Automated test bench with a device / equipment support.

Abstract

Automated test bench comprising a support for apparatus / equipment The invention essentially consists of providing a test bench support which makes it possible to hold an apparatus / equipment to be tested in two mutually perpendicular directions, for a wide variety of apparatus / equipment formats. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Automated test bench comprising a support for apparatus / equipment. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automated test benches for devices / equipment.

[0002] It aims to improve existing test benches by proposing an automated, non-intrusive test bench, intended to carry out mechanical and / or software and / or visual and / or sound tests of the human-machine interface of a device / equipment, such as electronic equipment equipped with a human-machine interface comprising a screen and a keyboard, the latter being able to be combined in the case of a touch screen.

[0003] The invention aims more specifically to improve the fixing of the apparatus / equipment on the test bench.

[0004] Among the devices and equipment that can be subjected to an automated test bench as envisaged within the framework of the invention, we can cite smartphones, tablets, weighing indicators, payment terminals, dashboards or even portable medical instruments. Prior art

[0005] It is known to implement functional or endurance tests of human-machine interfaces implementing the keyboard and / or the screen and / or the standard software application of a device / equipment with the external environment.

[0006] Among these existing automated testing solutions, patent FR3086406B1 discloses an automated, non-intrusive test bench, configured to carry out mechanical and / or software and / or sound tests of human-machine interfaces of a device / equipment to be tested.

[0007] A test bench as described in this patent is shown in Figures 1 and 2. [Fig. 1] is a perspective view with transparency of an example of an automated test bench, generally designated by the reference 1. [Fig. 2] illustrates in side view the test bench 1.

[0008] The test bench 1 consists of a module with a frame 10 assembled from a plurality of profiles and which is provided with feet 12.

[0009] A central unit 2, an enclosure 3, an electrical control box 4 of the central unit and an external connection 5, preferably a 220V power supply connection and / or an Ethernet type connection are fixed to the frame 10.

[0010] The bottom of the enclosure 3 comprises a support 6 which makes it possible to maintain the device to be tested in a fixed reference position, during test sequences.

[0011] Another power supply connector 7 which can supply the device / equipment to be tested and be controlled is arranged near the support 6.

[0012] The enclosure 3 comprises a plurality of transparent walls 30, one of which can open and constitutes, for an operator, secure access to the support 6 from the outside. To facilitate access, the access wall 30 is provided with a handle P.

[0013] Electronic means 31 allowing the power supplies to be cut off and, if necessary, the locking / unlocking of the access door are provided. In addition, an emergency button 32 fixed to the frame 10 near the access door allows an operator to interrupt any test in the event of an emergency.

[0014] A three-axis (X, Y, Z) gantry 8 is fixed inside the enclosure 3.

[0015] A feeler 9 is fixed to the gantry 8 which can therefore move the feeler 9 in translation. along each of the three axes X, Y and Z. The probe 9 can therefore come into contact as desired with any area of the device during the test(s), each contact area constituting an acquisition interface (HMI).

[0016] A camera 13 is also fixed to the gantry 8. This camera allows images and / or videos to be taken of the device / equipment, more particularly of the interface(s) (HMI) for visual restitution of the device / equipment, during the test(s).

[0017] To control the lighting conditions inside the enclosure and therefore increase the quality of the image and / or video captures from the camera 13, lighting means 14 of the support of the apparatus / equipment are fixed to the frame 10.

[0018] The central unit 2 can control the switching on, switching off and, where appropriate, the adjustment of the intensity of the beam F of the lighting means 14 during the test sequence(s) of the device / equipment.

[0019] A microphone 15 is fixed inside the enclosure 3. This microphone 15 is adapted to pick up the sounds emitted by at least one sound reproduction interface of the device / equipment, during the test(s).

[0020] The operation of the test bench 1 which has just been described will now be briefly explained.

[0021] The operator positions and, if necessary, fixes the device / equipment to be tested on the support 6.

[0022] Then, he connects a power supply of the device / equipment to be tested to the power socket 7 which the central unit 2 can control.

[0023] The operator then closes the access door 30 of the enclosure 3 which is locked by the ad hoc means 31.

[0024] A test sequence of the device / equipment can then be initiated.

[0025] A control-command software loaded in the central unit 2 has already retrieved or retrieves the list of tests to be executed in a dedicated language.

[0026] The software then controls and synchronizes all or part of the internal components to the enclosure 3 according to a predefined test sequence: the three-axis gantry 8 and therefore the probe 9, the camera 13 and where applicable the lighting means 14, the microphone 15, and where applicable the power supply socket.

[0027] The software then retrieves the functional information of the device / equipment under test.

[0028] In particular, the software can perform processing of images from the camera 13 preferably with OCR character recognition, 7 segments, 16 segments, and / or color recognition, and / or shape recognition, and / or icon recognition.

[0029] In addition, the software can perform processing of the sounds emitted by the device / equipment under test, in order to distinguish operations from the HMIs.

[0030] Ultimately, the software allows the results and traces of the tests executed to be uploaded in a dedicated format, which can be recorded in one or more files in the central unit 2 or in an external recording medium via the external connection 5.

[0031] The test bench 1 which has just been described requires significant intervention by the operator to fix the device / equipment tested on the support 6. Indeed, the operator must change the fixing system each time a different model of device / equipment is tested. This results in a significant replacement time as well as risks of human errors in the choice or installation of the fixing system.

[0032] It is known to implement supports for electronic devices: patent US9473607B2 describes for example a smartphone support for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. Application US20210005368A1 discloses a magnetic support for an electronic device. These solutions are however not suitable for use on a test bench because they are considered not industrial enough.

[0033] There is therefore a need to propose a device / equipment support solution for a test bench which overcomes the drawbacks of existing solutions, in particular by making it possible to simplify the installation of a device / equipment on the test bench and

[0034] The aim of the invention is to at least partially meet this need. Statement of the invention

[0035] To do this, the invention relates, in one of its aspects, to a test bench for an apparatus / equipment, comprising a support configured to fix the apparatus / equipment, the support comprising:

[0036] - a holding device configured to hold the apparatus / equipment including: • a support piece moving in translation along a Y axis, • at least one stop, • an elastic member exerting a force on the support piece in the direction of the stop to hold the device / equipment between the support piece and the stop,

[0037] - a clamp comprising two jaws movable towards each other to clamp the device / equipment, along an X axis perpendicular to the Y axis.

[0038] Thus, the invention essentially consists of proposing a test bench support which makes it possible to hold a device / equipment to be tested in two mutually perpendicular directions, for a wide variety of device / equipment formats.

[0039] The solution according to the invention makes it possible to reliably and repeatably fix the device / equipment to be tested in position.

[0040] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to fix devices / equipment of different sizes and formats without changing parts and without requiring specific tooling. This makes it possible to facilitate and accelerate the change of device / equipment on the test bench and to reduce the risk of human errors. This also ensures the repeatability of the positioning to the nearest millimeter.

[0041] According to an advantageous characteristic, the test bench comprises a holding sole arranged on an upper surface of the holding device and configured to receive the apparatus / equipment, the holding sole preferably being made of polyoxymethylene. The holding sole makes it possible in particular to adapt the support to apparatus / equipment of different heights and to facilitate the installation of the apparatus / equipment on the support.

[0042] Preferably, the stop is arranged on the support sole.

[0043] According to another advantageous characteristic, the support further comprises an anti-vibration sole arranged in contact with the test bench and configured to limit the transmission of vibrations between the test bench and the apparatus / equipment, the anti-vibration sole preferably being made of polypropylene.

[0044] Advantageously, the support further comprises a brightness sensor configured to detect light emitted by a flash of the device / equipment.

[0045] The support may also comprise a vibration sensor arranged to be in contact with the apparatus / equipment when the apparatus / equipment is fixed on the support and configured to convert a vibration of the apparatus / equipment into an analog signal.

[0046] According to a variant, the support comprises a cable insertion module configured to receive a cable comprising a plug, the cable insertion module being movable between an insertion position in which the plug of the cable is inserted into a corresponding socket of the apparatus / equipment fixed on the support and a withdrawal position.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the test bench comprises a device mechanical, preferably a six-axis robot, configured to move the device / equipment between the support and a storage location.

[0048] Preferably, the jaws of the clamp are fixed to the body of the clamp in a removable manner, preferably by screws. This makes it possible to simplify maintenance of the support and possibly to adapt the support to devices / equipment of dimensions not compatible with a given set of jaws.

[0049] The invention also relates to a method for fixing an apparatus / equipment on the support of a test bench according to the invention, comprising the steps consisting of:

[0050] a / arranging the apparatus / equipment in the holding device so as to hold the apparatus / equipment between the support piece and the stop along the Y axis;

[0051] b / bring the jaws of the clamp together in order to clamp the device / equipment being held, along the X axis.

[0052] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the following figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0053] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an automated test bench according to the state of art.

[0054] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of the test bench of [Fig.l].

[0055] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a test bench support according to the invention.

[0056] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view of the support of [Fig.3] without certain parts.

[0057] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of the support of [Fig.3] on which a device is fixed / equipment.

[0058] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view of the support of [Fig.3] on which is fixed a device / equipment of dimensions different from that of [Fig.5].

[0059] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a detailed view of the support sole of a test bench support according to the invention.

[0060] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a detailed view of the cable insertion module of a test bench support according to the invention.

[0061] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a view of the support of [Fig.3] having an appliance / equipment being installed.

[0062] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a view of the support of [Fig.3] having an apparatus / equipment in a configuration fixed on the support. Detailed description

[0063] Throughout the present application, the terms “horizontal” and “upper” are to be understood with reference to a test bench according to the invention arranged in the operating position, the apparatus / equipment fixed on the support being kept flat in the horizontal plane.

[0064] Figures 1 and 2 have already been commented on in the preamble and will therefore not be described below.

[0065] [Fig. 3] illustrates a test bench support 6 according to the invention intended to be fixed on a test bench such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The test bench may in particular comprise a probe, a camera and a microphone intended to test the functions of a device / equipment.

[0066] The support 6 comprises a clamp 100 having two jaws 101 aligned along an axis X. Each jaw 101 comprises two gripping ends 102. The jaws 101 of the clamp 100 make it possible to center and maintain between the device / equipment placed on the support.

[0067] Preferably, the jaws 101 are fixed to the body of the clamp 100 in a detachable manner, for example by screws. This makes it possible to simplify the changing of the jaws and therefore their maintenance as well as their adaptation to different models of devices / equipment, in particular to take into account the variable dimensions of these models.

[0068] The gripping ends 102 are configured to hold the apparatus / equipment in place and are preferably made of a low hardness material so as not to damage the apparatus / equipment, such as polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0069] The support 6 also comprises a holding device 103 arranged between the jaws 101.

[0070] The holding device 103 comprises an upper surface 104 which extends along an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X in the horizontal plane. At one end of the upper surface 104, the holding device 103 comprises a support piece 105 slidably mounted on two rods 106 extending along the axis Y. The support piece 105 is subjected to an elastic force in the direction of the support surface. The elastic force is exerted by an elastic member 107 such as two helical springs each arranged around a rod 106. The helical springs bear on one side on supports 108 secured to the rod 106 and on the other on the support piece 105.

[0071] A holding sole 109 is disposed on the upper surface 104 to receive the apparatus / equipment 120. Holding soles 109 of different thicknesses may be used to adapt the support 6 to apparatus / equipment of different thicknesses. The holding sole 109 may advantageously be configured to facilitate the positioning of the apparatus / equipment by its geometry.

[0072] Preferably, the support sole 109 is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) in order to limit the risks of damaging the device / equipment.

[0073] As shown in [Fig.5], the apparatus / equipment 120 under test is arranged on the holding sole 109. The support 6 may however not include a holding sole 109, the apparatus / equipment 120 then being placed directly on the upper surface 104.

[0074] The holding sole 109 is shown in isolation in [Fig. 7]. It may advantageously comprise stops 110 which project from the surface of the sole. The stops 110 are arranged near an end of the holding sole opposite the support piece 105 and are configured to block the apparatus / equipment 120 under test in a given position along the Y axis when the support piece 105 exerts a force on the apparatus / equipment 120 in the direction of the stops 110.

[0075] Alternatively, the stops 110 may be arranged on the bearing surface 104 or on another element of the support 6.

[0076] The position of the stops 110 depends in particular on the dimensions of the device / equipment 120 and those of the support 6.

[0077] Advantageously, the support surface 104 and the holding sole 109 may comprise through openings aligned and configured to receive a vibration sensor 111. The vibration sensor 111 is configured to be in contact with the device / equipment 120 when the latter is fixed on the support so as to detect vibrations produced by the device / equipment.

[0078] Advantageously, a signal processing algorithm can be implemented to detect characteristic vibration profiles in the signals captured by the vibration sensor 111.

[0079] The support 6 also comprises a cable insertion module 112 mounted on a support block 115. The support block 115 and the cable insertion module 112 are arranged in proximity to one or more sockets of the appliance / equipment 120 configured to receive the plug of a corresponding cable when the appliance / equipment is fixed on the support.

[0080] The module 112 is configured to guide a cable 119 such as a power cable and allow its insertion into the corresponding socket of the device / equipment 120. [Fig.8] is a detail view of the module 112 housing the cable 119. The module 112 allows the power supply electrical connection to be guided directly without the possibility of the user making a mistake.

[0081] Preferably, the support 6 comprises a brightness sensor 114 configured to detect the light emitted by the flash of a device / equipment.

[0082] The support 6 advantageously comprises an anti-vibration sole 113 intended to be arranged in contact with the test bench and configured to minimize the transmission of vibrations between the test bench and the apparatus / equipment 120. The other elements of the support 6 are arranged on the anti-vibration sole 113.

[0083] [Fig.4] shows the support 6 of [Fig.3], the holding sole 109 and the cable insertion module 112 being removed.

[0084] Figures 5 and 6 show the support 6 of [Fig.3], smartphones 120 of different dimensions being fixed on the support 6. Operation

[0085] Initially, as shown in [Fig.3], the jaws 101 of the gripper 100 are in a spaced position to allow the operator or a mechanical device such as a six-axis robot to deposit the apparatus / equipment 120 between the jaws on the holding sole 109 arranged on the upper surface 104 of the holding device 103.

[0086] The module 112, the vibration sensor 111 and the brightness sensor 114 are installed on the support if they are not already installed.

[0087] The apparatus / equipment 120 is then placed on the holding sole 109. To do this, the support piece 105 is moved away from the upper surface 104 in order to leave sufficient space for the apparatus / equipment 120. Preferably, the support piece 105 is moved away by an edge of the apparatus / equipment pushed against the support piece 105.

[0088] As shown in [Fig.9], the restoring force exerted by the helical springs 107 then allows the support piece 105 to exert a force on the apparatus / equipment 120 pressing the latter against the stops 110.

[0089] The device / equipment is then held in place along the Y axis.

[0090] Once the device / equipment 120 is in place between the support piece 105 and the stops 110, the jaws 101 of the gripper 100 are brought together in order to center and clamp the apparatus / equipment 120 along the X axis. The gripper is configured to hold the apparatus / equipment with sufficient force so that the latter remains stationary during the tests carried out by the test bench, without damaging it.

[0091] For example, a force of between 10 N and 50 N is advantageously applied by the clamp 100 to the device / equipment.

[0092] The precision of the positioning of the apparatus / equipment 120 along the Y axis by the holding device 103 and along the X axis by the clamp 100 is preferably between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm, for example 0.1 mm.

[0093] Once the apparatus / equipment 120 is positioned and held on the support 6, the operator can move the cable insertion module 112 in order to insert the plug of the cable 119 housed in the module 112 into the corresponding socket of the apparatus / equipment, as illustrated in [Fig. 10]. The cable insertion module 112 can also be moved in an automated manner, for example by a six-axis robot.

[0094] Advantageously, the support 6 is configured to leave free access to the side buttons, the cable sockets, the camera or photo-camera lenses. graphics, microphones and / or speakers of the device / equipment 120.

[0095] The device / equipment 120 can then be subjected to test sequences carried out by the test bench.

[0096] The support 6 makes it possible to manage devices / equipment of different dimensions without changing parts or using tooling. However, if the device / equipment has a thickness different from the standard thicknesses for a category of device / equipment, the operator can easily replace the holding sole 109 with a holding sole of suitable thickness.

[0097] Other variations and improvements may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Test bench (1) for an apparatus / equipment (120), comprising a support (6) configured to fix the apparatus / equipment, the support comprising: - a holding device (103) configured to hold the apparatus / equipment comprising: • a support piece (105) movable in translation along a Y axis, • at least one stop (110), • an elastic member (107) exerting a force on the support piece (105) in the direction of the stop (110) to hold the apparatus / equipment between the support piece (105) and the stop (110), - a clamp (100) comprising two jaws (101) movable towards each other to clamp the apparatus / equipment, along an X axis perpendicular to the Y axis.

2. A test bench according to claim 1, comprising a holding sole (109) arranged on an upper surface (104) of the holding device and configured to receive the apparatus / equipment, the holding sole preferably being made of polyoxymethylene.

3. Test bench according to the preceding claim, the stop (110) being arranged on the holding sole.

4. Test bench according to one of the preceding claims, the support further comprising an anti-vibration sole (113) arranged in contact with the test bench and configured to limit the transmission of vibrations between the test bench and the apparatus / equipment, the anti-vibration sole preferably being made of polypropylene.

5. Test bench according to one of the preceding claims, the support further comprising a brightness sensor (114) configured to detect light emitted by a flash of the apparatus / equipment.

6. Test bench according to one of the preceding claims, the support comprising a vibration sensor (111) arranged to be in contact with the apparatus / equipment when the apparatus / equipment is fixed on the support and configured to convert a vibration of the apparatus / equipment into an analog signal.

7. Test bench according to one of the preceding claims, the support comprising a cable insertion module (112) configured to receiving a cable (119) having a plug, the cable insertion module being movable between an insertion position in which the plug of the cable is inserted into a corresponding socket of the apparatus / equipment fixed on the support and a withdrawal position.

8. Test bench according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a mechanical device, preferably a six-axis robot, configured to move the apparatus / equipment between the support and a storage location.

9. Test bench according to one of the preceding claims, the jaws of the clamp being fixed to the body of the clamp in a removable manner, preferably by screws.

10. Method for fixing an apparatus / equipment on the support of a test bench according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a / arranging the apparatus / equipment in the holding device so as to hold the apparatus / equipment between the support piece and the stop along the Y axis; b / bringing the jaws of the clamp together in order to clamp the apparatus / equipment held along the X axis.

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