Patent Application
20210371054
This disclosure relates to watercraft having electrical plug connectors and, in particular, to harsh environment, water-resistant electrical plug connectors.
Electrical equipment including batteries, navigational equipment, radios, lights, and the like are often included on watercraft devices, for example, boats. Due to the wet environment in which watercraft operate, electronics often must be sealed or housed within watertight compartments. Some watercraft may operate in harsh environments, such as shore-break, where typical waterproofing methods are prone to fail. A problem exists in that when a portion of the electrical equipment of the watercraft needs to be removed or replaced, the electrical equipment of the watercraft may be exposed to fluids and other debris such. As an example, a battery may need to be removed from the watercraft to be serviced or charged. Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus that enables an electrical component to be repeatedly removed or disconnected and reconnected from another electrical component in “the field” (e.g., when the watercraft remains in a wet or otherwise harsh environment) without damaging either of the electrical components or the entire watercraft as the electrical components are being disconnected or reconnected or when the electrical components remain fully disconnected from one another.
Generally speaking and pursuant to these various embodiments, a watercraft is provided comprising a flotation portion having a top surface and a bottom surface. A strut having an upper end is removably affixed to a portion of the watercraft. The strut has a lower end extending away from the bottom surface of the flotation portion. A propulsion unit is disposed on the strut. A first connector portion mounted to the upper end of the strut. The watercraft further comprises a waterproof electronics container housing a power source, and the waterproof electronics container is removably affixed to the said watercraft. The waterproof electronics container is mechanically coupled to the strut such that the container and the strut clamp a portion of the flotation portion therebetween. A second connector portion is disposed on the waterproof electronics container such that the second connector forms at least one electrically conductive pathway with the first connector portion when both are affixed to the watercraft. The electrically conductive pathway may carry electrical power to the propulsion unit. The electrically conductive pathway may also or alternatively carry communication signals between a transceiver in the waterproof electronics container and a transceiver mounted in the propulsion unit. In some examples, the watercraft further comprises a hydrofoil removably attached at a lower end of the strut.
In yet another described example, the waterproof electronics container is mechanically coupled to the strut by a mechanism incorporated into the carrying handle for the waterproof electronics container. The carrying handle advantageously allows the user to easily carry the container when removed from the watercraft, and also as a locking mechanism.
In another described example, one or both of the first connector portion and the second connector portion have replaceable conductor elements. These replaceable elements advantageously allow the connectors to be rebuilt if elements of the connectors wear out after repeated insertion and removal of the container. In certain examples, the container includes at least one seal encircling the second connector portion and disposed in an opening within the waterproof electronics container such that the second connector forms a portion of the waterproof electronics container. With this feature, the waterproof electronics container remains waterproof during the process of replacing the conductor elements.
In another described example, the watercraft includes at least one cavity disposed in the flotation portion, the at least one cavity configured to receive the waterproof electronics container. In certain examples, the at least one cavity is formed on the top surface of the flotation portion. The at least one cavity may further be configured such that, when the waterproof electronics container is disposed in the at least one cavity, a top surface of the waterproof electronics container is substantially coplanar with the top surface of the flotation portion. The top surface of the waterproof electronics container in these examples is configured to support a rider on the watercraft when the waterproof electronics container is disposed in the at least one cavity.
In certain examples, the at least one cavity is formed on a rear surface of the flotation portion, i.e., located at the aft end of the watercraft. The at least one cavity may further be configured such that, when the waterproof electronics container is disposed in the at least one cavity, a rear surface of the waterproof electronics container is substantially coplanar with the rear surface of the flotation portion.
In certain examples, the at least one cavity is formed on the bottom surface of the flotation portion. The at least one cavity may further be configured such that, when the waterproof electronics container is disposed in the at least one cavity, a bottom surface of the waterproof electronics container is substantially coplanar with the bottom surface of the flotation portion.
In certain examples, the watercraft includes at least one latching pin disposed on the upper end of the strut. A carrying handle pivotally coupled to the waterproof electronics container has at least one arcuate slot. In these examples, the waterproof electronics container is mechanically coupled to the strut by engagement of the at least one latching pin with the at least one arcuate slot of the carrying handle. This configuration beneficially provides easy engagement and disengagement between the container and the strut.
