Connector

Abstract

The invention discloses a connector, belongs to the field of connectors, overcomes the defect that in the prior art, a connector cannot be separated quickly and effortlessly in deep water, and adopts the technical scheme that the connector comprises a plug and a socket, a plug-in assembly is arranged between the socket and the plug, and a shell assembly is arranged outside the plug in a sliding and sleeving manner. When the plug and the socket are plugged, the shell assembly, the socket and the plug define a closed space, the shell assembly is provided with a first position, a second position, a third position and a fourth position which are continuously arranged in the direction away from the socket, the shell assembly is switched among the four positions through sliding, and when the shell assembly is in the first position, the shell assembly is in the second position. The plug and the socket are electrically connected through the plugging assembly, and the housing assembly shields the enclosed space. When the shell assembly is located at the fourth position, the shell assembly abuts against the plug so that the shell assembly can drive the plug to move towards the position away from the socket. The deep water connector is mainly used for separating the connector quickly in deep water in a labor-saving manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of connectors, and in particular to a connector. Background Art

[0002] Underwater anti-short-circuit technology is the key technology for separating and falling-off connectors. The commonly used anti-short-circuit underwater separation connector structures at home and abroad include: outer locking separation anti-short-circuit underwater separation connector, center connection locking anti-short-circuit underwater separation connector, etc.

[0003] Chinese patent CN100502161C is named as underwater short-circuit proof separation electrical connector, which has an outer locking separation structure. It realizes the short-circuit proof of internal movable components and the separation of plug and socket by pulling the unlocking sleeve on the outer side. However, its unlocking sleeve and anti-short-circuit structure are both on the side of the free end connector, and cannot realize the underwater short-circuit proof function of the fixed end connector; Chinese patent CN109659761B is named as a small underwater separation connector with full-process short-circuit proof, which has a locking connection on the outer side and the center, with a complex structure, and there is no water pressure balance process when the plug and socket are unlocked. In deep water environment, the separation force that causes the plug and socket to separate is large. Taking a connector with an outer diameter of 40mm as an example, the separation force is more than 6000N in an environment with a water depth of 500 meters, which is difficult to operate in deep water environment; Chinese patent CN103280666B is named underwater separation electrical connector assembly and its plug, and its structure is a central connection locking structure. During the separation process, water first starts to enter the inner hole of the core shaft, and then the floating contact and the transfer contact are separated. There is a safety hazard between water inlet and short circuit prevention. The separation process cannot completely guarantee the safety and short circuit prevention before water enters the contact in terms of timing.

[0004] With the continuous development of science and technology, high-tech fields such as aerospace have put forward higher requirements for underwater separation connectors. It is required that in a 500m deep water environment, the separation force from applying a few hundred N to the complete disconnection of the plug and socket should be completed within a short time of 50ms. Before the plug and socket mating surface enters the water, the fixed-end socket should be structurally protected from short circuits. The current anti-short-circuit underwater separation connectors can no longer meet the model requirements. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to overcome the deficiency in the prior art that the connector cannot be separated quickly and labor-savingly in deep water, the present application provides a connector that can achieve quick and labor-saving separation of the connector in deep water.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical scheme: a connector, comprising a plug and a socket, a plug-in assembly is provided between the socket and the plug, a shell assembly is provided on the outer sliding sleeve of the plug, when the plug is plugged into the socket, a closed space is enclosed between the shell assembly, the socket and the plug, the shell assembly has a first position, a second position, a third position and a fourth position which are arranged continuously in a direction away from the socket, and is switched between the four positions by sliding, in the first position, the plug and the socket are electrically connected through the plug-in assembly, the shell assembly shields the closed space, so that the closed space is disconnected from the external space; when the shell assembly slides from the first position to the second position, the plug-in assembly slides axially in a direction away from the socket to disconnect the electrical connection with the socket; when the shell assembly slides from the second position to the third position, the closed space is connected to the external space to allow external water to enter; when the shell assembly is in the fourth position, the shell assembly presses against the plug so that the shell assembly can drive the plug to move to a position away from the socket.

[0007] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present application has the following advantages: based on the fact that the connection relationship between the plug and the socket can be changed by sliding the shell component, the shell component is first moved from the initial first position to the second position, so that the plug component is electrically disconnected from the socket, thereby disconnecting the plug and the socket from being electrically disconnected, and then when the shell component passes the third position, the internal enclosed space and the external space are opened, and the plug and socket under water will enter the liquid, so that the water pressure between the plug and the socket is the same as the water pressure outside, and then the shell component is moved to the fourth position, so that the shell component can press against and drive the plug, so that the plug and the socket are separated.

