Adapter plug

Abstract

The utility model relates to the application connection field of lithium ion battery, especially a conversion plug. When using the conversion plug, the power plug of the battery end is inserted into the second insulating socket at the rear end of the conversion plug, and the power plug of the equipment end is sleeved on the first insulating plug at the front end of the conversion plug. When applied, the current flows from the conductor plug-in of the first power plug, passes through the conductor sheet and the conductor sheet in the insulating tube cavity, is conducted to the conductor adapter, and is conducted to the connected second power plug through the conductor insertion tube at the front end, forming a complete conductive loop. When the two plugs cannot be directly matched for use due to different specifications, the conversion plug of the embodiment can safely and reliably realize the electrical connection of the two, greatly improving the convenience of application and the compatibility of the equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lithium-ion battery application connections, and in particular to a converter plug. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries, as a highly efficient and portable energy solution, are finding increasingly wider applications, leading to a continuous increase in demand for their associated charging and discharging equipment and connectors. Currently, various battery connector specifications and models are available on the market, such as the TRX series and EC3 series. These different male and female connectors typically use a fixed pairing method, meaning that a certain type of male connector can only be used with a specific type of female connector, resulting in poor product versatility. When the user's device interface does not match the battery connector specifications, a proper connection is difficult to achieve, significantly limiting the product's application scenarios and market competitiveness.

[0003] To address the aforementioned compatibility issues, a common approach in existing technologies is to use a "wire-soldering conversion" method, which involves soldering two different plug specifications together with a wire to achieve the conversion function. However, this conversion method has significant drawbacks: firstly, the wire-soldering structure is bulky and inconvenient to carry; secondly, its internal connection reliability and insulation performance are relatively poor, posing certain safety hazards; and thirdly, the exposed cable is prone to tangling and damage, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this utility model is to provide a converter plug that is compact, integrally molded, and easy to carry, while also being able to safely and reliably convert between plugs of different specifications.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a converter plug, comprising: An insulating base (1) is provided at the front end of the insulating base (1). The first insulating plug includes two separate insulating tubes (11). The opening of the insulating tube (11) is located at the front end and is used to fit the first plug. The rear end of the insulating base (1) is provided with a second insulating socket. The second insulating socket includes two insulating cavities (12). The opening of the insulating cavity (12) is located at the rear end and is used to fit the second plug. The two insulating cavities (12) are respectively arranged axially opposite to the two insulating tubes (11), and an insulating gap (14) is provided between each insulating cavity (12) and the corresponding insulating tube (11). Two conductor adapters (2), each of the conductor adapters (2) includes a closed end face, with a forward-extending conductor tube (21) at the front end of the closed end face and a rearward-extending conductor piece (22) at the rear end of the closed end face. The conductor cannula (21) is fixed inside the corresponding insulating cannula (11), and the outer periphery of the closed end face protrudes from the outer periphery of the conductor cannula (21) to form an annular fixed flange (23). The insulating base (1) has an insulating spacer (14) formed between each of the insulating tubes (11) and the corresponding insulating cavity (12). The fixing flange (23) is fixedly fitted into the front end of the insulating spacer (14), so that the conductor tube (21) and the insulating cavity (12) are isolated from each other. The conductor piece (22) extends backward and extends into the corresponding insulating cavity (12). Two conductor springs (3) are fixed in the two insulating cavities (12) respectively. In each insulating cavity (12), the conductor spring (3) and the conductor sheet (22) are arranged opposite to each other. When the external plug is inserted into the insulating cavity (12), the external plug is inserted between the conductor sheet (22) and the conductor spring (3) and squeezes the conductor spring (3) to cause the conductor spring (3) to undergo elastic deformation.

[0006] Optionally, within the insulating base (1), an annular groove (15) is provided at the rear end of each of the insulating tubes (11), and the annular groove (15) is located at the front end of the insulating spacer (14). The fixing flange (23) of each conductor adapter (2) is respectively confined within the corresponding annular groove (15).

[0007] Optionally, each of the conductor springs (3) includes a straight section (31) at both ends and a curved section (32) between the two straight sections (31). The two straight sections (31) of each conductor spring (3) are respectively attached and fixed to the inner wall of the insulating cavity (12) where they are located. The curved section (32) protrudes into the insulating cavity (12) and is elastically deformable, and is arranged opposite to the conductor sheet (22) located in the same insulating cavity (12).

[0008] Optionally, the thickness of the curved segment (32) is thinner than that of the two straight segments (31).

