EP3973309A1

EP3973309A1 - Test adapter

Info

Publication number: EP3973309A1
Application number: EP20726741.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel De Monte; Jörg Riehle
Original assignee: Tekon Prueftechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Tekon Prueftechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2019-05-20
Filing date: 2020-05-12
Publication date: 2022-03-30
Also published as: WO2020234058A1; DE102019113277A1

Abstract

In order to improve a test adapter (10) for testing the electrical function of devices under test (30) - comprising a housing (12) and at least one test contact unit (22) arranged in the housing and for contacting at least one contact (32) of a device under test in the course of the testing process, a line (42, 52) arranged in the housing and extending from the at least one test contact unit to a connection (44, 54) provided on the housing, at least one sensor (62,66,82,92,102) arranged on or in the test adapter (10), and a data detection unit (72) for detecting values of the sensor - in such a way that the checking of the device under test detects adversely affecting states and these are in particular thereby avoided, it is proposed that a state detection unit (76) is assigned to the test adapter and detects the values from the at least one sensor detected by the data detection unit and determines operating state information by analyzing said values.

Description

PRUFADAPTER

The invention relates to a test adapter for electrical functional testing of test objects, comprising a housing and at least one test contact unit arranged in the housing for contacting at least one test object contact of the test object during a test sequence and a line arranged in the housing from the at least one test contact unit to one on the housing provided connection, at least one sensor arranged on or in the test adapter and a data acquisition unit for acquiring values from the sensor.

A test adapter of this type is used, in particular in a production plant, for a large number of successive test objects, for example electrical circuits or electrical devices or electrical ones

To contact current / voltage sources and to check them, for example, by means of a voltage and / or current flow measurement.

A test adapter of this type, in particular its test contact unit, is therefore exposed to very high levels of wear, while on the other hand it is necessary for testing the test object, in particular in the area of contacting the test object contact, identical for each test object

To find conditions to be able to reliably evaluate the measured values.

The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a test adapter of the generic type in such a way that the checking of the

Conditions affecting the test specimen can be detected and in particular avoided. This object is achieved according to the invention in a test adapter of the type described in that the test adapter is assigned a status acquisition unit which records the values of the at least one sensor recorded by the data acquisition unit and determines operating status information by evaluating them.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention can be seen in the fact that the operating state of the test adapter can be recorded and operating status information is thus generated on the extent to which the electrical parameters of the test object determined by means of the test adapter reliably represent the state of the test object.

It is particularly favorable if the status acquisition unit determines the operating status information from the values of the at least one sensor acquired by the data acquisition unit by means of at least one predetermined evaluation process.

An evaluation process predefined in this way can be designed in such a way that it is performed depending on the electrical data to be recorded by the test adapter

Parameters evaluates the values of the at least one sensor recorded by the data acquisition unit in accordance with a predetermined scheme in order to obtain as exact information as possible about the quality of the measurement of the electrical parameters to be recorded with the operating status information.

An advantageous solution provides, for example, that the state

detection unit for determining the operating state information in the evaluation process uses values of the at least one sensor determined during a test sequence.

This solution has the advantage that the values of the sensor determined during the test sequence provide the best option for determining the quality of the measurement of the electrical parameters to be carried out. An advantageous solution provides that the status detection unit detects the operating status information determined during several test sequences and then checks this operating status information to determine whether or not it is within a tolerance defined for the respective operating status information.

The tolerance range is in particular given by at least one

Reference value, and / or several reference values and / or a tolerance band defined.

In the simplest case, it is provided that the state detection unit is given the tolerance range for the respective operating state information.

However, it is also conceivable that the state detection unit determines the tolerance range.

For example, it is conceivable that the state detection unit the

Tolerance range determined on the basis of an evaluation of previous operating status information.

For example, this takes place in that the state detection unit determines the tolerance range for the respective operating state information by evaluating the operating state information during a sequence of predetermined test sequences in which the test adapter is assumed to be fully functional.

For example, it is conceivable here if the unrestricted functionality is recognized by the fact that values of certain sensors are within a fixed, predetermined narrow tolerance range. In connection with the previous explanation of the solution according to the invention, it was assumed that the values of at least one sensor are used to determine the operating state information.

It is even more advantageous if the status detection unit for determining the operating status information in an evaluation process evaluates the values of at least two sensors in a correlated manner and thereby determines test sequence information as operating status information, so that conclusions regarding the test sequence information, i.e. the information about the respective test sequence, can be drawn from the test sequence information Quality of the acquisition of the electrical parameters of the test object can be related.

Different correlation possibilities are conceivable for the correlated evaluation of the values of the at least two sensors.

A particularly simple way of correlating the values is for the correlated evaluation of the values to take place via a time correlation, that is to say the respective values are correlated to one another at the same point in time.

Another advantageous solution provides that the status acquisition unit for determining the operating status information evaluates a value curve of the values of the at least one sensor over time in an evaluation process so that operating status information can be generated from the value curve and, for example, conclusions on the quality of the measurement of the electrical Parameters are possible.

It is particularly advantageous if the status acquisition unit evaluates a sub-area of the value profile of the at least one sensor that occurs during the respective test sequence in order to determine the operating status information, since in this case the entire value profile does not always have to be evaluated. The sub-area can be selected differently.

A simple possibility provides that the status detection unit detects and evaluates a maximum value and / or a minimum value of the value curve of the at least one sensor, for example, uses it for correlation, in order to determine the operating status information.

Another advantageous solution provides that the status detection unit averages operating status information within a first event window and also averages within subsequent event windows, compares the averaged operating status information and generates a warning if the averaged operating status information changes continuously.

It is particularly advantageous if the change in the averaged operating status information of an event window relative to the preceding event windows must be more than 5% on average in order to generate a warning.

In the context of the solution according to the invention, the determination of the operating status information in the evaluation process with correlation of the values from at least two sensors is not limited to a one-off correlation, but rather the operating status information obtained by correlating the values from at least two sensors

The evaluation is determined, in turn, it is further correlated with values or value profiles or also with values determined by correlation from the same or additional sensors.

With regard to the type of operating status information, no further details have been given so far. Thus, one advantageous solution provides that the status detection unit determines conditions that are dangerous to the test adapter as operating status information when a first evaluation process is carried out.

The determination of such conditions is of considerable advantage in order to

To be able to detect damage to the test adapter as early as possible.

In particular, it is provided here that the state detection unit checks the values of the at least one sensor when executing the first evaluation process to determine whether or not they fall below or exceed a defined threshold value, so that, for example, if a defined threshold value is exceeded, a test adapter-endangering state is not excluded can and is reported, for example, by the status detection unit by means of a warning.

