Holding structure

Abstract

To suitably hold a power terminal that is not attached to another power terminal.SOLUTION: In a power supply device that is a holding structure, a connector 20 has an engagement claw 104 for being engaged with an engagement recess in the state of being attached to the connector. The power supply device comprises a connector holding part 54 for holding the connector 20 when the connector 20 is not attached to the connector. The connector holding part 54 has a communication hole 300 for communicating the outside and inside of the connector holding part 54 with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a retention structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power conversion device including a power feed cable and a power feed connector. The power feed cable extends from the power conversion device. The power feed connector is provided at the tip of the power feed cable. The power feed connector is connected to, for example, a power feed port of a vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-154404 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about how the power supply connector is held in the power conversion device, and there is room for improvement in terms of holding the power supply connector.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is a holding structure for holding a power terminal that is provided at the end of a power line extending from a power device and is detachably provided to another power terminal of another power device, wherein the power terminal has an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of the other power terminal when attached to the other power terminal, and the holding structure includes a holding portion that holds the power terminal when the power terminal is not attached to the other power terminal, and the holding portion has a communication hole that connects the outside and inside of the holding portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the holding part can suitably hold a power terminal that is not attached to another power terminal. Also, the outside and inside of the holding part are communicated with each other through the communication hole. As a result, when the power terminal held by the holding part cannot be removed from the holding part, the holding state of the power terminal by the holding part can be forcibly released from the outside through the communication hole, thereby making it possible to remove the power terminal from the holding part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power system including a power supply device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the power supply device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the power supply device with a cover member removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the power supply device showing a state in which the cover member has been rotated. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram showing the locked state of the connector in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the connector in FIG. 1 in an unlocked state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the connector in FIG. 1 in an unlocked state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of when the connector falls, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram of when the connector falls. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which a wrench is inserted into the communication hole. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the wrench is inserted into the groove. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the claw portion of the latch is pressed by a wrench. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector is being removed from the connector holding portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power system 12 including a power supply device 10 (power device, holding structure, holding body, etc.). The power system 12 includes the power supply device 10 and a vehicle 14 (another power device). In the following explanation, the right side of the paper in Fig. 1 is defined as the front direction, the left side as the rear direction, the top side as the upward direction, and the bottom side as the downward direction, and the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions of the power supply device 10 will be explained.

[0010] The power supply device 10 is a portable power device. The power supply device 10 includes a device body 16, a cable 18 (power line), and a connector 20 (power terminal). The device body 16 includes a housing 22, a front cover 24, and a rear cover 26 (lid member).

[0011] The housing 22 accommodates various components that constitute the power supply device 10. The front cover 24 is attached to a front wall 28 of the housing 22. The front cover 24 is rotatable forward relative to the front wall 28 around a rotation shaft portion 30 provided on the front wall 28.

[0012] A plurality of switches and a plurality of output terminals (not shown) are provided on the front wall 28 of the housing 22. A user can issue various instructions to the power supply device 10 by operating each switch. In addition, the plurality of output terminals can output power from the power supply device 10 to the outside. The power supply device 10 can output, for example, single-phase AC power (single-phase AC power) and three-phase AC power (three-phase AC power).

[0013] The cable 18 extends from the device body 16. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a communication hole 48 is provided in a rear wall 46 (fixing surface) of the device body 16. The rear wall 46 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from behind the device body 16. The communication hole 48 communicates the inside and outside of the device body 16. The cable 18 extends from the inside of the device body 16 to the outside of the device body 16 through the communication hole 48. The communication hole 48 and the base end of the cable 18 are covered by a grommet 50 (covering portion). A connector 20 is provided at the tip (tip) of the cable 18. The connector 20 is a male connector. The male connector is also called a plug.

[0014] The rear wall 46 of the housing 22 is provided with a cable housing portion 52 (power line housing portion), a connector holding portion 54 (holding portion), and a first support portion 56.

[0015] The cable housing portion 52 houses the cable 18. The cable housing portion 52 has an outer peripheral wall 58 and an inner peripheral wall 60. The outer peripheral wall 58 is an arc-shaped wall portion that protrudes rearward from the rear wall 46. The inner peripheral wall 60 is provided on the rear wall 46 on the inside of the outer peripheral wall 58. The inner peripheral wall 60 is an arc-shaped wall portion that protrudes rearward from the rear wall 46.

[0016] As described above, the base end of the cable 18 is located at the upper part of the rear wall 46. The cable housing 52 houses the cable 18 between the inner circumferential wall 60 and the outer circumferential wall 58 by winding the cable 18 between the inner circumferential wall 60 and the outer circumferential wall 58 a plurality of times.

