WO2012033293A2

WO2012033293A2 - High voltage connector

Info

Publication number: WO2012033293A2
Application number: PCT/KR2011/006137
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chul Sub Lee; Kun Taek Lim; Sang Hee Lee
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-08
Filing date: 2011-08-19
Publication date: 2012-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-08
Also published as: KR20120025920A; CN103155299A; KR101649380B1; CN103155299B; WO2012033293A3

Abstract

Disclosed is a high voltage connector connected to a power relay which is connected or shorted according to whether or not an interlock connection plug and an interlock connection tap are connected. The connector includes a cap housing in which power connection terminals and the interlock connection plug installed, a plug housing into which the cap housing is inserted and in which power connection terminal taps connected to the power connection terminals and the interlock connection tap connected to the interlock connection plug are installed, and a power relay short unit to guide insertion or separation of the plug housing into or from the cap housing and to enable the power connection terminals and the power connection terminal taps to be separated from each other after complete short of a power relay due to complete separation of the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap from each other.

Description

HIGH VOLTAGE CONNECTOR

The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a high voltage connector with a power relay short unit which enables power connection terminals and interlock terminals to be sequentially connected by a plug housing slidably inserted into a cap housing so as to allow connection between the power connection terminals to be released after complete short of a power relay in consideration of time for which the power relay connecting power to the connector is connected or released.

In general, a connector mounted on a conducting wire along which high voltage current flows has a dual cutoff structure for the purpose of safety. Particularly, a hybrid car requires supply of high voltage current, and thus essentially has such a dual cutoff structure.

In more detail, as high voltage current is applied to a power switch of the connector, when terminals of the power switch are initially connected or the connection of the terminals is released, the respective terminals constitute one electrode and an arc may be generated between the terminals. Such an arc may damage a product, and thus in order to prevent arc generation, an interlock switch to which current of voltage lower than the power switch is applied is further installed on the connector.

Such a high voltage connector includes a first housing in which a first power terminal and a first interlock terminal are installed, and a second housing in which a second power terminal connected to the first power terminal and a second interlock terminal connected to the first interlock terminal are installed, and the second housing is inserted into the first housing. The first and second interlock terminals have a length shorter than that of the first and second power terminals.

In the connector having the above configuration, as the second housing is inserted into the first housing, the first and second power terminals are firstly connected to each other, and then when the second housing is inserted more deeply into the first housing, the first and second interlock terminals having the length shorter than that of the first and second power terminals are connected to each other. On the other hand, as the second housing is separated from the first housing, the first and second interlock terminals are firstly separated from each other, and the first and second power terminals are then separated from each other.

Accordingly, when the first and second power terminals are connected to each other, the first and second interlock terminals are not yet connected to each other and power is not connected to the connector even if power is supplied to the connector. Further, power is supplied to the connector when the first and second interlock terminals are connected to each other, and at this time, the first and second power terminals to which high voltage current is applied are already connected to each other, and thus arc generation is prevented. On the other hand, when the first and second power terminals are separated from each other, the first and second interlock terminals are first separated from each other and power is cut off, and thus arc generation is also prevented.

However, in the above conventional connector, if the second housing is rapidly separated from the first housing, the first and second power terminals and the first and second interlock terminals are almost simultaneously separated from each other and thus an arc may be generated.

With reference to FIG. 2, if a connector is connected, first and

second power terminals

101 and 201 forming a main switch are first connected to each other and first and

second interlock terminals

103 and 203 are then connected to each other to connect an interlock switch, thereby connecting a power relay 110. At this time, a time difference by a clearance between the interlock switch and the power relay 110 is generated.

That is, if the connector is connected, a time difference is generated when the interlock switch and the power relay 110 transmit/receive a signal. Therefore, the power relay 100 is connected always under the condition that the first and

second power terminals

101 and 201 are connected to each other by an operation distance between the first and

second power terminals

101 and 201 and the first and

second interlock terminals

103 and 203, and thus generation of an arc may be prevented.

