TROUBLE FINDER

Abstract: A device for tracing preferably short-circuiting in electric systems. When tracing short-circuiting it is desirable that voltage and current will have normal values immediately after elimination thereof, for instance by contact. This object has been achieved in that an oscillator (23) limits the current at the output (19) to near 0 A as long as short-circuiting remains. When the short-circuiting ceases this is detected by a unit of sensitivity (24) and, as a result of this, the oscillation stops and preset current and voltage levels are entered immediately and automatically.

Description: Trouble finder This invention relates to a trouble finder of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1. Most vehicles of today, such as trucks, private cars etc have complex electric systems for instance for lighting of different kinds. Anyone who has some time been in contact with trouble tracing in electric systems out of order has quickly realized the extent of the problem. Typical and difficult errors are short-circuiting in the wiring systems. Short'circuiting appears in the form of damage caused by squeezing and abrasion which usually makes them difficult to find. The new trouble finder is preferably to be used for tracing errors in electric systems of vehicles such as trucks and towed vehicles. A special problem of towed vehicles is that they require external power supply for operation and control. External power supply means that the towed vehicle, should either be connected to -a driving vehicle or that some sort of external current source must be used, e.g. batteries or transformers. Moreover, heavy trailers of trucks require great space which often makes connection of trailer and driving vehicle impossible. Today's workshops have solved the problem by utilizing in the first place heavy batteries usually transported on a cart or the like. It is then possible to connect the voltage required by the system by means of temporary cables. In a workshop hall hoses and cables are mostly lying on the floor which involves an awkward handling if the batteries are transported by carts. Trouble tracing with batteries, also increases the risk of overheating, and consequently burns on occurring cables since fuses are not us An alternative method of trouble tracing includes the use of transformers adapted to the required voltage level. Short-circuiting is then detected as blown fuses in the equipment. Transformers deliver alternate current and must therefore not be used when tracing errors for instance in electric magnets, direct current motors, relays etc, which require continuous voltage. Several fuses are required in the trouble tracing as the repairer must proceed by trial and error and turn on voltage each time when a short- circuiting is supposed to be eliminated. Furthermore, the repairer must move in the course of the work between the equipment and the place where trouble tracing is going on each time a fuse has blown. Besides the repairer will not get any indication where the error is. With a trailing length that may amount to 18 m it is realized that a large part of the work is required for moving about and that the working time is prolonged. The present product is intended to eliminate these problems in location of faults and to add three further functions that may come in handy during the work with electric systems. These three functions include a built-in current limit relay test, a precision voltmeter and a function for locating ground connection. . The new trouble finder which has not the above short¬ comings occurring in connection with known technique and which, moreover, includes the three functions has the characteristic features defined in claim 1. The repairer is to connect the trailer contact to the equipment by means of this troμble finder after adjust¬ ment in order to control thereafter the respective function. It will be possible to detect short-circuiting, if any, through a needle throw. After this a current limiting function starts to operate which is initiated by the repairer after indication. This function limits the current for instance to about 0.5 A and will give minimum power losses in this way. Trouble tracing can then in principle go on during this time as long as desired with connected short-circuiting. When the short-circuiting is eliminated, for instance in that the repairer touches a wire, the trouble finder will stop limiting the current immediately and automatically. The trouble finder will then provide a sufficient current and voltage level so that the required power can be achieved in the function to be controlled. In this way the repairer will directly have an indication that the place of short-circuiting has been located through for instance lamps immediately starting to light. Has the repairer no possibility to optical con¬ tact with the function to be controlled he can choose a function acoustically providing an indication that the current limitation has stopped. As long as short circuit¬ ing/trouble tracing is going on a diode on the trouble finder is lit to indicate this. The invention is described below more in detail with reference to the enclosed drawing. Fig. 1 shows the .embodiment of the new trouble finder. Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the function of the trouble finder. The trouble finder has been provided with two handles 1 to be easily carried and moved and for protection of buttons and pointer instruments. On the upper side thereof two sockets 2, 3 are mounted which are intended for the most frequent electric contacts. In other cases adapters are used. It is intended that the repairer should connect the trailer contact to the trouble finder after preparing the equipment for trouble tracing. Before trouble tracing can be started the following preparations must be made. a) Line voltage is turned on by means of the switch 5. b) The desired function of the equipment is adjusted by means of the switch 6. In this case, when short- circuiting is to be traced trouble tracing/short- circuiting is set. c) The sensitivity potentiometer 10 is turned to minimum position. d) The potentiometer 9 for current limitation is turned to maximum position, e) Adjustment of the required voltage level, mostly 6, 12 or 24 V, is to be made by means of the rotary potentiometer 7. The voltage level is indicated by means of the pointer instrument 8. After this the repairer can connect the trailer contact to the socket 2 or 3 with or without adapter de¬ pending on embodiment. On the upper side of the trouble finder there is also a plurality of small switches 4.to be used by the repairer to check the respective function in a given order, for in- stance stop or rear lights of the object to be controlled. When the respective function is satisfactory nothing else will happen but that lamps will light up and the ammeter 11 changes its deflection depending on the load being checked at that moment. When short-circuiting is found that will happen which always happens according to the laws of physics. Due to the short-circuiting the major part of the resistance will disappear and, as a result of this, the current will rise towards maximum simultaneously as the voltage decreases towards zero. This is indicated by a needle throw on the pointer instruments 8,.11. The repairer should now turn the sensitivity potentiometer 10 from the preset minimum value successively towards in¬ creased deflection exactly to the -position when the ammeter 11 reduces its deflection by a jump to about 0.5 A and the light emitting diode 27 for indication of short- circuiting/trouble tracing is lighted up. The sensitivity potentiometer 10 should be adjusted as fast as possible so that the current level is reduced for during the time the current level is maximal the effect is converted into heat that must be removed by cooling. Cooling at maximum effect can only be carried out for a limited period of time. If this period is exceeded an auto¬ matic overheating protection starts to operate and the equipment will be unusable for a short time interval. Over¬ heating is indicated by the aid of a light emitting diode 12. Now the work with locating the fault can be started. Due to the low current level the current can be turned on desnite of the fact that short-circuiting is present and trouble tracing can in principle go on for any desired time. When short-circuiting ceases, for instance through the repairer touching cables or the like, the trouble finder will immediately and automatically deliver enough current for the relative function in order to indicate directly when short-circuiting comes to an end. Indication appears in that the previously erroneous function is lit again, and if needed, a summer activated by the switch 24 is also put in operation. By this the repairer has located the error without it being necessary to move between the current supply unit and the Object. Fig. 2 describes in blocks how the unit operates. A toroid core transformer 1.6 converts the voltage from 220 V - 40 V A'C. The transformer delivers 10 A. The voltage is converted into direct current and is adjusted to different voltage levels in the rectifier and regulator 17 for feed- ing of the different units., Output voltage and current can be varied by means of a variable voltage regulator 18 using the potentiometers 7 and 9 to desired values (2-37 V, 200 mA-10 A). The ammeter 11 and the volt meter 8 indicate the set levels. Current is taken out via the sockets 19 and 20. The voltage regulator 18 with current limitation is working independently as voltage unit in this position. If the sockets 19 and 20 are short-circuited the set current level will appear in the form of power losses which are cooled away by cooling fins. If this state is allowed to continue the cooling fins w-ill be rapidly overheated and a temperature sensitive resistance 21 will activate the protection 22 against overheating. At the same time as the protection 22 against overheating is activated the light emitting diode 12 for indication will light up. In order to avoid effects- of losses in shorfcircuit- ning and to enable a quick readjustment of current/voltage via the voltage regulator 18 when short-circuiting is eliminated an oscillator 23 and a sensitivity unit 23 have been connected according to Fig. 2. It is the object of the sensitivity unit 24 to sense the output 19 in order to find out if there is short-circuiting or not. If short- circuiting is found the voltage will drop. Depending on wire length to short-circuiting a voltage will arise on the output 19 which voltage deviates from 0 V. It is de- sired to eliminate this deviation. The deviation can be removed by adjusting a potentiometer 10 via an operatio¬ nal amplifier. The oscillator 23 will then sense the out¬ put 19 with a voltage level of 0 V and thereby an oscillation of a certain adjustable frequency starts I Oscillation frequency At each positive pulse the voltage regulator 18 is cut out and 0 V is detected on the output 19. When said pulse is lacking the voltage regulator 18 is connected. If there is short circuiting the voltage will not exceed the voltage level to which the wire resistance that has been removed by adjustment of the sensitivity unit 24. corresponds. The oscillator 23 will still sense the output 19 with the voltage level 0 V and will then continue to oscillate. A current will be detected by ther ammeter 11 but due to the short time interval during which voltage/current is connec¬ ted the current will not have the necessary time to rise to more than 0-.5 A. Owing to this " short-circuiting may re¬ main in principle any time as the power losses have been eliminated to a large extent. If short-circuiting is re¬ moved the voltage will rise above the level to which the wire resistance removed by adjustment corresponds. The oscillator 23 will then sense the voltage level of the output to be greater than 0 V and it will thereby stop to oscillate. The voltage regulator 18 will then immediately deliver the set voltage/current level. By this an indica¬ tion of the position of the short-circuiting will be ob¬ tained without different shifting of places to exchange fuses or to turn on voltage between voltage source and object.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A trouble finder with output (19,20) for connection to an electric system, preferably of a vehicle, and for scanning of short-circuiting therein, said trouble finder being provided with a transformer (16) as well as a rectifier (17) for electrical feeding of active units (18,22,23,24) included therein, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the active units substantially comprise a regulator unit (18) connected to the output and having a potentiometer member (7,9) for adjusting the desired normal values of current and voltage on the output (19,20), a unit of sensitivity (24) also connected to the output and arranged to enable sensing of a voltage across the output (19,20) deviating from .zero upon connection of the . trouble finder to the electric system and provided with a potentiometer (10) for balancing the sensed voltage to 0-level and an oscillator unit (23) intended for limiting the output current of the regulator unit (18) at short- circuiting in the electric system, said oscillator unit being arranged to be activated, at balanced 0-voltage level of the unit of sensitivity (24) for preferential control of the connection and disconnection of the regulator unit (18). 2. The trouble finder of claim 1 c h a r a c t e r- i z e d in that a switch (6) intended for manual actuation is connected between the oscillator unit (23) and the regulator unit (18). 3. The trouble finder of claim 2, c h a r a c t e r¬ i z e d in that a unit (22) is connected to the regulator unit (18) for protection against overheating and arranged to be activated by a resistance (21) sensitive to temperature at sensing on a cooling fin for possible overheating. 4. The trouble finder of any one of claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a light-emitting diode (27) is connected to the unit of sensitivity (24) to be activated at sensing of a voltage across the output (19,20) deviating from 0, i.e. at short-circuiting in the system. 5. The trouble finder of any one of claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a light-emitting diode (12) is connected to the . unit (22) for protection against overheatings for activation at the same time as said unit (22).

Inventors: PERSSON PETER, PERSSON, PETER
Applicants: PERSSON PETER, PERSSON, PETER
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G01R31
IPC codes: B60Q11, G01R31