Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with probe

There is provided a Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe. The equipment is capable of measuring element values of electric or electronic devices and electrical quantities such as a voltage, and generating electrical signals with various waveforms. Also, a user can conveniently manipulate and handily carry it. The equipment provides functions of measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, and the voltage level of a logic signal; verifying diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal, and modes generating a rectangular pulse train and a PWM signal by the simple combinations of two switches. Additionally, it also offers a much cheaper equipment than other existing expensive apparatuses, and provide better usability at experimental environments because it is small-sized, light, and conveniently portable, compared to conventional equipments that are large-sized, heavy, and not easy to carry.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0099649, filed on Aug. 22, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment, and more specifically, relates to a Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe configured to be capable of generating signals with various waveforms, and measuring element values of electric or electronic devices and electrical quantities such as a voltage and a current. Also, the equipment can easily be manipulated and provide convenient portability, compared to existing conventional equipments.

2. Description of Related Art

The measuring equipment is roughly classified into circuits for measuring electrical quantities such as a voltage, a current, an electric power, a resistance, impedance, admittance, and an inductance, and circuits for measuring non-electrical quantities such as a rotation angle, a position, pressure, a magnetic field, temperature, humidity, gas, and ions, according to measurement purposes or quantities to be measured.

As a conventional art related to the above, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1999-0070234 discloses a digital apparatus for testing Multi-functions.

The digital multi-meter according to the disclosed art, may be configured to select a measurement range of current to be adjusted into high or small range, in order for direct current or alternating current values to be measured accurately using a microcontroller; and may be configured to display a measured value in the selected range on a display device using numbers.

However, the measuring apparatus of the conventional art as above had problems of low portability and occupying big space when being used, because it is big and heavy.

Further, the apparatus of the conventional art had a problem that several functions for measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, and the voltage level of a logic signal; and distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal; and generating a rectangular pulse train and a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal cannot be provided in one apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art, and it has an objective to provide easy manipulation and convenient portability as well as multi-functions to measure electrical quantities and generate various signals. Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe can measure element values of electric or electronic devices, and electrical quantities such as a voltage and a current, and generate signals with various waveforms using a single equipment.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objective, the Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises:a measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit including:a probe protruding from a front side of a body, connected with (+) pole of an object to be measured in measurement modes and providing (+) pole in waveform-generating modes;pincers extended from a side of the body using a wire, connected with (−) pole of the object to be measured in measurement modes and providing (−) pole in waveform-generating modes; anda pin socket connected with the probe and the pincers electrically, providing the same functions as the functions that the probe and the pincers offer;an operation-mode setting unit receiving commands for turning a power on/off, and changing and setting an operation mode of the equipment by a user;a microcontroller, controlling the operation mode for the measurement of the object to be measured connected through the measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit and for the generation of a waveform thereof, according to the commands that is input from the operation-mode setting unit; anda display unit, displaying an operation mode controlled by the microcontroller, a set value, a measured electrical quantity and information for a generated waveform.

The operation mode, input from operation-mode setting unit and controlled by the microcontroller comprises:modes for measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal; distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal, generating a rectangular pulse train and generating a PWM signal.

The operation-mode setting unit comprises:a power switch turning a power on/off; anda first and a second switches for changing and setting an operation mode, selecting any one among modes for measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, and the voltage level of a logic signal; distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal, generating a rectangular pulse train, and generating a PWM signal, with combinations of the switches.

The body is formed in a long stick shape,the power switch is installed on a back side of the body, andthe display unit, and the first and the second switches for changing and setting an operation mode are formed in such a way that the display unit is located on the front side of the body and that the switches face each another on the both sides of the body.

The microcontroller comprises:an analog to digital converter (ADC), converting an analogue signal which is input from the object to be measured into a digital signal;a timer/counter, generating a timer interrupt and detecting pulses that are input to the measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit, according to the installed program in the microcontroller; andan operation section, configured to:calculate a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal, the voltage level of a pulse signal, a frequency and a voltage across a diode, based on a measured signal from the object to measured that is input to the ADC, andgenerate a rectangular pulse train and a PWM signal to the measuring/waveform generating terminal unit, by using signals from the timer/counter.

The display unit may display an operation mode at a measuring moment and a set value on 7-segments or else.

According to the Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe of the present disclosure configured as above, it provides various functions of measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal; and distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal, generating a rectangular pulse train, and generating a PWM signal, with combinations of the two switches. It can also provide a small-sized equipment that is much more cost effective, compared to existing other expensive equipments.

