Apparatus and method for validating wiring diagrams and creating wirelists

• US 20030006779A1
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: H. Youval, Krigel
• Original Assignee: H. Youval, Krigel
• Inventors: H. Youval, Krigel
• Granted Patent: US 6,791,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/503
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/60 Identification of wires in a multicore cable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2113/16 Cables, cable trees or wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/18 Network design, e.g. design based on topological or interconnect aspects of utility systems, piping, heating ventilation air conditioning [HVAC] or cabling circuit design at the physical level G06F30/39; network planning tools for wireless communication networks H04W16/18

Abstract

A portable and easy to use tester for validating the accuracy of wiring diagram manuals and for testing modifications and new installations for proper wiring. The invention also provides an easy way to create a wire list describing all the interconnections between attached connectors. The tester can also be used as a troubleshooting tool without having a previously learned cable reference. The invention further tests wiring insulation in a wiring harness and identifies poor wire to wire and wire to ground insulation. Finally the present invention provides a system for generating a wiring diagram based upon the results of a wiring validation series of checks/tests.

Claims

1. An apparatus for validating a wiring diagram comprising:

a. a computer having a controller card connected to the computer bus,

b. a display unit having a multiplexer card,

c. at least one multiple wire connector module electronically connected to said multiplexer card,

C. said controller card controlling said multiplexer card.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said connector module has at least one wire.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said apparatus has a first connector module and a second connector module, and said first connector module and said second connector module are electronically combined into a single connector module.

4. A process for creating a wire list comprising the steps of:

a. a controller sends a command to a multiplexer card to select two wires,

b. sending a voltage at low current through the two wires,

c. said multiplexer card determines the status of the wires as being open or short,

d. said multiplexer card measures the value and compares it to a set reference and determines the status as being open or short, and

e. stores the results of the selected two wires and proceeds with the next set of wires.

5. A process for validating a wiring diagram manual contained in a software database comprising the steps of:

a. copy said wiring diagram manual database to a temporary file,

b. sort said file by connector name with the highest pin count pins within the connectors sorted in ascending order,

c. assign manual pins to a test pin, assign modules to said connectors, if said connector has more than 32 pins combine modules,

e. create diagram manual to test interface

f. create a test learn format record and save to test random access file, run test, create wire list database in a compatible format as said diagram manual, said wire list database having the actual wire list,

i. if test locates differences between diagram manual and said tested wires, display the differences between original wire list and actual wire list.