JP3386913B2 - Coolant replacement device for automotive engine and coolant replacement method using the device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling liquid exchanging device for an automobile engine and a cooling liquid exchanging method using the device, and more particularly to a technique for improving cooling liquid exchanging workability and enhancing exchanging efficiency. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A water-cooled engine mounted on an automobile is
The heat generated by the engine is transferred to the coolant, and this heat is dissipated from the radiator (radiator) to the atmosphere. By the way, conventionally, the cooling liquid is generally exchanged by the following method. That is, first, the cap of the coolant inlet (radiator filler) of the radiator is removed, and the drain plug that opens and closes the drain provided in the engine and the drain plug that opens and closes the drain provided in the radiator are also removed. , Drain old coolant from both drains respectively. Next, the inside of the radiator is washed with tap water, and the drain plugs are attached to the drains. Then, a new coolant is filled in the engine and the radiator from the coolant inlet of the radiator.

[0003]

However, such a conventional cooling liquid exchange method has the following problems. That is, since the drain plug on the engine side is usually provided at a place where it is extremely difficult to attach / detach, in many cases the coolant replacement work is actually performed without removing the drain plug.

Further, in recent years, there have been increasing number of vehicle models in which the drain plug on the radiator side cannot be removed unless the undercover of the engine is removed by jacking up the vehicle body. In such vehicles, the drain plug on the radiator side can be removed. It takes a very troublesome work to remove.

Therefore, conventionally, when exchanging the cooling liquid, it takes time to remove the drain plug in order to drain the old cooling liquid, and there is a problem in working efficiency.
In addition, even if the drain plug on the radiator side is removed, not all drain oil on the engine side is discharged, so not all the old coolant is discharged. Since only about half of the total amount of the cooling liquid is discharged from, the replacement efficiency of the cooling liquid cannot be said to be good.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and when exchanging the cooling liquid of an automobile engine, it is possible to improve the workability of exchanging the cooling liquid and to enhance the efficiency of exchanging the cooling liquid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooling liquid exchanging device and a cooling liquid exchanging method using the device.

[0007]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a tank for storing a new coolant for replacement,
One end is connected to the tank, the other end is a cooling liquid inlet of a radiator, a cooling liquid inlet and an upper hose provided for connecting an upper hose connecting the engine and the radiator to the radiator at appropriate positions. The injection hose connected to any one of the cut ends of the part of the upper hose that is divided into two parts when cut and connected to the cooling liquid inlet of the radiator, and one end of the injection hose Either one of the radiator end connecting end of the upper hose and the cut end of the part of the upper hose divided into two that is connected to the engine connecting port while being connected to the middle part Relay hose connected to the relay hose, a drain hose whose one end is connected to the middle of the relay hose, and the coolant passing through the upper hose is further connected to the relay hose. The first flow path that is blocked from flowing into the radiator through the gas and the injection hose and flows into the drain hose; and the flow of the cooling liquid into the drain hose is blocked. Further, a flow path switching means for selectively switching to a second flow path that flows into the radiator via a relay hose and an injection hose, and a residual quantity detecting means for detecting the residual quantity of the cooling liquid in the tank. Then, until the remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the cooling liquid has reached a predetermined amount, the flow passage switching means is switched to the first passage, and the remaining amount of the cooling liquid remains. And a switching control means for switching the flow path switching means to the second flow path when it is detected that the predetermined amount has been reached.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the flow path switching means is composed of a three-way valve provided at a connecting portion between the relay hose and the drainage hose.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the flow path switching means is interposed in a drainage hose to open and close the first hose, and a relay hose for drainage. The second automatic opening / closing valve is provided at a position downstream of the flow of the cooling liquid from the hose connecting portion and opens / closes the hose.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount detecting means is composed of a level gauge arranged in the tank.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a three-way valve in which the flow path switching means is interposed in a connecting portion between a relay hose and a drain hose, and one of a pilot port and a relay hose is provided. Has a first port connected to the end of the relay hose, a second port connected to the other end of the relay hose, and a third port connected to the end of the drainage hose. Then
A fluid that is normally switched to a state in which the first port and the third port are in communication, and is switched to a state in which the first port and the second port are in communication when the pilot pressure is input to the pilot port. It is composed of a pressure-operated three-way valve, and the remaining amount detecting means is arranged in the tank and is composed of an air-operated level gauge that outputs an air signal when the level of the coolant in the tank is a predetermined value or more. , The switching control means outputs a pilot pressure to the pilot port so that the first port and the second port of the three-way valve communicate with each other when the air signal from the air actuated level gauge is not output. , A pilot port so that the first port and the third port of the three-way valve communicate with each other when an air signal is output from the air actuated level gauge. The Tsu bets pressure was constructed from an air control circuit for the air controlled to a non-output.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooling liquid exchange method using the cooling liquid exchange device for an automobile engine according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the upper hose is cooled by a radiator. At the same time as removing from the liquid inlet, plug the cooling liquid inlet, and connect the injection hose to the radiator cooling liquid inlet, the radiator cooling liquid inlet and the radiator cooling liquid inlet of the two divided upper hoses. Connected to either one of the cut ends of the connecting part, and the other end of the relay hose is connected to the radiator side connection end of the upper hose and the engine side connection port of the bisected upper hose. Replacement preparation step of connecting to the cut end of the existing portion; the flow path switching means causes the coolant that has passed through the upper hose to further flow into the radiator through the relay hose and the injection hose. Is shut off and the coolant is switched to the first flow path that flows into the drain hose, the engine is started and the old coolant is discharged from the drain hose while the new coolant is discharged. Exchange step of exchanging the cooling liquid by filling the liquid through an injection hose;
After filling the required amount of new cooling liquid, the cooling liquid that has passed through the upper hose is blocked from flowing into the drain hose, and the cooling liquid further flows into the radiator through the relay hose and the injection hose. The method includes a circulation step of circulating the cooling liquid between the radiator and the engine by switching to the second flow path.

