Test system and test method

Abstract

The invention discloses a test system and a test method, which are used for carrying out calibration test on an airflow sensor. The test system comprises a pressure container used for providing a pressure environment; the gas generator is used for inflating the pressure container to change the internal air pressure of the pressure container, the airflow sensor monitors the internal air pressure of the pressure container as an electric signal, and the electric signal continuously changes along with the air inflow of the pressure container; the air pressure sensor is used for monitoring the internal air pressure of the pressure container to obtain an air pressure value continuously changing along with the air inflow; and the processor is used for receiving the electric signal and the air pressure value so as to calibrate the electric signal according to the air pressure value under the same air inflow. The gas inflow of the pressure vessel is used as a calibration reference, the gas flow change is more sensitive, the sensitivity is higher, and therefore the sensor with the high sensitivity requirement can be tested and calibrated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of instrument measurement, and in particular to a testing system and a testing method. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology, MEMS sensors have been widely used in consumer electronics, medical health, industrial control and other fields due to their advantages such as miniaturization, low power consumption, high sensitivity and fast response. Especially in electronic atomizers such as e-cigarettes, MEMS airflow sensors have gradually replaced ordinary ECM (Electret Condenser Microphone) microphones, thereby further improving user experience and product performance.

[0003] The working principle of electronic atomizer is to generate steam for users to inhale by heating liquid oil. In this process, MEMS airflow sensor plays a core role. It can detect the user's inhalation behavior and adjust the amount of steam according to the user's inhalation volume, thereby providing a more natural and comfortable user experience.

[0004] However, in the prior art, MEMS airflow sensors used in electronic atomizers are still in the exploratory stage, and the relevant industry is not mature enough. If the traditional airflow sensor test and calibration method is used, it is difficult to achieve accurate sensing of the airflow, and it is also impossible to achieve accurate regulation of the steam volume.

[0005] Therefore, a new airflow sensor testing system is still needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a testing system and a testing method, which can improve the sensitivity of an airflow sensor.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a testing system for performing a calibration test on an airflow sensor, which comprises: a pressure vessel for providing a pressure environment; a gas generator for inflating the pressure vessel to change the internal air pressure of the pressure vessel, the airflow sensor monitoring the internal air pressure to provide an electrical signal, the electrical signal having a first curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount of the pressure vessel; an air pressure sensor for monitoring the internal air pressure to obtain an air pressure value, the air pressure value having a second curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount; and a processor for receiving the electrical signal and the air pressure value to calibrate the electrical signal according to the air pressure value at the same air intake amount.

[0008] Optionally, an opening is provided on the first side wall of the pressure container, and the airflow sensor monitors the pressure container via the opening.

[0009] Optionally, the first side wall of the pressure vessel is provided with a groove sunken from the first side wall into the pressure vessel, and the opening is located at the bottom surface of the groove.

[0010] Optionally, an elastic sealing ring is provided at the opening and surrounds the opening.

[0011] Optionally, a communication unit is also included, which is used to receive control instructions provided by the processor to start / stop the gas generator or adjust the inflation speed, and is used to transmit the electrical signal to the processor.

[0012] Optionally, it also includes a test fixture connected to the communication unit via a signal line, used to fix the airflow sensor, and used to move the airflow sensor to or away from the opening, the test fixture is electrically connected to the airflow sensor via a probe, and the electrical signal is transmitted to the processor via the probe, the signal line and the communication unit.

[0013] Optionally, the gas generator is connected to the pressure container via a first air passage, and the air pressure sensor is connected to the pressure container via a second air passage.

[0014] Optionally, the first air channel is connected to the second side wall of the pressure vessel, the second air channel is connected to the third side wall of the pressure vessel, and the first side wall is adjacent to the second side wall and / or the third side wall.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a testing method for calibrating an airflow sensor, which comprises: inflating a pressure vessel; monitoring the internal air pressure of the pressure vessel by the airflow sensor to obtain an electrical signal, the electrical signal having a first curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount of the pressure vessel; monitoring the internal air pressure by an air pressure sensor to obtain an air pressure value, the air pressure value having a second curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount; and comparing the first curve with the second curve to calibrate the electrical signal according to the air pressure value at the same air intake amount.

[0016] Optionally, the method further includes: adjusting the inflation speed to obtain a new first curve and a new second curve to verify the calibration result.

