JP2014107200A - Power supply connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply connector which can prevent generation of arc during charge, due to incorrect use of a power supply connector having a damaged or deformed lock mechanism.SOLUTION: A frame 25 is provided with a limit switch 18. A damage starting point 27 is provided so as to reduce the cross-sectional area of the frame 25, at the support of the limit switch 18 in the vicinity thereof. The damage starting point 27 is a part weaker than other parts in strength. Consequently, when a force is given to the frame 25 (vicinity of the limit switch 18), the damage starting point 27 is damaged. In other words, when the damage starting point 27 is damaged, the limit switch 18 is dropped from the frame 25.

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging power supply connector used for an electric vehicle or the like.

  In recent years, electric vehicles that do not use fossil fuels have attracted attention from the viewpoint of global environmental problems. An electric vehicle is equipped with a driving battery and can be driven by electricity charged in the battery.

  In order to charge an electric vehicle, there are a method using a normal household power source and a method using a special charging device for quick charging. In any case, when charging is performed, a power receiving connector on the vehicle side and a power feeding connector on the power source side corresponding to this are required. These connectors are designed for electric vehicles in consideration of ease of use, safety, and the like, and generally have a different form from the connectors conventionally used for power lines.

  As such a power supply connector for an electric vehicle, for example, a case, a connector main body slidably attached to the case and accommodating a plurality of terminals, and a pipe slidably attached to the connector main body in a coaxial direction There is a power supply connector that includes a handle and a lever, and the handle is advanced by turning the lever so that the connector main body is fitted to the connector main body of the power receiving side connector (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-188044

  On the other hand, in such a charging connector, if the power feeding connector and the power receiving connector that are energized are extracted during charging, an arc may occur at the moment of extraction. Therefore, a lock mechanism is required so that the connectors are not disconnected during energization.

  However, for example, if the power supply connector is forcibly removed while the lock mechanism is locked, the latch portion of the lock mechanism may be deformed or damaged. As described above, if the power feeding connector is continuously used in a state where the locking mechanism is deformed or damaged, the locking mechanism does not work, so that the power feeding connector can be easily pulled out even during charging. Therefore, there is a possibility that an arc may be generated at the moment when the power feeding connector is accidentally pulled out during charging.

  On the other hand, the lock mechanism is locked by, for example, the latch of the power supply connector being locked to the lock portion of the power receiving connector. For this reason, the latch part of the lock mechanism needs to correspond to the standardized size of the lock part. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the strength by increasing the size of only the latch portion in order to improve the strength.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and by using a power supply connector having a damaged or deformed lock mechanism by mistake, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of arcing during charging and the like. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a power connector for an automobile, which is provided in the case, a connector main body, a case for housing the connector main body, a gripping member attached to the case, and the case. A locking member that locks the locking portion of the power receiving connector to be connected, a lock lever that restricts movement of the case with respect to the gripping member, and a detection portion that detects the locked state of the locking member. When the lock lever is released, the locked state of the lock member can be released, and when the grip member is moved forward with respect to the case, the grip member is moved. The connector main body is movable in substantially the same axial direction with respect to the case, a breakage base portion is formed in the vicinity of the installation portion of the detection portion, and the lock member is When the gripping member is pulled back in a closed state, the breakage base point portion is broken, and the detection unit cannot detect the lock state of the lock member. is there.

  The detection unit is provided on a frame fixed to the case. When the lock member is locked, the lock lever can be fitted to the frame, and the lock lever is fitted to the frame. When the gripping member is pulled back, it is desirable that the breakage base portion provided on the frame can be broken by fitting the lock lever and the frame.

  A first elastic member that pushes up the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever upward; and a second elastic member that presses the lock lever from a side near the rear end of the lock lever, and the breakage base portion is In a normal use state that is not damaged, contact of the vicinity of the front end of the lock lever and the frame restricts the rear end side of the lock lever from moving upward beyond a predetermined position, and the frame is damaged. When the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever is moved upward beyond the predetermined position by the first elastic member due to breakage of the base portion, the second elastic member protrudes to the lower part near the rear end of the lock lever, It is desirable to restrict the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever from moving downward again.

