Connector assembly and the energy storage device containing it

Abstract

Connector arrangement, wherein the connector arrangement has an axial direction and a radial direction and comprises: a plug (104) having an external valve core (333) of the plug; and a socket (102) having an external valve core (216) of the socket, wherein the external valve core (216) of the socket rests against the external valve core (333) of the plug along the axial direction, wherein the external valve core (333) of the plug has a limiting section (332) of the plug, the external valve core (216) of the socket has a limiting section (222) of the socket and the limiting section (332) of the plug is designed to engage with the limiting section (216) of the socket.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of connector technology and in particular to a connector arrangement and an energy storage device comprising it. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In application environments such as energy storage, fast charging, hydrogen production, or data centers, connectors are typically required to join pipelines. A bidirectional shut-off connector assembly is a common connector design. A bidirectional shut-off connector assembly typically includes a socket and a plug, each connected to the two lines to be joined. The bidirectional shut-off function is achieved through the interacting design of the socket and plug. Conventional bidirectional shut-off connector assemblies use valve cores and sealing structures within the socket and plug. When the socket and plug are disconnected, they close automatically to prevent fluid leakage, and when the socket and plug are connected, they open to allow fluid passage.

[0003] In some existing bidirectional shut-off connector assemblies, both the sockets and plugs contain valve cores connected by elastic elements. When the socket and plug are not connected, the springs within them push their respective valve cores into the closed position, ensuring each core fits tightly against its corresponding seal and preventing fluid from escaping the ends of the socket and plug, thus achieving bidirectional shut-off. When the socket and plug are connected, the valve cores within them work together, pressing on the valve cores to overcome the spring force, causing them to open and create a fluid passage that allows fluid flow. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0004] Through in-depth research by the inventors of the present disclosure, it has been shown that in some existing connector arrangements, such as bidirectional shut-off connector arrangements, when the plug and socket are separated after connection, the valve core of the socket has difficulty returning to the closed position, thus preventing the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement from returning to the bidirectional shut-off state.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a connector arrangement having an axial and a radial direction and comprising a plug and a socket. The plug includes an external valve core. The socket has an external valve core, and the external valve core of the socket rests axially against the external valve core of the plug. The external valve core of the plug has a limiting section, and the external valve core of the socket has a limiting section. The limiting section of the plug is configured to engage with the limiting section of the socket to limit the movement of the external valve core of the socket relative to the external valve core of the plug in the radial direction.The design of the limiting sections of the plug and socket allows them to remain engaged when the outer valve core of the plug moves axially in a first direction, and allows the limiting section of the plug to disengage from the limiting section of the socket when the outer valve core of the plug moves axially in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0006] In some examples, the connector arrangement is a bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement. Movement of the plug's outer valve core in the first direction can open the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement, and movement of the plug's outer valve core in the second direction can close the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement.

[0007] In some examples, the limiting section of the socket is provided at an axial end of the outer valve core of the socket that faces the outer valve core of the plug, and the limiting section of the plug is provided at an axial end of the outer valve core of the plug that faces the outer valve core of the socket.

[0008] In some examples, the limiting section of the socket is provided on an end face of the axial end of the outer valve core of the socket, and the limiting section of the plug is provided on an end face of the axial end of the outer valve core of the plug.

[0009] In some examples, either the limiting section of the socket or the limiting section of the plug has a protruding shape, and in the other case, the limiting section of the socket and the limiting section of the plug have a recessed shape.

[0010] In some examples, one of the limiting section of the socket and the limiting section of the plug is an annular projection, and the other of the limiting section of the socket and the limiting section of the plug is an annular groove.

[0011] In some examples, the bushing includes a bushing housing, the bushing housing comprising a first outer housing of the bushing, a second outer housing of the bushing, and an inner housing of the bushing. The first and second outer housings of the bushing are connected to each other, and the inner housing of the bushing is detachably connected within the first and second outer housings of the bushing. The outer valve core of the bushing is located within the inner housing of the bushing.

[0012] In some examples, the inner housing of the socket has an inner housing limiting section provided at one end of the inner housing of the socket near the plug and capable of bearing against an outer surface of the outer valve core of the socket.

[0013] In some examples, the inner housing boundary section is an annular projection.

[0014] The present disclosure also provides an energy storage device that includes the connector arrangement mentioned above.

[0015] In contrast to the prior art, the connector arrangement according to the disclosure prevents radial movement of the outer valve core of the socket by providing interacting limiting structures on the valve cores of the plug and the socket, so that the outer valve core of the socket can return axially to a first position of the socket under the action of an elastic element when the plug and socket are disconnected again.

[0016] The connector arrangement of the present disclosure does not need to rely on the socket housing to limit the radial movement of the outer valve core of the socket by providing cooperating limiting structures on the valve cores of the plug and socket, which can reduce the length of the socket housing, thereby allowing the connector arrangement to be smaller.

[0017] The bushing housing of the disclosed connector further comprises a bushing inner housing for holding the outer valve core of the bushing, an inner valve core of the bushing, and an elastic element of the bushing in position, so that the bushing inner housing, the outer valve core of the bushing, the inner valve core of the bushing, and the elastic element of the bushing can be assembled as a module. This not only facilitates assembly but also allows for convenient replacement of first and second outer housings of the bushing of different shapes.

