A common ground detection apparatus and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a common ground detection device and method, the common ground detection device comprises a first functional module, a second functional module and a common ground detection circuit, the second functional module and the first functional module are connected through a connection unit to form a common ground connection, the common ground detection circuit is connected with the connection unit, the common ground detection circuit comprises a first node, a second node and a comparison module, the comparison module compares the voltage between the first node and the second node to detect the common ground connection state between the first functional module and the second functional module; wherein the common ground connection state comprises a common ground good state and a common ground abnormal state. The common ground detection device of the present disclosure can detect the common ground connection state in real time, prompt the operator to maintain and eliminate the fault in time, prevent the product from having quality problems when the common ground is abnormal, and improve the accuracy of the functional module function and the yield and quality of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of testing technology, and in particular to a common-ground detection device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, functional modules typically require an external wire to share a common ground. For example, in a touch device testing system, a wire connects the ground networks of the touch device subsystem and the display device subsystem. However, if this ground wire becomes loose, the capacitance of both the touch device and display device subsystems will change significantly, causing alterations in the detection data and leading to incorrect capacitance readings. Furthermore, when the ground wire is loose and poorly connected, operators cannot proactively identify the grounding anomaly between the touch device and display device subsystems. Failure to promptly detect and resolve this loose ground wire can range from affecting normal test results to causing serious quality incidents and significant losses for the company. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a common-ground detection device and method to at least solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a common ground detection device is provided, comprising a first functional module; a second functional module, the second functional module and the first functional module forming a common ground connection via a connection unit; and a common ground detection circuit connected to the connection unit, the common ground detection circuit comprising a first node, a second node, and a comparison module, the comparison module comparing the voltage of the first node with the voltage of the second node to detect the common ground connection status between the first functional module and the second functional module; wherein the common ground connection status includes a common ground good status and a common ground abnormal status.

[0005] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit includes a first loop, on which a first resistor, a second resistor, and a third resistor are disposed. When the common ground connection is in a good state, the first resistor and the second resistor are connected in parallel; when the common ground connection is in a bad state, the second resistor and the third resistor are connected in series; the first node is located between the third resistor and the first resistor, and between the third resistor and the second resistor.

[0006] In one embodiment, the resistance value of the second resistor is greater than the resistance value of the first resistor.

[0007] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit includes a second loop, on which a fourth resistor and a fifth resistor are disposed, and the second node is located between the fourth resistor and the fifth resistor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the comparison module includes a voltage comparator having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first input terminal is connected to the first node, the second input terminal is connected to the second node, and the output terminal outputs a high level when the voltage of the first node is less than the voltage of the second node; the output terminal outputs a low level when the voltage of the first node is greater than the voltage of the second node.

[0009] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit further includes an indicator unit connected to the output terminal for indicating two common ground connection states.

[0010] In one possible implementation, when the common ground connection status is in a good state, the indicator unit displays a first state; when the common ground connection status is in a bad state, the indicator unit displays a second state.

[0011] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit further includes a current amplifier connected between the output terminal and the indicator unit to amplify the small current output by the voltage comparator.

[0012] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a common ground detection method is provided, which uses a common ground detection device as described in the first aspect of this disclosure for detection, including connecting a first functional module and a second functional module through a connection unit to form a common ground connection between the first functional module and the second functional module; comparing the voltage between the first node and the second node through a comparison module to detect the common ground connection status between the first functional module and the second functional module, wherein the common ground connection status includes a good common ground status and a bad common ground status.

[0013] In one possible implementation, if the voltage of the first node is less than the voltage of the second node, a first state is displayed by the indicator unit to indicate that the common ground connection is in a good state; if the voltage of the first node is greater than the voltage of the second node, a second state is displayed by the indicator unit to indicate that the common ground connection is in a bad state.

[0014] The common ground detection device disclosed herein allows the first functional module and the second functional module to form a common ground connection via a connection unit. Because it includes a common ground detection circuit comprising a first node, a second node, and a comparison module, and the common ground detection circuit is connected to the connection unit, it can compare the voltage between the first node and the second node via the comparison module to detect whether the common ground connection between the first and second functional modules is in a good or abnormal state. Therefore, the common ground detection device can detect the common ground connection status in real time, promptly prompting operators to perform maintenance and troubleshooting, preventing quality problems in products under abnormal common ground conditions, and improving the accuracy of functional module functions as well as product yield and quality.

[0015] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:

[0017] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the common-ground detection device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A flowchart of a common-ground detection method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0020] The following are the labels in the diagram: 1. First functional module; 2. Second functional module; 3. Connection unit; 4. Common ground detection circuit; 41. First node; 42. Second node; 43. Comparison module; 44. First loop; 45. Second loop; 46. Indicator unit; 47. Current amplifier; 431. First input terminal; 432. Second input terminal; 433. Output terminal; 441. First resistor; 442. Second resistor; 443. Third resistor; 451. Fourth resistor; 452. Fifth resistor. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0022] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The connection structure disclosed herein can be used for connecting two irregularly shaped parts.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 As shown, this disclosure provides an exemplary embodiment of a common ground detection device, including a first functional module 1 and a second functional module 2, which are connected via a connection unit 3 to form a common ground connection. The common ground detection device also includes a common ground detection circuit 4, which is connected to the connection unit. The common ground detection circuit 4 includes a first node 41, a second node 42, and a comparison module 43. The comparison module 43 compares the voltage between the first node 41 and the second node 42 to detect the common ground connection status between the first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2. The common ground connection status includes a good common ground status and a bad common ground status.

[0025] In this embodiment, taking a touch device testing system as an example, the first functional module 1 can specifically be a touch device subsystem, and the second functional module 2 can be a display device subsystem. The first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2 need to be connected through the connection unit 3 to form a common ground. The function of the common ground detection circuit 4 is to detect whether the common ground connection between the first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2 is in a good common ground state or a common ground abnormal state. Specifically, the comparison module 43 in the common ground detection circuit 4 compares the voltage between the first node 41 and the second node 42 on the common ground detection circuit 4. When the voltage of the first node 41 is found to be greater than the voltage of the second node 42, the first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2 are in a common ground abnormal state; when the voltage of the first node 41 is found to be less than the voltage of the second node 42, the first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2 are in a good common ground state.

[0026] Therefore, the common ground detection device can detect the common ground connection status in real time, promptly prompt operators to perform maintenance and troubleshooting, prevent product quality problems when the common ground is abnormal, and improve the accuracy of functional modules as well as product yield and quality.

[0027] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit 4 includes a first loop 44, on which a first resistor 441, a second resistor 442, and a third resistor 443 are disposed. When the common ground connection is in a good state, the first resistor 441 and the second resistor 442 are connected in parallel; when the common ground connection is in a bad state, the second resistor 442 and the third resistor 443 are connected in series. The first node 41 is located between the third resistor 443 and the first resistor 441, and between the third resistor 443 and the second resistor 442.

[0028] In this embodiment, a power supply is provided on the first circuit 44. The first circuit 44 includes two branches. The first resistor 441 and the second resistor 442 are connected in parallel on the two branches respectively. A third resistor 443 is also provided on the first circuit 44. The third resistor 443 is connected in series with the first resistor 441, and the third resistor 443 is also connected in series with the second resistor 442. Specifically, when the common ground connection is in a good state, the voltage at the first node 41 is the voltage of the first resistor 441 and the second resistor 442 connected in parallel. Therefore, the voltage at the first node 41 at this time is approximately the voltage across the first resistor 441, according to the formula:

[0029] Vin=R1×E1 / (R1+R3) ①

[0030] In the above formula, Vin is the voltage at the first node 41, R1 is the resistance of the first resistor 441, R3 is the resistance of the third resistor 443, and E1 is the power supply voltage. Therefore, the voltage at the first node 41 can be calculated according to the above formula to determine the common ground connection status.

[0031] When the common ground connection is in a common ground fault state, the second resistor 442 and the third resistor 443 are connected in series. Therefore, the voltage at the first node 41 is the voltage across the second resistor 442, according to the formula:

[0032] Vin=R2×E1 / (R2+R3) ②

[0033] In the above formula, Vin is the voltage at the first node 41, R2 is the resistance of the second resistor 442, R3 is the resistance of the third resistor 443, and E1 is the power supply voltage. Therefore, the voltage at the first node 41 can be calculated according to the above formula to determine the common ground connection status.

[0034] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the resistance value of the second resistor 442 is greater than the resistance value of the first resistor 441.

[0035] In this embodiment, the resistance value of the second resistor 442 is designed to be much greater than that of the first resistor 441, i.e., R2 >> R1. Therefore, according to the above formulas ① and ②, it can be concluded that the voltage at the first node 41 is greater than the voltage at the first node 41 when the common ground is in an abnormal state.

[0036] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit 4 includes a second loop 45, on which a fourth resistor 451 and a fifth resistor 452 are disposed, and a second node 42 is located between the fourth resistor 451 and the fifth resistor 452.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second circuit 45 shares the same power supply as the first circuit 44. The fourth resistor 451 and the fifth resistor 452 are designed with fixed resistance values. Therefore, the voltage at the second node 42 is also a fixed value, and the voltage at the second node 42 is the voltage across the fifth resistor 452, according to the formula:

[0038] Vref=R5×E1 / (R4+R5) ③

[0039] In the above formulas, Vref is the voltage at the second node 42, R4 is the resistance of the fourth resistor 451, R5 is the resistance of the fifth resistor 452, and E1 is the power supply voltage. Therefore, based on the above formulas ①, ②, and ③ and combined with the actual situation, the resistance values ​​of the fourth resistor 451 and the fifth resistor 452 can be designed so that the voltage at the first node 41 in the common ground fault state is greater than the voltage at the second node 42, and the voltage at the second node 42 is greater than the voltage at the first node 41 in the common ground good state. In practical applications, the voltage at the first node 41 and the voltage at the second node 42 can be detected and compared by the comparison module 43 to determine the common ground connection status.

[0040] In one embodiment, the comparison module 43 includes a voltage comparator having a first input terminal 431, a second input terminal 432, and an output terminal 433. The first input terminal 431 is connected to a first node 41, and the second input terminal 432 is connected to a second node 42. The output terminal 433 outputs a high level when the voltage of the first node 41 is less than the voltage of the second node 42, and outputs a low level when the voltage of the first node 41 is greater than the voltage of the second node 42.

[0041] In this embodiment, the voltage comparator compares the voltage at the first node 41 and the second node 42, and outputs the corresponding level at the output terminal 433.

[0042] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit 4 further includes an indicator unit 46, which is connected to the output terminal 433 and is used to indicate two common ground connection states, namely, a good common ground state or a bad common ground state.

[0043] In this embodiment, the indicator unit 46 may be a device, including but not limited to LED lights, that can play an indicative and distinguishing role, in order to indicate a good or abnormal grounding state.

[0044] Specifically, in one embodiment, when the common ground connection status is in a good state, the indicator unit 46 displays a first state; when the common ground connection status is in an abnormal state, the indicator unit 46 displays a second state.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the indicator unit 46 is an LED, the first display state can be set to LED on, and the second display state can be set to LED off. Therefore, when the output terminal 433 of the voltage comparator outputs a high level, the indicator unit 46 displays the first state, i.e., the LED is on, indicating that the ground connection is in a good state; when the output terminal 433 of the voltage comparator outputs a low level, the indicator unit 46 displays the second state, i.e., the LED is off, indicating that the ground connection is in an abnormal state. Thus, the indicator unit 46 can intuitively indicate the ground connection status to engineers, enabling them to perform timely system maintenance and troubleshooting, preventing product quality issues.

[0046] In one embodiment, the common ground detection circuit 4 further includes a current amplifier 47, which is connected between the output terminal 433 and the indicator unit 46, and is used to amplify the small current output by the voltage comparator.

[0047] In this embodiment, the current amplifier 47 may be, but is not limited to, a transistor, used to amplify the small current output by the voltage comparator output terminal 433, and finally make the indicator unit 46 work, that is, to light up the LED when the voltage comparator output terminal 433 outputs a high level.

[0048] Reference Figure 2 As shown, this disclosure also provides a common ground detection method, which uses the common ground detection device as described in the above embodiments for detection, including: connecting a first functional module 1 and a second functional module 2 through a connection unit 3 to form a common ground connection between the first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2; comparing the voltage between the first node 41 and the second node 42 through a comparison module 43 to detect the common ground connection status between the first functional module 1 and the second functional module 2, wherein the common ground connection status includes a good common ground status and a bad common ground status.

