connector

Abstract

To provide a compact connector that assures a spring function of a connector with a shutter mechanism.SOLUTION: An inlet 1 includes a housing 10 that accommodates a connection terminal 70, a slide shutter 30 arranged so as to open and close a front opening 17 of the housing 10 to which an inlet plug 5 is fitted, a first shutter inclined surface 37 provided on the slide shutter 30, and a housing inclined surface 21 that is provided on the housing 10 so as to face the first shutter inclined surface 37, and opens the front opening 17 by sliding the slide shutter 30 in the direction intersecting the connector fitting direction according to the pressing force of the inlet plug 5 in the connector fitting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a wire harness (electric wire) electrically connecting various electrical equipment mounted on an automobile or the like is connected by a connector. Such a connector is usually composed of a male connector and a female connector. For example, in the case of a connector structure applied to an optional specification, one connector connected to an end of a pre-installed electric wire is known to have a shutter mechanism at the front opening of the housing for the purpose of dustproofing, protecting the terminal, preventing electric shock to the surroundings, etc. until the other connector is mated. In particular, in electric automobiles and the like, a connector (inlet) with a shutter mechanism is applied to prevent electric shock accidents, etc., and prevents the exposure of the terminal at the front opening when the connector is not connected. An example of such a configuration is a connector with a shutter mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] This connector with a shutter mechanism has a shutter on one connector that rotates outward when an external force is applied to its front portion, and a tip portion on the other connector, so that when the connectors are mated, this tip portion presses against the front portion of the shutter of the one connector, causing the shutter to rotate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-138785 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the connector with a shutter mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the connectors are mated, the tip of the mating connector (mating hood portion) presses the front portion of the shutter, causing the shutter to rotate outward (forward) around the pin and open. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid interference when the connectors are mated by setting the stroke (connector size) of the mating connector in consideration of the rotation trajectory of the shutter opening. As a result, the mating hood portion of the mating connector becomes longer by the amount of space required for opening and closing the shutter, which results in a larger connector size.

[0006] The shutter is constantly biased toward the inside of the housing by a coil spring, and is configured to close the front opening of the housing when the connector is not connected. The coil spring that constantly biases the shutter in the closing direction is, for example, a torsion coil spring wound around a pin that supports the shutter. As a result, the coil spring is located near the front opening of the housing and is susceptible to the effects of dust, water, and the like. For this reason, conventional connectors with shutter mechanisms are prone to a high risk of spring malfunction.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact connector that ensures the spring function of a connector with a shutter mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. (1) a housing for accommodating a connection terminal; a slide shutter disposed to be capable of opening and closing a front opening of the housing into which a mating connector is fitted; A first shutter inclined surface provided on the slide shutter; a housing inclined surface that is provided on the housing opposite to the first shutter inclined surface, and that opens the front opening by sliding the slide shutter in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction in response to a pressing force in the connector fitting direction by the mating connector; A guide protrusion provided on the slide shutter; a guide groove formed in the housing and adapted to engage with the guide protrusion to support an opening and closing operation of the slide shutter; Equipped with 、 The guide groove includes an inclined groove portion extending along the housing inclined surface, a horizontal groove portion extending in the connector fitting direction and continuing from a rear end portion of the inclined groove portion; Equipped with connector. (2) A connector as described in (1) above, in which the guide protrusion moves along the inclined groove portion, causing the slide shutter to slide in a direction intersecting the connector mating direction, and then, after the guide protrusion reaches the rear end portion of the inclined groove portion, the slide shutter moves rearward along the horizontal groove portion, causing the slide shutter to slide rearward along the connector mating direction, and the mating of the connector and the mating connector is completed with the guide protrusion positioned within the horizontal groove portion.

[0009] (1) Above and (2) According to the connector having the above configuration, the sliding shutter is slid in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction to open the front opening as the first shutter inclined surface slides against the housing inclined surface of the housing. Therefore, with the connector having this configuration, it is not necessary to lengthen the mating hood portion of the mating connector in consideration of the opening and closing trajectory of the shutter, as in the case of a conventional connector with a shutter mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the above (1) and According to the connector having the configuration (2), the guide protrusion of the slide shutter engages with the guide groove of the housing to support the opening and closing operation, so that the opening and closing operation of the slide shutter can be performed smoothly when the mating connector is inserted or removed.

