JP6057215B2 - Connector for electrical connection and power conversion system using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connection connector and a power conversion system using the same.

  Conventionally, a power supply side connector for charging a battery mounted on an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) has been provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The power supply side connector described in Patent Document 1 is a case formed in a cylindrical shape, a connector main body that is slidably mounted in the case, and a connector main body that presses the connector main body toward the power receiving side connector by operating a lever. And a handle. The power supply side connector includes a lock member that locks the connector body when connected to the power reception side connector, a release lever that primarily locks the lever, and an electromagnetic coil that secondarily locks the release lever. A cable extending from the power feeding device is introduced at the end.

  When this power supply side connector is connected to the power reception side connector of the vehicle body, the claw provided at the tip of the lock member is hooked on the step provided in the shell of the power reception side connector, and the power supply side connector is fixed to the power reception side connector. At this time, by operating the lever, the handle advances in the direction of the power receiving side connector, and the connector body is pressed in the direction of the power receiving side connector. At this time, the lever is primarily locked by the release lever, and the release lever is secondarily locked by exciting the electromagnetic coil.

  In this state, the electric power supplied from the power feeding device is charged to the battery of the electric vehicle via both connectors. At this time, the release lever is secondarily locked by the electromagnetic coil, so that even if the release lever is operated, The power feeding connector is not removed from the power receiving connector.

JP-A-7-192802

  However, in the power supply side connector shown in Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when power supply to the electromagnetic coil is stopped due to disconnection or the like during charging or discharging, the electromagnetic coil is demagnetized. It will be released. As a result, there is a possibility that the power supply side connector may be detached from the power reception side connector by operating the release lever even during charging or discharging.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to use an electrical connection connector that is not easily unlocked even if power supply from a power converter is stopped during charging or discharging. It is to provide a power conversion system.

The electrical connection connector of the present invention includes a connection portion that is detachably connected to a receiving-side connector of a device equipped with a storage battery, and the connecting portion is mechanically connected so that the connecting portion is not detached from the receiving-side connector. A locking mechanism portion that locks the connecting portion, and the locking mechanism portion is electrically connected via a cable to a movable portion that moves between a position that locks the connecting portion and a position that does not lock the connecting portion. A drive unit that drives the movable unit by power feeding from the power conversion device that has been performed and holds the position of the movable unit even when power feeding from the power conversion device is stopped , and detects the position of the movable unit, And a position detecting unit that changes an electrical state viewed from the power converter according to the detected position .

  Moreover, in this electrical connection connector, it is also preferable that the position detection unit outputs a voltage signal whose H / L level is switched according to the position of the movable unit.

  Further, in this electrical connection connector, the drive unit is connected to the power conversion device by a first feed line, a second feed line, and a reference potential line, and the first feed line and the second feed line. An electric wire is connected to both ends, and the position detection unit includes a first switch that is inserted between the second power supply line and the reference potential line and is turned on / off according to the position of the movable unit. It is also preferable.

  Further, in this electrical connection connector, the drive unit is connected to the power converter by a first feed line, a second feed line, and a reference potential line, and the first feed line is one end of the drive unit. The position detection unit has a second switch that switches a line connected to the other end of the drive unit to either the second feed line or the reference potential line. preferable.

  Further, in this electrical connection connector, the position detection unit has a series circuit of an impedance element and a third switch connected in parallel with the drive unit, and the third switch corresponds to the position of the movable unit. It is also preferable to turn on / off.

  In this electrical connection connector, it is also preferable that the drive unit periodically receives a pulse current for position detection from the power converter.

  In this electrical connection connector, it is also preferable that the drive unit is a self-holding solenoid.

  In this electrical connection connector, it is also preferable that the drive unit uses a DC motor as a power source.

  In the electrical connection connector, the drive unit includes a first coil that generates a magnetic attractive force that moves the movable unit to a position where the connection unit is locked when energized, and a position where the connection unit is not locked when energized. It is also preferable to have a second coil that generates a magnetic attractive force that moves the movable part.

  Further, in this electrical connection connector, the lock mechanism section includes a fourth switch, and the fourth switch has a current that flows through the drive section when the movable section is moved to a position where the connection section is locked. The polarity of the voltage applied to the drive unit may be switched so that the direction of the current flows through the drive unit when the movable unit is moved to a position where the connection unit is not locked. preferable.

