Contact device, and battery switching device

Abstract

To provide a contact device by which safety is improved, and to provide a battery switching device thereof.SOLUTION: A first contact device 100 comprises: a common terminal 101; a conductor rod 104A arranged in a linearly movable manner by providing a first male terminal 104C on one end side in a movement direction, and providing a second male terminal 104D on the other end side in the movement direction; a conductor 104B capable of following linear movement of the conductor rod 104A by connecting the common terminal 101 and the conductor rod 104A; a parallel connection terminal 102 as a female terminal with which the first male terminal 104C of the conductor rod 104A linearly moving in one direction is engaged in an attachable / detachable manner; a series connection terminal 103 as a female terminal with which the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A linearly moving in the other direction is engaged in the attachable / detachable manner; and a drive mechanism 110 that is made to linearly move the conductor rod 104A bi-directionally.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact device and a battery switching device. [Background technology]

[0002] Power supply devices that switch the connection state of a pair of batteries between series connection and parallel connection are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). In the power supply devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, two C-contact (transfer contact) switches switch between series connection and parallel connection of the pair of batteries. In the power supply device described in Patent Document 3, three switches or relays switch between series connection and parallel connection of the pair of batteries. Furthermore, in the power supply device described in Patent Document 4, one relay switches between series connection and parallel connection of the pair of batteries. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-168182 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 50-151319 [Patent Document 3] JP 2019-126238 A [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2021-191080 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the power supply devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, if the switch or relay becomes stuck, there is a possibility that the battery may be short-circuited. Also, in the power supply device described in Patent Document 4, when the movable body, which is moved by energizing the coil, retreats to a neutral position and the pair of batteries enters a non-energized state, the contacts of the relay face each other across a space. Therefore, if the relay is deformed by an external force, the contacts may come into contact with each other, causing a short circuit in the battery.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a contact device and a battery switching device with improved safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The contact device of the present invention comprises a common terminal, a first conductor arranged to be linearly movable and having a first male terminal at one end side in the direction of movement and a second male terminal at the other end side in the direction of movement, a second conductor connecting the common terminal and the first conductor and capable of following the linear movement of the first conductor, a first terminal which is a female terminal with which the first male terminal of the first conductor moved linearly in one direction can be detachably fitted, a second terminal which is a female terminal with which the second male terminal of the first conductor moved linearly in the other direction can be detachably fitted, and a drive mechanism which linearly moves the first conductor in both directions.

[0007] The battery switching device of the present invention is a battery switching device that switches the connection state of a first battery and a second battery between a series connection and a parallel connection, and is equipped with a first contact device and a second contact device, the first contact device comprising: a first common terminal connected to the positive electrode of the first battery; a first conductor arranged to be linearly movable and having a first male terminal at one end side in a direction of movement and a second male terminal at the other end side in the direction of movement; a second conductor that connects the first common terminal and the first conductor and can follow the linear movement of the first conductor; a first terminal connected to the positive electrode of the second battery; and a second terminal that is a female terminal with which the first male terminal of the first conductor that has moved linearly in one direction is detachably fitted. the second contact device comprises a second common terminal connected to the negative electrode of the second battery, a third conductor arranged to be linearly movable and having a third male terminal at one end side in the direction of movement and a fourth male terminal at the other end side in the direction of movement, a fourth conductor connecting the second common terminal and the third conductor and capable of following the linear movement of the third conductor, a third terminal connected to the negative electrode of the first battery, a fourth terminal connected to the second terminal, which is a female terminal with which the third male terminal of the third conductor moved linearly in one direction can be detachably fitted, and the fourth terminal is a female terminal with which the fourth male terminal of the third conductor moved linearly in the other direction can be detachably fitted, and the fourth terminal is connected to the second terminal, and a second drive mechanism for linearly moving the third conductor in both directions. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a contact device and a battery switching device with improved safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a battery switching device including a first contact device and a second contact device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a battery system including the battery switching device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the first contact device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first contact device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first contact device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the second contact device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which the connection state between the first battery module and the second battery module is switched from a series connection to a parallel connection before charging of the first battery module and the second battery module is started. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first contact device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first contact device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first contact device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention will be described below along with preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and the embodiments shown below can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments shown below, some configurations are omitted from illustration and description, but for the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate within the scope of no contradiction with the contents described below.

[0011] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a battery switching device 10 including a first contact device 100 and a second contact device 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a battery system 1 including the battery switching device 10. As shown in this figure, the battery system 1 is a battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle, which supplies power to a load such as the motor of the electric vehicle, and is charged by the generated power of a generator such as the motor of the electric vehicle, or the charging power of an on-board charger.

[0012] The battery system 1 includes a first battery module 2, a second battery module 3, a battery switching device 10, a first main relay 4, and a second main relay 5. The first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 are secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries, and are capable of inputting and outputting the same voltage to and from each other.

