An apparatus for digital output 4r standard size gas sensor test

Abstract

The application discloses a device for testing digital output 4R standard size gas sensor, which can be applied to the technical field of equipment testing. The testing device comprises a sensor gas window top cover, a sensor cabin provided with a sensor placing cavity and a first limiting hole, the sensor placing cavity is used for placing a gas sensor to be tested, and the first limiting hole is used for limiting the position of the gas sensor to be tested in the sensor placing cavity; a bottom cover mechanically connected with the sensor cabin, the sensor cabin is mechanically connected with the top cover and the bottom cover; a circuit unit arranged in a cavity between the bottom cover and the sensor cabin; a sensor interface in the circuit unit is provided with a spring type gold plated pin, and the gas sensor to be tested is connected with a USB to UART module in the circuit unit through the spring type gold plated pin. The application can reduce the loss of sensor quality caused by the sensor testing environment and improve the stability of the connection between the sensor and the testing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of equipment testing technology, and in particular to a device for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the concentrations of gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are crucial monitoring indicators in fields such as industrial production, mineral development, agricultural production, and environmental monitoring. Improper control of methane concentrations in industrial and mining environments can lead to gas explosions. In agricultural production, carbon dioxide concentrations affect soil health and plant growth efficiency. In environmental monitoring, indoor carbon dioxide concentrations are closely related to human health. Furthermore, as greenhouse gases, both carbon dioxide and methane have a significant impact on climate change, making their concentration monitoring essential for effective "dual carbon" control efforts. Therefore, a large number of gas sensors are needed for monitoring. Before use, gas sensors require final functional testing to confirm their functionality. Sensor testing devices are used to test the sensors' power-on operation, stability, and performance.

[0003] Currently, most testing devices for digital output gas sensors use pin socket interfaces, directly installing and fixing the sensor and its pins to the testing equipment through friction. This causes some scratches on the sensor housing surface and gold-plated pins during the testing process, resulting in a decrease in sensor quality. Another type of testing device uses a spring pin structure, but the spring pin structure has problems such as poor contact with the sensor and poor stability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a device for testing digital output 4R standard-size gas sensors, which can improve sensor quality, contact effect, and stability during the testing process.

[0005] On one hand, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor, comprising:

[0006] A top cover is provided with a sensor gas window, which overlaps with the air inlet window of the gas sensor under test, so as to allow external gas to diffuse into the cavity of the gas sensor under test; the gas sensor under test includes a digital output 4R standard size gas sensor.

[0007] The sensor compartment has a sensor placement cavity and a first limiting hole. The sensor placement cavity is used to place the gas sensor to be tested, and the first limiting hole is used to limit the position of the gas sensor to be tested in the sensor placement cavity. The sensor compartment is mechanically connected to the top cover.

[0008] A bottom cover, which is mechanically connected to the sensor compartment, and a USB port is provided on the bottom cover;

[0009] The circuit unit is disposed in the cavity between the bottom cover and the sensor chamber; the circuit unit is provided with a USB socket, a USB to UART module and a sensor interface. The USB socket communicates with the outside world and is connected to a power source through the USB port. The USB to UART module is used to convert the USB communication protocol for communication with the outside world into the UART protocol. The sensor interface is provided with a spring-loaded gold-plated pin, and the gas sensor to be tested is connected to the USB to UART module through the spring-loaded gold-plated pin.

[0010] In some embodiments, the top cover is provided with a rotating slot, and the first end of the sensor chamber is provided with a rotating groove. The top cover and the sensor chamber are connected through the rotating slot and the rotating groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top cover is further provided with a first positioning groove, and the first end of the sensor compartment is further provided with a first positioning boss. The top cover and the sensor compartment are aligned in position through the first positioning groove and the first positioning boss.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second end of the sensor compartment is provided with a second positioning boss, and the bottom cover is provided with a second positioning groove. The sensor compartment and the bottom cover are connected through the second positioning boss and the second positioning groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the inner sidewall of the bottom cover is provided with a third positioning boss, which is used to define the position of the circuit unit within the bottom cover.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first positioning pin is provided in the sensor compartment, and a second positioning pin is provided on the circuit unit. The circuit unit determines its position in the sensor compartment by means of the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin.

[0015] In some embodiments, the bottom cover is further provided with an LED light guide hole, and the circuit unit further includes an LED indicator light, with the LED light guide hole aligned with the LED indicator light.

[0016] In some embodiments, the circuit unit further includes a power conditioning module, which is used to condition the power supply to provide working power.

