Power connector of battery changing cabinet

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of power supply connectors, in particular to a power supply connector of a battery changing cabinet, which comprises an insulating shell, a conductive joint is slidably connected in the insulating shell, and a first energy storage spring is fixedly connected between the conductive joint and a connecting shell; the end part of the insulating shell and the end part of the conductive joint are provided with an insulating slot matched with the outer contour of the storage battery interface, and a temperature sensor is arranged in the insulating slot and is used for detecting the temperature of the conductive joint; by arranging the insulating shell, the conductive connector and the first energy storage spring, in the charging process, the temperature at the storage battery interface is detected in real time through the temperature sensor, when the temperature at the interface exceeds a specified threshold value, the first self-locking mechanism is closed through the controller, limiting of the conductive connector is canceled, and under the elastic effect of the first energy storage spring, the storage battery is charged through the first self-locking mechanism. Therefore, the conductive connector is separated from the storage battery interface, sufficient power failure of the storage battery is ensured, and potential safety hazards are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of power connectors, and in particular to a power connector for a power exchange cabinet. Background Art

[0002] As an emerging energy supply facility, battery swap cabinets offer significant benefits in terms of speed, convenience, time savings, improved safety, optimized energy utilization, environmental protection and energy conservation, and the promotion of the electric vehicle industry. With the continuous advancement of technology and the expansion of the market, battery swap cabinets are expected to play an even more important role in the future. The power connector in a battery swap cabinet, as a current transmission component, plays a key role in the cabinet, and its performance is constantly improving.

[0003] For example, the utility model patent with application number CN202320666130.3 discloses a power connector for a battery exchange cabinet, including a male plug and a female socket. The male plug includes a male positioning piece and a male inner mold connected to the tail of the male positioning piece. A mesh tail is provided on one side of the male inner mold, and a cable is provided at the other end of the mesh tail, and a male outer mold is connected to the male inner mold.

[0004] In the prior art, during the battery charging process, since the battery is in a closed space with poor internal air circulation, it is easy for the battery to heat up. The existing charging overheat protection usually adopts electronic fusing or alarm prompts, but the connector remains physically connected, which makes it difficult to completely cut off the power, which may easily cause safety hazards.

[0005] To this end, the present invention proposes a power connector for a power exchange cabinet to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the shortcomings of the prior art and propose a power connector for a power exchange cabinet, comprising: an insulating shell, wherein a conductive connector is slidably connected within the insulating shell, and a first energy storage spring is fixedly connected between the conductive connector and the connecting shell; The end of the insulating shell and the end of the conductive joint are provided with an insulating slot adapted to the outer contour of the battery interface, and a temperature sensor is provided in the insulating slot for detecting the temperature at the conductive joint; a first self-locking mechanism, the first self-locking mechanism being used to limit the position of the conductive connector within the insulating housing; The controller is based on the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor. When the temperature parameter exceeds a threshold, the controller controls the first self-locking mechanism to close, cancels the limit on the conductive connector, and drives the conductive connector to move under the elastic action of the first energy storage spring, so that the conductive connector is separated from the battery interface.

[0007] Preferably, it also includes: A drive motor, the drive motor being fixedly connected to the inner wall of the top end of the insulating housing, the bottom end of the output shaft of the drive motor being fixedly connected to a first gear, a first rack being meshed with a side surface of the first gear, the first rack being slidably connected to the outer wall of the insulating conductive joint, and a yield spring being fixedly connected between the first rack and the insulating conductive joint; The controller is based on the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor. When the temperature parameter is less than a threshold value, the controller controls the drive motor to start so that the conductive connector and the battery interface are reconnected.

