JP2001221825A - Continuity inspecting instrument for connector housing terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a side probe type continuity inspecting instrument which performs continuity inspection by bringing it into contact with a terminal metal inserted and retained in a terminal housing chamber from the side thereof. SOLUTION: This apparatus is provided with a connector holder 12 for holding a connector C and a pair of probe holders 13 and 14, which is so arranged on both sides of the connector holder 12 to be allowed to advance or retract, while being provided with probes 16 and 17. The probe holders 13 and 14 are energized to the side of the connector holder 2 with springs 15c and 15d, so that the probes 13 and 14 can be inserted into a continuity inspection groove Cd of the connector C. A cam 18 having a pair of pressing surfaces 18a and 18b is provided, while guide surfaces 13b and 14b of the probe holders 13 and 14 are pressed with the rotation of the cam 18, to cause the probe holders 13 and 14 operate in linkage to a retreating position that allows detachably mounting of the connector C on the connector holder 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuity inspection device for a connector accommodating terminal, and more particularly to a continuity inspection probe inserted into a continuity inspection groove provided in a side wall of a connector housing in a direction perpendicular to a terminal insertion direction. The present invention relates to a continuity inspection device of a side probe type for conducting a continuity inspection by contacting a terminal fitting inserted and locked in a storage chamber from a side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a continuity inspection device for a connector housing terminal generally inserts a probe for continuity inspection into a terminal housing chamber of a connector from an opening on a mating side with a mating connector, and inserts the tip of the probe into the terminal housing chamber. A continuity test is performed by contacting the terminal fittings which are inserted and locked into the terminal. However,
When the terminal fitting is of a female type, there is a problem that only the hollow portion of the female terminal fitting can be seen from the probe insertion side, and the end face of the terminal fitting that makes contact with the probe cannot be seen. Also, if the probe is inserted into the terminal fitting from the same side as the insertion side of the counterpart terminal, and if the probe causes damage to the terminal fitting or connector, the electric contact reliability or A problem may occur in accuracy.

[0003] Therefore, especially when conducting continuity inspection of the female terminal fitting, a continuity inspection groove is provided not in the end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber but in the side perpendicular to the terminal insertion direction, and the probe is inserted from the continuity inspection groove. It is desired that a continuity inspection device of a side probe type for conducting a continuity inspection by inserting a probe into the side of the terminal fitting is inserted.

As a side probe type continuity inspection device of this type, the present applicant has previously provided a continuity inspection device as shown in FIG. 8 in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-258373. In this apparatus, a probe 2 to be inserted into a continuity inspection groove 1a provided in a side wall of a connector 1 is formed in an L shape as shown in the figure, and a tip bent downward is inserted into the continuity inspection groove 1a.

[0005]

With the above configuration,
The probe holder 2a holding the probe 2 must be moved forward and backward and moved up and down to a connector holder (not shown) holding the connector 1, and the moving mechanism of the probe holder 2 becomes complicated. is there. Furthermore, the connector 1 can be provided with the continuity inspection groove 1a only on one side wall (the upper side wall in the figure), in other words, the connector 1 can be provided with only one stage of the terminal receiving chamber. In many cases, the connector is provided with two upper and lower terminal accommodation chambers, and there is a problem that the above-described device cannot be applied to a connector having such a two-stage upper and lower terminal accommodation chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and enables a probe holder to be operated only by advancing and retreating to a connector holder, and a connector having terminal accommodation chambers provided in two upper and lower stages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a side probe type continuity inspection device that can simultaneously perform a continuity inspection by inserting probes into continuity inspection grooves provided on both sides of the connector.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for connecting a probe for continuity inspection to a connector having a continuity inspection groove formed in a side wall of a connector housing in a direction orthogonal to a terminal insertion direction. Insert from the inspection groove,
In a continuity inspection device for a connector housing terminal elastically contacting a side surface of a terminal fitting inserted and locked in a terminal housing chamber,
A connector holder that holds the connector and has probe insertion holes formed on both side walls, through which the probe can be inserted into the terminal fittings of the held connector, and is disposed so as to be capable of moving forward and backward on both side surfaces of the connector holder. Along with
A pair of probe holders having the probe mounted thereon, wherein the probe holder is urged toward the connector holder by a spring, and the probe is inserted into a continuity inspection groove of the connector held by the connector holder. In addition, a cam having a pair of pressing surfaces protruding in both directions around the fulcrum is provided on one side wall of the connector holder, and the pressing surface is provided on the probe holder. The guide surface of the probe holder presses the guide surface of the probe holder by the rotation of the cam, and separates the probe holder from the connector holder against the urging force of the spring. In the retracted position where the connector can be attached to and detached from the connector holder. It provides a continuity testing apparatus of the connector housing terminals and symptoms.