Another advantageous solution provides that the status detection unit, when executing a second evaluation process, provides test sequence information, for example the execution of a plug-in cycle of the test adapter,

in particular the complete and then completed execution of a plug cycle, determined as operating status information.

In particular, it is provided here that the state detection unit evaluates current values and acceleration values in a correlated manner in order to determine the test sequence information, in particular a plug cycle, of the test adapter.

As an alternative to this, however, it would also be conceivable for the state detection unit to evaluate sound intensity values and / or current values and / or temperature values in a correlated manner in order to determine the test sequence information, in particular a plug-in cycle, of the test adapter. In particular, when the status detection unit detects plug-in cycles, it is preferably provided that the status detection unit sums up the number of plug-in cycles performed and generates a maintenance notice when a maintenance reference value corresponding to a certain number of plug-in cycles is exceeded, so that the test sequence information results from maintenance information as operating status information.

The maintenance reference value can be a fixed value that defines the number of mating cycles added up.

However, since the wear of the test adapter is also dependent, for example, on the accelerations acting on the test adapter, an advantageous solution provides that the condition detection unit changes the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance instruction depending on the magnitude of the accelerations recorded during the plugging cycles.

This means that, for example, accelerations above a

Acceleration reference value, the maintenance reference value for the

Reduce mating cycles, while, for example, accelerations that are below an acceleration reference value, increase the maintenance reference value of the mating cycles for determining the maintenance instruction.

A further advantageous solution provides that the condition detection unit changes the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance instruction as a function of temperature values, in particular detected by a sensor near the contact point.

This means that, for example, the maintenance reference value is reduced if the temperature values of the sensor close to the contact point are above a temperature reference value, while the maintenance reference value can be increased if the temperature values of the sensor close to the contact point are lower than the temperature reference value. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the state detection unit as a function of the current values detected during the plug cycles

Maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance notice changed.

For example, it is provided that the maintenance reference value is increased if the current values are lower than a current reference value, or it is decreased if the current values are higher than a maintenance reference value.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the state detection unit stores temperature values and / or current values and / or acceleration values and / or tolerance reports and / or maintenance instructions.

In particular, it is provided that the status detection unit automatically outputs tolerance reports and / or maintenance instructions.

This means that, for example, the status detection unit displays tolerance messages or maintenance instructions acoustically and / or optically, for example by means of light elements or on a screen by means of symbols.

Furthermore, it is provided in particular that the condition detection unit sends messages or maintenance instructions in the form of data to a recipient.

A further advantageous solution provides that the status detection unit determines wear information, in particular relating to the test contact unit, as operating status information when a third evaluation process is carried out.

In particular, it is provided here that when the third evaluation process is carried out, the state detection unit checks at least a defined sub-area of the value curve of the at least one sensor to determine whether this sub-area lies within a tolerance band. It is also particularly advantageous if the status detection unit checks the operating status information to determine whether it has changes compared to previous operating status information that are significantly greater than fluctuations in previous operating status information, and in this case generates a message.

It is particularly advantageous if the status detection unit generates a message when the change is greater than twice the fluctuations in the corresponding preceding operating status

information.

Another advantageous solution provides that the state detection unit determines a future state change as operating state information when a fourth evaluation process is carried out.

With such a state change occurring in the future as operating state information, it is possible, in particular, to predict how long the respective test adapter can still be used meaningfully with reliable measurement results of the electrical quantities.

In particular, it is provided here that when the fourth evaluation process is carried out, the state detection unit averages within an event window over the same partial areas of the value curve of at least one sensor and compares the mean values of successive event windows with one another.

Another advantageous solution provides that the status detection unit detects anomalies in test sequences as operating status information when a fifth evaluation process is carried out. Such anomalies can be anomalies of any kind, that is to say, for example, detaching or detaching parts, for example changed test objects, in particular changed test object contacts, or even changing ones

Movement sequences of the test adapter.

In particular, it is provided that the state detection unit determined at least one value spectrum of the at least one sensor, in particular a spectral distribution of, in the fifth evaluation process

Sound intensities, recorded during a test sequence and compared with the range of values from previous test runs, so that anomalies can be inferred from changes in the range of values.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a test adapter in which the at least one sensor is an acoustic sensor.

Such an acoustic sensor makes it possible to detect and evaluate any type of sound wave.

A particularly advantageous solution provides that the acoustic sensor detects frequencies in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 KHz, preferably 50 Hz to 10 KHz.

In the present case it is preferably provided that the acoustic sensor detects structure-borne noise from the test adapter.

However, it is also conceivable to arrange the acoustic sensor in such a way that it detects sound from the surroundings of the test adapter.

In the simplest case, it is provided that the sound intensity recorded by the acoustic sensor is recorded as a whole. Another advantageous solution provides that a structure-borne sound spectrum of the test adapter and / or an ambient sound spectrum is used for the evaluation.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the condition detection unit evaluates the sound intensity or the frequency spectrum correlated with the time of the measurement thereof.

A further advantageous solution to the object mentioned at the beginning provides that the sensor is a temperature sensor whose temperature values

in particular can be detected by the condition detection unit.

The temperature sensor can be used in the most varied of ways.

An advantageous solution provides that the temperature sensor in one

Housing of the test adapter is arranged.

The temperature sensor is arranged either in the contact housing or in the adapter housing of the test adapter.

In order in particular to measure the temperatures in the housing that result, for example, from heating connection points or electrical faults in the housing, in particular cable breaks, breaks in soldering points or possible short circuits or other unforeseen circumstances, it is preferably provided that the temperature sensor records an air temperature in the housing and / or a temperature close to the housing representing the housing temperature is detected. In order to be able to detect the temperature of the test contact unit, in particular its heating, with a temperature sensor, it is preferably provided that the temperature sensor is arranged on a side of the housing, in particular a contact housing, facing the test contact unit.

It is even more advantageous if the temperature sensor is over physical

Thermal conduction is coupled to the at least one test contact unit.

It is particularly advantageous if the temperature sensor is on the

at least one test contact unit is arranged close to the contact point and in particular detects a temperature proportional to the temperature at the contact point.

It is particularly advantageous if the temperature sensor is connected to the data acquisition unit, which acquires temperature values transmitted by the temperature sensor.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the data acquisition unit acquires the temperature values transmitted by the temperature sensor in correlation with the respective test sequence, the correlation being able to be time-related or event-related.

In addition, the object mentioned at the beginning is also achieved according to the invention with a test adapter in which the sensor is a current sensor that detects a current in a connecting line leading to the test contact unit.

