Maintenance plug, vehicle-mounted power supply device, vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to a maintenance plug, a vehicle-mounted power supply device, and a vehicle. The maintenance plug is provided with a first conduction portion and a second conduction portion, and is arranged to be detachable with respect to a power supply circuit portion. When the maintenance plug is mounted to the power supply circuit portion, after the first conduction portion is conducted with a first connection terminal provided in the power supply circuit portion to supply power to a driving device, the second conduction portion is conducted with a second connection terminal provided in the power supply circuit portion to supply power to an auxiliary machine load.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a service plug, an on-vehicle power supply device, a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-327251, a technology related to a power circuit opening and closing device for opening and closing a power circuit having a plurality of power sources is disclosed. In the above technology, the power circuit includes a first power source system composed of a first power source that supplies electric power for driving a vehicle, and a second power source system composed of a second power source that supplies electric power for driving a low-voltage device mounted on the vehicle. In the above technology, the power circuit opening and closing device includes a circuit cutting member that ensures electrical connection of the plurality of power source systems by operation to a first state, and simultaneously cuts the plurality of power source systems by operation to a second state.

[0003] Here, for the circuit cutting member, a second relay circuit for cutting the second power source system is disposed close to a first relay circuit provided in the first power source system, and relay contacts of the first relay circuit and the second relay circuit are disposed in parallel with each other with respect to a connection terminal. Thus, the plurality of power source systems are set to be simultaneously connected or cut by operation of the circuit cutting member.

[0004] In the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-327251, when the relay circuits are cut, the first relay circuit and the second relay circuit are simultaneously connected or cut. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure takes the above fact into consideration, and aims to obtain a service plug, an on-vehicle power supply device, and a vehicle that can efficiently achieve connection or cutting according to a priority order in a plurality of power source systems including a high-voltage storage battery.

[0006] The maintenance plug described in the first aspect includes a maintenance plug main body that is detachably attached to a power supply circuit portion in which a first power supply circuit is provided, and that is installed in the power supply circuit portion to make the first power supply circuit a closed circuit, the first power supply circuit electrically connecting a high-voltage storage battery and a drive device that is supplied with power from the high-voltage storage battery, the maintenance plug main body including: a pair of first contact portions that are contactable with a pair of first connection terminals provided in the first power supply circuit, and that are brought into contact with the pair of first connection terminals respectively to make the first power supply circuit a closed circuit when the maintenance plug main body is installed in the power supply circuit portion; and a pair of second contact portions that are contactable with a pair of second connection terminals provided in a second power supply circuit that electrically connects an auxiliary machine storage battery and an auxiliary machine load that is supplied with power from the auxiliary machine storage battery, and that are brought into contact with the pair of second connection terminals respectively after the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first contact portions are brought into contact respectively when the maintenance plug main body is installed in the power supply circuit portion to make the second power supply circuit a closed circuit.

[0007] In the maintenance plug described in the first aspect, the maintenance plug main body (i.e., the maintenance plug) is detachably attached to a power supply circuit portion in which a first power supply circuit that electrically connects a high-voltage storage battery and a drive device that is supplied with power from the high-voltage storage battery is provided, and the first power supply circuit is made a closed circuit when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion.

[0008] Here, the maintenance plug is provided with a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions. The pair of first contact portions are contactable with a pair of first connection terminals provided in a first power supply circuit that supplies power to the drive device. Also, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, the pair of first contact portions are brought into contact with the pair of first connection terminals respectively, and the first power supply circuit is made a closed circuit.

[0009] On the other hand, the pair of second contact portions are contactable with a pair of second connection terminals provided in a second power supply circuit that electrically connects an auxiliary machine storage battery and an auxiliary machine load that is supplied with power from the auxiliary machine storage battery. Also, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, the pair of second contact portions are brought into contact with the pair of second connection terminals respectively after the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first contact portions are brought into contact respectively, and the second power supply circuit is made a closed circuit.

[0010] In the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, the second power supply circuit that supplies power to the auxiliary machine load is made a closed circuit after the first power supply circuit that supplies power to the drive device is made a closed circuit. That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, power is supplied to the auxiliary machine load after power is supplied to the drive device.

[0011] As a comparative example, there is a case where, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, power is supplied to the drive device after power is supplied to the auxiliary load. In the structure of the comparative example, for example, in an electronic control device (for example, an ECU; Electrical Control Unit) that controls running of a vehicle as a part of the auxiliary load, it is sometimes determined that, although the auxiliary power is supplied, the power is not supplied to the drive device, and an abnormality on the drive device side is detected.

[0012] In contrast, in the present disclosure, since, as described above, the power is supplied to the auxiliary load after the power is supplied to the drive device when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, it becomes a state where the power is already supplied to the drive device in a state where the power is supplied to the auxiliary load, and generation of the problem like the comparative example can be suppressed.

[0013] Among them, the "auxiliary load" includes, in addition to the ECU, for example, a light device, an air conditioning device, a power window, an audio device, and the like.

[0014] The maintenance plug described in the second aspect is completed on the basis of the maintenance plug described in the first aspect, and when the above maintenance plug main body is removed from the above power supply circuit portion, the above pair of second conduction portions and the above pair of second connection terminals are respectively released from the conduction state before the above pair of first connection terminals and the above pair of first conduction portions are released from the conduction state.

