JPH0571837B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention is used for automatic transmissions of automobiles.
The present invention relates to a device for replacing ATF (automatic transmission fluid), and particularly relates to a type of device that is connected to an oil cooler or an ATF flow path connected to an oil cooler to perform replacement.

[Prior art] Conventionally, as this type of device, for example,
The one described in Publication No. 22718 is known. In other words, it connects to the ATF flow path that connects to the oil cooler, extracts the old ATF that is discharged from the ATF flow path as the engine operates, and simultaneously pumps new ATF into the ATF flow path to almost completely remove the ATF in the automatic transmission. Devices have been proposed that can be replaced over the entire capacity.

[Problems to be Solved] By the way, in these conventional devices, the flow rates of old ATF to be discharged and new ATF to be filled must be adjusted manually, which is not only cumbersome, but also It required a certain level of skill on the part of the operator. Also, it is discharged
The amount of ATF fluctuates depending on the engine speed, and there is no way to accurately determine the amount to be drawn and the amount to be filled, so it is difficult to maintain a balance between the amount to be drawn and the amount to be filled. However, there were disadvantages such as excessively lowering the ATF level in automatic transmissions and causing ATF overflow. In particular, if the ATF level of an automatic transmission drops excessively, air may get mixed into the ATF and stir up sludge that has adhered or settled inside the automatic transmission, clogging the strainer or impairing the automatic transmission's function. There is a risk of deterioration.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Accordingly, the present invention provides a means for connecting to an oil cooler of an automobile or an ATF flow path connected to the oil cooler, and a means for connecting to an oil cooler of an automobile or an ATF flow path connected to the oil cooler, and a means for connecting an oil cooler to an oil cooler, Replacement work is equipped with an oil drain line for extracting ATF and a refueling line equipped with a pump to fill with new ATF, and that the old ATF is removed through the oil drain line and the new ATF is filled through the oil supply line in parallel. In the ATF exchange device that enables the above, the valve means adjusts the outflow of old ATF by opening/closing the oil drain pipe or adjusting the flow rate;
means for detecting the amount of old ATF extracted from the oil drain pipe; means for detecting the amount of new ATF filled from the oil supply pipe; means for detecting a difference, and when the difference between the amount of extraction and the amount of filling given by the detection means during the replacement work exceeds a predetermined range, the pump or valve means is operated to bring the amount of extraction and the amount of extraction to approximately equilibrium; The above-mentioned problem is solved by controlling the exchange operation to continue.

Further, the pump provided in the oil supply pipe has the ability to fill the amount exceeding the amount extracted when the automobile engine is in an idling state, and means for detecting the amount of old ATF extracted from the oil drain pipe; New ATF filled from the fuel supply line
a means for detecting the difference between the extracted amount and the filled amount detected by both the detection means, and a means for detecting the difference between the extracted amount and the filled amount detected by the detection means during the replacement operation, and a means for detecting the difference between the extracted amount and the filled amount detected by the detection means during replacement work, If this occurs, the problem may be solved by providing a control means that operates the pump to maintain a substantially equilibrium between the amount of extraction and the amount of filling and continues the replacement operation.

Furthermore, the pump installed in the oil supply line must have a capacity that allows the filling amount to be lower than the amount extracted when the automobile engine is idling, and a valve is installed to adjust the outflow of old ATF by opening and closing the oil drain line or adjusting the flow rate. means for detecting the amount of old ATF extracted from the oil drain pipe, means for detecting the amount of new ATF filled from the oil supply pipe, and the extracted amount and filling amount detected by both of the detection means. and a means for detecting the difference between the amount extracted and the amount of filling given by the detection means during replacement work, and when the difference between the amount extracted and the amount given by the detection means deviates from a predetermined range, the pump is operated continuously while the valve means is operated to extract the amount. The problem can be solved by providing control means to continue the exchange operation while keeping the amount and filling amount substantially in equilibrium.

