JP2014137919A - Incomplete terminal insertion detection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve performance to detect that a terminal fitting is in an incomplete insertion state.SOLUTION: An incomplete terminal insertion detection structure includes: a connector 10 including a lance 13 provided in an elastically deformable manner in a cavity 12 so as to be engaged with a terminal fitting 30 to prevent the terminal fitting from being removed; and an inspection jig 40 including an incomplete insertion detection pin 50 made of a synthetic resin and protruding so as to enter a deformation allowable space 15 for the lance 13 in the connector 10. Second detected parts 23 retracted by a predetermined dimension are formed in part of an area of a tip surface 20 of the lance 13 close to the deformation allowable space 15 side in the plate thickness direction of the lance 13, and a guide groove 52 for allowing a first detected part 24 to enter therein is formed on the incomplete insertion detection pin 50 from its tip surface toward the back side in the entering direction, the first detected part 24 being the remaining area in the area 21 where the second detected parts 23 are formed in the tip surface 20 of the lance 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal half-insertion detection structure that detects whether or not a terminal fitting is properly inserted in a connector using a jig.

  In general, a connector is inserted into a cavity of a synthetic resin housing with a terminal fitting connected to the end of the wire, and the terminal fitting is elastically directed toward the allowable space by bending the lance provided in the cavity. The lance is elastically displaced to its original posture and locked to the terminal fitting when it is pushed in while being deflected and inserted to the proper position, so that the terminal fitting is prevented from being detached and accommodated.

  Conventionally, for such a connector, a half-insertion detection structure for detecting whether or not a terminal fitting is properly inserted in a cavity of a housing is described in Patent Document 1 below. This is provided with a holder for holding a connector to be inspected, and a slider provided so as to be movable toward and away from the holder in a form opposed to the held connector. A synthetic resin half-insertion detection pin that protrudes toward the allowable space, and the half-insertion detection pin that protrudes toward the connector integrally with the half-insertion detection pin bends and enters a predetermined amount into the allowable space. In this case, a metal continuity test pin that advances to a position where it can come into contact with the terminal fitting is provided in a pair.

  In the inspection, the connector is held by the holder, and the slider that has been in the retracted position is advanced toward the holder. When the terminal fitting is properly inserted into the cavity and locked by the lance, the corresponding half-insertion detection pin provided on the slider enters the allowable deflection space of the lance while it is paired with the continuity. When the inspection pin comes into contact with the terminal fitting, electrical continuity is obtained, thereby detecting that the terminal fitting is properly inserted into the cavity.

  On the other hand, when the terminal fitting is not inserted to the normal position in the cavity, that is, when it is kept in the half-inserted state, the lance is held in a state where it is bent in the bending allowable space, When the slider is advanced, the corresponding half-insertion detection pin comes into contact with the tip surface of the lance in the bent state and cannot enter the bending allowable space any more, and accordingly the continuity test pin is connected to the terminal. By staying in the position on the near side where it cannot come into contact with the metal fitting, electrical continuity is not taken, and this makes it possible to detect that the terminal metal fitting is not properly inserted into the cavity, that is, in a semi-inserted state. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-161429

By the way, when the terminal fitting is held in the half-inserted state as described above, there is a possibility that the amount of bending of the lance toward the bending allowable space side varies. If the amount of bending is small, a gap will be created between the tip of the lance and the upper surface of the bending allowance space, and when the half-insertion detection pin has advanced, it may be forced to break into the gap and enter a normal amount. The continuity test pin is allowed to contact the terminal fitting. That is, although the terminal fitting is in the half-inserted state, it is erroneously detected that it is properly inserted.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to further improve the detection capability of the terminal fitting being in a half-inserted state.

  The present invention inspects a connector provided with a housing having a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted, and a lance provided in the cavity so as to be elastically deflectable so as to be locked to the terminal fitting to prevent it from coming off. A holder that holds the power connector, a slider that is movable in the direction of contact with and away from the holder in a form facing the connector held by the holder, and a deflection of the lance at the connector that is provided on the slider A synthetic resin half-insertion detection pin protruding so as to be able to enter the permissible space, and the half-insertion detection pin projecting toward the connector side integrally with the half-insertion detection pin. An end consisting of an inspection jig provided with a metal continuity inspection pin that advances to a position where it can come into contact with the terminal fitting when a fixed amount enters. In the half-insertion detection structure, a second detected portion that is retracted by a predetermined dimension from the front end surface of the lance is located at a part of the front end surface of the lance that is closer to the bending allowable space side in the thickness direction of the lance. On the other hand, the half-insertion detection pin is a relief that allows the first detected portion, which is the remaining region of the region where the second detected portion is formed on the tip surface of the lance, to enter. The groove is characterized in that it is formed from the front end surface toward the rear in the approach direction.

