Quick Connector Sleeve Lock for Readable Verification Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick connectors in vehicle applications often face issues with skewed verification indicia alignment, making it difficult to read the confirmation, leading to potential leaks and installation failures.
Innovation Solution
The improved quick connector features a sliding lock latch with wing elements and a locking tab that ensures proper alignment of the verification indicia through an indicator window, preventing rotation and accidental retraction, and includes a three-step process for secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a printed verification indicia is viewable through a window or cutout portion of a quick connector, then visual confirmation of connection is provided, but the verification indicia can become skewed relative to the window making it difficult or impossible to read
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body includes a non-circular opening that receives the connector sleeve, creating an asymmetric geometric constraint. The connector sleeve has a corresponding non-circular cross-section that mates with the opening. This asymmetric design prevents rotational misalignment between the verification indicia and the window, ensuring the indicia remains properly oriented and readable when the sleeve is inserted into the body.
2Device complexity
If the connector sleeve relies on hoop strength to maintain indicator window alignment, then the structure remains simple, but misalignment can occur leading to verification errors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector sleeve has a circular cross-section that fits within a non-circular opening of the connector body. The curved geometry of the sleeve combined with the shaped opening creates a self-aligning mechanism where the circular sleeve naturally orients itself correctly within the asymmetric opening, ensuring the indicator window aligns with the verification indicia without requiring complex alignment features or high manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If the connector allows free rotation of the connector sleeve, then assembly is easier, but the verification indicia becomes misaligned and unreadable
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular opening in the connector body and the corresponding non-circular cross-section of the connector sleeve create a geometric keying system. This asymmetric configuration allows the sleeve to be inserted easily in the correct orientation while preventing any rotational movement that would misalign the verification indicia with the window, thus preserving the verification information.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved quick connector with code verification is provided. The quick connector includes a connector body, a connector sleeve, and a sliding lock latch. The connector body includes a verification indicia on its outer surface, and the connector sleeve is movable over the connector body and includes an indicator window that aligns with the verification indicia. The sliding lock latch is moveable from an unlatched position to a latched position through transverse openings in the connector sleeve and the connector body. The sliding lock latch includes first and second wing elements to prevent clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the connector sleeve relative to the connector body. The sliding lock latch also includes a locking tab on its outer surface to prevent retraction of the connector sleeve from the connector body.