[0008] Preferably, the first self-locking mechanism includes: a first ratchet wheel, the first ratchet wheel being coaxially fixed to the first gear; a first pawl, the first pawl being clamped on a side surface of the first ratchet, the first pawl being rotatably connected to an inner wall of a top end of the insulating housing, and a first torsion spring being fixedly connected between the first pawl and the insulating housing; The first flip driving assembly is used to drive the first pawl to flip so as to cancel the limitation on the first ratchet.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes: Four sliding grooves, each of which is provided at the four corner positions of the end of the insulating housing. A push rod is slidably connected in the sliding groove, and a second energy storage spring is fixedly connected between the push rod and the sliding groove; a second self-locking mechanism, the second self-locking mechanism being used to limit the push rod; A voltage sensor, used to detect battery voltage; The controller controls the second self-locking mechanism to close and cancel the limit on the push rod when the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor reaches a specified value.

[0010] Preferably, the second self-locking mechanism includes: A second rack, the second rack being fixedly connected to the end of the push rod, a second gear being meshed with a side surface of the second rack, and the second gear being rotatably connected to the sliding groove; a second ratchet wheel, the second ratchet wheel being coaxially fixed to the second gear; a second pawl, the second pawl being clamped on the surface of the second ratchet wheel, the second pawl being rotatably connected in the sliding groove, and a second torsion spring being fixedly connected between the second pawl and a side wall of the sliding groove; The second flip driving assembly is used to drive the second pawl to flip so as to cancel the limitation on the second ratchet.

[0011] Preferably, the first flip driving assembly includes a first magnet block, the first magnet block is fixedly connected to the side wall of the first pawl, and a first electromagnet is fixedly connected to the position of the inner wall at the top end of the insulating shell corresponding to the first magnet block.

[0012] Preferably, the second flip driving assembly includes a second magnet block, the second magnet block is fixedly connected to the side wall of the second pawl, and a second electromagnet is fixedly connected to the position of the inner wall of the sliding groove corresponding to the second magnet block.

[0013] Preferably, a plurality of elastic clips are symmetrically fixedly connected to the inner wall of the insulating slot.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. The present invention provides an insulating housing, a conductive connector, and a first energy storage spring. During the charging process, a temperature sensor detects the temperature at the battery interface in real time. When the temperature at the interface exceeds a specified threshold, a controller closes the first self-locking mechanism, thereby canceling the position limit on the conductive connector. Under the elastic action of the first energy storage spring, the conductive connector moves away from the battery interface, thereby separating the conductive connector from the battery interface, ensuring that the battery is fully powered off and avoiding safety hazards.

[0015] 2. The present invention sets a drive motor and a first gear. When the temperature at the interface is lower than a specified threshold, the controller starts the drive motor, causing the output shaft of the drive motor to rotate, causing the first gear to rotate, thereby driving the first rack to move. Under the connecting action of the yield spring, the conductive connector moves and reconnects to the battery interface, thereby resuming charging of the battery.

[0016] 3. The present invention is provided with a voltage sensor. When the battery is nearly fully charged, the controller controls the second self-locking mechanism to close, canceling the limit on the push rod. Under the action of the second energy storage spring, the push rod extends from the sliding groove, and by pushing and squeezing the outer wall of the battery, the insulating shell and the interface are separated, thereby separating the conductive connector and the interface. On the one hand, it ensures that the power is fully cut off to avoid safety hazards. On the other hand, the user no longer needs to manually unplug the power supply, which facilitates the quick removal of the battery from the battery compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 The overall structure of the present invention is cut away Figure 1 ; Figure 3 The overall structure of the present invention is cut away Figure 2 ; Figure 4 is the conductive connector of the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the top surface of the insulating housing of the present invention; Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged view of point B in the middle; Figure 8 for Figure 6 Enlarged view of point C in the middle; Figure 9 A side sectional view of the insulating housing of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a block diagram of the electrical connections among the controller, temperature sensor, and voltage sensor in the present invention.