As described above, according to the present invention, the probe can be inserted from both sides into the continuity inspection groove of the connector housed in the connector holder by allowing the probe holder to advance and retreat from both side surfaces with respect to the connector holder. Therefore, the continuity test can be performed by simply bringing the probe into contact with the terminal fittings on both sides only by moving the probe holder forward. At that time, the forward movement of the probe holder to the inspection position is performed by the biasing force of the spring, and the retreat operation to the retracted position when the connector is housed in the connector holder is linked with the rotation operation of the cam. Can be improved.

More specifically, when the connector is housed in the connector holder, the guide surface of the probe holder is pressed against the pressing surface of the cam by rotating the cam against the biasing force of the spring by rotating the cam. The probe retreats to the retreat position, and the probe enters a state of waiting at a position where it does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the connector. Then, after accommodating the connector in the connector holder, the rotational operation force of the cam is released.
Along with this, the probe holder advances to the connector holder side by the biasing force of the spring, the tip of the probe is inserted into the continuity inspection groove of the connector through the probe insertion hole of the connector holder, and the tip is elastically attached to each terminal fitting. And a continuity test is performed. When the cam is rotated again after the continuity test, the probe comes out of the continuity test groove of the connector, so that the connector can be removed from the connector accommodating portion.

Preferably, the cam is fixed to an operation lever that can swing about the fulcrum, and the cam is rotated by swinging the operation lever.
In this way, the rotation operation of the cam for linking the connector holder to the retracted position by the lever action of the lever can be performed manually without difficulty.

When at least one of the pair of probe holders has a retainer mounted on the terminal insertion surface of the connector housed in the connector holder in an incompletely inserted state, the retainer interferes with the retainer and the connector holder has It is preferable to provide a stopper for preventing movement to the inspection position. When the retainer of the connector is incompletely inserted, the stopper comes into contact with the retainer protruding from the back of the connector housed in the connector holder.
The probe holder cannot move to the inspection position. As a result, the probe does not contact the terminal fittings of the connector,
The continuity test cannot be performed, and it can be determined that the retainer is incompletely inserted. Furthermore, when the connector holder is at the forward position, the stopper is located in a state where the insertion path of the connector to the connector holder is obstructed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tip of the probe from being damaged due to forcible attachment of the connector to the connector holder.

The connector accommodating terminal inspected by the continuity inspecting device of the present invention can be particularly suitably used in the case of a female terminal fitting. That is, the probe cannot be easily brought into contact with the female terminal fitting in the conventional continuity inspection device.However, the continuity inspection groove provided in the side wall of the connector housing is provided with a portion other than the barrel of the female terminal fitting. By providing the probe at a position corresponding to the portion, the tip of the probe inserted from the continuity inspection groove can be reliably and easily brought into contact with the side surface of the female terminal fitting.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a continuity inspection device 10 according to the present embodiment, in which a connector holder 12 and probe holders 13 and 14 are provided on a base plate 11 so as to face each other. In the continuity inspection device 10, a continuity inspection groove Cd is provided in a side wall Cb of the connector housing Ca in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the terminal fitting T is inserted.
The connector C in which the terminal fittings T are provided in two stages is to be inspected.

The connector holder 12 is fixed at the center on the base plate 11, and as shown in FIG.
An accommodating portion 12b for holding a connector is provided. The shape of the housing portion 12b is made equal to the outer shape of the connector C to be inspected. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the connector C is fitted into the housing portion 12b from the upper surface 12a side of the connector holder 12, the terminal insertion surface of the connector C is turned upward, and the continuity inspection groove Cd is formed. The formed side walls Cb are held in a state of facing the probe holder 13 respectively. In addition, concave portions 12d are formed in the side wall portions 12c on both sides of the connector holder 12 so as to face the respective positions of the continuity inspection grooves Cd of the connector C accommodated in the connector holder 12, and the continuity inspection grooves are formed in the concave portions 12d. A probe insertion hole 12e that can communicate with Cd is formed.

