Power supply circuit interrupting device

Abstract

Power supply circuit interruption device (1), with: a first connector housing (10); a second connector housing (20) configured to be fitted to the first connector housing (10) or separated from the first connector housing (10); a main switch section (MSw) configured to be turned on and off by fitting and separating the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10); and a sub-switch section (SSw) configured to be turned on and off by fitting and separating the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10); wherein the main switch section (MSw) comprises: a first terminal (13) provided in the first connector housing (10); and a second terminal (24) provided in the second connector housing (20) and having a contact piece (35), the contact piece (35) being in sliding contact with the first terminal (13) in an insertion and removal direction (A) of the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10) to be conductively connected to the first terminal (13), wherein the main switch section (MSw) is switched on in a normal fitting state in which the second connector housing (20) is fully fitted to the first connector housing (10), and in a temporary fitting state in which the second connector housing (20) is shifted in a separation direction from the normal fitting state and a part of the second connector housing (20) is fitted to the first connector housing (10), wherein the sub-switch section (SSw) is switched on in the normal fitting state, wherein the first terminal (13) comprises: a normal contact portion (14b) with which the contact piece (35) of the second terminal (24) is elastically in contact in the normal fitting state; and a temporary contact portion (14a) with which the contact piece (35) of the second terminal (24) is elastically in contact in the temporary fitting state, and wherein the temporary contact portion (14a) is arranged further on a separation side of the insertion and removal direction (A) than the normal contact portion (14b), and is configured to be in contact with the contact piece (35) at a lower contact load than that of the normal contact portion (14b).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a power supply circuit breaking device.PRIOR ARTFor example, a vehicle such as an electric car or a hybrid vehicle is provided with a power supply circuit breaking device referred to as a service plug configured to block power supply between a power supply and a load to ensure safety in operation during maintenance of an electric system or the like. As one kind of power supply circuit breaking device, there is a power supply circuit breaking device which is provided with a time delay from turning off a signal circuit switch to turning on a power supply circuit switch to prevent generation of sparks, arcs or the like caused by residual currents after the signal circuit switch is turned off (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).The power supply circuit breaking device includes two housings fitted together and a lever that is rotated when the housings are fitted together or separated from each other. Further, the power supply circuit breaking device includes a second locking portion configured to reliably cause the time lag between on and off of the power supply circuit switch and the signal circuit switch by temporarily locking the lever at a time when the signal circuit switch is turned off when the lever is rotated to disconnect the housings from each other. In the power supply circuit breaking device, after the lever is temporarily locked by the second locking portion, the locking performed by the second locking portion is released and the lever is rotated again to turn off the power supply circuit switch.Patent Document 1: JP 2012-243 559 AWhen the lever is temporarily locked by the second locking portion during the disconnection operation of the housings, terminals of the power supply circuit switch which are in sliding contact with each other are temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the lock of the second lock portion is released and the lever is rotated again, static friction larger than dynamic friction generated during the sliding contact is generated between the terminals. Therefore, a large operating force is required at the time of rotating the lever again.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply circuit breaking device in which an operation force required for fitting or disconnecting is reduced and good operability is ensured.According to one embodiment, a power supply circuit breaking device comprises:a first connector housing;a second connector housing configured to be fitted to or separated from the first connector housing; anda main switch portion and a sub switch portion configured to be turned on and off by fitting and separating the second connector housing with respect to the first connector housing.The main switch portion includes: a first terminal provided in the first connector housing; and a second terminal provided in the second connector housing and having a contact piece, the contact piece being in sliding contact with the first terminal in an insertion and removal direction in which the second connector housing is inserted and removed with respect to the first connector housing to be conductively connected to the first terminal. The main switch portion is turned on in a normal fitting state in which the second connector housing is completely fitted to the first connector housing and a temporary fitting state in which the second connector housing is displaced in a separating direction from the normal fitting state and a part of the second connector housing is fitted to the first connector housing.The sub switch portion is turned on in the normal fitting state.The first terminal includes: a normal contact portion and a temporary contact portion with which the contact piece of the second terminal elastically contacts in the normal fitting state and the temporary fitting state, respectively.The temporary contact portion is disposed further on a separation side of the insertion and removal direction than the normal contact portion, and is configured to be in contact with the contact piece at a contact load lower than that of the normal contact portion.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first connector housing and a second connector housing of a power supply circuit breaking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal direction of the first connector housing and the second connector housing in the power supply circuit breaking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector housing. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector housing. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second terminal provided in the second connector housing. FIG. 6 is a side view of the power supply circuit breaking device in a temporary fitting state where a lever is seen in cross section. FIG. 7 is a side view of the power supply circuit breaking device in a coupling or decoupling operation state. FIGS. 8A and 8B show the power supply circuit breaking device in the engagement and disengagement operation state, in which FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the power supply circuit breaking device, and FIG. 8B is a side view of a main switch portion and a sub-switch portion. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the main switch portion in the engagement and disengagement operation state, in which FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the main switch portion. FIGS. 10A and 10B show the sub switch portion in the engagement and disengagement operation state. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the sub-switch portion. FIG. 11 is a side view of the power supply circuit breaking device in a normal fitting state. FIGS. 12A and 12B show the power supply circuit breaking device in the normal fitting state, in which FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the power supply circuit breaking device, and FIG. 12B is a side view of the main switch portion and the sub-switch portion. FIGS. 13A and 13B show the main switch portion in the normal fitting state, in which FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the main switch portion. FIGS. 14A and 14B show the sub-switch portion in the normal fitting state, in which FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 11, and FIG. 14B is a side view of the sub-switch portion. FIG. 15 is a side view of the power supply circuit breaking device in the temporary fitting state. FIGS. 16A and 16B show the power supply circuit breaking device in the temporary fitting state, wherein FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the power supply circuit breaking device, and FIG. 16B is a side view of the main switch portion and the sub-switch portion. FIGS. 17A and 17B show the main switch portion in the temporary fitting state, in which FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along line L-L of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the main switch portion. FIGS. 18A and 18B show the sub-switch portion in the temporary fitting state, in which FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of FIG. 15, and FIG. 18B is a side view of the sub-switch portion. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSHereinafter, examples of embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first connector housing 10 and a second connector housing 20 of a power supply circuit breaker device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal direction of the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 of the power supply circuit breaking device 1 according to the first embodiment.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power supply circuit breaking device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20. The second connector housing 20 includes a lever 40. the lever 40 is rotatable with respect to the second connector housing 20, and by rotating the lever 40, a fitting force and a separating force are applied between the second connector housing 20 and the first connector housing 10. By rotating the lever 40, the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are moved along an insertion and removal direction A, and are fitted to and separated from each other.The power supply circuit breaking device 1 of the first embodiment is, for example, a so-called service plug that blocks power between a power supply unit and a load in a vehicle such as an electric car or a hybrid vehicle to ensure safety in work during maintenance of an electric system or the like. Specifically, when the second connector housing 20 is fitted to the first connector housing 10, power supply between the power supply unit and the load is permitted. Further, when the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10, the power supply between the power supply unit and the load is blocked.The first connector housing 10 is formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The first connector housing 10 includes a flange portion 10 athat projects outward. Further, the first connector housing 10 is attached to a power supply device or the like by fixing the flange portion 10 ato a housing. A receiving portion 19 is formed in the flange portion 10 aon one end side of the first connector housing 10.The first connector housing 10 includes a cylindrical receiving portion 12 whose upper surface is opened. The cylindrical receiving portion 12 is formed in an elliptical shape in a plan view. Further, a side wall portion 11 is erected at each of two side portions of the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first connector housing 10, and a lever support (point) protrusion 11 ais formed at each of the side wall portions 11 near the other end of the first connector housing 10.The second connector housing 20 is formed of electrically insulating synthetic resin, and includes an outer circumferential cylindrical portion 21 and an inner circumferential cylindrical portion 22 located inside the outer circumferential cylindrical portion 21. In the second connector housing 20, a pair of support shafts 23 project from two side surfaces of the cylindrical outer peripheral portion 21. A pair of main locking protrusions 28 are formed near one end of the two side surfaces of the cylindrical outer peripheral portion 21 of the second connector housing 20. Further, a pair of sub-locking claws 29 are formed at the one end of the cylindrical outer peripheral portion 21 of the second connector housing 20. The sub lock claws 29 project outward from an upper portion of the second connector housing 20.The cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 of the second connector housing 20 is formed into an elliptical shape in a plan view that is slightly smaller than an outer shape of the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first connector housing 10. The second connector housing 20 is fitted from an upper side of the cylindrical accommodating portion 12 such that the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 is fitted into the cylindrical accommodating portion 12 of the first connector housing 10. By fitting the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 into the cylindrical receiving portion 12, the cylindrical receiving portion 12 enters a gap between the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 and the cylindrical outer peripheral portion 21.FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector housing 10.As shown in FIG. 3, in the connector housing 10, a pair of first terminals 13 formed of bus bars which are made of a conductive metal material and which have an L shape in a side view is provided inside the cylindrical accommodating portion 12. One end portion of each first terminal 13 is a male terminal portion 14, while the other end portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the male terminal portion 14 is a connection portion 16. The male terminal portions 14 of the first terminals 13 sandwich an insulating plate portion 17 formed as a part of the first connector housing 10.A surface of the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 is a temporary contact portion 14 a. That is, a normal contact portion 14b formed of a plurality of outwardly