Charging electrical connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging electrical connector, primarily comprising a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal coaxially disposed within a connector base. An insulating seat is disposed between the first and second conductive terminals. A coaxial undulating structure is formed on the surface of the insulating seat. The undulating structure comprises one or more grooves and one or more steps. The grooves recessed in the insulating seat surface or the steps elevated above the insulating seat surface significantly increase the insulating surface area from the first conductive terminal along the insulating seat surface to the second conductive terminal, thereby extending the creepage distance formed along the insulating surface from the first conductive terminal to the second conductive terminal and simultaneously increasing the heat dissipation area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to a charging electrical connector having an undulating structure formed on an insulating base that is higher or lower than the surface to increase the creepage distance. Background Art

[0002] Driven by environmental protection and alternative energy issues, electric vehicles have become one of the most popular industries in recent years. Since electric vehicles must rely on charging to maintain their driving force, electric motorcycles, for example, typically obtain power by replacing batteries. The battery and the vehicle are connected via a pluggable connector. Since the connector serves as the power transmission interface, its electrical specifications must comply with specific standards.

[0003] According to my country's national standard GB 24155-2020 "Safety Requirements for Electric Motorcycles and Electric Mopeds," specific regulations are made for the creepage distance and electrical clearance of the charging interface. The creepage distance of the power battery must meet the following requirements:

[0004] The creepage distance d1 between the power battery connection terminals is calculated according to the following formula (1), in mm:

[0005] d1 ≥ 0.25 U + 5 (1)

[0006] The creepage distance d2 between live parts and the electrical platform is calculated according to the following formula (2), in mm:

[0007] d2 ≥ 0.125 U + 5 (2)

[0008] In the above formulas (1) and (2), U is the maximum operating voltage between the two output terminals of the power battery, in volts.

[0009] In addition, the electrical gap between conductive parts should be no less than 2.5mm.

[0010] Cooperate Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the measurement method of electrical clearance and creepage distance can be seen. It discloses two connecting terminals 71 and 72 on a carrier 70. The two connecting terminals 71 and 72 respectively have a conductive surface 710 and 720. The distance between the two conductive surfaces 710 and 720 is the electrical clearance G, and the distance between the two connecting terminals 71 and 72 along the surface of the carrier 70 is the creepage distance D.

[0011] From the above, we can see that my country has the above creepage distance and electrical clearance requirements for charging interfaces used in electric vehicles. Figure 8 、 Figure 9, which discloses a conventional charging electrical connector. A negative conductive terminal 81 is primarily disposed within a connector base 80. A positive conductive terminal 82 is coaxially and electrically isolatedly disposed within the negative conductive terminal 81. The negative conductive terminal 81 is hollow and cylindrical, internally defining an upper chamber 811 and a lower chamber 812 that communicate with each other. The inner diameter of the upper chamber 811 is consistently larger than that of the lower chamber 812. A crown spring 813 is disposed within the upper chamber 811 and electrically connected to the negative conductive terminal 81. The crown spring 813 has a plurality of contact spring blades, each extending in an axial direction to form a contact point. When the connector is mated with a corresponding connector, the crown spring 813 serves as the primary conductive medium for negative power, while the contact point serves as the conductive surface of the negative conductive terminal 81.

[0012] To ensure that the positive conductive terminal 82 is coaxially and electrically isolated within the negative conductive terminal 81, an insulating seat 83 is provided in the lower chamber 812 to match the positive conductive terminal 82. The positive conductive terminal 82 is centrally located within the insulating seat 83. The insulating seat 83 provides an insulating surface between the positive conductive terminal 82 and the negative conductive terminal 81, thereby electrically isolating the two. According to the aforementioned national standards, the operating voltage of this type of connector is 50.4 volts. According to the aforementioned formula (1), the creepage distance must be greater than or equal to 17.6 mm (0.25 x 50.4 + 5), and the electrical clearance must be greater than 2.5 mm.

