Abstract:
A guide device that guides a component terminal includes: a guide portion configured to guide the component terminal to a specified position; and a separating mechanism portion configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal after the guidance of the component terminal, as compared with before the guidance of the above component terminal.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-244182 filed on Nov. 26, 2013 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a guide device, and more particularly, to a device which has a guide function of guiding a component terminal to be inserted into an electronic circuit substrate or the like towards a specified position. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    As a method for easily inserting a terminal of an electric component, a connector or the like (referred to as component terminal hereinafter) into a contact portion of a connector, a through hole or the like provided on an electronic circuit substrate, there is a method in which a guide component, which has a guide function of guiding the component terminal to the contact portion, is mounted on a side of the electronic circuit substrate from which the component terminal is inserted. 
         [0006]    For example, a guide component having a form of a guide hole with an opening portion spreading in a tapered shape is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-089509 (JP 2013-089509 A). In JP 2013-089509 A, the insertion of the component terminal towards the contact portion is made easy by mounting the guide component in the above form to a position corresponding to the contact portion on the electronic circuit substrate. 
         [0007]    In addition, while not providing a guide component for directly guiding the component terminal, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-323941 (JP 2003-323941 A) discloses a technique in which for assisting in engaging a first connector having the component terminal with a second connector at an object side, the second connector is received in a holder. 
         [0008]    However, in a prior guide component 110 described in the above JP 2013-089509 A, a state in which a component terminal  23  is in contact with or close to a guide component 110 (specifically, a guide hole) is maintained (see an area indicated by the ellipse F in  FIG. 11 ) even after the component terminal  23  is guided to a specified through hole  21  in a substrate  20  such as an electronic circuit substrate and the mounting of the component terminal  23  to the substrate  20  is completed. 
         [0009]    Conventionally, there is an intrinsic value of resonance in a component, and where there are a plurality of components, individual intrinsic values of resonance of these components are generally different from each other. Thus, for example, in a vehicle or the like which carries a plurality of various components thereon, the plurality of components vibrate separately at respective phases and amplitudes in a vibration environment, thus resulting in a relative vibration between the component terminal and the guide component. Therefore, if, as in the above JP 2013-089509 A, a relative vibration is generated between the component terminal  23  and the guide component 110 in the state where the component terminal  23  contacts with the guide component 110, a problem that the component terminal  23  is worn by the contact face (the area of ellipse F in  FIG. 11 ) will arise. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a guide device, which has a mechanism that enables a component terminal to change into a state of not contacting with or not being close to a guide component after the component terminal is guided to a specified position on a substrate. 
         [0011]    A guide device according to an aspect of the present invention has a guide portion configured to guide a component terminal to a specified position, and a separating mechanism portion configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal after the guidance of the component terminal as compared with before the guidance of the component terminal. According to this structure, after the component terminal is guided to the specified position, a contact of the component terminal with the guide portion due to vibration or the like can be avoided. 
         [0012]    In the above aspect, the guide portion may define a run-through hole having a slope from one end to the other end formed by making at least two guide components abut with each other, and the separating mechanism portion may be configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal by making the at least two guide components separate from each other after the guidance of the component terminal. More specifically, the above run-through hole may include an opening portion formed in a conical shape or a square-tapered shape, and a guide hole may extending from a vertex of the opening portion and having a shape corresponding to that of the component terminal. According to this structure, the guide portion can easily move away from the component terminal. 
         [0013]    In the above aspect, the separating mechanism portion may be configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal according to an operation applied externally after the guidance of the component terminal. In this way, the guide portion is enabled to be away from the component terminal manually after it is ensured that the component terminal has been guided to a specified position. 
         [0014]    In the above aspect, the guide device may be mounted to one surface of a substrate in such a manner that a through hole formed in the substrate corresponds to the guide portion, the component terminal inserted into the guide portion from the one surface side of the substrate passes through the through hole and is guided to a position of penetrating through the other surface of the substrate, and the separation mechanism portion may be configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal by making a connector terminal engage with the component terminal that passes through the other surface of the substrate. In this way, after the component terminal is guided to the specified position, the guide portion can automatically move away from the component terminal simultaneously with the engagement of the component terminal with the connector terminal. 