[0013] The battery switching device 10 is a series-parallel switching device that switches the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 between a series connection and a parallel connection, and includes a first contact device 100, a second contact device 200, and a control device 11. The control device 11 controls the first contact device 100 and the second contact device 200 in response to instructions from a control device (not shown) on the electric vehicle side.

[0014] The first contact device 100 includes a common terminal (COM terminal) 101, a parallel connection terminal 102, a series connection terminal 103, a movable contact 104, and a control device 105. The common terminal 101 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery module 2. One end of the movable contact 104 is always connected to the common terminal 101, and the other end of the movable contact 104 is connected to the parallel connection terminal 102 or the series connection terminal 103.

[0015] The second contact device 200 includes a common terminal 201, a parallel connection terminal 202, a series connection terminal 203, a movable contact 204, and a control device 205. The common terminal 201 is connected to the negative electrode of the second battery module 3. One end of the movable contact 204 is always connected to the common terminal 201, and the other end of the movable contact 204 is connected to the parallel connection terminal 202 or the series connection terminal 203.

[0016] The series connection terminal 103 of the first contact device 100 and the series connection terminal 203 of the second contact device 200 are connected. In addition, the parallel connection terminal 102 of the first contact device 100 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery module 3 and the first main relay 4. In addition, the parallel connection terminal 202 of the second contact device 200 is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery module 2 and the second main relay 5.

[0017] One end of the first main relay 4 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery module 2 and the positive electrode of the second battery module 3 via the battery switching device 10, and the other end of the first main relay 4 is connected to a load of the electric vehicle, a generator, an on-board charger, etc. (hereinafter, referred to as load, etc.) 6. Also, one end of the second main relay 5 is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery module 2 and the negative electrode of the second battery module 3 via the battery switching device 10, and the other end of the second main relay 5 is connected to the load, etc. 6.

[0018] The battery switching device 10 connects the common terminal 101 and the series connection terminal 103 of the first contact device 100, and connects the common terminal 201 and the series connection terminal 203 of the second contact device 200, thereby connecting the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 in series. On the other hand, the battery switching device 10 connects the common terminal 101 and the parallel connection terminal 102 of the first contact device 100, and connects the common terminal 201 and the parallel connection terminal 202 of the second contact device 200, thereby connecting the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 in parallel.

[0019] Figures 2 to 4 are diagrams showing the first contact device 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the second contact device 200 shown in Figure 1. Since the first contact device 100 and the second contact device 200 have the same configuration, only the first contact device 100 will be described, and the description of the first contact device 100 will be used for the second contact device 200.

[0020] 2 to 4, the first contact device 100 includes a common terminal 101, a parallel connection terminal 102, a series connection terminal 103, a movable contact 104, a control device 105, a first position sensor 106, a second position sensor 107, and a drive mechanism 110. The common terminal 101 includes a fixed contact 101A. This fixed contact 101A is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery module 2 by a power line (not shown).

[0021] The parallel connection terminal 102 includes a fixed contact 102A and an external terminal 102B. The external terminal 102B is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery module 3 and one end of the first main relay 4 by a power line (not shown). The fixed contact 102A is a female terminal and is formed integrally with the external terminal 102B.

[0022] The series connection terminal 103 includes a fixed contact 103A and an external terminal 103B. The external terminal 103B is connected to an external terminal 203B (see FIG. 5) of the series connection terminal 203 of the second contact device 200 via a power line (not shown). The fixed contact 103A is a female terminal and is formed integrally with the external terminal 103B.

[0023] Fixed contact 102A of parallel connection terminal 102 is provided with recess 102C into which first male terminal 104C of conductive rod 104A described below fits. Fixed contact 103A of series connection terminal 103 is provided with recess 103C into which second male terminal 104D of conductive rod 104A described below fits. Recess 102C and recess 103C face each other with a space therebetween.

[0024] The movable contact 104 includes a conductive rod 104A and a conductor 104B. The conductive rod 104A is a rod-shaped conductor. A first male terminal 104C is provided at one axial end of the conductive rod 104A, and a second male terminal 104D is provided at the other axial end of the conductive rod 104A. The conductive rod 104A is disposed on a straight line connecting the center of the recess 102C and the center of the recess 103C so as to extend along the straight line. Here, the conductive rod 104A is supported by a support part (not shown) so as to be movable along the straight line, and is moved in both directions along the straight line by the driving mechanism 110.

[0025] The first male terminal 104C is a fitting portion that is detachably fitted to the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, and the second male terminal 104D is a fitting portion that is detachably fitted to the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103. Here, the length of the conductive rod 104A is shorter than the distance between the recesses 102C and 103C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the conductive rod 104A is located in the neutral position, the first male terminal 104C is detached from the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, and the second male terminal 104D is detached from the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first male terminal 104C is fitted to the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, the second male terminal 104D is detached from the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103. On the other hand, when the second male terminal 104D is fitted into the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103, the first male terminal 104C is separated from the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 as shown in FIG.

