Lubricating oil replacement warning device

Abstract

To provide a lubrication oil exchange warning device capable of prompting a driver to exchange a lubrication oil at appropriate lubrication oil exchange timing corresponding to a sulfur concentration included in the lubrication oil in use.SOLUTION: A lubrication oil exchange warning device includes: a sulfur concentration storage device storing a sulfur concentration included in each of a plurality of types of lubrication oils including a reference lubrication oil; a sulfur concentration acquisition device acquiring a sulfur concentration included in a lubrication oil in use when the lubrication oil of an internal combustion engine is exchanged; a sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device acquiring a sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration included in the lubrication oil in use to the sulfur concentration included in the reference lubrication oil; a parameter acquisition device acquiring a parameter for determining a deterioration degree of the lubrication oil in use per predetermined time; an integration device correcting the acquisition value of the parameter on the basis of the sulfur concentration ratio and integrating the corrected correction acquisition values; and a notification device giving notification of arrival of exchange timing of the lubrication oil in use when the integrated value is determined to be a preset parameter threshold value or greater.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubricant change warning device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques have been proposed for lubricant change warning devices that prompt drivers to change the lubricant. For example, in a vehicle lubricant change warning device described in the following Patent Document 1, a calculation unit detects the alkalinity of new oil at the time of oil change using an oil quality detector and grades the new oil. As a result, the calculation unit corrects the reference limit value Yea of ​​the driving history integrated value Y and the reference limit value tea of ​​the integrated value t of the elapsed time of use according to the grade of the new oil.

[0003] Then, when the engine starts, the calculation unit acquires information on the oil temperature T, engine speed N, and vehicle speed V, determines a weighting coefficient K for oil deterioration, multiplies the driving distance y by it for correction, and accumulates it to obtain an integrated driving history value Y. If the integrated driving history value Y exceeds a reference limit value Yea, a warning lamp is turned on to prompt the driver to change the oil. Also, the calculation unit is configured to turn on a warning lamp to prompt the driver to change the oil if an integrated value t of the elapsed time of use exceeds a reference limit value tea. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 118017 / 1983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, depending on the country of destination of the internal combustion engine, lubricating oil with a higher sulfur concentration than the sulfur concentration of the standard lubricating oil may be used. In addition, the chances that PM, SOx (e.g., sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted by the internal combustion engine with EGR come into contact with the high-sulfur lubricating oil in the cylinder also increase. As a result, the lubricating oil reacts with the nitrogen oxides to produce nitrate esters, and the sulfur components of the lubricating oil are oxidized to produce oxides such as SOx, resulting in a faster decrease in the base number of the lubricating oil used than the decrease in the base number when the standard lubricating oil is used.

[0006] If the lubricating oil continues to be oxidized and deteriorated, the deteriorated oil may cause corrosion and wear of various engine parts (e.g., bearings, etc.) and accelerate the deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, which may lead to breakdowns. In addition, droplets of lubricating oil in the combustion chamber may flow into the EGR cooler, where they are cooled and tend to adhere to the inner surface. Over time, they may accumulate as carbon sludge together with soot, causing the EGR cooler piping to become clogged or the EGR valve to stick, reducing the amount of EGR gas and increasing NOx emissions.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been devised in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a lubricant change warning device that can prompt the driver to change the lubricant at the appropriate time based on the sulfur concentration of the lubricant being used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present invention provides a sulfur concentration storage device that stores the sulfur concentration of each of a plurality of types of lubricating oil including a reference lubricating oil, a sulfur concentration acquisition device that acquires the sulfur concentration of the lubricating oil used from the sulfur concentration storage device when changing the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, a sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device that acquires the sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the lubricating oil used to the sulfur concentration of the reference lubricating oil, a parameter acquisition device that acquires a parameter for determining the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil used at predetermined time intervals, an integrating device that corrects the acquired value of the parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition device based on the sulfur concentration ratio and integrates the corrected corrected acquired value, a determination device that determines whether the integrated value integrated by the integrating device is equal to or greater than a preset parameter threshold value, and a notification device that notifies the user that it is time to change the lubricating oil used when the integrated value is determined to be equal to or greater than the parameter threshold value by the determination device. A lubricating oil change warning device.

[0009] Next, a second aspect of the present invention is a lubricant oil change warning device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the parameters include a soak count and an integrated amount of NOx emissions, and the parameter acquisition device has a soak time acquisition device that acquires a soak time, which is the elapsed time from the end of operation of the internal combustion engine to the start of operation of the internal combustion engine, and a NOx amount acquisition device that acquires the amount of NOx emitted by the internal combustion engine at predetermined time intervals, and the integrating device has a soak time determination device that determines whether the soak time acquired by the soak time acquisition device is equal to or greater than a preset soak time threshold, a soak count integrating device that, when it is determined by the soak time determination device that the soak time is equal to or greater than the soak time threshold, multiplies the sulfur concentration ratio once to calculate a correction count and integrates the soak count by the correction count, and and a NOx amount integrating device that multiplies the NOx amount acquired by the Ox amount acquisition device by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected NOx amount and integrates the corrected NOx amount with the accumulated amount of exhaust NOx. The determination device has a soak number / NOx amount determination device that determines whether the soak number included in the parameters is equal to or greater than a predetermined soak number threshold and whether the accumulated amount of exhaust NOx included in the parameters is equal to or greater than a predetermined NOx amount threshold. The notification device is a lubricating oil change warning device that notifies that it is time to change the lubricating oil used when the soak number / NOx amount determination device determines that the soak number included in the parameters is equal to or greater than the soak number threshold and that the accumulated amount of exhaust NOx included in the parameters is equal to or greater than the NOx amount threshold.

[0010] Next, the third invention of the present invention is a lubricant change warning device according to the second invention, wherein the parameter acquisition device has a coolant temperature acquisition device for acquiring the coolant temperature of the coolant circulating through the internal combustion engine, and a water temperature correction coefficient acquisition device for acquiring a coolant temperature correction coefficient corresponding to the coolant temperature acquired by the coolant temperature acquisition device, and the NOx amount integration device multiplies the corrected NOx amount by the coolant temperature correction coefficient acquired by the water temperature correction coefficient acquisition device to calculate a water temperature corrected NOx amount, and integrates the water temperature corrected NOx amount in place of the corrected NOx amount into the integrated amount of NOx emission.

[0011] Next, the fourth invention of the present invention is a lubricant oil change warning device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the parameters include an accumulated operating time of the internal combustion engine, and the parameter acquisition device has an operating time acquisition device that acquires the operating time from start to stop of the internal combustion engine, and the integrating device multiplies the operating time acquired by the operating time acquisition device by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected operating time, and has an operating time integrating device that integrates the corrected operating time to the accumulated operating time, and the determining device has an operating time determination device that determines whether the accumulated operating time included in the parameters is equal to or greater than a preset operating time threshold, and the notification device is a lubricant oil change warning device that notifies the user that it is time to change the lubricant oil used when the operating time determination device determines that the accumulated operating time is equal to or greater than the operating time threshold.

[0012] Next, a fifth invention of the present invention is a lubricant change warning device according to the fourth invention, wherein the parameter acquisition device has an acceleration acquisition device that acquires the acceleration of a vehicle, and an acceleration correction coefficient acquisition device that acquires an acceleration correction coefficient corresponding to the acceleration acquired by the acceleration acquisition device, and the operating time accumulation device multiplies the corrected operating time by the acceleration correction coefficient acquired by the acceleration correction coefficient acquisition device to calculate an acceleration corrected operating time, and accumulates the acceleration corrected operating time into the accumulated operating time in place of the corrected operating time.

[0013] Next, the sixth invention of the present invention is a lubricant oil change warning device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the parameters include an accumulated mileage of the vehicle, the parameter acquisition device has a mileage acquisition device that acquires the mileage from the start of driving to the stop of driving of the vehicle, the accumulator multiplies the mileage acquired by the mileage acquisition device by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected mileage, and accumulates the corrected mileage to the accumulated mileage. The determination device has a mileage determination device that determines whether the accumulated mileage included in the parameters is equal to or greater than a preset mileage threshold, and the notification device is a lubricant oil change warning device that notifies the user that it is time to change the lubricant oil used when the mileage determination device determines that the accumulated mileage is equal to or greater than the mileage threshold.