[0015] In the maintenance plug described in the second aspect, when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the pair of second conduction portions and the pair of second connection terminals provided in the second power supply circuit that supplies power to the auxiliary load are respectively released from the conduction state before the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first conduction portions provided in the first power supply circuit that supplies power to the drive device are released from the conduction state.

[0016] In the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the second power supply circuit becomes an open circuit before the first power supply circuit becomes an open circuit. That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the power supply to the auxiliary load is cut off before the power supply to the drive device is cut off. In other words, when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the power supply to the auxiliary load is cut off first, and then the power supply to the drive device is cut off.

[0017] The maintenance plug described in the third aspect includes a maintenance plug main body that is detachable with respect to a power supply circuit portion in which a first power supply circuit is provided, and that is removed from the power supply circuit portion to open the first power supply circuit, the first power supply circuit electrically connecting a high-voltage storage battery and a drive device supplied with power from the high-voltage storage battery, the maintenance plug main body including: a pair of first contact portions that are contactable with respect to a pair of first connection terminals provided in the first power supply circuit, and that are released from contact with the pair of first connection terminals to open the first power supply circuit when the maintenance plug main body is removed from the power supply circuit portion; and a pair of second contact portions that are contactable with respect to a pair of second connection terminals provided in a second power supply circuit electrically connecting an auxiliary machine storage battery and an auxiliary machine load supplied with power from the auxiliary machine storage battery, and that are released from contact with the pair of second connection terminals to open the second power supply circuit before the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first contact portions are released from contact when the maintenance plug main body is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

[0018] In the maintenance plug described in the third aspect, the maintenance plug main body is detachable with respect to a power supply circuit portion in which a first power supply circuit electrically connecting a high-voltage storage battery and a drive device supplied with power from the high-voltage storage battery is provided, and the first power supply circuit is opened when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

[0019] Here, the maintenance plug includes a pair of first contact portions and a pair of second contact portions. The pair of first contact portions are contactable with respect to a pair of first connection terminals provided in a first power supply circuit supplying power to a drive device, and are released from contact with the pair of first connection terminals to open the first power supply circuit when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

[0020] In addition, the pair of second contact portions are contactable with respect to a pair of second connection terminals provided in a second power supply circuit electrically connecting an auxiliary machine storage battery and an auxiliary machine load supplied with power from the auxiliary machine storage battery, and are released from contact with the pair of second connection terminals to open the second power supply circuit before the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first contact portions are released from contact when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the second power supply circuit supplying power to an auxiliary machine load is opened before the first power supply circuit supplying power to a drive device is opened when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion. That is, in the present disclosure, power supply to the drive device is cut off after power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

[0022] As a comparative example, when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, there is a case where the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off after the power supply to the drive device is cut off. In the structure of the comparative example, there is a case where the ECU determines that the drive device is not supplied with power even though the auxiliary machine load is supplied with power.

[0023] In contrast, in the present disclosure, since the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off after the power supply to the drive device is cut off when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion as described above, the occurrence of the problem where the ECU determines that the drive device is not supplied with power even though the auxiliary machine load is supplied with power can be suppressed.

[0024] The maintenance plug described in the fourth aspect is completed on the basis of the maintenance plug described in the third aspect, and when the above maintenance plug main body is attached to the above power supply circuit portion, the above pair of second conduction portions and the above pair of second connection terminals are respectively conducted after the above pair of first connection terminals and the above pair of first conduction portions are conducted.

[0025] In the maintenance plug described in the fourth aspect, when the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion, the pair of second conduction portions and the pair of second connection terminals provided in the second power supply circuit that supplies power to the auxiliary machine load are respectively conducted after the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first conduction portions provided in the first power supply circuit that supplies power to the drive device are conducted.

[0026] In the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion, the second power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit after the first power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit. That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion, power is supplied to the auxiliary machine load after power is supplied to the drive device.

[0027] The vehicle-mounted power supply device described in the fifth aspect is provided with the power supply circuit portion described in the first aspect or the second aspect and the maintenance plug described in the first aspect or the second aspect, and when the above maintenance plug is attached to the above power supply circuit portion, the above pair of second conduction portions and the above pair of second connection terminals are respectively conducted after the above pair of first connection terminals and the above pair of first conduction portions are conducted.

[0028] In the vehicle-mounted power supply device described in the fifth aspect, the power supply circuit portion and the maintenance plug are provided, and when the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion, the pair of second conduction portions provided on the maintenance plug side and the pair of second connection terminals provided on the power supply circuit portion side are respectively conducted after the pair of first connection terminals provided on the power supply circuit portion side and the pair of first conduction portions provided on the maintenance plug side are conducted.

[0029] That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, the second power supply circuit, which supplies electric power to the auxiliary machine load, becomes a closed circuit after the first power supply circuit, which supplies electric power to the drive device, becomes a closed circuit, and the supply of electric power to the auxiliary machine load is cut off before the supply of electric power to the drive device is cut off.

[0030] The vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the sixth aspect includes the power supply circuit portion according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect and the maintenance plug according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect, and when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the conduction state of the pair of second conduction portions and the pair of second connection terminals is released before the conduction state of the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first conduction portions is released.

[0031] In the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the sixth aspect, the power supply circuit portion and the maintenance plug are provided, and when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the conduction state of the pair of second conduction portions provided on the maintenance plug side and the pair of second connection terminals provided on the power supply circuit portion side is released before the conduction state of the pair of first connection terminals provided on the power supply circuit portion side and the pair of first conduction portions provided on the maintenance plug side is released.

