JP2006168384A - Connector structure of battery replacement type industrial vehicle and battery replacement type industrial vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector structure of a battery replacement type industrial vehicle for connecting a driving means with a battery, capable of suppressing an increase in the power consumption and a drop of the terminal lifetime by suppressing generation of repetitive bending in a fit-in part between a machine table side connector and a battery side connector. <P>SOLUTION: The machine table side connector 12 has a machine table side terminal connected with the driving means and is installed on a machine table. The battery side connector 13 has a battery side terminal connected with the battery through a cable 22 and connected electrically with the machine table side terminal and is fitted to the machine table side connector 12. A mounting means 14 mounts the machine table side connector 12 in such a condition as loosely fitted to the machine table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery exchange type industrial vehicle driven by electric power supplied from a replaceable battery, and a connector structure for electrically connecting the battery to drive means provided in a vehicle base, and The present invention relates to a battery exchange type industrial vehicle having the connector structure.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a battery exchange type industrial vehicle driven by electric power supplied from a replaceable battery, a connector structure for electrically connecting the battery to a power source (drive means) provided in a vehicle base Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The connector structure described in Patent Document 1 is such that a connector on the vehicle power source side (that is, the machine base side) and a connector on the battery case side (that is, the battery side) are fitted. The machine base side connector is fixed to the panel of the battery storage chamber in the machine base. On the other hand, the battery-side connector is connected to the battery via a cable, and is fitted to the machine-side connector by being inserted from above.

JP 2000-357498 A (page 3, FIG. 4)

  In the battery exchange type industrial vehicle described above, the battery is subject to vibrations, small displacements, etc. in the battery storage chamber because it is affected by changes in the vehicle speed during traveling of the vehicle and the conditions of the road surface on which the vehicle is traveling. As a result, the battery moves and rattles relative to the machine base. For this reason, the bending state of the cable connecting the battery-side connector and the battery also changes as the battery shakes with respect to the machine base.

  However, in the connector structure described in Patent Document 1, an external force such as a pulling force from the cable acts on the battery-side connector with the change in the bent state of the cable described above. Therefore, bending is repeatedly generated in the fitting portion between the machine-side connector and the battery-side connector in a fixed state. For this reason, it will be in the state in which a contact and deviation are easy to be repeated in the terminals provided in each of the machine base connector and the battery connector. If contact and divergence between terminals are repeated in this way, the contact area between terminals and the wear of terminals occur, resulting in increased contact resistance, increased power consumption, and decreased terminal life. There is a risk of being invited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to a connector structure for connecting a driving means and a battery in a battery-exchangeable industrial vehicle, and repeatedly at a fitting portion between a machine-side connector and a battery-side connector. An object is to suppress the occurrence of bending and to suppress an increase in power consumption and a decrease in terminal life.

Means and effects for solving the problems

The connector structure of a battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to the present invention is a battery exchange type industrial vehicle driven by electric power supplied from a replaceable battery. It is related with the connector structure for electrically connecting.
And the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle which concerns on this invention has the following some features, in order to achieve the said objective. That is, the present invention comprises the following features alone or in appropriate combination.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to the present invention is that the machine has a machine-side terminal connected to the drive means and is attached to the machine. A battery-side connector that has a base-side connector and a battery-side terminal that is connected to the battery via a cable and is electrically connected to the base-side terminal, and is fitted to the base-side connector And mounting means for mounting the machine base connector in a loosely fitted state with respect to the machine base.

  According to this configuration, since the machine-side connector is mounted in a loosely fitted state with respect to the machine base, the cable connecting the battery-side connector and the battery is bent along with the rattling of the battery with respect to the machine base. Even if the state changes and an external force acts on the battery side connector, the machine base connector fitted to the battery side connector can be displaced within the loosely fitted movable range. For this reason, it can suppress that a bending will generate | occur | produce repeatedly in the fitting part between a machine stand side connector and a battery side connector. This suppresses repeated contact and separation between the terminals provided on the machine-side connector and the battery-side connector, and increases the contact area between the terminals and the contact resistance associated with terminal wear. It is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption and a decrease in terminal life. Therefore, regarding the connector structure for connecting the driving means and the battery in the battery exchange type industrial vehicle, the occurrence of repeated bending at the fitting portion between the machine side connector and the battery side connector is suppressed, and the power consumption is increased. And a connector structure for a battery-replaceable industrial vehicle that can suppress a reduction in terminal life.

