Quick Connector Checker Removal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quick connectors with checkers require additional space around the connector housing for installing and removing the checker, which can hinder piping work in narrow spaces and increase the risk of the checker being accidentally removed during incomplete insertion of the mating pipe.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector design that integrates a checker with resilient legs and latching pawls, where the latching pawls are initially locked onto latch portions within the connector housing and unlatched by the annular projecting portion of the mating pipe, allowing the checker to be removed without the need for additional space, and the resilient legs are deformed axially inwardly to facilitate easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the checker is installed outside the connector housing with resilient legs projecting outward for removal, then the checker can be easily removed by spreading the resilient legs, but additional space around the connector housing is required and the checker may be accidentally removed during incomplete insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The checker is nested inside the connector housing during installation, with the resilient legs and latching pawls contained within the housing boundaries. Only when the mating pipe is fully inserted does the checker become accessible for removal, eliminating the need for additional external space while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching pawls are preliminarily engaged with the annular projecting portion of the mating pipe during the insertion process itself. This preliminary action ensures that the checker cannot be accidentally removed during incomplete insertion, as the latching mechanism is activated by the insertion motion rather than requiring separate external manipulation.
2Reliability
If the latching pawls are engaged with the annular projecting portion during insertion, then the checker verifies complete insertion, but the resilient legs must be deformed axially inwardly for removal which requires precise deformation control
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient legs perform dual functions: they provide the latching action through their natural elasticity and simultaneously serve as the release mechanism. When force is applied to the checker body, the resilient legs automatically deform axially inwardly due to their elastic properties, unlatching the pawls and enabling removal without requiring separate deformation control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the resilient legs changes from a latched position to an unlatched position through controlled elastic deformation. The axial inward deformation temporarily alters the geometric parameters of the resilient legs, allowing the latching pawls to disengage from the annular projecting portion, after which the legs return to their original state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design eliminates the need for extra space around the connector housing, reduces the risk of accidental checker removal, and enhances design freedom in piping layouts by ensuring the checker can be easily and securely removed when the mating pipe is fully inserted.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient deformation clearance is defined inside the connector housing for allowing the resilient legs to be resiliently deformed in an axial direction
Implementation Method 2
the latching pawls are pushed by the annular projecting portion, and are moved in one axial direction, whereby the checker is removable from the connector housing
Data Source
AI summary
In a quick connection device for piping installed with a checker (40), a connector housing (20) of a quick connector (10) is formed with opening portions (74) for inserting resilient legs (58) therein through the opening portions (74) in a direction perpendicular to an axis from leading ends of the resilient legs, and inserted portions of the resilient legs (58) are held inside the connector housing (20). The resilient legs (58) are resiliently deformed in an axially inward direction by an annular projecting portion on an outer peripheral surface of a mating pipe at insertion of the mating pipe, to unlatch latching pawls (64) of the resilient legs (58) from corresponding latch portions of the connector housing (20), whereby the checker (40) is allowed to be removed out of the connector housing (20).