[0008] The advantage of this solution is that before the plug and the socket are separated, the electrical connection between the two is first disconnected to ensure the equipment safety of the plug and the socket. Secondly, water from the external space is introduced into the interior to ensure that only a very small force is required to separate the plug and the socket. For example, the friction between the outer shell assembly and the corresponding sealing ring can be overcome to separate the plug and the socket, thereby realizing labor-saving and rapid separation of the plug and the socket underwater.

[0009] Furthermore, the plug-in component includes a movable component that slides on the socket connection end, and a push rod that slides on the plug connection end and is used to drive the movable component to slide. When the plug and the socket are plugged in, the plug and the movable component are electrically connected. The movable component and the push rod have a connection position in which the socket and the movable component are electrically connected and a disconnection position in which the socket and the movable component are electrically disconnected. A first elastic member that keeps the movable component in the second position is provided between the socket connection end and the movable component. When the shell assembly slides from the first position to the second position, it will drive the push rod to slide to the disconnection position, so that the first elastic member drives the movable component to slide to the disconnection position.

[0010] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, through the setting of the first elastic member, in the normal state, the plug-in assembly is electrically disconnected from the socket, and when the plug is plugged in to the socket, since the shell assembly is located between the first position and the second position, the connection environment of the plug and the socket is insulated and safe. Therefore, the top rod of the plug pushes the movable assembly to electrically connect with the socket, so that the plug and the socket complete the electrical connection in a safe connection environment. When the connection environment is flooded, the shell assembly will be located between the third position and the fourth position. At this time, the top rod and the movable assembly are in the disconnected position, which will not affect the safety of the plug and the socket, thereby ensuring the safety of the equipment of both.

[0011] Further, the plug side wall is fixed with a seat body, the seat body includes a suspended part with an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, and a blocking member with at least one end extending out of the suspended part is radially slidably connected in the suspended part; the ejector rod is fixedly connected with a sheath extending to the outer wall surface of the suspended part, and the end of the sheath is provided with a clamping part inclined inwardly; the housing assembly includes a sleeve extending to the inner wall surface of the suspended part, and the end of the sleeve is provided with an ejection part inclined outwardly; When the sleeve is in the first position, the ejection part lifts the blocking member so that the blocking member extends out of the outer wall of the suspended portion, prompting the push rod and the sleeve to remain in the connected position; when the sleeve is in the second position, the sleeve is away from the blocking member so that the first elastic member drives the movable component and the push rod to the disconnected position, and the clamping part pushes the blocking member to extend into the inner wall of the suspended portion.

[0012] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the abutment relationship between the push rod and the movable component is relatively stable through the abutment of the blocking member and the sheath, and the electrical connection between the movable component and the socket will not be affected when the outer shell component has relative displacement. Compared with the case where the push rod is directly connected to the outer shell component, for example, when the plug and the socket are in deep water, the situation in the water is unstable, and the outer shell component and the plug and the socket may move relative to each other, causing the movable component of the socket electrical connection to move relative to each other, which will affect the connection stability and cause excessive friction, etc. Therefore, the push rod is separated from the outer shell component to increase the equipment safety of the plug and socket.

[0013] Furthermore, a second elastic member for driving the push rod to be in a connection position is provided on the seat body, and the elastic force of the second elastic member is smaller than the elastic force of the first elastic member.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, through the action of the second elastic member, the push rod can always be in the connection position before the plug is inserted, so as to facilitate the alignment of the plug and the socket.

[0015] Furthermore, a third elastic member is provided between the plug and the housing assembly to keep the housing assembly in the first position.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the third elastic member is used to ensure that the plug is always in a connected state before being inserted, so that when on shore, the plug and socket can be directly inserted to generate an electrical connection without debugging, which is convenient for the operator's work.

[0017] Furthermore, the plug is provided with a shoulder having a diameter larger than that of the sleeve, the sleeve is located between the shoulder and the blocking member, a gap exists between the sleeve and the shoulder in the first position, and the sleeve abuts against the shoulder in the fourth position.

[0018] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, by setting the shoulder on the side away from the blocking member, and making the sleeve only abut against the shoulder or one of the blocking members, the shell assembly can make the action clearer and more direct when switching positions. The existence of the gap reserves a suitable activity space for the shell assembly to gradually complete various functional actions (such as disconnecting the electrical connection first, balancing the water pressure, etc.) from the initial state, so that each step can be carried out in sequence. When the shell assembly moves to the fourth position and abuts against the shoulder, it means that the previous preparations (disconnecting the electrical connection, balancing the water pressure, etc.) have been completed. At this time, the abutment between the sleeve and the shoulder can be used to transmit force, drive the plug to move smoothly to a position away from the socket, and accurately start the separation action of the plug and the socket, ensuring that the entire separation process is orderly and reliable.

