JP3991025B2 - INSPECTION METHOD AND INSPECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a pressure contact terminal that is in pressure contact with an electric wire and a pressure contact terminal inspection apparatus.

  Conventionally, a press contact terminal that has been used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like is made of sheet metal and includes a wire connecting portion that connects to an electric wire. The electric wire connecting portion includes, for example, a bottom wall for positioning the electric wire on the surface, a pair of side walls erected from both edges of the bottom wall, a plurality of press contact portions, and the like. Each of the plurality of press contact portions includes a pair of press contact blades, and is arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire positioned on the bottom wall. The press contact blade is erected from the bottom wall.

  The pressure contact portion and the wire connection portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal, are attached to a connector housing, and an electric wire is press-fitted between a pair of pressure contact blades of each pressure contact portion, and the pressure contact blade cuts the coating portion of the wire and contacts the core wire. Thus, it is electrically and mechanically connected to the electric wire. Thus, the connection of the electric wire to the press contact terminal is called the press contact of the electric wire to the press contact terminal.

  In order to determine the quality of the above-described press contact terminal, in particular, the wire connection part, the applicant of the present invention has proposed various inspection devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 images the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact blade after press-contacting the electric wire to the pressure contact terminal attached to the connector housing as described above, and based on the imaged shape of the pressure contact blade, The quality of the press contact terminal is judged.

The inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2 images the pressure contact portion of the pressure contact terminal, that is, the pressure contact blade, which is attached to the connector housing and before the electric wire is pressure contacted, and the pass / fail of the pressure contact terminal is determined based on the interval between the side walls. Is judged.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-152359 Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-165735

  However, in the inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, the inspection is performed after the pressure welding of the electric wire. For this reason, when the inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above is used, the quality of the press contact portion, that is, the press contact terminal, cannot be determined unless after the press contact of the electric wire. Of course, it is desirable that the press contact terminal is inspected before the press contact of the electric wire. If the quality of the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal is judged after the pressure welding of the electric wire, the pressure welding failure of the electric wire occurs and the material yield of the electric wire is lowered, which is not desirable.

  Moreover, in the inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the distance between the pressure contact blades is inspected by inspecting the distance between the side walls, before the pressure contact of the electric wires. For this reason, in the inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2, it is impossible to determine whether the press contact terminal having no side wall is good or bad. Further, since the interval between the press contact blades is inspected by the interval between the side walls, it is not determined whether or not the interval between the press contact blades is within a desired (non-defective) range. It was difficult to do accurately. For this reason, it is conceivable that a defective product (such as a poor pressure welding of the electric wire) occurs after the pressure welding of the electric wire, which may reduce the material yield of the electric wire, which is not desirable.

  The inspection devices described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above image the pressure contact portion from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and along the surface of the pressure contact blade, that is, the pressure contact portion. For this purpose, in the inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when the wire connection portion of the pressure contact terminal before the pressure contact of the wire, that is, the pressure contact portion is imaged, the pressure contact terminal is made of sheet metal, so the bottom wall The contour of the press contact blade of the press contact portion cannot be obtained by the light from. As described above, it is difficult for the inspection apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 to determine the interval between the press contact blades before press contact of the electric wires, that is, the quality of the press contact portion.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure contact terminal inspection method and a pressure contact terminal inspection device that can reliably determine the quality of a pressure contact portion before pressure contact of an electric wire.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a method for inspecting a press-contact terminal according to the present invention includes a wall for positioning an electric wire on a surface, and the electric wire standing from the wall and interposed between them. A pressure contact portion comprising a pair of pressure contact blades that are cut and connected to the electric wire, and a plurality of the pressure contact portions are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire. Images of the press contact blades of the plurality of press contact portions from the direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and the surface of the press contact blade of the press contact portion, and from the images obtained by the imaging, The quality of the press contact terminal is determined based on the interval between the press contact blades.

  The method for inspecting a press contact terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention is the method for inspecting a press contact terminal according to the first aspect, wherein an interval between the portions of the press contact blade near the wall is separated from the wall of the press contact blade. The quality of the press contact terminal is determined based on the interval between the positions.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressure welding terminal inspection apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a wall for positioning an electric wire on a surface and a pair of the electric wire covering portion cut from each other and the electric wire covering portion cut into each other. A pressure contact portion comprising a pressure contact blade, wherein a plurality of the pressure contact portions are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire, the longitudinal direction of the electric wire, and the pressure contact Imaging means for imaging the press contact blades of a plurality of press contact parts from a direction intersecting with both surfaces of the press contact blades of the part, and an interval between the press contact blades of each press contact part from the image obtained by the imaging means And determining means for determining the quality of the press contact terminal based on the calculated interval.

  The pressure contact terminal inspection apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the pressure contact terminal inspection apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the determining means calculates a distance between the pressure contact blades in the image. By extracting the inner edge of the press contact blade from the storage area storing the position and the position calculation region stored by the storage unit of the image, and calculating the interval between the extracted inner edges, the space between the press contact blades And a determination unit that determines the quality of the press contact terminal based on the interval between the press contact blades calculated by the calculation unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pressure contact terminal inspection apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the calculation region includes a position near the wall of the inner edge of the pressure contact blade in the image. The calculation unit is provided at a location away from the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade in the image, and the calculation unit is based on a calculation area provided at a location near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade. Calculating the interval between the press contact blades near the wall, and calculating the interval between the press contact blades away from the wall based on the calculation area provided at the location of the inner edge of the press contact blades away from the wall. In addition, the determination unit determines pass / fail of the press contact terminal based on the interval between the locations of the press contact blade near the wall calculated by the calculation unit and the interval between locations of the press contact blade away from the wall. It is characterized by doing.

  A pressure contact terminal inspection apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the pressure contact terminal inspection apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the storage unit is obtained by imaging a pressure contact blade of a good pressure contact portion. A reference area in the image, and a relative position between the reference area and the calculation area, and the calculation unit is configured to capture the pressure contact blade of the pressure contact part to be inspected from the image obtained from the image. A portion corresponding to the reference area is extracted, the position of the calculation area is obtained based on the relative position between the reference area and the calculation area, and the distance between the press contact blades from within the calculation area of the obtained position It is characterized by calculating.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the press contact blade of the press contact portion is imaged from the direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and the surface of the press contact blade. For this reason, the contour of the inner edge of each press contact blade of each press contact portion can be obtained even before press-contacting the electric wire.

  Furthermore, since the quality of the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal is determined based on the interval between the pressure contact blades, it is possible to prevent a defective product from being pressed when the wire is pressed between the pressure contact portions of the pressure contact portion determined to be non-defective.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the quality is determined based on the distance between the location near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade and the location away from the wall. For this reason, the quality of the press contact blade, that is, the press contact portion can be determined more accurately.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the imaging means images the press contact blade of the press contact portion from a direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and the surface of the press contact blade. For this reason, the contour of the inner edge of each press contact blade of each press contact portion can be obtained even before press-contacting the electric wire.

  Furthermore, since the determination means determines the quality of the press contact part, that is, the press contact terminal, based on the interval between the press contact blades, when the wire is pressed between the press contact parts of the press contact part determined to be non-defective, it becomes a defective product. Can be prevented.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination unit determines pass / fail based on the interval between the press contact blades in the calculation area stored in advance by the storage unit. For this reason, the quality of the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal, is determined every time the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal is inspected, that is, the position at which the interval between the pressure contact blades is detected does not vary.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the calculation areas are provided at locations near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade and locations away from the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade. For this reason, a determination means determines pass / fail based on each space | interval of the location near the wall of the inner edge of a press-contacting blade, and the location away from the wall. For this reason, the quality of the press contact blade, that is, the press contact portion can be determined more accurately.

