JP3898277B2 - Coolant exchange device for vehicle engine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an apparatus for exchanging old coolant in a cooling system of an automobile consisting of three units of a water-cooled engine, a radiator and a heater and a series of hoses relaying the units for new coolant.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Originally, the coolant in an automobile cooling system is a mixture of water and a solvent consisting of ethylene glycol, an anti-freezing agent, a rust inhibitor, a preservative, and an antifoaming agent for increasing the cooling effect. Since impurities such as sludge and scale are mixed in during use, the performance of the cooling liquid will be reduced. Conventionally, old cooling liquid is discharged from the drain plug of the radiator, and new cooling liquid is attached to the radiator cap. By injecting from the part, the performance of the coolant was maintained.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since it is difficult to discharge all the old coolant due to the structure of the cooling system by the above-described method, even if a new coolant is injected after the coolant is discharged, it will be mixed with the remaining old coolant. In addition to not expecting sufficient recovery of the cooling performance, the deterioration of the coolant was considerably faster than when the entire amount was replaced, and it was considerably uneconomical in terms of man-hours and money.
[0004]
In addition, the old cooling liquid discharged from the drain plug was allowed to flow down into the drainage groove without performing an appropriate treatment, and this was not an environmentally preferable method.
[0005]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle engine coolant exchange device that can solve the above-described problems.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a first waste liquid recovery conduit for recovering the waste liquid on the radiator side from the radiator cap mounting portion to the waste liquid tank, and the pump for discharging the new liquid in the new liquid tank from the radiator upper hose to the engine. The first new liquid supply line for supplying water to the water jacket side, the second waste liquid recovery line for collecting waste liquid on the engine water jacket side from the radiator upper hose to the waste liquid tank, and the new liquid in the new liquid tank And a second new liquid supply line that is supplied from the radiator cap mounting portion to the radiator side by a pump, and the first waste liquid recovery line and the first new liquid supply line are different depending on a valve opening direction of a thermo of the vehicle. Or the second combination of the second waste liquid recovery circuit and the second new liquid supply line, and in the case of the first combination, the first waste liquid recovery is selected. The pipe and the first new liquid supply pipe are connected to the radiator cap mounting part and the upper hose, respectively, and new liquid is sent from the upper hose by the pump, and the thermo valve is opened at that pressure to recover the waste liquid. In the case of the second combination, the second waste liquid recovery pipe and the second new liquid supply pipe are respectively connected to the upper hose and the radiator cap mounting portion, and the new liquid is fed from the radiator cap mounting portion by the pump. In the vehicle engine coolant exchange system, which opens the thermo valve at that pressure and collects the waste liquid, the level of the waste liquid collected in the waste liquid tank is detected by a single replacement operation. A liquid level detecting means and a notifying means for stopping the pump when the liquid level detecting means detects the liquid level of the waste liquid, and We are an gist thereof is to provide a cooling fluid exchange device for a vehicle engine so as to operate the. Here, before the start of the replacement, a third waste liquid recovery pipe is provided for recovering a part of the waste liquid in the radiator from the radiator cap mounting portion to the waste liquid tank through the suction nozzle to the waste liquid tank. It is desirable to prevent spilling into the engine compartment. In addition, it is desirable that the liquid level detection position by the liquid level detection means is variable so that it can be applied to any type of vehicle. In addition, it is desirable to provide a scale in the waste liquid tank so that the amount of waste liquid recovered can be confirmed visually.
[0007]
[Action]
By the way, in order to keep the coolant temperature in the water jacket of the engine substantially constant, a cooling system equipped with a valve that opens and closes depending on the coolant temperature is attached to the cooling system of the vehicle. Some models are mounted so that they open in the opposite direction, not in one direction. Therefore, in this device, the new liquid is pumped to the vehicle side with a pump, and the thermo valve is opened by that pressure to push out and recover the waste liquid on the vehicle side. The feeding position can be selected from either the radiator cap mounting portion or the radiator hose, and any vehicle coolant can be exchanged.
[0008]
In addition, since the waste liquid in the radiator is extracted to some extent from the suction nozzle via the third waste liquid recovery pipe line before connecting the apparatus and the pipe on the vehicle side, the radiator is used for piping. Even if the upper hose is removed, the waste liquid does not spill out, and the engine room is not contaminated with the waste liquid or adheres to each part to cause adverse effects.
