Test support method

Abstract

To provide a test support device capable of easily performing environmental tests on internal units mounted in a rack.SOLUTION: A test support device 100 includes: an installation section 110 in which multiple electrical wires are arranged in a grid pattern, and an electrical resistance is provided in each intersection of the wires that serves as a component installation position; a mounting section 120 to which a component can be attached, and which has an electrical resistance and is electrically connected to the installation section 110 where it is installed; a power supply section 130 which applies a voltage to the installation section 110; a conversion section 140 which converts currents flowing through the respective wires of the installation section 110, due to the voltage applied by the power supply section, into electrical resistance values; and a coordinate acquisition section 150 which acquires the position coordinates of the mounting section 120 on the installation section 110 on the basis of changes in the electrical resistance values.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] At the design stage of the internal unit, environmental tests are conducted in accordance with standards such as the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). The environmental tests include, for example, earthquake resistance tests and heat resistance tests. The environmental tests are conducted, for example, by mounting a prototype of the internal unit, equipped with components such as sensors (triaxial acceleration sensors, temperature sensors, etc.), 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] Furthermore, with regard to technology for verifying in advance the influence of the environment on an internal unit, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device 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] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-181319 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] During environmental testing, internal units mounted in a 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 will be necessary to reconsider the mounting position or fixing method of the internal unit in the rack, the internal layout, etc., resulting in design rework.

[0007] However, if environmental testing is performed using a prototype, the prototype must be rebuilt each time a review is made, resulting in time-consuming and costly design. Furthermore, because the internal units mounted on the rack vary in height and depth, dedicated prototypes are 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. Given these circumstances, there is a need for a method to easily perform environmental testing of internal units mounted on racks without using a prototype.

[0008] An example of an object 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 in the present disclosure includes: a mounting section in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a grid pattern and an electric resistance is provided at each of the intersections of the electric wires, which are positions where components are to be mounted; a mounting portion to which a component can be attached, the mounting portion having 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 the current flowing through each electric wire of the installation unit into an electric resistance value in response to the 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 is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, the test support device according to the present disclosure makes it possible to easily perform environmental testing of internal units mounted on a rack. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a test support device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 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. [Figure 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. [Figure 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 the electric wires and electric resistances arranged 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 illustrating 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 illustrating 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 in which an environmental test is carried out with three test support devices installed in a rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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 grid pattern, and an electric resistance is provided at each intersection of the electric wires, which is the installation position of a component. The attachment section 120 has an electric resistance and is electrically connected to the installed installation section 110. Components 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 unit 120 can be acquired based on a change in electrical resistance value that occurs when the mounting unit 120 and the installation unit 110 are electrically connected. Components such as sensors can be attached to the mounting unit 120, and by acquiring the position coordinates of the mounting unit 120, even after a component has been removed from the test support device 100, the component can be reattached 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 part of the interior 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 environmental testing. By using the test support device 100, it is possible to perform environmental testing 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 surfaces of the rack 900, and then 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 technique may be used as appropriate.

[0020] The test support device 100 accommodates a board 105 on which components 200 and the like are arranged within a housing 103. For example, as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 3 , the board 105 accommodated within 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 includes protrusions 111 that protrude 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 attachment sections 120 attached to the protrusions 111. A plurality of components 200 may be attached to the installation section 110. The components 200 may be attached to the attachment section 120 by, for example, simply placing the components 200 on the attachment section 120, clamping the components 200 and the attachment section 120 together with a clip or the like, or bonding the components 200 and the attachment section 120 together 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 (e.g., top surface 103a) of the housing 103 may be configured to be detachable. This allows an operator to remove the surface and change the arrangement of components 200, such as sensors, attached to the board 105 inside the housing 103. Furthermore, an opening 107 may be provided in at least one surface (e.g., front surface 103b) of the housing 103. By providing the opening 107, it is possible to pull out a cable (not shown) from inside the housing 103 to outside, or pull in a cable (not shown) from outside the housing 103 to inside. The outer surface of the housing 103 may be provided with connecting portions (see connecting portions 101a to 101h in FIG. 10, which will be described later) for connecting multiple test support devices 100.

