JPH10112354A - Charging connector for electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the working capability of separation of a power source side connector from a vehicle side connector. SOLUTION: Magnet groups 17, 27 formed by arranging a plurality of permanent magnets 17A, 27A so that the N poles and the S poles are alternately ranged in round shape are arranged on the butted surfaces of a vehicle side connector 10 and a power source side connector 20. In charging, the vehicle side connector 10 and the power source side connector 20 are fit by magnetic attraction produced by facing different poles of the magnetic groups 17, 27. After charging, the magnetic group 27 of the power source side connector 20 is rotated by one pitch, the same poles of the magnetic groups 17, 27 are faced to produce magnetic repulsion, and by the repulsion, the connectors 10, 20 are easily separated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging connector for an electric vehicle for charging an electric vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a charging connector for an electric vehicle for charging an electric vehicle, a vehicle-side connector connected to a power storage device mounted on the vehicle body and fixed to the vehicle body, and supplies power for charging. And a power supply connector connected to a power supply for charging the vehicle. Charging is performed in a state where the power supply connector is fitted to the vehicle connector, and after charging, the power supply connector is removed from the vehicle connector.

[0003]

The above-mentioned charging connectors are generally of the type in which the operation of connecting / disconnecting the connectors is manually performed, so that the charging operation can be performed particularly smoothly. Is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been described in the art.
The purpose is to improve the workability at the time of separation.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a connector is mounted on a mating connector for charging a power storage device of an electric vehicle, and the connector is provided in correspondence with a magnetic material provided on the mating connector side. It is characterized in that a connector holding magnet is provided, and a magnetic force between the connector holding magnet and the magnetic body holds a connector mounted state with a mating connector.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electric vehicle charging connector according to the first aspect, the connector holding magnet is constituted by an electromagnet capable of switching magnetic force, and the connector is mounted by the connector holding magnet and a magnetic body. The feature is that the magnetic force in the state is gradually released to enable the detachment operation from the mating connector.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electric vehicle charging connector according to the second aspect, a plurality of connector holding magnets are provided and arranged at predetermined positions on a mating surface with a mating connector. It is characterized in that the magnetic force is released in order from the connector holding magnet at the deviated portion to the connector holding magnet on the other side so that the connector can be detached from the mating connector.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle-side connector connected to a power storage device mounted on a vehicle body and fixed to the vehicle body, and a power-side connector connected to a power supply for supplying charging power. When charging, the power supply side connector and the vehicle side connector are fitted together by abutting each other, and after charging, the power supply side connector and the vehicle side connector are separated in a direction in which their mating surfaces are separated from each other. A charge group for an electric vehicle, comprising: a magnet group having a plurality of magnets arranged in such a manner that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in a circle on a butting surface of both a vehicle side connector and a power supply side connector. The vehicle-side connector and the power-supply-side connector are held in a fitted state by magnetic attraction caused by facing different poles of both magnet groups, and the same poles of both magnet groups face each other. Characterized in was so as to separate the vehicle-side connector and the power supply side connector by the magnetic repulsion caused by the.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the charging connector for an electric vehicle according to the fourth aspect, wherein the vehicle side connector and the power source side connector are provided with positioning means for restricting play in a direction along the mating surface. It is characterized in that one magnet group of the side connector and the power supply side connector is fixedly provided and the other magnet group is provided so as to be rotatable on the abutting surface.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the charging connector for an electric vehicle according to the fifth aspect, the magnets that are rotatable on the mating surface have the same poles facing the other magnet group. It is characterized in that the fitting releasing means for rotating to the position where it is rotated is provided.

