JP2014175200A - Connector inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to inspect a connector in a space-saving manner.SOLUTION: A connector inspection device 10 comprises: a holder 50 capable of supporting a connector 12 inserted in a connector support recess part 52 so that the connector can be moved between a standby position and push-in position along a terminal insertion direction; a slider 30 on which a retainer reception part 32 capable of contacting with a protruding retainer 16 of the connector 12 from the front of the terminal insertion direction is formed; a base part 20 which supports the holder 50, and supports the slider 30 so as to be capable of being moved between a detection position and non-detection position along the terminal insertion direction; and a switch 60 which is connected to the slider 30 so as not to move relatively, and whose ON/OFF is changed over by an operation part 64 extending from the connector 12 to a position at the front of the terminal insertion direction being pushed and moved forward in the terminal insertion direction.

Description

  The present invention is an apparatus for inspecting a connector.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a connector assembly device with a terminal half-insertion detection function capable of inspecting whether or not a terminal is completely inserted when the terminal is inserted into the connector in the assembly process of the wire harness. This connector assembly device with a terminal half-insertion detection function is configured to be able to detect that a locking piece for preventing terminal disconnection of a connector is floating outward due to half-insertion of a terminal.

JP 2010-165516 A

  By the way, the electric wire with a terminal connected to the connector is bundled in the assembly process of the wire harness. And the connector which comprises the assembled wire harness may be test | inspected whether the terminal is inserted normally.

  Some connectors constituting the wire harness are small and are taped together with the main wire of the wire harness or housed in a protector. In the case of such a connector, it is difficult to inspect after assembling the wire harness. For this reason, it is preferable that the connector can be inspected on the assembly drawing board of the wire harness.

  However, the inspection device for inspecting the correctness of the terminal insertion state with respect to the connector is relatively large and difficult to install on the assembly drawing board of the wire harness.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable inspection of a connector in a space-saving manner.

  1st aspect is a connector inspection apparatus which detects the float of the said retainer to one side about the connector in which the retainer for terminal fixation was provided in one side surface, Comprising: The said connector is inserted along a terminal insertion direction A connector support recess that can be inserted through the opening is formed, and the connector inserted into the connector support recess moves between a standby position along the terminal insertion direction and a push position forward of the terminal insertion direction from the standby position. A holder that can be supported, a slider in which a retainer receiving portion that can be contacted from the front in the terminal insertion direction with respect to the retainer that floats the connector supported by the connector support recess, and the holder is supported. At the same time, the slider is moved along the terminal insertion direction of the connector supported by the connector supporting recess and the detection position and the detection. Relative to the slider, and a base portion that is movably supported between a non-detection position in front of the connector in the terminal insertion direction (back side of the connector support recess) supported by the connector support recess from a position An operation portion is provided that extends to a position forward in the terminal insertion direction from the connector supported by the connector support recess at a position where the retainer that is impossiblely connected and floats contacts the retainer receiving portion. Includes a switch that is switched on and off by being pushed forward in the terminal insertion direction of the connector.

  A second aspect is a connector inspection apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the holder is set to support the connector at a standby position with respect to the base and an inspection to support the connector at the push-in position. It is supported so as to be movable between positions, and is urged toward the set position by the holder urging portion.

  A 3rd aspect is a connector inspection apparatus which concerns on the 1st or 2nd aspect, Comprising: The said slider is urged | biased by the positioning urging | biasing part toward the said connector support recessed part side.

  A fourth aspect is a connector inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the base is supported on the connector supported by the connector support recess of the holder at the inspection position. A lock that can be locked from the rear in the terminal insertion direction is provided.

  A fifth aspect is a connector inspection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the slider includes a retainer receiving member at an end of the non-detection position side and the connector support recess side. An inclined portion that is gradually inclined toward the connector support concave portion toward the detection position side is formed on the side of the portion.

  According to the connector inspection apparatus according to the first aspect, when the retainer of the connector supported by the connector supporting recess is not floating at the standby position, the retainer passes through the retainer receiving portion of the slider when the connector is moved to the pushing position. Then, the connector pushes the operation unit forward in the terminal insertion direction, and the switch is switched on and off. On the other hand, when the connector retainer supported by the connector support recess is floating at the standby position, when the connector is moved to the pushing position, the floated retainer pushes the retainer receiving portion and the slider is moved to the detection position. The When the slider is moved to the detection position, the switch connected to the slider so as not to move relative to it also moves forward in the terminal insertion direction of the connector, and the operation unit is not pushed by the connector moved to the pushing position. Not turned on. Thus, since the terminal insertion direction of the connector with respect to the connector support recess and the direction of relative movement of the connector, the slider and the switch detected by the switch are set to be the same, the connector can be inspected in a small space. Can be.

