Oil filter screen and control device

Abstract

This invention provides an oil filter and control device that can suppress clogging with less electrical power compared to heating all the oil in the oil pan. The oil filter includes a conduit and a mesh cover. The conduit has an inlet for drawing oil from the oil pan. The mesh cover is made of metal wires arranged in a grid pattern. The mesh cover is installed on the conduit to cover the inlet. At least a portion of the metal wires is a heating element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an oil filter and its control device. Background Technology

[0002] Ice sometimes forms in the oil pan of an internal combustion engine. This ice can sometimes clog the oil filter. In the oil pan disclosed in Patent Document 1, water sinks to a retention area formed on the bottom surface of the oil pan. The oil pan disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a heater for heating the ice formed in the retention area.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-194144 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the oil pan disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the ice in the stagnant section is heated by a heater, not only the oil in the stagnant section is heated, but also the oil in the parts outside the stagnant section. As a result, a large amount of electricity is required to clear the blockage of the oil filter.

[0005] An oil filter for solving the above-mentioned problems includes: a conduit having an intake port for drawing oil from the oil pan; and a mesh cover made of metal wires arranged in a grid pattern and installed on the conduit to cover the intake port, wherein at least a portion of the metal wires is a heating wire.

[0006] Invention Effects

[0007] Compared to heating all the oil in the oil pan, the oil filter described above can suppress clogging with less electricity. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an internal combustion engine according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the screen cover of an oil filter.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control device based on the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control device based on the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0012] <First Embodiment>

[0013] The following is for reference. Figures 1 to 3 The first embodiment of the internal combustion engine and oil filter will be described.

[0014] When the oil pump draws in engine oil, the engine oil in the oil pan is agitated with water mixed in the oil pan, thereby producing an emulsion M with a higher viscosity than the engine oil. Emulsion M has a higher water content than the engine oil, and therefore settles at the bottom of the oil pan. The emulsion M that settles at the bottom of the oil pan sometimes freezes at low temperatures. If this frozen emulsion M (hereinafter referred to as frozen emulsion) adheres to the screen of the oil filter, the screen becomes clogged, similar to the case of ice adhering to the screen. The following describes an example of an internal combustion engine and an oil filter having a structure for eliminating clogging caused by frozen emulsion.

[0015] <Structure of an Internal Combustion Engine>

[0016] The vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine. Figure 1 The internal combustion engine 10 shown is an on-board internal combustion engine mounted in a vehicle. The internal combustion engine 10 serves, for example, as a power source for the vehicle. The fuel for the internal combustion engine 10 is, for example, hydrogen.

[0017] The internal combustion engine 10 includes a cylinder that serves as a combustion chamber for burning a combustion mixture. The internal combustion engine 10 also includes a piston that reciprocates within the combustion chamber, an output shaft that outputs rotational torque, and a connecting rod connecting the piston and the output shaft. When the internal combustion engine 10 is running, hydrogen as fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, and the piston reciprocates due to the combustion of the fuel within the combustion chamber. The reciprocating motion of the piston is converted into the rotational motion of the output shaft via the connecting rod and the output shaft.

[0018] The internal combustion engine 10 includes an oil pan 12 and an oil filter 20. The oil pan 12 is located on the lower side of the internal combustion engine 10. The oil pan 12 stores engine oil L. One end of the oil filter 20 is connected to the oil pump 13. The other end of the oil filter 20 is immersed in the engine oil L in the oil pan 12.

[0019] The oil pump 13 is, for example, a pump driven by the rotational force of the output shaft. In this case, pulleys are mounted on both the oil pump 13 and the output shaft. Drive belts are fitted onto these pulleys. The rotational force of the output shaft is transmitted to the oil pump 13 via the drive belts. The oil pump 13 is, for example, a pump driven by an electric motor.

[0020] Oil pump 13 draws engine oil L from oil pan 12 via oil filter 20. The engine oil L drawn by oil pump 13 is supplied to supply section 14. Supply section 14 is, for example, a drive unit that generates friction during the operation of the internal combustion engine 10, such as the piston, connecting rod, and output shaft, and a hydraulically actuated hydraulic device. For lubrication, cooling, and other purposes, engine oil L circulates in supply section 14 and then flows into oil pan 12.

