Electric connector

Abstract

To provide an electric connector having an electromagnetic lock mechanism for banning a coupling cancellation with an inlet of an electrically-driven device during transmission of a power, capable of reducing the thickness and weight of a cable for transmitting the power, and facilitating a coupling with the electrically-driven device.SOLUTION: An electric connector that is provided to a cable for transmitting a power, and is coupled to an inlet of an electrically-driven device so as to be detached and attached, comprises: an electrically-driven lock mechanism 10 for banning a coupling cancellation with the inlet during the transmission of the power. The electrically-driven lock mechanism 10 includes: a shaft 20; two coils 30; and a four-line type self-holding type solenoid 11 constructed by a magnet (not shown in an illustration). Four wirings 31 extended from the self-holding type solenoid 11 is divided into one and three wires or two and two wires, and are connected with two control wires 401 passing through an internal part of the cable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that allows for a long-term conductive connection between an inlet on an electric device and the connector and prevents accidental disconnection from the inlet during power transmission. This connector uses a solenoid having a coil and a movable iron core that moves forward and backward when the coil is excited, and after the connector and inlet are locked by exciting the coil, the locked state of the locking mechanism is maintained even if the voltage of the coil is lower than the voltage at the time of excitation (including zero). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-3005 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is recommended to use a four-wire type self-holding solenoid with four wires extending from two coils as described above. There are also two-wire type self-holding solenoids with two wires extending from one coil, but compared to four-wire type self-holding solenoids, these tend to have weaker shaft thrust. When considering using electrical connectors outdoors, it is better to have a stronger shaft thrust to eliminate malfunctions caused by dust or frost. Also, the lower the ambient temperature, the higher the viscosity of the grease applied to the sliding part of the solenoid shaft becomes, and if the shaft thrust is low, it will malfunction, so it is better to have a stronger thrust.

[0005] However, when a four-wire self-holding solenoid is provided in an electrical connector, four control wires for controlling the self-holding solenoid must be incorporated into the power transmission cable in addition to the wires for power transmission, which makes the cable thicker and heavier, and can make it difficult to connect the electrical connector to an electrically-powered device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide an electrical connector equipped with an electromagnetic locking mechanism for preventing disconnection from the inlet of an electric device during power transmission, which makes the cable that transmits power thinner and lighter, and facilitates connection to the electric device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrical connector of the first aspect of the present invention is an electrical connector that is provided on a cable that transmits electric power and is detachably connected to an inlet of an electrically powered device, and is equipped with an electromagnetic locking mechanism for preventing disconnection from the inlet during the transmission of power, the electromagnetic locking mechanism having a four-wire self-holding solenoid composed of a shaft, two coils, and a magnet, and the four wires extending from the self-holding solenoid are split into one and three, or two and two, and connected to two control wires that pass inside the cable.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the electrical connector of the first aspect, when one of the two control wires is positive and the other control wire is negative, a propulsive force acts on the shaft toward one axial direction, causing the shaft to move to that side, and when one of the two control wires is negative and the other control wire is positive, a propulsive force acts on the shaft toward the other axial direction, but the shaft does not move due to the propulsive force alone due to the holding force of the magnet, and the self-holding solenoid may be provided with a biasing member that moves the shaft to the other axial direction in the second state.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to the electrical connector of the second aspect, wherein the electromagnetic locking mechanism prohibits disconnection from the inlet in either the first state or the second state, and allows disconnection from the inlet in the other state.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an electrical connector according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a housing surrounding the electromagnetic locking mechanism, the housing having an opening, and the shaft having a marker portion exposed to the outside through the opening when the electromagnetic locking mechanism prohibits disconnection from the inlet. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention described above, in an electrical connector equipped with an electromagnetic locking mechanism for preventing disconnection from the inlet of an electric device during power transmission, the cable that transmits power can be made thinner and lighter, making it easier to connect to the electric device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a charging system including an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a circuit diagram of a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a circuit diagram of an electromagnetic locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of an electromagnetic locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing another modified example of the electromagnetic locking mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the electrical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the electrical connector is connected to an inlet. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the electrical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which an operating lever for releasing the latch is operated. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which release of connection with an inlet is permitted (unlocked state). [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which release of the connection with the inlet is prohibited (locked state). [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic locking mechanism according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a plan view showing the electromagnetic locking mechanism shown in FIG. 10 in a locked state. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a plan view showing the electromagnetic locking mechanism shown in FIG. 10 in an unlocked state. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a charging system 100 equipped with an electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The charging system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an electrical connector 1 detachably coupled to an inlet 201 of an electrically powered device 200, a power control device 300 having a function as a charger, and a cable 400 for transmitting electric power.

