Isolation adapter for a vehicle component test and test method for a vehicle component

• US 9,046,557 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2012
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Pauli, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Olszewski, John R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foster, Gerrad A
• Application Number:
  US14/241,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20150006024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/281 Specific types of tests or tests for a specific type of fault, e.g. thermal mapping, shorts testing G01R31/2818 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/56 Contact arrangements for providing make-before-break operation, e.g. for on-load tap-changing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/12 Contact arrangements for providing make-before-break operation, e.g. for on-load tap-changing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0005 Tap change devices

Abstract

In the development of a vehicle component, provision may be made for a component to be tested during a test drive. Thus, the behavior of the vehicle component in the event of failure of a sensor, for example, can be tested. The aim is to enable systematic checking of a mode of operation of a vehicle component. An isolation adapter has a terminal for the vehicle component and a switching device that has a plurality of switch contacts to which a respective test circuit can be connected. An electrical connection between the terminal and at least one of the switch contacts can be produced by switching the switching device. Even during switching, there is always an electrical connection to at least one of the switch contacts. The isolation adapter may also have a display unit that mechanically detects a switching position of the switching device.

Claims

1. An isolation adapter to check a functionality of a vehicle component during a test drive, comprising:

a component connection for connection of the vehicle component;

a switching device which is coupled to the component connection and has a plurality of switching contacts, the switching device selectively connecting the switching contacts to the component connection so as to maintain electrical connection between the component connection and at least one of the switching contacts during a switchover operation; and

a plurality of test circuits, each test circuit being connected to a corresponding switching contact, such that each test circuit can be electrically connected to the component connection via the corresponding switching contact by switching over the switching device,

wherein the test circuits comprise;

at least one fault connection, which operates the vehicle component with a respective predetermined fault, and

at least one fault-free connection, which allows fault-free operation of the vehicle component.

2. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a peripheral connection for connection of a peripheral element which is to be operated in conjunction with the vehicle component, the peripheral connection being electrically coupled to at least one of the switching contacts by at least one corresponding test circuit.

3. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the fault and fault-free connections are provided to alternate with one another in a switching order which is produced by switching over the switching device.

4. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a recording device to provide an output signal corresponding to a signal at the component connection.

5. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the switching contacts are provided in a switch tap changer, and

the switch tap changer has a movable contact element by which the component connection can be electrically connected simultaneously to at least two of the switching contacts.

6. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the switching device has a switching element to connect the vehicle component to different test circuits,

the isolation adapter further comprises a display device to detect and display a switching state of the switching device, and

to detect the switching state, the display device mechanically detects a switching position of the switching element of the switching device.

7. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 6, wherein

the switching device is a switch tap changer,

the switching element of the switching device is a movable contact element of the switch tap changer,

the display device comprises a display tap changer having a movable contact element, and

the movable contact elements of the switch tap changer and the display tap changer are mechanically coupled to one another in such a way that the tap changers switch together.

8. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 6, wherein an output device provides an output signal which is dependent on the switching state of the switching device, the output signal being provided to a logging connection for connection of a recording apparatus.

9. The isolation adapter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a logging connection for connection of a recording apparatus;

a recording device to provide an output signal to the logging connection, which corresponds to a signal at the component connection; and

an output device to provide an output signal to the logging connection, which is dependent on the switching state of the switching device.

10. An isolation adapter to check a functionality of a vehicle component during a test drive, comprising:

a component connection for connection of the vehicle component;

a switching device which is coupled to the component connection and has a plurality of switching contacts, the switching device selectively connecting the switching contacts to the component connection so as to maintain electrical connection between the component connection and at least one of the switching contacts during a switchover operation; and

a plurality of test circuits, each test circuit being connected to a corresponding switching contact, such that each test circuit can be electrically connected to the component connection via the corresponding switching contact by switching over the switching device,

wherein the test circuits are selected from the group consisting of a series resistance, a connection to ground and a connection to a power supply.

11. A method for checking a functionality of a vehicle component during a test drive, comprising:

switching over without interruption between at least first and second test circuits, wherein

the first test circuit provides an electrical connection between the vehicle component and a sensor, actuator or field device, which is to be operated in conjunction with the vehicle component,

the first test circuit connects the vehicle component to the sensor, to the actuator or to the field device in a manner which is intended for fault-free operation of the vehicle component,

the second test circuit provides an electrical connection which generates a prespecified faulty operational state in the vehicle component, and

the vehicle component is always connected to one of the test circuits during switchover.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein

a component connection is used to electrically connect the vehicle component with the first and second test circuits, and

the method further comprises recording a time profile of a signal which is present at the component connection.