Further, the present disclosure configured as above provides a Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment that is convenient to carry and use at experimental environments because it is small-sized and light, unlike existing equipments that are not easy to carry and use because they are large-sized and heavy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail by referring to the attached Drawings.

FIG. 1illustrates a plan view of a Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2illustrates a detailed view of a pin socket illustrated inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3illustrates a block view of the Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe illustrated inFIG. 1.

As illustrated, the Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises:a measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit10, including:a probe11protruding from a front side of a body14, connected with (+) pole of an object to be measured in measurement modes and providing (+) pole in waveform-generating modes; andpincers12extended from a side of the body14using a wire12a, connected with (−) pole of the object to be measured in measurement modes and providing (−) pole in waveform-generating modes;a pin socket13formed at a side of the body14, connected with the probe11and the pincers12electrically and providing the same functions as the functions that the probe11and the pincers12offer;an operation-mode setting unit20, receiving commands for turning a power on/off, and changing and setting an operation mode by a user;a microcontroller30, measuring electrical quantities from the object to be measured that is connected through the measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit10and controlling generation of a waveform thereof, according to the commands input from the operation-mode setting unit20; anda display unit40, displaying measured quantities, information for generated waveforms, and operation modes that are controlled by the microcontroller30.

Hereat, the operation modes which are input from the operation-mode setting unit20and controlled by the microcontroller30, i.e., the measurement modes and the waveform-generating modes, comprise:modes of measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal; distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal; and modes of generating a rectangular pulse train and a PWM signal.

Further, the pin socket13of the measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit10may include (+) pole socket13aand (−) pole socket13binto which electrode wires of the object to be measured are inserted or to whom which waveforms generated by the microcontroller30are output.

The (+) pole socket13aconnected with the probe11internally is configured to:measure (+) pole of the object to be measured by being connected with (+) pole in the measurement modes, andprovide (+) pole of a generated waveform in the waveform-generating modes.

The (−) pole socket13bconnected with the pincers12internally is configured to:measure (−) pole of the object to be measured by being connected with (−) pole of the object in the measurement modes, andprovide (−) pole of a generated waveform in the waveform-generating modes.

The operation-mode setting unit20includes a power switch21, a first and a second switches for setting operation mode22,23.

The power switch21turns a main power that supplies electrical power to the Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe on/off; andthe first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23select any one among modes for measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal, the voltage level of a pulse signal, and distinguishing diode polarities, or among modes for generating a rectangular pulse train, and generating a PWM signal, with combinations of the switches.

The body14is formed in a long stick shape or a pen shape, the power switch21is installed on a back side of the body14, the display unit40is formed on the front side of the body14, and the first and the second switches for setting operation a mode22,23are formed to face each other on the both sides of the body14.

Therefore, when a user holds the body14like using a usual pen, changing and setting an operation mode may be conveniently achieved because the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23are located at the positions of a thumb and an index fingers of a user.

The microcontroller30includes an ADC31, an operation section32, and timer/counter33.

The ADC31converts an analogue signal input from the object to be measured into a digital signal.

The operation section32calculates a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, the voltage level of a logic signal, a frequency and a voltage across a diode based on the measured voltage that is input to the ADC31.

Further, the operation section32generates a rectangular pulse train and a PWM signal and counts the number of pulses being input to the measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit10by using signals from the timer/counter32.

The timer/counter33generates a timer interrupt and detects pulses being input to the measuring/waveform-generating terminal unit10so that the operation section32can perform the above-mentioned functions, according to installed program in the microcontroller30.

The display unit40displays an operation mode, a set value and a measured voltage at the measuring moment on 7-segments or else.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the Multi-functional measuring and waveform-generating equipment with a probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail as follows:

At first, a user turns a main power on/off by using the power switch21installed at a back side of the body14.

Then, a method of changing and setting an operation mode under the main power turned on is as follows:Every time the second switch for setting operation mode23is pressed and then released while the first switch for setting operation mode22is pressed, eleven modes (measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal; distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal, generating a rectangular pulse train, and generating a PWM signal) are changed in order repeatedly.

Hereat, the operation mode changing is displayed on the display unit40such as 7-segments.

Then, as a method of selecting a desired operation mode, while the first switch for setting operation mode22is being pressed, if the first switch for setting operation mode22is released, the operation mode displayed on the display unit40at the releasing moment is selected and the equipment operates in the selected mode.

The operation principles for the each mode of measuring a voltage, a resistance, an inductance, capacitance, a frequency, the number of pulses, the voltage level of a logic signal; distinguishing diode polarities, measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal, modes generating a rectangular pulse train, and generating a PWM signal will be described by referring to the attached Drawings in detail.

FIGS. 4ato4killustrate plan views of each operation principle for various operation modes of the present disclosure.

At first, as illustrated inFIG. 4a, the mode for measuring a voltage of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “volt” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring a voltage of the present disclosure, the pincers12is connected to one end of a device, a circuit, or an object to be measured and the probe11is contacted to the other end of them. Hereat, the microcontroller30calculates the measured voltage value in a digital format after quantizing an analogue voltage from the input of the ADC31; and the calculated value is displayed on the display unit40such as 7-segments. Thus, the voltage from the object to be measured may be conveniently measured. Hereat, the measurement range of a voltage should be 0 V to 5 V.

As illustrated inFIG. 4b, the mode of measuring a resistance of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “res” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring a resistance of the present disclosure, when connecting both ends of a resistor to be measured with the pincers12and the probe11, the microcontroller30applies a voltage to a resistor according to installed program in the microcontroller30, and then calculates the voltage across the resistor by quantizing an analogue voltage that is input to the ADC31and using the voltage division formula. Thereby a resistance of the object to be measured would be easily measured by displaying the calculated voltage on the display unit40. Hereat, the measurement range of a resistance should be 1 Mω to 10 Mω.

As illustrated inFIG. 4c, the mode for measuring an inductance of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “coil” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring an inductance of the present disclosure, when pressing the second switch for setting operation mode23after connecting both ends of inductor (not illustrated) to be measured with the pincers12and the probe11, the display unit40is turned out and on in a moment, and then the measured inductance value is displayed on the display unit40.

Hereat, the microcontroller30applies a voltage to the inductor and calculates an inductance value by measuring a time in which a voltage decreases using the timer/counter32. The microcontroller30can conveniently measure the inductance of the object to be measured by displaying the inductance value on the display unit40. Hereat, the measurement range of the inductance should be 0.1 mH to 999.9 mH.

As illustrated inFIG. 4d, the mode for measuring capacitance of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “cap” is displayed at the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring capacitance of the present disclosure, when pressing the second switch for setting operation mode23after connecting both ends of capacitor (not illustrated) to be measured with the pincers12and the probe11, the display unit40is turned out and on in a moment, and then the measured capacitance value is displayed on the display unit40.

Hereat, the microcontroller30applies a voltage to the capacitor and calculates the capacitance by measuring the time in which a voltage increases using the timer/counter33, and displays the measured capacitance on the display unit40. Thus, the capacitance of the object to be measured may be easily measured and displayed. Hereat, the measurement range of the capacitance should be 10 μF to 200 μf.

As illustrated inFIG. 4e, the mode for measuring a frequency of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “freq” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring a frequency of the present disclosure, when connecting (−) pole of the object to be measured with the pincers12and connecting (+) pole of the object with the probe11, the microcontroller30may conveniently measure the signal frequency from the object by calculating the frequency value using an interrupt function of the timer/counter33and displaying the measured frequency on the display unit40. Hereat, the measurement range of the frequency should be 1 Hz to 2 MHz.

As illustrated inFIG. 4f, the mode for counting the number of pulses of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “cnt” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of counting pulses of the present disclosure, when connecting (−) pole of the object to be measured with the pincers12and connecting (+) pole of the object with the probe11, the microcontroller30calculates the number of pulses using interrupt function of the timer/counter33and displays the counted number of pulses on the display unit40.

The number of the pulses ranges from 0 to 9999. Numbers exceeding the upper limit are displayed in such a way that number exceeding 9999 becomes 0 and next numbers increase thereon. Thus, the number of pulses from the object may be simply measured and displayed. While the pulses are being input, the number of measured pulses may be reset by pressing the first switch for setting operation mode22. The measurement range of the pulse counter should be 0 to 9999.

As illustrated inFIG. 4g, the mode for measuring the level of a logic signal of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “prob” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring the voltage level of a logic signal of the present disclosure, when connecting (−) pole of the object to be measured with the pincers12and connecting (+) pole of the object with the probe11, the microcontroller30measures a logic value of a signal from the object to be measured by judging a voltage level of logic signal according to installed program in the microcontroller30and thereby displays the logic level on the display unit40using High or Low.

