JP3446675B2 - Continuity inspection device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuity inspection device for a connector attached to an electric wire group of a wire harness, and more particularly, to a side retainer fitted in a recess of a side wall of the connector at the same time as the continuity inspection. It is also possible to detect the match.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a continuity inspection device for a connector attached to an end of a wire harness, the present applicant has previously used a cylinder or the like as shown in FIGS. 9 (A), (B) and (C). It proposes an automatic continuity inspection device 1 in which a probe is pressed against a terminal of a connector. (JP-A-10-2
(39377)

The continuity inspection apparatus 1 is a connector for connecting a two-stage telescopic cylinder 7 to an inspection unit 2 having a probe pin 8 for inspection, a push-out pin 5 and a connector 10 for accommodating a continuity inspection target. It is arranged so as to approach and separate from the insertion portion 3. Further, a lock opening / closing bar 4 having a protrusion 4a is attached to the inspection unit 2. Further, on the surface of the connector insertion portion 3 having the opening 3b, the lock piece 6 for inserting the lock opening / closing bar 4 into the hole 6a having the copying surface 6b is projected toward the opening 3b side by the bias of the spring 9. Installed.

To conduct a continuity test using the automatic continuity test apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the connector 10 is mounted on the connector 10 with the rod 7a of the cylinder 7 extended by one step. The housing 3a is mounted through the opening 3b. At this time, the protruding lock piece 6 is the connector 1
0 is pushed back by the contact with the side wall 10a, and the connector 1
When 0 is completely attached, it projects again to suppress the wire mounting surface 10b of the connector 10 and prevent the connector 10 from coming off. Next, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), the rod 7a of the cylinder 7 is extended by two steps to bring the inspection section 2 close to the connector insertion section 3 and the probe pin 8 to the terminal T of the connector 10.
Conducting a continuity test by pressing against. After the continuity check is completed, as shown in FIG.
The inspection part 2 is separated from the connector insertion part 3 by retracting a. With this separation, the lock opening / closing bar 4 is also pulled down together with the inspection section 2, and the copying surface 6b of the hole 6a of the lock piece 6 is copied.
Is slidably in contact with the slope 4b of the protrusion 4a of the lock opening / closing bar 4, the lock piece 6 retracts from the opening 3b against the bias of the spring 9, and the push pin 5 presses the connector 10 into the accommodating portion 3a. I try to push it out more.

[0005]

In the connector, a retainer is fitted from the side wall in order to securely lock and fix each terminal T normally inserted in each cavity. If the retainer is incompletely fitted, various problems such as poor contact may occur. Therefore, the continuity inspection device 1 also detects the fit of the retainer when the connector is mounted. That is, FIG.
As shown in 0, if the side retainer 10c is incompletely fitted, the side retainer 10c protrudes from the side wall 10a, so that the side retainer 10c has the opening 3b when mounted.
The connector 10 cannot be attached to the jig 1 by being caught by the lower end 3c of the.

