JP2012048822A - Electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate disconnecting operation of a connector and a power reception unit in an electric apparatus equipped with detachable connector and power reception unit.SOLUTION: The electric apparatus comprises a connector 2 having an electrode for electrical connection with an object to be connected, and a power reception unit 1 to be electrically connected with the connector 2, separately. The electric apparatus is further provided with a coupling member 11 which can rotate in order to couple them, and a detachable part which is attached detachably thereto. When the connector 2 and the power reception unit 1 are rotated relatively, under a state connected each other, from the use position to the inserting/withdrawing position, an auxiliary disconnection mechanism operates to move the detachable part in the direction withdrawing from the coupling member 11.

Description

  The present invention includes a connecting device including an electrode for electrically connecting to a connection target portion, and is configured separately from the connecting device and electrically connected to the connecting device in a state where the connecting device is mounted. The present invention relates to an electric device provided with a power receiving unit.

Examples of the electrical equipment connected to the connection target part via such a connection tool include a charger for charging a secondary battery, or a commercial power supply voltage converted to an appropriate DC voltage or AC voltage. There are adapters to do.
In this type of electrical equipment, as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example, the shape of a commercial power outlet in each country or region in order to enable use in countries where the shape of the commercial power outlet is different. Prepare multiple types of power plug units (one example of connection tool) that meet the specifications of the product separately from the main body of the electrical equipment. It is widely performed to use the electric device by attaching it to the main body.

JP 2002-260794 A

However, the operation of separating the connection tool and the power receiving unit requires a considerable amount of operating force because it is firmly connected due to the necessity of ensuring a reliable electrical connection between them. Therefore, the burden is large for an operator with weak power such as an elderly person.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily perform the detachment operation between the connection tool and the power receiving unit.

1st invention of this application is comprised in the connection tool provided with the electrode for electrically connecting with a connection object part, the said connection tool, and the said connection tool in the state equipped with the said connection tool. In an electric device provided with a power receiving unit electrically connected to the connecting member, the connecting member and the power receiving unit can be connected to and electrically connected to the connecting member and the connecting member. An attachment / detachment portion is arranged so as to be divided into the connection tool and the power reception unit, and the connecting member is rotatably supported by one of the connection tool or the power reception unit, and the relative relationship between the connection tool and the power reception unit. Within the rotation range, an insertion / extraction position for inserting / removing the attachment / detachment portion with respect to the connecting member and a use position for connecting the electrode to the connection target portion are set, and the connection tool and the power reception Connect the unit In this state, when the connection tool and the power reception unit are relatively rotated from the use position to the insertion / extraction position, due to the engagement action between the connection tool side member and the power reception unit side member, A detachment assist mechanism that moves the detachable portion in a direction to detach from the connecting member is provided.
That is, using the relative rotation operation between the connection tool and the power receiving unit, the member on the connection tool side and the member on the power reception unit side are engaged, and the detachable portion is moved to the side to be detached from the coupling member.
The rotation operation is easier to apply force than the linear separation operation, and can be operated with a relatively weak force.

According to a second invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, in the state where the attachment / detachment portion and the connecting member are engaged at the insertion / extraction position, the insertion / extraction position is changed to the use position. When the connection tool and the power receiving unit are operated to rotate relative to each other, the attachment / detachment portion is moved in a direction to connect the connection member by the engaging action of the connection tool side member and the power reception unit side member. A connection assist mechanism is provided for operation.
That is, using the relative rotation operation between the connection tool and the power receiving unit, the member on the connection tool side and the member on the power reception unit side are engaged and moved to the side where the detachable portion is connected to the connecting member.
The rotation operation is easier to apply force than the linear insertion operation, and can be operated with a relatively weak force.

According to a third invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the second invention, the connection-side member for moving the attachment / detachment portion by an engaging action in the separation assist mechanism and the power-receiving unit side are provided. The member, and the connection-side member and the power-receiving-unit-side member that move and operate the attachment / detachment portion by the engaging action in the connection assist mechanism are configured to share at least a part of the member.
That is, since the above-mentioned detachment assist mechanism and the above-mentioned connection assist mechanism can be configured with similar engagement actions from their functions, the apparatus configuration can be simplified by sharing the members.

