JP6653216B2 - Plug connector and power circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug connector and a power supply circuit breaker.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a power supply circuit breaker (service plug) is mainly mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, and a hybrid vehicle, and is used to supply power from a power source such as a battery to a load such as a rotating electric machine. It is incorporated in a power supply circuit, and the power supply circuit is turned on or off as necessary (for example, Patent Document 1). The power supply circuit interrupter has a plug connector and a receiving connector, and the power supply circuit is energized when the plug connector is fitted into the receiving connector, and the power supply circuit is interrupted when the plug connector is detached from the receiving connector. I do.

JP 2014-146451 A

  By the way, the power supply circuit breaker has room for further improvement in that the plug connector terminal and the receiving connector terminal are smoothly inserted into and removed from each other when the plug connector is fitted to or removed from the receiving connector.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector and a power supply circuit shut-off device capable of smoothly inserting and removing a terminal of a plug connector and a terminal of a receiving connector. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a plug connector according to the present invention includes a housing that can be fitted or detached from a receiving connector for performing electrical connection, and a receiving connector that extends along an axial direction. A plurality of rod-shaped plug terminals that can be mutually inserted into and extracted from the receiving terminal, and a conductive linear member that connects ends of the plurality of plug terminals opposite to a contact with the receiving terminal. The plurality of plug terminals and the linear member are part of a power supply circuit for supplying power from a power supply to a load together with the receiving terminal, and the plurality of plug terminals are provided in the housing. A plug terminal unit for energizing the power supply circuit in a state of being connected to a terminal, wherein the plug terminal unit is rotatable relative to the housing, and in a direction intersecting the axial direction. Characterized in that it comprises a support portion for supporting the linear member to be paired mobile.

  Further, in the plug connector, the support portion includes a first support portion that supports an intermediate portion of the plurality of plug terminals in the linear member from one side in the axial direction, and the first support portion that sandwiches the linear member. And a second support portion that is arranged to face the one support portion and supports the linear member from the other side in the axial direction.

  In the plug connector, the first support portion and the second support portion preferably have a curved support surface for supporting the linear member.

  Further, in the plug connector, the first support portion and the second support portion have a holding plate for holding the linear member, and the holding plate is fixed to the housing to have higher flexibility than the linear member. And a foot having the same.

  Further, the power supply circuit interrupting device according to the present invention includes a receiving connector having a receiving terminal for making an electrical connection, a housing that can be fitted or detached from the receiving connector, and the receiving terminal along the axial direction. The housing includes a plurality of rod-shaped plug terminals that can be inserted into and removed from each other, and a conductive linear member that connects ends of the plurality of plug terminals opposite to a contact with the receiving terminal. A state in which the plurality of plug terminals and the linear member are provided together with the receiving terminal to form a part of a power supply circuit for supplying power from a power supply to a load, and the plurality of plug terminals are connected to the receiving terminal; A plug terminal unit for energizing the power supply circuit, and the plug terminal unit being relatively rotatable with respect to the housing and relatively movable in a direction intersecting with the axial direction. Characterized in that it and a plug connector having a support portion for supporting the linear member.

  The plug connector and the power supply circuit interrupting device according to the present invention include the support portion that supports the linear member such that the plug terminal unit is relatively rotatable with respect to the housing and relatively movable in a direction crossing the axial direction. When the plug connector is fitted or disengaged from the receiving connector, the terminal of the plug connector and the terminal of the receiving connector are positioned coaxially, and the terminal of the plug connector and the terminal of the receiving connector are smoothly inserted and removed from each other. Can be.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a service plug according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the receiving connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the plug connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of the plug terminal unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a functional example of the plug connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a functional example of the plug connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a plug connector according to a modification. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a functional example of a plug connector according to a modification.

