Automation testing system for testing a motherboard

An automation testing system for testing a motherboard includes a frame, a first jig plate, a second jig plate, a platform, a first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism and a console computer. The frame includes a track, a debug docking board is detachably disposed on the first jig plate for docking with the motherboard, the platform is slidably installed on the track and disposed between the first jig plate and the second jig plate, and the platform is for holding the motherboard. The console computer controls the first driving mechanism to drive the platform to move in a first direction along the track, and controls the second driving mechanism to drive the second jig plate to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a testing system, and more specifically, to an automation testing system for testing a motherboard.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Nowadays, electronic products, such as personal computers or notebook computers, are indispensable devices in human life. A motherboard is one of the most important electronic components of the electronic products, and the quality of the motherboard relates to the stability of the electronic products. For making sure of good quality of the motherboard, the motherboard needs to pass several tests before selling in order to confirm that various functions of the motherboard operate well. However, a conventional testing system for testing the motherboard needs to install a debug docking board on the motherboard manually and then put the motherboard on a platform. The conventional testing system cannot automatically test the motherboard, resulting in the waste of manpower. In addition, because of diversification of the motherboards, as testing different types of motherboards, it is necessary to replace different fixture probe boards to coordinate with the corresponding motherboards, so that it spends a lot of time in replacement. Therefore, there is a need to design an automation testing system to shorten the replacement time of the probe board and without the manual operation, so as to reduce the waste of manpower and time for improving the testing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automation testing system for testing a motherboard to solve the above-mentioned problem.

According to the disclosure, the automation testing system for testing the motherboard, the automation testing system including a frame, a first jig plate, a second jig plate, a platform, a first driving mechanism, a second driving mechanism and a console computer. The frame includes a track, the first jig plate is detachably disposed in the frame, a debug docking board is detachably disposed on the first jig plate, and the debug docking board includes a connector for connecting with the motherboard. The second jig plate is movably disposed in the frame. The platform is slidably installed on the track and disposed between the first jig plate and the second jig plate, the track is for guiding the platform to move in a first direction, and the platform is for loading the motherboard. The first driving mechanism is for driving the platform to move along the track in the first direction. The second driving mechanism is for driving the second jig plate to move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The console computer is electrically connected to the debug docking board, the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism. The console computer is for controlling the first driving mechanism to drive the platform to a horizontal position, the console computer is further for controlling the second driving mechanism to drive the second jig plate to move in the second direction as the platform is located at the horizontal position, so that the second jig plate pushes the platform to move toward the first jig plate for docking the motherboard with the connector of the debug docking board so as to test the motherboard.

According to the disclosure, the first driving mechanism includes a transmission chain and a motor, the transmission chain is connected to the platform, and the motor is for driving the transmission chain to move the platform.

According to the disclosure, the second driving mechanism includes a plurality of guiding columns and a pneumatic cylinder, the plurality of guiding columns is for guiding the second jig plate to move in the second direction, and the pneumatic cylinder is for driving the second jig plate to move in the second direction so as to combine the first jig plate and the platform with the second jig plate or in a third direction opposite to the second direction.

According to the disclosure, the automation testing system further includes a resilient component contacting against the first jig plate and the motherboard, the resilient component is for pushing the motherboard to detach from the first jig plate as the pneumatic cylinder drives the second jig plate to move in the third direction.

According to the disclosure, the automation testing system further includes a plug detection unit including a plug detection module, a linear slide rail and a cylinder. The plug detection module is electrically connected to the console computer and for plugging into the motherboard so that the console computer tests the motherboard through the plug detection module. The linear slide rail is for guiding the plug detection module. The cylinder is connected to the plug detection module. The console computer is further for controlling the cylinder to push the plug detection module to plug into the motherboard for testing.

According to the disclosure, the console computer monitors the motherboard through a virtual network computing function.

According to the disclosure, the first jig plate or the second jig plate includes a probe, an end of the probe is electrically connected to the console computer, and the other end of the probe is for connecting with the motherboard, so as to electrically connect the console computer to the motherboard.

According to the disclosure, the automation testing system further includes a sensor for sensing a relative position between the motherboard and the platform, and the console computer is further for controlling the first driving mechanism and the second driving component according to a sensing result of the sensor.

