Energy storage connector with locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides an energy storage connector with a locking mechanism, which comprises an insulating body, a terminal assembly fixed on the insulating body, and the locking mechanism movably assembled in the insulating body, the locking mechanism has a locking state for locking the energy storage connector and a butting connector and an unlocking state for plugging and unplugging the butting connector, and comprises a pressing piece, a locking piece for being locked with the butting connector and a connecting rod for connecting the pressing piece with the locking piece; and when the pressing piece moves along the front-back direction, the locking piece rotates by taking the connecting rod as a rotating shaft so as to realize locking or unlocking between the locking piece and the butting connector. The energy storage connector with the locking mechanism is simple in structure, convenient to assemble and operate and high in reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an energy storage connector with a locking mechanism. Background Art

[0002] In various electronic devices, the power connector is the basic element for realizing current transmission between different systems. It is widely used in various electrical circuits. The power connector combination includes a power connector (also called a plug) and a docking connector (also called a socket). In recent years, the energy storage industry has developed rapidly. The energy storage connector and the docking connector are automatically locked after being plugged in. The energy storage connector and the docking connector are unlocked by pressing during the separation process. However, the existing energy storage connector has a complex structure for realizing automatic locking, and the installation process is cumbersome. In addition, improper force applied by the user during operation may cause the unlocking to fail.

[0003] In view of this, it is necessary to improve the existing energy storage connector to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an energy storage connector with a locking mechanism, which has a simple structure, is easy to assemble, is convenient to operate and has high reliability.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, the present invention provides an energy storage connector with a locking mechanism, which includes an insulating body, a terminal assembly fixed to the insulating body, and a locking mechanism movably assembled in the insulating body, the locking mechanism having a locking state for locking the energy storage connector with the docking connector and an unlocking state for plugging and unplugging the docking connector, the locking mechanism including a pressing piece, a locking piece for locking with the docking connector, and a connecting rod connecting the pressing piece with the locking piece, when the pressing piece moves in the front-rear direction, the locking piece rotates with the connecting rod as a rotating axis to achieve locking or unlocking with the docking connector.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, the pressing piece has a pressing portion for a user to operate and a pair of extension arms arranged on both sides of the pressing portion in the transverse direction. Each of the extension arms is provided with a guide groove which penetrates the pressing portion in the transverse direction and is arranged at an angle to the horizontal direction. The two ends of the connecting rod are respectively inserted into the corresponding guide grooves and can slide relatively along the guide grooves.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking mechanism further includes a torsion spring sleeved on the connecting rod, and the first and second free ends of the torsion spring, which are arranged opposite to each other, are respectively in contact with the locking member and the insulating body.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking member includes a base, a locking tongue protruding downward from the front end of the base, and a pair of rotating arms extending backward from the base, the rotating arms are located on the inner sides of the corresponding extension arms, the two ends of the connecting rod are respectively connected to the corresponding rotating arms, and the first free end of the torsion spring abuts against the base.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the insulating body comprises a main body, a pair of side walls erected above the main body and opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and a top wall connecting the top ends of the pair of side walls. The main body, the pair of side walls and the top wall are arranged to form an installation space for accommodating the locking mechanism. The main body is provided with a docking cavity for inserting a docking connector. The installation space is connected to the docking cavity via a through groove provided on the insulating body. The locking tongue can enter the docking cavity from the through groove and lock the docking connector.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the base is provided with a stop surface arranged at an angle to its top surface, the stop surface extends backward and downward, the first free end always abuts against the stop surface, and the second free end always abuts against the inner side of the top wall of the insulating body.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, each of the extension arms is provided with a slider protruding from its outer side, and the insulating body is provided with a slide groove for accommodating the slider and allowing the slider to slide forward and backward. When the pressing piece moves forward, the slider slides forward in the slide groove, and the connecting rod moves upward and backward compared to the pressing piece, so that the front end of the locking piece is flipped upward and unlocked.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking mechanism also includes an elastic reset member whose two ends are respectively abutted against the pressing member and the insulating body. When the pressing member moves forward under the action of an external force, the reset member is squeezed to cause elastic deformation. When the external force disappears, the reset member rebounds under the action of its own elastic restoring force and pushes the pressing member back to its initial position.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the installation space includes a first installation space located on the front side and a second installation space located on the rear side, a stop surface is formed at the intersection of the first installation space and the second installation space, the extension arm is accommodated in the first installation space, the pressing portion is accommodated in the second installation space, the front end of the reset member abuts against the stop surface, and the rear end abuts against the front surface of the pressing portion.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the insulating body further has a perspective window opened on at least one side in the transverse direction thereof, and in the locked state, the locking tongue is visible outward from the perspective window.

