Power supply circuit breaker unit, power supply circuit breaker device, and power supply circuit ON / OFF switching method

Abstract

To provide a power supply circuit cut-off unit, a power supply circuit cut-off device, and a power supply circuit ON / OFF switching method, which can be constructed compact with a simple structure, and can perform an operation such as an inspection or the like safely by performing cut-off of a power supply circuit.SOLUTION: A power supply circuit cut-off unit 1 comprises: a male-type power supply connector 20 to which a power supply line is connected; a female-type power supply connector 30; and a male-type switch connector 50 and a female-type switch connector 80 in which an ON state and an OFF state are switched over by fitting and non-fitting. The power supply circuit cut-off unit comprises: a first shaft part 115 that regulates the male-type switch connector 50 to an upper end position SH in a non-fitting state where the male-type power supply connector 20 is not fitted to the female-type power supply connector 30; and a second shaft part 72 that regulates escape of the male-type power supply connector 20 fitted to the female-type power supply connector 30 in the fitting state where the male-type switch connector 50 is fitted to the female-type switch connector 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply circuit breaking unit, a power supply circuit breaking device, and a power supply circuit ON / OFF switching method that break a power supply circuit to safely perform work when inspecting and maintaining an electrical system, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, various electrical devices mounted on automobiles are supplied with power via wire harnesses, etc. In particular, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and other vehicles have electrical systems with large currents and high voltages, and when inspecting and maintaining these electrical systems or parts related to the electrical systems, it is necessary to cut off the power circuit using a power circuit breaker device called a service plug to ensure safe work.

[0003] For example, a power supply circuit breaker such as that described in Patent Document 1 includes two housings that fit together, and a lever that is rotated when the housings are attached or detached. This power supply circuit breaker rotates the lever, and by temporarily locking the lever when the signal circuit is turned OFF, a predetermined time lag occurs between when the signal circuit is turned OFF and when the power supply circuit is turned ON, making it possible to suppress the occurrence of sparks, arcs, etc. that result from residual current after the signal circuit is turned OFF, and enabling work to be carried out safely by cutting off the power supply circuit when inspecting or servicing the electrical system.

[0004] However, power supply circuit breakers that connect and disconnect housings by rotating a lever have problems such as being complex in structure and large in size, and also occupying a large space, including the operating space for operating the lever. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-243559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a power circuit interruption unit, a power circuit interruption device, and a power circuit ON / OFF switching method that can be configured compactly with a simple structure and that can interrupt a power circuit to safely perform inspection and other work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes a power connector to which a power line is connected, a power mating connector to which the power connector is mated, and a switch connector and switch mating connector that switch between an ON state and an OFF state by mating and unmating, and is also provided with a first restricting portion that restricts the switch connector to a non-mated position relative to the switch mating connector in a non-mated state where the power connector is not mated with the power mating connector, and a second restricting portion that restricts removal of the power connector mated with the power mating connector in a mated state where the switch connector is mated with the switch mating connector. a housing in which at least the power supply mated connector and the switch mated connector are arranged, the first restricting portion is a first abutment restricting portion provided on at least one of the housing and the switch connector, and abuts against a part of the other to restrict it, and the second restricting portion is a second abutment restricting portion provided on at least one of the switch connector and the power supply connector, and abuts against a part of the other to restrict it. It is characterized by being a power supply circuit breaker unit.

[0008] The present invention also provides a power supply connector into which a power connector to which a power line is connected is fitted, and a switch connector and switch connector that switch between an ON state and an OFF state by fitting and unfitting, and further includes a first restricting portion that restricts the switch connector to a non-fitted position relative to the switch connector in a non-fitted state in which the power connector is not fitted to the power supply connector, and a second restricting portion that restricts removal of the power connector fitted to the power supply connector in a fitted state in which the switch connector is fitted to the switch connector. a housing in which at least the power supply mated connector and the switch mated connector are arranged, the first restricting portion is a first abutment restricting portion provided on at least one of the housing and the switch connector, and abuts against a part of the other to restrict it, and the second restricting portion is a second abutment restricting portion provided on at least one of the switch connector and the power supply connector, and abuts against a part of the other to restrict it. It is characterized by being a power supply circuit breaker.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a first restricted state in which a switch connector that switches between an ON state and an OFF state by engaging and disengaging with the switch connector is restricted to a non-engaged position relative to the switch connector when the power connector to which a power line is connected is not engaged with the power connector to which the power connector is to be engaged, and a second restricted state in which removal of the power connector engaged with the power connector is restricted when the switch connector is engaged with the switch connector. The device includes a housing in which at least the power supply connector and the switch connector are arranged, and the first restricting state is a first abutment restricting state in which at least one of the housing and the switch connector abuts against a part of the other to restrict it, and the second restricting state is a second abutment restricting state in which at least one of the switch connector and the power supply connector abuts against a part of the other to restrict it. It is characterized by being a power supply circuit ON / OFF switching method.

[0010] These inventions enable the power supply circuit breaking unit and power supply circuit breaking device to be configured in a simple and compact structure, and enable inspection and other work to be performed safely by breaking the power supply circuit. In more detail, it is equipped with a power connector to which the power line is connected, a power mating connector into which the power connector is mated, and a switch connector and switch mating connector that switch between an ON state and an OFF state by mating and unmating, so it can be constructed with a simpler structure than conventional power circuit breaker devices that are equipped with a lever.

[0011] Furthermore, in a non-mated state where the power connector is not mated with the power receiving connector, the first restricting portion can restrict the switch connector to a non-mated position relative to the switch receiving connector. Therefore, the power connector can be mated with the power receiving connector with the switch connector restricted in the non-mated position. In other words, in a mated ON state where the switch receiving connector and the switch connector are mated, the power connector can be prevented from mating with the power receiving connector.

[0012] Furthermore, in a mated state in which the switch connector is mated with the switch mating connector, a second restricting portion restricts removal of the power connector mated with the power mating connector. Therefore, in an ON state in which the switch connector is mated with the switch mating connector, the power connector in the mated state in which it is mated with the power mating connector can be prevented from removing. In other words, the power connector can be removed from the power mating connector in an OFF state in which the switch mating connector and the switch connector are not mated.

[0013] In this way, the present invention can prevent the power connector from mating with the power connector or from coming loose from the power connector when the switch connector and the switch mating connector are mated in the ON state. In other words, the power connector and the power connector are detached when the switch connector and the switch mating connector are not mated in the OFF state, allowing the power connector and the power connector to be safely detached. Therefore, the power circuit can be shut off and inspections and other work can be performed safely.

[0014] Further, a housing portion is provided in which at least the power supply mating connector and the switch mating connector are arranged, the first regulating portion is a first abutment regulating portion provided on at least one of the housing portion and the switch connector and abuts against a part of the other to regulate it, and the second regulating portion may be a second abutment regulating portion provided on at least one of the switch connector and the power supply connector and abuts against a part of the other to regulate it.

[0015] According to this invention, a first abutment restriction portion is provided on at least one of the housing portion and the switch connector, and abuts against a part of the other, thereby reliably restricting the switch connector to a non-mating position relative to the switch mating connector.