[0014] Next, a seventh invention of the present invention is a lubricant change warning device according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, comprising a fuel sulfur concentration storage device which stores the sulfur concentration of each of a plurality of types of fuel including a reference fuel, a fuel sulfur concentration acquisition device which acquires the sulfur concentration of the fuel used from the fuel sulfur concentration storage device when changing the lubricant oil of the internal combustion engine, and a fuel sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device which acquires a fuel sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the fuel used to the sulfur concentration of the reference fuel, wherein the integration device corrects the acquired values ​​of the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition device based on the sulfur concentration ratio, and then further corrects them based on the fuel sulfur concentration ratio and integrates the corrected acquired values. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a parameter for determining the degree of deterioration of the lubricant used is acquired at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 10 milliseconds). In addition, the sulfur concentration of the lubricant used is acquired when changing the lubricant in the internal combustion engine. Then, the sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the lubricant used to the sulfur concentration of the reference lubricant is acquired, the acquired value of the parameter is corrected based on the sulfur concentration ratio, and the corrected corrected acquired value is integrated. If it is determined that the integrated value of the corrected acquired value is equal to or greater than a preset parameter threshold value, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricant used. This makes it possible to prompt the driver to change the lubricant at an appropriate time according to the sulfur concentration of the lubricant used.

[0016] According to the second aspect of the present invention, a soak time, which is the elapsed time from the end of operation of the internal combustion engine to the start of operation of the internal combustion engine, is acquired. Then, when it is determined that this soak time is equal to or greater than a preset soak time threshold, a correction count is calculated by multiplying one time by the sulfur concentration ratio, and is integrated into the soak count. Also, the amount of NOx discharged from the internal combustion engine is acquired at predetermined time intervals, and a correction NOx amount is calculated by multiplying this NOx amount by the sulfur concentration ratio. Then, this correction NOx amount is integrated into the accumulated amount of discharged NOx. Thereafter, when it is determined that the number of soaks is equal to or greater than a preset soak count threshold and the accumulated amount of discharged NOx is equal to or greater than a threshold amount of discharged NOx, it is notified that it is time to change the lubricating oil used.

[0017] As a result, the number of soaks and the cumulative amount of NOx emissions are corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio, so even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the standard lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. This in turn makes it possible to suppress corrosion and wear of various parts of the internal combustion engine (e.g., bearings, etc.) caused by the lubricant, and deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc., as well as to suppress blockage of the EGR cooler piping and sticking of the EGR valve, thereby reducing NOx emissions.

[0018] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the water temperature corrected NOx amount is calculated by multiplying the corrected NOx amount by a cooling water temperature correction coefficient corresponding to the cooling water temperature, and the water temperature corrected NOx amount is integrated into the accumulated NOx emission amount instead of the corrected NOx amount. This makes it possible to appropriately determine the deterioration of the lubricant used by further considering the decrease in base number according to the lubricant temperature, and to urge the driver to change the lubricant. In turn, it is possible to further suppress the corrosion and wear of the parts of the internal combustion engine (e.g., bearings, etc.), the deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc., caused by the lubricant, and further suppress the blockage of the EGR cooler piping, the sticking of the EGR valve, etc., thereby further reducing the NOx emission amount.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operating time from start to stop of the internal combustion engine is acquired. Then, the operating time is multiplied by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected operating time, which is then integrated into the integrated operating time. Then, when it is determined that the integrated operating time is equal to or greater than a preset operating time threshold, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricating oil used.

[0020] As a result, since the cumulative operating time is corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the reference lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. This in turn makes it possible to suppress corrosion and wear of various parts of the internal combustion engine (e.g., bearings, etc.) caused by the lubricant, and deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc., as well as to suppress blockage of the EGR cooler piping and sticking of the EGR valve, thereby reducing NOx emissions.

[0021] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the acceleration-corrected operating time is calculated by multiplying the corrected operating time by an acceleration correction coefficient corresponding to the acceleration, and the acceleration-corrected operating time is integrated into the integrated operating time instead of the corrected operating time. This allows the deterioration of the lubricant in use to be properly determined by further considering the decrease in base number of the lubricant in use according to the acceleration of the vehicle, and the driver to be prompted to change the lubricant. In addition, it is possible to further suppress the corrosion wear of the parts of the internal combustion engine (e.g., bearings, etc.), the deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc. caused by the lubricant, and further suppress the blockage of the EGR cooler piping, the sticking of the EGR valve, etc., thereby further reducing NOx emissions.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the mileage from when the vehicle starts to run until when it stops is acquired. Then, the mileage is multiplied by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected mileage, and the corrected mileage is added to the cumulative mileage. Then, when it is determined that the cumulative mileage is equal to or greater than a preset mileage threshold, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricating oil used.

[0023] As a result, since the cumulative mileage is corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the reference lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. In turn, it is possible to suppress corrosion wear of various parts of the internal combustion engine (e.g., bearings, etc.) caused by the lubricant, deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc., and to suppress blockage of the EGR cooler piping, sticking of the EGR valve, etc., thereby reducing NOx emissions.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the sulfur concentration of the fuel used is acquired when changing the lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine. Then, a fuel sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the fuel used to the sulfur concentration of the reference fuel is acquired. Then, the acquired value of the parameter is corrected based on the sulfur concentration ratio, and then the corrected acquired value corrected based on the fuel sulfur concentration ratio is accumulated. When it is determined that the accumulated value of the corrected acquired value is equal to or greater than a preset parameter threshold value, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricating oil used. This makes it possible to prompt the driver to change the lubricating oil at an appropriate lubricating oil change time that takes into account not only the sulfur concentration of the lubricating oil used but also the sulfur concentration of the fuel used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a lubricant oil change warning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a lubricant oil sulfur concentration data table stored in the EEPROM of the control device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a fuel sulfur concentration data table stored in the EEPROM of the control device. [Figure 4] 4 is a main flowchart showing an example of a lubricant oil change warning process executed by the control device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lubricant oil change request image for requesting a change of lubricant oil. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lubricant type input screen for inputting the type of lubricant that has been replaced. [Figure 7] 5 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the lubricant oil change necessity determination process of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 8 is a first sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the soak count integration process of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a second sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the soak count integration process of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a soak time. [Figure 11]8 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the NOx amount integration process of FIG. 7. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a water temperature correction coefficient map indicating a water temperature correction coefficient with respect to a cooling water temperature; [Figure 13] 8 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the engine operating time integration process of FIG. 7; [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an acceleration correction coefficient map indicating an acceleration correction coefficient with respect to the acceleration of a vehicle; [Figure 15] 8 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the traveling distance integration process of FIG. 7. [Figure 16] 8 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a sub-process of the replacement necessity determination process of FIG. 7. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a different part of the lubricant change warning process executed by the control device according to the first alternative embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fuel type input screen for inputting the type of fuel (diesel) used, which is displayed on a display by the control device according to the other first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] A detailed description will be given below of an embodiment of a lubricant change warning device according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the lubricant change warning device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the lubricant change warning device 1 mounted on a vehicle V1 is composed of an internal combustion engine 11, a control device 50, a vehicle speed detection device 32, an acceleration sensor 33, a display 35 with a touch panel 36 attached to its screen, an accelerator opening detection device 38, a warning lamp 41, and the like.

[0027] The internal combustion engine 11 is, for example, a diesel engine, and is mounted as a power source for driving the vehicle V1. The internal combustion engine 11 has a plurality of (for example, four) cylinders 13 formed in an engine body 12, and a fuel injection valve 14 is provided in each cylinder 13. Fuel is supplied to each fuel injection valve 14 via a common rail (not shown) and a fuel pipe (not shown), and each fuel injection valve 14 is driven by a control signal from a control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 50 to inject fuel into each cylinder 13.

[0028] The engine body 12 is also provided with a rotation detection device 31 and a cooling water temperature detection device 39. The rotation detection device 31 is, for example, a rotation angle sensor, and outputs a detection signal (for example, a signal with one pulse every 15 degrees of crank angle) corresponding to the rotation speed (engine rotation speed) of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine 11, the rotation angle of the crankshaft (for example, the compression top dead center timing of each cylinder), etc. to the control device 50. The cooling water temperature detection device 39 outputs a detection signal to the control device 50 corresponding to the cooling water temperature of the cooling water circulating in a water jacket provided in the engine body 12.

[0029] An outflow side of an intake manifold 16 is connected to the intake port 15 of each cylinder 13 of the internal combustion engine 11. An outflow side of an intake passage 17 is connected to the inflow side (upstream side) of the intake manifold 16. An intake air flow rate detection device 19 (e.g., an air flow meter) that detects the flow rate of intake air filtered by an air cleaner 18 is provided on the inflow side of the intake passage 17. The intake air flow rate detection device 19 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the flow rate of air taken in by the internal combustion engine 11 to the control device 50. A throttle valve 21 is disposed in the intake passage 17 downstream of the air cleaner 18. The throttle valve 21 is capable of adjusting the opening degree of the intake passage 17 based on a control signal from the control device 50 to adjust the intake air flow rate.

[0030] An inlet side of an exhaust manifold 23 is connected to the exhaust port 22 of each cylinder 13 of the internal combustion engine 11. An inlet side of an exhaust passage 24 is connected to the outlet side of the exhaust manifold 23. An exhaust gas purification device 25 is provided in the exhaust passage 24. Inside the exhaust gas purification device 25, for example, from the upstream side, an oxidation catalyst (DOC: Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) and a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) are provided.

