Connector and energy storage device
The connector design with angled and shaped fitting structures addresses incorrect mating and size issues by ensuring only compatible connectors can mate, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PHOENIX ASIAN PACIFIC ELECTRIC NANJING
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-30
AI Technical Summary
Current connectors in the energy storage industry face issues with incorrect mating between sockets and plugs of different types, leading to potential electrical conduction risks and increased connector size due to dimension-based mis-mating protection structures.
A connector design featuring unique fitting structures on sockets and plugs that only allow compatible types to mate, preventing mis-mating without altering the overall size, using angled and shaped fitting structures and limiting mechanisms.
Prevents incorrect mating and electrical conduction risks while maintaining connector size, ensuring secure and efficient connections between compatible connectors.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical field
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular a connector and an energy storage device. State of the art
[0002] The energy storage industry plays a crucial role in the electricity transmission and distribution process, encompassing functions such as transmission and distribution, storage, peak load management, and energy conversion. This industry includes various energy storage systems, such as solar and wind energy storage systems. Connectors are frequently used in the electricity transmission and distribution processes of these energy storage systems to establish connections between individual components, thus enabling power transmission and distribution.
[0003] The current market demand for various types of connectors is low. To prevent incorrect mating between sockets and plugs of different connector types, the dimensions of different connector types are differentiated; that is, the dimensions of the sockets and plugs of different connector types are designed differently. In connection structures for different types of sockets and plugs, the thicknesses of the respective housings and the corresponding cavities for accommodating the housings differ, which means that sockets and plugs of different connector types cannot be fully mated.In the current state of the art, however, even if a different type of connector is incorrectly inserted between a socket and a plug, the plug may be partially inserted into the socket, creating a risk of electrical conduction.
[0004] Therefore, with increasing demand for various types of connectors, the thickness of the housings and the cavities for the connector housings of sockets and plugs increases if the dimension-based mis-mating protection structure used in existing connectors continues to be employed. This creates the technical problem that the overall size of the connectors increases. Content of the invention
[0005] The present application provides a connector and an energy storage device with which the function of mis-plugging protection of sockets and plugs of different types of connectors can be implemented without changing the overall size of the connectors.
[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the following technical solutions are used in this application: In the embodiments of the present application, a connector is provided in a first aspect, comprising: a socket comprising a socket body, a plug-in element arranged on the socket body and a first coupling element, wherein the plug-in element is arranged circumferentially on the outer circumference of the first coupling element and forms an annular structure, wherein at least two first fitting structures are arranged on an outer wall surface of the plug-in element, and wherein the at least two first fitting structures are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the plug-in element; and a connector comprising a connector body and a second coupling element, wherein the connector body has a connection space that fits with the connection element, wherein the second coupling element is arranged in the connection space, and wherein second fitting structures that fit with the first fitting structures are arranged at positions of an inner wall surface of the connection space corresponding to the respective first fitting structures.
[0007] When the connector element is inserted into the connector space, the first fitting structures interact with the second fitting structures and the first coupling element is electrically coupled with the second coupling element.
[0008] In some embodiments, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is provided to be an acute angle.
[0009] In some embodiments, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is between 10° and 30°.
[0010] In some embodiments, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is provided to have at least one of the values 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°.
[0011] In some embodiments, the first fitting structure is provided to consist of a fitting ridge and a fitting depression, while the second fitting structure is the other of the fitting ridge and the fitting depression.
[0012] In some embodiments, the connector element comprises a connector body and a connector sleeve. wherein the connector body is arranged circumferentially on the outer circumference of the first coupling element and is connected to the socket body, wherein the connector sleeve is placed on the connector body and is rotatable about its own axis relative to the connector body, and wherein the at least two first fitting structures are arranged on an outer wall surface of the connector sleeve and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
[0013] In some embodiments, a first limiting part is provided on an outer wall surface of the connector body, and a second limiting part, which fits together with the first limiting part, is provided on an inner wall surface of the connector sleeve. wherein, in the case of the connector sleeve mounted on the connector body, the first limiting part interacts with the second limiting part to limit the connector sleeve with respect to its axial movement.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first limiting part comprises a fitting ridge and a fitting depression, with the second limiting part comprising the other limiting ridge and the limiting depression.