[0013] Furthermore, the above (1) and ( 2 According to the connector having the above-mentioned configuration, the sliding shutter can be moved along the inclined groove to smoothly open and close the front opening of the housing. Also, the sliding shutter can be moved along the horizontal groove to smoothly connect and disconnect the mating connector.

[0014] ( 3 ) A housing for accommodating a connection terminal; a slide shutter disposed to be capable of opening and closing a front opening of the housing into which a mating connector is fitted; A first shutter inclined surface provided on the slide shutter; a housing inclined surface that is provided on the housing opposite to the first shutter inclined surface, and that opens the front opening by sliding the slide shutter in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction in response to a pressing force in the connector fitting direction by the mating connector; A guide protrusion provided on the slide shutter; a guide groove formed in the housing and engaging with the guide protrusion to support an opening and closing operation of the slide shutter, the guide groove including an inclined groove portion extending along the housing inclined surface and a horizontal groove portion extending along the connector fitting direction and continuing from a rear end portion of the inclined groove portion; a holder that is disposed within the housing so as to be movable along the connector fitting direction and that is constantly biased in a connector removal direction of the mating connector; a holder inclined surface provided on the holder; a second shutter inclined surface that is provided on the slide shutter to face the holder inclined surface and that closes the front opening by sliding the slide shutter in a direction intersecting the connector removal direction in response to a pressing force of the holder in the connector removal direction; Equipped with Octopus Nectar.

[0015] the above( 3 According to the connector having the above configuration, when the mating connector is pulled out from the housing, the second shutter inclined surface slides against the holder inclined surface of the holder, causing the slide shutter to slide in a direction intersecting with the connector removal direction to close the front opening. This allows the front opening of the housing to be closed by the slide shutter after the mating connector is removed, thereby protecting the connection terminals.

[0016] ( 4 The holder is always biased in the connector removal direction by an elastic member interposed between the holder and the housing. 3 ) A connector as described in the above.

[0017] the above( 4 According to the connector having the above configuration, the elastic member presses the slide shutter in the connector removal direction via the holder, and the front opening of the housing can be kept closed in a good condition by the slide shutter. The elastic member is disposed in the holder receiving portion at the rear of the housing and is separated from the front opening of the housing. Therefore, the elastic member separated from the front opening is less susceptible to the effects of dust, water, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a compact connector while ensuring the spring function of a connector with a shutter mechanism.

[0019] 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]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an inlet constituting a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an inlet plug which is a mating connector to be fitted into the inlet; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection terminal portion between an inlet and an inlet plug. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of each part assembled to the inlet housing. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection terminal portion between an inlet and an inlet plug at the start of fitting; [Figure 11] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 at the start of mating. [Figure 12] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5 at the start of mating. [Figure 13]4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection terminal portion between the inlet and the inlet plug when fitted together. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a front view of the inlet when fitted, with the inlet plug omitted. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14. [Figure 17] 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII in FIG. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an inlet 1 constituting a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an inlet plug 5 which is a mating connector that is fitted to the inlet 1. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connection terminal portion between the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5.

[0022] 1 and 2, an inlet 1, which is a connector according to this embodiment, has a housing 10, and a plug housing 80 of an inlet plug (mating connector) 5 is fitted into this housing 10. As a result, a connection terminal 70 accommodated in the inlet 1 and a connection terminal 90 accommodated in the inlet plug 5 are electrically connected to each other.

[0023] In this specification, the front-to-rear direction refers to the direction along the connector fitting direction of the housing 10 (left-to-right direction in Figure 2), the side where the plug housing 80 of the inlet plug 5 is fitted is defined as the front, and the up-down direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the connector fitting direction of the housing 10 (up-down direction in Figure 2).

[0024] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the inlet 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of each part assembled to the housing 10 of the inlet 1. Fig. 5 is a front view of the inlet 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 5.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the inlet 1 includes a housing 10, a slide shutter 30, a holder 50, a spring (elastic member) 57, and a front cover 60. As shown in FIG.

