JP2007170909A - Float-type liquid level gage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a float-type liquid level gage having a simple structure and taking no time for installation. <P>SOLUTION: In this float-type liquid level gage 1, a float 2 is set afloat on a liquid to detect a liquid level, based on the height of the float 2. This level meter 1 includes a constant torque spring 18 for pulling the float 2 so that the float 2 stops on a liquid surface and moreover moves together with the liquid surface. Correspondingly to the vertical movement of the float 2, an indicator 21 moves on a display board 7 with a scale cut thereon for showing the liquid level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a float type liquid level gauge for measuring the amount of liquid in a tank and the liquid level.

Conventionally, various types of liquid level gauges are used depending on the application. For example, in a ship having a plurality of fuel tanks, it is necessary to install a liquid level gauge for each fuel tank. If a different level gauge is installed for each fuel tank, the handling method is different, which increases the burden on the user. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable to use the same inexpensive liquid level gauge.
As an inexpensive float type liquid level gauge, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2002-39842 A

The float type liquid level gauge disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a relatively simple configuration, and includes a balance weight (counter weight) that moves in accordance with the vertical movement of the float. Such a float type liquid level gauge requires time and effort to install as much as the balance weight is used. Further, it is necessary to pay attention to the balance weight during the maintenance of the float, and the work is complicated.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a float type liquid level gauge that has a simple structure and does not require labor to install.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is a float type liquid level gauge that floats on a liquid and detects the liquid level based on the height of the float, and the float stops at the liquid level, and A constant torque spring that pulls the float so as to move together with the liquid level is provided, and the indicator moves on the display plate with a scale indicating the liquid level corresponding to the vertical movement of the float.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a float type liquid level gauge that floats on a liquid and detects a liquid level based on the height of the float, the first wire having one end fixed to the float is provided. The other end of the wire is wound around a pulley, and is provided with a main wheel that is coaxial with the pulley and can be rotated integrally therewith. The main wheel is provided with a constant torque spring. The main wheel is urged so as to be movable, and one end of a second wire is fixed to the main wheel, and an indicator is installed on the second wire. It was made possible to reciprocate along the scale marked on the display board.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the constant torque spring according to the second aspect of the present invention is configured such that the other end of the second wire is wound around and fixed to the auxiliary wheel, and the elastic force is weaker than the constant torque spring provided on the main wheel. By providing this, the second wire was prevented from slackening.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, a magnetic body is disposed along the display plate, a magnet is installed on the indicator, and the indicator is attracted to the magnetic body, thereby vibrating the second wire. Suppressed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the indicator can be disposed at any position of a portion of the second wire between the main wheel and the sub wheel.
Gauge alignment (initial setting) is facilitated according to the installation environment of the float type liquid level gauge (capacity of the tank in which the liquid to be measured is accommodated, range of movement of the liquid level, etc.).

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the float is pulled by the constant torque spring, so that it is possible to provide a float type liquid level gauge that can be easily installed even in a place where the installation space is limited.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a first wire having one end fixed to the float is provided, and the other end of the first wire is wound around a pulley, and a main wheel that is coaxially rotatable with the pulley is provided. The main wheel is provided with a constant torque spring, and the constant torque spring urges the main wheel so that the float can move together with the liquid surface. Further, one end of the second wire is provided on the main wheel. It is fixed, and an indicator is installed on the second wire, and the indicator can reciprocate along a scale engraved on the display plate showing the liquid level, so that the liquid level position can be easily grasped. can do.

  Further, since the indicator and the float are provided on separate wires, the float and the indicator can be maintained independently of each other. Therefore, when exchanging the float, it is not necessary to remove the properly set indicator, and it is not necessary to re-install the indicator.

  In the invention of claim 3, the other end of the second wire is wound around and fixed to the auxiliary wheel, and the second wheel is provided with a constant torque spring having a weaker elastic force than the constant torque spring provided on the main wheel. Since the wire is not slackened, the movement of the float is transmitted to the indicator with good response, and the liquid level can be detected well.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the magnetic body is arranged along the display plate, the magnet is installed on the indicator, and the indicator is attracted to the magnetic body to suppress the vibration of the second wire, the liquid level is accurately determined. Easier to read. Moreover, since the vibration of the second wire is suppressed, the durability of the second wire can be improved.

  In the invention of claim 5, since the indicator can be arranged at an arbitrary position in the portion between the main wheel and the sub wheel of the second wire, the indicator for the display board according to the installation environment of the float type liquid level gauge. Can be easily adjusted.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a float type liquid level gauge 1 embodying the present invention. The float type liquid level gauge 1 can be used, for example, when measuring the amount of fuel in a marine fuel tank. The float type liquid level gauge 1 includes a float 2 disposed in a liquid 30 (in this case, fuel), a first wire 3 to be described later that suspends the float 2, and guide pulleys 4 and 5 that change the direction of the first wire 3. And a liquid level indicator 6 for displaying the liquid level (the liquid level position of the fuel).

