JPH08236245A - Assembling tool for joint connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily and surely fit joint connectors having a large number of poles each other by preventing incomplete fitting or twisted fitting of the joints connectors. CONSTITUTION: A holding means 23 to hold a female connector 11 and a male connector 12 which compose a joint connector 1 is installed. Both of the held connectors 11, 12 are pressed and fastened by pressing means 24, 26 to be connected each other. An elastic means to elastically transmit the fastening force by the pressing means 24, 26. Consequently, the twisting force applied to both connectors 11, 12 is absorbed in the elastic means. Not only fitting of the joint connector 1 can be carried out easily and surely, but also damaging of the connectors 11, 12 due to twisting can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a short-circuit connector called a joint connector is widely used for short-circuiting many covered electric wires (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-277180).
No.). In this type of joint connector, by fitting a female connector and a male connector to each other, each terminal fitting of a plurality of electric wires with terminals attached to one connector is connected to a short-circuit fitting attached to the other connector. However, it is for electrically connecting the terminal fittings in a predetermined arrangement.

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

[0004]

However, as described above, when the number of connecting poles of the joint connector (the number of terminal fittings to be connected) is large, the resistance of the connecting portion becomes large, so that the connector is manually fitted. I was doing a match,
The fitting state becomes insufficient (hereinafter, this insufficient fitting state is referred to as "half-fitting"), and there was a problem such as the joint connector coming off in a later process. In addition, there is a problem that twisting is likely to occur during fitting operation of the connector, resulting in terminal deformation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a joint connector assembling tool capable of securely and easily fitting even a joint connector having a large number of poles.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the structure according to claim 1 of the present invention is a holding means for holding a male connector and a female connector constituting a joint connector so that they can be fitted to each other. And a pressing means for tightening the two connectors held by the holding means so that they are fitted to each other, and an elastic means for elastically transmitting the tightening force of the pressing means to both connectors to both connectors. And a joint connector assembling tool.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint connector assembling apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the elastic means is in contact with either one of the two connectors held by the holding means. And a spring member that is connected to the abutment and that elastically transmits the tightening force to both connectors via the abutment, and the abutment of the spring member when the two connectors are fitted together. It includes a support member that supports the contactor so that it can be displaced against the urging force, and connector detection means that detects the connector when the contactor is displaced during the fitting process of both connectors. It is a thing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the joint connector assembling apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the fitting is performed based on the displacement position of the pressurizing means displaced by completion of fitting of both connectors. It further comprises fitting detection means for detecting the completion of the joining work. In addition, claim 4
The structure described above further includes, in the joint connector assembling apparatus according to claim 3, a notification means for notifying the completion of work when both the connector detection means and the fitting detection means output a detection signal. It is what

[0009]

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

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since both connectors are held by the holding means, the contactor of the elastic means comes into contact with either connector. Then, the contactor transmits the tightening force of both connectors from the elastic member, so that the contactor tightens both connectors while being displaced against the biasing force of the elastic member.
At this time, when the pressurizing means is operated in the state where one connector is not attached, the contactor is not displaced, so that the detection signal of the connector is not output.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when both connectors are completely fitted, the fitting detecting means detects this. Further, in the configuration according to the fourth aspect, the notification means notifies the completion of the work only when both the mounting and the fitting of the both connectors are detected.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a joint connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a joint connector fitted by the assembly tool of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the holder adopted in the assembly tool of FIG. 1 by breaking it, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a detector adopted in the assembly tool of FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 2, in the joint connector 1 which is the object of this embodiment, a large number of covered electric wires 13 are formed by fitting a female connector 11 and a male connector 12.
Is short-circuited along a predetermined path to form a specific circuit. The female connector 11 is composed of a substantially rectangular housing 11A made of resin.
By inserting the terminal fittings 14 crimped onto the end portions of the covered electric wires 13 into the large number of terminal receiving holes 11B formed in 1A, the covered electric wires 13 are inserted through the respective terminal fittings 14.
Is assembled. The terminal accommodating hole 11B formed in the housing 11A opens the terminal fitting 14 inserted at one end surface of the housing 11A. A rib 11F extending in a direction orthogonal to the inserted terminal fitting 14 is formed on the outer surface of the female connector 11.

