Quick Connector with Verification Function

Abstract

A quick connector coupling for releasably connecting with a male member in a fluid line includes a connector body having a throughbore for receiving a male member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the throughbore of the connector body, a retainer for releasably securing the male member within the connector body, and a verifier including at least one arm extending outside the connector body. Further, the verifier is coupled to the connector body and moves from an unlatched position to a latched position when the male member is securely connected with the connector body. The connector body has at least one verification element, the verification element being at least partially covered by the at least one arm extending from the verifier in the unlatched position. When the verifier moves to the latched position, the verification element on the connector body is uncovered and can be read.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Application No. 17 / 205,301, filed on March 18, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to a quick connector coupling for making a removable connection in a fluid line assembly.

Background Art

[0003] This section merely describes background information related to the present invention and does not constitute prior art.

[0004] Quick connectors are devices well known in the automotive and other fields and are connector assemblies that can conveniently, quickly, and fluid-tightly connect two or more pipes, tubes, or similar components. Quick connectors are commonly used for connecting tubes used in engine cooling circuits or, more recently, in cooling circuits for cooling the batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles. A quick connector assembly includes a male member such as a pipe or tube. The male member is received in the female connector body of the quick connector and held in a sealed state. The quick connector assembly provides a fluid connection between two components or conduits and is used to establish a fluid line between the two components.

[0005] Using a quick connector to fix the male part and the female connector body is advantageous in terms of establishing a sealed and fixed fluid line with minimal time and cost. Such a quick connector assembly is very useful, for example, in the fluid line system of an internal combustion engine of an automobile and in the cooling circuit of an automobile including an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Further, a highly reliable and safe quick connector coupling can also be used in a brake line system, a fuel line system, a cooling water line system, and other conduit systems.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Many conventional quick connectors have many drawbacks associated with locking the connected parts, and as a result, connection failures, pressure reduction, leakage, etc. have been found to occur. To effectively assemble a sealed and fixed fluid line, many mechanisms and methods for quick connectors have been continuously developed and are used in various fluid line systems.

[0007] The present invention relates to a quick connector for fixing a male member to a female connector of a fluid line assembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a quick connector coupling for making a separable connection with the male member of a fluid line includes a connector body having a through-hole for receiving the male member, at least one verification element formed on the connector body, and a verifier having at least one arm extending outside the connector body. The male member has a tubular shape sized to extend within the through-hole of the connector body. The verifier is coupled to the connector body and moves from a latch release position to a latch position when the male member is securely connected to the connector body. Further, at least one verification element of the connector body is at least partially covered by at least one arm extending from the verifier in the latch release position, and when the verifier moves from the latch release position to the latch position, at least one verification element of the connector body is uncovered and becomes readable.

[0009] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the quick connector coupling further includes a retainer for removably fixing the male member to the connector body. The male member has an upset portion and is engaged with the retainer.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the present invention, at least one verification element is attached to the outer surface of the connector body and is disposed between the rear rim and the rearmost rim of the connector body. Further, at least one verification element is a readable code formed as a QR code (registered trademark), bar code, data matrix code or colored code.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the verification machine is formed with a pair of arms. The pair of arms has a coupling upper end portion that extends rearward from a connecting member of the verification machine. Each arm has an extended end portion that extends transversely from the pair of arms along the longitudinal axis of the connector body. Further, the quick connector coupling includes a retainer that fixes the male member to the connector body. The verification machine includes a pair of finger portions that interact with the retainer. The arms of the verification machine are arranged longitudinally spaced apart from the pair of finger portions of the verification machine.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the quick connector coupling includes a retainer that fixes the male member to the connector body. The verification machine is formed as a single unit together with the retainer.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the extended end portion of the verification machine is disposed between the rear rim and the rearmost rim of the connector body and moves along the outer surface of the connector body. Further, in the unlatch position of the verification machine, the verification element is at least partially covered by the extended end portion of the verification machine, and when the verification machine moves from the unlatch position to the latch position, the verification element is no longer completely covered by the movement of the extended end portion.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, when the verification element is read, the verification element generates information regarding the quick connector coupling. For example, the verification element includes readable information related to the quick connector, particularly information related to the manufacturer, part number, type and material of the connector, manufacturing date, and batch number. At least one verification element is provided on the outer surface of the connector body by printing, laser marking, labeling, or engraving.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a quick connector coupling for making a separable connection in a fluid line comprises a connector body having a through-hole for receiving a male member, a retainer for fixing the male member within the connector body, and a verifier coupled to the connector body and movable from a latch release position to a latch position when the male member is securely connected to the connector body. The male member has a tubular shape sized to extend within the through-hole of the connector body. Further, the connector body comprises at least one verification element which becomes readable when the verifier moves from the latch release position to the latch position.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the verifier comprises at least one arm which partially covers the outer surface of the connector body and moves along the outer surface of the connector body when the verifier moves from the latch release position to the latch position.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, at least one verification element provided on the outer surface of the connector body is at least partially covered by the arm of the verifier and is unreadable when the verifier is in the latch release position. Further, at least one verification element provided on the outer surface of the connector body is no longer completely covered by the movement of the arm and becomes readable when the verifier moves to the latch position.

