Plug

Abstract

The present invention provides a plug, which includes a first temperature sensing element and a second temperature sensing element. When the processor determines that the temperature of a plurality of pins is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold according to a first detection signal generated by the first temperature sensing element or a second detection signal generated by the second temperature sensing element, the plug is driven to stop transmitting input electric energy. The plug of the present invention has two over-temperature protection mechanisms of the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element. When one of them fails, the plug can determine whether the plug is over-temperature according to the other element, and it is not easy to overheat and cause danger. Therefore, the plug of the present invention is sufficient to meet the redundant design required for functional safety, so as to avoid unexpected hazards caused by the failure of a single temperature sensing element. Therefore, the plug of the present invention has high stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug, and particularly to a plug with high stability. Background Art

[0002] With the rise of environmental awareness, the development of electric vehicles has become a popular trend. Among them, the plug used in electric vehicle chargers, as a medium connecting the power source and the electric vehicle, its stability is very important, and temperature is an important factor controlling the stability of the plug.

[0003] Traditional plugs used in electric vehicle chargers include a single temperature sensing element as the basis for judging over-temperature protection of the plug. However, such an over-temperature protection mechanism with only a single temperature sensing element does not meet the component failure requirements of functional safety. When the temperature sensing element fails or makes a misjudgment, the plug cannot confirm whether it is over-temperature and then cut off the power supply, resulting in the possibility of overheating and danger during the charging process of the electric vehicle.

[0004] Therefore, how to develop a plug that can improve the above-mentioned prior art is an urgent need at present. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a plug, which has the advantage of high stability.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, a broader embodiment of the present invention provides a plug that is detachably engaged with a socket of a load. The plug includes a housing, a plurality of pins, a cable, a circuit board, a first temperature sensing element, an identification resistor, a second temperature sensing element, and a processor. The plurality of pins are disposed on the housing for insertion into the socket to provide the input electric energy required by the socket. The cable is connected to the plurality of pins to transmit the input electric energy to the load when the plug is engaged with the socket and the plurality of plugs are operating normally. The circuit board is disposed inside the housing. The first temperature sensing element is disposed on the circuit board and adjacent to the plurality of pins for detecting the temperature of the plurality of pins and outputting a first detection signal, wherein a change in the temperature of the plurality of pins causes a change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element, and the first detection signal reflects the change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element. The identification resistor is disposed on the circuit board, and the identification resistor has a corresponding resistance value according to the type of the plug. The second temperature sensing element is disposed on the circuit board and adjacent to the plurality of pins and is connected to the identification resistor. The second temperature sensing element detects the temperature of the plurality of pins and outputs a second detection signal, wherein a change in the temperature of the plurality of pins causes a change in the current of the second temperature sensing element. The processor is connected to the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element. When the processor confirms that the temperature of the plurality of pins is greater than the temperature threshold according to the first detection signal or the second detection signal, the processor drives the plug to stop transmitting the input electric energy to the load. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 Schematic perspective view of the plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is Figure 1 Partial schematic perspective view of the plug shown from another perspective.

[0009] Figure 3 is Figure 2 Exploded schematic view of the plug shown.

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 2 Schematic perspective view of the first temperature sensing element, identification resistor and second temperature sensing element of the plug shown disposed on the circuit board.

[0011] Figure 5 is Figure 2 Circuit schematic diagram of some components of the plug shown.

[0012] Figure 6 Partial schematic perspective view of the plug according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 is Figure 6 Exploded schematic view of the plug shown.

[0014] Figure 8 is Figure 6 Schematic perspective view of the first temperature sensing element, identification resistor and second temperature sensing element of the plug shown disposed on the circuit board.