[0017] According to the test system and test method provided by the present invention, the air intake of the pressure vessel is used as a calibration reference to obtain a continuously changing first curve and a second curve, so that the airflow sensor can be calibrated according to the comparison result of the first curve and the second curve. Compared with the prior art that measures the electrical signal provided by the test piece under multiple different preset air pressure values ​​and fits the corresponding air pressure value-electrical signal change curve, the test system provided by the present invention is more sensitive to changes in gas flow and has higher sensitivity, so it can test and calibrate sensors with higher sensitivity requirements. In particular, for electronic atomizers (such as electronic cigarettes), due to the uncertain air intake, an airflow sensor that is more sensitive to airflow is required. The test system and test system provided by the present invention have a more reliable test calibration effect.

[0018] Furthermore, by providing an external groove test position, the influence of the external environment on the test can be avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a test system provided by the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of the testing method provided by the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the accompanying drawings, the same elements are represented by the same or similar reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, the various parts in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0023] At the same time, certain words are used in this specification and claims to refer to specific components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. This specification and claims do not use differences in names as a way to distinguish components, but rather use differences in components' functions as the criteria for distinction.

[0024] It should be understood that in the following description, when a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there can be an intermediate component, and the connection between the components can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. On the contrary, when a component is said to be "directly connected to" another element, it means that there is no intermediate component between the two.

[0025] In addition, it should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, article or equipment including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or equipment. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the statement "comprise one..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or equipment including the elements.

[0026] It should also be noted that, in the various methods and processes of the present invention, the size of the sequence number of the step does not mean the order of execution, nor does it constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] The test system and test method provided by the present invention are used to implement test calibration of an airflow sensor, especially a MEMS airflow sensor with high sensitivity requirements suitable for an electronic atomizer (such as an electronic cigarette).

[0028] Figure 1 FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of the test system provided by the present invention. Figure 1 The test system 10 includes a test device 100 and a processor 200. The test device 100 is used to collect the electrical signal provided by the test piece 20 (i.e., the airflow sensor to be tested) and the air pressure value provided by the air pressure sensor 140, and obtain a first curve and a second curve that continuously change according to the electrical signal and the air pressure value (to be described in detail below). The processor 200 is connected in communication with the test device 100, and is used to receive the first curve and the second curve, so as to calibrate the airflow sensor according to the first curve and the second curve.

[0029] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 The testing device 100 includes a pressure vessel 110, a gas generator 120, a first gas channel 130 connecting the pressure vessel 110 and the gas generator 120, an air pressure sensor 140, a second gas channel 150 connecting the pressure vessel 110 and the air pressure sensor 140, a communication unit 160 and a test fixture 170.

[0030] The pressure vessel 110 is usually a polyhedron. In some embodiments, in order to make the pressure inside the pressure vessel evenly distributed, a rectangular or cube-shaped pressure vessel 110 is usually selected to reduce the test error. In some embodiments, an opening is set on the first side wall of the pressure vessel 110 as a test position. When the airflow sensor is tested and calibrated, the test piece 20 continuously monitors the air pressure change in the pressure vessel 110 through the opening to provide an electrical signal reflecting the existence and strength of the airflow, and obtains a first curve of the electrical signal continuously changing with the air intake amount of the pressure vessel 110.

[0031] In some embodiments, in order to reduce errors during test calibration, a groove 111 is provided on the first side wall, which is recessed from the surface of the first side wall toward the inside of the pressure container 110, and an opening is provided in the groove 111. Figure 1 For ease of operation, the opening is usually set at the bottom of the groove, and in some embodiments, it can also be set at the side wall of the groove. When performing test calibration, the test piece 20 is moved to the opening in the groove 111, and the air pressure change is sensed through the opening, thereby avoiding interference of the external environment on the test.

[0032] During the test calibration process, it is difficult to effectively seal the opening only by the test piece 20, and the direct contact between the test piece 20 and the pressure vessel 110 may cause the test piece 20 to deform, which has an adverse effect on the appearance and product quality of the test piece 20. Therefore, in some embodiments, an elastic sealing ring is provided around the opening, and during the test calibration, the test piece 20 is in direct contact with the elastic sealing ring, and the test piece 20 squeezes the elastic sealing ring to make the two fit tightly, and the pressure vessel 110 is effectively sealed by the joint action of the test piece 20 and the elastic sealing ring, avoiding the influence of gas leakage inside the pressure vessel 110 on the test accuracy, and the elastic sealing ring is elastically deformed under force, avoiding the influence of squeezing on the test piece 20.

[0033] Furthermore, in the embodiment provided by the present invention, since the test position is externally disposed in the pressure vessel 110, the present invention further comprises a test fixture 170, which is used to fix the test piece 20 and move the test piece 20 to the opening (at the beginning of the test) at the beginning of the test. Figure 1 The test piece 20 is removed from the opening when the test is finished.

[0034] The test fixture 170 is electrically connected to the DUT 20 via a probe to collect electrical signals. Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the specific position of the test piece 20 in the groove 111 can be controlled according to the depth of the groove 111, thereby avoiding excessive contact between the probe and the test piece 20 due to excessive compression of the spring inside the probe when the test piece 20 and the elastic sealing ring are excessively squeezed, thereby avoiding shortening the life of the probe, thereby improving the life of the test fixture 170.

[0035] The gas generator 120 is connected to the pressure vessel 110 through the first gas channel 130, and is used to inflate the pressure vessel 110, thereby changing the internal gas pressure of the pressure vessel 110. The first gas channel 130 is connected to the second side wall of the pressure vessel 110. In some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the second side wall and the first side wall are adjacent side walls, so as to prevent the airflow filled into the pressure container 110 from directly impacting the DUT 20 and affecting the reliability of the electrical signal.

[0036] The air pressure sensor 140 is connected to the pressure vessel 110 through the second air passage 150, and is used to continuously monitor the pressure vessel 110 to obtain the air pressure value in the pressure vessel 110, thereby obtaining a second curve of the air pressure value continuously changing with the air intake amount of the pressure vessel 110. The second air passage 150 is connected to the third side wall of the pressure vessel 110. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the third side wall is adjacent to the first side wall. In some other embodiments, the third side wall may also be adjacent to the second side wall to prevent the airflow filled into the pressure container 110 from directly impacting the air pressure sensor and affecting the reliability of the air pressure value. In some embodiments, the length d1 of the second air channel 150 is controlled to be less than a preset length, thereby preventing the overly long second air channel 150 from affecting the accuracy of the air pressure value.

[0037] The processor 200 receives the continuously changing electrical signal provided by the test piece 20 to obtain a first curve, receives the continuously changing air pressure value provided by the air pressure sensor 140 to obtain a second curve, and compares the first curve and the second curve, thereby calibrating the electrical signal according to the air pressure value under the same air intake volume. It should be understood that since the electrical signal and the air pressure value monitored at the same time correspond to the same air intake volume, in some embodiments, the first curve can also be specifically expressed as the relationship between the electrical signal and the inflation time, and the second curve can also be specifically expressed as the relationship between the air pressure value and the inflation time. In other words, the electrical signal monitored at the same time can be calibrated by the air pressure value.

[0038] Further, the communication between the processor 200 and the test device 100 needs to be implemented through the communication unit 160. Specifically, the communication unit 160 is connected to the processor 200 for communication, so as to receive the control instruction of the processor 200 or transmit the electrical signal to the processor 200. Specifically, the communication unit 160 receives the control instruction of the processor 200 to start the gas generator 120 at the beginning of the test or to shut down the gas generator 120 at the end of the test. In addition, the communication unit 160 is connected to the test fixture 170 for communication via the signal line, so as to control the test fixture 170 to move the test piece 20 to the test position at the beginning of the test according to the control instruction, and to move the test piece 20 out of the test position at the end of the test. During the test, the electrical signal is transmitted to the processor via the probe, the signal line and the communication unit 160.

[0039] In addition, in some embodiments, after the test piece 20 is tested and calibrated, the gas generation speed of the gas generator 120 is adjusted (i.e., the inflation speed of the pressure device 110 is adjusted) to verify the calibration results at different speeds. Therefore, the communication unit 160 also controls the gas generator 120 to adjust the inflation speed according to the control instruction of the processor 200.

[0040] It should be understood that the communication unit 160 can realize the above functions through the controller chip, digital-to-analog conversion chip and related peripheral circuits of the prior art. Specifically, the controller chip can be, for example, a single-chip microcomputer chip or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, which will not be described in detail here. In addition, the processor 200 is, for example, a computer, and the comparison and calibration of the first curve and the second curve are realized through the data analysis software in the prior art, and the present invention will not be specifically limited.

[0041] According to the test system provided by the present invention, the air intake of the pressure vessel is used as a calibration reference to obtain a continuously changing first curve and a second curve, so that the airflow sensor can be calibrated according to the comparison result of the first curve and the second curve. Compared with the prior art, by measuring the electrical signal provided by the test piece under multiple different preset air pressure values ​​and fitting the corresponding air pressure value-electrical signal change curve, the test system provided by the present invention is more sensitive to changes in gas flow and has higher sensitivity, so it can test and calibrate sensors with higher sensitivity requirements. In particular, for electronic atomizers (such as electronic cigarettes), due to the uncertain air intake, an airflow sensor that is more sensitive to airflow is required. The test system provided by the present invention has a more reliable test calibration effect.