  The float 2 and the guide pulleys 4 and 5 are the same as those used in the conventional float type liquid level gauge. In addition, the float type liquid level gauge 1 has a characteristic configuration inside the liquid level indicator 6. Hereinafter, the liquid level indicator 6 will be mainly described in detail.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid level indicator 6.
As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid level indicator 6 is provided with a partition 8. The partition 8 is provided with a through hole 9, and a support shaft 10 passes through the through hole 9. The support shaft 10 supports the main wheel 14 on the front side (the front side of the page) of the partition 8, and supports the pulley 11 on the back side (the other side of the page) of the partition 8. The main wheel 14 and the pulley 11 can rotate together with the support shaft 10.

  The pulley 11 is provided with a groove-shaped wire engaging portion 11a. One end of the first wire 3 is fixed to the wire engaging portion 11a, and the other end of the first wire 3 is fixed to the upper end of the float 2 (FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, guide pulleys 4 and 5 are arranged in the middle of the first wire 3 from the pulley 11 to the float 2. By providing these guide pulleys 4 and 5, a position where the user can easily see the liquid level indicator 6 regardless of the position of the fuel tank (only the wire installation flange 29 provided at the top of the fuel tank is shown in FIG. 1). Will be able to be installed. The length of the 1st wire 3 should just be the length more than the grade which float 2 reaches the bottom of a fuel tank when fuel runs out.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main wheel 14 disposed on the front side of the partition 8 includes a groove-shaped wire winding portion 14a for winding the second wire 20 and a spring engaging portion 14b. The main wheel 14 is given a rotational force by the elastic force of a spring 18b (shown in FIG. 3 to be described later) of a constant torque spring 18 that is non-rotatably supported by a support shaft 18a.

  Temporarily, the specific gravity of the float 2 is larger than the specific gravity of the liquid (fuel), and this rotational force (force that pulls the float 2 upward via the first wire 3) receives the weight of the float 2 and the float 2 from the fuel. If it is equal to the difference in buoyancy, the float 2 stops in fuel.

  Actually, the specific gravity of the float 2 is smaller than the specific gravity of the liquid (fuel), and the float 2 alone is submerged by, for example, 60 to 70% of the total length (total height), and the rest When the length of 40 to 30% floats in a state of protruding above the liquid level, the length of 7 to 15% of the total length is further above the liquid level by the first wire 3 (constant torque spring 18). It is pulled upward so that it protrudes (that is, the length of the liquid immersion portion is shortened). In other words, the sum of the force that pulls the float 2 through the first wire 3 by the elastic force of the constant torque spring 18 (spring 18a) and the buoyancy that the float 2 receives from the liquid (fuel) is equal to the weight of the float 2. Thus, the volume and weight (specific gravity) of the float 2 are set. Therefore, even if the first wire 3 is detached from the float 2, the float 2 does not sink to the bottom of the tank. Thus, when the float 2 pulled upward by the first wire 3 is disposed on the surface (liquid level) of the fuel, the float 2 follows the rising or falling liquid level.

  The float 2 is not arranged directly in the fuel tank, but a guide cylinder 27 extending in the vertical direction is arranged in the fuel tank, and the float 2 is arranged in the guide cylinder 27. The inner shape of the guide tube 27 and the outer shape of the float 2 are set so that the float 2 can smoothly move up and down in the guide tube 27. For example, when a plurality of blades are provided on the float 2 and these blades are brought into contact with the inner surface of the guide tube 27, the float 2 can be moved in the vertical direction without vibrating in the guide tube 27.

  A support shaft 15 a is provided on the front side of the partition 8. The support shaft 15a supports the auxiliary wheel 15 in a rotatable manner. Similar to the main wheel 14, the auxiliary wheel 15 is provided with a groove-shaped wire winding portion 15 b and a spring engaging portion 15 c. One end of the second wire 20 is fixed to the wire winding portion 14 a of the main wheel 14, and the other end of the second wire 20 is fixed to the wire winding portion 15 b of the sub wheel 15.

  The structure of the liquid level indicator 6 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the liquid level indicator 6. FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrows IV-IV in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the second wire 20 passes through pulleys 16 and 17 that are rotatably supported by columns 16 a and 17 a installed on the front side of the partition 8, respectively. One end of the wire 20 is wound around the main wheel 14 a plurality of times. The length of the second wire 20 and the diameter of the main wheel 14 (the diameter around which the second wire 20 is wound) are set corresponding to the maximum moving distance of the float 2 (FIG. 1). Then, the second wire 20 is wound around the auxiliary wheel 15 by the length that is drawn from the main wheel 14, and conversely, the second wire 20 is drawn from the auxiliary wheel 15 by the length that the main wheel 14 is wound. Yes.

