Cooling water degradation calculation system

By changing the accumulation time of each temperature of the cooling water to the accumulation time at the reference temperature, and calculating the degree of degradation of the cooling water based on the sum of the conversion values, the problem of inaccurate calculation of the cooling water degradation in the prior art is solved, and high-precision calculation of the cooling water degradation degree and accurate prediction of the replacement period are achieved.

CN115199397BActive Publication Date: 2025-05-13TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202210355126.5
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-04-09
Filing Date
2022-04-06
Publication Date
2025-05-13
Estimated Expiration
2042-04-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The prior art is difficult to calculate the degree of deterioration of cooling water of internal combustion engines with high accuracy, which affects the prediction accuracy of cooling water replacement.

Method used

By obtaining the accumulation time of each temperature of the cooling water, converting it into the accumulation time at the reference temperature, the degree of deterioration of the cooling water is calculated based on the sum of the conversion value, and the change in the cooling water temperature when the internal combustion engine is stopped is considered.

Benefits of technology

The degree of degradation of cooling water is calculated with high accuracy, the prediction accuracy of the cooling water replacement period is improved, the calculation load is reduced, and the estimation error of degradation is reduced.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling water degradation degree calculation system. A CPU executes: an acquisition process to acquire the cumulative time of each temperature of the cooling water; a conversion process to convert each of these cumulative times into a conversion value obtained by converting the cumulative time at a predetermined reference temperature; and a calculation process to calculate the cooling water degradation degree based on the sum of each conversion value.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling water degradation degree calculation system. Background Art

[0002] Cooling water of an internal combustion engine deteriorates over time. Therefore, for example, a device described in International Publication No. 2012 / 107990 determines whether the cooling water is in a deteriorated state. Summary of the invention

[0003] If the degree of degradation of the cooling water can be calculated instead of determining whether the cooling water is in a degraded state, for example, the timing for replacing the cooling water can be appropriately predicted according to the use status of the internal combustion engine, which is technically very useful.

[0004] The cooling water degradation degree calculation system of the solution of the present invention is a system for calculating the degradation degree of cooling water of an internal combustion engine, and is provided with an execution device. The execution device executes: an acquisition process of acquiring the cumulative time of each temperature of the cooling water; a conversion process of converting each of the cumulative time into a conversion value converted into the cumulative time at a predetermined reference temperature; and a calculation process of calculating the degradation degree based on the sum of the conversion values.

[0005] The more the accumulated time at each temperature of the cooling water, the more the degradation of the cooling water progresses. In addition, even if the accumulated time is the same, when the temperature of the cooling water is high, the degradation progresses compared to when it is low. Therefore, in order to calculate the degradation degree of the cooling water, it is necessary to consider the temperature of the cooling water and the accumulated time at each temperature. Here, in the above-mentioned configuration, a process is performed to convert each of the accumulated time obtained for each temperature into a conversion value converted to the accumulated time at a predetermined reference temperature. Therefore, the accumulated time at each temperature is converted into the accumulated time assuming that the temperature of the cooling water is the reference temperature. And, since the degradation degree is calculated based on the sum of the accumulated time obtained by this conversion, that is, the converted value, the degradation degree is calculated based on the temperature of the cooling water and the accumulated time at each temperature, and therefore, the degradation degree of the cooling water can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0006] In addition, the lower the temperature of the cooling water, the less likely it is to deteriorate. Therefore, in the above aspect, the conversion process converts the accumulated time so that the converted value is smaller than the accumulated time before conversion when the temperature of the accumulated time is lower than the reference temperature.

[0007] In addition, the higher the temperature of the cooling water, the easier it is for the cooling water to deteriorate. Therefore, in the above scheme, the conversion process is executed to convert the accumulated time in such a way that the value of the conversion value is larger than the accumulated time before conversion when the temperature of the accumulated time is higher than the above reference temperature.

[0008] In the above scheme, the actuator may perform: estimation processing, estimating the temperature change of the cooling water during the operation stop of the actuator based on stop information including the temperature of the cooling water at the operation stop time point of the actuator when the internal combustion engine is stopped, start information including the temperature of the cooling water at the operation start time point of the actuator when the internal combustion engine is started, and the stop time when the actuator stops operation; and update processing, updating the accumulated time of each temperature based on the estimated temperature of the cooling water during the operation stop.

[0009] Even if the operation of the internal combustion engine is stopped, the cooling water is in a high temperature state for a period of time, and therefore, the degradation of the cooling water also progresses during the stop of the internal combustion engine. Here, in the case where the operation of the above-mentioned actuator is stopped accompanying the stop of the internal combustion engine, the temperature change of the cooling water during such a stop cannot be obtained. In this regard, in the above-mentioned configuration, the temperature change of the cooling water during the stop of the operation of the actuator is estimated by executing the above-mentioned estimation process. And, the above-mentioned accumulated time of each temperature is updated based on the temperature of the cooling water during the stop of the operation. Therefore, the degradation degree is calculated by also considering the temperature of the cooling water during the stop of the operation of the actuator, and the estimation accuracy of the degradation degree is further improved.

[0010] In the above scheme, a plurality of temperature intervals may be set, the accumulated time of each temperature of the cooling water is the accumulated time of each temperature interval, and the temperature range of the high temperature interval is narrower than the temperature range of the low temperature interval.

[0011] According to the above configuration, since a plurality of temperature intervals are set, the computation load of the execution device can be reduced compared to the case where such temperature intervals are not set. Here, in this configuration, the temperature range of the high temperature temperature interval is narrower than the temperature range of the low temperature temperature interval. Since the temperature range of the high temperature side temperature interval having a large influence on the degradation degree is narrowed in this way, the estimation error of the degradation degree caused by dividing the temperature range can be reduced.

[0012] In the above scheme, multiple temperature intervals may be set, the accumulated time of each temperature of the cooling water is the accumulated time of each temperature interval, and the temperature range of the temperature interval with a tendency of more accumulated time is narrower than the temperature range of the temperature interval with a tendency of less accumulated time.

[0013] According to the above configuration, since a plurality of temperature intervals are set, the computation load of the execution device can be reduced compared to the case where such temperature intervals are not set. Here, in this configuration, the temperature range of the temperature interval with a tendency of a large accumulation time is narrower than the temperature range of the temperature interval with a tendency of a small accumulation time. Since the temperature range of the temperature interval with a tendency of a large accumulation time and a large influence on the degradation degree is narrowed in this way, the estimation error of the degradation degree caused by dividing the temperature range can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like symbols represent like elements.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a degradation degree calculation system in one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing the order of steps of processing executed by the control device of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a graph (chart) showing the temperature ranges and count values ​​in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the order of steps of processing executed by the control device of this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the data analysis device according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 : is a graph showing the temperature ranges and the converted count values ​​according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the data analysis device according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] <System Configuration>

[0023] In the following, regarding an embodiment in which a cooling water degradation degree calculation system is applied to an internal combustion engine mounted on a vehicle, referring to Figure 1 to Figure 7 To explain.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 500 includes an internal combustion engine 15, a cooling device 10, and the like. The cooling device 10 is a device for cooling the internal combustion engine 15 using cooling water. A rust inhibitor and the like are added to the cooling water.

[0025] The cooling device 10 includes a radiator 12 as a heat exchanger. A water jacket 15W is formed inside the cylinder block and cylinder head of the internal combustion engine 15. The cooling water outlet of the water jacket 15W and the cooling water inlet of the radiator 12 are connected by a first passage 16. In addition, the cooling water inlet of the water jacket 15W and the cooling water outlet of the radiator 12 are connected by a second passage 17. A water pump 18 is provided on the path of the second passage 17.

[0026] The cooling device 10 includes a branch passage 20, which is a passage branched from the first passage 16 and connected to the second passage 17 between the cooling water outlet of the radiator 12 and the water pump 18. A thermostat 25 is provided at the connection portion between the branch passage 20 and the second passage 17. The thermostat 25 is a control valve whose opening degree of a valve core provided inside changes according to the temperature of the cooling water. When the temperature of the cooling water is low, the cooling water flowing out of the water jacket 15W flows back in the branch passage 20 instead of in the radiator 12. On the other hand, when the temperature of the cooling water is high, the cooling water flowing out of the water jacket 15W flows back in the radiator 12 instead of in the branch passage 20.

[0027] The control device 100 implements various controls such as the intake air amount and the injection fuel amount of the internal combustion engine 15. The control device 100 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 110, a memory 120 storing control programs and data, a communication device 130, and the like. The control device 100 executes various controls by the CPU 110 executing the programs stored in the memory 120. In addition, the control device 100 can communicate with the data analysis device 300 via the external network 200 using the communication device 130. In addition, in the present embodiment, the control device 100 including the CPU 110 and the memory 120 constitutes a first execution device.

[0028] When executing various controls, the control device 100 refers to various detection values ​​obtained from sensors, etc. For example, the control device 100 refers to the cooling water temperature THW, which is the water temperature of the cooling water detected by the water temperature sensor 34 , and the outside air temperature THout, which is detected by the outside air temperature sensor 35 .

[0029] The data analysis device 300 analyzes data transmitted from a plurality of vehicles 500, 600, etc. The data analysis device 300 includes a CPU 310, a memory 320, a communication device 330, etc., and these can communicate via the network 200. In addition, in the present embodiment, the data analysis device 300 including the CPU 310 and the memory 320 constitutes a second execution device.

[0030] <Calculation of Cooling Water Degradation>

[0031] The cooling water of the internal combustion engine 15 deteriorates due to oxidation depending on the heating temperature and heating time. As the deterioration progresses, the effect of additives such as rust inhibitors gradually decreases. Therefore, in this embodiment, the deterioration degree R of the cooling water is calculated.

[0032] In addition, in the present embodiment, the larger the value of the degradation degree R is, the more advanced the degradation is. In addition, as a physical quantity for judging the degree of degradation in a test, the hydrogen ion concentration (so-called pH) and conductivity of the cooling water are used. In addition, for verification with an actual vehicle, for example, residual component analysis of the cooling water and investigation of the state of rust generation in the recovered cooling device are also performed.

[0033] The calculation of the degree of degradation R will be described below.

[0034] <Processing Executed by Control Device 100>

[0035] exist Figure 2 2 shows the sequence of steps of the processing executed by the control device 100. Figure 2 The processing shown is realized by CPU 110 executing a program stored in memory 120. Figure 2 The processing shown is executed when the internal combustion engine is started. In the following, step numbers are represented by numbers with "S" at the beginning.

[0036] When this process is started, the CPU 110 sends the vehicle ID, the identification information of the vehicle 500, the start information and the stop information to the data analysis device 300 (S10). The start information includes the cooling water temperature THW at the operation start time point of the control device 100 when the internal combustion engine is started this time, that is, the operation start water temperature THWs, the time at the operation start time point, that is, the operation start time Ts, and the outside temperature THout at the operation start time point, that is, the operation start outside temperature THouts.

[0037] In addition, the stop information includes the cooling water temperature THW at the operation stop time point of the control device 100 immediately before the internal combustion engine is stopped, that is, the operation stop water temperature THWe, the time at the operation stop time point, that is, the operation stop time Te, and the outside temperature THout at the operation stop time point, that is, the operation stop outside temperature THoute.

[0038] Next, the CPU 110 starts the process of acquiring the operating temperature information (S12), and ends the present process. The operating temperature information is the accumulated time of each temperature of the cooling water temperature THW during the operation of the internal combustion engine 15 (that is, during the operation of the control device 100).

[0039] exist Figure 3 , an example is shown regarding the integrated time of each temperature of the cooling water temperature THW acquired by the acquisition process.

[0040] In this embodiment, a plurality of temperature intervals are set, and the cumulative time of each temperature of the cooling water temperature THW is calculated based on the count value Cn representing the cumulative time of each temperature interval. In addition, the count value Cn is a value counted for each temperature interval described later, and the number "n" represents the corresponding temperature interval. In addition, by multiplying the sampling period of the cooling water temperature THW by the count value Cn, the cumulative time of each temperature interval can be calculated based on the count value Cn.

[0041] In more detail, there are 10 temperature ranges, namely, the first temperature range R1, the second temperature range R2, the third temperature range R3, the fourth temperature range R4, the fifth temperature range R5, the sixth temperature range R6, the seventh temperature range R7, the eighth temperature range R8, the ninth temperature range R9 and the tenth temperature range R10, set in order from the low temperature range.

[0042] The first temperature interval R1 is a temperature range lower than a predetermined first water temperature THW1. The count value Cn in the first temperature interval R1 is referred to as a first count value C1.

[0043] The second temperature interval R2 is a temperature range from the first water temperature THW1 to the second water temperature THW2. The second water temperature THW2 is obtained by adding a predetermined first temperature width H1 to the first water temperature THW1. The count value Cn of the second temperature interval R2 is referred to as a second count value C2.

[0044] The third temperature interval R3 is a temperature range of the second water temperature THW2 or higher and lower than the third water temperature THW3. The third water temperature THW3 is a temperature obtained by adding a predetermined second temperature width H2 to the second water temperature THW2. The count value Cn of the third temperature interval R3 is referred to as a third count value C3.

[0045] The fourth temperature interval R4 is a temperature range that is above the third water temperature THW3 and below the fourth water temperature THW4. The fourth water temperature THW4 is a temperature obtained by adding a predetermined third temperature width H3 to the third water temperature THW3. The count value Cn of the fourth temperature interval R4 is referred to as the fourth count value C4. The fourth temperature interval R4 becomes the interval to which the reference temperature THWb described later belongs.

[0046] The fifth temperature interval R5 is a temperature range of the fourth water temperature THW4 or higher and the fifth water temperature THW5 or lower. The fifth water temperature THW5 is obtained by adding a predetermined fourth temperature width H4 to the fourth water temperature THW4. The count value Cn of the fifth temperature interval R5 is referred to as a fifth count value C5.

[0047] The sixth temperature interval R6 is a temperature range of the fifth water temperature THW5 or higher and the sixth water temperature THW6 or lower. The sixth water temperature THW6 is obtained by adding the fourth temperature width H4 to the fifth water temperature THW5. The count value Cn of the sixth temperature interval R6 is referred to as a sixth count value C6.

[0048] The seventh temperature interval R7 is a temperature range of the sixth water temperature THW6 or higher and the seventh water temperature THW7 or lower. The seventh water temperature THW7 is obtained by adding the predetermined fifth temperature width H5 to the sixth water temperature THW6. The count value Cn of the seventh temperature interval R7 is referred to as a seventh count value C7.

[0049] The eighth temperature interval R8 is a temperature range of the seventh water temperature THW7 or higher and the eighth water temperature THW8 or lower. The eighth water temperature THW8 is obtained by adding the fifth temperature width H5 to the seventh water temperature THW7. The count value Cn of the eighth temperature interval R8 is referred to as the eighth count value C8.

[0050] The ninth temperature interval R9 is a temperature range of the eighth water temperature THW8 or higher and the ninth water temperature THW9 or lower. The ninth water temperature THW9 is obtained by adding the fifth temperature width H5 to the eighth water temperature THW8. The count value Cn of the ninth temperature interval R9 is referred to as a ninth count value C9.

[0051] The tenth temperature interval R10 is a temperature range equal to or higher than the ninth water temperature THW9. The count value Cn in the tenth temperature interval R10 is referred to as a tenth count value C10.

[0052] In addition, the first temperature width H1 is wider than the second temperature width H2, and the second temperature width H2 is wider than the third temperature width H3. In addition, the third temperature width H3 is wider than the fourth temperature width H4, and the fourth temperature width H4 is wider than the fifth temperature width H5. By making the temperature widths different in this way, the temperature range of the high temperature interval (for example, the seventh temperature interval R7, the eighth temperature interval R8, and the ninth temperature interval R9) is narrower than the temperature range of the low temperature interval.

[0053] In addition, due to the different temperature amplitudes, the temperature range of the temperature intervals where the count value Cn tends to be large (for example, the fourth temperature interval R4, the fifth temperature interval R5 and the sixth temperature interval R6) is narrower than the temperature range of the temperature intervals where the count value Cn tends to be small.

[0054] After starting the process of S12, the CPU 110 obtains the cooling water temperature THW at every predetermined sampling period. In addition, the process of increasing the count value Cn of the temperature interval to which the obtained cooling water temperature THW belongs by a predetermined value α (e.g., 1) is repeatedly performed during the operation of the control device 100. Thus, the count value Cn of the accumulated time of each temperature corresponding to the cooling water temperature THW is updated for each temperature interval. In addition, each updated count value Cn is saved in the memory 120.

[0055] exist Figure 4 2 shows the sequence of steps of the process executed by the control device 100 at every predetermined period.

[0056] When this process is started, the CPU 110 determines whether there is a request to send the operating temperature information (S20). For example, when a predetermined period has passed since the last transmission of the operating temperature information, the CPU 110 determines that there is a request to send the operating temperature information. In addition, the predetermined period may include the operating time of the control device 100, the travel distance of the vehicle 500, and the like.

[0057] If it is determined that there is a request to send the operating temperature information (S20: Yes), the CPU 110 sends the vehicle ID, which is the identification information of the vehicle 500, and the count value Cn of each temperature interval constituting the operating temperature information, to the data analysis device 300 (S22). If the CPU 110 completes the processing of S22 or makes a negative determination in the processing of S20, the CPU 110 ends the processing of S22. Figure 4 A series of processing is shown.

[0058] <Processing Executed by Data Analysis Device 300>

[0059] exist Figure 5 It is shown in the figure that the data analysis device 300 receives the Figure 4 The data transmitted in the process of S22 shown is a sequence of steps of the process executed by the CPU 310 .

[0060] After receiving the vehicle ID and the operating temperature information, i.e., the count value Cn, sent from the control device 100 in S100, the CPU 310 executes a process of updating each count value Cn of each temperature interval stored in the memory 320 in association with the vehicle ID and storing the updated count value Cn in the memory 320 (S110). The update of the count value Cn is implemented by adding the received count value Cn to each count value Cn of each temperature interval stored in the memory 320. Through such an update, the value of each count value Cn of each temperature interval stored in the memory 320 becomes the cumulative value of each count value Cn of each temperature interval received before.

[0061] Next, CPU310 performs a conversion process (S120) of converting each updated count value Cn into a converted count value CCn. The converted count value CCn is a conversion value obtained by converting each of the count values ​​Cn of each temperature interval into a count value Cn corresponding to the accumulated time at a predetermined reference temperature THWb (for example, about 90°C). In other words, the converted count value CCn is a value obtained by converting the count value Cn of each temperature interval into a count value assumed to be the reference temperature THWb for the cooling water temperature THW. That is, when the degree of degradation corresponding to the count value Cn of each temperature interval is set to the degradation degree Rn, the value of the count value Cn required to reach the degradation degree Rn at the reference temperature THWb is the converted count value CCn. In addition, in the converted count value CCn, the number "n" is the same as the number "n" of the count value Cn of the conversion source, indicating the corresponding temperature interval.

[0062] This conversion process is performed as follows.

[0063] like Figure 6 As shown, first, the representative temperatures of the temperature intervals, i.e., the first representative temperature P1, the second representative temperature P2, the third representative temperature P3, the fourth representative temperature P4, the fifth representative temperature P5, the sixth representative temperature P6, the seventh representative temperature P7, the eighth representative temperature P8, the ninth representative temperature P9, and the tenth representative temperature P10, are calculated in advance for each of the first temperature interval R1 to the tenth temperature interval R10. In addition, hereinafter, these representative temperatures are summarized and referred to as representative temperatures Pn. In addition, a number representing the temperature interval is substituted into "n".