[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 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 the 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, it is assumed that the installation section 110 has 3×3 electric wires arranged in a grid pattern, and each of the nine intersections of the electric wires has a protrusion 111, as shown in Fig. 5. Note that the number of electric wires arranged in the installation section 110 and the number of their intersections are not limited to this example and can be determined as appropriate.

[0024] The test support device 100 shown in Fig. 4 represents one example of the configuration 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 elements. 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 powered by receiving power from an externally provided main power supply 903. The main power supply 903 supplies power to the multiple measurement 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 that stores information and records measurement result data 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 electric resistors are arranged in a circuit pattern such as that shown in FIG. 6. The electric wires include electric wires 113 extending in a first direction and electric wires 115 extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. For example, the first direction may be horizontal, and the second direction may be vertical, perpendicular to the first direction. Hereinafter, the electric wires 113 extending in the first direction will be referred to as "horizontal electric wires," and the electric wires 115 extending in the second direction will be referred to as "vertical electric wires." 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 , each of the electric wires 113a, 113b, 113c, 115a, 115b, and 115c is wired to the installation section 110 with its starting end and terminal end positioned at one end of the installation section 110 and folded back at the other end. For example, each of the electric wires 113a, 113b, 113c, 115a, 115b, and 115c is wired exposed on the installation surface 112 between its starting end and the other end, and is wired inside the protrusion 111 where there is a protrusion 111 on the wiring path of each electric wire. Furthermore, the electric wires are wired inside the installation section 110 between their 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 twisted relative to 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 the intersection with the other electric wires. The electric resistance consists of an electric resistance 117 (hereinafter also referred to as a "horizontal electric resistance") provided on the horizontal electric wire 113 and an electric resistance 119 (hereinafter also referred to as a "vertical electric resistance") provided on the vertical electric wire 115. In the circuit pattern shown in Fig. 6, the horizontal electric resistance 117 includes nine horizontal electric resistances 117a to 117i, and the vertical electric resistance 119 includes nine vertical electric resistances 119a to 119i.

[0031] For example, as shown in Fig. 6, horizontal wire 113a intersects with vertical wires 115a, 115b, and 115c, respectively. Horizontal wire 113a has horizontal electrical resistors 117a, 117b, and 117c at its intersections with vertical wires 115a, 115b, and 115c. Similarly, vertical wire 115a intersects with horizontal wires 113a, 113b, and 113c, respectively. Vertical wire 115a has vertical electrical resistors 119a, 119d, and 119g at its intersections with 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 convex portion 111 have the same electrical resistance value. For example, the horizontal electrical resistor 117a and the vertical electrical resistor 119a provided on the convex portion 111a have the same electrical resistance value.

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

[0035] One end (e.g., a starting end) of the horizontal electric wires 113 and the vertical electric 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 electric wires 113 and the vertical electric wires 115, a current flows through the horizontal electric wires 113 and the vertical electric wires 115 in accordance with the applied voltage and the state of the electrical resistance connected at that time. The current flowing through the horizontal electric wires 113 and the vertical electric wires 115 flows to the conversion unit 140.

