Quick Connector Color Indicator for Secure EVAP Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connectors in vehicle evaporative emissions systems often fail to provide reliable visual or auditory cues for secure connection, leading to potential misassembly and issues with temporary seals becoming unsealed due to vibrations and thermal cycling.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating color-changing materials that change color based on deformation, such as tension or curvature, to indicate secure coupling between components, allowing for visual inspection or dynamic monitoring to ensure proper connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional quick connectors with audible/tactile clicks are used, then connection status can be indicated, but workers may not detect the cues due to environmental noise or lack of attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing materials that change color based on deformation (tension, curvature, or length changes) to provide clear visual indicators of connection status. This resolves the detection reliability issue by replacing ambiguous audible/tactile cues with distinct visual color changes that are easily observable regardless of environmental noise or worker attention levels.
2Loss of information
If visual indicators are added to quick connectors, then connection status becomes more observable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates color-changing materials directly into the quick connector structure, utilizing the material's inherent deformation properties to trigger color changes. This approach provides clear connection status information without requiring complex additional indicator mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively reducing information loss.
3Ease of operation
If manual assembly instructions are provided to workers, then assembly process can be guided, but human error and assembly line speed constraints lead to improper connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback through color-changing materials that clearly indicate whether a connection is proper or improper. This feedback mechanism allows workers to instantly verify connection quality during assembly, eliminating the need for complex instructional procedures and significantly reducing human error while maintaining assembly line speed requirements.
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
Enhances the reliability of determining secure connections, reducing the risk of misassembly and seal failure, and improving the accuracy of connection verification in vehicle evaporative emissions systems.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator section that includes a color-changing material that changes color based on an extent of deformation of the color-changing material
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connect fitting for coupling a first component of an evaporative emissions system of a vehicle to a second component of the evaporative emissions system is provided. In one example, the quick connect fitting includes an indicator section that includes a color-changing material that changes color based on an extent of deformation of the color-changing material, where secure coupling of the first component to the second component is dependent on the extent of deformation. In this way, it may be readily determined as to whether a particular quick connect fitting is securely connected, which may improve engine operation, reduce undesired emissions, and reduce warranty rates.