A connector plug is provided, which can be used in a variety of settings such as the first connector portion or the second connector portion described in the watercraft above. The connector plug comprises a base portion and an insertion portion extending from the base portion for insertion into a cavity of a socket. The insertion portion of the plug defines an interior cavity. The connector plug further includes at least one pin including a first portion extending outwardly from the base portion into the interior cavity and a second portion extending into the base portion. The second portion of the at least one pin includes a seal disposed therearound and disposed between the second portion and the base portion. The connector plug further includes at least one resilient sock disposed around the first portion of the at least one pin, the at least one resilient sock configured to contact a portion of the socket upon insertion therein to electrically isolate the at least one pin from fluid present in the interior cavity of the insertion portion.
In another described example, the plug further comprises at least one pin connector disposed within the base portion, the at least one pin connector including a first end for receiving at least a portion of the second portion of the at least one pin. The pin connector advantageously allows removal and replacement of the pin.
In another described example, the insertion portion of the plug further comprises a substantially cylindrical exterior surface including a first cylindrical portion having a first diameter and a second cylindrical portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. This structure forms a stepped diameter around the insertion portion. A first seal is disposed around the first cylindrical portion. A second seal disposed around the second cylindrical portion. The stepped diameter advantageously reduces pressure build-up within the plug when it is inserted into a receiving socket, because the first and second seals can engage an inner surface of the socket at substantially the same time during insertion.
In another described example, the plug further comprises a retaining member removably attached to a surface of the interior cavity, the retaining member including a hole for the first portion of the at least one pin to extend through. The retaining member serves to affix the at least one pin to the connector plug.
A connector socket is provided, which can be used independently or in combination with the connector plug described above. The connector socket has applications in a variety of settings such as the first connector portion or the second connector portion described in the watercraft above. The connector socket comprises a base portion and a receptacle portion extending from the base portion. The receptacle portion defines a cavity for receiving a socket, wherein the socket includes at least one pin. The connector socket further comprises at least one conductor permanently affixed to the base and at least one pin connector removably affixed to the base and extending from the base into the cavity. The pin connector includes a first end having a socket configured to receive the pin of the plug and a second end affixed to the at least one conductor. When the plug is received within the cavity of the receptacle portion, the at least one conductor forms an electrical pathway with the at least one pin of the plug via the at least one pin connector.
In another described example, the socket further comprises a resilient seal between the at least one conductor and the base portion.
In another described example, the socket further comprises a retainer having at least one passage therethrough. The retainer is removably affixed to the base portion such that the retainer secures the at least one pin connector to the base portion and at least a portion of the first end of the at least one pin connector extends into the at least one passage.
In another described example, the socket further comprises a substantially cylindrical internal surface defining the cavity within the receptacle portion, the internal surface including a first cylindrical portion deepest within the cavity and having a first diameter, and the internal surface further including a second cylindrical portion closest to an open end of the cavity and having a second diameter greater diameter than the first diameter. This structure forms a stepped diameter within the receptacle portion. The first cylindrical portion is configured to mate with a first resilient seal of the plug. The second cylindrical portion is configured to mate with a second resilient seal of the plug. The stepped diameter advantageously reduces pressure build-up within the socket when it receives the plug, because the first and second seals can engage the inner surface of the socket at substantially the same time during insertion.
A watertight electronics container is provided, which is configured to mate with an electrically propelled watercraft. The container comprises a housing enclosing a power source. A first connector portion is substantially rigidly affixed to the housing and configured to interconnect with a second connector portion attached to the watercraft. The first connector portion may be integrally formed within the housing, or it may be a separate element. The first connector portion may correspond to either the connector plug or the connector socket described above. In one example, the first connector portion comprises a base portion and at least one internal conductor permanently affixed to the base portion. The internal conductor is electrically coupled to the power source. The first connector portion further comprises a first resilient seal affixed to the at least one internal conductor and forming a first watertight seal between the internal conductor and the base portion. The first connector portion further comprises an external conductor removably affixed and electrically coupled to the internal conductor. The first watertight seal advantageously remains intact upon removal of the external conductor, allowing the external conductor to be field-replaced without compromising the watertight integrity of the electronics container.