[0019] Furthermore, the shell assembly is provided with a first shielding portion for shielding the enclosed space, and the socket is provided with a second shielding portion corresponding to the first shielding portion. When the shell assembly is in the first position, the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion abut against and overlap axially, and the enclosed space is isolated from the external space. The axial distance of the overlap between the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is smaller than the axial distance between the sleeve body and the shaft shoulder; when the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion are separated, the enclosed space is connected to the external space.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the two are abutted and axially overlapped to achieve clear and reliable isolation of the enclosed space from the external space. This clear structural design can accurately define the closed state of the internal space. Compared with some vague sealing methods, it can more effectively maintain the independence of the internal environment, provide stable initial conditions for subsequent operations such as disconnecting the electrical connection and balancing the water pressure in sequence, and ensure the orderly development of the entire separation process. When the first shielding part and the second shielding part are separated, the enclosed space is connected to the external space, which creates conditions for the subsequent water pressure balance between the internal space and the external space where the plug and the socket are located. In addition, since the axial distance of their overlap is less than the axial distance between the sleeve and the shoulder, it means that during the movement of the shell assembly, the space is first connected to achieve water pressure balance, and then the sleeve and the shoulder are abutted to drive the plug to separate. Such a design ensures that the water pressure can be balanced before the plug and the socket are separated, thereby reducing the external force required for separation, making the entire separation process more reasonable and orderly in structure and timing, and meeting the requirements of labor-saving and fast separation.

[0021] Furthermore, the plug is provided with a locking portion extending to the outer surface of the socket when the plug and the socket are plugged together, the locking portion is provided with a locking piece which slides radially and at least one end of which extends out of the locking portion, the socket is provided with a locking groove, the locking groove corresponds to the locking piece when the plug and the socket are plugged together, and the shell assembly is provided with an abutment portion for abutting the locking piece so that the locking piece extends into the locking groove.

[0022] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, when the plug and the socket are normally plugged in, the locking part on the plug is pushed by the abutment part so that the locking piece slides radially into the locking groove of the socket, thereby realizing mechanical locking between the plug and the socket. This locking method can effectively prevent the plug and the socket from accidentally disengaging when subjected to external vibrations, water impact or other unexpected external forces, ensuring the stability of the connection between the two in normal working state and before the separation operation begins, and ensuring the continuous and stable realization of related functions such as electrical connection, which is crucial for application scenarios such as aerospace that have extremely high requirements for connection reliability.

[0023] Furthermore, an unlocking groove is provided on the abutting portion, and when the shell assembly is located between the second position and the fourth position, the locking piece enters the axial range of the unlocking groove, and a through hole is provided on the locking portion for radial sliding of the locking piece. The locking piece is in a shape with a gradual change in size from large in the middle to small on both sides, and the opening size of the through hole close to the inner wall of the locking portion is smaller than the maximum size of the locking piece.

[0024] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, since the opening size of the through hole close to the inner wall of the locking portion is smaller than the maximum size of the locking piece, the locking piece cannot be separated from the through hole from this end. Therefore, the end of the locking piece that enters the locking groove is the end with a smaller size. Therefore, after entering the unlocking groove range, the locking piece can be pushed radially to move with the axial movement of the locking groove, so that the locking piece moves toward the unlocking groove, thereby completing the unlocking of the plug and the socket.

[0025] Furthermore, there is a movable space between the abutting portion and the plug to allow the abutting portion to slide axially.

[0026] The above technical solution may be used in actual application scenarios, especially in underwater environments, where there may be complex situations such as water flow impact, water pressure changes, and various external force interferences. There is a movable space between the abutment part and the plug, which enables axial sliding, so that the entire structure has a certain degree of adaptability when facing these external force factors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present application is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a connector of the present application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified image of point A; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point B.

[0028] Description of the drawings: 1. Plug; 11. Shoulder; 12. Locking part; 13. Through hole; 2. Socket; 21. Seat; 22. Suspended part; 221. Inner wall surface; 222. Outer wall surface; 23. Second elastic member; 24. Second shielding part; 25. Locking groove; 3. Plug-in assembly; 31. Movable assembly; 32. Push rod; 33. Sheath; 331. Clamping part; 34. First elastic member; 4. Shell assembly; 41. Sleeve; 411. Ejection part; 42. Shell; 43. First shielding part; 44. Abutment part; 441. Unlocking groove; 5. Enclosed space; 6. Third elastic member; 7. Locking member; 8. Movable space; 9. Blocking member; 10. Wire rope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0030] The terms "first", "second", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. Even if "second" is used to distinguish before a certain technical feature, it does not necessarily indicate that it has "first". It should be understood that in this application, "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. It should be understood that in this application, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, X and / or Y can represent: X exists alone, X and Y exist at the same time, and Y exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "Contains X, Y and Z", "Contains X, Y, Z" means that X, Y, and Z are all included, "Contains X, Y or Z" means that one of X, Y, and Z is included, and "Contains X, Y and / or Z" means that any one, any two, or three of X, Y, and Z are included.

