JP2016122568A - Connector, connector fitting determination device and connector fitting determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector fitting determination device capable of accurately determining a fitting state of connectors without increasing man-hours in connector fitting work.SOLUTION: The connector fitting determination device comprises: a male connector including a lock arm in which a lock claw is provided and which is elastically deformable; and a female connector including first and second lock holes which can be fitted with the lock claw. The connector fitting determination device determines a connector fitting state where, as the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the lock claw is temporarily fitted with the first lock hole and separated from the first lock hole thereafter and the lock claw is finally fitted with the second lock hole. The connector fitting determination device comprises: a detection device for successively detecting sounds or vibrations to be generated when successively fitting the lock claw with the first and second lock holes; and a fitting determination part for determining the connector fitting state by comparing the sounds or vibrations which are successively detected by the detection device, with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector, a connector fitting determination device, and a connector fitting determination method.

  In the fitting operation of a connector used for connecting an electronic component or the like mounted on a vehicle, an operation of determining whether the connector is in a fitted state is performed. Conventionally, as a method for determining the quality of a connector fitting state, a fitting sound generated when a connector is fitted is detected, and the detected fitting sound is compared with a reference sound in an environment other than the fitting sound. There is a method of automatically determining a fitting state by distinguishing from a sound. Moreover, the structure which sounds a different fitting sound in multiple times is known (refer patent document 1).

JP 2006-196227 A

  However, when the connector engagement state is automatically determined based on the engagement sound, for example, when there is a change in the situation such as a change of the worker, the engagement sound is generated due to a difference in the attachment pressure for each operator. Change. Therefore, it is necessary to set the reference sound again in accordance with the change in the fitting sound, and there is a problem that the man-hour increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a connector and a connector that can accurately determine the mating state of the connector without increasing the number of steps in the mating operation of the connector. It is providing the fitting determination apparatus and the connector fitting determination method.

  A connector fitting determination apparatus and a connector fitting determination method according to an aspect of the present invention include a male connector having an elastically deformable lock arm provided with a lock claw, and a first and a first that can be fitted to the lock claw, respectively. A female connector provided with two lock holes, and as the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the lock claw is once engaged with the first lock hole and then detached from the first lock hole. When determining the fitting state of the connector in which the claw is finally fitted into the second lock hole, the sound or vibration generated when the lock claw is sequentially fitted into the first and second lock holes are sequentially The fitting state of the connector is determined by comparing the detected sounds or vibrations with each other.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector, a connector fitting determination device, and a connector fitting determination method capable of accurately determining the connector fitting state without increasing the number of steps in the connector fitting operation. Can do.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a connector fitting determination device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.2 (a) is a top view which shows an example of a structure of the male connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG.2 (b) is sectional drawing seen from the AA cut surface of Fig.2 (a). FIG. 3A is a top view showing an example of the configuration of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.3 (b) is sectional drawing seen from the AA cut surface of Fig.3 (a). FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a connector insertion method according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a connector insertion method according to the embodiment of the present invention subsequent to FIG. FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a connector insertion method according to the embodiment of the present invention subsequent to FIG. FIG.4 (d) is schematic which shows an example of the connector insertion method which concerns on embodiment of this invention following FIG.4 (c). FIG. 4E is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a connector insertion method according to the embodiment of the present invention subsequent to FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a fitting sound waveform (amplitude change over time) according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the connector fitting determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a connector fitting determination device according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a connector fitting determination method according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

<Configuration of connector>
First, an example of a connector 1 that is a target of connector fitting determination according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a male connector (male housing) 2 and a female connector (female housing) 3 into which the male connector 2 is inserted. The male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are made of synthetic resin or the like. Electric wires (harnesses) 4 and 5 are connected to the male connector 2 and the female connector 3, respectively. In FIG. 1, the female connector 3 is fixed to the electronic board 6, but is not particularly limited thereto. In the fitting operation of the connector 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the male connector 2 is gripped by the operator's hand 20, and the male connector 2 is moved in the insertion direction A and inserted into the female connector 3.

  The male connector 2 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and can be elastically deformed in the form of a plate provided on the main body 21 and the main body 21. It has a lock arm 22. Although illustration is omitted, the main body portion 21 is attached with an end portion of the electric wire 4 and a connection terminal connected to the end portion. The lock arm 22 is provided in a cantilever manner on the upper portion of the main body 21 on the insertion surface side. A claw portion (lock claw) 23 is provided near the center of the lock arm 22 in the longitudinal direction. The lock claw 23 has a semi-cylindrical shape and extends in the short direction of the lock arm 22. At the upper part of the free end of the lock arm 22, a pressing portion 24 for unlocking operation is provided.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the female connector 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, and includes a housing 31 that can accommodate the male connector 2 inside. Although illustration is omitted, the casing 31 is attached with an end portion of the electric wire 5 and a connection terminal connected to the end portion. On the upper surface of the housing 31, two (first and second) openings (lock holes) 32 and 33 are provided side by side in the insertion direction of the male connector 2. The first lock hole 32 and the second lock hole 33 have the same rectangular shape, and can be fitted to and detached from the lock claw 23.