[0013] Corresponding to the above connector, this means that the creepage distance from the negative conductive terminal 81 along the surface of the insulating base 83 to the positive conductive terminal 82 must be greater than 17.6mm. The contact point of the crown spring 813, which serves as the conductive surface of the negative conductive terminal 81, must have an electrical clearance greater than 2.5mm from the positive conductive terminal 82. Figure 10 As shown, according to the measured results, the electrical gap G1 from the contact point of the crown spring 813 of the negative conductive terminal 81 to the positive conductive terminal 82 is 6.02 mm, which is always greater than the standard requirement of 2.5 mm, and thus meets the safety requirements.

[0014] However, the creepage distance from the negative conductive terminal 81 to the positive conductive terminal 82 along the surface of the insulating seat 83 is It is only 7.33mm, far below the standard requirement of 17.6mm and does not comply with regulations.

[0015] The above connectors also face the problem of creepage distance not meeting safety requirements in terms of external connections. Please refer to Figure 9As shown, the negative conductive terminal 81 and the positive conductive terminal 82 are connected to an electrical connection piece 84 and 85 respectively. One end of the two electrical connection pieces 84 and 85 is electrically connected to the bottom of the negative conductive terminal 81 and the positive conductive terminal 82 respectively, and the other end is bent and extended beyond the bottom of the connector base 80. The other end extending out of the connector base 80 is bent again to be roughly parallel to the bottom surface of the connector base 80 to form an electrical connection portion 840, 850 for external electrical connection.

[0016] Please refer to Figure 9 、 Figure 11 As shown, the other ends of the two electrical connection pieces 84 and 85 exposed outside the connector base 80 are located at two opposite positions on the bottom of the connector base 80. Under the structural limitations of the connector base 80, the distance between the two electrical connection pieces 84 and 85 has been extended as much as possible. According to actual measurements, the distance D1 between the two electrical connection pieces 84 and 85 is 17.15mm, which is much larger than the requirement that the electrical clearance must be greater than or equal to 2.5mm, but is still lower than the creepage distance requirement of at least 17.6mm.

[0017] As can be seen from the above, existing charging connectors cannot meet safety requirements in terms of creepage distance, so further review is needed to find a feasible solution. Summary of the Invention

[0018] Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a charging electrical connector that meets safety requirements by forming a special undulating structure on the insulating seat between the terminals to increase the creepage distance and heat dissipation area.

[0019] The primary technical means employed to achieve the aforementioned objectives is to provide the aforementioned charging electrical connector with a connector base, wherein a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal are coaxially disposed within the connector base. The first conductive terminal is a positive or negative terminal, and the second conductive terminal has opposite polarity to the first conductive terminal. An insulating seat is disposed between the first and second conductive terminals; wherein:

[0020] One end of the first conductive terminal is disposed in the connector base, and the other end is exposed from the connector base; the first conductive terminal is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and has an upper slot chamber and a lower slot chamber inside;

[0021] The insulating seat is arranged in a matching shape in the lower slot chamber of the first conductive terminal; the surface of the insulating seat is coaxially formed with an undulating structure, the undulating structure including one or more grooves lower than the surface of the insulating seat and one or more steps higher than the surface of the insulating seat;

[0022] The second conductive terminal is arranged at the center of the insulating seat, and is coaxially and electrically isolatedly located inside the first conductive terminal. One end of the second conductive terminal is located in the upper slot chamber of the first conductive terminal, and the other end passes through the bottom of the insulating seat.

[0023] The insulating seat surface of the aforementioned connector is coaxially formed with an annular undulating structure. The undulating structure protrudes and recesses into the surface of the insulating seat, thereby significantly extending the creepage distance between the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal along the surface of the insulating seat. At the same time, it can also expand the heat dissipation area, fully meeting safety requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is another partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram for calculating creepage distance.

[0031] Figure 8 A perspective view of a conventional charging electrical connector.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of an existing charging connector.

[0033] Figure 10 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a conventional charging electrical connector.