[0016] In addition, the second abutment control portion is provided on at least one of the switch connector and the power connector, and abuts against a part of the other, thereby reliably preventing the power connector mated with the power mated connector from coming off when the switch connector is mated with the switch mated connector.

[0017] The insertion and removal direction of the power connector relative to the power mating connector and the insertion and removal direction of the switch connector relative to the switch mating connector may be the same, or may be different directions, such as perpendicular directions.

[0018] When the first regulating portion is provided in the housing portion, the first regulating portion may be provided in a part of the housing portion, the first regulating portion may be provided in a part of the power supply mating connector that is integral with the housing portion, or the first regulating portion may be provided in a part of the housing portion and a part of the power supply mating connector that is integral with the housing portion.

[0019] As an aspect of the present invention, a first restriction release portion may be provided that releases the restriction by the first restriction portion when the power connector is fitted to the power fitting connector. According to this invention, after the power connector and the power mating connector are mated, the switch connector can be inserted into the switch mating connector and set to the ON state without performing any release work to release the restriction of the first restricting part that restricts the switch connector to the non-mated position.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, the switch connector is provided with a slide portion that can move in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the switch connector relative to the switch mating connector, and the first abutment control portion is provided on at least one of the housing portion and the slide portion, and the second abutment control portion is provided on at least one of the slide portion and the power connector.

[0021] According to this invention, the slide portion can move in a direction perpendicular to the switch connector which moves in the insertion / removal direction relative to the switch mated connector. Furthermore, since the first abutment control portion is provided on at least one of the housing portion and the slide portion, and the second abutment control portion is provided on at least one of the slide portion and the power connector, a more appropriate abutment control state can be obtained compared to when the first abutment control portion and the second abutment control portion are provided on at least one of the switch connector and the housing portion that move in the insertion / removal direction, or at least one of the switch connector and the power connector.

[0022] In another aspect of the present invention, the first contact regulating portion may be a first axis portion provided in the housing portion, a first guide groove may be provided in the slide portion to guide the first axis portion, and a first groove regulating portion may be provided in the first guide groove to engage with the first axis portion and regulate movement of the switch connector in the detachment direction, and the second contact regulating portion may be a second axis portion provided in the slide portion, a second guide groove may be provided in the power connector to guide the second axis portion, and a second groove regulating portion may be provided in the second guide groove to engage with the second axis portion and regulate movement of the power connector in the detachment direction.

[0023] According to this invention, the first contact restriction portion can reliably restrict the switch connector in the non-mated position, and the second contact restriction portion can reliably restrict the power connector in the mated state. In more detail, when the switch connector is moved in the insertion / removal direction relative to the switch mating connector, the slide portion attached to the switch connector and provided with a first guide groove moves in the insertion / removal direction relative to the first shaft portion provided in the housing portion inside which the switch mating connector is arranged. Therefore, when the switch connector is moved in the insertion / removal direction, the slide portion, whose first shaft portion engages with the first guide groove, moves in a direction perpendicular to the switch connector.

[0024] Furthermore, when the switch connector moves relative to the switch mating connector or the power connector moves relative to the power mating connector, the second axis portion provided on the slide portion and the second guide groove provided on the power connector also move relative to each other, and the slide portion, in which the second axis portion engages with the second guide groove, moves in a direction perpendicular to the switch connector.

[0025] Then, by moving the switch connector and the power connector relative to each other, the slide portion, in which the second shaft portion engages with the second guide groove, moves in a direction perpendicular to the switch connector, and the first shaft portion engages with the first groove regulating portion of the first guide groove provided in the slide portion, thereby restricting movement of the switch connector in the detachment direction.

[0026] Conversely, by moving the switch connector in the insertion / removal direction, the slide portion, which engages the first axis portion with the first guide groove, moves in a direction perpendicular to the switch connector, and the second axis portion provided on the slide portion engages with the second groove regulating portion of the second guide groove provided on the power connector, thereby restricting movement of the power connector in the removal direction.

[0027] In another aspect of the present invention, the housing may be provided with a switch connector accommodating portion that accommodates the switch connector so that the switch connector can be moved between a non-mated position and a mated position in the insertion / removal direction relative to the switch mated connector arranged therein.

[0028] According to this invention, the switch connector can be accommodated in a switch connector accommodation portion provided in a housing portion that accommodates the switch connector therein so that the switch connector can be moved between a non-mated position and a mated position relative to the switch connector, i.e., the switch connector can be accommodated in the housing portion together with the switch connector. Therefore, simply by moving the switch connector in the switch connector accommodation portion between the non-mated position and the mated position, the switch connector can be inserted and removed from the switch connector, and the switch connector can be reliably switched between an ON state and an OFF state.

[0029] Furthermore, the switch connector, which is in a non-mated position with respect to the switch mated connector and is restricted by the first contact restriction portion, is disposed within the switch connector accommodating portion, and therefore can be stably restricted. Furthermore, even in a mated state in which the power connector mated with the power mated connector is restricted by the second contact restriction portion, the switch connector is disposed within the connector accommodating portion, and therefore can be stably restricted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] The present invention provides a power supply circuit interruption unit, a power supply circuit interruption device, and a power supply circuit ON / OFF switching method that can be configured compactly with a simple structure and that can interrupt the power supply circuit to safely perform inspection and other work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a power supply circuit breaker unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a power supply circuit breaker unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply circuit breaker unit as viewed from the top side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply circuit breaker unit as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male switch connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective cross-sectional view of a power supply circuit breaker unit. [Figure 7] An illustration of a male switch connector and a male power connector. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the housing and the power supply circuit breaking unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a housing and a power supply circuit breaker unit as seen from an arrow. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the removal of the male power connector from the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the removal of the male power connector from the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the removal of the male power connector from the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the removal of the male power connector from the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the insertion of a male power connector into the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the insertion of a male power connector into the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the insertion of a male power connector into the power circuit breaker unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the insertion of a male power connector into the power circuit breaker unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] A power supply circuit breaking unit 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory perspective views of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 from the top side, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 from the bottom side.

[0033] In detail, FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the front, top and right side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing the back, bottom and left side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1. Figure 2(a) is an oblique view showing the front, top and right side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, Figure 2(b) is an oblique view showing the front, top and right side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 with the housing part 100 shown in a transparent state, Figure 2(c) is an oblique view showing the back, top and left side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, and Figure 2(d) is an oblique view showing the back, top and left side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 with the housing part 100 shown in a transparent state.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the front, top and right side of the disassembled power supply circuit breaking unit 1, and FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the back, bottom and left side of the disassembled power supply circuit breaking unit 1.

[0035] In addition, Figure 5 shows an explanatory oblique view of the male switch connector 50, Figure 6 shows an explanatory cross-sectional oblique view of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, Figure 7 shows an explanatory view of the male switch connector 50 and the male power supply connector 20, Figure 8 shows an explanatory plan view of the housing unit 100 and the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, and Figure 9 shows an explanatory arrow view of the housing unit 100 and the power supply circuit breaking unit 1.

[0036] In detail, Figure 5 is an oblique view showing the back, top, and left side of the male switch connector 50, Figure 5(a) is an oblique view showing the back, top, and left side of the male switch connector 50 in a state where the slide block 70 has slid to the rear side Db in the depth direction D relative to the male switch housing 60, and Figure 5(b) is an oblique view showing the back, top, and left side of the male switch connector 50 in a state where the slide block 70 has slid to the front side Df in the depth direction D relative to the male switch housing 60.