[0042] Furthermore, by providing an external groove test position, the influence of the external environment on the test can be avoided.

[0043] The present invention also provides a testing method for performing calibration testing on the airflow sensor. Figure 2A schematic flow chart of a test method is shown, which can be implemented, for example, by the test system or test system provided by the present invention. Figure 2 , the test method specifically includes the following steps:

[0044] Step S11, filling the pressure vessel with air;

[0045] Step S12, monitoring the internal air pressure of the pressure vessel through the test piece to obtain an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal has a first curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount of the pressure vessel;

[0046] Step S13, monitoring the internal air pressure of the pressure container by means of an air pressure sensor to obtain an air pressure value, wherein the air pressure value has a second curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount; and

[0047] Step S14, comparing the first curve and the second curve (ie, comparing the electrical signal and the air pressure value at the same time) to calibrate the electrical signal according to the air pressure value under the same air intake amount.

[0048] According to the test method provided by the present invention, the air intake of the pressure vessel is used as a calibration reference to obtain a continuously changing first curve and a second curve, so that the airflow sensor can be calibrated according to the comparison result of the first curve and the second curve. Compared with the prior art that measures the electrical signal provided by the test piece under multiple different preset air pressure values ​​and fits the corresponding air pressure value-electrical signal change curve, the test method provided by the present invention is more sensitive to changes in gas flow and has higher sensitivity, so it can test and calibrate sensors with higher sensitivity requirements. In particular, for electronic atomizers (such as electronic cigarettes), due to the uncertain air intake, an airflow sensor that is more sensitive to airflow is required. The test system and test system provided by the present invention have a more reliable test calibration effect.

[0049] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the test method further includes step S15, adjusting the inflation speed to regain the first curve and the second curve to verify the calibration result, thereby further improving the reliability of the test calibration result.

[0050] According to the embodiments of the present invention, as described above, these embodiments do not describe all the details in detail, nor do they limit the present invention to specific embodiments. Obviously, many modifications and changes can be made based on the above description. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments in order to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art can make good use of the present invention and the modified use based on the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A test system for calibrating an airflow sensor, wherein: include: Pressure vessels, used to provide a pressure environment; a gas generator for inflating the pressure vessel to change the internal gas pressure of the pressure vessel, wherein the gas flow sensor monitors the internal gas pressure to obtain an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal has a first curve that continuously changes with the gas intake amount of the pressure vessel; an air pressure sensor for monitoring the internal air pressure to obtain an air pressure value, the air pressure value having a second curve that continuously changes with the intake air amount; as well as The processor is used to receive the electrical signal and the air pressure value to calibrate the electrical signal according to the air pressure value under the same intake air volume.

2. The test system according to claim 1, wherein: The first side wall of the pressure container is provided with an opening, and the airflow sensor monitors the pressure container via the opening.

3. The test system according to claim 2, wherein: The first side wall of the pressure container is provided with a groove which is sunken from the first side wall into the pressure container, and the opening is located at the bottom surface of the groove.

4. The test system according to claim 3, wherein: An elastic sealing ring is arranged at the opening and surrounds the opening.

5. The test system according to claim 2, wherein: It also includes a communication unit for receiving a control instruction provided by the processor to start / stop the gas generator or adjust the inflation speed, and for transmitting the electrical signal to the processor.

6. The test system according to claim 5, wherein: It also includes a test fixture connected to the communication unit via a signal line, which is used to fix the airflow sensor and to move the airflow sensor to or away from the opening. The test fixture is electrically connected to the airflow sensor via a probe, and the electrical signal is transmitted to the processor via the probe, the signal line and the communication unit.

7. The test system according to claim 2, wherein: The gas generator is communicated with the pressure container via a first gas passage, and the air pressure sensor is communicated with the pressure container via a second gas passage.

8. The test system according to claim 7, wherein: The first gas channel is connected to the second side wall of the pressure container, the second gas channel is connected to the third side wall of the pressure container, and the first side wall is adjacent to the second side wall and / or the third side wall.

9. A test method for calibrating an airflow sensor, wherein: include: Filling the pressure vessel with gas; monitoring the internal air pressure of the pressure vessel by the air flow sensor to obtain an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal has a first curve that continuously changes with the air intake amount of the pressure vessel; Monitoring the internal air pressure by an air pressure sensor to obtain an air pressure value, wherein the air pressure value has a second curve that continuously changes with the intake air amount; as well as The first curve and the second curve are compared to calibrate the electrical signal according to the air pressure value under the same intake air volume.

10. The testing method according to claim 9, wherein: The method also includes: adjusting the inflation speed to obtain a new first curve and a new second curve to verify the calibration result.

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