[0015] In some embodiments, a first boundary structure is provided on the outer wall surface of the plug-in connector element, and a second boundary structure, which fits together with the first boundary structure, is provided on the inner wall surface of the plug-in connector space. wherein, in the case of the connector element inserted into the connector space, the first limiting structure interacts with the second limiting structure to limit the connector element with respect to axial movement.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first limiting structure is a limiting groove extending circumferentially along the outer wall surface of the plug-in connector element, and the second limiting structure comprises at least two limiting projections spaced apart from each other circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the plug-in connector space, the limiting projections being designed to engage with the limiting groove.
[0017] In the embodiments of the present application, a second aspect is provided: an energy storage device comprising a device body and connectors, as provided in the embodiments above. At least two connectors are provided, which are distributed along the device body.
[0018] With different connectors, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures differs, whereby for each of the connectors the angle between two adjacent second fitting structures corresponds to the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures of the same connector.
[0019] In the connector provided in the embodiments of the present application, the connector comprises a socket and a plug, wherein first fitting structures are provided on a plug-connection element of the socket and second fitting structures are provided on a plug-connection cavity of the plug, which are compatible with the first fitting structures. By providing different types of first fitting structures and second fitting structures, different types of connectors are obtained. Only sockets and plugs of connectors of the same type can fit together, so that sockets and plugs of different types of connectors cannot be mated together. In this way, the technical problem of preventing incorrect mating of sockets and plugs of different types of connectors can be solved without changing the dimensions of the connectors.
[0020] The energy storage device according to the embodiments of the present application has the same advantageous effects as the connector according to the embodiments above, so that a repeated description is omitted here. Description of the characters
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or in the prior art, the accompanying drawings, which are necessary for describing the embodiments or the prior art, are briefly presented below. It is evident that the accompanying drawings in the following description represent some of the embodiments of the present application.
[0022] For an average person skilled in the art, other accompanying drawings can be obtained from these drawings without inventive activity. Fig. Figure 1 shows a cutaway schematic structural view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic structural view of a plug connector sleeve of the connector made of Fig. 1, where the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is 15°; Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic structural view of the connector sleeve of the connector made of Fig. 1, where the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is 18°; Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic structural view of the connector sleeve of the connector made of Fig. 1, where the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is 20°; and Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic structural view of the connector sleeve of the connector made of Fig. 1, where the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures is 24°. Reference symbol list:
[0023] 10 connectors; 100 - Socket; 110 - Socket body; 120 - Connector element; 121 - Connector body; 122 - Connector sleeve; 123 - First limiting part; 124 - First limiting structure; 130 - First coupling element; 140 - First fitting structure; 200 - plug; 210 - plug body; 220 - second coupling element; 211 - plug connection space; 230 - second fitting structure. Detailed descriptions
[0024] To clarify the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described below in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments represent only a subset of the embodiments of the present application and do not include all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments attainable by a person skilled in the art without inventive step are intended to fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Provided there is no conflict, the following embodiments and features may be combined in the embodiments.
[0025] To prevent mis-mating between sockets and plugs of different connector types, the relevant technology differentiates the dimensions of different connector types; that is, the dimensions of the sockets and plugs of different connector types are designed differently. In connection structures for different types of sockets and plugs, the thicknesses of the respective housings and the corresponding cavities for receiving the housings differ, which prevents sockets and plugs of different connector types from being fully interlocked. However, in the prior art, even if a socket and plug of different connector types are mis-mated, the plug may still be partially inserted into the socket, creating a risk of electrical conduction. Furthermore, market demand has changed, i.e.,There is a greater demand for a wider variety of connectors. If the dimension-based mis-mating protection structure for sockets and plugs currently used in existing connectors continues to be employed, this will lead to an increase in the thickness range of the housings of the sockets and plugs of the connectors, creating the technical problem of an increasing overall size of the connectors.
[0026] To overcome the disadvantages of the relevant technology, the embodiments of the present application provide a connector in which first fitting structures are provided on a socket and second fitting structures are provided on a plug, which are compatible with the first fitting structures. Different types of first fitting structures and different types of second fitting structures are provided to obtain different types of connectors. Furthermore, the first fitting structures and the second fitting structures can only be compatible with each other in connectors of the same type. In this way, the technical problem of preventing mis-mating of sockets and plugs of different connector types can be solved simply by changing the types of first fitting structures and the second fitting structures, without altering the dimensions of the connector.