The pair of probe holders 13 and 14 are disposed on the base plate 11 so as to face the side walls 12c on both sides of the connector holder 12. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector holder 12 and the probe holders 13, 1
4 has a pair of slide shafts 15 a and 15 b inserted through the lower portion thereof, and both ends of the slide shafts 15 a and 15 b are attached to both end surfaces of the connector holder 12.
It is supported by 1a and 11b. Accordingly, the probe holders 13 and 14 can move forward and backward in the direction facing both side surfaces of the connector holder 12. Further, the receiving plate 11
a, 11b and the springs 15c, 15d provided on the slide shafts 15a, 15b are press-fitted between the opposing surfaces of the probe holders 13, 14, and each probe holder 13,
The connector 14 is biased so as to be positioned toward an inspection position P1 in contact with both side surfaces of the connector holder 12.

On the surfaces of the probe holders 13 and 14 facing the connector holder 12, projections 13a and 14a fitted to the recesses 12d are provided so as to protrude.
The probes 16 and 17 are mounted along the direction of movement of the probe holders 13 and 14 through 14a. Probe 1
A plurality of connectors 6 and 17 are mounted at the same pitch as the continuity inspection grooves Cd of the connector C to be inspected, and the elastically protruding contacts 16 and 17a at the tips can be inserted into the continuity inspection grooves Cd through the probe insertion holes 12e.

In the connector holder 12, a cam 18 that rotates about one point as a fulcrum A is provided on one of the front and rear surfaces on the side not facing the probe holders 13 and 14. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cam 18 has a pair of pressing surfaces 18a and 18b projecting to both sides, while the probe holder 1
Guide surfaces 13b and 14b, which can be brought into contact with the pressing surfaces 18a and 18b, respectively, protrude from the reference numerals 3 and 14. And
By the rotation of the cam 18, the pressing surfaces 18a, 18b press the guide surfaces 13b, 14b, and the probe holders 13, 14
Can be linked to the evacuation position P2 that is separated from each other.

The cam 18 is fixed to the lower end of an operation lever 19 which can swing about a fulcrum A, and the cam 18 is rotated via a lever mechanism by the operation lever 19. Note that the cam 18 is connected to the probe holder 13.
The probe holders 13 and 14 can be forcibly interlocked in the separating direction against the urging force of the springs 15c and 15d regardless of the operation direction of the probe holder 14 or the probe holder 14 side.

Plate-like stoppers 20 and 21 are provided on the upper surfaces of the probe holders 13 and 14 such that the end faces protrude toward the accommodation portion 12b. Plate-shaped stopper 2
Reference numerals 0 and 21 denote retainers for preventing the connector C from jumping out facing the terminal insertion surface of the connector C accommodated in the accommodating portion 12b and for double locking of the terminal fitting T mounted from the terminal insertion surface side. When Ce is in an incompletely inserted state, it interferes with the retainer Ce and detects the state.

A mounting bracket 22 for fixing to a worktable is fixed to the base plate 11.
At the end of the electric wire W connected to 7, connectors 23 and 24 for connection to inspection equipment are attached.

Next, the state of the continuity test using the continuity test apparatus 10 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 5, when the operation lever 19 is manually operated to be in the down state, the cam 18 is pressed by the pressing surfaces 18a, 18a of the probe holders 13, 14.
b, whereby the probe holders 13 and 14 are moved to the retreat position P2 which is separated from each other. At this time, the stoppers 20 and 21 also move in the same manner to open the entrance of the accommodating portion 12b of the connector holder 12;
As shown in (A), the connector C is connected to the connector holder 12.
Into the accommodation portion 12b.

Subsequently, when the swinging operation lever 19 is released, the springs 15c and 15c are released as shown in FIG.
The urging action of d moves the probe holders 13 and 14 to the inspection position P1 where the probe holders abut on the connector holder 12. At this time, if the retainer Ce of the connector C projects from the end face in a half-inserted state, the stoppers 20 and 21 abut the retainer Ce as shown in FIG. It does not reach P1. In this state, the contacts 16a, 17a of the probes 16, 17
Is not in contact with the terminal fitting T, so the continuity test fails.

