JP2002367752A - Connector inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to surely inspect good or bad state of insertion-coupling of a retainer as well as to avoid giving damage to same. SOLUTION: A connector 120 provided with a connector housing whose terminal is mounted on a cavity of a terminal-loading part and a retainer 122 to be fitted to the terminal-loading part, is an object for inspection. A holder 10 holding the connector 120, an inspection part 20, a lever 2 for moving the inspection part 20 in and out of contact with the holder 10, and a compression coil spring 19 are provided, and an insertion-coupling inspection piece 24b is either in advancing or retreating state according to a good or bad insertion- coupling state of the retainer 122 when the inspection part 20 is moved close to it by the lever 2. Then, at a retreating state, electric detection means (an insertion-coupling member 24, a support pin 25, insertion-coupling inspection pin 18 or the like) detect whether the retainer 122 is in a good or bad insertion- coupling state. A conductivity inspection pin 28 is connected to the terminal when the inspection part 20 is moved close to it by the lever 2, whereby, a conductivity inspection become possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector to be inspected, for example, in which a retainer is attached to a terminal mounting portion into which a terminal is inserted from one of two end surfaces of a connector housing so that the terminal is prevented from coming off. The present invention relates to a connector inspection apparatus for inspecting a semi-fitted state in which a part of a retainer provided in a retainer mounting portion projects outward.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-described retainer is provided to prevent a terminal provided inside a connector housing from coming off, and is conventionally used as a connector inspection device for inspecting that the retainer is in a half-fitted state. FIG. 8 is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-82444.

[0003] This inspection device is used to inspect the continuity of the terminal fitting 220 when the side surface 203 of the connector housing 201 is inspected.
It is configured to inspect that the retainer 210 inserted into the retainer insertion hole 204 that is open at the bottom is engaged in a semi-fitted state. The configuration of the connector to be inspected and the inspection apparatus will be described below.

That is, in the connector 200 to be inspected, the terminal fitting 220 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 202 opened in the end face 201a of the connector housing 201, and the retainer is inserted into the locking portion 221 of the inserted terminal fitting 220. The retainer 210 inserted from the insertion hole 204 is engaged so that the terminal fitting 220 is prevented from coming off. On the other hand, in the inspection device, a concave attachment portion 232 is provided in the connector holding portion 231 of the connector inspection device 230, and the connector 200 is inserted into the attachment portion 232. Then, in order to perform a continuity test, the inspection unit 234 provided to be able to contact and separate from the connector holding unit 231 is brought closer to the connector holding unit 231 by rotating the lever 233 in the direction of the white arrow, and the inspection is performed. The continuity inspection pin 235 provided on the portion 234 is connected to the terminal fitting 220. At this time, retainer 2
When 10 is not normally engaged with the locking portion 221,
Since the outer portion 211 of the retainer 210 is in a semi-fitted state protruding from the side surface 203 of the connector housing 201, when the inspection section 234 approaches the connector 200, the contact piece 236 fixed to the inspection section 234 is provided. Abuts against the protruding outer portion 211, and the connector 200 is pressed. Accordingly, the mounting portion 2 of the connector holding portion 231
The positioning plate 242 fixed to the screw 32 by the rubber bush 240 via the rubber bush 240 is pushed by the connector 200 and is displaced by the elastic deformation of the rubber bush 240, so that the half-fitted state of the retainer 210 is visually observed. Configured to inspect.

[0005] When the retainer 210 is normally engaged with the locking portion 221, the outer portion 211 of the retainer 210 is in a regular fitting state flush with the side surface 203 of the connector housing 201. In the normal fitting state, the contact piece 236 does not contact the retainer 210, and the positioning plate 242 does not displace.

[0006]

However, in the case of the conventional connector inspection device, the lever is forcibly rotated even when the retainer is in the half-fitted state because of the visual inspection. Is not detected, and the fixed contact piece may damage the retainer.

Further, if there is an error in the mounting position of the contact piece with respect to the connector, even if the retainer is mounted in a half-fitted state, a relative displacement between the contact piece and the retainer will occur, and the fitting will be secure. There was a disadvantage that the inspection could not be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to surely inspect whether a retainer is properly fitted and prevent the retainer from being damaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector inspection device capable of performing the above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector inspection apparatus capable of reliably inspecting a fitted state of a retainer.