[0018] In the figure: insulating shell 1, conductive connector 2, first energy storage spring 3, insulating slot 4, elastic clip 5, temperature sensor 6, drive motor 7, first gear 8, first rack 9, give way spring 10, first ratchet 11, first pawl 12, first torsion spring 13, first magnet block 14, first electromagnet 15, sliding slot 16, push rod 17, elastic pad 18, second energy storage spring 19, second rack 20, second gear 21, second ratchet 22, second pawl 23, second torsion spring 24, second magnet block 25, second electromagnet 26. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following description is intended to disclose the present invention so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention. The preferred embodiments described below are merely examples, and those skilled in the art may conceive of other obvious variations.

[0020] like Figures 1 to 10 A power connector for a power exchange cabinet is shown, comprising: An insulating shell 1, a conductive connector 2 is slidably connected inside the insulating shell 1, and a first energy storage spring 3 is fixedly connected between the conductive connector 2 and the connecting shell; An insulating slot 4 adapted to the outer contour of the battery interface is provided at the end of the insulating shell 1 and the end of the conductive joint 2. A temperature sensor 6 is provided in the insulating slot 4 for detecting the temperature at the conductive joint 2. A first self-locking mechanism, which is used to limit the position of the conductive connector 2 in the insulating housing 1; The controller controls the first self-locking mechanism to close when the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor 6 exceeds a threshold value, thereby canceling the position limit of the conductive connector 2 and driving the conductive connector 2 to move under the elastic action of the first energy storage spring 3, thereby separating the conductive connector 2 from the battery interface; The tail end of the conductive connector 2 is connected to the power supply wire; Specifically, in the prior art, during the battery charging process, since the battery is in a closed space with poor internal air circulation, it is easy to cause the battery to heat up. The existing charging overheat protection usually adopts electronic fusing or alarm prompts, but the connector remains physically connected, which easily leads to the inability to completely cut off the power, which easily causes safety hazards. The present technical solution can solve the above problem. The specific operation is as follows: Connect the conductive connector 2 to the battery interface, and insert the outer contour of the battery interface into the insulating slot 4. Then place the battery in the battery compartment of the battery swap cabinet, close the compartment door, and charge the battery through the conductive connector 2. During the charging process, the temperature of the battery interface is detected in real time by the temperature sensor 6. When the temperature of the interface exceeds a specified threshold, the controller closes the first self-locking mechanism, thereby canceling the limit of the conductive connector 2. Under the elastic action of the first energy storage spring 3, the conductive connector 2 moves away from the battery interface, thereby separating the conductive connector 2 from the battery interface (the insulating shell 1 is not separated from the interface), ensuring that the battery is fully powered off to avoid safety hazards.

[0021] As a further embodiment of the present invention, it also includes: The drive motor 7 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the top end of the insulating housing 1. The bottom end of the output shaft of the drive motor 7 is fixedly connected to the first gear 87. The side of the first gear 87 is meshed with a first rack 9. The first rack 9 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the insulating conductive connector 2. A yield spring 10 is fixedly connected between the first rack 9 and the insulating conductive connector 2. Based on the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor 6, when the temperature parameter is less than a threshold value, the controller controls the drive motor 7 to start so that the conductive connector 2 is reconnected to the battery interface; The drive motor 7 is a non-self-locking motor; Specifically, after the conductive connector 2 is separated from the battery interface, the temperature sensor 6 continues to detect the temperature at the interface. When the temperature at the interface is lower than a specified threshold, the controller starts the drive motor 7, causing the output shaft of the drive motor 7 to rotate, causing the first gear 87 to rotate, thereby driving the first rack 9 to move. Under the connecting action of the yield spring 10, the conductive connector 2 moves and reconnects to the battery interface, resuming battery charging. During the movement of the conductive connector 2, the first energy storage spring 3 is compressed to store energy in preparation for the next separation of the conductive connector 2 from the interface. After the conductive connector 2 is connected to the interface, the first rack 9 continues to move, so that the yield spring 10 is compressed, thereby ensuring that the conductive connector 2 is connected to the interface normally.

