Battery disconnect for electrical drain test system

• US 10,598,714 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2018
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grosch, LLC
• Original Assignee: Grosch, LLC
• Inventors: Grossi, Briant
• Primary Examiner(s): Allgood, Alesa
• Application Number:
  US16/028,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20180328970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2632 for testing diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2825 in household appliances or professional audio/video equipment testing LAN's H04L43/50; testing TV systems H04N17/00; testing loudspeakers H04R29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3277 of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults

Abstract

An example electrical drain test device includes a battery interface system having electrical cables to connect in-line with a negative battery post of a battery and an electrical system under test without losing connectivity to test the electrical system under test without having to reset test or vehicle modules. The example electrical drain test device also includes a battery disconnect switch. The battery disconnect switch in a first position provides continuous electrical current between the battery and the electrical system. The battery disconnect switch in a second position electrically connects the electrical system under test to the battery through a test circuit to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain. After an initial connection, the system under test remains in electrical connection with the battery regardless of switch position.

Claims

1. An electrical drain test device, comprising:

a battery interface system having electrical cables to connect in-line with a negative battery post of a battery and an electrical system under test;

a battery disconnect switch having a first position and a second position, the battery disconnect switch providing for continuous electrical current in the first position between the battery and the electrical system under test;

a test circuit configured to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain according to a connection sequence; and

an output device to output a result of the test of the electrical system under test.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch in the second position electrically connects the electrical system under test to the battery through the test circuit to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch in the second position connects the electrical system under test to the test circuit without losing connectivity to test the electrical system under test without having to reset test or vehicle modules.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection sequence comprises:

a) disconnecting the negative battery post from an electrical system of a vehicle,

b) connecting the test device to the negative battery post,

c) connecting the test device to the system under test,

d) switching on the system under test, shutting the system under test,

e) switching the test device, and

f) starting testing.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein switching on the system under test comprises starting the vehicle engine.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein switching on the system under test comprises operating the electrical system of the vehicle.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein switching on the system under test comprises driving the vehicle over a predetermined speed for a predetermined time.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein shutting the system under test comprises turning off an engine of the vehicle and removing a key from the vehicle.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein shutting the system under test comprises shutting all doors of the vehicle.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the negative battery post is disconnected from the battery, and the test device is then connected to the electrical system under test and the battery via the battery disconnect switch.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the battery disconnect switch is connected in series with the negative battery post of the battery.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein after the test device is connected and the electrical system is energized, the battery disconnect switch is moved to a second position so that the test device is ready for testing.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein after an initial connection, the system under test remains in electrical connection with the battery regardless of switch position.

14. An electrical drain test device, comprising:

a battery interface system having electrical cables to connect in-line with a negative battery post of a battery and an electrical system under test without losing connectivity to test the electrical system under test without having to reset test or vehicle modules;

a battery disconnect switch connected in series with the negative battery post of the battery, wherein the battery disconnect switch in a first position provides continuous electrical current between the battery and the electrical system, and in a second position electrically connects the electrical system under test to the battery through a test circuit to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain, wherein after an initial connection, the system under test remains in electrical connection with the battery regardless of switch position;

a test circuit configured to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain according to a connection sequence; and

an output device to output a result of the test of the electrical system under test.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the negative battery post is disconnected from the battery, and the test device is then connected to the electrical system under test and the battery via the battery disconnect switch.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein after the test device is connected and the electrical system is energized, the battery disconnect switch is moved to a second position so that the test device is ready for testing.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the connection sequence comprises:

a) disconnecting the negative battery post from an electrical load, b) connecting the test device to the negative battery post, c) connecting the test device to the system under test, d) switching on the system under test, shutting the system under test, e) switching on the test device, and f) starting testing.

18. A electrical drain test method, comprising:

connecting electrical cables of a battery interface system in-line with a negative battery post of a battery and an electrical system under test;

providing a test device with a battery disconnect switch for continuous provision of electrical current in a first position between the battery and the electrical system, and in a second position between the electrical system to the battery through the test device;

testing the electrical system under test for parasitic drain according to a connection sequence; and

outputting a result of the test of the electrical system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the battery disconnect switch electrically connects the battery and the electrical system in the first position, and the battery disconnect switch electrically connects the electrical system under test to the battery through a test circuit to test the electrical system under test for parasitic drain in the second position where the electrical system under test is connected without losing connectivity to test the electrical system under test without having to reset test or vehicle modules.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the connection sequence comprises:

a) disconnecting the negative battery post,

b) connecting the test device to the negative battery post

c) connecting the test device to the system under test,

d) switching on the system under test, shutting the system under test,

e) switching on the test device, and

f) starting testing.