Quick connector with confirmation

Abstract

An improved quick connector is provided. The quick connector includes a connector body, a connector head, a verification tab, and a locking clip. The connector body is capable of being coupled to the connector head in multiple rotational orientations, and the connector head includes a retaining ring integrally formed therein. The connector head includes an axial slot for the verification tab and first and second tangential slots for the locking clip. Upon insertion of a male fitting into the connector head, the verification tab is slidably displaced from a concealed position to a visible position, and the locking clip prevents backout of the male fitting from the connector head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 312,984, filed on February 23, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector assembly for connecting fluid lines, and more particularly to a connector assembly that allows visual confirmation of the connection.

Background Art

[0003] Background of the Invention Quick connectors are frequently used for fluid connections between two components in the automotive industry. For example, VDA quick connectors (the name is derived from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)) are commonly used for engine cooling circuits and for cooling the batteries of electric or hybrid vehicles. Known VDA quick connectors have a barbed tube at one end and a push - and - lock collar at the other end. The push - and - lock collar can include an internal retaining ring configured to be attached around the male joint. When the retaining ring and the male joint are inserted into the collar, locking elements such as metal clips or springs extend around the collar to prevent its withdrawal.

[0004] VDA quick connectors may include a verification tab for visual confirmation that the male fitting is securely engaged within the quick connector. Such a quick connector is disclosed in Patent Document 1, titled "Quick Connector Assembly with Verification Tab," the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. This quick connector includes a verification tab that is slidably displaced along a slot in the quick connector collar. When the male fitting is fully inserted into the open end of the collar, the verification tab moves from an improper verification position to a proper verification position, allowing for visual (optionally machine-readable) confirmation of a secure connection.

[0005] Despite these advantages, the need for improved push-and-lock quick connectors that allow for visual confirmation of a secure connection remains. In particular, improved VDA quick connectors continue to be needed to provide versatility for various physical configurations, including straight and angled connections. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0355308 [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Summary of the Invention An improved quick connector is provided. The quick connector includes a connector body, connector head, confirmation tab, and locking clip. The connector body has multiple rotations. positionThe connector can be coupled to a connector head, which includes a retaining ring integrally formed therein. The connector head further includes an axial slot for a confirmation tab and first and second tangential slots for locking clips. When a male fitting (e.g., a VDA type spigot) is inserted into the connector head, the confirmation tab is slidably displaced from a concealed position to a visible position, and the locking clips prevent the male fitting from retracting from the connector head.

[0008] In one embodiment, the connector head includes an outer side wall connected to an inner side wall by an annular shelf. The inner side wall and the annular shelf functionally constitute a VDA retaining ring. The connector head includes a plurality of elastic latch arms spaced at regular intervals around the circumference of the outer side wall. The elastic latch arms are angled inward to engage with locking tabs located on the connector body. The outer side wall also includes a finite number of rotations. position The connector body includes multiple keyed recesses to allow insertion into the connector head. The outer sidewall further includes a lower engagement opening and an upper engagement opening communicating with an axial slot, the engagement opening being shaped to receive the inclined projection of the confirmation tab.

[0009] In this embodiment and other embodiments, the connector body includes a collar having a plurality of locking tabs. The collar also includes an alignment recess (or projection) that is keyed into an alignment projection (or recess) in the connector head. Optionally, the alignment recess is defined on the leading edge of the collar, and the alignment projection is formed in an annular shelf between the inner and outer side walls of the connector head. The connector body may include a wide variety of fittings, including elbow fittings or straight fittings. Furthermore, the connector body may include a Sen support. During assembly, an O-ring is compressed between the collar of the connector body and the annular shelf of the connector head, providing a liquid-tight connection between the connector head and the connector body.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide a quick connector having a retaining ring integrally molded with the connector head. Other components of the quick connector, including the connector body, confirmation tab, O-ring, and locking clip, are all separate. The connector body can snap-fit ​​onto the connector head using alignment projections as visual guides. The connector head can be used with a wide variety of connector bodies for various fluids (e.g., coolant, oil, fuel), simplifying the tooling and assembly of the quick connector. For example, the connector head can be joined to an elbow connector body, a straight connector body, or a connector body with a sensor support without any changes to the tooling or assembly of the connector head, confirmation tab, or locking clip.

