Test support device

Abstract

To provide a test support device capable of easily implementing an environment test of an internal unit mounted to a rack.SOLUTION: A test support device 100 includes: an installation part 110 in which a plurality of wires are arranged in a grid shape, and electric resistance is provided at a respective intersection of the wires being an installation position of a component; an attachment part 120 to which a component can be attached, and which has electric resistance and is electrically connected to the installed installation part 110; a power source part 130 for applying voltage to the installation part 110; a conversion part 140 for converting a respective current flowing in each wire of the installation part 110 according to voltage applied by the power source part, to an electric resistance value; and a coordinate acquisition part 150 for acquiring position coordinates of the attachment part 120 in the installation part 110, on the basis of changes in an electric resistance value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a test support device. [Background technology]

[0002] Equipment mounted in racks, such as servers, routers, and other electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as "internal units"), are typically housed together in a rack for the purposes of reducing installation space, operating in an appropriate environment, and centrally managing the electronic devices.

[0003] In the design stage of the internal unit, environmental tests are conducted in accordance with standards such as IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). The environmental tests include, for example, earthquake resistance tests and heat resistance tests. The environmental tests are conducted, for example, with a prototype of the internal unit equipped with components such as sensors (three-axis acceleration sensor, temperature sensor, etc.) mounted on a rack. Through environmental tests using the prototype, vibration data, temperature data, etc. within the internal unit can be measured, and the impact of the rack on the internal unit can be verified.

[0004] Regarding technology for verifying in advance the influence of the environment on an internal unit, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for predicting the influence that heat generated by an electronic device will have on the operating characteristics of the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-181319 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] During environmental testing, the internal unit mounted in the rack may be affected beyond the standards stipulated in the environmental testing. This is due to the inherent vibration or thermal characteristics of the rack itself, and the degree of the effect varies depending on the mounting position of the internal unit in the rack. If the results of the environmental testing are unacceptable because the internal unit is affected beyond the standards, it becomes necessary to reconsider the mounting position or fixing method of the internal unit in the rack, the internal layout, etc., which will result in reworking the design.

[0007] Here, if environmental testing is performed using a prototype, it is necessary to remake the prototype every time the consideration is made, which takes time and costs for design. In addition, the internal units mounted on the rack have various sizes in the height and depth directions, so a dedicated prototype is required. Furthermore, once components such as sensors are removed from the internal unit prototype, it is difficult to reattach them in the same position, making it difficult to reproduce the measurement environment. Under these circumstances, it has been desired to be able to easily perform environmental testing of the internal units mounted on the rack without using a prototype.

[0008] An example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a test support device that can easily perform an environmental test on an internal unit mounted on a rack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the test support device according to the present disclosure includes: a mounting section in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a lattice pattern and an electric resistance is provided at each of the intersections of the electric wires that are positions at which components are to be mounted; A mounting portion to which a component can be attached, the mounting portion having an electrical resistance and electrically connected to the mounting portion when the component is installed; A power supply unit that applies a voltage to the installation unit; a conversion unit that converts a current flowing through each electric wire of the installation unit into an electric resistance value in response to a voltage applied by the power supply unit; a coordinate acquisition unit that acquires position coordinates of the attachment unit on the installation unit based on the change in the electrical resistance value; There is provided a test support device comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the test support device of the present disclosure, environmental testing of internal units mounted on a rack can be easily performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a test support device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the test support device according to the disclosure is attached to a rack. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a test support device according to the disclosure, and a partially enlarged view showing a part of the inside thereof. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a test support device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection relationship between the installation unit, the measurement unit, and the coordinate acquisition unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing electric wires and electric resistances disposed in the installation section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state between the installation portion and the attachment portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the electrical resistance value before the attachment portion is attached to the installation portion of the test support device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the electrical resistance value after the attachment portion is attached to the installation portion of the test support device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of test support devices according to the present disclosure are stacked in the height direction and installed on a rack. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for carrying out an environmental test with three test support devices installed in a rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [1. Overview] First, the configuration and functions of a test support device 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the test support device 100.

[0013] The test support device 100 according to the present disclosure is a device for easily performing an environmental test on an internal unit mounted on a rack.

[0014] More specifically, the test support device 100 includes an installation section 110, an attachment section 120, a power supply section 130, a conversion section 140, and a coordinate acquisition section 150, as shown in FIG.

[0015] In the installation section 110, a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a lattice pattern, and an electric resistance is provided at each intersection of the electric wires, which is the installation position of the component. The attachment section 120 has an electric resistance and is electrically connected to the installed installation section 110. A component can be attached to the attachment section 120. The power supply section 130 applies a voltage to the installation section 110. The conversion section 140 converts the current flowing through each electric wire of the installation section 110 due to the voltage applied by the power supply section 130 into an electric resistance value. The coordinate acquisition section 150 acquires the position coordinates of the attachment section 120 on the installation section 110 based on the change in the electric resistance value.