Hereat, in the mode of measuring the voltage level of a logic signal of the present disclosure, which uses the same principle as voltage measurements of the present disclosure, the microcontroller30calculates a voltage value in a digital format by quantizing the measured voltage that is input to the ADC31; a logic level of the measured voltage is measured in such a way that 1.4 V or less is recognized as Low and that 2.5 V or more is recognized as High. Hereat, the measurement range of a logic signal should be 0 V to 5 V.

As illustrated inFIG. 4h, the mode of distinguishing diode polarities of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “diod” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of distinguishing diode polarities of the present disclosure, two electrode wires of a diode or a transistor (not illustrated) to be measured are inserted into each of (+) pole socket13aand (−) pole socket13bof the pin socket13.

Hereat, the microcontroller30applies a voltage to the object to be measured and calculates a voltage across the PN junction of a diode or a transistor in a digital format after quantizing the measured voltage across the PN junction using the ADC31. The microcontroller30displays the measured voltage on the display unit40.

As described so far, the present disclosure measures a voltage across a PN junction and the voltage makes a PN junction of a diode or a transistor easily verified without checking a data sheet. That is, if the voltage applied to a PN junction is forward-biased, the measured voltage becomes as small as a forward bias voltage for the PN junction; if the voltage applied to the PN junction is reverse-biased, the measured voltage becomes as large as the voltage applied by the microcontroller30. Thereby, the PN junction of a diode or a transistor can easily be verified.

As illustrated inFIG. 4i, the mode for measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “puls” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of measuring the voltage level of a pulse signal of the present disclosure, when connecting (−) pole of the object to be measured with the pincers12and connecting (+) pole of the object with the probe11, the microcontroller30measures an analogue voltage being input to the ADC31in a digital format according to installed program in the microcontroller30, and then displays the measured voltage on the display unit40by classifying it into three values of 0 V, 2.5 V and 5 V. Thereby, the voltage level of a pulse signal from the object to be measured may be conveniently measured.

As illustrated inFIG. 4j, the mode for generating a rectangular pulse train of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “sqr” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of modes generating a rectangular pulse train of the present disclosure, the microcontroller30generates a rectangular pulse train using a timer interrupt function of the timer/counter33of which frequency is set by the operation-mode setting unit20and displays the frequency of a generated rectangular pulse train on the display unit40.

Hereat, a rectangular pulse train is output between pincers12/(−) pole socket13b, and the probe11/(+) pole socket13a. When pressing the first switch for setting operation mode22, the frequency of the rectangular pulse train increases and when pressing the second switch for setting operation mode23, the frequency decreases. Hereat, voltage levels of the signal of the rectangular pulse train are 0 V and 5 V.

As illustrated inFIG. 4k, the mode for generating a PWM signal of the present disclosure is selected by manipulating the first and the second switches for setting operation mode22,23and thereby “pun” is displayed on the display unit40, as illustrated in the below Drawing.

In the mode of generating a PWM signal of the present disclosure, the microcontroller30generates a PWM signal using a timer interrupt of the timer/counter33of which a duty ratio is determined by the setting of the operation-mode setting unit20and displays the duty ratio of the PWM signal generated therein on the display unit40. Hereat, a PWM signal is output between the pincers12/(−) pole socket13band the probe11/(+) pole socket13a. When pressing the first switch for setting operation mode22, the duty ratio of a PWM signal increases and when pressing the second switch for setting operation mode23, the duty ratio decreases. Hereat, voltage levels of the PWM signal are 0V and 5V.

The methods displaying measurement and waveform-generating modes on the display unit40of the present disclosure are as follows: in case of the measurement modes, a value set by the operation-mode setting unit20is not displayed and only a measurement value is displayed on the display unit40. However, in case of the waveform-generating modes, only a value set by the operation-mode setting unit20is displayed on the display unit40.

Further, in the measurement modes, a measured value with three digits and its measurement unit are displayed on 7-segments. If a user wants to verify the fourth digit of the measured value, the second switch for setting operation mode23may be pressed and, in the case, the fourth digit of the measured value is displayed on the 7-segment allocated to a measurement unit

In the measurement modes, if an object to be measured is not connected to the measuring/waveform-generating unit10or a measured value is not within the above-mentioned measurement ranges, an error message is displayed on the display unit40.