The connector used for connecting the circuit has various shapes other than the above-mentioned connector 10 in consideration of the place of use, the situation of use, etc., and one of them is as shown in FIG. The side retainer 50c is provided in the recess 50e of the side wall 50d.
There is a connector 50 of the type that fits. This connector 50
When the side retainer 50c is semi-fitted and protrudes, the side wall 50 is attached to the continuity inspection device 1 through the opening 3b.
Since it is lower than the surface height of d, it is accommodated without being caught by the lower end 3c of the opening 3b, and there is a problem that the half fitting of the side retainer 50c cannot be detected at the lower end 3c of the opening 3b.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and even for a connector having a side retainer fitting portion in a recess of a side wall of the connector, when the side retainer is attached to the continuity inspection jig. It is an object to confirm the fitting and to be able to conduct a continuity test.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a recess having a concave cross section provided on a side wall,
A side retainer is inserted and fitted vertically from the side wall.
Inspection with a probe pin for the nectar as a continuity test target
Section and an accommodating section having an opening on the surface opposite to the inspection section side
Connector insertion part provided with
The connector insertion portion is urged to project into the opening of the connector.
Is attached to the hole and has a hole with a copying surface
Lock piece and the connection to the inspection part.
Switch mounting position to the proximity inspection position, neutral position and separation open position.
Drive means for relative displacement and an elastic body on the inspection part
While one end is attached, the other end is
An inclined surface that is passed through the hole of the blade and is in sliding contact with the copying surface of the hole
A lock opening / closing bar provided with a protrusion having
With the driving means, the inspection section is attached to the connector insertion section.
The lock opening / closing bar
The protruding part slides in contact with the copy surface of the hole of the lock piece,
Continuity inspection device that retracts the piece so that it does not project from the opening
Position, the connector insertion part has the opening.
On the side surface that is orthogonal to the
Cavity in the side wall of the connector inserted through the insertion opening
So that the side retainer fits properly.
The detection part is made to protrude, and the detection part is inserted into the insertion port.
When the side retainer of the connector is protruding,
While touching the connector to prevent insertion of the connector,
The detector is in a state where the connector is accommodated in the accommodating portion.
Positioned outside the connector at the
( EN) Provided is a continuity inspection device characterized in that it can be taken out of a connector.

As described above, the connector is inserted from the side of the connector through the insertion opening provided on the side surface of the connector insertion portion, and the side retainer fitting confirmation is detected at a position corresponding to the side retainer fitting portion of the connector. Since the portion is provided so as to project, it is possible to detect the fitting of the side retainer. That is, if the side retainer is half-fitted and protrudes from the recess of the side wall, the side retainer will be caught by the above-mentioned detection part during insertion and the connector cannot be inserted, so check the half-fitting of the retainer. You can Further, after the continuity test, the connector is pushed out in the same direction as the conventional one, so that it is not difficult to take out the connector.

The insertion port is provided with an engaging claw which is projected by an elastic body so as to prevent the connector pushed into the connector insertion part from coming off by the engaging claw and to perform positioning.

That is, since the insertion portion is provided on the side surface of the housing portion of the connector, there is no side wall on one side surface. Therefore, by providing the engaging claws as described above, it is possible to prevent the inserted connector from coming off from the insertion port. Specifically, when the connector is attached, the engaging claws come into contact with the connector side wall and are retracted against the bias of the elastic body, so that the connector can be smoothly attached to the housing portion. Since the contact with the side wall of the connector disappears after mounting, the engaging claws project again and contact the side surface of the connector to prevent the connector from coming off and position it, and to position each probe pin corresponding to the position of each terminal of the connector. Can be surely matched.

The lock opening / closing bar has a convex portion on the back surface of the surface having the projecting portion, and when the connector is inserted at the neutral position, the convex portion abuts on the edge of the hole of the lock piece to project the lock piece. Lock the connector to prevent the connector from being inserted through the opening, and if a defect in the connector is detected in the continuity test, set the lock open / close bar to the neutral position and resist the urging force of the elastic body. When pressed, the convex part comes out of the hole of the lock piece and unlocks the lock piece,
With the sliding contact between the protruding portion and the copying surface, the lock piece is retracted,
Defective connector can be taken out from the opening, and at the proximity inspection position, even if it is pushed in, the above convex part is located inside the hole of the lock piece, and the lock piece is projected into the opening to lock the connector, and after inspection In the detached and released position, the protruding portion is disengaged from the hole, and the protruding portion slides into contact with the copying surface of the lock piece to retract the lock piece, thereby allowing the connector to be removed.

