One-time only snap connection system mounting two parts and a sensor mounting system using the snap connection system

{
  "publication_number": "US10711818B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "One-time only snap connection system mounting two parts and a sensor mounting system using the snap connection system",
  "abstract": "An enforced one-time snap connection system mounts a first component to a second component. The first component has a circumferentially extending groove formed into an exterior surface. The second component has an annular mounting adapter having an internal bore. An annular retainer is secured on an end of the second component at the internal bore, the annular retainer includes an axially extending annular portion having a radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib received into the circumferentially extending groove during installation of the first component into the second component such that the annular locking rib or locking tabs and/or the circumferentially extending groove are critically damaged or destroyed if the first component is removed from the second component, thereby preventing re-assembly and re-locking of the components together again.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An enforced one-time snap connection system, comprising: an elongated first component including a circumferentially extending groove formed into an exterior surface of the elongated first component; a second component including an annular mounting adapter having an internal bore; an annular retainer secured on an end of the second component at the internal bore, the annular retainer including an axially extending annular portion having a radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib, or axially extending legs having radially inwardly projecting locking tabs; wherein the radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib or the radially inwardly projecting locking tabs are lockably received into the circumferentially extending groove during installation of the first component into the second component; wherein the annular locking rib or locking tabs and/or the circumferentially extending groove are critically damaged or destroyed if the first component is removed from the second component, thereby preventing re-assembly and re-locking of the components together again such that the snap connection system is an enforced one-time snap connection system.",
    "2. An enforced one-time snap connection system, comprising: an elongated sensor port or heated port component including: a radially outer circumferential surface; a circumferentially extending groove formed into the radially outer surface of the elongated sensor port or heated port component, forming a circumferentially continuous groove or a circumferentially segmented groove; an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine, including an annular mounting adapter formed or mounted onto a circumferential wall of the air intake duct, the annular mounting adapter having an internal bore extending radially from an radial exterior of the air intake duct to open into an air flow path in an interior of the air intake duct; an annular retainer arranged at, on or in a radially inner surface of the air intake duct, the annular retainer engaging with the circumferentially extending groove forming the enforced one-time snap connection, the annular retainer secured on an end of the elongated sensor port or heated port component at the internal bore, the annular retainer including at least one axially extending annular leg; at least one radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib arranged on an end of the at least one axially extending annular leg, the at least one radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib projecting radially into the internal bore; wherein the at least one radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib is lockably received into the circumferentially extending groove during installation of the elongated sensor port or heated port component into the annular mounting adapter of the air intake duct; wherein the at least one inwardly projecting annular locking rib and the circumferentially extending groove are critically damaged or destroyed if the elongated sensor port or heated port component is removed from the annular mounting adapter, thereby preventing re-assembly and re-locking of the elongated sensor port or heated port component onto the air intake duct, such that the snap connection system is an enforced one-time snap connection system.",
    "3. The enforced one-time snap connection system according to claim 2, wherein the circumferentially extending groove is either a circumferentially continuous groove or is a plurality of segments each extending circumferentially about a portion of a circumference of the radially outer surface of the elongated sensor port or heated port component.",
    "4. The enforced one-time snap connection system according to claim 2, wherein the at least one radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib is an annular closed ring forming a radially projecting annular locking rib projecting radially inwardly into the interior of the internal bore; wherein the annular locking rib has an oblique sloped surface arranged in at an interior of the internal bore, the sloped surface engaging against and elastically deforming/deflecting a portion of the radially outer surface of the elongated sensor port or heated port component inwardly and/or optionally elastically deflecting the annular retainer radially outwardly when the elongated sensor port or heated port component is being inserted into the annular mounting adapter; wherein, as the elongated sensor port or heated port component is further axially inserted in the internal bore to a final position, the radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib is elastically relaxed and received into the circumferentially extending groove of the elongated sensor port or heated port component, thereby creating the enforced one-time snap connection.",
    "5. The enforced one-time snap connection system according to claim 4, wherein the annular locking rib has an axially inner surface which extends substantially perpendicular an axis of the internal bore, thereby engaging against a complimentary shaped wall of the circumferentially extending groove, thereby preventing disconnection of the enforced one-time snap connection system without causing critical structural damage to or destroying the enforced one-time snap connection system.",
    "6. The enforced one-time snap connection system according to claim 2, wherein the circumferentially extending groove is formed by a plurality of groove segments each extending circumferentially about a portion of a circumference of the radially outer surface of the elongated sensor port or heated port component; the at least one radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib projects radially inwardly into the interior of the internal bore and is configured to engage respective one of the plurality of groove segments; wherein the at least one annular locking rib has an oblique sloped surface arranged in at an interior of the internal bore, the sloped surface engaging against and elastically deforming/deflecting a portion the radially outer surface of the elongated sensor port or heated port component inwarldy and/or optionally elastically deflecting the annular retainer radially outwardly when the elongated sensor port or heated port component is being inserted into the annular mounting adapter; wherein, as the elongated sensor port or heated port component is further axially inserted in the internal bore to a final position, the at least one radially inwardly projecting annular locking rib is elastically relaxed and received into the respective groove segment of the plurality of groove segments of the elongated sensor port or heated port component, thereby creating the enforced one-time snap connection.",
    "7. The enforced one-time snap connection system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one annular locking rib has an axially inner surface projecting inwardly into the internal bore and which extends substantially perpendicular an axis of the internal bore, thereby engaging against a complimentary shaped wall of the respective groove segment of the plurality of groove segments of the elongated sensor port or heated port component, preventing disconnection of the enforced one-time snap connection system without causing critical structural damage to or destroying the enforced one-time snap connection system."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present teachings generally relates to an enforced one-time snap connection system for securely fasting one component to another. The present teachings more particularly, the present teachings relate to a one-time snap connect and sealing system for mounting a component or conduit, such as a sensor or heated port, to a duct, such as an air intake duct of a motor vehicle. The present teachings more particularly, relates to mounting systems which self-destruct and become inoperable when tampered with, so as to not be usable again.\n\nThe snap connection and sealing system can be quickly and easily connected together with a locking action, and thereafter the component parts of the connector will not be separable from each other without destroying the snap connection system. In one particular application, the present teachings relate to a one-time fixed tamper-resistant snap connection system mounting a heated port or sensor tube onto a clean side air duct of a motor vehicle.\n\nThe accompanying Figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.\n\nFeatures of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth in the drawings and more particularly in the appended claims.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16B 17/00",
    "F02B 77/085"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F02B 77/08",
    "F16B 17/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Mann and Hummel GmbH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Henry Hulbert",
    "Brad Olson",
    "Jason Worrall"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-07-02",
  "publication_date": "2020-07-14",
  "grant_date": "2020-07-14",
  "priority_date": "2016-07-01",
  "application_number": "US-201715640570-A",
  "family_id": "60806632",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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}