CN111257800A

CN111257800A - Testing device for the connection of a cable and method for testing a cable

Info

Publication number: CN111257800A
Application number: CN201911213604.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米夏埃尔·弗兰克
Original assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Current assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Priority date: 2018-12-03
Filing date: 2019-12-02
Publication date: 2020-06-09
Also published as: DE102018130626B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a testing device (10) for connecting an electrical cable (40) to an electronic testing device for testing the electrical cable (40), wherein the testing device (10) comprises a first magnetic fastening element (20) for magnetically fastening the ends (55, 56) of the electrical cable (40) to a support surface thereof, and wherein the first magnetic fastening element is designed for electrically connecting the electrical cable (40) to the electronic testing device for testing the electrical cable (40).

Description

Testing device for the connection of a cable and method for testing a cable

Technical Field

The invention relates to a testing device for the connection of cables and to a method for testing cables.

Background

Test devices for testing two-wire cables are known. In the production of cable bundles and their parts, i.e. in the production of individual wires and cables, testing of the wires and cables is often necessary. On the one hand, the inspection can therefore take place directly after the production of the electrical lines and cables and/or when the necessary inspection is carried out at the end of the finished cable harness.

In the case of the known test devices, in order to electrically connect the cable to the electronic test device, the cable or the cable end or the cable core needs to be connected to the test device by means of a plug connection. The end of the cable to be inserted or the plug at the end of the cable is subject to wear. This has the disadvantage that the number of plugging cycles of the cable termination, i.e. the number of times the cable termination or the core termination of the cable is allowed to be inserted, is very limited or even only once, i.e. the cable termination only allows a connection by a plug connection and only allows plugging once. It is therefore disadvantageous to electrically connect the cable to the test device by means of a plug connection.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to establish an electrical connection for a cable to a test device in a manner which is as simple as possible in terms of construction, without a plug connection having to be established between the cable and the test device.

This task is accomplished by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In particular, the independent claims of one claim type can also be further developed analogously to the dependent claims of another claim type.

The test device according to the invention is a test device for the connection of a cable to an electronic test apparatus for cable testing, wherein the test device comprises a first magnetic mount for magnetically securing an end of the cable to a support surface thereof, and wherein the first magnetic mount is configured for electrically connecting the cable to the electronic test apparatus for cable testing.

This has the advantage that a plug connection between the testing device and the cable or the end of the cable does not have to be established in order to establish an electrical connection between the cable and the testing device or the electronic test equipment of the testing device. The electronic test equipment may be part of the test device or may be external electronic test equipment electrically connected to the test device. The end of the cable or the plug at the end of the cable is therefore not worn by the plug connection of the electrical test device for electrically connecting the cable to the test apparatus or the electrical test equipment of the test apparatus. Thus, the cable or the cable end or the plugged cable with a small number of allowed plugging cycles can be electrically tested by means of the testing device. Furthermore, the connection between the cable and the test device can be established technically simply and quickly. Furthermore, it is technically possible to disassemble the connection between the cable and the test device simply and quickly. Furthermore, no part of the cable has to be clamped or not, so that wear and/or damage thereof is reliably prevented.

The method according to the invention is a method for testing an electrical cable, wherein the testing device comprises a first magnetic fixture for magnetically securing a first end of the electrical cable to a support surface thereof, wherein the method comprises the steps of: placing a first end of the cable on the support surface of the first magnetic mount, thereby electrically connecting the first end of the cable to an electronic test device for testing the cable; and sending test signals into the cable by the electronic test equipment to test the cable.

This has the advantage that a plug connection between the testing device and the cable or the end of the cable does not have to be established in order to establish an electrical connection between the cable and the testing device or the electronic test equipment of the testing device. The electronic test equipment may be part of the test device or may be external electronic test equipment electrically connected to the test device. The end of the cable or the plug at the end of the cable is therefore not worn by the plug connection of the electrical test device for electrically connecting the cable to the test apparatus or the electrical test equipment of the test apparatus. Thus, the cable or the end of the cable or a plugged cable with a small number of allowed plugging cycles can be electrically tested by the testing device. This makes it possible to establish a connection between the cable and the test device technically simply and quickly. In addition, the connection between the cable and the test device can be detached again technically simply and quickly.

