JP2008051706A - Multi-core cable inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect the existence of connection of a multi-core cable. <P>SOLUTION: A multi-core cable inspection apparatus is provided with a calculation control part 35 for discriminating that a LAN cable 1 has been connected to an inspection connector 31 (for instance, when voltage data D1 indicating a voltage value exceeds a reference value D3), based on a receiving signal S3 detected by a signal detecting part 33, by outputting a control signal S4 to a selection part 34 prior to inspection, to the LAN cable 1 comprising a plurality of insulation lines 2 twisted two by two, supplying a test signal S1 from a signal generating part 32 between one of the insulation lines 2 and one of another pair of the insulation lines 2 between arbitrary two pairs of the insulation lines 2 twisted in the LAN cable 1, and outputting a cross talk signal generated between the other of a pair of the insulation lines 2, and the other of another pair of the insulation lines 2 as a receiving signal S3, to a signal detecting part 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multicore cable inspection device that inspects the connection state of a multicore cable in which a first connector and a second connector are connected to both ends of a plurality of insulated wires twisted two by two.

As this type of multi-core cable inspection device, a cable testing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-280869 is known. In this cable test equipment, the signal generator supplies a narrow pulse to one twisted pair of a standard LAN cable, which is a multicore cable, and the measurement circuit monitors other twisted pairs in the same cable. Find the crosstalk signal coupling. The measurement circuit also digitizes the crosstalk signal by sequential sampling to obtain a reconstructed waveform record of the real time crosstalk signal. The microprocessor performs a fast Fourier transform on this waveform record to obtain crosstalk versus frequency information. Further, the microprocessor searches for a waveform record having a predetermined amplitude or more, performs a test for deterioration of the quality of the cable, and executes processing for searching for a faulty connector and cable.
JP-A-7-280869 (page 3-6, FIG. 1)

  However, this type of multi-core cable inspection apparatus generally starts a supply to a multi-core cable by generating a test signal by operating a start button provided on the apparatus main body. For this reason, in the multi-core cable inspection device, when inspecting the multi-core cable, it is necessary to connect the multi-core cable to the multi-core cable inspection device and then operate the start button. When inspecting, the operation on the start button becomes complicated.

  For this reason, the inventor of the present application always generates an inspection signal, and immediately supplies the inspection signal to the multicore cable and detects the crosstalk signal when the multicore cable is connected. When a crosstalk signal is detected, it is determined that the multi-core cable is connected to the multi-core cable inspection apparatus, and a multi-core cable inspection apparatus that automatically performs inspection is developed. However, in a multi-core cable composed of a plurality of insulated wires twisted two by two, the level (amplitude) of the crosstalk signal is very small when the insulated wire is normal, and therefore based on this crosstalk signal. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect the connection of the multicore cable.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, and it aims at providing the multi-core cable inspection apparatus which can detect the presence or absence of the connection of a multi-core cable reliably.

  In order to achieve the above object, the multi-core cable inspection device according to claim 1 is configured to provide a connection state of the multi-core cable in which the first connector and the second connector are connected to both ends of a plurality of insulated wires twisted two by two. A multi-core cable inspection device to inspect, wherein an inspection connector to which the first connector or the second connector is attached, a signal generation unit for generating a test signal, a signal detection unit for detecting a reception signal, In the multi-core cable, any two insulated wires in the multi-core cable connected to the inspection connector are selected according to a selection signal, and the test signal is supplied between the two insulated wires. Any other two insulated wires are selected according to the selection signal, and a crosstalk signal generated due to the supply of the test signal between the two insulated wires is defined as the received signal. The selection unit that outputs to the signal detection unit, and prior to the inspection of the multi-core cable, the selection signal is output to the selection unit, and the two twisted pairs of the insulated wires in the multi-core cable The test signal is supplied between one of the pair of insulated wires and one of the other pair of insulated wires, and the other of the pair of insulated wires and the other of the other pair of insulated wires. The crosstalk signal generated between the multi-core cable and the inspection connector is connected to the inspection connector based on the received signal detected by the signal detecting unit. A control unit that determines that the

  The multi-core cable inspection device according to claim 2 is the multi-core cable inspection device according to claim 1, wherein when the voltage value of the reception signal exceeds the reference value, the control unit applies to the multi-core cable inspection device. Start the inspection process.

