Connector lock mechanism

Abstract

To provide a connector lock mechanism which can determine whether a connector has been actually locked.SOLUTION: A power supply connector 100 is equipped with a solenoid 130 for lock and a proximity sensor 250 is equipped to a housing 201 of a power reception connector 200. A proximity sensor 250 directly determines whether the tip end of a movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 is engaged with an engagement target part 230 provided in the housing 201 of the light reception connector 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector locking mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the spread of electric vehicles requires automobile charging equipment that can rapidly charge the batteries installed in the vehicles in a short time. At power supply stations where such charging equipment is installed, users connect the power supply connector (also called "charging connector") of the charging equipment to a power receiving connector (also called "inlet") installed on the vehicle body to charge the vehicle's battery. The same applies when charging the battery using a household power source.

[0003] When connecting a power supply connector to a power receiving connector, it is necessary to lock the connected power supply connector so that it does not come loose from the power receiving connector. For this purpose, a solenoid is often used as an electric actuator for the connector lock mechanism.

[0004] 21 and 22 show the configuration of an electric mobile charging device described in Patent Document 1 as a conventional example. As shown in Fig. 21, this vehicle charging device 500 includes a charger 2, a power supply cable 530 connected to the charger 2, and a power supply connector 520 connected to the tip of the power supply cable 530. Meanwhile, a battery 501 is mounted on a vehicle body 1 of the electric vehicle, and a power receiving connector 510 connected to the battery 501 is provided. During charging, a charging current is supplied from the charger 2 to the battery 501 by connecting the power receiving connector 510 on the vehicle body 1 side to the power supply connector 520 on the charger 2 side, thereby charging the battery 501.

[0005] FIG. 22 shows a state in which the power supply connector 520 is fitted and connected to the power receiving connector 510. As shown in FIG. 22, when the power supply connector 520 is connected to the power receiving connector 510, a terminal 518 on the power receiving connector 510 side and a terminal 528 on the power supply connector 520 side are electrically connected, and charging is enabled.

[0006] Power supply connector 520 includes solenoid 521 as an electric actuator constituting connector lock mechanism 550 inside connector housing 520A. Solenoid 521 protrudes movable core 522 when a drive current is supplied to coil 524, and returns movable core 522 to its original position by the force of a spring (not shown) when the supply of drive current to coil 524 is stopped.

[0007] With the power receiving connector 510 and the power supply connector 520 properly fitted and connected, the movable core 522 protrudes when a drive current is applied to the coil 524 of the solenoid 521. Then, the tip of the movable core 522 fits into a fitting hole 512 provided in the connector housing 510A of the power receiving connector 510. As a result, the power supply connector 520 is locked to the power receiving connector 510.

[0008] Furthermore, when the supply of drive current to the coil 524 of the solenoid 521 is stopped, the movable core 522 returns to its original position (retracted position) by the force of a spring (not shown), and the movable core 522 comes out of the fitting hole 512 of the power receiving connector 510. This releases the lock between the power supply connector 520 and the power receiving connector 510. Therefore, in this state, the power supply connector 520 can be detached from the power receiving connector 510. In this way, the solenoid 521 serves to switch the connectors (the power supply connector 520 and the power receiving connector 510) between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0009] Furthermore, connector housing 520A of power supply connector 520 is equipped with switch 525 for detecting the locked state, which is turned ON / OFF according to the movement of movable core 522. This switch 525 is turned ON (closed) when movable core 522 protrudes to a position where it fits into fitting hole 512, and is turned OFF (open) when it does not protrude. Resistor 534 is connected in series to switch 525, and series circuit 533 of switch 525 and resistor 534 is connected in parallel to drive circuit 532 of coil 524 of solenoid 521.

[0010] Therefore, when switch 525 is ON, current flows through the parallel circuit of resistor 534 and coil 524, and when switch 525 is OFF, current flows through a circuit consisting only of coil 524. In this way, the circuit configuration through which current flows is switched by turning switch 525 ON / OFF. In other words, when switch 525 is ON, current flows through resistor 534 and coil 524, so that a large current value is detected by current sensor 540 provided in charger 2. On the other hand, when switch 525 is OFF, current flows only through coil 524, so that a small current value is detected by current sensor 540.

[0011] Depending on the magnitude of the current detection value of current sensor 540, connector lock determination unit 560 determines whether or not movable core 522 is engaged with fitting hole 512. In other words, if engaged, it is determined that power supply connector 520 is locked to power receiving connector 510, and if not engaged, it is determined that power supply connector 520 is not locked to power receiving connector 510. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-130127 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] 22, whether or not the movable core 522 protrudes is detected by using a switch 525 provided on the power supply connector 520 side. That is, the lock detection mechanism of the conventional example is merely for detecting whether or not the movable core 522 protrudes, and is not for detecting when the movable core 522 is actually locked in the fitting hole 512. For example, it is possible that the movable core 522 may protrude without being fitted into the fitting hole 512.

