System for recording engine operating parameters via the dipstick access

Abstract

Sensor system for detecting operating parameters in an internal combustion engine, comprising: o a replaceable dipstick (2A) which can be inserted into a dipstick tube (3) of the engine (13) instead of an original oil dipstick (2B), o at least one temperature sensor (6) and / or another sensor (14) for detecting oil level, vibration, pressure, speed and other relevant values on the vehicle such as tire and road temperature, centrifugal forces and the like, o evaluation and control electronics (7) which are designed to process the signals detected by the sensors and to transmit them to the outside via a wireless interface (10).

Description

2. Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a sensor system for detecting and transmitting various operating parameters of an internal combustion engine. In particular, the invention relates to a solution in which a conventional oil measuring rod is replaced by a special sensor measuring rod in order to record measured variables such as oil temperature, oil level, vibration, pressure or rotational speed. The system can be used both in motor vehicles and in stationary or mobile units.3. Prior ArtUsually, for retrofitting sensors for oil temperature or other engine-relevant measured values, drillings are carried out in the engine block or oil pan in order to screw in the sensors or alternatively existing lines are separated and reconnected by an intermediate piece which can accommodate the necessary sensor system. This results in the risk of metal chips, leaks and high installation costs. Moreover, an oil change is often necessary, and the installation of additional cables into the cockpit is complicated. Later return to the original state is often not possible or is possible only with increased effort.Systems are also known which house a sensor in the oil drain screw. These can easily be damaged, however, since the cable is at the lowest point of the motor and is exposed there to mechanical influences.4. Task (Problem Setting)The invention is intended to provide a simple retrofitting solution for internal combustion engines, which:• Without any bores or technical modifications in the engine block, power system or oil pan,• Various measured values (e.g. temperature, oil level, vibration, pressure, rotational speed) in the interior of the engine can be detected,• avoids cable distribution into the cockpit and instead provides a wireless data transmission,• requires no expert knowledge during installation and can be set to the original state without leaving any residue,• The vehicle battery is protected by a deep sleep mode without having to pick off an ignition signal (terminal 15).5. Summary of the Invention (Solution)The invention solves the above problem by developing a special sensor measuring rod which is inserted into the existing measuring rod tube instead of the original oil measuring rod. In this case, a plurality of aspects are combined with one another: 1. acquisition of a plurality of physical characteristic variables in the engine interior, for example oil temperature (by means of PT100, K element or the like), oil level, vibration, pressure or rotational speed. 2. wireless transmission of the measurement data (Bluetooth, WLAN, radio) to a receiver display or other terminals, so that no separate line has to be placed in the cockpit. 3. power supply solely via permanent plus and ground contact on the measuring rod tube, whereby the search for terminal 15 or other circuits can be dispensed with. 4. automatic deep sleep mode: The electronic evaluation unit monitors physical values (e.g. temperature and vibration profiles) and recognizes from this whether the engine is running or not. In the state of the art, the power consumption is minimized and the system automatically wakes up again as soon as the engine starts up or a defined threshold value is exceeded. 5. universal applicability through modular rod lengths, different sealing rings and an optionally external or integrated electronics box. 6.Simple Retrofitting by Replacing the Sensor Scale with the Original Scale.6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION6.1 Sensor ScaleThe sensor gauge rod (2A) has the same dimensions or adjustable diameter and length as a conventional oil gauge rod (2B) so that it can be inserted into the existing gauge rod tube (3) of any common engine. The tightness is ensured by a plurality of sealing rings (4) and a crimp screw connection (5) for cable passage.For measuring the oil temperature, a PT100or K-element sensor ( 6) can be used, for example. Furthermore, capacitive or other suitable sensors for oil level detection, vibration detection, pressure or rotational speed detection can be integrated in the rod or at its tip.6.2 Electronic Evaluation and Control UnitThe evaluation electronics (7) can optionally:• are directly accommodated in the rod itself,• or in an external electronics box connected to the sensor sensing rod via a heat resistant cable (8) (e.g. silicone line).A microcontroller (for example an ESP32) evaluates the raw data of the sensors, stores relevant parameters in the EPROM and regulates the transmission via Bluetooth LE or radio / WLAN to a special display or receiver device (9) in the cockpit.For interference suppression, ferrite cores and further filter components are used on the lines.6.3 Signal TransmissionThe wireless interface ( 10) enables the recorded measured values to be transmitted to different terminals:• Receiver display in the cockpit which displays the values directly,• Smartphones / apps for data logging,• Other Telemetric Systems for Storing or Evaluating the Data.A wired variant is theoretically implementable, but is not provided as a standard embodiment in order to preserve the principle without drilling and wiring.6.4 Power SupplyThe supply takes place by means of permanent pluse ( 11) of the vehicle electrical system. A 5A fuse ( 6) protects the electronics. The mass can be conducted via the metallic measuring rod tube ( 3) of the motor, which reduces the cabling to a minimum and ensures universal applicability, or likewise by cable connection to the battery mass ( 12).Since no ignition signal ("terminal 15") is required, complex interventions into the on-board power supply are dispensed with: the electronics box is designed such that it is connected after the connection of plus (if appropriate. The mass) and the insertion into the measuring rod tube are ready for use.6.5 Deep Sleep Mode (Energy Management)The electronic evaluation unit ( 7) continuously monitors various physical characteristic variables of the engine (e.g. temperature, vibration, pressure profile) in order to identify whether the engine is running or not. When defined threshold values fall or fall below them for a longer time (e.g. <60 ° C. over several measurement intervals and vibrations are absent), the deep sleep mode is activated.In deep sleep mode, most components are disabled to minimize current consumption (typically in the range of several micro- to milliamps depending on the microcontroller chosen). A measurement is carried out briefly at defined time intervals-for example once per minute. When a predetermined threshold value is exceeded (such as temperature rise or vibration), the system wakes up and begins to acquire and transmit data.6.6 Assembly and RetrofittingFor assembly, the original measuring rod ( 2B) is simply removed and replaced by the sensor measuring rod ( 2A). The electronics box, if present, is then fastened in the engine compartment. The system does not require any particular technical knowledge and can be installed by means of common on-board tools.If necessary, the original gauge (2B) can be replaced so that the vehicle is returned to its original state.8. Summary (abstract)The invention relates to a sensor system which serves for detecting operating parameters (e.g. oil temperature, oil level, vibration) in internal combustion engines and is inserted into the existing measuring rod pipe instead of the original oil measuring rod. Integrated or external evaluation electronics process the sensor data and transmit it wirelessly (Bluetooth, radio or WLAN) to a display device. In a preferred embodiment, the power is supplied via the permanent plus of the vehicle, while the measuring rod tube serves as a ground contact. A deep sleep mode minimizes power consumption by automatically activating it once the motor is at rest and deactivating it again upon detection of motor running or physical threshold overshoot. The assembly requires no skills and can be reversed without leaving any residue, so that the vehicle can be quickly put into the original state.9. DRAWINGS / FIGURES1. FIG. 1 (general illustration of the sensor system): shows an overview of the non-installed sensor system ( 1) and its components.2. FIG. 2 (schematic installation situation in the engine):◯ shows by way of example how the measuring rod ( 2A) is inserted into the measuring rod tube ( 3) in the installed state and the evaluation electronics ( 7) are connected to the battery.3. FIG. 3 (schematic installation situation in the engine):O shows the alternative cable-bound ground connection ( 16) if no metallic measuring rod tube is present.4. FIG. 4 (detailed view of the measuring rod head):Figure o shows a detailed view of the measuring rod head in connection with the possible length adjustment by means of a pinch screw connection (5), and exemplary combinations of larger measuring rod tubes (3, 3A, 3B) with the associated sealing ring sets (4, 4A, 4B) for the correspondingly universal guiding and sealing of the measuring rod head.

