Quick connector structure for automobiles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11796104-B2
Application number	US-201916688971-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 19, 2019
Priority date	Oct 7, 2019
Publication date	Oct 24, 2023
Grant date	Oct 24, 2023

Abstract

A combined quick connector structure for fuel feed and return system may include a cover assembly; a lever mechanism along the inside walls of the fuel feed and fuel return openings of the cover assembly; a pawl and ratchet mechanism on either side of the cover assembly; a rib on either side of a connector assembly; the connector assembly with retainer elements for engine feed and engine return lines and fuel feed and return lines; actuator pads provided on the external and internal circumference of the openings of connector assembly; a locking mechanism on the inside circumference of the retainer elements for the fuel feed line and fuel return line; and a lever mechanism configured for hinging the cover assembly together with the connector assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A combined quick connector structure for a fuel feed system and a fuel return system, the combined quick connector structure comprising:
a cover assembly and a connector assembly connected to the cover assembly,
wherein the connector assembly includes actuator pads mounted on external and internal circumferences of an opening of the connector assembly, and
wherein the cover assembly includes a pawl and ratchet mechanism on either side of the cover assembly.

2. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 ,
wherein the opening of the connector assembly includes a first opening and a second opening, and
wherein the cover assembly includes the first opening for the fuel feed system and the second opening for the fuel return system.

3. The combined quick connector structure of claim 2 ,
wherein a lever mechanism is provided along internal walls of the first opening and the second opening of the cover assembly.

4. The combined quick connector structure of claim 3 ,
wherein the lever mechanism provided along the internal walls of the first opening and the second opening of the cover assembly is configured to move in a predetermined direction of the combined quick connector structure.

5. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 ,
wherein the connector assembly includes a rib, and
wherein a lever of the pawl and ratchet mechanism is locked in the rib when the cover assembly is moved into an unlocked position.

6. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 ,
wherein the connector assembly includes a rib, on either side of the connector assembly.

7. The combined quick connector structure of claim 6 ,
wherein a lever of the pawl and ratchet mechanism is locked in the rib when the cover assembly is moved into an unlocked position.

8. The combined quick connector structure of claim 6 ,
wherein the opening of the connector assembly includes a first opening and a second opening, and
wherein the cover assembly further includes the first opening for the fuel feed system and the second opening for the fuel return system, a lever mechanism along internal walls of the first opening and the second opening of the cover assembly,
wherein the lever mechanism is configured for moving in a predetermined direction of the combined quick connector structure,
wherein the pawl and ratchet mechanism is mounted on either side of the cover assembly, and
wherein a lever of the pawl and ratchet mechanism is locked in the rib when the cover assembly is moved into an unlocked position.

9. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly includes:
a first retainer element for a fuel feed line and a second retainer element for a fuel return line; and
tubular extensions for inserting into the fuel feed line and the fuel return line.

10. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 , wherein a locking mechanism is provided on an internal circumference of a first retainer element for a fuel feed line and a second retainer element for a fuel return line.

11. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 ,
wherein the cover assembly and the connector assembly are hinged with a lever mechanism.

12. The combined quick connector structure of claim 1 ,
wherein the opening of the connector assembly includes a first opening and a second opening, and
wherein the combined quick connector structure further includes:
the cover assembly with the first opening for the fuel feed system and the second opening for the fuel return system;
a lever mechanism along internal walls of the first and second openings of the cover assembly, the lever mechanism configured for moving in a predetermined direction of the combined quick connector structure;
the pawl and ratchet mechanism pivotally mounted on either side of the cover assembly;
a rib provided on either side of the connector assembly, wherein a lever of the pawl and ratchet mechanism is locked in the rib when the cover assembly is moved in an unlocked position;
a first retainer element for a fuel feed line and a second retainer element for a fuel return line and tubular extensions for inserting into the fuel feed line and the fuel return line;
actuator pads provided on external and internal circumference of the first and second openings of the connector assembly, the actuator pads configured for being selectively pushed in; and
a locking mechanism on internal circumference of the first and second retainer elements for the fuel feed line and the fuel return line,
wherein the lever mechanism is configured for hinging the cover assembly with the connector assembly.

13. The combined quick connector structure of claim 12 ,
wherein the actuator pads include a first actuator pad and a second actuator pad,
wherein the lever mechanism includes a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first lever,
wherein first ends of the first lever and the second lever are engaged with the first and second actuator pads, and
wherein second ends of the first lever and the second lever are slidably engaged with a groove of an elevation member.

14. The combined quick connector structure of claim 13 ,
wherein the connector assembly includes a first retainer element for the fuel feed line and a second retainer element for an engine feed and return line,
wherein the first retainer element, a first locking pad, and the first actuator pad are engaged to the first end of the first lever, and
wherein the second retainer element, a second locking pad, and the second actuator pad are engaged to the first end of the second lever.

15. A combined quick connector structure for a fuel feed system and a fuel return system, the combined quick connector structure comprising:
a cover assembly and a connector assembly connected to the cover assembly,
wherein the connector assembly includes actuator pads mounted on external and internal circumference of first and second openings of the connector assembly,
wherein the actuator pads include a first actuator pad and a second actuator pad,
wherein a lever mechanism includes a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first lever and riveted to the connector assembly,
wherein first ends of the first lever and the second lever are engaged with the first and second actuator pads, and
wherein second ends of the first lever and the second lever are slidably engaged with a groove of an elevation member.

16. The combined quick connector structure of claim 15 ,
wherein the connector assembly includes a first retainer element for a fuel feed line and a second retainer element for a fuel return line,
wherein the first retainer element and a first set of locking pads controlled by the first actuator pad and a third actuator pad are engaged to and actuated by the first end of the first lever, and
wherein the second retainer element and a second set of locking pads controlled by the second actuator pad and a fourth actuator pad are engaged to and actuated by the first end of the second lever.

17. The combined quick connector structure of claim 16 ,
wherein the third actuator pad mounted on a first external circumference of the first opening is pressable and engaged to the first retainer element, and
wherein the fourth actuator pad mounted on a second external circumference of the second opening is pressable and engaged to the second retainer element.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp

Inventors

• Gurupackiam Lakshmanaraj
• Prasanna Venkatesan Raghavendra

Classifications

• F16L37/20 Primary

  Joints tightened by toggle-action levers · CPC title

• B60K15/01

  Arrangement of fuel conduits · CPC title

• B60K15/03006

  Gas tanks (B60K15/07 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F02M37/0017 Primary

  related to fuel pipes or their connections, e.g. joints or sealings (F02M55/004 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16L37/0842

  by means of a ring which is split into a plurality of component parts which are held in place by means of a resilient ring member · CPC title