[0017] The connector holding portion 54 is fixed to the rear wall 46. More specifically, the connector holding portion 54 is made of a resin material. The connector holding portion 54 has a main portion 62 and a fixing portion 64.

[0018] 2 and 3, the fixing portion 64 is disposed on the outer side of the cable housing portion 52 in the rear wall 46. The fixing portion 64 is disposed on the outer edge side of the rear wall 46. Specifically, the fixing portion 64 is disposed along one side 66 extending in the up-down direction of the rear wall 46. Therefore, the fixing portion 64 extends in the up-down direction. The fixing portion 64 is fixed to the housing 22 by two bolts 68 (fixing devices).

[0019] The main portion 62 is connected to a lower end of the fixing portion 64. The main portion 62 and the fixing portion 64 are integrally formed. The main portion 62 holds the connector 20.

[0020] Specifically, the outer periphery 298 (annular portion) of the main portion 62 is formed integrally with the lower end portion of the fixing portion 64. The outer periphery 298 of the main portion 62 is formed in an annular shape.

[0021] The main part 62 is a cylindrical part with a bottom. A fitting recess 70 that fits with the connector 20 is formed on the inside of the outer periphery 298 of the main part 62. The fitting recess 70 opens toward the cable housing part 52. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, communication holes 300, 302 that communicate with the outside are formed on the bottom of the fitting recess 70. The communication holes 300, 302 function as drainage holes for discharging liquid such as rainwater from the fitting recess 70 to the outside. In addition, a locking groove 304 that is recessed radially outward of the main part 62 is formed on the inner wall of the outer periphery 298 that forms the fitting recess 70. The locking groove 304 is formed along the axial direction of the main part 62. The locking groove 304 is a linear recess that is recessed radially outward from the fitting recess 70. The locking groove 304 communicates with the communication hole 300. By forming the locking groove 304, a step portion 306 (locking portion) is formed on the inner wall of the outer circumferential portion 298. The communication hole 300, the locking groove 304, and the step portion 306 are formed continuously along the axial direction of the main portion 62.

[0022] In the main portion 62, an opening end surface 72 (tip surface) where the fitting recess 70 opens is flat. In this case, the direction in which the connector 20 is inserted into and removed from the main portion 62 (first direction) and the direction in which the fixing portion 64 is fixed by the bolt 68 (second direction) are directions that intersect with each other. That is, the first direction is an oblique direction when viewed from behind in Figures 2 and 3. The second direction is the front-rear direction, as described above.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the connector 20 has a grip 74 (holding portion), a connector body 76 (terminal body), and a fitting portion 78. The grip 74 is a handle that can be held by a user. The grip 74 is connected to a base end portion of the connector body 76. A tip surface 80 of the connector body 76 is flat. The fitting portion 78 is a tubular portion protruding from the tip surface 80 of the connector body 76. The fitting portion 78 is a tip portion of the connector 20. The fitting portion 78 fits into a fitting recess 70 formed in the main portion 62 of the connector holding portion 54. That is, in a state in which the cable 18 is accommodated in the cable accommodating portion 52, the fitting portion 78 of the connector 20 fits into the fitting recess 70, and the tip surface 80 of the connector body 76 abuts against the open end surface 72 of the main portion 62, whereby the connector 20 is held in the connector holding portion 54 (main portion 62).

[0024] As described above, because the main portion 62 is inclined in an oblique direction, when the connector 20 is held by the main portion 62, the base end (the end on the cable 18 side) of the connector 20 faces a corner 308 of a side 307 that faces the other side 66 of the rear wall 46. Moreover, when the connector 20 is held by the main portion 62, the connector 20 does not overlap the base end of the cable 18 and the grommet 50. Furthermore, when the connector 20 is held by the main portion 62 and the rear cover 26 covers a part of the rear wall 46, the mating portion (the opening end surface 72 and the tip surface 80) of the main portion 62 and the connector 20 is visible from the outside.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, when the rear cover 26 is closed, the connector holding portion 54 including the main portion 62 cannot be seen from the outside in a side view. When the rear cover 26 is closed, the communication holes 300, 302 cannot be seen from the outside. When the rear cover 26 is opened relative to the rear wall 46, the connector holding portion 54 including the main portion 62 can be seen from the outside. When the rear cover 26 is opened, the communication holes 300, 302 can be seen from the outside. In other words, the main portion 62 and the communication holes 300, 302 are provided at positions that are visible from the outside when the rear cover 26 is opened and are covered by the rear cover 26 when the rear cover 26 is closed. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the connector holding portion 54.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first support part 56 is provided on the upper end part of the fixing part 64. The first support part 56 is a recessed part (not shown) on which a part of the cable 18 can be hooked. Therefore, the size of the recessed part constituting the first support part 56 is larger than the outer diameter of the cable 18. In a state in which the user removes the connector 20 from the main part 62 and pulls out the cable 18 from the cable housing part 52, the user hooks a part of the cable 18 between the base end part and the tip end part of the cable 18 onto the first support part 56.

