Power terminal control device, power terminal control method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To prevent an electric driving part from having a high temperature along with continuous switching.SOLUTION: With a control apparatus and a control method for a power terminal 20, a solenoid 110 regulates so as to prohibit a lock part 96 from switching a lock state and an unlock state of a release button 90 for wait time Tw. Alternatively, the solenoid 110 regulates the lock part 96 so as to switch the lock state and the unlock state of the release button 90 by separating the wait time Tw.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power terminal control device, a power terminal control method, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power feed connector for an inverter device. The power feed connector is connected to a power feed port of a fuel cell vehicle. The power feed connector has an electromagnetic lock. The electromagnetic lock switches the connection between the power feed connector and the power feed port between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the power feed connector cannot be removed from the power feed port. In the unlocked state, the power feed connector can be removed from the power feed port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-198289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the electromagnetic lock operates multiple times in a short period of time and the connection between the power supply connector and the power supply port is continuously switched between a locked state and an unlocked state, the electromagnetic lock may become hot.

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

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a control device for a power terminal that is provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device and is detachably provided 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, an input portion that receives operation from a user, and a connection mechanism that mechanically connects the engaging portion and the input portion, wherein the engaging portion is provided 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, and the input portion is provided to be positioned at a third position or a fourth position, and the connection mechanism is configured such that the engaging portion is positioned at the first position when the input portion is positioned at the third position, and The engagement portion is arranged to be positioned at the second position when the input portion is positioned at the fourth position, the power terminal has a regulating portion arranged on the input portion or the connection mechanism to regulate the input portion from moving from the third position to the fourth position, the regulating portion has an electric drive portion that switches the regulating portion between a regulated state that regulates movement of the input portion and an unregulated state that does not regulate movement of the input portion, and the control device has a limiting portion that restricts the electric drive portion to prohibit switching the regulating portion between the regulated state and the unregulated state during a first period, or that restricts the electric drive portion to switch the regulating portion between the regulated state and the unregulated state after a second period.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a power terminal that is provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device and that is detachably provided 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, an input portion that receives operation from a user, and a connection mechanism that mechanically connects the engaging portion and the input portion, the engaging portion being provided 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 provided to be positioned at a third position or a fourth position, and the connection mechanism is configured to connect the input portion to the third position or a fourth position. and the engagement portion is positioned at the second position when the input portion is positioned at the third position, and the engagement portion is positioned at the second position when the input portion is positioned at the fourth position, and the control method includes a first step of switching between a non-restricted state in which the input portion is not restricted from moving from the third position to the fourth position and a restricted state in which the input portion is restricted from moving from the third position to the fourth position, and a second step of restricting switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state so as to be prohibited during a first period, or restricting switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state so as to be separated by a second period.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the power terminal control method of the second aspect.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a storage medium for storing the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the restriction is set so that the restriction unit is prohibited from switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state during a first period. Alternatively, the restriction is set so that the restriction unit is switched between the restricted state and the non-restricted state after a second period has elapsed. This makes it possible to prevent the electric drive unit from switching the restriction unit between the restricted state and the non-restricted state repeatedly within a short period of time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electric drive unit from becoming too hot due to the repeated switching. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power system including a power supply device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the power supply device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the power supply device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram showing the locked state of the connector of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram showing the unlocked state of the connector of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram showing the unlocked state of the connector of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the power system of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the ECU and lock unit shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation (control method) of this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a timing chart of a comparative example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a timing chart of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1 is a configuration diagram of a power system 12 including a power supply device 10 (power device, holding structure). 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.

[0013] 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).

[0014] 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.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the front wall 28 of the housing 22 is provided with a power switch 32, a start switch 34, a stop switch 36, five output terminals 38, 40, and a status display unit 42 (announcement unit).

[0016] The power switch 32, start switch 34, stop switch 36, and status display unit 42 are provided in the upper center of the front wall 28.

[0017] The power switch 32 is a button that can be operated by the user. The power switch 32 is an operation button that the user operates to instruct (request, command) the start (start of operation) or stop (stop of operation) of the power supply device 10 (see FIG. 1). Each time the user operates the power switch 32, the power switch 32 outputs a start instruction signal to instruct the start of the power supply device 10 or a stop instruction signal to instruct the stop of the power supply device 10. That is, when the user operates the power switch 32 for the first time, the power switch 32 outputs the start instruction signal. When the user operates the power switch 32 again, the power switch 32 outputs the stop instruction signal.

[0018] The start switch 34 and the stop switch 36 are combined into a single switch 44. The switch 44 is an operation button that can be operated by the user. That is, when the user operates the switch 44 once, the switch 44 functions as the start switch 34. Next, when the user operates the switch 44, the switch 44 functions as the stop switch 36. That is, the switch 44 alternates between the start switch 34 and the stop switch 36 each time the user operates it.

