EP3045691A1 - Method for performing an oil change in a motor, and device for filling a motor with oil - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of performing an oil change on an engine (10) includes the following steps: a) sucking the waste oil from the engine (10); b) connecting a filling adapter (11) to an inlet (12) of the engine (10); c) introducing a measuring probe (17) into the motor (10); d) filling the motor (10) with oil via the filling adapter (11), and e) terminating the filling, when the in the motor (10) arranged measuring probe (17) detects a predetermined level. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device (1) for filling a motor (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for performing an oil change in an engine, as well as a device for filling an engine with oil, with a tank of oil, from which via a pump oil is conveyed to a filling adapter, and a measuring probe, which in the engine is insertable.

The US Pat. No. 7,207,418 B2 discloses a machine for filling geared motors known which is provided on an assembly line for the first filling. During the initial filling of the gear motor, a level measurement is additionally carried out to avoid overfilling or underfilling. The filling process can be carried out many times in succession for the same geared motor. However, this machine is not intended for workshops to carry out oil changes. In garages, a large number of different engines are filled with oil in succession during oil changes, which makes it necessary to adjust the filling quantity for each filling process.

It is known that when an oil change in vehicles mostly the oil contained in the engine is pumped out and then refilled. The filling of the engine with oil can be done manually, which is error-prone. If the engine is started with too little oil, this can lead to problems, with the level control of the vehicle emits a signal. On the other hand, if too much oil is introduced into the engine, the vehicle will not detect this as a fault and severe engine damage may occur. When filling manually, there is also the problem that just highly viscous oils that are used to save fuel, can only be measured poorly in the fill level via a dipstick. For use in workshops therefore a manual filling process is not useful because of the error rate. It should also be noted that in a workshop many different engine oils must be kept and the filling quantities for the vehicles are different depending on the engine.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device for filling an engine with oil, which allow automatic filling with oil and the error rate is reduced during the filling process.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 5.

According to the invention, after filling the used oil with suction from the engine, first a filling adapter is connected to an inlet of the engine, preferably locked or clamped. Further, before or after, a probe is inserted into the engine. Subsequently, oil is filled into the engine via the filler adapter, and the filling is terminated when the sensor arranged in the engine detects a predetermined level. A fill level control can thus be carried out via the measuring probe so that overfilling of the engine can be avoided. Thus, overfilling of the engine can be excluded even if the previous suction of the waste oil was not sufficiently performed when changing the oil. In any case, the measuring probe can end the filling process when a predetermined filling level is reached.

In order to reduce the error rate of the measuring probe with regard to the positioning in the motor, the measuring probe is preferably inserted into a guide tube on the motor. Thereby, the probe can be arranged with high positional accuracy in the engine.

In a further embodiment of the invention, after completion of the filling process, an oil distribution run is performed, for example, by starting the engine, to then fill in a further step, the engine with oil on the filler adapter. The filling according to the further step is terminated when the measuring probe detects a predetermined level which is higher than the level after the first filling operation. The filling in the first filling operation can take place with a higher filling speed than in the second filling operation, in particular with at least twice the filling speed. This has the advantage that the level can be detected more precisely. In the first filling operation, for example, a conveying speed of 1 to 10 liters / minute can be selected, while in the second conveying process only a conveying speed of 1 to 2 liters / minute is used. The delivery volume may be at least twice as large in the first delivery process, preferably more than three times as large as in the second delivery process, so that an effective automatic filling is possible.

Alternatively, it is possible to dispense with an oil distribution run. In particular, when using filters that idle with the engine stopped, can be dispensed with a Ölverteilungslauf to perform the oil change particularly efficient. Such oil filters can be traversed by a working only with the engine running oil pump, for example, because they are located above the liquid level in the engine. This will make the oil filter self-draining. Only after the emptying of the oil filter refilling the engine is made.

For a particularly accurate filling process, the oil can be sucked off above the predetermined fill level after or at the end of the filling of the engine with oil. As a result, overfilling of the engine can be safely avoided.

According to a further embodiment, a suction line for sucking off oil above the predetermined level is provided, and by detecting a change in pressure on the suction line, the filling can be terminated. As a result, the suction line is used as a sensor or sensor to detect the reaching of a predetermined level. In addition, the suction line can then suck excess oil above the level at the end of filling, which can occur especially when running after the oil when switching off the pump.

