Connector Structure

Abstract

To provide a connector structure capable of improving workability of a connector related to a battery pack.SOLUTION: A connector structure includes a male connector 10 provided in a battery pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 100, and a female connector 20 connected to the male connector 10. A lever member 24 is provided rotatably on a case 23. When the lever member 24 is rotated in the first direction while the terminals 11 and 12 of the male connector 10 and the terminals 21 and 22 of the female connector 20 are in contact with each other, the tip of the lever member 24 presses the case 13, and therefore, the female connector 20 moves away from the male connector 10, and the terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and the terminals 21, 22 are brought out of contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6C

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector structure having a first connector provided on a battery pack mounted on a vehicle and a second connector connected to the first connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle in which a battery pack mounted on the vehicle and one end of a cable connected to an on-board electrical device are connected by a connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-55843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, for example, the connector may need to be disconnected when cutting off the power supply from the battery pack to an electrical device during maintenance. Connectors used in vehicle battery packs are generally locked with screws or the like to prevent the connector from coming off. This means that it takes time to remove the connector. Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the battery pack is installed under the vehicle, so the workability of removing the connector is not good.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these technical problems, and has an object to provide a connector structure that can improve the workability of connectors related to battery packs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector structure includes a first connector provided in a battery pack mounted on a vehicle and a second connector connected to the first connector. The first connector includes a plurality of first terminals electrically connected to positive and negative electrodes of the battery pack and a first case accommodating the plurality of first terminals. The second connector includes a plurality of second terminals electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals by contacting them, respectively, a second case accommodating the plurality of second terminals and fitting into the first case, and a lever member rotatably provided on the second case. In the connector structure, when the lever member is rotated in a first direction while the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact, the tip of the lever member presses the first case, causing the second connector to move in a direction away from the first connector, and the first terminal and the second terminal are out of contact; when the lever member is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the position where the first terminal and the second terminal are out of contact, the tip of the lever member draws the second connector toward the first connector, and the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact; the first connector has an arm portion extending from the end face of the first case on the side that mates with the second connector, and an engagement portion provided at the tip of the arm portion and extending in a direction perpendicular to the arm portion; the lever member has a shaft portion inserted into a through hole that penetrates the second case, a grip portion that an operator grips when operating the lever member, and a first arm portion that connects the end of the grip portion to the shaft portion; In the direction of the central axis of the shaft and a second arm portion connected to the end opposite to the end to which the first arm portion of the shaft is connected, and when the lever member rotates in a first direction, the tip of the second arm portion contacts the end face of the first case, and when the lever member rotates in a second direction, the tip of the second arm portion contacts the engaging portion, and the engaging portion and the second arm portion are positioned inside the second case when the first case and the second case are fitted together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this aspect, by rotating the lever member, the first connector and the second connector can be separated from each other, and the first terminals and the second terminals can be brought into a non-contact state, thereby improving workability related to the connectors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the mounting position of a battery pack to which the connector structure of this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector structure of this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the connector structure of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the boss portion in the connector structure of this embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a diagram for explaining a method of fitting the connector structure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining a method of fitting the connector structure. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a diagram for explaining a method of fitting the connector structure. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining a method for removing the connector structure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining a method for removing the connector structure. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a diagram for explaining a method for removing the connector structure. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is a diagram for explaining a method for removing the connector structure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of the vicinity of the opening of the modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modified battery pack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an attachment position of a battery pack 2 to which the connector structure of this embodiment is applied. Fig. 2 is a side view of the connector structure of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view of the connector structure of this embodiment. The connector structure of this embodiment relates to a connection portion (hereinafter also referred to as "connector portion 1") between a connector provided in a battery pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 100 such as an electric vehicle and a connector of a wire harness H electrically connected to a motor (not shown) that drives the vehicle 100.

