Keep the structure

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-154404 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

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

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

[0007] According to the present invention, a power terminal that is not attached to another power terminal can be suitably held by the holding portion. The outside and inside of the holding portion are connected via a communication hole. This allows the power terminal to be removed from the holding portion by forcibly releasing the holding state of the power terminal by the holding portion from the outside via the communication hole, even if the power terminal held by the holding portion cannot be removed from the holding portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 , when the rear cover 26 is closed, the connector holding portion 54, including the main portion 62, cannot be seen from the outside in a side view. When the rear cover 26 is closed, the communicating holes 300, 302 cannot be seen from the outside. Furthermore, when the rear cover 26 is opened relative to the rear wall 46, the connector holding portion 54, including the main portion 62, can be seen from the outside. When the rear cover 26 is opened, the communicating holes 300, 302 can be seen from the outside. In other words, the main portion 62 and the communicating holes 300, 302 are positioned so that they are visible from the outside when the rear cover 26 is open and are covered by the rear cover 26 when the rear cover 26 is closed. This prevents foreign matter from entering the interior of the connector holding portion 54.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0044] 7, when the unlock coil 116 is energized, the plunger 112 is excited by the magnetic flux from the unlock coil 116, and is displaced toward the tip of the connector body 76 and retracts into the solenoid 110. Even when the power supply to the unlock coil 116 is stopped, the plunger 112 maintains the position it was in when the power was on due to the force of the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 118. This releases the plunger 112 from the locked state set by the release button 90 and switches it to the unlocked state (unrestricted state).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0065] To address this problem, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 to 13, a wrench 320 (rod body) is used to release the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the step portion 306, thereby removing the locked connector 20 from the main portion 62.

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

[0067] When the locked connector 20 is to be removed from the main portion 62, the user opens the rear cover .

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

[0069] In the fitting recess 70, a locking groove 304 is formed from the communicating hole 300 along the axial direction of the main portion 62, and a step portion 306 is provided at the end of the locking groove 304. As shown in FIG. 11 , the user inserts the abutting portion 324 into the communicating hole 300 and slides the abutting portion 324 along the locking groove 304 (the axial direction of the main portion 62). As a result, the tip of the abutting portion 324 reaches the engaging claw 104 that engages with the step portion 306. In other words, because the communicating hole 300, the locking groove 304, and the step portion 306 are formed continuously in the axial direction of the main portion 62, and the locking groove 304 is formed in a concave shape, the abutting portion 324 of the wrench 320 can easily reach the engaging claw 104.

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

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

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

[0073] This embodiment has the following advantages.

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

[0075] The engagement claws 104 of the connector 20 engage with the stepped portions 306 on the inside of the outer periphery 298, thereby making it possible to effectively hold the connector 20 inside the outer periphery 298. In addition, the held state of the connector 20 can be easily released via the communication holes 300 formed in the outer periphery 298.

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

[0077] When the release button 90 is in the locked state and the user cannot operate the release button 90 to release the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the step portion 306, the wrench 320 can be brought into contact with the engagement claw 104 to forcibly release the engagement, thereby making it possible to easily remove the connector 20 from the connector holding portion 54.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0091] According to the present invention, a power terminal that is not attached to another power terminal can be suitably held by the holding portion. The outside and inside of the holding portion are connected via a communication hole. This allows the power terminal to be removed from the holding portion by forcibly releasing the holding state of the power terminal by the holding portion from the outside via the communication hole, even if the power terminal held by the holding portion cannot be removed from the holding portion.

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

[0093] This allows the engagement of the engagement portion of the power terminal with the annular portion, thereby effectively holding the power terminal inside the annular portion, and also allows the power terminal to be easily released from the held state through the communication hole formed in the annular portion.

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

[0095] This allows the holding state of the power terminal by the annular portion to be easily released by inserting the rod into the inside of the annular portion and reaching the engaging portion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. A holding structure for holding a power terminal provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device, the power terminal being detachably provided to another power terminal of another power device, the power terminal has an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion of the other power terminal when the power terminal is attached to the other power terminal, the holding structure includes a holding portion that holds the power terminal when the power terminal is not attached to the other power terminal, the holding portion is provided with a fitting recess that opens to the outside of the holding portion and fits onto the power terminal, a locking portion that is provided on the outer periphery of the fitting recess and engages with the engaging portion when the power terminal is fitted into the fitting recess, and a communication hole that is formed on the bottom of the fitting recess and communicates the outside of the holding portion with the fitting recess, the holding portion is provided so as to be fixed to a holding body, which is one of the power device, the other power device, or a holding body, by a fixing device; the engaging portion is an engaging claw that is movable between an engaging position where the engaging portion engages with the locking portion when the power terminal is held by the holding portion and a disengaging position where the engaging portion retracts from the locking portion into the fitting recess, thereby disengaging the engaging portion from the locking portion; A holding structure in which the communication hole is provided in a position where, when the power terminal is held in the holding portion, the engagement claw, which is located in the engagement position, can be operated to the disengagement position from the outside of the holding portion through the communication hole.

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

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

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

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