JP2001028230A - Terminal slip-off detecting device and terminal slip-off detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal slip-off detecting device, capable of detecting a half locked state of a terminal for preventing slip-off of the terminal, without in crease in cost or in weight of an insulation case. SOLUTION: This terminal slip-off detecting device 20 is provided with a terminal insertion chamber 12 inside an insulation case 11 and a terminal locking part in the terminal insertion chamber 12. When a terminal 16 is inserted to a completely inserted position, the terminal locking part locks to the terminal 16, and a terminal locking member can be inserted completely in the terminal inserting chamber 12 from outside the insulation case 11. This device 20 detects terminal slip-off of the insulation case 11, where the terminal locking member cannot be inserted completely in the terminal inserting chamber 12 from outside the insulation case 11, when the terminal 16 is in the state of incomplete insertion position. This device 20 is constituted of a detecting tool 21, having a shape roughly the same as the terminal locking member and capable of being inserted in the terminal inserting chamber 12 from outside the insulation case 11, and a complete insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not this detecting tool 21 is completely inserted in the terminal inserting chamber 12 from an output state of a switch 22a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal disconnection detecting device and a terminal disconnection detecting method for detecting a terminal disconnection of, for example, an electric connection box which is mounted in an insulating case by inserting a terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a conventional example of a fuse box (electric junction box) is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 5-17905, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of such a fuse box, and FIG. It is a partial sectional view.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of terminal insertion chambers 2 are provided in an insulating case 1 forming a box body of a fuse box. Each of the terminal insertion chambers 2 has an elastically deformable terminal member. Stop portion (so-called flexible terminal locking arm) 3
Are provided respectively. A plurality of terminal insertion ports 4 are provided on the lower surface of the insulating case 1, and a plurality of fuse insertion ports 5 are provided on the upper surface of the insulating case 1, respectively. It is open to. A terminal 6 is inserted from each terminal insertion port 4 and a fuse 7 is inserted from each fuse insertion port 5 into the terminal insertion chamber 2. A locking member insertion opening (not shown) is provided on a side surface of the insulating case 1, and is provided so that the terminal locking member 8 can be inserted through the plurality of terminal insertion chambers 2 from the locking member insertion opening. ing.

In the above configuration, when the terminals 6 are inserted into the respective terminal insertion chambers 2 from the respective terminal insertion openings 4 of the insulating case 1, the terminal locking portions 3 are elastically deformed, so that the insertion of the terminals 6 is allowed. Is inserted to the fully inserted position, the terminal locking portion 3 is elastically deformed by return, and is locked in the locking groove 6 a of the terminal 6. Next, when the fuses 7 are inserted into the respective terminal insertion chambers 2 from the respective fuse insertion ports 5, the tips of the inserted fuses 7 are connected to the terminals 6 in a press-contact state. Next, the terminal locking member 8 is inserted from a locking member insertion opening (not shown) of the insulating case 1.

Here, when the terminal 6 is not completely inserted and is in a semi-locked state, the tip of the terminal locking member 8 is
And the terminal 6 cannot be sufficiently inserted, so that the semi-locked state of the terminal 6 can be detected. When the terminals 6 are completely inserted, the terminal locking members 8 are sufficiently inserted by being inserted into the locking recesses 6b of the terminals 6. Then, the terminal 6 is inserted by the inserted terminal locking member 8.
Are locked, and the terminal 6 is double-locked by the terminal locking portion 3 and the terminal locking member 8, thereby preventing the terminal from coming off.

[0006]

However, the terminal 6
In contrast, the occurrence of a situation in which the removal prevention is not effective unless double locking occurs very rarely. In most cases, only locking of the terminal locking portion 3 in the insulating case 1 is sufficient. is there. Rather, a terminal locking component 8 separate from the insulating case 1
However, the use of this method increases the cost of parts, increases the cost of the fuse box, and increases the weight of the fuse box, resulting in greater disadvantages. In particular, the disadvantage is remarkable when the fuse box is mounted on a vehicle or the like as a part of a wire harness. On the other hand, if the use of the terminal locking component 8 is simply stopped, the half-inserted state of the terminal 6 cannot be detected, and the terminal 6 cannot be prevented from coming off.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and detects the semi-locked state of the terminal without increasing the cost and weight of the insulating case to prevent the terminal from coming off. It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal disconnection detection device and a terminal disconnection detection method that can perform the above-mentioned operations.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a terminal insertion chamber is provided in an insulating case, an elastically deformable terminal locking portion is provided in the terminal insertion chamber, and a terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. Then, the terminal locking portion is elastically deformed, thereby allowing the terminal to be inserted. When the terminal is inserted to the fully inserted position, the terminal locking portion elastically deforms and locks to the terminal. When the terminal is located at the complete insertion position, the terminal locking member can be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from the outside of the insulating case, and when the terminal is located at the incomplete insertion position, the terminal locking member can be inserted from the outside of the insulating case. A terminal detachment detection device that detects terminal detachment of the insulating case that cannot completely insert the terminal locking member into the terminal insertion chamber,
A detector having substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member and capable of being inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case; and a complete detector for detecting whether or not the detector has been completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. And insertion detection means.

