Connecting element inspecting method and connecting element inspecting device

A connecting element inspecting device for inspecting a connecting element having i) a connecting surface to face a connector to be paired with the connecting element, ii) terminal containing holes opening to the connecting surface, and iii) terminals respectively inserted into the predetermined terminal containing holes in a predetermined direction of insertion and contained therein, comprising:

• light irradiating means for irradiating said connecting surface to said connecting element by parallel light entering the terminal containing holes;
• imaging means so disposed that light reflected in a direction intersecting said predetermined direction of insertion from said connecting surface can be received for imaging said connecting surface using said reflected light;
• image region setting means for setting an image region to be inspected in relation to a predetermined terminal containing hole to be inspected on the basis of image data from said imaging means;
• percentage calculating means for calculating the percentage of the area of a portion occupied by the terminal in said image region to be inspected;
• and
• judging means for judging whether said connecting element is accepted or rejected in relation to said predetermined terminal containing hole to be inspected depending on whether or not said percentage satisfies predetermined judgment conditions which judgment conditions include a rejection determination when a terminal is only partially inserted within said predetermined terminal containing hole.