[0016] According to the test support device 100 of the present disclosure, the position coordinates of the mounting part 120 can be acquired based on a change in electrical resistance value caused by an electrical connection between the mounting part 120 and the installation part 110. A component such as a sensor can be attached to the mounting part 120, and by acquiring the position coordinates of the mounting part 120, even after a component has been removed from the test support device 100, the component can be attached again to the same position. This makes it possible to reproduce the measurement environment. The configuration of the test support device 100 of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0017] [2. Equipment configuration] First, the configuration of a test support device 100 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure is attached to a rack 900. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure and a partially enlarged view showing a part of the inside thereof.

[0018] The test support device 100 is a device that simulates an internal unit mounted on the rack 900, and is used to perform an environmental test. By using the test support device 100, it is possible to perform an environmental test without manufacturing a prototype of the internal unit.

[0019] 2, an environmental test of the test support device 100 is performed in a state where the device is attached to a rack 900. The test support device 100 is attached to the rack 900, for example, by inserting a fixing member (not shown) attached to the test support device 100 into a pair of slide rails (not shown) provided along the depth direction on opposing inner sides of the rack 900, and pushing the test support device 100 in. Note that the method of attaching the test support device 100 to the rack 900 is not limited to the above example, and any known technology may be used as appropriate.

[0020] The test support device 100 accommodates a board 105 on which components 200 and the like are arranged inside a housing 103. For example, as shown in a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3, the board 105 accommodated inside the housing 103 is provided with an installation section 110 on which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a grid pattern. The installation section 110 is provided with protruding portions 111 protruding from an installation surface 112 of the installation section 110 at the intersections of the electric wires. Components 200 such as sensors are attached to the installation section 110 via mounting portions 120 attached to the protruding portions 111. A plurality of components 200 may be attached to the installation section 110. The method of attaching the components 200 to the mounting portion 120 may be, for example, simply placing the components 200 on the mounting portion 120, or fixing the components 200 and the mounting portion 120 by clamping them with a clip or the like, or bonding the components 200 and the mounting portion 120 with an adhesive or the like. The method of attaching the component 200 to the attachment portion 120 is not limited to the above example, and any known technique may be used as appropriate.

[0021] One surface (for example, the top surface 103a) of the housing 103 may be configured to be removable. This allows an operator to change the arrangement of the components 200, such as sensors, attached to the board 105 inside the housing 103 by removing the surface. In addition, an opening 107 may be provided on at least one surface (for example, the front surface 103b) of the housing 103. By providing the opening 107, a cable (not shown) can be pulled out from inside the housing 103 to the outside, or a cable (not shown) can be pulled in from the outside of the housing 103 to the inside. A connecting portion (see connecting portions 101a to 101h in FIG. 10, which will be described later) for connecting a plurality of test support devices 100 may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 103.

[0022] The configuration and functions of the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection relationship between the installation unit 110, the measurement unit 160, and the coordinate acquisition unit 150. Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing electric wires and electric resistances arranged in the installation unit 110. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection state between the installation unit 110 and the attachment unit 120.

[0023] In the following description, for simplicity, as shown in Fig. 5, the installation section 110 has 3 x 3 electric wires arranged in a lattice pattern, and each intersection of the nine electric wires has a protrusion 111. Note that the number of electric wires arranged in the installation section 110 and the number of intersections thereof are not limited to the above example, and may be determined as appropriate.

[0024] The test support device 100 shown in Fig. 4 represents one configuration example of the board 105 housed in the housing 103 shown in Fig. 3. One or more components 200 are attached to the mounting portion 120 of the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure. The components 200 are, for example, sensors (such as a three-axis acceleration sensor or a temperature sensor), dummy weights that simulate internal components, and heat generating bodies. The components 200 are provided to detect vibrations and temperatures, simulate the center of gravity, and reproduce heat generation.

[0025] When an environmental test is performed, the test support device 100 is driven by receiving power from an externally provided main power source 903. The main power source 903 supplies power to a plurality of measuring units 160. The component 200 attached to the test support device 100 is connected to a data logger 901. The data logger 901 is a device for retaining information, and records data on measurement results such as vibration and temperature measured by various sensors. The data logger 901 is connected to an information processing device 902. The information processing device 902 is also connected to a coordinate acquisition unit 150. The information processing device 902 is, for example, a computer, and acquires position coordinate information from the coordinate acquisition unit 150 and acquires measurement result data from the data logger 901.