[0031] The exhaust gas purification device 25 constitutes an exhaust gas passage and removes harmful substances contained in the exhaust gas while the exhaust gas passes from the upstream side to the downstream side. For example, an oxidation catalyst (DOC) oxidizes and removes carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), acetaldehyde contained in unburned fuel, and the like contained in the exhaust gas by passing the exhaust gas through a large number of through holes at a predetermined temperature. A DPF collects particulate matter (PM) by passing the exhaust gas from the upstream side and allows only the exhaust gas to flow downstream.

[0032] An exhaust pressure detection device 26 and an exhaust temperature detection device 27 are provided in the exhaust passage 24 upstream of the exhaust gas purification device 25. The exhaust pressure detection device 26 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pressure of the exhaust gas flowing out from the exhaust manifold 23 to the control device 50. The exhaust temperature detection device 27 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust gas purification device 25 to the control device 50.

[0033] In addition, an inlet side of an EGR passage 28 is connected to the exhaust manifold 23. The EGR passage 28 communicates between the exhaust manifold 23 and the intake manifold 16, and is capable of recirculating a portion of the exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold 23 to the intake manifold 16. In addition, an EGR cooler 29 and an EGR valve 30 disposed downstream of the EGR cooler 29 are provided in the EGR passage 28.

[0034] The EGR cooler 29 is a so-called heat exchanger, to which a cooling coolant is supplied and which cools and discharges the EGR gas that has flowed in. The EGR valve 30 adjusts the opening degree of the EGR passage 28 based on a control signal from the control device 50, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the EGR gas that flows from the EGR passage 28 into the intake manifold 16.

[0035] Further, the vehicle speed detection device 32 (e.g., a vehicle speed sensor) is provided on the wheels of the vehicle V1 or on a drive shaft rotating integrally with the wheels, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the vehicle speed of the vehicle V1 to the control device 50. The acceleration sensor 33 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the acceleration of the vehicle V1 to the control device 50. The display 35 displays image information received from the control device 50 on the screen, and acquires position information, etc. pressed by a finger or the like on the screen via a touch panel 36 arranged on the screen, and outputs the information to the control device 50. The accelerator opening detection device 38 (e.g., an accelerator opening sensor) outputs a detection signal corresponding to the opening of the accelerator operated by the driver (i.e., the load required by the driver) to the control device 50.

[0036] The control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 50 is a known device equipped with a CPU 50A, a RAM 50B, an EEPROM 50C, a ROM 50D, a timer 50E, etc. The CPU 50A executes various arithmetic processing based on various programs and maps stored in the EEPROM 50C or the ROM 50D. The RAM 50B temporarily stores the results of the calculations performed by the CPU 50A and data input from each detection device, and the EEPROM 50C stores, for example, data to be saved when the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped.

[0037] The control device 50 receives the detection signal from the intake air flow rate detection device 19 (e.g., an air flow meter), the detection signal from the rotation detection device 31, the detection signal from the vehicle speed detection device 32, the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 33, the detection signal from the accelerator opening detection device 38, and the detection signal from the cooling water temperature detection device 39. The control device 50 also receives the detection signal from the exhaust pressure detection device 26 and the detection signal from the exhaust temperature detection device 27 described above.

[0038] The control device 50 can detect the operating state of the internal combustion engine 11 based on these input detection signals. The control device 50 also outputs a control signal for controlling the amount of fuel injected from each fuel injection valve 14 into each cylinder 13 of the internal combustion engine 11 in response to a request from the driver based on the detected operating state of the internal combustion engine 11 and a detection signal from the accelerator opening detection device 38. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the control device 50 can turn on / off a warning lamp 41 that turns on when it is determined that the used lubricant needs to be replaced, as described later. The warning lamp 41 and the display 35 are provided, for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle V1.

[0039] The EEPROM 50C also has a sulfur concentration data table storage unit 501 for storing a lubricant oil sulfur concentration data table 55 shown in Fig. 2 and a fuel sulfur concentration data table 56 shown in Fig. 3. The EEPROM 50C also has an accumulated data storage unit 502 for storing a soak count NS (see Fig. 8) described below, an accumulated amount of NOx exhaust WN (see Fig. 10) described below, an accumulated operating time TN (see Fig. 12) of the internal combustion engine (engine) described below, an accumulated mileage LN (see Fig. 14) described below, and the like.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant sulfur concentration data table 55 is composed of "lubricant type" and "sulfur concentration (%)." In "lubricant type," a "reference oil (e.g., "ACEA-C2")" which is a reference lubricant, and the oil names of other lubricants, "Oil A," "Oil B," "Oil C," ... are stored in order. In "sulfur concentration (%)," the sulfur concentration (%) of the lubricant corresponding to each oil name stored in "lubricant type" is stored. For example, "0.30%" is stored in the "sulfur concentration (%)" of the "reference oil."

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel sulfur concentration data table 56 is composed of "diesel type" as a fuel type and "sulfur concentration (%)". In "diesel type", "reference diesel" which is a reference type of diesel, and other diesel fuel names "diesel A", "diesel B", "diesel C", ... are stored in order. In "sulfur concentration (%)", the sulfur concentration (%) of the diesel corresponding to each fuel name stored in "diesel type" is stored. For example, "0.0010%" is stored in "sulfur concentration (%)" of "reference diesel".

[0042] [Lubricant change warning processing] Next, an example of a "lubricant oil change warning process" executed by the control device 50 in the lubricant oil change warning device 1 configured as above, which warns of the need to change the lubricant oil in the internal combustion engine 11, will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 16. The control device 50 repeatedly executes the process procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of several tens to several hundreds of msec) while the internal combustion engine 11 is in operation.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 4, first, in step S11, the control device 50 executes a sub-process of "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see Fig. 5) for determining whether the lubricant used in the internal combustion engine 11 has reached the time to be changed, that is, whether the used lubricant needs to be changed, and then proceeds to the process of step S12. Here, if the control device 50 determines that the used lubricant needs to be changed, it sets the change warning flag to "ON" as described later and stores it in the RAM 50B. On the other hand, if the control device 50 determines that the used lubricant does not need to be changed, it sets the change warning flag to "OFF" as described later and stores it in the RAM 50B (see Fig. 16).

[0044] In step S12, the control device 50 reads the replacement warning flag from the RAM 50B and determines whether or not the replacement warning flag is set to "ON." If it is determined that the replacement warning flag is set to "OFF" (S12: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S13. In step S13, the control device 50 turns off the warning lamp 41 and then ends the process. As a result, if the lubricating oil used in the internal combustion engine 11 has not yet reached the time to be replaced, the warning lamp 41 is turned off.

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined that the change warning flag is set to "ON" (S12: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S14. In step S14, the control device 50 turns on the warning lamp 41, and then proceeds to the process of step S15. In step S15, the control device 50 displays a "lubricant change request image" on the display 35 to prompt the driver to change the lubricant used, and then proceeds to the process of step S16.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 50 displays a message in large letters in the center of the screen of the display 35 urging the driver to change the used lubricant, saying "Please change the oil!!". The control device 50 also displays an oil change completion button 35A below the message on the screen of the display 35. When the driver presses the oil change completion button 35A with a finger 61 after completing the change of the used lubricant, the display 35 acquires position information of the oil change completion button 35A pressed by the finger 61 via the touch panel 36 and outputs the position information to the control device 50. When the position information of the oil change completion button 35A is input from the display 35, the control device 50 determines that the driver has completed the change of the used lubricant.

[0047] 4, in step S16, the control device 50 determines whether or not the oil change completion button 35A displayed on the display 35 has been pressed with the finger 61. If it is determined that the oil change completion button 35A displayed on the display 35 has not been pressed with the finger 61 (S16: NO), the control device 50 ends the process. In other words, the control device 50 waits for the completion of the change of the used lubricant while displaying the "lubricant change request image" on the display 35.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined that the oil change completion button 35A displayed on the display 35 has been pressed by the finger 61, that is, if it is determined that the driver has completed changing the used lubricant (S16: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the processing of step S17. In step S17, the control device 50 displays a lubricant type input screen on the display 35 for inputting the name of the type of lubricant that has been replaced. Then, the control device 50 determines whether the name of the type of lubricant that has been replaced has been input via the touch panel 36 of the display 35.

[0049] Then, when it is determined that the type name of the replaced lubricant has not been input from the display 35 (S17: NO), the control device 50 waits for the type name of the replaced lubricant to be input from the display 35. On the other hand, when it is determined that the type name of the replaced lubricant has been input from the display 35 (S17: YES), the control device 50 stores the type name of the lubricant input from the display 35 in the RAM 50B as the type name of the replaced lubricant, and then proceeds to the processing of step S18.