[0032] That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion, the second power supply circuit becomes an open circuit before the first power supply circuit becomes an open circuit, and the supply of electric power to the auxiliary machine load is cut off before the supply of electric power to the drive device is cut off.

[0033] The vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the seventh aspect is achieved on the basis of the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, and includes a first contact portion formed in the first connection terminal and capable of being brought into contact with a third contact portion formed in the first conduction portion to be conductive, and a second contact portion formed in the second connection terminal and capable of being brought into contact with a fourth contact portion formed in the second conduction portion to be conductive, the second contact portion being set deeper than the first contact portion in a direction in which the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion.

[0034] In the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the seventh aspect, the first connection terminal is formed with the first contact portion capable of being brought into contact with the third contact portion formed in the first conduction portion to be conductive. In addition, the second connection terminal is formed with the second contact portion capable of being brought into contact with the fourth contact portion formed in the second conduction portion to be conductive.

[0035] Here, in the present disclosure, the second contact portion is set deeper than the first contact portion toward a direction in which the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion. Thus, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, after the first connection terminal is brought into conduction with the first conduction portion because the first contact portion of the first connection terminal comes into contact with the third contact portion of the first conduction portion, the second connection terminal is brought into conduction with the second conduction portion because the second contact portion of the second connection terminal comes into contact with the fourth contact portion of the second conduction portion.

[0036] That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, after the first power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit to supply electric power to the driving device because the first connection terminal is brought into conduction with the first conduction portion, the second power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit to supply electric power to the auxiliary machine load because the second connection terminal is brought into conduction with the second conduction portion.

[0037] The vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the eighth aspect is achieved on the basis of the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, and includes a first contact portion formed in the first connection terminal and brought into conduction with a third contact portion formed in the first conduction portion, and a second contact portion formed in the second connection terminal and brought into conduction with a fourth contact portion formed in the second conduction portion, the fourth contact portion being set deeper than the third contact portion toward a direction in which the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion.

[0038] In the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to the eighth aspect, the first connection terminal has the first contact portion formed therein, the first contact portion being brought into conduction with the third contact portion formed in the first conduction portion. In addition, the second connection terminal has the second contact portion formed therein, the second contact portion being brought into conduction with the fourth contact portion formed in the second conduction portion.

[0039] Here, in the present disclosure, the fourth contact portion is set deeper than the third contact portion toward a direction in which the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion. Thus, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, after the first connection terminal is brought into conduction with the first conduction portion because the first contact portion of the first connection terminal comes into contact with the third contact portion of the first conduction portion, the second connection terminal is brought into conduction with the second conduction portion because the second contact portion of the second connection terminal comes into contact with the fourth contact portion of the second conduction portion.

[0040] That is, in the present disclosure, when the maintenance plug is installed in the power supply circuit portion, after the first power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit to supply electric power to the driving device because the first connection terminal is brought into conduction with the first conduction portion, the second power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit to supply electric power to the auxiliary machine load because the second connection terminal is brought into conduction with the second conduction portion.

[0041] The vehicle according to the ninth aspect is equipped with the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects.

[0042] Moreover, the maintenance plug, the vehicle-mounted power supply device, and the vehicle according to the present disclosure can efficiently perform connection or cutoff according to a priority order in a plurality of power supply systems including a high-voltage storage battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] Figure 1 is a brief block diagram of the vehicle-mounted power supply device equipped with the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment.

[0044] Figure 2A is a brief side view showing a state in which the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

[0045] Figure 2B is a brief plan view showing a state in which the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

[0046] Figure 3A is a brief side view showing a state in which the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is detached from the power supply circuit portion.

[0047] Figure 3B is a brief plan view showing a state in which the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is detached from the power supply circuit portion.

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a state before the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is attached to the power supply circuit portion and only the first power supply circuit side becomes a closed circuit.

[0050] Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment is attached to the power supply circuit portion and the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit become closed circuits.

[0051] Figure 7 is a schematic view corresponding to Figure 4 as a modification example 1.

[0052] Figure 8 is a schematic view corresponding to Figure 5 as a modification example 1.

[0053] Figure 9 is a schematic view corresponding to Figure 6 as a modification example 1.

[0054] Figure 10A It is as a variation of example 2 and is related to Figure 2A The corresponding simplified side view.

[0055] Figure 10B It is as a variation of example 2 and is related to Figure 2B The corresponding simplified top view.

[0056] Figure 11A It is as a variation of example 2 and is related to Figure 3A The corresponding simplified side view.

[0057] Figure 11B It is as a variation of example 2 and is related to Figure 3B The corresponding simplified top view. Detailed Implementation

[0058] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] (Structure of the vehicle power supply unit)

[0060] First, the structure of the vehicle power supply device having the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described.

[0061] Figure 1 A simplified block diagram of an on-board power supply device 12 equipped with the maintenance plug 24 according to the first embodiment is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle power supply unit 12 mounted on the vehicle 10 includes a power supply circuit section 14. The power supply circuit section 14 includes a first power supply circuit 16 and a second power supply circuit 18. The first power supply circuit 16 electrically connects the high-voltage battery 20 to a drive unit (not shown) that receives power from the high-voltage battery 20. On the other hand, the second power supply circuit 18 electrically connects an auxiliary battery 22, referred to as a 12V battery, to an auxiliary load (not shown) that receives power from the auxiliary battery 22. One example of this auxiliary load is the ECU.