According to the disclosure, the automation testing system further includes a barcode scanner electrically connected to the console computer, and the barcode scanner is for scanning a barcode on the motherboard and recording the barcode in the console computer.

According to the disclosure, a first positioning pillar and a second positioning pillar are disposed on the first jig plate and the second jig plate respectively, the first positioning pillar is inserted into a first positioning opening on the second jig plate, the second positioning pillar is inserted into a second positioning opening on the first jig plate so as to fix the first jig plate, the platform and the second jig plate.

According to the present invention, the debug docking board is installed on the first jig plate. As testing different kind of motherboards, just replace the debug docking boards instead of replacing the jig plate, the time spent in replacement and in adjustment can be decreased, and the jig plate can be manufactured standardized. During operation, all an operator needs to do is to load the motherboard on the platform without any other manual operation, and the testing system approaches fully automatic. The issue that the waste of manpower and time caused by installing the debug docking board on the motherboard manually and loading the motherboard on the testing system can be solved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Please refer toFIG. 1toFIG. 3.FIG. 1toFIG. 3are diagrams in different view angles of an automation testing system5according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automation testing system5for testing a motherboard48of the present invention includes a frame50, a first jig plate52, a second jig plate54, a platform56, a first driving mechanism58, a second driving mechanism60and a console computer62. The frame50includes a track501. The first jig plate52is detachably disposed in the frame50. The second jig plate54is movably disposed in the frame50. The platform56is slidably installed on the track501and disposed between the first jig plate52and the second jig plate54, the track501is for guiding the platform56to move in a first direction D1, and the platform56is for loading the motherboard48. The first driving mechanism58includes a transmission chain581and a motor583, the transmission chain581is connected to the platform56, and the motor583is for driving the transmission chain581to move the platform56so as to drive the platform56to move along the track501in the first direction D1, as shown inFIG. 3. The second driving mechanism60is for driving the second jig plate54to move in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, as shown inFIG. 1.

The console computer62is electronic connected to the first driving mechanism58and the second driving mechanism60, the console computer62is for controlling the first driving mechanism58to drive the platform56to move in the first direction D1 to a horizontal position, the console computer62is further for controlling the second driving mechanism60to drive the second jig plate54to move in the second direction D2 as the platform56is located at the horizontal position, so that the second jig plate54pushes the platform56to move toward the first jig plate52so as to combine the first jig plate52, the platform56and the second jig plate54.

In addition, the second driving mechanism60includes a plurality of guiding columns601and a pneumatic cylinder603, the plurality of guiding columns601is for guiding the second jig plate54to move in the second direction D2, and the pneumatic cylinder603is for driving the second jig plate54to move in the second direction D2 or in a third direction D3 opposite to the second direction D2, so that the platform56and the second jig plate54is combined with or detached from the first jig plate52.

Please refer to theFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a partial enlarged diagram in a front view of the automation testing system5according to the embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment of the present invention, a first positioning pillar525and a second positioning pillar541are disposed on the first jig plate52and the second jig plate54respectively, the first positioning pillar525is inserted into a first positioning opening543on the second jig plate54, the second positioning pillar541is inserted into a second positioning opening527on the first jig plate52so as to fix the first jig plate52, the platform56and the second jig plate54, and for guiding the first jig plate52to combine with the platform56and the second jig plate54directly.

Please refer toFIG. 5andFIG. 6.FIG. 5is a diagram of a first jig plate52according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is a diagram of the first jig plate52in another view angle according to the embodiment of the present invention. A debug docking board521is detachably disposed on the first jig plate52, the debug docking board521is electrically connected to the console computer62and including a connector5211so as to docking with the motherboard48and for testing the motherboard48. In addition, it is able to install different debug docking boards521on the first jig plate52for testing different motherboards48.

The automation testing system5further includes a resilient component64contacting against the first jig plate52and the motherboard48. As the second jig plate54pushes the platform56to move toward the first jig plate52in the second direction D2 so as to combine the first jig plate52, the platform56, and the second jig plate54, the resilient component64is for buffering the components so as to prevent colliding. As the second jig plate54moves in the third direction D3, the resilient component64provides resilient force to push the motherboard48to detach from the first jig plate52.