  Next, an example of a method for fitting the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (e).

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are opposed to each other. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the male connector 2 is inserted into the female connector 3, the lock arm 22 bends downward as the lock claw 23 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface in the housing 31.

  When the male connector 2 is further inserted from this state, as shown in FIG. 4C, the lock claw 23 reaches the first lock hole 32, and the lock arm 22 is elastically deformed into a horizontal posture. As a result, the lock claw 23 and the first lock hole 32 are fitted, and the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are once fitted (locked). At this time, due to the elastic deformation of the lock arm 22, the lock arm 22 collides with the inner wall surface of the casing 31, and a fitting sound (first fitting sound) such as “click” is generated.

  Subsequently, when the male connector 2 is pushed into the female connector 3 by an operator, the lock claw 23 is detached from the first lock hole 32 as shown in FIG. Then, the lock claw 23 comes into sliding contact with the upper surface in the housing 31, and the lock arm 22 is bent downward again.

  When the male connector 2 is further inserted from this state, as shown in FIG. 4E, the lock claw 23 reaches the second lock hole 33, and the lock arm 22 is elastically deformed into a horizontal posture. As a result, the lock claw 23 and the second lock hole 33 are fitted, the connection terminal of the male connector 2 and the connection terminal of the female connector 3 are electrically connected, and the male connector 2 and the female connector 3 are finally connected. It will be a fitting state. At this time, the lock arm 22 collides with the inner wall surface of the housing 31 due to the elastic return momentum of the lock arm 22, and a fitting sound (second fitting sound) such as “click” is generated.

  According to the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the male connector 2 is inserted into the female connector 3, one lock claw 23 is sequentially fitted into the first lock hole 32 and the second lock hole 33. . Therefore, when the lock claw 23 is fitted to the first lock hole 32 for the first time and when the lock claw 23 is fitted to the second lock hole 33 for the second time, the lock arm 22 The downward deflection amount and the elastic deformation amount when returning to the horizontal posture can be made the same. As a result, the magnitude and frequency of the first and second mating sounds can be matched.

  Furthermore, even if the change in the mating sound of the connector 1 occurs due to changes in conditions such as changes in workers, changes in work methods, changes in the number of internal terminals, differences in lots, differences in materials, fixing methods, etc. Since the magnitude and frequency of the fitting sound change in the second time, the sameness of the first and second fitting sounds can be maintained. For example, even if the operator is changed and the frequency α of the first fitting sound changes to the frequency β, the frequency α of the second fitting sound also changes to the frequency β. The same fitting sound is maintained. The connector fitting determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the fitting state of the connector 1 using the identity of the plurality of fitting sounds.

<Configuration of connector fitting determination device>
The connector fitting determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a detection device 7, a determination device 10, and an output device 8, as shown in FIG.

  A microphone or the like can be used as the detection device 7. The detection device 7 is installed at a position where the fitting sound of the connector 1 can be detected. The detection device 7 detects a sound including a fitting sound of the connector 1 and outputs a sound signal to the determination device 10. The detection device 7 may eliminate noise that is clearly different from the fitting sound of the connector 1 and may adjust sensitivity and the like so that a sound that may be a fitting sound can be detected.

  The determination device 10 can be configured by a computer having a central processing unit (CPU), RAM, ROM, memory, and the like. The determination device 10 functionally includes a detection determination unit 11, a fitting determination unit 12, and an output control unit 13.

  Based on the sound signal output from the detection device 7, the detection determination unit 11 determines whether the detection device 7 has detected two sounds within a predetermined time. For example, the time measurement is started when the detection device 7 detects the first sound, and it is determined whether the second sound is detected within a predetermined time after the first sound is detected. To do. Here, the predetermined time can be appropriately set in consideration of the fitting speed of the connector 1 by the operator, and can be stored in advance in a memory or the like.

  FIG. 5 shows two fitting sound waveforms (amplitude change over time) detected by the detection device 7. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the detection determination unit 11 performs a time T <b> 1 from time t <b> 1 having the largest amplitude of the first fitting sound waveform to time t <b> 2 having the largest amplitude of the second fitting sound waveform. Is determined within a predetermined time.

  The fitting determination unit 12 compares the first and second sounds with each other when the detection determination unit 11 determines that the second sound is detected within a predetermined time, so that the connector 1 is in the fitted state. Determine. As a method for comparing the first and second sounds (a method for determining the degree of coincidence), various known analysis methods can be used. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not the first and second sounds match by comparing the vibration waveform, waveform intensity, or power spectrum of the sound.