[0018] Further details and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0019] Next, for a better understanding of the present invention, various forms thereof will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 1A

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 3A

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 6A

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14A

Figure 14B

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The drawings described in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention or its application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals are to be understood as indicating like or corresponding parts and features.

[0023] The quick connector coupling of the present invention is illustrated in connection with a fluid line assembly. The quick connector coupling of the present invention is shown as a removable connection between a rigid tube and other fluid conveyance components, particularly flexible hoses. However, the quick connector coupling includes many other applications where a fluid-tight but removable connection is desired, such as connecting rigid elements of a fluid path, regardless of the presence or absence of pressure within an automobile.

[0024] Referring to the drawings in more detail, FIGS. 1 and 1A show a quick connector coupling 10 for forming a separable connection in a fluid line. The quick connector coupling 10 includes a connector body 12 and a male member 14. In FIG. 2, the quick connector coupling 10 is removably fixed together by a retainer 100 (e.g., a main latch, see FIG. 7) and a verifier 200 (e.g., an auxiliary latch, see FIGS. 8 and 9). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the quick connector coupling 10 includes at least one verification element 90 in the form of a code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, a data matrix code, or a single-color or multi-color color code). For example, the QR code (registered trademark) is printed on the outer surface of the connector body 12. The function of the verification element 90 will be described in more detail below. The male member 14 is formed at the end of a hollow tube that forms part of a fluid line system. The connector body 12 and the male member 14 are connected to form a separable joint in the fluid line.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, the male member 14 includes an upset portion 16 that expands radially. The upset portion is formed at a predetermined distance from the open tube end or tip 18. To facilitate insertion of the male member 14 into the connector body 12, the tube end or tip 18 may be rounded or tapered. A smooth, generally cylindrical seal surface 20 defined by the outer surface of the tube extends between the upset portion 16 and the tube end or tip 18. The tube extends beyond the upset portion 16 in a direction away from the tube end and defines a generally smooth cylindrical surface 22. The smooth cylindrical surface 22 has generally the same diameter as the cylindrical seal surface 20. According to another form of the present invention, the male member 14 may have a groove formed on the outer surface of the male member 14 instead of the upset portion. The outer surface of the tube has a groove that is recessed inwardly (not shown), and the groove of the male member is adapted to be held with the retainer and / or verifier inside the connector body.

[0026] Figures 3 to 5 show the female connector body 12 in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector body 12 is defined by the radially inner surface of the wall portion 24. The radially inner surface is substantially cylindrical and has a stepped shape. The connector body 12 includes a body 26 that receives the male member 14 and a cylindrical stem 28 that extends from the body 26 as a single unit. The cylindrical stem 28 has a hose connection end portion 34 and is inclined at 90° so as to be orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X of the body 26. However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical stem 28 having the hose connection end portion 34 may extend linearly (180 degrees, see FIG. 6) from the body 26 along the longitudinal axis X. Further, the connector body in another embodiment of the present invention may be formed without including the stem 28, and the connector body (tube end receiving portion) may be covered by a cap (not shown) having a closed surface instead of the stem.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the connector body 12 may be combined by two different parts such as a retainer body 11 and a tube connection body 13. The tube connection body 13 is detachably coupled to the retainer body 11 by force fitting, fitting, or material joining (for example, welding) as shown in FIG. 6A. Therefore, in the connector body 12 formed by the tube connection body 13 and the retainer body 11, the verification element 90 is disposed on the tube connection body 13. However, in other forms of the present invention, the verification element 90 may be disposed on the retainer body 11. Further, the outer shape of the connector body 12 can be any desired shape without departing from the present invention.