[0014] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector lock mechanism that can detect whether or not the connector is actually locked. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector lock mechanism according to the present invention has the following features. A first connector; a second connector that moves along a first direction relative to the first connector to engage with and disengage from the first connector and that establishes an electrical connection with the first connector when properly engaged; an actuator that is provided in the housing of the second connector and is capable of driving a movable pin to advance and retreat in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and that holds the movable pin at a retracted position within the housing of the second connector before the first connector and the second connector are mated, and that protrudes a tip of the movable pin to an advanced position outside the housing of the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are in a mated state, thereby engaging with a locked portion provided in the housing of the first connector; a sensor provided in a housing of the first connector for detecting when a tip of the movable pin projects to an advanced position outside the housing of the second connector and engages with a latched portion provided in the housing of the first connector; Equipped with Connector locking mechanism. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether or not the connector is actually locked.

[0017] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a power receiving connector and a power supply connector in an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the power supply connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the power supply connector in an exploded state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the power receiving connector from the front so that a locked portion provided on the inner surface of the front upper wall of the power receiving connector can be seen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sensor attachment portion of the power receiving connector as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor attachment portion of the power receiving connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the relationship between the sensor and the movable pin of the solenoid when the power receiving connector and the power supply connector are mated and connected. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the power receiving connector and the power supply connector when they are mated and connected, and an enlarged plan view and an enlarged sectional view showing the engagement state of the movable pin of the solenoid and the locked portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the movable pin and the locked portion are properly engaged with each other. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operating process when an emergency removal force is applied, and is a plan view showing the initial stage where the housing has begun to be forcibly removed by applying an emergency removal force to the housing of the power supply connector from a state in which the movable pin and the engaged portion are properly engaged. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the next stage of FIG. 10, and is a plan view showing a state in which the movable pin of the solenoid has escaped in the lateral direction (left-right direction), which is the third direction, and has been released from the locked wall of the power receiving connector. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a diagram showing the next stage after Figure 11, and is a plan view showing the state in which the power supply connector including the solenoid has moved in the removal direction as a result of the movable pin of the solenoid being removed from the engaged portion of the power receiving connector and the lock being released. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for the embodiment, and is a plan view showing a case where the guide groove of the movable pin of the solenoid is assumed to be linear. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example to the embodiment, and is a plan view showing a case where the locked portion on the power receiving connector side is formed in a frame shape and the tip of the movable pin of the solenoid is inserted and engaged into a recess (hole, etc.) on the inner side of the frame-shaped locked portion. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for the embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the movable pin of the solenoid does not come off from the locked portion even though an emergency release force is applied. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example of the embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the movable pin of the solenoid does not come off from the locked portion of the power receiving connector even though an emergency removal force is applied. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the proximity sensor and the movable pin of the solenoid when the power supply connector and the power receiving connector are mated and connected in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the detection area of ​​the sensor (including the case where it is shifted backward) and the tip of the movable pin of the solenoid in the configuration of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for the embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for the embodiment, and is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional mobile electric charging device. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of a conventional mobile electric charging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, an example will be described in which a connector locking mechanism is provided in a charging device for electric vehicles such as electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. However, the present invention can also be applied to charging devices for electric vehicles such as ships driven by an electric drive source, or other connectors.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a power receiving connector and a power supply connector in an electric vehicle charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, an electric vehicle charging device M of the embodiment includes a charger and a power supply cable (see Fig. 21) connected to the charger, neither of which are shown, a power supply connector 100 connected to the end of the power supply cable, and a vehicle-side power receiving connector 200. The power receiving connector 200 is an example of a first connector, and the power supply connector 100 is an example of a second connector. This electric vehicle charging device M supplies a charging current from the charger to the battery to charge the battery by fitting and connecting the power supply connector 100 to the power receiving connector 200 provided on the body of a vehicle equipped with a battery.

[0021] The power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 are provided with positive and negative connection terminals 111, 112, 211, and 212 that are electrically connected to charging conductors 121, 122, 221, and 222. When the power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 are properly mated, these connection terminals 111, 112, 211, and 212 are electrically connected to each other, enabling charging.

[0022] In the following description, the up, down, left and right directions correspond to the up, down, left and right directions in Fig. 1. Regarding the front and rear directions, the side that faces the power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 when they are mated is the front side, and the opposite side is the rear side. Although the distinction between left and right is not particularly important here, the left and right directions are taken as viewed from the front (front face) of each connector 100, 200.

[0023] The power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 are configured such that the front half of the power supply connector 100 is a male connector (plug connector) and the power receiving connector 200 is a female connector (socket connector) that fit together.

[0024] The direction in which the power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 are mated and disengaged is the front-rear direction, which corresponds to the first direction X1. When mating and disengaging the power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200, the connector that moves is the power supply connector 100, and the mating direction of the power supply connector 100 relative to the power receiving connector 200 is the direction in which the power supply connector 100 moves forward. Moreover, the mating and disengaging direction of the power supply connector 100 relative to the power receiving connector 200 is the direction in which the power supply connector 100 moves backward.

[0025] The up-down direction corresponds to a second direction X2 that intersects with the first direction X1, which is the front-rear direction. The left-right direction corresponds to a third direction X3 that intersects with both the first direction X1, which is the front-rear direction, and the second direction, which is the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the first direction X1, the second direction X2, and the third direction X3 are perpendicular to each other.