Please refer toFIG. 7andFIG. 8.FIG. 7is an exploded diagram of a plug detection unit66according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8is a top view diagram of the automation testing system5according to the embodiment of the present invention. The automation testing system5further includes a detachable plug detection unit66including a plug detection module661, a linear slide rail663and cylinder665. The plug detection module661is electrically connected to the console computer62and for plugging into the motherboard48so that the console computer62tests the motherboard48through the plug detection module661. The linear slide rail663is for guiding the plug detection module661. The cylinder665is connected to the plug detection module661, the console computer62is further for controlling the cylinder665to push the plug detection module661to plug into the motherboard48for testing. According to the embodiment, the plug detection unit66is installed on the first jig plate52, but not limited to this. It is able to install different plug detection unit66on the automation testing system5for testing different motherboard48.

In addition, please refer toFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The console computer62is further electrically connected to a sensor68and a barcode scanner70. The sensor68is installed on the frame50for sensing a relative position between the motherboard48and the platform56, and for sensing the platform56to be moved to the horizontal position in the first direction D1 relative to the second jig plate54. The console computer62controls the first driving mechanism58and the second driving mechanism60according to a sensing result of the sensor68. The barcode scanner70is installed on the frame50for scanning a barcode on the motherboard48and recording the barcode in the console computer62.

In addition, the first jig plate52or the second jig plate54includes a probe523. An end of the probe523is electrically connected to the console computer62, and the other end of the probe523is for connecting with the motherboard48, so as to electrically connect the console computer62to the motherboard48. The console computer62monitors the motherboard48through a virtual network computing function.

The operation of the automation testing system5according to the embodiment of the present invention is detail as follows. Please refer toFIG. 3,FIG. 5,FIG. 9andFIG. 10.FIG. 9is a diagram of the platform56moved to a horizontal position according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10is a diagram of the first jig plate52combined with the second jig plate54and the platform56according to the embodiment of the present invention. As testing the motherboard48, the motherboard48is loaded on the platform56. As the sensor68senses the motherboard48to be placed directly, the console computer62controls the motor583to drive the transmission chain581so as to track the platform56to move to the horizontal position along the track501in the first direction D1, as shown inFIG. 9. As the sensor68senses the platform56is moved to the horizontal position, the barcode scanner70scans the barcode on the motherboard48and sends the record back to the console computer62. The pneumatic cylinder603pushes the second jig plate54to move in the second direction D2 along the guiding column601, and the second jig plate54pushes the platform56to move toward the first jig plate52in the second direction D2. The moving distance of a stroke of the pneumatic cylinder603is determined, the platform56, the first jig plate52and the second jig plate54are combined together as the stroke is over, as shown inFIG. 10. At The same time, the resilient component64is pressed, and the connector5211of the debug docking board521connects with the motherboard48. Furthermore, the console computer62controls the cylinder665to push the plug detection module661to plug into the motherboard48, so that the console computer62is able to test the motherboard48through a virtual network computing function.

As the testing is over, the console computer62controls the cylinder665to drive the plug detection module661to detach from the motherboard48, the console computer62also controls the pneumatic cylinder603to drive the platform56and the second jig plate54to move in the third direction D3. At the same time, the resilient force of the resilient component64pushes the connector5211of the debug docking board521to detach from the motherboard48, and the platform56and the second jig plate54is detached from the first jig plate52. As the stroke of the pneumatic cylinder603is over, the platform56is detached from the second jig plate54. And then, the motor583drives the transmission chain581to tracking the platform56to move to an initial position in a direction opposite to the first direction D1. Then the tested motherboard48can be taken off, and another motherboard48can be loaded for the next test.

In contrast to the prior art, according to the present invention, the debug docking board is installed on the first jig plate. As testing different kind of motherboards, just replacing the debug docking boards instead of replacing the jig plate, the time spent in replacement and in adjustment can be decreased, and the jig plate can be standardized. During operation, all an operator needs to do is to load the motherboard on the platform without any other manual operation. The testing system approaches fully automatic. The issue that the waste of manpower and time caused by installing the debug docking board on the motherboard manually and loading the motherboard on the testing system can be solved.