[0010]

A connector inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a connector housing in which a terminal is inserted and mounted in a cavity of a terminal mounting portion, and a retainer mounted in the terminal mounting portion so as to prevent the terminal from coming off. With the connector as the object to be inspected, the retainer is properly engaged with the terminal and is in a properly fitted state in which the retainer does not protrude beyond a predetermined value with respect to the retainer mounting wall surface of the terminal mounting portion, or the retainer is half-engaged with the terminal. A connector inspection device for inspecting whether a part of the connector is in a semi-fitted state protruding at a predetermined value or more from the retainer mounting wall surface, wherein a holder for holding the connector and a holder relative to the holder are provided. An inspection unit provided so as to be able to come and go, and moving means for moving the holder and the inspection unit relatively toward and away from each other, wherein the holder is inserted into the connector housing. The connector is configured to hold the connector with the terminal facing the inspection unit side, and the inspection unit includes a fitting inspection piece that passes through a predetermined position near the outside of the retainer mounting wall surface during the contact and separation movement by the moving means. When the retainer is in the normal fitting state when the retainer is in the normal fitting state when the retainer is in the normal fitting state when the retainer is in the normal fitting state, the retainer can be attached by the elastic means. Portion, on the other hand, when the retainer is in the half-fitted state, the tip of the fitting test piece abuts on the part of the retainer to be in a retreating state, and the fitting test piece moves forward and backward. And a continuity check pin connected to the terminal by approaching movement by the moving means.

In this connector inspection apparatus, when the terminal inserted into the connector housing is held by the holder toward the inspection section and the connector is held, and the inspection section is relatively moved toward the holder, the retainer is mounted. The fitting test piece approaches the part. After that, the fitting test piece that passes through a predetermined position near the outside of the retainer mounting wall surface, while in the retainer proper fitting state, the tip passes through the position near the outside of the retainer mounting portion while being in the advanced state, while the retainer is half-fitted. In the state, the tip comes into contact with a part of the retainer, and is in a retracted state against the elastic force of the elastic means. Accordingly, when the fitting test piece comes into contact with the retainer, the retainer is backed, so that the retainer can be prevented from being damaged. Then, the electrical detection means checks whether the retainer is in the normal fitting state or the half-fitting state based on the advanced state and the retracted state of the fitting test piece. Therefore, it is possible to reliably inspect whether the retainer is in the fit state.

When the vehicle is moved closer by the moving means,
Since the continuity inspection pin is connected to the terminal, the continuity inspection of the terminal can be performed. It is possible to determine whether the state is bad, whether both the fitted state of the retainer and the attached state of the terminal are bad, or whether both the fitted state of the retainer and the attached state of the terminal are good.

Further, in the connector inspection apparatus of the present invention, the connector to be inspected has a hood that covers at least a terminal mounting portion to which the retainer is attached with a predetermined gap, and the retainer is in a properly fitted state. A hooded connector in which the retainer projects from the retainer mounting wall in a semi-fitted state without protruding from the mounting wall, and the electrical detection means is provided on the fitting test piece in parallel with and integrally provided with a conductive member. A recess for receiving the connector with the retainer oriented sideways, a conductive detection hole for allowing the conductive detection piece to pass through the retainer side of the housing connector in the recess, and a conductive detection hole; And a resilient pressing member for pressing the conductive detecting piece inserted into the recess toward the concave side, and the fitting test piece is in sliding contact with the retainer mounting wall surface. May be configured to distance from the conductive detection piece so that to the retainer attachment wall surface of the fitting test strip is defined.

According to this configuration, since the elastic pressing member presses the conductive detecting piece against the side wall surface of the concave portion of the conductive detecting hole, the separation distance between the wall surface and the retainer mounting wall surface can be set to a predetermined value. At this time, since the distance from the conductive detection piece to the retainer mounting wall surface of the fitting test piece is defined, it is possible to allow the fitting test piece to slide through the retainer mounting wall face, and therefore, the hood It is possible to reliably detect even a semi-fitted state in which the retainer covered with is slightly projected from the retainer mounting wall surface.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view (partial sectional view) thereof, and FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view showing a main part of the present invention. FIG. 4 (an electric wire is omitted), FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector to be inspected by this inspection device, and FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a temporarily locked state of the connector of FIG. ,
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing the fully locked state of the connector of FIG.