[0050] Here, an example of the lubricant type input screen will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 50 displays a message requesting the driver to select the type name of the lubricant used and replaced, for example, a message saying "Which oil was replaced?", at the top of the screen of the display 35. The control device 50 then displays a plurality of lubricant type names, for example, "Reference oil (for example, ACEA-C2)", "Oil A", "Oil B", "Oil C", etc., arranged vertically below the message on the screen of the display 35. The control device 50 also displays a circular selection mark 35B to the left of each lubricant type name on the screen of the display 35. The control device 50 also displays an OK button 35C in the lower right corner of the screen of the display 35.

[0051] Then, when the driver presses the name of the type of lubricant that has been replaced with his finger 61, the display 35 acquires and stores the position information of the type of lubricant pressed with the finger 61 via the touch panel 36. The display 35 then displays a black circle in the selection mark 35B displayed to the left of the pressed type of lubricant to notify the driver that it has been selected. Thereafter, when the driver presses the OK button 35C with his finger 61, the display 35 outputs the type of lubricant that has the black circle in the selection mark 35B as the type of lubricant that has been replaced to the control device 50, and then displays the initial screen.

[0052] 4, in step S18, the control device 50 reads the type name of the replaced lubricant from the RAM 50B. Then, the control device 50 reads the type name of the lubricant as the "lubricant type" and the corresponding "sulfur concentration (%)" from the lubricant sulfur concentration data table 55 stored in the sulfur concentration data table storage unit 501 of the EEPROM 50C, stores it in the RAM 50B as the sulfur concentration (%) of the used lubricant, and then proceeds to the processing of step S19.

[0053] In step S19, the control device 50 reads out the "sulfur concentration (%)" corresponding to the "lubricant type" of "reference oil" from the lubricant sulfur concentration data table 55 stored in the sulfur concentration data table memory unit 501 of the EEPROM 50C, and stores it in RAM 50B as the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference lubricant.

[0054] Then, the control device 50 again reads out the sulfur concentration (%) of the used lubricant and the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference lubricant from the RAM 50B, calculates the sulfur concentration ratio CR of the sulfur concentration (%) of the used lubricant to the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference lubricant, and stores it in the EEPROM 50C. That is, the control device 50 divides the sulfur concentration (%) of the used lubricant by the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference lubricant to calculate the sulfur concentration ratio CR, stores it in the EEPROM 50C, and then proceeds to the processing of step S20.

[0055] In step S20, the control device 50 reads out the soak count NS (see FIG. 8), the accumulated amount of NOx exhaust WN (see FIG. 10), the accumulated operating time TN (see FIG. 12) of the internal combustion engine 11 (engine), and the accumulated mileage LN (see FIG. 14) from the accumulated data storage unit 502, initializes (resets) each of them, stores them again in the accumulated data storage unit 502, and then proceeds to the process of step S21. In step S21, the control device 50 reads out the replacement warning flag from the RAM 50B, sets it to "OFF", stores it again in the RAM 50B, and then terminates the process.

[0056] [Lubricant oil change necessity determination process] Next, the sub-processing of the "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" executed by the control device 50 in the above step S11 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, first, in step S31, the control device 50 reads the change warning flag from the RAM 50B and determines whether it is set to "OFF". In other words, the control device 50 determines whether the warning lamp 41 is turned off and the "lubricant oil change request image" is not displayed on the display 35.

[0057] Then, when it is determined that the change warning flag is set to "ON" (S31: NO), the control device 50 ends the sub-processing, returns to the main flowchart, and proceeds to the processing of step S12. In other words, the control device 50 determines that the warning lamp 41 is turned on and the "lubricant change request image" is displayed on the display 35, ends the sub-processing, returns to the main flowchart, and proceeds to the processing of step S12.

[0058] On the other hand, when it is determined that the replacement warning flag is set to "OFF" (S31: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S32. That is, the control device 50 determines that the warning lamp 41 is turned off and the "lubricant oil replacement request image" is not displayed on the display 35, and proceeds to the process of step S32. In step S32, the control device 50 executes a sub-process of "soak number of times accumulation process" (to be described later) that accumulates the number of soaks from the replacement of the used lubricant to the present (see FIG. 8), and then proceeds to the process of step S33. In step S33, the control device 50 executes a sub-process of "NOx amount accumulation process" (to be described later) that accumulates the amount of NOx discharged from the replacement of the used lubricant to the present (see FIG. 11), and then proceeds to the process of step S34.

[0059] In step S34, the control device 50 executes a sub-process of "engine operation time accumulation process" (see FIG. 13) described below for accumulating the operation time of the internal combustion engine 11 from when the used lubricant was replaced to the present, and then proceeds to the process of step S35. In step S35, the control device 50 executes a sub-process of "mileage accumulation process" (see FIG. 15) described below for accumulating the mileage of the vehicle V1 from when the used lubricant was replaced to the present, and then proceeds to the process of step S36. In step S36, the control device 50 executes a sub-process of "replacement necessity determination process" (see FIG. 16) described below for determining whether or not it is time to replace the used lubricant, and then ends the sub-process, returns to the main flowchart, and proceeds to the process of step S12.

[0060] [Soak count calculation process] Next, the sub-processing of the "soak count accumulation process" executed by the control device 50 in step S32 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. As shown in Figure 8, first, in step S101, the control device 50 reads out a soak flag indicating that the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped from the RAM 50B, and determines whether the soak flag is set to "OFF". If it is determined that the soak flag is set to "ON" (S101: NO), the control device 50 determines that the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped, and proceeds to the process of step S104 described below.

[0061] On the other hand, when it is determined that the soak flag is set to "OFF" (S101: YES), the control device 50 determines that the internal combustion engine 11 is not stopped, and proceeds to the process of step S102. In step S102, the control device 50 determines whether the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped. Specifically, the control device 50 determines whether the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" based on the detection signal input from the rotation detection device 31. Then, when it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 is not stopped, that is, when it is determined that the engine speed has not become "0 [rpm]" (S102: NO), the control device 50 ends the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S33 of the sub-processing of "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0062] On the other hand, when it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped, that is, when it is determined that the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" (S102: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S103. In step S103, the control device 50 reads out a soak flag indicating that the internal combustion engine 11 is stopped from the RAM 50B, sets the soak flag to "ON", and stores it again in the RAM 50B. The control device 50 also reads out a soak count flag indicating that the number of soaks has been counted in this process from the RAM 50B, sets the soak count flag to "OFF", and stores it again in the RAM 50B. When the control device 50 has counted the number of soaks NS as described below, the control device 50 sets the soak count flag to "ON" (see step S110).

[0063] The control device 50 also reads out the soak time ST, which indicates the time that has elapsed since the internal combustion engine 11 was stopped, from the RAM 50B, initializes the soak time ST, i.e., assigns "0" to the soak time ST, stores it again in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S104. In step S104, the control device 50 detects the cooling water temperature TW based on the detection signal input from the cooling water temperature detection device 39, stores it in chronological order in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S105.

[0064] In step S105, the control device 50 reads from the RAM 50B the first stored cooling water temperature TW1 when the internal combustion engine 11 was stopped and the current cooling water temperature TW detected in step S104. The control device 50 also reads a water temperature change threshold ΔTS (for example, ΔTS=30°C to 40°C) from the EEPROM 50C. The control device 50 then determines whether the water temperature change obtained by subtracting the current cooling water temperature TW from the cooling water temperature TW1 is equal to or greater than the water temperature change threshold ΔTS. The water temperature change threshold ΔTS is pre-stored in the EEPROM 50C.

[0065] If it is determined that the amount of water temperature change obtained by subtracting the current cooling water temperature TW from the cooling water temperature TW1 is less than the water temperature change threshold ΔTS (S105: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S111 described below. On the other hand, if it is determined that the amount of water temperature change obtained by subtracting the current cooling water temperature TW from the cooling water temperature TW1 is equal to or greater than the water temperature change threshold ΔTS (S105: YES), the control device 50 determines that the cooling water temperature TW of the cooling water of the internal combustion engine 11 has sufficiently decreased, and proceeds to the process of step S106.

[0066] In step S106, the control device 50 reads out from the RAM 50B a soak time ST that indicates the elapsed time since the internal combustion engine 11 was stopped. Then, the control device 50 adds to this soak time ST a cycle processing time ΔTN (for example, ΔTN=several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) that has elapsed since the sub-processing (see FIG. 7) of the "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" was executed last time until it is executed this time, stores the result in the RAM 50B again, and then proceeds to the process of step S107.

[0067] Here, the soak time ST, which indicates the elapsed time since the internal combustion engine 11 was stopped, will be described with reference to Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the soak time ST is the elapsed time from the time T1 at which the cooling water temperature at the time the internal combustion engine 11 (engine) was stopped dropped by the water temperature change threshold ΔTS to the time T2 at which the cooling water temperature of the internal combustion engine 11 exceeds the water temperature change threshold ΔTS.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 8, in step S107, the control device 50 reads the soak time ST again from the RAM 50B. The control device 50 also reads the soak time threshold STD (e.g., 8 [hours]) from the EEPROM 50C. The control device 50 then determines whether the soak time ST is equal to or greater than the soak time threshold STD. The soak time threshold STD is pre-stored in the EEPROM 50C.