  According to the connector inspection apparatus according to the second aspect, the holder is supported so as to be movable between a set position for supporting the connector at the standby position and an inspection position for supporting the connector at the push-in position, and the holder biasing portion sets the side of the set position. Therefore, the holder can be easily returned to the set position after the inspection of the connector, and the connector can be taken out smoothly.

  According to the connector inspection apparatus according to the third aspect, since the slider is urged toward the connector support concave portion by the positioning urging portion, the slider is disposed along one side surface where the retainer of the connector is provided. As a result, even if the retainer float is small, it is possible to more reliably receive and detect the retainer floating at the retainer receiving portion.

  According to the connector inspection apparatus which concerns on a 4th aspect, since a lock | rock locks from the back in a terminal insertion direction with respect to the connector supported by a connector support recessed part, it can suppress that the connector pulls out from a connector support recessed part.

  According to the connector inspection apparatus which concerns on a 5th aspect, the insertion operation | work with respect to the connector support recessed part of a connector can be made smoother.

It is a perspective view of a connector inspection apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of a connector inspection apparatus. It is a perspective view of a connector. It is a perspective view of the connector which the retainer floated. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the connector inspection apparatus which set the connector. It is sectional drawing of the connector test | inspection apparatus by which the holder was moved to the test | inspection position. It is sectional drawing of the connector inspection apparatus which set the connector which the retainer floated. It is sectional drawing of the connector test | inspection apparatus by which the holder was moved to the test | inspection position.

  Hereinafter, the connector inspection apparatus 10 according to the embodiment will be described (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The connector inspection device 10 is a device that detects the floating of the retainer 16 of the connector 12. That is, whether or not the terminal is normally inserted in each cavity of the connector 12 can be inspected based on the presence or absence of the retainer 16 of the connector 12.

<Connector>
For convenience of explanation, first, the connector 12 to be inspected will be described (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Here, an example in which the connector 12 is a splice junction connector will be described. The splice junction connector is a connector that conducts a plurality of circuit terminals inserted into the connector by dividing them into all or plural sets. However, the connector to be inspected may be another connector.

  Here, the connector 12 is formed in a flat shape having a plurality of cavities formed in a line in parallel with the penetrating direction in parallel, and terminals are inserted and arranged in the plurality of cavities, respectively. The cavity and the terminal are not shown. In the connector 12, the direction in which the terminals are inserted is referred to as a terminal insertion direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1).

  The connector 12 includes a connector main body portion 14, a terminal fixing retainer 16, and an overhang portion 18. The connector main body 14 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A hole for fitting the retainer 16 is formed in one side portion of the connector main body portion 14 so that the plurality of cavities communicate with the outside.

  The retainer 16 is a portion that locks the terminal inserted in the plurality of cavities in the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12 to prevent the terminal from being removed. The retainer 16 is provided on one side of the connector main body 14, and is fitted in a fitting hole formed on one side of the connector main body 14. More specifically, the retainer 16 is engaged with the terminal inserted into the cavity from the rear in the terminal insertion direction through the fitting hole formed in the connector main body 14. The retainer 16 is completely fitted into the fitting hole formed in the connector main body 14 in a state where the terminals are inserted into the plurality of cavities to the far side, and is entirely inside the fitting hole. Are housed. In this state, the retainer 16 has an outer surface substantially flush with one side surface of the connector body 14 (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, the retainer 16 is partly outward from one side of the connector body 14 in a state where the terminal is half-inserted in any one of the plurality of cavities, or in a state where the terminal is inserted into the cavity incorrectly. And is arranged in a floating form (see FIG. 4). However, the retainer 16 is arranged in a form that floats from one side surface of the connector main body 14 due to a fitting error with respect to the connector main body 14 even when the terminals are inserted into the plurality of cavities to the back side. Sometimes.

