System and method for determining the state of alteration of a vehicular liquid

Abstract

Analysing system (1) for determining a state of alteration of a vehicle liquid. The analysing system comprises test-sticks that contain a sample of vehicle liquid (CL) and are provided with an electrical circuit (5) configured so as to be in contact with the sample of vehicle liquid loaded / deposited in the test-stick itself (2). The analysing system (1) further comprises an analysing instrument (3) which is configured so as to determine / measure, via the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick (2), the electrical quantities associated with the vehicle liquid (CL) contained in the test-stick (2), and determines a state of alteration of the vehicle liquid (CL) based on the electrical quantities.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE STATE OF ALTERATION OF A VEHICULAR LIQUID

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102025000001149 filed on January 23, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0003] Field of Technology

[0004] The present invention relates to a system and method for determining the degradation state of a vehicle liquid.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to a system for rapidly determining a health state, namely an alteration in vehicle liquid, including a motor vehicle whether it is of an internal combustion, hybrid or electric type, such as, for example, engine coolant, battery coolant, brake fluid, lubricating oil, transmission fluid; to which the following discussion will refer explicitly without thereby losing generality .

[0006] Prior Art

[0007] It is known that motor vehicles with thermal or electric propulsion are provided with numerous hydraulic circuits that operate in support of their respective vehicle groups / components and are traversed by corresponding fluids, hereinafter referred to as "vehicle liquid", to perform specific functions, such as, for example, engine cooling functions, lubrication functions of the components / organs , transmission functions etc ..., provided for the ordinary operation of the motor vehicle .

[0008] Vehicle liquids are defined by predetermined chemical / physical characteristics that are suitable for the proper performance of the corresponding vehicular function. During use, over time and with the operation in the motor vehicle, the vehicle fluids are subj ected to progressivedegradation which leads to a state of alteration, at which point it becomes necessary to replace the fluid with a new one to ensure the proper functioning of the motor vehicle and prevent damage .

[0009] Currently, the replacement of the vehicular fluid is generally carried out in motor vehicle workshops by specialised mechanics during the maintenance of the motor vehicle, based on a temporal usage threshold and / or the vehicle mileage and / or, in some cases, following an observation of the fluid by the operators .

[0010] The procedure for replacing the vehicle liquid disclosed above is not very accurate and is subj ect to several technical issues .

[0011] Firstly, the motor vehicle is exposed to damage or conditions of improper operation when the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid occurs before the usage time and / or mileage threshold of the vehicle is reached.

[0012] Conversely, when the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid occurs after the vehicle' s usage time and / or mileage threshold has been reached, its replacement causes a negative impact both economically and environmentally.

[0013] There is therefore a need to be able to determine the actual / real state of alteration of a vehicle liquid. However, at present, this operation requires complex and expensive laboratory analyses that are hardly feasible in motor vehicle workshops .

[0014] In order to overcome the aforementioned issues, some solutions have been proposed which, however, to date have not proved satisfactory.

[0015] Description of the Invention

[0016] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to develop a system for rapidly determining a state of alteration of a vehicle liquid of a motor vehicle that issimple, economical, and furthermore, is suitable for use by mechanical operators in a motor vehicle workshop .

[0017] In accordance with this obj ective, according to the present invention, a system is provided for determining a state of alteration of a motor vehicle liquid of a motor vehicle, as defined in the corresponding independent claim and preferably, but not necessarily, in any of the dependent claims .

[0018] According to the present invention, a method of operating a system for determining a state of alteration of a vehicle liquid of a motor vehicle is further provided, as defined in the corresponding independent claim and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the claims dependent thereon.

[0019] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and form an integral part of this description.

