Apparatus, a method, and measuring sensors for scanning states of engine oil

• US 20060114007A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Cho, Jin Hee
• Granted Patent: US 7,281,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/698
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/2888 Lubricating oil characteristics, e.g. deterioration lubricating properties G01N33/30

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a sensor for scanning engine oil of a vehicle. An apparatus for scanning engine oil according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an oil property measuring part for measuring physical and chemical properties of engine oil; a driving condition measuring part for measuring a engine driving condition; a control portion where predetermined values about conditions of engine oil according to engine driving conditions are stored as set values, for selecting a set value corresponding to a measured engine driving condition and calculating a result value about a quality of engine oil on the basis of comparison with a measured value determined according to an engine driving condition inputted from the driving condition measuring part and the set value; and an output part for outputting the result.

Claims

1. An apparatus for scanning states of engine oil, comprising:

an oil property measuring part for measuring physical and chemical properties of engine oil;

a driving condition measuring part for measuring an engine driving condition;

a control portion where conditions of engine oil corresponding to engine driving conditions are stored as set values, for selecting a set value for a state of engine oil corresponding to the measured engine driving condition, and calculating a result value regarding a quality of engine oil on the basis of comparison of a measured value for the state of engine oil inputted from the driving condition measuring part and the set value; and

an output part for outputting a predetermined output depending on the result value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the output part is an instrument panel or a system scanner.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the oil property measuring part includes at least one of an oil viscosity sensor, an oil level sensor, an oil temperature sensor, and an oil oxidation degree sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the oil property measuring part is a complex sensor including an oil viscosity sensor, an oil level sensor, an oil temperature sensor, and an oil oxidation degree sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein

the complex sensor comprises:

a cylindrical case having a hollow space therein;

the oil level sensor, the oil oxidation degree sensor, the oil viscosity sensor, and the oil temperature sensor installed in the case; and

a DSP for calculating values for physical and chemical properties of engine oil, on the basis of values measured by each of the sensors, wherein

the oil level sensor comprises

an input electrode having a shape of a pipe, installed in the case, and formed such that an electric current can be applied thereto, and

an oil level electrode having a shape of a pipe, disposed apart from an inner surface of the input electrode, and formed to receive an electric current from the input electrode,

the oil oxidation degree sensor comprises

the input electrode, and

an oil oxidation degree electrode having a shape of a pipe, disposed at a lower portion of the oil level electrode, and formed to receive an electric current applied from the input electrode,

the oil viscosity sensor comprises

a piezoelectric element and a metal membrane covering the piezoelectric element, and

the oil temperature sensor is mounted to the case.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein

the piezoelectric element of the oil viscosity sensor has a self-cleaning function by vibrating engine oil when the electric current is applied.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein

an oil hole through which the engine oil passes is formed at the case and the input electrode.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein

the oil viscosity sensor is mounted to the inside of the oil oxidation degree electrode by an O-ring made of rubber.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the DSP comprises

an input/output port for receiving information by communicating with the oil property measuring part, an ECU, and the output part, and outputting a control signal;

a CPU for calculating a quality of engine oil on the basis of a measured value inputted through the input/output port and information of the engine driving condition inputted from the ECU;

a flash memory for storing history of the condition of engine oil calculated by the CPU in a sequence of time; and

a ROM for storing a program for operating the CPU.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the oil level sensor comprises:

an input electrode formed such that an electric current is applied thereto; and

an oil level electrode disposed apart from the input electrode and formed to receive an electric current output from the input electrode,

and the control portion

calculates a capacitance and a dielectric constant of engine oil between the input electrode and the oil level electrode on the basis of the input current of the input electrode and the output current of the oil level electrode, and

calculates an oil level on the basis of the calculated capacitance and dielectric constant of engine oil.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein

the input electrode has a shape of a pipe, and

the oil level electrode has a shape of a pipe having a smaller diameter than the input electrode.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein

the oil level electrode is divided into a plurality of parts, and

the control portion calculates a plurality of oil levels at the respective divided parts of the oil level electrode on the basis of signals of the output electric current of the oil level electrodes and the input electric current of the input electrode.

