JPH0638349B2 - Connector lock status detector - Google Patents

Description

Description: [Object of the Invention] (Industrial field of application) The present invention relates to a connector lock state detection device capable of detecting whether or not a connector is properly locked.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as an apparatus for detecting such a connection state between male and female connectors, for example, there is one described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 53-95187.

In this device, a reflection plate is provided on a part of the male connector, and a pair of optical paths consisting of a light projecting path and a light receiving path communicating with the reflecting plate are formed on the female connector side. On the other hand, as the detection device, light projecting and receiving light paths that match the light projecting and receiving light paths of the female connector are formed, and a light source is provided at the end of the light projecting path and a photoelectric conversion element is provided at the end of the light receiving path.

In order to confirm the coupling between the male and female connectors, the male connector is first fitted to the female connector while the female connector is positioned and fixed on the detection device. After that, light is emitted from the light source, and the coupling state of the connector is confirmed by the magnitude of the amount of light that reaches the photoelectric conversion element via the reflector.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a conventional device, it is necessary to form a light projecting / receiving optical path that can be matched with each other in both the female connector and the detection device. Costs tend to increase. Further, when the female connector is attached to the detection device, a positioning operation for aligning the light projecting / receiving light paths with each other is necessary, which makes the checking operation troublesome. Furthermore,
Since it is necessary to provide a reflection plate on the male connector so as to face the light projecting / receiving light path, the component configuration becomes complicated.

Therefore, the present invention reduces the manufacturing cost,
An object of the present invention is to provide a connector lock state detection device that facilitates detection work.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention is a connector 1 having a male connector 3 and a female connector 5 that are connected to each other. A locking portion 19 is provided on one of the female connectors 5, and a locking arm 7 is provided on the other side. The locking arm 7 hits the locking portion 19 when the male connector 3 and the female connector 5 are connected to each other and temporarily Elastically bends, and when the connection is completed, it elastically returns to engage with the locking portion 19, and such bending of the locking arm 7 of the connector 1 can be detected. A lock state detecting device for a connector comprising a detecting means 23 for detecting the lock state of the connector 1 by means of the detecting means 23, wherein the detecting means 23 bends the locking arm 7. Lock detection means 33 for detecting
And contacting either or both of the male connector 3 and the female connector 5 to keep the position of the lock detecting means 33 relative to the connector 1 constant.
7 and a normal position detecting means 43 for detecting that the lock detecting means 33 is at the correct position of the connector 1 by the positioning means 25, 27.

(Operation) After the male and female connectors 3 and 5 are connected to each other, the positioning means 25 and 27 are brought into contact with one or both of the male connector 3 and the female connector 5 to connect the detection means 23 to the connector. Set to 1. Then, the position determining means 25 and 27 determine the position of the lock detecting means 33 with respect to the connector 1.

Therefore, the normal position detecting means 43 detects whether or not the lock detecting means 33 is at the correct position of the connector 1. That is, if the lock detecting means 33 is not in the correct position of the connector 1, the correct bending of the locking arm 7 cannot be detected. As a result, when it is detected that the lock detecting means 33 is not in the correct position, the detecting means 23 is correctly set in the connector 1.
When the lock detecting means 33 is detected to be in the correct position, the lock detecting means 33 detects the bending of the locking arm 7. And the locking arm 7
If the locking arm 7 is elastically bent, it is detected whether the locking arm 7 is elastically bent by hitting the locking portion 19 or is elastically returned after the connection is completed. It is determined that the lock is incomplete, and if the locking arm 7 is elastically returned, it is determined that the lock is complete.

Therefore, since the position of the lock detecting means 33 with respect to the connector 1 becomes constant by the positioning means 25 and 27, the bending of the locking arm 7 can be accurately detected, and the lock detecting means 3 for the connector 1 should be detected.
Even if the position of No. 3 is deviated, this misalignment can be detected by the normal position detection means 43, so that the lock state is not erroneously determined.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The connector 1 in this embodiment comprises a male connector 3 and a female connector 5. A locking arm 7 having an L-shaped cross section is formed on one side surface of the male connector 3 and extends from the front side toward the rear side in the direction of fitting into the female connector 5. A locking projection 9 is provided substantially in the center of the locking arm 7, and a lock releasing projection 11 is provided at the tip thereof.

