T-shaped connector assembly and micro inverter system

Abstract

The utility model provides a T-shaped connector assembly and a micro inverter system. The T-shaped connector assembly comprises a connector and a cable. The connector comprises a first interface, a second interface and a third interface, a penetrating cavity is formed in the connector, the penetrating cavity comprises a first penetrating cavity communicated with the first interface and the second interface and a second penetrating cavity communicated with the first penetrating cavity and the third interface, and the second penetrating cavity is perpendicular to the first penetrating cavity; the cable comprises a first cable and a second cable, the first cable penetrates through the first interface and is partially accommodated in the first penetrating cavity, the second cable penetrates through the third interface and is partially accommodated in the second penetrating cavity, and the first cable is electrically connected with the second cable; the second interface is provided with a plug-in part, one end, far away from the first interface, of the first cable is provided with a plug-in seat, the plug-in seat can be connected with a distribution box in a pluggable mode, and one end, far away from the third interface, of the second cable is used for being connected with a micro inverter. Compared with the prior art, the T-shaped connector assembly can save more cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a T-type connector component and a micro inverter system, belonging to the technical field of connectors. Background Art

[0002] Conventional connectors usually fix a cable extending out of the connector itself at one end, and provide a plug-in portion at the end of the cable to enable a pluggable connection with an external device through the plug-in portion.

[0003] In a micro inverter system, multiple connectors and cables are usually used. Therefore, when multiple connectors are connected to each other, independent cables need to be provided at the ends of two adjacent connectors that are connected to each other, so as to realize the connection between the two adjacent connectors through the electrical connection of the two cables, which undoubtedly increases the production cost.

[0004] This problem also exists in existing micro inverters. Existing micro inverters usually have cables extending from the micro inverter itself, and a plug-in portion is provided at the end of the cable to electrically connect with the connector. This is not only very unsightly, but also increases the difficulty of packaging.

[0005] In view of this, it is indeed necessary to improve the existing micro-inverter system to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0006] The utility model aims to provide a T-shaped connector assembly, which can reduce production costs.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the utility model provides a T-type connector assembly for connecting a micro inverter and a distribution box, comprising:

[0008] A connector, comprising a first interface, a second interface and a third interface, wherein a connection cavity is provided inside the connector, wherein the connection cavity comprises a first connection cavity communicating with the first interface and the second interface and a second connection cavity communicating with the first connection cavity and the third interface, wherein the second connection cavity is perpendicular to the first connection cavity;

[0009] A cable, comprising a first cable passing through a first interface and partially received in the first connection cavity, and a second cable passing through a third interface and partially received in the second connection cavity, wherein the first cable and the second cable are electrically connected;

[0010] Among them, the second interface is provided with a plug-in part, the end of the first cable away from the first interface is provided with a socket, the socket can be pluggably connected to the distribution box, and the end of the second cable away from the third interface is used to be connected to the micro inverter.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, a plug-in portion is provided at one end of the second cable away from the third interface, and a socket is correspondingly provided on the micro-inverter. The plug-in portion and the socket are plugged into and matched with each other to fixedly connect the T-type connector assembly to the micro-inverter.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, a pin-type terminal is provided in the socket, and a slot-type terminal is correspondingly provided in the plug-in part. When the plug-in part is inserted into the socket, the pin-type terminal is accommodated inside the slot-type terminal to achieve electrical connection between the second cable and the micro inverter.

[0013] As a further improvement of the utility model, the plug-in portion includes a plug-in and a locking member fixed on the outside of the plug-in, and a sealing member is also provided between the plug-in and the locking member to achieve a sealed connection between the locking member and the plug-in.

[0014] The utility model aims to provide a micro inverter system, which can reduce production costs.

[0015] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model also provides a micro-inverter system, including a distribution box, at least two micro-inverters and at least two T-connector assemblies as described above, each T-connector assembly is connected between the distribution box and the corresponding micro-inverter, and the mating socket of one T-connector assembly is plugged and unplugged with the mating part of another T-connector assembly, so that two adjacent T-connector assemblies are connected in parallel.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the at least two T-type connector assemblies include a first T-type connector assembly and a second T-type connector assembly, the mating socket on the first cable of the first T-type connector assembly and the mating part at the second interface of the second T-type connector assembly are plugged into each other, and the mating socket on the first cable of the second T-type connector assembly is electrically connected to the distribution box.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first connecting cavity of the first T-type connector assembly is electrically connected to the first connecting cavity of the second T-type connector assembly through a first cable to form a main channel, and the second connecting cavity of each T-type connector assembly forms an independent branch channel. After the current is output from the micro-inverter, it is merged into the main channel through the corresponding branch channel and is jointly input into the distribution box.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the second cable and the third interface are injection molded above the connector.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the T-shaped connector assembly further includes a docking piece arranged at the third interface, and the second cable is pluggably connected to the docking piece.