According to a fourth invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the second invention, when the connection tool and the power receiving unit are relatively rotated at the use position, the member on the connection tool side is provided. And a detachment preventing mechanism for preventing the detachable portion from detaching from the connecting member by an engaging action between the power receiving unit and the member on the power receiving unit side.
Therefore, when the connection tool and the power receiving unit are relatively rotated to the use position, the electrode of the connection tool is connected to the connection target portion, and when the electric device is actually used, the separation preventing mechanism is connected to the connection tool and the power receiving unit. Since the separation from the unit is prevented, the electric device can be used stably.

According to a fifth aspect of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the connector-side member and the power-receiving unit-side member that move and operate the attachment / detachment portion by an engaging action in the separation assist mechanism. A member, a member on the connector side that moves and moves the attachment / detachment portion by an engaging action in the connection assist mechanism, a member on the power receiving unit side, and the attachment / detachment portion in the separation preventing mechanism is detached from the connection member. And a member that prevents at least a part of the member.
That is, since the above-described detachment assist mechanism, the above-described connection assist mechanism, and the above-described detachment prevention mechanism can be configured by similar engagement actions from their functions, the apparatus configuration can be further simplified by sharing the members.

According to a sixth invention of the present application, in addition to the configurations of the first to fifth inventions, the electrode is provided in the connection tool in a posture protruding in a setting direction, and the connection tool attaches the electrode to the electrode. The power receiving unit is electrically connected to the connection target portion by being inserted into the connection target portion, the power receiving unit is formed in a flat shape, and the insertion / extraction position is substantially parallel to the protruding direction of the electrode and the flat surface of the power receiving unit. The use position is set at a position where the projecting direction of the electrode and the flat surface of the power receiving unit are substantially orthogonal to each other.
That is, when connecting and using a connecting tool to a flat-shaped power receiving unit, the electrode is connected to a connection target portion such as an outlet in a state where the protruding direction of the electrode of the connecting tool is parallel to the flat surface of the power receiving unit. Since the connection target part such as an outlet is often provided on the wall surface of the room, etc., the electrode of the connection tool is connected to the connection target part in a substantially horizontal direction. And the power receiving unit are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction.
In such an arrangement, it is easy for other objects to come into contact with the power receiving unit, and when contacted, a large moment acts on the connection part between the connector and the power receiving unit and the electrode inserted in the connection target part. Depending on the situation, these parts may be damaged.
Therefore, the state of such an arrangement is used as the insertion / extraction position without setting the use position.

According to a seventh invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the sixth invention, in the state where a part of the distal end side of the attaching / detaching portion is engaged with the connecting member at the insertion / extraction position, A movement blocking mechanism is provided that prevents the attachment / detachment portion from moving toward the connecting member by an engaging action between the connector-side member and the power receiving unit-side member.
In other words, at the insertion / extraction position, the movement preventing mechanism functions so that a part of the distal end side of the attaching / detaching portion is engaged with the connecting member and the two are not moved to the connection side. The operator is clearly informed that the connecting tool and the power receiving unit cannot be used in the insertion / extraction position.

According to an eighth aspect of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the seventh aspect of the invention, the member on the connector side that moves the attachment / detachment portion by the engaging action in the separation assist mechanism and the power reception unit side. At least a part of the member is configured to be shared by the member and the member on the connector side and the member on the power receiving unit side that prevent the attachment / detachment portion from moving due to the engaging action in the movement prevention mechanism. .
That is, the function of moving the detachable part by the separation assisting mechanism so as to be detached from the connecting member and the function of preventing the detachable part by the movement blocking mechanism from moving to the connecting member side are very similar. The members can be shared by both to simplify the configuration.

Further, in a ninth aspect of the present application, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to eighth aspects, when the detachable portion and the connecting member are operated to the engagement side at the insertion / extraction position, The connector and the power receiving unit are configured not to be electrically connected.
That is, it is not assumed that an electrical device is used at the insertion / extraction position, but when the detachable portion and the coupling member are operated to the engagement side at the insertion / extraction position, the connection tool and the power receiving unit are thereby operated. If they are electrically connected, in some cases, the user may be misunderstood that the electrical device can be used even at the insertion / extraction position.
Therefore, when the attachment / detachment portion and the connecting member are operated to the engagement side at the insertion / extraction position, the connection / removal portion and the power receiving unit are not electrically connected even if the operation is performed, thereby Positioning with the use position can be clearly presented to the user.

