Connector Device Segmented Disconnection for EV Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector devices for electric vehicles lack a sufficient time interval between the disconnection of detection terminals and power-supply terminals, posing a safety risk for maintenance workers as they can disconnect almost simultaneously, failing to ensure a secure power cutoff.
Innovation Solution
A connector device with a housing and mating connector that includes regulated portions and release portions, allowing the device to transition through specific states to ensure a distinct time interval between the disconnection of detection and power-supply terminals, requiring separate operation of release portions to transition from one state to another.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the lever is slid to disconnect detection terminals and then raised to disconnect power-supply terminals in continuous operation, then the connector can be quickly disconnected, but the time interval between disconnection of detection terminals and power-supply terminals becomes insufficient, creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnection operation is segmented into two distinct phases: first disconnecting detection terminals by sliding the lever, then disconnecting power-supply terminals by raising the lever. This segmentation ensures a mandatory time interval between the two disconnections, preventing simultaneous disconnection and ensuring worker safety while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The detection terminals are disconnected as a preliminary action before disconnecting the power-supply terminals. This preliminary disconnection of detection terminals serves as a safety indicator that power is being cut off, providing advance warning to maintenance workers before the actual power disconnection occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A connector device comprises a connector and a mating connector which is mateable with the connector. The connector comprises a housing, a power-supply terminal and a detection terminal. The mating connector comprises a mating housing, a mating power-supply terminal and a mating detection terminal. One of the housing and the mating housing is provided with a first release portion. One of the housing and the mating housing is provided with a second release portion. One of the housing and the mating housing is provided with a prevention portion. The connector is able to take on any of three states with respect to the mating connector. When the connector is in a first state, the prevention portion is located between the first release portion and the second release portion in an operating direction and prevents the second release portion from being subsequently operated upon operation of the first release portion.