FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to a motor vehicle and more particularly to On Board Diagnostic systems for motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Vehicle manufacturers generally provide On Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems on vehicles such as two-wheelers, light-duty cars, trucks etc. These diagnostic systems monitor various parameters that affect overall functioning of the vehicle and generate data for processing. Typically, OBD systems feature a network of in-vehicle sensors that monitor the vehicle's electrical, mechanical, and emissions systems, and in response generate data that are processed by the vehicle's control unit. The data is used, for example, to detect malfunctions or deterioration in the vehicle's performance.

[003] Thus, the OBD systems generally include a standardized connector, referred to as an OBD connector/ diagnostic connector/ diagnostic port. The diagnostic port being connected to the OBD system is connected to an external scanner. Once connected, the diagnostic port provides access to the OBD system and the data from the system which is thereby retrieved by the scanner.

[004] The diagnostic connector is typically positioned either near a battery or near an engine of the vehicle. As such, ready accessibility of the diagnostic port during a repair process is a persistent concern. Further, vehicles provided with electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems require frequent diagnosis for correction of any faulty codes that may occur. Typically, such data are stored in electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. However, it is not always possible and preferable to access the ECU directly, which makes the positioning of the diagnostic port critical in the vehicle layout. However, in conventional systems, in case a user or a technician wants an access to the diagnostic port, then the user or the technician normally requires a set of tools. Accessing the diagnostic port on a regular basis therefore becomes a cumbersome task.

[005] Further, since the diagnostic port is situated in a substantially non accessible region of the vehicle, replacement and servicing of the diagnostic port requires dis-assembling of multiple parts of the vehicle. This is not only an arduous task but also increases service time manifold.

[006] Hence, there is a need in the art for a motor vehicle having a diagnostic port and addressing at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [007] The present invention is directed to a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a diagnostic port mounted on a vehicle component such that the diagnostic port is directly accessible by a user to obtain status of various vehicle sub-systems.

[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle component has a utility box disposed below a seat and the diagnostic port is mounted inside the utility box and accessible by opening the seat. In another embodiment, the diagnostic port is removably mounted on a side wall of the utility box.

[009] In yet another embodiment, the diagnostic port is disposed inside an electrical enclosure, the electrical enclosure having a top opening for further receiving at least one fuse, at least one relay, and at least one flasher; and a bottom opening to receive respective multi-wire cables for connecting each of the diagnostic port, the fuse, the relay, and the flasher to a vehicle wiring system. In an embodiment, the electrical enclosure has an openable and a closeable protection cap attached to the top opening for accessing the diagnostic port, the fuse, the relay, and the flasher. In a further embodiment, the electrical enclosure is a junction box. In yet another embodiment, the electrical enclosure is disposed inside the utility box.

[010] In another embodiment, the vehicle component has an aperture made thereon for receiving and fixedly mounting the diagnostic port therein. In a further embodiment, the diagnostic port is disposed inside a housing, the housing having a first opening to receive the diagnostic port, and a second opening to receive a wiring harness. In an embodiment, the housing has an openable and a closeable cap attached to the first opening for accessing the diagnostic port. In a further embodiment, the housing has an actuator for opening and closing the cap. In an embodiment, the aperture is further configured to receive the actuator such that the actuator is directly accessible by the user.

[011] In an embodiment of the invention, outer periphery of the housing has fastening means for detachably mounting the diagnostic port on the vehicle component. In another embodiment, the vehicle component is a glove box or a handlebar or a floorboard. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[012] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a right-side view of a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2a shows an exploded view of a housing having a diagnostic port in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2b shows the housing for the diagnostic port along with a wire in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2c shows the housing for the diagnostic port in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a top perspective exploded view of the motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows the housing mounted in an aperture in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of the motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6a shows a top perspective view of an electric enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6b shows a top perspective view of the electric enclosure having various electric components in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a top perspective view of the motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[013] The present invention relates to diagnostic systems in motor vehicles.

[014] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary motor vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 comprises a main frame 10 having a head tube 12. Towards front side, the motor vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 14 connected to a front wheel 16 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 18, which forms a steering assembly of the motor vehicle 100. The steering assembly has a pair of rearview mirrors 36a, 36b. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about the head tube 12. The main frame 10 extends rearwardly downward from the head tube 12 and has a bent portion thereafter extending substantially in a longitudinal direction.

[015] The motor vehicle 10 further has an internal combustion (IC) engine 20. In the present embodiment, the IC engine 20 is swingably connected to the main frame 10. Towards rear side, the motor vehicle 10 has a rear wheel 22 connected to one or more rear suspensions 24. The motor vehicle 10 also has an exhaust system 26 extending rearwards from the IC engine 20. In addition, the vehicle 10 has a rear fender 28 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 22 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 22.

[016] Further, the motor vehicle 10 has a seat 32 supported by the main frame 10. The seat 32 is hingedly openable to provide access to a utility box 38 (shown in Figures 2 and 3) disposed beneath the seat 32. The motor vehicle 10 has a floorboard 34 wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 100 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 34. Further, the floorboard 34 is capable of carrying loads. [017] In addition, a utility box is disposed below the seat 32 and is supported by the main frame 10. A fuel tank (not shown) is disposed adjacent to the utility box 38. Furthermore, the vehicle 100 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight assembly 42, a taillight assembly 30, a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). Further, the motor vehicle 100 is thus made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 40.