However, if the connector is disconnected, a disconnecting speed of the connector may be varied by a worker disconnecting the connector. At this time, when the connector is disconnected at a high speed, connection between the first and

second power terminals

101 and 201 may be released under the condition that the power relay 110 is connected yet due to the time difference generated when the interlock switch and the power relay 110 transmit/receive a signal, and thus an arc may be generated.

Therefore, the length of the first and second power terminals is set to be much longer than the length of the first and second interlock terminals, as compared to the conventional connector, so as to allow time for which the first and second power terminals are separated from each other to be longer than the time difference between the interlock switch and the power relay. However, in this case, the size of the connector may be excessively increased due to the increased length of the first and second power terminals.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector in which an interlock connection plug is completely separated from an interlock connection tap and then a power relay is shorted when the connector along which high voltage current flows is disconnected, and allows time for which the power relay is shorted to be sufficiently ensured so as to enable power connection terminals to be disconnected from power connection terminal taps after the power relay is completely shorted.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector in which a guide member comes into and out of one side of a plug housing and thus time for which a power relay is shorted is sufficiently long due to time for which a guide protrusion formed on a cap housing passes through guide paths, when the cap housing and the plug housing are connected to and disconnected from each other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector in which an incoming guide path and an outgoing guide path are formed to enable time for which a power relay is separated to be sufficiently ensured prior to separation of power connection terminals from power connection terminal taps, when a plug housing is separated from a cap housing, and the outgoing guide path has a longer length than that of the incoming guide path.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector, disconnection of which is temporarily stopped to enable power connection terminals to be slowly separated from power connection terminal taps so as to generate a sufficient time difference between short of a power relay and separation of the power connection terminals when a plug housing comes out of a cap housing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector which prevents a cap housing from being separated from a plug housing after the plug housing has come into the cap housing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector which allows a plug housing to slowly and effectively come into a cap housing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector which guides a sliding radius of a plug housing inserted into and taken out of a cap housing.

It is a yet object of the present invention to provide a high voltage connector which enables time for which a power relay is shorted to be sufficiently ensured prior to separation of power connection terminals from power connection terminal taps when a plug housing is separated form a cap housing.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a high voltage connector connected to a power relay which is connected or shorted according to whether or not an interlock connection plug and an interlock connection tap are connected to each other, including a cap housing in which power connection terminals and the interlock connection plug having a shorter length than that of the power connection terminals are installed, a plug housing into which the cap housing is inserted and in which power connection terminal taps connected to the power connection terminals and the interlock connection tap having a shorter length than that of the power connection terminal taps and connected to the interlock connection plug are installed, and a power relay short unit to guide insertion or separation of the plug housing into or from the cap housing and to enable the power connection terminals and the power connection terminal taps to be separated from each other after complete short of a power relay due to complete separation of the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap from each other.

The power relay short unit may include a guide protrusion protruded outward from one surface of the cap housing, a protrusion insertion path formed on one surface of the plug housing such that the guide protrusion is inserted into the protrusion insertion path to guide connection between the cap housing and the plug housing, and a guide member installed at one side of the plug housing at the outside of the plug housing provided with the protrusion insertion path, and provided with at least one guide path, into or out of which the guide protrusion is inserted or taken to guide connection or separation of the cap housing and the plug housing to or from each other when the plug housing is inserted into and out of the cap housing, so as to ensure time for which the power relay is separated after complete separation of the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap from each other when the cap housing and the plug housing are separated from each other.

The at least one guide path may include an outgoing guide path detouring in the opposite direction to insertion of the guide protrusion into the guide member and bent so as to extend time for which the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are separated from each other.

The outgoing guide path may include a horizontal movement section along which the guide protrusion horizontally moves so as to enable the guide protrusion to be temporarily stopped while being taken out of the guide member.

The at least one guide path may include an incoming guide path along which the guide protrusion is rectilinearly inserted into the guide member when the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are connected to each other, and a stopper protrusion having elasticity is formed on the incoming guide path.

The stopper protrusion may include an inclined plane in a direction of inserting the guide protrusion into the guide member.

An elastic member may be formed on a surface of the guide member inserted into the plug housing.

