JP6058489B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector in which a circuit becomes conductive when a first connector member and a second connector member are fitted to each other.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental conservation, vehicles using electric energy such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles have been put into practical use. However, a high-voltage circuit is installed between an on-vehicle power source and a load such as a motor or an inverter. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the vehicle is provided with a service plug for the purpose of preventing electric shock during inspection and maintenance work, and the high voltage circuit is shut off by manually pulling out the service plug. Therefore, a method for ensuring safety is adopted.
However, when the pulled service plug is left in the vicinity of the vehicle, it can be easily increased even by a person other than a maintenance person who does not have knowledge of the high voltage circuit by simply inserting the service plug into the vehicle. The voltage circuit can be closed and energized, resulting in the risk of electric shock. For this reason, the maintenance staff always had to carry the pulled service plug.

Patent Document 2 discloses a lock that automatically prohibits plugging into an outlet when the plug is removed from the outlet in order to prevent unauthorized connection of a plug that is not permitted to connect to the outlet. An unauthorized connection prevention device that is in a state is disclosed.
As shown in FIG. 32A, this apparatus has a bar-shaped regulating member 2 arranged in the outlet unit 1. The restricting member 2 is disposed in the vicinity of the insertion port 5 into which the connection terminal 4 of the plug 3 is inserted, and is configured such that the restricting member 2 protrudes from the surface 1 a of the outlet unit 1 by a solenoid coil (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 32 (B), when the regulating member 2 is accommodated in the outlet unit 1 without protruding from the surface 1a of the outlet unit 1, the connecting member 4 of the plug 3 is inserted into an unlocked state. As shown in FIG. 32 (C), when the regulating member 2 protrudes from the surface 1a of the outlet unit 1, the locking member is brought into contact with the plug 3 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the connection terminal 4 of the plug 3 cannot be inserted into the insertion port 5.
In the device of Patent Document 2, it is authenticated whether the operator is correct by performing wireless communication with an authentication tag attached to the plug 3, and the unlock state and the lock state are switched according to the authentication result. Yes.

JP 2009-181895 A JP 2011-175755 A

According to the device of Patent Document 2, for example, when charging an on-vehicle battery of an electric vehicle from a commercial power source for home use, a third party pulls out the plug 3 from the outlet unit 1 without permission and inserts another plug. It is possible to prevent the situation of being inserted into the mouth 5 in advance.
However, in order to switch between the unlocked state and the locked state, it is necessary to provide a wireless authentication system that performs wireless communication with the authentication tag and collates, and there is a problem that the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and the operator does not have to carry a specific member such as a service plug, and is in a fitted state while having a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector that can regulate re-fitting of a pair of connector members detached from the connector.

  The connector according to the present invention includes a first connector member, a second connector member fitted to the first connector member, and an accident prevention member independent of the first connector member and the second connector member. The first connector member has a first accident prevention member holding mechanism that detachably holds the accident prevention member, and the second connector member has a second accident prevention that detachably holds the accident prevention member. The first connector member and the second connector member can be fitted to each other only when the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism. When the first connector member and the second connector member are fitted to each other while the accident prevention member is held by the prevention member holding mechanism, the accident prevention member is also held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism, When the first connector member and the second connector member are detached, the accident prevention member is automatically released from the holding by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism and is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism. The first connector member and the second connector member are separated from each other, and the accident prevention member removed from the second connector member by releasing the holding by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism is changed to the first connector member. By holding the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the first connector member and the second connector member can be fitted again.

When the second connector member is fitted to the first connector member while the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the second connector member is A tethering mechanism for tethering the accident prevention member in a direction away from the first connector member, and the accident prevention member is tethered by the tethering mechanism when the first connector member and the second connector member that have been fitted are separated. It can be configured to be released from being held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism while being fastened. In this case, preferably, the accident prevention member has a hook receiving portion, and the mooring mechanism is formed on the first beam portion and the first beam portion that is elastically deformable formed on the second connector member. When the first connector member and the second connector member are fitted with each other, the hook portion is hooked on the hook receiving portion of the accident prevention member, and the accident prevention member is connected.
Alternatively, the second accident prevention member holding mechanism has a holding force larger than that of the first accident prevention member holding mechanism with respect to the accident prevention member, and the accident prevention member has been fitted. When the first connector member and the second connector member are detached, the first accident prevention member holding mechanism can be released from the holding while the second accident prevention member holding mechanism is maintained. .

The accident prevention member has a first held portion formed on the surface, and the first accident prevention member holding mechanism includes an elastically deformable second beam portion formed on the first connector member, It is preferable to have a first holding portion that is formed on the second beam portion and holds the first held portion of the accident prevention member.
The accident prevention member has a pair of fitting grooves parallel to each other, and the first accident prevention member holding mechanism has a fitting shaft for the first connector member and the second connector member on the first connector member. It is preferable to further have a pair of rails formed along the rails and fitted into the pair of fitting grooves of the accident prevention member.
Further, the accident prevention member has a slit formed at the end portion, and the first accident prevention member holding mechanism further includes a protrusion formed on the first connector member and inserted into the slit of the accident prevention member. You may have.

  The accident prevention member has a second held portion formed on the surface, and the second accident prevention member holding mechanism includes an elastically deformable third beam portion formed on the second connector member, It is preferable to have a second holding portion that is formed on the third beam portion and holds the second held portion of the accident prevention member.

