Panel testing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A panel testing apparatus is used to test the panel of a mainframe. When the panel is to be opened, the panel separates from the mainframe after the opening apparatus touches the switch. The fastening apparatus can clamp the front side of the panel easily because the lifting apparatus moves the panel to a higher position away from said mainframe. The panel and the rotating apparatus can rotate simultaneously. When closing said panel is desired, the rotating apparatus can push the back side of the panel. The panel and the rotating apparatus rotate toward the mainframe simultaneously until the switch locks the mainframe.

INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. A laptop computer's mainframe is fastened in an open and close test apparatus. The mainframe connects to a panel with pivot. The open and close test apparatus comprises an opening apparatus , a lifting apparatus , a pair of sensors , a rotating apparatus , and a fastening apparatus . The opening apparatus is used to touch a switch of a panel (see FIG. A). The lifting apparatus is used to move the panel to a higher position away from a mainframe . The sensors are positioned at the same horizontal level of the panel when the panel is locked to the mainframe . The sensors are used to detect whether the panel is separated from the mainframe or not. The rotating apparatus comprises a driving apparatus and a holder rod . The holder rod is connected a base by a hinge . The fastening apparatus mounted on the holder rod is used to clamp the panel .

FIG. 2 illustrates the enlarged view of the fastening apparatus in FIG. . The fastening apparatus comprises a clamp , a connecting shaft , and a pneumatic driving apparatus . The pneumatic driving apparatus can control the clamp via the connecting shaft . When the connecting shaft shortens, the clamp can clamp the front side of the panel . Thus, The panel and the rotating apparatus can rotate simultaneously. The fastening apparatus is mounted on the holder rod . The holder rod can be adjusted to fit the size of panel , such as 12.1 inch, 13.5 inch and 14.1 inch.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the opening apparatus in FIG. . The opening apparatus comprises a spring , a position shaft , and an opening plate . The spring can be selected according to demand for the switch . The position shaft is used to keep the opening plate on the track. The opening apparatus of present invention is intended to protect the switch from damages due to an inappropriate driving force.

FIG. 4 illustrates four different structures of the lifting apparatus. Different designs of the present invention are used to lift different panel designs. The lifting structure is a 180 degrees sector. The lifting structure is a 45 degrees sector. The lifting structure is a 45 degrees sector with a hook and can prevent slipping during the lifting procedures. The lifting structure is a 45 degrees sector with springs and lifting plate and can protect the panel from damages due to an inappropriate driving force.

When the panel is closed by the rotating apparatus (referring to FIG. ), the pneumatic driving apparatus can lengthen the connecting shaft and the clamp is away from the panel (referring to FIG. ). Next, The rotating apparatus pushes the back side of the panel toward the mainframe until the switch can lock the mainframe . Specially, the clamp need to be away from the panel before the panel comes close to the mainframe.

When the panel is opened by the rotating apparatus , the opening apparatus touches the switch (referring to FIG. 5A) and then the switch unlock the mainframe . Next, the fastening apparatus can clamp the panel easily (referring to FIG. 2) because the lifting apparatus moves the panel to a higher position away from the mainframe (referring to FIG. B). The fastening apparatus can clamp the front side of the panel (referring to FIG. 2) because the pneumatic driving apparatus can shorten the connecting shaft . Then the rotating apparatus and the panel can rotate simultaneously. The lifting apparatus mounted on a rotating driving apparatus can lift the panel by hooking the panel and rotating (referring to FIGS. A and B).

The open and close procedures are controlled by a computer-readable program. Test rounds can be input into program according to a request. A debugging mechanism is designed in order to detect whether the panel is separate from the mainframe or not when the opening apparatus touch the switch of the panel. The debugging mechanism comprises a pair of sensors (a light emitter and a light receiver). The opening apparatus pushes the switch again or a alarm message is sent if the panel isn't separate from the mainframe.

For example, a pair of light sensors (referring to FIG. 1) is positioned at the horizontal level of the panel when the panel locks the mainframe . The sensors check if the panel blocks the light or not when the opening apparatus touches the switch (referring to FIG. B). If the panel blocks the light, it indicates that the panel isn't separate from the mainframe. Then some action can be executed, such as pushing the switch again or sending an alarm message.

In conclusion, the invention has advantages as follows:

1. The panel can be pressed very close to the mainframe because the clamp can be away from the panel and does not affect open and close test results.

2. The fastening apparatus can clamp the panel easily because the lifting apparatus moves the panel to a higher position away from the mainframe.

3. A debugging mechanism comprising a pair of sensors is used to detect whether the panel is separate from the mainframe or not. The opening apparatus pushes the switch again or an alarm message is sent in case the panel isn't separate from the mainframe.