According to the first aspect of the invention, using the relative rotation operation between the connector and the power receiving unit, the member on the connector side and the member on the power receiver unit are engaged and the detachable portion is detached from the coupling member. Since the moving operation is performed on the side to be performed, the operation can be performed with a relatively weak force, and the detachment operation between the connection tool and the power receiving unit can be easily performed.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the connecting member side member and the power receiving unit side member are engaged with each other using the relative rotation operation of the connecting tool and the power receiving unit, and the detachable portion is connected to the connecting member. Since the moving operation is performed on the side to be connected to the connector, the operation can be performed with a relatively weak force, and the connection / removal operation between the connector and the power receiving unit can be easily performed.
Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus configuration can be simplified by sharing the members between the separation assist mechanism and the connection assist mechanism.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the detachment preventing mechanism prevents the connection tool and the power receiving unit from detaching, and the electric device can be used stably, thereby improving the convenience of the electric device. Can do.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the device configuration can be further simplified by sharing the members in the separation assist mechanism, the connection assist mechanism, and the separation prevention mechanism.
In addition, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the convenience of the electric device can be further improved by appropriately setting the relationship between the connection posture between the connection tool and the power receiving unit, the use position, and the insertion / extraction position. it can.
Further, according to the seventh invention, the operator of the electric device is clearly notified that the connector cannot be used by being connected to the power receiving unit at the insertion / extraction position. The convenience can be further improved.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the device configuration can be further simplified by sharing the members between the separation assisting mechanism and the movement preventing mechanism.
Further, according to the ninth aspect, since the positioning of the insertion / extraction position and the use position can be clearly presented to the user, the user can easily perform an appropriate operation on the electric device.

The perspective view of the electric equipment concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the electric equipment concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the power receiving unit concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the power plug unit concerning embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the connection and disconnection operation | movement of the power plug unit concerning embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the connection and disconnection operation | movement of the power plug unit concerning embodiment of this invention The figure explaining operation | movement of the positioning mechanism concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the connection member concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the components for positioning mechanisms concerning embodiment of this invention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an electric apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, a charger BC that charges a secondary battery is illustrated as an electric device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the charger BC is provided with a power plug unit 2 as a connection tool for electrically connecting to an outlet of a power source (commercial power source) that is a connection target unit, and the power plug unit 2 2 is provided with a separate power receiving unit 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, the power plug unit 2 is mechanically mounted on the power receiving unit 1, and the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 in the mounted state. And are electrically connected.

  As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4, the power plug unit 2 has a power supply as an electrode (electrode for receiving power inserted into a commercial power outlet) for electrical connection with a connection target (commercial power outlet). Although the plug electrode 21 is provided so as to protrude from the main body of the plug unit 2 in the setting direction, the shape of the outlet of the commercial power supply differs depending on the country or region of the world. Also, a plurality of types of plug electrodes 21 having different shapes and arrangements are prepared for the power receiving unit 1. In the present embodiment, a so-called plug blade suitable for a Japanese commercial power outlet will be described as an example.

  Mechanical connection and electrical connection between the power receiving unit 1 and the power plug unit 2 are performed by a connecting member 11 and a detachable part that can be attached to and detached from the connecting member 11. 2 and are arranged. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 11 is disposed in the power receiving unit 1, and the inlet plug 22 (see FIG. 4) that is an attaching / detaching portion is disposed in the power plug unit 2.