Preferably, when the accident preventing member is not held by the first accident preventing member holding mechanism, the fitting prohibiting mechanism for prohibiting the fitting of the first connector member and the second connector member, and the accident preventing member include the first And a fitting permission mechanism that allows fitting of the first connector member and the second connector member when held by the one accident prevention member holding mechanism.
The fitting prohibiting mechanism is formed on the first connector member and the first connector member and the first connector member and the second connector member which are directed to the fitting axial direction of the second connector member and the second connector member. A fourth beam portion that is elastically deformable, and is formed on the fourth beam portion and faces the first wall surface portion when the fourth beam portion is not elastically deformed, and with respect to the first wall surface portion. A second wall surface portion in a position overlapping with the fitting axis direction, and the fitting permission mechanism is formed on the fourth beam portion and on the fourth beam portion and in the vicinity of the second wall surface portion. And a fourth beam portion when the accident prevention member is not held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism. Since the first wall surface portion and the second wall surface portion collide with each other without elastically deforming, the first connector member and the second wall surface portion When the fitting of the connector member is prohibited and the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the semi-cylindrical portion rides on the accident prevention member side slope portion of the accident prevention member and the fourth beam The first connector member is moved by the elastic deformation of the portion so that the second wall surface portion formed on the fourth beam portion moves to a position that does not overlap the first wall surface portion in the fitting axis direction. And it can comprise so that fitting of a 2nd connector member is accept | permitted.

It is preferable to further include a detachment allowing mechanism that allows detachment of the first connector member and the second connector member that are fitted to each other.
The disengagement permission mechanism is formed on the first inclined surface portion formed on the first connector member and disposed on the back portion of the first wall surface portion, and on the back portion of the second wall surface portion formed on the fourth beam portion. And when the first connector member and the second connector member are separated, the second slope portion rides on the first slope portion and the fourth beam portion is By elastically deforming, the first connector member and the second connector member can be separated from each other without the second wall surface portion being caught by the first wall surface portion.

Preferably, the first connector member is composed of a plug fixed to the electric equipment side housing, and the second connector member is composed of a socket connected to an end portion of the electric wire.
In this case, the plug has a plurality of plug-side contacts and a plug-side housing that holds and holds the plurality of plug-side contacts, and the socket is conductively connected to the plurality of plug-side contacts when the plug and the socket are fitted together. A plurality of socket-side contacts, and a socket-side housing that receives and holds the plurality of socket-side contacts and is connected to the plug-side housing when the plug and the socket are fitted, It is preferable that a waterproof member is disposed in each of the connecting portion, the connecting portion between the plug-side housing and the socket-side housing, and the connecting portion between the socket-side housing and the electric wire.

  According to the present invention, the first connector member and the second connector member can be fitted to each other only when the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism. When the first connector member and the second connector member are fitted to each other while the accident prevention member is held by the member holding mechanism, the accident prevention member is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism, and the first By disconnecting the connector member and the second connector member, the accident prevention member is automatically separated from the first accident prevention member holding mechanism and is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism. And the second connector member are separated from each other, so that even if the operator does not carry a specific member such as a service plug or the like, the pair of connectors separated from the fitted state is provided with a simple configuration. It is possible to restrict the re-engagement of Kuta members.

It is a perspective view which shows the state before fitting of the connector which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a plug. It is a perspective view which shows a plug side housing. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st accident prevention member holding mechanism formed in the plug side housing. It is a perspective view which shows an accident prevention member. It is a perspective view which shows an accident prevention member. It is a perspective view which shows a plug side contact. It is a perspective view which shows a socket. It is a disassembled perspective view of a socket. It is a perspective view which shows a socket side housing. It is a perspective view which shows the mooring mechanism formed in the socket side housing. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd accident prevention member holding mechanism formed in the socket side housing. It is a perspective view which shows the arm formed in the socket side housing. It is a perspective view which shows a socket side contact. It is a perspective view which shows the spring member used in the socket side contact. It is a side view which shows the state of the fitting prohibition mechanism at the time of fitting a socket with the plug by which the accident prevention member is not hold | maintained at the 1st accident prevention member holding mechanism. It is a side view which shows the state of the fitting permission mechanism at the time of fitting a socket with the plug by which the accident prevention member is hold | maintained at the 1st accident prevention member holding mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of the fitting of the connector which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a side view which shows the state of the detachment | leave permission mechanism at the time of detach | detaching a plug and a socket. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the accident prevention member hold | maintained at the 1st accident prevention member holding mechanism. It is a top sectional view showing the state of the accident prevention member from the fitting of the socket to the plug in which the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism to the separation. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the accident prevention member at the time of a fitting. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the connector which concerns on Embodiment 1 removed after fitting. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows a mode that an accident prevention member is removed from the 2nd accident prevention member holding mechanism of a socket. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a high voltage circuit using the connector according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a socket-side housing used for the connector according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an accident prevention member used for the connector according to Embodiment 2. It is a perspective view which shows the socket side housing and waterproofing member of the connector which concern on Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection portion between a plug-side housing and a socket-side housing in a connector according to a third embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the plug side housing and waterproofing member of the connector which concern on Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a connection portion between a plug-side housing and an electrical device-side housing of a connector according to Embodiment 3. It is a side view which shows the conventional connector.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The connector includes a plug 11 that is fixed to a housing of an electric device such as a battery module or an inverter, and a socket 12 that is attached to an end of the electric wire. An accident prevention member 13 is detachably attached to the outer side of the plug 11. It has been. The socket 12 is fitted to the plug 11 by applying the socket 12 to the plug 11 and pushing it along the fitting axis C1.
Here, for convenience, the surface including the fitting shaft C1 and the accident prevention member 13 is the XY plane, the direction in which the fitting shaft C1 extends from the socket 12 toward the plug 11 is the + Y direction, and is perpendicular to the fitting shaft C1. The direction from the fitting shaft C1 toward the accident prevention member 13 is referred to as + X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane is referred to as Z direction. In both the plug 11 and the socket 12, the + Y direction is referred to as the front and the -Y direction is referred to as the rear.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the plug 11 has a flange 14 that is attached to a housing of an electric device such as a battery module or an inverter by bolts, and a plug-side housing 15 projects from the flange 14 in the −Y direction. Yes. The plug-side housing 15 holds a pair of plug-side contacts 16, the front end side portion in the + Y direction of the plug-side contact 16 projects forward from the flange 14, and the rear end side portion of the plug-side contact 16 in the −Y direction. Is disposed in the plug-side housing 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plug-side housing 15 has a cylindrical shape centered on the fitting axis C <b> 1, and a flange 14 is connected to a front end that is an end in the + Y direction, and an end in the −Y direction. An opening end 17 is formed at a certain rear end. Inside the plug-side housing 15, two parallel plug-side contact accommodating portions 18 are formed along the fitting axis C <b> 1 in which the corresponding plug-side contacts 16 are accommodated, and these plug-side contact accommodating portions are formed. 18 is opened in the −Y direction through the open end 17.
A first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 for holding the accident prevention member 13 is formed on one outer side surface 19 of the pair of outer sides of the plug-side housing 15 extending along the YZ plane.

