A battery connector for quick battery swapping in electric vehicles

Abstract

This invention discloses a battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles, comprising a battery connector consisting of a male connector head and a female connector head. The male connector head connects to the power battery and includes a male insulating shell (9) and a pin. The pin is inserted from the top of the male insulating shell (9) into a mating cavity (10) inside the male insulating shell (9). The top of the male insulating shell (9) is provided with a corrugated insulating section (4), and a top plate (1) is provided on the top of the corrugated insulating section (4). An electromagnet (2) is provided at the bottom of the top plate (1). A compression spring (3) is wrapped around the outside of the corrugated insulating section (4). A permanent magnet (7) is provided on the top of the male insulating shell (9) facing the electromagnet (2). When the electromagnet (2) is energized, a repulsive force is generated between it and the permanent magnet (7). This invention enables quick insertion and removal, reduces connector wear, effectively solves the problem of pin deformation, and improves service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery connector, and more specifically to a battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicles use the electrical energy stored in their onboard batteries to power their operation. However, the energy density and power density of these batteries are far lower than those of gasoline and diesel fuels, resulting in a relatively short driving range on a single charge. Furthermore, due to limitations in battery usage characteristics, a full charge cannot be completed in a short time. Therefore, battery replacement is used to meet the daily operating needs of electric vehicles.

[0003] The battery and charging station use an electrical connector structure to complete the conductive plugging and unplugging action. The electrical connector includes a plug and a female socket. The pins are inserted into the female socket. However, the pins in traditional plugs are made of metal, which makes them prone to wear and tear and bending deformation during repeated plugging and unplugging. The plug and socket are assembled vertically, meaning that the plug pins can only be inserted with the socket holes aligned. Otherwise, it cannot be inserted. Therefore, manual alignment is required during this process, which is very inconvenient and leads to low battery replacement efficiency, making it difficult to complete fast battery swapping. Finally, because the insertion is not perpendicular, the pins are often not inserted perpendicularly into the socket. This can cause deformation of the pins when the orientation is off. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is a battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles. It allows for the initial assembly of the insulating shells of the male and female connectors, followed by disconnecting the electromagnet to achieve a vertical ejection of the pins. This avoids the pins being deformed due to hard compression, and eliminates the need to align the socket with the female connector, making operation more convenient. Furthermore, during insertion, the conductive connection between the pins and the female connector is a vertical contact, preventing frictional contact. The elastic ejection structure pushes out the elastic conductive sheet to complete the conductive mating.

[0005] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles, comprising a battery connector consisting of a male connector head and a female connector head mating together;

[0006] The male connector connects to the power battery and includes a male insulating shell and a pin. The pin is inserted from the top of the male insulating shell into the mating cavity inside the male insulating shell. The top of the male insulating shell is provided with a corrugated insulating section, and a top plate is provided on the top of the corrugated insulating section. An electromagnet is provided at the bottom of the top plate. A compression spring is wrapped around the outside of the corrugated insulating section. A permanent magnet is provided on the top of the male insulating shell facing the electromagnet. When the electromagnet is energized, a repulsive force is generated between it and the permanent magnet, causing the top plate to move away from the permanent magnet. At this time, the compression spring is stretched, and the pin is retracted into the mating cavity of the male insulating shell.