According to one embodiment of the test device, the test device further comprises a second magnetic fastening element, wherein the second magnetic fastening element is designed to fasten the ends of the cable to its support surface by means of magnetic force, wherein the magnetic fastening element is designed to fasten the two core ends of the two-wire cable. This has the advantage that the two-wire cable can also be technically simply tested. Furthermore, the two opposite ends of the cable can be technically simply electrically connected to the testing device and the passage of the cable can be tested. The testing device therefore has a very high diversity in the kind of testing possibilities of the cable.

According to one embodiment of the testing device, the testing device has a first baffle, wherein, with respect to the first magnetic mount, the first baffle is arranged such that the end of the cable can be arranged on and in contact with the bearing surface of the first magnetic mount such that the end of the cable of the predetermined length is located on the bearing surface of the first magnetic mount. This ensures that the same length of cable (end of the cable) is always located on the bearing surface of the respective magnet or magnetic mount. Furthermore, it is technically simple to compare a plurality of tests or measurements of different cables. Furthermore, the impedance of the test device can be technically particularly easily matched to the impedance of the cable.

According to one embodiment of the testing device, the first magnetic mount and/or the second magnetic mount are arranged on a metal plate, wherein the first magnetic mount is in particular electrically insulated from the second magnetic mount. This has the advantage that the electromagnetic forces by which one or more ends of the cable can be fixed to the bearing surfaces of one or more magnetic anchors can be increased.

According to one embodiment of the test device, the test device has an intermediate wall, wherein the intermediate wall is arranged such that the ends of two cables, which are each arranged on a bearing surface of the magnetic mount, are separated from one another by the intermediate wall. This has the advantage that a physical or mechanical separation between the ends of the cables or between the bearing surfaces of the magnetic mounts is technically simple to achieve.

According to one embodiment of the testing device, the testing device is configured such that the intermediate partition can be replaced by another intermediate partition, so that the material of the intermediate partition can be matched to the impedance of the cable. This has the advantage that the impedance of the test device can be technically matched particularly easily to the impedance of the cable. Thus, the cable or the performance of the cable can be tested or measured particularly accurately.

According to one embodiment of the test apparatus, the test apparatus has an electronic test device. This is advantageous overall, since no further elements and no further electrical connections are required. This generally reduces wiring costs.

According to one embodiment of the method, the testing device further comprises a second magnetic mount for magnetically securing the second end of the cable to its supporting surface, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: placing the second end of the cable on the bearing surface of the second magnetic mount of the testing device to electrically connect the second end of the cable to the electronic testing equipment. This has the advantage that the two-wire cable is also technically simple to test. Furthermore, in this way, it is technically simple to electrically connect the two opposite ends of the cable to the test device and to test the passage of the cable.

According to one embodiment of the method, the first termination and the second termination are terminations of two core wires of the two-wire cable. This has the advantage that the two-wire cable can be tested particularly easily technically.

According to one embodiment of the method, the test signal comprises a high frequency signal. The cable can therefore be tested technically simply, in particular for signal transmission.

According to one embodiment of the method, the test signal may be used to determine a scattering parameter of the cable. This has the advantage that the cable can be tested or measured particularly comprehensively and accurately.

According to one embodiment of the method, the test signal comprises a signal for a time domain reflectometer. This has the advantage that only one end of the cable needs to be connected to the testing device, and it is not necessary to connect both ends of the cable to the testing device.