On the other hand, one side of the female connector 5 is formed with a convex portion 15 forming a guide groove 13 for guiding the locking arm 7, and the convex portion 15 has a locking projection 9 formed on the locking arm 7. An opening 17 is formed to allow the entry. In the state where the connector 1 shown in FIG. 2 (a) is correctly locked, the locking projection 9 comes into contact with the end of the opening 17 on the insertion opening side of the female connector 5 to prevent the male connector 3 from coming off. The locking portion 19 is formed.

Then, the detection means 23 for detecting the mutual locked state of the male connector 3 and the female connector 5 is set on the convex portion 15 of the female connector 5 in which the opening 17 is formed, and the bending of the locking projection 9 is caused. The position in the direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) is detected. The tip of the housing 24 of the detecting means 23 is formed in a concave shape in conformity with the shape of the convex portion 15 of the female connector 5, and the projecting pieces 25 and 27 are provided on both sides. A guide groove 29 extending along the longitudinal direction of the detecting means 23 is formed inside one of the protruding pieces 25.
On the other hand, a guide protrusion 31 that engages with the guide groove 29 when the detecting means 23 is set in the female connector 5 is provided on one side of the convex portion 15 of the female connector 5.
The projecting pieces 25, 27 constitute a positioning means for the detecting means 23 with respect to the female connector 5.

An optical fiber (lock detection means) 33 is incorporated in the housing 24 of the detection means 23, and a tip end 35 of the detection means 23 is exposed at the bottom surface 37 of the concave portion, while a photoelectric switch 38 is connected to the base end side. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber 33 is formed by integrating a light projecting tube 39 and a light receiving tube 41 into one, and a light source (not shown) is connected to the light projecting tube 39. On the other hand, the photoelectric switch 3 is provided in the light receiving tube 41.
8 is connected, and the photoelectric switch 38 converts light into an electric signal and outputs the signal to the output device side (not shown). The output device may be, for example, a device that generates a buzzer sound when it is properly locked, or may be a display using a light emitting diode.

In the state where the male connector 3 shown in FIG. 2A is properly locked to the female connector 5, the optical fiber 33 has its tip 35 facing the locking projection 9 through the opening 17. At this time, the tip of the detecting means 23 (optical fiber 3
The distance X between the tip 35 of 3 and the locking projection 9 is 0.8.
It is set to mm. Here, for example, the amount of reflected light received by the light receiving tube 41 when the connector 1 is properly locked is set to 100%, and at this time, the photoelectric switch 38 outputs a signal. The output signal from the output device at this time is an OK signal. Therefore, the fourth
When the inspected object 40 (male connector 3) shown in the figure is away from the position when the connector 1 is correctly locked from the optical fiber tip 35, the amount of reflected light does not reach 100%, and at this time the photoelectric switch 38 does not output a signal. The output signal from the output device at this time is an NG signal.

In such a configuration, in order to confirm the locked state of the connector 1, first, the male and female connectors 3, 5 are fitted to each other, and then the detecting means 23 is set on the convex portion 15 of the female connector 5. At this time, the guide groove 29 of the projecting piece 25 on the detecting means 23 side and the guide projection 31 on the male connector 5 side are engaged with each other to lock the detecting means 23 at a predetermined position, that is, the connector 1 is correctly locked. In this state, the tip 35 of the optical fiber 33 has the locking projection 9 of the male connector 3
It can be easily set in the position facing.