  Further, a second feature of the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to the present invention is that the mounting unit is loosely fitted to the machine base so that the mounting means can be displaced in a plurality of directions. It is to attach in the state.

  According to this structure, the movable range with respect to the base of the base side connector attached in the state loosely fitted with respect to the base can be taken widely in several directions. For this reason, even if it is a case where the external force which acts on a battery side connector arises in a plurality of directions, it is controlled that a bending occurs repeatedly in the fitting part between a machine side connector and a battery side connector. Can do.

  A third feature of the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to the present invention is that the attachment means is attached to the machine base and has a long hole for supporting the machine base side connector. A support member that is formed in a pin shape that is inserted into the long hole and locked in a loosely fitted state with respect to the long hole, and a locking member to which the machine-side connector is attached Is.

  According to this configuration, the attachment means for attaching the machine-side connector in a loosely fitted state to the machine base by a simple mechanism including the support member formed with the long hole and the locking member formed in a pin shape. It can be easily realized. In addition, by attaching the support member so that the direction in which the long hole extends is aligned with the direction in which the external force acting on the battery-side connector is likely to act, the fitting portion between the machine-side connector and the battery-side connector is repeatedly bent. Generation | occurrence | production can be suppressed more efficiently.

  According to a fourth aspect of the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to the present invention, the attachment means attaches the machine base side connector loosely fitted to the machine base via a spring member. That is.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily realize attachment means for attaching the machine base connector in a loosely fitted state to the machine base using a simple mechanism called a spring member. In addition, by adopting a configuration in which the biasing force by the spring member acts when the machine base connector is displaced, the machine base connector can be attached so as to be loosely fitted to the machine base in a more stable state. it can.

  In addition, a battery-replaceable industrial vehicle according to the present invention for achieving the above-described object is a battery-replaceable industrial vehicle having the above-described connector structure of the present invention, on a roller that is rotatably supported. The battery supports the battery.

According to the battery exchange type industrial vehicle of the present invention, the same effect as the connector structure of the present invention described above can be obtained.
Moreover, in order to facilitate battery replacement work, battery-replaceable industrial vehicles are often provided with battery support rollers. In such battery-replaceable industrial vehicles, the rollers are installed even after the batteries are mounted. Shaking of the battery such as vibration and displacement is likely to occur. However, according to the battery-exchangeable industrial vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to absorb such rattling of the battery and suppress repeated bending at the fitting portion between the machine-side connector and the battery-side connector. can do.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a battery forklift 1 (hereinafter also referred to as a forklift 1) that is an example of a battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. A forklift 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as, for example, a four-wheel vehicle for front wheel drive and rear wheel steering. The forklift 1 is provided with a pair of outer masts 2 and an inner mast that can be moved up and down. A fork 3 is suspended from the inner mast so as to be able to move up and down through a chain (not shown) that is hung on a sprocket (not shown). The outer mast 2 is connected to the machine base 4 of the forklift 1 via a tilt cylinder so as to be tiltable. The fork 3 is moved up and down when the lift cylinder is driven and the inner mast moves up and down. And this forklift 1 is driven by the electric power supplied from the battery 5 mounted so that replacement | exchange is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the forklift 1, a battery storage chamber 6 is provided in the machine base 4. When the battery 5 is mounted on the forklift 1, the battery 5 is stored in the battery storage chamber 6. Will be. In a state in which the battery 5 is stored in the battery storage chamber 6, the battery 5 is pressed from the battery carry-in / out port by being pressed by a battery stopper 7 that is rotatably provided on the battery carry-in / out side of the battery storage chamber 6. It is supported not to jump out. For example, the battery 5 is moved from the battery loading / unloading port of the battery storage chamber 6 to the side of the forklift 1 at night after the end of a day of work by the forklift 1 or during a work break during lunch break (see FIG. 1) and is connected to a battery charger (not shown) to be appropriately charged. The fully charged battery 5 is carried into the battery storage chamber 6 of the forklift 1 again.