[0028] The connector body 12 having the body 26 and the cylindrical stem 28 is generally formed as a single unit from a plastic material (e.g., polyamide). As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface of the wall portion 24 defines a through hole 30 centered on the longitudinal axis X. The through hole 30 of the connector body 12 completely penetrates the connector body 12 and extends from the male member receiving end 32 to the tube end receiving portion 40 along the longitudinal axis X, and further extends in the transverse direction to the hose connection end 34. In this specification, the term "rearward" is used to generally mean the direction from the male member receiving end 32 to the tube end receiving portion 40 along the longitudinal axis X, and the term "forward" means the opposite direction to the rearward along the longitudinal axis X.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connector body 12 includes a housing portion 36, a seal chamber 38, a tube end receiving portion 40, and a stem 28. The housing portion 36 is adjacent to the male member receiving end 32. The housing portion 36 is defined by a front rim 42 and a rear rim 48. The front rim 42 has a flat front surface 44 that defines an opening 46 to the through hole 30 at the male member receiving end 32. The rear rim 48 is separated from the front rim 42 by a gap or space 50 that opens into the through hole 30. The front rim 42 and the rear rim 48 are both connected by a top support member 52 and a bottom support member 56. Further, a central body support 54 extends from the front surface of the rear rim 48. The lower curved surface of the bottom support member 56 is recessed radially inward from the radially outermost end of the rear rim 48, whereby the bottom support member 56, and the front rim 42 and the rear rim 48 define a pocket 58 for receiving the cross member 104 of the retainer 100.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, for example, the top support member 52 is connected between the front rim 42 and the rear rim 48. The top of the rear rim 48 includes a recess 60 for receiving the inner surface 204 of the verification machine 200. The recess 60 of the rear rim 48 is provided on the top support member 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector body 12 further includes a rearmost rim 84. The rearmost rim 84 extends radially around the connector body 12 and is disposed between the seal chamber 38 and the tube end receiving portion 40. Further, the rear rim 48 and the rearmost rim 84 are connected by a support member 86 that extends axially along the longitudinal axis X. However, according to other forms of the present invention, the connector body 12 may be formed without the rearmost rim 84 (see FIG. 3A). In the example shown in FIG. 3A, at least one verification element 90 is attached to one or both sides of the outer surface of the connector body 12.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector body 12 has at least one verification element 90 in the form of a cord. For example, in the present application, the verification element 90 is formed as a QR code (registered trademark). The QR code is disposed and provided on the outer surface of the connector body 12 between the rear rim 48 and the rearmost rim 84. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the QR code is printed or embedded on both side surfaces of the seal chamber 38 at a readable or visible position. However, the verification element 90 (e.g., QR code) may be attached to other locations on the connector body 12 according to the operation of the quick connector coupling 10. Further, according to other forms of the present invention, the verification element 90 may be attached to other components such as the verification machine 200 or the retainer 100 as a readable or visible position.

[0032] The verification element 90 is a machine-readable code, preferably a machine-readable code such as a QR code and a bar code. For example, this code is read by a reading device such as a scanner and a mobile device (not shown). Thereby, it is verified that the male member 14 is completely inserted into the connector body 12 and the quick connector coupling 10 is properly connected, that is, latched by the retainer 100 and the verification machine 200. Further, the code may include readable information related to the quick connector coupling 10, and this information is read after the connector body 12 and the male member 14 are properly connected.