[0026] 4, the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure includes an installation unit 110, an attachment unit 120, a coordinate acquisition unit 150, and a measurement unit 160. The measurement unit 160 includes a power supply unit 130 and a conversion unit 140.

[0027] (Installation part) 3, the installation section 110 has a plurality of protrusions 111 on an installation surface 112 on which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a grid pattern. The protrusions 111 protrude in a height direction perpendicular to the installation surface 112. When the installation section 110 is viewed from above, the protrusions 111 are located at the intersections of the electric wires.

[0028] In the installation section 110, the electric wires and the electric resistance are arranged in a circuit pattern as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The electric wires are composed of an electric wire 113 extending along a first direction and an electric wire 115 extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. For example, the first direction may be a horizontal direction, and the second direction may be a vertical direction perpendicular to the first direction. Hereinafter, the electric wire 113 extending along the first direction is also referred to as a "horizontal electric wire," and the electric wire 115 extending along the second direction is also referred to as a "vertical electric wire." In the circuit pattern shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal electric wires 113 include three horizontal electric wires 113a, 113b, and 113c, and the vertical electric wires 115 include three vertical electric wires 115a, 115b, and 115c.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the electric wires 113a, 113b, 113c, 115a, 115b, and 115c are wired to the installation section 110 such that the start and end are disposed at one end of the installation section 110 and the other end is folded back. For example, the electric wires 113a, 113b, 113c, 115a, 115b, and 115c are wired exposed on the installation surface 112 between the start and other ends, and wired inside the protruding portion 111 at the portion where the protruding portion 111 is present on the wiring path of each electric wire. Also, the electric wires 113 and 115 are wired inside the installation section 110 between the other ends. At the intersection of the horizontal electric wire 113 and the vertical electric wire 115, the horizontal electric wire 113 and the vertical electric wire 115 are in a twisted position relationship with each other. Therefore, there is no electrical connection between the horizontal electric wire 113 and the vertical electric wire 115.

[0030] Each of the electric wires 113a, 113b, 113c, 115a, 115b, and 115c has an electric resistance at an intersection with another electric wire. The electric resistance is composed of an electric resistance (hereinafter also referred to as a "horizontal electric resistance") 117 provided on the horizontal electric wire 113 and an electric resistance (hereinafter also referred to as a "vertical electric resistance") 119 provided on the vertical electric wire 115. In the circuit pattern shown in Fig. 6, the horizontal electric resistance 117 has nine horizontal electric resistances 117a to 117i, and the vertical electric resistance 119 has nine vertical electric resistances 119a to 119i.

[0031] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the horizontal wire 113a crosses with the vertical wires 115a, 115b, and 115c, respectively. The horizontal wire 113a has horizontal electrical resistances 117a, 117b, and 117c at the intersections with the vertical wires 115a, 115b, and 115c. Similarly, the vertical wire 115a crosses with the horizontal wires 113a, 113b, and 113c, respectively. The vertical wire 115a has vertical electrical resistances 119a, 119d, and 119g at the intersections with the horizontal wires 113a, 113b, and 113c.

[0032] Each of the protrusions 111 is provided with a horizontal electrical resistor 117 and a vertical electrical resistor 119. That is, as shown in Fig. 7, one protrusion 111 is provided with one horizontal electrical resistor 117 and one vertical electrical resistor 119. For example, the protrusion 111a is provided with a horizontal electrical resistor 117a and a vertical electrical resistor 119a.

[0033] The horizontal electrical resistor 117 and the vertical electrical resistor 119 provided on the same protrusion 111 have the same electrical resistance value. For example, the horizontal electrical resistor 117a and the vertical electrical resistor 119a provided on the protrusion 111a have the same electrical resistance value.

[0034] On the other hand, the horizontal electrical resistors 117 and the vertical electrical resistors 119 provided in each protrusion 111 have different electrical resistance values. For example, the horizontal electrical resistor 117a and the vertical electrical resistor 119a provided in the protrusion 111a have different electrical resistance values ​​from the horizontal electrical resistor 117b and the vertical electrical resistor 119b provided in the protrusion 111b.

[0035] One end (e.g., a starting end) of the horizontal wires 113 and the vertical wires 115 of the installation unit 110 is connected to the power supply unit 130, and the other end (e.g., a terminal end) is connected to the conversion unit 140. When the power supply unit 130 applies a voltage to the horizontal wires 113 and the vertical wires 115, a current flows through the horizontal wires 113 and the vertical wires 115 according to the applied voltage and the state of the electrical resistance connected at that time. The current flowing through the horizontal wires 113 and the vertical wires 115 flows to the conversion unit 140.

