Anti-overheating connector

Abstract

An anti-overheating connector provided by the present invention comprises a plug and a socket which are mutually plugged and matched, the socket is slidably sleeved with a connecting cylinder along a direction close to or away from the plug, the connecting cylinder is fixedly connected with a piston, one end of the piston close to the plug is connected with a storage cavity, and the storage cavity is filled with fluid. One end of the piston away from the plug is connected with a first driving elastic piece; the storage cavity is connected with a thermosensitive valve which is in heat conduction connection with the socket; when the temperature of the socket is smaller than a preset threshold value, the thermosensitive valve is closed, the storage cavity is in a closed state, and the first driving elastic piece cannot push the piston to move towards the plug; when the temperature of the socket is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value, the thermosensitive valve is opened, the storage cavity is in an open state, and the first driving elastic piece can push the piston to move towards the plug. When overheating occurs, a temperature sensor and a controller do not need to participate, physical forced separation of a circuit can be automatically achieved, and a heating source is cut off from the source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical connector technology, specifically to an overheat-resistant connector. Background Technology

[0002] Electrical connectors (plugs and sockets) are widely used in various industrial equipment, household appliances, and new energy vehicles to enable circuit connection and disconnection. Over long-term use, factors such as wear and tear from insertion and removal leading to loosening of the contacts, oxidation and corrosion of the contact surfaces, or prolonged overload operation can gradually increase the contact resistance between the plug and socket.

[0003] According to Joule's law, an increase in contact resistance leads to a significant increase in heat generation at the contact points. If the heat cannot be dissipated in time, the connector temperature will continue to rise.

[0004] However, existing protection solutions for such overheating faults typically only interrupt the current by blowing a fuse or thermistor, lacking an active separation mechanism to physically remove the plug from the socket. This results in the hot plug remaining inside the socket after the power is cut off, and the accumulated residual heat may still ignite the softened and deformed insulation shell. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an overheat-resistant connector to solve the technical problems of easy failure of electronic protection components and difficulty in separating plugs and sockets due to adhesion at high temperatures in the prior art.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0007] An overheat-resistant connector includes a plug and a socket that are mutually plugged in. A connecting cylinder is slidably sleeved on the socket in a direction close to or away from the plug. A piston is fixedly connected to the connecting cylinder. A storage cavity is connected to the end of the piston close to the plug. The storage cavity is filled with fluid. A first driving elastic element is connected to the end of the piston away from the plug. The storage cavity is connected to a thermal valve, and the thermal valve is thermally connected to the socket. When the temperature of the socket is lower than the preset threshold, the thermal valve closes, the storage cavity is in a closed state, and the first driving elastic element cannot push the piston to move towards the plug. When the temperature of the socket is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, the thermal valve opens, the storage cavity is in an open state, and the first driving elastic element can push the piston to move towards the plug.

[0008] Preferably, the socket is surrounded by a plurality of impact rods, which are slidably connected to the connecting cylinder in a direction close to or away from the plug, and can extend from the end of the connecting cylinder close to the plug. A second driving elastic element is connected between the impact rod and the connecting cylinder, and the second driving elastic element has a tendency to push the impact rod towards the plug. A rotating ring is rotatably connected to the piston, and a wedge is provided on the rotating ring. An actuating part is provided on the impact rod that slides with the wedge. During the rotation of the rotating ring, the wedge can drive the impact rod to move away from the plug through the actuating part.

[0009] Preferably, the fluid filling the storage cavity is a liquefied inert gas; The piston has a rotating cavity, and the rotating ring is eccentrically located in the rotating cavity. Multiple blades are wound around the rotating ring. The blades are slidably connected to the rotating ring along the radial direction of the rotating ring, and the end of the blade away from the rotating ring is slidably and sealed to the side wall of the rotating cavity. A power chamber is formed between the rotating ring and the side wall of the rotating cavity. The piston has an intake passage connecting the storage chamber and the power chamber, and an exhaust passage connecting the power chamber and the outside. The thermal valve is located in the intake passage.

[0010] Preferably, the side wall of the rotating ring is provided with a groove extending radially therein, the blade is slidably disposed in the groove, and a first reset elastic element is connected between the end of the blade near the center of the rotating ring and the groove.

[0011] Preferably, the plug is provided with a conductive insert, the socket is provided with a socket hole, the socket is provided with a conductive clip that is interference-fitted with the conductive insert, and the socket is provided with a venting channel that connects the exhaust channel and the socket hole.

