Universal power box

• US 8,494,705 B1
• Filed: 01/12/2009
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth W. Evans Jr
• Original Assignee: Kenneth W. Evans Jr
• Inventors: Evans, Kenneth W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gimie, Mahmoud
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMAOUI, DAVID E
• Application Number:
  US12/352,409
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/36, 701/102, 701/114, 701/29.1, 324/503, 123/143.C, 123/195.E, 174/17.R, 174/19, 174/24
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/05 by combined monitoring of two or more different engine parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers

Abstract

A universal power box for diagnosing, programming and powering an electronic control module includes at least one diesel engine control, a universal power box connector, and a diagnostic device connector. The power box connector is in circuit relationship to the diesel engine control and an electronic control module of a diesel engine. The diagnostic connector is in circuit relationship to the power box connector and a diagnostic device, which may be a third-party diagnostic device or a computer. A first wiring harness connects the power box connector to the vehicle side of the electronic control module. A second wiring harness connects the diagnostic device connector to the diagnostic device. A power source in circuit relationship to the power box connector provides power to the electronic control module when necessary.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a diesel engine control capable of controlling, diagnosing, programming and powering an electronic control module of a diesel engine;

a first connector having a plurality of wiring harness ports and configured for receiving a first wiring harness, the first wiring harness putting said first connector in circuit relationship to said diesel engine control and-an original equipment manufacturer-side (“

OEM-side”

) of an electronic control module of a diesel engine, the plurality of wiring harness ports formed to accommodate at least two differently structured first wiring harnesses;

a second connector configured for receiving a second wiring harness, the second wiring harness putting said second connector in circuit relationship to a diagnostic device;

means for receiving a flash code of at least one attribute of at least one of the electronic control module and the diesel engine;

an enclosure housing said diesel engine control, said first connector, said second connector, and said receiving means; and

means for connecting the apparatus to a power source;

wherein the apparatus powers the electronic control module and bypasses OEM-side controls of the electronic control module.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising the first wiring harness having a first end and a second end, said first end connecting to said first connector, said second end connecting to the OEM-side of the electronic control module.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said first connector being a 31-pin connector.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said connecting means including an AC/DC power adapter.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising the second wiring harness having a first end and a second end, said first end connecting to said second connector, said second end connecting to the receiving means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said second connector being a 9-pin serial connector.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a diagnostic connector adapter, said diagnostic connector adapter being capable of receiving a connector of at least two different diagnostic devices, said at least two different diagnostic devices each being a diagnostic device for a different diesel engine manufacturer.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said diesel engine control being selected from the group consisting of an ignition control, a throttle control, and an accessory control.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising said throttle control being at least one of a digital throttle control and an analog throttle control.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one status indicator light in circuit relationship to said first connector.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said receiving means being a computer.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a diagnostic request control.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a starter control, said starter control allowing the apparatus to independently start the diesel engine.

14. A method for diagnosing an electronic control module of a diesel engine comprising the steps of:

bypassing a vehicle side harness connected to the electronic control module; and

connecting a vehicle side of the electronic control module to a power box including

a power source; and

at least one diesel engine control capable of controlling, diagnosing, programming and powering an electronic control module of a diesel engine;

a first connector having a plurality of wiring harness ports and configured for receiving a first wiring harness, the first wiring harness putting said first connector in circuit relationship to said diesel engine control and-an original equipment manufacturer-side (“

OEM-side”

) of an electronic control module of a diesel engine, the plurality of wiring harness ports formed to accommodate at least two differently structured first wiring harnesses;

a second connector configured for receiving a second wiring harness, the second wiring harness putting said second connector in circuit relationship to a diagnostic device;

means for receiving a flash code of at least one attribute of at least one of the electronic control module and the diesel engine;

an enclosure housing said at least one diesel engine control, said first connector, said second connector, and said receiving means; and

powering the electronic control module and bypassing OEM-side controls of the electronic control module;

the power box putting the electronic control module in circuit relationship to the power source and the at least one diesel engine control.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of controlling a selected performance parameter of the diesel engine by way of the at least one control.

16. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of powering the electronic control module by way of the power box.

17. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of testing the electronic control module.

18. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a diagnostic device in circuit relationship to the power box.

19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of programming the electronic control module by way of the diagnostic device.

20. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of starting the diesel engine by way of the power box.

21. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of obtaining diagnostic codes of the electronic control module directly from the power box.