US20030175098A1 - In-circuit test fixture loader - Google Patents
In-circuit test fixture loader Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030175098A1 US20030175098A1 US10/193,029 US19302902A US2003175098A1 US 20030175098 A1 US20030175098 A1 US 20030175098A1 US 19302902 A US19302902 A US 19302902A US 2003175098 A1 US2003175098 A1 US 2003175098A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- carrier
- circuit test
- test fixture
- fixture
- loader
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 203
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 8
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/455—Arrangements for functional testing of heads; Measuring arrangements for heads
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
- G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
- G01R31/2801—Testing of printed circuits, backplanes, motherboards, hybrid circuits or carriers for multichip packages [MCP]
- G01R31/2806—Apparatus therefor, e.g. test stations, drivers, analysers, conveyors
- G01R31/2808—Holding, conveying or contacting devices, e.g. test adapters, edge connectors, extender boards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B27/00—Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
- G11B27/10—Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
- G11B27/34—Indicating arrangements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B27/00—Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
- G11B27/36—Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B2220/00—Record carriers by type
- G11B2220/20—Disc-shaped record carriers
Definitions
- This application relates generally to in-circuit testing and more particularly to an in-circuit test fixture loader.
- testing of disc drive printed circuit board assemblies is done to ascertain the operational integrity of the circuit board components.
- an in-circuit test fixture supports the printed circuit board being tested. Additionally, the fixture serves as an electrical and/or mechanical interface between the circuit board assembly testing nodes and the required test instruments.
- the fixture in one test system for testing disc drive printed circuit board assemblies, includes separable base plate and top plate assemblies, weighing about 18 kg and 10 kg, respectively.
- the base plate assembly of the system is especially difficult to load. Factors contributing to this difficulty include: (1) the weight of the base assembly (about 18 kg); (2) the structure of the base assembly (offset and elongated), (3) limited access for gripping the assembly by hand; (4) awkward loading position that is partially blocked by structural members of the test system; and (5) the fixture wiring, which typically includes more than 1000 wire connections. Loading such a fixture into the test system can result in the base plate assembly impacting portions of the testing system structure, which in turn results in damage to the base assembly, wiring damage, or possibly even injury to the operator.
- An in-circuit test fixture loader includes a carrier that is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture.
- the carrier includes a pair of opposing side rails and an end rail between the side rails. The side rails and the end rail are spaced to receive the in-circuit test fixture between the side rails and against the end rail.
- the loader also includes a fixture lock connected to the carrier. The fixture lock is able to selectively abut the in-circuit test fixture to prevent movement of the in-circuit test fixture away from the end rail.
- a horizontal slider attached between the carrier and a mechanism base includes guide shafts on opposite sides of the carrier that guide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a first substantially horizontal direction.
- a vertical slider of the loader is also attached between the carrier and the mechanism base.
- the vertical slider includes an actuator that is operable to slide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a second substantially vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position.
- the horizontal slider and the vertical slider are operable to guide the in-circuit test fixture and the carrier between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier, and a test position, wherein a printed circuit board assembly supported by the in-circuit test fixture may be tested.
- a clamp mounted on a testing base is able to selectively secure the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.
- a method of loading an in-circuit test fixture in an in-circuit test system includes sliding the in-circuit test fixture between side rails of a carrier until the in-circuit test fixture abuts and end rail of the carrier when the carrier is in a receive position, and locking the in-circuit test fixture to the carrier by preventing the in-circuit test fixture from moving away from the end rail.
- the method further includes sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture along horizontal guide shafts in a first horizontal direction from the receive position to a match position, and actuating a vertical slider connected to the carrier to slide the in-circuit test fixture along vertical guide shafts in a second vertical direction from the match position to a test position.
- the method includes clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disc drive showing the primary internal components.
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an in-circuit test fixture loader according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention before the fixture is positioned on the loader.
- FIG. 3 is a separate perspective view of one side of the horizontal slider shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a separate perspective view of the vertical slider shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 5 is a separate perspective view of the clamp assembly shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with a fixture loaded in the test position showing the proximity sensors in the loader.
- FIG. 7 is a process flow chart of a method of fixture loading according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture positioned on the tray in the receive position and the fixture locks in the unlock position.
- FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture positioned on the tray in the receive position and the fixture locks in the lock position.
- FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture in the match position.
- FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture clamped in the test position.
- FIG. 1 A disc drive 100 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
- the disc drive 100 includes a base 102 to which various components of the disc drive 100 are mounted.
- a top cover 104 shown partially cut away, cooperates with the base 102 to form an internal, sealed environment for the disc drive in a conventional manner.
- the components include a spindle motor 106 , which rotates one or more discs 108 at a constant high speed. Information is written to and read from tracks on the discs 108 through the use of an actuator assembly 110 , which rotates during a seek operation about a bearing shaft assembly 112 positioned adjacent the discs 108 .
- the actuator assembly 110 includes a plurality of actuator arms 114 which extend towards the discs 108 , with one or more flexures 116 extending from each of the actuator arms 114 .
- a head 118 mounted at the distal end of each of the flexures 116 is a head 118 , which includes an air bearing slider, enabling the head 118 to fly in close proximity above the corresponding surface of the associated disc 108 .
- the track position of the heads 118 is controlled through the use of a voice coil motor 124 , which typically includes a coil 126 attached to the actuator assembly 110 , as well as one or more permanent magnets 128 which establish a magnetic field in which the coil 126 is immersed.
- the controlled application of current to the coil 126 causes magnetic interaction between the permanent magnets 128 and the coil 126 so that the coil 126 moves in accordance with the well-known Lorentz relationship.
- the actuator assembly 110 pivots about the bearing shaft assembly 112 , and the heads 118 are caused to move across the surfaces of the discs 108 .
- the spindle motor 106 is typically de-energized when the disc drive 100 is not in use for extended periods of time.
- the heads 118 are moved over park zones 120 near the inner diameter of the discs 108 when the drive motor is de-energized.
- the heads 118 are secured over the park zones 120 through the use of an actuator latch arrangement, which prevents inadvertent rotation of the actuator assembly 110 when the heads are parked.
- a flex assembly 130 provides the requisite electrical connection paths for the actuator assembly 110 while allowing pivotal movement of the actuator assembly 110 during operation.
- the flex assembly includes a printed circuit board 132 to which head wires (not shown) are connected; the head wires being routed along the actuator arms 114 and the flexures 116 to the heads 118 .
- the printed circuit board 132 typically includes circuitry for controlling the write currents applied to the heads 118 during a write operation and a preamplifier for amplifying read signals generated by the heads 118 during a read operation.
- the flex assembly terminates at a flex bracket 134 for communication through the base deck 102 to a disc drive printed circuit board (not shown) mounted to the bottom side of the disc drive 100 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates a loader 210 for loading an in-circuit test fixture 212 into an in-circuit test system.
- the fixture 212 preferably supports a printed circuit board assembly to be tested in the in-circuit test system.
- the loader 210 includes a tray or carrier 214 and a mechanism 215 that facilitates movement of the tray 214 in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction. More specifically, the mechanism 215 has a horizontal slider assembly 216 that facilitates horizontal movement of the tray 214 , and a vertical slider or slider assembly 218 facilitates vertical movement of the tray 214 .
- the mechanism 215 is secured to a loader base 220 that is attached to the remainder of the in-circuit test system (not shown).
- a clamp assembly 222 is attached to a testing base 224 .
- a user positions the fixture 212 on the tray 214 .