[0021] like Figure 1As shown, the oil filter 20 supplies engine oil L from the oil pan 12 to the supply section 14 of the internal combustion engine 10. The oil filter 20 includes a pipe 21 and a mesh cover 22. The pipe 21 has a suction port 23. The suction port 23 draws in engine oil L from the oil pan 12.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the mesh cover 22 is installed on the pipe 21 to cover the intake port 23. The mesh cover 22 is composed of metal wires 24 arranged in a grid pattern. The metal wires 24 are, for example, woven into a grid pattern. Engine oil L can pass through the mesh cover 22. The intake port 23 draws in engine oil L that has passed through the gaps in the metal wires 24 of the mesh cover 22.

[0023] The oil filter 20 also has a cover 25. Oil L cannot pass through the cover 25. The cover 25 is fixed to the pipe 21, for example, in a manner that intersects with the pipe 21. The intake port 23 is covered by the mesh cover 22 and the cover 25.

[0024] At least a portion of the metal wire 24 is a heating wire 26. The metal wire 24 may be an integral heating wire 26. The metal wire 24 may be composed of one type or multiple types of heating wires 26 with different resistance values.

[0025] The heating wire 26 is connected to the power supply device 30. The cover 25, for example, has a pair of electrodes 25A and 25B connected to the power supply device 30 and the heating wire 26. The electrode 25B, for example, is located symmetrically to the electrode 25A with respect to the conduit 21 when viewed from above the cover 25.

[0026] The heating wire 26 is heated by power supplied from the power supply unit 30. The power supply unit 30 is, for example, either a 12V vehicle power supply or an external power source. Figure 2 In this example, the power supply device 30 is connected to the heating wire 26 via electrodes 25A and 25B of the cover 25, but the connection method between the power supply device 30 and the heating wire 26 is not limited to this example. The power supply device 30 can be directly connected to the heating wire 26.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle includes a control device 40. The control device 40 controls the internal combustion engine 10. For example, the control device 40 controls the heating of the heating wire 26 in the mesh cover 22 of the oil filter 20. Specifically, the control device 40 controls the heating of the heating wire 26 by controlling the power supply to the heating wire 26 from the power supply device 30. The control device 40 controls the power supply device 30 by outputting a control signal to the power supply device 30 indicating the amount of power supplied to the heating wire 26.

[0028] The control unit 40 includes a processing circuit (not shown) and a storage device. The processing circuit consists of a CPU that executes processing according to a program and its peripheral circuitry. The storage device consists of a ROM storing a program, a volatile RAM capable of temporarily writing data, and a non-volatile memory capable of writing data. The storage device stores information related to the control of the internal combustion engine 10.

[0029] The internal combustion engine 10 includes, for example, a moisture content acquisition unit 41, an external temperature acquisition unit 42, a time travel acquisition unit 43, and an oil temperature acquisition unit 44. The moisture content acquisition unit 41, the external temperature acquisition unit 42, the time travel acquisition unit 43, and the oil temperature acquisition unit 44 each output the acquisition results to the control device 40.

[0030] The water content acquisition unit 41 acquires the water content MC of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12. The water content acquisition unit 41 includes, for example, a sensor for detecting the water content MC of the engine oil L. One example of the sensor for detecting the water content MC is an electrostatic capacitive sensor. When the water content MC detected by the sensor is high, compared to a low water content MC, the amount of emulsion M or frozen emulsion is greater. Since emulsion M and frozen emulsion settle at the bottom of the oil pan 12, it is preferable that the water content acquisition unit 41 is configured to acquire the water content MC at the bottom of the oil pan 12.

[0031] The external temperature acquisition unit 42 acquires the external temperature AT. The external temperature AT, for example, is the external temperature of the vehicle when the internal combustion engine 10 is mounted on the vehicle. The external temperature acquisition unit 42 includes, for example, a temperature sensor mounted on the vehicle.

[0032] The elapsed time acquisition unit 43 acquires the elapsed time ED calculated from the point when the external temperature AT falls below a predetermined temperature. The elapsed time acquisition unit 43 may include, for example, a timer. The elapsed time acquisition unit 43 may be a function of the control device 40.

[0033] The oil temperature acquisition unit 44 acquires the oil temperature LT of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12. The oil temperature acquisition unit 44 includes, for example, an oil temperature sensor.

[0034] <Processing based on control device>

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2The control device 40 shown performs icing detection processing and power supply processing. The icing detection processing determines whether the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is frozen. One example of engine oil L freezing is the freezing of emulsion M. Another example of engine oil L freezing is the freezing of water mixed in with the engine oil L. The power supply processing involves supplying power to the heating wire 26 when a positive determination is made during the icing detection processing. The control device 40 begins the power supply processing when it determines that the engine oil L is frozen. Through the power supply processing, the heating wire 26 heats up, thus thawing the engine oil L that has passed through the gap in the mesh cover 22 due to the heating of the heating wire 26.

[0036] The freezing determination process includes a first determination process and a second determination process. The first determination process is to determine whether the water content MC of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is greater than or equal to a first specified value PV1. The first specified value PV1 is set, for example, as follows: representing the amount of emulsion M deposited at the bottom of the oil pan 12 that would be sufficient to cause blockage of the filter screen 22 if the emulsion M were to freeze. The first specified value PV1 is, for example, 5%.

[0037] The second determination process involves determining whether the elapsed period ED, starting from when the external temperature AT falls below the second specified value PV2, is greater than or equal to the specified period PDP. The second specified value PV2 is, for example, set to the value at which the emulsion M within the oil pan 12 begins to freeze. The second specified value PV2 is, for example, 0°C. The specified period PDP is, for example, set to the period during which the amount of frozen emulsion reaches a level sufficient to cause blockage of the mesh screen 22. The specified period PDP is, for example, 3 hours.

[0038] If both the first and second determination processes result in an affirmative determination, there is a high probability that the water or emulsion M in the oil pan 12 will freeze. When both the first and second determination processes result in an affirmative determination, the control device 40 performs a power supply process.

[0039] The control device 40 performs icing detection processing when the internal combustion engine 10 stops running. Power supply processing is performed when the internal combustion engine 10 stops running. During the power supply processing, the control device 40 terminates the power supply processing when the internal combustion engine 10 starts running.

[0040]

[0041] Figure 3 This represents a series of processes executed by the control device 40. Figure 3 In this process, step S12 corresponds to the first determination process of the icing determination process. Step S13 corresponds to the second determination process of the icing determination process. Steps S14 to S16 correspond to the power supply process. The control device 40 executes this process repeatedly. Figure 3 The processing.

[0042] In step S11, the control device 40 determines whether the internal combustion engine 10 has stopped. For example, the control device 40 acquires the operating state of the internal combustion engine 10 to determine whether it has stopped. For example, the control device 40 determines that the internal combustion engine 10 has stopped when the vehicle's main switch is off. When the internal combustion engine 10 has stopped (step S11: Yes), the control device 40 executes the processing in step S12. When the internal combustion engine 10 has not stopped, i.e., when it is running (step S11: No), the control device 40 terminates the process. Figure 3 The processing.

[0043] In step S12, the control device 40 determines whether the water content MC of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value PV1. The control device 40 acquires the water content MC from the water content acquisition unit 41. If the water content MC is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value PV1 (step S12: Yes), the control device 40 executes the processing in step S13. If the water content MC is not greater than or equal to the first predetermined value PV1, i.e., the water content MC is less than the first predetermined value PV1 (step S12: No), the control device 40 terminates the process. Figure 3 The processing.

[0044] In step S13, control device 40 determines whether the elapsed period ED, calculated from when the external temperature AT falls below a predetermined temperature, is greater than or equal to a predetermined period PDP. Control device 40 acquires the elapsed period ED from elapsed period acquisition unit 43. Elapsed period acquisition unit 43, for example, starts measuring the elapsed period ED based on the output of external temperature acquisition unit 42. If the elapsed period ED is greater than or equal to the predetermined period PDP (step S13: Yes), control device 40 executes the processing in step S14. If the elapsed period ED is not greater than or equal to the predetermined period PDP, i.e., the elapsed period ED is less than or equal to the predetermined period PDP (step S13: No), control device 40 terminates the process. Figure 3 The processing.

