Patent Application
20190195928
The invention relates to a device for making EMC test measurements, by means of which the electromagnetic compatibility of a technical device may be inspected or checked. In the following, the technical device, the compatibility of which is to be inspected, is referred to as the “system to be inspected.”
Nowadays, EMC test measurements usually are performed in a specific stationary EMC laboratory. Here, the measurement devices are arranged outside of the EMC laboratory fixedly. The experimental arrangements, hereby, mostly are very complex, because the system to be inspected, at first, has to be transported into the EMC laboratory, and the measurement devices have to be arranged correctly manually within the EMC laboratory, requiring substantial expenditure of time and additional costs.
Further, it is known to arrange the system to be inspected within some kind of measurement cell, in order to reduce the ambient influences on the measurement. The measurement devices themselves are also located outside of the box, and, if required, have to be connected to the measurement cell. However, such systems are not suitable as mobile EMC laboratories, because the measurement cell and the measurement devices have to be transported separately. Also here, the system to be inspected and the measurement devices have to be arranged with respect to each other manually in a correct manner, requiring a substantial expenditure of time.
A measurement cell known from prior art is shown in
A further measurement cell known from the prior art is shown in
Moreover, the measurement cells known from the prior art have the disadvantage that only certain types of measurements can be carried out such that the full range of applications of an EMC laboratory cannot be reached at all.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially avoid the disadvantages known from the prior art, and to provide a device for making EMC test measurements, which, on the one hand, can be used as mobile EMC measurement system without the measurement devices having to be transported separately, and which allows for a substantially larger range of applications than conventional measurement cells. Further, the shielding should not be affected by this.
According to the invention, this object may be solved by a device for making EMC test measurements according to the independent claim. Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
Accordingly, a device for making EMC test measurements is provided, wherein the device comprises a measurement cell configured as a mobile box, wherein
The plate may consist of one or more partial plates. The plate and the partial plates, respectively, may be ferrite plates. Alternatively, the plates and the partial plates, respectively, may comprise a metal plate, preferably made from aluminum, onto which a Mu-metal foil is applied, and on which the ferrite plates are fixed.
Thereby, the system to be inspected as well as the measurement devices may be arranged within the box. The box including the measurement devices may be transported easily. The plate with the absorber layer and/or damping layer and/or shielding layer ensures that disturbances of the system to be inspected by the measurement devices and/or disturbances of the measurement devices by the system to be inspected itself are prevented to a large extent. Thereby, the measurement devices may also remain within the box during the measurement such that an arrangement of the measurement devices, as it is required according to the prior art, is not necessary.
The opening of the box, i.e., the opening of the measurement area may be closed by flaps or by doors.
It is advantageous, if, besides the plate subdividing the box into two areas, also the walls (sidewalls and ceiling or upper wall) of the measurement area comprise an absorber layer and/or a damping layer and/or a shielding layer.
Further, it is advantageous, if also the flaps or doors, by means of which the measurement area can be closed, comprise an absorber layer and/or a damping layer and/or a shielding layer.
Thereby, the entire measurement area can be shielded from the outside, and disturbances of the system to be inspected and undesired influences on the measurements can be prevented.
In the measurement area, at least one means selected from the group comprising a robot arm, a rotary plate, camera systems, an EMC thermal imaging camera, a thermal imaging camera, an EMC antenna, sensors, a microphone, illumination, an EMC fan, and combinations thereof may be arranged. In the following, these are commonly referred to as “components”.
The measurement devices may be arranged within the device area releasably, in order to allow for an easy and quick exchange of the measurement devices.
The components arranged within the measurement area may be arranged within the measurement area releasably, in order to allow for an easy and quick exchange of the components.
Thereby, a completely modular assembly of the EMC measurement device is achieved such that the EMC measurement device may be adapted to diverse experimental setups. In particular, during a transport of the EMC measurement device, the components as well as the measurement devices may remain within the EMC measurement device, thereby substantially facilitating the transport. Moreover, the components and the measurement devices, thus, are protected from damages during the transport.
