Connection device for connecting the sensor to the negative battery post

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device (1) for connecting a sensor (2) to a negative pole (3) of a battery, comprising a sensor connecting portion (10) for fixing the sensor, a clamp (11) integrated with the sensor connecting portion, and a locking plate (12) hinged to the clamp; the clamp comprises a clamp body (111), a through opening (112) extending longitudinally of the clamp body, and a first locking portion (113) and a second locking portion (114) extending outwardly from the clamp body on both sides of the opening, the first locking portion and the second locking portion being arranged opposite to each other and forming a gap (118) therebetween; the locking plate comprises a third locking portion (123) and a fourth locking portion (124) respectively matched in shape with the first locking portion and the second locking portion of the clamp, so that when the locking plate moves from an unlocking position to a locking position, the gap is reduced and the clamp is locked to the negative pole of the battery. The connecting device of the present invention is easy to operate and has a simple structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to a connecting device for connecting a sensor to a negative pole of a battery. Background Art

[0002] With the widespread use of idle start-stop functions in automobiles, it is very important to accurately, in real time and reliably estimate the state of the battery. For this purpose, a sensor is provided to monitor the state of the battery. The sensor is connected to the negative pole of the battery on one hand and to a data analysis device on the other hand so as to transmit the information detected from the battery to the data analysis device for analysis.

[0003] In order to connect the sensor to the negative pole of the battery, a connection device in the prior art includes a sensor connection part, a clamp integrated with the sensor connection part, and a bolt and nut assembly for locking the clamp. The clamp includes a clamp body, a through opening extending longitudinally along the clamp body, and a first locking part and a second locking part extending outward from the clamp body on both sides of the opening, the first locking part and the second locking part are arranged opposite to each other and are provided with a first through hole and a second through hole opposite to each other. The bolt of the bolt and nut assembly is configured to pass through the first through hole and the second through hole, and the nut is screwed onto the bolt to lock the clamp. When installing the sensor, the sensor is first fixed to the sensor connection part of the connection device, and then the clamp body is sleeved on the negative pole of the battery, and then the nut is tightened with a torque wrench according to the set torque, so that the opening of the clamp is reduced, thereby locking the clamp to the negative pole of the battery, thereby connecting the sensor to the negative pole of the battery.

[0004] There are the following problems when installing the sensor in this way:

[0005] 1. A torque wrench is required to tighten the nut according to the set torque to prevent the nut from loosening and damaging the negative battery column. However, when the user replaces the battery and reinstalls the sensor, the nut cannot be tightened according to the set torque due to the lack of a torque wrench. Insufficient torque may cause the sensor to loosen and fail to work, or excessive torque may damage the negative battery column.

[0006] 2. In order to reserve space for the torque wrench, the locking part of the clamp has a complex structure, difficult process, high scrap rate and high product price.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to improve the connecting device so that it can be installed without a torque wrench, thereby avoiding the problem of sensor loosening or electrode negative pole damage due to unstable torque, and / or having a simple structure, easy assembly, easy process, high production efficiency and lower product price. Summary of the invention

[0008] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a connecting device for fastening a sensor to a negative electrode of a battery, so as to overcome at least one defect in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0009] To this end, the present invention provides a connecting device for connecting a sensor to a negative electrode of a battery, the connecting device comprising:

[0010] A sensor connecting portion, used for fixing the sensor;

[0011] A clamp integrated with the sensor connecting portion, the clamp comprising a clamp body, an opening extending longitudinally of the clamp body, and a first locking portion and a second locking portion extending outwardly from the clamp body on both sides of the opening, the clamp body being used to be sleeved on the negative electrode of the battery, the first locking portion and the second locking portion being arranged opposite to each other and forming a gap therebetween; and

[0012] A locking plate, which is hinged to the clamp so as to be able to move between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the unlocked position, the clamp body can be put onto the negative battery column or removed from the negative battery column, and in the locked position, the clamp body can be locked to the negative battery column, wherein the locking plate includes a third locking portion and a fourth locking portion which are respectively matched with the first locking portion and the second locking portion of the clamp in shape, so that when the locking plate moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion respectively squeeze the first locking portion and the second locking portion to reduce the gap.

