Engaging mechanism and connector unit

Abstract

A coupling mechanism is capable of switching between engagement and disengagement with a coupling target. The coupling mechanism includes: an engagement portion disposed at an engagement position where the engagement portion engages with the coupling target and at a disengagement position where the engagement portion does not engage with the coupling target; a drive portion operable to position the engagement portion at the engagement position or the disengagement position; an elastic portion disposed between the drive portion and the engagement portion, transmitting the operation of the drive portion to the engagement portion and being capable of elastic deformation; and an operating portion independently of the operation of the drive portion, performing a release operation, wherein the release operation elastically deforms the elastic portion while moving the engagement portion at the engagement position toward the disengagement position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an engagement mechanism capable of switching between engagement and disengagement with an engagement target, and a connector unit using the engagement mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, a charging connector unit for supplying power from outside the vehicle to a battery or similar device installed on the vehicle has been proposed. This type of connector unit typically includes a connector, i.e., a charging inlet, installed on the vehicle or similar device, and a connector, i.e., a charging gun, connected to an external power source (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2020-129465A Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the connector unit described above, a locking pin provided on the charging inlet engages with the charging gun to maintain the connectors in a mated state. The locking pin is driven by a motor, gears, etc., which operate in response to external command signals, and shifts between a position where the locking pin engages with the charging gun and a position where it does not engage with the charging gun. However, when the operation of the motor, gears, etc., malfunctions due to aging or deterioration, it may be impossible to move the locking pin from the position where it engages with the charging gun to the position where it does not engage with the charging gun (i.e., unlocking), making it difficult to separate the charging gun from the charging inlet. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for proper unlocking of the connector unit. It will be understood from this specification that it is desirable to provide this mechanism not only in the aforementioned connector unit but also in various engagement mechanisms.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an engagement mechanism capable of appropriately switching between engagement and disengagement with an engagement target, and a connector unit using the engagement mechanism.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the engagement mechanism and connector unit according to this disclosure have the following features.

[0009] The engagement mechanism disclosed herein is capable of switching between engagement and disengagement with a engagement target. The engagement mechanism includes: an engagement portion disposed at an engagement position where the engagement portion engages with the engagement target and at a disengagement position where the engagement portion does not engage with the engagement target; a drive portion operable to position the engagement portion at the engagement position or the disengagement position; an elastic portion disposed between the drive portion and the engagement portion, transmitting the operation of the drive portion to the engagement portion and being capable of elastic deformation; and an operating portion independently of the operation of the drive portion, performing a release operation that, while elastically deforming the elastic portion, moves the engagement portion at the engagement position toward the disengagement position.

[0010] The connector unit according to this disclosure includes a first connector having the above-described engagement mechanism and a second connector serving as the engagement target.

[0011] According to the engagement mechanism of this disclosure, the operation of the drive unit (e.g., a gear structure such as a rack and pinion, and a power source such as an electric motor) is transmitted to the engagement part (e.g., a locking pin) via an elastic part (e.g., a coil spring), causing the engagement part to be positioned in an engaged or disengaged position. Even if a malfunction occurs during the operation of the drive unit, the engagement between the engagement target and the engagement part can be released by using an operating part (e.g., an emergency lever) that operates independently of the drive unit. This release operation causes the elastic part to elastically deform while moving the engagement part at the engaged position toward the disengaged position. Therefore, the engagement mechanism of this disclosure can be appropriately switched between engagement and disengagement with the engagement target.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the connector unit of this disclosure, the operation of the drive portion disposed in the first connector (e.g., charging port) is transmitted to the engagement portion via an elastic portion, causing the engagement portion to be positioned in an engaged position or a disengaged position. Even if a malfunction occurs during the operation of the drive portion, a release operation can be performed using an operating portion (e.g., an emergency lever) independent of the operation of the drive portion to release the engagement between the second connector (e.g., charging gun) and the engagement portion, which is the target of engagement. This release operation causes the elastic portion to elastically deform while moving the engagement portion at the engaged position toward the disengaged position. Therefore, the connector unit of this disclosure can appropriately switch between engagement and disengagement between the engagement portion of the first connector and the second connector.

[0013] The invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of this disclosure will be further clarified by reading the following description of methods for carrying out the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic configuration diagram showing a connector unit including a coupling mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 Is with Figure 1 The corresponding diagram illustrates the first step of separating the second connector from the first connector when the actuator is functioning normally;

[0016] Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 The corresponding diagram illustrates the second step of separating the second connector from the first connector when the actuator is functioning normally;

[0017] Figure 4 Is with Figure 1 The corresponding diagram illustrates the first step of separating the second connector from the first connector when an abnormality exists in the actuator section; and

[0018] Figure 5 Is with Figure 1 The corresponding diagram illustrates the second step of separating the second connector from the first connector when an abnormality exists in the actuator section. Detailed Implementation

[0019] <Example>

[0020] In the following description, a connector unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, including an actuator section 4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the connector unit 1 includes: a connector 2 including an actuator part 4; and a connector 3 that fits into the fitting recess 11 of the connector 2.

