Ignition current tester

An apparatus to aid in the testing of engine ignition systems is herein disclosed. The apparatus is connected in a series wiring path between a spark plug wire and a spark plug of an internal combustion-type engine. The apparatus comprises a housing containing a resistor and a lamp which provide illuminated indication of a current flowing through the apparatus. The apparatus allows a user to quickly determine if an ignition circuit of an engine is operating properly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to automobile ignition systems, and in particular, to a device adapted for quickly and accurately assessing the state of a spark plug ignition portion of an automobile ignition system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One (1) particular type of work found around motor vehicles, small engine repair shops, farms, and the like is that of engine repair. One (1) critical factor that must be verified at an early stage of repair diagnosis is that of a proper spark being supplied by the ignition system. Since the spark is provided in the interior of the combustion cylinder, a mechanic must rely on other indications of a proper spark which may not be highly reliable.

The verification of proper spark firing is a time consuming and difficult process which is nonetheless critical in the assessment of engine repair. Conventional methods for testing the working status of the system involve the removal and replacement of various portions of the system in order to access the components necessary to test the electrical current and the like. Such methods are expensive due to the time and labor involved in the removal and replacement processes.

Various attempts have been made to provide a device for verifying the status of an ignition system. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,148, issued in the name of Pittman, describes an integral engine timing light. U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,591, issued in the name of Doss, describes an ignition performance monitor for permanent installation in a motor vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,362, issued in the name of Lance, describes an apparatus adapted to test the status of these types of ignition systems.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices involve permanent installments which are not standard on existing vehicles and which are inefficient or cost prohibitive for one (1) time use when attempting to verify the state of an existing ignition system prior to engine work. Also, many such devices require significant work prior to testing including the removal and subsequent replacement of various parts of the system between each test. Accordingly, there exists a need for an ignition current tester without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to quickly test the working status of an existing conventional spark plug engine ignition system without undue labor associated with conventional methods of accessing internal portions of the system. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need.

To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for testing and verifying proper operation of an engine ignition system. The apparatus provides an illuminated visual indication of a current being conducted to a spark plug. The apparatus comprises first and second electrical cables, a post connector, a housing, a lamp, and a spark plug connector.

Another object of the present invention is to connect to an existing ignition source, such as a spark plug wire, and a spark plug such that as an internal current flows through the apparatus, the lamp is illuminated indicating that sufficient current is present to cause a spark plug to function properly.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an inserting attachment means into a boot connector portion of an existing spark plug wire. This is accomplished via the post connector, which comprises a highly-conductive copper tip which physically mimics a terminal end of a common spark plug.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment means to an existing spark plug via the spark plug connector. The spark plug connector comprises a molded cup-like form which provides an interference fit to the spark plug.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow convenient viewing of the lamp by a user. The lamp is contained within the housing, which comprises a flush-mounted transparent viewing lens along a top surface.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to indicate to a user that sufficient current is present to cause a spark plug to function properly. The circuit further comprises a resistor interconnected in a parallel wiring path with the lamp which produces a voltage drop adequate to power the lamp when sufficient current is present.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow an engine to run with the apparatus in place such that a user can observe whether the ignition system is functioning properly under operational conditions, allowing the user to identify problems such as intermittent ignitions and the like.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide safe operation via the housing and via insulation portions which are located around the electrical cables, providing an effective waterproof barrier to the electrical portions of the apparatus.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow multiple units of the apparatus to be utilized simultaneously in order to test multiple cylinders of an existing engine at the same time.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of quickly connecting the post connector and spark plug connector to an existing boot connector portion and spark plug wire of an existing engine respectively, starting the engine, and observing illumination of the lamp through the viewing lens in order to accurately assess and troubleshoot the operating status of the ignition system of the existing motor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention describes an ignition current tester (herein described as the “apparatus”)10, which provides a means for testing and verifying proper operation of an engine ignition system comprising an illuminated visual indication of a current being conducted to a spark plug80. The apparatus10is connected in an in-line manner between an ignition source such as a spark plug wire70, and a spark plug80. As an internal current flows through the apparatus10, an internal lamp47is illuminated85, thereby indicating that sufficient current is present to cause a spark plug80to function properly in an engine. A user may utilize the apparatus10on various motorized equipment utilizing spark plugs80such as, but not limited to: motor vehicles, small engines, tractors, or the like.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a perspective view of the apparatus10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus10comprises a first electrical cable20, a second electrical cable25, a post connector30, a housing40, a lamp47, and a spark plug connector50. The post connector30provides an inserting attachment means into a boot connector portion60of an existing spark plug wire70(seeFIG. 2). The post connector30comprises a highly-conductive crimped and/or soldered copper tip which physically mimics a terminal end of a common spark plug80. The post connector30is connected to, and in electrical communication with the housing40via a first electrical cable20comprising a length of standard insulated high voltage ignition cable.

The housing40comprises a durable plastic enclosure providing sealed protection thereto an internal lamp47(seeFIG. 3). The housing40also comprises a flush-mounted transparent or translucent viewing lens45along a top surface to allow convenient viewing of said lamp47by a user. In a similar manner as the aforementioned first electrical cable20, a proximal end portion of the second electrical cable25is affixed to an opposite side surface of the housing40. The distal end portion of said second electrical cable25provides an attachment means thereto the spark plug connector50. The spark plug connector50comprises a molded cup-like form similar in construction and function to the boot connector portion60of the spark plug wire70, thereby providing an inserting connection means thereto an existing spark plug80by applying an engaging interference fit.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an environmental view of the apparatus10depicting an in-use state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. An electrical current from an ignition source such as a coil or distributor passes through the apparatus10to the spark plug80. The post connector30physically mimics a terminal end of a common spark plug80, thereby allowing engagement of an existing boot connector portion60of an existing spark plug wire70providing a slight interference fit into. To utilize the apparatus10a user would insert the post connector30into the existing boot connector portion60of the spark plug wire70, and insert the existing spark plug80into the spark plug connector50to establish a current flow. As power flows from the ignition system through the apparatus10to the spark plug80, the lamp47provides an illumination85to indicate a successful test. The engine being tested can be run with the apparatus10in place to observe, for example, an intermittent ignition or similar ignition problem. It is understood that multiple units of the apparatus10may also be utilized to test several cylinders of the engine at once.

The electrical cables20,25each comprise a length of insulated ignition wire approximately six (6) inches in length and approximately a quarter (¼) inch in diameter being capable of withstanding expected voltages normally provided to a spark plug80. Additionally, the insulation portion of the electrical cables20,25is to provide an effective waterproof barrier.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a section view of the apparatus10taken along section line A-A (seeFIG. 2), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The housing40comprises a durable rectangular plastic enclosure providing sealed protection thereto an internal resistor43and a lamp47. The electrical cables20,25enter the housing40through opposing side surfaces of said housing40being secured thereto said housing40using respective wire clamps42mounted within the housing40. The wire clamps42fit tightly around an insulated end portion of each cable20,25and are affixed thereto a bottom surface of the housing40using common fasteners90. Additionally, a connection between the housing40and said electrical cables20,25is accomplished using common rubber grommets41. An ignition current flowing through said electrical cables20, is routed to the resistor43and the lamp47via internal wiring27extending from the clamped end portion of the cables20,25into the housing40. The resistor43and lamp47are to be secured to an interior bottom surface of the housing40using an adhesive95such as, but not limited to: RTV silicone, glue, or the like.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an electrical block diagram of the apparatus10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The resistor43and lamp47are interconnected in a parallel wiring path via internal electrical wiring27. The resistor43produces a voltage drop being adequate to power the lamp47. The resistor43, lamp47, electrical wiring27, and any other necessary electrical components are enclosed within the housing40. The resistor43is envisioned to provide a value of approximately four thousand seven hundred ohms (4700Ω); however, alternate resistor values may be selected to produce a desired amount of illumination85of the lamp47. The lamp47preferably comprises a T-2 neon lamp; however, other illuminating devices may be provided with equal benefit such as, but not limited to: a light-emitting diode (LED), a wire ended lamp, a Candelabra Edison Screw lamp, and other such electric powered lighting components.

The method of utilizing the apparatus10may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring at least one (1) unit of the apparatus10; disconnecting an existing boot connector60from an existing spark plug80; inserting the post connector30into said boot connector60; inserting the spark plug connector50onto the existing spark plug80; starting the engine; observing illumination85provided by the lamp47through the viewing lens45due to the passing of current through the apparatus10, thereby troubleshooting an ignition system; replacing and/or cleaning faulty spark plugs80or performing other needed repairs; repeating the ignition current test using the apparatus10on remaining spark plugs80as needed; and, benefiting from accurate and safe testing of ignition wiring and spark plugs80afforded a user of the present apparatus10.

The engine being tested can be run with the apparatus10in place to observe an intermittent ignition problem. It is understood that multiple units of the apparatus10may also be utilized to test several cylinders of the engine at once.