[0013] Preferably, the first locking portion and the second locking portion have inclined locking surfaces, and the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion have vertical locking surfaces; or, the first locking portion and the second locking portion have vertical locking surfaces, and the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion have inclined locking surfaces.

[0014] More preferably, the first locking portion and the second locking portion have a symmetrical configuration, one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion having a substantially L-shape, a first branch of the L being integral with the clamp body, and a second branch of the L extending away from the gap and comprising an inclined locking surface.

[0015] For example, the locking surfaces of the first locking portion and the second locking portion are gradually inclined away from the gap from bottom to top.

[0016] Preferably, the locking plate comprises a substantially U-shaped locking plate body, a first lug and a second lug extending perpendicularly to the locking plate body from a free end of the U, the first lug and the second lug forming the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion respectively.

[0017] Preferably, the first locking portion and the second locking portion are respectively provided with a first through hole and a second through hole, and the first through hole and the second through hole are opposite to each other; the third locking portion and the fourth locking portion are correspondingly provided with a third through hole and a fourth through hole opposite to each other; the locking plate is hinged to the clamp by means of a pivot passing through the first through hole, the second through hole, the third through hole and the fourth through hole.

[0018] Preferably, the clamp comprises at least one lug arranged on the upper edge of the clamp body, and in the locking position, the lug is engaged with the locking plate to keep the clamp locked to the negative electrode of the battery and not easy to loosen.

[0019] Preferably, the clamp comprises only one lug to facilitate locking and unlocking operations, and the lug is arranged opposite to the opening.

[0020] Preferably, the locking plate comprises a substantially U-shaped locking plate body, and comprises a reinforcing rib extending along an inner edge of the locking plate body so as to enhance the strength of the locking plate. The reinforcing rib has at least one notch to allow the at least one lug to pass through.

[0021] Preferably, the locking plate comprises a handle, so that the locking plate can be moved between the unlocking position and the locking position by operating the handle.

[0022] The present invention provides a connecting device which is easy to operate, simple in structure, easy in process, high in production efficiency and capable of realizing reliable locking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention is described in detail below by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 A partial perspective view showing a sensor being locked to a negative pole of a battery by means of a connecting device for connecting the sensor to a negative pole of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked position;

[0026] Figure 3 An exploded view of a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 4A perspective view showing a connection device according to an embodiment of the invention in a locked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following describes a connection device for connecting a sensor to a negative battery post according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth so that a person skilled in the art can more fully understand the present invention. However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented without some of these specific details. In addition, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, it is contemplated that the present invention may be implemented with any combination of the following features and elements, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following features, embodiments and advantages are for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as elements or limitations of the claims unless explicitly stated in the claims.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "vertical", "inner", "outer", "longitudinal", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features.

[0030] Figure 1 The sensor 2 is shown locked to the negative pole 3 of the battery by means of a connection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sensor 2 is connected to a data analysis device (not shown) via its interface 21 in order to monitor the state of the battery. The battery may be a storage battery in a motor vehicle. Obviously, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto, but can be applied to any battery with a similar structure.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the connecting device 1 comprises a sensor connecting portion 10, a clamp 11 integral with the sensor connecting portion 10, and a locking plate 12 hinged to the clamp 11. Figure 2 and 4 As shown, the locking plate 12 can move between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the clamp body 111 can be put on the battery negative pole 3 or removed from the battery negative pole 3. In the locked position, the clamp body 111 can be locked to the battery negative pole 3.

[0032] Combination Figures 1 to 4It can be seen that when the sensor 2 is installed on the battery, the sensor 2 is fixed (for example, welded) to the sensor connecting portion 10 , and the clamp 11 is fitted onto and locked to the negative electrode 3 of the battery.

[0033] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the clamp 11 includes a clamp body 111 and a through opening 112 extending longitudinally along the clamp body 111. The clamp body 111 is used to be sleeved on the negative electrode column 3 of the battery.

[0034] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the clamp 11 further includes a first locking portion 113 and a second locking portion 114 extending outward from the clamp body 111 on both sides of the opening 112 . The first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 are disposed opposite to each other and form a gap 118 therebetween.

[0035] Accordingly, the locking plate 12 includes a third locking portion 123 and a fourth locking portion 124 that are respectively matched with the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 of the clamp 11. When the locking plate 12 moves from the unlocking position to the locking position, the third locking portion 123 and the fourth locking portion 124 respectively squeeze the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 to reduce the gap 118 therebetween.