- the user slides the tray 214 forward, as allowed by the horizontal slider assembly 216 , so that the fixture 212 is positioned above the clamp assembly 222 .
- the user slides the tray downward, preferably by activating an actuator of the vertical slider assembly 218 .
- the clamp assembly 222 then clamps the fixture 212 so that it is stationary relative to the testing base 224 .
- the fixture 212 is then fully loaded and a circuit board assembly or another circuit unit within the fixture can be tested by the test system.
- the clamp assembly 222 releases the fixture 212 .
- the tray 214 and the fixture 212 are then moved up, preferably via actuation of an actuator of the vertical slider assembly 218 .
- the tray 214 and the fixture 212 are then slid backward, as allowed by the horizontal slider assembly 216 .
- the fixture 212 is then removed from the tray 214 .
- the loader 210 allows a user to load and unload the fixture 212 without requiring the user to support the weight of the fixture 212 while moving the fixture 212 forward and down into the in-circuit test system.
- the in-circuit test fixture 212 which is illustrated in simplified form, may be an entire in-circuit test fixture or only a part of the in-circuit test fixture, such as a base plate assembly or a top plate assembly of an in-circuit test fixture.
- the fixture 212 includes a body 230 , which is illustrated as substantially rectangular in shape. In the case of disc drive printed circuit board testing, for example, the fixture 212 may simply be represented as a box-shaped housing receiving and supporting a disc drive circuit board assembly so that the disc drive printed circuit board is exposed to the testing system.
- the body 230 includes a bottom surface 232 and an opposing top surface 234 .
- Fixture ears or plates 236 extend along opposing sides of the body 230 .
- Each ear 236 defines a pair of clamp receiving holes 238 , with one clamp-receiving hole 238 extending vertically through the front portion of each ear 236 and one clamp-receiving hole 238 extending vertically through the rear portion of each ear 236 .
- the tray 214 includes a pair of side rails 250 that extend backward from opposing ends of a front or end rail 252 .
- Tracks 254 extend inwardly from the lower edge of each side rail 250 so that each side rail 250 and track 254 forms a substantially L-shaped cross section.
- Rollers 256 extend inwardly from each side rail 250 along an upwardly facing surface of each track 254 .
- the rollers 256 each protrude about 0.5 mm above the upper surface of each track 254 and are spaced at about 30 mm intervals along each track 254 .
- the rear of each side rail 250 is raised and defines mounting holes 258 therein.
- a handlebar 262 which is preferably an elongate plate, extends between the bottom rear of each track 254 .
- the handlebar 262 defines a pair of gripping holes 264 .
- Each hole 264 is preferably sized and shaped to receive an average size set of human fingers.
- the horizontal slider assembly 216 includes a pair of carriages 270 on opposite sides of the tray 214 .
- Each carriage 270 has a substantially rectangular shaped body 272 that defines a pair of guide shaft holes 274 that extend horizontally through the body 272 , and a set of mounting holes 276 that extend normal to the guide shaft holes 274 and into the body 272 .
- the mounting holes 276 of each carriage 270 align with the mounting holes 258 in the tray 214 and receive fasteners, such as screws that secure the tray 214 to the carriages 270 .
- Each carriage 270 also includes a pair of carriage ears 278 that extend up from the front and rear of the carriage body 272 .
- Each ear 278 has a fixture lock hole 294 therethrough that is substantially parallel to the guide shaft holes 274 .
- a flip-over fixture lock 296 is seated between each set of carriage ears 278 and a pin (not shown) extends through the fixture lock holes 294 and through the fixture lock 296 .
- Each fixture lock 296 is preferably an elongate member that extends away from the carriage 270 .
- the fixture locks 296 can rotate about the pin between an unlock position shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, where the fixture locks 296 extend outwardly from the carriages 270 , and a lock position shown in FIGS. 9 - 11 , where the fixture locks extend inwardly from the carriages 270 .
- the fixture locks 296 are preferably held in each position by gravity or may be spring biased in each of the unlocked and locked positions.
- Each side of the horizontal slider assembly 216 has a side frame member 280 outwardly from the carriages 270 as shown in FIG. 3.
- the horizontal slider frame members 280 are substantially parallel to the side rails 250 of the tray 214 , but are on opposite sides of the carriages 270 so that each carriage 270 is positioned between a horizontal slider frame member 280 and a side rail 250 of the tray 214 .
- a horizontal slider support plate 282 extends between the bottom of the horizontal slider frame members 280 and fixes the horizontal frame members 280 together (see FIGS. 10 - 11 ).
- Two support walls 284 extend inwardly at right angles from the ends of each slider frame member 280 .
- a lower and an upper guide shaft 286 extend along the frame members 280 between each set of support walls 284 .
- Each guide shaft 286 extends through a guide shaft hole 274 in a carriage 270 and supports the carriage 270 for sliding movement forward and backward along the guide shafts 286 .
- the carriages 270 include linear bearings that allow the carriages to easily slide along the guide shafts 286 .
- the carriages 270 each include DU Bearings available under part number NB-1625DU from Daido Metal Co. Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan.
- the tray locks 298 are seated in the horizontal slider support plate 282 inwardly from the rear support walls 284 .
- the tray locks 298 preferably include plungers or pins 299 that are spring loaded so that they are biased upwardly through the horizontal slider support plate 282 .
- the plungers 299 preferably each include a step that they can move upwardly when in one angular position, but not in another angular position.
- tray locks 2 and the plungers 299 are rotated so that the steps on the plungers 299 align with arcuate recesses in the tray locks 298 , the plungers 299 move up to a lock position engaging apertures (not shown) in the handlebar 262 of the tray 214 .
- the plungers 299 When the plungers 299 are pulled down from the lock position to a release position, the tray 214 is released and can move forward.
- the plungers 299 can be secured in the unlock position by rotating the plungers 299 so that the steps on the plungers 299 no longer align with the arcuate recesses in the tray locks 298 .
- Exemplary tray locks are available under part number MIPL-NDX10LW from Imao Corp. of Gifu, Japan.
- FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the vertical slider assembly 218 , which is separately shown in FIG. 4.
- the vertical slider assembly 218 includes a flat, generally U-shaped vertical slider support plate 310 that is part of the mechanism base 220 .
- a pneumatic actuator 312 is secured to each leg of the U-shaped vertical slider support plate 310 .
- Each pneumatic actuator 312 includes a plunger or ram 314 that extends upwardly through the vertical slider support plate 310 .
- the terminus of each ram 314 is secured to a support bar 315 (FIG. 2) that is fixed to the outer side of one of the frame members 280 of the horizontal slider assembly 216 .
- Two guide/alignment shafts 316 extend through the vertical slider support plate 310 toward upper ends that are also secured to the support bars 315 forward and rearward of the ram 314 . Each pair of alignment shafts 316 also extends down through the vertical slider support plate 310 to an alignment shaft support bar 318 . In this way, alignment shafts 316 are maintained in parallel alignment between the bars 315 and 318 . Additionally, referring to FIG. 2, an alignment shaft support unit 320 includes an L-shaped body 322 that is fixed to the mechanism base 220 and to the front alignment shaft 316 .
- each fixture clamp assembly 222 includes an L-shaped fixture support bracket 340 that has a vertical plate portion 342 and a horizontal plate portion 344 extending inwardly from the top of the vertical plate portion 342 .
- the support brackets 340 are preferably rigidly mounted as part of the testing base 244 .
- Each horizontal plate portion 344 defines a pair of clamp shaft holes 346 that align with the clamp receiving holes 238 in the fixture 212 when the fixture 212 is positioned over the clamp assembly 222 as shown in FIGS. 10 - 11 .