[0009] Optionally, at least one straight segment (31) of each of the conductor springs (3) is wider than the curved segment (32), extending beyond the two length edges of the curved segment (32). On both sides of the slot for accommodating the conductor spring (3) in each of the insulating cavities (12), there are also opposing two-sided slots (13). The two length edges of the straight section (31) of the conductor spring (3) located therein, which is wider than the curved section (32), are respectively locked in the two lateral slots (13).

[0010] Optionally, on the outer side of the two length edges of the curved section (32) of each of the conductor springs (3), a straight edge (33) separate from the length edge of the curved section (32) is also provided. The two straight edges (33) are also respectively locked in the two lateral slots (13).

[0011] Optionally, the inner end of the slot in each of the insulating cavities (12) is provided with an end slot. The end of the straight section (31) of each conductor spring (3) located at the inner end of the insulating cavity (12) is engaged in the end slot.

[0012] Optionally, the outer peripheral surface of each of the conductor cannulas (21), as well as the front end surface, rear end surface and outer peripheral surface of each of the fixed flanges (23), are completely covered by the colloid of the insulating base (1).

[0013] Optionally, the two insulating tubes (11) of the first insulating plug have different shapes.

[0014] Optionally, an anti-slip structure (16) is provided on the outer surface of the second insulating socket of the insulating base (1), the anti-slip structure (16) including anti-slip ridges and / or anti-slip grooves perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction.

[0015] As can be seen from the above, when two types of plugs cannot be directly paired due to their different specifications, the adapter plug of this embodiment can safely and reliably achieve electrical connection between the two, greatly improving the convenience of application and the compatibility of the equipment.

[0016] For example, in this embodiment of the adapter plug, the first insulated plug is configured to be an EC3 male plug adapted to an EC3 female plug, and the second insulated socket is configured to be a TRX female plug adapted to a TRX male plug. In practical applications, if the power supply output is an EC3 male plug and the device input is a TRX male plug, traditional fixed-pair plugs or wire bonding conversion methods cannot ideally solve the connection problem. In this case, by using this adapter plug, inserting the power supply's EC3 male plug into the adapter's TRX female socket, and simultaneously inserting the device's TRX male plug into the adapter's EC3 male plug, a complete conductive circuit can be quickly established, enabling the power supply to the device to function normally. This allows a single power supply product to be compatible with various devices with different input plug specifications, significantly improving the product's versatility and market competitiveness.

[0017] The versatility of this invention is not limited to conversion between TRX and EC3 models. Its core "integrated adapter" concept can be extended to other plug specifications. For example, a "Type A male to Type B female" adapter and a "Type A male to Type C female" adapter with the structure described in this embodiment can be designed separately for the same power supply product. By providing different adapters, the power supply product can be used with various electrical devices with input plugs of three different specifications: A, B, and C, greatly expanding the product's application range.

[0018] In summary, by applying the technical solution of this embodiment, the problem of conversion between multiple plug specifications is effectively solved through its compact integrated structure and reliable electrical connection characteristics. This helps to enhance product versatility, expand the application range, and thus improve the product's market competitiveness. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of this application, do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1 , 2 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the adapter provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figures 3-8 A schematic diagram of the main, rear, left, right, top, and bottom structures of the adapter provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the BB cross-sectional structure of the adapter provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the BB cross-sectional structure of the insulating base provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 11 An exploded view of the adapter provided in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the connection structure between the adapter plug and the TRX male plug and the EC3 male plug provided in the embodiment of this utility model; Figure 13 This is a front view diagram of the adapter plug after it is connected to the TRX male plug and the EC3 male plug, which is an embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the AA cross-sectional structure.

[0022] 1: Insulating base; 11: Insulating cannula; 12: Insulating cavity; 13: Lateral slot; 14: Insulating spacer; 15: Annular groove; 16: Anti-slip structure; 2: Conductor adapter; 21: Conductor cannula; twenty two: Conductor sheet; 23: Fixed flange; 3: Conductor spring; 31: Straight section; 32: Bending section; 33： Straight edges; 4: EC3 male connector; 5: TRX male connector. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Here, the illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the present invention are used to explain the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] See Figures 1-14 As shown.

[0025] This utility model provides a compact, one-piece molded, portable adapter plug with anti-reverse installation function to safely and reliably convert between different plug specifications (such as TRX and EC3 series).