[0026] The first male terminal 104C and the second male terminal 104D may be configured as a connector for a charger for an electric vehicle. The fixed contacts 102A, 103A may be configured as a charging port (inlet) for an electric vehicle. By configuring the first male terminal 104C and the second male terminal 104D as a connector for a charger for an electric vehicle and the fixed contacts 102A, 103A as a charging port for an electric vehicle, a rapid charging current can be tolerated.

[0027] 2 to 4, the conductor 104B is a flexible conductor such as an electric wire or a flexible printed circuit board. One end of the conductor 104B is connected to the fixed contact 101A of the common terminal 101, and the other end of the conductor 104B is connected to the axial center of the conductive rod 104A. The conductor 104B is deformed or displaced in accordance with the axial movement of the conductive rod 104A.

[0028] The driving mechanism 110 includes a motor 111, a ball screw 112, a slider 113, and a shielding mechanism 120. The ball screw 112 is disposed in parallel to the conductor rod 104A, and rotates about its axis by the driving force of the motor 111. The ball screw 112 may be formed integrally with the output shaft of the motor 111, or may be connected to the output shaft of the motor 111 via a worm gear.

[0029] The slider 113 is screwed into the threaded portion of the ball screw 112. The slider 113 is also fixed to the axial center of the conductive rod 104A. This allows the rotational force of the motor 111 to be converted into a propulsive force in the axial direction of the conductive rod 104A via the ball screw 112 and the slider 113.

[0030] 3, when the ball screw 112 is rotated in one direction by the motor 111, the conductive rod 104A moves toward the parallel connection terminal 102, and the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A fits into the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102. On the other hand, when the ball screw 112 is rotated in the other direction by the motor 111, the conductive rod 104A moves toward the series connection terminal 103, and the second male terminal 104D of the conductive rod 104A fits into the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103, as shown in FIG.

[0031] The shielding mechanism 120 includes a first shielding member 121, a second shielding member 122, a first biasing member 123, a second biasing member 124, and a cam 125. The first shielding member 121 is an insulator and is provided to be movable between a shielding position where it shields the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 and an open position where it opens the fixed contact 102A. The movement direction of the first shielding member 121 is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the conductor rod 104A. The first biasing member 123 is an elastic member such as a spring, and biases the first shielding member 121 from the open position side to the shielding position side.

[0032] The second shielding member 122 is an insulator and is provided to be movable between a shielding position where it shields the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 and an open position where it opens the fixed contact 103A. The movement direction of the second shielding member 122 is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the conductor rod 104A. The second biasing member 124 is an elastic member such as a spring, and biases the second shielding member 122 from the open position side to the shielding position side.

[0033] The cam 125 is a T-shaped member supported by the slider 113, and includes a first cam portion 125A, a second cam portion 125B, and a support portion 125C. The support portion 125C is a rod-shaped or plate-shaped portion extending from the slider 113 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the conductor rod 104A. The first cam portion 125A is a rod-shaped or plate-shaped portion extending from the tip of the support portion 125C toward the first shielding member 121 side. The second cam portion 125B is a rod-shaped or plate-shaped portion extending from the tip of the support portion 125C toward the second shielding member 122 side.

[0034] The first shielding member 121 includes a shielding portion 121A and a cam portion 121B. The shielding portion 121A is disposed on the shielding position side relative to the cam portion 121B, and the cam portion 121B is disposed on the open position side relative to the shielding portion 121A.

[0035] The shielding portion 121A is a plate-like portion that is parallel to the movement direction of the first shielding member 121. The shielding portion 121A shields the fixed contact 102A when the first shielding member 121 is located at the shielding position.

[0036] Cam portion 121B is a triangular prism-shaped portion having a slope against which the tip of first cam portion 125A of cam 125 abuts. The slope of cam portion 121B is inclined toward series connection terminal 103 from the closed position side to the open position side.

[0037] The second shielding member 122 includes a shielding portion 122A and a cam portion 122B. The shielding portion 122A is disposed on the shielding position side relative to the cam portion 122B, and the cam portion 122B is disposed on the open position side relative to the shielding portion 122A.

[0038] The shielding portion 122A is a plate-shaped portion that is parallel to the movement direction of the second shielding member 122. The shielding portion 122A shields the fixed contact 103A when the second shielding member 122 is located at the shielding position.

[0039] Cam portion 122B is a triangular prism-shaped portion having a slope against which the tip of second cam portion 125B of cam 125 abuts. The slope of cam portion 122B is inclined toward parallel connection terminal 102 from the closed position side to the open position side.

[0040] The inclined surface of the cam portion 121B of the first shielding member 121 and the inclined surface of the cam portion 122B of the second shielding member 122 face each other via the first cam portion 125A and the second cam portion 125B of the cam 125. As shown in FIG. 2, when the conductive rod 104A and the cam 125 are located in the neutral position, the first shielding member 121 is biased by the first biasing member 123 and stops at the shielding position, and the second shielding member 122 is biased by the second biasing member 124 and stops at the shielding position. In this state, the first cam portion 125A of the cam 125 abuts against the tip of the cam portion 121B of the first shielding member 121, and the second cam portion 125B of the cam 125 abuts against the tip of the cam portion 122B of the second shielding member 122.