[0018] Furthermore, the connector arrangement of the present disclosure is particularly suitable for application scenarios that require multiple shut-offs and connections, such as energy storage devices.

[0019] In this revelation, the “plug” refers to a connector for active insertion, and the “socket” refers to a connector for passive reception.

[0020] In the present disclosure, the “first direction” refers to the insertion direction in which the plug is inserted into the socket.

[0021] The “second direction” refers to the direction opposite to the first direction, i.e., the direction in which the plug is pulled out of the socket.

[0022] Further aims and benefits of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1A is a view of a bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from one perspective; Fig. 1B is an exploded view of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement of Fig. 1A from a different perspective; Fig. 2A is a split view of the socket of Fig. 1A from one perspective; Fig. 2B is a split view of the socket of Fig. 1A from a different perspective; Fig. 2C is an axial cross-sectional view of the bushing of Fig. 1A; Fig. 3A is a split-view view of the plug from Fig. 1A from one perspective; Fig. 3B is an axial cross-sectional view of the connector from Fig. 1A; Fig. Figure 4A shows an axial cross-sectional view of the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly when the plug has not yet been inserted into the socket; Fig. Figure 4B shows an axial cross-sectional view of the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly during insertion of the plug into the socket. Fig. Figure 4C shows an axial cross-sectional view of the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly after the plug has been inserted into the socket. Main reference sign 100 Bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 101 socket housings 102 socket 103 connector housings 104 plugs 105 Locking element 107 socket channel 108 connector channels 211 First outer casing of the socket 212 Inner housing of the socket 213 Second outer casing of the socket 214 Inner valve core of the bushing 215 Elastic element of the bushing 216 External valve core of the bushing 217 Limiting flange 218 First sealing ring 219 Second sealing ring 220 Third sealing ring 221 Flat surface 222 Limiting section of the socket 223 Locking section 224 Opening 225 Inner housing blocking section 226 Inner housing boundary section 227 Disc section 228 windows 331 Rear connector housing 332 Limiting section of the plug 333 External valve core of the connector 334 Locking seat 335 Elastic element of the plug 336 Inner valve core of the connector 337 Fourth sealing ring 338 Nut 339 Fifth sealing ring 341 Guide wall 342 Blocking section of the plug

[0023] Before the embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the details of the construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. This disclosure may have other embodiments and may be exercised or carried out in various ways. It should also be understood that the wording and terminology used herein serve the purpose of description and are not to be considered limiting. The use of "including" and "having" and variations thereof is intended to include the elements and equivalents listed below, as well as additional elements and equivalents thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS

[0024] The following describes various specific embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings that form part of this patent specification. It is understood that, although terms indicating directions such as "front," "rear," "upper / upper / upper," "lower / lower / lower," "left," "right," "inner / inner / inner," and "outer / outer / outer" are used in the present disclosure to describe structural parts and elements in various examples, these terms are used here only for simplified illustration and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the arrangements disclosed in the present disclosure can exist in several directions in the embodiments, these directional indications are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limitations.

[0025] The Fig. 1A and Fig. Figure 1B shows the general structure of a bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 1A shows a perspective structural view of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 seen from front to back and Fig. Figure 1B shows an expanded view of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 from back to front, with the plug 104 separated from the socket 102. Although a bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement is described as an example in this embodiment, the person skilled in the art will understand that the connector arrangement of the present disclosure can also be other types of connector arrangements. As shown in the Fig. 1A and Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly 100 has a plug 104 and a socket 102. The plug 104 and the socket 102 are pluggably connected, i.e., the plug 104 is partially inserted into the socket 102. When the plug 104 and the socket 102 are connected, they are in fluid communication. When the plug 104 and the socket 102 are not connected, both the plug 104 and the socket 102 are locked, thus preventing fluid passage.

[0026] The socket 102 generally has the form of a straight cylinder with a circular cross-section. To adapt to different application environments, the socket 102 can also be a bent tube or a cylinder with a different cross-sectional shape in other embodiments. The socket 102 includes a socket housing 101. The inner diameter at the rear end of the socket housing 101, for receiving the plug 104, corresponds to the outer diameter of the plug 104, so that the plug 104 can be inserted precisely into the socket 102. In this embodiment, the front end of the socket housing 101 is provided with an external thread, so that the socket 102 can be connected to an external pipe (not shown) via the external threads using a screw connection. In other embodiments, the socket 102 can also be connected to an external pipe in another way, for example by means of a clamp connection, etc.The socket 102 defines a socket channel 107 that passes through it. The front end of the socket channel 107 is provided for fluid connection to an external pipe (not shown), and the socket 102 receives and secures the plug 104 through the rear end of the socket channel 107.