[0011] The battery pack 2 has a plurality of battery modules (not shown) formed by stacking secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries inside it. The battery pack 2 supplies power to a motor that drives the vehicle 100 via a wire harness H, an inverter (not shown), etc., and also stores power supplied from a generator (not shown) or an external power source.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 2 is provided under a floor panel 3 that constitutes the body of the vehicle 100. An opening 3a is provided in the floor panel 3 at a position overlooking the connector unit 1. The opening 3a is formed to be large enough to allow the connector unit 1 to be attached and detached from inside the vehicle cabin. In this embodiment, the battery pack 2 is provided so that the connector unit 1 is located on the front side of the vehicle 100.

[0013] The opening 3a is closed by a lid member 4 that is detachable from the floor panel 3. A seal member 5 is provided between the floor panel 3 and the lid member 4 so as to surround the opening 3a. This prevents water from entering through the opening 3a and splashing onto the connector portion 1, for example, if water is spilled inside the vehicle. The seal member 5 may have a shape that covers the inner periphery of the opening 3a, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, it is possible to prevent an operator from being injured by the edge portion 3b of the opening 3a when inserting their hand through the opening 3a. In this case, if sealing is not required, a cushioning material may be provided instead of the sealant. If the sealant and cushioning material are not required, they may be omitted.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1-3, the connector structure (connector portion 1) has a male connector 10 as a first connector provided on a battery pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 100 such as an electric vehicle, and a female connector 20 as a second connector connected to the male connector 10.

[0015] The male connector 10 is fixed to the case of the battery pack 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the male connector 10 includes terminals 11 and 12 as a plurality of first terminals electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery pack 2, and a case 13 as a first case that accommodates the terminals 11 and 12 therein.

[0016] 2 and 3, female connector 20 includes terminals 21 and 22 as second terminals that are electrically connected by contacting terminals 11 and 12, respectively, case 23 as a second case that accommodates terminals 21 and 22 and fits into case 13 of male connector 10, and lever member 24 rotatably provided on case 23. Wire harness H is made up of female connector 20 and a cable 25 that is connected to terminals 21 and 22.

[0017] A pair of bosses 26 protruding in directions away from each other from both side surfaces 23a, 23b are provided on both side surfaces 23a, 23b of the case 23. Further, the case 23 is provided with a through-hole 27 penetrating both side surfaces 23a, 23b and the bosses 26.

[0018] To connect male connector 10 and female connector 20, case 13 of male connector 10 is inserted into case 23 of female connector 20 and fitted together, thereby bringing terminals 11 and 12 of male connector 10 into contact with terminals 21 and 22 of female connector 20 and establishing an electrical connection.

[0019] In the connector structure of this embodiment, male connector 10 and female connector 20 can be attached and detached by operating lever member 24. This will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

[0020] First, a specific configuration of the lever member 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lever member 24 rotates around a pair of shafts 24a supported by a through-hole 27 in the case 23. The lever member 24 includes a pair of shafts 24a inserted into the through-hole 27, a grip 24b that an operator grips when operating the lever member 24, a first arm 24c connecting both ends of the grip 24b to each of the pair of shafts 24a, and a second arm 24d connected to the end of the shaft 24a opposite to the end to which the first arm 24c is connected. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, the lever member 24 is formed in a generally ladle-like shape when viewed from the side, but the shape of the lever member 24 is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the configuration relating to the pair of shafts 24a, the first arm 24c, and the second arm 24d may be configured on only one side (only the lower side in FIG. 3), for example.

[0021] 2 and 3, male connector 10 further includes a pair of arms 14 extending from an upper portion of end face 13a of case 13 on the side that mates with female connector 20. Engagement portions 15 are provided at the tips of paired arms 14, respectively, and extend toward each other in a direction perpendicular to arms 14.

[0022] 4, female connector 20 further includes a retaining mechanism 30 for retaining the pivoted position of lever member 24. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of boss portion 26. As shown in FIG. 4, retaining mechanism 30 is provided near boss portion 26. Retaining mechanism 30 is composed of: accommodation hole 24e opening on the outer peripheral surface of shaft portion 24a; pin member 31 having a substantially hemispherical tip and movably accommodated in accommodation hole 24e; spring 32 as biasing means for biasing pin member 31 radially outward; and engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d provided in inner peripheral wall 26a of boss portion 26, with which pin member 31 engages.