[0019] The start switch 34 is an operation button that the user operates to instruct (request, command) the power supply device 10 to start outputting power (AC power) (start power supply). The start switch 34 outputs a power supply start signal to instruct the power supply device 10 to start outputting power based on the user's operation. The stop switch 36 is an operation button that the user operates to instruct (request, command) the power supply device 10 to stop outputting power (stop power supply). The stop switch 36 outputs a power supply stop signal to instruct the power supply device 10 to stop outputting power based on the user's operation.

[0020] The status display unit 42 is provided inside the switch 44. The status display unit 42 displays to the outside whether or not it is possible to accept an operation of the switch 44 (a user instruction). When it is possible to accept a user instruction, the status display unit 42 displays, for example, a lit state. When it is not possible to accept a user instruction, the status display unit 42 displays, for example, a blinking state or is turned off. Therefore, even if the user operates the switch 44 when the status display unit 42 displays that it is not possible to accept a user instruction, the power supply device 10 will ignore the user instruction.

[0021] The five output terminals 38, 40 are provided in the center of the front wall 28 of the housing 22. The five output terminals 38, 40 are output terminals for outputting single-phase AC power (single-phase AC power). The four output terminals 38 output, for example, a single-phase 100V AC voltage (AC power). The one output terminal 40 outputs, for example, a single-phase 200V AC voltage (AC power). The five output terminals 38, 40 are covered from the front by the front cover 24.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the cable 18 extends from the device main body 16. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a communication hole 48 is provided in a rear wall 46 (fixing surface) of the device main body 16. The rear wall 46 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from behind the device main body 16. The communication hole 48 connects the inside and outside of the device main body 16. The cable 18 extends from the inside of the device main body 16 to the outside of the device main 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 (tip) of the cable 18. The connector 20 is a male connector. A male connector is also called a plug.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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).

[0028] The main portion 62 is connected to the lower end of the fixing portion 64. The main portion 62 and the fixing portion 64 are integrally formed. The main portion 62 holds the connector 20. The main portion 62 is a cylindrical portion with a bottom. A mating recess 70 that fits with the connector 20 is formed inside the main portion 62. The mating recess 70 opens toward the cable accommodating portion 52. The opening end surface 72 (tip surface) of the main portion 62 where the mating recess 70 opens is a flat surface. 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) intersect with each other. That is, the first direction is an oblique direction when viewed from behind in FIG. 3 . The second direction is a front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, when the connector 20 is held in 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 (opening end surface 72 and tip surface 80) is visible from the outside.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , 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 distal end surface 80 of the connector body 76 is flat. The mating portion 78 is a tubular portion that protrudes from the distal end surface 80 of the connector body 76. The mating portion 78 is the distal 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 accommodated in the cable accommodating portion 52, the mating portion 78 of the connector 20 is fitted into the mating recess 70, and the distal end 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).

[0030] 1 and 3, the first support portion 56 is provided at the upper end of the fixing portion 64. The first support portion 56 is a recess (not shown) around which a portion of the cable 18 can be hooked. Therefore, the size of the recess that constitutes the first support portion 56 is larger than the outer diameter of the cable 18. After the user removes the connector 20 from the main portion 62 and pulls out the cable 18 from the cable housing portion 52, the user hooks a portion of the cable 18 between the base end and the tip end of the cable 18 onto the first support portion 56.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, 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).

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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. 4 to 6, the protruding portion 102 of the release button 90 abuts against the base end of the latch portion 92 from below.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Furthermore, 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. This causes the plunger 112 to move away from the release button 90.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] In the following description, the position of the engagement claw 104 when the engagement claw 104 is engaged with the engagement recess 124 will be referred to as a first position (first position) as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Also, the position of the engagement claw 104 when the engagement state between the engagement claw 104 and the engagement recess 124 is released will be referred to as a second position (second position) as shown in Figure 6.

[0045] 4 and 5, the engagement claw 104 is positioned at the first position by the connection mechanism 108. When the user operates the release button 90 to position the release button 90 at the fourth position shown in FIG. 6, the engagement claw 104 is positioned at the second position by the connection mechanism 108.

[0046] 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. 4 ). 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.

[0047] 5, 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).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6 , 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 supply device 10 from the connector 120 of the vehicle 14 by pulling the connector 20 while pressing the release button 90.

[0049] 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. 5, 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).