[0026] <Configuration of power supply connector 100> As shown in Fig. 1, the power supply connector 100 on the left side in Fig. 1 has a housing 101 that is horizontally long and roughly oval when viewed from the front, and is provided with charging connection terminals 111, 112 at both left and right ends inside the housing 101. The housing 101 of this power supply connector 100 has an upper wall 101a and a lower wall 101b that face each other vertically, and the main structural components of the connector are built into the space between the upper wall 101a and the lower wall 101b.

[0027] <Configuration of power receiving connector 200> 1 also has a housing 201 that is horizontally long and approximately oval when viewed from the front, and is provided with charging connection terminals 211, 212 at both left and right ends inside the housing 201. The housing 201 of the power receiving connector 200 also has an upper wall 201a and a lower wall 201b that face each other vertically, and the void in the front half between the upper wall 201a and the lower wall 201b is configured as a mating connector fitting hole 202 that receives the power supply connector 100. The mating connector fitting hole 202 of the housing 201 of this socket-type power receiving connector 200 has an open front surface so that the power supply connector 100 can be received. By inserting the front half of the power supply connector 100 into the mating connector fitting hole 202 from the front, the power receiving connector 200 and the power supply connector 100 are fitted together, and the corresponding connection terminals 111, 112, 211, 212 are electrically connected to each other.

[0028] 2 is a plan view of the power supply connector 100 seen from above, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the power supply connector 100, and FIG. 4 is an oblique view of the power receiving connector 200 seen from the front so that the engaging portion 230 provided on the inner surface of the front upper wall of the power receiving connector 200 can be seen.

[0029] <Solenoid 130> 3, a solenoid 130, which is the main element of the connector lock mechanism, is provided at the front end of the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100. The solenoid 130 is provided as an electric actuator that is the drive source of the connector lock mechanism, and is accommodated in a solenoid accommodating portion 104 that is recessed in the center of the front end of the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100.

[0030] Solenoid 130 has a cylindrical solenoid body 130A containing a coil (not shown), and its rear surface is supported by a semi-cylindrical rear wall of solenoid accommodating portion 104 of housing 101, thereby restricting rearward movement. Furthermore, upper and lower end surfaces of solenoid body 130A are supported by upper wall 101a and lower wall 101b of housing 101 of power supply connector 100, thereby restricting up-down movement of solenoid 130.

[0031] <Solenoid cover 140> Further, the front end opening surface of the solenoid accommodating portion 104 is covered by a solenoid cover 140 with the solenoid 130 accommodated in the solenoid accommodating portion 104. The solenoid cover 140 is a substantially rectangular flat plate, and includes locking claws 141 for engaging the solenoid cover body with the engaging holes 106 of the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 with a predetermined engaging force. The four locking claws 141 on the top, bottom, left and right are engaged with the four engaging holes 106 in the top and bottom walls 101a, 101b of the housing 101, respectively. In this manner, the solenoid cover 140 prevents the solenoid 130 accommodated in the solenoid accommodating portion 104 from falling forward from the front end opening surface.

[0032] The solenoid cover 140 holds the solenoid 130 in place via the cushioning material 146 provided on its inner surface. Thus, under normal circumstances, the solenoid 130 is held in a predetermined fixed position by the solenoid cover 140 while being housed in the solenoid housing portion 104. Therefore, the solenoid cover 140 is an example of a holding member that holds the solenoid 130 in a fixed position in the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100.

[0033] The locking claw 141 of the solenoid cover 140 and the locking hole 106 of the housing 101 are engaged in a manner that will not come loose when an external force is applied during normal use, but has a strength that allows them to come loose without breaking when an emergency removal force that exceeds the normal mating and removal force is applied to the power supply connector 100. When the solenoid cover 140 is removed, the restriction on the holding of the solenoid 130 is released, allowing the solenoid 130 to move from its fixed position. The locking claw 141 that engages with the locking hole 106 is an example of a retaining member locking means that exerts a predetermined locking force under normal conditions, but comes loose when an emergency removal force that exceeds the normal removal force is applied.

[0034] <Movable pin 131 of solenoid 130> Solenoid 130 slides movable pin 131, which is made of a movable core, back and forth in the vertical direction (second direction) by turning on / off the power supply to a built-in coil, and a lead wire 132 connected to the coil extends rearward from solenoid 130. Solenoid 130 is disposed with its axis facing the vertical direction (second direction X2), and movable pin 131 slides in the vertical direction (second direction X2).

[0035] When the solenoid 130 is turned on and a drive current is supplied to the coil, the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 slides upward and its tip protrudes a predetermined distance from the upper end surface of the solenoid body 130A. When the solenoid 130 is turned off and the supply of drive current to the coil is stopped, the movable pin 131 slides downward and returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the built-in spring. Thus, when the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 is in the lower retracted position, its tip retracts inward from the upper wall 101a of the housing 101, and when it is in the upper advanced position, its tip protrudes upward from the upper wall 101a of the housing 101.

[0036] <Configuration of Guide Groove 102> A guide groove 102 through which the upper end of the movable pin 131 that slides upward passes is provided on the upper wall 101a of the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 so that when the tip of the movable pin 131 protrudes upward, it can engage with a locked portion 230 (described later) on the power receiving connector 200. This guide groove (induction groove) 102 that passes through in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the upper wall 101a of the housing 101 in the horizontal direction.