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

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

[0038] The mounting portion 120 also 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 of the mounting electric wires (e.g., the mounting electric wire 123) is electrically connected to the horizontal electric wire 113 disposed in the installation portion 110 when the mounting portion 120 is attached to the installation portion 110. The other mounting electric wire (e.g., the mounting electric wire 125) is electrically connected to the vertical electric wire 115 disposed 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 will also be 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 will also be 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 wires 123 and the vertically mounted electric wires 125 may each have their starting and ending ends disposed at the bottom surface outer periphery 126a of the bottom surface 126 where the recess 122 is formed, as shown in FIG. 7 . Each electric wire 123, 125 is routed from its starting end through the bottom surface 126, the inside of the main body 124, the top surface 128 where 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 ending end. Each electric wire 123, 125 is exposed at the bottom surface 126 and the top surface 128. For example, each electric wire 123, 125 may be exposed at the bottom surface 126 entirely between the bottom surface outer periphery 126a and the edge 122a, as shown in FIG. 7 , or at least a portion of each electric wire 123, 125 may be exposed at the bottom surface 126. Similarly, each of the electric wires 123, 125 may be exposed entirely between the outer periphery 128a of the upper surface and the base 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 wires 123 and vertical mounting wires 125 exposed on the bottom surface 126 come into physical contact with the horizontal wires 113 and vertical wires 115 exposed on the installation surface 112 when the mounting unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the mounting unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110, the horizontal mounting wires 123 come into contact with the horizontal wires 113, and the vertical mounting wires 125 come into contact with the vertical wires 115. This electrically connects the horizontal mounting wires 123 and the horizontal wires 113, and the vertical mounting wires 125 and the vertical wires 115.

[0041] Furthermore, when a second mounting section 120 is stacked vertically on top of a first mounting section 120 attached to the installation section 110, the electrical wires 123, 125 exposed on the top surface of the first mounting section 120 come into physical contact with the electrical wires 123, 125 exposed on the bottom surface 126 of the second mounting section 120, thereby electrically connecting the mounting sections 120.

[0042] The horizontal mounting electric wires 123 and the vertical mounting electric wires 125 each have an electric resistance inside the mounting protrusion 121. The electric resistance of the mounting protrusion 121 consists of an electric resistance 127 provided on the horizontal mounting electric wire 123 (hereinafter also referred to as the "horizontal mounting electric resistance") and an electric resistance 129 provided on the vertical mounting electric wire 125 (hereinafter also referred to as the "vertical mounting electric resistance") 129. The horizontal mounting electric resistance 127 and the vertical mounting electric resistance 129 may have the same electric resistance value or different electric resistance values. However, all mounting parts 120 attached to the installation part 110 are assumed to have the same electric resistance value. In other words, the electric resistance values ​​of the horizontal mounting electric resistance 127 and the vertical mounting electric resistance 129 of the mounting parts 120 are assumed to be 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 fits into the concave portion 122 of the mounting portion 120. With the mounting portion 120 attached to the installation portion 110, the horizontal mounting electric wire 123 is connected to the horizontal electric wire 113, and the vertical mounting electric wire 125 is connected to the vertical electric wire 115. At this time, the horizontal mounting electric resistor 117 is connected to the horizontal mounting electric resistor 127, and the vertical mounting electric resistor 119 is connected to the vertical mounting electric resistor 129, 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.

[0044] (Measurement section) A plurality of measuring units 160 are provided corresponding to the horizontal electric wires 113 and 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 in the installation unit 110 increases, the number of measuring units 160 also increases accordingly.

[0045] Each measurement unit 160 has a power supply unit 130 and a conversion unit 140. That is, a power supply unit 130 and a conversion unit 140 are provided for each electric wire arranged in the installation unit 110. The power supply unit 130 of each measurement unit 160 is connected to a main power supply 903, which is an external power source. The power supply unit 130 receives power from the main power supply 903 and applies a voltage to the electric wire arranged in the connected installation unit 110. The conversion unit 140 of each measurement unit 160 measures the value of a current flowing in the electric wire arranged in the connected installation unit 110 due to 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 acquiring unit 150 acquires the electrical resistance value of each electric wire obtained from the multiple converting units 140. For example, the coordinate acquiring unit 150 stores in advance in a storage unit (not shown) the electrical resistance value of each electric wire when the mounting unit 120 is not attached to the installation unit 110 as a reference electrical resistance value. The coordinate acquiring unit 150 compares the reference electrical resistance value of each electric wire with the electrical resistance value of each electric wire acquired when the mounting unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110. Then, the coordinate acquiring unit 150 identifies the horizontal electric wire 113 and the vertical electric wire 115 whose electrical resistance value has changed before and after the installation of the mounting unit 120 on the installation unit 110, thereby being able to identify the position where the mounting unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110.

