JPH08171974A - Method and device for connecting power feeding connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To automatically connect the power supplying side and the power receiving side and automatically cancel this connection by building an electric motor or an electromagnetic solenoid in the structure so as to move at least one of a male and female pair of connectors forward or backward in the fitting axial direction. CONSTITUTION: A motor 6 or a pair of solenoids are positioned in the depth of a housing 1 and it is not driven. In this condition, a handle 3 of a housing 2 is gripped and moved in the direction F, and the tip thereof is fitted to the tip of the objective housing 20. Fitting is continued till an engagement part 22 of the housing 20 is engaged with a locking park 10 of the housing 2. At this stage, when a switch 4 is operated so as to rotate the motor 6 counter clockwise, a gear 7 is rotated clockwise so as to push a rack 8 forward. With this movement, an internal housing 5 is moved forward, and the tip wall 5A of the housing 5 is slid along the inner wall of the housing 20. Consequently, the engagement part 22 is sealed by the locking part 10, and strongly locked with the housing 20. A connector 9 is connected to the objective connector 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply connector device, and more particularly to a power supply connector device capable of automatically fitting / disconnecting a connector for supplying a large current for supplying power to an electric vehicle or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Power supply connector devices are used, for example, in power supply stations of electric vehicles. As such a conventional power supply connector device, a lever type manual one as shown in FIG. 15 is known. In the figure, the power feeding connector 100 has a built-in connector housing 101, the tip is applied to a power receiving side connector (not shown), and when the lever 105 is pulled to approach the handle 106, the pin 103
With the pin 104 as the fulcrum, and the connector housing 101 is pushed out in the W direction via the handle 106 by the principle of the lever, so that the power feeding side connector is pushed into the power receiving side connector for fitting, or at the time of disconnection. Similarly, the handle lever is operated in the opposite direction to disengage the power supply connector from the power reception connector.

[0003]

However, in the above-described construction for manually engaging or disengaging the connector, there is a limit to the insertion / removal force, and manual engagement / disengagement is sufficient for large connectors for large currents. There was a problem that it did not work. That is, the insertion / withdrawal force required for manual engagement / disengagement was insufficient. For this reason, there is a problem that it cannot be used for large currents and applications with large insertion / removal force such as high-density multi-pole connectors.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and drawbacks, and its purpose is to provide a power supply connector connecting method for automatically engaging or disengaging a connector, and a power supply connector device embodying the connecting method. To provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in the method of connecting a power supply connector according to the present invention, at least one of a pair of male and female connectors is fitted by advancing or retracting in the fitting axial direction by an electromagnetic moving means. It is characterized by joining or leaving. Further, the power feeding connector device according to the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with an electromagnetic moving means for advancing or retracting at least one of the pair of male and female connectors in the fitting axis direction to engage or disengage. Alternatively, the electromagnetic moving means is realized by an electric motor. Alternatively, the electromagnetic moving means is realized by an electromagnetic solenoid.

The power supply connector connecting method according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of sets of male and female connectors are sequentially engaged or disengaged one by one with a time lag. Further, the power feeding connector device according to the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with an electromagnetic moving means for sequentially fitting or disengaging a plurality of sets of a pair of male and female connectors one by one with a time lag.

[0007]

In the method for connecting a power feeding connector according to the present invention, at least one of a pair of male and female connectors is moved forward or backward in the fitting axial direction by electromagnetic moving means to be fitted or removed. As a result, the power feeding unit and the power receiving unit are automatically connected or disconnected. Further, in the power feeding connector device according to the present invention, the electromagnetic moving means constituted by the built-in electric motor or electromagnetic solenoid moves at least one of the pair of male and female connectors forward or backward in the fitting axis direction to engage or disengage. This realizes a power supply connector device capable of automatically connecting or disconnecting the power supply side and the power reception side.

Further, since the power feeding connector connecting method according to the present invention sequentially fits or disconnects a plurality of sets of male and female connectors one by one with a time difference, all the connector sets can be inserted and removed with a low insertion / extraction force. Is connected or disconnected. Further, the safety is ensured by appropriately setting the order of the respective connector sets to be connected or disconnected so that the ground connector is first connected and then finally disconnected. Further, in the power feeding connector device according to the present invention, the built-in electromagnetic moving means sequentially engages or disengages a plurality of sets of connectors, each of which includes a pair of male and female, with a time lag. This realizes a power supply connector device capable of automatically connecting or disconnecting the power supply side and the power reception side in a desired order.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the construction of an embodiment of a power feeding connector device according to the present invention. 2 to 4
[Fig. 2] is a top view for explaining the operation of the power feeding connector device of Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the power feeding connector connecting method and the power feeding connector device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIG. 1, a power supply connector device 1 according to the present invention
Includes a handle 2 and a switch 4 at a rear end thereof, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2 having an opening at a front end, and a motor 6 (electromagnetic moving means) fixed to the inside of the housing 2 and having a spur gear mounted on a rotating shaft. A gear 7 having a two-stage gear that is rotatably fixed inside the housing 2 and that meshes with a spur gear mounted on the motor 6, and a rack 8 that meshes with the gear 7 are provided inside the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. It is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped inner housing 5 which is movable to the inside and has a connector 9 mounted inside the tip thereof. Further, concave locking portions 10 are provided on both sides near the opening at the front end of the housing 2.

A mating housing 20 of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped is provided with a mating connector 21 at its tip and has convex engaging portions 22 on both outer sides of the tip. The mating housing 20 is inserted through the opening of the housing 2 during fitting,
The mating connector 21 is connected to the connector 9. In this way, the connector 9 constitutes a power feeding side connector, and the mating connector 21 constitutes a power receiving side connector. Further, the switch 4 of the power feeding connector device 1 drives and stops the motor 6,
And the rotation direction of the motor 6 is switched.

Next, the operation will be described. In FIG. 2, the inner housing 5 is located at the back of the housing 2, and the motor 6
Is not driven. The handle 3 of the housing 2 in this state is grasped and moved in the F direction in the figure, and the tip is fitted to the tip of the mating housing 20. If the fitting is continued in this state, the engaging portion 22 of the mating housing 20 is engaged with the engaging portion 10 of the housing 2 as shown in FIG.
Next, the switch 4 is operated to move the motor 6 to the position shown in FIG.
When the gear 7 is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by, the gear 7 rotates clockwise to push the rack 8 forward. Along with this, the inner housing 5 moves forward, and the front end wall 5A of the inner housing 5 slides along the inner wall of the mating housing 20. As a result, the engaging portion 22 is sealed by the locking portion 10, and thus the engaging portion 22 is prevented from being displaced in the arrow G direction (see FIG. 3). As a result, the mating housing 20 is firmly locked to the housing 2. When the motor 6 is further rotated counterclockwise, the inner housing 5 moves further forward, and the connector 9 is connected to the mating connector 21.

As described above, the connector 9 on the power feeding side and the connector 21 on the power receiving side are automatically connected by the electromagnetic moving means called the motor 6. In order to automatically disconnect the connector 9 on the power feeding side and the connector 21 on the power receiving side, the switch 4 is operated and the motor 6 is rotated counterclockwise.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the power feeding connector device according to the present invention. In the figure, in the power feeding connector device 1A, a rod 11 made of, for example, a synthetic resin, which is a non-magnetic material, is extended rearward from the rear end of the inner housing 5A, and a magnetic armature 12 is connected to the rear end of the rod 11. It is set up. Further, two annular electromagnets 13A and 13B are axially provided continuously in sliding contact with the outer circumferences of the armature 12 and the rod 11. That is, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic moving means is achieved by the rod 11, the armature 12, and the electromagnets 13A and 13B forming an electromagnetic solenoid. In the state of FIG. 5, the armature 12 is located at the right end, and thus the inner housing 5A is located at the right end. Here, when the counterpart housing 20 is locked to the housing 2A as in the previous embodiment and then the front electromagnet 13A is driven, the armature 12 is attracted by the electromagnet 13A and moves to the left side in the drawing. As a result, the inner housing 5A also moves to the left, and the power feeding side connector 9 and the power receiving side connector 21 are automatically connected. To release the connection, the rear electromagnet 13B is driven.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of another embodiment of the power supply connector device according to the present invention. 7 to FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a connecting operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG. 6. 11 to 14 are explanatory views of the releasing operation. In each of the above figures, the power supply connector device 31 according to the present invention
Is a first terminal housing 33A that is provided inside the housing 32 with a first terminal 35A at the front part and a first sheath 34A having a thread groove on the inner wall at the rear part and is movable back and forth (left and right direction in the drawing). , A second terminal housing 33B provided with a second terminal 35B at the front part and a second sheath 34B having a thread groove on the inner wall at the rear part and movable in the front-back direction (left-right direction in the drawing)
The third terminal housing 33C is provided with a third terminal 35C in the front part and a third sheath 34C having an inner wall with a spiral groove in the rear part, and is movable back and forth (left and right direction in the drawing).

A first drawing screw portion 37A is screwed into a thread groove of the first sheath 34A, and a first drawing shaft 36A is connected to a rear portion of the first drawing screw portion 37A. First drawing shaft 36
A first clutch 42A is fixedly attached to the outer periphery of A.
A first clutch spur gear 41A, which is slidably rotatable, is inserted into the outer circumference of the drawing shaft 36A so as to face the first clutch 42A. Further, the first drawing shaft 36A has a first
The wire spring 43 is embedded, and the first wire spring 43 is composed of an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower left and an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower right.
It is projected from the shaft. The rotation of the first drawing shaft 36A causes the first drawing screw portion 37A to rotate, and the first sheath 34A screwed to the first drawing screw portion 37A is drawn back and forth. As a result, the first terminal housing 33A moves back and forth. ing.

A second drawing screw portion 37B is screwed into the thread groove of the second sheath 34B, and a second drawing shaft 36B is connected to the rear portion of the second drawing screw portion 37B. Second drawing shaft 36
A second clutch 42B rotates on the outer circumference of B together with the second drawing shaft 36B, and is attached so as to be movable back and forth along the outer circumference of the second drawing shaft 36B, and also slides on the outer circumference of the second drawing shaft 36B. And rotatable second clutch spur gear 41B
However, it is inserted facing the second clutch 42B.
Further, a second front wire spring 44 is embedded in front of the inside of the second drawing shaft 36B, and the second front wire spring 44 is composed of an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower left and an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower right. The central part is slightly projected from the shaft. Further, a second rear wire spring 45 is embedded in the inner rear portion of the second drawing shaft 36B, and the second rear wire spring 45 includes an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower left and an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower right. The central part is slightly projected from the shaft. The rotation of the second drawing shaft 36B causes the second drawing screw portion 37B to rotate,
The second sheath 34B screwed to this is drawn back and forth, and as a result, the second terminal housing 33B moves back and forth.

A third drawing screw portion 37C is screwed into a thread groove of the third sheath 34C, and a third drawing shaft 36C is continuously provided at a rear portion of the third drawing screw portion 37C. Third drawing shaft 36
The third clutch 42C is fixed to the outer periphery of C, and the third clutch 42C
A third clutch spur gear 41C, which is slidably rotatable, is inserted into the outer circumference of the drawing shaft 36C so as to face the third clutch 42C. Further, the third drawing shaft 36C has a third
The wire spring 46 is embedded, and the third wire spring 46 is composed of an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower left and an inclined surface inclined from the center to the lower right.
It is projected from the shaft. The rotation of the third drawing shaft 36C causes the third drawing screw portion 37C to rotate, and the third sheath 34C screwed to the third drawing screw portion 37C is drawn back and forth. As a result, the third terminal housing 33C moves back and forth. Has become.

The housing 32 further includes a switch 50.
A motor 38 having a first spur gear 39A fixed to a rotation shaft thereof and a first two-step spur gear 40 meshing with the first spur gear 39A and the first clutch spur gear 41A are provided. Further, a second spur gear 39B that meshes with the first clutch spur gear 41A and the second clutch spur gear 41B, and a third spur gear 39C that meshes with the second clutch spur gear 41B and the third clutch spur gear 41C are provided. It Further, the first clutch spur gear 41A and the second clutch 42B are movable by the second gear slider 48 while maintaining the positional relationship,
Further, the second clutch spur gear 41B and the third clutch spur gear 41C are configured to be movable by the third gear slider 49 while maintaining their positional relationship. The mating housing 60 locked to the housing 32 is a mating first terminal 61.
A, mating second terminal 61B, mating third terminal 61C
, The other side first terminal 61A is the first terminal 35A,
The mating second terminal 61B includes a mating second terminal 35B and a mating third terminal
The terminal 61C is connected to the third terminal 35C, respectively.

Next, the connection operation will be described. In FIG. 7, when the switch 50 is pushed forward, the motor 38 and the first spur gear 39A start rotating, and this rotation is transmitted to the first clutch spur gear 41A via the first two-step spur gear 40. . Since the inner circumference of the first clutch spur gear 41A is in contact with the left inclined surface of the first wire spring 43 and is biased forward, the first clutch spur gear 41A meshes with the first clutch 42A and the first clutch 42A. Rotates. With the rotation of the first clutch 42A, the first drawing shaft 3
6A, the first drawing screw portion 37A rotates, and the first sheath 34
A and the first terminal housing 33A move forward.
In the above state, the first clutch spur gear 41A is positioned forward by the bias of the first wire spring 43, so that the first clutch spur gear 41A and the second spur gear 39B are disengaged from each other, so that the motor 38 The rotation is not transmitted to the second clutch spur gear 41B. Similarly, the second clutch spur gear 41B and the third spur gear 39C are disengaged, and the rotation of the motor 38 is not transmitted to the third clutch spur gear 41C.

Eventually, as shown in FIG. 8, the first terminal 35A
Is connected to the mating first terminal 61A of the mating housing 60, the first terminal housing 33A reaches the left end and stops moving. However, since the rotation of the motor 38 continues, the torque increases, so that the meshing of the first clutch 42A slides and pushes the first clutch spur gear 41A rearward to release the meshing. As a result, the rotation is not transmitted to the first clutch 42A, and the rotation of the first drawing shaft 36A and the first drawing screw portion 37A is stopped. The first clutch spur gear 41A, which is pushed rearward, has the first wire spring 4
The first wire spur gear 41A and the second second spur gear 40 are moved by the rearward movement of the first clutch spur gear 41A.
The spur gear 39B meshes, and the rotation of the first two-stage spur gear 40 is transmitted to the second clutch spur gear 41B via the second spur gear 39B. On the other hand, the second movement of the second gear slider 48 by the rearward movement of the first clutch spur gear 41A causes
The clutch 42B also moves backward, and as a result, the second clutch spur gear 41B and the second clutch 42B mesh with each other, the second drawing shaft 36B and the second drawing screw portion 37B rotate, and the second sheath 3
4B and the second terminal housing 33B are drawn forward.
In the above state, the inner circumference of the second clutch spur gear 41B is in contact with the lower left sloping surface of the second rear wire spring 45, and the inner circumference of the second clutch 42B is in the lower right sloping surface of the second front wire spring 44. Touching.

Eventually, as shown in FIG. 9, the second terminal 35B.
Is connected to the mating second terminal 61B of the mating housing 60, the second terminal housing 33B reaches the left end and stops moving. However, since the rotation of the motor 38 continues, the torque increases, so that the meshing of the second clutch 42B slides and pushes the second clutch spur gear 41B rearward to release the meshing. As a result, the rotation is not transmitted to the second clutch 42B, and the rotation of the second drawing shaft 36B and the second drawing screw portion 37B is stopped. The second clutch spur gear 41B pushed backward moves over the center of the second rear wire spring 45 and comes into contact with the right downward slope of the second rear wire spring 45. Thus, the second clutch spur gear 41B and the third spur gear 39C mesh with each other. On the other hand, the rearward movement of the second clutch spur gear 41B causes the rearward movement of the third gear slider 49 to cause the third clutch spur gear 41C to move rearward, and as a result, the third clutch spur gear 41C and the third spur gear 39C mesh with each other. Third clutch spur gear 4
1C meshes with the third clutch 42C and the third drawing shaft 36C
Then, the third drawing screw portion 37C rotates, and the third sheath 34C and the third terminal housing 33C are drawn forward.

Eventually, as shown in FIG. 10, the third terminal 35
When C is connected to the mating third terminal 61C of the mating housing 60, the third terminal housing 33C reaches the left end and stops moving. However, since the rotation of the motor 38 continues, the torque greatly increases, and when an overcurrent I flows through the motor 38 and a controller (not shown) detects this, the switch 50 is automatically opened. As described above, the three pairs of male and female terminals are sequentially fitted one by one with a time lag, but the torque of the motor, which is the electromagnetic moving means, is one.
It is sufficient that the size is slightly larger than that required for connecting the terminals of the set, so that it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the components.

The operation of sequentially disconnecting and disconnecting the connectors connected as described above is also shown in FIGS.
This is realized by following the reverse process as described above. In FIG. 11, when the switch 50 is tilted to the backward side, the motor 38 rotates in the reverse direction, the third drawing shaft 36C rotates in the reverse direction, and the third terminal housing 33C moves backward, so that the third terminal 35 moves.
C is disengaged from the counterpart third terminal 61C. Eventually Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 2, the third terminal housing 33C is inserted into the insertion wall 3
When it reaches 2A and stops, the torque increases and the third clutch 42C pushes the third clutch spur gear 41C forward to release the mesh, and the third clutch spur gear 41C moves forward to move to the third spur gear 39C. When the mesh is released, the second clutch spur gear 41B is moved forward by the movement of the third gear slider 49. Due to the forward movement of the second clutch spur gear 41B, the second clutch spur gear 41B comes over the center of the second rear wire spring 45 and comes into contact with the downwardly leftward inclined surface, so that the second clutch spur gear 41B is attached to the front. It is urged to mesh with the second clutch 42B. As a result,
The rotation of the motor 38 is transmitted to the second drawing shaft 36B via the second clutch spur gear 41B and the second clutch 42B, and the second terminal housing 33B starts to move backward,
The second terminal 35B is separated from the mating second terminal 61B.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the second terminal housing 33B reaches the insertion wall 32A and stops, the torque increases and the second clutch spur gear 41B pushes the second clutch 42B forward to release the mesh. . Second clutch 4
Along with the forward movement of 2B, the second gear slider 48 also moves forward to move the first clutch spur gear 41A forward. As a result, the first clutch spur gear 41A goes over the center of the first wire spring 43 and comes into contact with the inclined surface that hangs downward to the left, and the first clutch spur gear 41A is biased forward and meshes with the first clutch 42A. As a result,
The rotation of the motor 38 is transmitted to the first drawing shaft 36A,
The terminal housing 33A starts to move rearward to disengage the first terminal 35A from the mating first terminal 61A. As shown in FIG. 14, when the first terminal housing 33A reaches the insertion wall 32A and then stops, the torque greatly increases and an overcurrent I flows to the motor 38, and a controller (not shown) detects this and switches 50. Is automatically opened and all disconnections are completed. As described above, the three pairs of terminals of male and female are sequentially disconnected one by one with a time lag, but the torque of the motor, which is the electromagnetic moving means, is greater than that required for disconnecting one pair of terminals. A slightly larger size is sufficient.

