Power connector with power-assisted unlocking mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides a power connector with a power-assisted unlocking mechanism, and relates to the technical field of power connectors. When a wire end connector and a seat end connector are connected in an inserted manner, a wire end connecting lock catch and a seat end connecting lock catch can be automatically clamped and locked, so that the wire end connector and the seat end connector are locked and limited; the locking process is convenient and labor-saving, and plugging and locking of the power supply connector in a narrow space of a vehicle are facilitated. When the wire end connector needs to be pulled out, the wrench is upwards pushed and rotated through fingers, the wrench can upwards push and lift the clamping end of the wire end connecting lock catch during rotation so as to release locking between the wire end connecting lock catch and the seat end connecting lock catch, then the wrench is pulled through the fingers, pulling force can be provided for the wire end connector through the wrench, and the wire end connector can be pulled out through the seat end connecting lock catch. The wire end connector is separated from the seat end connector, so that unlocking of the power connector and pulling out of the wire end connector are more convenient and labor-saving, and unlocking and pulling out of the power connector in a narrow space of a vehicle are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power connector technology, and more particularly to a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Power connectors are key components used in electric two-wheeled vehicles to connect the battery to the vehicle. They facilitate quick plugging and unplugging, making installation convenient and effortless, and provide reliable electrical connections and safety features. During aggressive driving, severe bumps and other disturbances can cause the connector wires to detach from the socket, posing a risk of power loss. Currently, most electrical connectors use locking mechanisms to secure the wires and sockets together.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent application CN120955406A discloses an electric motorcycle power connector with an assist wrench, including a wire end connector, a board end connector, and an assist wrench. A fulcrum connecting post is fixedly installed on the wire end connector, and the assist wrench is rotatably connected to the fulcrum connecting post through a connecting hole. A slide rail is provided on the front side of the assist wrench, and a sliding limiting post that can slide and engage with the slide rail is fixedly installed on the board end connector. A notch is opened at the end of the assist wrench, and a fixing protrusion that can engage with the notch is fixedly installed on the wire end connector. The assist wrench can limit and lock the wire end connector and the board end connector, and can also assist in pulling out the wire end connector.

[0004] However, the power-assisted wrench in the aforementioned patent requires a large operating space and force. When the vehicle space is limited and there is not enough room for the hand to exert force, it will not only be difficult to unlock the locking structure, but also difficult to pull out the cable end. Therefore, this application designs a power connector for a latch-assisted unlocking mechanism to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to disclose a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism to overcome the technical problem that existing power connectors are not easy to unlock or pull out in the confined space of a vehicle.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention discloses a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism, comprising a wire end connector and a socket end connector that can be plugged into each other. A wire end connector latch is rotatably mounted on the wire end connector via a torsion connector. A wrench is also rotatably mounted on the wire end connector. A socket end connector latch is mounted on the socket end connector. A locking portion is provided between the wire end connector latch and the socket end connector latch that can engage with each other. When the wire end connector and the socket end connector are plugged in, the wire end connector latch can rotate upward under the push of the socket end connector latch. The torsion connector can drive the raised wire end connector latch to rotate downward and reset, so that the wire end connector latch and the socket end connector latch are locked together by the locking portion. The wrench can push the locked end of the wire end connector latch and the socket end connector latch upward during rotation to release the lock between the wire end connector latch and the socket end connector latch.

[0007] In some embodiments, a power male terminal and a signal male terminal are fixedly installed inside the wire connector, and a power female terminal and a signal female terminal corresponding to the power male terminal and the signal male terminal are fixedly installed inside the socket connector.

[0008] In some embodiments, the wire end connection latch includes a locking block, the lower end of the locking block is provided with a protruding end, and the protruding end is provided with a pin hole, in which a connecting pin is inserted, and one end of the locking block is provided with a locking groove that can engage with the seat end connection latch.

[0009] In some embodiments, the back of the wire connector is provided with a connecting groove corresponding to the bottom protrusion of the locking block, and both ends of the connecting groove are provided with connecting through holes, and both ends of the connecting pin are respectively movably inserted into the two connecting through holes.

[0010] In some embodiments, the torsion connector includes a torsion spring fitted onto a connecting pin, with one end of the torsion spring fixedly connected to a locking block and the other end of the torsion spring fixedly connected to a wire connector.

[0011] In some embodiments, the seat end connection latch includes a protrusion disposed at the insertion end of the seat end connector, and a locking block is provided on the top surface of the front end of the protrusion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the front end of the locking block is provided with a guide ramp.