[0049] In one embodiment, if the voltage of the first node 41 is less than the voltage of the second node 42, the indicator unit 46 displays a first state to indicate that the common ground connection is in a good state; if the voltage of the first node 41 is greater than the voltage of the second node 42, the indicator unit 46 displays a second state to indicate that the common ground connection is in a bad state.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the indicator unit 46 is an LED, the first display state can be set to LED on, and the second display state can be set to LED off. Therefore, when the output terminal 433 of the voltage comparator outputs a high level, the indicator unit 46 displays the first state, i.e., the LED is on, indicating that the ground connection is in a good state; when the output terminal 433 of the voltage comparator outputs a low level, the indicator unit 46 displays the second state, i.e., the LED is off, indicating that the ground connection is in an abnormal state. This allows engineers to intuitively understand the ground connection status, enabling them to perform timely system maintenance and troubleshooting, preventing product quality issues.

[0051] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this disclosure can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0052] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0053] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A common-ground detection device, characterized in that, include: First functional module (1); The second functional module (2) and the first functional module (1) are connected in a common ground via a connection unit (3); and A common ground detection circuit (4) is connected to the connection unit (3). The common ground detection circuit (4) includes a first node (41), a second node (42), and a comparison module (43). The comparison module (43) compares the voltage of the first node (41) with the voltage of the second node (42) to detect the common ground connection status between the first functional module (1) and the second functional module (2). The common ground detection circuit (4) includes a first circuit (44), on which a first resistor (441), a second resistor (442), and a third resistor (443) are provided. A power supply is provided on the first circuit (44). The first circuit (44) includes two branches. The first resistor (441) and the second resistor (442) are connected in parallel on the two branches respectively. The third resistor (443) is connected in series with the first resistor (441) and the third resistor (443) is connected in series with the second resistor (442). The first node (41) is located between the third resistor (443) and the first resistor (441), and between the third resistor (443) and the second resistor (442). The voltage at the second node (42) is a fixed value, and one end of the second resistor (442) is grounded. The common ground connection status includes a good common ground status and a bad common ground status.

2. The common-ground detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the common ground connection is in a good state, the first resistor (441) and the second resistor (442) are connected in parallel; when the common ground connection is in an abnormal state, the second resistor (442) and the third resistor (443) are connected in series.

3. The common-ground detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The resistance of the second resistor (442) is greater than that of the first resistor (441).

4. The common-ground detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The common ground detection circuit (4) includes a second loop (45), on which a fourth resistor (451) and a fifth resistor (452) are provided, and the second node (42) is located between the fourth resistor (451) and the fifth resistor (452).

5. The common-ground detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The comparison module (43) includes a voltage comparator, which has a first input terminal (431), a second input terminal (432), and an output terminal (433). The first input terminal (431) is connected to the first node (41), and the second input terminal (432) is connected to the second node (42). The output terminal (433) outputs a high level when the voltage of the first node (41) is less than the voltage of the second node (42); and outputs a low level when the voltage of the first node (41) is greater than the voltage of the second node (42).

6. The common-ground detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The common ground detection circuit (4) further includes an indicator unit (46), which is connected to the output terminal (433) and is used to indicate two common ground connection states.

7. The common-ground detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the common ground connection status is in a good state, the indicator unit (46) displays a first state; when the common ground connection status is in a bad state, the indicator unit (46) displays a second state.

8. The common-ground detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The common ground detection circuit (4) further includes a current amplifier (47), which is connected between the output terminal (433) and the indicator unit (46) to amplify the small current output by the voltage comparator.

9. A method for detecting common ground, using the common ground detection device as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, include: The first functional module (1) and the second functional module (2) are connected by the connection unit (3) so that the first functional module (1) and the second functional module (2) form a common ground connection; The voltage of the first node (41) is compared with the voltage of the second node (42) by the comparison module (43) to detect the common ground connection status between the first functional module (1) and the second functional module (2), wherein the common ground connection status includes a common ground good status and a common ground abnormal status.

10. The co-location detection method according to claim 9, characterized in that, If the voltage of the first node (41) is less than the voltage of the second node (42), the first state is displayed by the indicator unit (46) to indicate that the common ground connection is in a good state; if the voltage of the first node (41) is greater than the voltage of the second node (42), the second state is displayed by the indicator unit (46) to indicate that the common ground connection is in a bad state.

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