[0050] 7, the vehicle 14 further includes two batteries 130, 132 and an ECU 134. The vehicle 14 may be a unicycle, a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle, or any other vehicle equipped with the batteries 130, 132 and the connector 120. The vehicle 14 may also be an electric vehicle (electric automobile), a hybrid vehicle, or any other vehicle equipped with the batteries 130, 132 and the connector 120.

[0051] Of the two batteries 130, 132, one battery 130 is a high-voltage battery (for example, a 48V or 200V battery). The other battery 132 is a low-voltage battery (for example, a 12V battery). The ECU 134 is an electronic control device that controls each part of the vehicle 14. Each of the batteries 130, 132 outputs DC power based on the control of the ECU 134.

[0052] The vehicle 14 can supply power from the batteries 130, 132 to the power supply device 10 via the connectors 20, 120. That is, when the connector 120 of the vehicle 14 and the connector 20 of the power supply device 10 are connected, each of the batteries 130, 132 supplies DC power to the power supply device 10 via the respective connectors 20, 120. Furthermore, the ECU 134 can transmit and receive signals or information to and from the power supply device 10 when the two connectors 20, 120 are connected.

[0053] The power supply device 10 further includes a current sensor 140, a contactor 142, a voltage sensor 144, two DC / DC converters 146 and 148, two inverters 150 and 152, and an ECU 154 (control device, computer). These components are housed inside a housing 22 (see FIG. 1) of the power supply device 10. Note that FIG. 7 illustrates three output terminals 38 and 40 (two output terminals 38 and one output terminal 40 for single-phase AC power) out of the five output terminals 38 and 40 in FIG. 2.

[0054] The two DC / DC converters 146, 148 are connected in parallel to the high-voltage battery 130. The current sensor 140 and contactor 142 are arranged in series with a positive line 160 that connects the positive electrode of the battery 130 to the primary sides (input sides) of the two DC / DC converters 146, 148. The current sensor 140 sequentially detects the direct current flowing from the battery 130 to the two DC / DC converters 146, 148, and outputs the detection results to the ECU 134. The contactor 142 is turned on and off by a control signal from the ECU 134.

[0055] The voltage sensor 144 is disposed between the positive line 160 and a negative line 162 that connects the negative side of the battery 130 to the primary sides of the two DC / DC converters 146, 148. The voltage sensor 144 sequentially detects the DC voltages supplied from the battery 130 to the two DC / DC converters 146, 148, and outputs the detection results to the ECU 134.

[0056] The two DC / DC converters 146, 148 convert the DC voltage supplied from the battery 130 into a desired DC voltage. The two inverters 150, 152 are connected to the secondary sides (output sides) of the two DC / DC converters 146, 148. The two inverters 150, 152 convert the DC voltage converted by the DC / DC converters 146, 148 into an AC voltage.

[0057] Of the five output terminals 38, 40, four output terminals 38 output a single-phase AC voltage (single-phase AC power) output from one of the two inverters 150, 152. The remaining output terminal 40 outputs a single-phase AC voltage (single-phase AC power) based on the single-phase AC voltage output from the two inverters 150, 152.

[0058] The ECU 154 is an electronic control unit that controls each part of the power supply device 10. The ECU 154 is activated based on an activation instruction signal from the power switch 32. When the connector 20 of the power supply device 10 is connected to the connector 120 of the vehicle 14, the power supply device 10 receives a supply of DC power from the two batteries 130 and 132. Therefore, the power supply device 10 will not start even if the user operates the power switch 32 when the two connectors 20 and 120 are not connected. Therefore, the ECU 154 starts when the user operates the power switch 32 while the power supply device 10 is receiving a supply of DC power from the battery 132.

[0059] Furthermore, the ECU 154 starts the output of AC power from the power supply device 10 based on the user's operation of the start switch 34. Specifically, in response to the user's operation of the start switch 34, the ECU 154 energizes the lock coil 114 (see FIGS. 4 to 6 ) and switches the release button 90 to the locked state. The ECU 154 also turns on the contactor 142 to start the supply of DC power from the battery 130 to the two DC / DC converters 146, 148. The ECU 154 also controls the drive of the two DC / DC converters 146, 148 and the two inverters 150, 152 to start the output of AC power from the output terminals 38, 40. At this time, the ECU 154 controls the drive of the two DC / DC converters 146, 148 and the two inverters 150, 152 based on the detection results of the current sensor 140 and the voltage sensor 144, etc.

[0060] Furthermore, the ECU 154 stops the output of AC power from the power supply device 10 based on the user's operation of the stop switch 36. Specifically, in response to the user's operation of the stop switch 36, the ECU 154 stops the operation of the two DC / DC converters 146, 148 and the two inverters 150, 152. The ECU 154 also turns off the contactor 142 to stop the supply of DC power from the battery 130 to the two DC / DC converters 146, 148. Furthermore, the ECU 154 energizes the unlock coil 116 and switches the release button 90 to the unlock state.