Of the three sets of terminals, for example, the terminal which is connected first and released last is the grounding terminal, and the terminal which is connected next and released second from the last is the main power supply terminal, and the last It is desirable that the terminal which is connected to the terminal and is released first is configured as a signal terminal.

[0026]

As described above, in the method for connecting a power supply connector according to the present invention, at least one of a pair of male and female connectors is moved forward or backward in the fitting axial direction by electromagnetic moving means to be fitted or unfastened. Is. As a result, the power supply side and the power receiving side can be automatically connected or disconnected,
Therefore, it is possible to connect or disconnect the high-current connector or the high-density multi-pole connector with low insertion / removal force. Further, the power feeding connector device according to the present invention has a built-in electromagnetic movement means such as an electric motor or an electromagnetic solenoid for advancing or retracting at least one of a pair of male and female connectors in the fitting axis direction to engage or disengage. Because it is composed. This realizes a power supply connector device capable of automatically connecting or disconnecting the power supply side and the power reception side.

Further, since the power feeding connector connecting method according to the present invention has a structure in which a plurality of sets of a pair of male and female connectors are sequentially fitted or disengaged one by one with a time difference, all the connector sets can be inserted and removed with a low insertion / extraction force. Can be connected or disconnected. Further, by appropriately setting the order of connecting and disconnecting the respective connector sets, for example, connecting the ground connector first and disconnecting the ground connector last, it is possible to avoid electric shock accidents and ensure safety. Further, since the power feeding connector device according to the present invention has a structure in which electromagnetic moving means for sequentially fitting or disengaging a plurality of sets of a pair of male and female connectors one by one with a time difference, is built in, the power feeding side and the power receiving side. It is possible to realize a power supply connector device capable of automatically connecting or disconnecting in a desired order.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a power supply connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

4 is an operation explanatory view of the power feeding connector device of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of another embodiment of the power feeding connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of another embodiment of the power feeding connector device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a connection operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a connecting operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram of a connecting operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

10 is an explanatory diagram of a connecting operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a releasing operation of the power supply connector device of FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram of a releasing operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

13 is an explanatory diagram of a releasing operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram of a releasing operation of the power feeding connector device of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional power feeding connector device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Power Supply Connector Device 2 Housing 3 Handle 4 Switch 5 Internal Housing 6 Motor 7 Gear 8 Rack 9 Connector 10 Locking Part 20 Mating Housing 21 Mating Connector 22 Engaging Part

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Nobuaki Yoshioka 206-1 Nunobikihara, Haibara-machi, Haibara-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture Yazaki Parts Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method of connecting a power feeding connector, characterized in that at least one of a pair of male and female connectors is moved forward or backward in the fitting axis direction by electromagnetic movement means to be fitted or unmated. 2. A power feeding connector device comprising an electromagnetic moving means for advancing or retracting at least one of a pair of male and female connectors in the fitting axis direction to engage or disengage. 3. The power supply connector device according to claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic moving means is embodied by an electric motor. 4. The power supply connector device according to claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic moving means is embodied by an electromagnetic solenoid. 5. A method for connecting a power supply connector, wherein a plurality of sets of connectors, each of which includes a pair of male and female, are sequentially fitted or removed one by one with a time difference. 6. A power supply connector device comprising an electromagnetic moving means for sequentially engaging or disengaging a plurality of sets of male and female connectors one by one with a time difference.