RU2186999C2 - Universal indicator for checking oil level in engine lubrication system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mechanical engineering; engine lubrication systems. SUBSTANCE: device has metering element with reference marks on its surface made in form of tube of heat-resistant dielectric material and accommodating magnetic float and two float travel limiters, element being connected by one end with plug-stopper. It has also protection element, power source and light-emitting diode. Magnetic float travel limiters are installed, respectively, at minimum and maximum levels of oil in lubrication system, with two magnetically controlled contacts installed opposite to limiters in metering element. Device has also spring-loaded press-button with contact closer and movable separator for oil cleaning. Press-button with contact closer, light source and light-emitting diode are arranged in upper part of plug-stopper, with pull-out loop being mounted on its side surface. Light-emitting diode is made in form of torus being arranged around press-button and provided with light reflecting element of semispherical shape in cross section. Magnetically controlled contacts are interconnected, and power source is connected through light- emitting diode to one magnetically controlled contact, and through press-button contact closer, to other contact. Gas passage holes are made in upper part of metering element. Luminophore composition can be applied to surface of light- reflecting element. EFFECT: improved efficiency owing to provision of self- contained operation, compact design of components, convenience in use, brought to minimum possibility of contamination of ambient atmosphere. 4 dwg

Description

 The invention relates to structural elements of lubricating systems of internal combustion engines and can be used to check the level of motor oil in the lubricating system of the engine.

 Known devices for determining the oil level in the lubrication system, for example, a device for determining the lower liquid level in a distribution tank according to the application of France 2686651, IPC F 01 M 11/12, G 01 F 23/68, 1993 and a device for measuring the oil level in the oil pan internal combustion vehicle according to the application of Germany 19511995, IPC F 01 M 11/12, G 01 F 23/68, G 01 F 15/08, G 01 F 23/24, 1996.

 These devices are very complex and expensive. In addition, they do not have sufficient visibility and ease of presentation of the measurement results when the driver visually checks the oil level in the system.

 There are known oil level indicators in the lubricating system (oil tank or crankcase) of an internal combustion engine, the measuring element of which is a dipstick (measuring ruler, rail or rod) with marks (divisions) applied on its surface, for example, "min" and "max" ( minimum and maximum), corresponding to two maximum permissible values of the oil level in the system. Structurally, such oil level gauges also contain a plug (plug) made of elastic rubber material and an exhaust handle (see, for example, the GAZ-66-01 and GAZ-66-05 truck parts catalog. - M.: Voenizdat, 1972, p. 29-30).

 The marked devices are simpler in design, but they also have certain disadvantages. In particular, such disadvantages should include certain inconveniences arising from the fact that to measure the oil level in the system, it is necessary to remove the dipstick from the corresponding mounting socket (hole) in the engine housing or oil tank, and after measuring it, reinstall it in place (to avoid emission and loss of oil during engine operation).

 When using these devices, there is a need for strict adherence to a certain sequence of actions during measurement and a number of other conditions must be met.

 So, to determine the oil level in the lubrication system using the dipstick, first remove it from the mounting socket (hole), then remove the oil from the dipstick measuring surface, then reinsert the dipstick into the socket, re-extract and measure the oil level according to the trace left on probe surface. In this case, you need to have additional consumables for cleaning the probe (such as rags), and in the place of measurement to have good lighting, etc.

 All this, ultimately, leads to a significant expenditure of time for performing operations of measurement and control of the result obtained (on average, from experience, from five to fifteen seconds). In addition, when measuring, it will be necessary to ensure environmental safety to a certain extent (to prevent droplets of oil or oiled rags from falling onto the earth or water surface, grass, oil mist into the atmosphere, etc.).

 A known oil level indicator according to the application of Germany 4443122, F 01 M 11/12, 1996, which has in its design a measuring element (oil dipstick), made in the form of a measuring ruler with marks applied to its surface, a plug-cap (in the form of a handle, to which the dipstick is attached), as well as a protective element (tube) and a movable separator for cleaning the dipstick from oil.

 This device has slightly better characteristics compared to other similar devices (probes) in terms of environmental safety. But, at the same time, he remained with all the other disadvantages described above that are inherent in oil dipsticks with measuring elements in the form of measuring rulers, rails or rods, as described earlier.

 Known dipstick for measuring the oil level with an automatic warning device according to US patent 4910495, NKI 340-450, 1990. This device contains a measuring element with a control mark applied to its surface, a stopper plug, a protective element, an electric current source and an LED, moreover, the measuring element is made in the form of a tube of heat-resistant dielectric material, inside of which is placed a magnetic float and two limiters for its movement, and is connected at one end to a stopper plug, about magnetic float displacement limiters are set in accordance with the minimum and maximum permissible oil levels in the engine lubrication system, and opposite of them two magnetically controlled contacts are mounted in the measuring element.

 In its technical essence, this device is a universal indicator device for checking the oil level in the engine lubrication system and is closest to the claimed invention in terms of a combination of common features (prototype).

 The device allows you to automatically receive information about an insufficient or excessive oil level in the system when the warning light (alarm) light on the instrument panel in the driver's cab (or elsewhere) lights up, and also measure the level in the traditional way (using the oil trace on the measuring element with check marks).

 However, this device also has certain disadvantages.

 Firstly, the device is not completely autonomous.

 Judging by the description and drawings of the prototype, the electrical circuit of the warning (emergency) alarm device is connected to the power circuit of the electrical equipment of the machine and its current source (battery) through the mass. In the case when the battery is removed from the machine (during some types of repair, during recharging, control of the electrolyte level, etc.) or when the electric circuit is broken for any other reason (for example, a break in the electric wires going to the battery , or disconnecting the battery from the ground with the mass switch), the automatic alarm will not work.

 It will be possible to use the device only for measuring the oil level in the traditional way (following the trail). However, for this you will need to first disconnect the electrical contacts (remove the contact plug from the connector located at the top of the plug), spending additional time.

 Secondly, removing the universal probe device of this design from the mounting housing of the crankcase will be somewhat difficult. This is due to the fact that in case of possible oil contamination of the upper part of the smooth external cylindrical surface of the measuring element, it will slip when gripping by hand. It should be noted here that the mounting socket and the measuring element must be tightly coupled (to prevent the ejection of oil from the crankcase under pressure), which means that considerable effort is required to remove the measuring element.

 In addition, the design of the prototype does not provide for any preliminary cleaning of the measuring element from oil when taking readings manually (by reference marks).

 Thus, the device adopted for the prototype is not autonomous and compact in design, does not provide sufficient convenience for removing the measuring element from the mounting socket and is not completely environmentally friendly.

 The present invention is aimed at improving the efficiency of the device by ensuring the autonomy of its operation, compact placement of structural elements, ease of use, as well as reducing the likelihood of environmental pollution.

 The solution of this technical problem is achieved by the fact that the device for checking the oil level in the engine lubrication system, which contains a measuring element with control marks applied to its surface, and the element is made in the form of a tube made of heat-resistant dielectric material, inside which a magnetic float and two limiters are placed movement, and is connected at one end with a stopper plug, a protective element, an electric current source and an LED, limiters for moving the magnetic float s according to the minimum and maximum allowable levels of oil in the lubricating system, which is opposite to the measuring element, two magnetically mounted contact further comprises a spring-loaded push button and the movable contactor contact separator for purifying an oil. A push button with a contact closure, a light source and an LED are located at the top of the plug, and an exhaust loop is mounted on its side surface. The LED is made in the form of a torus, located around the push button and contains a hemispherical reflective element in cross section. The magnetically controlled contacts are interconnected, the electric current source is connected via an LED to one magnetically controlled contact, and through the contact closure of the push button to another, while gas transmission openings are made in the upper part of the measuring element.

 To ensure a longer duration of monitoring the result of monitoring the oil level in the lubricating system, a phosphor composition is applied to the surface of the retro-reflective element.

 The invention is illustrated by drawings. Figure 1 presents a General view of the device. In FIG. 2 shows the placement of the individual elements of the device (LED, current source, spring-loaded push button with contact closure, etc.) in the plug. Figure 3 - placement of magnetically controlled contacts and limiters of movement of the magnetic float in the measuring element. Figure 4 - circuit diagram of the device.

 The universal measuring device comprises a measuring element 1, a plug-cap 2, a protective element 3 and a separator 4 for cleaning the outer surface of the measuring element 1 from oil.

 The measuring element 1 is made in the form of a heat-resistant tube of dielectric material, on the outer surface of which are marked 5, for example, "max" and "min", or graduated divisions. A magnetic float 6 is placed inside the measuring element 1 and two limiters for its movement are installed - the upper 7 and lower 8, and opposite the limiters 7 and 8 two magnetically controlled contacts 9 and 10 are mounted. At one (upper) end the measuring element 1 is attached to the bottom of the plug 2, and its other (lower) end is open, which allows engine oil 11 to get from the crankcase of the engine (oil tank) into the tube.

 In the upper part of the measuring element 1, gas passage openings 12 are made to ensure equal gas pressures both in the internal channel (cavity) of the element 1 and in the crankcase.

 The magnetic float 6 may have a cylindrical or any other symmetrical shape and, depending on the oil level 11 in the engine crankcase (in the oil tank), can move in the inner cavity of element 1 (i.e., in the tube) within the upper 7 and lower 8 limiters.

 The limiters 7 and 8 for moving the magnetic float are installed in the tube so that the position of the float 6 when they touch the limiters corresponds to the minimum and maximum allowable oil levels in the lubrication system. Magnetically controlled contacts 9 and 10 are mounted in the measuring element 1 opposite the limiters 7 and 8.

 The device further comprises a spring-loaded push button 13 with a contact closure 14, an electric current source 15 and an LED 16, which are located in the upper part of the plug-cap 2. The electric current source 15 can be in the form of a miniature lithium battery or a cylindrical flat battery. In the inoperative position, the button 13 is released by the action of the spring, and the contacts of the contactor 14 are open.

 The current source 15 is connected to one magnetically controlled contact, for example, pin 9, through the LED 16. To another magnetically controlled contact 10, the current source 15 is connected through the contact closure 14 of the push button 13. The magnetically controlled contacts 9 and 10 are directly connected to each other. In the normal state (at a normal oil level in the lubrication system), the indicated contacts in the network are closed.

 The stopper-plug 2 is made, as a rule, of an elastic dielectric, for example, rubber, material and is mounted in the protective element 3.

 The protective element 3 is installed in the mounting socket of the engine housing (oil tank) between the plug-cap 2 and the housing 17 of the engine (tank). A movable separator 4 is placed with it, which serves to clean the outer surface of the measuring element 1 of engine oil.

 For ease of use of the device, the LED 16 is made in the form of a torus and is located around the push button 13. At the same time, the LED 16 contains a hemispherical reflective element 18 in cross section.

 For ease of removal of the device from the mounting socket of the housing 16 of the engine (oil tank) in the upper part of the plug-cap 2 on its side surface mounted exhaust loop 19.

 To ensure a longer duration of monitoring the result of monitoring the oil level in the lubrication system, a layer 20 of a phosphor (phosphor composition) can be applied to the surface of the retro-reflective element 18.

 The device operates as follows.

 To check the oil level in the lubrication system, the driver presses the button 13. At the same time, the contacts of the contactor 14 are closed, and the electric current from the current source 15 is supplied through the magnetically controlled contacts 11 and 10 to the LED 17.

 At a normal oil level in the lubrication system, the magnetic float 6, located inside the measuring element 1, occupies a position between two magnetically controlled contacts 10 and 11, which are closed and connected to the network. The current through them is supplied to LED 16, the glow of which indicates a normal oil level in the system.

 With a decrease (increase) in the level of engine oil in excess of the permissible value, the magnetic float b is placed opposite one of the magnetically controlled contacts 9 or 10 and causes its operation. The electric circuit opens and no current flows to LED 16. The absence of a LED glow indicates an unacceptable oil level in the system or a malfunction of the device.

 If necessary, the real (current) oil level in the lubrication system can be determined in the traditional way.

 To do this, the measuring element 1 using the exhaust loop 19 and (or) plugs 2 is removed from the mounting socket of the housing 17 of the engine (oil tank), initially leaving the separator 4 inside the protective element 3. In this case, the outer surface of the element 1 with the marks applied to it it is cleaned of engine oil for the subsequent receipt of reliable results of measuring its level. Then, element 1 is reinserted into the mounting slot and re-removed. At the same time, the separator 4 is also removed at the same time. According to the trace left by the oil on the outer surface of the element 1, the current level of oil in the oil system and its correspondence to the permissible values are determined by marks. After measurements, the device is reinserted into the socket.

 Similarly, the control of the oil level can be carried out in the case when for some reason (open circuit in the circuit, failure of one of the magnetically controlled contacts, strong discharge of the current source, etc.), the indicator control method cannot be used.

 The claimed device has several advantages compared to the prototype and analogues.

 The device is versatile, compact, autonomous, convenient for removing and using the engine crankcase from the mounting socket, and is also very effective in low light conditions, for example at night.

 In addition, the design of the device allows you to provide the necessary level of protection against the ingress of engine oil into the atmosphere and on various surfaces. This is achieved due to the fact that the oil level is controlled without removing the device from the mounting socket, where it is located, as well as due to the presence in the design of a protective element and a separator for cleaning oil.

 With operational (quick) control of the oil level in the lubrication system, it is not necessary to remove the device from the mounting socket. And at the same time, in extreme cases, the design allows you to control the oil level in the traditional way (using control marks).

 The design of the claimed device is quite simple to manufacture and can be implemented using existing technologies.

Claims (2)

 1. A universal indicator device for checking the oil level in the engine lubrication system, comprising a measuring element with control marks applied to its surface, the element is made in the form of a tube made of heat-resistant dielectric material, inside which a magnetic float and two limiters for its movement are placed, and connected at one end with dummy plug, protective element, electric current source and LED, magnetic float limiters are installed in accordance with the minimum and maximum permissible oil levels in the lubrication system, and opposite them two magnetically controlled contacts are mounted in the measuring element, characterized in that the device further comprises a spring-loaded push button with a contact closure and a movable separator for cleaning oil, a push button with a contact closure, a light source and an LED in the upper part of the stopper plug, and on its side surface an exhaust loop is mounted, the LED is made in the form of a torus, is located around the push button and contains t is a hemispherical retroreflective element in cross section, magnetically controlled contacts are interconnected, an electric current source is connected via an LED to one magnetically controlled contact, and through a contact button of a push button to another, gas transmission openings are made in the upper part of the measuring element.  2. The universal indicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that a phosphor composition is applied to the surface of the reflective element.

Images