High voltage interlock mechanism for high voltage connectors

Abstract

The present invention discloses a high-voltage interlocking mechanism for a high-voltage connector, which includes a first connecting part, the first connecting part having a first shell and two first high-voltage interlocking terminals accommodated in the first shell; a second connecting part, the second connecting part having a second shell and a second high-voltage interlocking terminal accommodated in the second shell; the second high-voltage interlocking terminal is a fork-shaped structure, the second high-voltage interlocking terminal has two receiving parts, the two first high-voltage interlocking terminals are respectively engaged in each of the two receiving parts, and the fork-shaped second high-voltage interlocking terminal is configured to electrically connect the two terminals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electrical connection, and in particular to a high-voltage interlocking mechanism for a high-voltage connector. Background Art

[0002] High-voltage connectors are typically equipped with a high-voltage interlock (HVIL) mechanism, a safety mechanism that uses low-voltage signals to monitor the integrity of the high-voltage circuit. In theory, the low-voltage monitoring circuit is connected before the high-voltage circuit and disconnected after it, maintaining a necessary lead time in between. The length of time can be determined based on the specific circumstances of the project. Especially in the field of electric vehicles, the high-voltage circuit in the vehicle requires that the high-voltage connector be an electrical component with HVIL functionality to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle's high-voltage circuit.

[0003] Figure 1A The figure shows a common high-voltage interlocking connection structure of a high-voltage connector. The high-voltage connector includes a male connector 1 and a female connector 2. The female connector 2 is provided with two electrical terminals 4, which are connected to the cables respectively, and the male connector 1 is provided with two electrical terminals 3. Figure 1B As shown, they form a square shape with a concave receiving portion, into which the pin-shaped electrical terminals 4 in the female connector can be inserted. The rear end of the distal end of the receiving portion of the electrical terminal in the female connector also forms a wiring portion, and the two wiring portions are connected together by a conductive wire (not shown), so that when the male connector 1 and the female connector 2 are connected together, the two pin-shaped electrical terminals 4 in the female connector 2 can achieve current conduction.

[0004] However, in this common high-voltage connector, the two female electrical terminals 4 in the female connector are complex in structure and require crimping of wires before assembly into the connector body made of insulating material. This process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, there is still a need to improve the existing high-voltage connector. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the high-voltage interlocking mechanism in a high-voltage connector in the prior art and improve the manufacturing process of the high-voltage interlocking mechanism in a high-voltage connector, the present invention provides a high-voltage interlocking mechanism for a high-voltage connector, the high-voltage interlocking mechanism comprising: a first connecting portion having a first housing and two first high-voltage interlocking terminals accommodated in the first housing; a second connecting portion having a second housing and a second high-voltage interlocking terminal accommodated in the second housing; the second high-voltage interlocking terminal being a fork-shaped structure having two receiving portions, with the two first high-voltage interlocking terminals respectively engaged in each of the two receiving portions, the fork-shaped second high-voltage interlocking terminal being configured to electrically connect the two first high-voltage interlocking terminals. The second high-voltage interlocking terminal is an integral or single piece.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the second high-voltage interlocking terminal has a base and a plurality of cantilevers extending from the base, the receiving portion is located between two adjacent cantilevers, each of the plurality of cantilevers has a free end and a fixed end, and the fixed ends of the plurality of cantilevers are connected at the base to form a whole.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of cantilevers include a middle cantilever and side cantilevers located on opposite sides of the middle cantilever.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the second high-voltage interlock terminal further includes an attachment tab configured to be snap-fitted into the second housing, the attachment tab protruding from the fixed end of the cantilever.

[0009] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the attachment tab has latches protruding from an edge of the attachment tab.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the second high-voltage interlocking terminal is integrally formed by stamping a conductive plate. In other words, the second high-voltage interlocking terminal is in a sheet shape.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a second terminal accommodating cavity is formed in the second shell, and the second terminal accommodating cavity has opposite side surfaces, and the opposite side surfaces form guide ribs on a portion of the corresponding receiving portion, and the guide ribs are protruding from the opposite side surfaces into the receiving portion.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, when the first high-voltage interlock terminal is inserted into the receiving portion, the guide rib abuts against the first high-voltage interlock terminal.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the free end of the cantilever is provided with a convex portion protruding toward the accommodating cavity.

[0014] With the high-voltage interlock mechanism of the present invention, only one high-voltage interlock terminal is required in the second connector. This single-piece terminal eliminates the need for wiring. Consequently, the high-voltage interlock terminal in the second connector can be efficiently and cost-effectively manufactured using a stamping process, eliminating the need for subsequent processing steps. This saves manufacturing time and reduces costs. Furthermore, the single-piece high-voltage interlock terminal simplifies assembly and offers high precision.

[0015] By providing guide ribs on the inner surface of the receiving portion of the second shell relative to the high-voltage interlocking terminal, it can be ensured that the high-voltage interlocking terminals in the two connecting parts are always connected during operation without the problem of instantaneous disconnection. This can meet higher vibration requirements and is particularly suitable for use in vehicles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are as follows:

[0017] Figure 1A The figure shows a cross-sectional view of a high-voltage interlocking mechanism of a high-voltage connector in the prior art.