  The power conversion system of this invention is equipped with the said connector for electrical connection and the said power converter device, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the drive unit can hold the position of the movable unit even when the power supply from the power converter is stopped. Therefore, by providing a connector for electric connection and a power conversion system in which the locked state is difficult to be released during charging or discharging by moving the movable part to a position where the connecting part is locked when charging or discharging is started. There is an effect that can be.

It is a system configuration diagram of a power conversion system using the electrical connection connector of the present embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view same as the above. (A)-(c) is a schematic circuit diagram which shows the variation of the lock mechanism part used for the same as the above. (A)-(d) is a schematic circuit diagram which shows another variation of the lock mechanism part used for the same as the above.

  Embodiments of an electrical connection connector and a power conversion system using the same will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the case where the device is an electric vehicle will be described as an example. However, the device is not limited to an electric vehicle. For example, the device is a stationary type that stores electric power generated by a solar cell or a fuel cell. It may be a power storage device or the like. Electric vehicles include an electric vehicle (EV) having only an electric motor as a power source, and a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) using an engine and an electric motor as power sources.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a power conversion system using an electrical connection connector 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as a connector 1) of the present embodiment. This power conversion system includes an electric vehicle 2 (device), a power conversion system, and a power conversion system. The apparatus 3 and the connector 1 are comprised.

  The power converter 3 converts a DC voltage / current supplied from a commercial power system into a DC voltage / current (not shown) or a DC voltage / current supplied from the storage battery 23 of the electric vehicle 2 as an AC. An inverter (not shown) for converting to voltage / current is provided. Further, the power conversion device 3 has a function of adjusting the output of the converter and the inverter based on an instruction from the electric vehicle 2, a function of detecting an abnormality such as a ground fault and an electric leakage, and a function of stopping the converter and the inverter. ing.

  The power conversion device 3 converts the AC voltage / current into a DC voltage / current by the converter when the storage battery 23 is charged and supplies it to the storage battery 23. When the storage battery 23 is discharged, the inverter converts the DC voltage / current to the AC voltage / current. It is converted into electric current and supplied to houses.

  The electric vehicle 2 includes an inlet 21 (receiving side connector) to which the connecting portion 11 of the connector 1 is detachably connected, and a storage battery 23.

  The inlet 21 has an interface defined in a standard specification (TS D 007: basic function of rapid charging for electric vehicles) issued by the Japanese Standards Association. In other words, the inlet 21 includes a pair of power supply electrodes connected to the anode and cathode of the storage battery 23, a pair of communication electrodes for CAN (Controller area network) communication, and four signal electrodes for analog signal transmission. And a ground electrode for grounding.

  A vehicle contactor 22 is inserted between the pair of power supply electrodes and the anode and cathode of the storage battery 23. These vehicle contactors 22 are controlled to be opened and closed by an electronic control unit (Electric Control Unit, not shown) provided in the electric vehicle 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 1 includes a connector main body 10 formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. A connector 11 is provided at the front end of the connector main body 10, and a handle 13 is provided at the rear end of the connector main body 10. Is provided. A cable 15 extending from the power conversion device 3 is introduced at the rear end of the handle 13.

  The connecting portion 11 has four round holes 110 and 111 opened on the front surface, and the two large-diameter round holes 110 accommodate power contacts (not shown) connected to the main circuit. Further, the inside of the two small-diameter round holes 111 is divided into four sections, and transmission and grounding contacts (not shown) are respectively stored in the sections.

  On the rear end side of the connecting portion 11, a cylindrical tube body 12 extrapolated to the connecting portion 11 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The cylindrical body 12 is provided with an outer casing 120 at the front end, and is elastically biased forward by a spring (not shown) housed in the connector main body 10.

  And if the connection part 11 is inserted in the inlet 21, the outer casing 120 will be pushed by the front surface of the inlet 21, and the cylinder 12 will move back. As a result, the engaging claw (not shown) pushed into the connector body 10 by being pushed by the cylindrical body 12 moves out of the connector body 10 and engages with the engaging groove (not shown) of the inlet 21. To do.

  When the release button 14 provided on the connector body 10 is pressed, the engagement claw is retracted into the connector body 10 and the engagement with the engagement groove is released. Further, a switch 18 (FIG. 4) that is turned off when the engaging claw is retracted into the connector main body 10 and turned on when the engaging claw is advanced out of the connector main body 10 is inserted into the connector main body 10. (See (d)) is also stored. In addition, the shape and structure of the connector main body 10 are not limited to this embodiment.