In another described example, the watertight electronics container further comprises a resilient seal disposed around the first connector portion and between the first connector portion and an opening in the housing.
In another described example, the first connector portion further comprises a second resilient seal affixed to the external conductor and forming a second watertight seal between the external conductor and the base portion.
In another described example, the housing of the watertight electronics container is configured to mate with and substantially fill a cavity formed in an outer surface of the electrically propelled watercraft.
In another described example, the watertight electronics container further comprises a handle including a gripping portion. An arm having a first end is attached to the gripping portion. The arm has a second end rotatably attached to the container and the arm further includes a slot for receiving a projection of the watercraft. The gripping portion is movable to a first position allowing the first connector portion to be brought into contact with the second connector portion attached to the watercraft, the gripping portion movable to a second position wherein the slot of the arm engages the projection of the watercraft to rigidly secure the first connector portion to the second connector portion.
In another described example, the slot includes a lower cam surface and an upper cam surface for engaging the projection of the watercraft, the lower cam surface engaging the projection when the gripping portion is moved from the first position to the second position and the upper cam surface engaging the projection when the gripping portion is moved from the second position to the first position.
In another described example, the lower cam surface includes an inner detent and an outer detent, the projection positioned within the inner detent when the gripping portion is in the second position, and the projection positioned within the outer detent at a position intermediate the first and second positions when the gripping portion is moved from the first to the second position.
A field serviceable wet-mate connector is provided comprising a first connector portion and a second connector portion. In one example, the first connector portion comprises a first fixed conductor disposed in the first connector portion such that the first fixed conductor is configured to form an electrically conductive pathway with a first wire attached to the first connector portion. The first connector portion further comprises a first replaceable conductor that is slidably connected to the first fixed conductor. A first replaceable seal is disposed between the first replaceable conductor and the first connector portion such that the first replaceable seal forms a first watertight barrier. The second connector portion comprises a second fixed conductor disposed in the second connector portion such that the second fixed conductor is configured to form an electrically conductive pathway with a second wire attached to the second connector portion. The second connector portion further comprises a second replaceable conductor slidably connected to the second fixed conductor such that the second replaceable conductor is configured to form an electrically conductive pathway with the first replaceable connector when the second connector portion is mated to the first connector portion. A second resilient fixed seal disposed between the second fixed conductor and the second connector portion such that the second resilient fixed seal forms a second watertight barrier. A second resilient replaceable seal is disposed between the second replaceable conductor and the second connector portion such that the second replaceable seal is configured to form a third watertight barrier. The field serviceable wet-mate connector further comprises a resilient connector seal configured to form a fourth watertight barrier between the second connector portion and the first connector portion when the second connector portion socket is mated to the first connector portion to form a watertight cavity around at least a part of the first replaceable conductor and the second replaceable conductor even when the third watertight barrier is not present in the connector.
In another described example, the first connector portion further comprises a resilient boot disposed around the first replaceable conductor such that the resilient boot is configured to form a fifth watertight barrier separating the first replaceable conductor and the second replaceable conductor from the watertight cavity formed when the second conductor portion is mated to the first conductor portion.
In another described example, the second connector portion further comprises a removably attached retainer. The retainer includes at least one hole therethrough that at least a portion of the second replaceable conductor extends through when the retainer is attached to the second connector portion. The retainer secures the second replaceable conductor to the second connector portion when the retainer is attached to the second connector portion.
In another described example, when the retainer is removed from the second connector portion the second replaceable conductor is capable of being slidably removed from the second connector portion.
In another described example, the field serviceable wet-mate connector further comprises a plug insertion portion having an annular exterior surface including a first groove having a first diameter and a second groove having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The resilient connector seal further comprises a first seal disposed in the first groove and a second seal disposed in the second groove. The fourth watertight barrier is formed by the first seal and the second seal.