[0011]

According to the configuration of the first aspect, the connector mounting state is maintained by the magnetic force of the connector holding magnet and the magnetic material, so that the present connector is accidentally detached from the mating connector. Can be prevented. This allows
Work for charging the power storage device can be performed smoothly.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the connector is detached, the magnetic force for maintaining the attached state with the mating connector is gradually released, so that both connectors are suddenly disengaged and the worker side is disengaged. There is no sudden increase in the load.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the present connector is detached, the plurality of connector holding magnets are sequentially released from the magnetic force, and it is as if from one end to the other end of the mating surface with the mating connector. It is detached so as to be peeled off. As a result, it is possible to prevent the entire butting surface from being detached at a time and the load on the worker side to suddenly increase.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when charging, the vehicle-side connector and the power-supply-side connector are held in a fitted state by generating magnetic attraction, and after charging, a magnetic repulsion is generated. Thereby, both connectors are easily separated. When the two connectors are mated, they can be easily mated by magnetic attraction, and when the connectors are separated, the repulsive force of the magnet is used, improving workability when mating and separating the two connectors. Can be achieved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the power supply side connector is fitted to the vehicle side connector and held at a predetermined position by the positioning means, the magnet group of the power supply side connector is separated from the magnet group of the vehicle side connector. The two magnetic poles rotate to a position where they face each other due to magnetic attraction.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the power supply side connector is separated from the vehicle side connector, the magnets of the power supply side connector are rotated by a predetermined angle by the disengagement means, so that the same poles of the two magnet groups are brought together. When they face each other, the power supply side connector is separated from the vehicle side connector by the magnetic repulsion.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The charging connector for an electric vehicle according to the present embodiment is fixed to a vehicle body B of the electric vehicle, and is connected to a power storage device (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle. And a power supply side connector 20 connected to a separately provided charging power supply (not shown).

The vehicle body B of the electric vehicle is provided with a connection recess by recessing a side surface thereof. The connection recess serves as a connector housing 11 of the vehicle-side connector 10. A board 12 is fixed in the connector housing 11, and a disc-shaped core 13 is fixed to the board 12. A concentric annular coil accommodating portion 14 is formed on the side of the core 13 that abuts with the power supply side connector 20, and the secondary coil 15 is accommodated in the coil accommodating portion 14 in a wound state.

A concentric annular mounting plate 16 is fixed to the periphery of the substrate 12 so as to surround the core 13. The mounting plate 16 has a plurality of (16 in the present embodiment) permanent magnets 17A. Is provided.
As shown in FIG. 2, the permanent magnet group 17 is configured by arranging 16 permanent magnets 17A at equal angular pitches such that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in a circle on the abutting surface. . A projection 1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of these permanent magnets 17A.
The permanent magnet group 17 is fixed to the substrate 12 by pressing the projection 18 toward the substrate 12 with an annular pressing member 19 attached to the outer peripheral edge of the mounting plate 16.

One power supply side connector 20 has a connector housing 21 which is open on the side of the mating surface with the vehicle side connector 10, and a disc-shaped core 23 is fixed to a substrate 22 fixed in the connector housing 21. And
A concentric annular coil accommodating portion 24 is formed on the side of the core 23 that abuts with the vehicle-side connector 10, and the primary coil 25 is accommodated in the coil accommodating portion 24 in a wound state.

A concentric annular mounting plate 26 is fixed to the periphery of the substrate 22 so as to surround the core 23.
Is provided with a permanent magnet group 27. Permanent magnet group 27
Are 16 permanent magnets 27 similar to the vehicle-side connector 10.
A is arranged at equal angular pitches such that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in a circle on the abutting surface.
The diameter of the arrangement circle of the permanent magnet group 27 is
It has the same size as the arrangement circle of the 0 permanent magnet group 17.
The permanent magnet group 27 is fixed to the substrate 22 by pressing a projection 28 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof with an annular pressing member 29.

When the power-supply-side connector 20 is fitted to the vehicle-side connector 10 so that the mating surfaces thereof come close to each other, the cores 1 of the two connectors 10 and 20 are fitted together.
3 and 23 correspond to each other and the primary coil 25 and the secondary coil 15 correspond to each other.
When 0T is operated, the charging power
Current flows through the primary coil 25 to excite it, a magnetic circuit passing through both coils 15 and 25 is formed, and the secondary coil 1
5, an electromagnetic induction current is generated to charge the power storage device.

