A liquid-cooled connector

Abstract

The application discloses a liquid cooling connector, and belongs to the technical field of industrial connectors. The liquid cooling connector comprises a connecting plug and a connecting socket. The connecting plug comprises a mounting plate, a plug connector and a first valve body. The plug connector is mounted on the mounting plate. The distance from the open end surface of the plug connector to the mounting plate is 10mm-20mm. The first valve body is mounted in the plug connector. The first valve body is connected with a special-shaped spring. One end of the special-shaped spring is connected with the first valve body. The other end of the special-shaped spring abuts against the inner wall of the plug connector. The special-shaped spring is in a compressed state. The special-shaped spring drives the first valve body to block the open end surface of the plug connector. The liquid cooling connector further shortens the plug-in stroke through optimization of the length of the plug connector, utilization of the special-shaped spring to drive the valve body to block the opening and reasonable structural layout.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of industrial connector technology, and in particular to a liquid-cooled connector. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid-cooled connectors, a special type of connector, are primarily used in liquid cooling systems to effectively manage the temperature of the battery pack in power modules, ensuring long-term, high-efficiency battery operation. Compared to traditional air cooling, liquid cooling technology offers higher heat dissipation efficiency and better temperature control performance, thus finding widespread application in fields requiring high heat dissipation performance, such as battery swapping in new energy vehicles.

[0003] Currently, specialized liquid-cooled connectors used to connect battery boxes to electric vehicles and charging racks feature self-closing and guiding floating functions, and consist of a vehicle / battery swapping station end and a battery end. When connected, internal liquid circulates for cooling; when disconnected, it quickly shuts off to seal the coolant.

[0004] Common battery swapping methods are generally divided into three categories. The first is rear-mounted battery swapping, where the frame is below and the battery pack is above, using a top-down, plug-and-play swapping mechanism. The second is chassis-mounted battery swapping, where the frame is above and the battery pack is below, using a bottom-up, push-and-play swapping mechanism. The first two methods involve longitudinal movement. The third is lateral battery swapping, a pull-out type, where the battery pack is first lifted from below and then moved laterally. During the swapping process, the battery pack and frame slowly engage and connect, and some positional misalignment may occur. A liquid cooler with flexible features is needed to absorb these misalignments.

[0005] Liquid-cooled connectors are generally divided into plug ends and socket ends. The plug end connects to the electric vehicle or charging rack and is fixedly installed. It usually has a flexible mechanism to absorb matching deviations in the XYZ directions; the socket end connects to the battery box. However, existing liquid-cooled connectors have certain limitations when used for Category III lateral battery swapping. Category III battery swapping requires a very high connector insertion and extraction stroke, with a very short engagement stroke. However, existing liquid-cooled connectors on the market are structurally limited, with a relatively long insertion and extraction stroke, typically around 35mm. This makes them unsuitable for installation in some vehicle models due to space constraints, hindering the development of liquid-cooled battery swapping projects and limiting their market versatility, preventing their widespread adoption as a standard component. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide a liquid-cooled connector that further shortens the insertion and extraction stroke by optimizing the plug length, using a special-shaped spring to drive the valve body to block the opening, and a reasonable structural layout.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: a liquid-cooled connector, including a connector plug and a connector socket. The connector plug includes a mounting plate, a plug connector and a first valve body. The plug connector is mounted on the mounting plate, and the distance from the open end face of the plug connector to the mounting plate is 10mm-20mm. The first valve body is installed inside the plug connector. The first valve body is connected to a shaped spring. One end of the shaped spring is connected to the first valve body, and the other end of the shaped spring abuts against the inner wall of the plug connector. The shaped spring is in a compressed state, and the shaped spring drives the first valve body to seal the open end face of the plug connector.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this application are as follows: First, the distance from the open end face of the plug connector to the mounting plate is designed to be within the range of 10mm-20mm, which significantly reduces the space occupied by the liquid-cooled connector in the mating direction and effectively shortens the mating stroke. Compared with the approximately 35mm mating stroke of traditional liquid-cooled connectors, this design greatly shortens the space occupied by the connector in the mating direction, better adapting to the layout requirements of different vehicle models, solving the problem that some vehicle models cannot install liquid-cooled connectors due to installation space limitations, and expanding its application scenarios and market versatility.

[0009] Secondly, under the action of the shaped spring, the first valve body tightly seals the opening end face of the plug connector. The shaped spring is in a compressed state and has strong elastic force, which can ensure good sealing contact between the first valve body and the opening end face of the plug connector, thereby effectively preventing coolant leakage when the connector is not connected or disconnected, improving the sealing reliability and overall safety of the liquid-cooled connector.

[0010] Furthermore, this application employs a clever structural design to tightly integrate the shaped spring with the first valve body and rationally position it within the plug connector, ensuring a reasonable flow area inside the connector. This also results in a shorter compression stroke for the shaped spring, reducing the protrusion height of the plug connector while maintaining sealing reliability and flow area.

[0011] In summary, this application effectively solves the problem of poor installation compatibility caused by structural limitations in the prior art by optimizing the length design of the plug connector, the innovative irregular spring and valve body matching structure, and the compact internal layout. It enhances the versatility and market competitiveness of liquid cooling connectors in different application scenarios, and provides a more efficient and reliable connection solution for liquid cooling systems in fields such as battery swapping of new energy vehicles.

[0012] Preferably, the distance from the open end face of the plug connector to the mounting plate is 12mm-17mm.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the longitudinal section of the first valve body is T-shaped. The first valve body includes a sealing section and a connecting section connected to each other. A sealing ring is sleeved on the sealing section, and the sealing section and the sealing ring cooperate to act on the inner wall surface of the plug connector opening end. The structural design of the first valve body and the cooperation of the sealing ring enhance the sealing effect between the first valve body and the plug connector opening end face, effectively preventing coolant leakage and improving sealing reliability.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the irregular spring includes a first segment and a second segment connected together. The first segment is sleeved outside the connecting segment, and the second segment is adapted to the inner wall of the plug connector. Dividing the irregular spring into two segments and adapting them to the connecting segment and the inner wall of the plug connector allows for better control of the compression and elasticity distribution of the irregular spring, ensuring the sealing effect of the first valve body on the opening end face of the plug connector, while also improving the stability and reliability of the structure.

[0015] It greatly reduces the compression stroke of the irregular spring and the height of the valve body, maximizes the internal flow area, and shortens the height of the plug and connector while ensuring sealing reliability and flow channel area. It effectively reduces the protrusion height of the plug and connector, shortens the insertion and removal stroke, and is friendly to use in layouts with very small installation space.

[0016] In some embodiments of this application, the diameter of the first segment is smaller than the diameter of the second segment, and the pitch of the first segment is smaller than the pitch of the second segment. The irregularly shaped spring, while ensuring sufficient elasticity, reduces its radial dimension and axial length within the plug connector, further compressing the spring's compression stroke and the valve body height. This provides more space for maximizing the internal flow area, which is beneficial for shortening the insertion / removal stroke and improving flow performance.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the mounting plate is provided with mounting holes, and a retaining ring is provided around the outer periphery of the plug connector. The rear end of the retaining ring passes through the mounting hole and connects to a standard interface, which is threadedly connected to the plug connector.

[0018] The combination of mounting holes, retaining rings, and standard interfaces allows the plug to be securely mounted on the mounting plate, improving the stability and reliability of the connection, while also facilitating the assembly of liquid-cooled connectors.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, the mounting plate is further provided with a floating assembly, which is fixed to the sheet metal at the vehicle frame end by screws. The floating assembly allows the plug connector to absorb matching deviations in the XYZ directions to a certain extent, improving the smoothness of insertion and removal and the sealing reliability of the liquid-cooled connector during the battery swapping process, and enhancing its adaptability to different battery swapping methods and positional deviations.

[0020] In some embodiments of this application, the connection socket includes a socket connector, a second valve body, and a linear spring. The second valve body is installed inside the socket connector, and the linear spring connects the second valve body and the socket connector. The linear spring is in a compressed state, and the linear spring drives the second valve body to seal the open end face of the socket connector, thereby achieving a seal of the socket connector in the unconnected or disconnected state, preventing coolant leakage, and improving the sealing performance and reliability of the connection socket.

[0021] In some embodiments of this application, a guide member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the end of the second valve body. The guide member has an annular structure, and its inner wall surface adapts to the end of the second valve body, while its outer peripheral surface adapts to the inner wall surface of the open end of the socket connector. The design of the guide member helps guide the second valve body to the correct position and direction within the socket connector, ensuring a sealing fit between the second valve body and the socket connector. It also facilitates the insertion and removal of the plug and socket connectors, improving the accuracy and sealing of the connection.

[0022] In some embodiments of this application, the second valve body is integrally rod-shaped. The front end of the second valve body is connected to a guide member, and a spring base and a nut are sequentially fitted onto the rear end of the second valve body. The nut is threadedly connected to the second valve body, locking the spring base to the second valve body. The rod-shaped structure of the second valve body is simple in design, high in strength, and can reliably bear the elastic force of the linear spring. By locking the spring base with the nut, the compression degree of the linear spring can be easily adjusted, thereby controlling the sealing force of the second valve body on the opening face of the socket connector and ensuring a sealing effect.

[0023] In some embodiments of this application, one end of the linear spring abuts against the guide member, and the other end of the linear spring abuts against the spring base. This connection method allows the linear spring to effectively transmit its elastic force to the second valve body, ensuring the sealing force of the second valve body on the opening end face of the socket connector. It also facilitates installation and adjustment, improving the assembly efficiency and sealing reliability of the connection socket.

[0024] Based on common knowledge in the field, the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these drawings are drawn only for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. Furthermore, unless specifically indicated, the drawings are only schematic representations of the composition or structure of the described objects and may contain exaggerated depictions, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the plug-in state of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A sectional view;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the unconnected state of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A sectional view.

[0030] The specific annotations in the attached drawings are as follows: 1. Connecting plug; 2. Connecting socket; 3. Mounting plate; 4. Plug connector; 5. First valve body; 5a. Sealing section; 5b. Connecting section; 6. Irregular spring; 6a. First section; 6b. Second section; 7. Sealing ring; 12. Retaining ring; 13. Standard interface; 14. Floating assembly; 15. Screw; 17. Socket connector; 18. Second valve body; 19. Linear spring; 20. Guide component; 21. Spring base; 22. Nut. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0033] A liquid-cooled connector, as described in Embodiment 1 Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the connector includes a plug 1 and a socket 2. The plug 1 includes a mounting plate 3, a plug connector 4, and a first valve body 5. The plug connector 4 is mounted on the mounting plate 3, and the distance from the open end face of the plug connector 4 to the mounting plate 3 is 10mm-20mm. This significantly reduces the space occupied by the liquid-cooled connector in the insertion / removal direction, effectively shortening the insertion / removal travel. Compared to the approximately 35mm insertion / removal travel of traditional liquid-cooled connectors, this design greatly shortens the space occupied by the connector in the insertion / removal direction, better adapting to the layout requirements of different vehicle models. It solves the problem that some vehicle models cannot install liquid-cooled connectors due to installation space limitations, expanding its application scenarios and market versatility.

[0034] The first valve body 5 is installed inside the plug connector 4. A shaped spring 6 is connected to the first valve body 5, with one end of the spring 6 connected to the first valve body 5 and the other end abutting against the inner wall of the plug connector 4. The shaped spring 6 is in a compressed state, driving the first valve body 5 to seal the open end face of the plug connector 4. This ensures a good sealing contact between the first valve body 5 and the open end face of the plug connector 4, effectively preventing coolant leakage when the connector is not connected or disconnected, thus improving the sealing reliability and overall safety of the liquid-cooled connector.

[0035] This application employs a clever structural design to tightly integrate the irregularly shaped spring 6 with the first valve body 5, and rationally positions it inside the plug connector 4, ensuring a reasonable flow area within the connector 4. Furthermore, it shortens the compression stroke of the irregularly shaped spring 6, thereby reducing the protrusion height of the plug connector while maintaining sealing reliability and flow channel area.

[0036] Preferably, the distance from the open end face of the plug connector 4 to the mounting plate 3 is 12mm-17mm.

[0037] Example 2, as Figures 1 to 4 The first valve body 5 has a T-shaped longitudinal section and includes a sealing section 5a and a connecting section 5b that are connected to each other. A sealing ring 7 is fitted over the sealing section 5a, and the sealing section 5a and the sealing ring 7 cooperate to act on the inner wall surface of the opening end of the plug connector 4. The structural design of the first valve body 5 and the cooperation of the sealing ring 7 enhance the sealing effect between the first valve body 5 and the opening end face of the plug connector 4, effectively preventing coolant leakage and improving sealing reliability.

[0038] The irregularly shaped spring 6 includes a first segment 6a and a second segment 6b, which are connected. The first segment 6a is fitted over the connecting segment 5b, and the second segment 6b is adapted to the inner wall of the plug connector 4. The irregularly shaped spring 6 is divided into two segments and adapted to the connecting segment 5b and the inner wall of the plug connector 4, which allows for better control of the compression and elasticity distribution of the irregularly shaped spring 6, ensuring the sealing effect of the first valve body 5 on the opening end face of the plug connector 4, while also improving the stability and reliability of the structure.

[0039] The compression stroke of the irregular spring 6 and the height of the valve body are greatly reduced, maximizing the internal flow area. While ensuring sealing reliability and flow performance, the height of the plug connector 4 is shortened, effectively reducing the protrusion height of the plug connector 4 and shortening the insertion and removal stroke, making it suitable for use in layouts with very small installation spaces.

[0040] The diameter of the first segment 6a is smaller than that of the second segment 6b, and the pitch of the first segment 6a is smaller than that of the second segment 6b. While ensuring sufficient elasticity, the irregular spring 6 reduces its radial dimension and axial length within the plug connector 4, further compressing the compression stroke of the irregular spring 6 and the height of the valve body, providing more space for maximizing the internal flow area, which is beneficial for shortening the insertion and removal stroke and improving flow performance.

[0041] The mounting plate 3 has mounting holes, and a retaining ring 12 is provided around the outer periphery of the plug connector 4. The rear end of the retaining ring 12 passes through the mounting holes and connects to the standard interface 13. The standard interface 13 is threadedly connected to the plug connector 4. The cooperation of the mounting holes, retaining ring 12, and standard interface 13 allows the plug connector 4 to be securely mounted on the mounting plate 3, improving the stability and reliability of the connection, and facilitating the assembly of the liquid-cooled connector.

[0042] The mounting plate 3 is also equipped with a floating component 14, which is fixed to the sheet metal of the vehicle frame by screws 15. The floating component 14 allows the plug connector 4 to absorb the matching deviation in the XYZ direction to a certain extent, improving the smoothness of insertion and removal and the sealing reliability of the liquid-cooled connector during the power swapping process, and enhancing its adaptability to different power swapping methods and positional deviations.

[0043] Specifically, the floating assembly 14 includes an XY-direction floating assembly and a Z-direction floating assembly connected by a screw 15. During the battery swapping process, the outer diameter of the plug connector 4 and the inner diameter of the socket connector 17 are mechanically clearance-fitted. During this process, the XY-direction floating assembly can absorb ±3mm of deviation, and the Z-direction floating assembly can absorb ±5mm of deviation. The cooperation between the XY-direction and Z-direction floating assemblies ensures smooth insertion and removal and reliable sealing during the battery swapping process.

[0044] The rest of the contents of Example 2 are the same as those of Example 1.

[0045] Example 3, as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the connection socket 2 includes a socket connector 17, a second valve body 18, and a linear spring 19. The second valve body 18 is installed inside the socket connector 17, and the linear spring 19 connects the second valve body 18 and the socket connector 17. The linear spring 19 is in a compressed state, and the linear spring 19 drives the second valve body 18 to seal the open end face of the socket connector 17, thereby achieving a seal of the socket connector 17 in the unconnected or disconnected state, preventing coolant leakage, and improving the sealing performance and reliability of the connection socket 2.

[0046] A guide 20 is fitted around the outer periphery of the end of the second valve body 18. The guide 20 has a circular structure, and its inner wall surface conforms to the end of the second valve body 18, while its outer periphery surface conforms to the inner wall surface of the open end of the socket connector 17. The design of the guide 20 helps guide the second valve body 18 to the correct position and direction within the socket connector 17, ensuring a sealing fit between the second valve body 18 and the socket connector 17. It also facilitates the insertion and removal of the plug connector 4 and the socket connector 17, improving the accuracy and sealing of the connection.

[0047] The second valve body 18 has a rod-like structure. Its front end is connected to the guide member 20, and its rear end is fitted with a spring base 21 and a nut 22. The nut 22 is threaded onto the second valve body 18, locking the spring base 21 to the second valve body 18. The rod-like structure of the second valve body 18 is simple in design, high in strength, and can reliably bear the elastic force of the linear spring 19. By locking the spring base 21 with the nut 22, the compression degree of the linear spring 19 can be easily adjusted, thereby controlling the sealing force of the second valve body 18 on the opening face of the socket connector 17 and ensuring a sealing effect.

[0048] One end of the linear spring 19 rests against the guide member 20, and the other end rests against the spring base 21. This connection method allows the linear spring 19 to effectively transmit its elastic force to the second valve body 18, ensuring the sealing force of the second valve body 18 on the opening end face of the socket connector 17. It also facilitates installation and adjustment, improving the assembly efficiency and sealing reliability of the connection socket 2.

[0049] The other contents of Example 3 are the same as those of Example 1 or Example 2.

[0050] The present application has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the present application and its core ideas. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present application without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled connector, characterized in that, The device includes a connector (1) and a connector (2). The connector (1) includes a mounting plate (3), a connector (4) and a first valve body (5). The connector (4) is mounted on the mounting plate (3). The distance from the open end face of the connector (4) to the mounting plate (3) is 10mm-20mm. The first valve body (5) is installed inside the connector (4). The first valve body (5) is connected to a shaped spring (6). One end of the shaped spring (6) is connected to the first valve body (5), and the other end of the shaped spring (6) abuts against the inner wall of the connector (4). The shaped spring (6) is in a compressed state. The shaped spring (6) drives the first valve body (5) to seal the open end face of the connector (4).

2. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first valve body (5) has a T-shaped longitudinal section. The first valve body (5) includes a blocking section (5a) and a connecting section (5b) that are connected to each other. The blocking section (5a) is covered with a sealing ring (7). The blocking section (5a) and the sealing ring (7) cooperate to act on the inner wall surface of the opening end of the plug connector (4).

3. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The irregular spring (6) includes a first segment (6a) and a second segment (6b), which are connected. The first segment (6a) is sleeved outside the connecting segment (5b), and the second segment (6b) is adapted to the inner wall of the plug connector (4).

4. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter of the first segment (6a) is smaller than the diameter of the second segment (6b), and the pitch of the first segment (6a) is smaller than the pitch of the second segment (6b).

5. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting plate (3) is provided with mounting holes, and a retaining ring (12) is provided around the outer periphery of the plug connector (4). The rear end of the retaining ring (12) passes through the mounting hole and is connected to the standard interface (13). The standard interface (13) is threadedly connected to the plug connector (4).

6. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting plate (3) is also provided with a floating component (14), which is fixed to the sheet metal at the end of the frame by a screw (15).

7. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection socket (2) includes a socket connector (17), a second valve body (18) and a linear spring (19). The second valve body (18) is installed inside the socket connector (17). The linear spring (19) connects the second valve body (18) and the socket connector (17). The linear spring (19) is in a compressed state. The linear spring (19) drives the second valve body (18) to seal the open end face of the socket connector (17).

8. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, A guide (20) is provided on the outer periphery of the end of the second valve body (18). The guide (20) has a circular structure. The inner wall surface of the guide (20) is adapted to the end of the second valve body (18), and the outer periphery surface of the guide (20) is adapted to the inner wall surface of the opening end of the socket connector (17).

9. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second valve body (18) is rod-shaped. The front end of the second valve body (18) is connected to the guide (20). The rear end of the second valve body (18) is fitted with a spring base (21) and a nut (22) in sequence. The nut (22) is threadedly connected to the second valve body (18) and locks the spring base (21) at the second valve body (18).

10. A liquid-cooled connector according to claim 9, characterized in that, One end of the linear spring (19) abuts against the guide (20), and the other end of the linear spring (19) abuts against the spring base (21).

Images