JP2003187942A - Assembly support device of connector pin - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To position the rotation direction of the connector pin T in a correct position. <P>SOLUTION: The device is combined of a holding mechanism 10, a drive mechanism 20 that is provided at the back of the holding mechanism, and a sensor S, S... that is provided at the front of the holding mechanism 10. The drive mechanism 20 rotates a cable C that extends to the back of the holding mechanism 10 and can position the rotating direction of the connector pin T that protrudes to the front of the holding mechanism 10 through the sensor S, S.... <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector assembly assisting device capable of automatically aligning a rotational position of a connector pin when the connector pin is inserted into a connector housing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a connector used in various automatic machines, a type in which an electric wire with a connector pin is assembled in a connector housing is widely used.

In this type of connector, a connector pin is attached to an electric wire, the relative position and rotation position of the connector pin are properly aligned with the insertion opening of the connector housing, and then the connector pin is inserted into the connector housing. Lock and attach to connector housing to assemble. Under the present circumstances, a series of assembling works including a rotating position adjusting work of the connector pins are performed manually.

[0004]

However, according to the prior art, there is a problem that the connector assembly work cannot be fully automated because the rotational position of the connector pins is a bottleneck.

In view of the problems of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to assemble the connector by automatically aligning the rotational positions of the connector pins by combining the holding mechanism, the drive mechanism, and the sensor. It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly assisting device for a connector that can achieve full automation of work.

[0006]

The structure of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a holding mechanism for rotatably holding an electric wire with a connector pin, and a drive mechanism for rotating an electric wire extending behind the holding mechanism. The gist of the present invention is to include a sensor that detects an appropriate position in the rotation direction of the connector pin that projects forward from the holding mechanism.

The holding mechanism can hold the electric wire through a holding block that can be opened and closed.

Further, the drive mechanism can be provided with a pair of drive bodies which sandwich the electric wire and apply rotational forces in mutually opposite directions.

Further, at least one of the holding mechanism and the driving mechanism may be movable back and forth.

The sensor may be provided with a plurality of sets for detecting the connector pins from different directions, and may be retractable from the front of the holding mechanism.

[0011]

According to the structure of the invention, the holding mechanism is
The electric wire with the connector pin can be rotatably held loosely, and the drive mechanism can rotate the electric wire until the sensor detects the proper position in the rotating direction of the connector pin and rotationally align the connector pin. . Therefore, it is possible to complete the assembly of the connector pin by inserting the connector pin into the insertion opening of the connector housing while maintaining the rotation position at an appropriate position. However, the proper position referred to here means the optimum rotational position of the connector pin for inserting the connector pin into the connector housing. The drive mechanism is
The electric wire may be rotated reciprocally 180 ° or more back and forth, or may be rotated 360 ° or more in one direction. Also, the sensor is
It is preferable to use a non-contact type optical sensor that emits light so as to intersect with the connector pin projecting forward of the holding mechanism.

The holding mechanism for holding the electric wire via the holding block can easily attach and detach the electric wire of an arbitrary length by opening the holding block and close the holding block to hold the electric wire.

The pair of drive members of the drive mechanism sandwiches the electric wire and applies rotational forces in opposite directions to the electric wire,
The wire can be rotated while holding it in place.
It should be noted that it is preferable to attach a slip stopper such as a rubber material having a large friction coefficient to each driving body in order to prevent the electric wires from slipping. However, as the driving body, a pair of plate bodies, belts, rollers and the like can be used.

By moving the holding mechanism and the driving mechanism in directions away from each other, the connector pin is held in front of the holding mechanism to apply an appropriate tension to the electric wire to correct the bending of the electric wire, and The mounting strength can be inspected. One or both of the holding mechanism and the drive mechanism may be movable.

The plural sets of sensors can detect the connector pins from different directions, and can detect the proper position of the connector pins more accurately.

When the sensor is retracted from the front of the holding mechanism, the connector pin that projects forward of the holding mechanism and is aligned in an appropriate position can be easily inserted into the connector housing. The connector pin may be inserted into the connector housing by advancing the holding mechanism, or may be inserted by moving the connector housing toward the holding mechanism.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The connector assembly assisting device is provided with a holding mechanism 10.
A drive mechanism 20 behind the holding mechanism 10 and the holding mechanism 1
0 front sensors S, S ... (Fig. 1). However, the sensors S, S ... Are mounted on the opening / closing mechanism 30.