  The cable 15 includes a pair of power supply lines 151 and 152, a plurality of communication lines, and a ground line. The plurality of communication lines include control lines 153 and 154 for driving a lock mechanism unit 17 to be described later, Signal lines for CAN communication, transmission lines for analog signal transmission, and the like.

  By the way, when the cable 15 is disconnected and further a short circuit occurs and the vehicle contactor 22 of the electric vehicle 2 is welded, the power supply from the power conversion device 3 is stopped, but the vehicle contactor 22 is welded, so that the inlet 21 A voltage corresponding to the voltage of the storage battery 23 is applied to the power contact. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the connector 1 from being detached from the electric vehicle 2 so that the user cannot touch the power contact during charging or discharging.

  In the power feeding connector shown in Patent Document 1 described above, the release lever is secondarily locked by the electromagnetic coil during charging or discharging, so that the power feeding side connector does not come off the power receiving side connector even if the release lever is operated. It has become. However, when power supply to the electromagnetic coil is stopped due to disconnection or the like, the electromagnetic coil is demagnetized and the secondary lock by the electromagnetic coil is released. As a result, there is a possibility that the power supply side connector may be detached from the power reception side connector by operating the release lever even during charging or discharging.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to solve the above problems, a lock mechanism portion 17 described below is employed.

  The lock mechanism portion 17 mechanically locks the connection portion 11 so that the connection portion 11 is not detached from the inlet 21 of the electric vehicle 2. As shown in FIG. 3A, the lock mechanism 17 includes two coils 171 and 171, a switch 172 having a c contact, and a plunger (not shown) that operates by excitation of the coil 171. . The plunger is movable between a position where the connecting portion 11 is locked (hereinafter referred to as a locked position) and a position where the connecting portion 11 is not locked (hereinafter referred to as an unlocked position).

  The two coils 171 and 171 are arranged so that the magnetic attractive forces generated upon energization are opposite to each other, and one end (the lower end in FIG. 3A) of the two coils 171 and 171 is a control line. It is connected to the negative electrode of the DC power source 32 of the power converter 3 through 154. The other ends (the upper ends in FIG. 3A) of the two coils 171 and 171 are connected to the a contact or the b contact of the switch 172, respectively. Further, the common contact (common) of the switch 172 is connected to the positive electrode of the DC power supply 32 via the control line 153 and the switch 31.

  Here, the switch 172 has an operation element that is turned on and off by the plunger, and is switched to the a contact or the b contact according to the position of the plunger.

  When the plunger is in the unlocked position, the switch 172 is connected to the b contact. When DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 in this state, the plunger moves to the lock position, and the switch 172 is switched to the a contact. Further, when DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 with the plunger in the locked position, the plunger moves to the unlocked position, and the switch 172 is switched to the b contact. The relationship between the position of the plunger and the switch 172 may be reversed.

  In this example, the two coils 171 and 171 and the switch 172 constitute a drive unit, one coil 171 constitutes a first coil, and the other coil 171 constitutes a second coil. In this example, the movable part is constituted by the plunger. That is, in this example, as described above, a self-holding solenoid is used as the drive unit.

  When the lock mechanism unit 17 of the present example is used, even if the power supply from the power conversion device 3 is stopped while the plunger is in the locked position or the unlocked position, the plunger is held at that position. Therefore, for example, it is possible to provide the connector 1 and the power conversion system in which the locked state is not easily released even when the power supply from the power conversion device 3 is stopped during charging or discharging. Moreover, since the movement direction of a plunger can be switched only by switching the coil 171 excited by the switch 172, it is not necessary to switch the polarity of an output voltage on the power converter 3 side.

  FIG. 3B is a schematic circuit diagram showing another example of the lock mechanism unit 17, and this lock mechanism unit 17 includes a switch 173 (first circuit) having one coil 171 and two c contacts that interlock with each other. 4 switch) and a plunger (not shown). In FIG. 3A, the moving direction of the plunger is switched by switching the coil 171 excited by the switch 172. In FIG. 3B, the plunger is switched by switching the polarity of the voltage applied to the coil 171 by the switch 173. The direction of movement is switched.

