Quick Connector Locker for Visible Connection Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick connectors often face issues with secondary verification of connection status due to misalignment of verification indicia and windows, leading to unreadable confirmation, which can result in unnecessary labor and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A quick connector design featuring a moveable locker with a wing that obstructs or exposes verification indicia, ensuring proper alignment and visibility when the connector is locked, allowing for efficient and accurate verification through visual or machine-readable means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If verification indicia are printed on the connector body with a fixed window, then the verification system is simple in structure, but the verification indicia may become skewed or misaligned relative to the window, making verification unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the window moveable instead of fixed. The window can shift position to track and maintain alignment with the verification indicia as the connector assembly moves or flexes during operation. This dynamic adjustment ensures the verification indicia remains readable within the window frame despite mechanical movements, resolving the alignment issue while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
2Measurement precision
If the window is made moveable to track verification indicia, then verification alignment is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the window movement function with the existing connector assembly mechanics. Rather than adding an independent complex tracking mechanism, the window is integrated into the connector body structure and utilizes the natural movement and positioning of the connector components themselves to achieve alignment. This combining approach maintains verification accuracy while minimizing additional complexity.
3Ease of operation
If verification indicia are always visible, then verification is always possible, but the connector cannot provide obscured verification to indicate connection status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by making the window moveable to different positions. When the connector is properly assembled, the window automatically positions itself to reveal the verification indicia, indicating successful connection. When misassembled or disconnected, the window cannot position correctly, keeping the indicia obscured or misaligned. This dynamic positioning provides both visibility when needed and obscuration when appropriate to convey connection status information.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick connector comprising a connector body having a collar defining an opening, a verification indicia fixed to the collar, and a sliding locker including a base, and a lock arm. The base can include an armature integrally and immovably joined with it, having a wing extending along and spaced from an outer surface of the collar. The lock arm and wing are all simultaneously moveable in unison when the locker transitions from an unlocked mode, where the base protrudes from the transverse opening and supports the wing to obstruct the verification indicia, thereby inhibiting reading and/or scanning of the verification indicia, to a locked mode, where the base is inserted farther into the opening and supports the wing to allow reading and/or scanning of the first verification indicia to confirm proper installation of the quick connector. A related method of use is provided.