JPS5896308A - Automatic testing device for sequence controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a device which can apply various tests automtically, securely and speedily and also records and displays test results, by providing a key operating means, input signal applying means, power source, microcomputer, etc. CONSTITUTION:This testing device is provided with a various-key operating means 15 for operating various keys 2 of a sequence controller 1 selectively and a program starting and memory access means 10 for starting the program of the controller side 1 and accessing a memory. Further, the device is provided with input signal applying means 9a and 13, output signal fetching means 9b and 14 for fetching output signals outputted to an output signal output terminal, and a power source 6c for the controller 1. Furthermore, a microcomputer 6a controls said respective means and power source 6c collectively, and a command recording and displayng means 7 commands the microcomputer 6a to start and stop tests and also records and displays test results.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic test device for sequence controllers, and particularly to an automatic test device for testing programmable controllers individually.
The present invention relates to a sequence controller automatic test device configured to perform an overall test and record and display the results.

In recent years, with the advent of automatic control, so-called programmable controllers (hereinafter simply referred to as controllers) have become widespread, and while the number of input/output points that they handle has increased, they have also come to be equipped with various advanced and complex sequence control functions. The reality is that. Controllers integrated with sequence creation devices or programming devices have an increased number of input/output points, improved functionality, and require various operation keys. do not have. Conventionally, a sequence control AF program is written in the work RAM area of the controller by manually operating various operation keys, and then when appropriate input conditions are given by key operation, the sequence control program is not executed. The controller was tested by visually confirming whether the output could be obtained. However, when testing in this way, various operation keys must be manually operated in a predetermined order and many times, making the key operations cumbersome and requiring a lot of time and effort. In addition, if the specified output is not obtained, it is necessary to determine whether the cause is due to the key operation or a hardware malfunction, and further visual testing is required. Even when the results were confirmed, the reliability of the test results remained somewhat questionable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sequence controller testing device that can automatically, reliably and quickly perform various tests on a controller, and can record and display test results.

For this purpose, the present invention is basically configured as a microcomputer control, and the microcomputer is equipped with input/output means for commands and display of test result records, and various key operations mainly for programming. It is constructed by adding means, various key output acquisition means for programming, input signal application means, output signal acquisition means, means for accessing RAM and ROM, stabilized AC power supply for the controller, etc. By issuing various commands from the input/output means while power is supplied to the controller from the AC power supply, functions such as checking the functions of various keys and their peripheral circuits, checking the functions of the controller side ROM and RAM, and checking output signals in response to input signals, etc. The results are recorded and displayed on the input/output means.

The present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

First, FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a controller as a test object according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, various keys (button type) 2, input terminals 3, output terminals 4, etc. are provided on the outer surface of the controller 1 for the purpose of various programming. This is done by operating key 2. After creating and writing the sequence control program, if input signals are applied from an external limit switch etc. to the input terminal 3, those input signals will be calculated according to the sequence control program, and the calculation processing will be performed via the output terminal 4. It is designed to control valves, etc.

In this way, the controller functions to output a predetermined output when a predetermined input signal is applied, but in order to do so, the sequence control program must be created and written correctly, and the circuit state of the controller must be completely controlled. It has to be normal.

The present invention is for checking the circuit condition of a controller, and aims to test the circuit condition of the controller partially or completely accurately, reliably and quickly during the final manufacturing stage or during maintenance, and record and display the results. It is something. The types of tests to be conducted are as described above. Of course, the types of tests are not limited to those described above. In general, it goes without saying that the type and number of tests will vary depending on the function and configuration of the controller.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the test apparatus according to the present invention in a test state. As shown in the figure, the controller l that has gone through the final manufacturing stage is transferred by a belt conveyor 5 toward the testing apparatus according to the present invention, but when it reaches a predetermined transfer position, the belt conveyor 5 is stopped and stopped at the predetermined transfer position. Various tests will be performed on the controller 1 that has been tested. In this example, the controller automatic test equipment includes a command/record display section 7 as input/output means, a control section 6 consisting of a microcomputer, a stabilized AC power supply, etc., various key operation means, input signal application means, and force signal acquisition means. The command/record display section 7 and the operating section 8 are connected to a microcomputer within the control section 6. Controller 1
Also between the controller 6 and the controller 6 are a cable path as a means for inputting various key outputs for programming, a means for starting a program and accessing a memory, and a power supply line as a power supply means, each of which has one end connected to the controller 6 and is housed therein. It is becoming intervening.

FIG. 3 shows a computer according to the invention including a programmable power supply.
This figure shows the electrical block configuration of the automatic trawler test device. A programmable power supply selectively supplies an output voltage that can be adjusted within an appropriate range to the circuit inside the controller as a power supply voltage, thereby determining whether the circuit will operate normally within the allowable power supply voltage range or not. This is provided to test whether the circuit for checking whether the voltage of the backup battery provided inside the controller is within an allowable range or not operates normally.

According to this, the control section 6 is configured to include a microcomputer 6a. Of course, the microcomputer 6a consists of a microprocessor, a work RAM for establishing data, and a ROM for storing various test control programs.
K also stores the required data tables.

When conducting a test, if the command/record display section 7 instructs the microcomputer 6& to start the test, the microcomputer 6a reads out the test control program corresponding to the selected test from the ROM and executes it. When the test control program is executed, various keys are operated and the resulting key outputs are captured, RAM and ROM in the controller are directly or indirectly accessed, and input signals are applied and the corresponding output signals are captured. It is designed to be That is, various keys can be operated by selectively and sequentially driving various key operating means provided in the actuating section 8 corresponding to each key via the microcomputer 6ald interface circuit 6b, and as a result of the operation, Outputs from various keys for programming are input to the microcomputer 6a via the cable path 10 and the interface circuit 6b. In addition, the microcomputer 6a can not only directly access the ROM and RAM existing in the controller l via the interface circuit 6b and the cable path 10, but also the sequence control program creation program stored in the ROM in advance. and a sequence control program, and if an access program is stored in advance in the ROM, by starting the access program, the ROM +R
AM can be accessed indirectly. Furthermore, when the sequence control program is started, an input condition is applied by the input signal applying means 9 provided in the operating section 8, and an output signal corresponding to the input signal can be taken in via the output signal taking means 9b. ing. Furthermore, the microcomputer 6a controls a stabilized AC power source 6C that supplies stabilized AC power to the controller 1, and also controls the adjustment of the output voltage of the programmable power source 6d. The cable path 10, which has one end connected to the interface circuit 6b, and the power supply line, which has one end connected to the stabilized AC power supply 6c% glogram pull power supply 6d, are configured to be detachable from the controller l with one-touch operation. Ru.

Here, the configuration of the actuating part 8 is explained as follows using FIGS. However, in this example, the controller 1 is fixed on the belt conveyor 5 by a delt 16, and the controller 1 is positioned directly below the actuating section 8 by appropriately detecting that the controller 1 has reached the position directly below the actuating section 8 and moving the belt conveyor 5. When the controller 1 is fixed in position, the contact bodies 13 and 14 and the key operating body 15 are located directly above the input terminal 3, output terminal 4, and various keys 2, respectively. These contact bodies 13, 14 and key actuating body 15 are exposed to the support part 11 via the head part 12 which is vertically movable.In other words, when the head part 12 is in the lowered position, In this case, the contact bodies 13 and 14 are pressed into contact with the corresponding input terminals 3 and output terminals 4, respectively, and the key operating body 15 is positioned directly above the corresponding keys 2. However, when the stabilized AC power supply 6c, cable path, etc. are connected to the controller 1, and the head section 12 is in the lowered position, the controller 1
1 is placed in a state where it can be tested, and under such a state, the various keys 2 can be selectively operated by selectively driving the plurality of key operating bodies 15 downward.