  The configuration of the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 is shown in FIG. On the outer surface 19 of the plug-side housing 15, a pair of parallel wall portions 21 that are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction and extend in the Y direction, that is, the fitting shaft C <b> 1 direction are formed. A pair of parallel rails 22 extending in the −Y direction are formed so as to be continuous with each other. In addition, at the rear end portion of the wall portion 21, a protruding portion 23 is formed that protrudes in the + X direction perpendicular to the outer surface 19 of the plug-side housing 15. Each protrusion 23 has a plug side wall surface portion (first wall surface portion) 24 facing rearward, that is, in the −Y direction, and is disposed on the back portion of the plug side wall surface portion 24 and has a + Y direction and a + X direction that are obliquely forward. It has a plug-side slope portion (first slope portion) 25 that faces.

Further, a pair of parallel and elastically deformable lances (second beam portions) 26 extending from the front end portions of the pair of wall portions 21 to the rear, that is, in the −Y direction, are formed. A pair of convex portions (first holding portions) 27 are formed to protrude in the Z direction so as to face each other.
Further, on the outer surface 19 of the plug-side housing 15 located in the vicinity of the front end of the wall portion 21 and between the two wall portions 21, it extends in the + X direction so as to be away from the outer surface 19, and then rearward, that is, -Y. A protrusion 28 protruding in the direction is formed.

5 and 6 show the configuration of the accident prevention member 13. The accident prevention member 13 is a member independent of the plug 11 and the socket 12. However, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the XYZ directions when the accident prevention member 13 has the same posture as shown in FIGS. It is written.
The accident prevention member 13 generally has an L-shaped flat plate shape extending along the XY plane, and includes a substantially rectangular plate-like portion 31 and a rod-like portion 32 connected to the plate-like portion 31. The accident prevention member 13 is used in such a posture that the rod-shaped portion 32 is positioned in front of the plate-shaped portion 31, that is, in the + Y direction, and the plate-shaped portion 31 protrudes in the + X direction from the rod-shaped portion 32.

The accident prevention member 13 has a bottom surface 33 extending from the plate-like portion 31 to the rod-like portion 32 along the YZ plane, and a pair of side surfaces extending along the XY plane from the plate-like portion 31 to the edge on the bottom surface 33 side. A pair of fitting grooves 34 extending in the Y direction across the portion 32 are formed.
A slit 35 is formed at the front end portion in the + Y direction of the rod-shaped portion 32, and concave portions (first held portions) 36 are formed on a pair of side surfaces extending along the XY plane of the rod-shaped portion 32.
A pair of side surfaces extending along the XY plane of the plate-like portion 31 are formed with projections 37 projecting in the Z direction, and the slopes on the accident prevention member side facing the + X direction and the −Y direction which are obliquely rearward on the respective projections 37. A portion 38 is formed. Furthermore, hemispherical protrusions (second held parts) 39 protruding in the Z direction are formed on the pair of side surfaces extending along the XY plane of the plate-like part 31. Further, a through hole 40 penetrating in the Z direction is formed in the plate-like portion 31.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a bottom surface 33 of a portion corresponding to the plate-like portion 31 is cut out to form a groove 41 extending in the Y direction. The rear end of the groove 41 in the −Y direction is open, and a tapered portion 42 is formed at the rear end portion of the groove 41. Further, a deep hole portion (hook receiving portion) 43 having a depth increased in the + X direction is formed at the front end portion in the + Y direction of the groove 41.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plug-side contact 16 has a plug-side contact main body 44. A contact portion 45 is formed in the rear end side portion of the plug side contact main body 44 accommodated in the plug side contact accommodating portion 18 of the plug side housing 15, and a connection hole is formed in the front end side portion protruding forward from the flange 14. 46 is formed.
An electric shock prevention cap 47 made of an insulating material is fitted into the rear end portion of the contact portion 45.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the socket 12 includes a socket-side housing 51 and a wire-side rubber member 53 attached between the socket-side housing 51 and the wire 52.
As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of socket-side contacts 54 are connected to the ends of the electric wires 52, and these socket-side contacts 54 are accommodated and held in the socket-side housing 51. In addition, the electric wire side rubber member 53 is for relieving the bending of the electric wire 52.