[0015] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism of the present invention is configured to include a pressing piece, a locking piece for locking with a docking connector, and a connecting rod connecting the pressing piece and the locking piece. When the pressing piece moves in the front-to-back direction, the locking piece rotates with the connecting rod as the rotating axis to achieve locking or unlocking with the docking connector, that is, the rotation of the locking piece is achieved through the linear movement of the pressing piece in the front-to-back direction. The structure is simple, the assembly is convenient, and the unlocking operation is convenient, thereby improving the reliability of the product and the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the energy storage connector with a locking mechanism and the docking connector of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A view of the energy storage connector and the docking connector with a locking mechanism from another perspective.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partially exploded view of an energy storage connector with a locking mechanism shown with its tail pipe removed.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of an insulating body in an energy storage connector with a locking mechanism is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional assembly diagram of a locking mechanism in an energy storage connector having a locking mechanism is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism shown.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Another view of the locking mechanism is shown.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an energy storage connector having a locking mechanism is shown.

[0024] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of an energy storage connector having a locking mechanism is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 The figure shows a preferred embodiment of the energy storage connector 100 with a locking mechanism of the present invention, wherein the energy storage connector 100 with a locking mechanism comprises an insulating body 1, a terminal assembly 2 fixed to the insulating body 1, and a locking mechanism 3 movably assembled in the insulating body 1, wherein the locking mechanism 3 has a locking state for locking the energy storage connector 100 and the docking connector 900, and an unlocking state for plugging and unplugging the docking connector 900.

[0027] In the present invention, the locking mechanism 3 can lock the energy storage connector 100 with the docking connector 900 after the energy storage connector 100 and the docking connector 900 are plugged in. The locking mechanism 3 includes a pressing member 4, a locking member 5 for locking with the docking connector 900, and a connecting rod 6 connecting the pressing member 4 with the locking member 5. When the pressing member 4 moves in the front-to-back direction, the locking member 5 rotates with the connecting rod 6 as the axis to achieve locking or unlocking with the docking connector 900.

[0028] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the insulating body 1 has a main body 11, a pair of side walls 12 erected above the main body 11 and arranged opposite to each other in the lateral direction, and a top wall 13 connecting the top ends of the pair of side walls 12. The main body 11, the pair of side walls 12 and the top wall 13 surround an installation space 101 for accommodating the locking mechanism 3. The main body 11 is provided with a docking cavity 110 for inserting a docking connector 900. The installation space 101 is connected to the docking cavity 110 via a through groove 102 provided on the insulating body 1.

[0029] Specifically, Figure 1 , 2 and Fig. 9 As shown, the docking connector 900 is provided with a flange 901 protruding from its docking end. In the present embodiment, the flange 901 is in a circular ring shape. When the locking mechanism 3 is in an unlocked state, the docking connector 900 is plugged into the energy storage connector 100. At this time, the flange 901 enters the docking cavity 110 until it passes over the through groove 102 in the front-to-back direction. The locking tongue portion 52 of the locking member 5 moves downward and enters the through groove 102 and the docking cavity 110, and then is locked at the front side of the flange 901.

[0030] The installation space 101 includes a first installation space 1011 located at the front side and a second installation space 1012 located at the rear side. A stop surface 1013 is formed at the intersection of the first installation space 1011 and the second installation space 1012 .

[0031] Each of the side walls 12 is provided with a slide groove 121 that penetrates the side wall 12 in the transverse direction. In addition, the insulating body 1 also has a perspective window 122 opened on at least one side in the transverse direction. The perspective window 122 is arranged on the lower side of the slide groove 121 and is partially offset from the slide groove 121 in the front-to-back direction, so as to ensure the structural strength of the side wall 12.

[0032] For further information, see Figure 3 , Figures 5 to 9 As shown, the pressing member 4 has a pressing portion 41 for user operation and a pair of extension arms 42 arranged on both sides of the pressing portion 41 in the transverse direction. Each of the extension arms 42 is provided with a guide groove 421 that penetrates the pressing portion 41 in the transverse direction and is arranged at an angle to the horizontal direction. The two ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively inserted into the corresponding guide grooves 421 and can slide relatively along the guide grooves 421. The connecting rod 6 slides relatively in the guide grooves 421 to drive the locking member 5 to rotate and realize unlocking with the docking connector 900. Further, in the present invention, the guide groove 421 extends in a state where the front side is low and the rear side is high.