In particular, the current sensor is designed in such a way that it detects the current in the connecting line without contact.

Different principles could be used here. An advantageous solution provides that the current sensor detects the current in the connecting line via its magnetic field.

In particular, the current sensor is used as the connecting line

encompassing clamp current sensor formed.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of a clamp current sensor provides that it is designed as an old current meter.

Furthermore, an advantageous solution provides that the current sensor is connected to the data acquisition unit, which acquires current values transmitted by the current sensor.

It is preferably provided that the data acquisition unit acquires the current values correlated with the respective test sequence, in particular over correlated with time.

Another solution to the problem mentioned at the beginning provides that the sensor is an acceleration sensor in order to detect the accelerations of the test adapter.

The acceleration sensor is preferably formed as an acceleration sensor that detects accelerations in at least one spatial direction.

Furthermore, the acceleration sensor is advantageously connected to the data acquisition unit, which includes the acceleration values, in particular based on the respective spatial direction.

With regard to the design of the acceleration sensor, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the acceleration sensor

Acceleration values recorded in all spatial directions. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the acceleration sensor includes both acceleration values and position values relative to the direction of gravity.

To store the data, it is particularly advantageous if a data storage unit is assigned to the status detection unit.

The data storage unit is used in particular to store data from the data acquisition unit and the status acquisition unit.

In addition, it is also possible to train the data storage unit in such a way that it stores at least one of the following types of data such as article data, identification data, manufacturing data, maintenance data, process data and

Saves operational data and messages from the condition recording unit.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the status acquisition unit is assigned a data communication unit which is connected to at least one of the units, such as the status acquisition unit, the data storage unit and the data acquisition unit, and exchanges data with an external communication unit.

The exchange of data with the data communication unit can take place in a wired or wireless manner.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the data communication unit exchanges data via a common communication protocol.

The above description of solutions according to the invention thus includes in particular those numbered through the following

Embodiments defined different combinations of features: 1. Test adapter for electrical functional testing of test objects (30), comprising a housing (12) and at least one test contact unit (22) arranged in the housing (12) for contacting at least one test object contact (32) of the test object (30) in the course of a test sequence and a line (42, 52) arranged in the housing (12) from the at least one test contact unit (22) to a connection (44, 54) provided on the housing (12), at least one sensor (10) arranged on or in the test adapter (10) 62, 66, 82, 92, 102) and a data acquisition unit (72) for acquiring values from the sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102), with the

A condition acquisition unit (76) is assigned to the test adapter, which acquires the values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) acquired by the data acquisition unit (72) and, by evaluating them, acquires operating condition information determined.

2. Test adapter according to embodiment 1, wherein the state acquisition unit (76) from the values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) acquired by the data acquisition unit (72) by means of at least one predetermined evaluation process determines the operating status information.

3. Test adapter according to embodiment 1 or 2, the state

The detection unit (76) uses values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) determined during a test sequence in the evaluation process for determining the operating status information.

4. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the status detection unit (76) detects the operating status information determined during several test sequences and checks this operating status information to determine whether or not it is within a tolerance range defined for the respective operating status information.

5. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) being given the tolerance range for the respective operating state information.

6. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the condition detection unit (76) determines the tolerance range.

7. Test adapter according to embodiment 6, the condition detection unit (76) determining the tolerance range on the basis of an evaluation of previous operating condition information.

8. Test adapter according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the state

detection unit (76) determines the tolerance range for the respective operating status information by evaluating the operating status information during a sequence of predetermined test sequences in which the test adapter is assumed to be fully functional.

9. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the

Unrestricted functionality is recognized by the fact that values of certain sensors are within a tightly specified range

Tolerance range. 10. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the state detection unit (76) for determining the operating state information in this evaluation process the values (T, S, B, SI) of

evaluates at least two sensors (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) in a correlated manner and thereby determines test sequence information as operating status information.

11. Test adapter according to embodiment 10, the correlated evaluation of the values (T, S, B, SI) taking place via a time correlation.

12. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the state detection unit (76) to determine the operating state information in an evaluation process a value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor ( 62, 66, 82, 92, 102) over time (t).

13. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the status detection unit (76) for determining the operating status information in the evaluation process includes a sub-area (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) of the value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) occurring during the respective test sequence of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102).

14. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the state detection unit (76) to determine the operating state information has a maximum value (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) and / or a minimum value of a value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the at least one Sensors (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) recorded and evaluated. 15. Test adapter according to the preamble of embodiment 1 or according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the status detection unit averages operating status information within a first event window (EF) and also averages within subsequent event windows (EF), compares the averaged operating status information, and in a

continuous change of the averaged operating status information generates a warning.

16. Test adapter according to embodiment 15, wherein the change in the averaged operating status information of an event window (EF) relative to the preceding event windows (EF) must be more than 5% on average in order to generate a warning.

17. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) determining states that are dangerous to the test adapter as operating state information when a first evaluation process is carried out.

18. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) then checking the values of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) during the execution of the first evaluation process (T, S, B, SI) whether this falls below or exceeds a defined threshold value (SWT, SSW, BSW, SWS) or not.

19. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the status detection unit (76) determining test sequence information, for example the execution of a plug-in cycle (SZ) of the test adapter (10), and / or maintenance information as operating status information when executing a second evaluation process. 20. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the state detection unit (76) evaluates correlated current values (S) and acceleration values (B) to determine the test sequence information, in particular to determine a plug cycle (SZ).

21. Test adapter according to embodiment 19 or 20, the state detection unit (76) adding up the number of specified plug-in cycles (SZ) and, when one is exceeded, a certain number of plug-in cycles

corresponding maintenance reference value generated a maintenance notice.

22. Test adapter according to embodiment 21, wherein the condition detection unit (76) changes the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance instruction as a function of the magnitude of the accelerations (B) detected during the plugging cycles (SZ).

23. Test adapter according to embodiment 21 or 22, wherein the state detection unit (76) as a function of temperature values (T),

in particular detected by a sensor (62) close to the contact point, which changes the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance instruction.

24. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 21 to 23, the state detection unit (76) changing the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance instruction as a function of the current values (S) recorded during the plugging cycles (SZ).

25. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) storing temperature values (T) and / or current values (S) and / or acceleration values (B) and / or tolerance reports and / or maintenance instructions. 26. Test adapter according to embodiment 25, wherein the

State detection unit (76) tolerance reports and / or

Automatically issues maintenance instructions.

27. Test adapter according to embodiment 25 or 26, wherein the condition detection unit (76) optically displays tolerance reports or maintenance instructions.

28. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 25 to 27, the condition detection unit (76) sending tolerance reports or maintenance instructions in the form of data to a recipient.

29. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) determining wear information, in particular relating to the test contact unit, as operating state information during the execution of a third evaluation process.

30. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the state detection unit (76) when executing the third evaluation process at least one defined sub-area (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) of the value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the at least one sensor (62, 66,

82, 92, 102) then checks whether this sub-area (MTV, MSV, MBV,

MSIV) lies within a tolerance band (TB).

31. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the status detection unit (76) checking the operating status information to determine whether it has changes compared to previous operating status information that are significantly greater than fluctuations in previous operating status information, and in this case generates a message. 32. Test adapter according to embodiment 31, wherein the status detection unit (76) then generates a message if the change is greater than twice the fluctuations in the corresponding preceding operating status information.

33. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the status detection unit (76) determining a future change in status as operating status information when a fourth evaluation process is carried out.

34. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) being executed as the fourth evaluation process within an event window (EF) over the same sub-areas of the value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) averages and compares the mean values of successive event windows (EF) with one another.

35. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) detecting anomalies in test sequences as operating state information when a fifth evaluation process is carried out.

36. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the state detection unit (76) in the fifth evaluation process detects at least one value spectrum (SPV) of the at least one sensor (102) during a test sequence and compares it with the value spectrum (SPV) of previous test sequences.

37. Test adapter according to the preamble of embodiment 1 or according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one sensor is an acoustic sensor (102). 38. Test adapter according to embodiment 37, the acoustic sensor (102) detecting frequencies in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 KHz.

39. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 37 to 38, wherein the acoustic sensor (102) detects sound from the surroundings of the test adapter (10).

40. Test adapter according to embodiment 37 or 38, wherein the acoustic sensor (102) detects structure-borne noise from the test adapter (10).

41. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 37 to 40, a structure-borne sound spectrum of the test adapter (10) and / or an ambient sound spectrum being used for the evaluation.

42. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 37 to 41, wherein the state detection unit (76) evaluates the sound intensity or the frequency spectrum (SP) correlated with the time of the measurement of the same.

43. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor (62) is a temperature sensor.

44. Test adapter according to embodiment 43, wherein the temperature sensor (62 ') is arranged in a housing (12) of the test adapter (10).

45. Test adapter according to embodiment 43 or 44, wherein the temperature sensor (62) detects the air temperature in the housing (12) and / or the housing temperature representing temperature values near the housing. 46. Test adapter according to embodiment 43 or 44, wherein the temperature sensor (62 ') is arranged on a side of the housing (12) facing the test contact unit (22).

47. Test adapter according to embodiment 43 or 44, wherein the temperature sensor (62) is coupled to the at least one test contact unit (22) via physical heat conduction.

48. Test adapter according to embodiment 47, the temperature sensor (62) being arranged on the at least one test contact unit (22) close to the contact point and detecting a temperature proportional to the temperature at the contact point.

49. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (62) is connected to the data acquisition unit (72) which was transmitted by the temperature sensor (62)

Temperature values recorded.

50. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 43 to 49, wherein the data acquisition unit (72) records the temperature values averaged from the temperature sensor (62, 66) in a correlation with the respective test sequence.

51. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the sensor (82) being a current sensor which detects a current in a connecting line (42) leading to the test contact unit (22).

52. Test adapter according to embodiment 51, wherein the current sensor (82) detects the current in the connecting line (42) without contact. 53. Test adapter according to embodiment 52, wherein the current sensor (82) detects the current in the connecting line (42) via its magnetic field.

54. Test adapter according to embodiment 53, wherein the current sensor is designed as a clip-on ammeter (82) that encompasses the connecting line (42).

55. Test adapter according to embodiment 54, wherein the clamp-on ammeter (82) is designed as an all-current ammeter.

56. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 51 to 55, the current sensor (82) being connected to the data acquisition unit (72), which acquires current values (S) transmitted by the current sensor (82).

57. Test adapter according to embodiment 56, the data acquisition unit (72) acquiring the current values (S) correlated with the respective test sequence.

58. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the sensor is an acceleration sensor (92).

59. Test adapter according to embodiment 58, the acceleration sensor (92) being designed as an acceleration sensor (92) which detects accelerations in at least one spatial direction.

60. Test adapter according to embodiment 58 or 59, wherein the

Acceleration sensor (92) is connected to the data acquisition unit (72), which records the acceleration values. 61. Test adapter according to one of the embodiments 56 to 60, the state detection unit (76) evaluating the acceleration values with regard to the magnitude of the respective acceleration and thus generating acceleration and, in particular, speed information.

62. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, the state detection unit (76) being assigned a data storage unit (74).

63. Test adapter according to embodiment 62, wherein the data storage unit (74) is coupled to the data acquisition unit (72).

64. Test adapter according to embodiment 62 or 63, wherein the data storage unit (74) stores the data determined by the data acquisition unit (72).

65. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the data storage unit (74) stores at least one of the following types of data such as: article data, identification data, manufacturing data, maintenance data, process data and usage data and messages from the condition detection unit.

66. Test adapter according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the status acquisition unit (76) is assigned a data communication unit (78) which is connected to at least one of the units such as status acquisition unit (76), data storage unit (74) and data acquisition unit (72) and is connected to data an external communication unit (100) exchanged.

67. Test adapter according to embodiment 66, wherein the data communication unit (78) exchanges data in a wired or wireless manner. 68. Test adapter according to embodiment 65 or 66, wherein the data

communication unit (78) exchanges data via a standard communication protocol.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following drawings and the graphic representation of some

Embodiments.

In the drawing show:

1 shows a schematic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of a test adapter in cooperation with a test object;

2 shows a second embodiment of a test adapter in cooperation with a test object;

3 shows a schematic representation of a first evaluation process of a state detection unit according to the invention;

4 shows a schematic representation of a second evaluation process of the condition detection unit according to the invention;

5 shows a schematic representation of a third evaluation process of the condition detection unit according to the invention;

6 shows a schematic representation of a fourth evaluation process

a state detection unit according to the invention;

7 shows a schematic representation of event windows provided in the fourth embodiment, for example, and the mean values assigned to the event windows and 8 shows a schematic representation of a fifth exemplary embodiment of an evaluation process according to the invention.

An exemplary embodiment of a test adapter 10 according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1, comprises a housing 12 which is formed from a contact housing 14 and an adapter housing 16 adjoining the contact housing 14.

In the contact housing 14, at least one test contact unit 22, for example at least two test contact units 22a, 22b, is provided, each of the test contact units 22 in particular having two contact elements 24, 26 which are constructed in such a way that they are able to use a test object contact 32 as a Whole with 30 designated test specimen to act on under different sides with their contact surfaces 34, 36 and thereby produce an electrical contact to the test specimen contact 32 on the same under different sides.