[0026] The housing 10 is molded from an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The housing 10 has an upper wall portion 11, a pair of side wall portions 12 extending downward from both edges of the upper wall portion 11, and a terminal accommodating portion 13 provided in the center portion of the housing 10. Furthermore, the housing 10 has a holder accommodating portion 14 between the side wall portions 12 and the terminal accommodating portion 13. The terminal accommodating portion 13 is formed integrally with a rear wall 15 of the housing 10, and a pair of terminal accommodating chambers 16 are provided in the terminal accommodating portion 13. A front opening 17, which is a front opening of the housing 10, is formed at the front ends of the terminal accommodating chambers 16.

[0027] The housing 10 has a plurality of engagement grooves 18 formed along the front-rear direction on the inner surface of the top wall 11 and the inner surface of the side wall 12. These engagement grooves 18 are not open at the front end of the housing 10. The housing 10 also has fixing portions 19 on the top wall 11 that protrude laterally, and these fixing portions 19 are formed with holes 19a through which mounting screws (not shown) pass.

[0028] The lower edge of the side wall 12 of the housing 10 has a protruding portion 12a that protrudes inward in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, both sides of the terminal accommodating portion 13 of the housing 10 are formed into a concave shape by the upper wall 11, the side wall 12, and the protruding portion 12a, and this concave portion constitutes the front side of the holder accommodating portion 14.

[0029] A connection terminal 70 connected to an end portion of a high-voltage cable 71 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 16. A front opening 17 into which a connection terminal 90 of an inlet plug 5 is inserted is formed at the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 16. The high-voltage cable 71 connected to the connection terminal 70 is pulled out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 16.

[0030] The connection terminal 70 is a female terminal made of a conductive metal material and is composed of multiple flexible pieces arranged in a cylindrical shape. A joint hole 72 is formed at the rear end of the connection terminal 70, and a conductor 73 of a high-voltage cable 71 drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 16 is inserted into the joint hole 72 and crimped (see Figures 2 and 9).

[0031] A seal member 75 is attached to the high voltage cable 71 drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 16, and is liquid-tightly sealed in the terminal accommodating chamber 16. The seal member 75 is prevented from coming off by a rear holder 77 attached to the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 13 (see Figures 2 and 9).

[0032] The terminal accommodating portion 13 having the terminal accommodating chamber 16 is formed with guide plate portions 20 on both sides thereof. The lower edges of the guide plate portions 20 protrude downward beyond the lower surface of the terminal accommodating portion 13.

[0033] The front end faces of these guide plate portions 20 form a housing inclined surface 21. The housing inclined surface 21 is an inclined surface that gradually slopes downward toward the rear of the housing 10.

[0034] Further, a guide groove 22 is formed on the outer surface of each guide plate portion 20. The guide groove 22 has, in order from the front end side, an introduction groove portion 23, an inclined groove portion 24, and a horizontal groove portion 25, which are connected to each other. The introduction groove portion 23 is open at the front end of the guide plate portion 20. The inclined groove portion 24 extends in a direction gradually inclining downward toward the rear of the housing 10, and is formed parallel to the housing inclined surface 21. The horizontal groove portion 25 extends along the front-rear direction of the housing 10, and is formed parallel to the lower edge of the guide plate portion 20.

[0035] The holder accommodating portion 14 protrudes rearward of the housing 10 beyond the rear end of the terminal accommodating portion 13. As shown in Fig. 6, inside the holder accommodating portion 14, at its rear end, there are a cylindrical retaining tube portion 26 and a rod-shaped retaining pin 27 disposed at the center of the retaining tube portion 26. The retaining tube portion 26 and the retaining pin 27 are integrally formed with a rear wall 28 of the holder accommodating portion 14.

[0036] 3 and 4, the slide shutter 30 has a cover portion 31 and a pair of block portions 32. The slide shutter 30 is attached to the housing 10 from the front side thereof.

[0037] The cover part 31 has a concave rear side, which is the side to be attached to the housing 10. The cover part 31 has a front plate part 33, side plate parts 34 provided on both sides of the front plate part 33, an upper plate part 35 formed on the upper edge part of the front plate part 33, and a lower plate part 36 formed on the lower edge part of the front plate part 33. Each side plate part 34 of the cover part 31 has an end face on the side to be attached to the housing 10 as a first shutter inclined surface 37. The first shutter inclined surface 37 is an inclined surface that gradually inclines downward toward the rear side, which is the side to be attached to the housing 10, and has the same inclination angle as the housing inclined surface 21. The first shutter inclined surface 37 is abutted against the housing inclined surface 21 by attaching the slide shutter 30 to the housing 10.