  The switch 173 has an operation element that is turned on / off by a plunger, and is switched to a contact or b contact according to the position of the plunger. This switch 173 is connected to the direction of the current flowing through the coil 171 when connected to the b contact (upper side in FIG. 3B) and to the a contact (lower side in FIG. 3B). When connected, it is connected to the coil 171 so that the direction of the current flowing through the coil 171 is opposite.

  When the plunger is in the unlocked position, the switch 173 is connected to the b contact. When DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 in this state, the plunger moves to the lock position, and the switch 173 is switched to the a contact. In addition, when DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 with the plunger in the locked position, the plunger moves to the unlocked position, and the switch 173 is switched to the b contact. The relationship between the plunger position and the switch 173 may be reversed.

  Here, in this example, the drive unit is configured by the coil 171 and the switch 173, and the movable unit is configured by the plunger. That is, also in this example, a self-holding solenoid is used as the driving unit.

  When the lock mechanism unit 17 of the present example is used, even if the power supply from the power conversion device 3 is stopped while the plunger is in the locked position or the unlocked position, the plunger is held at that position. Therefore, for example, it is possible to provide the connector 1 and the power conversion system in which the locked state is not easily released even when the power supply from the power conversion device 3 is stopped during charging or discharging. Moreover, since the movement direction of a plunger can be switched only by switching the polarity of the voltage applied to the coil 171 with the switch 173, it is not necessary to switch the polarity of an output voltage on the power converter 3 side.

  Further, in the conventional power feeding connector, the electromagnetic coil is always energized during charging or discharging, and the position of the plunger can be detected based on whether or not the current flowing through the electromagnetic coil is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Yes.

  On the other hand, in the connector 1 of this embodiment, since the energization is performed only until the movable part moves to the locked position or the unlocked position, the position of the movable part cannot be detected by the above-described method. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following method is adopted so that the position of the movable part can be detected.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic circuit diagram showing still another example of the lock mechanism unit 17, and the lock mechanism unit 17 includes a drive unit 17a and a switch 174 (first switch). In addition, about the drive part 17a, the structure shown to Fig.3 (a) or FIG.3 (b) is used. The lock mechanism unit 17 is connected to the power conversion device 3 through control lines 153 and 154 and a reference potential line 155. In this example, the negative electrode (frame ground) of the DC power supply 32 is set to the reference potential.

  The switch 174 has an operator that is turned on and off by the plunger, and is inserted between the control line 154 and the reference potential line 155. The switch 174 is turned on while the plunger is in the locked position, and the plunger is in the unlocked position. Turns off in some state. The relationship between the plunger position and the switch 174 may be reversed.

  With the plunger in the unlocked position, the switch 174 is off. When DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 in this state, the plunger moves to the lock position and the switch 174 is turned on. At this time, when the switch 174 is turned on, a part of the current flowing through the drive unit 17a is shunted to the reference potential line 155 side via the switch 174.

  That is, in the state where the plunger is in the locked position, a current difference is generated between the current flowing through the control line 153 and the current flowing through the control line 154, and the position determination unit 33 provided in the power conversion device 3 Is detected to determine that the plunger is in the locked position.

  Further, when DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 while the plunger is in the locked position, the plunger moves to the unlocked position and the switch 174 is turned off. At this time, when the switch 174 is turned off, the current flowing through the control line 153 and the current flowing through the control line 154 become equal, and the position determination unit 33 determines that the plunger is in the unlocked position because there is no current difference. to decide.

  Here, in this example, the control line 153 constitutes a first power supply line, and the control line 154 constitutes a second power supply line. In this example, the switch 174 and the control lines 153 and 154 constitute a position detection unit.

  When the lock mechanism unit 17 of the present example is used, the magnitude of the current returning to the power converter 3 via the control line 154 is changed to the position of the plunger by switching the switch 174 on / off according to the position of the plunger. It can be changed accordingly. The position determination unit 33 of the power conversion device 3 can determine the position of the plunger based on whether or not there is a current difference between the current flowing through the control line 153 and the current flowing through the control line 154.

  In FIG. 4A, a current transformer may be provided only on the control line 154, and the position determination unit 33 may determine the position of the plunger from the current value flowing through the control line 154. In this example, the electrical state is an on / off state of the switch 174.

  FIG. 4B is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another example of the lock mechanism unit 17. The lock mechanism unit 17 includes a drive unit 17 a and a switch 175 (second switch) having a c contact. Have. In addition, about the drive part 17a, the structure shown to Fig.3 (a) or FIG.3 (b) is used. The lock mechanism unit 17 is connected to the power conversion device 3 through control lines 153 and 154 and a reference potential line 155. In this example, the negative electrode (frame ground) of the DC power supply 32 is set to the reference potential.

