Apparatus for testing a wire harness and method of use

• US 5,231,357 A
• Filed: 05/09/1990
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: Pienkowski, Thomas C., Kearns, William C., West, David W., Levin, Robert F., Moody, Roy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Application Number:
  US07/521,623
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 324/538-542, 29/593
• US Class Current: 324/539
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/66 Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part

Abstract

An automatic harness testing apparatus test a multiconductor single connector wire harness for continuity faults in each conductive path of the wire harness by capacitively inducing an oscillatory test signal through the insulation of the conductors, probing each of the terminals of the connector and sequentially testing each probe for the presence of a test signal having a predetermined amplitude.

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing a wire harness having at least one connector conductively connected by a terminal to a conductor of an insulated wire to form a conductive path, comprising:

connector probe means for conductively engaging and connecting a terminal of a conductive path to be tested to a connector outlet;

test signal means for capacitively inducing an oscillatory test signal in the conductor of a wire of the conductive path to be tested; and

electrical continuity test means for measuring the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal at the connector outlet of each conductive path to be tested and comparing the measured amplitude to a pre-determined amplitude value and for providing a fault signal indicative of the condition of the conductive path to be tested when the measured amplitude is equal to the predetermined amplitude value;

wherein the electrical continuity test means includes a digital computer connected to the connector outlet, the digital computer is programmed to provide the comparison of the amplitude of the test signal and the provision of the fault signal, the test signal means includes an oscillator and an operational amplifier and the digital computer includes means for controlling the operational amplifier to increase the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal to a second signal amplitude.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including band pass filter means for removing any spurious signals from the oscillatory test signal, an alternating current to direct current converter and an analog to digital converter connected in series between the connector outlet and the digital computer.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the digital computer is programmed to increase the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal when the measured test signal amplitude is a predetermined lesser magnitude than the amplified oscillatory test signal initially provided by the test signal means and to retest the conductive path by comparing the increased amplitude of the test signal to a second predetermined amplitude value.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein a multiplexer is connected between the connector outlet and the electrical continuity test means such that individual conductive paths of a multiple conductive path harness can be sequentially tested by the electrical continuity test means.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the electrical continuity test means includes short circuit test means for detecting short circuits between adjacent conductive paths.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including band pass filter means for removing any spurious signals from the oscillatory test signal, an alternating current to direct current converter and an analog to digital converter connected in series between the connector outlet and the digital computer.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the digital computer includes means for selectively controlling the frequency of the oscillator.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the test signal means includes a signal emitting plate disposed contiguous to the wire, the connector probe means includes a second connector mateable with the first connector and the outlet includes a plurality of conductors terminated to the second connector.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the test signal means includes a signal emitting plate resiliently mounted on a reciprocating ram of a connector termination press in a position to engage the wire of a harness terminated in the press.

10. A method for testing a wire harness having at least one connector conductively connected by a terminal to an insulated wire to form a conductive path, comprising the steps of:

conductively engaging and connecting a terminal of a conductive path to be tested to a connector outlet;

capacitively inducing an oscillatory test signal in the wire of the conductive path to be tested;

measuring the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal at the connector outlet of each conductive path to be tested;

comparing the measured amplitude to a pre-determined amplitude value;

providing a fault signal indicative of the condition of the conductive path to be tested when the measured amplitude is equal to the predetermined amplitude value; and

increasing the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal when the measured test signal amplitude is a predetermined lesser magnitude than the original oscillatory test signal and retesting the conductive path by comparing the increased amplitude of the test signal to a second predetermined amplitude value.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10, including the step of sequentially testing multiple conductive paths of a multiple conductor wire harness.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the step of testing the wire harness for short circuits between adjacent conductive paths.

13. An apparatus for terminating a plurality of insulated wires to corresponding terminals of a connector to assembly a wire harness and for testing the assembled wire harness, comprising:

press means for reciprocating a ram mounted on a press frame toward and away from a connector positioning means for termination of a connector disposed in the connector positioning means to a plurality of insulated wires to form a wire harness;

probe means for individually conductively engaging each terminal of the connector after termination of the connector to the insulated wire by the ram;

electrical continuity test means electrically connected to the probe means for testing the wire harness for electrical faults; and

test signal means for emitting an oscillatory test signal generated by an oscillator, with the test signal means disposed at a position spaced from the connector in close proximity to the wires when the ram is in a testing position such that a test signal is capacitively induced in the wires by the test signal means, wherein the electrical continuity test means includes means for measuring the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal induced in each wire and comparing the measured amplitude to a pre-determined amplitude value and for providing a fault signal indicative of the condition of the wire when the measured amplitude is equal to the predetermined amplitude value;