[0027] The content of the present application is described in more detail below in conjunction with the attached figures, so that the person skilled in the art can understand the content of the present application more clearly and accurately.
[0028] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a connector 10 is provided, comprising a socket 100 and a plug 200. The socket 100 comprises a socket body 110, a plug-in element 120 arranged on the socket body 110, and a first coupling element 130, wherein the plug-in element 120 is arranged circumferentially on the outer circumference of the first coupling element 130 and represents an annular structure, wherein at least two first fitting structures 140 are arranged on an outer wall surface of the plug-in element 120, and wherein the at least two first fitting structures 140 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the plug-in element 120.The connector 200 comprises a connector body 210 and a second coupling element 220, wherein the connector body 210 has a mating connection chamber 211 that is compatible with the connector element 120, the second coupling element 220 being arranged in the connector chamber 211, and wherein second mating structures 230, which are compatible with the first mating structures 140, are arranged at positions on an inner wall surface of the connector chamber 211 corresponding to the respective first mating structures 140. When the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector chamber 211, the first mating structures 140 interact with the second mating structures 230 and the first coupling element 120 is electrically coupled to the second coupling element 220.
[0029] Therefore, different types of first fitting structures are provided on the outer wall surface of the connector element 120 of the socket 100, differing in both the number and shape of the first fitting structures arranged on the outer wall surface of the connector element 120. Likewise, different types of second fitting structures 230 are provided on the inner wall surface of the connector space 211 of the plug 200, which mate with the first fitting structures 140. In this way, different types of connectors 10 can be obtained. Due to the differences in the first fitting structures 140 and the second fitting structures 230 of the different types of connectors 10, mis-mating protection can be implemented for sockets 100 and plugs 200 of different types of connectors 10.
[0030] In some embodiments, the plug-in element 120 arranged on the socket body 110 is arranged circumferentially on the outer circumference of the first coupling element 130 and represents a ring-shaped structure, wherein the ring-shaped structure can be circular, elliptical, square or the like, and wherein the shape of the plug-in space 211 in the plug body 210 is adapted to the shape of the plug-in element 120.
[0031] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments the connector element 120 is annular in shape and the first fitting structures 140 are evenly distributed on the outer wall surface of the connector element 120. Furthermore, the connector body 210 of the connector 200 has an annular shape adapted to the shape of the connector element 120. The second fitting structures 230, which mate with the first fitting structures 140, are evenly distributed at positions on the inner wall surface of the connector space 211 corresponding to the respective first fitting structures 140. When the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector space 211, the first fitting structures 140 interact with the second fitting structures 230.This results in different types of first fitting structures 140 being provided on the outer wall surface of the connector element 120 for the different types of connectors 10, and different types of second fitting structures 230 being provided on the inner wall surface of the connector space 211, which fit together with the respective first fitting structures 140. In this way, the connector element 120 and the connector space 211 of different types of connectors 10 cannot be plugged into each other, thus providing mis-mating protection for sockets 100 and plugs 200 of different types of connectors 10.
[0032] In some embodiments, the first fitting structures 140 are provided at positions of the connector element 120 where the connector element first comes into contact with the connector space 211, and the second fitting structures 230 are provided at positions of the connector space 211 where the connector space first comes into contact with the connector element 120. This prevents any part of the connector element 120 from being inserted into the connector space 211 of a different type of connector 10, thus avoiding the risk of electrical conduction due to incorrect mating between sockets 100 and plugs 200 of different types of connectors 10.
[0033] In some embodiments, the first coupling element 130 and the second coupling element 220 can each comprise conductive plates, wires, connector elements for coupling elements, and other components and structures for conducting electrical current. The shape of the first coupling element 130 can be an annular structure, which can be circular, elliptical, square, or the like. The second coupling element is provided with a connector space and a connector element that correspond to the first coupling element. When the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector space 211, the first coupling element 130 and the second coupling element 220 are electrically coupled.
[0034] If the first fitting structure 140 is one consisting of a fitting ridge and a fitting depression, the second fitting structure 230 is the other consisting of a fitting ridge and a fitting depression.