[0061] Furthermore, the ECU 154 turns on, blinks, or turns off the status display unit 42 to indicate whether or not the operation of the start switch 34 and the stop switch 36 can be accepted.

[0062] 8 is an internal block diagram of the ECU 154. The ECU 154 has a current sensor 170, a lock switch 172, an unlock switch 174, a CPU 176 (controller), a lock controller 178, and an unlock controller 180.

[0063] The CPU 176 is a processor that executes a program stored in a memory 182 (storage medium) to implement the functions of a control unit 184, a switch determination unit 186, a timer count unit 188 (timekeeping unit), a lock instruction unit 190, an unlock instruction unit 192, and a count determination unit 194.

[0064] The control unit 184 controls each unit of the power supply device 10. The switch determination unit 186 determines (detects) whether the power switch 32, the start switch 34, or the stop switch 36 has been pressed.

[0065] The timer counting unit 188 starts timing when the switch determination unit 186 determines (detects) that the user has operated the start switch 34. As described above, the release button 90 switches to the locked state based on the user's operation of the start switch 34. In other words, the user's operation of the start switch 34 is a request or command to switch the release button 90 to the locked state. Therefore, the timer counting unit 188 starts timing from the point at which the user issues a request or command to switch the release button 90 to the locked state.

[0066] The lock instruction unit 190 instructs the lock control unit 178 to switch the release button 90 to the locked state when the timer count unit 188 starts timing. The unlock instruction unit 192 instructs the unlock control unit 180 to switch the release button 90 to the unlocked state when the switch determination unit 186 detects that the user has operated the stop switch 36. Therefore, the instructions of the lock instruction unit 190 and the unlock instruction unit 192 are not output simultaneously.

[0067] The count determination unit 194 determines whether the elapsed time Tt measured by the timer count unit 188 has reached a predetermined wait time Tw. When the elapsed time Tt has not reached the wait time Tw (the first period) (Tt < Tw), the count determination unit 194 causes the timer count unit 188 to continue measuring time. Further, when the elapsed time Tt becomes equal to or greater than the wait time Tw (Tt ≥ Tw), the count determination unit 194 stops the measurement by the timer count unit 188 and resets (initializes) the timer count unit 188.

[0068] One end of the current sensor 170 is connected to the positive electrode line 200 that connects the battery 132 and the ECU 154. One end of each of the lock switch 172 and the unlock switch 174 is connected to the other end of the current sensor 170. One end of the lock coil 114 is connected to the other end of the lock switch 172. One end of the unlock coil 116 is connected to the other end of the unlock switch 174. The other ends of the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116 are connected to the negative electrode line 202 that connects the battery 132 and the ECU 154. That is, the series circuit of the lock switch 172 and the lock coil 114 and the series circuit of the unlock switch 174 and the unlock coil 116 are connected in parallel.

[0069] The current sensor 170 sequentially detects the direct current flowing from the battery 132 to the ECU 154 and outputs the detection result to the CPU 176. The lock switch 172 and the unlock switch 174 are semiconductor switches such as transistors, FETs, and IGBTs, for example. The lock control unit 178 turns on the lock switch 172 for a certain period of time based on an instruction from the lock instruction unit 190. As a result, a direct current flows through the lock coil 114 for a certain period of time. That is, the lock coil 114 is energized for a certain period of time. The unlock control unit 180 turns on the unlock switch 174 for a certain period of time based on an instruction from the unlock instruction unit 192. As a result, a direct current flows through the unlock coil 116 for a certain period of time. That is, the unlock coil 116 is energized for a certain period of time.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation (control method) of the power supply device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0071] First, in step S1, the user rotates the rear cover 26 (see FIG. 1) of the power supply device 10 to expose the cable accommodating portion 52 and the connector holding portion 54 (see FIG. 3) to the outside. Next, the user removes the connector 20 from the connector holding portion 54. Next, the user removes the cable 18 from the cable accommodating 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, a portion of the cable 18 is supported by the first support portion 56 and the second support portion 82 and is surrounded by the enclosing portion 86.

[0072] Next, the user inserts the fitting portion 78 of the connector 20 into the mounting recess 122 of the connector 120 of the vehicle 14 (see FIG. 5). 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 fitting portion 78. When the fitting portion 78 moves toward the tip and the engagement claw 104 faces the engagement recess 124, the engagement claw 104 is released from the pressing state by the inner wall of the mounting recess 122 and protrudes radially outward from the fitting portion 78 to engage with the engagement recess 124. As a result, the two connectors 20, 120 are connected, and DC power can be supplied from the two batteries 130, 132 to the power supply device 10.

