Male waterproof joint, female waterproof joint, submersible propeller, and battery module therefor

Abstract

The utility model provides a male waterproof joint, a female waterproof joint, a submersible propeller and a battery module used for the submersible propeller. The male waterproof joint comprises a male joint body, and the end part of the male joint body is provided with a first basic plane; the annular boss protrudes out of the first basic plane, and at least one electric connection terminal is arranged in the annular boss; and the pair of embracing arms are arranged on the opposite sides of the end part, close to the first basic plane, of the male joint body. The joint according to the embodiment can provide good sealing under underwater pressure conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electrical connection connectors, and more particularly, to a male waterproof connector, a female waterproof connector, and a submersible propulsion device and a battery module having such connectors. Background Art

[0002] Submersible thrusters are used to power divers underwater. As underwater pressure increases with depth, the waterproofing requirements for these thrusters become increasingly stringent. If the thrusters and batteries are modularly designed, connectors with enhanced waterproofing are necessary. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to solve or at least alleviate one or more problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a male waterproof connector for electrical connection, comprising:

[0005] a male connector body, wherein an end portion of the male connector body has a first base plane;

[0006] an annular boss protruding from the first base plane, wherein at least one electrical connection terminal is disposed in the annular boss; and

[0007] A pair of clasping arms are provided at opposite sides of an end of the male connector body proximate to the first base plane.

[0008] Optionally, in the male waterproof joint according to the embodiment, the annular boss is in a runway shape, and the pair of arms are arranged at opposite straight sections of the annular boss.

[0009] Optionally, in the male waterproof joint according to the embodiment, the holding arm has a hook portion, and the holding arm has a hook portion, and a width of the hook portion is in a range from 80% to 100% of a width of the straight section.

[0010] Optionally, in the male waterproof connector according to the embodiment, the at least one electrical connection terminal includes a group of power supply terminals and a group of signal terminals provided at opposite arc-shaped sections of the annular boss.

[0011] Optionally, in the male waterproof joint according to the embodiment, the male waterproof joint further includes a first sealing member arranged around the outer ring of the annular boss.

[0012] Optionally, in the male waterproof joint according to the embodiment, the first sealing member is provided at the intersection of the outer ring of the annular boss and the first base plane.

[0013] Optionally, in the male waterproof connector according to the embodiment, a fool-proof portion is further provided in the annular boss, and the fool-proof portion is formed as a protrusion or a groove.

[0014] Optionally, in the male waterproof connector according to the embodiment, each of the arms includes:

[0015] a first segment pivotally connected to the pin body; and

[0016] A second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment.

[0017] Optionally, in the male waterproof connector according to the embodiment, a pair of the arms can switch between a locked state and a free state. In the locked state, the first segment and the second segment are basically collinear, and the hook of the second segment is tightly clasped with the notch of the corresponding female waterproof connector. In the free state, the first segment and the second segment can rotate along their respective rotation axes. In the free state, when the male waterproof connector is docked with the female waterproof connector, when the hook of the second segment of a pair of arms is connected to the notch of the corresponding female waterproof connector, the arms are pressed inward to rotate around the notch, thereby switching the arms from the free state to the locked state.

[0018] Optionally, in the male waterproof connector according to the embodiment, one side of the male connector body has a connecting protrusion extending to the first base plane, wherein the cross section of the connecting protrusion is T-shaped.

[0019] According to another aspect, a female waterproof connector for electrical connection is provided, the female waterproof connector being used to connect to the male waterproof connector according to various embodiments, wherein the female waterproof connector comprises:

[0020] A female connector body, wherein an end portion of the female connector body has a second base plane;

[0021] an annular groove recessed in the second base plane, wherein an electrical connection terminal is disposed in the annular groove; and

[0022] A pair of notches are provided at opposite sides of the end of the connector body adjacent to the second base plane, the pair of notches being used to receive a pair of arms of the male waterproof connector.

[0023] According to another aspect, a submersible thruster is provided, characterized in that the submersible thruster comprises: a thruster body and one or more battery modules, and the thruster body and the battery module and / or the multiple battery modules are connected using waterproof male / female connectors according to an embodiment.

[0024] According to another aspect, a battery module for a submersible propulsion vehicle is provided, comprising the male waterproof connector according to the embodiment and / or the female waterproof connector according to the embodiment.

