Inspection device for inspecting continuity of terminal in a connector

• US 5,498,966 A
• Filed: 04/06/1993
• Issued: 03/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Yoshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Regan, Maura K.
• Application Number:
  US08/043,771
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 324/538, 324/539, 324/66, 324/756, 324/757, 340/654
• US Class Current: 324/538
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/69 of terminals at the end of a cable or a wire harness; of plugs; of sockets, e.g. wall sockets or power sockets in appliances

Abstract

An inspection device comprises a body having a connector insertion opening for inserting a connector into the device. The body holds a continuity inspector for inspecting the continuity of the terminals in contact relation therewith when the connector is inserted into the connector insertion opening. An arm member is supported by the body in turn free state. The arm member comprises an engaging portion for engaging and holding the connector inserted into the connector insertion opening. The inspection device further comprises a spring for forcing the arm member in the direction to engage the engaging portion with the connector and a solenoid for moving the arm member against the spring force of the spring in the direction to release the engagement of the engaging portion with the connector.

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting continuity of terminals connected to ends of wires in a connector comprising:

a body having a connector insertion opening for inserting said connector therein;

a continuity inspector held by said body for inspecting the continuity of said terminals in contact relation therewith when said connector is inserted into said connector insertion opening, said continuity inspector including continuity detecting members which are slidably supported by said body and which have disk-like ends to be brought into contact with respective ones of said terminals of the connector;

a connector retaining member supported along a length dimension thereof by said body, said connector retaining member including at a first end thereof an engaging portion for engaging and holding said connector when said connector is present in said connector insertion opening such that said terminals press against said disk-like ends of said continuity detecting members;

first urging means for urging said connector retaining member in the direction to engage said engaging portion with said connector;

second urging means for urging said continuity detecting members toward said terminals, and

activating means for moving said connector retaining member at a second end thereof against the urging force of said first urging means in the direction to release the engagement of said engaging portion with said connector, after inspecting the continuity of said terminals;

whereby said connector after inspection is discharged from said connector opening by an urging force of said second urging means.

2. An inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said second urging means includes a compression spring.

3. An inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said connector insertion opening includes an accommodating chamber adapted for receiving said connector, said connector includes a proximal end and a distal end, and said accommodating chamber is recessed to maintain the distal end of said connector outside thereof when said connector is inserted into said connector insertion opening.

4. An inspection device according to claim 1, wherein said connector retaining member is pivotably supported at the central portion thereof.

5. An inspection device according to claim 4, wherein said first urging means includes a compression spring for urging said second end of said connector retaining member, and said activating means includes a solenoid for moving said second end of said connector retaining member against the spring force of said compression spring.

6. An inspection device according to claim 4, wherein said first end has a slanted face converging in the direction to insert said connector into said connector insertion opening, thereby facilitating the insertion of said connector thereinto.