[0034] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of a conventional charging electrical connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following is a detailed description of the technical means used by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose of the invention, with reference to the drawings and preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] Regarding a preferred embodiment of the present invention, please first refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2As shown, a first conductive terminal 20 is provided in a connector base 10, and a second conductive terminal 30 is provided coaxially and electrically isolated in the first conductive terminal 20; in actual application, the first conductive terminal 20 can be used as a negative power terminal, and the second conductive terminal 30 can be used as a positive power terminal, but it is not limited to this. The polarity of the two power supplies can also be interchanged according to actual needs;

[0037] The connector base 10 is hollow, and has a circular base body coaxially formed with a vertically extending annular platform 11 . The platform 11 is shaped to match one end of the first conductive terminal 20 .

[0038] The first conductive terminal 20 is hollow and cylindrical, with one end positioned within the platform 11 of the connector base 10 and the other end extending beyond the platform 11. The first conductive terminal 20 defines an upper chamber 21 and a lower chamber 22 that communicate with each other. The upper chamber 21 has a larger inner diameter than the lower chamber 22. The lower chamber 22 further defines an inwardly contracted wall 220, which allows the lower chamber 22 to contract inwardly, thereby increasing its inner diameter.

[0039] An insulating seat 40 is disposed within the lower chamber 22 of the first conductive terminal 20 in a matching shape. The insulating seat 40 is made of an insulating material and has a surface exposed at the bottom of the upper chamber 21. An undulating structure is coaxially formed on the surface of the insulating seat 40. The undulating structure includes one or more annular grooves 41 below the surface of the insulating seat 40 and one or more annular steps 42 above the surface of the insulating seat 40.

[0040] In this embodiment, the groove 41 is located outside the step 42. Specifically, the inner diameter of the groove 41 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the step 42 and is located closer to the first conductive terminal 20, while the step 42 is closer to the second conductive terminal 30. Furthermore, the depth of the groove 41 is always greater than half the thickness of the insulating base 40. More specifically, the depth of the groove 41 is maximized while maintaining strength and specifications. The step 42 not only protrudes from the surface of the insulating base 40 but also rises above the bottom of the upper chamber 21 of the first conductive terminal 20. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the step 42 is equal to the inner diameter of the groove 41, so that the outer diameter wall of the step 42 extends directly upward from the inner wall of the groove 41.

[0041] As can be seen from the above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to form a coaxial undulating structure on the surface of the insulating base 40 between the first conductive terminal 20 and the second conductive terminal 30. The undulating structure includes a groove 41 and a step 42. By making the surface of the insulating base 40 undulate by the groove 41 and the step 42, the insulating surface of the insulating base 40 between the first conductive terminal 20 and the second conductive terminal 30 is greatly increased, thereby extending the creepage distance between the first conductive terminal 20 and the second conductive terminal 30 and meeting the requirements of specific standards.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention enlarges the inner diameter of the lower groove chamber 22 of the first conductive terminal 20 by forming an inwardly contracted groove wall 220, and accordingly enlarges the outer diameter of the insulating seat 40, thereby also extending the creepage distance between the first conductive terminal 20 and the second conductive terminal 30 in the horizontal direction. This means that the undulating structure on the surface of the insulating member 40 can form more grooves or steps. Figure 3 As shown, the undulating structure on the surface of the insulating base 40 further includes a second groove 43, which is located on the inner side of the step 42. The second groove 43 is lower than the surface of the insulating base 40 but higher than the groove 41. Therefore, the creepage distance from the first conductive terminal 20 to the second conductive terminal 30 along the surface of the insulating base 40 is After specific actual measurement, the creepage distance can reach 18.06mm, meeting the safety requirement of being greater than 17.6mm.

[0043] A crown spring 23 is electrically connected within the upper chamber 21 of the first conductive terminal 20. The crown spring 23 has a plurality of contact spring blades, each extending toward an axis of the first conductive terminal 20 to form a contact point 230. The electrical clearance between the first conductive terminal 20 and the second conductive terminal 30 is the distance from the contact point 230 of the crown spring 23 to the second conductive terminal 30, which is always greater than the safety requirement of 2.5 mm.

