JP3039310B2 - Assembling tool for joint connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joint connector assembling tool, and more particularly, to a joint connector assembling tool most suitable for assembling a joint connector having a large number of poles (hereinafter referred to as "fitting"). About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, when short-circuiting many covered electric wires, a short-circuit connector called a joint connector is widely used (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-277180).
No.). In this type of joint connector, a female connector and a male connector are fitted to each other to connect each terminal fitting of a plurality of terminal-attached wires attached to one connector to a short-circuiting fitting attached to the other connector. Then, each terminal is electrically connected in a predetermined arrangement.

For example, in the case of a joint connector used in a wire harness of an automobile, one connector is connected to about 20 wires, and the other connector is a connection connector corresponding to a terminal fitting of each wire. The same number of brackets are provided. Then, by fitting one connector and the other connector together, the terminal fitting is connected to the connection fitting. Conventionally, the fitting of the joint connector is manually performed by an operator.

[0004]

However, as described above, when the number of connection poles of the joint connector (the number of terminal fittings to be connected) is large, the resistance of the connection portion increases, and as a result, the connector is manually fitted. If you were doing
The fitting state becomes insufficient (hereinafter, the insufficient fitting state is referred to as "half-fitting"), and there are problems such as the joint connector being detached in a later process. In addition, when the connector is fitted, twisting is apt to occur, and the terminal is deformed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a joint connector assembling tool that can securely and easily fit a joint connector having a large number of poles.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding means for holding a male connector and a female connector constituting a joint connector so as to be fitted to each other. Pressurizing means for tightening both connectors held by the holding means so that they are fitted to each other; and elastic means for elastically transmitting a tightening force to both connectors by the pressurizing means to both connectors. And an assembling tool for a joint connector.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the joint connector of the first aspect, the elastic means abuts on one of the two connectors held by the holding means. And a spring member connected to the abutment and transmitting the tightening force elastically to the two connectors via the abutment, and when the two connectors are fitted together, the abutment is a spring member. A support member for supporting the contact so as to be displaceable against an urging force, and connector detecting means for detecting the connector when the contact is displaced in a fitting process of the two connectors. Things.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the joint connector of the first or second aspect, the fitting is performed based on the displacement position of the pressing means which is displaced when the fitting of the two connectors is completed. Further, there is provided a fitting detecting means for detecting completion of the joint work. Claim 4
The configuration described above is further characterized by further comprising, in the assembling tool of the joint connector according to claim 3, a notifying means for notifying the completion of the operation when both the connector detecting means and the fitting detecting means output a detection signal. Is what it is.

[0009]

According to the structure of the first aspect, when the male connector and the female connector constituting the joint connector are fitted, they are elastically urged while being held by the holding means. As a result, the connectors come close to each other in a state in which a twist or the like at the time of fitting is absorbed by the elastic means, and finally the connectors are fitted.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, since both of the connectors are held by the holding means, the contact of the elastic means comes into contact with one of the connectors. Then, by transmitting the tightening force of the two connectors from the elastic member, the abutment tightens the two connectors while displacing against the urging force of the elastic member.
At this time, if the pressurizing means is operated in a state where one connector is not mounted, the detection signal of the connector is not output because the contact is not displaced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when both connectors are completely fitted, the fitting detecting means detects this. Further, in the configuration described in claim 4, the notifying unit notifies the completion of the work only when both the attachment and the fitting of the both connectors are detected.

[0012]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a fitting of a joint connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a joint connector fitted by the fitting of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a holder employed in the mounting tool of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a detector employed in the mounting tool of FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 2, a joint connector 1 according to the present embodiment has a large number of covered electric wires 13 by fitting a female connector 11 and a male connector 12 together.
Are short-circuited in a predetermined path to form a specific circuit. The female connector 11 is constituted by a substantially rectangular housing 11A made of resin.
By inserting the terminal fittings 14 crimped to the ends of the covered electric wires 13 into the large number of terminal receiving holes 11B formed in 1A, each covered electric wire 13 is inserted through each terminal fitting 14.
Has been assembled. The terminal housing hole 11B formed in the housing 11A opens the terminal fitting 14 inserted at one end surface of the housing 11A. A rib 11F is formed on an outer surface of the female connector 11 so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the inserted terminal fitting 14.