  An embodiment (embodiment) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the contents described in the following embodiments. The components described below include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Further, the configurations described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, various omissions, substitutions, or changes in the configuration can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Embodiment]
A plug connector and a power supply circuit breaker according to the embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a service plug 1 functioning as a power supply circuit breaker as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The service plug 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle (not shown), and supplies power from a power source 2a such as a battery to a load 2b such as a rotating electric machine as shown in FIG. The power supply circuit 2 is a part of the power supply circuit 2 and is connected (energized, non-interrupted) or interrupted as necessary. For example, at the time of work such as inspection and maintenance, the power supply circuit 2 is cut off by the service plug 1 so as to be in a non-energized state, so that safety of an operator such as prevention of electric shock can be ensured.

  The service plug 1 includes a receiving connector 10 and a plug connector 20. In the service plug 1, the plug connector 20 is fitted into the receiving connector 10 to energize the power supply circuit 2, and the plug connector 20 is detached from the receiving connector 10 to shut off the power supply circuit 2.

  In the following description, the facing direction of the receiving connector 10 and the plug connector 20 (the vertical direction in FIG. 1) is referred to as “height direction”, the side where the plug connector 20 is located is “upper”, and the receiving connector 10 is located The side to perform is described as "lower side". The direction in which the plug connector 20 is fitted to the receiving connector 10 and the direction toward the lower side in the height direction may be referred to as “fitting direction”. Further, the height direction may also be described as “axial direction”. Further, a direction orthogonal to the height direction and in which a plurality of plug terminals 21a described later are arranged is referred to as a “width direction”. Note that the width direction includes a direction crossing the height direction. A direction orthogonal to the width direction and the height direction is referred to as a “depth direction”.

  The receiving connector 10 includes a receiving terminal 11 and a receiving housing 12, as shown in FIG. The receiving terminal 11 constitutes a part of the power supply circuit 2 together with a plug terminal unit 21 described later. The receiving terminal 11 is a female terminal and is formed of a conductive member such as a metal. A plurality of receiving terminals 11 are provided, for example, two. Each receiving terminal 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is fixed to the receiving housing 12 along the height direction. Each receiving terminal 11 has a plug terminal insertion part 11a and a lead part 11b. The plug terminal insertion portion 11a is a portion into which the plug terminal 21a is inserted, and is provided on the upper side in the height direction. The plug terminal insertion portion 11a has a cylindrical electrode member 11c formed from a plurality of spring members. The electrode member 11c is mounted along the peripheral surface of the plug terminal insertion portion 11a. When the plug terminal 21a is inserted into the plug terminal insertion portion 11a, the electrode member 11c contacts the plug terminal 21a to electrically connect the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11. The lead portion 11b is provided on the lower side in the height direction, and is connected to the power supply 2a or the load 2b of the power supply circuit 2 via the electric wire 2c. For example, the lead 11b of the receiving terminal 11 on one side is connected to the power supply 2a of the power supply circuit 2 via the electric wire 2c, and the lead 11b of the receiving terminal 11 on the other side is connected to the power supply circuit 2 via the electric wire 2c. Connected to load 2b.

  The receiving housing 12 holds the receiving terminal 11 in an insulable manner, and is, for example, injection molded with an insulating member such as a resin. The receiving housing 12 has a cylindrical receiving-side outer wall portion 12a, a protruding portion 12b that protrudes in the width direction from the outer peripheral surface of the receiving-side outer wall portion 12a, and a receiving terminal 11 that is provided inside the receiving-side outer wall portion 12a. It has a cylindrical holding part 12c having a cylindrical shape, and a fixing part 12d for fixing the cylindrical holding part 12c inside the receiving side outer wall part 12a.

