JP3449033B2 - Connector inspection device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector inspection apparatus and, more particularly, to a connector which is most suitable for inspecting the continuity of a connector used in an electric system of an automobile or the like. It relates to an inspection device. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a connector is attached to an end of a plurality of electric wires, and this connector is fitted to another connector to connect the electric wire to another conductive member (another electric wire, a pin contact, or the like). (See, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-81967). In this type of connector, one connector is provided with an engagement recess, and the other connector is provided with an engagement piece, and when the two connectors are fitted, the engagement piece is engaged with the engagement recess. The mechanical connection between the two connectors is achieved. In order to avoid incomplete fitting of the two connectors (hereinafter, referred to as "half-fitting"), the one connector is provided with a movable cover that closes the engagement recess so as to be openable. Heikai 5-81967
As described in detail above, the movable cover has a shutter function, and is urged by an elastic member to a position to close the engagement recess. Then, when the two connectors are fitted together, the movable cover is pushed open by the locking piece to open the engagement recess, and the movable cover is re-opened only when the locking piece is completely locked in the engagement recess. It is designed to close. As a result, when the locking piece is not completely locked in the engagement recess, the movable cover is not returned to the normal position, or the elastic member pushes the locking piece back to fit the two connectors together. , The half-fitting of the two connectors is reliably prevented. In inspecting a connector having a movable cover as described above, it is necessary to inspect not only the electrical conduction state of the connector but also the mechanical performance of the movable cover. It is also important to prevent half-fitting between connectors and poor conduction due to half-fitting. However, the conventional connector inspection apparatus only inspects the electrical continuity of the connector and the locking state of the terminal fitting inserted into the connector.
The mechanical performance of the movable cover could not be tested. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector inspection device that can also inspect a movable cover. [0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a structure according to a first aspect of the present invention is configured to be displaceable between a closed position and an open position and to be closed by an elastic member. The movable cover biased to the position
The connectors, the connector receiving member to which the movable cover is held in a displaceable state from the closed position to the open position, and the inspection section for inspecting the continuity of the retained connector, an inspection unit and the connector receiving member A displacement member that displaces at least one of the inspection unit and the connector receiving member between a relatively close proximity position and a relatively separation position; and a displacement member that is provided to be relatively displaceable in the inspection unit and protrudes from the inspection unit. By this means, a contact that can push the movable cover to the open position at the close position and a contact with a pressing force weaker than the urging force of the elastic member so that the contact protrudes toward the movable cover. biasing means for biasing the push-in position, provided in the inspection unit
And the connector held by the connector receiving member.
When the connector is upside down, it contacts the connector end face,
The inspection part and the connector receiving member can be displaced
Ribs to be provided and the abutment provided on the inspection section
A pin protruding in the same direction as the connector receiving member.
At a position corresponding to the type of connector held
The connector held by the connector receiving member is
When the connector is not a connector, the inspection section and the connector receiving member
A connector inspection apparatus comprising: a pin for preventing the movable cover from being displaced to the close position; and a determination unit for determining whether the movable cover is acceptable or not based on the position where the abutment is displaced. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the urging member for urging the movable cover of the connector is properly attached, the connector receiving member and the inspection portion are relatively close to each other by the displacement member. , The abutment contacts the cover. At this time, since the urging means has a lower urging force than the elastic member of the movable cover, the abutment retracts toward the inspection unit against the urging force of the urging means. Due to the displacement of this abutment,
The determining means determines that the movable cover is a good product. On the other hand, when the elastic member is not mounted or the movable cover itself is not mounted, when the connector receiving member and the inspection unit are relatively displaced to the close positions, the urging force of the urging means is reduced. Overcoming, the abutment will be displaced to the pushing position. As a result, the determining means determines that the movable cover is defective. Also, how to attach the connector with ribs
It can detect whether the direction is upside down or not, and inspect it with a pin.