[0047] The coordinate acquisition unit 150 acquires the position coordinates of the attachment unit 120 on the installation unit 110. The coordinate acquisition unit 150 transmits position coordinate data including the acquired position coordinates of the attachment unit 120 on the installation unit 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 unit 120 using the test support device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the electrical resistance value before the attachment unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110 of the test support device 100. The left side of FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the installation unit 110 as viewed from above, and the right side of FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the convex portion 111a as viewed from the side. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the electrical resistance value after the attachment unit 120 is attached to the installation unit 110 of the test support device 100. As with FIG. 8, the left side of FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the installation unit 110 as viewed from above, and the right side of FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the convex portion 111a as viewed from the side with the attachment unit 120 attached.

[0050] In the following description, as an example, the installation section 110 has nine protrusions 111 in a 3×3 grid, as in Figure 5. The electrical resistance values ​​of the horizontal installation resistors 127 and vertical installation resistors 129 of the installation section 120 are assumed to be 1 Ω each. The electrical resistance values ​​of the horizontal electrical resistors 117 and vertical electrical resistors 119 provided on each of the protrusions 111a to 111i of the installation section 110 are designated R1 to R9, respectively. These electrical resistance values ​​R1 to R9 are independent of each other and are always equal to or greater than 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 of each of the horizontal electric wires 113a to 113c and each of the vertical electric wires 115a to 115c before the mounting part 120 is attached to the installation part 110 is 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 equation (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 of the horizontal electric wire 113a and the vertical electric wire 115a is V 1. R H 1 is expressed by the following formulas (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 The value of 1 changes. Therefore, it is possible to identify that mounting unit 120 is attached to the intersection of electric wires whose combined resistance value has changed before and after mounting unit 120 on installation unit 110. As a result, coordinate acquisition unit 150 acquires the coordinates of the intersection of the electric wires whose combined 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 multiple mounting portions 120 are stacked and attached to one protrusion 111 of the installation portion 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 portions 120. For example, suppose two mounting portions 120 are stacked and attached to protrusion 111a. In this case, the combined resistance value R1b of these electrical resistances in protrusion 111a is a parallel connection of the electrical resistance of protrusion 111a, the electrical resistance of the first mounting portion 120, and the electrical resistance of the second mounting portion 120. Therefore, the combined resistance value R1b of these electrical resistances in protrusion 111a is expressed by the following equation (10):

[0059]

number

[0060] The combined resistance R1b expressed by the above formula (10) is a value obtained by combining the combined resistance R1a when one mounting portion 120 is attached to the protrusion 111a shown in FIG. 9 and the electrical resistance of the second mounting portion 120, 1 Ω, and is different from the combined resistance R1a. Here, the electrical resistance of each mounting portion 120 is common to all mounting portions 120, at 1 Ω. Therefore, by changing the value of the combined resistance, 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 height coordinate of the component 200 attached to the topmost mounting portion 120. That is, the coordinate acquisition unit 150 can determine the number of mounting portions 120 stacked in the height direction of the installation surface 112 of the installation unit 110 based on the change in the combined resistance value of the convex portion 111, and can acquire the position coordinates of the mounting portions 120 in the height direction of the installation 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 across 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 mounting portion 120 is mounted 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 mounting portion 120 are connected in parallel, the combined resistance value RXa of the protrusion 111x is a value obtained by combining the electrical resistance value (1Ω) of the mounting 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 values ​​RXa also take mutually independent values, and the electrical resistance value RX and the combined resistance value RXa also take 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 value obtained by combining the electrical resistance value (1 Ω) 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 equation (12):

[0066]

number

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

[0068] [4. Environmental testing using multiple test support devices] In the above description, 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 with various heights.

[0069] 10 and 11, a method for acquiring component position coordinates when multiple test support devices 100 are installed in a rack 900 will be described. 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 in the 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 for 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 in the rack 900.

