Automatic disconnecting coupler assembly

Abstract

An automatic disconnector includes a connector assembly, a locking sleeve, a linkage, and a locking device. The connector assembly includes a main connector and a movable connector. The movable connector is slidably located at one end of the main connector and forms an internal channel with the main connector. The locking sleeve is slidably located on the main connector and can be alternately in a locked or released position. When the locking sleeve is in the locked position, it restricts movement of the movable connector relative to the main connector; when the locking sleeve is in the released position, it releases the restriction on movement of the movable connector relative to the main connector. The linkage is slidably located on one side of the connector assembly and drives the locking sleeve to the released position along the long axis of the main connector. The locking device removably secures the linkage to restrict movement of the linkage in the locked mode and allows movement of the linkage in the unlocked mode.

Claims

1. An automatic disconnector device, comprising: A connector assembly includes a main connector and a movable connector, the movable connector being slidably located at one end of the main connector and forming an internal channel with the main connector; a locking sleeve slidably fitted onto the main connector and alternately positioned in a locked position or a released position, wherein when the locking sleeve is in the locked position, the locking sleeve restricts movement of the movable connector relative to the main connector, and when the locking sleeve is in the released position, the locking sleeve releases the restriction on movement of the movable connector relative to the main connector; a linkage slidably located on one side of the connector assembly for moving along a long axis of the main connector to move the locking sleeve to the released position; and a locking device removably securing the linkage to restrict movement of the linkage in a locked mode and allow movement of the linkage in an unlocked mode.

2. The automatic disconnector device as described in claim 1, wherein: The main connector includes a connector body, at least one through hole, and at least one retaining ball. The connector body has an inner pipe axially extending through it and the inner pipe accommodates one end of the movable connector. The at least one through hole is located on the connector body and communicates with the inner pipe. The at least one retaining ball is movably located within the at least one through hole, and a portion of the at least one retaining ball protrudes outside the through hole. The locking sleeve includes a fitting and an annular inner groove. The fitting has a sleeve pipe axially extending through it and the sleeve pipe accommodates one end of the connector body. The annular inner groove is located on the inner wall of the fitting facing the sleeve pipe. When the locking sleeve is in the locked position, the fitting covers the at least one retaining ball and restricts the at least one retaining ball from moving radially outward, causing the at least one retaining ball to contact the movable connector. When the locking sleeve is in the released position, the annular inner groove corresponds to the at least one retaining ball to provide space for the at least one retaining ball to move radially outward.

3. The automatic disconnecting connector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the locking sleeve has an annular protrusion; and a portion of the linkage is spaced apart from the annular protrusion by a gap, or a portion of the linkage is fixedly connected to the annular protrusion.

4. The automatic disconnecting connector device as described in claim 3, wherein the linkage includes a linkage body and a pushing part, the linkage body being slidably located on one side of the main connector, and the long axis of the linkage body being parallel to the long axis of the main connector, the pushing part intersecting and connecting the linkage body, and the pushing part at least partially projecting onto the annular protrusion along the long axis of the main connector.

5. The automatic disconnecting connector device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pushing part includes two pushing flanges and a recessed area located between the two pushing flanges, the recessed area receiving the locking sleeve, and the two pushing flanges at least partially projecting onto the annular protrusion along the long axis direction of the main connector.

6. The automatic disconnecting connector device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the linkage further comprises: a wire groove located on one side of the linkage body facing the main connector, wherein the connector assembly has a protrusion extending into the wire groove; and an elastic member located within the wire groove and abutting against the protrusion and the inner end wall of the wire groove, wherein a long axis direction of the elastic member, a long axis direction of the wire groove, and a long axis direction of the linkage body are parallel to each other.

7. The automatic disconnector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector assembly further comprises: A floating seat has a body, a through hole, and a receiving groove. The body includes a front side and a rear side opposite to each other. The receiving groove is located on the front side, and the through hole is located on the rear side and communicates with the receiving groove. A main connector is located in the receiving groove and the through hole, and has a radially annular gap between it and the inner wall of the through hole. The main connector has a radially protruding abutment flange. A telescopic spring is located in the receiving groove, surrounds the main connector, and abuts against the body and the abutment flange, respectively.

8. The automatic disconnecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking device includes a locking assembly and a triggering device that controls the locking assembly to move from the locking mode to the unlocking mode.

9. The automatic disconnecting connector device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the triggering device includes a fixed frame, a triggering module, and a movable element, the movable element being retractably located on the fixed frame, the triggering module controlling the movable element to partially extend and retract into the fixed frame; and the locking assembly includes a link, a locking member, and a stop member, the link including a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the first end being pivotally connected to the movable element, the locking member including a first plate and a locking groove, the first plate being pivotally connected to a stationary carrier, the locking groove being located at one end of the first plate, and the stop member including a second plate and a stop portion, one end of the second plate being pivotally connected to the second end of the link, the other end being pivotally connected to the stationary carrier, the stop portion being located on the second plate. When the movable element is partially retracted into the fixed frame, the stop abuts against the first piece and stops the rotation of the first piece, and a portion of the linkage is confined in the latching groove; or when the movable element is partially pushed out of the fixed frame, there is a gap between the stop and the first piece, and a portion of the linkage disengages from the latching groove.

10. The automatic disconnector device as claimed in claim 1 further includes: a position sensor facing the connector assembly for sensing the position of the movable connector.

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