  The receiving side outer wall portion 12a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the height direction, and is formed with four corners rounded. The receiving-side outer wall portion 12a includes an opening portion 12e having an upper opening in the height direction, a closing portion 12f having a lower height portion closed by a plate-shaped fixing portion 12d, a receiving-side outer wall portion 12a, and a closing portion 12f. And a fitting space portion 12h defined by the following. The protruding portion 12b fixes the receiving connector 10 to the vehicle, and is formed, for example, in an annular shape along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the receiving side outer wall portion 12a. The cylindrical holding portion 12c extends along the height direction and is formed in a hollow shape. A plurality of, for example, two cylindrical holding portions 12c are provided along a width direction in which a plurality of plug terminals 21a described later are arranged. The cylindrical holding portion 12c has an opening 12g into which the plug terminal 21a is inserted and withdrawn, and has a cylindrical shape. The opening 12g receives the plug terminal 21a and guides it to the terminal 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the plug connector 20 includes a plug terminal unit 21, a plug housing 22 as a housing, and a support portion 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the plug terminal unit 21 includes a plurality of plug terminals 21a and a conductive connecting plate 21b as a conductive linear member. Each plug terminal 21a constitutes a part of the power supply circuit 2 together with the receiving terminal 11. Each plug terminal 21a is a male terminal and is formed of a conductive member such as a metal. Each plug terminal 21a is formed in a rod shape, and a plurality, for example, two, are provided. Each plug terminal 21a has the same length in the height direction, and the plug terminal unit 21 is configured by being connected by the conductive connection plate 21b. In each plug terminal 21a, a screw hole 21e to which a bolt 21c is fastened is provided at an end 21h on a side opposite to a contact point with the receiving terminal 11. Each plug terminal 21a has an end 21g on the contact side with the receiving terminal 11 inserted into and removed from the receiving terminal 11 along the axial direction (height direction). The conductive connecting plate 21b connects the end 21h of each plug terminal 21a on the side opposite to the contact with the receiving terminal 11. The conductive connecting plate 21b has, for example, a long plate shape with higher rigidity than the plug housing 22, and has holes 21f at both ends for inserting the bolts 21c. In this example, two conductive connecting plates 21b are formed and stacked in the height direction. The holes 21f at both ends of the conductive connection plate 21b are fastened together with the screw holes 21e of the plug terminals 21a by bolts 21c, and connect the plug terminals 21a. The plug terminal unit 21 constitutes a part of the power supply circuit 2 for supplying power from the power supply 2 a to the load 2 b together with the receiving terminal 11, and energizes the power supply circuit 2 while being connected to the receiving terminal 11.

  The plug housing 22 holds the plug terminal unit 21 insulably. The plug housing 22 is fitted into the fitting space 12h of the receiving housing 12, or is detached from the fitting space 12h. The plug housing 22 includes a housing body 22a and a lid 22b. The housing main body 22a is injection-molded with an insulating member such as a resin, and has a cylindrical plug-side outer wall 22c and a regulating portion 22d.

  The cylindrical plug-side outer wall portion 22c constitutes an outer wall of the housing body 22a, and has an exposed portion 22e that is gripped by an operator and a plug fitting wall 22g that is fitted to the receiving housing 12. The exposed portion 22e is a portion that is exposed when the plug housing 22 is fitted in the fitting space 12h of the receiving housing 12. The exposed portion 22e is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the height direction, is formed with four corners in a round shape, and is formed larger than the opening 12e of the receiving housing 12. . The plug fitting wall 22g extends from below the exposed portion 22e in the height direction, is formed smaller than the opening 12e of the receiving housing 12 when viewed from the height direction, and has a receiving outer wall portion 12a of the receiving housing 12. Is formed in a shape that can be fitted inside. The plug fitting wall 22g has a gap between the plug fitting wall 22g and the inside of the receiving side outer wall portion 12a in order to easily fit into the receiving side outer wall portion 12a. The length of the plug fitting wall 22g in the height direction is substantially equal to the length from the opening 12e of the receiving outer wall 12a to the fixing portion 12d of the receiving outer wall 12a. Thereby, the plug-side outer wall portion 22c is such that the plug fitting wall 22g abuts on the fixing portion 12d of the receiving-side outer wall portion 12a, or the lower side of the exposed portion 22e in the height direction is the opening 12e of the receiving-side outer wall portion 12a. It is fitted into the fitting space 12h until it abuts.

