Method for testing a connector assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing a connector assembly (10). The connector assembly (10) comprises a housing (12), at least two cables (14), at least two receptacles (16) in the housing (12) for receiving the at least two cables (14) in the housing (12), and a fixing means (26) arranged on each cable (14) for fixing the cable in the receptacle (16). The method comprises the following steps: - inserting the two cables (14) into the housing (12); - inserting a test element (18) between the two cables (14), the test element (18) being arranged substantially perpendicularly to the two cables (14); - moving the test element (18) in the direction running substantially perpendicularly to the two cables (14), the two cables (14) being pressed apart by this movement; - ending the test process when a defined force or a maximum travel distance is reached.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for testing a connector assembly

[0003] The invention relates to a method for testing a plug assembly.

[0004] Electrical connectors typically form the interface between a cable and another interface. For electrical energy or signals to be transmitted smoothly, it is particularly important that the cable or individual contact wires are inserted into the connector assembly and secured, for example with a connector element or locking tab.

[0005] While testing procedures exist for male connector assemblies, they cannot be applied to female connector assemblies. This is because these testing procedures are mostly purely visual and inspect the male connector from the outside. Since female connectors are enclosed within the housing, these testing procedures cannot be used, as an improperly installed connector would not be detected. For these connectors, testing is primarily carried out manually by people, which can lead to errors in checking the secure fit and reduce the quality of the connector assembly.

[0006] A method for testing a connector assembly should be proposed that reduces the susceptibility to errors of the connector assembly and automates and simplifies the testing process.

[0007] To solve the problem, a method for testing a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly comprises a housing, at least two cables, wherein the housing has at least two receptacles for receiving the at least two cables, and a fixing means arranged on each cable for fixing the cable in the receptacle. The method comprises the following steps:

[0008] • Inserting the cables into the housing • Inserting a test specimen between the two cables, the test specimen being arranged substantially perpendicular to the two conductors

[0009] • Moving the test specimen in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two cables, whereby the two cables are pushed apart by this movement

[0010] • Ending the testing process when a defined force or maximum distance is reached

[0011] The connector assembly serves as an interface for transmitting electrical energy or information from a cable to a consumer and / or a processing unit, and vice versa. The connector assembly comprises the housing, at least two cables, at least two receptacles within the housing for receiving the cables, and a fixing element attached to each cable for securing it in the receptacle.

[0012] The housing serves to contain at least two cables for protection against environmental influences and to prevent corrosion and / or short circuits. For this purpose, the housing includes at least two recesses for receiving the cables. The housing is preferably made of a plastic, particularly by injection molding. Alternatively, the at least two cables can be arranged in a contact carrier, the contact carrier being at least partially enclosed by a housing.

[0013] The at least two cables serve to transmit electrical energy and / or information. The cables are preferably electrical conductors. The cables are preferably made of copper or aluminum. Alternatively, the cables can be made of fiber optics.

[0014] The housing has at least two recesses to accommodate the two cables. The cables are inserted into these recesses. These recesses are formed during the injection molding of the housing. The retaining elements secure the at least two cables within the housing or contact carrier, thus fixing the cables in place. The retaining element can be positioned on the cable so that the fixing occurs inside the housing. Alternatively, the retaining element can also be positioned on the cable outside the housing.

[0015] The test piece is used to check whether at least two cables are securely fixed in the housing. The test piece is positioned essentially perpendicular to the two conductors, allowing it to be moved between them. Its shape is designed such that moving the test piece along the perpendicular axis causes the two cables to separate. Alternatively, the test piece can be designed so that the separation occurs through a rotational movement.

[0016] Alternatively, the procedure is carried out for a fully assembled connector assembly comprising a housing and at least two cables, thus eliminating the step of inserting the cables into the housing.

[0017] Alternatively, a signal can be output when a defined force or maximum distance is reached.

[0018] The advantage of the method is that a check of the connector arrangement is carried out automatically for each connector arrangement, and if the cables are not properly mounted in the housing, the connector arrangement is either rejected or repaired in such a way that the cables are properly mounted.

[0019] Preferably, the test specimen can be conical. Due to its increasing diameter along its length, starting from the side facing the two cables, the two cables can be easily separated. This requires only a linear movement of the test specimen in a direction essentially perpendicular to the at least two cables. Furthermore, the connector assembly can be held by a retaining device. The connector assembly is held by the retaining device, particularly on two opposite sides. This ensures that the test specimen can transmit the defined force to the cables.

[0020] Furthermore, the pulling out of the cables can be detected by at least one sensor, in particular a camera. The sensor provides another way to detect improper cable installation. For example, there could be an opening in the housing through which the camera can look and detect any movement of the cables, or even whether the cable is being moved at all by the test object.

[0021] The housing preferably includes a locking device, wherein the fixing element on the cable engages in the locking device in the housing. The locking device is, for example, a recess into which the fixing element engages and prevents the cable from being pulled out of the housing. This ensures that the cables are prevented from being pulled out of the housing even after testing.

[0022] Preferably, a sealant can be arranged on each cable, the sealant being introduced into the housing and protecting the interior of the housing from environmental influences. The sealant is designed to keep environmental influences, such as water or dirt, out of the interior of the housing.

[0023] Furthermore, the sealant can be a symmetrical, in particular a conical, body. The symmetrical or conical shape of the sealant allows for easy installation of the sealant in the housing's recesses. The sealant preferably consists of a plastic or silicone.

[0024] Furthermore, a test device for carrying out the method is proposed, wherein the test device comprises a test specimen, a holding device and at least one sensor.