[0037] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram using a cross-sectional perspective view of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1, Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the front, top, and right side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 as viewed by arrow CC shown in Fig. 8(b), Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the back, top, and left side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 as viewed by arrow DD shown in Fig. 8(b), and Fig. 6(c) is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the back, top, and left side of the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 as viewed by arrow DD shown in Fig. 8(b) with the male switch connector 50 positioned at the upper end position SH. Note that the female switch connector 80 to be placed inside the accommodating section 110 is not shown in Figs. 6(b) and 6(c).

[0038] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the male switch connector 50 and the male power connector 20, and in detail, Figure 7(a) shows a left side view of the male switch connector 50, and Figure 7(b) shows a right side view of the male power connector 20.

[0039] Figure 8(a) shows a plan view of the housing part 100, Figure 8(b) shows a plan view of the power supply circuit interruption unit 1, Figure 9(a) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 8(b), and Figure 9(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 8(a).

[0040] Figures 10 to 13 show explanatory diagrams based on cross-sectional views taken along the CC arrow in Figure 8(b) when removing the male power connector 20 from the power circuit breaker unit 1, and Figures 14 to 17 show explanatory diagrams based on cross-sectional views taken along the CC arrow in Figure 8(b) when inserting the male power connector 20 into the power circuit breaker unit 1. 10 to 17, the male switch connector 50 is shown by a broken line, and the female switch connector 80 is not shown.

[0041] In more detail, Figure 10(a) shows the power connector set 10 in a mated state, i.e., the male power connector 20 is inserted into the female power connector 30 and mated, and the switch connector set 40 in a mated state, i.e., the male switch connector 50 is inserted into the female switch connector 80 (not shown) and mated in the ON state, as viewed from the CC arrow.

[0042] FIG. 10(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in a state where the male switch connector 50 is beginning to be removed from the female switch connector 80 (not shown) while the power connector set 10 remains mated.

[0043] Figure 11(a) shows a cross-sectional view along the CC arrow in the OFF state in which the power connector set 10 remains engaged, the male switch connector 50 has completely escaped from the female switch connector 80 (not shown), and is positioned at the upper end position SH, and the switch connector set 40 has been separated.

[0044] FIG. 11(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in a state where the male power connector 20 begins to be removed from the female power connector 30 while the switch connector assembly 40 remains in the separated OFF state. Figures 12(a) and 12(b) show cross-sectional views taken along the CC arrow when the male power connector 20 is in the process of being removed from the female power connector 30 while the switch connector set 40 is in the separated OFF state, and Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow when the male power connector 20 has completely removed from the female power connector 30.

[0045] Figure 14(a) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow when the male power connector 20 is beginning to be inserted into the female power connector 30, with the male switch connector 50 and female switch connector 80 (not shown) that make up the switch connector set 40 separated in the OFF state; Figures 14(b) and 15(a) show cross-sectional views taken along the CC arrow when the switch connector set 40 is in the OFF state and the male power connector 20 is in the middle of being inserted into the female power connector 30; and Figure 15(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow when the switch connector set 40 is in the OFF state and the male power connector 20 has been completely inserted into the female power connector 30, resulting in the power connector set 10 being mated.

[0046] Figure 16(a) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow when the power connector set 10 is in a mated state and the male switch connector 50 has begun to be inserted into the female switch connector 80 (not shown), Figures 16(b) and 17(a) show cross-sectional views taken along the CC arrow when the power connector set 10 is in a mated state and the male switch connector 50 is in the middle of being inserted into the female switch connector 80 (not shown), and Figure 17(b) shows a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow when the power connector set 10 is in a mated state and the male switch connector 50 has been completely inserted into the female switch connector 80 (not shown) and the switch connector set 40 is in the ON state.

[0047] In Figure 1(a), the direction from the upper left to the lower right is the width direction W, the direction from the lower left to the upper right is the depth direction D, and the up-down direction is the height direction H. Furthermore, in the width direction W, the upper left side is the first width direction Wf, the lower right side is the second width direction Ws, in the depth direction D, the lower left side is the front side Df, and the upper right side is the back side Db. In the height direction H, the upper side is the upper side Hu, and the lower side is the lower side Hd.

[0048] The power supply circuit breaking unit 1 shown in Figures 1 to 17 is used to safely inspect and maintain large current and high voltage electrical systems and parts related to the electrical systems in vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and breaks the power supply circuit, and is also called a service plug.

[0049] Specifically, the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 is provided with a power supply connector set 10 consisting of a male power connector 20 to which a power line (not shown) is connected and a female power connector 30 into which the male power connector 20 is mated, and a switch connector set 40 consisting of a male switch connector 50 and a female switch connector 80 that switch between an ON state and an OFF state by mating and disengaging. The power supply circuit breaking unit 1 is configured to restrict the male switch connector 50 to an upper end position SH, which is a non-mated position, relative to the female switch connector 80 when the power supply connector set 10 is not mated. The power supply circuit breaking unit 1 is also configured to restrict removal of the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30 in the mated power connector set 10 when the switch connector set 40 is mated with the female switch connector 80.

[0050] The power supply circuit is configured to be able to conduct high voltage power by fitting a male power connector 20 to which a power line (not shown) is connected and a female power connector 30 to which a power line (not shown) is connected.

[0051] The switch circuit is a circuit that switches between an ON state and an OFF state depending on whether the male switch connector 50 and the female switch connector 80, which will be described later, are mated or not. Note that even when the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 are mated and the power circuit is conductive, the switch circuit is configured not to conduct electricity when it is in the OFF state. In other words, when the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 are mated and conductive, the power circuit is configured to conduct electricity when the switch circuit is in the ON state.

[0052] As described above, the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 equipped with the power connector set 10 and the switch connector set 40 is only partially shown in the figure, but it has a box-shaped housing 100, and the power supply connector set 10 is made up of a male power connector 20 and a female power connector 30, and the switch connector set 40 is made up of a male switch connector 50 and a female switch connector 80. In the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 equipped with the power supply connector set 10 and the switch connector set 40 and having the housing 100, the female power connector 30 constituting the power supply connector set 10, the switch connector set 40 and the housing 100 form a power supply circuit breaking device 1a (see Figures 3 and 4), and the power supply circuit breaking unit 1 is constructed by fitting the male power connector 20 into the female power connector 30 of the power supply circuit breaking device 1a.

[0053] The box-shaped housing 100 includes a female power connector 30 protruding from the upper side Hu and a housing portion 110 for housing a switch connector set 40, which are arranged side by side in the width direction W. The female power connector 30 is a generally rectangular tubular shape with an open upper side Hu so that the male power connector 20 (described later) fits from the upper side Hu to the lower side Hd, and terminals (not shown) to which power lines are connected are disposed inside. Note that, as shown in Figure 3, the generally rectangular tubular female power connector 30 with an open upper side Hu has slits 31 in the height direction H on both sides in the depth direction D, through which the grip support parts 22 of the male power connector 20 are inserted.

