Self-locking temperature sensor

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-locking temperature sensor, including a temperature sensor plug and a pin. The metal casing of the temperature sensor plug has several locking grooves. The self-locking section at the upper end of the pin includes a sleeve, on which a rigid sliding sleeve is slidably fitted. A first elastic element is provided between the rigid sliding sleeve and the sleeve. The sleeve wall has a through hole for mounting a steel ball. A stop block is provided at the upper end of the through hole on the sleeve, and a corresponding receiving groove is provided at the upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve. When locking, the first elastic element pushes the rigid sliding sleeve upwards, pushing the steel ball into the through hole and partially into the locking groove. Simultaneously, the stop block engages in the receiving groove, achieving stable self-locking. When unlocking, the rigid sliding sleeve is pushed downwards, and the steel ball rolls into the receiving groove, allowing the temperature sensor plug to be pulled out. The self-locking structure of this invention is convenient to operate and reliable in locking, effectively solving the problems of easy loosening and inconvenient installation and disassembly of traditional temperature sensors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of temperature detection equipment for liquid cooling systems, and more specifically to a self-locking temperature sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Temperature sensors are widely used in industrial process control, environmental monitoring, equipment thermal management, and many other scenarios. In many applications, temperature sensors need to be detachably connected to the object being measured for easy installation, maintenance, and replacement. Currently, common temperature sensor connection methods mainly include threaded connections, snap-fit ​​connections, and simple plug-in mating.

[0003] While threaded connections offer a relatively secure connection, the repeated tightening required for assembly and disassembly is time-consuming. Furthermore, during use, factors such as equipment vibration and temperature changes can cause the threads to loosen, leading to poor contact between the sensor probe and the measured location, thus affecting temperature measurement accuracy and response speed. Snap-fit ​​connections simplify assembly and disassembly to some extent, but over time, the snap ring is prone to plastic deformation or fatigue failure, gradually reducing locking reliability. Ordinary plug-in connections are even simpler in structure, but they lack self-locking capability, relying solely on friction to maintain the connection, making them prone to loosening under vibration. Some temperature sensors, while possessing self-locking functionality, often only lock once, making unlocking difficult or impossible, complicating the replacement of temperature sensor components. Moreover, in confined and inconvenient installation environments, these traditional connection methods often struggle to balance ease of assembly and disassembly with connection reliability: prioritizing reliability results in laborious assembly and disassembly, while prioritizing convenience leads to unreliable locking.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the existing technology for a temperature sensor connection structure that can achieve quick plugging and unplugging, convenient operation, and provide a stable and reliable self-locking function in the connected state, effectively resisting vibration and environmental interference. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application addresses the problems of inconvenient assembly and replacement, and unreliability, in existing temperature sensors (especially liquid-cooled temperature sensors) by providing a self-locking temperature sensor through structural optimization. This self-locking temperature sensor is based on a segmented design, separating the sealing and self-locking components. A special self-locking structure enables rapid locking and unlocking between the temperature sensor plug and pin. This self-locking temperature sensor is easy to disassemble, significantly reducing the difficulty and cost of temperature sensor replacement and maintenance. The self-locking temperature sensor provided in this application includes a temperature sensor plug and a pin.

[0006] The temperature sensor plug includes a metal housing and a temperature sensing module inserted into the metal housing. The temperature sensing module includes a base for locking with the metal housing. A plurality of locking grooves are provided around one side of the metal housing, and the plane containing this circumference is perpendicular to the insertion axis direction of the temperature sensor plug.

[0007] The pin includes a sealing section and a self-locking section from bottom to top. The sealing section has several sealing gaskets on its inner side to seal the gap between the temperature sensor plug and the inside of the pin; the self-locking section includes a sleeve connecting the sealing section, a hard sliding sleeve and a first elastic element fitted on the outer wall of the sleeve, and several steel balls; the first elastic element is located between the hard sliding sleeve and the sleeve.