As shown in FIG. 10, the socket-side housing 51 has a cylindrical shape with the fitting axis C1 as the center, and an opening end 55 is formed at the front end that is the end in the + Y direction. Two parallel socket-side contact accommodating portions 56 are formed along the fitting axis C1 direction, in which socket-side contacts 54 corresponding to the rear ends of the socket-side housing 51 in the −Y direction are accommodated, respectively. These socket side contact accommodating portions 56 are connected to the open end 55.
A mooring mechanism 58 is formed on the rear end side on one outer surface 57 of the pair of outer surfaces of the socket-side housing 51 extending along the YZ plane, and the accident prevention member 13 is formed on the front end side on the outer surface 57. A second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 is formed for holding the motor.

  The mooring mechanism 58 is a direction in which the socket 12 is detached from the plug 11 when the socket 12 is fitted to the plug 11 with the accident prevention member 13 held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20, that is, the −Y direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the accident prevention member 13 is fastened to the outer side surface 57 of the socket-side housing 51, and can be elastically deformed extending from the rear end portion, which is the end portion in the −Y direction, to the front, that is, in the + Y direction. A lance (first beam portion) 60 and a hook portion 61 projecting from the front end of the lance 60 in the + X direction opposite to the outer surface 57 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 has a cross section extending in the Y direction and spaced apart from each other in the Z direction on the outer surface 57 of the socket side housing 51 on the front end side of the mooring mechanism 58. A pair of L-shaped wall portions 62 is provided, and an accident prevention member accommodating portion 63 extending in the Y direction is formed between the wall portions 62.
As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of mutually parallel and elastically deformable lances (third beam portions) 64 extend from the outer surfaces of the pair of L-shaped wall portions 62 to the rear, that is, in the −Y direction. A holding hole (second holding portion) 65 penetrating in the Z direction is formed at the rear end portion of the lance 64.

  Further, a pair of arms (fourth beam portions) 66 that are elastically deformable in parallel with each other extend in the front, that is, in the + Y direction, from the rear end portions of the inner surfaces of the pair of L-shaped wall portions 62. FIG. 13 shows the configuration of these arms 66. Each arm 66 is connected to the inner surface of the corresponding wall portion 62 at the base end portion 67, and the socket side wall surface portion (second wall surface portion) facing the front, that is, the + Y direction, at the front end in the + Y direction of the arm 66. 68 is formed, and a socket-side inclined surface portion (second inclined surface portion) 69 which is disposed on the back portion of the socket side wall surface portion 68 and faces obliquely rearward in the −Y direction and the −X direction is formed. A semi-cylindrical portion 70 protruding in the −X direction is further formed at the front end of the arm 66.

  FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the socket side contact 54. The socket-side contact 54 has a cylindrical portion 71 having a substantially rectangular cross section at the front end and a connection portion 72 connected to the electric wire 52 at the rear end, and a leaf spring 73 is fixed inside the cylindrical portion 71. Has been. The leaf spring 73 contacts the contact portion 45 of the plug-side contact 16 when the connector is fitted. As shown in FIG. 15, the leaf spring 73 has a contact portion 74 whose section is bent in a “<” shape. Yes.

In addition, the plug side wall surface portion 24 of the plug side housing 15, the arm 66 of the socket side housing 51, and the socket side wall surface portion 68 formed on the arm 66 cause the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug side housing 15 to have an accident. A fitting prohibiting mechanism that prohibits fitting of the plug 11 and the socket 12 when the prevention member 13 is not held is configured.
Further, the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug side housing 15 is constituted by the arm 66 of the socket side housing 51, the semi-cylindrical portion 70 formed on the arm 66, and the accident prevention member side inclined portion 38 of the accident prevention member 13. A fitting permission mechanism that allows fitting of the plug 11 and the socket 12 when the accident prevention member 13 is held is formed.
Further, the plug-side slope portion 25 of the plug-side housing 15 and the socket-side slope portion 69 formed on the arm 66 of the socket-side housing 51 constitute a detachment permission mechanism that allows the plug 11 and the socket 12 to be detached. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, when both the plug 11 and the socket 12 are positioned on the fitting shaft C <b> 1, the socket side wall surface portion 68 formed in the + Y direction toward the front end of the arm 66 of the socket-side housing 51 is formed. The plug side wall portion 24 faces the plug side wall surface portion 24 formed in the −Y direction toward the protrusion portion 23 of the plug-side housing 15. Further, when the arm 66 is not elastically deformed without applying an external force to the arm 66 of the socket-side housing 51, the socket side wall surface 68 overlaps the plug side wall surface 24 in the fitting axis C1 direction, that is, the Y direction. It is preset so that

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 16, when the socket side housing 51 is fitted to the plug side housing 15 in which the accident prevention member 13 is not held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20, the socket side The arm 66 of the housing 51 advances relatively in the direction of the plug-side housing 15 without being elastically deformed, and the socket side wall surface portion 68 and the plug side wall surface portion 24 that are overlapped with each other in the Y direction collide with each other. As a result, the fitting of the plug 11 and the socket 12 is prohibited.