[0020] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example of an embodiment thereof, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a system for determining a state of alteration of a vehicular liquid, made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, in a first operational condition,

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the system shown in Figure 1 in a second and, respectively, third operating condition,

[0024] Figure 4 is an IV-IV section of a liquid analysing instrument and a test-stick comprised in the system shown in Figure 1,

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a test-stick of the system shown in Figure 1,

[0026] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the test-stick shown in Figure 5,Figure 7 is a block diagram of the vehicle liquid analysing instrument comprised in the system made according to the teachings of the present invention,

[0027] Figure 8 is a block diagram of the control unit of the vehicle liquid analysing instrument made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0028] Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the number 1 indicates, in its entirety, a liquid analyser system for vehicle liquids, hereinafter referred to as analyser system 1, which is configured to automatically perform a rapid test on a vehicle liquid CL from a vehicle (not illustrated) in order to determine a state of alteration thereof .

[0029] In the following description, with the term "vehicle" it will mean any motor vehicle provided with wheels (powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor) . The vehicle may conveniently comprise a car or motor car, or a tractor, or a lorry, or a bus, or any similar motor vehicle .

[0030] Furthermore, in the following description the term "vehicle liquid CL" shall be understood any fluid, operating predominantly in a liquid state, that is used in a vehicular component mounted on board a vehicle (not illustrated) . The vehicular component may comprise, for example, the electric battery, a hydraulic system, the powertrain (electric or thermal motor) , the transmission group, the differential group, the gearbox group, the braking group, and / or any similar group .

[0031] It is understood that the vehicular liquids according to the present invention may comprise any liquid normally used for the ordinary operation of said motor vehicles .

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicular liquids analysable by system 1 may comprise, optionally, at least the following liquids : anengine coolant, an electric battery coolant, a brake fluid, a lubricating oil, a transmission fluid.

[0033] It is understood that the present invention is not to be regarded as limited to an analyser system 1 that only analyses the said vehicle liquids, but that the analyser system 1 may be capable of analysing any vehicle liquid CL, generally used by or in a vehicle .

[0034] According to the present invention, the analyser system 1 essentially comprises test-sticks 2 and an analysing instrument 3. In order to increase the clarity of the invention, without, however, losing generality, the following description will explicitly refer to and describe one test-stick 2, since the latter has a structure and operation identical to the structure and operation of the other test-sticks 2.

[0035] The test-stick 2 is configured to contain a sample of a vehicle liquid CL loaded / deposited by a user onto the teststick 2, and is provided with an electrical circuit 5 which is configured to be at least partially in electrical contact with the sample of motor vehicle liquid CL loaded / deposited by the user in the test-stick itself 2.

[0036] The analyser instrument 3 is configured in order to allow a user to stably couple, yet easily removable / separable, the test-stick 2 into the analyser instrument 3 so as to electrically connect the analyser instrument 3 with the electrical circuit 15 of the test-stick 2.

[0037] The analyser instrument 3 is also configured in order to determine / measure, via the electrical circuit 15 of the teststick 2, one or more electrical quantities associated with the vehicle liquid CL contained in the test-stick 2, and performs an electrochemical analysis to determine the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL on the basis of one or more electrical quantities .According to a preferred embodiment shown in the attached Figures, the analysing instrument 3 is conveniently of a portable type and comprises an external housing 7 shaped and dimensioned so as to be easily carried and manually grasped by a user during the electrochemical analysis of the vehicle liquid CL . In the illustrated example, the external housing 7 is made of a plastic material and has an elongated, boxlike, approximately rectangular form.

[0038] According to a preferred exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4, the analysing instrument 3 comprises an electromechanical connection interface 8 . The electromechanical connection interface 8 is arranged within the housing 7 and is configured in order to allow a user to couple a test-stick 2 to the analysing instrument 3 in a stable yet easily removable / separable manner, thereby electrically connecting the latter to the electrical circuit 15 of the test-stick 2.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4, the analysing instrument 3 further comprises a processing circuit or electronic unit 9 arranged within the housing 7 and electrically connected to the electromechanical connection interface 8. The electronic unit 9 is configured to be electrically connected to the electrical circuit 15 of the test-stick 2 when the latter is coupled to the electromechanical connection interface 8 .

[0040] Electronic unit 9 is also configured to determine / measure, via the electrical circuit 15 of teststick 2, the electrical quantity / quantities associated with the vehicle liquid CL contained in test-stick 2 and determines the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL based on one or more electrical quantities .