In such test contact units 22, for example, one of the contact elements 24, 26, in the illustrated case the contact element 26, is a current-carrying contact and the corresponding other of the contact elements 24,

26, in the illustrated case the contact element 24, a measuring contact, so that a voltage measurement can take place independently of the electrical current supplied to the contact under test 32.

Furthermore, in the test contact unit 22 according to the invention, the contact elements 24 and 26 are preferably pretensioned against one another, for example by additional spring elements or by inherent elasticity, that they rest against the test object contact 32 to be tested with the necessary pressure. If, in the test contact units 22 according to the invention, measurements are carried out on the respective test object 30 with the application of current, then, for example, the contact elements 26a and 26b are connected to the power connections 44a and 44b arranged on the adapter housing 16 via power lines 42a and 42b, the power connections 44a and 44b then being external to the test adapter 10 leading power lines to be connected.

Furthermore, for the corresponding voltage measurements with the test contact units 22, the contact elements 24a and 24b are connected via measurement lines 52a and 52b to measurement connections 54a and 54b provided on the adapter housing 16, via which the voltage measurement at the test object contacts 32 then takes place, for example through external leads.

A test adapter 10 according to the invention is used to contact a large number of specimens 30, for example electrical assemblies such as electrical circuits, electrical devices, batteries, etc., produced in a production plant, for example, one after the other on their test specimen contacts 32 and for example by supplying power to energize the contact elements 26, at the same time a measurement,

In particular, a voltage measurement is carried out via the contact elements 24 on the test object contacts 32 in order to test the functionality of the test object, for example by measuring its internal resistance RL.

The consequence of this is that each of the test objects 30 is usually contacted and measured only once by a test adapter 10 according to the invention, while the test adapter 10 according to the invention must be designed so that it is able to work on each of the plurality over a long period of time to carry out measurements that are as precisely reproducible as possible on test objects 30 under identical measurement conditions as possible, since the evaluability of the measurement results depends on the constant quality of the contacting of the test object contacts 32 by the test contact units 22. In particular, the test adapter 10 is exposed to great mechanical and electrical loads.

In order to be able to detect the operating states of the test adapter 10 according to the invention in an advantageous manner, the test adapter 10 is assigned, for example, a temperature sensor 62 which, in the first embodiment, is located within the contact housing 14 on one of the contact elements 24, 26, in particular in the illustrated embodiment on the contact element 26 , for example on a side facing away from the contact surface 36 and coupled to the contact element 26 by physical conduction

and is connected via a sensor line 64 to a data acquisition unit 72, which is arranged in the adapter housing 16 and is able to acquire the temperature data generated by the temperature sensor 62.

Furthermore, a further temperature sensor 66 is preferably provided in the adapter housing 16, which is connected to the data acquisition unit 72 by means of a sensor line 68 in order to detect heating in the adapter housing 16 that could lead to stewing.

In addition, the test adapter 10 is equipped with an 82 as a whole

designated and arranged in the adapter housing 16 current sensor unit is provided, which is able to detect the current through one of the power lines 42 without contact.

The current sensor unit 82 is preferably designed as a clamp-on current sensor, which concentrates the magnetic field occurring when a current is carried in the power line 42 by means of a magnetizable core 84 and feeds it to a Hall sensor 86 in an air gap of the core 84, which is thus able to measure the strength of the To measure the magnetic field and to generate magnetic field data, which are also fed to the data acquisition unit 72 via a sensor line 88. The test adapter 10 further comprises one in the adapter housing 16

arranged acceleration sensor 92, which is also connected to the data acquisition unit 72 by means of a sensor line 94 and is able to acquire accelerations in at least one spatial direction, preferably in two, even better in three spatial directions, and to generate acceleration data that is transmitted via the sensor line 94 the data acquisition unit 72 are fed.

In addition, the test adapter 10 comprises a sound sensor 102 arranged in the housing 12, which is also connected to the data acquisition unit 72 by means of a sensor line 104, and acquires the sound intensity occurring in the housing or the sound spectrum that is derived from the sound spectrum of the environment and the Assembles the sound spectrum occurring during a test process and generates sound data which are transmitted via the sensor line 104 to the data acquisition unit (72).

In the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the data acquisition unit 72 is thus able to collect operating data of the test adapter 10, including the temperature data of the temperature sensors 62 and / or 66, the magnetic field data of the current sensor unit 82, the acceleration data of the acceleration sensor 92 and sound data of the sound sensor 102 and in particular also correlated with the time window of the measurement, to be recorded and for example to be stored in a data storage unit 74.

With the data acquisition unit 72, the data storage unit 74 and a status acquisition unit 76 as well as a data communication unit 78 provided in the adapter housing 16 are connected, which is able to communicate with an external communication unit 110; in the simplest case, this communication can be wired.

As an alternative or in addition, provision is also made for a status detection unit 76 ′ to be provided in the communication unit 110. In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, communication with the external communication unit 110 takes place wirelessly, for example via Bluetooth and / or via Wlan or via another wireless communication protocol.

The state detection unit 76 is, for example, a processor,

especially a one-chip system.

The external communication unit 110 is, for example, a stationary computer or a mobile communication device such as a smartphone or a laptop.

The data storage unit 74 can also non-volatilely store further data on the test adapter 10 stored in it, such as, for example, the data on the type, manufacture, maintenance and uses of the test adapter 10.

These data can, for example, be stored in the data storage unit 74 via the external communication unit 110 and can be read out again, for example, during ongoing use of the test adapter 10 or during an exchange or maintenance of the test adapter 10.

To display warnings or messages, the status detection units 76 or 76 ′ are connected to optical display elements 106 and / or a display 108.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the

Temperature sensor 62 is arranged directly on one of the contact elements 24, 26, for example on the contact element 26, and is therefore connected to it in a physically thermally conductive manner.

The arrangement of the temperature sensor 62 on one of the contact elements 24, 26 can, however, be problematic, particularly in the case of very small contacts and / or spatially cramped conditions. For this reason, in a second embodiment shown in Fig. 2, it is provided that the temperature sensor 62 'is arranged inside the contact housing 14, but at a location also facing the contact element 26 in this case, so that between the contact element 26 and the temperature sensor 62 'there is an air gap 102 that is as narrow as possible and thus the temperature measurement by means of the temperature sensor 62' is the temperature of the respective contact element, for example the

Contact element 26 reproduces with the highest possible accuracy.