[0023] The holding mechanism 30 restricts the rotation of the lever member 24 by engaging the pin member 31 with the engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d when the lever member 24 is rotated. Specifically, when the pin member 31 faces the engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d when the lever member 24 is rotated, the pin member 31 is pushed out by the biasing force of the spring 32 and enters the engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d. This restricts the rotation of the lever member 24. Note that even if the pin member 31 is engaged with the engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d, when the operating force rotating the lever member 24 exceeds a certain value, the tip of the pin member 31 disengages from the engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d against the biasing force of the spring 32. In other words, even if the pin member 31 is engaged with the engagement grooves 26b, 26c, and 26d, when a force of a certain value or more acts on the lever member 24 in the rotation direction, the lever member 24 is allowed to rotate.

[0024] Next, a method for fitting and removing the connector portion 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] First, a method for fitting the connector portion 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5(A) to (C). Male connector 10 and female connector 20 are placed opposite each other, and female connector 20 is pushed so that male connector 10 is inserted into case 23. At this time, lever member 24 is held in the position shown in Figure 5(A) by holding mechanism 30. Specifically, pin member 31 of holding mechanism 30 engages with engagement groove 26b (see Figure 4(A)), thereby restricting the rotation of lever member 24 so that grip portion 24b is positioned upward in Figure 5(A).

[0026] When the lever member 24 is operated in the counterclockwise direction (second direction) in FIG. 5(A) from the state shown in FIG. 5(A) with a force equal to or greater than a certain value, the pin member 31 disengages from the engagement groove 26b, and the lever member 24 rotates in the counterclockwise direction.

[0027] When lever member 24 rotates, the tip of second arm portion 24d of lever member 24 enters the space between end face 13a of male connector 10 and engaging portion 15. When lever member 24 is rotated further, the tip of second arm portion 24d comes into contact with engaging portion 15, as shown in FIG. 5(B). In the position shown in FIG. 5(B), terminals 11 and 12 of male connector 10 and terminals 21 and 22 of female connector 20 are not yet in contact. Note that when the tip of second arm portion 24d of lever member 24 enters the space between end face 13a of male connector 10 and engaging portion 15, pin member 31 of retention mechanism 30 temporarily engages with engaging groove 26c (see FIG. 4(B)).

[0028] 5(B), when lever member 24 is further rotated counterclockwise, the tip of second arm portion 24d rotates while remaining in contact with engaging portion 15. At this time, because battery pack 2 is fixed, the position of engaging portion 15 does not change. Therefore, as lever member 24 rotates, female connector 20 is attracted to male connector 10. As a result, terminals 11 and 12 of male connector 10 and terminals 21 and 22 of female connector 20 approach each other, and terminals 11 and 12 of male connector 10 and terminals 21 and 22 of female connector 20 come into contact with each other.

[0029] When lever member 24 is then rotated to the position shown in Figure 5(C), pin member 31 of holding mechanism 30 engages with engagement groove 26d (see Figure 4(C)). As a result, male connector 10 and female connector 20 are held by holding mechanism 30 with terminals 11, 12 and terminals 21, 22 in contact with each other.

[0030] Next, a method for removing the connector section 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6(A) to 6(D).

[0031] The state shown in Fig. 6(A) is the same as the state shown in Fig. 5(C). Specifically, this is the state in which terminals 11 and 12 of male connector 10 and terminals 21 and 22 of female connector 20 are in contact with each other, and pin member 31 of holding mechanism 30 is engaged with engagement groove 26d (see Fig. 4(C)).

[0032] When the lever member 24 is operated in the clockwise direction (first direction) in FIG. 6(A) from the state shown in FIG. 6(A) with a force equal to or greater than a certain value, the pin member 31 disengages from the engagement groove 26d, and the lever member 24 rotates in the clockwise direction.

[0033] When lever member 24 rotates, the tip of second arm portion 24d moves away from engaging portion 15 of male connector 10. When lever member 24 is rotated further, the tip of second arm portion 24d comes into contact with end surface 13a of male connector 10, as shown in FIG. 6(B).