[0038] The block portions 32 are formed integrally with both side portions of the cover portion 31. Each block portion 32 has a second shutter inclined surface 41 on the side where the block portion 32 is attached to the housing 10. The second shutter inclined surface 41 is an inclined surface that gradually inclines upward toward the rear, which is the side where the block portion 32 is attached to the housing 10. In other words, the second shutter inclined surface 41 is an inclined surface that inclines in the opposite direction to the first shutter inclined surface 37.

[0039] A guide protrusion 42 is provided on the block portion 32 at an upper position on the inner surface facing the cover portion 31. The guide protrusion 42 is formed at a position on the block portion 32 near the first shutter inclined surface 37 of the cover portion 31.

[0040] In addition, an engagement piece 43 is protrudingly provided on the outer surface of the block portion 32, which is the side opposite to the cover portion 31. This engagement piece 43 is formed at the corner between the front edge and the upper edge of the outer surface of the block portion 32.

[0041] 3 and 4, the holders 50 are accommodated in the holder accommodating portion 14 of the housing 10 from the front side of the housing 10, and are disposed on both sides of the slide shutter 30 attached to the housing 10. Each of the holders 50 has a retaining hole 51 formed in the rear surface and an insertion hole 52 formed in the front surface. The retaining hole 51 has a larger diameter than the insertion hole 52, and the retaining hole 51 and the insertion hole 52 are in communication with each other.

[0042] Furthermore, in these holders 50, a pressing protrusion 53 is formed on the inner surface on the side of the slide shutter 30. This pressing protrusion 53 has a holder inclined surface 54 on its front side. This holder inclined surface 54 is an inclined surface that gradually inclines upward toward the rear, and has the same inclination angle as the second shutter inclined surface 41 formed on the block portion 32 of the slide shutter 30. Then, in a state in which the holder 50 is accommodated in the holder accommodation portion 14, this holder inclined surface 54 is abutted against the second shutter inclined surface 41 of the block portion 32 of the slide shutter 30 attached to the housing 10.

[0043] The spring 57 is made of a compression coil spring, and is inserted into the holder accommodating portion 14 of the housing 10 from the front side of the housing 10 to be accommodated therein. The rear end of the spring 57 is inserted into the retaining tubular portion 26. As a result, the retaining pin 27 is inserted into the rear end side of the spring 57. The rear end of the spring 57 is then retained at the rear end side of the holder accommodating portion 14 by the retaining tubular portion 26 and the retaining pin 27. The front end side of the spring 57 is inserted into the retaining hole 51 of the holder 50 which is attached to the holder accommodating portion 14 of the housing 10.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front cover 60 is formed in a plate shape having an opening 61, and is attached to the housing 10 by being fitted thereto from the front side thereof. The front cover 60 has engagement claws 62 formed on its upper edge and side edge. When the front cover 60 is attached to the housing 10, these engagement claws 62 are engaged with the engagement grooves 18 of the housing 10. As a result, the front cover 60 is made slidable in the front-rear direction of the housing 10 by the engagement of the engagement claws 62 with the engagement grooves 18. Note that the engagement grooves 18 are not open at the front end of the housing 10, so that the engagement claws 62 engage with the engagement grooves 18 to prevent the front cover 60 attached to the housing 10 from coming off.

[0045] The front cover 60 has insertion pins 63 protruding from the surface thereof near both ends on the side where the front cover 60 is attached to the housing 10. These insertion pins 63 are inserted into the insertion holes 52 of the holder 50, respectively.

[0046] The front cover 60 has sliding surfaces 64 between the opening 61 on the surface on the side attached to the housing 10 and the insertion pin 63, and the front side of the block portion 32 of the slide shutter 30 abuts against these sliding surfaces 64. In addition, an upper engagement portion 65a and a lower engagement portion 65b are arranged vertically between the sliding surface 64 of the front cover 60 and the insertion pin 63. The upper engagement portion 65a and the lower engagement portion 65b are capable of engaging with the engagement pieces 43 formed on the block portion 32 of the slide shutter 30. Since the slide shutter 30, the holder 50 and the front cover 60 are configured to be in sliding contact with each other, they are preferably made of a resin material that has good sliding properties and excellent abrasion resistance.

