Engine lubricating oil quality monitoring device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an engine lubricant quality monitoring device, comprising a magnetostrictive sensor and a detection and processing system. The magnetostrictive sensor is placed in the lubricant being tested and is electrically connected to the detection and processing system. The detection and processing system is used to excite the magnetostrictive sensor to resonate and collect the resonant signal. The detection and processing system obtains the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor from the resonant signal to monitor the viscosity of the engine lubricant in real time. The magnetostrictive sensor is placed in the lubricant being tested, and the detection and processing system excites the magnetostrictive sensor to resonate and collects the resonant signal. The resonant frequency is used to characterize the viscosity characteristics of the lubricant, thereby achieving real-time monitoring of the lubricant's viscosity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of lubricating oil quality monitoring, and in particular to an engine lubricating oil quality monitoring device. Background Art

[0002] The quality of engine lubricants plays a crucial role in lubrication performance and, consequently, engine performance. Therefore, monitoring lubricant quality by measuring viscosity is extremely important. To improve engine performance, viscosity modifiers are added during lubricant production. However, the addition of viscosity modifiers causes lubricants to exhibit nonlinear viscosity behavior within the engine. Due to the high temperatures and pressures within the engine, chemical changes and pH variations in the oil are inevitable during degradation. Water condensation and the accumulation of contaminants and sludge in the oil are also unavoidable. All of these changes alter the lubricant's viscosity and nonlinearity.

[0003] Although viscosity and its nonlinearity have been discussed for centuries, researchers have proposed a variety of models to describe nonlinearity, such as shear-thickening fluids, shear-thinning fluids, Bingham plastics, and structured fluids. These models, in turn, include the Carreau model, the Ellis model, the Sisko model, the Power law model, the Carreau-Yasuda model, and the Meter model. However, each model has its limitations and can only describe viscosity characteristics within a relatively limited range.

[0004] If these changes are monitored by installing online, real-time oil quality sensors, lubricant condition can be instantly monitored, reducing the frequency of lubricant disposal, significantly benefiting the environment and saving costs and energy. Currently, almost all civilian and military vehicle manufacturers simply monitor lubricant levels or one or two lubricant parameters (such as pH and viscosity), then process the data using a computer on the vehicle's mainboard. Some vehicles even simply provide reminders based on driving time and mileage after lubricant changes. This can easily impact engine life due to incorrect lubricant changes or lead to unnecessary waste due to lubricant being replaced before its due date. Using the appropriate lubricant and changing it promptly will improve engine performance and vehicle lifespan, while also protecting the environment.

[0005] Traditional methods for measuring fluid viscosity include capillary, rotational, falling-body, flat-plate, and viscosity cup methods. These methods are time-consuming, cannot obtain the fluid's viscosity characteristics online in real time, and generally require large sample sizes, making them inadequate for measuring small sample volumes. A prior art viscosity measurement device, a liquid-carrying mechanical resonator, utilizes mechanical resonance to measure viscosity. The resonator is placed in the fluid to be measured and its resonant characteristics in the fluid are measured. The implicit velocity field transmitted from the resonator into the fluid generates damping induced by volume and shear motion, which affects other variables such as the resonant quality factor, resonant frequency, and resonant motion amplitude. These characteristic parameters are then used to characterize the fluid's viscosity. However, these devices often utilize a rectangular cantilever beam structure, resulting in low sensitivity and a small quality factor, resulting in low measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the rectangular cantilever beam is often constructed of piezoelectric material and requires a wired active drive. The design must consider the influence of fluid conductivity, increasing equipment cost. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an engine lubricating oil quality monitoring device to solve one or more technical problems existing in the above-mentioned background technology.

[0007] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] An engine lubricating oil quality monitoring device includes a magnetostrictive sensor and a detection and processing system. The magnetostrictive sensor is placed in the lubricating oil to be tested and is electrically connected to the detection and processing system. The detection and processing system is used to excite the magnetostrictive sensor to generate resonance and to collect the resonance signal. The detection and processing system obtains the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor from the resonance signal to monitor the viscosity of the engine lubricating oil in real time.

[0009] Preferably, the detection and processing system includes an excitation circuit and a coil, the coil is wound around the outside of the magnetostrictive sensor, and both ends of the coil are electrically connected to the excitation circuit.

[0010] Preferably, the magnetostrictive sensor comprises a glass tube and magnetostrictive particles, the coil is wound around the outside of the glass tube, and the magnetostrictive particles are arranged inside the glass tube.

[0011] Preferably, the magnetostrictive sensor further includes a sealing net, and the sealing net is provided at both ends of the glass tube.

[0012] Preferably, the detection and processing system further includes an impedance analyzer, and the impedance analyzer is used to obtain the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor.

[0013] Preferably, it further comprises an on-board display and an oil dipstick, wherein the on-board display is electrically connected to the output end of the detection and processing system, and the magnetostrictive sensor is arranged at the bottom end of the oil dipstick.

[0014] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: placing a magnetostrictive sensor in the lubricating oil to be tested, exciting the magnetostrictive sensor to generate resonance through a detection and processing system and collecting the resonance signal, and using the resonance frequency to characterize the viscosity characteristics of the lubricating oil, thereby realizing real-time monitoring of the viscosity of the lubricating oil. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings further illustrate the present invention, but the contents in the accompanying drawings do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Among them: magnetostrictive particles 1, glass tube 2, coil 3, sealing net 4, wire 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0019] An engine lubricating oil quality monitoring device of this embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 1 The device includes a magnetostrictive sensor and a detection and processing system. The magnetostrictive sensor is electrically connected to the detection and processing system. The detection and processing system is used to excite the magnetostrictive sensor to generate resonance and to collect the resonance signal. After obtaining the resonance signal, the detection and processing system monitors the viscosity of the engine lubricating oil by analyzing the resonance frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor.

[0020] This embodiment places a magnetostrictive sensor in the lubricant being tested. A detection and processing system excites the magnetostrictive sensor to resonate and collects the resonant signal. The acquired resonant frequency is used to characterize the viscosity of the lubricant, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of the lubricant's viscosity. When the viscosity of the lubricant changes and no longer meets usage requirements, the vehicle owner is promptly reminded to replace the lubricant. This solves problems such as improperly changing the lubricant at the wrong time, which can affect engine life, or unnecessary waste due to lubricant replacement not being due.

[0021] Preferably, the detection and processing system includes an excitation circuit and a coil 3. Coil 3 is wound around the outside of the magnetostrictive sensor, with both ends of coil 3 electrically connected to the excitation circuit via a wire 5. Thus, in this embodiment, the excitation circuit drives coil 3, causing the magnetostrictive sensor to resonate, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of lubricant viscosity. By winding coil 3 around the outside of the magnetostrictive sensor, both coil 3 and the magnetostrictive sensor are placed in the lubricating oil within the engine during real-time monitoring, preventing magnetic field obstruction by the engine's thick metal exterior. Furthermore, coil 3 exhibits corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in engines with complex internal environments and long-term high-temperature and high-pressure environments, ensuring the proper operation of the monitoring device.

[0022] Preferably, the magnetostrictive sensor includes a glass tube 2 and magnetostrictive particles 1 , the coil 3 is wound around the outside of the glass tube 2 , and the magnetostrictive particles 1 are arranged inside the glass tube 2 .

[0023] Preferably, the magnetostrictive sensor further includes a sealing mesh 4 disposed at both ends of the glass tube 2. The sealing mesh 4 limits the magnetostrictive particles 1, preventing them from moving outside the glass tube 2. Lubricating oil can enter the glass tube 2 through the sealing mesh 4, allowing the magnetostrictive particles 1 to come into contact with the lubricating oil, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of the lubricating oil.

[0024] Preferably, the detection and processing system further includes an impedance analyzer, which is used to obtain the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor. Thus, the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor can be measured using the impedance analyzer.

[0025] Preferably, the system further includes an on-board display and an oil dipstick. The on-board display is electrically connected to the output terminal of the detection and processing system, and the magnetostrictive sensor is disposed at the bottom end of the oil dipstick. Thus, once the oil dipstick is mounted at a corresponding position on the engine, the magnetostrictive sensor is immersed in the lubricating oil, providing ease of use. Real-time monitoring results are output to the on-board display, allowing the vehicle owner to understand the lubricating oil condition in real time.

[0026] The technical principles of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are intended solely to illustrate the principles of the present invention and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the explanations herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other specific embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort, and such embodiments will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An engine lubricating oil quality monitoring device, characterized in that: The device comprises a magnetostrictive sensor and a detection and processing system, wherein the magnetostrictive sensor is placed in the lubricating oil to be tested and is electrically connected to the detection and processing system. The detection and processing system is used to excite the magnetostrictive sensor to generate resonance and to collect the resonance signal. The detection and processing system obtains the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor through the resonance signal to monitor the viscosity of the engine lubricating oil in real time. The detection and processing system includes an excitation circuit and a coil, wherein the coil is wound around the outside of the magnetostrictive sensor, and both ends of the coil are electrically connected to the excitation circuit; The magnetostrictive sensor includes a glass tube and magnetostrictive particles, the coil is wound around the outside of the glass tube, and the magnetostrictive particles are arranged inside the glass tube; The magnetostrictive sensor further includes a sealing net, which is arranged at both ends of the glass tube; The detection and processing system further includes an impedance analyzer, which is used to obtain the resonant frequency of the magnetostrictive sensor; It also includes an on-board display and an oil dipstick. The on-board display is electrically connected to the output end of the detection and processing system, and the magnetostrictive sensor is arranged at the bottom end of the oil dipstick.

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