Circuit structure

Abstract

To provide a circuit structure including an interlock function.SOLUTION: A circuit structure 1 comprises: a first connector section 20 on a cable run of a first circuit 2; a second connector section 50 on a cable run of a second circuit 3; and an opening / closing section 30 which opens / closes the cable run of the second circuit 3 in such a manner that the second circuit 3 is in an electrified state when the first circuit 2 is electrified and that the second circuit 3 is in a non-electrified state when the first circuit 2 is non-electrified. In the first connector section 20, the electrification and non-electrification of the first circuit 2 are switched in accordance with fitting and non-fitting of a pair of connectors 21 and 22. In the second connector section 50, the electrification and non-electrification of the second circuit 3 are switched in accordance with the fitting / non-fitting of the pair of connectors 51 and 52. Access to a workspace, which performs the fitting and non-fitting of the connectors 51 and 52 in the second connector section 50, is interfered when the first connector section 20 is in a fitting state, and the access is not interference when the first connector section 20 is in a non-fitting state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a circuit structure including a first circuit, a first connector portion provided on an electrical path of the first circuit, a second circuit, a second connector portion provided on an electrical path of the second circuit, and an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the electrical path of the second circuit so that the second circuit is switched between energized and non-energized in response to energization and non-energization of the first circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in order to safely open and close the electric path of a high-voltage circuit connecting a high-voltage power source and an electrical load, a circuit structure having an interlock function has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As an example, a service plug having an interlock function may be provided in a high-voltage circuit mounted on an automobile. One of the conventional service plugs is configured so as to be insertable into and removable from a plug receptacle arranged on the high-voltage circuit, and when the service plug is removed from the plug receptacle, it switches a built-in interlock switch from on to off and transmits a signal indicating this switching to an interlock control unit. When the interlock control unit receives this signal from the service plug, it opens a relay provided on the electric path of the high-voltage circuit. This brings the high-voltage circuit into a non-conductive state, and the service plug can be safely removed from the plug receptacle (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-098056 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-143806 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned service plug is generally provided in a different location for each vehicle model (for example, under the rear seat, etc.), and in addition, specialized maintenance knowledge is required to operate the service plug. Therefore, considering cases where it is difficult to quickly identify the location of the service plug, which differs for each vehicle model, such as during rescue operations, and cases where it is difficult to operate the service plug even if the location of the service plug can be identified, there is a need for the development of a circuit structure that has an interlock function that can safely open and close the electric path of the high-voltage circuit, as a mechanism different from the service plug.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a circuit structure having an interlock function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the circuit structure according to the present invention is characterized as follows.

[0007] A first circuit and a first connector portion provided on an electrical path of the first circuit; a second circuit; and a second connector portion provided on an electrical path of the second circuit; a switching unit that opens and closes an electric path of the second circuit such that the second circuit is in an energized state when the first circuit is energized and the second circuit is in a non-energized state when the first circuit is not energized, The first connector portion is The first circuit is switched between energized and non-energized in response to engagement and disengagement of a pair of connectors of the first connector portion, The second connector portion is The second circuit is switched between energized and non-energized in response to engagement and disengagement of a pair of connectors of the second connector portion, access to a working space for mating and disengaging the pair of connectors of the second connector portion is interfered with when the first connector portion is in a mated state, and is not interfered with when the first connector portion is in a disengaged state; It has a circuit structure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the circuit structure of the present invention, when operating the second connector portion which switches the second circuit (e.g., high-voltage circuit) between conductive and non-conductive states (specifically, when performing the task of switching between mated and non-mated states of a pair of connectors possessed by the second connector portion), if the first connector portion of the first circuit (e.g., low-voltage circuit) is in a mated state, access to the work space for that task is obstructed. On the other hand, if the first connector portion is in a non-mated state, access to the work space is not obstructed. Note that the above-mentioned "access" refers, for example, to inserting a worker's fingers or work tools, etc., from outside the work space to inside the work space, and moving them within the work space, etc.

