Ball lock structure, its control method, air conditioner connector, and air supply system of aircraft

Abstract

The present application provides a ball lock structure, a control method thereof, an air conditioner connector, and an air supply system of an aircraft. The ball lock structure includes an outer sleeve assembly and a socket, and the socket is movably installed in a first accommodation cavity of the outer sleeve assembly; a sealed space is formed between the socket and the outer sleeve assembly, and the socket and / or the outer sleeve assembly is provided with a flow channel to communicate the sealed space with the outside; the socket has a second accommodation cavity and a locking member, and the locking member has a locking position for locking the socket with a ball head and an unlocking position for releasing the locking; one end of the outer sleeve assembly is provided with a locking cooperation portion for making the locking member located at the locking position and an unlocking cooperation portion located at the unlocking position; by applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, conveying compressed gas into the sealed space, discharging the compressed gas in the sealed space, or at least one of these methods, the outer sleeve assembly and the socket move relative to each other, so that the locking member switches between the locking position and the unlocking position. The ball lock structure of the present application has both traction unlocking and pneumatic unlocking functions at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of aerospace technology. Specifically, the present application relates to a ball lock structure, a control method thereof, an air conditioner connector, and an air supply system of an aircraft. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioner connector is a connection interface device between the air supply port of an air conditioner on a launch platform of a launch vehicle and the air conditioner port of a fairing, and is used to deliver clean air with specific requirements to payloads such as satellites or spacecrafts in the fairing, ensure that the payloads are always in a suitable environment before the rocket takes off, and improve the guarantee ability of the air conditioner system for the payload. To achieve the above functions, the air conditioner connector requires a special locking and unlocking structure.

[0003] In related technologies, the ball lock structure adopted by the air conditioner connector is unlocked by traction force, and the unlocking method is single. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the disadvantages of the existing methods, the present application provides a ball lock structure, a control method thereof, an air conditioner connector, and an air supply system of an aircraft, so as to solve the technical problem that the unlocking method of the ball lock structure in related technologies is single.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a ball lock structure, including:

[0006] An outer sleeve assembly and a socket. The outer sleeve assembly has a first accommodation cavity extending in a first direction. The socket is installed in the first accommodation cavity and is arranged to be relatively movable along the first direction with respect to the outer sleeve assembly;

[0007] A closed space is formed between the socket and the outer sleeve assembly. The socket and / or the outer sleeve assembly is provided with a flow channel to communicate the closed space with the outside;

[0008] The socket has a second accommodation cavity for accommodating a ball head and a locking member movably arranged on the side wall of the second accommodation cavity. The locking member has a locking position located in the second accommodation cavity with respect to the side wall to cooperate with the ball head to lock the socket and the ball head, and an unlocking position located outside the second accommodation cavity to release the cooperation with the ball head to unlock the socket and the ball head;

[0009] One end of the outer sleeve assembly close to the locking member is provided with a locking cooperation part and an unlocking cooperation part arranged in sequence along the first direction. The locking cooperation part is used to cooperate with the locking member to make the locking member located at the locking position, and the unlocking cooperation part is used to cooperate with the locking member to make the locking member located at the unlocking position;

[0010] The outer sleeve assembly and the socket are relatively moved in the first direction by applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly, applying an external force to the socket, delivering compressed gas into the closed space through the flow channel, or discharging the compressed gas in the closed space through the flow channel, so as to switch the locking member between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0011] Optionally, the outer sleeve assembly includes:

[0012] A switching outer sleeve having a first inner cavity;

[0013] An end cap is provided at one end of the switching outer sleeve and is sealingly connected to the switching outer sleeve. The end cap has a second inner cavity, and the first inner cavity and the second inner cavity communicate to form a first accommodating cavity;

[0014] Both the switching outer sleeve and the end cap are movably arranged relative to the socket, and sealing members are respectively provided between the switching outer sleeve and the socket and between the end cap and the socket. The switching outer sleeve, the end cap and the socket enclose a closed space;

[0015] The locking engagement portion and the unlocking engagement portion are provided in the first inner cavity and are located at the end of the switching outer sleeve away from the end cap.

[0016] Optionally, the ball lock structure further includes an unlocking assembly. The unlocking assembly is provided in the second accommodating cavity and is used to apply an outward acting force from the second accommodating cavity to the ball head, so as to push the ball head when the locking member cooperates with the unlocking engagement portion, and release the locking between the ball head and the socket.

[0017] Optionally, the unlocking assembly includes: a driving structure and an unlocking member;

[0018] The unlocking member is movably arranged in the second accommodating cavity. The driving structure is used to drive the unlocking member so that the unlocking member abuts against the ball head, and when the locking member cooperates with the unlocking engagement portion, the ball head is pushed to move outside the second accommodating cavity to release the locking with the socket.

[0019] Optionally, the driving structure includes: a baffle and an elastic member;

[0020] The baffle is fixedly connected to the socket and is located in the second accommodating cavity. The baffle has a mounting hole. The unlocking member is inserted through the mounting hole and is movably arranged relative to the baffle in the first direction. The unlocking member has a first end and a second end located on both sides of the baffle, and the first end of the unlocking member is used to abut against the ball head;

[0021] The elastic member is arranged between the first end of the unlocking member and the baffle, or between the baffle and the second end of the unlocking member;

[0022] The unlocking member has an initial position where it is disengaged from the ball head and the elastic member is in the first state, and an operating position where it is in contact with the ball head and the elastic member is in the second state; the degree of deformation of the elastic member in the second state is greater than that in the first state, and the elastic member has a tendency to recover from the second state to the first state to drive the unlocking member to recover from the operating position to the initial position;

[0023] A retaining member is provided at one end of the unlocking member away from the elastic member, and the retaining member is used to prevent the unlocking member from disengaging from the mounting hole.

[0024] Optionally, the locking and mating portion is a protrusion provided on the inner wall surface of the first receiving cavity, and the protrusion is used to contact the locking member to push the locking member into the second receiving cavity to cooperate with the ball head;

[0025] The unlocking and mating portion is a recess provided on the inner wall surface of the first receiving cavity, and the recess is used to provide a receiving space for the locking member withdrawn from the second receiving cavity;

[0026] The unlocking member includes an unlocking rod and an end portion connected to each other. The unlocking rod is inserted through the mounting hole, and the end portion is used to contact the ball head;

[0027] When the unlocking member is in the initial position, the side wall of the end portion contacts the locking member, and the locking member is pushed out of the second receiving cavity into the recess to disengage from the ball head.

[0028] Optionally, the side wall has at least one first through hole, the locking member includes steel balls, at least one steel ball is provided in each first through hole, and the radial dimension of the steel ball is greater than the wall thickness of the side wall at the corresponding first through hole; and / or,

[0029] The elastic member includes a first spring, and the first spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the unlocking rod; the baffle is detachably connected to the socket.

[0030] Optionally, the mounting hole is a non-circular hole, and at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the unlocking rod is adapted to the non-circular hole to prevent the unlocking rod from rotating relative to the baffle; and / or,

[0031] The retaining member includes a nut, and the nut is threadedly connected to one end of the unlocking rod away from the end portion. In a cross-section perpendicular to the moving direction of the unlocking rod, the orthographic projection of the nut overlaps with the orthographic projection of the baffle, and the baffle is used to stop the nut.

[0032] Optionally, the ball lock structure further includes:

[0033] A first limiting component, provided on the socket and / or the outer sleeve assembly, for limiting the extreme position of the relative movement of the socket and the outer sleeve assembly in the first direction; and / or,

[0034] A locking and resetting member is disposed in the first accommodating cavity and located between the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, and is used to provide a force for the relative movement of the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, so that the locking and mating portion cooperates with the locking member.

[0035] Optionally, the first limiting assembly includes a first limiting rod and a first limiting hole. The first limiting rod is connected to the outer sleeve assembly. The first limiting hole is provided on the socket and extends along the first direction. The first limiting rod is movably inserted into the first limiting hole along the first direction, and the first limiting rod is used to abut against the two end faces of the first limiting hole along the first direction respectively; and / or,

[0036] The locking and resetting member includes a second spring. The second spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the socket and is respectively connected to the socket and the outer sleeve assembly. When the unlocking and mating portion cooperates with the locking member, the second spring is in a deformed state, and the second spring has a tendency to recover from the deformed state to the natural state, so as to drive the relative movement of the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, and make the locking and mating portion cooperate with the locking member.

[0037] Optionally, the outer sleeve assembly further includes a locking outer sleeve. The locking outer sleeve is disposed on the outer periphery of the switching outer sleeve. The locking outer sleeve is used to abut against the outer wall corresponding to the locking and mating portion on the switching outer sleeve when the locking and mating portion cooperates with the locking member, so as to limit the radial dimension of the switching outer sleeve corresponding to the locking and mating portion. The locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve are relatively movably arranged along the first direction;

[0038] The ball lock structure further includes:

[0039] A second limiting assembly is disposed on the locking outer sleeve and / or the switching outer sleeve, and is used to limit the extreme positions of the relative movement of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve along the first direction; and / or,

[0040] A limiting and resetting member is disposed between the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve, and is used to provide a force for the relative movement of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve, so that the outer wall of the locking outer sleeve corresponding to the locking and mating portion abuts against the switching outer sleeve.

[0041] Optionally, the second limiting assembly includes a second limiting rod and a second limiting hole. The second limiting rod is connected to the locking outer sleeve. The second limiting hole is provided on the switching outer sleeve and extends along the first direction. The second limiting rod is movably inserted into the second limiting hole along the first direction. The dimension of the second limiting hole along the first direction is smaller than the dimension of the first limiting hole along the first direction. The second limiting rod is used to abut against the two end faces of the second limiting hole along the first direction respectively; and / or,

[0042] The limiting reset member includes a third spring. The third spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the switching outer sleeve and is connected to the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve respectively. When the unlocking engaging portion cooperates with the locking member, the elastic force of the third spring is greater than that of the second spring. The third spring has a tendency to recover to its natural state to drive the relative movement of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve, so that the outer wall of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve corresponding to the locking engaging portion abuts against each other.