During charging, the vehicle-side connector 10 and the power-supply-side connector 20 are held in a fitted state by magnetic attraction generated between different poles of the permanent magnet groups 17 and 27. That is, when the power supply-side connector 20 is brought closer to the vehicle-side connector 10, the butting surfaces are attracted to each other by magnetic attraction, and the N-pole and S-pole of both permanent magnet groups 17, 27 are opposed to each other. The position and posture of the power supply side connector 20 with respect to are corrected. When the two permanent magnet groups 17 and 27 come into close contact with each other, the fitting operation is completed, and the power supply side connector 20 is connected to the vehicle side connector 10.
, Is reliably held in the fitted state with play restricted.

The permanent magnets 17 and 27 have eight N poles and S poles at an equal angular pitch, so that the power supply connector 20 can be fitted to the vehicle connector 10 (in the circumferential direction). There are eight positions. However, in the connector of the present embodiment using the electromagnetic induction action, there is no restriction on the posture in the circumferential direction, so that charging can be performed regardless of the posture of the power supply side connector 20 fitted.

When the power supply side connector 20 is detached from the vehicle side connector 10 after charging, the magnetic repulsion generated between the same poles of both the permanent magnet groups 17 and 27 is used. That is, when the gripper 20G of the power supply side connector 20 is gripped and turned slightly in the circumferential direction concentrically with the permanent magnet groups 17 and 27, the N poles of both permanent magnet groups 17 and 27 are
Since the poles face each other and a magnetic repulsion is generated, the power supply-side connector 20 receives a force pushed back from the vehicle-side connector 10, whereby the detachment is easily performed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the vehicle side connector 10 and the power supply side connector 20 are fitted together,
The mating surfaces are automatically attracted by magnetic attraction generated between the permanent magnets 17A and 27A, and both connectors 1
Since 0 and 20 are in the fitted state, the fitting operation can be easily performed. Also, at the time of separation, the permanent magnet 17A,
Since the magnetic repulsion generated between 27A is used, the separation workability of both connectors 10 and 20 can be improved at the same time.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the configuration of a part of the vehicle-side connector is different and the configuration of the power supply-side connector is different. About the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description of structure, an effect | action, and an effect is abbreviate | omitted. The vehicle-side connector 10 according to the second embodiment is provided with eight positioning pins (positioning means, a constituent element of the present invention) 19A protruding from the pressing member 19 on the mating surface. This positioning pin 19A is used for the permanent magnet group 1
7 are arranged at an equiangular pitch along a circle concentric with 7.
Note that the other configuration of the vehicle-side connector 10 is the same as that of the vehicle-side connector 10 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

On the other hand, the power supply-side connector 30 has a connector housing 31 which is open on the side of the mating surface with the vehicle-side connector 10, and a board 32 fixed to a partition wall 31 A of the connector housing 31 has a disc-shaped core 33. Is fixed, and a concentric annular coil accommodating portion 34 is formed on the side of the core 33 where the vehicle-side connector 10 abuts, and a primary coil 35 is accommodated in the coil accommodating portion 34 in a wound state.

At the periphery of the partition wall 31A, a concentric annular mounting plate 36 is provided so as to surround the core 33. The mounting plate 36 includes a ball bearing 36A, and is mounted in a state of being sandwiched between a partition wall 31A and a pressing member 39 fixed to the partition wall 31A.
By fitting 6A to guide rails 31B and 39A having an arc-shaped cross section formed concentrically with the partition wall 31A and the pressing member 39, the connector housing 31 rotates concentrically. The vehicle side connector 1 is attached to the mounting plate 36.
A permanent magnet group 37 constituted by arranging 16 permanent magnets 37A at the same angular pitch so that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in a circle as in the case of 0 is fixed. That is, the permanent magnet group 37 of the power supply side connector 30 is connected to the connector housing 3.
1 is free to rotate. Also, the holding member 3
On the abutting surface 9, eight positioning holes (positioning means, which is a component of the present invention) 39 </ b> B that can be aligned with the positioning pins 19 </ b> A of the vehicle-side connector 10 are formed at an equal angular pitch.

The power supply side connector 30 is provided with a fitting releasing means 40 for facilitating removal from the vehicle side connector 10. This mating release means 40
L-shaped guide groove 4 formed in connector housing 31
1, a slider 42 fitted in the guide groove 41, a locking pin 43 provided on the slider 42, and a locking hole 44 formed in the mounting plate 36.