[0026] The adapter provided in this embodiment includes an insulating base 1, two conductor adapters 2, and two conductor springs 3.

[0027] The insulating base 1 is integrally molded from insulating material using an injection molding process. Its front end forms a first insulating plug, which includes two separate insulating tubes 11 with their openings at the front end, for accommodating EC3 male connectors 4. Its rear end forms a second insulating socket, which internally includes two insulating cavities 12 with their openings at the rear end, for accommodating TRX male connectors 5. The two insulating cavities 12 and the two insulating tubes 11 are arranged axially opposite to each other, and an insulating gap 14 is formed between each insulating cavity 12 and its corresponding insulating tube 11.

[0028] The two conductor adapters 2 are each made of a rigid metal with good electrical conductivity, one serving as the positive electrode and the other as the negative electrode. Each conductor adapter 2 includes a closed end face, from which a conductor tube 21 extends forward and a conductor sheet 22 extends backward. Furthermore, the outer periphery of the closed end face protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the conductor tube 21, forming an annular fixed flange 23.

[0029] Each conductor spring 3 is made of an elastic metal material and is fixed in one of the two insulating cavities 12.

[0030] The assembly structure is as follows: two conductor adapters 2 are fixed to the insulating base 1 by injection molding. Specifically, the conductor tube 21 of each conductor adapter 2 is fixed inside the corresponding insulating tube 11; its fixing flange 23 is fixedly fitted into the front end of the insulating spacer 14, so that the conductor tube 21 and the insulating cavity 12 are spatially isolated from each other; its conductor piece 22 extends rearward and into the corresponding insulating cavity 12. Two conductor springs 3 are respectively fixed to the inner walls of the two insulating cavities 12, and in each insulating cavity 12, the conductor spring 3 and the conductor piece 22 of the conductor adapter 2 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0031] As can be seen from the above, when using this adapter, the power plug on the battery side (such as, but not limited to, TRX male plug 5) is inserted into the second insulating socket (TRX female socket) at the rear of the adapter, and the power plug on the device side (such as, but not limited to, EC3 female plug) is placed on the first insulating plug (adaptive EC3 male plug) at the front of the adapter. In application, current flows in from the conductor plug of TRX male plug 5, passes through the conductor spring 3 and conductor piece 22 in the insulating cavity 12, is conducted to the conductor adapter 2, and then is conducted to the EC3 female plug through the conductor tube 21 at the front end, forming a complete conductive circuit.

[0032] As an illustration of this embodiment, it is preferred, but not limited to, that the conductor adapter 2 is integrally injection molded by fitting the fixed flange 23 into the insulating spacer 14, eliminating the need for external soldering wires and additional connectors, thereby achieving miniaturization and integration of the adapter plug, making it compact and easy to carry.

[0033] For example, when the TRX male connector 5 is inserted into the second insulating socket, its conductor insert will be inserted between the conductor piece 22 and the conductor spring 3, squeezing the conductor spring 3 to cause it to undergo elastic deformation. The rebound force generated by this deformation ensures tight contact between the conductor insert and the conductor piece 22 and the conductor spring 3, effectively reducing contact resistance and improving the reliability and stability of the connection.

[0034] As an illustration of this embodiment, the insulating base 1 is not limited to the straight strip shape shown in the figure, and can also be designed as an "L" shape or other shapes according to space requirements. The plug models adapted to the first insulating plug and the third insulating socket are not limited to EC3 and TRX, and can be any other combination of plug specifications that require conversion.

[0035] As an illustration of this embodiment, to achieve a more secure fixation, an annular groove 15 is provided at the rear end of each insulating tube 11 of the insulating base 1 and at the front end of the insulating spacer 14. During injection molding, the fixing flange 23 of each conductor adapter 2 is precisely positioned within the corresponding annular groove 15. Simultaneously, during the molding process, the adhesive of the insulating base 1 completely covers the outer peripheral surface of each conductor tube 21, as well as the front end, rear end, and outer peripheral surface of each fixing flange 23.

[0036] As can be seen above, the annular groove 15 provides a precise positioning and accommodating space for the fixing flange 23, which, combined with the all-around coverage of the adhesive, forms a strong mechanical interlocking structure. This greatly enhances the holding force of the conductor adapter 2 within the insulating base 1, effectively resisting the axial force caused by frequent plugging and unplugging, preventing it from loosening or falling off, improving the product's durability, and enhancing the mechanical strength of the adapter plug.