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the test-stick 2 comprises a support body 11 which is configured to be gripped and manually inserted by the userinto the electromechanical connection interface 8 within the enclosure 7 through an opening or slot 12 formed in the enclosure 7 itself .

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment shown in the attached figures, the test stick 2 comprises a well 4 which is formed on the support body 11 and is structured in order to contain a sample of a vehicle liquid CL poured / loaded into the well 4 by a user . The well 4 can be dimensioned to contain a volume of the vehicle liquid CL corresponding approximately to that of a drop (a few millilitres) .

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment shown in the attached Figures, the electrical circuit 5 of test-stick 2 comprises one or more measurement electrodes 15 arranged in the support body 11 in order to be in electrical contact with the sample of the vehicle liquid CL contained in the well 4.

[0044] The electrical circuit 15 of the test-stick 2 further comprises one or more connection conductors or electrical connection branches 16, which are configured so as to electrically connect one or more measurement electrodes 15 with the electromechanical connection interface 8, when the test-stick 2 is coupled with the electromechanical connection interface 8 .

[0045] According to a preferred exemplary embodiment shown in the attached Figures, the support body 11 is essentially plate-like in order to form a card. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6, the support body 11 may have a multi-layer structure .

[0046] The support body 11 may comprise a base layer Ila, a circuit layer 11b, a cover layer 11c and an intermediate layer lid. The base layer Ila and the cover layer 11c may each comprise an elongated thin sheet produced using a plastic polymer or similar . The cover layer 11c may comprise a through opening lie that defines, together with the base layer Ila, the well 4.The circuit layer 11b can comprise a sheet of electrically insulating material on which the electrical circuit 5 is arranged. The measurement electrodes 15 can be located in correspondence with and / or within the recess 4. The electrical branches 16 can comprise tracks in electrically conductive material that extend side by side, preferably substantially parallel to each other, between one end 2a of the test-stick 2 and the recess 4. The end 2a of the test-stick 2 is shaped so as to be securely, yet easily separable, connected into the electromechanical connection interface 8 through the slot 12, thereby ensuring that the electrical branches 16 are in electrical contact with the respective electrical contacts 8a, for example wiper contacts, of the electromechanical connection interface 8. The electrical contacts 8a of the electromechanical connection interface 8 are connected via a linking circuit and conductive branches 8b or wires to the electronic unit 9. Conveniently, the electrical circuit 15 can be screen-printed onto the sheet of electrically insulating material . The intermediate layer lid features a through opening Ilf which, together with the through opening lie, defines the recess 4, and is configured to securely fix, for example by means of an adhesive material, the covering layer 11c to the support layer Ila so as to securely trap within it the circuit layer 11b, thus forming a single body.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment shown in the attached Figures, the electronic unit 9 is configured to determine / measure, via the electrical circuit 5 of the teststick 2, one or more of the following electrical quantities : conductivity, and / or the current / voltage determined through a voltametric measurement, and / or the impedance of the vehicle liquid CL, and / or the pH of the vehicle liquid CL .

[0048] The state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL can be determined by the electronic unit 9 on the basis of one ormore of the following electrical quantities : conductivity, and / or the current / voltage determined by means of a voltametric measurement, and / or the impedance of the vehicle liquid CL and / or the pH of the vehicle liquid CL .

[0049] According to one possible embodiment, the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL may be determined by the electronic unit 9 at least on the basis of a comparison between the electric conductivity determined / measured via the electrical circuit 15 and a predetermined conductivity threshold of the vehicular liquid CL . The predetermined conductivity threshold may be established, for example, under a condition of no alteration of the vehicular liquid CL .

[0050] In addition, and / or alternatively, the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL can also be determined by the electronic unit 9 on the basis of a comparison between the electrical impedance measured via the electrical circuit 15 and a predetermined impedance threshold of the vehicle liquid CL . The predetermined impedance threshold can be set, for example, in a condition of absence of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL .

[0051] In addition, and / or alternatively, the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL may be determined by electronic unit 9 on the basis of a comparison between a current / voltage curve obtained through a voltametric measurement and corresponding pre-established current / voltage curves of the vehicle liquid CL . The pre-established current / voltage curves may be set, for example, in a condition of absence of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL .

[0052] In addition, and / or alternatively, the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL can be determined by the electronic unit 9 on the basis of measuring the degree of acidity (pH) of the analysed liquid. The pH value may, forexample, be set in a condition of absence of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL .

[0053] In addition, or alternatively, the electronic unit 9 can also be configured in order to determine, on the basis of the electrical quantities of the vehicle liquid CL, an abnormal condition of the vehicular component that uses the analysed vehicle liquid CL .

[0054] An abnormal condition of the motor vehicle component may be a corrosion condition of the motor vehicle component . Conveniently, when the analysed motor vehicle liquid CL is a coolant, the electronic unit 9 determines, on the basis of the electrical quantities of the analysed motor vehicle liquid CL, an abnormal condition indicative of a corrosion present in the motor vehicle component cooled by the analysed motor vehicle liquid CL . According to one possible embodiment, the electronic unit 9 is configured in order to determine, on the basis of the electrical quantities of the analysed motor vehicle liquid CL, an abnormal condition indicative of a corrosion present in the cooling circuit of the electric battery and / or in the engine .

[0055] Preferably, electronic unit 9 is also configured to determine, based on the electrical conductivity, a first indicative value of pH (acidity) , and / or the alkalinity of the vehicle liquid CL . Electronic unit 9 is also configured in such a manner as to determine the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL based on the first value .

[0056] In addition, or alternatively, the electronic unit 9 is configured in order to determine, based on the first value, indicative information of a liquid degradation condition. The degradation condition determined by the electronic unit 9 based on the first value may correspond to : a condition of excessive ageing of the vehicle liquid CL, and / or a condition of decomposition of the chemical elements of the vehicle liquid CL .In addition, or alternatively, the electronic unit 9 is configured so as to determine, based on the first value, an abnormal condition indicative of the vehicular component that uses the vehicle liquid CL . The abnormal condition may comprise information indicative of an incorrect functionality of the vehicular component and / or information indicative of the presence of corrosion in the vehicular component .

[0057] In addition, or alternatively, the electronic unit 9 can determine the state of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL by comparing one or more current and / or voltage curves with one or more predetermined current and voltage curves .

[0058] Preferably, the electronic unit 9 is configured in order to determine, on the basis of current and / or voltage, indicative information regarding an anomalous condition of the vehicular component that uses the vehicle liquid CL . Such an anomalous condition may be indicative of an abnormal consumption of one or more pre-established substances / components of the vehicle liquid CL by the vehicular component . The substances / components may comprise substances present (dissolved) in the fluid and formulated to protect the vehicular component from corrosion and / or cavitation .

[0059] Preferably, the state of alteration can also be determined by electronic unit 9 on the basis of an Electric Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) carried out on the vehicle liquid CL . In this case, electronic unit 9 determines a state of alteration indicative of the presence of irregular (anomalous) components / substances in the vehicle liquid CL on the basis of the measured / determined impedance .

[0060] Conveniently, according to one possible embodiment, the electronic unit 9 may further determine / measure the impedance of the vehicle liquid CL via a DET module or circuit (Discrete Fourier Transform - DET) .In addition, or alternatively, electronic unit 9 is configured to determine an abnormal condition of the vehicle component on the basis of the measured / determined impedance . The anomalous condition is indicative of a corrosion condition and / or a condition of mechanical wear of the vehicle component that uses the analysed vehicle liquid CL .

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the analysing instrument 3 comprises a user interface 19 which is located on the external housing 7 and is configured to communicate to the user information indicative of the determined alteration state . Preferably, the user interface 19 is further configured to communicate to the user information indicative of the abnormal operating condition of the vehicle component that uses the analysed vehicle liquid CL . The user interface 19 is also configured to allow the user to select (to command the analysing instrument 3) a vehicle liquid CL from a plurality of predetermined examinable vehicle liquids .