[0018] Figure 1B To show Figure 1A A perspective view of the female interlocking terminal used in the high voltage connector in FIG.

[0019] Figure 2 FIG1 is a cross-sectional view showing a high-voltage interlocking mechanism of a high-voltage connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 A partial perspective view of an internal terminal interlocking structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] List of Figures

[0022] 10 High voltage interlocking mechanism

[0023] 20 First connection part

[0024] 21 First Shell

[0025] 22 First high-voltage interlocking terminal

[0026] 30 Second connection part

[0027] 31 Second shell

[0028] 32 guide ribs

[0029] 33 Second high-voltage interlocking terminal

[0030] 34 base

[0031] 35 Cantilever

[0032] 36 convex part

[0033] 37 Attachment tab

[0034] 38 Reception Department

[0035] 39 Terminal accommodating cavity DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention is further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can obviously be implemented in a variety of other ways different from the description herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations and deductions based on actual application situations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a high-voltage connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which a high-voltage interlocking mechanism 10 is particularly shown. The high-voltage interlocking mechanism 10 is usually integrated into the high-voltage connector to implement a high-voltage interlocking circuit, thereby facilitating improved reliability of the high-voltage connector.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the high-voltage interlocking mechanism 10 includes a first connection part 20 and a second connection part 30 that are engaged with each other. Preferably, the first connection part 20 is a male connection part and the second connection part 30 is a female connection part. The first connection part 20 includes an insulating first shell 21, and the second connection part 30 includes an insulating second shell 31. The first shell 21 is configured to be engaged with the second shell 31, for example, so that they can be locked with each other. The first connection part 20 is provided with two first high-voltage interlocking terminals 22 for the high-voltage interlocking mechanism 10, and the second connection part 30 is provided with a second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33. The distal end of the first high-voltage interlocking terminal 22 is connected to the cable. When the first connection part 20 and the second connection part 30 are engaged in place, the second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 is connected to the two first high-voltage interlocking terminals 22 to electrically connect the two first high-voltage interlocking terminals 22, and accordingly, the two cables are electrically connected to realize a high-voltage interlocking circuit.

[0039] Figure 2 The first high voltage interlock terminal 22 is shown with Figure 1A The electrical terminals in the female connector shown in FIG are similar. The first high-voltage interlock terminal 22 is fixed to the first housing 21 of the first connecting portion 20. The front end of the terminal is generally in the shape of an elongated pin, which is used to engage with the second high-voltage interlock terminal 33 of the second connecting portion 30. The rear end of the terminal has a connection portion for the cable leading out of the high-voltage interlock circuit. The structure of the connection portion is conventional and can be used in a crimping configuration.

[0040] The second connection portion 30 includes a second high voltage interlocking terminal 33, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second high-voltage interlock terminal 33 has a fork-shaped structure. Specifically, the second high-voltage interlock terminal 33 has a base 34 and three cantilevers 35 extending from the base 34, and adjacent cantilevers 35 form two receiving portions 38. The two first high-voltage interlock terminals 22 are respectively engaged in each of the two receiving portions 38. The second high-voltage interlock terminal 33 in the second connecting portion 30 is a single-piece or integrated terminal structure. It is made of a conductive material, such as a copper sheet or other suitable conductive material. When the two first high-voltage interlock terminals 22 are engaged with the second high-voltage interlock terminal 33, the single-piece high-voltage interlock terminal enables the two first high-voltage interlock terminals 22 to be electrically connected to achieve a circuit.

[0041] The cantilever 35 of the second high-voltage interlock terminal 33 has a free end and a fixed end, and the fixed end is formed as a whole with the base 34. The base 34 is further provided with a fixing device for fixing the second high-voltage interlock terminal 33 to the second housing 31 at the end opposite to the cantilever 35. In a preferred embodiment, the fixing device is an attachment tab 37, which has a latching tooth protruding from the edge of the attachment tab 37, such as Figure 2 As shown, the longitudinal edges of the opposite sides of the attachment protrusion 37 are provided with latches. The second housing 31 of the second connecting part 30 is correspondingly provided with an attachment hole. During the installation process, the attachment protrusion 37 only needs to be inserted into the attachment hole to be retained therein by the snap action of the latches.

[0042] The fixing means for fixing the second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 to the second housing 31 is not limited to the attachment protrusion 37 provided with latching teeth, and other forms of latching components, such as latching grooves or elastically flexible latching claws, may also be used.

[0043] Advantageously, the fixing device for fixing the second high voltage interlocking terminal 33 to the second housing 31 , the base 34 and the cantilever 35 are all flat plate components, so that the entire second high voltage interlocking terminal is suitable for being integrally formed in a single process by a stamping process.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the free end of each cantilever 35 is provided with a protrusion 36 that protrudes toward the receiving portion 38. This protrusion 36 facilitates abutment against the first high-voltage interlock terminal 22 to ensure reliable electrical connectivity between the high-voltage interlock terminals. Specifically, the three cantilever arms 35 include a middle cantilever 35 and two side cantilever arms 35 located on opposite sides of the middle cantilever 35. The middle cantilever has protrusions 36 on opposite sides of its free end, while the side cantilever arms 35 on either side have a protrusion 36 on the side opposite the receiving portion.