[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, in accordance with the attached drawings and attached claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a quick connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a first perspective view of the connector body shown in Figure 1.

[0014] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a second perspective view of the connector body shown in Figure 1.

[0015] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector head shown in Figure 1.

[0016] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector head shown in Figure 1.

[0017] [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a side view of the connector head of FIG. 1.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of the confirmation tab for the quick connector of FIG. 1.

[0019] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking clip of FIG. 1.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view showing the confirmation tab in the improper confirmation position.

[0021] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing the confirmation tab in the proper confirmation position.

[0022] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view showing the connector body in a plurality of rotational configurations.

[0023] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view showing the connector body including the sensor port.

[0024] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view showing the connector head including an alternative structure.

[0025] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view showing the connector body including an alternative structure.

[0026] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a view showing the connector head used with the connector body of FIG. 14.

[0027] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector head of FIG. 15.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] Details of the current implementation Referring to Figure 1, a quick connector according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated as 10. The quick connector 10 includes a connector body 12, a connector head 14, a confirmation tab 16, and a locking clip 18. An O-ring 20 provides a seal between the connector body 12 and the connector head 14. Each of these features of the quick connector 10 is described below. Although described primarily in relation to coolant lines, the quick connector 10 can be used in a wide variety of other applications as desired, including, in non-limiting examples, the connection of brake lines and fuel lines.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector body 12 defines a fluid passage between the input end 22 and the output end 24. The terms “input end” and “output end” are provided for clarity and are not intended to limit the moving fluid (e.g., coolant, oil, fuel) as it may move in opposite directions depending on the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body 12 consists of an angled joint, such as an elbow joint, such that the fluid passage includes a bend of approximately 90 degrees between the input end 22 and the output end 24. In other embodiments, the angled joint may be, for example, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees. In yet another embodiment, the connector body 12 may constitute a straight joint.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the connector body 12 includes a barbed stem 26 at the output end 24 and a collar 28 at the input end 22. The collar 28 includes a cylindrical side wall having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the connector head 14, so that the collar 28 is received within the connector head 14. Furthermore, the collar 28 includes a plurality of locking tabs 30 at regular intervals along the outer radial surface of the collar 28. In the illustrated embodiment, four locking tabs 30 are arranged at 90-degree intervals, but other embodiments may include more or fewer locking tabs 30 (for example, three locking tabs at 120-degree intervals, or six locking tabs at 60-degree intervals). The locking tabs 30 include inclined surfaces on the opposite side of the engagement surface to facilitate insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14.