[0013]

In the invention of claim 1, the upper hose is removed from, for example, the cooling liquid inlet of the radiator, the cooling liquid inlet is plugged, and the injection hose is connected to the cooling liquid injection port of the radiator to relay the relay. For example, with the other end of the hose connected to the radiator-side connection end of the upper hose, the coolant can be easily replaced by performing a predetermined operation, and the exchange rate of the old and new coolants is high. Work can be done in a short time.

Furthermore, automatically after the injection of the cooling liquid,
Coolant circulation in which new coolant in the engine flows into the radiator from the radiator coolant inlet through the upper hose, relay hose and injection hose, and then flows into the engine from the radiator. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the engine immediately after the replacement, it is possible to do another work away from the device for a short time, and it is possible to effectively use this, although it is a short time. The work efficiency of the worker can be improved.

In the second aspect of the invention, the switching of the flow path is executed by the three-way valve.

In the invention of claim 3, switching of the flow path is executed from the first automatic opening / closing valve and the second automatic opening / closing valve.

In the invention of claim 4, the remaining amount is detected based on the signal from the level gauge.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, when the level of the coolant in the tank is less than the predetermined value, the air signal from the air actuated level gauge is not output, and the air control circuit causes the first port of the three-way valve to operate. The pilot pressure is output to the pilot port so that the second port and the second port communicate with each other. Further, when the level of the coolant in the tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, an air signal is output from the air-actuated level gauge, and the air control circuit causes the first port and the third port of the three-way valve to communicate with each other. The pilot pressure to the pilot port is not output.

In the invention according to claim 6, the exchange preparation step, the exchange step, and the circulation step, which are mainly three steps, are performed to simplify the operation of discharging, filling, and circulating the cooling liquid by the exchange device. Moreover, the cooling liquid can be replaced smoothly and in a short time.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the upper tank 2 of the radiator 1 is provided with a cooling liquid inlet (radiator filler) 4 opened and closed by a cap 3 and a cooling liquid inlet 5, and a lower tank 6 has a cooling liquid outlet 7 and a drain plug 8 therein. And a drain 9 that is opened and closed by.

A cylinder head water jacket (cooling liquid passage) of an engine (not shown) and the radiator 1
The cooling liquid inlet 5 is connected via an upper hose 10, and the cylinder block side water jacket (cooling liquid passage) and the cooling liquid outlet 7 of the radiator 1 are connected via a lower hose 11. A device 12 for exchanging the cooling liquid in the water jacket of the engine and the radiator 1 is provided.

The cooling liquid exchange device 12 is constructed as follows. That is, the cooling liquid exchange device 12 includes a tank 13 for storing a new cooling liquid for replacement and an injection hose 14
The relay hose 15, the drainage hose 16, the flow path switching means, the remaining amount detecting means, and the switching control means. The structure of the tank 13 will be described in detail.
Has a cooling liquid filling port 13a formed on its upper wall and a cooling liquid supply port 13b formed on its bottom wall.

