Apparatus and method for fitting a press-fit connector to a printed circuit board

Abstract

An apparatus for press-fitting a connector to a printed circuit board, comprising a magazine for accommodating a plurality of connectors (1) for the printed circuit board (8), the connectors (1) having a plurality of pins (1A) each with an outer diameter of an end portion (14) smaller than an outer diameter of an intermediate portion (11); a first transport mechanism (3) for moving a chuck (3A) used to releasably hold a connector (1); an alignment block (4) having alignment apertures (4A) each with a tapered entrance thereto and a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the end portion (14) and smaller than the outer diameter of the intermediate portion (11), provided so as to correspond to the locations of the pins (1A) of the connector (1); a second transport mechanism (5) for moving the alignment block (4) in a horizontal direction; a press head (6) for releasably holding the connector (1); a press (7) for moving the press head (6) in a vertical direction so as to press-fit a connector (1) attached thereto to a printed circuit board (8); and a die (9) for mounting the printed circuit board (8), the die (9) having relief apertures (9A) each with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the intermediate portion (11), and disposed so as to correspond to the positions of the pins (1A) of the connector (1).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.