[0036] (Mounting portion 120) The mounting portion 120 is a member to be attached to the installation portion 110, and is attached to a position at which the component 200 is to be installed. The mounting portion 120 has an electrical resistance, and is electrically connected to the installation portion 110 when attached to the installation portion 110.

[0037] One configuration example of the mounting part 120 is shown in Fig. 7. The mounting part 120 shown in Fig. 7 has, for example, a block-shaped main body part 124, a mounting protrusion 121 protruding from one surface of the main body part 124, and a recess 122 formed on a surface opposite to the surface on which the mounting protrusion 121 is provided. The mounting protrusion 121 serves as an interface for mounting a component 200 such as a sensor. The recess 122 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 111 of the installation part 110.

[0038] The mounting portion 120 has an electric wire 123 extending along a first direction and an electric wire 125 extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction. For example, the first direction may be a horizontal direction, and the second direction may be a vertical direction perpendicular to the first direction. One mounting electric wire (e.g., mounting electric wire 123) is electrically connected to the horizontal electric wire 113 arranged in the installation portion 110 when the mounting portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110. The other mounting electric wire (e.g., mounting electric wire 125) is electrically connected to the vertical electric wire 115 arranged in the installation portion 110 when the mounting portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110. Hereinafter, the mounting electric wire 123 electrically connected to the horizontal electric wire 113 of the installation portion 110 is also referred to as the "horizontal mounting electric wire", and the mounting electric wire 125 electrically connected to the vertical electric wire 115 of the installation portion 110 is also referred to as the "vertical mounting electric wire". Furthermore, there is no electrical connection between the horizontally mounted electric wire 123 and the vertically mounted electric wire 125 .

[0039] The horizontally mounted electric wire 123 and the vertically mounted electric wire 125 may each have a starting end and a terminal end disposed on the bottom surface outer periphery 126a of the bottom surface 126 on which the recess 122 is formed, as shown in FIG. 7. Each electric wire 123, 125 is wired from its starting end through the bottom surface 126, the inside of the main body 124, the top surface 128 on which the mounting protrusion 121 is formed, the inside of the mounting protrusion 121, the top surface 128, the inside of the main body 124, and the bottom surface 126 to its terminal end. Each electric wire 123, 125 is exposed on the bottom surface 126 and the top surface 128. For example, each electric wire 123, 125 may be exposed on the bottom surface 126 entirely between the bottom surface outer periphery 126a and the edge portion 122a, as shown in FIG. 7, or at least a part of each electric wire 123, 125 may be exposed on the bottom surface 126. Similarly, each of the electric wires 123, 125 may be exposed entirely between the upper surface outer periphery 128a and the base portion 121a of the mounting protrusion 121, or at least a portion of each of the electric wires 123, 125 may be exposed on the upper surface 128, as shown in FIG.

[0040] The horizontal mounting electric wires 123 and the vertical mounting electric wires 125 exposed on the bottom surface 126 come into physical contact with the horizontal electric wires 113 and the vertical electric wires 115 exposed on the installation surface 112 when the mounting part 120 is attached to the installation part 110. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, when the mounting part 120 is attached to the installation part 110, the horizontal mounting electric wires 123 come into contact with the horizontal electric wires 113, and the vertical mounting electric wires 125 come into contact with the vertical electric wires 115. As a result, the horizontal mounting electric wires 123 and the horizontal electric wires 113, and the vertical mounting electric wires 125 and the vertical electric wires 115 are electrically connected.

[0041] In addition, when a second mounting portion 120 is stacked vertically on a first mounting portion 120 attached to the installation portion 110, each of the electric wires 123, 125 exposed on the top surface of the first mounting portion 120 comes into physical contact with each of the electric wires 123, 125 exposed on the bottom surface 126 of the second mounting portion 120, thereby electrically connecting each mounting portion 120.

[0042] The horizontal mounting electric wire 123 and the vertical mounting electric wire 125 each have an electric resistance inside the mounting protrusion 121. The electric resistance of the mounting protrusion 121 is composed of an electric resistance (hereinafter also referred to as "horizontal mounting electric resistance") 127 provided on the horizontal mounting electric wire 123 and an electric resistance (hereinafter also referred to as "vertical mounting electric resistance") 129 provided on the vertical mounting electric wire 125. The horizontal mounting electric resistance 127 and the vertical mounting electric resistance 129 may have the same electric resistance value or may have different electric resistance values. However, all of the mounting parts 120 attached to the installation part 110 have the same electric resistance value. In other words, the electric resistance value of the horizontal mounting electric resistance 127 and the electric resistance value of the vertical mounting electric resistance 129 of the mounting parts 120 are fixed values.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 7, when the mounting portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110, the convex portion 111 of the installation portion 110 and the concave portion 122 of the mounting portion 120 fit together. In a state in which the mounting portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110, the horizontal mounting electric wire 123 and the horizontal electric wire 113 are connected, and the vertical mounting electric wire 125 and the vertical electric wire 115 are connected. At this time, the horizontal mounting electric resistor 117 and the horizontal mounting electric resistor 127, and the vertical mounting electric resistor 119 and the vertical mounting electric resistor 129 are connected in parallel, respectively. In this way, by attaching the mounting portion 120 to the installation portion 110, the mounting portion 120 and the installation portion 110 are electrically connected to each other.