[0045] In step S14, the control device 40 starts the power supply process and executes the process in step S15.

[0046] In step S15, the control device 40 determines whether the internal combustion engine 10 has started operating. When the internal combustion engine 10 starts operating (step S15: Yes), the control device 40 executes the process of step S16. When the internal combustion engine 10 has not started operating, i.e., when the internal combustion engine 10 stops (step S15: No), the control device 40 repeats the process of step S15.

[0047] After the control device 40 terminates the power supply process in step S16, it ends. Figure 3 The processing.

[0048] <Function and Effects of This Implementation Method>

[0049] The function and effects of this implementation method are explained.

[0050] (1-1) The intake of icing emulsions by the oil filter 20 is the cause of blockage in the oil flow path of the oil filter 20, including the pipe 21, oil pump 13, and supply section 14. The icing emulsions in the oil L drawn into the oil filter 20 are filtered by the mesh cover 22. As a result, the intake of icing emulsions in the oil filter 20 can be suppressed, but the mesh cover 22 of the oil filter 20 is at risk of being blocked by icing emulsions. When hydrogen is used as fuel for the internal combustion engine 10, the amount of water mixed into the oil L in the oil pan 12 and the amount of emulsion M produced are greater than when gasoline is used as fuel because the combustion gases contain a large amount of water.

[0051] In this respect, in the oil filter 20, at least a portion of the metal wires 24 constituting the mesh cover 22 is a heating wire 26. According to the above structure, the heating wire 26, which is powered by electricity, can be used to thaw the icy emulsions attached to the mesh cover 22, thereby suppressing the occurrence of blockage in the mesh cover 22.

[0052] As a method for defrosting the engine oil L frozen inside the oil pan 12, another approach is to heat all the engine oil L inside the oil pan 12 by installing a heater on the casing of the oil pan 12. Alternatively, in the oil filter 20, the engine oil L around the intake 23 is heated by the heating wire 26 of the mesh cover 22. The electricity required for the heating wire 26 to heat up and defrost the frozen emulsion attached to the mesh cover 22 is less than the electricity required to heat all the engine oil L inside the oil pan 12. Compared to heating all the engine oil L inside the oil pan 12 by a heater, the oil filter 20 can suppress the clogging of the mesh cover 22 with less electricity.

[0053] (1-2) The control device 40 performs icing determination processing and power supply processing. In the icing determination processing, if it is determined that the oil L in the oil pan 12 is not iced, the power supply processing is not performed. Therefore, compared with the case where the heating wire 26 is powered without performing the icing determination processing, the power consumption is less.

[0054] (1-3) In the first determination process, it is determined whether the amount of emulsion M deposited at the bottom of the oil pan 12 is sufficient to cause blockage of the mesh screen 22 if the emulsion M were to freeze. Furthermore, in the second determination process, it is determined whether the temperature environment is such that the amount of frozen emulsion is sufficient to cause blockage of the mesh screen 22. Since the determination of whether emulsion M has frozen is based on a positive determination in both the first and second determination processes, the accuracy of freezing determination in the freezing determination process can be improved.

[0055] (1-4) The control device 40 performs an icing determination process when the internal combustion engine 10 stops running. According to the above structure, when the emulsion M freezes, a power supply process is performed when the internal combustion engine 10 stops running. Therefore, the likelihood of the frozen emulsion around the mesh cover 22 thawing before the internal combustion engine 10 starts is high. Thus, the occurrence of blockage of the mesh cover 22 can be suppressed.

[0056] <Example of Change>

[0057] This embodiment can be modified as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0058] The internal combustion engine 10 can use CN fuels other than hydrogen, such as ethanol and synthetic fuels. Furthermore, the internal combustion engine 10 is not limited to CN fuels; it can also use gasoline.

