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DE-102024132851-A1 - Protective cover for a test adapter

DE102024132851A1DE 102024132851 A1DE102024132851 A1DE 102024132851A1DE-102024132851-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cover 1 for covering a test adapter 3 for circuit boards, with an electric drive 2 for opening and closing the cover 1 on the test adapter 3, wherein a control of the electric drive 2 is provided for controlling the speed of the cover, and the control comprises at least two different limit values for triggering a movement stop of the cover 1. The at least two different limit values make it possible to define and monitor areas with different force limits for the movement of the cover, thus ensuring a high degree of safety and flexibility.

Inventors

  • Andreas Hässler
  • Markus Rauch
  • Klaus Steppat

Assignees

  • ATX HARDWARE GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241111

Claims (16)

  1. Cover (1) for covering a test adapter (3) for circuit boards, with an electric drive (2) for opening and closing the cover (1) on the test adapter (3), wherein a control of the electric drive (2) is provided for controlling the speed of the cover, and the control includes at least two different limit values for triggering a movement stop of the cover (1).
  2. Cover (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least two limit values lie on at least one envelope (A or B) to trigger a movement stop of the cover (1).
  3. Cover (1) according to Claim 2 , wherein the at least one envelope (A or B) includes a lower envelope (A), and the control is designed such that the movement of the cover is stopped when the envelope is undershot.
  4. Cover (1) according to Claim 3 , wherein the at least one envelope (A or B) includes an upper envelope (B), and the control is designed such that the movement of the cover is stopped when the upper envelope is exceeded.
  5. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 4 , where the at least one envelope (A or B) represents the current for the drive of the electric drive as a function of the distance traveled by the cover.
  6. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 5 , where the at least one envelope represents the speed of the cover as a function of the distance traveled by the cover.
  7. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 6 , where at least one envelope (A or B) represents different areas in which the electric drive controls the cover at different speeds.
  8. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 2 until 7 , wherein the at least one envelope represents relative values with respect to a reference curve along which the control of the electric drive (2) controls the speed of the cover.
  9. Cover (1) according to Claim 8 , where the reference curve is based on at least one reference run of the cover.
  10. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the stopping of the movement of the cover (1) is the beginning of a safety movement of the cover.
  11. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the movement stop of the cover (1) is an immediate stopping of the cover.
  12. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 , further comprising at least one sensor for measuring a parameter for controlling the speed of the cover.
  13. Cover (1) according to Claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor for measuring the rotational speed of the cover.
  14. Cover (1) according to Claim 12 or 13 , wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor for measuring the current for driving the electric drive.
  15. Cover (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 14 , whereby the control can be switched between different operating modes.
  16. Cover (1) according to Claim 15 , wherein the operating modes include at least one fully automatic mode and one purely manual operating mode.

Description

The present invention relates to a cover for covering a test adapter for circuit boards. Circuit board test adapters are used to test the functionality of components on the circuit boards and to test the connections. For this purpose, the test adapters have contact elements in the form of needles or thin metal pins, which make contact with the locations on the circuit board to be tested. Using the characteristic protective covers, the circuit board is pressed onto the test adapter from above, often via spacers that press against it. When the cover is in the closed position, it is usually additionally pressed or pulled onto the circuit board by a vacuum or a suitable mechanical device. The size and weight of the protective covers vary depending on the test adapter, but they can weigh from a few kilograms to ten kilograms or more. In the prior art, the protective covers are usually attached to the test adapter with simple hinges or cam discs. DE102012207515A1 Figure 1 shows the attachment of a cover to the test adapter using cam discs whose radius varies to ensure precise positioning of the cover in the open position, the closed position, and the intermediate positions. With this cover, known from the prior art, the movement of the cover between the open and closed positions is manual; that is, the cover is opened and closed by hand by an operator. DE 10 2104 208 341 A1 A mechanism is described by which the cover is attached to the test adapter in such a way that, when the cover is closed, the rotational movement of the cover, which is rotatably mounted on the test adapter, transitions into a linear movement just before reaching the closed position. This linear movement allows the test contact pins and the hold-down pins to penetrate completely perpendicularly (linearly) into the spaces between or onto the components of the circuit board under test. To increase automation and, for example, enable robots to operate the cover, solutions for the automatic operation of such covers have already been considered in the prior art, as for example in the DE 20 2018 102 653 U1 . Here, a force-limiting device detects whether the cover encounters resistance, such as a finger, arm, or similar, and then stops or even reopens upon positive detection. A disadvantage of this technology is that it does not offer the same level of safety and flexibility as, for example, a mixed operation. Mixed operation here refers to various operating modes, ranging from purely manual operation to semi-automatic operation and fully automated operation. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective cover for covering a test adapter for circuit boards, which offers a high degree of safety and flexibility. The above problem is solved by a cover according to claim 1. The cover according to the invention for covering a test adapter for circuit boards comprises an electric drive for opening and closing the cover on the test adapter, wherein a control of the electric drive is provided for controlling the speed of the cover, and the control includes at least two different limit values for triggering a movement stop of the cover. The at least two different limit values make it possible to define and monitor areas with different force limits for the movement of the cover, thus ensuring a high degree of safety and flexibility. Advantageously, the at least two limit values lie on at least one envelope for triggering a movement stop of the cover. The use of envelopes allows for precise control of the cover's movement and stopping in emergencies. The at least one envelope can include a lower envelope, and the control system can be designed such that the cover's movement stops when the value falls below this envelope. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one envelope can include an upper envelope, and the control system can be designed such that the cover's movement stops when the value exceeds this upper envelope. Advantageously, at least one envelope curve represents the current for driving the electric drive as a function of the distance traveled by the cover. Additionally or alternatively, at least one envelope curve advantageously represents the speed of the cover as a function of the distance traveled by the cover. Advantageously, at least one envelope represents different areas in which the electric drive controls the cover at different speeds. Advantageously, at least one envelope represents relative values in relation to a reference curve, along which the control of the electric drive controls the speed of the cover. Advantageously, the reference curve is based on at least one reference run of the cover. Advantageously, the stopping of the cover's movement marks the beginning of a safety cycle for the cover. Advantageously, the movement stop of the cover is an immediate stop of the cover. Advantageously, the cover has at least one sensor for measuring a parameter to control the speed of the cover. Advantageously, at