[0054] The accommodation section 110, which is connected to the female power connector 30 in the second width direction Ws, is a hollow box having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open lower side Hd, and accommodates the male switch connector 50 therein so that it can slide in the height direction H. As shown in Figure 3, slits 111 are provided on both sides of the accommodation section 110 in the depth direction D, in the height direction H, through which the grip support section 62 of the male switch connector 50 is inserted, and a through hole 112 is provided at the base of the slits 111, through which the grip 61 of the male switch connector 50 can pass.

[0055] Furthermore, two slits 113 in the height direction H are provided at a predetermined interval in the depth direction D on the surface of the accommodating section 110 in the second width direction Ws, through which the retaining hooks 63 provided in the second width direction Ws of the male switch housing 60 of the male switch connector 50 are inserted. Although not shown, the accommodating section 110 is configured so that the female switch connector 80 that mates with the male switch connector 50 to form the switch connector set 40 can be fixed below the accommodating section 110.

[0056] In addition, the first width direction Wf of the box-shaped storage section 110, which stores the male switch connector 50 so that it can slide in the height direction H, is common to the side surface of the second width direction Ws of the female power connector 30, which is formed in an approximately rectangular cylindrical shape, and as shown in Figure 6(a), an opening 114 is provided that connects the inside of the female power connector 30 to the inside of the storage section 110, and a first axis portion 115 protruding in the second width direction Ws is provided on the lower side Hd of the opening 114.

[0057] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the side surface 23 in the second width direction Ws of the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30 is exposed to the inside of the accommodating section 110, and the male switch connector 50 accommodated inside the accommodating section 110 is exposed to the inside of the female power connector 30.

[0058] The housing unit 100 configured in this manner is not shown in the figure, but is approximately box-shaped overall, and for example, forms part of the top surface of the box, with the female power connector 30 and the accommodating unit 110 protruding from the top surface of the box.

[0059] Next, the switch connector set 40 accommodated in the accommodating section 110 of the housing section 100 having the female power connector 30 will be described. The switch connector set 40 is made up of a male switch connector 50 accommodated in the accommodation portion 110 so as to be slidable in the height direction H, and a female switch connector 80 disposed on the lower side Hd of the accommodation portion 110.

[0060] The female switch connector 80 is inserted into and fits into the male switch connector 50 described below, and is roughly rectangular, slightly smaller than the male switch connector 50.A switch circuit (not shown) is connected to the female switch connector 80, and a connection terminal (not shown) is provided at the upper end for connecting to the terminal on the male switch connector 50.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the male switch connector 50 is made up of a male switch housing 60 and a slide block 70 that is attached to the male switch housing 60 so as to be slidable in the depth direction D. The male switch housing 60 is a hollow box-like body having an open lower side Hd and an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape in the height direction H, into which the female switch connector 80 is inserted and fitted.

[0062] The male switch housing 60 is provided with grips 61 on both sides of the upper side Hu in the depth direction D, each of which protrudes outward in the depth direction D. The grips 61 are arranged at a predetermined interval outside in the depth direction D by grip support portions 62 provided on the side surfaces of the male switch housing 60 in the depth direction D.

[0063] On the side surface of the male switch housing 60 in the second width direction Ws, retaining hooks 63 extending in the height direction H and having hooks at their ends in the height direction H are provided at predetermined intervals in the depth direction D. Of the retaining hooks 63 provided at predetermined intervals in the depth direction D, the retaining hook 63 on the front side Df has a hook provided on an upper side Hu, and the retaining hook 63 on the back side Db has a hook provided on a lower side Hd.

[0064] A slide mounting portion 64 is provided in the first width direction Wf of the male switch housing 60 to mount a slide block 70 slidably in the depth direction D. The slide mounting part 64 has locking grooves 65, which slidably lock with locking parts 71 of a slide block 70 (described later), arranged at predetermined intervals in the height direction H. In addition, between the locking grooves 65, there are provided retaining hooks 66 that prevent the slide block 70, which is slidably mounted on the slide mounting part 64, from slipping out.

[0065] Inside the male switch housing 60 configured in this manner, there is a terminal (not shown) that connects to and establishes electrical continuity with the connection terminal provided at the upper end of the female switch connector 80, thereby turning on the switch circuit connected to the female switch connector 80 and allowing it to conduct.

[0066] The slide block 70, which is slidably mounted in the depth direction D to the slide mounting portion 64 of the male switch housing 60, is a vertically elongated, approximately rectangular plate whose length in the depth direction D is shorter than that of the male switch housing 60, and has a locking portion 71 in the second width direction Ws that locks into a locking groove portion 65 provided in the male switch housing 60.

[0067] As shown in Figures 3 and 7(a), the locking portions 71 are arranged on the second width direction Ws surface of the slide block 70 so as to extend in the depth direction D, and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the height direction H so as to correspond to the locking groove portions 65 arranged at a predetermined interval in the height direction H.

[0068] In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the slide block 70 in the first width direction Wf is provided with a second shaft portion 72 protruding in the first width direction Wf and a first guide groove 73 in which the above-mentioned first shaft portion 115 engages. The second shaft portion 72 is provided on the surface of the first width direction Wf of the rectangular slide block 70 that is elongated in the height direction H, near the corners on the front side Df and lower side Hd, and is axially shaped and protrudes in the first width direction Wf.

[0069] The second shaft portion 72 has a drop-shaped cross section that protrudes toward the rear side Db and the lower side Hd. The portion of the drop-shaped second shaft portion 72 that protrudes toward the rear side Db and the lower side Hd is perpendicular.

[0070] The first guide groove 73 provided on the surface of the slide block 70 in the first width direction Wf is a groove for engaging and guiding the first shaft portion 115 as described above, and is formed with a groove width and groove depth that can accommodate the first shaft portion 115. Like the second shaft portion 72 described above, the first shaft portion 115 that engages with the first guide groove 73 is also a shaft portion that has a drop-shaped cross section that protrudes toward the back side Db and the lower side Hd, and the portion of the drop-shaped cross section of the first shaft portion 115 that protrudes toward the back side Db and the lower side Hd is right-angled.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7(a), the first guide groove 73 in which the first shaft portion 115 engages is composed of a first straight portion 73a extending from the upper end in the height direction H, an inclined portion 73b extending from the lower end of the first straight portion 73a toward the rear side Db and the lower side Hd, a second straight portion 73c extending from the lower end of the inclined portion 73b in the height direction H, and a widthwise portion 73d extending from the lower end of the second straight portion 73c toward the front side Df, which are arranged in this order. In this way, the first guide groove 73, which is formed by a continuous groove including the first straight portion 73a, the inclined portion 73b, the second straight portion 73c, and the width direction portion 73d, has a substantially hook shape when viewed from the first width direction Wf.

[0072] The male switch housing 60 and slide block 70 configured in this manner can be assembled by engaging the locking portion 71 with the locking groove portion 65 of the slide mounting portion 64 provided in the first width direction Wf of the male switch housing 60, thereby forming a male switch connector 50 in which the slide block 70 can slide from the rear side Db as shown in Figure 5(a) to the front side Df as shown in Figure 5(b) relative to the male switch housing 60.