  According to the present invention described in claim 6, the storage unit stores the relative position between the reference region and each calculation region, and the calculation unit extracts a portion corresponding to the reference region from the image obtained by imaging, The position of the calculation area is obtained. For this reason, the quality of the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal, is determined every time the pressure contact portion, that is, the pressure contact terminal is inspected, that is, the position at which the interval between the pressure contact blades is detected does not vary.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the contour of the inner edge of each press contact blade of each press contact portion can be obtained even before the electric wire is pressed. Further, the quality of the press contact portion, that is, the press contact terminal is determined based on the interval between the press contact blades. Thereby, when an electric wire is press-contacted between the press-contact parts of the press-contact part determined to be a non-defective product, it can be prevented from becoming a defective product. For this reason, deterioration of the material yield of an electric wire can be prevented. In this way, it is possible to reliably determine the quality of the press contact portion before the press contact of the electric wire.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the quality of the press contact blade, that is, the press contact portion is more accurately determined in order to determine pass / fail based on the distance between the location near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade and the location away from the wall. Pass / fail can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the quality of the press contact portion before the press contact of the electric wire.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the contour of the inner edge of each press contact blade of each press contact portion can be obtained even before the electric wire is press contacted. Furthermore, a determination means determines the quality of a press-contact part, ie, a press-contact terminal, based on the space | interval between press-contact blades. Thereby, when an electric wire is press-contacted between the press-contact parts of the press-contact part determined to be a non-defective product, it can be prevented from becoming a defective product. For this reason, deterioration of the material yield of an electric wire can be prevented. In this way, it is possible to reliably determine the quality of the press contact portion before the press contact of the electric wire.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the determination means determines pass / fail based on the interval between the press contact blades in the calculation area stored in advance by the storage unit. For this reason, it can prevent that the location which detects the space | interval between press-contact blades for every press-contact part, ie, press-contact terminal, ie, press-contact part, ie, press-contact terminal, can prevent variation, and the quality of a press contact blade, ie, a press contact part, can be determined more correctly. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the quality of the press contact portion before the press contact of the electric wire.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determination means determines pass / fail based on the distance between the location near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade and the location away from the wall. For this reason, the quality of the press contact blade, that is, the press contact portion can be determined more accurately. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the quality of the press contact portion before the press contact of the electric wire.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores the relative position between the reference region and each calculation region, the calculation unit extracts a portion corresponding to the reference region from the image obtained by imaging, and the calculation region Find the position. For this reason, it can prevent that the location which detects the space | interval between a press-contact blade for every press-contact part, ie, a press-contact terminal, ie, for every press-contact part, ie, a press-contact terminal, can prevent variation. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the quality of the press contact portion before the press contact of the electric wire.

  A connector assembly apparatus provided with a press contact terminal inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A connector assembling apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like is an apparatus for assembling the connector 10 shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 by attaching the press contact terminal 8 to the connector housing 2 shown in FIG.

  The connector housing 2 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 16, 18 to 20, the connector housing 2 includes a box-shaped housing body 80, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 15, a plurality of partition walls 81, a plurality of protective pieces 82, and a plurality of penetrations. And a hole 55. The terminal accommodating chamber 15 is a hole (space) extending linearly and penetrating the housing body 80. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 15 are arranged in parallel to each other.

  The partition wall 81 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening on the front side in FIG. The partition wall 81 is erected from the outer surface of the housing body 80 in which the terminal accommodating chamber 15 is opened. The partition wall 81 is disposed between the terminal storage chambers 15 adjacent to each other. For this reason, the opening part of the terminal accommodating chamber 15 is located between the adjacent partition walls 81. The partition walls 81 are formed in a flat plate shape, and are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

  The protective piece 82 is provided at an edge portion of the outer surface of the housing body 80 where the terminal accommodating chamber 15 is opened, and stands from the edge portion. The same number of protective pieces 82 as the partition walls 81 are provided. The protection piece 82 is formed in a flat plate shape and is disposed so that both surfaces thereof are on the same plane as both surfaces of the partition wall 81.

  Further, the protective piece 82 is disposed with a space from the partition wall 81 whose both surfaces are located on the same plane. The protective piece 82 and the partition wall 81 described above are brought into contact with the wire connecting portion 53 of the press contact terminal 8 positioned on the seat surface 54 described later, that is, the press contact portion 16, so that the press contact portion 16 may be deformed unexpectedly. Prevent damage. That is, the protective piece 82 and the partition wall 81 described above protect the pressure contact portion 16. Further, the protective pieces 82 adjacent to each other and the partition walls 81 adjacent to each other guide an electric wire (not shown) pressed against the press contact portion 16.

  A seating surface 54 is provided on the outer surface of the housing body 80 and between the partition wall 81 and the protective piece 82 so as to closely contact a vertical rising plate 49 described later of the press contact terminal 8. The seat surface 54 is provided between the adjacent partition walls 81, that is, corresponding to the terminal accommodating chamber 15. The seating surface 54 is disposed at a position that is staggered across the terminal accommodating chamber 15. In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, the seat surface 54 is disposed above and below the terminal accommodating chamber 15.

  The through hole 55 passes through the housing body 80 and opens in the seat surface 54. The longitudinal direction of the through hole 55 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chamber 15. Using this through-hole 55, a continuity check of the press contact terminal 8 at the time of maintenance and a terminal locking check described later are performed. By not pressing the electrical contact portion 48 of the press contact terminal 8 from the other opening of the terminal accommodating chamber 15 of the connector housing 2, deformation of the contact spring piece 51 and the like are prevented.

  Further, a lock arm 58 and a guide rib 59 for the mating connector are provided on the upper wall of the housing main body 80 of the connector housing 2 located in the upper part in FIGS.

  The press contact terminal 8 is made of a conductive sheet metal, and includes an electrical contact portion 48 and a wire connection portion 53 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The electrical contact portion 48 is formed in a cylindrical shape, accommodates the contact spring piece 51 on the inner side, and is provided with a flexible locking piece 50 on the outer side of the peripheral wall. The contact spring piece 51 presses a tab (electric contact portion) of a not-shown counterpart terminal fitting that has entered the electric contact portion 48 toward the inner surface of the electric contact portion 48. The locking piece 50 is locked to the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 15 of the connector housing 2.

  The wire connection portion 53 includes a substrate 47, a rising plate 49 as a wall, and a plurality of press contact portions 16. The substrate 47 is formed in a band plate shape, and one end is connected to the electrical contact portion 48. The substrate 47 is flush with one outer wall of the electrical contact portion 48. The rising plate 49 is formed in a band plate shape, and one end is connected to the substrate 47. The rising plate 49 is erected from the substrate 47. That is, both surfaces of the rising plate 49 and both surfaces of the substrate 47 intersect each other (orthogonal in the illustrated example). The rising plate 49 positions the electric wire in pressure contact with the pressure contact portion 16 on the surface.

  In the illustrated example, a pair of the press contact parts 16 is provided. The press contact portions 16 are each formed in a flat plate shape. The press contact portion 16 is provided at an end portion of the rising plate 49 on the side away from the substrate 47, and stands up from the rising plate 49. The pressure contact portion 16 extends from the rising plate 49 in a direction away from the electrical contact portion 48. Both surfaces of the press contact portion 16 and both surfaces of the substrate 47 are parallel to each other. That is, the press contact part 16 extends from the rising plate 49 along the longitudinal direction of the electrical contact part 48. The press contact portions 16 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the rising plate 49. That is, the press contact portions 16 are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wires positioned on the surface of the rising plate 49.

  Each of the press contact portions 16 includes a pair of press contact blades 52 and a connecting portion 56. The press contact blades 52 are spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the rising plate 49. When the electric wire is press-fitted between the press contact blades 52, the covering portion of the electric wire is cut and brought into contact with the core wire. The press contact blade 52, that is, the electric wire connecting portion 53 is electrically connected to the electric wire. In this way, the press contact blade 52 and the wire connection portion 53, that is, the press contact terminal 8 are in pressure contact with the wire. The connecting portion 56 connects the press contact blade 52 and the rising plate 49 to each other.