A locking protrusion protruded outward may be formed on the side surface of the guide member, a guide hole having a length identical with a moving radius of the guide member to expose the locking protrusion to the outside when the guide member is inserted into the plug housing may be formed on the plug housing, and a handle member protruded upward may be formed on the upper surface of the guide member.

The at least one guide path may be a guide path enabling the guide protrusion to come into and out of the guide member therethough so as to extend time for which the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are separated from each other, and is bent to detour at one side or the other side of an initial position into which the guide protrusion comes.

A high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention is provided with a power relay short unit which enables connection between power connection terminals and power connection terminal taps to be released after complete short of a power relay, thereby preventing generation of arcs due to separation of the power connection terminals from the power connection terminal taps under the power relay is connected even if the connector is disconnected at a high speed.

Further, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention enables a guide protrusion to come into a guide path when the guide protrusion is inserted into a plug housing and thus enables the guide protrusion to come into the inner portion of a sliding member, thereby allowing a worker to confirm whether or not the power relay is shorted.

Particularly, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention enables the guide protrusion of a cap housing to come into and out of the guide member along guide paths formed on the guide member when the plug housing is inserted into the cap housing, thereby generating a designated time difference corresponding to a moving distance of the guide path between a process of shorting the power relay and a process of releasing connection of the power connection terminals and the power connection terminal taps.

Further, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention enables the guide path guiding separation of the plug housing from the cap housing to have an increased length so as to slowly achieve separation of the power connection terminals from the power connection terminal taps, thereby allowing the power connection terminals to be separated from the power connection terminal taps after complete short of the power relay.

Particularly, when the plug housing is separated from the cap housing, separation of the connector is temporarily stopped after short of the power relay in a horizontal movement section of the guide path, thereby enabling the connector to be slowly separated so as to generate a designated time difference between short of the power relay and separation of the power connection terminals from the power connection taps.

Further, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention prevents the cap housing, inserted into the plug housing by a locking protrusion, from being undesirably separated from the plug housing, thereby being firmly connected.

Further, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention is provided with an inclined plane on the locking protrusion to enable the plug housing to be slowly inserted into the cap housing, thereby facilitating insertion of the plug housing into the cap housing and preventing undesirable separation of the cap housing and the plug housing from each other along the incoming guide path.

Further, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention is provided with an elastic member on the guide member, thereby allowing the plus housing to be smoothly taken out of the cap housing by restoring force of the elastic member.

Moreover, the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention guides a sliding radius of the plug housing inserted into and taken out of the cap housing, thereby stably connecting or shorting the power relay.

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a power relay of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a guide member of a high voltage connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs. 4a and 4b are views illustrating a plug housing and a cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a preparatory state for connection;

FIGs. 5a and 5b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a connecting state;

FIGs. 6a and 6b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a state in which the plug housing is completely inserted into the cap housing;

FIGs. 7a and 7b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a preparatory state for separation;

FIGs. 8a and 8b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a separating state;

FIGs. 9a and 9b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a state in which the plug housing is completely separated from the cap housing; and

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a guide member of a high voltage connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings such that those skilled in the art may easily embody the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a power relay of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a guide member of a high voltage connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, a high voltage connector 1 in accordance with the present invention includes a cap housing 10 in which power connection terminals 101 and an interlock connection plug 103 having a shorter length than that of the power connection terminals 101 are installed, a plug housing 20 into which the cap housing 10 is inserted and in which power connection terminal taps 201 connected to the power connection terminals 101 and an interlock connection tap 203 having a shorter length than that of the power connection terminal taps 201 and connected to the interlock connection plug 103 are installed, a power relay 110 connected or shorted by whether or not the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are connected to each other, and a power relay short unit 30 to guide insertion or separation of the plug housing 20 into or from the cap housing 103 while maintaining a time difference so as to enable the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 to be separated from each other after complete short of the power relay 110 due to complete separation of the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 from each other.

The cap housing 10 includes a power insertion member 11 in which the power connection terminals 101 are installed and an interlock insertion member 13 in which the interlock connection plug 103 is installed, and the power insertion member 11 and the interlock insertion member 13 enter the plug housing 20, which will be described later, and thus contact the inner surface of the plug housing 20 to guide connection of the cap housing 10 to the plug housing 20.

