Vehicle diagnostics apparatus, diagnostics unit and methods

US9704307B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED · GB

Inventors

• Robert Owen · Mühlacker, DE
• Jason Treharne · Llanelli, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2014
• Grant date: Jul 11, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07C5/008
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A diagnostics unit (10) for detecting a noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) type fault observed by a user of a vehicle (90). The diagnostics unit (10) comprising: a stud type attachment means (20) for rigidly attaching the diagnostics unit (10) to a test component (30) of the vehicle (90), for example a transfer case (30). The diagnostics unit (10) also comprises an accelerometer (28a, 28b) for detecting a force of acceleration in at least one axial direction (‘X’). A power source (27) is provided within the diagnostics unit (10) along with a Bluetooth® data transmitter (25) for transmitting data gathered by the accelerometer (28a, 28b) of the diagnostics unit (10) to a computing device (50), such as a lap-top disposed within the vehicle (90). The data is analysed by the lap-top (50) to identify which component of the transfer case (30) (for example, gear, chain, bearing) is faulty.