Quick Connector Tool Release for Tight Installation Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick connectors require significant free space around the coupling piece for actuation, which is often not available in modern vehicles, making it difficult to open the retainer for disconnecting the counterpart.
Innovation Solution
The quick connector design features a coupling piece with a first flange having a flange opening where a tool can be inserted to exert a radial inward force on the retainer, allowing for actuation without the need for lever movements or additional space, utilizing a tool that can deflect force radially inward through a translational or rotational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lever movements of the tool handle are used to pull or lever the retainer out of the coupling piece, then the retainer can be opened for disconnecting the counterpart, but significant free space around the coupling piece is required which is often not available in modern vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pulling the retainer outward through lever movements, the invention pushes the retainer radially inward to open it. The tool is inserted through the flange opening and applies force in the opposite direction (radially inward) to spread the retaining elements outward, releasing the counterpart. This inversion of the actuation direction eliminates the need for lever movements and significant free space.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism transitions from a linear lever movement in one dimension to a rotational or translational movement that generates radial force in a different dimension. By inserting the tool through the flange opening and applying radial inward force, the opening action occurs in the radial dimension rather than requiring axial lever movement, thereby reducing the required free space around the coupling piece.
2Area of stationary object
If the flange opening outer border is used as a counter bearing for force deflection, then compact installation is enabled with minimal free space, but the tool must be designed to deflect force radially inward through translational or rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The outer border of the flange opening serves as an intermediary counter bearing that mediates the force transmission from the tool to the retainer. The tool applies force against this border, which then deflects the force radially inward to push the retainer and spread the retaining elements. This intermediary structure enables compact actuation while maintaining a relatively simple tool design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A quick connector (1) for connection to a complementary counterpart (2) comprises a coupling piece (3) and a retainer (4). The coupling piece (3) has a fluid line end (5) for connection to a fluid line and a coupling end (6) for introducing the counterpart (2), wherein a fluid channel (7) of the coupling piece (3) fluidly connects the coupling end (6) to the fluid line end (5). A section of the fluid channel (7) assigned to the coupling end (6) has a coupling center axis (8), wherein the coupling center axis (8) defines an axial direction AD, a radial direction RD and a circumferential direction CD. The retainer (4) is allocated to the coupling end (6), wherein the retainer (4) has at least one retaining element (9) for retaining the counterpart (2) and at least one actuating element (10) for opening the retainer (4) for pulling the counterpart (2) out of the coupling piece (3). The coupling piece (3) comprises a first flange (11) at the coupling end (6), wherein the first flange (11) has a flange opening (12) so as to insert a tool (13) into the flange opening (12) so that the tool (13) can exert a force on the retainer (4) and the actuating element (10), respectively. The flange opening (12) has an outer border (14), wherein the outer border (14) lies in radial direction RD outward of the flange opening (12).