Patent ID: 6731118
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: G01R,H01R

Abstract:
An apparatus for inspecting a connector including a connector housing having a terminal receiving portion with cavities in which terminals are insertable, and a retainer attached to the terminal receiving portion for preventing removal of the terminals from the cavities, wherein an outer portion of the retainer protrudes from a surface of a retainer attachment wall when the retainer is not in a properly locked position for preventing terminal removal, and wherein the outer portion of the retainer does not protrude from the surface of the retainer attachment wall when the retainer is in a properly locked position for preventing terminal removal, said apparatus comprising:a holder for holding the connector during inspection; an inspection unit movable toward and away from said holder; and a movement device that moves said inspection unit toward and away from said holder; said inspection unit including a retainer position inspection piece which passes over a portion of the surface of the retainer attachment wall when said inspection unit is moved toward said holder by said movement device, said retainer position inspection piece being movable forwardly and rearwardly relative to said inspection unit within a predetermined range; wherein a distal end of said retainer position inspection piece passes over the outer portion of the retainer during movement of said inspection unit toward said holder when the retainer is in the properly locked position, and said retainer position inspection piece remains in a forwardly movable condition relative to said inspection unit; wherein the distal end of said retainer position inspection piece engages the outer portion of the retainer protruding from the surface of the retainer attachment wall during movement of said inspection unit toward said holder when said retainer is not in the properly locked position, and said retainer position inspection piece is placed in a rearwardly movable condition relative to said inspection unit.