The male connector 12 is a substantially cylindrical body 12A capable of accommodating the housing 11A of the female connector 11.
And a bottom portion 12B extended to the main body portion 12A, and a bottom portion 12
And a connecting fitting 12C fixed to B.
The main body portion 12A is the housing 11 of the female connector 11.
Groove portion 12D for positioning A in a general insertion posture
Are formed on the upper and lower inner surfaces, and the housing 11
Ribs 11 fitted in the groove 12D are provided on the upper and lower outer surfaces of A.
D (only one shown in FIG. 2) is formed. Further, a slit 12E having two ends and extending in two lines is formed on one side surface of the main body 12A, and the slit 12E is fitted to the housing 11A when the connectors 11 and 12 are fitted to each other.
A locking projection 11E that locks at the end of E is formed.

Connection fitting 12 attached to the bottom portion 12B
C is a female connector 11 housed in the main body 12A.
Corresponding to the terminal metal fitting 14 of the above, it projects and is connected by a predetermined path via a connecting portion (not shown). Then, the terminal fitting 14 of the female connector 11 is directed toward the connecting fitting 12C, and the housing 11A of the female connector 11 is housed in the main body portion 12A of the male connector 12 in one posture specified by the groove 12D and the rib 11D. By locking the locking projection 11E to the end of the slit 12E, both connectors 11 and 12 are fitted and mechanically connected together. Then, when the connectors 11 and 12 are fitted to each other, the connection fitting 12C is connected to the corresponding terminal fitting 14, and the covered electric wires 13 are short-circuited along a predetermined path.

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

A holder 23 for receiving the female connector 11 and the male connector 12 to be assembled is opposed to one end surface of the rail member 22. In addition, this rail member 22
A movable block 24 is slidably attached to the holder 23. The movable block 24 can be moved toward or away from the holder 23. Referring to FIG.
The holder 23 includes a base portion 23A fixed to one end of the base portion 21 by a bolt (not shown), and a pair of side portions 23B extending upward from both widthwise ends of the base portion 23A.
3C is a resin molded product.

Base portion 23A and both side portions 23B and 23C
Are formed in a U-shape that opens upward with respect to each other, and the inner surface thereof defines a guide surface 25 that guides both connectors 11 and 12 that form the joint connector 1 so that they can be vertically inserted and removed. In the present embodiment, this guide surface 25 constitutes a holding means for holding both connectors 11 and 12 (see FIG. 2) so that they can be connected to each other.

The guide surface 25 defines a groove 25A for vertically inserting and removing the rib 11F (see FIG. 2) formed on the female connector 11, and the female connector 11 allows the female connector 11 to be held by the holder 23. There is a standard set of postures for wearing on. The guide surface 25 is provided with a groove 25B for escaping the projections of the connectors 11 and 12 (for example, the locking projection 11E).

A substantially U-shaped end plate 26 is fixed to the end surface of the holder 23 with screws 27. The end plate 26 is the housing 11A of the female connector 11 housed in the holder 23.
It is for receiving the end face, and in this embodiment,
It constitutes a part of a pressing means for tightening the two connectors 11 and 12 so that they are fitted to each other. Next, FIG.
Returning to FIG. 4, the movable block 24 is a resin molded part partially formed in a hollow shape, and is connected to a handle 28 pivotally supported on the other end of the base 21 via a pair of link arms 27. Has been done. The handle 28 has a base end portion 28 that is rotatable about an axis A1 that is orthogonal to the rail member 22.
A and a grip portion 28B continuous with the base end portion 28A. One end of the link arm 27 is pivotally supported by the shaft A2 on the base end portion 28A, and the other end of the link arm 27 is pivotally supported by the movable block 24 by the shaft A3. Then, the movable block 2 is rotated by rotating the handle 28 around the axis A1 described above.
4 can be displaced so that it can move toward and away from the holder 23. The handle 28, the link arm 27, and the holder 23 constitute a toggle mechanism, and the movable block 24 described later in detail in FIG.
Is brought close to the holder 23 and brought into contact with the holder 23, and then the handle 28 is rotated in the approaching direction.
1, A2, A3 are arranged substantially on one horizontal line, and the movable block 24 can be locked to the holder 23.