  The regulating portion 22d is provided inside the plug-side outer wall portion 22c, and regulates movement of the plug terminal unit 21 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, for example, in the width direction or the depth direction. The restricting portion 22d is formed in a ring shape and surrounds a part of the peripheral surface of each plug terminal 21a. When each plug terminal 21a moves in the width direction or the depth direction, the restricting portion 22d contacts the peripheral surface of each plug terminal 21a to restrict the movement of each plug terminal 21a.

  The lid 22b closes an opening on the upper side in the height direction of the cylindrical housing body 22a. The lid 22b is injection-molded with an insulating member such as a resin, for example. The lid 22b has a lid main body 22h. The lid main body 22h is formed in a flat plate shape, and is attached to an opening on the upper side in the height direction of the housing main body 22a, that is, an opening of the exposed portion 22e.

  The support part 23 supports the plug terminal unit 21. The support part 23 has a first support part 23a and a second support part 23b. The first support portion 23a is provided inside the plug-side outer wall portion 22c of the plug housing 22, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 from one side in the axial direction. The first support portion 23a is located at the upper end in the height direction of the plug fitting wall 22g, and is further located substantially at the center of the plug fitting wall 22g in the width direction. That is, the first support portion 23a is located in the middle in the width direction of each plug terminal 21a of the plug terminal unit 21, and is located below the conductive connecting plate 21b of the plug terminal unit 21 in the height direction. The first support portion 23a is formed in a rod shape and extends in the depth direction. The first support portion 23a is formed, for example, longer than the length of the conductive connection plate 21b in the depth direction. That is, when viewed from the height direction, both ends of the first support portion 23a protrude from the conductive connection plate 21b in the depth direction. The first support portion 23a may have a length equal to the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction, or may be shorter than the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction. The first support portion 23a is formed integrally with the housing body 22a by, for example, injection molding. The first support portion 23a has an interval with the plug terminals 21a on both sides in a direction (width direction) intersecting with the axial direction, and each plug terminal unit 21 is movable relative to the plug housing 22 in the width direction. 21a is supported. The first support portion 23a has a support surface 23c that supports the intermediate portion 21d of each plug terminal 21a in the conductive connection plate 21b from below in the axial direction, and the support surface 23c is formed in a curved shape. The support surface 23c is formed in an arc shape, for example, when viewed from the depth direction. The support surface 23c may have a shape other than the arc shape, and may have a spherical shape when viewed from the upper side in the height direction, for example. The first support portion 23a has a support surface 23c abutting on the lower side in the height direction of the conductive connection plate 21b, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the plug housing 22. For example, in the first support portion 23a, a contact portion of the support surface 23c with the conductive connection plate 21b serves as a lower rotation fulcrum, and the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the lower rotation fulcrum. That is, when viewed from the depth direction, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise about the lower rotation fulcrum of the first support portion 23a.

