Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device

• US 20070069734A1
• Filed: 08/29/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,705,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/411
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing operation of an electrical system of the vehicle, comprising:

a first electrical terminal configured to electrically couple to the electrical system of the automotive vehicle configured to receive an electrical system signal;

at least one input channel configured to couple to the electrical system of the vehicle, and receive a first electrical signal;

digital sample circuitry coupled to the first electrical terminal and the at least one input channel configured to provide a plurality of digital samples during operation of the vehicle which are related to the electrical system signal; and

a memory configured to store the plurality of digital samples as a function of the first electrical signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including an electrical connection configured to measure a voltage across the battery.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the electrical connection used to measure voltage across the battery comprises Kelvin connections.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including a databus connection configured to couple to a databus of the vehicle and wherein the memory is further configured to store data received from the databus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 including an output configured to provide an output to an operator.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stored digital samples are a function of a forcing function applied to the battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including an output configured to output the stored digital samples.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital samples are stored during operation of the vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein operation of the vehicle is sensed based upon a voltage applied to the battery.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein operation of the vehicle is sensed based upon monitoring of a databus of the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory comprises a removable memory.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one input channel is configured to sense a voltage.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one input channel is configured to sense a current.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital samples are stored into the memory based upon a trigger from the first electrical signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory comprises a rotating buffer.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein circuitry of the diagnostic system is configured to enter a sleep mode.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 including a temperature sensor.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a time between digital samples is a function of a trigger.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 including a real time clock.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 including a wireless communication circuitry.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital sample circuitry is configured to provide a plurality of digital samples related to the first electrical system signal.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the memory is configured to store the plurality of digital samples related to the first electrical system signal.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the storing of digital samples into the memory is based upon a boolean trigger.

47. A PC computer system configured to analyze data received from an automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus in accordance with claim 1.

24. A method of diagnosing an automotive vehicle electrical system, comprising:

electrically coupling the electrical system of the vehicle and receiving an electrical system signal;

coupling a first input channel to the vehicle electrical system and receiving a first electrical signal;

digitally sampling the electrical system signal; and

storing in a memory digital samples of the electrical system signal.

25. The method of claim 24 including measuring a voltage across the battery.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein measuring the voltage across the battery is through a Kelvin connection to the battery.

27. The method of claim 24 including connecting to a databus of the vehicle and storing data received from the databus in the memory.

28. The method of claim 24 including providing an output to an operator related to battery condition.

29. The method of claim 24 including applying a forcing function to the battery and wherein the stored digital samples are a function of a forcing function applied to the battery.

30. The method of claim 24 including outputting the stored digital samples.

31. The method of claim 24 including mounting a diagnostic apparatus to the vehicle.

32. The method of claim 24 including storing the digital samples during operation of the vehicle.

33. The method of claim 32 including sensing operation of the vehicle based upon a voltage applied to the battery.

34. The method of claim 33 including sensing operation of the vehicle based upon monitoring of a databus of the vehicle.

35. The method of claim 24 including displaying data logged during operation of a vehicle in a graphical manner.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the displaying includes identifying a particular signature in the logged data.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the identification is based upon a particular manufacturer or vehicle model.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the identification is based upon a trigger.

39. The method of claim 24 including removing a memory from a diagnostic device which contains the digital samples.

40. The method of claim 24 including sensing a voltage with the at least one input channel.

41. The method of claim 24 including sensing a current with the at least one input channel.

42. The method of claim 24 wherein storing the digital samples are stored into the memory is based upon a trigger.

43. The method of claim 24 including entering a sleep mode.

44. The method of claim 24 including sensing a temperature.

45. The method of claim 24 wherein a time between digital samples is a function of a trigger.

46. The method of claim 24 including maintaining a real time clock.