When the terminal fitting is properly inserted into the cavity and locked by the lance, the half-insertion detection pin enters the bending allowance space of the lance and the continuity test pin contacts the terminal fitting to Conduction is taken, which ensures that the terminal fitting is properly inserted into the cavity.
When the terminal fitting is fastened in the cavity in a half-inserted state, the lance is in a state of being bent into the allowable space. Here, if the amount of bending of the lance is large, further entry is restricted by the tip surface of the half-insertion detection pin that has entered approaching the tip surface of the lance.
If the amount of lance deflection is small, the area of the lance tip face that is closer to the bending allowance space will face the area on the tip face of the half-insertion detection pin where the relief groove is provided. The pin enters the gap between the lance and the bending allowance space while inserting the first detected portion of the above-mentioned region in the tip surface of the lance into the escape groove, and the tip surface of the half-insertion detection pin is in the middle of the lance. 2 A further entry is restricted by contacting the detected part.

In any case, because the half-insertion detection pin cannot bend into the allowable space by a normal amount, the continuity test pin stays in the position on the near side where it cannot contact the terminal fitting, and electrical continuity is not taken. It is inspected to be in the half-insertion state.
In other words, even when the terminal fitting is in the half-inserted state and the lance is deflected, it can be reliably inspected that the terminal fitting is in the half-inserted state.
In order to form a relief groove on the tip surface of the half-insertion detection pin, the tip portion of the half-insertion detection pin needs to be correspondingly thickened. As a result, the tip portion can be strengthened.

Further, the second detected portion formed on the tip surface of the lance may be arranged at a symmetrical position across the center line in the width direction of the lance.
In this configuration, the semi-insertion detection pin can be more reliably detected when the second detection portion receives the semi-insertion detection pin that enters in a well-balanced manner and reliably stops and the lance deflection amount is small.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to further improve the detection capability of the terminal fitting being in a half-inserted state.

Plan sectional drawing of the state before the inspection which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Lance perspective view Perspective view of half-insertion detection pin Plan sectional view at the time of inspection when the female terminal is properly inserted Plan sectional view at the time of inspection when the female terminal is in the half insertion state and the lance is in the first bending displacement state FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a contact portion between the half-insertion detection pin and the lance. Schematic showing the contact area in FIG. Plan sectional view at the time of inspection when the female terminal is in the half insertion state and the lance is in the second bending displacement state FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view showing a contact portion between the half-insertion detection pin and the lance. Schematic showing the contact area in FIG. The perspective view of the lance which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. Perspective view of half-insertion detection pin The perspective view of the lance which concerns on Embodiment 3. Perspective view of half-insertion detection pin

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the connector 10 inspected using the inspection jig 40 of the present embodiment will be described. The connector 10 is a female-side connector and includes a female-side housing 11 made of synthetic resin. In the housing 11, a cavity 12 into which a female terminal 30 can be inserted from the rear is formed. A lance 13 is provided at the ceiling of the cavity 12 to lock the female terminal 30 in a retaining state.

  The lance 13 has a locking projection 14 at a position near the tip of the lower surface and has a shape that extends forward in a cantilevered manner. 15 is elastically bent and displaceable. The front of the lance 13 and the bending allowance space 15 is open to the front surface of the housing 11, and this opening is a jig insertion hole 16 used for inserting a release jig to unlock the lance 13. ing.

When the female terminal 30 is inserted into the cavity 12, the female terminal 30 is pushed in while elastically deflecting and displacing the lance 13 toward the bending allowable space 15, and is inserted to a normal position where it hits the front wall 17 of the cavity 12. When the lance hole 31 provided in the female terminal 30 corresponds to the position of the locking projection 14, the lance 13 is elastically restored to the original posture, and the locking projection 14 is fitted into the lance hole 31 and locked. Thus, the female terminal 30 is prevented from being detached and accommodated.
On the other hand, when the female terminal 30 is not inserted to the normal position in the cavity 12, the lance 13 is pushed up by the female terminal 30 and elastically enters the bending allowance space 15 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. It is in the form as bent.