[0043] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an air-conditioning connector, including:

[0044] A connector body having a air supply channel;

[0045] The above ball lock structure is installed on the connector body, and the outer sleeve assembly or the socket is movably arranged relative to the connector body;

[0046] A traction assembly and / or a pressure vessel, wherein:

[0047] The traction assembly is installed on the connector body, and at least part of its structure is movably arranged relative to the connector body. The traction assembly is used to connect with the movable outer sleeve assembly or socket to drive the outer sleeve assembly or socket to move under an external force, so that the locking member switches between the locking position and the unlocking position;

[0048] The pressure vessel is used to supply compressed gas to a closed space to increase the gas pressure in the closed space, so that the locking member switches between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0049] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an air supply system for an aircraft, including:

[0050] An aircraft air intake interface having an air intake channel;

[0051] A ball head installed on the aircraft air intake interface;

[0052] The above air-conditioning connector, the connector body is rotatably connected to the aircraft air intake interface, and the ball lock structure is used to connect with the ball head to dock the connector body and the aircraft air intake interface, so that the air supply channel is communicated with the air intake channel.

[0053] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a control method for a ball lock structure, including: an unlocking stage;

[0054] In the unlocking stage, at least one unlocking operation is performed to make the outer sleeve assembly and the socket of the ball lock structure move relative to each other in a first direction, so that the locking member of the socket switches from the locking position where it cooperates with the locking engaging portion of the outer sleeve assembly to the unlocking position where it cooperates with the unlocking engaging portion of the outer sleeve assembly, so that the socket and the ball head are unlocked;

[0055] Among them, the unlocking operation includes:

[0056] Apply an external force to the outer sleeve assembly or to the socket.

[0057] Convey compressed gas into the enclosed space of the ball lock structure or discharge the compressed gas in the enclosed space.

[0058] The beneficial technical effects brought by the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application include:

[0059] The socket is installed in the first accommodation cavity of the outer sleeve assembly and is arranged to be relatively movable along the first direction with respect to the outer sleeve assembly. By applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly and / or the socket, the outer sleeve assembly can be driven to move relative to the socket or the socket can be driven to move relative to the outer sleeve assembly along the first direction.

[0060] The socket and the outer sleeve assembly enclose an enclosed space. The socket is provided with a flow channel to connect the enclosed space with the outside. The enclosed space can be pressurized by conveying compressed air from the outside to the enclosed space through the flow channel, so that the pressure in the enclosed space is greater than the atmospheric pressure, and the expansion of the enclosed space drives the socket and the outer sleeve assembly to move away from each other; of course, the compressed air in the enclosed space can also be discharged to the outside through the flow channel to decompress, so that the pressure in the enclosed space is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the contraction of the enclosed space drives the socket and the outer sleeve assembly to move towards each other.

[0061] The locking and mating portion is used to cooperate with the locking member so that the locking member enters the second accommodation cavity to be in the locking position, facilitating the cooperation between the locking member and the ball head, thereby locking the socket and the ball head; the unlocking and mating portion is used to cooperate with the locking member, facilitating the withdrawal of the locking member from the second accommodation cavity to be in the unlocking position, so that the locking member is disengaged from the ball head, thereby unlocking the socket and the ball head.

[0062] When the locking member is in the locking position, the socket and the ball head are in the locked state; when the locking member is in the unlocking position, the socket and the ball head are in the unlocked state.

[0063] By at least one of the following methods: applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly, applying an external force to the socket, conveying compressed gas into the enclosed space through the flow channel, and discharging the compressed gas in the enclosed space through the flow channel, the outer sleeve assembly and the socket are relatively moved along the first direction, so that the locking member cooperates with the locking and mating portion to be in the locking position or the locking member cooperates with the unlocking and mating portion to be in the unlocking position, thereby switching the locking member between the locking position and the unlocking position, and further switching the socket and the ball head between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0064] The ball lock structure of the embodiments of the present application simultaneously has the functions of traction unlocking and pneumatic unlocking. The unlocking methods are diverse, with high selectivity, flexibility and adaptability, and can improve work efficiency.

[0065] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the following description, and these will become apparent from the following description or be learned through the practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and be readily understood from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, where:

[0067] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a ball lock structure provided by an embodiment of the present application, where the ball lock structure is in an unlocked state before the socket is docked with the ball head;

[0068] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is another schematic structural diagram of a ball lock structure provided by an embodiment of the present application, where the ball lock structure is in a locked state with the socket and the ball head locked;

[0069] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is still another schematic structural diagram of a ball lock structure provided by an embodiment of the present application, where the ball lock structure is in a pneumatic unlocking state;

[0070] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is yet another schematic structural diagram of a ball lock structure provided by an embodiment of the present application, where the ball lock structure is in a traction unlocking state;

[0071] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a baffle of a ball lock structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a top view of the baffle in FIG. 5;

[0073] Figure 7 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an unlocking member of a ball lock structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a side view of the unlocking member in FIG. 6;

[0075] Figure 9 FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an air supply system of an aircraft provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 10 FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an air supply system of an aircraft provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0077] Reference numerals:

[0078] 1000 - Air supply system of an aircraft; 100 - Ball lock structure; 10 - Outer sleeve assembly; 11 - First accommodation cavity; 12 - Locking mating part; 13 - Unlocking mating part; 14 - Switching outer sleeve; 15 - First inner cavity; 16 - End cap; 17 - Second inner cavity; 18 - Sealing member; 19 - Locking outer sleeve; 20 - Socket; 21 - Second accommodation cavity; 22 - Side wall; 23 - Locking member; 24 - First through hole; 25 - First part; 26 - Second part; 27 - Nozzle; 28 - Third part; 30 - Enclosed space; 31 - Flow channel; 32 - First passage; 33 - Second passage; 40 - Unlocking assembly; 41 - Unlocking member; 42 - Baffle; 421 - Mounting hole; 43 - Elastic member; 44 - Anti - detachment member; 45 - Unlocking rod; 46 - End; 461 - Assembly hole; 52 - Locking reset member; 53 - Pull rod; 54 - First limiting hole; 55 - Limiting reset member; 56 - Second limiting hole; 200 - Air conditioner connector; 210 - Connector body; 211 - Air supply channel; 220 - Traction assembly; 221 - Traction rope; 222 - Traction plate; 231 - Shaft; 232 - Hand - lock screw; 233 - Adjusting nut; 234 - Card slot; 235 - Adjusting screw; 300 - Aircraft air intake interface; 301 - Air intake channel; 310 - Ball head; 311 - Limiting groove. Detailed implementation mode

[0079] The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the present application. It should be understood that the implementation modes described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are exemplary descriptions for explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute limitations on the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0080] Those skilled in the art of the present technology can understand that, unless specifically stated, the "the" and "this" used here may also include the plural form. It should be further understood that the term "including" used in the specification of the present application means the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the implementation of other features, information, data, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their combinations, etc. supported by the art of the present technology. The term "and / or" used here means at least one of the items defined by this term. For example, "A and / or B" can be implemented as "A", or implemented as "B", or implemented as "A and B".

[0081] To make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] In the related technology, the ball lock structure adopted by the air conditioner connector is unlocked by traction force, and the unlocking method is single. Moreover, before the air conditioner connector is connected, the ball lock structure needs to be unlocked and then manually maintained in the unlocked state, and then the ball head is docked with the socket, which is cumbersome to operate and has low work efficiency.

[0083] The ball lock structure and control method thereof, air conditioning connector, and aircraft air supply system provided in the present application are intended to solve at least one of the above technical problems in the related art.

[0084] The following is a detailed description of the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above technical problems with specific embodiments. It should be noted that the following implementations can refer to, draw on or combine with each other, and the same terms, similar features and similar implementation steps in different implementations will not be described repeatedly.

[0085] The present application embodiment provides a ball lock structure 100, the structural schematic diagram of the ball lock structure 100 is as shown in Figures 1 to 4 As shown, it comprises: a coat assembly 10 and a socket 20, the coat assembly 10 has a first accommodating cavity 11 extending along a first direction, and the socket 20 is installed in the first accommodating cavity 11 and is relatively movably arranged along the first direction with the coat assembly 10. By applying an external force to the coat assembly 10 and / or the socket 20, the coat assembly 10 can be driven to move relative to the socket 20 or the socket 20 can be driven relative to the coat assembly 10 along the first direction.

[0086] The socket 20 and the jacket assembly 10 enclose a closed space 30, and the socket 20 is provided with a flow channel 31 to connect the closed space 30 with the outside. Since the socket 20 and the jacket assembly 10 are relatively movable, the size of the closed space 30 can be adjusted. The compressed air from the outside can be delivered to the closed space 30 through the flow channel 31 to increase the pressure, so that the pressure in the closed space 30 is greater than the atmospheric pressure, and the expansion of the closed space 30 drives the socket 20 and the jacket assembly 10 to move in opposite directions; of course, the compressed air in the closed space 30 can also be discharged to the outside through the flow channel 31 to reduce the pressure, so that the pressure in the closed space 30 is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the closed space 30 is reduced to drive the socket 20 and the jacket assembly 10 to move toward each other.

[0087] The socket 20 has a second accommodating cavity 21 for accommodating the ball head 310 and a locking member 23 movably arranged on the side wall 22 of the second accommodating cavity. The locking member 23 has a locking position relative to the side wall 22, which is located inside the second accommodating cavity 21 to cooperate with the ball head 310 so that the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are locked, and an unlocking position which is located outside the second accommodating cavity 21 to release the cooperation with the ball head 310 so that the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are unlocked.