The male connector 12 has a substantially cylindrical main body 12A capable of housing the housing 11A of the female connector 11.
A bottom portion 12B extending from the main body portion 12A;
B, and a connection fitting 12C fixed to B.
The main body 12A is provided with a housing 11 of the female connector 11.
A groove 12D for positioning A in one insertion posture
Are formed on the upper and lower inner surfaces, and the housing 11
The ribs 11 that fit into the grooves 12D are provided on upper and lower outer surfaces of the groove 11A.
D (only one is shown in FIG. 2) is formed. A slit 12E having two ends is formed on one side surface of the main body 12A.
A locking projection 11E that locks to the end of E is formed.

The connection fitting 12 attached to the bottom 12B
C is a female connector 11 housed in the main body 12A.
Corresponding to the terminal fittings 14, and are connected by a predetermined path via a connecting portion (not shown). Then, the terminal fitting 14 of the female connector 11 is directed toward the connection fitting 12C, and the housing 11A of the female connector 11 is accommodated in the main body 12A of the male connector 12 in one posture specified by the groove 12D and the rib 11D. By locking the locking projection 11E to the end of the slit 12E, the two connectors 11, 12 are fitted and mechanically connected integrally. When the connectors 11 and 12 are fitted, the connection fitting 12C is connected to the corresponding terminal fitting 14, and each of the coated electric wires 13 is short-circuited along a predetermined path.

Next, an assembling tool 20 for fitting the above-described joint connector 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The assembling tool 20 of the present embodiment includes a base portion 21 fixed to an assembly drawing plate (not shown). Base part 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a metal member having a substantially U-shaped cross section formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and integrally includes a pair of rail members 22 extending along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface. In this embodiment, mounting portions 21A for mounting to an assembly drawing plate (not shown) are formed at both ends of the base portion 21, and through holes 21B for screwing are formed in the mounting portions 21A. I have.

A holder 23 for receiving the female connector 11 and the male connector 12 to be assembled is opposed to one end of the rail member 22. Also, this rail member 22
, A movable block 24 is slidably attached to the movable block 24. The movable block 24 can move toward and away from the holder 23. Referring to FIG.
The holder 23 includes a base 23A fixed to one end of the base 21 by bolts (not shown), and a pair of side parts 23B, 2B extending upward from both ends in the width direction of the base 23A.
3C.

Base 23A and both sides 23B, 23C
Are formed in a U-shape that opens upward, and an inner surface thereof defines a guide surface 25 that guides both connectors 11 and 12 constituting the joint connector 1 so as to be able to be vertically inserted and removed. In the present embodiment, the guide surface 25 constitutes holding means for holding both connectors 11 and 12 (see FIG. 2) so as to be connectable to each other.

The guide surface 25 defines a groove 25A for inserting and removing the rib 11F (see FIG. 2) formed on the female connector 11 up and down. The posture when mounting on the camera is specified in one way. The guide surface 25 is formed with a groove 25B for allowing a protrusion (for example, the locking protrusion 11E) of each of the connectors 11 and 12 to escape.