[0044] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the bottom of the connector base 10 is provided with a first contact piece 200 and a second contact piece 300. One end of the first contact piece 200 is fixed to the bottom of the first conductive terminal 20 and forms an electrical connection. The other end of the first contact piece 200 extends vertically from the bottom of the connector base 10 and bends horizontally to form a first electrical connection portion 201. One end of the second contact piece 300 is fixed to the bottom end of the second conductive terminal 30 and forms an electrical connection. The other end of the second contact piece 300 also extends vertically from the bottom of the connector base 10 and bends horizontally to form a A second electrical connection portion 301 is provided. The first and second electrical terminals 200 and 300 are located on opposite sides of the bottom of the connector base 10, i.e., at opposite ends of the diameter of the connector base 10. To ensure that the creepage distance between the first and second electrical terminals 200 and 300 along the bottom surface of the connector base 10 meets safety requirements, a partition wall 12 is provided at the bottom of the connector base 10, extending beyond the bottom surface. The partition wall 12 separates the first and second electrical terminals 200 and 300. More specifically, the width of the partition wall 12 is always greater than the widths of the first and second electrical terminals 200 and 300.

[0045] Please cooperate Figure 5 As shown, under the aforementioned condition, the creepage distance from the first terminal plate 200 to the second terminal plate 300 along the bottom surface of the connector base 10 will be significantly extended due to the presence of the partition wall 12 .

[0046] The specific structure of the second conductive terminal 30 is further described below. Figure 3 As shown, the second conductive terminal 30 is a long, narrow, hollow tube with an upper channel 31 and a lower channel 32 interconnected within it. The upper channel 31 has a larger diameter than the lower channel 32, and the lower channel 32 is a threaded hole. A resilient contact member 33 and a contact spring 34 are installed within the upper channel 31 of the second conductive terminal 30. The contact spring 34 is located at the lower end of the upper channel 31. The resilient contact member 33 is a crown spring located at the upper end of the upper channel 31 and above the contact spring 34.

[0047] See also Figure 6 As shown, the elastic contact member 33 includes an upper ring 331, a lower ring 332, and a plurality of contact springs 333 connected to the upper ring 331 and the lower ring 332 at their respective ends. Each contact spring 333 extends toward an axis of the upper ring 331 and the lower ring 332 to form a contact point. In this embodiment, the distance between the contact point of each contact spring 333 and the lower ring 332 is greater than the distance between the contact point and the upper ring 331. Compared to traditional crown springs, the length (leverage) of the contact spring 333 is increased in this elastic contact member 33, thereby extending the service life of the elastic contact member 33.

[0048] The upper end of the contact spring 34 has a constricted portion 341. The outer diameter of the constricted portion 341 is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower ring 332 of the elastic contact member 33 and larger than the inner diameter of the elastic contact member 33 at its contact point, so that the constricted portion 341 is located below the contact point of the elastic contact member 33. The lower end of the contact spring 34 has a densely wound portion 342. Please refer to Figure 3 As shown, a stud 35 is provided at the lower end of the dense turn portion 342 of the contact spring 34 . The stud 35 is screwed into the lower hole 32 of the second conductive terminal 30 , thereby fixing the contact spring 34 in the upper hole 31 of the second conductive terminal 30 .