[0045] Preferably, the middle cantilever 35 is wider than the side cantilever 35, such as Figure 2As shown, the wider middle cantilever 35 is conducive to maintaining a fixed position, while the narrower side cantilever 35 is conducive to deflecting outward when the first high-voltage interlock terminal 22 is inserted and can be elastically restored.

[0046] Furthermore, if Figure 3 As shown, a terminal accommodating cavity 39 is formed in the second shell 31, and the accommodating cavity 39 has opposite sides, and the shape of the terminal accommodating cavity 39 corresponds to the second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33. A guide rib 32 is formed on a portion of the opposite side of the terminal accommodating cavity 39, and the side of this portion corresponds to the receiving portion 38 between the cantilevers 35. The guide rib 32 is protruding from the two opposite sides into the receiving portion 38, and the guide rib 32 extends longitudinally along the direction of insertion of the first high-voltage interlocking terminal 22. The terminal guide rib 32 plays a guiding role when inserting the second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 into the terminal accommodating cavity 39. When the first high-voltage interlocking terminal 22 is inserted into the receiving portion 38, the guide rib 32 plays a positioning role for the interlocking terminals 22 and 33, especially when Figure 3 At the free end of the cantilever 35 shown, the protrusion 36 and the guide rib 32 of the cantilever 35 define a shape that matches the first high-voltage interlocking terminal 22. The protrusion 36 and the guide rib 32 abut against the surface of the first high-voltage interlocking terminal 22, thereby minimizing the relative offset of the interlocking terminals 22 and 33, ensuring that the first and second high-voltage interlocking terminals 22 and 33 are always in contact during operation without the problem of instantaneous disconnection.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 can be made by a stamping process. Preferably, a fork-shaped second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 can be stamped out of a copper plate, and other suitable conductive metal materials are also applicable. The thickness of the copper sheet is preferably in the range of 0.8-1.2 mm. The stamped interlocking terminal 33 can be installed in the second housing 31 without further processing. The second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 made by the stamping process is one-piece, with high dimensional accuracy, and does not require other wiring processing, saving production time and cost, and the one-piece second high-voltage interlocking terminal 33 can be installed in the second housing 31 to ensure high position accuracy. Only one terminal is required in the second connector, which reduces the number of terminals compared to the existing technology.

[0048] The high voltage interlock mechanism 1 is integrated into the high voltage connector, and its specific arrangement and position can be determined according to the requirements of the high voltage connector. The housing of the high voltage interlock mechanism 1 can be part of the main housing of the high voltage connector or attached thereto.

[0049] Although the present invention is disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, this is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent variations, and modifications made to the above embodiments in accordance with the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-voltage interlocking mechanism for a high-voltage connector, the high-voltage interlocking mechanism comprising: a first connecting portion having a first housing and two first high-voltage interlocking terminals accommodated in the first housing; a second connecting portion having a second housing and a second high-voltage interlocking terminal accommodated in the second housing; The second high-voltage interlock terminal is a fork-shaped structure having two receiving portions, the two first high-voltage interlock terminals being respectively engaged in each of the two receiving portions, and the fork-shaped second high-voltage interlock terminal is configured to electrically connect the two first high-voltage interlock terminals. The second high-voltage interlock terminal has a base and a plurality of cantilevers extending from the base, the receiving portion is located between two adjacent cantilevers, each of the plurality of cantilevers has a free end and a fixed end, and the fixed ends of the plurality of cantilevers are connected at the base to form a whole. A second terminal accommodating cavity is formed in the second shell. The second terminal accommodating cavity has opposite side surfaces. The opposite side surfaces form guide ribs on a portion corresponding to the receiving portion. The guide ribs are protruding from the opposite side surfaces into the receiving portion.

2. The high-voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The second high-voltage interlocking terminal is an integrated piece.

3. The high voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of cantilevers include a middle cantilever and side cantilevers located at opposite sides of the middle cantilever.

4. The high voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second high-voltage interlock terminal is integrally formed by punching out a conductive plate.

5. The high voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The second high-voltage interlock terminal includes a fixing device for fixing the second high-voltage interlock terminal to the second housing, wherein the fixing device is integrally formed on the second high-voltage interlock terminal.

6. The high-voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fixing device is configured as an attachment tab snap-fitted into the second housing, the attachment tab protruding from a base of the second high-voltage interlock terminal, and the attachment tab has a latching tooth protruding from an edge of the attachment tab.

7. The high voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: When the first high-voltage interlock terminal is inserted into the receiving portion, the guide rib abuts against the first high-voltage interlock terminal.

8. The high voltage interlocking mechanism according to claim 7, wherein: The free end of the cantilever is provided with a convex portion protruding toward the accommodating cavity.

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