  Rotational force is applied to the auxiliary wheel 15 by the urging (elasticity) of the spring 19b (FIG. 3) of the constant torque spring 19 that is supported on the partition 8 so as not to rotate by the support column 19a so that the second wire 20 is not bent. Has been granted. That is, the rotational force of the auxiliary wheel 15 biased by the constant torque spring 19 (spring 19b) is smaller than the rotational force of the main wheel 14 biased by the constant torque spring 18 (spring 18b). A constant torque spring 19 is provided to wind the second wire 20 around the auxiliary wheel 15 so that the second wire 20 is not loosened when the second wire 20 is unwound.

  The elastic force of the constant torque spring 19 (spring 19b) is set to a magnitude that does not affect the rotation of the main wheel 14. Therefore, when the second wire 20 is wound around the main wheel 14 (when the liquid level and the float 2 descend), the main wheel 14 and the pulley 11 rotate smoothly by the elastic force of the constant torque spring 18 (spring 18b). Thus, the second wire 20 and the first wire 3 can be wound up, respectively.

  On the front side of the partition 8, a column 13 that supports a display plate 7 engraved with a scale indicating the liquid level (or the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank) that is the level of the fuel, and a rail 12 that will be described later are supported. A support 22 is provided. The display board 7 is provided with a slit 7b that penetrates an indicator 21 described later. The display board 7 is provided with an upper limit index 40 and a lower limit index 41. The upper limit index 40 is set at a scale position corresponding to the maximum warning value of the liquid level (a preset liquid level immediately before the fuel in the fuel tank reaches the maximum filling amount), and the lower limit index 41 is set at the liquid level. It is installed at a scale position corresponding to the minimum alert value (a preset liquid level immediately before the fuel in the fuel tank is completely consumed). A reed switch (not shown) is provided for the upper limit index 40 and the lower limit index 41, and when the indicator 21 reaches the position of the upper limit index 40 or the lower limit index 41, a signal is output via the output terminal 45 shown in FIG. A buzzer can be sounded and an alarm lamp can be blinked.

  At the four corners of the display panel 7, through holes 7a are provided. The support column 13 is provided with a screw hole 13a, and the screw 24 passes through the through hole 7a and is screwed with the screw hole 13a of the support column 13, whereby the display board 7 is fixed to the partition 8 (support column 13). It is like that.

  Between the pulley 16 and the pulley 17, the rail 12 is supported by a support 22 and installed. That is, the rail 12 is provided with a through hole 12a, and a female screw 22a (FIG. 4) is cut at the tip of the column 22, and a screw 26 screwed into the female screw 22a passes through the through hole 12a. The rail 12 is fixed to the partition 8 (the column 22) by sandwiching the rail 12 between the column 26 and the column 22.

  The rail 12 is formed by integrally fixing a back side member 28 made of a magnetic material such as iron and a front side member 39 made of a nonmagnetic material that passes a magnetic line of force such as a metal such as copper or aluminum or a resin. Yes. The front side member 39 is provided with a sliding surface 39a for sliding the indicator 21.

  When the main wheel 14 and the sub wheel 15 are rotated, the portion of the second wire 20 between the pulley 16 and the pulley 17 moves along the rail 12. An indicator (indicator) 21 is provided on a portion of the second wire 20 between the pulley 16 and the pulley 17.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of the indicator 21. Moreover, Fig.6 (a) is sectional drawing of the state which assembled the indicator 21, FIG.6 (b) is a front view of the indicator 21 of the assembled state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the indicator 21 includes a cap nut 31, a pointer 32, a stopper 33 (spacer), flat washers 34 and 35, and a main body 37 including a magnet 36. The magnet 36 is inserted into a hole opened in a base portion 37a (a portion that contacts the rail 12) of the main body 37, and is fixed to the main body 37 by caulking a caulking piece 37d provided in the opening of the base portion 37a. The magnet 36 may be fixed to the main body 37 with an adhesive or other fixing means. In addition, the main body 37 is provided with a column portion 37b that is continuous with the base portion 37a and includes a screw portion. A through hole 37c through which the second wire 20 passes is provided at the end of the support 37b on the base 37a side.