On the other hand, when the retainer Ce is fully inserted, as shown in FIG. 6A, the stoppers 20 and 21 reach a position facing the end face of the terminal insertion surface of the connector C. The connector C fitted into the connector is prevented from jumping out, and is reliably positioned. At this time, the contacts 16a, 17a at the tips of the probes 16, 17 contact the corresponding terminal fittings T through the probe insertion holes 12e and the conduction inspection grooves Cd, and a conduction signal is issued. The quality of the state is determined. After the completion of the continuity test, the connector C can be taken out of the accommodating portion 12b by operating the operation lever 19 again so as to fall down to retract the probe holders 13 and 14 to the retracted position P2.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
When the evacuation position P2 is moved to the evacuation position P2, the operation lever 1
A lock means such as a lock claw may be provided between the connector 9 and the connector holder 12 or the base plate 11 so that the lock means can be locked at the lying position. In this case, the operation of housing the connector C in the connector holder 12 can be performed by releasing the operation lever 19 in the lying state. At the time of the continuity inspection, the probe holders 13 and 14 can be moved to the inspection position P1 by the urging force of the springs 15c and 15d by releasing the locking means with the operation lever 19. Further, the stoppers 20, 21 for detecting the incomplete insertion of the retainer by providing the probe holders 13, 14
You may make it provide in only one of the probe holders 13 and 14.

[0025]

As is apparent from the above description, the use of the continuity inspection apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to easily and surely inspect a connector of a type which has conventionally been difficult to conduct continuity. Can be applied to a connector of a type that is mounted in two stages. In addition, the connector holder is provided with a stopper that interferes with the retainer when the retainer mounted on the terminal insertion surface of the connector is in an incompletely inserted state, so that the mounted state of the retainer can be detected prior to the continuity test. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a connector housing terminal continuity inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the continuity inspection device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the continuity inspection device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the continuity inspection device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector holder at a retracted position.

6A is a cross-sectional view at a retracted position of the connector holder, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view at an inspection position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a state where a connector in a half-inserted state of a retainer is mounted.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a conventional continuity test.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T terminal fitting C connector Ca connector housing Cb side wall Cd continuity inspection groove Ce retainer 10 continuity inspection device 12 connector holder 12a upper surface 12b housing portion 12c side wall portion 12e probe insertion hole 13, 14 probe holder 13b, 14b guide surface 15c, 15d spring 16 , 17 probe 18 cam 18a, 18b pressing surface 19 operating lever 20, 21 stopper A fulcrum P1 inspection position P2 retreat position

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A continuity inspection probe is inserted from a continuity inspection groove into a connector having a continuity inspection groove provided on a side wall of a connector housing in a direction orthogonal to a terminal insertion direction.
In a continuity inspection device for a connector accommodating terminal that elastically contacts a side surface of a terminal fitting inserted and locked in a terminal receiving chamber, a probe that holds the connector and allows the probe to pass through the terminal fitting of the held connector. A connector holder having insertion holes formed in both side walls, and disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat opposite to both side surfaces of the connector holder,
An inspection in which the probe holder is urged toward the connector holder by a spring, and the probe is inserted into a continuity inspection groove of the connector held by the connector holder. On the other hand, a cam provided with a pair of pressing surfaces protruding in both directions around the fulcrum is provided on one side wall of the connector holder, and the pressing surface is provided on the probe holder. The guide surface of the probe holder is pressed by the rotation of the cam, and the probe holder is separated from the connector holder against the urging force of the spring. To be linked to the retracted position where the connector can be attached to and detached from the connector holder. Conductivity test apparatus of the connector housing terminals and features. 2. The conduction of the connector housing terminal according to claim 1, wherein the cam is fixed to an operation lever that can swing about the fulcrum, and the cam is rotated by swinging the operation lever. Inspection equipment. 3. When at least one of the pair of probe holders has a retainer attached to a terminal insertion surface of a connector housed in the connector holder in an incompletely inserted state, the retainer interferes with the retainer and the connector is inserted into the connector holder. The continuity inspection device for a connector housing terminal according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a stopper for preventing movement of the holder to the inspection position.