JP2014207072A - Connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent or suppress occurrence of an arc while preventing sticking of scrap iron or the like.SOLUTION: A connector device 1 includes: a power supply side connector 10; a vehicle side connector 20 having a vehicle side housing 22 to be fitted to the power supply side connector 10; a pair of vehicle side terminals 24 which is housed in the vehicle side housing 22 and arranged at positions separated from each other in the direction orthogonal to a direction of fitting to the power supply side connector 10, respectively, and is energized by being connected to the power supply side connector 10; and a partition wall 30 which blocks between the pair of vehicle side terminals 24, and its front end protrudes to the outside of a fitting opening 22b1 of the vehicle side housing 22 in a state that the vehicle side housing 22 is not fitted to the power supply side connector 10. The vehicle side connector 20 is provided with a housing stepped part 22c in which a rear end of the partition wall 30 is housed in a state that the vehicle side housing 22 is fitted to the power supply side connector 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector device.

  For example, in order to charge a battery mounted on an electric vehicle, a connector including a vehicle-side connector provided in a vehicle, and a power-feeding connector provided in a power supply facility and fitted and connected to the vehicle-side connector. The device is known. In such a connector device, the value of current flowing between both connectors is generally larger than that of home appliances, and particularly when performing quick charging capable of charging in a short time, the above current The value is extremely large. Here, when the power supply side connector is accidentally pulled out from the vehicle side connector while charging is in progress, an arc is generated between the terminals of both connectors, and the positive and negative are caused by the arc. There is a concern that the terminals may be short-circuited.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector for wiring connection that suppresses an arc by using a magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet. In the connector for wiring connection, the second connector is fitted to the first connector, and a permanent magnet that generates a magnetic field orthogonal to the fitting direction is disposed in the housing of the first connector. In this wiring connection connector, the arc generated between the terminals of both connectors is extended and extinguished by the Lorentz force generated by the action of the magnetic field when the first connector is detached from the second connector.

JP 2003-249317 A

  However, in the above-described connector for wiring connection disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the permanent magnet is disposed in the housing of the first connector, the permanent connector exposed to the outside in a state where the first connector is detached from the second connector. Iron scraps and the like sometimes adhered to the magnetic pole surface of the magnet. When iron scraps or the like adhere to the mating side of the connector in this way, there is a possibility that the two connectors cannot be mated normally. Further, there is a possibility that the terminals may be short-circuited by the iron scraps.

  The technology disclosed in this specification has been created in view of the above problems. An object of the technology disclosed in the present specification is to provide a technology capable of preventing or suppressing the generation of an arc while preventing iron scraps from adhering.

  The technology disclosed in this specification includes a first connector, a second connector having a housing fitted to the first connector, a fitting direction accommodated in the housing, and the first connector. A pair of terminals that are arranged at positions separated from each other in the orthogonal direction and that are energized by being connected to the first connector and the pair of terminals are shielded, and the housing is the first A partition wall, a part of which protrudes outside the opening on the fitting side of the housing in a state where it is not fitted to the connector, and the first connector and the second connector One of the housings is provided with a housing portion that houses one end of the partition wall in the fitting direction in a state where the housing is fitted to the first connector. Are relates to a connector apparatus.

  In the above connector device, the pair of terminals is insulated by the partition wall that blocks the pair of terminals. And in a state where the housing is not fitted to the first connector, the space distance between the pair of terminals becomes longer due to having to go around the protruding portion of the partition wall, so that an arc is generated between the pair of terminals. Is prevented or suppressed. On the other hand, also in the base part of a terminal, it is prevented thru | or suppressed that an arc generate | occur | produces between a pair of terminals by shielding between a pair of terminals by a partition. In addition, when the housing is fitted to the first connector, one end in the fitting direction of the partition is accommodated in the accommodating portion. The portion is prevented from interfering with the first connector and pushing out the first connector, and the first connector and the second connector can be fitted well. Furthermore, since no magnetic member such as a permanent magnet is arranged in the housing, there is no possibility that iron scraps or the like adhere to the opening on the side where the housing is fitted. As described above, in the above connector device, it is possible to prevent or suppress the generation of arc while preventing iron scraps and the like from adhering.

  The housing portion is provided on the second connector side, and the partition wall of the pair of terminals is kept in a state where the end portion on the opposite side of the protruding portion is housed in the housing portion. It may be arranged to be movable along the fitting direction in a region sandwiched between them.

  According to this configuration, before and after the housing is fitted to the first connector, the end of the partition opposite to the protruding portion is accommodated in the accommodating portion, so that an insulating state between the pair of terminals is ensured. can do. In addition, by allowing the partition wall to move along the fitting direction, the protruding portion should not protrude outside the opening when the housing is fitted to the first connector. Can do. As a result, the first connector and the second connector can be fitted well.

  You may provide the elastic member which supports the said partition so that the said partition is movable along the said fitting direction by elastically deforming.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the housing is fitted to the first connector, the protruding portion of the partition wall against the elastic force of the elastic member is caused by the protruding portion of the partition wall coming into contact with the first connector. The opposite end is deeply accommodated in the accommodating portion. On the other hand, when the housing is not fitted to the first connector, the protruding portion of the partition wall is separated from the first connector, and the end portion of the partition wall opposite to the protruding portion is accommodated by the elastic return force of the elastic member. Housed shallowly in the department. By providing the elastic member in this way, it is possible to suitably realize a configuration in which the partition wall can be moved along the fitting direction.

  The elastic member is a winding spring, and the elastic member is arranged to be inserted into each of the partition wall and the elastic member that is a winding spring, and includes a locking member whose one end is locked to the partition wall. Also good.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the partition wall from being detached from the housing by locking the locking member to the partition wall.

  A pair of the elastic members may be arranged along a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction and perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of terminals.

  According to this configuration, by arranging a pair of elastic members, the partition walls can be moved along the fitting direction in a stable state.

  The accommodating portion is provided on the first connector side, and the partition wall is fixed to the housing, and protrudes in a state where the housing is fitted to the first connector. The part may be accommodated in the accommodating part.

  According to this configuration, when the first connector and the second connector are fitted, the protruding portion is accommodated in the accommodating portion provided in the first connector, so the second connector is fitted to the first connector. In doing so, the protruding portion is prevented from interfering with the first connector and pushing out the first connector, so that the first connector and the second connector can be satisfactorily fitted. Furthermore, since the partition wall is fixed to the housing, the partition wall can be kept stable before and after the housing is fitted to the first connector.

  The partition may be integrally formed with the housing.

  According to this configuration, since it is not necessary to manufacture the partition wall separately from the housing in the manufacturing process of the second connector, workability in the manufacturing process of the second connector can be improved.

  According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to prevent or suppress the generation of arc while preventing iron scraps and the like from adhering.

The perspective view of the electric power feeding side connector which comprises the connector apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1, and a vehicle side connector Exploded perspective view of vehicle side connector Front view of vehicle side connector AA line sectional view of Drawing 3 showing the state before fitting an electric power feeding side connector and a vehicle side connector. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3 showing a state before the power supply side connector and the vehicle side connector are fitted together. AA line sectional view of Drawing 3 showing the state after fitting a power feeding side connector and a vehicle side connector 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3 showing a state after the power feeding connector and the vehicle connector are fitted together. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 showing a state in the middle of detaching the vehicle-side connector from the power-feeding connector 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3 showing a state in the middle of detaching the vehicle-side connector from the power-feeding connector The perspective view of the electric power feeding side connector which comprises the connector apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2, and a vehicle side connector The front view of the vehicle side connector which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 11 showing a state before the power feeding connector and the vehicle connector are fitted in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 11 showing a state after the power feeding connector and the vehicle connector are fitted in the second embodiment. The perspective view of the electric power feeding side connector which comprises the connector apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3, and a vehicle side connector

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 demonstrates the connector apparatus 1 used in order to charge the battery which consists of a secondary battery mounted in the vehicle of an electric vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device 1 includes a power supply side connector (an example of a first connector) 10 disposed on the power supply facility side and a vehicle side connector (second connector of the second connector) disposed on the vehicle side of the electric vehicle. An example) The battery of the vehicle is charged by fitting both connectors 10 and 20 together.

  In the present embodiment, only the quick charging unit among the charging connectors conforming to the “Combined Charging System” configured to use both the normal charging unit and the quick charging unit is used as the connector device 1. The connector device 1 is a rapid charging unit that can charge a vehicle battery to a certain level (about 80%) in a short time, and handles, for example, a large current of about 250 A DC.

  In the following description, the fitting direction of the connectors 10 and 20 is used as a reference, and the fitting surface side of the connectors 10 and 20 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side. The mating side means the mating surface side of both connectors 10 and 20, that is, the front side. In addition, a part of each drawing shows an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, and each axis direction is drawn to be a direction shown in each drawing. Specifically, the X-axis direction is the same as the fitting direction of both connectors 10, 20, the Y-axis direction is the same as the width direction of both connectors 10, 20, and the Z-axis direction is the same as the height direction of both connectors 10, 20. I'm doing it. Hereinafter, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are referred to as a fitting direction, a width direction, and a height direction, respectively.

  First, the power supply connector 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the power supply side connector 10 includes a power supply side housing 12 and a pair of power supply side terminals 14 accommodated in the power supply side housing 12. The power supply side housing 12 is made of a synthetic resin and accommodates the power supply side terminal 14 and protrudes forward from the power supply side terminal storage part 12a having a substantially block shape and the outer edge of the power supply side terminal storage part 12a. And a power supply side hood portion 12b having a substantially cylindrical shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the power supply side terminal accommodating portion 12 a is provided with a pair of power supply side cavities 12 a 1 into which the power supply side terminals 14 can be inserted from behind. The power supply side cavity 12a1 is provided so as to penetrate the power supply side terminal accommodating portion 12a back and forth along the fitting direction (X-axis direction), and has a predetermined interval along the width direction (Y-axis direction). Arranged side by side in the open position. The power supply side terminal accommodating portion 12 a has a pair of tower portions 16 in which a portion protruding into the power supply side hood portion 12 b is divided in association with the pair of power supply side terminals 14. The pair of tower portions 16 are both substantially cylindrical, and are arranged side by side with a predetermined interval on the center side along the width direction. The power supply side hood portion 12b is formed of a cylindrical body that is horizontally long when viewed from the front, and the pair of tower portions 16 in the power supply side terminal accommodating portion 12a are collectively outside with a predetermined interval therebetween. It is arranged in a form surrounding it. A vehicle-side hood portion 22b of the vehicle-side connector 20 described later is fitted in a space that is formed between the power-feed-side hood portion 12b and the pair of tower portions 16 and has a substantially annular shape that is horizontally long when viewed from the front. It is possible. Further, a partition wall 30 of the vehicle-side connector 20 described later can be stored in the storage space S provided between the pair of tower portions 16.

  The power supply side terminal 14 is made of metal, and as shown in FIG. 4, the axial direction (length direction) coincides with the fitting direction. The power supply side terminal 14 is a power supply side connection portion 14a whose front side portion is connected to the vehicle side terminal 24, and its rear side portion is a cable connection portion 14b connected to a power cable (electric wire) (not shown). . The power supply side connecting portion 14a has a substantially cylindrical shape extending along the fitting direction as a whole, and a plurality of slits are provided at positions spaced by a predetermined angular interval in the circumferential direction, thereby providing a plurality of elasticities. It is the structure which consists of a contact piece. The elastic contact piece constituting the power supply side connection portion 14a extends along the fitting direction, and the side to be fitted is a free end, and is elastically deformed along the radial direction of the power supply side connection portion 14a. It is possible. Therefore, when the vehicle side terminal 24 is inserted into the space provided inside the power supply side connection portion 14 a with the fitting of the connectors 10 and 20, each elastic contact piece is in elastic contact with the vehicle side terminal 24. However, it expands and deforms outward along the radial direction. The pair of power supply side terminals 14 are individually accommodated in the power supply side cavities 12a1 of the power supply side terminal storage part 12a, so that the surroundings are surrounded by the peripheral walls forming the tower parts 16, respectively. Therefore, the arrangement direction of the pair of power supply side terminals 14 coincides with the width direction (Y-axis direction). Among the pair of power supply side terminals 14, the one shown on the upper side (front side in FIG. 1) shown in FIG. 4 is the positive electrode side, and the one shown on the lower side (back side in FIG. 1) shown in FIG. It is considered as a side.

  Next, the vehicle side connector 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle-side connector 20 is housed in the vehicle-side housing 22, a pair of vehicle-side terminals (an example of terminals) 24 and 24 housed in the vehicle-side housing 22, and the vehicle-side housing 22. A partition wall 30, a pair of coil springs (an example of an elastic member and a winding spring) 40, and a pair of locking pins (an example of a locking member) 46 are provided. The members of the coil spring 40 and the locking pin 46 will be described in detail later. The vehicle-side housing 22 is made of synthetic resin, and houses the vehicle-side terminal 24, a pair of elastic members 40a, 40b, and a pair of locking members 46a, 46b, as shown in FIGS. The vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22a has a substantially block shape, and the vehicle-side hood portion 22b has a substantially cylindrical shape and protrudes forward from the outer edge of the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22 a is composed of a block body that has an oblong shape that is horizontally long when viewed from the front. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22 a is provided with a pair of fitting recesses 28 that can fit the pair of tower portions 16 included in the power supply-side connector 10 so as to open forward. ing. The pair of fitting recesses 28 are arranged at positions close to both ends at a predetermined interval in the center side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) in the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22a, and are sandwiched between the pair of fitting recesses 28. In this area, a partition wall 30 that is provided separately from the vehicle-side housing 22 and that blocks between the fitting recesses 28 is movably accommodated along the fitting direction (Y-axis direction) (see FIG. 2). The partition wall 30 is made of synthetic resin, and is arranged so that there is almost no gap between the pair of fitting recesses 28, whereby the both fitting recesses 28 are connected. The surface of the partition wall 30 facing the fitting recess 28 is symmetric with the inner surface of the fitting recess 28 and has substantially the same shape. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the partition wall 30 is connected to both the fitting recesses 28, so that the both fitting recesses 28 are substantially circular when viewed from the front.

  A terminal insertion hole 25 for penetrating the vehicle-side terminal 24 is provided in the back wall portion 22a1 of the vehicle-side housing portion 22a so as to communicate with the fitting recess 28. Therefore, the vehicle-side terminal 24 inserted through the terminal insertion hole 25 is arranged in a shape protruding in the fitting recess 28 and has a fitting space around which the tower portion 16 can be fitted. ing. This fitting space is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the vehicle-side terminal 24 and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting recess 28 in the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22a, and has an annular shape when viewed from the front. The vehicle-side hood portion 22b is formed of a cylindrical body having a horizontally long oval shape when viewed from the front, and is arranged so as to surround the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22a from the outside with a predetermined interval therebetween. Has been. The power supply side hood 12b of the power supply side connector 10 can be fitted in a space that is provided between the vehicle side hood portion 22b and the vehicle side terminal accommodating portion 22a and has a substantially annular shape when viewed from the front. Is done.

  An accommodation step part (an example of an accommodation part) 40b in which the rear end of the partition wall 30 (an example of one end of the partition wall) is accommodated between the two terminal insertion holes 25 in the rear wall part 22a1 of the vehicle side accommodation part 22a. Is provided. The accommodation step portion 22c has a bottom and is provided with a step from the back wall portion of the vehicle side accommodation portion 22a. The accommodation step portion 22 c has an inner contour that is the same shape as an outer contour of the partition wall 30, and an opening area that is substantially equal to the sectional area of the partition wall 30. For this reason, the partition wall 30 is accommodated such that the rear end thereof has almost no gap in the accommodating stepped portion 22c. The rear end of the partition wall 30 is disposed so as to be movable along the fitting direction in the accommodation stepped portion 22c.

  The vehicle-side terminal 24 is made of metal, and as shown in FIG. 4, the axial direction (length direction) coincides with the fitting direction. The vehicle-side terminal 24 has a front-side portion connected to the power-feed-side terminal 14 as a vehicle-side connection portion 24a, and a rear-side portion connected to a power cable (electric wire) (not shown) as a cable connection portion 24b. The The vehicle-side connection portion 24a has a substantially cylindrical shape that is solid, and can be elastically contacted with a plurality of elastic contact pieces that the power supply side terminal 14 has on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A safety cap 26 made of an insulating synthetic resin having an insulating property is attached to the distal end portion of the vehicle side connection portion 24a, and the user (user) accidentally directly connects to the metal vehicle side terminal 24 by the safety cap 26. Touching is avoided. The pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 that are individually inserted into the pair of terminal insertion holes 25 in the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portion 22a are between the vehicle-side terminal accommodating portions 22a that are arranged on the center side in the width direction (Y-axis direction). Are kept in an insulated state from each other by the housing recesses provided in the housing. The arrangement direction of the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 coincides with the width direction (Y-axis direction). Of the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24, the one shown on the upper side (front side shown in FIG. 1) shown in FIG. 4 is the positive electrode side, and the one shown on the lower side (front side) shown in FIG. Is done. The pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 is insulated by a partition wall 30 arranged therebetween.

  The height direction (Z-axis direction) of both connectors 10 and 20 is orthogonal to the fitting direction (X-axis direction) of both connectors 10 and 20. In the following, in order to distinguish the polarity of the positive electrode and the negative electrode with respect to the class power terminal 14 and the vehicle terminal 24, the suffix P is attached to the sign of the positive electrode, and the suffix N is attached to the sign of the negative electrode, When referring generically without distinction, it is assumed that no suffix is added to the code. When both connectors 10 and 20 are fitted and connected, and both terminals 14 and 24 are energized, a magnetic field oriented in accordance with the right-handed screw law is generated around the axis of both terminals 14 and 24.

  Subsequently, in the vehicle side connector 20, the pin insertion hole 30 b provided in the partition wall 30, the main body side pin insertion hole 22 d provided in the vehicle side housing 22, and the partition wall 30 are movably supported with respect to the vehicle side housing 22. The coil spring 40 and the locking pin 46 locked to the partition wall 30 will be described. A pair of partition walls 30 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction and in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24, that is, along the height direction (Z-axis direction). A partition wall side pin insertion hole 30b is provided. The partition wall side pin insertion hole 30b penetrates the partition wall 30 in the fitting direction (Y-axis direction). The partition wall side pin insertion hole 30b includes a first expanded diameter portion 30b1 provided in the front portion of the partition wall 30, a second expanded diameter portion 30b3 provided in the rear portion of the partition wall 30, and a first expanded diameter portion 30b1. The first reduced diameter portion 30b2 communicates between the second enlarged diameter portions 30b3. The first reduced diameter portion 30b2 has an inner diameter that is relatively larger than the inner diameters of the first enlarged diameter portion 30b1 and the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3. The first enlarged diameter portion 30b1 and the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3 have substantially the same inner diameter.

  A bottomed body-side pin insertion hole 22d that opens forward is provided at a position that overlaps with the partition wall-side pin insertion hole 30b in the rear wall portion 22c1 of the accommodation stepped portion 22c along the fitting direction. In the main body side pin insertion hole ddd, the front side portion of the main body side pin insertion hole 22d is a third enlarged diameter portion 22d1, and the rear side portion is a second reduced diameter portion 22d2. The third enlarged diameter portion 22d1 has an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3, and the second reduced diameter portion 22d2 has an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the first reduced diameter portion 30b2.

  A pair of coil springs 40 are disposed in the vehicle-side housing 22. As for the coil spring 40, the front side part is accommodated in the 2nd enlarged diameter part 30b3, and the rear side part is accommodated in the 3rd enlarged diameter part 22d1. The outer diameter of the coil spring 40 is substantially equal to the inner diameters of the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3 and the third enlarged diameter portion 22d1, and is larger than the inner diameters of the first reduced diameter portion 30b2 and the second reduced diameter portion 22d2. Thus, the front end of the coil spring 40 is brought into contact with the step at the boundary position between the first reduced diameter portion 30b2 and the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3 and stopped at the front end, and the rear end thereof is connected to the third enlarged diameter portion 22d1 and the second enlarged diameter portion 22d1. Abutting on the step at the boundary position of the reduced-diameter portion 22d2, the rear end is stopped. The inner diameter of the coil spring 40 is substantially equal to the inner diameters of the first reduced diameter portion 30b2 and the second reduced diameter portion 22d2.

  The length of the coil spring 40 is slightly longer than the length obtained by adding the length of the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3 and the length of the third enlarged diameter portion 22d1 in a natural uncompressed state. Thereby, in a state where the coil spring 40 is not compressed, the partition wall 30 is pushed forward to the coil spring 40, and the front end of the partition wall 30 is an opening on the side where the vehicle side housing 22 is fitted (hereinafter referred to as a fitting opening). It is designed to protrude forward from 22b1. Hereinafter, the portion protruding forward from the front end of the partition wall 30 is referred to as a protruding portion 30a. On the other hand, when the front end of the partition wall 30 is pressed backward, the front end of the coil spring 40 is pressed by the step at the boundary position between the first reduced diameter portion 30b2 and the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3, and the coil spring 40 is compressed. . In the state in which the coil spring 40 is most compressed, the rear end of the partition wall 30 comes into contact with the back wall portion 22c1 of the accommodation step portion 22.

  A locking pin 46 is inserted into the partition wall side pin insertion hole 30b and the main body side pin insertion hole 33d. The locking pin 46 includes a main body portion 46b provided in an elongated cylindrical shape, and a head portion 46a provided at the front end of the main body portion 46b and having an outer diameter larger than that of the main body portion 46b. The outer diameter of the main body portion 46b is substantially equal to the inner diameters of the coil spring 40, the first reduced diameter portion 30b2, and the second reduced diameter portion 22d2, and the outer diameter of the head portion 46a is the same as that of the first enlarged diameter portion 30b1. It is almost equal to the inner diameter. The locking pin 46 is inserted into the partition wall side pin insertion hole 30b from the front, and is pushed in until the rear end of the locking pin 46 comes into contact with the back wall portion of the main body side pin insertion hole 33d. At this time, the locking pin 46 is inserted into the coil spring 40 accommodated in the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3 and the third enlarged diameter portion 22d1.

  The length of the locking pin 46 is slightly longer than the length obtained by adding the lengths of the first reduced diameter portion 30b2, the second enlarged diameter portion 30b3, and the main body side pin insertion hole 33d. Accordingly, the partition wall 30 is moved in the fitting direction by the elastic force of the coil spring 40 between the step at the boundary position between the first enlarged diameter portion 30b1 and the first reduced diameter portion 30b2 and the head portion 46a of the locking pin 46. It is designed to have room for movement along. When the partition wall 30 is pushed forward by the biasing force of the coil spring 40, the head 46a of the locking pin 46 comes into contact with the boundary position between the first enlarged diameter portion 30b1 and the first reduced diameter portion 30b2 and is locked. As a result, the partition wall 30 is prevented from coming off forward.

  As described above, the partition wall 30 is supported by the pair of coil springs 40 and locked by the locking pins 46, so that the partition wall 30 is movably disposed along the fitting direction in the vehicle-side housing portion 22a. . In a state in which no external force is applied to the partition wall 30, the coil spring has a natural length as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the protruding portion 30a of the partition wall 30 is fitted. The state protrudes forward from the opening 22b1. On the other hand, in a state where a force pressing backward against the partition wall is applied, the partition wall 30 is pressed rearward and the coil spring 40 is compressed and elastically deformed, as shown in FIGS. In the state where the coil spring 40 is compressed most, the rear end of the partition wall 30 is in contact with the back wall portion 22c1 of the accommodating stepped portion 22. When the power supply side connector 10 and the vehicle side connector 20 are fitted together, the front end of the partition wall 30 comes into contact with the back wall portion 12c of the accommodation space S of the power supply side connector. As the power supply connector 10 and the vehicle connector 20 are fitted, the partition wall 30 is pressed rearward by the rear wall portion 12c of the accommodation space S, and the coil spring 40 is compressed. When the power supply side connector 10 and the vehicle side connector 20 are completely fitted, the coil spring 40 is in the most compressed state. The elastic force of the coil spring 40 is adjusted so as not to push the power supply side connector 10 fitted to the vehicle side connector 20 from the vehicle side housing 22.

  Here, the depth dimension of the accommodation step portion 22c provided in the vehicle-side housing 22 is such that the coil spring 40 is most compressed (the rear end of the partition wall 30 is in contact with the rear wall portion 22c1 of the accommodation step portion 22). The coil spring 40 returns to its natural length from the state), and is slightly longer than the distance at which the partition wall 30 is pushed forward. As a result, even if the partition wall 30 moves along the fitting direction until the protruding portion 30a of the partition wall 30 protrudes forward from the fitting opening 22b1, the rear end of the partition wall 30 is detached from the accommodation stepped portion 22. In other words, the state in which the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 is blocked by the partition wall 30 before and after the partition wall 30 is moved is maintained. For this reason, even when the protruding portion 30a of the partition wall 30 protrudes forward of the fitting opening 22b1, the partition 30 isolates the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 in the vicinity of the rear wall portion 22a1 of the vehicle-side housing portion 22a. Is designed.

  The above is the structure of the connector apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, and demonstrates the effect | action continuously. In order to charge the battery of the vehicle, an operation of fitting the power supply side connector 10 to the vehicle side connector 20 is performed. That is, from the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the power supply side hood portion 12 b in the power supply side connector 10 is fitted between the vehicle side terminal accommodating portion 22 a and the vehicle side hood portion 22 b in the vehicle side connector 20. Then, each tower part 16 of the electric power feeding side terminal accommodating part 12a is inserted in the fitting space (fitting recessed part 28) of the vehicle side terminal accommodating part 22a. In the state in the middle of the fitting (the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), the vehicle side connection portion 24 a of the vehicle side terminal 24 is inserted into the power supply side connection portion 14 a of the power supply side terminal 14 and the power supply side connection portion. Each elastic contact piece 14a is elastically expanded in the radial direction. Then, when the connectors 10 and 20 are fitted to the proper depth, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each tower portion 16 is fitted deep into the fitting space, and the vehicle side connection portion 24a is fitted. Each elastic contact piece of the power supply side connection portion 14a is elastically contacted with the outer peripheral surface with a predetermined contact pressure. By charging a direct current between the terminals 14 and 24 electrically connected to each other, the vehicle battery can be charged.

  Here, when a situation occurs in which the power supply side connector 10 is accidentally pulled out from the vehicle side connector 20 even though charging is in progress, as shown in FIGS. When the power supply side terminal 14 and the vehicle side terminal 24 are separated from each other, an arc between the contacts may occur between the terminals 14 and 24. Then, the arc between contacts may grow and an arc between PN may be generated between the adjacent vehicle side terminals 24P and 24N. There is concern about the occurrence of a so-called PN short circuit in which the positive terminals 14P and 24P and the negative terminals 14N and 24N are short-circuited by the arc between PNs. In particular, when the value of current flowing between both terminals 14 and 24 is large as in the case of rapid charging, a short circuit between PNs tends to occur more easily.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, in a state where both terminals 14 and 24 are slightly separated (the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9), the terminal 14 abuts on the rear wall portion 12 c of the accommodation space S in the power supply side housing 12. Since the front end of the partition wall 30 that has been pressed backward is separated from the back wall portion 12c, it is pushed forward by the elastic force of the coil spring 40. Thus, the protruding portion 30a located at the front end portion of the partition wall 30 protrudes outside the fitting opening 22b1 of the vehicle-side housing 22, and the adjacent vehicle-side terminals 24 are shielded and insulated by the partition wall 30. Become. In this state, the spatial distance between the front end portions of the adjacent vehicle-side terminals 24 becomes longer due to having to go around the outside of the protruding portion 30 a of the partition wall 30. For this reason, even when a contact-point arc occurs between the power supply side terminal 14 and the vehicle-side terminal 24, the contact-point arc grows and an inter-PN arc is generated between the adjacent vehicle-side terminals 24P and 24N. Occurrence is prevented or suppressed.

  Further, as described above, even when the protruding portion 30a of the partition wall 30 protrudes forward from the fitting opening 22b1, the rear end of the partition wall 30 does not come off from the storage step portion 22c. Also in the vicinity of the back wall portion of the portion 22a, that is, at the root portion of the vehicle-side terminal 24, the adjacent vehicle-side terminals 24P and 24N are shielded and insulated by the partition wall 30. For this reason, also in the base part of the vehicle side terminal 24, it is prevented thru | or suppressed that the arc between PN generate | occur | produces between the adjacent vehicle side terminals 24P and 24N.