[0047] To assemble the inlet 1 having the above configuration, first, the spring 57 and the holder 50 are inserted in order into the holder accommodating portions 14 of the housing 10 that accommodates the connection terminals 70. Then, the rear end of the spring 57 is held at the rear end side of the holder accommodating portion 14 by the holding tubular portion 26 and the holding pin 27, and the front end side of the spring 57 is inserted into and held in the holding hole 51 of the holder 50.

[0048] Next, the slide shutter 30 is fitted between the holder accommodating portion 14 from the front side of the housing 10, and further, the front cover 60 is attached from the front side of the housing 10, and the engagement claws 62 of the front cover 60 are engaged with the engagement groove portions 18 of the housing 10. When the front cover 60 is attached to the housing 10, the engagement pieces 43 of the slide shutter 30 are engaged with the upper engagement portions 65a of the front cover 60.

[0049] In the inlet 1 assembled in this manner, the first shutter inclined surface 37 of the sliding shutter 30 is disposed opposite the housing inclined surface 21 of the housing 10, and the second shutter inclined surface 41 of the sliding shutter 30 is disposed opposite the holder inclined surface 54 of the holder 50. The front surfaces of both end portions of the sliding shutter 30 are abutted against the sliding contact surfaces 64 of the front cover 60. Furthermore, the guide protrusions 42 of the sliding shutter 30 are inserted into the introduction groove portions 23 of the guide grooves 22 of the guide plate portions 20 of the housing 10. Furthermore, the insertion pins 63 of the front cover 60 are inserted into the insertion holes 52 of the holders 50 and the front end portions of the springs 57.

[0050] In this inlet 1, the opening 61 of the front cover 60 is closed by the slide shutter 30, and the front opening 17 of the terminal accommodating chamber 16 in the terminal accommodating portion 13 is covered by the slide shutter 30. This prevents the connection terminal 70 from being exposed at the front opening 17 when the inlet 1 is not connected.

[0051] The assembled inlet 1 is then attached to, for example, the body of an electric vehicle by a screw passing through a hole 19a of a fixing portion 19 formed in an upper wall portion 11 of the housing 10. Here, the up-down direction of the vehicle body is the up-down direction of the inlet 1 when attached to the vehicle body, but the attachment direction is not limited to this.

[0052] The inlet plug 5, which is fitted into and electrically connected to the inlet 1, includes a connection terminal 90 that fits into the connection terminal 70 of the inlet 1, and a plug housing 80 having a pair of terminal accommodating chambers 83 that accommodate the connection terminal 90, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0053] The plug housing 80 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin. Both end portions of the front end surface of the plug housing 80 serve as pressing surfaces 87 that face the front surface of the front cover 60 and can be pressed against the front surface of the front cover 60.

[0054] A connection terminal 90 connected to an end portion of a high voltage cable 91 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 83. The high voltage cable 91 connected to the connection terminal 90 is pulled out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 83.

[0055] The connection terminal 90 is a male terminal made of a conductive metal material and formed into a cylindrical rod shape. A joint hole 92 is formed at the rear end of the connection terminal 90, and a conductor 93 of a high-voltage cable 91 drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 83 is inserted into the joint hole 92 and crimped.

[0056] A seal member 95 is attached to the high voltage cable 91 drawn out from the rear end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 83, and the high voltage cable 91 is liquid-tightly sealed in the terminal accommodating chamber 83. The seal member 95 is prevented from coming off by a rear holder 97 attached to the rear end of the terminal accommodating chamber 83.

[0057] Next, a case where the inlet plug 5 is fitted into and removed from the inlet 1 having the above configuration will be described. Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connection terminal portion between the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 at the start of mating. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5 at the start of mating. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 5 at the start of mating. Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connection terminal portion between the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 at the time of mating. Fig. 14 is a front view of the inlet 1 at the time of mating, omitting the inlet plug 5. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 14. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 14.