[0037] 2, this guide groove 102 serves to guide the solenoid 130 when an emergency removal force is applied to remove the solenoid cover 140 and then the solenoid 130 moves relatively in the anti-removal direction. Specifically, the guide groove 102 moves the solenoid 130 in the left-right direction (third direction X3) in accordance with the relative movement of the housing 101 in the removal direction (rearward). The anti-removal direction is forward with respect to the housing 101. The left-right direction (third direction X3) is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (first direction X1) and the up-down direction (second direction X2).

[0038] That is, the guide groove 102 is provided with a straight groove portion 102a along the first direction X1 (front-rear direction) which serves as a guide for moving the movable pin 131 in the first direction X1 (front-rear direction) as the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 moves in the removal direction. The guide groove 102 is also provided with an oblique groove portion 102b which is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 (front-rear direction) and serves as a guide for moving the movable pin 131 in the third direction X3 (left-right direction). That is, the guide groove 102 is formed as a groove which is bent into a continuous L-shape as a whole. As shown in FIG. 2, the bending angle θ of the reference line Nb of the oblique groove portion 102b with respect to the reference line Na of the straight groove portion 102a is set to, for example, in the range of about 30° to 60°. The end of the oblique groove portion 102b of the guide groove 102 is closed before the front edge of the housing 101 and is not open to the front of the housing 101. Therefore, the movable pin 131 moves relatively along the guide groove 102 but does not come out of the guide groove 102 .

[0039] <Configuration of the locked portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200> Next, the configuration of the power receiving connector 200 will be described. 4, a locked portion 230 is provided on the inner surface of the upper wall 201a of the mating connector fitting hole 202 of the housing 201 of the power receiving connector 200. The locked portion 230 locks the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 of the power supply connector 100 to prevent the power supply connector 100 from being removed from the power receiving connector 200.

[0040] FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the power receiving connector 200 and the power supply connector 100 when they are mated and connected, and an enlarged plan view and an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the engaged state of the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 and the locked portion 230.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, the locked portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200 is formed as a C-shaped frame into which the tip of the movable pin 131 can be inserted. The locked portion 230 is provided with a locking wall 231 that engages with the protruding movable pin 131 to prevent the movable pin 131 and the solenoid 130 from moving in the removal direction (movement in the direction of the arrow F in Fig. 8). The tip side surface of the movable pin 131 engages with the locking wall 231 to prevent the power supply connector 100 from moving in the removal direction (movement in the direction of the arrow F in Fig. 8), thereby locking the fitted state of the power supply connector 100 to the power receiving connector 200. The locked portion 230 is also provided with a notch 238 that allows the movable pin 131 to be removed in the third direction X3 (left-right direction) from a state in which the tip side surface of the movable pin 131 is engaged with the locking wall 231.

[0042] <Sensor 250 for detecting the locked state> 1, a sensor 250 for detecting a connector lock state is provided in the left-right center of the upper wall 201a of the housing 201 of the power receiving connector 200. The sensor 250 is a proximity sensor that detects the proximity of a detection object (metallic member) in a non-contact manner, and has a rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The sensor 250 detects that the tip of the movable pin 131, which is the detection object, protrudes to an advanced position outside the housing 101 of the power feeding connector 100 and engages with a locked portion 230 provided on the housing 201 of the power receiving connector 200.

[0043] Figure 5 is an oblique view of the sensor mounting portion of the power receiving connector 200 seen from above, Figure 6 is an exploded oblique view of the sensor mounting portion of the power receiving connector 200, and Figure 7 is a side view showing the relationship between the sensor 250 and the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 when the power receiving connector 200 and the power supply connector 100 are mated and connected.

[0044] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, a sensor housing 205 is provided on the upper surface of the upper wall 201a of the housing 201 of the power receiving connector 200, and the sensor 250 is housed in the sensor housing 205 from above. As shown in Fig. 6, the sensor 250 is placed on the inclined inner bottom surface 205a of the sensor housing 205 with the detection surface 251 facing downward. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, the sensor 250 is held down and fixed in a fixed position by the fixing clip 260 by engaging the locking portion 261 of the fixing clip 260 with the locking claw 206 of the housing 201 from above via the sponge spacer 262. Therefore, the sensor 250 is held in a fixed position in a fixed attitude so as not to cause unnecessary rattling.

[0045] A window 205b is provided at the front end of the inclined inner bottom surface 205a of the sensor accommodating portion 205, which communicates with the locked portion 230 on the inner surface of the upper wall 201a of the housing 201. A front wall 205c of the sensor accommodating portion 205 is connected to the locking wall 231 of the locked portion 230 on the inner surface side via this window 205b.

[0046] In relation to the locking wall 231 of the locked portion 230, the sensor 250 is disposed such that the position where its front end abuts against the front wall 205c of the sensor accommodating portion 205 is the front limit Q (see FIG. 17), and the sensor 250 cannot be disposed forward H of the position of the front limit Q in terms of design. In that case, since there is a possibility that the overlap between the detection area of ​​the sensor 250 and the tip of the protruding movable pin 131 will be insufficient, the sensor 250 is disposed in an oblique position in which the detection surface 251 is slightly inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the protruding direction (upward) of the movable pin 131. The arrangement of the sensor 250 in this oblique position is automatically established by accommodating the sensor 250 in close contact with the inclined inner bottom surface 205a of the sensor accommodating portion 205.