In addition, the solution according to the second exemplary embodiment has the advantage that, particularly in the case of thermally sensitive materials of the contact housing 14, its temperature can be detected as precisely as possible and thus any damage to the contact housing 14 can be detected in good time.

Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment, the sound sensor 102 is not arranged in the adapter housing 16, as in the first exemplary embodiment, but in the contact housing 14.

Incidentally, all those elements of the second exemplary embodiment that are identical to those of the first exemplary embodiment are provided with the same reference symbols, so that with regard to the description of the same, reference can be made in full to the comments on the first exemplary embodiment.

The status acquisition unit 76 communicating with the data acquisition unit 72 and / or the storage unit 74 is able to collect the operating status data, in this case in particular the temperature values T, the

Current values S, the acceleration values B and the sound intensity values SF individually or together by using one or more

To evaluate evaluation processes. The state detection unit 76 evaluates, for example, the temperature values T des in a first evaluation process 120 shown in FIG. 3

Temperature sensor 62 to determine whether or not a temperature profile TV over time t exceeds a threshold value SWT for the temperature, which represents a limit of a tolerance range for the temperature and is fixedly predetermined, from which it can be deduced that the temperature at the test contact units 22, in particular at their current-carrying units Contact element 26, exceeds a critical value or not, from which

Damage to the contact elements 24, 26 or the contact housing 14 can occur.

In this case, the state acquisition unit 76 generates, for example

Temperature information as operating status information, in particular temperature warning information WT.

The state detection unit 76 further evaluates, for example, in the first evaluation process 120 the current data, determined by the current sensor unit 82, to the effect of whether, when the respective test objects 30 are energized, the current curve SV has exceeded a predetermined current threshold value SSW, which represents a limit of a tolerance range for the current S or not, so that current information is ascertained in order, for example, to be able to conclude that the test contact units 22 are also worn when the current threshold value SSW is exceeded.

In the case of the first evaluation process 120 shown, there is also the possibility of using the data generated by the acceleration sensor 92

Acceleration values to detect an acceleration curve BV over time t, as also shown in FIG. 3.

The acceleration curve BV shows, for example, an acceleration and a deceleration before contacting the test object contacts 32 and also an acceleration and a deceleration after contacting the test object contacts 32. The acceleration profile BV can also be analyzed thereupon, whether, for example, when the test contact unit 10 hits one

Object an acceleration threshold value BSW, which represents a limit of a tolerance range for the acceleration B and is permanently specified, is exceeded.

There is also the possibility in connection with the first

Evaluation process 120 according to FIG. 3 also to write a sound intensity curve SIV via the sound sensor 102 and to evaluate whether a fixed threshold value SWS of the sound intensity SI representing a limit of a tolerance range for the sound intensity SI is not exceeded, which would be the case, for example , if the test adapter 10 were not properly brought into connection with a test object contact 32, but would strike another object.

As part of this first evaluation process 120, both the

The temperature curve TV, the current curve SV, the acceleration curve BV and the sound intensity curve SIV can each be recorded together over the time t, but there is also the possibility of individual curves of this type or any combination of these curves within the scope of the first

To record and evaluate the evaluation process and thereby determine, for example, test adapter-endangering states as operating state information.

In a second evaluation process 130, shown in FIG. 4, the state detection unit 76 carries out a correlating evaluation of the

Current curve SV and the acceleration curve BV to determine from the correlation of the two, the number of the test adapter 10 executed, in particular completely executed, plugging cycles. The correlation makes use of the fact that in a conventional plug-in cycle, the acceleration curve BV initially has an increase and a decrease, which is caused by the test adapter 10 being plugged onto the test object contact 32, followed by an increase and a decrease in the current curve SV, This is due to the fact that the test object is energized, and then there is again an increase and a decrease in the acceleration curve BV, which is caused by the fact that the test adapter 10 is detached from the test object 30 again, i.e. in particular removed from the test object contact 32 becomes.

This correlation of the acceleration curve BV with the current curve SV allows the execution, in particular the complete execution, of a plugging cycle SZ to be determined and thus the plugging cycles SZ performed with a test adapter 10 can be counted and added up, so that the number of plugging cycles SZ is a measure for the duration of use of the test adapter 10, which, for example, represents test sequence information as operating status information.

A defined number of plugging cycles SZ can be a measure for the

Represent wear and thus a limit of a tolerance range for the service life of the test adapter.

If necessary, when recording the number of plug-in cycles SZ, the temperature profile TV can also be used in the second evaluation process 130, and the temperature profile TV can also be analyzed in correlation with the number of plug-in cycles SZ, for example, to determine whether the increase in each plug-in cycle SZ

Temperature profile TV changes with respect to its maximum MTV, for example increases or decreases.

An increase in the respective maximum MTV of the temperature profile TV for the respective plugging cycle SZ, in conjunction with the number of plugging cycles SZ determined, provides an even more precise measure of the wear. With the number of mating cycles SZ and the increase in the maximum MTV of the temperature profile TV determined for the number of mating cycles SZ, a meaningful measure for the wear of the test contact units 22 can be determined, for example, by the fact that with a number X of mating cycles SZ and an increase in the maximum MTV of the temperature profile TV in the range of up to 10% no limit of a tolerance range for the wear and fixed predetermined maintenance reference value is reached, the reason for a warning, while for example after X mating cycles SZ and an increase in the maximum of the temperature data profile TDV by more than 10% a fixed specified maintenance reference value representing a limit of a tolerance range for wear is reached or exceeded, the reason for a maintenance notice on the part of the

State recognition unit 76 is.

Alternatively or in addition to this, the number of mating cycles SZ can be related to the maxima MBV of the acceleration curve BV, so that after a number of Y mating cycles SZ and an acceleration curve BV whose maxima MBV are below an acceleration threshold value BSW, no maintenance reference value is reached, while in the case that after Y plugging cycles and in each case an acceleration profile BV, the maxima MBV of which are above the acceleration threshold value BSW, a maintenance reference value is reached which triggers a maintenance notice.

In the context of the second evaluation process 130 shown in FIG. 4, however, all three variants described above can also be used in order to determine a measure for the wear of the test contact units 22 and, if necessary, to trigger a maintenance instruction.

Thus, for example, in the second evaluation process

Test sequence information to determine maintenance information as

Generate operating status information. In a third evaluation process 140, shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether the maxima MTV of the temperature profile TV lie in a temperature tolerance band TTB representing a tolerance range for the temperature or have left this temperature tolerance band TTB.

It is also determined whether, for example, the current curve SV with its maxima MSV lies within a current tolerance band STB or outside it.