- Each horizontal plate portion 344 also defines an upwardly facing fixture support surface 348 .
- the fixture clamp assembly 222 also includes a pair of L-shaped clamp actuator support brackets 360 that are secured to each vertical plate portion 342 below and parallel to the horizontal plate portion 344 .
- Each clamp actuator support bracket 360 defines a pair of actuator access holes 364 that are aligned with the clamp shaft holes 346 through the horizontal plate portion 344 .
- Two clamp actuators 366 are fastened to each clamp actuator support bracket 360 and include rams 368 that extend upwardly through the actuator access holes 364 and through the clamp shaft holes 346 through the horizontal plate portion 344 .
- the actuators are preferably pneumatic cylindrical actuators, such as those available under part number AC-MKA40-10TL from SMC Corp. of Tokyo, Japan.
- the actuators 366 also each include an upper reed sensor 370 that senses when the corresponding ram 368 is in its upper-most, or unclamped, position and a lower reed sensor 372 that senses when the corresponding ram 368 is in its lower-most, or clamped, position.
- a clamp 380 is fixed to the upper end of each ram 368 .
- Each clamp 380 includes a cylindrical clamp body 382 seated on a ram 368 and a pair of clamp arms 384 that extend in opposite horizontal directions from the top of the clamp body 382 and then curve downwardly.
- the clamp actuators 366 each move the ram shafts, and thus the clamps 380 in a spiral motion so that the clamp arms 384 rotate as to extend forwardly and rearward from the clamp body 382 when the rams 368 are in their uppermost or release position (see FIG. 10) and the clamp arms 384 extend ninety degrees to the left and right from the clamp body 382 when the rams 368 are in their lowermost or clamp position (see FIG. 11).
- FIG. 6 illustrates a pair of proximity sensors 390 that extend upwardly and inwardly from the testing base 224 forward from the clamp assembly 222 .
- the proximity sensors 390 activate by sensing the front of the fixture 212 when the fixture 212 is in the match position shown in FIG. 10 or the loaded position shown in FIG. 11.
- the proximity sensors 390 preferably sense whether the proximity sensors are within about 1 mm of a metallic object.
- the proximity sensors 390 may be 1 mm proximity switches sold under part number ENP-ESE-X1C1 by Omron, of Kyoto, Japan.
- the various structural components of the loader 210 discussed above are preferably secured together with fasteners, such as screws or bolts. Also, the loader 210 is preferably positioned about one meter above the floor, positioning the loader 210 ergonomically for human handling of a heavy item, such as the in-circuit test fixture 212 .
- a user first secures the tray 214 to the mechanism base 220 in lock tray operation 410 by rotating the plungers 299 of the tray locks 298 so that the plungers 299 move up to engage the apertures in the tray 214 .
- the tray 214 is thus locked in the receive position shown in FIG. 2.
- the user then mounts the test fixture 212 onto the tray 214 and slides the in-circuit test fixture 212 along the rollers 256 of the tray 214 in place fixture operation 412 .
- the fixture 212 is slid until a front surface of the fixture 212 abuts the end rail 252 of the tray 214 , as shown in FIG. 8.
- the rollers 256 along the tracks 254 then support the fixture 212 .
- the end rail 252 prevents the fixture 212 from sliding farther forward and the side rails 250 prevent the fixture 212 from sliding to either side.
- lock fixture operation 414 a user rotates the fixture locks 296 180 degrees from the inward horizontal unlock position shown in FIG. 8 to the opposite horizontal lock position shown in FIG. 9.
- the fixture locks 296 prevent the fixture 212 from sliding backward on the tray 214 .
- the combination of the side rails 250 , the end rail 252 , and the fixture locks 296 secures the fixture 212 on the tray 214 .
- match position query operation 422 it is determined whether the fixture 212 is positioned so that the clamp receiving holes 238 are aligned above the clamps 380 . This is done by visual inspection and by the proximity sensors 390 , which sense whether the fixture 212 is positioned fully forward in the proper match position. In fact, the loader 210 preferably will not proceed to lower the fixture 212 until the proximity sensors 390 detect a fixture in the match position. This prevents the loader 210 from undesirably proceeding if a fixture 212 is not properly positioned on the tray 214 or the tray 214 has not been properly moved to the match position. If the fixture 212 is not in the proper match position, then the user preferably detects the problem and fixes it in inspect and fix operation 424 . If the fixture 212 is then in the proper match position as determined in the match position query operation 422 , then the user can continue with a lower tray and fixture operation 430 .
- the user preferably depresses a button or a pair of buttons to activate the actuators 312 of the vertical slider assembly 218 .
- the actuators 312 move the rams 314 of the vertical slider 218 and in turn move the fixture 212 and the tray 214 down from the match position of FIG. 10 to the test position of FIG. 11.
- the clamp actuators 366 draw the clamps 380 spirally downwardly so that the clamps 380 secure the fixture ears 236 between the clamp arms 384 and the fixture support surfaces 348 of the fixture support brackets 340 .
- the proximity sensors determine whether the fixture 212 is properly seated fully forward as is proper for the test position. Additionally, the lower reed sensors 372 preferably sense whether the rams 368 are fully retracted, and thus that the clamps 380 are in the clamped position shown in FIG. 11. If the test position query operation 434 determines that the fixture 212 is not properly clamped in the clamp position, then the user preferably detects the problem and fixes it in inspect and fix operation 436 .
- the fixture 212 is properly clamped in the test position as determined in the test position query operation 434 , then the fixture is ready for a circuit or set of circuits, such as a set of circuits in a component of a printed circuit board assembly to be tested.
- the loader preferably illuminates an indicator light, such as a light within one of the buttons discussed above, or otherwise signals that the fixture is fully loaded and ready for testing.
- the in-circuit test system will not proceed with testing until the test position query operation 434 determines that the fixture 212 is properly clamped in the test position.
- test operation 440 the in-circuit test system uses the fixture 212 in testing circuits of circuit board assemblies.
- a remove fixture query operation 441 determines whether it is desirable to remove the fixture 212 , for example when a manufacturing line has completed testing of a required number of printed circuit board assemblies or the fixture 212 must be removed to perform repairs or maintenance.
- the fixture 212 is unclamped in unclamp operation 442 .
- the clamp actuators 366 merely reverse the motion of the clamp operation 432 described above.
- the user preferably depresses a button or set of buttons to activate the clamp actuators 366 .
- the loader 210 can automatically unclamp the fixture 212 when testing is complete.
- the actuators 312 of the vertical slider 218 preferably lift the tray 212 and the fixture 214 to the match position shown in FIG. 10.
- the user grasps the gripping holes 264 of the handlebar 262 and pulls the tray 212 and the fixture 214 backward to the receive position shown in FIG. 9.
- the horizontal slider 216 facilitates this movement.
- the user then rotates the plungers 299 , allowing them to be biased upwardly to engage the tray 214 in lock tray operation 450 .
- the user then pivots the fixture locks 296 from the locked position shown in FIG. 9 to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8 during unlock fixture operation 452 , freeing the fixture 212 to slide backward.
- the user pulls the fixture 212 out of the tray 214 along the rollers 256 in remove fixture operation 454 .
- An embodiment of the present invention may be summarized as an in-circuit test fixture loader (such as 210 ).
- the loader includes a carrier (such as 214 ) that is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture (such as 212 ).