[0009]
The liquid level detection means and a notification means for detecting the liquid level of the waste liquid collected in the waste liquid tank by one replacement operation are provided, and the liquid level of the waste liquid is detected by the liquid level detection means during the replacement. Then, the pump is stopped and the replacement is automatically ended, and the operator is notified that the replacement is completed, so that the work can be performed efficiently.
[0010]
In addition, the amount of waste liquid to be recovered can be adjusted by moving the liquid level detection position provided in the waste liquid tank, so that it can be used for any type of vehicle and does not supply extra new liquid. As a result, the vehicle owner is no longer burdened.
[0011]
In addition, since the waste liquid tank is provided with a scale so that the amount of waste liquid recovered can be confirmed visually, the amount of waste liquid recovered can be accurately adjusted.
[0012]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
Reference numeral 1 denotes an exchange device for carrying out the present invention. Reference numeral 2 denotes a waste liquid tank that stores waste liquid (about 6 liters) collected from a standard vehicle having a displacement of 2000 cc. A float 3 with a magnet that moves up and down together with the liquid level of the waste liquid is provided, and a liquid that can be adjusted up and down is detected outside the waste liquid tank 2 in response to the magnetism of the float 3 for the amount of waste liquid collected once. A surface detection sensor 4 is provided. Further, a scale for visually confirming the liquid level is provided on the outside of the tank, and the tank itself is translucent. In combination with the liquid level detection sensor 4, the amount of waste liquid in the tank can be adjusted. ing.
[0014]
Reference numerals 5 and 6 denote new liquid tanks for storing green and red new liquids, respectively, which are switched by a manual three-way switching valve 7 so that any desired new liquid can be selectively supplied.
[0015]
8 is a male coupler that is fitted to the radiator cap mounting portion, 9 is a female coupler having a check valve 10 that is opened when coupled to the male coupler 8, and 11 is a supply of new liquid to the radiator cap mounting portion. Alternatively, the second new liquid recovery pipe for collecting the waste liquid from the mounting portion and the pipe that also serves as the first waste liquid recovery circuit, 12 is a male coupler that fits with the upper hose of the radiator, and 13 is the male coupler 12. A female coupler 15 having a check valve 14 that is opened by being coupled to the first new liquid supply line for supplying new liquid to the upper hose of the radiator or collecting waste liquid from the hose; By operating manual three-way switching valves 16, 17, 18, and 19 that operate in conjunction with the waste liquid recovery pipeline, the pipelines 11 and 15 are switched. Pump 2 And supplies the new chemical to the vehicle side of the new chemical tank 5 or 6 at a pressure of, so that the waste liquid vehicle may or recovered in the waste liquid tank 2.
[0016]
A return line 22 with a check valve 21 is provided before and after the pump 20 to release the pump pressure when the new liquid cannot be sufficiently supplied for some reason.
[0017]
Further, a check valve 24 for preventing the new liquid from flowing into the recovery dedicated pipe line 23 for recovering the waste liquid into the waste liquid tank 2 and the color of the waste liquid passing therethrough were requested by the operator or replacement. A checker 25 having a transparent cover is provided so that the vehicle owner can check.
[0018]
A suction nozzle 26 switches the three-way switching valves 18 and 19, and the waste liquid can be collected in the waste liquid tank 2 by the pump 20 via the third waste liquid recovery pipe 27.
[0019]
28 is a power switch for turning on the power of the apparatus, 29 is a control means including a microcomputer, 30 is a notification means such as a buzzer for notifying the end of replacement, Accordingly, the control unit 28 controls the pump 20 and the notification unit 30 to give each operation of replacement.
[0020]
Incidentally, in FIG. 1, the positions of the waste liquid tank 2, the power switch 28, the checker 25, and the three-way switching valves 16 to 19 are drawn at random, but each is arranged in an orderly manner in consideration of operability and handling. It is preferable to line up.
[0021]
The operation of the embodiment will be described below.
