Door interlock apparatus and method for alternator/starter bench testing device

• US 20060090551A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott, Murphy, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,150,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/116.04
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/00 Testing of engines

Abstract

An apparatus and method for testing vehicle motor rotary accessory devices has a base and a housing assembly connected to the base. A mounting component is attached to the base. The apparatus includes a door cover which is rotatably attached to a side of the housing assembly and the mounting component. A switch assembly is mounted to the mounting component and positioned to contact a portion of the door cover when the door cover is rotated to a prescribed position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing vehicle motor rotary accessory devices, comprising:

a base;

a housing having at least one side surface, wherein the housing is connected to the base;

a first component located and connected to the base;

a door cover located and rotatably mounted between the at least one side surface and the first component; and

a switch assembly mounted to the first component and positioned to contact a portion of the door cover when the door cover is rotated to a first position.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch assembly is not contacted by a portion of the door cover when the door cover is rotated to a second position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the door cover further comprising a tab portion which contacts the switch assembly when the door cover is rotated to a first position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a micro-switch having a flexible lever device which is designed to contact a trigger button.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tap portion contacts the lever device to deflect the lever device against the trigger button such that the trigger button is depressed when the door cover is rotated in the first position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising powered internal components of the apparatus for testing, wherein power to one or more components is interrupted when the switch assembly is not contact by a portion of the door cover when the door cover is rotated to the second position.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the one or more components comprises a motor and a transformer.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to the switch assembly.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the DSP controls power to one of more of the components by monitoring a state of the micro-switch.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the DSP generates an error message and displays the message to a user when power is interrupted.

11. A method of implementing a safety mechanism in a testing device for vehicle motor rotary accessory devices comprising:

providing a base component and a housing component connected to the base component;

locating and connecting a first component to the base component;

locating a door cover between a side surface of the housing and the first component;

rotatably attaching the door cover to the side surface and the first component;

mounting a switch assembly to the first component; and

positioning the switch assembly to contact a portion of the door cover when the door cover is rotated to a first position.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the door cover further comprises a tab portion which contacts the switch assembly when the door cover is rotated to a first position.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the switch assembly further comprises a micro-switch having a flexible lever device which is designed to contact a trigger button.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

rotating the door cover to a first position;

contacting the tap portion of the door cover with the lever device;

deflecting the lever device against the trigger button to depress the trigger button.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

rotating the door cover to a second position;

releasing the tab portion of the door cover from contact with the lever device.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

coupling a digital signal processor to the switch assembly;

monitoring a state of the switch assembly.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

interrupting power to one or more internal components of the testing device when the tab portion of the door cover is released from contact with the lever device.

18. A system for implementing a safety mechanism in a testing means for vehicle motor rotary accessory devices comprising:

means for providing a base component and a housing component connected to the base component;

means for mounting located and connected to the base component;

means for protecting located between a side surface of the housing and the mounting means;

rotatably attaching the protecting means to the side surface and the mounting means;

means for closing an electrical circuit mounted to the mounting means; and

positioning the means for closing an electrical circuit to contact a portion of protecting means when the protecting means is rotated to a first position.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the protecting means comprises a door cover.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for closing an electrical circuit comprises a switch assembly.