Patent Publication Number: US-2022216655-A1

Title: Connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. national stage of PCT/JP2020/017457 filed on Apr. 23, 2020, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2019-091130 filed on May 14, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Loads for vehicles such as Shift-by-Wire (SBW) and Steering-by-Wire (StrBW) need to operate even in the event of a power supply failure, and thus a configuration for supplying electric power to the loads in the event of a power supply failure is required. One technique of this type is a backup device for vehicles disclosed in JP2018-13136A. This backup device is configured to be able to supply backup power to a shift-by-wire control system. 
     Meanwhile, if a power storage element is provided for use as a backup power supply, it is desirable to further simplify the electrical connection and physical connection between the power storage element and other components. For example, in a configuration in which a power storage element is separately provided as an isolated structure, there is concern that an electrically conducting path from the power storage element to a load is long, and a specific structure for holding the power storage element may increase the number of components and the size of a connector. 
     Therefore, the present disclosure provides a connector that can simplify the electrical connection and physical connection between a connector-related component such as a housing or a wiring part and a power storage element. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present disclosure, a connector includes: a housing; a wiring part that includes at least one wire and at least one terminal, one end of the wiring part being held by the housing; and a power storage element attached to the housing while being held by the housing, wherein the power storage element is configured to be charged with power supplied via the wiring part, and discharge via the wiring part. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a connector that can simplify an electrical connection and a physical connection between a connector-related component such as a housing or a wiring part and a power storage element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a vehicular power supply system in which a connector according to Embodiment 1 is used. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the connector of Embodiment 1 is not connected to a connection-receiving part. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the connector of Embodiment 1 is connected to the connection-receiving part. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a vehicular power supply system in which a connector according to Embodiment 2 is used. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the connector according to Embodiment 2. 
     
    
    
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. 
     A connector according to the present disclosure can have a configuration in which it includes: a housing; a wiring part that includes at least one wire and at least one terminal, one end of the wiring part being held by the housing; and a power storage element attached to the housing while being held by the housing. Also, the power storage element may be configured to be charged with power supplied via the wiring part, and discharge via the wiring part. 
     This connector can have a configuration in which the housing and the power storage element are formed as one piece in a manner such that the power storage element is held by the housing, and thus it is possible to omit a structure dedicated to holding the power storage element, and simplify a physical connection between a connector-related component such as the housing or the wiring part, and the power storage element. Moreover, the power storage element held by the housing can perform charging and discharging via the wiring part incorporated in the housing, and thus it is possible to omit the wiring extending from the power storage element to the connector. Accordingly, it is also possible to simplify an electrical connection between the connector-related component and the power storage element. 
     The connector according to the present disclosure may include: a discharge circuit configured to perform a discharge operation of allowing the power storage element to discharge; and the control circuit configured to controls the discharge operation of the discharge circuit. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to simplify not only the physical connection and the electrical connection between the connector-related component and the power storage element, but also a physical connection for holding the discharge circuit and the control circuit and an electrical connection between these circuits, the connector-related component, and the power storage element. 
     In the connector of the present disclosure, at least part of the wire or the terminal of the wiring part may be configured as a power supply path to a load to be backed up. The power storage element may be configured to be able to discharge to the load via this power supply path. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the power storage element can be used as a backup power supply with simplified electrical connection and physical connection. Specifically, wiring or the like connected to the wire or the terminal that serves as a power supply path extending from the power storage element to the load can be omitted or simplified. 
     Also, if the power storage element is formed as one piece with the connector, the power storage element can be a general-purpose backup power supply that can cover various types of loads. 
     The connector of the present disclosure may have a configuration in which the housing includes the plurality of connection parts, and the plurality of connection parts are configured to be detachably connected respectively to a plurality of connection-receiving parts that constitute power paths to a plurality of loads. The power storage element may be configured to discharge to each of the loads via a wiring part provided on the corresponding connection part. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to simplify all of the configurations (such as the wiring) provided in the range from the power storage element to the power paths (power paths through which power is supplied to the loads), and thus the effect of simplifying the electrical connection and the physical connection can be further improved. 