[0033] In FIG. 5, the seal chamber 38 is formed axially rearward of the housing portion 36. The seal chamber 38 is defined by the reduced-diameter portion of the wall portion 24 with respect to the housing portion 36 within the seal chamber 38. The seal chamber 38 is provided to accommodate a seal element and forms a fluid seal between the connector body 12 and the male member 14. As shown in FIG. 2, two O-ring seals 62, 64 separated by a rigid spacer ring 66 are arranged radially between the seal chamber 38 and the male member 14. The O-ring seals 62, 64 fit snugly within the seal chamber 38 and have a size that fits snugly around the outer periphery of the seal surface 20 of the male member 14. The O-ring seals 62, 64 are fixed to the seal chamber 38 by a hollow spacer sleeve 68. The hollow spacer sleeve 68 has a raised annular portion 70 on the outer periphery of the sleeve 68 to strengthen the fixing of the spacer sleeve 68 within the through hole 30.

[0034] The tube end receiving portion 40 is formed axially rearward of the seal chamber 38. The tube end receiving portion 40 is defined by a reduced-diameter portion of the wall portion 24 that extends axially rearward and has a reduced diameter with respect to the seal chamber 38. The tube end receiving portion 40 has a size for receiving and guiding the seal surface 20 of the male member 14. Further, the stem 28 includes a fluid passage 72 defined by the minimum-diameter portion of the wall portion 24. The fluid passage 72 communicates transversely from the small-diameter portion of the tube end receiving portion 40 to the hose connection end portion 34. The stem 28 is configured to facilitate connection to another component in the fluid line. For example, the connector body 12 is formed to connect to a flexible hose (not shown). As described above, any other suitable connection arrangement may be used to complete the fluid line system.

[0035] Figure 7 shows the retainer 100 of the quick connector coupling 10. Preferably, the retainer 100 is formed of an elastic and flexible material such as plastic. The retainer 100 extends transversely through the bottom slot 74 of the housing portion 36 and is detachably coupled to the connector body 12. The retainer 100 includes a pair of elongated and generally parallel legs 102. The legs 102 extend from the cross member 104 and are joined at one end by the cross member 104. The release protrusion 106 is formed on the radially inner surface of the cross member 104 and extends axially from the rear surface of the leg 102. The cross member 104 has a separation distance substantially equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical seal surface 20 of the male member 102 between the legs. The legs 102 have an axial length substantially equal to but slightly shorter than the axial length of the bottom slot 74 of the housing portion 36. The lateral width of the legs 102 is much narrower than the lateral width of the bottom slot 74 and is widened outwardly of the legs 102 to allow insertion and removal of the male member. Further, the axial length of the cross member 104 is substantially longer than the axial length of the legs 102.

[0036] Each leg portion 102 includes a latch 108 formed at an end spaced from the cross member 104. When the retainer 100 is fully inserted into the connector body 12, the latch 108 locks the retainer 100 in position relative to the connector body 12. The latch 108 engages a locking shoulder 76 defined by the top support member 52 of the connector body 12 to removably lock the retainer 100 in a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 7, each leg portion 102 further includes an inclined surface 110 having a lead region 112. The lead region 112 is formed on the front surface 114 of the leg portion 102. The lead region 112 is inclined radially inward and axially rearward from the front surface 114 of each leg portion 102 and terminates at a substantially intermediate portion between the front surface 114 and the rear surface 116 of each leg portion 102.

[0037] The distance between the lead ends of the pair of lead regions 112 is maximum adjacent to the front surface 114. This distance is approximately equal to the outer diameter or the outer surface of the upset portion 16 formed on the male member 14. At the inner edge portion 118 of the lead region 112, this distance is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the seal surface 20 of the male member 14. The portion of the lead region 112 close to the latch 108 is curved inward to conform to the annular contour of the upset portion 16 of the male member. This shape assists in guiding and centering the male member 14 through the connector body 12.

[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a verification machine 200 having elements disposed within the top slot 78 and the side slot 80. The verification machine 200 is detachably attached to the connector body 12. Also, the verification machine 200 is preferably formed of an elastic and flexible material such as plastic. The verification machine 200 is slidable in a transverse direction relative to the top support member 52 towards and away from the curved bottom support member 56 in the connector body 12, whereby the retainer 100 is slidable in a transverse direction between a radial latch position and a radial latch release position.

[0039] The verification machine 200 includes a connecting member 202 having a radially inner surface 204. A retainer beam 206 extends from the connecting member 202. A pair of finger portions 208 spaced apart in the transverse direction extend downward from the connecting member 202 in the same direction as the retainer beam 206. The finger portions 208 are elastically curved. When attached to the connector body 12, the inner surface 204 substantially overlaps the top slot 78 of the connector body 12, and the retainer beam 206 is slidably disposed within the top slot 78. Each finger portion 208 is disposed in a side slot 80.

