Method for continuously predicting remaining engine oil life

• US 6,741,938 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Berndorfer, Axel H
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cherry, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US10/021,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 702/23, 702/183, 702/184, 702/187, 702/189, 701/30, 701/29, 701/99, 73/530.5, 731/172, 731/173, 731/84, 340/457.4, 340/438, 340/439, 340/459, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 702/23
• 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

Abstract

A method for continuously predicting remaining engine oil life includes counting down a remaining oil life (ROL) from 100% ROL to a predetermined warning threshold at a first rate. If an oil life event occurs prior to the threshold, the countdown rate is increased until the threshold is reached. On the other hand, if the threshold is reached and the oil life event has not yet occurred, the countdown rate is decreased until the oil life event occurs. During the countdown, if fresh oil or an additive is added to the oil, the countdown rate is adjusted in a positive direction. On the other hand, if the oil becomes contaminated, the countdown rate is adjusted in a negative direction.

Claims

1. A method for predicting remaining life of engine oil, comprising the acts of:

counting down a remaining oil life value toward a predetermined early warning threshold at a first countdown rate;

at least partially based on a predetermined exemplary first oil life event, increasing the first countdown rate, or, alternatively, at least partially based on an upper early warning threshold, decreasing the first countdown rate;

using the first countdown rate, providing a continuous indication of the remaining oil life.”

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the act of:

at least partially based on an actual first oil life event, counting down the remaining oil life toward a predetermined final warning threshold at a second countdown rate;

at least partially based on a predetermined exemplary second oil life event, increasing the second countdown rate;

at least partially based on an upper final warning threshold, decreasing the second countdown rate; and

at least partially based on an actual second oil life event, increasing the second countdown rate.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the act of:

adjusting the first or second countdown rate in a positive direction.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the act of:

adjusting the first or second countdown rate in a negative direction.

5. A system for predicting remaining life of engine oil, including:

at least one engine;

at least one oil pan providing oil to the engine;

at least one oil condition sensor communicating with the oil;

at least one control module electrically connected to the oil condition sensor, the control module including a program for predicting remaining oil life of the engine oil based on signals from the sensor; and

at least one display coupled to the control module for presenting an indication of the remaining oil life, wherein the program comprises;

logic means for counting down a remaining oil life value toward a predetermined early warning threshold at a first countdown rate;

logic means for increasing the first countdown rate at least partially based on a predetermined exemplary first oil life event;

logic means for decreasing the first countdown rate, at least partially based on an upper early warning threshold.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the program further comprises:

logic means for counting down the remaining oil life toward a predetermined final warning threshold at a second countdown rate at least partially based on an actual first oil life event;

logic means for increasing the second countdown rate at least partially based on a predetermined exemplary second oil life event;

logic means for decreasing the second countdown rate at least partially based on an upper final warning threshold; and

logic means for increasing the second countdown rate at least partially based on an actual second oil life event.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the program further comprises:

logic means for adjusting the first or second countdown rate in a positive direction.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the program further comprises:

logic means for adjusting the first or second countdown rate in a negative direction.