     In the connector of the present disclosure, the wiring part may include at least one wire whose end on one side is held by the housing and that is drawn out from the housing. The power storage element may be fixed to an outer surface portion or an inner surface portion of the housing, and the power storage element, the housing, and the wire may be formed as one piece. The housing may be capable of being detachably attached to a connection-receiving part that constitutes a power path located on the load side relative to the housing. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to remove the connector in which the power storage element, the housing, and the wire are formed as one piece from the configuration on the load side from the counterpart connector, which is advantageous in terms of maintenance and the like. For example, if a part on the load side is broken and is to be replaced for example, the connector including the power storage element does not need to be replaced. 
     Embodiment 1 
     Overview of Power Supply System that Uses Connector 
     A connector  10  according to Embodiment 1 is used in a vehicular power supply system  1  (hereinafter referred to also as “power supply system  1 ”) shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. The power supply system  1  is configured to supply electric power from a main power supply  50  to a load  51  to be backed up (hereinafter, also referred to simply as “load  51 ”) via wires  11 A during regular operation, and supply electric power from a power storage element  12  provided on the connector  10  to the load  51  via a charge and discharge circuit unit  30  in the event of a failure of the main power supply  50 . Note that in  FIG. 1 , a path (main power path) through which power is supplied from the main power supply  50  to the load  51  during regular operation without the intermediary of the charge and discharge circuit unit  30  is omitted. 
     The main power supply  50  is configured as a well-known in-vehicle battery such as, for example, a lead battery. A high-potential side terminal of the main power supply  50  is connected to an input path  70 , and an output voltage from the main power supply  50  is applied to the input path  70 . The input path  70  is electrically connected to a power path wire  11 B, which constitutes a wiring part  11  of the connector  10 , and is configured to be able to supply power from the main power supply  50  to the power path wire  11 B. The power path wire  11 B constitutes a portion of the plurality of wires  11 A, which constitute the wiring part  11 , and serves as a power supply path to the load  51 . 
     The load  51  is configured as a well-known in-vehicle electric component, and an appropriate example of the load  51  is an electric component that needs to be supplied with power even in the event that one of power supplies has failed, such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or an actuator in a shift-by-wire system or a steering-by-wire system. A power path  71 , which is a path through which power is supplied from the main power supply  50  or the power storage element  12 , is electrically connected to the load  51 . The power path  71  includes a connection-receiving part  51 A to and from which a connection part  10 A of the connector  10  can be attached and detached. During regular operation, the load  51  operates on the basis of power supplied from the main power supply  50 , and in an abnormal case (such as when the main power supply  50  has failed), the load  51  operates on the basis of power supplied from the power storage element  12 . 
     Overall Configuration of Connector 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  10  includes a housing  10 B, the wiring part  11 , the power storage element  12 , and a control circuit  13 . The housing  10 B includes a mounting part  10 C and the connection part  10 A. 
     The housing  10 B is made of a synthetic resin, and has a substantially cuboid shape elongated in one direction. A portion of the housing  10 B on one side in the longitudinal direction serves as the mounting part  10 C to which the power storage element  12 , the control circuit  13 , and the like are mounted. The mounting part  10 C has a plurality of insertion holes  10 D. A portion of the housing  10 B on the other side in the longitudinal direction serves as the connection part  10 A that is to be connected to the connection-receiving part  51 A. The connection part  10 A has, on an upper end surface thereof (“upper” and “lower” refer to the upper side and lower side in  FIG. 1 ), a lock part  10 E that is to be locked to a lock-receiving part (not shown) of the connection-receiving part  51 A. 