- the carrier includes a pair of opposing side rails (such as 250 ) and an end rail (such as 252 ) between the side rails. The side rails and the end rail are spaced to receive the in-circuit test fixture between the side rails and against the end rail.
- the loader also includes a fixture lock (such as 296 ) connected to the carrier. The fixture lock is able to selectively abut the in-circuit test fixture to prevent movement of the in-circuit test fixture away from the end rail.
- a horizontal slider (such as 216 ) attached between the carrier and a mechanism base (such as 220 ) includes guide shafts (such as 286 ) on opposite sides of the carrier that guide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a first substantially horizontal direction.
- a vertical slider (such as 218 ) of the loader is attached between the carrier and the mechanism base.
- the vertical slider includes an actuator (such as 312 ) that is operable to slide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a second substantially vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position.
- the horizontal slider and the vertical slider are operable to guide the in-circuit test fixture and the carrier between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier, and a test position, wherein a printed circuit board assembly supported by the in-circuit test fixture may be tested.
- a clamp (such as 380 ) mounted on a testing base (such as 224 ) is able to selectively secure the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.
- the actuator may include a ram (such as 314 ) connected to the carrier. Additionally, the loader may include a proximity sensor (such as 390 ) mounted on the testing base and sensing whether the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position.
- a ram such as 314
- the loader may include a proximity sensor (such as 390 ) mounted on the testing base and sensing whether the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position.
- the carrier preferably further includes a pair of tracks (such as 254 ), with one of the tracks extending along each of the side rails. Rollers (such as 256 ) may be positioned along the tracks to support the in-circuit test fixture and to aid sliding movement of the in-circuit test fixture along the tracks.
- the carrier may also include a handlebar (such as 262 ) between the side rails.
- the loader may also include a tray lock (such as 298 ) connected to the mechanism base that selectively engages an aperture in the carrier to lock the carrier in the receive position.
- the clamp preferably includes a body (such as 382 ) and a pair of arms (such as 384 ) extending from the body.
- the clamp is preferably moveable in a spiral motion from an unclamp position, wherein the clamp does not clamp the in-circuit test fixture, to a clamp position, wherein the clamp clamps the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.
- the loader includes a clamp actuator (such as 366 ) connected to the testing base that is operable to move the clamp spirally between the unclamp position and the clamp position.
- the clamp actuator preferably includes a ram (such as 368 ) connected to the clamp, and the ram preferably extends through a plate (such as 344 ) that is fixed to the base.
- the clamp holds the in-circuit test fixture between the clamp arms and the support plate in the clamp position.
- an embodiment of the present invention may be described as a method of loading an in-circuit test fixture (such as 212 ) in an in-circuit test system.
- the method includes sliding the in-circuit test fixture between side rails (such as 250 ) of a carrier until the in-circuit test fixture abuts and end rail (such as 252 ) of the carrier when the carrier is in a receive position, and locking the in-circuit test fixture to the carrier by preventing the in-circuit test fixture from moving away from the end rail.
- the method further includes sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture horizontally along horizontal guide shafts (such as 286 ) in a first horizontal direction from the receive position to a match position, and actuating a vertical slider (such as 218 ) connected to the carrier to slide the in-circuit test fixture vertically along vertical guide shafts (such as 316 ) in a second vertical direction from the match position to a test position. Finally, the method includes clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- the vertical slider step may include actuating a ram (such as 314 ). Additionally, the method may include sensing that the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position before the step of clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- the horizontal sliding step preferably includes manually sliding the carrier, and the clamping step preferably includes moving a clamp (such as 380 ) in a spiral motion so that the clamp abuts the in-circuit test fixture.
- the clamping step preferably includes actuating a ram (such as 368 ).
- an embodiment of the present invention may be summarized as an in-circuit test fixture loader (such as 210 ) that includes a carrier (such as 214 ), which is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture so that the fixture is positioned between opposing side rails (such as 250 ) of the carrier and the fixture abuts an end rail (such as 252 ) of the carrier that extends between the side rails.
- a carrier such as 214
- an end rail such as 252
- the loader also includes means for sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier and unloaded from the carrier, and a test position, wherein a circuit secured to the in-circuit test fixture may be tested, and for selectively locking the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Tests Of Electronic Circuits (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/364,775, filed Mar. 15, 2002.
- This application relates generally to in-circuit testing and more particularly to an in-circuit test fixture loader.
- Testing of disc drive printed circuit board assemblies is done to ascertain the operational integrity of the circuit board components. For in-circuit test systems, an in-circuit test fixture supports the printed circuit board being tested. Additionally, the fixture serves as an electrical and/or mechanical interface between the circuit board assembly testing nodes and the required test instruments.
- Automated in-circuit test systems have been developed to more efficiently test printed circuit board assemblies. However, even in automated systems the fixtures have typically been manually loaded into the test system. Such fixtures can be difficult to load into the system, especially in “horizontal receiver access” test systems where the fixture must be inserted horizontally through an opening in the test system.
- As an example, in one test system for testing disc drive printed circuit board assemblies, the fixture includes separable base plate and top plate assemblies, weighing about 18 kg and 10 kg, respectively. The base plate assembly of the system is especially difficult to load. Factors contributing to this difficulty include: (1) the weight of the base assembly (about 18 kg); (2) the structure of the base assembly (offset and elongated), (3) limited access for gripping the assembly by hand; (4) awkward loading position that is partially blocked by structural members of the test system; and (5) the fixture wiring, which typically includes more than 1000 wire connections. Loading such a fixture into the test system can result in the base plate assembly impacting portions of the testing system structure, which in turn results in damage to the base assembly, wiring damage, or possibly even injury to the operator.
- Accordingly there is a need for a safer and more reliable way to load fixtures for automated in-circuit test systems. The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.
- Against this backdrop the present invention has been developed. An in-circuit test fixture loader according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a carrier that is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture. The carrier includes a pair of opposing side rails and an end rail between the side rails. The side rails and the end rail are spaced to receive the in-circuit test fixture between the side rails and against the end rail. The loader also includes a fixture lock connected to the carrier. The fixture lock is able to selectively abut the in-circuit test fixture to prevent movement of the in-circuit test fixture away from the end rail. A horizontal slider attached between the carrier and a mechanism base includes guide shafts on opposite sides of the carrier that guide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a first substantially horizontal direction. A vertical slider of the loader is also attached between the carrier and the mechanism base. The vertical slider includes an actuator that is operable to slide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a second substantially vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position. The horizontal slider and the vertical slider are operable to guide the in-circuit test fixture and the carrier between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier, and a test position, wherein a printed circuit board assembly supported by the in-circuit test fixture may be tested. Also, a clamp mounted on a testing base is able to selectively secure the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.
- A method of loading an in-circuit test fixture in an in-circuit test system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes sliding the in-circuit test fixture between side rails of a carrier until the in-circuit test fixture abuts and end rail of the carrier when the carrier is in a receive position, and locking the in-circuit test fixture to the carrier by preventing the in-circuit test fixture from moving away from the end rail. The method further includes sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture along horizontal guide shafts in a first horizontal direction from the receive position to a match position, and actuating a vertical slider connected to the carrier to slide the in-circuit test fixture along vertical guide shafts in a second vertical direction from the match position to a test position. Finally, the method includes clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disc drive showing the primary internal components.
- FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an in-circuit test fixture loader according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention before the fixture is positioned on the loader.
- FIG. 3 is a separate perspective view of one side of the horizontal slider shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a separate perspective view of the vertical slider shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 5 is a separate perspective view of the clamp assembly shown in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with a fixture loaded in the test position showing the proximity sensors in the loader.