Here, a guide protrusion 33 of the power relay short unit 30, which will be described later, is formed on the outer surface of the power insertion member 11. Although the guide protrusion 33 which is protruded outward may be formed on the outer surface of the interlock insertion member 13, this embodiment illustrates the guide protrusion 33 as being formed on the power insertion member 11 because the guide protrusion 33 is formed at a position facing the power relay short unit 30, which will be described later.

The guide protrusion 33 is configured to guide connection of the cap housing 10 provided with one side at which the power connection terminals 101 are installed and the other side at which the interlock connection plug 13 having the shorter length than the power connection terminals 101 is installed, to the plug housing 20.

The plug housing 20 includes a power connection terminal installation part 21 in which the power connection terminal taps 201 connected to the power connection terminals 101 of the cap housing 10 are provided, an interlock terminal installation part 23 in which the interlock connection tap 203 connected to the interlock connection plug 103 of the cap housing 10 is provided, a guide member installation part 37 into which a guide member 31 of the power relay short unit 30, which will be described later, is inserted, and a protrusion insertion path 310 which is communicated with guide paths formed in the guide member 31 and into which the above-described guide protrusion 33 is inserted.

The guide member installation part 37 is preferably formed at a position into which the above-described guide protrusion 33 of the cap housing 10 may be inserted when the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are connected.

With reference to FIG. 2, the power relay 110 is configured to be connected by the interlock connection tap 203 when the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 are connected and the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are connected, as described conventionally.

Therefore, the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are connected and the power relay 110 is then connected, thereby enabling high voltage current to flow along the connector 1.

Here, since the power relay 110 is connected after the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are connected to each other, a time difference between time at which the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are connected to each other and time at which the power relay 110 is connected is generated.

The power relay short unit 30 serves to generate a time difference between time at which connection of the power relay 110 is released due to separation of interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 and time at which the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 are separated from each other so that the power relay 100 is shorted after the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are separated in any circumference if the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are separated from each other. The power relay short unit 30 includes the guide member 31 provided with the guide paths formed on one surface thereof, the guide protrusion 33 inserted into the guide paths of the guide member 31, and the guide member installation part 37 formed at one side of the plug housing 20 so that the guide member 31 is inserted into the guide member installation part 37.

The guide member installation part 37 is formed on one surface of the plug housing 20 so that the guide member 31 is inserted into the guide member installation part 27 from the side.

With reference to FIG. 3, a plurality of guide paths along which the guide protrusion 33 formed on the above-described cap housing 10 moves is formed on the guide member 31. The guide paths include an incoming guide path 311 into which the guide protrusion 33 is inserted so as to connect the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20, and an outgoing guide path 315 into which the guide protrusion 33 is inserted so as to separate the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20.

The incoming guide path 311 has a rectilinear shape to communicate with the above-described protrusion insertion path 310 and thus to guide connection between the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20, and includes a stopper protrusion 313 to prevent the guide protrusion 33, inserted into the protrusion insertion path 310 at a point of time when the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection terminal 203 are connected, from being separated from the protrusion insertion path 310.

The incoming guide path 311 is provided with an a cutoff groove 312 surrounding three surfaces of the incoming guide path 311 except for the upper portion of the incoming guide path 311, thus having elasticity. Further, the stopper protrusion 313 includes an inclined plane 313a formed at one side of the stopper protrusion 313 into which the guide protrusion 33 comes, and a right-angled plane 313b at the other side of the stopper protrusion 313.

Preferably, the guide protrusion 33, the protrusion insertion path 310 formed on the plug hosing 20, and the incoming guide path 311 of the guide member 31 are collinear.

Further, the outgoing guide path 315 bent at the other side of the incoming guide path 311 is formed on the guide member 31. The outgoing guide path 315 is connected to the inner end of the above-described incoming guide path 311 and is bent so as to cause the guide protrusion 33 to detour in the opposite direction of the incoming guide path 311.