[0062] A maintenance plug 24 is detachably provided in the power supply circuit section 14. The power supply circuit section 14 is located on the vehicle 10 side. Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B As shown, the power supply circuit section 14 is, for example, box-shaped, and a connected portion 26 is provided in the power supply circuit section 14. Among them, Figure 3A This is a simplified side view showing the state in which the maintenance plug 24 has been removed from the power supply circuit section 14. Figure 3B This is a simplified top view showing the state in which the maintenance plug 24 has been removed from the power supply circuit section 14.

[0063] On the other hand, the maintenance plug 24 is, for example, box-shaped, and the maintenance plug 24 is provided with a connecting portion 28 that is connected to the connected portion 26. In addition, the inner dimensions of the maintenance plug 24 are set to be larger than the outer dimensions of the power supply circuit portion 14, and in a state in which the maintenance plug 24 is fitted (for example, inserted) into the power supply circuit portion 14, the power supply circuit portion 14 is covered by the maintenance plug 24.

[0064] In the maintenance plug 24, a pair of side walls 24A are respectively provided with a shaft portion 30. A substantially U-shaped lever 32 is fitted to the shaft portion 30, and the lever 32 is rotatable about the shaft portion 30.

[0065] Here, a cam groove, not shown, is formed in the side wall 24A of the maintenance plug 24. A pin (not shown) that protrudes from the side wall of the power supply circuit portion 14 can be inserted into the cam groove in a state in which the lever 32 is laid down. In a state in which the pin of the power supply circuit portion 14 is inserted into the cam groove of the maintenance plug 24, the maintenance plug 24 is brought into a state in which it is engaged with the power supply circuit portion 14, and from this state, the laid-down lever 32 is caused to stand up (see Figure 2A and Figure 2B ).

[0066] In a state in which the maintenance plug 24 is engaged with the power supply circuit portion 14, a pin is disposed on the movement locus of the lever 32. Therefore, if the laid-down lever 32 is caused to stand up, the maintenance plug 24 is caused to move along the shape of the cam groove with reference to the pin by means of the lever 32. At this time, the maintenance plug 24 is caused to move in such a manner that it is pulled in toward the power supply circuit portion 14, the maintenance plug 24 is fitted to the power supply circuit portion 14, and the connecting portion 28 of the maintenance plug 24 is connected to the connected portion 26 of the power supply circuit portion 14.

[0067] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3A and Figure 3B , by causing the standing lever 32 to be laid down, the maintenance plug 24 is caused to move along the shape of the cam groove with reference to the pin in a direction in which the fitted state with the power supply circuit portion 14 is released. In a state in which the lever 32 is laid down, the lever 32 is moved to a position at which it does not interfere with the cam groove. Therefore, the maintenance plug 24 can be removed from the power supply circuit portion 14 with reference to the pin along the shape of the cam groove.

[0068] In this way, by causing the standing lever 32 to be laid down, the state in which the maintenance plug 24 is engaged with the power supply circuit portion 14 is released, and the state in which the connecting portion 28 of the maintenance plug 24 is connected to the connected portion 26 of the power supply circuit portion 14 is released. Furthermore, by pulling out the lever 32, the maintenance plug 24 can be removed from the power supply circuit portion 14. In the power supply circuit portion 14 and the maintenance plug 24, the fitted relationship of the pin, the cam groove, and the lever can be applied using known technology.

[0069] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 As shown, a first power supply circuit 16 and a portion of a second power supply circuit 18 are provided in the maintenance plug 24. Figure 2B As shown, the maintenance plug 24 is installed on the power supply circuit section 14, making the first power supply circuit 16 and the second power supply circuit 18 a closed circuit. On the other hand, as... Figure 3B As shown, by removing the maintenance plug 24 from the power supply circuit section 14, the first power supply circuit 16 and the second power supply circuit 18 become open circuits.

[0070] Figure 4 The diagram shows the connected portion 26 of the power supply circuit section 14 and the connecting portion 28 of the maintenance plug 24. The connected portion 26 of the power supply circuit section 14 is provided with a pair of first connecting terminals 34 provided in the first power supply circuit 16 and a pair of second connecting terminals 36 provided in the second power supply circuit 18.

[0071] For example, the first connecting terminal 34 and the second connecting terminal 36 are formed in a generally cylindrical shape. At the front end of the first connecting terminal 34, a first contact portion 38 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting terminal 34, and at the front end of the second connecting terminal 36, a second contact portion 40 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting terminal 36.

[0072] On the other hand, the connection portion 28 of the maintenance plug 24 is provided with a pair of first conductive portions 42 that can be conductively connected to a pair of first connecting terminals 34, and a pair of second conductive portions 44 that can be conductively connected to a pair of second connecting terminals 36.

[0073] For example, the first conductive portion 42 and the second conductive portion 44 are formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The first connecting terminal 34 can be inserted into the first conductive portion 42, and the second connecting terminal 36 can be inserted into the second conductive portion 44.

