JPH0878095A - Earth connecting method and earth connecting structure for electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To connect earthing circuits of terminals before terminals are brought into contact with each other and remove electric charge safely by using a temporary locking member and a return stopping member of female and male connectors for earthing circuits, respectively. CONSTITUTION: At the time of connecting connectors A, B, in the case a case of the connector A is inserted into a shell 43 of the connector B, a driving boss 47 of the connector B inserts a coupled driving pin 15 into the inside against the resilient force of a coil spring 14. Consequently, the tip part side of a temporarily locking arm 36 rotates in the outer circumference on the pin 37 through a plate spring 38 and a hook-like holding claw 36a at the tip and a semi-locking type holding claw 36a are respectivedly joined with joining step parts of the shell 43 and locked. The claw 36a is brought into contact with an earth terminal 53 by the temporary locking. As a result, even if the electricity receiving side connector is electrically charged, the electric charge is quickly removed by an earth line. Then, when the lever 3 is rotated, the connectors A, B are completely fitted and locked together.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ground connection method and a ground connection structure for an electric connector comprising a pair of female and male connectors. For example, in a power supply connector used for charging an electric vehicle, power supply terminals of the female and male connectors. The ground circuits of both connectors are connected to each other before they come into contact with each other so that electrostatic charges on the connectors can be safely removed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The present inventors have previously proposed a power supply connector as shown in FIG. 9 (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-233409). That is, 61 is a power supply side connector provided in the power supply device, and 62
Indicates a power-reception-side connector that is fixed to the vehicle body of an automobile or the like. When the power feeding side connector 61 is fitted to the power receiving side connector 62, the temporary lock arm 63 is engaged with the temporary locking portion (not shown) of the power receiving side connector 62 and the lever 64 is gripped to fit both connectors. Is completed, and each terminal accommodating chamber 6
5, 65 'and the connector terminals housed in the terminal housing chambers 66, 66' are connected to each other.

When the connector 62 is charged, for example, when the power receiving side connector 62 is charged, it is normally grounded through a grounding circuit and safely removed. However, since the start of fitting of the power supply terminals (terminal accommodating chambers 65, 65 ') and the contact of the ground terminals (terminal accommodating chambers 66, 66') are almost simultaneous, in the worst case, the charged electric charge is directed toward the power supply terminals. May be discharged and an electric spark may be generated. As a countermeasure against this, FIG.
In the power receiving side connector 62, the terminal accommodating chamber 66 'is made sufficiently long so that the tip portion thereof protrudes forward of that of the terminal accommodating chamber 65' so that the ground terminal always comes in contact with the power source terminal before. It is possible to do it. However, this is contrary to the demand of the automobile industry for space saving of electric devices and auxiliaries because the power receiving side connector 62 becomes large.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. Before the power terminals of the female and male connectors come into contact with each other, the internal and external structures of the existing connector are hardly changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ground connection method and a ground connection structure for an electrical connector, in which the ground circuits of both connectors are connected to each other, and thereby electrostatic charge of the connectors can be safely removed.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the grounding method for an electrical connector according to the present invention is, as described in claim 1, one of a pair of female and male connectors fitted to each other. , One connector is provided with a temporary lock member, the other connector is provided with a detent for engaging with the lock member, and the provisionally locked state of both connectors is maintained by the engagement of the temporary lock member and the detent. In the electrical connector, in which the terminals housed in the respective connectors are brought into contact with each other to make an electrical connection by the final fitting of the two connectors,
A temporary locking member and a detent forming the temporary locking means of the male connector are respectively used in the ground circuit, and both connectors are temporarily locked to connect the ground circuits to each other through the locking means before the terminals contact each other. It is characterized by

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grounding structure for an electric connector, wherein the temporary locking member of the one connector is formed as a temporary locking arm made of a conductive member, and the temporary locking arm of the other connector is formed. The detent of the connector is formed as a temporary locking portion that engages with the lock arm, and the temporary locking portion is provided with a ground terminal connected to a ground circuit.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the temporary fitting of the female and male connectors causes the temporary locking member constituting the temporary locking means and the detent to come into contact with each other before the terminals come into contact with each other, so that the ground circuits of both connectors are formed. Since the connection is made, even if one of them is charged, there is no possibility that electric spark will occur due to discharge to the power supply terminal, and safe fitting and connection can be performed. According to the invention of claim 2, the temporary locking arm of one of the female and male connectors is formed of a conductive member, and the other connector is provided with a temporary locking portion, and the temporary locking portion is provided with a ground terminal. Since the temporary lock arm and the temporary locking portion are members originally included in the connector, they have almost no influence on the internal and external structures of the connector.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The above-mentioned structure and operation will be concretely described below with reference to the drawings showing embodiments. 1 to 5, A is a power supply side connector provided in a power supply device (not shown), and is formed as a male connector. B is a power receiving side connector fixed to the body of the automobile,
It is formed as a female connector. Power supply side connector A
Includes a pair of split mold cases 1 and 1 ′ facing each other, the connector main body 2 is slidably installed in the front half of the split main case, and the connector main body 2 is moved forward by rotating the lever 3 in the rear half. , Handle 4 that pushes in the direction of the power receiving side connector B
Is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat, a release lever 5 for primary locking the lever 3 and an electromagnetic coil 6 for secondary locking the release lever 5 are internally provided, and a cable C extending from the power feeding device is provided at a rear end of the handle 4. Has been introduced.

The connector main body 2 has a cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG.
7, the composite terminal accommodating chambers 8 and 8 are arranged on the bottom wall 2a.
Is projected from. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal accommodating chamber 7 has a rear projecting wall 7a extending rearward from the bottom wall 2a, and a receiving seat 7b formed on the outer periphery of the terminal accommodating chamber 7 has a pressing plate 9 provided at the front end portion of the handle 4. Are in contact. A male terminal D as a power supply terminal is housed and locked in the large diameter terminal accommodating chamber 7 by a pair of flexible locking arms 7c, and signals, displays, etc. are stored in the four cavities 8a of the composite terminal accommodating chamber 8. A male terminal (not shown) for the control circuit is housed and locked. The lead wires W and w from the cable C are connected to the male terminals D and the like by crimping or the like, and a waterproof rubber plug 10 is inserted to perform a waterproof seal for each terminal accommodating chamber. Prevents short circuit between them. An axially slidable inner lid 11 is inserted and locked at the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 7, and a coil spring 12 is interposed between the inner lid 11 and the terminal accommodating chamber 7. .

Further, at the outer peripheral rear end portion of the connector body 2,
A flange 2b, which is in sliding contact with the inner wall 1a of the cases 1 and 1 ', is circumferentially provided, and pin accommodating chambers 13 and 13 are formed between the terminal accommodating chamber 7 and the composite terminal accommodating chamber 8. The accommodating chamber 13 has a coil spring 14 Driven pin 15 urged forward by
Is slidably inserted through the guide hole 13a of the bottom wall 2a. In addition, 16 is a stopper of the driven pin 15, 17
Is a rear holder for preventing the male terminal D from coming off later.

The handle 4 comprises a straight pipe portion 4a in the first half and a slanting pipe portion 4b inclined in a dogleg shape in the latter half.
Also serves as a protector for the lead wires W and w.
The straight pipe part 4a in the first half is slidably supported in the opening 1b at the rear end of the case, and the locking hole 4c is provided at the rear end of the oblique pipe part 4b so that the protective case 20 for the cable C is protected. It is locked by the locking piece 20a. Reference numeral 21 is a grip made of an elastic member such as synthetic rubber. A waterproof cap 22 is connected to one end of the waterproof cap 22 via a bellows portion 22a, and the cap 22 is fitted into an annular groove 1c at the rear end of the case.

The lever 3 has a long operating portion 3a and a short operating portion 3
It is formed in an L shape intersecting with b. The action portion 3b has a long hole 23 at its crossing base portion, and is pivotally attached by a lever shaft 24 in the rear half of the case 1 (1 '). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, bifurcated support pieces 25, 25 are formed at the tip of the action portion 3b, and the support piece 25 is provided with a shaft hole 26 provided in the side wall of the straight pipe portion 4a of the handle 4. And case 1
(Horizontal oblong hole) 27a of boss 27 projecting from the inner wall of (1 ')
It is pivotally supported by a pin 28 inserted in 29 is pin 28
It is a retaining ring. In addition, the end surface of the support piece 25 has an arc-shaped portion 2
Is formed as 5a, the circular arc portion 25a is formed step portion 25b for engagement projection 5a ₁ to be described later of the releasing lever 5 is further fitted a spring 30 back into the lever shaft 24, the lever 3 is urged in the direction of arrow P.

The release lever 5 has an operating arm 5a extending in the axial direction of the connector body 2, an operating arm 5b projecting to the outside of the rear of the case 1 (1 '), and a lock hanging from the middle of both arms 5a, 5b. The arm 5c and the arm 5c form a substantially T-shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate portions of the arms 5a to 5c are parallel pins 32 and a retaining ring 33 interposed between the bosses 31 and 31 'of the inner wall of the case 1 (1') above the handle 4. It is rotatably held by. Working arm 5
a is in sliding contact located on the arcuate portion 25a of the lower surface the lever 3 has a locking projection 5a ₁ that engages the engaging step portion 25b at the tip. The working arm 5a is biased toward the arcuate portion 25a by the coil spring 34 provided on the inner wall of the case 1 '. The locking arm 5c has a lock hole 5c at the lower end.
₁ has a plunger 6 facing the lock hole 5c _1.
An electromagnetic coil 6 including a and a coil spring 6b is fixed to the case 1'side. When the electromagnetic coil 6 is excited by the complete fitting of the power feeding side connector A and the power receiving side connector B, the plunger 6a extends and enters the lock hole 5c ₁ , the release lever 5 is locked, and charging is completed. At the same time, it is demagnetized and the plunger 6a is momentarily retracted by the elastic force of the coil spring 6b to release the lock.

Further, in the middle part of the case 1 (1 '), lock chambers 35, 35' are formed so as to bulge above and below the front half part for accommodating the connector body 2, and an opening 35a, 35a, is formed in the front thereof. 35a '. Reference numerals 36 and 36 'denote temporary lock arms for the power receiving side connector B. The intermediate portion of one temporary lock arm 36 is pivotally supported by the pin 37 in the lock chamber 35, and one end of the temporary lock arm 36 extends from the opening 35a to the case 1 (1 ').
Of the release lever 5, and a hook-shaped locking claw 36a is projected from the outer periphery of the release lever 5 and the other end extends rearward.
A stepped portion 36c bent outward toward the middle of the fulcrum (pin 37) and the locking claw 36a at the tip and a spring having a U-shaped cross section facing the connector body 2 side. An engaging portion 36d is provided, and a leaf spring 38 is attached to the spring engaging portion 36d so as to face the driven pin 15. The other temporary lock arm 36 'has a tip extending from the opening 35a' to the outer periphery of the case 1, and a so-called semi-lock type chevron-shaped locking pawl 36a 'is projectingly provided at the tip, and a rear end of the pin 37 in the lock chamber 35'. The temporary lock arm 36 is the same as the temporary lock arm 36 except that it is pivotally supported by ′ and does not include the action piece 36b. This temporary lock arm 3
6, 36 'are biased inward by a coil spring 39.

It should be noted that LE is provided behind the upper lock chamber 35.
The D accommodating portion 40 is bulged, and an LED 41 indicating that power is being supplied is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power receiving side connector B is constructed by accommodating and locking a female terminal D'corresponding to the male terminal D inside a connector body 42. Connector body 4
A shell 43 for receiving the front end of the case of the power feeding side connector A is integrally formed on the outer circumference of 2, and the shell 43 is fixed to the vehicle body by a bolt (not shown) by a flange 44 stretched on the outer circumference. At the opening of the shell 43, a cap 45, one end of which is openably and closably attached by a pin (not shown), is locked by engagement of a locking portion 45a and a locking arm 46 provided on the outer circumference of the shell as shown in FIG. It is like this. Further, the connector body 42 is provided with a driving boss 47 for the driven pins 15, 15 of the power feeding side connector A so as to project therefrom. 7'is a terminal accommodating chamber, 1
Reference numeral 0'denotes a waterproof rubber plug, and 17'denotes a rear holder, which has the same structure as the power supply side connector A and will not be described in detail. 48 and 48 'are packings for waterproof seals.

A ridge 49 is axially provided on the outer periphery of the case 1 for positioning when the power supply side connector A and the power receiving side connector B are fitted together. In addition, the shell 43
Corresponding guide grooves 50 are provided on the inner peripheral surface, and engaging stepped portions 51, 51 'are provided as detents for the temporary lock arms 36, 36' of the power feeding side connector A. In FIG. 2, 52 is a split type case 1,
The screw fixing 1'is shown.