[0012] Preferably, the thermal valve includes a valve seat, a valve passage disposed on the valve seat, a valve core slidably connected to the valve seat and capable of blocking or opening the valve passage, a second reset elastic member connecting one end of the valve core to the valve seat, and a thermal expansion member connecting the other end of the valve core to the valve seat. The second reset elastic member has a tendency to push the valve core to move in the direction of blocking the valve passage, and the thermal expansion member can push the valve core to move in the direction of opening the valve passage after being heated and expanded.

[0013] Preferably, a base is fixedly sleeved on the outside of the socket, the piston is slidably connected to the base in a sealed manner, an annular limiting shoulder is formed at one end of the base near the plug, the limiting shoulder is slidably connected to the connecting cylinder in a sealed manner, and the storage cavity is located between the limiting shoulder and the piston.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention utilizes the incompressible properties of the fluid within the storage cavity (in a closed state). Compared to traditional purely mechanical latches or pin locks, fluid locking can more evenly bear the preload pressure of the first driving elastic element, avoiding the risk of fatigue fracture or wear slippage of mechanical locking components due to long-term stress.

[0015] The triggering mechanism of this invention is as follows: the increased temperature of the socket is directly conducted to the thermal valve, causing the thermal valve to open and release fluid, thereby releasing the lock on the first driving elastic element. The entire process requires no external power supply and no temperature sensor or controller is needed. This avoids the failure problems caused by aging, circuit faults, or power interruptions of electronic protection components (such as thermistors and fuses).

[0016] Once the temperature reaches the threshold, the storage chamber changes from closed to open, and the fluid leakage causes a pressure imbalance. The first driving elastic element releases its accumulated potential energy, pushing the connecting cylinder to move axially and push the plug, thus separating the plug from the socket. This structure achieves a physical forced separation of the circuit, cutting off the heat source at its root and preventing further spread of high temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the plug and socket in the plugging and socketing state according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view along axis AA; Figure 3 for Figure 2 BB-direction sectional view; Figure 4 for Figure 2 CC-direction sectional view; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal valve when it is open in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural cross-sectional view of the connecting cylinder in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the plug and socket are separated in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Plug; 11. Conductive insert; 20. Socket; 21. Socket hole; 22. Conductive clip; 23. Base; 24. Limiting shoulder; 25. Air guide channel; 30. Connecting cylinder; 31. Piston; 32. Rotating chamber; 33. Inlet channel; 34. Exhaust channel; 40. Storage chamber; 50. First driving elastic element; 60. Thermal valve; 61. Valve seat; 62. Valve passage; 63. Valve core; 64. Second reset elastic element; 65. Thermal expansion element; 70. Rotating ring; 71. Blade; 72. Slide groove; 73. First reset elastic element; 74. Power chamber; 75. Inclined block; 80. Impact rod; 81. Actuator; 82. Second driving elastic element. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate this embodiment, some parts in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product.

[0021] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the accompanying drawings. The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] As attached Figure 1-8 The overheat-resistant connector shown includes a plug 10 and a socket 20 that are plugged into each other. A connecting sleeve 30 is slidably sleeved on the socket 20 along the direction of approaching or away from the plug 10. A piston 31 is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve 30. A storage cavity 40 is connected to the end of the piston 31 that is close to the plug 10. The storage cavity 40 is filled with fluid. A first driving elastic element 50 is connected to the end of the piston 31 that is away from the plug 10. The storage cavity 40 is connected to a thermal valve 60, and the thermal valve 60 is thermally connected to the socket 20. When the temperature of socket 20 is less than the preset threshold, the thermal valve 60 closes, the storage chamber 40 is in a closed state, and the first driving elastic element 50 cannot push the piston 31 to move towards the plug 10. When the temperature of the socket 20 is equal to or greater than the preset threshold, the thermal valve 60 opens, the storage chamber 40 is in an open state, and the first driving elastic element 50 can push the piston 31 to move towards the plug 10.

[0023] Understandably, when the storage cavity 40 is in a closed state, the fluid inside cannot be further compressed, so the first driving elastic member 50 cannot push the piston 31 to move toward the plug 10; while when the storage cavity 40 is in an open state, the fluid inside can be squeezed out of the storage cavity 40, so the first driving elastic member 50 can push the piston 31 to move toward the plug 10.