[0021] Connector 2 is a connector installed in vehicles such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or electric vehicles, and connects to a wire extending from the battery installed on the vehicle, also known as a charging inlet. Connector 3 is a connector connecting to a wire extending from a power source outside the vehicle, also known as a charging gun. The battery is charged by supplying power from outside the vehicle to it through the engagement recess 11 of connector 2. The actuator portion 4 of connector 2 selectively positions the pin member 20, described later, in a protruding position (…). Figure 1 (as shown) and retracted position ( Figure 2 The device can switch between the positions shown to enable the switching between engagement and disengagement between the pin part 20 of connector 2 and connector 3.

[0022] In the following text, for ease of description, the definitions of "front", "back", "left", "right", "up" and "down" are as follows: Figure 1As shown, the "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction is consistent with the mating direction of connector 2 and connector 3. The front-back, left-right, and up-down directions are not necessarily consistent with the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions of the vehicle, etc., when connector 2 is installed on it.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, in this example, the fitting recess 11 of the connector 2 is a recess that opens rearward and is recessed forward. A through hole 13 extending vertically is formed in the upper part of the annular peripheral wall 12 defining the fitting recess 11. On the upper outer peripheral surface of the connector 3 that fits into the fitting recess 11, a mating recess 3a that opens upward and is recessed downward is formed corresponding to the through hole 13. Figure 1 As shown, when the connector 3 is fitted into the fitting recess 11 (fitting state of connector 2 and connector 3), the engagement recess 3a of the connector 3 is provided adjacent to the through hole 13 of the connector 2 directly below, and the engagement pin 21 of the pin member 20 of the connector 2 (actuator part 4) that can be inserted into the through hole 13 can be inserted into the engagement recess 3a.

[0024] The actuator section 4 is disposed above the peripheral wall 12 of the connector 2, where the through hole 13 is formed. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the actuator section 4 includes a pin member 20, a drive section 30, a resilient section 40, and an operating lever 50. The actuator section 4 includes a housing 60 that integrally houses the pin member 20, the drive section 30, the resilient section 40, and the operating lever 50. The configuration of each part constituting the actuator section 4 will be described sequentially below.

[0025] The pin member 20 has a shape extending in the vertical direction and is supported by the actuator part 4, thereby allowing it to move parallel in the vertical direction. The pin member 20 integrally includes a rod-shaped metal engaging pin portion 21 extending in the vertical direction and a metal or resin plunger portion 22 located above the engaging pin portion 21 and having a shape extending in the vertical direction. The engaging pin portion 21 is configured to be inserted into a through hole 13. The plunger portion 22 integrally has an extension portion 23 extending laterally (rearwardly) from its upper end. The extension portion 23 of the pin member 20 can engage with the output side rod portion 52 of the operating lever 50 (described later) and is used to move the pin member 20 upward by receiving an upward force from the output side rod portion 52 in the operating lever 50.

[0026] The drive unit 30 includes a rack and pinion mechanism 33 consisting of a metal rack 31 and a metal pinion 32, an electric actuator 34 that drives the pinion 32, and a processing unit 35 that drives and controls the electric actuator 34. The rack 31 is supported by the actuator unit 4, allowing it to move parallel in the vertical direction independently of the pin member 20. The pinion 32 is supported by the actuator unit 4 so that it can rotate about its central axis when engaged with the rack 31. Therefore, when the pinion 32 rotates, the rack 31 moves parallel in the vertical direction. The processing unit 35 is a microcomputer that operates the electric actuator 34 based on signals received from various sensors installed on the vehicle.

[0027] Specifically, the elastic part 40 is a metal helical spring that extends in the vertical direction and can elastically deform in the vertical direction. The elastic part 40 is disposed between the upper end of the plunger part 22 of the pin member 20 and the opposing part 31a. The opposing part 31a is part of the rack 31 and is disposed opposite to the upper end of the plunger part 22 in the vertical direction at a distance. The upper end of the elastic part 40 is fixed to the opposing part 31a of the rack 31, and the lower end of the elastic part 40 is fixed to the upper end of the plunger part 22 of the pin member 20. The elastic part 40 is used to transmit the operation of the drive unit 30 (specifically, the movement of the rack 31 in the vertical direction) to the pin member 20.

