Electrical connector, electrical connection socket and electronic device

Abstract

This invention provides an electrical connector, an electrical connector socket, and an electronic device. The electrical connector, used for coupling to the electrical connector socket, includes: a body, electrical connection terminals, and a safety sensor. The body has an electrical connection space facing the socket space of the electrical connector socket. The electrical connection terminals are disposed in the electrical connection space and are used to electrically connect to the socket terminals located in the socket space. The safety sensor is located on one side of the body and outside the electrical connection space, and is used to match the safety sensor space of the electrical connector socket. This invention also proposes a corresponding electrical connector socket and an electronic device including the electrical connector socket. This invention enables the safe transmission of relatively high voltage between the electrical connector and the electrical connector socket.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical connector, an electrical connector socket, and an electronic device, and more particularly to an electrical connector, an electrical connector socket, and an electronic device capable of safely transmitting higher voltages. Background Technology

[0002] Taking Type-C connectors from the Universal Serial Bus (USB) as an example, they are currently being planned for transmitting higher voltage power, such as 48V, from electronic devices. However, the hot-plugging characteristic of Type-C connectors means that if the connector is suddenly pulled out of the socket, the large voltage difference between the two ends of the connector may cause arcing, which can easily burn and damage the connector terminals, posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem of arc discharge in existing electrical connectors and to propose an electrical connector, electrical connection socket and electronic device that can safely transmit higher voltages.

[0004] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an electrical connector for coupling to an electrical connection socket, comprising: a body having an electrical connection space facing a socket space of the electrical connection socket; an electrical connection terminal disposed in the electrical connection space for electrically connecting to a socket terminal located in the socket space; and a safety sensor located on one side of the body and outside the electrical connection space, the safety sensor being matched to the safety sensor space of the electrical connection socket.

[0005] Optionally, the electrical connection space is recessed and has an electrical connection port facing the socket space.

[0006] Optionally, the safety sensing element is a screw disposed on both sides of the electrical connection space, and the screw is disposed parallel to the electrical connection terminal.

[0007] Optionally, the safety sensor is a protrusion located on one side of the main body.

[0008] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention further provides an electrical connection socket for coupling an electrical connector, comprising: a socket body having a socket space and a safety sensing space, the safety sensing space being located outside the socket space; a socket terminal disposed in the socket space for electrically connecting to the electrical connection terminal of the electrical connector; and a sensor disposed adjacent to the safety sensing space for sensing the matching status of the safety sensing space.

[0009] Optionally, the socket space and the safety sensing space are parallel to each other and not connected to each other.

[0010] Optionally, the safety sensing space is connected to one side of the socket space.

[0011] Alternatively, the sensor may be a mechanical contact sensor, a reed sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0012] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention further provides an electronic device, comprising: the aforementioned electrical connection socket; a voltage output module electrically connected to the socket terminals; and a microcontroller signal-connected to the sensor and the voltage output module, wherein, when the voltage output module outputs a first voltage to the electrical connector through the socket terminals, the sensor senses that a safety sensing element is matched in the safety sensing space, and the microcontroller allows the voltage output module to output a second voltage higher than the first voltage.

[0013] Optionally, when the voltage output module outputs the first voltage to the electrical connector through the socket terminal, if the sensor detects that the safety sensing space does not match the safety sensing element, the microcontroller will not allow the voltage output module to output the second voltage.

[0014] Therefore, the electrical connector, electrical connector socket, and electronic device of the present invention determine whether the electrical connector is in a state where it can be hot-plugged at any time by checking the matching status of the safety sensor and the safety sensing space. If only the electrical connector terminals are electrically connected to the socket terminals, but the safety sensor and the safety sensing space are not matched, it indicates that although the electrical connector is conductive, it can be hot-plugged at any time, and therefore it is not advisable to output excessively high voltages that may cause safety hazards. Conversely, if the electrical connector terminals are electrically connected to the socket terminals and the safety sensor and the safety sensing space are matched, a higher voltage can be safely output; the time it takes for the safety sensor and the safety sensing space to change from a matched state to a mismatched state is sufficient for the microcontroller to command the voltage output module to stop transmitting excessively high voltages in response to the possibility of hot-plugging at any time.

[0015] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the invention. However, these descriptions and drawings are only for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of the electrical connector, electrical connection socket, and electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 1B This is a front view schematic diagram of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2A This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the electrical connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2B This is a perspective view of the electrical connection socket according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure Labels

[0022] 1. Shell

[0023] 2 Electrical connectors

[0024] 2a Electrical connector

[0025] 21 Main Body

[0026] 211 Electrical connection space

[0027] 2111 Electrical connection port

[0028] 22 Electrical connection terminals

[0029] 23 Safety sensors

[0030] 23a Safety sensor

[0031] 3 Electrical connection socket

[0032] 3A electrical connection socket

[0033] 31. Socket body

[0034] 311 Socket Space

[0035] 3111 Opening

[0036] 312 Safe Sensing Space

[0037] 312a Safe Sensing Space

[0038] 32 socket terminals

[0039] 33 Sensors

[0040] 33a sensor

[0041] 4. Voltage Output Module

[0042] 5. Microcontrollers Detailed Implementation

[0043] To fully understand the present invention, the following specific embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will provide a detailed description. Those skilled in the art can understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the inventive point of the present invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions based on actual dimensions. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the claims of the present invention. The following explanation is provided:

[0044] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the electrical connector 2 of this embodiment is used to couple to an electrical connector 3 with a corresponding specification. In this embodiment, the electrical connector 2 is a Type-C connector, and the electrical connector 3 is a Type-C connector; however, this invention is not limited to this, and various electrical connectors capable of transmitting electrical signals can be used in this invention. The electrical connector 2 includes a body 21, electrical connection terminals 22, and a safety sensor 23.

[0045] The main body 21 is the main physical structure constituting the electrical connector 2, and internally contains signal cables for connecting two electronic devices respectively. The main body 21 has an electrical connection space 211, which faces the socket space 311 of the electrical connection socket 3.

[0046] Electrical connection terminal 22 is disposed in electrical connection space 211, and is used to electrically connect to socket terminal 32 located in socket space 311. Typically, electrical connection space 211 is recessed, a space embedded within main body 21, and has an electrical connection port 2111 facing socket space 311. Electrical connection space 211 communicates with the outside only through electrical connection port 2111, thus effectively enclosing and protecting electrical connection terminal 22. However, the invention is not limited to this; in other embodiments, electrical connection space 211 can also be a relatively open space, defined by the space occupied by the exposed electrical connection terminal 22 and the space reserved for predetermined coupling to socket terminal 32.

[0047] Outside the electrical connection space 211, that is, outside the space occupied by the electrical connection terminal 22 (whether it is concealed in the main body 21 or exposed) and outside the space reserved for the socket terminal 32, a safety sensor 23 can be installed. In detail, the safety sensor 23 is located on one side of the main body 21 and outside the electrical connection space 211, and the safety sensor 23 is used to match the safety sensing space 312 of the electrical connection socket 3.

[0048] The electrical connector 2 and its corresponding electrical connector socket 3 according to the present invention will be described next. The electrical connector socket 3 includes: a socket body 31, socket terminals 32, and a sensor 33.

[0049] The socket body 31 is the main physical part constituting the electrical connection socket 3. The socket body 31 can be embedded in the housing 1 of the electronic device and integrally formed with the housing 1, or it can exist separately (as in the second embodiment). Figure 2B The socket body 31 has a socket space 311 (which accommodates the electrical connection terminal 22) and a safety sensing space 312 (which accommodates the safety sensor 23). The safety sensing space 312 is located outside the socket space 311.

[0050] The socket terminal 32 is disposed in the socket space 311 and is used to electrically connect to the electrical connection terminal 22 of the electrical connector 2.

[0051] Sensor 33 is disposed adjacent to the safety sensing space 312 and is used to sense the matching status of the safety sensing space 312, that is, whether the safety sensing element 23 of the electrical connector 2 has mated into the safety sensing space 312. Sensor 33 can sense the matching status of the safety sensing space 312 in various ways, such as through mechanical sensing (press contact), electrical, magnetic, electrostatic, or optical methods. Sensor 33 can be, for example, a mechanical contact sensor, a reed sensor, or an optical sensor. Any technology that can sense whether the safety sensing element 23 has mated into the safety sensing space 312 can be used in the sensor 33 of this invention.

[0052] The following explains the role of whether the safety sensor 23 is matched and enters the safety sensing space 312 in this invention.

[0053] like Figure 1A and Figure 3 As shown, the electronic device of this embodiment includes: a housing 1, an electrical connection socket 3, a voltage output module 4, and a microcontroller 5. The electronic device is, for example, a notebook computer, a server, or various types of host devices, and can output voltage to other external devices via the electrical connector 2.

[0054] The housing 1 is preferably an insulator and houses the electrical connection socket 3 and other electronic components. The socket body 31 of the electrical connection socket 3 is installed or integrally formed into the housing 1.

[0055] The voltage output module 4 is, for example, a conventional power supply module, which is housed in the housing 1 and electrically connected to the socket terminal 32, and outputs a specified voltage to the electrical connector 2 through the socket terminal 32.

[0056] The microcontroller 5 (MCU) is connected to the sensor 33 and the voltage output module 4 to control the voltage output by the voltage output module 4. Specifically, when the voltage output module 4 outputs a first voltage (a lower voltage, or a voltage that allows for safe hot-plugging) to the electrical connector 2 through the socket terminal 32, if the sensor 33 detects that the safety sensing space 312 is matched with the safety sensing element 23 of the electrical connector 2, the microcontroller 5 allows the voltage output module 4 to output a second voltage higher than the first voltage (e.g., in Type-C, outputting a higher voltage of 48V than usual).

