Connectors and connector assemblies

Abstract

Providing connectors and connector assemblies. [Solution] This disclosure provides a connector 100 comprising a support seat portion 101 and a connecting pipe portion 120. The support seat portion 101 has a first side 111 and a second side 112 facing each other and comprises a support seat channel 105 and a sliding connecting portion 170. The support seat channel 105 extends through the first side 111 and the second side 112. The connecting pipe portion 120 is connected to the first side 111 of the support seat portion 101 and communicates with the support seat channel 105. The sliding connecting portion 170 is configured to slide in a first direction relative to a mounting position in order to connect the connector 100 to a mounting position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly, and more particularly, to a connector and a connector assembly for a battery pack cooling plate.

Background Art

[0002] A battery pack is provided with a cooling device for cooling the battery pack. The cooling device is provided with a cooling medium channel that can communicate with an external cooling pipeline to introduce an external cooling medium into the cooling device. The cooling device has an interface port to which a connector is attached, and through the connector, the cooling device communicates with the cooling pipeline.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides a connector having a support seat portion and a connection pipe portion. The support seat portion has a first side and a second side facing each other, and is provided with a support seat channel and a slide connection portion. The support seat channel extends through the first side and the second side. The connection pipe portion is connected to the first side of the support seat portion and communicates with the support seat channel. The slide connection portion is configured to be slidable in a first direction with respect to an attachment position for connecting the connector to an attachment (mounting, installing) position.

[0004] In the above connector, the slide connection portion is provided with a guide portion extending in the first direction. The guide portion is configured to cooperate with the attachment position to guide the connector to slide in the first direction. The guide portion includes a slot or a rib extending in the first direction.

[0005] The above connector is configured to be connected to a component through an attachment position. The first direction and the extending direction of the component form an angle in the range of 0° to 30°. The first direction and the extending direction of the support seat channel form an angle in the range of 75° to 105°.

[0006] In the connector described above, the second side of the support seat portion is provided with a sealing surface that extends diagonally in the first direction away from the mounting position.

[0007] In the connector described above, the sealing surface is inclined at an angle ranging from 0° to 30° with respect to the first direction.

[0008] In the connector described above, the sealing ring is located on the second side of the support seat.

[0009] In the connector described above, the sealing ring is positioned to surround the support seat channel and protrudes above the sealing surface.

[0010] In the connector described above, the sealing surface extends beyond the outer edge of the sealing ring.

[0011] In the connector described above, the guide portion includes a slot, and the support seat portion comprises a base plate side edge and an elastic arm extending in a first direction. The proximal end of the elastic arm is connected to the base plate side edge. The elastic arm is separated from the base plate side edge to form a slot. The elastic arm and the base plate side edge define an opening at the distal end of the elastic arm.

[0012] In the above connector, the side edge of the base plate extends diagonally away from the elastic arm near the opening in order to form a guide inclined portion.

[0013] In the connector described above, the elastic arm has a projection at its distal end that extends beyond the inner surface of the elastic arm toward the side edge of the base plate. The projection is configured to cooperate with the mounting position to restrict the connector from moving in the opposite direction to the first direction and disengaging from the mounting position.

[0014] In the connector described above, the support seat portion extends in a first direction and includes a front end portion located downstream of the sealing surface in the first direction.

[0015] The connector shown above is used to connect to the battery pack cooling plate.

[0016] This disclosure further provides a connector assembly comprising the above-described connector and connection seat. The connection seat comprises a connection seat channel configured to communicate with a support seat channel and a slide-fit portion configured to cooperate with a slide-connect portion of the connector for connecting the connector to the connection seat.

[0017] In the connector assembly described above, the connection seat is fixedly connected to the surface of the battery pack cooling plate and has a thickness that does not exceed the thickness of the battery pack cooling plate.

[0018] In the connector assembly described above, one of the slide-fit portion and the slide-connect portion has a slot extending in a first direction, and the other has a rib extending in the first direction and slidable within the slot to guide the connector to slide in the first direction.