[0031] As shown in the figure, the locking tabs 30 are adjacent to the leading edge of the collar 28. For each locking tab 30, the collar 28 includes a circumferential rib 32 that is axially offset from the locking tab 30. The circumferential rib 32 and the locking tab 30 have approximately the same width in the tangential direction. Between adjacent circumferential ribs 32, the collar 28 includes a flat side surface 34 or an alignment projection 36. The flat side surface 34 provides a sliding surface for the confirmation tab 16, and two flat side surfaces 34 are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The alignment projection 36, in the illustrated embodiment, is a triangular projection and functionally serves as a poka-yoke function to prevent mis-insertion into the connector head 14, which will be described later. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment projection 36 is located at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions of the collar 28, and the flat side surface 34 is located at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions of the collar 28. The circumferential flange 38 separates the collar 28 from the rest of the connector body 12, and this can include a wide variety of configurations, including, as a non-limiting example, the elbow joint shown above.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the connector head 14 includes an outer side wall 40 having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the collar 28 of the connector body 12. The connector head 14 has a finite number of rotations. positionThe connector head 14 is configured to be locked and attached to the connector body 12 by one of (two in the illustrated embodiment). In particular, the connector head 14 includes four latch arms 42 that extend radially inward from the outer side wall 40 and engage with the collar locking tabs 30. The latch arms 42 are radially elastically deformable so that when the collar 28 is inserted into the connector head 14, the inclined surfaces of each locking tab 30 cause the latch arms 42 to flex. Once the collar 28 is fully inserted into the connector head 14, the flat engaging surfaces of each locking tab 30 prevent the connector head 14 from being removed. As also shown in Figure 4, the inner surface of the cylindrical side wall includes axial recesses 44 aligned with each latch arm 42 for receiving the circumferential ribs 32 therein.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the connector head 14 includes a keyed recess 46 for the collar alignment projection 36. The keyed recess 46 allows insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14 by only a finite number of rotational configurations (two in the illustrated embodiment). The outer side wall 40 protrudes radially outward in each recess 46, thereby providing the operator with a tactile guide for inserting the connector body 12 into the collar 28. Similar to the alignment projection 36, the keyed recess 46 is triangular in shape, but other shapes are possible as long as the keyed recess 46 includes a shape complementary to the alignment projection 36. Also, as shown, the outer side wall 40 is cylindrical and defines a first tangential slot 48 opposite a second tangential slot 50 for the locking clip 18. Each of these slots 48, 50 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector head 14 and extends throughout the thickness of the side wall, thereby allowing the locking clip 18 (extending around the outside of the connector head 14) to establish a lockable engagement with the male fitting (received inside the connector head 14).

[0034] As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the confirmation tab 16 is received in an axial slot 52 in the side wall 40 of the connector head. The axial slot 52 is defined within the side wall 48 and extends axially through throughout. The axial slot 52 is roughly rectangular in order to accommodate the confirmation tab 16 therein. The side wall 40 of the connector head is provided with two engagement openings 54, 55 that are axially offset from each other for securing the confirmation tab 16 in one of two positions: an improper confirmation position (where the confirmation tab 16 is concealed) and a proper confirmation position (where a portion of the confirmation tab 16 with the confirmation index 60 is visible). The engagement openings 54, 55 are shown as rectangular through holes in the illustrated embodiments, but may include other shapes in other embodiments. As also shown in cross-section in Figure 5, the inside of the connector head 14 includes an annular shelf 56 for the O-ring 20. The annular shelf 56 is in contact with the inner side wall 58, which functionally serves as a retaining ring integrally molded with the connector head 14. The inner side wall 58 is sized to accommodate a suitable male fitting (e.g., VDA and SAE spigots). When the quick connector 10 is assembled, the O-ring 20 is sandwiched between the collar 28 and the annular shelf 56, providing a fluid-tight connection between the connector body 12 and the connector head 14.

[0035] Figure 7 shows a confirmation tab 16 according to one embodiment. The confirmation tab 16 is shaped to be received within an axial slot 52 of the connector head 14 and includes a confirmation index 60. The confirmation index 60 may include, for example, a one-dimensional barcode (e.g., UPC code, EAN code, Code 39, Code 128, ITF, Code 93, Codabar, GS1 DataBar, MSI Plessey, etc.), a two-dimensional barcode (e.g., QR Code®, Data Matrix Code, PDF417, AZTEC, etc.), a holographic code, a human-readable alphanumeric code, or any other code, known or to be developed, that is interpretable by machine or human. In other embodiments, the confirmation index 60 may not be machine-readable and may include a color, pattern, logo, or other features. The confirmation tab 16 also includes a locking member 62. The locking member 62 is shown as an inclined projection, but in other embodiments it may include other configurations, such as a nub or a barb. The locking member 62 is sized to be received within the lower engagement opening 54 in the incorrect position and within the upper engagement opening 55 in the correct position. The confirmation tab 16 includes a rectangular projection 66 on the opposite side of the locking member 62, which engages directly with the male fitting as described later. The confirmation tab 16 further includes a side projection 68 along its side to restrict the movement of the confirmation tab 16 within the axial slot 52. The side projection 68 also provides a poka-yoke function during assembly into the axial slot 52, allowing the worker to properly insert the confirmation tab 16 in the correct orientation.