         [0015]    In the above aspect, the guide portion may be configured in such a shape that when the guide device is mounted to the one surface of the substrate in such a manner that a through hole formed in the substrate corresponds to the guide portion, before the component terminal is guided to the specified position, the guide portion may define the run-through hole in the through hole so as to extend substantially to the other surface of the substrate. According to this configuration, the positional accuracy of inserting the component terminal into the guide hole can be improved. 
         [0016]    In the above aspect, the guide device may be configured in such a manner that after the guidance of the component terminal, the separating mechanical portion moves the guide portion away from the component terminal so that a space for achieving insulation which corresponds to the through hole is provided between the component terminal and the substrate. According to this configuration, an insulation distance between the component terminals can be ensured by the space created between the component terminal and the substrate. 
         [0017]    According to the above described guide device, after the component terminal is guided to the specified position (inserted into the through hole of the substrate or the like), a state in which the guide hole of the guide device is not in contact with or close to the component terminal can be formed. Therefore, in the guide device according to the present invention, the component terminal can be prevented from being worn due to a contact with the guide portion even if the component terminal and the guide portion vibrate respectively at different phases and amplitudes to generate a relative vibration in a vibration environment. 
         [0018]    In addition, according to the above described guide device of the invention, since the guide hole of the guide portion is formed to have a length extending substantially to the surface of the substrate, the positional accuracy of inserting the component terminal into the guide hole is improved. Further, in the above described guide device of the invention, the guide portion is made away from the component terminal for forming the state in which the guide hole is not in contact with or close to the component terminal, thus the insulation distance between the component terminals can be sufficiently ensured after the component terminals are guided to the specified positions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
           [0020]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views briefly illustrating a configuration of a guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2A to 2D  are views seen in directions IIA, IIB, IIC and IID in the guide device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  respectively; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A to 3D  are sectional views taken in directions IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, and IIID in the guide device shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  respectively; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views illustrating a relationship between a guide component and a separating mechanism portion in states shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3D ; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5A to 5D  are views illustrating a guide method of guiding a component terminal by the guide device; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views illustrating an example of a method for shifting a guide portion to an open stated from a closed state; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a specific example of using the guide device; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views illustrating an action of the guide device; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are sectional views briefly illustrating a configuration of a guide device according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are views illustrating features of a guide device according to the modified example; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating problems raised by the prior guide components. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    1. Configuration of Guide Device 
         [0032]    Firstly, an overall configuration of a guide device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 1A  is a brief perspective view briefly showing a configuration in which a guide portion  11  of the guide device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed into a closed state.  FIG. 1B  is a brief perspective view briefly showing a configuration in which the guide portion  11  of the guide device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed into an open state.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are views of the guide device  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  seen in directions IIA (top view) and IIB (bottom view) respectively.  FIGS. 2C and 2D  are views of the guide device  10  shown in  FIG. 1B  seen in directions IIC (top view) and IID (bottom view) respectively.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are sectional views of the guide device  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  taken along IIIA-IIIA (front sectional view) and IIIB-IIIB (side sectional view) respectively.  FIGS. 3C and 3D  are sectional views of the guide device  10  shown in  FIG. 1B  taken along IIIC-IIIC (front sectional view) and IIID-IIID (side sectional view) respectively.  FIG. 4A  is a view illustrating a relationship of guide components  11   a  and  11   b  with a separating mechanism portion  12  when in the closed state as shown in  FIG. 3B .  FIG. 4B  is a view illustrating a relationship of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  with the separating mechanism portion  12  when in the open state as shown in  FIG. 3D . 
         [0034]    The guide device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  has a guide portion  11 , a separating mechanism portion  12  and an outer portion  13 . The guide portion  11  is formed by two movable guide components  11   a  and  11   b . The separating mechanism portion  12  is a structure having a mechanism enabling the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  to change into a closed state in which they abut with each other or an open state in which they are separated from each other. The guide portion  11  formed by the above guide components  11   a  and  11   b  and the separating mechanism portion  12  are covered by the outer portion  13  which also serves as a receiving case, thereby being packaged as a single device. 