[0025] The joint according to the embodiment can provide good sealing under underwater pressure conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The disclosure of this application will be more easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, similar numbers in the figures represent similar components, where:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a side view of a submersible propulsion unit according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a diving propulsion system;

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows perspective views of a propeller body of a submersible propulsion device according to an embodiment at different angles;

[0030] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Showing perspective views of a battery module of a submersible propulsion system according to an embodiment from different angles;

[0031] Figure 7 An exploded view of a male waterproof connector of a submersible propulsion system according to an embodiment is shown;

[0032] Figure 8 An end view of a male waterproof connector of a submersible propulsion system according to an embodiment is shown;

[0033] Figure 9 A perspective view showing a battery module of a submersible propulsion system according to an embodiment from another angle; and

[0034] Figure 10 A side view of a male waterproof connector and a female waterproof connector of a submersible propulsion vehicle according to an embodiment when connected is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] First reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, which shows a submersible thruster according to one embodiment. The submersible thruster is intended, for example, to be worn by a diver to provide underwater propulsion. In this embodiment, the submersible thruster employs a modular design and includes a thruster body 1, intermediate battery modules 2 and 3, and end battery modules or end caps 4. This modular design allows for the selection of an appropriate number of battery modules based on the desired diving duration, providing flexibility and convenience.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , which shows a propeller body 1 of a submersible propulsion system. The propeller body 1 mainly includes a propeller portion 11 and a waterproof connector 13, which is a male waterproof connector described in detail below in the embodiment shown. The propeller portion 11 has a generally cylindrical shape, and contains a motor 110 and an impeller 12 connected to the motor 110. Figure 4 As shown, one end of the propeller portion 11 is open, while the other end is connected to the waterproof connector 13. The side of the propeller portion 11 is grid-shaped and has a side opening 111. In some embodiments, one of the open end of the propeller portion 11 and the side opening 111 serves as a water inlet, while the other serves as a water outlet, depending on the rotation direction of the motor 110. Although not shown, the propeller body 1 may further include a control device or a signal receiver, etc., to determine the rotation direction of the motor 110 and the thrust direction of the submersible propulsion device based on a control signal. For example, the end battery module or the end cover 4 may have a connecting cable or a wireless module to receive the control signal. It should be understood that the illustrated submersible propulsion device is merely exemplary, and in alternative embodiments, the specific structure of the submersible propulsion device may vary.

[0037] Continue to refer Figures 5 to 10 Let's introduce the intermediate battery module 2 according to the embodiment. The intermediate battery module 2 may have a first end and a second end relative to each other, wherein the first end is in the form of a male waterproof connector 23 and the second end is in the form of a female waterproof connector 24. The second end 24 of the intermediate battery module 2 can be connected to the male waterproof connector 13 of the submersible propulsion system. It should be understood that the first end of the intermediate waterproof module 2 can be connected to the second end of another intermediate battery module 3 or directly connected to the end battery module or end cover 4. It should be understood that the assembled submersible propulsion system may have 0, 1, 2 or any suitable number of intermediate battery modules. In addition, the waterproof connector 13 of the propeller body 1 may also be constructed as a female waterproof connector, and the end battery module or end cover 4 at the end of the submersible propulsion system may have a waterproof connector opposite to the waterproof connector of the propeller body 1.

[0038] The following describes the shape of a male waterproof connector in detail, using male waterproof connector 23 as an example. According to this embodiment, male waterproof connector 23 includes a male connector body, the end of which has a first base plane 231; an annular boss 232 protruding from first base plane 231, with at least one electrical connection terminal 234 disposed within said boss 232; and a pair of arms 235 disposed on opposite sides of the end of the male connector body near first base plane 231.

[0039] In some embodiments, the annular boss 232 is in a racetrack shape. Specifically, the annular boss 232 may have opposite straight sections 2321 and opposite arc sections 2322. The annular boss 232 surrounds the middle portion 233 of the first base plane 231, and the pair of arms 235 are disposed at the opposite straight sections 2321 of the annular boss. Figure 8 As clearly shown in the figure, the arm has a hook portion 2325. The width e of the hook portion 2325 of the arm is comparable to the width d of the straight section 2321 of the annular boss 232. For example, the width e of the hook portion 2325 of the arm is in the range of 80% to 100% of the width d of the straight section 2321. The larger width of the hook portion 2325 of the arm enables a larger contact area and more uniform axial pressure.