[0073] 4, the male switch connector 50 configured in this manner is accommodated in the accommodating section 110 by inserting the grip 61 through the through-hole 112 provided at the base of the accommodating section 110 in the depth direction D from the opened lower side Hd of the accommodating section 110 and inserting the grip support portion 62 into the slit 111. At this time, the retaining hook 63 provided in the second width direction Ws of the male switch housing 60 of the male switch connector 50 is inserted into the slit 113.

[0074] When one of the two retaining hooks 63 is inserted into the two slits 113, the male switch connector 50, which is accommodated inside the accommodation section 110 and is capable of sliding in the height direction H, has the hook of the retaining hook 63 locked in the slit 113, preventing it from unintentionally slipping out to the lower side Hd.

[0075] Furthermore, the grip 61 of the male switch connector 50 accommodated inside the accommodating section 110 has the grip support section 62 that supports the grip 61 inserted into the slit 111, so that the grip 61 protrudes on both sides of the depth direction D of the accommodating section 110, and the user can grasp the grip 61 and slide the male switch connector 50 accommodated inside the accommodating section 110 in the height direction H.

[0076] Furthermore, the slide block 70 of the male switch connector 50 accommodated in the accommodation portion 110 is exposed on the side of the female power connector 30 at an opening 114 between the accommodation portion 110 and the female power connector 30. The first shaft portion 115 is engaged with the first guide groove 73 of the slide block 70 exposed at the opening 114.

[0077] In this way, the male switch connector 50 is accommodated inside the accommodation section 110 so as to be slidable in the height direction H. As shown in Figure 9(a), the position where it is positioned on the lowest side Hd is the bottom end position SL, and as shown in Figure 9(b), the position where it is positioned on the highest side Hu is the top end position SH.

[0078] As shown in Figure 8(a), when the male switch connector 50 is placed at the lower end position SL, the connection terminal (not shown) provided at the upper end of the female switch connector 80 and the terminal arranged inside the male switch housing 60 are electrically connected to each other, resulting in an ON state, and as shown in Figure 8(b), when the male switch connector 50 is placed at the upper end position SH, the connection terminal of the female switch connector 80 and the terminal inside the male switch housing 60 are separated, resulting in an OFF state, with the female switch connector 80 being placed on the lower side Hd of the accommodating section 110.

[0079] The power supply circuit breaker 1a can be configured by arranging the male switch connector 50 and female switch connector 80 configured in this manner inside the accommodating section 110 of the housing section 100 having the female power supply connector 30. In the power supply circuit interruption device 1a, the first axis portion 115 provided on the housing portion 100 is engaged with the first guide groove 73 of the slide block 70 exposed at the opening 114, so when the male switch connector 50 is slid in the height direction H inside the accommodating portion 110, the first axis portion 115 provided on the housing portion 100 and the male switch connector 50 move relative to each other in the height direction H.

[0080] When the first shaft 115 and the slide block 70 move relatively in the height direction H, the first shaft 115 moves relatively along the first guide groove 73 in accordance with the relative movement of the slide block 70, because the first shaft 115 is formed in the first guide groove 73. When the first shaft 115 moves relatively along the first guide groove 73, the slide block 70 moves in the depth direction D in the male switch connector 50, which can only move in the height direction H inside the accommodating section 110.

[0081] Next, the male power connector 20 that constitutes the power circuit breaking unit 1 by fitting into the female power connector 30 in the power circuit breaking device 1a will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7(b). When the male power connector 20 is mated with the female power connector 30, it connects to terminals provided on the female power connector 30, and power lines (not shown) that make up a high-voltage power circuit are connected to the power lines connected to the terminals of the female power connector 30. Inside the male power connector 20, there is provided a connection terminal (not shown) that is connected to the power line (not shown) and connects to the terminal of the mated female power connector 30.

[0082] As described above, the male power connector 20, which forms a high-voltage power circuit by mating with the female power connector 30, is formed in a generally rectangular tubular shape with an open lower side Hd, and is provided on both sides in the depth direction D with grips 21 that protrude outward in the depth direction D. The grips 21 are arranged at a predetermined distance outside in the depth direction D by grip support parts 22 provided on the side surfaces of the generally rectangular tubular shape in the depth direction D.

[0083] A side surface 23 of the male power connector 20 in the second width direction Ws is provided with a second guide groove 24 that is a groove for engaging and guiding the second shaft portion 72 provided on the slide block 70.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7(b), the second guide groove 24 is arranged in the following order from the upper side Hu to the lower side Hd: a first straight portion 25 extending in the height direction H; a widening portion 26 widening from the lower end of the first straight portion 25 to the lower side Hd and the rear side Db; a narrowing portion 27 narrowing in the width direction W at the lower end of the widening portion 26; and a lower end opening 28 that opens while widening in the width direction W toward the lower side Hd.

[0085] The first linear portion 25 is formed with a groove width that allows the second shaft portion 72 to be engaged. The widened portion 26 is connected to the first straight portion 25 on the front side Df, and is widened toward the rear side Db by a first inclined portion 26a extending downward Hd and toward the rear side Db. The first inclined portion 26a is formed at the same inclination angle as the inclined portion 73b of the first guide groove 73.

[0086] The narrowed width portion 27 is narrowed to such an extent that the second shaft portion 72 can pass through in the height direction H, by a second inclined portion 27a that protrudes obliquely from the portion extending in the height direction H on the front side Df of the first straight portion 25 and the widened portion 26 toward the rear side Db and lower side Hd, and a widthwise portion 27b that protrudes from the rear side Db at the upper side Hu toward the front side Df in the width direction W. The lower end opening 28 opens while widening outward in the width direction W from a narrowed width portion 27 where the width is narrowed to an extent that the second shaft portion 72 can pass through in the height direction H.

[0087] When the male power connector 20 configured in this manner is mated with the female power connector 30, the opening 114 provided between the female power connector 30 and the accommodating section 110 exposes the second guide groove 24 of the male power connector 20 toward the inside of the accommodating section 110, and the second axis portion 72 of the slide block 70 attached to the male switch connector 50 accommodated in the accommodating section 110 is engaged with the second guide groove 24.

[0088] In the mated state where the male power connector 20 configured as described above is inserted into the female power connector 30 of the power circuit breaker 1a, when the switch connector assembly 40 is mated and in the ON state, the power line connected to the female power connector 30 and the power line connected to the male power connector 20 are electrically connected, establishing a high-voltage power circuit. This state is the normal state, and for work such as inspection, the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 are separated to shut off the high-voltage power circuit before work can be performed.

[0089] Next, a method for removing the male power connector 20 from the power circuit breaking unit 1 in order to break the power circuit from the above-mentioned normal state will be described with reference to FIGS. In the normal state described above, as shown in Figure 10(a), the power connector set 10 consisting of the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 is in a mated state, and the switch connector set 40 consisting of the male switch connector 50 and the female switch connector 80 is also in an ON state. When the switch connector set 40 is in the ON state, the male switch connector 50 is located at the lower end position SL.

[0090] At this time, the first shaft 115 is located in the first linear portion 73a of the first guide groove 73, and the second shaft 72 of the slide block 70 is located in the widthwise portion 27b of the reduced width portion 27 of the male power connector 20. Therefore, the second shaft 72 presses the widthwise portion 27b from the upper side Hu, preventing the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30 from unintentionally coming off.