[0062] Information indicative of the condition of alteration of the vehicle liquid CL may comprise an actual altered condition. The information indicative of the altered condition may comprise an alert message in which the user is advised to replace the analysed vehicle liquid CL . For example, the alert message could correspond to the display of a red traffic light icon.

[0063] The information indicative of the state of alteration may additionally comprise a condition of absence of alteration. The information indicative of the condition of absence of alteration may correspond to a message which confirms to the user the suitability of the examined vehicle liquid CL . For example, the confirmation message might correspond to the display of a green traffic light icon.

[0064] Information indicative of the state of alteration may also comprise a condition of partial alteration. Theinformation indicative of the condition of partial alteration may contain a pre-alert message in which the user is instructed to replace the analysed vehicle liquid CL within a predetermined period. For example, the pre-alert message could correspond to the display of a yellow semaphore icon with a window containing a deadline by which the user must carry out the replacement of the analysed vehicle liquid CL with a new vehicle liquid CL .

[0065] Figure 7 shows a block diagram of analyser instrument 3 according to one possible embodiment . The analyser instrument 3 comprises : the electromechanical connection interface 8 ; the electronic unit 9 comprising, for example, one or more microcontrollers arranged on a PCB; the user interface 10 comprising, for example, a touchscreen display; and a power supply circuit 23 configured in order to provide analyser instrument 3 with the necessary electrical energy for its operation.

[0066] Figure 8 shows a block diagram of electronic unit 9 according to one possible embodiment . Electronic unit 9 comprises : a module 24 configured to determine / measure the conductivity of the vehicle liquid CL, a module 25 configured to determine the pH or the alkalinity of the vehicle liquid CL, a module 26 configured to determine / measure the spectroscopic impedance (Electric Impedance Spectroscopy -EIS) , a module 27 configured to determine / measure the impedance using a DET (Discrete Fourier Transform) circuit; a processing module 28 configured to receive the quantities determined / measured by one or more modules 24-27 and to process them in order to determine the deterioration state of the vehicle liquid CL and / or the abnormal condition of the vehicle component that uses the vehicle liquid CL .

[0067] Conveniently, the electronic unit 9 may further comprise a sequencer module 29 configured in order to selectively connect, in sequential order, one after the other, themodules 24-27 to the processing module 28 to supply it with the determined / measured quantities .

[0068] The processing module 28 can be configured in order to determine the alteration state of the vehicle liquid CL and / or the abnormal condition of the vehicle component that uses the analysed vehicle liquid CL on test-stick 2, based on the values determined / measured by one or more modules 24-27 .

[0069] The state of alteration can be determined by processing module 28 on the basis of a comparison between the quantities determined / measured by modules 24-27 and the corresponding predetermined sample quantities that characterise the vehicle liquid CL . The sample quantities may be contained in a datum / inf ormation that encodes a sort of "digital fingerprint" of the vehicle liquid CL in a state of nonalteration, for example, a new vehicle liquid CL .

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the test-sticks 2 are disposable (single-use) .

[0071] The technical effect achieved by the two disposable test sticks is to avoid errors caused by previous contaminations (cross contamination) .

[0072] According to a convenient embodiment, the electrical circuit 5 comprises a temperature sensor 32 which is configured to supply the electronic unit 9 with an electrical parameter indicative of the temperature of the vehicle liquid CL present in the test-stick 2. The electronic unit 9 is configured to determine the state of alteration based on the electrical parameters and the temperature .

[0073] According to a convenient embodiment, the electrical circuit 5 comprises a memory 31 configured to store authentication data of the test-stick 2. The memory 31 may comprise a memory that is readable or writable by means of electrical contact and / or an NFC / RFID chip that is readable and writable without physical electrical contact .The authentication data are encoded in memory 31 in order to be uniquely associated with test-stick 2 containing the same memory 31. The electronic unit 9 is configured to read the authentication data contained in memory 31 of test-stick 2 in order to attest / recognise the authenticity of teststick 2 under analysis, and performs or inhibits the analysis based on the authentication data read.

