Vehicle Diagnostic Adapter With External Mounting for Stable Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle diagnostic systems face challenges with unwieldy extension cables and poor wireless communication quality due to metallic vehicle components, which hinder efficient diagnostics and fault identification.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a housing, plug, extension cable, and fastening means that allows wireless communication with diagnostic devices and mobile terminals while being securely attached to the vehicle, maintaining radio quality and enabling compact storage of the extension cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an extension cable is used to connect the diagnostic device to the vehicle diagnostic interface, then the diagnostic connection is established, but the cable becomes unwieldy and difficult to manage in everyday workshop use
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary device between the vehicle diagnostic interface and the diagnostic device. It receives the extension cable connection on one side and provides wireless communication capability on the other side, thereby mediating between the wired connection requirement and the cable management problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter replaces the mechanical cable connection with wireless communication. The extension cable connects to the adapter's plug, and the adapter's communication unit establishes wireless communication with the diagnostic device, substituting the mechanical cable connection for the final link in the communication chain.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used between the diagnostic device and the vehicle, then cable management is simplified, but radio quality deteriorates due to shielding by metallic vehicle bodywork and windows
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary that receives the wired connection from the vehicle and creates a wireless communication link to the external diagnostic device. This intermediary position allows it to optimize both connection types - maintaining reliable wired connection to the vehicle while providing wireless connectivity to the diagnostic device.
3Ease of operation
If the adapter is attached inside the vehicle, then it is easily accessible, but wireless communication is blocked by metallic components
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter utilizes the vehicle window as a transmission dimension for wireless signals. By attaching to the window pane (particularly a partially lowered window), the adapter creates a communication path that extends outside the metallic enclosure of the vehicle, allowing radio waves to pass through the glass rather than being blocked by metal bodywork.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the extension cable is made longer to provide more flexibility, then the adapter can be positioned in more locations, but the cable becomes even more unwieldy and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter intermediates between the extension cable and the diagnostic device, allowing the cable to connect to the adapter's plug while the communication unit handles the connection to the diagnostic device. This separation allows the cable length to be optimized for reaching the diagnostic interface without requiring excessive length for final connection flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an adapter comprising: a housing, a plug for connecting to a vehicle diagnostic interface of a vehicle, an extension cable connected to the plug, and a first communication unit connected to the extension cable. The first communication unit is designed to communicate wirelessly with a vehicle diagnostic device, a mobile terminal, with at least one vehicle control device connected to the vehicle diagnostic interface. The adapter further comprises a fastening means for attaching the housing to a vehicle exterior, a window pane, a vehicle door, a vehicle pillar, and/or a vehicle roof. Further disclosed is a method and a system comprising the adapter and a vehicle diagnostic device, and system comprising the adapter and a mobile terminal.