         [0035]    The guide portion  11  becomes a form of having guide holes and opening portions in the closed state of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  in which they abut with each other. Specifically, as exemplarily shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A and  3 B, in the closed state of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  in which they abut with each other, rectangular guide holes  15  are formed at equal intervals. The guide holes  15  are arranged to have intervals and shapes corresponding to those of component terminals as insert objects which will be described later. Furthermore, the guide holes  15  exemplarily shown in various drawings are merely an example, and the number (other than  5 ), intervals (unequal intervals) and shapes (round, ellipse) or the like of the guide holes  15  may be designed freely according to the form of the component terminals as the insert objects. In addition, as exemplarily shown in  FIGS. 2B ,  3 A and  3 B, in the closed state of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  in which they abut with each other, an opening portion  16  is formed at each of the guide holes  15 . The opening portion  16  in this embodiment is formed to be of a substantially square-tapered shape which expands in directions indicated by arrows in  FIG. 2B  at a constant slope from the guide hole  15 . Furthermore, the opening portions  16  exemplarily shown in various drawings are merely an example, and they may be designed freely. For example, the opening portion  16  may have a varied slope, or may be formed in a conical shape, etc. In this way, in the closed state of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  in which they abut with each other, the guide component  11  is formed with a run-through hole provided with a slope from one end to the other end by the guide holes  15  and the opening portions  16 , i.e., a so-called funnel configuration. 
         [0036]    The separating mechanism portion  12  is a structure which enables the form of the guide portion  11  to be varied by bringing the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  into the closed state in which they abut with each other or the open state in which they are separated from each other. As an example of the separating mechanism portion  12 , an elastic body (spring, gum, etc.) inserted between the guide component  11   a  and the guide component  11   b  is considered. As a specific example illustrated in this embodiment, the separating mechanism portion  12  is shown as a mechanism which has a shape mated with that of an inner wall of the outer portion  13  to realize the closed state or the open state in the following manner. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  3 D,  4 A and  4 B, a first wall surface  13   a  and a second wall surface  13   b  having a smaller wall thickness than the first wall surface  13   a  are formed in a stepped shape at inner wall sides of the outer portion  13  in a direction in which the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are separated. In the separating mechanism portion  12 , a helical spring is used as the elastic body, and the helical spring is inserted between the guide components  11   a  and  11   b .  FIG. 4  is a view briefly illustrating the relationship of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  with the separating mechanism portion  12 . 
         [0038]    The closed state of the guide portion  11  is a state in which the separating mechanism portion  12  maintains an elastic force (a state in which the helical spring is compressed) and a portion of a side face of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  respectively abuts against the first wall surfaces  13   a  of the outer portion  13  ( FIG. 4A ). The form of the guide portion  11  shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  2 B,  3 A and  3 B is achieved in this state. The open state of the guide portion  11  is a state in which the separating mechanism portion  12  maintains a weaker elastic force than in the closed state or the elastic force of the separating mechanism portion  12  is zero (a state in which the helical spring is stretched) and a portion of a side face of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  respectively abuts against the second wall surfaces  13   b  of the outer portion  13  ( FIG. 4B ). The form of the guide portion  11 . shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 C,  2 D,  3 C, and  3 D is achieved in this state. 
         [0039]    The movement from the state in which the portion of the side face of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  respectively abuts against the first wall surfaces  13   a  of the outer portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 4A  to the state in which the portion of the side face of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  respectively abuts against the second wall surfaces  13   b  of the outer portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 4B  may be realized through the following actions. For example, from the state shown in  FIG. 4A , an upper surface of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  is pressed downwardly until the side faces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  do not abut against the first wall surfaces  13   a , thus moving towards the state shown in  FIG. 4B . The pressing on the upper surfaces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  may be performed by fingers, or may be performed by a dedicated tool (a thrust pin, etc.). Furthermore, the position at which the pressing is applied on the upper surfaces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  is not limited to the position shown in  FIG. 1A  by hatching. For example, a hole for inserting the dedicated tool or the like may be additionally arranged in an upper surface of the outer portion  13 , and the upper surfaces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  may be pressed via this hole (see  FIG. 6A ). 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the movement from the state in which the portion of a the face of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  respectively abuts against the second wall surfaces  13   b  of the outer portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 4B  to the state in which the portion of the side face of each of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  respectively abuts against the first wall surfaces  13   a  of the outer portion  13  as shown in  FIG. 4A  may also be realized in the same way. For example, from the state shown in  FIG. 4B , the side faces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are pressed in a direction towards the center of the outer portion  13  until the upper surfaces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are no longer stuck by the step difference between the first wall surface  13   a  and the second wall surface  13   b , thus moving towards the state in  FIG. 4A . A dedicated tool (a thrust pin, etc.) may be used to press the side faces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b . For example, a hole for inserting the dedicated tool or the like may be additionally arranged in each of two side faces of the outer portion  13 , and the side faces of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are respectively pressed via the hole. 