In the same way it can be determined whether the acceleration profile BV with its maxima MBV is within a tolerance range for the

Acceleration representing acceleration tolerance band BTB lies.

Furthermore, it can also be determined whether the sound intensity curve SIV lies within a sound intensity tolerance band SITB which represents a tolerance range for the sound intensity.

In the third evaluation process 140, the check is carried out with regard to the respective tolerance band for at least one of the following curves, the temperature curve TV, the current curve SV, the acceleration curve BV and the sound intensity curve SIV or for several of these.

This means that the temperature tolerance band TTB, the current tolerance band STB, the acceleration tolerance band BTB and the sound intensity tolerance band SITB can each be fixed or determined in the course of a number of reference test sequences, the values determined in these reference test sequences for the maxima MTV, MSV, MBV and MSIV are averaged and, based on these mean values, one or more tolerance ranges are then determined by adding fixed range values to these mean values and / or the deviations from the mean value when determining the mean value possibly result in basic values multiplied by a factor for the tolerance ranges. For example, all Z test sequences serve as reference test sequences

Commissioning of a new and / or serviced test adapter 10.

In a fourth evaluation process 150 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a certain number, for example the number A, of plugging cycles SZ is combined to form an event window EF, so that after every number of, for example A plugging cycles, an event window EF is ended and thus successive ones Event windows EF1, EF2 and EF3 are formed.

The respective maximum values MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV are added up within each event window EF.

After the event window EF1 the sum of the maxima of the temperature profiles MTV1 and after the event window EF2 the sum of the maxima of the temperature profiles MTV2 and after the event window EF3 the sum of the maxima of the temperature profiles MTV3 and so on.

Likewise, after the event windows EF1, EF2 and EF3, the sums of the maxima of the current value curve MSV1, MSV2 and MSV3 are formed, the sums of the maxima of the acceleration curve MBV1, MBV2 and MBV3 and the sums of the maxima of the sound intensity curve MSIV1, MSIV2, MSIV3.

It is thus possible, after the Nth event window EFN, to compare the sum of the maxima of this event window EFN with the sums of the maxima of one of the preceding or the preceding event windows EF and thereby to recognize creeping changes in the sums of the maxima of the respective courses.

For example, if the sum of the maxima of the

Determined temperature value curve MTV, a maintenance reference value can be achieved according to the strength of the increase, the one

Maintenance notice. In the same way, with each of these or all of these sums MTV or the sums MSV or the sums MBV or the sums MSIV, a creeping change, for example an increase or a decrease, can be recognized, which in the case of a sufficient deviation to a

Maintenance reference value.

In a fifth evaluation process 160, shown in FIG. 8, the sound sensor 102 does not measure the total sound intensity SI, but rather the spectral distribution SPV of the determined sound intensities in respective time windows ZF, and correlations between the spectral distribution are established within the respective time window ZF SPV analyzes this time window with the acceleration curve BV, the current curve SV and the temperature curve TV and, for example, compares the plug-in cycles SZ determined on the basis of the acceleration curve BV and the current curve SV with the spectral curve SPV in the respective time windows ZF and determines whether, for example in a later plug cycle SZ the spectral curve SPV deviates from the spectral curve SPV of a preceding or the preceding plug cycle SZ.

The state detection unit 76 can perform the evaluation processes 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 described above in a predetermined time sequence or in time essentially in parallel or partially in

Carry out essentially in parallel

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Test adapter for electrical functional testing of test objects (30), comprising a housing (12) and at least one test contact unit (22) arranged in the housing (12) for making contact

at least one test piece contact (32) of the test piece (30) in the course of a test sequence and a line (42, 52) arranged in the housing (12) from the at least one test contact unit (22) to a connection (44) provided on the housing (12) 54), at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) arranged on or in the test adapter (10) and a data acquisition unit (72) for acquiring

Values of the sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102),

characterized in that the test adapter is assigned a state detection unit (76) which detects the values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) recorded by the data acquisition unit (72) and through Evaluation of the same determined operating status information.

2. Test adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Status acquisition unit (76) determines the operating status information from the values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) acquired by the data acquisition unit (72) by means of at least one predetermined evaluation process.

3. Test adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the status detection unit (76) for determining the operating status information in the evaluation process during a test sequence determined values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82 , 92, 102).

4. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the status detection unit (76) detects the operating status information determined during several test sequences and then checks this operating status information whether this is within one for the respective

Operating status information are defined tolerance range or not.

5. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) of the

Tolerance range for the respective operating status information is given.

6. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) the

Tolerance range determined.

7. test adapter according to claim 6, characterized in that the

State detection unit (76) determines the tolerance range on the basis of an evaluation of previous operating state information.

8. test adapter according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) the tolerance range for the respective operating state information by evaluating the operating state information during a sequence of predetermined

Test sequences determined in which the unrestricted functionality of the test adapter is assumed.

9. Test adapter according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized

indicates that the unrestricted functionality is recognized by the fact that values of certain sensors are within a fixed, predetermined narrow tolerance range.

10. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) for

Determination of the operating status information in this evaluation process evaluates the values (T, S, B, SI) from at least two sensors (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) in a correlated manner and thereby determines test sequence information as operating status information.

11. Test adapter according to claim 10, characterized in that the

Correlated evaluation of the values (T, S, B, SI) takes place over a time correlation.

12. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) for

Determination of the operating status information in an evaluation process evaluates a value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the values (T, S, B, SI) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) over time (t) .

13. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) for

Determination of the operating status information in the evaluation process evaluates a sub-area (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) of the value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) occurring during the respective test sequence.

14. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) for

Determination of the operating status information a maximum value (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) and / or a minimum value of a value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) is recorded and evaluated.

15. Test adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the status acquisition unit averages operating status information within a first event window (EF) and also averages within subsequent event windows (EF), compares the averaged operating status information, and at a continuous change of the averaged operating status information generates a warning.

16. Test adapter according to claim 15, characterized in that the

Change in the averaged operating status information of an event window (EF) relative to the preceding event windows (EF) must be on average more than 5% in order to generate a warning.

17. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) determines states that are hazardous to the test adapter as operating state information when a first evaluation process is carried out.

18. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) during the execution of the first evaluation process (T, S, B, SI) checks the values of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) to determine whether they a defined threshold value (SWT , SSW, BSW, SWS) or not.

19. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) when executing a second evaluation process, test sequence information, for example the execution of a plug cycle (SZ) of the test adapter (10), and / or maintenance information as the operating state

information determined.

20. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) for

Determination of the test sequence information, in particular to determine a plug-in cycle (SZ), the test adapter's current values (S) and

Correlated evaluation of acceleration values (B).