4. The present invention is a simulation of a user's operational behavior. It can be used to test switching on and power down of laptop computer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration according to one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the fastening apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the opening apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates four different structures of the lifting apparatus;

FIGS. 5A, B illustrate two action steps of the lifting apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates the action of the rotating apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

CLAIMS

1. A panel testing apparatus for a computer, applied to open and close a panel of a mainframe of the computer, wherein a switch is connected to said mainframe with a pivot, and said switch locks said mainframe if said panel is pressed close to said mainframe, said panel testing apparatus comprising: an opening means for unlocking said switch; a rotating apparatus for rotating said panel, said rotating apparatus comprising a driving apparatus pivotally connected to a holder rod, said driving apparatus operable to rotate the panel by means of said holder rod; and a fastening means connected to said rotating apparatus, wherein said fastening means is used to clamp said panel, whereby said panel and said rotating apparatus rotate simultaneously, wherein: when opening said panel, said panel separates from said mainframe after said opening means touches said switch, said fastening means easily clamps said panel and said panel and said rotating apparatus being simultaneously rotatable; and when closing said panel, said rotating apparatus pushes a back side of said panel, and said panel and said rotating apparatus rotate toward said mainframe simultaneously until said switch locks said mainframe.

2. The panel testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises a clamp clamping a front side of said panel.

3. The panel testing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lifting means moving said panel to a higher position away from said mainframe.

4. The panel testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lifting means is mounted on a rotating driving means.

5. The panel testing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detecting means having a pair of sensors positioned at a horizontal level of said panel when said panel locks to said mainframe.

6. The panel testing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said detecting means detects whether said panel is separate from said mainframe or not, and said opening means pushes said switch again in case said panel is not separate from said mainframe.

7. The panel testing apparatus of claim 5, wherein said detecting means detects whether said panel is separate from said mainframe or not, and an alarm message is sent in case said panel isn't separate from said mainframe.

8. The panel testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises a clamp, a connecting shaft, and a pneumatic driving means.

9. The panel testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said clamp is connected to said pneumatic driving means via said connecting shaft, whereby said pneumatic driving means moves the position of said clamp via said connecting shaft.

10. The panel testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein said clamp clamps said panel when said pneumatic driving means shortens said connecting shaft.

11. A panel testing apparatus for a computer, applied to open and close a panel of a mainframe of the computer, wherein a switch is connected to said mainframe with a pivot, said switch locks said mainframe if said panel is close to said mainframe, and said switch unlocks said mainframe if an opening means touches said switch, said panel testing apparatus comprising: a lifting means for lifting said panel after said opening means touches said switch; a rotating apparatus for rotating said panel, said rotating apparatus comprising a driving apparatus pivotally connected to a holder rod, said driving apparatus operable to rotate the panel by means of said holder rod; and a fastening means mounted on said rotating apparatus for clamping said panel, whereby said panel and said rotating apparatus are simultaneously rotatable, wherein: when opening said panel, said panel separates from said mainframe after said opening means touches said switch, said fastening means easily clamps said panel because said lifting means moves said panel to a higher position away from said mainframe, and said panel and said rotating apparatus rotates simultaneously; and when closing said panel, said rotating apparatus pushes a back side of said panel, and said panel and said rotating apparatus rotate toward said mainframe simultaneously until said switch locks said mainframe.

12. A panel testing apparatus for a computer, said panel testing apparatus comprising: a base for supporting the computer; a hinge, mounted on said base; a driving apparatus, mounted on said base; a holder rod, having two ends, wherein one end is pivotally connected said base by said hinge and the other end is pivotally connected with said driving apparatus and being rotated by the same; an opening apparatus touching a switch of a panel for unlocking the panel from a mainframe of the computer, wherein the panel is pivotally connected with the mainframe; and a fastening apparatus, fixed on said holder rod to clamp the panel, wherein said driving apparatus rotates the panel by means of said holder rod when said fastening apparatus secures the panel.

13. The panel testing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a detecting means having a pair of sensors positioned on said base at the same level as that of the panel when the panel locks to the mainframe, whereby said pair of sensors detect whether the panel is opened or not.

14. The panel testing apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fastening apparatus comprising a pneumatic driving means, a clamp and a connecting shaft connecting said pneumatic driving means and said clamp, whereby said pneumatic driving means moves said clamp by lengthening or shortening said connecting shaft.

15. A panel testing apparatus for a computer, said panel testing apparatus comprising: a base for supporting the computer; a hinge, mounted on said base; a driving apparatus, mounted on said base; a holder rod, having two ends, wherein one end is pivotally connected said base by said hinge and the other end is pivotally connected with said driving apparatus and being rotated by the same; an opening apparatus touching a switch of a panel for unlocking the panel from a mainframe of the computer, wherein the panel is pivotally connected with the mainframe; a fastening apparatus, fixed on said holder rod; and a lifting apparatus, raising the panel right after unlocking so that said fastening apparatus can clamp the panel easily, wherein said driving apparatus rotates the panel by means of said holder rod when said fastening apparatus secures the panel.

16. The panel testing apparatus of claim 15, wherein a structure of said lifting means is a 180 degrees sector.

17. The panel testing apparatus of claim 16, wherein a structure of said lifting means is a 45 degrees sector.

18. The panel testing apparatus of claim 16, wherein a structure of said lifting means is a 45 degrees sector having a hook.

19. The panel testing apparatus of claim 16, wherein a structure of said lifting means is a 45 degrees sector having a lifting plate and a spring connecting the sector and the lifting plate.

20. The panel testing apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a detecting means having a pair of sensors positioned on said base at the same level as that of the panel when the panel locks to the mainframe, whereby said pair of sensors detect whether the panel is opened or not.

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