  On the other hand, when the accident prevention member 13 is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20, the projection 37 of the accident prevention member 13 is located near the projection 23 of the plug-side housing 15 as shown in FIG. 17. It is preset to be positioned. Therefore, when the socket side housing 51 is to be fitted to the plug side housing 15 in which the accident prevention member 13 is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20, it is formed on the arm 66 of the socket side housing 51. The semi-cylindrical portion 70 that rides on the accident prevention member side slope portion 38 of the projection 37 of the accident prevention member 13, and the arm 66 receives a reaction force from the accident prevention member side slope portion 38 from the outer surface 57 of the socket side housing 51. Elastically deforms in the + X direction to move away. As a result, the socket side wall surface portion 68 formed at the front end of the arm 66 moves to a position where it does not overlap with the plug side wall surface portion 24 of the plug-side housing 15 in the Y direction. As a result, the plug 11 and the socket 12 are allowed to be fitted, and as shown in FIG. 18, the socket 12 can be further pushed in the + Y direction to be fitted to the plug 11.

  When the semi-cylindrical portion 70 of the arm 66 of the socket-side housing 51 moves in the + Y direction with respect to the projection 37 of the accident prevention member 13 in accordance with the fitting operation of the plug 11 and the socket 12, the arm 66 moves to the accident prevention member side. The reaction force from the slope portion 38 is not received, and the arm 66 returns to a natural state where no external force is received. For this reason, the socket side wall surface portion 68 and the plug side wall surface portion 24 are again positioned to overlap each other in the Y direction. However, as shown in FIG. 19, a plug-side inclined surface portion 25 facing diagonally forward in the + Y direction and the + X direction is formed on the back portion of the plug sidewall surface portion 24 and obliquely rearward on the back portion of the socket sidewall surface portion 68. A socket side inclined surface 69 facing the −Y direction and the −X direction is formed. Therefore, when the socket 12 is detached from the plug 11, the socket-side slope portion 69 is guided by the plug-side slope portion 25 and the arm 66 is elastically deformed in the + X direction so as to be away from the outer surface 57 of the socket-side housing 51. The socket-side housing 51 can be pulled away from the plug-side housing 15 without the arm 66 being caught by the plug side wall surface portion 24 of the plug-side housing 15.

Next, the operation of the connector according to the first embodiment will be described.
First, the accident prevention member is fitted until the fitting groove 34 of the accident prevention member 13 is fitted into the rail 22 of the plug side housing 15 and the protrusion 28 of the plug side housing 15 is inserted into the slit 35 at the front end of the accident prevention member 13. When the 13 is advanced along the rail 22, as shown in FIG. 20, the protruding portion 27 formed to protrude from the rear end of the lance 26 of the plug-side housing 15 fits into the recessed portion 36 of the accident preventing member 13. The accident prevention member 13 is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug-side housing 15.
When the accident prevention member 13 is advanced along the rail 22, the projection 28 of the plug-side housing 15 also functions as a stopper.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 21A, when the socket side housing 51 is applied to the plug side housing 15 and pushed in the + Y direction along the fitting axis C1, as shown in FIG. 21B. The hook portion 61 at the front end of the lance 60 of the socket-side housing 51 contacts the tapered portion 42 of the groove 41 of the accident prevention member 13.
Further, when the socket side housing 51 is pushed into the plug side housing 15, the hook portion 61 rides on the bottom surface of the groove 41 of the accident preventing member 13, the lance 60 is elastically deformed, and the hook portion 61 contacts the bottom surface of the groove 41. While moving forward, the groove 41 moves forward. When the fitting of the socket 12 to the plug 11 is completed, the hook portion 61 of the socket-side housing 51 reaches the deep hole portion 43 of the accident preventing member 13 and the elastically deformed lance 60 returns to a natural state. Then, as shown in FIG. 21C, the hook portion 61 is caught in the deep hole portion 43. As a result, the accident prevention member 13 is connected to the socket-side housing 51 in the direction in which the socket 12 is detached from the plug 11, that is, in the −Y direction.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 22, the hemispherical protrusion 39 protruding from the side surface of the accident prevention member 13 is fitted into the holding hole 65 at the rear end of the lance 64 of the socket-side housing 51. The accident prevention member 13 is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket side housing 51. That is, when the plug 11 and the socket 12 are fitted together, the accident prevention member 13 is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug side housing 15 and at the same time, the second accident prevention of the socket side housing 51 is performed. The member holding mechanism 59 is also held.
Further, by fitting the plug 11 and the socket 12 together, the contact portions 45 of the pair of plug-side contacts 16 held by the plug-side housing 15 are paired with the socket-side contacts 54 held by the socket-side housing 51. And is pressed by the contact portion 74 of the leaf spring 73, and the connector circuit is turned on.