wherein the electrical continuity test means includes a digital computer connected to the probe means, the digital computer is programmed to provide the comparison of the amplitude of the test signal and the provision of the fault signal, the test signal means includes an operational amplifier and the digital computer includes means for controlling the operational amplifier to increase the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal to a second signal amplitude.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the test signal means includes an insulated metal bar and biasing means for resiliently biasing the wires and the insulated metal bar into contiguous engagement with the bar electrically connected to the oscillator.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the bar is resiliently mounted on the ram and is disposed to press the wires against an insulated metal strip to effect contiguous engagement of the insulation of the wires during testing of the wires between the bar and the strip, and wherein the strip is disposed on a wire positioning tray slidably mounted in the frame of the press and including a spring loaded contact electrically connected to the oscillator for receipt of the test signal therefrom, with the contact disposed to conductively contact the strip when the wire positioning tray is in a wire harness test position such that the test signal applied by the oscillator to the contact is conductively transmitted to the strip.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the probe means is carried on the ram of the press and includes a plurality of resilient probe pins each disposed to enter individual apertures of the connector and engage contact portions of the terminals of the connector.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, including stripping means for resiliently biasing the connector away from the probe pins.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the connector positioning means includes centering means for selectively centering connectors of different dimensions with respect to the ram of the press.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the centering means includes a positioning rod selectively adjustable by a switch connected to the positioning rod to vary the position of a distal end of the positioning rod with respect to a center line of the ram such that a connector positioned in the connector positioning means abuts the distal end of the positioning rod.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, including band pass filter means for removing any spurious signals from the oscillatory test signal, an alternating current to direct current converter and an analog to digital converter connected in series between the probe means and the digital computer.

21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the digital computer is programmed to increase the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal when the measured test signal amplitude is a predetermined lesser magnitude than the amplified oscillatory test signal initially provided by the test signal means and to retest the wire by comparing the increased amplitude of the test signal to a second predetermined amplitude value.

22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein a multiplexer is connected between the probe means and the electrical continuity test means such that individual wires can be sequentially tested by the electrical continuity test means.

23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein the electrical continuity test means includes short circuit test means for detecting short circuits between adjacent wires.

24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 23, including band pass filter means for removing any spurious signals from the oscillatory test signal, an alternating current to direct current converter and an analog to digital converter connected in series between the probe means and the digital computer.

25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the digital computer includes means for selectively controlling the frequency of the oscillator.

26. An apparatus for terminating a plurality of insulated wires to corresponding terminals of a connector to assembly a wire harness and for testing the assembled wire harness, comprising:

press means for reciprocating a ram mounted on a press frame toward and away from a connector positioning means for termination of a connector disposed in the connector positioning means to a plurality of insulated wires to form a wire harness;

test signal means for emitting an oscillatory test signal generated by an oscillator, with the test signal means disposed at a position spaced from the connector in close proximity to the wires when the ram is in a testing position such that a test signal is capacitively induced in the wires by the test signal means;

probe means carried on the ram of the press for individually conductively engaging each terminal of the connector after termination of the connector to the insulated wire by the ram the probe means including a plurality of resilient probe pins each disposed to enter individual apertures of the connector and engage contact portions of the terminals of the connector; and

electrically continuity test means electrically connected to the probe means for testing the wire harness for electrical faults, wherein the electrical continuity test means includes means for measuring the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal induced in each wire and comparing the measured amplitude to a pre-determined amplitude value and for providing a fault signal indicative of the condition of the wire when the measured amplitude is equal to the predetermined amplitude value;

wherein the electrical continuity test means includes a digital computer connected to the probe means, the digital computer is programmed to provide the comparison of the amplitude of the test signal and the provision of the fault signal, the test signal means includes an operational amplifier and the digital computer includes means for controlling the operational amplifier to increase the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal to a second signal amplitude.

27. An apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein the test signal means includes an insulated metal bar and biasing means for resiliently biasing the wires and the insulated metal bar into contiguous engagement with the bar electrically connected to the oscillator.

28. An apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the bar is resiliently mounted on the ram and is disposed to press the wires against an insulated metal strip to effect contiguous engagement of the insulation of the wires during testing of the wires between the bar and the strip, and wherein the strip is disposed on a wire positioning tray slidably mounted in the frame of the press and including a spring loaded contact electrically connected to the oscillator for receipt of the test signal therefrom, with the contact disposed to conductively contact the strip when the wire positioning tray is in a wire harness test position such that the test signal applied by the oscillator to the contact, is conductively transmitted to the strip.

29. An apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein the connector positioning means includes centering means for selectively centering connectors of different dimensions with respect to the ram of the press.

30. An apparatus as set forth in claim 29, wherein the centering means includes a positioning rod selectively adjustable by a switch connected to the positioning rod to vary the position of a distal end of the positioning rod with respect to a center line of the ram such that a connector positioned in the connector positioning means abuts the distal end of the positioning rod.

31. An apparatus as set forth in claim 26, including band pass filter means for removing any spurious signals from the oscillatory test signal, an alternating current to direct current converter and an analog to digital converter connected in series between the probe means and the digital computer.

32. An apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein the digital computer is programmed to increase the amplitude of the oscillatory test signal when the measured test signal amplitude is a predetermined lesser magnitude than the amplified oscillatory test signal initially provided by the test signal means and to retest the wire by comparing the increased amplitude of the test signal to a second predetermined amplitude value.

33. An apparatus as set forth in claim 32, wherein a multiplexer is connected between the probe means and the electrical continuity test means such that individual wires can be sequentially tested by the electrical continuity test means.

34. An apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity test means includes short circuit test means for detecting short circuits between adjacent wires.

35. An apparatus as set forth in claim 34, including band pass filter means for removing any spurious signals from the oscillatory test signal, an alternating current to direct current converter and an analog to digital converter connected in series between the probe means and the digital computer.

36. An apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein the digital computer includes means for selectively controlling the frequency of the oscillator.

37. An apparatus as set forth in claim 26, including stripping means for resiliently biasing the connector away from the probe pins.