Motor vehicle diagnostic system

• US 6,278,359 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Mekhitarian, Vladimir Mkrttchian
• Original Assignee: Paul Mekhitarian, Vladimir Mkrttchian
• Inventors: Mekhitarian, Paul, Mkrttchian, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/557,199
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 340/429, 340/436, 340/438, 340/480, 340/669, 340/686.1, 340/688, 340/689, 340/690, 200/61.45 M, 200/61.44, 200/52.R, 200/61.52 R, 200/61.45 R
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0173 Diagnostic or recording means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002

Abstract

A motor vehicle diagnostic system including a main housing constructed of a durable material that will protect its content. The main housing has a hollow interior. Sensing and diagnosing means are freely disposed within the hollow interior of the main housing. The sensing and diagnosing means includes an activation button. A suspension mechanism couples the sensing and diagnosing means to the main housing. An activation mechanism is disposed within the hollow interior of the main housing. The activation mechanism is positioned whereby upward movement of the sensing and diagnosing means will cause the activation mechanism to abut the activation button for activation of the sensing and diagnosing means.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle diagnostic system for recording relevant information concerning operation of a motor vehicle at the occurrence of an accident comprising, in combination:

a main housing constructed of a durable material that will protect its content, the main housing having a hollow interior, the main housing having a generally square configuration defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, four side walls, and four corners, the four corners each having a tab secured thereto extending within the hollow interior, each of the tabs having an aperture therethrough;

sensing and diagnosing means freely disposed within the hollow interior of the main housing, the sensing and diagnosing means being disposed within a circular housing, the circular housing having four radially extending tabs disposed at ninety degree intervals extending outwardly therefrom, each of the tabs having an aperture therethrough, the sensing and diagnosing means including an activation button extending outwardly of the circular housing;

a suspension mechanism coupling the sensing and diagnosing means to the main housing, the suspension mechanism comprised of four springs coupled with the apertures of the tabs of the main housing and with the apertures of the tabs of the circular housing of the sensing and diagnosing means, the springs suspending the circular housing freely within the hollow interior of the main housing;

an activation mechanism disposed within the hollow interior of the main housing, the activation mechanism comprised of an elongated arm extending inwardly from one of the side walls of the main housing, the elongated arm having a free end disposed above the activation button of the sensing and diagnosing means, the free end having a downwardly directed contact point whereby upward movement of the circular housing will cause the contact point to abut the activation button for activation of the sensing and diagnosing means.

2. A motor vehicle diagnostic system for recording relevant information concerning operation of a motor vehicle at the occurrence of an accident comprising, in combination:

a main housing constructed of a durable material that will protect its content, the main housing having a hollow interior;

sensing and diagnosing means freely disposed within the hollow interior of the main housing, the sensing and diagnosing means including an activation button;

a suspension mechanism coupling the sensing and diagnosing means to the main housing;

an activation mechanism disposed within the hollow interior of the main housing, the activation mechanism being positioned whereby upward movement of the sensing and diagnosing means will cause the activation mechanism to abut the activation button for activation of the sensing and diagnosing means.

3. The motor vehicle diagnostic system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the four corners of the main housing each have a tab secured thereto extending within the hollow interior, each of the tabs having an aperture therethrough for coupling to the suspension mechanism.

4. The motor vehicle diagnostic system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the sensing and diagnosing means are disposed within a circular housing, the circular housing having four radially extending tabs disposed at ninety degree intervals extending outwardly therefrom, each of the tabs having an aperture therethrough for coupling to the suspension mechanism.

5. The motor vehicle diagnostic system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the suspension mechanism is comprised of four springs extending between the main housing and the sensing and diagnosing means, the springs suspending the circular housing freely within the hollow interior of the main housing.

6. The motor vehicle diagnostic system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the activation mechanism is comprised of an elongated arm extending inwardly from the main housing, the elongated arm having a free end disposed above the activation button of the sensing and diagnosing means, the free end having a downwardly directed contact point whereby upward movement of the sensing and diagnosing means will cause the contact point to abut the activation button for activation of the sensing and diagnosing means.