         [0041]    According to the above configuration, the guide device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention enables the guide portion  11  to change into the closed state or the open state. 
         [0042]    2. Method for Guiding a Component Terminal Based on the Guide Device 
         [0043]    Next, a method for guiding a component terminal by the guide device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention is specifically described with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5D . Furthermore, in the following  FIGS. 5A to 5D , an example in which the guide device  10  according to the present invention in mounted on a lower surface (one surface) of a substrate  20  such as an electronic circuit substrate in a state where a component terminal  23  of an electric component or the like is inserted into a through hole  21  formed in the substrate  20  from the lower surface of the substrate  20  is described. The guide device  10  is mounted in advance in a position where the guide holes  15  of the guide portion  11  are in alignment with the through holes  21  of the substrate  20 . 
         [0044]    The guide device  10  is mounted to the substrate  20  with the guide portion  11  in the closed state ( FIG. 5A ). In the mounted state, if the component terminal  23  is inserted into the guide device  10 , a front end of the component terminal  23  is directly inserted into the guide hole  15 , or is guided via an inclined surface of the opening portion  16  of the guide portion  11  to be inserted into the guide hole  15  ( FIG. 5B ). The component terminal  23  inserted into the guide hole  15  passes through the through hole  21  of the substrate  20 , and is further guided to a specified position that protrudes from an upper surface (the other surface) of the substrate  20  ( FIG. 5C ). Thus, the engagement between the component terminal  23  and the substrate  20  (and the guide device  10 ) is achieved. A portion of the component terminal  23  that protrudes from the upper surface of the substrate  20  is engaged with a connector mounted on the upper surface of the substrate  20 , or is fixed to the substrate  20  via soldering, for example. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, if the engagement between the component terminal  23  and the substrate  20  is completed, the guide device  10  allows the guide portion  11  to be changed from the closed state to the open state ( FIG. 5D ) manually or automatically. In the open state, the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  move towards a position (separate position) away from the component terminal  23 , and the guide hole  15  is no longer formed. Through an variation from the closed state to the open state, the guide portion  11  is made away from (separated from) the component terminal  23 , thus avoiding a state in which the guide hole  15  used in guiding the component terminal  23  maintains in contact with or close to the component terminal  23 . 
         [0046]    Furthermore, as a method for manually changing the guide portion  11  from the closed state to the open state, for example, an operation of pressing a dedicated tool such as a thrust pin  31  into an insertion hole  32 , which is not concealed by the substrate  20 , of the guide device  10  or the like is considered for the purpose of releasing the elastic force of the separating mechanism portion  12 , etc. ( FIG. 6A ). In addition, as a method for automatically changing the guide portion  11  from the closed state to the open state, the following is considered, for example: a connector  22  which is provided with a thrust pin  31  is engaged with the component terminal  23  protruding from the upper surface of the substrate  20 , while simultaneously the thrust pin  31  performs the action of pressing into the insertion hole  32  of the guide device  10 , thereby releasing the elastic force of the separating mechanism portion  12 , etc ( FIG. 6B ).  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are view of the guide device  10  mounted to a lower surface of the substrate  20  viewed in a way of penetrating through the substrate  20  (oblique hatching). 