[0074] The technical effect is that of recognising counterfeit test-sticks and / or test test-sticks already used and further reducing "cross contamination" .

[0075] According to one possible embodiment, memory 31 may further comprise a series of calibration curves accessible by the processing unit 9 via the electrical circuit 5 to perform the measurement of pH and / or the measurement of conductivity .

[0076] According to one embodiment, the electronic unit 9 is configured to compare the measured / determined values of the vehicle liquid CL from the test-stick 2 with corresponding sample data of a new vehicle liquid CL (digital fingerprints or fingerprint) , and to determine the state of alteration of the liquid based on the outcome of the comparison. The electronic unit 9 is configured to determine an abnormal condition present in the vehicle component affected by the examined vehicle liquid CL on the basis of said comparisons . The electronic unit 9 is configured to determine an abnormal condition corresponding to a corrosion condition of the vehicle component affected by the examined vehicle liquid CL on the basis of the aforementioned comparisons .

[0077] According to one embodiment, the analyser instrument 3 comprises a protective door 30 which is pivotally hinged on the housing 7 at the slot 12 to rotate about an axis between a closed position (Figure 3) , in which it is arranged resting on a side of the housing 7 so as to cover the slot 12 thereby protecting it from dust / soiling etc..., and an open position(Figure 1, Figure 2 ) in which it is lowered to free the slot 12 allowing the insertion of the test-stick 2 therein.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the analysing instrument 3 may comprise an electronic system (not shown) configured to determine the inclination of the analysing instrument 3 itself . The electronic system may comprise, for example, an inclinometer and / or a tri-axial accelerometer or similar devices . The electronic unit 9 may furthermore be configured to determine a planarity condition of the vehicle liquid in the test-stick 2 when it is coupled to the analysing instrument 3 based on the measured inclination. The planarity condition may be indicative of the fact that the test-stick 2 coupled to the analysing instrument 3 lies on a substantially horizontal plane .

[0079] The technical effect achieved is that of preventing, during analysis, the vehicle liquid from accidentally leaking from well 4, thereby reducing the amount of vehicle liquid available for electrochemical analysis and / or that the tilt alters the height dimension of the drop in well 4, thereby affecting the measurement .

[0080] The method for determining an altered state of a vehicle liquid CL comprises the steps of : depositing a sample of Vehicle liquid CL in well 4 of test-stick 2 ; inserting teststick 2 into slot 12 so as to electrically couple it with the electromechanical connection interface 8 (Figure 1 ) ; determining, via the electronic unit 9 connected to electrical circuit 5, the electrical quantities associated with the vehicle liquid CL contained in test-stick 2 ; determining, via the electronic unit 9 of portable analyser instrument 3, the altered state of the vehicle liquid CL and / or the abnormal conditions of the vehicle component that uses the vehicle liquid CL contained in test-stick 2 on the basis of the electrical quantities .In use, the user selects via user interface 12 of the analysing instrument 3 the vehicle liquid CL to be analysed from a list of vehicle liquids analysable by analyser tool 3. For example, the user selects the battery coolant .

[0081] Preferably, the user positions the analysing instrument 3 resting on a flat surface ( for example, horizontal) to satisfy the planarity condition. At this stage, the analysing instrument 3 can verify whether its positioning is correct, that is, whether it is arranged in the planarity condition, and communicate the outcome of the verification to the user . The analyser instrument 3 can be configured so as to activate or inhibit the electrochemical analysis based on the result of the planarity condition verification.

[0082] The user also enters, via the user interface, 12 pieces of information relating to the vehicle, such as make, model, or Vehicle Identification Number - VIN or similar . In this case, the electronic unit 9 can be configured to access its internal memory or a remote database to receive the digital fingerprint comprising the sample data that characterise the vehicle liquid to be analysed.

