Charging connector and charging apparatus

Charging connector and charging apparatus are provided. The charging connector includes a partition plate including at least one charging interface provided on each side surface of two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate. The at least one charging interface is electrically coupled to a charging interface of a battery to charge the battery. Two lateral plates are respectively pivotally connected to the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate and respectively rotatable with respect to the partition plate. Outer edges of the two lateral plates, which are away from a pivot joint portion, are configured to move away from or close to the partition plate to expose or cover the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate to enable the charging connector to be in an open state or a folded state correspondingly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the charging field, and more particularly, to a charging connector and a charging apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Batteries are indispensable components for various types of portable terminals and tools, including unmanned aerial vehicles. With the rapid development and high popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles, battery life is becoming more and more important. Battery capacity, however, is still in the bottleneck and difficult to break through. Therefore, much efforts have been focused on the charging techniques, such as, the charging speed and the charging apparatus, to provide convenience for charging the batteries. Generally, in order to ensure the endurance of an unmanned aerial vehicle, a charging apparatus needs to be carried around.

When multiple batteries need to be charged at the same time, a charger with multiple charging interfaces is required. Chargers currently available on the market for charging multiple batteries of the unmanned aerial vehicles often take a form of flat panel with multiple charging interfaces arranged side by side. Such chargers not only take up a large space and are hard to carry, but also are unaesthetic and have a low utilization rate.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a charging connector. The charging connector includes a partition plate including at least one charging interface provided on each side surface of two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate. The at least one charging interface is electrically coupled to a charging interface of a battery to charge the battery. Two lateral plates are respectively pivotally connected to the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate and respectively rotatable with respect to the partition plate. Outer edges of the two lateral plates, which are away from a pivot joint portion, are configured to move away from or close to the partition plate to expose or cover the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate to enable the charging connector to be in an open state or a folded state correspondingly. When the battery being charged by the charging connector, at least one lateral plate of the two lateral plates is rotated with respect to the partition plate, whereby an outer edge of the at least one lateral plate is away from the partition plate to expose the at least one charging interface on at least one side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate, to allow the exposed at least one charging interface to charge the battery.

The present disclosure also provides a charging apparatus for charging a battery of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The charging apparatus includes a charging connector. The charging connector includes a partition plate including at least one charging interface provided on each side surface of two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate. The at least one charging interface is electrically coupled to a charging interface of a battery to charge the battery. Two lateral plates are respectively pivotally connected to the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate and respectively rotatable with respect to the partition plate. Outer edges of the two lateral plates, which are away from a pivot joint portion, are configured to move away from or close to the partition plate to expose or cover the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate to enable the charging connector to be in an open state or a folded state correspondingly. When the battery being charged by the charging connector, at least one lateral plate of the two lateral plates is rotated with respect to the partition plate, whereby an outer edge of the at least one lateral plate is away from the partition plate to expose the at least one charging interface on at least one side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate, to allow the exposed at least one charging interface to charge the battery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure provides a charging connector and a charging apparatus, with effectively reduced, occupied space. The charging connector and charging apparatus are easy to carry.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 7, in an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging connector1includes a partition plate11and two lateral plates12. At least one charging interface111is provided on each side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. The at least one charging interface111is configured to electrically couple to a charging interface of a battery2to charge the battery2. The two lateral plates12are each pivotally connected to a corresponding side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11whereby the two lateral plates12can be respectively rotated with respect to the partition plate11. Thereby, the outer edges of the two lateral plates12, which are away from the pivot joint portion, can be configured to be away or close to the partition plate11to expose or cover corresponding sides of the partition plate11, the charging connector1is set in an open state or a folded state accordingly.

When the battery2being charged by the charging connector1, at least one lateral plate12is rotated with respect to the partition plate11such that the outer edge of the at least one lateral plate12is moved away from the partition plate11to expose the at least one charging interface111provided on one corresponding side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. The exposed at least one charging interface111is enabled to charge the battery2.

In one embodiment, the charging connector1can charge the battery2by supplying power to the at least one charging interface111through built-in batteries, or through an external power source.

Optionally, a quantity of 1-50 charging interfaces111are provided on each side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. Optionally, a quantity of 4-30 charging interfaces111are provided on each side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. Optionally, a quantity of 6-20 charging interfaces111are provided on each side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. Optionally, the quantity of charging interfaces111on one side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11can be the same as or different than the quantity of charging interfaces111on the other side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. Optionally, all the charging interfaces111on the partition plates11are independent from each other and do not affect each other. Obviously, all the charging interfaces111on the partition plates11can also be configured not to be independent from each other.