  The forklift 1 is configured to support the battery 5 on a roller that is rotatably supported. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the roller unit 8 disposed on the floor surface of the battery storage chamber 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the roller unit 8 includes a plurality of rollers 9 arranged in series with their rotation axes parallel to each other, and a metal roller guide 10 that rotatably supports these rollers 9. Configured. A plurality of roller units 8 are disposed in the battery storage chamber 6 of the forklift 1 (see FIG. 1), and the battery 5 is moved on the roller unit 8 while the battery 5 is carried into and out of the battery storage chamber 6. Will be.

  Next, the connector unit 11 which is the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described. The connector unit 11 is provided to electrically connect a battery 5 and an electric motor (driving means) for traveling and cargo handling (not shown) provided in the machine base 4 of the forklift 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the connector unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector unit 11 includes a machine base connector 12, a battery connector 13, and attachment means 14. ing.

  4 to 6 show a front view (FIG. 4), a plan view (FIG. 5), and a bottom view (FIG. 6) of the machine base connector 12, respectively. 4 and 5, the battery side connector 13 fitted to the machine base side connector 12 is also indicated by a two-dot chain line. The machine-side connector 12 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 has a machine-side terminal 19 connected to the above-described electric motor via a cable 21, and is attached to the machine 4 via attachment means 14. It is configured as a connector part to be attached. The machine-side terminal 19 is exposed in the opening of the machine-side connector 12 opposite to the part (not shown) that is crimped to the cable 21 and connected to the battery-side connector 13. (See FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the battery-side connector 13 includes a battery-side terminal 20 that is connected to the battery 5 via the cable 22 and is electrically connected to the machine-side terminal 19. ing. The battery side connector 13 is formed as a connector part having the same structure as the machine base side connector 12. And the battery side connector 13 and the machine base side connector 12 fit, and the battery side terminal 20 and the machine base side terminal 19 contact and electrical connection will be completed (refer FIG. 4). . 7 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the battery side connector 13 is fitted to the machine base side connector 12 in the direction of the arrow (a) in the figure.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the mounting means 14 includes a machine base mounting bracket 15 (15a, 15b), a pin-shaped member 16 (hereinafter referred to as “pin 16”), and a connector side bracket 17. The machine base side connector 12 can be attached in a state of loosely fitting to the machine base 4. The machine base mounting bracket 15 is composed of a pair of left and right brackets (15a, 15b), and each bracket (15a, 15b) is attached to a machine base 4 (not shown). For example, each bracket is inserted into each hole (23a, 23b) provided in each bracket (15a, 15b) via a screw (not shown) whose tip side is inserted in the direction of arrow (b) in the figure. (15a, 15b) are attached to the machine base 4. Each bracket (15a, 15b) is formed with a long hole 18 (18a, 18b) for supporting the machine base connector 12 respectively.

  The pin 16 and the connector side bracket 17 are joined together by means such as welding. The machine base connector 12 is attached to the connector bracket 17 via, for example, a screw (not shown) inserted in the direction of the arrow (c) in the drawing. The pin 16 is formed in such a diameter that it can be inserted into both the long holes 18a and 18b. The pin 16 is locked in a loosely fitted state with respect to the long holes 18a and 18b. It is comprised as a latching member attached via the connector side bracket 17.

  Next, the operation of the connector unit 11 described above will be described. In the connector unit 11, the attachment means 14 is configured to attach the machine base side connector 12 in a loosely fitted state to the machine base 4 so as to be displaceable in a plurality of directions. In other words, the machine-side connector 12 is loosened by the mounting means 14 so that it can be displaced in the three axial directions perpendicular to the X direction (front-rear direction), Y direction (left-right direction), and Z direction (up-down direction) shown in FIG. It is supported in the fitted state.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the connector unit 11 in a plan view with respect to the YZ plane. In FIG. 8, the case where the width dimension of the machine base connector 12 is S and the gap dimension between the brackets 15a and 15b is W is illustrated. As described above, the machine base connector 12 is loosely fitted to the machine base 4 through the long hole 18 and the pin 16 of the bracket 15. For this reason, the machine base connector 12 is loosely fitted so as to be displaceable by (WS) in the Y direction, which is the direction of the arrow (d) in the figure.