The guide groove 41 has a lock portion 41A and an operation portion 41B which are orthogonal to each other. When the slider 42 is located in the lock portion 41A, the lock pin 43 is locked with the lock hole as shown in FIG. 44, and is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the mounting plate 36. When the slider 42 advances to the operation position 41B, the locking pin 43 is fitted into the locking hole 44. When the slider 42 is moved upward in FIG. 6 from this state, the permanent magnet of the power supply side connector 30 is integrated with the mounting plate 36. Group 37
Are shifted by one pitch (for one permanent magnet). In addition, the locking hole 44 has 16 permanent magnets 37A.
Are arranged at equal angular intervals corresponding to every other eight permanent magnets 37A. Thus, the locking pin 43 always faces one of the locking holes 44 when the two permanent magnet groups 17 and 37 correspond to different poles.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the power supply side connector 30 is fitted to the vehicle side connector 10, the slider 42 is previously positioned at the lock portion 41A, and in this state, the power supply side connector 30 is brought close to the vehicle side connector 10 and the positioning pin 19A is The positioning holes 39B are fitted. As a result, the two connector housings 11 and 31 are positioned with respect to each other, and the relative movement on the butting surface is regulated. As the positioning pins 19A and the positioning holes 39B are fitted, the permanent magnet group 37 of the power supply side connector 30 changes its N and S poles to the S and N poles of the permanent magnet group 17 of the vehicle side connector 10. Rotate to the position to face. At this time, since the locking pin 19A is separated from the locking hole 39B, the rotation of the permanent magnet group 37 is not hindered by the locking pin 19A. When the power-supply-side connector 30 is fitted to the vehicle-side connector 10, the two connectors 10, 30 are held in a fitted state by magnetic attraction generated between the two permanent magnet groups 17, 37.

When the power supply side connector 30 is fitted, the positioning posture of the power supply side connector 30 with respect to the vehicle side connector 10 is 8 because the positioning pins 19A and the positioning holes 39B are arranged at an equal angular pitch. In any arrangement, the permanent magnet group 37 of the power supply side connector 30 is freely rotatable, so that the two permanent magnet groups 17, 37 are in a state where the different poles correspond to each other, and this state occurs. Both connectors 10 and 30 can be easily fitted by magnetic attraction.

The power connector 30 is connected to the vehicle connector 10.
When detaching from the lock portion 41A, the slider 42 is moved from the lock portion 41A to the operation portion 41B so that the locking pin 43 is
Then, the slider 42 is moved upward in FIG. 5 in the operation section 41B. Then, since the permanent magnet group 37 of the power supply side connector 30 moves one pitch upward in the same figure with the slider 42, as shown in FIG. 6, the permanent magnet 37A of the power supply side connector 30 and the permanent magnet of the vehicle side connector 10 are moved. The magnet 17A enters a state where the same poles correspond to each other. As a result, a magnetic repulsion is generated between the two permanent magnet groups 17 and 37, and the power supply side connector 30 is connected to the vehicle side connector 1.
It receives a force that is pushed back from zero, and is easily removed.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the configuration of the fitting release means. Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of the structures, operations, and effects will be omitted.
The fitting releasing means 50 of the third embodiment includes a linear guide groove 51 formed in the connector housing,
1 and a driving cam 53 provided on the slider 52 and a driven cam 54 formed on the mounting plate 36. The driven cam 54 has 16 permanent magnets 37.
A corresponds to every other eight permanent magnets 37A of A,
They are arranged at equal angular intervals. Thus, the drive cam 53 always faces one of the driven cams 54 when the two permanent magnet groups 17 and 37 correspond to different poles. The drive cam 53 and the driven cam 54 have cam surfaces 53A and 54A which are inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the permanent magnet group 37 of the power supply side connector 30, respectively.

The power connector 30 is connected to the vehicle connector 10.
7, the slider 52 is retracted and the tip of the drive cam 53 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the driven cam 54, as shown in FIG. There is no.

