Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
  • G01F23/04—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by dip members, e.g. dip-sticks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
  • H01R4/28—Clamped connections, spring connections
  • H01R4/48—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member
  • H01R4/4854—Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member using a wire spring
  • H01R4/4863—Coil spring

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of fluid level measuring devices, and more particularly to a device for measuring the liquid level of a vehicle, and for example a motor vehicle.
• liquid level measuring devices such as for example sensors or sensor oil level measurement.
• These devices are conventionally formed by a body, a connector and a sensitive portion disposed in the body of the sensor, the sensitive element being for example an electric wire or a printed circuit.
• These devices also include a portion called dip tube which is in contact with the liquid whose level is to be measured.
• This type of electrical connection has the drawbacks of requiring, therefore, on the one hand, a specific welding operation and, on the other hand, positioning the parts facing each other which is not easy. Indeed, for the electrical connection by welding is effective, it is necessary that the connector and the sensitive portion are perfectly positioned relative to each other.
• the present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art by providing a liquid level measuring device whose electrical connection is more reliable and simplified.
• the present invention proposes a liquid level measuring device comprising a body, a sensitive element disposed in the body and a connector connected to the sensitive element by an electrical connection, the device comprising connection means cooperating with a complementary shape, disposed in the body of the device, and providing the electrical connection.
• connection means are formed by at least one lyre.
• connection means are formed by at least one spring.
• the complementary shape is at least one tongue inserted into the spring or the lyre to make the electrical connection.
• the device comprises two connection means and two tabs.
• the device comprises two end pieces. According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises guiding means.
• the guiding means make it possible to correctly position the connector on the body of the device.
• the guide means formed by at least one opening made directly in the body of the device or the connector of the device.
• the guiding means are associated with elongate elements fixed on the connector or the body and which fit into the guiding means during the installation of the connector on the body. .
• the guide means and the elongated elements are two in number.
• connection means also comprise a tip serving as a stop for the spring disposed in the connector.
• the endpiece comprises an end adapted to receive an end of the spring, and at least one stop for the spring.
• the invention also relates to an electrical device connection according to the invention, formed by at least one spring or a lyre disposed in the connector cooperating with a complementary shape disposed in the body of the device.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a first variant of a device according to the invention, the connector not being electrically connected to the body,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a first variant of a connector of the device according to the invention
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a first variant of a body of the device according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a second variant of a device according to the invention, the connector being electrically connected to the body, the internal parts of the body being viewable by transparency.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a second variant of a device according to the invention with two connectors of different sizes
• FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a second variant of a device according to the invention, the connector not being electrically connected to the body,
• FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a second variant of a device according to the invention, the connector being electrically connected to the body, the internal parts of the body being viewable by transparency.
• the present invention relates to a device 1, 10 for measuring the level of liquid.
• the liquid is oil.
• the level measuring device 1, 10 is an oil level sensor for a motor vehicle.
• the liquid level measuring device 1, 10 according to the invention is formed by a body 2, forming a plug for the connector 3, 3 ', 30, and a connector. 3, 3 ', 30. Inside the body 2, 20 of the measuring device 1, 10 according to the invention is disposed a non-illustrated sensitive element.
• the sensitive element is an electrical wire.
• the sensitive element is a printed circuit.
• connection means 4, 41, 42 The electrical connection between the connector and the sensitive element is achieved by connection means 4, 41, 42.
• connection means 4, 41, 42 are arranged on one end of the connector 3, 3 ', 30.
• These means of Connection 4, 41, 42 of metal cooperate with a complementary shape 5, 50 of metal disposed in the body 2, 20 of the measuring device.
• connection means are formed by at least one lyre 4.
• connection means are formed by at least one spring 42.
• FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the first variant of the invention when the connection means are at least one lyre 4.
• the connector comprises two lyres 4.
• the complementary shape 5 disposed in the body of the device is formed by at least one tongue 5.