A substantially U-shaped end plate 26 is fixed to an end surface of the holder 23 with screws 27. The end plate 26 is a housing 11A of the female connector 11 housed in the holder 23.
This is for receiving the end face, and in this embodiment,
It constitutes a part of a pressing means for tightening the two connectors 11 and 12 so as to be fitted to each other. Next, FIG.
The movable block 24 is a resin molded product partially formed in a hollow, and is connected to a handle 28 pivotally supported at the other end of the base portion 21 via a pair of link arms 27. Have been. The handle 28 has a base end 28 that can rotate around an axis A1 orthogonal to the rail member 22.
A and a handle 28B that is continuous with the base 28A. One end of the link arm 27 is pivotally supported on the base end 28A by a shaft A2, and the other end of the link arm 27 is pivotally supported by the movable block 24 by a shaft A3. By rotating the handle 28 around the axis A1 described above, the movable block 2
4 can be displaced toward and away from the holder 23. The handle 28, the link arm 27, and the holder 23 constitute a toggle mechanism.
When the handle 28 is rotated in the approaching direction after bringing the
1, A2 and A3 are arranged substantially on one horizontal line, and the movable block 24 is configured to be locked to the holder 23.

The movable block 24 is integrally formed with a convex portion 24A projecting opposite to the holder 23.
A limit switch 29 is attached to a shoulder portion 24B defined by the convex portion 24A. At the time of connector connection described later, the movable block 24 approaches the holder 23 by completing the fitting of the connectors 11 and 12. The limit switch 29 is connected and both connectors 1
A fitting detecting means for detecting completion of fitting of the first and second fittings is constituted.

Next, the holder 23 is provided inside the projection 24A.
A plurality of pressing units 30 and 31 protruding toward are provided. The pressing units 30 and 31 are
The male connector 12 is opposed to the outer surface of the bottom portion 12B of the male connector 12 held by the male connector 12. When the movable block 24 is driven toward the holder 23, the male connector 12 is stopped by the end plate 26. It is for pressing toward 11.

Referring to FIG. 4, each pressing unit 30, 3
1 (in this embodiment, the pressing unit 30 disposed at the uppermost part and the pressing unit 30 disposed at the lowermost part) include a sleeve 32 fixed to the movable block 24.
It has. The sleeve 32 is a cylinder made of an insulating material, and a boss cylinder 33 made of a conductive material is press-fitted into one end of the sleeve 32.

The boss cylinder 33 is provided with a flange portion 33A which comes into contact with the end surface of the sleeve 32.
The end face 33B of 3A is fixed to the end face 24C of the convex portion 24A of the movable block 24, and faces the male connector 12 held by the holder 23. The boss cylinder 33
, The contact 34 is slidably fitted. The abutment 34 has a cylindrical main body 34A partly sliding in the boss cylinder 33 and a flange part integrally formed in the middle of the main body 34A facing the end face 24C of the boss cylinder 33. 34B and a fastening flange 34 press-fitted to an end of the main body 34A opposite to the flange 34B with respect to the boss cylinder 33.
And C is a columnar body made of a conductive material. Also,
A compression coil spring 35 is contracted between the flange portion 34B and the boss cylinder 33. The abutment 34 always projects toward the male connector 12 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 35, and the amount of projection is regulated by the abutment flange 34C abutting the boss cylinder 33. Have been.

Next, a boss cylinder 36 is press-fitted into the other end of the sleeve 32, and a bottomed sleeve 37 made of a conductive material is press-fitted into the inner periphery of the boss cylinder 36. The sleeve 37 has a bottom portion 37B protruding from the boss tube 36 on the side opposite to the contact 34 with the opening end 37A facing the contact 34. A compression coil spring 38 is housed inside the sleeve 37, and one end thereof is fixed to the bottom portion 37 </ b> B of the sleeve 37. The other end of the compression coil spring 38 has a contact 3
9 is fixed at its base end. The contact 39 is a cylindrical body made of a conductive material and provided with a pair of flanges 39 </ b> A that slides in the sleeve 37, and the distal end thereof faces the contact 34 via a predetermined gap S. ing. And
The boss cylinder 33 pressed into one end of the sleeve 32 and the sleeve 37 are electrically connected to a detection circuit 60 described later.