It is preferable, if at least one display means, preferably, one or two flat screens, are arranged at the outer wall of the box, preferably at the left and/or right outer wall, which may be coupled to the components in the measurement area and/or to the measurement devices in the measurement area operatively. Hereby, the coupling is accomplished such that they do not influence the measurements, i.e., possibly required cables are guided to the outside of the absorber layer, the damping layer, and/or the shielding layer, or are shielded accordingly.
The display means may be arranged at the box releasably, and/or it may be arranged at the box pivotably.
The measurement devices may be selected from the group comprising at least an analyzer, and oscilloscope, a power supply unit, a T-network reproduction, a video recorder, and combinations thereof. Further different measurement devices are possible. Due to the modular structure of the device according to the invention, the measurement devices may be exchanged according to the needs and requirements with respect to the measurement to be performed.
Preferably, the robot arm is configured and arranged relative to the rotary plate such that at least one sensor or at least one measurement means may be moved by it relative to the rotary plate. Preferably, a sensor, as a near field sensor or a near field probe, may be advanced to the system to be inspected by means of the robot arm.
The robot arm may be controllable from outside of the box, for example, by means of a joystick, a mouse, or another input device.
The EMC antenna and the measurement area may be configured so as to be alignable, whereby the alignment of the EMC antennas is accomplished from the inside, preferably, however, from the outside of the box.
The camera system may comprise at least one, preferably two, especially preferred four cameras, wherein the cameras preferably are arranged stationary in the corner regions in the inside of the measurement area.
The camera system may also comprise at least one thermal image camera, wherein the thermal image camera is arranged movably relative to the rotary plate in the measurement area. For this, it may be preferable, if the thermal image camera is configured so as to be retractable and extendable.
The system to be inspected may be arranged at or on the rotary plate. The rotary plate may be controlled from outside of the box, in particular, its rotation direction and its rotational speed.
It is advantageous, if the rotary plate comprises ports for the system to be inspected. Thus, for example, data of the system to be inspected may be transmitted to the outside, or the system to be inspected may be controlled from the outside. Thus, with respect to a mobile telephone as a system to be inspected, for example, the transmission power of the mobile telephone may be set from the outside. For example, the ports used may be USB ports.
Since all components in the measurement area and, if needed, also the system to be inspected may be controlled from outside of the box, a fully automatic EMC inspection may be performed comprising several individual inspection steps, wherein in each inspection step, the arrangement of the sensors or measurement systems may be modified relative to the system to be inspected. For this, the box does not have to be opened. The control may be accomplished by means of a computer or a microcontroller, which also may be arranged within the device area. A complete EMC test as well as an error analysis, for example, by means of the cameras and/or the near field probe, may be carried out substantially faster.
The sidewalls of the box may consist of a metal, in particular, of aluminum, particularly preferred, of anodized aluminum.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the box may have a maximum dimension of 300×240×260, preferably of 240×140×160, particularly preferred of 140×60×80 (L×W×H in cm). Larger boxes, however, are also covered by the invention, as far as their weight including the measurement devices accommodated therein is suitable for mobile use.
Details and features, in particular, preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be derived from the subsequent description in connection with the drawing, in which:
With respect to the invention, a mobile device (in the following also referred to as measurement cell, EMC measurement cell, or box) is concerned, by means of which EMC measurements and/or error analyses may be carried out. The measurement devices necessary for the measurements are not located outside of the measurement cell, as is usual according to prior art, but rather are integrated in the measurement cell, which is designed as a box. The emitted interference (e.g., interference signals) of the measurement devices do not lead to a disturbance of the measurement, because an absorber and/or a shielding and/or a damping layer is arranged between the measurement area, in which the measurements are made, and the device area. The absorber and/or shielding and/or damping layer is part of a plate, which subdivides the interior of the box into the two areas, measurement area and device area.