[0058] (When mated) When the inlet 1 and the inlet plug 5 are not mated, the slide shutter 30 is disposed in front of the terminal accommodating portion 13 of the housing 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As a result, the opening 61 of the front cover 60 is closed by the slide shutter 30, and the front opening 17 of the terminal accommodating chamber 16 in the terminal accommodating portion 13 is in a closed state covered by the slide shutter 30. Therefore, the connection terminal 70 of the inlet 1 is not exposed as the slide shutter 30 is closed. This provides dust protection for the inlet 1, terminal protection, and prevention of electric shock.

[0059] From this state, the inlet plug 5 starts to be inserted and fitted into the inlet 1. First, from the state shown in FIG.

[0060] 10 to 12, the pressing surface 87 at the tip of the plug housing 80 of the inlet plug 5 comes into contact with the front surface of the front cover 60, pressing the front cover 60. Then, the slide shutter 30, which has been biased forward by the spring 57 via the holder 50, is pushed toward the rear side of the housing 10 against the biasing force of the spring 57.

[0061] As a result, the first shutter inclined surface 37 slides against the housing inclined surface 21 of the housing 10, and the slide shutter 30 moves diagonally downward and rearward relative to the housing 10 while sliding against the sliding contact surface 64 of the front cover 60. Therefore, the opening 61 of the front cover 60 that was closed by the slide shutter 30 is opened, and the front opening 17 of the terminal accommodating chamber 16 in the terminal accommodating portion 13 is opened.

[0062] At this time, the slide shutter 30 is guided diagonally downward toward the rear relative to the housing 10 as the guide protrusion 42 moves along the inclined groove portion 24 of the guide groove 22. Then, the slide shutter 30, which has been moved diagonally downward toward the rear relative to the housing 10, is no longer subjected to a downward pressing force as the first shutter inclined surface 37 disengages from the housing inclined surface 21. In this state, the guide protrusion 42 of the slide shutter 30 reaches the lower end of the inclined groove portion 24 of the guide groove 22. Also, the engagement piece 43 of the slide shutter 30 engages with the lower engagement portion 65b of the front cover 60.

[0063] In this state, when the inlet plug 5 is further inserted and fitted into the inlet 1, the slide shutter 30 together with the holder 50 is pushed horizontally backward relative to the housing 10, as shown in Figures 13 to 17. At this time, the slide shutter 30 is guided horizontally backward relative to the housing 10 as the guide protrusions 42 move along the horizontal groove portions 25 of the guide grooves 22. Then, the connection terminal 70 of the inlet 1 and the connection terminal 90 of the inlet plug 5 are fitted and connected to each other, so that the high-voltage cable 71 and the high-voltage cable 91 are electrically connected.

[0064] (When leaving) When the inlet plug 5 is pulled out from the inlet 1 to separate the inlet plug 5 from the inlet 1, the connection terminal 90 of the inlet plug 5 is pulled out from the connection terminal 70 of the inlet 1. This causes the electrical connection between the high voltage cable 71 and the high voltage cable 91 to be released.

[0065] When the inlet plug 5 is pulled out, the sliding shutter 30 and the front cover 60 are pushed forward of the housing 10 via the holder 50 by the biasing force of the spring 57. At this time, the guide protrusion 42 of the sliding shutter 30 moves along the horizontal groove portion 25 of the guide groove 22, so that the sliding shutter 30 is guided horizontally toward the front of the housing 10.

[0066] When the guide protrusion 42 of the sliding shutter 30 reaches the front end of the horizontal groove portion 25 of the guide groove 22, the restriction on the upward movement of the sliding shutter 30 due to the engagement of the guide protrusion 42 with the horizontal groove portion 25 is released, and the first shutter inclined surface 37 of the sliding shutter 30 and the housing inclined surface 21 become able to engage with each other.

[0067] In this state, when the holder 50, the sliding shutter 30 and the front cover 60 are pushed forward of the housing 10 by the force of the spring 57, the sliding shutter 30 is pulled up while sliding against the sliding contact surface 64 of the front cover 60 as the second shutter inclined surface 41 of the sliding shutter 30 slides against the holder inclined surface 54 of the holder 50.

[0068] Furthermore, the slide shutter 30 is guided obliquely upward and forward relative to the housing 10 as the guide protrusion 42 moves along the inclined groove portion 24 of the guide groove 22. When the guide protrusion 42 of the slide shutter 30 reaches the upper end of the inclined groove portion 24 of the guide groove 22, the engagement piece 43 of the slide shutter 30 engages with the upper engagement portion 65a of the front cover 60.