[0015] The electrical connector 1 is provided at one end of a cable 400, and the other end of the cable 400 is connected to an output unit of the power control device 300. The electrical connector 1 is electrically connected to an electrode terminal in an inlet 201 of the electrically powered device 200. In this embodiment, an electric vehicle is exemplified as the electrically powered device 200, but the electrically powered device 200 may be any other electrically powered device that runs on electric power, such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle or factory equipment.

[0016] The power control device 300 functions as a charger that charges the electrically powered device 200, and supplies power for charging the electrically powered device 200. The power control device 300 may also extract power from the electrically powered device 200 by discharging power from a storage battery mounted in the electrically powered device 200. In this case, the power control device 300 functions as a load device to which power is supplied from the electrically powered device 200.

[0017] The cable 400 transmits power between the power control device 300 and the electrically powered device 200. In this embodiment, the cable 400 transmits power for the power control device 300 to charge the electrically powered device 200, but when the power control device 300 functions as a load device as described above, the cable 400 transmits power extracted from the electrically powered device 200 to the power control device 300. In other words, the cable 400 provided with the electrical connector 1 can transmit both charging power and discharging power, and the electrical connector 1 functions as a connector for charging and discharging.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a charging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, when a user inserts the electrical connector 1 into the inlet 201 of the electrically-driven device 200 and the switch 302 for solenoid operation in the power control device 300 is closed, a current flows from the power source 301 through the switch 302 and the current limiting resistor 303 to the exciting coil (not shown) of the relay 304, and the relay 304 is closed. When the relay 304 is closed, the power source 301 is electrically connected to the fixed contact of the relay 305 through the relay 304.

[0019] Thereafter, when the solenoid switching switch 306 in the power control device 300 is closed, a current flows from the power source 301 through the switch 306 and the current limiting resistor 307 to the exciting coil (not shown) of the relay 305, and the relay 305 is excited. When the relay 305 is excited, the movable contact of the relay 305 connected to the two control lines 401 in the cable 400 is electrically connected to the fixed contact connected to the power source 301. Then, a current flows through the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 in the electrical connector 1 through the relay 305. When a current flows through the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10, the shaft 20 of the self-holding solenoid 11 (see FIG. 3 described later) moves, and the electrical connector 1 is prohibited from being disconnected from the inlet 201 during the transmission of power. In this state, the electrically-driven device 200 is charged by the power control device 300.

[0020] When charging of the electrically-driven device 200 is completed, the solenoid switching switch 306 in the power control device 300 is opened, and as a result, the relay 305 is no longer excited. Then, the movable contact of the relay 305 moves so that the current flowing through the self-holding solenoid 11 of the electromagnetic lock mechanism 10 is reversed, and the shaft 20 of the self-holding solenoid 11 is returned to its original position, allowing the electrical connector 1 to be disconnected from the inlet 201. Thereafter, the user operates the operating lever 60 (see FIGS. 6 and 7 described later) to pull out the electrical connector 1 from the inlet 201.

[0021] As described above, in this embodiment, the control of the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 provided in the electrical connector 1 is mainly performed by the power control device 300. For this reason, two control wires 401 for controlling the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 by the power control device 300 are incorporated in the power transmission cable 400. That is, in the example of Fig. 2, a total of two control wires 401 exist between the power control device 300 and the electrical connector 1, so that the power transmission cable 400 incorporates the above-mentioned two control wires 401 in addition to the wires for power transmission.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 has a four-wire self-holding solenoid 11 that is composed of a shaft 20, two coils 30, and a magnet (e.g., a ferrite magnet) (not shown). The self-holding solenoid 11 has four wires 31 extending from the two coils 30.