  As described above, in the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 is insulated by the partition wall 30 that blocks the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24. In a state where the vehicle side connector 20 is not fitted to the power supply side connector 10 (the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), the spatial distance between the pair of vehicle terminals 24 must wrap around the protruding portion 30 a of the partition wall 30. Since the length is longer, the generation of arc between PNs between the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 is prevented or suppressed. On the other hand, since the space between the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 is also blocked by the partition wall 30 at the base portion of the vehicle-side terminal 24, the occurrence of an arc between PNs between the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 is prevented or suppressed. Further, in the state where the vehicle side connector 20 is fitted to the power supply side connector 10 (the state shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), the rear end of the partition wall 30 is accommodated in the accommodation step portion 22c. The rear end of the partition wall 30 is prevented from interfering with the power supply side connector 10 when the power supply side connector 10 is fitted to the power supply side connector 10, and the power supply side connector 10 is pushed out. Can be satisfactorily fitted. Furthermore, since no magnetic member such as a permanent magnet is disposed in the vehicle-side housing 22, there is no possibility that iron scraps or the like adhere to the fitting opening 22b1 of the vehicle-side housing 22. As described above, in the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment, generation of arc between PNs can be prevented or suppressed while preventing iron scraps and the like from adhering.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the accommodation level | step-difference part 22c is provided in the vehicle side connector 20 side. The partition wall 30 is fitted in a region sandwiched between the pair of vehicle-side terminals 24 while maintaining the state where the rear end (the end opposite to the protruding portion 30a) is accommodated in the accommodation stepped portion 22c. It is arranged to be movable along the direction. With such a configuration, the rear end of the partition wall 30 is accommodated in the accommodation step portion 22c before and after the vehicle-side connector 20 is fitted to the power-feeding-side connector 10, so that the pair of vehicle side An insulation state between the terminals 24 can be ensured. In addition, by allowing the partition wall 30 to be movable along the fitting direction, the protruding portion 30a of the partition wall 30 is fitted into the fitting opening 22b1 in a state where the vehicle-side connector 20 is fitted to the power supply-side connector 10. It may not protrude outside. As a result, the vehicle side connector 20 can be fitted to the power supply side connector 10 satisfactorily.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the vehicle side connector 20 is provided with the coil spring 40 which supports the partition 30 movably along a fitting direction by elastically deforming. For this reason, in a state where the vehicle side connector 20 is fitted to the power supply side connector 10, the protruding portion 30 a of the partition wall 30 abuts against the power supply side connector 10, thereby resisting the elastic force of the coil spring 40. The rear end is housed deeply in the housing step 22c. On the other hand, in a state where the vehicle side connector 20 is not fitted to the power supply side connector 10, the protruding portion 30 a of the partition wall 30 is separated from the back wall portion 12 c in the accommodation space S of the power supply side connector 10 and the coil spring 40 is elastically restored. The rear end of the partition wall 30 is housed shallowly in the housing step portion 22c by force. In this embodiment, the structure which enables the partition 30 to move along a fitting direction is suitably implement | achieved by providing the coil spring 40 in this way.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle-side connector 20 is disposed so as to be inserted into each of the partition wall 30 and the coil spring 40 that is a winding spring, and a head portion 46 a provided at one end thereof is provided on the partition wall 30. A locking pin 46 to be locked is provided. Thus, the locking pin 46 is locked to the partition wall 30, thereby preventing the partition wall 30 from being detached from the vehicle-side housing 22.

  In the present embodiment, a pair of coil springs 40 are arranged along the height direction (Z-axis direction). Thus, by arranging a pair of coil springs 40, the partition wall 30 can be made movable along the fitting direction in a stable state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the state where the vehicle side connector 20 is detached from the power supply side connector 10 (the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), an arc between contacts is assumed between the power supply side terminal 14 and the vehicle side terminal 24. Even if it remains, the arc between the contacts is sufficiently attenuated by being blocked by the partition wall 30. For this reason, it is also possible to prevent or suppress the occurrence of the arc between PN between the pair of power supply terminals 14 due to the growth of the remaining arc between contacts.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, the connector device 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the shape of the partition wall 130, the partition wall 130 is fixed to the vehicle side connector 130, and the power supply side connector 110 is provided with a power supply side through hole 112d. Yes. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment is omitted or simplified. 10, 11, 12, and 13, the parts obtained by adding the numeral 100 to the reference numerals in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. .

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the connector device 101 according to the second embodiment has a vehicle-side connector 120 that has a different appearance from that of the first embodiment. It is a quick charge part of a connector. In this connector device 101, as shown in FIG. 12, the rear end of the partition wall 130 disposed in the vehicle-side connector 120 is fixed to the rear wall portion 122a1 of the vehicle-side housing portion 122a. Specifically, the partition wall 130 is integrally formed with the vehicle-side housing portion 122a. The partition wall 130 has a flat plate shape with both plate surfaces directed toward the vehicle terminals 124, and insulates between the vehicle-side terminals 124 by blocking between the pair of vehicle-side terminals 124. The front end of the partition wall 130 protrudes forward from the fitting opening 122b1 of the vehicle-side housing 122, and serves as a protruding portion 130a.

  On the other hand, the back wall 112c of the accommodation space S in the power supply side connector 110 is provided with a power supply side through hole (an example of an accommodation portion) 112d along the fitting direction, as shown in FIG. The power supply side through hole 112d penetrates the power supply side connector 110 along the fitting direction. The power supply side through hole 112 d has the same inner contour as the outer contour of the partition wall 130, and the opening area is substantially equal to the sectional area of the partition wall 30. Therefore, the partition wall 130 is accommodated such that the front end (an example of one end of the partition wall) has almost no gap in the power supply side through hole 112d. In a state where the power supply side connector 110 and the vehicle side connector 120 are completely fitted, as shown in FIG. 13, the protruding portion 130a at the front end of the partition wall 130 is accommodated in the power supply side through hole 112d. Thereby, the electric power feeding side connector 110 and the vehicle side connector 120 are fitted suitably. Furthermore, since no magnetic member such as a permanent magnet is disposed in the vehicle-side housing 122, there is no possibility that iron scraps or the like adhere to the fitting opening 122b1 of the vehicle-side housing 122. As described above, in the connector device 101 of the present embodiment, generation of arc between PNs can be prevented or suppressed while preventing iron scraps and the like from adhering.