That is, the outgoing guide path 315 includes a first horizontal movement section 315a connected to the end of the incoming guide path 311 to enable the guide protrusion 33 to move horizontally by a designated distance, a vertical movement section 315b to enable the guide protrusion 33 to move vertically to the first horizontal movement section 315a, a second horizontal movement section 315c to enable the guide protrusion 33 to move again horizontally by a designated distance, and a bending movement section 315d inclined to enable the guide protrusion 33 to be connected to an inlet which is the upper portion of the incoming guide path 311.

Further, a locking protrusion 319a which is protruded upward to insert the guide member 31 into the guide member installation part 37 of the plug housing 30 so as to prevent the guide member 31 from being released from the guide member installation part 37, because the guide member 31 comes into or out of the guide member installation part 37 when the guide protrusion 33 moves along the incoming guide path 311 or the outgoing guide path 315, is formed at the upper portion of the guide member 31, and a guide hole 319b having a length identical with an incoming/outgoing radius of the guide member 31 into which the locking protrusion 319a is inserted is formed on the guide member installation part 37.

Preferably, the locking protrusion 319a is provided with a cutoff groove and thus has elasticity so as to be easily inserted into the guide hole 319b.

Further, an elastic member installation protrusion 36 protruded outward from the inner part of the guide member 31 inserted into the guide member installation part 37 is formed on the guide member 31, and an elastic member 35 is provided at the elastic member installation protrusion 36. Such an elastic member 35 is compressed as the guide member 31 is inserted into the guide member installation part 37 when the guide protrusion 33 moves along the first horizontal movement section 315a, and is easily moved due to restoring force of the elastic member 35 when the guide protrusion 33 moves along the bending movement section 315d and the guide member 31 is taken out of the guide member installation part 37 in order to separate the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20.

Further, a handle member 318 is formed at one side of the guide member 31 opposite to the guide member installation part 37, thereby allowing a worker to easily insert or take the guide member 31 into or out of the guide member installation part 37.

Thus, an elastic member installation part 37a to cover the outer surfaces of the elastic member 35 and the elastic member installation protrusion 36 is extended from the guide member installation part 37.

FIGs. 4a and 4b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a preparatory state for connection, FIGs. 5a and 5b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a connecting state, and FIGs. 6a and 6b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a state in which the plug housing is completely inserted into the cap housing.

Hereinafter, a connecting process of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the FIGs. 4a to 6b.

As shown in FIGs. 4a to 6b, in order to connect the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20, the guide protrusion 33 formed on the outer surface of the cap housing 10, the protrusion insertion path 310 of the plug housing 20 and the incoming guide path 311 of the guide member 31 should be collinear at the initial stage.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 4b, the guide member 31 is located at an initial position, i.e., is inserted into the guide member installation part 37 but does not enter the inner portion of the guide member installation part 37.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5a, when connection between the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 having a shorter length that that of the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 starts, after the guide protrusion 33 of the cap housing 10 is inserted into the incoming guide path 311 of the guide member 31 communicating with the protrusion insertion path 310 of the plug housing 20 and thus the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 are connected to each other, the guide protrusion 33 is caught by the stopper protrusion 313 and thus connection between the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 is temporarily stopped, as shown in FIG. 5b.

Thereafter, when force to connect the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 is increased, the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are completely connected, as shown in FIG. 6a. Here, the guide protrusion 33 passes through the stopper protrusion 313 along the inclined plane 313a of the stopper protrusion 313 while compressing the incoming guide path 311 having elasticity due to the cutoff groove 312, as shown in FIG. 6b.

In the connected cap housing 10 and plug housing 20, the guide protrusion 33 contacts the right-angled plane 313b of the stopper protrusion 313, and thus release of the guide protrusion 33 from the incoming guide path 311 is prevented even if the incoming guide path 311 has elasticity.

Thereby, release of the guide protrusion 33 from the incoming guide path 311 by the stopper protrusion 313 after connection between the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 may be prevented, and the power relay 110 may be precisely connected for a temporarily stoppage time.