[0031] The following specific embodiments are used to describe the technical solution of the present application in detail. The following specific embodiments can be combined or replaced with each other according to actual conditions, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present application provides a connector, including a plug 1 and a socket 2, a plug assembly 3 is provided between the socket 2 and the plug 1, a shell assembly 4 is slidably sleeved outside the plug 1, when the plug 1 is plugged with the socket 2, a closed space 5 is enclosed between the shell assembly 4, the socket 2 and the plug 1, the shell assembly 4 has a first position, a second position, a third position and a fourth position which are arranged continuously in a direction away from the socket 2, and is switched between the four positions by sliding, in the first position, the plug 1 and the socket 2 are electrically connected through the plug assembly 3, the shell assembly 4 shields the closed space 5, so that the closed space 5 is disconnected from the external space; when the shell assembly 4 slides from the first position to the second position, the plug assembly 3 slides axially in a direction away from the socket 2 to disconnect the electrical connection with the socket 2; when the shell assembly 4 slides from the second position to the third position, the closed space 5 is connected with the external space to allow external water to enter; when the shell assembly 4 is in the fourth position, the shell assembly 4 presses against the plug 1, so that the shell assembly 4 can drive the plug 1 to move to a position away from the socket 2.

[0033] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present application has the following advantages: based on the fact that the connection relationship between the plug 1 and the socket 2 can be changed by sliding the shell component 4, the shell component 4 is first moved from the initial first position to the second position, so that the plug component 3 is electrically disconnected from the socket 2, and thus the plug 1 is electrically disconnected from the socket 2, and then when the shell component 4 moves to the third position, until it passes the third position, the internal enclosed space 5 and the external space are gradually opened, and the plug 1 and the socket 2 underwater will enter the liquid, so that the water pressure between the plug 1 and the socket 2 is the same as the external water pressure, and then the shell component 4 moves to the fourth position, so that the shell component 4 can press against and drive the plug 1, so that the plug 1 and the socket 2 are separated.

[0034] The advantage of this solution is that before the plug 1 and the socket 2 are separated, the electrical connection between the two is first disconnected to ensure the equipment safety of the plug 1 and the socket 2. Secondly, the water in the external space is introduced into the interior to ensure that only a very small force is required to separate the plug 1 and the socket 2. For example, overcoming the friction between the housing assembly 4 and the corresponding sealing ring can separate the plug 1 and the socket 2, thereby realizing the labor-saving and rapid separation of the plug 1 and the socket 2 underwater.

[0035] Specifically, the enclosed space 5 is still isolated from the external space when the housing assembly 4 is located at the third position.

[0036] Furthermore, the plug-in component 3 includes a movable component 31 sliding on the connection end of the socket 2, and a push rod 32 sliding on the connection end of the plug 1 for driving the movable component 31 to slide. When the plug 1 and the socket 2 are plugged in, the plug 1 and the movable component 31 are electrically connected. The movable component 31 and the push rod 32 have a connection position for electrically connecting the socket 2 and the movable component 31 and a disconnection position for disconnecting the socket 2 and the movable component 31. A first elastic member 34 for keeping the movable component 31 in the second position is provided between the connection end of the socket 2 and the movable component 31. When the shell component 4 slides from the first position to the second position, it will drive the push rod 32 to slide to the disconnection position, so that the first elastic member 34 drives the movable component 31 to slide to the disconnection position.

[0037] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, through the setting of the first elastic member 34, in the normal state, the plug-in component 3 is electrically disconnected from the socket 2, and when the plug 1 is plugged in to the socket 2, since the shell component 4 is located between the first position and the second position, the connection environment between the plug 1 and the socket 2 is insulated and safe. Therefore, the top rod 32 of the plug 1 pushes the movable component 31 to be electrically connected to the socket 2, so that the plug 1 and the socket 2 complete the electrical connection in a safe connection environment. When the connection environment is flooded, the shell component 4 will be located between the third position and the fourth position. At this time, the top rod 32 and the movable component 31 are in the disconnected position, which will not affect the safety of the plug 1 and the socket 2, thereby ensuring the safety of the equipment of both.