     The wiring part  11  includes a plurality of wires  11 A and a plurality of terminals  11 C. In  FIG. 2 , only some of the terminals  11 C are shown as examples. A terminal fitting (not shown) is connected to an end of each wire  11 A on one side. The terminal fitting connected to one end side of each wire  11 A is inserted into the corresponding insertion hole  10 D of the mounting part  10 C of the housing  10 B, and is held by the housing  10 B. That is to say, each of the wires  11 A takes on a state in which one end side thereof is held by the housing  10 B and the other end side is drawn out from the housing  10 B. Some of the wires  11 A of the wiring part  11  serve as the power path wires  11 B, and are electrically connected to the input path  70  connected to the high-potential side terminal of the main power supply  50  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The power storage element  12  is constituted by a well-known power storage means such as a solid-state battery, a lithium-ion capacitor, or a lithium-ion battery, for example. The power storage element  12  is electrically connected to a charge and discharge path  30 C of the charge and discharge circuit unit  30 , which includes a charge circuit  30 A and a discharge circuit  30 B, and is configured to perform charge and discharge operations with the charge and discharge circuit unit  30 . In the connector  10  shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer surface portion of the housing  10 B constitutes an electric board. Specifically, wiring is formed on the outer peripheral surface (outer wall surface) of the mounting part  10 C of the housing  10 B, and the power storage element  12  is attached to the housing  10 B so that a terminal of the power storage element  12  is electrically connected to this wiring. That is to say, the power storage element  12  is directly placed on and attached to the outer surface portion (outer wall surface) of the housing  10 B. Also, as another form in which the power storage element  12  is held on the housing  10 B, for example, the power storage element  12  may be mounted on an electric board separate from the outer surface portion of the housing  10 B, and may be attached to the housing  10 B in a state in which the electric board is held by the mounting part  10 C of the housing  10 B. That is to say, a configuration is also possible in which the power storage element  12  is indirectly fixed to an outer flat portion of the outer surface portion of the housing  10 B via another member (electric board). Specifically, the power storage element  12  may be directly placed on and fixed to an outer plate surface (outer wall surface) of a plate-shaped wall portion (plate-shaped portion) of the housing  10 B. 
     The charge and discharge circuit unit  30  is provided on the housing  10 B. The charge and discharge circuit unit  30  includes the charge circuit  30 A and the discharge circuit  30 B. The charge circuit  30 A is supplied with power from the main power supply  50  via the power path wire  11 B (some of the wires  11 A) electrically connected to the input path  70  to which the main power supply  50  is connected, and performs a charge operation of charging the power storage element  12  on the basis of this power. That is to say, the power storage element  12  is charged with power supplied via the power path wire  11 B, which constitutes the wiring part  11 . Also, the discharge circuit  30 B performs a discharge operation of allowing the power storage element  12  to discharge via a power path terminal  11 D. The power path terminal  11 D is constituted by at least one of the plurality of terminals  11 C. 
     The charge circuit  30 A is configured as a well-known charge circuit such as a DC/DC converter, and performs a charge operation on the basis of power from the main power supply  50  to supply the power to the power storage element  12  via the charge and discharge path  30 C. The charge circuit  30 A is configured to be able to receive a charge signal and a charge stop signal from the control circuit  13 . If a charge signal is given from the control circuit  13  (if a charge instruction is given), the charge circuit  30 A is configured to perform a charge operation of applying a predetermined voltage to the charge and discharge path  30 C, and if a charge stop signal is given from the control circuit  13  (if a charge stop instruction is given), the charge circuit  30 A is configured to stop the output to the charge and discharge path  30 C. 
     The discharge circuit  30 B is configured to switch a portion between the output path (charge and discharge path  30 C) from the charge circuit  30 A and the power path terminal  11 D to a current-flow state or a non-current-flow state. The power path terminal  11 D is electrically connected to the discharge circuit  30 B. Specifically, a counterpart terminal electrically connected to the load  51  is provided in the connection-receiving part  51 A. Also, when the connection part  10 A is connected to the connection-receiving part  51 A, the power path terminal  11 D is connected to the counterpart terminal, and electrically connected to the load  51  via this counterpart terminal. As a result of the connection part  10 A being connected to the connection-receiving part  51 A, the other end of the power path terminal  11 D is electrically connected to the power path  71  of the load  51 . The discharge circuit  30 B may be configured by, for example, a switching element (such as a MOSFET) that is interposed between the charge and discharge path  30 C and the power path terminal  11 D, or the like, or may be configured by a DC/DC converter or the like. 