[0023] 3, the four wires 31 are divided into one (wire 31a) and three (wires 31b, 31c, 31d) and connected to two control lines 401 (control lines 401a and 401b) passing through the inside of the cable 400. Specifically, the wire 31a is connected to the control line 401a. The wire 31a is provided with a switch 40 that opens and closes in accordance with the movement of a latch 70 (see FIGS. 6 and 7 described later). The wires 31b, 31c, and 31d are wired together and connected to the control line 401b.

[0024] 3, in a first state in which one control wire 401a of the two control wires 401 is positive and the other control wire 401b is negative, a driving force F1 toward one axial direction acts on the shaft 20. In a second state in which one control wire 401a of the two control wires 401 is negative and the other control wire 401b is positive, a driving force F2 toward the other axial direction acts on the shaft 20.

[0025] The electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 may have the configuration shown in FIGS.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 4, the four wires 31 are split into two (wires 31a and 31c) and two (wires 31b and 31d) and connected to two control lines 401 (control line 401a and control line 401b) passing through the inside of the cable 400. Specifically, the wires 31a and 31c are connected to the control line 401a. The switch 40 is disposed closer to the control line 401a than the connection positions of the wires 31a and 31c. The wires 31b and 31d are connected to the control line 401b.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing another modified example of the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 5, the four wires 31 are split into three (wires 31a, 31c, 31d) and one (wire 31b), and are connected to two control lines 401 (control line 401a, control line 401b) passing through the inside of the cable 400. Specifically, the wires 31a, 31c, 31d are connected to the control line 401a. The switch 40 is disposed closer to the control line 401a than the connection positions of the wires 31a, 31c, 31d. The wire 31b is connected to the control line 401b.

[0028] In the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 shown in Figures 3 to 5, when the control wire 401a of the two control wires 401 is in a first state in which the other control wire 401b is in a negative polarity, a driving force F1 acting on the shaft 20 toward one side in the axial direction causes the shaft 20 to move toward that side. On the other hand, in the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10, when one of the two control wires 401, 401a, is negative and the other, 401b, is positive, a driving force F2 acts on the shaft 20 toward the other axial direction, but the shaft 20 does not move due to the driving force alone, due to the holding force of a magnet (not shown) (i.e., an equilibrium state in which the driving force F2 cancels out the holding force of the magnet). Therefore, the self-holding solenoid 11 includes a biasing member 80 (see Figs. 8 and 9 described later) that moves the shaft 20 toward the other axial direction in the second state.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which it is connected to an inlet 201. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which the operating lever 60 for releasing the latch 70 has been operated. 6 and 7, inside the housing 50 of the electrical connector 1, a latch 70 for connecting the electrical connector 1 to an inlet 201 is journalled via a rotating shaft 73. One end 71 of the latch 70 is formed with a claw that can be engaged with a recess 202 formed in the inlet 201.

[0030] One end 71 of the latch 70 is biased by a spring (not shown) or the like in a direction toward the recess 202. When the latch 70 comes into contact with the inner wall of the inlet 201 during the process of inserting the electrical connector 1 into the inlet 201, the latch 70 is temporarily pressed down, and then when the latch 70 rises to the position of the recess 202 of the inlet 201, the latch 70 engages with the recess 202. This connects the electrical connector 1 to the inlet 201.

[0031] An arm 61 that releases the locking by the latch 70 is provided inside the electrical connector 1. The arm 61 is capable of abutting against the other end 72 of the latch 70 from below. The arm 61 is supported on the front end of the operating lever 60 via a rotating shaft 62. The rear end of the operating lever 60 is exposed to the outside of the housing 50 through an opening formed in the housing 50.

