Relay fault detection device in PCB board

CN224758678UActive Publication Date: 2026-09-15PIOTECH (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202521639084.3
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-08-01
Publication Date
2026-09-15
Estimated Expiration
2035-08-01

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies are as follows: By integrating a control unit, a selection unit, and an indicator unit into one unit, this invention achieves rapid and accurate detection of the status of relays inside a PCB board. The selection unit allows the user to choose whether to activate fault detection, generating an input signal; the control unit outputs corresponding control commands based on this input signal, causing the relay under test to perform an action; the indicator unit visually displays the working status of the relay through the on/off state of an LED, thereby quickly determining whether the relay is faulty. This design not only significantly reduces the manpower and material costs caused by disassembly and reassembly required by traditional detection methods and improves maintenance efficiency, but also effectively ensures the stable operation of the production line, reduces downtime caused by equipment failures, and ensures the continuity and reliability of the production process.

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Abstract

The utility model discloses a relay fault detection device in PCB board, include: control unit, selection unit and instruction unit, selection unit is connected with control unit, and control unit connects the relay of detection, instruction unit is connected in parallel with the relay of detection, selection unit is used for selecting whether starting relay fault detection, forms input signal, control unit is used for according to input signal output corresponding control signal, to make the relay of detection work, instruction unit is used for through the bright and dark display relay's fault situation of detection, through the device of implementation of the utility model can realize detecting the relay state in PCB board, can significantly reduce maintenance cost, improve maintenance efficiency, can also effectively guarantee the stable operation of production line, reduce the downtime caused by equipment failure.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electronic equipment technology, and in particular to a relay fault detection device in a PCB board. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, it is difficult to accurately determine whether a printed circuit board (PCB) meets requirements before it is installed on the target machine. This is especially true for critical components like relays, where their reliability and expected lifespan in practical applications cannot be verified offline. This limitation not only increases the difficulty of verifying newly selected PCBs but also poses challenges to production efficiency and product quality control. Due to the lack of effective pre-installation testing methods, potential problems are often only discovered after the PCB has been integrated into the system and operated for a period of time. For example, some relays may perform normally in the initial testing phase but fail under prolonged use or specific operating conditions, thus affecting the stability and reliability of the entire system.

[0003] The aforementioned challenges become even more pronounced when it comes to the execution of valve switching commands after software updates during machine operation. Specifically, if a valve switching command fails to produce a corresponding action, quickly and accurately locating the problem becomes a pressing issue. The traditional approach involves disassembling the PCB board to check the internal components, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also requires powering off and cooling the machine, severely impacting the stability of process parameters and continuous production. Furthermore, this method significantly increases the workload of maintenance personnel and may lead to unnecessary interference or damage to other related components.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a new device to detect the status of relays inside the PCB board, which can significantly reduce maintenance costs, improve maintenance efficiency, effectively ensure the stable operation of the production line, and reduce downtime caused by equipment failure. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a relay fault detection device for PCB boards.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the purpose of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: providing a relay fault detection device in a PCB board, comprising: a control unit, a selection unit, and an indicator unit; the selection unit is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the relay to be detected; the indicator unit is connected in parallel with the relay to be detected; the selection unit is used to select whether to activate relay fault detection, forming an input signal; the control unit is used to output a corresponding control signal according to the input signal, so that the relay to be detected can work; the indicator unit is used to display the fault status of the relay to be detected by turning it on and off.

[0007] A further technical solution is as follows: the selection unit includes a segment switch.

[0008] The further technical solution is as follows: the segment switch includes a switching relay.

[0009] The further technical solution is as follows: the selection unit is connected to the first power supply through a start relay, wherein the closing or opening of the start relay is determined by the selection unit.

[0010] A further technical solution is as follows: the starting relay is also connected to a second power source, which is connected to the control unit.

[0011] A further technical solution is that the control unit is connected to the selection unit via a switch.

[0012] A further technical solution is as follows: the switching device includes a first transistor and a second transistor, the emitter of the first transistor is connected to the base of the second transistor; the base of the second transistor is connected to the selection switch.

[0013] The further technical solution is as follows: the relay to be tested is also connected to a loop relay, and the loop relay is connected to the control unit.

[0014] The further technical solution is as follows: the control unit includes a microcontroller.

[0015] A further technical solution is that the indicating unit includes an indicator light.

[0016] The advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies are as follows: By integrating a control unit, a selection unit, and an indicator unit into one unit, this invention achieves rapid and accurate detection of the status of relays inside a PCB board. The selection unit allows the user to choose whether to activate fault detection, generating an input signal; the control unit outputs corresponding control commands based on this input signal, causing the relay under test to perform an action; the indicator unit visually displays the working status of the relay through the on / off state of an LED, thereby quickly determining whether the relay is faulty. This design not only significantly reduces the manpower and material costs caused by disassembly and reassembly required by traditional detection methods and improves maintenance efficiency, but also effectively ensures the stable operation of the production line, reduces downtime caused by equipment failures, and ensures the continuity and reliability of the production process.

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a relay fault detection device in a PCB board provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 A detailed circuit diagram of the relay fault detection device in the PCB board provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0021] Explanation of the markings in the image:

[0022] 10. Control unit; 20. Selection unit; 30. Indication unit. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0025] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0026] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0027] Currently, it is difficult to accurately assess the overall quality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) before installation on target equipment, especially since the reliability and expected lifespan of relays cannot be verified offline. This increases the difficulty of verifying newly selected PCBs and poses challenges to production efficiency and product quality control. The issue of valve body switching command execution problems after software updates has exacerbated this situation. Traditional solutions require disassembling the PCB for inspection, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, affecting the stability of process parameters and continuous production processes, but also increases the maintenance burden and may damage other components.

[0028] Therefore, this utility model provides a relay fault detection device in a PCB board, which can detect the status of relays inside the PCB board, significantly reduce maintenance costs, improve maintenance efficiency, effectively ensure the stable operation of the production line, and reduce downtime caused by equipment failure.

[0029] Specifically, the rapid and accurate detection of relay status is achieved through the coordinated operation of the control unit 10, selection unit 20, and indicator unit 30. The selection unit 20 is used to start or stop the detection process, and the control unit 10 outputs corresponding control signals based on the input signals to drive the relay under test. The indicator unit 30 visually displays the relay's operating status or fault condition by turning on and off. Furthermore, this device utilizes a microcontroller as the core control unit 10, combined with a switching device composed of a first transistor and a second transistor, and a loop relay, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the detection process. This design not only significantly reduces maintenance costs and complexity but also effectively ensures the stable operation of the production line and reduces downtime caused by equipment failures.

[0030] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0031] Please see Figure 1 The relay fault detection device in the PCB board includes: a control unit 10, a selection unit 20, and an indicator unit 30. The selection unit 20 is connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 is connected to the relay KA1 to be tested. The indicator unit 30 is connected in parallel with the relay KA1 to be tested. The selection unit 20 is used to select whether to start the relay fault detection and generate an input signal. The control unit 10 is used to output a corresponding control signal according to the input signal so that the relay to be tested can work. The indicator unit 30 is used to display the fault status of the relay KA1 to be tested by turning it on and off.

[0032] The control unit 10 is responsible for processing the input signals from the selection unit 20 and outputting corresponding control signals to activate the working state of the relay KA1 under test. In addition, the control unit 10 is also connected to a host computer (such as an industrial control computer PMC) via serial communication, so that maintenance personnel can view the status of each detection point in real time through monitoring and debugging software, with green indicating a signal and gray indicating no signal.

[0033] Selection unit 20 allows the user to choose whether to activate the relay fault detection process. When selection unit 20 is set to the "ON" state, the detection mode is activated; conversely, the "OFF" state means that the relay is in normal operating mode. This design allows users to perform maintenance and testing without affecting the normal operation of the equipment.

[0034] The indicating unit 30 is installed in parallel with the relay KA1 under test. The function of the indicating unit 30 is to visually display the operating status or fault condition of the relay under test through the on / off state of the LED. For example, if the LED remains lit, it indicates that the relay is operating normally under standard operating conditions; if the LED is off, it may indicate that the relay is faulty.

[0035] The entire device not only solves the problem of verifying the quality of new PCB boards before they are installed on the machine, but also tests whether the service life of newly selected relays meets the requirements. More importantly, it simplifies the monitoring process of the health status of relays in the deployed system without disassembling the PCB board or interrupting the process flow, greatly reducing maintenance costs and complexity, and improving the stability and efficiency of the production line. Therefore, the device in this embodiment is of great significance for improving the reliability and maintenance convenience of electronic equipment.

[0036] In one embodiment, the selection unit 20 described above includes a selector switch. This allows the user to selectively activate or disable the relay detection function without interfering with the normal operation of the PCB board.

[0037] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned selector switch includes a switching relay KA2. Its function is achieved through the switching relay KA2. In this scheme, the switching relay KA2 is used not only as a physical switch but also as a key component for signal conversion, enabling the entire system to flexibly switch between two modes: normal process operation and relay detection mode.

[0038] Specifically, when the switching relay KA2 is switched to the OFF state (normally closed contact is closed):

[0039] The relay is in normal operating condition. At this time, relay KA2 is not activated, meaning the detection circuit will not start. All components on the PCB board operate according to the preset process to ensure that the production process is not affected.

[0040] When the switching relay KA2 is switched to the ON position (normally open contact is connected): the system enters the relay detection mode, the switching relay KA2 is activated, and a series of chain reactions occur.

[0041] First, relay KA3 is energized and its normally open contact KA3-1 is turned on, providing the necessary 5V DC voltage to control unit 10, so that control unit 10 port receives the input signal of the start detection device.

[0042] Next, the control unit 10 outputs a corresponding detection signal from the P3 port according to the input signal, drives the transistor VT1 to conduct, and further causes the relay KA2 to be energized and engaged.

[0043] Subsequently, the normally open contact KA2-1 of relay KA2 is turned on, which energizes the relay KA1 to be tested, causing relay KA4 to be turned on. Finally, the P4 port of the microcontroller receives the signal that the normally open contact of relay KA4 is turned on.

[0044] Finally, the state of LED E1 will directly reflect the working condition of relay KA1: if the LED is lit, it indicates that the working conditions of relay KA1 are met; otherwise, if the LED is off, it indicates that there may be a fault.

[0045] By cleverly utilizing the switching relay KA2 as a segment selector switch, convenient control of the relay detection device is achieved. Simultaneously, intuitive fault diagnosis information is provided through the indicator unit 30 (such as LED E1), greatly facilitating operation for maintenance personnel and reducing unnecessary downtime. Furthermore, this method is also applicable to the quality inspection of new PCB boards and the verification of relay lifespan, improving the overall system reliability and maintenance efficiency.

[0046] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The selection unit 20 is connected to the first power supply via the start relay KA3, wherein the closing or opening of the start relay KA3 is determined by the selection unit 20.

[0047] In this embodiment, the selection unit 20 controls the closed or open state of the starting relay KA3. When the selection unit 20 decides to activate the relay detection device, it causes the starting relay KA3 to close, thereby connecting it to the first power supply. This step allows the entire detection circuit to obtain the necessary power for subsequent operations.

[0048] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned start relay KA3 is also connected to a second power supply, which is connected to the control unit 10.

[0049] This second power supply directly powers the control unit 10. This means that even without activating the relay detection device, the control unit 10 can remain operational, ready to respond to commands issued by the selection unit 20.

[0050] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned control unit 10 is connected to the selection unit 20 via a switch.

[0051] In this example, the control unit 10 is composed of a single-chip microcomputer STM32, which is connected to the selection unit 20 through a series of switches (such as the first transistor VT1 and the second transistor VT2).

[0052] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned switching components include a first transistor VT1 and a second transistor VT2. The emitter of the first transistor VT1 is connected to the base of the second transistor VT2; the base of the second transistor VT2 is connected to a selection switch. This connection method ensures that the signal from the selection unit 20 can effectively drive the microcontroller in the control unit 10 and trigger corresponding actions. For example, when the selection unit 20 activates the detection mode, the first transistor VT1 will be turned on, which in turn will turn on the second transistor VT2, ultimately sending a clear operation command to the control unit 10.

[0053] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned relay KA1 under test is also connected to a loop relay KA4, which is connected to the control unit 10. During the testing process, once it is confirmed that the relay KA1 is working normally, the loop relay KA4 will be activated, forming a complete closed circuit. This mechanism not only verifies the functional integrity of the relay KA1 under test but also provides a basis for subsequent logical judgments.

[0054] Control unit 10 determines whether KA4 is correctly engaged by monitoring the status of port P4, thereby indirectly confirming the working status of KA1.

[0055] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned control unit 10 includes a microcontroller.

[0056] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned indicator unit 30 includes indicator lights.

[0057] Indicator light E1, as part of the indicating unit 30, visually reflects the operating status of the relay KA1 under test. If E1 is lit, it indicates that KA1 is operating under normal conditions; conversely, if E1 is off, it suggests a possible fault.

