring that the protruding structure 131 of the sliding sleeve 13 can correspond to the locking groove 112 and locking hole 111 of the front housing 11. It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the sliding sleeve 13 includes three positioning grooves 135, and the front housing 11 includes three positioning structures 115. Furthermore, the angle between two adjacent positioning grooves 135 and between two adjacent positioning structures 115 is 120 degrees. In addition, the positioning grooves 135 and protruding structures 131 of the sliding sleeve 13 can be staggered, and the positioning structures 115 and locking hole 111 of the housing 11 can be staggered to further prevent the sliding sleeve 13 from rotating. In practical applications, the number of the positioning grooves and positioning structures may be 1, 2, or more than 4, and the arrangement of the locking holes and locking grooves may also be determined according to design or requirements.

[0046] In summary, the quick connector socket of the present invention improves assembly and disassembly between the socket and the plug through a locking mechanism composed of a locking element and an elastic element. When the quick connector socket and plug are disassembled, the elastic restoring force of the elastic element allows the locking element to smoothly and easily disengage from the plug's locking groove. This prevents the locking element from suddenly springing up or becoming stuck during disassembly, thus preventing leakage caused by inaccurate disassembly of the quick connector socket and plug, thereby improving stability and safety. Furthermore, the quick connector socket of the present invention prevents the sleeve from rotating through a positioning groove and positioning structure, ensuring smooth movement between the locking element and the sleeve, thereby improving assembly and disassembly efficiency.

[0047] The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments is intended to more clearly illustrate the features and spirit of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention by the preferred embodiments disclosed above. Rather, the purpose is to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the patent application for the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the patent application for the present invention should be interpreted broadly based on the above description to cover all possible modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A quick connector socket for connecting a plug that matches it, the surface of the plug including a locking groove, characterized in that The quick connector socket includes: A front housing having an accommodating space and comprising a locking hole communicating with the accommodating space; a locking element movably disposed in the locking hole and comprising a locking portion passing through the locking hole and located in the accommodating space; an elastic element disposed between the locking element and the locking hole; and A sliding sleeve is movably arranged around the front housing and includes a protruding structure. The position of the protruding structure corresponds to the position of the locking hole. Therefore, after the quick connector socket and the plug are connected to each other, the protruding structure abuts and drives the locking element to move toward the accommodating space so that the locking element presses the elastic element and the locking portion of the locking element is engaged with the locking groove of the plug.

2. The quick connector socket according to claim 1, wherein: The locking element includes a main body and a limiting structure. The limiting structure and the locking portion are respectively located at two ends of the main body. The size of the limiting structure is larger than that of the main body. The elastic element is sleeved on the main body.

3. The quick connector socket according to claim 1, wherein: The plug includes a protruding guide structure disposed adjacent to the locking groove and corresponding to the locking hole so that when the plug is inserted into the accommodating space of the front housing, the protruding guide structure presses against and drives the locking portion of the locking element to move in a direction away from the accommodating space.

4. The quick connector socket according to claim 1, wherein: It further comprises a rear housing and a sliding sleeve spring. The rear housing is sleeved on one end of the front housing. The sliding sleeve spring is annularly arranged on the front housing and two ends of the sliding sleeve spring contact the rear housing and the sliding sleeve respectively.

5. The quick connector socket according to claim 4, characterized in that: The protruding structure of the sliding sleeve includes a plane and an inclined surface. After the quick connector socket and the plug are connected to each other, the sliding sleeve spring pushes the sliding sleeve with spring force so that the locking element contacts and abuts against the intersection of the plane and the inclined surface.

6. The quick connector socket according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the quick connector socket and the plug are disassembled, the elastic restoring force generated by the compression of the elastic element drives the locking element to move along the inclined surface and in a direction away from the accommodating space so that the locking element is separated from the locking groove.

7. The quick connector socket according to claim 1, wherein: The sliding sleeve includes a positioning groove and the front housing includes a positioning structure, which corresponds to the positioning groove and is located in the positioning groove.

8. The quick connector socket according to claim 7, wherein: The number of the positioning grooves and the positioning structures is 3, and the angle between two adjacent positioning grooves and between two adjacent positioning structures is 120 degrees.

9. The quick connector socket according to claim 1, wherein: The locking element is L-shaped.

10. The quick connector socket according to claim 1, wherein: The locking element is T-shaped.

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