[0088] One end of the outer sleeve assembly 10 close to the locking member 23 is provided with a locking engagement portion 12 and an unlocking engagement portion 13 arranged in sequence along a first direction. The locking engagement portion 12 is used to cooperate with the locking member 23 to enable the locking member 23 to enter the second accommodation cavity 21 and be located at the locking position, facilitating the cooperation between the locking member 23 and the ball head 310, so as to lock the socket 20 and the ball head 310; the unlocking engagement portion 13 is used to cooperate with the locking member 23 to facilitate the withdrawal of the locking member 23 from the second accommodation cavity 21 to be located at the unlocking position, so that the locking member 23 is disengaged from the ball head 310, thereby unlocking the socket 20 and the ball head 310.

[0089] When the locking member 23 is located at the locking position, the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are in a locked state; when the locking member 23 is located at the unlocking position, the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are in an unlocked state.

[0090] By applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly 10, applying an external force to the socket 20, conveying compressed gas into the closed space 30 through the flow channel 31, or discharging the compressed gas in the closed space 30 through the flow channel 31, at least one of these methods is used to make the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20 move relative to each other in the first direction, so that the locking member 23 cooperates with the locking engagement portion 12 and is located at the locking position or the locking member 23 cooperates with the unlocking engagement portion 13 and is located at the unlocking position, thereby enabling the locking member 23 to switch between the locking position and the unlocking position, and further enabling the socket 20 and the ball head 310 to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0091] Compared with the related art, the ball lock structure 100 of the embodiment of the present application simultaneously has the functions of traction unlocking and pneumatic unlocking, with various unlocking methods, high selectivity, flexibility and adaptability, and can improve work efficiency.

[0092] Certainly, in some optional embodiments of the present application, according to actual needs, the outer sleeve assembly 10 can be provided with a flow channel 31, or the socket 20 and the outer sleeve assembly 10 can be respectively provided with a flow channel 31 to communicate the closed space 30 with the outside.

[0093] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the outer sleeve assembly 10 includes: a switching outer sleeve 14 and an end cap 16. The switching outer sleeve 14 has a first inner cavity 15, and the first inner cavity 15 extends along the first direction; the end cap 16 is arranged at one end of the switching outer sleeve 14 and is hermetically connected to the switching outer sleeve 14. The end cap 16 has a second inner cavity 17, and the first inner cavity 15 and the second inner cavity 17 are arranged and communicated in sequence along the first direction to form a first accommodation cavity 11.

[0094] The switching jacket 14 and the end cap 16 are fixedly connected together and are movably arranged relative to the socket 20 in a first direction. A seal 18 is provided between the switching jacket 14 and the socket 20 to make the switching jacket 14 and the socket 20 be sealingly connected. A seal 18 is provided between the end cap 16 and the socket 20 to make the end cap 16 and the socket 20 be sealingly connected. The switching jacket 14, the end cap 16 and the socket 20 enclose a sealed space 30.

[0095] Optionally, as Figure 1 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, a seal 18 is provided between the end cap 16 and the switching jacket 14 to make the end cap 16 and the switching jacket 14 be sealingly connected.

[0096] Optionally, the seal 18 includes but is not limited to a sealing ring.

[0097] In the embodiment of the present application, by providing the end cap 16 and the seals 18 between the switching jacket 14 and the socket 20, between the end cap 16 and the socket 20, and between the end cap 16 and the switching jacket 14 respectively, the switching jacket 14, the end cap 16 and the socket 20 can enclose the sealed space 30, so that the ball lock structure 100 can simultaneously have the functions of pneumatic unlocking and traction unlocking, the unlocking of the air-conditioning connector can be realized through multiple unlocking methods, the selectivity, flexibility and adaptability are high, and the working efficiency can be improved.

[0098] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the socket 20 includes a first part 25 and a second part 26 connected to each other. The first part 25 is located in the first inner cavity 15, the second part 26 is inserted into the second inner cavity 17, one end of the second part 26 extends into the first inner cavity 15 to be connected with the first part 25, and the other end extends out of the second inner cavity 17 to the outside. The outer diameter of the first part 25 is larger than the outer diameter of the second part 26, and a step is formed at the connection between the first part 25 and the second part 26. A seal 18 is provided between the first part 25 and the switching jacket 14 to make the first part 25 and the switching jacket 14 be sealingly connected. A seal 18 is provided between the second part 26 and the end cap 16 to make the second part 26 and the end cap 16 be sealingly connected. The first part 25, the second part 26, the switching jacket 14 and the end cap 16 enclose the sealed space 30.

[0099] The flow channel 31 is an L-shaped flow channel provided on the second part 26. The first passage 32 of the L-shaped flow channel extends in the first direction, the second passage 33 extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first passage 32 and the second passage 33 are communicated, and one end of the first passage 32 far from the second passage 33 is communicated with the outside, and one end of the second passage 33 far from the first passage 32 is communicated with the sealed space 30.

[0100] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, a nozzle 27 is provided at one end of the second part 26 away from the first part 25. The nozzle 27 is connected to the second part 26 and is used to connect to an external device. The nozzle 27 has a third inner cavity, one end of the third inner cavity is communicated with the first passage 32, and the other end is used to be communicated with the inner cavity of the external device. Optionally, the external device includes but is not limited to a pressure vessel, and the nozzle 27 is communicated with the pressure vessel to supply compressed air to the enclosed space 30.

[0101] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the locking engagement portion 12 and the unlocking engagement portion 13 are provided in the first inner cavity 15 and are located at one end of the switching sleeve 14 away from the end cap 16.

[0102] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the unlocking engagement portion 13 is located on the side of the locking engagement portion 12 away from the end cap 16.

[0103] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the locking engagement portion 12 is a protrusion provided on the inner wall surface of the first inner cavity 15. The protrusion is used to abut against the locking member 23 to push the locking member 23 into the second receiving cavity 21, facilitating the cooperation between the locking member 23 and the ball head 310. The unlocking engagement portion 13 is a recess provided on the inner wall surface of the first inner cavity 15. The recess is used to provide a receiving space for the locking member 23. The locking member 23 that exits from the second receiving cavity 21 is disengaged from the ball head 310, and the locking member 23 that exits from the second receiving cavity 21 is received in the recess.

[0104] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, a transition surface is provided between the protrusion and the recess, and the gentle transition from the recess to the protrusion is realized through this transition surface, making the transition of the locking member 23 from cooperating with the recess to cooperating with the protrusion smoother and more slippery.

[0105] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the socket 20 further includes a third part 28 connected to the first part 25. The third part 28 is located on the side of the first part 25 away from the second part 26 along the first direction. The outer diameter of the first part 25 is greater than the outer diameter of the third part 28, and a step is formed at the connection between the first part 25 and the third part 28. The third part 28 has a fourth inner cavity, and the fourth inner cavity forms at least a part of the second receiving cavity 21, and the side wall of the fourth inner cavity forms at least a part of the side wall 22 of the second receiving cavity.

[0106] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the inner diameter of the first inner cavity 15 corresponding to the convex portion is greater than or equal to at least a part of the outer diameter of the third part 28, so as to facilitate pushing the locking member 23 into the second receiving cavity 21 through the convex portion, and enabling the convex portion and at least a part of the third part 28 to move relative to each other in the first direction, which is convenient for switching the position of the locking member 23; the inner diameter of the first inner cavity 15 corresponding to the concave portion is greater than the inner diameter corresponding to the convex portion, so as to provide a receiving space for the locking member 23 exiting from the second receiving cavity 21.

[0107] Optionally, as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, a limiting groove 311 is provided at one end of the ball head 310. When the convex portion cooperates with the locking member 23 and pushes the locking member 23 into the second receiving cavity 21, a part of the locking member 23 enters the limiting groove 311 to catch the ball head 310, so that the ball head 310 is locked with the socket 20. When unlocking, the concave portion cooperates with the locking member 23, and the locking member 23 exits from the limiting groove 311 and enters the concave portion. The locking member 23 no longer catches the ball head 310, and the ball head 310 is unlocked from the socket 20.

[0108] It should be noted that the ball head 310 in the embodiment of the present application has the same or similar structure as the conventional ball head in the art, and will not be elaborated here.

[0109] Optionally, as Figure 1 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the side wall 22 has at least one first through hole 24, the locking member 23 includes steel balls, at least one steel ball is provided in each first through hole 24, and the radial dimension of the steel ball is greater than the wall thickness of the side wall 22 at the corresponding first through hole 24. When the ball lock structure 100 is in the locked state, some steel balls can be located in the second receiving cavity 21, so as to facilitate catching the ball head 310 and realizing locking.

[0110] Optionally, as Figure 1 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the number of the first through holes 24 is multiple, and the multiple first through holes 24 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the second receiving cavity 21. One steel ball is correspondingly provided in each first through hole 24, and the multiple steel balls can catch the ball head 310 simultaneously to improve the locking effect. Optionally, the multiple first through holes 24 are evenly arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the second receiving cavity 21, so that the cooperation between the steel balls and the ball head 310 is more uniform and the locking effect is better.

[0111] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the axis of the second receiving cavity 21 is parallel to the first direction, and the wall thickness of the side wall 22 refers to the dimension of the side wall 22 in the radial direction of the second receiving cavity 21 (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the first direction).

[0112] Optionally, as Figure 3As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the pneumatic unlocking method includes: after introducing compressed air into the sealed space 30 from the connection nozzle 27 through the flow channel 31, the outer sleeve 14 and the end cover 16 are switched to move rightward relative to the socket 20, and the cooperation between the protrusion and the steel ball is switched to the cooperation between the recess and the steel ball, releasing the restriction of the protrusion on the steel ball. The steel ball disengages from the limit groove 311 and moves outward into the recess, and the steel ball no longer holds the ball head 310. The two parts of the ball head 310 and the socket 20 can be separated, realizing the unlocking of the air-conditioning connector.