  The above-mentioned press contact terminals 8 are formed in a state in which a plurality are connected by a chain band 43 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 17 by bending a sheet metal or the like. In this state, the chain band 43 connects the substrates 47 of the wire connection portions 53 of the plurality of press contact terminals 8 together. Further, in the plurality of press contact terminals 8, the longitudinal directions of the electrical contact portions 48 are parallel to each other. The press contact terminals 8 are separated from the chain band 43 one by one, the electrical contact portion 48 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 15 of the connector housing 2, and the rising plate 49 is overlaid on the seat surface 54. Then, the locking piece 50 is locked to the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 15, and the press contact portion 16 is accommodated between the protective piece 82 and the partition wall 81.

  In this way, the press contact terminal 8 is attached to the connector housing 2, and the connector 10 described above is assembled. After the press contact terminal 8 is attached to the connector housing 2, the electric wire is press-fitted between the pair of press contact blades 52 of the press contact portion 16. Then, the press contact blade 52 cuts the coated portion of the electric wire and comes into contact with the core wire, so that the electric wire is press contacted to the press contact terminal 8. Note that FIG. 18 described above shows the connector 10 in a state in which the press contact terminal 8 is inserted into the connector housing 2 halfway.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connector assembling apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 17, a carry-in mechanism 18, a holding mechanism 20, a first moving mechanism 7, a terminal insertion mechanism 9, an inspection apparatus 11, and a second device. A moving mechanism 12 and a locking confirmation mechanism 14 are provided.

  The apparatus main body 17 is installed on a factory floor or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 17 includes a mounting plate 21 having a flat upper surface.

  The carry-in mechanism 18 is installed in the apparatus main body 17. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carry-in mechanism 18 includes a housing set portion 3 and an extrusion mechanism 4. The housing set part 3 sets the connector housing 2. The housing set portion 3 is inserted through a housing mounting portion 19 having a horizontal groove 22 formed on the upper surface, and an insertion space 23 communicating with the groove 22 of the housing mounting portion 19 and having a substantially U-shaped longitudinal section. Part 25. The groove 22 accommodates the connector housing 2 inside.

  The insertion space 23 has openings at both ends. The insertion space 23 allows the connector housing 2 to pass inside. The insertion part 25 is provided with a housing detection sensor (not shown). Further, an auxiliary wall portion 24 that prevents the connector housing 2 from falling out of the groove 22 and the insertion space 23 by being in sliding contact with the connector housing 2 across the housing placement portion 19 and the insertion portion 25 is attached. It has been.

  The push-out mechanism 4 pushes out the connector housing 2 from the housing set portion 3 toward a holder 5 described later. The push-out mechanism 4 is adjacent to the housing set part 3. The push-out mechanism 4 is arranged on the front side of the housing set part 3 in the housing feeding direction, that is, on the side away from the holder 5 of the housing set part 3. The push-out mechanism 4 includes a mechanism main body attached to the apparatus main body 17, a push bar 26 slidably provided on the mechanism main body, and a cylinder 27 for moving the push bar 26 back and forth in the horizontal direction.

  The longitudinal direction of the push rod 26 is along the horizontal direction. The push rod 26 slides on the mechanism main body along the longitudinal direction, that is, the horizontal direction. The cylinder 27 slides the push rod 26 along the longitudinal direction of the push rod 26, that is, the horizontal direction.

  In the carry-in mechanism 18 configured as described above, an operator sets the connector housing 2 in the groove 22 of the housing placement portion 19. The housing detection sensor detects the connector housing in the groove 22 of the housing placement portion 19. Then, the push rod 26 is moved in the horizontal direction by the cylinder 27, and the push rod 26 pushes the connector housing 2 of the housing mounting portion 19 into the insertion portion 25. The extruded connector housing 2 passes through the insertion portion 25 and slides in the horizontal direction toward the holder 5 in the next process. Further, the connector housing 2 passes through the insertion portion 25, so that an upper / lower wrong set or a molding failure is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the holding mechanism 20 includes a holder 5 and a reversing mechanism 6 that reverses (rotates) the holder 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 5 includes an upper wall 28, a lower wall 29, and a connecting wall 30 that connects the upper wall 28 and the lower wall 29, and has a substantially U-shaped longitudinal section. It is formed in a shape. These walls 28, 29 and 30 are formed in a thick flat plate shape. Both surfaces of the upper wall 28 and the lower wall 29 are along the horizontal direction.

  The lower wall 29 is disposed below the upper wall 28. The lower wall 29 is slidably supported by the connecting wall 30 in a direction in which the lower wall 29 is in contact with and away from the upper wall 28. Further, the lower wall 29 is urged toward the upper wall 28 by a coil spring 31 as urging means. Both surfaces of the connecting wall 30 are along the vertical direction.

  The holder 5 accommodates the connector housing 2 by accommodating the connector housing 2 pushed out by the push-out mechanism 4 between the walls 28, 29, 30 described above, that is, inside the U-shape. At this time, since the lower wall 29 is urged toward the upper wall 28, the connector housing 2 is pressed toward the upper wall 28, that is, upward by the lower wall 29. The connector housing 2 is prevented from falling off between the walls 28, 29, and 30 described above.

  The reversing mechanism 6 reverses (rotates) the holder 5. The reversing mechanism 6 includes a support 37, a motor 36, a rotating shaft 33, and the like. The support column 37 includes a standing portion 72 that is erected from a slide member 40 described later of the first moving mechanism 7 and a plate portion 73 that is connected by a connecting pillar 38 that is connected to the standing portion 72. The motor 36 includes a motor main body 74 and an output shaft 75 that is rotatably provided on the motor main body 74. The motor main body 74 is attached to the plate portion 73. The motor 36 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the output shaft 75 is along the horizontal direction.

  The rotating shaft 33 is connected to the output shaft 75 of the motor 36 by a coupling 35. The rotating shaft 33 is arranged coaxially with the output shaft 75 of the motor 36. The rotating shaft 33 is rotatably supported on the support column 37 by a rolling bearing 34. The rotating shaft 33 is connected to the connecting wall 30 of the holder 5.

  The holding mechanism 20 described above holds the connector housing 2 in the holder 5 and rotates (inverts) the connector housing 2 for each holder 5 by rotating the output shaft 75 of the motor 36.

  The first moving mechanism 7 moves the holding mechanism 20, that is, the holder 5 and the reversing mechanism 6 together in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the first moving mechanism 7 includes a ball screw 76 and a motor 42. The ball screw 76 includes a screw shaft 41, a nut 39, and a slide member 40. The screw shaft 41 is installed on the mounting plate 21 of the apparatus main body 17. The screw shaft 41 is supported by the mounting plate 21 described above so that its longitudinal direction is along the horizontal direction and is rotatable around the axis.

  The nut 39 is screwed onto the outer periphery of the screw shaft 41. The nut 39 moves along the longitudinal direction of the screw shaft 41 as the screw shaft 41 rotates around the axis. The motor 42 rotates the screw shaft 41 around the axis. The slide member 40 is formed in a thick flat plate shape and is attached to the nut 39. On the slide member 40, the above-described support column 37 of the holding mechanism 20 is erected.