The movable block 24 is integrally formed with a convex portion 24A which projects toward the holder 23.
A limit switch 29 is attached to a shoulder portion 24B defined by the convex portion 24A, and the movable block 24 comes close to the holder 23 when the connectors 11 and 12 are fitted together at the time of connecting a connector to be described later. In this case, the limit switch 29 is connected and both connectors 1
Fitting detection means for detecting the completion of fitting of Nos. 1 and 12 is configured.

Next, the holder 23 is provided inside the convex portion 24A.
Plural pressing units 30 and 31 projecting toward are arranged. The pressing units 30 and 31 are the holder 23.
Female connector 12 that is opposed to the outer surface of the bottom portion 12B of the male connector 12 held by the male connector 12 and is fixed by the end plate 26 when the movable block 24 is driven toward the holder 23. It is for pressing toward 11.

Referring to FIG. 4, each pressing unit 30, 3
Among them, some of them (in the present embodiment, the pressing unit 30 arranged at the top and the pressing unit 30 arranged at the bottom in this embodiment) are sleeves 32 fixed to the movable block 24.
It has. The sleeve 32 is a cylinder made of an insulating material, and a boss cylinder 33 made of a conductive material is press-fitted into one end of the sleeve 32.

The boss cylinder 33 is provided with a flange portion 33A which comes into contact with the end surface of the sleeve 32.
The end surface 33B of 3A is fixed to the end surface 24C of the convex portion 24A of the movable block 24, and faces the male connector 12 held by the holder 23. The boss cylinder 33
The abutment member 34 is slidably fitted in the. The contactor 34 includes a cylindrical main body portion 34A, a part of which slides in the boss cylinder 33, and a flange portion integrally formed in the middle portion of the main body portion 34A facing the end surface 24C of the boss cylinder 33. 34B and the fixing flange 34 press-fitted to the end of the body portion 34A opposite to the flange portion 34B with respect to the boss cylinder 33.
It is a columnar body made of a conductive material having C and. Also,
A compression coil spring 35 is compressed between the flange portion 34B and the boss cylinder 33. Due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 35, the contactor 34 always projects toward the male connector 12, and the fixing flange 34C comes into contact with the boss cylinder 33, whereby the amount of projection is regulated. Has been done.

Next, a boss cylinder 36 is press-fitted into the other end of the sleeve 32, and a bottomed sleeve 37 made of a conductive material is press-fitted into the inner periphery of the boss cylinder 36. The bottom portion 37 </ b> B of the sleeve 37 projects from the boss cylinder 36 to the side opposite to the contactor 34 with the opening end 37 </ b> A facing the contactor 34. A compression coil spring 38 is housed inside the sleeve 37, and one end of the compression coil spring 38 is fixed to the bottom portion 37B of the sleeve 37. Further, the contact 3 is attached to the other end of the compression coil spring 38.
The base end of 9 is fixed. The contactor 39 is a cylindrical body made of a conductive material and provided with a pair of flange portions 39A that slide in the sleeve 37, and its tip end faces the contactor 34 through a predetermined gap S. ing. And
The boss cylinder 33 press-fitted into one end of the sleeve 32 and the sleeve 37 are electrically connected to a detection circuit 60 described later.

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

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

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

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the handle 28 is rotated in the approaching direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7) from the state of FIG. 6, the pressing units 30, 31 projecting from the movable block 24. The contactor 34 of the male connector 12
Abutting the outer surface of the bottom 12B of the movable block 24 and the end plate 2
The tightening force acting between the two connectors 11, 12
To communicate. At this time, since the pressing units 30 and 31 elastically transmit the pressing force of the movable block 24 to the male connector 12 via the compression coil spring 35, the connectors 11 and 12 are twisted at the time of fitting. Is a compression coil spring 3
5 approached each other in the state of being absorbed by 5, and finally, as shown in FIG.
It is fitted as shown in.

Therefore, in the structure of this embodiment, the female connector 11 and the male connector 12 which constitute the joint connector 1 are formed.
When fitting the and
5, the connectors 11 and 12 having a large number of poles can be easily and surely fitted without damaging each other, and thus the semi-fitting of the joint connector 1 can be prevented.

