JP2012243565A - Power feed connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power feed connector which can be held temporarily on a power reception side connector while maintaining simplicity of operation for connecting to and separating from the power reception side connector.SOLUTION: The power feed connector includes a single operation lever 31 which makes the movement of a connector body 2 in the axial direction operable, and a lock arm 6 which limits separation of a power feeding connector A from a power reception side connector. The operation lever 31 can be operated to a first operation position where the connector body 2 is moved to a non-connection position and the lock arm 6 is held at an engaging position so as to be able to displace elastically, a second operation position where the connector body 2 is moved to a connection position and the lock arm 6 is held at an engaging position so as not to be able to displace elastically, and a third operation position where the lock arm 6 is held at a disengaging position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply connector used for charging an electric machine such as an electric vehicle.

  Conventionally, as a power supply connector used for charging an electric machine driven by electric power such as an electric vehicle or the like, for example, as in Patent Document 1, a plurality of terminals are slidably attached to a front half of a cylindrical case. The connector main body has a first operation lever that moves the connector main body toward the connection position with the power receiving side connector, and is provided at the insertion portion of the cylindrical case to the power receiving side connector to respond to the insertion operation to the power receiving side connector. Some of them include a lock member that protrudes to the outer periphery of the insertion portion and engages with the power receiving side connector, and a second operation lever that moves the connector main body toward the cutting position from the power receiving side connector.

Japanese Patent No. 2752032

When the connector main body moves forward by the operation of the first operation lever and is electrically connected to the power receiving side connector, the lock member is restricted from being displaced toward the inner peripheral side of the insertion portion and maintained in the engaged state with the power receiving side connector. To do. On the other hand, when the connector main body is retracted by the operation of the second operation lever and is separated from the power receiving side connector, the lock member is displaced to the inner peripheral side of the insertion portion and releases the engagement with the power receiving side connector.
Although temporary holding of the power receiving connector by such a lock member is very effective, in the above-described prior art, the operation levers are separated from each other and the operation directions are different, so that the operation of connecting and disconnecting the power supply connector is complicated. There is a problem of making it.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a power supply connector that can be temporarily held on the power receiving side connector while maintaining the simplicity of operation for connection and disconnection to the power receiving side connector. The purpose is to do.

  As a means for solving the above problems, a power supply connector according to the present invention is provided in a charging device that supplies power to an electric machine, and is a power supply connector that is detachably connected to a power receiving side connector provided in the electric machine, A case body that can be mechanically connected to the power receiving side connector, and the power receiving side connector that is accommodated in the case body so as to be movable in an axial direction along an attaching / detaching direction of the power receiving side connector. A connector main body having terminals that can be electrically connected to the case body, a single operating lever that can operate the axial movement of the connector main body with respect to the case body, and the case body is connected to the power receiving side connector. A locking member that engages with the power receiving side connector to restrict the case body from being detached from the power receiving side connector. An engagement portion that engages with the power reception side connector to limit the separation of the power body from the power reception side connector, a biasing member that urges the engagement portion to engage with the power reception side connector, and A guide portion that slides against the power receiving side connector when the case body is connected to the power receiving side connector and elastically displaces the engaging portion against the urging force of the urging member; and The connector main body is moved to a non-connection position where the connection with the power receiving side connector is released, and the elastic displacement of the engaging portion of the lock member is possible at an engaging position where the engagement with the power receiving side connector is possible. The first operation position held in a state and the connector main body are moved to a connection position where the connector main body can be connected to the power receiving side connector, and the engagement portion of the lock member is moved to the engagement position with the power receiving side connector. No displacement A second operation position that is held in a stable state, and a third operation position that holds the engagement portion of the lock member in a non-engagement position that is disengaged from the power receiving connector against the biasing force. It can be operated.

In the power supply connector according to the present invention, a third operation position of the operation lever may be disposed on the opposite side of the second operation position with the first operation position interposed therebetween.
At this time, the operation lever may be biased toward the first operation position in a range closer to the third operation position than the first operation position.
Further, the operation direction of the operation lever from the first operation position to the second operation position has a component in the same direction as the connection direction of the case body to the power receiving side connector, and the operation lever has the first component. The operation direction from the operation position to the third operation position and the direction in which the case body is detached from the power receiving side connector may have components in the same direction.

According to the above power feeding connector, when connecting the power feeding connector to the power receiving side connector to charge the electric machine, first, the case with the operation lever as the first operation position and the connector body retracted to the non-connection position. By performing the connection work of the body to the power receiving side connector, the connection work can be easily performed while elastically displacing the engagement portion of the lock member, and the elastic displacement of the engagement portion is reduced at a predetermined connection position. By returning, the detachment of the case body from the power receiving side connector can be automatically restricted. In this state, the operation lever is set to the second operation position, so that the electrical connection with the power receiving side connector is made safe by advancing the connector body while maintaining the mechanical connection state of the case body to the power receiving side connector. And can be done easily.
Conversely, when removing the power supply connector from the power receiving connector, first return the operating lever to the first operating position, retract the connector body into the case body, release the electrical connection with the power receiving connector, and then operate the operating lever. To the third operating position to release the engagement of the engaging portion from the power receiving connector, and in this state, pull the case body and then the power receiving connector from the power receiving connector to safely remove the power connector from the power receiving connector. And can be easily removed.
Thus, since it becomes possible to connect and disconnect to the power receiving side connector by operating a single operation lever, the power receiving side connector of the power feeding connector is maintained while maintaining the simplicity of the operation for connection and disconnection. Temporary holding can be made possible, and the attachment / detachment workability of the power feeding connector can be improved.

(A) is sectional drawing which follows the center axis line of the electric power feeding connector of one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a principal part enlarged view of (a). It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 1 of the power receiving side connector which connects the said electric power feeding connector. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 1 of the state which connected the said electric power feeding connector to the said receiving side connector. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 1 at the time of removing the said electric power feeding connector from the said power receiving side connector.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A power supply connector A shown in FIG. 1A is provided in a charging device such as a charging stand that supplies power to an electric vehicle, for example, and is connected to a power receiving side connector B (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided in the electric vehicle. Thus, for example, quick charging is performed. The power supply connector A has a cylindrical case 1 that is slidable in a cylindrical case 1 formed in a cylindrical shape (hollow shape) and a direction along the central axis L1 of the cylindrical case 1 (hereinafter referred to as a central axial direction). 1 is provided with a connector main body 2 accommodated in 1 and an operation mechanism 3 for operating movement of the connector main body 2 in the central axis direction relative to the cylindrical case 1. The central axis L1 is also an axis along the direction in which the power feeding connector A is attached to and detached from the power receiving side connector B. For convenience of explanation, the arrow FR at the tip of the central axis L1 will be described as the front.

  The cylindrical case 1 has a front end opening 1a that opens forward at the front end in the central axis direction. The front end portion of the cylindrical case 1 is configured as an insertion portion 11 that is inserted into the shell 101 of the power receiving side connector B. An insertion hole 11 a is formed in the peripheral wall of the insertion portion 11 to allow a locking claw 61 of the lock arm 6 described later to face the radially outer side of the insertion portion 11.

  A grip portion 12 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 1 is integrally fixed to the rear end portion of the cylindrical case 1. The grip part 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the internal space of the cylindrical case 1 in which the connector main body 2 is arranged communicates with the internal space of the grip part 12. A display lamp 13 such as an LED is provided at the rear end of the cylindrical case 1. The display lamp 13 is set to turn on when charging, for example, and turn off when charging is completed.

  The connector main body 2 is accommodated close to the front end side of the cylindrical case 1, and a plurality of power supply side terminals 21 for electrical connection to the power receiving side connector B and the plurality of power supply sides are provided at the front end portion. A cylindrical terminal storage portion 22 for storing the terminal 21 and a cable storage portion 23 for storing the cable 4 connected to the base end portion of the power supply side terminal 21 are provided. The cable 4 is arranged so as to extend from the power supply side terminal 21 side to the outside of the power supply connector A through the grip portion 12.

In addition to the power supply terminal 21a for supplying power to the electric vehicle, the power supply side terminal 21 includes, for example, a communication terminal 21b for communicating information required for charge control between the charging device and the electric vehicle. . The terminal storage portion 22 is formed so that the front end of the power supply side terminal 21 faces forward from the front end opening 1 a of the cylindrical case 1.
The specific number and arrangement of the power supply side terminals 21, the specific shape of the terminal storage portion 22, and the shape of the insertion portion 11 of the cylindrical case 1 described above can be arbitrarily set. For example, those defined in “Japanese Electric Vehicle Standard: JEVS G 105” can be mentioned.

  The cable storage portion 23 is a cylindrical member disposed on the rear end side of the cylindrical case 1 with respect to the terminal storage portion 22, and is fixed to the rear end portion of the terminal storage portion 22. A sliding pin 24 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cable storage portion 23 so as to protrude outward in the radial direction. The sliding pin 24 is accommodated in a sliding groove 14 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical case 1 so as to extend along the central axis direction, and the connector body 2 is placed in the central axial direction with respect to the cylindrical case 1. It is slidable.

The sliding range of the connector main body 2 with respect to the cylindrical case 1 is regulated by the regulating means 5 provided in the power feeding connector A. The regulating means 5 is formed on a spherical ball plunger 52 urged from the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical case 1 by the coil spring 51 toward the outer peripheral surface of the cable housing portion 23, and on the outer peripheral surface of the cable housing portion 23. It is comprised by the recessed part 53 made.
Two recesses 53 are arranged at intervals in the central axis direction. The inner surface of each recess 53 is formed in a circular arc shape corresponding to the spherical surface of the ball plunger 52, and the tip of the ball plunger 52 enters the recess 53.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the interval between the recesses 53 is such that the connector main body 2 accommodates the entire terminal accommodating portion 22 in the cylindrical case 1 (hereinafter referred to as an in-case accommodating position). As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal housing portion 22 is set so as to be movable between a position where the terminal housing portion 22 protrudes from the front end opening 1a of the cylindrical case 1 (hereinafter referred to as a case protruding position).
That is, in a state where the connector main body 2 is disposed at the housing accommodation position, the movement of the connector main body 2 is restricted by the ball plunger 52 entering the first concave portion 53A located on the front end side of the cylindrical case 1. . Further, in a state where the connector main body 2 is arranged at the projecting position outside the case, the movement of the connector main body 2 is restricted by the ball plunger 52 entering the second concave portion 53B located on the rear end side of the cylindrical case 1. The

  In the restricting means 5, since the concave portion 53 is formed in a circular arc shape corresponding to the ball plunger 52, if the force is greater than the restricting force due to the elasticity of the coil spring 51, the operation mechanism 3 described later is operated. The connector body 2 is moved from the in-case housing position to the case protruding position side against the restriction force of the coil spring 51, and the connector body 2 is moved from the case protruding position to the in-case housing position side. It is also possible to move the connector body 2 to the second housing position in the case which is further retracted from the housing position (see FIG. 4).

The operation mechanism 3 is provided on the rear end side of the cylindrical case 1, and an operation lever 31 pivotally supported with respect to the cylindrical case 1 and the rotation of the operation lever 31. A spur gear 32 that rotates and a rack 34 that is fixed to the connector main body 2 and moves in the direction of the central axis as the spur gear 32 rotates are provided.
The rack 34 is fixed to the cable housing portion 23 in the cylindrical case 1, and the teeth of the rack 34 that mesh with the spur gear 32 are arranged in the central axis direction. The tooth forming surface of the rack 34 faces the same side as the protruding direction of the grip portion 12 (the lower side in FIG. 1A). The rack 34 may be fixed to the rear end of the cable storage portion 23, for example. However, in consideration of interference with the cable 4 extending from the rear end of the cable storage portion 23, the cable storage portion is illustrated as in the illustrated example. It is preferable to be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of 23.

The operation lever 31 has one end 31 a in the longitudinal direction protruding outside the cylindrical case 1, and the other end 31 b is pivotally supported by the cylindrical case 1 by a lever shaft 35. The other end portion 31b of the operation lever 31 may be disposed in the cylindrical case 1, but for example, the lever shaft 35 protrudes to the outside of the cylindrical case 1 and the like, as in the end portion 31a. The outer case 1 may be disposed outside.
The lever shaft 35 is orthogonal to the central axis direction, and the operation lever 31 is rotatable about the lever shaft 35.

The lever shaft 35 and the other end 31b of the operation lever 31 are located below the tooth formation surface of the rack 34 facing downward in FIG. On the other hand, one end 31 a of the operation lever 31 is positioned above the tooth formation surface of the rack 34. In other words, the one end 31 a of the operation lever 31 is disposed on the opposite side of the tooth formation surface of the rack 34. The operation lever 31 protrudes in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the grip portion 12 described above so as to be away from the central axis L1 with respect to the cylindrical case 1.
The spur gear 32 is arranged below the teeth forming surface of the rack 34 so as to mesh with the rack 34 in the cylindrical case 1, and can be rotated integrally with the operation lever 31 via the lever shaft 35. It is pivotally supported.

  In the operation mechanism 3, one end 31 a of the operation lever 31 is a power point when the operator rotates the operation lever 31, and the other end 31 b of the operation lever 31 serves as a fulcrum when the operation lever 31 is rotated. . Further, the meshed portion of the spur gear 32 and the rack 34 that are integrally fixed to the operation lever 31 acts to cause the connector body 2 to act on the connector body 2 so that the connector body 2 is moved in the direction of the central axis. It has become a point. Since this action point is located between the force point and the fulcrum of the operation lever 31, the movement direction of the one end 31 a of the operation lever 31 matches the movement direction of the connector body 2 as the operation lever 31 rotates. Will do.

The power supply connector A includes a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of lock arms (lock members) 6 that are provided on the front end side of the cylindrical case 1 and lock the power supply connector A to the power reception side connector B. The lock arms 6 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical case 1 so as to surround the connector main body 2.
Each lock arm 6 is formed in a rod shape extending in the central axis direction. A locking claw (engaging portion) 61 that protrudes radially outward of the cylindrical case 1 is formed at the front end portion of each lock arm 6. Referring to FIG. 1 (b), the guide surface is inclined so that the rear side of the locking claw 61 (the side facing the connecting direction to the power receiving side connector B) increases the protruding height radially outward. 61a is formed, and a locking surface 61b is formed along the radial direction on the rear side of the locking claw 61 (the side facing away from the power receiving side connector B). The guide surface 61a and the locking surface 61b are common to each lock arm 6.

The rear end portion of each lock arm 6 is pivotally supported on the cylindrical case 1 by a pin 62 orthogonal to the central axis direction. That is, each lock arm 6 is attached to the cylindrical case 1 so as to be swingable.
A torsion spring 63 is attached to the pin 62, and the urging force of the torsion spring 63 urges each lock arm 6 to move the front end side to the radially outer side of the cylindrical case 1. At this time, if there is no unlocking operation (and an insertion operation of the insertion part 11 to the power receiving side connector B) by the unlocking mechanism 7 described later, the locking claw 61 protrudes from the insertion hole 11a of the cylindrical case 1 to the outside. It will be. An urging means such as a coil spring or a leaf spring instead of the torsion spring 63 may be used.

  The power feeding connector A is a locking claw 61 of at least one of the lock arms 6 (for example, the upper one in FIG. 1A, hereinafter referred to as one lock arm 6A) against the urging force of the torsion spring 63. Is provided with a lock release mechanism 7 for retracting the inside of the cylindrical case 1. The unlocking mechanism 7 is formed on an extension portion 71 extending from the rear end of one lock arm 6A to the rear end side of the cylindrical case 1 along the central axis L1, and on the connector main body 2 side of the extension portion 71. A first protrusion 72 and a second protrusion 73 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connector body 2 are provided.

The extension portion 71 is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surfaces of the connector main body 2 and the cable storage portion 23, and the first protrusion 72 projects toward the outer peripheral surface of the cable storage portion 23. In addition, the protrusion height of the first protrusion 72 is set so as not to contact the outer peripheral surfaces of the connector main body 2 and the cable storage portion 23.
The second protrusion 73 protrudes toward the extension 71, but the connector main body 2 is disposed between the case housing position and the case protrusion position (see FIGS. 1A and 3). Then, the first protrusion 72 and the extension 71 are not contacted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the second protrusion 73 abuts on the first protrusion 72 in a state where the connector main body 2 is disposed at the second housing position in the case. By this contact, one lock arm 6 </ b> A swings against the urging force of the torsion spring 63, and the locking claw 61 is retracted into the cylindrical case 1.
That is, the lock release mechanism 7 moves the locking claw 61 of one lock arm 6A in the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 4, the non-engaged position) into the cylindrical case 1 in conjunction with the operation of the operation lever 31. ) And a projecting position (the position shown in FIG. 1A, the position shown in FIG. 3, and the engaging position) projecting out of the cylindrical case 1 from the insertion hole 11a.
For example, each of the lock arms 6 on the lower side in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as another lock arm 6B) does not have the extension 71 and the first protrusion 72, and does not have the corresponding second protrusion 73. .

  The power supply connector A includes an electromagnetic lock mechanism 9 that prevents the connector body 2 from moving relative to the cylindrical case 1. The electromagnetic lock mechanism 9 is provided with a solenoid 91 including a cylindrical electromagnet 93 fixed to the cylindrical case 1 and a plunger 94 inserted therethrough, and a slidable integrally with the connector main body 2 and the plunger 94. And a lock portion 92 having an engagement hole 92a to be inserted. The lock portion 92 may be configured by fixing a separate member to the connector main body 2 as in the illustrated example, but may be formed integrally with the connector main body 2, for example.

  The plunger 94 of the solenoid 91 is in a retracted position that is retracted by an urging force such as a coil spring (not shown) when current is not flowing through the electromagnet 93, and is prevented from protruding from the electromagnet 93. , And a forward position against the urging force, and a protrusion position where the protrusion amount from the retracted position is increased. Note that power is supplied to the electromagnet 93 when power is supplied to the electric vehicle (charging).

  When the connector main body 2 is disposed at a position protruding from the case, the lock portion 92 is disposed at a position in the central axis direction in which the plunger 94 protruding from the electromagnet 93 can be inserted into the engagement hole 92a. When the connector main body 2 is arranged closer to the in-case housing position than the projecting position outside the case, the engagement hole 92a is arranged at a position shifted in the central axis direction with respect to the plunger 94, Even if it protrudes, it is not inserted into the engagement hole 92a.

  The power receiving side connector B is fixed to the body of an electric vehicle or the like, and as shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical shell 101 that receives the insertion portion 11 of the cylindrical case 1 and a cylindrical shape provided therein. Terminal receiving section 102 and a power receiving side terminal (not shown) arranged in the terminal storing section 102. The terminal storage portion 102 is received in the terminal storage portion 22 of the connector main body 2 in a state where the insertion portion 11 of the cylindrical case 1 is received in the shell 101 (see FIG. 3). That is, the shapes of the shell 101 and the terminal storage portion 102 correspond to the insertion portion 11 and the terminal storage portion 22 of the power supply connector A, respectively. Locking recesses 103 that can be engaged with the locking claws 61 of the lock arms 6 of the power supply connector A are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shell 101 so as to correspond to the number and arrangement of the lock arms 6.

  The power receiving side terminal contacts or contacts the power feeding side terminal 21 of the power feeding connector A to electrically connect the power feeding connector A and the power receiving side connector B, and plays the same role as the power feeding side terminal 21. That is, the number and arrangement of the power receiving side terminals correspond to the power feeding side terminals 21 of the power feeding connector A.

The inner diameter of the shell 101 of the power receiving connector B is such that play is added to the outer diameter of the insertion portion 11 of the power feeding connector A, and the engagement projecting to the outer periphery of the insertion portion 11 when the connectors A and B are connected. The locking claw 61 at the position is elastically displaced toward the inner peripheral side of the insertion portion 11 while sliding the guide surface 61a to the inner peripheral edge of the opening of the shell 101, and retracts from the engagement position to the non-engagement position. It reaches.
When the insertion portion 11 is inserted into the power receiving side connector B by a predetermined amount, the positions of the locking claw 61 and the locking recess 103 overlap, and the locking claw 61 returns from the elastic displacement and fits into the locking recess 103. Include. Thereby, the power supply connector A is prevented from coming off from the power receiving side connector B.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1A, the operation position of the operation lever 31 is moved to the accommodation position in the case, which is a non-connection position where the connection with the power receiving side connector B is released, as shown in FIG. There is a first operation position in which the locking claw 61 of the lock arm 6 is held elastically displaceable at an engagement position where the engagement with the power receiving side connector B is possible.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the connector main body 2 is moved to the projecting position outside the case, which is a connection position where the power receiving side connector B can be connected, and the lock arm 6 is moved to the operation position of the operation lever 31. There is a second operation position in which the latching claw 61 is held in a non-elastically displaceable (fixed) manner at an engagement position where it can be engaged with the power receiving side connector B.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the operating claw 61 of one lock arm 6 </ b> A is elastically displaced toward the inner peripheral side against the urging force of the torsion spring 63, as shown in FIG. There is a third operating position that holds the disengaged position with the connector B in the disengaged position.

The first operation position of the operation lever 31 is an operation position when performing connection work to the power receiving side connector B of the cylindrical case 1, and the connection work is performed while elastically displacing the locking claws 61 of the lock arms 6. It is possible to limit the detachment of the cylindrical case 1 from the power receiving side connector B by the return of the elastic displacement of the locking claw 61 at a predetermined connection position.
The second operation position of the operation lever 31 is an operation position used after the connection of the cylindrical case 1 to the power receiving side connector B. The connector is maintained while maintaining the mechanical connection state of the cylindrical case 1 to the power receiving side connector B. Electrical connection to the power receiving side connector B of the main body 2 is made possible.

  The third operation position of the operation lever 31 is an operation position used when the cylindrical case 1 is pulled out from the power receiving side connector B, and the engagement claw of one lock arm 6A is disengaged from the power receiving side connector B. Make it possible. In the present embodiment, only one lock arm 6A on the upper side in the figure releases the engagement with the power receiving side connector B by operating the operation lever 31 to the third operation position. The arm 6B may be provided with the lock release mechanism 7 so that the engagement with the power receiving side connector B can be released similarly to the one lock arm 6A.

The third operation position of the operation lever 31 is disposed on the opposite side of the second operation position across the first operation position, and the operation between the first and second operation positions of the operation lever 31 can be performed without delay. The operation up to the third operation position can be performed by extending the return operation to the first operation position.
The operation lever 31 is urged toward the first operation position by the urging force of the torsion spring 36 inserted through the lever shaft 35 in the operation range on the third operation position side of the first operation position. Thereby, the action | operation of the lock arm 6 by the incorrect operation of the operation lever 31 is suppressed, and the engagement state to the power receiving side connector B of the lock arm 6 is maintained favorable. An urging means such as a coil spring or a leaf spring instead of the torsion spring 36 may be used.

Next, a procedure for attaching / detaching the power feeding connector A to / from the power receiving side connector B will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 1A, in a state where the connector main body 2 is disposed at the housing accommodation position (the operation lever 31 is in the first operation position), the operator grasps the grip portion 12 and moves the cylinder. The front end portion (insertion portion 11) of the case 1 is inserted into the shell 101 of the power receiving side connector B. At this time, the locking claw 61 of each lock arm 6 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shell 101, and each lock arm 6 is swung against the urging force of the torsion spring 63. When the insertion portion 11 is inserted into the shell 101 by a predetermined amount, the locking claws 61 of the lock arms 6 engage with the locking recesses 103 of the power receiving side connector B as shown in FIG. The connector body 2 is temporarily held (the connector body 2 is not electrically connected, but the power supply connector A is prevented from being detached by the lock arms 6).

  Next, the operation lever 31 is operated to the second operation position so that the connector main body 2 is arranged at the projecting position outside the case, and the connector main body 2 is moved to the front end side of the cylindrical case 1. More specifically, the operator grasps the one end portion 31 a of the operation lever 31 and rotates it so as to move it to the front end side of the cylindrical case 1. It moves to the front end side and is arranged at the projecting position outside the case. Thereby, the power feeding side terminal 21 of the power feeding connector A is electrically connected to the power receiving side terminal of the power receiving side connector B.

  At this time, the rear end large-diameter portion 22a of the terminal storage portion 22 is in sliding contact with the vicinity of the locking claw 61 of each lock arm 6 from the inner peripheral side, and the elastic displacement of the locking claw 61 toward the inner peripheral side is disabled. As a result, the power feeding connector A is mechanically and electrically connected to the power receiving side connector B.

  At this time, the solenoid 91 is energized with the electrical connection between the power supply connector A and the power receiving side connector B as a trigger, and the plunger 94 moves forward and is inserted into the engagement hole 92 a of the lock portion 92. As a result, charging of the electric vehicle is started in a state in which the movement of the connector main body 2 in the state where the electrical connection is made is prevented.

