An underwater connector

Abstract

The present invention discloses an underwater connector, comprising a first plug end and a second plug end plugged with the first plug end; the first plug end comprises a first plug end body, a first installation cavity is formed in the first plug end body, a closed bladder is arranged in the first installation cavity, the closed bladder has a first inner cavity filled with insulating oil, and a first through hole for connecting the outside world and the first installation cavity is opened on the first plug end body; the second plug end comprises a second plug end body, a second installation cavity is formed in the second plug end body, a second insulator and an open bladder sealed and connected with the second insulator are arranged in the second installation cavity, a second inner cavity filled with insulating oil is formed between the open bladder and the second insulator, and a second through hole for connecting the outside world and the second installation cavity is opened on the second plug end body. The underwater connector provided by the present invention can withstand high water pressure and avoid leakage or damage of the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to an underwater connector. Background Technology

[0002] As a link connecting underwater equipment, underwater connectors have become an irreplaceable core component in large-scale marine engineering applications such as seabed observation networks, marine resource development, national defense and military, salvage and rescue, and deep-sea scientific research platforms.

[0003] However, traditional underwater electrical connectors have many problems and cannot adapt to deep-sea application environments. In the deep-sea environment, water pressure increases with depth, and existing electrical connectors often cannot withstand this high water pressure, leading to leakage or damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an underwater connector that can withstand high water pressure, preventing leakage or damage to the connector.

[0005] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] An underwater connector includes a first connector end and a second connector end that is plugged into the first connector end;

[0007] The first connector includes a first connector body, a first mounting cavity is formed within the first connector body, a closed bladder is provided within the first mounting cavity, the closed bladder has a first inner cavity filled with insulating oil, and a first through hole is provided on the first connector body for connecting the outside world and the first mounting cavity. When external liquid enters the first mounting cavity through the first through hole, it will squeeze the closed bladder, causing the oil pressure in the first inner cavity to rise to the same level as the external water pressure.

[0008] The first mounting cavity is further provided with an upper support plate, a lower support plate and an elastic element. The upper support plate is used to abut the first side of the closed bladder against one side of the first mounting cavity, and the lower support plate is used to abut the second side of the closed bladder against the other side of the first mounting cavity. One end of the elastic element abuts against the upper support plate and the other end abuts against the lower support plate.

[0009] The second connector includes a second connector body, within which a second mounting cavity is formed. The second mounting cavity contains a second insulator and an open bladder that is sealed to the second insulator. A second inner cavity filled with insulating oil is formed between the open bladder and the second insulator. The second connector body has a second through hole for connecting the outside world and the second mounting cavity. When external liquid enters the second mounting cavity through the second through hole, it will squeeze the open bladder, causing the oil pressure in the second inner cavity to rise to the same level as the external water pressure.

[0010] Furthermore, the first connector body includes a first housing and a first insulator fixedly connected to the first housing, and the first housing and the first insulator form the first mounting cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the first mounting cavity is also provided with an upper support plate, a lower support plate and an elastic element. The upper support plate is used to abut the first side of the closed bladder against the first insulator, and the lower support plate is used to abut the second side of the closed bladder against the first housing.

[0012] Furthermore, an insulating screw is also provided in the first mounting cavity, and the insulating screw passes through the upper support plate and the closed bladder in sequence and is threadedly connected to the first insulator.

[0013] Furthermore, a guide post is protruding from the lower support plate, and a guide groove is provided on the first housing. The guide post passes through the closed bladder and is housed in the guide groove.

[0014] Furthermore, both the first and second sides of the closed bladder are provided with textured structures to increase friction.

[0015] Furthermore, the second insulator has an installation groove, the shape of the open bladder is adapted to the shape of the installation groove, the open bladder and the inner wall of the installation groove form the second inner cavity, and the side of the open bladder opposite to the second inner cavity forms an outer cavity that communicates with the second installation cavity.

[0016] Furthermore, a positioning plate is also provided in the second mounting cavity. The positioning plate is fixedly connected to the second insulator, and a positioning block is protruding on the positioning plate. An inwardly folded edge is formed at the outer cavity opening of the open bladder. The positioning block is T-shaped and abuts against the folded edge.

[0017] Furthermore, the positioning plate has an opening for connecting the outer cavity with the second mounting cavity.

[0018] Furthermore, a protrusion is formed on the open bladder, and the protrusion abuts against the inner wall of the mounting groove.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are:

[0020] 1. This invention modifies the internal structure of the plug and socket by incorporating a bladder structure with compressible space inside the plug and socket. When seawater enters the plug or socket, it exerts pressure on the bladder structure, causing the compressible space to gradually shrink. Simultaneously, the pressure inside the compressible space gradually increases to match the external water pressure. This underwater connector can withstand high water pressure and prevents leakage or damage, thus extending its service life.