[0069] If it is determined that the soak time ST is less than the soak time threshold STD (S107: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S111 described below. On the other hand, if it is determined that the soak time ST is equal to or greater than the soak time threshold STD (S107: YES), the control device 50 determines that the soak time ST is a sufficiently long stop time, and proceeds to the process of step S108.

[0070] In step S108, the control device 50 reads out from the RAM 50B a soak count flag indicating that the number of soaks has been counted in the current process, and determines whether the soak count flag is set to "OFF." That is, the control device 50 determines whether the number of soaks has not yet been counted in the current process. If the control device 50 determines that the soak count flag is set to "ON," that is, if the control device 50 determines that the number of soaks has already been counted in the current process (S108: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S111, which will be described later.

[0071] On the other hand, when it is determined that the soak count flag is set to "OFF", that is, when it is determined that the soak count has not yet been counted in the current process (S108: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S109. In step S109, the control device 50 reads the soak count NS, which indicates the number of times the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped for the soak time threshold STD or more, from the integrated data storage unit 502. The control device 50 also reads the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in the above step S19 from the EEPROM 50C. Then, the control device 50 adds a value (corrected number of times) obtained by multiplying "1 [time]" by the sulfur concentration ratio CR to the soak count NS, and then stores the soak count NS again in the integrated data storage unit 502, and then proceeds to the process of step S110.

[0072] In step S110, the controller 50 reads out from the RAM 50B a soak count flag indicating that the number of soaks has been counted in this process, sets the soak count flag to "ON", stores it again in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S111.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 9, in step S111, the control device 50 determines whether the internal combustion engine 11 has started. Specifically, the control device 50 determines whether the engine speed has exceeded "0 [rpm]" based on the detection signal input from the rotation detection device 31. Then, when it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 has not started, that is, when it is determined that the engine speed is "0 [rpm]" (S111: NO), the control device 50 ends the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S33 of the sub-processing of "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" (see Fig. 7).

[0074] On the other hand, if it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 has started, that is, if it is determined that the engine speed has exceeded "0 [rpm]" (S111: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to processing in step S112. In step S112, the control device 50 reads the soak flag from the RAM 50B, sets the soak flag to "OFF", stores it again in the RAM 50B, and then ends the sub-processing and proceeds to sub-processing of step S33 of the sub-processing of "lubricant change necessity determination processing" (see FIG. 7).

[0075] [NOx amount accumulation processing] Next, the sub-processing of the "NOx amount integration process" executed by the control device 50 in the above step S33 will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. As shown in Fig. 11, first, in step S121, the control device 50 judges whether the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped. Specifically, the control device 50 judges whether the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" based on the detection signal input from the rotation detection device 31. Then, when it is judged that the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped, that is, when it is judged that the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" (S121: YES), the control device 50 ends the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S34 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" (see Fig. 7).

[0076] On the other hand, if it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 is not stopped, that is, if it is determined that the engine speed is not "0 [rpm]" (S121: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S122. In step S122, the control device 50 detects each parameter such as the engine speed NE, the accelerator opening θA, the cooling water temperature TW, etc., and stores them in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S123.

[0077] Specifically, the control device 50 detects the engine speed NE based on a detection signal from the rotation detection device 31 and stores it in the RAM 50B. The control device 50 also detects the accelerator opening θA based on a detection signal from the accelerator opening detection device 38 and stores it in the RAM 50B. The control device 50 also detects the coolant temperature TW of the coolant based on a detection signal from the coolant temperature detection device 39 and stores it in the RAM 50B.

[0078] In step S123, the control device 50 multiplies the amount of NOx emitted from the internal combustion engine 11 per unit time [g / sec] by the cycle processing time ΔTN (for example, ΔTN = several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) that has elapsed since the last time the sub-processing of the "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" (see Figure 7) was executed until it is executed this time, to calculate the amount of NOx emitted ΔWN [g] during the cycle processing time ΔTN, store this in RAM 50B, and then proceed to processing in step S124.

[0079] The amount of NOx [g / sec] emitted from the internal combustion engine 11 per unit time is calculated, for example, by searching a predetermined NOx emission map (not shown) based on the engine speed NE and the fuel injection amount indicating the combustion state of the engine. The NOx emission map is obtained by experiment or the like and stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C. Here, the fuel injection amount is calculated by searching a predetermined map based on the engine speed NE and the target torque. Also, the target torque is calculated by searching a predetermined map based on the accelerator opening θA and the engine speed NE. Therefore, per unit time The amount of NOx emitted from the internal combustion engine 11[g / sec] is calculated based on the engine speed NE and the accelerator opening θA obtained in step S122.

[0080] In step S124, the control device 50 reads out the coolant temperature TW acquired in step S122 from the RAM 50B, calculates the coolant temperature correction coefficient WR corresponding to the coolant temperature TW from a water temperature correction coefficient map M1 shown in Fig. 12, stores it in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S125. Here, the higher the coolant temperature TW, the greater the amount of NOx discharged from the internal combustion engine 11 per unit time [g / sec], and the more the deterioration of the lubricating oil used progresses. Therefore, the coolant temperature correction coefficient WR is set to increase as the coolant temperature TW increases. The water temperature correction coefficient map M1 is acquired by experiment or the like and stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C.

[0081] In step S125, the control device 50 reads out from the integrated data storage unit 502 the integrated amount WN of discharged NOx, which indicates the amount of NOx discharged by the internal combustion engine 11 from when the used lubricant oil was replaced until the sub-processing of the "NOx amount integration process" was last executed. The control device 50 also reads out from the RAM 50B the amount of discharged NOx ΔWN stored in the above step S123 and the cooling water temperature correction coefficient WR stored in the above step S124. The control device 50 also reads out from the EEPROM 50C the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in the above step S19.

[0082] Then, the control device 50 adds a value (corrected NOx amount) obtained by multiplying the exhaust NOx amount ΔWN by the cooling water temperature correction coefficient WR and the sulfur concentration ratio CR to the exhaust NOx accumulated amount WN, and then stores the exhaust NOx accumulated amount WN again in the accumulated data storage unit 502. Thereafter, the control device 50 ends the sub-processing, and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S34 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0083] [Engine operating time calculation process] Next, the sub-processing of the "engine operating time integration process" executed by the control device 50 in step S34 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. As shown in Fig. 13, first, in step S131, the control device 50 judges whether the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped. Specifically, the control device 50 judges whether the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" based on the detection signal input from the rotation detection device 31. Then, when it is judged that the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped, that is, when it is judged that the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" (S131: YES), the control device 50 ends the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S35 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see Fig. 7).

[0084] On the other hand, if it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 is not stopped, that is, if it is determined that the engine speed is not "0 [rpm]" (S131: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S132. In step S132, the control device 50 calculates the acceleration α of the vehicle V1 based on the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 33 and stores it in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S133.

[0085] In step S133, the control device 50 reads out the acceleration α acquired in step S132 from the RAM 50B, calculates an acceleration correction coefficient HT corresponding to the acceleration α from an acceleration correction coefficient map M2 shown in Fig. 14, stores the calculated acceleration correction coefficient HT in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to processing in step S134. Here, the larger the acceleration α, the larger the amount of NOx discharged from the internal combustion engine 11 per unit time [g / sec], and the more the deterioration of the lubricating oil used progresses. Therefore, the acceleration correction coefficient HT is set to increase as the acceleration α increases. The acceleration correction coefficient map M2 is acquired by experiment or the like and stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C.

[0086] In step S134, the control device 50 reads out the accumulated operating time TN of the internal combustion engine 11 (engine), which indicates the operating time of the internal combustion engine 11 from when the used lubricant oil was replaced until the sub-processing of the "engine operating time accumulation process" was previously executed, from the accumulated data storage unit 502. The control device 50 also reads out the acceleration correction coefficient HT stored in the above step S133 from the RAM 50B. The control device 50 also reads out the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in the above step S19 from the EEPROM 50C.

[0087] Then, the control device 50 calculates a value (corrected operating time) by multiplying the cycle processing time ΔTN (for example, ΔTN = several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) that has elapsed since the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7) was last executed until the sub-processing is executed this time by the sulfur concentration ratio CR. Next, the control device 50 further calculates a value (acceleration corrected operating time) by multiplying this corrected operating time by the acceleration correction coefficient HT. Then, the control device 50 adds this acceleration corrected operating time to the integrated operating time TN, and then stores the integrated operating time TN in the integrated data storage unit 502 again. Thereafter, the control device 50 ends the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S35 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0088] [Distance calculation processing] Next, the sub-processing of the "mileage accumulation process" executed by the control device 50 in the above step S35 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, first, in step S141, the control device 50 judges whether the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped. Specifically, the control device 50 judges whether the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" based on the detection signal input from the rotation detection device 31. Then, when it is judged that the internal combustion engine 11 has stopped, that is, when it is judged that the engine speed has become "0 [rpm]" (S141: YES), the control device 50 ends the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S36 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0089] On the other hand, if it is determined that the internal combustion engine 11 is not stopped, that is, if it is determined that the engine speed is not "0 [rpm]" (S141: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S142. In step S142, the control device 50 calculates the vehicle speed VN of the vehicle V1 based on the detection signal from the vehicle speed detection device 32 and stores it in the RAM 50B, and then proceeds to the process of step S143.