[0037] In addition, this structure is very suitable for implementation through a one-time injection molding process, which helps to improve production efficiency and product consistency, and optimize the product production process.

[0038] As an illustration of this embodiment, this embodiment further refines the structure of the conductor spring 3 and its fixing method.

[0039] Each conductor spring 3 includes a straight section 31 at both ends and a curved section 32 located therebetween. As a preferred fixing method, the width of at least one straight section 31 of the conductor spring 3 is greater than that of the curved section 32, so that its two side edges extend beyond the curved section 32. Accordingly, two opposing lateral slots 13 are provided on both sides of the slot for accommodating the conductor spring 3 within each insulating cavity 12.

[0040] During assembly, the conductor spring 3 is inserted into the insulating cavity 12, with its two long edges of the extended straight section 31 engaging with the lateral slots 13 on both sides. To further enhance fixation, an end slot can be provided at the inner end of the slot in the insulating cavity 12, and the end of the straight section 31 at the inner end of the conductor spring 3 engages with this end slot. Additionally, straight edges 33, separate from the bent section 32, can be provided on the outer sides of the two long edges of the bent section 32 of the conductor spring 3, and these straight edges 33 also engage with the lateral slots 13. This slot-fitting structure ensures that the conductor spring 3 will not undergo lateral displacement or twisting when compressed, making its elastic deformation more stable and controllable, thereby consistently providing sufficient contact pressure, ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection, and improving elasticity and contact stability. Furthermore, this design facilitates the installation of the conductor spring 3 as an independent component after injection molding, simplifying installation.

[0041] It should be noted that the conductor spring 3 can also be integrally formed and fixed during the injection molding of the insulating base 1 by pre-embedding. In addition, the thickness of the bending section 32 can be designed to be thinner than the straight sections 31 at both ends, so as to make it easier to bend and optimize elasticity.

[0042] As an illustration of this embodiment, in order to enable the first insulating plug at the front end of the adapter plug to have a reverse insertion protection function, its two insulating tubes 11 are designed with different shapes. For example, one insulating tube 11 is cylindrical in shape, while the other is a cylindrical shape with a square cross-section. This asymmetrical design ensures that the EC3 male plug 4 can only be inserted in one correct direction, thereby effectively preventing the risk of short circuit caused by reverse insertion of positive and negative poles.

[0043] As an illustration of this embodiment, an anti-slip structure 16 perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction is provided on the outer surface of the insulating base 1, particularly around the outer periphery of the second insulating socket, which serves as the handhold. The anti-slip structure 16 includes anti-slip raised textures and / or anti-slip recesses. This increases friction during insertion / removal operations, achieving an anti-slip effect and making operation more effortless and convenient.

[0044] As can be seen from the above, when two types of plugs cannot be directly paired due to their different specifications, the adapter plug of this embodiment can safely and reliably achieve electrical connection between the two, greatly improving the convenience of application and the compatibility of the equipment.

[0045] This adapter plug features a reasonable structural design and mature manufacturing process, enabling mass production. It effectively solves the compatibility issues between charging and discharging plugs for different specifications of lithium-ion batteries, significantly improving the versatility and market competitiveness of power products. Therefore, it has broad industrial applicability in the field of battery technology.

[0046] For example, in this embodiment of the adapter plug, the first insulated plug is configured to be an EC3 male plug compatible with an EC3 female plug, and the second insulated socket is configured to be a TRX female plug compatible with a TRX male plug 5. In practical applications, if the power supply output is an EC3 male plug 4 and the device input is a TRX male plug 5, traditional fixed-pair plugs or wire bonding conversion methods cannot ideally solve the connection problem. In this case, by using this adapter plug, inserting the power supply's EC3 male plug 4 into the adapter's TRX female socket, and simultaneously inserting the device's TRX male plug 5 into the adapter's EC3 male plug, a complete conductive circuit can be quickly established, enabling the power supply to the device to function normally. This allows a single power supply product to be compatible with various devices with different input plug specifications, significantly improving the product's versatility and market competitiveness.

[0047] Furthermore, this embodiment illustrates the conversion between TRX and EC3 models, but the versatility of this invention is not limited to the conversion between TRX and EC3 models. Its core "integrated adapter" concept can be extended to other plug specifications. For example, a "Type A male plug to Type B female plug" adapter and a "Type A male plug to Type C female plug" adapter with the structure described in this embodiment can be designed separately for the same power supply product. By providing different adapters, the power supply product can be used with various electrical devices with input plugs of three different specifications: A, B, and C, greatly expanding the product's application range.