[0027] The connector 104 generally has the form of a straight cylinder with a circular cross-section. Similar to the socket 102, the connector 104 can, in other embodiments, also be designed as a bent tube or a cylinder with a different cross-sectional shape to adapt to different application environments. The connector 104 includes a connector housing 103. In this embodiment, the rear end of the connector housing 103 is provided with an external thread, so that the connector 104 can be connected to an external pipe (not shown) via the external threads using a screw connection. In other embodiments, the connector 104 can also be connected to the external pipe in another way, for example, by means of a clamp connection. The connector 104 defines an internal connector channel 108 that passes through it.The rear end of the connector channel 108 serves for fluid connection with an external pipeline (not shown), and the front end of the connector 104 serves for insertion into the socket 102 and for fastening to it.

[0028] In this embodiment, the socket 102 further includes a locking element 105. The locking element 105 is inserted into the socket housing 101 and is movable up and down relative to the socket housing 101. The locking element 105 serves to lock the plug 104 and the socket 102. In particular, a circumferentially extending groove 338 is provided on the outer surface of the plug 104 (see Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B). In this embodiment, the groove 338 is annular and extends around the circumference of the connector 104 and is defined between two annular flanges projecting from the connector 104. In other embodiments, depending on the specific connector dimensions, the groove may also be formed by a recess in the outer surface of the connector. The groove 338 serves to receive a locking section 223 of the locking element 105 of the socket 102 (see Fig. 4C), to firmly connect and lock the plug 104 and the socket 102 relative to each other. The person skilled in the art will understand that the locking element 105 can be any known structure, as long as a corresponding locking section (e.g., a groove) is provided on the plug 104.

[0029] The end of the plug 104 to be inserted into the socket 102 has a guide wall 341 (see Fig. 3A). The guide wall 341 interacts with the locking section 223 of the locking element 105 to guide the plug 104 and drive the locking element 105 downwards when it is inserted into the socket 102. In this embodiment, the guide wall 341 and the locking section 223 are provided with complementary inclined surfaces. When the plug 104 is inserted into the socket 102 under an applied force, the guide wall 341 and the locking section 223 generate a partial force on the contact surface that drives the locking element 105 downwards. After the plug 104 is inserted into the socket 102, the locking element 105 moves upwards so that the locking section 223 engages in the groove 338 and locks the plug 104 and the socket 102 relative to each other. In other embodiments, the guide wall 341 and the locking section 223 may also have other shapes and structures.Furthermore, differently designed locking elements can be used in other embodiments, provided that these can lock the plug and socket together.

[0030] If the socket 102 has not yet received and secured the plug 104, both the socket channel 107 and the plug channel 108 are closed (or disconnected), so that the external pipelines connected to the socket 102 and the plug 104 are effectively shut off, thus achieving the bidirectional shut-off function of the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly, i.e., the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly 100 is closed. The specific setup for closing and opening the socket channel 107 will be described later with reference to the Fig. 2A-2C are described in more detail, and the special design for closing and opening the connector channel 108 will be described later with reference to the Fig. 3A-3B described in more detail.

[0031] After the plug 104 is inserted into the socket 102, both the socket channel 107 and the plug channel 108 are opened (or connected), and the socket channel 107 and the plug channel 108 are in fluid connection, which allows a fluid connection between the pipeline connected to the plug 104 and the pipeline connected to the socket 102, thereby opening the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100.

[0032] In this embodiment, the socket 102 and the plug 104 are generally cylindrical shapes arranged coaxially, thereby giving the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 an axis i. For the sake of simplicity, in this disclosure the extension direction of the axis i is defined as the axial direction, the direction about the axis i is defined as the circumferential direction, and the direction perpendicular to the axis i is defined as the radial direction. The plug 104 is inserted into the socket 102 in the axial direction. In this disclosure, the insertion direction x of the plug 104 is defined as the first direction, and the retraction direction of the plug 104 is defined as the second direction, the first and second directions being opposite to each other.Furthermore, in the present disclosure, in the axial direction of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100, the side of the socket 102 is referred to as the “front” and the side of the plug 104 as the “back”.

[0033] The Fig. Figures 2A-2C show the specific design of socket 102. Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows perspective views of socket 102 from two angles, and Fig. Figure 2C shows an axial cross-sectional view of bushing 102. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 2A-2C, the socket housing 101 comprises a first outer housing 211 of the socket, a second outer housing 213 of the socket, and an inner housing 212 of the socket. The first outer housing 211 of the socket and the second outer housing 213 of the socket are sealed together. In some embodiments, the first outer housing 211 of the socket and the second outer housing 213 of the socket are welded together. The inner housing 212 of the socket is detachably connected within the first outer housing 211 of the socket and the second outer housing 213 of the socket.

[0034] The socket 102 further includes an inner valve core 214 of the socket, an outer valve core 216 of the socket, and an elastic element 215 of the socket. The outer valve core 216 of the socket serves to abut the outer valve core 333 of the plug (see Fig. 4A) along the axial direction, to be able to move axially relative to the socket housing 101 with the axial movement of the outer valve core 333 of the plug. The socket housing 101 and the inner valve core 214 of the socket together form the socket channel 107. The outer valve core 216 of the socket opens (or connects) or closes (or disconnects) the socket channel 107 by axial movement.