  The first moving mechanism 7 having the above-described configuration rotates the motor 42 to move the holding mechanism 20 along the longitudinal direction of the screw shaft 41. The first moving mechanism 7 includes a position where the connector housing 2 is horizontally inserted into the holder 5 by the push rod 26 (FIG. 2) from the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and the housing set portion 3 shown in FIG. The position where the press contact terminal 8 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 15 of the connector housing 2 in the holder 5 by the terminal insertion mechanism 9 to be described later, and the press contact portion 16 by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the inspection device 11 shown in FIG. The holding mechanism 20 is moved between the position where the quality is determined and the position where the connector 10 is confirmed to be locked by the second moving mechanism 12 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. . The first moving mechanism 7 includes a holding mechanism in order from a position where the connector housing 2 is inserted, a position where the press contact terminal 8 is inserted, a position where inspection is performed, and a position where locking is confirmed. 20 holders 5 are moved.

  The terminal insertion mechanism 9 inserts the press contact terminal 8 in the terminal fitting chamber 15 of the connector housing 2 in the holder 5 in the connector fitting direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal insertion mechanism 9 includes the cutting mechanism 77 for cutting the chain band 43 and the press contact terminal 8 obtained by cutting the chain band 43 in the terminal housing of the connector housing 2. And an insertion mechanism 78 for insertion into the chamber 15.

  The cutting mechanism 77 includes an upper punch 44, a lower punch 45, and a feed mechanism (not shown) provided so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from each other. The cutting mechanism 77 separates the press contact terminal 8 from the chain band 43 by bringing the upper punch 44 and the lower punch 45 close to each other and sandwiching the press contact terminal 8 connected by the chain band 43 therebetween. In addition, approaching / separating means approaching or separating from each other.

  The feed mechanism includes a rotating plate (not shown) that engages with a feed hole (not shown) of the chain band 43. The feed mechanism intermittently feeds the press contact terminals 8 between the upper punch 44 and the lower punch 45 one by one as the rotating plate engaged with the feed hole rotates.

  The insertion mechanism 78 includes a horizontal push rod 46 that presses the rear portion of the press contact terminal 8 by driving an air cylinder or the like. The insertion mechanism 78 presses the rear portion of the press contact terminal 8 with the push rod 46 or the like, and inserts the press contact terminal 8 into the terminal accommodating chamber 15 of the connector housing 2. When the press contact terminal 8 is turned upside down in the connector housing 2, the holder 5 is turned up and down by 180 ° by the reversing mechanism 6, and the press contact terminal 8 is inserted in the same manner as described above.

  The inspection device 11 is a pressure contact terminal inspection device described in this specification. The inspection device 11 inspects the press contact terminal 8 of the connector 10 (consisting of the connector housing 2 and the press contact terminal 8) in the holder 5.

  The inspection apparatus 11 performs image processing of the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 of the connector 10 in a state where the holder 5 of FIG. 5 is positioned closer to the left end (termination) indicated by the solid line in FIG. Do. In the image processing, the distance between the inner edges 52a of the press contact blades 52 of the pair of upper and lower press contact portions 16 of one press contact terminal 8 is measured simultaneously from obliquely above. When measuring the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 turned upside down, the measurement is performed in a state where the holder 5 is turned upside down by the reversing mechanism 6. In this way, the inspection apparatus 11 determines the quality of the above-described press contact terminal 8. The detailed configuration and function of the inspection apparatus 11 will be described later.

  The connector 10 that has finished image processing of the press contact terminal 8 by the inspection device 11 is conveyed to the guide holder 13 of the locking confirmation mechanism 14 by the second moving mechanism 12 as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. The connector 10 having the press contact terminal 8 determined as a defective product by the device 11 is discharged to the defective product storage place by the second moving mechanism 12 without confirming terminal locking.

  The second moving mechanism 12 slides the connector 10 horizontally from the holder 5 along the longitudinal direction of the apparatus main body 17. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second moving mechanism 12 is a horizontal hand that horizontally moves the connector 10 from the holder 5 to a guide holder 13 having a U-shaped longitudinal section that continues horizontally in series with the holder 5. 60 and a payout arm 61 provided in parallel with the hand 60 and integrally with the hand 60.

  The hand 60 is formed in a U shape with a pair of left and right horizontal arms 60a having an inner width slightly wider than the entire width of the connector 10, and enters the holder 5 horizontally from its rear opening to hold the rear portion of the connector 10. Is possible. The hand 60 does not open and close, but simply touches both side surfaces of the connector 10.

  The payout arm 61 protrudes toward the connector 10 in the holder 5 with the same protrusion amount as the hand 60. The payout arm 61 moves in a substantially rectangular shape together with the hand 60 by two horizontal 90 ° cylinders (driving means not shown) in a direction parallel to the guide holder 13 (left-right direction) and in a direction (front-rear direction). Is possible.

  In FIG. 9, the second moving mechanism 12 moves the moving hand 60 forward from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9 to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, and the hand 60 moves to the rear part of the connector 10 in the holder 5. Hold. And the 2nd moving mechanism 12 moves the hand 60 to the left direction in FIG. 9 (toward the guide holder 13), and moves the connector 10 in the guide holder 13 horizontally in a sliding manner.

  The locking confirmation mechanism 14 confirms the locking of the press contact terminal 8 of the connector 10 to the connector housing 2. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the locking confirmation mechanism 14 includes a guide holder 13, a payout holder 62, a fixing hand (fixing means) 68, and a pressing portion 79.

  The guide holder 13 receives the connector 10 that is moved by the second moving mechanism 12 from the holder 5. The guide holder 13 is formed in a U-shaped longitudinal section and extends linearly. The guide holder 13 is formed longer than the holder 5 in the horizontal direction, and has a connector housing / insertion space 66 surrounded by walls 63 to 65 on the upper and lower sides and the front side. Has an opening. An opening 67 for fixing the connector is provided in the upper wall 63 in the left half of the guide holder 13. The guide holder 13 is fixed to the mounting plate 21 of the apparatus main body 17 and the like. As shown in FIG. 10, the vertical wall portion 65 of the guide holder 13 is provided with an opening 69 for inserting a push pin.

  As with the guide holder 13 and the holder 5, the payout holder 62 is surrounded by walls on the upper and lower sides and the front side, and has a connector insertion space inside. This space has openings on the left and right. The payout holder 62 is continuous with the guide holder 13. The connector insertion space of the payout holder 62 is continuous with the connector accommodation / insertion space 66 of the guide holder 13. The payout holder 62 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the length of the guide holder 13 by a horizontal cylinder (not shown).

  The fixing hand 68 is provided above the opening 67 on the left half side of the guide holder 13. The fixing hand 68 can be moved up and down by a cylinder (drive means) (not shown), that is, can be contacted and separated from the connector 10 in the guide holder 13. The fixing hand 68 is formed to be slightly wider than the entire width of the connector 10 and can be fixed by pressing both ends of the upper wall of the connector 10 downward in the guide holder 13.

  The pressing portion 79 includes a block 71 and a plurality of pressing pins (probe pins) 70. The block 71 is provided opposite to the opening 69 along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide holder 13. The block 71 is a horizontal cylinder (driving means) that contacts and separates from the opening 69, that is, the connector 10 in the guide holder 13.

  The push pin 70 is formed in a rod shape (needle shape). The push pin 70 includes a cylindrical main body portion 83 fixed to the block 71, a contact portion 84 provided so as to protrude and retract from the main body portion 83, an internal switch, and the like. The longitudinal direction of the main body 83 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide holder 13. The main body 83 extends from the block 71 toward the guide holder 13.

  The contact portion 84 is urged in a direction protruding from the main body portion 83 by a coil spring (not shown). The contact portion 84 is opposed to the opening 69, that is, the connector 10 in the guide holder 13. The internal switch is housed in the main body portion 83. The internal switch is turned on when the contact portion 84 is pressed in the direction in which the contact portion 84 is submerged in the main body portion 83 against the urging force of the coil spring. The internal switch outputs information indicating on / off described above to the control device 89 described later.

