MARKING DEVICE FOR MARKING CIRCUIT BOARDS TESTED BY MEANS OF A TEST DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a marking device (02) for marking circuit boards (04) tested by means of a test device (01, 08), wherein the marking device (02) can be fixed to the test device (01, 08) in a defined target position, and wherein the marking device (02) has a marking member (06) which can engage the surface (05) of a circuit board (04), and wherein the marking member (06) can be driven by a drive mechanism (16) in order to apply a marking to the surface (05) of the circuit board (04) by an operating movement of the marking member (06) depending on the test result. The marking device (02) includes a fixation module (10) and a quick change module (11), wherein the marking device (02) can be fixed to the test device (01, 08) in the defined target position by means of the fixation module (10), and wherein the quick change module (11) includes the marking member (06) and the drive mechanism (16), and wherein the quick change module (11) can be replaced without removing the fixation module (10).

Claims

1. A marking device (02) for marking circuit boards (04) tested by means of a test device (01, 08), wherein the marking device (02) can be fixed to the test device (01, 08) in a defined target position, and wherein the marking device (02) has a marking member (06) which can engage the surface (05) of a circuit board (04), and wherein the marking member (06) can be driven by a drive mechanism (16) in order to apply a marking to the surface (05) of the circuit board (04) by an operating movement of the marking member (06) depending on the test result, wherein the marking device (02) comprises a fixation module (10) and a quick change module (11), wherein the marking device (02) can be fixed to the test device (01, 08) in the defined target position by means of the fixation module (10), and wherein the quick change module (11) comprises the marking member (06) and the drive mechanism (16), and wherein the quick change module (11) can be replaced without removing the fixation module (10).

2. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the marking member (06) can be driven in a rotational manner by means of the drive mechanism (16).

3. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation module (10) comprises a fixation sleeve (27) which is open on one side, wherein the quick change module (11) can be inserted into the fixation sleeve (27) through the open side (15), and wherein at least part of the outer circumference (29) of the quick change module (11) comes into contact with the inner circumference (26) of the fixation sleeve (27) without play.

4. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein a fixation thread (07) is provided on at least part of the outer circumference of the fixation module (10).

5. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the quick change module (11) is cylindrical, an anti-rotation element (17) being provided on the inner circumference of the fixation module (10) and engaging the outer circumference of the quick change module (11) in a form-fitting manner.

6. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism (16) in the quick change module (11) can be driven electrically, two contact elements (19, 20, 21, 22) being provided at each of the fixation module (10) and the quick change module (11), the contact elements (19, 20, 21, 22) being contacted in an electrically conductive manner by inserting the quick change module (11) into the fixation module (10).

7. The marking device according to claim 6, wherein a first contact element (22) is disposed at the outer circumference of the quick change module (11) and the associated second contact element (20) is disposed at the inner circumference of the fixation module (10), the first contact element (22) and/or the second contact element (20) surrounding the entire circumference.

8. The marking device according to claim 6, wherein a third contact element (21) is disposed in the center of the end face of the quick change module (11) and the associated fourth contact element (19) is disposed in the center of the closed end of the fixation module (10).

9. The marking device according to claim 6, wherein two contact elements (19, 21) associated with one another form a plug contact pair which fixes the quick change module (11) in the insertion direction of the fixation module (10).

10. The marking device according to claim 9, wherein the third contact element (21) is mushroom-shaped or spherical and wherein the outer circumference of the third contact element (21) comes into electrically conductive contact with the inner circumference of a cylindrical recess which forms the fourth contact element (19).

11. The marking device according to claim 9, wherein the third contact element (21) has at least two contact springs (32) which are elastically hinged.

12. The marking device according to claim 11, wherein the third contact element (21) has at least four contact springs (32) which are elastically hinged.

13. The marking device according to claim 1, wherein the marking device (02) comprises a ballast (14) by means of which the electrical supply voltage for driving the drive mechanism (16) can be modified.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is shown in a schematized manner in the drawings and is explained below in an exemplary manner.

[0017] In the drawings,

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a marking device installed in a first test device in a cross-sectional view;

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the marking device according to FIG. 1 installed in a second test device in a cross-sectional view;

[0020] FIG. 3 shows the marking device according to FIG. 1 after the removal from the test device in a perspective lateral view;

[0021] FIG. 4 shows the marking device according to FIG. 3 after the removal of the quick change module from the fixation module in a perspective lateral view;

[0022] FIG. 5 shows the marking device according to FIG. 4 during installation of the quick change module in the fixation module in a perspective lateral view;

[0023] FIG. 6 shows the fixation module of the marking device according to FIG. 4 in a cross-sectional view;

[0024] FIG. 7 shows the quick change module of the marking device according to FIG. 4 in a cross-sectional view;