[0028] The operating lever 50 includes an input-side lever portion 51 and an output-side lever portion 52 extending in intersecting directions; and a support portion 53 that supports the operating lever 50 on the actuator portion 4, allowing the operating lever 50 to swing about the boundary between the input-side lever portion 51 and the output-side lever portion 52. The input-side lever portion 51 protrudes outside the housing 60 of the actuator portion 4 and is configured to be operable from outside the actuator portion 4 independently of the operation of the drive portion 30. The output-side lever portion 52 is configured to engage with the extension 23 of the pin member 20. The configuration of each part constituting the actuator portion 4 has been described above.

[0029] Next, the operation of actuator section 4 will be described. The electric actuator 34, based on the drive signal from processing unit 35, controls the position of pinion 32 in the rotational direction, that is, the position of rack 31 meshing with pinion 32 in the vertical direction, so as to... Figure 1 The first position shown and Figure 2 The pin component 20 is selectively switched between the second position shown (the position above the first position). The pin component 20 is connected to the rack 31 in the vertical direction via the elastic portion 40. Therefore, when the rack 31 is in the first position, the pin component 20 is in a protruding position where the lower end of the engaging pin portion 21 protrudes downward from the through hole 13 (see...). Figure 1When the rack 31 is in the second position, the pin component 20 is in the retracted position where the lower end of the engaging pin 21 does not protrude downward from the through hole 13 (the position above the protruding position) (see...). Figure 2 Furthermore, when the pin component 20 is in the protruding position, the extension 23 of the pin component 20 contacts the output side rod portion 52 of the operating lever 50, thereby restricting the position of the pin component 20 and preventing the pin component 20 mounted to the elastic portion 40 from moving excessively downward. When the rack 31 moves from the first position to the second position (or from the second position to the first position), the movement of the rack 31 is transmitted to the pin component 20 through the elastic portion 40 with appropriate responsiveness, causing the pin component 20 to move from the protruding position to the retracted position (or from the retracted position to the protruding position).

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, in the state where connector 3 is fitted into the fitting recess 11 of connector 2 (fitting state of connector 2 and connector 3), as described above, the engagement recess 3a of connector 3 is located directly below the through hole 13 of connector 2, and the engagement pin 21 of pin member 20 can be inserted into the engagement recess 3a of connector 3. Therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, with the pin member 20 in the protruding position, the engaging pin portion 21 of the pin member 20 is disposed within the engaging recess 3a of the connector 3, and the pin member 20 of the connector 2 and the connector 3 engage with each other. Therefore, with the pin member 20 in the protruding position, the rearward movement of the connector 3 relative to the engaging recess 11 of the connector 2 is restricted by the pin member 20, thereby preventing the connector 3 from accidentally separating from the engaging recess 11. On the other hand, as... Figure 2 As shown, when the pin component 20 is in the retracted position, the engagement pin portion 21 of the pin component 20 is disposed outside (above) the engagement recess 3a of the connector 3, and the pin component 20 of the connector 2 and the connector 3 are not engaged with each other. Therefore, when the pin component 20 is in the retracted position, the rearward movement of the connector 3 relative to the engagement recess 11 of the connector 2 is not restricted by the pin component 20, and thus the connector 3 can be separated from the engagement recess 11. Here, the state in which the pin component 20 is in the protruding position corresponds to the "engaged position" of this disclosure, while the state in which the pin component 20 is in the retracted position corresponds to the "disengaged position" of this disclosure.

[0031] In this example, the processing unit 35 of the actuator section 4 controls the electric actuator 34 to rotate the drive pinion 32 based on signals received from various sensors installed on the vehicle, and selectively switches the vertical position of the pin member 20 to the protruding position, for example, only when the vehicle battery is detected to be charging, and switches it to the retracted position in other cases (when the vehicle battery is not detected to be charging).

[0032] Specifically, when the vehicle's battery is charging, firstly, connector 3 is inserted and engaged into the engagement recess 11 of connector 2. At this stage, since the battery is not yet charged, pin 20 is in the retracted position (rack 31 is in the second position). Next, when battery charging begins, in response to the processing unit 35 detecting that the vehicle's battery is charging, pinion 32 is driven to rotate by electric actuator 34 to move rack 31 from the second position to the first position. Therefore, as rack 31 moves from the second position to the first position, pin 20, connected to rack 31 via elastic portion 40, moves from the retracted position to the protruding position, and the engagement pin portion 21 of pin 20 is disposed within the engagement recess 3a of connector 3, such that pin 20 of connector 2 and connector 3 engage with each other (see...). Figure 1 Therefore, during battery charging, it prevents connector 3 from accidentally separating from the mating recess 11 of connector 2.

