Boots – shoes – and leggings
Patent
1993-09-02
1996-07-02
Zanelli, Michael
Boots, shoes, and leggings
36455101, 731173, G06F 1900, G01R 3100, G01M 1700
Patent
active
055329276
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to Automotive Diagnostic equipment for use in identifying faults in motor vehicle electrics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most modern automotive vehicles have one or more on board computers which control, for example, fuel injection and ignition. Each computer runs a self checking test which also checks the vehicle electrics. If a fault is found then a fault code signal is generated. Under normal circumstances, a mechanic would then have to look up this number in a vehicle manual which would provide him with various possible options for the type of fault. Because this tends to be a time consuming task mechanics tend not to do this and simply go through the vehicle changing various instrument sensors until they find the faulty sensor. However, more often than not, the fault lies in the wiring harness of the vehicle with a break in a cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for diagnosing faults in the electrical system of a motor vehicle, comprising a first connector for connection to a selected output terminal of a computer of the vehicle, a second connector for connection to a terminal in the electrical system of the vehicle, a micro processor having respective inputs coupled to said connectors, display means coupled to said microprocessor, and storage means for storing preselected information, and wherein said microprocessor is operable to receive a fault signal from said vehicle computer and display on said display means fault testing data in dependence on said fault signal from said vehicle computer and the information stored in said storage means.
Advantageously, the microprocessor is operable to apply a test signal between said connectors for testing the continuity of the vehicle wiring between said connectors, and is operable to generate a display on said display means in dependence thereon.
The present invention also provides a method of diagnosing faults in the electrical system of a motor vehicle, comprising monitoring a fault signal generated by a computer of said vehicle, interpreting said fault signal as a function of preselected parameters specific to said vehicle, generating a fault diagnosis display in dependence on said fault signal, applying a test signal to a selected portion of the circuit of said vehicle electrical system for monitoring the continuity thereof and adjusting said fault diagnosis display in dependence thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a preferred apparatus according to the present invention together with a vehicle wiring harness; and
FIG. 2, 3 and 4 are flow diagrams showing the operation of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring firstly to FIG. 1, this shows a preferred automotive diagnostic apparatus 16 with part of a vehicle wiring harness 10 connecting an on board vehicle computer 90 through various connectors 12 to other parts of the wiring harness. The harness 10 is connected to the computer by way of a pin connector 40 which may be a 60 pin connector.
An adaptor or "T" connector 14 is connected between the on board computer 90 and the 60 pin connector of the wiring harness. This enables the diagnostic apparatus 16 to be connected into the wiring harness whilst retaining the harness connected to the computer.
The diagnostic apparatus 16 may be provided with either a breakout box means 42 or an autotest 44 through which a microprocessor 22 can be connected to the "T" adaptor 14. The autotest 44 enables the microprocessor 22 to connect itself to any one of the pins on the "T" connector.
The diagnostic apparatus is also provided with a reference plug or probe 18 which can be connected to any one of the available 60 sockets in the "T" adaptor by plugging into the corresponding socket in the manual breakout box means 42. A test probe 20 is also provided for probing any of the cables or pins in the remote
REFERENCES:
patent: 4375672 (1983-03-01), Kato et al.
patent: 4690475 (1987-09-01), McElroy
patent: 4694408 (1987-09-01), Zaleski
patent: 4757463 (1988-07-01), Ballou et al.
patent: 4814693 (1989-03-01), Coben
patent: 4831560 (1989-05-01), Zaleski
patent: 5005129 (1991-04-01), Abe et al.
patent: 5172062 (1992-12-01), Eisermann
patent: 5177447 (1993-01-01), Marino et al.
patent: 5214582 (1993-05-01), Gray
patent: 5272769 (1993-12-01), Strnatka et al.
Marley Christopher
Pink David
V. L. Churchill Ltd.
Zanelli Michael
LandOfFree
Automotive diagnostic tool does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Automotive diagnostic tool, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automotive diagnostic tool will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1512076