[0047] 7, sensor 250 is disposed with detection surface 251 facing closely to the protruding position of the tip of movable pin 131 of solenoid 130. Sensor 250 is disposed in sensor accommodating portion 205 provided in housing 201 with detection area 250K (see FIG. 18) extending forward of detection surface 251 facing the space from which the tip of movable pin 131 protrudes to engage with locked portion 230. The space is the space in which the tip of movable pin 131 exists in FIG. 18.

[0048] In this case, as described above, the detection surface 251 is disposed at an angle to the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the movable pin 131 so that the overlap between the tip of the protruding movable pin 131 and the detection area 250K becomes large. In this way, when the overlap between the tip of the movable pin 131 and the detection area 250K is set to be large, the tip of the movable pin 131 is easily detected even if the installation position of the sensor 250 varies slightly forward and backward. In other words, even if the detection area 250K changes from the position indicated by 250K1 to the position indicated by 250K2, the tip of the movable pin 131 is within the detection area 250K2 of the sensor 250, so that the instability of detection can be mitigated. Therefore, the detection accuracy can be improved by enabling stable detection.

[0049] <Action of this embodiment> Next, the operation will be described. Before the power supply connector 100 is mated with the power receiving connector 200, the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 is always held in a downward retracted position by the force of a spring. Therefore, the tip of the movable pin 131 is hidden inside the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 and does not protrude outside the housing 101, so that the power supply connector 100 can be smoothly inserted and mated into the power receiving connector 200 without being hindered by the movable pin 131. When the power supply connector 100 is pushed all the way into the power receiving connector 200, the connection terminals 111, 112, 211, 212 of the power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 are interconnected, thereby electrically connecting the power supply side and the power receiving side.

[0050] <Normal lock> When the proper mating is completed, the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 is disposed at a proper position relative to the locked portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200. When the solenoid 130 is driven by a drive signal in this state, the movable pin 131 moves to an upward advanced position against the biasing force of the spring, and the tip of the movable pin 131 protrudes above the upper wall 101a of the housing 101. Then, the protruding tip of the movable pin 131 engages with the locked portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200 (see FIGS. 17 and 18). As a result, both connectors 100, 200 are locked in the mated state and are prevented from being separated. Under normal circumstances, the locked state is maintained as described above, ensuring safe charging.

[0051] <Emergency Actions> Next, the operation at the time of forced withdrawal will be described. For example, in an emergency, a malfunction of the solenoid 130 may prevent the movable pin 131 from retracting to the retracted position, making it impossible to separate the mated connectors 100, 200. In such a case, the power supply connector 100 must be forcibly pulled out from the power receiving connector 200. Attempting to forcibly separate the power supply connector 100, 200 at this time may result in excessive load being applied not only to the engaged portion 230 and the movable pin 131, but also to the solenoid 130 and the housings 101, 201 of the connectors 100, 200, which may cause fatal damage to the connectors 100, 200.

[0052] In this regard, the connector lock mechanism of this embodiment is designed to allow manual unlocking even in an emergency when the solenoid 130 malfunctions (the movable pin 131 does not return to the retracted position). In other words, even if the movable pin 131 remains in a protruding state, the connector lock can be released and the power supply connector 100 can be detached from the power receiving connector 200.

[0053] In that case, first, if an attempt is made to forcibly remove the power supply connector 100, an emergency removal force exceeding the normal removal force is applied to the power supply connector 100, causing a removal reaction force to be transmitted from the movable pin 131 engaged in the locked position to the solenoid body 130A. As a result, the movable pin 131 and the solenoid body 130A are held in the locked position (current position), while a removal force is applied to the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100, causing the solenoid cover 140, which is pressing down the solenoid 130, to come off from the housing 101. Then, the solenoid cover 140 comes off, and the housing 101 starts to move in the removal direction while leaving the solenoid 130 in the locked position.

[0054] <Guiding Action of Guide Groove 102> So, I will explain the next steps in detail. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the power receiving connector 200 and the power supply connector 100 when they are mated and connected, and an enlarged plan view and an enlarged side view showing the engagement state of the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 and the locked portion 230. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the movable pin 131 and the locked portion 230 are properly engaged. FIG. 10 is a view showing an operation process when an emergency removal force is applied. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an initial stage in which the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 starts to be forcibly removed by applying an emergency removal force (arrow F in FIG. 10) to the housing 101 from a state in which the movable pin 131 and the locked portion 230 are properly engaged. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the next stage of FIG. 10, in which the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 escapes in the lateral direction (left-right direction) which is the third direction X3, and is removed from the locked portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the next stage of Figure 11, and is a plan view showing the state in which the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 has disengaged from the engaged portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200, thereby releasing the lock, and the power supply connector 100, including the solenoid 130, has moved in the disengaging direction.

[0055] <Normal lock> First, in the initial locked state, the relationship between the movable pin 131 and the locked portion 230 is as shown in Figures 8 and 9. That is, the tip of the movable pin 131 protruding upward is engaged with the locked portion 230 of the power receiving connector 200, and the side surface of the tip of the movable pin 131 is received by the locking wall 231. This is the connector locked state. In this state, the locked state is maintained as long as a normal external force is applied.