protruding protrusions is formed on the surface of the male terminal portion 14. In the present example, the normal contact portion 14 bis formed on each male terminal portion 14 formed of six protrusions. The normal contact portions 14 bare spaced apart from each other. A power supply line 2 extending from the power supply device or the like is connected to the connection portion 16 of the first terminal 13. In the first connector housing 10, a sub-terminal 4 formed of a female terminal is provided inside the cylindrical accommodating portion 12 via a housing 18. A signal line 3 is connected to the sub-terminal 4.FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the second connector housing 20.As shown in FIG. 4, in the second connector housing 20, an annular sealing member 30 is fitted between the cylindrical outer peripheral portion 21 and the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22, and is fixed by a lower housing 50. The sealing member 30 is in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical accommodating portion 12 when the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are fitted, and seals a gap between the cylindrical accommodating portion 12 and the cylindrical inner circumferential portion 22.Two second terminals 24 formed of conductive metal material are provided in the second connector housing 20. Each of the second terminals 24 includes a pair of contact plate portions 25 and has a substantially U-shape in side view. The second terminals 24 accommodated in the second connector housing 20 are fixed by the lower housing 50 fitted to the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22.The male terminal portions 14 of the pair of first terminals 13, which are arranged with the insulating plate portion 17 of the first connector housing 10 sandwiched therebetween, are inserted between the contact plate portions 25 of the second terminal 24. When the male terminal portions 14 of the first terminals 13 are inserted between the contact plate portions 25 of the second terminal 24, the power supply lines 2 respectively connected to the pair of first terminals 13 are electrically connected to each other via the second terminal 24.A short terminal 26 formed of a conductive metal material is provided inside the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 of the second connector housing 20. The short terminal 26 includes a pair of male terminal portions 27. the male terminal portions 27 of the short terminal 26 can be connected to the pair of sub-terminals 4 of the first connector housing 10. When the male terminal portions 27 of the short terminal 26 are connected to the sub terminals 4, the signal lines 3 connected to the sub terminals 4 are electrically connected to each other via the short terminal 26.In this way, the power supply circuit breaking device 1 includes a main switching (er) portion MSw having the first terminal 13 and the second terminal 24, and a sub-switching (er) portion SSw having the sub-terminal 4 and the short terminal 26 (see FIG. 8B ). In the power supply device or the like including the power supply circuit breaking device 1, a power supply circuit is formed by turning on the main switch portion MSw and electrically connecting the power supply lines 2 to each other, and a signal circuit is formed by turning on the sub switch portion SSw and electrically connecting the signal lines to each other. In the power supply device or the like including the power supply circuit breaking device 1, even when the main switch portion MSw is turned on and the power supply circuit is formed, the power supply circuit is not placed in a conductive state unless the sub switch portion SSw is turned on and the signal circuit is formed. That is, the power supply circuit can be set to the conductive state only when both of the main switch portion MSw and the sub switch portion SSw are turned on.FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second terminal 24 provided in the second connector housing 20.As shown in FIG. 5, each of the contact plate portions 25 of the second terminal 24 includes a pair of contact pieces 35 extending along the insertion and removal direction A. In the present embodiment, three contact pieces 35 are formed on each contact plate portion 25. Each of the contact pieces 35 includes a contact 36 protruding toward a biasing direction B (toward the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13).As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the lever 40 is formed of synthetic resin, and includes a pair of arm portions 41 and a connecting portion 42. one end side of the arm portion 41 is connected by the connecting portion 42, and a bearing hole 44 is provided in the vicinity of the other end of the arm portion 41. A support shaft 23 of the second connector housing 20 is inserted into the bearing hole 44 of the arm portion 41. As a result, the lever 40 is rotatably supported with respect to the second connector housing 20. The other end of the arm portion 41 of the lever 40 serves as a pressing portion 46 having a curved surface 45.The lever 40 rotatably supported by the second connector housing 20 rotates between a disconnection operation position along the insertion and removal direction A and a normal fitting operation position along a direction orthogonal to the insertion and removal direction A.A main lock piece 51 is formed on each arm portion 41 of the lever 40 on the side of the second connector housing 20. The main lock piece 51 is formed along an extending direction of the arm portion 41. The main locking piece 51 locks the main locking protrusion 28 of the second connector housing 20 in a state where the lever 40 is disposed at the normal fitting operation position. As a result, the main locking piece 51 locks the main locking protrusion 28 so that the lever 40 is locked at the normal fitting operation position. A main locking portion MR is formed by the main locking protrusion 28 and the main locking piece 51 (see FIG. 1 ).FIG. 6 is a side view of the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in a temporary fitting state where the lever 40 is seen in cross section.As shown in FIG. 6, in the lever 40, a sub-lock plate portion 60 is formed integrally with the connecting portion 42. The sub-locking plate portion 60 includes a lock release portion 61 and a pair of locking claws 62. the sub-locking plate portion 60 protrudes forward in a rotational direction from the disconnection operation position to the normal fitting operation position of the lever 40. The locking claws 62 are formed on two sides of the lock release portion 61, and are provided on an opposite side to the connection portion 42. When the lever 40 is rotated to the disconnection operation position at the normal fitting operation position, the locking claws 62 of the sub-locking plate portion 60 lock the sub-locking claws 29 formed on the second connector housing 20 in the middle of the rotation. Thereby, the lever 40, which is rotated from the normal fitting operation position to the disconnection operation position, is temporarily locked in the middle of the rotation. A position where the lever 40 is locked at the