U.S. patent application number 10/061580 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-07 for quick connect multi-hose connector.
Invention is credited to Harper, Henry W., Souvatzidis, Achille.
Application Number | 20030146619 10/061580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27658450 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030146619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Souvatzidis, Achille ; et
al. |
August 7, 2003 |
QUICK CONNECT MULTI-HOSE CONNECTOR
Abstract
A quick connect multi-hose connector includes a first carrier
assembly characterized by a male housing which carries a plurality
of quick connects that are trapped thereon and which are preferably
free to rotate with respect thereto, and further includes a second
carrier assembly characterized by a female housing which integrally
carries a plurality of male configured connectors. The male housing
is couplably matable with respect to female housing, wherein the
male and female housings have an asymmetrical feature which allows
mating to occur only in one predetermined relative orientation
therebetween. A coupling feature holds the male and female housings
in the mated state until a user elects to release the coupling
feature.
Inventors: |
Souvatzidis, Achille; (White
Lake, MI) ; Harper, Henry W.; (Milford, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAURA C. HARGITT
General Motors Corporation
Legal Staff, Mail Code 482-C23-B21
P.O. Box 300
Detroit
MI
48265-3000
US
|
Family ID: |
27658450 |
Appl. No.: |
10/061580 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/124.5 ;
285/124.3; 285/124.4; 285/305 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 37/0017 20130101;
F16L 37/56 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/124.5 ;
285/124.3; 285/124.4; 285/305 |
International
Class: |
F16L 039/00; F16L
037/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-hose connector comprsing: a first carrier assembly
comprising: a first housing; and a plurality of quick connects
connected to said first housing; a second carrier assembly
comprising: a second housing matable with respect to said first
housing; and a plurality of male configured connectors connected to
said second housing, each said male configured connector being
sealingly received by a respective said quick connect when said
first and second housing are mutually mated; and a coupling feature
located at each of said first and second housings, said coupling
feature selectively retaining said first and second housings
mutually mated.
2. The multi-hose connector of claim 1, wherein said first housing
is a male housing, and said second housing is a female housing.
3. The multi-hose connector of claim 2, wherein said first carrier
assembly further comprises said first housing having a plurality of
through bores formed therein, wherein each said quick connect is
received in a respective through bore.
4. The multi-hose connector of claim 3, wherein each said quick
connect is trapped in its respective through bore, and wherein each
said quick connect is freely rotatable with respect to its through
bore.
5. The multi-hose connector of claim 4, wherein each said quick
connect has an internal cavity at least partly defined by a seal;
wherein each said male configured connector comprises a tube
extending from a rear wall of the second housing, wherein a passage
passes through said tube, and wherein the tubular extension and the
rib are sealingly interfaced with said seal when said first and
second housings are mated.
6. The multi-hose connector of claim 5, wherein said second housing
comprises a base and a shroud integrally connected therewith; said
plurality of male connectors being integrally connected to the rear
wall at said base.
7. The multi-hose connector of claim 6, wherein said base has a
plurality of passageways selectively communicating with the
passages of said plurality of male configured connectors.
8. The multi-hose connector of claim 7, further comprising an
asymmetrical feature associated with each of said first and second
carrier assemblies which permits the mating of said first and
second housings only in a single predetermined orientation
therebetween.
9. A multi-hose connector comprsing: a first carrier assembly
comprising: a first housing; and a plurality of quick connects
connected to said first housing; a second carrier assembly
comprising: a second housing matable with respect to said first
housing; and a plurality of male configured connectors connected to
said second housing, each said male configured connector being
sealingly received by a respective said quick connect when said
first and second housing are mutually mated; a coupling feature
located at each of said first and second housings, said coupling
feature selectively retaining said first and second housings
mutually mated; and an asymmetrical feature associated with each of
said first and second carrier assemblies which permits the mating
of said first and second housings only in a single predetermined
orientation therebetween.
10. The multi-hose connector of claim 9, wherein said first housing
is a male housing, and said second housing is a female housing.
11. The multi-hose connector of claim 10, wherein said first
carrier assembly further comprises said first housing having a
plurality of through bores formed therein, wherein each said quick
connect is received in a respective through bore.
12. The multi-hose connector of claim 11, wherein each said quick
connect is trapped in its respective through bore, and wherein each
said quick connect is freely rotatable with respect to its through
bore.
13. The multi-hose connector of claim 12, wherein each said quick
connect has an internal cavity at least partly defined by a seal;
wherein each said male configured connector comprises a tube
extending from a rear wall of the second housing, wherein a passage
passes through said tube, and wherein the tubular extension and the
rib are sealingly interfaced with said seal when said first and
second housings are mated.
14. The multi-hose connector of claim 13, wherein said second
housing comprises a base and a shroud integrally connected
therewith; said plurality of male connectors being integrally
connected to the rear wall at said base.