[0038] Specifically, the specific structure of the movable component 31 has been disclosed in Chinese patent CN 113937546 A, and will not be elaborated here.

[0039] Further, a seat body 21 is fixed to the side wall of the plug 1, and the seat body 21 includes a suspended portion 22 having an inner wall surface 221 and an outer wall surface 222, and a blocking member 9 with at least one end extending out of the suspended portion 22 is radially slidably connected in the suspended portion 22; the ejector rod 32 is fixedly connected to a sheath 33 extending to the outer wall surface 222 of the suspended portion 22, and an inwardly inclined clamping portion 331 is provided at the end of the sheath 33; the housing assembly 4 includes a sleeve body 41 extending to the inner wall surface 221 of the suspended portion 22, and an outwardly inclined ejection portion 411 is provided at the end of the sleeve body 41; When the sleeve 41 is located at the first position, the ejection portion 411 lifts the blocking member 9 so that the blocking member 9 extends out of the outer wall surface 222 of the suspended portion 22, prompting the push rod 32 and the sleeve 33 to remain in the connected position; when the sleeve 41 is located at the second position, the sleeve 41 is away from the blocking member 9, so that the first elastic member 34 drives the movable component 31 and the push rod 32 to the disconnected position, and the clamping portion 331 pushes the blocking member 9 to extend into the inner wall surface 221 of the suspended portion 22.

[0040] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the abutment between the blocking member 9 and the sheath 33 makes the abutment relationship between the top rod 32 and the movable component 31 relatively stable, and when the outer shell component 4 has a relative displacement, it will not affect the electrical connection between the movable component 31 and the socket 2. Compared with the direct connection between the top rod 32 and the outer shell component 4, for example, when the plug 1 and the socket 2 are in deep water, the situation in the water is unstable, and it is possible that the outer shell component 4 and the plug 1 and the socket 2 will move relative to each other, causing the movable component 31 electrically connected to the socket 2 to move relative to each other, which will affect the connection stability and cause excessive friction, etc. Therefore, the top rod 32 is separated from the outer shell component 4 to increase the equipment safety of the plug 1 and the socket 2.

[0041] Specifically, the radial direction refers to the diameter direction of the plug 1 and the socket 2, the sheath 33 is in close contact with the outer wall surface 222 of the seat body 21, and the sleeve body 41 is in close contact with the inner wall surface 221 of the seat body 21 and the outer wall of the plug 1. The blocking member 9 is in a regular shape of a sphere or an elliptical football, and the ejection portion 411 and the clamping portion 331 are both arc surfaces that match the shape of the blocking member 9, so that the ejection portion 411 and the clamping portion 331 can smoothly push the blocking member 9.

[0042] Furthermore, the seat body 21 is provided with a second elastic member 23 for driving the push rod 32 to be in the connection position, and the elastic force of the second elastic member 23 is smaller than the elastic force of the first elastic member 34 .

[0043] By adopting the above technical solution, through the action of the second elastic member 23, the push rod 32 can always be in the connection position before the plug 1 is plugged in, so as to facilitate the alignment of the plug 1 and the socket 2.

[0044] Specifically, the outer wall surface 222 of the holder is threadedly connected with a nut, so that when the second elastic member 23 is sleeved on the holder, one end thereof abuts against the nut.

[0045] Furthermore, a third elastic member 6 is provided between the plug 1 and the housing assembly 4 to keep the housing assembly 4 in the first position.

[0046] By adopting the above technical solution, the third elastic member 6 is used to ensure that the plug 1 is always in a connected state before being plugged in, so that when on shore, the plug 1 and the socket 2 can be directly plugged in to generate an electrical connection without debugging, which is convenient for the operator.

[0047] Furthermore, the plug 1 is provided with a shoulder 11 having a diameter greater than that of the sleeve 41 , and the sleeve 41 is located between the shoulder 11 and the blocking member 9 , and there is a gap between the sleeve 41 and the shoulder 11 in the first position, and the sleeve 41 abuts against the shoulder 11 in the fourth position.

[0048] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, by setting the shoulder 11 on the side away from the blocking member 9, and making the sleeve 41 only abut against the shoulder 11 or the blocking member 9, the shell component 4 can make the action clearer and more direct when switching positions. The existence of the gap reserves a suitable sliding space for the shell component 4 from the initial state to gradually completing various functional actions (such as disconnecting the electrical connection first, balancing the water pressure, etc.), so that each step can be carried out in sequence. When the shell component 4 moves to the fourth position and abuts against the shoulder 11, it means that the previous preparations (disconnecting the electrical connection, balancing the water pressure, etc.) have been completed. At this time, the abutment between the sleeve 41 and the shoulder 11 can be used to transmit force, drive the plug 1 to move smoothly to a position away from the socket 2, and accurately start the separation action of the plug 1 and the socket 2, ensuring that the entire separation process is orderly and reliable.