The power receiving unit 1 has a flat housing, more specifically, a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, and the housing is made of resin.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connecting member 11 provided in the power receiving unit 1 is of a so-called inlet type, and the inlet plug of the power plug unit 2 is opened in the opening 11 a of the connecting member 11. By inserting 22, the power plug unit 2 is mounted in a state of being connected to the power receiving unit 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the plug electrode 21 and the pair of electrode pins 11 b in the connecting member 11 are electrically connected in a state where the inlet plug 22 is inserted into the opening 11 a of the connecting member 11.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 8, the connecting member 11 is provided with columnar supported shafts 11 c having low heights on both sides with the surface on which the opening 11 a is formed as the front surface, and the supported shaft 11 c is the power receiving unit 1. The member on the side is supported so as to be rotatable (more precisely, swingable) in the direction indicated by the arrow A around the rotation axis α (axis passing through the center of the circle formed by the supported shaft 11c).
FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the opening 11 a of the connecting member 11 is oriented in a direction parallel to the flat surface 1 a (the upper surface or the lower surface in FIG. 1) of the power receiving unit 1.
When the rotation range of the connecting member 11 is expressed in the direction in which the opening 11a of the connecting member 11 faces, that is, the insertion direction of the power plug unit 2, the two adjacent orthogonal surfaces on the housing surface of the power receiving unit 1 Opening 11a is a range from a posture facing the normal direction of one surface to a posture facing the normal direction of the other surface, and a posture facing a direction parallel to the flat surface 1a of the power receiving unit 1 (see FIG. 1) ) To a posture (see FIG. 3) facing upward at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the flat surface 1a of the power receiving unit 1. The casing of the power receiving unit 1 is cut away so as to allow the connecting member 11 to rotate within this range.
By enabling the connecting member 11 to rotate in this way, the power receiving unit 1 and the power plug unit 2 are relatively rotated in a state where the inlet plug 22 is inserted into the connecting member 11. This relative rotation will be described as the rotation of the power plug unit 2 with the power receiving unit 1 fixed.

An insertion / extraction position for inserting / removing the inlet plug 22 with respect to the connection member 11 within the rotation range of the connection member 11 (that is, the relative rotation range between the power plug unit 2 and the power reception unit), and the plug electrode 21 Is set to the position where it is used by connecting to the outlet as the connection target.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the opening 11 a of the connecting member 11 is oriented in a direction parallel to the flat surface 1 a of the power receiving unit 1, the insertion / extraction position where the operation of inserting / removing the inlet plug 22 into / from the connecting member 11 is performed. is there. In terms of the positional relationship with the power plug unit 2, this insertion / extraction position is set to a position where the protruding direction of the plug electrode 21 and the flat surface 1 a of the power receiving unit 1 are substantially parallel.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the inlet plug 22 is inserted into the connecting member 11 and the opening 11 a of the connecting member 11 faces the normal direction of the flat surface 1 a of the power receiving unit 1, This is the use position in which the plug electrode 21 is inserted into a commercial power outlet. In terms of the positional relationship with the power plug unit 2, this use position is set to a position where the protruding direction of the plug electrode 21 and the flat surface 1 a of the power receiving unit 1 are substantially orthogonal.
With the inlet plug 22 engaged with the connecting member 11, the inlet plug 22 is properly inserted into the connecting member 11 and electrically and mechanically as the connecting member 11 is rotated from the insertion / extraction position to the use position. Conversely, the inlet plug 22 is configured to move away from the connecting member 11 as the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are turned from the use position to the insertion / extraction position.