Can be detected as a legal connector.
It is possible to make the worker recognize the wearing mistake. 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 the appearance of a connector inspection device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connector 1 according to the embodiment of FIG. FIG. First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector 1 according to the present embodiment is used in an electric wiring system of an automobile by being connected to a mating connector (not shown). A main body 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block shape, and an annular movable cover 12 is mounted on the outer periphery of the main body 11. This connector 1
The main body 11 has a connection side in which a large number of connection cavities 11a are defined on an end face, and a connection side block 11.
This is a resin molded product having an electric wire side block portion 11B continuous with A. The connection side block 11A has a plurality of notches 1
1b. At the same time, the notch 11b defines an asymmetrical rib 11c on the left and right in the figure, and the type of the connection side block 11A can be identified by the rib 11c. Also,
A locking hole 11d is formed on the outer side surface of the connection side block 11A to lock an engaging projection formed on the mating connector when the mating connector is fitted with the mating connector. Further, chamfered portions 11e are formed at two corners of the connection-side block portion 11A to specify the upper and lower portions at the time of fitting. A large number of wires W are connected to the wire side block portion 11B via terminal fittings (not shown) corresponding to the cavities 11a of the connection side block portion 11A (see FIG. 1). Further, protrusions 11f are provided at the front ends of both side surfaces of the electric wire side block portion 11B opposed to each other in the width direction, and the protrusions 11f are provided to be spaced apart from each other. A spring holder 11g for accommodating a compression coil spring 14 as an elastic member is integrally formed on both side surfaces of the electric coil side block portion 11B opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction. This biases the movable cover 12. The movable cover 12 is an annular member that covers the outer periphery along the outer periphery of the main body 11, and the tip of the connection side block 11A of the main body 11 protrudes from the opening 12A. On the side surface of the movable cover 12 facing the width direction, a long hole 12B into which the protrusion 11f is fitted.
Is partitioned. The elongated hole 12B extends along the connector connection direction A shown in FIG. 2, and as shown by a solid line, when the protrusion 11f is locked at one end of the elongated hole 12B,
Locking hole 11 formed on the outer surface of connection side block 11A
d is closed (hereinafter referred to as a “closed position”), and when the protrusion 11f is moved to be locked on the other end side, the locking hole 11d can be opened (hereinafter referred to as a position). , "Open position"). On the other hand, a flange portion 12C facing the compression coil spring 14 housed in the spring holder 11g of the electric wire side block portion 11B is defined in the opening 12A of the movable cover 12, and the compression is performed by the flange portion 12C. It receives the urging force of the coil spring 14. As a result, the movable cover 12 is constantly urged to the closed position. Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a connector inspection apparatus 2 for fitting the above-described connector 1 will be described.
0 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector inspection device 20 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of an inspection unit incorporated in the inspection device of FIG. The connector inspection device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a base 21 fixed to an assembly drawing board (not shown). The base unit 21
It is a metal plate material formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and is integrally provided with an end plate 22 on one end surface in the longitudinal direction. A connector receiving member 23 is fixed to the upper surface of the other end of the base portion 21 with screws (not shown). The connector receiving member 23 is screwed with a pair of guide bolts 24 penetrating from the end plate 22 side.