The device according to the invention for filling an engine with oil, in particular an engine, comprises a tank of oil, from which oil can be conveyed via a filling adapter via a pump, and a measuring probe, which can be inserted into the engine. The measuring probe is connected to a controller, by means of which a filling of the motor is stopped upon detection of a predetermined level. As a result, a filling process can be carried out automatically via the device during an oil change.

According to the insertion depth of the probe is adjustable. For different motors, it may be necessary to change the insertion depth, so that the probe accurately detects the desired level depending on the engine type. For this purpose, a corresponding adjusting mechanism or an adjusting drive can be provided on the holder of the measuring probe. The probe is preferably inserted into a guide tube on the motor to ensure accurate positioning within the motor.

The measuring probe can preferably be fixed to the motor via a holder. The probe can be clamped, latching or fixed by other fastening means on the engine so that it is positioned accurately.

If the measuring probe has a plurality of sensors for measuring the fill level in the engine, the filling process can be carried out in several conveying operations, which results in a calming of the water level and results in better detectability.

To stop a conveying process, the pump can be switched off to convey the oil by means of the controller. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that by means of the control a valve is switched off in front of the outlet of the filling adapter, so that the filling process is abruptly terminated in the region of the filling adapter.

Preferably, a suction line for sucking oil is provided above the predetermined level to suck oil from the engine when stopping the filling of the engine with oil when a predetermined level is exceeded. This allows a particularly precise filling process, in which also trailing oil can be sucked to ensure a predetermined level.

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Geräts zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit Öl;

Figur 2

eine Detailansicht des Behälters mit der Messsonde der Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit Öl gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes gemäß Figur 3, und

Figur 5

eine vergrößerte Detailansicht der Messsonde der Figur 3.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention for filling a container with oil;

FIG. 2

a detailed view of the container with the probe of the FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention for filling a container with oil according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4

a perspective view of a device according to the invention FIG. 3 , and

FIG. 5

an enlarged detail view of the probe of FIG. 3 ,

A device 1 for filling a container, such as an engine 10 with oil, comprises a tank 2, which is movably mounted on a frame 3. For this purpose, 3 rollers 4 are provided on the underside of the frame, so that the device 1 can be moved to a vehicle for a filling process. The tank 2 can have a capacity of, for example, between 40 and 100 l.

On the frame 3, a power supply unit 5 is further provided, which includes rechargeable batteries, so that a filling process can also be carried out when there is no connection to a power grid. The device 1 further comprises a controller having a display 6 and an input field 7.

Via a pump 8, oil can be delivered from the tank 2 via a hose 9 to a filling adapter 11. The filling adapter 11 is fixed to a nozzle 12 of the motor 10, for example via a clamping or locking mechanism.

In addition, the device 1 comprises a measuring probe 17, which is also connectable to the motor 10 and which is connected via at least one control line 16 to the control of the device 1.

As well as from the enlarged view of FIG. 2 can be seen, the measuring probe 17 comprises a probe tube 19 which is inserted into a guide tube 20 on the motor 10. The engine 10 is preferably a motor, which is shown only schematically. Via the guide tube 20, the probe tube 19 can be guided exactly within the motor 10 to the desired position, wherein the probe tube 19 can also be bent. A tip 18 of the probe tube 19 includes one or more sensors for detecting a level. Preferably, a plurality of sensors for detecting different levels are provided on the probe tube 19.

The probe tube 19 is fixed to the motor 10 via a holder 21, wherein the holder 21 has at least one stop for the exact positioning of the probe tube 19, but also further fastening means, for example a clamping mechanism, can be provided.

The measuring probe 17 also has a schematically illustrated adjusting mechanism 22, by means of which the insertion depth of the probe tube 19 is adjustable. As a result, the insertion depth of the probe tube 19 within the motor 10 can be changed depending on the engine type. A display 24 may indicate the position of the probe tube and / or the depth of immersion of the probe 18.

The measuring probe 17 is also connected via a connection 23 and the control lines 16 to the controller on the frame 3, so that upon detection of a predetermined level, the controller 6, the pump 8 can turn off. Additionally or alternatively, a valve on the filling adapter 11 can be closed, so that the filling process is terminated immediately.