One end of the injection hose 14 is connected to the supply port 13b of the tank 13, and the other end is connected to the radiator 1
A connection port 14a is formed which is detachably connected to the radiator filler 4. A hollow and substantially conical rubber member 17 for connection is attached to the connection port 14a in order to facilitate the connection work described later.

One end of the relay hose 15 is connected to a middle portion of the injection hose 14, and the other end of the upper hose 10 is connected to the radiator side 10a (the connection end of the radiator 1 to the cooling liquid inlet 5). ), A connection port 15a is formed so as to be detachably connected. Also in this connection port 15a,
The connecting rubber member 17 as described above is attached.

One end of the drainage hose 16 is connected to a middle portion of the relay hose 15, and the other end is opened as a drainage port 16a which can be inserted into a drainage recovery tank (not shown). It should be noted that one end is connected to a part in the middle of the relay hose 15 and is located on the downstream side of the flow of the drainage hose 16 at the time of filling the cooling liquid, and the other end is connected to the drainage recovery tank or the like. An open drain hose 18 is provided as a drain port 18a that can be inserted into the.

On the other hand, in the flow path switching means, the coolant that has passed through the upper hose 10 is blocked from flowing into the radiator 1 through the relay hose 15 and the injection hose 14, and the drain hose 16 is provided. The cooling liquid that has passed through the first flow path and the upper hose 10 is drained to the drain hose 16
The second flow path is selectively switched to the second flow path that is blocked from flowing into the radiator 1 via the relay hose 15 and the injection hose 14, and in the present embodiment, the relay is used. It is composed of a fluid pressure operated three-way valve 19 such as a direct-acting three-port air operated valve, which is interposed in a connecting portion between the drainage hose 15 and the drainage hose 16.

As shown in FIG. 7, the three-way valve 19 is provided with a pilot port P and first to third ports A to C, which are normally always connected by springs to the first port A and the first port A to C. 3 is connected to the port B, and when the pilot pressure is input to the pilot port P, the first port A is connected to the second port B.

One connecting end of the relay hose 15 is connected to the first port A of the three-way valve 19, and the other connecting end of the relay hose 15 is connected to the second port B. And the connection end of the drainage hose 16 is connected to the third port C.

The remaining amount detecting means detects the remaining amount of the cooling liquid, and the switching control means continues until the remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the cooling liquid has reached a predetermined amount. The flow path switching means is switched to the first flow path, and when it is detected that the remaining amount of the coolant reaches a predetermined amount, the flow path switching means is switched to the second flow path. .

Then, in this embodiment, the remaining amount detecting means and the switching control means are configured as follows. That is,
As the remaining amount detecting means, for example, an air operated level gauge 21 is applied.

This air operated level gauge 21 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A float portion 21B provided at the tip of A. Two air ports a and b are formed at the upper end of the cylindrical main body 21A. Also, the float portion 21B is
A spherical float 21b is provided in a box body 21a attached to the tip of the cylindrical main body 21A so as to surround the tip opening.
With a large number of holes 2 in the box 21a.
1c is formed.

The principle of the air actuated level gauge 21 will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the float 21b is in a floating state, the tip end opening of the cylindrical main body portion 21A is closed, As shown in FIG. 8A, the float 21
In the state where b is not floating, the tip end opening of the cylindrical main body portion 21A is opened. Therefore, when air is introduced from one of the air ports a, as described above, when the tip end opening of the tubular main body portion 21A is closed, air is discharged from the other air port b, and the tip end opening of the tubular main body portion 21A. Is open, the other air port b
Air is not discharged from the.

Therefore, the float 21b according to the level
By the ups and downs of the pilot pressure, the output control of the pilot pressure for controlling the operation of the booster mite 32, which will be described later, connected to the air port b can be performed. The operation of the air-operated level gauge 21 will be described later in detail.

The switching control means comprises an air control circuit 23 as shown in FIG. That is, in this figure, the air supply source 33 is connected to an air pipe 37 in which a hand valve 34, a filter 35, and a regulator 36 are interposed. The air pipe 37 is branched from the downstream side of the regulator 36 into three air pipes 37A to 37C, and the first air pipe 37A is connected to the air port a of the air-operated level gauge 21 via a regulator 38.

The second air pipe 37B is connected to the first port A of the booster mite (pressure conversion switching valve) 32. The pilot port P of this booster mite 32 is connected to the air-operated level gauge 21 via a pipe 50.
Connected to the air port b. Also, Booster Might 3
The second port B of No. 2 is connected to the _first pilot port P ₁ of the relay valve 40 via the pipe 39. The first port A of the relay valve 40 is connected to the pilot port P of the three-way valve 19 via a pipe 41. In addition, the second pilot port P of the relay valve 40
₂ is connected to the first port A of the push button valve 43 via the pipe 42. The second port B of the push button valve 43 is connected to the third air pipe 37C, and the second port B of the relay valve 40 is connected to the pipe 44 in the middle of the third air pipe 37C. Connected via.

