JPH07317524A - Inspection device for vehicle engine oil - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a device for precisely inspecting the condition of the oil without using any expensive sensor. CONSTITUTION:This device comprises an oil tank (c) connecting with an oil pan (a) through a pipe line (b) of a certain diameter, a means (d) for applying a constant negative pressure to the oil tank (c) as a suction force of oil, a means (e) for detecting a liquid level in the oil tank (c), a means (f) for detecting an oil temperature in the oil pan (a), a means (g) for measuring a lapse of time required for filling up a certain amount of oil in the oil tank (c) based on the detected signal of the liquid level, when the oil is supplied to the oil tank (c) under a negative pressure. A means (h) for determining the dynamic viscosity of oil based on the lapse of time, a means (i) for judging the qualitative condition of oil, based on the dynamic viscosity and the detected signal of oil temperature, and a means (j) for displaying the judged result of the oil condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle engine oil inspection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Although the oil maintenance interval is described as a uniform guideline, the degree of deterioration of oil varies considerably depending on the environment in which the vehicle is used, etc., which may cause damage to the engine and deterioration of fuel efficiency. To prevent this, it is necessary to inspect the degree of oil deterioration. As a method for inspecting oil deterioration, what is called a quick maintainer is known, but in this case you have to stop the engine once and drain the oil from the oil pan,
The problem is that it is difficult to constantly inspect the oil.

Therefore, a drive rotor and a driven rotor are elastically coupled to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a thrust plate is provided to press the driven rotor through an oil film, and the oil film state is detected from the rotational phase difference between these rotors to change the oil. A time display is provided, and a differential pressure sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor are installed in the oil flow pipe, and the viscosity coefficient of the oil is calculated from these detected values, and the quality of the oil is judged from the calculated value. And a PH sensor and a temperature sensor are provided in the oil flow pipe,
It has been proposed that the degree of oil oxidation is calculated from these detected values, and whether the oil is good or bad is judged from the calculated value and displayed.
No. 15, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-26711, and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-26712).

[0004]

However, in such a conventional example, even a sensor for detecting the rotational phase difference is used as a sensor for detecting the dynamic pressure or static pressure of oil or a sensor for detecting the PH concentration. However, since it is relatively expensive, there is a problem that it cannot be realized at low cost.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of accurately inspecting the quality of oil by using an inexpensive sensor.

[0006]

In the first aspect of the invention, FIG.
As shown in (A), an oil tank c communicating with the oil pan a via a pipe line b having a predetermined diameter, a means d for supplying a constant negative pressure as an oil suction force to the oil tank c, and an oil tank c. Means e for detecting the liquid surface level of the oil, means f for detecting the oil temperature in the oil pan a, and an oil tank c.
Means g for measuring the elapsed time until a predetermined amount of oil is accumulated in the oil tank c on the basis of the detection signal of the liquid level when the load is supplied to the oil tank, and means h for obtaining the kinematic viscosity of the oil from the elapsed time. Means i for judging the quality of the oil based on the detection signal of the kinematic viscosity and oil temperature and means j for displaying the judgment result are provided.

In the second aspect of the invention, the oil tank c of FIG. 5A is arranged above the oil pan a.

In the third invention, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), an oil tank c'which communicates with an oil pan a'through a conduit b'having a predetermined diameter and a liquid level of the oil tank c'are detected. Means e ', means f'for detecting the oil temperature in the oil pan, and positive pressure until the liquid level of the oil tank c'is lowered to a low level based on the liquid level detection signal. , Means for supplying a constant negative pressure to the oil tank c ′ until it rises to a high level at the low level, and the oil tank c ′ based on the liquid level detection signal when the load is applied to the oil tank c ′. Means for measuring the elapsed time required for the oil to accumulate from low level to high level, means h'for determining the kinematic viscosity of the oil from the elapsed time, and a detection signal of this kinematic viscosity and oil temperature. Determining the quality of the oil means i '
And a means j'for displaying the determination result.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when a constant negative pressure is supplied to the oil tank, the oil in the oil pan is sucked through the pipe having a predetermined diameter and accumulates in the oil tank. The amount of oil in the oil tank is detected at the liquid level, and the elapsed time until a predetermined amount of oil is accumulated is measured based on the detection signal. Then, the kinematic viscosity of the oil is obtained from the detection signals of the elapsed time and the oil temperature, a determination is made based on this kinematic viscosity, and the quality of the oil is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately notify the change of oil without using an expensive sensor. When one inspection is completed, the oil in the oil tank is returned to the oil pan through a pipe having a predetermined diameter by switching the negative pressure of the oil tank to a positive pressure, for example.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the oil in the oil tank can be naturally flowed down to the oil pan through the pipeline having the predetermined diameter when the oil tank is opened to the atmosphere.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the liquid level of the oil tank is at a low level, a constant negative pressure is supplied, and the oil in the oil pan is sucked into the oil tank through a pipe having a predetermined diameter. When the liquid level in the oil tank reaches a high level, positive pressure is supplied instead of the load, the oil in the oil tank is returned to the oil pan, and when the liquid level in the oil tank drops to a low level, it is changed to positive pressure. A constant negative pressure is again supplied to the oil tank. That is, the liquid level of the oil tank repeatedly changes between the high level and the low level, and each time the low level reaches the high level, the same determination as that of the first invention is made, and the quality of the oil is displayed. The deterioration can be automatically inspected at all times and the replacement can be accurately notified.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, 1 is an oil pan of an engine
Is an oil tank for inspection, these are pipes 3 with a predetermined diameter.
It is communicated via (pipe). In order to supply a constant negative pressure to the oil tank 4, a vacuum pump 6 is connected to the upper part of the tank 4 via a pipe 5 (pipe). Although not shown, the pipeline 5 is connected to the compressor via a switching valve in the middle, and a negative pressure from the vacuum pump 6 and a positive pressure from the compressor are selectively supplied to the oil tank 4.

The controller 7 controls the operation of the switching valve and determines the quality of the oil. The controller 7 detects the low level and the high level of the liquid level in the oil tank 4, and the oil in the oil pan 1. An OK lamp 10a and an NG lamp 10b that include a temperature sensor 2 that detects a temperature and that displays a determination result based on these detection signals are provided on a meter panel 9 in the cab.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation performed by the controller 7, which is repeatedly executed on condition that the engine key switch is turned on. First, in order to drop the liquid level of the oil tank 4 to a low level, a positive pressure from the compressor is supplied to the oil tank 4 (1.01). As a result, the oil remaining in the oil tank 4 is returned to the oil pan 1 through the conduit 3.

When the low level sensor 16 of the oil tank 4 operates (switch from ON to OFF), the positive pressure from the compressor is replaced with the load from the vacuum pump 6 (1.02, 1.03). The oil in the oil pan 1 is sucked at a constant negative pressure and starts flowing into the oil tank 4 through the pipe line 3. At the same time, the elapsed time from when the low level sensor 16 is activated until the high level sensor 17 of the oil tank 4 is activated (switch from OFF to ON) is measured (1.04, 1.05). Further, the oil temperature in the oil pan 1 is measured from the detection signal of the temperature sensor 2 (1.06).

When the measurement of the elapsed time is completed, the kinematic viscosity of the oil is obtained from the measured time, the quality of the oil is determined together with the oil temperature, and the OK lamp 10a is determined according to the result.
And the NG lamp 10b are selectively turned on (1.07 to
1.11). Then, the operation is returned by the operation of the high level sensor 17, and the supply pressure to the oil tank 1 is switched from the negative pressure to the positive pressure.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the elapsed time and the kinematic viscosity. The characteristic determined by the inner diameter (flow resistance) of the conduit 3 is stored in the controller 7 as map data. FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the OK region and the NG region from the relationship between the kinematic viscosity and the oil temperature, which is stored in the controller 7 as map data for determining the quality of the oil.

With this structure, the degree of deterioration of the oil is constantly inspected, and the oil is diluted with fuel or the like.
If the deterioration of the oil with time progresses, an abnormality in the kinematic viscosity is determined, the OK lamp 10a is turned off, and the NG lamp 10 is turned off.
Since b is turned on, it is possible to accurately notify the change of oil. As the vacuum pump 6 and the compressor, those mounted on the vehicle can be used and an expensive sensor need not be used, so that the total cost can be kept low.

The pipe 3 is inserted into the oil pan 1 and the oil tank 4 from above, and one end thereof is in the oil of the oil pan 1 and the other end thereof is slightly lower than the low level sensor of the oil tank 4. Although it is opened at the height position, it may be connected to the bottom surface of the oil pan 1 and the oil tank 4 from below. In that case, if the oil tank 4 is set at a position higher than the oil pan 1, it will be removed from the compressor. The oil accumulated in the oil tank 4 can be naturally flowed down to the oil pan 1 side without supplying a positive pressure.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the invention, an oil tank communicating with an oil pan via a pipe having a predetermined diameter, a means for supplying a constant negative pressure as an oil suction force to the oil tank, and an oil tank. Means for detecting the liquid level of the oil pan, a means for detecting the oil temperature in the oil pan, and the process until a predetermined amount of oil is accumulated in the oil tank based on the liquid level detection signal when the load is supplied to the oil tank. Means for measuring time, means for obtaining the kinematic viscosity of oil from the elapsed time, means for judging the quality of oil based on the detection signal of this kinematic viscosity and oil temperature, and means for displaying the judgment result Therefore, it is possible to accurately notify the oil change without using an expensive sensor.

According to the second invention, the oil tank of the first invention is arranged above the oil pan. Therefore, when the oil tank is opened to the atmosphere, the oil in the oil tank is passed through the pipeline having a predetermined diameter and is transferred to the oil pan. Can be made to flow naturally.

According to the third aspect of the invention, an oil tank communicating with the oil pan via a pipe having a predetermined diameter, a means for detecting the liquid level of the oil tank, and a means for detecting the oil temperature in the oil pan. Based on the liquid level detection signal, a positive pressure is supplied to the oil tank until the oil level drops to a low level when the liquid level is high, and a constant negative pressure is supplied to the oil tank when the liquid level rises to a high level when the oil level is low. Means for measuring the elapsed time required for the oil in the oil tank to accumulate from low level to high level based on the detection signal of the liquid level when supplying a load to the oil tank, and the elapsed time A means for obtaining the kinematic viscosity, a means for judging the quality of the oil based on the detection signal of the kinematic viscosity and the oil temperature, and a means for displaying the judgment result are provided. In, it can be the degradation of the oil automatically constantly inspected inform precisely the exchange of oil.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation content of a controller.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between kinematic viscosity and elapsed time.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing that the OK range and the N range from the relationship between the kinematic viscosity and the oil temperature.
It is a characteristic view showing a G area.

FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to the claims of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Oil pan 2 Temperature sensor 3 Pipe line 4 Oil tank 6 Vacuum pump 7 Controller 10a OK lamp 10b NG lamp

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An oil tank communicating with an oil pan via a pipe having a predetermined diameter, a means for supplying a constant negative pressure as an oil suction force to the oil tank, and a means for detecting a liquid level of the oil tank. A means for detecting the oil temperature in the oil pan, and a means for measuring the elapsed time until a predetermined amount of oil is accumulated in the oil tank based on the detection signal of the liquid level when negative pressure is supplied to the oil tank, A vehicle including means for determining the kinematic viscosity of oil from the elapsed time, means for determining the quality of oil based on the detection signal of the kinematic viscosity and oil temperature, and means for displaying the determination result. Engine oil inspection device. 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the oil tank is provided above the oil pan. 3. An oil tank communicating with the oil pan via a pipe having a predetermined diameter, a means for detecting the liquid level of the oil tank, a means for detecting the oil temperature in the oil pan, and a liquid level Based on the detection signal, when the liquid level of the oil tank is at high level, a positive pressure is supplied until it drops to a low level, and when it is at a low level, a constant negative pressure is supplied to the oil tank until it rises to a high level. Means for measuring the elapsed time required for the oil in the oil tank to accumulate from low level to high level based on the detection signal of the liquid level when the load is supplied to the oil tank, and means for determining the kinematic viscosity of the oil from the elapsed time. A vehicle provided with means for judging the quality of oil based on the detection signal of the kinematic viscosity and the oil temperature, and means for displaying the judgment result. Engine oil inspection device.