[0027] A second support portion 82 is provided on the rear wall 46 so as to be adjacent to the first support portion 56. The second support portion 82 supports a portion of the cable 18 when the portion of the cable 18 is supported by the first support portion 56.

[0028] The rear cover 26 is rotatable relative to the rear wall 46 about a rotation shaft portion 84 provided on the rear wall 46. The rear cover 26 is provided with a surrounding portion 86 that surrounds a portion of the cable 18 when the rear cover 26 covers a portion of the rear wall 46 in a state in which a portion of the cable 18 is supported by the first support portion 56 and the second support portion 82. The surrounding portion 86 is a recess formed in a side portion of the rear cover 26 (see FIG. 4).

[0029] 10, an inner wall of the rear cover 26 is provided with a curved portion 326 that protrudes inward. When the rear cover 26 is opened, the curved portion 326 protrudes toward the communication hole 300 at a position facing the communication hole 300 of the main portion 62. The curved portion 326 functions as a guide (protrusion) when a wrench 320, which will be described later, is inserted into the communication hole 300.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the connector 20 further includes a release button 90 (input portion), a latch portion 92, a spring member 94, and a lock portion 96 (restriction portion).

[0031] The release button 90 is provided at the connecting portion between the connector body 76 and the grip 74. A part of the release button 90 protrudes to the outside from the connector 20. When the user presses the release button 90 with the thumb or the like while holding the grip 74, the release button 90 can rotate around the rotation shaft 100. A protrusion 102 that protrudes from the release button 90 is formed near the rotation shaft 100 of the release button 90.

[0032] The latch portion 92 is provided from the connector main body 76 to the fitting portion 78. The latch portion 92 is a rod-shaped member. An engagement claw 104 (engagement portion) is formed at the tip of the latch portion 92. The engagement claw 104 is capable of protruding radially outward from the fitting portion 78. The latch portion 92 is capable of rotating about a rotation shaft portion 106 provided inside the connector main body 76.

[0033] More specifically, inside the connector body 76, a central portion of the latch portion 92 is pivotally supported by a rotation shaft portion 106. A protruding portion 102 of the release button 90 abuts against a base end portion of the latch portion 92. As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the protruding portion 102 of the release button 90 abuts against the base end portion of the latch portion 92 from below.

[0034] The spring member 94 is disposed above the latch portion 92 inside the connector body 76. The spring member 94 presses downward a portion between the pivot shaft portion 106 and the base end of the latch portion 92 by spring force. The protrusion 102, the latch portion 92, the spring member 94 and the two pivot shaft portions 100, 106 constitute a connection mechanism 108 that mechanically connects the release button 90 and the engagement claw 104.

[0035] The locking portion 96 is provided in the connector body 76. The locking portion 96 has a solenoid 110 (electrical driving portion). The solenoid 110 has a plunger 112, a locking coil 114, an unlocking coil 116, and a permanent magnet 118. The plunger 112 is a rod-shaped member made of a magnetic material. The plunger 112 is arranged along the axial direction of the fitting portion 78. The locking coil 114, the permanent magnet 118, and the unlocking coil 116 are arranged coaxially with the plunger 112. The locking coil 114, the permanent magnet 118, and the unlocking coil 116 are cylindrical members through which the plunger 112 is inserted. Inside the connector body 76, the unlocking coil 116, the permanent magnet 118, and the locking coil 114 are arranged in this order from the tip end of the connector body 76 toward the base end.

[0036] When the lock coil 114 is energized, the plunger 112 is excited by magnetic flux from the lock coil 114 and protrudes from the solenoid 110 to the base end side of the connector body 76. The plunger 112 protruding from the solenoid 110 comes into contact with the bottom of the release button 90.

[0037] Furthermore, when the unlock coil 116 is energized, the plunger 112 is excited by magnetic flux from the unlock coil 116, and is displaced toward the tip side of the connector body 76 and retracts into the plunger 112. As a result, the plunger 112 moves away from the release button 90.

[0038] Furthermore, the solenoid 110 is a self-holding solenoid. That is, even if the power supply to the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116 is stopped, the force of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 118 acts on the plunger 112, so that the plunger 112 is held in the position where it was when the power was supplied.

