Quick Connector Checker Radial Sliding Engagement Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connectors face challenges in accurately confirming pipe body engagement due to simultaneous diameter expansion of elastically-deformable claws, leading to potential misalignment and increased manufacturing costs with higher precision requirements.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector design featuring a retainer with a C-shaped diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw and a checker with a C-shaped diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw, where the checker slides radially to confirm engagement by ensuring the retainer's claw has restored its original shape, preventing sliding unless both conditions are met, thus ensuring accurate pipe body engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the elastically-deformable claw of the retainer and the elastically-deformable claw of the checker are adjacently arranged in the axial direction, then the structure is simplified, but the annular projection of the pipe body may simultaneously expand diameters of both claws, leading to inaccurate engagement confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The checker is divided into two separate elastically-deformable claws: one that detects diameter expansion of the retainer's claw, and another that detects axial engagement. This segmentation allows each claw to independently detect different aspects of engagement, preventing false positives from simultaneous expansion while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The checker acts as an intermediary device between the pipe body and the operator. It translates the physical state of engagement (claw restoration) into a detectable signal (checker position), allowing accurate confirmation without requiring direct observation of the retainer's claw restoration process.
2Measurement precision
If manufacturing precision is increased to prevent simultaneous expansion, then engagement confirmation accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pipe body's own expansion force to operate both the retainer's claw and the checker's claws. The checker automatically detects engagement status through the expansion mechanism itself, eliminating the need for separate high-precision manufacturing tolerances on the retainer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from direct measurement of claw restoration (requiring high precision) to measurement of checker position (easier to measure). The checker's movement provides a clear, easily detectable signal that indicates successful engagement without requiring precise control of the expansion process.
3Ease of operation
If the checker is designed to slide freely when both claws expand, then operation is simplified, but false engagement confirmation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The checker's ability to slide is made dynamic rather than static. It transitions from a locked state (when only the checker's claw expands) to an unlocked state (when the retainer's claw restores and releases the checker). This dynamic behavior provides clear operational feedback while preventing false confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through the checker's position: locked position indicates incomplete engagement, while slid position confirms successful engagement. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable confirmation by requiring the specific sequence of events (retainer claw restoration) to occur before allowing checker movement.
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 ensures reliable confirmation of pipe body engagement by the retainer, reducing the risk of misalignment and maintaining simplicity without complex features, while also reducing manufacturing costs through precise engagement verification.
Implementation Method 1
a retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw provided on the retainer body, having a C-shape capable of expanding diametrically by elastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
a checker confirming that the annular projection of the pipe body is in a state of being engaged by the retainer by sliding in a set radial direction with respect to the retainer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
To provide a quick connector capable of surely confirming that a pipe body is engaged by a retainer when an elastically-deformable claw of the retainer and an elastically-deformable claw of a checker are adjacently arranged in an axial direction. Checker-axis direction elastically-deformable claws 52 and 52 have distal-end sides formed flexibly deformable in the axial direction, maintain a state of being engaged by a second engagement portion 46 of a retainer body 42 by having deflective deformation regulated by a retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw 49 in a state in which the retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw 49 is expanded diametrically, and regulate sliding from a first position with respect to the retainer body 42 toward a set radial direction by being engaged by the second engagement portion 46 of the retainer body 42. The checker-axis direction elastically-deformable claws 52 and 52 become releasable from engagement with the second engagement portion 46 of the retainer body 42 in a state in which the retainer diameter-expanding elastically-deformable claw 49 has restored its original shape, and thereby become slidable with respect to the retainer body 42 from the first position toward the second position in the set radial direction.