     If a discharge enable signal is given from the control circuit  13  (if a discharge instruction is given), the discharge circuit  30 B performs a discharge operation, and causes the power storage element  12  to discharge power to the load  51 . Also, if a discharge stop signal is given from the control circuit  13  (if a discharge stop instruction is given), the discharge circuit  30 B stops the discharge operation, and disconnects the charge and discharge path  30 C from the power path terminal  11 D. Thus, the power path terminal  11 D is configured as a power supply path used when the power storage element  12  discharges to the load  51 , and the power storage element  12  discharges to the load  51  via the power path terminal  11 D when a later-described backup operation or the like is performed. 
     The charge and discharge circuit unit  30  (the charge circuit  30 A and the discharge circuit  30 B) forms wiring on the outer peripheral surface of the housing  10 B for example, and the charge circuit  30 A and the discharge circuit  30 B are attached to the housing  10 B so that terminals of the elements constituting the charge circuit  30 A and the discharge circuit  30 B are electrically connected to the wiring. Also, as another form in which the charge and discharge circuit unit  30  (the charge circuit  30 A and the discharge circuit  30 B) is held on the housing  10 B, for example, the charge and discharge circuit unit  30  may be mounted on an electric board, and may be attached to the housing  10 B while being held by the housing  10 B. 
     The control circuit  13  is mainly constituted by, for example, a microcomputer, and includes an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), an A/D converter, and the like. The control circuit  13  is configured to detect a voltage value of the power path wire  11 B, and a voltage value of the conductive path connected to the power path terminal  11 D, using a not-shown voltage detection circuit or the like. The voltage detection circuit is configured as a well-known voltage detection circuit. The voltage detection circuit is attached to the housing  10 B while being held by the housing  10 B together with, for example, the control circuit  13  (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). The control circuit  13  functions to control a charge operation and a discharge operation that are performed by the charge and discharge circuit unit  30 . Specifically, the control circuit  13  has a function to give a charge signal or a charge stop signal to the charge circuit  30 A, and a function to give a discharge signal or a discharge stop signal to the discharge circuit  30 B. The control circuit  13  performs control on the charge operation in which the charge circuit  30 A charges the power storage element  12 , and on the discharge operation in which the discharge circuit  30 B allows the power storage element  12  to discharge. 
     For example, the control circuit  13  controls the operation of the discharge circuit  30 B so that power is supplied from the power storage element  12  to the load  51  via the power path terminal  11 D after a condition for a backup operation is satisfied. The condition for a backup operation may be such that, for example, the voltage of the input path  70  electrically connected to the main power supply  50  is reduced to a predetermined threshold voltage or lower, or another condition may also be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connection part  10 A of the connector  10  having such configurations is connected to the connection-receiving part  51 A provided on the load  51  side. Specifically, as a result of the lock part  10 E provided on the connection part  10 A locking to the lock-receiving part (not shown) formed on the connection-receiving part  51 A, the connector  10  is maintained in a state in which the power path terminal  11 D and the power path  71  are electrically connected to each other. 
     If due to a defect or the like of the load  51 , the load  51  needs to be replaced, first, the lock part  10 E of the connector  10  and the lock-receiving part of the connection-receiving part  51 A are brought into a state in which they are no longer locked to each other, and the connection part  10 A is removed from the connection-receiving part  51 A. At this time, the power storage element  12  is removed from the connection-receiving part  51 A together with the wiring part  11  and the connection part  10 A. Then, the broken load  51 , the power path  71 , and the connection-receiving part  51 A are removed from the vehicle, and a new load  51 , a new power path  71 , and a new connection-receiving part  51 A are attached to the vehicle. Then, by locking the lock part  10 E of the connection part  10 A to the lock-receiving part of the connection-receiving part  51 A, a state is realized in which the power path terminal  11 D and the power path  71  are electrically connected to each other. 
     Examples of the effects of the present configuration will be given below. 
     The connector  10  of the present disclosure includes: the housing  10 B; the wiring part  11  that includes the plurality of wires  11 A and the plurality of terminals  11 C, one end of the wiring part  11  being held by the housing  10 B and drawn out from the housing  10 B; and the power storage element  12  attached to the housing  10 B while being held by the housing  10 B. Also, the power storage element  12  is configured to be charged with power supplied via the wiring part  11 , and discharge via the wiring part  11 . 