  The switch 175 has an operation element that is turned on and off by a plunger, a common contact (common) is connected to the drive unit 17a, a contact a is connected to the control line 154, and a contact b is connected to the reference potential line 155. It is connected. When the plunger is in the locked position, the switch 175 is switched to the contact a, and when the plunger is in the unlocked position, the switch 175 is switched to the contact b. The relationship between the plunger position and the switch 175 may be reversed.

  When the plunger is in the unlocked position, the switch 175 is connected to the b contact. When DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 in this state, the plunger moves to the lock position, and the switch 175 is switched to the a contact. At this time, when the switch 175 is switched to the contact a, the current flowing through the drive unit 17a returns to the power converter 3 via the control line 154.

  Further, when DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 while the plunger is in the locked position, the plunger moves to the unlocked position, and the switch 175 is switched to the b contact. At this time, the switch 175 is switched to the b contact so that the current flowing through the drive unit 17a returns to the power conversion device 3 via the reference potential line 155.

  When the position determination unit 33 provided in the power converter 3 detects that a current is flowing through the control line 154, the position determination unit 33 determines that the plunger is in the locked position, and the current is flowing through the reference potential line 155. Is detected, the plunger is determined to be in the unlocked position.

  Here, in this example, the control line 153 constitutes a first power supply line, and the control line 154 constitutes a second power supply line. In this example, the switch 175, the control line 154, and the reference potential line 155 constitute a position detection unit.

  When the lock mechanism portion 17 of this example is used, a current can be supplied to either the control line 154 or the reference potential line 155 by switching the switch 175 according to the position of the plunger. Then, the position determination unit 33 of the power conversion device 3 can determine the position of the plunger depending on which of the control line 154 and the reference potential line 155 is flowing.

  In this example, the electrical state is a connection state to the a contact or the b contact by the switch 175.

  FIG. 4 (c) is a schematic circuit diagram showing still another example of the lock mechanism unit 17. The lock mechanism unit 17 includes a drive unit 17a, a resistor 176 (impedance element), and a switch 174 (third switch). Series circuit. A series circuit of the resistor 176 and the switch 174 is connected in parallel with the drive unit 17a. In addition, about the drive part 17a, the structure shown to Fig.3 (a) or FIG.3 (b) is used.

  The switch 174 has an operation element that is turned on and off by the plunger, and is turned on when the plunger is in the locked position and turned off when the plunger is in the unlocked position. The relationship between the plunger position and the switch 174 may be reversed.

  With the plunger in the unlocked position, the switch 174 is off. When DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 in this state, the plunger moves to the lock position and the switch 174 is turned on. At this time, when the switch 174 is turned on, a current flowing through the drive unit 17 a and a current flowing through the resistor 176 via the switch 174 flow through the control line 153.

  Further, when DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 while the plunger is in the locked position, the plunger moves to the unlocked position and the switch 174 is turned off. At this time, when the switch 174 is turned off, only the current flowing through the drive unit 17a flows through the control line 153.

  And the position judgment part 33 provided in the power converter device 3 judges that a plunger exists in an unlocking position, when the electric current which flows into the control line 153 is only the electric current which flows into the drive part 17a. Further, when the current flowing through the control line 153 is the sum of the current flowing through the driving unit 17a and the current flowing through the resistor 176, the position determining unit 33 determines that the plunger is in the locked position. Here, in this example, the position detection unit is configured by the switch 174, the resistor 176, and the control line 153.

  When the lock mechanism portion 17 of this example is used, the magnitude of the current flowing through the control line 153 can be changed according to the position of the plunger by switching the switch 174 on / off according to the position of the plunger. . The position determination unit 33 of the power conversion device 3 can determine the position of the plunger based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the control line 153.

  In this example, the electrical state is an on / off state of the switch 174.

  FIG. 4D is a schematic circuit diagram showing still another example of the lock mechanism unit 17, and the lock mechanism unit 17 includes a drive unit 17 a and a switch 174. The switch 174 is connected to a DC power supply via a resistor, and a voltage signal corresponding to the on / off state of the switch 174 is output to the power conversion device 3. In addition, about the drive part 17a, the structure shown to Fig.3 (a) or FIG.3 (b) is used.