[0040] In some embodiments, the at least one electrical connection terminal 234 includes a set of power terminals 2341 and a set of signal terminals 2342 disposed on opposing arcuate sections of the annular boss. The power terminals 2341 and signal terminals 2342 are separately disposed on corresponding arcuate sections 2322, for example, in recesses in the arcuate section 2322 of the annular boss 232. Alternatively, only the power terminals 2341 may be included, and signals may be transmitted via wireless communication.

[0041] In some embodiments, an anti-fool portion 236 is further provided in the annular boss, and the anti-fool portion is, for example, a protrusion or a groove. Figure 6 As shown, a large and a small circular groove 2361, 2362 can be respectively provided at the relative straight sections 2321, and the foolproof portion 236 is used to prevent incorrect installation of the waterproof joint.

[0042] In some embodiments, the male waterproof connector 23 may further include a first seal 238 disposed around the outer ring of the annular boss. In some embodiments, the first seal 238 is disposed at the intersection of the outer ring of the annular boss 232 and the first base plane 231, thereby achieving sealing in both axial and radial directions. Alternatively, two seals may be disposed on the side of the annular boss 232 and on the first base plane 231, respectively, to achieve axial and radial sealing. In some embodiments, the seal may also be disposed on the female waterproof connector. In some embodiments, one side of the male connector body has a connecting protrusion 237 extending to the first base plane 231. In some embodiments, the connecting protrusion 237 has a T-shaped cross-section, and the connecting protrusion 237 and a strap can be used to secure the submersible propulsion system to the oxygen tank.

[0043] In some embodiments, as Figure 9 As shown, the female waterproof connector has features corresponding to those of the male waterproof connector for connection thereto. More specifically, taking the female waterproof connector 24 as an example, it comprises: a female connector body having a second base plane 241 at its end; an annular groove 242 recessed within the second base plane 241, with electrical connection terminals 2441, 2442 disposed therein; and a pair of notches 245 disposed on opposite sides of the connector body near the second base plane, for receiving the pair of arms 235 of the male waterproof connector. In some embodiments, where the male waterproof connector has corresponding features, the female waterproof connector may further include foolproofing features 2461, 2462, such as two cylindrical foolproofing protrusions, one large and one small; a connecting protrusion 247 extending to the second base plane 241; and a central boss 243 in the center of the annular groove 242. In some embodiments, a series of air holes 249 may be disposed on each side of the straight section of the annular groove 242.

[0044] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 As shown, each arm 235 includes a first segment 2352 pivotally connected to the male connector body; a second segment 2355 pivotally connected to the first segment 2352, with a hook 2356 provided at the end of the second segment 2355. The first end of the first segment 2352 is pivotally connected to the ears 2351 at both ends of the male connector body via a first shaft 2353, and the second end of the first segment 2352 is pivotally connected to the second segment 2355 via a second shaft 2354. The first segment 2352 extends from the first end to the second end generally in a direction away from the connector, while the second segment 2355 extends from the connection end to the hook 2356 in a direction toward the connector.

[0045] A pair of arms 235 can be switched between a locked state and a free state. Figure 10As shown by the solid line, in the locked state, the first segment 2352 and the second segment 2355 are substantially collinear, and the hook 2356 of the second segment is tightly engaged with the notch of the corresponding female waterproof connector. In some embodiments, the outer sides of a pair of second segments 2355 are substantially parallel, and the second segment 2355 may have an opening 2350 to accommodate the first segment 2352. To increase strength, the first segment 2352 may include a plurality of parallel ribs. In the free state, the first segment 2352 and the second segment 2355 can rotate along their respective rotation axes. Figure 10 As shown, in the free state, when the male waterproof connector 13 and the female waterproof connector 24 are docked, the first base plane and the second base plane are aligned, and the annular boss and the annular groove cooperate with at least one terminal to transmit power and / or control signals. Figure 10 As shown by the dotted lines in the figure, when the hook portion 2356 of the second segment 1355 of the pair of arms is installed in the notch of the corresponding female waterproof connector, the second segment 1355 of the pair of arms is pressed inwardly, using force F as an example, so that the hook portion 1356 rotates around the notch 245, thereby switching the arms from a free state to a locked state, and axially locking the male waterproof connector 13 and the female waterproof connector 24. In the locked state, sufficient axial force is provided to compress the seal 238, thereby providing sufficient underwater sealing. In some embodiments, the notch 245 may have a flange 2451 to prevent the hook portion 1356 from disengaging from the notch 245 when the second segment 1355 rotates. Figure 2 As shown, after assembly, the male waterproof connector and the female waterproof connector connecting protrusion are engaged to connect the submersible propulsion device to other components, such as an oxygen tank, etc. In addition, the present application also provides a submersible propulsion device and a battery module according to various embodiments.