[0041] 3, when the conductive rod 104A and the cam 125 move toward the parallel connection terminal 102, the first shielding member 121 is moved to the open position against the biasing force of the first biasing member 123 by the action of the first cam portion 125A and the cam portion 121B of the cam 125. As a result, the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 is opened by the first shielding member 121, and the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A and the fixed contact 102A can be fitted together. At this time, the second shielding member 122 is biased by the second biasing member 124 and stops at the shielding position.

[0042] 4, when the conductive rod 104A and the cam 125 move toward the series connection terminal 103, the second shielding member 122 is moved to the open position against the biasing force of the second biasing member 124 by the action of the second cam portion 125B and the cam portion 122B of the cam 125. As a result, the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 is opened by the second shielding member 122, and the second male terminal 104D of the conductive rod 104A and the fixed contact 103A can be fitted together. At this time, the first shielding member 121 is biased by the first biasing member 123 and stops at the shielding position.

[0043] The first position sensor 106 is a microswitch, which turns ON when the conductive rod 104A moves to a position where the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 102A are engaged, as shown in Fig. 3, and outputs a detection signal to the control device 105. The second position sensor 107 is a microswitch, which turns ON when the conductive rod 104A moves to a position where the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 103A are engaged, as shown in Fig. 4, and outputs a detection signal to the control device 105. It is not essential that the first position sensor 106 and the second position sensor 107 are microswitches, and they may be other sensors such as magnetic sensors and electrostatic sensors.

[0044] When the control device 105 receives the detection signals output from the first position sensor 106 and the second position sensor 107, it outputs the detection signals to the control device on the electric vehicle side. This makes it possible to notify the control device on the electric vehicle side of the connection state (series / parallel) between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3.

[0045] 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process for switching the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 from a series connection to a parallel connection before starting charging of the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3. The process shown in this flowchart is executed before the electric vehicle stops with the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 in a series connection state and starts charging.

[0046] First, the control device 11 determines whether or not a request has been received to switch the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 from a series connection to a parallel connection and perform charging (step S1). If a positive determination is made in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2, and if a negative determination is made in step S1, step S1 is repeated.

[0047] Next, the control device 11 determines whether or not the voltage difference between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 is equal to or greater than a reference value (step S2). If a positive determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and if a negative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0048] When the voltage difference between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the control device 11 determines which of the voltages of the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 is lower (step S3). When it is determined in step S3 that the voltage of the first battery module 2 is lower, the process proceeds to step S4, and when it is determined in step S3 that the voltage of the second battery module 3 is lower, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0049] When the voltage of the first battery module 2 is lower than the voltage of the second battery module 3, the control device 11 outputs an instruction to the control device 105 of the first contact device 100 to drive the motor 111 of the first contact device 100 (step S4). The instruction is an instruction to move the conductor rod 104A of the first contact device 100 so that the engagement between the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 103A is released and the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 102A are engaged. Next, the control device 11 outputs a signal to permit slow charging of the first battery module 2 to the control device on the electric vehicle side (step S5). The process proceeds from step S5 to step S2.

[0050] When the voltage of the second battery module 3 is lower than the voltage of the first battery module 2, the control device 11 outputs an instruction to the control device 105 of the second contact device 200 to drive the motor 111 of the second contact device 200 (step S6). The instruction is an instruction to move the conductor rod 104A of the second contact device 200 so that the engagement between the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 203A (see FIG. 5) is released and the engagement between the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 202A (see FIG. 5) is engaged. Next, the control device 11 outputs a signal to permit slow charging of the second battery module 3 to the control device on the electric vehicle side (step S7). The process proceeds from step S7 to step S2.

[0051] When the voltage difference between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 is less than the reference value, the control device 11 outputs an instruction to drive the motor 111 of the first contact device 100 and the second contact device 200 to the control device 105 of the first contact device 100 and the second contact device 200 (step S8). The instruction is an instruction to move the conductive rod 104A of the first contact device 100 so that the engagement between the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 103A is released and the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 102A are engaged, and to move the conductive rod 104A of the second contact device 200 so that the engagement between the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 203A is released and the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 202A are engaged. Next, the control device 11 outputs a signal to permit rapid charging of the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 to the control device on the electric vehicle side (step S9).

[0052] As described above, in the first contact device 100 according to this embodiment, the conductive rod 104A is arranged so as to be linearly movable, and the first male terminal 104C is provided at one end side in the moving direction of the conductive rod 104A, and the second male terminal 104D is provided at the other end side in the moving direction of the conductive rod 104A. This conductive rod 104A is connected to the common terminal 101 by the conductor 104B. This conductor 104B is capable of following the movement of the conductive rod 104A.

[0053] Moreover, the conductive rod 104A is linearly moved in both directions by the driving mechanism 110. When the conductive rod 104A is linearly moved in one direction by the driving mechanism 110, the first male terminal 104C is detachably fitted into the parallel connection terminal 102. On the other hand, when the conductive rod 104A is linearly moved in the other direction by the driving mechanism 110, the second male terminal 104D is detachably fitted into the series connection terminal 103.