Next, the inspection jig 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The inspection jig 40 is provided with a holder 41 on one side of an elongated base (not shown), and on the opposite side, a slider 45 is equipped so as to be slidable in a direction contacting and separating from the holder 41. .
Below, in the holder 41 and the slider 45, the surface which each opposed the other party is demonstrated as a front surface.
A connector insertion groove 42 is formed in the holder 41, and the connector 10 to be inspected is inserted into the connector insertion groove 42 from an upper surface opening (not shown), and the front surface of the housing 11 is flush with the front surface of the holder 41 at a predetermined height position. In this form, it is held so that it cannot move in the front-rear direction.

On the front surface of the slider 45, a pair of half-insertion detection pins 50 and a continuity test pin 60 project in parallel at a position facing the cavity 12 of the connector 10 accommodated in the holder 41.
The half-insertion detection pin 50 is made of a synthetic resin, and will be described in detail later. Note that the base side is thick and reinforced.
The half-insertion detecting pin 50 is inserted into the jig toward the bending allowable space 15 of the lance 13 in the cavity 12 of the housing 11 held in the holder 41 as the slider 45 advances toward the holder 41 side. It functions to enter through the hole 16.

On the other hand, the continuity test pin 60 is made of metal and is formed in a form in which the protruding length is shorter than the half-insertion detection pin 50 described above. The continuity test pin 60 can advance integrally with the half-insertion detection pin 50 as the slider 45 advances, and when the half-insertion detection pin 50 enters a predetermined amount into the bending allowance space 15, the housing 11 Through the opening 18 formed in the front wall 17, the front end portion of the female terminal 30, specifically, the folded portion of the elastic contact piece 32 is contacted.
A lead wire (not shown) is drawn from the rear end of the continuity test pin 60 and connected to a predetermined continuity test circuit.

Now, in this embodiment, a means for more reliably performing the half insertion detection of the female terminal 30 is taken.
First, in the distal end surface 20 of the lance 13 provided in the cavity 12 of the housing 11 of the connector 10, as shown in FIG. A pair of second detected parts 23 are formed in a form in which both end parts are moved backward by one step. Further, the remaining central portion becomes the first detected portion 24.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip portion of the half-insertion detection pin 50 having a horizontally long rectangular cross section has substantially the same width as the tip portion of the lance 13 described above and the height of the bending allowance space 15 (of the lance 13). The plate thickness is comparable to the vertical dimension between the upper surface and the ceiling surface 15A of the bending-permissible space 15 (see FIG. 4). Hereinafter, the tip surface of the half-insertion detection pin 50 is referred to as a detection surface 51.
A relief groove 52 that allows entry of the central first detected portion 24 in the band-like region 21 of the lance 13 is formed by cutting from the detection surface 51 at the center in the width direction on the lower surface of the half-insertion detection pin 50. Has been. The escape groove 52 has a depth of a little less than half of the plate thickness. In other words, the relief groove 52 has ribs 53 on both sides of the escape groove 52.

The relationship of the height position of the half-insertion detection pin 50 with respect to the connector 10 held in the holder 41 is as shown in FIG. 1 when the female terminal 30 is normally inserted and the lance 13 returns to the original posture. The half-insertion detection pin 50 is in a position where it can enter the flexure allowable space 15 provided in the housing 11 without interfering with the lance 13.
When the female terminal 30 is kept in the half-inserted state, and particularly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lance 13 is in a state of being greatly deflected and displaced toward the deflection allowable space 15 side (first deflection displacement state), The detection surface 51 of the half-insertion detection pin 50 can be brought into contact with an approximately 2/3 region on the upper side of the tip surface 20 of the lance 13.