First, a hooded connector, which is an example of an object to be inspected, will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 120 has a hood 12 of a first connector housing (hereinafter, referred to as a first housing) 121 having a hood 121a.
By mounting a retainer 122 and a second connector housing (hereinafter, referred to as a second housing) 123 in this order within the la, the mounting state shown in FIG. 5A is obtained. Here, the opening side (left side in the figure) of the hood 121a is referred to as a front side.

The first housing 121 includes a hood 121a.
The first terminal mounting portion 121b is covered with the first terminal mounting portion 121b, and the retainer 122 contacts the front end surface thereof, and the second housing 123 functioning as the second terminal mounting portion contacts the retainer 122. The cavity 124 provided in the first terminal mounting portion 121b and the cavity 125 provided in the second housing 123 are communicated via a communication hole 126 provided in the retainer 122 to form a terminal mounting hole 127. Is done. The hood 121a is provided in the second housing 1
23 and a part of the front side of the first housing 121.

A female terminal 128 to which the electric wire 135 is connected can be inserted into the terminal mounting hole 127 from the right side (rear side) of FIG. Is temporarily locked by a metal lance 129 provided in the second housing 123. At this time, the hood 121a and the second housing 12
3, the outermost 1 of the retainer 122
22a appears.

Subsequently, a predetermined jig is locked to the outermost part 122a from the left side in FIG. 5, and the retainer 122 is pushed downward. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The locking protrusion 132 of the retainer 122 protrudes into the jaw 131 provided on the, and the female terminal 128 is fully locked. At the same time, the outermost portion 122a of the retainer 122 has substantially the same height as the retainer mounting wall surface 137 formed by the side surface of the first terminal mounting portion 121b and the side surface of the second housing 123.

Next, a connector inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment for inspecting such a connector will be described. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 3, the connector inspection apparatus includes a base 1 and a holder 10 fixed to a leftward position on the base 1.
An inspection unit 20 disposed above the base 1 and on the right side of the holder 10, and rotatably mounted on the upper right side of the base 1;
Lever 2 for moving inspection unit 20 to the left (E)
And

The base 1 has a lever mounting portion 3 provided on the upper right side thereof, and two rails 4 provided on the left side thereof. The lever 2 is rotatably mounted. Also, two rails 4
Are arranged side by side, and each have a flange 4a formed outward on the upper part.

The holder 10 has two mounting grooves 11 formed in the lower part, and a pin mounting hole 12 provided between the two mounting grooves 11.

The two mounting grooves 11 are respectively formed in the left and right directions, the rails 4 are inserted into the respective mounting grooves 11, and the holder 10 is mounted with screws (not shown) mounted from below the base 1. It is fixed at. The pin mounting hole 12 is formed horizontally along the left-right direction from the right side surface to a substantially central portion.
Is inserted and fixed.

The holder 10 is formed on the upper portion of the holder 10 and has a connector set hole 13 into which the connector 120 to which the electric wire 135 and the retainer 122 are attached is inserted from above, and a left side of the connector set hole 13. A metal press plate 14 attached to the connector set hole 13, a conductive detection hole 15 formed in a concave shape on the back side (back side in the drawing) of the connector set hole 13, and a disengagement prevention portion 16 formed on the right side further on the back side. And

The connector set hole 13 is formed in a concave shape, has an opening at the upper side, and has openings 13a, 1
3b is formed. The cross section of the connector 120 is such that the retainer 122 faces, for example, the side (the back side of the paper).
Has a shape and dimensions into which the connector set hole 13 is inserted.
Is inserted only when the connector 120 turns the retainer 122 in a certain horizontal direction. Connector set hole 13
The notch 14a is formed in the holding plate 14 provided on the left side of the notch, and the notch 14a communicates with the opening 13a.
The electric wire 135 of the connector 120 set in the connector set hole 13 is led out from the notch 14a,
The opening of the hood 121a is exposed to the right opening 13b.

