Quick Connect Assembly Redundant Latch Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connect assemblies for fluid systems require separate latches and verifiers, which can be cumbersome and less secure, lacking a redundant latch mechanism for reliable endform retention.
Innovation Solution
A fluid quick connector assembly with a housing and retainer that includes a bridge with extending arms and guiding legs, forming a single integral unit, where the beam contacts the endform to provide a redundant latch, and detents engage to secure the retainer in place, ensuring reliable retention and easy engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate latch and verifier components are used, then the assembly can verify proper securing, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch and verifier into a single integrated retainer component. The retainer includes a bridge, beam, retainer arms, and guiding legs all formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate latch and verifier components while maintaining verification and securing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated retainer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a latch mechanism (through the beam contacting the endform) and a verifier mechanism (through the retainer arms and guiding legs that verify proper engagement). This multi-functionality reduces component count while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a redundant latch mechanism is added, then the reliability of endform retention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant latch features (beam and retainer arms) are merged into the single integrated retainer component. The beam provides primary latching while the retainer arms provide secondary verification and retention, creating redundancy without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is segmented into functional zones within a single component: the beam provides one latching function, while the retainer arms and guiding legs provide verification and additional retention functions. This segmentation of functions within unity achieves redundancy efficiently.
3Reliability
If the retainer structure is made more secure with multiple retention points, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding legs are positioned to automatically guide the retainer into the proper engaged position during insertion. The detents are pre-positioned to automatically engage at specific points, eliminating the need for manual alignment or complex engagement procedures despite the multiple retention points.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer structure performs self-alignment and self-verification through the guiding legs and detent mechanisms. As the endform is inserted, the guiding legs automatically steer the retainer into correct position, and the detents automatically engage to confirm proper securing, making the operation simple despite the complex internal structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid quick connector assembly (20) according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a housing (22) having a passage (32) configured to receive an endform (26), and a retainer (24) including a bridge (68). A beam (78) extends from the bridge. Two retainer arms (70) extend from the bridge to retain the male endform (26) in the passage of the housing when the retainer is in an engaged position. Two guiding legs (72) extend from the bridge that guide the retainer (24) during movement to the engaged position. The bridge (68), the beam (78), the two retainer arms (70), and the two guiding legs (72) are an integral unitary single piece component, and the beam (78) contacts the endform (26) when the retainer (24) is in the engaged position.