Fluid line quick connector with angled spacer surface

Abstract

Connector seal pack spacers and assemblies are used for fluid line quick connectors, for example, in automotive applications. The spacers are placed next to the O-rings during installation within the fluid line quick connector. The spacers are designed and configured with angled surfaces that function to maintain the intended position of the O-rings within the fluid line quick connectors upon insertion of the spigot into the fluid line quick connector. Thus, undesired misalignment and dislodgement of the O-rings are minimized, and in some cases eliminated entirely.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to quick connectors used to join fluid lines together, and more particularly to connector seal pack assemblies and spacers used in quick connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Connectors, particularly those with quick-connect features, are commonly used to join fluid lines together in vehicle applications. One example is coolant fluid lines in electric vehicles. Other examples exist in automotive and non-automotive applications. A seal pack assembly, including a spacer and an O-ring, is often located somewhere inside the quick connector. The seal pack assembly helps prevent fluid leakage at the established interface between the quick connector and a receptacle inserted into the quick connector. It is important to maintain the O-ring in its intended position to ensure proper insertion and effective sealing of the receptacle during subsequent use. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] In one embodiment, the connector seal pack assembly may include one or more O-rings and a spacer. The spacer may be positioned next to the O-ring during assembly and installation. The spacer has a radially inner surface, a first axially outer surface, a second axially outer surface, and an angled surface. The first axially outer surface extends from the radially inner surface, and the second axially outer surface extends from the radially inner surface. The angled surface extends from the first axially outer surface or the second axially outer surface. In a cross-sectional profile, the angled surface depends from the first axially outer surface or the second axially outer surface at an acute angle relative to the axial centerline of the spacer. An acute angle is a non-zero angle relative to the axial centerline of the spacer, and an acute angle is non-perpendicular to the axial centerline of the spacer.

[0004] In one embodiment, the connector seal pack spacer can include a radially inner surface, a first axially outer surface, a second axially outer surface, a first angled surface, a second angled surface, and a radially outer surface. The first axially outer surface diverges from the radially inner surface. The second axially outer surface diverges from the radially inner surface. The first angled surface diverges from the first axially outer surface, and the second angled surface diverges from the second axially outer surface. Finally, the radially outer surface diverges between the first angled surface and the second angled surface.

[0005] In one embodiment, a fluid line quick connector may include a housing, one or more O-rings, and a spacer. The housing has a passage and a wall. The wall has an inner surface defining the passage. The O-ring is disposed within the passage. The spacer is disposed within the passage proximate to the O-ring. The spacer has a first angled surface that forms a first acute angle. The first acute angle is relative to an axial centerline of the spacer. The spacer has a second angled surface that forms a second acute angle. The second acute angle is relative to the axial centerline of the spacer. The spacer has a radially outer surface extending between the first angled surface and the second angled surface. The spacer has a first edge adjacent the first angled surface and the radially outer surface, and a second edge adjacent the second angled surface and the radially outer surface. The first and second acute angles are non-zero angles relative to the axial centerline of the spacer, and the first and second acute angles are non-perpendicular to the axial centerline of the spacer. When the spigot is inserted into the passage in the fluid line quick connector, the first edge contacts the inner surface, the second edge contacts the inner surface, and the spacer biases the O-ring toward the inner surface.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventionally known seal pack. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an O-ring of a conventionally known seal pack, illustrating its contact points and force components. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a fluid line quick connector showing some of its components in assembly. [Figure 4] 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a spacer and an O-ring that can be used with the fluid line quick connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows one of the O-rings of FIG. 4, illustrating its contact points and force components. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a spacer that can be used with the fluid line quick connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a spacer that can be used with the fluid line quick connector of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a table of test results for tests performed on a spacer similar to that shown in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a spacer 10 for use with a fluid line quick connector (hereafter referred to as a quick connector) 12 is shown. Unlike known spacer components, the spacer 10 is designed and configured to have one or more angled surfaces on its exterior region. The angled surfaces function to modify the behavior of the spacer 10 upon insertion of a spigot into the quick connector 12, specifically relocating the contact points between the spacer 10 and an adjacent O-ring and changing the direction of the force components therebetween. The O-ring is biased outward and toward the interior surface of the quick connector 12. Thus, the intended position of the O-ring inside the quick connector 12 is maintained even during insertion of the spigot and when the spigot and quick connector 12 are misaligned during insertion. Unwanted misalignment and dislodgement of the O-ring are minimized and, in some cases, eliminated entirely. Although this description presents the spacer 10 and quick connector 12 in the context of automotive fluid lines, such as coolant fluid lines in electric vehicles, the spacer 10 and quick connector 12 have broader applications and are suitable for use in aircraft, marine, agricultural, and other fluid lines. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms radial, axial, and circumferential, and grammatical variations thereof, refer to directions relative to the generally circular shape of the spacer 10 as shown in the figures.