The above-mentioned structure is the same as the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 5-23340.
It is similar to the power supply connector proposed in No. 9. However, in the present invention, the temporary lock arm 3 of the power supply side connector A is
6 is formed of a conductive member such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. Then, the temporary lock arm 36
As shown in FIG. 5, a ground wire w'is permanently connected to the outer surface of the spring engaging portion 36d having a U-shaped cross section by a known means such as spot welding. On the other hand, the engaging stepped portion 51 of the power receiving side connector B is provided with a ground terminal 53 connected to the ground wire w ″ along the inner surface of the shell 43. The ground terminal 53 has a tip portion. It is preferable to provide a hole (not shown) into which the locking claw 36a of the temporary lock arm 36 is fitted in. The ground terminal 53 is housed in a ground terminal housing chamber 54 formed integrally with the connector body 42. A waterproof cap 55 seals the die-cutting hole 56 of the connector body 42.

In the above embodiment, the male terminal D is used for the power feeding side connector A and the female terminal D'is used for the power receiving side connector B. However, the connector body 2 is used so that the female and male terminals are used in reverse. , 42 may be redesigned.

Next, a method of using the power feeding side connector A and the power receiving side connector B will be described. When the power supply side connector A is not used, the flange 2b at the rear end of the outer periphery of the connector body 2
The temporary lock arm 3 biased by the coil spring 39
Since it engages with the stepped portion 36c of 6, 36 ', it cannot advance. Therefore, the rotation of the lever 3 in the arrow Q direction is also prevented.

FIG. 6 shows a temporary fitting state of the power feeding side connector A and the power receiving side connector B. When the connectors A and B are fitted together, the ridge 49 on the outer circumference of the case of the connector A is aligned with the guide groove 50 on the inner circumference of the shell 43, and the case 1 (1 ') is inserted into the shell 43. The drive boss 47 of B moves the driven pin 15 to the coil spring 14
Push it inside against the resilience of. As a result, the tip end side of the temporary locking arms 36, 36 'pivots in the outer peripheral direction around the pins 37, 37' via the leaf spring 38, and the hook-shaped engaging pawl 36a at the tip, the semi-lock type engaging. The claws 36a 'engage with the engaging stepped portions 51, 51' of the shell 43, respectively, so that both connectors A, B are temporarily locked. Due to this temporary lock, the hook-shaped locking claws 36 a of the temporary lock arm 36 made of a conductive member come into contact with the ground terminal 53. Therefore, even if the power receiving side connector B is charged, it is grounded by the ground wire w'and is quickly removed.

When the operating portion 3a of the lever 3 is gripped and pivoted in the direction of arrow Q in the temporarily locked state, the operating portion 3b causes the lever shaft 2 to move.
The handle 4 is rotated about 4 to move forward as indicated by arrow R. As a result, the connector body 2 is pushed forward through the connector pressing plate 9 against the elastic force of the coil spring 12, and as shown in FIG. 7, both connectors A and B, that is, the connector bodies 2 and 42 are completely fitted. Then, the male terminal D and the female terminal D'are completely connected.

During the process from the provisional fitting to the complete fitting of the two connectors A and B, the rotation of the lever 3 causes the arcuate portion 25a at the upper end of the connector 3 to slide on the working arm 5a of the release lever 5 and the working portion. 5a is pushed up against the coil spring 34,
When the arcuate portion 25a gets over the locking projection 5a ₁ by complete fitting, the working arm 5a is instantaneously returned by the coil spring 34, and the locking projection 5a ₁ is locked by the locking step 25.
The lever 3 is primarily locked by the release lever 5 by engaging with b.

When the connectors S and B are completely fitted and the switch S is turned on as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 8, the LED 41 lights up and the electromagnetic coil 6 is excited, and the plunger 6a (see FIG. 7). ) Extends to enter the lock hole 5c ₁ in the locking arm 5c of the release lever 5, and secondarily locks the release lever 5. As a result, the lever 3 is doubly locked together with the lock by the release lever 5. Therefore, even if the operating arm 5b of the release lever 5 is erroneously pressed to release the lock during power feeding, the lever 5 is maintained in the locked state by the plunger 6a of the electromagnetic coil 6, and the detachment during power feeding is reliably prevented.

