JP2010002203A - Optical liquid detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deterioration detector of oil capable of being made compact by making the physical size of a float small. <P>SOLUTION: The light emitting part 23 and light detecting part 24 of the detector body 21 fixed to the other end of the stay extending from one side end of an oil pan to the other side thereof are arranged in mutually opposed relationship so as to hold the oil introducing member 222 downward suspended from the undersurface of the float 22 moved in an up and down direction with respect to the detector body 21 by floating. The quantity of the light emitted from the light emitting part 23 to penetrate through the oil in the oil introducing member 222 is measured by the light detecting part 24 and the properties of the oil is determined on the basis of the quantity of the transmitted light by a determining part. Further, when the height of the oil surface X of the oil lowers, the light path from the light emitting part 23 is cut off in a light shielding part 222b by the float 22 moved downward by accompanying the lowering of the oil surface X and the quantity of the cut-off light is measured by the light detecting part 24 while the oil surface level of the oil is determined on the basis of the quantity of the cut-off light by the determining part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical liquid detection device that detects liquid properties such as liquid contamination, transparency, and the amount of fine particles, and the liquid level of the liquid.

  Generally, in such an optical liquid detection device, there is one that optically detects deterioration of a lubricating oil or the like of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an “internal combustion engine”). The light applied to the lubricating oil is measured by the light receiving unit, and the properties and the liquid level of the lubricating oil are detected based on the measured light quantity.

As such an optical liquid detection device, a light emitting portion and light emitted from the light emitting portion are incident on a device main body fixed to a container for storing lubricating oil, and the light is applied to the lubricating oil. A light guide that reflects on the contact surface that contacts the light and a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected on the contact surface, and the light emitted from the light emitting unit reflects on the reflection surface of the light guide and receives the light. There is known one in which the properties of the lubricating oil are detected based on the amount of light received in (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The device body is provided with a reed switch that opens or closes an electric circuit of the oil level detection system, and the reed switch is operated by the magnetic force of a magnet incorporated in the float to operate the electric switch. By closing the circuit, the level of the lubricating oil in the container is detected.
JP 11-337487 A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional one, since the magnet is stored in the float, the float itself becomes heavy, which adversely affects the buoyancy of the float. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the size of the float itself in order to ensure the buoyancy of the float, and the optical liquid detection device itself becomes very large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an optical liquid detection device that can be made compact by minimizing the physique of a float.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an optical liquid detection device that measures light emitted from a light emitting unit to a liquid by a light receiving unit and detects the property and level of the liquid based on the measured light quantity. Assuming The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided in an apparatus main body fixed to the container for storing the liquid, and are disposed facing each other with a liquid introduction unit for introducing the liquid in the container inside. Yes. Further, the liquid introduction part is provided in a float that moves relative to the apparatus main body by floating on the liquid surface of the liquid, and is provided continuously to the float above the liquid introduction part and to the liquid introduction part. An optical path blocking unit is provided that blocks an optical path from the light emitting unit that is irradiated when the liquid level of the liquid is lower than a reference value.

  Due to this specific matter, the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the apparatus main body fixed to the container for storing the liquid are arranged facing each other with the liquid introducing part provided in the float moving up and down by floating relative to the apparatus main body. The amount of light (transmitted light amount) transmitted through the liquid inside the liquid introduction unit is measured by the light receiving unit, and the property of the liquid is detected based on the measured light amount. Yes. Further, when the height of the liquid level falls below the reference value, the light path from the light emitting unit is blocked by the light path blocking unit due to the float moving downward, and the light amount at the light receiving unit becomes small. Thus, it is detected that the liquid level of the liquid is lower than the reference value.

  In this way, the float is provided with only the liquid introduction part and the light path blocking part, and only the liquid below the liquid level is introduced into the liquid introduction part, and the light path blocking part may be a member or a coating capable of blocking the light path. Therefore, it does not adversely affect the buoyancy of the float. Accordingly, it is not necessary to increase the size of the float itself in order to secure the buoyancy of the float, and the optical liquid detection device itself can be made compact.

