Quick Connector Seal Retention With Floating Ring Lock Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connector assemblies lack a reliable safety mechanism to prevent accidental engagement of the locker into the engaged position when the male end form is not properly locked within the housing, and they fail to maintain the seal pack in place under fluid pressure.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector assembly with a floating retaining ring and a plunger mechanism that ensures the locker moves to the locked position only when the male end form is fully inserted, and the retaining ring prevents seal displacement under pressure by sliding along the inner bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional locking mechanism is used, then the connector can be quickly connected, but the locker can accidentally move to the engaged position without the male end form being properly locked
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is positioned in advance to block the locker's movement path. Before the locker can engage, the plunger must first be retracted by the male end form's insertion, ensuring the male end form is properly seated. This preliminary positioning prevents accidental engagement while maintaining quick connection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary element between the male end form and the locker. It transfers the insertion motion of the male end form into a blocking action that prevents the locker from engaging prematurely. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable locking safety without compromising connection speed.
2Reliability
If a fixed retaining ring is used to hold the seal pack, then the seal is secured, but the retaining ring cannot prevent seal displacement under fluid pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed to float freely on the seal pack rather than being fixed in position. Under fluid pressure, the retaining ring can move dynamically to maintain contact with the seal pack, ensuring continuous retention. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to pressure changes while maintaining reliable seal retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating retaining ring uses the fluid pressure itself to maintain its retention function. As pressure increases, the retaining ring moves to compensate for seal pack deformation, automatically adjusting its position to continue preventing seal displacement without requiring external control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the locker allows free movement for quick connection, then assembly is fast, but there is no safety mechanism to prevent accidental engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is positioned in advance to counteract any premature movement of the locker. Before the locker can accidentally engage, the plunger blocks its path, preventing the harmful action. This preliminary anti-action maintains ease of operation while introducing a safety mechanism that passively prevents accidental engagement.
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
Ensures secure locking and sealing of the male end form, preventing accidental disengagement and maintaining the seal integrity even under pressure conditions, enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining ring is held in position by a wave spring, which in turn is held in position by a plunger. When the quick connector assembly is used as intended and the male end form is inserted into and attached to the assembly, the plunger is shifted toward the retaining ring and the wave spring is compressed.
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member engaging the plunger and biasing the plunger in a first direction toward a resting position
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connector assembly for mating with a male end form includes a housing having an inner bore for receiving the male end form. The inner bore includes first and second sections. A locker slidably engages the exterior surface of the housing and is movable between unlocked and locked positions. A seal pack including a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, and a spacer sandwiched between the first and second sealing rings is disposed in the first section. A floating retaining ring is partially disposed within the second section. The retaining ring includes an elongated boss that extends axially into the first section and abuts the first scaling ring for retaining the seal pack in the first section. In the unlocked position, the elongated boss of the retaining ring prevents the first scaling ring from being displaced out of the first section of the inner bore.