Additionally, absorber and/or shielding and/or damping layers may be attached to the outer boards of the measurement area such that it is efficiently and sure it that interferences from the outside do not affect the measurements.
By means of the device according to the invention, all types of EMC test measurements may be made, starting from the development support, up to the production, as well as error analysis.
The device according to the invention has substantial advantages compared to systems known from prior art:
Here, the box 1 consists of a metal box having a length of 140 cm, a width of 60 cm, and a height of 80 cm. Other dimensions are possible. A cover, which may be slid open, is provided at the longitudinal side. Instead of a slidable cover, also a pivotable cover or two pivotable doors/covers may be provided.
The box is divided into two areas or regions, as can be seen in
The upper area O of the measurement cell and the lower area U of the measurement cell are subdivided by an absorber layer and/or a damping layer and/or a shielding such that the interferences of the devices do not affect the measurement results of the systems to be inspected. The absorber layer and/or the damping layer and/or the shielding may be formed by a metal plate, onto which a layer of ferrite tiles is applied having, for example, a thickness of 60 mm. Alternatively, a Mu-metal foil may be applied onto a metal plate, on which, in turn, the ferrite tiles are arranged. This absorber layer and/or damping layer and/or shielding may also be formed by several segments.
The walls (side walls and ceiling or upper wall) of the upper area O (measurement area) and the covers or doors 10 also comprise an absorber layer and/or damping layer and/or shielding layer such that the inner space of the upper area O is completely shielded against the outside, and disturbances of the system to be inspected may be prevented efficiently. For this, a shielding foil or a Mu-metal foil may be attached to the inner walls and to the ceiling as EMC foil, onto which an absorber layer may be applied. As absorber layer, a polyurethane foam may be used, which preferably covers a frequency range of approximately 30 MHz to 10 GHz. Alternatively, the walls may be shielded, similar to the upper area O of the measurement cell, from the lower area U of the measurement cell.
At the sides of the measurement cell, two mounts are attached for monitors 60, by means of which the measurements and the experimental setup may be displayed.
Additionally, according to
According to
According to
In the following, the individual components of the device 1 according to the invention are described in detail. According to the invention, in general, all components may be arranged in combination with each other.
The rotary plate 20 is configured in order to receive the system to be inspected. The rotary plate, here, has a diameter of approximately 50 cm, and is driven by a motor. Preferably, the rotary plate may rotate about 360° in both directions. The speed, acceleration, and duration of the rotation may be controlled automatically by means of a software program. At the rotary plate, preferably, in the middle of the rotary plate, various ports may be provided, as USB, LAN, AC, and/or DC ports for the connection of the system to be measured, whereby entangling of the ports is prevented. These terminals may be guided to the outside via sliding contacts and cable connections connected thereto. The cable connections, here, preferably are shielded with respect to EMC.
The rotary plate may be moved by means of a pneumatic drive or a motor (electro-motor) arranged outside of the measurement area, i.e., it may be rotated and it may be adjusted with respect to its height. For example, the electro-motor provided for the drive of the rotary plate may be arranged immediately below the rotary plate in the lower area U.
The EMC antenna 30 may be adjusted to a fixedly defined distance with respect to the system to be measured, which is located on the rotary plate 20. For example, the distance may amount to 1 meter. The EMC antenna may be configured movably. For example, the distance to the button of the measurement area may be adjusted (e.g., between 10 cm and 50 cm). Moreover, it may also be provided for adjusting the rotary angle about its vertical axis (e.g., about ±90°). A rotation about a horizontal axis (e.g. about ±90°) may also be provided such that the EMC antenna may be brought from a horizontal alignment into a vertical alignment.
Alternatively, an EMC camera may be arranged movably in the measurement area. If needed, it may be aligned renewably. In order to be able to not affect or interfere with the measurement during a measurement with an EMC antenna 30, the EMC camera may be pivoted away or may be retracted into the lower part U of the measurement cell.
