Insertion and ejection apparatus for environmental test chambers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically inserting and ejecting electrical connectors of electronic component test trays from electrical connectors in a panel of an environmental test chamber, e.g. an oven, at the beginning and end of a test period to facilitate loading and unloading the test trays. The electronic components are inserted into test trays so that electrical connections are made with test tray conductors which terminate at a test tray connector. The trays are loaded into the oven in an insertion cycle by manually sliding them onto lateral tray supports with the tray connector ends aligned with mating electrical connectors in the panel of the test oven. The insertion cycle of a track guided, carriage mounted, inserter/ejector mechanism is commenced wherein the mechanism is advanced from tray to tray to sequentially insert the tray connectors into the panel mounted connectors until all trays are inserted. The oven door is closed and the test is conducted. Upon completion of the test, the door is opened and the ejection cycle of the mechanism is initiated to sequentially eject the tray connectors from the panel mounted connectors until all trays are ejected. During insertion and ejection of each tray, the mechanism rotates one or more pivot arms about pivots to apply their free ends against the trays to move the trays on the lateral tray supports a constant distance to ensure reliable connection or removal of the tray from the panel mounted connectors. As the mechanism carriage traverses the ends of the trays a tray position trip sensor detects any out of position trays. The mechanism decreases operator fatigue and errors due to improperly seated connectors.