Portable External Power Device for Vehicle Odometer Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic odometers in vehicles require power from the electrical system to display mileage, making it difficult to verify accumulated mileage without access to the power source, particularly in damaged vehicles, leading to valuation challenges and potential fraudulent misrepresentation in auctions.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a 12V battery and fault protection circuit that connects to the vehicle's DLC port, fuse panel, and ignition circuit to activate the odometer without drawing power from the vehicle's electrical system, including a control relay, current-limiting circuit, and shock sensor to prevent damage from overcurrent conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic odometers are used to replace mechanical odometers, then the vehicle's electrical system can be integrated with modern electronic displays, but the ability to verify mileage without power access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external power source device as an intermediary between the vehicle's electrical system and the electronic odometer. This mediator provides temporary power to the odometer through connections to the battery or electrical system, enabling mileage verification without requiring the vehicle's own power system to be functional. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the verification capability from the vehicle's operational state.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle's electrical system is damaged or battery is dead, then power cannot be delivered to the odometer for display, but using the vehicle's own power source defeats the purpose of verifying mileage in non-operational vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source function from the vehicle's electrical system and places it in an external portable device. By taking out the power source dependency, the system enables odometer activation independently of the vehicle's battery or electrical system status. This allows verification of mileage in damaged vehicles, recovered vehicles, or vehicles with dead batteries without relying on the vehicle's own power infrastructure.
3Reliability
If external power is provided to activate the odometer, then mileage verification becomes possible, but electrical damage from short circuits or overcurrent conditions could occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates protective circuitry and current-limiting mechanisms in the external power source device before power is applied to the vehicle's electrical system. These preemptive measures include fuses, circuit breakers, or electronic current limiting that prevent excessive current from reaching the vehicle's sensitive electrical components. The cushioning is built into the power delivery path ahead of time, protecting against short circuits and overcurrent conditions while still enabling odometer activation.
4Reliability
If a portable external power source device is used, then mileage verification is enabled in vehicles with damaged electrical systems, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external power source device is designed to perform multiple functions: providing power to the odometer, protecting the vehicle's electrical system, and potentially interfacing with various vehicle models through standardized connections. By consolidating these functions into a single universal device, the complexity is managed through multi-functionality rather than requiring separate specialized equipment for each function, making the device versatile across different vehicle types and damage scenarios.
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 the activation of electronic odometers without the vehicle's electrical power, allowing for accurate mileage verification, reducing risks and costs associated with unverified mileage, and preventing electrical damage from short circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes an electrical power source (preferably a conventional 12V battery) that is electrically connected to a load circuit and a fault protection circuit
Implementation Method 2
The load circuit includes a conventional control relay that is electrically connected in series intermediate the power source and the output receptacles of the device
Implementation Method 3
The fault protection circuit includes a current-limiting circuit that is electrically connected in series intermediate the power source and the trigger module
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for activating the electronic odometer of a vehicle without using an electrical power source residing on the vehicle. The device is housed in a portable case and includes an electrical power source, a load circuit for connecting the power source to the electrical system of a vehicle, and a fault protection circuit that is electrically in parallel with the load circuit for protecting the vehicle and the device from damage that could otherwise result from a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical system. The method includes a series of steps that involve connecting electrical power to the vehicle's computer and various electrical subsystems in a predefined order.