[0035] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments the first fitting structures 140 provided on the outer wall surface of the plug-in connector 120 are designed as fitting recesses and the second fitting structures provided on the inner wall surface of the plug-in connector space 211 are designed as fitting protrusions. When the plug-in connector 120 is inserted into the plug-in connector space 211, the first fitting structures 140 and the second fitting structures 230 interact.
[0036] In other embodiments, the first fitting structures 140 are designed as fitting protrusions and the second fitting structures 230 as fitting recesses. When the plug-in element 120 is inserted into the plug-in connection space 211, the first fitting structures 140 and the second fitting structures 230 interact.
[0037] The connector element 120 comprises a connector body 121 and a connector sleeve 122. The connector body 121 is arranged circumferentially around the outer circumference of the first coupling element 130 and connected to the socket body 110. The connector sleeve 122 is mounted on the connector body 121 and is rotatable about its own axis relative to the connector body 121. The at least two first fitting structures 140 are arranged on an outer wall surface of the connector sleeve 122 and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.
[0038] The angle between two adjacent of the first fitting structures 140 is an acute angle, wherein the angle range is 10° to 30° and the angle can in particular have at least one of the values 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°.
[0039] In some embodiments, the first fitting structures 140 are arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction on the outer wall surface of the connector sleeve 122, if the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 can have one of the values 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°. This reduces processing difficulties. The different types of connectors 10 are externally distinguished by different colors. Fig. Figure 3 shows a plug-in sleeve 122 of a red connector 10. The angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 is 15°, and the first fitting structures are arranged uniformly around the circumference of the outer wall surface of the plug-in sleeve 122. Accordingly, the angle between two adjacent second fitting structures 230 on the inner wall surface of the plug-in socket 211 is also 15°. Fig. Figure 4 shows a plug-in sleeve 122 of an orange connector 10. The angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 is 18°, and the first fitting structures are arranged uniformly around the circumference of the outer wall surface of the plug-in sleeve 122. Accordingly, the angle between two adjacent second fitting structures 230 on the inner wall surface of the plug-in socket 211 is also 18°. Fig. Figure 5 shows a plug-in sleeve 122 of a black connector 10. The angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 is 20°, and the first fitting structures are arranged uniformly around the circumference of the outer wall surface of the plug-in sleeve 122. Accordingly, the angle between two adjacent second fitting structures 230 on the inner wall surface of the plug-in socket 211 is also 20°. Fig. Figure 6 shows a connector sleeve 122 of a blue connector 10. The angle between two adjacent first-order fitting structures 140 is 24°, and these first-order fitting structures are arranged uniformly around the outer wall of the connector sleeve 122. Accordingly, the angle between two adjacent second-order fitting structures 230 on the inner wall of the connector space 211 is also 24°. Therefore, the sockets 100 and plugs 200 of connectors 10 of different colors cannot be mated.
[0040] In some embodiments, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 can have two values of 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°. For example, it is provided that in a connector 10 the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 on the plug-in sleeve 122 has a combination of 12° and 15°, a combination of 12° and 18°, a combination of 12° and 20°, a combination of 12° and 24°, a combination of 12° and 30°, a combination of 15° and 18°, a combination of 15° and 20°, a combination of 15° and 24°, a combination of 15° and 30°, a combination of 18° and 20°, a combination of 18° and 24°, a combination of 18° and 30°, a combination of 20° and 24°, a combination of 20° and 30°, a combination of 24° and 30°, etc.
[0041] In some embodiments, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 can have a combination of three values of 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°.For example, it is intended that it be a combination of 12° and 15° and 18°, a combination of 12° and 15° and 20°, a combination of 12° and 15° and 24°, a combination of 12° and 15° and 30°, a combination of 12° and 18° and 20°, a combination of 12° and 18° and 24°, a combination of 12° and 18° and 30°, a combination of 12° and 20° and 24°, a combination of 12° and 20° and 30°, a combination of 12° and 24° and 30°, a combination of 15° and 18° and 20°, a combination of 15° and 18° and 24°, a combination of 15° and 18° and 30°, a combination of 15° and 20° and 24°, a combination of 15° and 20° and 30°, a combination of 15° and 24° and 30°, a combination of 18° and 20° and 24°, a combination of 18° and 20° and 30°, a combination of 18° and 24° and 30° or a combination of 20° and 24° and 30°.It can also have a combination of four, five or six values of 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°.