[0091] The second shaft portion 72 is formed in a drop-shaped cross section that protrudes toward the rear side Db and the lower side Hd, and the portion of the drop-shaped second shaft portion 72 that protrudes toward the rear side Db and the lower side Hd is right-angled, so that the second shaft portion 72 is stably positioned at the corner between the rear side Db portion of the widening portion 26 in the second guide groove 24 and the second inclined portion 27a of the narrowing portion 27.

[0092] First, from the normal state shown in FIG. 10(a) above, the male switch connector 50 is moved to the upper side Hu (see FIG. 10(b)). When the male switch connector 50 is moved to the upper side Hu, the first shaft portion 115 that was engaged with the first straight portion 73a of the first guide groove 73 is guided by the inclined portion 73b. Because the first shaft portion 115 is guided by the inclined portion 73b, the slide block 70 moves to the front side Df. When the slide block 70 moves to the front side Df, the second shaft portion 72 provided on the slide block 70 moves to the front side Df at the widened portion 26 of the second guide groove 24.

[0093] 11(a), the first shaft 115, which has come out of the inclined portion 73b, is guided by the second straight portion 73c. ​​Since the second straight portion 73c extends in the height direction H, the slide block 70 does not move in the width direction W relative to the male switch housing 60.

[0094] The second shaft portion 72 provided on the slide block 70, which does not move in the width direction W, is guided by the first straight portion 25 of the second guide groove 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 11(a), when the male switch connector 50 moves to the upper end position SH, the first shaft portion 115 is positioned at the lower end position of the second straight portion 73c, the male switch connector 50 and the female switch connector 80 are completely disengaged, and the switch connector set 40 is in the OFF state.

[0095] As shown in Figure 11(a), after the switch connector set 40 is turned OFF, the male power connector 20 of the power connector set 10 in the mated state is moved to the upper side Hu and pulled out from the female power connector 30 (see Figure 11(b)). When the male power connector 20 is moved to the upper side Hu, the second shaft portion 72 that is engaged with the first linear portion 25 of the second guide groove 24 moves relatively to the lower side Hd on the first linear portion 25 .

[0096] When the male power connector 20 is further moved to the upper side Hu, the second shaft 72 comes into contact with the second inclined portion 27a on the front side Df of the reduced width section 27, as shown in Figure 12(a). When the male power connector 20 is further moved to the upper side Hu with the second shaft 72 in contact with the second inclined portion 27a, the second shaft 72 is guided relatively to the rear side Db by the second inclined portion 27a, and the slide block 70 having the second shaft 72 moves to the rear side Db, and can pass through the reduced width section 27 as shown in Figure 12(b).

[0097] As described above, when the second shaft 72 is guided by the second inclined portion 27a and the slide block 70 moves to the depth side Db, the first shaft 115, which was disposed at the lower end position of the second straight portion 73c, moves relatively along the width direction portion 73d toward the front side Df and is disposed at the end of the width direction portion 73d on the front side Df. Because the first shaft 115 is disposed on the width direction portion 73d extending in the depth direction D, the male switch connector 50 does not unintentionally move downward from the upper end position SH to the lower side Hd, and the male switch connector 50 can be maintained at the upper end position SH.

[0098] Then, when the male power connector 20 is further moved to the upper side Hu, the second axis portion 72 comes out of the lower end opening 28 where the lower side Hd is opened, as shown in Figure 13, and the male power connector 20 can be completely removed, completely cutting off the power circuit.

[0099] Next, a method for inserting the male power connector 20 to return to the normal state after completing an inspection or other operation with the power circuit cut off will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 14, the first axis portion 115 is positioned on the width direction portion 73d extending in the depth direction D, and the male switch connector 50 is maintained in the upper end position SH, i.e., the switch connector set 40 is maintained in the OFF state, and the male power connector 20 is inserted into the female power connector 30 from the upper side Hu.

[0100] When the male power connector 20 is inserted into the female power connector 30 from the upper side Hu, the second axis portion 72 provided on the slide block 70 of the male switch connector 50, which is maintained at the upper end position SH, is guided from the lower end opening 28 of the male power connector 20 into the second guide groove 24. When the male power connector 20 is further moved downward Hd and inserted, the second shaft 72 passes through the narrowed portion 27 and comes into contact with the first inclined portion 26a of the widened portion 26, as shown in Figure 14(b). Note that up to this point, the second shaft 72 has only moved relatively to the upper side Hu in the second guide groove 24, and has not moved in the depth direction D, so the first shaft 115 remains positioned at the width direction portion 73d in the first guide groove 73.

[0101] When the male power connector 20 is moved further downward Hd with the second shaft 72 abutting against the first inclined portion 26a of the widening portion 26, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the second shaft 72 is guided relatively toward the front side Df by the first inclined portion 26a, and the slide block 70 moves relatively toward the front side Df. As the slide block 70 moves relatively toward the front side Df, the first shaft 115, which was located at the end of the front side Df of the width direction portion 73d, moves relatively toward the back side Db and becomes the lower end position of the second linear portion 73c. ​​When the first shaft 115 is positioned at the lower end position of the second linear portion 73c, the first shaft 115 is positioned on the width direction portion 73d, and the restricted state in which the first shaft 115 was prevented from moving in the height direction H relative to the first shaft 115 is released, resulting in an unrestricted state in which the first shaft 115 can move in the height direction H.

[0102] Furthermore, when the male power connector 20 is moved downward Hd, the second axis 72 moves relatively to the upper end position of the first straight section 25, and the male power connector 20 is fully mated with the female power connector 30, and the power lines of the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 are connected and electrically conductive. However, since the male switch connector 50 is at the upper end position SH and is in the OFF state where it is not mated with the female switch connector 80, the power circuit is not energized.

[0103] With the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30, the male switch connector 50 is moved downward Hd. When the male switch connector 50 is moved downward Hd, the first shaft 115 moves relatively to the upper end position of the second straight portion 73c (see FIG. 16(a)). When the male power connector 20 is further moved downward Hd, the first shaft 115 is guided by the inclined portion 73b extending diagonally (see FIG. 16(b)). As the first shaft 115 is guided by the inclined portion 73b, the slide block 70 moves relatively to the rear side Db with respect to the male switch housing 60. When the slide block 70 moves relatively to the rear side Db, the second shaft 72 provided on the slide block 70 moves relatively along the first inclined portion 26a in the widened portion 26 or approximately parallel to the first inclined portion 26a, and is positioned on the rear side Db in the widened portion 26 (see FIG. 17(a)).

[0104] In this state, when the male switch connector 50 is further moved downward Hd, the first axial portion 115 moves along the first straight portion 73a in the height direction H, and the second axial portion 72 also moves downward Hd in the widened portion 26. When the second axial portion 72 moves downward Hd in the widened portion 26 and the male switch connector 50 is positioned at the bottom end position SL, the second axial portion 72 abuts against the width direction portion 27b, the male switch connector 50 and the female switch connector 80 are fully mated, and the switch connector assembly 40 is in the ON state (see FIG. 17(b)). In this way, when the switch connector assembly 40 is in the ON state, the second axial portion 72 abuts against the width direction portion 27b from the upper side Hu, preventing the mated male power connector 20 from being unintentionally removed.