As described above, even if the connector is mistakenly mounted from the opening of the connector mounting portion during the continuity check,
Since the lock piece protruding toward the opening side is locked by the convex portion of the lock opening / closing bar, erroneous insertion can be prevented. Further, a connector determined to be defective in the continuity test needs to be taken out from the device and corrected, and if only the defective connector is taken out, the inspection process can be performed without affecting a normal product. Therefore, with the inspection part and the connector insertion part in the neutral position as described above, by allowing the worker to press the lock open / close bar to take out the connector, the irregular process of correcting defective products can be performed. It can be smoothly incorporated into the normal process, and it is possible to easily deal with defects. In the continuity inspection state, even if the lock opening / closing bar is inadvertently pushed, the lock state of the lock piece is not maintained and the connector is not pushed out, so that the reliability of the inspection work can be secured.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an automatic continuity inspection apparatus 11 of the present invention, in which a connector 50 of a type in which a side retainer is fitted in a recess of a side wall of a connector is inserted into a connector insertion portion 13 and has a probe pin 18. A cylinder 17 is used to move the 12 closer to and away from each other to conduct a continuity test.

2A and 2B, the connector insertion portion 13 has a housing portion 13a for housing a connector therein, and a surface 13 opposite to the side where the inspection portion 12 is located.
An opening 13b communicating with the accommodation portion 13a is provided in c. An insertion opening 13e is provided on a side surface 13d orthogonal to the surface 13c having the opening 13b so as to communicate with the accommodation portion 13a. The shape of the insertion port 13e is formed to be the same as the side surface shape of the connector 50 without any depression.

A detection plate 21 is attached to the side surface 13d so as to project a detection portion 21a for confirming the side retainer fitting. Further, the engaging claw 22 is attached as an elastic body to the insertion port 13e at a position where the tip of the connector 50 is attached via a spring 23. As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the engaging claw 22 has a plate shape and has an outer surface which is a tapered surface 22a and an inner surface which is on the housing portion 13a side is a flat surface 22b. The engaging claw 22 is normally made to project inside the insertion opening 13e by the biasing force of the spring 23.

The opening 13b of the connector insertion portion 13 is also provided.
The surface 13c having the hole 16a having the copying surface 16c.
The lock piece 16 pierced with is urged by the spring 24 so that the tip of the lock piece 16 projects into the opening 13b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIG.
A leaf spring 24 for pushing out a connector is provided at the lower end of 3b on the inspection unit 12 side, one end of which is a free end 24a and the other end is a fixed end 24.
It is attached at an angle of b so that the free end 24a side projects.

On the other hand, the inspection unit 12 is connected to a pneumatic cylinder 17 in which a rod 17a expands and contracts in two stages as a driving means, and is moved toward and away from the connector insertion portion 13 at three positions. A required number of probe pins 18 for continuity inspection are attached to the inspection unit 12 at a position facing the opening 13b of the connector mounting unit 13.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the lock opening / closing bar 14 is attached to the inspection portion 12 at one end side 14e via a spring 25 which is an elastic body. The lock opening / closing bar 14 is provided with a protruding portion 14a having a sloped surface 14d at the front end which is the other end side 14f, and the protruding portion 14a.
On the other hand, a step-shaped convex portion 14b is provided on the back surface 14c. The lock opening / closing bar 14 is configured to move in conjunction with the movement of the inspection unit 12, and the other end side 14f is continuously inserted through the connector insertion portion 13 and the hole 16a of the lock piece 16. As shown in FIG. 7A, the convex portion 14b is located inside the hole 16a when the rod 17a of the cylinder 17 is in the most extended state, and the convex portion 14b is shown in FIGS. 2B and 5B. If is only extended one stage,
The inner end 16b of the hole 16a on the side of the connector insertion portion 13 is abutted. In addition, in the state of FIG. 5B, the distance between the convex portion 14b and the protruding portion 14a at the tip is such that the protruding portion 14b
It is set so that a only contacts the semicircular copying surface 16c of the hole 16a of the lock piece 16 and does not affect the movement of the lock piece 16.

