JPH01113679A - Testing system of electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automate a series of function tests completely, to increase the rate of operation of testers and thereby to reduce the cost, by a system wherein an electronic apparatus is mounted on a common palette unit and fed and collected sequentially to and from single-function testers which are arranged. CONSTITUTION:An electronic apparatus 1 is mounted on a palette unit 5 whereon a jack connector board 6 provided with a number of jack-side connectors is disposed in the side edge part of a palette plate 51. This palette unit 5 is carried by a self-propelled vehicle 3 and transferred onto a testing stage 4 of a selected tester 2, and the palette unit 4 is positioned. Next, a contact unit 7 is advanced and thereby a plug-side connector board 8 is connected to the jack-side connector board 6 to execute a prescribed test. By this system wherein the electronic apparatus is fed and collected sequentially to and from a plurality of testers disposed in a desired manner along the running route of the self-propelled vehicle, a series of function tests are automated completely, the rate of operation of the testers is increased, and thus the cost is reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Table of Contents] Overview Industrial Field of Application Conventional Technology Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems Explanation of the structure of the working example (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Figure 3) Explanation of action (Figures 4 and 5) Effects of the invention [Summary] This invention relates to a test system that automatically carries out a series of functional tests on electronic devices by sequentially loading electronic devices into a predetermined testing machine. ,
゛Aiming to provide a testing system for electronic devices that promotes complete automation of a series of functional tests and has a high operating rate of the testing machine, a pallet board and a system installed vertically on the side edge of the pallet board are used. , the pallet unit is delivered to a pallet unit having a jack connector board with a large number of jack-side connectors, an electronic device placed on and connected to the pallet board, and a test stand attached to the selected test machine. , a self-propelled vehicle to collect the pallet unit, a test stand that accepts the pallet unit on the stand so that it can be tested, and a plug-side connector that mates with and connects to the jack-side connector. a contact unit having a plug connector board that reciprocates in the front-rear direction; a plurality of test machines disposed as desired along the travel path of the self-propelled vehicle; and a control unit that performs interface control of each of the components; The system is configured to carry out a series of functional tests of the electronic device (and a system control unit that operates the self-propelled vehicle as desired).

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a test system that sequentially carries electronic devices into a predetermined test machine and automatically performs a series of functional tests on the electronic devices.

Communication equipment in recent years is 1. With the diversification of customers, information transmission means are becoming more diverse and the frequency bands used are becoming wider. As a result, there are many types of electronic devices that constitute communication equipment.

On the other hand, after assembly, electronic equipment used in communication equipment undergoes 4 to 7
Various functional tests shall be carried out.

As described above, with the increasing variety of electronic devices, there is a demand for an efficient testing system that has low testing equipment costs and shortened testing time.

[Conventional technology]

When there were only a few types of electronic devices, a comprehensive testing device was installed for each model, and each of the above-mentioned functional tests was performed using -1 comprehensive testing devices.

However, as electronic devices become more diverse, it is necessary to provide a comprehensive testing device for each model, which significantly increases equipment costs because the comprehensive testing device is expensive.

In addition, the operating rate of each comprehensive testing device generally decreases.

Therefore, when testing multiple types of electronic devices, equipment costs are reduced by installing a desired number of single-function testers that are common to different types of devices, rather than using a comprehensive testing device.

Then, these single-function test machines are placed as desired on both sides of the transport device that delivers the electronic devices, and the electronic devices to be tested are delivered onto the test bench attached to each test machine, and the electronic devices are manually tested. A test machine was connected and a functional test was performed.

At this time, the input/output connectors of the electronic device differ depending on the frequency; for example, if the frequency is 1.5 MHz or less, a multi-connector must be used, and if the frequency is 1.5 MHz or more, a coaxial connector must be used. Therefore, the types of connectors used differ depending on the type of electronic device, and the number and arrangement of the connectors also differ.

For the above-mentioned reasons, conventionally the connection between the electronic device and the testing machine had to be done manually.

In addition, it goes without saying that several test machines were arranged to correspond to the long test time for the functional test process.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, since the conventional means of connecting the electronic device and the testing machine is manual, the number of man-hours required for connection is large and also short (both the connection work time and the operating rate of the testing machine are reduced).

The present invention was created in view of these points, and it automates the connection between the electronic device and the testing machine, promotes complete automation of related functional tests, and increases the operating rate of the testing machine. The purpose is to provide a testing system for electronic devices.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. a pallet unit 5 having a jack connector board 6 on which connectors are arranged; a self-propelled vehicle 3 that delivers the pallet unit 5 on which the electronic device 1 is mounted to each test stand 4 of the test machine 2 arranged as desired; It has a sending means for delivering and receiving the pallet unit 5 to and from the self-propelled vehicle 3,
It consists of a test stand 4 on which a pallet unit 5 is received and set for testing.

