JPH07296880A - Live portion shielding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent exerting impact forces to a shielding cover and to enhance dustproofness between two cover members in a live portion shielding device which shields a contact (live portion). CONSTITUTION:This live portion shielding device is provided with a guide member 14 secured to the inner peripheral surface of an outside case 15 and having predetermined cam grooves 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d bored in its peripheral surface, a cover support member 13 held in such a manner as to be slidable along the inner peripheral surface of the guide member 14 and in the direction (arrow X) in which it is connected to a mating contact, and two covers 11, 12 freely rotatably held 7 by the cover support member 13 and forming part of a spherical surface. The guide projections 11c, 11d, 12c, 12d of the covers 11, 12 move along the cam grooves 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, thereby opening or closing the covers 11, 12. In their closed positions the covers 11 and 12 are made to abut each other along the direction of rotation so as to secure the dustproofness of their abutting surfaces.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a live part shield device for an electrical connector, and more particularly to a live part (contact) of an electrical connector used for supplying electric power, which is connected to a mating connector. The present invention relates to a device that shields a live part from contact.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an electric connector used for an electric wire on a power supply side such as a power supply line for supplying electric power to an electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle has a very high current flowing through it, so that the live part thereof is not touched. Is very dangerous.

When the mating part or the mating connector connected thereto is not connected, the live part is shielded from the outside to prevent the human body from touching the live part and receiving an electric shock. A live part shield device has been proposed in which the live part is exposed. For example, US Pat. No. 3,754,205
According to No. 4,445,739, the connector housing has a double structure of an inner housing and an outer housing which are slidable with respect to each other for the purpose of protecting the live part from breakage and the like. When not connected to the connector, one of the two housings protrudes from the other, and the other protruding housing is spring-biased and protrudes to a position that covers the contact. To prevent it.

In this connector, however, it is necessary to form a through hole for exposing the contact from the housing by retracting the protruding housing in the connected state to the other housing side against the urging force. The dust may enter the housing through the through hole.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 347832/1992, a rotatable cover is provided which covers the connection surface of the connector at the closed position and is exposed at the open position, and an operation of bringing the mating connector close to the connector in the connection direction. Thus, there is disclosed a protective cover in which a pushing portion provided in a part of the mating connector presses a part of the rotary cover to rotate the cover, thereby exposing the connection surface of the connector.

Since this protective cover collides with the pushing portion attached to the mating connector and is rotated, impact force may be applied to the colliding portion and the center of rotation to damage it. Further, since the cover is formed of one large member, the amount of rotational displacement and the rotational driving force required to move the cover from the closed position to the open position becomes large, and the cover has a large retreat space for accommodating the cover when the cover is opened. There is a problem that it is necessary to secure.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the cover is divided into two parts to reduce the weight of each cover to reduce the opening / closing operation force, and to reduce the size to reduce the retreat space. A connector in which a live part is shielded by such a cover divided into two parts is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4 (1999) -1998.
-133279.

[0008]

By the way, in the case of shielding by closing the two covers, it is necessary to secure the adhesion between the two covers when closing. In particular, the above power line used for electric vehicles is used outdoors,
The live part is required to have dustproofness to some extent. However, the cover disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-133279 is contacted in the radial direction perpendicular to the rotating direction when the cover is closed. There is a possibility that the adhesiveness of may not be secured.

Further, since this cover is opened and closed by abutting the sliding inner case, there is a risk that it will be damaged by the impact force of the abutting each time it is opened and closed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to shield a live part by applying no impact force to a cover member and improving dustproofness between two cover members. An object of the present invention is to provide a live part shield device.

[0011]

A live part shield device of the present invention is a live part shield device which shields a live part connected to a mating contact when the mating contact is not connected. It is rotatably supported between a shield position that shields the live part and an open position that exposes the live part when connected to a mating contact, and has a guide protrusion near the center of this rotation. A pair of cover members having contact surfaces that are biased to the shield position and contact each other in the rotating direction, the contact surfaces facing each other,
A support member that rotatably supports the cover member and a support member that is slidable relative to the support member are provided. And a guide member having a guide groove for guiding the guide projection of the cover member so as to move between them.

It is preferable that the sliding direction be the same as the connecting direction with the mating contact. As a result, due to the connection operation with the mating contact, a part of the connector accommodating the mating contact or a part of the device having the mating contact slides one of the support member and the guide member relative to the other. Since it is not necessary to independently perform the attachment / detachment operation with the mating contact and the cover opening / closing operation, it is possible to further improve safety and simplify the operation.

Further, the abutting surfaces of the pair of covers may be formed stepwise or unevenly in the radial direction of the turning operation so as to be overlapped with each other. In this case, in the shielding position. The dustproof property in the radial direction can be further improved.

[0014]

According to the live part shield device of the present invention, since the live part is shielded by the cover member biased to the shield position in the state of not being connected to the mating contact, the human body or the like is protected. There is no risk that the live parts will touch the live part, and electric shock can be prevented.

Since the cover member is pivotally supported by the support member and can rotate about the support portion pivotally supported between the position where the live part is shielded and the position where it is exposed, it is connected to the mating contact. In this case, the cover member can be moved to the open position to connect the live part to the mating contact.

A guide projection provided in the vicinity of the center of rotation of the cover member engages with a guide groove of the support member and a slidable guide member, and a relative sliding operation between the guide member and the support member. As a result, the guide projection moves along the guide groove, and this moving operation moves the cover member between the blocking position and the open position around the rotation center of the cover member. Therefore, the mating component or the like to be connected does not collide with the cover member and the cover member is not damaged.

The cover member is composed of two covers that rotate in opposite directions between the shield position and the open position, and these two covers rotate the covers from the open position to the shield position in the shield position. Since they abut in the moving direction, the contact surface spacing can be easily adjusted by adjusting the amount of displacement in the rotating direction. That is, by forming the guide groove so as to extend to a position corresponding to an imaginary position where the two cover members are overlapped and closed, even if the covers are worn, the two covers always contact each other in the shielding position. It is possible to make contact and ensure dust resistance.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A live part shield apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

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

More specifically, the covers 11 and 12 have through holes 11a, 11b and 12a, which are provided at the ends thereof.
The cover support protrusions 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d of the cover support member 13 are fitted into and axially supported by 12b, respectively, and the through holes 11a, 11b and 12a supported by the shafts are supported.
12b is rotatable about the center of rotation.

Further, through holes 11a, 11b and 12a,
Guide protrusions 11c, 11d and 12c, 12d are formed in the vicinity of 12b, and these protrusions are formed in the cam grooves 14a, 14b, 14 provided on the circumferential surface of the guide member 14.
c and 14d, respectively. Cam grooves 14a and 14
In the state in which the circumferential distance between c and the circumferential distance between 14b and 14d is wide at the end portion on the front end side in the drawing, and the guiding projections 11c, 11d, 12c, 12d are guided to this position. The covers 11 and 12 are closed by abutting the opposite end surfaces thereof to shield the contact 16.

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

The cover support member 13 is the outer case 1
A spring 18 fixed to the valve 5 urges the spring forward (the position where the covers 11 and 12 are closed to shield the contact 16).

The operation of the live part shield apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view showing a state in which the mating contact is not connected. In this unconnected state, the cover supporting member 13 is pressed toward the mating contact side (left side in the drawing) by the spring 18, and the guiding protrusions 11c, 11d and 12c, 12d of the covers 11, 12 are cammed by the cam of the guiding member 14. It is guided to the front of the grooves 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. In this position, the cam groove 14
Since the distance between a and 14c and the distance between 14b and 14d are wide, the covers 11 and 12 are closed by abutting the opposite end surfaces thereof to shield the contact 16.