[0033] Next, when the battery charging is finished, in response to the processing unit 35 not detecting that the vehicle's battery is charging, the pinion 32 is driven to rotate by the electric actuator 34 to move the rack 31 from the first position to the second position.

[0034] Here, when actuator section 4 is functioning normally, such as Figure 2 As indicated by the white arrow, the pinion 32 is appropriately rotated and moved by the electric actuator 34. Therefore, as... Figure 2 As indicated by the black arrow, the rack 31 moves from the first position to the second position, and the pin member 20 connected to the rack 31 via the elastic part 40 moves from the protruding position to the retracted position, with the engaging pin portion 21 of the pin member 20 located outside the engaging recess 3a of the connector 3, thereby releasing the engagement between the pin member 20 of the connector 2 and the connector 3 (see...). Figure 2 Therefore, when the battery is fully charged, connector 3 can disengage from the mating recess 11. Thus, as... Figure 3 As shown by the white arrow in the image, connector 3 can be separated from connector 2 by pulling connector 3 backward from the fitting recess 11.

[0035] On the other hand, such as Figure 4 As shown, when there is some abnormality in the actuator section 4, even if an attempt is made to rotate the pinion 32 via the electric actuator 34 to move the rack 31 from the first position to the second position, the rack 31 remains in the first position and does not move from the first position, thus the pin component 20 remains in the protruding position. Figure 4As an example, suppose that due to an abnormality in which the pinion 32 fails to rotate, the rack 31 does not move from the first position, thus the pin component 20 is held in the protruding position. In this case, the engagement between the pin component 20 of connector 2 and connector 3 cannot be released, and connector 3 cannot be separated from connector 2. In such an emergency, such as Figure 4 As indicated by the white arrow, the user pushes the input-side lever 51 of the operating lever 50 downwards. Therefore, the operating lever 50 swings around the support 53, and the output-side lever 52, while resisting the appropriate elastic biasing force of the elastic part 40, pushes upwards the extension 23 of the pin member 20 that engages with the output-side lever 52. Thus, as... Figure 4 As indicated by the black arrow, the pin component 20 elastically deforms in the direction that compresses the elastic portion 40 in the vertical direction, moving from the protruding position to the retracted position, thereby releasing the engagement between the pin component 20 of the connector 2 and the connector 3 (see [link]). Figure 4 This series of operations using lever 50 is also called a release operation. For example... Figure 5 As shown by the white arrow in the diagram, while the input side lever 51 of the operating lever 50 is pressed down by the release operation (i.e., the pin component 20 is in the retracted position), the connector 3 can be separated from the connector 2 by pulling the connector 3 backward from the fitting recess 11.

[0036] <Functions and Effects>

[0037] As described above, in the actuator unit 4 and connector unit 1 according to this embodiment, the operation of the drive unit 30 provided in the first connector (connector 2, charging port) is transmitted to the engagement portion (pin member 20) via the elastic part 40, such that the engagement portion 20 is positioned in an engaged position (protruding position) or a disengaged position (retracted position). Even if a malfunction occurs during the operation of the drive unit 30, a release operation can be performed by using an operation unit (operation lever 50) independent of the operation of the drive unit 30 to release the engagement between the second connector (connector 3, charging gun) and the engagement portion (pin member 20), which is the target of engagement. This release operation causes the elastic part 40 to elastically deform while moving the engagement portion 20, which is located in the engaged position, toward the disengaged position. Therefore, the connector unit 1 according to this embodiment can be appropriately switched between engagement and disengagement between the engagement portion 20 of the first connector 2 and the second connector 3.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the actuator section 4 and connector unit 1 of this embodiment, by using a helical spring as the elastic section 40, when the drive section 30 is operating normally, the operation of the drive section 30 is transmitted to the engagement section 20 with appropriate responsiveness via the helical spring, and when a fault occurs in the drive section 30, the elastic section 40 can be elastically deformed by the operation section 50 with appropriate operating force.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the actuator section 4 and connector unit 1 of this embodiment, the operating lever 50, in addition to performing the aforementioned release operation, also has the function of restricting the position of the pin member 20 so that the pin member 20 can be properly arranged in the engagement position. Therefore, compared to the case where these functions are performed by separate components, the size of the actuator section 4 and connector unit 1 can be reduced.