[0044] (Measuring section) A plurality of measuring units 160 are provided corresponding to the horizontal electric wires 113 and the vertical electric wires 115 arranged in the installation unit 110. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 5, the installation unit 110 has three horizontal electric wires 113a, 113b, and 113c and three vertical electric wires 115a, 115b, and 115c, and six measuring units 160a to 160f are provided corresponding to the electric wires. Note that, as shown in Fig. 4, if the number of horizontal electric wires 113 and vertical electric wires 115 of the installation unit 110 increases, the number of measuring units 160 also increases accordingly.

[0045] Each of the measuring units 160 includes a power supply unit 130 and a conversion unit 140. That is, the power supply unit 130 and the conversion unit 140 are provided for each of the electric wires arranged in the installation unit 110. The power supply unit 130 of each of the measuring units 160 is connected to a main power supply 903, which is an external power supply. The power supply unit 130 receives power from the main power supply 903 and applies a voltage to the electric wires arranged in the installation unit 110 to which it is connected. The conversion unit 140 of each of the measuring units 160 measures a current value flowing through the electric wires arranged in the installation unit 110 to which it is connected by the voltage applied by the power supply unit 130, and converts the measured current value into an electric resistance value. The conversion unit 140 outputs the converted electric resistance value to the coordinate acquisition unit 150.

[0046] (Coordinate acquisition section) The coordinate acquisition unit 150 acquires the electric resistance value of each electric wire obtained from the multiple conversion units 140. For example, the coordinate acquisition unit 150 stores in advance in a storage unit (not shown) the electric resistance value of each electric wire in a state where the mounting unit 120 is not attached to the installation unit 110 as a reference electric resistance value. The coordinate acquisition unit 150 compares the reference electric resistance value of each electric wire with the electric resistance value of each electric wire acquired in a state where the mounting unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110. Then, the coordinate acquisition unit 150 can identify the horizontal electric wire 113 and the vertical electric wire 115 whose electric resistance value has changed before and after the installation of the mounting unit 120 on the installation unit 110, thereby identifying the position where the mounting unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110.

[0047] The coordinate acquisition section 150 acquires the position coordinates of the attachment section 120 on the installation section 110. The coordinate acquisition section 150 transmits position coordinate data including the acquired position coordinates of the attachment section 120 on the installation section 110 to the information processing device 902.

[0048] An example configuration of the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure has been described above.

[0049] [3. Location coordinate acquisition method] Next, a method for acquiring the position coordinates of the attachment portion 120 by the test support device 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the electrical resistance value before the attachment portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110 of the test support device 100. The left side of Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the installation portion 110 viewed from above, and the right side of Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the convex portion 111a viewed from the side. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the electrical resistance value after the attachment portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110 of the test support device 100. As in Fig. 8, the left side of Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the installation portion 110 viewed from above, and the right side of Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the convex portion 111a viewed from the side with the attachment portion 120 attached.

[0050] In the following description, as an example, the installation section 110 has nine protruding sections 111 in a 3×3 grid pattern, as in Fig. 5. The electrical resistance values ​​of the horizontal installation resistors 127 and vertical installation resistors 129 of the mounting section 120 are assumed to be 1 Ω each. Also, the electrical resistance values ​​of the horizontal electrical resistors 117 and vertical electrical resistors 119 provided on the protruding sections 111a-111i of the installation section 110 are assumed to be R1-R9, respectively. These electrical resistance values ​​R1-R9 are independent of each other and always have values ​​greater than or equal to 0.

[0051] The combined resistance value of each of the horizontal electric wires 113a to 113c and each of the vertical electric wires 115a to 115c can be expressed as the sum of the electric resistance values ​​of the electric resistances connected to the electric wires, since the electric resistances are connected in series. First, as shown in FIG. 8, the combined resistance value R V 1. R V 2. R V 3. R H 1. R H 2. R H 3 is expressed by the following formulas (1) to (6).

