An electrical connector for an underwater robot

Abstract

This application discloses an electrical connector for an underwater robot, including a housing with a threaded section. The housing is screwed to the battery compartment wall of the underwater robot. A first connecting end is provided on one side of the housing, and a second connecting end is provided on the other side. The connector also includes: a sealing cap, with the first connecting end of the housing fitted with a sealing cap; a limiting surface, with the housing having a limiting surface to limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap; and an annular groove, formed on the sealing cap and adapted to the housing. When the underwater robot is deployed, the sealing cap plugs the first connecting end of the housing, preventing direct contact between the first connecting end and seawater, thus reducing the probability of damage to the electrical connector. The annular groove also helps to increase the sealing path, requiring seawater to overcome more resistance to enter the first connecting end of the housing, better isolating it from seawater. Limiting surfaces are provided on both the inner and outer sides of the first connecting end of the housing to effectively limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrical connector technology, and in particular to an electrical connector for underwater robots. Background Technology

[0002] External battery compartments are a way for underwater robots to carry power. The external battery compartments can be in direct contact with seawater, which cools the batteries. This reduces the need for cooling structures and thus lowers the weight of the external battery compartments, making them widely used in the field of underwater robots.

[0003] The external battery compartment is equipped with a main electrical connector to power the underwater robot's thrusters and other components. The external battery compartment is also equipped with a charging electrical connector and a debugging electrical connector. The inclusion of the charging electrical connector and the debugging electrical connector can reduce the number of times the main electrical connector is plugged in and unplugged, ensuring the performance of the main electrical connector.

[0004] However, in the relevant technologies, the inner connectors inside the charging and debugging electrical connectors are in direct contact with seawater, which makes the inner connectors inside the charging and debugging electrical connectors prone to damage. Furthermore, the repair and replacement of the charging and debugging electrical connectors will affect their sealing performance, which may lead to water leakage in the battery compartment.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose an electrical connector for underwater robots that avoids direct contact between the internal connector and seawater, which has become an important technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0006] This application provides an electrical connector for underwater robots, aiming to solve the problem that in the prior art, the inner connectors in the charging electrical connector and the debugging electrical connector are in direct contact with seawater, which makes the inner connectors in the charging electrical connector and the debugging electrical connector prone to damage.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes an electrical connector for an underwater robot, comprising a housing with a threaded section, the housing being screwed to the battery compartment wall of the underwater robot, a first connecting end on one side of the housing, and a second connecting end on the other side of the housing, and further comprising: a sealing cap, the first connecting end of the housing being provided with a sealing cap; a limiting surface, the housing being provided with a limiting surface for limiting the insertion depth of the sealing cap; and an annular groove, the annular groove being formed in the sealing cap and adapted to the housing.

[0008] In some embodiments, the device further includes: a first sealing ring, wherein the sealing cap and the housing are disposed of a first sealing ring; and a conical surface, wherein the bottom of the sealing cap is provided with a conical surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the device further includes a pull ring, wherein the sealing cap is provided with a pull ring.

[0010] In some embodiments, the device further includes: a limiting section, wherein the housing is provided with a limiting section that abuts against the battery compartment wall; and a gasket, wherein a gasket is provided between the limiting section and the battery compartment wall.

[0011] In some embodiments, the device further includes: a second sealing ring, wherein the second sealing ring is disposed between the housing and the battery compartment wall; and an annular groove, wherein both the housing and the battery compartment wall are provided with an annular groove adapted to the second sealing ring.

[0012] In some embodiments, the device further includes a third sealing ring, wherein the inner connector and the housing are provided with a third sealing ring.