[0049] Specifically, the diameter of the shoulder 11 is only larger than the sleeve 41 and smaller than the other parts of the housing assembly 4, so that when the housing assembly 4 moves, only the sleeve 41 can abut against the shoulder 11, thereby driving the plug 1 to move, avoiding the influence of other parts.

[0050] Furthermore, the shell assembly 4 is provided with a first shielding portion 43 for shielding the enclosed space 5, and the socket 2 is provided with a second shielding portion 24 corresponding to the first shielding portion 43. When the shell assembly 4 is in the first position, the first shielding portion 43 and the second shielding portion 24 abut against and overlap axially, and the enclosed space 5 is isolated from the external space. The axial distance of the overlap between the first shielding portion 43 and the second shielding portion 24 is smaller than the axial distance between the sleeve 41 and the shaft shoulder 11; when the first shielding portion 43 and the second shielding portion 24 are separated, the enclosed space 5 is connected to the external space.

[0051] By adopting the above technical solution, the closed space 5 is clearly and reliably isolated from the external space by abutting and axially overlapping the two. This clear structural design can accurately define the closed state of the internal space. Compared with some vague sealing methods, it can more effectively maintain the independence of the internal environment, provide stable initial conditions for subsequent operations such as disconnecting the electrical connection and balancing the water pressure, and ensure the orderly development of the entire separation process. When the first shielding part 43 and the second shielding part 24 are separated, the closed space 5 is connected to the external space, which creates conditions for the subsequent water pressure balance between the internal space and the external space where the plug 1 and the socket 2 are located. In addition, since the axial distance of their overlap is less than the axial distance between the sleeve 41 and the shoulder 11, it means that during the movement of the shell assembly 4, the space is first connected to achieve water pressure balance, and then the sleeve 41 abuts against the shoulder 11 to drive the plug 1 to separate. Such a design ensures that the water pressure can be balanced before the plug 1 and the socket 2 are separated, thereby reducing the external force required for separation, making the entire separation process more reasonable and orderly in structure and timing, meeting the requirements of labor-saving and fast separation.

[0052] Specifically, the axial direction refers to the axial direction of the plug 1 and the socket 2. The shell assembly 4 includes an outermost shell 42. The first shielding portion 43 is arranged on the shell 42. The entire shell 42 is mainly used to shield the connection space between the plug 1 and the socket 2, and most of the position is sleeved on the plug 1, so that the overlapping area between the plug 1 and the shell 42 is larger and the waterproof effect is better. The side walls of the plug 1 and the socket 2 are respectively provided with sealing rings, so that the shell 42 can form an effective seal when it abuts against the sealing ring.

[0053] Preferably, the enclosed space 5 is connected to the external space through multiple water channels so that water in the external space can completely enter between the plug 1 and the socket 2. The specific arrangement of the water channels is that the sleeve connection between the plug 1 and the socket 2 is a clearance fit, the gap can be used as a water channel, and there is a gap at the end of the sleeve part of the plug 1 and the socket 2, and the gap also serves as a water channel.

[0054] Furthermore, the plug 1 is provided with a locking portion 12 extending to the outer surface of the socket 2 when the plug 1 and the socket 2 are plugged in, the locking portion 12 is provided with a radially sliding locking piece 7 with at least one end extending out of the locking portion 12, the socket 2 is provided with a locking groove 25, the locking groove 25 corresponds to the locking piece 7 when the plug 1 and the socket 2 are plugged in, and the housing assembly 4 is provided with an abutment portion 44 for abutting the locking piece 7 so that the locking piece 7 extends into the locking groove 25.

[0055] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, when the plug 1 and the socket 2 are normally plugged in, the locking portion 12 on the plug 1 is pushed by the abutment portion 44, so that the locking piece 7 radially slides into the locking groove 25 of the socket 2, thereby realizing mechanical locking between the plug 1 and the socket 2. This locking method can effectively prevent the plug 1 and the socket 2 from accidentally disengaging when subjected to external vibrations, water flow impacts or other unexpected external forces, ensure the stability of the connection between the two in normal working state and before the separation operation begins, and ensure the continuous and stable realization of related functions such as electrical connection, which is crucial for application scenarios such as aerospace that have extremely high requirements for connection reliability.

