Carbon nanotube sensor and apparatus and method for detecting change time of engine oil for automobile using the same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining a time to change automobile engine oil, comprising:
- a power source unit for converting power, which is supplied from a battery, into necessary power and supplying the necessary power at a startup time;
a degradation detection unit installed in an engine oil chamber and formed using carbon nanotubes as a sensor capable of detecting degradation of the engine oil;
a drive unit for driving operation of the degradation detection unit when enabled by power supplied from the power source unit;
a small signal amplification unit for amplifying a minute signal output from the degradation detection unit;
an oil-condition determination unit for comparing a value, corresponding to the degraded state of the engine oil, with a set reference values based on a detection signal transferred from the small signal amplification unit, and thereby determining a time to change the engine oil;
an amplification unit for amplifying a signal detected by the oil-condition determination unit to a preset level; and
a display unit for displaying a signal, which is output from the oil-condition determination unit, in text or predetermined form as information about an oil change time;
whereinthe sensor of the degradation detection unit is an electric conductivity sensor, the electric conductivity sensor comprising;
electrodes to which power is applied;
a detection film which is connected to both the electrodes and is formed of carbon nanotubes capable of detecting variation in permittivity; and
a substrate on which the electrodes and the detection film are mounted.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for determining the time to change the oil of an automobile engine including a power source unit for converting power into necessary power and supplies power at the startup time. A degradation detection unit is installed in an engine oil chamber and is formed using carbon nanotubes as a sensor capable of detecting degradation of the engine oil. A small signal amplification unit amplifies the signals detected from the oil conditions and amplifies the minute signal output from the degradation detection unit. The oil-condition determination unit compares value, corresponding to the degraded state of the engine oil, with a set reference value, to determine the time to change the engine oil. The display unit displaying the oil-condition in text form as information about the time to change oil.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for determining a time to change automobile engine oil, comprising:
-
a power source unit for converting power, which is supplied from a battery, into necessary power and supplying the necessary power at a startup time; a degradation detection unit installed in an engine oil chamber and formed using carbon nanotubes as a sensor capable of detecting degradation of the engine oil; a drive unit for driving operation of the degradation detection unit when enabled by power supplied from the power source unit; a small signal amplification unit for amplifying a minute signal output from the degradation detection unit; an oil-condition determination unit for comparing a value, corresponding to the degraded state of the engine oil, with a set reference values based on a detection signal transferred from the small signal amplification unit, and thereby determining a time to change the engine oil; an amplification unit for amplifying a signal detected by the oil-condition determination unit to a preset level; and a display unit for displaying a signal, which is output from the oil-condition determination unit, in text or predetermined form as information about an oil change time;
whereinthe sensor of the degradation detection unit is an electric conductivity sensor, the electric conductivity sensor comprising; electrodes to which power is applied; a detection film which is connected to both the electrodes and is formed of carbon nanotubes capable of detecting variation in permittivity; and a substrate on which the electrodes and the detection film are mounted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification