초록 ▼

An automobile diagnostic system monitors in real-time sub-system components. The system has a plurality of acoustic and video sensors in combination for audibly detecting and visually monitoring critical noise levels and/or vibrations in sub-systems such as brakes, shocks, universal joints, exhaust

An automobile diagnostic system monitors in real-time sub-system components. The system has a plurality of acoustic and video sensors in combination for audibly detecting and visually monitoring critical noise levels and/or vibrations in sub-systems such as brakes, shocks, universal joints, exhaust and transmission systems, etc. Each combination sensor is attached a particular sub-system component for monitoring. The data is recorded on a (VCR) system for visual identification and the recording transmitted to a television and Video Cassette. A control panel has a series of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and audible alarms as respective visual and audible alert indicators of tuned frequencies for a particular sub-system component.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. An automobile monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of sensor modules selectively disposed adjacent an automobile subsystem, each one of said plurality of sensor modules detecting characteristics of the automobile subsystem, and generating respective audio and video signals represe

I claim: 1. An automobile monitoring system, comprising: a plurality of sensor modules selectively disposed adjacent an automobile subsystem, each one of said plurality of sensor modules detecting characteristics of the automobile subsystem, and generating respective audio and video signals representative of the detected characteristics; a plurality of control circuits respectively connected to said plurality of sensor modules; means for attaching each sensor module to a respective automobile subsystem to be monitored; each said audio signal being characteristically distinct and different from each said video signal; means for selectively generating an output signal of said at least one of said audio and said video signals electrically coupled to each said control circuits; and means for storing said output signals of said at least one subsystem component from the automobile; and means for indicating a characteristic condition of said output signals; wherein each one of said plurality of control circuits transmitting corresponding pairs of said first and second signals to said means for selectively generating, and said means for indicating a characteristic condition of a said sub-system and said means for storing data indicating and storing the generated output signals; whereby a diagnostic evaluation of the automobile subsystem is determined from the indicating and storing means. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for indicating includes a video receiver and monitor. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said means for indicating and said means for storing are a combination television receiver, monitor, and video recorder. 4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a multiplexer connected within said combination television receiver, monitor, and video recorder for providing serial signal inputs thereto. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit for controlling said audio and video signals representative of at least one characteristic of said component automobile subsystem and said means for selectively generating an output signal of said at least one first and second input signals is a control panel having a control switch for selecting a desired pair of said audio and video signals. 6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said means for indicating is an audio alert amplifier having a tuned frequency corresponding to a particular subsystem component for alerting the operator of a signal indicating defective operation of said component. 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said means for indicating is an alert LED having a tuned frequency corresponding to a particular subsystem component for alerting the operator of a signal indicating defective operation of the component. 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said means for indicating and said means are a combination television receiver, monitor, and video recorder. 9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising means for reducing signal noise between said at least one pair of said audio and video signals and another pair of audio and video signals, said means for reducing signal noise including twisted cables pairs for carrying each pair of audio and video signals between said corresponding sensor modules, said control panel and said television receiver. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching includes a magnetic portion for magnetically attaching each said sensor module to the respective subsystem component. 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for attaching includes a mechanical fastener for attaching each said sensor module to the respective subsystem component. 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said mechanical fastener is a C-clamp. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensor modules are mounted at a respective plurality of subsystem components including brakes, shock absorbers, universal joints, exhaust, and transmission systems. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for indicating and said means for storing are removably mounted within the automobile being monitored.