[0056] Furthermore, an unlocking groove 441 is provided on the abutment portion 44, and when the shell assembly 4 is located between the second position and the fourth position, the locking piece 7 enters the axial range of the unlocking groove 441, and a through hole 13 for radial sliding of the locking piece 7 is provided on the locking portion 12, and the locking piece 7 is in a shape of a gradual change in size with a larger size in the middle and smaller sizes on both sides, and the opening size of the through hole 13 close to the inner wall of the locking portion 12 is smaller than the maximum size of the locking piece 7.

[0057] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, since the opening size of the through hole 13 close to the inner wall of the locking portion 12 is smaller than the maximum size of the locking piece 7, the locking piece 7 cannot be separated from the through hole 13 from this end. Therefore, this end of the locking piece 7 enters the locking groove 25 with a smaller size. Therefore, after entering the range of the unlocking groove 441, with the axial movement of the locking groove 25, the locking piece 7 can be pushed to move radially, so that the locking piece 7 moves toward the unlocking groove 441, thereby completing the unlocking of the plug 1 and the socket 2.

[0058] Specifically, the locking member 7 is in the shape of a sphere or an oval rugby ball, and the maximum size of the locking member 7 is Figure 3 b1 in the figure, and the opening size of the through hole 13 near the inner wall of the locking portion 12 is b2. The unlocking groove 441 has an outwardly inclined side wall that presses the locking member 7. When the housing assembly 4 moves to the first position, the side wall of the unlocking groove 441 abuts against and presses the locking member 7 into the through hole 13, so that the locking member 7 enters the locking groove 25.

[0059] Furthermore, there is a movable space 8 between the abutting portion 44 and the plug 1 to allow the abutting portion 44 to slide axially.

[0060] The above technical solution may be used in practical application scenarios, especially in underwater environments, where there may be complex situations such as water flow impact, water pressure changes, and various external force interferences. There is a movable space 8 between the abutment portion 44 and the plug 1, which allows the abutment portion 44 to slide axially, thus giving the entire structure a certain degree of self-adaptability when facing these external force factors.

[0061] Specifically, the axial distance of the movable space 8 is greater than the axial length of the abutting portion 44 .

[0062] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art are: (1) The present invention designs an internal unlocking and short-circuit prevention structure in a watertight environment. By setting a secondary unlocking structure before water enters, the fixed-end socket 2 is first prevented from short circuiting before the plug 1 and the socket 2 are unlocked. Compared with the prior art that cannot realize the short-circuit prevention function in the fixed-end socket 2 before water enters the plug 1 and the plug 2, the present invention can realize the safe circuit cutting from the structure before water enters the plug 1 and the plug 2; (2) The present invention designs a multi-layer watertight anti-short-circuit structure with a small separation force in a deep-water environment. The anti-short-circuit function of the fixed-end socket 2 of the outer water pressure balance structure is realized by combining the structure with the anti-short-circuit function of the fixed-end socket 2. Compared with the prior art that drives or releases the socket movable component 31 through a central locking mechanism, the present invention can realize underwater separation with a small separation force between the plug 1 and the socket 2 in a deep-water environment.

[0063] Unlocking and short-circuit prevention process of the movable assembly 31 of the socket 2: Since the exposed shapes of the left and right ends of the shell 42 are basically the same, the underwater pressures of the left and right ends are basically balanced, so the axial force driving the shell 42 is basically the friction resistance between the sealing ring and the shell 42, the plug 1, and the socket 2, and the underwater external small separation power drive can be realized. When it is necessary to separate the plug from the socket in a deep water environment, pull the wire rope 10 to the right to drive the shell 42 to move axially to the right. Since the shell 42 is axially fixed to the sleeve 41 through the step and the third elastic member 6, after the step of the shell 42 pushes the internal sleeve 41 to the right, the preload force of the second elastic member 23 is overcome until the ejection portion 411 of the internal sleeve 41 exceeds the blocking member 9. At this time, the constraint of the blocking member 9 is released, that is, the locking limit of the movable assembly is released. The first elastic member 34 pushes the movable assembly, driving the sheath 33 to compress the second elastic member 23 to the right and move to the right until the movable assembly moves to the rightmost position. At this time, the electrical connection between the double jacks in the active component and the pins in the back layer of the socket 2 is disconnected, that is, the short-circuit protection function of each contact inside the socket end is realized.

[0064] Unlocking process of plug 1 and socket 2: Continue to pull the wire rope 10 to the right, and the housing 42 moves axially to the right until the step of the housing 42 passes over the locking member 7. At this time, the constraint of the locking member 7 is released, that is, the locking connection between the plug 1 and the socket 2 is released.

[0065] Water inflow and water pressure balance process between the mating surfaces of the plug 1 and the socket 2: Continue to pull the wire rope 10 to the right, and the housing 42 moves axially to the right until the seal between the left inner wall of the housing 42 and the sealing ring is released. Water quickly enters the mating surface between the plug 1 and the socket 2 through the water inlet on the socket housing 2, and the water pressure inside and outside the connector quickly reaches balance.