  Since the hook portion 61 of the socket side housing 51 is hooked in the deep hole portion 43 of the accident prevention member 13, the accident prevention member 13 is connected to the socket side housing 51 in the −Y direction. 11, the projection 28 of the plug-side housing 15 is inserted into the slit 35 of the accident prevention member 13 and the projection 27 of the plug-side housing 15 is fitted into the recess 36 of the accident prevention member 13. As shown in FIG. 21D, the accident prevention member 13 is released from the holding by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 and is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket-side housing 51. The socket side housing 51 is pulled away from the plug side housing 15.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the accident prevention member 13 held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug 11 before the connector is fitted is connected to the plug 11 side after the connector is detached. Is moved to the socket 12 side and is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket 12.
In this way, in a state where the accident prevention member 13 is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket 12, the socket 12 is re-fitted to the plug 11 to try to turn on the connector circuit. As shown in FIG. 16, the socket side wall surface portion 68 of the arm 66 of the socket side housing 51 collides with the plug side wall surface portion 24 of the plug side housing 15 even when the 12 is advanced with respect to the plug 11 along the fitting axis C1. Therefore, the socket 12 cannot be fitted into the plug 11.

The accident prevention member 13 held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket side housing 51 is first fitted with the fitting shaft C1 away from the socket side housing 51, as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. After the accident prevention member 13 is moved in the + X direction orthogonal to the hook portion 61 of the socket-side housing 51 from the deep hole 43 of the accident prevention member 13 and the accident prevention member 13 is released, The second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 can be detached by moving backward along the fitting axis C <b> 1, that is, in the −Y direction.
If the accident prevention member 13 removed from the socket side housing 51 is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug side housing 15, the socket 12 can be fitted to the plug 11 again.
If a string or a metal ring is attached to the accident prevention member 13 using the through hole 40 of the accident prevention member 13, the second accident prevention member holding mechanism can be used even when the size of the accident prevention member 13 is small. The accident prevention member 13 can be easily removed from 59.

  If the accident prevention member 13 is held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket side housing 51, another accident prevention member 13 having the same structure as the accident prevention member 13 is attached to the plug side housing 15. Even if the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 holds the socket 12 and the socket 12 is fitted to the plug 11, the accident prevention member 13 is already held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59. The two accident prevention members 13 interfere with each other, and it is impossible to fit the plug 11 and the socket 12 together.

For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the connector according to the first embodiment is a motor from a battery module 81 as a power source mounted on a vehicle using electric energy, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, via an inverter 82. The present invention can be applied to a high voltage circuit that supplies electric power to 83.
The plug 11 is fixed to the housing of the battery module 81, the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 81 are connected to the pair of plug-side contacts 16 of the plug 11, and the input terminal of the inverter 82 is connected to the pair of socket-side contacts 54 of the socket 12. The ends of the pair of electric wires 84 drawn out from are respectively connected. It is assumed that the output terminal of the inverter 82 and the motor 83 are directly connected by three electric wires 85 without using a connector.

Normally, the socket 12 is fitted into the plug 11 so that the battery module 81 and the inverter 82 are connected. When the vehicle is operated, the battery module 81 is connected to the motor 83 via the inverter 82. Electric power can be supplied.
At the time of inspection and maintenance work, the socket 12 is detached from the plug 11 by an operator such as a maintenance person, and the battery module 81 and the inverter 82 are disconnected. Thereby, safety during work can be ensured.

As described above, in the connector according to the first embodiment, when the plug 11 and the socket 12 that have been fitted are removed, the accident prevention member 13 moves from the plug 11 side to the socket 12 side and is held by the socket 12. Therefore, the plug 11 and the socket 12 cannot be fitted again unless the accident prevention member 13 is removed from the socket 12 and held on the plug 11 side.
Therefore, when the operator leaves the vehicle during inspection and maintenance work, even if the operator does not carry the accident prevention member 13, a third person who does not have knowledge of the connector according to the first embodiment plugs the socket 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an electric shock accident caused by the fitting to the 11.
Moreover, the restriction | limiting of the fitting of the plug 11 and the socket 12 again can be implement | achieved mechanically with a simple structure, without using electrical means, such as radio | wireless communication.

  In the first embodiment, the plug 11 and the socket 12 can be fitted only when the accident prevention member 13 is held on the plug 11 side. Conversely, the accident prevention member 13 is connected to the socket 12. The plug 11 and the socket 12 can be fitted only when held on the side, and the accident prevention member 13 moves from the socket 12 side to the plug 11 side when the plug 11 and the socket 12 are detached. It can also be configured.

Embodiment 2
In the first embodiment, the socket-side housing 51 has the mooring mechanism 58 including the lance 60 and the hook portion 61, and the accident prevention member 13 is connected to the socket-side housing 51 in the −Y direction by the mooring mechanism 58. Thus, when the socket 12 was detached from the plug 11, the accident prevention member 13 was moved from the plug 11 side to the socket 12 side. However, even if the mooring mechanism 58 is not used, the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 on the socket 12 side holds the holding force by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 on the plug 11 side against the accident prevention member 13. By setting so as to have a larger holding force, it is possible to realize movement of the accident prevention member 13 from the plug 11 side to the socket 12 side at the time of detachment.