And the end plate 22 to form an integral structure. Further, between the connector receiving member 23 and the end plate 22, an inspection unit 25 that penetrates the guide bolt 24 is arranged, and approaches or approaches the connector receiving member 23 along the guide bolt 24. It can be separated. In this embodiment, the compression coil spring SP is contracted between the connector receiving member 23 and the inspection unit 25,
The urging force of the compression coil spring SP causes the inspection unit 25
Is always urged in a direction away from the connector receiving member 23. Next, the connector receiving member 23 is a resin molded product that defines an accommodating recess 23A for accommodating the connector 1 described above, and is fixed to one end of the base portion 21 by a bolt (not shown). I have. Housing recess 23
A is formed in a U-shape that opens upward corresponding to the outer periphery of the connector 1 so that the connector 1 can be inserted and removed vertically. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing recess 23A in the present embodiment includes a bottom surface 231 that receives the bottom of the connection-side block portion 11A of the connector 1 and a bottom portion of the electric-wire-side block portion 11B (the lower surface of the spring holder 11g in the present embodiment). And a bottom surface 232 for receiving the connector 1. The connector 1 is received by the bottom surfaces 231 and 232 so that the movable cover 12 of the connector 1 can displace the connector 1 relative to each of the block portions 11 </ b> A and 11 </ b> B. It can be accommodated. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 233 denotes an insertion hole for inserting a contact 34 of the pressing unit 30 described later. Further, the connector 234 receives the spring holder 11 g continuously from the bottom surface 232, thereby connecting the connector 1 to the inspection unit 2.
5 is a positioning end face for positioning with respect to No. 5. Next, the inspection section 25 includes a resin block 25A partially hollow, and a first block 25A fixed to the upper surface of the block 25A and partially projecting toward the connector receiving member 23. And the second top plate 2 that covers the upper surface of the block body 25A on the side opposite to the connector receiving member 23.
5H. As shown in FIG.
A plurality of pressing units 30 and 31 protruding toward the connector receiving member 23 are provided on the end face of 5A.
The pressing unit 30 faces the movable cover 12 of the connector 1 held by the connector receiving member 23, and the pressing unit 31 faces the cavity 11a formed in the connection-side block portion 11A of the connector 1. . When the inspection unit 25 is driven toward the connector receiving member 23 as described later, the pressing unit 30
Can inspect the mechanical performance of the movable cover provided on the connector 1, and
So that the continuity of the connector 1 can be inspected,
Each is configured. Referring to FIG. 4, each pressing unit 30, 3
1 has a sleeve 32 fixed to the inspection unit 25. The sleeve 32 is a cylindrical body made of an insulating material,
At one end thereof, a boss cylinder 33 made of a conductive material is press-fitted. The boss cylinder 33 includes a flange portion 33A that comes into contact with the end surface of the sleeve 32.
The end face 33B of 3A is fixed to the end face 25J of the block body 25A. An abutment 34 is slidably fitted into the boss cylinder 33. The contact 34 has a cylindrical main body 34A partly sliding in the boss cylinder 33 and a flange integrally formed in the middle of the main body 34A facing the end face 33B of the boss cylinder 33. Part 34B and body part 34A
Is a column made of a conductive material having a flange portion 34B and a fixing flange 34C press-fitted at an end opposite to the flange portion 34B. A compression coil spring 35 is contracted between the flange portion 34B and the boss cylinder 33. The contactor 34 always projects toward the connector 1 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 35, and the amount of protrusion is defined by the stopper flange 34C contacting the boss cylinder 33. ing. 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 press-fitted into one end of the sleeve 32 and the sleeve 37 are electrically connected to the detection circuit 60. The detection circuit 60 includes a power supply 61, a discriminating device 62, a power switch 63, and the pressing unit 3.
0 and 31 are connected in series. Discriminator 6
Reference numeral 2 is embodied by, for example, a well-known lamp or buzzer that indicates the completion of the work. In the configuration of the present embodiment, since the pressing units 30 and 31 and the discriminating device 62 are connected in series, each of the pressing units 30, 31
When all of the terminals 31 are connected, the discriminating device 62 is activated. Incidentally, each of the above-described pressing units 30,
31 (pressing unit 30) facing the movable cover 12 of the connector 1, the compression coil spring 3
Of the compression coil spring 1 of the connector 1 described above.
