JP2001254893A - Lubrication device for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubrication device for an internal combustion engine capable of greatly reducing a consumption amount of lubricating oil while maintaining predetermined lubrication performance for a long time. SOLUTION: This lubrication device for the internal combustion engine 11 is provided with a removal mechanism 30 for removing soot in the lubricating oil. This removal mechanism 30 is provided with a subtank 14, a pair of passages 15, 16 connecting the subtank 14 with an oil pan 12, a pump 17 provided on the halfway of these passages, and a controller 20 controlling the pump 17. The controller 20 operates the pump 17 to introduce a predetermined amount of lubricating oil in the oil pan 12 into the subtank 14. After that, the controller 20 recovers lubricating oil having low concentration of soot collected in an upper part of the subtank 14 onto an oil pan 12 side from the subtank 14 after a predetermined period of time elapses.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lubricating device for an internal combustion engine in which lubricating oil is supplied from an oil tank to the internal combustion engine, and the lubricating oil used for lubrication is returned to the oil tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in this type of device, impurities such as soot generated during combustion of fuel are mixed into lubricating oil, so that the oil deteriorates and its lubricating performance gradually decreases. Tend to. Therefore, in order to maintain the predetermined lubrication performance, it is necessary to periodically change the lubricating oil used for the lubricating device.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for performing such lubricating oil replacement at an appropriate time, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-4761 discloses an apparatus.
The device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4 (JP-A) No. 4 is known. In this device, a sub-tank for storing unused lubricating oil is provided separately from a normal oil tank. Then, the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil in the oil tank is determined, and when the degree of deterioration is determined to be large, a part of the lubricating oil in the oil tank is discharged into the fuel tank to be burned together with the fuel, while the discharge is performed. Unused lubricating oil in the sub-tank is replenished into the oil tank by the amount that has been used. Therefore, according to this device, the oil is changed according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil in the oil tank.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the oil consumption is indirectly suppressed by performing the oil change at an appropriate time according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. However, once degraded lubricating oil can only be burned with fuel and discarded. In other words, this conventional device still has a problem in view of the current situation where it is desired to reduce the consumption of lubricating oil in a lubricating device in view of problems such as energy saving and waste oil treatment, which have become problems in recent years. ing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an internal combustion engine capable of greatly reducing the consumption of lubricating oil while maintaining a predetermined lubricating performance for a long period of time. To provide a lubricating device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, the lubricating oil is supplied from the oil tank to the internal combustion engine, and the lubricating oil used for lubrication is returned to the oil tank. In the lubricating device, the lubricating oil contains a coagulant for coagulating impurities other than oil components.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the impurities contained in the lubricating oil are agglomerated by the coagulant, and the oil component of the lubricating oil and the impurities are separated. In other words, even if the lubricating oil has been deteriorated, the impurities can be separated and used again for lubrication. Therefore, the consumption of lubricating oil can be significantly reduced while maintaining the predetermined lubrication performance for a long period of time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lubricating device for an internal combustion engine according to the first aspect further includes a separation accelerating means for accelerating separation of the coagulated impurities from the lubricating oil. I have.

According to the above configuration, since the separation of impurities from the lubricating oil is promoted, the function and effect of the invention described in claim 1 can be suitably exhibited. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lubricating device for an internal combustion engine according to the second aspect, the separation accelerating means sends the lubricating oil of the oil tank to a sub-tank provided separately from the oil tank. It is said that the impurities in the lubricating oil are separated from the lubricating oil by precipitating the same, and the lubricating oil after the separation is returned from the sub tank to the oil tank.

[0010] The lubricating oil is sent from the oil tank to the internal combustion engine, subjected to lubrication, and returned to the oil tank again. Therefore, in the oil tank, the lubricating oil is always in a state of being agitated, and it is difficult to separate impurities aggregated by the coagulant from the lubricating oil.

In this respect, according to the above configuration, the lubricating oil is sent to the sub-tank provided separately from the oil tank, and the impurities are separated from the lubricating oil by precipitating the impurities in the sub-tank. Therefore, impurities can be reliably separated from the lubricating oil. In addition, since the impurities remain in the sub tank, the impurities in the lubricating oil can be removed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the lubricating apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the third aspect, the separation accelerating means measures an elapsed time from when the lubricating oil is sent from the oil tank to the sub-tank. Measurement means
The lubricating oil is returned from the sub-tank to the oil tank on condition that the elapsed period is equal to or longer than a predetermined period.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the lubrication system for an internal combustion engine according to the third aspect, the separation promoting means detects a concentration of an impurity contained in the separated lubricating oil. And lubricating oil is returned from the sub-tank to the oil tank on condition that the detected impurity concentration is equal to or lower than a predetermined concentration.

According to the structure of the invention described in claim 4 or 5, the lubricating oil is transferred from the sub tank to the oil tank after the impurities are precipitated in the sub tank and the impurities are sufficiently separated from the lubricating oil. Can be returned, and the operation and effect of the invention described in claim 3 can be suitably exhibited.

In particular, according to the structure of the invention described in claim 5, only the lubricating oil whose impurity concentration has decreased to a predetermined concentration or less can be returned to the oil tank, and the impurities in the lubricating oil can be suitably removed. Will be able to Furthermore, since the period from when the lubricating oil is sent to the sub-tank to when it is returned to the oil tank is not unnecessarily long, the cycle from sending the lubricating oil from the oil tank to the sub-tank and returning to the oil tank should be accelerated. And the impurity removal ability can be enhanced.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a lubrication device for an internal combustion engine for a vehicle will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lubricating apparatus of this embodiment includes an oil tank (oil pan) 12 for storing lubricating oil, a pump 13 for supplying lubricating oil from the oil pan 12 to the internal combustion engine 11, and A removing mechanism 30 for removing soot contained in the lubricating oil is provided.

The lubricating oil supplied from the oil pan 12 to the internal combustion engine 11 by the pump 13 of this lubricating device is
After being provided for lubrication of each movable portion of the internal combustion engine 11, it is returned to the oil pan 12 again.

The lubricating oil used in the lubricating device contains a coagulant for coagulating soot contained in the oil. For this reason, even when soot produced by combustion of fuel in the internal combustion engine 11 is mixed into the lubricating oil, the soot is gradually aggregated by the action of the coagulant, so that the soot is easily separated from the lubricating oil. Become. In addition, as this coagulant, for example, diethanol
Amines can be employed.

The removing mechanism 30 is roughly divided into a sub-tank 14 provided separately from the oil pan 12, a pump 17 for exchanging lubricating oil between the oil pan 12 and the sub-tank 14, and an operation of the pump 17. Is provided with the control device 20 which controls.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pump 17 is connected to the lower portions of the oil pan 12 and the sub-tank 14 in the vertical direction by an introduction passage 16 for introducing the lubricating oil in the oil pan 12 to the sub-tank 14. Have been. Also, the pump 17 and the respective upper portions of the oil pan 12 and the sub tank 14 in the vertical direction are as follows.
A recovery passage 15 for returning the lubricating oil introduced from the oil pan 12 to the sub tank 14 to the oil pan 12 again.
Connected by

Next, the soot removal process by the removal mechanism 30 of the lubricating apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In the removal process, the control device 20 first operates the pump 17 to introduce the lubricating oil in the oil pan 12 into the sub tank 14 through the introduction passage 16. When the control device 20 determines that a predetermined amount of lubricating oil has been introduced into the sub-tank 14, the control device 20 stops the pump 17 and measures the elapsed time since the stop, that is, the elapsed time from the end of the introduction of the lubricating oil. Start.

The control device 20 stops the operation of the pump 17 at all until the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time. Therefore, the introduction of the lubricating oil into the sub-tank 14 and the recovery of the lubricating oil from the sub-tank 14 are not performed, and the lubricating oil in the sub-tank 14 is not agitated until the above-mentioned predetermined time elapses after the introduction is completed. It will be kept in a stable state.

For this reason, the soot in the lubricating oil that has been agglomerated by the aggregating agent quickly precipitates in the lower portion of the sub-tank 14 unlike the inside of the oil pan 12 where the lubricating oil is constantly stirred. As a result, the separation from the lubricating oil is promoted. In addition, the concentration of the soot of the lubricating oil in the upper portion of the sub-tank 14 decreases as the soot precipitates in the lower portion.

The above-mentioned predetermined time is a time sufficient for the soot concentration of the lubricating oil in the upper part of the sub-tank 14 to fall below the predetermined concentration, in other words, the time required for the soot separation in the sub-tank 14 to proceed. It is set as enough time.

