JPH08306463A - Connector inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To inspect mechanical performance of a movable cover of a connector. CONSTITUTION: A connector receiving member 23 is arranged to hold a connector 1 so that a movable cover 12 can be displaced. A contact piece 34 to approach the movable cover 12 of the held connector 1 is arranged in an inspection part 25. When the movable cover 12 is normal, the contact piece 34 is pushed back in the inspection part 25. Therefore, mechanical performance of the movable cover 12 is inspected, and incomplete fitting caused by the movable cover 12 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 connector inspection device, and more particularly to a connector inspection device most suitable for inspecting electrical continuity of a connector used in an electric system of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, by attaching a connector to the ends of a plurality of electric wires and fitting this connector to another connector, the electric wire is electrically connected to other conducting members (other electric wires, pin contacts, etc.). Connection is performed (for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-81967). In this type of connector, one connector is provided with an engaging recess and the other connector is provided with a locking piece, and the locking piece is locked in the engaging recess when both connectors are fitted. , The two connectors are mechanically connected. In order to avoid incomplete fitting of both connectors (hereinafter, referred to as "half fitting"), the one connector is provided with a movable cover that releasably closes the engaging recess. Actual Kaihei 5-81967
As described in detail in the above item, the movable cover has a shutter function, and is biased by an elastic member to a position where the engaging recess is closed. Then, when the two connectors are fitted together, the movable cover is pushed open by the locking piece to open the engaging recess, and only when the locking piece is completely locked in the engaging recess, the movable cover is reopened. It is supposed to close. As a result, when the locking piece is not completely locked in the engaging recess, the movable cover does not return to the normal position, or the elastic member pushes the locking piece back to fit both connectors. Thus, the half-fitting of both connectors is reliably prevented.

[0003]

When inspecting a connector having a movable cover as described above, it is possible to inspect not only the electrical continuity of the connector but also the mechanical performance of the movable cover. , It is important for preventing the half-fitting of the connectors and the conduction failure due to the half-fitting.

However, in the conventional connector inspection device, only the electrical continuity of the connector and the locked state of the terminal fittings inserted in the connector are inspected.
It was not possible to inspect the mechanical performance of the movable cover. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector inspection device that can also inspect a movable cover.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the structure according to claim 1 of the present invention is configured so as to be displaceable between a closed position and an open position and attached to the closed position by an elastic member. A connector having a movable cover attached to which the biased movable cover is attached, the movable cover holding the connector in a displaceable state from a closed position to an open position; and an inspection unit for inspecting electrical continuity of the retained connector, A displacement member that displaces at least one of the inspection unit and the connector receiving member between a proximity position where the inspection unit and the connector receiving member are relatively close to each other and a separation position where the inspection unit and the connector receiving member are relatively separated from each other; And an abutment capable of pushing the movable cover to the open position at the proximity position by projecting from the inspection section, and the abutment so that the abutment projects toward the movable cover. A biasing means for biasing the pushing position to a pushing position with a weaker pressing force than the biasing force of the elastic member, and a determining means for determining pass / fail of the movable cover based on the position where the contactor is displaced. It is a connector inspection device that does.

[0006]

According to the structure of the present invention, when the urging member for urging the movable cover of the connector is properly attached, the displacement member displaces the connector receiving member and the inspection portion relatively to each other. , The contactor contacts the cover. At this time, since the biasing means has a weaker biasing force than the elastic member of the movable cover, the abutment member retreats toward the inspection unit side against the biasing force of the biasing means. By this displacement of the abutment,
The determination means determines that the movable cover is a good product. On the other hand, when the elastic member is not attached or when the movable cover itself is not attached, the urging force of the urging means is generated when the connector receiving member and the inspection unit are relatively displaced to each other. Overcoming, the contactor is displaced to the pushing position. As a result, the determination means determines that the movable cover is defective.