The conduction detecting hole 15 is separated from the connector set hole 13 by a wall 16A, is formed to have a constant width in the left-right direction, and is open on the upper and right sides. Conduction detection hole 1
On the left side of 5, the tip side of the fitting inspection pin 18 attached via the holding plate 14 projects inward. Also,
An elastic pressing member 9 having a configuration in which the sphere 9a is pressed into the inside of the conductive detection hole 15 by the elastic force of a compression coil spring (not shown) is provided on the inner side surface of the conductive detection hole 15, and about half of the sphere 9a is placed in the hole. It is installed with it arranged.

The inspection unit 20 provided on the right side of the holder 10 has a concave portion 21 formed on a surface facing the holder 10, and the concave portion 21 is moved by the inspection unit 20 in the E direction. Is formed so that the entire right side thereof can enter, and the portion 21a in which the slip-off preventing portion 16 enters is formed deep. In the lower part of the concave portion 21, two guide grooves 2
2 and a through hole 23 is formed between these two guide grooves 22.

The rail 4 is passed through the guide groove 22, and the right end 17 b of the pin 17 is passed through the through hole 23.
Is inserted in a non-fixed state, and a compression coil spring 19 inserts the pin 17 inside the pin 17 and the holder 1
0 and the inspection unit 20.

On the upper side of the concave portion 21, the fitting inspection member 2
4 and continuity check pins 28 are attached. The fitting inspection member 24 is formed in a substantially U-shape having a long conductive detection piece 24a and a short fitting inspection piece 24b on the distal end side (left side), and a support attached to the base end side (right side) thereof. Pin 2
5 is supported by the inspection unit 20. In particular,
A support pin 25 is inserted from the right side into a mounting hole 20a penetrating the inspection unit 20 in the horizontal direction, and is supported by fixing a pin tip protruding toward the holder 10 to a base end side of the inspection unit 20. I have. The support pin 25 is prevented from coming off by an enlarged diameter portion 25a formed on the base end side.

In the fitting inspection member 24, both ends of the compression coil spring 26 passing through the inside of the support pin 25 are regulated by a spring stopper 27 fixed to the right side of the mounting hole 20a and the fitting inspection member 24. By doing so, it is possible to advance and retreat in the left-right direction while the tip protrudes from the recess 21. The entire right side of the fitting inspection member 24 enters the deep portion 21a of the concave portion 21 as the inspection section 8 moves in the direction E.

The longer conductive detecting piece 24a is moved irrespective of the movement of the inspection section 8 in the direction E and the opposite direction, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), it is attached so as to be inserted into the conductive detection hole 15, and enters deeply by the movement of the inspection unit 8 in the E direction. At the same time, the shorter fitting inspection piece 24b
Is the connector 12 set in the connector set hole 13.
The hood 121a is inserted into a gap 136 (see FIG. 5B) between the hood 121a and the retainer 122 attached to the connector 120.

The fitting inspection member 24 is provided with the E
When moving in the direction, the conductive detecting piece 24a is moved by the sphere 9a of the elastic pressing member 9 provided in the conductive detecting hole 15 into the wall 16a.
A, the fitting inspection piece 24b does not abut the retainer 122 in the properly fitted state in that state, that is, the retainer 1
It is formed so as to pass through a predetermined fitting inspection position near the outermost portion 122 a of the outermost portion 122 a, that is, a position in sliding contact with the retainer mounting wall surface 137, and to contact only the retainer 122 in a half-fitted state. That is, the separation distance L1 between the front side surface of the conduction detecting piece 24a and the front side surface of the fitting inspection piece 24b is equal to the distance L2 from the rear side surface of the wall 16A to the outermost 122a of the normally fitted retainer 122. The dimensions of each part are set so as to be substantially the same. With this configuration, the conductive detection piece 24
Even if the thickness dimension of a is small, or the thickness dimension of the fitting inspection piece 24b is smaller than the width dimension of the gap 136, that is, even if the fitting inspection member 24 is loose, the fitting inspection can be performed accurately. Can do.

The support pin 25 and the fitting inspection pin 18
Is connected to the mating inspection connector 40, and the connector 40 is connected to a mating inspection device (not shown). When the conductive state is established, it is checked that the retainer 122 is in the normal fitting state, and when it is kept in the non-conductive state, it is inspected that the retainer 122 is in the semi-fitted state. Therefore, the fitting inspection pin 18, the fitting inspection member 2
4 and the support pins 25 are made of a conductive material. The support pin 25, the fitting inspection pin 18, the fitting inspection connector 40, and the fitting inspection member 24 (especially, the conductive detection piece 24a) constitute an electrical detection unit.