13. The apparatus of claim 12,

further comprising a supporting part for mounting the oil level electrode, wherein

the supporting part is formed of an insulating material to have a shape of a pipe, and

the oil level electrode is fixed to an exterior surface of the supporting part.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein

four vertical protruded parts are formed along a longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the supporting part, and

the vertical protruded parts are disposed between two adjacent divided parts of the oil level electrode so as to insulate respective divided parts of the oil level electrode.

15. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the oil oxidation degree sensor comprises:

an input electrode applying electric current; and

an oil oxidation degree electrode disposed apart from the input electrode and formed to receive the electric current from the input electrode,

and the control portion

calculates a capacitance of engine oil between the input electrode and the oil oxidation degree electrode on the basis of the input electric current of the input electrode and the output electric current of the oil oxidation degree electrode,

calculates a dielectric constant on the basis of the calculated capacitance, and

calculates an oil level on the basis of the calculated capacitance and dielectric constant of engine oil.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein

the input electrode has a shape of a pipe, and

the oil oxidation degree electrode has a shape of a pipe having a smaller diameter than the input electrode.

17. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the oil viscosity sensor comprises:

a viscosity sensor case;

a pipe-shaped piezoelectric element;

an inside electrode mounted to the inner surface of the piezoelectric element and vertically separated therefrom;

an outside electrode mounted to the exterior surface of the piezoelectric element; and

a plurality of electric wires for supplying electric power to an inside electrode, wherein

one part of the piezoelectric element with the outside electrode is exposed to the engine oil and the other part of the piezoelectric element with the outside electrode is exposed to air,

and when an electric current is applied, the two parts of the piezoelectric element are torsionally vibrated in opposite directions to each other, and

the control portion calculates a relative viscosity of engine oil on the basis of a measured damping force of air and a measured damping force of engine oil.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein

an inner surface of the viscosity sensor case is projected inward,

a longitudinal center of the outside electrode is fixedly mounted to the projected part of the inner surface of the viscosity sensor case, and

the inside electrode is vertically separated at a position corresponding to a fixing position of the outside electrode to the viscosity sensor case.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 to 22, wherein

the piezoelectric element of the oil oxidation degree sensor has a self-cleaning function by vibrating engine oil when the electric current is applied.

20. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the oil viscosity sensor includes:

a viscosity sensor case including a vibration tube extended downward;

a ring-shaped piezoelectric element disposed inside of the viscosity sensor case;

rings disposed to contact an upper surface and a lower surface of the piezoelectric element;

a vibration shaft where a flywheel is mounted to a middle part thereof, and a probe is mounted to a lower part thereof, wherein

the flywheel is fixed on the ring disposed on the piezoelectric element,

the probe is mounted to the vibration tube,

the probe and the vibration tube exposed in the engine oil are vibrated due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element, and

the control portion calculates a viscosity of engine oil on the basis of the damping force of the engine oil generated by the vibration of the probe and the vibration tube.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein

a plurality of piezoelectric elements are stacked, and

a plurality of the rings are interposed between the piezoelectric elements.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein

the ring is made with copper.