[0066] The process of completely disengaging the plug 1 from the socket 2: Continue to pull the wire rope 10 to the right, and the shell 42 drives the entire plug to move axially to the right until the connection between the plug and the socket is completely disengaged, that is, the separation of the plug and the socket is completed.

[0067] In addition to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, the present application also has other implementation modes. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative work are within the scope of protection requested by the present application.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising a plug and a socket, characterized in that: A plug-in assembly is provided between the socket and the plug, and a shell assembly is provided on the outer sliding sleeve of the plug. When the plug is plugged into the socket, a closed space is enclosed between the shell assembly, the socket and the plug. The shell assembly has a first position, a second position, a third position and a fourth position which are arranged continuously in a direction away from the socket, and can be switched between the four positions by sliding. In the first position, the plug and the socket are electrically connected through the plug-in assembly, and the shell assembly shields the closed space to disconnect the closed space from the external space; when the shell assembly slides from the first position to the second position, the plug-in assembly slides axially in a direction away from the socket to disconnect the electrical connection with the socket; when the shell assembly slides from the second position to the third position, the closed space is connected to the external space to allow external water to enter; when the shell assembly is in the fourth position, the shell assembly presses against the plug so that the shell assembly can drive the plug to move to a position away from the socket.

2. A connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug-in component includes a movable component sliding on the socket connection end, and a push rod sliding on the plug connection end for driving the movable component to slide. When the plug and the socket are plugged in, the plug and the movable component are electrically connected. The movable component and the push rod have a connection position where the socket and the movable component are electrically connected and a disconnection position where the socket and the movable component are electrically disconnected. A first elastic member for keeping the movable component in the second position is provided between the socket connection end and the movable component. When the shell component slides from the first position to the second position, it will drive the push rod to slide to the disconnection position, so that the first elastic member drives the movable component to slide to the disconnection position.

3. A connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plug side wall is fixed with a seat body, the seat body includes a suspended part with an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, and a blocking member with at least one end extending out of the suspended part is radially slidably connected in the suspended part; the ejector rod is fixedly connected with a sheath extending to the outer wall surface of the suspended part, and the end of the sheath is provided with a clamping part inclined inwardly; the housing assembly includes a sleeve body extending to the inner wall surface of the suspended part, and the end of the sleeve body is provided with an ejection part inclined outwardly; When the sleeve is in the first position, the ejection part lifts the blocking member so that the blocking member extends out of the outer wall of the suspended part, prompting the ejector rod and the sleeve to remain in the connected position; when the sleeve is in the second position, the sleeve is away from the blocking member so that the first elastic member drives the movable component and the ejector rod to the disconnected position.

4. A connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The seat body is provided with a second elastic member for driving the ejector rod to be in a connection position, and the elastic force of the second elastic member is smaller than the elastic force of the first elastic member.

5. A connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third elastic member is provided between the plug and the shell assembly to keep the shell assembly in the first position.

6. A connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plug is provided with a shoulder having a diameter larger than that of the sleeve, the sleeve is located between the shoulder and the blocking member, a gap exists between the sleeve and the shoulder in the first position, and the sleeve abuts against the shoulder in the fourth position.

7. A connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The shell assembly is provided with a first shielding portion for shielding the enclosed space, and the socket is provided with a second shielding portion corresponding to the first shielding portion. When the shell assembly is in the first position, the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion abut against each other and overlap axially, and the enclosed space is disconnected from the outside world. The axial distance between the overlapping of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is smaller than the axial distance between the sleeve body and the shaft shoulder; when the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion are separated, the enclosed space is connected to the outside world.

8. A connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug is provided with a locking portion extending to the outer surface of the socket when the plug and the socket are plugged in, the locking portion is provided with a locking piece which slides radially and at least one end of which extends out of the locking portion, the socket is provided with a locking groove, the locking groove corresponds to the locking piece when the plug and the socket are plugged in, and the housing assembly is provided with an abutment portion for abutting the locking piece so that the locking piece extends into the locking groove.

9. A connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: An unlocking groove is provided on the abutment portion. When the shell assembly is located at the second position to the fourth position, the locking piece enters the axial range of the unlocking groove. A through hole for radial sliding of the locking piece is provided on the locking portion. The opening size of the through hole close to the inner wall of the locking portion is smaller than the maximum size of the locking piece.

10. A connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: There is a movable space between the abutting portion and the plug to allow the abutting portion to slide axially.

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