By disposing the charging interfaces111on the partition plate11and pivotally connecting the two lateral plates12to both sides of the partition plate11, the two lateral plates12can be rotated with respect to the partition plate11, whereby the charging connector1can be configured to be in an open state when charging the battery2and in a folded state when not charging the battery2. This can effectively reduce the size of the charging connector1and allow a compact structure of the charging connector1. The charging connector1is also easy to carry around. This can solve the problems associated with the existing flat panel chargers, which occupy a large space, are inconvenient to carry and store, and so on. In addition, the charging connector1can charge multiple batteries simultaneously and is easy to use, meeting the demand for endurance of an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 1, optionally, the charging connector1further includes two end plates13. The two end plates13are respectively disposed at two ends of the partition plate11. The width of the two end plates13is greater than the width of the two ends of the partition plate11(also referred to as the thickness of the partition plate11), such that when the lateral plates12cover the partition plate11, receiving spaces are formed between the lateral plates12, the partition plate11, and the two end plates13to accommodate the charging interfaces111disposed on the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. That is, one receiving space is formed between one corresponding lateral plate of the two lateral plates12, the partition plates11, and the two end plates13. Accordingly, two receiving spaces are respectively formed at the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11to respectively accommodate the charging interfaces111disposed on the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. Optionally, the outer edges of the two lateral plates12, which are away from the pivot joint portion, are each transitionally curved or bent with respect to the main body of the corresponding lateral plate12. As such, when the lateral plates12cover the partition panel11, the outer edges of the two lateral plates12, which are away from the pivot joint portion, are able to contact or approach the lateral plates12to form receiving spaces.

In one embodiment, the width of the two end plates13refers to a length of the two end plates13in the direction perpendicular to the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. The width of the two ends of the partition plate11refers to a width of the two end surfaces of the partition plate11in the direction perpendicular to the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11, which is also referred to as a thickness of the partition plate11.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, optionally, the charging connector1further includes a power supply interface14. The power supply interface14can be arranged on either one end plate of the end plates13. The power supply interface14is electrically coupled to an external power supply. Further the power supply interface14is electrically coupled to the charging interfaces111so that the charging connector1can charge the batteries2through the exposed charging interfaces111. In one embodiment, the partition plate11is configured to have a thickness, such that the connection wires or circuit board between the power supply interface14and the charging interfaces111can be disposed in the plate body of the partition plate11. For example, a space may be created inside the partition plate11, or the partition plate11may be made of a hollow plate for accommodate components such as wiring and circuit boards. In one embodiment, the charging interfaces111can be connected to the power supply interface14through the wires that lead out of the end plates13. For example, the power supply interface14can be a power plug for inserting into a power strip to connect to the power supply. In addition, the power supply interface14can be an electrical interface provided on the end plates13, such as a USB interface or other types of electrical interfaces, which may need corresponding external wires to connect the electrical interface to a power supply. The corresponding external wires can be detachably connected to the power supply interface14, for example, a connecting charging plug.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, optionally, the charging connector1further includes a charging circuit15. The charging circuit15is provided in the plate body of the partition plate11. The power supply interface14is electrically coupled through the charging circuit15to the charging interfaces111on the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. Optionally, the charging circuit15can include one or more of an overvoltage protection circuit, an overcurrent protection circuit, an overcharge protection circuit, etc., which can prevent from damaging the battery2due to overvoltage, overcurrent, or overcharging when the battery2is being charged.

Referring toFIG. 1, optionally, a plurality of charging interfaces111are respectively provided on the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. The plurality of charging interfaces111on each side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11are arranged side by side at intervals along the length of the partition plate11.

Further, the plurality of charging interfaces111on one side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate may be respectively symmetrically or alternately provided with respect to the plurality of charging interfaces111on the other side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11.

Optionally, the charging interfaces111may be different types of charging interfaces111, respectively, for example, a charging interface suitable for a mobile phone battery, a charging interface suitable for an unmanned aerial vehicle battery, a charging interface suitable for a camera battery, and so forth. The charging connector1can be configured to charge a variety of batteries. The charging connector1can also be configured to charge a single type of battery. In one embodiment, all the charging interfaces111can be an unified type of charging interface, for example, charging interfaces suitable for the battery2of unmanned aerial vehicle.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, optionally, each charging interface111can include multiple parallelly arranged electrode sheets1111and an electrode ring member1112. The electrode ring member1112is configured to protrude from one corresponding side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11, and the multiple parallelly arranged electrode sheets1111are provided on the one corresponding side of the partition plate11encompassed by the electrode ring member1112. When charging the battery2, the charging interface of battery2is inserted into the electrode ring member1112and is in contact with the multiple parallelly arranged electrode sheets1111. The electrode ring member1112is provided in such a way that when charging the battery2, the electrode ring member1112is able to cover the contact area between the charging interface of battery2and the multiple parallelly arranged electrode sheets1111to prevent safety risks due to exposure of the contact area.