[0056] <Emergency Actions> Next, in an emergency, when the solenoid 130 malfunctions with the movable pin 131 still protruding, and an emergency removal force (arrow F) is applied to the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 as shown in Fig. 10, the solenoid cover 140 comes off. Then, the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 starts to move in the removal direction (direction of arrow F) while the solenoid 130 including the movable pin 131 remains in the locked position.

[0057] When the housing 101 starts to move, in the initial stage, the movable pin 131 moves relatively in the anti-removal direction along the straight groove portion 102a of the guide groove 102. Then, as the solenoid 130 moves relatively in the anti-removal direction with respect to the housing 101, the movable pin 131 that has come into contact with the diagonal groove portion 102b of the guide groove 102 gradually moves in the left-right direction (third direction X3) due to the induction (guiding) action of the diagonal groove portion 102b. The movable pin 131 moving in the left-right direction (third direction X3) eventually comes out of the locked portion 230 from the notch portion 238 as shown by the arrow P in FIG. 11. That is, the movable pin 131 comes out of the locking wall 231, the lock is released, and the connector lock state is released. The arrow P indicates the trajectory of the housing 101 with respect to the guide groove 102.

[0058] When the movable pin 131 moves relatively along the guide groove 102 in this way, the presence of the linear groove portion 102a at first causes the solenoid 130 to move linearly in the front-to-rear direction (first direction X1) relative to the housing 101 in the initial stage. This allows the solenoid 130 to move smoothly out of the solenoid accommodating portion 104 of the housing 101, and makes it possible to smoothly switch to the next movement in the left-right direction.

[0059] As a result, emergency unlocking is achieved automatically (without manually moving the solenoid 130), and the power supply connector 100 can be detached from the power receiving connector 200 without mechanical damage, as shown in Fig. 12. At this time, the protruding movable pin 131 is restrained by the guide groove 102 all the way to the end, so the solenoid 130 is pulled out in the detaching direction together with the housing 101. Therefore, the amount of movement of the solenoid 130 relative to the housing 101 is small, and the lead wire 132 of the solenoid 130 does not need to be particularly long.

[0060] Thus, according to this embodiment, even in an emergency where the solenoid 130 malfunctions, the connector lock by the solenoid 130 can be released by applying an emergency removal force to the power supply connector 100. Therefore, the power supply connector 100 can be manually removed from the power receiving connector 200 without damaging the device including the solenoid 130.

[0061] <Presentation of Comparative Example> Next, the above-mentioned functions and effects will be explained in comparison with a comparative example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example for the embodiment, and is a plan view showing a case where the guide groove 402 (corresponding to the guide groove 102 in the embodiment) of the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 is linear. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a case where the locked portion 430 (corresponding to the locked portion 230 in the embodiment) on the power receiving connector 200 side is formed in a surrounding frame shape, and the tip of the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 is inserted and engaged in a recess (hole, etc.) on the inside of the surrounding frame-shaped locked portion 430. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 does not come off the locked portion 430 even though an emergency release force is applied. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 does not come off the locked portion 430 of the power receiving connector 200 even though an emergency release force is applied. FIG. 16 shows that excessive force may be applied to the movable pin 131, the solenoid 130, etc., resulting in fatal damage.

[0062] In this comparative example, as shown in Fig. 13, a guide groove 402 penetrating the tip of the protruding movable pin 131 is linear along the fitting / removal direction (arrow F direction), and an end 402a of the guide groove 402 is open and not closed at the front edge of the housing 101. Also, as shown in Fig. 14, a locked portion 430 on the power receiving connector 200 side is formed in a rectangular frame shape (enclosure frame shape). Then, the tip of the protruding movable pin 131 fits into a fitting hole 432 of the rectangular frame-shaped locked portion 430, and the tip side surface of the movable pin 131 is received by the locking wall 431.

[0063] In this comparative example, when an emergency removal force (arrow F) is applied to the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100, the solenoid cover 140 comes off first, as shown in Fig. 15. Next, as the housing 101 moves initially in the removal direction, the solenoid 130 moves forward relative to the housing 101. At this time, the movable pin 131 is guided along the linear guide groove 402, and eventually comes out of the guide groove 402 (it comes out because the end of the guide groove 402 is open), so that the solenoid 130 comes out of the housing 101 and remains in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 16.

[0064] At this stage, the tip of the movable pin 131 remains engaged with the rectangular frame-shaped locked portion 430, so the solenoid 130 remains in the power receiving connector 200. In other words, the power supply connector 100 will be detached from the power receiving connector 200, leaving the solenoid cover 140 and the solenoid 130 inside the power receiving connector 200. In anticipation of such detachment, an excess length is secured in the lead wire 132, and this excess length is extended in response to the detachment of the power supply connector 100. This allows the main part of the power supply connector 100 to be detached from the power receiving connector 200. However, the solenoid 130, which is the main element of the locking mechanism, will remain in the power receiving connector 200.

[0065] When the solenoid 130 is detached from the housing 101 of the power supply connector 100 moving in the detachment direction, a space is created around the solenoid 130 that remains in the power receiving connector 200. Therefore, by using that space, it may be possible to remove the malfunctioning solenoid 130 with the movable pin 131 still protruding from the power receiving connector 200. However, due to space issues, it may not be possible to remove the remaining solenoid 130 from the power receiving connector 200. If the solenoid 130 cannot be removed, as shown in FIG. 16, there is a possibility that the solenoid 130 and other components may be damaged by trying to remove it forcibly.