  The second support portion 23b is provided on the back side of the lid body 22h, that is, on the plug terminal unit 21 side of the lid body 22h, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 from the other side in the axial direction. The second support portion 23b is arranged to face the first support portion 23a with the conductive connection plate 21b of the plug terminal unit 21 interposed therebetween. The second support portion 23b is formed in a rod shape like the first support portion 23a, and extends in the depth direction. The second support portion 23b is formed, for example, longer than the length of the conductive connection plate 21b in the depth direction. That is, when viewed from the height direction, both ends of the second support portion 23b protrude from the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction. Note that the second support portion 23b may have a length equivalent to the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction, or may be shorter than the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction. The second support portion 23b is formed integrally with the lid body 22h by, for example, injection molding. The second support portion 23b has an interval with the plug terminals 21a on both sides in a direction (width direction) intersecting with the axial direction, and supports the conductive connecting plate 21b of each plug terminal 21a so as to be relatively movable in the width direction. The second support portion 23b has a support surface 23d that supports the intermediate portion 21d of each plug terminal 21a in the conductive connection plate 21b from above (the other side) in the axial direction, and the support surface 23d is formed in a curved shape. . The support surface 23d is formed in, for example, an arc shape when viewed from the depth direction. The support surface 23d may have a shape other than the arc shape, and may have a spherical shape when viewed from the lower side in the height direction, for example. The support surface 23d of the second support portion 23b abuts on the upper side in the height direction of the conductive connection plate 21b, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the plug housing 22. For example, in the second support portion 23b, a contact portion of the support surface 23d with the conductive connection plate 21b serves as an upper rotation fulcrum, and the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the upper rotation fulcrum. That is, when viewed from the depth direction, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around the upper rotation fulcrum of the second support portion 23b.

  Next, the function of the plug connector 20 will be described. In the plug connector 20, the plug housing 22 is fitted in the fitting space 12h of the receiving housing 12, as shown in FIG. At this time, in the plug connector 20, the axial direction of the plug terminal 21 a may not be coaxial with the axial direction of the receiving terminal 11 due to the fitting gap between the plug housing 22 and the receiving housing 12. In this case, when the lower end 21 g of the plug terminal 21 a in the height direction is inserted into the opening 12 g of the cylindrical holding portion 12 c of the receiving housing 12, the plug terminal unit 21 is connected to the first support portion 23 a. And the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are positioned coaxially. Then, the plug connector 20 is pushed in the fitting direction with the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 positioned coaxially and the second support portion 23b abutting on the upper side in the height direction of the conductive connecting plate 21b. Accordingly, even when the axial direction of the plug terminal 21a and the axial direction of the receiving terminal 11 are not coaxial when the plug connector 20 is fitted, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates and the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are connected to each other. Are coaxially located, and the plug terminal 21 a is smoothly inserted into the receiving terminal 11. As shown in FIG. 6, in the plug connector 20, the plug terminal 21a is inserted into the receiving terminal 11, abuts on the electrode member 11c of the receiving terminal 11, and the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are electrically connected. As a result, the plug connector 20 allows the power supply circuit 2 to be energized together with the receiving connector 10 and allows current to flow from the power supply 2a to the load 2b.

  When the plug connector 20 is detached from the receiving connector 10, the plug housing 22 may intersect the receiving housing 12 in the height direction due to a fitting gap between the plug housing 22 and the receiving housing 12. May be withdrawn. In this case, when the plug terminal 21a is inserted into the receiving terminal 11, the plug housing 22 rotates relative to the plug terminal unit 21 about the first support portion 23a. In other words, the plug connector 20 is in a state where the plug terminal 22a and the receiving terminal 11 are coaxially positioned because only the plug housing 22 relatively rotates even if the plug housing 22 is detached from the receiving housing 12 in the inclined direction. Is released from the receiving connector 10. As a result, even if the plug housing 22 is detached in the inclined direction with respect to the receiving housing 12 when the plug connector 20 is detached, the plug terminal 21 a is smoothly pulled out from the receiving terminal 11. As a result, the plug connector 20 is detached from the receiving connector 10 and shuts off the power supply circuit 2, so that no current flows from the power supply 2a to the load 2b. As described above, in the plug connector 20, the support portion 23 can function as a centering structure of the plug terminal 21a.

