CN216898731U

CN216898731U - Detection device for multiple pins of electric connector

Info

Publication number: CN216898731U
Application number: CN202220579349.5U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗定云; 苏祥
Original assignee: Shanghai Volvo Automobile Research And Development Co ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Volvo Automobile Research And Development Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-15
Filing date: 2022-03-15
Publication date: 2022-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2032-03-15

Abstract

The utility model relates to a detection device for a plurality of pins of an electric connector, comprising: an insulated receptacle defining a plurality of test channels, the test channels including an opening at one end of the insulated receptacle along their length; a power supply having a negative electrode grounded; and a detection circuit electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply and including: a plurality of detection branches each for a corresponding detection channel and including a first detection sub-branch including a first conductive end protruding into the corresponding detection channel to be positioned at a first length from the opening, configured to be able to electrically contact one of the plurality of pins having a length equal to or greater than the first length with the one pin inserted into the corresponding detection channel to energize the first detection sub-branch; and an indicator configured to indicate that the length of the one pin is equal to or greater than a first length in a state where the first detection sub branch is powered on. The detection device provided by the utility model can effectively and simply detect the lengths of a plurality of pins.

Description

Detection device for multiple pins of electric connector

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of testing, and more particularly, to a testing apparatus for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector.

Background

Electrical connectors may be used, for example, for signal interconnection of various electrical components of a vehicle. For non-standard electrical connectors that are customized for a particular electrical component, it is further desirable to detect the length of their multiple PINs (also referred to as PIN PINs, etc.) to prevent signal transmission between the electrical components from being affected by too short or too long a PIN of the multiple PINs or variations in the respective lengths of the multiple PINs. In the prior art, manual inspection is typically performed by an operator by visual inspection, which can make the inspection inefficient and less accurate, resulting in faulty electrical connectors flowing into subsequent processes.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the present invention is to provide a detecting device for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector, which can effectively and simply detect the lengths of the plurality of pins.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection apparatus for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector, comprising: an insulated receptacle defining a plurality of test channels, each of the plurality of test channels including an opening at one end of the insulated receptacle along its length; the negative pole of the power supply is grounded; and a detection circuit electrically connected to the positive electrode of the power supply and including: a plurality of detection branches each for a corresponding detection channel and each including a first detection sub-branch including a first conductive end protruding into the corresponding detection channel to be positioned at a first length from an opening of the corresponding detection channel, the first conductive end being configured to be capable of electrically contacting one pin of the plurality of pins having a length equal to or greater than the first length in a state where the one pin is inserted into the corresponding detection channel so as to energize the first detection sub-branch; and an indicator configured to indicate that a length of the one pin is equal to or greater than a first length in a state where the first detection sub branch is powered on.

Optionally, each of the plurality of detection branches further includes a second detection sub-branch including a second conductive end protruding into the corresponding detection channel to be positioned at a second length from the opening of the corresponding detection channel, wherein the second length is smaller than the first length, the second conductive end is configured to be capable of electrically contacting the one pin to energize the second detection sub-branch in a state where the length of the one pin is equal to or greater than the second length, and the indicator is configured to indicate that the length of the one pin is equal to or greater than the second length in a state where the second detection sub-branch is energized.

Optionally, each of the plurality of detection branches further includes a third detection sub-branch including a third conductive end protruding into the corresponding detection channel to be positioned at a third length from the opening of the corresponding detection channel, wherein the third length is greater than the first length, the third conductive end is configured to be capable of electrically contacting the one pin to energize the third detection sub-branch in a state where the length of the one pin is greater than or equal to the third length, and the indicator is configured to indicate that the length of the one pin is greater than or equal to the third length in a state where the third detection sub-branch is energized.

Optionally, the indicator comprises a first lamp, a second lamp, and a third lamp providing visual differentiation, wherein the first lamp is connected in series to the first detection sub-branch, the second lamp is connected in series to the second detection sub-branch, and the third lamp is connected in series to the third detection sub-branch.