  The overhanging portion 18 is formed in a shape that protrudes laterally from the rear end edge portion in the terminal insertion direction of one side portion of the connector main body portion 14 where the retainer 16 is provided. The overhanging portion 18 extends in a direction orthogonal to the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12.

<Connector inspection device>
The connector inspection device 10 can detect the float of the retainer 16 toward one side of the connector main body 14 of the connector 12. The connector inspection apparatus 10 includes a base 20, a slider 30, a holder 50, a switch 60, and a lock 80 (see FIG. 5). Schematically, the connector inspection apparatus 10 inspects the base portion 20 by pushing the connector 12 from the standby position to the push position along the terminal insertion direction with the connector 12 supported by the holder 50. In a state where the retainer 16 is completely fitted, the switch 60 is turned on by the connector 12 pushed into the pushing position. On the other hand, in a state where the retainer 16 is floating, such as when any one of the terminals of the connector 12 is not properly inserted, the switch 60 is not turned on by the connector 12 even if the connector 12 is pushed into the pushing position. That is, it is possible to check whether or not the terminal 12 is normally inserted into the connector 12 (whether the retainer 16 is fitted) depending on whether or not the switch 60 is switched by the connector 12.

<Holder>
The holder 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape (see FIG. 2). The holder 50 is formed with a connector support recess 52 in which the connector 12 can be inserted along the terminal insertion direction along the terminal insertion direction through the insertion opening. The holder 50 supports the connector 12 inserted into the connector support recess 52 so as to be movable between the standby position and the pushing position along the terminal insertion direction.

  The connector support recess 52 is formed so as to accommodate and support the connector body 14 inside. Here, the connector support concave portion 52 is formed in a concave shape that opens on two adjacent surfaces at one end edge portion of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped holder 50. The connector support recess 52 accommodates and supports the connector 12 in such a posture that the rear end portion in the terminal insertion direction is exposed from the insertion opening, and one side surface on which the retainer 16 and the overhanging portion 18 are provided is exposed from the other opening. To do. Further, the connector support recess 52 is formed to be able to support the connector 12 in a form in which the floated retainer 16 and the overhanging portion 18 protrude outward from the other opening.

  Further, from the viewpoint of more reliably receiving the retainer 16 that is lifted by a retainer receiving portion 32 of the slider 30 described later, the connector support recess 52 is formed by the connector main body portion 14 in the floating direction of the retainer 16 of the supported connector 12. It may be set to a slightly smaller dimension (see FIG. 6).

  Further, the holder 50 is formed with an operation portion accommodating recess 54 in which an operation portion 64 of the switch 60 described later is disposed (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The operation portion receiving recess 54 opens at the bottom surface of the connector support recess 52 and extends in the insertion direction of the connector 12 so as to open at the end of the holder 50 opposite to the insertion opening. Is formed. Here, the operation portion accommodating recess 54 is formed at an intermediate position in the width direction of the connector support recess 52.

<Base>
The base 20 is a part that supports the holder 50. Here, the base 20 supports the holder 50 movably between the set position and the inspection position along the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52. The base portion 20 has a concave portion in which the holder 50, the slider 30 and the switch 60 can be disposed. More specifically, the base 20 is formed with a holder receiving recess 22 that opens on one surface and a slider receiving recess 26 that opens on the inner wall of the holder receiving recess 22. The slider accommodating recess 26 will be described in detail during the description of the slider 30.

  The holder accommodating recess 22 is formed in a concave shape capable of accommodating the holder 50 so as to be movable between the setting position and the inspection position. Here, the holder receiving recess 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped internal space corresponding to the substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape of the holder 50. The holder 50 is accommodated in the holder accommodation recess 22 in such a posture that the insertion opening of the connector support recess 52 is exposed from the opening of the holder accommodation recess 22. Here, the set position is a position (see FIG. 1) where the opening edge at one end of the holder housing recess 22 and the edge of the insertion opening of the connector support recess 52 are substantially flush with each other. It is a position which sets the connector 12 to (refer FIG. 6, FIG. 8). The holder 50 supports the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 at the standby position at the set position. The inspection position is a position where the holder 50 is pushed into the holder housing recess 22 and is a position where the switch 60 can be switched by the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). ). Then, the holder 50 supports the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 at the pushing position at the inspection position.