  FIG. 9 shows the connector unit 11 viewed in a plan view with respect to the ZX plane. FIG. 9 illustrates a case where the pin 16 has a diameter of φ, the length of the long hole 18a of the bracket 15a (and the long hole 18b of the bracket 15b) is L, and the width is B. Therefore, the machine base connector 12 attached in a loosely fitted state is loosely fitted so as to be displaceable by (L−φ) in the Z direction, which is the direction of the arrow (e) in the figure, and the arrow (f) in the figure. In the X direction, which is the direction, it is loosely fitted so as to be displaceable by (B−φ).

  In this way, the machine base connector 12 is supported by the attachment means 14 so as to be loosely fitted within the predetermined movable range in the three axial directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. For each movable range, by appropriately setting the gap dimension W of the bracket 15, the length dimension L and width dimension B of the long hole 18, the diameter dimension φ of the pin 16, and the width dimension S of the machine base connector 12. Fine adjustments can be made according to the usage environment. In addition, since the pin 16 is rotatably arranged in the long hole 18, the machine-side connector 12 is also supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow (g) in FIG. become.

  10 to 12 are schematic views for explaining a conventional connector structure. As shown in FIG. 10, when the forklift battery 105 rattles on the roller 109 in the direction of the arrow (h) in the figure in the battery storage chamber (not shown), the battery 105 and the battery side connector 113 For example, the cable 122 for connecting the cables moves in the direction of the arrow (i) in the figure, and the bending state of the cable 122 changes. On the other hand, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 11, the machine base connector 112 is attached in a state of being fixed by a bracket 115 fixed to a machine base (not shown). For this reason, an external force is applied to bend the fitting portion between the machine-side connector 112 and the battery-side connector 113 in the direction of the arrow (j) in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the battery-side terminal 120 of the battery-side connector 113 moves in the direction of the arrow (k) in the figure with respect to the machine-side terminal 119 of the machine-side connector 112. Between 120, contact and divergence are repeated.

  However, according to the connector unit 11 of the present embodiment, since the machine base side connector 12 is attached in a loosely fitted state with respect to the machine base 4, the battery 5 is rattling with respect to the machine base 4. Even if the bending state of the cable 22 connecting the side connector 13 and the battery 5 changes and an external force is applied to the battery side connector 13, the machine side connector 12 fitted to the battery side connector 13 is loosely fitted. It is possible to displace within the specified movable range. For this reason, it can suppress that a bending will generate | occur | produce repeatedly in the fitting part between the machine base side connector 12 and the battery side connector 13. FIG. Thereby, it is suppressed that contact and separation are repeated between the terminals (19, 20) provided on the machine-side connector 12 and the battery-side connector 13, respectively, and the contact area between the terminals and the wear of the terminals are suppressed. It is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption and a decrease in terminal life due to an increase in contact resistance. Therefore, regarding the connector structure for connecting the driving means and the battery in the battery exchange type industrial vehicle, the occurrence of repeated bending at the fitting portion between the machine side connector and the battery side connector is suppressed, and the power consumption is increased. And a connector structure for a battery-replaceable industrial vehicle that can suppress a reduction in terminal life.

  Moreover, according to the connector unit 11 of this embodiment, the movable range with respect to the machine base 4 of the machine side connector 12 attached in the state loosely fitted with respect to the machine base 4 can be taken widely in several directions. For this reason, even when external forces acting on the battery-side connector 13 are generated in a plurality of directions, the fitting portion between the machine-side connector 12 and the battery-side connector 13 is repeatedly bent. Can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the connector unit 11 of the present embodiment, the machine-side connector 12 is connected to the machine base 4 by a simple mechanism including the machine base mounting bracket 15 in which the long hole 18 is formed and the pin 16 which is a locking member. The attachment means 14 that is attached in a loosely fitted state can be easily realized. Further, by attaching the machine base mounting bracket 15 so that the direction in which the long hole 18 extends is aligned with the direction in which the external force acting on the battery side connector 13 is easily applied, the space between the machine side connector 12 and the battery side connector 13 is adjusted. It can suppress more efficiently that a bending will generate | occur | produce repeatedly in a fitting part.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible as long as they are described in the claims. For example, the following invention can be implemented.