[0033] Each of the extension arms 42 is provided with a slider 423 protruding from its outer side. Since the insulating body 1 is provided with a slide groove 121 for accommodating the slider 423 and allowing the slider 423 to slide forward and backward, when the pressing member 4 moves forward, the slider 423 slides forward in the slide groove 121, and the connecting rod 6 moves upward and backward compared to the pressing member 4, so that the front end of the locking member 5 is flipped upward and unlocked.

[0034] The sliders 423 each have an inclined guide surface 4231 located at the front side thereof and a limiting surface 4232 located at the rear side thereof and arranged perpendicular to the outer wall surface of the extension arm 42 .

[0035] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figures 5 to 9 As shown, the locking member 5 includes a base 51, a locking tongue 52 protruding downward from the front end of the base 51, and a pair of rotating arms 53 extending backward from the base 51, wherein the rotating arms 53 are located on the inner sides of the corresponding extension arms 42, and the two ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively connected to the corresponding rotating arms 53, and the first free end 71 of the torsion spring 7 is abutted against the base 51, and the locking tongue 52 can enter the docking cavity 110 from the through groove 102 and lock the docking connector 900.

[0036] The rotating arm 53 is provided with a pivot hole 531 formed through it in the transverse direction. The two ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively inserted into the pivot holes 531 on the same side and can rotate in the pivot holes 531, and continue to be inserted into the guide groove 421 outwardly and can slide in the guide groove 421.

[0037] The base 51 is provided with a stopper surface 511 which is arranged at an angle to its top surface. The stopper surface 511 extends backward and downward in an inclined manner and is also arranged at an angle to the upper surface of the rotating arm 53, and the angle is an acute angle. Fig. 9 As shown, the lower edge of the abutting surface 511 is located at the front side of the pivot hole 531 and at the upper side of the lower surface of the rotating arm 53 .

[0038] In the locked state, the locking tongue 52 is visible from the perspective window 123. In this embodiment, the perspective window 123 penetrates one of the side walls 12 in the transverse direction, so that the locking tongue 52 is visible to the outside; in other embodiments, the perspective window 123 can be provided on each of the side walls 12, so that the locking state of the locking tongue 52 can be observed from both sides.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 5 to 9 As shown, the locking mechanism 3 further includes a torsion spring 7 sleeved on the connecting rod 6 , and the first and second free ends 71 ​​, 72 of the torsion spring 7 , which are oppositely arranged, abut against the locking member 5 and the insulating body 1 , respectively.

[0040] The rotating arm 53 is located on the inner side of the corresponding extension arm 42 , and the two ends of the connecting rod 6 are respectively connected to the corresponding rotating arm 53 and the extension arm 42 , the first free end 71 always abuts against the abutting surface 511 , and the second free end 72 always abuts against the inner side of the top wall 13 of the insulating body 1 .

[0041] Please refer to Figures 5 to 9 As shown, the locking mechanism 3 also includes an elastic reset member 8, which is respectively in contact with the pressing member 4 and the insulating body 1 at both ends. When the pressing member 4 moves forward under the action of an external force, the reset member 8 is squeezed to cause elastic deformation. When the external force disappears, the reset member 8 rebounds under the action of its own elastic restoring force and pushes the pressing member 4 back to the initial position. Specifically, the reset member 8 is compressed under the action of the forward external force, and returns to the initial state when the external force is removed and drives the pressing member 4 to move backward.

[0042] In this embodiment, the reset member 8 is a tension spring, and the spacing width of the extension arms 42 of the pressing member 4 in the transverse direction is matched with the outer diameter of the reset member 8 to play a certain limiting role.

[0043] The front portion of the extension arm 42 is accommodated in the first installation space 1011, the pressing portion 41 and the reset member 8 are always accommodated in the second installation space 1012, the connecting rod 6 is always located in front of the stop surface 1013, and the front end of the reset member 8 abuts against the stop surface 1013, and the rear end abuts against the front surface 410 of the pressing portion 41.

[0044] When the pressing member 4 is subjected to the forward force and moves forward, the sliders 423 arranged on both sides thereof move forward along the slide groove 121, the reset member 8 is compressed under the pushing action of the pressing portion 41, and the connecting rod 6 moves backward and upward along the guide groove 421 compared with the pressing member 4, so that the front part of the locking member 5 rotates with the connecting rod 6 as the rotating axis, and at the same time squeezes the torsion spring 7, so that the locking tongue portion 52 moves upward to release the lock with the docking connector 900; when the forward force disappears, the reset member 8 is elastically released. Under the action of the restoring force, it recovers to the initial state, and then pushes the pressing member 4 to move backward until the limiting surface 4232 of the slider 423 is stopped by the rear wall of the slide groove 121. At this time, the pull rod 6 moves forward and downward compared to the pressing member 4. At the same time, the torsion spring 7 recovers to the initial state under the action of the elastic restoring force, and at the same time, its first free end 71 pushes the abutting surface 511 of the locking member 5 downward, so that the front part of the locking member 5 rotates downward with the connecting rod 6 as the rotating axis. At this time, the locking tongue 52 moves downward into the through groove 102 and the docking cavity 102.