When the charging of the electric vehicle is completed, the power supply to the electromagnet 93 is stopped accordingly, and the plunger 94 is detached from the engagement hole 92 a of the lock portion 92 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 95. As a result, the connector main body 2 enters a movable state (a state in which the operation lever 31 can be operated).
Thereafter, the operator holds the one end portion 31a of the operation lever 31 and rotates the operation lever 31 so as to move to the rear end side of the cylindrical case 1 to return to the first operation position. It moves to the rear end side of the cylindrical case 1 and is arranged in the case accommodation position. Thereby, the electrical connection between the power feeding connector A and the power receiving connector B is cut off.

  At this time, the back-up from the inner peripheral side by the rear end large diameter portion 22 a with respect to the locking claw 61 is also released, but at this time, the locking claw 61 still remains engaged with the locking recess 103. In this state, when the operation lever 31 is further rotated to the opposite side to the second operation position to be the third operation position, the second protrusion 73 of the lock release mechanism 7 is locked to one lock in conjunction with this rotation operation. By contacting the first protrusion 72 of the arm 6A, swinging one lock arm 6A against the urging force of the torsion spring 63, and retracting the locking claw 61 into the cylindrical case 1, a power supply connector Temporary holding of A on the power receiving connector B is released.

In this state, although the locking claw 61 of the other lock arm 6B is engaged with the power receiving side connector B, the engagement between the locking claw 61 of one lock arm 6A and the power receiving side connector B is released. Since the engaging force between the power feeding connector A and the power receiving connector B is weakened, the power feeding connector A can be easily pulled out.
In this state, the operator grasps the grip portion 12 and pulls out the power feeding connector A from the power receiving side connector B, whereby the work for removing the power feeding connector A is completed.

  The operation direction when the power supply connector A is connected to or disconnected from the power receiving connector B at the one end 31a of the operation lever 31 and the connection direction or disconnection direction of the power supply connector A from the power receiving connector B are the same in the central axis direction. The operation direction of the operation lever 31 when attaching / detaching the power supply connector A to / from the power receiving side connector B is intuitively understandable, and the force required to operate the operation lever 31 affects the attachment / detachment of the power supply connector A. It is difficult to set.

  As described above, the power supply connector A of the present embodiment is provided in a charging device that supplies power to the electric machine, and is detachably connected to the power receiving side connector B provided in the electric machine, A cylindrical case 1 that can be mechanically connected to the power receiving side connector B, and is accommodated in the cylindrical case 1 so as to be movable in an axial direction along an attaching / detaching direction of the power receiving side connector B and in the axial direction. A connector main body 2 having a power supply side terminal 21 that can be electrically connected to the power receiving side connector B on one end side, and a single movement that allows the axial movement of the connector main body 2 relative to the cylindrical case 1 to be operated. When the operation lever 31 and the cylindrical case 1 are connected to the power receiving side connector B, a lock that engages with the power receiving side connector B and restricts the separation of the cylindrical case 1 from the power receiving side connector B. A locking claw 61 that engages the power receiving side connector B so as to limit the detachment of the cylindrical case 1 from the power receiving side connector B, and the locking claw 61. And a torsion spring 63 that urges the power receiving side connector B to engage with the power receiving side connector B, and when the cylindrical case 1 is connected to the power receiving side connector B, it slides into contact with the power receiving side connector B and the locking claw 61 is A guide surface 61a that elastically displaces against the urging force of the torsion spring 63, and the operation lever 31 moves the connector body 2 to a non-connection position where the connection with the power receiving side connector B is released. A first operation position for holding the locking claw 61 of the lock arm 6 at an engagement position where the locking claw 61 can be engaged with the power receiving side connector B in a state where the elastic displacement is possible; A second operation position that moves the connector B to a connection position where the connection with the connector B is possible and holds the locking claw 61 of the lock arm 6 at the engagement position with the power receiving side connector B in a state where the elastic displacement is impossible. The locking claw 61 of the lock arm 6 can be operated to the third operation position where the engagement claw 61 is held in the disengaged position where the engagement with the power receiving side connector B is released against the biasing force.