  Further, when the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introducing portion and the surfaces of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are brought into sliding contact with each other so that the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introducing portion can be cleaned when the float floats. When the float floats due to the liquid level of the liquid floating, the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introduction unit slides with respect to the surfaces of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and the surfaces of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are cleaned. For this reason, it is not necessary to add a separate member to clean the surfaces of the light emitting part and the light receiving part, and there is no increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost due to the separate member. Thereby, it becomes possible to clean the surface of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit in a compact and inexpensive manner using the existing member, and it becomes possible to detect the property and the liquid level of the liquid stably and accurately.

  In addition, when the apparatus main body is installed in the central portion of the liquid level where the liquid level variation is small in the container, the device main body is installed in a portion that is least susceptible to the influence of the liquid level fluctuation. As a result, the accuracy of the liquid level of the liquid by the optical liquid detection device can be effectively increased.

  Further, in the case where an informing means for informing when the liquid property and the liquid level are deteriorated is provided, the deterioration of the liquid property and the liquid level is surely informed by the informing means, and the liquid is replaced. It becomes possible to prompt the timing and replenishment time accurately.

  In short, the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the apparatus main body on the container side are arranged facing each other with the liquid introduction part on the float side interposed therebetween, and based on the amount of light transmitted through the liquid inside the liquid introduction part from the light emission part While detecting the properties of the liquid, the liquid level of the liquid is detected by blocking the light path from the light emitting part by the light path blocking part of the float that moves downward as the liquid level of the liquid decreases. Optical liquid detection without the need to increase the physique of the float without adversely affecting the buoyancy of the float by the liquid introduction part that introduces the liquid and the optical path interruption part that can block the optical path or only by painting The device itself can be made compact.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an oil pan of an automobile engine provided with an optical liquid detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an oil pan, and a deep bottom portion 11 is provided on one side (left side in FIG. 1) of this oil pan 1, while a shallow bottom portion 12 is provided on the other side (right side in FIG. 1). Is provided. Further, a baffle plate 13 is provided on one upper side in the oil pan 1, and the baffle plate 13 temporarily receives oil as a liquid returned from above the oil pan 1, whereby the oil pan 1. Foaming on the oil level X (liquid level) due to the oil falling from above is suppressed.

  An oil strainer 14 is provided in the deep bottom portion 11 of the oil pan 1, and the oil pumped up from the deep bottom portion 11 by the oil strainer 14 is supplied to each lubricating portion and cooling portion of the engine via the pipe 141. It has come to be. Further, a lower end of a tubular level gauge guide 15 extending in the vertical direction is positioned in the deep bottom portion 11 of the oil pan 1, and the oil pan 1 is guided by a level gauge (not shown) guided in the level gauge guide 15. The amount of oil stored inside is recognized.

  One end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the stay 16 is attached to one end of the oil pan 1 and the other end (the right end in FIG. 1) extends toward the other side of the oil pan 1. The other end of the stay 16 is attached with an oil deterioration detection device 2 as an optical liquid detection device. In this case, the oil deterioration detection device 2 is located slightly closer to one side of the oil pan 1 than the center position of the deep bottom portion 11 of the oil pan 1.

  The oil deterioration detection device 2 is a detection device that detects the property and oil level of the oil by optically detecting insoluble particles that aggregate and grow as the oil in the oil pan 1 deteriorates. As shown in FIG. 2, the oil deterioration detection device 2 includes a device main body 21 fixed to the other end of the stay 16, and a float 22 supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the device main body 21. ing.