[0008] Corresponding to the aforementioned locking grooves, the sleeve is provided with several through holes. The outer opening size of the through hole is larger than the diameter of the steel ball, and the longitudinal dimension of the inner opening is smaller than the diameter of the steel ball. The sleeve has an outwardly protruding stop block at the upper end of each through hole, and the upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve is provided with a receiving groove to accommodate each stop block. The size design of the through holes ensures that, during locking, a portion of the steel ball protrudes into the locking groove, but it does not completely disengage from the corresponding through hole and become misaligned.

[0009] When locked, the rigid sliding sleeve slides upward along the sleeve under the force of the first elastic element, pushing each steel ball into the corresponding through hole, so that a part of each steel ball protrudes inward from the inner wall of the sleeve and sinks into the corresponding locking groove, and each stop block is located in the corresponding receiving groove to lock the temperature sensor plug; when unlocked, the rigid sliding sleeve is pushed down, so that each steel ball disengages from the corresponding locking groove and rolls into the corresponding receiving groove to unlock the temperature sensor plug.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to smoothly drive the steel ball in and out of the corresponding through hole through the sliding sleeve, the cross-section of the through hole is shaped like an "outward V".

[0011] In the first embodiment, the plurality of through holes are a plurality of circular holes distributed on the sleeve, and correspondingly, the plurality of locking grooves are a plurality of grooves distributed on the outer side of the metal shell.

[0012] In the second embodiment, the cross-section of the metal shell is circular, that is, the surrounding area is a circle; the plurality of locking grooves are implemented as a plurality of evenly distributed arc-shaped grooves or a concave ring; the plurality of through holes are implemented as a plurality of evenly distributed arc-shaped holes on the sleeve; the stop block is an arc-shaped protrusion; and the receiving groove is an arc-shaped groove platform.

[0013] In the third embodiment, the surrounding area is a circle, the plurality of locking grooves are implemented as a concave ring, and the plurality of through holes are a circumferential hole on the sleeve; the length of the plurality of steel balls inserted into the circumferential hole and closely arranged along the circumferential hole is greater than half the circumference of the circumferential hole and less than or equal to the circumference of the circumferential hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the sleeve is threaded to the inner side of the sealing section housing; one end of the first elastic element abuts against the inner side of the upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve, and the other end abuts against the upper edge of the sealing section.

[0015] To further improve the convenience of inserting and removing the temperature sensor plug, a booster assembly is also provided on the inner side of the sleeve; the booster assembly includes a booster cylinder and a second elastic member located between the outer side of the booster cylinder and the inner side of the sleeve; one end of the second elastic member abuts against a protrusion on the booster cylinder, and the other end abuts against a step on the inner side of the sealing section.

[0016] The self-locking temperature sensor provided in this application constructs an elastic self-locking mechanism in the pin portion, using a steel ball as the locking medium. The axial sliding of a rigid sleeve drives the steel ball to move between a locked position and a released position, thereby engaging with the locking groove on the temperature sensor plug to lock and unlock the plug. Compared to existing temperature sensor connector structures, the aforementioned self-locking temperature sensor is less prone to loosening under vibration conditions, effectively balances sealing and locking, and allows for convenient tool-free disassembly / replacement of the temperature sensing component. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the self-locking temperature sensor provided in this application in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a self-locking temperature sensor.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1-Temperature sensor plug, 2-Pin, 11-Metal housing, 12-Temperature sensing module, 121-Base, 111-Locking groove, 21-Sealing gasket, 221-Sleeve, 222-Hard sliding sleeve, 223-Booster, 220-First elastic element, 224-Steel ball, 225-Second elastic element, 2210-Through hole, 2211-Stop block, 2221-Receiving groove, 2231-Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the self-locking temperature sensor provided in this application generally includes a temperature sensor plug 1 and a pin 2.

[0023] The temperature sensor plug 1 includes a metal housing 11 and a temperature sensing module 12 inserted into the metal housing 11. The temperature sensing module 12 includes a seat 121 for locking with the metal housing. A plurality of locking grooves 111 are provided around one side of the metal housing 11, and the plane of the surrounding area is perpendicular to the insertion axis direction of the temperature sensor plug 1.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the pin 2 includes a sealing section and a self-locking section from bottom to top. The sealing section has several sealing gaskets 21 on its inner side to seal the gap between the temperature sensor plug 1 and the inside of the pin 2, isolating it from coolant. The self-locking section includes a sleeve 221 connecting to the sealing section, a hard sliding sleeve 222 and a first elastic element 220 fitted onto the outer wall of the sleeve 221, and several steel balls 224. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the first elastic element 220 is a spring located between the rigid sliding sleeve 222 and the sleeve 221.