According to this configuration, when connecting the power feeding connector A to the power receiving side connector B to charge the electric machine, first, the connector body 2 is moved back to the non-connection position with the operation lever 31 as the first operation position. Thus, by performing the connection work of the cylindrical case 1 to the power receiving side connector B, the connection work can be easily performed while elastically displacing the locking claw 61 of the lock arm 6, and at a predetermined connection position. Thus, when the elastic displacement of the locking claw 61 is restored, the separation of the cylindrical case 1 from the power receiving side connector B can be automatically restricted. Further, by setting the operation lever 31 to the second operation position in this state, the connector body 2 is moved forward while the mechanical connection state to the power receiving side connector B of the cylindrical case 1 is maintained, so that the power receiving side connector B is moved forward. Can be safely and easily connected.
On the other hand, when removing the power feeding connector A from the power receiving side connector B, first, the operating lever 31 is returned to the first operating position to retract the connector body 2 into the cylindrical case 1 and After releasing the connection, the operation lever 31 is operated to the third operation position to release the engagement of the locking claw 61 with the power receiving side connector B. In this state, the cylindrical case 1 and thus the power receiving side connector B are connected to the power receiving side. By pulling out from the connector B, the power feeding connector A can be safely and easily detached from the power receiving side connector B.
Thus, since it becomes possible to perform connection and disconnection with respect to the power receiving side connector B by operation of the single operation lever 31, while maintaining the simplicity of the operation for connection and disconnection, the power supply connector A Temporary holding to the power receiving side connector B can be performed, and attachment / detachment workability of the power feeding connector A can be improved.

As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on the electric power feeding connector of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. .
In the above embodiment, the power supply connector A provided in the charging device for an electric vehicle has been described. However, the power supply connector of the present invention can be applied to a charging device for various electric machines driven by electric power. .

  A ... Power feeding connector, B ... Power receiving side connector, 1 ... Cylinder case (case body), 2 ... Connector body, 21 ... Power feeding side terminal (terminal), 31 ... Operating lever, 6 ... Lock arm (locking member), 6A ... one lock arm (lock member), 6B ... other lock arm (lock member), 61 ... locking claw (engagement part), 63 ... torsion spring (biasing member), 61a ... guide surface (guide part)

Claims (4)

A power supply connector that is provided in a charging device that supplies electric power to an electric machine and is detachably connected to a power receiving side connector provided in the electric machine,
A case body that can be mechanically connected to the power receiving side connector, and the power receiving side connector that is accommodated in the case body so as to be movable in an axial direction along an attaching / detaching direction of the power receiving side connector. A connector main body having terminals that can be electrically connected to the case body, a single operating lever that can operate the axial movement of the connector main body with respect to the case body, and the case body is connected to the power receiving side connector. A locking member that engages with the power receiving side connector and restricts the case body from being detached from the power receiving side connector,
The lock member urges the engaging member to engage with the power receiving connector to engage the power receiving connector to restrict the case body from being detached from the power receiving connector. An urging member; and a guide portion that slides against the power receiving side connector and elastically displaces the engaging portion against the urging force of the urging member when the case body is connected to the power receiving side connector. ,
The operation lever moves the connector main body to a disconnected position where the connection with the power receiving connector is released, and the engaging portion of the lock member is moved to an engaging position where the engagement with the power receiving connector is possible. The first operation position that is held in a state where elastic displacement is possible, the connector main body is moved to a connection position where connection with the power receiving side connector is possible, and the engaging portion of the lock member is engaged with the power receiving side connector. A second operation position for holding the elastic displacement in a state where the elastic displacement is impossible, and a non-engagement position where the engagement portion of the lock member is disengaged from the power receiving side connector against the biasing force. A power supply connector capable of being operated to a third operation position to be held.   The power supply connector according to claim 1, wherein a third operation position of the operation lever is disposed on the opposite side of the second operation position across the first operation position.   The power supply connector according to claim 2, wherein the operation lever is biased toward the first operation position in a range closer to the third operation position than the first operation position.   The operation direction of the operation lever from the first operation position to the second operation position has a component in the same direction as the connection direction of the case body to the power receiving side connector, and the first operation position of the operation lever 4. The power supply connector according to claim 2, wherein an operation direction from the first operation position to the third operation position and a direction in which the case body is detached from the power receiving side connector have components in the same direction. 5.

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