[0021] 2. By providing an upper support plate, a lower support plate, and an elastic element within the first mounting cavity, the upper support plate is used to abut the first side of the closed bladder against one side of the first mounting cavity, and the lower support plate is used to abut the second side of the closed bladder against the other side of the first mounting cavity. One end of the elastic element abuts against the upper support plate, and the other end abuts against the lower support plate. Under the action of no water pressure, the closed bladder remains in an extended state under the combined action of the upper support plate, the lower support plate, and the elastic element, and there is a compressible space inside, making the structure more stable. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the first connector end;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first shell structure;

[0024] Figure 3 Right view of a closed sac;

[0025] Figure 4 Left view of a closed sac;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the second connector.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the second connector.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second insulator;

[0029] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the positioning plate and the open bladder;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a partial structural diagram of the second connector.

[0031] 100. First connector; 101. First connector body; 102. First mounting cavity; 103. First through hole; 110. Enclosed bladder; 111. First inner cavity; 112. First side surface; 116. Threaded hole; 113. Second side surface; 114. Mounting hole; 115. Corrugated expansion joint; 120. First insulator; 130. First housing; 131. Guide groove; 132. Stepped portion; 133. Locking screw; 140. Upper support plate ; 150, Lower support plate; 151, Guide post; 160, Elastic element; 170, Insulating screw; 200, Second connector; 201, Second connector body; 202, Second mounting cavity; 203, Second through hole; 210, Open bladder; 211, Second inner cavity; 212, Outer cavity; 213, Folded edge; 214, Protrusion; 220, Second insulator; 221, Mounting groove; 230, Positioning plate; 231, Positioning block; 232, Opening. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following detailed, non-limiting description of the invention's technical solutions, in conjunction with preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, is provided. In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0033] like Figures 1-9 As shown, an underwater connector according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 100 and a second connector 200 that is plugged into the first connector 100.

[0034] like Figures 1-4As shown, the first connector 100 includes a first connector body 101, a first mounting cavity 102 is formed inside the first connector body 101, and a closed bladder 110 is provided inside the first mounting cavity 102. The closed bladder 110 has a first inner cavity 111 filled with insulating oil. The first connector body 101 is provided with a first through hole 103 for connecting the outside and the first mounting cavity 102. When external liquid enters the first mounting cavity 102 through the first through hole 103, it will squeeze the closed bladder 110, causing the oil pressure in the first inner cavity 111 to rise to the same level as the external water pressure, so as to maintain the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the first connector 100, so that the first connector 100 can withstand high water pressure, avoid leakage or damage to the first connector 100, and extend its service life.

[0035] The first connector body 101 includes a first housing 130 and a first insulator 120 fixedly connected to the first housing 130, with a first mounting cavity 102 formed between the first housing 130 and the first insulator 120. Specifically, to facilitate the installation of the first insulator 120, a stepped portion 132 is formed on the inner wall of the first housing 130 to abut against the circumferential edge of the first insulator 120, and the first insulator 120 is fixed to the first housing 130 by a plurality of circumferentially distributed locking screws 133. In this embodiment, a first through hole 103 is formed on the first housing 130, and multiple first through holes 103 are provided. The multiple first through holes 103 are evenly spaced and circumferentially arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 130. External liquid simultaneously enters the first mounting cavity 102 through multiple first through holes 103. On the one hand, the liquid water pressure can generate a uniform pressure on the circumference of the closed bladder 110. On the other hand, the external liquid can quickly flow into the first mounting cavity 102 and exert a squeezing effect on the closed bladder 110, thereby rapidly increasing the oil pressure in the first inner cavity 111 to be consistent with the external water pressure, thereby preventing the first connector body 101 from leaking or being damaged due to high water pressure.

[0036] The first mounting cavity 102 is further provided with an upper support plate 140, a lower support plate 150 and an elastic element 160. The upper support plate 140 is used to abut the first side 112 of the closed bladder 110 against the first insulator 120, and the lower support plate 150 is used to abut the second side 113 of the closed bladder 110 against the first housing 130. One end of the elastic element 160 abuts against the upper support plate 140 and the other end abuts against the lower support plate 150. Under the pressure of no external water pressure, the closed bladder 110 remains in an extended state under the action of the upper support plate 140, the lower support plate 150, and the elastic element 160, and has a compressible space inside. When external liquid enters the first mounting cavity 102 through the first through hole 103, it will compress the closed bladder 110, causing it to gradually change from an extended state to a contracted state. During this transition, as the internal space of the closed bladder 110 gradually decreases, its internal oil pressure gradually increases until it is completely consistent with the external water pressure. At this point, there is no pressure difference between the inside and outside of the first connector body 101, thus preventing leakage or damage to the first connector 100 due to high water pressure and extending its service life. In addition, multiple elastic elements 160 are provided and evenly spaced around the closed bladder 110.