[0013] In some embodiments, limit rods are fixedly installed on both sides of the locking block.

[0014] In some embodiments, the upper sides of both ends of the wrench are provided with a pushing arc surface.

[0015] In some embodiments, mounting shafts are fixedly installed on the inner sides of both ends of the wrench, and mounting holes are provided on both sides of the wire connector, with the two mounting shafts respectively movably inserted into the corresponding mounting holes.

[0016] A method for inserting and removing a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism, comprising the following steps:

[0017] When inserting the wire connector into the socket connector, align the insertion ends of the wire connector and the socket connector, and then press the wire connector against the socket connector to gradually engage them. At the same time, the wire connector drives the wire connector latch to gradually move closer to the socket connector latch. At this time, the front end of the wire connector latch rotates upward under the push of the socket connector latch until the wire connector latch moves to the locking position and is no longer pushed by the socket connector latch. The wire connector latch then rotates downward to reset under the drive of the torsion connector, so that the wire connector latch and the socket connector latch are locked by the latch part.

[0018] When it is necessary to remove the wire connector, push the wrench upwards and rotate it with your fingers. As the wrench rotates, it will push the front end of the wire connector latch upwards, thereby separating and unlocking the wire connector latch from the socket connector latch. This will release the lock between the wire connector and the socket connector. Then, pull the wrench with your fingers to pull the wire connector outwards, separating it from the socket connector.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] 1. In this invention, when the wire end connector and the socket connector are plugged in, the wire end connector latch and the socket connector latch can automatically engage and lock to lock and limit the wire end connector and the socket connector, improve the stability of the installation and connection of the wire end connector and the socket connector, prevent the wire end connector and the socket connector from loosening and disconnecting the power, and the locking process is convenient and labor-saving, which facilitates the plugging and locking of the power connector in the narrow space of the vehicle.

[0021] 2. In this invention, when it is necessary to pull out the wire connector, the wrench is pushed upward and rotated by the fingers. When the wrench is rotated, the locking end of the wire connector latch is pushed upward and lifted to release the lock between the wire connector latch and the socket connector latch. Then, the wrench is pulled by the fingers to provide a pulling force to the wire connector, and the wire connector is moved and separated from the socket connector by the pulling force. This makes it easier and less strenuous to unlock the power connector and pull out the wire connector, and facilitates the unlocking and pulling out of the power connector in the narrow space of the vehicle.

[0022] 3. In this invention, the wrench body has a U-shaped structure, which makes it easy to pull the wrench with your fingers and then pull the wire connector outward. This makes the process of pulling out the wire connector more convenient and effortless. Furthermore, when the wire connector and the socket connector are connected, the outer end of the wrench can be placed against the vehicle body structure near the power connector, thereby locking and limiting the wire connector with the wrench. This further improves the stability of the installation and connection of the wire connector and the socket connector and prevents the wire connector and the socket connector from becoming loose and disconnecting the power. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the power connector of the present invention when connected;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the power connector of the present invention when it is pulled out;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the wire-end connector of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of the connector at the base of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the power connector of the present invention during connection;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the power connector of the present invention when it is pulled out.

[0029] In the diagram: 1. Wire connector; 11. Connecting groove; 12. Connecting through hole; 13. Mounting hole; 2. Seat connector; 21. Power female terminal; 22. Signal female terminal; 3. Wire connector latch; 31. Locking block; 32. Limiting rod; 33. Locking slot; 34. Pin hole; 35. Torsion spring; 36. Connecting pin; 4. Seat connector latch; 41. Protrusion; 42. Locking block; 43. Guide slope; 5. Wrench; 51. Pushing arc surface; 52. Mounting shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or replacements in function, method, or structure made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] Please see Figures 1-6As shown, this embodiment is a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism, including a wire end connector 1 and a socket connector 2 that can be plugged into each other. A wire end connection latch 3 is rotatably mounted on the wire end connector 1 via a torsion connector. A wrench 5 is also rotatably mounted on the wire end connector 1. A socket connector latch 4 is mounted on the socket connector 2. A latching part that can engage with the wire end connection latch 3 and the socket connector latch 4 is provided between them. When the wire end connection latch 3 is plugged into the socket connector 2, it can rotate upward under the push of the socket connector latch 4. The torsion connector can drive the lifted wire end connection latch 3 to rotate downward and reset, so that the wire end connection latch 3 and the socket connector latch 4 are locked together by the latching part. When rotating, the wrench 5 can push the end of the wire end connection latch 3 that is locked with the socket connector latch 4 upward to release the lock between the wire end connection latch 3 and the socket connector latch 4.