[0113] Optionally, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the ball lock structure 100 further includes an unlocking component 40. The unlocking component 40 is disposed in the second receiving cavity 21. The unlocking component 40 is used to apply an outward force from the second receiving cavity 21 to the ball head 310. When the locking member 23 cooperates with the unlocking mating portion 13, the unlocking component 40 pushes the ball head 310, causing the ball head 310 to move away from the second receiving cavity 21. The locking member 23 disengages from the limit groove 311 of the ball head 310 and enters the receiving space provided by the unlocking mating portion 13. The locking member 23 no longer holds the ball head 310, thereby releasing the locking between the ball head 310 and the socket 20 and realizing unlocking.

[0114] In the embodiment of the present application, by providing the unlocking component 40, the ball head 310 and the locking member 23 can be automatically separated during unlocking, that is, the locking between the ball head 310 and the socket 20 can be automatically released, and unlocking can be achieved without additional traction force, improving the degree of automation and simplifying the operation.

[0115] Optionally, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the unlocking component 40 includes: a driving structure and an unlocking member 41; the unlocking member 41 is movably disposed in the second receiving cavity 21, and the driving structure is used to drive the unlocking member 41 so that the unlocking member 41 abuts against the ball head 310, so that when the locking member 23 cooperates with the unlocking mating portion 13, the ball head 310 is pushed by the unlocking member 41 to move outside the second receiving cavity 21, causing the locking member 23 to disengage from the limit groove 311 of the ball head 310 and no longer hold the ball head 310, thereby releasing the locking between the ball head 310 and the socket 20 and realizing unlocking.

[0116] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the driving structure includes: a baffle 42 and an elastic member 43; the baffle 42 is fixedly connected to the socket 20 and is located in the second receiving cavity 21. The baffle 42 has a mounting hole 421, and the unlocking member 41 is inserted through the mounting hole 421 and is movably disposed relative to the baffle 42 along the first direction. The baffle 42 provides support for the unlocking member 41. The axis of the mounting hole 421 is parallel to the first direction, and the mounting hole 421 has a guiding effect on the movement of the unlocking member 41 along the first direction, which can prevent deviation.

[0117] The unlocking member 41 has a first end and a second end located on both sides of the baffle 42. The first end of the unlocking member 41 is used to abut against the ball head 310; the elastic member 43 is arranged between the first end of the unlocking member 41 and the baffle 42; the second end of the unlocking member 41 is provided with an anti-disengagement member 44 to prevent the unlocking member 41 from disengaging from the mounting hole 421.

[0118] The unlocking member 41 has an initial position where it is disengaged from abutting against the ball head 310 and the elastic member 43 is in the first state, and an operating position where it abuts against the ball head 310 and the elastic member 43 is in the second state.

[0119] When the locking member 23 is in the unlocking position where it cooperates with the unlocking engaging portion 13, that is, when the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are in the unlocked state, the unlocking member 41 is in the initial position. At this time, the first end of the unlocking member 41 is disengaged from abutting against the ball head 310, and the elastic member 43 is in the first state of natural extension (without compression or tensile deformation) or slight compression deformation (such as the locking member 23 abutting against the unlocking member 41).

[0120] When the locking member 23 is in the locking position where it cooperates with the locking engaging portion 12, that is, when the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are in the locked state, the unlocking member 41 is in the operating position. At this time, the first end of the unlocking member 41 abuts against the ball head 310, and the elastic member 43 is in the second state of compression deformation.

[0121] The degree of deformation of the elastic member 43 in the second state is greater than that in the first state. The elastic member 43 stores energy during compression deformation in the second state and has a tendency to return to the first state.

[0122] When unlocking, the unlocking engaging portion 13 is made to cooperate with the locking member 23. The unlocking engaging portion 13 provides a receiving space for the locking member 23 outside the second receiving cavity 21. At this time, the locking engaging portion 12 is disengaged from cooperating with the locking member 23, and the thrust of the locking engaging portion 12 on the locking member 23 disappears. The elastic member 43 will attempt to return from the second state to the first state, releasing the stored energy, thereby driving the unlocking member 41 to return from the operating position to the initial position. The unlocking member 41 pushes the ball head 310 outside the second receiving cavity 21, and the locking member 23 disengages from the limiting groove 311 of the ball head 310 and enters the receiving space provided by the unlocking engaging portion 13. The locking member 23 no longer holds the ball head 310, so that the ball head 310 and the socket 20 are unlocked, achieving unlocking.

[0123] When unlocking, the ball head 310 and the socket 20 can be automatically separated by the unlocking member 41, the baffle 42 and the elastic member 43, and unlocking can be achieved without additional traction force.

[0124] Certainly, in some alternative embodiments of the present application, according to actual needs, the elastic member 43 can also be arranged between the baffle 42 and the second end of the unlocking member 41. At this time, the anti-disengagement member 44 can be arranged at the first end of the unlocking member 41.

[0125] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the baffle 42 is detachably connected to the socket 20. The baffle 42 is detachably installed in the fourth inner cavity of the third part 28.

[0126] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, internal threads are provided on a part of the inner wall of the fourth inner cavity, and external threads are provided on the outer wall of the baffle 42. The baffle 42 is threadedly connected to the third part 28.

[0127] Optionally, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, in the embodiments of the present application, the mounting hole 421 is a non-circular hole, and at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the unlocking member 41 is adapted to the non-circular hole to prevent the unlocking member 41 from rotating relative to the baffle 42. During assembly, the unlocking member 41 can drive the baffle 42 to rotate together, facilitating the installation of the baffle 42.

[0128] Optionally, the mounting hole 421 is a flat groove provided on the baffle 42. The shape of the flat groove is waist-shaped, oval-shaped or other shapes.

[0129] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 7 shown, in the embodiments of the present application, the unlocking member 41 includes a connected unlocking rod 45 and an end portion 46. The unlocking rod 45 is movably inserted into the mounting hole 421, and at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the unlocking rod 45 is adapted to the mounting hole 421. The end portion 46 is arranged at one end of the unlocking rod 45 for abutting against the ball head 310; when the unlocking member 41 is in the initial position, the side wall of the end portion 46 abuts against the locking member 23, pushing the locking member 23 out of the second receiving cavity 21 until part of the structure is located in the recess, and the locking member 23 is disengaged from the ball head 310, and the ball head 310 and the socket 20 are in an unlocked state. Through this setting method, the ball lock structure 100 can automatically maintain the unlocked state after unlocking, facilitating the docking of the ball head 310 and the socket 20 during installation.

[0130] In the embodiments of the present application, by providing the unlocking member 41, the baffle 42 and the elastic member 43, on the one hand, the socket 20 and the ball head 310 can be automatically separated during unlocking, and unlocking can be achieved without additional traction force. On the other hand, the unlocked state can be automatically maintained after unlocking, facilitating the docking of the ball head 310 and the socket 20 during installation.

[0131] Optionally, as Figure 8As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, an assembly hole 461 is provided on the side of the end 46 away from the unlocking rod 45. A fitting (such as an Allen wrench) that matches the assembly hole 461 is used to drive the unlocking rod 45 and the baffle 42 to rotate, so as to facilitate the installation of the baffle 42 into the fourth inner cavity of the third part 28.

[0132] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the assembly hole 461 is a non-circular hole. Specifically, as Figure 8 shown, the assembly hole 461 is a hexagonal hole.

[0133] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the anti-disengagement member 44 includes a nut, and the nut is threadedly connected to the end of the unlocking rod 45 away from the end 46. In the cross-section perpendicular to the moving direction of the unlocking rod 45, the orthographic projection of the nut overlaps with the orthographic projection of the baffle 42. The baffle 42 is used to block the nut, so that the nut cannot pass through the mounting hole 421 on the baffle 42, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing the unlocking member 41 from disengaging from the mounting hole 421.

[0134] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the elastic member 43 includes a first spring, and the first spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the unlocking rod 45.

[0135] Specifically, the assembly process of the unlocking assembly 40 is as follows:

[0136] The elastic member 43, the unlocking member 41, the baffle 42 and the anti-disengagement member 44 can be first assembled into a component; then an Allen wrench is used to cooperate with the assembly hole 461, and by rotating the Allen wrench, the unlocking member 41 and the baffle 42 are driven to rotate, so that the baffle 42 is threadedly connected to the third part 28 and tightened, achieving the purpose of detachably installing the baffle 42 in the second receiving cavity 21 of the socket 20.

[0137] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the ball lock structure 100 further includes: a first limiting component, which is arranged on the socket 20 and the outer sleeve assembly 10 and is used to limit the extreme positions of the relative movement of the socket 20 and the outer sleeve assembly 10 in the first direction.

[0138] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the first limiting component includes a first limiting rod (i.e., the part of the pull rod 53 corresponding to the first limiting hole 54) and a first limiting hole 54. The first limiting rod is connected to the outer sleeve assembly 10, the first limiting hole 54 is arranged on the socket 20 and extends in the first direction, and the first limiting rod is movably inserted into the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction. The first limiting rod is used to abut against the two end faces of the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction respectively.

[0139] Under the action of an external force (including an externally applied acting force and / or a pneumatic acting force), the outer sleeve assembly 10 moves relative to the socket 20 in a first direction, driving the first limiting rod to move in the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction, so that the first limiting rod can respectively abut against the two end faces of the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction. The two end faces of the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction respectively stop the movement of the first limiting rod in the first direction, limiting the movement of the first limiting rod between the two end faces of the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction, thereby enabling the outer sleeve assembly 10 to move relative to the socket 20 between a first extreme position and a second extreme position. As Figure 1 shown, when the outer sleeve assembly 10 is located at the first extreme position relative to the socket 20, the unlocking engagement portion 13 cooperates with the locking member 23. As Figure 2 shown, the socket 20 and the outer sleeve assembly 10 are located at the second extreme position, and the locking engagement portion 12 cooperates with the locking member 23.