[0035] The elastic element 215 of the bushing is mounted between the inner valve core 214 and the outer valve core 216 of the bushing and is configured to exert a preload force on both the inner valve core 214 and the outer valve core 216 of the bushing. In this embodiment, the elastic element 215 of the bushing is a spring. When the plug 104 is not yet inserted into the bushing 102, the spring is in a compressed, preloaded state. When the plug 104 is inserted into the bushing 102, the spring is compressed further. In this embodiment, the inner housing 212 of the bushing also includes an inner housing locking section 225, which is provided at the front end (i.e., the end furthest from the plug 104), and an inner housing limiting section 226, which is provided at the rear end (i.e., the end near the plug 104).The inner housing locking section 225 and the inner housing limiting section 226 are annular projections formed by protrusions into the bushing channel 107. The inner housing locking section 225 rests against the front section of the inner valve core 214 of the bushing, and the inner housing limiting section 226 rests against the front section of the outer valve core 216 of the bushing. When the outer valve core 216 of the bushing moves, the inner housing limiting section 226 can rest against the outer surface of the outer valve core 216 of the bushing. Thus, the inner housing 212 of the bushing, together with the elastic element 215 of the bushing, can hold the inner valve core 214 of the bushing and the outer valve core 216 of the bushing in position.In some specific embodiments, the inner housing 212 of the bushing, the elastic element 215 of the bushing, the inner valve core 214 of the bushing, and the outer valve core 216 of the bushing can be assembled first and then joined together between the first outer housing 211 of the bushing and the second outer housing 213 of the bushing. This prevents the connection between the first outer housing 211 of the bushing and the second outer housing 213 of the bushing from being affected by the internal elements of the bushing 102. Furthermore, after the inner housing 212 of the bushing, the elastic element 215 of the bushing, the inner valve core 214 of the bushing, and the outer valve core 216 of the bushing are assembled together as a unit and can be adapted to the first and second outer housings 211 and 213 of the bushing of different shapes. In some application scenarios, they can even be adapted to different types of connectors.

[0036] Specifically, the outer valve core 216 of the bushing is generally cylindrical and has a limiting flange 217 at its front end. The limiting flange 217 is formed by projecting outwards from the cylinder wall at the front end of the outer valve core 216 of the bushing. The inner housing limiting section 226 of the inner housing 212 of the bushing includes an annular projection that corresponds to the shape of the limiting flange 217. In this embodiment, the inner diameter D1 of the inner housing 212 of the bushing is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the outer valve core 216 of the bushing. Therefore, the outer valve core 216 of the bushing can pass through the inner housing 212 of the bushing from front to back (i.e., from left to right). Fig. 2C) until the limiting flange 217 of the outer valve core 216 of the bushing engages on the inner housing limiting section 226 of the inner housing 212 of the bushing, thereby preventing the outer valve core 216 of the bushing from detaching from the rear of the inner housing 212 of the bushing.

[0037] The inner valve core 214 of the socket is essentially rod-shaped with a specific axial length, its axial length being adjusted so that its front end can rest against the front end of the inner housing 212 of the socket and its rear end can engage with the inner valve core 336 of the plug when the plug 104 is inserted (see Fig. 4B). Its front end is provided with a disc section 227, the shape and size of which correspond to those of the front end of the inner housing 212 of the bushing. Two flat surfaces 221 are provided on opposite sides of the disc section 227. The inner housing locking section 225 of the inner housing 212 of the bushing includes a pair of projections that correspond to the shape of the flat surfaces 221. When assembling the inner valve core 214 of the bushing with the inner housing 212 of the bushing, the pair of flat surfaces 221 of the inner valve core 214 of the bushing is aligned with the projections of the inner housing locking section 225 of the inner housing 212 of the bushing, and then the inner valve core 214 of the bushing is pushed into the inner housing 212 of the bushing from front to back.Then the inner valve core 214 of the bushing and the inner housing 212 of the bushing are rotated relative to each other, so that the projections of the inner housing locking section 225 of the inner housing 212 of the bushing rest against the edge of the disc section 227 and prevent the inner valve core 214 of the bushing from coming loose from the front of the inner housing 212 of the bushing.

[0038] In this embodiment, the outer valve core 216 of the bushing and the inner housing 212 of the bushing are first assembled, then the inner valve core 214 of the bushing and the elastic element 215 of the bushing are assembled into the inner housing 212 of the bushing, with the rear end of the elastic element 215 of the bushing resting against the outer valve core 216 of the bushing.

[0039] The outer valve core 216 of the bushing has a closed position (i.e., a first position of the bushing) and an open position (i.e., a second position of the bushing). The outer valve core 216 of the bushing is designed to move axially between the closed and the open positions of the bushing. Fig. Figure 2C shows the state in which the outer valve core 216 of the bushing is in the closed position of the bushing. In the Fig. In the state shown in 2C, the bushing channel 107 is closed (or separated). In particular, the bushing 102 includes a third sealing ring 220. In the state shown in Fig. In the state shown in Figure 2C, the third sealing ring 220 surrounds the rear end of the inner valve core 214 of the bushing and seals between the outer valve core 216 of the bushing and the inner valve core 214 of the bushing. Thus, the rear of the bushing channel 107 is sealed by the sealing contact between the outer valve core 216 of the bushing and the inner valve core 214 of the bushing, thereby closing (or separating) the bushing channel 107.