  As described above, according to the multi-core cable inspection device of claim 1, when the power is turned on, the control unit controls the selection unit prior to executing the inspection process for the multi-core cable. A test signal is supplied between one of a pair of insulated wires and one of the other pair of insulated wires of any two pairs of insulated wires stranded in the cable, and the other of the pair of insulated wires and the other. A crosstalk signal generated between the other of the pair of insulated wires is output as a reception signal to the signal detection unit, and based on the reception signal detected by the signal detection unit (for example, the amplitude of the reception signal has a reference value). By determining that a multi-core cable is connected to the connector for inspection (when exceeding the limit), it is possible to determine whether or not a multi-core cable is connected in a split connection state with a lot of crosstalk. Whether it is possible to reliably detect.

  Further, according to the multi-core cable inspection device according to claim 2, the control unit automatically executes the multi-core cable inspection process after detecting the connection of the multi-core cable, for example, the operator performs the inspection process. Compared with a configuration in which the start button is pressed when executing the above, the usability of the inspection apparatus can be sufficiently improved.

  The best mode of a multi-core cable inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A LAN cable will be described as an example of the multicore cable to be inspected.

  First, the configuration of the LAN cable 1 to be inspected will be described with reference to FIG. The LAN cable 1 includes eight insulated wires (conductors covered with an insulating resin) 2, 2,..., Twisted two by two and formed into four pairs of twisted pairs. Further, the LAN cable 1 has a first connector 3 and a second connector 4 disposed at both ends thereof, and both ends of the insulated wires 2, 2. Each part is connected. Specifically, the eight insulated wires 2, 2... Are connected in a one-to-one connection state between the pins of the same pin numbers of the connectors 3, 4. In this case, a pair of insulated wires 2 and 2 connected to the first and second pins of the connectors 3 and 4 are formed in a twisted pair. Similarly, a pair of insulated wires 2 and 2 connected to the third and sixth pins, the fourth and fifth pins, and the seventh and eighth pins of the connectors 3 and 4 are respectively formed in a twisted pair. Is done.

  Next, the configuration of a multi-core cable inspection device (hereinafter also referred to as “inspection device”) 11 for inspecting the LAN cable 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 11 includes an inspection connector 31, a signal generation unit 32, a signal detection unit 33, a selection unit 34, an operation control unit 35, a storage unit 36, and a display unit 37. The crosstalk amount between each twisted pair and the presence / absence of split connection can be inspected. In this case, the inspection connector 31 is configured to be connectable (attachable) to any of the connectors 3 and 4 in the LAN cable 1 (connected to the first connector 3 in the figure). The signal generation unit 32 generates a test signal S <b> 1 as an AC signal under the control of the arithmetic control unit 35. Specifically, the signal generation unit 32 generates the test signal S1 when the control signal S2 is input from the arithmetic control unit 35. The signal detection unit 33 is configured to include an A / D converter as an example, and detects the reception signal S3. Specifically, the signal detection unit 33 detects the voltage (in this example, the amplitude) of the reception signal S3 and outputs voltage data D1 indicating the voltage value of the detected voltage.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the selection unit 34 is disposed between the inspection connector 31, the signal generation unit 32, and the signal detection unit 33. As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the selection unit 34 includes four changeover switches 41, 42, 43, and 44 (one circuit and eight contacts), and each switch 41, 42, 43, 44 has eight contacts (1 , 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 7, 8) are the same number pins (No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 6, No. 6, No. 4, No. 5) of the connector 31 for inspection. , 7th pin, 8th pin). In addition, each of the movable contacts C of the switches 41 and 42 is connected to the signal generator 32, and a test signal S <b> 1 is input between the movable contacts C. On the other hand, each of the movable contacts C of the switches 43 and 44 is connected to the signal detection unit 33 and outputs a reception signal S3 generated between them to the signal detection unit 33. Each switch 41, 42, 43, 44 is controlled in its connection state by a control signal S4 (selection signal in the present invention) output from the arithmetic control unit 35, and the movable contact C is an arbitrary contact 1-8. It is configured to be connectable to any of the above. Therefore, the selection unit 34 selects any two insulated wires 2 in the LAN cable 1 connected to the inspection connector 31 according to the control signal S4 and supplies the test signal S1 between the two insulated wires 2. In addition, any other two insulated wires 2 in the LAN cable 1 are selected according to the control signal S4, and a reception signal S3 (generated due to the supply of the test signal S1 between the two insulated wires 2) The crosstalk signal in the present invention is output to the signal detector 33 as the received signal S3.