  The apparatus main body 21 includes a light emitting unit 23 that emits light and a light receiving unit 24 that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 23. The light emitting unit 23 includes a visible light emitting element 231 that emits visible light having a wavelength of 670 nm, and an infrared light emitting element 232 that emits infrared light having a wavelength of 890 nm. As the visible light emitting element 231 and the infrared light emitting element 232, a light emitting diode (LED) is applied. The light receiving unit 24 includes a visible light receiving element 241 that receives light emitted from the visible light emitting element 231 and an infrared light receiving element 242 that receives light emitted from the infrared light emitting element 232. ing. As the visible light receiving element 241 and the infrared light receiving element 242, a photodiode (PD) is applied. A light emitting lens is provided at the tip of the visible light emitting element 231 and the infrared light emitting element 232, and the inspection light is converted into parallel light by the lens. That is, most of the light emitted from the visible light emitting element 231 and the infrared light emitting element 232 is not diffused by the light emitting lens, and the light path is transmitted to the light receiving unit 24 (visible light receiving element 241 and infrared light receiving element 242). Directed. In this case, 210 and 210 in FIG. 2 are sealing lid members that seal the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 from the outside.

  The float 22 has a substantially cylindrical float main body 221 that floats on the oil surface X of the oil, an upper end attached to the center position of the lower surface of the float main body 221 and hanging downward, and a lower surface opened downward and a lower portion. And an oil introduction member 222 having a substantially circular tube shape as a liquid introduction portion having a plurality of openings. The oil introduction member 222 is slidably inserted in a vertical direction into a through hole 211 that penetrates the center of the apparatus main body 21 in the vertical direction. A transmission part 222a made of transparent glass or synthetic resin that transmits the optical path from the light emitting part 23 is provided at the lower part of the oil introduction member 222, while the optical path from the light emitting part 23 is transmitted at the upper part. A light blocking portion 222b is provided as an optical path blocking portion that is blocked unnecessarily. The oil introduction member 222 is made of a material such as transparent glass or synthetic resin, and is used as it is in the transmission part 222a, while a light shielding paint or the like is applied to the material in the light shielding part 222b. It is used. In this case, the light emitting unit 23 (the visible light emitting element 231 and the infrared light emitting element 232) and the light receiving unit 24 (the visible light receiving element 241 and the infrared light receiving element 242) face each other across the oil introduction member 222. Has been placed.

  The lower end of the oil introduction member 222 is provided with a bowl-shaped stopper 223 having a diameter larger than that of the through hole 211 of the apparatus main body 21, and the float 22 (with respect to the apparatus main body 21 (through hole 211) is provided by the stopper 223. The oil introduction member 222) is prevented from coming off. In addition, the apparatus body 21 is provided with a recess 212 that is recessed downward from the center position of the upper surface. The float 22 is formed in the recess 212 when the oil level X of the oil changes below the recess 212. The lower surface of the seat is seated. The float 22 floats in the vertical direction between a seating position (position shown in FIG. 2) where the lower surface is seated in the recess 212 of the apparatus main body 21 and a contact position where the stopper 223 contacts the lower surface of the apparatus main body 21. ing. In this case, when the float 22 floats toward the oil surface X in a state where the oil is sufficiently stored in the oil pan 1, the apparatus main body 21 causes the light emitting unit 24 (visible light emitting element 231 and It is attached to the stay 16 so that light from the infrared light emitting element 232) is not shielded.

  A transparent light emitter window 213 that transmits an optical path from the light emitting portion 23 is provided on the through hole 211 side of the light emitting portion 23. A transparent light receiver window 214 that transmits the light path transmitted through the light emitter window 213 to the light receiver 24 is provided closer to the through hole 211 than the light receiver 24. A substantially cylindrical transmission member 215 that transmits the optical path is provided on the side of the through hole 211 of the light emitter window 213 and the light receiver window 214. The inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the through hole 211 of the apparatus main body 21. In addition, a substantially cylindrical spacer 216 that transmits light is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the oil introducing member 222 at the upper portion of the transmitting portion 222a. The spacer 216 is slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215, and slides up and down as the float 22 floats to clean the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215. Yes.

  The visible light receiving element 241 and the infrared light receiving element 242 are known photodiodes such as silicon photodiodes, and can convert received light signals into electrical signals. As shown in FIG. 3, the oil deterioration detection device 2 includes a determination unit 25 that determines oil properties such as oil stains, transparency, and the amount of fine particles, and the oil level. The optical signal (light quantity) received by the visible light receiving element 241 and the infrared light receiving element 242 is converted into an electrical signal and output to the determination unit 25. In the determination unit 25, oil stains, transparency, and fine particles Determine the oil properties such as quantity, and the oil level. The output signal of the determination result by the determination unit 25 is output to the engine electronic control device 4 (hereinafter, “electronic control device” is referred to as ECU). The driver's seat of the automobile is provided with an oil state indicator 41 as a notification means for notifying when the oil property and the oil level are deteriorated, and the ECU 4 is connected to the oil state indicator 41. .

  Here, the determination process of the oil property and the oil level by the determination unit 25 will be described.

  The determination unit 25 has a map as shown in FIG. 4, and the light amount of the light receiving unit 24 (visible light receiving element 241 and infrared light receiving element 242) that decreases with the passage of operating time falls below the oil replacement threshold. In addition, the output signal of the determination result is output to the ECU 4, and the oil condition indicator 41 is displayed on the oil state indicator 41 to inform the driver that the oil property has deteriorated and the oil replacement time is reached.

  In addition, when the light amount of the visible light receiving element 241 and the infrared light receiving element 242 that decrease with the passage of the operating time falls below the oil level threshold value that is the reference value, an output signal of the determination result is output to the ECU 4, The oil level indicator 41 causes the oil state indicator 41 to display that the oil level has deteriorated and the oil replenishment time is reached. Then, when the light amounts of the visible light receiving element 241 and the infrared light receiving element 242 that decrease with the lapse of the operation time enter when the oil level is abnormal, an output signal of the determination result is output to the ECU 4, and the oil level of the oil Is displayed on the oil state indicator 41 to notify the driver.

  Therefore, in the above embodiment, the light emitting unit 23 and the light receiving unit 24 of the apparatus main body 21 fixed at one end of the oil pan 1 and fixed to the other end of the stay 16 extending toward the other side are the device The oil 21 is disposed facing each other across an oil introduction member 222 that hangs downward from the lower surface of the float 22 that moves up and down with respect to the main body 21. The amount of light that has passed through (the amount of transmitted light) is measured by the light receiving unit 24, and the property of the oil is determined by the determination unit 25 based on the measured light amount. Further, when the height of the oil level X of the oil is lowered, the light path from the light emitting unit 23 is shielded by the light shielding unit 222b by the float 22 that moves downward, and the light quantity at the light receiving unit 24 becomes small, A slight amount of light (transmitted light amount) is measured by the light receiving unit 24, and based on the measured light amount, the determination unit 25 determines whether the oil level is below the oil level threshold or is abnormal. Judgment is made.

  Thus, only the oil introduction member 222 (the transmission part 222a and the light shielding part 222b) is provided in the float 22, and only the oil below the oil surface X is introduced into the oil introduction member 222, and the light shielding part 222b is also an optical path. Therefore, the buoyancy of the float 22 is not adversely affected. Accordingly, it is not necessary to increase the size of the float 22 itself in order to secure the buoyancy of the float 22, and the oil deterioration detection device 2 itself can be made compact.

  Further, the spacer 216 on the outer peripheral surface of the oil introduction member 222 is slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215, and slides in the vertical direction as the float 22 floats, so that the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215 is removed. When the float 22 floats due to the oil surface X swaying because of the cleaning, the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 216 slides with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215, and the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215. Is washed. For this reason, it is not necessary to add a separate member to clean the inner peripheral surface of the transmissive member 215, and an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost due to the separate member are not caused. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface of the transmissive member 215 can be cleaned in a compact and inexpensive manner using the existing member, and the property and oil level of the oil can be detected stably and accurately.

