Electrical connector heat dissipation structure based on phase change heat storage

Abstract

This utility model discloses a heat dissipation structure for an electrical connector based on phase change heat storage, belonging to the field of electrical connector technology. It includes a connector housing and conductive terminals disposed inside the connector housing, and a phase change heat storage device disposed around the conductive terminals. The phase change heat storage device includes a sealed thermally conductive outer shell tightly fitted to the surface of the conductive terminals, and a phase change material filled inside the sealed thermally conductive outer shell. This utility model utilizes the latent heat of phase change of the phase change material, enabling it to absorb and store a large amount of heat energy when the terminal temperature reaches its melting point, while maintaining a relatively constant temperature itself. This significantly slows down the temperature rise rate of the connector, effectively "smoothing out" temperature spikes caused by instantaneous overload.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical connector technology, specifically to a heat dissipation structure for electrical connectors based on phase change heat storage. Background Technology

[0002] As fundamental components in electrical and electronic systems for transmitting electrical energy and signals, electrical connectors are crucial in terms of power handling capacity and operational reliability. With the advancement of technology towards higher power density and miniaturization, the heat generated by electrical connectors during operation due to the Joule effect has increased dramatically.

[0003] Traditional heat dissipation solutions, such as relying on natural convection cooling from the housing or adding metal heat sinks, have reached their limits in terms of efficiency. When the load current experiences sudden large fluctuations or peak overloads, these passive heat dissipation methods cannot respond quickly enough, and the generated heat cannot be dissipated in time, causing the temperature of the conductive terminals to spike rapidly within a short period. Excessive temperature accelerates oxidation at the contact interface and aging of the insulating material, leading to increased contact resistance, creating a vicious cycle, and may even trigger thermal runaway, burning out the connector and posing a serious threat to the safety and stability of the entire system. Therefore, how to effectively cope with thermal shocks under high power and manage peak heat is a pressing technical challenge in this field. Therefore, this invention proposes a heat dissipation structure for electrical connectors based on phase change heat storage. Utility Model Content

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] The heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change heat storage includes a connector housing and conductive terminals disposed inside the connector housing, and a phase change heat storage device disposed on the outer periphery of the conductive terminals. The phase change heat storage device includes a sealed heat-conducting shell that is tightly attached to the surface of the conductive terminals, and a phase change material filled inside the sealed heat-conducting shell.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage described in this utility model, the sealed thermally conductive shell is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the heat dissipation structure for the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage described in this utility model, the metal material is aluminum alloy.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage described in this utility model, the phase change material is a low-melting-point organic material.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage described in this utility model, wherein: an integrated heat dissipation fin is provided on the exposed surface of the sealed thermally conductive shell.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage described in this utility model, a ventilation grille is provided on the connector housing corresponding to the position of the heat dissipation fins.

[0011] Compared with existing technologies:

[0012] 1. Excellent thermal shock buffering capability: Utilizing the latent heat of phase change of phase change materials, it can absorb and store a large amount of heat energy when the terminal temperature reaches the melting point, while its own temperature remains relatively constant; this greatly slows down the temperature rise rate of the connector and effectively "flattens" the temperature peaks caused by instantaneous overload.

[0013] 2. Improved operational safety and reliability: By controlling the maximum operating temperature of the terminals below a safe threshold, accelerated aging of the insulation material and deterioration of contact performance are effectively prevented, avoiding the risk of thermal runaway and significantly enhancing the long-term operational reliability of the connector under harsh conditions.

[0014] 3. Passive, high-efficiency circulation, long lifespan: This heat dissipation structure has no moving parts and relies entirely on the physical phase change process of the materials to work; the phase change process has high reversibility and cycle stability, ensuring the long service life and maintenance-free characteristics of the heat dissipation device;

[0015] 4. Enhanced power carrying capacity: Due to its strong heat buffering capacity, this structure enables the electrical connector to withstand higher and longer peak current surges, effectively improving its rated power and overload capacity, and meeting the needs of the next generation of power electronic equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a frontal sectional view of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Connector housing; 2. Conductive terminal; 3. Phase change heat storage device; 4. Sealed heat-conducting shell; 5. Phase change material; 6. Heat dissipation fins; 7. Ventilation grille. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] This utility model provides a heat dissipation structure for electrical connectors based on phase change thermal storage. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1The device includes a connector housing 1 and conductive terminals 2 disposed inside the connector housing 1. It also includes a phase change heat storage device 3 disposed around the conductive terminals 2. The phase change heat storage device 3 includes a sealed heat-conducting shell 4 that is tightly attached to the surface of the conductive terminals 2, and a phase change material 5 filled inside the sealed heat-conducting shell 4. After filling, the sealed heat-conducting shell 4 is completely sealed to prevent leakage of the phase change material 5 after melting. When the temperature of the conductive terminals 2 rises to the melting point of the phase change material 5, the phase change material 5 absorbs a large amount of latent heat through melting, thereby buffering a huge thermal shock in a short time and maintaining the relative stability of the temperature of the conductive terminals 2.

