METER CONNECTION ADAPTER FOR AUTOMOBILE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TESTER INCLUDING DIODE AND SHORTING SWITCH THEREFOR

• US 3,660,759 A
• Filed: 03/19/1970
• Issued: 05/02/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lee Parmater
• Original Assignee: Lee Parmater
• Inventors: Parmater, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US05/020,925
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 324/29.5 340/249 200/52 320/48
• US Class Current: 324/429
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0408 Test fixtures or contact fields; Connectors or connecting adaptors; Test clips; Test sockets G01R1/067 takes precedence; mass production testing systems G01R31/59; testing of connections G01R31/66; for testing printed circuit boards G01R31/2808
• 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 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/287 Intermediate parts between battery post and cable end piece

Abstract

A length of flexible conductive wire acts as a shunt for a voltage-current meter for an automotive test device. One end of the wire is connected to a connector adapted to be connected to an automotive battery terminal and its other end is connected to a conductive body housing having a stud which can receive the automotive battery terminal. The body housing contains a diode and a shorting switch for the diode where the forward resistance of the diode can be connected in series with the shunt during voltage regulator tests and is short-circuited by the switch during motor starting.

Claims

1. An indicator adapter for automotive testing;

said adapter comprising;

a. first connector means adapted to be connectible to one terminal of an automotive battery, and b. second connector means adapted to be connectible to the cable which is normally connected to a terminal of an automotive battery, and c. diode means having first and second terminals connected in series with said first and second connector means, and d. switch means operable between an open circuit and closed circuit condition, and having first and second terminals connected in parallel with said diode means, and e. meter shunt resistance means having first and second terminals connected between and in series with said first connector means and said first terminals of said diode means and said switch means, and f. wherein conventional current flow through said shunt resistance means during an automobile charging current test is in the forward conduction direction of said diode means whereby the forward resistance of said diode means simulates the effect of a fully charged battery when said switch means is in its said open circuit condition.

2. The adapter of claim 1 which further includes resistance wire means connected in series with said diode means and in parallel with said switch means.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said first connector means comprises a conductive body separate from said second connector means;

said resistive shunt means consisting of a flexible wire connector for mechanically and electrically connecting said first connector means relative to said second connector means.

4. The adapter of claim 1 which includes first and second flexible elongated instrument leads connected to said first and second connectors respectively.

5. The adapter of claim 1 which includes a conductive adapter housing;

said diode means being connected within the interior of said adapter housing;

said second connector means being connected to the exterior of said housing;

said switch means being mounted on said adapter housing.

6. The adapter of claim 5 which includes an insUlation sheath on at least portions of the exterior of said adapter housing.

7. The adapter of claim 5 wherein said first connector means comprises a conductive body separate from said adapter housing;

said shunt resistance means consisting of a flexible wire connector for mechanically and electrically connecting said first connector means to said adapter housing.

8. The adapter of claim 7 which includes first and second flexible elongated instrument leads connected to said first and second connectors respectively.

9. The adapter of claim 7 wherein said switch means comprises a conductive screw support member secured to said adapter housing and electrically connected to said one terminal of said diode means, and a threaded nut means threaded on said screw support member and threadably movable into and out of engagement with a surface portion of said adapter housing;

said second terminal of said diode means being electrically connected to said adapter housing.