[0017] In some embodiments, the spring-loaded gold-plated pins include UART RX / TX and power supply VCC / GND.

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This embodiment sets up a top cover, a sensor chamber, a bottom cover, and a circuit unit on the testing device. During the testing process, the sensor to be tested is placed in the sensor placement cavity inside the sensor chamber and connected to the USB to UART module via a spring-loaded gold-plated pin, thereby achieving the electrical connection process. At the same time, the top cover is mechanically connected to the sensor chamber, and the sensor chamber is mechanically connected to the bottom cover. This reduces the loss of sensor quality caused by the sensor testing environment, improves the stability of the connection between the sensor and the testing device, and thus improves production efficiency, testing efficiency, and sensor production quality.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 An exploded view of an apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a top cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sensor compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor compartment in another direction according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bottom cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom cover structure in another direction according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a device for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of an apparatus for testing a standard 4R digital output gas sensor, which houses the gas sensor to be tested, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0033] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0034] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0035] In the description of this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0036] This invention provides an apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The exploded view of the apparatus for testing a standard-sized digital output 4R gas sensor shows that the apparatus includes a top cover 300, a sensor chamber 200, a bottom cover 100, and a circuit unit 400. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2As shown, the top cover 300 is provided with a sensor gas window 320, which overlaps with the inlet window of the gas sensor under test, to allow external gas to diffuse into the cavity of the gas sensor under test. It is understood that the gas sensor under test includes, but is not limited to, a 4R standard-size gas sensor with digital output. Specifically, the 4R standard-size gas sensor with digital output is a commonly used size and electrical connection standard among gas sensors. The 4R standard size refers to a sensor housing diameter of 20.0 mm and a height of 16.0 mm excluding the pins. Digital output refers to the sensor pins providing standard electrical connections in two pairs of four pins: RX / TX and VCC / GND. For example... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the sensor chamber 200 is provided with a sensor placement cavity 260 and a first limiting hole 220. The sensor placement cavity 260 is used to place the gas sensor to be tested, and the first limiting hole 220 is used to limit the position of the gas sensor to be tested within the sensor placement cavity or the pin position of the sensor to be tested. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a USB port 120 is provided on the bottom cover 100. Figure 7 As shown, the circuit unit includes a USB socket, a USB-to-UART module, and a sensor interface. The USB socket communicates with the outside world and is connected to a power source via a USB port. The USB-to-UART module includes a USB-to-UART chip and a decoupling capacitor, used to convert the USB communication protocol for external communication into the UART protocol. The sensor interface has spring-loaded gold-plated pins, and the gas sensor under test is connected to the USB-to-UART module via these spring-loaded gold-plated pins. Specifically, the spring-loaded gold-plated pins include a UART RX / TX interface and a power VCC interface / ground GND interface. In this embodiment, when the sensor chamber is mechanically connected to the top cover and the bottom cover is mechanically connected to the sensor chamber, the following can be obtained: Figure 8 The apparatus shown is for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor. In this embodiment, as... Figure 9 As shown, the gas sensor 500 to be tested is placed in the sensor placement cavity 260, and the circuit unit is located in the cavity between the bottom cover 100 and the sensor chamber 200.

[0037] As can be seen from the above implementation process, this embodiment adopts a non-destructive electrical and mechanical connection method for the sensor to reduce the loss of sensor quality during the sensor testing process, while improving the stability of the connection between the sensor and the testing device, thereby improving production efficiency, testing efficiency and sensor production quality.

[0038] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the top cover 300 is provided with a rotating slot 310, and the first end of the sensor chamber 200 is provided with a rotating groove 210. The top cover 300 and the sensor chamber 200 are connected through the rotating slot 310 and the rotating groove 210. Specifically, when it is necessary to connect and fix the top cover and the sensor chamber, the rotating slot is inserted into the rotating groove, and then rotated in a preset direction to achieve a fixed connection between the top cover and the sensor chamber. When it is necessary to separate the top cover and the sensor chamber, the rotating slot is pulled out from the rotating groove by rotating in the opposite direction of the preset direction, thereby completing the separation process between the top cover and the sensor chamber. It can be seen that this embodiment, through the mechanical connection process between the top cover and the sensor chamber, will not cause scratches to the housing of the sensor under test.

[0039] In this embodiment of the application, the top cover is further provided with a first positioning groove, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first end of the sensor compartment 200 is also provided with a first positioning protrusion 230. The top cover and the sensor compartment are aligned by the first positioning groove and the first positioning protrusion 230, which can improve the speed and accuracy of the connection and fixation between the top cover and the sensor compartment.