[0040] When the outer valve core 216 of the socket is moved axially forward into its open position by the outer valve core 333 of the plug 104, the outer valve core 216 of the socket moves away from the inner valve core 214 of the socket, causing the third sealing ring 220 to no longer be in sealing contact with the outer valve core 216 of the socket, thereby opening (or connecting) the socket channel 107.

[0041] In this embodiment, the bushing 102 further includes a first sealing ring 218 and a second sealing ring 219. When the outer valve core 216 of the bushing is in the closed position, the first sealing ring 218 seals the outer valve core 216 of the bushing to the second outer housing 213 of the bushing. When the outer valve core 216 of the bushing is in its open position, the first sealing ring 218 seals the outer valve core 333 of the plug and the second outer housing 213 of the bushing (see Fig. 4C). The second sealing ring 219 provides a sealing connection between the first outer casing 211 of the bushing and the second outer casing 213 of the bushing. The first and second sealing rings 218, 219 prevent fluid leakage between the bushing casing 101 and the corresponding valve cores.

[0042] In the present disclosure, the external valve core 333 of the plug further comprises a limiting section 332 of the plug, and the external valve core 216 of the socket comprises a limiting section 222 of the socket. The limiting section 332 of the plug can engage with the limiting section 222 of the socket to limit the movement of the external valve core 216 of the socket relative to the external valve core 333 of the plug in the radial direction. This radial movement includes movement perpendicular to the axial direction or wobbling relative to the axial direction, etc. This will be explained in detail later.

[0043] In the present disclosure, the second outer housing 213 of the socket is provided with an opening 224. The locking element 105 penetrates the opening 224 and moves up and down within it. When the plug 104 is inserted into the socket 102, the locking element 105 can move downwards, thus preventing the locking section 223 from moving along the path of the plug 104. After the plug 104 is inserted into the socket 102, the locking element 105 can move upwards into the groove 338 of the plug 104, thereby locking the plug 104 and the socket 102 together. In this embodiment, the second outer housing 213 of the socket is provided on one side with at least one window 228, and the window 228 is connected to the opening 224. When the locking element 105 is moved up and down, the window 228 reveals or covers certain parts of the locking element 105, for example a QR code area, etc.

[0044] The Fig. Figures 3A-3B show the specific design of connector 104. Fig. Figure 3A shows a perspective expanded view of connector 104, and Fig. Figure 3B shows an axial cross-section of connector 104. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 3A-3B, the connector 104 comprises a connector housing 103, an external valve core 333 of the connector, an internal valve core 336 of the connector, and an elastic element 335 of the connector. The external valve core 333 of the connector is sealed to the connector housing 103. The internal valve core 336 of the connector can move axially relative to the external valve core 333 of the connector and the connector housing 103. The connector housing 103 and the external valve core 333 of the connector together define the connector channel 108. The internal valve core 336 of the connector opens (or connects) or closes (or disconnects) the connector channel 108 by axial movement.

[0045] The connector housing 103 includes a rear connector housing 331 and a locking seat 334. The locking seat 334 is connected within the rear connector housing 331. The elastic element 335 of the connector is mounted between the locking seat 334 of the connector housing 103 and the inner valve core 336 of the connector and is designed to exert a preload force on the connector housing 103 and the inner valve core 336 of the connector. In this embodiment, the elastic element 335 of the connector is also a spring. When the connector 104 is not yet inserted into the socket 102, the spring is in a compressed, preloaded state. When the connector 104 is inserted into the socket 102, the spring is compressed further. The inner valve core 336 of the connector is located within the outer valve core 333 of the connector.In this embodiment, the front end of the outer valve core 333 of the connector is provided with a locking section 342 of the connector that projects into the connector channel 108. The inner valve core 336 of the connector is designed to have a shape corresponding to the locking section 342 of the outer valve core 333 of the connector in order to prevent the inner valve core 336 of the connector from detaching from the front of the outer valve core 333 of the connector, but without restricting the rearward movement of the inner valve core 336 of the connector. The rear of the outer valve core 333 of the connector is bounded by the rear housing 331 of the connector and the locking seat 334 to support the elastic element 335 of the connector.

[0046] In this embodiment, the internal valve core 336 of the connector has a closed position (i.e., a first position of the connector) and an open position (i.e., a second position of the connector). The internal valve core 336 of the connector is designed to move axially between the closed position of the connector and the open position of the connector. Fig. Figure 3B shows the state in which the internal valve core 336 of the connector is in the closed position of the connector. In the Fig. In the state shown in 3B, the connector channel 108 is closed (or disconnected). In particular, the connector 104 includes a fourth sealing ring 337. In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 3B, the fourth sealing ring 337 surrounds the front end of the outer valve core 333 of the connector and seals the outer valve core 333 of the connector and the inner valve core 336 of the connector. Thus, the front of the connector channel 108 is closed by the tightly contacting outer valve core 333 of the connector and the inner valve core 336 of the connector, thereby closing (or separating) the connector channel 108.

[0047] When the inner valve core 336 of the plug is pushed axially backward into its open position by the inner valve core 214 of the socket, the inner valve core 336 of the plug moves away from the outer valve core 333 of the plug, causing the fourth sealing ring 337 to no longer make sealing contact with the outer valve core 333 of the plug, thus opening (or connecting) the plug channel 108.