[0022]
First, the operator checks the position of the thermo of the vehicle cooling system, the volume and color of the coolant, and sets the position of the liquid level sensor 4 at the same amount as the volume confirmed while looking at the scale of the waste liquid tank 2. After adjustment, the manual switching valves 18 and 19 are switched in the direction shown in FIG. 2, the cap of the radiator 31 is removed, the suction nozzle 26 is inserted into the opening of the radiator cap mounting portion 32, and the power switch 28 is turned on. Then, the pump 20 is driven, and the three-way switching valves 18 and 19 are opened in the liquid flow direction indicated by the arrows, and the waste liquid in the radiator 31 is discharged from the third waste liquid recovery conduit 27, the three-way switching valve 19, the pump 20, and the three-way switching valve. 18, the liquid is collected in the waste liquid tank 2 through the checker 25 and the dedicated collection line 23.
[0023]
The amount of waste liquid collected at this time is only the amount in the upper part of the radiator 31 and the upper hose 33, and the drive of the pump 20 is also completed in a predetermined time. Since the procedure of removing the hose 33 from the radiator 31 is necessary, if this recovery is not performed, the waste liquid in the upper portion of the radiator 31 and the upper hose 33 overflows into the engine room when the upper hose 33 is removed. This is because there is a possibility of some adverse effects on the failure of the electrical system and other parts.
[0024]
When the collection is finished, the upper hose 33 is removed from the radiator 31 as shown in FIG. 3, the hose fitting portion of the male coupler 12 is attached to the opening of the removed upper hose 33, and then the female coupler 13 is attached to the male coupler 12. Connecting. In addition, the opening 34 to which the upper hose 33 has been connected is sealed with a separately prepared plug 35, and after the cap fitting portion of the male coupler 8 is attached to the radiator cap attachment portion 32, the female coupler 9 is connected to the male coupler 8. Connect to. By this operation, the check valves 10 and 14 of the female couplers 9 and 13 are opened for the first time, and the piping is completed without dripping.
[0025]
By the way, a thermo 37 that opens when the coolant temperature in the water jacket of the engine 36 exceeds a predetermined temperature is always attached to the cooling system of the vehicle, but the attachment positions are on the upper hose 33 side and the lower hose 38 side. It can be roughly divided into two types. However, regardless of the position of the thermo 37, the valve opens when a predetermined pressure is applied from the radiator 31 side to the engine 36 side. Therefore, even in the case of the thermo 37 attached to the upper hose 33 side. For example, when the new liquid is pressure-fed from the upper hose 33, it opens, and in the case of the thermo 37 attached to the lower hose 38, it opens when the new liquid is pressure-fed from the radiator 31.
[0026]
Therefore, if the color of the coolant previously confirmed is green and the position of the thermo 37 is at the position shown in FIG. 3, for example, the three-way switching valve 7 is first switched to the green direction, and the three-way switching valve 18 is switched. , 19 are switched in the opposite direction to the previous position, the three-way switching valves 16, 17 are set to supply new liquid to the upper hose 33, and the power switch is turned on again.
[0027]
Then, the pump 20 is driven and the new liquid in the green new liquid tank 5 passes from the upper hose 33 through the three-way switching valves 7 and 19, the pump 20, the three-way switching valves 18 and 16, and the pipe line 15 as indicated by the arrows. The valve of the thermo 37 is pushed open and pumped to the water jacket in the engine 36, and the waste liquid in the water jacket, the heater 39, and the radiator 31 is connected to the pipe 11, the three-way switching valve 17, the check valve 24, the checker 25, and only for collection. It passes through the circuit 23 and is collected in the waste liquid tank 2.
[0028]
Here, when the color of the coolant is red and the thermo 37 is attached to the lower hose 38 side, if the three-way switching valves 7, 16, and 17 are set in the opposite direction with the piping intact, The liquid flow as indicated by the arrow 4 can be used in any case.
[0029]
Eventually, the waste liquid on the vehicle side and the supplied new liquid are switched, the liquid level of the waste liquid in the waste liquid tank 2 rises with the float 3, and when the liquid level detection sensor 4 detects this liquid level, the pump 20 stops, The notification means 30 is activated to notify the operator that the replacement has been completed.
[0030]
At this time, if the operator has made a mistake in the vehicle-side coolant capacity, the vehicle owner wants to supply more fresh liquid, or the vehicle-side coolant capacity is larger than the capacity of the waste liquid tank 2. In this case, if the operator moves the liquid level detection sensor 4 by a necessary amount and repeatedly turns on the power switch, the above-described operation can be repeated.
