Test assembly for an automotive vehicle computer

Abstract

The invention relates to a test assembly (1) for a motor vehicle control unit (ECU), the test assembly (1) comprising a terminal block housing (11) whose electrical connection elements (12) are electrically connected to an input / output connector (CUF) of the terminal block housing (11), and a set of electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C), each electrical cable having, at a first end, a universal electrical connector (CUM) identical to all the electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C) and configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with the input / output connector (CUF) of the terminal block housing (11) and, at a second end, a specific electrical connector configured to be able to work with one and only one of the electrical connection sockets (C1F, C2F, C3F) of the control unit (ECU), the specific electrical connectors (CS1M, CS2M, CS3M) of the electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C) being all different.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Test assembly for an automotive vehicle computer

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of electrical testing systems for an automotive vehicle computer. More particularly, the invention relates to a test assembly for such an automotive vehicle computer.

[0002] In the prior art, terminal block boxes are known that allow an electrical connector to be split into a housing from which, via its terminal blocks, the connection terminals of the electrical connector are individually accessible. It is thus possible to easily read an electrical signal on each of the terminals of the electrical connector, via the corresponding terminal blocks.

[0003] Thus, such terminal blocks are used to test automotive vehicle control units. In particular, electrical connection cables are used to link an electrical connector of the control unit to the terminal block. Subsequently, each terminal of the control unit's electrical connector can be tested via the terminals of the terminal block. Document DE 102010043661 A1 describes a device for testing a motor vehicle control unit intended for use in a hardware loop simulator.

[0004] A known drawback of these terminal blocks is that they are all specific to a particular type of electrical connector. Thus, since a control unit often has several electrical connectors, typically four or five, for example, a very large number of different terminal blocks are required. It is difficult, if not impossible, to reuse known terminal blocks. This poses significant problems for storing the various terminal blocks used during a control unit production cycle, as well as problems with recycling and environmental pollution when they have to be disposed of.

[0005] This situation is not satisfactory.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a new test set in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the implementation of such electrical tests of a motor vehicle computer.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to make such a test assembly more compact.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to avoid having to discard such a test assembly for testing new computers.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a test assembly for a motor vehicle computer, the test assembly comprising:

[0011] - a terminal block housing comprising a plurality of electrical connection components, each electrical connection component being electrically connected to an input / output connector of the terminal block box;

[0012] - a plurality of electrical cables, each electrical cable comprising, at a At the first end, a universal electrical connector identical to all electrical cables, the universal electrical connector being configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with the input / output connector of the terminal box and, at the second end, a specific electrical connector configured to be able to collaborate with one of the electrical connection sockets of the computer, the specific electrical connectors of the electrical cables being all different.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, the terminal block housing takes the form of a housing with one face containing the electrical connection elements to facilitate their handling. Each electrical connection element forms a terminal block to allow the temporary connection of an electrical wire. Each of these electrical connection elements is electrically connected to the input / output connector. The input / output connector thus forms an electrical socket through which all or part of the electrical connection elements are connected. Therefore, the terminal block housing allows the input / output connector to be "split" to more easily energize or test one of its terminals.

[0014] In the context of the present invention, the universal electrical connector is configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with the input / output connector of the terminal block. The universal electrical connector is complementary to the input / output connector of the terminal block. All the electrical cables of the tester assembly according to the invention have such a universal electrical connector at one end. Each electrical cable is independent of the others. Each electrical cable has its own universal electrical connector, but all the universal electrical connectors of all the electrical cables are identical.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the specific electrical connectors are all different. Each specific electrical connector is configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with one of the computer's electrical connection sockets. Thus, each electrical cable has, at a second end, its own specific electrical connector, different in its shape and / or in the number of electrical connection terminals and / or in the arrangement of its electrical connection terminals.

[0016] Thus, the test assembly conforming to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem by offering a high degree of adaptability with a single terminal block that works with several electrical cables. The terminal block is made universal thanks to its single input / output connector to which each electrical cable in the cable collection can be connected—on the side with its universal electrical connector. On the other side, the plurality of specific electrical connectors deployed on each of the electrical cables allows for interaction with—and testing of—each electrical connection point of the computer.

[0017] The test assembly conforming to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0018] - each connection element of the terminal block box includes a first plug electrically connected to a first electrical terminal of the input / output connector, and / or a second electrical plug electrically connected to a second electrical terminal of the input / output connector;

[0019] - the terminal block housing has a single input / output connector, the components of electrical connection of the terminal block box, all being electrically connected to the single input / output connector;

[0020] - according to a first embodiment, the input / output connector of the housing to terminals are of the female type, and the universal electrical connector is of the male type;

[0021] - according to a second embodiment, the input / output connector of the housing to terminal blocks are of the male type, and the universal electrical connector is of the female type;

[0022] - the length of the electrical cables is at least equal to 1 m.

[0023] - the plurality of electrical cables comprises (i) a first electrical cable of which the (ii) a first end comprising the universal electrical connector and the second end comprising a first specific electrical connector configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with a first electrical connection socket of the computer, and (ii) a second electrical cable comprising the first end comprising the universal electrical connector and the second end comprising a second specific electrical connector configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with a second electrical connection socket of the computer.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, an electrical system is proposed comprising a computer of a motor vehicle and a test assembly conforming to the first aspect of the invention or to any of its improvements, one of whose electrical cables is used to electrically connect the input / output connector of the housing via the universal electrical connector of said electrical cable, and whose specific electrical connector is coupled to one of the computer's electrical connection sockets.

[0025] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic diagram of the test assembly conforming to first aspect of the invention.

[0028] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0029] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0030] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0031] With reference to [Fig. 1], the invention addresses a test assembly 1 for an ECU of a motor vehicle, the test assembly 1 comprising:

[0032] - a terminal block housing 11 comprising a plurality of electrical connection elements 12, each electrical connection element 12 being electrically connected to a CUF input / output connector of the terminal block housing 11;

[0033] - a plurality of electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C, each electrical cable comprising, at one end, a universal electrical connector CUM identical to all electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C, the universal electrical connector CUM being configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with the input / output connector CUF of the terminal block 11 and, at the other end, a specific electrical connector configured to be able to collaborate with one of the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU, the specific electrical connectors CS1M, CS2M, CS3M of the electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C being all different.

[0034] The invention thus provides for replacing a multitude of specific terminal blocks 11, that is to say, all adapted and configured to be paired with only one of the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU, with a single terminal block 11 comprising a single input / output connector CUF from which a collection of electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C can be paired. These electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C are thus all configured to be able to couple, on the one hand, to the input / output connector CUF of the terminal block 11 and, on the other hand, to one of the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU.In other words, the specificity of the terminal block 11 as known in prior art test sets is replaced by a universal terminal block 11 accompanied by several specific electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C which can be alternatively selected and used with the terminal block 11 to interface the ECU via one of its electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F.

[0035] As shown in [Fig. 1], the electrical connection cables all have the same universal electrical connector (CUM) located at one end of said electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C; and each electrical cable has a specific electrical connector that can interface with one and only one of the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU. In particular:

[0036] - the first 13A electrical cable has, at its first end, the connector universal electrical CUM to mate with the CUF input / output connector of the 11 terminal block box and, at its second end, a first specific electrical connector CS1M that can interface only with the first electrical connection socket C1F of the ECU;

[0037] - the second electrical cable 13B has, at its first end, the connector universal electrical CUM to mate with the CUF input / output connector of the 11 terminal block box and, at its second end, a second specific electrical connector CS2M that can interface only with the first electrical connection socket C1F of the ECU;

[0038] - the third electrical cable 13C has, at its first end, the connector universal electrical CUM to mate with the CUF input / output connector of the 11 terminal block box and, at its second end, a third specific electrical connector CS3M that can interface only with the first electrical connection socket C1F of the ECU.