[0015] Description of reference numerals:

[0016] 1, 1a: Plug

[0017] 2: Housing

[0018] 21: Setting plate

[0019] 211: First surface

[0020] 212: Second surface

[0021] 213: First through hole

[0022] 214: Groove

[0023] 22: Covering part

[0024] 3: Pin

[0025] 31: First end

[0026] 32: Second end

[0027] 4: Cable

[0028] 5: Circuit board

[0029] 51: First side

[0030] 52: Second side

[0031] 53: Second through-hole

[0032] 6: First temperature sensing element

[0033] 7: Identification resistor

[0034] 8: Second temperature sensing element

[0035] 81: Connection terminal

[0036] 9: Processor Detailed implementation manners

[0037] Some typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention can have various changes in different aspects, all of which do not depart from the scope of the present invention, and the descriptions and drawings therein are essentially for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the present invention.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 , wherein Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the plug shown in another perspective, Figure 3 is Figure 2 an exploded structural schematic diagram of the plug shown, Figure 4 is Figure 2 a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the first temperature sensing element, the identification resistor and the second temperature sensing element of the plug shown disposed on the circuit board, Figure 5 is Figure 2 a circuit structural schematic diagram of some components of the plug shown. As shown in the figure, the plug 1 of this embodiment is applicable to an electric vehicle charger (not shown) and is detachably engaged with a socket of an electric vehicle (not shown). When the plug 1 is engaged with the socket, the plug 1 provides the input electric energy required by the socket and transmits the input electric energy to the electric vehicle, so that the electric vehicle charger charges the electric vehicle (not shown). Among them, the plug 1 has different aspects according to sockets of different countries to correspondingly provide the input electric energy required by the socket of that country and transmit the input electric energy to the electric vehicle. The plug 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2, a plurality of pins 3, a cable 4, a circuit board 5, a first temperature sensing element 6, an identification resistor 7, a second temperature sensing element 8 and a processor 9.

[0039] The housing 2 includes a setting plate 21 and a covering part 22. The setting plate 21 has a first surface 211, a second surface 212, a plurality of first through holes 213, and a groove 214. The first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21 are oppositely arranged. Each first through hole 213 penetrates through the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21. The groove 214 is formed by concave inward from the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21, and the groove 214 is located at the center of the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21. The covering part 22 covers the setting plate 21 via the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21, and an accommodating space is formed between the covering part 22 and the setting plate 21.

[0040] Each pin 3 is disposed on the setting plate 21 of the housing 2 by passing through the corresponding first through hole 213, and each pin 3 has a first end 31 and a second end 32. The first end 31 of the pin 3 is located on the first surface 211 of the setting plate 21, the second end 32 of the pin 3 is located on the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21, and the second end 32 of the pin 3 is located in the accommodating space of the housing 2. Each pin 3 is used to be inserted into a socket via the first end 31 when the plug 1 is engaged with the socket, so as to provide the input electric energy required by the socket. In some embodiments, the plurality of pins 3 have different configurations according to sockets of different countries. For example, the arrangement positions or shapes of the plurality of pins 3 are different. In this embodiment, the second ends 32 of two of the plurality of pins 3 are respectively located on opposite sides of the groove 214 of the setting plate 21. For example, the live wire pin and the neutral wire pin among the plurality of pins 3 are respectively located on opposite sides of the groove 214 of the setting plate 21.

[0041] The cable 4 is partially located in the accommodating space of the housing 2, and one end of the cable 4 is connected to the plurality of pins 3, and the other end of the cable 4 is connected to an electric vehicle charger. The cable 4 is used to transmit the input electric energy received by the socket to a load, that is, an electric vehicle, when the plug 1 is engaged with the socket and the plurality of pins 3 are operating normally. The circuit board 5 is located in the accommodating space of the housing 2, is disposed on the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21, and is located between the second ends 32 of two of the plurality of pins 3. The circuit board 5 has a first surface 51 and a second surface 52, and the first surface 51 and the second surface 52 of the circuit board 5 are oppositely arranged, wherein the first surface 51 of the circuit board 5 is attached to the second surface 212 of the setting plate 21.

[0042] The first temperature sensing element 6 can be, but is not limited to, a negative temperature coefficient thermistor, which is disposed on the first surface 51 of the circuit board 5 and received in the groove 214 of the setting board 21, and is adjacent to a plurality of pins 3. The first temperature sensing element 6 is used to detect the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 and output a first detection signal. Wherein, the temperature change of the plurality of pins 3 causes a change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element 6. For example, the impedance of the first temperature sensing element 6 decreases as the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 increases. Therefore, the first detection signal reflects the change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element 6.