[0049] In summary, the present invention primarily provides an insulating seat between a first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal within a connector base. The insulating seat surface is coaxially formed with an undulating structure comprising one or more grooves recessed into the insulating seat surface and one or more steps elevated above the insulating seat surface. This significantly extends the distance from the first conductive terminal along the insulating seat surface to the insulating surface of the second conductive terminal, thereby extending the creepage distance formed along the insulating surface from the first conductive terminal to the second conductive terminal. This also increases the heat dissipation area to meet safety requirements. Furthermore, the first and second conductive terminals are respectively connected to a first electrical connection piece and a second electrical connection piece extending through the bottom of the connector base. A partition wall protruding from the bottom surface of the connector base is provided. This partition wall extends the creepage distance from the first electrical connection piece along the bottom surface of the connector base to the second electrical connection piece, ensuring that the creepage distance between the first and second electrical connection pieces also meets the safety requirements of specific standards.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the present profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of the technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging electrical connector, characterized in that: A first conductive terminal and a second conductive terminal are coaxially disposed within a connector base. The first conductive terminal is a positive or negative electrical terminal, and the second conductive terminal has a polarity opposite to that of the first conductive terminal. An insulating seat is disposed between the first and second conductive terminals. One end of the first conductive terminal is disposed in the connector base, and the other end is exposed from the connector base; the first conductive terminal is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and has an upper slot chamber and a lower slot chamber inside; The insulating seat is arranged in a matching shape in the lower groove chamber of the first conductive terminal; the surface of the insulating seat is coaxially formed with an undulating structure, the undulating structure including one or more annular grooves lower than the surface of the insulating seat and one or more annular steps higher than the surface of the insulating seat; The second conductive terminal is arranged at the center of the insulating seat, and is coaxially and electrically isolatedly located inside the first conductive terminal. One end of the second conductive terminal is located in the upper slot chamber of the first conductive terminal, and the other end passes through the bottom of the insulating seat.

2. The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein: The grooves of the undulating structure are located at the periphery of the step.

3. The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein: The groove depth of the undulating structure is always greater than half the thickness of the insulating seat.

4. The charging electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The step of the undulating structure protrudes from the surface of the insulating seat and is higher than the bottom of the upper slot chamber of the first conductive terminal.

5. The charging electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The outer diameter of the step of the undulating structure is equal to the inner diameter of the groove, and the outer diameter wall of the step is formed by extending the inner groove wall of the groove upward.

6. The charging connector according to claim 2, wherein: The undulating structure includes a second groove located inside the step.

7. The charging electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The second conductive terminal is in the shape of a narrow hollow tube, and has an upper hole and a lower hole formed therein, wherein the upper hole has a larger diameter than the lower hole. The second conductive terminal is provided with an elastic contact piece and a contact spring in its upper hole, the contact spring is located at the lower end of the upper hole, and the elastic contact piece is located at the upper end of the upper hole and above the contact spring; The elastic contact member is in the form of a crown spring, which includes an upper ring, a lower ring, and a plurality of contact spring pieces connected to the upper ring and the lower ring at their respective ends. Each contact spring piece extends toward an axis of the upper ring and the lower ring and forms a contact point. The distance between the contact point of each contact spring piece and the lower ring is greater than the distance between the contact point and the upper ring.

8. The charging electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein: The upper end of the contact spring has a constricting portion, the outer diameter of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower ring of the elastic contact piece and larger than the inner diameter of the elastic contact piece at its contact point, and the constricting portion is located below the contact point of the elastic contact piece; The lower hole of the second conductive terminal is a screw hole; The lower end of the contact spring is provided with a dense turn portion with dense turns. The lower end of the dense turn portion of the contact spring is provided with a stud, which is screwed into the lower hole of the second conductive terminal.

9. The charging electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The bottom of the connector base is provided with a first electrical contact plate and a second electrical contact plate, one end of each of which is fixed to the bottom of the first conductive terminal and the second conductive terminal, respectively, to form an electrical connection; the other ends of each of the first electrical contact plate and the second electrical contact plate extend vertically out of the bottom of the connector base and are located on opposite sides of the bottom of the connector base; The bottom of the connector base is provided with a partition wall protruding from the bottom surface thereof, and the partition wall is horizontally separated between the first power connection plate and the second power connection plate.

10. The charging electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein: The width of the partition wall is greater than the widths of the first electrical connection plate and the second electrical connection plate.

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