  The gripping member is provided with a display portion indicating the position of the lock lever.When the rear end side of the lock lever moves upward beyond the predetermined position by the first elastic member, the display portion It is desirable to be able to visually recognize the position of the lock lever.

  A link member connected to the lock lever and the gripping member; and an electromagnetic solenoid fixed to the gripping member. A plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid is connected to the link member, and the lock member is locked. By operating the electromagnetic solenoid in a state where the lock lever is locked, the link member is held in a state where the lock lever is locked to the case, and in the state where the lock lever is locked to the case, the link member and the The connecting portion with the lock lever is allowed to move in a direction in which the rear end of the lock lever is pushed upward by a long hole. In a normal use state, the front end of the lock lever and the frame are in contact with each other. , The upward movement of the rear end side of the lock lever is restricted, and the breakage base portion of the frame is broken. By, it is desirable that the rear end of the locking lever is movable upward beyond the stationary use.

  According to the present invention, when the power supply connector is pulled out rearward in a state where the lock member that locks the case and the locking portion of the power receiving connector to be connected is locked, the lock member breaks or the like. In addition, it is possible to break the breakage starting point around the detection unit that detects the locked state. Therefore, deformation and breakage of the lock member can be prevented. Moreover, since the detection part falls off, the lock state of the lock member cannot be detected, and the power receiving connector can be disabled. Therefore, a power supply connector with a broken lock mechanism is not used by mistake.

  In addition, a detection part is provided on the frame where the breakage starting point part is provided, and the lock lever is fitted to the frame, so when an excessive force is applied, the frame near the detection part is broken by the lock lever to detect The part can be dropped.

  Further, when the breakage starting point portion is broken, the rear end of the lock lever is rotated upward from the normal use state by the first elastic member, and the rear end of the lock lever is pushed downward by the second elastic member. Therefore, the lock lever can be prevented from being erroneously operated. For this reason, the user can grasp that it is not the steady use state.

  Also, at this time, by providing a display unit that can visually recognize the position of the lock lever, the user can more easily recognize that the power supply connector is in an unusable state.

  In addition, when the lock lever is locked, the plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid moves through the link member. Therefore, when the plunger cannot be operated due to freezing or the like, the rotation of the lock lever is restricted and The function as a lock means for restricting the movement of the case is not achieved. Therefore, it is possible to reliably grasp the case where the plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid cannot move due to freezing or the like.

  Further, by operating the electromagnetic solenoid, the lock lever can be fixed in the locked state. For this reason, the connector body does not come off during energization. Further, when the breakage starting point is broken, the link member and the lock lever are connected by the elongated hole, so that the lock lever can be rotated upward from the normal use state.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electric power feeding connector which can prevent generation | occurrence | production of the arc etc. during charge can be provided by using the electric power feeding connector which has a damaged or deformed lock mechanism accidentally.

It is a figure which shows the electric power feeding connector 1, (a) is a side view, (b) is side sectional drawing. The enlarged view of the lock lever 7 vicinity of the electric power feeding connector 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flame | frame 25, and is the AA arrow line view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which operated the electric power feeding connector 1, (a) is a side view, (b) is side sectional drawing. The enlarged view of the lock lever 7 vicinity of the state which operated the electric power feeding connector 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the power feeding connector 1 is connected to the power receiving connector 33. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where the power feeding connector 1 is connected to the power receiving connector 33. The enlarged view of the lock lever 7 vicinity of the state which actuated the electromagnetic solenoid 22. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a state where the electromagnetic solenoid 22 is operated. The figure which shows the state which the flame | frame 25 damaged. Side surface sectional drawing of the state in which the flame | frame 25 was damaged. An enlarged view of the vicinity of the lock lever 7 in a state where the frame 25 is broken.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are schematic views showing a power supply connector 1, in which FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional view. In the present invention, the state shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as a normal state. In the following drawings, illustration of cables and the like is omitted. The power supply connector 1 mainly includes a gripping member 3, a case 9, and a connector main body 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gripping member 3 has a handle 5 at one end (rear). The handle 5 is a part that an operator holds when handling the power supply connector 1. Here, the handle 5 is formed such that at least a part of the handle 5 is disposed on an extension line of the central axis of the connector main body 11. For this reason, when the holding member 3 is pushed in, it is possible to apply a force straight to the connector main body 11 against the connection target. For this reason, the handleability of the power feeding connector is excellent.