[0033] The wire connector 1 is connected to the internal electrical equipment of the electric vehicle, and the seat connector 2 is fixedly installed inside the electric vehicle and connected to the battery. When the wire connector 1 is inserted into the seat connector 2, the insertion ends of the wire connector 1 and the seat connector 2 are aligned, and then the wire connector 1 is pressed against the seat connector 2 to gradually engage the wire connector 1 and the seat connector 2. At the same time, the wire connector 1 drives the wire connection latch 3 to gradually move closer to the seat connection latch 4. At this time, the front end (locking end) of the wire connection latch 3 is pushed towards the seat connection latch 4. The cable end connector 3 is rotated up until it moves to the locked position and is no longer pushed by the seat end connector 4. Then, the cable end connector 3 is driven by the torsion connector to rotate downward and reset, so that the cable end connector 3 and the seat end connector 4 are locked together by the locking part. This allows the cable end connector 1 and the seat end connector 2 to automatically lock together when they are plugged in, which improves the stability of the connection between the cable end connector 1 and the seat end connector 2, prevents the cable end connector 1 and the seat end connector 2 from loosening and disconnecting the power, and the locking process is convenient and labor-saving, which makes it easy for the power connector to be plugged in and locked in the narrow space of the vehicle.

[0034] When it is necessary to remove the wire connector 1, push and rotate the wrench 5 upwards with your fingers. When the wrench 5 rotates, it will push and lift the front end of the wire connector latch 3 upwards, so that the wire connector latch 3 and the seat connector latch 4 are separated and unlocked, thereby releasing the lock between the wire connector 1 and the seat connector 2. Then, pull the wrench 5 with your fingers to pull the wire connector 1 outwards, so that the wire connector 1 and the seat connector 2 are separated. This makes the unlocking of the power connector and the removal of the wire connector 1 more convenient and effortless, and facilitates the unlocking and removal of the power connector in the narrow space of the vehicle.

[0035] Specifically, the main body of the wrench 5 has a U-shaped structure, which makes it easy to pull the wrench 5 with your fingers and then pull the wire connector 1 outward. This makes the process of pulling out the wire connector 1 more convenient and effortless. When the wire connector 1 and the socket connector 2 are connected, the outer end of the wrench 5 can be pressed against the vehicle body structure near the power connector. This allows the wrench 5 to limit the contact of the wire connector 1, thereby further improving the stability of the installation connection between the wire connector 1 and the socket connector 2 and preventing the wire connector 1 and the socket connector 2 from becoming loose and disconnecting the power.

[0036] Specifically, the wire connector 1 has a power male terminal and a signal male terminal fixedly installed inside, and the socket connector 2 has a power female terminal 21 and a signal female terminal 22 corresponding to the power male terminal and the signal male terminal fixedly installed inside.

[0037] The power male terminal and signal male terminal are embedded in the line connector 1, and are connected to the electric vehicle power line and signal line respectively. The power female terminal 21 and signal female terminal 22 are embedded in the socket connector 2, and are connected to the electric vehicle battery line and signal line respectively. When the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2 are plugged in, the power male terminal and the power female terminal 21 are plugged in to connect, so that the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2 are electrically connected. At the same time, the signal male terminal and the signal female terminal 22 are plugged in to connect, so that the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2 are signal connected.

[0038] Specifically, the wire end connection latch 3 includes a locking block 31, the lower end of which has a protruding end and a pin hole 34, into which a connecting pin 36 is inserted. One end of the locking block 31 has a locking groove 33 that can engage with the seat end connection latch 4. The back of the wire end connector 1 has a connecting groove 11 corresponding to the bottom protruding end of the locking block 31. Both ends of the connecting groove 11 have connecting through holes 12, and both ends of the connecting pin 36 are movably inserted into the two connecting through holes 12. The torsion connector includes a torsion spring 35, which is fitted onto the connecting pin 36. One end of the torsion spring 35 is fixedly connected to the locking block 31, and the other end of the torsion spring 35 is fixedly connected to the wire end connector 1. The seat end connection latch 4 includes a protrusion 41, which is located at the insertion end of the seat end connector 2. The top surface of the front end of the protrusion 41 has a locking block 42. The front end of the locking block 42 has a guide slope 43.