[0048] In this embodiment, the connector 104 further includes a fifth sealing ring 339, which is sealed between the rear housing 331 of the connector and the outer valve core 333 of the connector. The fifth sealing ring 339 can prevent fluid leakage between the housing 103 of the connector and the corresponding valve core.

[0049] In some embodiments, the plug limiting section 332 is provided at the axial end of the plug's outer valve core 333, which faces the outer valve core 216 of the socket, for example, at the end face of the axial end. The limiting section 222 of the socket is provided at the axial end of the socket's outer valve core 216, which faces the plug's outer valve core 333, for example, at the end face of the axial end. The limiting section 332 of the plug and the limiting section 222 of the socket's outer valve core 216 are designed to have matching shapes, so that when the plug's outer valve core 333 moves axially in the first direction (i.e.,(the insertion direction), the limiting section 332 of the plug and the limiting section 222 of the socket remain engaged, and when the external valve core 333 of the plug moves axially in the second direction opposite to the first direction (i.e., the retraction direction), the limiting section 332 of the plug is allowed to disengage from the limiting section 222 of the socket. Thus, in the insertion direction, the external valve core 333 of the plug and the external valve core 216 of the socket can move together along the insertion direction x. In the retraction direction, the external valve core 333 of the plug can disengage from the external valve core 216 of the socket.

[0050] In some embodiments, the limiting section 222 of the socket and the limiting section 332 of the plug are configured as matching projecting and recessed structures. The limiting section 222 of the socket or the limiting section 332 of the plug has a projecting form, e.g., including at least one projection, and the other has a recessed form, e.g., including at least one groove. The groove can at least partially accommodate the projection. In some embodiments, the at least one projection is configured to project axially, and the at least one groove is configured to be axially recessed. Due to the axially matching configuration of the projection and groove, the external valve core 333 of the plug can retain the external valve core 216 of the socket more securely axially.The projection height of the at least one projection and the recess depth of the at least one groove are set so that the external valve core 333 of the plug can axially hold the external valve core 216 of the socket.

[0051] In some embodiments, one of the limiting sections of the socket 222 and the limiting section of the plug 332 is an annular projection, and the other is an annular groove. In this embodiment, the limiting section 222 of the socket includes a continuously extending annular projection that projects axially rearward from the end of the outer valve core 216 of the socket, and the limiting section 332 of the plug includes a continuously extending annular groove that is recessed axially rearward from the end of the outer valve core 333 of the plug. The annular projection and the annular groove have square cross-sectional shapes. In other embodiments, the annular flange and the annular groove may also be triangular, sawtooth, or trapezoidal, or have another shape.The person skilled in the art will understand that the at least one projection can also be configured as several projections arranged circumferentially or as several projections spaced apart radially, and that the at least one groove can also be configured as several grooves arranged circumferentially or as several grooves spaced apart radially. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will understand that the limiting section of the plug and the limiting section of the socket can also be configured with other complementary shapes, provided that they prevent the outer valve core 216 of the socket from moving radially relative to the outer valve core 333 of the plug, and maintain the engagement of the limiting sections of the plug and socket in the first direction while allowing disengagement in the second direction.

[0052] Since the outer valve core 333 of the plug is firmly connected to the plug housing 103, the present disclosure ensures that the outer valve core 333 of the plug moves axially when the plug 104 is inserted axially. Because the inner diameter D1 of the inner housing 212 of the socket is larger than the outer diameter D2 of the outer valve core 216 of the socket, when the outer valve core 216 of the socket moves axially to a certain position, a gap exists between the inner housing 212 of the socket and the outer valve core 216 of the socket. This gap causes the outer valve core 216 of the socket to no longer be held axially by the socket housing 101. Without the limiting sections of the plug and socket, the outer valve core 216 of the socket would easily undergo radial movement, such as a movement perpendicular to the axial direction or a wobbling motion relative to the axial direction.If the outer valve core 216 of the socket moves radially after the outer valve core 333 of the plug is no longer in contact with the outer valve core 216 of the socket, the outer valve core 216 of the socket cannot return to the closed position of the socket under the influence of the elastic element 215 of the socket.

[0053] Furthermore, without the limiting sections of plug and socket to prevent radial movement of the outer valve core 216 of the socket, the contact distance between the socket housing and the outer valve core 216 of the socket would have to be increased, i.e., the size of the socket housing would have to be increased for a given movement of the outer valve core 216 of the socket.

[0054] The present disclosure utilizes the plug's external valve core 333, provided by the limiting sections of the plug and socket, to limit radial movement of the socket's external valve core 216. This prevents radial movement even when the socket's external valve core 216 moves to a position where it is no longer contacted and limited by the socket housing 101. Furthermore, when the plug's external valve core 333 moves away from the socket's external valve core 216 in the second direction, the socket's external valve core 216, guided and constrained by the limiting sections of the plug and socket and by the action of the socket's elastic element 215, can axially return to the socket's closed position, thereby re-closing the socket channel 107. This not only increases the reliability of the connector arrangement but also reduces its size.