[0040] Each finger portion 208 includes a knuckle portion 210. The knuckle portion 210 has a hook portion 212 extending inward in the transverse direction. The hook portion 212 of the finger portion 208 engages with a lock ridge portion 82 defined by the top support member 52 when the verification machine 200 is in the unlatch position, removably fixing the verification machine 200 to the connector body 12. The retainer beam 206 of the verification machine 200 has a widened portion 214 with a wide transverse width and a narrowed portion 216 with a narrow transverse width. The transverse width of the widened portion 214 is slightly narrower than the transverse width of the widened portion of the top slot 78 formed in the top support member 52, and the transverse width of the narrowed portion 216 is slightly narrower than the transverse width of the narrow portion of the top slot 78, enabling the verification machine 200 to move between the latch position and the unlatch position.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, each finger portion 208 of the verification machine 200 further includes an extension beam 218. The extension beam 218 extends from the end of the knuckle portion 210 and terminates at a verification tab 220 formed at the free end or distal end. The rear surface 222 of the verification tab 220 and the extension beam 218 is in the same plane as the rear surface of the knuckle portion 210. However, the front surface 224 of the verification tab 220 and the extension beam 218 is disposed axially rearwardly spaced from the front surface of the knuckle portion 210, and the axial thickness of the extension beam 218 and the verification tab 220 is thinner than the axial thickness of the knuckle portion 210. The difference between the thickness of the extension beam 218 and the verification tab 220 and the thickness of the knuckle portion 210 is at least the same as the thickness or the axial length of the upset portion 16 of the male member 14.

[0042] Each verification tab 220 includes an introduction ramp surface 226 formed on the front surface 224 of the verification tab 220. The introduction ramp surface 226 is inclined radially inwardly and axially rearwardly from the front surface 224 of each verification tab 220. The shape and spacing of the introduction ramp surface 226 match the annular contour of the upset portion 16 of the male member 14, and when the male member 14 is inserted into the connector body 12 when the verification machine 200 is in the latch release position, the upset portion 16 contacts the introduction ramp surface 226. The spacing between the opposing verification tabs 220 is greater than the spacing required for the cylindrical seal surface 20 to be inserted into the connector body 12 without contacting the verification tabs 220 when the verification machine 200 is in the latch release position. In the assembled configuration, the verification tab 220 is shaped and sized to engage the central body support 54 of the connector body 12, whereby the verification machine 200 moves from the latch release position to the latch position.

[0043] The verification device 200 further includes at least one arm 228 extending outside the connector body 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the verification device 200 further includes a pair of arms 228 extending downward from the connecting member 202 in the same direction as the pair of finger portions 208. The pair of arms 228 and the pair of finger portions 208 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal axis X of the connector body 12. Thereby, when the verification device 200 is first assembled to the connector body 12, the space 234 between the pair of finger portions 208 and the pair of arms 228 is configured to receive the rear rim 48 of the connector body 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 1A). As shown in FIG. 9, the pair of arms 228 has a coupling upper end portion 230 extending rearward from the connecting member 202 of the verification device 200. Thereby, the pair of finger portions 208 of the verification device 200 is coupled inside the connector body 12, and the pair of arms 228 of the verification device 200 is disposed outside the connector body 12. In particular, when the verification device 200 is attached to the connector body 12, the pair of arms 228 is disposed radially (or circumferentially) outside the cylindrical seal chamber 38 of the connector body 12.