In the connector according to Embodiment 2, the holding force by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 is made larger than the holding force by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 without using the mooring mechanism 58. Since the mooring mechanism 58 is not used, the socket-side housing 51a according to the second embodiment is formed on the outer surface 57 on which the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 is formed, as shown in FIG. The lance 60 and the hook portion 61 used in the above are not provided. In other respects, the socket-side housing 51a has the same configuration as the socket-side housing 51 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Since the mooring mechanism 58 is not used, the accident prevention member 13a according to the second embodiment has a groove 41, a taper portion 42 and a depth for inserting the hook portion 61 into the bottom surface 33 as shown in FIG. The hole 43 is not provided. In other respects, the accident prevention member 13a has the same configuration as the accident prevention member 13 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

Further, the same members as those of the connector according to the first embodiment are used except for the socket-side housing 51a and the accident prevention member 13a. However, the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 of the socket side housing 51a has a holding force larger than the holding force by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug side housing 15 with respect to the accident prevention member 13a. It is formed as follows.
The holding force by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59 corresponds to the elastic constant of the lance 64 formed in the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59, the holding hole 65 formed at the end of the lance 64, and this. It can be increased by adjusting the size and shape of the hemispherical protrusion 39 of the accident preventing member 13a.

Even with the connector according to the second embodiment, the plug 11 and the socket 12 can be fitted only when the accident prevention member 13a is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 of the plug-side housing 15. Thus, when the plug 11 and the socket 12 are detached, the accident prevention member 13a is removed from the plug 11 side due to the difference in holding force between the first accident prevention member holding mechanism 20 and the second accident prevention member holding mechanism 59. It will move to the socket 12 side.
For this reason, by applying the connector of the second embodiment to a high voltage circuit as shown in FIG. 25, a third party fits the socket 12 to the plug 11 in the same manner as the connector of the first embodiment. It is possible to prevent an electric shock accident due to.

Embodiment 3
The connectors of Embodiments 1 and 2 described above can be provided with a waterproof function.
For example, as shown in FIG. 28, an annular waterproof member 91 made of rubber or the like is mounted inside the socket-side housing 51 of the connector of Embodiment 1, and the socket-side housing 51 is shown in FIG. When the plug-side housing 15 is fitted, the waterproof member 91 is sandwiched between the socket-side housing 51 and the plug-side housing 15 and compressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 30, an annular insertion groove 92 is formed on the back surface of the plug-side housing 15 on the flange 14 side so as to surround the plug-side contact 16, and an annular waterproofing made of rubber or the like is formed in the insertion groove 92. As shown in FIG. 31, the waterproof member 93 is sandwiched between the housing 94 of the electric device such as a battery module to which the plug-side housing 15 is attached and the plug-side housing 15 and is compressed as shown in FIG. 31. Configure.

Further, the connection portion between the wire-side rubber member 53 and the socket-side housing 51 of the socket 12 and the connection portion between the wire-side rubber member 53 and the wire 52 as shown in FIG. 8 are sealed with a waterproof member made of resin or the like. To do.
A connector having a waterproof function in this way is particularly useful when applied to a high voltage circuit as shown in FIG. 25 that is mounted on a vehicle exposed to the external environment.
Further, the connector of the second embodiment can be given a waterproof function in the same manner.

  1 Outlet unit, 1a Outlet unit surface, 2 Restriction member, 3 Plug, 4 Connection terminal, 5 Insert, 11 Plug, 12 Socket, 13, 13a Accident prevention member, 14 Flange, 15 Plug side housing, 16 Plug side contact , 17 Open end, 18 Plug side contact accommodating portion, 19 Outer side surface of plug side contact, 20 First accident prevention member holding mechanism, 21 Wall portion, 22 Rail, 23 Projection portion, 24 Plug side wall surface portion (first wall surface) Part), 25 plug-side slope part (first slope part), 26 lance (second beam part), 27 convex part (first holding part), 28 projection, 31 plate-like part, 32 bar-like part, 33 Bottom, 34 Fitting groove, 35 Slit, 36 Recess (first held part), 37 Protrusion, 38 Accident prevention member side slope, 39 Hemispherical Origin (second held part), 40 through hole, 41 groove, 42 taper part, 43 deep hole part (hook receiving part), 44 plug side contact body, 45 contact part, 46 hole, 47 cap, 51, 51a Socket side housing, 52 electric wire, 53 electric wire side rubber member, 54 socket side contact, 55 open end, 56 socket side contact accommodating portion, 57 outer surface of socket side housing, 58 mooring mechanism, 59 second accident prevention member holding mechanism 60 lance (first beam portion), 61 hook portion, 62 wall portion, 63 accident prevention member accommodating portion, 64 lance (third beam portion), 65 holding hole (second holding portion), 66 arm ( (Fourth beam portion), 67 base end portion, 68 socket side wall surface portion (second wall surface portion), 69 socket side inclined surface portion (second inclined surface portion), 70 semi-cylindrical portion, 71 cylinder -Shaped part, 72 connection part, 73 leaf spring, 74 contact point part, 81 battery module, 82 inverter, 83 motor, 84, 85 electric wire, 91, 93 waterproof member, 92 insertion groove, 94 electrical equipment housing, C1 fitting shaft .