[0054] That is, in the first contact device 100 according to this embodiment, the conductive rod 104A is linearly moved in both directions by the driving force of the drive mechanism 110 to switch the terminal connected to the common terminal 101. This makes it possible to suppress malfunctions in switching the terminal connected to the common terminal 101 caused by sticking of the movable contact 104, and improves the safety of switching the series-parallel connection of the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 in the battery switching device 10. The second contact device 200 also achieves the same effect.

[0055] In the first contact device 100 according to the present embodiment, the ball screw 112 is rotated by the motor 111, and the slider 113 screwed to the ball screw 112 and fixed to the conductive rod 104A moves linearly in both directions. That is, in the first contact device 100 according to the present embodiment, the conductive rod 104A is moved linearly in both directions by the driving force of the motor 111, thereby switching the terminal connected to the common terminal 101. This makes it possible to realize the engagement and release of the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A and the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, and the engagement and release of the second male terminal 104D of the conductive rod 104A and the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103. Therefore, it is possible to suppress malfunctions in switching the terminal connected to the common terminal 101 caused by the fixation of the movable contact 104. The second contact device 200 also has the same effect.

[0056] In addition, in the first contact device 100 according to the present embodiment, the driving mechanism 110 is configured by the motor 111 and the ball screw 112, so that when the power supply to the motor 111 is stopped, the conductive rod 104A can be locked at the position at the time when the power supply to the motor 111 is stopped. As a result, when the power supply to the motor 111 is stopped, the engagement between the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 can be maintained, or the engagement between the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 can be maintained. Therefore, power supply to maintain the connection between the conductive rod 104A and the parallel connection terminal 102 or the series connection terminal 103 is not required, so that power consumption can be reduced. The second contact device 200 also has the same effect.

[0057] In the first contact device 100 according to the present embodiment, the insulating first shielding member 121 is arranged to be movable between a shielding position for shielding the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 and an open position for opening the fixed contact 102A. In addition, the insulating second shielding member 122 is arranged to be movable between a shielding position for shielding the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 and an open position for opening the fixed contact 103A. The shielding mechanism 120, which is a link mechanism, moves the first shielding member 121 to the open position and moves the second shielding member 122 to the shielding position in conjunction with the movement of the conductor rod 104A toward the parallel connection terminal 102. In addition, the shielding mechanism 120 moves the first shielding member 121 to the shielding position and moves the second shielding member 122 to the open position in conjunction with the movement of the conductor rod 104A toward the series connection terminal 103. This prevents the conductive rod 104A from being unintentionally connected to the parallel connection terminal 102 or the series connection terminal 103 due to an external force applied to the first contact device 100 when the conductive rod 104A is disconnected from the parallel connection terminal 102 or the series connection terminal 103. The second contact device 200 also provides the same effect.

[0058] In the first contact device 100 according to this embodiment, the first position sensor 106 detects that the conductive rod 104A has moved to a position where the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 are fitted together. The second position sensor 107 detects that the conductive rod 104A has moved to a position where the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 are fitted together. This makes it possible to notify the electric vehicle of the state of the contacts of the first contact device 100. The second contact device 200 also has the same effect.

[0059] Furthermore, in the battery switching device 10 according to this embodiment, when the voltage difference between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 is less than a reference value, the control device 11 permits rapid charging by connecting the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 in parallel. On the other hand, when the voltage difference between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 is equal to or greater than the reference value, the control device 11 permits slow charging of the battery module with an excessively low voltage (the first battery module 2 or the second battery module 3). This makes it possible to suppress inrush current due to the voltage difference between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 when switching the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 from a series connection to a parallel connection.

[0060] 7 to 9 are diagrams showing a first contact device 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the first contact device 300 and a second contact device (not shown) have the same configuration, the first contact device 300 will be described, and the description of the first contact device 300 will be used for the second contact device. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same configurations as in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description of the above-mentioned embodiment will be used for the same configurations.

[0061] 7 to 9, the first contact device 300 includes a common terminal 101, a parallel connection terminal 102, a series connection terminal 103, a movable contact 104, a control device 305, and a drive mechanism 310. The first contact device 300 differs from the above-mentioned first contact device 100 in the configuration of the drive mechanism 310 and the object controlled by the control device 305.

[0062] The drive mechanism 310 includes a first solenoid 311, a second solenoid 312, a push bar receiving member 313, a first locking mechanism 314, a second locking mechanism 315, and a shielding mechanism 120. The first solenoid 311 and the second solenoid 312 are push solenoids, and when a coil (not shown) is applied, they protrude push bars 311A, 312A attached to the tips of plungers (not shown).