  Various structures can be accommodated inside the gripping member 3. A case 9 is provided at the other end (front) of the gripping member 3. The vicinity of the front end of the gripping member 3 is cylindrical, and a part (rear part) of the case 9 is accommodated inside the gripping member 3. The gripping member 3 can slide back and forth with respect to the case 9.

  The case 9 is a cylindrical member, and a connector main body 11 is accommodated in the front end portion of the case 9. The connector main body 11 can slide back and forth with respect to the case 9. Note that a guide mechanism (not shown) and a stopper for regulating the sliding range may be provided on the sliding portions of the gripping member 3 and the connector main body 11 with respect to the case 9.

  An arm 13 is provided inside the case 9. The arm 13 is attached to the case 9 so that the vicinity of one end thereof can be rotated by a pin 23a. The vicinity of the other end of the arm 13 is connected by a connecting bar 16 joined to the gripping member 3 and a connecting portion 15a. In the connection part 15a, both are rotatably connected by the long hole formed in the arm 13, the pin etc. which were formed in the connection bar 16.

  A substantially central portion of the arm 13 (between the pin 23a and the connecting portion 15a) is connected to the connector main body 11 by the connecting portion 15b. The connection part 15b is the same structure as the connection part 15a. That is, the rotation of the arm 13 allows the connector body 11 and the gripping member 3 to move on the substantially same straight line with respect to the case 9 as the arm 13 rotates.

  A lock member 17 is provided inside the case 9. The lock member 17 is rotatably attached to the case 9 by a pin 23b. A lock pin 17 a is formed at the front end of the lock member 17 so as to face upward. The lock pin 17 a is disposed at the position of the hole formed in the case 9.

  A fitting portion 17b is provided at the rear end of the lock member 17 downward. The fitting portion 17 b has a convex shape that can be fitted with the fitting portion 21. The fitting part 21 is fixed to the holding member 3 side. In the normal state, the fitting portions 17 b and 21 are not fitted to each other, and the protrusion of the fitting portion 17 b is on the protrusion of the fitting portion 21. In this state, since the fitting portion 17b is pushed upward by the fitting portion 21, the lock pin 17a does not protrude from the case 9 (hole provided in the case 9) via the pin 23b. It is held in the case 9.

  Inside the gripping member 3, a lock lever 7 as an operation unit is provided. The lock lever 7 is rotatably attached to the gripping member 3 by a pin 23c. The rear end of the lock lever 7 protrudes to the outside from the gripping member 3, and an operator can operate the lock lever 7 from the outside. A lock pin 7a is provided in front of the lock lever 7 so as to face downward. The lock pin 7a comes into contact with a part of the frame 25 provided on the case 9 and is normally pushed up. The frame 25 is provided with a concave portion 19 in which the lock pin 7a can be fitted on the front side of a portion that contacts the lock pin 7a in a normal state. Further, a limit switch 18 that is a detection unit capable of detecting the position of the fitting portion 17 b is provided in front of the recess 19.

  Further, a spring 8 a that is a first elastic member is provided in the vicinity of the rear end side of the lock lever 7. The spring 8a presses the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever 7 upward. That is, the lock pin 7a is pressed downward with the pin 23c as a fulcrum. Further, behind the lock lever 7, a leaf spring-like spring 8c that presses the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever 7 from the side (rear) is provided. The spring 8c, which is the second elastic member, is fixed to the gripping member 3 in the lower portion near the rear end of the lock lever 7, and the vicinity of the rear end portion of the lock lever 7 is slidable with respect to the spring 8c. The function of the spring 8c will be described later.

