Electrical Diagnostic Tool for Intermittent Circuit Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical diagnostic tools are complex, time-consuming, and costly, often requiring extensive modifications and real-time data that may not effectively diagnose intermittent electrical issues in vehicular and non-vehicular components.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic tool with a housing containing a relay, electrical sensors, and a processor that selectively opens and closes electrical circuits, measuring current and voltage, and storing data for remote analysis, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of components like fuel pumps without removing them from vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional diagnostic tools are used to monitor electrical components, then real-time data can be detected, but the tools are complex, time-consuming to set up, and require extensive modifications to the component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diagnostic device that acts as an intermediary between the electrical component and the user. The device includes a relay that interfaces with the vehicle's existing relay/fuse power center, electrical sensors that monitor current and voltage, and a processor that analyzes the data. This intermediary approach allows real-time monitoring without requiring direct modification of the component being tested, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical diagnostic procedures with electronic sensing and digital data processing. Instead of physically removing components for testing, the system uses electrical sensors to monitor parameters and a processor to analyze the data, substituting mechanical intervention with electronic measurement and computation methods
2Ease of operation
If components are removed from vehicles for testing, then direct access to the component is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires special parts and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device serves as an intermediary that remains in the vehicle's relay/fuse power center while monitoring the component of interest. This allows the component to stay installed in the vehicle, eliminating the time-consuming removal and reinstallation process while still enabling direct electrical measurement through the intermediary relay interface
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with the necessary relay, sensors, and processing capabilities before being installed in the vehicle's power center. This preliminary preparation allows for immediate monitoring of components without requiring on-site component removal or special diagnostic equipment, significantly reducing diagnostic time
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then immediate data is available, but intermittent problems may not be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device continuously monitors electrical parameters over extended periods, maintaining continuous data collection both when the vehicle is stationary and when driving on the road. This continuous monitoring ensures that intermittent problems are captured as they occur, improving reliability of detection while maintaining measurement precision through consistent data acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The device periodically logs and stores electrical measurements in memory, creating a time-series dataset that can be analyzed for intermittent anomalies. This periodic sampling approach ensures that even brief intermittent events are captured and recorded, allowing for reliable post-analysis of intermittent problems while maintaining accurate real-time measurement capability
4Loss of information
If extensive modifications are made to monitor components, then detailed electrical data is obtained, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device is designed as a universal monitoring system that can track multiple electrical parameters (current, voltage, power) across different components using the same basic hardware platform. The device interfaces with the vehicle's existing relay/fuse power center architecture, eliminating the need for component-specific modifications while maintaining complete electrical data collection capability, thereby reducing overall system cost
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick, cost-effective monitoring of hard-to-reach components by collecting data that can be analyzed remotely, identifying issues like electrical shorts through voltage or current anomalies, reducing diagnostic time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The relay is configured to selectively open and close the first electrical circuit according to a second electrical circuit
Implementation Method 2
The at least one electrical sensor is configured to measure current and/or voltage in the first electrical circuit and generate signals corresponding to an electrical load being drawn through the first electrical circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic tool for monitoring a component in a load electrical circuit is provided. The diagnostic tool includes a housing containing a relay, at least one electrical sensor, a computer readable memory and a processor. The relay is configured for selectively open and close the load electrical circuit according to a control electrical circuit. The at least one sensor is configured to measure current and/or voltage in the load electrical circuit and to generate signals corresponding to the electrical load drawn through the load electrical circuit. The processor is in electrical with the sensor or sensors and the computer readable memory for storing data in the computer readable memory corresponding to the signals generated by the sensor.