[0043] The identification resistor 7 is disposed on the first surface 51 of the circuit board 5 and received in the groove 214 of the setting board 21. The identification resistor 7 has a corresponding resistance value according to the type of the plug 1. For example, the plurality of pins 3 of the plug 1 have different shapes in order to be correspondingly inserted into sockets of different countries, and the identification resistor 7 has a preset resistance value according to the shape of the plurality of pins 3. When the socket of the electric vehicle is connected to the plug 1, the type of the plug 1 is confirmed according to the resistance value of the identification resistor 7, and the electric vehicle confirms the type of the input electric energy provided by the plug 1 according to different types of the plug 1.

[0044] The second temperature sensing element 8 is disposed on the first surface 51 of the circuit board 5 and received in the groove 214 of the setting board 21, and is adjacent to the plurality of pins 3, and is connected to the identification resistor 7 via a wiring (not shown) in the circuit board 5 to share the same circuit with the identification resistor 7. The second temperature sensing element 8 is used to detect the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 and output a second detection signal. Wherein, the temperature change of the plurality of pins 3 causes a change in the current of the second temperature sensing element 8, and the second detection signal can reflect the change in the current of the second temperature sensing element 8.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second temperature sensing element 8 can be constituted by a diode. And according to the element characteristics of the diode, when the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 rises, the second temperature sensing element 8 generates a leakage current, so that the second detection signal reflects the change in the leakage current of the second temperature sensing element 8.

[0046] The processor 9 is located in the electric vehicle charger and is connected to the first temperature sensing element 6 and the second temperature sensing element 8 via a connection device in the electric vehicle charger and a wiring in the circuit board 5 to receive the first detection signal generated by the first temperature sensing element 6 and the second detection signal generated by the second temperature sensing element 8. The processor 9 confirms the change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element 6 according to the first detection signal or confirms the change in the current of the second temperature sensing element 8 according to the second detection signal to confirm whether the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 is greater than a temperature threshold. When the processor 9 confirms that the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, it drives the plug 1 to stop transmitting input electric energy to the electric vehicle.

[0047] As can be seen from the above, the plug 1 of the present invention includes a first temperature sensing element 6 and a second temperature sensing element 8. When the processor 9 determines that the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold according to the first detection signal generated by the first temperature sensing element 6 or the second detection signal generated by the second temperature sensing element 8, the plug 1 is driven to stop transmitting input electric energy. Compared with traditional plugs that only have a single temperature sensing element, the plug 1 of the present invention has two over-temperature protection mechanisms of the first temperature sensing element 6 and the second temperature sensing element 8. When one of the first temperature sensing element 6 and the second temperature sensing element 8 fails, the plug 1 can still determine whether the plug 1 is over-temperature according to the other element of the first temperature sensing element 6 and the second temperature sensing element 8, and it is not easy to overheat and cause danger. Therefore, the plug 1 of the present invention is sufficient to meet the redundant design required for functional safety to avoid unexpected hazards caused by the failure of a single temperature sensing element. Therefore, the plug 1 of the present invention has high stability. In addition, the second temperature sensing element 8 is connected to the identification resistor 7 to share the same circuit with the identification resistor 7, so that the plug 1 of the present invention does not need to additionally set a circuit to connect the second temperature element 8, and the purpose of functional safety redundancy design can be achieved.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 6 to 8 , where Figure 6 is a partial three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the plug according to the second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is Figure 6 the exploded structural schematic diagram of the plug shown, Figure 8 is Figure 6 the three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the first temperature sensing element, the identification resistor and the second temperature sensing element of the plug shown are arranged on the circuit board. In some embodiments, the second temperature sensing element 8 is composed of a fuse. The temperature change of the plurality of pins 3 will cause the second temperature sensing element 8 to be conductive or fuse. For example, when the temperature of the plurality of pins 3 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the second temperature sensing element 8 is in a fused state and the current of the second temperature sensing element 8 is zero, and the second detection signal correspondingly reflects that the current of the second temperature sensing element 8 is zero. Since the second temperature sensing element 8 can directly generate the second detection signal according to the element state (conductive or fused) without using an additional device to detect the second temperature sensing element 8, the second temperature sensing element 8 can generate the second detection signal more intuitively. In this embodiment, the second temperature sensing element 8 has a plurality of connection ends 81, such as Figure 7 the two connection ends 81 shown. In addition, the circuit board 5 of this embodiment also has a plurality of second through holes 53. The number of the second through holes 53 corresponds to the number of the connection ends 81 of the second temperature sensing element 8. Therefore, the circuit board 5 of this embodiment has two second through holes 53, and the two connection ends 81 of the second temperature sensing element 8 respectively pass through the two second through holes 53 to be arranged on the circuit board 5.