[0036] Therefore, in the unlocked position, the gap 118 between the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 is the largest, and thus the receiving space 14 for receiving the negative battery column 3 surrounded by the clamp body 111 is the largest, and the clamp body 111 can be put on the negative battery column 3 or removed from the negative battery column 3. In the locked position, the gap 118 between the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 is the smallest, and thus the receiving space 14 for receiving the negative battery column 3 surrounded by the clamp body 111 is the smallest, so that the clamp body 111 can be locked to the negative battery column 3.

[0037] like Figure 2 and 3 As shown, the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 are respectively provided with a first through hole 115 and a second through hole 116, and the first through hole 115 and the second through hole 116 are opposite to each other; the third locking portion 123 and the fourth locking portion 124 are correspondingly provided with a third through hole 125 and a fourth through hole 126 opposite to each other; the locking plate 12 is hinged to the clamp 11 by means of a pivot 13 passing through the first through hole 115, the second through hole 116, the third through hole 125 and the fourth through hole 126.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3As shown, in order to gradually reduce the gap 118 between the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 when the locking plate 12 moves from the unlocking position to the locking position, the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 have inclined locking surfaces 1131 and 1141, and the third locking portion 123 and the fourth locking portion 124 have vertical locking surfaces 1231 and 1241.

[0039] More preferably, if Figure 3 As shown, the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 have a symmetrical configuration, and one of the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 (the second locking portion 114 in the figure) has a roughly L-shape, the first branch of the L is integral with the clamp body 111, and the second branch of the L extends away from the gap 118 and includes an inclined locking surface.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the first locking portion 113 and the second locking portion 114 have vertical locking surfaces, and the third locking portion 123 and the fourth locking portion 124 have inclined locking surfaces. For example, the locking surfaces of the third locking portion 123 and the fourth locking portion 124 are gradually inclined from bottom to top toward the gap 118.

[0041] The clamp body 111 may have a cylindrical shape so as to be locked on the cylindrical negative battery column 3. Preferably, the clamp body 111 may have a slightly tapered conical shape so as to be more easily fitted on the cylindrical battery column 3. Obviously, it should be understood that the clamp body 111 may have any suitable shape that can be locked on the negative battery column 3.

[0042] like Figure 2 and 4 As shown, the clamp 11 includes at least one lug 117 disposed on the upper edge of the clamp body 111. In the locked position, the lug 117 engages with the locking plate 12 to keep the clamp 11 locked to the negative electrode 3 of the battery and prevent it from loosening.

[0043] Preferably, if Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the clamp 11 only includes one lug 117 to facilitate locking and unlocking operations. The lug 117 is arranged opposite to the opening 112.

[0044] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the locking plate 12 includes a substantially U-shaped locking plate body 121, from the free end of the U, a first lug and a second lug extend perpendicularly to the locking plate body 121, and the first lug and the second lug form a third locking portion 123 and a fourth locking portion 124 respectively.

[0045] The locking plate 12 further includes a reinforcing rib 127 extending along the inner edge of the locking plate body 121 to enhance the strength of the locking plate 12. The reinforcing rib 127 has at least one notch 128 to allow at least one lug 117 disposed on the upper edge of the clamp body 111 to pass through. Preferably, only one notch 128 is shown in the figure to cooperate with only one lug 117 disposed on the upper edge of the clamp body 111 and opposite to the opening 112 to facilitate locking and unlocking operations.

[0046] The locking plate 12 also includes a handle 129, which allows the user to move the locking plate 12 between the unlocked position and the locked position by operating the handle 129, so as to remove the sensor 2 from the battery when replacing the battery. Preferably, the handle 129 extends outward from the bottom edge of the locking plate body 121.

[0047] When installing the sensor 2 on the battery, first fix the sensor 2 to the sensor connecting part 10 of the connecting device 1, then put the clamp body 111 on the negative electrode column 3 of the battery, and then turn the handle 129 of the locking plate 12 to make the locking plate 12 rotate counterclockwise. When a "click" sound is heard when the lug 117 on the upper edge of the clamp body 111 passes over the notch 128 of the locking plate 12, the sensor 2 is locked to the negative electrode column 3 of the battery.