[0032] A user operates the operating lever 60 by pulling the rear end of the operating lever 60 backward. When the user operates the operating lever 60 (pulls it backward), the arm 61 comes into contact with the shaft 20 of the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10, and the other end 72 of the latch 70 is pushed up by the rotation of the arm 61, as shown in Fig. 7. As a result, one end 71 of the latch 70 moves downward against the biasing force of a spring or the like, and the latch 70 is released.

[0033] Also, a switch 40 (see FIG. 3) is disposed inside the housing 50. The switch 40 is a normally-closed switch that is linked to an arm 61. When the operating lever 60 is pulled rearward, the arm 61 moves the movable contact of the switch 40, and the switch 40 is opened. When the operating lever 60 returns to its original position, the switch 40 returns to the closed state. When the operating lever 60 is operated, the switch 40 opens, prohibiting the passage of electricity through the solenoid actuator 150 and preventing malfunction of the electromagnetic locking mechanism.

[0034] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which release of the connection with the inlet 201 is permitted (unlocked state). Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a main part of the electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which release of the connection with the inlet 201 is prohibited (locked state). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an attachment 21 is attached to one axial end of a shaft 20 of the self-holding solenoid 11.

[0035] A marker portion 22 is provided at the tip of the attachment 21. The marker portion 22 has a conspicuous color, such as red. An opening 51 (window) is formed in the housing 50 of the electrical connector 1. When the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 prohibits release of the connection with the inlet 201 (when in a locked state), the marker portion 22 is exposed to the outside through the opening 51 as shown in FIG. 9. On the other hand, when the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 allows release of the connection with the inlet 201 (when in an unlocked state), the marker portion 22 retreats from the position facing the opening 51 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0036] The base end of the attachment 21 is provided with an abutment portion 23 (rail) that can abut against the arm 61. As shown in Fig. 9, when the shaft 20 moves to one axial side (left side on the paper), the abutment portion 23 retreats from the movement path of the arm 61. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, when the shaft 20 moves to the other axial side (right side on the paper) (returns to its original position), the abutment portion 23 is positioned on the movement path of the arm 61 and can abut against the arm 61 (the arm 61 can rotate upward).

[0037] As described above, when the shaft 20 moves to one side in the axial direction (to the left on the page), it is in the first state in which one of the two control wires 401, control wire 401a, is positive and the other control wire 401b is negative. When the shaft 20 moves to the other axial side (the right side of the drawing), it is in the second state in which one of the two control wires 401, control wire 401a, is negative and the other, control wire 401b, is positive. At this time, the shaft 20 does not move only by the driving force of the coil 30 due to the holding force of the magnet (not shown). Therefore, the self-holding solenoid 11 includes a biasing member 80 that moves the shaft 20 to the other axial side in the second state. The biasing member 80 is, for example, a spring, and is supported by a holder 81 fixed inside the housing 50.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 showing a specific embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 10 in a locked state. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 shown in Fig. 10 in an unlocked state. As shown in FIG. 10, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 includes a holder 81 that holds the self-holding solenoid 11. As shown in FIG.

[0039] The attachment 21 is attached to one axial end of the shaft 20 of the self-holding solenoid 11. The attachment 21 is formed in a rod shape extending in the axial direction of the shaft 20. A biasing member 80 (coil spring) is disposed around the attachment 21. The biasing member 80 is interposed between a holder 81 and a semicircular abutment portion 23, and biases the abutment portion 23 toward the other axial side.

[0040] When in a locked state (first state) as shown in FIG. 11, the self-holding solenoid 11 moves the shaft 20 to one axial side (left side on the page) against the biasing force of the biasing member 80 and the holding force of the magnet. On the other hand, when in the unlocked state (second state) as shown in FIG. 12, the self-holding solenoid 11 cancels out the holding force of the magnet by the driving force of the shaft 20 toward the other axial side (the right side on the paper), and moves the shaft 20, which is in a balanced state, toward the other axial side (the right side on the paper) by the force of the biasing member 80.