     Since the connector  10  can have a configuration in which the housing  10 B and the power storage element  12  are formed as one piece in such a manner that the power storage element  12  is held by the housing  10 B, it is possible to omit a structure dedicated to holding the power storage element  12 , and to simplify the physical connection between a connector-related component such as the housing  10 B or the wiring part  11 , and the power storage element  12 . Moreover, since the power storage element  12  held by the housing  10 B can perform charging and discharging via the wiring part  11  incorporated in the housing  10 B, it is possible to omit the wiring extending from the power storage element  12  to the connector  10 . Accordingly, it is also possible to simplify the electrical connection between the connector-related component and the power storage element  12 . 
     The connector  10  according to the present disclosure includes the discharge circuit  30 B that performs a discharge operation of allowing the power storage element  12  to discharge, and the control circuit  13  that controls the discharge operation of the discharge circuit  30 B. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to simplify not only the physical connection and the electrical connection between the connector-related component and the power storage element  12 , but also the physical connection for holding the discharge circuit  30 B and the control circuit  13  and the electrical connection between these circuits, the connector-related component, and the power storage element  12 . 
     In the connector  10  of the present disclosure, the terminals  11 C, which constitute the wiring part  11 , are configured as a power supply path to a load to be backed up. The power storage element  12  is configured to be able to discharge to the load  51  via this power supply path. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the power storage element  12  can be used as a backup power supply with simplified electrical connection and physical connection. Specifically, wiring or the like connected to the power supply path extending from the power storage element  12  to the load  51  can be omitted or simplified. 
     Also, since the power storage element  12  is formed as one piece with the connector  10 , the power storage element  12  can be a general-purpose backup power supply that can cover various types of loads. 
     In the connector  10  of the present disclosure, the wiring part  11  includes at least one wire  11 A whose end on one side is held by the housing  10 B and that is drawn out from the housing  10 B. The power storage element  12  is fixed to the outer surface portion of the housing  10 B, and the power storage element  12 , the housing  10 B, and the wire  11 A are formed as one piece. The housing  10 B is capable of being detachably attached to the connection-receiving part  51 A, which constitutes a power path located on the load  51  side relative to the housing  10 B. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to remove the connector  10  in which the power storage element  12 , the housing  10 B, and the wire  11 A are formed as one piece from the configuration on the load  51  side from the connection-receiving part  51 A, which is advantageous in terms of maintenance and the like. For example, if a part on the load  51  side is broken and is to be replaced for example, the connector  10  including the power storage element  12  does not need to be replaced. 
     Embodiment 2 
     The following will describe a connector  20  according to Embodiment 2 with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The connector  20  differs from Embodiment 1 for example in that two connection parts  20 A of a housing  20 B are provided. Other configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and thus the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and descriptions on their structures, functions, and effects are omitted. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the connector  20  according to Embodiment 2 is used in a power supply system  2  shown in  FIG. 4 , and the housing  20 B is provided with two connection parts  20 A, for example. Note that in  FIG. 4 , a path (main power path) through which power is supplied to loads  52  and  53  from the main power supply  50  without the intermediary of the charge and discharge circuit unit  30  is omitted. The connection parts  20 A extend in different directions and are coupled to the mounting part  20 C (see  FIG. 5 ). A wiring part  11  of the connector  20  includes a plurality of wires  11 A and a plurality of terminals  11 C. In  FIG. 4 , only a subset of the plurality of wires  11 A is shown, and in  FIG. 5 , illustration of the wires  11 A is omitted. Also, in  FIG. 5 , only some of the terminals  11 C are shown as examples. Note that the wires  11 A may be drawn out from the housing  20 B in any fashion. 