[0019] The connector assembly according to this disclosure comprises a connection seat and a connector. The connection seat is fixedly connected to a component, and the connector is detachably mounted within the connection seat. During transport, the connection seat can be transported together with the component, while the connector is transported separately. The connector is then mounted onto the connection seat before use. The connection seat has a relatively small thickness, which saves space when transporting the component. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of the connector as disclosed in this disclosure. [Figure 1B] This is a perspective view of the connector in Figure 1A from a second angle. [Figure 1C]Perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1A from a third angle. [Figure 1D] Side view of the connector of FIG. 1A as seen from the side. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1A. [Figure 3A] Exploded view of the connector assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] Perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 3A in an assembled state. [Figure 4A] Perspective view of the connection seat of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4B] Cross-sectional view of the connection seat of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] Side view showing the connector immediately before being mounted in the connection seat. [Figure 5B] Cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] Side view showing the connector partially mounted in the connection seat. [Figure 5D] Cross-sectional view of FIG. 5C. [Figure 5E] Side view showing the connector properly mounted in the connection seat. [Figure 5F] Cross-sectional view of FIG. 5E.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Various specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. In order to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present application, terms representing directions such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are used in this document, but these terms are used only for the purpose of facilitating the explanation and it should be understood that they are defined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present application can be arranged in different orientations, the terms representing these directions are used only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limitations. As far as possible, the same or similar reference numerals used in the present application refer to the same parts.

[0022] Figure 1A is a perspective view of the connector according to this disclosure, Figure 1B is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1A from a second angle, Figure 1C is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1A from a third angle, and Figure 1D is a side view of the connector of Figure 1A as seen from the side.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1A to 1C, the connector 100 has a height direction H, a length direction L, and a width direction W. In this disclosure, the first direction is the insertion direction of the connector extending in the length direction L, and the height direction H is the thickness direction of the connector. The thickness direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The connector 100 comprises a support seat portion 101, a connecting tube portion 120, and a seal ring 180. The support seat portion 101 is in the shape of a substantially flat plate and extends in the width direction W and the length direction L. The support seat portion 101 comprises a first side 111 and a second side 112 arranged opposite each other, and a support seat channel 105. The support seat channel 105 extends through the first side 111 and the second side 112 of the support seat portion 101. The connecting tube portion 120 is connected to the first side 111 of the support seat portion 101 and communicates with the support seat channel 105. The connecting pipe section 120 extends from the first side 111 of the support seat section 101 in a direction substantially parallel to the support seat section 101. The connecting pipe section 120 is provided with a plurality of annular projections 188 on its outside to facilitate connection to an external pipeline.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the extending direction of the support seat channel 105 is perpendicular to the first direction. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an angle of 75° to 105° between the extending direction of the support seat channel 105 and the first direction.

[0025] The support seat 101 comprises a base plate 170 and an elastic portion 190. One end of the elastic portion 190 is connected to the base plate 170, and the other end is movable relative to the base plate 170, thereby giving the elastic portion 190 elasticity. The elastic portion 190 comprises a pair of elastic arms 171 and 172 and a connecting beam 173. The base plate 170 comprises a pair of base plate side edges 151 and 152 arranged opposite to each other, and a front portion 153 and a rear portion 154 arranged opposite to each other. In the longitudinal direction of the connector, the direction from the rear portion 154 to the front portion 153 is the first direction D1 described herein (see Figure 1D). The elastic arms 171 and 172 are each connected at one end to the base plate 170, and their other ends are connected to each other by the connecting beam 173. The connections between the elastic arms 171 and 172 and the base plate 170 are located near the rear portion 154 and are situated on one side of the base plate side edges 151 and 152 in the height direction, respectively. The base plate side edges 151 and 152 and the elastic arms 171 and 172 extend in the longitudinal direction of the connector, i.e., in the first direction. The elastic arms 171 and 172 have a symmetrical structure, and the structure of elastic arm 171 will be described as an example.

[0026] The elastic arm 171 has its proximal end connected to one side of the base plate side edge 151 near the rear 154 and extends toward the front 153 in a first direction. The elastic arm 171 is separated from the base plate side edge 151 and forms a substantially elongated slot 144 that extends in a first direction. The slot 144 has an opening 166 at one end, which is located at the end of the slot 144 near the front 153. The opening 166 is formed between the distal end of the elastic arm 171 and the base plate side edge 151. The base plate side edge 151 extends obliquely away from the elastic arm 171 near the opening 166 to form a guide inclined portion 178, thereby forming a guide section 169 within the slot 144 near the opening 166 for guiding the corresponding structure of the mounting position (such as the connecting seat 302 shown in Figures 3A and 3B) into the slot 144. The elastic arm 171 has a projection 168 at its distal end, which extends beyond the inner surface of the elastic arm 171 toward the base plate side edge 151 and has a limiting surface 129 facing the proximal end of the elastic arm 171. The limiting surface 129 extends substantially in the height and width directions of the connector. The projection 168 is configured to cooperate with the mounting position to restrict the connector from moving in the opposite direction to the first direction and disengaging from the mounting position.