[0007]

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. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a connector inspection device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a connector 1 in which a main part and a part of an inspection unit 25 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 are broken. FIG.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector 1 which is a target of the present embodiment is used in an electric wiring system of an automobile by being connected to a connector of a mating party (not shown). The main body 11 is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block, and an annular movable cover 12 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body 11. This connector 1
The main body 11 includes a connection side in which a large number of connection cavities 11a are defined on the end surface and a connection side block portion 11
A resin molded product having a wire side block portion 11B continuous with A.

The connection side block portion 11A has a plurality of notches 1
It is partitioned by 1b. Along with this, the notch 11b defines a rib 11c that is asymmetrical in the left and right of the figure, and the type of the connection-side block portion 11A can be identified by the rib 11c. Also,
A locking hole 11d is formed on the outer surface of the connection-side block 11A for locking the engagement projection formed on the mating connector when the mating connector is fitted. Further, chamfered portions 11e are formed at the two corners of the connection-side block portion 11A for identifying the upper and lower sides when fitting.

A large number of electric wires W are connected to the electric wire side block portion 11B through terminal fittings (not shown) corresponding to the cavities 11a of the connection side block portion 11A (see FIG. 1). Further, the electric wire side block portion 11B is provided with protrusions 11f which are provided upright at a distance from each other at the front end portions of both side surfaces facing each other in the width direction. Spring holders 11g for accommodating the compression coil springs 14 as elastic members are integrally formed on both side surfaces of the electric wire side block portion 11B which are engaged with each other and which oppose each other in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the movable cover 12 is biased.

The movable cover 12 is an annular member that covers the outer circumference along the outer contour of the main body 11, and the tip of the connection side block 11A of the main body 11 projects from the opening 12A. Then, on the side surfaces of the movable cover 12 facing each other in the width direction, the long holes 12B into which the protrusions 11f are fitted.
Is partitioned. The long hole 12B extends along the connector connecting direction A shown in FIG. 2, and as shown by the solid line, when the protrusion 11f is locked at one end of the long hole 12B,
Locking hole 11 formed on the outer surface of the connection-side block 11A
A position (hereinafter, referred to as a “closed position”) that closes d, and a position that allows the locking hole 11d to be opened when the protrusion 11f is moved so as to be locked to the other end (hereinafter, referred to as a “closed position”). , "Open position"). On the other hand, the opening 12A of the movable cover 12 defines a flange portion 12C that faces the compression coil spring 14 housed in the spring holder 11g of the wire-side block portion 11B. It receives the biasing force of the coil spring 14. As a result, the movable cover 12 is always biased to the closed position.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a connector inspection device 2 for fitting the connector 1 as described above.
0 will be described in detail. 3 is a side view of the connector inspection device 20 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of an inspection unit incorporated in the inspection device of FIG. The connector inspection device 20 of this embodiment includes a base portion 21 fixed to an assembly drawing board (not shown). The base portion 21 is
It is a metal plate member formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and an end plate 22 is integrally provided on one end face in the longitudinal direction thereof.

A connector receiving member 23 is fixed to the upper surface of the base portion 21 on the other end side by a screw (not shown). A pair of guide bolts 24 penetrating from the end plate 22 side are screwed into the connector receiving member 23.
Also, the end plate 22 and the end plate 22 form an integral structure. Further, between the connector receiving member 23 and the end plate 22, an inspection unit 25 is arranged through which the guide bolt 24 penetrates, and approaches the connector receiving member 23 along the guide bolt 24. Can be separated. In this embodiment, the compression coil spring SP is contracted between the connector receiving member 23 and the inspection unit 25.
By the biasing force of the compression coil spring SP, the inspection unit 25
Is always urged in a direction away from the connector receiving member 23.