FIGs. 7a and 7b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a preparatory state for separation, FIGs. 8a and 8b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a separating state, and FIGs. 9a and 9b are views illustrating the plug housing and the cap housing of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention in a state in which the plug housing is completely separated from the cap housing.

Hereinafter, a disconnecting process of the high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the FIGs. 7a to 9b.

When a worker applies pressure to the handle member 318 of the guide member 31 and thus the guide member 31 enters the inner portion of the guide member installation part 37, as shown in FIG. 7a, the elastic member 35 is compressed within the elastic member installation part 37 and the guide protrusion 33 located at the end of the incoming guide path 311 horizontally moves along the first horizontal movement section 315a of the outgoing guide path 315 connected to the end of the incoming guide path 311.

At this time, connection between the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 is maintained.

Thereafter, the worker pulls the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 in different directions so as to separate the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 from each other, as shown in FIG. 8a, the guide protrusion 33 moves along the vertical movement section 315b of the outgoing guide path 315 and vertical movement of the guide protrusion 33 is stopped when the guide protrusion 33 encounters the second horizontal movement section 315c, as shown in FIG. 8b. At this time, the elastic member 35 maintains the compressed state.

Then, separation of the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 from each other is started, and thus the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 203 are partially separated from each other and the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are completely separated from each other. At this time, the guide protrusion 33 encounters the second horizontal movement section 315c vertical to the vertical movement section 315b and thus separation of the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 from each other is temporarily stopped.

That is, after the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are completely separated from each other while the guide protrusion 33 moves along the vertical movement section 315b and separation of the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 from each other is temporarily stopped at the second horizontal movement section 315c, the power relay 110 is completely shorted while the guide protrusion 33 moves along the second horizontal movement section 315b, thereby stopping power supply.

Thereafter, when the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are continuously pulled and thus completely separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 9a, the guide protrusion 33 moves along the bending movement section 315d and exits through the inlet of the incoming guide path 313.

At this time, when the guide protrusion 33 moves along the bending movement section 315d, the compressed elastic member 35 is restored so as to facilitate movement of the guide protrusion 33, and the guide member 31 entered the inner portion of the guide member installation part 37 is extracted so as to be restored to its original position.

Thereby, while the guide protrusion 33 moves the vertical movement section 315b, the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are completely separated from each other, and the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 are separated from each other when the guide protrusion 33 moves along the bending movement section 315d after connection of the power relay 110 is precisely released for time for which the guide protrusion 33 passes through the second horizontal movement section 315c. Accordingly, a time difference corresponding to time for which the guide protrusion 33 moves along the second horizontal movement section 315c is generated at all times between time at which the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are separated from each other and time at which connection of the power relay 110 is released.

Therefore, the connector 1 secures sufficient time for which the power relay 110 is shorted after connection between the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 is released, thus preventing generation of arcs between the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 when the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 are separated.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a guide member of a high voltage connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The guide member 31' in accordance with this embodiment includes only one guide path 316 identical with the outgoing guide path 315 of the guide member 31 in accordance with the earlier embodiment, thus enabling a guide protrusion to come into and go out of the guide member 31' through the same path.

In more detail, the guide protrusion comes into and out of the guide member 31' through the same guide path 316 so as to extend time for which the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are separated from each other, and the guide path 316 includes a bending movement section 316a, a first horizontal movement section 316b, a vertical movement section 316c and a second horizontal movement section 316d so as to detour at one side or the other side of an initial position into which the guide protrusion 33a comes.

If the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are connected to each other, the guide protrusion 33a firstly comes into the bending movement section 316a and thus the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 are connected, and the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are then connected to each other while the guide protrusion 33b moves along the vertical movement path 316c.

At this time, the guide member 31' enters the inner portion of the guide member installation part 37 while the elastic member 35' is compressed.

Then, the power relay 110 is precisely connected and the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are precisely connected to each other while the guide protrusion 33d horizontally moves to the end of the second horizontal movement section 316d, and the guide protrusion 33d does not easily escape the guide path 316.

At this time, the compressed elastic member 35' is restored and the guide member 31' is restored to its original position.