[0140] As Figure 1 shown, when the first limiting rod abuts against the right end face of the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction, the outer sleeve assembly 10 is located at the first extreme position relative to the socket 20. At this time, the unlocking engagement portion 13 cooperates with the locking member 23, the locking member 23 is located at the unlocking position, and the ball head 310 is in an unlocked state with the socket 20. As Figure 2 shown, when the first limiting rod abuts against the left end face of the first limiting hole 54 in the first direction, the outer sleeve assembly 10 is located at the second extreme position relative to the socket 20. At this time, the locking engagement portion 12 cooperates with the locking member 23, the locking member 23 is located at the locking position, and the ball head 310 is in a locked state with the socket 20.

[0141] Under the action of an external force, the outer sleeve assembly 10 moves relative to the socket 20 between the first extreme position and the second extreme position, thereby driving the locking member 23 to switch between the locking position and the unlocking position, and enabling the ball head 310 to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state with the socket 20.

[0142] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the first limiting hole 54 is provided on the first part 25. A second through hole is further provided on the first part 25. The second through hole communicates with the first limiting hole 54 and extends in the first direction. The second through hole communicates with the fourth inner cavity to form a second receiving cavity 21.

[0143] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the ball lock structure 100 further includes: a locking return member 52. The locking return member 52 is disposed in the first receiving cavity 11 and located between the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20, and is used to provide an acting force for the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20 to move relatively, so that the locking engagement portion 12 cooperates with the locking member 23.

[0144] Under the action of the locking and resetting member 52, the ball lock structure 100 always maintains the state where the locking and mating portion 12 and the locking member 23 are in cooperation, so that the locking member 23 is located at the locking position, facilitating the tendency of the ball head 310 and the socket 20 to be locked.

[0145] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the locking and resetting member 52 includes a second spring. The second spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the socket 20 and is respectively connected to the socket 20 and the outer sleeve assembly 10. When the unlocking and mating portion 13 and the locking member 23 are in cooperation, the second spring is in a deformed state (such as a compressed state), and the second spring has a tendency to recover from this deformed state to the natural state, so as to drive the relative movement of the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20, and make the locking and mating portion 12 and the locking member 23 cooperate.

[0146] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the second spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the third part 28. One end of the second spring abuts or is connected to the first part 25, and the other end abuts or is connected to the wall surface of the locking and mating portion 12 on the side away from the unlocking and mating portion 13.

[0147] Optionally, as Figure 1 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, when the unlocking member 41 is in the initial position, the side wall of the end portion 46 abuts against the locking member 23, and part of the structure of the locking member 23 is pushed into the accommodation space provided by the unlocking and mating portion 13, overcoming the acting force provided by the locking and resetting member 52 to make the locking and mating portion 12 and the locking member 23 cooperate, so that the locking member 23 is kept in the unlocking position.

[0148] During installation, the ball head 310 and the socket 20 are butted. The ball head 310 abuts against the unlocking member 41 and pushes the unlocking member 41 to move to the acting position. The elastic member 43 is compressed to store energy, and the abutting action of the end portion 46 on the locking member 23 gradually weakens until it disappears. Under the action of the locking and resetting member 52, it gradually switches from the cooperation between the unlocking and mating portion 13 and the locking member 23 to the cooperation between the locking and mating portion 12 and the locking member 23, and the locking member 23 switches from the unlocking position to the locking position (as Figure 2 shown). Such a setting is beneficial to convenient installation.

[0149] During unlocking, under the drive of an external force (such as the traction unlocking as Figure 4 shown), or by pressurizing or decompressing in the closed space 30 (such as the pneumatic unlocking as Figure 3 shown), the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20 move relatively, overcoming the acting force provided by the locking and resetting member 52 to make the unlocking and mating portion 13 and the locking member 23 cooperate,

[0150] If it is pneumatic unlocking (as Figure 3As shown in the figure, the source of the unlocking force (the force that separates the socket 20 and the ball head 310 from each other) is the elastic member 43. Under the action of the elastic member 43, the unlocking member 41 moves towards the initial position, pushing the ball head 310 towards the outside of the second receiving cavity 21, causing the locking member 23 to disengage from the limiting groove 311 and gradually being pushed into the receiving space provided by the unlocking mating portion 13 by the end portion 46, thus achieving unlocking. If it is traction unlocking (as Figure 4 shown), then the source of the unlocking force is mainly the traction force (even without the unlocking assembly 40, due to the existence of the traction force, there is a tendency for the ball head 310 to separate from the socket 20, and the limiting groove 311 itself will also squeeze out the locking member 23 and enter the receiving space provided by the unlocking mating portion 13.

[0151] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the outer sleeve assembly 10 further includes a locking outer sleeve 19. The locking outer sleeve 19 is disposed on the outer periphery of the switching outer sleeve 14. The locking outer sleeve 19 is used to abut against the outer wall of the switching outer sleeve 14 corresponding to the locking mating portion 12 when the locking mating portion 12 and the locking member 23 are in cooperation, so as to limit the radial dimension of the switching outer sleeve 14 corresponding to the locking mating portion 12. The locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 are disposed to be relatively movable along the first direction.

[0152] The function of the locking outer sleeve 19 is: in the locked state, when the switching outer sleeve 14 and the socket 20 cannot move relative to each other due to some reason (such as jamming), an external force can be applied to the locking outer sleeve 19 to make the locking outer sleeve 19 move along the first direction relative to the switching outer sleeve 14, releasing the radial restriction on the switching outer sleeve 14. The locking mating portion 12 and the unlocking mating portion 13 provided on the switching outer sleeve 14 are not integrally rigid with the switching outer sleeve 14. At this time, although the locking mating portion 12 is in cooperation with the locking member 23, the locking mating portion 12 expands outward under the extrusion of the locking member 23, and the constraint on the ball head 310 can be released to achieve unlocking.

[0153] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the ball lock structure 100 further includes: a second limiting component, and the second limiting component is disposed on the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 for limiting the extreme positions of the relative movement of the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 along the first direction.

[0154] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the second limiting component includes a second limiting rod (i.e., the part of the pull rod 53 corresponding to the second limiting hole 56) and the second limiting hole 56. The second limiting rod is connected to the locking outer sleeve 19. The second limiting hole 56 is provided on the switching outer sleeve 14 and extends along the first direction. The second limiting rod is movably inserted into the second limiting hole 56 along the first direction. The dimension of the second limiting hole 56 along the first direction is smaller than the dimension of the first limiting hole 54 along the first direction. The second limiting rod is used to abut against the two end faces of the second limiting hole 56 along the first direction respectively.

[0155] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the second limiting rod and the first limiting rod are connected to form an integral pull rod 53.

[0156] In the embodiment of the present application, in the locked state (as Figure 2 shown, at this time, the pull rod 53 abuts against the left end face of the second limiting hole 56 and the left end face of the first limiting hole 54 at the same time, and the outer sleeve assembly 10 is located at the second extreme position relative to the socket 20), when the switching outer sleeve 14 and the socket 20 cannot move relative to each other to unlock due to some reason (such as jamming), an external force can be applied to the locking outer sleeve 19. After applying the external force to the locking outer sleeve 19, there is no relative movement between the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14, and they move along the first direction together with the pull rod 53 to the position where the right end face of the second limiting hole 56 is aligned with the right end face of the first limiting hole 54 as shown in Figure 3 shown. When the external force is further increased, there is no relative movement between the switching outer sleeve 14 and the socket 20, and the locking outer sleeve 19 and the pull rod 53 continue to move along the first direction until the pull rod 53 abuts against the right end face of the second limiting hole 56 and the right end face of the first limiting hole 54 at the same time as shown in Figure 1 shown, so that the outer sleeve assembly 10 is located at the first extreme position relative to the socket 20.

[0157] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the ball lock structure 100 further includes: a limiting reset member 55. The limiting reset member 55 is arranged between the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 and plays a reset role after the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 move relative to each other. The limiting reset member 55 is used to provide a force for the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 to move relatively, so that the outer walls of the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 corresponding to the locking and mating part 12 abut against each other.

[0158] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the limiting and resetting member 55 includes a third spring. The third spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the switching outer sleeve 14 and is connected to the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 respectively. When the unlocking engaging portion 13 cooperates with the locking member 23, the elastic force of the third spring is greater than that of the second spring. The third spring has a tendency to recover to its natural state to drive the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 to move relatively, so that the outer walls of the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 corresponding to the locking engaging portion 12 are in contact.

[0159] Optionally, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 the ball lock structure is in the locked state. At this time, both the second spring and the third spring are in the compressed state. Under the action of an external force for unlocking, as the external force increases, the second spring first starts from the initial compressed state (i.e., Figure 2 the compressed state when locking in Figure 3 ), deforms to the limit compressed position. During this process, the state of the third spring remains unchanged. As shown in Figure 2 the ball lock structure is in the pneumatic unlocking state; then as the external force increases, the second spring remains at the limit compressed position unchanged, and the third spring moves from the initial compressed state (i.e., Figure 4 the compressed state when locking in Figure 1 ) to the limit compressed position. As shown in

[0160] the ball lock structure is in the traction unlocking state or Figure 3 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, when the ball lock structure is in the pneumatic unlocking state, it is required that the elastic force of the third spring is greater than that of the second spring. If the elastic force of the third spring is less than that of the second spring, after the right end face of the second limiting hole 56 is aligned with the right end face of the first limiting hole 54, the relative position of the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 cannot be fixed (i.e., maintained at the position as shown in Figure 3 ), which may cause the cooperation between the locking engaging portion 12 and the locking member 23 to be disengaged before moving from the locked state to the pneumatic unlocking state as shown in Figure 3 . The locking outer sleeve 19 releases the radial restriction on the switching outer sleeve 14, and the part of the switching outer sleeve 14 corresponding to the locking engaging portion 12 expands radially outward and generates permanent deformation, and the limiting and resetting member cannot be reset. Therefore, if the elastic force of the third spring is greater than that of the second spring, the relative position of the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14 can be ensured to be fixed, so that the locking outer sleeve 19 can effectively radially restrict the switching outer sleeve 14 and prevent the part of the switching outer sleeve 14 corresponding to the locking engaging portion 12 from expanding radially outward and deforming.