4 is set sufficiently lower than the biasing force. As a result, when inspecting the connector 1, the movable cover 1
In the case where the compression coil spring 14 for urging the pressure unit 2 is properly attached, the inspection unit 25 is displaced to the close position, and the contact 34 of the pressing unit 30 contacts the movable cover 12. Retreats to the inspection section 25 side against the urging force of the compression coil spring 35 and comes into contact with the contact 39. The displacement of the contact 34 causes the contact 3
4. When the detection circuit 60 is closed via the contact 39 and the sleeve 37, the discriminating device 62 judges (or displays) that the movable cover 12 is good. On the other hand, when the compression coil spring 14 is not mounted, or when the movable cover 12 itself is not mounted, the urging force of the compression coil spring 35 overcomes when the inspection unit 25 is displaced to the close position. The contact 34 is not displaced at the pushed position. As a result, the detection circuit 60 does not close, and the determination device 62 determines that the movable cover 12 is defective. 4 described above relates to the pressing unit 30. The pressing unit 31 is different from the pressing unit 31 in that the distal end of the contact 34 is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the cavity 11a of the connector 1. The configuration is the same as that described above except that the biasing force of the compression coil spring 35 is set to be large in order to inspect the semi-fitting of the terminal fittings, and thus the remaining description is omitted. Referring to FIG. 2, a shoulder 25B of the inspection section 25 is provided with a positioning surface along the chamfered portion 11e of the connector 1 in order to accurately perform the inspection by the pressing units 30 and 31 described above. Rib 25C is provided. Connector 1 without connector cover 13
However, when it is mounted upside down, this rib 25C
Abuts on the end face of the connector 1 so that the inspection section 25
Is unable to move to the regular inspection position,
It is possible to recognize a mounting error of the connector 1. Further, the pressing unit 3 is provided on the shoulder 25B.
1 is provided with a pin 25E protruding in the same direction as the pin 25.
The pin 25E is provided at a position corresponding to the type of the connector 1. When the pin 25E approaches the regular connector 1, the pin 25E can be fitted into the notch 11b formed in the connection side block portion 11A of the connector 1. ing. Therefore, when the type of the connector 1 is different, the pin 25E abuts on the rib 11c, for example, so that the inspection unit 25 cannot move to the normal inspection position. As a result, the worker recognizes the mounting error of the connector 1. You can do it. Referring to FIG. 1, each pressing unit 3
In order to precisely position the connector 1 with respect to 0, 31 (especially, the pressing unit 31 for continuity inspection), corresponding positions of the connector 1 are provided on the bottom surfaces 231 and 232 that define the accommodating recess 23A of the connector receiving member 23. Must be properly seated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a concave portion 25F is provided in the first top plate 25B, and only the connector 1 which is properly accommodated enters the concave portion 25F, and the inspection section 25
Can approach the connector receiving member 23. That is, if the connector 1 is raised from the accommodation recess 23A, the first top plate 25B abuts on the connector 1 and the inspection unit 25 cannot move to the normal inspection position. Can be recognized as being incompletely mounted. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 25G denotes a retaining plate screwed to prevent the flange portion 33A (see FIG. 4) of the pressing unit 31 from coming off. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
5 is connected via a pair of link arms 41 to a handle 42 pivotally supported by the end plate 22 of the base portion 21. The handle 42 includes a base end 42A rotatable around an axis A1 orthogonal to the guide bolt 24, and a handle 42B connected to the base end 42A. One end of the link arm 41 is connected to the shaft A at the base end 42A.
2 and the other end of the link arm 41 is pivotally supported by the inspection section 25 by a shaft A3. Then, by rotating the handle 42 about the axis A1 described above, the inspection unit 25 is connected to the connector receiving member 23.
Can be displaced so as to be able to approach / separate from. Note that the handle 42, the link arm 41, and the connector receiving member 23 constitute a toggle mechanism.
When the handle 42 is rotated in the approaching direction after being brought into contact with the connector receiving member 23, the axes A1, A2, and A3 are substantially aligned on a horizontal line, and the inspection section 25 is moved to the connector receiving member 2
3 can be locked. 1 and 3, reference numeral 43 denotes a contact pin of the link arm 41. Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 show a connector inspection apparatus 20 for inspecting the connector 1.
