Diagnostic connector assembly (DCA) interface unit (DIU)

Abstract

In a diagnostics system for use on vehicles, wherein the improvement comprises a connector assembly that translates diagnostic connector assembly signals into a digital format suitable for computer based analysis and fault diagnosis on an individual vehicle and vehicle fleet basis.

1 . A method for providing diagnostic capabilities to legacy vehicles having analog connector assemblies that output analog signals relating to vehicle health, comprising the steps of:
 attaching a diagnostic interface unit to the analog connector assembly, the diagnostic interface unit having specialized signal conditioning circuits and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to a processor; and,   providing the processor with algorithms to be able to diagnose and prognosticate present and future problems relative to the vehicle and to provide an output of the diagnosis or prognosis information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal conditioning circuits include multiplexer circuits to enable the processor to simultaneously process multiple signals. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , and further including coupling the output of the processor to on-board diagnostic equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , and further including coupling the output of the processor to an off-board diagnostic computer. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus for the detecting of signals available from a vehicle for use in diagnosis and prognostication, comprising:
 an analog connector assembly embedded at said vehicle and adapted to provide signals useful in diagnosis and prognostication related to said vehicle; and,   a digital interface unit adapted to be connected to said analog connector assembly and carrying signal conditioning circuits, filtering circuits, multiplexing circuits, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting conditioned and multiplexed signals into digital signals, said digital signals being coupled to a processor, said diagnostic interface unit including an output connector assembly adapted to output signals from said processor to diagnostic or prognosticating computers.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said diagnostic or prognosticating computers are embedded in said vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said diagnostic or prognosticating computers are external to said vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said diagnostic interface unit includes a housing, a diagnostic connector assembly at one end of said housing adapted to connect to said analog connector, a circuit board within said housing carrying at least said processor, and said output connector assembly includes an output connector at an end of said housing opposite the end at which said diagnostic connector assembly is mounted. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said vehicle includes a bus and wherein said diagnostic interface unit is coupled to said bus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said bus is adapted to be coupled to a processing module. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said processing module includes one of a sensor interface unit and a portable maintenance aid. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , and further including at least one of a electronic control unit and transmission control unit coupled to said bus. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , and further including a vehicle bus coupled to said processing module and further including at least one of a central tire inflation module and automatic braking module coupled to said vehicle bus. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , and further including a discrete sensor coupled to said processing module. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , and further including a GPS receiver coupled to said processing module. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , and wherein said processing module supports at least one of an 802.11 communications network, a USB bus, a VGA bus, an RS-422 bus and a Gig-E x 2 bus.