[0009] The quick connector 12 has quick-connect features for easy connection and disconnection with a receptacle 14 (FIG. 4). The quick connector 12 can have various designs and configurations in different embodiments, depending on the larger application to which it is to be installed, the design and construction of the receptacle 14, and the intended attributes of the connection and fitting to be established, among other potential influences. For example, the quick connector 12 shown in FIG. 3 has an in-line configuration, while other embodiments can have elbow and L-shaped configurations. Referring to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the quick connector 12 includes a body or housing 16, a first or primary O-ring 18, a second or secondary O-ring 20, a retainer 22, and a spacer 10. Additionally, other embodiments can include more, fewer, and / or different components than those described herein. The housing 16 can be constructed from a plastic material. A main passageway 24 extends through the housing 16 between a first axially open end 26 and a second axially open end 28. The wall 30 of the housing 16 has an inner surface 32 that defines the main passageway 24. The main passageway 24 of the presented embodiment has multiple steps 34 along its axial extent to establish various sections along which the spacer 10 and the first and second O-rings 18, 20 reside in an O-ring section 36 of the main passageway 24.

[0010] Continuing with reference to FIG. 3 , the first O-ring 18 establishes a seal against the surface-to-surface interface with the receptacle 14 and the inner surface 32 upon insertion. The first O-ring 18 is seated and disposed within the main passage 24 at O-ring area 36. On one axial side, the first O-ring 18 can abut directly against one of the steps 34. On the opposite axial side, the first O-ring 18 is directly opposed to the spacer 10. The first O-ring 18 is also referred to as the bottom O-ring in this embodiment due to its position relative to the direction of insertion of the receptacle 14, which occurs through the second axial open end 28 (the direction of insertion is represented by arrow A in FIG. 4 ). Similarly, the second O-ring 20 establishes a seal against the surface-to-surface interface with the receptacle 14 and the inner surface 32 upon insertion. The second O-ring 20 is seated and disposed within the main passage 24 at O-ring area 36. On one axial side, the second O-ring 20 directly faces the retainer 22, and on the opposite axial side, the second O-ring 20 directly faces the spacer 10. The first and second O-rings 18, 20 are disposed on either side of the spacer 10, axially sandwiching the spacer 10. The spacer 10 is disposed beside the first and second O-rings 18, 20 during assembly. The first and second O-rings 18, 20, together with the spacer 10, constitute a seal pack assembly 38 that facilitates insertion and mating of the spigot 14 and serves to establish a fluid-leakage seal between the quick connector 12 and the spigot 14. Furthermore, the retainer 22 serves to mechanically secure the spigot 14 in place when the spigot 14 is fully inserted into the quick connector 12. In this regard, the spigot 14 may have a radially protruding flange around its outer periphery that interacts with the retainer 22.