According to one embodiment of the method, the intermediate floor of the test device is constructed to be replaceable, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: removing the middle partition plate of the testing device; and inserting an intermediate diaphragm into the test device, wherein the material of the inserted intermediate diaphragm is matched to the impedance of the cable. This has the advantage that the impedance of the test device can be matched to the impedance of the cable in a technically particularly simple manner. Thus, the cable or the performance of the cable can be tested or measured particularly accurately.

Drawings

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the following using reference to the figures. The figures are as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a test device according to the present invention; and is

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the test device in fig. 1.

The drawings are only schematic views and serve only to illustrate the invention. Elements that are identical or functionally identical are generally provided with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a test device 10 according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the test device 10 of fig. 1.

The testing device 10 is configured for testing the cable 40. For this purpose, the test apparatus 10 has an electronic test device. The test apparatus 10 may not have electronic test equipment and may be electrically connected to external electronic test equipment. In this case, the test apparatus 10 is a test adapter for electrical connection between the cable 40 and external electronic test equipment or external measurement equipment.

Test apparatus 10 has a first magnetic mount 20 and a second magnetic mount 21. Each

magnetic mount

20, 21 has a magnet. Preferably, the magnets are permanent magnets so that no current interferes with the testing or measurement of the cable 40.

However, it is also conceivable for the test device 10 to have only a single

magnetic mount

20, 21.

The magnetic mounts 20, 21 are separated from each other by an intermediate partition 30. The two

magnetic mounts

20, 21 are arranged on the same horizontal plane or on the same height. The test apparatus 10 has two recesses which extend in parallel with respect to the intermediate partition 30, respectively, in the vicinity of the intermediate partition 30. In fig. 2, a portion of the magnet or

magnetic mount

20, 21 is visible at the end of each recess. Slightly more than 1/4 of each

magnetic mount

20, 21 is uncovered. The remainder of each

magnetic mount

20, 21 is covered by the housing of the test device 10. Such exposed portions of each

magnetic mount

20, 21 serve as bearing surfaces. On the bearing surface of each

magnetic fixture

20, 21 is placed the

head

55, 56 of the cable 40 to be tested.

The ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 each have a plug contact. However, these plug contacts are not mechanically connected to the test device 10, but rather the plug contacts of the respective ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 are magnetically fixed to the bearing surfaces of the

magnetic mounts

20, 21.

The magnetic mounts 20, 21 or the outer edges of the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 may be arranged so that the bearing surfaces are directly connected to the intermediate deck 30. There may also be a space between the intermediate deck 30 and the support surface. For example, the spacing may be from about 0.5cm to about 1.0cm, particularly about 0.75 cm.

The ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 have contacts, for example MQS contacts (miniature four-latch system for plug connections in motor vehicles). The ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 are of a material that can be magnetically attracted. The ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 are thus magnetically fixed to the respective bearing surfaces of the respective

magnetic mounts

20, 21 without having to establish a plug connection between the contacts and the test device 10. In particular, since no plug connection is required, the contact element is reliably prevented from being damaged when it comes into contact with the spring pin.

In fig. 2, the upper ends of the recesses or of the bearing surfaces are each formed with a

stop

35, 36 of the test device 10. The

baffles

35, 36 each extend substantially perpendicularly to the support surface. The

baffles

35, 36 extend generally vertically. The

baffles

35, 36 serve to align the cables 40 or the

ends

55, 56 of the cables 40 along their main extension. In fig. 2, the

respective baffles

35, 36 are used to align the

ends

55, 56 of the cable 40 one above the other. Both

magnetic mounts

20, 21 are manufactured in a substantially circular shape, wherein only slightly more than about 1/4 of the respective

magnetic mount

20, 21 is not covered by the housing of the test device 10 and constitutes a respective bearing surface for the

magnetic mount

20, 21.

The

magnetic bearings

20, 21 each have an electrically conductive surface at least in the region of the bearing surface. The electrically conductive surfaces of the first or second magnets are in contact with the respective (non-insulated) terminations 55, 56 of the cable 40 and in this way establish an electrical connection between the

respective terminations

55, 56 of the cable 40 and the electronic test components of the test apparatus 10.