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

On the other hand, the movable block 2 without any one connector (for example, the male connector 12) being attached.
When 4 is operated, as a result that a sufficient tightening force does not act between the pressing unit 30 and the end plate 36, the contactor 34 is not displaced. As a result, the contactor 34 and the contactor 39 cannot contact each other, and as a result, the detection circuit 60 remains open by the pressing unit 30. In other words, due to the lack of conduction, the connectors 11, 1
Missing of 2 will be detected.

As described above, in this embodiment, the connector 11,
Since it becomes possible to detect that the connector 12 has been forgotten to be mounted, there is an advantage that it is possible to reliably prevent a fitting error between the connectors 11 and 12 due to human factors. Next, referring to FIG. 8, when the handle 28 is fully turned in the approaching direction, the movable block 24 has the stroke L shown in FIG.
Will be stopped. At this time, the movable block 2
Limit switch 29 attached to the shoulder 24B of No. 4
Is brought into contact with the holder 23 to close the detection circuit 60. As a result, the pressing unit 30 detects the detection circuit 60.
When is closed, the notification device 62 is activated, and the worker can recognize that the fitting work of both connectors 11 and 12 is completed.

As described above, in the structure of this embodiment, the completion of the work can be notified by the completion of the fitting of the connectors 11 and 12, so that the operator can perform the operation of the connectors 1.
As a result of being able to confirm the completion of fitting of Nos. 1 and 12, there is an advantage that half-fitting can be prevented more reliably. In particular, since the notification device 62 operates only when both the pressing unit 30 and the limit switch 29 close the detection circuit 60, the work of fitting the connectors 11 and 12 is
There is an advantage that it is possible to perform more reliable work management by managing from both sides of forgetting to mount and preventing half-fitting.

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

Needless to say, various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0037]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
In the configuration described above, when the female connector and the male connector that form the joint connector are fitted together, the twisting or the like is absorbed by the elastic means, and the connectors having a large number of poles are easily and surely fitted together without damage. As a result, there is a remarkable effect that the half fitting of the joint connector can be prevented.

Further, in the structure according to the second aspect, it is possible to detect forgetting to mount the connector, and therefore there is an advantage that it is possible to surely prevent a fitting error of the joint connector due to a human factor. is there. Further, in the configuration according to claim 3, since the completion of fitting of both connectors can be detected, the operator can confirm this, and as a result, half fitting can be prevented more reliably. There is. .

Further, in the structure according to the fourth aspect, since the notification means notifies the completion of the work only when the completion of the mounting and fitting work of the connector is detected, the fitting work of the connector is
There is an advantage that it is possible to perform more reliable work management, because it is managed from both aspects of forgetting to mount and half-fitting prevention.
Therefore, according to the present invention, a remarkable effect that even a joint connector having a large number of poles can be reliably and easily fitted is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a holder in which the assembly tool shown in FIG. 1 is partially broken.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a detector used in the assembly tool of FIG.

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

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

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operating procedure of the assembling tool of FIG.

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operating procedure of the assembling tool of FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Joint Connector 11 Female Connector 12 Male Connector 20 Assembly Tool 23 Holder (Holding Means) 24 Movable Block (Part of Pressurizing Means) 26 End Plate (Part of Pressurizing Means) 29 Limit Switch (of Fitting Detection Means) 30) Pressing unit (part of elastic means / connector detecting means) 31 Pressing unit (part of elastic means) 35 Compression coil spring (elastic member) 60 Detection circuit (connector detecting means / fitting detecting means) 62 Notification Device (informing means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A holding means for holding a male connector and a female connector constituting a joint connector so that they can be fitted to each other, and for tightening both connectors held by the holding means so that they are fitted to each other. And a resilient means for resiliently transmitting the tightening force applied to both connectors by the pressure means to both connectors. 2. The joint connector assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic means is connected to an abutting member that abuts on either one of the two connectors held by the holding means, and is connected to the abutting member. , A spring member that elastically transmits the tightening force to both connectors via a contactor, and the contactor can be displaced against the biasing force of the spring member when the connectors are fitted together Thus, it includes a support member for supporting the contactor, and connector detection means for detecting the connector when the contactor is displaced in the process of fitting both connectors. 3. The joint connector assembling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fitting operation is detected based on a displacement position of the pressing means displaced by completion of fitting of both connectors. It further comprises a match detection means. 4. The joint connector assembling apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising notifying means for notifying completion of work when both the connector detecting means and the fitting detecting means output detection signals. It is what