[0063] The push bar 311A ​​of the first solenoid 311 and the push bar 312A of the second solenoid 312 are arranged in parallel to the conductor rod 104A, and move forward and backward in the direction of movement of the conductor rod 104A by applying and removing the voltage to the coil. The push bars 311A ​​and 312A are arranged on the same straight line. Furthermore, the first solenoid 311 is arranged so that the push bar 311A ​​protrudes toward the parallel connection terminal 102 when the coil is applied, and the second solenoid 312 is arranged so that the push bar 312A protrudes toward the series connection terminal 103 when the coil is applied.

[0064] The push bar receiving member 313 is a plate material fixed to the axial center of the conductor rod 104A. The push bar receiving member 313 protrudes from the axial center of the conductor rod 104A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The tip side of the push bar receiving member 313 is interposed between the push bar 311A ​​and the push bar 312A, and functions as a push bar receiving part that is pressed by the push bars 311A ​​and 312A.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 8, when the coil of the first solenoid 311 is energized, the push bar 311A ​​advances toward the parallel connection terminal 102, and moves the conductor rod 104A toward the parallel connection terminal 102 via the push bar receiving member 313. Eventually, the first male terminal 104C of the conductor rod 104A fits into the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 7, when the coil of the first solenoid 311 is not energized, the push bar 311A ​​maintains a state of being retracted toward the series connection terminal 103. At this time, the push bar 311A ​​may abut against the push bar receiving member 313 or may be separated from it.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 9, when the coil of the second solenoid 312 is energized, the push bar 312A advances toward the series connection terminal 103, and moves the conductor rod 104A toward the series connection terminal 103 via the push bar receiving member 313. Eventually, the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A fits into the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103. On the other hand, when no voltage is applied to the coil of the second solenoid 312, the push bar 312A maintains a state in which it is retracted toward the parallel connection terminal 102, as shown in Fig. 7. At this time, the push bar 312A may abut against the push bar receiving member 313 or may be separated from it.

[0067] The control device 305 controls the first solenoid 311 and the second solenoid 312 in response to an instruction from the control device 11. When switching the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 from a series connection to a parallel connection, the control device 305 applies a voltage to the coil of the first solenoid 311 and applies no voltage to the coil of the second solenoid 312. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A is separated from the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103, and the first male terminal 104C of the conductor rod 104A is fitted into the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102.

[0068] On the other hand, when switching the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 from a parallel connection to a series connection, the control device 305 applies voltage to the coil of the second solenoid 312 and applies no voltage to the coil of the first solenoid 311. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, the first male terminal 104C of the conductor rod 104A is separated from the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, and the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A is fitted into the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103.

[0069] The first lock mechanism 314 includes a first latch member 314A, a first biasing member 314B, and a first latch engagement portion 314C. The first latch member 314A is a triangular insulating plate or block, and is disposed in the vicinity of the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102. The first latch member 314A is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the conductor rod 104A.

[0070] The first biasing member 314B is an elastic member such as a coil spring that is elastically deformable in the moving direction of the first latch member 314A, and biases the first latch member 314A toward the conductive rod 104A. The first latch engagement portion 314C is a hemispherical or semicircular convex portion provided in the vicinity of the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A. As shown in Fig. 8, when the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A is engaged with the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, the first latch member 314A and the first latch engagement portion 314C are engaged with each other by the biasing force of the first biasing member 314B.

[0071] When the conductive rod 104A moves from the parallel connection terminal 102 side to the serial connection terminal 103 side, the first latch member 314A is displaced in a direction away from the conductive rod 104A. At this time, at the contact portion between the first latch engagement portion 314C and one of the inclined surfaces of the first latch member 314A, a force in the left direction in the figure is converted into a downward force in the figure, and the downward force displaces the first latch member 314A downward in the figure against the biasing force of the first biasing member 314B. As a result, the engagement between the first latch member 314A and the first latch engagement portion 314C is released, and the first latch engagement portion 314C can pass the position of the first latch member 314A.

[0072] Furthermore, when the conductive rod 104A moves from the series connection terminal 103 side to the parallel connection terminal 102 side, the first latch member 314A is displaced in a direction away from the conductive rod 104A. At this time, at the contact portion between the first latch engagement portion 314C and the other inclined surface of the first latch member 314A, a force in the right direction in the figure is converted into a downward force in the figure, and the downward force displaces the first latch member 314A downward in the figure against the biasing force of the first biasing member 314B. This allows the first latch engagement portion 314C to pass the position of the first latch member 314A.

[0073] The second lock mechanism 315 includes a second latch member 315A, a second biasing member 315B, and a second latch engagement portion 315C. The second latch member 315A is a triangular insulating plate or block, and is disposed in the vicinity of the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103. The second latch member 315A is supported so as to be movable in a direction approaching and moving away from the conductor rod 104A.

[0074] The second biasing member 315B is an elastic member such as a coil spring that is elastically deformable in the moving direction of the second latch member 315A, and biases the second latch member 315A toward the conductive rod 104A. The second latch engagement portion 315C is a hemispherical or semicircular convex portion provided in the vicinity of the second male terminal 104D of the conductive rod 104A. As shown in Fig. 9, when the second male terminal 104D of the conductive rod 104A is engaged with the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103, the second latch member 315A and the second latch engagement portion 315C are engaged with each other by the biasing force of the second biasing member 315B.

