In-circuit test fixture loader

Abstract

An in-circuit test fixture loader includes a carrier that is able to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture. The carrier includes a pair of opposing side rails and an end rail between the side rails. The side rails and the end rail are spaced to receive the in-circuit test fixture between the side rails and against the end rail. The loader also includes a fixture lock connected to the carrier to prevent movement of the in-circuit test fixture away from the end rail. A horizontal slider attached between the carrier and a mechanism base includes guide shafts that guide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a first substantially horizontal direction. A vertical slider of the loader is attached between the carrier and the mechanism base. The vertical slider includes an actuator that is operable to slide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a second substantially vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position. The horizontal slider and the vertical slider are able to guide the in-circuit test fixture and the carrier between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier, and a test position, wherein a printed circuit board assembly supported by the in-circuit test fixture may be tested. Also, a clamp mounted on a testing base is able to selectively secure the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An in-circuit test fixture loader, the loader comprising: 
 a carrier operable to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture, the carrier comprising a pair of opposing side rails and an end rail between the side rails, the side rails and the end rail spaced to receive the in-circuit test fixture between the side rails and against the end rail;    a fixture lock connected to the carrier operable to selectively abut the in-circuit test fixture to prevent movement of the in-circuit test fixture away from the end rail;    a horizontal slider attached between the carrier and a mechanism base comprising guide shafts on opposite sides of the carrier that guide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a first substantially horizontal direction;    a vertical slider attached between the carrier and the mechanism base comprising an actuator that is operable to slide the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture in a second substantially vertical direction between an upper position and a lower position, wherein the horizontal slider and the vertical slider are operable to guide the in-circuit test fixture and the carrier between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier, and a test position, wherein a printed circuit board assembly supported by the in-circuit test fixture may be tested; and    a clamp mounted on a testing base operable to selectively secure the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.    
     
     
         2 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a ram connected to the carrier.  
     
     
         3 . The loader of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor mounted on the testing base and sensing whether the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position.  
     
     
         4 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier further comprises a pair of tracks, one of the tracks extending along each of the side rails.  
     
     
         5 . The loader of  claim 4 , wherein the carrier further comprises rollers positioned along the tracks, the rollers being operable to support the in-circuit test fixture and to aid sliding movement of the in-circuit test fixture along the tracks.  
     
     
         6 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier includes a handlebar between the side rails.  
     
     
         7 . The loader of  claim 1 , further comprising a tray lock connected to the mechanism base that selectively engages an aperture in the carrier to lock the carrier in the receive position.  
     
     
         8 . The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises a body and a pair of arms extending from the body, the clamp moveable in a spiral motion from an unclamp position, wherein the clamp does not clamp the in-circuit test fixture, to a clamp position, wherein the clamp clamps the in-circuit test fixture to the testing base in the test position.  
     
     
         9 . The loader of  claim 8 , further comprising a clamp actuator connected to the testing base that is operable to move the clamp spirally between the unclamp position and the clamp position.  
     
     
         10 . The loader of  claim 9 , wherein the clamp actuator comprises a ram connected to the clamp.  
     
     
         11 . The loader of  claim 10 , wherein the ram extends through a plate that is fixed to the base and wherein the clamp holds the in-circuit test fixture between the clamp arms and the support plate in the clamp position.  
     
     
         12 . A method of loading an in-circuit test fixture in an in-circuit test system, the method comprising: 
 sliding the in-circuit test fixture between side rails of a carrier until the in-circuit test fixture abuts and end rail of the carrier when the carrier is in a receive position;    locking the in-circuit test fixture to the carrier by preventing the in-circuit test fixture from moving away from the end rail;    sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture along horizontal guide shafts in a first horizontal direction from the receive position to a match position;    actuating a vertical slider connected to the carrier to slide the in-circuit test fixture along vertical guide shafts in a second vertical direction from the match position to a test position; and    clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the actuating a vertical slider step comprises actuating a ram.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a step of: 
 sensing that the in-circuit test fixture is in the test position before the step of clamping the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the horizontal sliding step comprises manually sliding the carrier.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the clamping step comprises moving a clamp in a spiral motion so that the clamp abuts the in-circuit test fixture.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the clamping step comprises actuating a ram.  
     
     
         18 . An in-circuit test fixture loader, the loader comprising: 
 a carrier operable to receive and support an in-circuit test fixture so that the in-circuit test fixture is positioned between opposing side rails of the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture abuts an end rail of the carrier that extends between the side rails; and    means for sliding the carrier and the in-circuit test fixture between a receive position, wherein the in-circuit test fixture may be loaded on the carrier and unloaded from the carrier, and a test position, wherein a circuit secured to the in-circuit test fixture may be tested, and for selectively locking the in-circuit test fixture in the test position.    
     
     
         19 . The loader of  claim 18 , wherein the means for sliding and locking comprises a mechanism connecting the carrier to a base, the mechanism being operable to move the carrier relative to the base between the receive position and the test position.  
     
     
         20 . The loader of  claim 19 , wherein the mechanism comprises: 
 a horizontal slider that allows the carrier to move substantially horizontally; and    a vertical slider that allows the carrier to move substantially vertically.    
     
     
         21 . The loader of  claim 18 , wherein the carrier is a tray that further comprises tracks extending along the side rails and carrying rollers that are operable to support the in-circuit test fixture.