[0161] Specifically, as Figures 1 to 4as shown, wherein, Figure 1 the ball lock structure in Figure 1 is in a fully unlocked state before the socket and the ball head are docked; Figure 2 the ball lock structure in Figure 2 is in a locked state where the socket and the ball head are locked; Figure 3 the ball lock structure in Figure 3 is in a pneumatic unlocking state; Figure 4 the ball lock structure in Figure 4 is in a traction unlocking state. The following takes Figure 1 the socket 20 and the ball head 310 in Figure 1 have not been docked yet, and the ball head 310 is located outside the second accommodation cavity 21. The working process of the ball lock structure 100 will be described as follows:

[0162] As Figure 1 shown, the ball lock structure 100 is in a fully unlocked state before the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are docked, and the ball head 310 is located outside the second accommodation cavity 21.

[0163] At this time, the locking member 23 cooperates with the unlocking cooperation portion 13, the unlocking member 41 is located at the initial position, the elastic member 43 is in the first state, the side wall of the end portion 46 abuts against the locking member 23, a part of the structure of the locking member 23 is located in the accommodation space provided by the unlocking cooperation portion 13, the locking reset member 52 is in a compressed state, the limiting reset member 55 is in a compressed state, the pull rod 53 abuts against the end faces on the right side of the second limiting hole 56 and the first limiting hole 54 along the first direction, and the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14, and the switching outer sleeve 14 and the socket 20 are located at the first extreme position.

[0164] During installation, the ball head 310 moves into the second accommodation cavity 21. The ball head 310 abuts against the unlocking member 41, causing the unlocking member 41 to move to the acting position. The elastic member 43 is compressed and deformed and changes to the second state. The side wall of the end portion 46 gradually disengages from the abutment with the locking member 23. The locking reset member 52 releases energy, enabling the locking cooperation portion 12 to cooperate with the locking member 23, pushing the locking member 23 into the second accommodation cavity 21 and cooperating with the limiting groove 311 of the ball head 310, clamping the ball head 310 in the second accommodation cavity 21, and realizing the locking of the ball head 310 and the socket 20.

[0165] As Figure 2 shown, the ball lock structure 100 is in a locked state where the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are locked.

[0166] At this time, the locking member 23 cooperates with the locking cooperation portion 12, the unlocking member 41 is located at the acting position, the elastic member 43 is in the second state, the locking cooperation portion 12 abuts against the locking member 23, a part of the structure of the locking member 23 is located in the limiting groove 311, the locking reset member 52 and the limiting reset member 55 are in a compressed state, the pull rod 53 abuts against the end faces on the left side of the second limiting hole 56 and the first limiting hole 54 along the first direction, and the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14, and the switching outer sleeve 14 and the socket 20 are located at the second extreme position.

[0167] Unlocking can be performed by at least one of traction unlocking and pneumatic unlocking.

[0168] The unlocking process is described below using the pneumatic unlocking method as an example.

[0169] When unlocking, compressed air is introduced from the nozzle 27 into the enclosed space 30 through the flow channel 31, and the gas pressure in the enclosed space 30 increases, driving the switching sleeve 14, the end cover 16, the pull rod 53, the locking sleeve 19, and the limiting reset member 55 to move rightward relative to the socket 20, and the locking fitting part 12 that cooperates with the locking member 23 is switched to the unlocking fitting part 13, the locking reset member 52 is compressed, and the restriction of the locking fitting part 12 on the locking member 23 is gradually released, the elastic member 43 changes to the first state, and the unlocking member 41 moves to the initial position, pushing the ball head 310 to move to the outside of the second accommodating chamber 21, and the locking member 23 escapes from the limiting groove 311 and is gradually pushed into the accommodating space provided by the unlocking fitting part 13 by the side wall of the end portion 46, and the locking member 23 is no longer stuck to the ball head 310, so that the ball head 310 is unlocked and disengaged from the socket 20.

[0170] like Figure 3 As shown, the ball lock structure 100 is in a pneumatic unlocking state.

[0171] At this time, the locking piece 23 cooperates with the unlocking matching part 13, the unlocking piece 41 is in the initial position, the elastic piece 43 is in the first state, the side wall of the end 46 abuts against the locking piece 23, and part of the structure of the locking piece 23 is located in the accommodating space provided by the unlocking matching part 13. The locking reset piece 52 is in a compressed state, and the pull rod 53 abuts against the end face of the second limiting hole 56 along the left side of the first direction. The locking sleeve 19 and the switching sleeve 14 have no relative movement and are still in the second extreme position. The state of the limiting reset piece 55 is the same as the state of the ball lock structure 100 when the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are locked, that is, it is in a compressed state. The pull rod 53 is located between the two end faces of the first limiting hole 54 along the first direction, and the switching sleeve 14 and the socket 20 are in the first extreme position.

[0172] It should be noted that Figure 3 The middle ball head 310 has not been withdrawn from the second accommodating cavity 21, and the position of the unlocking member 41 and the state of the elastic member 43 are the same as when the ball lock structure 100 is in the locked state where the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are locked. Figure 3 The position of the unlocking member 41 and the state of the elastic member 43 are not adjusted from the locked state of the ball lock structure 100 to the pneumatic unlocking state. However, it can be understood that when the ball lock structure 100 is in the pneumatic unlocking state, after the ball head 310 is pushed out of the second accommodating cavity 21, the position of the unlocking member 41 and the state of the elastic member 43 should be adjusted to the pneumatic unlocking state. Figure 1 The position of the unlocking member 41 and the state of the elastic member 43 are the same.

[0173] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, according to actual needs, a traction unlocking method or both a traction unlocking and a pneumatic unlocking method can be adopted for unlocking. Among them, when the traction unlocking method is adopted for unlocking, an external force can be applied to the locking outer sleeve 19. After applying the external force to the locking outer sleeve 19, there is no relative movement between the locking outer sleeve 19 and the switching outer sleeve 14, and they move along the first direction together with the pull rod 53 to a position where the right end face of the second limiting hole 56 shown in Figure 3 is aligned with the right end face of the first limiting hole 54. When the external force is further increased, there is no relative movement between the switching outer sleeve 14 and the socket 20, and the locking outer sleeve 19 and the pull rod 53 continue to move along the first direction until Figure 4 the pull rod 53 shown in is in contact with both the right end face of the second limiting hole 56 and the right end face of the first limiting hole 54, so that the outer sleeve assembly 10 is located at the first extreme position relative to the socket 20.

[0174] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the ball lock structure 100 in the traction unlocking state. It should be noted that Figure 4 the ball head 310 does not exit from the second accommodation cavity 21, and the position of the unlocking member 41 and the state of the elastic member 43 shown are the same as those when the ball lock structure 100 is in the locked state where the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are locked. Although Figure 4 the position of the unlocking member 41 and the state of the elastic member 43 are not adjusted from the locked state of the ball lock structure 100 to the traction unlocking state, it can be understood that the states of the components of the ball lock structure 100 after being unlocked by the traction unlocking method should be the same as Figure 1 the states of the components of the ball lock structure 100 in the unlocked state before the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are docked, which will not be elaborated here.

[0175] Compared with the related art, the ball lock structure 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0176] 1. Without changing the original functions of the ball lock structure in the related art and without increasing the original structural dimensions, in the embodiments of the present application, by providing an end cover and sealing members between the switching outer sleeve and the socket, between the end cover and the socket, and between the end cover and the switching outer sleeve, the switching outer sleeve, the end cover, and the socket can enclose a closed space, adding the function of pneumatic unlocking, so that the ball lock structure can have both the functions of pneumatic unlocking and traction unlocking.

[0177] 2. In the embodiments of the present application, by providing an unlocking member, a baffle, and an elastic member, the unlocked state can be automatically maintained after unlocking, which is convenient for the docking of the ball head and the socket.

[0178] 3. In the embodiment of the present application, by providing an unlocking member, a baffle, and an elastic member, when unlocking, the elastic member separates the socket and the ball head without additional traction. After unlocking, the spring force makes it more convenient for the ball head and the socket to be separated.

[0179] In the embodiment of the present application, the ball lock structure 100 can be applied to the field of aerospace technology. Optionally, the ball lock structure 100 can be applied to an air conditioner connector to realize the connection between the air conditioner connector and the air conditioner port of the fairing.

[0180] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application provides an air conditioner connector 200. The schematic structural diagram of the air conditioner connector 200 is as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown. The air conditioner connector 200 includes: a connector body 210, the above-mentioned ball lock structure 100, and a traction assembly 220.

[0181] In the embodiment of the present application, the air conditioner connector 200 is used to connect the air supply port of the air conditioner on the launch platform of the carrier rocket to the air conditioner port of the fairing, so as to convey clean air with specific requirements to the payloads such as satellites or spacecraft in the fairing, ensure that the payloads are always in a suitable environment before the rocket takes off, and improve the guarantee ability of the air conditioning system for the payloads.

[0182] Optionally, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the connector body 210 has an air supply channel 211; the ball lock structure 100 is installed on the connector body 210, and the outer sleeve assembly 10 or the socket 20 is movably arranged relative to the connector body 210, so that the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20 can move relative to each other; the traction assembly 220 is installed on the connector body 210, and at least part of the structure is movably arranged relative to the connector body 210. The connector body 210 supports the ball lock structure 100 and the traction assembly 220.

[0183] The traction assembly 220 is used to connect with the movable outer sleeve assembly 10 or socket 20, so as to drive the outer sleeve assembly 10 or socket 20 to move under the action of an external force, so that the locking member 23 switches between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0184] In the embodiment of the present application, by providing the traction assembly 220, traction unlocking can be realized under the action of an external force; by providing the closed space 30, gas can be input into or exhausted from the closed space 30 to realize pneumatic unlocking; of course, traction unlocking and pneumatic unlocking can also be used simultaneously to realize unlocking.