[0024] Multiple impact rods 80 are arranged around the outside of the socket 20. The impact rods 80 are slidably connected to the connecting cylinder 30 in the direction of approaching or away from the plug 10, and can extend from the end of the connecting cylinder 30 near the plug 10. A second driving elastic member 82 is connected between the impact rods 80 and the connecting cylinder 30. The second driving elastic member 82 has a tendency to push the impact rods 80 to move in the direction of approaching the plug 10. A rotating ring 70 is rotatably connected to the piston 31. The rotating ring 70 is provided with a wedge block 75. The impact rod 80 is provided with an actuating part 81 that slides with the wedge block 75. During the rotation of the rotating ring 70, the wedge block 75 can drive the impact rod 80 to move away from the plug 10 through the actuating part 81.

[0025] Specifically, in its natural state, the second driving elastic element 82 always applies a forward thrust to the impact rod 80. When the rotating ring 70 begins to rotate, the wedge block 75 on the rotating ring 70 rotates to the position of the actuation part 81 of the impact rod 80. Because the wedge block 75 has an inclination, it presses against the actuation part 81 during rotation, causing the impact rod 80 to move away from the plug 10. During this process, the impact rod 80 overcomes the elastic force of the second driving elastic element 82, and the second driving elastic element 82 is compressed, accumulating potential energy.

[0026] As the rotating ring 70 continues to rotate, after the inclined block 75 passes the actuating part 81, the impact rod 80 instantly loses its backward pulling force. At this time, the compressed second driving elastic element 82 releases energy to push the impact rod 80 towards the plug 10, impacting the plug 10.

[0027] Understandably, the circumferential distribution of the wedge 75 on the rotating ring 70 and the multiple impact rods 80 is configured to have a predetermined trigger phase difference. When the rotating ring 70 rotates at high speed, the wedge 75 does not drive all the impact rods 80 simultaneously, but intermittently drives the impact rods 80 in different positions. At a certain moment, only the impact rod 80 located on one side of the plug 10 (as above) is released and impacts the plug 10. The line of action of this impact force deviates from the geometric center of the plug 10, thereby generating an off-center thrust on the plug 10, causing the plug 10 to tilt. As the rotating ring 70 rotates, the direction of this off-center thrust changes rapidly along the circumference, causing the plug 10 to oscillate at a high frequency while being pushed outward. This off-center oscillation can effectively reduce the high-temperature static friction adhesion between the contact surfaces of the plug 10 and the socket 20, significantly reducing the separation resistance.

[0028] The fluid filling the storage cavity 40 is a liquefied inert gas; when heated and vaporized, it can form an inert atmosphere in the socket 20.

[0029] A rotating cavity 32 is provided inside the piston 31. The rotating ring 70 is eccentrically disposed inside the rotating cavity 32. Multiple blades 71 are wound around the rotating ring 70. The blades 71 are slidably connected to the rotating ring 70 along the radial direction of the rotating ring 70, and the end of the blade 71 away from the rotating ring 70 is slidably connected to the side wall of the rotating cavity 32 in a sealed manner. A power chamber 74 is formed between the rotating ring 70 and the side wall of the rotating cavity 32. The piston 31 has an intake passage 33 connecting the storage chamber 40 and the power chamber 74, and an exhaust passage 34 connecting the power chamber 74 and the outside. The thermal valve 60 is located in the intake passage 33.

[0030] Specifically, when the temperature of the socket 20 rises to the threshold, the thermal valve 60 located in the intake channel 33 opens due to heat. At this time, the high-pressure fluid in the storage chamber 40 rushes into the intake channel 33. After entering the power chamber 74, the high-pressure fluid undergoes phase change expansion due to the sudden pressure drop. At this time, the pressure on the side of the blade 71 facing the power chamber 74 is greater than that on the side facing away from the power chamber 74, thereby forcing the blade 71 to drive the rotating ring 70 to rotate.

[0031] As the rotating ring 70 continues to rotate, the fluid that has done work is discharged to the outside of the piston 31 through the exhaust passage 34.

[0032] The side wall of the rotating ring 70 is provided with a groove 72 extending radially therein, and the blade 71 is slidably disposed in the groove 72. A first reset elastic element 73 is connected between the end of the blade 71 near the center of the rotating ring 70 and the groove 72.

[0033] Specifically, the blade 71 maintains a sealed contact with the inner wall of the rotating cavity 32.

[0034] The plug 10 is provided with a conductive insert 11, the socket 20 is provided with a socket 21, the socket 21 is provided with a conductive clip 22 that is interference-fitted with the conductive insert 11, and the socket 20 is provided with a venting channel 25 that connects the exhaust channel 34 and the socket 21.

