Diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device
View Patent ↗A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensor simulator device adapted to be electronically connected to the engine control module (ECM) of a diesel engine and adapted to replace or override electronic signals being sent from an existing DEF header, that is connected between a DEF fluid tank and an ECM of the diesel engine, and send simulated analog or digital signals to the ECM to avoid a sudden reduction in power of the diesel engine, and thereby the power and speed of a diesel vehicle using the diesel engine, during failure of any of the components of the emission system of the diesel vehicle resulting in DEF readings showing that the fuel tank is empty, the fluid temperature is out of a required range, or the fluid quality is out of a required range.
1 . A diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device for use with and connected between a diesel exhaust fluid head of a diesel exhaust fluid tank and an engine control module of a diesel engine, said diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device comprising:
an encasement including:
an interior volume formed by at least one wall; and
at least one wiring aperture through said at least one wall;
an electronic circuit board;
wherein said electronic circuit board is located within said interior volume of said encasement;
wherein said electronic circuit board is adapted to retrieve electronic signals from said diesel exhaust fluid head correlating to an actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and an actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid via a first wire connected therebetween;
wherein said electronic circuit board is adapted to send electronic signals correlating to said actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid head, and said actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid to said engine control module via a second wire connected therebetween; and
wherein said electronic circuit board is adapted to produce electronic signals correlating to a chosen diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid head, and a chosen temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid and send to said engine control module via a third wire connected therebetween;
said first wire;
wherein said first wire is connected to said electronic circuit board and extends outward therefrom through said at least one wiring aperture, and is adapted to be releasably connected to said diesel exhaust fluid head of said diesel exhaust fluid tank; and
wherein said first wire is adapted to retrieve and send said electronic signals correlating to said actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and said actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid to said electronic circuit board;
said second wire;
wherein said second wire is connected to said electronic circuit board and extends outward therefrom through said at least one wiring aperture, and is adapted to be releasably connected to said engine control module of said diesel engine; and
wherein said second wire is adapted to send said electronic signals correlating to said actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and said actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid retrieved from said diesel exhaust fluid head to said engine control module;
said third wire;
wherein said third wire is connected to said electronic circuit board and extends outward therefrom through said at least one wiring aperture, and is adapted to be releasably connected to said engine control module of said diesel engine; and
wherein said third wire is adapted to send said produced electronic signals correlating to said chosen diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and said chosen temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid to said engine control module; and
a switch;
wherein said switch is connected to an exterior surface of said encasement;
wherein said switch is electronically connected to said electronic circuit board; and
wherein said switch is adapted such that a user can choose between sending said electronic signals of said second wire, said actual diesel exhaust fluid level and temperature, and sending said electronic signals of said third wire, said chosen diesel exhaust fluid level and temperature to said engine control module;
wherein when in use, when said fluid level or temperature readings are out of a predetermined range, which may cause said diesel engine to reduce power or shut down, said user can use said switch to block said out of range readings and instead send said chosen fluid level and temperature readings to said engine control module to regain use and control of said diesel engine.
2 . The diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device of claim 1 , wherein said chosen diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank correlates to substantially 75% full; and said chosen temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid correlates to substantially 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
3 . The diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device of claim 1 , wherein said electronic circuit board is further adapted to produce electronic signals correlating to a chosen quality of said diesel exhaust fluid within said diesel exhaust fluid tank; and wherein said third wire is adapted to send said produced electronic signals correlating to said chosen quality of said diesel exhaust fluid within said diesel exhaust fluid tank to said engine control module.
4 . A combination of an engine control module of a diesel engine, a diesel exhaust fluid head of a diesel exhaust fluid tank, and diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device, said combination comprising:
said engine control module including:
an electronic input connector; and
an electronic output connector;
wherein said engine control module is adapted to be electronically connected between said diesel exhaust fluid head and an engine of a diesel vehicle;
said diesel exhaust fluid head including:
a sensor;
wherein said sensor is adapted to retrieve information pertaining to diesel exhaust fluid within a diesel exhaust fluid tank;
wherein said diesel exhaust fluid head is adapted to be releasably connected to said diesel exhaust fluid tank; and
said diesel exhaust fluid sensor simulator device comprising:
an encasement including:
an interior volume formed by at least one wall; and
at least one wiring aperture through said at least one wall;
an electronic circuit board;
wherein said electronic circuit board is located within said interior volume of said encasement;
wherein said electronic circuit board is adapted to retrieve electronic signals from said diesel exhaust fluid head correlating to an actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and an actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid via a first wire connected therebetween;
wherein said electronic circuit board is adapted to send electronic signals correlating to said actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid head, and said actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid to said engine control module via a second wire connected therebetween; and
wherein said electronic circuit board is adapted to produce electronic signals correlating to a chosen diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid head, and a chosen temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid and send to said engine control module via a third wire connected therebetween;
said first wire;
wherein said first wire is connected to said electronic circuit board and extends outward therefrom through said at least one wiring aperture, and is adapted to be releasably connected to said diesel exhaust fluid head of said diesel exhaust fluid tank; and
wherein said first wire is adapted to retrieve and send said electronic signals correlating to said actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and said actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid to said electronic circuit board;
said second wire;
wherein said second wire is connected to said electronic circuit board and extends outward therefrom through said at least one wiring aperture, and is adapted to be releasably connected to said engine control module of said diesel engine; and
wherein said second wire is adapted to send said electronic signals correlating to said actual diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and said actual temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid retrieved from said diesel exhaust fluid head to said engine control said module;
said third wire;
wherein said third wire is connected to said electronic circuit board and extends outward therefrom through said at least one wiring aperture, and is adapted to be releasably connected to said engine control module of said diesel engine; and
wherein said third wire is adapted to send said produced electronic signals correlating to said chosen diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank, and said chosen temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid to said engine control module; and
a switch;
wherein said switch is connected to an exterior surface of said encasement;
wherein said switch is electronically connected to said electronic circuit board; and
wherein said switch is adapted such that a user can choose between sending said electronic signals of said second wire, said actual diesel exhaust fluid level and temperature, and sending said electronic signals of said third wire, said chosen diesel exhaust fluid level and temperature to said engine control module;
wherein when in use, when said fluid level or temperature readings are out of a predetermined range, which may cause said diesel engine to reduce power or shut down, said user can use said switch to block said out of range readings and instead send said chosen fluid level and temperature readings to said engine control module to regain use and control of said diesel engine.
5 . The combination of claim 4 , wherein said chosen diesel exhaust fluid level within said diesel exhaust fluid tank correlates to substantially 75% full; and said chosen temperature of said diesel exhaust fluid correlates to substantially 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
6 . The combination of claim 4 , wherein said electronic circuit board is further adapted to produce electronic signals correlating to a chosen quality of said diesel exhaust fluid within said diesel exhaust fluid tank; and wherein said third wire is adapted to send said produced electronic signals correlating to said chosen quality of said diesel exhaust fluid within said diesel exhaust fluid tank to said engine control module.