[0011] In conventional seal packs, spacer components are known to cause adjacent O-rings to become misaligned and dislodged during insertion of the spigot into an associated quick connector. When this occurs, proper insertion of the spigot into the quick connector is prevented, and the quick connector may be discarded as ineffective at the manufacturing or assembly facility. While not intending to be limited to a specific causative phenomenon, this problem has been determined to be due, in part, to the shape of the spacer component in its cross-sectional profile and the force components exerted by the spacer component on the O-ring. Figures 1 and 2 are provided to demonstrate this problem. The spacer component 200 has a square cross section. The spacer component 200 is sandwiched axially between a pair of seals 202 and 204, with a clearance 206 between the spacer component 200 and the seals 202 and 204 (clearance 206 is shown somewhat exaggerated in Figure 1 for illustrative purposes). The clearance 206 provides some movement of the spacer component 200 relative to the seals 202 and 204. Thus, spacer portion 200 can slide along inner surface 208 of the associated quick connector housing and rotate slightly about its axis B. When receptacle 14 is inserted into the quick connector, it impacts spacer portion 200, facilitating the sliding and rotational movement of spacer portion 200. Spacer portion 200 then impacts seal 202, located downstream in receptacle insertion direction A and downstream of spacer portion 200. FIG. 1 demonstrates this movement and impact. With particular reference to FIG. 2, lower corner portion 210 of spacer portion 200 impacts seal 202 near contact point 212, generating force component 214 of resultant force 216. Force component 214 acts to push seal 202 in direction C away from inner surface 208. As a result, seal 202 becomes misaligned inside main passageway 218 of the housing and falls out. The dashed cross-section of seal 202 in FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the misalignment and fallout.

[0012] The spacer 10 is designed and constructed to address these shortcomings. The first O-ring 18 maintains the spigot 14 in its intended position when inserted into the quick connector 12, preventing undesired misalignment and dislodgment problems. The exact design and construction of the spacer 10 may vary in different embodiments depending, among other possible factors, on the larger application for which it is used. Generally, the spacer 10 has a unitary annular body and is typically constructed from a nylon material. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7, the spacer 10 has a total of six distinct outer surfaces that make up the entire periphery of the spacer 10. Of the six outer surfaces, the spacer 10 has a total of six edges that transition between adjacent outer surfaces. The numerous outer surfaces and edges establish an overall shape for the spacer 10 that is distinct from previously known spacer components. With particular reference to the cross-sectional profile of FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the spacer 10 has a rectangular base portion 40 at the spacer's radially inner region and a trapezoidal working portion 42 at the spacer's radially outer region. The trapezoidal working portion 42 constitutes the portion of the spacer body that physically interacts and engages the inner surface 32 and the first O-ring 18. For illustrative purposes, the following directional arrows are shown in FIG. 7: radially inward D, radially outward E, first axially outward F, and second axially outward G.

[0013] In this embodiment, the outer surface of the spacer 10 includes a radially inner surface 44, a first axially outer surface 46, a second axially outer surface 48, a first angled surface 50, a second angled surface 52, and a radially outer surface 54. These surfaces are shown in cross-sectional profile in FIG. 7. The radially inner surface 44 is generally flat throughout its extent and disposed generally parallel to the axial centerline H of the spacer 10. The radially inner surface 44 extends in the axial direction. A first edge 56 defines a first terminus of the radially inner surface 44, and a second edge 58 defines a second terminus of the radially inner surface 44. The radially inner surface 44 defines the radially innermost surface of the spacer 10 in the radially inner direction D. Meanwhile, the first axially outer surface 46 extends from the radially inner surface 44 and depends therefrom in an orthogonal direction at a right angle established between the two surfaces. The first edge 56 is located adjacent to the radially inner surface 44 and the first axially outer surface 46. The first axially outer surface 46 is generally flat throughout its extent and disposed generally perpendicular to the axial centerline H. The first axially outer surface 46 extends in a radial direction. The first edge 56 constitutes a first terminal end of the first axially outer surface 46, and the third edge 60 constitutes a second terminal end of the first axially outer surface 46. As shown in FIG. 6, the third edge 60 may have a somewhat rounded extent, or may be more sharply defined, as shown in FIG. 7. The first axially outer surface 46 constitutes the axially outermost surface of the spacer 10 in the first axially outer direction F.

