JP3276125B2 - Live part shielding device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a live part shielding device for an electrical connector, and more particularly, to a live part (contact) of an electrical connector used for supplying power to a mating connector. The present invention relates to a device for shielding a live part so as not to come into contact with it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an electric connector used for a power supply side electric wire such as a power supply line for supplying electric power to an electric vehicle and charging the electric vehicle has a very high current flowing through the electric connector. Is very dangerous.

In a state where the live part is not connected to a mating part or mating connector to be connected, the live part is shielded from the outside to prevent a human body or the like from touching the live part and receiving an electric shock. A live part shielding device in which a live part is exposed has been proposed. For example, US Pat. No. 3,754,205
No. 4,445,739, the connector housing has a double structure of an inner housing and an outer housing slidable with respect to each other in order to protect the live parts from breakage and the like. When not connected to the connector, one of the two housings protrudes from the other, and the other one of the protruding housings is spring-biased and protrudes to a position covering the contact, whereby a human body or the like directly contacts the contact. Is prevented from doing so.

However, in this connector, it is necessary to form a through-hole for retracting the protruding side of the housing in the connected state into the other housing side against the biasing force and exposing the contacts from the housing. There is a possibility that dust may enter the inside of the housing through the through hole.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-347732 discloses an openable / closable cover that covers a connection surface of a connector at a closed position and is exposed at an open position. Accordingly, there is described a protective cover in which a pushing portion provided on a part of a mating connector presses a part of a rotary cover to rotate the cover, thereby exposing a connection surface of the connector.

[0006] Since the protective cover is rotated by colliding with a pushing portion provided on the mating connector, an impact force may be applied to the colliding portion and the center of rotation to damage the protective cover. Further, since the cover is formed of one large member, the amount of rotational displacement and rotational driving force required to move the cover from the closed position to the open position increases, and a large evacuation space for housing the cover when the cover is opened. There is a problem that it is necessary to secure.

Therefore, it is conceivable to divide the cover into two parts to reduce the weight of each cover to reduce the opening / closing operation force and to reduce the evacuation space by reducing the size. A connector in which a live part is shielded by such a two-part cover is disclosed in
No. 133279.

[0008]

When shielding is performed by closing the two covers, it is necessary to ensure the close contact between the two covers at the time of closing. In particular, the above power lines used for electric vehicles are used outdoors,
The live part is required to have a certain degree of dust resistance. However, the cover described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-133279 has a problem in that when the cover is closed, the cover is abutted in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation direction thereof, so that the cover abuts due to a manufacturing error of the cover or aging wear. May not be able to ensure adhesion.

Further, since the cover is opened and closed by abutting the sliding inner case, there is a possibility that the cover may be damaged by the impact force of the abutment each time the cover is opened and closed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to shield a live part without giving an impact force to a cover member and improving dustproofness between two cover members. It is an object of the present invention to provide a live part shielding device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A live part shielding apparatus according to the present invention is a live part shielding apparatus for shielding a live part connected to a partner contact when the partner is not connected. It is rotatably supported between a shielding position that shields the live part and an open position that exposes the live part in a state of connection with the mating contact, and has a guide projection near the center of this rotation. A pair of cover members having a contact surface which is urged to the shielding position and faces in a rotational direction in which the cover members contact each other;
A support member rotatably supporting the cover member; and a slidable relative to the support member. The cover member can be moved between the shielding position and the open position by a relative sliding operation with respect to the support member. And a guide member having a guide groove for guiding the guide protrusion of the cover member so as to move between the guide members.

It is preferable that the sliding direction coincides with the connecting direction with the mating contact. Thus, by the connection operation with the mating contact, a part of the connector accommodating the mating contact or a part of the device in which the mating contact is installed slides one of the support member or the guide member relative to the other. It is not necessary to independently perform the operation of attaching / detaching to / from the counterpart contact and the operation of opening / closing the cover, thereby further improving the safety and simplifying the operation.

Further, the contact surfaces of the pair of covers may be formed stepwise or uneven in the radial direction of the rotating operation so as to be overlapped with each other. The dustproofness in the radial direction can be further improved.

[0014]

According to the live part shielding apparatus of the present invention, the live part is shielded by the cover member urged to the shield position in a state where the live part is not connected to the counterpart contact. However, there is no risk of touching the live part, and it is possible to prevent an electric shock.

Further, the cover member is pivotally supported by the support member and can rotate about the support portion pivotally supported between the position for shielding the live part and the position for exposing the live part. In this case, the cover member can be moved to the open position to connect the live part to the mating contact.

The guide projection provided near the center of rotation of the cover member engages with the guide groove of the guide member which is slidable with the support member, and the relative sliding operation between the guide member and the support member is performed. As a result, the guide projection moves along the guide groove, and this movement moves the cover member between the shielding position and the open position around the center of rotation of the cover member. Therefore, the mating part or the like to be connected does not collide with the cover member, and the cover member is not damaged.

The cover member includes two covers that rotate in the opposite directions between the shield position and the open position, and the two covers are turned from the open position of each cover to the shield position in the shield position. Since the contact is made in the moving direction, the contact surface interval can be easily adjusted only by adjusting the amount of displacement in the rotating direction. That is, by forming the guide groove so as to extend to a position corresponding to a virtual position where the two cover members overlap and close, even if the covers are worn, the two covers are always in contact with each other in the shielding position. Contact and dustproofness can be ensured.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a live part shielding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a contact provided with a live part shielding apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an AA for explaining the operation of the live part shielding apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows a line cross section. The illustrated live part shielding apparatus 10 is a contact (live part) that is provided at a supply-side end of a power supply cable 17 and is connected to a mating contact (not shown).
An outer case 15 made of a resin for accommodating and fixing the outer case 16, a predetermined cam groove 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the outer case 15 and the through hole 1.
A guide member 14 having holes 4e and 14f, and a guide member 1
4 Rotation stop through-holes 14e, 14f forming a rotation stop and stopper
The cover has detent projections 13e and 13f (see FIG. 2) which engage with the guide member 14 and is slidably held along the inner peripheral surface of the guide member 14 in the direction of connection with the mating contact (the direction of arrow X). A support member 13 and two covers 11 and 12 that are rotatably held by the cover support member 13 and form a part of a spherical surface.
And

More specifically, the covers 11 and 12 have through holes 11a, 11b and 12a,
The cover support projections 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d of the cover support member 13 are fitted into the support support member 12b, respectively, and are pivotally supported. The pivotally supported through holes 11a, 11b, and 12a,
12b is rotatable around the center of rotation.

The through holes 11a, 11b and 12a,
Guide protrusions 11c and 11d and 12c and 12d are formed near the guide member 12b, respectively. These protrusions are provided on cam grooves 14a, 14b and 14 provided on the peripheral surface of the guide member 14.
c and 14d. Cam grooves 14a and 14
In the state where the guide protrusions 11c, 11d, 12c, and 12d are guided at this position, the circumferential distance between the guide protrusions 11c, 11d, 12c, and 12d is wide at the front end in the drawing. The covers 11 and 12 are closed by contacting the end faces facing each other, and shield the contact 16.

On the other hand, in the state where the interval between the cam grooves is formed narrow at the rear part in the figure and the guide projections 11c, 11d and 12c, 12d are guided at this position,
The covers 11 and 12 rotate in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, respectively, to expose the contacts 16.

It should be noted that the cover supporting member 13 is
5 is urged forward (in a position where the covers 11 and 12 are closed and the contact 16 is closed) by a spring 18 fixed to the same.

Hereinafter, the operation of the live part shielding apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where no connection is made with a counterpart contact. In this non-connection state, the cover support member 13 is pressed toward the mating contact side (left side in the figure) by the spring 18, and the guide projections 11 c, 11 d and 12 c, 12 d of the covers 11, 12 are moved by the cam of the guide member 14. It is guided to the front of the grooves 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. In this position, the cam groove 14
Since the distance between a and 14c and the distance between 14b and 14d are wide, the opposing end faces of the covers 11 and 12 abut and are closed to shield the contact 16.

Here, the housing for accommodating the mating contact advances in the direction of the arrow X, and comes into contact with the front end surfaces 13g, 13h of the detent projections 13e, 13f of the cover support member 13 and presses in the direction of the arrow X. Thereby, the cover support member 13
In the arrow X direction against the urging force of the spring 18.

As the cover support member 13 advances in the direction of arrow X, the guide projections 11c,
11d, 12c and 12d are also cam grooves 14a, 14b and 14
Proceed in the arrow X direction along c and 14d. The distance between the cam grooves 14a and 14c and the distance between 14b and 14d are indicated by arrows X.
The guide projection 1
The intervals between 1c and 12c and between 11d and 12d are also reduced, and covers 11 and 12 are provided with through holes 11a, 11b and 12d.
The contact 16 starts to be exposed in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 around the rotation centers a and 12b, respectively (FIG. 2).
(B)).

When the cover support member 13 further moves in the direction of the arrow X, the contact 16 protrudes from between the opened covers 11 and 12 and is connected to the contact that has entered in the direction of the arrow X.

When the mating contact is detached in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow X, the cover support member 13 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow X by the urging force of the spring 18, and
The contacts 1 and 12 are closed by the action opposite to the above-described opening action to shield the contact 16.

At the time of shielding, the opposing end surfaces of the covers 11 and 12 come into contact with each other, but since these end surfaces come into contact in the rotation direction, the distance between the contact end surfaces is adjusted by the amount of displacement in the rotation direction. It can be easily adjusted just by doing. That is, the cam grooves 14a, 14b,
14c and 14d are extended, and the distance between the cam grooves 14a and 14c and the distance between 14b and 14d are increased in accordance with the extension, and the rotation preventing through holes 14e and 14f are formed to extend forward. Therefore, even if the contact surfaces of the covers 11 and 12 are worn, the cover support
Automatically advance forward until the abutment surfaces 1 and 12 abut,
Since the contact surfaces are always in contact at the shielding positions of the covers 11 and 12, the dustproof properties of the contact surfaces can be ensured.

FIG. 3 shows a case where a guide member 25 in which the outer case 15 and the guide member 18 are integrally formed in the live part shielding apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a contact provided with a live part shielding device according to a second embodiment having a structure in which 5 is slidable with respect to the cover support member 23. FIG. 4 is a live part shielding device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line BB for explaining the operation of FIG.
The illustrated live part shielding device 20 includes a power supply cable 2.
A mating contact (not shown) provided at the supply end of 7
A cover support member 23 made of resin for receiving and fixing a contact 26 connected to the cover 2 and two covers 2 forming a part of a spherical surface and rotatably held by the cover support member 23.
1, 22 and predetermined cam grooves 25a, 25b, 2 on the inner peripheral surface.
5c, 25d and a guide member 25 formed with detent grooves 25e, 25f.

More specifically, the cover support member 23 has detent protrusions 23e and 23f which engage with the detent grooves 25e and 25f of the guide member 25, and the cover support member 23 and the guide member 25 are relatively moved. This prevents rotation in the circumferential direction and prevents the guide member 25 from separating from the cover support member 23.

The covers 21, 22 are provided with through holes 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b provided at their ends, respectively.
The b, 23c, and 23d are inserted and pivotally supported, and are rotatable around the pivotally supported through holes 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b.

The through holes 21a, 21b and 22a,
Guide protrusions 21c, 21d and 22c, 22d are formed in the vicinity of 22b, respectively, and these protrusions are provided on cam grooves 25a, 25b, 2 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the guide member 25.
5c, 25d. Cam grooves 25a and 2
In the state in which the circumferential distance between the guide projections 21c, 21d, 22c, and 22d is wide at the rear side in the figure and the guide protrusions 21c, 21d, 22c, and 22d are guided at this position, the cover 21 is not covered. , 22 abut against each other at their opposing end surfaces to shield the contact 26.

On the other hand, in the state where the interval between the cam grooves is formed narrow at the front part in the figure and the guide projections 21c, 21d and 22c, 22d are guided at this position,
The covers 21 and 22 rotate in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, respectively, to expose the contacts 26.

The guide member 25 is secured to the cover support member 23 by a fixed spring 28 (not shown in FIG. 3; see FIG. 4) (the covers 21 and 22 are closed to shield the contact 26). Position) (see FIG. 4).

The operation of the live part shielding apparatus 20 of this embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where no connection is made with a counterpart contact. In this non-connection state, the guide member 25 is pressed toward the mating contact side (left side in the figure) by the spring 28, and the guide protrusions 21c, 21d and 22c, 22d of the covers 21, 22 are moved to the cam grooves of the guide member 25. It is guided to the rear of 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d. In this position, since the gap between the cam grooves 25a and 25c and the gap between 25b and 25d are wide, the covers 21 and 22 are closed by their opposing end faces abutting against each other to shield the contact 26.

Here, the housing for accommodating the mating contact advances in the direction of the arrow X, contacts the front end of the guide member 25 and presses the guide member 25 in the direction of the arrow X. As a result, the guide member 25 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow X against the urging force of the spring 28.
Proceed in the direction.

As the guide member 25 advances in the arrow X direction, the guide projections 21c, 21d, 22 of the covers 21, 22 along the cam grooves 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d.
c and 22d move in the circumferential direction. Cam grooves 25a and 25c
And the distance between 25b and 25d become narrower in the direction opposite to the arrow X direction, the distance between the guide projections 21c and 22c and the distance between 21d and 22d also become narrower, and the covers 21 and 22 are formed with through holes. 21a, 21b and 2
Arrows Y1 and Y2 around the rotation centers 2a and 22b, respectively.
And the contact 26 begins to be exposed.

When the guide member 25 advances further in the direction of arrow X, the contact 26 is opened between the opened covers 21 and 22.
Is exposed and connected to a contact that has entered from the direction of arrow X.

When the mating contact is detached in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow X, the guide member 25 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow X by the urging force of the spring 28, and
Is closed by the action opposite to the above-described opening action to shield the contact 26.

In the live part shielding apparatus of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the covers 21 and 2 are closed at the time of shielding.
Since the end faces facing each other abut against each other, and this end face abuts in the turning direction, the interval between the end faces in contact can be easily adjusted only by adjusting the amount of displacement in the turning direction. It is possible to ensure dustproofness on the contact surface.

Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
The abutment surfaces of the pair of covers 11, 12 (and 21, 22) can also be formed in a stepwise manner in the radial direction of the pivoting movement, or as a combination of irregularities, such that they abut one another. In this case, the dustproofness in the radial direction at the shielding position can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a contact provided with a live part shielding device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA for explaining the operation of the live part shielding device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a contact provided with a live part shielding device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line BB for explaining the operation of the live part shielding device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 (A) is a cover shown in FIG.
Sectional view showing a section taken along line -C, (B) is an enlarged view of a portion K shown in (A).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Live part shielding device 11, 12 Cover 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b Through-hole 11c, 11d, 12c, 12d Guide projection 13 Cover support member 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Cover support projection 13e, 13f Rotation stop projection 14 Guide member 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Cam groove 14e, 14f Locking through hole 15 Outer case 16 Contact 17 Cable 18 Spring

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-347832 (JP, A) JP-A-4-133279 (JP, A) JP-A-7-183064 (JP, A) JP-A-62 244026 (JP, A) JP-A-63-86283 (JP, A) JP-A-5-50800 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/44 H01R 13 / 447 H01R 13/52

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A live part shielding apparatus for shielding a live part connected to a counterpart contact when the live part is not connected, wherein the live part is rotatable between a shielding position for shielding the live part and an open position for exposing the live part. A pair of cover members having a guide projection near the center of rotation and having a contact surface which is urged to the shielding position and faces in the direction of rotation to contact each other; A support member that rotatably supports the member; and a slidable relative to the support member. The cover member is slid relative to the support member to move the cover member to the shielding position. A guide member having a guide groove for guiding a guide protrusion of the cover member so as to move between the open position and the open position.