Here, the housing for accommodating the mating contact advances in the direction of the arrow X, contacts the front end surfaces 13g, 13h of the detent protrusions 13e, 13f of the cover support member 13, and presses in the direction of the arrow X. Thereby, the cover support member 13
Moves in the direction of arrow X against the biasing force of the spring 18.

As the cover support member 13 advances in the direction of the arrow X, the guide projections 11c of the covers 11 and 12,
11d, 12c and 12d are also cam grooves 14a, 14b and 14
Proceed in the direction of arrow X along c and 14d. The distance between the cam grooves 14a and 14c and the distance between 14b and 14d are indicated by the arrow X.
Since it becomes narrower in the direction, the guide projection 1
The spaces between 1c and 12c and between 11d and 12d are also narrowed, and the covers 11 and 12 have through holes 11a, 11b and 12 respectively.
The contacts 16 start to be exposed by rotating in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, respectively, about a and 12b as rotation centers (see FIG. 2).
(See (B)).

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

When the mating contact is disengaged in the direction opposite to the arrow X direction, the cover supporting member 13 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow X direction by the urging force of the spring 18, and the cover 1
1 and 12 close by the action opposite to the above-mentioned action of opening and shield the contact 16.

Here, the opposing end surfaces of the covers 11 and 12 are in contact with each other when the cover is shielded, but since these end surfaces are in contact with each other in the rotating direction, the distance between the contacting end surfaces adjusts the shift amount in the rotating direction. You can easily adjust just by doing. That is, the cam grooves 14a, 14b,
14c and 14d are extended, and the gaps between the cam grooves 14a and 14c and the gaps between 14b and 14d are widened according to the extension, and the detent holes 14e and 14f are extended forward. As a result, even if the contact surfaces of the covers 11 and 12 are worn, the cover support member 13 is
Automatically advances forward until the contact surfaces of 1 and 12 contact,
Since the contact surface is always in contact with the covers 11 and 12 at the shielding position, the dustproof property of the contact surface can be ensured.

FIG. 3 uses a guide member 25 in which the outer case 15 and the guide member 18 are integrally formed in the live part shield apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
5 is a perspective view showing a contact including a live part shield device according to a second embodiment having a configuration in which the cover part 5 is slidable with respect to the cover support member 23, and FIG. 4 is a live part shield device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line BB for explaining the action of FIG.
The illustrated live part shield device 20 is a cable 2 for power supply.
Mating contact (not shown) provided at the supply side of 7
A cover support member 23 made of resin for accommodating and fixing a contact 26 connected to the two, and two covers 2 which are rotatably held by the cover support member 23 and which form a part of a spherical surface 2.
1, 22 and predetermined cam grooves 25a, 25b, 2 on the inner peripheral surface
5c, 25d and the guide member 25 in which the detent grooves 25e, 25f are formed.

More specifically, the cover support member 23 has detent protrusions 23e and 23f that engage with detent grooves 25e and 25f of the guide member 25, and the cover support member 23 and the guide member 25 are relatively positioned. It prevents rotation in the circumferential direction and prevents the guide member 25 from coming off the cover supporting member 23.

Further, the covers 21 and 22 are provided with through holes 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b provided at their end portions, respectively, and cover supporting protrusions 23a, 23 of the cover supporting member 23, respectively.
b, 23c, and 23d are fitted and pivotally supported, and the pivotally supported through holes 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b are pivotable as pivot centers.

Further, through holes 21a, 21b and 22a,
Protrusions 21c, 21d and 22c, 22d are formed in the vicinity of 22b, and these protrusions are formed in the cam grooves 25a, 25b, 2 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the guide member 25.
5c and 25d, respectively. Cam grooves 25a and 2
The circumferential distance between 5c and the circumferential distance between 25b and 25d is wide on the rear side in the drawing, and when the guiding projections 21c, 21d, 22c, 22d are guided to this position, the cover 21 , 22 are closed by abutting the opposite end faces, and shield the contact 26.