  The holder 50 is urged toward the set position by the holder urging unit 58. Here, a coil spring is employed as the holder urging portion 58, but the holder urging portion may be any urging member that can urge the holder 50 toward the set position.

  Further, the holder 50 is formed with a convex portion that protrudes from a part of the side surface in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction and has a locking surface facing the set position side. On the other hand, the base 20 is formed with a recess having a recessed surface that is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the holder 50 and a locking surface that faces the inspection position side of the holder 50. The convex part of the holder 50 and the concave part of the base part 20 are brought into contact with the engaging surfaces of the convex part and the concave part when the holder 50 is in the set position, so that the holder 50 comes out of the holder accommodating concave part 22 of the base part 20. It is formed so that there is no. The holder 50 is maintained at the set position in a state where an external force larger than the urging force of the holder urging portion 58 does not act toward the inspection position side.

  Also, the base 20 is formed with a retainer passage groove 24 that can pass through and be disposed through the floated retainer 16 and the overhang 18 of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 of the holder 50 (see FIG. 9). ). That is, the connector support recess 52 supports the connector 12 in a form in which the floated retainer 16 and the overhanging portion 18 protrude outward. For this reason, a retainer passage groove portion 24 having an internal space through which the retainer 16 and the overhang portion 18 can be passed and disposed is provided. Here, the retainer passage groove portion 24 opens continuously with the opening of the holder housing recess 22 and also at the inner wall portion, and is formed in a groove shape along the moving direction of the holder 50. The retainer passage groove portion 24 is set to have a width dimension that is the same as or larger than (in this case, slightly larger) the width dimension of one of the retainer 16 and the overhanging section 18.

<Slider>
The slider 30 is a part that detects the floating of the retainer 16 of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52. The slider 30 is housed in the slider housing recess 26, and has a non-detection position (see FIG. 6) and a detection position (see FIG. 9) along the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52. The base 20 is supported so as to be movable between the two. The non-detection position is a position on the moving direction set position side of the holder 50 and is a position that allows the switch 60 to be switched by the connector 12. The detection position is a position in front of the connector 12 in the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 from the non-detection position, and is a position where the switch 60 is retracted and the switch 12 cannot be switched by the connector 12. is there.

  The slider accommodating recess 26 is formed on the inspection position side of the retainer passage groove 24 so as to open into the holder accommodation recess 22 and to communicate the retainer passage groove 24 with the internal space (see FIG. 5). More specifically, the slider accommodating recess 26 accommodates the slider 30 movably between the non-detection position and the detection position along the same direction as the movement direction of the holder 50.

  The slider 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape. The slider 30 is formed with a retainer receiving portion 32, an inclined portion 34, and a switch housing recess 38.

  The retainer receiving portion 32 is formed so as to be able to contact the retainer 16 floating in the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 from the front in the terminal insertion direction (in the moving direction inspection position side of the holder 50). More specifically, the retainer receiving portion 32 is formed at the end of the slider 30 on the set position side of the holder 50 and on the holder receiving recess 22 side, and has a planar shape facing the set position side in the moving direction of the holder 50. Is formed. Here, the retainer receiving portion 32 is formed to be orthogonal to the moving direction of the holder 50 (slider 30). The retainer receiving portion 32 faces the floated retainer 16 of the connectors 12 supported in the connector support recess 52 of the holder 50 in the moving direction of the holder 50. Here, the retainer receiving portion 32 is formed at a position in contact with the floated retainer 16 of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 of the holder 50 at the set position in a state where the slider 30 is in the non-detection position. Yes.

  The inclined portion 34 is gradually inclined toward the connector support recess 52 toward the detection position of the slider 30 toward the side of the retainer receiving portion 32 in the end portion on the non-detection position side and the connector support recess 52 side. (See FIG. 5). Here, the inclined portion 34 is formed on both sides of the retainer receiving portion 32 (see FIG. 2). And the inclined part 34 can suppress that the tip part of the terminal 12 insertion direction of the connector 12 is hooked on the slider 30 and the slider 30 is erroneously moved to the detection position when the connector 12 is inserted into the connector support recess 52. .

  The switch housing recess 38 is a recess formed so that a switch body 62 of the switch 60 described later can be disposed. The switch housing recess 38 is formed at the end of the slider 30 on the opposite side (detection position side) from the retainer receiving portion 32 in the moving direction.