[0027] In this embodiment, the elastic arm 171, the base plate side edge 151, and the slot 144 defined by the elastic arm 171 and the base plate side edge 151 jointly form a sliding connection portion 170. The slot 144 forms a guide portion that guides the connector to slide in a first direction relative to the mounting position.

[0028] The second side 112 of the support seat portion 101 (i.e., the side of the base plate 170 away from the connecting pipe portion 120) has a sealing surface 142 that extends obliquely in a first direction away from the mounting position. The sealing surface 142 is provided with an annular groove 185 surrounding the support seat channel 105. The annular groove 185 is used to mount a seal ring 180. The seal ring 180 is made of an elastic material and is used to form a seal with the mounting position. The seal ring 180 is positioned to protrude above the sealing surface 142. The sealing surface 142 extends beyond the outer edge of the seal ring 180.

[0029] The support seat portion 101 further comprises a front end portion 158 that extends in a first direction and is located downstream of the sealing surface 142 in the first direction. That is, the front end portion 158 extends in the first direction from the end of the sealing surface 142 near the front portion 153 of the base plate 170. The front end portion 158 is defined between the base plate side edge portion 151 and the base plate side edge portion 152. A certain angle is formed between the lower surface of the front end portion 158 and the sealing surface 142.

[0030] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in Figure 1A. As shown in Figure 2, an angle α is formed between the sealing surface 142 and the first direction. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the angle α is in the range of 0° to 30°. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the angle α is in the range of 0° to 25°. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the angle α is in the range of 0° to 20°. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the angle α is in the range of 0° to 15°. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the angle α is in the range of 0° to 10°. The angle of the sealing surface 142 facilitates the mounting of the connector to the mounting position and the formation of a seal with the mounting position.

[0031] Figure 3A is an exploded view of the connector assembly according to this disclosure, and Figure 3B is a perspective view showing the connector assembly of Figure 3A in its assembled state.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the connector assembly 300 comprises a connector 100 and a connection seat 302. In the connector assembly 300, the connection seat 302 functions as a mounting position as described in this disclosure. The connector 100 can be mounted in the connection seat 302 in a first direction to connect the connector 100 to the connection seat 302.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3A, the connection seat 302 has a connection seat channel 335 and a slide-fit portion 308. The slide-fit portion 308 cooperates with the slide-fit portion of the connector 100 to connect the connector 100 to the connection seat 302. When the connector 100 is properly connected to the connection seat 302, the connection seat channel 335 aligns with the support seat channel 105.

[0034] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the connector seat 302 of Figure 3A, and Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the connector seat 302 of Figure 4A. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the connector seat 302 comprises a bottom plate 411 and a pair of side portions 421 and 422. The side portions 421 and 422 extend from opposing sides of the bottom plate 411, respectively. The slide-fit portion 308 comprises bent portions 431 and 432 that bend toward each other from the distal ends of the side portions 421 and 422, respectively. The bent portions 431 and 432 each extend in a first direction to form ribs. The bent portions 431 and 432 can enter into the corresponding slots 144 of the connector 100 and slide within them. The positions of the slots 144 and the bent portions 431 and 432 can be swapped.

[0035] The bottom plate 411 has an upper section 451 and a lower section 452, with side sections 421 and 422 connected to the upper section 451 of the bottom plate 411. The lower section 452 is connected to components such as a battery pack cooling plate. The upper section 451 has an inclined surface 461 and a front surface 462. The inclined surface 461 extends obliquely in a first direction away from the lower section 452. The front surface 462 is located downstream of the inclined surface 461 in the first direction and extends substantially in the first direction. The inclination angle of the inclined surface 461 matches the inclination angle of the sealing surface 142.