  An electromagnetic solenoid 22 is connected to the lock lever 7 via link members 10a and 10b. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lock lever 7. One end of the link member 10a is connected to the rear side of the pin 23c of the lock lever 7 so as to be rotatable by the pin 23d.

  The other end of the link member 10a is connected to one end of the link member 10b so as to be rotatable by a connecting portion 15c. Further, the other end of the link member 10b is rotatably connected to the grip member 3 by a pin 23e. In a normal state, the link members 10a and 10b are arranged at an angle so as to be bent forward at the connecting portion 15c.

  An electromagnetic solenoid 22 is fixed to the gripping member 3 in the vicinity of the connecting portion 15c. The plunger 22a penetrates the electromagnetic solenoid 22 and the plunger 22a can be operated by operating the electromagnetic solenoid 22. The end of the plunger 22a is connected to the connecting portion 15c. The plunger 22a is connected from the bent part side (front) of the link members 10a and 10b toward the rear in a normal state.

  The electromagnetic solenoid 22 is provided with a spring 8b. The spring 8b applies force to the plunger 22a in a direction in which the plunger 22a is pulled back to the front side. Therefore, normally, the plunger 22a is pulled back to the front side by the spring 8b, whereby the connecting portion 15c is also pulled forward. The link members 10a and 10b receive a force in a direction in which the angle of the link members 10a and 10b decreases as the connecting portion 15c is pulled forward.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame 25 taken along the line AA in FIG. As described above, the limit switch 18 is provided on the frame 25. A breakage starting point portion 27 is provided in the vicinity of the limit switch 18 and at the support portion of the limit switch 18 so that the cross-sectional area of the frame 25 is reduced. The breakage starting point portion 27 is a portion that is weak in strength by reducing the cross-sectional area with respect to other portions. Accordingly, when a force is applied to the frame 25 (in the vicinity of the limit switch 18), first, the breakage starting point portion 27 is broken. When the breakage starting point 27 is broken, the limit switch 18 is dropped from the frame 25. The details of the function of the breakage starting point 27 will be described later.

  Next, a state where the power supply connector 1 is operated will be described. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the power supply connector 1 in a state in which the gripping member is moved. FIG. 4A is a side view and FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view.

  When the gripping member 3 is moved forward with respect to the case 9 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure), the connecting portion 15a joined to the gripping member 3 (connecting bar 16) is pushed forward. Since the connecting portion 15a moves forward, the arm 13 rotates about the pin 23a as a rotation axis (in the direction of arrow D in the figure). As the arm 13 rotates, the connector main body 11 connected to the arm 13 by the connecting portion 15b moves in the same direction as the gripping member 3 (in the direction of arrow E in the figure).

  In addition, since the connection position with respect to the arm 13 differs between the gripping member 3 and the connector main body 11, the moving distance of the gripping member 3 with respect to the case 9 and the moving distance of the connector main body 11 are different. Specifically, if the ratio of the distances of the connecting portions 15a and 15b from the pin 23a is 2: 1, if the moving distance of the gripping member 3 relative to the case 9 is 2, the connector body 11 moves by a distance of 1. To do. That is, the mechanism such as the arm 13 functions as a speed reduction mechanism. By providing the speed reduction mechanism, the connector can be inserted and removed with a small force.

  Further, the gripping member 3 moves forward with respect to the case 9 so that the fitting portion 17b and the fitting portion 21 are engaged with each other. For this reason, the lock member 17 rotates about the pin 23b as a rotation axis. That is, when the fitting portion 17b side is pushed down, the lock member 17 rotates, and the lock pin 17a at the other end is pushed up. For this reason, the lock pin 17a protrudes outward from the case 9 through the hole (in the direction of arrow G in the figure). The lock member 17 may be formed with a spring or the like so as to always return to the state shown in FIG. 4 (the state in which the fitting portion 17b is pushed down).