[0007] The female connector is connected to the charging pile. It includes a female connector insulating shell and a female connector terminal. The female connector and the male connector are mated together, so that the pin is inserted into the female connector terminal and makes conductive contact with the female connector terminal. The insulating shell of the female connector is inserted into the mating cavity of the male connector.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, an elastic gas storage layer is also installed between the compression spring and the pleated insulating section. The elastic gas storage layer is filled with gas. The bottom of the elastic gas storage layer is connected to the ejector inside the pin through a connecting pipe. The ejector is arranged around the inside of the pin, and an elastic conductive sheet is provided on the pin outside each ejector. When the ejector is inflated, it pushes out the elastic conductive sheet and makes the elastic conductive sheet protrude to the outside of the pin. At this time, the elastic conductive sheet makes conductive contact with the female terminal.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the elastic conductive sheet is V-shaped, and the ejector is an elastic air-filled bladder, which is arranged in the V-shaped groove of the elastic conductive sheet.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the connecting pipe is a rubber hose, which connects the various ejector components to provide air. A spring retraction section is provided on the connecting pipe.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the pleated insulating section is made of elastic rubber material.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the elastic compression force of the compression spring is greater than the elastic force of the elastic gas storage layer. When the electromagnet is energized, it generates a repulsive force relative to the permanent magnet. At this time, the gas located in each ejector component returns to the elastic gas storage layer.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the pin includes a pin body section, a sliding section and an extension section. The sliding section is disposed between the pin body section and the extension section. The outer wall surface of the sliding section slides in contact with the inner wall of the insertion cavity. Each elastic conductive sheet is arranged on the pin body section.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention designs a novel connector male head structure, so that when the connector male head is inserted into the connector female head, the pin is retracted and does not directly insert. After the connector male head and connector female head are assembled, a compression spring completes the pin ejection action. At the same time, with the help of the elastic air storage layer, the gas is squeezed into the ejector and then ejects the elastic conductive sheet, so that the elastic conductive sheet makes conductive contact with the connector female head. This achieves a contactless insertion action, reduces the number of frictions between the pin and the connector female head, and thus reduces the wear rate. Furthermore, the pin does not need to be aligned with the female head. After the connector male head and connector female head are assembled, the pin ejection action can be completed by disconnecting the electromagnet. This is very convenient, reduces the step of manual alignment, and avoids the situation of the pin bending or deforming due to direct insertion. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the male connector of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure after the male connector and the female connector of the present invention are inserted.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention after the pins and connector socket are inserted and conduct electricity;

[0019] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic conductive sheet of the present invention;

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0022] 1. Top plate; 2. Electromagnet; 3. Compression spring; 4. Pleated insulating section; 5. Elastic gas storage layer; 6. Extension section; 7. Permanent magnet; 8. Connecting pipe; 9. Male insulating shell; 10. Interlocking cavity; 11. Sliding section; 12. Elastic conductive sheet; 13. Pin body section; 14. Female insulating shell; 15. Female terminal; 21. Ejector. Detailed Implementation

[0023] All features disclosed in this specification, or all steps in all disclosed methods or processes, may be combined in any way, except for mutually exclusive features and / or steps.

[0024] Any feature disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by other equivalent or similar features, unless specifically stated otherwise. That is, unless specifically stated otherwise, each feature is merely one example of a series of equivalent or similar features.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles according to the present invention includes a battery connector consisting of a male connector head and a female connector head mating together.

[0026] The male connector is connected to the power battery. It includes a male insulating shell 9 and a pin. The pin is inserted from the top of the male insulating shell 9 into the mating cavity 10 inside the male insulating shell 9. The top of the male insulating shell 9 is provided with a corrugated insulating section 4. A top plate 1 is provided on the top of the corrugated insulating section 4. An electromagnet 2 is provided at the bottom of the top plate 1. A compression spring 3 is wrapped around the outside of the corrugated insulating section 4. A permanent magnet 7 is provided on the top of the male insulating shell 9 facing the electromagnet 2. When the electromagnet 2 is energized, a repulsive force is generated between it and the permanent magnet 7, causing the top plate 1 to move away from the permanent magnet 7. At this time, the compression spring 3 is stretched, and the pin is retracted into the mating cavity 10 of the male insulating shell 9.