[0090] In step S143, the control device 50 reads out from the integrated data storage unit 502 the integrated mileage LN indicating the mileage traveled by the vehicle V1 from when the used lubricant was replaced until the sub-processing of the "mileage integration process" was last executed. The control device 50 also reads out from the RAM 50B the vehicle speed VN stored in step S142. The control device 50 also reads out from the EEPROM 50C the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in step S19.

[0091] Then, the control device 50 adds a value (corrected mileage) obtained by multiplying the vehicle speed VN and the sulfur concentration ratio CR to the accumulated mileage LN by the cycle processing time ΔTN (for example, ΔTN = several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) that has elapsed since the previous execution of the sub-processing of the "lubricating oil change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7), to the current execution thereof, and then stores the accumulated mileage LN again in the accumulated data storage unit 502, and then terminates the sub-processing and proceeds to the sub-processing of step S36 of the sub-processing of the "lubricating oil change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0092] [Replacement necessity determination process] Next, the sub-processing of the "replacement necessity determination process" executed by the control device 50 in step S36 above will be described with reference to Fig. 16. As shown in Fig. 16, first, in step S151, the control device 50 reads out the soak count NS stored in step S109 above from the integrated data storage unit 502, and also reads out the soak count threshold NSD (for example, 1000 to 3000 times) from the EEPROM 50C. Next, the control device 50 determines whether the soak count NS is equal to or greater than the soak count threshold NSD. The soak count threshold NSD is obtained by an experiment using a reference oil, or the like, and is stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C.

[0093] Then, when it is determined that the soak count NS is equal to or greater than the soak count threshold NSD (S151: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S152. In step S152, the control device 50 reads out the accumulated amount of discharged NOx WN stored in step S125 from the accumulated data storage unit 502, and also reads out the discharged NOx amount threshold WND (e.g., about 1800 [g]) from the EEPROM 50C. Next, the control device 50 determines whether the accumulated amount of discharged NOx WN is equal to or greater than the discharged NOx amount threshold WND. The discharged NOx amount threshold WND is obtained by an experiment using a reference oil, or the like, and is stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C.

[0094] Then, when it is determined that the accumulated amount of discharged NOx WN is equal to or greater than the threshold amount of discharged NOx WND (S152: YES), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S153. In step S153, the control device 50 determines that it is time to change the used lubricant, reads the change warning flag from the RAM 50B, sets the change warning flag to "ON", and stores it again in the RAM 50B. Thereafter, the control device 50 ends the sub-processing, returns to the sub-processing of "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7), and proceeds to the process of step S12 of the above-mentioned "lubricant change warning process" (see FIG. 4).

[0095] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S151 that the soak count NS is less than the soak count threshold NSD (S151: NO), or if it is determined in step S152 that the accumulated amount of discharged NOx WN is less than the exhausted NOx amount threshold WND (S152: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S154. In step S154, the control device 50 reads out the accumulated operating time TN of the internal combustion engine 11 (engine) stored in step S134 from the accumulated data storage unit 502, and also reads out the operating time threshold TND (for example, 250 to 300 [hours]) from the EEPROM 50C.

[0096] Next, the control device 50 judges whether the cumulative operating time TN is equal to or greater than the operating time threshold TND. The operating time threshold TND is obtained by an experiment using a reference oil, and is stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C. If it is judged that the cumulative operating time TN is equal to or greater than the operating time threshold TND (S154: YES), the control device 50 judges that it is time to change the lubricating oil used, and executes the processes in and after step S153.

[0097] On the other hand, when it is determined that the accumulated operating time TN is less than the operating time threshold TND (S154: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S155. In step S155, the control device 50 reads out the accumulated mileage LN stored in step S143 from the accumulated data storage unit 502, and also reads out the mileage threshold LND (for example, 8000 to 10000 [km]) from the EEPROM 50C.

[0098] Next, the control device 50 judges whether the cumulative mileage LN is equal to or greater than the mileage threshold LND. The mileage threshold LND is obtained by an experiment using a reference oil, and is stored in advance in the EEPROM 50C. If it is judged that the cumulative mileage LN is equal to or greater than the mileage threshold LND (S155: YES), the control device 50 judges that it is time to change the lubricant oil in use, and executes the processes from step S153 onward.

[0099] On the other hand, when it is determined that the accumulated mileage LN is less than the mileage threshold LND (S155: NO), the control device 50 proceeds to the process of step S156. In step S156, the control device 50 determines that it is not time to change the lubricant used, reads the change warning flag from the RAM 50B, sets the change warning flag to "OFF", and stores it again in the RAM 50B. Thereafter, the control device 50 ends the sub-processing, returns to the sub-processing of "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7), and proceeds to the process of step S12 of the above-mentioned "lubricant change warning process" (see FIG. 4).

[0100] Here, the EEPROM 50C functions as an example of a sulfur concentration storage device. The control device 50, the display 35, and the touch panel 36 constitute an example of a sulfur concentration acquisition device. The control device 50, the display 35, and the warning lamp 41 constitute an example of an alarm device. The control device 50 and the coolant temperature detection device 39 constitute an example of a coolant temperature acquisition device. The control device 50 and the acceleration sensor 33 constitute an example of an acceleration acquisition device. The control device 50 and the vehicle speed detection device 32 constitute an example of a mileage acquisition device.

[0101] The control device 50 functions as an example of a sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device, a parameter acquisition device, an accumulation device, a judgment device, a soak time acquisition device, a NOx amount acquisition device, a soak time judgment device, a soak number accumulation device, a NOx amount accumulation device, a soak number / NOx amount judgment device, a water temperature correction coefficient acquisition device, an operating time acquisition device, an operating time accumulation device, an operating time judgment device, an acceleration correction coefficient acquisition device, a mileage accumulation device, and a mileage judgment device.

[0102] As described above in detail, the lubricant oil change warning device 1 according to this embodiment acquires the soak time ST, which is the elapsed time from the end of operation of the internal combustion engine 11 to the start of operation of the internal combustion engine 11. Then, when it is determined that this soak time ST is equal to or greater than the preset soak time threshold value STD, the number of corrections is calculated by multiplying one time by the sulfur concentration ratio CR, and is integrated into the soak number of times NS.

[0103] In addition, the amount of NOx discharged ΔWN discharged from the internal combustion engine 11 is acquired at predetermined time intervals, and the amount of NOx discharged ΔWN is multiplied by the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the cooling water temperature correction coefficient WR to calculate a corrected amount of NOx. Then, this corrected amount of NOx is integrated into the accumulated amount of NOx discharged WN. After that, if it is determined that the number of soaks NS is equal to or greater than the preset soak number threshold NSD and the accumulated amount of NOx discharged WN is equal to or greater than the threshold WND of the amount of NOx discharged, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricating oil used.

[0104] As a result, the number of soaks NS and the accumulated amount of NOx emissions WN are corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio CR, so even if the base number of the lubricant in use decreases more rapidly than the base number would decrease if the reference oil were used as the reference lubricant, the deterioration of the lubricant in use can be properly determined and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant.

[0105] In addition, since the corrected NOx amount is calculated by multiplying the NOx emission amount ΔWN by the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the cooling water temperature correction coefficient WR, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined by further considering the decrease in base number according to the lubricant temperature, and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. In turn, it is possible to suppress corrosion wear of each part (e.g., bearings, etc.) of the internal combustion engine 11 and deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc., caused by the lubricant, and it is also possible to suppress blockage of the piping of the EGR cooler 29 and sticking of the EGR valve 30, thereby reducing the amount of NOx emissions.

[0106] In addition, the cycle processing time ΔTN that has elapsed since the sub-processing of the "lubricant oil change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7) was last executed until the current execution is performed is multiplied by the sulfur concentration ratio CR to calculate a corrected operating time. The corrected operating time is then multiplied by an acceleration correction coefficient HT to calculate an acceleration corrected operating time, which is then integrated into the accumulated operating time TN. Next, if it is determined that the accumulated operating time TN is equal to or greater than a preset operating time threshold TND, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricant oil being used.

[0107] As a result, since the cumulative operating time TN is corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the acceleration correction coefficient HT, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the reference lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined in consideration of the decrease in base number according to the acceleration α of the vehicle V1, and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. In turn, it is possible to suppress corrosion wear of the various parts (e.g., bearings, etc.) of the internal combustion engine 11, deterioration of rubber and plastic parts, etc. caused by the lubricant, and it is possible to suppress blockage of the piping of the EGR cooler 29, sticking of the EGR valve 30, etc., and reduce NOx emissions.