  As described above, in the connector device 1 according to this embodiment, the pair of vehicle-side terminals 124 is insulated by the partition wall 130 that blocks the pair of vehicle-side terminals 124. Further, since the spatial distance between the pair of vehicle terminals 124 becomes longer by the amount of having to go around the protruding portion 130a of the partition wall 130, the occurrence of an arc between PNs between the pair of vehicle side terminals 124 is prevented or suppressed. . On the other hand, also at the base portion of the vehicle side terminal 124, since the gap between the pair of vehicle side terminals 124 is blocked by the partition wall 130, generation of an arc between PNs between the pair of vehicle side terminals 124 is prevented or suppressed. Further, when fitting the power supply side connector 110 and the vehicle side connector 120, the protruding portion 130 a of the partition wall 130 is accommodated in the power supply side through hole 112 d provided in the power supply side connector 110, so that the vehicle side connector 120 is supplied with power. When protruding to the side connector 110, the protruding portion 130a of the partition wall 130 is prevented from interfering with the power supply side connector 110 to push out the power supply side connector 110, so that the power supply side connector 110 and the vehicle side connector 120 are excellent. Can be fitted. Furthermore, by fixing the partition wall 130 to the vehicle-side housing portion 122a, the partition wall 130 can be maintained in a stable state before and after the vehicle-side connector 120 is fitted to the power supply-side connector 110.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, the connector device 201 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, the shape of the partition wall 230 is different from that of the second embodiment. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the second embodiment, the description of the same parts as those of the second embodiment is omitted or simplified. In FIG. 14, the part obtained by adding the numeral 100 to the reference numeral in FIG. 10 is the same as the part described in the second embodiment.

  In the connector device 201 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the partition 230 has the same shape as the partition 30 in the first embodiment. In addition, as in the second embodiment, the rear end of the partition wall 230 is fixed to the vehicle-side housing portion of the vehicle-side connector 220, and the front end of the partition wall 230 protrudes forward from the fitting opening of the vehicle-side housing. Has been. Even in such a configuration, since the spatial distance between the pair of vehicle terminals becomes longer because the space between the pair of vehicle terminals has to go around the protruding portion of the partition wall 230, an arc between PNs is generated between the pair of vehicle side terminals. Occurrence is prevented or suppressed. In addition, the occurrence of an arc between PNs between the pair of vehicle-side terminals is also prevented or suppressed at the base portion of the vehicle-side terminal. Furthermore, when the power supply side connector 210 and the vehicle side connector 220 are fitted together, the protruding portion of the partition wall 230 is accommodated in the power supply side through hole 212d provided in the power supply side connector 210. The connector 220 can be satisfactorily fitted.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and with reference to the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In Embodiment 1 described above, the partition wall is supported by the coil spring, and the partition wall is movable along the fitting direction. However, the partition wall is movable along the fitting direction. The configuration for doing this is not limited.

(2) In Embodiments 2 and 3 described above, the configuration in which the partition wall is fixed to the rear wall portion of the vehicle-side housing portion is illustrated, but the configuration for fixing the partition wall to the vehicle-side connector is not limited.

(3) In addition to the above embodiments, the configuration, shape, and the like of the partition walls can be changed as appropriate.

(4) In addition to the above embodiments, the configuration, shape, arrangement, and the like of the lid member can be appropriately changed.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the connector device conforming to the “Combined Charging System” is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a connector device conforming to the CHAdeMO (registered trademark) method. .

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, these are only illustrations and do not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101, 201 ... Connector apparatus 10, 110, 210 ... Power feeding side connector 12, 112 ... Power feeding side housing 14, 114 ... Power feeding side terminal 20, 120, 220 ... Vehicle side connector 22, 122 ... Vehicle side housing 22c ... Accommodating Step part 24, 124 ... Vehicle side terminal 30, 130, 230 ... Bulkhead 30a, 130a ... Projecting part 40 ... Coil spring 46 ... Locking pin 122d ... Feeding side through hole

Claims (7)

A first connector;
A second connector having a housing fitted to the first connector;
A pair of terminals which are housed in the housing and are arranged at positions separated from each other in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction with the first connector, and which are energized by being connected to the first connector;
While blocking between the pair of terminals, and in a state where the housing is not fitted to the first connector, a part of the housing protrudes outside the opening of the housing on the fitting side. A partition,
One of the first connector and the second connector is provided with a receiving portion for receiving one end of the partition wall in the fitting direction in a state where the housing is fitted to the first connector. ing,
Connector device. The accommodating portion is provided on the second connector side,
The partition wall extends along the fitting direction in a region sandwiched between the pair of terminals while maintaining an end portion of the partition opposite to the protruding portion being accommodated in the accommodating portion. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the connector device is movably arranged.   The connector device according to claim 2, further comprising an elastic member that elastically deforms and supports the partition wall movably along the fitting direction. The elastic member is a winding spring,
It is arranged in such a way that it is inserted through each of the partition wall and the elastic member that is a winding spring, and includes a locking member whose one end is locked to the partition wall,
The connector device according to claim 3.   5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein a pair of the elastic members are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the fitting direction and along a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pair of terminals. apparatus. The accommodating portion is provided on the first connector side,
The partition is fixed to the housing, and the protruding portion is accommodated in the accommodating portion when the housing is fitted to the first connector. Yes,
The connector device according to claim 1.   The connector device according to claim 6, wherein the partition wall is integrally formed with the housing.

Images