[0039] The connector 20 is connected to a connector 120 provided on the vehicle 14. That is, the connector 20 is detachable from the connector 120. In this case, detachable includes both a case in which the connector 20 can be attached to the connector 120 and a case in which the connector 20 can be detached from the connector 120.

[0040] More specifically, the connector 120 is a female connector that is connected to the connector 20, which is a male connector. A female connector is also called a receptacle. The connector 120 has a mounting recess 122 in which the fitting portion 78 of the connector 20 is mounted. The mounting recess 122 is provided with an engagement recess 124 (engaged portion) that is recessed radially outward. When a user inserts the fitting portion 78 of the connector 20 into the mounting recess 122, the engagement claw 104 of the latch portion 92 engages with the engagement recess 124. As a result, the connector 20 of the power supply device 10 is mounted to the connector 120 of the vehicle 14.

[0041] In the following description, the position of the engagement claw 104 when the engagement claw 104 is engaged with the engagement recess 124 as shown in Figures 6 and 7 is referred to as a first position (first position). Also, the position of the engagement claw 104 when the engagement state between the engagement claw 104 and the engagement recess 124 is released as shown in Figure 8 is referred to as a second position (second position).

[0042] In this case, when the release button 90 is located at the third position (third position) shown in Figures 6 and 7, the engagement claw 104 is located at the first position by the connection mechanism 108. When the release button 90 is located at the fourth position (fourth position) shown in Figure 8 by the user's operation of the release button 90, the engagement claw 104 is located at the second position by the connection mechanism 108.

[0043] As described above, when the lock coil 114 is energized, the plunger 112 is excited by the magnetic flux of the lock coil 114, protrudes toward the base end side of the connector body 76, and comes into contact with the bottom of the release button 90 (see FIG. 6). Even if the energization of the lock coil 114 is stopped, the plunger 112 maintains the position at the time of energization by the force of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 118. This causes the release button 90 to enter a locked state (restricted state). In the locked state, even if the user presses the release button 90, the release button 90 is prevented from rotating about the rotating shaft portion 100. That is, the release button 90 is prevented from moving from the third position to the fourth position. As a result, the engagement state between the engagement claw 104 and the engagement recess 124 is maintained (the engagement claw 104 is maintained in the first position), and removal of the connector 20 of the power supply device 10 from the connector 120 of the vehicle 14 is prohibited.

[0044] 7, when the unlock coil 116 is energized, the plunger 112 is excited by the magnetic flux from the unlock coil 116, and is displaced toward the tip side of the connector body 76 and retreats into the solenoid 110. Even when the energization of the unlock coil 116 is stopped, the plunger 112 maintains the position it was in when energized due to the force of the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 118. As a result, the plunger 112 is released from the locked state by the release button 90 and switches to the unlocked state (unrestricted state).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, when the user presses the release button 90 in the unlocked state, the release button 90 rotates around the pivot shaft 100. That is, the release button 90 moves from the third position to the fourth position. As a result, the protrusion 102 of the release button 90 abuts against the base end of the latch portion 92 and pushes it upward. As a result, the latch portion 92 rotates around the pivot shaft 106 against the spring force of the spring member 94. At this time, the engagement claw 104 moves away from the engagement recess 124 and retracts into the fitting portion 78. That is, the engagement claw 104 moves from the first position to the second position. As a result, the engagement state between the engagement claw 104 and the engagement recess 124 is released. The user can pull the connector 20 while pressing the release button 90 to remove the connector 20 of the power supply device 10 from the connector 120 of the vehicle 14.

[0046] In addition, when the user releases his / her finger from the release button 90 in the unlocked state, the latch portion 92 rotates about the pivot shaft 106 due to the spring force of the spring member 94. As a result, the latch portion 92 returns to the position shown in Fig. 7, and the engagement claw 104 protrudes radially outward from the fitting portion 78 and returns to the first position. As the latch portion 92 rotates, the release button 90 rotates about the pivot shaft 100, returning to the state (third position) before being pressed by the user.

[0047] 5, when the connector 20 is held by the main part 62, the engagement claw 104 is engaged with the stepped portion 306. Normally, the connector 20 is held by the main part 62 in an unlocked state. Therefore, when the user presses the release button 90, the latch portion 92 rotates about the rotation shaft portion 106 (see FIGS. 6 to 8), and the engagement claw 104 retracts into the fitting portion 78. This releases the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the stepped portion 306. The user can remove the connector 20 from the main part 62 by pulling the connector 20 while pressing the release button 90.

