JP6313293B2 - Determination system and determination method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a determination system and a determination method for determining a deterioration state of a lubricating oil.

  Conventionally, various methods and apparatuses for optically inspecting the color of a liquid material have been proposed in order to determine the state of the liquid material such as lubricating oil of a machine. As an example of this method, an apparatus for measuring light transmittance by emitting light of different wavelengths toward the lubricating oil and detecting the light transmitted through the lubricating oil is disclosed (for example, Patent Documents). 1). In this apparatus, the amount of foreign matter in the lubricating oil is estimated based on the transmittance.

JP 2007-198767 A

However, it is difficult for the above apparatus to accurately determine the state of a liquid material such as lubricating oil. In other words, the state of the liquid material such as lubricating oil changes not only due to the inclusion of foreign matter but also due to a plurality of other factors.
Further, in determining the state of the liquid material such as deterioration determination, a threshold value or the like that is a criterion for determining the state of the liquid material is necessary, but the threshold value varies depending on the composition of the liquid material. For this reason, even if it is basically the same liquid material, such as engine oil, the versatility is poor when a plurality of types are known.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a determination system and a determination method that are highly versatile and have high accuracy of state determination for a liquid material.

A determination system that solves the above-described problem is a determination system that determines a state of a liquid material to be determined. An optical sensor having a color detection unit that detects color information of the detected light, a color component difference calculation unit that calculates a color component difference of the liquid based on a detection value output from the optical sensor, and the optical Based on the detection value output from the sensor, a lightness calculation unit for calculating the lightness of the liquid, and determination data obtained by dividing the state of the liquid according to the color component difference and the lightness A determination data storage unit that stores at least one according to the identification information, identification information for identifying the object to which the liquid material is applied or a user of the object, and the identification information that is associated with the identification information and applied to the object An attribute information storage unit for storing type information indicating the type of the state body, a type specifying unit for specifying the type of the liquid material to be determined, and at least from each determination data according to the type of the liquid material to be determined A determination unit that determines a state of the liquid material to be determined based on the selected determination data, the color component difference and the lightness of the liquid material to be determined, and an output that outputs a determination result A determination unit comprising: a unit; an optical sensor; an input unit that inputs the identification information; the output unit that outputs the state of the liquid material that is a determination result; and the determination device connected via a network, the determination An attribute information server having the attribute information storage unit that stores the identification information and the type information registered through the device, the determination data storage unit, the type identification unit, and the determination unit, and The recording type specifying unit specifies the type of the liquid material to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information storage unit, and the determining unit specifies the specified liquid material According to the type, at least one of the determination data is selected, and the determination data is used to determine the state of the determination target liquid.

According to these aspects, the determination data stored in the system divides the state of the liquid according to the color component difference and brightness. Therefore, based on the determination result using the data, for example, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the liquid replacement time has been reached. Further, the system stores a plurality of determination data according to the type of the liquid material, and when performing the determination, specifies the type of the liquid material to be determined and selects the determination data according to the type. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to different situations where different types of liquids exist, and the versatility of the system can be improved. In addition, the system stores identification information that can identify an object or its user, and type information that indicates the type of liquid applied to the object in association with the identification information. The state determination can be performed by specifying the type of the liquid material without using a special sensor or the like to detect. Furthermore, since the attribute information server centrally manages the identification information and type information, the user can determine the liquid material at a plurality of bases.

  In the determination system, the optical sensor has a first optical element having a reflection surface that reflects the detection light emitted from the light emitting element, and the detection light reflected by the reflection surface to the color detection unit. A second optical element having a reflective surface that reflects toward the surface, and the inspection section configured by a gap between the first optical element and the second optical element, and the liquid body in the inspection section It is preferable that the color information is detected by storing the color information.

  According to this aspect, the system acquires the color information by storing the liquid material previously taken out from the object in the inspection unit of the optical sensor, and automatically performs the determination according to the color information. In addition, since the liquid material is sufficient if it can fill the gaps between the optical elements at the maximum, it is not necessary to take out the entire amount of the liquid material from the object. For this reason, determination can be performed by a simple operation for the operator.

  In the determination system, the optical sensor is provided with a first transmission part that transmits the detection light emitted from the light emitting element, and a gap with respect to the first transmission part, and transmits the detection light. A second transmissive portion that performs the inspection, and the inspection portion that is configured by a gap between the first transmissive portion and the second transmissive portion, and the liquid is contained in the inspection portion so that the color is contained. It is preferable to detect information.

  According to this aspect, the system acquires the color information by storing the liquid material previously taken out from the object in the inspection unit of the optical sensor, and automatically performs the determination according to the color information. In addition, since the liquid material is sufficient if it can fill the gaps between the optical elements at the maximum, it is not necessary to take out the entire amount of the liquid material from the object. For this reason, determination can be performed by a simple operation for the operator.

For the determination system, comprising a device body for chromatic said determination device, wherein the optical sensor is the object optical sensor is applied, the measurement part is mounted in a possible contact with the liquid material was detected Preferably, the color information is output to the device main body connected to the object control device.

  According to this aspect, the optical sensor can detect the color information in a state where the optical sensor is attached to the object. For this reason, the operator can perform the state determination using the determination data corresponding to the liquid material without removing the liquid material from the object.

In the determination system, the optical sensor is attached to an object to which the optical sensor is applied in a state where the inspection unit can contact the liquid material, and the detected color information is output to the control device of the object. and, wherein the controller, possess the determination device, it is preferable to output the output connected to the control device.

  According to this aspect, the optical sensor can detect the color information in a state where the optical sensor is attached to the object. For this reason, the operator can perform the state determination using the determination data corresponding to the liquid material without removing the liquid material from the object. Even if the operator does not perform the predetermined work, the control device for the object automatically performs the determination, so that determination results can be obtained at regular intervals. Accordingly, by outputting the determination result to the output unit, it is possible to notify the user of the guide for the replacement time at any time, and to prompt the user for replacement at the timing when the necessity for replacement becomes high.

  About the determination system, at least one of a sensor that measures the amount of water contained in the liquid, a sensor that measures the iron content, a sensor that measures the particle content, and a sensor that detects the odor of the liquid In addition to the determination using the determination data, the determination unit preferably determines the liquid material based on a detection value output from the sensor.

  According to this aspect, in addition to the color information of the liquid, the state of the liquid is determined based on at least one of the moisture content, the iron content, the particle content, and the odor of the liquid. For this reason, the state of the liquid material can be comprehensively determined.

In the determination system, the liquid material is engine oil, and the determination data storage unit stores determination data for classifying the deterioration state of the engine oil to be determined according to the color component difference and brightness of the engine oil. At least one is stored according to the type, and the determination unit selects one of the determination data according to the type of engine oil to be determined, and the selected determination data and the engine oil to be determined are selected. It is preferable to determine the deterioration state of the determination target engine oil based on the color component difference and the brightness.

According to this aspect, since the determination data stored in the system divides the deterioration state according to the color component difference and brightness of various engine oils, based on the determination results using the data, It is possible to accurately determine whether or not it is time to change the engine oil. The system also stores a plurality of deterioration determination data according to the type of engine oil, and when performing deterioration determination, specifies the type of engine oil to be determined and selects deterioration determination data according to that type. . Therefore, since it can respond to a plurality of types of engine oil, the versatility of the system can be improved.

A determination system that solves the above-described problem is a determination system that determines a deterioration state of lubricating oil of a machine. An inspection unit that receives the lubricant, a light emitting element that emits detection light to the inspection unit, and a transmission through the lubricant An optical sensor having a color detection unit that detects color information of the detection light, a color component maximum difference calculation unit that calculates a color component maximum difference of the lubricating oil based on a detection value output from the optical sensor, Based on the detection value output from the optical sensor, a lightness calculation unit that calculates the lightness of the lubricating oil, and deterioration determination data that divides the deterioration state of the lubricating oil according to the color component maximum difference and the lightness, a determination data storage unit for storing a plurality depending on the type of the lubricating oil, the identification information identifying a user of the object lubricant is applied or the object, and the object associated with the identification information An attribute information storage unit for storing the type information indicating the type of use lubricating oil, and a type specifying unit for specifying the type of the lubricating oil to be determined, each of deterioration in accordance with the type of the lubricating oil to be determined A deterioration determination unit that selects one of the determination data and determines the deterioration state of the determination target lubricant based on the selected deterioration determination data and the color component maximum difference and the brightness of the determination target lubricant; A determination device comprising: an output unit that outputs a deterioration state that is a determination result ; the optical sensor; an input unit that inputs the identification information; and the output unit that outputs a state of the lubricating oil that is a determination result; The attribute information storage unit, the determination data storage unit, the type specifying unit, the deterioration determination unit, which are connected to a device via a network and store the identification information and the type information registered through the determination device. An attribute information server having a portion, and the type specifying unit specifies the type of the lubricating oil to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information storage unit, The deterioration determination unit selects at least one of the deterioration determination data according to the specified type of the lubricant, and determines the state of the determination target lubricant using the deterioration determination data .

According to this aspect, the deterioration determination data stored in the system divides the deterioration state according to the color component maximum difference and brightness, and therefore, based on the determination result using the data, the lubricant It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the replacement time has been reached. In addition, the system stores a plurality of deterioration determination data according to the type of the lubricating oil, and when performing the deterioration determination, the type of the lubricating oil to be determined is specified and the deterioration determination data corresponding to the type is selected. . For this reason, it can be applied to different situations where different types of lubricating oil exist, and the versatility of the system can be improved. In addition, the system stores identification information that can identify an object or its user, and type information that indicates the type of liquid applied to the object in association with the identification information. The state determination can be performed by specifying the type of the liquid material without using a special sensor or the like to detect. Furthermore, since the attribute information server centrally manages the identification information and type information, the user can determine the liquid material at a plurality of bases.

A determination method for solving the above-described problem is a determination method for determining the state of a liquid material using an optical sensor and a determination device for detecting color information of the liquid liquid material, and attribute information connected to the determination device via a network. Identification information for identifying an object to which the liquid material registered through the determination device is applied or a user of the object, and a liquid material associated with the identification information and applied to the object Type information indicating the type of the liquid material, identifying the type of the liquid material to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information server, and for each color component output from the optical sensor It gets the basis computed color component difference and the lightness, a plurality of decision data divided state of the liquid material in accordance with the color component difference and the lightness associated with the type of the liquid material, determined Select one according to the type of the liquid elephant, based on the color component difference and the lightness of the selected said decision data, and the determination target of the liquid, determines the state of the liquid material of the determination target, The determination device acquires the identification information corresponding to the object to be determined, and outputs a determination result to an output unit.

  According to this aspect, since the determination data divides the state of the liquid according to the color component difference and brightness, based on the determination result using the data, for example, has it reached the replacement time of the liquid? It is possible to accurately determine whether or not. Further, the system stores a plurality of determination data according to the type of the liquid material, and when performing the determination, specifies the type of the liquid material to be determined and selects the determination data according to the type. Therefore, it can be applied to different situations where different types of liquids exist, and the versatility of the method can be improved. In addition, the system stores identification information that can identify an object or its user, and type information that indicates the type of liquid applied to the object in association with the identification information. The state determination can be performed by specifying the type of the liquid material without using a special sensor or the like to detect. Furthermore, since the attribute information server centrally manages the identification information and type information, the user can determine the liquid material at a plurality of bases.

A determination method for solving the above problem is a determination method for determining a deterioration state of lubricating oil of a machine using an optical sensor and a determination device for detecting color information of an object, and is connected to the determination device via a network. The attribute information server is applied to the object associated with the identification information identifying the object to which the lubricant registered through the determination device is applied or the user of the object, and the identification information. Stores type information indicating the type of lubricant, identifies the type of lubricant to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information server, and outputs each color from the optical sensor get the computed color component maximum difference and brightness based on the components, partial deterioration state of the lubricating oil to be determined associated with the type of the lubricating oil according to the color component maximum difference and the lightness From the plurality of deterioration determination data, one is selected according to the type of lubricant to be determined, based on the selected deterioration determination data, the color component maximum difference of the determination target lubricant and the lightness, The deterioration state of the lubricant to be determined is determined, and the determination device acquires the identification information corresponding to the lubricant to be determined, and outputs the deterioration state that is the determination result.

According to this embodiment, determination data, since the divided state of the liquid material in accordance with the color component maximum difference and Lightness, based on the determination result using the data to reach the replacement timing of example, a liquid material It is possible to accurately determine whether or not Further, the system stores a plurality of determination data according to the type of the liquid material, and when performing the determination, specifies the type of the liquid material to be determined and selects the determination data according to the type. Therefore, it can be applied to different situations where different types of liquids exist, and the versatility of the method can be improved. In addition, the system stores identification information that can identify an object or its user, and type information that indicates the type of liquid applied to the object in association with the identification information. The state determination can be performed by specifying the type of the liquid material without using a special sensor or the like to detect. Furthermore, since the attribute information server centrally manages the identification information and type information, the user can determine the liquid material at a plurality of bases.

The schematic diagram of the deterioration determination apparatus of the deterioration determination system in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the optical sensor which comprises the deterioration determination apparatus. The block diagram which shows the structure of the degradation determination apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the exchange log | history information in 1st Embodiment. The conceptual diagram of the deterioration determination map used for the deterioration determination in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart of the deterioration determination process in 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the lubricating oil deterioration determination system in 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the lubricating oil degradation determination system in 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart of the deterioration determination process in 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the lubricating oil degradation determination system in 4th Embodiment. The sequence chart of the degradation determination process in 4th Embodiment. The perspective view which showed typically the measuring apparatus of the lubricating oil degradation determination system in a modification. The figure which shows the usage condition of the measuring apparatus in a modification. The schematic diagram of the lubricating oil deterioration determination system in a modification. The schematic diagram of the lubricating oil deterioration determination system in a modification. The schematic diagram of the lubricating oil deterioration determination system in a modification. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the lubricant deterioration determination system in FIG. 16. The schematic diagram of the deterioration determination map in a modification. The schematic diagram of the deterioration determination map in a modification.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the determination system and the determination method will be described. In the present embodiment, the determination system and the determination method will be specifically described as a system, a method, and a program for determining deterioration of engine oil as lubricating oil.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lubricant deterioration determination system 10 as a determination system has a deterioration determination device 11 as a determination device. The degradation determination device 11 is installed in a service center that performs maintenance and inspection of a vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle, a gas station, or the like, or a worker who is a clerk of the service center or a vehicle that owns or manages the vehicle. It is operated by a person. The deterioration determination device 11 includes a device main body 12, an input unit 13, a display 14 as an output unit, and an optical sensor 20.

  The apparatus main body 12 is accommodated in the housing 11 a and performs a deterioration determination process on the engine oil based on the detection information output from the optical sensor 20. The input unit 13 and the display 14 are fixed to the front wall portion of the housing 11a. The input unit 13 includes a known input device such as a numeric keypad and a card reader, and can input vehicle identification information or user identification information associated with the vehicle.

  The optical sensor 20 is provided to be communicable with the apparatus main body 12 via a communication cable 11b or the like. The optical sensor 20 is provided at the tip of the communication cable 11b and is movable within the length range of the communication cable 11b drawn from the housing 11a. When determining the deterioration state of the engine oil, an operator (or a user) takes out a small amount of engine oil from the target object and the engine as a machine and puts it in a container C or the like. Immerse in engine oil in C etc. As a result, the optical sensor 20 outputs detection information to the apparatus main body 12. The apparatus main body 12 to which the detection information is input performs a deterioration determination process on the lubricating oil. The apparatus main body 12 displays the determination result on the display 14.

(Optical sensor)
The configuration of the optical sensor 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The optical sensor 20 includes a housing 21 made of metal or resin, and the housing 21 has, for example, an accommodating portion 21a in the upper part. The upper housing portion 21 a is covered with a cover 29.

  The upper accommodating portion 21a accommodates the circuit board 22. The circuit board 22 is fixed to the housing 21 with screws 21c and the like. The circuit board 22 is connected to a signal / power line 28 in which a power line and a signal line are bundled.

  The circuit board 22 includes a light emitting element 23, a color sensor 24 as a color detection unit, and various electronic components (not shown). The light emitting element 23 is a known element that emits white detection light, such as a white LED. The color sensor 24 is an RGB sensor in the present embodiment, and is a device that converts R value, G value, and B value as color information corresponding to the amount of detection light via a signal line constituting the signal / power line 28. Output to the main body 12.

  The housing 21 has a first through hole 21d extending in the optical axis direction of the detection light. The first through hole 21 d penetrates from the bottom surface of the upper housing portion 21 a to the bottom surface of the housing 21. A first prism 25 as a first optical element is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 21 and at the outlet of the first through hole 21d. The first prism 25 is a right-angle prism made of a translucent material such as quartz or glass. The first prism 25 emits the incident surface 25a on which the detection light having passed through the first through hole 21d is incident, the reflection surface 25b on which the detection light incident from the incident surface 25a is reflected, and the detection light reflected on the reflection surface 25b. It has an outgoing surface 25c. Since the first prism 25 is housed in a holder (not shown), it is difficult for an operator's hand or the like to come into contact with the first prism 25 and to collide with an object such as the housing 11a.

The entrance surface 25a and the exit surface 25c are optically polished. The reflection surface 25b is composed of a metal vapor deposition film and a protective film (both not shown). The metal vapor deposition film is a thin film such as aluminum, for example, and is formed on the outside of the translucent material. The protective film is, for example, an SiO ₂ thin film or an MgF ₂ thin film, and is provided outside the metal vapor deposition film to protect the metal vapor deposition film. The angle of the reflecting surface 25b with respect to the incident surface 25a is adjusted so that the optical path of the light incident on the reflecting surface 25b is reflected in a direction of 90 ° with respect to the incident direction.

  A second prism 26 as a second optical element is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 21 with a gap from the first prism 25. The second prism 26 has the same configuration as that of the first prism 25, and has an incident surface 26a, a reflective surface 26b, and an output surface 26c. A gap provided between the first prism 25 and the second prism 26 is an oil penetration gap 27 into which engine oil to be judged enters, and has a width of several mm. Since the second prism 26 is also housed in a holder (not shown), it is difficult for an operator's hand or the like to come in contact with the object, such as the housing 11a.

  The housing 21 includes a second through hole 21e extending in parallel with the first through hole 21d. The second through hole 21 e extends from the bottom surface of the upper housing portion 21 a to the bottom surface of the housing 21, and is provided between the second prism 26 and the color sensor 24.

  Accordingly, the white detection light emitted from the light emitting element 23 goes straight through the first through hole 21 d and enters the first prism 25. The optical path of the detection light is bent by 90 ° by the reflection surface 25b, and the detection light enters the oil intrusion gap 27 from the emission surface 25c. Further, the detection light passes through the engine oil that has entered the oil penetration gap 27 and enters the second prism 26. The optical path of the detection light incident on the second prism 26 is bent by 90 ° by the reflection surface 26b, and the detection light travels straight through the second through hole 21e and is received by the color sensor 24. That is, the optical path of the detection light emitted from the light emitting element 23 is inverted by 180 ° by the first prism 25 and the second prism 26. The detection light that has passed through the engine oil is light in which a wavelength region corresponding to the hue of the engine oil is absorbed.

  Further, the degradation determination device 11 is provided with an operation switch (not shown) of the optical sensor 20. When the operation switch is turned on, the light emitting element 23 emits detection light, and the color sensor 24 is driven. When the operation switch is turned off, the light emitting element 23 stops emitting detection light.

(Device body)
Next, the configuration of the apparatus main body 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus main body 12 includes a control unit 30 and a storage unit 31. The control unit 30 includes, for example, a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and performs a deterioration determination process based on a lubricant deterioration determination program stored in the ROM or the like. Further, the control unit 30 acquires input information corresponding to the input operation of the input unit 13 and outputs a determination result to the display 14. The control unit 30 corresponds to a color component difference calculation unit, a lightness calculation unit, a type identification unit, a deterioration determination unit, a determination device, an acquisition unit, and an output control unit.

  The storage unit 31 stores replacement history information 32 as attribute information and a deterioration determination map 33 as determination data. The storage unit 31 corresponds to a determination data storage unit and an attribute information storage unit. The exchange history information 32 is registered for each vehicle of the registered user.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the replacement history information 32 (32A to 32C) includes a vehicle identifier 32a as identification information, a replacement date and time 32b, and an oil type 32c as type information. The vehicle identifier 32 a is a number or the like for identifying the vehicle, and is assigned to each vehicle, and is different for each replacement history information 32. Each replacement history information 32 is data provided with a different vehicle identifier 32a.

  The replacement date and time 32b is the date and time when the engine oil of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle identifier 32a is replaced, and the oil type 32c indicates the type of engine oil that was replaced on the replacement date and time 32b. The replacement date and time 32b and the oil type 32c are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. As in the replacement history information 32B in the center of FIG. 4, when a plurality of engine oil replacement times have occurred since the replacement history information 32 was registered, a plurality of pairs of replacement dates and times 32c and oil types 32c are stored.

  The oil type 32c indicates a group classified according to, for example, a trade name of engine oil or a composition, characteristics, or use of the engine oil. The group of engine oil corresponding to each oil type 32c is a group in which the color in a state where there is no deterioration, the color change according to the deterioration degree and the deterioration factor are similar. As a group to which one or more products belong, for example, a group for each base oil such as mineral oil or synthetic synthetic oil, a group in which additives such as colorants are similar, or an SAE viscosity number classified by viscosity Each group, a group by API service classification classified by performance and application, a group by ACEA standard classified by applicable vehicle type, presence or absence of exhaust purification filter, viscosity, friction, durability, phosphorus content, etc. There is. When the oil type 32c is a group as described above, the apparatus main body 12 has a conversion table for converting the product name of the engine oil input via the input unit 13 into the oil type 32c.

  The oil type 32c is associated with the deterioration determination map 33 by a correspondence table or the like. The deterioration determination map 33 is created through a test or the like that deteriorates the type of oil due to a plurality of factors. One deterioration determination map 33 may correspond to a plurality of oil types 32c.

  The deterioration determination map 33 will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical axis of the deterioration determination map 33 indicates the color component maximum difference. Each color component difference is represented by the absolute value of the difference between the R value, the G value, and the B value, that is, | R−G |, | GB− |, and | R−B |. The largest value among these color component differences is the color component maximum difference D. Of the R value, G value, and B value, the minimum value is often the B value, and the maximum value is often the R value, so only | R−B | may be calculated as the color component maximum difference. .

  The value on the vertical axis of the deterioration determination map 33 indicates that the maximum value Dmax of the color component maximum difference that can be taken by the engine oil of the oil type 32c that is the object of the map is “1”, and the minimum value Dmin of the color component maximum difference is This is the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference when “0” is set. The minimum value and the maximum value of the color component maximum difference are obtained by testing or calculation.

The horizontal axis of the deterioration determination map 33 is the lightness L of the engine oil. The lightness L is expressed by the following formula (1) using the R value, the G value, and the B value.
L = (R ² + G ² + B ² ) ^1/2 (1)
The value X on the horizontal axis is obtained when the maximum value Lmax is “1” and the minimum value Lmin of the lightness L is “0” among the lightness L that can be taken by the engine oil of the oil type 32c that is the object of the map. The relative value of the lightness L. In addition, the minimum value and the maximum value of the lightness L are calculated | required by the test or calculation.

  The deterioration determination map 33 is divided into a plurality of areas indicating the deterioration state of the engine oil according to the color component maximum difference and the lightness balance. In this embodiment, the deterioration determination map 33 is divided into eight areas. These regions are set through, for example, a test that deteriorates engine oil by using it for a long time under a predetermined use condition, and a test that deteriorates due to heat, oxidation, and mixing of impurities.

  The first region Z1 is a region where the relative brightness value X is relatively high and the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference is relatively low, and it is determined that there is no deterioration of the engine oil. The second region Z2 is a region where the relative brightness value X is lower than the first region Z1, but is relatively high as a whole, and it is determined that the deterioration of the engine oil is low. The third region Z3 is a region where the relative brightness value X is lower than that of the second region Z2, and the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference is moderate to high, and this region has moderate deterioration of the engine oil. This is the area to be determined. The fourth region Z4 is a region having the lowest lightness relative value X among the first region Z1 to the third region Z3, and is a region where it is determined that the deterioration of the engine oil is high. When engine oil is used in a normal state without heat deterioration, oxidation deterioration, etc., the maximum color component difference and brightness of the engine oil sequentially follow the first region Z1 to the fourth region Z4.

  The fifth region Z5 and the sixth region Z6 are regions where the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference is higher than that of the first region Z1, and it is determined that the engine oil has deteriorated due to oxidation. is there. The seventh area Z7 is an area where the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference is higher than that of the fifth area Z5, and it is determined that the degree of oxidation deterioration is high from the balance of the color component maximum difference and the brightness. The eighth region Z8 is a region where the lightness relative value X is relatively low and the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference is relatively low, and it is determined that deterioration is observed due to contamination of wear powder or the like. Area. Of these areas, the areas determined to require engine oil replacement can be set as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the areas are the fourth area Z4, the seventh area Z7, and the eighth area Z8.

  The boundaries or sizes of the regions Z1 to Z8 vary depending on the types of compounds such as the colorant and base oil contained in the engine oil, the composition of each compound, and the like. For this reason, the boundary value, size, etc. of each area | region Z1-Z8 of the degradation determination map 33 change according to one or several oil types 32c. In other words, the group of engine oil classified by the oil type 32c is a group to which the same deterioration determination map 33 can be applied. That is, the same deterioration determination map 33 can be applied to each engine oil included in the same group.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a temperature sensor 34 is provided in the housing 21 of the optical sensor 20. The temperature sensor 34 detects the temperature around the optical sensor 20 and outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 corrects the RGB values according to the input temperature.

  Next, the operation of the degradation determination device 11 will be described from the registration process of the replacement history information 32. When a worker changes engine oil of a user's vehicle at a service center or a gas station, the operator operates the input unit 13 to register the replacement history information 32 in the storage unit 31 of the deterioration determination device 11. At this time, for example, when a product name of engine oil is input by an operator's operation, the control unit 30 of the apparatus main body 12 extracts an oil type 32c associated with the product name using a previously stored conversion table or the like. . Further, the control unit 30 generates a new vehicle identifier 32 a and registers the replacement date and time 32 b and the oil type 32 c as new replacement history information 32 together with the vehicle identifier 32 a.

  Next, the deterioration determination process will be described. When the user who registered the replacement history information 32 determines the deterioration state of the engine oil of the vehicle owned or managed by the user, the operator removes the engine oil from the oil discharge port provided in the engine of the vehicle. A predetermined amount is taken out and placed in a container C or the like. The engine oil taken out at this time only needs to fill at least the oil intrusion gap 27 having a width of several millimeters of the optical sensor 20 and may be a small amount such as several tens of ml.

  Furthermore, an operator or a user operates the input unit 13 of the deterioration determination device 11 to directly input the already registered vehicle identifier 32a or input customer information associated with the vehicle identifier 32a.

  The operator immerses the prisms 25 and 26 of the optical sensor 20 in the engine oil stored in the container C. The engine oil enters the oil intrusion gap 27 between the prisms 25 and 26. Further, the operator turns on the optical sensor 20. When the optical sensor 20 is turned on, the optical sensor 20 drives the light emitting element 23 and the color sensor 24. The detection light emitted from the light emitting element 23 passes through the oil penetration gap 27 and is received by the color sensor 24. The detection value of the color sensor 24 is converted into an R value, a G value, and a B value by various circuits provided on the circuit board 22.

  The optical sensor 20 outputs the color information including the R value, the G value, and the B value to the apparatus main body 12 via the signal line of the signal / power supply line 28. The control unit 30 temporarily stores the received R value, G value, and B value in its own RAM or the like. Note that the order of measurement by the optical sensor 20 and input operation of the vehicle identifier 32a and the like is not limited.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 30 of the apparatus main body 12 acquires the vehicle identifier 32a based on information obtained by operating the input unit 13 (step S1). Next, the control unit 30 reads the replacement history information 32 associated with the vehicle identifier 32a (step S2), and extracts the oil type 32c having the newest replacement date 32b from the read replacement history information 32 (step S3). .

  When the oil type 32c is extracted, the control unit 30 extracts the deterioration determination map 33 corresponding to the oil type 32c from the plurality of deterioration determination maps 33 stored in the storage unit 31 (step S4).

  Further, the control unit 30 acquires the RGB value output from the optical sensor 20 from its own RAM or the like (step S5), and performs deterioration determination using the extracted deterioration determination map 33 (step S6). The control unit 30 calculates the color component maximum difference D from the R value, the G value, and the B value, and calculates the relative value Y on the Y axis. Further, the control unit 30 calculates the lightness L from the R value, the G value, and the B value, and calculates the lightness relative value X on the X axis. Then, the control unit 30 determines an area including the coordinate point specified by the calculated relative value Y of the color component maximum difference and the relative brightness value X among the respective areas of the deterioration determination map 33.

  Further, the control unit 30 outputs a determination result based on the area including the coordinate point specified by the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference and the lightness relative value X (step S7). For example, when the coordinate point of the calculated relative value Y and brightness relative value X is included in the first region Z1, a determination result such as no deterioration is output. Further, for example, when the calculated relative value Y and brightness relative value X are included in the second region Z2 to the third region Z3, the degree of deterioration corresponding to each region is output, and the fourth If it is included in the region Z4, a determination result such as large deterioration is output to prompt oil replacement. Further, when the calculated coordinate point of the relative value Y and the lightness relative value X is included in the fifth region Z5 or the sixth region Z6, a determination result such as the progress of oxidation is output. Announce that you are approaching. Further, if the calculated coordinate point of the relative value Y and the lightness relative value X is included in the seventh region Z7, a determination result such as a large deterioration due to oxidation is output, and oil exchange is promoted. When the coordinate points of the calculated relative value Y and brightness relative value X are included in the eighth region Z8, a determination result such as deterioration due to contamination of impurities is output, and oil exchange is promoted.

  When the determination result is displayed on the display 14, the operator or the user replaces the engine oil based on the determination result or uses the determination result as a guide for the replacement time. By using the deterioration determination device 11 in this way, it is possible to accurately determine the deterioration state of the engine oil.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(1) According to the first embodiment, the deterioration determination map 33 used for deterioration determination divides deterioration states according to the color component maximum difference and brightness. Therefore, based on the determination result using the map 33, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the engine oil replacement time has been reached. The system 10 stores a plurality of deterioration determination maps 33 according to the type of engine oil. When performing deterioration determination, the type of engine oil to be determined is specified, and the deterioration determination map 33 according to the type is determined. Select. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied to different situations where different types of engine oil exist, and thus the versatility of the system 10 can be improved.

  (2) According to the first embodiment, the lubricant deterioration determination system 10 stores the vehicle identifier 32a registered in advance, and the oil type 32b indicating the type of engine oil used in the engine associated with the vehicle identifier 32a. Therefore, the type of engine oil can be determined without using a special sensor or the like that detects the type of engine oil.

  (3) In the first embodiment, the lubricant deterioration determination system 10 includes the apparatus main body 12 having the control unit 30 and the optical sensor 20 provided to be communicable with the apparatus main body 12. The inspection part constituted by the oil intrusion gap 27 between the prisms 25 and 26 of the optical sensor 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the housing 21 and comes into contact with the engine oil taken out in advance from the engine, whereby the RGB value of the engine oil is obtained. Is detected. For this reason, compared with another sensor which needs to put engine oil into a cell etc. before a measurement, it can judge by simple operation for an operator.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the determination system and the determination method will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, 2nd Embodiment is a form which changed only the attachment state of the optical sensor of 1st Embodiment, and a part of determination process. Similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the optical sensor 20 is attached to the engine 40 of the vehicle V. The housing 21 of the optical sensor 20 is supported by an oil pan or the like of the engine 40, and the prisms 25 and 26 and the oil intrusion gap 27 are inserted inside the oil pan or the like and are immersed in the engine oil. .

  The optical sensor 20 is communicably connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 41 of the vehicle. The optical sensor 20 detects the RGB value and outputs it to the ECU 41. The ECU 41 is communicably connected to a deterioration determination device 42 connected to a diagnostic connector or the like (not shown).

  The deterioration determination device 42 has a size that can be carried by an operator, and includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31 that stores replacement history information 32 and a deterioration determination map 33, an input unit 13, and a display 14. ing. The ROM or the like of the control unit 30 stores a lubricant deterioration determination program. The deterioration determination device 42 corresponds to a color component maximum difference calculation unit, a lightness calculation unit, a type identification unit, a deterioration determination unit, a determination device, an acquisition unit, and an output control unit.

  When performing engine oil deterioration determination, an operator connects the deterioration determination device 42 to a diagnostic connector or the like. In addition, the operator operates the input unit 13 of the deterioration determination device 42 to input the vehicle identifier 32a or customer information corresponding to the vehicle identifier 32a. The control unit 30 of the deterioration determination device 42 acquires the oil type 32c from the input vehicle identifier 32a.

  Further, the operator operates the deterioration determination device 42 and performs an on operation for driving the optical sensor 20 via the ECU 41. When the optical sensor 20 is driven by this operation, the light emitting element 23 of the optical sensor 20 emits detection light, detects the R value, G value, and B value of the engine oil, and outputs them to the ECU 41. The ECU 41 outputs the R value, the G value, and the B value to the deterioration determination device 42, and the deterioration determination device 42 stores such information in a RAM or the like. The flow of the deterioration determination process performed by the control unit 30 of the deterioration determination device 42 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (2) of the first embodiment.
(4) According to the second embodiment, the optical sensor 20 can detect RGB values while being mounted on the engine 40. For this reason, it is not necessary for an operator to take out the engine oil, and the deterioration determination can be performed using the deterioration determination map corresponding to the type of the engine oil.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the determination system and the determination method will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In addition, 3rd Embodiment is the form which changed the attachment state of the optical sensor of 1st Embodiment, and a part of determination process, and changed the one part structure of 2nd Embodiment. Similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the optical sensor 20 is mounted on the engine 40 of the vehicle V, and the prisms 25 and 26 and the oil intrusion gap 27 are immersed in the engine oil, as in the second embodiment. . The optical sensor 20 is communicably connected to the ECU 41 of the vehicle, detects an RGB value at a predetermined sampling interval, and outputs it to the ECU 41. The ECU 41 receives the RGB values from the optical sensor 20, stores them in its own ROM, etc., and automatically performs deterioration determination. Note that the deterioration determination interval can be set as appropriate.

  The ECU 41 is preinstalled with a lubricant deterioration determination program, and stores replacement history information 32 related to the vehicle and a deterioration determination map 33 related to the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, only the engine oil deterioration determination map 33 applied to the diesel engine is stored, and the engine oil deterioration determination map 33 applied to the gasoline engine is not stored. These programs, replacement history information 32, and deterioration determination map 33 are, for example, transmitted from a computer owned by a service center or the like connected to a diagnostic connector or the like, or distributed from a distribution server (not shown) or the like. Sent over the network.

  Moreover, ECU41 outputs a determination result to the display 43 and instrument apparatus which were provided in the instrument panel. Further, the ECU 41 acquires various types of information according to input operations of the touch panel display 43 and the operation switch 44 provided in the display 43. The ECU 41 corresponds to a color component maximum difference calculation unit, a lightness calculation unit, a type identification unit, a deterioration determination unit, a determination device, an acquisition unit, and an output control unit.

  Next, the operation of the ECU 41 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The ECU 41 reads the replacement history information 32 from its own storage unit (step S20), and extracts the latest oil type 32c from the replacement history included in the replacement history information 32 (step S21). Further, the control unit 30 extracts one corresponding to the oil type 32c from the plurality of deterioration determination maps 33 (step S22).

  Moreover, ECU41 acquires RGB value from own ROM etc. (step S23), and performs degradation determination similarly to step S6 of 1st Embodiment (step S24). When the deterioration determination is performed, the ECU 41 determines whether or not to notify the determination result (step S25). The reference for notifying the determination result can be set as appropriate. For example, the coordinate points of the relative value Y of the engine oil color component maximum difference and the lightness relative value X are the fourth region Z4, the seventh region Z7, and the eighth region. When it is included in any of the areas Z8, it is determined that the notification is made. If the ECU 41 determines that notification is to be made (YES in step S25), for example, the display 43 outputs a display prompting the deterioration state and engine replacement. On the other hand, for example, when the coordinate point of the relative value Y of the color component maximum difference and the lightness relative value X is included in the first region Z1, if the ECU 41 determines not to notify (NO in step S25), the notification is not performed. .

  In addition, when a gauge or the like is provided that constantly displays the deterioration state of the engine on the display 43 and displays it stepwise such as low level, medium level, and high level, the determination result is notified ( YES in step S25), the gauge is turned on or displayed according to the determination result.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (2) described in the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(5) The optical sensor 20 can automatically detect RGB values while being mounted on the engine 40. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to take out the engine oil, and the deterioration determination can be performed at a predetermined sampling interval using the deterioration determination map corresponding to the type of the engine oil. Further, by adjusting the sampling interval, for example, the driver can be notified of a guideline for replacement time, or the driver can be prompted to change at a timing when the necessity of replacement becomes high.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG.10 and FIG.11, 4th Embodiment of the determination system and the determination method is described. In addition, 4th Embodiment is a structure which only changed the network structure of the lubricating oil degradation determination system of 1st Embodiment. Similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the lubricant deterioration determination system 10 includes a plurality of deterioration determination devices 11 and an exchange history server 50 as an attribute information server connected to each deterioration determination device 11 via a network N. The replacement history server 50 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication I / F, and a storage unit 51. The storage unit 51 includes a plurality of deterioration determination maps 33 corresponding to the replacement history information 32 and each oil type 32c. Is stored.

  The degradation determination devices 11 are installed at different bases. In the present embodiment, the deterioration determination device 11 includes the optical sensor 20 and a communication device that transmits the RGB values output from the optical sensor 20 to the replacement history server 50, and does not perform deterioration determination. If the user is registered in the system, any of the deterioration determination devices 11 constituting the system can be used.

  Next, operations of the degradation determination device 11 and the replacement history server 50 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the step of the same content as 1st Embodiment, the overlapping part abbreviate | omits description. The degradation determination device 11 acquires and transmits the vehicle identifier 32a based on the input information input by the user or the worker (Step S31). The RGB values detected by the optical sensor 20 are transmitted to the replacement history server 50 (step S32).

  The exchange history server 50 receives the vehicle identifier 32a and the RGB values, and extracts the exchange history information 32 corresponding to the vehicle identifier 32a from the storage unit (step S33). Further, the oil type 32c is extracted from the extracted replacement history information 32 (step S34), and the deterioration determination map 33 corresponding to the oil type 32c is extracted (step S35).

  In addition, the replacement history server 50 performs deterioration determination based on the extracted deterioration determination map 33 and RGB values (step S36). At this time, the replacement history server 50 calculates the color component maximum difference and brightness, and determines a corresponding region in the deterioration determination map 33 from the color component maximum difference and brightness. Furthermore, the exchange history server 50 transmits the determination result to the deterioration determination device 11 (step S37).

The control unit 30 of the degradation determination device 11 receives the determination result and outputs it to the display 14 (step S38).
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (2) described in the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.

  (6) Since the replacement history server 50 centrally manages the replacement history information 32 corresponding to each vehicle and the deterioration determination map 33 corresponding to each oil type, the user can deteriorate the engine oil at a plurality of locations. Judgment can be made.

In addition, each said embodiment can also be suitably changed and implemented as follows.
-In 1st Embodiment and 4th Embodiment, although the optical sensor 20 was set as the structure connected to the apparatus main body 12 via the communication cable 11b, it is not limited to this structure. As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, a lubricating oil deterioration determination system is configured by a measuring device 60 incorporating the optical sensor 20 and, for example, the replacement history server 50 of the fourth embodiment or the device main body 12 of the first embodiment. May be. The measuring device 60 has a housing 61 large enough for an operator to lift with one or both hands, and the prisms 25 and 26 of the optical sensor 20 are accommodated in a recess 61 a of the housing 61. An inspection unit is constituted by an oil intrusion gap 27 between the prisms 25 and 26. As shown in FIG. 13, when the deterioration is determined, the inspection unit provided in the lower part of the measuring device 60 is immersed in the oil 200 of the container C. The housing 61 is provided with a communication circuit capable of communicating with, for example, the exchange history server 50 or the apparatus main body 12, and the communication circuit transmits the detected RGB values to the exchange history server 50 or the apparatus main body 12 or the like. Alternatively, the measurement device 60 may include a circuit that calculates the color component maximum difference and the brightness, and may transmit the color component maximum difference and the brightness. The measuring device 60 includes an input unit 63 such as an operation button or a card reader, and a display 62. The vehicle identifier 32a acquired by the operator operating the input unit 63 is stored in the replacement history server 50 or the device main body 12 or the like. Send. The determination result is received from the exchange history server 50 or the apparatus main body 12 and displayed on the display 62.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the lubricant deterioration determination system 10 may include a deterioration state detection sensor 70 that detects a parameter other than the color indicating the deterioration state of the engine oil, in addition to the optical sensor 20 and the temperature sensor 34. . As this deterioration state detection sensor 70, a capacitance type sensor, for example, a sensor that measures the amount of water in oil, a sensor that measures the iron content in oil, the particle content or the particle content for each particle size And a sensor for detecting the odor of lubricating oil. By using the detection result of the deterioration state detection sensor 70 in combination with the engine oil deterioration determination, the engine oil deterioration determination can be performed more accurately and comprehensively.

  In each of the above embodiments, the engine oil deterioration determination is performed at a service center or the like, but a mode in which the user can determine deterioration is also possible. For example, a lubricant deterioration determination program and a deterioration determination map are downloaded in advance from a dedicated server and installed in a personal computer owned by the user. When determining the deterioration, the user can connect a measurement kit including the optical sensor 20 having a USB cable or the like to a personal computer, take out a predetermined amount of engine oil, and immerse the measurement unit of the measurement kit in engine oil. Good. The deterioration determination map may be downloaded by selecting a map that matches the lubricant used in the vehicle owned or managed by the user from among a large number of deterioration determination maps registered in the dedicated server.

  The configuration of the housing 21 and the like of the optical sensor 20 is not limited to the shape described above. For example, the housing 21 may be provided with a concave accommodating portion, and the first prism 25 and the second prism 26 may be provided within the accommodating portion. This accommodating part is corresponded to the test | inspection part of a claim. In this case, even if the holders for accommodating the prisms 25 and 26 are omitted, the prisms 25 and 26 are unlikely to contact the operator's hand or the like and do not collide with the housing 11a or the like. Moreover, you may provide a test | inspection part in places other than the bottom parts, such as the center part of the housing 21, a side part, and an upper part.

In each of the above embodiments, the first and second optical elements are constituted by prisms, but may be constituted by other optical elements such as a mirror.
In each of the above embodiments, an RGB sensor capable of distinguishing three colors is provided as the color sensor 24. However, a red color light source, a green light source, and a blue light source are provided as light emitting elements, and a single color detection sensor corresponding to each color is provided as a color detection unit. Three may be provided.

In each of the above embodiments, an RGB sensor that can identify the R value, G value, and B value is provided as the color sensor 24. However, the L ^* value, a ^* value, b of the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system ^* Value, L ^* C ^* h ^* Color system L ^* value, C ^* value, h ^* value, Yxy color system Y value, xy value, etc. may be detected. . Even in this case, for example, a map obtained by converting each value in the RGB space into each value in the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system may be stored in the apparatus main body 12.

  -In 1st Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment, although the optical sensor 20 and the apparatus main body 12 were connected by the communication cable 11b, the communication part was provided in the optical sensor 20, and the optical sensor 20 and the apparatus main body 12 are data by wireless communication. May be sent and received.

  In each of the above embodiments, the optical sensor 20 is configured to output RGB values to the outside. However, the optical sensor 20 may be configured to include an arithmetic circuit that calculates a color component maximum difference and brightness. In this case, the optical sensor 20 constitutes a color component maximum difference calculation unit and a lightness calculation unit.

In each of the above embodiments, the vehicle identifier 32a that identifies the vehicle is used as the identifier of the replacement history information 32. However, a user identifier that identifies the user may be used.
In each of the above embodiments, the optical sensor 20 is configured to inject engine oil into the oil intrusion gap 27 between the prisms 25 and 26, but other configurations may be used. For example, the engine oil may be housed in a cell made of glass, quartz, or the like, and the detection light may be transmitted through the cell. In this case, the inspection unit in the claims corresponds to a cell. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a cell 81 filled with lubricating oil may be accommodated in a gap 80 provided between the first prism 25 and the second prism 26. The cell 81 may be a disposable cell made of optical plastic. The cell 81 may be made of quartz or glass. In addition, the shape of the cell 81 is not limited to the rectangular tube shape having the bottom, but may be other shapes as long as a constant shape is used.

The optical path of the detection light may not be bent by the prisms 25 and 26, and the optical path may be linear. In that case, the light emitting element, the inspection unit, and the light receiving element are arranged in a straight line.
For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the optical sensor includes a light emitting part 95 having a first optical window 91 as a first transmission part and a light having a second optical window 92 as a second transmission part. You may comprise from the detection part 96. FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the light emitting unit 95 includes the light emitting element 23 in the housing 97. The light emitted from the light emitting element 23 passes through the first optical window 91. The light detection unit 96 includes the light receiving element 24 in the housing 98. The light receiving element 24 detects light transmitted through the second optical window 92. The second optical window 92 is provided at the bottom of the hole 100 formed in the housing 98. The second optical window 92 and the hole 100 constitute a recess 101. The light emitting unit 95 and the light detecting unit 96 are electrically connected to the apparatus main body 12. When determining the deterioration of the lubricating oil, a predetermined amount of lubricating oil is put into the concave portion 101, and the light emitting unit 95 is overlaid on the light detecting unit 96. In this state, the light emitting element 23, the gap (inspection part) constituted by the recess 101 and the first optical window 91, and the light receiving element 24 are arranged in a straight line. In this state, detection light is emitted from the light emitting element 23 to the lubricating oil through the first optical window 91. The detection light travels straight in the lubricating oil and reaches the light receiving element 24 via the second optical window 92.

  The vertical axis of the degradation determination map 33 is the relative value of the color component maximum difference when the maximum value of the color component maximum difference is “1” and the minimum value of the color component maximum difference is “0”, and the horizontal axis is The relative value of the brightness when the maximum value of brightness is “1” and the minimum value Lmin of brightness is “0” is not limited thereto. The vertical axis and the horizontal axis of the deterioration determination map 33 may be the color component maximum difference and brightness calculated from the RGB values, and may not be relative values.

  In each of the above embodiments, the deterioration determination data is embodied in the deterioration determination map 33. However, the deterioration determination data is not limited to the map and may be in other data formats. For example, the deterioration determination data is a threshold value group that is a boundary value that divides each region and has a combination of lightness and color component maximum difference as a threshold value, and these threshold values and the lightness and color component maximum difference of engine oil to be determined The deterioration may be determined by sequentially comparing.

  In each of the above embodiments, “machine” is exemplified as an engine, and “lubricating oil” is exemplified as engine oil. However, “machine” and “lubricating oil” are other machines and lubricating oils. Also good. For example, the “machine” may be a vehicle transmission, and the “lubricating oil” may be the gear oil. In addition, for example, “machines” control engines such as marine engines, air compressors that generate compressed air in railway vehicles, various motors such as construction machine travel motors, various valves such as building machine valves, and flight attitudes of aircraft. It is good also as a reduction gear used for a flight control actuator, various pumps, such as a windmill and a vacuum pump, an industrial robot, etc. And "lubricating oil" is good also as lubricating oil of those machines. Further, the machine may be a machine tool, and the lubricating oil may be a cutting oil for the machine tool. The lubricating oil may not be applied to the machine.

  In each of the above embodiments, one of the plurality of deterioration determination maps 33 is selected, but the plurality of deterioration determination maps 33 may be selected to determine the deterioration state of the lubricating oil. For example, the determination may be made comprehensively with reference to the deterioration state of the lubricant based on one deterioration determination map 33 and the deterioration state of the lubricant based on another deterioration determination map 33.

  In each of the above embodiments, the determination system is used for determining deterioration of the machine lubricant. In addition to this, the determination target of the determination system may be carburizing oil for quenching or rust preventive oil for rust prevention. Further, the determination target of the determination system may be a liquid other than oil. The liquid material is a liquid, a sol using a liquid as a medium, and is, for example, drainage, food or drink, medicine, river water, seawater, ink, detergent, or optical modeling agent. The determination system includes a determination data storage unit that stores determination data that divides the state of the liquid according to at least one of the color component maximum difference and brightness of the liquid, and a type specification that specifies the type of the liquid And a determination unit that selects determination data from the type of the liquid material and determines the liquid material based on the determination data. The determination system detects the degree of contamination, the mixed state, the separated state, the altered state, etc. of the liquid material through the detection of at least one of the color component maximum difference and the brightness of these liquid materials.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Lubricating oil degradation determination system as a determination system, 11 ... Degradation determination apparatus as a determination apparatus, 12 ... Apparatus main body, 13, 63 ... Input part, 14, 43, 62 ... Display as an output part, 20 ... Optical sensor 21, 61, housing, 23, light emitting element, 24, color sensor as a color detection unit, 25, first prism as a first optical element, 26, second prism as a second optical element, 25 b, 26b... Reflection surface, 27... Oil penetration gap as an inspection unit, 30... Color component difference calculation unit, color component maximum difference calculation unit, brightness calculation unit, type identification unit, determination unit, determination device, acquisition unit, and output control unit As a control unit, 31... A determination data storage unit, a storage unit as an attribute information storage unit, 32a... A vehicle identifier as identification information, 32c ... an oil type as type information, 33. Deterioration determination map, 40 ... engine as object and machine, 41 ... color component difference calculation unit, color component maximum difference calculation unit, lightness calculation unit, type identification unit, determination unit, determination data storage unit, control device, ECU as determination device, acquisition unit and output control unit, 42... Color component difference calculation unit, color component maximum difference calculation unit, brightness calculation unit, type identification unit, determination unit, determination data storage unit, attribute information storage unit, determination Deterioration determination device as device acquisition unit and output control unit, 50... Color component difference calculation unit, color component maximum difference calculation unit, brightness calculation unit, type identification unit, determination unit, acquisition unit, and determination data storage as output control unit Attribute information server as a unit, 60... Color component difference calculation unit, color component maximum difference calculation unit, brightness calculation unit, type identification unit, determination unit, determination device, acquisition unit, and measurement device as output control unit, 70. State detection sensor, 91 ... first First optical window of the transmission portion, 92 ... second optical window as a second transmitting portion, 200 ... oil as the liquid material and the lubricating oil, N ... network, V ... vehicle.

Claims (10)

In the determination system for determining the state of the liquid material to be determined,
An optical sensor having an inspection unit into which the liquid material enters, a light emitting element that emits detection light to the inspection unit, and a color detection unit that detects color information of the detection light transmitted through the liquid material;
A color component difference calculation unit that calculates a color component difference of the liquid based on the detection value output from the optical sensor;
Based on the detection value output from the optical sensor, a lightness calculation unit for calculating the lightness of the liquid,
A determination data storage unit that stores at least one determination data according to the type of the liquid material, the determination data obtained by dividing the state of the liquid material according to the color component difference and the brightness ;
Attribute information storage for storing identification information for identifying an object to which the liquid material is applied or a user of the object, and type information indicating the type of the liquid material applied to the object in association with the identification information And
A type specifying unit for specifying the type of the liquid to be determined;
According to the type of the liquid material to be determined, at least one of the determination data is selected, and based on the selected determination data and the color component difference and the brightness of the liquid material to be determined, the determination target A determination unit for determining the state of the liquid,
An output unit for outputting the determination result;
A determination device having the optical sensor, an input unit for inputting the identification information, and the output unit for outputting a state of the liquid material as a determination result;
The attribute information storage unit, the determination data storage unit, the type identification unit, and the determination unit that are connected to the determination device via a network and store the identification information and the type information registered through the determination device. An attribute information server having
The type specifying unit is:
Identifying the type of the liquid material to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information storage unit,
The determination unit
The determination system which selects at least one from each said determination data according to the specified kind of said liquid, and determines the state of the said liquid for determination using this determination data. The optical sensor is
A first optical element having a reflective surface for reflecting the detection light emitted from the light emitting element; and a second optical element having a reflective surface for reflecting the detection light reflected by the reflective surface toward the color detection unit. And the inspection unit configured by a gap between the first optical element and the second optical element,
The determination system according to claim 1, wherein the color information is detected by accommodating the liquid material in the inspection unit. The optical sensor is
A first transmission part that transmits the detection light emitted from the light emitting element; a second transmission part that is provided through the gap with respect to the first transmission part; The inspection unit configured by a gap between one transmission unit and the second transmission unit,
The determination system according to claim 1, wherein the color information is detected by accommodating the liquid material in the inspection unit. An apparatus main body having the determination device;
The optical sensor is mounted on an object to which the optical sensor is applied in a state where the inspection unit can come into contact with the liquid material, and the detected color information is connected to a control device of the object. determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for outputting to the main body. The optical sensor is attached to an object to which the optical sensor is applied in a state where the inspection unit can contact the liquid material, and outputs detected color information to the control device of the object.
The said control apparatus has the said determination apparatus, The determination system of any one of Claims 1-3 which outputs to the said output part connected to the said control apparatus. Comprising at least one of a sensor for measuring the amount of water contained in the liquid, a sensor for measuring iron content, a sensor for measuring particle content, and a sensor for detecting the odor of the liquid,
The determination unit, the determination data is added to the determination using the determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 for determination of the liquid material based on a detection value which the sensor is output. The liquid is engine oil,
The determination data storage unit stores at least one determination data according to the type of engine oil, which classifies the deterioration state of the engine oil to be determined according to the color component difference and brightness of the engine oil,
The determination unit selects at least one of the determination data according to the type of engine oil to be determined, based on the selected determination data, the color component difference and the brightness of the determination target engine oil, determination system according to any one of the determination target of the engine oil according to claim 1 to 6 determining the deteriorated state of the. In a judgment system for judging the deterioration state of machine lubricating oil,
An optical sensor having an inspection part into which the lubricating oil enters, a light emitting element that emits detection light to the inspection part, and a color detection part that detects color information of the detection light that has passed through the lubricating oil;
Based on the detection value output from the optical sensor, a color component maximum difference calculation unit that calculates the color component maximum difference of the lubricant,
Based on the detection value output from the optical sensor, a lightness calculation unit for calculating the lightness of the lubricant,
A determination data storage unit that stores a plurality of deterioration determination data obtained by dividing the deterioration state of the lubricating oil according to the color component maximum difference and the brightness, according to the type of the lubricating oil;
Attribute information storage for storing identification information for identifying an object to which the lubricant is applied or a user of the object, and type information indicating the type of lubricant applied to the object in association with the identification information And
A type specifying unit for specifying the type of the lubricating oil to be determined;
One of the deterioration determination data is selected according to the type of the lubricant to be determined, and the determination is made based on the selected deterioration determination data, the color component maximum difference and the brightness of the determination target lubricant. A deterioration determination unit for determining the deterioration state of the target lubricating oil;
An output unit that outputs a deterioration state as a determination result;
A determination device including the optical sensor, an input unit that inputs the identification information, and the output unit that outputs a state of the lubricating oil that is a determination result;
The attribute information storage unit that is connected to the determination device via a network and stores the identification information and the type information registered via the determination device, the determination data storage unit, the type identification unit, and the deterioration determination An attribute information server having a section,
The type specifying unit is:
Identifying the type of the lubricating oil to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information storage unit,
The deterioration determination unit
The determination system which selects at least one from each said deterioration determination data according to the specified kind of said lubricating oil, and determines the state of the said lubricating oil of determination object using this deterioration determination data. In a determination method for determining a state of a liquid using an optical sensor and a determination device that detect color information of the liquid,
An attribute information server connected to the determination device via a network,
Identification information for identifying an object to which the liquid material registered via the determination device is applied or a user of the object, and a type of the liquid material that is associated with the identification information and applied to the object Stores the type information shown,
From the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information server, specify the type of the liquid to be determined,
Obtaining a color component difference and brightness calculated based on each color component output from the optical sensor;
From a plurality of determination data that is associated with the type of liquid material and divided the state of the liquid material according to the color component difference and the brightness , select one according to the type of liquid material to be determined,
Based on the selected determination data and the color component difference and the brightness of the liquid material to be determined, the state of the liquid material to be determined is determined,
The determination device is
Obtaining the identification information corresponding to the object to be determined;
A determination method for outputting a determination result to an output unit. In a determination method for determining a deterioration state of a lubricating oil of a machine using an optical sensor and a determination device for detecting color information of an object,
An attribute information server connected to the determination device via a network,
Identification information for identifying an object to which the lubricant registered through the determination device is applied or a user of the object, and a type of the lubricant applied to the object associated with the identification information Stores the type information shown,
Identifying the type of lubricant to be determined from the type information associated with the identification information stored in the attribute information server,
Obtaining a color component maximum difference and brightness calculated based on each color component output from the optical sensor;
Select one according to the type of lubricant to be judged from a plurality of deterioration judgment data associated with the type of lubricant and categorizing the deterioration state of the lubricant to be judged according to the color component maximum difference and the brightness. And
Based on the selected deterioration determination data, and the color component maximum difference and brightness of the determination target lubricant, determine the deterioration state of the determination target lubricant,
The determination device is
Obtaining the identification information corresponding to the lubricant to be judged;
A determination method for outputting a deterioration state as a determination result.

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