[0075] When the conductive rod 104A moves from the series connection terminal 103 side to the parallel connection terminal 102 side, the second latch member 315A is displaced in a direction away from the conductive rod 104A. At this time, at the contact portion between the second latch engagement portion 315C and one of the inclined surfaces of the second latch member 315A, a force in the right direction in the figure is converted into a downward force in the figure, and the downward force displaces the second latch member 315A downward in the figure against the biasing force of the second biasing member 315B. As a result, the engagement between the second latch member 315A and the second latch engagement portion 315C is released, and the second latch engagement portion 315C can pass the position of the second latch member 315A.

[0076] When the conductive rod 104A moves from the parallel connection terminal 102 side to the serial connection terminal 103 side, the second latch member 315A is displaced in a direction away from the conductive rod 104A. At this time, at the contact portion between the second latch engagement portion 315C and the other inclined surface of the second latch member 315A, a force in the left direction in the figure is converted into a downward force in the figure, and the downward force displaces the second latch member 315A downward in the figure against the biasing force of the second biasing member 315B. This allows the second latch engagement portion 315C to pass the position of the second latch member 315A.

[0077] Here, when the application of voltage to the coil of the first solenoid 311 is stopped while the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A and the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 are engaged, the push bar 311A ​​of the first solenoid 311 retracts. As a result, the force from the first solenoid 311 toward the parallel connection terminal 102 side is no longer applied to the conductive rod 104A. Meanwhile, the first latch member 314A is engaged with the first latch engagement portion 314C by the biasing force of the first biasing member 314B. As a result, the engaged state between the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A and the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 is maintained.

[0078] Furthermore, when the application of the voltage to the coil of the second solenoid 312 is stopped while the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A is engaged with the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103, the push bar 312A of the second solenoid 312 retracts. As a result, the force from the second solenoid 312 to the conductor rod 104A toward the series connection terminal 103 is no longer applied. Meanwhile, the second latch member 315A is engaged with the second latch engagement portion 315C by the biasing force of the second biasing member 315B. As a result, the engaged state between the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A and the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 is maintained.

[0079] As described above, in the first contact device 300 according to this embodiment, the first solenoid 311 advances the push bar 311A, which extends along the moving direction of the conductor rod 104A, toward the parallel connection terminal 102. A push bar receiving member 313 is fixed to the conductor rod 104A, and the advancement of the push bar 311A ​​pushes the push bar receiving member 313, and the conductor rod 104A moves toward the parallel connection terminal 102. In response to this, the second solenoid 312 advances the push bar 312A, which extends along the moving direction of the conductor rod 104A, toward the series connection terminal 103. The advancement of the push bar 312A pushes the push bar receiving member 313, and the conductor rod 104A moves toward the series connection terminal 103. This enables the first male terminal 104C of the conductive rod 104A to be engaged with and released from the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, and the second male terminal 104D of the conductive rod 104A to be engaged with and released from the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103.

[0080] Here, with the first male terminal 104C of the conductor rod 104A engaged with the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102, the conductor rod 104A is locked by the first lock mechanism 314. With the second male terminal 104D of the conductor rod 104A engaged with the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103, the conductor rod 104A is locked by the second lock mechanism 315. On the other hand, when the conductor rod 104A is moved toward the series connection terminal 103 by the second solenoid 312, the lock of the conductor rod 104A by the first lock mechanism 314 is released. With the conductor rod 104A being moved toward the parallel connection terminal 102 by the first solenoid 311, the lock of the conductor rod 104A by the second lock mechanism 315 is released. As a result, when the power supply to the first solenoid 311 and the second solenoid 312 is stopped, the conductive rod 104A can be locked in the position at the time when the power supply was stopped. Therefore, when the power supply to the first solenoid 311 and the second solenoid 312 is stopped, the engagement between the first male terminal 104C and the fixed contact 102A of the parallel connection terminal 102 can be maintained, or the engagement between the second male terminal 104D and the fixed contact 103A of the series connection terminal 103 can be maintained. Therefore, power supply for maintaining the connection between the conductive rod 104A and the parallel connection terminal 102 or the series connection terminal 103 is not required, and power consumption can be reduced.

[0081] In this embodiment, the first locking mechanism 314 and the second locking mechanism 315 are latch mechanisms, but the first locking mechanism 314 and the second locking mechanism 315 may be chuck mechanisms. When the first locking mechanism 314 and the second locking mechanism 315 are chuck mechanisms, the fixed contacts 102A, 103A, which are female contacts, are configured so that the diameter of the recesses 102C, 103C can be expanded and contracted, and a mechanism such as a knurl for expanding and contracting the diameter of the recesses 102C, 103C may be provided, and the mechanism may be configured to operate in conjunction with the movement of the conductor rod 104A.