  Further, as the gripping member 3 moves forward with respect to the case 9, the lock pin 7 a of the lock lever 7 moves in the direction of the recess 19. At this time, the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever 7 is pushed upward by the spring 8a (in the direction of arrow F in the figure). For this reason, the lock lever 7 rotates about the pin 23c as a rotation axis. Therefore, the lock pin 7 a is fitted into the recess 19. Accordingly, the relative movement between the gripping member 3 and the case 9 is restricted. In addition, you may provide the detection means which detects the locked state of the lock lever 7. FIG.

  When the lock lever 7 is operated, force is transmitted to the electromagnetic solenoid 22 via the link members 10a and 10b. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lock lever 7. As described above, the link member 10a is connected to the lock lever 7 by the pin 23d. Therefore, when the lock lever 7 moves upward, the link member 10a is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow J in the figure).

  At this time, the lower end of the link member 10b is fixed to the gripping member 3 by the pin 23e. For this reason, with the movement of the lock lever 7, the link members 10a and 10b operate in a direction in which the angle of each other increases. That is, the connecting portion 15c moves backward.

  At this time, the plunger 22a connected to the connecting portion 15c moves backward (in the direction protruding from the main body of the electromagnetic solenoid 22) against the pullback force of the spring 8b (in the direction of arrow K in the figure). Therefore, when the plunger 22a cannot move relative to the main body of the electromagnetic solenoid 22 due to freezing or the like, the connecting portion 15c cannot move. Therefore, in such a case, the lock lever 7 cannot be rotated around the pin 23c, and the lock pin 7a cannot be brought into the state shown in FIG. For this reason, an operator can grasp | ascertain whether the plunger 22a is a movable state.

  If the plunger 22 a is in a movable state, the lock pin 7 a is fitted into the recess 19 by the operation of the lock lever 7. Therefore, the movement of the gripping member 3 with respect to the case 9 is locked. That is, the lock lever 7 functions as a lock unit that locks the movement of the gripping member 3 (and the connector main body 11) relative to the case 9, and operates the lock lever 7 (on the outside of the lock lever 7). By pushing down the end part), it functions as a release mechanism for releasing the lock. Therefore, the connection state of the connector can be securely held and can be easily released.

  A display unit 4 is provided behind the gripping member 3 and below the lock lever 7. The display unit 4 is a hole formed in the gripping member 3 so that the position (state) of the lock lever 7 can be visually recognized. For example, the lock lever 7 is in a state where the lock pin 7a side is pushed up in the normal state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the lock lever 7 is rotated rightward in the drawing with the pin 23c as an axis. On the other hand, the lock lever 7 is in a state where the lock pin 7a side is pushed down in the state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the lock lever 7 is rotated in the left direction in the figure with the pin 23c as an axis.

  That is, the display unit 4 is provided on a part of the gripping member 3 so that the state of the lock lever 7 can be confirmed from the display unit 4, so that the power supply connector 1 is in the locked state (the state shown in FIG. 4). It is possible to easily visually recognize whether the state is released (normal state). In the locked state, the vicinity of the front end of the lock lever 7 is in contact with the recess 19, so that the rear end of the lock lever 7 cannot be rotated any further. That is, as long as the rear end of the lock lever 7 is reciprocating between the locked state and the normal state, the lock lever 7 is restricted from moving upward beyond a predetermined height. Such a state in which the lock lever 7 is reciprocating between the locked state and the normal state is defined as a steady use state.

  In the steady use state, the rear end of the lock lever 7 does not move beyond a predetermined height, so that the spring 8c does not come off the lock lever 7, and the spring 8c presses the lock lever 7 from the side. Maintain the state.

  Next, a method for using the power supply connector 1 will be described. 6-8 is a figure which shows the process of connecting the electric power feeding connector 1 with the receiving connector 33. As shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the power supply connector 1 in a normal state is opposed to the power reception connector 33 to be connected, and the gripping member of the power supply connector 1 is pushed into the power reception connector 33 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure). Specifically, the tip of the case 9 is inserted into the recess on the power receiving connector side. A connector body 37 is accommodated in the power receiving connector 33.