  When the block 71 is moved closer to the guide holder 13 by a cylinder or the like, the push pin 70 has a contact portion 84 that passes through the through hole 55 of the connector housing 2 in the guide holder 13 and moves the vertical rising plate 49 of the press contact terminal 8 to a predetermined position. Press in the direction of terminal extraction with the force of. When the locking of the press contact terminal 8 is incomplete, the press contact terminal 8 is pushed backward from the connector housing 2 by the force of the contact portion 84 of the push pin 70. The compression stroke of the coil spring of the push pin 70 is insufficient, so that the internal switch is not turned on, and terminal locking failure is detected.

  When the press contact terminal 8 is completely locked, the contact portion 84 of the push pin 70 presses the press contact terminal 8 backward with a predetermined force, the coil spring of the push pin 70 is compressed with a predetermined stroke, and the internal switch is operated. Turn on. It is detected that the press contact terminal 8 is securely locked to the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 15 of the connector housing 2. The locking of each press contact terminal 8 is confirmed at the same time, and the position of the press contact terminal 8 having an abnormality is temporarily stored in the control device 89, for example.

  The locking confirmation mechanism 14 described above confirms the locking of the press contact terminal 8 of the connector 10 accommodated in the guide holder 13 by the second moving mechanism 12 to the connector housing 2 as follows. First, the fixing hand 68 descends from above and presses and fixes both upper sides of the connector 10 in the opening 67. Then, the block 71 approaches the connector 10 in the guide holder 13 and the locking of the press contact terminal 8 to the connector housing 2 is confirmed by the push pin 70 as described above.

  Then, the connector 10 determined to be a non-defective product by the inspection device 11 or the locking confirmation mechanism 14 is sent from the guide holder 13 to the chute (not shown) via the guide holder 13 on the left side by the delivery arm 61. And the connector 10 determined to be non-defective is discharged from the chute to the product box. At this time, the payout arm 61 moves forward together with the moving hand 60, and the hand 60 holds the right connector 10, and at the same time, the payout arm 61 contacts the right end surface of the left connector 10. Slide along 13. At this time, the upper fixing hand 68 is raised and retracted.

  The connector 10 determined to be defective by the inspection device 11 or the locking confirmation mechanism 14 is sent to the payout holder 62 by the arm 61, and after the retreating operation of the payout holder 62, the arm 61 and the hand 60, the arm 61 is defective. It is pushed out to the discharge chute. At that time, the connector 10 from the holder 5 stays in the right half of the guide holder 13, for example, is held again by the hand 60 moved rightward and forwardly, and sent to the locking confirmation mechanism 14. The payout holder 62 can be moved in the front-rear direction by a horizontal cylinder (drive means) 27.

  Through the above steps, the insertion of the press contact terminal 8 into the connector housing 2, the inspection of the press contact terminal 8 of the connector 10, and the dispensing of the connector 10 are performed smoothly and efficiently.

  The above-described inspection device 11 is provided between the terminal insertion mechanism 9 and the locking confirmation mechanism 14. As shown in FIG. 8, the inspection apparatus 11 includes a CCD support unit 85, a light source support unit 86, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera 87 as an imaging unit, an illumination lamp 88 as a light source, and a determination unit. And a control device 89.

  The CCD support unit 85 is installed on the mounting plate 21 of the apparatus main body 17 and is erected from the mounting plate 21. The light source support portion 86 is installed on the mounting plate 21 of the apparatus main body 17 and is erected from the mounting plate 21. The light source support part 86 is disposed between the CCD support part 85 and the first moving mechanism 7.

  The CCD camera 87 is supported by the CCD support unit 85. The CCD camera 87 can pick up an image of the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 of the connector 10 held by the holder 5 of the holding mechanism 20 moved by the first moving mechanism 7. The CCD camera 87 images the press contact terminals 8 of the connector 10 one by one. The optical axis of the CCD camera 87 includes the surface of the press contact blade 52 of the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 attached to the connector housing 2 (the direction in which the electric wire is press-fitted between the press contact blades 52) and the press contact blade 52 of the press contact portion 16. It intersects with both the longitudinal direction of the wires press-fitted between them, that is, press-contacted. For this reason, the CCD camera 87 images the plurality of press contact portions 16 of the press contact terminal 8 from a direction intersecting both the surface of the press contact blade 52 and the longitudinal direction of the electric wire. For this reason, the CCD camera 87 can image a plurality of press contact portions 16 of a single press contact terminal 8, that is, a plurality of pairs of press contact blades 52.

  In the illustrated example, the CCD camera 87 includes a two-dimensional CCD image pickup device in which image pickup elements constituting pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and a lens that guides an image (light) to the two-dimensional CCD image pickup device. In the CCD camera 87, the two-dimensional CCD image sensor detects the intensity of light in a plurality of stages. That is, the CCD camera 87 detects the intensity of light at each pixel arranged two-dimensionally. The CCD camera 87 captures so-called black and white images with shading.

  The illumination lamp 88 is supported by the light source support portion 86. The illumination lamp 88 irradiates light particularly on the press contact portion 16 of the connector 10 held by the holder 5 of the holding mechanism 20 moved by the first moving mechanism 7 and in the vicinity of the press contact portion 16. As the illumination lamp 88, for example, a well-known high-intensity halogen lamp or LED (Light Emitting Diode) can be used.

  In the present embodiment, the CCD camera 87 and the illumination lamp 88 described above are at positions where the light from the illumination lamp 88 is reflected by the respective parts such as the press contact terminal 8 and is not easily incident on the CCD camera 87 (is hardly incident). It is arranged. Further, the CCD camera 87 and the illumination lamp 88 described above are disposed at positions where the light from the illumination lamp 88 is reflected by the respective parts such as the connector housing 2 and easily incident on the CCD camera 87. Therefore, in the image G1 in which the CCD camera 87 images the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8, as shown in FIG. 13, the press contact blade 52 of the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 indicated by parallel oblique lines is relatively dark. Each part of the connector housing 2 is relatively bright. Further, in the present embodiment, one pressure contact portion 16 located at the upper side in FIG. 13 and indicated by a dense parallel oblique line is darker than the other pressure contact portion 16 located at the lower side in FIG.

  The control device 89 is a computer including a known RAM, ROM, CPU, and the like. The control device 89 is connected to the CCD camera 87 of the inspection device 11 described above and controls the entire inspection device 11. Further, the control device 89 is in addition to the inspection device 11 described above, and includes a carry-in mechanism 18, a holding mechanism 20, a first moving mechanism 7, a terminal insertion mechanism 9, a second moving mechanism 12, and a locking confirmation. It is connected to the mechanism 14 and controls the entire connector assembling apparatus 1. The control device 89 operates the carry-in mechanism 18, the holding mechanism 20, the first moving mechanism 7, the terminal insertion mechanism 9, the second moving mechanism 12, and the locking confirmation mechanism 14 as described above. And the above-described mechanisms 18, 20, 7, 9, 12, and 14 are operated according to the stored program.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the control device 89 includes a storage unit 90, a calculation unit 91, and a determination unit 92. The storage unit 90 is mainly composed of a ROM or the like, and stores a program for operating the inspection apparatus 11 and the mechanisms 18, 20, 7, 9, 12, 14.

  The storage unit 90 includes a plurality of calculation areas R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 12 in the images of the plurality of press contact parts 16 of the non-defective press contact terminals 8 imaged by the CCD camera 87. The relative positions of R7 and R8, the reference region K indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12, and the confirmation region J indicated by a solid line in FIG. 12 are stored. That is, the storage unit 90 stores the positions of the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 for calculating the distance between the press contact blades 52 in the image G1.

  The storage unit 90 stores a range of intervals between the press contact blades 52 in the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 of the non-defective press contact terminals 8. Further, the storage unit 90 is attached to each terminal accommodating chamber 15, the position of each terminal accommodating chamber 15 as an inspection target of the connector housing 2, the order of inspection of the press contact terminals 8 attached to each terminal accommodating chamber 15, and the like. The position of the nut 39 of the first moving mechanism 7 and the rotational position of the holder 5 of the reversing mechanism 6 that can be imaged by the CCD camera 87 are stored.

