Refrigerant Recovery Unit Diagnostic Interface for Vehicle Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerant recovery units are inefficient due to the manual entry of vehicle information and lack of diagnostic data collection, which can lead to incorrect entries and prolonged service times.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant recovery unit equipped with a diagnostic interface to interact with a vehicle communication interface, allowing for the retrieval of vehicle information and diagnostic data, including manufacturer, make, model, and diagnostic trouble codes, to facilitate accurate and efficient servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicle information is manually entered into the refrigerant recovery unit, then the device can be operated without additional interfaces, but the service time increases and entry errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diagnostic interface as an intermediary component that connects the refrigerant recovery unit to the vehicle's diagnostic system. This mediator automatically retrieves vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year) and diagnostic trouble codes, eliminating the need for manual entry while reducing service time and errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the vehicle itself to provide its identification and diagnostic data through the diagnostic interface. The refrigerant recovery unit automatically requests and receives vehicle information without requiring technician intervention for data entry, thus reducing service time and improving accuracy.
2Productivity
If a diagnostic interface is added to the refrigerant recovery unit, then vehicle diagnostic data can be collected automatically, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic interface is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to retrieve vehicle identification information (VIN, make, model, year) and to collect diagnostic trouble codes. This universal approach allows a single interface addition to accomplish multiple tasks, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diagnostic interface as an intermediary component that connects the refrigerant recovery unit to the vehicle's diagnostic system. This mediator automatically retrieves vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year) and diagnostic trouble codes, eliminating the need for manual entry while reducing service time and errors.
3Device complexity
If manual entry of vehicle information is used, then the device structure remains simple, but information accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the vehicle itself to provide its identification and diagnostic data through the diagnostic interface. The refrigerant recovery unit automatically requests and receives vehicle information without requiring technician intervention for data entry, thus reducing service time and improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diagnostic interface as an intermediary component that connects the refrigerant recovery unit to the vehicle's diagnostic system. This mediator automatically retrieves vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year) and diagnostic trouble codes, eliminating the need for manual entry while reducing service time and errors.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that is capable of communicating with a vehicle diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool can retrieve vehicle information, such as vehicle identifying information or vehicle diagnostic information. The refrigerant recovery unit can diagnose the vehicle and provide fixes to the user using the database stored therein or from a remote location. The refrigerant recovery unit includes various hardware and software to communicate with electronic control units in the vehicle.