Connection verifier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11608920-B2
Application number	US-201816766332-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 22, 2018
Priority date	Nov 22, 2017
Publication date	Mar 21, 2023
Grant date	Mar 21, 2023

Abstract

A connection verifier, including a collar, a circuit board non-rotatably connected to the collar, the circuit board including at least one terminal, a switch rotatably connected to the collar and arranged to contact the at least one terminal, the switch including at least one finger extending in a first axial direction, and an indication device arranged to activate when the switch contacts the at least one terminal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connection verifier for a fluid connection, comprising:
a collar including an opening arranged to engage the fluid connection;
a circuit board non-rotatably connected to the collar, the circuit board including at least one terminal;
a switch rotatably connected to the collar and arranged to contact the at least one terminal, the switch including at least one finger extending in a first axial direction into the opening and arranged to engage a snap ring of the fluid connection; and,
an indication device arranged to activate when the switch contacts the at least one terminal.

2. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises an insert arranged substantially concentric therein, the insert including a first groove and a second groove.

3. The connection verifier as recited in claim 2 , wherein the circuit board is arranged in the first groove and the switch is arranged in the second groove.

4. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the switch further comprises at least one pin extending in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, arranged to contact the at least one terminal.

5. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a transmission device electrically connected to the circuit board.

6. The connection verifier as recited in claim 5 , wherein the transmission device is operatively arranged to transmit a signal to a remote receiver indicating a connection status of the fluid connection.

7. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a microcontroller electrically connected to the circuit board.

8. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indication device is a light.

9. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indication device is a vibration device.

10. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the indication device is a sound device.

11. The connection verifier as recited in claim 1 , wherein the collar includes a conduit through which the circuit board is connected to a power source.

12. A connection verifier for a fluid connection, comprising:
an insert, including:
a radially outward facing surface;
a radially inward facing surface;
a first groove arranged in the radially inward facing surface; and,
a second groove arranged in the radially inward facing surface;

a circuit board arranged in the first groove, the circuit board including:
at least one terminal; and,
an indication device; and,

a switch arranged in the second groove, the switch including:
at least one pin extending in a first axial direction, extending through the circuit board, and arranged to contact the at least one terminal; and,
at least one finger extending in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction.

13. The connection verifier as recited in claim 12 , wherein the insert further comprises a collar non-rotatably connected to the radially outward facing surface.

14. The connection verifier as recited in claim 12 , further comprising a transmission device electrically connected to the circuit board.

15. The connection verifier as recited in claim 14 , wherein the transmission device is operatively arranged to transmit a signal to a remote receiver indicating a connection status of the fluid connection.

16. The connection verifier as recited in claim 12 , further comprising a microcontroller electrically connected to the circuit board.

17. The connection verifier as recited in claim 12 , wherein the indication device is a light.

18. The connection verifier as recited in claim 12 , wherein the indication device is a vibration device.

19. The connection verifier as recited in claim 12 , wherein:
the circuit board is non-rotatably connected to the insert; and,
the switch is rotatably connected to the insert.

Assignees

• Oetiker Ny Inc

Inventors

• Hall Ii Thomas Edwin
• Butts Lawrence

Classifications

• F16L2201/10

  Indicators for correct coupling · CPC title

• F16L37/0885 Primary

  with access to the split elastic ring from a radial or tangential opening in the coupling · CPC title

• H01H19/025

  Light-emitting indicators · CPC title

• H01H19/585

  provided with printed circuit contacts · CPC title

• H01H19/04

  Cases; Covers · CPC title