[0025] Corresponding to the locking groove 111, the sleeve 221 is provided with several through holes 2210. Each through hole 2210 has an outwardly protruding stop block 2211 at its upper end. The upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve 222 is provided with a receiving groove 2221 to accommodate each stop block 2211. The outer opening size of the through hole 2210 is larger than the diameter of the steel ball 224, and the longitudinal dimension of the inner opening is smaller than the diameter of the steel ball 224. The size design of the through hole 2210 ensures that when locked, a portion of the steel ball 224 protrudes into the locking groove 111, but does not completely disengage from the corresponding through hole 2210 and become misaligned.

[0026] When the temperature sensor plug 1 is inserted into the pin 2, the rigid sliding sleeve 222 slides upward along the sleeve 221 under the force of the first elastic element 220, pushing the steel ball 224 into the corresponding through hole 2210. At this time, a portion of the steel ball 224 protrudes inward from the inner wall of the sleeve 221 and sinks into the corresponding locking groove 111. Each stop block 2211 is located in the corresponding receiving groove 2221 to lock the temperature sensor plug 1. When it is necessary to disassemble the temperature sensor plug 1, the rigid sliding sleeve 222 is pushed down to compress the first elastic element 220, causing the steel ball 224 to disengage from the corresponding locking groove 111 and roll into the corresponding receiving groove 2221, thus unlocking the temperature sensor plug 1.

[0027] Furthermore, in order for the steel ball 224 to roll in and out of the corresponding through hole 2210 when the rigid sliding sleeve 222 slides, the cross-section of the through hole 2210 is shaped like an outward V. Thus, when the rigid sliding sleeve 222 slides downward, the steel ball 224 can roll down the "slope" inside the through hole 2210 under the action of gravity and into the corresponding receiving groove 2221; when the rigid sliding sleeve 222 slides upward under the action of the first elastic element 220, it pushes the steel ball 224 to move upward and roll down the "slope" inside the through hole 2210 into the corresponding through hole 2210.

[0028] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the through holes 2210 are a plurality of circular holes (with circular diameters) distributed on the sleeve 221, and the locking grooves 111 are a plurality of grooves distributed on the outer side of the metal casing 11. The cross-section of the metal casing 11 is circular, but it can also be other shapes, such as square.

[0029] In other embodiments, the cross-section of the metal casing is circular, meaning the perimeter is a circle. The locking groove is implemented as several evenly distributed arc-shaped grooves or a concave ring. Correspondingly, the several through holes are implemented as several evenly distributed arc-shaped holes on the sleeve. The stop block is an arc-shaped protrusion, and the receiving groove is an arc-shaped platform. In this embodiment, the lateral movement space of the steel ball is greatly increased, further improving the reliability and success rate of the temperature sensor's self-locking.

[0030] In other embodiments, the surrounding area is a circle, the plurality of locking grooves are a concave ring, and the plurality of through holes are a circumferential hole on the sleeve; the plurality of steel balls inserted into the circumferential hole and arranged closely along the circumferential hole have a length greater than half the circumference of the circumferential hole and less than or equal to the circumference of the circumferential hole. That is, the number of steel balls is required to ensure that no half circle of the circumferential hole is completely without steel balls, thereby ensuring a reliable and balanced locking of the temperature sensor plug.

[0031] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve 221 is threadedly connected to the inner side of the sealing section housing. A first elastic element 220 (spring) is sleeved on the outer side of the sleeve 221, with one end abutting against the inner side of the upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve 222 and the other end abutting against the upper edge of the sealing section. To further improve the convenience of inserting and removing the temperature sensor plug 1, such as... Figure 2 As shown, a booster assembly is also provided on the inner side of the sleeve 221. The booster assembly includes a booster cylinder 223 and a second elastic member 225 sleeved on the outside of the booster cylinder 223 and located on the inner side of the sleeve 221. One end of the second elastic member 225 abuts against the protrusion 2231 on the booster cylinder 223, and the other end abuts against the step on the inner side of the sealing section. In this way, the resistance encountered when inserting and removing the temperature sensor plug 1 can be reduced, further improving the convenience of temperature sensor disassembly.

