Apparatus for deciding engine-oil replacing time for an automobile

• US 5,043,697 A
• Filed: 09/21/1990
• Issued: 08/27/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pivot Co Ltd, Tanaka Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Tanaka Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Uchikawa, Seiichi, Ayabe, Kouichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian
• Application Number:
  US07/586,175
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/457, 340/441, 340/450.3, 340/457.4, 73/64
• US Class Current: 340/457.4
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/10 Indicating devices; Other safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/14 for indicating the necessity to change the oil
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 2260/18 necessity of changing oil
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance

Abstract

An apparatus for deciding engine-oil replacing time for an automobile. The apparatus comprises a pulse input unit into which is inputted a pulse generated during the rotation of the engine of an automobile to calculate rotational frequency of the engine on the basis of the pulse, a rotational-frequency integration unit for receiving a signal of rotational frequency of the engine output from the pulse input unit to integrate the rotational frequency of the engine, and a display unit into which is input an integrated value from the rotational-frequency integration unit and in which a degree of oil degradation on the basis of the integrated value is displayed by a display such as a LED, a liquid crystal, a 7-segment or the like.

Claims

1. An apparatus for deciding engine-oil replacing time for an automobile on the basis of input from the ignition coil comprising:

a) a pulse input unit including a waveform shaping circuit into which is input a pulse generated by the ignition coil during the rotation of the engine of an automobile to calculate rotational frequency of the engine on the basis of said pulse;

b) a rotational frequency integration unit for receiving a signal of said pulse input unit and for producing an integrated value based on the rotational frequency of the engine, and

c) a display unit into which is input the integrated value from said rotational frequency integration unit and in which a degree of oil degradation on the basis of said integrated value is displayed.

2. An apparatus for deciding engine-oil replacing time for an automobile on the basis of input from the ignition coil as in claim 1, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.

3. An apparatus for deciding engine-oil replacing time for an automobile on the basis of input from the ignition coil as in claim 1, said pulse input unit including a cylinder switching circuit interposed between said waveform shaping circuit and said rotational frequency integration unit, so as to form the signal from said pulse input unit according to the number of cylinders.

4. An apparatus for deciding engine-oil replacing time for an automobile on the basis of input from the ignition coil as in claim 1, wherein said display is a light emitting diode.