In the following embodiment, the oil drain hose 2 is used as a connection means, the solenoid valve 6 is used as a valve means, a weight detector 17,
18 corresponds to a detection means, and the control boat 20 corresponds to a detection means and a control means, respectively.

[Example] Hereinafter, a specific example thereof will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and connection state of an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is an ATF exchange device;
1 is an automatic transmission whose ATF is replaced by the device 1, B is an engine, and C is a radiator with a built-in oil cooler.

The ATF exchange device 1 is connected to the oil cooler of the radiator C via an oil drain hose 2 and an oil supply hose 3, each equipped with a connection adapter.
Connected to ATF flow path D. The ATF flow path D runs from the ATF outlet _D1 of the automatic transmission A to the oil cooler inlet C1 via the hose _D2 , and from _the oil cooler outlet _C2 to the automatic transmission via the hose _D3 . It leads to the ATF inlet D ₄ of A, and it is sufficient to disconnect the flow path at any point and connect the upstream side to the oil drain hose 2 and the downstream side to the oil supply hose 3, respectively. The refueling hose 3 can also be set to have a small-diameter nozzle hose connected to its tip and be inserted through the filler tube E of the automatic transmission to supply refueling.

Inside the ATF device 1, an oil drain line 4 is formed in communication with the oil drain hose 2, and an oil supply line 5 is formed in communication with the oil supply hose 3. The drain oil pipe 4 communicates with a drain oil tank 7 via a solenoid valve 6, and drains old ATF flowing into the oil drain hose 2 from the ATF flow path D into the waste oil tank 7. The oil supply pipe 5 communicates with a new oil tank 10 via a pump 8 and a solenoid valve 9, and new ATF to be stored in the new oil tank 10 is pressurized by the pump 8 and is force-fed to the ATF flow path D from the oil supply hose 3.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a first short-circuit flow path that connects the upstream side of the solenoid valve 6 in the oil drain pipe 4 and the downstream side of the pump 8 in the oil supply pipe 5.
A relief valve 12 is provided which opens when the ATF inflow pressure becomes higher than normal and circulates the ATF to the oil supply side.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a second short-circuit flow path that connects the upstream side of the solenoid valve 6 in the oil drain pipe 4 and the upstream side of the pump 8 in the oil supply pipe 5, and is equipped with a solenoid valve 14 when it is desired to discard the waste oil in the waste oil tank 7. Then, the electromagnetic valve 14 opens and the pump 8 is driven to discharge waste oil from the oil supply hose 3.

The waste oil tank 7 and the new oil tank 10 are placed on support stands 15 and 16, respectively, and weight detectors 17 and 18 each having a load cell are provided on the support portions of the support stands 15 and 16, respectively. There is.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the above embodiment, in which 20 is a control board, 21 is a relay board, and 2
2 is an operation panel.

The control board 20 includes an input/output circuit 23 and a CPU 2
4 and a memory 25, and according to the program written in the memory 25, controls are output to the relay board 21 according to input signals from the operation panel 22 and the weight detectors 17, 18, and the pump 8 and each electromagnetic valve 6, 9 , 14 are activated.

The operation panel 22 includes a display section 26 and an operation input section 2.
It consists of 7. The display unit 26 includes a set amount indicator 27, a refueling amount indicator 28, and a monitor lamp 29, each of which is used for the following displays.

Setting amount display 27: Preset key 30 described later
Displays the ATF exchange amount set in .

Refueling amount display 28: Displays the amount of new ATF filled during ATF replacement work and filling work using the injection key 32, which will be described later. Incidentally, when the extraction key 33, which will be described later, is pressed, the amount of ATF extracted is displayed.

Monitor lamp 29: When it is detected that the waste oil tank 7 is full and the new oil tank 10 is insufficient, it lights up to notify you of this.

The operation input section 27 is provided with a preset key 30, a start key 31, an injection key 32, an extraction key, a waste oil discharge key 34, and a stop key 35, each of which is used for the following operations.

Preset key 30: This key is used to set the amount of ATF to be replaced while looking at the display on the setting amount display 27.
It can be set in 1 increments from the lower limit value (4) to the upper limit value (12).

Start key 31: This is used to input the start of ATF exchange, and after inputting the input, it automatically operates until the amount of exchange set with the preset key 30 is completed. still,
If the preset key 30 is pressed without any settings being made, the standard amount (6) will be replaced automatically.

Injection key 32/extraction key 33: After replacing ATF,
It checks the level in the automatic transmission and fills and drains ATF according to the results.
Start filling or withdrawing work by key input,
This operation can be stopped by pressing the stop key 35.

Waste oil discharge key 34: Discharges the waste oil in the waste oil tank 7 from the oil supply hose 3. Discharge can be started by inputting the key, and stopped by pressing the stop key 35.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of ATF replacement according to the above embodiment, and the operation of the embodiment will be explained below based on this figure.

Connect the oil drain hose 2 and the oil supply hose 3 to the ATF flow path D of the automatic transmission, start the engine, set the exchange amount Qp (4 to 12) with the preset key 30 on the operation panel 22, and press the start key 31. When pressed, the illustrated flow will be executed.

First, read the exchange amount set with the preset key 30 into the memory Qp (1), and then
7, save the initial weight of waste oil tank 7 to memory W ₁ ,
Also, the initial weight of the new oil tank 10 is read from the weight detector 18 into the memory W ₂ (2).

Here, the initial weight of the waste oil tank read W ₁
Based on the set amount Qp, calculate the expected weight of the waste oil tank at the end of replacement W ₁ + αQp (α is the specific gravity of ATF),
Check whether this weight is greater than or equal to the weight Wf of the waste oil tank 7 when it is full (3), and if it is greater than Wf, the monitor lamp 29 indicates that the waste oil is full and the set amount cannot be replaced. Lights up (4),
End the flow. In this case, the operator only needs to replace the waste oil tank 7 or drain the waste oil and perform the operation input again.

If there is no need to worry about filling up the waste oil tank, then based on the initial weight of the new oil tank W ₂ and the set amount Qp, the expected weight of the new oil tank at the end of replacement W ₂ −αQp (α is ATF
(specific gravity) and check whether this weight is less than the weight We of the new oil tank 10 in its empty state.
(5), if it is less than We, the monitor lamp 29 lights up to indicate that there is a shortage of new oil and the set amount cannot be replaced (6), and the flow ends. In this case, all you have to do is replenish the new oil tank 10 with new oil or replace it with a tank containing new oil, and restart the start operation.

When it is determined that there is no fear of running out of new oil, the pump 8 is driven and the solenoid valves 6 and 9 are opened to begin the replacement work (7). Along with this, the old ATF in the automatic transmission flows from the oil drain hose 2 and is stored in the waste oil tank 7, and at the same time, the new ATF from the oil supply hose 3 flows into the new oil tank 1.
New ATF within 0 is pumped.

After starting the replacement, the weight detector 17 indicates that the waste oil tank 7
’s current weight to memory w ₁ , and weight detector 18
The current weight of the new oil tank 10 is read into the memory w ₂ (8), and based on the current weights w ₁ and w ₂ , the extraction amount Q ₁ = (w ₁ − W ₁ )/α and the filling amount are calculated.
Find Q ₂ = (W ₂ − w ₂ )/α, and store the memory Q ₁ and
The filling amount Q _{2 is stored in Q 2} (9), and the filling amount Q ₂ is displayed on the oil supply amount display 28 (10).

Next, based on the obtained extraction amount Q ₁ and filling amount Q ₂ ,
Check whether the difference Q ₁ -Q ₂ exceeds a predetermined value a (0 to 0.5) or is less than a predetermined value b (0 to -0.5) (11), (12), and exceeds a. If the temperature is lower than b, the solenoid valve 6 is closed to advance the filling (13) while the pump 8 is kept in operation, and if it is lower than b, the solenoid valve 6 remains open and the pump 8 is stopped to perform extraction. Advance (14). Furthermore, if the withdrawal amount Q ₁ and the filling amount Q ₂ are in a predetermined range b<Q ₁ −Q ₂ <a and are approximately balanced, the pump 8 is maintained in an operating state and the solenoid valve 6 is maintained in an open state. (15). Incidentally, since the filling amount by the pump 8 is set to exceed the amount taken out when the engine is idling, the state of step (13) is not normally reached.

The exchange progresses in this way, and the extraction amount Q ₁ becomes the set amount Qp.
When the amount is reached (16), the solenoid valve 6 is closed (17) and the filling amount is
When Q ₂ reaches the set amount Qp (18), the pump 8 is stopped (19). In this way, when both the withdrawal amount Q ₁ and the filling amount Q ₂ reach the set amount Qp and it is determined that the replacement has been completed (20), the solenoid valve 9 is also closed (21) and the series of operations ends.

After this, the operator checks the ATF level of the automatic transmission, adjusts the level by operating the injection key 32 or extraction key 33 as necessary, stops the engine, and disconnects the oil drain hose 2 and oil supply hose 3. Connect the ATF flow path as before and complete the replacement work.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, simply by connecting the oil drain hose 2 and the oil supply hose 3 to the ATF flow path D and inputting a key, the set amount of ATF can be replaced automatically, which eliminates the hassle of conventional methods. Even inexperienced workers can easily complete the work without requiring manual labor. In addition, the withdrawal amount and filling amount are constantly monitored, and if the difference between them deviates from a predetermined range, the solenoid valve 6 or the pump 8 is operated to balance the solenoid valve 6 or the pump 8 so that one does not lead the other. or mix air into the
There is no need to worry about overflow. Furthermore, the old ATF that is discharged is heated and expanded by the engine and delivered to the waste oil tank 7, whereas the new ATF that is filled is sent to the waste oil tank 7 at room temperature. This will result in refueling at a level considerably higher than the original ATF level in the automatic transmission, but in this example, oil is replaced based on weight data from weight detectors 17 and 18, so exactly the same amount of refueling is required. Can be exchanged. Furthermore, the first short-circuit flow path 1
1 is provided, and even if the solenoid valve 6 is closed during replacement and the pressure in the drain oil pipe 4 or ATF flow path D rises, the relief valve 12 opens and circulates ATF, so the high pressure is applied to each pipe. There is no risk of causing fatigue or overloading the oil pump of the automatic transmission.

In the above embodiment, a solenoid valve 6 is provided as a valve means to open and close the drain oil pipe 4 to adjust the amount of drained oil, but instead of the solenoid valve, a flow control valve is provided as a valve means to prevent oil extraction. When the amount exceeds the filling amount by more than a predetermined range, the amount of drained oil may be adjusted by operating the flow rate control valve to throttle it. In addition, if the filling amount exceeds, the pump 8 is turned ON/OFF to maintain balance, but the liquid delivery capacity of the pump can be varied using a well-known inverter, etc., and fine-grained control can be performed to reduce the filling amount in steps. You can also do it.

By the way, if the pump 8 has the ability for its filling speed to always exceed the withdrawal speed, the adjustment means only opens and closes the pipe at the beginning and end of the replacement operation, and the balance between filling and withdrawal is maintained by the pump. 8 ON/
Control may be performed such that adjustment is made only by turning OFF.
On the other hand, if the capacity of the pump 8 is low and the extraction always precedes the filling, the pump 8 shall be operated continuously during the replacement work, and the balance between filling and extraction shall be maintained only by adjusting the flow rate of drained oil using the adjustment means. It can also be controlled to maintain

[Effects of the Invention] The present invention is configured as described above, and it is possible to perform automatic replacement while balancing the amount of extraction and the amount of filling by controlling the pump or valve means during replacement work. There is no need to manually adjust the flow rate as in the past, and the work is simple and does not require skill. In addition, replacement work can be carried out while keeping the ATF level in the automatic transmission always within the specified range by balancing the withdrawal amount and filling amount.
This may lead to overflow or damage to the automatic transmission.
There is no danger of air getting into the ATF, clogging the strainer or deteriorating the function of the automatic transmission, allowing for safe and reliable replacement work.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for determining the control system of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the same embodiment. 1 is an ATF exchange device, 2 is an oil drain hose as a connection means, 4 is an oil drain pipe, 5 is an oil supply pipe, 6 is a solenoid valve as a valve means, 7 is an oil drain tank, 8 is a pump, 10
is a new oil tank, 17 and 18 are weight detectors as a detection means, 20 is a control board as a detection means and control means, A is an automatic transmission, B is an engine, C is a radiator with a built-in oil cooler, and D is an ATF flow Road.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A means for connecting to an oil cooler of an automobile or an ATF flow path connected to the oil cooler, an oil drain line for extracting old ATF that flows in through the connecting means as the engine of the automobile operates, and a pump. and a refueling pipe to fill with new ATF.
In an ATF replacement device that enables a replacement operation in which old ATF is removed through an oil drain pipe and new ATF is filled through an oil supply pipe in parallel, the old ATF can be removed by opening/closing the oil drain pipe or adjusting the flow rate.
valve means for adjusting the outflow of ATF; means for detecting the amount of old ATF extracted from the oil drain pipe; and means for detecting the amount of new ATF to be filled from the oil supply pipe; A means for detecting the difference between the detected withdrawal amount and the filling amount; and a means for detecting the difference between the withdrawal amount and the filling amount detected by the detection means during the replacement operation, and when the difference between the withdrawal amount and the filling amount given by the detection means exceeds a predetermined range, the pump or valve means is operated to extract the amount. An ATF exchange device comprising: means for controlling the exchange operation to continue while keeping the amount and the filling amount substantially in equilibrium. 2. A means for connecting to an automobile's oil cooler or an ATF flow path that connects to the oil cooler, a drain oil pipe for removing old ATF that flows in through the connecting means as the automobile's engine operates, and a pump to supply new ATF. Equipped with a refueling pipe line for filling,
In an ATF replacement device that enables a replacement operation in which old ATF is removed through a fuel supply pipe and new ATF is filled through a fuel supply pipe in parallel, the pump is operated when the engine of the vehicle is in an idling state. means for detecting the amount of old ATF extracted from the oil drain pipe; means for detecting the amount of new ATF filled from the oil supply pipe; a means for detecting a difference between the drawn amount and the filled amount detected by both of the detection means; and a means for operating the pump when the difference between the drawn amount and the filled amount given by the detection means during the replacement operation exceeds a predetermined range. An ATF exchange device comprising: means for controlling the exchange operation to be continued while keeping the withdrawal amount and the filling amount substantially in equilibrium. 3. A means for connecting to the oil cooler of the automobile or an ATF flow path connected to the oil cooler, a drain oil pipe line for extracting old ATF flowing in through the connecting means as the engine of the automobile operates, and a pump to supply new ATF. Equipped with a refueling pipe line for filling,
In an ATF replacement device that enables a replacement operation in which old ATF is removed through an oil drain pipe and new ATF is filled through a fuel supply pipe in parallel, the pump is operated when the engine of the vehicle is in an idling state. The amount of oil to be filled shall be lower than the amount of oil to be extracted.
valve means for adjusting the outflow of ATF; means for detecting the amount of old ATF extracted from the oil drain pipe; and means for detecting the amount of new ATF to be filled from the oil supply pipe; a means for detecting a difference between the detected withdrawal amount and the filling amount; and a means for continuously operating the pump when the difference between the withdrawal amount and the filling amount given by the detection means during the replacement operation exceeds a predetermined range. and means for controlling the valve means so as to maintain the withdrawal amount and the filling amount substantially in equilibrium and to continue the replacement operation.