The remaining pressing unit 31 has the same structure as the above-described pressing unit 30 except that it is not connected to the detection circuit 60.
As shown in FIG. 4, the detection circuit 60 includes a power supply 61,
The notification device 62, the limit switch 29, and the pressing unit 30 are connected in series. The notification device 62 is embodied by, for example, a well-known lamp or buzzer that indicates the completion of work. In the configuration of the present embodiment, since the limit switch 29, the pressing unit 30, and the notification unit 62 are connected in series, when both the limit switch 29 and the pressing unit 30 are connected, the notification unit 62 operates only for the first time. I do. In this embodiment, a connector 63 (see FIG. 1) is used to connect the pressing unit 30 to the detection circuit 60.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation procedure of the assembly tool of FIG. First, in the initial state shown in FIG. 5, the handle 28 is rotating in the separating direction, and the movable block 24 is separated from the end plate 26 fixed to the holder 23. In this state, a predetermined pushing stroke L is provided between the holder 23 and the shoulder 24B of the movable block 24.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this state, the female connector 11 and the male connector 12 of the joint connector 1 described above are lightly fitted to each other and mounted on the holder 23. As described above, each of the connectors 11 and 12 is regulated by the rib 11 </ b> D and the groove 12 </ b> D into one insertion posture, and the ribs 11 provided on the female connector 11 are provided.
F and the groove 25A of the holder 23, the two connectors 1
The holders 1 and 12 are held by the holder 23 in a state where the holders 1 and 12 are restricted to one mounting posture. Here, the female connector 11
It is positioned on the end plate 26 and is held by the holder 23 in a non-displaceable state. On the other hand, male connector 12
Is exclusively placed on the guide surface 25 of the holder 23 and is displaceable.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the handle 28 is rotated in the approaching direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7) from the state of FIG. 6, the pressing units 30 and 31 projecting from the movable block 24. Contactor 34 is male connector 12
Abuts on the outer surface of the bottom portion 12B of the movable block 24 and the end plate 2.
6 between the connectors 11, 12
To communicate. At this time, since the pressing units 30 and 31 elastically transmit the pressing force of the movable block 24 to the male connector 12 via the compression coil spring 35, the connectors 11 and 12 may Is compression coil spring 3
Approaching each other in a state absorbed by 5 and finally FIG.
Are fitted as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the female connector 11 and the male connector 12 constituting the joint connector 1 are provided.
When fitting the compression coil spring 3
5, the connectors 11 and 12 having a large number of poles can be easily and securely fitted without damaging each other, thereby providing a remarkable effect that half-fitting of the joint connector 1 can be prevented.

In the above connection process, both connectors 1
Since both 1 and 12 are held by the holder 23,
The contact 34 of the pressing unit 30 is connected to one of the connectors 1
Contact 1 and 12. The contact 34 transmits the tightening force of the two connectors 11 and 12 from the compression coil spring 35, and the contact 34 is displaced against the urging force of the compression coil spring 35. As described above, the connectors 11 and 12 are tightened while absorbing a twist or the like. Due to this displacement, the contact 34 comes into contact with the contact 39 (see FIG. 4), so that the detection circuit 6
0 is connected to the boss cylinder 33,
It is electrically conducted through the contact 34, the contact 39, and the sleeve 37. Thus, it is possible to detect that the female connector 11 and the male connector 12 of the joint connector 1 are both mounted on the holder 23.

On the other hand, when one of the connectors (for example, the male connector 12) is not mounted, the movable block 2
When the operator operates the pressing member 4, no sufficient clamping force acts between the pressing unit 30 and the end plate 36, so that the abutment 34 does not displace. Therefore, as a result that the contact 34 and the contact 39 cannot contact each other, the detection circuit 60 remains open by the pressing unit 30. In other words, the lack of continuity causes the connectors 11, 1
2 is forgotten to be mounted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the connector 11,
Since it is possible to detect forgetting to mount the connector 12, there is an advantage that it is possible to reliably prevent a mistake in fitting the connectors 11 and 12 due to human factors. Next, referring to FIG. 8, by turning handle 28 fully in the approaching direction, movable block 24 has a stroke L shown in FIG.
It is stopped in the state of having become. At this time, the movable block 2
Limit switch 29 attached to shoulder 24B of No. 4
Abuts on the holder 23 to close the detection circuit 60. As a result, the pressing unit 30 is connected to the detection circuit 60.
Is closed, the notification device 62 operates, and the operator can recognize that the fitting operation of the connectors 11 and 12 has been completed.