It is sectional schematic drawing which shows the operation procedure of. First, when inspecting the connector 1, in the initial state shown in FIG. 5, the handle 42 is displaced to the separation side, and the inspection unit 25 is separated from the connector receiving member 23 by a stroke L. Then, the connector 1 is mounted on the connector receiving member 23. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the handle 42 is rotated in the approaching direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6) from the state of FIG. Abuts on the movable cover 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the handle 42 is tilted to bring the inspection unit 25 close to the connector receiving member 23 and the link arm 41 is stopped in a state where the link arm 41 is in contact with the contact pin 43, the pressing for the conduction test is performed. The unit 31 enters the cavity 11a of the corresponding connector 1 (see FIG. 2),
It comes into contact with internal terminal fittings (not shown). At this time, if the compression coil spring 14 that presses the movable cover 12 is properly attached, the contact 34 of the pressing unit 30 is retracted to the inspection unit 25 side, so that the movable cover 12 is determined to be good. . On the other hand, when the compression coil spring 14 is not mounted, or when the movable cover 12 itself is not mounted, the abutment 34 does not retreat, so that the movable cover 12 is determined to be defective. As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the provision of the pressing unit 30 allows not only the conduction of the connector 1 but also the mechanical performance of the movable cover 12 attached to the connector 1 to be inspected. So you can
This has a remarkable effect that the half-fitting of the connector 1 can be more reliably prevented. It should be noted that the embodiments described above are merely examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection unit 25 and the connector receiving member 23 are relatively displaced by driving the inspection unit 25. However, the connector receiving member 23 is driven or both are displaced. A configuration may be adopted. As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the configuration described above, not only the continuity of the connector but also the mechanical performance of the movable cover attached to the connector can be inspected by the inspection unit. It has a remarkable effect that it can be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a connector inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part and a partly broken connector of the inspection unit according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector inspection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a main part of an inspection unit incorporated in the inspection device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the connector inspection device when inspecting the connector. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the connector inspection device when inspecting the connector. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation procedure of the connector inspection device when inspecting the connector. [Description of Signs] 1 Connector 12 Movable cover 20 Connector inspection device 23 Connector receiving member 25 Inspection unit 34 Contact 41 Link arm (displacement member) 42 Handle (displacement member) A1 axis (displacement member) A2 axis (displacement member) A3 axis (displacement member) 60 detection circuit 62 discriminating device (discriminating means)

Claims (1)

The (57) Claims: 1. A closed position and an open position and a displaceably constructed movable cover which is biased in the closed position by an elastic member with which is mounted et connector, A connector receiving member for holding the movable cover in a displaceable state from the closed position to the open position, an inspection unit for inspecting continuity of the held connector, and the inspection unit and the connector receiving member being relatively close to each other. A displacement member for displacing at least one of the inspection unit and the connector receiving member at a separation position relatively separated from the proximity position; and a proximity member provided so as to be relatively displaceable to the inspection unit and protruding from the inspection unit. A contact that allows the movable cover to be pushed to the open position, and the contact is moved to the pushing position with a pressing force weaker than the urging force of the elastic member so that the contact protrudes toward the movable cover. And biasing means for energizing, a rib provided to the inspection unit, the connector receiving members
When the held connector is upside down,
The inspection unit and the connector receiving member come into contact with the end
A rib for preventing displacement to the contact position, and a rib provided on the inspection section and protruding in the same direction as the abutment.
Of the connector held by the connector receiving member.
Provided at the position corresponding to the
If the connector held is not a legitimate connector,
The inspection part and the connector receiving member cannot be displaced
A connector inspection device comprising: a pin to be removed and a judging means for judging whether the movable cover is acceptable or not based on a position at which the abutment is displaced.