The unlocking and disconnection of both connectors A and B are performed as follows. When charging is completed, the electromagnetic coil 6 is demagnetized by the control circuit, and the plunger 6 is demagnetized.
a is instantaneously restored by the coil spring 6b (see FIG. 4), away from the lock hole 5c _1, release lever 5
Secondary lock is released. Next, the operation arm 5b of the release lever 5 that is outside the case is pushed down to move the lever 3
The engagement with (the locking step portion 25b of) is released. As a result, the connector body 2 is separated from the counterpart connector body 42 by the elastic force of the coil spring 12 and the return spring 30 of the lever 3, and the lever 3 also returns to its original state. Then, when the operation arm 5b of the release lever 5 is further pushed down, the action arm 5a pushes up the action piece 36b of the temporary lock arm 36 with the pin 37 as the center, so that the hook-shaped locking claw 3 on the opposite side thereof is provided.
6a moves downward. As a result, the engagement between the engagement step portion 51 on the inner peripheral surface of the shell 43 and the hook-shaped locking claw 36a is released. Further, the locking claw 36a 'of the other temporary locking arm 36' engaged with the engaging stepped portion 51 'is a semi-lock type, and is easily released when the power supply side connector A is pulled.

In the completely fitted and locked state, the case tip of the power feeding side connector A is fitted into the shell 43 of the power receiving side connector B, and the waterproof packing 48 is provided between the case 1 (1 ') and the connector body 42. Since the waterproof packing 48 'is interposed between the terminal accommodating chambers 7 and 7',
Double waterproof seal is made.

Further, since the plunger 6a of the electromagnetic coil 6 for secondarily locking the release lever 5 is provided so as to be displaced from the lever shaft 24 of the lever 3, the lever 3 is erroneously rotated when locked. Also, no force acts directly on the plunger 6a, and damage is prevented. Although the lever 3 is attached to the handle 4 in this embodiment, it may be attached directly to the connector body 2.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Of the pair of female and male connectors that are fitted to each other, one connector is provided with a temporary lock member, and the other connector is provided with a detent for engaging with the lock member. In this electrical connector, the temporary fitting state of both connectors is maintained by the fitting, and the terminals housed in each connector are brought into contact with each other to make an electrical connection by the final fitting of both connectors. With almost no change, before the power terminals of the female and male connectors come into contact with each other, the ground circuits of both connectors are connected to each other, whereby electrostatic charges on the connectors can be safely removed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a power supply side connector showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the power supply side connector of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a power receiving side connector corresponding to the power feeding side connector of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a mounting structure of a lever 3 and a release lever 5 of FIG.

5 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts showing a mounting structure of the temporary lock arm of FIG. 2 to a case.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a provisionally fitted state of the power feeding connector of FIG.

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the completely fitted state of FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram of an electric circuit of the power feeding connector of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional power feeding connector in a separated state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Power supply side connector B Power reception side connector C Cable D Male terminal D'Female terminal 1,1 'Case 2,42 Connector body 3 Lever 4 Handle 5 Release lever 6 Electromagnetic coil 7,7' Terminal accommodating chamber 36,36 'Temporary lock Arm 36a Locking claw 51, 51 'Engaging step 53 Ground terminal 54 Ground terminal accommodating chamber

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A temporary locking member is provided on one connector of a pair of female and male connectors that are fitted to each other, and a detent for engaging the locking member is provided on the other connector.
An electrical connector that holds the provisionally fitted state of both connectors by engagement of the provisional locking member and the detent, and makes the terminals accommodated in each connector contact each other for electrical connection by the final fitting of both connectors. In the above, a temporary locking member and a detent forming the temporary locking means of the pair of female and male connectors are respectively used in an earth circuit, and both connectors are temporarily locked to prevent the terminals from coming into contact with each other via the locking means. A grounding method for an electric connector, characterized in that the grounding circuits are connected together. 2. A temporary locking member is provided on one connector of a pair of female and male connectors fitted to each other, and a detent for engaging with the locking member is provided on the other connector.
An electrical connector that holds the provisionally fitted state of both connectors by engagement of the provisional locking member and the detent, and makes the terminals accommodated in each connector contact each other for electrical connection by the final fitting of both connectors. In the above, the temporary locking member of the one connector is formed as a temporary locking arm made of a conductive member, and the detent of the other connector is formed as a temporary locking portion that engages with the locking arm. Is a ground connection structure for an electric connector, in which a ground terminal connected to a ground circuit is provided. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein one of the pair of female and male connectors is a power feeding side connector for charging an electric vehicle, and the other connector is a power receiving side connector provided on the vehicle body side. Earth connection structure for the electrical connector described.