JP3575375B2 - Continuity inspection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a continuity inspection device for terminal fittings accommodated in a connector , and in particular, inserts a continuity inspection probe from a continuity inspection groove provided in a side wall of a connector housing in a direction perpendicular to a terminal insertion direction, and inserts the probe into a terminal accommodation chamber. The present invention relates to a side probe type continuity inspection device that performs continuity inspection by contacting a terminal fitting inserted and locked from the side.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a continuity inspection device for a terminal fitting housed in a connector inserts a probe for continuity inspection into a terminal accommodation room of the connector from an opening on a mating side with a mating connector, and inserts the probe tip into the terminal accommodation room. The continuity test is performed by contacting the terminal fitting that is inserted and locked. However, when the terminal fitting is of a female type, there is a problem that only the hollow portion of the female terminal fitting can be seen from the probe insertion side, and the end face of the terminal fitting for contacting the probe cannot be seen. Also, if the probe is inserted into the terminal fitting from the same side as the insertion side of the mating terminal, and if the probe causes damage to the terminal fitting or connector, the electrical contact reliability or mating may be lost when mating with the mating connector. There may be a problem with accuracy.
[0003]
Therefore, particularly when conducting continuity inspection of the female terminal fitting, a continuity inspection groove is provided not on the distal end opening of the terminal accommodating chamber but on a side orthogonal to the terminal insertion direction, and a probe is inserted from the continuity inspection groove. It is desired to provide a side probe type continuity inspection device that performs a continuity inspection by bringing a probe into contact with a side of a terminal fitting.
[0004]
As a side probe type continuity inspection device of this type, the present applicant has previously provided a continuity inspection device as shown in FIG. 8 in JP-A-6-258373. In this apparatus, a probe 2 to be inserted into a continuity inspection groove 1a provided in a side wall of a connector 1 is formed into an L shape as shown in the figure, and a downwardly bent tip portion is inserted into the continuity inspection groove 1a.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of the above configuration, the probe holder 2a holding the probe 2 must be moved back and forth and moved up and down to the connector holder (not shown) holding the connector 1, and the moving mechanism of the probe holder 2 Is complicated. Furthermore, the connector 1 can be provided with the continuity inspection groove 1a only on one side wall (the upper side wall in the figure). In other words, the connector 1 can be provided with only one terminal accommodating chamber. In many cases, the connector has two upper and lower terminal accommodation chambers, and there is a problem that the above-described device cannot be applied to a connector having this type of two upper and lower terminal accommodation chambers.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and enables a probe holder to be operated only by advancing and retreating to a connector holder, and a connector having terminal housing chambers provided in upper and lower two stages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuity inspection device of a side probe type capable of simultaneously conducting a continuity inspection by inserting probes into continuity inspection grooves provided on both sides of the connector.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a connector in which a continuity inspection groove is provided on a side wall of a connector housing in a direction perpendicular to a terminal insertion direction, by inserting a continuity inspection probe from the continuity inspection groove to accommodate a terminal. in aspects conduction inspection apparatus Ru is elastically contacted with the terminal fitting being inserted and locked into the chamber,
While holding the connector, a connector holder formed on both side walls with probe insertion holes through which the probe can be inserted into the terminal fittings of the held connector,
Along with a pair of probe holders mounted with the probe, the connector holder is disposed so as to be able to move forward and backward on both side surfaces of the connector holder,
While the probe holder is biased toward the connector holder by a spring, the probe can be positioned at an inspection position inserted into the continuity inspection groove of the connector held by the connector holder.
A cam having a pair of pressing surfaces protruding in both directions around the fulcrum is provided on one side wall of the connector holder, and a guide surface against which the pressing surface can contact the probe holder is provided. Provided respectively,
Due to the rotation of the cam, the pressing surface presses the guide surface of the probe holder, and the probe holder is separated from the connector holder against the urging force of the spring so that the connector can be attached to and detached from the connector holder. It provides a conduction testing device you characterized in that has a configuration that links to Do retracted position.