A means for positioning the received pallet unit 5 at a predetermined position on the test stand 4 is provided.

In addition, a slide table 71 that reciprocates back and forth on the test table 4. A contact unit 7 is installed vertically on the side edge of the slide table 71 and has a plug connector board 8 in which a plug side coaxial connector and a plug side multi-connector are arranged to be inserted into the jack side connector. Attach to.

It is assumed that, when the electronic device R1 is mounted on the pallet unit 5, the cable connectors of the cables pulled out from the back side of the jack-side connector are connected to the input/output connectors of the electronic device 1, respectively.

Further, the tester 2 is connected in advance to the back side of the plug-side coaxial connector and the plug-side multi-connector of the plug connector board 8 via a cable.

A ÷←÷ control unit is provided that controls the interface of each of the components and transmits information regarding test pass/fail to the system control unit.

A plurality of test machines, each of which performs a different functional test, are arranged as desired, the self-propelled vehicle 3 is operated as desired according to commands from the system control unit, and the electronic device 1 is sequentially supplied to and collected from the selected test machine. The structure consists of conducting a series of functional tests.

[Effect]

According to the above means of the present invention, the jack connector board 6 and the plug connector board 8 are provided with connectors that are versatile to each model of the electronic device 1, and are preliminarily arranged to connect the electronic device 1 and the jack. The connector board 6 and the plug connector board 8 are connected to the testing machine 2, respectively.

Therefore, after the pallet unit 5 is positioned at a predetermined position on the test stand 4, when the contact unit 7 moves forward, the jack connector board 6 and the plug connector board 8 are fitted, and the connection between the electronic device 1 and the testing machine 2 is established. The test circuit will connect automatically.

In addition, the transfer of the pallet unit 5 between the self-propelled vehicle 3 and the test stand 4, the positioning of the pallet unit 5 on the test stand 4, the driving of the contact unit 7, the start and end of the test on the testing machine 2, the contact unit 7 A series of interface controls such as separation of the terminal are performed by the control unit 20.

Further, the system control unit selects a test machine corresponding to the function to be tested, operates the self-propelled vehicle 3, and delivers the electronic device 1 to the station of the selected test stand 4.

In other words, the series of steps is as follows: delivery of the electronic device to the selected test machine - transfer from the self-propelled vehicle to the test stand - connection of the test circuit - execution of the test - transfer of the electronic device from the test stand to the self-propelled vehicle. The work is automated and all functional tests are completed. Therefore, the waiting time of each test machine is reduced, and the operating rate of the test machines is improved.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the main parts of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view of a pallet unit, and (a) is a plug FIG. 4 is a side view of the connector board portion, (C) is a sectional view of the coaxial connector, FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 5 denotes a pallet unit composed of a pallet plate 51 made of a metal plate such as aluminum, and a jack connector board 6 installed perpendicularly to the front side edge of the pallet plate 51.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3(a), the pallet board 51 has a rectangular shape on which the largest electronic device 1 can be placed, and faces perpendicularly to the jack connector board 6, that is, in the direction of the self-propelled vehicle 3. The central part of one side edge (the left side edge when the pallet unit 5 is mounted on the self-propelled vehicle 3) in the forward direction (parallel to the forward direction) is cut into an inverted trapezoid. A left reference side edge 55 is provided (referring to the forward direction of 3), and a right reference side edge 56 is provided by cutting the center portion of the other side edge into an inverted trapezoid.

This reference side edge serves as a reference for positioning the pallet unit 5 in the left and right direction when the pallet unit 5 is placed on the test stand 4.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3(b), the jack connector board 6 has a number of jack-side coaxial connectors equal to or greater than the maximum number of coaxial connectors installed in the electronic device model. A connector 61 is provided. Furthermore, the number of jack-side multi-connectors 62 is equal to or greater than the maximum number of multi-connectors that can be mounted among electronic device models.

Further, on both sides of the jack connector board 6, there are guide holes 6 that serve as guides when the plug connector board 8 is fitted.
5 is provided.

When the electronic device 1 is mounted on the pallet unit 5, select the cable connector required for the model from among the cable connectors of the cable drawn out from the back of the jack side connector and connect it to the input/output connector of the electronic device. .

3 is a system control unit (system control unit 1 shown in FIG.
00), it stops at a predetermined station, delivers the pallet unit 5 to the specified test stand 4, receives the pallet unit 5 from the specified test stand 4,
This is a self-propelled vehicle that delivers to other test stands for the next process.