  As described above, the plug connector 20 according to the embodiment supports the conductive connection plate 21b such that the plug terminal unit 21 can be relatively rotated with respect to the plug housing 22 and relatively movable in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The support unit 23 is provided. The service plug 1 includes a plug connector 20 and a receiving connector 10. As a result, when the plug connector 20 and the service plug 1 are fitted, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the support portion 23 so that the axial direction of the plug terminal 21a and the axial direction of the receiving terminal 11 are coaxial. Since the contact pressure between the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 is kept low, the plug terminal 21a can be smoothly inserted into the receiving terminal 11. When the plug connector 20 and the service plug 1 are detached, the plug housing 22 rotates about the support portion 23, and the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are received coaxially with the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 positioned coaxially. Can be pulled out smoothly. Further, since the plug terminal unit 21 is not fixed to the plug housing 22 as in the prior art, the plug terminal 21a is positioned coaxially with the receiving terminal 11 due to an assembly error of the plug terminal unit 21. It can be prevented from being inserted or removed in a state where it is not performed.

  The support portion 23 includes a first support portion 23a that supports the intermediate portion 21d of the plurality of plug terminals 21a in the conductive connection plate 21b from one side in the axial direction, and a first support portion 23a that sandwiches the conductive connection plate 21b. And a second support portion 23b that is opposed to and supports the conductive connecting plate 21b from the other side in the axial direction. Thereby, when the plug connector 20 is fitted to the receiving connector 10, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the first support portion 23a, and the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are positioned coaxially. Can be. Further, in the plug connector 20, the second support portion 23b can support the plug terminal unit 21 from above in the axial direction and push the plug terminal unit 21 in the fitting direction in a state where the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are located coaxially. . When the plug connector 20 is detached from the receiving connector 10, the plug housing 22 rotates around the first support portion 23a and the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are positioned coaxially. 21 a can be removed from the terminal 11.

  The first support portion 23a and the second support portion 23b have support surfaces 23c and 23d for supporting the conductive connection plate 21b, which are formed in a curved shape. Thus, the plug connector 20 can smoothly rotate the plug terminal unit 21 clockwise or counterclockwise along the support surfaces 23c and 23d.

(Modification)
Next, a modified example of the plug connector 20 according to the embodiment will be described. Although the plug connector 20 has been described with respect to the example in which the first and second support portions 23a and 23b are formed in a rod shape and extend in the depth direction, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the plug connector 20A, when viewed from the depth direction, the support portion 24 may be formed in a T-shape. The support part 24 has a first support part 24a and a second support part 24b. The first support portion 24a is disposed at substantially the same position as the first support portion 23a described above. For example, the first support portion 24a is located at the upper end in the height direction of the plug fitting wall 22g, and is further located substantially at the center of the plug fitting wall 22g in the width direction. The first support portion 24a extends in the depth direction, and is formed, for example, longer than the length of the conductive connection plate 21b in the depth direction. The first support portion 24a may have a length equal to the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction, or may be shorter than the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction. The first support portion 24a is formed integrally with the housing body 22a by, for example, injection molding.

  The first support portion 24a has an interval with the plug terminals 21a on both sides in a direction (width direction) intersecting with the axial direction, and each plug terminal 21 is movable relative to the plug housing 22 in the width direction. 21a is supported. The first support portion 24a supports the intermediate portion 21d of each plug terminal 21a of the conductive connecting plate 21b from below in the axial direction, and the holding plate 24c is fixed to the plug housing 22 and is higher than the conductive connecting plate 21b. And a flexible foot 24d. The holding plate 24c has a support surface 24e for supporting the conductive connection plate 21b formed in a flat shape and extends in the depth direction. The foot portion 24d is formed of resin or the like, and extends from an intermediate portion in the width direction of the holding plate 24c to an upper end in the height direction of the plug fitting wall 22g. As described above, the first support portion 24a is formed in a T-shape when viewed from the depth direction. The first support portion 24a has a support surface 24e abutting on the lower side in the height direction of the conductive connecting plate 21b, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the plug housing 22. For example, the first support portion 24a is configured such that the foot portion 24d bends toward each plug terminal 21a so that the foot portion 24d serves as a lower rotation fulcrum, and the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the lower rotation fulcrum. I do. That is, when viewed from the depth direction, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise about the lower rotation fulcrum of the first support portion 24a.