[0069] Then, in the inlet 1 from which the inlet plug 5 has been pulled out, the opening 61 of the front cover 60, which was open, is closed by the slide shutter 30, and the front opening 17 of the terminal accommodating chamber 16 in the terminal accommodating portion 13 is covered by the slide shutter 30, resulting in a closed state. Therefore, the connection terminals 70 of the inlet 1 are no longer exposed as the slide shutter 30 is closed, and the inlet 1 is dust-proof, the terminals are protected, and electric shock is prevented.

[0070] As described above, in the inlet 1 according to this embodiment, the first shutter inclined surface 37 slides against the housing inclined surface 21 of the housing 10, so that the sliding shutter 30 slides in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction to open the front opening 17. Therefore, with the inlet 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to lengthen the fitting hood portion of the inlet plug in consideration of the opening and closing trajectory of the shutter, as in the case of a conventional connector with a shutter mechanism.

[0071] In addition, in the inlet 1 according to this embodiment, the housing 10 is formed with the guide groove 22 into which the guide protrusion 42 of the slide shutter 30 engages. Therefore, the guide protrusions 42 of the slide shutter 30 engage with the guide grooves 22 of the housing 10 to support the opening and closing operation, so that the opening and closing operation of the slide shutter 30 can be performed smoothly when the inlet plug 5 is inserted or removed.

[0072] Moreover, the guide groove 22 includes an inclined groove portion 24 extending along the housing inclined surface 21, and a horizontal groove portion 25 continuing from the rear end portion of the inclined groove portion 24 and extending along the fitting direction. Therefore, the sliding shutter 30 can be moved along the inclined groove portion 24 to smoothly open and close the front opening 17 of the housing 10, and the sliding shutter 30 can be moved along the horizontal groove portion 25 to smoothly engage and disengage the inlet plug 5.

[0073] In addition, in the inlet 1 of this embodiment, the holder 50 is provided with a holder inclined surface 54, and the sliding shutter 30 is provided with a second shutter inclined surface 41 that slides the sliding shutter 30 in a direction intersecting the removal direction of the inlet plug 5 in response to the pressing force of the holder 50 in the removal direction of the inlet plug 5. Therefore, when the inlet plug 5 is pulled out of the housing 10, the second shutter inclined surface 41 slides against the holder inclined surface 54 of the holder 50, causing the slide shutter 30 to slide in a direction intersecting the connector removal direction to close the front opening 17. As a result, after the inlet plug 5 is removed, the front opening (front opening) 17 of the housing 10 is closed by the slide shutter 30, and the connection terminal 70 can be protected.

[0074] In the inlet 1 according to this embodiment, the holder 50 is constantly biased in the connector removal direction of the inlet plug 5 by the spring 57, which is an elastic member interposed between the holder 50 and the housing 10. Therefore, the biasing force of the spring 57 presses the slide shutter 30 in the connector removal direction via the holder 50, and the front opening 17 of the housing 10 can be kept closed well by the slide shutter 30. Also, the spring 57 is disposed in the holder accommodating portion 14 at the rear of the housing 10, and is separated from the front opening 17 of the housing 10. Therefore, the spring 57 separated from the front opening 17 is less susceptible to the effects of dust, water, and the like.

[0075] 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 the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0076] For example, in the above embodiment, a structure in which the sliding shutter 30 is pushed in by the inlet plug 5 via the front cover 60 has been exemplified, but a structure in which the front cover 60 is omitted and the sliding shutter 30 is pushed directly by the inlet plug 5 may also be used.

[0077] In addition, in the above embodiment, an inlet used in an electric vehicle or the like is described as an example of a connector with a shutter mechanism, but the connector of the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various connectors based on the spirit of the present invention.