[0048] 1, the vehicle 14 has a battery (not shown). Examples of the vehicle 14 include various vehicles such as a one-wheeled vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, and a four-wheeled vehicle equipped with a battery and a connector 120. Examples of the vehicle 14 include various vehicles such as an electric vehicle (electric automobile) and a hybrid vehicle equipped with a battery and a connector 120.

[0049] Next, an operation of the power supply device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. In this operation description, the operation of the power supply device 10 when the connector 20 is held by the main part 62 in the unlocked state as described above will be described.

[0050] First, the user rotates the rear cover 26 (see FIG. 1) of the power supply device 10 to expose the cable housing portion 52 and the connector holding portion 54 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) to the outside.

[0051] Next, the user removes the connector 20 from the connector holding portion 54. In this case, the user presses the release button 90 to release the locked state between the engagement claw 104 and the stepped portion 306. The user can remove the connector 20 from the main portion 62 by pulling the connector 20 while pressing the release button 90.

[0052] Next, the user removes the cable 18 from the cable housing portion 52. The user hooks a portion of the removed cable 18 onto the first support portion 56, and then returns the rear cover 26 to its original position. As a result, the portion of the cable 18 is supported by the first support portion 56 and the second support portion 82, and is surrounded by the surrounding portion 86.

[0053] Next, the user inserts the fitting portion 78 of the connector 20 into the mounting recess 122 of the connector 120 of the vehicle 14 (see FIG. 7). At this time, the engagement claw 104 of the latch portion 92 of the connector 20 is pressed by the inner wall of the mounting recess 122 and temporarily retracts into the fitting portion 78. When the fitting portion 78 moves toward the tip end and the engagement claw 104 faces the engagement recess 124, the engagement claw 104 is released from the pressing state by the inner wall of the mounting recess 122 and protrudes radially outward from the fitting portion 78 to engage with the engagement recess 124. As a result, the two connectors 20, 120 are connected.

[0054] Next, when the user presses a power switch (not shown), the power supply device 10 starts up with DC power (low-voltage DC power) supplied from the battery of the vehicle 14.

[0055] Next, when the user presses another switch (not shown), the power supply device 10 switches the release button 90 to the locked state. That is, the lock coil 114 is energized for a certain period of time to generate magnetic flux. The plunger 112 is excited by the magnetic flux from the lock coil 114 and protrudes from the solenoid 110 to the base end side of the connector body 76. This causes the plunger 112 to come into contact with the bottom of the release button 90. As a result, the release button 90 switches to the locked state. In this case, even if the power supply to the lock coil 114 is stopped, the plunger 112 holds the position it held when it was energized by the force of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 118. Therefore, the release button 90 is held in the locked state.

[0056] Thereafter, the power supply device 10 converts the other DC power (high-voltage DC power) supplied from the battery into AC power. The converted AC power is output (supplied) to the outside from an output terminal (not shown).

[0057] Thereafter, when the user operates another switch again, the power supply device 10 stops outputting AC power to the outside.

[0058] Thereafter, the power supply device 10 switches the release button 90 to the unlocked state. That is, a magnetic flux is generated by energizing the unlock coil 116 for a certain period of time. The plunger 112 is excited by the magnetic flux from the unlock coil 116 and retreats into the solenoid 110. This causes the plunger 112 to move away from the release button 90. As a result, the release button 90 switches to the unlocked state. In this case, even if the energization of the unlock coil 116 is stopped, the plunger 112 maintains the position it had when energized by the force of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 118. Therefore, the release button 90 is maintained in the unlocked state.

[0059] Next, when the user operates the power switch, the power supply device 10 stops operating.

[0060] Next, the user presses the release button 90 while holding the grip 74 of the connector 20. This causes the latch portion 92 to rotate, and the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the engagement recess 124 is released. The user removes the connector 20 from the connector 120 of the vehicle 14 by pulling out the connector 20 while pressing the release button 90.

[0061] Then, the user opens the rear cover 26, removes the cable 18 from the first support portion 56, and stores the cable 18 in the cable storage portion 52. The user also inserts the connector 20 into the main portion 62. At this time, the user inserts the fitting portion 78 of the connector 20 into the fitting recess 70 of the main portion 62. The engagement claw 104 of the latch portion 92 of the connector 20 is pressed by the inner wall of the fitting recess 70 and temporarily retracts into the inside of the fitting portion 78. When the fitting portion 78 moves toward the tip end and the engagement claw 104 faces the locking groove 304, the engagement claw 104 is released from the state of being pressed by the inner wall of the fitting recess 70, protrudes radially outward from the fitting portion 78, and locks with the step portion 306. As a result, the connector 20 is held by the main portion 62. The user then returns the rear cover 26 to its original position.