Fig. 1 shows how the two ends 55, 56 of the two-wire cable 40 are arranged on the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 of the testing device 10. Arranged on each

magnetic holder

20, 21 is a contact point at the

end

55, 56 of the

respective core

50, 51. The two

terminations

55, 56 are the two ends 55, 56 of the two

core wires

50, 51 of the cable 40.

By placing the terminal ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 on the bearing surface, the plug contacts of the terminal ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 or of the terminal ends 55, 56 of the

cores

50, 51 or of the terminal ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 are not subject to wear. In particular, no plugging process is required to establish electrical connection between the electrical test equipment of the test apparatus 10 and the cable 40.

The magnetic mounts 20, 21 are arranged together on a metal plate, wherein the two

magnetic mounts

20, 21 are electrically insulated from each other. The magnetic attraction of the magnets or

magnetic mountings

20, 21 is thus increased.

An intermediate partition 30 is arranged between the two bearing surfaces. The intermediate bulkhead 30 extends upwards from the level of the support surface so that when the ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 are arranged on the support surface of the

magnetic fixture

20, 21, the intermediate bulkhead 30 is located between the two ends 55, 56 of the cable 40. It can be said that the intermediate partition 30 is located between the two bearing surfaces of the

magnetic mounts

20, 21. In particular, the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 can be arranged and configured symmetrically with respect to the intermediate partition 30.

The material of the intermediate spacer 30 affects the impedance of the test device 10. The material of the intermediate bulkhead 30 may be matched to the impedance of the cable 40. That is, the material for the intermediate floor 30 can be selected such that the impedance of the test device 10 is matched as precisely as possible to the impedance of the cable 40.

The intermediate baffle 30 may be replaceable or removable. This means that the first intermediate floor 30 of the installed test device 10 can be removed and a second intermediate floor 30, which is different from the first intermediate floor 30, can be installed between the two support surfaces. This can be done, for example, by means of a plug connection. Magnetic fastening is also conceivable.

The electronic test equipment of the test apparatus 10 is configured to transmit one or more test signals into the electrical leads. The test signal may include a low frequency signal, an intermediate frequency signal, and/or a high frequency signal. In particular, in the case of high frequency signals, the tuning of the impedance of the test device 10 to the impedance of the cable 40 is important. This means that the line impedance between the test device 10 or the electronic test equipment and the cable 40 should be as constant as possible.

The distance between the two ends 55, 56 of the

cores

50, 51 on the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 can also be matched to the impedance of the cable 40. The material of the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 may also be matched to the impedance of the cable 40. The same applies to the diameters of the magnets of the

magnetic mounts

20, 21. Furthermore, the distance of the two

core wires

50, 51 of the cable 40 may influence the impedance. The difference in impedance of the

magnetic anchors

20, 21 can be made particularly smaller than the difference in impedance of the cable 40 to be tested at the beginning by untwisting the unshielded twisted pair. In the case of time domain measurements, the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 are only visible as additional electrical length in the measurement or test results.

Screws can be arranged in each case in the middle of the respective

magnetic mount

20, 21, to whose ends facing away from the bearing surface an impedance adapted or matched to the cable 40 is respectively attached.

The test signal may include a Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) signal. The test signal may comprise a signal for determining scattering parameters (S-parameters, such as amplitude and phase). In particular, attenuation may be considered in this case.

The two-wire cable 40 may be, for example, an unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP cable). It is also envisaged that the two ends 55, 56 of the cable 40 fixed to the

magnetic mounts

20, 21 and electrically connected to the electronic test equipment are the two opposite ends of a single cable 40. In particular, a pass-through check of the cable 40 may also be performed in this case.

Since the apparatus and methods described in detail above are examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the mechanical arrangement and the dimensional proportions of the individual elements are chosen merely as an example.