[0022] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the first self-locking mechanism includes: A first ratchet 11, the first ratchet 11 is coaxially fixed to the first gear 87; A first pawl 12 is clamped on the side of the first ratchet 11 and is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the top end of the insulating housing 1. A first torsion spring 13 is fixedly connected between the first pawl 12 and the insulating housing 1; A first flip driving assembly, the first flip driving assembly is used to drive the first pawl 12 to flip, so as to cancel the restriction on the first ratchet wheel 11; The first flip driving assembly includes a first magnet block 14, which is fixedly connected to the side wall of the first pawl 12. A first electromagnet 15 is fixedly connected to the position of the first magnet block 14 on the inner wall of the top of the insulating housing 1. Specifically, by providing the first ratchet 11 and the first pawl 12, when the conductive connector 2 is connected to the interface, the first pawl 12 is engaged with the side surface of the first ratchet 11, thereby limiting the rotation of the first ratchet 11, thereby limiting the rotation of the first gear 87. Since the first gear 87 is engaged with the first rack 9, the position of the conductive connector 2 is limited; When the temperature at the interface exceeds a threshold, the controller switches on the circuit of the first electromagnet 15, causing the first electromagnet 15 to generate a magnetic force different from that of the first magnet 14. Due to the attraction between opposite poles, the first pawl 12 flips, canceling the position limit on the first ratchet 11. Under the action of the first energy storage spring 3, the conductive connector 2 is quickly separated from the interface, ensuring that the battery is fully powered off and avoiding potential safety hazards. During the turning process of the first pawl 12, the torsion spring generates elastic force. After the conductive connector 2 is separated from the interface, the controller turns off the circuit of the first electromagnet 15, causing the first electromagnet 15 to lose its magnetic force. Under the action of the torsion spring, the first pawl 12 is reset and re-engaged with the first ratchet 11. After the interface temperature returns to normal (below the specified threshold), the controller starts the drive motor 7 and operates according to the above, so that the first gear 87 rotates and the first ratchet 11 rotates, and finally the conductive connector 2 is reconnected with the interface. Then, the first ratchet 11 is limited by the first pawl 12, thereby re-limiting the position of the conductive connector 2 to ensure that the conductive connector 2 is normally connected to the interface.

[0023] As a further embodiment of the present invention, it also includes: Four sliding slots 16, which are respectively opened at the four corner positions of the end of the insulating housing 1, a push rod 17 is slidably connected in the sliding slot 16, and a second energy storage spring 19 is fixedly connected between the push rod 17 and the sliding slot 16; A second self-locking mechanism, which is used to limit the push rod 17; Voltage sensor: The voltage sensor is used to detect the battery voltage; Based on the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor, when the voltage value reaches a specified value, the controller controls the second self-locking mechanism to close, thereby canceling the limit on the push rod 17; Specifically, by setting a voltage sensor, when the battery is close to being fully charged, the voltage will reach a peak value. For lead-acid batteries, the full charge voltage is usually around 12.6-12.8V, while for lithium battery cells it is around 4.2V. When the voltage reaches the preset threshold, the controller controls the second self-locking mechanism to close, cancels the limit on the push rod 17, and under the action of the second energy storage spring 19, the push rod 17 extends from the sliding groove 16, and pushes and squeezes the outer wall of the battery, thereby separating the insulating shell 1 from the interface, and thus separating the conductive connector 2 from the interface. On the one hand, it ensures that the power is fully cut off to avoid safety hazards. On the other hand, the user no longer needs to manually unplug the power supply, which facilitates the quick removal of the battery from the battery compartment.

[0024] It should be noted that the controller and voltage sensor are both installed in the power compartment.