[0036] Mounting spaces 455 having a thickness that gradually decreases in a first direction are formed between the bent portions 431 and 432 and the inclined surface 461, respectively. The mounting spaces 455 can accommodate the base plate side edges 151 and 152, respectively. When the base plate 170 of the connector 100 moves into the mounting spaces 455 along the first direction, the gradually decreasing thickness of the mounting spaces 455 contributes to the mounting of the base plate 170. Each of the bent portions 431 and 432 has a front end 481 and a rear end 482.

[0037] In this disclosure, the connection seat 302 has a small thickness. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the thickness of the connection seat 302 does not exceed the thickness of the battery pack cooling plate. In another embodiment of this disclosure, the thickness of the connection seat 302 does not exceed 2 / 3 of the thickness of the battery pack cooling plate.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first direction is parallel to the extending direction of the battery pack cooling plate. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an angle between the first direction and the extending direction of the battery pack cooling plate ranging from 0° to 15°. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is an angle between the first direction and the extending direction of the battery pack cooling plate ranging from 0° to 30°.

[0039] Figure 5A is a side view showing the connector just before it is attached to the connector base, Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5A, Figure 5C is a side view showing the connector partially attached to the connector base, Figure 5D is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5C, Figure 5E is a side view showing the connector properly attached to the connector base, and Figure 5F is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5E.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, in order to install the connector 100 into the connection seat 302, the opening 166 of the slot 144 of the connector 100 is first aligned with the bent portions 431 and 432 of the connection seat 302. When the connector 100 is pushed in the first direction, the elastic arms 171 and 172 deform upward, widening the opening of the slot 144, so that the bent portions 431 and 432 enter the slot 144. The slot 144 is sized to match the dimensions of the bent portions 431 and 432, and both the slot 144 and the bent portions 431 and 432 extend in the first direction to guide the connector 100 to move in the first direction relative to the connection seat 302. At this time, the front portion 153 of the base plate 170 is just before entering the mounting space 455. The mounting space 455 has a greater thickness at the entrance, making it easier for the base plate 170 to enter.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5C and 5D, the connector 100 is pushed and moves in the first direction, and the bent portions 431 and 432 partially enter the slot 144. The base plate 170 enters the mounting space 455. At this time, because the sealing surface 142 of the base plate 170 and the inclined surface 461 of the connection seat 302 are positioned at an angle, the sealing surface 142 is separated from the inclined surface 461, and the sealing ring 180 cannot come into contact with the inclined portion 461 at this stage.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5E and 5F, the connector 100 is further pushed and moves in the first direction, and the protrusions 168 of the elastic arms 171 and 172 move through the bent portions 431 and 432. As a result, the elastic arms 171 and 172 return to their original shape and come into contact with the front ends 481 of the bent portions 431 and 432. Correspondingly, the front ends 481 of the bent portions 431 and 432 work together with the protrusions 168 to prevent the connector 100 from moving in the opposite direction to the connection seat 302 and disengaging from the connection seat 302. In other words, the connector 100 is restricted from moving in the pull-out direction.

[0043] In the positions shown in Figures 5E and 5F, the support seat channel 105 is aligned with the connecting seat channel 335. The sealing surface 142 is in close contact with the inclined surface 461, which compresses the sealing ring 180 and forms a seal between the sealing surface 142 and the inclined surface 461. The sealing ring 180 is positioned around the support seat channel 105 and the connecting seat channel 335, thereby preventing fluid leakage as the fluid flows through the support seat channel 105 and the connecting seat channel 335.

[0044] The front end portion 158 of the base plate 170 is sandwiched between the bent portions 431 and 432 and the bottom plate 411, restricting the connector 100 from moving in the height direction relative to the connection seat 302. Therefore, the connector 100 is stably connected to the connection seat 302.

[0045] Because the sealing surface 142 and the inclined surface 461 are positioned obliquely to the first direction, the sealing surface 142 gradually approaches the inclined surface 461 during the process of installing the connector 100 into the connection seat 302. This design prevents the sealing ring 180 from being deformed by unwanted friction with the inclined surface 461 before the connector 100 is properly installed. In this disclosure, the front portion of the sealing ring 180 contacts the inclined surface 461 after passing through the connection seal channel 335, preventing deformation or displacement of the sealing ring 180 due to premature contact with the inclined surface 461.