23. A method for scanning engine oil, comprising:

measuring at least one physical property of engine oil;

measuring at least one chemical property of engine oil;

measuring an engine driving condition;

selecting a set value for an oil state corresponding to a current engine driving condition among stored set values corresponding to a predetermined engine driving condition;

comparing measured values corresponding to physical and chemical properties of engine oil with the selected set value for the oil state;

calculating a result value on the basis of the comparison; and

outputting a predetermined output corresponding to the result through an output part.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein

the measuring at least one physical propertt of engine oil comprises:

at least one of measuring a viscosity of engine oil with an oil viscosity sensor, measuring a level of engine oil with an oil level sensor, measuring an amount of engine oil, and measuring a temperature of engine oil with an oil temperature sensor.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein

the measuring at least one chemical property comprises

measuring a dielectric constant of engine oil with an oil oxidation degree sensor.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein

the measuring an engine driving condition comprises

at least one of measuring a vehicle speed with a vehicle speed sensor, measuring an amount of intake air with an air flow sensor, and measuring engine rotation speed with a crank angle sensor.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising

storing the measured value and the result value in a flash memory.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein

the output part is an instrument panel or a system scanner.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein

the predetermined set values regarding conditions of engine oil corresponding to the respective engine driving conditions are amended on the basis of a history of engine operation.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein

the predetermined values comprise a limit value of viscosity of engine oil, and

the limit value of viscosity of engine oil is determined on the basis of at least one of

an amount of change of engine oil temperature, an amount of change of engine rotation speed, an amount of change of engine driving mileage, an amount of change of intake air measured by the air flow sensor, and an amount of change of air in an idle state.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein

the predetermined values comprise a limit value of a degree of oxidation of engine oil,

the limit value of viscosity of engine oil is determined on the basis of at least one of an amount of change of engine oil temperature, an amount of change of engine rotation speed, an amount of change of engine mileage, an amount of change of intake air measured by the air flow sensor, and an amount of change of air in the idle state.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein

the measuring a viscosity of engine oil with an oil viscosity sensor comprises:

vibrating a piezoelectric element;

measuring a damping force of engine oil caused by vibration of the piezoelectric element; and

calculating viscosity of engine oil on the basis of the damping force.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein

the measuring a viscosity of engine oil with an oil viscosity sensor comprises:

vibrating a piezoelectric element;

measuring a damping force of engine oil caused by vibration of the piezoelectric element;

measuring a damping force of air caused by vibration of the piezoelectric element; and

calculating a relative viscosity of engine oil on the basis of the measured damping force of engine oil and the measured damping force of air.

34. An oil level sensor, comprising:

an input electrode formed such that an electric current is applied thereto;

an oil level electrode disposed apart from the input electrode and formed to receive an electric current output from the input electrode; and

a control portion configured and programmed to calculate a capacitance and a dielectric constant of engine oil between the input electrode and the oil level electrode on the basis of the input current of the input electrode and the output current of the oil level electrode, and

to calculate an oil level on the basis of the calculated capacitance and dielectric constant of engine oil.

35. The oil level sensor of claim 35, wherein:

the input electrode has a shape of a pipe; and

the oil level electrode has a shape of a pipe having a smaller diameter than the input electrode.

36. The oil level sensor of claim 35, wherein:

the oil level electrode is divided into a plurality of parts, and

the control portion is further configured and programmed to calculate a plurality of oil levels at the respective divided parts of the oil level electrode on the basis of signals of the output electric current of the oil level electrodes and the input electric current of the input electrode.

37. The oil level sensor of claim 36, wherein

further comprising a supporting part for mounting the oil level electrode, wherein

the supporting part is formed of an insulating material to have a shape of a pipe, and

the oil level electrode is fixed to an exterior surface of the supporting part.

38. The oil level sensor of claim 37, wherein

four vertical protruded parts are formed along a longitudinal direction on an outer surface of the supporting part, and

the vertical protruded parts are disposed between two adjacent divided parts of the divided oil level electrode so as to insulate the respective divided parts of the divided oil level electrodes.

39. An oil oxidation degree sensor, comprising:

an input electrode applying an electric current;

an oil oxidation degree electrode disposed apart from the input electrode and formed to receive an electric current from the input electrode; and

and a control portion configured andand programmed to calculate a capacitance of engine oil between the input electrode and the oil oxidation degree electrode on the basis of the input electric current of the input electrode and the output electric current of the oil oxidation degree electrode,

calculate a dielectric constant on the basis of the calculated capacitance, and

calculate an oil level on the basis of the calculated capacitance and dielectric constant of engine oil.

40. The oil oxidation degree sensor of claim 39, wherein

the input electrode has a shape of a pipe, and

the oil oxidation degree electrode has a shape of a pipe having a smaller diameter than the input electrode.

41. An oil viscosity sensor, comprising:

a viscosity sensor case;

a pipe-shaped piezoelectric element;

an inside electrode mounted to an inner surface of the piezoelectric element and vertically separated therefrom;

an outside electrode mounted to an exterior surface of the piezoelectric element; and

a plurality of electric wires for supplying electric power to the inside electrode, wherein

one part of the piezoelectric element with the outside electrode is exposed to the engine oil and the other part of the piezoelectric element with the outside electrode is exposed to air,

and when an electric current is applied, the two parts of the piezoelectric element are torsionally vibrated in opposite directions to each other, and

a control portion is configured and programmed to calculate a relative viscosity of engine oil on the basis of a measured damping force of air and a measured damping force of engine oil.

42. The oil viscosity sensor of claim 41, wherein

an inner surface of the viscosity sensor case is projected inward,

a longitudinal center of the outside electrode is fixedly mounted to the projected part of the inner surface of the viscosity sensor case, and

the inside electrode is vertically separated at a position corresponding to a fixing position where the outside electrode is fixed to the viscosity sensor case.

45. The viscosity sensor of claim 41, wherein:

the piezoelectric element of the oil oxidation degree sensor has a self-cleaning function by vibrating engine oil when the electric current is applied.

43. An oil viscosity sensor, comprising:

a viscosity sensor case including a vibration tube extended downward;

a ring-shaped piezoelectric element disposed inside of the viscosity sensor case;

rings disposed to contact an upper surface and an lower surface of the piezoelectric element; and

a vibration shaft where a flywheel is mounted to a middle part thereof, and a probe is mounted to a lower part thereof, wherein

the flywheel is fixed on the ring disposed on the piezoelectric element,

the probe is mounted to the vibration tube,

the probe and the vibration tube exposed in the engine oil are vibrated due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element, and

a control portion is configured and programmed to calculate a viscosity of engine oil on the basis of the damping force of the engine oil generated by the vibration of the probe and the vibration tube.

44. The viscosity sensor of claim 43, wherein:

a plurality of piezoelectric elements are stacked, and

a plurality of the rings are interposed between the piezoelectric elements.

46. The viscosity sensor of claim 43, wherein:

the piezoelectric element of the oil oxidation degree sensor has a self-cleaning function by vibrating engine oil when the electric current is applied.

47. A complex sensor, comprising:

a case;

an oil level sensor, an oil oxidation degree sensor, an oil viscosity sensor, and an oil temperature sensor installed in the case; and

a control portion for calculating measured values according to physical and/or chemical properties inputted from an oil property measuring part, wherein

the oil level sensor comprises

an input electrode having a shape of a pipe, installed in the case, and formed such that an electric current is applied thereto, and

an oil level electrode disposed apart from the inner surface of the input electrode, and formed to receive an electric current output from the input electrode,

the oil oxidation degree sensor comprises

the input electrode, and

an oil oxidation degree electrode having a shape of a pipe, disposed at a lower portion of the oil level electrode, and formed to receive an electric current applied from the input electrode,

the oil viscosity sensor comprises,

a viscosity sensor case,

a pipe-shaped piezoelectric element,

an inside electrode mounted to the inner surface of the piezoelectric element and vertically separated therefrom,

an outside electrode mounted to the exterior surface of the piezoelectric element, and

a plurality of electric wires for supplying electric power to an inside electrode, wherein

one part of the piezoelectric element with the outside electrode is exposed to the engine oil and the other part of the piezoelectric element with the outside electrode is exposed to air, and

when an electric current is applied, the two parts of the piezoelectric element are torsionally vibrated in opposite directions to each other,

48. The complex sensor of claim 47, wherein

the control portion

calculates a capacitance and a dielectric constant of engine oil between the input electrode and the oil level electrode on the basis of the input current of the input electrode and the output current of the oil level electrode, and

calculates an oil level on the basis of the calculated capacitance and dielectric constant of engine oil.