As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the completion of the work can be notified by the completion of the fitting of the two connectors 11 and 12, so that the worker can use the two connectors 1 and 12.
As a result of being able to confirm the completion of the fitting of 1 and 12, there is an advantage that half-fitting can be more reliably prevented. In particular, since the notification device 62 operates only when both the pressing unit 30 and the limit switch 29 close the detection circuit 60, the fitting operation of the connectors 11 and 12 is not performed.
There is an advantage that the work is managed from both sides to prevent attachment failure and semi-fitting, so that more reliable work management can be performed.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, a remarkable effect that the joint connector 1 having a large number of poles can be securely and easily fitted can be obtained. It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of preferred specific examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as means for displacing the movable block 24,
Although the handle 28 capable of forming a toggle mechanism is employed, an air actuator operated by a foot switch or the like may be used instead of the handle type.

It goes without saying that various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the configuration described above, when the female connector and the male connector constituting the joint connector are fitted together, the torsion and the like are absorbed by the elastic means, and the connectors having a large number of poles are easily and securely fitted without damaging each other. Therefore, a remarkable effect that half-fitting of the joint connector can be prevented is achieved.

Further, in the configuration according to the second aspect, it is possible to detect forgetting to mount the connector, so that there is an advantage that it is possible to reliably prevent a joint error of the joint connector due to human factors. is there. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the completion of the mating of the two connectors can be detected, the operator can confirm this, and as a result, the half mating can be more reliably prevented. There is. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the notifying means notifies the completion of the work only when the completion of the mounting and the fitting work of the connector is detected.
There is an advantage that work management is performed from both sides of forgetting to prevent attachment and preventing half-fitting, and more reliable work management can be performed.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there is a remarkable effect that a joint connector having a large number of poles can be securely and easily fitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a fitting of a joint connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a joint connector fitted by the assembling tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a holder employed in the mounting tool of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a detector employed in the assembling tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the assembling tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the assembling tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the assembling tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the assembling tool of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Joint connector 11 Female connector 12 Male connector 20 Assembling tool 23 Holder (holding means) 24 Movable block (part of pressurizing means) 26 End plate (part of pressurizing means) 29 Limit switch (of fitting detecting means) 30) Pressing unit (part of elastic means / connector detecting means) 31 Pressing unit (part of elastic means) 35 Compression coil spring (elastic member) 60 Detection circuit (connector detecting means / fitting detecting means) 62 Notification Device (notification means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 43/00-43/02 H01R 43/26

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A holding means for holding a male connector and a female connector constituting a joint connector so that they can be fitted to each other, and for tightening both connectors held by the holding means so that they are fitted to each other. And a resilient means for elastically transmitting the tightening force to the two connectors by the pressurizing means to the two connectors. 2. The joint connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic means is connected to a contact which comes into contact with one of said two connectors held by said holding means, and is connected to said contact. A spring member that elastically transmits the tightening force to the two connectors via the abutment, and when the two connectors are fitted, the abutment can be displaced against the urging force of the spring member. Thus, the supporting member includes the supporting member for supporting the contact, and the connector detecting means for detecting the connector when the contact is displaced in the process of fitting the two connectors. 3. A fitting for assembling a joint connector according to claim 1, wherein the completion of the fitting operation is detected based on the displacement position of the pressurizing means which has been displaced by the completion of the fitting of the two connectors. It further comprises a combination detecting means. 4. The assembling tool for a joint connector according to claim 3, further comprising: a notifying means for notifying that the work has been completed when both the connector detecting means and the fitting detecting means output a detection signal. Is what it is.