• the body has two tabs
• the electrical connection is made by a contact force between at least one lyre 4 and at least one tongue 5. That is to say that it is necessary to exert a certain force on the lyre 4 so that the tongue 5 fits in the lyre 4.
• the body of the device comprises guide means 6.
• FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate the second variant of the invention when the connection means are at least one spring 42.
• the connection means also comprise a tip 41.
• the tip 41 serves as a spring stop 42.
• the tip 41 has an end 411 adapted to receive a end of the spring 42, and at least one stop 412 for the spring 42. More specifically, the tip 41 has an end 411 having two shoulders 412 acting as a stop for the spring.
• the end 411 of the tip 41 is inserted into the spring 42 which thus bears against the two shoulders 412.
• the tip 41 is disposed on one end of the connector 3.
• the second end of the spring 42 cooperates with a complementary shape 50 of metal disposed in the body 20 of the measuring device.
• the complementary shape 50 disposed in the body of the device is formed by at least one tongue 50.
• the tongue 50 is configured so as to be inserted into the second end of the spring 42, and so as to be in contact with the spring 42 to allow an electrical connection.
• the tongue 50 is electrically connected to the sensing element in a conventional manner.
• the connector 30 comprises two end pieces 41.
• the connector 30 comprises two end pieces 41
• the device comprises two springs 42 and the body 20 has two tabs 50.
• the electrical connection is made by a contact between the spring 42 and the tip 41 on the one hand, and the spring 42 and the tongue 50 on the other hand.
• the assembly thus allows the electrical connection between the connector 20 and the sensitive element.
• the body 20 of the device comprises guide means 6.
• the guiding means 6, 60 are formed by at least one opening 6, 60 made directly in the body 2, 20.
• This opening 6, 60 may be in the form of a hole or groove.
• These guide means 6, 60 are associated with elements 7, 70 of elongate shape fixed on the connector 3, 30 and which fit into the opening 6, 60 during the positioning of the connector 3, 30 on the 2, 20.
• the guide means 6, 60 and the elements 7, 70 of elongated shape are thus arranged, relative to one another, and on the body 2, 20 and the connector 3, 3 ', 30, so as to allow the guiding means of connection so that the tongue 5, 50 fits into the spring 42 or the lyre 4.
• the guide means are formed by at least one opening made directly in the connector. This opening may be in the form of a hole or a groove.
• These guide means are associated with elongated elements fixed on the body and which fit into the opening when the connector is placed on the body. The guiding means and the elements of elongated shape are therefore arranged, relative to one another, and on the body and the connector, so as to allow the guiding means connection.
• the device according to the invention allows the connection of different types of connector. Indeed, any type of connector may be equipped with connection means such as those of the present invention.
• the device comprises a dip tube 9.
• dip tube is meant the part that will be immersed in the liquid which is measured level.
• the connector 3, 30 comprises a threaded portion not shown.
• the threaded portion allows the assembly of the device 1, 10 on a support not shown.
• This support is for example a wall of a crankcase.
• the body 2, 20 of the device 1, 10 comprises gripping means 8, 80 of plastic or metal. These gripping means 8, 80 serve as holding means when the device is screwed onto a support. These gripping means 8, 80 serve for example to interface with a screwdriver.
• the gripping means 8, 80 are in the form of a nut and comprise at least three faces.
• the device 1, 10 also comprises an elongate and smooth portion, not shown, disposed between the threaded portion and the gripping member. This part serves to prevent the direct contact of the gripping element with the support on which the device is screwed.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
• Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=52278666

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2014
  • 2014-12-02 EP EP14821785.4A patent/EP3102916A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-12-02 JP JP2016536779A patent/JP2017501541A/ja active Pending
  • 2014-12-02 MX MX2016007300A patent/MX2016007300A/es unknown
  • 2014-12-02 US US15/101,732 patent/US20170045390A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-12-02 CN CN201480074718.3A patent/CN106233100A/zh active Pending
  • 2014-12-02 BR BR112016012737A patent/BR112016012737A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2014-12-02 WO PCT/FR2014/053132 patent/WO2015082832A1/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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