  The slider 30 is biased toward the non-detection position by the slider biasing portion 36 (see FIG. 5). That is, the slider 30 is maintained at the non-detection position in a state where an external force larger than the urging force of the slider urging portion 36 does not act toward the detection position side.

  The slider 30 is urged by the positioning urging portion 37 toward the connector support recess 52 (the holder housing recess 22). That is, the slider 30 is pressed against the side wall on the slider accommodating recess 26 side of the holder 50 accommodated in the holder accommodating recess 22. Thereby, the slider 30 is pressed against one side surface of the retainer 16 side of the connector 12 supported in the connector support recess 52. Further, as described above, when the connector supporting recess 52 is set to be slightly smaller than the connector main body 14 in the floating direction of the retainer 16 of the connector 12, the slider 30 biased by the positioning biasing portion 37 is It is more reliably pressed against one side of the connector 12. Thereby, the retainer receiving part 32 can detect even a smaller float of the retainer 16. Even if the slider 30 does not contact one side surface of the connector 12, the gap with respect to the connector 12 can be kept narrower than when the positioning biasing portion 37 is not provided.

  Here, although coil springs are employed as the slider urging portion 36 and the positioning urging portion 37, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the slider urging portion may be an urging member that can urge the slider 30 to the non-detection position, and the positioning urging portion may be an urging member that can urge the slider 30 toward the connector support recess 52 side. Good.

<Switch>
The switch 60 includes a switch main body 62 and an operation unit 64, and is switched on and off when the operation unit 64 is pushed. Here, the switch 60 employs a micro switch, and is formed in a shape in which a rod-like and tiltable operation portion 64 extends from the substantially rectangular parallelepiped switch body portion 62 in an inclined manner. More specifically, the operation portion 64 is formed in a rod shape that can change its posture around the axis along the width direction of the connector support recess 52 with respect to the switch main body portion 62. Further, the operation portion 64 is formed in a semi-cylindrical circumferential surface around a central axis whose tip is parallel to the support shaft for the switch main body 62. Further, here, the switch 60 is set to be maintained in an OFF state when the operation unit 64 is not pushed, and to be switched to an ON state when the operation unit 64 is pushed. And the switch 60 will return to an OFF state again, if the pressing force with respect to the operation part 64 is removed.

  The switch 60 is disposed in the switch housing recess 38 and is connected to the slider 30 so as not to move relative thereto. Here, the switch 60 is fixed by screwing to the inner wall portion of the switch housing recess 38. The switch housing recess 38 is formed in a size that can accommodate the entire switch body 62 of the switch 60. More specifically, the switch 60 extends the operation unit 64 to a position ahead of the terminal insertion direction from the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 at a position where the floated retainer 16 contacts the retainer receiving unit 32. It is arranged in position and posture. Here, the operation portion 64 extends into an operation portion accommodating recess 54 formed in the holder 50. In addition, the switch 60 is arranged in a posture that is switched from off to on by the operation unit 64 being pushed forward in the terminal insertion direction of the connector. Here, the operation portion 64 extends from the switch main body portion 62 in an inclined posture gradually toward the moving direction inspection position side of the holder 50 from the switch housing concave portion 38 toward the holder housing concave portion 22 side.

  Here, the urging force that urges the slider 30 toward the non-detection position by the slider urging unit 36 is based on a force that pushes the operation unit 64 of the switch 60 along the moving direction of the holder 50 to switch it on. It is set large. That is, when the operation unit 64 of the switch 60 is pushed, the slider urging unit 36 is compressed and the slider 30 is prevented from moving to the detection position side. Thereby, the switch 60 can be turned on without moving the slider 30.

  The switch 60 may be connected to the notification unit 95 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). And the alerting | reporting part 95 is good to be comprised so that it may alert | report whether the retainer 16 of the connector 12 is normally fitted to the operator etc. according to the ON / OFF state of the switch 60. FIG. Here, it is assumed that the notification unit 95 is set to notify that the retainer 16 of the connector 12 is normally fitted when the switch 60 is turned on. Further, for example, as the notification unit 95, a lamp, a buzzer, a liquid crystal display device, or the like can be employed.