The continuity inspection pin 28 is inserted and fixed in a mounting hole 20b which penetrates the inspection part 20 in the horizontal direction, and has a tip projecting toward the holder 10 with a certain dimension. The continuity inspection pin 28 is provided at a position connectable to the female terminal 128 of the connector 120 set in the connector set hole 13.

The inspection section 20 can be moved by the lever 2 in the direction E approaching the holder 10 and in the opposite direction. More specifically, the lever 2 can rotate around the shaft 5 as shown in FIG.
The side (bend) 2 a is a cam surface whose distance from the shaft 5 is changed. For this reason, when the lever 2 is changed from the lying state A shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the upright state B shown by the two-dot chain line, the inspection unit 20 moves toward the E direction, that is, the holder 10 side, and comes into contact with the holder 10. Stop at the inspection position. As a result, as described above, the conduction detection piece 24a is inserted deep inside the conduction detection hole 15, the fitting inspection piece 24b is inserted into the gap 136, and the continuity inspection pin 28 is connected to the female terminal 128 of the connector 120. Is done.

On the other hand, when the lever 2 is returned to the lying state A, the inspection section 20 moves to the opposite side to the E direction by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 19 and returns to the original position. It abuts and stops at the standby position. In this stopped state, the connector 120 is set in the connector set hole 13 without any trouble.

Next, the operation of the thus configured connector inspection apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

After confirming that the lever 2 has returned to the sleeping state A, the connector 120 is inserted and set in the connector setting hole 13 with the retainer 122 facing sideways and the front side facing the inspection section 20 side. Then, the lever 2 is changed from the lying state A to the standing state B. As a result, the inspection unit 20 moves to the E direction side, that is, the holder 10 side, and
Stop at the inspection position where it comes into contact with zero.

At this time, when the retainer 122 is in the normal fitting state, as shown in FIG.
The entire right side of the connector enters the concave portion 21 of the inspection section 20 and makes contact therewith, and the conduction inspection pin 28 is connected to the female terminal 128 of the connector 120. Further, the fitting inspection piece 24b is
After entering the gap 136 between the retainer 122 and the hood 121a, the conductive detection piece 24a is pressed against the wall 16A by the elastic pressing member 9 so as to pass through the fitting inspection position. It passes outside the outermost 122a. Therefore, the conductive detection piece 24a is connected to the conductive detection hole 1
5 and comes into contact with the fitting inspection pin 18. Therefore, the conduction state is established between the support pin 25 and the fitting inspection pin 18, and the fitting inspection device (not shown) detects that the retainer 122 is in the normal fitting state.

On the other hand, when the retainer 122 is in the half-fitted state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the entire right side of the holder 10 enters the concave portion 21 of the inspection section 20 and comes into contact therewith. It is connected to the female terminal 128 of the connector 120 in the same manner as in the normal fitting state. However, after the fitting inspection piece 24b enters the gap 136, the retainer 12
2, the fitting inspection member 24 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the direction E and backs, so that the conduction detecting piece 24 a does not enter the inner portion of the conduction detecting hole 15 and the fitting inspection pin 24 a. 18 and non-contact. Therefore, the connection between the support pin 25 and the fitting inspection pin 18 is in a non-conductive state, and the fitting inspection device (not shown) detects that the retainer 122 is in a half-fitted state.

At the time of such an inspection, the continuity inspection pin 28 is connected to the female terminal 12 of the connector 120 regardless of whether the retainer 122 is in the normal engagement state or the half-engagement state as described above.
8, the conduction test of the female terminal 128 can be performed regardless of the state of engagement of the retainer 122.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment,
When the fitting inspection piece 24b comes into contact with the outermost part 122a of the retainer 122, the fitting inspection member 24 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the direction E, so that the retainer 122 can be prevented from being damaged. The fitting inspection device (not shown) uses the retainer 1 based on the conduction state between the support pin 25 and the fitting inspection pin 18 via the fitting inspection member 24.
Since it is possible to electrically detect the quality of the fitted state of 22, it is possible to reliably inspect the quality of the fitted state of the retainer. Further, when the inspection unit 20 is moved closer to the holder 10 by the lever 2, the conduction inspection pin 28 is connected to the female terminal 128 regardless of whether the retainer is fitted properly. Based on the continuity test contents and the mating test contents, whether only the mating state of the retainer is bad, only the terminal mounting state is bad, or both the mating state of the retainer and the terminal mounting state are bad Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether both the fitted state of the retainer and the attached state of the terminal are good.