[0055] In the Fig. Figures 4A-4C show axial cross-sectional views of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement in different positions during the insertion of the plug 104 into the socket 102. Fig. Figure 4A shows an axial cross-sectional view of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 when the plug 104 has not yet been inserted into the socket 102. Fig. Figure 4B shows an axial cross-sectional view of the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 during the insertion of the plug 104 into the socket 102. Fig. Figure 4C shows an axial cross-sectional view of the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly 100 after the plug 104 has been inserted into the socket 102. The movement of the plug's outer valve core 333 in the first direction can move the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly 100 into the socket 102. Fig. Open in the sequence shown in 4A-4C, and the movement of the external valve core 333 of the plug in the second direction can open the bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement 100 in the Fig. Close in the sequence shown 4C-4A.

[0056] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4A, plug 104 has not yet been inserted into socket 102. The outer valve core 216 of socket 102 is in the closed position. The inner valve core 214 and the outer valve core 216 of the socket seal against each other to close the socket channel 107. The elastic element 215 of the socket lies between the outer valve core 216 and the inner valve core 214 of the socket and applies an axial preload force to them. The inner housing blocking section 225 of the bushing housing 101 rests against the end face of the inner valve core 214 of the bushing and the inner housing limiting section 226 of the bushing housing 101 rests against the limiting flange 217 on the end face of the outer valve core 216 of the bushing to hold the inner valve core 214 of the bushing and the outer valve core 216 of the bushing in position and to close the bushing channel 107.

[0057] The inner valve core 336 of the connector 104 is in the closed position of the connector. The inner valve core 336 and the outer valve core 333 of the connector are in sealing contact to close the connector channel 108. The elastic element 335 of the connector rests between the inner valve core 336 and the housing 103 of the connector, applying an axial preload force. The outer valve core 333 and the elastic element 335 of the connector hold the inner valve core 336 in position and close the connector channel 108. The locking element 105 is in an upper position, with the locking section 223 blocking the insertion path of the connector 104.

[0058] In this state, the front end of the plug's external valve core 333 rests against the rear end of the socket's external valve core 216, and the socket's limiting section 222 is housed within the plug's limiting section 332. However, the plug 104 is not yet inserted into the socket 102, so the plug's external valve core 333 has not yet displaced the socket's external valve core 216. If the operator inserts the plug 104 from back to front (i.e., from right to left) Fig. 4A or the first direction), the outer valve core 333 of the plug pushes the outer valve core 216 of the socket and compresses the elastic element 215 of the socket. As the plug 104 moves forward, the inner valve core 336 of the plug collides with the inner valve core 214 of the socket. The inner valve core 214 of the socket pushes the inner valve core 336 of the plug backward and compresses the elastic element 335 of the plug, and the inner valve core 336 of the plug leaves the closed position of the plug until it reaches the Fig. Position shown in 4B has been reached.

[0059] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, when plug 104 is inserted into socket 102, the outer valve core 216 of the socket leaves the closed position of the socket but has not yet reached the open position. The inner valve core 214 of the socket no longer makes sealing contact with the outer valve core 216 of the socket, but it does make sealing contact with the outer valve core 333 of the plug, so that the channel 107 of the socket remains closed. The elastic element 215 of the socket is compressed. The limiting flange 217 of the outer valve core 216 of the socket has left the inner housing limiting section 226 of the socket housing 101, but the outer surface of the outer valve core 216 of the socket is still in contact with the inner housing limiting section 226, so that the outer valve core 216 of the socket does not undergo any radial movement.

[0060] The inner valve core 336 of the connector 104 has left the closed position of the connector but has not yet reached the open position. The inner valve core 336 of the connector no longer makes sealing contact with the outer valve core 333 of the connector, and the connector channel 108 is partially open. As the connector 104 moves forward, the elastic element 335 of the connector is compressed. The groove 338 of the connector 104 is not yet aligned with the locking section 223 of the locking element 105, which still blocks the insertion path of the connector 104 and is about to contact the guide wall 341 of the connector 104.

[0061] In this state, the front end of the external valve core 333 of the plug is still abutting the rear end of the external valve core 216 of the socket, and the limiting section 222 of the socket is still contained within the limiting section 332 of the plug. The front end of the internal valve core 336 of the plug is abutting the rear end of the internal valve core 214 of the socket. If the operator pushes the plug 104 further from back to front (i.e., from right to left in Fig. 4B along the first direction), the guide wall 341 of the plug 104 pushes the locking section 223 of the locking element 105 over complementary inclined surfaces, causing the locking element 105 to move downwards. As the locking element 105 moves downwards, the locking section 223 retracts from the insertion path of the plug 104, allowing the plug 104 to be inserted further into the socket 102 in the first direction. The outer valve core 333 of the plug pushes the outer valve core 216 of the socket further, compressing the elastic element 215 of the socket further. The inner valve core 214 of the socket pushes the inner valve core 336 of the plug further backwards, and the elastic element 335 of the plug is compressed further until the Fig. The position shown in 4C has been reached.