<Lock>
The lock 80 is a portion that locks the connector 12 from the rear in the terminal insertion direction to the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 of the holder 50 moved to the inspection position, and prevents the connector 12 from being removed from the connector support recess 52. It is. The lock 80 is supported with respect to the base 20 so as to be movable between a locking position (see a solid line in FIG. 5) and a non-locking position (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5). More specifically, the lock 80 is concavo-convexly fitted to the base 20 so as to be movable along a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the holder 50. Here, the lock 80 is supported with respect to the base portion 20 on the non-detection position side of the slider 30.

  The lock 80 has a locking surface that faces the slider housing recess 26 side. This locking surface is formed in a shape orthogonal to the moving direction of the holder 50 (the insertion direction of the connector 12).

  The locking position of the lock 80 is a position where the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 of the holder 50 moved to the inspection position is locked to the rear end portion in the terminal insertion direction. On the other hand, the non-locking position is a position retracted from the moving path of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 on the opposite side of the holder 50 from the locking position.

  Further, the lock 80 is biased to the locking position by the lock biasing portion 88. Here, a coil spring is employed as the lock urging portion 88, but the lock urging portion 88 may be any urging member that can be urged toward the locking position of the lock 80. The lock 80 is maintained at the locked position in the state where an external force larger than the biasing force of the lock biasing portion 88 does not act toward the non-locking position.

  Further, the lock 80 has an inclined surface at the end on the locking position side in the moving direction that protrudes toward the locking position toward the moving direction inspection position side of the holder 50. That is, as the connector 12 is inserted into the connector support recess 52, the tip of the connector 12 comes into sliding contact with the inclined surface of the lock 80, and the lock 80 is pushed toward the non-locking position. When the connector 12 in a state where the retainer 16 is lifted is inserted into the connector support recess 52, the further lifted retainer 16 is brought into sliding contact with the inclined surface of the lock 80, and the lock 80 is further pushed to the non-locking position side. Is done. Furthermore, when the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position while the connector 12 is supported by the connector support recess 52, the lock 80 is brought into sliding contact with the inclined surface and moved to the non-locking position. Moved. However, the lock 80 is not limited to being moved to the non-locking position side by the insertion force of the connector 12, and may be moved to the non-locking position side by the hand of the operator performing the inspection.

<Supporting part>
The connector inspection apparatus 10 may be provided with a support portion 90 that can stand on the assembly drawing board of the wire harness (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 5). The support portion 90 protrudes along the moving direction of the holder 50 on the side opposite to the opening side of the holder housing recess 22 of the base portion 20. This support part 90 is formed in the shape of an external thread, and is formed so that it can be screwed with respect to the assembly drawing board of a wire harness.

  But the support part 90 should just be able to support the connector test | inspection apparatus 10 with respect to support object places, such as an assembly drawing board of a wire harness, and may employ | adopt another structure.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the connector inspection apparatus 10 when inspecting the connector 12 will be described. In the initial state, the connector inspection device 10 is assumed that the connector support recess 52 is empty, the lock 80 is in the locking position, the holder 50 is in the set position, the slider 30 is in the release position, and the switch 60 is in the off state. (See FIG. 5).

  First, the connector 12 is inserted into the connector support recess 52 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). At this time, when the connector 12 is in sliding contact with the inclined surface of the lock 80, the lock 80 is pushed to the non-locking position side. Here, the connector 12 is disposed at the standby position.

  With the connector 12 inserted to the back side of the connector support recess 52, the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position (see FIGS. 7 and 9). While the holder 50 is being moved to the inspection position, the overhanging portion 18 of the connector 12 is brought into sliding contact with the inclined surface of the lock 80, whereby the lock 80 is pushed to the non-locking position. When the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position, the lock 80 is moved to the locking position by the urging force of the lock urging portion 88. As a result, the lock 80 is in a state of being locked to the rear end portion in the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52. Here, the connector 12 is disposed at the pushing position.

  Here, when the connector 12 into which the terminal is normally inserted (in the normal posture to the back) is supported by the connector support recess 52 (see FIG. 6), the slider is moved even if the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position. 30 is maintained at the non-detection position (see FIG. 7). More specifically, the retainer 16 of the connector 12 passes through the holder 50 side of the slider 30 without being caught by the retainer receiving portion 32.