When the detecting means 23 is set in this way, light emitted from a light source (not shown) is emitted from the light projecting tube 39 of the optical fiber 33 toward the connector 1 side. Here, when the connector 1 is properly locked as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the light emitted from the light projecting tube 39 is reflected by the locking projection 9 and is incident on the light receiving tube 41. The amount of reflected light becomes 100%, the photoelectric switch 38 outputs a signal, and the output device outputs an OK signal, confirming that the lock state is correct.

In the connector 1, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the male connector 3 is not sufficiently pushed in and the locking projection 9 is in front of the locking portion 19, it is irradiated from the light projecting tube 39. The reflected light is reflected by the upper surface of the locking arm 7 on the base side. At this time, the distance Y between the optical fiber tip 35 and the reflecting portion, that is, the locking arm 7 is larger than the distance X in the correctly locked state. Therefore, in this case, since the amount of reflected light entering the light receiving tube 41 does not reach 100%, the photoelectric switch 38 does not output a signal, the output device outputs an NG signal, and it is confirmed that the connector 1 is not properly locked. To be done.

Further, in the connector 1, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the locking projection 9 is located on the lower surface of the locking portion 19 and the locking arm 7 is still bent, the light projecting tube 39 is provided.
The light emitted from is emitted to the bent portion of the rocking arm 7 and reflected there. Optical fiber tip 3 at this time
The distance Z between 5 and the reflector is greater than the distance X in the properly locked state. Therefore, also in this case, as in the case of FIG. 2B, the reflected light amount does not reach 100%, so that the photoelectric switch 38 does not output a signal and the output device is NG.
A signal is output to confirm that connector 1 is not properly locked.

Further, in the housing 24 of the detecting means 23, in addition to the optical fiber 33 for detecting the locked state, an optical fiber (regular position detecting means) 43 for detecting whether or not the detecting means 23 is set at a correct position is built in. Has been done. Like the optical fiber 33, the optical fiber 43 also includes a light projecting tube and a light receiving tube, and the tip 45 thereof is exposed at the corner of the bottom surface 37 of the concave portion. The tip 45 is the detecting means 23.
Are opposed to the upper surface of the corner portion of the convex portion 15 when properly set in the female connector 5.

Like the optical fiber 33, the optical fiber 43 has a light source different from the light source of the optical fiber 33 in the light projecting tube, and a photoelectric switch different from the photoelectric switch 38 of the optical fiber 33 in the light receiving tube. Each is connected.

In such a configuration, when both photoelectric switches based on the detection of the optical fibers 33 and 43 output signals, it can be determined that both the lock of the connector 1 and the set of the detection means 23 are in the correct state. At this time, the detection of the correct locked state of the connector 1 by the optical fiber 33 is performed when the detecting means 23 is set correctly, so the locked state of the connector 1 is as detected by the detecting means 23. Can be said. Therefore, in this case, the OK signal is output to the output device.

If the photoelectric switch 38 on the optical fiber 33 side does not output a signal and the photoelectric switch on the optical fiber 43 side outputs a signal, the lock of the connector 1 is not in the correct state, and the set of the detecting means 23 is in the normal state. It is judged that there is.
Since the detection by the optical fiber 33 that the connector 1 is not in the correct locked state at this time is when the detection means 23 is set correctly, the locked state of the connector 1 is as detected by the detection means 23. I can say. Therefore, in this case, the NG signal is output to the output device.

When the NG signal is output in this manner and it is confirmed that the connector 1 is not locked properly, the connector 1 is locked again, and the detection unit 23 checks the locked state again.

Further, when both photoelectric switches of the optical fibers 33 and 43 do not output signals, it is determined that the lock of the connector 1 and the setting of the detecting means 23 are not in the correct state. Since the detection by the optical fiber 33 that the connector 1 is not in the correct locked state at this time is when the detection means 23 is not set correctly, the locked state of the connector 1 may not be the output of the detection means 23. Conceivable. That is, even if the connector 1 is properly locked, it will be detected that the optical fiber 33 is not correctly locked because the detection means 23 is not correctly set. Therefore, the detection means 23 is set correctly so that the photoelectric switch on the optical fiber 43 side outputs a signal, and the locked state of the connector 1 is detected again. As a result, the output value of the optical fiber 33 correctly represents the locked state of the connector 1.