15. The multi-hose connector of claim 14, wherein said base has a
plurality of passageways selectively communicating with the
passages of said plurality of male configured connectors.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to connectors for multiple
fluid hoses, as well as connectors for individual fluid hoses,
referred to as "quick connects." Still more particularly, the
present invention is a multi-hose connector which incorporates a
plurality of quick connects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Fluid systems include hoses for directing fluids from one
location to another, an example of which being an automotive fuel
system which may include a fuel delivery hose, a pressure relief
hose, and a fuel return hose. Generally, fluid systems utilize
vessels and the hoses from one vessel to another vessel frequently
requires hose connection interfaces therebetween.
[0003] Multi-hose connectors for the simultaneous connection of a
plurality of hoses have been developed, as for example U.S. Pat.
No. 4,804,208. These multi-hose connectors tend to be bulky,
complex and expensive.
[0004] Individual hose-to-hose connections are most easily effected
by use of a class of individual hose connectors referred to as
"quick connects." FIG. 1 depicts a quick connect 10 available
through ITT Industries as exemplary of this class of connectors,
which are also available through a variety of sources. The quick
connect 10 is a female configured connector having an internal
cavity 12 which is partially defined by an elastomeric seal 14. A
nipple 16 is interfaced to a fluid hose (not shown in FIG. 1), as
for example by use of a crimp (also not shown in FIG. 1). A
connection annulus 18 is provided opposite the nipple 16. A male
configured connector 20 has a tubular extension 22 and an annular
rib 24. Typically, a hose (not shown at FIG. 1) is connected to the
male configured connector 20, as for example by the aforementioned
nipple, which would be located opposite the tubular extension. In
operation, the tubular extension 22 is pressably received into the
internal cavity 12, wherein the tubular extension sealingly
interfaces with the seal 14 and the rib 24 sealingly abuts an
exposed end of the seal 14 via pressure exerted on the rib by a
resilient member 26 of the connection annulus 18.
[0005] What remains needed in the art is to somehow combine the
simplicity, ease and affordability of quick connects with
multi-hose connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The quick connect multi-hose connector according to the
present invention includes a first carrier assembly characterized
by a male housing which carries a plurality of quick connects that
are trapped thereon and preferably free to rotate with respect
thereto. The quick connect multi-hose connector further includes a
second carrier assembly characterized by a female housing which
integrally carries a plurality of male configured connectors. The
male housing is couplably matable with respect to female housing,
wherein the male and female housings have an asymmetrical feature
which allows mating to occur only in one predetermined relative
orientation therebetween. A coupling feature holds the male and
female housings in the mated state until a user elects to release
the coupling feature.
[0007] In an example of an environment of use, each quick connect
is interfaced with a respective hose, and each male configured
connector is interfaced with a fluid vessel. In operation, a user
aligns the male and female housings and then presses them matingly
together. Upon the coupling feature engaging, each male configured
connector is simultaneously sealingly seated in its respective
quick connect.
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a multi-hose connector having quick connects incorporated
therein.
[0009] This and additional objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become clearer from the following
specification of a preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a partly sectional side view of a prior art quick
connect interfaced with a prior art male configured connector.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a quick connect multi-hose
connector according to the present invention, shown interfaced with
a plurality of fluid hoses and a fluid vessel component.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second carrier assembly
according to the present invention, shown interfaced with a fluid
vessel component.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view seen along line 4-4 of FIG.
3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first carrier assembly
according to the present invention, shown interfaced with a
plurality of fluid hoses.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view seen along line 6-6 of FIG.
5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view seen along line 7-7 in FIG.
6.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view as in FIG. 7, shown operationally
with respect to a male connector of the second carrier assembly of
FIGS. 3 and 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to the Drawing, FIGS. 2 through 8 depict
various aspects of a preferred embodiment of a quick connect
multi-hose connector 100 according to the present invention. As
shown at FIG. 2, the quick connect multi-hose connector 100
includes a first carrier assembly 102 and a second carrier assembly
104. The first carrier assembly 102 includes a male housing 106 and
the second carrier assembly 104 includes a female housing 108,
wherein the male housing is shown matingly received into the female
housing. The mating relationship between the male and female
housings 106, 108 is retained by a coupling feature 110. A
preferred coupling feature 110 is a pair of resilient barbs 112
located on opposing sides of the male housing 106 which
interferingly interlock with barb receptacles 114 located on
opposing sides of the female housing 108. The barbs 112 are
provided with an entry ramp 116 (see FIG. 5) to facilitate entry
into the barb receptacles 114. Once seated in the barb receptacles
114, the barbs retain the male and female housings 106, 108
mutually mated. Thereafter, a user may select to unmate the male
and female housings by applying a mutually inward squeeze onto the
barbs 112 which allows the barbs to uninterferingly pass out of the
barb receptacles.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts an example of an environment of operation of
the quick connect multi-hose connector 100. The male housing 106 is
interfaced with a plurality of hoses 118 via a plurality of quick
connects 120 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) which are separate from, and
trapped on, the male housing. The female housing 108 is integrally
connected with a plurality of male configured connectors 122 (see
FIGS. 3 and 4) which are sealingly interfaced with the quick
connects, and wherein the second housing 104 is integrally formed
with a fluid vessel component 124 of a fluid vessel (not shown), as
for example a port cover of a gas tank.