[0009] Therefore, for example, when switching the second connector part from a mated state to a non-mated state, the first connector part is first switched from a mated state to a non-mated state, and then the opening and closing part is operated so that the second circuit is in a non-conductive state, and then the work for putting the second connector part in the non-mated state is performed in the work space. In other words, by requiring the switching of the first connector part between the mated state and the non-mated state prior to the switching of the second connector part between the mated state and the non-mated state, the second connector part is prevented from being switched from the mated state to the non-mated state while the second circuit is in a conducting state. That is, an interlock function is exerted. In this way, the circuit structure of this configuration has an interlock function.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a low-voltage connector portion and a high-voltage connector portion in a circuit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention when the low-voltage connector portion is in a mated state. [Diagram 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an arrangement mode of a low-voltage connector part and a high-voltage connector part when the low-voltage connector part is in a non-fitted state in the circuit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] Figure 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the whole of the circuit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 in the circuit structure according to the first modification example. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in the circuit structure according to the first modification example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 in the circuit structure according to the second modification example. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in the circuit structure according to the second modification example. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 in the circuit structure according to the second modification example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the circuit structure 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As conceptually shown in FIG. 3, the circuit structure 1 includes a low-voltage circuit 2 and a high-voltage circuit 3. The circuit structure 1 is typically mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle equipped with a high-voltage driving power source, and has an interlock function capable of safely opening and closing the circuit of the high-voltage circuit 3 that connects the high-voltage power source 40 and the electrical load 60, as will be described later. First, the electrical configurations of the low-voltage circuit 2 and the high-voltage circuit 3 that constitute the circuit structure 1 will be described below.

[0013] The low-voltage circuit 2 includes a low-voltage power supply 10, a low-voltage connector section 20, and an opening / closing section 30. The positive electrode side of the low-voltage power supply 10 and a positive electrode terminal 23 of the low-voltage connector section 20 (female connector 21) are connected by an electric wire L1, the negative electrode terminal 24 of the low-voltage connector section 20 (female connector 21) and a first connection section 31 of the opening / closing section 30 are connected by an electric wire L2, the second connection section 32 of the opening / closing section 30 and a ground section (earth section) GND are connected by an electric wire L3, and the negative electrode side of the low-voltage power supply 10 and a ground section GND are connected by an electric wire L4. Note that the male-female relationship in the female connector 21 and the male connector 22 is merely an example, and the connector indicated by the reference numeral 21 may be a male connector, and the connector indicated by the reference numeral 22 may be a female connector. The same applies to a male connector 51 and a female connector 52 described later.

[0014] The high voltage circuit 3 includes a high voltage power supply 40, a high voltage connector section 50, an electrical load 60, and a switching section 30. Thus, the switching section 30 belongs to both the low voltage circuit 2 and the high voltage circuit 3. The positive electrode side of the high voltage power supply 40 and the positive electrode terminal 53 of the high voltage connector section 50 (male connector 51) are connected by an electric wire L5, the positive electrode terminal 55 of the high voltage connector section 50 (female connector 52) and the positive electrode side of the electrical load 60 are connected by an electric wire L6, the negative electrode side of the electrical load 60 and the negative electrode terminal 56 of the high voltage connector section 50 (female connector 52) are connected by an electric wire L7, the negative electrode terminal 54 of the high voltage connector section 50 (male connector 51) and the third connection section 33 of the switching section 30 are connected by an electric wire L8, and the negative electrode side of the high voltage power supply 40 and the ground section GND are connected by an electric wire L9.

[0015] The low-voltage power supply 10 is a power supply with a relatively low voltage, and the voltage (potential difference) between the positive and negative sides is, for example, about 12 to 24 V. The high-voltage power supply 40 is a power supply with a higher voltage than that of the low-voltage power supply 10, and the voltage (potential difference) between the positive and negative sides is, for example, about 200 to 400 V.

[0016] The low-voltage connector section 20 is composed of a female connector 21 and a male connector 22 that can be fitted together. The female connector 21 has a positive terminal 23 and a negative terminal 24 built in. The male connector 22 has a positive terminal 25 and a negative terminal 26 built in, and a U-shaped bus bar (metal plate) 27 that electrically connects the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 to each other. When the female connector 21 and the male connector 22 are fitted together, the positive terminal 23 and the positive terminal 25 are electrically connected together, and the negative terminal 24 and the negative terminal 26 are electrically connected together. As described above, when the low-voltage connector unit 20 (female and male connectors 21, 22) is in a mated state, the low-voltage circuit 2 is in a closed state (i.e., a conducting state) by the low-voltage power supply 10, the electric wire L1, the positive terminal 23, the positive terminal 25, the bus bar 27, the negative terminal 26, the negative terminal 24, the electric wire L2, the opening / closing unit 30, the electric wire L3, and the electric wire L4, and when the low-voltage connector unit 20 (female and male connectors 21, 22) is in an unmated state, the low-voltage circuit 2 is in an open state (i.e., a non-conducting state). In other words, the low-voltage connector unit 20 is configured such that the closed state and the open state (i.e., the conducting state and the non-conducting state) of the low-voltage circuit 2 are switched depending on whether the female connector 21 and the male connector 22 are mated or unmated.