In order to realize this operation, the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 are relatively rotated from the insertion / extraction position to the use position in a state where the inlet plug 22 and the connecting member 11 are engaged at the insertion / extraction position. When operated, a connection assist mechanism CA that moves and operates the inlet plug 22 in the direction to connect the connecting member 11 by the engaging action of the member on the power plug unit 2 side and the member on the power receiving unit 1 side is provided. When the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 are relatively rotated from the use position to the insertion / extraction position with the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 connected, the power plug unit 2 side member and the power receiving unit Detachment assisting machine that operates to move the inlet plug 22 away from the connecting member 11 by engaging with the unit 1 side member. DA is provided.
Further, in relation to the operations of the connection assist mechanism CA and the disconnection assist mechanism DA, when the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 are relatively rotated to the use position, A detachment prevention mechanism DS that prevents the inlet plug 22 from detaching from the connecting member 11 by engaging with a member on the power receiving unit 1 side, and at the insertion / extraction position, a part of the distal end side of the inlet plug 22 is a connecting member. 11, a movement blocking mechanism MS that prevents the inlet plug 22 from moving toward the connecting member 11 while being engaged with the power supply 11 by the engaging action of the power plug unit 2 side member and the power receiving unit 1 side member. And are provided.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of each mechanism described above, and the power plug unit 2 is moved and operated in accordance with the relative rotation operation of the power receiving unit 1 and the power plug unit 2, and corresponds to FIG. The connection member 11 and the power plug unit 2 will be described together with the connection and disconnection operations with reference to FIG. 6 in which only the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are extracted. FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the connecting member 11 at a side position.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation of inserting the inlet plug 22 into the connecting member 11 and connecting the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 is such that the opening 11 a of the connecting member 11 is parallel to the flat surface 1 a of the power receiving unit 1. And correspondingly, the projecting direction of the plug electrode 21 of the power plug unit 2 is made coincident with the direction in which the opening 11a faces to be in a direction parallel to the flat surface 1a, and the inlet plug 22 Is inserted into the connecting member 11.
However, in both postures at this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 6 (a), a part of the distal end side of the inlet plug 22 is brought into the opening 11a of the connecting member 11 by the movement blocking mechanism MS. The structure is such that it is not completely connected simply by entering and engaging.
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the power plug unit 2 includes a pair of wall bodies 23 projecting in parallel with the inlet plug 22 on both sides of the inlet plug 22, and the distal end of the wall body 23 is the power receiving unit 1. The inlet plug 22 is prevented from moving to the connecting member 11 side by contacting the entry preventing portion 1b (the positions on both sides of the opening 11a of the connecting member 11 at the insertion / extraction position). In other words, the inlet plug 22 includes a member protruding in the approaching / separating direction between the connecting member 11 and the inlet plug 22, and the member is in a state where a part of the distal end side of the inlet plug 22 is engaged with the connecting member 11. The contact with the member on the housing side of the power receiving unit 1 prevents the inlet plug 22 from further moving toward the connecting member 11.
Therefore, the movement preventing mechanism MS is configured by the entry preventing portion 1b on the surface of the casing of the power receiving unit 1 which is a member on the power receiving unit 1 and the wall body 23 which is a member on the power plug unit 2 side. Therefore, the inlet plug 22 is prevented from moving to the connecting member 11 side.
In a state where the tip of the wall body 23 is in contact with the entry preventing portion 1b, the height of the wall body 23 is set so that the electrode pin 11b of the connecting member 11 and the electrode on the inlet plug 22 side do not contact each other. In this insertion / extraction position, the power plug unit 2 and the power receiving unit 1 are not electrically connected even if the inlet plug 22 and the connecting member 11 are operated to the engagement side.

Next, when the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are rotated while the power plug unit 2 is lightly pressed against the housing side of the power receiving unit 1, the inlet plug 22 of the power plug unit 2 is operated by the connection assist mechanism CA. Is moved to the connecting member 11 side. In order to prevent the movement blocking mechanism MS from obstructing the movement of the inlet plug 22 in accordance with the rotation operation, the wall body 23 contacting the entry blocking portion 1b is moved by the rotation. A portion serving as a locus is cut out in a step shape to form a step 1c.
In order to allow the connection assist mechanism CA to move as a member on the power receiving unit 1 side, on the side wall of the connecting member 11, more specifically, on the wall body 23 of the power plug unit 2 in addition to the step 1 c. The first cylindrical protrusion 1d formed on the wall surface of the stepped notch portion and the second cylindrical protrusion 1e having a diameter larger than the first cylindrical protrusion 1d are provided, and the power plug unit 2 side member is a power plug. A wall body 23 of the unit 2 and a first guide 23a formed on the wall body 23 are provided (see FIG. 4 and the like). The wall body 23 is formed with a second guide 23b that faces the first guide 23a across the groove 23c. The second guide 23b constitutes a part of a later-described detachment assist mechanism DA.
When the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are rotated to the use position side, the power plug unit 2 changes its posture while the wall body 23 is guided by the step 1c, as shown in FIG. 5B. The first cylindrical protrusion 1d enters the groove 23c. As a result, the first cylindrical protrusion 1d contacts the groove 23c side surface of the first guide 23a, the groove 23c side surface of the first guide 23a is the cam surface, and the first cylindrical protrusion 1d is the cam follower. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the inlet plug 22 is pushed into the connecting member 11 side.