[0025] FIG. 8 shows the marking device according to FIG. 4 in an exploded view;

[0026] FIG. 9 shows the contact elements of the fixation module according to FIG. 6 in an enlarged sectional view;

[0027] FIG. 10 shows the contact elements of the quick change module according to FIG. 7 in an enlarged sectional view;

[0028] FIG. 11 shows the installation of the contact elements of the quick change module according to FIG. 10 in a first installation step in a perspective view;

[0029] FIG. 12 shows the installation of the contact elements of the quick change module according to FIG. 10 in a second installation step in a perspective view;

[0030] FIG. 13 shows the installation of the contact elements of the quick change module according to FIG. 10 in a third installation step in a perspective view;

[0031] FIG. 14 shows the contact springs of the contact element of the quick change module according to FIG. 10 in a lateral view;

[0032] FIG. 15 shows the insulation part for producing the contact elements of the quick change module according to FIG. 10 in a cross-sectional view;

[0033] FIG. 16 shows the sleeve contact element for producing the contact elements of the quick change module according to FIG. 10 in a cross-sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows the section of a test device 01 to which a marking device 2 is fixed. Test device 01 is only partially shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of additional test pins is fixed to frame 03 of test device 01 in test device 01, wherein the test pins can come into contact with a circuit board 04 and allow automated testing of the electrical properties of circuit board 04. The contact pins of test device 01 are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] Depending on the test result of the electrical test of circuit board 04, a marking can be applied to surface 05 of circuit board 04 by means of marking device 02. To this end, a sharp-edged marking member 06 is provided on marking device 02, marking member 06 being elastically pressed against surface 05 of circuit board 04 in the axial direction. In order to produce marking member 06, a cylindrical pin is bevel-ground, a sharp-edged sickle thus being formed. Marking member 06 is secured against rotation by a pin which is pressed into a side. Instead of shown marking member 06, a sharp scratch graver (not shown) can also be used as the marking member. The tip of the scratch graver is disposed off-center in order to be able to carve a circular line by rotationally driving the scratch graver.

[0036] If, for example, circuit board 04 has met the specified electrical test criteria, a circular line can be engraved into surface 05 of circuit board 04 by rotationally driving marking member 06. The marking then symbolizes that circuit board 04 has met the specified test criteria.

[0037] In order to fix marking device 02 to frame 03, two fixation nuts 33 are used which engage an external thread 07 of marking device 02. When marking device 02 is installed on frame 03, marking device 02 is inserted through a through bore in frame 03 and is then fixed in the desired position by tightening the two fixation nuts 33.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows the fixation of marking device 02 to a second test device 08. Frame 09 of test device 08 has an internal thread for the fixation of marking device 02, external thread 07 being screwed into the internal thread. Once marking member 06 can come into contact witch circuit board 04 at a sufficient preload, marking device 02 is secured by tightening fixation nut 33.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows entire marking device 02 after the removal from the test device. Test device 02 comprises a fixation module 10 which has external thread 07 and the two fixation nuts 33 in order to fix marking device 02 to different test devices. Furthermore, marking device 02 comprises a quick change module 11, marking member 06 protruding from one end of quick change module 11. An electric drive mechanism is also installed in quick change module 11 and is used to rotationally drive marking member 06. In order to supply energy to the drive mechanism, marking device 02 can be connected to an electrical supply set by means of connection cables 12 and 13. A ballast 14 by means of which the supply voltage can be transformed in order to allow marking device 02 to be connected to supply networks which have different voltages is provided between connection cables 12 and 13.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows marking device 02 without connection cables 12 and 13 and without ballast 14. In FIG. 4, quick change module 11 is shown in the removed state. To this end, quick change module 11 is pulled out of fixation module 10, which is realized as a fixation sleeve, on open side 15. As a result, marking member 06 and electric drive mechanism 16 provided for rotationally driving marking member 06 are removed from marking device 02 by removing quick change module 11. If marking member 06 is worn out, quick change module 11 can thus simply be pulled out of marking device 02 and be replaced by another quick change module comprising new marking member 06 without removing fixation module 10. In this way, the required downtime for replacing marking member 06 can be significantly reduced. Once the quick change module is removed and replaced by another quick change module, worn marking member 06 of removed quick change module 11 can be replaced without time pressure and quick change module 11 can then be reinserted.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows marking device 02 before and after the installation of a new quick change module 11 in fixation module 10. An anti-rotation element 17 realized as a nose is located on open side 15 of fixation module 10, anti-rotation element 17 engaging into a groove 18 on the front end of electric drive mechanism 16 in the end position of quick change module 11 in fixation module 10. Quick change module 11 is supported in a rotational manner by fixation module 10 by means of the form-fitting connection between anti-rotation element 17 and groove 18, allowing the required torque to be applied to marking member 06 by driving electric drive mechanism 16.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows fixation module 10 in a cross-sectional view. As can be seen from the figure, fixation module 10 is realized in the manner of a cylindrical fixation sleeve which is open on one side. Quick change module 11 can be inserted into the fixation sleeve through open side 15. Fixation thread 07 is located on the outer circumference of the fixation sleeve. At the closed end of fixation module 10, two contact elements 19 and 20 are provided which can be contacted with contact elements 21 and 22 of quick change module 11 in an electrically conductive manner in order to supply electric drive mechanism 11 with the required voltage. The function of contact elements 19 to 22 is explained in more detail below.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows quick change module 11 in a schematized cross-sectional view. Marking member 06 is axially spring-loaded and can be rotationally driven by means of an electric drive motor 23. Electric drive motor 23 is connected to contact elements 20 and 19 via contact elements 21 and 22 and is thus supplied with the required voltage.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows quick change module 11 in an exploded view. All components of quick change module 11 are installed in a sleeve 24. The outer surface of sleeve 24 is used as contact element 22. The establishment of the contact between soldering tags 25 of drive motor 23 and the two contact elements 21 and 22 is explained in more detail below.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows the closed end of fixation module 10 in an enlarged cross-sectional view. The entire inner circumference 26 in fixation module 10 is used as contact element 20. To this end, fixation sleeve 27, which is made of metal, is connected to connection cable 12 by means of contact tag 28. Additionally, the fixation module comprises contact element 19, which is realized in the manner of a cylindrical recess.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows the rear end of quick change module 11. The entire outer circumference 29 of quick change module 11 is used as contact element 22. In order to produce contact element 22, one soldering tag 25 of electric drive motor 23 is electrically contacted by sleeve 24, which is made of metal. Said electrical contacting between sleeve 24 and soldering tag 25 is established by a contact element 30. After placing contact element 30 on the rear side of drive motor 23, soldering tag 25 is flipped and soldered. The outer circumference of contact element 30 itself comes into contact with the inner circumference of sleeve 24, whereby contact element 30 is electrically contacted.