[0039] When assembling the wire end connector 1 and the locking latch 3, the protruding end of the locking block 31 and the torsion spring 35 are placed in the connecting groove 11 of the wire end connector 1. The torsion spring 35 is coaxially arranged with the pin hole 34 and the connecting through hole 12, and one end of the torsion spring 35 is inserted into the insertion hole on the locking block 31, while the other end of the torsion spring 35 is inserted into the insertion hole on the inner wall of the connecting groove 11. Then, the connecting pin 36 is inserted from the connecting through hole 12 on one side of the wire end connector 1, and after passing through the torsion spring 35 and the pin hole 34, it exits from the wire end. The connector 1 passes through the connecting through hole 12 on the other side, thereby completing the assembly of the wire end connection lock 3 and the wire end connector 1. One end of the connecting pin 36 is provided with a limit end, and the other end of the connecting pin 36 can be installed with a limit end plate through an external thread, thereby limiting both ends of the connecting pin 36 to prevent the connecting pin 36 from loosening and ensuring the stability of the connection between the wire end connection lock 3 and the wire end connector 1. The protrusion 41 and locking block 42 in the seat end connection lock 4 are integrally injection molded with the main body of the seat end connector 2.

[0040] During the insertion and connection of the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2, the locking block 42 pushes the locking block 31 through the guide ramp 43 at the front end, causing the locking block 31 to rotate around the connecting pin 36 as a fulcrum under the pushing action. At this time, the front end of the locking block 31 gradually rotates and lifts upward, so that the locking block 31 and the locking block 42 gradually overlap vertically. When the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2 are inserted and connected, the locking block 42 moves to the bottom of the locking slot 33. At this time, the locking block 42 no longer supports the locking block 31. The locking block 31 rotates downward and resets under the torsional elastic force of the torsion spring 35, so that the locking block 42 is engaged in the locking slot 33, thereby locking the locking block 42 and the locking block 31. This achieves automatic locking when the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2 are inserted, making the locking process of the line connector 1 and the socket connector 2 more convenient and labor-saving, and facilitating the insertion and locking of the power connector in the narrow space of the vehicle.

[0041] Specifically, limit rods 32 are fixedly installed on both sides of the locking block 31; push arc surfaces 51 are provided on the upper side of both ends of the wrench 5; mounting shafts 52 are fixedly installed on the inner side of both ends of the wrench 5; mounting holes 13 are provided on both sides of the wire connector 1; and the two mounting shafts 52 are respectively movably inserted into the corresponding mounting holes 13.

[0042] When it is necessary to pull the wire connector 1 outward, the wrench 5 is pulled upward by the fingers, so that the wrench 5 rotates upward with the mounting shaft 52 as the fulcrum, thereby driving the pushing arc surface 51 on the wrench 5 to gradually move upward. Then, the pushing arc surface 51 abuts against the bottom surface of the limiting rod 32 during the upward movement, and gradually pushes the limiting rod 32 upward. At this time, the limiting rod 32 drives the locking block 31 to rotate with the connecting pin 36 as the fulcrum, so that the front end of the locking block 31 gradually lifts upward, thereby gradually separating the locking block 42 from the locking groove 33, thereby releasing the lock between the wire connector 1 and the seat connector 2. Then, the wrench 5 can be pulled outward, and the wire connector 1 can be pulled out of the seat connector 2 through the wrench 5. Thus, the cooperation between the wrench 5 and the wire connection lock 3 makes the unlocking of the power connector and the pulling out of the wire connector 1 more convenient and effortless, making it easier to unlock and pull out the power connector in the narrow space of the vehicle.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] This embodiment discloses a method for inserting and removing a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism. The specific steps are as follows:

[0045] When the wire connector 1 is inserted into the socket connector 2, align the insertion ends of the wire connector 1 and the socket connector 2, and then press the wire connector 1 against the socket connector 2 to gradually insert the wire connector 1 and the socket connector 2. At the same time, the wire connector 1 drives the wire connection latch 3 to gradually move closer to the socket connection latch 4. At this time, the front end of the wire connection latch 3 rotates upward under the push of the socket connection latch 4 until the wire connection latch 3 moves to the locking position and is no longer pushed by the socket connection latch 4. The wire connection latch 3 rotates downward and resets under the drive of the torsion connector, so that the wire connection latch 3 and the socket connection latch 4 are locked by the latch part.