[0074] Furthermore, at the front end of the first conductive portion 42, a third contact portion 46 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first conductive portion 42. When the first connecting terminal 34 is inserted into the first conductive portion 42, the third contact portion 46 can contact the first contact portion 38 formed on the first connecting terminal 34 to achieve conductivity. Additionally, at the front end of the second conductive portion 44, a fourth contact portion 48 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second conductive portion 44. When the second connecting terminal 36 is inserted into the second conductive portion 44, the fourth contact portion 48 can contact the second contact portion 40 formed on the second connecting terminal 36 to achieve conductivity.

[0075] Here, in the first embodiment, the first conductive portion 42 and the second conductive portion 44 provided on the maintenance plug 24 are of the same length along the mounting direction (e.g., the direction of arrow A) in which the maintenance plug 24 is mounted on the power supply circuit section 14. The third contact portion 46 of the first conductive portion 42 and the fourth contact portion 48 of the second conductive portion 44 are formed at the same position along the mounting direction of the maintenance plug 24.

[0076] On the other hand, the second connection terminal 36 provided in the power supply circuit section 14 is formed to be shorter than the first connection terminal 34. The second contact portion 40 provided in the second connection terminal 36 of the power supply circuit section 14 is set to be deeper (inner side) in the installation direction of the maintenance plug 24 than the first contact portion 38 of the first connection terminal 34.

[0077] (The function and effect of vehicle power supply devices)

[0078] Next, the function and effects of the vehicle power supply device equipped with the maintenance plug according to the first embodiment will be explained.

[0079] like Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B As shown, the maintenance plug 24, which is detachable from the power supply circuit section 14, is provided with a pair of first conductive parts 42 and a pair of second conductive parts 44. When the maintenance plug 24 is installed in the power supply circuit section 14, the pair of first conductive parts 42 are connected to the pair of first connection terminals 34 provided in the power supply circuit section 14, so that the first power supply circuit 16 is a closed circuit to supply power to the drive device.

[0080] On the other hand, when the maintenance plug 24 is installed on the power supply circuit section 14, after a pair of first connection terminals 34 and a pair of first conduction sections 42 are respectively connected, a pair of second conduction sections 44 are respectively connected to a pair of second connection terminals 36 provided on the power supply circuit section 14, so that the second power supply circuit 18 is a closed circuit to supply power to the auxiliary load including the ECU.

[0081] That is, in the first embodiment, when the maintenance plug 24 is installed on the power supply circuit section 14, after the first power supply circuit 16 that supplies power to the drive device becomes a closed circuit, the second power supply circuit 18 that supplies power to the auxiliary load becomes a closed circuit, and after power is supplied to the drive device, power is supplied to the auxiliary load.

[0082] If a more detailed explanation is required, then as follows: Figure 4As shown, in the first embodiment, the third contact portion 46 and the fourth contact portion 48 provided on the maintenance plug 24 side are formed at the same position along the mounting direction (e.g., the direction of arrow A) of the maintenance plug 24 being installed on the power supply circuit section 14. On the other hand, the second contact portion 40 provided on the power supply circuit section 14 side is set to be deeper than the first contact portion 38 in the mounting direction of the maintenance plug 24.

[0083] Therefore, as Figure 5 As shown, when the third contact portion 46 of the first conducting portion 42 is in contact with the first contact portion 38 of the first connecting terminal 34 and the first conducting portion 42 is conducting, a state occurs where the fourth contact portion 48 of the second conducting portion 44 separates from the second contact portion 40 of the second connecting terminal 36 and the second conducting portion 44 is not conducting. That is, a state in which power is supplied to the drive unit but not to the auxiliary load.

[0084] As a comparative example, although not shown, when the maintenance plug 24 is installed in the power supply circuit section 14, and the first power supply circuit 16 becomes a closed circuit after the second power supply circuit 18 becomes a closed circuit, power is supplied to the drive unit after power is supplied to the auxiliary load. Therefore, in the ECU, there is a possibility that the ECU determines that power is not being supplied to the drive unit and detects an abnormality on the drive unit side.

[0085] In contrast, in the first embodiment, as Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, when the maintenance plug 24 is installed in the power supply circuit section 14, the second power supply circuit 18 becomes a closed circuit after the first power supply circuit 16 becomes a closed circuit. Therefore, in the first embodiment, since power is supplied to the auxiliary load after power is supplied to the drive device, the state in which power is supplied to the auxiliary load is also a state in which power is supplied to the drive device, thus suppressing the problem that occurred in the comparative example.

[0086] On the other hand, such as Figure 3A , Figure 3B as well as Figure 5 As shown, when the maintenance plug 24 is removed from the power supply circuit section 14, before the conduction state of the pair of first connection terminals 34 and the pair of first conduction sections 42 provided in the first power supply circuit 16 is released, the conduction state of the pair of second conduction sections 44 and the pair of second connection terminals 36 provided in the second power supply circuit 18 is respectively released.

[0087] That is, in the first embodiment, when the maintenance plug 24 is removed from the power supply circuit portion 14, the second power supply circuit 18 becomes an open circuit before the first power supply circuit 16 becomes an open circuit. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the maintenance plug 24 is removed from the power supply circuit portion 14, the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off before the power supply to the drive device is cut off. In other words, when the maintenance plug 24 is removed from the power supply circuit portion 14, the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off first, and then the power supply to the drive device is cut off.

[0088] Therefore, in the first embodiment, since the power supply to the drive device is cut off after the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off, a situation in which the drive device is not supplied with power even though the auxiliary machine load is supplied with power does not occur. Therefore, the problem as in the comparative example can be suppressed from occurring.