When the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are further rotated to the use position side, the second cylindrical projection 1e enters the groove 23c following the first cylindrical projection 1d, and the groove portion of the first guide 23a. When the surface on the 23c side is a cam surface and the second cylindrical protrusion 1e is a cam follower, the inlet plug 22 is pushed into the connecting member 11 side and rotated to the use position shown in FIG. 5 (c). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6C, the connecting member 11 and the inlet plug 22 are completely connected. Incidentally, the pair of wall bodies 23 in the power plug unit 2 are set so that the arrangement interval thereof is slightly wider than the width of the connecting member 11, and the above-mentioned in FIGS. 5 (c) and 6 (c). With the rotation operation to the use position, a part of the opening end side of the connecting member 11 enters between the pair of wall bodies 23.
In the use position shown in FIG. 5C, even if the power plug unit 2 is pulled out of the connecting member 11, the second cylindrical protrusion 1e and the first guide 23a are engaged, and the inlet plug 22 is engaged. Is prevented from separating from the connecting member 11.
Therefore, the separation preventing mechanism DS is configured by the second cylindrical protrusion 1e which is a member provided on the power receiving unit 1 side and the first guide 23a which is a member provided on the power plug unit 2 side.
From the above, the connection assist mechanism CA is located on the side farther from the connecting member 11 and the rotational axis of the power plug unit 2 at the position where the power receiving unit 1 side member and the power plug unit 2 side member are engaged. A member on the power receiving unit 1 side is positioned on the power receiving unit 1 side, and a member and a power The arrangement shape is set so that the members on the plug unit 2 side constitute a cam mechanism.

Contrary to the above rotation operation, when the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are rotated from the use position to the insertion / removal position, the inlet plug 22 of the power plug unit 2 is connected to the connection member 11 by the separation assist mechanism DA. Is moved in the direction to leave.
The separation assist mechanism DA includes the step 1c and the second cylindrical protrusion 1e as members on the power receiving unit 1 side, and is provided on the wall body 23 and the wall body 23 of the power plug unit 2 as members on the power plug unit 2 side. A formed second guide 23b is provided (see FIG. 4 and the like).
When the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are rotated to the insertion / extraction position side, the inlet plug 22 is connected so that the groove 23c side surface of the second guide 23b is a cam surface and the second cylindrical protrusion 1e is a cam follower. Immediately pushes up to the side away from the connecting member 11.
When the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are further rotated to the posture shown in FIG. 5B, the engaging action between the second cylindrical protrusion 1e and the second guide 23b is canceled, and the step 1c and the wall 23 are Due to the engaging action with the tip, the inlet plug 22 is shifted to a state in which it is operated to move away from the connecting member 11. In the state shown in FIG. 5B, even when the power plug unit 2 is pulled out from the connecting member 11, the first cylindrical protrusion 1d engages with the first guide 23a, and the inlet plug 22 is removed. Stop moving to.
Thereafter, when the connecting member 11 and the power plug unit 2 are further rotated, the position returns to the insertion / removal position shown in FIG. 5A, and the inlet plug 22 can be pulled out with a very light force.
From the above, the separation assist mechanism DA is located at a position where the member on the power receiving unit 1 side and the member on the power plug unit 2 side are engaged with each other, on the side farther from the connecting member 11 and the rotation axis of the power plug unit 2. A member on the side of the power plug unit 2 is located on the power receiving unit 1 side so that the inlet plug 22 moves to the side away from the rotation axis in accordance with the rotation operation from the use position to the insertion / extraction position. The arrangement shape is set so that the member and the member on the power plug unit 2 side constitute a cam mechanism.

As described above, the charger BC has the power plug unit in the posture (position) for insertion / extraction of the power plug unit 2 in FIG. 5A and the posture (position) in use in FIG. 2 and a mechanism for positioning and holding the connecting member 11.
The positioning mechanism and the operation of this mechanism will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 and the perspective view of the connecting member 11 shown in FIG.