4 is a test stand attached to the testing machine 2, which receives the pallet unit 5 on which the electronic device l is mounted from the self-propelled vehicle 3, places the pallet unit 5 at a predetermined position on the stand, It has a function of fitting and connecting the jack connector board 6 and the plug connector board 8 to connect the test circuits of the electronic device 1 and the testing machine 2.

The surface of the test table 4 is provided with a plurality of parallel slit-like recesses that are long in the front-rear direction, and each recess is provided with a third groove.
As shown in Figure (a), a lateral feed roller 48 is installed. This lateral feed roller 48 is controlled by the control section 20. The circumferential surface of the cross-feeding roller 48 is normally buried under the table surface, and the pallet unit 5
When the pallet board 51 is transferred, it rises while maintaining a horizontal state, and the upper part of its circumferential surface is exposed on the platform surface, and the pallet board 51 is slightly lifted while remaining in a horizontal state.

When receiving the pallet unit 5 from the self-propelled vehicle 3, the pallet plate 51 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 3(a).
That is, the pallet unit 5 is pulled onto the test stand 4 in the direction of arrow A. Moreover, when transferring to the self-propelled vehicle 3, the pallet unit 5 is rotated clockwise and sent out in the direction of the self-propelled vehicle 3.

Note that the self-propelled vehicle 3 is also provided with a transverse feed roller similar to the above-mentioned transverse feed roller 48.

The pallet unit 5 that has been fed in the lateral direction onto the test stand 4 stops its lateral movement when the left reference side edge 55 comes into contact with the left positioning pin 45 that projects above the test stand.

And the right positioning pin 4, which was usually sunk below the table surface.
6 rises, the left tapered side surface of the right positioning pin 46 comes into contact with the side wall of the right reference side edge 56, and the pallet board 51 is sandwiched between the left positioning pin 45 and the right positioning pin 46. Therefore, the position of the pallet unit 5 in the left and right direction is determined in a predetermined manner.

A pair of fluid cylinders 41 driven by a piston rod 41a in the front-rear direction are installed on both sides of the test stand 4 on the contact unit 7 side. Further, a pair of front and rear positioning pins 42 are provided on both sides of the table surface opposite to the contact unit 7.

When the fluid cylinders 41 operate according to a command from the control unit 20, each piston rod 41a moves toward the pallet plate 51.
(the end surface on the other side in FIG. 2) and pushes the pallet unit 5 in the direction of the longitudinal positioning pin 42 (in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 2).

Then, the rear end surface of the pallet plate 51 (the end surface on the near side in FIG. 2) comes into contact with the front-back positioning pin 42, so that the position of the pallet unit 5 in the front-back direction is determined in a predetermined manner.

Note that a position confirmation sensor (for example, a microswitch) 43 is installed adjacent to each front and rear positioning pin 42,
The rear end surface of the pallet plate 51 is connected to a pair of front and rear positioning pins 4.
2, and the information is transmitted to the control unit 20.

Pallet plates 51 are placed on both the front and rear positioning pins 42.
If the piston rods are not in contact with each other, the piston rod is moved back and the above-mentioned operation is repeated again.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a contact unit composed of a slide table 71 that reciprocates back and forth on the test stand 4, and a plug connector board 8 installed vertically on the side edge of the slide table 71 on the pallet unit 5 side.

The plug connector board 8 includes a jack-side coaxial connector 6 of the jack connector board 6, as shown in detail in FIG.
1, and a plug-side multi-connector 82 is provided corresponding to the jack-side multi-connector 62.

Further, on both sides of the plug connector board 8, guide pins 8 that fit into guide holes 65 provided in the jack connector board 6 are provided.
5 is provided.

A testing machine 2 is installed on the side of the test stand 4, and a control section 20 is attached to the testing machine 2. The tester 2 is a single-function tester that performs one of a frequency test, a pulse waveform test, an optical signal characteristic test, and the like.

Then, the plug side multi-connector 82 of the plug connector board 8. Each terminal of the plug-side coaxial connector 81 is
It is connected to the testing machine 2 via a cable pulled out from the back side of the plug connector board 8.

The contact unit 7 is located behind the contact unit 7.
A fluid cylinder 72 is installed to drive the engine in the front-back direction. This fluid cylinder 72 is driven by a command from the control unit 20, and is activated after the pallet unit 5 is positioned at a predetermined position on the test stand 40, and its piston rod moves the contact unit 7 in the forward direction (see Fig. 2). (in the direction of arrow B).