Next, the connector receiving member 23 is a resin molded product that defines a housing recess 23A for housing the connector 1 described above, and is fixed to one end of the base portion 21 by a bolt (not shown). There is. Accommodation recess 23
A is formed in a U-shape that opens upward corresponding to the outer contour of the connector 1 so that the connector 1 can be inserted and removed vertically. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing recess 23A in this embodiment includes a bottom surface 231 that receives the bottom portion of the connection-side block portion 11A of the connector 1 and a bottom portion of the wire-side block portion 11B (the bottom surface of the spring holder 11g in this embodiment). And a bottom surface 232 for receiving the connector 1, and by receiving the connector 1 by these bottom surfaces 231, 232, the movable cover 12 of the connector 1 displaces the connector 1 relative to the respective block portions 11A, 11B. It can be accommodated. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 233 is an insertion hole for inserting a contactor 34 of the pressing unit 30, which will be described later. Further, the connector 234 receives the spring holder 11g continuously with the bottom surface 232, so that the connector 1 can be connected to the inspection unit 2
5 is a positioning end surface for positioning with respect to 5.

Next, the inspection unit 25 is fixed to the block body 25A made of resin, a part of which is hollow, and the upper surface of the block body 25A, and a part of which is projected toward the connector receiving member 23. Second top plate 2 that covers the top plate 25B and the upper surface of the block body 25A opposite to the connector receiving member 23.
And 5H. As shown in FIG. 2, the block body 2
A plurality of pressing units 30 and 31 projecting toward the connector receiving member 23 are disposed on the end surface of 5A.
The pressing unit 30 faces the movable cover 12 of the connector 1 held by the connector receiving member 23, and the pressing unit 31 faces the cavity 11a formed in the connection side block portion 11A of the connector 1. . Then, as will be described later, when the inspection unit 25 is driven toward the connector receiving member 23, the pressing unit 30
Is capable of inspecting the mechanical performance of the movable cover provided on the connector 1, and at the same time, the pressing unit 31
So that the continuity of the connector 1 can be checked,
Each is configured.

Referring to FIG. 4, each pressing unit 30, 3
1 includes a sleeve 32 fixed to the inspection unit 25. The sleeve 32 is a cylindrical body made of an insulating material,
A boss cylinder 33 made of a conductive material is press-fitted into one end thereof. The boss cylinder 33 is provided with a flange portion 33 </ b> A that comes into contact with the end surface of the sleeve 32.
The end surface 33B of 3A is fixed to the end surface 25J of the block body 25A.

A contactor 34 is slidably fitted in the boss cylinder 33. The contactor 34 has a cylindrical main body portion 34A, a part of which slides in the boss cylinder 33, and a flange integrally formed in the middle portion of the main body portion 34A, which faces the end surface 33B of the boss cylinder 33. 34B and main body 34A
The boss cylinder 33 is a columnar body made of a conductive material, which is provided with a flange portion 34B and a fixing flange 34C press-fitted at an end portion on the opposite side. 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 connector 1 and the fixing flange 34C comes into contact with the boss cylinder 33 to define the amount of projection. ing.

Next, a boss cylinder 36 is press-fitted into the other end of the sleeve 32, and a bottomed sleeve 37 made of a conductive material is press-fitted into the inner periphery of the boss cylinder 36. The 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 the detection circuit 60.

The detection circuit 60 includes a power source 61, a discriminating device 62, a power switch 63, and the pressing unit 3.
0 and 31 are connected in series. Discriminator 6
2 is embodied by, for example, a well-known lamp, a buzzer, or the like indicating the completion of work. In the configuration of this embodiment, since the pressing units 30 and 31 and the determining device 62 are connected in series, each pressing unit 30,
When all 31 are connected, the discriminating device 62 operates for the first time.