[0185] Specifically, an external force is applied to the traction assembly 220. Under the action of the external force, the traction assembly 220 drives the movable outer sleeve assembly 10 or the socket 20 to move, so that the locking member 23 switches between the locking position and the unlocking position; by supplying compressed gas to the sealed space 30 to increase the gas pressure in the sealed space 30, or by discharging the compressed gas in the sealed space 30 to reduce the gas pressure in the sealed space 30, the locking member 23 switches between the locking position and the unlocking position, so that the socket 20 and the ball head 310 switch between the locked state and the unlocked state, achieving the purpose of connecting or disconnecting the connector body 210 from the aircraft air inlet interface 300.

[0186] It should be noted that since the air-conditioning connector 200 in the embodiment of the present application includes the ball lock structure 100 in the embodiment of the present application, the air-conditioning connector 200 in the embodiment of the present application also has the above beneficial effects of the ball lock structure 100 in the embodiment of the present application, which will not be elaborated here.

[0187] Optionally, as Figure 10 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the socket 20 is fixedly installed on the connector body 210, and the outer sleeve assembly 10 is movably arranged relative to the connector body 210. The traction assembly 220 includes a traction rope 221, and the traction rope 221 acts on the locking outer sleeve 19. After the air-conditioning connector 200 is unlocked by the traction rope 221 or compressed air, the air-conditioning connector 200 first rotates clockwise around the lower card shaft 231, and after reaching a certain angle, the air-conditioning connector 200 is separated from the aircraft air inlet interface 300, realizing the unlocking of the air-conditioning connector 200.

[0188] In the embodiment of the present application, compressed air can be supplied to the sealed space 30 by an external device for storing compressed air. Of course, in some alternative embodiments of the present application, according to actual needs, the air-conditioning connector 200 may further include: a pressure vessel for storing compressed air, and the compressed gas is provided to the sealed space 30 through the pressure vessel.

[0189] Optionally, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the traction assembly 220 further includes a traction plate 222, and the air-conditioning connector 200 further includes a hand lock screw 232 and an adjusting nut 233. It should be noted that the setting methods of the traction rope 221, the traction plate 222, the hand lock screw 232 and the adjusting nut 233 in the embodiment of the present application are the same as or similar to the conventional setting methods of the traction rope, the traction plate, the hand lock screw and the adjusting nut in the art, which will not be elaborated here.

[0190] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application provides an air supply system 1000 for an aircraft. The structural schematic diagram of the air supply system 1000 for the aircraft is as Figure 9 andFigure 10 As shown in the figure, the air supply system 1000 of the aircraft includes: an aircraft air intake interface 300, a ball head 310, and the above-mentioned air conditioner connector 200.

[0191] The aircraft air intake interface 300 has an air intake passage 301; the ball head 310 is installed on the aircraft air intake interface 300; the connector body 210 of the air conditioner connector 200 is rotatably connected to the aircraft air intake interface 300, and the ball lock structure 100 is used to connect with the ball head 310 to dock the connector body 210 with the aircraft air intake interface 300, so that the air supply passage 211 is communicated with the air intake passage 301.

[0192] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the air supply system 1000 of the aircraft further includes a pivot connection structure, and the pivot connection structure is respectively connected to the connector body 210 and the aircraft air intake interface 300, so that the connector body 210 is rotatable relative to the aircraft air intake interface 300.

[0193] When installing the connector body 210 and the aircraft air intake interface 300, rotate the connector body 210 to dock with the aircraft air intake interface 300, so that the air supply passage 211 is communicated with the air intake passage 301, and then connect the ball lock structure 100 with the ball head 310 to achieve the purpose of installing the connector body 210 and the aircraft air intake interface 300 together. Subsequently, air can be supplied from the air supply passage 211 to the air intake passage 301.

[0194] It should be noted that since the air supply system 1000 of the aircraft in the embodiment of the present application includes the air conditioner connector 200 in the embodiment of the present application, therefore, the air supply system 1000 of the aircraft in the embodiment of the present application also has the above-mentioned beneficial effects of the air conditioner connector 200 in the embodiment of the present application, which will not be elaborated here.

[0195] Optionally, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the pivot connection structure includes a clamping shaft 231, a clamping groove 234, and an adjusting screw 235. It should be noted that the setting methods of the clamping shaft 231, the clamping groove 234, and the adjusting screw 235 in the embodiment of the present application are the same as or similar to the conventional setting methods of clamping shafts, clamping grooves, and adjusting screws in the art, which will not be elaborated here.

[0196] Based on the same inventive concept, a control method of a ball lock structure provided in the embodiment of the present application can lock and unlock the ball lock structure 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application through this control method of the ball lock structure.

[0197] The control method of the ball lock structure includes: an unlocking stage; in the unlocking stage, at least one unlocking operation is performed to relatively move the outer sleeve assembly 10 and the socket 20 of the ball lock structure 100 in a first direction, so that the locking member 23 of the socket 20 is switched from the locking position where it cooperates with the locking cooperation portion 12 of the outer sleeve assembly 10 to the unlocking position where it cooperates with the unlocking cooperation portion 13 of the outer sleeve assembly 10, and the socket 20 and the ball head 310 are unlocked.

[0198] Among them, the unlocking operation includes at least one of the following unlocking methods: Traction unlocking method: applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly 10 or applying an external force to the socket 20;

[0199] Pneumatic unlocking method: conveying compressed gas into the closed space 30 of the ball lock structure 100 or discharging the compressed gas in the closed space 30.

[0200] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the control method of the ball lock structure further includes a locking stage, and a locking operation is performed in the locking stage to make the locking member 23 cooperate with the locking cooperation portion 12 to lock the socket 20 and the ball head 310.

[0201] It should be noted that in the control method of the ball lock structure in the embodiments of the present application, the unlocking operation performed in the unlocking stage is the same as the traction unlocking process and the pneumatic unlocking process of the socket 20 and the ball head 310 of the ball lock structure 100 provided in the embodiments of the present application; the locking operation performed in the locking stage is the same as the installation and locking process of the socket 20 and the ball head 310 of the ball lock structure 100 provided in the embodiments of the present application. The control method of the ball lock structure in the embodiments of the present application also has the above beneficial effects of the ball lock structure 100 provided in the embodiments of the present application. Details are not described herein again.

[0202] Applying the embodiments of the present application can at least achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0203] The socket is installed in the first accommodation cavity of the outer sleeve assembly and is relatively movably arranged with the outer sleeve assembly in the first direction. By applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly and / or the socket, the outer sleeve assembly can be driven to move relative to the socket or the socket can be driven to move relative to the outer sleeve assembly in the first direction.

[0204] The socket and the outer sleeve assembly enclose a closed space, and the socket is provided with a flow channel to communicate the closed space with the outside. By conveying the compressed air from the outside to the closed space through the flow channel to increase the pressure, the pressure in the closed space is greater than the atmospheric pressure, and the expansion of the closed space drives the socket and the outer sleeve assembly to move away from each other; of course, the compressed air in the closed space can also be discharged to the outside through the flow channel to reduce the pressure, so that the pressure in the closed space is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the contraction of the closed space drives the socket and the outer sleeve assembly to move towards each other.

[0205] The socket has a second accommodating cavity for accommodating a ball head and a locking member movably arranged on the side wall of the second accommodating cavity. The locking member has a locking position relative to the side wall, which is located inside the second accommodating cavity to cooperate with the ball head so that the socket and the ball head are locked, and an unlocking position which is located outside the second accommodating cavity to release the cooperation with the ball head so that the socket and the ball head are unlocked.

[0206] A locking fitting portion and an unlocking fitting portion are provided at one end of the sleeve assembly close to the locking piece, which are arranged in sequence along a first direction. The locking fitting portion is used to cooperate with the locking piece so that the locking piece enters the second accommodating cavity to be located in a locking position, which is convenient for the locking piece to cooperate with the ball head, thereby locking the socket and the ball head; the unlocking fitting portion is used to cooperate with the locking piece so that the locking piece can withdraw from the second accommodating cavity to be located in an unlocking position, thereby releasing the locking piece from the ball head, thereby releasing the socket and the ball head from being locked.

[0207] When the locking piece is in the locking position, the socket and the ball head are in a locked state; when the locking piece is in the unlocking position, the socket and the ball head are in an unlocked state.

[0208] By applying an external force to the sleeve assembly, applying an external force to the socket, conveying compressed gas into the enclosed space through the flow channel, and discharging the compressed gas in the enclosed space through the flow channel, at least one of the following methods is used to make the sleeve assembly and the socket move relative to each other in a first direction, so that the locking member and the locking matching part are matched to be in the locking position, or the locking member and the unlocking matching part are matched to be in the unlocking position, thereby switching the locking member between the locking position and the unlocking position, and further switching the socket and the ball head between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0209] The ball lock structure of the embodiment of the present application has both traction unlocking and pneumatic unlocking functions, with various unlocking methods, high selectivity, flexibility and adaptability, and can improve work efficiency.

[0210] The embodiment of the present application provides an unlocking member, a baffle and an elastic member. On the one hand, when unlocking, the socket and the ball head can be automatically separated, and unlocking can be achieved without additional traction force. On the other hand, the unlocking state can be automatically maintained after unlocking, which is convenient for the docking of the ball head and the socket during installation.

[0211] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various operations, methods, steps, measures, and schemes in the processes discussed in this application may be alternated, altered, combined, or deleted. Furthermore, other steps, measures, and schemes in the various operations, methods, and processes discussed in this application may also be alternated, altered, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted. Furthermore, steps, measures, and schemes in the related art that are similar to those disclosed in this application may also be alternated, altered, rearranged, decomposed, combined, or deleted.