(1) About the attachment means, you may attach in the state which the machine base side connector was loosely fitted with respect to the machine base via the spring member. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connector unit 30 according to a modification in which the machine-side connector is attached in a loosely fitted state via a spring member. The connector unit 30 includes a machine-side connector 12 and a battery-side connector 13 similar to those of the above-described embodiment, and also includes an attachment unit 31. The attachment means 31 includes a support pin 32, coil springs 33 (33a, 33b) as spring members, and a machine base attachment bracket 34 (34a, 34b).

  The support pins 32 are attached to the machine-side connector 12 via brackets 35, and one end portions of coil springs 33a and 33b are attached to both end portions of the support pins 32, respectively. The other end of each coil spring (33a, 33b) is attached to each bracket (34a, 34b). Each bracket (34a, 34b) is attached to a machine base 4 (not shown).

  According to this connector unit 30, it is possible to easily realize the attaching means 30 for attaching the machine base side connector 12 to the machine base 4 in a loosely fitted state using a simple mechanism called the coil spring 33. Further, since the urging force of the coil spring 33 acts when the machine base connector 12 is displaced, the machine base connector 12 can be mounted so as to be loosely fitted to the machine base 4 in a more stable state. . Further, the machine base side connector 12 can be attached to the machine base 4 so as to be loosely fitted in a more flexible state with less restraint by the elastically deformable coil spring 33.

(2) In the present embodiment, the mounting means including the machine base mounting bracket as the support member and the pin as the locking member has been described. However, this may not be necessary, and the machine side connector is used as the machine base. Any other means may be used as long as it can be attached in a loosely fitted state.

(3) In this embodiment, a battery forklift has been described as an example of a battery replaceable industrial vehicle. However, the present invention can also be applied to a battery replaceable industrial vehicle other than a battery forklift.

It is the side view which illustrated the battery forklift as a battery exchange type industrial vehicle concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is the top view which illustrated the roller unit arrange | positioned on the floor surface of the battery storage chamber in the battery exchange type industrial vehicle shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which illustrated the connector structure of the battery exchange type industrial vehicle concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the machine base side connector in the connector structure shown in FIG. It is a top view of the machine base side connector shown in FIG. It is a bottom view of the machine base side connector shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector structure shown in FIG. 3. It is the figure which showed the planar view with respect to the predetermined plane of the connector structure shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the planar view with respect to the predetermined plane of the connector structure shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the conventional connector structure. It is a schematic diagram explaining the conventional connector structure. It is a schematic diagram explaining the conventional connector structure. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the connector structure of a battery exchange type industrial vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

1 Forklift (battery replaceable industrial vehicle)
4 Machine 5 Battery 11 Connector unit (Connector structure of battery exchange type industrial vehicle)
12 Machine side connector 13 Battery side connector 14 Mounting means 15, 15a, 15b Machine base mounting bracket (supporting member)
16 pin (locking member)
18, 18a, 18b Long hole 19 Machine side terminal 20 Battery side terminal 22 Cable

Claims (5)

In a battery exchange type industrial vehicle driven by electric power supplied from a replaceable battery, a connector structure for electrically connecting a drive means provided in a base of the vehicle and the battery ,
While having a machine-side terminal connected to the drive means, a machine-side connector attached to the machine,
A battery-side connector that is connected to the battery via a cable and electrically connected to the machine-side terminal, and is fitted to the machine-side connector;
Mounting means for mounting the machine base connector in a loosely fitted state with respect to the machine base;
A connector structure for a battery-replaceable industrial vehicle.   2. The battery-exchangeable industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the attachment unit attaches the machine-side connector so as to be displaceable in a plurality of directions while being loosely fitted to the machine. Connector structure. The attachment means includes
A support member attached to the machine base and having a long hole for supporting the machine-side connector;
A locking member which is formed in a pin shape inserted into the long hole and locked in a loosely fitted state with respect to the long hole, and to which the machine-side connector is attached,
The connector structure for a battery-exchangeable industrial vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector structure is provided.   3. The battery exchange type industrial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the attachment unit attaches the machine-side connector in a loosely fitted state with respect to the machine base via a spring member. Connector structure. A battery-exchangeable industrial vehicle comprising the connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A battery replaceable industrial vehicle characterized by supporting the battery on a roller rotatably supported.

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