[0013] This application proposes an electrical connector for an underwater robot, comprising a housing with threaded sections, screwed to the battery compartment wall of the underwater robot. A first connecting end is located on one side of the housing, and a second connecting end is located on the other side. The connector also includes: a sealing cap, located at the first connecting end of the housing; a limiting surface, located on the housing to limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap; and an annular groove, formed on the sealing cap and adapted to the housing. When the underwater robot is deployed, the sealing cap plugs the first connecting end of the housing, preventing direct contact with seawater and reducing the probability of damage to the electrical connector. The annular groove also increases the sealing path, requiring seawater to overcome more resistance to enter the first connecting end of the housing, thus better isolating it from seawater. Limiting surfaces are located on both the inner and outer sides of the first connecting end of the housing to effectively limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap. The outer limiting surface also facilitates observation of whether the sealing cap is fully inserted. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an electrical connector for an underwater robot according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an electrical connector for an underwater robot according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a front view of an electrical connector for an underwater robot according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view at point AA; Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle; Figure 6for Figure 4 A magnified view of a section at point C.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Housing, 21. Sealing, 21. Ring groove, 3. Battery compartment wall, 4. Second connecting end, 5. Pull ring, 6. First connecting end, 7. Inner connecting head, 8. Third sealing ring, 9. Threaded section, 10. First sealing ring, 11. Conical surface, 12. Gasket, 13. Detailed Implementation

[0016] 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 a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0017] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of this application are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0018] It should also be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or may have an intervening component present. When a component is referred to as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may have an intervening component present.

[0019] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this application is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0020] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, this application proposes an electrical connector for an underwater robot, including a housing 1, a threaded section 9 on the housing 1, the housing 1 being screwed to the battery compartment wall 3 of the underwater robot, a first connecting end 6 on one side of the housing 1, and a second connecting end 4 on the other side of the housing 1, and further including: a sealing cap 2, the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1 being provided with a sealing cap 2; a limiting surface, the housing 1 being provided with a limiting surface to limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap 2; and an annular groove 21, the annular groove 21 being formed in the sealing cap 2 and adapted to the housing 1.

[0021] The electrical connector is either a charging connector or a debugging electrical structure. The housing 1 is the main structure of the electrical connector, and all other structures on the electrical connector are directly or indirectly connected to the housing 1. An internal connector 7 is also provided inside the housing 1, used to connect the internal circuitry to the external circuitry. The internal connector 7 is a mature existing technology, and its structure is not specifically limited here.

[0022] The housing 1 is connected to the battery compartment wall 3 of the underwater robot by a detachable mechanical connection via screws, avoiding the need for welding to connect the housing 1 to the underwater robot, thus preventing damage to the battery compartment wall 3 under thermal stress. A first connection end 6 is provided on one side of the housing 1 for the insertion of the terminal head of the external circuit, and a second connection end 4 is provided on the other side of the housing 1 for the insertion of the terminal head of the internal circuit, so that the terminal heads of the external circuit and the terminal heads of the internal circuit are connected through the internal connection head 7.

[0023] The housing 1 is annular at both the first connecting end 6 and the second connecting end 4 to facilitate the insertion of the terminal head. The sealing cap 2 has an annular groove 21 adapted to the annular first connecting end 6. Inserting the sealing cap 2 into the first connecting end 6 effectively seals the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1, preventing seawater from directly contacting the inner connecting head 7 and reducing the probability of damage to the electrical connector. The annular groove 21 also helps to increase the sealing path, requiring seawater to overcome more resistance to enter the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1, thus better isolating seawater. The housing 1 has limiting surfaces on both the inner and outer sides of the first connecting end 6 to effectively limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap 2. The outer limiting surface also facilitates observation of whether the sealing cap 2 is fully inserted.

[0024] Specifically, when the underwater robot is deployed, the sealing cap 2 plugs the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1, preventing the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1 from directly contacting seawater and reducing the probability of damage to the electrical connector. The annular groove 21 also helps to increase the sealing path, requiring seawater to overcome more resistance to enter the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1, thus better isolating it from seawater. Limiting surfaces are provided on both the inner and outer sides of the first connecting end 6 of the housing 1 to effectively limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap 2. The outer limiting surface also facilitates observation of whether the sealing cap 2 is fully inserted.