[0036] Figure 8 shows a locking clip 18 according to one embodiment. The locking clip 18 is generally U-shaped, formed of metal, and has a base portion 70 and first and second legs 72, 74. The legs 72, 74 are received in tangential slots 48, 50 of a connector head 14 (generally shown in Figure 6). The locking clip 18 includes first and second tongues 76, 78 to prevent removal from the connector head 14. When a male fitting (e.g., a VDA type spigot) is inserted into the connector head 14, the legs 72, 74 expand radially outward around the raised annular bead of the male fitting and spring back to rest behind the raised annular bead. At the same time, the male fitting abuts against the rectangular projection 66 of the confirmation tab 16, moving the confirmation tab 16 from an improper confirmation position to a proper confirmation position.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, for example, the confirmation tab 16 is shown in the unacceptable confirmation position. In this position, the locking member 62 is received within the lower engagement opening 54. When the male fitting is inserted into the connector head 14, the male fitting contacts the confirmation tab 16, particularly the rectangular projection 66, and the confirmation tab 16 moves to the proper confirmation position. As shown in Figure 10, in this proper confirmation, the confirmation indicator 60 is visible above the axial slot 52. The locking member 62 is received within the upper engagement opening 55, and the lateral projection 68 prevents further axial movement of the confirmation tab 16.

[0038] In the embodiment described above, the outer side wall 40 of the connector head 14 includes a recess 41 framed between adjacent locking arms 42 (see, for example, Figure 4). However, in the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 13, the recess framed from the outer side wall 40 of the connector head 14 is omitted, thereby simplifying the tooling of the connector head 14.

[0039] Next, referring to Figures 14-16, a quick connector according to another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated as 100. The quick connector 100 of Figures 14-16 is similar in structure and function to the quick connector 10 of Figures 1-12, except that the connector body 12 (shown in Figure 14) includes an alignment notch 102 corresponding to an alignment projection 104 on the connector head 14 (shown in Figure 15), ensuring that the connector head 14 is mounted on the connector body 12 in a finite number of rotational configurations (for example, one rotational configuration in the illustrated embodiment). This configuration can be reversed in other embodiments so that the alignment notch is defined on the connector head 14 and the alignment projection is defined on the connector body 12. In yet another embodiment, the connector body 12 and the connector head 14 each include an alignment notch and an alignment projection.

[0040] As shown in Figure 14, the connector body 12 defines a fluid passage between the input end 22 and the output end 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector body 12 consists of an angled joint, such as an elbow joint, such that the fluid passage includes a bend of approximately 90 degrees between the input end 22 and the output end 24. The connector body 12 can have essentially any configuration, including, by non-limiting examples, an elbow joint, a straight joint, and / or a joint having a Sen support 90. The connector body 12 includes a barbed stem 26 at the output end 24 and a collar 28 at the input end 22. The collar 28 includes a cylindrical sidewall having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the connector head 14, so that the collar 28 can be received within the connector head 14. Furthermore, the collar 28 includes a plurality of locking tabs 30 at regular intervals along the outer radial surface of the collar 28. In the illustrated embodiment, four locking tabs 30 are arranged at 90-degree intervals, but in other embodiments, more or fewer locking tabs 30 may be included.