middle of the rotation is set as a temporary fitting operation position (a position shown in FIG. 6 ). Then, a sub-locking portion SR is formed by the sub-locking claws 29 and the locking claws 62. Further, the sub-locking plate portion 60 is elastically deformed by pressing the lock releasing portion 61, the locking claws 62 are separated from the sub-locking claws 29, and the locking state is released, such that the locking of the lever 40 at the temporary fitting operation position is released. In a state where the lever 40 is disposed at the normal fitting operation position, the sub-locking portion SR is in a state where the sub-locking plate portion 60 including the lock release portion 61 and the locking claws 62 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 19 formed in the flange portion 10 aof the first connector housing 10.Next, cases where the second connector housing 20 is fitted to and separated from the first connector housing 10 in the power supply circuit breaking device 1 will be described.FIGS. 7 to 10B show the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in an attachment and detachment operation state ("attachment and detachment operation state"). FIGS. 11 to 14B show the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in a normal fitting state. FIGS. 15 to 18B show the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in a temporary fitting state.(Cases of Fitting)In order to fit the second connector housing 20 to the first connector housing 10, the second connector housing 20 in which the lever 40 is disposed at the disconnection operation position is brought close to the first connector housing 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the engagement or disengagement operation state is set such that the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 of the second connector housing 20 is fitted into the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first connector housing 10.As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B, the contact plate portion 25 of the second terminal 24 is spaced apart from the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 in the engagement and disengagement operation state. That is, the main switch portion MSw is turned off, and the power supply lines 2 are not connected to each other. As shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 10A, and 10B, the male terminal portion 27 of the short terminal 26 is also spaced apart from the sub terminal 4. That is, the sub switch portion SSw is turned off, and the signal lines 3 connected to the sub terminal 4 are not connected to each other.In the coupling and decoupling operation state, the lever 40 is rotated at the disconnection operation position to the main fitting operation position. Then, the bent surface 45 of the pressing portion 46 of the lever 40 abuts and slides against the lever rotating protrusion 11 aformed on the side wall portion 11 of the first connector housing 10. As a result, a fitting force is applied between the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20, and the second connector housing 20 is drawn into the first connector housing 10.When the second connector housing 20 is pulled into the first connector housing 10, the male terminal portions 14 of the pair of first terminals 13 enter a gap between the pair of contact pieces 35 of the second terminal 24 in the middle of fitting the second connector housing 20 to the first connector housing 10. As a result, each contact piece 35 is elastically deformed outward, so that the second terminal 24 is biased toward the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 by an elastic force thereof. Therefore, each contact 36 of the contact pieces 35 elastically contacts the temporary contact portion 14 aformed of the surface of the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13.As shown in FIG. 11, when the lever 40 reaches the normal fitting operation position, the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are fully fitted to each other and are in the normal fitting state. In the normal fitting state, the main locking piece 51 of the lever 40 locks the main locking protrusion 28 of the second connector housing 20, and unintentional rotation of the lever 40 is restricted. That is, the normal fitting state in which the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are completely fitted to each other is maintained by the main locking portion MR.As shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, in the normal fitting state, the contact 36 of the contact piece 35 constituting the contact plate portion 25 of the second terminal 24 rides on the normal contact portion 14 bformed of the protrusions of the male terminal portion 14. Here, the temporary contact portion 14 aformed from the surface of the male terminal portion 14 is disposed further on the bias direction B side of the contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24 than the normal contact portion 14 bformed from the protrusions. More specifically, the temporary contact portion 14 ais formed in a plane and does not protrude like the normal contact portion 14 b. Therefore, each contact piece 35 riding on the normal contact portion 14 bis elastically deformed further outward, so that the second terminal 24 is further biased toward the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 by the elastic force. As a result, the contact 36 of each contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24 is in contact with the normal contact portion 14 bof the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 at a contact load higher than that of the temporary contact portion 14 a. As a result, the main switch portion MSw is turned on, and the power supply lines 2 connected to the first terminal 13 are electrically connected to each other via the second terminal 24.Further, as shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 14A, and 14B, the male terminal portion 27 of the short terminal 26 is also connected to the sub terminal 4. That is, the sub switch portion SSw is turned on, and the signal lines 3 connected to the sub terminal 4 are electrically connected to each other via the short terminal 26.