[0020] The beneficial effect of the utility model is that the T-type connector assembly of the utility model solves the problem of needing to set a separate cable at the second interface by setting the plug-in part at the second interface, thereby saving production costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the layout of a preferred embodiment of a micro inverter system in accordance with the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of one of the microinverters and the corresponding T-connector assembly.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the micro inverter from another angle.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the T-type connector assembly from another angle.

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Exploded view of the connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the utility model discloses a micro-inverter system 100, comprising at least two micro-inverters 1, at least two T-connector assemblies 50 and a distribution box 4, wherein the T-connector assemblies 50 correspond to the micro-inverters 1, each T-connector assembly 50 is connected between the distribution box 4 and the corresponding micro-inverter 1, and the mating socket of one T-connector assembly 50 is plugged and unplugged with the mating portion 221 of another T-connector assembly 50, so that two adjacent T-connector assemblies 50 are connected in parallel to merge the current of the micro-inverter 1 into the distribution box 4.

[0028] Specifically, the T-shaped connector assembly 50 includes a connector 2 and a cable 3, wherein the connector 2 includes a first interface 21, a second interface 22 and a third interface 23, and a connection cavity is provided inside the connector 2, wherein the connection cavity includes a first connection cavity connecting the first interface 21 and the second interface 22 and a second connection cavity connecting the first connection cavity and the third interface 23, and the second connection cavity is perpendicular to the first connection cavity. In this way, the overall structure of the T-shaped connector assembly 50 is formed.

[0029] The cable 3 includes a first cable 31 passing through the first interface 21 and partially received in the first connection cavity, and a second cable 32 passing through the third interface 23 and partially received in the second connection cavity. The first cable 31 and the second cable 32 are electrically connected.

[0030] In this embodiment, one end of the first cable 31 is accommodated in the first connection cavity, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the connector 2, that is, in this embodiment, the cable 3 is not arranged to pass through and be exposed to the outside of the second interface 22, thus saving the production cost of this section of the cable 3. Of course, the first cable 31 and the second cable 32 are fastened in the connector 2 by screws.

[0031] The second interface 22 is provided with a plug-in portion 221, and the end of the first cable 31 away from the first interface 21 is provided with a socket 311, and the socket 311 can be pluggably connected to the distribution box 4, and the end of the second cable 32 away from the third interface 23 is used to connect to the micro inverter 1. In other words, the socket 311 can be pluggably connected to the plug-in portion 221, and when two identical T-type connector assemblies 50 are connected, the electrical connection of the two T-type connector assemblies 50 is achieved by matching the plug-in portion 221 of one T-type connector assembly 50 with the socket of the other T-type connector assembly 50.

[0032] Specifically, the at least two T-shaped connector components 50 include a first T-shaped connector component 501 and a second T-shaped connector component 502, the mating socket 311 on the first cable 31 of the first T-shaped connector component 501 and the mating portion 221 at the second interface 22 of the second T-shaped connector component 502 are plugged into each other, and the mating socket 311 on the first cable 31 of the second T-shaped connector component 502 is electrically connected to the distribution box 4.

[0033] In this embodiment, the plug-in portion 221 is connected to one end of the first cable 31 located in the first connection cavity 231, so that the first cable 31 of the first T-shaped connector assembly 501 can be electrically connected to the first cable 31 of the second T-shaped connector assembly 502. In other words, this ensures that all cables 3 are used in the entire line, avoiding waste and functional surplus.

[0034] See also Figure 5 As shown, the plug-in portion 221 includes an insert 2211 and a locking member 2212 fixed on the outside of the insert 2211 , and a sealing member 2213 is further provided between the insert 2211 and the locking member 2212 to achieve a sealed connection between the locking member 2212 and the insert 2211 .

[0035] In this embodiment, the locking member 2212 includes a locking member 22121 and a locking member sheath 22122 locked on the locking member 22121 to ensure the firmness of the locking member. The sealing member 2213 is sleeved on the counter-insertion member 2211 and is pressed by the counter-insertion member 2211 and the locking member 2212 to achieve a sealed connection between the locking member 2212 and the counter-insertion member 2211.

[0036] When the two T-connector assemblies 50 are connected to each other, the first connection cavity of the first T-connector assembly 501 is electrically connected to the first connection cavity of the second T-connector assembly 502 through the first cable 31 to form a main channel, and the second connection cavity of each T-connector assembly 50 forms an independent branch channel. After the current is output from the micro-inverter 1, it is merged into the main channel through the corresponding branch channel and is jointly input into the distribution box 4. In this way, the output current of multiple micro-inverters 1 is merged.