[0041] Referring next to Figure 15, the connector head 14 includes an outer side wall 40 having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the collar 28. The connector head 14 is configured to lock into the connector body 12 in one of a finite number of rotational orientations. The connector head 14 includes four latch arms 42 extending radially inward from the outer side wall 40 and engaging with the collar locking tabs 30. The latch arms 42 are radially elastically deformable, and the inclined surfaces of each locking tab 30 cause the latch arms 42 to flex when the collar 28 is inserted into the connector head 14. Once the collar 28 is fully inserted into the connector head 14, the flat engaging surfaces of each locking tab 30 prevent the connector head 14 from being removed. The connector head 14 according to this embodiment lacks the O-ring 20 shown in Figure 1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 15, the annular shelf 56 of the connector head 14 includes a projection 104 that aligns with a notch 102 on the input end 22 of the connector body 12. The projection 104 interconnects the inner side wall 56 and the outer side wall 40 and is located between the two latch arms 42. The notch 102 allows the insertion of the collar 28 into the connector head 14 with only a finite number of rotational configurations (one in the illustrated embodiment). As shown in Figure 14, for example, the alignment notch 102 is defined on the leading edge 110 of the input end 22 of the connector body 12, which is otherwise uninterrupted. Although the alignment notch 102 is depicted at the 3 o'clock position in Figure 14, the alignment notch 102 (or two or more alignment notches) can be located at other positions on the collar 28. The alignment notch 28 ensures that the connector head 14 is mounted into the connector body 12 in the correct orientation. For example, as shown in Figure 16, the alignment projection 104 physically abuts against the leading edge 110 of the collar 28, preventing the latch arm 42 of the connector head 14 from engaging with the locking tab 30 of the connector body 12. As a result, incorrect assembly of the quick connector 100 is prevented.

[0043] As shown in Figures 14-16, the connector head 14 and the connector body 12 each include mutually opposing flat sliding surfaces 106, 108. With respect to the connector head 14, the radially inner surface of the outer side wall 40 includes three flat sliding surfaces 106 arranged at 90-degree intervals on the inner circumference of the connector head 14, with the intermediate sliding surface 106 being on the opposite side of the axial slot for the confirmation tab 16. With respect to the connector body 12, the radially outer surface of the collar 28 includes four flat sliding surfaces 108 arranged at 90-degree intervals on the outer circumference of the collar 28. The mutually opposing flat sliding surfaces 106, 108 allow the connector body 12 to easily slide within the connector head 14 in a finite number of rotational positions. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, four rotational positions are available. Also, as shown, the connector body 12 includes four sliding surfaces 108, while the connector head 14 includes three sliding surfaces 106. The alignment notch 102 partially extends into one of the four flat sliding surfaces 108 of the collar 28. When seated on the connector head 14, the connector body 12 is prevented from rotating by the movement of the opposing flat sliding surfaces 106, 108. In this way, the opposing sliding surfaces 106, 108 facilitate the assembly of the connector head 14 to the connector body 12 in a finite number of rotational positions according to predefined assembly requirements. For example, if assembly instructions require the connector head 14 to be assembled to the connector body 12 at a 90-degree position (shown in Figure 14), the sliding surfaces 106, 108 and the notch 102 assist the worker in properly assembling the connector head 14 while avoiding assembly errors.

[0044] To reiterate, the embodiments described above include quick connectors 10, 100 having a retaining ring integrally molded with the connector head 14. All other components of the quick connectors 10, 100 are separate, including the connector body 12, confirmation tab 16, locking clip 18, and O-ring 20. The connector body 12 and connector head 14 can be formed from any suitable material, optionally durable, chemical-resistant, and lightweight polymer materials. The confirmation tab 16 can be shipped in an unsuitable confirmation position, as shown in Figure 9. The connector body 12 can snap-fit ​​onto the connector head 14 using its flat side 34 and alignment projection 36 as visual guides. The connector body 12 cannot be assembled onto the connector head 14 unless the alignment projection 36 is aligned with the corresponding recess 46 of the connector head 14. As a result, each connector body 12 can be joined to the connector head 14 in one of two orientations, as shown in Figure 11 as a non-limiting example. The connector body 12 facilitates tooling and assembly because the connector head 14 can be used with a wide variety of connector bodies 12. For example, as shown in Figures 12 and 14, the connector head 14 can be joined to a connector body 12 having a Senn support 90 without requiring any modification of the tooling or assembly of the connector head 14, the confirmation tab 16, and the locking clip 18. As described above, the connector body 12 can have essentially any configuration, including, but not limited to, elbow fittings, straight fittings, and fittings with Senn supports.