  The arithmetic control unit 35 corresponds to the control unit in the present invention, and is configured by a CPU, for example, and operates according to an operation program stored in the storage unit 36 to detect connection of the LAN cable 1 and to the LAN cable 1. The inspection process is executed. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 35 performs operation control on the signal generation unit 32 and the selection unit 34 by outputting the control signals S2 and S4. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 35 causes the display unit 37 to display the result of the inspection process.

  The storage unit 36 includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores an operation program of the arithmetic control unit 35 and various reference values used in the inspection process. As an example, in this example, as a reference value, a test signal S1 is supplied between a pair of twisted pairs with a normal LAN cable 1 as an inspection target and the first connector 3 connected to the inspection connector 31. Sometimes, the allowable value D2 of the received signal S3 (crosstalk signal) generated between other twisted pairs and the reference value D3 for determining whether or not the two pairs of twisted pairs are connected in a split connection state. Is remembered. The display unit 37 is configured by an LCD, for example.

  Next, the operation of the inspection apparatus 11 will be described.

  First, when the inspection apparatus 11 is turned on, the calculation control unit 35 outputs the control signal S2 to the signal generation unit 32 to cause the signal generation unit 32 to start generating the test signal S1. Later, the connection detection process is started. In addition, the signal detection unit 33 starts outputting the voltage data D1. In this connection detection process, the arithmetic control unit 35 first outputs the control signal S4 to the selection unit 34, and sequentially shifts the switches 41 to 44 to the connection states 1 to 6 registered in the table shown in FIG. . As a result, when the LAN cable 1 is connected to the inspection device 11, the arithmetic control unit 35 splits the insulated wires 2 constituting any two of the four twisted pairs of the LAN cable 1 in a split connection. Next, the arithmetic control unit 35 determines whether or not the voltage data D1 output from the signal detection unit 33 exceeds the reference value D3. The arithmetic control unit 35 repeatedly executes the connection detection process described above, and determines that the LAN cable 1 is connected to the inspection device 11 when the voltage data D1 exceeds the reference value D3.

  The transition to the split connection state will be described in detail by taking the twisted pair of the 1st and 2nd pins of the LAN cable 1 and the twisted pair of the 3rd and 6th pins as an example. 2 and 3, the movable contact C is connected to the first contact for the switch 41, the movable contact C is connected to the third contact for the switch 42, and the switch 43 is output. Connects the movable contact C to the second contact, and the switch 44 connects the movable contact C to the sixth contact. When each of the switches 41 to 44 shifts to such a connection state, as shown in FIG. 4, two insulated wires 2 connected to the first and second pins of the LAN cable 1 in a twisted pair state. One of them (insulated wire 2 connected to the first pin indicated by the solid line) and one of the two insulated wires 2 connected to the third and sixth pins in a twisted pair state ( A test signal S1 is supplied between a first pair constituted by an insulated wire 2) connected to the third pin indicated by a solid line. Similarly, the other one of the two insulated wires 2 connected in a twisted pair state to the first and second pins of the LAN cable 1 (insulated wire connected to the second pin indicated by a broken line) 2) and the other one of the two insulated wires 2 connected in a twisted pair state to the third and sixth pins (insulated wire 2 connected to the sixth pin indicated by a broken line) A crosstalk signal generated between the configured second pair is output as a reception signal S3.