[0014] The second axially outer surface 48 has similarities to the first axially outer surface 46. It extends from the radially inner surface 44 and depends orthogonally therefrom at a right angle established between the two surfaces. The first and second axially outer surfaces 46, 48 are parallel to one another and generally equidistant. A second edge 58 is located adjacent to the radially inner surface 44 and the second axially outer surface 48. The second axially outer surface 48 is generally flat throughout its extent and disposed generally perpendicular to the axial centerline H. The second axially outer surface 48 extends radially. The second edge 58 constitutes a first terminus of the second axially outer surface 48, and a fourth edge 62 constitutes a second terminus of the second axially outer surface 48. Like the third edge 60, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the fourth edge 62 can have a somewhat rounded extent or can be more sharply defined, as shown in FIG. 7. The second axially outer surface 48 constitutes the axially outermost surface of the spacer 10 in the second axially outer direction G.

[0015] The first angled surface 50 diverges from the first axially outer surface 46. The first angled surface 50 depends from the first axially outer surface 46 at an acute angle φ relative to the axial centerline H. The acute angle φ has a value that is non-zero and non-perpendicular (i.e., not ninety degrees (90°)) relative to the axial centerline H. The exact value of the acute angle φ can vary in different embodiments. In certain embodiments, the acute angle φ can be approximately forty-five degrees (45°), approximately sixty degrees (60°), or a value in the range of approximately 45° to 60°. A third edge 60 is located adjacent the first axially outer surface 46 and the first angled surface 50. The first angled surface 50 can be substantially predominantly planar throughout its extent, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The first angled surface 50 extends at an angle relative to both the axial and radial directions. The third edge 60 defines a first end of the first angled surface 50, and the fifth edge 64 defines a second end of the first angled surface 50. The fifth edge 64 is disposed axially inward in the second axially outer direction G relative to the first axially outer surface 46 and the third edge 60. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the fifth edge 64 can have a somewhat rounded extent, or can be more sharply defined as shown in FIG. 7.

[0016] 7 , for previously known spacer portions, the first angled surface 50 establishes a gap 66 in the outer region of the spacer that would otherwise be occupied by spacer structure in previously known spacer portion 200. However, in the embodiment of spacer 10, the gap 66 remains empty and does not include spacer structure. And, as explained below, it is the removal and absence of structure at the gap location that is believed to change the behavior of spacer 10 during insertion of receptacle 14 in a desired manner that maintains proper positioning of first O-ring 18.

[0017] The second angled surface 52 diverges from the second axially outer surface 48. The second angled surface 52 depends from the second axially outer surface 48 at an acute angle α relative to the axial centerline H. The acute angle α has a value that is non-zero and non-perpendicular (i.e., not ninety degrees (90°)) relative to the axial centerline H. The exact value of the acute angle α can vary in different embodiments. In certain embodiments, the acute angle α can be approximately forty-five degrees (45°), approximately sixty degrees (60°), or a value in the range of approximately 45° to 60°. Also, in certain embodiments, the acute angle α can be approximately equal to the acute angle φ. A fourth edge 62 is located adjacent the second axially outer surface 48 and the second angled surface 52. The second angled surface 52 can be approximately predominantly planar throughout its extent, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The second angled surface 52 extends at an angle relative to both the axial and radial directions. The fourth edge 62 defines a first end of the second angled surface 52, and the sixth edge 68 defines a second end of the second angled surface 52. The sixth edge 68 is disposed axially inward in the first axially outward direction F relative to the second axially outward surface 48 and the fourth edge 62. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the sixth edge 68 can have a somewhat rounded extent, or can be more sharply defined as shown in FIG. 7.

[0018] 7 , for previously known spacer portions, the second angled surface 52 establishes a gap 70 in the outer region of the spacer that would otherwise be occupied by the spacer structure in previously known spacer portion 200. However, in the embodiment of spacer 10, the gap 70 remains empty and does not include any spacer structure. And, as explained below, it is the removal and absence of structure at the gap location that is believed to change the behavior of spacer 10 during insertion of spigot 14 in a desired manner that maintains proper positioning of first O-ring 18.