Further, in the pipe 39 between the booster mite 32 and the relay valve 40, an empty tank lamp 45 is displayed.
Is connected via a pipe 46, and an alarm 47 and an alarm cutoff valve 48 are connected via a pipe 49. In the booster mite 32, the relay valve 40, and the push button valve 43, C is an atmosphere opening port.

Here, in the booster mite 32, the port A and the port B are normally communicated by a spring, the port C is shut off, and when the pilot pressure is input from the pilot port P, the port A is shut off. And the ports B and C are switched so as to communicate with each other.

Further, in the relay valve 40, when the pilot pressure is input from the first pilot port P ₁ , the port A and the port B are communicated with each other, the port C is shut off, and the second pilot port is connected. When the pilot pressure is input from P ₂ , the ports A and C are switched to communicate with each other and the port B is switched off.

Further, in the push button valve 43, the port B is normally closed by the spring and the port A is closed.
And port C are communicated with each other, and when the push button is pressed, the ports A and B are communicated with each other and the port C is switched off.

The air control circuit 23 and the tank 1 having the above structure
3 is stored in the cooling liquid exchange device main body 51 as shown in FIG. The tank 13 is placed at a high position.

The operation panel (filling start button) 43A of the push button valve 43, the tank empty display lamp 45, and the front panel 51A of the cooling liquid exchange device main body 51,
The operation button 48A of the alarm off valve 48, the operation portion 34A of the hand valve 34, and the operation portion 31A of the drain valve 31 described later are provided, and the tank 13 is provided.
A transparent liquid volume graduation window 53 through which the amount of cooling liquid inside can be visually observed is provided. Further, the relay hose 15 and the injection hose 14 are led out from the side surface of the cooling liquid exchange device main body 51. The cooling liquid exchange device main body 51 can be moved by a caster 52 provided on the bottom surface thereof.

On the other hand, in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned three-way valve 1
In addition to 9, a manual discharge hand valve 29 is provided on the tip side of the relay hose 15, a manual filling hand valve 30 is provided in the middle of the injection hose 14, and a drain valve 31 is provided on the drain hose 18. Each is intervened.

Next, a method of exchanging the cooling liquid by using the cooling liquid exchanging device 12 will be described. FIG. 1 shows a state before the replacement is started, and the cooling liquid is not filled in the tank 13. In addition, the tank 13 is replaced with the radiator filler 4
It is not necessary to set the position higher than the position (because the coolant is supplied from the tank 13 by the coolant circulation pump in the engine when the coolant is filled later). In this case, the level gauge 21 is the float 21b.
Is not in a floating state, the tip end opening of the cylindrical main body portion 21A is open, and air is not discharged from the air port b.

Therefore, in the booster mite 32, the pilot pressure is not input to the pilot port P, and the port A and the port B communicate with each other. As a result, the pilot pressure is input to the _first pilot port P ₁ of the relay valve 40, so that the port A and the port B of the relay valve 40 communicate with each other and the pipe 41 through the three-way valve 1
Air is supplied to the pilot port P of No. 9. As a result, the three-way valve 19 is in a state in which its port A and port B are in communication. Further, the push button valve 43 and the alarm cutoff valve 48 are turned off.

Further, the discharge hand valve 29, the filling hand valve 30 and the drain valve 31 are closed.

FIG. 2 shows a state of preparation for replacement. For example, a tank 13 is filled with a cooling liquid obtained by diluting LLC to a predetermined concentration. Since the required amount of filling varies depending on the vehicle type,
Check this and fill. By filling the cooling liquid, the float 21b of the level gauge 21 is in a floating state, so that the front end opening of the cylindrical main body 21A is closed and the introduction air is discharged from the air port b.

In this case, since the push button valve 43 remains OFF, the three-way valve 19 is in a state in which its port A and port B are in communication. The filling hand valve 30 is slightly opened, and the air inside the hose is released. The alarm cutoff valve 48 is OFF, and the discharge hand valve 29 and the drain valve 31 are still closed.

Next, the radiator side connecting end 10a of the upper hose 10 is removed from the cooling liquid inlet 5 of the radiator 1, and the rubber plug 32 is inserted into the cooling liquid inlet 5. At the radiator side connection end 10a of the upper hose 10,
The connection port 15a of the relay hose 15 is connected. Further, the connection port 14 a of the injection hose 14 is connected to the radiator filler 4 of the radiator 1.