[0039] Thus, depending on the tests to be carried out on the ECU, the operator selects the correct electrical cable to be connected to the corresponding electrical connection socket of the ECU, then he connects the terminal box 11 via its universal electrical connector CUM.

[0040] By universal electrical connector CUM, it is understood that the same connector is fitted to each first end of the 13A, 13B, and 13C electrical cables. The universal electrical connector CUM can be of any shape and type, just as the CUF input / output connector of the 11-pin housing can be of any shape and type. Advantageously, though not limitingly, the CUF input / output connector of the 11-pin housing is of the female type, while the universal electrical connector CUM of all the 13A, 13B, and 13C electrical cables is of the male type.

[0041] Then, at the second end, the specific electrical connectors CS1M, CS2M, CS3M of the electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C are generally all different in order to interface—at the level of the electrical cable assembly 13A, 13B, 13C—each of the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU. Preferably, but not exclusively, the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU are of the female type, while the specific electrical connectors CS1M, CS2M, CS3M of the electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C are of the male type.

[0042] In summary, the invention relates to a test assembly 1 for an ECU of an automotive vehicle, the test assembly 1 comprising a terminal block 11 whose electrical connection members 12 are electrically connected to an input / output connector CUF of the terminal block 11, and a collection of electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C, each electrical cable comprising, at a first end, a universal electrical connector CUM identical to all electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C and configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with the input / output connector CUF of the terminal block 11 and, at a second end, a specific electrical connector configured to be able to work with one and only one of the electrical connection sockets C1F, C2F, C3F of the ECU, the specific electrical connectors CS1M, CS2M, CS3M of the electrical cables 13A, 13B, 13C being all different.

[0043] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

Demands

1. Test assembly (1) for a motor vehicle computer (ECU), the test assembly (1) comprising: - a terminal block housing (11) having a plurality of electrical connection elements (12), each electrical connection element (12) being electrically connected to an input / output connector (CUF) of the terminal block housing (11);- a plurality of electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C), each electrical cable having, at one end, a universal electrical connector (CUM) identical to all the electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C), the universal electrical connector (CUM) being configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with the input / output connector (CUF) of the housing (11) with boxes and, at a second end, a specific electrical connector configured to be able to collaborate with one of the electrical connection sockets (C1F, C2F, C3F) of the computer (ECU), the specific electrical connectors (CS1M, CS2M, CS3M) of the electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C) being all different.;

2. Tester assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the terminal block housing (11) comprises a single input / output connector (CUF), the electrical connection members (12) of the terminal block housing (11) all being electrically connected to said single input / output connector (CUF).

3. Tester assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the input / output connector (CUF) of the terminal block housing (11) is of the female type, and the universal electrical connector (CUM) is of the male type.

4. Tester assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the input / output connector (CUF) of the terminal block housing (11) is of the male type, and the universal electrical connector (CUM) is of the female type.

5. Test assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length of the electrical cables (13A, 13B, 13C) is at least equal to 1 m.

6. Test assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of electrical cables comprises:

7. - a first electrical cable (13A) whose first end has the universal electrical connector (CUM) and whose second end has a first specific electrical connector (CS1M) configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with a first electrical connection socket (ClF) of the computer (ECU); and - a second electrical cable (13B) the first end of which has the universal electrical connector (CUM) and the second end of which has a second specific electrical connector (CS2M) configured to be able to couple electrically and mechanically with a second electrical connection socket (C2F) of the computer (ECU). Electrical system comprising a motor vehicle computer (ECU) and a test assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the electrical cables is used to electrically connect the input / output connector (CUF) of the housing (11) via the universal electrical connector (CUM) of said electrical cable, and wherein the specific electrical connector is coupled to one of the electrical connection sockets (C1F, C2F, C3F) of the computer (ECU).

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