  Note that detection means for detecting contact with the power receiving connector 33 may be provided in front of the case 9. For example, by detecting the contact between the stepped portion of the case 9 and the front edge portion of the power receiving connector 33 by the detection means, by restricting the sliding between the gripping member 3 and the case 9 by another lock mechanism, The case 9 can be reliably inserted into the power receiving connector 33.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the gripping member 3 of the power supply connector 1 is further pushed into the power receiving connector 33 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure). That is, the holding member 3 is moved forward with respect to the case 9. At this time, the connector main body 11 moves forward with respect to the case 9 as the gripping member 3 moves (in the direction of arrow E in the figure). Therefore, the connector body 11 protrudes from the front of the case 9 and is connected to the connector body 37 on the power receiving connector side.

  Here, when the ratio of the moving distance between the gripping member 3 and the connector main body 11 with respect to the case 9 is 2: 1, the gripping member has a moving distance twice as large as the connection allowance for connecting the connector main body 11 and the connector main body 37 By pushing, the connector body 11 can be moved by a distance that allows the connectors to be connected. That is, the connectors can be connected by pressing the gripping member 3 with half the force required for connecting the connectors (ie, connection resistance). The speed reduction ratio of the speed reduction mechanism is appropriately set in consideration of connection resistance and workability.

  In the state shown in FIG. 7, the lock pin 17 a is fitted into the recess 35 as described above. For this reason, the power receiving connector 33 and the power feeding connector 1 are locked in a connected state. Further, the lock pin 7 a at the end of the lock lever 7 is fitted into the recess 19. For this reason, the movement of the gripping member 3 with respect to the case 9 is locked. Therefore, even if a cable or the like (not shown) is pulled, the power feeding connector 1 is not easily detached from the power receiving connector 33.

  When the lock pin 17a is fitted in the recess 35, the limit switch 18 is turned on by the rear end of the lock member 17 (near the fitting portion 17b). When the limit switch 18 is turned ON, the connected connector can be energized. In the state where the limit switch 18 is OFF, it is determined that the lock pin 17a is not locked, and energization is not performed.

  When energization of the connector is started, the electromagnetic solenoid 22 operates as shown in FIG. The electromagnetic solenoid 22 always presses the plunger 22a against the spring 8b in the direction of the connecting portion 15c during energization (in the direction of arrow L in the figure). By the operation of the plunger 22a, the link members 10a and 10b are moved in the opening direction. Therefore, the upper end portion (pin 23d) of the link member 10a is pushed upward (in the direction of arrow M in the figure). Therefore, it becomes impossible to release the lock lever 7 during energization. For this reason, the worker cannot release the lock of the lock lever 7 during energization, and the connection of the connector is not pulled out during energization.

  In addition, when removing the electric power feeding connector 1, the action | operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 22 is stopped by stopping electricity supply. When the electromagnetic solenoid 22 stops, the plunger 22a is pulled back forward by the spring 8b. In this state, the lock pin 7a can be pushed up by pushing down the end of the lock lever 7. After the lock pin 7a is removed from the recess 19, the gripping member 3 is pulled back, so that the fitting portion 17b moves onto the fitting portion 21, thereby releasing the lock by the lock pin 17a. For this reason, the power feeding connector 1 can be easily detached.

  Next, a case where the lock pin 17a is fitted in the recess 35 and the power feeding connector 1 is forcibly pulled out during charging will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the power supply connector 1 during power reception. In this state, when the gripping member 3 is strongly pulled back (in the direction of arrow N in the figure), an excessive force is applied to the lock pin 17a. If the lock pin 17a is deformed or damaged, the power feeding connector 1 can be easily pulled out even during charging, and an arc may occur. For this reason, it is necessary to prevent the power feeding connector having a broken or deformed lock mechanism from being used by mistake.