[0057] Conversely, if the voltage output module 4 does not output the first voltage through the socket terminal 32 (for example, the socket terminal 32 is not connected to the electrical connector 2), the microcontroller 5 will not allow the voltage output module 4 to output a higher second voltage, regardless of whether the sensor 33 senses that the safety sensing space 312 is matched with the safety sensing element 23; or even if the voltage output module 4 has output the first voltage to the electrical connector 2 through the socket terminal 32, but the sensor 33 senses that the safety sensing space 312 is not matched with the safety sensing element 23, the microcontroller 5 will not allow the voltage output module 4 to output a higher second voltage.

[0058] The matching status of the safety sensor 23 of the electrical connector 2 and the safety sensor space 312 of the electrical connector socket 3 can be used to confirm whether the electrical connector 2 is in a state where it can be hot-plugged at any time. If only the electrical connection terminal 22 of the electrical connector 2 is electrically connected to the socket terminal 32, and the safety sensor 23 is not matched with the safety sensor space 312, it indicates that although the electrical connector is conductive, it can be hot-plugged at any time, so it is not advisable to output excessively high voltage that may cause safety hazards. Conversely, if the electrical connection terminal 22 and the socket terminal 32 are electrically connected and the safety sensor 23 is matched with the safety sensor space 312, then it is safe to output a higher voltage; the time it takes for the safety sensor 23 to change from a matched state to a mismatched state (e.g., being manually loosened) is also sufficient for the microcontroller 5 to command the voltage output module 4 to stop transmitting excessively high voltage in order to cope with the possibility of hot-plugging at any time.

[0059] In this invention, the term "matching" includes, but is not limited to, various implementation states such as engagement, interference, and insertion in a mechanism. More broadly, it includes changes in the state of an object that can be observed in physical space as to whether the electrical connector 2 is close to or tightly connected to the electrical connector socket 3. That is, by additionally setting a safety sensor 23 at a peripheral location outside the electrical connection space 211, it is determined whether the electrical connector 2 is tightly connected to the electrical connector socket 3 (difficult to directly hot-plug) or is about to detach from the electrical connector socket 3.

[0060] Specifically, in the first embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the safety sensing element 23 consists of screws disposed on both sides of the electrical connection space 211. The screws are arranged parallel to the electrical connection terminal 22, and are used to match the safety sensing space 312 and the socket space 311, which are also arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, the socket space 311 and the safety sensing space 312 are not connected to each other. The sensor 33 can be any type of sensor (mechanical contact type, electromagnetic type, optical type, etc.) that can determine whether there is an object (screw) in the safety sensing space 312, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0061] In another example, as in the second embodiment of the invention, see [reference needed]. Figure 2A Electrical connector 2a and Figure 2B As shown in the electrical connection socket 3a, a safety sensing space 312a is disposed in communication with one side of the socket space 311, which has an opening 3111. Correspondingly, the safety sensing element 23a is a protrusion disposed on one side of the main body 21, and the matching method is that the protrusion is embedded in the safety sensing space 312a. In this embodiment, the sensor 33a may be a spring (mechanical contact). The matching status of the safety sensing space 312a can be sensed by whether the spring is touched.

[0062] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that all variations and substitutions equivalent to the described embodiments should be included within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for coupling to an electrical connection socket, characterized in that, The electrical connector includes: The main body is provided with an electrical connection space, which faces the socket space of the electrical connection socket; An electrical connection terminal is disposed in the electrical connection space, the electrical connection terminal being used to electrically connect to a socket terminal located in the socket space; and A safety sensor is located on one side of the main body and outside the electrical connection space, the safety sensor being used to match the safety sensing space of the electrical connection socket.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical connection space is recessed and has an electrical connection port facing the socket space.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The safety sensing element is a screw located on both sides of the electrical connection space, and the screw is arranged parallel to the electrical connection terminal.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The safety sensor is a protrusion located on one side of the main body.

5. An electrical connection socket for coupling an electrical connector, characterized in that, The electrical connection socket includes: The socket body has a socket space and a safety sensing space, wherein the safety sensing space is located outside the socket space; A socket terminal, disposed in the socket space, the socket terminal being used for electrically connecting to the electrical connection terminal of the electrical connector; and A sensor is disposed adjacent to the security sensing space, and the sensor is used to sense the matching status of the security sensing space.

6. The electrical connection socket according to claim 5, characterized in that, The socket space and the safety sensing space are parallel to each other and are not connected to each other.

7. The electrical connection socket according to claim 5, characterized in that, The safety sensing space is connected to one side of the socket space.

8. The electrical connection socket according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sensor is a mechanical contact sensor, a reed sensor, or an optical sensor.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: Electrical connection socket according to any one of claims 5 to 8; The voltage output module is electrically connected to the socket terminals; and The microcontroller is connected to the sensor and the voltage output module via signal connections. When the voltage output module outputs a first voltage to the electrical connector through the socket terminal, the sensor detects that a safety sensing element is matched in the safety sensing space, and the microcontroller allows the voltage output module to output a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, characterized in that, When the voltage output module outputs the first voltage to the electrical connector through the socket terminal, if the sensor detects that the safety sensing space does not match the safety sensing element, the microcontroller will not allow the voltage output module to output the second voltage.

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