[0020] Turning attention additionally now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the
second carrier assembly 104 will be detailed.
[0021] The female housing 108 is preferably composed of plastic and
includes a base 126 and a shroud 128 integrally connected thereto.
At opposing sides of the shroud 128 are the aforementioned barb
receptacles 114 of the coupling feature 110, discussed hereinabove.
Within the shroud 128 is a plurality of male configured connectors
122, 122' integrally formed with the base 126 and projecting freely
from a rear wall 135 of the base, both with respect to each other
and with respect to the shroud. Each of the male configured
connectors 122, 122' is in the form of a tube 132 which integrally
connects with the rear wall 135 of the base 126. Each male
configured connector 122, 122' has a passage 134 which communicates
with a respective passageway 136 of the base 126 (which, in turn
for example, respectively communicates with a respectively
appropriate conduit of the vessel component 124).
[0022] Turning attention now to FIGS. 5 through 7, the first
carrier assembly 102 will be detailed.
[0023] The male housing 106 is preferably composed of plastic and
includes a plurality of through bores 140, 140' into each of which
is received a respective quick connect 120, 120'. The shape of the
external surfaces of the male housing are predetermined to snuggly
be received into the shroud 128 of the female housing 108, and each
of the through bores 140, 140' are located such as to be aligned
with respect to the passages 134 of the male configured connectors
122, 122' when so received.
[0024] The preferred quick connects 120, 120' are any commercially
available quick connect which is suitable for the particular fluid
transfer application. A general description of a quick connect is
described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 1, wherein an internal
cavity 142 is partly defined by an elastomeric seal 144, wherein a
nipple 146 is sealingly received into a respective hose 118.
However, for purposes of the present invention there is no
connection annulus. The reason for obviation of the connection
annulus is the operative interrelationship of the male and female
housings and the connection feature 110 which substitute therefor.
It will be noted that the open end 148 of the quick connect 120 has
an annular flange 150 which interferingly abuts a forward end 152
of the male housing 106. Either the hoses 118 and/or a hose crimp
154 respectively located on the hoses interferingly abuts the rear
end 156 of the male housing 106. Accordingly, each quick connect
120, 120' is trapped in its respective through bore 140, 140', yet
is freely able to rotate relative thereto.
[0025] An asymmetrical feature of the second carrier assembly 104
with respect to its mating with the first carrier assembly 102 is
provided to allow only mating when there is a predetermined proper
orientation therebetween. This asymmetrical feature ensures that as
multiple fluid connections made during the mating of the male and
female housings, each fluid connector is correctly and assuredly
aligned with its correct counterpart. Any asymmetrical feature will
suffice, as for example a boss-and-slot interrelationship between
the male and female housings. In the example depicted herein, the
asymmetrical feature is in the form of an asymmetrical contour of
the male housing 106 with respect to the shroud 128. The shroud 128
has a cross-section at a first outboard male configured connector
122' (see the right side of the shroud in FIG. 3) which is larger
than the cross-section at the other outboard male configured
connector 120 (see the left side of the shroud in FIG. 3). The male
housing 106 has a cross-section at a first outboard quick connect
120' (see the left side of FIG. 6) that is larger than the
cross-section at the other outboard quick connect 120 (see the
right side of FIG. 6). Consequently, the male housing 106 can only
be received into the shroud 128 when the first male configured
connector 122' is aligned with the first quick connect 120'.
[0026] In operation, a user aligns the male and female housings
106, 108 and then presses them matingly together. Upon the coupling
feature 110 engaging, each male configured connector 122, 122' is
simultaneously sealingly seated in its respective quick connect
120, 120'. In this regard, FIG. 8 depicts a view as in FIG. 7 now
including a male configured connector 122, wherein the male and
female housings 106, 108 are mutually mated. It is to be noted that
the coupling feature 110 maintains a pressing force of the
respective local area 130 of the rear wall 135 against the seals
134 of their corresponding quick connects.
[0027] It is to be understood that the quick connect multi-hose
connector 100 simultaneously connects fluid hoses which may carry
either a liquid or a gas. Benefits of the present invention,
include: reduction of manufacturing/assembly time; reduction of
fluid system complexity; increase of fluid system reliability and
safety (fewer locales of hose connections), and increases fluid
system quality (elimination of incorrect hose connections). The
asymmetrical feature assures prevention of incorrect connection,
and the self alignment of the connectors internal to the male and
female housings compensates for individual tolerances. The short
connection engagement distance reduces part length and fluid system
complexity.
[0028] The latching of the coupling feature 110 assures accidental
disconnection cannot happen, and further serves as a visual/audible
indicator of a fully mated state between the male and female
connectors 106, 108. Optionally, a secondary connection assurance
device may supplement the coupling feature 110. For example a hole
may be formed in each of the shroud of the female housing and male
housing (as for example somewhere in the space between the through
bores), which holes align upon actuation of the coupling feature,
and through each of which a retaining pin is (for example
snappingly) placed.
[0029] To those skilled in the art to which this invention
appertains, the above described preferred embodiment may be subject
to change or modification. Such change or modification can be
carried out without departing from the scope of the invention,
which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *