Adapter for Vehicle Battery Diagnostics via OBD Mimicry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diagnostic testers for vehicle batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles cannot be used to test batteries removed from the vehicle, as they rely on the on-board diagnostic interface, which is no longer present when the battery is removed.
Innovation Solution
A device with an adapter that connects to the vehicle battery terminals and mimics the on-board diagnostic interface, allowing signals to be transmitted and received as if the battery were still installed in the vehicle, enabling the use of existing testing devices for removed batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized on-board diagnostic interface is used in the vehicle, then the testing device can diagnose the vehicle battery installed in the vehicle, but the testing device cannot be used for the vehicle battery removed from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter device as an intermediary component that connects between the vehicle battery terminals and the testing device. This adapter contains a plug that interfaces with the testing device's connector and electrical connecting devices that connect to the battery terminals, enabling the testing device to communicate with the removed battery as if it were still installed in the vehicle with its on-board diagnostic interface intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution segments the diagnostic interface functionality into two separate components: the adapter device that connects to the battery terminals and the testing device that maintains its standardized connector. This segmentation allows the testing device to remain unchanged while the adapter provides the necessary interface adaptation, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the vehicle battery is removed from the vehicle for testing, then transportation and storage become necessary, but additional diagnostic infrastructure and transportation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device enables the existing testing device to perform multiple functions: it can test the vehicle battery both when installed in the vehicle (using the on-board diagnostic interface) and when removed from the vehicle (using the adapter connected to battery terminals). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diagnostic equipment for removed batteries, reducing the total quantity of equipment required.
3Productivity
If signals are conducted through the adapter device to mimic the on-board diagnostic interface, then the existing testing infrastructure can be used, but the adapter device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter device creates a simplified copy of the on-board diagnostic interface functionality. Instead of replicating the entire vehicle's diagnostic system, the adapter copies only the essential signal transmission and reception capabilities needed for battery testing, conducting signals between the battery terminals and the testing device in a way that mimics the original interface without requiring full system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Testing of a vehicle battery in a state removed from a vehicle, using a testing device that is fashioned for testing the vehicle battery installed in the vehicle using an on-board diagnostic interface of the vehicle. The device has: an interface to which a plug of the testing device can be connected, the plug being for connection to the on-board diagnostic interface of the vehicle; an electrical connecting device via which at least one electrical vehicle battery terminal of the vehicle battery is connectable to the device; and an adapter device by which signals receivable from the electrical vehicle battery terminal of the vehicle battery via the connecting device are conductible to the interface in such a way that the signals at the interface for the testing device are capable of being tested via the plug corresponding to a configuration of the on-board diagnostic interface of the vehicle.