[0062] Next, removal of the connector 20 from the main part 62 when the connector 20 is held in the main part 62 in a locked state will be described.

[0063] 9A and 9B illustrate a case where the connector 20 is accidentally dropped to the ground. When the user accidentally drops the connector 20 to the ground, the plunger 112 is displaced toward the tip side of the connector body 76 due to the impact of the drop. As a result, the tip of the plunger 112 comes into contact with the bottom of the release button 90, and the release button 90 is locked. When the connector 20 in the locked state is held by the main part 62, the user cannot remove the connector 20 from the main part 62. That is, the power supply device 10 is driven (started) by receiving a supply of DC power from another power device such as the vehicle 14 via the connector 20. Therefore, when the connector 20 is held by the main part 62, the power supply device 10 cannot be started. That is, when the connector 20 in the locked state is held by the main part 62, it is not possible to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state by energizing the unlock coil 116. Therefore, even if a user attempts to press the release button 90 of the connector 20 held by the main portion 62, the release button 90 is in a locked state and therefore the user cannot release the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the step portion 306.

[0064] 9A and 9B are merely examples. Connector 20 may suddenly become locked due to the impact of the fall, regardless of the direction of the fall. The locking state may occur not only when the connector 20 falls vertically (up and down), but also when the connector 20 falls so that the side of the connector 20 hits the ground.

[0065] To address such a problem, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the locked connector 20 is removed from the main part 62 by releasing the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the stepped part 306 using a wrench 320 (rod body).

[0066] Wrench 320 is a rod-shaped wrench. Wrench 320 is an L-shaped wrench. Wrench 320 has grip portion 322 and abutment portion 324. Grip portion 322 is a portion that is gripped by a user. Abutment portion 324 bends and extends from the tip of grip portion 322. The length of abutment portion 324 is longer than the length of grip portion 322.

[0067] When removing the locked connector 20 from the main portion 62 , the user opens the rear cover 26 .

[0068] Next, the user grips the gripping portion 322 of the wrench 320 and inserts the abutment portion 324 into the fitting recess 70 through the communication hole 300. A curved portion 326 that protrudes inward is provided on the inner wall of the rear cover 26. When the rear cover 26 is open, the curved portion 326 protrudes so as to face the communication hole 300. The user inserts the abutment portion 324 into the communication hole 300 while aligning the connecting portion between the gripping portion 322 and the abutment portion 324 of the wrench 320 (the bent portion of the wrench 320) with the curved portion 326. That is, the user inserts the abutment portion 324 of the wrench 320 into the communication hole 300 using the curved portion 326, which is a protruding portion, as a guide.

[0069] In the fitting recess 70, a locking groove 304 is formed along the axial direction of the main part 62 from the communication hole 300, and a step portion 306 is provided at the end of the locking groove 304. As shown in FIG. 11, the user inserts the abutment portion 324 into the communication hole 300 and inserts the abutment portion 324 along the locking groove 304 (axial direction of the main part 62). As a result, the tip of the abutment portion 324 reaches the engagement claw 104 that engages with the step portion 306. That is, since the communication hole 300, the locking groove 304, and the step portion 306 are continuously formed in the main part 62 along the axial direction, and the locking groove 304 is formed in a concave shape, the abutment portion 324 of the wrench 320 can be easily reached to the engagement claw 104.

[0070] 12, when the user further inserts the abutment portion 324, the tip of the abutment portion 324 presses the engagement claw 104, causing the engagement claw 104 to retract into the fitting portion 78. This releases the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the step portion 306.

[0071] Next, the user grasps the grip 74 while the tip of the abutment portion 324 is pressing the engagement claw 104, and pulls out the connector 20 from the main portion 62. As a result, the connector 20 is removed from the main portion 62, as shown in FIG.

[0072] The removed connector 20 can be attached to the connector 120. This allows DC power to be supplied from the vehicle 14 to the power supply device 10, so that the connector 20 can be switched to the unlocked state.

[0073] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0074] 5, the connector 20 that is not attached to the connector 120 can be suitably held by the connector holding portion 54. In addition, the outside and inside of the connector holding portion 54 are in communication with each other via the communication hole 300. As a result, when the connector 20 held by the connector holding portion 54 cannot be removed from the connector holding portion 54, the connector 20 can be removed from the connector holding portion 54 by forcibly releasing the state in which the connector 20 is held by the connector holding portion 54 from the outside via the communication hole 300.