[0212] In the description of the present application, the directions or positional relationships indicated by words such as "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the exemplary directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are for the convenience of describing or simplifying the embodiments of the present application, rather than indicating or implying that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0213] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0214] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected" and "coupled" shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0215] In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0216] The above are only some embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical concept of the present application, other similar implementation means based on the technical idea of the present application also belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A ball lock structure, characterized in that, include: A jacket assembly and a socket, wherein the jacket assembly has a first accommodating cavity extending along a first direction, and the socket is installed in the first accommodating cavity and is relatively movably arranged with the jacket assembly along the first direction; The socket and the jacket assembly enclose a closed space, and the socket and / or the jacket assembly are provided with a flow channel to connect the closed space with the outside world; The socket has a second accommodating cavity for accommodating a ball head and a locking member movably arranged on a side wall of the second accommodating cavity, wherein the locking member has a locking position relative to the side wall, which is located inside the second accommodating cavity to cooperate with the ball head so that the socket and the ball head are locked, and an unlocking position, which is located outside the second accommodating cavity to release the cooperation with the ball head so that the socket and the ball head are unlocked; The end of the jacket assembly close to the locking member is provided with a locking matching portion and an unlocking matching portion arranged in sequence along the first direction, the locking matching portion is used to cooperate with the locking member to place the locking member in the locking position, and the unlocking matching portion is used to cooperate with the locking member to place the locking member in the unlocking position; By at least one of applying an external force to the jacket assembly, applying an external force to the socket, delivering compressed gas into the enclosed space through the flow channel, and discharging compressed gas in the enclosed space through the flow channel, the jacket assembly and the socket are relatively moved along the first direction, so that the locking member switches between the locking position and the unlocking position; The sleeve assembly includes a locking sleeve and a switching sleeve. The locking sleeve is arranged on the outer periphery of the switching sleeve. The locking sleeve is used to abut against the outer wall of the switching sleeve corresponding to the locking fitting part when the locking fitting part and the locking piece are matched, so as to limit the radial dimension of the switching sleeve corresponding to the locking fitting part. The locking sleeve and the switching sleeve are relatively movably arranged along the first direction.

2. The ball lock structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer jacket assembly comprises: A switching jacket having a first inner cavity; An end cover is arranged at one end of the switching housing and is sealed and connected to the switching housing, the end cover has a second inner cavity, and the first inner cavity and the second inner cavity are connected to form the first accommodating cavity; The switching cover and the end cover are both movably arranged relative to the socket, and sealing members are respectively arranged between the switching cover and the socket and between the end cover and the socket, and the switching cover, the end cover and the socket enclose the enclosed space; The locking fitting portion and the unlocking fitting portion are arranged in the first inner cavity and are located at an end of the switching sleeve away from the end cover.

3. The ball lock structure according to claim 1, wherein It also includes an unlocking component, which is arranged in the second accommodating cavity and is used to apply a force from the second accommodating cavity to the ball head to push the ball head when the locking member cooperates with the unlocking mating part, so that the ball head and the socket are unlocked.

4. The ball lock structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The unlocking assembly comprises: a driving structure and an unlocking member; The unlocking member is movably disposed in the second receiving cavity, and the driving structure is configured to drive the unlocking member so that the unlocking member abuts against the ball head. When the locking member is engaged with the unlocking engaging portion, the ball head is pushed to move outside the second receiving cavity to release the locking with the socket.

5. The ball lock structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The driving structure includes: a baffle and an elastic member; The baffle is fixedly connected to the socket and is located in the second receiving cavity. The baffle has a mounting hole, and the unlocking member is disposed through the mounting hole and is movably disposed relative to the baffle along the first direction. The unlocking member has a first end and a second end located on both sides of the baffle, and the first end of the unlocking member is used to abut against the ball head; The elastic member is disposed between the first end of the unlocking member and the baffle, or is disposed between the baffle and the second end of the unlocking member; The unlocking member has an initial position where it is disengaged from the ball head and the elastic member is in a first state, and an acting position where it abuts against the ball head and the elastic member is in a second state; the degree of deformation of the elastic member in the second state is greater than that in the first state, and the elastic member has a tendency to recover from the second state to the first state to drive the unlocking member to recover from the acting position to the initial position; An anti-detachment member is provided at one end of the unlocking member away from the elastic member, and the anti-detachment member is used to prevent the unlocking member from being detached from the mounting hole.

6. The ball lock structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking engaging portion is a protrusion provided on the inner wall surface of the first receiving cavity, and the protrusion is used to abut against the locking member to push the locking member into the second receiving cavity to cooperate with the ball head; The unlocking engaging portion is a recess provided on the inner wall surface of the first receiving cavity, and the recess is used to provide a receiving space for the locking member withdrawn from the second receiving cavity; The unlocking member includes an unlocking rod and an end portion connected to each other. The unlocking rod is disposed through the mounting hole, and the end portion is used to abut against the ball head; When the unlocking member is in the initial position, the side wall of the end portion abuts against the locking member, and the locking member is pushed out of the second receiving cavity into the recess to release the cooperation with the ball head.

7. The ball lock structure according to claim 6, wherein The side wall has at least one first through hole, the locking member includes steel balls, and at least one of the steel balls is provided in each of the first through holes. The radial dimension of the steel ball is greater than the wall thickness of the side wall at the corresponding first through hole; and / or, The elastic member includes a first spring, and the first spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the unlocking rod; the baffle is detachably connected to the socket.

8. The ball lock structure according to claim 6, wherein The mounting hole is a non-circular hole, and at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the unlocking rod is adapted to the non-circular hole to prevent the unlocking rod from rotating relative to the baffle; and / or, The anti - detachment member includes a nut which is threadedly connected to one end of the unlocking rod away from the end portion. In a cross - section perpendicular to the moving direction of the unlocking rod, the orthographic projection of the nut overlaps with the orthographic projection of the baffle, and the baffle is used to stop the nut.

9. The ball lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It further includes: A first limiting component, provided on the socket and / or the outer sleeve assembly, for defining the limit position of the relative movement of the socket and the outer sleeve assembly along the first direction; and / or, A locking and resetting member, provided in the first accommodation cavity and located between the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, for providing a force for the relative movement of the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, so that the locking and mating portion cooperates with the locking member.

10. The ball - lock structure according to claim 9, wherein The first limiting component includes a first limiting rod and a first limiting hole. The first limiting rod is connected to the outer sleeve assembly, the first limiting hole is provided on the socket and extends along the first direction, and the first limiting rod is movably inserted through the first limiting hole along the first direction. The first limiting rod is used to abut against the two end faces of the first limiting hole along the first direction respectively; and / or, The locking and resetting member includes a second spring. The second spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the socket and is connected to the socket and the outer sleeve assembly respectively. When the unlocking and mating portion cooperates with the locking member, the second spring is in a deformed state, and the second spring has a tendency to recover from this deformed state to the natural state, so as to drive the relative movement of the outer sleeve assembly and the socket, and make the locking and mating portion cooperate with the locking member.

11. The ball lock structure according to claim 9, wherein, The ball - lock structure further includes: A second limiting component, provided on the locking outer sleeve and / or the switching outer sleeve, for defining the limit position of the relative movement of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve along the first direction; and / or, A limiting and resetting member, provided between the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve, for providing a force for the relative movement of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve, so that the outer wall of the locking outer sleeve corresponding to the locking and mating portion abuts against the outer wall of the switching outer sleeve.

12. The ball - lock structure according to claim 11, wherein The second limiting component includes a second limiting rod and a second limiting hole. The second limiting rod is connected to the locking outer sleeve, the second limiting hole is provided on the switching outer sleeve and extends along the first direction, the second limiting rod is movably inserted through the second limiting hole along the first direction, the dimension of the second limiting hole along the first direction is smaller than the dimension of the first limiting hole along the first direction, and the second limiting rod is used to abut against the two end faces of the second limiting hole along the first direction respectively; and / or, The limiting reset member includes a third spring, the third spring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the switching outer sleeve, and is respectively connected to the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve. When the unlocking engaging portion cooperates with the locking member, the elastic force of the third spring is greater than the elastic force of the second spring. The third spring has a tendency to recover to its natural state to drive the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve to move relatively, so that the outer wall of the locking outer sleeve and the switching outer sleeve corresponding to the locking engaging portion abuts against each other.

13. An air conditioner connector, characterized in that, Comprising: A connector body having an air supply passage; The ball lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, mounted on the connector body, and the outer sleeve assembly or the socket is movably arranged relative to the connector body; A traction assembly and / or a pressure vessel, wherein: The traction assembly is mounted on the connector body, and at least part of the structure is movably arranged relative to the connector body. The traction assembly is used to connect with the movable outer sleeve assembly or socket to drive the outer sleeve assembly or the socket to move under an external force, so that the locking member switches between a locking position and an unlocking position; The pressure vessel is used to supply compressed gas to a closed space to increase the gas pressure in the closed space, so that the locking member switches between a locking position and an unlocking position.

14. An air supply system for an aircraft, characterized in that, Comprising: An aircraft air inlet interface having an air inlet passage; A ball head mounted on the aircraft air inlet interface; The air-conditioning connector according to claim 13, the connector body is rotatably connected to the aircraft air inlet interface, and the ball lock structure is used to connect with the ball head to dock the connector body and the aircraft air inlet interface, so that the air supply passage is communicated with the air inlet passage.

15. A control method for a ball lock structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, Comprising: An unlocking stage; In the unlocking stage, at least one unlocking operation is performed to make the outer sleeve assembly and the socket of the ball lock structure move relatively in a first direction, so that the locking member of the socket switches from a locking position where it cooperates with the locking engaging portion of the outer sleeve assembly to an unlocking position where it cooperates with the unlocking engaging portion of the outer sleeve assembly, so that the socket and the ball head are unlocked; Wherein, the unlocking operation includes: Applying an external force to the outer sleeve assembly or applying an external force to the socket; Conveying compressed gas into the closed space of the ball lock structure or discharging the compressed gas in the closed space.

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