[0008]
As described above, in the present invention, the probe can be inserted from both sides into the continuity inspection groove of the connector housed in the connector holder by allowing the probe holder to advance and retreat from both side surfaces with respect to the connector holder. By simply moving the probe holder forward, the continuity test can be performed by bringing the probe into contact with the terminal fittings on both sides. At this time, the forward movement of the probe holder to the inspection position is performed by the biasing force of the spring, and the retreat operation to the retracted position when the connector is housed in the connector holder is linked with the rotation operation of the cam. Can be improved.
[0009]
Specifically, when the connector is accommodated in the connector holder, the guide surface of the probe holder is pressed against the pressing surface of the cam by rotating the cam against the biasing force of the spring by rotating the cam, whereby the probe holder is moved to the retracted position. At the same time as the probe is retracted, the probe stands by at a position where it does not interfere with the attachment / detachment of the connector. Then, after accommodating the connector in the connector holder, the rotational operation force of the cam is released. Along with this, the probe holder advances to the connector holder side by the urging force of the spring, the tip of the probe is inserted into the continuity inspection groove of the connector through the probe insertion hole of the connector holder, and the tip is elastically attached to each terminal fitting. And a continuity test is performed. When the cam is rotated again after the continuity test, the probe comes out of the continuity test groove of the connector, so that the connector can be removed from the connector accommodating portion.
[0010]
Preferably, the cam is fixed to an operation lever that can swing about the fulcrum, and the cam is rotated by swinging the operation lever. In this manner, the cam can be manually and smoothly operated to link the connector holder to the retracted position by leverage of the lever.
[0011]
In at least one of the pair of probe holders, when the retainer mounted on the terminal insertion surface of the connector housed in the connector holder is in an incompletely inserted state, the retainer interferes with the retainer and the inspection position of the connector holder. It is preferable to provide a stopper for preventing movement to the side. When the retainer of the connector is in an incompletely inserted state, the stopper comes into contact with the retainer protruding from the back surface of the connector housed in the connector holder, so that the probe holder cannot move to the inspection position. Thus, since the probe does not contact the terminal fitting of the connector, the continuity test cannot be performed, and it can be determined that the retainer is incompletely inserted. Furthermore, when the connector holder is at the forward position, the stopper is located in a state where the insertion path of the connector into the connector holder is obstructed, so that the tip of the probe can be prevented from being damaged by forcibly mounting the connector on the connector holder.
[0012]
The connector housing terminal inspected by the continuity inspection device of the present invention can be particularly suitably used in the case of a female terminal fitting. That is, the probe cannot be easily brought into contact with the female terminal fitting in the conventional continuity inspection device.However, the continuity inspection groove provided in the side wall of the connector housing is formed in a portion other than the barrel of the female terminal fitting. When the probe is provided at a position corresponding to the portion, the tip of the probe inserted from the conduction inspection groove can be reliably and easily brought into contact with the side surface of the female terminal fitting.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 7 show a continuity inspection device 10 according to the present embodiment, in which a connector holder 12 and probe holders 13 and 14 are provided on a base plate 11 so as to face each other. In the continuity inspection device 10, a continuity inspection groove Cd is provided in a side wall Cb of the connector housing Ca in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the terminal metal T is inserted, and a connector C in which the terminal metal T is provided in two stages is provided. It is subject to inspection.
[0014]
The connector holder 12 is fixed to the center on the base plate 11, and as shown in FIG. 2, is provided with an accommodating portion 12b for holding a connector from an upper surface 12a. The shape of the housing portion 12b is made equal to the outer shape of the connector C to be inspected. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the connector C is fitted into the accommodating portion 12b from the upper surface 12a side of the connector holder 12, the terminal insertion surface of the connector C is turned upward, and the continuity inspection groove Cd is formed. The formed side walls Cb are held in a state of facing the probe holder 13 respectively. In addition, concave portions 12d are formed in the side wall portions 12c on both sides of the connector holder 12 so as to face the respective positions of the continuity inspection grooves Cd of the connector C accommodated in the connector holder 12, and the continuity inspection grooves are formed in the concave portions 12d. A probe insertion hole 12e that can communicate with Cd is formed.
