METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE DETERIORATION OF MOTOR OIL

• US 20030150256A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Jakoby, Bernhard, Schatz, Oliver, Buch, Stephan
• Granted Patent: US 6,786,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/53.05
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/1473 by considering temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/148 by considering viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2270/52 Viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2011/0013 Temperature compensation

Abstract

A method for assessing the deterioration of motor oil is presented, in which the oil viscosity of the motor oil is measured by a sensor, and the length of an oil-change interval is determined in an evaluating electronics having a display device. According to the invention, it is provided that a temperature sensor for the simultaneous determination of the oil temperature is assigned to the sensor for measuring the oil viscosity, and the oil viscosity and oil temperature are measured in the cooling phase of the engine after it has been switched off.

Claims

1. A method for assessing the deterioration of motor oil, in which the oil viscosity of the motor oil is measured by a sensor and the length of an oil-change interval is determined in an evaluating electronics having a display device,

wherein a temperature sensor for the simultaneous determination of the oil temperature is assigned to the sensor for measuring the oil viscosity, and the oil viscosity and oil temperature are measured in the cooling phase of the engine after it has been switched off.

2. The method for assessing the deterioration of motor oil as recited in claim 1, wherein the oil-temperature and oil-viscosity measurement as well as the evaluation are regulated and monitored by an engine control device that is assigned to the engine.

3. The method for assessing the deterioration of motor oil as recited in one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the measurement of the oil temperature and oil viscosity takes place in a time interval of 10 to 100 minutes after the engine has been switched off.

4. The method for assessing the deterioration of motor oil as recited in one of claims 1 through 3,

wherein the evaluation is assigned to a computing device that is arranged in the instrument panel, the computing device being driven and monitored by the engine control unit.