  When the first and second sounds match, the fitting determination unit 12 indicates that the two sounds detected by the detection determination unit 11 are fitting sounds and the connector 1 is in a good fitting state. It is determined that it is securely fitted. On the other hand, if the first and second sounds do not match, the sound detected by the detection device 7 may be an environmental sound other than the fitting sound, or the connector 1 may be in a half-fitted state. is assumed. In this case, the fitting determination unit 12 determines that the fitting state of the connector 1 is defective. Note that the degree of coincidence between sounds is not necessarily limited to strict coincidence, and may include a case where they coincide to some extent (similar).

  The output control unit 13 controls the output device 8 by outputting a control signal according to the determination result by the fitting determination unit 12 to the output device 8. The output device 8 outputs a determination result of the fitting state of the connector 1. As the output device 8, for example, a speaker or a display can be used. For example, the output device 8 can notify the operator that the fitting state of the connector 1 is good or bad, either audibly by sound from a speaker or visually by display on a display. .

<Connector mating judgment method>
Next, an example of the connector fitting determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1, in the fitting operation of the connector 1, the detection device 7 sequentially detects sounds including the fitting sound of the connector 1. In step S <b> 2, the detection determination unit 11 determines whether or not the detection device 7 has detected two sounds within a predetermined time. If it is determined that two sounds are detected within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if two sounds are not detected within the predetermined time, the process returns to step S1.

  In step S <b> 3, the fitting determination unit 12 determines the fitting state of the connector 1 by comparing the first and second sounds. If the first and second sounds match, it is determined that the connector 1 is in a good fitting state, and the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if the first and second sounds do not match, the procedure returns to step S1.

  In step S4, the output device 8 informs the operator by voice or display that the connector 1 is in the fitted state. As a result, the operator can confirm that the fitting state of the connector 1 is good by notifying the fitting sound of the connector 1 directly and twice by notifying the output device 8.

  As described above, according to the connector fitting determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fitting sound of the connector 1 sounds twice, and the first and second fitting sounds have the same identity. Is used. That is, by comparing the two sounds detected by the detection device 7 to determine whether the fitting state is good or bad, the sound detected by the detection device 7 includes an environmental sound (noise) other than the fitting sound. Even if the two sounds do not match, noise can be removed. Therefore, the fitting sound can be distinguished from noise, and the quality of the fitting state can be determined with high accuracy.

  In addition, in the conventional method of comparing the mating sound with the reference sound and determining the quality of the mating state, the mating sound changes due to a change in the situation such as the change of the worker, and the mating sound is It is necessary to reset the reference sound for determination. On the other hand, according to the connector fitting determination device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first and second fitting noises of the connector 1 are loud as described above even when there is a change of the operator. Since the sheath frequency changes in the same manner, the comparison result between the fitting sounds does not change, and the quality of the fitting state can be determined. Therefore, since it is not necessary to reset the reference sound for comparison with the conventional fitting sound, an increase in man-hours can be suppressed.

  Also, it is determined whether or not two sounds are detected within a predetermined time, and when it is determined that two sounds are detected within a predetermined time, the two sounds within a predetermined time are compared with each other. By doing so, it becomes easy to remove environmental sounds (noise) other than, for example, a single fitting sound, and the fitting sound and noise can be more accurately distinguished.

(Modification)
When the worker performs the fitting operation of the connector 1, not only the fitting sound of the connector 1 is generated but also mechanical vibration is generated. Thus, as a modification of the embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which the fitting state of the connector 1 is determined using mechanical vibration instead of using the fitting sound of the connector 1.

  The connector fitting determination device according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in that it further includes a detection device 9 that detects vibration, as shown in FIG. As the detection device 9, a vibration sensor such as a piezo element can be used. The detection device 9 is installed in a place where vibration generated at the time of fitting can be detected, such as an electronic board 6 to which the female connector 3 is attached, a product housing, and a worker's hand.

  The detection determination unit 11 determines whether or not two vibrations are detected within a predetermined time by the detection device 9. The fitting determination unit 12 determines the fitting state of the connector 1 by comparing vibrations detected by the detection device 9. Also in this case, the degree of coincidence between vibrations can be determined by, for example, comparing the vibration waveform, the waveform intensity, or the power spectrum.

  Since the other structure of the connector fitting determination apparatus according to the modified example of the embodiment of the present invention is the same as the structure shown in FIG.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the connector fitting determination method according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention uses the vibration instead of using the fitting sound. Different from the procedure. That is, in step S1, in the fitting operation of the connector 1, the detection device 9 sequentially detects vibrations generated when the connector 1 is fitted. In step S <b> 2, the detection determination unit 11 determines whether or not two vibrations are detected within a predetermined time by the detection device 9. When two vibrations are detected, in step S3, the fitting determination unit 12 determines the fitting state of the connector 1 by comparing the first and second vibrations. If the first and second vibrations coincide with each other, in step S4, the output device 8 informs the operator by voice or display or the like that the connector 1 is well fitted.