[0052]

number

[0053] Next, consider the combined resistance value at the convex portion when mounting portion 120 is attached to one of the nine convex portions of installation portion 110. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, assume that one mounting portion 120 is attached to convex portion 111a. In this case, as shown on the right side of Fig. 9, the electrical resistance of convex portion 111a and the electrical resistance of mounting portion 120 are connected in parallel. Therefore, the combined resistance value R1a of these electrical resistances at convex portion 111a is expressed by the following formula (7).

[0054]

number

[0055] At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, after the mounting portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110, the combined resistance value R V 1. R H 1 is expressed by the following equations (8) and (9).

[0056]

number

[0057] In this way, the combined resistance value R of the horizontal electric wire 113a before and after the attachment part 120 is attached to the installation part 110 is H The combined resistance R of 1 and the vertical wire 115a V 1 changes. Therefore, it is possible to identify that mounting unit 120 is attached to a location where electric wires whose combined resistance value has changed before and after mounting unit 120 is attached to installation unit 110 intersect. In this way, coordinate acquisition unit 150 acquires the coordinates of the intersection of the electric wires whose electric resistance value has changed before and after mounting unit 120 is installed on installation unit 110 as the position coordinates of mounting unit 120 on installation surface 112 of installation unit 110.

[0058] Similarly, the fact that a plurality of mounting parts 120 are stacked and attached to one protrusion 111 of the installation part 110 can also be identified by the change in the combined resistance value of the electric wires before and after the attachment of the mounting parts 120. For example, assume that two mounting parts 120 are stacked and attached to the protrusion 111a. In this case, the combined resistance value R1b of these electric resistances in the protrusion 111a is a parallel connection of the electric resistance of the protrusion 111a, the electric resistance of the first mounting part 120, and the electric resistance of the second mounting part 120. Therefore, the combined resistance value R1b of these electric resistances in the protrusion 111a is expressed by the following formula (10).

[0059]

number

[0060] The combined resistance value R1b expressed by the above formula (10) is a combined value of the combined resistance value R1a when one mounting portion 120 is attached to the protrusion 111a shown in FIG. 9 and the electrical resistance value 1Ω of the second mounting portion 120, and is different from the combined resistance value R1a. Here, the electrical resistance value of each mounting portion 120 is common to all mounting portions 120, being 1Ω. Therefore, by changing the value of the combined resistance value, it is possible to identify the number of mounting portions 120 attached to one protrusion 111 of the installation portion 110. By identifying the number of mounting portions 120 stacked on one protrusion 111, it is possible to identify the position coordinate in the height direction of the component 200 attached to the topmost mounting portion 120. In other words, the coordinate acquisition unit 150 can determine the number of mounting portions 120 stacked in the height direction of the mounting surface 112 of the installation unit 110 based on the change in the combined resistance value of the convex portion 111, and acquire the position coordinates of the mounting portions 120 in the height direction of the mounting surface 112 of the installation unit 110 based on the number of mounting portions 120.

[0061] Furthermore, by setting the electrical resistance value of each convex portion 111 of the installation portion 110 to an independent value greater than or equal to 0, and setting the electrical resistance value of the mounting portion 120 to the same fixed value among multiple mounting portions 120, it is possible to achieve a one-to-one correspondence between the possible values ​​of the combined resistance value of each convex portion 111 of the installation portion 110 and its position coordinates without overlap.

[0062] For example, as shown in Fig. 9, consider a case where one attachment portion 120 is attached to any one of the protrusions 111a to 111i (hereinafter referred to as protrusion 111x (x = a to i)) of the installation portion 110. Since the electrical resistance of the protrusion 111x and the electrical resistance of the attachment portion 120 are connected in parallel, the combined resistance value RXa of the protrusion 111x is a combined value of the electrical resistance value (1Ω) of the attachment portion 120 and the electrical resistance value RX (X = 1 to 9) of the protrusion 111x. The combined resistance value RXa is expressed by the following formula (11).

[0063]

number

[0064] Here, the electrical resistance value RX is any one of R1 to R9 and is a mutually independent value, so that the combined resistance value RXa also has a mutually independent value, and the electrical resistance value RX and the combined resistance value RXa also have mutually independent values.

[0065] Similarly, consider the case where two mounting portions 120 are attached to the protrusion 111x. Since the electrical resistance of the protrusion 111x, the electrical resistance of the first mounting portion 120, and the electrical resistance of the second mounting portion 120 are connected in parallel, the combined resistance value RXb of the protrusion 111x is a combined value of the electrical resistance value (1Ω) of the second mounting portion 120 and the combined resistance value RXa of the protrusion 111x. The combined resistance value RXb is expressed by the following formula (12).