  That is, the connector 12 is moved relative to the switch 60 forward in the terminal insertion direction. The connector 12 comes into contact with the operation portion 64 of the switch 60 while the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position side. When the holder 50 is further moved to the inspection position side, the connector 12 pushes the operation unit 64. When the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position, the switch 60 having the operation unit 64 pushed by the connector 12 is turned on. Thereby, the notification part 95 connected to the switch 60 notifies the operator that the retainer 16 of the connector 12 is normally fitted. That is, the operator can confirm that the terminal is completely inserted into the cavity of the connector 12 in a normal posture.

  On the other hand, when the connector 12 with the retainer 16 floating is inserted into the connector support recess 52 (see FIG. 8), such as when the terminal is not normally inserted, when the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position, The slider 30 is moved to the detection position (see FIG. 9). More specifically, the retainer 16 of the connector 12 is hooked on the retainer receiving portion 32 of the slider 30 and pushes the slider 30 to the restriction position side as the holder 50 moves to the inspection position side.

  That is, the connector 12 is not moved relative to the switch 60. For this reason, the switch 60 that is moved to the detection position together with the holder 50 that is moved to the inspection position is maintained in the OFF state without the operation unit 64 being pushed.

  When the holder 50 is moved to the inspection position and the inspection is completed, the lock 80 is moved to the non-locking position, and the locked state of the lock 80 with respect to the connector 12 is released. Then, the holder 50 is returned to the set position by the urging force of the holder urging unit 58. As a result, the pushed operation unit 64 returns to the original posture, and the switch 60 is turned off. Further, the slider 30 moved to the detection position is returned to the non-detection position by the urging force of the slider urging unit 36.

  Then, the connector 12 is taken out from the connector support recess 52. The connector 12 that has been notified of the success by the notification unit 95 is supplied to the subsequent process, and the connector 12 that has not been notified of the pass by the notification unit 95 is normally reinserted with the terminal so that the retainer 16 is completely fitted. It is good to use for the inspection using the connector inspection apparatus 10 again.

<Effect>
According to the connector inspection apparatus 10 according to the above embodiment, when the retainer 16 of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 is not lifted at the standby position, the retainer 16 is moved to the slider 30 when the connector 12 is moved to the pushing position. Then, the connector 12 pushes the operating portion 64 forward in the terminal insertion direction, and the switch 60 is turned on. On the other hand, when the retainer 16 of the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 is floating at the standby position, when the connector 12 is moved to the pushing position, the floated retainer 16 pushes the retainer receiving portion 32 to move the slider. 30 is moved to the detection position. When the slider 30 is moved to the detection position, the switch 60 connected to the slider 30 so as not to move relative to the slider 30 also moves forward in the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12, and the operation unit 64 is pushed by the connector 12 moved to the pushing position. The switch 60 is not turned on without being moved. In this way, the terminal insertion direction of the connector 12 with respect to the connector support recess 52 and the relative movement direction of the connector 12 detected by the switch 60, the slider 30, and the switch 60 are set to be the same. Inspection can be performed in a space-saving manner.

  Further, the holder 50 is supported so as to be movable between a set position for supporting the connector 12 at the standby position and an inspection position for supporting the connector 12 at the push-in position, and is urged toward the set position by the holder urging portion 58. The holder 50 can be easily returned to the set position after the inspection of the connector 12. Thereby, the connector 12 can be taken out to the near side of the holder accommodation recessed part 22, and the removal of the connector 12 can be made smooth.

  Further, since the slider 30 is urged toward the connector support recess 52 side by the positioning urging portion, the slider 30 is disposed along one side surface on which the retainer 16 of the connector 12 is provided. As a result, even if the float of the retainer 16 is small, it is possible to receive and detect the retainer 16 floated by the retainer receiving portion 32 more reliably.

  Further, the distal end portion of the operation portion 64 of the switch 60 is formed in a semi-cylindrical circumferential surface around a central axis parallel to a support shaft for the switch main body portion 62. For this reason, the connector 12 in contact with the operation unit 64 can push the operation unit 64 with a smaller resistance during sliding contact.

  Further, since the lock 80 is locked from the rear in the terminal insertion direction with respect to the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52, the connector 12 can be prevented from coming out of the connector support recess 52. Furthermore, the lock 50 is locked to the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 of the holder 50 moved to the inspection position, so that the holder 50 can be maintained at the inspection position via the connector 12.

  Further, the inclined portion 34 formed on the slider 30 can make the insertion operation of the connector 12 into the connector support recess 52 smoother.