As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the continuity inspection device 11 is provided in a large number in various directions on the continuity inspection drawing board 30 in accordance with the connector position of the terminal of the wire harness. Each continuity inspection device 11 is completely embedded in the attachment drawing board 30a, and a cutout portion 30b is provided on the insertion port 13e side so that a connector can be inserted. Further, the inspection drawing board 30 has an operation section 31, an inspection preparation button 31a, and an inspection start button 31.
b, a re-inspection button 31c and the like, and a display unit 32 for displaying the inspection result. Note that FIG.
As shown in (B), the continuity inspection device 11 has an insertion port 13
In order to secure e, the connector insertion portion 13 may be attached in a protruding state from the attachment drawing plate 30a.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (C), in order to facilitate the insertion of the connector, the guide bracket 28 is attached to the connector insertion portion 1
It is also possible to attach it to the connector 3 and push the connector into the insertion opening 13e after the tip of the connector is once brought into contact with the bracket surface 28a as shown by the arrow in the figure.

The probe pin 18 for inspection of the continuity inspection device 11 is connected to a control device (not shown) such as a sequencer for judging the continuity inspection. The control device includes buttons 31a for preparing an inspection of the operation unit 31, starting an inspection, and the like.
An ON signal of 31b, a continuity confirmation signal from the probe pin 18, etc. are input, and a continuity inspection signal to the probe pin 18, a switching signal of a solenoid valve (not shown) for controlling the cylinder 17 and an inspection result A display signal or the like is output to the display unit 32. The control device receives the input signal as described above and outputs a switching signal to the solenoid valve to expand / contract the rod 17a of the cylinder 17 to bring the inspection unit 12 of the continuity inspection treatment device 11 close to the connector insertion portion 13. I try to separate them.

The connector to be inspected is the connector 50 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, which is a type in which the side retainer 50c is fitted in the recess 50e of the peripheral wall 50d. In the semi-fitted state where the side retainer 50c is incompletely fitted, the side retainer 50c projects from the recess 50e, but does not project beyond the surface height of the peripheral wall 50d.

A connector 50 is provided by the continuity inspection device 11.
In order to perform the continuity inspection of No. 1, first, the inspection preparation button 31a is turned on, and the rod 17a of the cylinder 17 is extended only one step as shown in FIG. 13 and 13 are held in the neutral position. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5A, the connector 50 is pushed into the accommodation portion 13a of the connector insertion portion 13 from the side surface 50f of the connector 50 through the insertion opening 13e.

6A and 6B, if the side retainer 50c of the connector 50 is half-fitted and protrudes at the time of the above-mentioned pushing, it interferes with the detection portion 21a of the detection plate 21 and the connector Since 50 cannot be pushed in, a fitting failure of the side retainer 50c can be detected.

When the connector 50 is pushed into the accommodating portion 13a, the engaging claws 22 projecting from the insertion opening 13e are pressed by the tapered surface 22a of the connector 50 and the side surface 50f of the connector 50. Since it is pushed back into the inside of 13, the connector 50 can be smoothly pushed into the housing portion 13a without the engagement claw 22 becoming a resistance. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (C), when the connector 50 is completely housed, the engaging claws 22 will move to the connector 50.
And the side surface 5 of the connector 50
0 g is brought into contact with the flat surface 22b to prevent the connector 50 from coming off and positioning it. Furthermore, leaf spring 2
4 is pushed into the side wall tip portion 50h of the connector 50 and bent. In addition, the accommodated connector 5
No. 0 is suppressed by the lock piece 16 projecting the electric wire mounting surface 50b into the opening 13b, so that the opening 1 can be checked at the time of inspection.
There is no escape from 3b.

When the connector 50 is inserted,
Even if the connector 50 is mistakenly inserted into the opening 13b in the same manner as in the conventional case, the lock piece 16 causes the lock opening / closing bar 14 to move.
Since it is locked in a protruding state by the convex portion 14b of
It cannot be inserted through the opening 13b.