[0025] The sealing cap 2 is made of rubber and is connected to the first connecting end 6 by an interference fit of H7 / r6, which effectively prevents the sealing cap 2 from detaching from the first connecting end 6.

[0026] The first connecting end 6 has guide surfaces on both its inner and outer sides to facilitate the insertion of the sealing cap 2.

[0027] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the system further includes: a first sealing ring 10, which is disposed between the sealing cap 2 and the housing 1; and a conical surface 11, which is disposed at the bottom of the sealing cap 2. The first sealing ring 10 helps to improve the sealing performance between the sealing cap 2 and the first connecting end 6, better isolating seawater. The conical surface 11 can better compress the first sealing ring 10 and appropriately limit the deformation direction of the first sealing ring 10, thereby further improving the sealing performance between the sealing cap 2 and the first connecting end 6.

[0028] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, it further includes a pull ring 5, which is provided on the sealing cap 2. The pull ring 5 is integrally formed with the sealing cap 2, and the pull ring 5 facilitates easier removal of the sealing cap 2.

[0029] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the device further includes: a limiting section, wherein the housing 1 is provided with a limiting section that abuts against the battery compartment wall 3; the limiting section is used to limit the screwing depth of the housing 1; and a gasket 12, wherein a gasket 12 is provided between the limiting section and the battery compartment wall 3. The gasket 12 is made of rubber, and the gasket 12 can prevent loosening and improve the sealing performance between the housing 1 and the battery compartment wall 3, preventing seawater from seeping into the battery compartment. Preferably, a waterproof adhesive is provided between the threaded section 9 and the battery compartment wall 3.

[0030] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments, it further includes: a second sealing ring 13, which is provided between the housing 1 and the battery compartment wall 3; the provision of the second sealing ring 13 can improve the sealing performance between the housing 1 and the battery compartment wall 3, preventing seawater from seeping into the battery compartment. An annular groove 21 is provided on both the housing 1 and the battery compartment wall 3 to accommodate the second sealing ring 13. The annular groove 21 is used to position the second sealing ring 13.

[0031] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, a third sealing ring 8 is also included, which is disposed between the inner connector 7 and the housing 1. The third sealing ring 8 is used to improve the sealing performance between the inner connector 7 and the housing 1, and under extreme conditions, it can prevent seawater from flowing into the battery compartment from the gap between the inner connector 7 and the housing 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first sealing ring 10, the second sealing ring 13, and the third sealing ring 8 are all O-rings.

[0033] The above description is only a part or preferred embodiment of this application. Neither the text nor the drawings should limit the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings under the overall concept of this application, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for an underwater robot, comprising a housing (1), wherein the housing (1) is provided with a threaded section (9), the housing (1) is screwed to the battery compartment wall (3) of the underwater robot, a first connecting end (6) is provided on one side of the housing (1), and a second connecting end (4) is provided on the other side of the housing (1), characterized in that, Also includes: The sealing cap (2) is provided at the first connecting end (6) of the housing (1); A limiting surface is provided on the housing (1) to limit the insertion depth of the sealing cap (2); An annular groove (21) is formed in the sealing cap (2) and is adapted to the housing (1).

2. The electrical connector for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The first sealing ring (10) is provided between the sealing cap (2) and the housing (1). Conical surface (11), the bottom of the sealing cap (2) is provided with the conical surface (11).

3. An electrical connector for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Pull ring (5), the sealing cap (2) is provided with pull ring (5).

4. An electrical connector for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The housing (1) is provided with a limiting section that abuts against the battery compartment wall (3); Gasket (12), the gasket (12) is provided between the limiting segment and the battery compartment wall (3).

5. An electrical connector for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The second sealing ring (13) is provided between the housing (1) and the battery compartment wall (3). The housing (1) and the battery compartment wall (3) are both provided with the annular groove (21) adapted to the second sealing ring (13).

6. An electrical connector for an underwater robot according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The third sealing ring (8) is provided between the inner connector (7) and the housing (1).

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