Before connecting the relay hose 15 and the injection hose 14 in this manner, the push button valve 43 is turned on.
Is displayed, port A and port C of the three-way valve 19
However, in this state, there is no possibility that new cooling liquid will stop in the middle of the relay hose 15 (at the port B of the three-way valve 19) and be discharged through the drain hose 16. .

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the engine is started before the replacement is started. The filling hand valve 30 and the discharging hand valve 29 are opened, the engine is started, and the heater lever is set to the maximum temperature position so that the inside of the vehicle compartment is opened. Fully open the heater hot air blower fan.

In this state, if the engine is not hot, the cooling fluid in the engine is not circulated, and the cooling fluid in the hose does not move, but if the engine is hot, the cooling fluid is circulated in the engine. The cooling liquid in the hose is circulated as shown by the arrow in FIG.

When the push button valve 43 is turned on before the engine is started, if the engine is hot, the old coolant in the engine will pass through the drain hose 16 because of the head of the tank 13. Emission begins, but if the engine is started after that, there is no particular problem.

FIG. 4 shows a replacement start state (coolant discharge, filling process), in which the push button valve 43 and the alarm off valve 48 are turned on. Since the float 21b of the level gauge 21 is in a floating state as described above, the front end opening of the cylindrical main body portion 21A is closed and the introduction air is discharged from the air port b. Port 19 is in a state where port A and port C are in communication.

In such a state, the old cooling liquid in the engine and the radiator 1 is collected in the drainage recovery tank via the upper hose 10, the relay hose 15 and the drainage hose 16, while the inside of the tank 13 is collected. Fresh coolant is filled from the radiator filler 4 of the radiator 1 via the injection hose 14.

Specifically, during the exchange of the coolant, the thermostat provided in the coolant circulation path of the engine opens and closes. Therefore, when the thermostat is opened, a new coolant is placed in the radiator 1 and the lower hose 11. Flows in,
The old cooling liquid stored in the radiator 1 and the lower hose 11 flows into the engine. To that extent, the old cooling liquid in the engine is discharged from the relay hose 15 and the drain hose 16 via the upper hose 10. After that, new cooling liquid flows into the radiator 1 and the lower hose 11 in sequence, and this is repeated by opening and closing the thermostat several times, and the cooling liquid circulation system including the radiator 1, the engine, the upper hose 10, and the lower hose 11 is repeated. Will be replaced with fresh coolant.

In this case, by operating the accelerator pedal and throttle valve of the engine in order to raise the temperature of the engine as quickly as possible and open the thermostat to discharge the old coolant so that the coolant does not stay in the circulation only in the engine. , The engine speed is, for example, 2000 to 25
Try to keep it at 00 rpm. The old cooling liquid recovered in the drainage recovery tank is temporarily stored in the tank and then subjected to a predetermined disposal process.

FIG. 5 shows the injection completion state (cooling liquid circulation step). When the cooling liquid in the tank 13 is exhausted (when the specified amount of cooling liquid has been replaced), the level gauge 21
Indicates that since the float 21b is not in a floating state, the tip end opening of the tubular main body 21A is open, air is not discharged from the air port b, and the alarm cutoff valve 48 is turned on. 47 operates and sounds and the tank empty display lamp 45 blinks.

When the alarm cutoff valve 48 is turned off, the operation of the alarm 47 is stopped. At the same time, the push button valve 43 remains ON, but the level gauge 2
By setting 1 as a state in which air is not discharged from the air port b, the port A and the port B of the three-way valve 19 are in communication with each other. Therefore, the circulation of the cooling liquid is started.

That is, the new cooling liquid in the engine is replaced by the upper hose 10, the relay hose 15 and the injection hose 1.
Coolant circulation is performed in which the coolant flows from the radiator filler 4 into the radiator 1 via 4 and flows into the engine from within the radiator 1 via the lower hose 11.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which replacement has been completed. The alarm cutoff valve 48 is turned off, and the push button valve 43 is turned off.
Turn off and stop the engine operation. The order of these operations does not matter. Then, the discharge hand valve 29 and the filling hand valve 30 are closed. Further, the rubber plug 32 is removed from the cooling liquid inlet 5 of the radiator 1, the connection port 15a of the relay hose 15 is removed from the radiator-side connection end 10a of the upper hose 10, and the radiator-side connection end 10a is cooled by the radiator 1. Reconnect to liquid inlet 5.