  Further, since the oil state indicator 41 is provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle when the oil property and the oil level are deteriorated, the oil state indicator 41 ensures that the oil property and the oil level are deteriorated. The driver can be informed of the timing of oil change and replenishment accurately.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The other various modifications are included. For example, in the above embodiment, the device main body 21 of the oil deterioration detection device 2 fixed to the other end of the stay 16 extending from the one side end of the oil pan 1 toward the other side is moved from the center position of the deep bottom portion 11 of the oil pan 1. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the pipe 141 of the oil strainer 14 located at the center of the oil surface of the deep bottom portion 11 where the oil surface fluctuation is small in the oil pan 1 is arranged. The oil deterioration detection device 2 (device main body 21) may be provided, and in this case, the device main body 21 is installed at a site that is hardly affected even if the oil level X of the oil is shaken. Thus, the accuracy of the oil level by the oil deterioration detection device 2 can be effectively increased. Further, the installation position of the oil deterioration detection device 2 (device main body 21) is not limited to this, and as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the stay 51 protruding above the lower surface of the deep bottom portion 11 is provided. The oil deterioration detection device 2 (device main body 21) is installed at the upper end, or the oil deterioration detection device 2 (device main body 21) is installed at the lower end of the level gauge guide 15 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. May be.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the light shielding coating material etc. were apply | coated in the light shielding part 222b of the oil introduction member 222, the light shielding part may be comprised by another member which interrupts | blocks an optical path. Further, the oil level of the oil may be determined in a stepwise manner so that the light shielding performance by the light shielding portion changes in a stepwise manner in the vertical direction.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the spacer 216 on the outer peripheral surface of the oil introduction member 222 and the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215 are brought into contact with each other, and slides in the vertical direction as the float 22 floats, so that the inner peripheral surface of the transmission member 215 The oil introduction member that slides up and down as the float floats is brought into slidable contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the transmission part of the oil introduction member, the light emitter window and the light receiver window. Of course, the light emitter window and the light receiver window may be cleaned by the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the transmission part.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the oil deterioration detection device 2 that optically detects the deterioration of the lubricating oil of the engine has been described. However, the deterioration of the transmission lubricating oil or the like is optically detected. The present invention is not limited to the oil deterioration detecting device to detect or the oil deterioration, and may be applied to a liquid detecting device that optically detects liquid properties such as liquid contamination, transparency, and the amount of fine particles, and the oil level.

It is sectional drawing of the oil pan of the engine to which the oil deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an oil deterioration detection apparatus. It is a block diagram explaining the determination process of the property of oil and the oil level by a determination part. It is a characteristic view which shows the characteristic of the light quantity of the light-receiving part with respect to driving | operation time. It is sectional drawing of the oil pan of the engine to which the oil deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 Oil pan (container)
2 Oil deterioration detection device (optical liquid detection device)
21 Device main body 215 Inner peripheral surface of transmitting member (surface of light emitting part and light receiving part)
22 Float 222 Oil introduction member (liquid introduction part)
222b Light blocking part (light path blocking part)
23 Light-emitting part 24 Light-receiving part 41 Oil state indicator (notification means)
X Oil level (liquid level)

Claims (4)

An optical liquid detection device that measures the light irradiated to the liquid from the light emitting unit with the light receiving unit, and detects the property and the liquid level of the liquid based on the measured light quantity,
The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided in an apparatus main body fixed to a container for storing the liquid, and are disposed to face each other with a liquid introduction unit for introducing the liquid in the container inside. And
The liquid introduction part is provided in a float that moves relative to the apparatus main body by floating on the liquid level of the liquid,
When the height of the liquid surface of the liquid is lower than a reference value in the optical path from the light emitting unit that is connected to the upper side of the liquid introducing unit and is irradiated to the liquid introducing unit. An optical liquid detection device, characterized in that an optical path blocking unit for blocking is provided. The optical liquid detection device according to claim 1,
The outer peripheral surface of the liquid introducing portion and the surfaces of the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are in sliding contact with each other so that the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introducing portion can be cleaned when the float floats. Optical liquid detection device. The optical liquid detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The optical liquid detection device according to claim 1, wherein the main body of the device is installed in a central portion of the liquid surface with little liquid level fluctuation in the container. In the optical liquid detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An optical liquid detection apparatus comprising an informing means for informing when the liquid property and the liquid level are deteriorated.

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