Optionally, the indicator comprises an identification module and a display in communication with the identification module, the identification module configured to identify at least one of the first, second, and third secondary detection legs being energized, and to send a signal representative of the energization of the at least one secondary detection leg to the display.

Optionally, the corresponding detection channel is configured to fit to the one pin with a gap perpendicular to a length direction of the corresponding detection channel, and the first conductive end, the second conductive end, and the third conductive end each include a bump that extends into the corresponding detection channel to exceed the gap.

Optionally, the bumps are made of a conductive elastomer.

Alternatively, the first length represents a required pin length, the second length represents a shortest allowable length, and the third length represents a longest allowable length.

Optionally, the corresponding detection channel is configured to be formed by an outwardly flared flange at the opening.

Optionally, the detection apparatus for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector further comprises a clamp for clamping the electrical connector during detection, the clamp being configured to ground each of the plurality of pins.

The detection device for the plurality of pins of the electric connector provided by the utility model can effectively and simply detect the lengths of the plurality of pins at each stage after the electric connector is connected to a PCB, identify the pins which do not meet the length requirement (if the pins exist) in the plurality of pins, and determine whether the length of the pins which do not meet the length requirement is too long or too short, thereby preventing the unqualified electric connector from influencing the use of electric elements, providing guidance for correcting the pins which do not meet the length requirement, and simultaneously, forming the opening of the detection channel by the outward-expanding flange and being also used for auxiliary detection of whether the position angles of the plurality of pins arranged in a certain sequence are met or not on the whole.

Other features of the present invention and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the utility model and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the utility model.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a detection apparatus for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is another schematic view of a detection device for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that: the relative arrangement of the components and steps, the numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless specifically stated otherwise.

Techniques and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but are intended to be considered a part of the specification where appropriate.

In all examples shown and discussed herein, any particular value should be construed as merely illustrative, and not limiting. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

It should be noted that: like reference numbers and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, further discussion thereof is not required in subsequent figures.

The scale of certain features of the utility model has been exaggerated in order to more clearly describe such features (e.g., the nubs and flared lip as will be referred to hereinafter). Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features in the drawings are not to scale.

Referring to fig. 1, an electrical connector 20 according to the present invention may be used for various electrical components of a vehicle, such as a PCB 22 that may be used for a sound module of the vehicle. Generally, the electrical connector 20 includes a plurality of pins arranged together in an order. Hereinafter, each pin 24 is taken as a representative, the rear end 24a of the pin 24 is soldered, pressed or fixed to the PCB 22 in any other way, and the front end 24c of the pin 24 can be bent and extended relative to the rear end for being inserted into another electrical component, thereby realizing the transmission of electrical signals between the two electrical components. In addition, the front ends 24c of the plurality of pins 24 may be protectively surrounded together by the housing 25, and the transition portion 24b between the front ends 24c and the rear ends 24a of the plurality of pins 24 may be over-molded to ensure the overall stability of the plurality of pins 24. It will be appreciated that electrical connectors for other electrical components having the corresponding features described above are also within the scope of the present invention.

The detection device 10 for a plurality of pins 24 of an electrical connector 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an insulated housing 12 defining a plurality of test channels 14, each of the plurality of test channels 14 including an opening 16 at one end of the insulated housing 12 along a length thereof, the insulated housing 12 having a cross-section with dimensions smaller than a cross-section of the housing 25 such that the insulated housing 12 can extend into the housing 25 to access the front ends 24c of the plurality of pins 24; a power supply 26, the negative pole of the power supply 26 being grounded; and a detection circuit electrically connected to the positive terminal of the power supply 26 and for detecting whether the lengths of the plurality of pins 24 inserted together into the plurality of detection channels 14 are all satisfactory and identifying an unsatisfactory pin. It is to be understood that the length of the plurality of pins 24 to be detected described herein refers to the length of the front ends 24c of the plurality of pins 24.