[0066]

number

[0067] Here, since the combined resistance values ​​RXa are mutually independent, the combined resistance values ​​RXb are mutually independent, and the combined resistance values ​​RXa and RXb are mutually independent. Therefore, the electrical resistance value RX, the combined resistance value RXa, and the combined resistance value RXb are mutually independent, and always have different values. Therefore, the electrical resistance value (combined resistance value when one or more mounting parts 120 are attached to the convex part 111x of the installation part 110) and the position coordinates always correspond one-to-one, and there is no overlap.

[0068] [4. Environmental testing using multiple test support devices] In the above description, a case has been described in which an environmental test is performed using one test support device 100, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and an environmental test may be performed by installing a plurality of test support devices 100 in a rack 900. For example, by stacking the test support devices 100 in the height direction and installing them in the rack 900, it is possible to simulate internal units having various heights.

[0069] Hereinafter, a method for acquiring position coordinates of components when multiple test support devices 100 are installed on a rack 900 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which multiple test support devices 100 according to the present disclosure are stacked in the height direction and installed on a rack 900. The left side of Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which multiple test support devices 100 are attached to the rack 900, and the right side of Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a method of connecting the test support devices 100a and 100b. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration when an environmental test is performed with three test support devices 100 installed on the rack 900.

[0070] For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the test support device 100a has groove-shaped connecting parts 101a to 101d on the side of the housing 103, and the test support device 100b has groove-shaped connecting parts 101e to 101h. The connecting parts 101a to 101h each have a through hole penetrating a pair of walls facing each other in the height direction of the test support devices 100a and 100b along the height direction. After stacking the test support devices 100a and 100b in the height direction, the test support devices 100a and 100b can be connected to each other by connecting the connecting parts corresponding to each other in the height direction.

[0071] For example, to connect the connecting portion 101a and the connecting portion 101e, the through holes of the connecting portion 101a and the connecting portion 101e may be overlapped with each other and a rod-shaped member may be inserted into the overlapped through holes. Similarly, the connecting portion 101b and the connecting portion 101f, the connecting portion 101c and the connecting portion 101g, and the connecting portion 101d and the connecting portion 101h may be connected. Note that the method of connecting the test support device 100 is not limited to the above example and any known technique may be used as appropriate.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 11, the test support devices 100a to 100c are connected to a main power supply 903. The test support devices 100a to 100c can be fitted with the components 200a to 200c via fitting sections 120, respectively. The components 200a to 200c fitted to the test support devices 100a to 100c are connected to a data logger 901, respectively. The data logger 901 is also connected to an information processing device 902. Note that the functions of the main power supply 903, the data logger 901, and the information processing device 902 are similar to those of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, and therefore will not be described here.

[0073] The test support devices 100a to 100c each have an individual identification number that has been assigned in advance. For example, the test support device 100a has an identification number 1, the test support device 100b has an identification number 2, and the test support device 100c has an identification number 3. The identification numbers are recorded, for example, in a memory unit (not shown) of the test support devices 100a to 100c, and the coordinate acquisition unit 150 can acquire the identification numbers from the memory unit. The coordinate acquisition unit 150 transmits the identification numbers acquired from the memory unit together with the position coordinates of the mounting unit 120 attached to the installation unit 110 to the information processing device 902 in position coordinate data.

[0074] This allows the information processing device 902 to determine which of the test support devices 100a to 100c the position coordinate data was transmitted from. For example, if the identification number included in the position coordinate data is "2", the information processing device 902 can determine that the position coordinate data was transmitted from the test support device 100b. Therefore, it is possible to simulate internal units with various heights.

[0075] [5. Summary] The configuration and functions of the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure have been described above. According to the test support device 100 according to the present disclosure, the position coordinates of the mounting part 120 can be acquired based on a change in electrical resistance value caused by electrically connecting the mounting part 120, to which the component 200 such as a sensor can be attached, and the installation part 110. By acquiring the position coordinates of the mounting part 120, the measurement environment can be reproduced even after the component 200 is once removed from the test support device 100, so that an environmental test of the internal unit mounted on the rack 900 can be easily performed. In addition, a dedicated prototype is not required, and the time and cost for manufacturing the prototype can be reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, an environmental test can be carried out with a plurality of test support devices 100 stacked in the height direction and installed on a rack 900, thereby simulating internal units of various heights.

[0077] A part or all of the above disclosure can be expressed by (Addendum 1) to (Addendum 10) described below, but is not limited to the following descriptions.

[0078] (Appendix 1) a mounting section in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a lattice pattern and an electric resistance is provided at each of the intersections of the electric wires that are positions at which components are to be mounted; A mounting portion to which a component can be attached, the mounting portion having an electrical resistance and electrically connected to the mounting portion when the component is installed; A power supply unit that applies a voltage to the installation unit; a conversion unit that converts a current flowing through each electric wire of the installation unit into an electric resistance value in response to a voltage applied by the power supply unit; a coordinate acquisition unit that acquires position coordinates of the attachment unit on the installation unit based on the change in the electrical resistance value; A test support device comprising:

[0079] (Appendix 2) The electrical resistance of the mounting portion and the electrical resistance of the intersection of the electric wires where the mounting portion is installed are connected in parallel. 2. A test support device as described in appendix 1.