[0045] The above description relates to current embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and broad aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention, nor should the claims be construed as limiting to specific elements illustrated or described in relation to these embodiments. For example, but not limited thereto, individual elements of the invention described may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise appropriate operation. This includes, for example, currently known alternative elements that may now be known to those skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, for example, alternative elements that a person skilled in the art may recognize as alternative elements at the time of development. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments include several features that are described in conjunction and may work together to provide a set of benefits. The present invention is not limited to embodiments that include all of these features or provide all of the benefits described, except to the extent expressly provided in the issued claims. Ordinal terms used to refer to claim elements, such as "first," "second," and "third," are used for clarification and are not intended to limit the order in which the claim elements appear. Referencing singular claim elements, such as using the articles "a," "an," "the," or "said," is not intended to limit the element to the singular form. [Aspect 1] It is a quick connector, A connector body defining a fluid passage between a first end and a second end, the connector body including an outer surface defining a first plurality of planar sliding surfaces; A connector head adapted to be coupled with the connector body during the pre-assembly of the quick connector, wherein the connector head includes an outer surface defining a second plurality of planar sliding surfaces, the second plurality of planar sliding surfaces slidingly engaging with the first plurality of planar sliding surfaces; A locking clip, including a first leg and a second leg that extend around the connector head and are received in a first tangential slot and a second tangential slot of the connector head; A confirmation tab positioned within the axial slot of the connector head, which, when a male fitting is inserted into the pre-assembled quick connector, is displaced axially slidably from a concealed position to a visible position, and A quick connector equipped with [features]. [Aspect 2] The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector head includes a collar, and the first plurality of planar sliding surfaces are spaced apart on the outer radial surface of the collar. [Aspect 3] The quick connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second plurality of planar sliding surfaces are arranged at intervals on the inner radial surface of the connector head. [Aspect 4] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector body includes a collar that defines an alignment notch in the collar, and the connector head includes an alignment projection molded for insertion into the alignment notch. [Aspect 5] The quick connector according to claim 4, wherein the connector head includes an outer side wall spaced apart from the inner side wall by an annular shelf, and the alignment projection is located between the inner side wall and the outer side wall. [Aspect 6] The quick connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the alignment notch is defined on the leading edge of the collar. [Aspect 7] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connector head is configured to be attached to the connector body by locking in a finite number of rotational directions. [Aspect 8] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connector body includes a plurality of locking tabs that engage with a plurality of corresponding latch arms in the connector head. [Aspect 9] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the confirmation tab includes a machine-readable visible indicator, the visible indicator being a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode. [Aspect 10] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the confirmation tab includes an inclined projection that is received in an engagement opening defined in the outer side wall. [Aspect 11] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connector head further defines a lower engagement opening and an upper engagement opening in the outer side wall. [Aspect 12] The quick connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connector body includes a flat side surface positioned adjacent to the confirmation tab when the confirmation tab is in the visible position. [Aspect 13] A connector head for a quick connector, wherein the connector head is An outer side wall comprising an outer side wall defining an axial slot for a confirmation tab and defining a first tangential slot and a second tangential slot for a locking clip; An inner side wall spaced apart from the outer side wall, and connected to the outer side wall by an annular shelf; A plurality of elastic latch arms are provided at regular intervals around the outer side wall, and the plurality of elastic latch arms are angled inward. Equipped with; The outer side wall defines a plurality of planar sliding surfaces at spaced intervals for sliding engagement with the connector body. Connector head. [Aspect 14] The connector head according to claim 13, further comprising an alignment projection between the inner side wall and the outer side wall, wherein the alignment projection extends axially for insertion into an alignment notch of the connector body. [Aspect 15] The connector head according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the axial end of the outer side wall defines a plurality of keyed recesses at the axial end of the outer side wall. [Aspect 16] The connector head according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the outer side wall defines a lower engagement opening and an upper engagement opening extending outward from the axial slot. [Aspect 17] The outer side wall, the annular shelf, and the inner side wall are integrally molded from a thermoplastic resin. A connector head according to any one of claims 13 to 16. [Aspect 18] The connector head according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the first tangential slot and the second tangential slot are arranged on opposite sides of the outer side wall. [Aspect 19] A connector body for a quick connector, wherein the connector body is A first end and a second end, defining a fluid passage between the first end and the second end, the first end comprising a collar, and the second end comprising a retaining joint, The collar includes a cylindrical side wall defining the tip periphery and the outer radial surface, and a plurality of planar sliding surfaces are defined at intervals on the outer radial surface so that the collar is inserted into the connector head of the quick connector in a finite number of rotational directions. Connector body. [Aspect 20] The connector body according to claim 19, wherein the alignment notch is defined on the leading edge of the collar. [Aspect 21] The connector body according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the connector body includes a plurality of locking tabs that engage with a plurality of corresponding latch arms in the connector head. [Aspect 22] Each of the plurality of locking tabs is between adjacent of the plurality of planar sliding surfaces The connector body according to claim 21, which is arranged. [Aspect 23] The connector body according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the plurality of planar sliding surfaces include four planar sliding surfaces arranged at equal intervals around the collar. [Aspect 24] The connector body according to any one of claims 19 to 23, further comprising a sensor support between the input terminal and the output terminal.