The detection circuit comprises a plurality of detection branches corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of detection channels 14, i.e. the number of detection branches is equal to the number of detection channels 14 and thus the number of pins 24, which are connected in parallel to share a power supply 26.

Each detection branch comprises: a first detection sub-branch 28a, the first detection sub-branch 28a in turn comprising a first conductive end 30a projecting into the detection channel 14 to be positioned at a first length from the opening 16 of the detection channel 14, the first conductive end 30a being configured to electrically contact the pin 24 to energize the first detection sub-branch 28a in a state where the pin 24 is inserted into the detection channel 14 and the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the first length; and an indicator configured to indicate that the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the first length in a state where the first sensing sub-branch 28a is energized. In this manner, it can be determined whether the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the desired length.

Optionally, each detection branch further comprises a second detection sub-branch 28b, the second detection sub-branch 28b comprising a second conductive end 30b extending into the detection channel 14 to be positioned at a second length from the opening 16 of the detection channel 14, wherein the second length is less than the first length, the second conductive end 30b is configured to electrically contact the pin 24 such that the second detection sub-branch 28b is energized in a state where the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the second length, and the indicator is configured to indicate that the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the second length in the state where the second detection sub-branch 28b is energized. In this manner, it can be determined whether the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the shortest allowable length.

Optionally, each detection branch further comprises a third detection sub-branch 28c, the third detection sub-branch 28c comprising a third conductive end 30c protruding into the corresponding detection channel 14 to be positioned at a third length from the opening 16 of the detection channel 14, wherein the third length is greater than the first length, the third conductive end 30c is configured to electrically contact the pin 24 such that the third detection sub-branch 28c is energized in a state in which the length of the pin 24 is greater than or equal to the third length, and the indicator is configured to indicate that the length of the pin 24 is greater than or equal to the third length in a state in which the third detection sub-branch 28c is energized. In this manner, it can be determined whether the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the longest allowable length.

For example, each

test sub-branch

28a, 28b, 28c is connected in parallel, and the branch section of each

test sub-branch

28a, 28b, 28c adjacent to each

conductive end

30a, 30b, 30c is embedded in the insulating socket 12 perpendicular to the length direction of the test channel 14 to easily determine the length of each

conductive end

30a, 30b, 30c from the opening 16 of the test channel 14, and then extends into the test channel 14 at this length.

The configuration of the indicator is various. For example, referring to fig. 1, the indicator may include a first light (e.g., an LED or a common light bulb) 40a, a second light 40b, and a third light 40c that provide a visual difference (e.g., having different colors), wherein the first light 40a is connected in series to the first detection sub-branch 28a, the second light 40b is connected in series to the second detection sub-branch 28b, and the third light 40c is connected in series to the third detection sub-branch 28 c. When no light is illuminated, it is indicated that the length of the pin 24 is less than the shortest allowable length or even that the pin is missing, which affects the plugging performance of the entire connector. When only the second lamp 40b is illuminated by energizing the second sensing sub-branch 28b, indicating that the length of pin 24 is equal to or greater than the shortest allowable length but less than the ideal length, it is contemplated that the length of pin 24 is within a tolerance. When the first lamp 40a is illuminated again with the second lamp 40b due to the first sensing sub-branch 28a being energized, indicating that the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the desired length but less than the longest allowable length, it is contemplated that the length of the pin 24 is still within the tolerance. When the third lamp 40c is also illuminated with the first lamp 40a and the second lamp 40b due to the third detection sub-branch 28c being energized, indicating that the length of the pin 24 is equal to or greater than the longest allowable length, which will affect the plugging performance of the entire connector, it is contemplated that the length of the pin 24 may be modified by truncation. It should be noted that the overall length of detection channel 14 should be suitably greater than the third length to ensure that the presence of an excessively long pin does not affect the accuracy of detecting the lengths of the other pins.