<Modification>
Up to now, the switch 60 has been described as an example of a micro switch having a tiltable operation unit 64, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, any switch may be used as long as the operation unit is pushed by the connector 12 supported by the connector support recess 52 that is moved relative to the slider 30 to be turned on. For example, the switch may be a push button switch disposed on the movement path of the connector 12 in which the push-type operation unit is supported by the connector support recess 52. However, a switch that can be switched on and off in a more space-saving manner is preferably employed in order to reduce the size of the entire connector inspection apparatus 10.

  Further, the switch 60 has been described as being switched from off to on by pressing the operation unit 64, but any switch that is switched on / off by a pressing operation of the operation unit 64 may be used. That is, the switch may be set to be switched off when the operation unit 64 is pushed. In this case, the notification unit 95 may be set so as to notify the worker of the pass when the switch is turned off.

  In addition, the example in which the holder 50 is supported so as to be movable between the set position and the inspection position with respect to the base 20 has been described so far, but the present invention is not limited to this. The holder only needs to have a connector support recess and can support the connector 12 inserted into the connector support recess so as to be movable between the standby position and the push position along the terminal insertion direction. That is, it may be supported so that it cannot move relative to the base. More specifically, even if the holder does not move relative to the base, the connector 12 may be supported so as to be movable between the standby position and the push-in position in the connector support recess of the holder. Even in this configuration, when the connector 12 is pushed from the standby position to the pushing position with the retainer 16 not floating, the connector 12 moves relative to the slider 30 in the terminal insertion direction and pushes the operation portion 64 of the switch 60. be able to. On the other hand, when the connector 12 in a state where the retainer 16 is lifted is pushed from the standby position to the pushing position, the retainer 16 is caught by the retainer receiving portion 32 and pushes the slider 30 to the non-detection position. Accordingly, the connector 12 and the slider 30 are not relatively moved in the terminal insertion direction, and the operation unit 64 of the switch 60 is not pushed.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated in detail, above-described description is an illustration in all the phases, Comprising: This invention is not limited to it. The various modifications described above can be applied in combination as long as they do not contradict each other. And it is understood that the countless modification which is not illustrated can be assumed without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector inspection apparatus 12 Connector 16 Retainer 20 Base 30 Slider 32 Retainer receiving part 34 Inclination part 37 Positioning biasing part 50 Holder 52 Connector support recessed part 60 Switch 64 Operation part 80 Lock

Claims (5)

About a connector provided with a retainer for fixing a terminal on one side surface, a connector inspection device that detects floating of the retainer to one side,
A connector support recess is formed in which the connector can be inserted through an insertion opening along the terminal insertion direction, and the connector inserted into the connector support recess is inserted into the terminal from the standby position and the standby position along the terminal insertion direction. A holder capable of being supported so as to be movable between the pushing position forward in the direction;
A slider in which a retainer receiving portion that can be contacted from the front in the terminal insertion direction with respect to the retainer that floats the connector supported by the connector support recess;
The terminal is inserted into the connector supported by the connector support recess from the detection position and the detection position along the terminal insertion direction of the connector supported by the connector support recess while supporting the holder. A base that is movably supported between non-detection positions forward in the direction;
An operation unit that is connected to the slider so as not to move relative to the slider, and extends to a position forward of the terminal insertion direction from the connector supported by the connector support recess at a position where the floated retainer contacts the retainer receiving portion. A switch that is switched on and off when the operation unit is pushed forward in the terminal insertion direction of the connector;
A connector inspection device. The connector inspection device according to claim 1,
The holder is supported movably between a set position for supporting the connector at a standby position and an inspection position for supporting the connector at the push-in position with respect to the base, and the set by the holder urging portion. Connector inspection device biased to the position side. The connector inspection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The said slider is a connector test | inspection apparatus urged | biased by the positioning biasing part toward the said connector support recessed part side. The connector inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The connector inspection apparatus, wherein the base is provided with a lock that can be locked from the rear in the terminal insertion direction with respect to the connector supported by the connector support recess of the holder at the inspection position. The connector inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The slider includes an inclined portion that gradually inclines toward the connector support recess toward the detection position on the side of the retainer receiving portion of the end portion on the non-detection position side and on the connector support recess side. A connector inspection device is formed.

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