[0046] According to the embodiments of the present application, the connection between the hook and the notch creates sufficient axial pressure between the male and female waterproof connectors to compress the seal and provide a seal. This sealing capability ensures the underwater sealing of the submersible propulsion system. Furthermore, the large contact area between the hook and the notch ensures uniform axial pressure, and the annular boss and groove offset the sealing surface and the mating surface, further ensuring the waterproof seal of the connection.

[0047] The specific embodiments described above are intended only to more clearly illustrate the principles of the present invention, wherein the various components are clearly shown or described to make the principles of the present invention easier to understand. Those skilled in the art may readily make various modifications or variations to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that such modifications or variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A male waterproof connector for electrical connection, characterized in that: It includes: a male connector body, wherein an end portion of the male connector body has a first base plane; an annular boss protruding from the first base plane, wherein at least one electrical connection terminal is disposed in the annular boss; as well as A pair of clasping arms are provided at opposite sides of an end of the male connector body proximate to the first base plane.

2. The male waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular boss is in a racetrack shape, and the pair of arms are arranged at opposite straight sections of the annular boss, wherein the arms have hooks, and the width of the hooks is in the range of 80% to 100% of the width of the straight section.

3. The male waterproof connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The at least one electrical connection terminal includes a group of power supply terminals and a group of signal terminals respectively disposed at opposite arc-shaped sections of the annular boss.

4. The male waterproof connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male waterproof joint further includes a first sealing member arranged around the outer ring of the annular boss, wherein the first sealing member is arranged at the intersection of the outer ring of the annular boss and the first base plane.

5. The male waterproof connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: An anti-foolproof portion is further provided in the annular boss, and the anti-foolproof portion is formed as a protrusion or a groove, wherein the anti-foolproof portion includes two protrusions or grooves of different sizes.

6. The male waterproof connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Each of the arms comprises: a first segment pivotally connected to the pin body; and A second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment.

7. The male waterproof connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pair of arms can switch between a locked state and a free state. In the locked state, the first segment and the second segment are substantially collinear, and the hook of the second segment is tightly engaged with the notch of the corresponding female waterproof connector. In the free state, the first segment and the second segment can rotate along their respective rotation axes. In the free state, when the male waterproof connector is docked with the female waterproof connector, when the hooks of the second segments of the pair of arms are connected to the notch of the corresponding female waterproof connector, the arms are pressed inward to rotate around the notch, thereby switching the arms from the free state to the locked state.

8. The male waterproof connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: One side of the male connector body has a connecting protrusion extending to the first base plane, wherein the connecting protrusion has a T-shaped cross section.

9. A female waterproof connector for electrical connection, the female waterproof connector being used to connect to the male waterproof connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The female waterproof connector includes: A female connector body, wherein an end portion of the female connector body has a second base plane; an annular groove recessed in the second base plane, wherein an electrical connection terminal is disposed in the annular groove; and A pair of notches are provided at opposite sides of the end of the connector body adjacent to the second base plane, the pair of notches being used to receive a pair of arms of the male waterproof connector.

10. A submersible propulsion device, characterized in that: The submersible thruster includes: a thruster body and one or more battery modules, and the thruster body and the battery module and / or the multiple battery modules are connected using the male waterproof connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and the female waterproof connector according to claim 9.

11. A battery module for a diving propulsion vehicle, characterized in that: The battery module includes the male waterproof connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or the female waterproof connector according to claim 9.

Images