[0034] From this state, when the lever member 24 is further rotated clockwise, the tip of the second arm portion 24d rotates while being pressed against the end face 13a of the male connector 10. At this time, since the battery pack 2 is fixed, the position of the engaging portion 15 does not change. Therefore, the female connector 20 moves in a direction away from the male connector 10, and as shown in FIG. 6(C), the terminals 11 and 12 of the male connector 10 and the terminals 21 and 22 of the female connector 20 are not in contact with each other. In the state shown in FIG. 6(C), the pin member 31 of the holding mechanism 30 engages with the engaging groove 26c (see FIG. 4(B)). In the position shown in FIG. 6(C), the case 13 of the male connector 10 and the case 23 of the female connector 20 are in contact with each other. Fitting 6(C), the tip of the second arm portion 24d is located in the space between the end face 13a of the male connector 10 and the engaging portion 15. As a result, even if an attempt is made to remove the female connector 20 from the male connector 10, the tip of the second arm portion 24d abuts against the engaging portion 15, restricting movement of the female connector 20 in the direction of removal. Therefore, in the position shown in FIG. 6(C), the case 13 of the male connector 10 and the case 23 of the female connector 20 are in a mated state (not disengaged), and the terminals 11, 12 and the terminals 21, 22 are not in contact with each other. Furthermore, in the position shown in FIG. 6(C), the tip of the second arm portion 24d is located in the space between the end face 13a of the male connector 10 and the engaging portion 15. As a result, even if an attempt is made to remove the female connector 20 from the male connector 10, the tip of the second arm portion 24d abuts against the engaging portion 15, restricting movement of the female connector 20 in the direction of removal. Fitting The contacts are kept in a mated state (not missing).

[0035] Furthermore, for example, during maintenance, by rotating lever member 24 to this position (the position shown in FIG. 6(C)), it is possible to temporarily cut off the supply of power from battery pack 2 to a motor (not shown), etc. Furthermore, after maintenance is completed, male connector 10 and female connector 20 can be quickly connected by simply rotating lever member 24, without having to align the positions of male connector 10 and female connector 20.

[0036] When lever member 24 is further rotated clockwise from the position shown in Figure 6(C), the tip of second arm portion 24d of lever member 24 rotates further while being pressed against end face 13a of male connector 10, and female connector 20 moves further away from male connector 10. When lever member 24 is then rotated to the position shown in Figure 6(D), pin member 31 of holding mechanism 30 engages with engagement groove 26b (see Figure 4(A)). In this state, the tip of second arm portion 24d is out of the space between end face 13a of male connector 10 and engagement portion 15, so that female connector 20 can be easily removed from male connector 10.

[0037] As described above, in the connector structure of this embodiment, male connector 10 and female connector 20 can be easily attached and detached by operating lever member 24. In particular, when battery pack 2 is installed in a location where access is difficult, such as below floor panel 3 of vehicle 100, male connector 10 and female connector 20 can be easily attached and detached simply by operating lever member 24, improving workability related to connector portion 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the connector structure includes a holding mechanism 30, which can hold the lever member 24 in a desired position. This allows the case 13 of the male connector 10 and the case 23 of the female connector 20 to be held in place by restricting the rotation of the lever member 24 at the position shown in FIG. 6(C), for example. FittingThis allows the terminals 11, 12 and the terminals 21, 22 to be kept in a mated state (not disconnected) and out of contact with each other. This makes it possible to temporarily cut off the supply of power from the battery pack 2 to a motor (not shown), for example, during maintenance. Furthermore, after maintenance is complete, the male connector 10 (first connector) and the female connector 20 (second connector) can be quickly connected by simply rotating the lever member 24, without having to align the male connector 10 (first connector) and the female connector 20 (second connector).

[0039] Furthermore, by restricting the rotation of lever member 24 at the position shown in FIG. 5(C), it is possible to prevent lever member 24 from rotating inadvertently, thereby preventing terminals 11, 12 from coming into contact with terminals 21, 22.