Claims

Sensor system for detecting operating parameters in an internal combustion engine, comprising: o a replaceable measuring rod (2A) which can be inserted into a measuring rod tube (3) of the engine (13) instead of an original oil measuring rod (2B); o at least one temperature sensor (6) and / or a further sensor (14) for detecting oil level, vibration, pressure, rotational speed and further relevant values on the vehicle, such as tire and roadway temperature, centrifugal forces and the like; o an evaluation and control electronics (7) which is configured to process the signals detected by the sensors and to transmit them to the outside via a wireless interface (10).Sensor system (1) according to Claim 1d characterized in that the evaluation and control electronics (7) comprise a deep sleep mode into which it changes automatically as soon as it detects that the motor (13) is not in operation, and from which it is activated automatically again on detection of an operating state which indicates a running motor (13).Sensor system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wireless interface (10) is designed as a Bluetooth, WLAN or radio module, which transmits measurement data to a receiver display (9) or a mobile terminal.Sensor system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the evaluation and control electronics (7) are accommodated in a separate electronics box for universal adaptation to different motors and are connected to at least one sensor (6) via a cable (8).Sensor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of sealing rings (4) of different dimensions are provided in order to be able to insert the measuring rod (2A) sealingly into measuring rod tubes (3) of a wide variety of diameters.Sensor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring rod (2A) has a modular length and can be adapted to different insertion depths in the engine block.Sensor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation and control electronics (7) have at least one sensor of physical values, via which it is detected whether the motor is running, and which activates or terminates the deep sleep mode on the basis of this detection.Sensor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to take measurements of different physical characteristic variables at defined time intervals in the deep sleep mode and to automatically switch to the active mode when a defined threshold value is exceeded.Sensor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control electronics (7) record measured values continuously when the engine operating temperature is active and are supplied via the on-board power supply system without a separate ignition signal (terminal 15) being required.

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