[0017] The high voltage connector section 50 is composed of a male connector 51 and a female connector 52 which can be fitted together. A positive electrode side terminal 53 and a negative electrode side terminal 54 are built into the male connector 51. A positive electrode side terminal 55 and a negative electrode side terminal 56 are built into the female connector 52. When the male connector 51 and the female connector 52 are fitted together, the positive electrode side terminal 53 and the positive electrode side terminal 55 are electrically connected together, and the negative electrode side terminal 54 and the negative electrode side terminal 56 are electrically connected together. As described above, when the high-voltage connector section 50 (male and female connectors 51, 52) is in a mated state (more precisely, when the low-voltage circuit 2 is in a conducting state), the high-voltage circuit 3 is in a closed state (i.e., conducting state) by the high-voltage power supply 40, the electric wire L5, the positive terminal 53, the positive terminal 55, the electric wire L6, the electrical load 60, the electric wire L7, the negative terminal 56, the negative terminal 54, the electric wire L8, the opening / closing section 30, the electric wire L3, and the electric wire L9, and when the high-voltage connector section 50 (male and female connectors 51, 52) is in a non-mated state, the high-voltage circuit 3 is in an open state (i.e., non-conducting state). In other words, the high-voltage connector section 50 is configured such that the high-voltage circuit 3 is switched between a closed state and an open state (i.e., conducting and non-conducting) depending on whether the male connector 51 and the female connector 52 are mated or not.

[0018] The switching unit 30 is configured to include a switching device such as a transistor or a relay. The switching unit 30 has a function of opening and closing the electric path of the second circuit 3 so that the second circuit 3 is switched between energized and non-energized in response to energization and non-energization of the first circuit 2. The switching unit 30 may include a control device or the like for causing the above-mentioned switching device to perform such opening and closing. Specifically, when the low-voltage connector portion 20 (female and male connectors 21, 22) is in an engaged state and the low-voltage circuit 2 is in a closed state (energized state), the opening / closing portion 30 is configured to conductively connect the second connection portion 32 and the third connection portion 33 of the opening / closing portion 30 to place the high-voltage circuit 3 in a closed state (i.e., energized state), and when the low-voltage connector portion 20 (female and male connectors 21, 22) is in a mated state and the low-voltage circuit 2 is in an open state (non-energized state), the opening / closing portion 30 is configured to electrically disconnect the second connection portion 32 and the third connection portion 33 of the opening / closing portion 30 to place the high-voltage circuit 3 in an open state (i.e., non-energized state). Therefore, for example, when the high-voltage connector portion 50 is switched from a mated state to a non-mated state due to inspection or repair of the high-voltage connector portion 50, the low-voltage connector portion 20 is first switched from a mated state to a non-mated state, thereby operating the opening / closing portion 30 so that the high-voltage circuit 3 is in a non-conductive state, and then the work to put the high-voltage connector portion 50 into the non-mated state can be safely performed. The electrical configuration of the low-voltage circuit 2 and the high-voltage circuit 3 that constitute the circuit structure 1 has been described above with reference to Fig. 3.