[0059] • Power supply processing is performed if the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is determined to be frozen during the freezing determination process. However, power supply processing can also be performed without relying on the result of the freezing determination process. For example, the control device 40 can intermittently perform power supply processing from the time the internal combustion engine 10 stops running until it restarts.

[0060] • The control device 40 may execute either the first determination process or the second determination process. When an affirmative determination is made in the executed determination process, the power supply process is executed.

[0061] • The control device 40 can perform both the first determination process and the second determination process. When an affirmative determination is made in at least one determination process, the power supply process is performed.

[0062] • In this embodiment, the power supply process is terminated when the internal combustion engine 10 starts running. However, the power supply process may also be terminated after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the power supply process, regardless of whether the internal combustion engine 10 has started running.

[0063] <Second Implementation>

[0064] The following is for reference. Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 A second embodiment of the internal combustion engine and oil filter will be described. Structures identical to those in the first embodiment will be simplified or omitted in the description. In the second embodiment, the conditions for ending the power supply process differ from those in the first embodiment.

[0065] In addition to icing determination processing and power supply processing, the control device 40 also performs thawing determination processing. Thawing determination processing involves determining whether the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 has thawed during the power supply processing. One example of engine oil L thawing is the thawing of frozen emulsions. Another example of engine oil L thawing is the thawing of ice in the oil pan 12. When engine oil L thawing refers to the thawing of frozen emulsions, the thawing determination processing can be a process of determining whether the frozen emulsions have completely thawed. Alternatively, the thawing determination processing can be a process of determining whether the frozen emulsions have thawed to the point where the amount of frozen emulsions is sufficient to prevent clogging of the mesh screen 22. The control device 40 terminates the power supply processing when it makes an affirmative determination in the thawing determination processing. In this embodiment, the control device 40 terminates the power supply processing when it determines that the engine oil L has thawed.

[0066] The defrosting determination process includes a third determination process and a fourth determination process. The third determination process is to determine whether the water content MC of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is less than a third specified value PV3. The third specified value PV3 is set, for example, as follows: it represents the amount of frozen emulsion contained in the engine oil L that prevents the mesh screen 22 from becoming clogged. The third specified value PV3 is, for example, 5%. The third specified value PV3 can be the same as or different from the first specified value PV1.

[0067] The fourth determination process involves determining whether the oil temperature LT of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is above the fourth specified value PV4. The fourth specified value PV4 is, for example, set to the value at which water in the engine oil L begins to evaporate. The fourth specified value PV4 is, for example, 100°C.

[0068] The control device 40 continuously performs power supply processing from the start of operation of the internal combustion engine 10 until both the third and fourth determination processes make an affirmative determination. During the power supply processing, the control device 40 terminates the power supply processing when both the third and fourth determination processes make an affirmative determination.

[0069]

[0070] Figure 4 This describes the flow of a series of processes related to power supply processing performed by the control device 40. Figure 4 In the processing, in the first embodiment Figure 3 Steps S21 and S22 were added to the processing. Step S21 corresponds to the third determination step in the thawing determination process. Step S22 corresponds to the fourth determination step in the thawing determination process. The control device 40 executes these steps repeatedly. Figure 4 The handling of this. Additionally... Figure 4 Steps S11 to S14 and S16 are the same as in the first embodiment. Figure 3The processing is the same, so the explanation is omitted.

[0071] When the internal combustion engine 10 starts running in step S15 (step S15: Yes), the control device 40 executes the processing of step S21. When the internal combustion engine 10 does not start running, i.e., when the internal combustion engine 10 stops (step S15: No), the control device 40 repeats the processing of step S15.

[0072] In step S21, the control device 40 determines whether the water content MC of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is less than the third specified value PV3. If the water content MC is less than the third specified value PV3 (step S21: Yes), the control device 40 executes the processing in step S22. If the water content MC is not less than the third specified value PV3, that is, if the water content MC is greater than or equal to the third specified value PV3 (step S21: No), the control device 40 repeats the processing in step S21.

[0073] In step S22, the control device 40 determines whether the oil temperature LT of the engine oil L in the oil pan 12 is above the fourth predetermined value PV4. If the oil temperature LT is above the fourth predetermined value PV4 (step S22: Yes), the control device 40 executes the processing of step S16. If the oil temperature LT is not above the fourth predetermined value PV4, that is, if the oil temperature LT is less than the fourth predetermined value PV4 (step S22: No), the control device 40 repeats the process starting from step S21.

[0074] <Function and Effects of This Implementation Method>

[0075] The function and effects of this implementation method are explained.

[0076] (2-1) After the power supply process is started, the control device 40 continues to perform the power supply process until both the third and fourth determination processes make an affirmative determination. Therefore, after the power supply process is started, the power supply process can still be performed even after the internal combustion engine 10 is started, until the thawing of the icing emulsion makes it less likely for icing emulsion to adhere to the mesh cover 22.

[0077] (2-2) Sometimes, the frozen emulsion does not settle at the bottom of the oil pan 12 but remains suspended in the engine oil L. Therefore, even if a positive determination is made in the third determination process but a negative determination is made in the fourth determination process, there is a risk that the frozen emulsion may adhere to the mesh cover 22. When both the third and fourth determination processes are positive, the possibility of the frozen emulsion in the oil pan 12 thawing is higher than when only the third determination process is positive. By continuously performing the power supply process until both the third and fourth determination processes are positive, the power supply process can be performed until the frozen emulsion in the oil pan 12 thaws.

[0078] <Example of Change>

[0079] This embodiment can be modified as follows. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical inconsistency.

[0080] • The control device 40 can perform the defrost determination process even when the internal combustion engine 10 has not started running. For example, the control device 40 can repeat the defrost determination process after the power supply process has started.

[0081] • The control device 40 can execute only one of the third and fourth determination processes in the defrosting determination process, and end the power supply process when a positive determination is made in the executed determination process.

[0082] • The control device 40 can perform both the third and fourth determination processes in the defrosting determination process, and end the power supply process when a positive determination is made in at least one determination process.

[0083] Symbol Explanation

[0084] 10-Internal combustion engine, 12-Oil pan, 13-Oil pump, 14-Supply section, 20-Oil filter, 21-Pipeline, 22-Screen cover, 23-Inlet, 24-Wire, 25-Cover, 26-Heating wire, 30-Power supply unit, 40-Control unit, 41-Moisture content acquisition unit, 42-External temperature acquisition unit, 43-Passage acquisition unit, 44-Oil temperature acquisition unit, L-Oil, M-Emulsion, MC-Moisture content, AT-External temperature, ED-Passage, LT-Oil temperature, PV1-First specified value, PV2-Second specified value, PV3-Third specified value, PV4-Fourth specified value, PDP-Specified period.

Claims

1. An oil filter screen, characterized in that, have: The pipeline has an inlet for drawing oil from the oil pan; and a mesh screen, composed of metal wires arranged in a grid pattern, is installed on the pipeline to cover the inlet. At least a portion of the metal wire is a heating wire.

2. A control device for controlling an internal combustion engine, characterized in that, The internal combustion engine comprises: an oil pan; and the oil filter as described in claim 1. The control device performs the following processing: The freezing determination process determines whether the engine oil in the oil pan has frozen; and In the power supply process, when an affirmative determination is made in the icing determination process, power is supplied to the heating wire.

3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The freezing determination process includes the following steps: The first determination process involves determining whether the water content of the engine oil in the oil pan is above a first specified value; and The second determination process involves determining whether the elapsed period since the external temperature fell below the second specified value constitutes a period exceeding the specified limit. If both the first determination process and the second determination process make an affirmative determination, the power supply process is executed.

4. The control device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, When the internal combustion engine stops running, the icing determination process is performed.

5. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that, During the power supply process, a thawing determination process is performed to determine whether the engine oil in the oil pan has thawed. The thawing determination process includes the following steps: The third determination process involves determining whether the water content of the engine oil in the oil pan is less than a third specified value; and The fourth determination process involves determining whether the temperature of the engine oil in the oil pan is above the fourth specified value. The power supply process continues from the start of the internal combustion engine until both the third and fourth determination processes make a positive determination.

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