         [0047]    3. Specific Example of Using the Guide Device 
         [0048]    Next, as a specific example of using the guide device  10 , for example, a configuration in which the substrate  20  is assembled with a unit  40  having a plurality of component terminals  23  as shown in  FIG. 7  is described. In the specific example, the substrate  20  is provided with through holes  21  (not shown) at positions corresponding to those of the plurality of component terminals  23  provided in the unit  40 . A connector  22  is positioned and fixed by soldering onto an upper surface of the through holes  21  of the substrate  20 , and the guide device  10  with the guide portion  11  in the closed state (not shown) is positioned and fixed by soldering onto a lower surface of the through hole  21 . The guide function of the guide portion  11  is utilized to make the plurality of component terminals  23  fit with the guide devices  10  and assemble (engage) the substrate  20  with the unit  40  so that the plurality of component terminals  23  are engaged with the connectors  22 , thereby achieving an electrical connection. After the component terminal  23  and the substrate  20  are assembled by utilizing the guide device  10 , the unit  40  and the substrate  20  are fastened together by a bolt. Then, the component terminal  23  is electrically connected to the substrate  20  by engaging with connector  22 , and meanwhile, the guide portion  11  of the guide device  10  is formed into the open state by means of the thrust pin of the connector  22  so as to move the guide device  10  away from (separate from) the component terminal  23 , thereby avoiding contact of the component terminal  23  with the guide portion  11  of the guide device  10 . 
         [0049]    As described above, the guide device  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention has a mechanism enabling the guide portion  11  to be away from (separate from) the component terminal  23  after the component terminal  23  is guided to a specified position (through hole  21  of the substrate  20  or the like). With this mechanism, a state in which the guide hole  15  of the guide device  10  is not in contact with or close to the component terminal  23  can be formed after the component terminal  23  is inserted into the substrate  20  or the like. Therefore, with the guide device  10  according to the present invention, the component terminal  23  can be prevented from being worn due to a contact with the guide portion  11  even if the component terminal  23  and the guide portion  11  vibrate respectively at different phases and amplitudes to generate a relative vibration in a vibration environment. 
         [0050]    4. Modified Examples of the Guide Device 
         [0051]    Further, an embodiment in which the guide portion  11  of the guide device  10  according to the present invention described above is modified in shape is described with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 10 . 
         [0052]    In the configuration having a mechanism, i.e., the guide portion  11 , configured to guide the component terminal  23  towards the through hole  21  in the substrate  20  or the like, as a result of the formation of the opening portion  16  provided with a slope, the length of the guide hole  15  that contacts the component terminal  23  during guiding is reduced. In addition, due to the tolerance that is predictable in design and the loosening generated by a deviation of each component, a clearance is generally generated between the guide hole  15  formed by the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  and the component terminal  23 . 
         [0053]    However, the clearance between the guide hole  15  and the component terminal  23  will cause a deterioration of the positional accuracy when the component terminal  23  is inserted into the guide hole  15 , as shown in  FIG. 8A , and the deterioration of the positional accuracy is significant in a case where the length d of the guide hole  15  that contacts the component terminal  23  is short. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8B , there is a concern that the deterioration of the positional accuracy will result in poor engagement of the component terminal  23  with respect to the terminal  22   a  of the connector  22  mounted to the upper surface of the substrate  20 . 
         [0054]    Therefore, in this modified example, with the mechanism exclusive to the present invention which performs the closing or opening operation by a separation of two guide components, a guide device  50  with guide components  51   a  and  51   b  having the following shape features is provided. 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  shows side sectional views of the guide device  50  according to a modified example of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 9A , which is similar to  FIG. 3B , is a sectional view taken along D 1 -D 1  where the guide portion  11  is formed into the closed state, and  FIG. 9B , which is similar to  FIG. 3D , is a sectional view taken along IIID-IIID where the guide portion  11  is formed into the open state. The guide device  50  of the modified example of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 9  is characterized in the shape of the two movable guide components  51   a  and  51   b  forming the guide portion  11 . Furthermore, the other structures of the guide device  50  of this modified example are the same as those of the above guide device  10 , and a repeated explanation will thus be omitted. 