[0044] Further, in FIGS. 1 and 1A, each arm 228 has an extended end portion 232. The extended end portion 232 extends rearward along the longitudinal axis X of the connector body 12 and is disposed between the rear rim 48 and the rearmost rim 84 of the connector body 12. The extended end portion 232 is disposed radially within the range of the rims 48 and 84, and both rims assist in the guiding movement of the arm 228. The arm 228 and the extended end portion 232 may have a portion that extends radially beyond the rims 48, 84. The extended end portion 232 is large enough to cover a verification element 90 provided on the connector body 12 at the latch release position of the verifier 200. When the verifier 200 is in the latch release position, the extended end portion 232 of the verifier 200 covers the verification element 90 provided on the outer surface 88 of the connector body 12, making the verification element 90 unreadable or undetectable. When the verifier 200 moves from the latch release position to the latch position, the extended end portion 232 of the verifier 200 moves downward in a transverse direction (or along the outer surface of the connector body), ceasing to cover the verification element 90, and allowing the verification element 90 to be read by a scanner or a mobile device (not shown). Further, when the verifier 200 is moved transversely back to the latch release position from the latch position, the verification element 90 is covered again and becomes unreadable.

[0045] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show the connector body 12 with the retainer 100 and the verifier 200 attached in the latch release position of the verifier 200. The legs 102 of the retainer 100 are inserted into the bottom slots 74 in the housing portion 36, and the cross member 104 is disposed in the pocket 58 of the housing portion 36. When the legs 102 are inserted into the housing portion 36, the legs 102 spring inward, causing the latch 108 to engage with the locking shoulder 76 of the top support member 52, fixing the retainer 100 to the connector body 12. Further, when the retainer 100 is fixed to the connector body 12, the lead region 112 of the legs 102 faces the male member receiving end 32.

[0046] The coupling is completed by positioning the verification mechanism 200 from the unlatch position to the latch position. In the unlatch position, the verification mechanism 200 is prevented from moving axially and radially with respect to the connector body 12. The abutting relationship between the front and rear surfaces of the knuckle portion 210 and the front rim 42 and the rear rim 48 prevents the axial movement of the verification mechanism 200 within the housing portion 36. The engagement between the hook portion 212 of the finger portion 208 and the lock ridge portion 82 of the top support member 52 prevents the verification mechanism 200 from moving radially inward or upward in the transverse direction. Further, the abutting relationship between the verification tab 220 and the central body support 54 prevents the verification mechanism 200 from moving radially outward or downward in the transverse direction. In this state, the verification mechanism 200 cannot move from the unlatch position, and the verification element 90 of the connector body 12 is covered by the extended end portion 232 of the verification mechanism 200, so the verification element 90 cannot be read or detected.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, then, with the retainer 100 and the verification mechanism 200 properly attached to the connector body 12 in the unlatch position, the male member 14 is inserted into the connector body 12. The cylindrical seal surface 20 of the male member 14 passes between the legs 102 and enters the seal chamber 38. When the upset portion 16 of the male member 14 contacts the legs 102, the lead region 112 of the legs 102 allows the upset portion 16 to pass between the legs 102 by applying a sufficient axially inward force. When the upset portion 16 passes between the legs 102, the upset portion 16 moves along the lead region 112 and the legs 102 flex radially outward. When the upset portion 16 has finished passing through the legs 102, the legs 102 spring back to the lock position behind the upset portion 16. The rear surface 116 of the legs 102 abuts against the upset portion 16 to prevent the male member from inadvertently disengaging from the connector body 12. Further, by pushing the cross member 104 of the attached retainer 100 inward, the male member 14 is removed from the connector body 12.

[0048] When the leg portion 102 of the retainer 100 is in the locked position, the upset portion 16 deflects the finger portion 208 of the verifier 200 laterally outward within the side slot 80. Since the verification tab 220 is located laterally above the axis X of the through hole 30 and similarly laterally above the axis X of the male member 14, when the male member 14 is inserted rearward into the connector body 12, the upper half (upper semi-circular portion) of the upset portion 16 contacts the introduction ramp surface 226 of the finger portion 208. The contact between the upper half of the upset portion 16 and the finger portion 208 not only applies a rearward force to the finger portion 208 but also an upward force to the finger portion 208, pushing the verifier 200 radially outward in the lateral direction or above the axis X of the male member 14. As a result, the verification tab 220 can pass through the central body support 54, and the finger portion 208 expands radially or laterally outward without being obstructed.

[0049] As described above, the finger portion 208 of the verifier 200 expands laterally outward only after the upset portion 16 of the male member 14 has completely passed through the leg portion 102 of the retainer 100 (i.e., when the male member 14 is completely inserted into the connector body 12 and the leg portion 102 of the retainer 100 is in the locked position). When the male member 14 is completely inserted into the connector body 12, the quick connector coupling 10 is completed by positioning the verifier 200 in the latch position with a lateral downward or radially inward force (toward the connector body 12) on the connecting member 202. In the latch position, the rear surface of the retainer beam 206 is in axial contact with the upset portion 16 of the male member 14. The axial contact relationship between the retainer beam 206 and the upset portion 16 provides a verification function for the verifier 200 to hold the male member 14 in the connector body 12 in case the retainer 100 fails to lock the male member 14. Also, the radially inner surface of the retainer beam 206 is in contact with the outer surface of the male member 14. Due to the performance of the verifier 200 moving radially inward to the latch position, the user can visually verify that the male member 14 is properly inserted into the connector body 12.

[0050] In addition to providing the visual verification as described above, the verification machine 200 of the present invention can also cause a reading device such as a scanner or a mobile device to read or detect the connector coupling state in which the male member 14 is correctly inserted into and correctly connected to the connector body 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the quick connector coupling 10 of the present invention includes a verification element 90 such as a QR code or a bar code. The verification element 90 becomes readable and / or detectable when the verification machine 200 is in the latch position, while it becomes unreadable and / or undetectable when the verification machine 200 is in the latch release position. In the latch release position of the verification machine 200 (see FIG. 1A), the verification element 90 provided on the outer surface 88 of the connector body 12 is partially or completely covered by the extended end portion 232 of the verification machine 200, so that the verification element 90 is blocked by the extended end portion 232 and becomes unreadable or undetectable and cannot be read by the reading device. When the male member 14 is inserted into the connector body 12 and the verification machine 200 descends from the latch release position to the latch position (see FIG. 1), the extended end portion 232 moves downward along the outer surface of the connector body, that is, in a direction (transverse direction) crossing the longitudinal axis X of the connector body 12, and the verification element 90 is no longer covered by the extended end portion 232, so that it becomes readable or detectable and can be read by the reading device. The verification element 90 that is readable or detectable in the present invention clearly indicates that the male member 14 is properly inserted into the connector body 12.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 shows a verification machine 300 formed as a single unit together with a retainer 302. The retainer 302 and the verification machine 300 are integral parts or are connected by force fitting or insertion fitting. The connector body 312 includes at least one verification element 90 disposed on the outer surface of the connector body 312. As shown in FIG. 13, the connector body 312 has generally the same features as the connector body 12 of FIGS. 1 and 1A, except for a housing portion 336 that receives the verification machine 300 combined with the retainer 302. The retainer 302 includes two retainer legs 301, and the verification machine 300 includes a pair of lock fingers 303. The two retainer legs 301 and the pair of lock fingers 303 are attached to a crossbar 306 formed on the verification machine 300. Further, the verification machine 300 includes at least one arm 328. The arm 328 extends outside the connector body 312 and has an extended end 332, and covers the verification element 90 when the verification machine 300 is in the unlatch position (see FIG. 14A). As shown in FIG. 14B, when the verification machine 300 moves from the unlatch position to the latch position, the verification element 90 is no longer covered, as described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 1A, so that the verification element 90 can be read.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the housing portion 336 of the connector body 312 is formed to receive the verification machine 300 and to fix the connection of the male member 14 inserted into the connector body 312. The connector body 312 having the verification machine 300 combined with the retainer 302 can be used in a TI Easy Lock connector in U.S. Patent No. 9,677,699B2, filed on October 23, 2014, and having the invention name "Coupler" (incorporated herein by reference).

[0053] In the present invention, the terms "readable" or "detectable" particularly mean that a code can be completely and accurately read by a reader. For example, at the unlatching position of the verifier 200 (FIG. 1A), the code (verification element 90) cannot be completely read. This is because the code is completely or partially covered by the extended end portion 232 of the verifier 200. Therefore, the verification element 90 of the connector body 12 is neither readable nor detectable. When the male member 14 is properly inserted into the connector body 12, the verifier 200 can be lowered to the latched position, and the code is no longer completely covered. Thus, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the code becomes readable and can be completely read by the reader.