As described above, the connector 50 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 13a.
When the inspection start button 31b is turned on after mounting on FIG.
As shown in (A), the rod 17a of the cylinder 17 is most extended, the inspection part 12 and the connector insertion part 13 are in the proximity inspection position, and the probe pin 18 for continuity inspection is pressed against the terminal T of the connector 50. Has been. Further, also at this proximity inspection position, the convex portion 14b of the lock opening / closing bar 14
Is located inside the hole 16a of the lock piece 16, and the lock piece 1
6 is projected into the opening 13b to lock the connector 50 in the connector accommodating portion 13a. Even if the operator inadvertently pushes the lock opening / closing rod 14 at this proximity inspection position, the lockable opening / closing amount of the lock opening / closing rod 14 and the lock piece 16 are increased.
From the relationship with the depth of the hole 16a,
It does not come off further, and the lock of the connector 50 is prevented from being released during the continuity test. Therefore, the connector 50 is not pushed out from the connector mounting portion 13, and the safety of the continuity inspection work can be secured.

In the above state, a test signal is output from the probe pin 18 to conduct a continuity test, and the controller confirms whether the output signal returns or not, and determines whether or not the connector is conductive. When it is determined that the product is non-defective, the display unit 32 displays that the product is non-defective and, as shown in FIG.
The rod 17a of the cylinder 17 is contracted to the separated open position. At the above position, the lock opening / closing bar 14 is interlocked and pulled back in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the semicircular copying surface 1 of the hole 16a of the lock piece 16 is attached to the inclined surface 14d of the protruding portion 14a at the tip.
6c abuts, the lock piece 16 slides and retracts, and the unlocked connector 50 is pushed out from the housing portion 13a by the bias of the leaf spring 24. After this, the worker can easily remove the connector 50 from the continuity inspection device 11 simply by pulling the electric wire or the like connected to the connector 50.

After the required time elapses from the separated open position, as shown in FIG. 5B, the cylinder 17 is driven to the neutral position, and the connector after the inspection is taken out to prepare for the next inspection. I have to.

When a connector which is determined to be defective by the continuity inspection at the proximity inspection position shown in FIG. 7A occurs, all the continuity inspection devices 11 are set to the neutral position shown in FIG. 5B. . In this state, when the operator pushes the tip of the lock opening / closing bar 14 of only the continuity inspection device 11 which accommodates the connector determined to be defective against the bias of the spring 25, the protrusion 14b as shown in FIG. Is removed from the hole 16a of the lock piece 16, and the slope 14d of the protrusion 14a and the hole 16a
The lock piece 16 is slidably contacted with the copying surface 16c of the
After retreating from b, the lock is released, and the connector 50 is taken out to correct the problem. When the lock opening / closing bar 14 is released from the pressed state, the spring 2 is released.
The lock piece 16 returns to the initial position by the urging force of 5, and the lock piece 16 also projects again toward the opening 13b by the urging force of the spring 24.

Note that the continuity inspection device is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and various forms are possible, and the position of the detection part for checking the side retainer fitting, the position of the engaging claw, etc., can be adjusted according to the shape of the connector. The relationship may be changed appropriately. Further, the detection portion for checking the side retainer fitting may be formed integrally with the connector insertion portion, instead of being provided by attaching the detection plate. The connector to be inspected is not limited to the type in which the side retainer is fitted in the depression of the side wall, and the continuity inspection jig can be applied to various types of connectors.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, by using the continuity inspection device of the present invention, the fitting condition of the retainer at the time of mounting can be achieved even for the connector having the fitting portion of the side retainer in the depression of the side wall. It is possible to automatically conduct a continuity test after confirming. In addition, even if a connector is judged to be defective by inspection, only the defective connector can be taken out, corrected and returned to the inspection process again, so even if a defect occurs, it does not take much time and effort, and it is smooth. Can be dealt with.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a continuity inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a connector insertion portion of the continuity inspection device,
(A) is a plan view and (B) is a front view of a main part.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the continuity inspection device in FIG.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a continuity inspection board, FIG. 4B is a modification of the continuity inspection device, and FIG. 4C is a modification of the insertion port of the connector insertion portion.