  A plurality of calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 are provided on one press contact blade 52 (a pair in the illustrated example). For this reason, eight calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are provided in the illustrated example. Each calculation region R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 is arranged at a position including the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52 of the press contact portion 16. Further, a pair of calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 provided in each press contact blade 52 is along the direction in which the electric wire is press-fitted into the press contact portion 16, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. Are arranged at intervals.

  For this reason, one press contact blade 52 includes the calculation regions R1, R2, R5, and R6 including locations from the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52, and the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52. There are calculation regions R3, R4, R7, and R8 that include distant locations. The calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 of the pair of press contact blades 52 of each press contact portion 16 are along the surface of the rising plate 49 and the pair of press contact blades 52 are spaced from each other. They are spaced apart from each other along the opening direction.

  The reference region K is a characteristic portion in the above-described non-defective image. In the illustrated example, the reference region K includes the outer edges of the pair of press contact blades 52 of the press contact portion 16 located below in FIG. The reference region K is an image obtained by imaging the characteristic portion of the press contact terminal 8 that is a non-defective product. For this reason, the reference area K is a so-called black and white image with shading. In addition, you may use the other location of the quality image mentioned above as the reference | standard area | region K. FIG.

  The confirmation area J is an area for determining whether or not the press contact terminal 8 is attached to the connector housing 2. That is, the confirmation area J is an area for determining whether or not the press contact terminal 8 exists in the image G1. In the illustrated example, the confirmation region J is arranged at a position including only the press contact blade 52 of the press contact terminal 8 in the image G1 of the connector housing 2 to which the press contact terminal 8 is mounted.

  The calculation unit 91 mainly includes the above-described RAM and CPU, and an image G1 of the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 in which the CCD camera 87 is mounted on the connector housing 2 to be inspected according to the program stored in the storage unit 90. A portion corresponding to the reference region K stored in advance in the storage unit 90 (shown in FIG. 13) is extracted. When extracting a portion corresponding to the reference region K from the image G1, the image G1 is divided into sizes corresponding to the reference region K described above, and this divided image and the image of the reference region K described above are known normal images. Apply correlation (pattern matching). Then, the division position of the image G1 is changed variously, and the one having the highest correlation value with the reference region K stored in the storage unit 90 is extracted. In this way, the calculation unit 91 extracts a portion corresponding to the reference region K from the image G1 obtained by imaging the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 as an inspection target. Note that the normalized correlation is a method of moving, enlarging, and reducing two images to be collated to match the sizes (perform normalization). Thereafter, a correlation method is applied to obtain a correlation value indicating the degree of coincidence between the two images.

  Then, the calculation unit 91 is based on the positional relationship between the reference region K stored in advance in the storage unit 90, the plurality of calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and the confirmation region J. The positions of the calculation areas R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and the confirmation area J in the image G1 are obtained. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the reference region K stored in advance in the storage unit 90 and the plurality of calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and the confirmation region J are superimposed on the image G1. Thus, the calculation unit 91 calculates the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 in the image G1 obtained by imaging the pressure contact terminal 8 as the inspection target based on the position of the reference region K. , R8 is obtained. In addition, the calculation unit 91 calculates the distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 between the press contact blades 52 from within the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 of the positions thus obtained. Is calculated.

  The calculation unit 91 determines whether the press contact terminal 8 is attached based on the intensity of light in the confirmation region J. In the illustrated example, the illumination lamp 88 and the CCD camera 87 are disposed at a position where the light reflected by the pressure contact terminal 8 is not easily incident on the CCD camera 87, and the pressure contact terminal 8 in the image G1 is relatively dark. In the illustrated example, the calculation unit 91 determines whether or not the press contact terminal 8 is attached based on whether or not the intensity of light in the confirmation region J is below a predetermined value. Of course, the calculation unit 91 determines that the press contact terminal 8 is attached when the intensity of light in the confirmation region J is below a predetermined value. The calculation unit 91 determines that the press contact terminal 8 is not attached unless the intensity of light in the confirmation region J is less than a predetermined value.

  When the calculation unit 91 determines that the press contact terminal 8 is attached, the calculation unit 91 applies a well-known edge detection method to each calculation region R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 to thereby calculate each calculation region. The etch of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 is extracted. Then, the calculation unit 91 obtains an image G2 shown in FIG. 15 in which the edges in at least the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are extracted. When detecting an edge, for example, pixels whose light intensity difference between adjacent pixels exceeds a predetermined value are connected to each other.

  Further, the calculation unit 91 is located within the calculation regions R1 and R2 spaced from each other along the direction in which the pair of press contact blades 52 are arranged close to each other along the rising plate 49 of one press contact portion 16 shown in the upper part of FIG. A distance D1 between the inner edges 52a of the press contact blade 52 is calculated. The calculation unit 91 is configured so that the press contact blade 52 can be connected to the press contact blade 52 from the calculation regions R3 and R4 spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the pair of press contact blades 52 are lined up with each other. A distance D2 between the inner edges 52a is calculated.

  And the calculation part 91 is from the calculation area | region R5, R6 which mutually spaced apart along the direction which the raising plate 49 of the other press-contact part 16 shown below in FIG. The distance D3 between the inner edges 52a of the press contact blade 52 is calculated. The calculation unit 91 is configured so that the press contact blade 52 can be connected to the press contact blade 52 from within the calculation regions R7 and R8 spaced apart from each other along the direction in which the pair of press contact blades 52 are aligned with each other. A distance D4 between the inner edges 52a is calculated.

  When calculating the distances D1, D2, D3, D4 between the inner edges 52a of the press contact blade 52 from the calculation areas R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, each calculation area R1, R2, R3, Calculation is based on the coordinates of the extracted edges of R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8. Further, the intervals D1, D2, D3, D4 are intervals between the press contact blades 52 described in the present specification.

  As described above, the calculation unit 91 extracts the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52 from the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 at the positions stored in the storage unit 90 in the image G1. To do. And the calculation part 91 calculates the space | interval between the press-contact blades 52 by calculating space | interval D1, D2, D3, D4 between the inner edges 52a.

  Further, the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are the above-described locations near the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52 and the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52. And away from. For this reason, the calculation part 91 is based on calculation area | region R1, R2, R5, R6 including the location near the raising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press-contacting blade 52, and the location near the raising plate 49 of the press-contacting blade 52. Calculate the interval. Further, the calculation unit 91 is based on the calculation regions R3, R4, R7, and R8 that include a location away from the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52, and a location that is away from the rise plate 49 of the press contact blade 52. The interval is calculated.

  The determination unit 92 mainly includes the above-described RAM and CPU, and the non-defective products in which the intervals D1, D2, D3, and D4 calculated by the calculation unit 91 are stored in the above-described storage unit 90 in accordance with the program stored in the storage unit 90. It is determined whether it is within the range of the press contact terminal 8. When the intervals D1, D2, D3, and D4 calculated by the calculation unit 91 are within the range of the non-defective press contact terminal 8 stored in the storage unit 90, the determination unit 92 presses the press contact terminal 8 as an inspection target. The press contact blade 52 of the part 16 is determined to be a non-defective product. In addition, the determination unit 92 determines that the intervals D1, D2, D3, and D4 calculated by the calculation unit 91 are outside the range of the non-defective press contact terminals 8 stored in the storage unit 90 described above, and the press contact terminals 8 as inspection targets. It is determined that the press contact blade 52 of the press contact portion 16 is a defective product.

