Abstract: To securely lock connectors for charging, a charging connectors 1 is engaged with a vehicle-side connector 25, lock balls 9 are engaged with an engaging groove 28 and a locking member 10 is engaged with the lock balls 9. As a result, the connectors 1 and 25 are locked. Since the connectors 1 and 25 are locked by a ball lock mechanism taking advantage of the engagement of the lock balls 9, the connectors can be more securely locked even if the connectors and wires are heavy as compared to a prior art locking mechanism adopting an elastically deformable resin lance or engaging member and, therefore, a better reliability can be ensured.

Abstract: Electrical plate terminals 18 and 21 are provided on the left and right sides of a main switch box. Between these is provided a switch mechanism chamber 15 in which associated rod terminals 26 and 27 project from right and left. A connecting tube 28 is provided between the rod terminals 26 and 27 and is mounted for sliding movement in conjunction with pivotal movement of a lever 12 so as to connect and disconnect the terminals 27 and 28. The switch mechanism has a low operating force.

Abstract: A lock operating member 25 is mounted on a connector housing 21, and in this condition lock balls 35 are mounted one by one in respective ball support holes 24 while elastically displacing elastic engagement members 27 radially outwardly. The mounted lock balls 35 are held in the respective ball support holes 24 by the respective elastic engagement members 27, and therefore even if the posture of a female connector is changed, the operation can be carried out easily.

Abstract: A ground structure for a shield wire that can withstand a pulling force to a certain degree includes notches formed through a peripheral wall of a housing defining a tubular member. Spring pieces are mounted respectively in the notches and project from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the housing. The housing is received in a shield cap, which is connected to a metal casing. When a shield wire, having an exposed braided wire exposed, is passed through the bore of the housing, the spring pieces contact the shield wire at the inner periphery of the housing and the shield cap at the outer periphery of the housing. Therefore, the braided wire and the metal casing are electrically connected together. Also, the shield wire is movable in an axial direction, so that the shield wire will not be broken even if a pulling force acts on the shield wire.

Abstract: A waterproof connector includes a rubber plug stakingly fixable to the leading end portion of a wire to be inserted into a terminal storage chamber formed in a connector housing by a metal terminal engageable with a lance provided in the terminal storage chamber and stakingly fixable to the wire by the metal terminal. The rubber plug has an end terminal plug for closing the rear opening edge of the terminal storage chamber, and an expansion and contraction port on capable of expansion and contraction in the axial direction of the rubber plug.

Abstract: A charge coupling for an electric vehicle wherein conduction is enabled from a charger to a battery of the electric vehicle when a supply connector, connected to the charger is completely fitted to a vehicle inlet installed in the electrical vehicle, this charged coupling including a locking device for temporarily locking the supply connector to the vehicle inlet at a half fitted position, the supply connector being provided, on an end of which engages the vehicle inlet, with a protective member.

Abstract: A wire holder for a water-proof connector is coupled to an electrical wire which, together with a sealing rubber plug, is inserted into the housing of said water-proof connector. The wire holder has a regulating portion which is fixedly arranged behind the rubber plug, and fitted on the electrical wire extended from the housing, to regulate the bending position of the electrical wire.

Abstract: A charge coupling for an electric vehicle wherein conduction is enabled from a charger to an electric vehicle battery when a supply connector to the charger is completely fitted to a vehicle inlet installed in the electric vehicle. A locking member is provided for temporarily locking the supply connector to the vehicle inlet at a half fitting position, the locking device being further provided with a spiral groove extending from the half fitting position to the complete fitting position. An engagable boss which projects from a distal end of either the vehicle inlet or supply connector is adapted to detachably engage the spiral groove and the supply connector is provided, on its outer periphery, with a handle for assisting rotation of the supply connector so that the engagable boss moves within the spiral groove from an outer end to a terminating end.

Abstract: A connector terminal includes a first terminal having a cylindrical tubular portion, and a second terminal that can be connected to the cylindrical tubular portion. An outer terminal member and an inner terminal member for contacting respectively with outer and inner surfaces of the tubular portion are selectively attached to the second terminal. By selecting the two terminal members suitably, designs for respectively accommodating different allowable current values can be easily achieved.

Abstract: A connector requiring minimal insertion force and forming a reliable connection has a female terminal and a male terminal. A shaft portion of the male terminal is insertable into a closed end insertion tubular portion of the female terminal. The shaft portion has an expanding slot extending along a length thereof. A projection is provided within the insertion tubular portion near the closed end. A bore diameter of the insertion tubular portion is larger than a diameter of a portion of the shaft portion that is to be first inserted. At a final stage of an insertion operation, the projection fits in the expanding slot. Accordingly, at the final stage of the insertion operation, the shaft portion is forcibly expanded radially outward and brought into contact with the bore wall of the insertion tubular portion at a predetermined contact pressure.

Abstract: This invention provides a connector which can positively effect coupling and detaching of a female connector, prevent electric shock and short-circuiting, and prevent an electric failure arising from contamination by extraneous substances. A lid plate 15 is biased by a compression coil spring 22 so that the lid plate is held by limit projections 26 at a protection position for covering male terminals 12 when a female connector is not coupled to the connector. Even if the lid plate 15 is pushed down by an external force so that the male terminals 12 are exposed from the lid plate 15, it can return to the protection position by itself when the external force is released. Since the lid plate 15 is constrained from rotating circumferentially at the protection position, the male terminal 12 smoothly passes through a terminal-through hole 16 in the lid plate 15 when the female connector 40 is inserted into a hood 13 and then the male terminals 12 are connected to female terminals 43.

Abstract: A charge coupling for an electric vehicle wherein conduction is enabled from a power source on the ground to a battery on the electric vehicle when a supply connector connected to the power source is completely fitted to a vehicle inlet installed in the electric vehicle, including means for temporarily locking said supply connector to the vehicle inlet at a half fitting position.

Abstract: A coupling device interconnects a car connector BC and a charger connector SC positively under a small force to charge a battery in an electric car. After bringing housings 1 and 2 of both connectors BC and SC, when an operation lever 8 together with a grip 32 are grasped, an engaging projection 229 pushes a rear end of a coupling groove 228 so that a coupling plate 10 is moved from an advanced position to a retracted position. During a former movement of the plates 10, a projection 232 rids on an inner side from a rear edge of an escape groove 233 so that distal ends of the coupling plates 10 are closed. Consequently, windows 231 in the plates receive projections 209 on the housing of the car connector BC. The housing 2 of the charger connector SC together with a body 3 are drawn into the housing 1 during a latter movement of the plates, thereby completely interconnecting both connectors BC and SC.

Abstract: A coupling device interconnects a car connector BC and a charger connector SC positively by a small force to charge a battery in an electric car. After incompletely coupling, when an operation lever 8 together with a grip 32 are grasped, a sector gear 16 is turned to an anticlockwise direction and a pinion 15 is rotated to the anticlockwise direction through an intermediate gear 17. Thus a coupling plate 10 is moved from an advanced position to a retracted position through engagement of the pinion 15 and a rack 13. Distal ends of the coupling plates 10 are closed during a former movement of the plates so that windows 21 in the plates receive projections 22 on a connector housing of a car connector BC. A connector housing 2 of a charger connector SC together with a body 3 are drawn into the housing 1 during a latter movement of the plates, thereby completely interconnect both connectors BC and SC.