By the way, each of the above-mentioned pressing units 30,
Among the parts 31, those facing the movable cover 12 of the connector 1 (pressing unit 30) are those of the compression coil spring 3
The biasing force of 5 is applied to the compression coil spring 1 of the connector 1 described above.
It is set to be sufficiently weaker than the biasing force of 4. As a result, when inspecting the connector 1, the movable cover 1
When the compression coil spring 14 for urging 2 is properly attached, when the inspection unit 25 is displaced to the proximity position and the contactor 34 of the pressing unit 30 is brought into contact with the movable cover 12, the contactor 34 is moved. Resists the biasing force of the compression coil spring 35 and retreats toward the inspection unit 25 side, and contacts the contactor 39. This displacement of the abutment 34 causes the abutment 3 to move from the sleeve 33.
By closing the detection circuit 60 via the contactor 39 and the sleeve 37, the determination device 62 determines (or displays) that the movable cover 12 is a good product. On the other hand, when the compression coil spring 14 is not attached or when the movable cover 12 itself is not attached, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 35 overcomes when the inspection unit 25 is displaced to the proximity position. The contactor 34 does not displace at the pushing position. As a result, the detection circuit 60 does not close, and the determination device 62 determines that the movable cover 12 is defective. The above-described configuration of FIG. 4 relates to the pressing unit 30, but in the pressing unit 31, the tip shape of the contactor 34 is formed in a plate shape corresponding to the cavity 11 a of the connector 1. Also, since the biasing force of the compression coil spring 35 is set to be large in order to inspect the half fitting of the terminal fitting, the configuration is the same as that of the above-mentioned configuration, and the description thereof is omitted.

With reference to FIG. 2, in order to accurately perform the inspection by the above-mentioned pressing units 30 and 31, the shoulder portion 25B of the inspection portion 25 has a positioning surface defined along the chamfered portion 11e of the connector 1. Ribs 25C are provided. Connector 1 without connector cover 13
However, when installed upside down, this rib 25C
Is brought into contact with the end surface of the connector 1, so that the inspection unit 25
As a result of being unable to move to the regular inspection position, the worker
A mistake in mounting the connector 1 can be recognized. The pressing unit 3 is attached to the shoulder portion 25B.
A pin 25E protruding in the same direction as 1 is provided.
The pin 25E is provided at a position corresponding to the type of the connector 1, and can be fitted into the notch 11b formed in the connection-side block portion 11A of the connector 1 when the pin 25E approaches the regular connector 1. ing. Therefore, when the type of the connector 1 is different, the pin 25E abuts on the rib 11c, for example, and the inspection unit 25 cannot move to the regular inspection position. As a result, the operator recognizes the mounting error of the connector 1. Is able to.

Further, referring to FIG. 1, each pressing unit 3
In order to precisely position the connector 1 with respect to 0, 31 (in particular, the pressing unit 31 for continuity inspection), the corresponding positions of the connector 1 on the bottom surfaces 231 and 232 that define the housing recess 23A of the connector receiving member 23. Must be properly seated. Therefore, in this embodiment, a recess 25F is provided in the first top plate 25B, and only the connector 1 that is properly housed enters the recess 25F and the inspection unit 25 is inserted.
Can approach the connector receiving member 23. That is, if the connector 1 is lifted from the housing recess 23A, the first top plate 25B comes into contact with the connector 1 and the inspection unit 25 cannot move to the regular inspection position. It is possible to recognize that the is installed imperfectly. In addition, in FIG. 2, 25G is a fixing plate screwed to prevent the flange portion 33A (see FIG. 4) of the pressing unit 31 from coming off.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the inspection unit 2 is described.
5 is connected to a handle 42 pivotally supported by the end plate 22 of the base portion 21 via a pair of link arms 41. The handle 42 includes a base end portion 42A that is rotatable about an axis A1 that is orthogonal to the guide bolt 24, and a handle portion 42B that is continuous with the base end portion 42A. One end of the link arm 41 has an axis A on the base end 42A.
The link arm 41 is pivotally supported by the shaft 2. The other end of the link arm 41 is pivotally supported by the inspection unit 25 by the axis A3. Then, by rotating the handle 42 about the axis A1 described above, the inspection unit 25 is moved to the connector receiving member 23.
It is possible to displace so that it can approach / separate from. The handle 42, the link arm 41, and the connector receiving member 23 constitute a toggle mechanism, and the inspection unit 25 is brought closer to the connector receiving member 23,
When the handle 42 is rotated in the approaching direction after being brought into contact with the connector receiving member 23, the axes A1, A2, A3 are aligned substantially on one horizontal line, and the inspection unit 25 is moved to the connector receiving member 2
It is configured so that it can be locked at 3. 1 and 3, reference numeral 43 is a contact pin of the link arm 41.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 show a connector inspection device 20 for inspecting the connector 1.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the operation procedure of FIG. First, when inspecting the connector 1, in the initial state shown in FIG. 5, the handle 42 is displaced to the separating side, and the inspection unit 25 is separated from the connector receiving member 23 with a stroke L, and in this state. Then, the connector 1 is attached to the connector receiving member 23.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the handle 42 is rotated in the approaching direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6) from the state of FIG. 5, first, the pressing unit 30 projecting from the inspection section 25 is first. The contactor 34 contacts the movable cover 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the handle 42 is tilted down to bring the inspection unit 25 close to the connector receiving member 23, and the link arm 41 is stopped in the state of contacting the contact pin 43. The unit 31 goes into the corresponding cavity 11a of the connector 1 (see FIG. 2),
It comes into contact with the internal terminal fitting (not shown). At this time, when the compression coil spring 14 that presses the movable cover 12 is properly attached, the contactor 34 of the pressing unit 30 retracts to the inspection unit 25 side, and as a result, it is determined that the movable cover 12 is a good product. . On the other hand, when the compression coil spring 14 is not attached or when the movable cover 12 itself is not attached, the contactor 34 does not retract, so that the movable cover 12 is determined to be a defective product.