55. The complex sensor of claim 47, wherein

the control portion calculates a relative viscosity of engine oil on the basis of a measured damping force of air and a measured damping force of engine oil.

56. The complex sensor of claim 55, wherein

an inner surface of the viscosity sensor case is projected inward,

a longitudinal center of the outside electrode is fixedly mounted to the projected part of the inner surface of the viscosity sensor case, and

the inside electrode is vertically separated at a position corresponding to a fixing position where the outside electrode is fixed to the viscosity sensor case.

59. The complex sensor of claim 47, wherein

the case is formed to have a shape of an inverted “

L”

, and is mounted to a side wall of an engine.

49. The complex sensor of claim 49, wherein

the input electrode has a shape of a pipe, and

the oil level electrode has a shape of a pipe having a smaller diameter than the input electrode.

50. The complex sensor of claim 49, wherein

the oil level electrode is divided into a plurality of parts, and

the control portion calculates a plurality of oil levels at the respective divided parts of the oil level electrode on the basis of signals of the output electric current of the oil level electrodes and the input electric current of the input electrode.

51. The complex sensor of claim 50

further comprising a supporting part for mounting the oil level electrode, wherein

the supporting part has a shape of a pipe and is made with a material that can be insulated, and

the oil level electrode is mounted to the exterior surface of the supporting part.

52. The complex sensor of claim 51, wherein:

four vertical protruded parts are formed along a longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the supporting part, and

the vertical protruded parts are disposed between two adjacent divided parts of the oil level electrode so as to insulate respective divided parts of the divided oil level electrode.

53. The complex sensor of claim 52, wherein

a horizontal protruded part is protruded at the outer surface of the supporting part and at the lower part of the vertical protruded part, and

the horizontal protruded part is insulated between the oil level electrode and the oil oxidation degree electrode.

54. The complex sensor of claim 53, wherein

an insert groove is formed on the horizontal protruded part, and

the oil level electrode is fixedly inserted in the insert groove.

57. A complex sensor, comprising:

a case;

an oil level sensor, an oil oxidation degree sensor, an oil viscosity sensor, and an oil temperature sensor installed in the case; and

a control portion for calculating measured values according to physical and/or chemical properties inputted from the oil property measuring part, wherein

the oil level sensor comprises

an input electrode having a shape of a pipe, installed in the case, and formed to be charged with an electric current, and

an oil level electrode disposed apart from the inner surface of the input electrode, and formed to receive an electric current from the input electrode,

the oil oxidation degree sensor comprises the input electrode, and

an oil oxidation degree electrode having a shape of a pipe, disposed at a lower portion of the oil level electrode, and formed to receive an electric current applied from the input electrode,

the oil viscosity sensor includes

a viscosity sensor case including a vibration tube extended downward,

a ring-shaped piezoelectric element disposed inside of the viscosity sensor case,

rings disposed to contact an upper surface and a lower surface of the piezoelectric element,

a vibration shaft where a flywheel is mounted to a middle part thereof, and a probe is mounted to a lower part thereof, and

a control portion that calculates a viscosity of engine oil on the basis of the damping force of the engine oil generated by the vibration of the probe and the vibration tube, wherein

the flywheel is fixed on the ring disposed on the piezoelectric element,

the probe is mounted to the vibration tube, and

the probe and the vibration tube exposed in the engine oil are vibrated due to the vibration of the piezoelectric element.

58. The complex sensor of claim 57, wherein

a plurality of piezoelectric elements are stacked, and

a plurality of the rings are interposed between the piezoelectric elements.