[0040] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the second end of the sensor chamber 200 is provided with a second positioning boss 240, and the bottom cover 100 is provided with a second positioning groove 140. The sensor chamber 200 and the bottom cover 100 are connected through the second positioning boss 240 and the second positioning groove 140. Specifically, during the connection process, after aligning the second positioning boss with the second positioning groove, the bottom cover is inserted towards the sensor chamber, thus completing the mechanical connection between the sensor chamber and the bottom cover. This fixes the circuit unit within the cavity between the sensor chamber and the bottom cover, preventing damage to the components on the circuit unit. It is understood that the circuit unit can be a pre-integrated PCB circuit board.

[0041] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, the inner wall of the bottom cover 100 is provided with a third positioning boss 130. The third positioning boss 130 is used to limit the position of the circuit unit inside the bottom cover, so that the circuit unit will not move during the operation of the test device, thereby improving the stability of the operation process.

[0042] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 and Figure 7As shown, a first positioning pin 250 is provided inside the sensor compartment 200, and a second positioning pin is provided on the circuit unit. The circuit unit's position within the sensor compartment is determined by the first and second positioning pins. It can be understood that the second positioning pin on the circuit unit may be located on the side of the PCB circuit board to engage with the first positioning pin on the inner wall of the sensor compartment, thereby improving the stability of the circuit unit's position within the sensor compartment.

[0043] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the bottom cover 100 is also provided with an LED light guide hole 110, and the circuit unit also includes an LED indicator light. The LED light guide hole is aligned with the LED indicator light. During operation, the light status emitted by the LED indicator light is led out through the LED light guide hole, allowing the tester to observe the status of the LED indicator light through the LED light guide hole, thereby obtaining the working status of the test device, such as the electrical connection status, test progress, component status, etc.

[0044] In this embodiment, the circuit unit further includes a power conditioning module, which is used to condition the power supply to provide working power, thereby enabling the test device to perform test work stably.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A device for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor, characterized in that, include: A top cover is provided with a sensor gas window, which overlaps with the air inlet window of the gas sensor under test, so as to allow external gas to diffuse into the cavity of the gas sensor under test; the gas sensor under test includes a digital output 4R standard size gas sensor. The sensor compartment includes a sensor placement cavity and a first limiting hole. The sensor placement cavity is used to place the gas sensor to be tested, and the first limiting hole is used to limit the position of the gas sensor to be tested within the sensor placement cavity. The sensor compartment is mechanically connected to the top cover. The top cover has a rotating slot, and the first end of the sensor compartment has a rotating groove. The top cover and the sensor compartment are connected through the rotating slot and the rotating groove. The bottom cover is mechanically connected to the sensor compartment and has a USB port. The second end of the sensor compartment has a second positioning boss, and the bottom cover has a second positioning groove. The sensor compartment and the bottom cover are connected through the second positioning boss and the second positioning groove. A circuit unit is disposed within the cavity between the bottom cover and the sensor chamber; the gas to be tested is stored inside the sensor placement cavity; the circuit unit is equipped with a USB socket, a USB-to-UART module, and a sensor interface. The USB socket communicates with the outside world and is connected to a power source through the USB port. The USB-to-UART module is used to convert the USB communication protocol for communication with the outside world into the UART protocol. The sensor interface is equipped with a spring-loaded gold-plated pin, and the gas sensor to be tested is connected to the USB-to-UART module through the spring-loaded gold-plated pin. A first positioning pin is provided inside the sensor chamber, and a second positioning pin is provided on the circuit unit. The position of the circuit unit inside the sensor chamber is determined by the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin.

2. The apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top cover is also provided with a first positioning groove, and the first end of the sensor compartment is also provided with a first positioning boss. The top cover and the sensor compartment are aligned in position through the first positioning groove and the first positioning boss.

3. The apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner sidewall of the bottom cover is provided with a third positioning boss, which is used to define the position of the circuit unit within the bottom cover.

4. The apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom cover is also provided with an LED light guide hole, and the circuit unit also includes an LED indicator light, with the LED light guide hole aligned with the LED indicator light.

5. The apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit unit also includes a power conditioning module, which is used to condition the power supply to provide working power.

6. The apparatus for testing a digital output 4R standard-size gas sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The spring-loaded gold-plated pins include UART RX / TX and power supply VCC / GND.

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