[0037] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plug-in portion 321 is provided at one end of the second cable 32 away from the third interface 23, and a plug socket 11 is correspondingly provided on the micro inverter 1. The plug-in portion 321 and the plug socket 11 are plugged and matched with each other to fix the T-connector assembly 50 to the micro inverter 1. In other words, the cable 3 extending from the existing micro inverter 1 is omitted, which can make the micro inverter 1 more beautiful and reduce the packaging cost.

[0038] Specifically, the socket 11 is provided with a pin terminal 111, and the plug portion 321 is correspondingly provided with a slot terminal 3211. When the plug portion 321 is inserted into the socket 11, the pin terminal 111 is received inside the slot terminal 3211 to achieve electrical connection between the second cable 32 and the micro inverter 1. Of course, in this embodiment, the structure of the plug portion 221 and the plug portion 321 is the same, and the structure of the socket 311 and the socket 11 is the same, which are designed for the purpose of saving production costs. In other embodiments, different plugging and unplugging methods can be selected, and there is no limitation on this.

[0039] Optionally, in order to expand the selection space of the second cable 32, the T-connector assembly 50 further includes a docking piece arranged at the third interface 23, and the second cable 32 is pluggably connected to the docking piece. In this way, an adapted cable 3 can be selected for replacement, thereby expanding the application of the T-connector assembly 50.

[0040] Optionally, the second cable 32 and the third interface 23 are injection molded on the top of the connector 2. In this way, the second cable 32 is fixed and locked, and cannot be replaced at will, but the production cost can be further saved.

[0041] In summary, the T-connector assembly 50 and the micro-inverter system 100 of the present invention solve the problem of needing to set a separate cable 3 at the second interface 22 by setting the plug-in portion 221 at the second interface 22, thereby saving production costs; at the same time, by setting the socket 11 on the micro-inverter 1, the problem of needing to set a separate cable 3 on the micro-inverter 1 is solved, which reduces the production and packaging costs and makes the micro-inverter 1 more beautiful as a whole.

[0042] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the utility model rather than to limit it. Although the utility model is described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solution of the utility model can be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the utility model.

Claims

1. A T-connector assembly for connecting a micro inverter and a distribution box, characterized in that: include: A connector, comprising a first interface, a second interface and a third interface, wherein a connection cavity is provided inside the connector, wherein the connection cavity comprises a first connection cavity communicating with the first interface and the second interface and a second connection cavity communicating with the first connection cavity and the third interface, wherein the second connection cavity is perpendicular to the first connection cavity; A cable, comprising a first cable passing through a first interface and partially received in the first connection cavity, and a second cable passing through a third interface and partially received in the second connection cavity, wherein the first cable and the second cable are electrically connected; Among them, the second interface is provided with a plug-in part, the end of the first cable away from the first interface is provided with a socket, the socket can be pluggably connected to the distribution box, and the end of the second cable away from the third interface is used to be connected to the micro inverter.

2. The T-connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: An end of the second cable away from the third interface is provided with a plug-in portion, and a socket is correspondingly provided on the micro inverter. The plug-in portion and the socket are plugged and matched with each other to fix the T-connector assembly to the micro inverter.

3. The T-connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A pin terminal is provided in the socket, and a slot terminal is correspondingly provided in the plug part. When the plug part is inserted into the socket, the pin terminal is accommodated inside the slot terminal to achieve electrical connection between the second cable and the micro inverter.

4. The T-connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug-in portion includes a plug-in connector and a locking member fixed on the outside of the plug-in connector. A sealing member is also provided between the plug-in connector and the locking member to achieve a sealed connection between the locking member and the plug-in connector.

5. A micro inverter system, characterized in that: It comprises a distribution box, at least two micro-inverters and at least two T-connector assemblies as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, each T-connector assembly is connected between the distribution box and the corresponding micro-inverter, and the mating socket of one T-connector assembly is pluggably connected to the mating part of another T-connector assembly, so that two adjacent T-connector assemblies are connected in parallel.

6. The micro-inverter system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The at least two T-type connector components include a first T-type connector component and a second T-type connector component. The mating socket on the first cable of the first T-type connector component and the mating part at the second interface of the second T-type connector component are plugged into each other, and the mating socket on the first cable of the second T-type connector component is electrically connected to the distribution box.

7. The micro-inverter system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first connecting cavity of the first T-type connector component is electrically connected to the first connecting cavity of the second T-type connector component through a first cable to form a main channel, and the second connecting cavity of each T-type connector component forms an independent branch channel. After the current is output from the micro-inverter, it is merged into the main channel through the corresponding branch channel and is jointly input into the distribution box.

8. The micro-inverter system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second cable and the third interface are injection molded above the connector.

9. The micro-inverter system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The T-type connector assembly further includes a docking piece arranged at the third interface, and the second cable is pluggably connected to the docking piece.

Images