In this terminal detachment detecting device, the detector is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case, and whether or not the terminal is completely inserted is detected by the complete insertion detecting means. The terminal is inserted again until it is completely inserted, and in the case of complete insertion, the detector is pulled out of the insulating case.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a terminal insertion chamber is provided in an insulating case, an elastically deformable terminal locking portion is provided in the terminal insertion chamber, and the terminal locking portion is provided when a terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. Is elastically deformed, the insertion of the terminal is allowed, and when the terminal is inserted to the fully inserted position, the terminal locking portion is elastically deformed and locked to the terminal, and the terminal is moved to the fully inserted position. In the state where the terminal is located, the terminal locking member can be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from the outside of the insulating case. When the terminal is located at the incomplete insertion position, the terminal locking member can be inserted from the outside of the insulating case. A terminal disconnection detecting method for detecting terminal disconnection of the insulating case that cannot be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, wherein the terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, and then the terminal locking member has substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member. Inspection with Tool, and a terminal removal detection device having a complete insertion detection means for detecting whether or not the detection tool is completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. The detection tool is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case. The device is inserted, and whether or not the detector is completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber is detected by a complete insertion detector, and then the detector is removed from the insulating case.

In this method, the detector is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from the outside of the insulating case, and whether or not the terminal is completely inserted is detected by detecting whether or not the terminal is completely inserted by the complete insertion detecting means. Further, the detector is later removed from the insulating case.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the terminal detachment detection method according to the second aspect, wherein the terminal insertion chamber is provided with a mating terminal that can be inserted from a direction opposite to a direction in which the terminal is inserted. The two terminals are connected by the insertion of the counterpart terminal, and after the terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, the counterpart terminal is inserted, and then the detector is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. It is characterized by the following.

[0013] In this method of detecting a terminal disconnection, in addition to the operation of the second aspect, if the terminal is not completely inserted, when the mating terminal is inserted, the terminal is further incompletely inserted by the insertion force when the terminal is inserted. The space for inserting the tool is closed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 5 show one embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment shows a case where a fuse box as an electric connection box is to be detected. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuse box and a missing terminal detecting device, FIG. 2A is a side view showing an incompletely inserted state of the detector, FIG. 2B is a side view showing a completely inserted state of the detector. 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views of the fuse box for explaining the terminal detection procedure.

First, the configuration of the fuse box will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the fuse box 1
The insulating case 11 which forms the box body of No. 0 is made of synthetic resin and has an elongated and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the insulating case 11, a plurality of terminal insertion chambers 12 are provided in two rows. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, adjacent terminal insertion chambers 12, 12
The space is partitioned by a partition wall 11a. Each terminal insertion room 1
2 are integrally provided with elastically deformable terminal locking portions (so-called flexible terminal locking arms) 13, and each of the terminal locking portions 13 is a terminal 16 inserted into a completely inserted position.
Is to be locked.

A plurality of terminal insertion ports 14 are provided on the lower surface of the insulating case 11, and a plurality of fuse insertion ports 15 are provided on the upper surface of the insulating case 11, respectively.
Reference numerals 4 and 15 open to each terminal insertion chamber 12. A terminal 16 is inserted from each terminal insertion port 14, and a fuse 17 as an electric component is inserted from each fuse insertion port 15 into the terminal insertion chamber 12.
It is provided so that it can be inserted into. In addition, a pair of locking member insertion ports 18, 18 are provided on the side surface of the insulating case 11,
A terminal locking member (not shown) is provided so that a terminal locking member (not shown) can be inserted so as to penetrate all the terminal insertion chambers 12 of each row from each locking member insertion opening 18. As explained in the conventional example,
The terminal locking member detects the semi-locked state of the terminal 16 and double-locks the terminal 16, but this is not used in the present invention.