Also, the connection port 14a of the injection hose 14 is removed from the radiator filler 4. When the upper hose 10 is returned to its original position, the cooling liquid spilled from the hose and the radiator 1 is replaced with a separately prepared cooling liquid.
To replenish.

In the case of a vehicle having an engine equipped with a reservoir tank (not shown), the old cooling liquid in this reserve tank is drained by a pump or the like to clean it, and a new cooling liquid is completely filled. Inject about 100 ml more than the level.

According to the cooling liquid exchanging device having such a configuration,
It has the following effects. That is, it is configured to include a tank 13 that stores a new coolant for replacement, an injection hose 14, a relay hose 15, and a drain hose 16, and the upper hose 10 is used as a coolant inlet for the radiator 1. 5, the cooling liquid inlet 5 was plugged, the injection hose 14 was connected to the radiator feeler 4, and the other end of the relay hose 15 was connected to the radiator side connection end 10a of the upper hose 10. By performing a predetermined operation in this state, the cooling liquid can be easily replaced, and a laborious and troublesome work of removing the drain plug 8 from the drain 9 of the radiator 1 is not required, resulting in excellent work efficiency.

Furthermore, since the old cooling liquid can be flushed with the new cooling liquid to replace the cooling liquid, there is no risk of air being mixed in during the replacement work, and it is almost unnecessary to separately perform the air bleeding work.

Further, as compared with the conventional case where the drain plug on the radiator side is simply removed to discharge the cooling liquid, the exchange rate of the old and new cooling liquid is high and the amount of discharged liquid is large even without washing with tap water. Compared with the conventional method, the work can be performed in a short time and in a short time.

This is clear from the results of experiments conducted by the present inventors. That is, for a vehicle (a "crown" manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation) with a required amount of cooling liquid of 8.0 liters,
When 8.0 liters of new cooling liquid was filled and replaced from the tank, the replacement ratio of the old and new cooling liquids was about 82%. The replacement rate is as follows: water is used as the new cooling liquid instead of the cooling liquid of a predetermined concentration, and the old cooling liquid concentration in the radiator before the replacement work and the new cooling liquid concentration in the radiator after the replacement work are completed. It asked for by comparing.

Further, the exchange rate between the case of injecting 6.0 liters of a new cooling liquid and the case of injecting 10.0 liters of the above-mentioned automobile was measured to be about 70% and about 88%, respectively.
Therefore, a considerably higher exchange rate can be achieved as compared with the case of discharging only from the drain on the radiator side even with an amount less than the required cooling liquid amount, but in order to achieve a high exchange rate of 80% or more, Such a method is possible. That is,
For example, if the required cooling liquid volume is 8 liters, first fill 12 liters of water (theoretically, at this point, not only the old liquid but also the filled water will be pushed out by 4 liters), and then As in the case of filling 4 liters of undiluted coolant with 4 liters of water (this causes a further 4 liters of water to be pushed out), etc., fill the engine with more water than the required volume of coolant and wash the engine before the desired dilution. It is possible to use a method of filling a stock solution with a volume that provides a concentration, which further increases the exchange rate.

For comparison, the method described in the above-mentioned "Prior Art" has the same required cooling liquid amount of 8.0 liters as in the above-mentioned embodiment (Toyota Motor Corporation "Crown"). The tank was filled with 8.0 liters of new cooling liquid and replaced. However, the drain plug on the engine side was not removed.

As a result, about 4.0 liters of old cooling liquid was discharged from the drain on the radiator side, and the exchange ratio of old and new cooling liquid was about 50%. Further, since it takes time to remove the drain plug from the drain on the radiator side and air in the engine needs to be removed, it takes about 30 minutes to replace the drain plug.

Further, the configuration of the exchange device has the following special effects. That is, in the exchanging device 12, the coolant flowing through the upper hose 10 is blocked from flowing into the radiator 1 from the relay hose 15, and the first flow passage is introduced into the drain hose 16. A three-way valve 19 that selectively switches between a second flow path that blocks the flow of the coolant through the drainage hose 16 into the drain hose 16 and flows into the radiator 1 is provided, and the remaining coolant remains. A level gauge 21 for detecting the amount is provided, and the three-way valve 19 is switched to the first flow path until the end of the exchange is detected, and when the end of the exchange is detected, the three-way valve 19 is switched to the second passage. Since the air control circuit 23 for switching to the flow path is provided, new cooling liquid in the engine is automatically supplied to the upper hose 10, the relay hose 15 and the injection after the injection of the cooling liquid is completed. Use hose 1
Coolant circulation is performed in which the coolant flows from the radiator filler 4 into the radiator 1 via 4 and flows into the engine from within the radiator 1 via the lower hose 11. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the engine immediately after the replacement, and it is possible to separate the work from the device for a short time, and it is possible to make effective use of this work for a short time. Work efficiency can be improved.

