Device, system and method for wirelessly testing trailer brake control unit

• US 10,352,978 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Steven R
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Huy Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frederiksen, David B
• Application Number:
  US15/086,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20170285084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

A wireless testing device includes a trailer connector portion including a plurality of inputs; a communication device; a plurality of loads each connected to one of the plurality of inputs; and a control device. The plurality of inputs is configured to connect to a plurality of circuits in a vehicle. The control device is configured to determine the operability of each of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle when the trailer connector portion is connected to the vehicle by applying each of the plurality of loads to one of the plurality of inputs.

Claims

1. A wireless testing device comprising:

a housing having only a single connection side, so as to be connectable to a vehicle, and being separate from a trailer;

a trailer connector portion disposed at the single connection side of the housing and comprising a plurality of inputs configured to connect to a plurality of circuits in the vehicle;

a communication device configured to communicate with a tester, the tester configured to display instructions to test aspects of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle;

a plurality of loads each connected to one of the plurality of inputs; and

a control device configured to determine the operability of each of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle in conjunction with the instructions on the tester when the trailer connector portion is connected to the vehicle by applying each of the plurality of loads to a respective one of the plurality of inputs.

2. The wireless testing device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the tester, the tester being connected to an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle.

3. The wireless testing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of loads is a switch controlled load.

4. The wireless testing device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a microprocessor.

5. The wireless testing device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless testing device has an input voltage ranging from about 5.0 Vdc to about 18.0 Vdc.

6. The wireless testing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inputs includes an electric brake input and the load connected to the electric brake input is a 3.75 ohm load.

7. The wireless testing device according to claim 1, comprising at least two lights.

8. A wireless trailer testing system for a vehicle comprising:

a tester configured to connect to an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle, configured to display instructions for testing of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle, and configured to transmit commands based on the instructions displayed; and

a wireless testing device comprising;

a trailer connector portion comprising a housing having only a single connection side, so as to be connectable to the vehicle, and a plurality of inputs disposed on the single connection side of the housing and configured to connect to a plurality of circuits in the vehicle, the trailer connector portion being separate from a trailer;

a communication device configured to communicate wirelessly with the tester;

a plurality of loads each connected to one of the plurality of inputs; and

a control device configured to determine the operability of each of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle when the trailer connector portion is connected to the vehicle by applying each of the plurality of loads to one of the plurality of inputs,

the control device configured to apply each of the plurality of loads connected to a respective one of the plurality of inputs based on the commands received from the tester.

9. The wireless trailer testing system according to claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of loads is a switch controlled load.

10. The wireless trailer testing system according to claim 8, wherein the control device is a microprocessor.

11. The wireless trailer testing system according to claim 8, wherein the wireless testing device comprises at least two lights.

12. The wireless trailer testing system according to claim 8, wherein the tester comprises a portable test unit and a wireless interface tool.

13. The wireless trailer testing system according to claim 12, wherein the wireless interface tool includes a graphical user interface.

14. A method for testing a trailer brake control unit of a vehicle, the method comprising:

connecting a wireless testing device to a plurality of circuits in the vehicle, the wireless testing device comprising;

a trailer connector portion comprising a plurality of inputs only on a single side, so as to be only connectable to the vehicle, the trailer connector portion being separate from a trailer and configured to connect to a plurality of circuits in the vehicle;

a communication device configured to communicate wirelessly with a tester;

a plurality of loads each connected to one of the plurality of inputs; and

a control device configured to determine the operability of each of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle when the trailer connector portion is connected to the vehicle by applying each of the plurality of loads to one of the plurality of inputs;

connecting the tester to an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle, the tester displaying instructions for testing of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle, and transmitting commands based on the instructions displayed;

determining, via the control device, the operability of each of the plurality of circuits in the vehicle when the trailer connector portion is connected to the vehicle based on the commands from the tester, by applying

each of the plurality of loads connected to a respective one of the plurality of inputs based on the commands received from the tester.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of loads is a switch controlled load.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the wireless testing device comprises at least two lights.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the tester comprises a portable test unit and a wireless interface tool.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the wireless interface tool includes a graphical user interface.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the tester is a tablet.