[0045] The energy storage connector 100 with a locking mechanism of the present invention is configured such that the locking mechanism 3 includes a pressing member 4, a locking member 5 for locking with the docking connector 900, and a connecting rod 6 connecting the pressing member 4 with the locking member 5. When the pressing member 4 moves in the front-to-back direction, the locking member 5 rotates with the connecting rod 6 as a rotating axis to achieve locking or unlocking with the docking connector 900. The locking member 5 is rotated by the linear movement of the pressing member 4 in the front-to-back direction. The structure is simple, the assembly is convenient, and the unlocking operation is convenient, thereby improving the reliability of the product and the user experience.

[0046] It should be understood that although the present specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0047] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are not intended to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. An energy storage connector with a locking mechanism, comprising an insulating body, a terminal assembly fixed to the insulating body, and a locking mechanism movably assembled in the insulating body, wherein the locking mechanism has a locking state for locking the energy storage connector with a docking connector and an unlocking state for plugging and unplugging the docking connector, characterized in that: The locking mechanism includes a pressing piece, a locking piece for locking with the docking connector, and a connecting rod connecting the pressing piece and the locking piece. When the pressing piece moves in the front-to-back direction, the locking piece rotates with the connecting rod as the axis to achieve locking or unlocking with the docking connector.

2. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing member comprises a pressing portion for operation by a user and a pair of extending arms arranged on both sides of the pressing portion in a transverse direction. Each of the extending arms is provided with a guide groove penetrating the pressing portion in a transverse direction and arranged at an angle to a horizontal direction. The two ends of the connecting rod are respectively inserted into corresponding guide grooves and can slide relatively along the guide grooves.

3. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking mechanism further comprises a torsion spring sleeved on the connecting rod, and the first and second free ends of the torsion spring which are arranged opposite to each other are respectively in contact with the locking member and the insulating body.

4. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locking member includes a base, a locking tongue protruding downward from the front end of the base, and a pair of rotating arms extending backward from the base, wherein the rotating arms are located on the inner sides of the corresponding extending arms, the two ends of the connecting rod are respectively connected to the corresponding rotating arms, and the first free end of the torsion spring abuts against the base.

5. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The insulating body comprises a main body, a pair of side walls erected above the main body and arranged opposite to each other in the transverse direction, and a top wall connecting the top ends of the pair of side walls. The main body, the pair of side walls and the top wall are arranged to form an installation space for accommodating the locking mechanism. The main body is provided with a docking cavity for inserting a docking connector. The installation space is connected to the docking cavity via a through groove provided on the insulating body. The locking tongue can enter the docking cavity from the through groove and lock the docking connector.

6. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base is provided with a stop surface which is arranged at an angle to its top surface. The stop surface extends backward and downward in an inclined manner. The first free end always abuts against the stop surface, and the second free end always abuts against the inner side of the top wall of the insulating body.

7. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: Each of the extension arms is provided with a slider protruding from its outer side, and the insulating body is provided with a slide groove for accommodating the slider and allowing the slider to slide forward and backward. When the pressing member moves forward, the slider slides forward in the slide groove, and the connecting rod moves upward and backward compared to the pressing member, so that the front end of the locking member is flipped upward and unlocked.

8. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The locking mechanism also includes an elastic reset member whose two ends are respectively in contact with the pressing member and the insulating body. When the pressing member moves forward under the action of an external force, the reset member is squeezed to cause elastic deformation. When the external force disappears, the reset member rebounds under the action of its own elastic restoring force and pushes the pressing member back to its initial position.

9. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The installation space includes a first installation space located on the front side and a second installation space located on the rear side. A stop surface is formed at the intersection of the first installation space and the second installation space. The extension arm is accommodated in the first installation space, and the pressing portion is accommodated in the second installation space. The front end of the reset member abuts against the stop surface, and the rear end abuts against the front surface of the pressing portion.

10. The energy storage connector with a locking mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The insulating body also has a perspective window opened on at least one side in the transverse direction thereof. In a locked state, the locking tongue is visible outward from the perspective window.

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