[0035] Specifically, the low-temperature gaseous medium, after completing its work, flows into the exhaust channel 34 as a coolant and then flows along the air guide channel 25 into the insertion hole 21. The low-temperature airflow is ejected from the outlet of the air guide channel 25 and directly sprayed onto the conductive clip 22 and conductive insert 11, which are currently overheating.

[0036] High-speed, low-temperature airflow continuously washes over the high-temperature metal surface, rapidly removing the Joule heat accumulated on the conductive clip 22 through convection heat transfer, preventing the metal from annealing or the surrounding plastic shell from melting further.

[0037] At the moment when the plug 10 is pushed outward by the impact rod 80 and the connecting cylinder 30, the separation of the conductive insert 11 and the conductive clip 22 often generates an electric arc. At this time, the high-speed jet of air can laterally cut off the arc channel, blow away and extinguish the arc, and, combined with the inertness of the medium itself, effectively prevent the electrical fire hazard during separation under load.

[0038] The thermal valve 60 includes a valve seat 61, a valve passage 62 disposed on the valve seat 61, a valve core 63 slidably connected to the valve seat 61 and capable of blocking or opening the valve passage 62, a second reset elastic member 64 connecting one end of the valve core 63 to the valve seat 61, and a thermal expansion member 65 connecting the other end of the valve core 63 to the valve seat 61. The second reset elastic member 64 has a tendency to push the valve core 63 in the direction of blocking the valve passage 62, and the thermal expansion member 65 can push the valve core 63 in the direction of opening the valve passage 62 after being heated and expanding.

[0039] A base 23 is fixedly sleeved on the outside of the socket 20. The piston 31 is slidably connected to the base 23. An annular limiting shoulder 24 is formed at one end of the base 23 near the plug 10. The limiting shoulder 24 is slidably connected to the connecting cylinder 30. The storage cavity 40 is located between the limiting shoulder 24 and the piston 31.

[0040] The specific working process of this embodiment is as follows: When in normal use, the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, and the conductive tab 11 and the conductive clip 22 are interference-fitted, thus completing the circuit. At this time, the temperature of the socket 20 is below a preset threshold.

[0041] At this time, the thermal valve 60 located in the intake passage 33 of piston 31 is closed, making the storage cavity 40 a closed volume. Since the fluid filling the storage cavity 40 is incompressible, piston 31 cannot move in the direction of reducing the volume of storage cavity 40, and the first drive elastic element 50 remains in a compressed state.

[0042] When the plug 10 and socket 20 experience an abnormal temperature rise due to malfunction and reach a preset threshold, heat is transferred to the thermal valve 60. The thermal expansion element 65 inside the thermal valve 60 expands due to heat, overcoming the elastic force of the second reset elastic element 64 and pushing the valve core 63 to move, opening the air intake passage 33.

[0043] The storage chamber 40 changes from closed to open. Under the pressure inside the storage chamber 40 and the action of the first driving elastic element 50, the high-pressure fluid rushes into the rotating chamber 32 inside the piston 31. Due to the sudden drop in pressure, the liquid fluid undergoes a phase change and expands, its volume increases sharply, forming a high-speed, high-pressure airflow that directly impacts the blades 71 on the rotating ring 70.

[0044] Under the action of the first reset elastic element 73, the blade 71 always remains in close contact with the cavity wall, ensuring an initial seal. The airflow pushes the blade 71, driving the rotating ring 70 to rotate at high speed within the rotating cavity 32, converting the internal energy of the fluid into mechanical rotational kinetic energy.

[0045] As the rotating ring 70 rotates at high speed, the inclined block 75 on it periodically sweeps across the actuator 81 on the impact rod 80. The inclined block 75 pushes the actuator 81, causing the impact rod 80 to overcome the resistance of the second driving elastic member 82 and move backward (away from the plug 10). When the inclined block 75 passes the actuator 81, the impact rod 80 is instantly released from its restraint, the second driving elastic member 82 releases energy, and drives the impact rod 80 to spring forward and violently impact the outer wall of the plug 10.

[0046] Due to the phase difference design of the multiple impact rods 80 and the wedge block 75 on the circumference, the impact rods 80 do not impact simultaneously, but alternately and in turn apply off-center thrust to different positions of the plug 10. This high-frequency, unbalanced impact torque forces the plug 10 to produce a slight oscillation relative to the central axis of the socket 20.