[0058] In summary, this design, through the ingenious combination of selection unit 20, start relay, control unit 10, and indicator unit 30, enables comprehensive and convenient testing of relays on the PCB board. It not only improves testing efficiency and reduces equipment maintenance time, but also mitigates the risk of process parameter changes caused by PCB board removal.

[0059] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 When the selected switch is in the "off" position, that is, the normally closed contact of K2 is closed, the relay KA1 is in normal working condition and does not perform any detection operation.

[0060] When the selected switch is turned to the "on" position, the normally open contact of K2 is closed, energizing the relay KA3 and causing its normally open contact KA3-1 to conduct. This allows the microcontroller to obtain a DC 5V operating voltage, and the P1 port receives a signal to activate the detection device.

[0061] The microcontroller's P3 port then outputs a detection signal, driving transistor VT1 to conduct, which in turn energizes the switching relay KA2 and drives transistor VT2 to conduct.

[0062] When VT2 is turned on, an input signal will be generated at port P2. At the same time, when the switching relay KA2 is energized, the normally open contact KA2-1 will be turned on, thereby turning on the relay KA1 to be tested.

[0063] When the relay KA1 to be tested is turned on, its normally open contact will also be turned on, causing the circuit relay KA4 to be energized, which in turn causes the microcontroller P4 port to receive the input signal.

[0064] The microcontroller on the PCB board is connected to the PMC (industrial control computer) via serial communication. The monitoring and debugging software can be opened on the host computer to view the color status of each point P1, P2, P3, and P4 (green represents a signal, and gray represents no signal).

[0065] In this embodiment, P1 in the figure represents the signal to enable the relay detection device; P3 represents the output relay start signal; P2 represents the signal for normal relay operation; and P4 represents the signal for the normally open contact of the relay to close.

[0066] If indicator light E1 is lit, it means that the relay KA1 under test meets the normal operating conditions; otherwise, it indicates that there is a problem.

[0067] The device in this embodiment greatly reduces the impact on the machine when troubleshooting problems, avoids power outages and cooling caused by disassembling PCB boards, and helps to maintain stable process parameters; it can perform preliminary quality assessments on new PCB boards before they are installed on the machine, improving production efficiency; and it can test the lifespan of newly selected relays to ensure that the selected relays can meet the actual application requirements.

[0068] The aforementioned relay fault detection device for PCB boards integrates a control unit 10, a selection unit 20, and an indicator unit 30 into a single unit, enabling rapid and accurate detection of the status of relays within the PCB board. The selection unit 20 allows the user to choose whether to activate fault detection, generating an input signal. The control unit 10 outputs corresponding control commands based on this input signal, causing the relay under test to perform an action. The indicator unit 30 visually displays the relay's operating status through the illumination of LEDs, thus quickly determining whether a relay is faulty. This design not only significantly reduces the manpower and material costs associated with disassembly and reassembly required by traditional detection methods, improving maintenance efficiency, but also effectively ensures the stable operation of the production line, reduces downtime caused by equipment failures, and ensures the continuity and reliability of the production process.

[0069] This solution not only solved the original technical problems, but also optimized the testing process and improved work efficiency.

[0070] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A relay fault detection device in a PCB board, characterized in that, include: The system includes a control unit, a selection unit, and an indicator unit, wherein the selection unit is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the relay to be tested. The indicator unit is connected in parallel with the relay to be detected; The selection unit is used to select whether to activate relay fault detection and generate an input signal; the control unit is used to output a corresponding control signal according to the input signal so that the relay to be detected can work. The indicator unit is used to display the fault status of the relay under test by turning it on and off.

2. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The selection unit includes a segment switch.

3. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 2, characterized in that, The segment switch includes a switching relay.

4. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 3, characterized in that, The selection unit is connected to a first power source via a start relay, wherein the closing or opening of the start relay is determined by the selection unit.

5. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 4, characterized in that, The start relay is also connected to a second power source, which is connected to the control unit.

6. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit is connected to the selection unit via a switch.

7. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 6, characterized in that, The switching device includes a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein the emitter of the first transistor is connected to the base of the second transistor; and the base of the second transistor is connected to the selection unit.

8. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relay to be tested is also connected to a loop relay, which is connected to the control unit.

9. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit includes a microcontroller.

10. The relay fault detection device in a PCB board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indicating unit includes indicator lights.