7 (a), 7 (b) and 7 (c) all show schematic cross sections when the power plug unit 2 is cut at the center position in the lateral width direction (direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4). 7 (a), 7 (b) and 7 (c) correspond to the states shown in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) and 5 (c), respectively. ing.
The basic concept of the positioning mechanism of the connecting member 11 is that the convex member and the concave member are arranged separately on the connecting member 11 and the power receiving unit 1, and the convex member and the concave member are engaged with each other. A so-called detent positioning that changes the operating resistance of the rotating operation before and after the convex member and the concave member that are relatively moved (relatively rotating here) engage with each other by being biased by the biasing means. It is a mechanism.

In the present embodiment, the convex member is provided on the connecting member 11 side, and as shown in FIG. 8, a substantially triangular prism-shaped convex portion 11d is formed on the central surface in the axial direction of the rotational axis α. It corresponds to a convex member.
The three convex portions 11d are arranged side by side at an angular interval of approximately 45 degrees on the same circumference around the rotation axis α with the posture in which the height direction of the triangular prism is the axis direction of the rotation axis α. Yes.

The concave member is provided on the power receiving unit 1 side, and is a substantially V-shaped groove as shown in FIG. 7 showing a state in which it engages with the convex portion 11d and FIG. 9 showing a single component in a perspective view. The lock member 13 having the groove-like recess 13a to be configured has the function.
The lock member 13 is attached in a state in which a slight amount of sliding movement in the direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 7 is allowed in the wall member 1f of the power receiving unit 1, and is opposite to the side where the groove-like recess 13a is present. A position regulating pin 13b located at the end on the side passes through the wall member 1f and regulates the position variation of the lock member 13 other than the direction indicated by the arrow D.
A coil spring 14 is disposed around the large-diameter portion 13c on the groove-shaped recess 13a side of the pin 13b in the lock member 13, and biases the lock member 13 to the side on which the groove-shaped recess 13a and the convex portion 11d are engaged. And it functions as the urging means.

In the state of FIG. 7A in which the power plug unit 2 can be connected to the connection member 11 and released from the connection, the uppermost protrusion 11d of the three protrusions 11d is engaged with the opening 11a of the connection member 11. In this state, when the swing operation (rotation operation) of the power plug unit 2 and the connecting member 11 is started on the lower side in FIG. 7, the convex portion 11 d is locked against the urging force of the coil spring 14. When 13 is once pushed to the left in FIG. 7 and the rotation operation to the posture of FIG. 7B is completed, the lock member 13 returns to the original position by the urging force of the coil spring 14.
When the power plug unit 2 and the like are further swung down from the state of FIG. 7B to the lower side in FIG. 7, the convex portion 11d again resists the urging force of the coil spring 14 so that the lock member 13 is moved to the left side in FIG. 7 and completes the pivoting operation to the posture of FIG. 7C, the lock member 13 is returned to the original position by the urging force of the coil spring 14, and the groove-like recess 13a and the lower side in FIG. Due to the engagement with the protruding portion 11d and the biasing force of the coil spring 14, a relatively high operating resistance is applied to the swinging operation of the power plug unit 2 and the like, and the positioning of the power plug unit 2 and the like is positioned. Do.

As described above, the power plug unit 2 side member and the power receiving unit 1 side member for moving the inlet plug 22 by the engaging action in the separation assist mechanism DA, and the inlet in the connection assist mechanism CA by the engaging action. Comparing the member on the side of the power plug unit 2 that moves the plug 22 and the member on the side of the power receiving unit 1, both of them are the step 1c on the side of the power receiving unit 1 and the second cylindrical protrusion 1e, and the member on the side of the power plug unit 2 The wall 23 is shared.
In addition, the second cylindrical protrusion 1e on the power receiving unit 1 side is also a constituent element of the separation preventing mechanism DS, and the member is shared with the separation preventing mechanism DS.
Further, the power plug unit 2 side member and the power receiving unit 1 side member for moving the inlet plug 22 by the engaging action in the separation assist mechanism DA, and the movement of the inlet plug 22 by the engaging action in the movement blocking mechanism MS. Comparing the member on the power plug unit 2 side and the member on the power receiving unit 1 side that prevents the two, the wall member 23 is shared.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the first cylindrical protrusion 1d and the second cylindrical protrusion 1e are separately provided as members on the power receiving unit 1 side constituting the connection assist mechanism CA is illustrated. You may comprise the 1 cylindrical protrusion 1d and the 2nd cylindrical protrusion 1e as a member which continues in a row.
(2) In the above embodiment, the charger BC is exemplified as the electric device, but the present invention can be applied to various electric devices such as a so-called AC adapter.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power receiving unit 2 Connector 11 Connecting member 22 Detachable part CA Connection auxiliary mechanism DA Detachment assisting mechanism DS Detachment prevention mechanism MS Movement prevention mechanism