[0019] The radially outer surface 54 extends between the first and second angled surfaces 50, 52. The radially outer surface 54 is parallel to the radially inner surface 44. A fifth edge 64 is located adjacent to the radially outer surface 54 and the first angled surface 50. Similarly, a sixth edge 68 is located adjacent to the radially outer surface 54 and the second angled surface 52. The radially outer surface 54 may be generally flat throughout its extent, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, or may have a slight, gentle arc over some or more of its extent, as shown in FIG. 6. The radially outer surface 54 is disposed generally parallel to the axial centerline H. The radially outer surface 54 extends in the axial direction. The fifth edge 64 defines a first end of the radially outer surface 54, and the sixth edge 68 defines a second end of the radially outer surface 54. Finally, the radially outer surface 54 constitutes the radially outermost surface of the spacer 10 in the radially outward direction E.

[0020] When used in a seal pack assembly 38, the spacer 10 helps maintain the intended proper position of the first O-ring 18 when the spigot 14 is inserted into the quick connector 12. FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided to demonstrate its use. A slight clearance 72 exists between the spacer 10 and the first and second O-rings 18, 20, allowing some movement of the spacer 10 relative to the O-rings 18, 20. When the spigot 14 is inserted into the quick connector 12, the spigot 14 impacts the spacer 10, causing it to slide slightly along the inner surface 32 and rotate slightly about its axis. The spacer 10 then impacts the first O-ring 18. FIG. 4 shows the components of the seal pack assembly 38 after insertion of the spigot 14. The fifth edge 64 can make edge-to-face contact with the inner surface 32 over a portion of the extent of the fifth edge. Thus, a first contact point 74 is established therebetween. Similarly, the sixth edge 68 can make edge-to-face contact with the inner surface 32 over a portion of the sixth edge's extent, thus establishing a second contact point 76 therebetween. At the interface and interaction between the spacer 10 and the first O-ring 18, with particular reference to FIG. 5 , the spacer 10 can directly impinge on the first O-ring 18. The third edge 60 can make edge-to-face contact with the first O-ring 18, thus establishing a third contact point 78 therebetween. Compared to the contact point 212 of the conventional spacer portion 200, the third contact point 78 is located at a position radially inward of the first O-ring 18 itself (radial is used here in reference to the annular shape of the first O-ring). In other words, the spacer 10 abuts the first O-ring 18 at a point closer to the inner periphery I than the outer periphery J of the first O-ring 18. The third contactPoint 78 is relocated relative to that of conventional spacer portion 200. It is believed that, at least in part due to this relocation, force component 80 of resultant force 82 exerted on first O-ring 18 has changed direction. Force component 80 resulting from use of spacer 10 is now in general direction K, which is outside main passageway 24 and toward inner surface 32. Thus, spacer 10 and force component 80 act to bias and press first O-ring 18 toward inner surface 32.

[0021] Further testing was conducted to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the spacer 10 with respect to its effect on the positioning of the first O-ring 18. The test procedure was performed on quick connectors having a seal pack assembly similar to the seal pack assembly 38 of FIG. 3 and a spacer with the angled surfaces described above. The relevant acute angles in the angled surfaces were approximately 45° and 60°. The relevant quick connectors had a main passage diameter of 3 / 8 inch (3 / 8'') and an in-line configuration. The test procedure is intended to replicate the assembly and installation of quick connectors with receptacles performed at manufacturing and assembly facilities, which is performed manually by an assembler. Here, the axes of the quick connector and receptacle may be misaligned; in other words, the quick connector and receptacle may be at an off-axis angle relative to each other, and the receptacle is not aligned with the central axis of the connector's main passage. The receptacle was fixed in place on a test bench, and the quick connector was brought into the receptacle and manually inserted. The axes of the quick connector and receptacle were misaligned 30° and 10° relative to each other. The misalignment was set in four directions: rightward (east, E), leftward (west, W), upward (north, N), and downward (south, S). After each insertion, the quick connector was removed from the receptacle, and the position of the O-ring was visually observed by the tester. If it was observed to have moved out of position and blocked the connector's main passage, such a condition constituted a failure. On the other hand, the quick connector passed the test if the O-ring remained in its intended position during the test procedure.