That is, in the structure in which the cooling liquid is simply discharged and filled, when the engine continues to operate after the cooling liquid in the tank 13 is exhausted and the replacement of the cooling liquid is completed, the cooling liquid circulating pump in the engine is Because the cooling liquid discharge operation is continued and the newly injected cooling liquid is discharged, it is necessary to monitor and operate the device after starting the replacement of the cooling liquid, and to stop the engine immediately. Therefore, the operator cannot leave the vehicle for a very short time until the replacement operation is completed, the time cannot be used effectively, and the work efficiency of the operator is reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes the following embodiments. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the connection port 14a of the injection hose 14 is connected to the radiator filler 4, but it is provided to connect the upper hose 10 that connects the engine and the radiator 1. When the present invention is applied to the liquid inlet 5 or a method of cutting the conventionally known upper hose 10 at an appropriate position and replacing the upper hose 10, the upper hose divided into two is connected to the cooling liquid inlet 5 of the radiator 1. You may make it connect to the cut end part of the part.

In the above embodiment, the connection port 15a of the relay hose 15 is connected to the radiator side connection end 10a of the upper hose 10, but when the connection is divided into two as described above, Alternatively, the upper hose 10 may be connected to the cut end of the portion connected to the engine side connection port.

Further, in the present embodiment, the flow path switching means is formed by the single three-way valve 19. However, the fluid is inserted in the drainage hose 16 to open and close the drainage hose 16. The pressure-operated first automatic opening / closing valve 19 and the intermediate portion of the relay hose 15 are interposed between the drainage hose 16 connection portion and the drain hose 18 connection portion, and the relay hose 15 A fluid pressure-operated second automatic opening / closing valve 20 for opening / closing is provided, and these valves are selectively opened / closed by an air control circuit similar to that of the previous embodiment to switch the flow paths. Is also good. An electromagnetic valve may be used instead of the fluid pressure operated three-way valve or the automatic opening / closing valve. In this case, an electric control circuit for the solenoid valve is provided as the switching control means.

Further, in this embodiment, the air-operated level gauge is provided as the cooling liquid remaining amount detecting means, but other remaining amount sensors may be used, and the actual replacement flow rate of the cooling liquid is detected. A flow meter or the like is essential as long as it can detect the remaining amount of the cooling liquid.

[0076]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the cooling liquid can be easily replaced, the replacement ratio of the old and new cooling liquid is high, and the work can be performed in a short time. , After the injection of the cooling liquid is completed, the new cooling liquid in the engine automatically flows into the radiator from the cooling liquid injection port of the radiator through the upper hose, the relay hose, and the injection hose, and from this radiator. Since the cooling liquid circulation that flows into the engine is continuously performed,
It is not necessary to stop the engine immediately after the replacement,
It is possible to separate the work from the apparatus for a short time and to perform another work for a short time, but since this can be effectively used, the work efficiency of the worker can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the flow path is switched from a single three-way valve, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the flow path is switched from the two automatic opening / closing valves, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

According to the invention described in claim 4, by applying the level gauge, the remaining amount of the cooling liquid in the tank can be easily detected, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the flow path can be switched by the air control circuit having a simple structure.
It is also advantageous in terms of cost.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the exchange preparation process, the exchange process, and the circulation process, which are mainly three processes, are performed to perform the operations of discharging, filling, and circulating the cooling liquid by the exchange device. It can be performed easily and reliably, and the cooling liquid can be replaced smoothly and in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a common embodiment of the present invention according to claims 1 to 6, and is a schematic diagram showing a state before starting replacement.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the operation of the above embodiment, and is a schematic view showing a state of preparation for replacement.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation of the above embodiment, and is a schematic view showing a state in which the engine is started before the replacement is started.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the above embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing a replacement start state (coolant discharge, filling process).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the above-mentioned embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the injection completion state (cooling liquid circulation step)

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation of the above-mentioned embodiment, and is a schematic view showing the state after replacement is completed.