In the embodiment described above, since the elastic pressing member 9 presses the conductive detecting piece 24a against the wall 16A,
The distance between the wall 16A and the retainer mounting wall 137 can be set to a predetermined value. At this time, from the conduction detecting piece 24a to the retainer mounting wall 137 of the fitting inspection piece 24b.
Since the distance up to L1 is defined as L1, the fitting test piece 2
4b can pass through the retainer mounting wall 137 in sliding contact, and therefore, it is possible to reliably detect even a half-fitted state in which the retainer 120 covered by the hood slightly protrudes from the retainer mounting wall. Will be possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the conductive detecting piece 2
4a is provided on the distal end side of the fitting inspection member 24 similarly to the fitting inspection piece 24b, and the fitting inspection pin 18 is provided on the E direction side of the conductive detection piece 24a. Although it is configured to detect, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Although illustration is omitted, for example, the conduction detection piece 24a is provided on the base end side of the fitting inspection member 24 so as to be on the opposite side to the fitting inspection piece 24b, and the fitting inspection pin 18 is connected to the E of the conduction detection piece 24a. It may be provided on the opposite side to the direction to detect the state when the retainer is half-fitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the connector to be inspected is a connector in which the outermost portion of the retainer is substantially the same as the terminal mounting portion and does not protrude outward. However, the present invention is not limited to such an object to be inspected. It is possible to inspect.
For example, a connector with a hood in which the outermost portion of the retainer protrudes from the terminal mounting portion with an arbitrary dimension, or a hooded connector in which the outermost surface is flush with the side surface of the terminal mounting portion can be the inspection target. In that case, the separation distance L
1 and the distance L2 are set as appropriate, and the fitting inspection position, which is separated from the side surface of the terminal mounting portion by a certain value outward, is set to the fitting test piece 24.
What is necessary is just to let b pass.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the connector 120 to which the retainer 122 and the second housing 123 are sequentially mounted in the hood 121a of the first housing 121 is to be inspected. However, the inspection target of the device of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
The connector 140 may be of a type in which the second housing 143 is mounted in the hood 141a of the first housing 141 in this state.

Further, as the connector to be inspected by the apparatus of the present invention, not only the connector in which the hood covers a part of the terminal mounting portion as in the above-described embodiment, but also the connector in which the hood covers the entire terminal mounting portion. Of course, the inspection can be performed similarly.

Further, according to the present invention, the connector set hole 13 is provided.
The connector 120 (140) may be set such that the retainer 122 (142) is oriented sideways on the front side.

The connector to be inspected by the apparatus of the present invention also includes a connector without a hood. In this case, the outer surface of the connector is a direct terminal mounting portion, and when the retainer is in a half-fitted state, the connector is not connected. Since a part of the retainer protrudes outside the connector, the connector set hole can be slightly widened so that the protruding portion passes, and the fitting test piece can be passed by using the gap.

[0052]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the connector is held with the terminal inserted into the connector housing facing the inspection section by the holder, and the inspection section is held by the holder. Is relatively moved closer, the fitting test piece approaches the retainer mounting portion. After that, the fitting test piece that passes through a predetermined position near the outside of the retainer mounting wall surface, while in the retainer proper fitting state, the tip passes through the position near the outside of the retainer mounting portion while being in the advanced state, while the retainer is half-fitted. In the state, the tip comes into contact with a part of the retainer, and is in a retracted state against the elastic force of the elastic means. Accordingly, when the fitting test piece comes into contact with the retainer, the retainer is backed, so that the retainer can be prevented from being damaged. Then, the electrical detection means checks whether the retainer is in the normal fitting state or the half-fitting state based on the advanced state and the retracted state of the fitting test piece. Therefore, it is possible to reliably inspect whether the retainer is in the fit state.