[018] Referring now to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, the present invention discloses a diagnostic port 200 (shown in Figure 2a). According to the invention, the diagnostic port 200 is mounted on a component of the motor vehicle 100 such that the diagnostic port 200 is directly accessible to a user in order to obtain status of various vehicle sub-systems. In an embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic port 200 is disposed inside a housing 250. As seen in Figure 2a, the housing 250 is essentially a protective casing and has a first opening 250a and a second opening (not shown). The first opening 250a allows a user to access the diagnostic port 200. Further, as seen in Figures 2a and 2b, the diagnostic port 200 is also connected to a wiring harness 260. In the same embodiment, the wiring harness 260 is received from the second opening of the housing 250. The wiring harness 260 terminates into a coupler 262, whereby the coupler 262 connects the diagnostic port 200 to a vehicle wiring system. The vehicle wiring system eventually connecting to components and the sensors of the vehicle sub-systems of the motor vehicle 100. [019] In another embodiment of the invention, and as seen in Figures 2a and 2b, the housing 250 has an openable and closeable cap 270. In yet another embodiment, and as seen in Figure 2c, the cap 270 is attached to the housing 250 by a string 272. In a further another embodiment, the cap 270 is hingedly attached to the housing 250. The aforementioned attachment provisions of the cap 270 to the housing 250 ensures that the cap 270 is not misplaced after opening during servicing or while accessing the diagnostic port 200. Further, as shown in the Figures, in yet another embodiment of the invention, the housing 250 has an actuator 274. The actuator 274 is used for opening and closing the cap 270.

[020] Referring now to Figures 3 and 5, in an embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle 100 is a saddle-type two wheeled motor vehicle. As explained hereinabove, the motor vehicle 100 has the hingedly openable seat 32 supported by the main frame 10. When the seat 32 is opened, the user gains access to the utility box 38 disposed beneath the seat 32. In an embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic port 200 is mounted inside the utility box 38. For this purpose, an aperture is made through a wall of the utility box 38. The aperture thus receives the diagnostic port 200 and the diagnostic port 200 is fixedly mounted therein. In a further embodiment, the diagnostic port 200 is removably mounted on any side wall of the utility box 38 using various fastening means such as snap fit system, screws, nuts, bolts, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives etc.

[021] In another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figure 3, the housing 250 with the diagnostic port 200 disposed therein is mounted inside the utility box 38. Accordingly, an aperture is made on any of the walls in the utility box 38 for receiving the housing 250 with the diagnostic port 200. Referring to Figure 4, in an embodiment, the aperture is further widened to receive the actuator 274 such that the actuator 274 is directly accessible by the user. Further, in another embodiment of the invention, the housing 250 has fastening means 276 (shown in Figure 2c) on an outer periphery. The housing 250 is thus detachably mounted to the utility box 38 by using the fastening means 276. In an embodiment, the fastening means 276 are selected from a snap fit system, screws, nuts, bolts, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives etc.

[022] Referring now to Figures 6a and 6b, in an embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic port 200 is disposed inside an electric enclosure 600. The electric enclosure 600 is an encasing having a body 602. The body 602 has a top opening and a bottom opening (not shown). Further, the top opening has an openable protection cap 604. In the referred embodiment, the protection cap 604 of the electric enclosure 600 is opened and a plurality of electric components are received inside the body 602 of the electric enclosure 600 from the top opening. In an embodiment, the electric enclosure 600 receives and at least one fuse 300, at least one relay 400, and at least one flasher 500. In the same embodiment, a separate wiring harness for each of the aforementioned components is received from the bottom opening of the electric enclosure 600. The wiring connected to the diagnostic port 200 connects the diagnostic port 200 to the vehicle wiring system. The vehicle wiring system eventually connects to the components of the vehicle sub- systems of the motor vehicle 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the electrical enclosure 600 is a junction box.

[023] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cap 604 is attached to the body 602 by a string. In a further another embodiment, the cap 604 is hingedly attached to the body 602 of the electric enclosure 600. The aforementioned attachment provisions of the protection cap 604 to the body 602 ensures that the protection cap 604 is not misplaced after opening during servicing or while accessing the diagnostic port 200.

[024] Referring now to Figure 7, wherein the electric enclosure 600 is disposed inside the utility box 38. Thus, the enclosure 600 along with the diagnostic port 200 is mounted inside the utility box 38. In an embodiment, an aperture is made in the utility box 38 for receiving the electric enclosure 600. Further, in another embodiment of the invention, the electric enclosure 600 has fastening means 606 (shown in Figure 6a) on an outer periphery. The electric enclosure 600 is thus detachably mounted to the utility box 38 by using the fastening means 606. In an embodiment, the fastening means 606 are selected from a snap fit system, screws, nuts, bolts, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives etc.

[025] It must be noted that although mounting of the diagnostic port 200 has been described with respect to a utility box, the mounting position is not restrictive to only the utility box 38. In various embodiments of the invention, the diagnostic port 200 with or without the housing 250 or the electric enclosure 600 is mounted on a glove box, or the handlebar, or the floorboard 34 or any other component with provides a direct access to the diagnostic port 200 when access by a user or a technician.

[026] Advantageously, the present invention provides a substantial accessibility of the diagnostic port to the user or the technician. Therefore, assessing vehicle sub systems and their state becomes quick and easy and does not involve dis-assembling multiple parts. Further, since the diagnostic port is located on a user accessible location, accessing the diagnostic port does not require any tools or techniques. Additionally, a direct access to the diagnostic port substantially decreases time required to diagnose problems and accordingly service the vehicle. [027] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.