FIG. 7 is an air control circuit diagram in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining the structure and principle of the level gauge in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the cooling liquid exchange device main body in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 radiator 4 Radiator filler (coolant inlet) 5 Coolant inlet 10 upper hose 12 Coolant exchange device 13 tanks 14 Injection hose 15 Relay hose 16 Drainage hose 19 Three-way valve (flow path switching means) 21 Level gauge (remaining amount detection means) 23 Air control circuit (switch control means)

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tank for storing a new coolant for replacement, one end of which is connected to the tank, the other end of which is connected to a coolant inlet of a radiator, and an upper hose connecting the engine and the radiator is connected to the radiator. Either the cooling liquid inlet provided for this purpose or the cut end of the part of the upper hose that is divided into two parts when the upper hose is cut at an appropriate position and is connected to the cooling liquid inlet of the radiator. One injection hose and one end connected to the middle of the injection hose, and the other end is the radiator side connection end of the upper hose and the engine side connection port of the halved upper hose. A relay hose connected to one of the cut ends of the relay hose and a drainage hose whose one end is connected to an intermediate part of the relay hose. And a first flow path through which the cooling liquid that has passed through the upper hose is blocked from flowing into the radiator through the relay hose and the injection hose and flows into the drain hose, and the cooling liquid. Flow path switching means for selectively switching to a second flow path that is blocked from flowing into the drainage hose and further flows into the radiator via the relay hose and the injection hose; The remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the cooling liquid in the inside, and the flow path switching means until the remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of the cooling liquid reaches a predetermined amount. Switching control means for switching to the flow path and switching the flow path switching means to the second flow path when it is detected that the remaining amount of the cooling liquid has reached a predetermined amount. Cooling of automobile engine characterized by being configured Exchange equipment. 2. A cooling system for an automobile engine according to claim 1, wherein the flow path switching means is composed of a three-way valve interposed at a connecting portion between the relay hose and the drainage hose. Liquid exchange device. 3. The flow path switching means is interposed in a drainage hose and cools more than a first automatic opening / closing valve for opening and closing the hose and the drainage hose connection portion of a relay hose. 2. The cooling liquid exchange device for an automobile engine according to claim 1, further comprising a second automatic opening / closing valve which is interposed at a downstream side portion of the liquid flow and which opens and closes the hose. 4. The remaining amount detecting means comprises a level gauge disposed in a tank.
A cooling fluid exchange device for an automobile engine according to item 1. 5. The flow path switching means is a three-way valve provided in a connecting portion between a relay hose and a drain hose,
A pilot port, a first port connected to one end of the relay hose, a second port connected to the other end of the relay hose, and a second port connected to the end of the drainage hose. And a third port, which is normally switched to a state in which the first port and the third port communicate with each other, and when the pilot pressure is input to the pilot port, the first port
Of the fluid pressure type three-way valve that is switched to a state in which the port of No. 2 and the port of No. 2 are in communication with each other, and the remaining amount detecting means is arranged in the tank, and the level of the coolant in the tank is a predetermined value. The air-operated level gauge that outputs an air signal at the above time is provided, and the switching control means sets the first port and the second port of the three-way valve when the air signal is not output from the air-operated level gauge. The pilot pressure is output to the pilot port so that the port communicates with the port, and when the air signal is output from the air actuated level gauge, the first port and the third port of the three-way valve communicate with each other. 2. The cooling system for an automobile engine according to claim 1, further comprising an air control circuit for performing air control so as not to output the pilot pressure to the pilot port. Liquid exchange apparatus. 6. A cooling liquid exchanging method using the cooling liquid exchanging device for an automobile engine according to claim 1, wherein the upper hose is removed from a cooling liquid inlet of a radiator, The cooling liquid inlet is plugged, the injection hose is connected to the cooling liquid injection port of the radiator, the cooling liquid inlet of the radiator and 2
Connected to one of the cut ends of the portion of the divided upper hose that is connected to the coolant inlet of the radiator, and connect the other end of the relay hose to the radiator side connection end of the upper hose and Replacement preparation step of connecting to the cut end of the part of the upper hose that is divided into two parts that is connected to the engine side connection port; the flow path switching means causes the coolant that has passed through the upper hose to be further used as a relay hose and for injection. The engine is started and the old cooling liquid is drained to the drain hose while blocking the flow of the cooling liquid to the radiator via the hose and switching to the first flow path where the cooling liquid flows into the drain hose. A process of exchanging the cooling liquid by filling it with a new cooling liquid through an injection hose while discharging from the flow path; after the passage switching means has filled the required amount of the new cooling liquid, it passes through the upper hose. The cooling liquid is blocked from flowing into the drainage hose, and the cooling liquid is switched to the second flow path through which the cooling liquid further flows into the radiator through the relay hose and the injection hose. And a circulation step of circulating between the engine and the engine.