[0032] The self-locking temperature sensor provided in this application is designed in two sections: a sealing section and a self-locking section. The sealing section uses multiple sealing gaskets to reliably isolate the coolant. The self-locking section is constructed as an elastic self-locking mechanism with a steel ball as the locking medium. The steel ball is reliably moved between the locked and released positions by the sliding of a hard sliding sleeve. This, combined with the locking groove on the temperature sensor plug, completes the locking and unlocking of the temperature sensor plug. The self-locking temperature sensor provided in this application is easy and reliable to disassemble, and significantly reduces the difficulty and cost of replacing and maintaining the temperature sensing module compared to existing liquid-cooled temperature sensors.

[0033] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-locking temperature sensor, characterized by, The self-locking temperature sensor includes a latch; The pin includes a sealing section and a self-locking section from bottom to top; the sealing section is provided with several sealing gaskets on its inner side to seal the gap between the temperature sensor plug and the inside of the pin; the self-locking section includes a sleeve that connects to the sealing section, a hard sliding sleeve and a first elastic element fitted on the outer wall of the sleeve, and several steel balls. The metal housing of the temperature sensor plug has several locking grooves around its perimeter, and the plane containing these grooves is perpendicular to the insertion axis of the temperature sensor plug. Corresponding to the locking grooves, the sleeve has several through holes, the outer opening size of which is larger than the diameter of the steel ball, and the inner opening longitudinal dimension is smaller than the diameter of the steel ball. The sleeve has an outwardly protruding stop block at the upper end of each through hole, and the upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve has a receiving groove to accommodate each stop block. When locked, the rigid sliding sleeve slides upward along the sleeve under the force of the first elastic element, pushing each steel ball into the corresponding through hole, so that a part of each steel ball protrudes inward from the inner wall of the sleeve and sinks into the corresponding locking groove, and each stop block is located in the corresponding receiving groove to lock the temperature sensor plug; when unlocked, the rigid sliding sleeve is pushed down, so that each steel ball disengages from the corresponding locking groove and rolls into the corresponding receiving groove to unlock the temperature sensor plug.

2. The self-locking temperature sensor of claim 1, wherein, The temperature sensor plug includes the metal housing and a temperature sensing module inserted into the metal housing; the temperature sensing module includes a base for locking with the metal housing.

3. The self-locking temperature sensor of claim 2, wherein, The cross-section of the through hole is shaped like an outward V.

4. The self-locking temperature sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The plurality of through holes are a plurality of circular holes distributed on the sleeve, and correspondingly, the plurality of locking grooves are a plurality of grooves distributed on the outer side of the metal outer shell.

5. The self-locking temperature sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The surrounding area is a circle, the plurality of locking grooves are implemented as a plurality of evenly distributed arc-shaped grooves or a concave ring, the plurality of through holes are implemented as a plurality of evenly distributed arc-shaped holes on the sleeve; the stop block is an arc-shaped protrusion, and the receiving groove is an arc-shaped groove platform.

6. The self-locking temperature sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The surrounding area is a circle, the plurality of locking grooves are implemented as a concave ring, and the plurality of through holes are a circumferential hole on the sleeve; the plurality of steel balls are inserted into the circumferential hole and are arranged closely along the circumferential hole for a length greater than half the circumference of the circumferential hole and less than or equal to the circumference of the circumferential hole.

7. The self-locking temperature sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The sleeve is threaded to the inner side of the sealing section housing; one end of the first elastic element abuts against the inner side of the upper end of the rigid sliding sleeve, and the other end abuts against the upper edge of the sealing section.

8. The self-locking temperature sensor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The inner side of the sleeve is provided with a booster cylinder and a second elastic element located outside the booster cylinder and inside the sleeve; one end of the second elastic element abuts against a protrusion on the booster cylinder, and the other end abuts against a step inside the sealing section.

Images