Alternator and Starter Tester with Other Failures Determination Functionality and Method

• US 20130297247A1
• Filed: 05/03/2012
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC
• Inventors: Jardine, Lee
• Granted Patent: US 9,128,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/113
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/34 Testing dynamo-electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general

Abstract

The diagnostic tool for testing the performance of a component of a vehicle may include a processor configured to process test information from a component of the vehicle and control and activate the component of the vehicle having identification information to be tested. The diagnostic tool may also include a memory configured to store the test information of the component and software that operates the component of the vehicle. The diagnostic tool may further include an interface module configured to provide information in addition to that of the test information of the component, wherein the additional information is related to the performance of a different vehicle component from the component, and wherein the means for storing and the means for providing are in communication with the means for processing

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for testing the performance of a component of a vehicle, comprising:

a processor configured to process test information from an alternator component of the vehicle and control and activate the alternator component of the vehicle having identification information to be tested;

a memory configured to store the test information of the alternator component and software that operates the alternator component of the vehicle; and

an interface module configured to provide information in addition to that of the test information of the alternator component, wherein the additional information is related to the performance of a different vehicle component from the alternator component, and wherein the memory and the interface module are in communication with the processor.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein said processor is also configured to control and activate a starter motor component of the vehicle and process starter motor information.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the additional information is from at least one of a plurality of technical service bulletins.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 3, wherein the plurality of technical service bulletins comprise procedures for diagnostic and/or repairing various components of vehicles hosted by original equipment manufacturers.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further comprises a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) interpreter configured to interpret diagnostic trouble codes to provide the additional information.

6. A diagnostic tool for testing the performance of a component of a vehicle, comprising:

a processor configured to process test information from a starter motor component of the vehicle and control and activate the starter motor component of the vehicle having identification information to be tested;

a memory configured to store the test information of the starter motor component and software that operates the starter motor component of the vehicle; and

an interface module configured to provide information in addition to that of the test information of the starter motor component, wherein the additional information is related to the performance of a different vehicle component from the starter motor component, and wherein the memory and the interface module are in communication with the processor.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, wherein said processor is also configured to control and activate an alternator component of the vehicle and process alternator component information.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, wherein the additional information is from at least one of a plurality of technical service bulletins.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 8, wherein the plurality of technical service bulletins comprise procedures for diagnostic and/or repairing various components of vehicles hosted by original equipment manufacturers.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, further comprises a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) interpreter configured to interpret diagnostic trouble codes to provide the additional information.

11. A method of testing of a component of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

activating an alternator component to generate test information;

processing the test information from the alternator component of the vehicle;

receiving the test information associated with the alternator component of the vehicle via an input device;

performing a diagnostic test on the alternator component;

receiving identification information resulting from the diagnostic test indicating pass or fail of the diagnostic test;

querying for additional information regarding a different vehicle component from the alternator component based at least in part on the receipt of the pass and failure identification information; and

receiving the additional information.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

activating a starter motor component to generate test information; and

performing a diagnostic test on the starter motor component.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the additional information is from at least one of a plurality of technical service bulletins.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of technical service bulletins comprise procedures for diagnostic and/or repairing various components of vehicles hosted by original equipment manufacturers.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of interpreting diagnostic trouble codes to provide the additional information.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of interpreting diagnostic trouble codes to provide the additional information.

16. A method of testing of a component of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

activating a starter motor component to generate test information;

processing the test information from the starter motor component of the vehicle;

receiving the test information associated with the starter motor component of the vehicle via an input device;

performing a diagnostic test on the starter motor component;

receiving identification information resulting from the diagnostic test indicating pass or fail of the diagnostic test;

querying for additional information regarding a different vehicle component from the starter motor component based at least in part on the receipt of the pass and failure identification information; and

receiving the additional information.

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

activating an alternator component to generate test information and

performing a diagnostic test on the starter motor component.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the additional information is from at least one of a plurality of technical service bulletins.

20. A diagnostic tool for testing the performance of a component of a vehicle, comprising:

means for processing test information from an alternator component or a starter motor of the vehicle, the means for processing controlling and activating the alternator component or the starter motor of the vehicle having identification information to be tested;

means for storing the test information of the alternator component or the starter motor component and software that operates the alternator component or the starter motor component of the vehicle; and

means for providing information in addition to that of the test information of the alternator component or the starter motor component, wherein the additional information is related to the performance of a different vehicle component from the alternator component or the starter motor component, and wherein the means for storing and the means for providing are in communication with the means for processing.