[0027] The female connector is connected to the charging pile. It includes a female connector insulating shell 14 and a female connector terminal 15. The female connector and the male connector are mated together, so that the pins are inserted into the female connector terminal 15 and make conductive contact with the female connector terminal 15. The female connector insulating shell 14 is partially inserted into the mating cavity 10 of the male connector. When the electromagnet 2 is energized, it generates a repulsive force with the permanent magnet 7. At this time, as... Figure 2 In the structure shown, the compression spring 3 is stretched, and at this time the pin is retracted into the insulating shell 9 of the male connector and does not protrude. Therefore, when the mating action between the male connector and the female connector occurs, the pin does not participate. It utilizes the friction assembly between the male connector and the female connector and does not involve electrical connection mating. Thus, the pin will not bend or deform during mating because it is not inserted in a straight line.

[0028] An elastic gas storage layer 5 is installed between the compression spring 3 and the pleated insulating section 4. The elastic gas storage layer 5 is filled with gas. The bottom of the elastic gas storage layer 5 is connected to the ejector inside the pin through a connecting pipe 8. The ejector is arranged around the inside of the pin, and an elastic conductive sheet 12 is provided on the pin outside each ejector. When the ejector is inflated, the elastic conductive sheet 12 is pushed out and protrudes to the outside of the pin. At this time, the elastic conductive sheet 12 makes conductive contact with the female terminal 15. Even if the pin is pushed out to the outside of the male insulating shell 9 by the compression spring 3, it will not make frictional contact with the female terminal 15. Therefore, the pin will not generate friction after insertion, reducing wear.

[0029] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, the elastic conductive sheet 12 is V-shaped, and the ejector uses an elastic air reservoir. The ejector is arranged in the V-shaped groove of the elastic conductive sheet 12. When the ejector is not filled with gas, the V-shaped groove of the elastic conductive sheet 12 will not be opened. Thus, when the pin is inserted into the female terminal 15, the elastic conductive sheet 12 will not make conductive contact with the female terminal 15. Therefore, the elastic conductive sheet 12 will only be opened after the ejector is filled with gas, so that the elastic conductive sheet 12 makes conductive contact with the inner wall of the female terminal 15. Therefore, this conductive contact method is not completed by mating. Instead, after mating, the elastic conductive sheet 12 is vertically opened and then makes conductive contact with the inner wall of the female terminal 15. This will prevent friction mating and reduce the wear rate of the connector during insertion and removal.

[0030] The connecting pipe 8 is a rubber hose, which connects the ejector components with air. The connecting pipe 8 is equipped with a spring contraction section. When the compression spring 3 is reset, it drives the electromagnet 2 and the main body section 13 of the pin to move down. At this time, the entire pin moves down and is ejected, and the spring contraction section of the connecting pipe 8 is stretched.

[0031] In this embodiment, the pleated insulating section 4 is made of elastic rubber material, and the ejection and retraction of the pin are accomplished by setting the pleated insulating section 4.

[0032] Among them, the elastic compression force of the compression spring 3 is greater than the elastic force of the elastic gas storage layer 5. When the electromagnet 2 is energized, it generates a repulsive force relative to the permanent magnet 7. At this time, the gas located in each ejector component returns to the elastic gas storage layer 5. When the compression spring 3 retracts, the entire elastic gas storage layer 5 is flattened and the gas is in a squeezed-out state. At this time, the ejector component is in an inflated ejection state. The top of the compression spring 3 is fixedly bonded to the lower end face of the electromagnet 2, and the lower end face is fixedly bonded to the top end face of the male insulating shell 9.

[0033] The pin includes a pin body section 13, a sliding section 11, and an extension section 6. The sliding section 11 is disposed between the pin body section 13 and the extension section 6. The outer wall surface of the sliding section 11 slides in contact with the inner wall of the insertion cavity 10. Each elastic conductive sheet 12 is arranged on the pin body section 13.