[0042] In other embodiments, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 can extend beyond the aforementioned range of 10° to 30° to a range of 30° to 50°. In particular, it can be one of the values 30°, 36°, 40°, and 48°, or a combination of two, three, or four of these values. Furthermore, the angle range can be 45° to 72°. In particular, it can be one of the values 45°, 54°, 60°, and 72°, or a combination of two, three, or four of these values.
[0043] In other embodiments, in addition to the above-described configuration of different numbers of first fitting structures 140 on the outer surface of the connector sleeve 122, first fitting structures 140 with different profile shapes can also be provided on the outer surface of the connector sleeve 122. For example, the first fitting structures can be square, semicircular, semi-elliptical, triangular, trapezoidal, or the like. Furthermore, at positions on the inner wall surface of the connector space 211 corresponding to the respective first fitting structures 140, second fitting structures 230 are provided, the shape of which is adapted to the shape of the first fitting structures 140. In this way, mis-mating protection can also be achieved for sockets 100 and plugs 200 of different types of connectors 10.
[0044] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments the connector sleeve 122 is mounted on the connector body 121 and is rotatable 360° about its own axis relative to the connector body 121. This allows the first fitting structures 140 and the second fitting structures 230 to interact when the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector space 211. The plug 200 is rotatable 360° relative to the connector body 121. Since the connector body 121 is in turn arranged on the socket body 110, the plug 200 is rotatable 360° relative to the socket 100, effectively preventing entanglement of power lines connected to the connector.
[0045] A first limiting element 123 is provided on an outer wall surface of the connector body 121, while a second limiting element, which fits together with the first limiting element 123, is provided on an inner wall surface of the connector sleeve 122. When the connector sleeve 122 is placed on the connector body 121, the first limiting element 123 interacts with the second limiting element to limit the axial movement of the connector sleeve 122 along the connector body 121.
[0046] The first boundary part 123 comprises a boundary elevation and a boundary depression, the second boundary part comprising the other boundary elevation and boundary depression.
[0047] In some embodiments, it is provided that, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows that a first limiting element 123 is provided on the outer wall surface of the connector body 121, wherein the first limiting element 123 is designed as a limiting recess, and wherein a second limiting element, designed as a limiting protrusion, is provided on the inner wall surface of the connector sleeve 122 at a position corresponding to the first limiting element 123. During assembly, the connector body 121 and the connector sleeve 122 are connected to each other by an interference fit. That is, the connector sleeve 122 is attached to the connector body 121 by means of its own elastic deformation. After completion of the assembly, the connector sleeve 122 returns to its original shape, and then the connector sleeve 122 is placed onto the connector body 121.In this way, the plug connector sleeve 122 can be limited with respect to its axial movement, so that the plug connector sleeve 122 is prevented from detaching from the socket 100 in the axial direction.
[0048] In other embodiments, a first limiting element 123 is provided on the outer wall surface of the connector body 121, wherein the first limiting element 123 is designed as a limiting projection, and wherein a second limiting element, designed as a limiting recess, is provided on the inner wall surface of the connector sleeve 122 at a position corresponding to the first limiting element 123. During assembly, the connector body 121 and the connector sleeve 122 are joined together by an interference fit. The connector sleeve 122 is then placed onto the connector body 121. In this way, the axial movement of the connector sleeve 122 is limited, thus preventing it from disengaging from the socket 100 in the axial direction.
[0049] A first limiting structure 124 is provided on the outer wall surface of the connector element 120, while a second limiting structure, which fits together with the first limiting structure 124, is provided on the inner wall surface of the connector space 211. When the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector space 211, the first limiting structure 124 interacts with the second limiting structure to limit the axial movement of the connector element 120.
[0050] The first limiting structure 124 is a limiting groove that extends circumferentially along the outer wall surface of the plug-in connection element 120, wherein the second limiting structure comprises at least two limiting projections that are spaced apart from each other circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the plug-in connection space 211, and wherein the limiting projections are designed to engage in a snap-fit connection with the limiting groove.