  The second support portion 24b is provided on the back surface side of the lid body 22h, that is, on the plug terminal unit 21 side of the lid body 22h, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 from above in the axial direction. The second support portion 24b is arranged to face the first support portion 24a with the conductive connection plate 21b of the plug terminal unit 21 interposed therebetween. The second support 24b is formed similarly to the first support 24a and extends in the depth direction. The second support portion 24b is formed, for example, longer than the length of the conductive connection plate 21b in the depth direction. The second support portion 24b may have a length equal to the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction, or may be shorter than the length of the conductive connecting plate 21b in the depth direction. The second support portion 24b is formed integrally with the lid body 22h by, for example, injection molding. The second support portion 24b has an interval with the plug terminals 21a on both sides in a direction (width direction) intersecting with the axial direction, and each plug terminal unit 21 is movable relative to the plug housing 22 in the width direction. 21a is supported. The second support portion 24b supports the intermediate portion 21d of each plug terminal 21a in the conductive connecting plate 21b from above in the axial direction, and the holding plate 24g is fixed to the lid portion 22b and has higher flexibility than the conductive connecting plate 21b. And a foot portion 24h having a property. The holding plate 24g has a support surface 24i for supporting the conductive connection plate 21b formed in a planar shape and extends in the depth direction. The foot portion 24h is formed of resin or the like, and extends from a middle portion in the width direction of the holding plate 24g to a lower side in the height direction of the lid portion 22b. The second support portion 24b is formed in an inverted T-shape when viewed from the depth direction. The second support portion 24b has a support surface 24i abutting on the upper side in the height direction of the conductive connecting plate 21b, and supports the plug terminal unit 21 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the plug housing 22. For example, in the second support portion 24b, when the foot portion 24h bends toward each plug terminal 21a, the foot portion 24h becomes an upper rotation fulcrum, and the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the upper rotation fulcrum. That is, when viewed from the depth direction, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around the upper rotation fulcrum of the second support portion 24b.

  Next, the function of the plug connector 20A will be described. In the plug connector 20A, the plug housing 22 is fitted into the fitting space 12h of the receiving housing 12, as shown in FIG. At this time, in the plug connector 20 </ b> A, the axial direction of the plug terminal 21 a may not be coaxial with the axial direction of the receiving terminal 11 due to the fitting gap between the plug housing 22 and the receiving housing 12. In this case, when the end 21g of the plug terminal 21a is inserted into the opening 12g of the cylindrical holding portion 12c of the receiving housing 12, the plug terminal 20 rotates about the first support portion 24a. Thus, the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are coaxially located. The plug connector 20A is pushed in the fitting direction with the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 positioned coaxially and the second support portion 24b abutting on the upper side in the height direction of the conductive connecting plate 21b. The terminal 21a is inserted into the receiving terminal 11. Thereby, even when the axial direction of the plug terminal 21a and the axial direction of the receiving terminal 11 are not coaxial when the plug connector 20A is fitted, the plug terminal unit 21 rotates and the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 Are coaxially located, and the plug terminal 21a is smoothly inserted into the receiving terminal 11.

  When the plug connector 20A is detached from the receiving connector 10, the plug housing 22 intersects the receiving housing 12 in the height direction and is inclined, for example, due to a fitting gap between the plug housing 22 and the receiving housing 12. In some directions. In this case, in the plug connector 20A, when the plug terminal 21a is inserted into the receiving terminal 11, the plug housing 22 rotates about the first support portion 24a with respect to the plug terminal unit 21. That is, even if the plug housing 22 is detached from the receiving housing 12 in the inclined direction, only the plug housing 22 rotates, so that the plug terminal 21a and the receiving terminal 11 are coaxially positioned. It is detached from the receiving connector 10. Thereby, even if the plug housing 22 is detached from the receiving housing 12 in the inclined direction when the plug connector 20A is detached, the plug terminal 21a is smoothly removed from the receiving terminal 11. Thus, in the plug connector 20A, the support portion 24 can function as a centering structure of the plug terminal 21a.

