Patent Publication Number: US-5831436-A

Title: Intravehicular auto harness integrity tester

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates to that class of devices that serve to test conductivity of wiring in vehicles where such wiring via a harness unit, so-called ultimately connects a power source within such vehicles to the rear lights on trailer vehicles amenable to being towed by such vehicles. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The following references are to be found within the particular field of the instant invention, but he claims and specifications set forth therein do not anticipate those that are endemic to the instant invention: 
     
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Inventor Invention         Patent No.                                     
                                    Date                                  
______________________________________                                    
Whisenand                                                                 
         Electrical Tester with                                           
                           5,267,250                                      
                                    11/22/94                              
         Electrical Energizable Test                                      
         Probe                                                            
Jeter    Trailer Light Converter                                          
                           4,781,393                                      
                                    11/1/88                               
Schneider, III                                                            
         Compact Lamp and Circuit                                         
                           5,278,511                                      
                                    1/11/94                               
         Tester for Vehicles,                                             
         Particularly Automobiles                                         
Lieu et al.                                                               
         Portable Apparatus for                                           
                           5,250,907                                      
                                    10/5/93                               
         Testing Multi-Harness and                                        
         Electrical Assemblies to                                         
         Identify Wiring Errors                                           
Lemon    Apparatus for Determining                                        
                           5,192,912                                      
                                    3/9/93                                
         Wiring Orientation at Electrical                                 
         Connectors Including Plural                                      
         Light Indicators and Rotary                                      
         Switch                                                           
McConchie Sr.                                                             
         Diagnostic Test Apparatus                                        
                           4,884,033                                      
                                    11/28/89                              
         Electrical System of Automotive                                  
         Vehicle                                                          
Butchko  Vehicle Light Testing System                                     
                           4,866,390                                      
                                    9/12/89                               
         for Testing a Plurality of Lights                                
         Using a Scanning Sequence                                        
Borland  Auto Harness lntegrity Tester                                    
                           5,635,843                                      
                                    6/3/97                                
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     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     1. A Brief Description of the Invention 
     The instant invention consists of a first housing unit that typically is mounted in, or about the dash of a motor vehicle or, alternatively on another surface within the ready view of the driver of such a vehicle when the driver is seated in the driver&#39;s seat of the vehicle. Within this housing unit there are three (3) small light emitting diodes therein held stationary and connected by three (3) wires emanating from each of three (3) resistor units. Each diode is likewise connected to a fourth ground wire. A second embodiment features connection of diodes to a ground wire via the resistors that are connected to ground. Each resistor has wiring connected thereto that, upon entry into or exit from the housing unit is along with the ground wiring housed within a coaxial cable unit. The second embodiment has wiring connecting directly to the diodes upon entry into the housing unit within the coaxial cable, and; wiring leading instead from each of the three (3) resistors to a ground wire. In respect of each embodiment, the cable and enclosed wiring runs through and within the vehicle from within a second housing unit located typically in the trunk of the vehicle. Within the second housing unit there is further wiring. The second housing unit has at one i.e., first end, a set of three identical male prongs and a female socket pocket. The first end of the second housing unit is meant to interface frontwise with a power plug emanating from an intravehicular power source with the power plug typically having three female socket pockets and one male prong. The four wires within the coaxial cable are, within the second housing unit connected one wire per prong to interior ends of the three identical male prongs thereof and the ground wire is connected to a metallic base of the female socket pocket thereof. These three identical male prongs interface with the three female socket pockets of a power plug portion of a typical auto harness and the female socket pocket interfaces with the male prong thereof. The ground wire within the second housing unit so connected to the metallic base of the female socket pocket on the front face of the second housing unit that interfaces with the male prong of the power plug portion of a typical auto harness serves to facilitate the flow of power to ground. A variant of each embodiment is one wherein each is equipped with a switch. 
     2. Objects of the Invention 
     It is inconvenient and time consuming to be required to walk behind a trailer vehicle being hauled by a motor vehicle to check to see if its rear running and, parking lights and then right rear braking and directional lights and left rear braking and directional lights are working and upon observing failure in either one or more these systems to then be required to ascertain via continuing walking around and inspecting whether such failure is due to failure within the vehicle or vehicle&#39;s power harness or within the bulbs or wiring of the trailer vehicle itself. Invariably, diagnosis in any such event requires an unhooking of the trailer vehicle from the vehicle and a rechecking of the above-mentioned systems within the vehicle itself. However, utilization of the instant invention will very quickly and expeditiously enable one to ascertain whether there are vehicle or harness problems with respect to such systems. Without ever leaving the vehicle, one can simply check to see if all three such systems on the vehicle or harness are working merely by viewing the diode components of the instant invention as the appropriate activation switches relating to each are turned on, then off. Once it is clear that all such systems are properly working, then, the appropriate activation switches can once again, be turned on one at a time to discern, via one walk around inspection only, operability or not of the corresponding lighting systems in the rear of the trailer vehicle. 
     Respectfully submitted, the instant invention whether installed by an auto manufacturer or subsequently retrofitted thereto by an owner of the motor vehicle is a very simple, uniquely inexpensive and convenient device that facilitates quick and ready diagnosis initially from within the vehicle itself of the actual source of any such rear light systems problem should there prove to be any and as such the instant invention constitutes a rather marked improvement over the current art regarding such devices. 
    
    
     A DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle as well as showing the instant invention positioned within the motor vehicle. 
     FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of the portion of the instant invention that interfaces with an automobile harness. 
     FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of the whole of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a portion of a first embodiment of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a portion of a second embodiment of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a broken plan view of the exterior portions of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the whole of the first embodiment of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 equipped with a switch component. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 equipped with a switch component. 
    
    
     A DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle A equipped with the instant invention. An auto harness B in apposition to a housing component 2 of the instant invention is also therein shown. FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of housing component 2 of the instant invention in apposition to the end of an auto harness B. FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of the whole of the instant invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views of the contents of housing component 1 of each of two embodiments of the instant invention respectively. FIG. 6 is a broken plan view of the instant invention showing its housing component 1 and housing component 2 conjoined by coaxial cable 3. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram the whole of the first embodiment of the instant invention. Resort to a viewing of FIG. 7 permits one to gain an appreciation for the manner in which the instant invention functions. Electric power from a power source within a motor vehicle A is transmitted via an auto harness B to each of three male prongs 20, 21 and 22 affixed at one end side of housing component 2 by way of being thereat mounted perforce of through holes 29, 30 and 31 respectively in this end side of housing component 2. Wires 14, 15 and 16 are affixed at interior ends respectively of prongs 20, 21 and 22 and serve to carry electric power received by the prongs by virtue of the interconnection of each of the prongs with female socket pockets within harness B. Wires 14, 15 and 16 exit housing component 2 via a cable through hole 28 located in one side of housing component 2 whereat coaxial cable 3 carrying wires 14, 15 and 16 is thereto connected. Power flows through wires 14, 15 and 16 within cable 3 to the location of a cable through hole 27 found in a side of housing component 1. Wires 14, 15 and 16 entering housing component I connect as respects a first embodiment of the instant invention, respectively therein to first ends of resistors 17, 18 and 19. Wires 7, 8 and 9 therein connect second ends of resistors 17, 18 and 19 to light emitting diodes 4, 5 and 6 affixed within housing component 1 at a second end side thereof that in one variant is transparent and closed and that in a second variant is open. Wires 10, 11 and 12 connect diodes 4, 5 and 6 respectively to a wire 13 also contained within cable 3. Power through diodes 4, 5 and 6 runs via wire 13 to ground by virtue of the connection of wire 13 to a metallic base of female socket pocket 23. Female socket pocket 23 connects with a male prong on auto harness B. A second embodiment of the instant invention, with either a closed, transparent or open second end side of a housing component 1 is characterized by wires 14, 15 and 16 connecting within housing component 1 directly to diodes 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Wires 24, 25 and 26 connect diodes 4, 5 and 6 respectively to respective first ends of resistors 17, 18 and 19. Respective second ends of resistors 17, 18 and 19 connect to wire 13. Power entering diodes 4, 5 and 6 directly via wires 14, 15 and 16, passes via wires 24, 25 and 26 respectively to resistors 17, 18 and 19 and therefrom to ground via wire 13 connected to a metallic base of female socket pocket 23 as described above with reference to the first embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the manner in which each embodiment of the instant invention is amenable to being equipped with a switch 32. Switch 32, for example, a typical SPTS switch unit serves to control the flow of electric power to and ultimately from diodes 4, 5 and 6. 
     In conclusion, respectfully submitted, the instant device is indeed novel and unique whereas it permits the continuous testing during operation of a motor vehicle of the integrity of an automobile harness for purposes of transmitting power to the rear lighting of a trailer vehicle being towed by the automobile.