[0070] 10, the test support device 100a has groove-shaped connecting portions 101a to 101d on the side surface of the housing 103, and the test support device 100b has groove-shaped connecting portions 101e to 101h on the side surface. The connecting portions 101a to 101h each have a through-hole that penetrates a pair of walls that face each other in the height direction of the test support devices 100a and 100b. After stacking the test support devices 100a and 100b in the height direction, the test support devices 100a and 100b can be connected by connecting the connecting portions that correspond to each other in the height direction.

[0071] For example, to connect connecting portion 101a and connecting portion 101e, the respective through holes may be overlapped and a rod-shaped member may be inserted through the overlapped through holes. Similarly, connecting portion 101b and connecting portion 101f, connecting portion 101c and connecting portion 101g, and connecting portion 101d and connecting portion 101h may be connected. Note that the connection method of 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. Components 200a to 200c can be attached to the test support devices 100a to 100c, respectively, via attachment portions 120. The components 200a to 200c attached 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, data logger 901, and information processing device 902 are the same as those in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] The test support devices 100a to 100c each have a unique identification number assigned to them in advance. For example, the test support device 100a has identification number 1, the test support device 100b has identification number 2, and the test support device 100c has identification number 3. The identification numbers are recorded, for example, in a memory unit (not shown) of each 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 number 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 the 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. The test support device 100 according to the present disclosure can acquire the position coordinates of the mounting unit 120, to which a component 200 such as a sensor can be attached, based on a change in electrical resistance value that occurs when the mounting unit 120 is electrically connected to the installation unit 110. By acquiring the position coordinates of the mounting unit 120, the measurement environment can be reproduced even after the component 200 has been removed from the test support device 100, making it possible to easily perform environmental testing of the internal unit mounted on the rack 900. Furthermore, a dedicated prototype is no longer necessary, thereby reducing the time and cost required for prototype manufacturing.

[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 (Supplementary Note 1) to (Supplementary Note 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 grid pattern and an electric resistance is provided at each of the intersections of the electric wires, which are positions where components are to be mounted; a mounting portion to which a component can be attached, the mounting portion having 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 the current flowing through each electric wire of the installation unit into an electric resistance value in response to the 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. 10. A test support device as described in appendix 1.

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

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

[0082] (Appendix 5) The coordinate acquisition unit determining the number of mounting portions stacked in a height direction relative to the installation surface of the installation portion 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 relative to the 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 appendices 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 appendices 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 Supplementary Notes 1 to 7.

[0086] (Appendix 9) The component is any one of a sensor, a dummy weight, and a heat source. 9. A test support device according to claim 8.

[0087] (Appendix 10) the coordinate acquisition unit acquires an identification number that is preset for each test support device along with the position coordinates of the attachment 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-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those 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 racks. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

1. A method using a test support device including: a placement section in which a plurality of electric wires are arranged in a grid pattern, and an electrical resistance is provided at each intersection of the electric wires where a component is to be placed; a mounting section to which a component can be attached, which has an electric resistance and is electrically connected to the placed placement section; and a power supply section that applies a voltage to the placement section, a conversion step of converting currents flowing through the electric wires of the installation unit due to the voltage applied by the power supply unit into electrical resistance values; a coordinate acquisition step of acquiring position coordinates of the attachment portion on the installation portion based on the change in the electrical resistance value; The test support method includes:

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. The test support method according to claim 1 .

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

4. In the coordinate acquisition step, coordinates of an intersection of the electric wires whose electrical resistance value has changed before and after installation of the attachment part on the installation part are set as position coordinates of the attachment part on the installation surface of the installation part. The test support method according to claim 1 .

5. In the coordinate acquisition step, determining the number of mounting portions stacked in a height direction relative to the installation surface of the installation portion 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 relative to the installation surface of the installation portion based on the number of the mounting portions; The test support method according to claim 4.

6. The converting step is performed for each of the electric wires disposed in the installation section. The test support method according to claim 1 or 2.

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. The test support method according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The test support device is mounted on a rack. The test support method according to claim 1 or 2.

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

10. In the coordinate acquisition step, an identification number preset for each test support device is acquired together with the position coordinates of the attachment portion. The test support method according to claim 8.

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