  As described above, in the plug connector 20A according to the modified example, the support portion 24 fixes the holding plates 24c, 24g holding the conductive connecting plate 21b, and the holding plates 24c, 24g to the plug housing 22, and the connecting portion 21A And feet 24d and 24h having high flexibility. As a result, in the plug connector 20A, the leg portions 24d and 24h bend, so that the plug terminal unit 21 rotates about the support portion 24, and the axial direction of the plug terminal 21a and the axial direction of the receiving terminal 11 are coaxial. , And the plug terminal 21 a can be smoothly inserted into and removed from the terminal 11.

  In addition, although the example where the plug housing 22 and the support parts 23 and 24 are integrally molded by injection molding has been described, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the plug housing 22 and the support portions 23 and 24 may be formed separately, and the support portions 23 and 24 may be bonded and fixed to the plug housing 22 with an adhesive or the like.

  The service plug 1 is a lever-type connector that is rotatably provided in the plug housing 22 and has a lever that applies a fitting force or a detaching force between the plug housing 22 and the receiving housing 12 by a rotating operation. Is also good.

  In the service plug 1, the plug terminal 21a is a male terminal and the receiving terminal 11 is a female terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the service plug 1 may use the plug terminal 21a as a female terminal and the receiving terminal 11 as a male terminal.

10 Receiving Connector 11 Receiving Terminal 20, 20A Plug Connector 21 Plug Terminal Unit 21a Plug Terminal 21b Conductive Connection Plate (Linear Member)
21d Intermediate part 22 Plug housing (housing)
23, 24 Supporting parts 23a, 24a First supporting parts 23b, 24b Second supporting parts 23c, 23d Supporting surfaces 24c, 24g Holding plates 24d, 24h Feet

Claims (5)

A housing that can be fitted or detached from a receiving connector for making electrical connection;
A plurality of rod-shaped plug terminals that can be mutually inserted into and removed from the receiving terminal of the receiving connector along the axial direction, and a conductive member that connects an end of the plurality of plug terminals opposite to a contact with the receiving terminal. A plurality of plug terminals and the linear member constitute a part of a power supply circuit for supplying power from a power supply to a load together with the receiving terminal. A plug terminal unit for energizing the power supply circuit with the plurality of plug terminals connected to the receiving terminal;
And a support portion for supporting the linear member such that the plug terminal unit is relatively rotatable with respect to the housing and relatively movable in a direction intersecting with the axial direction. The support section is
A first support portion that supports an intermediate portion of the plurality of plug terminals in the linear member from one side in the axial direction;
2. The plug connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a second support portion that is disposed to face the first support portion with the linear member interposed therebetween, and that supports the linear member from the other side in the axial direction. The first support and the second support are
The plug connector according to claim 2, wherein a support surface for supporting the linear member is formed in a curved shape. The first support and the second support are
The plug connector according to claim 2, further comprising: a holding plate that holds the linear member; and a foot portion that fixes the holding plate to the housing and has higher flexibility than the linear member. A receiving connector having a receiving terminal for making electrical connection;
A housing that can be fitted or detached from the receiving connector, a plurality of rod-shaped plug terminals that can be inserted into and removed from the receiving terminal along the axial direction, and contact points of the plurality of plug terminals with the receiving terminal A plurality of plug terminals and the linear member are provided in the housing with a conductive linear member connecting the opposite end to supply power from a power source to a load together with the receiving terminal. A plug terminal unit that constitutes a part of the power supply circuit and energizes the power supply circuit in a state where the plurality of plug terminals are connected to the receiving terminal; and And a plug connector having a support portion that supports the linear member so as to be relatively movable in a direction intersecting with the axial direction,
A power supply circuit breaker, comprising:

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