  The degree of electromagnetic coupling between the first and second pairs thus shifted to the split connection state is the two insulated wires 2 connected to the first and second pins in a twisted pair state. The degree of electromagnetic coupling between the pair constituted by 2 and the pair constituted by two insulated wires 2 connected to the third and sixth pins in a twisted pair state is extremely large. For this reason, the reception signal S3 generated on the two insulated wires 2 constituting the second pair in the split connection state has an amplitude compared with the reception signal S3 generated on the two insulated wires 2 constituting the twisted pair. Becomes very large, and the voltage data D1 indicating the amplitude exceeds the reference value D3. Therefore, when the LAN cable 1 is connected to the inspection apparatus 11 during the execution of the connection detection process, the voltage data D1 output from the signal detection unit 33 becomes a reference value D3 or more from a state less than the reference value D3. Therefore, the calculation control unit 35 detects that the voltage data D1 is equal to or higher than the reference value D3, determines that the LAN cable 1 is connected, and completes the connection detection process.

  Next, when it is determined that the LAN cable 1 is connected, the arithmetic control unit 35 checks whether, for example, four twisted pairs of the LAN cable 1 are correctly connected to the respective pins of the first connector 3. Processing (connection inspection) is automatically executed. In this inspection process, the arithmetic control unit 35 outputs the control signal S4 to the selection unit 34, and sequentially switches the switches 41 to 44 to the connection states 7 to 12 registered in the table shown in FIG. Two sets of four twisted pairs of the LAN cable 1 connected to the device 11 are detected, and the level of the crosstalk signal generated in the other set in the state where the test signal S1 is supplied to one set is detected. It is determined whether or not the voltage data D1 is equal to or less than the allowable value D2 (by inputting the voltage data D1 output from the signal detection unit 33), and whether or not the voltage data D1 is equal to or less than the reference value D3. Determine.

  In this case, since the level of the crosstalk signal is within the allowable range when the voltage data D1 is equal to or smaller than the allowable value D2, the arithmetic control unit 35 has a good twisted pair of the two insulated wires 2 that should be wired in the twisted pair. In this state (the number of twists per unit length is a specified value or more), it is determined that the connection is normally made. Further, when the voltage data D1 exceeds the allowable value D2 and is less than the reference value D3, the arithmetic control unit 35 is configured so that the two insulated wires 2 that should be wired in the twisted pair are normally connected in the twisted pair state. Then, it is determined that the state is defective (for example, a state in which the number of twists per unit length is below a specified value). Further, when the voltage data D1 exceeds the reference value D3, the arithmetic control unit 35 determines that the two insulated wires 2 that should be wired in the twisted pair are connected in a split connection state. The arithmetic control unit 35 stores these determination results in the storage unit 36 and displays them on the display unit 37. In the connection state 7, the arithmetic control unit 35 uses two insulated wires 2 connected to the first and second pins of the LAN cable 1 in a twisted pair state as one set, and the third and sixth pins. The two insulated wires 2 connected to each other in the twisted pair state to the pin No. are set as the other set. Hereinafter, in the connection states 8 to 12, one set is the No. 1 and No. 2 pins, No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Pins 3, 3 and 6 pins, 3 and 6 pins, and 4 and 5 pins, the other set is 4 and 5 pins, 7 and 8 pins, 4 and 5 pins, respectively , 7 and 8 pins, and 7 and 8 pins. Thus, the inspection process is completed.

