IP Library Granted Patent US 12,535,162
Granted Patent B2
US 12,535,162 · App. 18/532,811 · Granted Jan 27, 2026

Quick-plug connection connector and leveling valve

Inventors: Qing Yang (Ji'nan, CN); Qiao Ding (Shanghai, CN); Juan Zhu (Ji'nan, CN)
Assignee: ZF Commercial Vehicle Systems (Qingdao) Co., Ltd
F16L37/088
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,535,162
App. No.
18/532,811
Granted
Jan 27, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A quick-plug connection connector includes: a locking member arranged at a tail end of a connector body and a release ring partially extending into the connector body so as to come into contact with the locking member. An annular receiving groove is formed in the release ring and a sealing ring is received in the annular receiving groove. As the release ring is pressed against the locking member, the locking member is released to form a pipeline installation path leading from the sealing ring to the locking member. In the quick-plug connection connector, the pipeline installation path leading from the sealing ring to the locking member is formed by arranging the sealing ring in front of the locking member so that the pipeline installation requirements can be reduced.

Claims (37)

1 . A quick-plug connection connector comprising:

a connector body having a head end and a tail end;

a locking member arranged at said tail end of said connector body;

a release ring partially extending into said connector body from said head end so as to come into contact with said locking member;

said release ring having an annular receiving groove provided therein;

a sealing ring seated in said annular receiving groove;

said release ring and said locking member being configured to release said locking member in response to said release ring being pressed against said locking member to form a pipeline installation path leading from said sealing ring to said locking member; and

said sealing ring having a radially-expanded outer wall and a radially-contracted inner wall at two ends; and, as a pipeline is inserted into the pipeline installation path, said sealing ring is adjusted to be radially compressed between said annular receiving groove and the pipeline at least at said two ends.

2 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 1 , wherein said sealing ring is made of a flexible material; said pipeline installation path is configured to allow insertion of a pipeline; and, said sealing ring is adaptively adjusted to radially compress the pipeline as the pipeline is inserted into the pipeline installation path.

3 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 2 , wherein said sealing ring is formed as a variable-diameter ring so as to permit said sealing ring to adjust to be at least partially radially compressed between said annular receiving groove and said pipeline as said pipeline is inserted into the pipeline installation path.

4 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 2 , wherein said sealing ring is made of rubber.

5 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 1 , wherein a tail portion of said release ring has a radially outward protrusion; said radially outward protrusion is received in an annular groove of a tail portion of said connector body; and, said annular groove is configured to limit movement of said release ring toward said head end of said connector body.

6 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 1 , wherein said pipeline installation path defines a central axis; said locking member includes a body portion connected to said tail end of said connector body and having claw portions gathering from said body portion toward said central axis of said pipeline installation path; and, said claw portions are configured to spread away from said central axis in response to said release ring being pressed against said locking member.

7 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 6 , further comprising: a locking limiter connected to said tail end of said connector body so as to cause the body portion of said locking member to be pressed between said tail end of said connector body and said locking limiter and said claw portions of said locking member extend into an inner cavity of said locking limiter.

8 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 7 , further comprising: a tapered sealing ring received in said inner cavity of said locking limiter and away from said locking member, wherein a minimum aperture of said tapered sealing ring is adapted to a minimum aperture of said sealing ring.

9 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 7 , further comprising: an O-ring embedded in and protruding radially from an annular outer wall of the locking limiter.

10 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 1 , wherein an outer wall of said connector body has a guide barb.

11 . A quick-plug connection connector comprising:

a connector body having a head end and a tail end;

a locking member arranged at said tail end of said connector body;

a release ring partially extending into said connector body from said head end so as to come into contact with said locking member;

said release ring having an annular receiving groove provided therein;

a sealing ring seated in said annular receiving groove;

said release ring and said locking member being configured to release said locking member in response to said release ring being pressed against said locking member to form a pipeline installation path leading from said sealing ring to said locking member; and,

a sealing limiter received in said annular receiving groove and located at a tail end of said sealing ring; and, said sealing limiter and an end face of said annular receiving groove axially limiting said sealing ring.

12 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 11 , wherein said sealing limiter has an end face configured to have bumps to abut against said sealing ring.

13 . The quick-plug connection connector of claim 11 , wherein an annular outer wall of said sealing limiter has a limiting ring configured to engage with said annular receiving groove.

14 . A leveling valve comprising:

a valve chamber;

a quick-plug connection connector defining a pipeline installation path leading to said valve chamber;

said quick-plug connection connector further including:

a connector body having a head end and a tail end;

a locking member arranged at said tail end of said connector body;

a release ring partially extending into said connector body from said head end so as to come into contact with said locking member;

said release ring having an annular receiving groove provided therein;

a sealing ring seated in said annular receiving groove; and,

said release ring and said locking member being configured to release said locking member in response to said release ring being pressed against said locking member to form said pipeline installation path leading from said sealing ring to said locking member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: YANG, QING; DING, QIAO; ZHU, JUAN
To: ZF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS (QINGDAO) CO., LTD
Reel/Frame 073366/0617 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202211591735.7 · Dec 12, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240191819A1 · Jun 13, 2024
References Cited (1)
US 20220049804A1 · Klehr · 2022 [cited by examiner]