By the way, the key operating body 15 may be configured as, for example, a pencil air cylinder type. As shown in FIG. 4 (bl), the key operating body 15 is configured to accommodate a piston movable body 18 inside a cylinder 17 with a part of it protruding outwardly downward.Normally, the piston movable body 18 is compressed. Compressed air from an air source (not shown) is supplied to the pipe 5, the solenoid valve
The pipe is in the raised position because it flows into the lower chamber of the cylinder 17 through the vent 21. However, when the solenoid valve 24 is switched to operate the key 2, the compressed air flows through the solenoid valve 20 and the pipe n1 vent 20. As a result, it moves downward while resisting the force from the spring 19. Therefore, the key operating body 15
If the correspondingly provided electromagnetic valve 24 is selectively switched and controlled in a predetermined order by the micro combinator 6a, the key 2 will be operated accordingly. The cushioning body made of rubber or the like attached to the lower part of the piston movable body 18 is for preventing the key 2 from being damaged by the piston movable body 18. Further, in this example, the head portion 12 is moved up and down using compressed air.

Now, various tests performed on the controller will be explained. Before starting the test, the controller 1 is first positioned directly below the head section 12, and then the control section 6 is positioned directly below the head section 12.
Various power switches provided at the terminal are turned on. By turning on the power, the RAM, key operating body 15, and head unit 12 are initialized in the automatic controller testing device. That is, all the contents of the RAM are cleared, all the key operating bodies 15 are set to the raised position, and the head portion 12 is set to the lowered position. In this state, since power is also supplied to the controller l, the microcomputer 6a executes the test control program stored in the ROM in advance if there is a test start command from the command/record display unit 7. It is a place where you can do things. What test control program is executed depends on the test type code added to the test start command.

First, a case will be described in which the functions of the various keys 2 and their peripheral circuits are tested. In this test, all keys 2 are operated in a predetermined order with the output voltage of the programmable power supply 6d being applied as a power supply voltage to various keys and their peripheral circuits, and whether the desired key output can be obtained only from the operated key 2. It is checked whether or not this is the case.

When the microcomputer 6 & receives a test start command from the command/record display section 7, the microcomputer a executes the test control program corresponding to the test stored in the ROM in advance. By the way, various test control programs and various data tables are stored in the ROM, and the key operating body 15 is sequentially lowered and raised in a predetermined order based on the contents of the data tables.

Every time the key operating body 15 is lowered, all key 2 outputs at that time are taken into the microcomputer 6a via the cable path 10 and the interface circuit 6b, and compared with correct key output data from the ROM. Since all key outputs when a certain key is operated are known in advance, this is stored in advance as a table in the i ROM, and when that key is operated, the ROM is
The key output data is then read out and compared with the captured key 2 output. If a match result is obtained in all the comparisons, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the various keys and their peripheral circuits, and this fact is recorded and displayed on the command/record display section 7. Also, if a match cannot be obtained in a certain comparison, it is determined that there is an abnormality,
The judgment result is displayed on the command/record display section 7, and
The key 2 output captured at that time and the correct key output data corresponding thereto are also displayed. When recording and displaying in this manner, the location where the abnormality has occurred can be quickly identified. When the comparison for all keys 2 is completed, the test control GLODRAM is executed one more time with the output voltage ft of the programmable power supply changed. However, the test mode described below is just an example, and how the test is conducted depends solely on the test control program. This situation also applies to the tests described below.

Next, the RAM and ROM (EP
A case of testing whether or not the ROM (ROM) is abnormal will be explained.

First, regarding the RAM, various types of data are written in all areas of the RAM, and then the data is read out from the RAM to check whether or not the successive data is the same as the written data. Regarding the ROM, the correct sequence control program is stored in the microcomputer 6a through a socket etc.
An OM (EPROM) is installed, and its memory contents are compared with the memory contents of the controller side ROM. Writing and successive accesses to the RAM by the microcomputer 6m and successive accesses to the ROM are performed by the interface circuit 6b and the cable path 0.
However, access may be made directly or with the intervention of a microprocessor on the controller side.