The holding mechanism 10 is constructed by combining holding blocks 11a and 11b which are openably and closably connected via a hinge 11c and a cylinder 12 which drives the holding blocks 11a and 11b to open and close. Upper and lower holding block 1
Front and rear holding grooves 11a1 and 11b1 facing each other are formed on the upper and lower end surfaces of 1a and 11b, respectively, and the lower holding block 11a is mounted on the mover 15a of the linear motor 15 via the bracket 11d. It is installed upright. The movable plate 15a of the linear motor 15 has a mounting plate 1
The upwardly facing cylinder 12 is mounted via 2d,
The cylinder 12 is connected to the upper holding block 11b via a link 12c. The cylinder 12 is
Regardless of FIG. 1, the holding block 11b on the upper side may be opened and closed in the opposite direction with the linear motor 15 positioned on the opposite side.

Therefore, the holding mechanism 10 can shorten the cylinder 12 to open the holding blocks 11a and 11b (solid line in FIG. 1), at this time, the lower holding block 11
The electric wire C with the connector pin T can be attached to and detached from the holding groove 11a1 of "a" (two-dot chain line and solid line in the figure).
Further, the holding mechanism 10 can extend the cylinder 12 to close the holding blocks 11a and 11b (two-dot chain line in the figure) and hold the electric wire C rotatably loosely through the holding grooves 11a1 and 11b1. . Further, the holding mechanism 10
Can operate the linear motor 15 to move it back and forth (in the direction of arrow K1 in the figure).

The drive mechanism 20 includes a pair of drive bodies 21, 21.
And linear motors 22 and 22 for individually driving the driving bodies 21 and 21 up and down (FIGS. 1 and 2). Each of the driving bodies 21 and 21 is a bent plate body whose upper portions face each other in parallel.
Anti-slip 21a, 21a is attached. Further, each driving body 21 is fixed upward to a mover 22 a of a linear motor 22, and the linear motor 22 includes the bracket 2
2b through the guide rail 25a of the base frame 25
The slider 26 is slidably engaged with the slider 26.
Each bracket 22b is connected to a cylinder 27 of both shafts fixed to the lower surface of the base frame 25 via a downwardly extending tongue piece 22b1.

Therefore, the drive mechanism 20 expands and contracts the cylinder 27 to open and close the driving bodies 21 and 21 (solid line and two-dot chain line in FIG. 2), and the driving bodies 21 and 21 in the closed state are prevented from slipping.
The electric wire C extending rearward of the holding mechanism 10 can be sandwiched via the 1a and 21a. However, cylinder 27
Shall expand and contract the rods on both sides simultaneously by the same amount. Further, the drive mechanism 20 operates the linear motors 22 and 22 in synchronism with each other to reciprocally drive the drive bodies 21 and 21 in the opposite directions up and down (arrows K2 and K2 directions in FIG. 2), so that the directions opposite to each other are obtained. By applying a rotational force to the electric wire C, the electric wire C can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions while being held in a fixed position (direction of arrow Ka in the figure).

The opening / closing mechanism 30 includes upper and lower opening / closing members 31, 3
1 is a drive arm 32a of the open / close drive unit 32, 32a
It is configured by connecting to (FIGS. 1 and 3). Opening / closing member 3
1 and 31 have inspection grooves 31a and 3 having semicircular cross sections, respectively.
1a is formed, and a taper portion 31a1 is formed at the rear portion of each inspection groove 31a (FIGS. 3 and 4).
(A)). However, FIG. 4 (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line Z1-Z1 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 (B) is the same figure (A).
2 is a sectional view taken along line Z2-Z2 of FIG.

The opening / closing member 31 on the upper side has through holes 31b, 31b ... Opened in the front part of the inspection groove 31a vertically and horizontally, and the opening / closing member 31 on the lower side has vertically formed through holes 31b. ing. The vertical through holes 31b and 31b are provided for the opening / closing member 3.
When 1 and 31 are closed, they are arranged on the same straight line with one side of the common axis A of the inspection grooves 31a and 31a shifted, and the horizontal through holes 31b and 31b are shifted above the axis A and are aligned with each other. They are arranged on a straight line. The sensors S, S ... are fixed to the opening / closing members 31, 31 as pairs of light emitters and light receivers toward the through holes 31b, 31b on the same straight line. That is, the sensors S, S of each set facing each other through the through holes 31b, 31b are arranged at right angles in different directions with respect to the sensors S, S of another set.

