JPH0216849B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention improves the usage efficiency of the display meter by switching and displaying the deterioration degree and fluid level of engine oil on a fuel remaining amount display meter according to the operation of the ignition switch before starting the engine. The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle that is designed to increase the display space and reduce the display space.

Conventionally, in a device that displays the degree of deterioration and fluid level of engine oil so that engine oil can be replenished or replaced appropriately, for example, as shown in FIG. Similar to the fuel remaining amount display meter 4 that receives power from the battery 2 and displays the detected remaining amount of the fuel remaining amount sensor 3 installed in the fuel tank, when the engine is operated to the "IG position"), the engine oil The meter panel is provided with a liquid amount display meter 7 and a deterioration degree display meter 8 that display the detected values of the liquid amount sensor 5 and deterioration degree sensor 6 as a guide.

According to such a display device, when using a vehicle, the amount and degree of deterioration of the engine oil can be known at all times, eliminating the need to open the bonnet and take out the oil gauge to check the engine oil, allowing for proper vehicle maintenance and management. Can be done.

However, the fluid level detected by the fluid level sensor installed in the engine's oil pan decreases after the engine starts because engine oil is being supplied to various parts of the engine, and the fluid level detected during operation is inaccurate. Amounts not specified. Therefore, the fluid level is checked by looking at the meter reading before starting the engine. On the other hand, the degree of deterioration of engine oil generally changes at least every 100 to 500 km, and even if the meter is always displayed, the deterioration display will hardly change.

Furthermore, providing the engine oil level display meter 7 and deterioration degree display meter 8 on the meter panel, which is space-restricted, narrows the installation space for other display meters and limits the freedom of design. .

Therefore, in order to save installation space, an alarm lamp that lights up when the engine oil level falls below a specified value or when the degree of deterioration exceeds a specified value is provided on the meter panel instead of the display meter. However, it is difficult to understand the degree of change in the liquid level and deterioration level using the alarm lamp display.
If you wanted to know the level and degree of deterioration of the engine oil, you had to open the bonnet and check it with an oil gauge as before.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is a device that detects and displays the amount of engine oil and the degree of deterioration of the engine oil. In order to properly display the fluid level and deterioration level of the engine oil, when the ignition switch is operated from the off position to the accessory position or ignition position, the remaining fuel level display meter on the instrument panel will display the fluid level and deterioration level of the engine oil. The purpose of this invention is to solve the above problem by sequentially switching and displaying the following information until the engine is started.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

First, to explain the configuration, 10 is a flow meter structure or capacitance type remaining amount sensor installed in the fuel tank, 11 is an engine oil level sensor installed in the oil pan of the engine, and 12 is a sensor immersed in engine oil. This is a deterioration sensor that detects the degree of deterioration of engine oil based on the capacitance of an electrode plate, and the outputs of each sensor 10 to 12 are input to a display control circuit 13. The display control circuit 13 is given the output of the ignition switch 14 operated by the ignition key 15, and when the ignition switch 14 is operated from the OFF position to the accessory position (hereinafter referred to as the "ACC position"), In addition, the display control circuit 13 is connected to the deterioration sensor 12 and the liquid level sensor 1.
It is configured to sequentially output one detection signal, and the output of the deterioration sensor 12 and the liquid level sensor 11 is switched by the output of the timer 16. A remaining fuel amount display meter 17 is connected to the output of the display control circuit 13.
Item display sections 18a, 18b, and 18c corresponding to engine oil level), engine oil level, and degree of deterioration (Oil Contamination') are provided, and the display control circuit 13 outputs detection signals from each sensor 10 to 12. By lighting the lamps provided behind the item display sections 18a to 18c corresponding to the item display sections 18a to 18c,
18c is configured to be backlit in dark green, for example. In addition, the scale display of the display meter 17 indicates the remaining fuel amount from E (Empty) to F (Full).
However, the liquid level of engine oil is similarly E (Empty) to F (Full), while the degree of deterioration is displayed from E (Exchange) to F (Fresh).
Therefore, it is assumed that the scale displays E to F are shared as they are for displaying each detected value.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a specific embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

First, to explain the configuration, the display meter 17 is connected to the battery 2 via the ACC terminal of the ignition switch 14, and the ground side of the display meter 17 is connected to the ignition switch 14 via the relay contact 20a of the relay 20. The IG terminal is connected to the remaining fuel sensor 10, and the relay coil of the relay 20 is connected to the IG terminal of the ignition switch 14. Also, ignition switch 14
The ACC terminal of is connected to timer 16, and timer 1
6 produces an H level output for a certain period of time after battery power is supplied, and is configured to energize the relay coil of a relay 22 connected to the output of the timer 16. The relay 22 has two circuits of relay contact pieces 22a and 22b that are switched to the terminal a side as shown in the figure in a non-energized state, and the relay contact piece 22
a is connected to terminal a of relay contact piece 20a in relay 20, while terminal a of relay contact piece 22a
Connect the side to the engine oil level sensor 11,
The terminal b side is connected to the deterioration sensor 12.

