Fluid Connector Assurance Cap for Full Insertion Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connector systems lack a reliable method to ensure full insertion and latching of tubular members, leading to potential leaks and installation errors due to the reliance on visual indicators that may not accurately represent the connection status.
Innovation Solution
An assurance cap with primary and secondary latch fingers and a support ring is designed to engage the connector body and tubular member, providing a secure latching mechanism that ensures full insertion and prevents radial expansion of the retainer clip, thus confirming the tubular member is fully inserted and locked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient clip is used to lock the tubular member, then the connection is secured, but there is no reliable visual indication of full insertion
Solution Approach 1:
An assurance cap is introduced as an intermediary component that provides visual indication of full insertion. The cap includes latch fingers that engage with the connector body only when the tubular member is fully inserted, giving a clear visual signal to the installer without compromising the resilient clip's locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The assurance cap provides visual feedback about the insertion status. When the tubular member is fully inserted, the latch fingers engage with the connector body, providing a clear visual indication that the connection is complete and secure.
2Ease of operation
If visual indicators are used to show insertion status, then installation monitoring is improved, but the indicators may not accurately represent the connection status
Solution Approach 1:
The latch fingers are designed to engage with the connector body only after the tubular member has been fully inserted. This preliminary condition ensures that the visual indication (engaged latch fingers) can only occur when the connection is actually complete and accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The assurance cap provides accurate visual feedback through its latch fingers that can only engage when the tubular member is fully inserted. This creates a reliable indicator system where the visual state directly reflects the actual connection status.
3Reliability
If the assurance cap latches to the connector body, then full insertion is confirmed, but the cap may not prevent radial expansion of the retainer clip
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the assurance cap: it provides visual indication of full insertion, confirms proper connection status, and prevents radial expansion of the retainer clip through its latch fingers that engage with the connector body.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer clip is segmented into multiple clips distributed around the circumference, with each clip having its own latch finger on the assurance cap. This segmentation allows independent engagement of each clip, providing comprehensive stability and prevention of radial expansion.
Data Source
AI summary
An assurance cap for use with a fluid connector assembly for coupling a tubular member including an endform to a connector body, the endform defining a radially disposed shoulder, a retainer clip carried on the connector body and extending at least partially into a first bore in the connector body to engage the shoulder to lock the tubular member in the connector body when the first insertion end is fully inserted into the first bore, the assurance cap including a body including a first end and a second bore for disposing the body over the tubular member, and a plurality of primary latch fingers arranged on the body, each of the plurality of primary latch fingers including an end projection configured for latching in an exterior groove of the connector body to latch the body on the connector body when the tubular member is fully inserted into the connector body.