  According to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical vibration generated when the connector 1 is fitted is detected by the detection device 9, and the determination device 10 compares the vibrations to determine the fitting state of the connector 1. By doing so, the quality of the fitting state of the connector 1 can be determined with high accuracy. Further, even if there is a change in the operator, it is not necessary to reset the conventional reference sound, and an increase in man-hours can be suppressed.

  In addition, in the modification of embodiment of this invention, the detection apparatus 7 which detects a fitting sound, and the detection apparatus 9 which detects a vibration are provided, and the fitting sound or vibration detected by these is selectively selected. The fitting state of the connector 1 may be determined using the above. Moreover, you may perform both the comparison of fitting sound and the comparison of vibration. Moreover, in the modification of embodiment of this invention, the structure which is not equipped with the detection apparatus 7 may be sufficient.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as described above, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  The shape of the lock claw 23 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the shape of the first lock hole 32 and the second lock hole 33 that can be fitted to the lock claw 23 are the same as long as they can be fitted and detached from each other. It is not specifically limited to. For example, the lock claw 23 may be provided in the lock arm 22 in a hemispherical shape, and the first lock hole 32 and the second lock hole 33 may be provided in a circular shape. Further, the first lock hole 32 and the second lock hole 33 do not necessarily have exactly the same shape, and may have different shapes as long as the first and second engagement sounds have the same identity.

  Moreover, although embodiment of this invention demonstrated the case where two sounds or vibrations were compared, you may determine a fitting state by comparing three or more sounds or vibrations. In that case, the female connector 3 may be provided with three or more lock holes that can be fitted to and detached from the lock claw 23 of the male connector 2.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the fitting sound can be accurately distinguished from the fitting sound by comparing the first and second sounds by the fitting determination unit 12, for example, the detection device 7. By comparing the detected sound with the reference sound in advance, noise that is clearly different from the fitting sound of the connector 1 may be excluded, and only the sound that may be the fitting sound may be extracted in advance. (In other words, it may be determined whether or not the sound detected by the detection device 7 is a fitting sound). The reference sound can be set as appropriate within a range that can be applied without resetting even if there is a change in the situation such as a change in person in charge, and can be stored in advance in a memory or the like. And the detection determination part 11 and the fitting determination part 12 may process with respect to the sound with the possibility of the extracted fitting sound.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector 2 ... Male connector 3 ... Female connector 4, 5 ... Harness 6 ... Electronic board 7, 9 ... Detection apparatus 8 ... Output device 10 ... Determination apparatus 21 ... Main body 22 ... Lock arm 23 ... Lock claw 24 ... Pressing part 31 ... Housing 32, 33 ... Lock hole

Claims (4)

A male connector having an elastically deformable lock arm provided with a lock claw;
A female connector provided with first and second lock holes that can be fitted to the lock claws, respectively.
As the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the lock claw is once engaged with the first lock hole and then detached from the first lock hole, and the lock claw is moved to the second lock hole. A connector characterized by finally mating with. A male connector having an elastically deformable lock arm provided with a lock claw, and a female connector provided with first and second lock holes that can be fitted to the lock claw, respectively. As the connector is inserted into the female connector, the lock claw once fits in the first lock hole and then comes out of the first lock hole, and the lock claw finally fits in the second lock hole. A connector fitting determination device for determining a fitting state of connectors to be joined,
A detection device for sequentially detecting sound or vibration generated when the lock claw is sequentially engaged with the first and second lock holes;
A connector fitting determination device comprising: a fitting determination unit that determines a fitting state of the connector by comparing sounds or vibrations sequentially detected by the detection device with each other. A detection determination unit for determining whether the sounds or vibrations are detected within a predetermined time;
The connector fitting determination device according to claim 2, wherein the fitting determination unit determines a fitting state of the connector when the detection determining unit determines that the detection is performed within the predetermined time. . A male connector having an elastically deformable lock arm provided with a lock claw, and a female connector provided with first and second lock holes that can be fitted to the lock claw, respectively. As the connector is inserted into the female connector, the lock claw once fits in the first lock hole and then comes out of the first lock hole, and the lock claw finally fits in the second lock hole. A connector fitting determination device for determining a fitting state of connectors to be joined,
Sequentially detecting sound or vibration generated when the lock claw is sequentially engaged with the first and second lock holes;
Determining the fitting state of the connector by comparing the sequentially detected sounds or vibrations with each other.

Images