[0046] In this disclosure, the connector 100 and the connection seat 302 form a removable assembly, and the connection seat 302 is fixedly connected to a component such as a battery pack cooling plate. In this disclosure, the battery pack cooling plate to which the connection seat 302 is fixed, and the connector 100, can be transported separately and installed at the point of use. The connection seat 302 has a small thickness, which contributes to saving space when transporting the battery pack cooling plate.

[0047] While this disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it will be apparent to at least a person skilled in the art, whether known or currently foreseeable, that various substitutes, modifications, variations, extensions, and / or substantial equivalents may become apparent. Furthermore, the technical effects and / or technical problems described herein are illustrative and not limiting. Accordingly, the disclosure may be applied to address other technical problems and achieve other technical effects. In response, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, this disclosure is intended to encompass all known or subsequently developed substitutes, modifications, variations, extensions, and / or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. It is a connector, A support seat portion (101) having a first side (111) and a second side (112) facing each other, the support seat portion (101) comprising a support seat channel (105) and a sliding connection portion, the support seat channel (105) extending through the first side (111) and the second side (112), the support seat portion (101), A connecting pipe portion (120) connected to the first side (111) of the support seat portion (101), the connecting pipe portion (120) communicating with the support seat portion channel (105), Equipped with, The sliding connection portion is configured to be slidable in a first direction relative to the mounting position in order to connect the connector (100) to the mounting position. connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the sliding connection portion includes a guide portion extending in the first direction, the guide portion is configured to guide the connector (100) to slide in the first direction in cooperation with the mounting position, and the guide portion includes a slot (144) or rib extending in the first direction.

3. The connector (100) is configured to connect to the component through the mounting position, and the first direction and the extending direction of the component form an angle in the range of 0° to 30°. The first direction and the extending direction of the support seat channel (105) form an angle in the range of 75° to 105°. The connector according to claim 1.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second side (112) of the support seat portion (101) is provided with a sealing surface (142) that extends diagonally in the first direction away from the mounting position.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the sealing surface (142) is inclined at an angle in the range of 0° to 30° with respect to the first direction.

6. The connector according to claim 4, further comprising a seal ring (180) disposed on the second side (112) of the support seat portion (101).

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the seal ring (180) is arranged to surround the support seat channel (105) and protrudes above the seal surface (142).

8. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the sealing surface (142) extends beyond the outer edge of the sealing ring (180).

9. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion includes a slot (144), the support seat portion (101) comprises base plate side edges (151, 152) and elastic arms (171, 172) extending in the first direction, the proximal ends of the elastic arms (171, 172) are connected to the base plate side edges (151, 152), the elastic arms (171, 172) are separated from the base plate side edges (151, 152) to form the slot (144), and the elastic arms (171, 172) and the base plate side edges (151, 152) define an opening (166) at the distal end of the elastic arms (171, 172).

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein the base plate side edges (151, 152) extend obliquely away from the elastic arms (171, 172) near the opening (166) to form a guide inclined portion (178).

11. The connector according to claim 9, wherein the elastic arms (171, 172) have projections (168) at their distal ends that extend beyond the inner surface of the elastic arms (171, 172) toward the base plate side edges (151, 152), and the projections (168) are configured to cooperate with the mounting position to restrict the connector (100) from moving in the opposite direction to the first direction and coming off the mounting position.

12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the support seat portion (101) has a front end portion (158) that extends in the first direction and is located downstream of the sealing surface (142) with respect to the first direction.

13. The connector (100) is used for connecting to a battery pack cooling plate, as described in claim 1.

14. A connector assembly, A connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, A connecting seat (302), A connecting seat channel (335) configured to communicate with the support seat channel (105), To connect the connector (100) to the connection seat (302), a slide-fit portion (308) is configured to cooperate with the slide-connect portion of the connector (100), A connecting seat (302) is provided, A connector assembly equipped with a connector.

15. The connector assembly according to claim 14, wherein the connection seat (302) is fixedly connected to the surface of the battery pack cooling plate and has a thickness not exceeding the thickness of the battery pack cooling plate.

16. The connector assembly according to claim 15, wherein one of the slide-fit portion (308) and the slide-connect portion is provided with a slot (144) extending in the first direction, and the other is provided with a rib extending in the first direction, the rib being slidable within the slot (144) to guide the connector (100) to slide in the first direction.

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