The above tests focus on circuit parts, but tests that focus on overall circuit operation are also possible. After creating the sequence control program in the RAM on the controller 1 side, the input signal is actually applied to the input terminal 3 and the output terminal 4
It compares the output signal output to the correct output signal. First, the microcomputer 6a activates the sequence control program creation program stored in the controller side ROM, and then operates the programming key by controlling the key operating body 15 in a predetermined manner to write the sequence control program into the controller side RAM. This is where you create it. After completing the creation of the sequence control program, the microcomputer 6& is RO on the controller side.
After starting the sequence system 87° program stored in M, pseudo input signals are sequentially applied to the input terminal 3 via the contact member 13 while changing the combination thereof. Output signal for input signal is output terminal 4, contact body 1
It is taken into the microcontroller Gini Taro a through 4, but
This is compared with correct output signal data from the ROM. Although the states of the output signals obtained from each output terminal 4 are uniquely determined by the combination of input signals,
If an unexpected combination of output signal states exists, it is determined to be abnormal.

By the way, when a backup battery is provided to prevent programs stored in a programming work RAM area provided inside the controller from being erased even when the power is turned off, the voltage of the battery is checked. However, if the battery check circuit is abnormal, there is a risk that an abnormal power supply voltage will be applied to the RAM, so it is necessary to check whether the battery check circuit is abnormal. If the controller automatic test equipment is equipped with a programmable power supply, this check can be performed extremely easily. The output voltage of the programmable power supply is applied to the battery check circuit while the connection between the battery and the battery check circuit is disconnected.
This is because it is sufficient to check whether the battery check circuit operates at the upper and lower limit voltage values. Since the output of the battery check circuit is taken into the microcomputer 6a via the cable bus 10, etc., it is possible to know from the output state whether or not the battery check circuit is abnormal. Note that the output voltage of the programmable power supply is partially supplied to the circuit inside the controller, but if the controller is configured so that this is possible, partial supply can be easily done by commands from a microcomputer via a cable bus. It is.

As explained above, the present invention provides a microcombi-eta with input/output means for command/record display, various key operation means, input signal application means, output signal acquisition means, various key output acquisition means, and program starting/memory. It is configured to include an access means and a stabilized AC power source for the controller. Therefore, in the case of the present invention, the controller side program startup, ROM, RAM
In addition to being able to access the controller automatically, it is also possible to automatically operate various programming keys, apply input signals, and capture output signals, and perform various tests on the controller automatically, reliably, and quickly. Moreover, the test results can be recorded and displayed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plan outline of a controller that is a test object of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a test device according to the present invention in a test state, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a programmable power supply included. Figures 4 (at, bl) are diagrams showing the electrical block configuration of the test device according to the present invention, and are diagrams showing the mechanical configuration of the operating section and the operating principle of the key operating body in the configuration. Microcomputer, 6C... Stabilized AC power supply, 7... Command/record display section, 8... Operating section,
9a (13)...Input signal applying means (contact body), 9b
(14)... Output signal acquisition means (contact body), 10.
... Cable path (program starting/memory access means), 15... Key operation body (various key operation means). Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 (a) Figure 4 (b) \1

Claims (1)

[Claims] The sequence controller is equipped with various keys mainly for programming on the outer surface, multiple input signal application terminals, and output signal output terminals. Various key operation means provided in
Memory access means, input signal application means provided in correspondence with the terminals to apply input signals to the input signal application terminals, output signal acquisition means provided in correspondence with the terminals to take in the output signals outputted to the output signal output terminals. , a microcomputer that comprehensively controls each of the above-mentioned means and the power source for the sequence controller, and a microcomputer that controls the computer to start the test;
A sequence controller automatic test device characterized by a configuration consisting of a command/record display means for commanding stop and recording and displaying test results.