For a filling process, the filling adapter 11 is first connected to the nozzle 12 of the motor 10. Before or after the probe 17 is inserted with the probe tube 19 in the guide tube 20 and fixed to the bracket 21. If necessary, the insertion depth of the probe tube 19 via the adjusting mechanism 22 can be changed manually or automatically via a drive. Subsequently, then oil from the tank 2 through the hose 9 are fed into the engine 10, wherein the oil schematically illustrated 14 collects at the bottom of the engine 10 and then rises. The conveying speed can be between 1 to 10 liters / minute, in particular 2 to 6 liters / minute, so that a speedy filling of the motor 10 takes place.

There are two options for completing the filling process. Optionally, the filling amount is stored in the control of the device 1 and can therefore be metered by the controller and the pump 8. Then, the desired amount of oil can be pumped into the engine 10, and after reaching the filling amount of the filling process is completed. The measuring probe 17 is used in this case only as a security that at an incomplete emptying of the engine 10 overfilling is avoided, because the probe 17 may give a signal to the controller upon detection of a predetermined level, so that they promptly stops the filling, even if the amount stored in the control has not yet been reached. The filling process is then ended by the control via the measuring probe 17.

Preferably, the filling operation is carried out in several substeps, in particular in two substeps, wherein after a first filling operation, an oil distribution run is started by the motor 15 is moved, so that the desired distribution of the oil 14 is achieved within the engine. Then can be refilled oil in a second filling process again, the controller can also specify the capacity during the second filling. Then, the engine 10 is filled in the second filling with a desired amount of oil and then turned off automatically. The measuring probe 17 also serves only as security against overfilling during the second filling process, since the measuring probe 17 ends the filling process as soon as a predetermined filling level is detected.

It is also possible to perform the shutdown always on detection of a certain filling level by the measuring probe 17 during the filling and not set the filling volume in a data memory of the controller. The storage of the filling volume and the additional use of the probe 17, however, lead to increased security against incorrect filling.

The filling process in the second step is carried out at a reduced conveying speed, in particular at a speed of about 1 to 2 liters / minute. Thereby, an optimized distribution of the oil 14 can be obtained within the engine and increased accuracy of the level.

In the control of the device 1, the quantities for the different engine types of the vehicles are stored. In addition, the insertion depth for the probe tube 19 may be stored depending on the vehicle or engine type. Then, the insertion depth of the measuring probe 17 can be specified via the controller manually or automatically via a drive to avoid errors during the filling process. For new vehicles or modifications, the records in the memory of the controller can be changed accordingly. Alternatively, the filling quantities and set values can also be taken from a default list and manually entered into the control.

In FIG. 3 a second embodiment of an apparatus 1 'for filling an engine 10 is shown with oil, wherein like components with the same reference numerals we in FIG. 1 are provided. The device 1 'comprises a tank 2, from which via a pump and a hose 9, a liquid, such as oil, to a filling gun with a filling adapter 11' can be conveyed, which is connectable to a nozzle 12 'on the engine. The engine 10 includes a motor gear 15 into which oil 14 is to be filled to a predetermined level.

For detecting the level, a probe tube 19 is provided, which is inserted in a guide tube 20 on the motor 10. The probe tube 19 is positioned with a tip 18 so that the tip 18 marks the predetermined level to which oil 14 is to be filled. The probe tube 19 is positioned on a wall portion 25 via a holder 26 and can be positioned at different heights relative to the holder 26 by a displacement. A display 27 indicates which height or level is associated with the tip 18 of the probe tube 19, which varies depending on the type of motor or the adjusted position of the probe tube 19 relative to the holder 26.

Unlike the first embodiment, the tip 18 is formed on the probe tube as a suction tube, which is connected to a suction line 28. The suction line 28 is connected via a suction pump 30 and a return line 31 with a collecting container 33. Further, a pressure sensor 29 is connected to the suction line 28 between the suction pump 30 and the probe tube 19, which is connected via a signal line 32 to the controller of the device 1 '.