Claims (14)

A first connector member;
A second connector member that fits into the first connector member;
An accident prevention member independent of the first connector member and the second connector member,
The first connector member has a first accident prevention member holding mechanism for detachably holding the accident prevention member;
The second connector member has a second accident prevention member holding mechanism for detachably holding the accident prevention member,
The first connector member and the second connector member can be fitted to each other only when the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism,
When the first connector member and the second connector member are fitted to each other in a state where the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the accident prevention member becomes the second accident. When the first connector member and the second connector member are detached, the accident prevention member is automatically released from being held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism. The first connector member and the second connector member are separated from each other while being held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism,
By removing the accident prevention member from the second accident prevention member holding mechanism and holding it by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism of the first connector member, the first connector member and the second accident prevention member holding mechanism. The connector member can be fitted again. When the second connector member is fitted to the first connector member in a state where the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the second connector member is A tethering mechanism for tethering the accident prevention member in a direction in which the second connector member is detached from the first connector member;
When the accident prevention member disengages the first connector member and the second connector member that have been fitted, the accident prevention member is released from being held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism while being held by the mooring mechanism. The connector according to claim 1. The accident prevention member has a hook receiving portion,
The mooring mechanism includes a first beam portion that is elastically deformable formed on the second connector member, and a hook portion that is formed on the first beam portion, and the first connector member 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein when the second connector member is fitted to each other, the accident prevention member is fastened by the hook portion being caught by the hook receiving portion of the accident prevention member. The second accident prevention member holding mechanism has a holding force larger than the holding force by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism with respect to the accident prevention member,
When the accident prevention member disengages the first connector member and the second connector member that have been fitted, the first accident prevention member is maintained while being held by the second accident prevention member holding mechanism. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is released from being held by a member holding mechanism. The accident prevention member has a first held portion formed on the surface,
The first accident prevention member holding mechanism includes an elastically deformable second beam portion formed on the first connector member, and the first accident prevention member formed on the second beam portion. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a first holding portion that holds the held portion. The accident prevention member has a pair of fitting grooves parallel to each other,
The first accident prevention member holding mechanism is formed along the fitting shaft of the first connector member and the second connector member on the first connector member, and the pair of accident prevention members. The connector according to claim 5, further comprising a pair of rails fitted in the fitting grooves. The accident prevention member has a slit formed at an end,
The connector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first accident prevention member holding mechanism further includes a protrusion formed on the first connector member and inserted into the slit of the accident prevention member. The accident prevention member has a second held portion formed on the surface,
The second accident preventing member holding mechanism includes an elastically deformable third beam portion formed on the second connector member, the second beam portion of the accident preventing member formed on the third beam portion. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a second holding portion that holds the held portion. A fitting prohibiting mechanism for prohibiting fitting of the first connector member and the second connector member when the accident preventing member is not held by the first accident preventing member holding mechanism;
A fitting permission mechanism that allows fitting of the first connector member and the second connector member when the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism. The connector as described in any one of 1-8. The fitting prohibiting mechanism includes a first wall surface portion formed on the first connector member and facing a fitting axis direction of the first connector member and the second connector member, and the second connector. A fourth beam part that is elastically deformable formed on the member, and is opposed to the first wall surface part when the fourth beam part is formed on the fourth beam part and the fourth beam part is not elastically deformed; A second wall surface portion at a position overlapping with the first wall surface portion in the fitting axis direction;
The fitting permission mechanism is formed on the surface of the fourth beam portion, a semi-cylindrical portion formed on the fourth beam portion and in the vicinity of the second wall surface portion, and the accident prevention member. The accident prevention member side slope part,
When the accident prevention member is not held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the first wall surface portion and the second wall surface portion collide with each other without elastically deforming the fourth beam portion. Thus, fitting of the first connector member and the second connector member is prohibited,
When the accident prevention member is held by the first accident prevention member holding mechanism, the semi-cylindrical portion rides on the slope surface of the accident prevention member on the accident prevention member side, and the fourth beam portion is elastically deformed. Accordingly, the second connector is moved to a position where the second wall surface portion formed on the fourth beam portion does not overlap with the first wall surface portion in the fitting axis direction. The connector according to claim 9, wherein fitting of a member and the second connector member is allowed.   The connector according to claim 10, further comprising a detachment permission mechanism that allows detachment of the first connector member and the second connector member that are fitted to each other. The disengagement allowing mechanism is formed on the first inclined surface portion formed on the first connector member and disposed on the back portion of the first wall surface portion, on the fourth beam portion, and on the second beam portion. A second slope portion disposed on the back of the wall portion,
When the first connector member and the second connector member are disengaged, the second inclined surface portion rides on the first inclined surface portion, and the fourth beam portion is elastically deformed. The connector according to claim 11, wherein the first connector member and the second connector member are pulled apart from each other without the second wall surface portion being caught by the first wall surface portion. The first connector member comprises a plug fixed to the electric equipment side housing,
The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second connector member includes a socket connected to an end portion of an electric wire. The plug has a plurality of plug-side contacts and a plug-side housing that houses and holds the plurality of plug-side contacts,
The socket accommodates and holds a plurality of socket-side contacts that are conductively connected to the plurality of plug-side contacts when the plug and the socket are fitted, and the plug and the socket. A socket side housing connected to the plug side housing at the time of fitting;
Waterproof members are respectively disposed in a connection portion between the electric device side housing and the plug side housing, a connection portion between the plug side housing and the socket side housing, and a connection portion between the socket side housing and the electric wire. The connector according to claim 13.

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