When removing the power supply side connector 30,
The slider 52 is pushed forward along the guide groove 51. Then, the cam surface 53A of the driving cam 53 is
4 cam surfaces 53A, 54A.
The mounting plate 36 is pushed by the inclination of A, and as shown in FIG. 8, the permanent magnets 37 are shifted by one pitch so that the same poles of the two permanent magnets 17 and 37 correspond to each other, and the magnetic field generated between them. The repulsive force facilitates the removal of the power supply side connector 30.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Embodiment 4 differs from Embodiment 2 in the configuration of the fitting release means. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.
The same reference numerals are given and the description of the structure, operation and effect is omitted. The fitting releasing means 60 of the fourth embodiment includes a trigger 62 provided on the connector housing 31 so as to be swingable by a support shaft 61, and a trigger 62 which is rotatable integrally with the trigger 62 and extends to the opposite side to the support shaft 61. Drive link 63, and an L-shaped driven link 6 disposed between the drive link 63 and the permanent magnet group 37 and rotatably supported by a support shaft 64.
5, a connecting link 66 connecting the tip of the driving link 63 and one end of the driven link 65, a locking claw 67 formed on the other end of the driven link 65, and a locking recess 68 formed on the mounting plate 36. It is configured.

When fitting the power supply side connector 30,
As shown in FIG. 9, the trigger 62 is in the pre-operation position, and the locking claws 67 of the driven link 65 are disengaged from the locking recesses 68 so as not to interfere with the mounting plate 36. Rotation is performed without hindrance.

To remove the power supply side connector 30, the trigger 62 is pulled. Then, the drive link 63 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9, the connecting link 66 is pushed to the left in the figure, and the driven link 65 rotates in the clockwise direction. With the rotation of the driven link 65, the locking claws 67 are fitted into the locking concave portions 68 and pushed upward in the drawing, so that the permanent magnet groups 37 are shifted by one pitch, and the two permanent magnet groups 1 are shifted.
The same poles 7 and 37 correspond to each other, and the power supply side connector 30 can be easily removed by the magnetic repulsion generated between them.

<Fifth Embodiment> A fifth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, and is different from the first embodiment in the structure of both connector housings and the magnet for holding both of them in a mounted state.

The connector housing 70 of the power supply side connector 30 in this embodiment has a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 11, and the same core 23 as in the first embodiment is arranged at the center thereof, and The part is provided with a plurality of connector holding magnets 71. The connector holding electromagnet 71 is an electromagnet. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a coil 73 is wound around an intermediate portion of a ferrite magnetic core 72 having a round bar bent into a square C shape. The two ends 74, 74 of the magnetic core 72 are
3 and is attached to the connector housing 70 so as to be flush with the connector housing 70 (see FIG. 12). And grip 2
A slide switch 75 (see FIG. 12) provided on the back of the 0G is operated to switch between an excited state and a non-excited state.

The arrangement of the plurality of connector holding magnets 71 is, as shown in FIG.
Of the 0s, three are arranged along the left and right sides, and one is arranged at the center between the upper and lower sides. When these are switched from the excited state to the non-excited state, the excitation is released in three groups. Specifically, the first group (see reference numeral G1 in FIG. 11) is composed of the upper and lower ends of the connector housing 70 and the lower central part, and the second group (see reference numeral G2 in FIG. 11) is the lower group. The third group consists of both ends and the center of the upper part (see G3 in the figure).
Consists of a central one on both sides. Then, when the slide switch 75 is turned off, the timer provided in the power supply is used to set the coil 73 of each electromagnet 73 after a predetermined time in the order of the first, second, and third groups in accordance with the timing chart shown in FIG. The excitation voltage is cut off and the excitation is released.

On the other hand, the vehicle-side connector 10 has a rectangular base 76 inside a rectangular connector housing 79 corresponding to the connector housing 70 (see FIG. 12). The same core 13 as in the first embodiment is attached to the center of the base 76, and a plurality of metal plates 77 (corresponding to a magnetic body of the present invention) are provided at a portion of the base 76 facing the connector holding magnet 71. ) Is attached. And
When the power connector 30 and the vehicle connector 10 are joined, the metal plate 77 is joined so as to bridge both ends of the connector holding magnet 71 (see FIG. 13). Note that other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

The operation and effect of this embodiment are as follows. To perform the charging operation, the power supply side connector 30 is brought into contact with the vehicle side connector 10 and the slide switch 75 is turned on. Then, all the connector holding magnets 71
Is excited to attract the metal plate 77, so that even if the operator looses the grip on the grip 20G, the connector mounted state is maintained. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the power supply side connector 30 from being inadvertently detached from the vehicle side connector 10 during the charging operation.

