Quick Connector Retaining Clip for Full-Mating Lock Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connectors suffer from the issue of incorrect mating during the mating process, where the locking mechanism can prematurely engage, leading to incomplete connections, especially under system pressure, which can be dangerous.
Innovation Solution
A retaining clip with at least two retaining arms and an intermediate piece, featuring a control loop that extends into a second plane, guides the connector until full mating is achieved, ensuring the arms remain open until the locking collar section is reached, preventing premature engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining arms are kept open during insertion, then correct mating guidance is improved, but locking capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arms transition from an open state during insertion to a closed locked state after proper mating is achieved. The control loop dynamically controls this transition by guiding the connector body first, then allowing the retaining arms to close and engage the locking collar section, providing both guidance and locking capability at different stages of the connection process.
2Reliability
If a control loop extending into a second plane is added, then mating guidance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control loop is merged with the intermediate piece of the retaining clip, integrating the guidance function into the existing retaining structure. This combination allows the control loop to extend into the second plane for mating guidance while sharing structural elements with the retaining arms, thereby reducing the overall increase in device complexity compared to adding a completely separate guidance mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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AI summary
Retaining clip (4) for a quick connector (1), comprising at least two retaining arms (41, 42) and at least one intermediate piece (40) arranged between them and connecting them, wherein the retaining arms (41, 42) extend in a first plane (E1) and the intermediate piece (40) comprises at least one control loop (43), wherein at least a part of the intermediate piece (40) and/or the control loop (43) extends/extends from the first plane (E1) into a second plane (E2) and from this/these extend back into the first plane (E1). Quick connector (1) with such a retaining clip (4), comprising a connection port (2) with a ramp-shaped connection contour (21) and a locking collar section (22) and at least one plug body (3) for receiving the retaining clip, wherein the plug body (3) has at least two guides (130, 131) each with at least two locking pocket areas (132, 133, 134, 135) for receiving the retaining arm ends (44, 45) of the retaining clip (4).