[0048] In summary, by applying the technical solution of this embodiment, the problem of conversion between multiple plug specifications is effectively solved through its compact integrated structure and reliable electrical connection characteristics. This helps to enhance product versatility, expand the application range, and thus improve the product's market competitiveness.

[0049] The embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this technical solution. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the above embodiments should be included within the scope of protection of this technical solution.

Claims

1. A travel adapter, characterized in that, include: An insulating base (1) is provided at the front end of the insulating base (1). The first insulating plug includes two separate insulating tubes (11). The opening of the insulating tube (11) is located at the front end and is used to fit the first plug. The rear end of the insulating base (1) is provided with a second insulating socket. The second insulating socket includes two insulating cavities (12). The opening of the insulating cavity (12) is located at the rear end and is used to fit the second plug. The two insulating cavities (12) are respectively arranged axially opposite to the two insulating tubes (11), and an insulating gap (14) is provided between each insulating cavity (12) and the corresponding insulating tube (11). Two conductor adapters (2), each of the conductor adapters (2) includes a closed end face, with a forward-extending conductor tube (21) at the front end of the closed end face and a rearward-extending conductor piece (22) at the rear end of the closed end face. The conductor cannula (21) is fixed inside the corresponding insulating cannula (11), and the outer periphery of the closed end face protrudes from the outer periphery of the conductor cannula (21) to form an annular fixed flange (23). The insulating base (1) has an insulating spacer (14) formed between each of the insulating tubes (11) and the corresponding insulating cavity (12). The fixing flange (23) is fixedly fitted into the front end of the insulating spacer (14), so that the conductor tube (21) and the insulating cavity (12) are isolated from each other. The conductor piece (22) extends backward and extends into the corresponding insulating cavity (12). Two conductor springs (3) are fixed in the two insulating cavities (12) respectively. In each insulating cavity (12), the conductor spring (3) and the conductor sheet (22) are arranged opposite to each other. When the external plug is inserted into the insulating cavity (12), the external plug is inserted between the conductor sheet (22) and the conductor spring (3) and squeezes the conductor spring (3) to cause the conductor spring (3) to undergo elastic deformation.

2. The adapter plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, Inside the insulating base (1), an annular groove (15) is provided at the rear end of each of the insulating tubes (11), and the annular groove (15) is located at the front end of the insulating spacer (14). The fixing flange (23) of each conductor adapter (2) is respectively confined within the corresponding annular groove (15).

3. The adapter plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the conductor springs (3) includes a straight section (31) at both ends and a curved section (32) located between the two straight sections (31). The two straight sections (31) of each conductor spring (3) are respectively attached and fixed to the inner wall of the insulating cavity (12) where they are located. The curved section (32) protrudes into the insulating cavity (12) and is elastically deformable, and is arranged opposite to the conductor sheet (22) located in the same insulating cavity (12).

4. The adapter plug according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thickness of the curved section (32) is thinner than that of the two straight sections (31).

5. The adapter plug according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one straight segment (31) of each of the said conductor springs (3) is wider than the curved segment (32), extending beyond the two length edges of the curved segment (32). On both sides of the slot for accommodating the conductor spring (3) in each of the insulating cavities (12), there are also opposing two-sided slots (13). The two length edges of the straight section (31) of the conductor spring (3) located therein, which is wider than the curved section (32), are respectively locked in the two lateral slots (13).

6. The adapter plug according to claim 5, characterized in that, On the outer side of the two length edges of the curved section (32) of each of the conductor springs (3), a straight edge (33) is provided, which is separate from the length edge of the curved section (32). The two straight edges (33) are also respectively locked in the two lateral slots (13).

7. The adapter plug according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the insulating cavities (12) has an end slot at the inner end of the slot. The end of the straight section (31) of each conductor spring (3) located at the inner end of the insulating cavity (12) is engaged in the end slot.

8. The adapter plug according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of each of the conductor cannulas (21), as well as the front end surface, rear end surface and outer peripheral surface of each of the fixed flanges (23), are completely covered by the colloid of the insulating base (1).

9. The adapter plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two insulating tubes (11) of the first insulating plug have different shapes.

10. The adapter plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, An anti-slip structure (16) is provided on the outer surface of the second insulating socket of the insulating base (1). The anti-slip structure (16) includes anti-slip raised textures and / or anti-slip recessed textures perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction.

Images