[0108] In addition, the mileage of the vehicle V1 from when it starts to run until when it stops is acquired. Then, the mileage is multiplied by the sulfur concentration ratio CR to calculate a corrected mileage, which is then integrated into the cumulative mileage LN. If it is determined that the cumulative mileage LN is equal to or greater than a preset mileage threshold LND, a notification is issued that it is time to change the lubricating oil used.

[0109] As a result, since the cumulative mileage LN is corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio CR, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the reference lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. In turn, it is possible to suppress corrosion wear of the various parts (e.g., bearings, etc.) of the internal combustion engine 11 and deterioration of rubber and plastic parts caused by the lubricant, and it is also possible to suppress blockage of the piping of the EGR cooler 29 and sticking of the EGR valve 30, thereby reducing NOx emissions.

[0110] The numerical values ​​used in the description of the above embodiment are merely examples and are not limited to these numerical values. Furthermore, terms such as "greater than or equal to (≧)," "less than or equal to (≦)," "greater than (>)," and "less than (<)" may or may not include an equal sign.

[0111] The lubricant change warning device of the present invention is not limited to the configuration, structure, appearance, shape, processing procedure, etc. described in the above embodiment, and various changes, improvements, additions, and deletions are possible within the scope of the present invention. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the internal combustion engine 11, etc. according to the above embodiment in Figures 1 to 16 indicate the same or corresponding parts as those of the internal combustion engine 11, etc. according to the above embodiment.

[0112] [Another First Embodiment] (A) For example, as shown in Fig. 17, the control device 50 according to another first embodiment may execute the process of step S19 (see Fig. 4) above, execute the processes of steps S211 to S213, and then proceed to the process of step S20 above. Specifically, in step S211, the control device 50 displays on the display 35 a fuel type input screen for inputting the type of fuel (diesel) being used. Then, the control device 50 may determine whether or not the type of fuel being used has been input via the touch panel 36 of the display 35.

[0113] Then, when it is determined that the type of fuel being used has not been input from the display 35 (S211: NO), the control device 50 waits for the name of the type of fuel being replaced to be input from the display 35. On the other hand, when it is determined that the name of the type of fuel being used has been input from the display 35 (S211: YES), the control device 50 may store the name of the type of fuel being used input from the display 35 in the RAM 50B, and then proceed to the processing of step S212.

[0114] Here, an example of the fuel type input screen will be described with reference to FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 18, the control device 50 displays a message, such as "Which fuel are you using?", at the top of the screen of the display 35, requesting the driver to select the type name of the fuel being used. The control device 50 then displays a plurality of types of fuel being used, such as "Standard diesel (standard fuel)", "Diesel A", "Diesel B", "Diesel C", etc., in a vertical line below the message on the screen of the display 35. The control device 50 also displays a circular selection mark 65B to the left of each type name of the fuel being used on the screen of the display 35. The control device 50 also displays an OK button 65C in the lower right corner of the screen of the display 35.

[0115] Then, when the driver presses the name of the type of fuel (diesel) being used with his finger 61, the display 35 acquires and stores the position information of the name of the type of fuel pressed with the finger 61 via the touch panel 36. The display 35 then displays a black circle within the selection mark 65B displayed to the left of the pressed name of the type of fuel being used, to notify the driver that it has been selected. Thereafter, when the driver presses the OK button 65C with his finger 61, the display 35 outputs the name of the type of fuel being used, for which a black circle is displayed within the selection mark 65B, to the control device 50 as the name of the type of fuel being used, and then displays the initial screen.

[0116] 17, in step S212, the control device 50 reads the name of the type of fuel being used from the RAM 50B. The control device 50 may then read the name of the type of fuel being used as the "diesel type" and the corresponding "sulfur concentration (%)" from the fuel sulfur concentration data table 56 stored in the sulfur concentration data table storage unit 501 of the EEPROM 50C, store this as the sulfur concentration (%) of the fuel being used in the RAM 50B, and then proceed to the process of step S213.

[0117] In step S213, the control device 50 reads out the "contained sulfur concentration (%)" corresponding to the "light oil type" of "standard light oil (standard fuel)" from the fuel sulfur concentration data table 56 stored in the sulfur concentration data table memory unit 501 of the EEPROM 50C, and stores it in the RAM 50B as the contained sulfur concentration (%) of the standard light oil.

[0118] Then, the control device 50 reads out the sulfur concentration (%) of the fuel used and the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference diesel from the RAM 50B again, calculates the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR of the sulfur concentration (%) of the fuel used to the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference diesel, and stores it in the RAM 50B. That is, the control device 50 may divide the sulfur concentration (%) of the fuel used by the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference diesel to calculate the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR, store it in the EEPROM 50C, and then proceed to the processing of step S20. This allows the control device 50 to obtain the sulfur concentration ratio CR of the sulfur concentration (%) of the lubricant used to the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference lubricant, and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR of the sulfur concentration (%) of the fuel used to the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference diesel.

[0119] Furthermore, in the above step S109 (see FIG. 8), the control device 50 reads out the soak count NS, which indicates the number of times the internal combustion engine 11 has been stopped for the soak time threshold STD or more, from the integrated data storage unit 502. The control device 50 may also read out the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in the above step S19 and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR stored in the above step S213 from the EEPROM 50C. The control device 50 may then add a value (corrected count) obtained by multiplying the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR by "1 time" to the soak count NS, and then store the soak count NS again in the integrated data storage unit 502, before proceeding to the processing of the above step S110.

[0120] Furthermore, in step S125 (see FIG. 11), the control device 50 reads out from the integrated data storage unit 502 the integrated amount WN of discharged NOx, which indicates the amount of NOx discharged by the internal combustion engine 11 from when the used lubricant oil was replaced until the sub-processing of the "NOx amount integration process" was previously executed. The control device 50 also reads out from the RAM 50B the amount of discharged NOx ΔWN stored in step S123 and the cooling water temperature correction coefficient WR stored in step S124. The control device 50 may also read out from the EEPROM 50C the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in step S19 and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR stored in step S213.

[0121] Then, the control device 50 may add a value (corrected NOx amount) obtained by multiplying the exhaust NOx amount ΔWN by the cooling water temperature correction coefficient WR, the sulfur concentration ratio CR, and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR to the exhaust NOx amount WN, and then store the exhaust NOx amount WN again in the integrated data storage unit 502. Thereafter, the control device 50 may end the sub-processing and proceed to the sub-processing of step S34 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0122] Furthermore, in step S134 (see FIG. 13), the control device 50 reads out from the integrated data storage unit 502 the integrated operating time TN of the internal combustion engine 11 (engine), which indicates the operating time of the internal combustion engine 11 from when the used lubricant oil was replaced until the sub-processing of the "engine operating time integration process" was previously executed. The control device 50 also reads out from the RAM 50B the acceleration correction coefficient HT stored in step S133. The control device 50 may also read out from the EEPROM 50C the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in step S19 and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR stored in step S213.

[0123] Then, the control device 50 calculates a value (corrected operating time) by multiplying the cycle processing time ΔTN (for example, ΔTN = several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) that has elapsed since the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7) was last executed until the sub-processing is executed this time by the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR. Next, the control device 50 further calculates a value (acceleration corrected operating time) by multiplying this corrected operating time by an acceleration correction coefficient HT. Then, the control device 50 may add this acceleration corrected operating time to the integrated operating time TN, and then store the integrated operating time TN in the integrated data storage unit 502 again. Thereafter, the control device 50 may end the sub-processing and proceed to the sub-processing of step S35 of the sub-processing of the "lubricant change necessity determination process" (see FIG. 7).

[0124] Furthermore, in step S143 (see FIG. 15), the control device 50 reads from the integrated data storage unit 502 the integrated mileage LN indicating the mileage traveled by the vehicle V1 from when the used lubricant was replaced until the sub-processing of the "mileage integration process" was previously executed. The control device 50 also reads from the RAM 50B the vehicle speed VN stored in step S142. The control device 50 may also read from the EEPROM 50C the sulfur concentration ratio CR stored in step S19 and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR stored in step S213.

[0125] Then, the control device 50 may add a value (corrected mileage) obtained by multiplying the vehicle speed VN, the sulfur concentration ratio CR, and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR to the cycle processing time ΔTN (for example, ΔTN = several tens of msec to several hundreds of msec) that has elapsed since the previous execution of the sub-processing of "processing for determining whether or not to change lubricating oil" (see FIG. 7) until the current execution of the sub-processing, and then store the accumulated mileage LN again in the accumulated data storage unit 502. Thereafter, the control device 50 may end the sub-processing and proceed to the sub-processing of step S36 of the sub-processing of "processing for determining whether or not to change lubricating oil" (see FIG. 7).