[0105] As described above, the power circuit breaking unit 1 comprises the male power connector 20 to which a power line (not shown) is connected, the female power connector 30 into which the male power connector 20 is mated, and the male switch connector 50 and female switch connector 80 which switch between an ON state and an OFF state by mating and disengaging. In addition, in the disengaged state (OFF state) in which the male power connector 20 is not mated with the female power connector 30, the first shaft 115 engages with the width direction portion 73d to restrict the male switch connector 50 at the upper end position SH relative to the female switch connector 80, and in the mated state in which the male switch connector 50 is mated with the female switch connector 80, the second shaft 72 engages with the width direction portion 27b to restrict removal of the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30. As a result, the power circuit breaking unit 1 can be constructed compactly with a simple structure, and the power circuit can be cut off to safely perform inspection and other tasks.

[0106] In more detail, the device is equipped with a male power connector 20 to which the power line is connected, a female power connector 30 into which the male power connector 20 is mated, and a male switch connector 50 and a female switch connector 80 that switch between ON and OFF states by mating and unmating, so it can be constructed with a simpler structure than conventional power circuit breaker devices that are equipped with a lever.

[0107] Furthermore, in a non-mated state where the male power connector 20 is not mated with the female power connector 30, the first shaft portion 115, which engages with the width direction portion 73d, can restrict the male switch connector 50 to the upper end position SH relative to the female switch connector 80. Therefore, the male power connector 20 can be mated with the female power connector 30 with the male switch connector 50 restricted at the upper end position SH. In other words, in an ON state where the female switch connector 80 and the male switch connector 50 are mated, the male power connector 20 can be prevented from mating with the female power connector 30.

[0108] Furthermore, in a mated state in which the male switch connector 50 is mated with the female switch connector 80, the second shaft portion 72 that engages with the widthwise portion 27b restricts the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30 from coming off. Therefore, in an ON state in which the male switch connector 50 is mated with the female switch connector 80, it is possible to prevent the male power connector 20, which is mated with the female power connector 30, from coming off. In other words, in an OFF state in which the female switch connector 80 and the male switch connector 50 are not mated, the male power connector 20 can be made to come off from the female power connector 30.

[0109] In this way, the power circuit breaking unit 1 (power circuit breaking device 1a) can prevent the male power connector 20 from mating with the female power connector 30 or from coming loose from the female power connector 30 when the male switch connector 50 and the female switch connector 80 are mated in the ON state. In other words, the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 are detached when the male switch connector 50 and the female switch connector 80 are not mated in the OFF state, allowing the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 to be safely detached. Therefore, the power circuit can be shut off and inspection and other work can be performed safely.

[0110] Furthermore, since a reduced width portion 27 is provided that releases the restriction imposed by the first axis portion 115 that engages with the width direction portion 73d when the male power connector 20 is mated with the female power connector 30, after the male power connector 20 and the female power connector 30 are mated, the male switch connector 50 can be inserted into the female switch connector 80 and set to the ON state without performing any release work to release the restriction of the first axis portion 115 that restricts the male switch connector 50 to the upper end position SH.

[0111] In addition, a housing portion 100 is provided in which the female power connector 30 and the female switch connector 80 are arranged, and a first axis portion 115 provided on the housing portion 100 abuts (engages) against the width direction portion 73d of the slide block 70 attached to the male switch connector 50 to regulate it, and a second axis portion 72 provided on the slide block 70 attached to the male switch connector 50 abuts (engages) against the width direction portion 27b of the second guide groove 24 in the male power connector 20 to regulate it.

[0112] Therefore, the first shaft 115 provided on the housing 100 can reliably restrict the male switch connector 50 to the upper end position SH. In addition, the second axis portion 72 is provided on the slide block 70 of the male switch connector 50 and abuts against the widthwise portion 27b, which is part of the second guide groove 24 of the male power connector 20, so that in the mated state (ON state) in which the male switch connector 50 is mated with the female switch connector 80, the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30 can be reliably prevented from coming out.

[0113] Additionally, the male switch connector 50 is provided with a slide block 70 that can move in a depth direction D perpendicular to a height direction H of the male switch connector 50 relative to the female switch connector 80, and the second shaft portion 72 is provided on the slide block 70. Therefore, the slide block 70 can move in the depth direction D relative to the male switch connector 50, which moves in the height direction H relative to the female switch connector 80.

[0114] Furthermore, since the first axis 115 is provided on the housing 100 and the second axis 72 is provided on the slide block 70, a more appropriate contact restriction state can be obtained compared to when the first axis and second axis are provided on the male switch connector 50 and male power connector 20, which move in the height direction H.

[0115] Furthermore, a first guide groove 73 for guiding a first shaft 115 provided on the housing 100 is provided on the slide block 70, and a width direction portion 73d is provided on the first guide groove 73 for engaging with the first shaft 115 to restrict movement of the upper Hu of the male switch connector 50. Further, a second guide groove 24 for guiding a second shaft 72 provided on the slide block 70 is provided on the male power connector 20, and a width direction portion 27b is provided on the second guide groove 24 for engaging with the second shaft 72 to restrict movement of the upper Hu of the male power connector 20.

[0116] Therefore, the first shaft portion 115, which engages with the width direction portion 73d, can reliably regulate the male switch connector 50 at the upper end position SH, and the second shaft portion 72, which engages with the width direction portion 27b, can reliably regulate the male power connector 20 in the mated state. More specifically, when the male switch connector 50 is moved in the height direction H relative to the female switch connector 80, the slide block 70 attached to the male switch connector 50 and provided with the first guide groove 73 moves in the height direction H relative to the first shaft 115 provided in the housing 100 inside which the female switch connector 80 is arranged. Therefore, when the male switch connector 50 is moved in the height direction H, the slide block 70, whose first shaft 115 is engaged with the first guide groove 73, moves in the depth direction D relative to the male switch connector 50.

[0117] Furthermore, when the male switch connector 50 moves relative to the female switch connector 80 or the male power connector 20 moves relative to the female power connector 30, the second shaft portion 72 provided on the slide block 70 and the second guide groove 24 provided on the male power connector 20 also move relative to each other, and the slide block 70, whose second shaft portion 72 is engaged with the second guide groove 24, moves in the depth direction D relative to the male switch connector 50.

[0118] Then, by moving the male switch connector 50 and the male power connector 20 relative to each other, the slide block 70, whose second axis portion 72 is engaged with the second guide groove 24, moves in the depth direction D relative to the male switch connector 50, and the first axis portion 115 is engaged with the width direction portion 73d of the first guide groove 73 provided in the slide block 70, thereby restricting the movement of the upper side Hu of the male switch connector 50.

[0119] Conversely, by moving the male switch connector 50 in the height direction H, the slide block 70, whose first axis portion 115 engages with the first guide groove 73, moves in the depth direction D relative to the male switch connector 50, and the second axis portion 72 provided on the slide block 70 engages with the width direction portion 27b of the second guide groove 24 provided in the male power connector 20, thereby restricting the movement of the upper side Hu of the male power connector 20.