[0064] The second representative temperature P2 to the ninth representative temperature P9 are obtained according to the following formula (1). In addition, any value from 2 to 9 is substituted into "n" in the formula (1). In addition, the coefficient K is a value greater than "0" and less than "1", and is pre-set to a value most suitable for reducing the error of the degradation degree R.

[0065] Pn=THW(n-1)+(THWn-THW(n-1))×Coefficient K...(1)

[0066] As an example, when the coefficient K is "0.4", the second representative temperature P2 which is the representative temperature of the second temperature zone R2 is a value obtained by "first water temperature THW1 + (second water temperature THW2 - first water temperature THW1) x 0.4".

[0067] In addition, the first representative temperature P1 and the tenth representative temperature P10 are set in advance to be the most suitable temperature for reducing the error in the degree of degradation R.

[0068] Furthermore, the lower the cooling water temperature THW is, the less likely it is that the cooling water will deteriorate. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , in a temperature range where the representative temperature Pn is lower than the reference temperature THWb, the count value Cn is changed so that the converted count value CCn (shown by a solid line) is smaller than the count value Cn before the change (shown by a double-dashed line). In addition, the higher the cooling water temperature THW, the easier it is for the cooling water to deteriorate. Figure 6 As shown, in a temperature interval where the representative temperature Pn is higher than the reference temperature THWb, the count value Cn is converted so that the converted count value CCn (indicated by a solid line) becomes larger than the count value Cn before conversion (indicated by a two-dot chain line).

[0069] The calculation of the converted count value CCn for each temperature zone is performed using a regression equation that takes the representative temperature Pn obtained for each temperature zone and the count value Cn of the temperature zone to which the representative temperature Pn belongs as input and outputs the converted count value CCn.

[0070] Next, CPU 310 calculates a sum S by adding all the values ​​of converted count values ​​CCn calculated for each temperature zone ( S130 ).

[0071] Next, the CPU 310 performs a calculation process of calculating the degradation degree R based on the calculated sum S (S140). Here, the relationship between the sum S and the degradation degree R is obtained in advance, and the CPU 310 calculates the degradation degree R based on this relationship. In addition, the degradation degree R is calculated so that the value of the degradation degree R increases as the value of the sum S increases. After calculating the degradation degree R in this way, the CPU 310 saves the calculated degradation degree R in the memory 320 (S150).

[0072] Next, CPU310 performs a process (S160) of calculating the expected replacement period of the cooling water based on the change in the degree of degradation R. In S160, CPU310 performs the following process, for example. That is, CPU310 calculates the time and travel distance until the degree of degradation R reaches the allowable limit value based on the difference between the degree of degradation R calculated last time and the degree of degradation R calculated this time and the elapsed period (e.g., elapsed time, travel distance) from the last calculation of the degree of degradation R to the calculation of the degree of degradation R this time. Then, the calculated time and travel distance are set as the expected replacement period. After completing the process of S160, CPU310 ends this process.

[0073] exist Figure 7 It is shown in the figure that the data analysis device 300 receives the Figure 2The step sequence of the processing executed by the CPU 310 when the data is sent out by the processing of S10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown. When the vehicle ID, the start-up information, and the stop-up information sent from the control device 100 are received in S200, the CPU 310 calculates the time when the control device 100 stops operating, that is, the stop time Tsp, by subtracting the operation start time Ts included in the start-up information from the operation stop time Te included in the stop-up information. In addition, the CPU 310 performs an estimation process (S210) of estimating the change of the cooling water temperature THW during the operation stop of the control device 100 (that is, the value of the cooling water temperature THW at each predetermined time since the operation of the control device 100 was stopped) based on the model formula that takes the stop time Tsp, the operation start water temperature THWs and the operation start outside temperature THouts included in the start-up information, and the operation stop water temperature THWe and the operation stop outside temperature Thoote included in the stop information as input values.