Claims

1. It is a quick connector, A connector body defining a fluid passage between a first end and a second end, the connector body including an outer surface defining a plurality of planar sliding surfaces and a plurality of locking tabs; A connector head adapted to be coupled with the connector body during the pre-assembly of the quick connector, wherein the connector head includes a plurality of latch arms, the plurality of latch arms configured to engage with the plurality of locking tabs, so that the connector head can be coupled with the connector body in a plurality of rotational positions as a pre-assembled quick connector; A locking clip, including a first leg and a second leg that extend around the connector head and are received in a first tangential slot and a second tangential slot of the connector head; A confirmation tab positioned within the axial slot of the connector head, wherein when a male fitting is inserted into the pre-assembled quick connector, the confirmation tab is displaced axially slidably from a concealed position to a visible position along one of the plurality of planar sliding surfaces of the connector body. Equipped with, A quick connector wherein the connector body includes a collar, and the plurality of locking tabs are spaced apart on the outer radial surface of the collar.

2. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of latch arms are arranged at intervals on the inner radial surface of the connector head.

3. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a collar defining an alignment notch, and the connector head includes an alignment projection molded for insertion into the alignment notch.

4. The quick connector according to claim 3, wherein the connector head includes an outer side wall separated from the inner side wall by an annular shelf, and the alignment projection is located between the inner side wall and the outer side wall.

5. The quick connector according to claim 3, wherein the alignment notch is defined on the leading edge of the collar.

6. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector head is configured to be attached to the connector body by locking into a finite number of rotational positions.

7. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking tabs are adapted to be removably engaged with a plurality of corresponding latching arms in the connector head.

8. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation tab includes a machine-readable visible indicator, the visible indicator being a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode.

9. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation tab includes an inclined projection that is received in an engagement opening defined on the outer side wall of the connector head.

10. The quick connector according to claim 9, wherein the connector head further defines a lower engagement opening and an upper engagement opening in the outer side wall of the connector head.

11. The quick connector according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of planar sliding surfaces is adjacent to the confirmation tab when the confirmation tab is in the visible position.

Images