Vehicle Circuit Tester for Trailer Lighting Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for testing trailer rear lighting systems are cumbersome, inefficient, and lack compatibility with various receptacles and electrical interface components, making it difficult to conveniently test turn signal lights, marker lights, back-up lights, and brake lights.
Innovation Solution
A compact vehicle circuit tester with standardized wiring connectors and indicator lights that can be easily connected to various trailers, allowing for quick testing of lighting systems by a single person, including a reel for managing wires and a magnetic base for hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a prior art device is designed specifically for testing a trailer's rear lighting system, then it can test the lighting system, but it lacks compatibility with a variety of receptacles or electrical interface components
Solution Approach 1:
The testing device incorporates multiple types of electrical connectors (seven-way flat blade, six-way round blade, four-way round blade) to enable compatibility with various trailer receptacle types. This multi-functionality allows a single device to test different trailer configurations without requiring separate specialized tools for each connector type.
2Productivity
If an inspector manually activates each rear light and walks to the rear of the trailer to verify operation, then the lights can be tested, but the process is time consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces the manual mechanical inspection process (walking to the rear of the trailer to visually verify light operation) with an electrical testing system that provides immediate feedback through indicator lights. The tester electrically connects to the trailer lighting circuits and uses LED indicators to show the status of each lighting function, eliminating the need for physical movement and visual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing device creates a simplified representation of the trailer lighting system status through indicator lights that mirror the actual light functions. Each indicator light on the tester corresponds to a specific trailer light (brake lights, turn signals, marker lights, backup lights), providing a copied visual display of system operability without requiring inspection of the actual trailer lights.
3Ease of operation
If an inspector activates brake lights, then the brake lighting system can be tested, but it is almost impossible for one person to complete the task
Solution Approach 1:
The testing device enables a single operator to independently test all lighting functions including brake lights by providing self-contained testing capabilities. The device includes its own power source and control mechanisms, allowing the operator to activate and test brake lights and all other functions without requiring assistance from a second person to manually operate trailer controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle circuit tester for electrically testing the circuit system of a trailer. The tester can connect to a variety of types of trailers for the purpose of analyzing or monitoring the trailer's circuit system. The tester includes indicators that indicate continuity of the various circuits, thus confirming operability of the trailer lamps. The tester includes wiring connectors in a variety of dimensions and plug configurations, most of which are standardized and widely adopted. As such, the vehicle circuit tester is provided with a plurality of wiring connectors conventionally provided on different sizes and types of trailers. The tester includes probe and ground wires that can be wound up on a reel inside the tester.