Therefore, the opening / closing mechanism 30 operates the opening / closing drive unit 32 to close the opening / closing members 31, 31, and the connector pin T protruding to the front surface of the holding mechanism 10 is provided with the inspection groove 31.
a, 31a (two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, FIG. 4), at this time, the pin portion T1 at the tip of the connector pin T
Crosses the opening positions of the through holes 31b, 31b .... Also,
The opening / closing mechanism 30 can open the opening / closing members 31, 31 via the opening / closing drive unit 32 (solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 3) to retract the sensors S, S ... From the front of the holding mechanism 10.

The connector assembly assisting apparatus operates as follows.

The holding mechanism 10 is retracted via the linear motor 15, and the cylinder 12 is shortened to hold the holding block 11.
Open a and 11b (solid lines in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5A). In addition, the drive mechanism 20 extends the cylinder 27 to open the drive bodies 21 and 21 (solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 5B), and sets the drive bodies 21 and 21 at the same height via the linear motors 22 and 22. The opening / closing mechanism 30 opens the opening / closing members 31, 31 via the opening / closing drive unit 32 (solid line in FIG. 1) to retract the sensors S, S ... From the front of the holding mechanism 10.

Then, the electric wire C with the connector pin T is carried in on the lower holding block 11a (FIGS. 1 and 5 (A)).
2) and the holding blocks 11a and 11b are closed to hold the electric wire C. In addition, the driving body 21 of the driving mechanism 20,
21 is closed and the electric wire C extending to the rear of the holding mechanism 10 is sandwiched (two-dot chain line in FIG. 5B).

Next, when the holding mechanism 10 is moved forward through the linear motor 15 (direction of arrow K1 in FIG. 5C, two-dot chain line), the holding blocks 11a and 11b push the rear end of the connector pin T. Pull the wire C forward,
Bending is corrected by the tension from the holding blocks 11a and 11b, and the connector pin T is held by the holding blocks 11a and 11b.
Properly project at a right angle in front of b. At this time, the mounting strength of the connector pin T on the electric wire C can be inspected.

After that, the opening / closing members 31, 3 of the opening / closing mechanism 30.
When 1 is closed, the connector pin T has the inspection grooves 31a, 31a.
(FIG. 5 (D)), the drive members 21, 21 of the drive mechanism 20 are reciprocally moved in opposite directions to rotate the wire C in the forward and reverse directions (arrow in FIG. 5 (E)). Ka direction), and the appropriate position in the rotation direction of the connector pin T is detected via the sensors S, S ....

That is, when the pin portion T1 of the connector pin T pivots around the axis A in the inspection grooves 31a, 31a (solid lines in FIGS. 6A to 6D, chain lines).
Light Sa and Sb from the upper and lower sensors S and S, the light emitters of the left and right sensors S and S are individually blocked, and the light from the light sensors of the upper and lower sensors S and S and the light receivers of the left and right sensors S and S are intercepted. The light levels Sa1 and Sb1 change as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Therefore, the light level Sa1 from the upper and lower sensors S, S is at a low level, and the light level Sb1 from the left and right sensors S, S becomes the peak P, so that the pin portion T1 becomes horizontal above the axis A. Is detected at the appropriate position (Fig.
(Solid line in (A)), linear motors 22, 2 of drive mechanism 20
2 can be stopped and the rotation of the electric wire C can be stopped. However, in FIG. 6, the pin portion T1 is 3 around the axis A.
The case of rotating by 60 ° is shown, and FIG. 7 shows an example of changes in the light levels Sa1 and Sb1 at that time.

After that, the opening / closing members 31, 3 of the opening / closing mechanism 30.
1 is opened to retract the sensors S, S ..., The driving bodies 21, 21 of the driving mechanism 20 are opened to release the electric wire C, and the holding mechanism 10 is further advanced (two-dot chain line in FIG. 5F). , The connector pin T is inserted into the connector housing W. However, the connector housing W positions the insertion port for inserting the connector pin T at an appropriate position in front of the holding mechanism 10 and stands by. Next, the holding blocks 11a and 11
After opening b, the holding mechanism 10 is retracted, and thereafter, the same operation is repeated, so that the electric wires C, C ... With the connector pins T can be assembled in the connector housing W in order.