5A and 5B show a connector in a pushed state, FIG. 5A is a plan view at the time of pushing in, FIG. 5B is a front view at the time of pushing in,
(C) is a plan view at the time of completion of pushing.

FIG. 6 is a state in which half-fitting of the side retainer is detected,
(A) is a plan view and (B) is a front view of a main part.

7A is a front view of a proximity inspection position, and FIG. 7B is a front view of a separation solution position.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing how to deal with a defect.

9A, 9B and 9C are front views showing a series of inspection positions by a conventional continuity inspection device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of main parts showing a defect detection state of a retainer by a conventional continuity inspection device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a main part showing a problem of the conventional continuity inspection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11 Continuity inspection device 2, 12 Inspection department 3, 13 Connector insertion part 4,14 Lock open / close bar 6, 16 lock pieces 7, 17 cylinders 8, 18 probe pins 10, 50 connector 10c, 50c Side retainer 13e insertion slot 21 Detection plate 21a Detector 22 Engaging claw 30 Continuity inspection drawing board

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A recess having a concave cross section provided on a side wall,
A side retainer is inserted and fitted vertically from the side wall.
For the continuity inspection of the nectar, an inspection part having a probe pin and an accommodating part having an opening on the surface opposite to the inspection part side are provided.
The connector insertion part and the opening of the connector insertion part.
The copying surface is attached to the connector insertion part.
A lock piece with a hole is drilled with a proximity test position the connector mounting portion with respect to the inspection unit
Position, neutral position, and drive hand for relative displacement to the separated open position
Step and one end side is attached to the inspection section via an elastic body.
On the other hand, the other end is passed through the hole of the lock piece and
A protrusion having an inclined surface that is in sliding contact with the copying surface of the hole is provided.
Equipped with a lock open / close bar, and the inspection part is connected to the connector insertion part by the drive means.
The lock opening / closing bar
The protruding part slides in contact with the copy surface of the hole of the lock piece,
Continuity inspection device that retracts the piece so that it does not project from the opening
Position, the connector insertion part should be perpendicular to the surface having the opening.
An insertion opening communicating with the accommodation portion is provided on the side surface
It will pass through the recess on the side wall of the connector that is inserted more
The side retainer fitting confirmation detector to
The detection unit is the size of the connector inserted in the insertion port.
When the retainer is protruding and half-mated, contact the connector.
Contacting the connector to prevent insertion of the connector,
The connector is accommodated in the accommodating portion.
Located outside of the connector, take out the connector from the opening
A continuity inspection device characterized by being configured to be capable of breaking. 2. The insertion opening is provided with an engaging claw that is projected by an elastic body to urge the connector, and the engaging claw prevents the connector pushed into the connector insertion part from coming off and performs positioning. The continuity inspection device according to claim 1. 3. The lock opening / closing rod has a convex portion on the back surface of the surface having the protruding portion, and when the connector is inserted at the neutral position, the convex portion abuts on the edge of the hole of the lock piece to lock the lock piece. Lock the connector in the protruding state to prevent the connector from being inserted through the opening, and if a connector failure is detected in the continuity test, set the lock open / close bar to the neutral position and apply the lock open / close bar to the urging force of the elastic body. When pressed against, the convex part comes out of the hole of the lock piece to unlock the lock piece, and the lock piece is retracted by the sliding contact between the protruding part and the copying surface, and the defective connector is opened. At the proximity inspection position, even if it is pushed in, the above-mentioned convex portion is located inside the hole of the lock piece, and the lock piece is projected into the opening to lock the connector. As the convex part comes off the hole, The continuity inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding portion slides in contact with the copying surface of the lock piece to retract the lock piece, and the connector can be detached.