[0019] Next, the mechanical configuration and arrangement of the low-voltage connector portion 20 and the high-voltage connector portion 50 included in the circuit structure 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. For ease of explanation, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" are defined below as shown in Figure 1 etc. The "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are mutually perpendicular.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the low-voltage connector unit 20 has a locking portion 21a on the upper surface of the female connector 21. The locking portion 21a has a function of preventing separation of the low-voltage connector unit 20 (the female connector 21 and the male connector 22) in the mated state, and also has a function of enabling switching of the low-voltage connector unit 20 (the female connector 21 and the male connector 22) from the mated state to the non-mated state by operating the locking portion 21a. That is, the working space for mating and disengaging the low-voltage connector unit 20 is a space extending upward from the locking portion 21a. There is nothing to obstruct access to the working space for mating and disengaging the low-voltage connector unit 20. Similarly, the high-voltage connector unit 50 has a locking portion 52a on the upper surface of the female connector 52. The locking portion 52a has a function of preventing separation of the high voltage connector portion 50 (the male connector 51 and the female connector 52) in the mated state, and also has a function of enabling the high voltage connector portion 50 (the male connector 51 and the female connector 52) to be switched from a mated state to a non-mated state by operating the locking portion 52a. In other words, the working space for mating and non-mating the high voltage connector portion 50 is the space extending upward from the locking portion 52a.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, for the high-voltage connector part 50, either the male connector 51 or the female connector 52 is fixedly arranged on a mounting part (not shown) of an automobile or the like, and for the low-voltage connector part 20, the male connector 22 is fixedly arranged on a mounting part of an automobile or the like so as to be located directly above the female connector 52 of the high-voltage connector part 50 in the mated state.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, when the low-voltage connector portion 20 is in a mated state, the female connector 21 of the low-voltage connector portion 20 is located directly above the lock portion 52a of the high-voltage connector portion 50 (above and close to the lock portion 52a), so that the female connector 21 is disposed within a working space for mating and unmating the high-voltage connector portion 50. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, when the low-voltage connector portion 20 is in a non-mated state, the female connector 21 of the low-voltage connector portion 20 moves away from directly above the lock portion 52a of the high-voltage connector portion 50, so that the female connector 21 is moved outside the working space for mating and unmating the high-voltage connector portion 50. That is, when the low-voltage connector portion 20 is in a mated state, the female connector 21 interferes with access to the working space for mating and unmating the male connector 51 and the female connector 52 constituting the high-voltage connector portion 50, and does not interfere with access to the working space for mating and unmating the male connector 51 and the female connector 52 constituting the high-voltage connector portion 50, but does not interfere with access to the working space for mating and unmating the male connector 51 and the female connector 52 constituting the high-voltage connector portion 50, when the low-voltage connector portion 20 is in a mated state.

[0023] As described above, when the high-voltage connector portion 50 is switched from a mated state to a non-mated state due to, for example, inspection and repair of the high-voltage connector portion 50, it is required to switch the low-voltage connector portion 20 from a mated state to a non-mated state prior to the switching. When the low-voltage connector portion 20 is switched from a mated state to a non-mated state, as described above, the opening and closing portion 30 operates so that the high-voltage circuit 3 is in a non-conductive state, so that the work to switch the high-voltage connector portion 50 to a non-mated state can be safely performed. In this way, in the circuit structure 1 according to this embodiment, it is required to switch the low-voltage connector portion 20 from a mated state to a non-mated state prior to switching the high-voltage connector portion 50 from a mated state to a non-mated state, thereby achieving an interlock function that can safely open and close the electric circuit of the high-voltage circuit 3.

[0024] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the circuit structure 1 of the present embodiment, when the male connector 51 and the female connector 52 of the high-voltage connector unit 50 that switches the high-voltage circuit 3 between conductive and non-conductive states are engaged and disengaged, access to the work space for the work is interfered with when the low-voltage connector unit 20 provided on the electric path of the low-voltage circuit 2 is in a engaged state, and is not interfered with when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a non-engaged state. Therefore, when switching the high-voltage connector unit 50 from a engaged state to a non-engaged state, the low-voltage connector unit 20 is first switched from a engaged state to a non-engaged state, thereby operating the opening / closing unit 30 so that the high-voltage circuit 3 is in a non-conductive state, and then the work for disengaging the high-voltage connector unit 50 is performed in the work space. In other words, the low-voltage connector unit 20 is required to be switched between a engaged state and a non-engaged state prior to switching the high-voltage connector unit 50 between a engaged state and a non-engaged state, thereby exerting an interlock function. In this way, the circuit structure 1 of the present embodiment has an interlock function.

[0025] Furthermore, when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a mated state, the female connector 21 of the female connector 21 and the male connector 22 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 is arranged in the working space, and access to the working space is obstructed. This allows the circuit structure 1 having an interlock function to be realized without using other components for obstructing access to the working space. Note that when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a mated state, the male connector 22 of the female connector 21 and the male connector 22 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 may be arranged in the working space, and access to the working space may be obstructed. In this case, the female connector 21 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 is fixedly arranged on a mounting portion of an automobile or the like so as to be located directly above the high-voltage connector unit 50 in the mated state. When the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a mated state, the male connector 22 is located directly above the locking portion 52a of the high-voltage connector unit 50, and when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a non-mated state, the male connector 22 is configured to move away from directly above the locking portion 52a of the high-voltage connector unit 50.