(Case of Separation)In order to separate the second connector housing 20 from the first connector housing 10, the connecting portion 42 of the lever 40 disposed at the normal fitting operation position is gripped and pulled up. Then, the lever main locking piece 51 is disengaged from the main locking protrusion 28 of the second connector housing 20, the locking of the lever 40 is released by the main locking portion MR maintaining the normal fitting state, and the lever 40 is rotated toward the disconnection operation position.When the lever 40 is rotated to the disconnection operation position, the pressing portion 46 of the lever 40 abuts and slides against the surface of the flange portion 10 aof the first connector housing 10 in accordance with the rotation of the lever 40. As a result, a separating force is applied between the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20. Therefore, the second connector housing 20 which is in the normal fitting state with respect to the first connector housing 10 is slid in a direction in which the second connector housing 20 is pulled away from the first connector housing 10.As shown in FIG. 15, when the rotated lever 40 reaches the temporary fitting operation position, the locking claws 62 of the sub-locking plate portion 60 constituting the sub-locking portion SR lock the sub-locking claws 29 of the second connector housing 20 so that the lever 40 is locked at the temporary fitting operation position and the rotation thereof is restricted (see FIG. 6 ). As a result, the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are in the temporary fitting state.As shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, 18A, and 18B, the male terminal portion 27 of the short terminal 26 is pulled out from the sub terminal 4 in the temporary fitting state. That is, the sub switch portion SSw is turned off, and an electrical connection between the signal lines 3 is released.As shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B, when the temporary fitting state is set, in the main switch portion MSw, the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 is pulled out from the contact plate portion 25 of the second terminal 24. The contact 36 of the contact piece 35 of the contact plate portion 25 goes away from the normal contact portion 14 bof the male terminal portion 14 and elastically contacts the temporary contact portion 14 aformed from the surface of the male terminal portion 14. As a result, in the second terminal 24, a deformation amount of each contact piece 35 elastically deformed outward is decreased, and an elastic force of the contact piece 35 biased toward the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 is decreased, and a contact resistance thereof is decreased. In such a state, in the main switch portion MSw, the contact 36 of the contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24 is maintained in a turned-on state in which the contact 36 elastically contacts the temporary contact portion 14 aformed of the surface of the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 at a contact load lower than a contact load with respect to the normal contact portion 14 b. Thereby, the main switch portion MSw is maintained in the on state, and an electrical connection between the power supply lines 2 is maintained.The lock releasing portion 61 of the sub-locking plate portion 60 of the sub-locking portion SR is pressed from the temporary fitting state. Then, the sub-locking plate portion 60 is elastically deformed by pressing the lock releasing portion 61, the locking claws 62 are separated from the sub-locking claws 29 to release a locking state, and the locking of the lever 40 performed by the sub-locking portion SR at the temporary fitting operation position is released.When the locking of the lever 40 performed by the sub-locking portion SR is released, the lever 40, which is rotatable, is rotated toward the separation operation position again. Then, by the rotation of the lever 40, a separating force is applied again between the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20. The second connector housing 20 is pulled away from the first connector housing 10, and the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 are fixed in a separable state (see FIG. 7 ).In this way, when the second connector housing 20 is slid in a direction in which the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10 from the temporary fitting state to the engagement and disengagement operation state, the contact piece 35 of the contact plate portion 25 of the second terminal 24 which is in contact with the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 is separated from the male terminal portion 14. As a result, the main switch portion MSw is turned off and the electrical connection between the power supply lines 2 is released.Thereafter, when the second connector housing 20 is pulled away from the first connector housing 10, the cylindrical inner peripheral portion 22 of the second connector housing 20 is pulled out of the cylindrical receiving portion 12 of the first connector housing 10, and the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ).In this way, in the above-described power supply circuit breaking device 1, the main switch portion MSw is turned on, locked by the main locking portion MR in the normal fitting state, and locked by the sub-locking portion SR in the temporary fitting state. The sub switch portion SSw is turned on in the normal fitting state, locked by the main locking portion MR, and is turned off in the temporary fitting state, locked by the sub locking portion SR. Therefore, after the sub switch portion SSw is turned off and the electrical connection between the signal lines 3 is released, the locking performed by the sub lock portion SR is not released, and the main switch portion MSw cannot be turned off to release the electrical connection between the power supply lines 2. As a result, occurrence of arcs, sparks or the like caused by residual currents generated when the connection between the power supply lines 2 is released immediately after the connection between the signal lines 3 is released can be prevented.According to the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in the first embodiment, the contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24, which is elastically in contact with the normal contact portion 14 bof the first terminal 13 in the normal fitting state, is disposed further on a separation side (upper side in FIG. 3 ) of the insertion and removal direction A than the normal contact portion 14 band is elastically in contact with the temporary contact portion 14 awhich is in contact with the contact piece 35 at the lower contact load than that of the normal contact portion 14 b, and thus the contact resistance is reduced. Therefore, an operation force required when the second connector housing 20 is separated from the temporary fitting state with respect to the first connector housing 10 can be significantly reduced, and thus operability can be improved.Further, when the second connector housing 20 is fitted to the first connector housing 10, the contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24 is elastically in contact with the temporary contact portion 14 ain the middle of fitting, and then elastically comes into contact with the normal contact portion 14 bat the contact load higher than that of the temporary contact portion 14 a. Therefore, since the operation force required in the fitting operation is gradually increased, a load on an operator caused by increasing the operation force required in the fitting operation at one time can be reduced.In general, the power supply circuit breaking device 1 used in the vehicle power supply device or the like performs a disconnection operation by disconnecting the second connector housing 20 from the first connector housing 10 when a vehicle has stopped with a power supply current value lower than a power supply current value when the vehicle travels. Therefore, in the temporary fitting state, there is no problem even in a low energization state where the contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24 is in contact with the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13 at a low contact load.Further, according to the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in the first embodiment, when the second connector housing 20 is brought from the normal fitting state to the temporary fitting state, the second connector housing 20 is temporarily locked by the sub-locking portion SR, and the operation of separating the second connector housing 20 from the first connector housing 10 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, the occurrence of arcs, sparks or the like caused by residual currents generated when the main switch portion MSw is turned off immediately after the sub switch portion SSw is turned off can be reliably prevented.Further, according to the power supply circuit breaking device 1 in the first embodiment, by rotating the lever 40, the fitting and separating of the second connector housing 20 with respect to the first connector housing 10 can be easily performed with a small operating force. As a result, a power supply circuit breaking device having excellent operability can be provided.FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a first terminal 13A according to a modification of the first embodiment.As shown in FIG. 19, the first terminal 13A according to the modification is provided with a long contact portion 14 calong the insertion and removal direction A at a position elastically contacting a central contact piece 35 among the plurality of contact pieces 35 of each second terminal 24.With respect to the first terminal 13A according to the modification, the second connector housing 20 is fitted to the first connector housing 10, and the male terminal portions 14 of a pair of the first terminals 13A enter the gap between the pair of contact pieces 35 of the second terminal 24. Then, the contact 36 of the center contact piece 35 runs on the long contact portion 14c, and the contact pieces 35 on two sides are elastically in contact with the temporary contact portion 14a. Thereafter, the contact pieces 35 on the two sides ride on the normal contact portion 14 bin the normal fitting state. When the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10, the contact pieces 35 riding on and contacting the normal contact portion 14 band the long contact portion 14 care in the temporary fitting state. At this time, the contact pieces 35 on the two sides are separated from the normal contact portion 14 band elastically contact the temporary contact portion 14 aformed of the surface of the male terminal portion 14, so that an elastic force toward the first terminal 13A is reduced.In this way, in the case of the first terminal 13A according to the modification, the operation force required for fitting and separating the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 can be changed stepwise. Further, a good power supply state can be secured in the temporary fitting state.FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a first terminal 13B according to a second embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 20, the first terminal 13B according to the second embodiment is formed with a step portion 14 d, for example, by pressing, on the male terminal portion 14. The surface of the male terminal portion 14 of the first terminal 13B is divided, with the step portion 14 dserving as a boundary, into the temporary contact portion 14 aformed of a surface on the separation side of the insertion and removal direction A and the normal contact portion 14 bformed of a surface on the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction A. That is, on the surface of the first terminal 13B that elastically contacts the contact piece 35 of the second terminal 24, the surface located on the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction A is the normal contact portion 14 b, and the surface on the separation side of the insertion and removal direction A located on the biasing direction B side of the contact piece 35 with respect to the surface on the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction A is the temporary contact portion 14 a.With respect to the first terminal 13B according to the second embodiment, the second connector housing 20 is fitted to the first connector housing 10, and the male terminal portions 14 of a pair of the first terminals 13B enter the gap between the pair of contact pieces 35 of the second terminal 24. Then, the contact 36 of the contact piece 35 is elastically brought into contact with the temporary contact portion 14 a, thereafter runs on the step portion 14 d, and is elastically in contact with the normal contact portion 14 bin the normal fitting state.When the second connector housing 20 is separated from the first connector housing 10, the contact 36 of the contact piece 35 elastically contacting the normal contact portion 14 bis separated from the normal contact portion 14 band elastically contacting the temporary contact portion 14 a, so that an elastic force toward the first terminal 13B is decreased and the contact resistance is decreased.In this way, in the case of the first terminal 13B according to the second embodiment, the operation force required for fitting and separating the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 can be changed stepwise.Therefore, according to the first terminal 13B according to the second embodiment, the normal contact portion 14 band the temporary contact portion 14 acan be easily obtained by arranging the surface of the first terminal 13B, which is on the separation side of the insertion and removal direction A, on the bias direction B side of the contact piece 35 with respect to the surface of the first terminal 13B, which is on the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction A. As a result, the power supply circuit breaking device 1 having reduced cost and improved operability at the time of fitting and disconnecting can be provided.The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like can be carried out as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement position, and the like of each component in the above embodiment can be set as desired and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.For example, although the lever 40 is provided in the above embodiment to apply the fitting force and the separating force between the second connector housing 20 and the first connector housing 10 by the rotation thereof, the lever 40 does not necessarily need to be provided.A cam groove may be provided in the first connector housing 10, and a cam pin configured to engage with the cam groove may be formed on the lever 40 such that the cam pin moves along the cam groove to apply the fitting force and the separating force between the first connector housing 10 and the second connector housing 20 when the lever 40 is rotated.Features of the embodiments of the above power supply circuit breaking device according to the present invention will be summarized briefly in the following [1] to [6].