[0047] Second soldering tag 25 of drive motor 23 is inserted through an insulator element 31 and is soldered to contact element 21. A short circuit between contact elements 21 and 22 is prevented by insulator element 31.

[0048] When quick change module 11 is installed in fixation module 10 by inserting sleeve 24 into fixation sleeve 27, the entire surface of outer circumference 29 comes into contact with inner circumference 26 and thus establishes the contact in pairs between contact elements 20 and 19. When the end position of quick change module 11 in fixation module 10 is reached, spherical contact element 21 is additionally inserted into cylindrical contact element 19 and is electrically contacted. Contact element 21 has four elastic contact springs 21 which are slightly pressed together elastically when contact element 21 is inserted into contact element 19. Quick change module 11 is axially secured in fixation module 10 by the frictional connection of contact springs 32 on the inner circumference of contact element 19.

[0049] FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 show the installation of contact elements 21 and 22 during the production of quick change module 11 in a schematized manner. As a first step, contact element 30 is inserted into sleeve 24 from behind, the two soldering tags 25 of drive motor 23 thus penetrating the corresponding recesses in contact element 30. Left soldering tag 25 is then flipped (see FIG. 12) and soldered to contact element 30. Insulator element 31 and contact element 21 are then inserted into sleeve 24. As a final step, right soldering tag 25 is soldered to contact element 21 (see FIG. 13). FIG. 14 shows contact element 21 in a lateral view. A toothing or knurling is provided on the outer circumference of contact element 21 for the safe fixation of contact element 21 to insulator element 31.

[0050] FIG. 15 shows insulator element 31 comprising the recesses for being penetrated by the soldering tags in a cross-sectional view.

[0051] FIG. 16 shows contact element 30 comprising the recesses for being penetrated by the soldering tags in a cross-sectional view.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0052] 01 test device [0053] 02 marking device [0054] 03 frame [0055] 04 circuit board [0056] 05 surface [0057] 06 marking member [0058] 07 fixation thread [0059] 08 test device [0060] 09 frame [0061] 10 fixation module [0062] 11 quick change module [0063] 12 connection cable [0064] 13 connection cable [0065] 14 ballast [0066] 15 open side [0067] 16 drive mechanism [0068] 17 anti-rotation element [0069] 18 groove [0070] 19 contact element [0071] 20 contact element [0072] 21 contact element [0073] 22 contact element [0074] 23 electric drive motor [0075] 24 sleeve [0076] 25 soldering tag [0077] 26 inner circumference [0078] 27 fixation sleeve [0079] 28 contact tag [0080] 29 outer circumference [0081] 30 contact element [0082] 31 insulator element [0083] 32 contact spring [0084] 33 fixation nut