[0048] When the battery needs to be replaced and the sensor 2 is removed from the battery, the lug 117 located on the upper edge of the clamp body 111 is lightly pressed into the inside of the clamp body 111 and the handle 129 of the locking plate 12 is turned clockwise at the same time, so that the clamp body 111 is no longer locked on the battery negative electrode column 3, and the sensor 2 together with the connecting device 1 can be removed from the battery negative electrode column 3.

[0049] As described above, according to the present invention, the sensor 2 can be installed on or removed from the battery by rotating the locking plate 12, so a torque wrench is no longer needed, thereby avoiding the risk of sensor loosening or electrode negative pole damage due to unstable torque. Compared with the connection device of the prior art, the connection device of the present invention has the advantages of convenient operation, simple structure, easy process, high production efficiency, low product price and reliable locking.

[0050] Although described above in conjunction with a battery, it is obvious that the connection device of the present invention can also be used in other fields to achieve fast and reliable locking and unlocking.

[0051] Although the present invention is disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes and modifications made by any person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention, so the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A connecting device (1) for connecting a sensor (2) to a negative electrode (3) of a battery, the connecting device (1) comprising: A sensor connecting portion (10) used for fixing the sensor (2); a clamp (11) integral with the sensor connecting portion (1), the clamp (11) comprising a clamp body (111), an opening (112) extending longitudinally of the clamp body (111), and a first locking portion (113) and a second locking portion (114) extending outwardly from the clamp body (111) on both sides of the opening (112), the clamp body (111) being used to be mounted on the negative electrode column (3) of the battery, the first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) being arranged opposite to each other and forming a gap (118) therebetween; and A locking plate (12) is hinged to the clamp (11) so as to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the unlocked position, the clamp body (111) can be put on or removed from the battery negative electrode column (3), and in the locked position, the clamp body (111) can be locked to the battery negative electrode column (3), wherein the locking plate (12) comprises a third locking portion (123) and a fourth locking portion (124) which are respectively matched with the first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) of the clamp (11), so that when the locking plate (12) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, the third locking portion (123) and the fourth locking portion (124) respectively squeeze the first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) to reduce the gap (118).

2. The connection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) have inclined locking surfaces (1131, 1141), and the third locking portion (123) and the fourth locking portion (124) have vertical locking surfaces (1231, 1241); or, the first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) have vertical locking surfaces, and the third locking portion (123) and the fourth locking portion (124) have inclined locking surfaces.

3. The connection device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) have a symmetrical configuration, one of the first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) having a substantially L-shaped shape, a first branch of the L being integral with the clamp body (111), and a second branch of the L extending away from the gap (118) and comprising an inclined locking surface.

4. The connection device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The locking surfaces of the first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) are gradually inclined away from the gap (118) from bottom to top.

5. The connection device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The locking plate (12) comprises a substantially U-shaped locking plate body (121), a first lug and a second lug extending perpendicularly to the locking plate body (121) from a free end of the U, the first lug and the second lug forming the third locking portion (123) and the fourth locking portion (124) respectively.

6. The connection device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The first locking portion (113) and the second locking portion (114) are respectively provided with a first through hole (115) and a second through hole (116), and the first through hole (115) and the second through hole (116) are opposite to each other; the third locking portion (123) and the fourth locking portion (124) are respectively provided with a third through hole (125) and a fourth through hole (126) opposite to each other; the locking plate (12) is hinged to the clamp (11) by means of a pivot (13) passing through the first through hole (115), the second through hole (116), the third through hole (125) and the fourth through hole (126).

7. The connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The clamp (11) comprises at least one lug (117) arranged on the upper edge of the clamp body (111), and in the locking position, the lug (117) is engaged with the locking plate (12).

8. The connection device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The clamp (11) includes only one lug (117), and the lug (117) is arranged opposite to the opening (112).

9. The connection device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The locking plate (12) comprises a substantially U-shaped locking plate body (121), and comprises a reinforcing rib (127) extending along the inner edge of the locking plate body (121), wherein the reinforcing rib (127) has at least one notch (128) to allow the at least one lug (117) to pass through.

10. The connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The locking plate (12) comprises a handle (129) so that the locking plate (12) can be moved between an unlocking position and a locking position by operating the handle (129).

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