On the other hand, the item display sections 18a to 1 of the display meter 17
8c (see Figure 2) as a means of backlighting the
A remaining amount indicator lamp 24, a liquid amount indicator lamp 26, and a deterioration indicator lamp 28 are provided, and the remaining amount indicator lamp 2
4 is connected to the IG terminal of the ignition switch 14, the fluid level indicator lamp 26 and the deterioration indicator lamp 28 are connected to each of the terminals a and b on the relay contact piece 22b side of the relay 22, and the common terminal of the relay contact piece 22b Terminal c is connected to the ignition switch 14 via terminal a on the relay contact piece 20b side of the relay 20.
Connected to the ACC terminal.

Next, to explain the engine oil liquid level sensor 11 and deterioration sensor 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, first, the liquid level sensor 11 is as shown in FIG.
A storage container 31 that supports a detection mechanism inside the oil pan 30, and a resistor 32 provided inside the storage container 31.
and a float 34 equipped with a brush that comes into sliding contact with the resistor 32.
The detection mechanism using this has the same configuration as the remaining amount sensor installed in the fuel tank, but there are large fluid level fluctuations in the oil pan 30 due to strong winds caused by high-speed rotation of the crankshaft, driving vibrations, or engine vibrations. A storage container 31 is used to protect the detection mechanism from fluctuations in the liquid level, and the storage container 31 has an air hole 35 formed in the upper part and an oil inlet/outlet hole 36 formed in the lower part.

If the detection mechanism is protected by the storage container 31 in this way, the ability to follow changes in the engine oil level will be reduced, but since the oil level according to the present invention is displayed only when the engine is stopped, the delay in tracking will not be a problem. .

On the other hand, the deterioration sensor 12, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of electrode plates 42a, 42b are placed on the insulating base 40.
The electrode plates 42a and 42b are arranged alternately facing each other with a predetermined gap in between, and the degree of deterioration is detected based on the change in the capacitance of the engine oil interposed between the electrode plates 42a and 42b.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG.

When the ignition switch 14 is operated from the OFF position to the ACC position as shown in the figure to start the engine, power is supplied from the battery 2 to the display meter 17 and timer 16, and the timer 16 is activated for a certain period of time. An H level output is generated, and relay contacts 22a and 22b are activated by energizing the relay 22.
Switch to terminal b side. Since the relay 20 is in a non-energized state at this time, the deterioration sensor 12 is connected to the ground side of the display meter 17 via the relay contacts 20a and 22a, and the display meter 17 displays the degree of deterioration of the engine oil as a guide. On the other hand, power is supplied to the deterioration indicator lamp 28 through the relay contact piece 20b that is closed to the terminal a and the relay contact piece 22b that is switched to the terminal b side, and the deterioration indicator lamp 28 lights up.
The deterioration item display section 18c (see FIG. 2) is illuminated to notify that the degree of deterioration of the engine oil is displayed on the display meter 17.

When a certain period of time has elapsed since power was supplied to the timer 16, the output of the timer 16 is switched to the L level and the relay 22 is restored to the non-energized state. When the relay 22 is restored, the relay contacts 22a and 22b are connected to terminal a.
Therefore, the liquid level sensor 11 is connected to the ground side of the display meter 17 via relay contacts 20a and 22a, and at the same time, the relay contact 20b is connected to the ground side of the display meter 17.
Power is supplied to the liquid level display lamp 26 through 22b and 22b, and the liquid level display lamp 26 is turned on.

Therefore, after displaying the degree of deterioration for a certain period of time, the display meter 17 comes to display the amount of engine oil, and the degree of deterioration and the amount of engine oil can be sequentially checked. At this time, the scales E and F of the display meter are displayed as they are: E (Exchange) to F (Fresh) when displaying the degree of deterioration, and E (Empty) to F (Full) when displaying the liquid level. The display is easy to understand.

Next, when the ignition switch 14 is operated to the IG position to start the engine, the relay 2
0 is energized, the relay contacts 20a and 20b are switched to the terminal b side, and the remaining amount sensor 10 is connected to the ground side of the display meter 17 via the relay contact 20a to display the remaining fuel amount with a needle, and at the same time, the IG When power is supplied from the terminal, the remaining amount display lamp 24 lights up to notify that the display meter 17 has been switched to display the remaining fuel amount.

Therefore, the remaining fuel amount is always displayed on the display meter 17 during operation.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention with respect to the switching circuit of the engine oil level sensor 11 and the deterioration sensor 12.
The present invention is characterized by providing a means for preventing the engine oil level from remaining displayed when listening to a car radio or the like while switching to the ACC position.

That is, the sequential switching of the liquid level sensor 11 and the deterioration sensor 12 by the relay 22 based on the timer 16 is the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Another timer 50 with a longer set time is provided in parallel with the timer 50, and a relay 52 disconnects the liquid level sensor 11 and the liquid level display lamp 26 from the relay 22 when the output of the timer 50 returns from the H level to the L level. It was designed to provide a.