[0025] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 Schematic representation of the testing procedure in the basic position

[0026] Figure 2 Schematic representation according to Fig. 1 with the test specimen moved

[0027] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the plug device according to Fig. 1

[0028] Figure 1 shows a connector assembly 10. The connector assembly 10 comprises a housing 12, two cables 14, a fixing element (not shown) on each cable 14 for fixing in the housing, and two receptacles 16 for receiving the cables 14.

[0029] First, the housing 12 is manufactured, for example, by injection molding and is preferably made of a plastic. Then, the cables 14 are preferably inserted into the receptacles 16 of the housing 12 directly in the injection mold, where they snap into place in a locking mechanism (not shown). Alternatively, and preferably, the housing 12 is placed in a further tool in which the cables 14 are inserted into the receptacles 16 of the housing 12. Each of the two cables 14 is sheathed by a conductor insulation. The two sheathed cables 14 are together enclosed by a total insulation 22, which provides additional protection for the two cables 14, for example, against environmental influences such as water and / or dirt. Alternatively, it also provides protection against electromagnetic fields.

[0030] In the next step, it is checked whether the cables 14 are securely engaged in the locking devices 28 of the housing 12. For this purpose, the connector assembly 10 is inserted into a holding device (not shown). The holding device secures the connector assembly 10 in a position, for example, by gripping the housing 12 from above with a U-shaped body (not shown) and pressing the housing 12 against a base plate (not shown) in which the connector assembly 10 is inserted. The U-shaped body and the base plate are shaped such that the connector assembly 10 is blocked in the degrees of freedom of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, thus preventing any movement of the connector assembly 10. For this purpose, the base plate can have raised sections in front of and behind the connector assembly 10 in the x-axis, preventing movement in the x-axis.

[0031] If the connector arrangement 10 is fixed in the degrees of freedom of the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis, so that the test object can be moved between the two cables 14, the test procedure begins.

[0032] In Figure 2, the test specimen 18 is moved between the two cables 14. Due to the conical shape of the test specimen 18, the two cables 14 are pushed apart as the test specimen 18 moves further along the z-axis. The test specimen 18 moves upwards along the z-axis until it has traveled its maximum distance or until a maximum force is applied to it. A limiter is preferably provided to restrict the movement along the z-axis. The force applied to the test specimen 18 can be determined, for example, by a sensor, which is preferably arranged below the test specimen in the z-direction.

[0033] By fixing the connector assembly 10 using the U-shaped body (not shown) and the base plate (not shown), the two cables 14 are moved along the x-axis if they are not properly engaged with the fixing element 26 in the locking element 28 of the housing 12. Improper engagement of the fixing element 26 in the locking element 28 can be detected by the test specimen 18 traveling its entire travel path along the z-axis. Additionally or alternatively, a sensor, for example an optical sensor, in particular a camera, can be installed to detect movement of the cables 14 in the x-direction. If an improperly engaged cable 14 is detected, it can be reinserted into the housing 12, or the connector assembly 10 can be disassembled and reassembled.

[0034] Furthermore, a sealant 20 is shown, which is arranged on a cable 14. This sealant 20 is inserted into the receptacle 16 of the housing 12. The sealant 20 prevents the ingress of dirt or water, in particular, into the housing 12.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the connector device from Figures 1 and 2. The female connector 24 of the connector device 10 is inserted into the housing 12 in the x-direction. The female connector 24 has a retaining element 26. The retaining element 26 is designed, in particular, as a locking lug. A locking element 28, which is designed as a counterpart to the retaining element 26, is included in the housing 12. The female connector 24 is inserted into the housing 12 until the retaining element 26 of the female connector 24 engages with the locking element 28 in the housing 12. The sealing element 20 can, for example, be introduced into the housing 12 to ensure better retention of the sealing element 20 within the housing 12.If the previously described test procedure now begins with the test body 18, the female connector 24 would be pulled out of the housing 12 if the fixing element 26 of the female connector 24 is not properly engaged in the locking element 28 of the housing 12.

[0036] Reference sign

[0037] 10 Connector arrangement

[0038] 12 cases, 14 cables

[0039] 16 recordings

[0040] 18 test specimens

[0041] 20 sealants

[0042] 22 Total insulation 24 Female connector

[0043] 26 Fixatives

[0044] 28 Resting materials

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for testing a connector assembly (10), wherein the connector assembly (10) comprises a housing (12), at least two cables (14), at least two receptacles (16) in the housing (12) for receiving the at least two cables (14) in the housing (12), and a fixing means (26) arranged on each cable (14) for fixing the cable in the receptacle (16), comprising the following steps: • Inserting the two cables (14) into the housing (12) • Inserting a test object (18) between the two cables (14), wherein the test object (18) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the two cables (14). • Moving the test specimen (18) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two cables (14), whereby the two cables (14) are pushed apart by this movement • Ending the testing process when a defined force or maximum distance is reached 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the test specimen (18) is conical.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug arrangement (10) is held by a holding device.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling out of the cables (14) can be detected by at least one sensor, in particular a camera.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking means (28) is included in the housing (12), wherein the fixing means (26) on the cable engages in the locking means (28) in the housing.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing agent (20) is arranged on each cable, wherein the sealing agent (20) is introduced into the housing (12) and protects the interior of the housing from environmental influences.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing means (20) is a symmetrical, in particular a conical, body.

8. Test device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the test device comprises a test body (18), a holding device and at least one sensor.

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