By detecting the set state of the detection means 23 in this way, erroneous detection of the locked state of the connector 1 when the detection means 23 is not set is prevented.

The signals finally output by the output device according to the signal output states of the two photoelectric switches in the above embodiment may be set as shown in the following table.

That is, when the signal output of the output device is "no signal", if the detection means 23 is set again, "OK signal". "N
Any of the "G signals" will be obtained.

Such a lock state confirmation work is performed by the male and female connectors 3,
5 The connector 1 fitted with each other can be held in one hand and the detection means 23 can be held in the other hand, and the detection work is extremely easy.

Further, since a complicated mold structure such as providing a light projecting / receiving light path in one of the connectors is not required, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost, and since a reflector is not necessary, the component structure is simplified accordingly. .

Further, since it can be directly detected whether or not the locking arm 7 is in the locked state, it can be extremely accurately determined whether or not the locking arm 7 is in the locked state.

Furthermore, by the projecting pieces 25 and 27 which are the positioning means,
Since the position of the detecting means 23 with respect to the female connector 5 can be held constant, the bending of the locking arm 7 can be accurately measured, and thus the locked state can be accurately determined.

In addition, since it is possible to detect with the optical fiber 43 whether or not the detecting means 23 is in the correct position on the female connector 5, the locked state can be determined even more accurately.

5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an optical fiber (regular position detecting means) 47 is added to the detecting means 23 in addition to the structure of the first embodiment.
The housing 24 is incorporated in a corner portion opposite to the portion where the optical fiber 43 is provided so that the detection operation can be performed more accurately. Similar to the optical fibers 33 and 43, the optical fiber 47 includes a light projecting tube and a light receiving tube, and a tip end 48 thereof is exposed at the bottom surface 37 of the concave portion, and when the lock detecting portion 23 is set in the connector 1, the convex portion 15 is formed. The lock detector 23 can be opposed to the upper surface of the lock detector 23 and detects the set state of the lock detector 23. A light source different from the light sources of the optical fibers 33 and 43 is also provided in the light projecting tube of the optical fiber 47.
Optoelectronic switches other than the optoelectronic switches of the optical fibers 33 and 43 are connected to the light receiving tubes. The other structure is similar to that of the first embodiment.

In such a configuration, for example, when the detecting means 23 is tilted to the right in the figure and set in the state where the connector 1 is properly locked as shown in FIG.
Since the distance between the tip 45 of the and the projection 9 for locking is almost the same as the distance when the detecting means 23 shown in FIG. 6 is correctly set, the detecting means 23 by the optical fiber 43 is used.
The detection of the set state of is the correct state. However, the distance between the tip 35 of the optical fiber 33 and the locking projection 9 is
This is wider than the same interval in FIG. 6, and therefore, the detection of the locked state of the connector 1 by the optical fiber 33 at this time outputs a signal that is not properly locked although it is correctly locked. . Therefore, if this is left as it is, a wasteful work of re-fitting the connector 1 is performed again, and the work efficiency is lowered.

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the optical fiber 47 is provided, it is detected that the detecting means 23 is not properly set by the optical fiber 47 in the state of FIG. 7, and based on this, the detecting means 23 is detected. Set again.

Further, when the detecting means 23 is tilted leftward contrary to FIG. 7, it is detected by the optical fiber 47 side that the detecting means 23 is properly set, and at this time, the optical fiber 3
Numeral 3 outputs a signal indicating that the connector 1 is not properly locked even though the connector 1 is properly locked. On the other hand, since the tip 45 of the optical fiber 43 is separated from the convex portion 15, it detects a state in which the detecting means 23 is not correctly set, and based on this, the detecting means 23 is reset.

In this way, in the above-described embodiment, the addition of the optical fiber 47 prevents the output of an erroneous signal, and the detection work can be performed more accurately.

