Automotive Wire Testing Apparatus with Visual LED Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical test equipment is inefficient in identifying and quantifying continuity issues in electrical systems, particularly when testing for Ohms resistance, heater resistance, and shorts to ground, often requiring labor-intensive and expensive multimeter test leads.
Innovation Solution
A testing apparatus with user-specified connectors and visual indicators, such as LEDs, that utilize a Point-To-Point wiring diagram to test for continuity issues without the need for building cables, allowing for automatic zone selection and resistance measurement, enabling efficient testing of thermocouples and heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional multimeter test leads are used for resistance testing, then measurement capability is achieved, but labor intensity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the Point-To-Point wiring diagram on the device housing, where each LED corresponds to a specific wire or connection point. This allows operators to interpret resistance measurements visually without manually reading multimeter displays or tracing complex wiring diagrams, significantly reducing labor intensity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces LED indicators as an intermediary between the multimeter's electrical measurements and the operator's visual interpretation. The LEDs translate resistance values into intuitive visual signals (lit/not lit), serving as a mediator that simplifies the operation process while preserving the underlying measurement capability.
2Reliability
If comprehensive continuity testing is performed across all wires, then complete diagnostic coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical system into discrete segments corresponding to individual wires or connection points, with each segment represented by a dedicated LED indicator. This segmentation allows the complex testing task to be broken down into manageable, independently testable units, maintaining comprehensive diagnostic coverage while making the device more manageable and less complex overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal testing interface where a single multimeter can test multiple different wires and connection points by simply changing which LED is activated. The same physical device and measurement process serve multiple diagnostic functions, achieving comprehensive coverage without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to indicate test results, then ease of interpretation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LED indicators that change their optical state (lit versus not lit) to represent different resistance measurement outcomes. This color/optical state change provides immediate, intuitive visual feedback about the status of each wire or connection point, dramatically improving result interpretation ease while adding only simple, standardized components.
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
Facilitates efficient and cost-effective testing of electrical systems by providing visual indicators and automatic zone selection, reducing the need for multimeter test leads and enabling precise identification of continuity issues like Ohms resistance and heater functionality.
Implementation Method 1
visual indicators, such as LEDs
Implementation Method 2
testing for Ohms resistance, heater resistance, and shorts to ground
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure involve a testing device/apparatus configured to test various issues caused by or otherwise associated with pinched wires when two halves of a hot half tool are assembled.