To disconnect the power supply side connector 30 after the charging operation, the slide switch 75 is turned off.
Then, the plurality of connector holding magnets 71 are moved to the state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic force is released in the order of the first, second, and third groups, and the attractive force between the connectors 10, 30 gradually decreases as shown in FIG. In connection with this, the connector 10 is
Since the load of its own weight gradually increases and preparations for separation can be made, the separation operation can be performed smoothly.

<Embodiment 6> This embodiment is different from Embodiment 5 in the configuration of the excitation release of the connector holding magnet 71, and only this difference will be described below. In the connector holding magnet 71 of the present embodiment, the excitation is released for each of the three groups shown in FIG. Specifically, the first group (see reference numeral G1 in FIG. 15) consists of the three lower ones of the connector housing 70, and the second group (see reference numeral G2 in the same figure) consists of two on both sides. Further, the third group (see reference numeral G3 in the figure) consists of the upper three. Then, when the slide switch 75 is turned off, the voltage applied to the coil 73 of each electromagnet is cut off by a timer provided in the power source after a predetermined time in the order of the first, second, and third groups, and the excitation is released. Is done. Thereby, the power supply side connector 3
0 and the vehicle-side connector 10 can be detached in order from the lower side to the upper side of the mating surfaces of the two, so that the operator can gradually peel off the power-supply-side connector 30 from the vehicle-side connector 10. The operation can be performed smoothly because the detachment operation can be performed and the load on the worker side does not suddenly increase.

When the connectors are mounted, the connector holding magnet 71 may be excited in the order of the third, second, and first groups to gradually join the two connectors.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the magnet group is arranged so as to surround the coil has been described. However, according to the present invention, the magnet group can be arranged at a position different from the coil.

(2) In the second to fourth embodiments, the fitting release operation is performed in the power supply side connector. However, according to the present invention, the magnet group on the vehicle side connector side is made freely rotatable and the fitting release is performed. Means may be provided to perform a fitting release operation on the vehicle side connector side.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the connector is of the inductive type utilizing electromagnetic induction has been described. However, in the present invention, the terminals of the circuit on the power supply side and the terminals of the circuit on the vehicle body are in direct contact. It can also be applied to conductive type connectors.

(4) Although a permanent magnet is used in the above embodiment, an electromagnet may be used.

(5) In the above embodiment, the number of permanent magnets is set to 1
Although the number is six, according to the present invention, the number of magnets can be set arbitrarily.

(6) In the second embodiment, a spring member for urging the slider upward in FIG. 5 may be provided. With this configuration, the operation force required to shift the permanent magnet of the power supply side connector by one pitch against magnetic attraction is reduced. Also, in the second embodiment, a spring member may be provided to bias the slider toward the back of the lock portion (to the right in FIG. 5). With this configuration, the slider is held by the lock portion during the fitting operation, so that there is no possibility that the locking pin will interfere with the rotation of the permanent magnet group of the power supply side connector. Of course, a configuration may be adopted in which both a spring member for urging the slider upward in FIG. 5 and a spring member for urging the slider toward the back of the lock portion (right side in FIG. 5) are provided.

(7) In the fourth embodiment, the permanent magnet group is shifted by one pitch by the operation of the trigger. However, instead of the trigger, the slider for manual operation or the plunger of the electromagnet is moved in the axial direction (permanent magnet group). (In a direction orthogonal to the rotation direction of the driven link), the driven link may be rotated.

(8) In the second embodiment, the positioning pin 19A is fixedly provided.
The connector may be movable between a position protruding from the mating surface and a position not protruding from the mating surface, and may be provided in a state of being urged in the protruding direction. With this configuration, the magnets of both connectors can be aligned in a state where they are close to each other, so that a strong magnetic attraction acts and both connectors are easily held in a concentric state. It will be easier.