[0040] <Other Embodiments>

[0041] This disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. For example, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, sizes, quantities, and arrangement positions of the components in the above embodiments are freely chosen, and are not limited as long as this disclosure can be implemented.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the operating lever 50 of the actuator section 4 is integrally disposed in the housing 60 with other components (i.e., the pin component 20, the drive section 30, and the elastic section 40). On the other hand, if necessary, the operating lever 50 can be installed in the housing 60 as a component separate from other components.

[0043] Hereinafter, the features of the actuator section 4 and connector unit 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above are briefly summarized and listed in [1] to [4] below. [1]

[0045] A coupling mechanism (4) capable of switching between engagement and disengagement with a coupling target (3), the coupling mechanism (4) comprising:

[0046] The joint (20) is configured to be located at an engagement position where the joint (20) engages with the engagement target (3) and at a disengagement position where the joint (20) does not engage with the engagement target (3);

[0047] A drive unit (30) is configured to operate to position the engagement part (20) in the engagement position or the disengagement position;

[0048] An elastic portion (40), disposed between the driving portion (30) and the engaging portion (20), is configured to transmit the operation of the driving portion (30) to the engaging portion (20) and is capable of elastic deformation; and

[0049] The operating unit (50) is configured to perform a release operation independently of the operation of the driving unit (30), the release operation causing the elastic part (40) to elastically deform while moving the engaging part (20) at the engaging position toward the disengaged position.

[0050] According to the engagement mechanism with the configuration described above [1], the operation of the drive unit (e.g., a gear structure such as a rack and pinion, and a power source such as an electric motor) is transmitted to the engagement part (e.g., a locking pin) via an elastic part (e.g., a coil spring), causing the engagement part to be positioned in an engaged or disengaged position. Even if a malfunction occurs during the operation of the drive unit, the engagement between the engagement target and the engagement part can be released by using an operating part (e.g., an emergency lever) that operates independently of the drive unit. This release operation elastically deforms the elastic part while moving the engaged part in the engaged position toward the disengaged position. Therefore, the engagement mechanism of this configuration can be appropriately switched between engagement and disengagement with the engagement target. [2]

[0052] In the engagement mechanism (4) according to [1] above,

[0053] The elastic part (40) is a helical spring.

[0054] According to the engagement mechanism having the above [2] configuration, by using a helical spring as the elastic part, when the drive part is working normally, the operation of the drive part is transmitted to the engagement part with appropriate responsiveness via the helical spring, and when the drive part fails, the elastic part can be elastically deformed by the operation part with appropriate operating force. [3]

[0056] In the engagement mechanism (4) according to [2] above,

[0057] When the release operation is not performed, the operating part (50) contacts the engagement part (20) provided at the engagement position to restrict the position of the engagement part (20).

[0058] According to the engagement mechanism with the above-described [3] configuration, in addition to performing the release operation described above, the operating part also has the function of restricting the position of the engagement part so that the engagement part can be properly positioned in the engagement position. Therefore, compared with the case where these functions are performed by separate components, the size of the engagement mechanism can be reduced. [4]

[0060] A connector unit (1) includes:

[0061] A first connector (2) comprising a coupling mechanism (4) according to any one of [1] to [3] above; and

[0062] The second connector (3) serves as the mating target.

[0063] According to the connector unit with the configuration described above [4], the operation of the drive portion provided in the first connector (e.g., charging port) is transmitted to the engagement portion via the elastic portion, such that the engagement portion is positioned in an engaged position or a disengaged position. Even if a malfunction occurs during the operation of the drive portion, the engagement between the second connector (e.g., charging gun) and the engagement portion can be released by using an operation portion (e.g., emergency lever) that operates independently of the drive portion. This release operation moves the engagement portion, which is in the engaged position, toward the disengaged position while elastically deforming the elastic portion. Therefore, the connector unit with this configuration can be appropriately switched between engagement and disengagement between the engagement portion of the first connector and the second connector.

Claims

1. A coupling mechanism capable of switching between engagement and disengagement with a coupling target, said coupling mechanism comprising: A joint portion is provided at an engagement position where the joint portion engages with the engagement target and at a disengagement position where the joint portion does not engage with the engagement target; A drive unit that operates to position the engagement portion in the engagement position or the disengagement position; An elastic portion is disposed between the driving portion and the engaging portion, which transmits the operation of the driving portion to the engaging portion and is capable of elastic deformation; as well as An operating unit performs a release operation independently of the operation of the driving unit. The release operation causes the elastic part to elastically deform while moving the engaging part at the engaging position toward the disengaged position.

2. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic part is a helical spring.

3. The coupling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein, When the release operation is not performed, the operating part contacts the engagement part located at the engagement position to restrict the position of the engagement part.

4. A connector unit, comprising: A first connector, comprising a coupling mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3; as well as The second connector serves as the mating target.

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