Referring toFIG. 1, optionally, a recess121is provided for each charging interface111on the lateral plate12corresponding to each charging interface111. When the two lateral plates12cover the partition plate11, each charging interface111is received in a corresponding recess121. That is, the electrode ring member1112and the corresponding electrode sheet1111altogether are received in the corresponding recess121. This can further save space and reduce the size of the charging connector1.

Referring toFIG. 4, optionally, one or more protrusion122is provided on an outer surface of each lateral plate of the two lateral plate12. The one or more protrusion122may be configured to be away from the partition plate11. That is, the one or more protrusion122protrudes from the outer surface of the lateral plate12. The one or more protrusion122is configured to support the corresponding lateral plate12when the charging connector1is set in the open state. This allows the lateral plates12to be held level or substantially level when the lateral plates12are open, which facilitates stabilizing the battery2during charging. Optionally, a plastic pad is wrapped on the outside of the protrusion122.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 5, optionally, the charging connector1further includes at least on set of securing assembly. The at least one securing assembly is configured to secure the lateral plate12to the partition plate11when the lateral plate12is closed.

Referring toFIG. 1, optionally, the at least one securing assembly is a first snapping assembly17, which includes a snap member171and a snap slot172. The snap slot172is recessed in a side surface of either the partition plate11or the lateral plate12, while the snap member171is protrudingly provided on a corresponding side surface of either the partition plate11or the lateral plate12. When the lateral plate12is closed, the snap member171is snapped into the snap slot172whereby the lateral plate12is secured to the partition plate11. Optionally, the at least one securing assembly further includes a switch, which is located on the other side surface of the lateral plate12that is a side surface opposite to the partition plate11. When the lateral plate12is opened, the switch is configured to release the snap member171from the snap slot172. Obviously, the switch may not be included. In some embodiments, a non-slip component123may be provided on the top of the lateral plate12. A pulling force can be exerted by, for example, a finger, to the lateral plate12by means of the non-slip part123to release the snap member171from the snap slot172.

Further, each charging interface111may correspond to two snap members171. The distance between the two snap members171is in align with the width between the two sides of battery2when the battery2is being charged, such that the battery can be positioned between the two snap members171. This enables the battery2to precisely mate with the charging interface, that is, the snap member171can be configured to perform a guiding function when the battery2is being charged.

Referring toFIG. 2, optionally, the at least one securing assembly may be a magnetic assembly18, which includes a first magnetic member181and a second magnetic member182. The first magnetic member181is disposed on the partition plate11, while the second magnetic member182is disposed on one corresponding lateral plate of the two lateral plates12. When the corresponding lateral plate12is closed, the first magnetic member181and the second magnetic member182are attracted to each other to secure the corresponding lateral plate12to the partition plate11. For example, the first magnetic member181may be disposed in the plate body of the partition plate11. One first magnetic member181may be configured to correspond to two second magnetic members182which are respectively provided on the two lateral plates12. In some embodiments, a first magnetic member181may be provided on each side surface of the partition plate11, and the first magnetic member181may correspond to a second magnetic piece182provided on a corresponding lateral plate12.

Referring toFIG. 5, optionally, the at least one securing assembly may also be a locking assembly19including a hook member191, a pressing member192and a ring-shaped restricting member193. One end of the pressing member192is pivotally connected to the outer surface of the lateral plate12, and the other end of the pressing member192can be fixed onto or released from the lateral plate12by rotating relative to the outer surface of the lateral plate12. The pressing member192is rotatably connected to one end of the ring-shaped restricting member193to move the ring-shaped restricting member193during the rotation of the pressing member192. The hook member191is configured to be disposed on the end plate13. When the lateral plate12is closed, the other end of the ring-shaped restricting193holds the hook member191, the other end of the pressing part192is pressed down to pull the ring-shaped restricting member193, and the ring-shaped restricting member193and the hook member191are fixedly connected to each other. obviously, the hook member191, the pressing member192and the ring-shaped restricting member193may be positioned differently with respect to one another.

Referring toFIG. 6, optionally, the at least one securing assembly may also be a second snapping assembly20. The second snapping assembly20includes a recessed member201and an elastic protruding member202. The recessed member201may be configured to be provided at each end of each lateral plate12. The elastic protruding members202are respectively disposed on the opposite side surfaces of the two end plates13. Each end plate13is provided two elastic protruding members202, which are respectively positioned on the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. That is, each end plate is provided with two elastic protruding members202, each of which is located on one side of the partition plate11. When the lateral plate12is closed, the elastic protruding members202are respectively snapped into the recessed members201to secure the lateral plate12to the end plate13. Alternatively, the elastic protruding member202sare respectively provided at the two ends of each lateral plate12, and the recessed members201are respectively provided on the opposite sides of the two end plates13and are respectively located on the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11.