[0031]
When all the replacement operations are completed in this way, all the pipes are removed, and the upper hose 37 and the radiator cap 32 are reattached to complete.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the new liquid is pumped to the vehicle side by a pump, and the thermo valve is opened by the pressure to push out and recover the waste liquid on the vehicle side. The location where the liquid is fed can be selected from either the radiator cap mounting portion or the radiator hose, and any vehicle coolant can be replaced in a short time. In addition, since the waste liquid in the radiator is extracted to some extent from the suction nozzle via the third waste liquid recovery pipe line before connecting the apparatus and the pipe on the vehicle side, the radiator is used for piping. Even if the upper hose is removed, the waste liquid does not spill out, and the engine room is not contaminated with the waste liquid or adheres to each part to cause adverse effects. The liquid level detection means and a notification means for detecting the liquid level of the waste liquid collected in the waste liquid tank by one replacement operation are provided, and the liquid level of the waste liquid is detected by the liquid level detection means during the replacement. Then, the pump is stopped and the replacement is automatically ended, and the operator is notified that the replacement is completed, so that the work can be performed efficiently. In addition, the amount of waste liquid to be recovered can be adjusted by moving the liquid level detection position provided in the waste liquid tank, so that it can be used for any type of vehicle and does not supply extra new liquid. As a result, the vehicle owner is no longer burdened. In addition, since the waste liquid tank is provided with a scale so that the amount of waste liquid recovered can be confirmed visually, the amount of waste liquid recovered can be accurately adjusted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coolant exchange device 2 Waste liquid tank 3 Float 4 Liquid level detection sensor 5 New liquid tank 6 New liquid tank 7 Three-way switching valve 11, 15 Pipe 16 thru | or 19 Three-way switching valve 20 Pump 23 Recovery exclusive pipe 26 Suction nozzle 27 1st 3 Waste liquid recovery line 30 Notifying means 31 Radiator 32 Radiator cap mounting portion 33 Upper hose 36 Engine 37 Thermo

Claims (4)

A first waste liquid recovery pipe for collecting the waste liquid on the radiator side from the radiator cap mounting portion to the waste liquid tank;
A first new liquid supply pipe for supplying new liquid in the new liquid tank from the upper hose of the radiator to the water jacket side of the engine by a pump;
A second waste liquid collection line for collecting waste liquid on the engine water jacket side from the upper hose of the radiator to a waste liquid tank;
A second new liquid supply pipe for supplying new liquid in the new liquid tank from the radiator cap mounting portion to the radiator side by a pump;
Depending on the valve opening direction of the thermo of the vehicle, the first combination of the first waste liquid recovery line and the first new liquid supply line or the second waste liquid recovery circuit and the second new liquid supply line In the case of the first combination, the first waste liquid recovery pipe and the first new liquid supply pipe are connected to the radiator cap mounting portion and the upper hose, respectively. The new liquid is sent from the upper hose by a pump and the thermo valve is opened at that pressure to recover the waste liquid. In the case of the second combination, the second waste liquid recovery pipe and the second new liquid supply pipe are exchanged. ene for a vehicle so as to replace that of the road, respectively by opening the thermo valve with feeding the pressure of new liquid to the piping connected to the upper hose and the radiator cap attachment portion from the radiator cap attachment portion by a pump for recovering the waste In the cooling-liquid exchange device down,
Liquid level detecting means for detecting the liquid level of the waste liquid collected in the waste liquid tank by one replacement operation and an informing means are provided. When the liquid level of the waste liquid is detected by the liquid level detecting means, the pump is A coolant exchange device for a vehicle engine characterized by stopping and operating the notification means . 2. The vehicle engine according to claim 1, further comprising a third waste liquid recovery pipe for recovering a part of the waste liquid in the radiator from the radiator cap mounting portion to the waste liquid tank by a pump through a suction nozzle before starting the replacement. Coolant replacement device. The coolant replacement device for a vehicle engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid level detection position by the liquid level detection means is variable. 4. The coolant replacement device for a vehicle engine according to claim 3 , wherein a scale is provided in the waste liquid tank.

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