[0040] The connector structure of this embodiment can be applied to battery packs 2 with shapes other than that shown in FIG. 1 and the like. For example, it can be applied to a battery pack in which the male connector 10 is inclined upward, as shown in FIG. 8. In the modified example shown in FIG. 8, when it is necessary to inject water into the battery pack 2 in an emergency, the cover member 4 can be removed, the lever member 24 can be rotated to remove the female connector 20, and water can then be injected into the battery pack 2 through the opening 3a of the male connector 10. This shortens the time required to inject water compared to a battery pack not equipped with the lever member 24.

[0041] The configuration, operation, and effects of the embodiment of the present invention configured as above will be described below.

[0042] The connector structure includes a male connector 10 (first connector) provided on a battery pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 100, and a female connector 20 (second connector) connected to the male connector 10 (first connector). The male connector 10 (first connector) includes terminals 11, 12 (plurality of first terminals) electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery pack 2, and a case 13 (first case) that houses the terminals 11, 12 (plurality of first terminals). The female connector 20 (second connector) includes terminals 21, 22 (plurality of second terminals) that are electrically connected by contacting the terminals 11, 12 (plurality of first terminals), respectively, a case 23 (second case) that houses the terminals 21, 22 (plurality of second terminals) and fits into the case 13 (first case), and a lever member 24 rotatably provided on the case 23 (second case). When the lever member 24 is rotated clockwise (first direction) while the terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and the terminals 21, 22 (second terminals) are in contact with each other, the tip of the lever member 24 presses the case 13 (first case), causing the female connector 20 (second connector) to move in a direction away from the male connector 10 (first connector), and the terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and the terminals 21, 22 (second terminals) become non-contacting with each other.

[0043] In this configuration, by rotating lever member 24, male connector 10 (first connector) and female connector 20 (second connector) can be separated, and terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and terminals 21, 22 (second terminals) can be brought into a non-contact state, thereby improving the workability of the connector structure.

[0044] In the connector structure, when lever member 24 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (second direction) opposite to the clockwise direction (first direction) from a position where terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and terminals 21, 22 (second terminals) are not in contact, the tip of lever member 24 engages with engagement portion 15 of male connector 10 (first connector), thereby attracting female connector 20 (second connector) to male connector 10 (first connector), and terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and terminals 21, 22 (second terminals) come into contact.

[0045] In this configuration, male connector 10 (first connector) and female connector 20 (second connector) can be connected simply by rotating lever member 24, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0046] In the connector structure, male connector 10 (first connector) has arm 14 extending from end face 13a of case 13 (first case) on the side that mates with female connector 20 (second connector), and engaging portion 15 provided at the tip of arm 14 and extending in a direction perpendicular to arm 14. Lever member 24 has shaft 24a inserted into through-hole 27 penetrating case 23 (second case), gripping portion 24b that an operator grips when operating lever member 24, first arm 24c connecting the end of gripping portion 24b to shaft 24a, and second arm 24d connected to the end of shaft 24a opposite to the end to which first arm 24c is connected. When the lever member 24 rotates in a clockwise direction (first direction), the tip of the second arm portion 24d contacts the end face 13a of the case 13 (first case), and when the lever member 24 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (second direction), the tip of the second arm portion 24d contacts the engagement portion 15.

[0047] In this configuration, when lever member 24 is rotated in the clockwise direction (first direction) with the tip of second arm portion 24d in contact with end surface 13a of case 13 (first case), female connector 20 (second connector) can be moved in a direction away from male connector 10 (first connector). Furthermore, when the tip of second arm portion 24d is in contact with engaging portion 15, lever member 24 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (second direction), female connector 20 (second connector) can be drawn toward male connector 10 (first connector).

[0048] The connector structure further includes a holding mechanism 30 for holding the pivoted position of the lever member 24.

[0049] In this configuration, the lever member 24 can be held in a predetermined position by the holding mechanism 30.

[0050] In the connector structure, the holding mechanism 30 is configured to hold the lever member 24 at a position where the terminals 11, 12 (first terminals) and the terminals 21, 22 (second terminals) are in contact with each other.

[0051] In this configuration, it is possible to prevent the lever member 24 from accidentally rotating, which would cause the terminals 11 and 12 (first terminals) and the terminals 21 and 22 (second terminals) to come out of contact with each other.