[0051] In some embodiments, a first limiting structure 124 is provided on the outer wall surface of the connector sleeve 122 of the connector element 120, wherein the first limiting structure is formed as a circumferentially extending limiting groove on the outer wall surface of the connector sleeve 122. The limiting groove can be designed as a circumferential annular limiting groove or as an arcuate limiting groove that extends only over a portion of the outer wall surface of the connector sleeve 122. As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the first limiting structure 124 is designed as an annular limiting groove extending circumferentially along the outer wall surface of the connector sleeve 122, and the second limiting structure comprises at least two limiting projections, the angle between two adjacent limiting projections being different from the angle between any two first fitting structures 140 on the connector sleeve 122. When the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector space 211, the limiting projections engage with the limiting groove, thus limiting the axial movement of the connector element 120.
[0052] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig.As shown in Figure 2, in some embodiments the second limiting structure can also be designed as a claw-shaped locking mechanism. When the connector element 120 is inserted into the connector space 211, the first limiting structure 124 and the claw-shaped locking mechanism interact, with the claw-shaped locking mechanism engaging with the limiting groove to limit the axial movement of the connector element 120.
[0053] The embodiments of the present application further provide an energy storage device comprising a device body and connectors 10 as described above, wherein at least two connectors 10 are arranged distributed on the device body. For different connectors 10, the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 differs, wherein for each connector 10 the angle between two adjacent second fitting structures 230 corresponds to the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 of the same connector 10.
[0054] In some embodiments, the energy storage device is an energy storage battery, but this is not mandatory. The energy storage battery may have several connectors 10. These can be distinguished externally by different colors, for example, red, orange, black, blue, etc., with at least two connectors 10 being provided. For connectors 10 of different colors, the angles between two adjacent first fitting structures 140 on the sockets 100 are selected differently. Similarly, for connectors 10 of different colors, the angles between two adjacent second fitting structures 230 on the plugs 200 are also selected differently.For connectors of the same color, the angle between two adjacent first-order fitting structures (140) of the socket (100) and the angle between two adjacent second-order fitting structures (230) of the plug (200) are each the same. Therefore, in the energy storage device, only sockets (100) and plugs (200) of connectors of the same color can be mated together, while sockets (100) and plugs (200) of connectors of different colors cannot be mated. Thus, mis-mating protection is implemented for sockets (100) and plugs (200) of different connector types.
[0055] In some embodiments, the first fitting structures 140 are provided in the energy storage device at positions of the connector element 120 where the connector element first comes into contact with the connector space 211, and the second fitting structures 230 are provided at positions of the connector space 211 where the connector space first comes into contact with the connector element 120, so that in the event of incorrect insertion between sockets 100 and plugs 200 of connectors 10 of different colors in the energy storage device there is no risk of electrical conduction.Furthermore, the connector sleeve 122 is mounted on the connector body 121 and can be rotated 360° around its own axis relative to the connector body 121, so that in the energy storage device, the plug 200 can be rotated 360° relative to the socket 100 when connectors 10 are of the same color. This effectively prevents the entanglement of power lines connected to the connector 10 in the energy storage device.
[0056] It should be noted that expressions in the description such as "an embodiment," "embodiments," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., may mean that the described embodiment(s) may include certain features, structures, or properties, but not every embodiment necessarily includes these specific features, structures, or properties. Furthermore, such expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. When a particular feature, structure, or property is described in connection with an embodiment, it is common knowledge to those skilled in the art that such a feature, structure, or property is implemented in connection with other embodiments, whether explicitly or implicitly described.
[0057] As a rule, terms are at least partially understood through their use in context. For example, the term "one or more" used in the text is at least partially intended, in conjunction with the context, to be used to describe either any single feature, structure, or property of the singular meaning, or any single feature, structure, or property of the plural meaning. Similarly, the term "a" or "the" is at least partially intended, in conjunction with the context, to be understood as conveying a singular or plural application, respectively.
[0058] It is easy to understand that in the present application, the terms "over", "on", and "above" are to be interpreted in the broadest sense, so that the term "over" means not only "directly above an object" but also "above an object" in the presence of an intervening feature or layer. Furthermore, the terms "on" and "above" mean not only "on an object" and "above an object" but also "on an object" and "above an object" without the presence of an intervening feature or layer (i.e., directly on an object).