[1] A power supply circuit breaking device (1) comprising:a first connector housing (10);a second connector housing (20) configured to be fitted to or separated from the first connector housing (10);a main switch portion (MSw) and a sub switch portion (SSw) configured to be turned on and off by fitting and separating the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10).The main switch portion (MSw) includes:a first terminal (13) provided in the first connector housing (10); anda second terminal (24) provided in the second connector housing (20) and having a contact piece (35), the contact piece (35) being in sliding contact with the first terminal (13) in an insertion and removal direction (A) in which the second connector housing (20) is inserted and removed with respect to the first connector housing (10) to be conductively connected to the first terminal (13).The first terminal ( 13) has a first edge and a second edge facing the first edge. The second terminal (24) of the second housing (20) is inserted from the second edge into the first terminal (13) of the first housing (10) toward the first edge, and the second terminal (24) of the second housing (20) inserted into the first terminal is removed from the first edge toward the second edge.The main switch portion (MSw) is turned on in a normal fitting state in which the second connector housing (20) is completely fitted to the first connector housing (10) and a temporary fitting state in which the second connector housing (20) is displaced in a separating direction from the normal fitting state and a part of the second connector housing (20) is fitted to the first connector housing (10).The sub switch portion (SSw) is turned on in the normal fitting state.The first terminal (13) comprises:a normal contact portion (14b) with which the contact piece (35) of the second terminal (24) elastically contacts in the normal fitting state; anda temporary contact portion (14a) with which the contact piece (35) of the second terminal (24) elastically contacts in the temporary fitting state.The temporary contact portion ( 14 a) is disposed further on a separation side of the insertion and removal direction (A) than the normal contact portion ( 14 b), and is configured to be in contact with the contact piece ( 35) at a contact load lower than that of the normal contact portion ( 14 b). That is, the temporary contact portion ( 14 a) is disposed closer to the second edge of the first terminal ( 13) than the normal contact portion ( 14 b), and is configured to be in contact with the contact piece ( 35) at a contact load lower than that of the normal contact portion ( 14 b).According to the power supply circuit breaking device having the above configuration [1], when the second connector housing is brought from the normal fitting state to the temporary fitting state, the sub switch portion is turned off while the main switch portion is maintained in the turned-on state. Therefore, by delaying the timing when the main switch portion is turned off with respect to the sub switch portion, the generation of arcs, sparks or the like caused by residual currents can be prevented.Further, the contact piece of the second terminal, which is elastically in contact with the normal contact portion of the first terminal in the normal fitting state, is disposed further on the separation side of the insertion and removal direction than the normal contact portion, and is elastically in contact with the temporary contact portion, which is in contact with the contact piece at the contact load lower than that of the normal contact portion, and thus the contact resistance is reduced. Therefore, the operation force required when the second connector housing is separated from the temporary fitting state with respect to the first connector housing can be significantly reduced, and thus the operability can be improved.When the second connector housing is fitted to the first connector housing, the contact piece of the second terminal is elastically in contact with the temporary contact portion at the middle of the fitting, and then elastically comes into contact with the normal contact portion at the contact load higher than that of the temporary contact portion. Therefore, since the operation force required in the fitting operation is gradually increased, the load on the operator caused by increasing the operation force required in the fitting operation at one time can be reduced.[2] The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to [1] above is characterized in that the second terminal (24) includes a plurality of the contact pieces (35). The normal contact portion ( 14 b) and the temporary contact portion ( 14 a) are included in the first terminal ( 13) at a location where the first terminal ( 13) is in sliding contact with at least one of the contact pieces ( 35).According to the power supply circuit breaking device having the above configuration [2], when the first connector housing and the second connector housing are fitted and separated, at least one of the plurality of contact pieces of the second terminal is in sliding contact with the normal contact portion and the temporary contact portion, so that the operation force required during the separation and the fitting can be gradually increased, and the operability can be improved.The power supply circuit breaking device according to the above [1] or [2] is characterized in that the normal contact portion (14b) is a protrusion protruding from a surface serving as the temporary contact portion (14a) of the first terminal (13).According to the power supply circuit breaking device having the above configuration [3], by forming the protrusion on the surface of the first terminal as the temporary contact portion, the normal contact portion and the temporary contact portion can be easily obtained. As a result, a power supply circuit breaking device can be provided which has reduced cost and improved operability at the time of fitting and disconnecting.[4] The power supply circuit breaking device according to the above [1] or [2] is characterized in that, on a surface of the first terminal (13) that elastically contacts the contact piece (35), a surface located on a fitting side of the insertion and removal direction (A) serves as the normal contact portion (14b), and a surface on the separation side of the insertion and removal direction (A) located on a biasing direction (B) side of the contact piece (35) with respect to the surface on the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction (A) serves as the temporary contact portion (14a). That is, on a surface of the first terminal ( 13) that elastically contacts the contact piece ( 35), a part of the surface located on a side of the first edge is the normal contact portion ( 14 b), and the other part of the surface located near the second edge is the temporary contact portion ( 14 a).According to the power supply circuit breaking device having the above configuration (4), the normal contact portion and the temporary contact portion can be easily obtained by disposing the surface of the first terminal, which is on the separation side of the insertion and removal direction, on the bias direction side of the contact piece with respect to the surface of the first terminal, which is on the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction. As a result, the power supply circuit breaking device having reduced cost and improved operability at the time of fitting and disconnecting can be provided.