[0075] By engaging the engaging claws 104 of the connector 20 with the stepped portions 306 on the inner side of the outer periphery 298, it becomes possible to effectively hold the connector 20 inside the outer periphery 298. In addition, it becomes possible to easily release the held state of the connector 20 via the communication holes 300 formed in the outer periphery 298.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 12, by inserting a wrench 320 inside the outer circumferential portion 298 until it reaches the engaging claws 104, the state in which the connector 20 is held by the stepped portion 306 can be easily released.

[0077] When the user is unable to operate the release button 90 to release the locked state between the engagement claw 104 and the step portion 306 due to the release button 90 being in the locked state, the wrench 320 can be brought into contact with the engagement claw 104 to forcibly release the locked state, thereby making it possible to easily remove the connector 20 from the connector holding portion 54.

[0078] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

[0079] In this embodiment, the case where the power device is the power supply device 10 has been described. In this embodiment, the power device may be any device that can supply power to the outside. Therefore, instead of the power supply device 10, this embodiment can be applied to various power devices such as a portable inverter, a portable power supply, a battery power source, an electric vehicle, and a charger.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the main portion 62 does not have to be formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. That is, the main portion 62 may be formed by the outer circumferential portion 298 alone.

[0081] In this embodiment, the case where the held state of the connector 20 is forcibly released using the wrench 320 has been described. In this embodiment, the held state of the connector 20 may be released using a rod-shaped member that can be inserted through the communication hole 300 instead of the wrench 320. In this case, the rod-shaped member may be a straight member. Alternatively, the rod-shaped member may be a member that is partially bent or partially curved.

[0082] In the present embodiment, the case has been described where the movement of the release button 90 is directly restricted by the plunger 112 coming into contact with the release button 90. In the present embodiment, the movement of the release button 90 may be indirectly restricted by restricting the operation of the connection mechanism 108.

[0083] In the present embodiment, the main portion 62 and the fixing portion 64 are integrally formed. In the present embodiment, the main portion 62 and the fixing portion 64 may be formed separately from each other and connected to each other using a connecting means (not shown).

[0084] In this embodiment, the fixing portion 64 may be fixed to the housing 22 by three or more bolts 68 .

[0085] 2 and 3, the grommet 50 does not overlap with the connector 20 held by the main portion 62. In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that at least a portion (half or more) of the grommet 50 does not overlap with the connector 20 held by the main portion 62.

[0086] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the communication hole 48 and the base end of the cable 18 are covered with the grommet 50. In this embodiment, the communication hole 48 and the base end of the cable 18 may be covered with a cover or a boot to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter such as rainwater.

[0087] In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the cable 18 is extended outside the power supply device 10 and the connector 20 is connected to the tip of the cable 18. In the present embodiment, only the connector 20 may be exposed outside the power supply device 10, and the cable 18 may be connected to the connector 20.

[0088] In this embodiment, the connector holding portion 54 is fixed to the power supply device 10 by a bolt 68. In this embodiment, the connector holding portion 54 may be fixed to the vehicle 14 by the bolt 68. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the connector holding portion 54 may be held by some kind of holding main body by the bolt 68. In this case, the holding main body may be a holding main body provided for fixing the connector holding portion 54. An example of such a holding main body is a support pole erected on the ground or the like. The connector 20 can be suitably held by the connector holding portion 54 fixed to such a holding main body or the like.

[0089] In addition to the above disclosure, the following notes are also disclosed.

[0090] (Appendix 1) A holding structure (10) for holding a power terminal (20) provided at an end of a power line (18) extending from an electric power device (10) and removably provided to another power terminal (120) of another electric power device (14), wherein the power terminal has an engaging portion (104) that engages with an engaged portion (124) of the other power terminal when attached to the other power terminal, and the holding structure includes a holding portion (54) that holds the power terminal when the power terminal is not attached to the other power terminal, and the holding portion has a communication hole (300) that communicates between the outside and the inside of the holding portion.

[0091] According to the present invention, the holding part can suitably hold a power terminal that is not attached to another power terminal. Also, the outside and inside of the holding part are communicated with each other through the communication hole. As a result, when the power terminal held by the holding part cannot be removed from the holding part, the holding state of the power terminal by the holding part can be forcibly released from the outside through the communication hole, thereby making it possible to remove the power terminal from the holding part.

[0092] (Appendix 2) In the holding structure described in Appendix 1, the holding portion may have an annular portion (298) that annularly covers the portion of the power terminal where the engagement portion is located, and the communicating hole may be formed in the annular portion.

[0093] As a result, the engaging portion of the power terminal engages with the annular portion, so that the power terminal can be effectively held inside the annular portion, and the held state of the power terminal can be easily released through the communication hole formed in the annular portion.