Claims (9)

A connection tool including an electrode for electrically connecting to a connection target portion, and a power receiving unit that is configured separately from the connection tool and is electrically connected to the connection tool in a state where the connection tool is mounted. An electrical device equipped with
In order to connect and electrically connect the connection tool and the power receiving unit, a connection member and a detachable part that is detachable with respect to the connection member are distributed and arranged between the connection tool and the power reception unit,
The coupling member is rotatably supported by one of the connector or the power receiving unit,
In a relative rotation range between the connection tool and the power receiving unit, an insertion / extraction position for inserting / removing the attachment / detachment portion with respect to the connecting member, and a use position for connecting the electrode to the connection target portion for use. Is set,
When the connection tool and the power reception unit are relatively rotated from the use position to the insertion / extraction position in a state where the connection tool and the power reception unit are connected, the connection tool side member and the power reception unit side An electrical apparatus provided with a detachment assisting mechanism that moves the detachable part in a direction of detaching from the connecting member by engaging with the member.   When the connecting device and the power receiving unit are relatively rotated from the insertion / extraction position to the use position in a state where the attachment / detachment portion and the connecting member are engaged at the insertion / extraction position, The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection assisting mechanism that operates to move the attaching / detaching portion in a direction to connect the connecting member with an engaging action between the member and the member on the power receiving unit side.   A member on the connector side and a member on the power receiving unit side that move and operate the attachment / detachment part by an engagement action in the separation assist mechanism, and the connection tool that moves the attachment / detachment part by an engagement action in the connection assistance mechanism. The electric device according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the member is shared by the side member and the power receiving unit side member.   When the connection tool and the power reception unit are relatively rotated at the use position, the attachment / detachment portion is separated from the connection member by the engaging action of the connection tool side member and the power reception unit side member. The electrical device according to claim 2, further comprising a separation prevention mechanism that prevents separation.   A member on the connector side and a member on the power receiving unit side that move and operate the attachment / detachment part by an engagement action in the separation assist mechanism, and the connection tool that moves the attachment / detachment part by an engagement action in the connection assistance mechanism. The member on the side and the member on the power receiving unit side, and the member that prevents the detachable portion from being detached from the connecting member in the separation preventing mechanism are configured to share at least a part of the members. Item 5. The electric device according to Item 4. The electrode is provided in the connector in a posture protruding in a setting direction,
The connection tool is electrically connected to the connection target part by inserting the electrode into the connection target part,
The power receiving unit is formed in a flat shape,
The insertion / extraction position is set to a position where the protruding direction of the electrode and the flat surface of the power receiving unit are substantially parallel,
The electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the use position is set at a position where a protruding direction of the electrode and a flat surface of the power receiving unit are substantially orthogonal to each other.   In the insertion / extraction position, the attachment / detachment portion moves to the connection member side in a state where a part of the distal end side of the attachment / detachment portion is engaged with the connection member. The electrical apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a movement blocking mechanism that blocks by an engaging action with a member on the unit side.   The connection-side member and the power-receiving-unit-side member that move and operate the attachment / detachment portion by an engagement action in the separation assist mechanism, and the connection that prevents the movement of the attachment / detachment portion by an engagement action in the movement prevention mechanism The electric device according to claim 7, wherein at least a part of the member is shared by the component side member and the power receiving unit side member.   9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connector and the power receiving unit are not electrically connected when the attachment / detachment portion and the connecting member are operated to the engagement side at the insertion / extraction position. The electrical device according to Item 1.

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