As described above, in the structure of this embodiment, by providing the pressing unit 30, not only the conduction of the connector 1 but also the mechanical performance of the movable cover 12 attached to the connector 1 is inspected. Because you can
The remarkable effect that the half-fitting of the connector 1 and the like can be prevented more reliably is achieved. Needless to say, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection unit 25 and the connector receiving member 23 are relatively displaced by driving the inspection unit 25, but the connector receiving member 23 is driven or both are displaced together. A configuration may be adopted.

[0027]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
In the configuration described above, the inspection section can inspect not only the continuity of the connector but also the mechanical performance of the movable cover attached to the connector, so that the connector can be more reliably prevented from being half-fitted. There is a remarkable effect that can be.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a connector inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part and a partially broken connector of an inspection unit according to the embodiment of FIG.

3 is a side view of the connector inspection device of FIG. 1. FIG.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of an inspection unit incorporated in the inspection device of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an operating procedure of the connector inspection device when inspecting a connector.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an operating procedure of the connector inspection device when inspecting a connector.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation procedure of the connector inspection device when inspecting a connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 12 Movable cover 20 Connector inspection device 23 Connector receiving member 25 Inspection part 34 Contactor 41 Link arm (displacement member) 42 Handle (displacement member) A1 axis (displacement member) A2 axis (displacement member) A3 axis (displacement member) ) 60 detection circuit 62 discrimination device (discrimination means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. A connector, to which a movable cover, which is configured to be displaceable between a closed position and an open position and is urged to the closed position by an elastic member, is attached, moves the movable cover from the closed position to the open position. A connector receiving member that holds the connector in a displaceable state, an inspection unit that inspects the continuity of the held connector, and a separating position that relatively separates from the proximity position where the inspection unit and the connector receiving member are relatively close to each other. And a displacement member that displaces at least one of the inspection unit and the connector receiving member, and is provided so as to be relatively displaceable in the inspection unit, and by protruding from the inspection unit, the movable cover can be pushed to the open position at the above-mentioned proximity position And a biasing means for biasing the contactor to the pushing position with a weaker pressing force than the biasing force of the elastic member so that the contactor projects toward the movable cover. Connector inspection apparatus characterized by and a determining discriminating means acceptance of the movable cover based on the child is displaced position.