When approached by the moving means,
Since the continuity inspection pin is connected to the terminal, the continuity inspection of the terminal can be performed. It is possible to determine whether the state is bad, whether both the fitted state of the retainer and the attached state of the terminal are bad, or whether both the fitted state of the retainer and the attached state of the terminal are good.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
Since the elastic pressing member presses the conductive detecting piece against the side wall surface of the concave portion of the conductive detecting hole, the distance between the wall surface and the retainer mounting wall surface can be set to a predetermined value. At this time, since the distance from the conductive detection piece to the retainer mounting wall surface of the fitting inspection piece is specified, it is possible to allow the fitting inspection piece to slide through the retainer mounting wall surface, and therefore,
Even when the retainer covered with the hood slightly projects from the retainer mounting wall surface, it is possible to reliably detect the half-fitted state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view (partial sectional view) showing the connector inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view (omitted of electric wires) showing a main part of the connector inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector to be inspected by the connector inspection device of the present invention.

5A is a cross-sectional view showing a temporarily locked state of the connector of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a fully locked state of the connector of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where a connector to be inspected is inspected by the connector inspection apparatus of the present invention;
(A) shows the case where the retainer is in the normal fitting state, and (b) shows the case where the retainer is in the half-fitting state.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing another example of a connector to be inspected which can be inspected by the connector inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector inspection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Lever 10 Holder 13 Connector Set Hole 18 Fitting Inspection Pin (Electric Detection Means) 20 Inspection Unit 24 Fitting Inspection Member 24a Conduction Detection Piece (Electrical Detection Means) 24b Fitting Inspection Piece 25 Support Pin (Electrical Detection Means) 120) Hooded connector 121 First connector housing (terminal mounting part) 121a Hood 122 Retainer 123 Second connector housing (terminal mounting part) 127 Terminal mounting hole 136 Gap 137 Retainer mounting wall surface

Claims (2)

[Claims] An object to be inspected is a connector having a connector housing in which a terminal is inserted and mounted in a cavity of a terminal mounting portion and a retainer which is mounted in the terminal mounting portion so as to prevent the terminal from coming off. The terminal is in a regular engagement state in which the terminal does not protrude beyond a certain value with respect to the retainer mounting wall surface of the terminal mounting portion, or the retainer is half-engaged with the terminal and a part of the terminal is in contact with the retainer mounting wall surface. A connector inspection device for inspecting whether the connector is in a semi-mated state protruding by a certain value or more, comprising: a holder for holding the connector; Moving means for relatively moving the holder and the inspection section toward and away from each other, wherein the holder holds the connector with the terminal inserted into the connector housing facing the inspection section. The inspection unit is configured such that a fitting inspection piece that passes through a predetermined position near the outside of the retainer mounting wall during the contact and separation movement by the moving unit is within a certain range in the contact and separation movement direction by the elastic unit. At the time of approaching movement by the moving means,
When the retainer is in the normal fitting state, the fitting test piece tip passes through the retainer mounting portion in the advanced state, while, when the retainer is in the half-fitted state, the fitting test piece tip contacts the part of the retainer. And electrical detection means for outputting an electrical signal corresponding to the reciprocating operation of the fitting inspection piece, and a continuity inspection pin connected to the terminal by approaching movement by the moving means. A connector inspection device, comprising: 2. The connector to be inspected has a hood that covers at least a terminal mounting portion to which the retainer is attached with a predetermined gap, and the retainer does not protrude from the retainer mounting wall in a regular fitting state, and A connector having a hood in which a retainer protrudes from a retainer mounting wall surface in a fitted state, wherein the electrical detection means has a conductive detection piece provided integrally with the fitting test piece in parallel with the fitting test piece; A recess for receiving the connector with the retainer in the horizontal direction, a conductive detection hole for inserting the conductive detection piece into the retainer side of the housing connector in the concave portion, and a conductive detection piece inserted into the conductive detection hole. An elastic pressing member that presses against the concave side, and retains the fitting test piece from the conductive detection piece so that the fitting test piece comes into sliding contact with the retainer mounting wall surface. 2. The connector inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a distance to the surface on the side of the connector mounting wall surface is defined.