In the above description, at the proper position in the rotational direction of the connector pin T, the pin portion T1 has the inspection grooves 31a, 31a.
Instead of being horizontal above the axis A, the shape may be horizontal below the axis A, or vertical to the right or left of the axis A, depending on the shape of the insertion port of the connector housing W. It may be set to any rotation position such as Further, instead of advancing the holding mechanism 10 and inserting the connector pin T into the connector housing W, the connector housing W may be moved toward the holding mechanism 10. At this time, the holding mechanism 10 is driven by the drive mechanism 2.
0 may be fixed between the opening / closing mechanism 30 and the drive mechanism 20 may be movable back and forth.

Further, the upper and lower sensors S, S and the left and right sensors S, S have vertical through holes 31b, 31b and horizontal through holes 31.
If the pin portion T1 of the connector pin T can be detected via b and 31b, it may be separated back and forth on the opening / closing members 31 and 31, or may be arranged at any different relative angle other than the right angle. Note that the sensors S, S ... May be retracted from the front surface of the holding mechanism 10 via any other retracting mechanism instead of the opening / closing mechanism 30.

[0035]

[Other Embodiments] Holding block 11 of holding mechanism 10
The sliding members 11a2 and 11b2 made of plastic or the like having a small friction coefficient may be attached to the inner surfaces of the holding grooves 11a1 and 11b1 (a and 11b) (FIG. 8). However, FIG.
(C) is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG. The holding blocks 11a and 11b are
The electric wire C can be held via the sliding members 11a2 and 11b2 ((A) and (B) in the same figure), and the electric wire C can be smoothly rotated and relatively moved back and forth.

Further, semi-cylindrical insertion portions 11a3 and 11b3 extending from the holding grooves 11a1 and 11b1 may be provided on the front surfaces of the holding blocks 11a and 11b so as to project therefrom ((A) and (C) in the figure). ). Inserts 11a3, 11b3
While pressing the rear end of the connector pin T, the connector pin T
Can be inserted into the connector housing W, and the connector pin T can be reliably pushed to a predetermined lock position of the connector housing W.

The drive members 21, 21 of the drive mechanism 20 may be a pair of belts (FIG. 9 (A)).

The belt as each driving body 21 is wound around the upper and lower rollers 23a, 23a.
The a and 23a are mounted on a movable frame 23c that can be opened and closed left and right. A guide member 23b is provided between the rollers 23a, 23a to guide the side of the driving body 21 that contacts the electric wire C. Therefore, the driver 21,
By closing the moving frames 23c and 23c, sandwiching the electric wire C and rotating the electric wires C in opposite directions, the electric wire C can be rotated while being held in a fixed position.

The driving bodies 21, 21 may be a pair of rollers mounted on the movable frames 24a, 24a which can be opened and closed to the left and right (FIG. 1B). The driving bodies 21 and 21 can close the moving frames 24a and 24a, sandwich the electric wire C, and rotate in opposite directions to rotate the electric wire C on the support member 24b.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the driving mechanism extends rearward of the holding mechanism by combining the holding mechanism for holding the electric wire with the connector pin, the driving mechanism and the sensor. By rotating the wire, the rotational position of the connector pin protruding forward of the holding mechanism can be aligned with the appropriate position that fits the insertion port of the connector housing through the sensor, so the rotational position of the connector pin is automatically There is an excellent effect that it is possible to carry out alignment and fully automate the assembly work of the connector.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall configuration

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to arrow X in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to the arrow Y of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged configuration explanatory diagram of main parts.

[Fig. 5] Operation explanatory diagram (1)

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram (2)

[Fig. 7] Operation explanatory diagram

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a main part configuration showing another embodiment (1)

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a main part configuration showing another embodiment (2)

[Explanation of symbols]

C ... electric wire T ... Connector pin S ... sensor 10 ... Holding mechanism 11a, 11b ... Holding block 20 ... Drive mechanism 21 ... Driver

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A holding mechanism for rotatably holding an electric wire with a connector pin, a drive mechanism for rotating an electric wire extending to the rear of the holding mechanism, and an appropriate rotating direction of a connector pin protruding forward of the holding mechanism. A connector assembly assisting device comprising a position detecting sensor. 2. The connector assembly auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism holds the electric wire via a holding block that can be opened and closed. 3. The connector assembly assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a pair of drive bodies that sandwich the electric wire and apply rotational forces in mutually opposite directions. 4. The at least one of the holding mechanism and the drive mechanism is movable back and forth.
An assembly assisting device for a connector according to claim 3. 5. The assembly assisting device for a connector according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided with a plurality of sets for detecting the connector pins from different directions. 6. The connector assembly assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is retractable from the front of the holding mechanism.