         [0056]    The guide components  51   a  and  51   b , when in the closed state, have a shape of extending the length d of the guide hole  15  to an extent that reach the upper surface of the substrate  20  (substantially the other surface) ( FIG. 9A ). According to such a shape, the guide device  50  of this modified example, as compared with the above guide device  10  provided with the opening portion  16  having the same slope, can improve the positional accuracy in inserting the component terminal  23  into the guide hole  15  (in contrast to  FIG. 8A ). In addition, the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  change from the closed state to the open state after the engagement between the component terminal  23  and the substrate  20  is completed ( FIG. 9B ). According to the open state, the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  move to a position that is away from the component terminal  23 , and the portion of each of the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  extending up to the upper surface of the substrate  20  is received under a lower surface of the substrate  20 . 
         [0057]    Herein, in the case where the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  are formed to have the shape of extending to the extent that reaches the upper surface of the mounted substrate  20 , if the state of the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  is maintained unchanged like the prior configurations (in other words, the guide portion  11  is maintained constantly in the closed state), as shown in  FIG. 10A , a path R along the surface would be formed on the substrate surface between adjacent component terminals  23 , and a problem that the insulation distance (distance along the surface) cannot be ensured would arise. It is required to ensure such an insulation distance between component terminals where a high electric potential difference is generated for driving an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), for example. 
         [0058]    By contrast, with the guide device  50  of the modified example, after the engagement of the component terminal  23  and the substrate  20  is completed, the guide portion  11  is changed from the closed state to the open state manually or automatically ( FIG. 9B ). With the open state, the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  are moved to a position (separate position) away from the component terminal  23 , thus avoiding a state in which the guide hole  15  used in guiding the component terminal  23  is in contact with or close to the component terminal  23 . Further, the portion of each of the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  that extends up to the upper surface of the substrate  20  is received under the lower surface of the substrate  20 , and the resulting space S ensures an insulation distance between the component terminals  23 . 
         [0059]    As described above, in the guide device  50  of the modified example according to the embodiment of the present invention, the guide components  51   a  and  51   b  of the guide portion  11  have the shape that extending the length d of the guide hole  15  to the extent that reaches the upper surface of the substrate  20  in the closed state. According to this shape, the guide device  50  of this modified example, as compared with the above guide device  10  provided with the opening portion  16  having the same slope, improves the positional accuracy in inserting the component terminal  23  into the guide hole  15 . Further, like the above guide device  10 , the guide device  50  of the modified example has a mechanism for enabling the guide portion  11  to be away from (separate from) the component terminal  23  after the component terminal  23  is guided to a specified position (the through hole  21  of the substrate  20 , etc). Therefore, the component terminal  23  can be prevented from being worn due to a contact with the guide portion  11 , and the insulation distance between the component terminals  23  can be ensured. 
         [0060]    Furthermore, although in the above embodiment, an example in which the guide portion  11  is formed by two guide components  11   a  and  11   b  is shown, the guide portion  11  may also be formed by equal to or more than three guide components so long as a shape for allowing the component terminal  23  to move into the guide hole  15  can be formed. 
         [0061]    Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the closed state and the open state of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are realized by the step like first wall surface  13   a  and second wall surface  13   b  formed in the outer portion  13  and the separating mechanism portion  12  which has elastic force. However, configurations for realizing the closed state and the open state of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are not limited to this, and various configurations may also be adopted. For example, it may be a configuration in which a slope may be provided in the wall surface of the outer portion  13  so as to enable the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  to slide obliquely, or a rotating shaft may be provided in the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  so as to enable the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  to rotate towards outside, or the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  themselves may be removed. 
         [0062]    In addition, although in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the closed state and the open state formed by the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are reversible is described, it may be a configuration in which once the closed state is changed into the open state, the closed state cannot be returned. Further, although in the above embodiment, it is disclosed that the separating mechanism portion  12  is a separate component (for example, a metal spring) from the guide components  11   a  and  11   b , the structure of this component is not limited to this. For example, if the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  are formed by a synthetic resin or the like, a shape having a leaf spring mechanism may be provided to any one of the guide components  11   a  and  11   b  by an integral molding process. 
         [0063]    The guide device according to the present invention may be utilized when a component terminal inserted into an electric circuit substrate or the like is guided to a specified position such as a through hole, and it is particularly applicable to a situation where the wearing of the component terminal generated due to contacting with a guide device is intended to be avoided.