Electronic battery tester with data bus for removable module

• US 6,998,847 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2004
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., McShane, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/883,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20050001626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/427, 324/430, 324/433
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]

Abstract

An electronic battery tester is provided for testing storage batteries. Battery test circuitry is configured to couple to the storage battery and measure a condition of the battery. A removable module is configured to couple to the battery tester to add increased functionality.

Claims

1. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery comprising:

a Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to the storage battery;

a microprocessor configured to determine a dynamic parameter of the battery;

a data bus coupled to the microprocessor configured to carry data in the electronic battery tester;

a connector coupled to the data bus and configured to receive a removable digital module, the connector including electrical connections which couple the data bus to the removable module; and

wherein the microprocessor is configured to couple to the removable module and send or receive data from the removable module on the data bus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes a serial connection.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes electrical connections to first and second Kelvin connections.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes a power supply connection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes a reset connection.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes an analog voltage connection.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes a bar code reader connection.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes an infrared driver connection.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes a frequency count connection.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes an I²C connection.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes an SPI connection.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data bus includes a load control connection.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive data from a vehicle through a connection to the removable module.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to send data to a printer on the data bus.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive software from the removable module through the data bus.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a software key from the removable module through the data bus.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to calibrate measurements by coupling to a calibrated reference in the removable module.

18. A removable module configured to couple to the data bus through the connector of the battery tester of claim 1.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the module includes a memory.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the module includes test circuitry.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the module includes a printer.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the module is configured to couple to a printer.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the memory includes software.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the memory includes a software key.

25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the module includes a calibrated reference.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the module includes a resistive load.

27. The apparatus of claim 18 including a screw configured to attach the removable module to the battery tester.

28. The apparatus of claim 18 including a latch configured to attach the removable module to the battery tester.

29. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the removable module includes circuitry configured to scale a test measurement.

30. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery comprising:

Kelvin connection means for electrically connecting to the battery;

a microprocessor means for determining a dynamic parameter of the battery;

a data bus means for carrying data in the electronic battery tester;

a connector means coupled to the data bus for connecting to removable digital module, the connector means including electrical connection means for coupling the data bus means to the removable module; and

wherein the microprocessor means is further for sending or receiving data from the removable module on the data bus means.