[0089] As described above, in the first embodiment, when the maintenance plug 24 is attached to the power supply circuit portion 14, the first power supply circuit 16 becomes a closed circuit after the second power supply circuit 18 becomes a closed circuit, and thus is set to supply the auxiliary machine load with power after the drive device is supplied with power. In addition, when the maintenance plug 24 is removed from the power supply circuit portion 14, the second power supply circuit 18 becomes an open circuit before the first power supply circuit 16 becomes an open circuit, and thus is set to cut off the power supply to the auxiliary machine load before the power supply to the drive device is cut off.

[0090] Thus, in the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently connect or cut off the plurality of power source systems including the high-voltage storage battery in the vehicle-mounted power source device 12 according to the priority order.

[0091] In addition, in the first embodiment, the second power supply circuit 18 for supplying the auxiliary machine load with power is provided to the connected portion 26 of the power supply circuit portion 14 in which the first power supply circuit 16 for supplying the drive device with power is provided. Thus, in the first embodiment, by operating the operation lever 32 of the maintenance plug 24, for example, it is possible to connect or release the connected portion 28 of the maintenance plug 24 to the connected portion 26 of the power supply circuit portion 14, and thus to make the first power supply circuit 16 and the second power supply circuit 18 become a closed circuit or an open circuit.

[0092] That is, in the first embodiment, since it is possible to supply or cut off power to the drive device and the auxiliary machine load by operating only the operation lever 32 of the maintenance plug 24, it is possible to improve the workability compared to the case in which the drive device and the auxiliary machine load are operated separately.

[0093] Further, in the first embodiment, in a state where the electric power is supplied to the auxiliary load, a state where the electric power is supplied to the driving device is made, and a situation where the electric power is not supplied to the driving device even if the electric power is supplied to the auxiliary load is difficult to occur. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, in the maintenance plug 24, it is not necessarily required to provide the interlock switch 49 (refer to Figure 1 ) that detects a state where the first power supply circuit 16 does not become a closed circuit.

[0094] Thus, in the first embodiment, it is only required to be configured such that when the maintenance plug 24 is attached to the power supply circuit portion 14, the electric power is supplied to the auxiliary load after the electric power is supplied to the driving device, and further, when the maintenance plug 24 is detached from the power supply circuit portion 14, the electric power supply to the auxiliary load is cut off before the electric power supply to the driving device is cut off. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described configuration.

[0095] (Modified Examples)

[0096] Hereinafter, a modified example of the above-described first embodiment will be described.

[0097] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 , the first conducting portion 42 and the second conducting portion 44 provided to the maintenance plug 24 are the same length in the attachment direction (for example, the arrow A direction) of the maintenance plug 24, and the third contact portion 46 of the first conducting portion 42 and the fourth contact portion 48 of the second conducting portion 44 are formed at the same position in the attachment direction of the maintenance plug 24. On the other hand, the second connection terminal 36 provided to the power supply circuit portion 14 is shorter in length than the first connection terminal 34, and the second contact portion 40 of the second connection terminal 36 provided to the power supply circuit portion 14 is set deeper in the attachment direction of the maintenance plug 24 than the first contact portion 38 of the first connection terminal 34.

[0098] On the contrary, in the modified example 1, as shown in Figure 7 , the first connection terminal 52 and the second connection terminal 54 provided to the power supply circuit portion 50 are formed the same length, and the second contact portion 56 of the second connection terminal 54 is set deeper in the attachment direction (for example, the arrow A direction) of the maintenance plug 24 than the first contact portion 58 of the first connection terminal 52.

[0099] Thus, as shown in Figure 8 , in a state where the third contact portion 46 of the first conducting portion 42 and the first contact portion 58 of the first connection terminal 52 are in contact and the first connection terminal 52 and the first conducting portion 42 are in conduction, the second contact portion 56 of the second connection terminal 54 and the fourth contact portion 48 of the second conducting portion 44 are separated.

[0100] Therefore, in the modification example 1, when the maintenance plug 24 is installed to the power supply circuit portion 50, after the first contact portion 58 of the first connection terminal 52 and the third contact portion 46 of the first conducting portion 42 are conducted and the first power supply circuit 16 becomes a closed circuit, as shown in Figure 9 , the fourth contact portion 48 of the second conducting portion 44 and the second contact portion 56 of the second connection terminal 54 are conducted and the second power supply circuit 18 becomes a closed circuit. In this way, it can be configured to be able to supply power to the auxiliary load after power is supplied to the drive device.

[0101] Further, in the above modification example 1, the position of the second contact portion 56 of the second connection terminal 54 provided to the power supply circuit portion 50 is set to be deeper than the first contact portion 58 of the first connection terminal 52 in the installation direction of the maintenance plug 24. However, although not shown, the position of the fourth contact portion 48 of the second conducting portion 44 provided to the maintenance plug 24 can be set to be in front of the third contact portion 46 of the first conducting portion 42 in the installation direction of the maintenance plug 24.