Its action is to switch the ignition switch to ACC.
When switched to the position, the timers 16 and 50 generate an H level output, and the relay 22 is energized by the H level output of the timer 16, and the degree of deterioration is first displayed on the meter using the displays E to F of the display meter, and then the timer 16 outputs an H level output. Later, when the output of the timer 16 returns to the L level, the relay 22 is restored, and at this time, the relay contact 52 is energized by the H level output of the timer 50.
Since terminals a and 52b are switched to the terminal b side, by connecting the liquid level sensor 11 to the display meter and lighting the liquid level display lamp 26, the engine oil level can be displayed using displays E to F of the display meter. , After that, when the timer 50 reaches the set time and switches to the L level output, the relay 52 is restored and the relay contacts 52a,
52b is returned as shown, the liquid level sensor 11 and the liquid level display lamp 26 are separated, and the liquid level display is canceled.

For this reason, even if you listen to the car radio with the ignition switch in the ACC position, the engine oil level display will automatically be canceled after the predetermined time required for the display has passed, stopping unnecessary displays.
At the same time, battery power is saved.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, and this embodiment has an ignition switch.
The device is characterized in that when the device is moved to the IG position, the degree of deterioration of the engine oil and the fluid amount are sequentially switched and displayed, and when the engine is started, the display is switched to the remaining amount of fuel.

First, to explain the configuration, each sensor 10 to 12 consisting of relays 20 and 22 and a timer 16 provided on the ground side of the display meter 17 and each display lamp 24 to 2
The configuration of the switching circuit 8 is the same as that in the embodiment shown in FIG. When the relay contact piece 62a is closed, the terminal a side is connected to the relay coil of the relay 20 and the remaining amount indicator lamp 24.
The terminal b side, where the relay contact piece 62a closes when energized, is connected to the common terminal of the timer 16 and the relay contact piece 20b of the relay 20.

Its action is to activate the ignition switch 14.
When switched to the IG position, the relay coil of the relay 62 is energized via the pressure switch 60, which is closed when the engine is stopped, thereby switching the relay contact piece 62a to the terminal b. Therefore, power is supplied to the timer 16, and the timer 16 goes high as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
While the level output is being generated, the degree of deterioration is displayed on the display meter 17, and when the output of the timer 16 returns to the L level after a certain period of time, the display switches to the liquid amount display. At this time, the scales E and F of the display meter are displayed as they are: E (Exchange) to F (Fresh) when displaying the degree of deterioration, and E (Empty) to F (Full) when displaying the liquid level. The display is easy to understand.

Next, when the ignition switch 14 is turned to the starter position to start the engine, the pressure switch 60 opens due to the increase in oil pressure, the relay 62 is restored, the relay contact piece 62a returns to the terminal a side, and the relay 2
0, the remaining fuel amount will be displayed on the display meter 17.

In addition, as for the timer used in the present invention, when a timer unit that is not used for various timer controls in the vehicle and is separately provided with a timer unit that generates signals, it is preferable to use the output of the timer unit rather than using a dedicated timer.

Further, in the above embodiment, the degree of deterioration of the engine oil and the amount of fluid are displayed in this order, but it goes without saying that this order may be reversed.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a device that detects and displays the degree of deterioration and fluid level of engine oil, the ignition switch is switched from the OFF position to the accessory position or the ignition position. When operated in the position, the remaining fuel amount display meter on the meter panel displays the deterioration level and fluid level of the engine oil in order using displays E and F of the fuel display meter until the engine is started. There is no need to specifically install a deterioration indicator meter or a fluid level indicator meter for engine oil, and the degree of deterioration and fluid level can be displayed without restricting the space on the meter panel. Since this is done before starting, the display of the remaining fuel level is not impaired in any way, and the degree of deterioration of the engine oil and fluid level can be easily checked when the engine is started, making it possible to maintain and manage the vehicle appropriately. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a conventional device; Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a conventional device;
The figure is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.
The figure is a circuit diagram showing a specific embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory diagram of an engine oil level sensor used in the present invention, FIG. 5 is a structural explanatory diagram of a deterioration degree sensor, and FIG. 6 is a structural explanatory diagram of an engine oil level sensor used in the present invention. Circuit Diagram Showing Another Embodiment FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which the degree of deterioration and the amount of liquid are displayed at the ignition position. 2...Battery, 10...Remaining amount sensor, 11...
...Liquid level sensor, 12...Deterioration sensor, 13...Display control circuit, 14...Ignition switch,
15...Ignition key, 16,50...Timer, 17...Display meter, 18a-18c...
Item display section, 20, 22, 52, 62...Relay, 24...Remaining amount display lamp, 26...Liquid level display lamp, 28...Deterioration display lamp, 30...Oil pan, 31...Storage container, 32...Resistor, 3
4...Float, 35...Air hole, 36...Oil inlet/outlet hole, 40...Insulating base, 42a, 42b...
...Electrode plate, 60...Hydraulic switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a device that detects and displays the liquid level and degree of deterioration of engine oil, when the ignition switch is operated from the off position to the accessory position or the ignition position, the remaining fuel amount on the meter panel is displayed. Using E and F on the scale of this fuel display meter, a timer circuit is connected to the electric circuit and the timer circuit is sequentially displayed to display the liquid level and degree of deterioration of the engine oil until the engine is started. A display device for a vehicle, characterized in that a switching display means is provided.