[0074] Next, CPU 310 executes an update process for updating count values ​​Cn of the temperature zones to which the cooling water temperatures THW estimated at each elapsed time in the process of S210 belong, the count values ​​Cn being associated with the vehicle ID and stored in memory 320 .

[0075] Next, CPU 310 executes an update process for updating count value Cn of each temperature zone stored in memory 320 in association with the vehicle ID based on cooling water temperature THW at each elapsed time estimated in the process of S210 ( S220 ). Then, this process ends.

[0076] <Function and Effect>

[0077] The functions and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0078] (1) The longer the accumulated time of each cooling water temperature THW is, the more deterioration of the cooling water progresses. In addition, even if the accumulated time is the same, when the cooling water temperature THW is high, the deterioration progresses more than when it is low.

[0079] Therefore, in order to calculate the degree of degradation of the cooling water, it is necessary to consider the cooling water temperature THW and the accumulated time of each temperature interval. Here, in the present embodiment, a process is performed to convert each of the count values ​​Cn corresponding to the accumulated time obtained for each temperature interval into a converted count value CCn obtained by converting the count value Cn corresponding to the accumulated time at the reference temperature THWb. Therefore, the count value Cn of each temperature interval is converted into a count value Cn assuming that the cooling water temperature THW is the reference temperature THWb. And, the degradation degree R is calculated based on the sum S of the converted count value Cn, that is, the converted count value CCn, so the degradation degree R is calculated based on the cooling water temperature THW and the accumulated time of each temperature interval. Therefore, the degradation degree R of the cooling water can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0080] (2) Even if the operation of the internal combustion engine 15 is stopped, the cooling water is in a high temperature state for a period of time, and therefore, the degradation of the cooling water also progresses during the stop of the internal combustion engine 15. Here, in a case where the operation of the control device 100 is stopped accompanying the stop of the internal combustion engine, the temperature change of the cooling water during such a stop cannot be obtained. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the change of the cooling water temperature THW during the stop of the control device 100 is estimated by executing the above-mentioned estimation process of the cooling water temperature THW. And, the count value Cn of each temperature interval is updated based on the cooling water temperature THW during the stop of the operation. Therefore, the degradation degree R is calculated by also taking into account the cooling water temperature THW during the stop of the control device 100, and the estimation accuracy of the degradation degree R is further improved.

[0081] (3) When sampling the cooling water temperature THW, a plurality of temperature intervals are set, so that the calculation load of the control device 100 can be reduced compared to the case where such temperature intervals are not set. Here, the temperature range of the high temperature interval is narrower than the temperature range of the low temperature interval. By narrowing the temperature range of the high temperature side temperature interval that has a large influence on the degradation degree R, the resolution (resolving power) of the temperature interval is improved, so that the estimation error of the degradation degree R caused by dividing the temperature range can be reduced.

[0082] (4) In addition, the temperature range of the temperature interval where the count value Cn tends to be large is narrower than the temperature range of the temperature interval where the count value Cn tends to be small. In this way, the temperature range of the temperature interval where the count value Cn tends to be large and has a large influence on the degradation degree R is narrowed, and the resolution of the temperature interval is improved. Therefore, the estimation error of the degradation degree R caused by dividing the temperature range can also be reduced.

[0083] <Change example>

[0084] The above-mentioned embodiment can be implemented by modification as follows. The above-mentioned embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented by combining with each other within the range that there is no technical contradiction.

[0085] The number of temperature zones and the size of the temperature width of the cooling water temperature THW may be changed as appropriate.

[0086] It is also possible to obtain the count value Cn for each sampled cooling water temperature THW without setting the temperature interval.

[0087] The transmission timing of the above-mentioned operating temperature information may be changed as appropriate.

[0088] Can also be omitted Figure 5 The process of S160 is shown.