[0102] In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the first connection terminal 34 of the first power supply circuit 16 for supplying power to the drive device and the second connection terminal 36 of the second power supply circuit 18 for supplying power to the auxiliary load are provided to the power supply circuit portion 14, and the first conducting portion 42 that conducts with the first connection terminal 34 and the second conducting portion 44 that conducts with the second connection terminal 36 are provided to the maintenance plug 24, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0103] For example, in the modification example 2 shown in Figure 10A and Figure 10B , a high voltage circuit portion 62 is provided, a first power supply circuit 60 for supplying power to the drive device is provided; and a low voltage circuit portion 66 is provided, a second power supply circuit 64 for supplying power to the auxiliary load is provided.

[0104] Further, the low voltage circuit portion 66 is provided to be closer to the front in the installation direction of the maintenance plug 68 than the high voltage circuit portion 62. In addition, a sub plug 72 is provided to the grip portion 70A (refer to Figure 11B ) of the operating lever 70, a second conducting portion 80 that conducts with a second connection terminal 78 provided to a connected portion 76 of the second power supply circuit 64 is provided to a connection portion 74 of the sub plug 72, and the sub plug 72 is detachable with respect to the low voltage circuit portion 66.

[0105] As shown in Figure 11A and Figure 11BAs shown, in the state where the lever 70 is laid down, a connection portion 74 for connecting the sub connector 72 to the connected portion 76 of the low-voltage circuit portion 66 is provided on the grip portion 70A of the lever 70 in an upward manner. The low-voltage circuit portion 66 is arranged on the movement locus of the sub connector 72. Therefore, if the lever 70 is stood up, the maintenance connector 68 is connected to the high-voltage circuit portion 62, and the sub connector 72 is connected to the low-voltage circuit portion 66.

[0106] Here, as described above, the low-voltage circuit portion 66 is arranged on the near side in the mounting direction of the maintenance connector 68 than the high-voltage circuit portion 62, but when the maintenance connector 68 is mounted to the high-voltage circuit portion 62, the sub connector 72 is set to be connected to the low-voltage circuit portion 66 after the maintenance connector 68 is connected to the high-voltage circuit portion 62 by a not-shown cam mechanism provided to the maintenance connector 68. Thereby, the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is performed after the power supply to the driving device is performed.

[0107] On the other hand, when the maintenance connector 68 is detached from the high-voltage circuit portion 62, the stood-up lever 70 is laid down, but since the low-voltage circuit portion 66 is arranged on the near side in the mounting direction of the maintenance connector 68 than the high-voltage circuit portion 62, the state where the sub connector 72 is connected to the low-voltage circuit portion 66 is released before the state where the maintenance connector 68 is connected to the high-voltage circuit portion 62 is released. That is, the power supply to the driving device is cut off after the power supply to the auxiliary machine load is cut off.

[0108] The above describes the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above description, and various modifications can of course be made to implement the present disclosure within the scope of the gist thereof, in addition to the above.

[0109] The disclosure of Japanese Application No. 2021-067955, filed April 13, 2021, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0110] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards cited in this specification are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety to the same extent as if each document, patent application, or technical standard were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0111] Symbol Explanation:

[0112] 10 … vehicle; 12 … vehicle-mounted power supply device; 14 … power supply circuit portion; 16 … first power supply circuit; 18 … second power supply circuit; 20 … high-voltage storage battery; 22 … auxiliary machine storage battery; 24 … maintenance plug (maintenance plug main body); 34 … first connection terminal; 36 … second connection terminal; 38 … first contact portion; 40 … second contact portion; 42 … first conduction portion; 44 … second conduction portion; 46 … third contact portion; 48 … fourth contact portion; 50 … power supply circuit portion; 52 … first connection terminal; 54 … second connection terminal; 56 … second contact portion; 58 … first contact portion; 60 … first power supply circuit; 62 … high-voltage circuit portion (power supply circuit portion); 64 … second power supply circuit; 66 … low-voltage circuit portion (power supply circuit portion); 68 … maintenance plug; 72 … sub plug (maintenance plug); 78 … second connection terminal; 80 … second conduction portion.

Claims

1. A maintenance plug, wherein a maintenance plug main body is provided, which is detachable with respect to a power supply circuit portion provided with a first power supply circuit, and is installed to the power supply circuit portion to make the first power supply circuit a closed circuit, the first power supply circuit electrically connecting a high voltage storage battery and a drive device supplied with power from the high voltage storage battery, the maintenance plug main body is configured to include: a pair of first conduction portions which are conductive with respect to a pair of first connection terminals provided in the first power supply circuit in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on outer circumferential surfaces respectively, and are in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on inner circumferential surfaces respectively, and are conductive with the pair of first connection terminals respectively when the maintenance plug main body is installed to the power supply circuit portion to make the first power supply circuit a closed circuit; and a pair of second conduction portions which are conductive with respect to a pair of second connection terminals provided in a second power supply circuit in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on outer circumferential surfaces respectively, and are in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on inner circumferential surfaces respectively, and are conductive with the pair of second connection terminals respectively after the pair of first connection terminals are conductive with the pair of first conduction portions when the maintenance plug main body is installed to the power supply circuit portion to make the second power supply circuit a closed circuit, the second power supply circuit electrically connecting an auxiliary load including an ECU which detects an abnormality on a drive device side when it is determined that power is not supplied to the drive device, and an auxiliary storage battery supplied with power from the auxiliary storage battery, the second power supply circuit becomes a closed circuit after the first power supply circuit which supplies power to the drive device becomes a closed circuit when the maintenance plug main body is installed to the power supply circuit portion.