[0046] When it is necessary to pull out the wire connector 1, push the wrench 5 upward and rotate it with your fingers. When the wrench 5 is rotated, it will push the front end of the wire connector latch 3 upward and lift it, so that the wire connector latch 3 and the socket connector latch 4 are separated and unlocked, thereby releasing the lock between the wire connector 1 and the socket connector 2. Then, pull the wrench 5 with your fingers to pull the wire connector 1 outward and separate the wire connector 1 from the socket connector 2.

[0047] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism, comprising a wire end connector (1) and a socket end connector (2) capable of being plugged into each other, characterized in that: The wire end connector (1) is rotatably mounted with a wire end connection latch (3) via a torsion connector. A wrench (5) is also rotatably mounted on the wire end connector (1). A seat end connector (2) is mounted with a seat end connector latch (4). A latching part that can engage with each other is provided between the wire end connector latch (3) and the seat end connector latch (4). When the wire end connector (1) and the seat end connector (2) are plugged in, the wire end connector latch (3) can rotate upward under the push of the seat end connector latch (4). The torsion connector can drive the raised wire end connector latch (3) to rotate downward and reset, so that the wire end connector latch (3) and the seat end connector latch (4) are engaged and locked by the latching part. When rotating, the wrench (5) can push the end of the wire end connector latch (3) and the seat end connector latch (4) engaged and locked upward to release the lock between the wire end connector latch (3) and the seat end connector latch (4).

2. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire connector (1) has a power male terminal and a signal male terminal fixedly installed inside, and the socket connector (2) has a power female terminal (21) and a signal female terminal (22) corresponding to the power male terminal and the signal male terminal fixedly installed inside.

3. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire end connecting latch (3) includes a locking block (31). The lower end of the locking block (31) is provided with a protruding end, and the protruding end is provided with a pin hole (34). A connecting pin (36) is inserted into the pin hole (34). One end of the locking block (31) is provided with a locking slot (33) that can engage with the seat end connecting latch (4).

4. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The back of the wire connector (1) is provided with a connecting groove (11) corresponding to the bottom protrusion of the locking block (31). Both ends of the connecting groove (11) are provided with connecting through holes (12). The two ends of the connecting pin (36) are respectively movably inserted into the two connecting through holes (12).

5. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The torsion connector includes a torsion spring (35), which is fitted onto a connecting pin (36). One end of the torsion spring (35) is fixedly connected to a locking block (31), and the other end of the torsion spring (35) is fixedly connected to a wire connector (1).

6. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The seat end connection latch (4) includes a protrusion (41), which is disposed at the insertion end of the seat end connector (2), and a locking block (42) is provided on the top surface of the front end of the protrusion (41).

7. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The front end of the locking block (42) is provided with a guide slope (43).

8. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: Limiting rods (32) are fixedly installed on both sides of the locking block (31).

9. A power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The upper sides of both ends of the wrench (5) are provided with push-pull arc surfaces (51), and the inner sides of both ends of the wrench (5) are fixedly installed with mounting shafts (52). The two sides of the wire connector (1) are provided with mounting holes (13), and the two mounting shafts (52) are respectively movably inserted into the corresponding mounting holes (13).

10. A method for inserting and removing a power connector with an assisted unlocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The specific steps are as follows: When the wire connector (1) is inserted into the socket connector (2), align the insertion ends of the wire connector (1) and the socket connector (2), and then press the wire connector (1) against the socket connector (2) so that the wire connector (1) and the socket connector (2) gradually insert into each other. At the same time, the wire connector (1) drives the wire connection latch (3) to gradually move closer to the socket connection latch (4). At this time, the front end of the wire connection latch (3) rotates upward under the push of the socket connection latch (4) until the wire connection latch (3) moves to the locking position and is no longer pushed by the socket connection latch (4). The wire connection latch (3) rotates downward and resets under the drive of the torsion connector, so that the wire connection latch (3) and the socket connection latch (4) are locked by the latch part. When it is necessary to pull out the wire connector (1), push the wrench (5) upward and rotate it with your fingers. When the wrench (5) rotates, it can push the front end of the wire connector latch (3) upward and lift it, so that the wire connector latch (3) and the socket connector latch (4) are separated and unlocked, thereby releasing the lock between the wire connector (1) and the socket connector (2). Then, pull the wrench (5) with your fingers to pull the wire connector (1) outward and separate the wire connector (1) from the socket connector (2).

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