  Thus, the determination unit 92 determines pass / fail of the press contact terminal 8 based on the distances D1, D2, D3, D4 between the press contact blades 52 calculated by the calculation unit 91. Further, the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are the above-described locations near the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52 and the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52. And away from. Further, the calculation unit 91 calculates the distances D1 and D3 of the press contact blade 52 near the rising plate 49 and the distances D2 and D4 of the press contact blade 52 away from the rising plate 49. For this reason, the determination unit 92 calculates the distances D1 and D3 of the press contact blade 52 near the rising plate 49 calculated by the calculation unit 91 and the distances D2 and D4 of the press contact blade 52 away from the start plate 49. The quality of the press contact terminal 8 is determined based on the above.

  Next, a process in which the inspection apparatus 11 having the above-described configuration inspects the press contact portions 16 of the press contact terminals 8 of the connector 10 attached to the holder 5 will be described below. The connector 10 held by the holder 5 with the press contact terminal 8 inserted into the predetermined terminal accommodating chamber 15 by the terminal insertion mechanism 9 is carried into the inspection apparatus 11 by the first moving mechanism 7. And the control apparatus 89 of the test | inspection apparatus 11 extracts the press-contact terminal 8 in which a test | inspection is performed first among the order memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 90. FIG. The control device 89 controls the motor 42 of the first moving mechanism 7 and the motor 36 of the reversing mechanism to position the extracted pressure contact portion 16 of the pressure contact terminal 8 at a position where the CCD camera 87 can image.

  In step S1 in FIG. 11, the CCD camera 87 images each press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8, and the process proceeds to step S2. An image G1 (shown in FIG. 13) obtained by imaging is input to the control device 89. In step S2, the control device 89 extracts a portion corresponding to the reference region K stored in the storage unit 90 from the image G1, and proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control device 89, the portion corresponding to the extracted reference region K, the reference region K stored in the storage unit 90, the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and the confirmation region. Based on the relative position to J, the positions of the reference region K, the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and the confirmation region J in the image G1 are obtained. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the control device 89 obtains an image G1 in which the reference region K, the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and the confirmation region J are overlapped, Proceed to step S4.

  In step S4, the control device 89 determines whether or not the press contact terminal 8 is attached based on the intensity of light in the confirmation region J in the image G1 shown in FIG. When determining that the press contact terminal 8 is not attached, the control device 89 temporarily stores the position of the terminal accommodating chamber 15 in which the press contact terminal 8 is not mounted, and proceeds to step S12. If the control device 89 determines that the press contact terminal 8 is attached, the control device 89 proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, as shown in FIG. 15, the control device 89 detects the edges of the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8. And the control apparatus 89 extracts the inner edge 52a of the press-contact blade 52 of each press-contact part 16, and progresses to step S6. In step S6, the control device 89 sets the interval D1 between the inner edges 52a from the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R1 and the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R2, that is, the rising plate 49 of the press contact blade 52 of one press contact portion 16. Calculate the distance between the close points.

  Then, the control device 89 determines whether the calculated distance D1 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90 and determines whether the press contact blade 52 is good or bad. If the control device 89 determines that the calculated distance D1 is outside the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S10, determines that the press contact blade 52 is a defective product, and the press contact portion of the press contact terminal 8 that is defective. The position of 16 is memorize | stored and it progresses to step S12. If the control device 89 determines that the calculated interval D1 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the control device 89 sets the interval D2 between the inner edges 52a from the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R3 and the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R4, that is, the rising plate 49 of the press contact blade 52 of one press contact portion 16. Calculate the distance between points away from. Then, the control device 89 determines whether the calculated interval D2 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90, and determines whether the press contact blade 52 is good or bad. If the control device 89 determines that the calculated distance D2 is outside the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S10, determines that the press contact blade 52 is a defective product, and the press contact portion of the press contact terminal 8 that is defective. The position of 16 is memorize | stored and it progresses to step S12. When the control device 89 determines that the calculated interval D2 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control device 89 raises the distance D3 between the inner edge 52a from the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R5 and the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R6, that is, the rising plate 49 of the press contact blade 52 of the other press contact portion 16. Calculate the distance between the close points. Then, the control device 89 determines whether or not the calculated distance D3 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90 to determine whether the press contact blade 52 is good or bad. If the controller 89 determines that the calculated distance D3 is outside the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S10, determines that the press contact blade 52 is defective, and presses the press contact terminal 8 that is defective. The position of 16 is memorize | stored and it progresses to step S12. If the control device 89 determines that the calculated interval D3 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the control device 89 sets the distance D4 between the inner edges 52a from the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R7 and the position of the inner edge 52a of the calculation region R8, that is, the rising plate 49 of the press contact blade 52 of the other press contact portion 16. Calculate the distance between points away from. Then, the control device 89 determines whether the calculated distance D4 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90, and determines whether the press contact blade 52 is good or bad. If the control device 89 determines that the calculated distance D4 is outside the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S10, determines that the press contact blade 52 is defective, and presses the press contact portion 8 of the press contact terminal 8 that is defective. The position of 16 is memorize | stored and it progresses to step S12. If the controller 89 determines that the calculated distance D4 is within the range stored in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 proceeds to step S11, determines that all the press contact parts 16 of the press contact terminals 8 are non-defective, and performs step S12. Proceed to

  In step S12, the control device 89, as described above in step S11 or step S10, the plurality of press contact terminals 8 of the connector 10 in which the press contact terminals 8 determined to be non-defective products or defective products are held by the holder 5. It is determined whether or not the last one has been inspected. If it is determined that it is not the last press contact terminal 8, the process returns to step S <b> 1, the press contact terminal 8 to be inspected next is extracted, and the press contact terminal 8 is positioned at a position where it can be imaged by the CCD camera 87.

  Then, the control device 89 repeats steps S1 to S12 described above, and inspects the press contact terminals 8 in the order stored in the storage unit 90. If it is determined in step S12 that the terminal 8 is the last press contact terminal 8, the inspection by the inspection device 11 is completed, and the connector 10 that has been inspected by the first moving mechanism 7 or the like and is held by the holder 5 is in the second state. It is conveyed to the locking confirmation mechanism 14 via the moving mechanism 12. Further, the next connector 10 that has not been inspected by the first moving mechanism 7 or the like is conveyed to the inspection device 11.

  According to the present embodiment, the CCD camera 87 images the press contact blades 52 of the plurality of press contact portions 16 from the direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and the press contact portion 16, that is, the surface of the press contact blade 52. For this reason, the contour of the inner edge 52a of each press contact blade 52 of each press contact portion 16 can be obtained even before the electric wire is pressed.

  Furthermore, since the control device 89 determines pass / fail of the press contact portion 16, that is, the press contact terminal 8, based on the distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 between the press contact blades 52, the press contact portion 16 of the press contact portion 16 determined to be a non-defective product is used. It is possible to prevent a defective product from being brought into pressure contact with the electric wire. For this reason, deterioration of the material yield of an electric wire can be prevented. Thus, the quality of the press contact part 16 can be reliably determined before the press contact of the electric wire.

  Further, based on the distances D1, D2, D3, D4 between the press contact blades 52 of the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 stored in advance in the storage unit 90, the control device 89 is connected to the press contact terminal. 8 is judged good or bad. For this reason, the position for detecting the distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 between the press contact blades 52 does not vary for each inspection of the press contact portion 16, that is, the press contact terminal 8, that is, for each press contact portion 16, that is, for each press contact terminal 8. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine the quality of the press contact portion 16, that is, the press contact terminal 8 before the press contact of the electric wire.

  The calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are located at a position near the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52 and at a position away from the rising plate 49 of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52. Is provided. For this reason, the control device 89 presses the press contact terminal 8 on the basis of the distances D1, D2, D3, D4 between the position of the inner edge 52a of the press contact blade 52 near the rising plate 49 and the position away from the rising plate 49. It will be judged whether or not. Therefore, the quality of the press contact blade 52, that is, the press contact portion 16, can be determined more accurately before the press contact of the electric wire.