[0049] In summary, the plug of the present invention includes a first temperature sensing element and a second temperature sensing element. When the processor determines that the temperature of a plurality of pins is greater than or equal to a temperature threshold based on a first detection signal generated by the first temperature sensing element or a second detection signal generated by the second temperature sensing element, the plug is driven to stop transmitting input electrical energy. Compared with traditional plugs that only have a single temperature sensing element, the plug of the present invention has a two-stage over-temperature protection mechanism of a first temperature sensing element and a second temperature sensing element. When one of the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element fails, the plug can still determine whether the plug is over-temperature based on the other element of the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element, and it is not easy to overheat and cause danger. Therefore, the plug of the present invention is sufficient to meet the redundant design required for functional safety to avoid unexpected hazards caused by the failure of a single temperature sensing element. Therefore, the plug of the present invention has high stability. In addition, the second temperature sensing element is connected to the identification resistor to share the same circuit with the identification resistor, so that the plug of the present invention does not need to additionally set up a circuit to connect the second temperature element to achieve the purpose of functional safety redundant design. And because the second temperature sensing element can directly generate a second detection signal based on the element state without using an additional device to detect the second temperature sensing element, the second temperature sensing element can generate a second detection signal more intuitively.

Claims

1. A plug detachably engaged with a socket of a load, and the plug includes: a housing, a plurality of pins disposed on the housing for inserting into the socket to provide an input electric energy required by the socket; a cable connected to the plurality of pins to transmit the input electric energy to the load when the plug is engaged with the socket and the plurality of pins operate normally; a circuit board disposed in the housing; a first temperature sensing element disposed on the circuit board and adjacent to the plurality of pins for detecting the temperature of the plurality of pins and outputting a first detection signal, wherein a change in the temperature of the plurality of pins causes a change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element, and the first detection signal reflects the change in the impedance of the first temperature sensing element; an identification resistor disposed on the circuit board, and the identification resistor has a corresponding resistance value according to the type of the plug; a second temperature sensing element disposed on the circuit board and adjacent to the plurality of pins and connected to the identification resistor, the second temperature sensing element detecting the temperature of the plurality of pins and outputting a second detection signal, wherein a change in the temperature of the plurality of pins causes a change in the current of the second temperature sensing element; and a processor connected to the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element, and when the processor confirms that the temperature of the plurality of pins is greater than a temperature threshold according to the first detection signal or the second detection signal, driving the plug to stop transmitting the input electric energy to the load; wherein the housing includes a setting plate having a first surface, a second surface, a plurality of first through holes and a groove, the first surface and the second surface of the setting plate are oppositely disposed, each of the first through holes penetrates through the first surface and the second surface of the setting plate, each of the pins is disposed on the setting plate by passing through the corresponding first through hole, and each of the pins has a first end and a second end, the first end is located on the first surface of the setting plate, the second end is located on the second surface of the setting plate, each of the pins is inserted into the socket through the first end, the circuit board is disposed on the second surface of the setting plate and located between the second ends of two of the plurality of pins, and the groove is formed by being recessed from the second surface of the setting plate; wherein the second temperature sensing element is a diode, when the temperature of the plurality of pins rises, the second temperature sensing element generates a leakage current, so that the second detection signal reflects the change in the leakage current of the second temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element and the identification resistor share the same circuit.

2. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board are oppositely disposed, the first surface of the circuit board is attached to the second surface of the setting plate, the first temperature sensing element, the identification resistor and the second temperature sensing element are disposed on the first surface of the circuit board and received in the groove of the setting plate.

3. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of second through holes. The first surface and the second surface of the circuit board are oppositely arranged, the first surface of the circuit board is attached to the second surface of the setting board, the first temperature sensing element and the identification resistor are arranged on the first surface of the circuit board and are received in the groove of the setting board, and the second temperature sensing element passes through the plurality of second through holes to be arranged on the circuit board.

4. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature sensing element is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor.

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