Alternatively, referring to fig. 2, the indicator includes an identification module 46 and a display 48 in communication with the identification module 46, the identification module 46 being configured to identify the energization of at least one of the

sensing sub-branches

28a, 28b, 28c of the sensing branches, and to send a signal representative of the energization of the at least one sub-branch to the display 48, so that the display 48 displays a textual description of the energization of the at least one sub-branch or directly displays the determination of the length of the pins, etc., which determination logic may refer to the determination logic of the illumination of the lights described above. For example, the identification module 46 may be configured to connect the

respective detection sub-branches

28a, 28b, 28c of the respective detection branches in a one-to-one correspondence with distinguishable connection ports, and determine whether or not to energize the

respective detection sub-branches

28a, 28b, 28c based on the potential thereof. It will be appreciated that there are many known configurations that may be used to identify the energization of at least one of the

sensing sub-branches

28a, 28b, 28c of the sensing branches.

The cross-sectional shape of the pins 24 is varied and may be, for example, circular or square. Optionally, the detection channel 14 is configured to fit the pin 24 with a certain clearance perpendicular to the length direction of the detection channel 14, especially in cross section, so that the pin 24 can be easily inserted into the detection channel 14. Also, to ensure that the length of the pin 24 can be accurately detected, i.e., the pin 24 must be in electrical contact with the corresponding conductive end when the length is sufficient, each

conductive end

30a, 30b, 30c includes a bump that extends into the detection channel 14 to extend beyond the gap perpendicular to the length of the detection channel 14. Of course, the length of the bump beyond the gap should be reasonably controlled to prevent the bump from interfering with the insertion of the pin 24 into the detection channel 14 and even being damaged by the inserted pin 24. Preferably, the bumps are made of a conductive elastomer. Preferably, the bumps may be shaped, for example, semi-circular, ramp-shaped, or the like, to facilitate insertion of the pins 24 into the detection channels 14 by compressing the bumps.

Optionally, the detection channel 14 is configured to be formed by a flared flange 42 at the opening 16. Because the plurality of pins 24 of the electrical connector 20 are arranged together in a substantially sequential order, for example, the electrical connector 20 shown in fig. 1 and 2 has two rows of pins, the spacing between each row of pins can be constant, and the spacing between adjacent pins in each row of pins can be constant or can vary. For this purpose, the plurality of detection channels 14 should also be arranged together in a corresponding order and spacing. Although it is desirable to connect the plurality of pins 24 of the electrical connector 20 to the PCB 22 substantially parallel or perpendicular, the positional angle of some of the plurality of pins 24 may be offset within a tolerance range, for example, between 5 ° -15 °, and thus, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the opening 16 formed by the flared lip 42 is gradually enlarged in cross-section relative to the main body of the detection channel 14 opposite to the direction of pin insertion, which will facilitate insertion of the pins 24 having the offset within the tolerance range into the detection device 10. In other words, if the electrical connector 20 cannot be inserted into the test device 10 at all, it will be possible to take into account that there is an excessive deviation in the positional angle of certain pins 24.

Optionally, the test device 10 further includes a clamp (not shown) for clamping the electrical connector 20 during testing, the clamp being configured to ground each of the plurality of pins 24 so that a conductive electrical circuit is completed when the pins 24 make electrical contact with each of the

test sub-branches

28a, 28b, 28c of each of the test branches. The configuration of the clamp is various, for example, the clamp may include a clamp and a ground fitting clamped at both sides of the housing 25 of the electrical connector 20. If the rear ends 24a of the pins 24 pass through the bottom side of the PCB 22 when connected to the PCB 22 and are soldered to the bottom side of the PCB 22 by means of solder, the ground fitting may be configured as a ground conductive sheet attached to the bottom side of the PCB 22. If the rear ends 24a of the pins 24 are inaccessible after connection to the PCB board 22, the ground fittings may be configured as grounded conductive sheets that pass through the front ends 24c of the respective pins 24 until reaching the transition portions 24b of the respective pins 24. Therefore, the configuration of the ground fitting is not limited.

Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of illustration, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above illustration is only for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the utility model. The scope of the utility model is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A detection device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector, characterized in that it comprises:

an insulated socket (12) defining a plurality of test channels each comprising an opening (16) at one end of the insulated socket (12) along its length;

a power supply (26), the negative pole of the power supply (26) being grounded; and

a detection circuit electrically connected to the positive pole of the power supply (26) and including:

a plurality of detection branches each for a corresponding detection channel (14) and each comprising a first detection sub-branch (28a), the first detection sub-branch (28a) comprising a first conductive end (30a) protruding into the corresponding detection channel (14) to be positioned at a first length from an opening (16) of the corresponding detection channel (14), the first conductive end (30a) being configured to be able to electrically contact one of the plurality of pins having a length greater than or equal to the first length in a state in which the one pin is inserted into the corresponding detection channel (14) so as to energize the first detection sub-branch (28 a); and

an indicator configured to indicate that the length of the one pin is equal to or greater than a first length in a state where the first detection sub branch (28a) is powered on.

2. The test device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of test branches further comprises a second test sub-branch (28b), the second test sub-branch (28b) comprising a second conductive end (30b) protruding into the corresponding test channel (14) to be positioned at a second length from the opening (16) of the corresponding test channel (14), wherein the second length is less than the first length, the second conductive end (30b) is configured to be electrically contactable with the one pin (24) to energize the second test sub-branch (28b) in a state where the length of the one pin is greater than or equal to the second length, and the indicator is configured to indicate that the length of the one pin is greater than or equal to the second length in a state where the second test sub-branch (28b) is energized.

3. The test device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of test branches further comprises a third test sub-branch (28c), the third test sub-branch (28c) comprising a third conductive end (30c) protruding into the corresponding test channel (14) to be positioned at a third length from the opening (16) of the corresponding test channel (14), wherein the third length is greater than the first length, the third conductive end (30c) is configured to be electrically contacted with the one pin to energize the third test sub-branch (28c) in a state where the length of the one pin (24) is greater than or equal to the third length, and the indicator is configured to indicate that the length of the one pin is greater than or equal to the third length in a state where the third test sub-branch (28c) is energized.

4. The device (10) for the detection of the plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the indicator comprises a first lamp (40a), a second lamp (40b) and a third lamp (40c) providing a visual difference, wherein the first lamp (40a) is connected in series to the first detection sub-branch (28a), the second lamp (40b) is connected in series to the second detection sub-branch (28b) and the third lamp (40c) is connected in series to the third detection sub-branch (28 c).

5. The device (10) for detecting the plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the indicator comprises an identification module (46) and a display (48) in communication with the identification module (46), the identification module (46) being configured to identify the energization of at least one of the first detection sub-branch (28a), the second detection sub-branch (28b), and the third detection sub-branch (28c), and to send a signal representative of the energization of the at least one detection sub-branch to the display (48).

6. The detecting device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the corresponding detecting channel (14) is configured to be able to fit to the one pin with a certain clearance perpendicular to the length direction of the corresponding detecting channel (14), and the first conductive end (30a), the second conductive end (30b), and the third conductive end (30c) each include a bump that protrudes into the corresponding detecting channel (14) to exceed the clearance.

7. The detecting device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that said bumps are made of a conductive elastomer.

8. The detecting device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first length represents a desired pin length, the second length represents a shortest allowed length and the third length represents a longest allowed length.

9. The detection device (10) for a plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the corresponding detection channel (14) is configured to be formed by a flared flange (42) at the opening (16).

10. The device (10) for detecting the plurality of pins of an electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a clamp for clamping the electrical connector (20) during detection, the clamp being configured to ground each of the plurality of pins.