[0073] In step S2, when the user presses the power switch 32, a start instruction signal is output from the power switch 32 to the CPU 176.

[0074] In CPU 176, at least switch determination unit 186 is operating due to the supply of DC power from battery 132. In step S3, switch determination unit 186 determines whether or not the user has operated power switch 32. In this case, switch determination unit 186 determines that the user has instructed power supply device 10 to start up, based on the start-up instruction signal input from power switch 32. That is, switch determination unit 186 determines that the user has instructed power switch 32 to be turned on (step S3: NO). CPU 176 starts up overall, based on the negative determination result of switch determination unit 186. At this time, CPU 176 lights up status display unit 42 to notify the outside that start switch 34 can be operated.

[0075] Next, in step S4, switch determination unit 186 determines whether or not the user has pressed start switch 34. When the user confirms that status display unit 42 is lit and operates start switch 34, causing a power supply instruction signal to be output from start switch 34 to CPU 176, switch determination unit 186 determines that start switch 34 has been pressed (step S4: YES).

[0076] In the next step S5, the timer counting section 188 starts counting time based on the affirmative determination result of the switch determination section 186 for the start switch 34.

[0077] In step S6, the lock instruction unit 190 instructs the lock control unit 178 to switch the release button 90 to the locked state. Based on the instruction from the lock instruction unit 190, the lock control unit 178 turns on the lock switch 172 for a certain period of time. As a result, the lock coil 114 is energized for a certain period of time and generates magnetic flux. 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. As a result, the plunger 112 comes into contact with the bottom of the release button 90. As a result, the release button 90 is switched 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 is maintained in the locked state.

[0078] In step S7, the control unit 184 of the CPU 176 turns on the contactor 142 and starts driving the two DC / DC converters 146, 148 and the two inverters 150, 152. This converts the DC power supplied from the battery 130 into AC power, and the converted AC power is output (supplied) to the outside from the output terminals 38, 40.

[0079] In the next step S8, the switch determination unit 186 determines whether or not the stop switch 36 has been pressed. If a power supply stop signal is output from the stop switch 36 to the CPU 176 by a user operation, the switch determination unit 186 determines that the stop switch 36 has been pressed (step S8: YES).

[0080] In the next step S9, based on the affirmative determination result for the stop switch 36 by the switch determination unit 186, the control unit 184 turns off the contactor 142 and stops driving the two DC / DC converters 146, 148 and the two inverters 150, 152. This stops the output (power supply) of AC power from the output terminals 38, 40 to the outside.

[0081] In step S10, the unlocking instruction unit 192 instructs the unlocking control unit 180 to switch the unlocking button 90 to the unlocked state. Based on the instruction from the unlocking instruction unit 192, the unlocking control unit 180 turns on the unlocking switch 174 for a certain period of time. As a result, the unlocking coil 116 is energized for a certain period of time to generate magnetic flux. The plunger 112 is excited by the magnetic flux from the unlocking coil 116 and retracts inside the solenoid 110. Thereby, the plunger 112 moves away from the unlocking button 90. As a result, the unlocking button 90 switches to the unlocked state. In this case, even when the power supply to the unlocking coil 116 stops, the plunger 112 holds the position during power supply by the force of the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 118. Therefore, the unlocking button 90 is held in the unlocked state. In step S10, the CPU 176 notifies the outside that the operations of the start switch 34 and the stop switch 36 are not accepted by blinking the status display unit 42.

[0082] In step S11, the count determination unit 194 determines whether the elapsed time Tt counted by the timer count unit 188 is equal to or greater than the wait time Tw.

[0083] When Tt < Tw (step S11: NO), the timing of the timer count unit 188 continues. Thereby, the cooling time of the solenoid 110 can be ensured.

[0084] When Tt ≥ Tw (step S11: YES), the count determination unit 194 instructs the timer count unit 188 to stop and reset the timing. In step S12, based on the instruction from the count determination unit 194, the timer count unit 188 stops the timing and resets the elapsed time Tt.

[0085] Thereafter, the power supply device 10 returns to step S3 and repeats the processes of steps S3 to S12. That is, when the elapsed time Tt reaches the wait time Tw, the solenoid 110 has been sufficiently cooled, and therefore the power supply device 10 allows the user to operate the start switch 34.

[0086] In step S3, if a stop instruction signal is input from the power switch 32 to the CPU 176, the switch determination unit 186 determines that the user has operated the power switch 32 to instruct the power supply device 10 to stop. That is, the switch determination unit 186 determines that the user has instructed the power switch 32 to be turned off (step S3: YES).