[0083] The user couples by inserting through slot 12 in the electromechanical connecting interface 8 the test-stick 2 into the analysing instrument 3 and deposits into the well 4 (via a dropper) a droplet of vehicular liquid to be analysed .

[0084] The user selects the initiation of the electrochemical analysis via user interface 10 and the electronic unit 9 implements, via the electrical circuit 15, an electrochemical analysis on the vehicle liquid CL contained in the test-stick 2. During the electrochemical analysis the electronic unit 9 generates an electrical current in the electrical circuit 15 that passes through the vehicle liquid CL and causes chemical reactions in it . During the electrochemical analysis, the electronic unit 9determines / measures the electrical quantities of the vehicle liquid CL, and processes them to determine the state of alteration of the liquid and / or the abnormal condition of the vehicular component . At the end of the processing / test , the electronic unit 9 communicates to the user, via user interface 19, the determined state of alteration and / or the determined abnormal condition. At the end of the analysis, the user removes the test-stick from the analysing instrument 2 .

[0085] The analyzer system described above has many advantages . The analysing system enables a workshop mechanic to quickly, simply and economically examine the actual state of alteration of any vehicle liquid present in a vehicle . This allows, on the one hand, a reduction in the vehicle ' s exposure to damage or conditions of improper operation when an alteration of the liquid is detected and, on the other hand, the optimisation of maintenance costs and environmental impact .

Claims

C L A I M S1. Liquid analyser system ( 1 ) configured in order to determine a state of alteration of a vehicle liquid (CL) used by a vehicle component of a vehicle,in which the analysing system comprises :one or more test-sticks (2 ) , each of which is configured in order to contain a sample of vehicle liquid (CL) loaded / deposited by a user, and is provided with an electrical circuit (5) configured in order to be in contact with the sample of vehicle liquid (CL) loaded / deposited by the user in the test-stick (2 ) itself,an analysing instrument (3) that is configured in order to allow a user to couple, in a stable yet easily separable manner, a test-stick (2 ) with the analysing instrument (3) in order to electrically connect the analysing instrument (3) with the electrical circuit ( 15) of the test-stick (2 ) , the analysing instrument (3) is also configured in order to determine / measure via the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick, one or more electrical quantities associated with the vehicle liquid (CL) contained in the test-stick (2 ) , and it determines at least one state of alteration of the vehicle liquid (CL) on the basis of the said one or more electrical quantities .

2. Liquid analyser system according to claim 1, in which the analysing instrument (3) is further configured in order to determine an anomalous condition of the vehicle component that uses the vehicle liquid (CL) on the basis of said one or more electrical quantities .

3. Liquid analyser system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the analysing instrument (3) is portable and comprisesan external housing (7 ) configured to be manually grasped by a user,an electromechanical connecting interface ( 8 ) , which is arranged in the said external housing (7 ) and is configured in order to allow a user to couple in a stable, yet easily separable, manner a test-stick (2 ) with the analysing instrument (3) thereby electrically connecting the analyser instrument (3) with the electrical circuit ( 15) of the teststick ( 2 ) ,an electronic unit ( 9) which is arranged in the housing (7 ) and is configured in order to electrically connect to the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick (2 ) via the electromechanical connecting interface ( 8 ) in order to measure the one or more electrical quantities associated with the said sample of vehicle liquid (CL) contained in the test-stick (2 ) , and performs an electrochemical analysis to determine the state of alteration of the sample of motor vehicle liquid (CL) contained in the said test-stick 82 ) on the basis of the said one or more electrical quantities .

4. Liquid analyser system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysing instrument (3) comprises a user interface ( 10) that is arranged within said enclosure (7 ) and is configured to communicate to the user information indicative of the determined alteration state .

5. Liquid analyser system according to claim 4, wherein the information indicative of said state of alteration comprises : a condition of alteration of said vehicle liquid, and / or a condition of absence of alteration of said vehicle liquid, and / or a condition of partial alteration of said vehicle liquid.

6. Liquid analyser system according to claim 5, in which the user interface ( 10) is configured in order to allow the user to select a vehicle liquid (CL) to be analysed from among a plurality of predetermined vehicle liquids .