[0037] An insulating screw 170 is also provided inside the first mounting cavity 102. The insulating screw 170 passes through the upper support plate 140 and the closed bladder 110 in sequence and is threadedly connected to the first insulator 120. The insulating screw 170 locks the first side 112 of the closed bladder 110 onto the first insulator 120. The first side 112 of the closed bladder 110 has a threaded hole 116 for the insulating screw 170 to pass through.

[0038] A guide post 151 protrudes from the lower support plate 150, and a guide groove 131 is provided on the first housing 130. The guide post 151 passes through the closed bladder 110 and is housed within the guide groove 131. During the compression of the closed bladder 110, the guide post 151 can slide outward along the direction of the guide groove 131 but will not detach from the guide groove 131. When the external water pressure decreases, the guide post 151 can slide inward along the direction of the guide groove 131 under the elastic force of the elastic element 160. When there is no external water pressure, the guide post 151 slides to the deepest part of the guide groove 131 under the elastic force of the elastic element 160. At this time, the closed bladder 110 is in a fully extended state.

[0039] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the first side 112 and the second side 113 of the closed bladder 110 are both provided with textured structures to increase friction and prevent the closed bladder 110 from radially shifting.

[0040] In this embodiment, the second side 113 of the closed bladder 110 is also provided with a mounting hole 114 to facilitate the installation of the upper support plate 140, the lower support plate 150 and the elastic member 160. In addition, the guide post 151 on the lower support plate 150 can pass through the mounting hole 114 and cooperate with the guide groove 131. The guide post 151 abuts against the opening edge of the mounting hole 114 to form a seal.

[0041] In this embodiment, the closed bladder 110 has a corrugated expansion joint 115, which gives the closed bladder 110 a certain elasticity. The corrugated expansion joint 115 and the elastic member 160 work together to form a first inner cavity 111 that can expand and contract along the axial direction of the elastic member 160.

[0042] like Figures 5-9 As shown, the second connector 200 includes a second connector body 201, a second mounting cavity 202 formed within the second connector body 201, a second insulator 220 and an open bladder 210 sealed to the second insulator 220 within the second mounting cavity 202, and a second inner cavity 211 filled with insulating oil formed between the open bladder 210 and the second insulator 220. The second connector body 201 has a second through hole 203 for connecting to the outside and the second mounting cavity 202. When external liquid enters the second mounting cavity 202 through the second through hole 203, it will squeeze the open bladder 210, causing the oil pressure in the second inner cavity 211 to rise to the same level as the external water pressure, so as to maintain a consistent pressure difference between the inside and outside of the second connector 200, enabling the second connector 200 to withstand high water pressure, avoiding leakage or damage to the second connector 200, and extending its service life.

[0043] In this embodiment, multiple second through holes 203 are provided, and the multiple second through holes 203 are evenly spaced and circumferentially arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the second connector body 201. External liquid simultaneously enters the second mounting cavity 202 through multiple second through holes 203, so that the liquid water pressure can quickly enter the second mounting cavity 202 and exert pressure on the open bladder 210, causing the internal water pressure of the second inner cavity 211 to rise rapidly to the same level as the external water pressure, thereby preventing the second connector 200 from leaking or being damaged due to high water pressure.

[0044] The second insulator 220 has a mounting groove 221. The shape of the open bladder 210 is adapted to the shape of the mounting groove 221. A second inner cavity 211 is formed between the open bladder 210 and the inner wall of the mounting groove 221. An outer cavity 212 communicating with the second mounting cavity 202 is formed on the side of the open bladder 210 away from the second inner cavity 211. When external liquid enters the second mounting cavity 202 through the second through hole 203, it reaches the outer cavity 212. The liquid in the outer cavity 212 exerts a squeezing force on the open bladder 210, thereby compressing the second inner cavity 211. As the water pressure increases, the squeezing force exerted by the liquid on the open bladder 210 increases, and the internal space of the second inner cavity 211 becomes smaller and smaller. At the same time, the oil pressure inside the second inner cavity 211 gradually increases to be consistent with the external water pressure. At this time, there is no pressure difference between the inside and outside of the second connector body 201, thus avoiding leakage or damage to the second connector 200 due to high water pressure and extending its service life.

[0045] The second mounting cavity 202 is also provided with a positioning plate 230, which is fixedly connected to the second insulator 220. A positioning block 231 protrudes from the positioning plate 230. An inwardly folded edge 213 is formed at the opening of the outer cavity 212 of the open-type bladder 210. The positioning block 231 is T-shaped and abuts against the folded edge 213 to form a sealed connection. It is worth noting that the number of open-type bladders 210 is not limited to one; multiple open-type bladders 210 can be provided according to the needs of water pressure compensation. In this embodiment, four open-type bladders 210 are provided. The second insulator 220 has four mounting grooves 221 for receiving the open-type bladders 210, and the positioning plate 230 also has four positioning blocks 231 for fixing the open-type bladders 210.