List of reference numerals

10 testing device

20. 21 magnetic fixing piece

30 middle partition board

35. 36 baffle

40 electric cable

50. 51 Cable core

55. 56 terminal of cable core

Claims

1. A testing device (10) for connection of a cable (40) to an electronic testing apparatus for testing the cable (40),

the testing device (10) comprises a first magnetic fixing part (20), the first magnetic fixing part (20) is used for fixing the ends (55, 56) of the cable (40) on a supporting surface of the first magnetic fixing part (20) through magnetic force, and

wherein the first magnetic mount (20) is configured for electrically connecting the electrical cable (40) and the electronic test equipment for testing the electrical cable (40).

2. The test device (10) of claim 1,

the testing device (10) further comprising a second magnetic holder (21), wherein the second magnetic holder (21) is configured for magnetically holding a tip (55, 56) of the cable (40) on a support surface of the second magnetic holder (21),

wherein the magnetic fixing element (21) is designed to fix the ends (55, 56) of the two wires (50, 51) of the two-wire cable (40).

3. The test device (10) of claim 1 or 2,

the testing device (10) has a first baffle (35), wherein, with respect to the first magnetic fixture (20), the first baffle (35) is arranged such that the tip (55, 56) of the cable (40) can be arranged on the bearing surface of the first magnetic fixture (20) and can be arranged in contact with the first baffle (35, 36) such that the tip (55, 56) of a predetermined length of the cable (40) is located on the bearing surface of the first magnetic fixture (20).

4. The testing device (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

the first magnetic mount (20) and/or the second magnetic mount (21) are arranged on a metal plate, wherein in particular the first magnetic mount (20) is electrically insulated from the second magnetic mount (21).

5. The test device (10) of any one of claims 2 to 4,

the testing device (10) has an intermediate wall (30), wherein the intermediate wall (30) is arranged such that the ends (55, 56) of two cables (40) which are each arranged on the bearing surfaces of the magnetic holders (20, 21) are separated from one another by the intermediate wall (30).

6. Test device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the test device (10) is configured such that the intermediate bulkhead (30) can be replaced by another intermediate bulkhead (30), such that the material of the intermediate bulkhead (30) can be matched to the impedance of the cable (40).

7. The testing device (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

the test apparatus (10) comprises the electronic test device.

8. A method for testing an electrical cable (40),

wherein the testing device (10) comprises a first magnetic holder (20), the first magnetic holder (20) being used to hold a first end (55, 56) of the cable (40) on its support surface by magnetic force,

wherein the method comprises the steps of:

placing said first end (55, 56) of said cable (40) on said bearing surface of said first magnetic mount (20) of said testing device (10) to electrically connect said first end (55, 56) of said cable (40) with electronic testing equipment for testing said cable (40); and is

Sending a test signal into the cable (40) by the electronic test equipment for testing the cable (40).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein,

the testing device (10) further comprises a second magnetic fixing member (21), the second magnetic fixing member (21) is used for fixing the second ends (55, 56) of the cables (40) on a supporting surface thereof through magnetic force, and the method further comprises the following steps:

placing said second end (55, 56) of said cable (40) on said bearing surface of said second magnetic mount (21) of said testing device (10) to electrically connect said second end (55, 56) of said cable (40) with said electronic testing apparatus.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9,

the first terminal (55, 56) and the second terminal (55, 56) are terminals of two wires (50, 51) of a two-wire cable (40).

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10,

the test signal includes a high frequency signal.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the test signal has a signal for determining a scattering parameter of the cable (40).

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12,

the test signal comprises a signal for a time domain reflectometer.

14. The method of any one of claims 8 to 13,

the intermediate floor (30) of the test device (10) is configured to be replaceable, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

removing the intermediate partition (30) of the testing device (10);

an intermediate wall (30) is inserted into the test device (10), wherein the material of the inserted intermediate wall (30) is matched to the impedance of the cable (40).