[0020] The sealed thermally conductive housing 4 is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, namely aluminum alloy. Its inner wall shape is precisely matched with the shape of the conductive terminal 2 to achieve minimal contact thermal resistance and ensure that heat is efficiently transferred from the terminal to the thermally conductive housing. In addition, the sealed thermally conductive housing 4 and the conductive terminal 2 are in close contact through interference fit or by filling with high thermal conductivity silicone grease to ensure that heat can be quickly and unobstructedly transferred from the conductive terminal 2.

[0021] The phase change material 5 is a low-melting-point organic material, and its phase change temperature (melting point) is selected according to the upper limit of the rated operating temperature of the connector to ensure that the phase change occurs within the normal operating temperature range.

[0022] The exposed surface of the sealed heat-conducting shell 4 is provided with integrated heat dissipation fins 6, which are used to increase the heat exchange area with the external environment and continuously dissipate the heat absorbed and stored by the phase change material 5 into the surrounding air; the connector housing 1 is provided with ventilation grilles 7 at the positions corresponding to the heat dissipation fins 6, so as to promote convective heat exchange between the external cold air and the heat dissipation fins 6, form an efficient heat dissipation air duct, and help the melted phase change material 5 to re-solidify after the load is reduced, and restore its heat storage capacity.

[0023] In practical use, when the electrical connector operates under high current, the conductive terminal 2 rapidly generates a large amount of Joule heat. This heat is immediately conducted to the tightly fitted, sealed thermally conductive housing 4. When the temperature of the sealed thermally conductive housing 4 rises and reaches the melting point of the phase change material 5 (e.g., 80°C), the phase change material 5 begins to transform from a solid to a liquid state. Throughout the melting process, it absorbs a significant amount of latent heat, but its own temperature remains essentially constant at 80°C. This acts like a heat sponge, rapidly absorbing the surging heat from the conductive terminal 2, thus clamping the temperature of the conductive terminal 2 around 80°C and preventing a continuous and rapid temperature increase.

[0024] Meanwhile, the heat absorbed and stored in the phase change thermal storage device 3 is continuously transferred to the heat dissipation fins 6 on its outer surface through the sealed thermally conductive shell 4. Under the influence of the internal and external air convection guided by the ventilation grille 7, the heat is efficiently dissipated into the surrounding environment.

[0025] When the current load on the connector decreases and the heat generation decreases, the heat dissipation power of the heat sink 6 will exceed the heat generation power, causing the phase change material 5 to begin to cool down and re-solidify from a liquid state into a solid state, releasing the latent heat previously absorbed. After solidification, the phase change heat storage device 3 restores its initial heat storage capacity, preparing for the next possible thermal shock.

[0026] The entire process cleverly utilizes the latent heat of phase change for "peak shaving and valley filling," and through an efficient heat storage-heat dissipation cycle, it ensures that the electrical connector can maintain a safe and stable working state even under severe power fluctuations.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the features in the embodiments disclosed in this invention can be combined with each other in any way. The lack of an exhaustive description of these combinations in this specification is merely for the sake of brevity and resource conservation. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A heat dissipation structure for an electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage, comprising a connector housing (1) and conductive terminals (2) disposed inside the connector housing (1), characterized in that: It also includes a phase change heat storage device (3) disposed on the outer periphery of the conductive terminal (2), the phase change heat storage device (3) including a sealed heat-conducting shell (4) that is tightly attached to the surface of the conductive terminal (2), and a phase change material (5) filled inside the sealed heat-conducting shell (4).

2. The heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealed thermally conductive shell (4) is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity.

3. The heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage according to claim 2, characterized in that, The metal material is an aluminum alloy.

4. The heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The phase change material (5) is a low-melting-point organic material.

5. The heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exposed surface of the sealed heat-conducting shell (4) is provided with integrated heat dissipation fins (6).

6. The heat dissipation structure of the electrical connector based on phase change thermal storage according to claim 5, characterized in that, A ventilation grille (7) is provided on the connector housing (1) at the position corresponding to the heat dissipation fins (6).

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