In view of this point, in the present invention, when the power supply connector 1 is forcibly pulled out during charging, the power supply connector 1 is damaged before the lock mechanism is damaged or deformed, and the power supply connector 1 cannot be used. It has a mechanism to make.
The mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. The frame 25 is provided with a breakage starting point portion 27 that is weaker than the strength of the lock pin 17a (see FIG. 3). A recess 19 that fits with the lock pin 7 a is provided at a portion that is supported by the breakage starting point 27 of the frame 25. Therefore, when the gripping member 3 is pulled back, a force is applied to the frame 25 (the breakage starting point portion 27) backward by the fitting of the lock pin 7a and the concave portion 19. At this time, since the strength of the breakage starting point portion 27 is weaker than that of other members, the breakage starting point portion 27 is broken before the deformation of the other members as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing a state where the breakage starting point portion 27 is broken and a part of the frame 25 is dropped, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lock lever 7. When the breakage starting point portion 27 is broken, the portion supported by the breakage starting point portion 27 is dropped (in the direction of arrow O in the figure). Accordingly, the limit switch 18 is dropped from the frame 25. For this reason, the lock state of the lock member 17 cannot be detected by the limit switch 18. That is, even in the locked state in which the lock pin 17a is fitted in the recess 35, the limit switch 18 does not detect this, so it is recognized that the lock is not locked. Therefore, energization is stopped.

  Further, the lock pin 7a is fitted to the concave portion 19 and is in contact with the concave portion 19, but the vicinity of the concave portion 19 is dropped, so that the lock pin 7a is not in contact with the concave portion 19 (frame 25). For this reason, there is no restriction on the downward movement of the lock pin 7a. Further, the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever 7 is pushed upward by the spring 8a. Accordingly, the lock lever 7 rotates so that the lock pin 7a moves downward (in the direction of arrow P in the figure) and the rear end moves upward (in the direction of arrow Q in the figure).

  As described above, when the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever 7 moves upward beyond the upper limit of the steady use state, the spring 8 c that presses the side of the lock lever 7 is released from the lock lever 7. For this reason, the spring 8c protrudes forward (in the direction of arrow R in the figure). The spring 8 c is located in the lower part near the rear end of the lock lever 7. For this reason, when the spring 8c protrudes, the lock lever 7 cannot be pushed back downward again due to interference with the spring 8c. That is, the lock lever 7 is fixed in a state of moving upward. In addition, since the lock lever 7 is connected with the link member 10a by the long hole, the lock lever 7 can be rotated by the length of the long hole.

  When the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever 7 moves upward beyond the upper limit of the steady use state, the display unit 4 can visually recognize the state of the lock lever 7. That is, it can be visually recognized on the display unit 4 that the lock lever 7 is at a position deviated from the steady use state. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the lock lever 7 exceeds the steady use state, the portion corresponding to the display unit 4 of the lock lever 7 is marked with a mark or a color indicating that it cannot be used. Just keep it.

  Thus, since the lock lever 7 cannot be operated and the fact is displayed on the display unit 4, the user can easily recognize that the power supply connector 1 is not in the steady use state. Therefore, the unusable power supply connector 1 is not used by mistake.

  As described above, according to the power supply connector 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily connect to the power receiving connector without requiring a large force. In particular, in the power supply connector 1, since the pushing operation of the gripping member performed by the operator matches the connection direction of the connector main body 11, the worker can easily grasp the connection work intuitively.

  Further, since the breakage starting point portion 27 is provided in the frame 25, the lock pin 17a and the like are not damaged. Therefore, the power feeding connector 1 does not come off during charging. Further, if the breakage starting point portion 27 is broken, the limit switch 18 is turned off, so that charging can be stopped electrically.

  At this time, the user can grasp that the power supply connector 1 is not in a steady use state because the lock lever 7 becomes inoperable. Furthermore, the state of the power feeding connector 1 can be easily grasped by the display on the display unit 4.

  Further, in the steady use state, the plunger 22a of the electromagnetic solenoid 22 is interlocked with the operation of the lock lever 7, so that the plunger 22a can be moved slightly when the lock lever 7 is locked. Therefore, when the plunger 22a is in an inoperable state due to freezing or the like, the lock lever 7 does not function as a lock means. Therefore, energization can be performed only when the electromagnetic solenoid 22 operates.

