Circuit arrangement for testing operating and/or capacity conditions in automotive vehicles
First Claim
1. A circuit for testing operating and capacity conditions of an automotive vehicle comprising plural parallel circuits each containing at least one pilot lamp and switching means operable in accordance with an operating or capacity condition, and a single test switch to simultaneously energize said pilot lamps independently of vehicle operation, wherein each of said switching means is connected in series with at least one pilot lamp and with said single test switch, and wherein each of said switching means is electrically conductive during normal operating and capacity conditions.
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Abstract
In order to test at least one of the operating and capacitating conditions of an automotive vehicle, plural parallel circuits are included in a test circuit associated with sensors for each condition to be tested. These parallel circuits contain at least one pilot lamp and at least one switching unit. The switching unit may have simple switch contacts or may contain an electronic switching element. During normal operating conditions, the switching units are closed to provide a conductive path therethrough. During non-normal operating conditions and/or capacity conditions, the switching units open. For testing any condition, an individual test switch, which energizes each pilot lamp in the plural parallel circuits, is connected in series with the switching contacts and/or the conductive electronic switching elements of the switch units and with the pilot lamps in the plural circuits.
12 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A circuit for testing operating and capacity conditions of an automotive vehicle comprising plural parallel circuits each containing at least one pilot lamp and switching means operable in accordance with an operating or capacity condition, and a single test switch to simultaneously energize said pilot lamps independently of vehicle operation, wherein each of said switching means is connected in series with at least one pilot lamp and with said single test switch, and wherein each of said switching means is electrically conductive during normal operating and capacity conditions.
- 16. In a circuit for testing operating and capacity conditions of an automotive vehicle of the type comprising plural parallel circuits, each including a pilot lamp and sensing means for sensing an operating or capacity condition, the improvement comprising means including a single test switch to simultaneously energize said pilot lamps independently of vehicle operation for testing failure of said pilot lamp and said sensing means, as well as testing said operating or capacity condition.
Specification