- FIG. 7 is a process flow chart of a method of fixture loading according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture positioned on the tray in the receive position and the fixture locks in the unlock position.
- FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture positioned on the tray in the receive position and the fixture locks in the lock position.
- FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture in the match position.
- FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the loader of FIG. 2 with the fixture clamped in the test position.
- A
disc drive 100 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Thedisc drive 100 includes abase 102 to which various components of thedisc drive 100 are mounted. Atop cover 104, shown partially cut away, cooperates with thebase 102 to form an internal, sealed environment for the disc drive in a conventional manner. The components include aspindle motor 106, which rotates one ormore discs 108 at a constant high speed. Information is written to and read from tracks on thediscs 108 through the use of anactuator assembly 110, which rotates during a seek operation about abearing shaft assembly 112 positioned adjacent thediscs 108. Theactuator assembly 110 includes a plurality ofactuator arms 114 which extend towards thediscs 108, with one ormore flexures 116 extending from each of theactuator arms 114. Mounted at the distal end of each of theflexures 116 is ahead 118, which includes an air bearing slider, enabling thehead 118 to fly in close proximity above the corresponding surface of the associateddisc 108. - During a seek operation, the track position of the
heads 118 is controlled through the use of avoice coil motor 124, which typically includes acoil 126 attached to theactuator assembly 110, as well as one or morepermanent magnets 128 which establish a magnetic field in which thecoil 126 is immersed. The controlled application of current to thecoil 126 causes magnetic interaction between thepermanent magnets 128 and thecoil 126 so that thecoil 126 moves in accordance with the well-known Lorentz relationship. As thecoil 126 moves, theactuator assembly 110 pivots about thebearing shaft assembly 112, and theheads 118 are caused to move across the surfaces of thediscs 108. - The
spindle motor 106 is typically de-energized when thedisc drive 100 is not in use for extended periods of time. Theheads 118 are moved overpark zones 120 near the inner diameter of thediscs 108 when the drive motor is de-energized. Theheads 118 are secured over thepark zones 120 through the use of an actuator latch arrangement, which prevents inadvertent rotation of theactuator assembly 110 when the heads are parked. - A
flex assembly 130 provides the requisite electrical connection paths for theactuator assembly 110 while allowing pivotal movement of theactuator assembly 110 during operation. The flex assembly includes a printedcircuit board 132 to which head wires (not shown) are connected; the head wires being routed along theactuator arms 114 and theflexures 116 to theheads 118. The printedcircuit board 132 typically includes circuitry for controlling the write currents applied to theheads 118 during a write operation and a preamplifier for amplifying read signals generated by theheads 118 during a read operation. The flex assembly terminates at aflex bracket 134 for communication through thebase deck 102 to a disc drive printed circuit board (not shown) mounted to the bottom side of thedisc drive 100. - Testing of disc drive printed circuit board assemblies is done to ascertain the operational integrity of the circuit board components. FIG. 2 illustrates a
loader 210 for loading an in-circuit test fixture 212 into an in-circuit test system. Thefixture 212 preferably supports a printed circuit board assembly to be tested in the in-circuit test system. Theloader 210 includes a tray orcarrier 214 and amechanism 215 that facilitates movement of thetray 214 in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction. More specifically, themechanism 215 has ahorizontal slider assembly 216 that facilitates horizontal movement of thetray 214, and a vertical slider orslider assembly 218 facilitates vertical movement of thetray 214. Themechanism 215 is secured to aloader base 220 that is attached to the remainder of the in-circuit test system (not shown). Aclamp assembly 222 is attached to atesting base 224. - Basically, a user positions the
fixture 212 on thetray 214. The user then slides thetray 214 forward, as allowed by thehorizontal slider assembly 216, so that thefixture 212 is positioned above theclamp assembly 222. The user then slides the tray downward, preferably by activating an actuator of thevertical slider assembly 218. Theclamp assembly 222 then clamps thefixture 212 so that it is stationary relative to thetesting base 224. Thefixture 212 is then fully loaded and a circuit board assembly or another circuit unit within the fixture can be tested by the test system. - When it is desirable to remove the
fixture 212, such as when a manufacturing line has completed testing of a required number of printed circuit board assemblies, theclamp assembly 222 releases thefixture 212. Thetray 214 and thefixture 212 are then moved up, preferably via actuation of an actuator of thevertical slider assembly 218. Thetray 214 and thefixture 212 are then slid backward, as allowed by thehorizontal slider assembly 216. Thefixture 212 is then removed from thetray 214. Thus, theloader 210 allows a user to load and unload thefixture 212 without requiring the user to support the weight of thefixture 212 while moving thefixture 212 forward and down into the in-circuit test system. - The
loader 210 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The in-circuit test fixture 212, which is illustrated in simplified form, may be an entire in-circuit test fixture or only a part of the in-circuit test fixture, such as a base plate assembly or a top plate assembly of an in-circuit test fixture. Thefixture 212 includes abody 230, which is illustrated as substantially rectangular in shape. In the case of disc drive printed circuit board testing, for example, thefixture 212 may simply be represented as a box-shaped housing receiving and supporting a disc drive circuit board assembly so that the disc drive printed circuit board is exposed to the testing system. Thebody 230 includes abottom surface 232 and an opposingtop surface 234. Fixture ears orplates 236 extend along opposing sides of thebody 230. Eachear 236 defines a pair ofclamp receiving holes 238, with one clamp-receivinghole 238 extending vertically through the front portion of eachear 236 and one clamp-receivinghole 238 extending vertically through the rear portion of eachear 236. - The
tray 214 includes a pair ofside rails 250 that extend backward from opposing ends of a front orend rail 252.Tracks 254 extend inwardly from the lower edge of eachside rail 250 so that eachside rail 250 and track 254 forms a substantially L-shaped cross section.Rollers 256 extend inwardly from eachside rail 250 along an upwardly facing surface of eachtrack 254. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, therollers 256 each protrude about 0.5 mm above the upper surface of eachtrack 254 and are spaced at about 30 mm intervals along eachtrack 254. The rear of eachside rail 250 is raised and defines mountingholes 258 therein. - A
handlebar 262, which is preferably an elongate plate, extends between the bottom rear of eachtrack 254. Thehandlebar 262 defines a pair ofgripping holes 264. Eachhole 264 is preferably sized and shaped to receive an average size set of human fingers. - Referring now to FIGS.2-3, the
horizontal slider assembly 216 includes a pair ofcarriages 270 on opposite sides of thetray 214. Eachcarriage 270 has a substantially rectangular shapedbody 272 that defines a pair of guide shaft holes 274 that extend horizontally through thebody 272, and a set of mountingholes 276 that extend normal to the guide shaft holes 274 and into thebody 272. The mountingholes 276 of eachcarriage 270 align with the mountingholes 258 in thetray 214 and receive fasteners, such as screws that secure thetray 214 to thecarriages 270. - Each
carriage 270 also includes a pair ofcarriage ears 278 that extend up from the front and rear of thecarriage body 272. Eachear 278 has afixture lock hole 294 therethrough that is substantially parallel to the guide shaft holes 274. A flip-overfixture lock 296 is seated between each set ofcarriage ears 278 and a pin (not shown) extends through the fixture lock holes 294 and through thefixture lock 296. Eachfixture lock 296 is preferably an elongate member that extends away from thecarriage 270. The fixture locks 296 can rotate about the pin between an unlock position shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, where the fixture locks 296 extend outwardly from thecarriages 270, and a lock position shown in FIGS. 9-11, where the fixture locks extend inwardly from thecarriages 270. The fixture locks 296 are preferably held in each position by gravity or may be spring biased in each of the unlocked and locked positions. - Each side of the
horizontal slider assembly 216 has aside frame member 280 outwardly from thecarriages 270 as shown in FIG. 3. The horizontalslider frame members 280 are substantially parallel to the side rails 250 of thetray 214, but are on opposite sides of thecarriages 270 so that eachcarriage 270 is positioned between a horizontalslider frame member 280 and aside rail 250 of thetray 214. A horizontalslider support plate 282 extends between the bottom of the horizontalslider frame members 280 and fixes thehorizontal frame members 280 together (see FIGS. 10-11). Twosupport walls 284 extend inwardly at right angles from the ends of eachslider frame member 280. A lower and anupper guide shaft 286 extend along theframe members 280 between each set ofsupport walls 284. Eachguide shaft 286 extends through aguide shaft hole 274 in acarriage 270 and supports thecarriage 270 for sliding movement forward and backward along theguide shafts 286. Preferably, thecarriages 270 include linear bearings that allow the carriages to easily slide along theguide shafts 286. In a preferred embodiment, thecarriages 270 each include DU Bearings available under part number NB-1625DU from Daido Metal Co. Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan. - Two spring loaded tray locks298, shown in FIG. 2, are seated in the horizontal
slider support plate 282 inwardly from therear support walls 284. The tray locks 298 preferably include plungers orpins 299 that are spring loaded so that they are biased upwardly through the horizontalslider support plate 282. Theplungers 299 preferably each include a step that they can move upwardly when in one angular position, but not in another angular position. When thetray 214 is located in its rear-most or “receive” position as shown in FIG. 2 and theplungers 299 are rotated so that the steps on theplungers 299 align with arcuate recesses in the tray locks 298, theplungers 299 move up to a lock position engaging apertures (not shown) in thehandlebar 262 of thetray 214. When theplungers 299 are pulled down from the lock position to a release position, thetray 214 is released and can move forward. Theplungers 299 can be secured in the unlock position by rotating theplungers 299 so that the steps on theplungers 299 no longer align with the arcuate recesses in the tray locks 298. Exemplary tray locks are available under part number MIPL-NDX10LW from Imao Corp. of Gifu, Japan. - FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate the
vertical slider assembly 218, which is separately shown in FIG. 4. Thevertical slider assembly 218 includes a flat, generally U-shaped verticalslider support plate 310 that is part of themechanism base 220. Apneumatic actuator 312 is secured to each leg of the U-shaped verticalslider support plate 310. Eachpneumatic actuator 312 includes a plunger or ram 314 that extends upwardly through the verticalslider support plate 310. The terminus of eachram 314 is secured to a support bar 315 (FIG. 2) that is fixed to the outer side of one of theframe members 280 of thehorizontal slider assembly 216. Two guide/alignment shafts 316 extend through the verticalslider support plate 310 toward upper ends that are also secured to the support bars 315 forward and rearward of theram 314. Each pair ofalignment shafts 316 also extends down through the verticalslider support plate 310 to an alignmentshaft support bar 318. In this way,alignment shafts 316 are maintained in parallel alignment between thebars shaft support unit 320 includes an L-shapedbody 322 that is fixed to themechanism base 220 and to thefront alignment shaft 316. - Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, each
fixture clamp assembly 222 includes an L-shapedfixture support bracket 340 that has avertical plate portion 342 and ahorizontal plate portion 344 extending inwardly from the top of thevertical plate portion 342. Thesupport brackets 340 are preferably rigidly mounted as part of the testing base 244. Eachhorizontal plate portion 344 defines a pair of clamp shaft holes 346 that align with theclamp receiving holes 238 in thefixture 212 when thefixture 212 is positioned over theclamp assembly 222 as shown in FIGS. 10-11. Eachhorizontal plate portion 344 also defines an upwardly facingfixture support surface 348. - The
fixture clamp assembly 222 also includes a pair of L-shaped clampactuator support brackets 360 that are secured to eachvertical plate portion 342 below and parallel to thehorizontal plate portion 344. Each clampactuator support bracket 360 defines a pair of actuator access holes 364 that are aligned with the clamp shaft holes 346 through thehorizontal plate portion 344. Twoclamp actuators 366 are fastened to each clampactuator support bracket 360 and includerams 368 that extend upwardly through the actuator access holes 364 and through the clamp shaft holes 346 through thehorizontal plate portion 344. The actuators are preferably pneumatic cylindrical actuators, such as those available under part number AC-MKA40-10TL from SMC Corp. of Tokyo, Japan. Theactuators 366 also each include anupper reed sensor 370 that senses when thecorresponding ram 368 is in its upper-most, or unclamped, position and alower reed sensor 372 that senses when thecorresponding ram 368 is in its lower-most, or clamped, position. - A
clamp 380 is fixed to the upper end of eachram 368. Eachclamp 380 includes acylindrical clamp body 382 seated on aram 368 and a pair ofclamp arms 384 that extend in opposite horizontal directions from the top of theclamp body 382 and then curve downwardly. The clamp actuators 366 each move the ram shafts, and thus theclamps 380 in a spiral motion so that theclamp arms 384 rotate as to extend forwardly and rearward from theclamp body 382 when therams 368 are in their uppermost or release position (see FIG. 10) and theclamp arms 384 extend ninety degrees to the left and right from theclamp body 382 when therams 368 are in their lowermost or clamp position (see FIG. 11). - FIG. 6 illustrates a pair of
proximity sensors 390 that extend upwardly and inwardly from thetesting base 224 forward from theclamp assembly 222. Theproximity sensors 390 activate by sensing the front of thefixture 212 when thefixture 212 is in the match position shown in FIG. 10 or the loaded position shown in FIG. 11. Theproximity sensors 390 preferably sense whether the proximity sensors are within about 1 mm of a metallic object. Theproximity sensors 390 may be 1 mm proximity switches sold under part number ENP-ESE-X1C1 by Omron, of Kyoto, Japan. - The various structural components of the
loader 210 discussed above are preferably secured together with fasteners, such as screws or bolts. Also, theloader 210 is preferably positioned about one meter above the floor, positioning theloader 210 ergonomically for human handling of a heavy item, such as the in-circuit test fixture 212. - Use of the
loader 210 will now be described with reference to FIG. 7. A user first secures thetray 214 to themechanism base 220 inlock tray operation 410 by rotating theplungers 299 of the tray locks 298 so that theplungers 299 move up to engage the apertures in thetray 214. Thetray 214 is thus locked in the receive position shown in FIG. 2. - The user then mounts the
test fixture 212 onto thetray 214 and slides the in-circuit test fixture 212 along therollers 256 of thetray 214 inplace fixture operation 412. Preferably, thefixture 212 is slid until a front surface of thefixture 212 abuts theend rail 252 of thetray 214, as shown in FIG. 8. Therollers 256 along thetracks 254 then support thefixture 212. Theend rail 252 prevents thefixture 212 from sliding farther forward and the side rails 250 prevent thefixture 212 from sliding to either side. - In
lock fixture operation 414, a user rotates the fixture locks 296 180 degrees from the inward horizontal unlock position shown in FIG. 8 to the opposite horizontal lock position shown in FIG. 9. In the lock position of FIG. 9, the fixture locks 296 prevent thefixture 212 from sliding backward on thetray 214. Thus, the combination of the side rails 250, theend rail 252, and the fixture locks 296 secures thefixture 212 on thetray 214. - The user then pulls each of the
plungers 299 down and rotates them to secure them in the unlock position where they are disengaged from the apertures in thetray 214 inunlock tray operation 416. Thetray 214 is then free to move forward, which movement is facilitated by thehorizontal slider 216. In slideforward operation 420, the user slides thetray 214 and thefixture 212 forward along therails 286 to the match position illustrated in FIG. 10. - In match