  At this time, since the electromagnetic solenoid 22 always operates during energization, the lock lever 7 cannot be removed during energization. Therefore, the operator cannot release the lock lever 7 and remove the connector during energization. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an arc or the like from being generated by pulling out the connector during energization.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, the technical scope of this invention is not influenced by embodiment mentioned above. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various modifications or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  For example, the shape of the gripping member 3 and the arrangement and shape of each component of the members inside the case 9 are not limited to the illustrated example. Further, the structure of the speed reduction mechanism is not limited to the illustrated example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Power supply connector 3 ......... Grip member 4 ......... Display part 5 ......... Handle 7 ......... Lock levers 8a, 8b, 8c ......... Spring 9 ......... Cases 10a, 10b ......... Link Member 11... Connector main body 13... Arms 15 a, 15 b, 15 c... Connection part 16 ... Connection bar 17 ... Lock member 17 a ... Lock pin 17 b ... Fitting part 18 ... limit switch 19 ......... concave part 21 ... ... fitting part 22 ... ... electromagnetic solenoid 22a ... ... plunger 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e ... ... pin 25 ... ... frame 27 ... ... origin of breakage Portion 33 ......... Receiving connector 35 ......... Recess 37 ......... Connector body

Claims (5)

A power supply connector for an automobile,
A connector body;
A case for housing the connector body;
A gripping member attached to the case;
A locking member provided in the case, for locking the case and a locking portion of a power receiving connector to be connected;
A lock lever that restricts movement of the case relative to the gripping member;
A detection unit for detecting a lock state of the lock member;
Comprising
When the lock lever is released, the locked state of the lock member can be released, and the connector is moved along with the movement of the grip member when the grip member is moved forward with respect to the case. The main body can move in the same axial direction with respect to the case,
A breakage base point is formed in the vicinity of the detection unit installation portion. When the gripping member is pulled back in a state where the lock member is locked, the breakage base point portion is broken and the detection unit is locked. A power supply connector characterized by being capable of making it impossible to detect a locked state of a member. The detection unit is provided on a frame fixed to the case,
In a state where the lock member is locked, the lock lever can be fitted to the frame,
When the gripping member is pulled back in a state where the lock lever is fitted to the frame, the breakage base portion provided on the frame can be broken by fitting the lock lever and the frame. The power supply connector according to claim 1, wherein: A first elastic member that pushes upward the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever; and a second elastic member that presses the lock lever from a side near the rear end of the lock lever;
In a steady use state where the breakage base point portion is not damaged, the rear end side of the lock lever is restricted from moving upward beyond a predetermined position by contact between the vicinity of the front end of the lock lever and the frame,
When the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever is moved upward beyond the predetermined position by the first elastic member due to the breakage of the breakage base portion of the frame, the second elastic member is located near the rear end of the lock lever. The power feeding connector according to claim 2, wherein the power feeding connector projects downward and restricts the vicinity of the rear end of the lock lever from moving downward again. The gripping member is provided with a display portion indicating the position of the lock lever,
The position of the lock lever can be visually recognized on the display unit when the rear end side of the lock lever moves upward beyond the predetermined position by the first elastic member. 3. The power supply connector according to 3. A link member connected to the lock lever and the gripping member;
An electromagnetic solenoid fixed to the gripping member;
Comprising
A plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid is connected to the link member,
By operating the electromagnetic solenoid in a state where the lock member is locked, the lock lever is held in a state locked to the case by the link member,
In a state where the lock lever is locked to the case, the connecting portion between the link member and the lock lever is allowed to move in the direction in which the rear end of the lock lever is pushed upward by the elongated hole,
In a steady use state, the upper end of the lock lever is restricted from moving upward by the contact between the front end of the lock lever and the frame.
5. The power supply connector according to claim 3, wherein a rear end side of the lock lever is movable upward beyond a normal use state due to breakage of the breakage base portion of the frame.

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