A method of inserting a power source container into a watercraft device is provided. The method includes providing a power source container including a first connection portion at a first end of the container. The method further includes providing a watercraft device including a flotation portion. The watercraft devices has a strut having an upper end affixed to the flotation portion and a lower end extending from the flotation portion, and a motor disposed on the strut. The flotation portion further includes a cavity for receiving the power source container and a second connection portion disposed within the cavity. The method includes positioning a second end of the container in the cavity of the deck and pivoting the first end of the container toward the flotation portion to bring the first connection portion into contact with the second connection portion.
In another described example, the power source container further comprises a handle at the first end thereof for pivoting the first end of the container toward the flotation portion. In certain examples, the handle includes a gripping portion and an arm. The arm has a first end attached to the gripping portion and a second end rotatably attached to the container. The arm also has a slot for receiving a projection of a watercraft. In certain examples, the method further includes rotating the gripping portion of the handle to a first position in which the first connection portion and the second connection portion are aligned and in contact with each other; and further rotating the handle to a second position in which the first connection portion and the second connection portion form a watertight seal to prevent a fluid from entering a space between the first connection portion and the second connection portion. In certain examples, the slot of the arm includes a lower cam surface and an upper cam surface, wherein rotating the gripping portion of the handle to the first position includes receiving a projection of the strut within the slot, the projection moving along the lower cam surface to an outer detent of the lower cam surface. Rotating the gripping portion of the handle from the first position to the second position includes the projection moving along the lower cam surface to an inner detent of the lower cam surface.
In another described example, pivoting the first end of the container brings at least one conductor of the first connection portion into contact with a conductor of the second connection portion to form an electrically conductive pathway between the first and second connection portion.
A connector is disclosed herein that allows electronics or electrical components to be connected and disconnected in wet, sandy, muddy, or otherwise harsh environments. The connector is made up of a connector socket and a connector plug that may be inserted into the connector socket. The connector socket includes one or more electrical conductors that are brought into electrical communication with corresponding conductors of the connector plug when the connector plug is inserted into the connector socket, thereby creating one or more electrical pathways through the connector. Where two or more electrical pathways are provided within the connector, the electrical pathways may be isolated from one another even if fluid is present within the connector. Both the connector socket and the connector plug may be watertight, inhibiting fluid and other debris from passing through the connector socket or connector plug and damaging sensitive electrical components inside otherwise watertight enclosures even when not connected to one another.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Referring back to
The socket 100 may be mounted to a surface of an object, such as the wall of a container housing electronics and/or a power source. For example, as shown in
The socket 100 may be formed of a plastic material, for example, by injection molding. As shown in
The receptacle portion 104 extends from the base 102 of the socket 100. The receptacle portion 104 may be an annular wall extending from the base 102 of the socket 100. As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
A retainer 158 may be attached to the base 102 of the socket 100 within the internal cavity 136. The retainer 158 includes holes 160 therethrough for receiving the outer sockets 146 of the pin connectors 142 and the pins 210A and 210B of the plug 200. The retainer 158 also includes a hole 162 for receiving a fastener 164, such as a screw, to attach the retainer to the socket 100. As shown in
In other embodiments, the retainer 158 may be removably attached to the socket 100 by other means. In one example, a bolt extends from the base 102 of the socket 100 into the internal cavity 136 and passes through hole 162 of the retainer. A nut is then threaded onto the bolt to secure the retainer 158 to the socket 100. In another example, the retainer 158 clips or snaps onto the socket 100. In yet other embodiments, the retainer 158 is permanently affixed to the socket 100.
The retainer 158 may include a resilient socket boot 168 within each hole 160 that receives the outer socket 146 of the pin connectors 142. The socket boot 168 extends between the outer socket 146 and the retainer 158. The socket boot 168 may be resilient and formed of a soft or hard rubber material which may provide additional sealing capabilities to further inhibit fluid from passing through or into holes 120. The socket boot 168 extends beyond the retainer 158 and into the internal cavity 136. The socket boot 168 may engage a portion of the plug 200 when the plug is inserted into the socket 100. For example, the plug may contact a resilient plug boot 260 of the plug 200 to further seal against fluid and debris from entering the holes 120 and/or the outer socket 146 of the pin connectors 142. The socket boot 168 may receive the plug boot 260 of the plug to provide this seal and electrically isolate each pin connector 142 of the socket 100 and the corresponding pin 210A,B of the plug 200 from the other pin connectors 142 and pins 210A,B when the plug 200 is inserted into the socket 100.