     Ends of some of the terminals  11 C (two power path terminals  11 D) on one side are electrically connected to the discharge circuit  30 B. The two power path terminals  11 D are respectively provided on the connection parts  20 A. Connection-receiving parts  52 A and  53 A of the respective loads  52  and  53  are connected to the respective connection parts  20 A of the connector  20 . A power path  72  through which power is supplied from the main power supply  50  or the power storage element  12  of the connector  20  is electrically connected to the load  52 . The power path  72  is provided with the connection-receiving part  52 A to and from which one of the connection parts  20 A of the connector  20  can be attached and detached. A power path  73  through which power is supplied from the main power supply  50  or the power storage element  12  is electrically connected to the load  53 . The power path  73  is provided with the connection-receiving part  53 A to and from which the other connection part  20 A of the connector  20  can be attached and detached. That is to say, the connector  20  includes the plurality of connection parts  20 A that can be attached to and detached from the connection-receiving parts  52 A and  53 A provided on the respective power paths  72  and  73  through which power is supplied to the plurality of loads  52  and  53 , and the plurality of connection parts  20 A are branches that respectively correspond to the plurality of connection-receiving parts  52 A and  53 A. 
     Specifically, the connection-receiving part  52 A includes a counterpart terminal that is electrically connected to the load  52 . When one of the connection parts  20 A is connected to the connection-receiving part  52 A, the power path terminal  11 D (constituted by at least one of the terminals  11 C) provided on this connection part  20 A is connected to the counterpart terminal of the connection-receiving part  52 A, and is electrically connected to the load  52  via this counterpart terminal. Similarly, the connection-receiving part  53 A includes a counterpart terminal that is electrically connected to the load  53 . When the other connection part  20 A is connected to the connection-receiving part  53 A, the power path terminal  11 D (constituted by at least one of the terminals  11 C) provided on this connection part  20 A is connected to the counterpart terminal of the connection-receiving part  53 A, and is electrically connected to the load  53  via this counterpart terminal. 
     The mounting part  20 C has a plurality of insertion holes  20 D on surfaces opposite to the surfaces on which the connection parts  20 A are provided. A terminal fitting connected to an end of a wire  11 A on one side is inserted into each of the insertion holes  20 D, and the terminal fitting is held by the housing  20 B (not shown). 
     Examples of the effects of the present configuration will be given below. 
     The connector  20  of the present disclosure has a configuration in which the housing  20 B includes the plurality of connection parts  20 A, and the connection parts  20 A are configured to be detachably connected respectively to the plurality of connection-receiving parts  52 A and  53 A that constitute power paths to the plurality of loads  52  and  53 . The power storage element  12  is configured to discharge to the respective loads  52  and  53  via the wiring parts  11  provided on the connection parts  20 A. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to simplify all of the configurations (such as the wiring) provided in the range from the power storage element  12  to the power paths (power paths through which power is supplied to the loads), and thus the effect of simplifying the electrical connection and the physical connection can be further improved. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The present configuration is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the specification given above and the drawings, and the following embodiments are included in the technical scope of the present invention. 
     Although Embodiment 1 has exemplified a structure in which the power storage element  12  is directly or indirectly attached to the outer surface portion of the housing  10 B, the power storage element may be attached to the inner surface portion of the housing. Specifically, a configuration is also possible in which an accommodation part for accommodating the power storage element is provided in the housing, the power storage element is put in this accommodation part, a plate-shaped cap is provided as a constituent component of the housing, and the power storage element is covered by the cap. 
     Although Embodiments 1 and 2 disclose a configuration in which the power storage element  12  is charged via the power path wire  11 B, and discharges via the power path terminal  11 D, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the power storage element is charged via the power path terminal and discharges via the power path wire, or a configuration in which the power storage element is charged via the power path wire, and discharges via the power path wire. 
     Although Embodiment 1 has exemplified a configuration in which the control circuit  13 , the charge circuit  30 A, and the discharge circuit  30 B are attached to the connector  10 , it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which none of the control circuit, the charge circuit, and the discharge circuit are attached to the connector, or a configuration in which any one or more of them is attached to the connector. Specifically, by mounting the control circuit, the charge circuit, and the discharge circuit on an electric board, attaching this electric board to any component of the vehicle other than the connector, and electrically connecting the electric board to some of the wires of the wiring part, the charge operation and discharge operation of the power storage element of the connector may be controlled. 
     Although in Embodiment 1, the control circuit  13  is mainly constituted by a microcomputer, the control circuit  13  may also be realized by a plurality of hardware circuits, instead of the microcomputer. 
     In Embodiment 2, two connection parts  20 A are provided, but the number of the connection parts may also be three or more. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are examples in all respects, and should be construed as non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.