(9) In the above embodiment, the two connectors are held in the fitted state only by the magnetic attraction of the magnet. In addition, a lock mechanism for locking the two connectors in the fitted state is provided. You may do so. The lock mechanism has a configuration in which, for example, a claw piece of one connector is locked in a concave portion of the other connector in accordance with an operation in which a magnet group relatively rotates and generates a magnetic attractive force.

If such a lock mechanism is provided, the engagement force of the two connectors is added to the engagement force of the lock mechanism in addition to the magnetic attraction, and the reliability of the engagement state of the connectors is further improved. Can be improved.

(10) In the fifth embodiment, the holding force of both connectors is gradually released by shifting the timing of cutting off the applied voltages of the plurality of electromagnets. However, the applied voltages of all the electromagnets are changed at the same timing. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the magnetic force is reduced by gradually lowering, and the holding force between the two connectors is gradually released.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a state in which a connector is separated in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the connector according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which a connector is separated in a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a power supply side connector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a magnetic attractive force is generated between magnet groups in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a magnetic repulsion is generated between magnet groups in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state where magnetic attraction is generated between magnet groups in a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a magnetic repulsion is generated between magnet groups in the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state where magnetic attraction is generated between magnet groups in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a magnetic repulsion is generated between magnet groups in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a power supply side connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the power supply side connector and the vehicle side connector in a detached state.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a connector holding magnet.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing a change in an excitation state.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a power supply side connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 B: Vehicle body 10: Vehicle side connector 17: Permanent magnet group (of vehicle side connector) 17A: Permanent magnet (of vehicle side connector) 19A: Positioning pin (positioning means) 20: Power supply side connector 27 ... (of power supply side connector) Permanent magnet group 27A Permanent magnet (of power supply side connector) 30 Power supply side connector 37 Permanent magnet group 37A Permanent magnet 39B Positioning hole (positioning means) 40, 50, 60 Fitting release means 71 Connector holding Magnet 77: Metal plate (magnetic material)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Akashi Arisaka 1-3-1 Shimaya, Konohana-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] A connector is mounted on a mating connector for charging a power storage device of an electric vehicle, and a connector holding magnet is provided corresponding to a magnetic body disposed on the mating connector side. A connector for charging an electric vehicle, wherein a connector mounted state with the mating connector is maintained by a magnetic force between the magnet for use and the magnetic body. 2. The connector holding magnet is constituted by an electromagnet capable of switching magnetic force, and the magnetic force of the connector mounted state by the connector holding magnet and the magnetic body is gradually released to disconnect from the mating connector. The electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is enabled. 3. A plurality of connector holding magnets are provided and arranged at predetermined positions on a mating surface with the mating connector, and the connector holding magnet on the other side is shifted from the connector holding magnet at a portion deviated to one of the mating surfaces. 3. The electric vehicle charging connector according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic force is sequentially released toward the magnet so as to be able to be detached from the mating connector. 4. A vehicle-side connector connected to a power storage device mounted on a vehicle body and fixed to the vehicle body, and a power-supply-side connector connected to a power supply for supplying charging power. During charging, the power supply side connector and the vehicle side connector are fitted by abutting each other, and after charging, the power supply side connector and the vehicle side connector are separated so that their mating surfaces are separated from each other. An electric vehicle charging connector, comprising: a magnet group comprising a plurality of magnets arranged on a butting surface of both the vehicle-side connector and the power-supply-side connector such that N poles and S poles are alternately arranged in a circle; And the vehicle-side connector and the power-supply-side connector are held in a fitted state by magnetic attraction caused by opposing different poles of both magnet groups, and the two magnets are magnetized. Charging connector for an electric vehicle, characterized in that so as to separate the power supply side connector and the vehicle-side connector by the magnetic repulsion caused by opposing the same poles of the. 5. A vehicle-side connector and a power-supply-side connector are provided with positioning means for restricting play in a direction along a mating surface thereof, and one magnet group of the vehicle-side connector and the power-supply-side connector is fixed. 5. A charging connector for an electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said charging connector is provided so as to be rotatable on said butting surface. 6. A disengagement means for rotating a group of magnets rotatable on the butting surface to a position where the same poles are opposed to the magnet group on the other side is provided. The charging connector for an electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein