This disclosure generally relates to an on-board platform with a diagnostics interface for a vehicle. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a reconfigurable in-vehicle platform with a diagnostics interface that includes mounting provisions to maintain overall rigidity, passenger compartment clearance, wireless performance, and enable multi-device installation and communication. The disclosed interface includes a primary diagnostics interface that is received into a vehicle's diagnostic link connector. The primary diagnostics interface includes a connector that can receive expansion modules to enable desired additional and supplemental functions in addition to those provided in the primary diagnostic interface.
A disclosed telematic system interfaces with an on-board diagnostic (OBD) interface to provide access to vehicle diagnostic and other vehicle performance related information. The disclosed example telematic system includes a primary gateway connector and various subsystem modules. In this disclosed example the primary gateway connector is connected to the OBD interface and is engageable with many different subsystem modules that provide functions in addition to those provided by the primary gateway connector.
These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Referring to
There are currently several classes of devices that mate to the OBD interface 16 to provide diagnostic functions. One example of such tool that is commonly utilized is a scan tool that is utilized by repair facilities to identify problems and malfunctions with the vehicle. Such scan tools include a cable and connector that is compatible with the OBD interface 16. Another class of tool includes vehicle data loggers that utilize a connection with the OBD interface 16 to log and record data during vehicle operation. A vehicle data logger is commonly housed in a rigid enclosure that is supported by the OBD interface 16. Such vehicle data loggers are designed for long term use to record driving information and other interface data that may be desired to log certain vehicle operation characteristics. Still another class of device utilized with the OBD interface 16 includes real time telematic devices that communicate vehicle information to a remote location by way of a long range wireless interface.
The OBD interface 16 is often located below the steering wheel 14 on the driver's side of the passenger cabin. Rigid objects that are connected to the OBD interface 16 extend downward and could interfere with a drivers comfort and extend into the area where a driver's legs are placed. Moreover, each of the example classes of device is dedicated to a specific task and therefore is not adaptable to different desired requirements and functions. In this disclosed example the primary gateway connector 18 is connected to the OBD interface 16 and is engageable with the subsystem modules 20, 24 that provide additional functions in addition to those provided by the primary gateway connector 18.
Referring to
The primary gateway connector 18 includes printed circuit boards 30 that are supported within an enclosure 34 that is formed integrally with the first connector 28. The circuit boards 30 includes various electrical components 32 as are required to provide the communication and logic functions provided by the primary gateway connector 18.
The enclosure 34 defines a second connector 36 disposed on an opposite of the first connector 28. The second connector 36 includes a plurality of electrical connections 38 and mechanical guides 40 configured to receive a corresponding tab 42 of a subsystem module. The primary gateway connector 18 mounts to the OBD interface 16 and remains in place. The primary gateway connector 18 defines a mounting location for different subsystem modules that provide a selection of different functions corresponding to application specific desired requirements. Accordingly, once the primary gateway connector 18 is mounted to the OBD interface 16, desired features can be interchanged without removal of the gateway connector 18 by changing out subsystem modules.
The example primary gateway connector 18 includes the necessary logic components and programming to control specific vehicle functions, interface, analyze and summarize vehicle information obtained from the vehicle controller 26 through the OBD interface 16. The primary gateway connector 18 further includes the necessary logic that provides for communication with the various types of secondary subsystem modules 20, 24 (
The primary gateway connector 18 includes subsystem logic that has sufficient processing power to automatically detect and identify the function and features of the subsystem module once mounted to the gateway connector 18. This process ensures that a different subsystem module can be attached and its benefits realized without additional configuration or setup. Moreover, devices that are mounted and removed, or utilized across different vehicle can be installed and removed easily without substantial set up time or other additional procedures.
Referring to
In one example the subsystem module 20 includes components 52 that include elements required to transmit and receive radio frequency signals such as a transceiver or receiver. Moreover, the electric components 52 can include those components required to function with global communication networks. As appreciated, a global communication network can operate with global network satellite systems (GNSS), and/or global system mobile (GSM) communication systems. It should be understood that various different subsystem modules can be configured to provide different discrete functions that utilize vehicle operation data gathered through the OBD interface 16. The disclosed telematic system 15 provides a single mounting location as defined by the primary gateway connector 18 for many different subsystem modules 20, 24. A few examples are disclosed here, but many other features can be provided by different subsystem modules configured to mate to the primary gateway connector 18, including short-range wireless (WiFi ,Bluetooth), WiMAX, dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), and multimodal internal feedback mechanisms.
Referring to
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The cable 22 provides for the subsystem module 20 to be mounted in a location remote from the OBD interface 16 that is more conducive to the specific operation desired by that subsystem module. For example in some applications the subsystem may provide for long range wireless communication. Accordingly, maximum optimization of and receipt of such signals can be optimized by mounting the subsystem modular in a position more conducive to receiving such signals such on a vehicle dash 12.
Furthermore, the subsystem module 20 could include features that require a substantially rigid mount that cannot be adequately provided by the OBD interface 16. Examples of such modules include subsystem modules 20 that include accelerometers or other gyro systems that require a substantially rigid attachment to the motor vehicle. In such instances the subsystem module 20 can be mounted as required to provide optimal operation of the specific features that the subsystem module 20 is intended to provide. The cable will then be connected between the primary gateway connector and the subsystem module 20.
Referring back to
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A second possible configuration indicated at 74 includes installation of the primary gateway connector 18 with an attached subsystem module 20. This provides a single rigid compact low profile system. As is shown the primary interface is a physical rigid system interface where the primary gateway connector is rigidly attached to the OBD interface provided for within the motor vehicle.
An alternate configuration indicated at 76 utilizes only the primary gateway connector 18 as an RF link to information accessible through the OBD interface 16. An alternate configuration indicated at 78 includes the primary gateway connector 18 connected to the OBD interface 16 and communicating through a cable 22 to a detached and remotely located subsystem module 20.
Another alternate configuration indicated at 80 includes a wireless communication link with the subsystem modules 24 supported at various locations within the motor vehicle. In such a configuration, power may be supplied by way of the OBD interface 16 to the primary gateway connector 18. Additional power may be separately communicated through wired connections to each individual subsystem module 24.
Another configuration is indicated at 82 and includes the primary gateway connector 18 being connected to the vehicle diagnostic system through a hardwired connection 70 with the vehicle controller 26 or other portions of the vehicle 10 as may be required. This configuration provides for the primary gateway connector 18 to be mounted in locations other than from the OBD interface 16. This configuration may be utilized when it is desired to frequently switch subsystem modules 20. Accordingly, the primary gateway connector 18 can be mounted in a location that facilitates access and ease of mounting the desired subsystem module 20.
Accordingly, the disclosed telematic system 15 includes the primary gateway connector 18 that provides for communication with various subsystem modules. Moreover, the disclosed telematic system provides a modular system that simplifies both the physical and functional switch out of desired features provided by different subsystem modules. The example telematic system configuration provides the desired adaptability to specific vehicle applications in order to allow each of the subsystem modules to be mounted within the vehicle at locations that optimize performance. Moreover, the ease of forming the functional and physical connection between the primary gateway connector and the various subsystem modules allows the subsystem modules to be switched out as is desired by the operator to provide the desired functions and operability required for desired applications.
Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/254,494 which was filed on Oct. 23, 2009.
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