[0059] Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, terms indicating relative spatial relationships can be used in this context, such as "under," "below," "below," "above," "above," etc., to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another, as shown. These terms are intended to encompass not only the orientation depicted in the figure but also other orientations of parts in use or operation. A device may also have a different orientation (rotated by 90° or offset in a different orientation), and the terms used here to describe relative spatial relationships should be interpreted accordingly.
[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments serve only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and not to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, the person skilled in the art should understand that he or she may modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or replace some or all of the technical features contained therein with equivalent ones; and that such modifications or replacements, however, do not result in the essence of the respective technical solutions differing from the scope of the technical solutions of the individual embodiments of the present application.
Claims
[1] Connectors, characterized by that it includes: a socket (100) comprising a socket body (110), a plug-in element (120) arranged on the socket body (110) and a first coupling element (130), wherein the plug-in element (120) is arranged circumferentially on the outer circumference of the first coupling element (130) and forms an annular structure, wherein at least two first fitting structures (140) are arranged on an outer wall surface of the plug-in element (120), and wherein the at least two first fitting structures (140) are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the plug-in element (120); and a connector (200) comprising a connector body (210) and a second coupling element (220), wherein the connector body (210) has a plugging space (211) that fits with the plugging element (120), wherein the second coupling element (220) is arranged in the plugging space (211), and wherein second fitting structures (230) that fit with the first fitting structures (140) are arranged at positions on an inner wall surface of the plugging space (211) corresponding to the respective first fitting structures (140). and wherein the first fitting structures (140) of the plug-in element (120) inserted into the plug-in connection space (211) interact with the second fitting structures (230) and the first coupling element (130) is electrically coupled with the second coupling element (220). [2] Connector according to claim 1, characterized by, that the angle between two adjacent of the first fitting structures (140) is an acute angle. [3] Connector according to claim 2, characterized by , that the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures (140) is between 10° and 30°. [4] Connector according to claim 3, characterized by , that the angle between two adjacent of the first fitting structures (140) has at least one of the values 12°, 15°, 18°, 20°, 24° and 30°. [5] Connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the first fitting structure (140) is one consisting of a fitting ridge and a fitting depression, and that the second fitting structure (230) is the other consisting of a fitting ridge and a fitting depression. [6] Connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the connector element (120) comprises a connector body (121) and a connector sleeve (122), wherein the connector body (121) is arranged circumferentially on the outer circumference of the first coupling element (130) and is connected to the socket body (110), wherein the connector sleeve (122) is placed on the connector body (121) and is rotatable about its own axis relative to the connector body (121), and wherein the at least two first fitting structures (140) are arranged on an outer wall surface of the connector sleeve (122) and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. [7] Connector according to claim 6, characterized by, that a first limiting part (123) is provided on an outer wall surface of the connector body (121), and that a second limiting part, which fits together with the first limiting part (123), is provided on an inner wall surface of the connector sleeve (122), wherein, in the connector sleeve (122) placed on the connector body (121), the first limiting part (123) interacts with the second limiting part to limit the connector sleeve (122) with respect to its axial movement. [8] Connector according to claim 7, characterized by , that the first boundary part (123) comprises one boundary elevation and one boundary depression, and that the second boundary part comprises the other boundary elevation and boundary depression. [9] Connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that a first limiting structure (124) is provided on the outer wall surface of the plug-in connector (120), and that a second limiting structure, which fits together with the first limiting structure (124), is provided on the inner wall surface of the plug-in connector space (211), wherein, in the plug-in connector (120) inserted in the plug-in connector space (211), the first limiting structure (124) interacts with the second limiting structure to limit the plug-in connector (120) with respect to axial movement. [10] Connector according to claim 9, characterized by, that the first limiting structure (124) is a limiting groove extending circumferentially along the outer wall surface of the plug-in connector element (120), and that the second limiting structure comprises at least two limiting projections spaced apart from each other circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the plug-in connector space (211), the limiting projections being designed to engage with the limiting groove. [11] Energy storage device, characterized by, that it comprises a device body and connectors (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least two connectors (10) are provided, wherein the at least two connectors (10) are arranged distributed on the device body, wherein the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures (140) differs for different connectors (10), and wherein for each of the connectors (10) the angle between two adjacent second fitting structures (230) matches the angle between two adjacent first fitting structures (140) of the same connector (10).