Similarly, although the female terminal 30 is kept in the half-inserted state, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lance 13 is relatively small toward the bending allowable space 15 (about half the height of the bending allowable space 15). When the pressed state is held (second bending displacement state), the detection surface 51 of the half-insertion detection pin 50 faces from the band-like region 21 of the tip surface 20 of the lance 13 to the region above it, In particular, both ribs 53 on the lower surface side of the half-insertion detection pin 50 are in positions where they can contact the second detected portions 23 provided at both ends of the band-like region 21 of the lance 13.
In other words, the second detected portion 23 formed at the one-stage depth of the distal end surface 20 of the lance 13 has both ribs of the half-insertion detection pin 50 when the lance 13 has a small amount of bending (second bending displacement state). The retreat dimension from the front end surface 20 is set so as to come to a position facing 53.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. Whether or not the female terminal 30 is normally inserted into the cavity 12 of the connector 10 is detected by the following procedure.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the connector 10 is inserted and held in the connector insertion groove 42 of the holder 41 in the inspection jig 40, the slider 45 slides toward the holder 41 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Moved.
Here, when the female terminal 30 is properly inserted into the cavity 12 and is locked by the lance 13, the half-insertion detection pin 50 enters the bending allowable space 15 of the lance 13 as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, electrical continuity is obtained by contact of the continuity test pin 60 with the front end portion of the female terminal 30, thereby confirming that the female terminal 30 is properly inserted into the cavity 12.

  When the female terminal 30 is held in the half-inserted state in the cavity 12, the lance 13 is in a state of being bent in the bending allowable space 15. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when the amount of bending of the lance 13 is large (first bending displacement state), as shown in FIG. The upper surface of the distal end surface 20 faces approximately 2/3 of the upper surface. Specifically, as shown with a dot in FIG. 7, the first detected portion 24 in the belt-shaped region 21 of the distal end surface 20 of the lance 13 In the rectangular area 26 on the lower side of the band-like area 21 on the front end surface 20 of the lance 13, it abuts on the upper left and upper right corners, and further entry is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the bending amount of the lance 13 is small (second bending displacement state), the band-like region 21 of the tip surface 20 of the lance 13 contacts the lower side of the detection surface 51 of the half-insertion detection pin 50. The half-insertion detection pin 50 comes into contact with the upper surface of the lance 13 and the bending allowance space 15 while inserting the first detected portion 24 of the band-like region 21 in the distal end surface 20 of the lance 13 into the escape groove 52. When entering a gap with the ceiling surface 15A and entering a small amount, the tip surfaces of the ribs 53 on both sides of the escape groove 52 are the second surfaces of the lance 13 as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. It abuts on the detected part 23 and further entry is restricted.
In any case, since the half-insertion detection pin 50 cannot enter the bending allowable space 15 to the normal depth, the continuity test pin 60 remains at the position on the near side where it cannot contact the female terminal 30, and electrical conduction is not taken, Thereby, it is electrically detected that the female terminal 30 is in a half-inserted state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the female terminal 30 is in the half-inserted state and the amount of deflection of the lance 13 varies, it can be reliably detected that the female terminal 30 is in the half-inserted state.
In order to form the relief groove 52 on the detection surface 51 of the half-insertion detection pin 50, it is necessary to make the tip end portion of the half-insertion detection pin 50 correspondingly thick. As a result, the tip end portion can be strengthened. .
In addition, the second detected portion 23 formed on the tip surface 20 of the lance 13 is arranged at a symmetrical position across the center line in the width direction of the lance 13 such as both end portions of the band-like region 21 at the upper end portion of the lance 13. Therefore, both the second detected parts 23 can receive the entering half-insertion detection pin 50 in a balanced manner and can be surely stopped. As a result, half-insertion detection when the amount of bending of the lance 13 is small can be performed more reliably.

<Embodiment 2>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, changes are made to the formation structure of the second detected portion 23A in the lance 13A and the relief groove 52A in the half-insertion detection pin 50A.
That is, contrary to the first embodiment, the second detected portion 23A that is retracted by one step is formed at the center width position of the upper band-like region 21 on the tip surface 20 of the lance 13A, and the lower surface of the half-insertion detection pin 50A. Relief grooves 52 </ b> A that allow the first detected portions 24 </ b> A at both ends in the belt-like region 21 of the lance 13 </ b> A to enter are cut out from the detection surface 51 at both end portions in the width direction of FIG.