To start the filling process, the in FIG. 3 not shown pump 8 for conveying the oil and the suction pump 30 started. The suction pump 30 generates a negative pressure in the suction line 28 and the probe tube 19. About the hose 9 oil 10 is filled in the engine until the oil level reaches the tip 18 of the probe tube 19. Due to the higher viscosity of the oil compared to the sucked air, the negative pressure within the probe tube 19 and the suction line 28 will increase. This pressure increase is detected by the pressure sensor 29 and passed through the signal line 32 to the controller, so that the pump 8 can be turned off. Due to the time delay, it can happen that even more oil runs after the engine 10 and the maximum permissible oil level is exceeded. By sucking oil through the tip 18 on the probe tube 19 and the suction line 28, the oil can be sucked and returned to the collecting container 33. The sucked oil must then be disposed of later. This ensures that the filling of the motor 10 takes place only up to the maximum permissible filling amount, which is defined by the tip 18 of the probe tube 19.

In FIG. 4 a device for filling an engine 10 with oil is shown, which according to the scheme of FIG. 3 is working. On a frame 3 of the device is a Tank 2 is arranged with fresh oil, wherein on the movable device, both a pump 8 for conveying fresh oil and the suction pump 30 are provided, via which via the suction line 28 oil is sucked. Further, a pressure switch 34 is provided on the device, which is in communication with the suction line 28 to cause a sudden increase in the pressure via a control that the pump 8 is turned off. On the frame 3 of the device also the collecting container 33 is still provided, in which the return line 31 opens. In addition, a battery 35 for operating the pump 8 and the suction pump 30 and the controller is provided. As a result, the device can be moved as a mobile unit to a vehicle for the oil change.

FIG. 5 shows the probe tube 19 which is mounted on the guide tube 20 via a holder 26. The holder 26 is connected to a strip-shaped measuring scale 36, along which a display 27 can be moved, which is connected to the probe tube 19. Thereby, the insertion depth of the probe tube 19 can be adjusted to determine the maximum level.

In the illustrated embodiments, the probe tube 19 is slidably disposed on a holder 26. It is also possible to provide several probe tubes of different fixed length, which are then designed for a motor type in length and used for this.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 '

device

2

tank

3

frame

4

role

5

Power supply unit

6

display

7

input box

8th

pump

9

tube

10

engine

11, 11 '

Einfülladapter

12, 12 '

Support

14

oil

15

engine

16

control line

17

probe

18

top

19

probe tube

20

guide tube

21

bracket

22

adjustment

23

connection

24

display

25

wall section

26

holder

27

display

28

suction

29

pressure sensor

30

suction pump

31

Return line

32

signal line

33

receptacle

34

pressure switch

35

battery

36

measurement scale

Claims (13)

Method for performing an oil change in an engine (10), comprising the following steps: a) sucking the waste oil from the engine (10); b) connecting a filling adapter (11) to an inlet (12) of the engine (10); c) introducing a measuring probe (17) into the motor (10); d) filling the motor (10) with oil via the filling adapter (11), and e) terminating the filling, when the in the motor (10) arranged measuring probe (17) detects a predetermined level. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring probe (17) is inserted into a guide tube (20) on the motor (10). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after or at the completion of filling of the engine (10) with oil, the oil is sucked off above the predetermined level. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a suction line (28) is provided for sucking off oil above the predetermined level and the filling is terminated by detecting a change in pressure on the suction line (28). Device for filling an engine (10) with oil, with a tank (2) with oil, from which oil can be conveyed to a filling adapter (11) via a pump (8), and a measuring probe (17) which is inserted into the engine ( 10), wherein the measuring probe (17) is connected to a controller, by means of which a filling of the motor (10) is terminated upon detection of a predetermined filling level, characterized in that the insertion depth of the measuring probe (17) is adjustable. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the measuring probe (17) via a holder (21) on the motor (10) is fixable. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the measuring probe (17) is inserted in a guide tube (20) on the motor (10). Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the measuring probe (17) has a plurality of sensors for measuring different levels in the engine (10). Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that by means of the control, the pump (8) for conveying the oil is switched off. Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that by means of the control, a valve in front of the outlet of the filling adapter (11) can be switched off. Device according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the controller has a data memory in which the different filling quantities are stored for different types of vehicles and after filling a vehicle type of filling at least partially runs automatically. Device according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that a suction pump (30) and a suction line (28) are provided to stop the filling of the engine (10) with oil when a predetermined level is exceeded, oil from the engine (10 ). Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that via a pressure sensor (29) an increase in pressure on the suction line (28) is detected and passed through a signal line (32) to a controller to turn off the pump (8).

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