On the other hand, the interval between the cam grooves is narrowed in the front portion of the drawing, and when the guiding projections 21c, 21d and 22c, 22d are guided to this position,
The covers 21 and 22 rotate in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2, respectively, to expose the contacts 26.

The guide member 25 shields the contact 26 by the fixed spring 28 (not shown in FIG. 3, see FIG. 4) with respect to the cover supporting member 23 (the covers 21, 22 are closed). Position) (see FIG. 4).

The operation of the live part shield device 20 of this embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view showing a state in which the mating contact is not connected. In this unconnected state, the guide member 25 is pressed by the spring 28 toward the mating contact side (the left side in the drawing), and the guide protrusions 21c, 21d and 22c, 22d of the covers 21, 22 are moved into the cam groove of the guide member 25. It is guided to the rear part of 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d. At this position, since the gaps between the cam grooves 25a and 25c and the gaps between 25b and 25d are wide, the covers 21 and 22 are closed by abutting the opposite end faces, and shield the contact 26.

Here, the housing accommodating the mating contact advances in the direction of arrow X, contacts the front edge of the guide member 25, and presses the guide member 25 in the direction of arrow X. As a result, the guide member 25 resists the urging force of the spring 28 and the arrow X
Go in the direction.

As the guide member 25 advances in the direction of the arrow X, the guide projections 21c, 21d, 22 of the covers 21, 22 are guided along the cam grooves 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d.
c and 22d move in the circumferential direction. Cam grooves 25a and 25c
Since the distance between the guide projections 21c and 22c and the distance between the guide projections 21c and 22c become narrower, the distances between the guide projections 21c and 22c become narrower and the distances between the guide projections 21c and 22d become smaller. 21a, 21b and 2
2a and 22b are used as rotation centers, and arrows Y1 and Y2 are respectively
The contact 26 starts to be exposed as it rotates in the direction.

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

When the mating contact is disengaged in the direction opposite to the arrow X direction, the guide member 25 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow X direction by the urging force of the spring 28, and the covers 21 and 22.
Closes and shields the contact 26 by the action opposite to the above-mentioned action of opening.

Also in the live part shield apparatus of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the covers 21 and 2 are shielded at the time of shielding.
Since the end surfaces facing each other with 2 contact each other and the end surfaces contact each other in the turning direction, the distance between the contacting end surfaces can be easily adjusted only by adjusting the shift amount in the turning direction. It is possible to secure the dustproof property on the contact surface.

Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
The contact surfaces of the pair of covers 11 and 12 (and 21 and 22) may be formed so as to be overlapped with each other, stepwise in the radial direction of the rotating operation, or as a combination of irregularities. In this case, the dustproof property in the radial direction can be further improved at the shielding position.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA for explaining the operation of the live part shield device shown in FIG.

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

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line BB for explaining the operation of the live part shield device shown in FIG.

5 (A) is a cover shown in FIG. 1, and C of 11, 12;
-C sectional drawing which shows the C line cross section, (B) is an enlarged view of the K section shown in (A).

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 live part shield device 11, 12 cover 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b through hole 11c, 11d, 12c, 12d guide protrusion 13 cover support member 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d cover support protrusion 13e, 13f rotation stop protrusion 14 Guide members 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Cam grooves 14e, 14f Rotation stop through hole 15 Outer case 16 Contact 17 Cable 18 Spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A live part shield device for blocking a live part connected to a mating contact when the part is not connected, wherein the live part is rotatable between a shield position for shielding the live part and an open position for exposing the live part. A pair of cover members that are pivotally supported on the cover, have guide protrusions in the vicinity of the center of rotation, and have contact surfaces facing in the rotation direction that are urged to the shielding position and contact each other; A support member that rotatably supports the member, and a support member that is slidable relative to the support member. The relative sliding operation with respect to the support member causes the cover member to move to the shield position and the cover position. And a guide member having a guide groove for guiding the guide projection of the cover member so as to move between the open position and the live part shielding device.