[0120] The housing 100 is also provided with a housing portion 110 for housing the male switch connector 50 such that the male switch connector 50 is movable in the height direction H between an upper end position SH and a lower end position SL relative to the arranged female switch connector 80. Therefore, the male switch connector 50 can be accommodated in the accommodation section 110 provided in the housing section 100 that accommodates the female switch connector 80 therein so as to be movable between an upper end position SH and a lower end position SL relative to the female switch connector 80. In other words, the male switch connector 50 can be accommodated in the housing section 100 together with the female switch connector 80. Therefore, simply by moving the male switch connector 50 between the upper end position SH and the lower end position SL in the accommodation section 110, the female switch connector 80 and the male switch connector 50 can be inserted and removed, and the ON state and OFF state can be reliably switched over.

[0121] Furthermore, the male switch connector 50, which is at the upper end position SH relative to the female switch connector 80 and is restricted by the first shaft 115, is disposed inside the accommodating portion 110, and can be stably restricted. Furthermore, even in the mated state in which the male switch connector 50 is mated with the female switch connector 80 and the male power connector 20 mated with the female power connector 30 is restricted by the second shaft 72, the male switch connector 50 can be stably restricted because it is disposed inside the connector accommodating portion.

[0122] In correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, The power connector of the present invention is compatible with a male power connector 20, Similarly, The power mating connector is compatible with the female power connector 30. The switch connector is compatible with male switch connector 50. The switch mating connector corresponds to the female switch connector 80, The non-mating position corresponds to the upper end position SH, The first restricting portion, the first contact restricting portion, and the first shaft portion correspond to the first shaft portion 115, The second restricting portion, the second contact restricting portion, and the second shaft portion correspond to the second shaft portion 72, The power supply circuit breaker unit corresponds to the power supply circuit breaker unit 1. The first restriction release portion corresponds to the width reduction portion 27, The insertion / removal direction corresponds to the height direction H, The orthogonal direction corresponds to the depth direction D, The slide part corresponds to the slide block 70, The first groove restricting portion corresponds to the width direction portion 73d, The second groove restricting portion corresponds to the width direction portion 27b, The mating position corresponds to the lower end position SL, The switch connector receiving portion corresponds to the receiving portion 110; The power supply circuit breaker corresponds to the power supply circuit breaker 1a, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0123] For example, in the above description, the insertion / removal direction of the male power connector 20 relative to the female power connector 30 and the insertion / removal direction of the male switch connector 50 relative to the female switch connector 80 are the same height direction H, but the insertion / removal direction of the male power connector 20 relative to the female power connector 30 (height direction H) may be configured in a different direction, such as the width direction W or depth direction D.

[0124] Furthermore, the housing 100 is provided with a first shaft 115 that is engaged with and guided by a first guide groove 73 provided in the slide block 70 attached to the male switch housing 60, but the first shaft 115 may also be provided in the female power connector 30 provided in the housing 100, or a first guide groove may be provided in the housing 100 or the female power connector 30, and the first shaft may be provided in the slide block 70.

[0125] Furthermore, the second shaft portion 72, which is engaged with and guided by the second guide groove 24 provided in the male power connector 20, is provided on the slide block 70 attached to the male switch housing 60, but it is also possible to provide a second guide groove in the slide block 70 and provide a second shaft portion in the male power connector 20. Furthermore, a locking mechanism may be provided to detachably lock the male switch connector 50 placed at the lower end position SL. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1...Power circuit breaker unit 1a...Power supply circuit breaker 20...Male power connector 24...Second guide groove 27…Reduced width part 27b…width direction part 30...Female power connector 50...Male switch connector 70...Slide block 72...Second shaft 73...First guide groove 73d…Width direction part 80...Female switch connector 100...Housing 110...Storage section 115...First shaft H: Height D: Depth direction SH…Top position SL…Lower end position

Claims

1. a power connector to which a power line is connected; a power supply mating connector into which the power supply connector is mated; The device is provided with a switch connector and a switch mated connector that switch between an ON state and an OFF state by mating and unmating, a first restricting portion that restricts the switch connector to a non-mating position relative to the switch mating connector in a non-mating state in which the power connector is not mated with the power mating connector; a second restricting portion that restricts removal of the power connector mated with the power connector in a mated state in which the switch connector is mated with the switch mated connector, a housing in which at least the power supply mating connector and the switch mating connector are arranged; The first restricting portion is a first contact restriction portion provided on at least one of the housing portion and the switch connector, the first contact restriction portion contacting a part of the other of the housing portion and the switch connector, The second restricting portion is a second contact restriction portion provided on at least one of the switch connector and the power connector, which contacts and restricts a part of the other connector; Power circuit breaker unit.

2. The switch connector is provided with a slide portion that can move in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the switch connector is inserted into or removed from the switch mating connector, the first contact restriction portion is provided on at least one of the housing portion and the slide portion, The second contact restricting portion is provided on at least one of the slide portion and the power connector. The power supply circuit breaker unit according to claim 1 .

3. the first contact restriction portion is a first shaft portion provided in the housing portion, a first guide groove for guiding the first shaft portion is provided in the slide portion, and a first groove restriction portion for locking the first shaft portion and restricting movement of the switch connector in a detachment direction is provided in the first guide groove; the second contact restriction portion is a second shaft portion provided on the slide portion, The power connector is provided with a second guide groove that guides the second shaft portion, and the second guide groove is provided with a second groove restriction portion that engages with the second shaft portion and restricts movement of the power connector in the detachment direction. The power supply circuit breaker unit according to claim 2 .

4. The housing is provided with a switch connector accommodating portion that accommodates the switch connector so that the switch connector can move between a non-mating position and a mating position in the insertion / removal direction relative to the switch mating connector arranged therein.

4. The power supply circuit breaking unit according to claim 1.

5. a first restriction release portion that releases the restriction by the first restriction portion when the power connector is fitted to the power fitting connector; 5. The power supply circuit breaker unit according to claim 1.

6. a power connector to which a power connector to be connected to a power line is mated; The device is provided with a switch connector and a switch mated connector that switch between an ON state and an OFF state by mating and unmating, a first restricting portion that restricts the switch connector to a non-mating position relative to the switch mating connector in a non-mating state in which the power connector is not mated with the power mating connector; a second restricting portion that restricts removal of the power connector mated with the power connector in a mated state in which the switch connector is mated with the switch mated connector, a housing in which at least the power supply mating connector and the switch mating connector are arranged; The first restricting portion is a first contact restriction portion provided on at least one of the housing portion and the switch connector, the first contact restriction portion contacting a part of the other of the housing portion and the switch connector, The second restricting portion is a second contact restriction portion provided on at least one of the switch connector and the power connector, which contacts and restricts a part of the other connector; Power circuit interrupter.

7. In a non-mated state in which the power connector to which the power line is connected is not mated with the power mating connector to which the power connector is mated, a first restricted state in which a switch connector that switches between an ON state and an OFF state by being fitted to or not fitted to a switch-fitted connector is restricted to a non-fitted position with respect to the switch-fitted connector; a second restricting state in which the power connector engaged with the power supply connector is restricted from coming out in a mated state in which the switch connector is mated with the switch mated connector, a housing in which at least the power supply mating connector and the switch mating connector are arranged; The first regulation state is a first contact restriction state in which at least one of the housing portion and the switch connector contacts and restricts a part of the other; The second restriction state is a second contact restriction state in which at least one of the switch connector and the power connector is in contact with a part of the other connector; How to switch the power circuit ON / OFF.

Images