  In the second embodiment, when the female terminal 30 is held in the half-inserted state in the cavity 12 and the deflection amount of the lance 13A is small, the half-insertion detection pin 50A is a belt-like region 21 on the tip surface 20 of the lance 13A. The first detected portion 24A is inserted into the escape groove 52A, and enters the gap between the upper surface of the lance 13A and the ceiling surface 15A of the bending allowance space 15, and when a small amount enters, both the escape grooves 52A. The front end surface of the rib 53A in between is in contact with the second detected portion 23A of the lance 13A, and further entry is restricted. Thereby, half insertion of the female terminal 30 is detected.

<Embodiment 3>
13 and 14 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which another change is made to the formation structure of the second detected portion 23B in the lance 13B and the escape groove 52B in the half-insertion detection pin 50B.
In the third embodiment, the second detected portion 23B that is retracted one step is formed in the left half region in the front view of the upper band-like region 21 on the distal end surface 20 of the lance 13B, and the half insertion detection pin 50B. An escape groove 52B that allows the first half of the first detected portion 24B in the belt-like region 21 of the lance 13B to enter is cut out from the detection surface 51 in the left half region in the width direction in front view on the lower surface of the lance 13B. Is formed.

  In the third embodiment, when the female terminal 30 is held in the half-inserted state in the cavity 12 and the deflection amount of the lance 13B is small, the half-insertion detection pin 50B is a band-like region 21 on the distal end surface 20 of the lance 13B. The first detected portion 24B is inserted into the escape groove 52B, and enters the gap between the upper surface of the lance 13B and the ceiling surface 15A of the bending allowance space 15, and when a small amount enters, the semi-insertion detection pin The remaining portion 53B of the right half of 50B comes into contact with the second detected portion 23B of the lance 13B, and further entry is restricted. Similarly, half insertion of the female terminal 30 is detected.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) The number and forming positions of the lance detection portion and the half-insertion detection pin relief groove are not limited to those illustrated in the above embodiment, and the first detection portion remaining on the lance side is the half-insertion detection pin. As long as it can enter the relief groove, it can be selected appropriately.
(2) Two or more pairs of half-insertion detection pins and continuity test pins may be provided depending on conditions such as the number of cavities provided in the housing.
(3) The present invention can be similarly applied to a detection device for a male connector in which a male terminal is accommodated in a male housing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Connector 11 ... Housing 12 ... Cavity 13,13A, 13B ... Lance 15 ... Deflection allowable space 20 ... (Lance) front end surface 21 ... Band-like area | region 23, 23A, 23B ... 2nd to-be-detected part 24, 24A, 24B ... 1st to-be-detected part 30 ... Female terminal 31 ... Lance hole 40 ... Inspection jig 41 ... Holder 45 ... Slider 50, 50A, 50B ... Half insertion detection pin 51 ... Detection surface 52, 52A, 52B ... Relief groove 60 ... Continuity inspection pin

Claims (2)

A housing having a cavity into which the terminal fitting is inserted;
A lance provided in the cavity so as to be elastically deflectable so as to be locked to the terminal fitting and to be prevented from coming off, and a connector,
A holder for holding a connector to be inspected;
A slider provided so as to be movable in the direction of contact with and away from the holder in a form facing the connector held by the holder;
A semi-insertion detection pin made of a synthetic resin, which is provided on the slider and protrudes so as to be able to enter the bending allowable space of the lance in the connector;
It is made of metal that protrudes toward the connector side integrally with the half-insertion detection pin and advances to a position where it can come into contact with the terminal fitting when the half-insertion detection pin enters a predetermined amount into the bending allowable space. An inspection jig provided with a continuity inspection pin;
In the terminal half insertion detection structure consisting of
On the tip surface of the lance, a part of a region close to the bending allowable space side in the plate thickness direction of the lance is formed with a second detected portion that is retracted by a predetermined dimension from the tip surface of the lance,
The half-insertion detection pin has a relief groove that allows the first detected portion, which is the remaining region of the region where the second detected portion is formed, on the distal end surface of the lance to have a tip. A terminal half-insertion detection structure, wherein the terminal half-insertion detection structure is formed from the surface toward the rear in the entry direction. The terminal half-insertion detection structure according to claim 1, wherein the second detected portion formed on the tip surface of the lance is disposed at a symmetrical position with a center line in the width direction of the lance interposed therebetween. .

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