[0034] Electromagnet 2 is connected to the vehicle's power supply via a power cord, and its power is controlled by the vehicle's terminal. When a battery change is needed, electromagnet 2 is activated, generating a repulsive force between it and permanent magnet 7. This stretches the previously compressed spring, allowing the male connector to be inserted into the female connector. To facilitate insertion, the outer wall of the female connector can have an inclined guide surface. Since electromagnet 2 is activated, the pin retracts into the male connector and does not protrude. The current state is as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the female connector and male connector are mated, the power to electromagnet 2 is turned off. At this time, a repulsive force is generated, and compression spring 3 returns to its original position. In the first half of this process, the elastic gas storage layer 5 is not compressed; only the pleated insulating section 4 is compressed, and the pin is ejected. After the pin is ejected, it is inserted into the female connector terminal 15. At this time, the elastic conductive piece 12 of the pin does not make conductive contact with the female connector terminal 15. As compression spring 3 continues to return to its original position, it begins to compress the elastic gas storage layer 5. After the elastic gas storage layer 5 is compressed, gas continuously enters the ejector, causing the ejector to expand. At this time, the elastic conductive piece 12 is ejected. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, conductive contact is now achieved. Since the elastic conductive sheet 12 protrudes perpendicularly to the female terminal 15, no friction is generated.

[0035] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions conceived without inventive effort should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A battery connector for quick battery swapping in electric vehicles, characterized in that: The battery connector is composed of a male connector and a female connector. The male connector is connected to the power battery. It includes a male insulating shell (9) and a pin. The pin is inserted from the top of the male insulating shell (9) into the mating cavity (10) inside the male insulating shell (9). The top of the male insulating shell (9) is provided with a pleated insulating section (4). A top plate (1) is provided on the top of the pleated insulating section (4). An electromagnet (2) is provided at the bottom of the top plate (1). A compression spring (3) is wrapped around the outside of the pleated insulating section (4). A permanent magnet (7) is provided on the top of the male insulating shell (9) facing the electromagnet (2). When the electromagnet (2) is energized, a repulsive force is generated between it and the permanent magnet (7), causing the top plate (1) to move away from the permanent magnet (7). At this time, the compression spring (3) is stretched, and the pin is retracted into the mating cavity (10) of the male insulating shell (9). The female connector is connected to the charging pile. It includes a female connector insulating shell (14) and a female connector terminal (15). The female connector and the male connector are mated together, so that the pin is inserted into the female connector terminal (15) and makes conductive contact with the female connector terminal (15). The female connector insulating shell (14) is partially inserted into the mating cavity (10) of the male connector. The pleated insulating section (4) is made of elastic rubber material; An elastic gas storage layer (5) is also installed between the compression spring (3) and the pleated insulating section (4). The elastic gas storage layer (5) is filled with gas. The bottom of the elastic gas storage layer (5) is connected to the ejector inside the pin through a connecting pipe (8). The ejector is arranged around the inside of the pin, and an elastic conductive sheet (12) is provided on the pin outside each ejector. When the ejector is inflated, the elastic conductive sheet (12) is pushed out and protrudes to the outside of the pin. At this time, the elastic conductive sheet (12) is in conductive contact with the female terminal (15). The elastic compression force of the compression spring (3) is greater than the elastic force of the elastic gas storage layer (5). When the electromagnet (2) is energized, it generates a repulsive force relative to the permanent magnet (7). At this time, the gas located in each ejector part returns to the elastic gas storage layer (5). The pin includes a pin body section (13), a sliding section (11) and an extension section (6). The sliding section (11) is disposed between the pin body section (13) and the extension section (6). The outer wall of the sliding section (11) slides in contact with the inner wall of the insertion cavity (10). Each elastic conductive sheet (12) is arranged on the pin body section (13).

2. The battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic conductive sheet (12) is V-shaped, and the ejector is an elastic air-filled bladder. The ejector is arranged in the V-shaped groove of the elastic conductive sheet (12).

3. The battery connector for quick battery replacement in electric vehicles according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting pipe (8) is a rubber hose, which is used for air connection between each ejector. A spring retraction section is provided on the connecting pipe (8).

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