SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR TESTING OF CHARGERS

• US 20110254582A1
• Filed: 04/15/2010
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Logistics & Electronics Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Partee, Jimmie Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,988,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/764.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

A system and method for testing a charger. A power-end of a charger is received in a power port of a charger tester. An adapter module is received in an adapter port, the adapter module being connected to an adapter-end of the charger. The charger tester is automatically activated to power the charger through the power port in response to the adapter module being received by the adapter port. Performance characteristics of the charger are measured. The performance characteristics of the charger are displayed to a user to indicate functionality of the charger.

Claims

1. A method for testing a charger, comprising:

receiving a power-end of a charger in a power port of a charger tester;

receiving an adapter module in an adapter port, the adapter module being connected to an adapter-end of the charger;

automatically activating the charger tester to power the charger through the power port in response to the adapter module being received by the adapter port;

measuring performance characteristics of the charger; and

displaying the performance characteristics of the charger to a user to indicate functionality of the charger.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a load module in a load port of the charger tester, the load module and the adapter module selected by a user in response to the charger being tested.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

deactivating power to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be powered.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the deactivating is performed by a bi-metallic switch disengaging power to the charger in response to the bi-metallic switch a threshold.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the performance characteristics include a visual indicator operable to indicate whether the charger is functional or nonfunctional.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the performance characteristics includes a voltage and a current drawn by the charger test when driving the load module.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the adapter port and the load port are operable to interchangeably receive each of a plurality of adapter modules and each of a plurality of load modules for testing each of a plurality of chargers.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the adapter module and the load module are selected from a plurality of adapter modules and a plurality of load modules associated with each of a plurality of chargers.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

automatically deactivating power to the charger by activating a safety switch in response to a safety threshold being exceeded.

10. A method for testing a charger, comprising:

receiving a power-end of the charger in a power port of a charger tester;

receiving information about the charger from a user;

dynamically configuring a load for testing the charger in response to the information;

automatically activating the charger tester to power the charger in response to the charger being received by the charger tester and the load being configured;

measuring performance characteristics of the charger while powered; and

displaying the performance characteristics of the charger to the user indicating functionality of the charger.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

deactivating power to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be powered.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the information includes a selection of an electronic device associated with the charger, the information being received through a user interface of the charger tester.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user connects an adapter module to an adapter-end of the charger, the charger tester powering the charger in response to the adapter module being connected to an adapter port of the charger tester.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the charger tester determines the load utilizing the information and a database including load information for a plurality of electronic devices, and wherein the charger tester determines functionality of the charger utilizing data within the database associated with the information.

15. A charger tester for testing chargers, comprising:

a first port for receiving an adapter module connected to an adapter-end of a charger;

a power supply for powering a charger through a power port;

a measurement device for measuring performance information for the charger;

a display for displaying the performance information to a user; and

a second port in communication with the first port through a testing circuit, the second port operable to receive a load module selected to test the charger.

16. The charger tester according to claim 15, wherein the adapter module and the load module are selected by a user in response to the charger type, wherein the adapter module and the load module are selected from a plurality of adapter modules and a plurality of load modules each corresponding to one or more chargers, and wherein the adapter module and the load module being connected to the first port and the second port, respectively, by the user.

17. The charger tester according to claim 15, further comprising:

a switch in communication with the power supply, the switch operable to power the charger and the testing circuit in response to the adapter module being connected to the first port.

18. The charger tester according to claim 15, further comprising:

a timer in communication with the power supply, the timer operable to deactivate power to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be powered or in response to detecting a potential failure in the charger tester or the charger.

19. The charger tester according to claim 15, further comprising:

a safety switch in communication with the load module configured to electrically disconnect the load module from the charger in response to exceeding a threshold.

20. The charger tester according to claim 15, wherein the measurement device displays whether the charger is functional or nonfunctional.

21. A charger tester for testing chargers, comprising:

a user interface for displaying and receiving information from a user, the user interface operable to receive the information about the charger from the user;

a port for receiving an adapter module connected to an adapter-end of the charger;

a power supply for powering a charger through a power port;

a switch in communication with the power supply, the switch operable to power the charger in response to the adapter module being connected to the charger tester;

a measurement device for measuring performance information of the charger during testing;

a display for displaying the performance information to a user; and

a dynamic load in communication with the port, the dynamic load operable to apply a load for testing the charger in response to the information.

22. The charger tester according to claim 21, further comprising:

a database in communication with the user interface operable to determine the load in response to the information, wherein the measurement device displays whether the charger is functional or nonfunctional based on the information and measurements read from the charger by the measurement device during testing.

23. The charger tester according to claim 21, further comprising:

a communications module for sending test results for the charger to an external device.

24. The charger tester according to claim 21, further comprising:

a scanner for scanning the information directly from the charger to configure the dynamic load.

25. The charger tester according to claim 21, further comprising:

a timer in communication with the power supply, the timer operable to deactivate power to the power port in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be powered; and

a safety switch in communication with the dynamic load, the safety switch configured to disconnect the dynamic load from the charger in response to exceeding a threshold, wherein the adapter module is selected by a user in response to the charger type, the adapter module being connected to the port by the user.