The terminal 16 is formed of a conductive metal, and the end of the electric wire W is crimp-connected to the rear (lower side in FIG. 3) crimping portion 16a. The front side of the terminal 16 (upper side in FIG. 3)
Is provided with a pair of holding pressure contact spring portions 16b, 16b.
The tab terminal 17a of the fuse 17 is inserted between the pair of clamping pressure contact spring portions 16b, 16b, so that the fuse 17 is electrically connected. A locking projection (locking portion) 16c is formed on one side surface of the terminal 16, and a locking recess (other locking portion) 16d is formed on the opposite side.

The fuse 17 as an electric component, which is a mating terminal, has a pair of tab terminals 17a, 17a at its lower portion, and generates heat when a certain current or more flows between the pair of tab terminals 17a, 17a to blow. A fuse body (not shown) is interposed.

The terminal disconnection detection device 20 includes a detection tool 21,
A complete insertion detecting means 22 for detecting whether or not the detector 21 is completely inserted into the insulating case 11. The detector 21 has substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member described above,
A pair of insertion rods 21a, 21a arranged in parallel,
And a connecting portion 21b for connecting the base portions of the pair of insertion rods 21a, 21a. The complete insertion detecting means 22 includes a pressing switch 22 fixed to the connecting portion 20b.
a, and a display unit 22c for guiding the output of the switch 22a via an electric wire 22b and displaying the presence or absence of complete insertion based on the output state of the switch 22a.

Next, the operation procedure of the fuse box 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, each terminal 16 is inserted into each terminal insertion chamber 12 from each terminal insertion port 14 of the insulating case 11. Each of the inserted terminals 16 is allowed to be inserted by elastically deforming the terminal locking portion 13, and when the terminal 16 is inserted to the fully inserted position, the terminal locking portion 13 elastically deforms to return to the terminal 16. It is locked by the locking projection 16c. When all the terminal insertion steps are completed, a continuity test is performed to check whether the arrangement of the terminals 16 is correct. Next, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Then, the fuse 17 is inserted into each terminal insertion chamber 12. The inserted fuse 17 has a pair of tab terminals 17a, 17a.
The tip of the terminal 16 is a pair of clamping press contact spring portions 16b, 16 of the terminal 16.
It is electrically connected to the terminal 16 by being inserted between the terminals b.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Then, a pair of insertion rods 21a, 21a of the detector 21 are inserted from the lock member insertion opening 18 to perform the inspection for confirming the presence or absence of the fuse 17 and the inspection for confirming the existence of the inspector 21, and the next inspection for missing terminals.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, when even one of the plurality of terminals 16 is not completely inserted and is in a semi-locked state, the tip of the insertion rod 21a of the detection tool 21 is Since the switch 22a does not enter the ON state because the terminal 6 cannot be sufficiently inserted into contact with the terminal 6, the display unit 22c displays that the terminal 16 is improperly inserted, that is, is in a semi-locked state. As shown in FIG. 2B, when all the terminals 16 are completely inserted, the insertion rod 21a of the detector 21 is inserted into the locking recess 16d of each terminal 16. Fully inserted by. Then, since the switch 22a is turned on, the display unit 22c is connected to the terminal 16.
Is displayed, that is, the insertion state is proper, that is, it is completely inserted and locked.

If the terminal 16 is improperly inserted, the terminal 16 is reinserted until the terminal 16 is completely inserted. If the terminal 16 is completely inserted, the detector 21 is removed from the insulating case 11. Work is completed.

That is, in the present embodiment, the semi-locked state of the terminal 16 can be detected by the insertion of the detector 21, and
After the inspection is completed, the detector 21 is pulled out of the insulating case 11, so that the semi-locked state of the terminal 16 can be detected and the terminal can be prevented from coming off without increasing the cost and weight of the fuse box 10.

Further, in this embodiment, after the terminal 16 is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber 12, the fuse 1 as a mating terminal is inserted.
7 and then the terminal insertion chamber 12 of the detector 21 is inserted.
If the terminal 16 is not completely inserted, when the fuse 17 is inserted, the terminal 16 is further incompletely inserted due to the insertion force when the fuse 17 is inserted.
Since the first insertion space is securely closed, the inspection accuracy can be further improved.

According to the above-described embodiment, the case where the electric connection box is the fuse box 10 has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the terminal 16 is used for inspection of all the terminal disconnections of the other electric connection boxes to be mounted by insertion. Of course, it can be applied. The switch 22a is provided to detect whether the detector 21 is in the fully inserted state. However, if the detector 21 can detect the inserted state of the detector 21 (for example, a non-contact contact sensor). good.