[0066] <Effects of the present embodiment compared to the comparative example> In this regard, in the connector lock mechanism of the charging device of this embodiment, as described above, in the event of an emergency, the connector lock is released by moving the protruding movable pin 131 sideways (in the left-right direction). This allows the power supply connector 100 to be smoothly detached from the power receiving connector 200 without damaging the solenoid 130 or other components. In this case, since the solenoid 130 can be moved together with the detached power supply connector 100, there is no need to provide an excess length for the lead wire 132, and subsequent handling is also easy.

[0067] <Detection of lock state by sensor> Next, the operation of detecting the connector lock state will be described. When the power supply connector 100 is fitted into the power receiving connector 200 for charging, it is necessary to detect whether the power supply connector 100, 200 are properly fitted and connected and locked. For this purpose, in this embodiment, the power receiving connector 200 is equipped with a sensor (proximity sensor) 250.

[0068] First, a brief description of the prior art will be given. 22, whether or not movable core 522 (corresponding to a movable pin) protrudes is detected using switch 525 provided on the power supply connector 520 side. However, in the conventional example, it is determined whether or not movable core 522 protrudes toward fitting hole 512 (corresponding to a locked portion) on the power receiving connector 510 side, and it is not detected when movable core 522 is actually locked in fitting hole 512. Therefore, it cannot be denied that there are some problems with the accuracy of detection.

[0069] <Detection Method of This Embodiment> In contrast, in this embodiment, a sensor 250 provided on the power receiving connector 200 directly detects whether or not the tip of the movable pin 131 is actually properly engaged with the locked portion 230 .

[0070] When the power supply connector 100 is properly fitted to the power receiving connector 200, the positions of the locked portion 230 and the movable pin 131 are aligned. In this state, the movable pin 131 protrudes, and in this embodiment, whether or not its tip engages with the locked portion 230 is directly detected by a proximity sensor 250 provided directly above the locked portion 230. This makes it possible to expect more accurate detection than conventional products.

[0071] Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the sensor 250 and the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 when the power supply connector 100 and the power receiving connector 200 are mated and connected in this embodiment. Fig. 7 shows the relationship between the main elements in this figure. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the detection area 250K of the sensor 250 (including the case where it is shifted backward) and the tip of the movable pin 131 of the solenoid 130 in the configuration of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example to this embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 17, and Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 18.

[0072] <Comparative Example> In the comparative examples of Figs. 19 and 20, the sensor 250 is disposed in such a position that the detection surface 251 is perpendicular to the protruding direction (vertical direction) of the movable pin 131. In this case, the overlapping portion 250KP between the detection area 250K deployed in front of the detection surface 251 and the tip of the protruding movable pin 131 tends to be small. For example, if the position of the sensor 250 is shifted backward, the position of the detection area 250K moves from 250K1 to 250K2, and the overlapping portion 250KP with the tip of the protruding movable pin 131 becomes small, which is likely to affect the detection performance. In some cases, it may not be possible to detect the protrusion of the movable pin 131.

[0073] <Detection Action of This Embodiment> In this embodiment, such variations in detection performance can be eliminated. That is, in this embodiment, as described above, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the sensor 250 is arranged diagonally toward the upper end of the movable pin 131 while effectively utilizing the limited mounting space. By arranging it in this manner, it is possible to increase the overlapping portion 250KP between the detection area 250K of the sensor 250 and the tip of the protruding movable pin 131. Therefore, even if there is some variation in the position or performance of the sensor 250 and the position of the detection area 250K moves from 250K1 to 250K2, it is possible to stabilize the detection and eliminate cases in which detection is difficult. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to improving the reliability of detection of the locked state.

[0074] <Supplementary explanation> The solenoid 130 may be used in a solenoid locking manner, i.e., in a manner in which the solenoid is locked by energizing a coil and the lock is released by the force of a spring, as in the above embodiment, or in a mechanical locking manner. The mechanical locking manner is a manner in which the solenoid is locked by the force of a spring and the solenoid is unlocked by energizing a coil. In other words, the solenoid may be used in a manner in which "lock is established when energization is ON / unlock is established when energization is OFF" or in a manner in which "lock is established when energization is OFF / unlock is established when energization is ON". The actuator is not limited to the solenoid 130, and a motor unit or the like in which a gear mechanism and an electric motor are combined to drive the movable pin forward and backward can also be used.

[0075] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited.

[0076] Here, the features of the connector lock mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [4].

[0077] [1] A first connector (power receiving connector 200); a second connector (power supply connector 100) that moves along a first direction (X1) relative to the first connector (power receiving connector 200) to engage with and disengage from the first connector (power receiving connector 200) and that establishes an electrical connection with the first connector (power receiving connector 200) by properly engaging with the second connector (power supply connector 100); an actuator (solenoid 130) that is provided in the housing (101) of the second connector (power supply connector 100) and is capable of driving a movable pin (131) to advance and retreat in a second direction (X2) intersecting the first direction (X1), and that holds the movable pin (131) at a retracted position in the housing (101) of the second connector (power supply connector 200) before the first connector (power receiving connector 200) and the second connector (power supply connector 200) are mated, and that protrudes a tip of the movable pin (131) to an advanced position outside the housing (101) of the second connector (power supply connector 100) in a mated state of the first connector (power receiving connector 200) and the second connector (power supply connector 100) to engage with a locked portion (230) provided in the housing (201) of the first connector (power receiving connector 200); a sensor (250) provided in the housing (201) of the first connector (power receiving connector 200) for detecting that a tip of the movable pin (131) protrudes to an advanced position outside the housing (201) of the second connector (power supply connector 100) and engages with a latched portion (230) provided in the housing (201) of the first connector (power receiving connector 200); Equipped with Connector locking mechanism.