[0080] (Appendix 3) The intersections of the electric wires of the installation portion are provided with electrical resistances of different values, 3. A test support device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0081] (Appendix 4) the coordinate acquisition unit determines coordinates of an intersection of electric wires whose electrical resistance value has changed before and after installation of the mounting part on the installation part as position coordinates of the mounting part on the installation surface of the installation part. 4. A test support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0082] (Appendix 5) The coordinate acquisition unit determining the number of mounting parts stacked in a height direction with respect to the installation surface of the installation part based on the amount of change in the electrical resistance value of the intersection; acquiring position coordinates of the mounting portions in a height direction with respect to an installation surface of the installation portion based on the number of the mounting portions; 5. A test support device as described in appendix 4.

[0083] (Appendix 6) The conversion unit is provided for each of the electric wires arranged in the installation unit. 6. A test support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0084] (Appendix 7) The installation portion has a protrusion protruding in a height direction at each of the intersections of the electric wires, The mounting portion has a recess that engages with the protrusion. 7. A test support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0085] (Appendix 8) The test support device is mounted on a rack. 8. A test support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0086] (Appendix 9) The part is any one of a sensor, a dummy weight, and a heat source. 9. A test support device as described in appendix 8.

[0087] (Appendix 10) The coordinate acquisition unit acquires an identification number that is preset for each of the test support devices together with the position coordinates of the mounting portion. 10. A test support device according to claim 8 or 9.

[0088] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0089] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to simulate an internal unit and obtain position information of components such as sensors. The present disclosure is applicable to environmental testing of internal units, and is particularly useful for application to environmental testing of internal units mounted on a rack. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 100 Test support equipment 101 Connection part 103 Case 105 Board 107 Opening 110 Installation section 111 Convex 112 Installation surface 113 Horizontal Wire 115 Vertical Wire 117 Lateral Electrical Resistance 119 Vertical Electrical Resistance 120 Mounting part 121 Mounting protrusion 122 Recess 123 Vertically mounted wire 124 Main body 125 Horizontally installed wire 126 Bottom 127 Installation vertical electrical resistance 128 Top 129 Lateral electrical resistance of installation 130 Power supply section 140 Conversion unit 150 Coordinate acquisition unit 160 Measurement section 200 parts 900 Racks 901 Data Logger 902 Information processing equipment 903 Main power supply

Claims

1. a mounting section in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a lattice pattern and an electric resistance is provided at each of the intersections of the electric wires that are positions at which components are to be mounted; A mounting portion to which a component can be attached, the mounting portion having an electrical resistance and electrically connected to the mounting portion when the component is installed; A power supply unit that applies a voltage to the installation unit; a conversion unit that converts a current flowing through each electric wire of the installation unit into an electric resistance value in response to a voltage applied by the power supply unit; a coordinate acquisition unit that acquires position coordinates of the attachment unit on the installation unit based on the change in the electrical resistance value; A test support device comprising:

2. The electrical resistance of the mounting portion and the electrical resistance of the intersection of the electric wires where the mounting portion is installed are connected in parallel.

2. The test support device according to claim 1.

3. The intersections of the electric wires of the installation portion are provided with electrical resistances of different values, 3. The test support device according to claim 1.

4. the coordinate acquisition unit determines coordinates of an intersection of electric wires whose electrical resistance value has changed before and after installation of the mounting part on the installation part as position coordinates of the mounting part on the installation surface of the installation part.

3. The test support device according to claim 1.

5. The coordinate acquisition unit determining the number of mounting parts stacked in a height direction with respect to the installation surface of the installation part based on the amount of change in the electrical resistance value of the intersection; acquiring position coordinates of the mounting parts in a height direction with respect to an installation surface of the installation part based on the number of the mounting parts; 5. The test support device according to claim 4.

6. The conversion unit is provided for each of the electric wires arranged in the installation unit.

3. The test support device according to claim 1.

7. The installation portion has a protrusion protruding in a height direction at each of the intersections of the electric wires, The mounting portion has a recess that engages with the protrusion.

3. The test support device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The test support device is mounted on a rack.

3. The test support device according to claim 1.

9. The part is any one of a sensor, a dummy weight, and a heat source. The test support device according to claim 8.

10. The coordinate acquisition unit acquires an identification number that is preset for each of the test support devices together with the position coordinates of the mounting portion. The test support device according to claim 8.

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