[0022] FIG. 8 shows a pair of tables of test results for such a test procedure. Shaded boxes indicate quick connectors that passed the test. The upper table in FIG. 8 relates to quick connectors with spacers having angled surfaces and 60° acute angles ("60° angle spacers"). There were a total of 10 quick connector specimens subjected to the test procedure ("Pc1, Pc2, Pc3...Pc10"). The tested quick connectors were inserted at 30° and 10° misalignment angles and four misalignment directions ("E, W, N, S") in the fixed receptacle. Each insertion was performed five times for a particular misalignment direction ("E: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...W: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10"). Similarly, the lower table in FIG. 8 relates to quick connectors with angled surfaces and spacers having 45° acute angles ("45° angle spacers"). All tested quick connectors and spacers passed these test procedures.

[0023] Additionally, the spacer 10 may have other designs and configurations not specifically shown in the figures. To give a few examples, the spacer 10 may have a single angled surface, and / or the radially inner surface 44 itself may include multiple surfaces.

[0024] It should be understood that the foregoing description is not a definition of the invention, but rather a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the following claims. Furthermore, statements contained in the foregoing description relate to specific embodiments and should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments, as well as various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0025] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for example," "for instance," and "such as," and the verbs "comprising," "having," "including," and other verb forms thereof, when used in conjunction with a list of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the list should not be considered to exclude other additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless used in a context requiring a different interpretation.

Claims

1. at least one O-ring; Spacer and 10. A connector seal pack assembly comprising: a spacer positionable laterally of the at least one O-ring, the spacer having a radially inner surface, a first axially outer surface extending from the radially inner surface, a second axially outer surface extending from the radially inner surface, and an angled surface extending from the first axially outer surface or the second axially outer surface, wherein in a cross-sectional profile, the angled surface depends from the first or second axially outer surface at an acute angle relative to an axial centerline of the spacer, the acute angle being a non-zero angle with respect to the axial centerline and being non-perpendicular to the axial centerline, and wherein the first axially outer surface or the second axially outer surface is substantially flat throughout its extent and is positioned substantially perpendicular to the axial centerline.

2. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 1 , wherein said angled surface extends and terminates at a radially outer surface of said spacer.

3. 3. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 2, wherein in a cross-sectional profile, the radially outer surface extends between a first axial edge and a second axial edge and has a generally parallel relationship with the axial centerline between the first and second axial edges.

4. 2. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 1, wherein the angled surface depends from the first axially outer surface, and the spacer has a second angled surface depending from the second axially outer surface at a second acute angle relative to the axial centerline of the spacer, the second acute angle being a non-zero angle relative to the axial centerline and a non-perpendicular angle relative to the axial centerline.

5. 5. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 4, wherein the acute angle at which the angled surface depends from the first axially outer surface and the second acute angle are approximately equal to one another.

6. 2. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 1, wherein said acute angle has a value ranging between approximately forty-five degrees (45°) and sixty degrees (60°) relative to said axial centerline of said spacer.

7. 2. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 1, wherein in cross-sectional profile, the spacer has a total of six distinct surfaces including the radially inner surface, the first axially outer surface, the second axially outer surface, and the angled surface.

8. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 7 , wherein said total of six distinct surfaces further comprises a radially outer surface and a second angled surface.

9. 9. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 8, wherein in cross-sectional profile, the spacer has a total of four rounded, flared, discrete edges, each of the four rounded, flared, discrete edges located between a pair of adjacent, discrete surfaces of the spacer.

10. 2. The connector seal pack assembly of claim 1, wherein in cross-sectional profile, the spacer has a trapezoidal working portion at an outer region of the spacer, the trapezoidal working portion being partially defined by the angled surface.