As a result, the plug connector board 8 becomes the jack connector board 6.
A guide pin 85 provided on the plug connector board 8 is fitted into a guide hole 65 provided in the jack connector board 6.

As a result, the relative positions between the respective connectors are determined in a predetermined manner, and the respective plug-side coaxial connectors 8
1 is inserted into the corresponding jack-side coaxial connector 61, and each plug-side multi-connector 82 is inserted into the corresponding jack-side multi-connector 62 to electrically connect.

The details of the coaxial connector are as shown in FIG. Therefore, the fitting distance for inserting the jack-side coaxial connector 61 into the plug-side coaxial connector 81 is 0.25 m, which is very small.

As described above, in the present invention, the pallet unit 5 is first positioned at a predetermined location on the table, and then the pair of guide holes 6 are positioned.
5 and a guide pin 85 are provided to achieve highly accurate positioning. Therefore, there is no problem in fitting the jack side coaxial connector 61 and the plug side coaxial connector 81 together.

The plug-side multi-connector 82 is a connector whose contacts are first inserted parallel to the contacts of the jack-side multi-connector 62, and then moved perpendicular to the insertion direction to contact the mating contacts. That is, a zero insertion connector is used.

That is, the insertion/extraction force of the multi-connector is small, and the plug connector board 8. In addition, unnecessary large force is not applied to the jack connector board 6. Therefore, the jack connector board 6. And there is no fear that the straightness of the plug connector board 8 will decrease.

On the other hand, since the pallet unit 5 is heated during burn-in of the electronic device, the pallet board 51 may warp. If the pallet plate 51 is warped, a heightwise positional deviation will occur between the guide pin 85 and the guide hole 65, making it impossible to fit them smoothly, and eventually the guide pin 85 will not fit smoothly.
5 or the guide hole 65 becomes worn, and the guide function deteriorates.

In order to prevent this, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when the contact unit 7 moves forward, the pallet plate 5
A means is provided for pressing downwardly the vicinity of the jack connector board 6 of the machine to correct the warpage.

Specifically, a pair of pallet warp correction rollers 75 are provided on both sides of the plug connector board 8, and are mounted so as to rotate about a horizontal axis. The height of the lower circumferential surface of the pallet warp correction roller 75 is adjusted to match the upper surface of the pallet board 51 when it is not warped.

When the contact unit 7 is driven forward, the guide pin 8
5 fits into the guide hole 65, the pallet warp correction roller 75 presses the upper surface of the pallet plate 51. Therefore, the warpage of the pallet plate 51 is corrected, the heights of the guide pins 85 and the guide holes 65 match, and no unreasonable force is applied to both, and there is no fear of wear.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the testing machine 2-2 is arranged after the testing machine 2-1, and the testing machine 2-3 is arranged opposite to the testing machine 2-2 across the running path. Testing machine 2 is installed after testing machine 2-2.
-4 is arranged, and a test machine 2-5 is arranged opposite to the test machine 2-4 across the running path. Other test machines are not shown. Testing machines 2-1.2-2.2-4 are single-function testing machines that each perform one of a frequency test, a pulse waveform test, an optical signal characteristic test, and the like.

Testing machine 2-2 and testing machine 2-3, testing machine 2-4 and testing machine 2
-5 is a testing machine that performs the same functional test, and the test man-hours are almost twice that of other functional tests, so we set two of each to balance it with the other testing machines. ing.

Each test machine has a test stand 4-1.4-2.4-3.
．． 4-4 and 4-5 are attached respectively.

A system control section 100 is provided to receive the quality of each electronic device from the control section 20, and operate the self-propelled vehicle 3 as desired based on information inputted in advance.

A station P, which is the base point of the self-propelled vehicle 3, is provided in the front stage of the testing machine 2-1, and a pallet unit 5 equipped with an electronic device 1 is provided.
is loaded on the self-propelled vehicle 3 at station P0. The running path of the self-propelled vehicle 3 is a loop, with station PL next to test stand 4-1, station P2 between test stand 4-2 and test stand 4-3, and test stand 4-4. A station P3 is provided between each of the stands 4-5.

The system control unit 100 assigns a destination to the self-propelled vehicle 3.

It commands stations to stop, pallet units to be supplied to the test stand, or discharged from the test stand.

Since the system is configured as described above, the pallet unit is mounted on the self-propelled vehicle, and the system control section checks in step 101 whether or not the station of the selected functional testing machine is vacant.

If it is vacant, the self-propelled vehicle is started (step 102) and stopped at the test machine station (step 103). When the self-propelled vehicle arrives at the station, the cross-feeding roller on the self-propelled vehicle and the cross-feeding roller on the test stand are respectively driven to transfer the pallet unit to the test stand (step 104).

