CABLE CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER

• US 20160091571A1
• Filed: 09/22/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Salo, Andrew John III
• Granted Patent: US 10,222,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382

Abstract

A battery tester including a battery tester cable, a cable pod coupled to an end of the battery tester cable, and a battery tester housing including a cavity configured to receive the cable pod. The cable pod and the cavity include mating parts configured to mate the cable pod within the cavity in at least two different preset orientations. In some examples, the orientations are changeable and securable manually.

Claims

1. A battery tester, comprising:

a battery tester cable;

a cable pod coupled to an end of the battery tester cable; and

a battery tester housing including a cavity configured to receive the cable pod, wherein the cable pod and the cavity include mating parts configured to mate the cable pod within the cavity in at least two different preset orientations.

2. The battery tester of claim 1, wherein the at least two different preset orientations are at least substantially opposed to each other.

3. The battery tester of claim 2, wherein a first orientation of the at least two different preset orientations includes the battery tester cable oriented out of a top surface of the battery tester, and wherein a second orientation of the at least two different preset orientations includes the battery tester cable oriented out of a bottom surface of the battery tester.

4. The battery tester of claim 1, wherein the battery tester cable includes:

a first end with two battery connectors configurable to fasten to two respective terminals of a battery; and

a second end including the end of the battery tester cable coupled to the cable pod.

5. The battery tester of claim 4, wherein the battery tester housing has battery tester circuitry within it coupled to the battery tester cable, and wherein the battery tester circuitry is configured with the battery tester cable to provide two Kelvin connections with the two battery connectors when fastened to the two respective terminals of the battery such that four-terminal sensing can occur.

6. The battery tester of claim 4, wherein the battery tester housing has battery tester circuitry within it coupled to the battery tester cable, and wherein the battery tester circuitry is configured with the battery tester cable to provide two connections with the two battery connectors when fastened to the two respective terminals of the battery such that two-terminal sensing can occur.

7. The battery tester of claim 1, further comprising a manually extendable and retractable hook.

8. The battery tester of claim 1, further comprising securing parts configured to secure the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

9. The battery tester of claim 8, wherein the battery tester housing and the cable pod each include at least two holes, wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester housing are configured to align with the at least two holes of the cable pod such that the securing parts can mate with the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod to secure the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

10. The battery tester of claim 9, wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod include threaded holes and the securing parts include corresponding threaded fasteners.

11. The battery tester of claim 9, wherein the cable pod is attachable and detachable to the cavity of the battery tester housing manually without use of an additional device or tool.

12. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the securing parts include dowels with fins that are configured to:

retract when inserted through the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod; and

extend such that top surfaces of the fins catch bottom surfaces of the battery tester housing and the cable pod in way that secures the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

13. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the securing parts include at least two dowels with rectangular extensions, and wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod are configured to align with each other such that the at least two dowels can be inserted into the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod and subsequently turned such that top surfaces of the rectangular extensions catch bottom surfaces of the battery tester housing and the cable pod in way that secures the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two different preset orientations.

14. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the securing parts include at least two split pins that each are configured to be squeezed through the at least two holes of the battery tester housing and the cable pod and secure the battery tester housing and the cable pod when positioned through the holes and released such that respective feet of the at least two split pins fit into corresponding small openings within the at least two holes of the battery tester housing.

15. The battery tester of claim 11, wherein the cable pod and the battery tester housing are configured to attach to each other by a twist lock.

16. The battery tester of claim 15, wherein the cable pod and the battery tester housing are configured to detach from each other by a quick release.

17. A battery tester, comprising:

battery tester circuitry configured to provide two Kelvin connections such that four-terminal sensing can occur when the battery tester circuitry is coupled with a battery tester cable that is coupled with two terminals of a battery; and

a battery tester housing configured to;

contain the battery tester circuitry; and

receive a cable pod configured to provide an interface between the battery tester circuitry and the battery tester cable, wherein the cable pod and the battery tester housing include mating parts configured to mate with each other in at least two different preset orientations such that the cable pod and the battery tester housing attach to each other in at least two corresponding orientations that are changeable manually.

18. The battery tester of claim 17, further comprising at least two holes, wherein the at least two holes of the battery tester are configured to align with at least two holes of the cable pod such that securing parts can mate with the at least two holes of the cable pod and the battery tester housing to secure the cable pod with the battery tester housing in either of the at least two corresponding orientations.

19. A cable pod, comprising:

a cable connector configured to couple to a battery tester cable; and

a plurality of tester connector parts including mating parts configured to mate with corresponding pod connector parts in at least two different preset orientations in a cavity of a battery tester housing such that the cable pod can attach to the battery tester housing within the cavity in at least two corresponding orientations manually.

20. The cable pod of claim 19, wherein the cable pod includes at least two holes, wherein the at least two holes of the cable pod are configured to align with at least two holes of the battery tester housing such that securing parts can mate with the at least two holes of the cable pod and the battery tester housing to secure the cable pod within the cavity in either of the at least two corresponding orientations.