[0089] Can also be omitted Figure 7 A series of processing as shown. Even in this case, actions and effects other than the above (2) can be obtained.

[0090] The change in the cooling water temperature THW during the shutdown of the control device 100 may be estimated using other methods.

[0091] Although the temperature range of the temperature section with high temperature and the temperature section with a tendency for the count value Cn to be large are narrowed, the temperature range of either temperature section may be narrowed.

[0092] The actual cumulative time may be calculated instead of the count value Cn.

[0093] Will Figure 7 The conversion process of S120 shown is executed by the control device 100. In addition, as the operating temperature information sent to the data analysis device 300, the converted count value CCn may be sent instead of the count value Cn.

[0094] You can also Figure 7 The series of processes shown are executed by the control device 100 .

[0095] All of the above-mentioned processing may be executed by the control device 100 .

[0096] The cooling water temperature THW acquired during the operation of the control device 100 is sent in real time to the data analysis device 300. Furthermore, the count value Cn may be updated by the data analysis device 300.

[0097] The execution device is not limited to having a CPU and a memory and executing software processing. For example, it may also be equipped with a dedicated hardware circuit (such as ASIC, etc.) that processes at least a part of the software processing executed in the above-mentioned embodiments. That is, the execution device can be any one of the following (a) to (c). (a) A program storage device such as a processing device that executes all of the above-mentioned processing according to a program and a memory that stores the program. (b) A processing device and a program storage device that execute a part of the above-mentioned processing according to a program and a dedicated hardware circuit that executes the remaining processing. (c) A dedicated hardware circuit that executes all of the above-mentioned processing. Here, the software processing circuit and the dedicated hardware circuit equipped with a processing device and a program storage device may be multiple. That is, the above-mentioned processing can be executed by a processing circuit that has at least one of one or more software processing circuits and one or more dedicated hardware circuits.

Claims

1. A cooling water degradation degree calculation system, which is a system for calculating the degradation degree of cooling water of an internal combustion engine, wherein: Equipped with an execution device, The execution device executes: Acquisition process, obtaining the cumulative time of each temperature of the cooling water; conversion processing, converting each of the accumulated times into a conversion value obtained by the accumulated time at a predetermined reference temperature, when the degradation degree corresponding to the count value Cn of the accumulated time at each temperature is set as the degradation degree Rn, the value of the count value Cn required to reach the degradation degree Rn at the predetermined reference temperature is the conversion value, and n represents the corresponding temperature range; and calculating the degradation degree based on the sum of the converted values, The execution device executes: An estimation process of estimating a change in the temperature of the cooling water during the stopping of the actuator based on stop information including the temperature of the cooling water at the stopping time of the actuator when the internal combustion engine is stopped, start information including the temperature of the cooling water at the starting time of the actuator when the internal combustion engine is started, and the stopping time of the stopping of the actuator; and The updating process updates the accumulated time at each temperature based on the estimated temperature of the cooling water during the stopped operation.

2. The cooling water degradation degree calculation system according to claim 1, The conversion process is a process of converting the cumulative time so that the conversion value becomes smaller than the cumulative time before conversion when the temperature of the cumulative time is lower than the reference temperature.

3. The cooling water degradation degree calculation system according to claim 1, The conversion process is a process of converting the cumulative time so that the conversion value is larger than the cumulative time before conversion when the temperature of the cumulative time is higher than the reference temperature.

4. The cooling water degradation degree calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, There are multiple temperature ranges set. The cumulative time of each temperature of the cooling water is the cumulative time of each temperature interval. The temperature range of the temperature interval with a high temperature is narrower than the temperature range of the temperature interval with a low temperature.

5. The cooling water degradation degree calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, There are multiple temperature ranges set. The cumulative time of each temperature of the cooling water is the cumulative time of each temperature interval. The temperature range of the temperature section where the accumulated time tends to be longer is narrower than the temperature range of the temperature section where the accumulated time tends to be shorter.

Citation Information

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