Quick connector structure
View Patent ↗A quick connector structure includes a fitting connector, a connector, and a U-shaped positioning snap pin. The fitting connector is a pipe connector, a three-way valve connector, or a washing machine valve connector. The fitting connector is combined with a pipe body. The U-shaped positioning snap pin ensures the stability of the connection between the fitting connector and the connector. The quick connector structure enables rapid positioning and assembly, reducing the assembly difficulty in a smaller or concealed space and achieving the effects of assembly stability and convenience.
1. An apparatus comprising: a quick connector structure, comprising:
a fitting connector comprising a connector part, a fitting connector body part, and a fitting part; wherein a fitting hole extends though the fitting connector and is at least partially defined by a hole inner wall, and a first longitudinal snap hole and a second longitudinal snap hole are located on either side of the fitting part; and the fitting part defines a first side snap opening and a second side snap opening;
a connector comprising a connector body part and a connection end, the connector defines a duct hole, a first positioning snap groove and a second positioning snap groove are defined on either side of the connector body part near the connection end, and the fitting hole receives the connection end; and the first longitudinal snap hole corresponds to the first positioning snap groove, and the second longitudinal snap hole corresponds to the second positioning snap groove; and
a U-shaped positioning pin comprising a pin base and a first pin body part and a second pin body part extending from the pin base; wherein the first pin body part comprises a first snap protrusion, and the second pin body comprises a second snap protrusion;
wherein the U-shaped positioning pin is configured to move from a first position, to a second position, and then to a third position; in the first position, the first snap protrusion is located outside the first longitudinal snap hole; in the second position, the first snap protrusion is located adjacent to the first side snap opening; in the third position the U-shaped positioning pin is fully inserted in the fitting connector and configured to secure the connector to the fitting connector in a first orientation and a second orientation; in the first orientation the first pin body part extends through the first longitudinal snap hole and engages against both the first positioning snap groove and the first longitudinal snap hole; in the second orientation the first pin body part extends through the second longitudinal snap hole, and engages against both the second positioning snap groove and the second longitudinal snap hole; and in the first orientation and in the second orientation the pin base abuts the fitting part at the same location.
2. The quick connector structure of claim 1 , wherein the fitting connector is a pipe connector, a three-way valve connector, or a washing machine valve connector.
3. The quick connector structure of claim 1 , wherein upper and lower sides of the first and the second longitudinal snap holes, formed on the fitting part of the fitting connector, respectively comprise a positioning groove; and upper and lower sides of the connector body part, near the connection end, are respectively formed with a positioning bump, and the positioning grooves accept the two positioning bumps.
4. The quick connector structure of claim 1 , wherein a resisting block is located between the first and the second longitudinal snap holes on both sides of the fitting part, a positioning inner recess is at least partially defined by the pin base, and the positioning inner recess receives the resisting block.