[0126] As a result, the number of soaks NS is corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR, and the integrated amount of NOx emissions WN is corrected by the sulfur concentration ratio CR, the coolant temperature correction coefficient WR, and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR. Therefore, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the reference oil is used as the reference lubricant, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined by taking into account the decrease in base number according to the sulfur concentration of the fuel used (diesel), and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant.

[0127] In addition, since the accumulated operating time TN is corrected based on the sulfur concentration ratio CR, the acceleration correction coefficient HT, and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the decrease in base number when a reference lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined by taking into account the decrease in base number according to the acceleration α of the vehicle V1 and the sulfur concentration of the fuel (diesel) used, and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant.

[0128] In addition, since the accumulated mileage LN is corrected based on the sulfur concentration ratio CR and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when a reference lubricant is used, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined taking into account the decrease in base number according to the sulfur concentration of the fuel used (diesel), and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant.

[0129] Here, the EEPROM 50C functions as an example of a fuel sulfur concentration storage device. The control device 50, the display 35, and the touch panel 36 constitute an example of a fuel sulfur concentration acquisition device. The control device 50 functions as an example of a fuel sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device and an integrating device.

[0130] [Another Second Embodiment] (B) For example, when the internal combustion engine 11 is a gasoline engine, the fuel sulfur concentration data table 56 may store "reference gasoline," "gasoline A," "gasoline B," "gasoline C," ... in that order as types of fuel (gasoline), and store the sulfur concentrations of "reference gasoline," "gasoline A," "gasoline B," "gasoline C," ... as "sulfur concentration (%)." In addition, in step S211, the control device 50 may display the names of the types of fuel used, for example, "reference gasoline," "gasoline A," "gasoline B," "gasoline C," ..., lined up vertically on the display 35 (see FIG. 18).

[0131] Then, in the above step S212, the control device 50 may obtain the "contained sulfur concentration (%)" corresponding to the selected fuel used (gasoline) from the fuel sulfur concentration data table 56 and store it in the RAM 50B, and then proceed to the processing of step S213. In step S213, the control device 50 reads out the "contained sulfur concentration (%)" of the "reference gasoline" from the fuel sulfur concentration data table 56. Next, the control device 50 may divide the contained sulfur concentration (%) of the used fuel (gasoline) by the contained sulfur concentration (%) of the reference gasoline to calculate the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR, store it in the EEPROM 50C, and then proceed to the processing of the above step S20.

[0132] This allows the control device 50 to obtain the sulfur concentration ratio CR of the sulfur concentration (%) of the lubricant used to the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference lubricant, and the fuel sulfur concentration ratio FR of the sulfur concentration (%) of the fuel used (gasoline) to the sulfur concentration (%) of the reference gasoline. Therefore, even if the base number of the lubricant used decreases faster than the base number decrease when the reference oil is used as the reference lubricant, the deterioration of the lubricant used can be appropriately determined in consideration of the decrease in base number according to the sulfur concentration of the fuel used (gasoline), and the driver can be prompted to change the lubricant. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1 Lubricating oil change warning device 11 Internal combustion engine 31 Rotation detection device 32 Vehicle speed detection device 33 Acceleration Sensor 35 Display 36 Touch Panel 38 Accelerator opening detection device 39 Cooling water temperature detector 41 Warning Light 50 Control device 50C EEPROM 55 Lubricating Oil Sulfur Concentration Data Table 56 Fuel Sulfur Concentration Data Table 501 Sulfur concentration data table storage unit 502 Accumulation data storage unit

Claims

1. A sulfur concentration storage device that stores the sulfur concentration of each of a plurality of types of lubricating oil including a reference lubricating oil; a sulfur concentration acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration of the lubricating oil used from the sulfur concentration storage device when changing the lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine; A sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the used lubricant to the sulfur concentration of the reference lubricant; a soak time acquisition device that acquires a soak time, which is an elapsed time from the end of operation of the internal combustion engine to the start of operation of the internal combustion engine, at predetermined time intervals; a soak time determination device that determines whether the soak time acquired by the soak time acquisition device is equal to or greater than a preset soak time threshold; a soak count integrating device that, when the soak time determination device determines that the soak time is equal to or greater than the soak time threshold, multiplies the number of soaks (one time) by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected number of times, and calculates the soak count, which is an integrated value obtained by integrating the corrected number of times, only once for one soak period; a NOx amount acquisition device that acquires an amount of NOx emitted by the internal combustion engine at each predetermined time; a NOx amount integrating device that is an integrating device that calculates a corrected NOx amount by multiplying the NOx amount acquired by the NOx amount acquisition device by the sulfur concentration ratio, and calculates an integrated amount of NOx exhaust, which is an integrated value obtained by integrating the corrected NOx amount; a soak count / NOx amount determination device that determines whether the soak count is equal to or greater than a preset soak count threshold and whether the integrated amount of exhaust NOx is equal to or greater than a preset NOx amount threshold; a notification device that notifies the user that it is time to change the lubricating oil when the soak count / NOx amount determination device determines that the soak count is equal to or greater than the soak count threshold and that the integrated amount of NOx exhaust is equal to or greater than the NOx exhaust amount threshold; having Lubricant oil change warning device.

2. In the lubricant oil change warning device according to claim 1, a coolant temperature acquisition device for acquiring a coolant temperature of a coolant circulating in the internal combustion engine; a water temperature correction coefficient acquisition device that acquires a coolant temperature correction coefficient corresponding to the coolant temperature acquired by the coolant temperature acquisition device, the coolant temperature correction coefficient being set to increase as the coolant temperature increases; having The NOx amount integrating device is multiplying the corrected NOx amount by the cooling water temperature correction coefficient acquired by the water temperature correction coefficient acquisition device to calculate a water temperature corrected NOx amount, and calculating the exhaust NOx integrated amount by integrating the water temperature corrected NOx amount in place of the corrected NOx amount; Lubricant oil change warning device.

3. A sulfur concentration storage device that stores the sulfur concentration of each of a plurality of types of lubricating oil including a reference lubricating oil; a sulfur concentration acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration of the lubricating oil used from the sulfur concentration storage device when changing the lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine; A sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the used lubricant to the sulfur concentration of the reference lubricant; an operation time acquisition device that acquires an operation time, which is a time during which the internal combustion engine is operated, at predetermined intervals; An operating time integrating device that multiplies the operating time acquired by the operating time acquisition device by the sulfur concentration ratio to calculate a corrected operating time, and calculates an integrated operating time that is an integrated value obtained by integrating the corrected operating time; an operation time determination device that determines whether the integrated operation time is equal to or greater than a preset operation time threshold; a notification device that notifies the user that it is time to change the lubricating oil when the operation time determination device determines that the accumulated operation time is equal to or greater than the operation time threshold value; having Lubricant oil change warning device.

4. In the lubricant oil change warning device according to claim 3, an acceleration acquisition device that acquires the acceleration of a vehicle; an acceleration correction coefficient acquisition device that acquires an acceleration correction coefficient corresponding to the acceleration acquired by the acceleration acquisition device, the acceleration correction coefficient being set to increase as the acceleration increases; having The operating time integrating device is multiplying the corrected operating time by the acceleration correction coefficient acquired by the acceleration correction coefficient acquisition device to calculate an acceleration corrected operating time, and calculating an integrated operating time by integrating the acceleration corrected operating time into the corrected operating time; Lubricant oil change warning device.

5. A sulfur concentration storage device that stores the sulfur concentration of each of a plurality of types of lubricating oil including a reference lubricating oil; a sulfur concentration acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration of the lubricating oil used from the sulfur concentration storage device when changing the lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine; A sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the used lubricant to the sulfur concentration of the reference lubricant; a mileage acquisition device that acquires a mileage of a vehicle at predetermined time intervals; a mileage integrating device that is an integrating device that calculates a corrected mileage by multiplying the mileage acquired by the mileage acquisition device by the sulfur concentration ratio and calculates an integrated mileage that is an integrated value of the corrected mileage; a mileage determination device that determines whether the accumulated mileage is equal to or greater than a preset mileage threshold; a notification device that notifies a user that it is time to change the lubricating oil when the mileage determination device determines that the accumulated mileage is equal to or greater than the mileage threshold; having Lubricant oil change warning device.

6. The lubricant oil change warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a fuel sulfur concentration storage device that stores the sulfur concentration of each of a plurality of types of fuel including a reference fuel; a fuel sulfur concentration acquisition device that acquires a sulfur concentration of a fuel used from the fuel sulfur concentration storage device when changing lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine; a fuel sulfur concentration ratio acquisition device for acquiring a fuel sulfur concentration ratio of the sulfur concentration of the used fuel to the sulfur concentration of the reference fuel; Equipped with The integrating device is When calculating the integrated value, the integrated value is corrected by multiplying the sulfur concentration ratio, and then further multiplied by the fuel sulfur concentration ratio to integrate. Lubricant oil change warning device.

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