With reference to
The insertion portion 204 defines an internal cavity 208. A plurality of pins 210A and 210B extend into the internal cavity 208 from a central portion 258 of the plug 200. A portion of each of the pins 210A and 210B may be inserted into holes 262 of the central portion 258. In the embodiment shown, the pins 210A,B do not extend beyond the end of the insertion portion 204. This reduces the likelihood that the pins 210A and 210B inadvertently contact another object causing the pins 210A and 210B to bend or otherwise be damaged. In the embodiment shown, pins 210A are used to conduct power whereas pins 210B are used to conduct communication signals. The power pins 210A may conduct high current or provide high voltage used to power electrical equipment including as examples, an electric motor, an electronic speed controller, an infotainment system, a navigation system, a communication system, etc. The communication pins 210B may conduct electronic signals including information for an electronic device. The communication pins may conduct electronics signals sent using one or more defined communication protocols. By way of example, the communication signals may follow the controller area network (CAN) protocol (ISO 11898). By way of further example, communication signals may transfer data at a bit rate of 250 kbps or 500 kbps, however, communication signals of other bit rates may be used. In other embodiments, all of the pins are power pins 210A. In yet other embodiments, all of the pins are communication pins 210B. Any combination of power pins 210A and communication pins 210B may be used, however. While the embodiments shown show six pins 210A,B on the plug 200 and six pin connectors 142 of the socket 100, in other embodiments one or more pins 210A,B and corresponding pin connectors 142 may be used. For example, the plug 200 may include a single pin 210A or 210B and the socket 100 may include a single pin connector 142 for receiving the single pin 210A or 210B. As another example, the plug 200 may include eight pins (e.g., 210A and/or 210B) and the socket 100 may include eight pin connectors 142 arranged to receive the eight pins 210A and/or 210B.
With reference to
The power pins 210A further include an inner shaft 226 which extends away from the base 212 opposite the direction of the shaft 216. The inner shaft 226 may include a rounded tip 228 disposed on the end thereof. The inner shaft 226 is received within a pin socket 230 within the base 202 of the plug 200. The pin socket 230 may include a socket portion 232 and a terminal portion 234. The socket portion 232 may include an annular wall configured to receive the inner shaft 226 of the pin 210A. The power pin 210A may be slidingly inserted into the socket portion 232 by sliding the inner shaft 226 of the power pin 210A into a hole 262 of the plug 200 and into the socket portion 232 to form an electrical pathway between the power pin 210A and the pin socket 230. The terminal portion 234 is configured to receive a conductive wire. The terminal portion 234 may be a wire terminal that engages a wire to secure the wire to the pin socket 230. The terminal portion 234 may be divided from the socket portion 232 by a dividing wall 236 (see
The base 212 of the communication pins 210B may be used as a contact for mounting to or engaging a complementary contact of a circuit board 240, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). As shown in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, one or more of the communication pins 210B do not contact a circuit board 240, but instead include inner shafts 226 like the power pins 210A. The inner shafts 226 of these communication pins 210B may be received within a pin socket 230 which is electrically coupled with a wire extending to electronics such as a transceiver. A wire insulator 238 may be positioned over the pin socket 230 and the wire as described in relation to the power pins 210A above. In embodiments where all of the communication pins 210B extend to pin sockets 230, the plug 200 may not include a circuit board 240.
With reference to
In some embodiments, the pins 210A and 210B include threads disposed on an outer surface thereof that engage threads disposed within hole 262 of the plug 200 to attach the pins 210A and 210B to the plug 200.