[0028]

As described above, according to the terminal detachment detecting device of the first aspect of the present invention, the terminal detaching member has substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member and can be inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case. Tool and complete insertion detection means for detecting whether or not the detection tool has been completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. Therefore, the detection tool is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case, and completely detected by the complete insertion detection means. It can detect whether or not it has been inserted.In the case of incomplete insertion, reinsert the terminal until it is fully inserted, and in the case of complete insertion, remove the detector from the insulating case, so the cost of the electrical connection box The terminal can be prevented from coming off by detecting the semi-locked state of the terminal without increasing the weight or increasing the weight.

According to the method for detecting terminal detachment according to the second aspect of the present invention, a terminal is inserted into a terminal insertion chamber provided in an insulating case, and then a detector having substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member is provided. Using a terminal removal detecting device having a complete insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not the detector is completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, the detector is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case. The complete insertion detection means detects whether or not the terminal has been completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, and then removes this detector from the insulating case. It is possible to detect whether or not the insertion is complete by detecting whether or not the insertion is complete by the insertion detection means, and since the detector is later removed from the case, without increasing the cost and weight of the insulating case. end Omission can be prevented of detecting the half-latched state terminals.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a counterpart terminal is provided in the terminal insertion chamber of the insulating case so as to be inserted from a direction opposite to the terminal insertion direction. Is connected between the two terminals, and after inserting the terminal into the terminal insertion chamber, the other terminal is inserted,
After this, the detector is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, so that in addition to the effect of the second aspect of the invention, if the terminal is not completely inserted, the terminal is further inserted by the insertion force when inserting the mating terminal. Since the insertion is incomplete and the insertion space for the detector is securely closed, the inspection accuracy can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a fuse box and a missing terminal detecting device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a side view showing an incompletely inserted detection tool, and FIG. 2B is a side view showing a completely inserted detection tool.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuse box illustrating the terminal detection procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fuse box illustrating the terminal detection procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fuse box illustrating the terminal detection procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional fuse box.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of a conventional fuse box.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Case 12 Terminal insertion chamber 13 Terminal locking part 16 Terminal 17 Fuse (counter terminal) 20 Terminal removal detecting device 21 Detector 22 Complete insertion detecting means

Claims (3)

[Claims] A terminal insertion chamber is provided in an insulating case, an elastically deformable terminal locking portion is provided in the terminal insertion chamber, and the terminal locking portion is elastically deformed when a terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. When the terminal is inserted to the full insertion position, the terminal locking portion elastically deforms and locks to the terminal when the terminal is inserted to the full insertion position. The terminal locking member can be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from the outside of the insulating case, and when the terminal is located at the incomplete insertion position, the terminal locking member can be inserted from the outside of the insulating case into the terminal insertion chamber. A terminal disconnection detection device for detecting terminal disconnection of the insulating case that cannot be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, wherein the terminal disconnection detection device has substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member and can be inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case. Utensils The detection device is the terminal escape detection device and having a full insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not fully inserted into the terminal insertion chambers. 2. A terminal insertion chamber is provided in an insulating case, an elastically deformable terminal locking portion is provided in the terminal insertion chamber, and when the terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, the terminal locking portion is elastically deformed. When the terminal is inserted to the fully inserted position, the terminal locking portion elastically deforms and locks to the terminal when the terminal is inserted to the fully inserted position. The terminal locking member can be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case, and when the terminal is located at the incomplete insertion position, the terminal locking member can be inserted from outside the insulating case into the terminal insertion chamber. A terminal disconnection detection method for detecting terminal disconnection of the insulating case that cannot be completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, the terminal being inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, and a detector having substantially the same shape as the terminal locking member. , This detection Using a terminal insertion detecting device having a complete insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not the terminal has been completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, and inserting the detector into the terminal insertion chamber from outside the insulating case; A terminal insertion detecting means for detecting whether or not the terminal is completely inserted into the terminal insertion chamber, and then removing the detecting tool from the insulating case. 3. The terminal removal detecting method according to claim 2, wherein a mating terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber in a direction opposite to a direction in which the terminal is inserted. A terminal characterized in that both terminals are connected, and after inserting the terminal into the terminal insertion chamber, the counterpart terminal is inserted, and thereafter, the detector is inserted into the terminal insertion chamber. Missing detection method.