[0046] The positioning plate 230 has an opening 232, which is used to connect the outer cavity 212 and the second mounting cavity 202. After the external liquid enters the second mounting cavity 202 through the second through hole 203, it will reach the outer cavity 212 through the opening 232.

[0047] To further improve the sealing between the open bladder 210 and the second insulator 220, a protrusion 214 is formed on the open bladder 210, and the protrusion 214 fully abuts against the inner wall of the mounting groove 221.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first connector body 101 is a plug, and the second connector 200 is a socket.

[0049] This invention modifies the internal structure of the plug and socket by incorporating a bladder structure with compressible space inside each. When seawater enters the plug or socket, it exerts pressure on the bladder structure, causing the compressible space to gradually shrink. Simultaneously, the pressure inside the compressible space gradually increases until it matches the external water pressure. This underwater connector can withstand high water pressure and prevents leakage or damage, thus extending its service life.

[0050] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An underwater connector, characterized in that: It comprises a first connector (100) and a second connector (200) plugged into the first connector (100); The first connector (100) comprises a first connector body (101), a first installation cavity (102) is formed in the first connector body (101), a closed bladder (110) is arranged in the first installation cavity (102), the closed bladder (110) has a first inner cavity (111) filled with insulating oil, and a first through hole (103) is provided on the first connector body (101) for connecting the outside world and the first installation cavity (102), when the outside liquid enters the first installation cavity (102) through the first through hole (103), the closed bladder (110) is squeezed, so that the oil pressure in the first inner cavity (111) is increased to be consistent with the outside water pressure; An upper support plate (140), a lower support plate (150) and an elastic member (160) are also provided in the first installation cavity (102); the upper support plate (140) is used to abut the first side surface (112) of the closed leather bag (110) against one side of the first installation cavity (102); the lower support plate (150) is used to abut the second side surface (113) of the closed leather bag (110) against the other side of the first installation cavity (102); one end of the elastic member (160) abuts against the upper support plate (140) and the other end abuts against the lower support plate (150); The second connector (200) comprises a second connector body (201), a second installation cavity (202) is formed in the second connector body (201), a second insulator (220) and an open bladder (210) sealed with the second insulator (220) are arranged in the second installation cavity (202), a second inner cavity (211) filled with insulating oil is formed between the open bladder (210) and the second insulator (220), and a second through hole (203) for connecting the outside world and the second installation cavity (202) is provided on the second connector body (201), when the outside liquid enters the second installation cavity (202) from the second through hole (203), the open bladder (210) is squeezed, so that the oil pressure in the second inner cavity (211) is increased to be consistent with the outside water pressure; The first connector body (101) comprises a first shell (130) and a first insulator (120) fixedly connected to the first shell (130), and the first installation cavity (102) is formed between the first shell (130) and the first insulator (120); The upper support plate (140) is used to abut the first side surface (112) of the closed leather bag (110) against the first insulator (120), and the lower support plate (150) is used to abut the second side surface (113) of the closed leather bag (110) against the first shell (130); An insulating screw (170) is also provided in the first installation cavity (102), and the insulating screw (170) passes through the upper support plate (140) and the closed leather bag (110) in sequence and is threadedly connected to the first insulator (120); A guide column (151) is protrudingly provided on the lower support plate (150), a guide groove (131) is provided on the first shell (130), and the guide column (151) passes through the closed leather bag (110) and is received in the guide groove (131).

2. The underwater connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first side surface (112) and the second side surface (113) of the closed leather bag (110) are both provided with texture structures to increase friction.

3. The underwater connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second insulator (220) is provided with a mounting groove (221), the shape of the open-type bladder (210) is adapted to the shape of the mounting groove (221), the second inner cavity (211) is formed between the inner wall of the open-type bladder (210) and the mounting groove (221), and an outer cavity (212) communicating with the second mounting cavity (202) is formed on a side of the open-type bladder (210) facing away from the second inner cavity (211).

4. The underwater connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: A positioning plate (230) is also provided in the second installation cavity (202), the positioning plate (230) being fixedly connected to the second insulator (220), and a positioning block (231) is protruding from the positioning plate (230), an inwardly folded edge (213) is formed at the opening of the outer cavity (212) of the open leather bag (210), and the positioning block (231) is in a "T" shape and abuts against the folded edge (213).

5. The underwater connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning plate (230) is provided with an opening (232), and the opening (232) is used to connect the outer cavity (212) and the second installation cavity (202).

6. The underwater connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: A convex bump (214) is formed on the open-type leather bag (210), and the convex bump (214) abuts against the inner wall of the installation groove (221).

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