[0094] (Appendix 3) In the holding structure described in Appendix 2, the communication hole may be formed in the annular portion such that a rod body (320) inserted from the outside to the inside of the annular portion through the communication hole can reach the engagement portion of the power terminal held in the holding portion.

[0095] With this, by inserting the rod into the inside of the annular portion until it reaches the engagement portion, the state in which the power terminal is held by the annular portion can be easily released.

[0096] (Appendix 4) In the holding structure described in Supplementary Note 3, the power terminal further includes an input portion (90) that receives an operation from a user, and a connection mechanism (108) that mechanically connects the engaging portion and the input portion, the engaging portion is provided to be located at a first position where it engages with the engaged portion, or a second position where it does not engage with the engaged portion, the input portion is provided to be located at a third position or a fourth position, the connection mechanism is provided such that the engaging portion is located at the first position when the input portion is located at the third position, and the engaging portion is located at the second position when the input portion is located at the fourth position, and the power terminal is provided such that the input portion moves from the third position to the fourth position. The power terminal may have a regulating portion (96) provided on the input portion or the connection mechanism so as to regulate the movement of the input portion, the regulating portion having an electric drive unit (110) for switching the regulating portion between a regulating state in which the movement of the input portion is regulated and a non-regulating state in which the movement of the input portion is not regulated, the holding portion may further have a locking portion (306) provided on the inside of the annular portion for locking the engaging portion when the power terminal is held inside the annular portion, and the communicating hole may be formed such that when the power terminal is held inside the annular portion and the engaging portion is locked to the locking portion, the rod body inserted through the communicating hole abuts against the engaging portion and can push the engaging portion in the direction from the first position to the second position.

[0097] As a result, when the input portion is in a restricted state and the user cannot operate the input portion to release the locked state between the engagement portion and the locking portion, the rod body can be abutted against the engagement portion to forcibly release the locked state between the engagement portion and the locking portion, making it possible to easily remove the power terminal from the holding portion.

[0098] (Appendix 5) In the holding structure described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, the holding portion may be configured to be fixed to a holding body, which is either the power device, the other power device, or the holding body, by a fixing device (68).

[0099] This allows the power terminal to be suitably held by the holding portion fixed to the main holding body or the like.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10...Power supply device (power device, holding structure) 14...Vehicles (other power devices) 18...Cable (power line) 20...Connector (power terminal) 54...Connector holding portion (holding portion) 104...Engagement claw (engagement portion) 120...Connector (other power terminal) 124...Engagement recess (engaged portion) 300…Communication hole

Claims

1. A holding structure for holding a power terminal provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device and detachably provided to another power terminal of another power device, the power terminal has an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of the other power terminal in a state where the power terminal is attached to the other power terminal, the holding structure includes a holding portion that holds the power terminal when the power terminal is not attached to the other power terminal, A holding structure, wherein the holding portion has a communication hole that connects the outside and the inside of the holding portion.

2. The holding structure according to claim 1, the holding portion has an annular portion that annularly covers a portion of the power terminal where the engaging portion is disposed, The communication hole is formed in the annular portion.

3. The holding structure according to claim 2, A holding structure, wherein the communication hole is formed in the annular portion so that a rod body inserted through the communication hole from the outside to the inside of the annular portion can reach the engagement portion of the power terminal held in the holding portion.

4. In the holding structure according to claim 3, the power terminal further includes an input portion that receives an operation from a user, and a connection mechanism that mechanically connects the engagement portion and the input portion, the engaging portion is provided so as to be located at a first position where it engages with the engaged portion or at a second position where it does not engage with the engaged portion, The input unit is provided to be located at a third position or a fourth position, the connection mechanism is provided such that, when the input portion is located at the third position, the engagement portion is located at the first position, and, when the input portion is located at the fourth position, the engagement portion is located at the second position; the power terminal has a restricting portion provided on the input portion or the connection mechanism to restrict the input portion from moving from the third position to the fourth position, the restricting portion has an electric drive portion that switches the restricting portion between a restricting state in which the movement of the input portion is restricted and a non-restricting state in which the movement of the input portion is not restricted, the holding portion further includes a locking portion provided inside the annular portion and configured to lock the engaging portion when the power terminal is held inside the annular portion, A holding structure, wherein the communication hole is formed so that when the power terminal is held inside the annular portion and the engagement portion is engaged with the locking portion, the rod body inserted through the communication hole abuts against the engagement portion and can push the engagement portion from the first position toward the second position.

5. In the holding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A holding structure in which the holding portion is provided so as to be fixed to a holding body, which is either the power device, the other power device, or a holding body, by a fastener.

Images