[0062] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 4C, the groove 338 of the plug 104 aligns with the locking section 223 of the locking element 105 after the plug 104 has been inserted into the socket 102. The locking element 105 moves upwards so that the locking section 223 engages in the groove 338, locking the relative positions of plug 104 and socket 102. In this state, the outer valve core 216 of the socket moves into the open position. The inner valve core 214 of the socket no longer makes sealing contact with either the outer valve core 216 of the socket or the outer valve core 333 of the plug, so the socket channel 107 is open. The spring element 215 of the socket is compressed to its shortest length, exerting a spring force on the outer valve core 216 of the socket to drive it backwards.The outer valve core 216 of the socket has completely left the inner housing 212 of the socket housing 101, however, the limiting section 222 of the socket of the outer valve core 216 of the socket is held in position by the limiting section 332 of the plug of the outer valve core 333 of the plug, thereby preventing radial movement of the outer valve core 216 of the socket.

[0063] The inner valve core 336 of the connector 104 moves into the open position of the connector. The inner valve core 336 of the connector is separated from the outer valve core 333 of the connector by a certain distance, thereby fully opening the connector channel 108. The elastic element 335 of the connector is compressed to its shortest length, exerting an elastic force on the inner valve core 336 of the connector to drive it forward.

[0064] In this state, both the socket channel 107 and the plug channel 108 are open and in fluid connection, thus enabling a fluid connection between the pipeline connected to the plug 104 and the pipeline connected to the socket 102. The bidirectional shut-off connector assembly 100 is open.

[0065] When it is necessary to close the bidirectional shut-off connector assembly 100, i.e., to shut off the pipelines connected to the plug 104 and the socket 102, the operator presses the locking element 105, which retracts the locking section 223 from the groove 338 of the plug 104. The operator can then pull the plug 104 out of the socket 102 from front to back along the second direction. The end face of the inner valve core 336 of the plug 104 is no longer in contact with the inner valve core 214 of the socket, so that, under the elastic force of the elastic element 335 of the plug, it moves axially into the closed position of the plug and closes the plug channel 108. The limiting section 222 of the socket of the external valve core 216 of the socket is guided through the limiting section 332 of the plug of the external valve core 333 of the plug.When the plug 104 is withdrawn along the second direction, the outer valve core 216 of the socket also moves axially into the closed position of the socket under the elastic force of the elastic element 215 of the socket, thereby closing the socket channel 107.

[0066] While the present application has been described in conjunction with the examples of the aforementioned embodiments, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and / or substantial equivalents, whether known or currently unforeseen, may become apparent to those possessing at least ordinary technical knowledge. Furthermore, the technical effects and / or problems described in this patent specification are exemplary rather than limiting. Therefore, the disclosure herein may also be used to solve other technical problems and may exhibit other technical effects. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the application, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various modifications may be made without departing from the fundamental idea or scope of the application.Therefore, the application should include all known or previously developed alternatives, modifications, variants, improvements and / or substantial equivalents.

Claims

[1] Connector arrangement, wherein the connector arrangement has an axial direction and a radial direction and comprises: a plug (104) having an external valve core (333) of the plug; and a socket (102) having an external valve core (216) of the socket, wherein the external valve core (216) of the socket rests against the external valve core (333) of the plug along the axial direction, wherein the external valve core (333) of the plug has a limiting section (332) of the plug, the external valve core (216) of the socket has a limiting section (222) of the socket and the limiting section (332) of the plug is designed to engage with the limiting section (216) of the socket. [2] Connector arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the connector arrangement is a bidirectional shut-off connector arrangement. [3] Connector arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the limiting section (222) of the socket is provided at an axial end of the outer valve core (216) of the socket which faces the outer valve core (333) of the plug, and the limiting section (332) of the plug is provided at an axial end of the outer valve core (333) of the plug which faces the outer valve core (216) of the socket. [4] Connector arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the limiting section (222) of the socket is provided at an end face of the axial end of the outer valve core (216) of the socket, and the limiting section (332) of the plug is provided at an end face of the axial end of the outer valve core (333) of the plug. [5] Connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the limiting section (222) of the socket or the limiting section (332) of the plug has a protruding shape and the other of the limiting section (222) of the socket and the limiting section (332) of the plug has a recessed shape. [6] Connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one of the limiting section of the socket (222) and the limiting section of the plug (332) is an annular projection and the other of the limiting section of the socket (222) and the limiting section of the plug (332) is an annular groove. [7] Connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the socket (102) has a socket housing (101), wherein the socket housing (101) has a first outer housing (211) of the socket, a second outer housing (213) of the socket and an inner housing (212) of the socket, wherein the first outer housing (211) of the socket and the second outer housing (213) of the socket are connected to each other and the inner housing (212) of the socket is detachably connected within the first outer housing (211) of the socket and the second outer housing (213) of the socket; and wherein the outer valve core (216) of the socket is located within the inner housing (212) of the socket. [8] Connector arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the inner housing (212) of the socket has an inner housing limiting section (226) which is provided at an end of the inner housing (212) of the socket near the plug (104) and is able to bear against an outer surface of the outer valve core (216) of the socket. [9] Connector arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the inner housing boundary section (226) is an annular projection. [10] Energy storage device comprising the connector arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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