[0087] In the next step S13, the user presses the release button 90 while holding the grip 74 of the connector 20. This causes the protrusion 102 of the release button 90 to press the base end of the latch portion 92 upward, causing the latch portion 92 to rotate against the spring force of the spring member 94. As a result, the engagement between the engagement claw 104 and the engagement recess 124 is released. 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. Thereafter, the user 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 connector holding portion 54 and returns the rear cover 26 to its original position.

[0088] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0089] 10 is a timing chart of a comparative example. In the comparative example, the lock coil 114 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) is energized for a current-carrying time Tl from time t1 to time t2. In the comparative example, the unlock coil 116 is energized for a current-carrying time Tu (Tu=Tl) from time t3 to time t4. Thereafter, in the comparative example, the lock coil 114 is energized for a current-carrying time Tl from time t5 to time t6.

[0090] In the comparative example, a wait time Twl is provided after the energization time Tl. During the wait time Twl, energization to the unlock coil 116 is prohibited. Therefore, after energization to the lock coil 114, energization to the unlock coil 116 becomes possible once the wait time Twl has elapsed. Therefore, during the wait time Twl, even if the user operates the stop switch 36 (see FIGS. 2 and 8), the CPU 176 (see FIG. 8) ignores the user's instruction to stop power supply.

[0091] Furthermore, in the comparative example, a wait time Twu is provided after the energization time Tu. During the wait time Twu, energization of the lock coil 114 is prohibited. Therefore, after energization of the unlock coil 116, energization of the lock coil 114 becomes possible once the wait time Twu has elapsed. Therefore, during the wait time Twu, even if the user operates the start switch 34 (see FIGS. 2 and 8), the CPU 176 ignores the user's instruction to start power supply.

[0092] As described above, in the comparative example, wait times Twl and Twu are provided after the completion of energization of the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116. Therefore, in the comparative example, the unlock coil 116 cannot be energized immediately after the completion of energization of the lock coil 114. Alternatively, the unlock coil 116 cannot be energized immediately after the completion of energization of the lock coil 114. Therefore, even if the user operates the start switch 34 or the stop switch 36, the release button 90 does not switch to the locked state or the unlocked state, which reduces the merchantability of the power supply device 10 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0093] Furthermore, in the comparative example, if the wait times Twl and Twu are set short, when the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116 are alternately energized, the entire solenoid 110 including the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116 may become very hot.

[0094] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , one cycle consists of one energization of the lock coil 114 and one energization of the unlock coil 116. In this case, one cycle extends from time t11, when energization of the current lock coil 114 begins, to time t15, when energization of the next lock coil 114 begins. In this embodiment, the period of one cycle (the time from time t11 to time t15) is set as the wait time Tw. In this embodiment, the wait time Tw allows one energization of the unlock coil 116 after energization of the lock coil 114 is completed. Therefore, in this embodiment, after energization of the lock coil 114 is completed at time t12, energization of the unlock coil 116 can be immediately performed during the energization time Tu from time t13 to time t14. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user operates the stop switch 36, energization of the unlock coil 116 is promptly performed. Furthermore, during the wait time Tw, multiple energization of the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116 is prohibited. This prevents the entire solenoid 110, including the lock coil 114 and the unlock coil 116, from becoming too hot. In other words, the solenoid 110 can be sufficiently cooled. In this embodiment, after the wait time Tw has elapsed, energization of the lock coil 114 can be performed between time t15 and time t16.

[0095] This embodiment has the following advantages.

[0096] 11, a restriction is imposed to prohibit the lock unit 96 from switching the release button 90 between the locked state and the unlocked state within the wait time Tw. This prevents the solenoid 110 from switching the lock unit 96 between the locked state and the unlocked state repeatedly within a short period of time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the solenoid 110 from becoming too hot due to repeated switching.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 9, the timer counting unit 188 starts counting when an instruction (request or command) to switch to a locked state or an unlocked state is issued from the user, so that it is possible to precisely restrict switching between the locked state and the unlocked state based on the elapsed time Tt counted by the timer counting unit 188.

[0098] Furthermore, if the elapsed time Tt is less than the wait time Tw, a restriction is imposed to prohibit switching between the locked state and the unlocked state, and if the elapsed time Tt is equal to or greater than the wait time Tw, switching between the locked state and the unlocked state is permitted. This allows for accurate restriction or permission to prohibit switching between the locked state and the unlocked state based on a comparison between the elapsed time Tt and the wait time Tw measured by the timer count unit 188.