[0025] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the second self-locking mechanism includes: A second rack 20 is fixedly connected to the end of the push rod 17. A second gear 21 is engaged with the side of the second rack 20. The second gear 21 is rotatably connected to the sliding groove 16. A second ratchet 22 , the second ratchet 22 is coaxially fixed to the second gear 21 ; A second pawl 23 is engaged with the surface of the second ratchet wheel 22 and is rotatably connected to the sliding groove 16. A second torsion spring 24 is fixedly connected between the second pawl 23 and the side wall of the sliding groove 16. A second flip driving assembly, which is used to drive the second pawl 23 to flip, so as to cancel the restriction on the second ratchet 22; The second flip drive assembly includes a second magnet block 25, which is fixedly connected to the side wall of the second pawl 23. A second electromagnet 26 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the sliding groove 16 at a position corresponding to the second magnet block 25; Specifically, by providing the second ratchet 22 and the second pawl 23, when the insulating housing 1 is inserted into the battery interface, the push rod 17 contacts and squeezes the outer wall of the battery, causing the push rod 17 to retract into the sliding groove 16, and the second energy storage spring 19 is compressed to store energy; When the push rod 17 is retracted into the sliding groove 16, the second rack 20 engages with the second gear 21, causing the second gear 21 to rotate, and the second ratchet 22 to rotate. The second ratchet 22 is limited by the second pawl 23, thereby limiting the push rod 17 and ensuring a stable connection between the insulating housing 1 and the interface. When the voltage sensor detects that the voltage in the battery reaches a specified value, the controller connects the circuit of the second electromagnet 26, causing the second electromagnet 26 to generate a magnetic force different from that of the second magnet block 25. Under the attraction of the second magnet block 25, the second ratchet 22 is flipped, and the limit on the second ratchet 22 is cancelled, thereby canceling the limit on the second gear 21. Under the action of the second energy storage spring 19, the push rod 17 is quickly extended from the sliding groove 16, and the outer wall of the battery is pushed by compression, thereby separating the insulating housing 1 from the interface; After the insulating housing 1 is separated from the interface, the controller disconnects the circuit of the second electromagnet 26 , and under the action of the second torsion spring 24 , the second pawl 23 is reset and re-engaged with the second ratchet 22 .

[0026] As a further implementation scheme of the present invention, several elastic clips 5 are symmetrically fixedly connected to the inner wall of the insulating slot 4. By providing the elastic clips 5, when the insulating shell 1 is inserted into the battery interface, the side walls of the elastic clips 5 contact the outer wall of the interface and deform, thereby improving the stability of the connection between the insulating shell 1 and the interface.

[0027] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the end of the push rod 17 is fixedly connected to an elastic pad 18; The elastic pad 18 is preferably a silicone pad to reduce the damage to the outer wall of the battery caused by the squeeze between the push rod 17 and the outer wall of the battery.

[0028] Working principle of the present invention: Connect the conductive connector 2 to the battery interface, and insert the outer contour of the battery interface into the insulating slot 4. Then place the battery in the battery compartment of the battery swap cabinet, close the compartment door, and charge the battery through the conductive connector 2. During the charging process, the temperature of the battery interface is detected in real time by the temperature sensor 6. When the temperature of the interface exceeds a specified threshold, the controller closes the first self-locking mechanism, thereby canceling the limit of the conductive connector 2. Under the elastic action of the first energy storage spring 3, the conductive connector 2 moves away from the battery interface, thereby separating the conductive connector 2 from the battery interface (the insulating shell 1 does not separate from the interface), ensuring that the battery is fully powered off to avoid potential safety hazards; After the conductive connector 2 is separated from the battery interface, the temperature sensor 6 continues to detect the temperature at the interface. When the temperature at the interface is lower than a specified threshold, the controller starts the drive motor 7, causing the output shaft of the drive motor 7 to rotate, causing the first gear 87 to rotate, thereby driving the first rack 9 to move. Under the connecting action of the yield spring 10, the conductive connector 2 moves and reconnects to the battery interface, resuming battery charging. During the movement of the conductive connector 2, the first energy storage spring 3 is compressed to store energy in preparation for the next separation of the conductive connector 2 from the interface. After the conductive connector 2 is connected to the interface, the first rack 9 continues to move, so that the yield spring 10 is compressed, thereby ensuring that the conductive connector 2 is connected to the interface normally.