Thereafter, when it is determined that the soot separation has sufficiently proceeded after the lapse of the predetermined time, the control device 20 activates the pump 17 to cause the sub tank 14 to pass through the recovery passage 15.
The lubricating oil in the oil pan 12
To be collected. Here, the recovery passage 15 is provided in the sub tank 1
4, only the lubricating oil with reduced soot concentration is returned to the oil pan 12 side.

The control device 20 controls the oil pan 12
When it is determined that the same amount of lubricating oil as the lubricating oil introduced into the sub-tank 14 has been collected in the oil pan 12,
The pump 17 is stopped, and the collecting operation ends.

Further, when the lubricating oil collecting operation is completed, the control device 20 executes the above series of processing again. By performing a series of processes from the introduction of the lubricating oil into the sub-tank 14 to the recovery, the soot contained in the lubricating oil remains at the lower portion of the sub-tank 14 and is gradually removed from the lubricating oil. Will be done. Accordingly, the soot concentration of the lubricating oil supplied to the internal combustion engine 11 from the oil pan 12 also decreases accordingly.

According to the lubricating device of this embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained. (1) Even if the lubricating oil is once deteriorated by the incorporation of soot, the soot is separated by the coagulant, so that it can be used again for lubrication. Therefore, the consumption of lubricating oil can be significantly reduced while maintaining the predetermined lubrication performance for a long period of time.

(2) In particular, lubricating oil is supplied to the oil pan 12
Since the soot is separated from the lubricating oil by sending the soot to the sub-tank 14 provided separately and sedimenting the soot in the sub-tank 14, the soot can be surely separated from the lubricating oil. . Further, since the soot remains in the sub tank 14, the soot in the lubricating oil can be removed.

(3) The elapsed time from the introduction of the lubricating oil from the oil pan 12 into the sub-tank 14 is measured, and the lubricating oil is removed from the sub-tank 14 on condition that the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Since the soot is collected, the soot precipitates in the sub tank 14 and is sufficiently separated from the lubricating oil.
Can be collected on the side. Therefore, the functions and effects described in the above (1) and (2) can be more reliably achieved.

(4) In particular, the predetermined time is set in the sub tank 1
4 is set as a time sufficient for the soot concentration of the lubricating oil at the upper portion to drop below the predetermined concentration, so that only the lubricating oil whose soot concentration has dropped below the predetermined concentration can be collected. Thus, the soot in the lubricating oil can be suitably removed.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Note that, in the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the oil pan 12
The elapsed time after the introduction of the lubricating oil into the sub-tank 14 was measured, and the lubricating oil was collected on condition that the elapsed time was a predetermined time or more. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the lubricating oil is collected on the condition that the soot concentration of the lubricating oil in the sub-tank 14 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined concentration.

That is, in the present embodiment, the removal mechanism 30 is provided with a concentration sensor 21 for detecting the soot concentration in the lubricating oil, and a signal corresponding to the soot concentration of the concentration sensor 21 is sent to the control device 20. Is input to The concentration sensor 21 is disposed above the sub-tank 14 so as to be able to detect the soot concentration of the lubricating oil in the upper part of the sub-tank 14, that is, as shown in FIG.

In the lubricating apparatus according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the soot in the lubricating oil is removed by the removing mechanism 30 as described below. First, the control device 2
When the predetermined amount of lubricating oil has been introduced into the sub-tank 14, the soot concentration of the lubricating oil in the upper part of the sub-tank 14 is monitored based on a signal detected by the concentration sensor 21. Then, it is determined whether or not the soot concentration is equal to or lower than a predetermined concentration. If it is determined that the soot concentration is equal to or lower than the predetermined concentration, the pump 17 is operated to remove the lubricating oil in the upper part of the sub-tank 14 as described above. Collect on the pan 12 side. Therefore, in the device of the present embodiment, only the lubricating oil whose soot concentration has decreased to a predetermined concentration or less can be collected.

According to the present embodiment described above, in addition to the functions and effects described in (1) and (2) in the first embodiment, the following functions and effects can be further obtained. (5) The soot is surely settled in the sub-tank 14 and sufficiently separated from the lubricating oil. After the soot concentration of the lubricating oil after the separation is reduced to a predetermined concentration or less, the soot is transferred to the oil pan 12 side. The soot in the lubricating oil can be suitably removed. Further, the period from when the lubricating oil is introduced into the sub-tank 14 to when it is collected does not become longer than necessary, and the cycle until the lubricating oil is introduced into the sub-tank 14 and collected again can be accelerated. Removal mechanism 3
The ability to remove 0 impurities can be improved.