[0026] <Other aspects> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications, improvements, etc. are possible. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0027] For example, in the above embodiment, in order to electrically connect the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 of the male connector 22 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 to each other, a U-shaped bus bar 27 connected to the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 is built into the male connector 22 (see FIG. 3). In contrast, as in a first modified example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in order to electrically connect the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 of the male connector 22 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 to each other, an electric wire 28 connected to the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 and folded back in a U-shape may be provided in the male connector 22. In the first modified example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, most of the U-shaped electric wire 28 is located (exposed) outside the male connector 22.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and first modified example, in order to require the low-voltage connector portion 20 to switch between the engaged and unmated states prior to switching between the engaged and unmated states of the high-voltage connector portion 50 (i.e., to provide an interlock function), the low-voltage connector portion 20 is disposed directly above the high-voltage connector portion 50. In contrast, by utilizing a bracket 70 as in the second modified example shown in Figures 6 to 8, the interlock function can be provided even if the low-voltage connector portion 20 is not disposed directly above the high-voltage connector portion 50.

[0029] In the second modified example shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the low-voltage connector section 20 is not disposed directly above the high-voltage connector section 50, but is disposed at a position sufficiently distant to the left of the high-voltage connector section 50. The plate-shaped bracket 70 is disposed so that an interference portion 71, which is a part of the bracket 70, covers directly above the locking portion 52a of the high-voltage connector section 50. In other words, the interference portion 71 of the bracket 70 is disposed within a working space for fitting and disengaging the high-voltage connector section 50. The fastening portion 72, which is another part of the bracket 70 separated from the interference portion 71, is fixed to a mounting portion (not shown) of an electric vehicle or the like by a fastening member 73 such as a nut. In order to move the interference portion 71 of the bracket 70 from directly above the locking portion 52a of the high-voltage connector section 50 to the outside of the working space, it is necessary to release the fastening portion 72 from the mounting portion by the fastening member 73. The working space S in which the work of releasing the fastening portion 72 from the fastening member 73 is performed is a space extending upward from the fastening member 73, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a mated state, the female connector 21 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 is located directly above the fastening member 73 (above and close to the fastening member 73), and the female connector 21 is disposed within the working space S. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a non-mated state, the female connector 21 of the low-voltage connector unit 20 moves away from directly above the fastening member 73, and the female connector 21 is moved outside the working space S. That is, when the low-voltage connector unit 20 is in a mated state, the female connector 21 interferes with access to the working space S where the fastening unit 72 is released from the fastening member 73, and does not interfere with access to the working space S where the fastening unit 72 is released from the fastening member 73. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, after the fastening unit 72 is released from the fastening member 73, the bracket 70 is moved upward. This allows the high-voltage connector unit 50 to be switched from a mated state to a non-mated state.

[0031] As described above, in the second modified example shown in Figs. 6 to 8, when the high-voltage connector unit 50 is switched from the mated state to the non-mated state due to, for example, inspection and repair of the high-voltage connector unit 50, it is required to switch the low-voltage connector unit 20 from the mated state to the non-mated state prior to the switching. When the low-voltage connector unit 20 is switched from the mated state to the non-mated state, as described above, the opening and closing unit 30 operates so that the high-voltage circuit 3 is in a non-conductive state. By switching the low-voltage connector unit 20 from the mated state to the non-mated state, the female connector 21 moves out of the working space S, so that the fastening member 73 can be used to release the fastening member 72 from being fixed. By performing this operation to release the fastening member 73 from being fixed to the fastening member 72, the interference portion 71 of the bracket 70 can be moved from directly above the locking portion 52a of the high-voltage connector unit 50, so that the high-voltage connector unit 50 can be safely switched to the non-mated state while the high-voltage circuit 3 is maintained in a non-conductive state. 6 to 8, similarly to the above embodiment and first modified example, the low-voltage connector portion 20 is required to be switched from a mated state to an unmated state before the high-voltage connector portion 50 is switched from a mated state to an unmated state, thereby achieving an interlock function that can safely open and close the electric path of the high-voltage circuit 3. Furthermore, unlike the above embodiment and first modified example, the second modified example shown in Figures 6 to 8 makes it possible to dispose the low-voltage connector portion 20 at a position away from the high-voltage connector portion 50, thereby increasing the design freedom of the circuit structure 1.

[0032] Here, the features of the embodiment of the circuit structure 1 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [3].