[0015]
The pair of probe holders 13 and 14 are arranged on the base plate 11 so as to face the side walls 12 c on both sides of the connector holder 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of slide shafts 15a and 15b are inserted into the lower portions of the connector holder 12 and the probe holders 13 and 14, and both ends of the slide shafts 15a and 15b are connected to both ends of the connector holder 12. It is supported by receiving plates 11a and 11b attached to the surface. Thus, the probe holders 13 and 14 can move forward and backward in the direction facing both side surfaces of the connector holder 12. Further, springs 15c and 15d provided on the slide shafts 15a and 15b are press-fitted between the opposing surfaces of the receiving plates 11a and 11b and the probe holders 13 and 14, and the probe holders 13 and 14 are attached to both side surfaces of the connector holder 12. Is biased so that it can be positioned toward the inspection position P1 that comes into contact with.
[0016]
On the surfaces of the probe holders 13 and 14 facing the connector holder 12, projections 13a and 14a are provided to be fitted into the recesses 12d, and the probe holders 13 and 14 are moved in the forward and backward directions through the projections 13a and 14a. The probes 16 and 17 are mounted along. A plurality of probes 16 and 17 are mounted at the same pitch as the continuity inspection groove Cd of the connector C to be inspected, so that the contacts 16 and 17a at the tips that protrude elastically can be inserted into the continuity inspection groove Cd through the probe insertion holes 12e. .
[0017]
In the connector holder 12, a cam 18 that rotates with one point as a fulcrum A is provided on one of the front and rear surfaces on the side not facing the probe holders 13 and 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the cam 18 has a pair of pressing surfaces 18a, 18b projecting to both sides, while the probe holders 13, 14 have guide surfaces 13b, 14b to which the pressing surfaces 18a, 18b can abut. Are protruding respectively. The rotation of the cam 18 causes the pressing surfaces 18a and 18b to press the guide surfaces 13b and 14b, thereby enabling the probe holders 13 and 14 to be interlocked with the retracted position P2 that is separated from each other.
[0018]
The cam 18 is fixed to the lower end of an operation lever 19 that can swing about a fulcrum A, and the cam 18 is rotated via a lever mechanism by the operation lever 19. The cam 18 can forcibly move the probe holders 13 and 14 in the separating direction against the urging force of the springs 15c and 15d regardless of whether the cam 18 is operated in the probe holder 13 side or the probe holder 14 side.
[0019]
Further, plate-like stoppers 20 and 21 are provided on the upper surfaces of the probe holders 13 and 14 such that the end surfaces protrude toward the accommodation portion 12b. The plate-shaped stoppers 20, 21 face the terminal insertion surface of the connector C accommodated in the accommodating portion 12b to prevent the connector C from jumping out, and to double-lock the terminal fitting T mounted from the terminal insertion surface side. When the stopping retainer Ce is in an incompletely inserted state, it interferes with the retainer Ce and detects the state.
[0020]
A mounting bracket 22 for fixing to a worktable is fixed to the base plate 11, and connectors 23 and 24 for connection to inspection equipment are provided at the ends of the electric wires W connected to the probes 16 and 17, respectively. Installed.
[0021]
Next, the state of the continuity test using the continuity test device 10 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 5, when the operation lever 19 is manually operated to be in the down state, the cam 18 presses the pressing surfaces 18a and 18b of the probe holders 13 and 14, whereby the probe holders 13 and 14 are separated from each other. It is moved to the retreat position P2. At this time, the stoppers 20 and 21 also move in the same manner to open the entrance of the accommodating portion 12b of the connector holder 12, so that the connector C is fitted into the accommodating portion 12b of the connector holder 12, as shown in FIG. Put in.
[0022]
Subsequently, when the swinging operation lever 19 is released, the probe holders 13 and 14 move to the inspection position P1 where the probe holders 13 and 14 abut on the connector holder 12 by the urging action of the springs 15c and 15d, as shown in FIG. I do. At this time, if the retainer Ce of the connector C projects from the end face in the half-inserted state, the stoppers 20 and 21 abut the retainer Ce as shown in FIG. It does not reach P1. In this state, the continuity test fails because the contacts 16a and 17a of the probes 16 and 17 do not contact the terminal fitting T.