[0082] The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and modifications may be made to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and publicly known or well-known technologies may be combined as appropriate.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the conductor constituting the movable contact 104 is the conductor rod 104A, but the conductor need not necessarily be rod-shaped as long as it has male terminals on both ends in the moving direction.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first contact device 100, 300 and the second contact device 200 are provided in the battery switching device 10 that switches the connection state between the first battery module 2 and the second battery module 3 between a series connection and a parallel connection. However, the first contact device 100, 300 and the second contact device 200 can be provided in various devices as a substitute for a C-contact switch or a C-contact relay. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 2: First battery module (first battery) 3: Second battery module (second battery) 10: Battery switching device 100: 1st contact device (contact device) 101: Common terminal (first common terminal) 102: Parallel connection terminal (first terminal) 103: Series connection terminal (second terminal) 104A: Conductor rod (first conductor, third conductor) 104B: Conductor (second conductor, fourth conductor) 104C: 1st male terminal (3rd male terminal) 104D: 2nd male terminal (4th male terminal) 110: Drive mechanism (first drive mechanism, second drive mechanism) 111: Motor 112: Ball screw 113: Slider 120: Shielding mechanism (link mechanism) 121: First shielding member 122: Second shielding member 200: 2nd contact device (contact device) 201: Common terminal (second common terminal) 202: Parallel connection terminal (1st terminal, 3rd terminal) 203: Series connection terminal (2nd terminal, 4th terminal) 300: 1st contact device (contact device) 310: Drive mechanism (first drive mechanism) 311: First solenoid 311A: Push bar (first push bar) 312: Second solenoid 312A: Push bar (second push bar) 313: Push bar support member 314: First locking mechanism 315: Second locking mechanism

Claims

1. A common terminal; a first conductor arranged to be linearly movable, with a first male terminal provided at one end in the moving direction and a second male terminal provided at the other end in the moving direction; a second conductor that connects the common terminal and the first conductor and is capable of following the linear movement of the first conductor; a first terminal which is a female terminal into which the first male terminal of the first conductor linearly moved in one direction is detachably fitted; a second terminal which is a female terminal into which the second male terminal of the first conductor linearly moved in the other direction is detachably fitted; a drive mechanism for linearly moving the first conductor in both directions; A contact device comprising:

2. The drive mechanism includes: A motor, a ball screw extending along the moving direction of the first conductor and rotated by the motor; a slider fixed to the first conductor and screwed onto the ball screw; The contact device according to claim 1 .

3. The drive mechanism includes: a first solenoid that advances a first push bar extending along the moving direction of the first conductor in the one direction; a second solenoid that causes a second push bar extending along the moving direction of the first conductor to move forward in the other direction; a push bar receiving member fixed to the first conductor, the push bar receiving member being pushed by the first push bar moving forward in the one direction and being pushed by the second push bar moving forward in the other direction; a first lock mechanism that locks the first conductor when the first male terminal is fitted into the first terminal and unlocks the first conductor when the first conductor is moved in the other direction by the second solenoid; a second locking mechanism that locks the first conductor with the second male terminal fitted into the second terminal and unlocks the first conductor moved in the one direction by the first solenoid; The contact device according to claim 1 .

4. an insulating first shielding member arranged to be movable between a first shielding position for shielding the first terminal and a first opening position for opening the first terminal; an insulating second shielding member arranged to be movable between a second shielding position for shielding the second terminal and a second opening position for opening the second terminal; a link mechanism that moves the first shielding member to the first open position and moves the second shielding member to the second shielding position in conjunction with the movement of the first conductor in the one direction, and moves the first shielding member to the first shielding position and moves the second shielding member to the second open position in conjunction with the movement of the first conductor in the other direction; The contact device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. A battery switching device that switches a connection state between a first battery and a second battery between a series connection and a parallel connection, A first contact device; A second contact device; Equipped with The first contact device is a first common terminal connected to the positive electrode of the first battery; a first conductor arranged to be linearly movable, with a first male terminal provided at one end in the direction of movement and a second male terminal provided at the other end in the direction of movement; a second conductor that connects the first common terminal and the first conductor and is capable of following the linear movement of the first conductor; a first terminal connected to the positive electrode of the second battery; a second terminal which is a female terminal into which the second male terminal of the first conductor linearly moved in the other direction is detachably fitted; a first driving mechanism for linearly moving the first conductor in both directions; Equipped with The second contact device is a second common terminal connected to the negative electrode of the second battery; a third conductor arranged to be linearly movable, the third conductor having a third male terminal on one end side in the moving direction and a fourth male terminal on the other end side in the moving direction; a fourth conductor that connects the second common terminal and the third conductor and is capable of following the linear movement of the third conductor; a third terminal that is a female terminal into which the third male terminal of the third conductor that has been linearly moved in one direction is detachably fitted, the third terminal being connected to the negative electrode of the first battery; a fourth terminal which is a female terminal into which the fourth male terminal of the third conductor which has been linearly moved in the other direction is detachably fitted and which is connected to the second terminal; a second driving mechanism for linearly moving the third conductor in both directions; A battery switching device comprising:

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