21. Test adapter according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) adds up the number of specified plug-in cycles (SZ) and a maintenance reference value when a certain number of plug-in cycles is exceeded

Maintenance notice generated.

22. Test adapter according to claim 21, characterized in that the

Condition detection unit (76) changes the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance notice as a function of the magnitude of the accelerations (B) detected during the plugging cycles (SZ).

23. Test adapter according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the condition detection unit (76) as a function of temperature values (T), in particular detected by a sensor (62) close to the contact point, changes the maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance notice.

24. Test adapter according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) as a function of the current values (S) detected during the plug-in cycles (SZ)

Maintenance reference value for determining the maintenance notice changed.

25. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the status detection unit (76) stores temperature values (T) and / or current values (S) and / or acceleration values (B) and / or tolerance messages and / or maintenance instructions.

26. Test adapter according to claim 25, characterized in that the

State detection unit (76) tolerance reports and / or

Automatically issues maintenance instructions.

27. Test adapter according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) or tolerance reports

Displays maintenance information optically.

28. Test adapter according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the condition detection unit (76) sends tolerance reports or maintenance instructions in the form of data to a recipient.

29. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) determines wear information, in particular relating to the test contact unit, as operating state information when a third evaluation process is carried out.

30. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) during the execution of the third evaluation process at least one defined sub-area (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) of the value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of the at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92 , 102) then checks whether this subrange (MTV, MSV, MBV, MSIV) lies within a tolerance band (TB).

31. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) the

Operating status information is checked to see whether it is in

Comparison with previous operating status information

Have changes that are significantly greater in comparison with fluctuations in preceding operating status information, and in this case a message is generated.

32. test adapter according to claim 31, characterized in that the

State detection unit (76) then generates a message if the change is greater than twice the fluctuations

corresponding previous operating status information.

33. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) in the execution of a fourth evaluation process a future

occurring change of state determined as operating state information.

34. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) when executed as a fourth evaluation process within a

Event window (EF) averages over the same partial areas of the value curve (TV, SV, BV, SIV) of at least one sensor (62, 66, 82, 92, 102) and compares the average values of successive event windows (EF) with one another.

35. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) in the execution of a fifth evaluation process anomalies in

Test sequences recorded as operating status information.

36. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) detects at least one value spectrum (SPV) of the at least one sensor (102) during a test sequence in the fifth evaluation process and compares it with the value spectrum (SPV) of previous test sequences.

37. Test adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor is an acoustic sensor (102).

38. Test adapter according to claim 37, characterized in that the acoustic sensor (102) detects frequencies in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 KHz.

39. Test adapter according to one of claims 37 to 38, characterized

characterized in that the acoustic sensor (102) detects sound from the environment of the test adapter (10).

40. Test adapter according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the acoustic sensor (102) detects structure-borne noise from the test adapter (10).

41. Test adapter according to one of claims 37 to 40, characterized in that a structure-borne sound spectrum of the test adapter (10) and / or an ambient sound spectrum is used for the evaluation.

42. Test adapter according to one of claims 37 to 41, characterized in that the state detection unit (76) evaluates the sound intensity or the frequency spectrum (SP) correlated with the time of the measurement thereof.

43. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (62) is a temperature sensor.

44. Test adapter according to claim 43, characterized in that the temperature sensor (62 ') is arranged in a housing (12) of the test adapter (10).

45. Test adapter according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the temperature sensor (62) detects the temperature values near the housing which represent the air temperature in the housing (12) and / or the housing temperature.

46. Test adapter according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the temperature sensor (62 ') is arranged on a side of the housing (12) facing the test contact unit (22).

47. Test adapter according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the temperature sensor (62) is coupled to the at least one test contact unit (22) via physical heat conduction.

48. Test adapter according to claim 47, characterized in that the temperature sensor (62) is arranged on the at least one test contact unit (22) close to the contact point and detects a temperature proportional to the temperature at the contact point.

49. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the at least one temperature sensor (62) is connected to the data acquisition unit (72), which acquires temperature values transmitted by the temperature sensor (62).

50. Test adapter according to one of claims 43 to 49, characterized in that the data acquisition unit (72) from the

Temperature sensor (62, 66) recorded temperature values correlated with the respective test sequence.

51. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the sensor (82) is a current sensor which detects a current in a connecting line (42) leading to the test contact unit (22).

52. Test adapter according to claim 51, characterized in that the

Current sensor (82) the current in the connecting line (42)

recorded without contact.

53. Test adapter according to claim 52, characterized in that the

Current sensor (82) detects the current in the connecting line (42) via its magnetic field.

54. Test adapter according to claim 53, characterized in that the

Current sensor is designed as the connecting line (42) encompassing clamps ammeter (82).

55. Test adapter according to claim 54, characterized in that the

Current clamp meter (82) is designed as an all-current meter.

56. Test adapter according to one of claims 51 to 55, characterized

shows that the current sensor (82) is connected to the data acquisition unit (72), which acquires current values (S) transmitted by the current sensor (82).

57. Test adapter according to claim 56, characterized in that the data acquisition unit (72) acquires the current values (S) in a correlation with the respective test sequence.

58. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the sensor is an acceleration sensor (92).

59. Test adapter according to claim 58, characterized in that the

Acceleration sensor (92) is designed as an acceleration sensor (92) which detects accelerations in at least one spatial direction.

60. Test adapter according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that the acceleration sensor (92) is connected to the data acquisition unit (72) which acquires the acceleration values.

61. Test adapter according to one of claims 56 to 60, characterized

indicates that the state detection unit (76) the

Acceleration values with regard to the size of the respective

Evaluates acceleration and thus acceleration and

in particular, speed information is also generated.

62. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the state detection unit (76) is assigned a data storage unit (74).

63. Test adapter according to claim 62, characterized in that the

Data storage unit (74) is coupled to the data acquisition unit (72).

64. Test adapter according to claim 62 or 63, characterized in that the data storage unit (74) stores the data determined by the data acquisition unit (72).

65. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data storage unit (74) stores at least one of the following types of data such as: article data, identification data, manufacturing data, maintenance data, process data and usage data and messages from the condition detection unit.

66. Test adapter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the status acquisition unit (76) is assigned a data communication unit (78) which is connected to at least one of the units such as the status acquisition unit (76), data storage unit (74) and data acquisition unit (72) and exchanges data with an external communication unit (100).

67. Test adapter according to Claim 66, characterized in that the data communication unit (78) exchanges data in a wired or wireless manner.

68. Test adapter according to claim 65 or 66, characterized in that the data communication unit (78) data via a conventional

Exchanges communication protocol.