[0041] Next, the operation of the charging system 100 according to this embodiment will be described. When charging the electric device 200, a user inserts the receptacle 102 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the electrical connector 1 into the inlet 201 of the electric device 200. This causes the latch 70 in the electrical connector 1 to engage with the recess 202 of the inlet 201, and the electrical connector 1 is fixed to the inlet 201.

[0042] When the electrical connector 1 is fixed to the inlet 201, the voltage value and the like of the storage battery (not shown) mounted on the electrically-driven device 200 are read by the power control device 300 via the cable 400. From the voltage value and the like, the power control device 300 recognizes that it has been electrically connected to the electrically-driven device 200 and is in a state where it can be charged.

[0043] When electrically connected to the electrically-driven device 200, the power control device 300 operates the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 of the electrical connector 1 by outputting a control signal, and maintains the electrical connector 1 fixed to the inlet 201. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 energizes the coil 30 of the self-holding solenoid 11, which causes the shaft 20 to move to one side in the axial direction (locked state, first state), and prohibits the abutment portion 23 from abutting against the arm 61. As a result, the latch 70 is prohibited from being released, and the electrical connector 1 is maintained fixed to the inlet 201.

[0044] Here, in this embodiment, since the self-holding solenoid 11 is a self-holding solenoid, even if the power supply to the self-holding solenoid 11 is stopped after the self-holding solenoid 11 is activated, the self-holding solenoid 11 maintains the activated state. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the heat generation of the self-holding solenoid 11 due to the power supply can be suppressed, and the aversion of the user touching the electric connector 1 to the heat caused by the heat can be reduced. Also, since the power supply is not constantly performed, energy is saved.

[0045] When the self-holding solenoid 11 is activated, the marker portion 22 is exposed from the opening 51 of the housing 50. This causes the electrical connector 1 to notify the user that the electromagnetic lock mechanism 10 is activated. Then, the power control device 300 starts charging the electrically-driven device 200 and supplies power for charging the electrically-driven device 200. When the voltage of the storage battery of the electrically-driven device 200 reaches a specified value and charging is completed, the power control device 300 outputs a current of the opposite polarity to that when the self-holding solenoid 11 is activated to the self-holding solenoid 11.

[0046] As a result, the driving force of the self-holding solenoid 11 and the biasing force of the biasing member 80 move the shaft 20 to the other axial direction (unlocked state, second state), allowing the abutment portion 23 to abut against the arm 61. In this state, the marker portion 22 is no longer exposed to the outside, so the user can visually confirm that the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 of the electrical connector 1 has been released and that operation of the operating lever 60 is permitted. When the user pulls the operating lever 60 backward, the latch 70 is released. Once the latch 70 is released, the user can pull out the electrical connector 1 from the inlet 201 of the electric device 200.

[0047] Thus, the electric connector 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on a cable 400 that transmits electric power, and is detachably connected to an inlet 201 of an electric device 200. The electric connector 1 includes an electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 for preventing the inlet 201 from being disconnected during the transmission of electric power. The electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 includes a four-wire self-holding solenoid 11 that is composed of a shaft 20, two coils 30, and a magnet (not shown). The four wires 31 extending from the self-holding solenoid 11 are split into one and three, or two and two, and connected to two control wires 401 that pass through the inside of the cable 400. According to this configuration, the control wires 401 that control the self-holding solenoid 11 can be reduced to two, so that the cable 400 can be made thin, light, and easy to handle. In other words, the burden on the user when inserting and removing the electric connector 1 from the electric device 200 can be reduced. Furthermore, by mounting a four-wire self-holding solenoid 11, the propulsive force of the shaft 20 is high and it is less susceptible to disturbances. Furthermore, the self-holding solenoid 11 of this embodiment is structured to separate the magnet (not shown) from the coil 30 so that the magnetic force generated by the coil 30 does not act on the magnet, thereby avoiding deterioration of the magnet in a low-temperature environment and enabling operation even in a low-temperature environment with an ambient temperature of -40°C using a general-purpose ferrite magnet. One method of avoiding deterioration of the magnet in a low-temperature environment is to use a neodymium magnet instead of a ferrite magnet, but the upper limit of the heat-resistant temperature of a neodymium magnet is 80°C, so there is less room for temperature compared to a ferrite magnet that can withstand up to 300°C.

