Quick Connector Retainer for Radial Bead Tube Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current quick connectors lack enhanced retention capability for fluid tubes with radial beads, leading to potential leaks and insecure connections.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector design featuring a retainer housing with a cavity and a retainer that includes latch elements and arms to grip the radial bead of a fluid tube, allowing for secure latching and fluid path creation between two tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional retainer with radially extending legs is used, then the connector structure is simple, but the retention capability for tubes with radial beads is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is divided into multiple functional segments: legs for initial engagement, arms with gripping surfaces for bead retention, and latch elements for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, collectively providing enhanced retention capability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure (conventional legs) to a three-dimensional structure with arms extending in multiple directions. The arms wrap around the radial bead, providing retention in multiple spatial dimensions, which significantly enhances the retention capability for tubes with radial beads.
2Reliability
If the retainer is fixedly mounted in the receptacle, then the structure is stable, but the ability to latch the bead securely is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed as a movable component that can transition between different positions (retracted and engaged). This dynamic capability allows the retainer to adapt during operation: remaining retracted during insertion for ease of operation, and moving to the engaged position to provide secure latching of the bead, thus resolving the contradiction between connection security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is positioned in a retracted state before the tube insertion, preparing the path for easy insertion. After insertion, the retainer is then moved to the engaged position to latch the bead. This preliminary positioning ensures ease of operation during insertion, while subsequent action provides secure connection.
3Shape
If the retainer legs extend inward toward the axial center line, then the structural compactness is improved, but the gripping capability on the radial bead is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer structure is segmented into legs for structural support and compactness, and separate arms for bead gripping. The arms extend radially outward to engage the bead effectively, while the legs remain compact and inward-extending. This functional segmentation allows both compactness and effective bead gripping capability to be achieved simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms act as intermediary elements between the compact retainer body and the radial bead. They extend from the compact structure to reach and engage the bead, serving as mediators that connect the compact internal structure to the external bead without compromising either compactness or gripping capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connector includes a coupler fluidically connected by a passage to a first fluid tube. A retainer housing in axial alignment with the passage is installed on the coupler and a movable retainer is installed in the retainer housing in a first position. A second fluid tube having a raised bead formed proximate an end portion of the second fluid tube is permitted to be installed into the retainer housing cavity by the retainer when the retainer is in the first position. Moving the retainer to a second position latches the bead to the retainer housing retaining the second fluid tube to the quick connector.