  The switch 174 has an operation element that is turned on and off by the plunger, and is turned on when the plunger is in the locked position and turned off when the plunger is in the unlocked position. The relationship between the plunger position and the switch 174 may be reversed.

  With the plunger in the unlocked position, the switch 174 is off. When DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 in this state, the plunger moves to the lock position and the switch 174 is turned on. At this time, when the switch 174 is turned on, a current flows through the resistor, and an L-level voltage signal is output to the power conversion device 3.

  Further, when DC power is supplied from the power conversion device 3 while the plunger is in the locked position, the plunger moves to the unlocked position and the switch 174 is turned off. At this time, when the switch 174 is turned off, no current flows through the resistor, and an H level voltage signal is output to the power conversion device 3.

  The position determination unit 33 provided in the power converter 3 determines that the plunger is in the lock position when the voltage signal input from the lock mechanism unit 17 is at the L level, and the voltage signal is at the H level. In some cases, it is determined that the plunger is in the unlocked position. Here, in this example, a position detection unit is configured by the switch 174.

  When the lock mechanism unit 17 of this example is used, the H / L level of the voltage signal output to the power converter 3 can be changed by switching the switch 174 on / off according to the position of the plunger. it can. And the position judgment part 33 of the power converter device 3 can judge the position of a plunger from the H / L level of a voltage signal.

  In this example, the electrical state is an on / off state of the switch 174.

  In the present embodiment, the switch 173 that switches the direction of the current flowing through the drive unit is provided on the lock mechanism unit 17 side. However, as shown in FIG. 3C, for example, the switch 34 that switches the direction of the current flowing through the drive unit. May be provided on the power conversion device 3 side. Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, you may provide the switch 172 in Fig.3 (a) in the power converter device 3 side.

  Further, in this embodiment, in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, power is supplied to the drive unit from the power converter 3 only while the plunger moves to the locked position or the unlocked position. It is preferable to periodically check the position of the plunger. For this reason, it is preferable to periodically output a pulse current for position detection from the power converter 3 to the drive unit even after the plunger reaches the locked position or the unlocked position. become.

  In this case, since the plunger may move depending on the magnitude of the pulse current, a minute current that does not move the plunger may be output for a short time.

  Furthermore, although the case where the drive unit is a self-holding solenoid has been described as an example in the present embodiment, the drive unit is not limited to the self-holding solenoid. For example, a DC motor may be used as a power source for the drive unit. In this case, a ball screw, a rack and pinion mechanism, a crank mechanism, etc. may be combined with a DC motor to convert the rotational motion into a linear motion, and if the rotational motion of the DC motor can be converted into a linear motion, A mechanism other than the above may be used. An ultrasonic motor or the like may be used instead of the DC motor as a power source for the drive unit.

  The electrical connection connector 1 of this embodiment includes a connection portion 11 and a lock mechanism portion 17. The connection part 11 is connected to the inlet 21 (receiving side connector) of the electric vehicle 2 (equipment) on which the storage battery 23 is mounted so as to be freely inserted and removed. The lock mechanism portion 17 mechanically locks the connection portion 11 so that the connection portion 11 is not detached from the inlet 21. Moreover, the lock mechanism part 17 has a movable part and a drive part (the coil 171 and the switch 172). The movable part moves between a position where the connection part 11 is locked and a position where the connection part 11 is not locked. The drive unit drives the movable unit by power supply from the power conversion device 3 electrically connected via the cable 15 and maintains the position of the movable unit even when power supply from the power conversion device 3 is stopped.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the lock mechanism unit 17 detects the position of the movable unit and changes the electrical state viewed from the power conversion device 3 according to the detected position. It is preferable to further include a section (switch 174 and control lines 153 and 154).

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the position detection unit (switch 174) preferably outputs a voltage signal whose H / L level is switched according to the position of the movable unit.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the drive unit 17a is connected to the power converter 3 with a control line 153 (first power supply line), a control line 154 (second power supply line), and a reference potential. Preferably, they are connected by line 155 and control lines 153 and 154 are connected at both ends. In this case, the position detection unit (the switch 174 and the control lines 153 and 154) is interposed between the control line 154 and the reference potential line 155, and is turned on / off according to the position of the movable unit 174 (first switch). )have.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the drive unit 17a is connected to the power converter 3 with a control line 153 (first power supply line), a control line 154 (second power supply line), and a reference potential. It is preferable that the control line 153 is connected to one end of the drive unit 17a. In this case, the position detection unit (switch 175, control line 154, and reference potential line 155) is a switch 175 that switches the line connected to the other end of the drive unit 17a to either the control line 154 or the reference potential line 155. Second switch).