[0078] According to the configuration [1] above, the sensor (250) provided on the first connector (power receiving connector 200) can directly detect whether the tip of the movable pin (131) is actually properly engaged with the locked portion (230). Therefore, it is possible to more accurately detect whether the power receiving connector 200 is in the locked state.

[0079] [2] The actuator (solenoid 130) is a solenoid, The movable pin (131) is a movable core of the actuator (solenoid 130), the sensor (250) is a proximity sensor (250) that is disposed with a detection surface (251) facing toward a protruding position of the movable pin (131) and detects the protrusion of the movable pin (131) into the engaged portion (230); The connector locking mechanism described in [1] above.

[0080] According to the above configuration [2], the proximity sensor (250) arranged close to the protruding position of the movable pin (131) detects in a non-contact manner whether the tip of the movable pin (131) is actually properly engaged with the locked portion (230). Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect whether the movable pin (131) is in the locked state without malfunction.

[0081] [3] The proximity sensor (250) is disposed in a sensor accommodating portion (205) provided in a housing (201) of the first connector (power receiving connector 200) with a detection area (250K, 250K1, 250K2) extending forward of the detection surface (251) facing a space into which the tip of the movable pin (131) protrudes to engage with the latched portion (230), and the detection surface (251) is disposed obliquely relative to the protruding direction of the movable pin (131) rather than perpendicularly so that an overlap (250KP) between the tip of the movable pin (131) in the protruding state and the detection area (250K) is large. The connector locking mechanism described in [2] above.

[0082] According to the configuration [3] above, the sensor (250) is disposed obliquely toward the upper end of the movable pin (131) while effectively utilizing the limited mounting space. This configuration makes it possible to increase the overlapping portion (250KP) between the detection area (250K) of the sensor (250) and the tip of the protruding movable pin (131). Therefore, even if there is some variation in the position or performance of the sensor (250), it is possible to stabilize detection and eliminate cases in which detection is difficult. This contributes to improving the reliability of detection of the locked state.

[0083] [4] The first connector (power receiving connector 200) is a power receiving connector connected to a battery (battery 501), The second connector (power supply connector 100) is a power supply connector connected to a charger (2). A connector locking mechanism described in any one of [1] to [3] above.

[0084] The above configuration [4] can be suitably applied to a charging device that charges a battery (501) mounted on a mobile object such as an electric vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] M Electric vehicle charging equipment 1. Vehicle body 2 charger 100 Power supply connector (second connector) 101 Housing 101a Upper wall 101b Lower wall 102 Guide groove (guide groove, guiding means) 102a Straight groove 102b Diagonal groove 104 Solenoid housing 130 Solenoid 131 Movable pin (movable core) 140 Solenoid cover (retaining member) 141 Locking claw (holding member locking means) 200 Receiving connector (first connector) 201a Upper wall 201b Lower wall 205 Sensor housing 230 Locked part 231 Locking Wall 238 Notch 250 Sensor (Proximity Sensor) 250K, 250K1, 250K2 detection area 251 Detection surface 501 Battery 530 Cable X1 First direction (forward / backward) X2 Second direction (up and down) X3 Third direction (left and right)

Claims

1. A first connector; a second connector that moves relative to the first connector along a first direction to engage with and disengage from the first connector and that establishes an electrical connection with the first connector when properly engaged; an actuator that is provided in the housing of the second connector and is capable of driving a movable pin to advance and retreat in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and that holds the movable pin at a retracted position within the housing of the second connector before the first connector and the second connector are mated, and that protrudes a tip of the movable pin to an advanced position outside the housing of the second connector when the first connector and the second connector are in a mated state, thereby engaging with a locked portion provided in the housing of the first connector; a sensor provided in a housing of the first connector for detecting when a tip of the movable pin projects to an advanced position outside the housing of the second connector and engages with a latched portion provided in the housing of the first connector; Equipped with Connector locking mechanism.

2. the actuator is a solenoid; the movable pin is a movable core of the actuator, The sensor is a proximity sensor that is disposed with a detection surface facing toward a protruding position of the movable pin and detects the protrusion of the movable pin into the engaged portion.

2. The connector locking mechanism of claim 1.

3. the proximity sensor is disposed in a sensor accommodating section provided in the housing with a detection area extending forward of the detection surface facing a space into which the tip of the movable pin protrudes to engage with the engaged portion, and the detection surface is disposed at an angle to the protruding direction of the movable pin rather than perpendicular thereto so that there is a large overlap between the tip of the movable pin in the protruding state and the detection area; 3. The connector locking mechanism of claim 2.

4. the first connector is a power receiving connector connected to a battery, The second connector is a power supply connector connected to a charger. A connector locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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