Note that if another self-propelled vehicle is parked at the station at step 101, the process waits until the station becomes vacant (step 105). Then, when that station becomes vacant, the self-propelled vehicle starts. That is, the process advances to step 102.

The fluid cylinder is driven to move the pallet unit to a predetermined position on the test stand (step 106), and in step 107, it is checked by means of a position confirmation sensor whether the pallet unit is in the predetermined position.

If not, the process returns to step 106 and the fluid cylinder positioning operation is repeated.

In addition, step 1 of transferring to pallet unit 5 test stand
04, the self-propelled vehicle leaves the station in step 108.

If the pallet unit is set well in step 107, the contact unit moves forward in step 109,
In step 110, the warpage of the pallet plate is corrected, and in step 111, the plug connector board is fitted to the jack connector board, and the connection work is completed.

That is, the electronic equipment is mounted on a pallet unit, and the cable - jack connector board - plug connector board →
- Electrical connection to the test machine via a cable.

Then, in step 112, the test machine is activated to perform a predetermined functional test of the electronic device.

When the test is completed, the control unit transmits the completion of the test and the pass/fail information to the system control unit. Then, the contact unit moves backward according to a command from the control unit (step (113) L
, the connection between the jack connector board and the plug connector board is released.

Incidentally, by this time, step 114 has been executed and the air self-propelled vehicle has arrived at this station.

Then, in step 115, the lateral feed roller rotates in the opposite direction to the previous direction, and the pallet unit is transferred to the self-propelled vehicle.

In other words, the electronic device that has completed the functional test using the test machine is
It is transferred to a self-propelled vehicle while still being mounted on a pallet unit.

Then, in step 11+, the self-propelled vehicle starts.

? In step 114-, the system control unit verifies the next process for the electronic device, and returns to step 101 to carry the electronic device into the next testing machine.

If all functional tests have been completed, the self-propelled vehicle is delivered to the test completion station and the electronic equipment is removed from the pallet unit.

Note that electronic devices determined to be defective as a result of the characteristic test are delivered to a different station from those for non-defective devices.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides testing of electronic devices in which electronic devices are mounted on a pallet unit common to each model, and these pallet units are sequentially delivered to and collected from a single function testing machine arranged in an array. The system is capable of fully automating a series of functional tests for electronic devices, and has a high operating rate for each testing machine (with low equipment costs, etc.).
It has excellent practical effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. is a layout diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an electronic device; 2, 2-1.2-2.2-3.2-4.2-5 is a test machine, 3 is a self-propelled vehicle, 4.4-1.4-2.4-3.4-4.4-5 is a test stand, 5 is a pallet unit, 6 is a jack connector board, 7 is a contact unit , 8 is a plug connector board, 20 is a control unit, 42 is a front and rear positioning pin, 43 is a position confirmation sensor, 45 is a left positioning pin, 46 is a right positioning pin, 51 is a pallet board, 61 is a jack side coaxial connector, 62 is a 65 is a guide hole, 81 is a plug-side coaxial connector, 82 is a plug-side multi-connector, 85 is a guide pin, 71 is a slide table, 75 is a pallet warp correction roller, and 100 is a system control unit. f-Augment R bear (wo゛1 feudal map 2I wing 42 4g (Q> quasi 3 figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A pallet unit (51) comprising a pallet plate (51) and a jack connector board (6) installed vertically on the side edge of the pallet plate and provided with a large number of jack side connectors.
5), and an electronic device to be tested (1) placed on the pallet board (51) and connected to the selected jack side connector.
), a self-propelled vehicle (3) that delivers and retrieves the pallet unit (5) to the test stand (4) attached to the selected testing machine, and a self-propelled vehicle (3). It has a feeding means for delivering and receiving the pallet unit (5), and the pallet unit (5) is placed on the table.
), a means for positioning the received pallet unit (5) at a predetermined position on the test stand (4), and a plug-side connector that fits and connects to the jack-side connector. Plug connector panel (
a contact unit (7) that reciprocates in the front-rear direction on the test stand (4); and a contact unit (7) that is connected to the plug connector board (8) via a cable; ) A plurality of testing machines (2) for performing different functional tests, arranged as desired at the station positions of
and a control unit (20) that controls the interface of each of the components and transmits test pass/fail information to the system control unit.
A system for testing an electronic device, comprising: and a system control unit that operates the self-propelled vehicle (3) as desired in order to perform a series of functional tests of the electronic device (1).