7. Liquid analyser system according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe test-stick (2 ) comprises a plate-like body ( 11 ) and at least one well (4 ) which is formed on the plate-like body ( 11 ) and is configured to contain a sample of a vehicle liquid (CL) poured / loaded into the well (4 ) by a user, the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick (2 ) comprises one or more sensing electrodes ( 15) that are arranged in the plate-like body ( 11 ) in order to be in electrical contact with the sample of vehicle liquid (CL) .

8. Liquid analyser system according to claim 7, wherein the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick (2 ) comprises one or more electrical connection branches ( 16) connecting one or more measurement electrodes ( 15) with the electromechanical connection interface ( 8 ) , when the teststick (2 ) is coupled with the electromechanical connection interface ( 8 ) .

9. Liquid analyser system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the electrical circuit (5) of the teststick (2 ) comprises a temperature sensor ( 13) that is configured to supply the electronic unit ( 9) with an electrical quantity indicative of the temperature of the sample of the vehicle liquid (CL) deposited in the teststick (2 ) , said electronic unit ( 9) being configured to determine the state of alteration on the basis of the electrical quantities and the measured temperature .

10. Liquid analyser system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick (2 ) comprises a memory (31 ) ; the memory (31 ) is readable and / or writable via electrical contact and / or an NFC / RFID chip that is readable and / or writable, and is configured to store authentication data for the test-stick (2 ) , the electronic unit ( 9) being configured in order to read the authentication data contained in the memory (31 ) of the test-stick (2) and to authenticate the analysed teststick (2 ) on the basis of the read authentication data .

11. Liquid analyser system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the test-stick (2 ) is disposable .

12. Liquid analyser system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic unit (9) is configured in order to determine / measure by means of the electric circuit ( 15) of the test-stick, one or more of the following electrical quantities : conductivity, and / or the current / voltage determined by means of a voltametric measurement, and / or the impedance of said vehicle liquid (CL) , and / or the pH of said vehicle liquid (CL) .

13. Liquid analyser system according to claim 12, wherein said electronic unit ( 9) is further configured to perform an electrochemical analysis to determine a state of alteration of a vehicle liquid (CL) based on one or more electrical quantities indicative of : conductivity, and / or the current / voltage determined via a voltametric measurement, and / or the impedance of said vehicle liquid (CL) and / or the pH of said vehicle liquid (CL) .

14. Liquid analyser system according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the electronic unit ( 9) is configured in order to determine a first pH value indicative of the vehicle liquid on the basis of one or more electrical quantities and determines a state of alteration of the vehicle liquid (CL) on the basis of the pH.

15. Liquid analyser system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the analysing instrument (3) comprises an electronic system configured to determine the tilt of the analysing instrument ( 3) itself ; the electronic system is configured to determine a planar condition of the vehicle liquid sample contained in the test-stick (2 ) when the latter is coupled to the analysing instrument (3) on the basis of the measured tilt .

16. Method for determining a state of alteration of a vehicle liquid (CL) used by a vehicular component of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises the steps of :provide one or more test-sticks (2 ) , each of which is structured in order to contain a sample of vehicle liquid (CL) and is provided with an electrical circuit (5) configured in order to be in contact with said sample of vehicle liquid (CL) ,provide an analysing instrument (3) that is configured in order to allow a user to stably, yet easily detachable, couple a test-stick (2 ) with the analysing instrument (3) in order to electrically connect the analysing instrument (3) to the electrical circuit (5) of the test-stick (2 ) , deposit a sample of vehicle liquid (CL) in a test-stick (2 ) ,couple the test-stick (2 ) in the analyser instrument (3) ,measure, using the analysing instrument (3) , the electrical quantities associated with said vehicular liquid contained in the test-stick (2 ) ,determine, by means of the analysing instrument (3) , a state of alteration of the vehicle liquid (CL) contained in the said test-stick (2 ) based on the said one or more electrical quantities .

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