2. The maintenance plug according to claim 1, wherein the pair of second conduction portions and the pair of second connection terminals are released from the conductive state respectively before the pair of first connection terminals and the pair of first conduction portions are released from the conductive state when the maintenance plug main body is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

3. A maintenance plug, wherein a maintenance plug main body is provided, which is detachable with respect to a power supply circuit portion provided with a first power supply circuit, and is removed from the power supply circuit portion to make the first power supply circuit an open circuit, the first power supply circuit electrically connecting a high voltage storage battery and a drive device supplied with power from the high voltage storage battery, the maintenance plug main body is configured to include: a pair of first conduction portions which are conductive with respect to a pair of first connection terminals provided in the first power supply circuit in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on outer circumferential surfaces respectively, and are in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on inner circumferential surfaces respectively, and are released from the conductive state with the pair of first connection terminals respectively when the maintenance plug main body is removed from the power supply circuit portion to make the first power supply circuit an open circuit; and a pair of second conduction portions which are conductive with respect to a pair of second connection terminals provided in a second power supply circuit in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on outer circumferential surfaces respectively, and are in a substantially cylindrical shape and provided with portions capable of being conductive by contact on inner circumferential surfaces respectively, and are conductive with the pair of second connection terminals respectively after the pair of first connection terminals are conductive with the pair of first conduction portions when the maintenance plug main body is installed to the power supply circuit portion to make the second power supply circuit a closed circuit, the second power supply circuit electrically connecting an auxiliary load including an ECU which detects an abnormality on a drive device side when it is determined that power is not supplied to the drive device, and an auxiliary storage battery supplied with power from the auxiliary storage battery, A pair of the second conductive portions are conductive with respect to a pair of the second connection terminals which are provided in the second power supply circuit in a substantially cylindrical shape and in which positions capable of being conductive by contact are respectively provided on outer circumferential surfaces, and are in a substantially cylindrical shape and in which positions capable of being conductive by contact are respectively provided on inner circumferential surfaces, and the second power supply circuit is opened before the conductive state of the pair of the first connection terminals and the pair of the first conductive portions is released when the maintenance plug main body is removed from the power supply circuit portion, and the conductive state of the pair of the second connection terminals is respectively released, and the second power supply circuit is opened, and the second power supply circuit is electrically connected to an auxiliary machine load which is supplied with electric power from an auxiliary battery and includes an ECU which detects an abnormality on the drive device side if it is judged that electric power is not supplied to the drive device, The second power supply circuit which supplies electric power to the auxiliary machine load is opened before the first power supply circuit which supplies electric power to the drive device is opened when the maintenance plug main body is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

4. The maintenance plug according to claim 3, wherein The pair of the second conductive portions and the pair of the second connection terminals are respectively conductive after the pair of the first connection terminals and the pair of the first conductive portions are conductive when the maintenance plug main body is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

5. A vehicle-mounted power supply device, wherein The power supply circuit portion according to claim 1 or 2 and the maintenance plug according to claim 1 or 2 are provided, The pair of the second conductive portions and the pair of the second connection terminals are respectively conductive after the pair of the first connection terminals and the pair of the first conductive portions are conductive when the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

6. A vehicle-mounted power supply device, wherein The power supply circuit portion according to claim 3 or 4 and the maintenance plug according to claim 3 or 4 are provided, The pair of the second conductive portions and the pair of the second connection terminals are respectively released from the conductive state before the pair of the first connection terminals and the pair of the first conductive portions are released from the conductive state when the maintenance plug is removed from the power supply circuit portion.

7. The on-vehicle power supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein provided with: a first contact portion which is formed in the first connection terminal and is conductive by being in contact with a third contact portion which is formed in the first conductive portion; and a second contact portion which is formed in the second connection terminal and is conductive by being in contact with a fourth contact portion which is formed in the second conductive portion, the second contact portion is set to be deeper than the first contact portion in a direction in which the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

8. The on-vehicle power supply device according to claim 6, wherein provided with: a first contact portion which is formed in the first connection terminal and is conductive by being in contact with a third contact portion which is formed in the first conductive portion; and a second contact portion which is formed in the second connection terminal and is conductive by being in contact with a fourth contact portion which is formed in the second conductive portion, the second contact portion is set to be deeper than the first contact portion in a direction in which the maintenance plug is attached to the power supply circuit portion.

9. The on-vehicle power supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein provided with: a first contact portion which is formed in the first connection terminal and is conductive by being in contact with a third contact portion which is formed in the first conductive portion; and a second contact portion which is formed in the second connection terminal and is conductive by being in contact with a fourth contact portion which is formed in the second conductive portion, A second contact portion is formed in the second connection terminal and is contactable with a fourth contact portion formed in the second conduction portion to conduct, The fourth contact portion is set deeper than the third contact portion in a direction in which the maintenance plug is mounted to the power supply circuit portion.

10. The on-vehicle power supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein Possessing: A first contact portion is formed in the first connection terminal and is contactable with a third contact portion formed in the first conduction portion to conduct, A second contact portion is formed in the second connection terminal and is contactable with a fourth contact portion formed in the second conduction portion to conduct, The fourth contact portion is set deeper than the third contact portion in a direction in which the maintenance plug is mounted to the power supply circuit portion.

11. A vehicle in which The vehicle is equipped with the vehicle-mounted power supply device according to any one of claims 5 to 10.

Images