[0099] When the elapsed time Tt is less than the wait time Tw, the status display unit 42 notifies the outside that it is unable to accept instructions (requests or commands) from the user, thereby preventing the user from giving an instruction carelessly. Also, when the elapsed time Tt is equal to or greater than the wait time Tw, the status display unit 42 notifies the outside that it is able to accept instructions from the user, thereby encouraging the user to give a request or command.

[0100] The timer counting unit 188 stops timing and resets the elapsed time Tt after the elapsed time Tt becomes equal to or greater than the wait time Tw, so that it is possible to repeatedly switch between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0101] Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the release button 90 is restricted so as to prohibit switching between the locked state and the unlocked state during the wait time Tw, which is the first period. In this embodiment, the release button 90 may be restricted from switching between the locked state and the unlocked state after the wait time Tw (second period) has elapsed. Even in this case, once the elapsed time Tt is equal to or greater than the wait time Tw, switching between the locked state and the unlocked state becomes possible.

[0105] In this embodiment, the timer counting unit 188 starts timing when the user operates (requests, commands) the start switch 34 or the stop switch 36. In this embodiment, the timer counting unit 188 may start timing when the release button 90 switches to the locked state or the unlocked state.

[0106] In the present embodiment, the case where the power supply device 10 outputs single-phase AC power has been described. In the present embodiment, the power supply device 10 may be capable of outputting two-phase AC power or three-phase AC power.

[0107] In addition to the above disclosure, the following additional notes are disclosed.

[0108] (Appendix 1) a power terminal control device (154) provided at a tip of a power line (18) extending from a power device (10), and detachably provided 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, an input portion (90) that receives operation from a user, and a connection mechanism (108) that mechanically connects the engaging portion and the input portion, wherein the engaging portion is provided 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, and the input portion is provided to be positioned at a third position or a fourth position, and the connection mechanism is configured such that the engaging portion is positioned at the first position when the input portion is positioned at the third position, and The control device is provided with a limiting portion (176) that prohibits the electric drive unit from switching the limiting portion between the restricted state and the non-restricted state during a first period (Tw) or limits the electric drive unit from switching the limiting portion between the restricted state and the non-restricted state after a second period (Tw).

[0109] According to the present invention, the restriction is set so that the restriction unit is prohibited from switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state during a first period. Alternatively, the restriction is set so that the restriction unit is switched between the restricted state and the non-restricted state after a second period has elapsed. This makes it possible to prevent the electric drive unit from switching the restriction unit between the restricted state and the non-restricted state repeatedly within a short period of time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electric drive unit from becoming too hot due to the repeated switching.

[0110] (Appendix 2) In the power terminal control device described in Appendix 1, when the restriction unit restricts the electric drive unit from switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state during the first period, the restriction unit may prohibit switching from the non-regulated state to the regulated state and allow switching from the regulated state to the non-regulated state.

[0111] This makes it possible to prevent the restricting unit from switching between the restricting state and the non-restricting state consecutively within the first period, thereby effectively preventing the electric drive unit from becoming too hot.

[0112] (Appendix 3) In the power terminal control device described in Appendix 1 or 2, the control device further includes a timing unit (188) that starts timing when the regulating unit switches to the regulated state or the non-regulated state, or starts timing when a request or command to switch the regulating unit to the regulated state or the non-regulated state is issued, and the restriction unit may restrict the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state, or restrict the electric drive unit to switch the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state, based on the elapsed time measured by the timing unit.

[0113] This allows the restriction unit to accurately restrict switching of the restricting unit between the restricted state and the non-restricted state based on the elapsed time measured by the timer unit.

[0114] (Appendix 4) In the power terminal control device described in Appendix 3, the restriction unit may restrict the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state based on the elapsed time measured by the timing unit, and the restriction unit may restrict the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is less than the first period, and may allow the electric drive unit to switch the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is equal to or greater than the first period.

[0115] This makes it possible to precisely restrict or permit the restriction of switching of the restricting unit between the restricted state and the non-restricted state based on a comparison between the elapsed time measured by the timer unit and the first period.

[0116] (Appendix 5) In the power terminal control device described in Appendix 4, the control device may further include an alarm unit (42) that notifies the outside of the control device that the request or the command cannot be accepted when the elapsed time is less than the first period, and that notifies the outside of the control device that the request or the command can be accepted when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the first period.

[0117] As a result, when the elapsed time is less than the first period, it is notified to the outside that the request or command cannot be accepted, thereby preventing the user from carelessly issuing a request or command to the control device. Also, when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the first period, it is notified to the outside that the request or command can be accepted, thereby encouraging the user to issue a request or command.

[0118] (Appendix 6) In the power terminal control device according to Supplementary Note 4 or 5, the timer unit may stop timing and initialize the elapsed time after the elapsed time becomes equal to or greater than the first period.

