Patent Application
20180230951
This disclosure generally relates to a tool for confirming the proper connection of a quick connect fuel or oil connector of an automobile.
Quick connect couplings have been widely used in the automotive industry for many years. Although applicable in numerous applications, quick connect couplings are typically utilized in fuel systems such as port fuel direct injection (PFDI) engines. Typical quick connect couplings include a female type quick connector with a wide mouth that is connectable to and releasable from a male tube inserted therein.
According to one embodiment, a quick connect tool is provided. The tool is configured to connect first and second ends of a quick connect fuel or oil connector of an automobile. The tool includes a pair of handles pivotally coupled to each other. The tool also includes a pair of arms having pockets configured to receive respective ends of a fuel-line coupling, the arms coupled to the handles via a linkage such that pivotal movement of the handles causes linear movement of the arms to force the ends into engagement. The tool also includes a sensor configured to output a signal in response to the linear movement exceeding a threshold.
According to another embodiment, a tool for confirming proper connection of a quick connect fuel coupling is provided. The tool includes first and second handle members directly pivotally coupled to one another via a gearing arrangement. The tool also includes a pair of arms configured to couple to respective male and female ends of the fuel coupling. The tool also includes a proximity sensor configured to send a signal in response to at least a portion of the first and second handle members contacting each other. Compression of the handle members translates the arms linearly toward one another and a positive signal from the proximity sensor indicates the fuel coupling is properly connected.
According to yet another embodiment, a method of connecting a quick-connect fuel coupling includes first inserting ends of the coupling into respective receptacles that extend from a tool. The method includes pivotally rotating handles of the tool toward one another to linearly translate the ends into engagement until stops on the tool engage. Finally, the method includes receiving a notification that the stops engaged, indicating that the ends of the coupling are properly attached.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.
In fluid delivery systems, it is imperative that the quick connectors have their male and female portions properly coupled together.
Therefore, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, a tool is disclosed that quickly and easily confirms the seating of the quick connect fuel connector.
The tool 20 is shown in
The first extension member 36 also terminates in an end portion 42 which is integrally formed or fixed relative thereto, and the second extension member 38 terminates in an end portion 44 which is integrally formed or fixed relative thereto. The end portions of each extension member 36, 38 are not connected directly to one another, but are connected to a four-bar linkage, as described below.
The first extension member 36 is pivotally connected to a first link or bar 50, which is, in turn, pivotally connected to a second link or bar 52. The second bar 52 is pivotally connected to the second extension member 38. Likewise, the second extension member 38 is pivotally connected to a third link or bar 54, which is, in turn, pivotally connected to a fourth link or bar 56. The fourth bar 56 is pivotally connected to the first extension member 36. This four-bar linkage converts pivotal movement of the handles at the gearing arrangement 40 into linear movement of the second and fourth bars 52, 56. The second bar 52 is connected to one of the semi-cylindrical arms 32, and the fourth bar 56 is connected to the other of the semi-cylindrical arms 32. Thus, when the second and fourth bars 52, 56 are moved linearly, so too are the arms 32. When the handles are in their open position (
The tool 20 is provided with a proximity switch, also referred to as a touch switch. The switch is not illustrated here, but can be a type of switch that provides a positive signal when the two fixed portions 62, 64 of a hard stop 60 touch one another. The switch may be located within the cover 30 adjacent or within one or both of the fixed portions 62, 64. When the two portions 62, 64 of the hard stop 60 touch each other, a positive signal is provided to a controller (not shown), indicating that the handles have been compressed far enough and the male portion of the quick connect fuel connector is proper seated and inserted deep enough into the female portion. This assures the fuel connector is properly connected. The controller can initiate visual or audible notifications in response to receiving the positive signal.
In one embodiment, the fixed portions 62, 64 are at least partially disposed within the spring 26.
In operation, the user places the arms 32 of the tool 20 about the male and female quick connect coupling. The user then presses the handles toward each other. This causes the four-bar linkage to linearly translate the arms and slide the arms relative to the quick connect coupling. The handles are pressed until the two portions 62, 64 of the hard stop 60 contact one another, indicating that the arms 32 have translated a sufficient linear distance to cause an adequate coupling of the male and female ends of the quick connect fuel connector. When the two portions 62, 64 contact one another, the proximity sensor sends a positive signal. This indicates that the handles and their associated mechanisms in the housing have moved far enough such that the quick connect coupling is properly seated. In other words, the proximity sensor sends the signal in response to the arms moving a linear distance that exceeds a threshold.
The Figures and description provided above provide one embodiment of a tool having handles directly coupled to each other (e.g., via a sprocket), and indirectly coupled to one another (e.g., via a four-bar linkage) such that relative movement of the handles causes linear relative movement of arms that receive male and female ends of a quick connect fuel coupling. One embodiment is also provided in which a sensor is configured to send a signal (e.g., when stops contact one another) indicating that the handles have been rotated relative to each other a sufficient distance (and therefore the arms have translated linearly a sufficient distance) to cause a proper engagement and fitting of the ends of the quick connect fuel coupling. However, the Figures and description above are but one embodiment, and it should be understood that the mechanics can be altered slightly by a skilled artisan to achieve the same end result. Those embodiments are also contemplated as part of this disclosure.
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.