11. A fluid line connector comprising the connector seal pack assembly of claim 1.

12. a radially inner surface; and a first axially outer surface extending from the radially inner surface; a second axially outer surface extending from the radially inner surface; and a first angled surface extending from the first axially outer surface; and a second angled surface extending from the second axially outer surface; and a radially outer surface extending between the first and second angled surfaces; and wherein the first axially outer surface or the second axially outer surface is generally flat throughout its extent and is disposed generally perpendicular to an axial centerline.

13. 13. The connector seal pack spacer of claim 12, wherein in a cross-sectional profile, the first angled surface depends from the first axially outer surface at a first acute angle relative to the axial centerline of the connector seal pack spacer and the second angled surface depends from the second axially outer surface at a second acute angle relative to the axial centerline of the connector seal pack spacer, the first and second acute angles being at a non-zero angle relative to the axial centerline and being non-perpendicular to the axial centerline.

14. 14. The connector seal pack spacer of claim 13, wherein in a cross-sectional profile, the first angled surface has a value in the range between approximately forty-five degrees (45°) and sixty degrees (60°) relative to the axial centerline of the connector seal pack spacer, and the second angled surface has a value in the range between approximately forty-five degrees (45°) and sixty degrees (60°) relative to the axial centerline of the connector seal pack spacer.

15. 15. The connector seal pack spacer of claim 14, further comprising: a first edge of a rounded extent adjacent the first angled surface and the first axially outer surface; a second edge of a rounded extent adjacent the second angled surface and the second axially outer surface; a third edge of a rounded extent adjacent the first angled surface and the radially outer surface; and a fourth edge of a rounded extent adjacent the second angled surface and the radially outer surface.

16. 13. The connector seal pack spacer of claim 12, further comprising a first edge of a rounded extent adjacent the first angled surface and the radially outer surface, and a second edge of a rounded extent adjacent the second angled surface and the radially outer surface, the first edge being axially inward of the first axially outer surface and the second edge being axially inward of the second axially outer surface.

17. 17. The connector seal pack spacer of claim 16, wherein the first edge forms a first contact point of the connector seal pack spacer when placed on a fluid line connector and a receptacle is inserted into the fluid line connector, and the second edge forms a second contact point of the connector seal pack spacer when placed on the fluid line connector and a receptacle is inserted into the fluid line connector.

18. a housing having a passageway and a wall, the wall having an inner surface defining the passageway; at least one O-ring disposed within the passage; a spacer disposed within the passage adjacent to the at least one O-ring; 1. A fluid line quick connector comprising: a spacer having a first angled surface that forms a first acute angle with respect to an axial centerline of the spacer; a second angled surface that forms a second acute angle with respect to the axial centerline of the spacer; a radially outer surface extending between the first and second angled surfaces; a first edge adjacent the first angled surface and the radially outer surface; a second edge adjacent the second angled surface and the radially outer surface; a first axially outer surface extending from the first angled surface; and a second axially outer surface extending from the second angled surface, wherein the first and second acute angles are non-zero and non-perpendicular to the axial centerline of the spacer; 1. A fluid line quick connector, comprising: upon insertion of a spigot into the passage in the fluid line quick connector, the first edge contacts the inner surface, the second edge contacts the inner surface, and the spacer biases the at least one O-ring toward the inner surface; the spacer further has a radially inner surface, the first axially outer surface extending from the radially inner surface, and the second axially outer surface extending from the radially inner surface; The fluid line quick connector, wherein the first axially outer surface or the second axially outer surface is generally flat throughout its extent and is disposed generally perpendicular to the axial centerline.

19. 20. The fluid line quick connector of claim 18, wherein the spacer biases the at least one O-ring toward the inner surface when the receptacle is inserted into the passage within the fluid line quick connector with the receptacle not aligned with a central axis of the passage.

20. 19. The fluid line quick connector of claim 18, wherein the spacer has a third edge adjacent the first angled surface and the first axially outer surface and a fourth edge adjacent the second angled surface and the second axially outer surface, and wherein upon insertion of the spigot into the passage within the fluid line quick connector, the third edge or the fourth edge abuts the at least one O-ring and urges the at least one O-ring toward the inner surface.

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