Preferably, the robot arm 40 is arranged adjacent to the rotary plate 20. By means of the robot arm, measurement devices, as near field probes and/or other sensors, may be advanced to the system to be inspected precisely with the cover 10 closed. The robot arm may be controlled from the outside by means of a mouse via a software program.
In addition to or alternatively to the near field probes and/or sensors, the robot arm 40 may also receive a thermal image camera, an EMC camera, or other optical and/or acoustical measuring sensors.
In order to not disturb the EMC antenna or the measuring process during an EMC measurement, it may be provided for the robot arm being configured pivotably or retractable into the lower part U of the measurement cell. Alternatively, the robot arm may be configured to be removable.
Magnetic fields at the system to be inspected may be made visible by means of the thermal image camera. It may be configured movably (movable or rotatable horizontally and/or vertically), for example, by means of a pneumatically or electro-motively driven system. The components of the pneumatically or electro-motively driven system, which may affect an EMC measurement, here, are arranged preferably outside of the measurement area, for example, in the lower area U. The control may be accomplished via a software program.
With respect to the device shown here, cameras 50 are arranged at the corners (preferably, at the upper corners) of the measurement area, here, namely, a total of four cameras 50. However, there may also be provided more or less than four cameras. With these, the measurements may be monitored with the cover 10 closed. The cameras may be connected to a storing means, as a video recorder, in order to store or record the images provided by the cameras, and/or display them on monitors at the outside of the laboratory. The cameras are controlled from the outside via a corresponding control software. Also these cameras 50 may be re-arranged movably in the measurement area, in order to be able to adjust their position and/or alignment in the measurement area.
The measurement devices 70 are arranged in the lower area U of the box. Preferably, the measurement devices are arranged releasably in the lower area such that they may be removed or replaced, if needed. As measurement devices or further components in the lower area of the box, the following devices or components may be provided: analyzer, oscilloscope, power supply unit, T-network reproduction, drive device (as electro-motors) and/or pressurized air generators for the drive of the components (e.g., rotary plate 20, robot arm 40) in the measurement area, and/or video recorders.
Further, various terminals may be provided in the lower area U of the box 10. Hereby, the measurement cell and/or the individual devices may be switched on and off, and may be supplied with AC/DC and/or LAN and/or pressurized air. Here, moreover, a direct connection to the rotary plate terminals and the power sockets with the various terminals is possible with the cover 10 closed.
One or more fans may be arranged in the upper area O and/or in the lower area U in order to allow for cooling. The fans are not shown in the figures. In the upper area O, it is advantageous to provide special EMC filter fans, which offer a substantially better shielding effect and damping against electromagnetic fields, and thereby, higher EMC reliability.
Further, a microphone not shown in the figures may be provided in the measurement area. The microphone may be located in the vicinity of the rotary plate 20. Thereby, the measurements may be monitored with the cover 10 closed. Sounds may be transmitted via a loudspeaker to the outside via a preamplifier.
An illumination means may be provided in the interior of the measurement area, in order to obtain illumination, which is optimal for the cameras 50. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this illumination may be provided by one or more LEDs. The use of a so-called LED panel is preferable, which is arranged at the ceiling (and, if needed, at the sidewalls) of the measurement area. An area lighting is obtained by means of an LED panel, which at the same time minimizes shadowing.
Further, power sockets and further terminals may be provided in the interior of the measurement area for power and signal transmission. Preferably, they are arranged in the bottom of the measurement area such that they preferably do not impair an EMC measurement. According to an embodiment of the invention, so-called floor power sockets may be used for this.
The following measurements may be made by means of the device according to the invention:
When providing corresponding measurement devices, also an error analysis of the system to be inspected may be carried out by means of the device according to the invention, as an error analysis using the thermal image camera, or an error analysis by means of wire-bound measurements.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 2016 104 835.4 | Sep 2016 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2017/072019, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, which takes priority from German Application No. 10 2016 104 835.4, filed on Sep. 1, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2017/072019 | Sep 2017 | US |
| Child | 16289855 | US |