[5] The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to any one of the above [1] to [4] further includes: a sub-locking portion (SR) configured to temporarily lock the second connector housing (20), which is shifted from the normal fitting state to the disconnection direction with respect to the first connector housing (10), in the temporary fitting state.According to the power supply circuit breaking device having the above configuration (5), when the second connector housing is brought from the normal fitting state to the temporary fitting state, the second connector housing is temporarily locked by the sub-locking portion, and the operation of separating the second connector housing from the first connector housing is temporarily stopped. Therefore, the occurrence of arcs, sparks or the like caused by the residual currents generated when the main switch portion is turned off immediately after the sub switch portion is turned off can be reliably prevented.When the disconnection operation is temporarily stopped, the static friction larger than the dynamic friction generated during the sliding contact of the contact piece of the second terminal in sliding contact with the temporary contact portion of the first terminal is generated. However, in the temporary fitting state, the contact piece of the second terminal is in contact with the temporary contact portion, that is, in contact with the contact piece at the contact load lower than that of the normal contact portion. Therefore, the operation force required when the locking performed by the sub-locking portion is released and the second connector housing is separated from the temporary fitting state with respect to the first connector housing can be significantly reduced, and thus the operability at the time of the separation can be improved.[6] The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to any one of the above [1] to [5] is characterized in that the second connector housing (20) includes:a lever (40) rotatably supported.A fitting force and a separating force are applied to the first connector housing (10) by rotating the lever (40).According to the power supply circuit breaking device having the above configuration (6), by rotating the lever, the fitting and separating of the second connector housing with respect to the first connector housing can be easily performed with a small operating force. As a result, the power supply circuit breaking device having excellent operability can be provided.[7] The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to [4] above is characterized in that in the first terminal (13), a step portion (14d) is provided between the temporary contact portion (14a) and the normal contact portion (14b).According to the present invention, the power supply circuit breaking device can be provided that ensures good operability by reducing the operation force required for fitting and disconnecting.

Claims

A power supply circuit breaking device (1) comprising: a first connector housing (10); a second connector housing (20) configured to be fitted to or separated from the first connector housing (10); a main switch portion (MSw) configured to be turned on and off by fitting and separating the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10); and a sub switch portion (SSw) configured to be turned on and off by fitting and separating the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10); wherein the main switch portion (MSw) comprises: a first terminal (13) provided in the first connector housing (10); and a second terminal (24), which is provided in the second connector housing (20) and has a contact piece (35), the contact piece (35) being in sliding contact with the first terminal (13) in an insertion and removal direction (A) of the second connector housing (20) with respect to the first connector housing (10) so as to be conductively connected to the first terminal (13), the main switch portion (MSw) being turned on in a normal fitting state in which the second connector housing (20) is fully fitted to the first connector housing (10) and in a temporary fitting state in which the second connector housing (20) is displaced in a separation direction from the normal fitting state and a part of the second connector housing (20) is fitted to the first connector housing (10), the sub-switch portion (SSw) being turned on in the normal fitting state, wherein the first terminal (13) includes: a normal contact portion (14b) with which the contact piece (35) of the second terminal (24) elastically contacts in the normal fitting state; and a temporary contact portion (14a) with which the contact piece (35) of the second terminal (24) elastically contacts in the temporary fitting state, and wherein the temporary contact portion (14a) is disposed further on a separation side of the insertion and removal direction (A) than the normal contact portion (14b), and is configured to contact the contact piece (35) at a contact load lower than that of the normal contact portion (14b).The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal (24) includes a plurality of the contact pieces (35), and the normal contact portion (14b) and the temporary contact portion (14a) are disposed in the first terminal (13) at a location that is in sliding contact with at least one of the contact pieces (35) of the second terminal (24).The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the normal contact portion (14b) is a protrusion protruding from a surface serving as the temporary contact portion (14a) of the first terminal (13).The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on a surface of the first terminal (13) that elastically contacts the contact piece (35), a part of the surface that is on a fitting side of the insertion and removal direction (A) serves as the normal contact portion (14b), and the other part of the surface that is close to the separation side of the insertion and removal direction (A) with respect to the fitting side of the insertion and removal direction (A) serves as the temporary contact portion (14a).The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a sub-locking portion (SR) configured to temporarily lock the second connector housing (20), which is shifted from the normal fitting state to the disconnection direction with respect to the first connector housing (10), in the temporary fitting state.The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second connector housing (20) includes a lever (40) that is rotatably supported, and wherein a fitting force and a separating force are applied to the first connector housing (10) by rotating the lever (40).The power supply circuit breaking device (1) according to claim 4, wherein in the first terminal (13), a step portion (14d) is provided between the temporary contact portion (14a) and the normal contact portion (14b).

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