[0029] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention are shown and described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions only describe the principles of the present invention. Various changes and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such changes and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A power connector for a power exchange cabinet, characterized in that: include: An insulating shell (1), a conductive connector (2) being slidably connected inside the insulating shell (1), and a first energy storage spring (3) being fixedly connected between the conductive connector (2) and the connecting shell; An insulating slot (4) adapted to the outer contour of the battery interface is provided at the end of the insulating housing (1) and the end of the conductive joint (2); a temperature sensor (6) is provided in the insulating slot (4) for detecting the temperature at the conductive joint (2); a first self-locking mechanism, the first self-locking mechanism being used to limit the position of the conductive connector (2) within the insulating housing (1); A controller is provided, wherein the controller is based on a temperature parameter detected by a temperature sensor (6). When the temperature parameter exceeds a threshold value, the controller controls the first self-locking mechanism to close, cancels the position limit of the conductive connector (2), and drives the conductive connector (2) to move under the elastic action of the first energy storage spring (3), so that the conductive connector (2) is separated from the battery interface.

2. A power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A driving motor (7), wherein the driving motor (7) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the top end of the insulating housing (1), the bottom end of the output shaft of the driving motor (7) is fixedly connected to a first gear (8) (7), a first rack (9) is meshed with a side of the first gear (8) (7), the first rack (9) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the insulating conductive joint (2), and a yield spring (10) is fixedly connected between the first rack (9) and the insulating conductive joint (2); The controller is based on a temperature parameter detected by a temperature sensor (6). When the temperature parameter is less than a threshold value, the controller controls the drive motor (7) to start, so that the conductive connector (2) is reconnected to the battery interface.

3. A power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first self-locking mechanism comprises: A first ratchet (11), the first ratchet (11) being coaxially fixed to the first gear (8) (7); a first pawl (12), the first pawl (12) being clamped on a side surface of the first ratchet (11), the first pawl (12) being rotatably connected to an inner wall of a top end of the insulating housing (1), and a first torsion spring (13) being fixedly connected between the first pawl (12) and the insulating housing (1); A first flip drive assembly is used to drive the first pawl (12) to flip, so as to cancel the limitation on the first ratchet (11).

4. A power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Four sliding grooves (16), the four sliding grooves (16) are respectively opened at four corner positions of the end of the insulating shell (1), a push rod (17) is slidably connected in the sliding groove (16), and a second energy storage spring (19) is fixedly connected between the push rod (17) and the sliding groove (16); a second self-locking mechanism, the second self-locking mechanism being used to limit the push rod (17); A voltage sensor, used to detect battery voltage; The controller controls the second self-locking mechanism to close based on the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor, and cancels the limit on the push rod (17) when the voltage value reaches a specified value.

5. A power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second self-locking mechanism includes: a second rack (20), the second rack (20) being fixedly connected to the end of the push rod (17), a second gear (21) being meshed on the side of the second rack (20), and the second gear (21) being rotatably connected in the sliding groove (16); a second ratchet (22), the second ratchet (22) being coaxially fixed to the second gear (21); a second pawl (23), the second pawl (23) being clamped on the surface of the second ratchet (22), the second pawl (23) being rotatably connected in the sliding groove (16), and a second torsion spring (24) being fixedly connected between the second pawl (23) and the side wall of the sliding groove (16); A second flip drive assembly is used to drive the second pawl (23) to flip, so as to cancel the limitation on the second ratchet (22).

6. A power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first flip drive assembly includes a first magnet block (14), the first magnet block (14) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the first pawl (12), and a first electromagnet (15) is fixedly connected to the position of the top inner wall of the insulating shell (1) corresponding to the first magnet block (14).

7. The power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second flip driving assembly includes a second magnet block (25), the second magnet block (25) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the second pawl (23), and a second electromagnet (26) is fixedly connected to the position of the inner wall of the sliding groove (16) corresponding to the second magnet block (25).

8. The power connector for a power exchange cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several elastic clips (5) are symmetrically and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the insulating slot (4).

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