[0119] This allows the restricting portion to be repeatedly switched between the restricting state and the non-restricting state by the electric drive portion.

[0120] (Appendix 7) A method for controlling a power terminal that is provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device and that is detachably provided 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, an input portion that receives operation from a user, and a connection mechanism that mechanically connects the engaging portion and the input portion, the engaging portion is provided 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 is provided to be positioned at a third position or a fourth position, and the connection mechanism The engaging portion is positioned at the first position when the engaging portion is positioned at the first position, and is positioned at the second position when the input portion is positioned at the fourth position, and the control method has a first step (S6) of switching between a non-restricted state in which the input portion is not restricted from moving from the third position to the fourth position and a restricted state in which the input portion is restricted from moving from the third position to the fourth position, and a second step (S11) of restricting switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state so as to be prohibited during a first period, or restricting switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state so as to be separated by a second period.

[0121] According to the present invention, the restriction is set so that the restriction unit is prohibited from switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state during a first period. Alternatively, the restriction is set so that the restriction unit is switched between the restricted state and the non-restricted state after a second period has elapsed. This makes it possible to prevent the electric drive unit from switching the restriction unit between the restricted state and the non-restricted state repeatedly within a short period of time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electric drive unit from becoming too hot due to the repeated switching.

[0122] (Appendix 8) A program for causing a computer (154) to execute the power terminal control method described in Supplementary Note 7.

[0123] (Appendix 9) A storage medium (182) that stores the program described in Supplementary Note 8.

[0124] 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]

[0125] 10...Power supply device (power device) 14...Vehicles (other power devices) 18...Cable (power line) 20...Connector (power terminal) 90...Cancel button (input section) 96...Lock section (regulating section) 104...Engagement claw (engagement portion) 108...Connection mechanism 110...Solenoid (electric drive unit) 120...Connector (other power terminal) 124...Engagement recess (engaged portion) 154...ECU (control unit, computer) 176...CPU (restricted part) 182...Memory (storage medium)

Claims

1. A power terminal control device that is provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device and is 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 attached to the other power terminal, an input portion that receives an operation from a user, and a connection mechanism that mechanically connects the engaging 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, A control device for a power terminal, wherein the control device is provided with a limiting unit that restricts the electric drive unit from switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the unregulated state for a period less than a first period, or a limiting unit that restricts the electric drive unit from switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the unregulated state for a period equal to or greater than a second period.

2. 2. The power terminal control device according to claim 1, A control device for a power terminal, wherein when the restriction unit restricts the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the unregulated state for a period less than the first period, the restriction unit prohibits switching from the unregulated state to the regulated state and allows switching from the regulated state to the unregulated state.

3. 3. The power terminal control device according to claim 1, A timer unit is further provided which starts timing when the restriction unit is switched to the restriction state or the non-restriction state, or when a request or command to switch the restriction unit to the restriction state or the non-restriction state is issued, A control device for a power terminal, wherein the restriction unit restricts the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the unregulated state for a period less than the first period based on the elapsed time measured by the timing unit, or restricts the electric drive unit to switch the regulating unit between the regulated state and the unregulated state after a period equal to or greater than the second period.

4. 4. The power terminal control device according to claim 3, The restriction unit restricts the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state for a period less than the first period based on the elapsed time measured by the timing unit, and if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is less than the first period, the restriction unit restricts the electric drive unit to prohibit switching the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state, and if the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is equal to or greater than the first period, the restriction unit allows the electric drive unit to switch the regulating unit between the regulated state and the non-regulated state.

5. 5. The power terminal control device according to claim 4, A control device for a power terminal, further comprising an alarm unit that notifies the outside of the control device that the request or command cannot be accepted when the elapsed time is less than the first period, and / or that notifies the outside of the control device that the request or command can be accepted when the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the first period.

6. 5. The power terminal control device according to claim 4, The power terminal control device, wherein the timer unit stops timing and initializes the elapsed time after the elapsed time becomes equal to or greater than the first period.

7. A control method for a power terminal that is provided at a tip of a power line extending from a power device and is detachably provided to another power terminal of another power device, comprising: 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, an input portion that receives an operation from a user, and a connection mechanism that mechanically connects the engaging 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 control method includes: a first step of switching between a non-restricted state in which movement of the input unit from the third position to the fourth position is not restricted and a restricted state in which movement of the input unit from the third position to the fourth position is restricted; a second step of restricting switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state so as to be prohibited during a period shorter than a first period, or restricting switching between the restricted state and the non-restricted state so as to be separated by a period equal to or longer than a second period; A method for controlling a power terminal, comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the power terminal control method according to claim 7.

9. A storage medium for storing the program according to claim 8.

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