position query operation 422, it is determined whether thefixture 212 is positioned so that theclamp receiving holes 238 are aligned above theclamps 380. This is done by visual inspection and by theproximity sensors 390, which sense whether thefixture 212 is positioned fully forward in the proper match position. In fact, theloader 210 preferably will not proceed to lower thefixture 212 until theproximity sensors 390 detect a fixture in the match position. This prevents theloader 210 from undesirably proceeding if afixture 212 is not properly positioned on thetray 214 or thetray 214 has not been properly moved to the match position. If thefixture 212 is not in the proper match position, then the user preferably detects the problem and fixes it in inspect and fixoperation 424. If thefixture 212 is then in the proper match position as determined in the matchposition query operation 422, then the user can continue with a lower tray andfixture operation 430. - In the lower tray and
fixture operation 430, the user preferably depresses a button or a pair of buttons to activate theactuators 312 of thevertical slider assembly 218. Theactuators 312 move therams 314 of thevertical slider 218 and in turn move thefixture 212 and thetray 214 down from the match position of FIG. 10 to the test position of FIG. 11. Then, inclamp operation 432, theclamp actuators 366 draw theclamps 380 spirally downwardly so that theclamps 380 secure thefixture ears 236 between theclamp arms 384 and the fixture support surfaces 348 of thefixture support brackets 340. - In the test
position query operation 434, the proximity sensors determine whether thefixture 212 is properly seated fully forward as is proper for the test position. Additionally, thelower reed sensors 372 preferably sense whether therams 368 are fully retracted, and thus that theclamps 380 are in the clamped position shown in FIG. 11. If the testposition query operation 434 determines that thefixture 212 is not properly clamped in the clamp position, then the user preferably detects the problem and fixes it in inspect and fixoperation 436. If thefixture 212 is properly clamped in the test position as determined in the testposition query operation 434, then the fixture is ready for a circuit or set of circuits, such as a set of circuits in a component of a printed circuit board assembly to be tested. The loader preferably illuminates an indicator light, such as a light within one of the buttons discussed above, or otherwise signals that the fixture is fully loaded and ready for testing. Preferably, the in-circuit test system will not proceed with testing until the testposition query operation 434 determines that thefixture 212 is properly clamped in the test position. Intest operation 440, the in-circuit test system uses thefixture 212 in testing circuits of circuit board assemblies. - A remove
fixture query operation 441 determines whether it is desirable to remove thefixture 212, for example when a manufacturing line has completed testing of a required number of printed circuit board assemblies or thefixture 212 must be removed to perform repairs or maintenance. When it is desirable to remove thefixtures 212, thefixture 212 is unclamped inunclamp operation 442. Inunclamp operation 442, theclamp actuators 366 merely reverse the motion of theclamp operation 432 described above. To perform this operation, the user preferably depresses a button or set of buttons to activate theclamp actuators 366. Alternatively, theloader 210 can automatically unclamp thefixture 212 when testing is complete. In raise tray andfixture operation 444, theactuators 312 of thevertical slider 218 preferably lift thetray 212 and thefixture 214 to the match position shown in FIG. 10. - Once the raise tray and
fixture operation 444 is complete, the user grasps thegripping holes 264 of thehandlebar 262 and pulls thetray 212 and thefixture 214 backward to the receive position shown in FIG. 9. Thehorizontal slider 216 facilitates this movement. The user then rotates theplungers 299, allowing them to be biased upwardly to engage thetray 214 inlock tray operation 450. The user then pivots the fixture locks 296 from the locked position shown in FIG. 9 to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8 duringunlock fixture operation 452, freeing thefixture 212 to slide backward. The user pulls thefixture 212 out of thetray 214 along therollers 256 inremove fixture operation 454. - An embodiment of the present invention may be summarized as an in-circuit test fixture loader (such as210). The loader includes a carrier (such as 214) that is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture (such as 212). The carrier includes a pair of opposing side rails (such as 250) and an end rail (such as 252) between the side rails. The side rails and the end rail are spaced to receive the in-circuit test fixture between the side rails and against the end rail. The loader also includes a fixture lock (such as 296) connected to the carrier. The fixture lock is able to selectively abut the in-circuit test fixture to prevent movement of the in-circuit test fixture away from the end rail. A horizontal slider (such as 216) attached between the carrier and a mechanism base (such as 220) includes guide shafts (such as 286) on opposite sides of the carrier that guide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a first substantially horizontal direction. A vertical slider (such as 218) of the loader is attached between the carrier and the mechanism base. The vertical slider includes an actuator (such as 312) that is operable to slide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a second substantially vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position. The horizontal slider and the vertical slider are operable to guide the in-circuit test fixture and the carrier between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier, and a test position, wherein a printed circuit board assembly supported by the in-circuit test fixture may be tested. Also, a clamp (such as 380) mounted on a testing base (such as 224) is able to selectively secure the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.
- The actuator may include a ram (such as314) connected to the carrier. Additionally, the loader may include a proximity sensor (such as 390) mounted on the testing base and sensing whether the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position.
- The carrier preferably further includes a pair of tracks (such as254), with one of the tracks extending along each of the side rails. Rollers (such as 256) may be positioned along the tracks to support the in-circuit test fixture and to aid sliding movement of the in-circuit test fixture along the tracks. The carrier may also include a handlebar (such as 262) between the side rails. The loader may also include a tray lock (such as 298) connected to the mechanism base that selectively engages an aperture in the carrier to lock the carrier in the receive position.
- The clamp preferably includes a body (such as382) and a pair of arms (such as 384) extending from the body. The clamp is preferably moveable in a spiral motion from an unclamp position, wherein the clamp does not clamp the in-circuit test fixture, to a clamp position, wherein the clamp clamps the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loader includes a clamp actuator (such as 366) connected to the testing base that is operable to move the clamp spirally between the unclamp position and the clamp position. The clamp actuator preferably includes a ram (such as 368) connected to the clamp, and the ram preferably extends through a plate (such as 344) that is fixed to the base. The clamp holds the in-circuit test fixture between the clamp arms and the support plate in the clamp position.
- Stated another way, an embodiment of the present invention may be described as a method of loading an in-circuit test fixture (such as212) in an in-circuit test system. The method includes sliding the in-circuit test fixture between side rails (such as 250) of a carrier until the in-circuit test fixture abuts and end rail (such as 252) of the carrier when the carrier is in a receive position, and locking the in-circuit test fixture to the carrier by preventing the in-circuit test fixture from moving away from the end rail. The method further includes sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture horizontally along horizontal guide shafts (such as 286) in a first horizontal direction from the receive position to a match position, and actuating a vertical slider (such as 218) connected to the carrier to slide the in-circuit test fixture vertically along vertical guide shafts (such as 316) in a second vertical direction from the match position to a test position. Finally, the method includes clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- The vertical slider step may include actuating a ram (such as314). Additionally, the method may include sensing that the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position before the step of clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- The horizontal sliding step preferably includes manually sliding the carrier, and the clamping step preferably includes moving a clamp (such as380) in a spiral motion so that the clamp abuts the in-circuit test fixture. The clamping step preferably includes actuating a ram (such as 368).