In other embodiments, and as shown in
An upper retaining element 268 attaches to the central portion 258 of the plug 200 to secure the pins 210A and 210B to the plug 200. The upper retaining element 268 includes a plurality of holes 270 through which the shaft portion 216 of each pin 210A and 210B and the corresponding plug boot 260 extends. The holes 270 may be sized smaller than the ribs 220 of the pins 210A and 210B and/or the base 264 of the plug boot 260 so that the pins 210A and 210B cannot pass through the holes 270. The upper retaining element further defines a plurality of holes 272 for receiving fasteners 273, such as screws, to secure the upper retaining element 268 to the plug 200 via complementary holes 274 of the central portion 258 of the plug 200. The upper retaining element 268 thus affixes the pins 210A and 210B to the central portion 258 of the plug 200. The upper retaining element 268 may hold the pins 210A and 210B such that they extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug 200. The plug boot 260 may aid to bias the pins 210A and 210B toward an orientation that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug 200. The upper retaining element 268 and the plug boot 260 may allow the pins 210A and 210B to pivot slightly in all directions, because the shaft 216 of the pins 210A and 210B are not rigidly held within the plug boot 260 by the respective holes 270 of the upper retaining element 268. This slight pivoting aids in aligning the pins 210A and 210B with the socket boot 168 and outer sockets 146 of the pin connectors 142 of the socket 100 when inserting the plug 200 into the socket 100, especially if the plug 200 and socket 100 are brought into contact at an angle relative to one another. As one example, the pins 210A,B are affixed to the plug 200 by the upper retaining element 268 and the plug boot 260 such that the pins 210A,B are permitted to pivot in all directions about 3-5 degrees from an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug 200. This pivoting action advantageously reduces wear on exterior surfaces of the pins 210A,B and reduces strain on the pins and the retaining element 268.
The upper retaining element 268 may include raised platforms 276 and annular walls 278 about the holes 270. The annular walls 278 and raised platforms 276 may guide fluid within the cavity 208 away from the pins 210A,B and towards the drainage holes 282 discussed below. The raised platforms 276 and annular walls 278 also increases the un-insulated surface distance between the pins 210A,B, relative to a flat surface. This advantageously reduces current leakage or “creepage” between positively charged pins 210A,B and negatively charged pins 210A,B and/or positively charged pins 210A,B and any grounded element of the connector 50.
The pins 210A and 210B may be replaced by removing the fasteners 273 to remove the upper retaining element 268. Once the upper retaining element 268 has been removed, the pins 210A and 210B may be pulled out of the plug 200 to be cleaned or replaced. In other embodiments, the pins 210A and 210B may have threads disposed on an outer surface thereof for engaging complementary threads of the holes 262 of the plug 200. The pins 210A and 210B may be threaded into the holes 262 to retain the pins 210A,B. In some embodiments where the pins 210A and 210B are attached to the plug 200 by threads, the upper retaining element 268 is not necessary.
With reference to
The insertion portion 204 of the plug 200 may include one or more drainage holes, slots, or passageways 282 extending from the cavity 208 to the exterior of the insertion portion 204. The drainage holes 282 may extend through the insertion portion 204 at the portion of the cavity 208 proximal to the base 202. This may be done in embodiments where the plug 200 is used in applications where the insertion portion 204 of the plug 200 will be inserted into the socket 100 in the vertical direction. This allows fluid within the cavity 208 to flow out the drainage holes 282 before insertion into the socket 100.
With reference to
When the plug 200 is inserted into the socket 100, the seals 290, 292 of the plug 200 may be slid along the sealing surfaces 138, 140 of the socket 100 to fully insert the plug 200. The plug 200 acts as a piston, which compresses air that is trapped within the internal cavity 136 of the socket 100 and the cavity 208, increasing the pressure within the internal cavity 136 and cavity 208. Having a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure within the cavities 136, 208 may aid in preventing fluid from entering the internal cavity 136 and cavity 208, although this benefit must be balanced against the need to make it relatively easy to insert the plug 200 into the socket 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion portion 204 further includes an annular groove 294 on a portion of the insertion portion above the seals 290, 292. This annular groove 294 creates more volume within the internal cavity 136 of the socket 100 and cavity 208 of the plug 200 when the seals 290, 292 engage the inner and outer sealing surface 138, 140. Having a greater volume for air within the sealed compartment may make insertion of the plug 200 into the socket 100 easier as the greater volume reduces the pressure increase caused by a given insertion distance within the sealed compartment and therefore reduces a force required to compress the air.