[0033] [1] a first circuit (2); and a first connector portion (20) provided on an electrical path of the first circuit (2); a second circuit (3); and a second connector portion (50) provided on an electrical path of the second circuit (3); a switching unit (30) that opens and closes an electric path of the second circuit (3) such that the second circuit (3) is in an electric-conductive state when the first circuit (2) is energized, and the second circuit (3) is in a non-electrically-conductive state when the first circuit (2) is not energized, The first connector portion (20) is the first circuit (2) is switched between energized and non-energized in response to engagement and disengagement of a pair of connectors (21, 22) of the first connector portion (20); The second connector portion (50) is the second circuit (3) is switched between energized and non-energized in response to engagement and disengagement of a pair of connectors (51, 52) of the second connector portion (50); access to a working space for mating and disengaging the pair of connectors (51, 52) of the second connector portion (50) is interfered with when the first connector portion (20) is in a mated state, and is not interfered with when the first connector portion (20) is in a disengaged state; Circuit structure (1).

[0034] According to the circuit structure [1] above, when operating the second connector part for switching the second circuit (e.g., high-voltage circuit) between conductive and non-conductive states (specifically, when performing the task of switching between mated and non-mated states of a pair of connectors that the second connector part has), if the first connector part of the first circuit (e.g., low-voltage circuit) is in a mated state, access to the work space for that task is obstructed. On the other hand, if the first connector part is in a non-mated state, access to the work space is not obstructed. Thus, for example, when switching the second connector part from a mated state to a non-mated state, first the first connector part is switched from a mated state to a non-mated state, so that the opening and closing part operates so that the second circuit is in a non-conductive state, and then the task of putting the second connector part in a non-mated state is performed in the work space. In other words, by requiring the first connector portion to be switched between the mated and unmated states before the second connector portion is switched between the mated and unmated states, the second connector portion is prevented from being switched from the mated state to the unmated state while the second circuit is energized. That is, an interlock function is exerted. In this way, the circuit structure of this configuration has an interlock function.

[0035] [2] In the circuit structure (1) described in [1] above, When the first connector portion (20) is in a mated state, at least one (21) of a pair of connectors (21, 22) of the first connector portion (20) is disposed in the working space, thereby interfering with the access. Circuit structure (1).

[0036] According to the circuit structure of [2] above, when the first connector portion is in the mated state, at least one of the pair of connectors of the first connector portion is disposed in the working space, obstructing access to the working space, thereby realizing a circuit structure having an interlock function without using any other dedicated parts for obstructing access to the working space.

[0037] [3] The circuit structure (1) according to the above [1], The apparatus further includes an interference portion (71) disposed in the working space, When the first connector portion (20) is in a mated state, at least one (21) of a pair of connectors (21, 22) of the first connector portion (20) is disposed in a position that prevents movement of the interference portion (71), thereby interfering with the access. Circuit structure (1).

[0038] According to the circuit structure of [3] above, when the first connector portion is in a mated state, at least one of the pair of connectors of the first connector portion is disposed in a position that prevents movement of the interference portion disposed in the working space, thereby interfering with access to the working space. This makes it possible to dispose the first connector portion away from the second connector portion, thereby increasing the design freedom of the circuit structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Circuit structure 2 Low voltage circuit (first circuit) 3 High voltage circuit (second circuit) 20 Low voltage connector part (first connector part) 21 Female connector (connector) 22 Male connector (connector) 30 Opening and Closing Section 50 High voltage connector part (second connector part) 51 Male connector (connector) 52 Female connector (connector) 71 Interference part

Claims

1. A first circuit, a first connector portion provided on the circuit of the first circuit, a second circuit, a second connector portion provided on the circuit of the second circuit, a switching portion that opens and closes the circuit of the second circuit such that the second circuit is energized when the first circuit is energized and the second circuit is de-energized when the first circuit is de-energized, and is a circuit structure comprising: The first connector portion is configured such that: energization and de-energization of the first circuit are switched according to fitting and non-fitting of a pair of connectors included in the first connector portion; The second connector portion is configured such that: energization and de-energization of the second circuit are switched according to fitting and non-fitting of a pair of connectors included in the second connector portion; access to the work space for performing fitting and non-fitting of the pair of connectors included in the second connector portion is interfered with when the first connector portion is in a fitted state and is not interfered with when the first connector portion is in a non-fitted state; Circuit structure.

2. In the circuit structure according to Claim 1, when the first connector portion is in a fitted state, at least one of the pair of connectors included in the first connector portion is disposed in the work space, and the access is interfered with; Circuit structure.

3. The circuit structure according to Claim 1, further comprising: an interference portion disposed in the work space, when the first connector portion is in a fitted state, at least one of the pair of connectors included in the first connector portion is disposed at a position that obstructs movement of the interference portion, and the access is interfered with; Circuit structure.

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