[0047] The oscillation process effectively shears and breaks the high-temperature adhesive layer formed between the plug 10 and the socket 20 due to overheating, making the plug 10 loose and easier to pull out.

[0048] As fluid continuously flows out of the storage chamber 40 and performs work, the volume of the storage chamber 40 gradually decreases, releasing the hydraulic lock on the piston 31. At this time, the first driving elastic element 50 releases its accumulated elastic potential energy, pushing the connecting cylinder 30 as a whole towards the plug 10. The large-area pushing surface of the connecting cylinder 30 acts on the already loosened plug 10, pushing the plug 10 out of the socket 20, thus physically disconnecting the power.

[0049] During the rotation of the rotating ring 70, the cryogenic fluid after performing work enters the air guide channel 25 through the exhaust channel 34 and is ejected from the depth of the insertion hole 21. This cryogenic airflow is directly injected to the separation point between the conductive clip 22 and the conductive insert 11, using the airflow impact to extinguish the electric arc, and using the heat absorption effect of the medium vaporization to quickly reduce the temperature of the metal contact, preventing the high temperature from continuing or causing combustion.

[0050] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An overheat-resistant connector, comprising a plug and a socket that are mutually mated, characterized in that, A connecting cylinder is slidably sleeved on the socket along the direction close to or away from the plug. A piston is fixedly connected to the connecting cylinder. A storage cavity is connected to the end of the piston close to the plug. The storage cavity is filled with fluid. A first driving elastic element is connected to the end of the piston away from the plug. The storage cavity is connected to a thermal valve, and the thermal valve is thermally connected to the socket. When the temperature of the socket is lower than the preset threshold, the thermal valve closes, the storage cavity is in a closed state, and the first driving elastic element cannot push the piston to move towards the plug. When the temperature of the socket is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, the thermal valve opens, the storage cavity is in an open state, and the first driving elastic element can push the piston to move towards the plug.

2. The overheat-resistant connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple impact rods are arranged around the outside of the socket. The impact rods are slidably connected to the connecting cylinder in the direction of approaching or moving away from the plug, and can extend from the end of the connecting cylinder near the plug. A second driving elastic element is connected between the impact rod and the connecting cylinder. The second driving elastic element has a tendency to push the impact rod towards the direction of approaching the plug. A rotating ring is rotatably connected to the piston, and a wedge is provided on the rotating ring. An actuating part is provided on the impact rod that slides with the wedge. During the rotation of the rotating ring, the wedge can drive the impact rod to move away from the plug through the actuating part.

3. The overheat-resistant connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fluid filling the storage cavity is liquefied inert gas; The piston has a rotating cavity, and the rotating ring is eccentrically located in the rotating cavity. Multiple blades are wound around the rotating ring. The blades are slidably connected to the rotating ring along the radial direction of the rotating ring, and the end of the blade away from the rotating ring is slidably and sealed to the side wall of the rotating cavity. A power chamber is formed between the rotating ring and the side wall of the rotating cavity. The piston has an intake passage connecting the storage chamber and the power chamber, and an exhaust passage connecting the power chamber and the outside. The thermal valve is located in the intake passage.

4. The overheat-resistant connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating ring has a radially extending groove on its side wall, and the blade is slidably disposed in the groove. A first reset elastic element is connected between the end of the blade near the center of the rotating ring and the groove.

5. The overheat-resistant connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plug is provided with a conductive insert, the socket is provided with a socket hole, the socket is provided with a conductive clip that is interference-fitted with the conductive insert, and the socket is provided with a venting channel that connects the exhaust channel and the socket hole.

6. The overheat-resistant connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal valve includes a valve seat, a valve passage disposed on the valve seat, a valve core slidably connected to the valve seat and capable of blocking or opening the valve passage, a second reset elastic member connecting one end of the valve core to the valve seat, and a thermal expansion member connecting the other end of the valve core to the valve seat. The second reset elastic member has a tendency to push the valve core to move in the direction of blocking the valve passage, and the thermal expansion member can push the valve core to move in the direction of opening the valve passage after being heated and expanded.

7. The overheat-resistant connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The socket is fixedly fitted with a base, the piston is slidably connected to the base, and an annular limiting shoulder is formed at one end of the base near the plug. The limiting shoulder is slidably connected to the connecting cylinder, and the storage cavity is located between the limiting shoulder and the piston.

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