When connecting the socket 100 and the plug 200, the plug 200 may be aligned with the socket 100. For example, the tapered tip 206 of the insertion portion 204 of the plug 200 may be positioned within the internal cavity 136 of the socket. The plug 200 and the socket 100 may be forced together until the pins 210A and 210B are brought into contact with the openings of socket boots 168 of the socket 100. As the plug 200 is inserted into the socket 100, the pins 210A and 210B may enter the socket boots 168 and into the outer socket 146 of the pin connectors 142 of the socket 100. The rounded tips 218 of the pins 210A and 210B may aid to guide and align the pins 210A and 210B into the socket boots 168 and the outer sockets 146. The pins 210A and 210B may pivot slightly, as permitted by the upper retaining element 268. This may aid in aligning the pins 210A and 210B with the socket boots 168 and the outer sockets 146, especially when the pins 210A and 210B are slightly misaligned with the socket boots 168 upon insertion or when the plug 200 is inserted into the socket 100 at a slight angle. The plug 200 is urged into the socket 100 until the seals 290, 292 are brought into contact with the sealing surfaces 138, 140 of the socket 100. The plug 200 may be further inserted into the socket 100 until the plug boot 260 of the plug 200 is received within the socket boot 168 of the socket 100 to electrically and fluidically isolate each of the pins 210A,B from one another.
With reference to
The watercraft illustrated in
Further, in the illustrated device 300, the container 302 is rigidly coupled to a strut 308. This approach avoids several engineering challenges present in prior devices, where batteries were stowed in a water-tight compartment and electrically connected to a motor affixed to the strut via flexible cables running through the board. The present design advantageously eliminates the need for a cable harness within the board 306 and therefore simplifies manufacture of the board. Instead of running through cables within the board 306, electrical power from a battery or other power source and communication signals from a transceiver are transmitted directly from the container 302 through the socket 100 to the plug 200 and through wires within the strut 308. A motor and transceiver in the propulsion unit 310 receives the necessary electrical power and communication signals.
In addition, the disclosed design reduces the need for structural components and mechanical connections integrated within the board 306, which separately simplifies manufacture of the board. Prior devices required substantial layup around structural elements such that a board could connect first to the strut and second to form a watertight compartment for a battery. In the design illustrated in
Although not illustrated, other embodiments incorporate a cavity in a bottom surface or rear surface of the flotation portion 306. Although these bottom or rear loading embodiments beneficially reduce the need for a cable harness within the flotation portion 306, they do not necessarily provide structural advantages described above. Other aspects of the illustrated watercraft 300 remain the substantially the same, specifically including the manner in which the connector 50 directly connects the container 302 to the strut 308. Preferably in these embodiments, an outside surface of the container is substantially coplanar with the outside surface of the flotation portion 306, which additionally serves to reduce complexity in the flotation portion 306 by eliminating the need for a compartment door hatch.
The advantages of the disclosed device 300 are facilitated in part by the design of the connector 50. In the device 300 illustrated in
The watercraft may also be a boat, an electric surfboard, a jet ski, or any device for use on the water that includes a battery and/or other electrical equipment, with similar benefits. While the example application above shows the container 302 within the deck 307 of the hydrofoiling device, the container 302 may similarly be inserted into the deck of another watercraft 300, for example, a boat. In other examples, the container 302 similarly attaches to another surface of the watercraft 300, for example, the upper surface 302 forms a portion of an internal wall or the exterior surface of the watercraft (e.g., a jetski). In some embodiments, the upper surface 314 is not planar but matches the contour of the surface to which it is attached. For example, where the container 302 is attached to a cavity in a curved surface, the upper surface 314 of the container 302 may match the curvature of the curved surface, such that the presence of the container 302 is discrete.