[0048] In the electric connector 1 of this embodiment, in a first state in which one control line 401a of the two control lines 401 is positive and the other control line 401b is negative, a driving force F1 toward one axial direction acts on the shaft 20, and the shaft 20 moves to one axial direction, and in a second state in which one control line 401a of the two control lines 401 is negative and the other control line 401b is positive, a driving force F2 toward the other axial direction acts on the shaft 20, but the driving force alone does not move the shaft 20 due to the holding force of a magnet (not shown), and the self-holding solenoid 11 is provided with a biasing member 80 that moves the shaft 20 to the other axial direction in the second state. According to this configuration, the first state (locked state) and the second state (unlocked state) can be switched by reversing the direction of the current to the electric connector 1.

[0049] Furthermore, in the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment, the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 prohibits disconnection from the inlet 201 when in either the first state or the second state (first state), and allows disconnection from the inlet 201 when in the other state (second state). With this configuration, disconnection of the electrical connector 1 from the inlet 201 during power transmission is prohibited, and the electrically powered device 200 can be reliably charged.

[0050] Moreover, the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 50 that encloses the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10, an opening 51 is formed in the housing 50, and a marker portion 22 is provided on the shaft 20 that is exposed to the outside through the opening 51 when the electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 prohibits release of the connection with the inlet 201. With this configuration, the user can visually know whether operation of the operating lever 60 of the electrical connector 1 is prohibited or permitted.

[0051] Thus, according to the above embodiment, in an electrical connector 1 equipped with an electromagnetic locking mechanism 10 for preventing disconnection of the inlet 201 of the electric device 200 during power transmission, the cable 400 that transmits power can be made thinner and lighter, making it easier to connect to the electric device 200.

[0052] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that they are illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0053] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...electrical connector, 10...electromagnetic lock mechanism, 11...self-holding solenoid, 20...shaft, 21...attachment, 22...marker portion, 23...contact portion, 30...coil, 31...wiring, 31a...wiring, 31b...wiring, 31c...wiring, 31d...wiring, 40...switch, 50...housing, 51...opening, 60...operating lever, 61...arm, 62...rotating shaft, 70...latch, 71...one end, 72...other end, 73...rotating shaft, 80...attachment Force member, 81...holder, 100...charging system, 102...receptacle, 150...solenoid actuator, 200...electrical device, 201...inlet, 202...recess, 300...power control device, 301...power source, 302...switch, 303...resistor, 304...relay, 305...relay, 306...switch, 307...resistor, 400...cable, 401...control line, 401a...control line, 401b...control line, F1...force, F2...force

Claims

1. An electrical connector provided on a cable for transmitting electric power and removably connected to an inlet of an electrically-powered device, an electromagnetic lock mechanism for preventing the inlet from being disconnected during the transmission of the electric power; The electromagnetic lock mechanism has a four-wire self-holding solenoid composed of a shaft, two coils, and a magnet, The four wires extending from the self-holding solenoid are split into one and three, or two and two, and connected to two control lines passing through the inside of the cable. Electrical connector.

2. In a first state in which one of the two control wires is positive and the other control wire is negative, a driving force toward one axial direction acts on the shaft, causing the shaft to move toward one axial direction, In a second state in which one of the two control wires is negative and the other control wire is positive, a driving force toward the other axial direction acts on the shaft, but the shaft does not move due to the driving force alone, due to the holding force of the magnet, The self-holding solenoid includes a biasing member that moves the shaft to the other axial direction when in the second state.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1.

3. the electromagnetic locking mechanism prohibits release of the connection from the inlet when in one of the first state and the second state, and allows release of the connection from the inlet when in the other state.

3. The electrical connector of claim 2.

4. a housing that encloses the electromagnetic locking mechanism; The housing has an opening formed therein; The shaft is provided with a marker portion that is exposed to the outside through the opening when the electromagnetic locking mechanism prohibits release of the connection with the inlet. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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