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the position detection unit (the switch 174, the resistor 176, and the control line 153) includes the resistor 176 (impedance element) and the switch 174 (connected in parallel with the drive unit 17a. It is preferable to have a series circuit of a third switch. In this case, the switch 174 is turned on / off according to the position of the movable part.

  In addition, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the drive unit 17a periodically receives a pulse current for position detection from the power conversion device 3.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the drive unit 17a is preferably a self-holding solenoid.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the drive unit 17a preferably uses a DC motor as a power source.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the drive unit (coil 171 and switch 172) is a coil 171 (which generates a magnetic attraction force that moves the movable unit to a position where the connection unit 11 is locked when energized. It is preferable to have a first coil. In this case, the drive unit also includes a coil 171 (second coil) that generates a magnetic attraction force that moves the movable unit to a position where the connection unit 11 is not locked when energized.

  Further, like the electrical connection connector 1 of the present embodiment, the lock mechanism portion 17 preferably has a switch 173 (fourth switch). In this case, the switch 173 flows in the driving unit when moving the movable unit to a position where the connecting unit 11 is not locked and the direction of the current flowing in the driving unit when moving the movable unit to the position where the connecting unit 11 is locked. The polarity of the voltage applied to the drive unit is switched so that the direction of the current is opposite. The drive unit includes a coil 171 and a switch 173.

  The power conversion system of the present embodiment includes an electrical connection connector 1 and a power conversion device 3.

1 Electrical connection connector 2 Electric vehicle (equipment)
3 Power Converter 11 Connecting Portion 15 Cable 17 Locking Mechanism Portion 21 Inlet (Receiving Side Connector)
23 battery

Claims (11)

A connecting portion that is detachably connected to a receiving-side connector of a device equipped with a storage battery, and a lock mechanism that mechanically locks the connecting portion so that the connecting portion is not detached from the receiving-side connector. Prepared,
The lock mechanism is movable by a power supply from a movable part that moves between a position where the connection part is locked and a position where the connection part is not locked, and a power converter electrically connected via a cable. Drive unit that holds the position of the movable part even when power supply from the power converter is stopped , and detects the position of the movable part, and from the power converter according to the detected position A connector for electrical connection, comprising: a position detection unit that changes an electrical state as viewed . The electrical connector according to claim 1 , wherein the position detection unit outputs a voltage signal whose H / L level is switched according to the position of the movable unit . The drive unit is connected to the power converter by a first feed line, a second feed line, and a reference potential line, and the first feed line and the second feed line are connected to both ends,
The said position detection part is inserted between the said 2nd electric power feeding line and the said reference electric potential line, It has a 1st switch turned on / off according to the position of the said movable part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. 1 electrical connector described. The drive unit is connected to the power converter by a first feed line, a second feed line, and a reference potential line, and the first feed line is connected to one end of the drive unit,
Wherein the position detection unit, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a second switch for switching the lines to be connected to the other end of the drive unit to one of the second feed line or the reference potential line The connector for electrical connection as described. The position detection unit includes a series circuit of an impedance element and a third switch connected in parallel with the driving unit, and the third switch is turned on / off according to the position of the movable unit. The electrical connection connector according to claim 1 . 6. The electrical connection connector according to claim 3 , wherein a pulse current for position detection is periodically input from the power conversion device to the drive unit . The drive unit includes an electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the self-holding type solenoid. The drive unit includes an electrical connector according to any one of claim 1 to 6, characterized in that it is a DC motor as a power source. The drive unit generates a magnetic attraction force that moves the movable unit to a position that locks the connection unit when energized, and magnetic attraction that moves the movable unit to a position that does not lock the connection unit when energized. The electrical connection connector according to claim 7 , further comprising a second coil that generates force . The lock mechanism has a fourth switch,
The fourth switch is configured to move the movable part to a position where the connecting part is locked and move the movable part to a position where the connecting part is not locked. The electrical connection connector according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the polarity of the voltage applied to the drive unit is switched so that the direction of the current flowing through the unit is opposite . A power conversion system comprising: the electrical connection connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and the power conversion device .

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