  As described above, in this inspection apparatus 11, when the power is turned on, the arithmetic control unit 35 controls the selection unit 34 prior to the execution of the inspection process for the LAN cable 1, so that four twisted pairs in the LAN cable 1 are used. Of the two twisted pairs, and one of the two insulated wires 2 constituting one of the two twisted pairs and one of the two insulated wires 2 constituting the other of the twisted pair. And a cross between the other of the two insulated wires 2 constituting one of the two twisted pairs and the other of the two insulated wires 2 constituting the other of the twisted pair. The amplitude (voltage data D1) of the talk signal (received signal S3) is detected and compared with the reference value D3. When the voltage data D1 exceeds the reference value D3, the LAN cable is detected. Performing a connection detection process for determining the table 1 is connected. Therefore, according to this inspection device 11, as a result of being able to determine whether or not the LAN cable 1 is connected in a split connection state with a lot of crosstalk, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the LAN cable 1 is connected. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 35 automatically executes the inspection process of the LAN cable 1 after detecting the connection of the LAN cable 1, for example, when the operator presses the start button when executing the inspection process. In comparison, the usability of the inspection apparatus 11 can be sufficiently improved.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the invention described above, and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the LAN cable 1 is described as an example of the multicore cable. However, as long as the multicore cable is configured by a twisted pair, the present invention is not limited to the LAN cable 1 and may be used for other cables. Of course, the invention can be applied. Moreover, although the example which comprises the selection part 34 with the four switches 41-44 was mentioned above, it is not limited to this, For example, the selection part 34 can also be comprised with the some switch arrange | positioned in matrix form.

  In addition, as an inspection process performed subsequent to the connection detection process, a connection inspection for inspecting whether or not the four twisted pairs of the LAN cable 1 are correctly connected to the respective pins of the first connector 3 without using a terminator. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as an inspection process, a terminator is used to inspect whether or not the four twisted pairs of the LAN cable 1 are correctly connected between the respective pins of the first connector 3 and the respective pins of the second connector 4. Inspection and cable length inspection for inspecting cable length can be performed without using a terminator. As an example of determining that the LAN cable 1 is connected to the inspection connector 31 based on the reception signal S3 detected by the signal detection unit 33, the voltage data D1 indicating the voltage value of the reception signal S3 is the reference value D3. The example in which it is determined that the LAN cable 1 is connected when exceeding the above has been described, but is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which it is determined that the LAN cable 1 is connected to the inspection connector 31 based on the waveform of the reception signal S3, the frequency included in the reception signal S3, or the like.

2 is a block diagram showing configurations of an inspection device 11 and a LAN cable 1. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a selection unit 34. FIG. It is a table which shows the connection state of each switch 41-44 in a connection detection process. It is a block diagram of the LAN cable 1 and the inspection device 11 when two twisted pairs in the LAN cable 1 are connected in a split connection state. It is a table which shows the connection state of each switch 41-44 in an inspection process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 LAN cable 2 Insulated wire 3 1st connector 4 2nd connector 11 Inspection apparatus 31 Inspection connector 32 Signal generation part 33 Signal detection part 34 Selection part 35 Computation control part

Claims (2)

A multi-core cable inspection device for inspecting a connection state of a multi-core cable in which a first connector and a second connector are connected to both ends of a plurality of insulated wires twisted two by two,
An inspection connector to which the first connector or the second connector is attached;
A signal generator for generating a test signal;
A signal detector for detecting a received signal;
In the multi-core cable, any two insulated wires in the multi-core cable connected to the inspection connector are selected according to a selection signal, and the test signal is supplied between the two insulated wires. Any other two insulated wires are selected in accordance with the selection signal, and a crosstalk signal generated due to the supply of the test signal between the two insulated wires is used as the received signal as the signal detection unit. A selection unit to output to,
Prior to the inspection of the multi-core cable, the selection signal is output to the selection unit, and one of a pair of the insulated wires of the two pairs of the insulated wires in the multi-core cable and the other The test signal is supplied between one of the pair of insulated wires and the crosstalk signal generated between the other of the pair of insulated wires and the other of the other pair of insulated wires is A control unit that outputs the received signal to the signal detection unit and determines that the multi-core cable is connected to the inspection connector based on the received signal detected by the signal detection unit; Multi-core cable inspection device.   The multi-core cable inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts an inspection process for the multi-core cable when a voltage value of the reception signal exceeds the reference value.

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