In addition, the second snapping assembly further includes a spring arm203. The elastic protruding member202is disposed on the end plate13through the spring arm203. When the lateral plates12covers the corresponding side of the partition plate11, the elastic protruding member202together with the spring arm203are pushed into the end plate13by the outer edge of the lateral plate12. For example, a space is provided at the side of the end plate13for the elastic arm203to swing elastically. After the elastic protruding member202is engaged with the recessed member201, the elastic protruding member202is caught in the recessed member201by the elastic recovering action of the spring arm203.

In one embodiment, the charging connector may include at least one of the first snapping assembly17, the magnetic assembly18, the locking assembly19and the second snapping assembly20. For example, the charging connector can be provided with all of the first snapping assembly17, the magnetic assembly18, and the locking assembly19and the second snapping assembly20.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 4, optionally, the charging connector1further includes a charging display component112. The charging display component112is arranged on the partition plate11for displaying the charging status of the battery2by the charging connector1. For example, the charging display component112may be an LED light and is configured to display three colors, such as red, yellow, and green. When the battery2is not being charged after the charging connector is powered on, the yellow light stays on. When at least one battery2is being charged, the yellow light turns the green light and the green light flashes intermittently. If the charging connector1is at fault, the red light stays on. obviously, the display logic of the charging display component can be adjusted as desired. Optionally, a charging display component112may be provided for each charging interface111to display the charging status of battery2by that charging interface111.

Referring toFIG. 8, a second embodiment of the charging connector of the present disclosure is provided. Although the charging connector in the second embodiment is substantially similar to the charging connector described above, the power supply interface14in this second embodiment is disposed at the bottom of the partition plate11. Further optionally, the charging connector is further provided with a recessed groove16. The recessed groove16is recessed into the bottom of the partition plate11, extending along the length of the partition plate11and penetrating either one end plate13or at least one end plate13. Obviously, the two end plates13can also both be penetrated by the recessed groove16. The power supply interface14is provided on the partition plate11in the recessed groove16. For example, when a charging plug is plugged into the power supply interface14, the charging plug is accommodated in the recessed groove16, and the charging plug does not protrude from the bottom surface of the partition plate. Further, the wires connecting the charging plug can pass through the end plate13along the extending direction of the recessed groove16to connect to a power source.

Optionally, the charging connector further includes a wire clip assembly161. The wire clip assembly161is disposed in the recessed groove16and is configured to secure the wires connecting to the power supply interface14. For example, the wire clip assembly161is a half-open arc-shaped collar or includes bumps on both side walls of the recessed groove, such as a spherical bump.

Optionally, the charging connector is further provided with arc-shaped slots21. The arc-shaped slots21are respectively formed at the bottoms of the two lateral plates12and are adjacent to the power supply interface14. The arc-shaped slots21penetrate the two lateral plates12and connect with the recessed groove16.

The arc-shaped slots21are provided to facilitate the insertion and removal by fingers of the charging plug connected to the power supply interface14.

In the present embodiments, the bottom of the partition plate11refers to a side of the partition plate11that is placed on the ground or on a supporting plane when the charging connector is being used. The bottom of the partition plate11may also refer to a side of the partition plate11that is adjacent the pivot joint portion. Similarly, the bottom of the lateral plate12can be designated.

Referring toFIG. 7, an example embodiment of a charging apparatus6for charging batteries of an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. The charging apparatus6includes a power source61and a charging connector62as described in the above embodiments of the charging connector. The charging apparatus6may be used to charge batteries of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The power source61can be AC power or DC power, such as external voltage sources, storage batteries, or lithium batteries, etc., which can be connected through a cable to the power supply interface of the charging connector62.

In summary, a charging connector and charging apparatus are provided in the present disclosure. The charging interfaces111are arranged on the partition plate11, and the two lateral plates12are respectively pivotally connected to the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate11. The lateral plates12are configured to rotate with respect to the partition plate11whereby the charging connector can be in an open state when charging a battery and in a folded state when not charging a battery. This can effectively reduce the size of the charging connector and allow a more compact structure of the charging connector. The charging connect is also easy to carry. The charging connector and charging apparatus of the present disclosure are able to cure deficiencies associated with the existing flat panel chargers, such as taking up a large space and being inconvenient to carry and store.

Compared to the existing technologies, the present disclosure provides the following advantages: the charging interfaces are arranged on the partition plate. The two lateral plates are each pivotally connected to one corresponding side surface of the two opposite side surfaces of the partition plate. The lateral plates can be respectively rotated with respect to the partition plate whereby the charging connector is configured to be in an open state when charging a battery and in a folded state when not charging the battery. This can effectively reduce the size of the charging connector and allow a compact structure of the charging connector. The charging connector is also easy to carry.

The above are only examples of the present disclosure, and thus do not limit the patent scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent structure modifications or equivalent process transformations made by using the description and drawings of the present disclosure, or directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, are similarly included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.