[0078] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [5]. [1] A housing (10) for accommodating a connection terminal (70); a slide shutter (30) arranged to be able to open and close a front opening (front opening 17) of the housing (10) into which a mating connector (inlet plug 5) is fitted; a first shutter inclined surface (37) provided on the slide shutter (30); a housing inclined surface (21) that is provided on the housing (10) facing the first shutter inclined surface (37), and that opens the front opening (front opening 17) by sliding the slide shutter (30) in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction in response to a pressing force in the connector fitting direction by the mating connector (inlet plug 5); Connector with (inlet 1). [2] A guide protrusion (42) provided on the slide shutter (30); a guide groove (22) formed in the housing (10) and engaging with the guide protrusion (42) to support the opening and closing operation of the slide shutter (30); The connector (inlet 1) according to the above [1] is provided with: [3] The guide groove (22) has an inclined groove portion (24) extending along the housing inclined surface (21), a horizontal groove portion (25) extending continuously from a rear end portion of the inclined groove portion (24) along the connector fitting direction; The connector (inlet 1) according to the above [2], [4] a holder (50) disposed within the housing (10) so as to be movable along the connector fitting direction and constantly biased in a connector removal direction of the mating connector (inlet plug 5); a holder inclined surface (54) provided on the holder (50); a second shutter inclined surface (41) that is provided on the slide shutter (30) facing the holder inclined surface (54) and that closes the front opening (front opening 17) by sliding the slide shutter (30) in a direction intersecting the connector removal direction in response to a pressing force in the connector removal direction by the holder (50); The connector (inlet 1) according to the above [3], [5] The connector (inlet 1) according to the above [4], wherein the holder (50) is constantly biased in the direction of removing the connector by an elastic member (spring 57) interposed between the holder (50) and the housing (10). [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...Inlet (connector) 5...Inlet plug (mating connector) 10. Housing 17…Front opening (front opening) 21…Housing inclined surface 22...Guide groove 24…Slanted groove part 25…Horizontal groove part 30...Slide shutter 37…First shutter inclined surface 41…Second shutter inclined surface 42...Guide protrusion 50…Holder 54...Holder inclined surface 57...Spring (elastic member) 70…Connection terminal

Claims

1. A housing for accommodating a connection terminal; a slide shutter disposed to be capable of opening and closing a front opening of the housing into which a mating connector is fitted; A first shutter inclined surface provided on the slide shutter; a housing inclined surface that is provided on the housing opposite to the first shutter inclined surface, the housing inclined surface opening the front opening by sliding the slide shutter in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction in response to a pressing force in the connector fitting direction by the mating connector; A guide protrusion provided on the slide shutter; a guide groove formed in the housing and adapted to engage with the guide protrusion to support an opening and closing operation of the slide shutter; Equipped with The guide groove includes an inclined groove portion extending along the housing inclined surface, a horizontal groove portion extending in the connector fitting direction and continuing from a rear end portion of the inclined groove portion; A connector with

2. A connector as described in claim 1, wherein the guide protrusion moves along the inclined groove portion, causing the sliding shutter to slide in a direction intersecting the connector mating direction, and then, after the guide protrusion reaches the rear end portion of the inclined groove portion, the guide protrusion moves rearward along the horizontal groove portion, causing the sliding shutter to slide rearward along the connector mating direction, and the mating of the connector and the mating connector is completed with the guide protrusion positioned within the horizontal groove portion.

3. A housing for accommodating a connection terminal; a slide shutter disposed to be capable of opening and closing a front opening of the housing into which a mating connector is fitted; A first shutter inclined surface provided on the slide shutter; a housing inclined surface that is provided on the housing opposite to the first shutter inclined surface, the housing inclined surface opening the front opening by sliding the slide shutter in a direction intersecting the connector fitting direction in response to a pressing force in the connector fitting direction by the mating connector; A guide protrusion provided on the slide shutter; a guide groove formed in the housing and engaging with the guide protrusion to support an opening and closing operation of the slide shutter, the guide groove including an inclined groove portion extending along the housing inclined surface and a horizontal groove portion extending along the connector fitting direction and continuing from a rear end portion of the inclined groove portion; a holder that is disposed within the housing so as to be movable along the connector fitting direction and that is constantly biased in a connector removal direction of the mating connector; a holder inclined surface provided on the holder; a second shutter inclined surface that is provided on the slide shutter to face the holder inclined surface and that closes the front opening by sliding the slide shutter in a direction intersecting the connector removal direction in response to a pressing force of the holder in the connector removal direction; A connector with

4. A connector as described in claim 3, wherein the holder is constantly biased in the direction of removing the connector by an elastic member interposed between the holder and the housing.

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