- Stated yet another way, an embodiment of the present invention may be summarized as an in-circuit test fixture loader (such as210) that includes a carrier (such as 214), which is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture so that the fixture is positioned between opposing side rails (such as 250) of the carrier and the fixture abuts an end rail (such as 252) of the carrier that extends between the side rails. The loader also includes means for sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier and unloaded from the carrier, and a test position, wherein a circuit secured to the in-circuit test fixture may be tested, and for selectively locking the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.
- It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment has been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the present invention. For example, the
horizontal slider 216 and thevertical slider 218 could be arranged in a different configuration. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/193,029 US20030175098A1 (en) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-07-10 | In-circuit test fixture loader |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US36477502P | 2002-03-15 | 2002-03-15 | |
US10/193,029 US20030175098A1 (en) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-07-10 | In-circuit test fixture loader |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030175098A1 true US20030175098A1 (en) | 2003-09-18 |
Family
ID=28044448
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/193,029 Abandoned US20030175098A1 (en) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-07-10 | In-circuit test fixture loader |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20030175098A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050109131A1 (en) * | 2003-11-26 | 2005-05-26 | Donald Wanek | Hard drive test fixture |
US8811135B1 (en) * | 2012-03-20 | 2014-08-19 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive component flow fixture |
CN107132398A (en) * | 2017-05-26 | 2017-09-05 | 重庆市铭冀电子科技有限公司 | Cell phone mainboard current detecting special purpose device |
CN107422176A (en) * | 2017-05-26 | 2017-12-01 | 重庆市铭冀电子科技有限公司 | It is single to support arm-type cell phone mainboard current detecting special purpose device |
CN109238542A (en) * | 2018-11-05 | 2019-01-18 | 开平市佰利丰纺织有限公司 | A kind of electronics puller system |
CN109297395A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2019-02-01 | 贵州新安航空机械有限责任公司 | Test fixture of the test product close to characteristic energy |
CN112611895A (en) * | 2020-12-11 | 2021-04-06 | 北京无线电测量研究所 | Test tool |
CN116709752A (en) * | 2023-08-01 | 2023-09-05 | 常州市武进三维电子有限公司 | Detection test fixture equipment based on flexible circuit board |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4776745A (en) * | 1987-01-27 | 1988-10-11 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Substrate handling system |
US5823737A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1998-10-20 | Lucent Technologies | Probemat handler |
US6056499A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 2000-05-02 | Alum-A-Lift, Inc. | Lifting device and end effector for holding a circuit board test fixture |
-
2002
- 2002-07-10 US US10/193,029 patent/US20030175098A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4776745A (en) * | 1987-01-27 | 1988-10-11 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Substrate handling system |
US5823737A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1998-10-20 | Lucent Technologies | Probemat handler |
US6056499A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 2000-05-02 | Alum-A-Lift, Inc. | Lifting device and end effector for holding a circuit board test fixture |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050109131A1 (en) * | 2003-11-26 | 2005-05-26 | Donald Wanek | Hard drive test fixture |
US7232101B2 (en) * | 2003-11-26 | 2007-06-19 | Pemstar, Inc. | Hard drive test fixture |
US8811135B1 (en) * | 2012-03-20 | 2014-08-19 | Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | Disk drive component flow fixture |
CN107132398A (en) * | 2017-05-26 | 2017-09-05 | 重庆市铭冀电子科技有限公司 | Cell phone mainboard current detecting special purpose device |
CN107422176A (en) * | 2017-05-26 | 2017-12-01 | 重庆市铭冀电子科技有限公司 | It is single to support arm-type cell phone mainboard current detecting special purpose device |
CN109297395A (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2019-02-01 | 贵州新安航空机械有限责任公司 | Test fixture of the test product close to characteristic energy |
CN109238542A (en) * | 2018-11-05 | 2019-01-18 | 开平市佰利丰纺织有限公司 | A kind of electronics puller system |
CN112611895A (en) * | 2020-12-11 | 2021-04-06 | 北京无线电测量研究所 | Test tool |
CN116709752A (en) * | 2023-08-01 | 2023-09-05 | 常州市武进三维电子有限公司 | Detection test fixture equipment based on flexible circuit board |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5094584A (en) | Method and apparatus for automatically changing printed circuit board test fixtures | |
US5104277A (en) | Method and apparatus for automatically changing printed circuit board test fixtures | |
US20030173947A1 (en) | Printed circuit board test fixture | |
US4683506A (en) | Disc drive arrangement for a hard disc cartridge with a read/write head retract mechanism | |
US7203060B2 (en) | Disk drive support assembly, clamp assembly and disk drive carrier | |
CN108627756B (en) | Circuit board test system, circuit board test method and circuit board installation device | |
US5543726A (en) | Open frame gantry probing system | |
US20030175098A1 (en) | In-circuit test fixture loader | |
KR100742687B1 (en) | Disc device | |
US7380251B2 (en) | Disk apparatus | |
JP3524470B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for loading a magnetic head onto a magnetic disk | |
US6034524A (en) | Apparatus and method for testing flexible circuit substrates | |
EP1495339B1 (en) | Semiconductor test system with easily changed interface unit | |
US5696653A (en) | Tooling for holding a head gimbal assembly | |
US8179134B2 (en) | Handling robot of magnetic head assembly, magnetic head test method and magnetic head tester | |
JP4377859B2 (en) | Magnetic head slider positioning mechanism and magnetic head slider inspection apparatus | |
JP2009528511A (en) | Electronic component testing equipment | |
US6590842B1 (en) | Recording and/or reproducing apparatus for disklike recording medium | |
JP4443937B2 (en) | Automated test system with compliance for tester positioning and method of operating it | |
JP3568124B2 (en) | Disk drive | |
JPH0847862A (en) | Clamp block device in wire clamping device | |
JP3202352B2 (en) | Probe pin changer for circuit board inspection machine | |
CN114705274B (en) | Diaphragm gas meter fixing device and method suitable for automatic detection line | |
KR100460766B1 (en) | Detaching device of a test device for a hard disk drive, specifically related to realizing a detaching function by alternately locking and unlocking with a locking pin | |
KR100613557B1 (en) | Disk loading device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KOH, BEE SIANG;KUAH, BENG KIAT;LIM, YEONG HWUI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013099/0016 Effective date: 20020702 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC;REEL/FRAME:013516/0015 Effective date: 20020513 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC,CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK AND JPMORGAN CHASE BANK);REEL/FRAME:016926/0342 Effective date: 20051130 Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK AND JPMORGAN CHASE BANK);REEL/FRAME:016926/0342 Effective date: 20051130 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:MAXTOR CORPORATION;SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC;SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL;REEL/FRAME:022757/0017 Effective date: 20090507 Owner name: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATE Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:MAXTOR CORPORATION;SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC;SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL;REEL/FRAME:022757/0017 Effective date: 20090507 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025662/0001 Effective date: 20110114 Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025662/0001 Effective date: 20110114 Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HDD HOLDINGS, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025662/0001 Effective date: 20110114 Owner name: MAXTOR CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025662/0001 Effective date: 20110114 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: EVAULT INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.), CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE;REEL/FRAME:030833/0001 Effective date: 20130312 Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE;REEL/FRAME:030833/0001 Effective date: 20130312 Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, CAYMAN ISLANDS Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE;REEL/FRAME:030833/0001 Effective date: 20130312 Owner name: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE;REEL/FRAME:030833/0001 Effective date: 20130312 |