[0052] In the connector structure, the holding mechanism 30 holds the lever member 24 between the case 13 (first case) and the case 23 (second case). Fitting The connector is configured to hold the terminals 11 and 12 (first terminals) and the terminals 21 and 22 (second terminals) in a mated state and in a position where they are not in contact with each other.

[0053] With this configuration, for example, during maintenance, it is possible to temporarily cut off the supply of power from battery pack 2 to a motor (not shown), etc. Furthermore, after maintenance is completed, male connector 10 (first connector) and female connector 20 (second connector) can be quickly connected by simply rotating lever member 24 without having to align the positions of male connector 10 (first connector) and female connector 20 (second connector).

[0054] In the connector structure, the retention mechanism 30 is configured to retain the lever member 24 in a position that does not prevent the female connector 20 (second connector) from being pulled out from the male connector 10 (first connector).

[0055] In this configuration, for example, when connecting male connector 10 (first connector) and female connector 20 (second connector), lever member 24 is prevented from rotating on its own, thereby preventing deterioration of workability.

[0056] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments merely illustrate some of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments.

[0057] For example, the length of first arm portion 24c may be set so that lever member 24 cannot rotate to the position shown in Figure 6(C) or the position shown in Figure 6(D) when cover member 4 is attached. This more reliably prevents lever member 24 from moving on its own and causing male connector 10 and female connector 20 to become disconnected when cover member 4 is attached.

[0058] The lever member 24 may be made of a material with excellent insulating properties, or the lever member 24 may be provided with an insulating coating. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 connector portion (connector structure), 2 battery pack, 3 floor panel, 3a opening, 10 male connector (first connector), 11, 12 terminal (first terminal), 13 case (first case), 13a end face, 15 engaging portion, 20 female connector (second connector), 21, 22 terminal (second terminal), 23 case (second case), 24 lever member, 30 holding mechanism, 31 pin member, 100 vehicle

Claims

1. A connector structure including a first connector provided in a battery pack mounted on a vehicle and a second connector connected to the first connector, The first connector is a plurality of first terminals electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery pack; a first case that accommodates the plurality of first terminals therein; The second connector is a plurality of second terminals that are in contact with the plurality of first terminals and are thereby electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals; a second case that accommodates the second terminals therein and is fitted into the first case; a lever member rotatably provided on the second case, When the lever member is rotated in a first direction while the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other, a tip end of the lever member presses the first case, causing the second connector to move in a direction away from the first connector, and the first terminal and the second terminal are brought out of contact with each other; When the lever member is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a position where the first terminal and the second terminal are not in contact with each other, the tip of the lever member draws the second connector toward the first connector, and the first terminal and the second terminal come into contact with each other, the first connector has an arm portion extending from an end face of the first case on a side that mates with the second connector, and an engagement portion provided at a tip of the arm portion and extending in a direction perpendicular to the arm portion, the lever member has a shaft portion inserted into a through-hole penetrating the second case, a grip portion that an operator grips when operating the lever member, a first arm portion connecting an end of the grip portion to the shaft portion, and a second arm portion connected to an end of the shaft portion opposite to the end to which the first arm portion is connected in a central axial direction of the shaft portion, When the lever member rotates in the first direction, the tip of the second arm portion comes into contact with the end surface of the first case, When the lever member rotates in the second direction, the tip of the second arm portion comes into contact with the engaging portion, the engaging portion and the second arm portion are located inside the second case when the first case and the second case are fitted together. Connector structure.

2. The connector structure according to claim 1, Further, a holding mechanism for holding the pivoted position of the lever member is provided. Connector structure.

3. 3. The connector structure according to claim 2, The holding mechanism is configured to hold the lever member at a position where the first terminal and the second terminal are in contact with each other. Connector structure.

4. The connector structure according to claim 2 or 3, The holding mechanism is configured to hold the lever member in a position where the first terminal and the second terminal are not in contact with each other while the first case and the second case are fitted together. Connector structure.

5. 5. The connector structure according to claim 2, The holding mechanism is configured to hold the lever member in a position that does not prevent the second connector from being pulled out from the first connector. Connector structure.

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