On the other hand, if the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are separated from each other, when a worker temporarily pulls the guide member 31' to separate the guide protrusion 33d from the second horizontal movement section 316d and then pulls the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 to separate the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 from each other, the guide protrusion 33c moves toward the first horizontal movement section 316d along the vertical movement section 316c.

Then, in the same manner as the earlier embodiment, movement of the guide protrusion 33b is temporarily stopped at the first horizontal movement section 316b and the interlock connection plug 103 and the interlock connection tap 203 are separated from each other, and the power relay 110 is completely separated while the guide protrusion 33b moves along the first horizontal movement section 316b.

Here, the elastic member 35' is temporarily compressed, and is then restored to its original position when the guide protrusion 33a moves along the bending movement section 316a.

Thereby, when the cap housing 10 and the plug housing 20 are completely separated from each other, generation of arcs between the power connection terminals 101 and the power connection terminal taps 201 is prevented, as described above.

Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.

As apparent from the above description, a high voltage connector in accordance with the present invention is provided with a power relay short unit which enables power connection terminals and interlock terminals to be sequentially connected by a plug housing slidably inserted into a cap housing so as to allow connection between the power connection terminals to be released after complete short of a power relay in consideration of time for which the power relay connecting power to the connector is connected or released.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

A high voltage connector connected to a power relay which is connected or shorted according to whether or not an interlock connection plug and an interlock connection tap are connected to each other, comprising:

a cap housing in which power connection terminals and the interlock connection plug having a shorter length than that of the power connection terminals are installed;

a plug housing into which the cap housing is inserted and in which power connection terminal taps connected to the power connection terminals and the interlock connection tap having a shorter length than that of the power connection terminal taps and connected to the interlock connection plug are installed; and

a power relay short unit to guide insertion or separation of the plug housing into or from the cap housing and to enable the power connection terminals and the power connection terminal taps to be separated from each other after complete short of a power relay due to complete separation of the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap from each other.
The high voltage connector according to claim 1, wherein the power relay short unit includes:

a guide protrusion protruded outward from one surface of the cap housing;

a protrusion insertion path formed on one surface of the plug housing such that the guide protrusion is inserted into the protrusion insertion path to guide connection between the cap housing and the plug housing; and

a guide member installed at one side of the plug housing at the outside of the plug housing provided with the protrusion insertion path, and provided with at least one guide path, into or out of which the guide protrusion is inserted or taken to guide connection or separation of the cap housing and the plug housing to or from each other when the plug housing is inserted into and taken out of the cap housing, so as to ensure time for which the power relay is separated after complete separation of the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap from each other when the cap housing and the plug housing are separated from each other.
The high voltage connector according to claim 2, wherein the at least one guide path includes an outgoing guide path detouring in the opposite direction to insertion of the guide protrusion into the guide member and bent so as to extend time for which the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are separated from each other.
The high voltage connector according to claim 3, wherein the outgoing guide path includes a horizontal movement section along which the guide protrusion horizontally moves so as to enable the guide protrusion to be temporarily stopped while being taken out of the guide member.
The high voltage connector according to claim 2, wherein the at least one guide path includes an incoming guide path along which the guide protrusion is rectilinearly inserted into the guide member when the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are connected to each other, and a stopper protrusion having elasticity is formed on the incoming guide path.
The high voltage connector according to claim 5, wherein the stopper protrusion includes an inclined plane in a direction of inserting the guide protrusion into the guide member.
The high voltage connector according to claim 2, wherein an elastic member is formed on a surface of the guide member inserted into the plug housing.
The high voltage connector according to claim 7, wherein a locking protrusion protruded outward is formed on the side surface of the guide member, a guide hole having a length identical with a moving radius of the guide member to expose the locking protrusion to the outside when the guide member is inserted into the plug housing is formed on the plug housing, and a handle member protruded upward is formed on the upper surface of the guide member.
The high voltage connector according to claim 2, wherein the at least one guide path is a guide path enabling the guide protrusion to come into and out of the guide member therethough so as to extend time for which the interlock connection plug and the interlock connection tap are separated from each other, and is bent to detour at one side or the other side of an initial position into which the guide protrusion comes.