Diagnostic tool with recessed connector
View Patent ↗A diagnostic tool that includes components that allow the diagnostic tool to record data while the vehicle is driven in order to capture data for intermittent faults. The diagnostic tool can operate in harsh conditions such as high and low temperatures. The diagnostic tool includes a capacitor to power the diagnostic tool in order to prevent complete drainage of the vehicle battery. The diagnostic tool includes a support module that can couple with a socket and a plug in order to keep them mated together during use.
1. A diagnostic tool, comprising:
a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieves diagnostic data from a vehicle;
a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and the retrieved diagnostic data, the memory communicates with the processor and stores the retreived diagnostic data in a circular buffer;
a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the connector interface communicates with the processor;
a serial communication interfaces that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the serial communication interfaces communicates with the processor; and
a recessed interface socket within a housing of the diagnostic tool, the recessed interface socket having a removable support structure module, wherein the removable support structure module includes a first cavity, a second cavity and a passage formed between the first and second cavities.
2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the first cavity supports a socket connector of the diagnostic tool and the second cavity and the passage support a plug connector of a communication plug when the socket connector is coupled to the plug connector.
3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the passage has an opening that is less than a first opening of the first cavity or a second opening of the second cavity.
4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the removable support structure module is an integrally formed housing that surrounds a portion of a plug connector so that a majority of support for the plug connector is provided by the removable support structure module instead of a socket connector of the diagnostic tool.
5. The tool of claim 4 , wherein the housing of the removable support structure module is configured to receive a USB plug.
6. The tool of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the second cavity is beveled to guide the plug connector.
7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the removable support structure module is coupled to the housing by screws.
8. The tool of claim 4 , wherein the second cavity and the passage cooperate with each other to hold the plug connector.
9. A diagnostic tool, comprising:
means for processing functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieves diagnostic data from a vehicle;
means for storing a software to operate the diagnostic tool and the retrieved diagnostic data, the means for storing communicates with the means for processing and stores retrieved diagnostic data in a circular buffer;
means for interfacing the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the means for interfacing communicates with the means for processing;
means for communicating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the means for communicating communicates with the means for processing; and
means for receiving that is recessed and formed within a housing of the diagnostic tool, the means for receiving having a removable support structure module, wherein the removable support structure module includes a first cavity, a second cavity and a passage formed between the first and second cavities.
10. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the first cavity supports a socket connector of the diagnostic tool and the second cavity and the passage support a plug connector of a communication plug when the socket connector is coupled to the plug connector.
11. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the passage has an opening that is less than a first opening of the first cavity or a second opening of the second cavity.
12. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the removable support structure module is an integrally formed housing that surrounds a portion of a plug connector so that a majority of support for the plug connector is provided by the removable support structure module instead of a socket connector of the diagnostic tool.
13. The tool of claim 12 , wherein the housing of the removable support structure module is configured to receive a USB plug.
14. The tool of claim 10 , wherein a portion of the second cavity is beveled to guide the plug connector.
15. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the removable support structure module is coupled to the housing by screws.
16. The tool of claim 12 , wherein the second cavity and the passage cooperate with each other to hold the plug connector.