The signals finally output to the output device according to the signal output states of the three lightning switches in the above-described embodiment may be set as shown in the following table.

That is, when the signal output of the output device is "no signal", if the detecting means 23 is reset, "OK signal", "N"
Any of the "G signals" will be obtained.

Besides, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when the locking projection 9 is detected, it is confirmed that the locking state is correct, but the invention is not limited to this, and unlocking, which is the free end of the locking arm 7, is possible. The same state may be confirmed when the for-use projection 11 is detected. Moreover, although the detecting means 23 is set on the female connector 5 side in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, it goes without saying that it may be set on the male connector 3 side. Further, although the optical fiber is used to output the signal by the photoelectric switch, as shown in FIG. 9, the contact switch 51 such as a micro switch is used.
Alternatively, the contact switch 5 may be used as shown in FIG.
1 and a photoelectric switch using the optical fiber 53 may be used together.

As described above, according to the present invention, the connector 1
Since the locked state can be detected by simply pressing the detection means 23 against the connector 1, the work is extremely easy, and a complicated mold structure such as providing a light projecting / receiving light path in one connector is not required. The manufacturing cost can be reduced, and since the reflector is not necessary, the component structure can be simplified accordingly. Moreover, since the detection means 23 simply measures the bending of the locking arm 7, the structure is simple, such as a contact switch such as a combination of an optical fiber and a photoelectric switch or a contact type mechanical displacement meter. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-cost connector lock state detecting device which is hard to break down and is inexpensive. Further, since it is possible to directly detect whether or not the locking arm 7 is in the locked state by bending, it is possible to extremely reliably determine whether or not the locking arm 7 is in the locked state. Further, since the position of the lock detecting means 33 with respect to the connector 1 can be held constant by the position determining means 25, 27, the bending of the locking arm 7 can be accurately detected,
Therefore, the locked state can be accurately determined. Furthermore, the normal position detecting means 43 causes the position determining means 25,
Since it is possible to detect whether the lock detecting means 33 is held at the correct position of the connector 1 by 27,
The remarkable effect that the highly reliable determination of the locked state can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (a), (b), and (c) are explanatory views of the operation of the apparatus of FIG.
3 is an enlarged perspective view of the optical fiber of FIG. 1, FIG.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing the operation of the optical fiber, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are operation explanatory views of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 are enlarged perspective views of the tip of the lock detector when the contact switch is used. 1 ...... Connector 3 ...... Male connector 5 ...... Female connector 7 ...... Locking arm 19 ...... Locking part 23 ...... Detecting means 25, 27 ...... Projection piece (positioning means) 33 ...... Optical fiber (lock detection Means) 43, 47 ... Optical fiber (correct position detecting means)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-63-225480 (JP, A) JP-A-63-264883 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-53-1690 (JP, U)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A connector 1 having a male connector 3 and a female connector 5 connected to each other, said male connector 3 being
And a locking portion 19 is provided on either one of the female connector 5 and
A locking arm 7 is provided on the other side, and the locking arm 7 hits the locking portion 19 temporarily and elastically bends when the male connector 3 and the female connector 5 are connected, and is elastic when the connection is completed. The detecting means 2 detects the locked state of the connector 1 by detecting the bending of the locking arm 7 of the connector 1 as described above.
A lock state detecting device for a connector, comprising the lock detecting means 33 for detecting the bending of the locking arm 7, and one or both of the male connector 3 and the female connector 5. Positioning means 25, 27 that abut and keep the position of the lock detecting means 33 with respect to the connector 1 constant, and the lock detecting means 33 are in the correct position of the connector 1 by the positioning means 25, 27. A lock position detecting device for a connector, comprising: a normal position detecting means 43 for detecting the fact. 2. Positioning means 25, 27 project from the left and right end portions of the tip of the detection means 23 and hold the lock detection means 33 at a position separated from the locking portion 19 by a certain amount,
27. The connector lock state detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the lock state detecting device comprises 27.