[0054] According to the present invention, the verification element 90 is provided on the connector body 12 by at least one of methods such as printing, laser marking, labeling, and engraving. Further, the verification element 90 includes readable information related to the quick connector, particularly information related to the manufacturer, part number, type, material, manufacturing date, and batch number of the connector. Such information is beneficial in the process of assembling and maintaining the connector. The verification element 90 of the present invention combines the verification of correct connection and the connector-specific information of the quick connector.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a clear indication of the correct connection of the quick connector coupling 10 or verification of the correct connection of the quick connector coupling 10 is achieved by the simple means described above. Therefore, the quick connector coupling 10 provided with the verification element 90 of the present invention can be achieved at a low manufacturing cost. Further, due to the simple yet highly reliable and functional process of verifying or indicating the correct connection of the quick connector coupling 10, errors in the connection of the quick connector are less likely to occur, so that errors during connection can be substantially eliminated.

[0056] The foregoing description of various forms of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described forms provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and an explanation of its practical application, thereby enabling one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various forms suitable for the particular intended purpose, with various modifications. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when they are construed in accordance with the scope to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A quick connector coupling for making a separable connection with a male member of a fluid line, a connector body having a through-hole for receiving the male member, at least one verification element formed on the connector body, a verification mechanism having at least one arm extending outside the connector body, comprising: the male member has a tubular shape sized to extend into the through-hole of the connector body, the verification mechanism is coupled to the connector body and moves from a latch release position to a latch position when the male member is securely connected to the connector body, the at least one verification element of the connector body is at least partially covered by the at least one arm extending from the verification mechanism in the latch release position, when the verification mechanism moves from the latch release position to the latch position, the verification element of the connector body is no longer covered and becomes readable, the verification mechanism is formed by a pair of arms having a coupling upper end extending rearward from a connection member of the verification mechanism, each of the pair of arms has an extension end extending transversely from the pair of arms along the longitudinal axis of the connector body. A quick connector coupling characterized by this.

2. The at least one verification element is attached to an outer surface of the connector body. The quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The at least one verification element is disposed between a rear rim and a rearmost rim of the connector body. The quick connector coupling according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. At least one of the verification elements is a readable code formed as a QR code, bar code, data matrix code or color code. The quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized by this.

5. The connector body further comprises a retainer for fixing the male member, the verification mechanism is formed as a single unit with the retainer. The quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized by this.

6. The connector body further comprises a retainer for fixing the male member, the verification mechanism comprises a pair of finger portions that interact with the retainer. The quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized by this.

7. The arm of the verification device is longitudinally spaced from the pair of finger portions of the verification device, the quick connector coupling according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The extension end portion of the verification device is disposed between the rear rim and the rearmost rim of the connector body and moves along the outer surface of the connector body, the quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. At the latch release position of the verification device, the verification element is at least partially covered by the extension end portion of the verification device, When the verification device moves from the latch release position to the latch position, the verification element is no longer completely covered by the movement of the extension end portion, the quick connector coupling according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The verification element generates information regarding the quick connector coupling when the verification element is read, the quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. The at least one verification element is attached to the outer surface of the connector body by printing, laser marking, labeling or engraving, the quick connector coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. A quick connector coupling for making a separable connection with a male member of a fluid line, A connector body having a through hole for receiving the male member, A retainer for fixing the male member to the connector body, the retainer moving in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of the through hole, A verification device coupled to the connector body and moving in a transverse direction with respect to the axis of the through hole from a latch release position to a latch position, Comprising, The male member has a tubular shape sized to extend into the through hole of the connector body, The connector body has at least one verification element, The at least one verification element of the connector body becomes readable when the verification device moves from the latch release position to the latch position, the quick connector coupling characterized in that.

13. The verification device that partially covers the outer surface of the connector body includes at least one arm, The at least one arm moves along the outer surface of the connector body when the verification mechanism moves from the latch release position to the latch position. The quick connector coupling according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The at least one verification element provided on the outer surface of the connector body is at least partially covered by the arm of the verification mechanism and becomes unreadable when the verification mechanism is in the latch release position. The quick connector coupling according to claim 13, characterized in that.

15. The at least one verification element provided on the outer surface of the connector body becomes completely uncovered by the movement of the arm and becomes readable when the verification mechanism moves to the latch position. The quick connector coupling according to claim 13, characterized in that.

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