[0023]
On the other hand, when the retainer Ce is completely inserted, as shown in FIG. 6A, the stoppers 20 and 21 reach a position facing the end face of the terminal insertion surface of the connector C, so that the stoppers 20 and 21 are fitted into the housing portion 12b. The jumped-out connector C is prevented, and the connector C is reliably positioned. At this time, the contacts 16a, 17a at the tips of the probes 16, 17 contact the corresponding terminal fittings T through the probe insertion hole 12e and the conduction inspection groove Cd, and a conduction signal is issued. The quality of the state is determined. After the completion of the continuity test, the connector C can be taken out of the housing portion 12b by operating the operation lever 19 again to fall down and retreating the probe holders 13 and 14 to the retreat position P2.
[0024]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. When the operation lever 19 is moved down to move the probe holders 13 and 14 to the retreat position P2, the operation lever 19 is moved between the connector holder 12 and the base plate 11. A locking means such as a locking claw may be provided so that the locking means can be locked at the lying position. In this case, the operation of housing the connector C in the connector holder 12 can be performed by releasing the operation lever 19 in the lying state. At the time of the continuity inspection, the probe holders 13 and 14 can be moved to the inspection position P1 by the urging force of the springs 15c and 15d by releasing the locking means with the operation lever 19. Further, the stoppers 20, 21 for detecting incomplete insertion of the retainer by providing the stoppers on the probe holders 13, 14 may be provided on only one of the probe holders 13, 14.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As is evident from the above description, the use of the continuity inspection device of the present invention makes it possible to easily and reliably inspect a connector of a type which has been difficult to perform the continuity inspection, and to mount the terminal fittings in two stages. This type of connector can be applied to any type of connector. Further, the connector holder is provided with a stopper that interferes with the retainer when the retainer mounted on the terminal insertion surface of the connector is in an incompletely inserted state, so that the mounted state of the retainer can be detected prior to the continuity test. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a continuity inspection device for a connector housing terminal of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the continuity inspection device.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the continuity inspection device.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the continuity inspection device.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector holder at a retracted position.
6A is a cross-sectional view at a retracted position of the connector holder, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view at an inspection position.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a state where a connector in a half-inserted state of a retainer is mounted.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a conventional continuity test.
[Explanation of symbols]
T Terminal fitting C Connector Ca Connector housing Cb Side wall Cd Continuity inspection groove Ce Retainer 10 Continuity inspection device 12 Connector holder 12a Upper surface 12b Housing 12c Side wall 12e Probe insertion holes 13, 14 Probe holders 13b, 14b Guide surfaces 15c, 15d Spring 16 , 17 probe 18 cam 18a, 18b pressing surface 19 operating lever 20, 21 stopper A fulcrum P1 inspection position P2 retreat position

Claims (3)

Insert a probe for continuity inspection from the continuity inspection groove into the connector provided with a continuity inspection groove on the side wall of the connector housing in the direction perpendicular to the terminal insertion direction, and insert the terminal fitting into the terminal receiving chamber. in conduction inspection apparatus Ru is elastically contact with the side surface,
While holding the connector, a connector holder formed on both side walls with probe insertion holes through which the probe can be inserted into the terminal fittings of the held connector,
Along with a pair of probe holders mounted with the probe, the connector holder is disposed so as to be able to move forward and backward on both side surfaces of the connector holder,
While the probe holder is biased toward the connector holder by a spring, the probe can be positioned at an inspection position inserted into the continuity inspection groove of the connector held by the connector holder.
A cam having a pair of pressing surfaces protruding in both directions around the fulcrum is provided on one side wall of the connector holder, and a guide surface against which the pressing surface can contact the probe holder is provided. Provided respectively,
Due to the rotation of the cam, the pressing surface presses the guide surface of the probe holder, and the probe holder is separated from the connector holder against the urging force of the spring so that the connector can be attached to and detached from the connector holder. conduction inspecting device characterized in that has a configuration that links to Do retracted position. The cam is secured to pivotable operating lever about said pivot, conduction inspection apparatus according to claim 1 which has a configuration for rotating the cam by swinging the operating lever. In at least one of the pair of probe holders, when the retainer mounted on the terminal insertion surface of the connector housed in the connector holder is in an incompletely inserted state, the retainer interferes with the retainer and the inspection position of the connector holder. conduction inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 is provided with a stopper for preventing movement of the.

Images