  The storage unit 90 stores the relative position between the reference region K and each of the calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and the calculation unit 91 enters the reference region K from the image G1 obtained by imaging. Corresponding portions are extracted, and the positions of the respective calculation regions R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are obtained. For this reason, the position which detects the space | interval between the press contact blades 52 for every test | inspection of the press contact part 16, ie, the press contact terminal 8, does not vary. Therefore, the quality of the press contact blade, that is, the press contact portion, can be determined more accurately by the press contact portion 16, that is, the press contact terminal 8.

  Further, the presence or absence of the press contact terminal 8 is confirmed based on the confirmation region J. Further, the confirmation region J is positioned so that the press contact blade 52 of the press contact terminal 8 is positioned. For this reason, the presence or absence of the press contact terminal 8 can be confirmed based on the confirmation region J, and it is possible to reliably grasp whether the press contact terminal 8 is forgotten to be inserted into the connector housing as well as whether the press contact terminal 8 is good or bad.

  In the embodiment described above, the illumination lamp 88 and the CCD camera 87 are arranged at a position where the connector housing 2 is bright and the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 is dark. However, in the present invention, the illumination lamp 88 and the CCD camera 87 may be arranged at a position where the connector housing 2 is dark and the press contact portion 16 of the press contact terminal 8 is bright. Further, when extracting an edge and when extracting a portion corresponding to the reference region K, various conventionally known methods may be used without being limited to the above-described edge detection method and normalized correlation method. .

  In short, in the present invention, the pressure contact portion 16 is imaged from a direction intersecting with both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire pressed against the pressure contact portion 16 and the surface of the pressure contact portion 16, and a plurality of pressure contact portions are obtained from the image G1 obtained by imaging. The intervals D1, D2, D3, D4 between the sixteen pressure contact blades 52 may be calculated, and the quality of the pressure contact terminal 8 may be determined based on the intervals D1, D2, D3, D4 between the pressure contact blades 52.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the quality of the press contact terminal 8 in which the substrate 47 and the rising plate 49 are bent in a letter shape when viewed from the side at the wire press contact portion 16 is determined. However, in the present invention, the quality of the press contact terminal 8 formed on one flat plate without bending the substrate 47 and the rising plate 49 at the wire connection portion 53 may be determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, the quality of the press contact terminal 8 attached to the connector housing 2 is determined. However, in the present invention, the quality of the press contact terminals 8 that are not attached to the connector housing 2 (which may be connected by the chain band 43 or may be separated one by one) may be determined. Further, the press contact terminal 8 includes a pair of press contact portions 16. However, in the present invention, the press contact terminal 8 may include three or more press contact portions 16.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection device 11 is incorporated in the connector assembly device 1. However, the inspection apparatus 11 of the present invention may be used alone.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a front view showing the whole connector assembly device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the principal part of the carrying-in mechanism of the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. It is a side view which shows the principal part of the housing set part of the carrying-in mechanism shown by FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the principal part of the holding mechanism of the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. It is a top view which shows the 1st moving mechanism of the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the principal part of the terminal insertion mechanism of the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. It is a front view which shows the cutting mechanism before the terminal insertion of the terminal insertion mechanism shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the test | inspection apparatus of the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. 1 in a partial cross section. It is a top view which shows the principal part of the 2nd moving mechanism and terminal locking confirmation mechanism of the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. It is a side view which shows the principal part of the 2nd moving mechanism and terminal locking confirmation mechanism which were shown by FIG. 9 in a partial cross section. It is a flowchart which shows the process in which the quality of a press-contact terminal is determined with the test | inspection apparatus shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the relative position of the reference | standard area | region memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the inspection apparatus shown by FIG. 8, and each calculation area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the image obtained by imaging the press-contact part of a press-contact terminal with the CCD camera of the test | inspection apparatus shown by FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the reference region and each calculation region illustrated in FIG. 12 are superimposed on the image illustrated in FIG. 13. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state which extracts the edge of each calculation area | region of the image shown by FIG. 14, and calculates the space | interval between the inner edges of a press-contact blade. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the connector assembled with the connector assembly apparatus shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the press-contact terminal of the connector shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which inserted the press-contact terminal to the connector housing of the connector shown by FIG. It is a front view which shows the state which inserted the press-contact terminal to the connector housing of the connector shown by FIG. 16 to the last. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ABCD in FIG. 19.

Explanation of symbols

8 Pressure contact terminal 11 Inspection device (Pressure contact terminal inspection device)
16 Pressure welding part 49 Standing board (wall)
52 pressure contact blade 52a inner edge 87 CCD camera (imaging means)
89 Control device (determination means)
90 storage unit 91 calculation unit 92 determination unit G1 image R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 calculation region K reference region J confirmation region D1 interval (interval between points near the wall)
D2 interval (distance between points away from the wall)
D3 Interval (Spacing near the wall)
D4 interval (distance between points away from the wall)

Claims (6)

Inspection of a press contact terminal comprising a wall for positioning an electric wire on the surface, and a press contact portion comprising a pair of press contact blades standing from the wall and having the wire covering portion cut between each other and connected to the electric wire In the method
A plurality of the press contact portions are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire,
Imaging the press contact blades of a plurality of press contact portions from the direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and the surface of the press contact blade of the press contact portion,
A method for inspecting a press contact terminal, wherein the quality of the press contact terminal is determined based on an interval between the press contact blades of each press contact portion from an image obtained by imaging.   2. The press contact terminal according to claim 1, wherein pass / fail of the press contact terminal is determined based on an interval between the press contact blades near the wall and an interval between the press contact blades away from the wall. Inspection method. Inspection of a press-contact terminal comprising a wall for positioning an electric wire on the surface and a press-contact portion comprising a pair of press-contact blades standing from the wall and in which the covering portion of the electric wire is cut between and in contact with the electric wire In the device
A plurality of the press contact portions are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electric wire,
Imaging means for imaging the press contact blades of the plurality of press contact portions from a direction intersecting with both the longitudinal direction of the electric wire and the surface of the press contact blade of the press contact portion;
A determination unit that calculates an interval between the press contact blades of each press contact portion from an image obtained by the imaging unit, and determines the quality of the press contact terminal based on the calculated interval;
An inspection apparatus for press contact terminals, comprising: The determination means includes
A storage unit that stores a position of a calculation region for calculating an interval between the press contact blades in the image;
A calculation unit for calculating an interval between the press contact blades by extracting an inner edge of the press contact blade from a calculation region of a position stored in the storage unit of the image and calculating an interval between the extracted inner edges; ,
A determination unit that determines pass / fail of the press contact terminal based on an interval between the press contact blades calculated by the calculation unit;
The press contact terminal inspection apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: The calculation area is provided in a location near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade in the image and a location away from the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade in the image,
The calculation unit calculates an interval between the portions of the press contact blade near the wall based on a calculation area provided at the location near the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade, and is separated from the wall of the inner edge of the press contact blade. And calculating the interval of the location away from the wall of the press contact blade based on the calculation area provided in the location,
The determination unit determines pass / fail of the press contact terminal based on an interval between locations of the press contact blade near the wall calculated by the calculation unit and an interval between locations of the press contact blade away from the wall. The pressure contact terminal inspection device according to claim 4. The storage unit stores a reference area in an image obtained by imaging a press contact blade of a good press contact part, and a relative position of the reference area and the calculation area,
The calculation unit extracts a portion corresponding to the reference region from an image obtained by imaging the pressure contact blade of the pressure contact portion to be inspected, and based on a relative position between the reference region and the calculation region, 6. The apparatus for inspecting a press contact terminal according to claim 4, wherein a position of the calculation area is obtained, and an interval between the press contact blades is calculated from within the calculation area of the obtained position.

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