Method of testing continuity using an auto-lock continuity check unit

A method of testing the continuity of a connector having a connector housing, comprising:

• inserting the connector housing into a continuity test unit having at least a connector receiving member and a test area spaced from one another;
• during said inserting, actuating a driving mechanism that effects driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another and a locking mechanism that locks the connector housing within the test unit;
• driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another to engage contact elements on the test area with terminals on the connector housing;
• and
• locking the connector housing within the test unit during the continuity test;
• wherein said driving is initiated automatically upon said inserting of the connector housing into said connector receiving member.

A method of testing the continuity of a connector having a connector housing, comprising:

• inserting the connector housing into a continuity test unit having at least a connector receiving member and a test area spaced from one another;
• during said inserting, actuating a driving mechanism that effects driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another and a locking mechanism that locks the connector housing within the test unit;
• driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another to engage contact elements on the test area with terminals on the connector housing;
• and
• locking the connector housing within the test unit during the continuity test;
• and
• pressing an actuator contact with said connector housing during said inserting to actuate the driving mechanism that effects said driving of the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another.

A method of testing the continuity of a connector having a connector housing, comprising:

• inserting the connector housing into a continuity test unit having at least a connector receiving member and a test area spaced from one another;
• during said inserting, actuating a driving mechanism that effects driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another and a locking mechanism that locks the connector housing within the test unit;
• driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another to engage contact elements on the test area with terminals on the connector housing;
• locking the connector housing within the test unit during the continuity test;
• and
• providing a fixed timing for a length of the continuity test, and after said fixed timing, driving the connector receiving member and the test area away from one another to disengage the contact elements of the test area with terminals on the connector housing.

A method of testing the continuity of a connector having a connector housing, comprising:

• inserting the connector housing into a continuity test unit having at least a connector receiving member and a test area spaced from one another;
• pressing an actuator contact with said connector housing during said inserting to actuate a driving mechanism that effects driving of the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another and to actuate a locking mechanism that shifts to lock the connector housing within the test unit;
• driving the connector receiving member and the test area with said driving mechanism toward one another to engage contact elements on the test area with terminals on the connector housing;
• shifting the locking mechanism to lock the connector housing within the test unit during the continuity test;
• and
• providing a fixed timing for a length of the continuity test, and after said fixed timing, driving the connector receiving member and the test area with said driving mechanism away from one another to disengage the contact elements of the test are with terminals on the connector housing.

A method of testing the continuity of a connector in an auto-lock type continuity test unit, the connector having a connector housing with terminal fittings, and the test unit including:

• a connector receiving member to receive the connector housing, the connector housing being slidable in a first direction through an opening in the connector receiving member to become a test object;
• a test area that contains probe pins for continuity testing of the terminal fittings, the probe pins being selectively insertable into the connector receiving member to engage with the terminal fittings;
• and a connecting mechanism associated with the connector receiving member that is selectively slidable, in a second direction different than the first direction, to a connected state for connecting the connector housing inserted into the connector receiving member and to a released state to permit removal of the connector housing from the connector receiving member, said method comprising:
• inserting the connector housing into the continuity test unit;
• driving the connector receiving member and the test area toward one another in the first direction to engage the probe pins of the test area with the terminals on the connector housing;
• and
• sliding the connecting mechanism in the second direction to lock the connector housing within the test unit during the continuity test with the connecting mechanism.