In use, the container 302 may be positioned within the cavity 312 of the watercraft such that the socket 100 receives the plug 200. This provides one or more electrical pathways between the container 302 and the strut 308. An electrical pathway may extend from the battery within the container 302 to the electric motor of the propulsion unit 310 attached to the strut 308. Another electrical pathway may extend between the transceiver of the container 302 and a transceiver associated with an electronic speed controller attached to or enclosed within the strut 308. In one form, the plug 200 is attached via holes 280 such that the plug 200 may pivot slightly to aid in inserting the plug 200 into the socket 100. When the battery of the container 302 needs to be removed (e.g., to be recharged or replaced) the container 302 is removed from the cavity 312 of the watercraft 300, disconnecting the socket 100 from the plug 100. Because both the socket 100 and the plug 200 include seals to prevent fluid from passing through the socket 100 or plug 200 even when the plug 200 is not inserted into the socket 100, the container 302 may be removed even in wet environments, for example, when the watercraft 300 is still within the water.
With reference now to
To insert the container 302 into the cavity 312 of the watercraft 300 and connect the plug 200 of the watercraft 300 to the socket 100 of the container 302, the steps for removing the container 302 may be reversed. With reference to
As shown in
In some embodiments, the deck 307 of the watercraft 300 may include a tongue 320 that extends over the upper surface of the cavity 312. The end 324 of the container opposite the socket 100 may extend underneath the tongue 320 when fully inserted into the cavity 312. During insertion, when the end 324 of the container is positioned within the cavity, a portion of the upper surface 314 at end 324 of the container 302 may be brought into contact with the tongue 320. For example, an installer may slide the container 302 along the cavity 312 until the upper surface 314 contacts the tongue 320. As the end 322 of the container 302 including the socket 100 is pivoted toward the plug 200 and into the cavity 312, the container 302 may pivot about the point of contact between the container 302 and the tongue 320. As the end 322 of the container 302 nears the plug 200, the bottom surface of the container 302 may slide or translate along the bottom of the cavity 312 in the direction opposite the plug 200. Once the socket 100 contacts or engages the plug 200, the container 302 no longer slides or translates, but rotates about the point of contact between the container 302 and the bottom surface of the cavity 312 until the plug 200 is fully inserted into the socket 100. This design, where the translation of the container 302 occurs before the socket 100 engages the plug 200, reduces the amount of stress and strain applied to the plug 200 in connecting the socket 100 to the plug 200. Since the container 302 is substantially only rotating about the point of contact of the container 302 and the bottom surface when the plug 200 and the socket 100 interconnect, the plug 200 only needs to pivot slightly to align with the socket 100. Further, the lateral forces on the plug 200 are minimized because, at the point where the plug 200 contacts the socket 100, the container 302 lacks freedom to translate within the cavity 312. This may reduce the risk of damage to the plug 200 during insertion and removal of the container 302.
The distance between the tongue 320 and the bottom of the cavity 312 may be the same or slightly smaller than the height of the container 302. Thus, when the container 302 is positioned within the cavity 312 with a portion of the container 302 between the tongue 320 and the bottom surface of the cavity 312, the end 324 of the container 302 is held firmly in place by watercraft 300, being slightly compressed by the tongue 320 and the bottom of the cavity 312. In one embodiment, the container 302 may include resilient strips designed to compress as the container 302 locks into place within the cavity. These resilient components advantageously reduce the need for tight tolerances when forming the cavity 312 within the board 306.
In yet another embodiment, shown in
In operation, when inserting the container 302, the end 324 of the container 302 opposite the socket 100 is positioned within the cavity 312 of the watercraft 300, for example as described above in regard to
With reference to
While the examples above illustrate a handle 330 being used to connect a container 302 to a watercraft 300, the handle 330 may be used to connect the socket 100 to the plug 200 in other applications as well. In other applications, the socket 100 is an electrical outlet in the wall of a boat into which the plug 200 of a power cord is inserted. In another application, the socket 100 and the plug 200 are each attached at the end of a power cord (e.g., like an extension cord and a power cord of a electrical device). The plug 200 may be inserted into the socket 100 to complete the connection through the power cords.
Uses of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. It is intended that the phrase “at least one of” as used herein be interpreted in the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.
While there have been illustrated and described particular embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/079,826 filed Sep. 17, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63079826 | Sep 2020 | US | |
| 63014014 | Apr 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17162918 | Jan 2021 | US |
| Child | 17392461 | US | |
| Parent | 17077784 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Child | 17162918 | US |