It is to be noted that the apparatus of each of the above embodiments can be implemented by changing its configuration as follows. In the first embodiment, the elapsed time from the introduction of the lubricating oil into the sub tank 14 is measured, and the lubricating oil is collected when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. For example, the total traveling distance of the vehicle after the lubricating oil is introduced may be measured, and the lubricating oil may be collected when the total traveling distance is equal to or longer than a predetermined distance.

The flocculant to be mixed with the lubricating oil is not limited to the one that coagulates soot, and may be any one that coagulates any impurities such as metal powder. In the above embodiments, the recovery passage 15 and the introduction passage 16 are separately provided in the removing mechanism 30.
The lubricating oil may be introduced into the sub-tank 14 and recovered by using two passages. However, in this case,
The passage should be connected to the upper part of the sub-tank 14 so that only the lubricating oil having a low soot concentration in the upper part of the sub-tank 14 is collected.

In each of the above embodiments, the sub tank 1
A configuration may be further provided that monitors the amount of soot that remains and accumulates in the sub-tank 4 and, when the amount of accumulation increases, prompts removal of soot from the sub-tank 14.

Here, as a configuration for monitoring the soot accumulation amount, the following configuration can be cited. (A) For example, when the volume of soot after deposition increases as compared with a state in which the soot is uniformly dispersed in the lubricating oil, even if the soot is introduced into the sub-tank 14 and collected by a predetermined amount. After the lubricating oil is introduced into the sub-tank 14, the liquid level gradually rises. Therefore, by monitoring the amount of rise in the liquid level, the amount of deposition can be monitored.

Further, in this case, for example, a switch for outputting an "ON" signal or an "OFF" signal when the liquid level becomes higher than a predetermined level, or a lubrication between a pair of conductor plates as the liquid level rises. Capacitor whose dielectric constant (output voltage) changes by filling with oil, or sub tank 14
The liquid level is monitored by an ultrasonic sensor or the like, which is located at a position above the liquid crystal and at a predetermined distance from the liquid level, and the arrival time of the reflected wave becomes shorter as the liquid level rises. can do.

(B) Immediately after the lubricating oil is introduced into the sub-tank 14, that is, when the soot in the sub-tank 14 is uniformly dispersed in the lubricating oil, light such as infrared light in the lubricating oil is The degree of transmission and the degree of scattering can be detected, and the concentration of soot can be monitored based on the detection results.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a lubrication device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 internal combustion engine, 12 oil pan, 13 pump, 1
4 ... Sub-tank, 15 ... Recovery passage, 16 ... Introduction passage, 1
7 pump, 20 control device, 21 concentration sensor, 30
... Removal mechanism.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Ogano 1-3-1 Nishitsurugaoka, Oi-machi, Iruma-gun, Saitama Tonen Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3G015 BC00 CA07 EA05 EA29 FB07 FC02 FC09

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine, wherein lubricating oil is supplied from an oil tank to the internal combustion engine, and lubricating oil used for lubrication is returned to the oil tank. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine, characterized by containing a coagulant for coagulating oil. 2. The internal combustion engine lubrication system according to claim 1, further comprising a separation promoting means for promoting separation of the coagulated impurities from the lubricating oil. 3. The lubricating device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 2, wherein the separation promoting means sends the lubricating oil of the oil tank to a sub-tank provided separately from the oil tank, and the lubricating oil in the sub-tank. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the lubricating oil is separated from the lubricating oil by precipitating the impurities therein, and the lubricating oil after the separation is returned from the sub tank to the oil tank. 4. The lubricating device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein said separation accelerating means includes a measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from when the lubricating oil is sent from said oil tank to said sub-tank. A lubricating device for an internal combustion engine, wherein lubricating oil is returned from the sub-tank to the oil tank on condition that an elapsed period is equal to or longer than a predetermined period. 5. The lubricating device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3, wherein said separation promoting means includes a detecting means for detecting a concentration of an impurity contained in said separated lubricating oil, and said detected impurity concentration. Wherein the lubricating oil is returned from the sub tank to the oil tank on condition that the concentration is equal to or less than a predetermined concentration.