  An index 32 having flat washers 35 and 34, a stopper 33, and a hole 32a is attached to the support column 37b. After the installation, the cap nut 31 is screwed into the threaded portion of the support column 37b, as shown in FIG. And it will be in the state shown in FIG.6 (b). That is, the second wire 20 passes through the through hole 37 c and is sandwiched between the flat washers 34 and 35. The flat washer 35 is in contact with the base 37 a of the main body 37, and the flat washer 34 presses the second wire 20 by tightening the cap nut 31 via the cylindrical stopper 33 and the index 32. With this configuration, the indicator 21 is fixed to the second wire 20.

  On the other hand, the indicator 32 indicating the scale carved on the display board 7 is sandwiched between the stopper 33 and the cap nut 31 and is fixed to the indicator 21 by tightening the cap nut 31 to the threaded portion of the support column portion 37b.

  The indicator 21 having such a configuration can be moved to an arbitrary position of the second wire 20 by loosening the cap nut 31, and further, the second wire 20 can be simply tightened at the position. Can be fixed against.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the indicator 38 (a modification of the indicator 21 of FIG. 6). The indicator 38 includes a bolt 39, an index 40, a spacer 41, flat washers 42 and 43, a nut 44, and a magnet 45.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the indicator 40 is disposed between the head 39 a of the bolt 39 and the spacer 41, and the second wire 20 is disposed between the flat washers 42 and 43. When the nut 44 is screwed into the bolt 39, the index 40 is sandwiched between the head 39a of the bolt 39 and the spacer 41, and the second wire 20 is sandwiched between the flat washers 42 and 43. With this configuration, the indicator 38 can be fixed to the second wire 20. By loosening the nut 44, the indicator 38 can be moved to an arbitrary position of the second wire 20, and can be fixed to the second wire 20 by tightening the nut 44.

  A magnet 45 having a threaded portion 45 a is screwed into the screw hole 44 a of the nut 44. Since the magnet 45 is attached to the front side member 39 of the rail 12 shown in FIG. 1, even if the indicator 38 is installed in a fuel tank of a ship that frequently shakes, the slit 7a and the rail of the display board 7 do not shake. 12 can move up and down. The magnet 45 attracts the back side member 28 formed of a magnetic material via the front side member 39 formed of a nonmagnetic material, but the front side member 39 moderately weakens the magnetic force acting between the two, and the indicator 21 Can slide smoothly on the front member 39.

Here, the story is returned to the liquid level indicator 6.
In the float-type liquid level gauge 1 configured as described above, fuel is consumed, the first wire 3 is fed out from the pulley 11 and the float 2 descends. At the same time, the second wire 20 is wound around the main wheel 14. Since it is taken, the indicator 21 descends along the display board 7 (rail 12).

  By relatively adjusting the diameter of the pulley 11 (winding diameter of the first wire 3) and the diameter of the main wheel 14 (winding diameter of the second wire 20), it is carved into the display board 7 indicated by the indicator 21. The scale can correspond to the remaining amount of fuel in the fuel tank.

  Although the configuration of the liquid level indicator 6 has been described above, if the support shaft 10 does not rotate smoothly even if the float 2 moves up and down, a bearing is provided in the through hole 9 and the support shaft 10 is supported by the bearing. May be supported. In the above-described example, it is preferable to provide an O-ring in the through hole 9 so that the fuel to be measured does not enter the front side of the partition 8.

  In the above example, the constant torque spring 19 is used to apply the rotational force to the auxiliary wheel 15. However, the constant torque spring 19 always has the same elastic force regardless of the position (height) of the float 2. The second wire 20 acts so as not to bend, and the rotational force of the pulley 11 by the float 2 and the rotational force of the main wheel 14 by the constant torque spring 18 are balanced. If the biasing force of the spring on the auxiliary wheel 15 side is negligible relative to the biasing force of the constant torque spring 18 on the main wheel 14 side, a spring other than the constant torque spring 19 is provided on the auxiliary wheel 15 side. Can be adopted.

  As described above, the float type liquid level gauge 1 of the present embodiment does not use any electrical equipment, can prevent the occurrence of accidents such as fire due to electric leakage, and is extremely safe.

It is a perspective view of the float type liquid level gauge which implemented this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of a liquid level indicator. It is a partial front view of a liquid level indicator. It is the IV-IV arrow line view of FIG. It is an exploded sectional view of an indicator. (A) is sectional drawing of the indicator of the assembled state, (b) is a front view of the indicator of the assembled state. It is sectional drawing of the indicator different from FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Float type liquid level meter 2 Float 3 1st wire 6 Liquid level indicator 7 Display board 8 Partition 9 Through-hole 10 Support shaft 11 Pulley 12 Rail 14 Main wheel 15 Sub wheel 16, 17 Pulley 18, 19 Constant torque spring 20 First 2 wires 21, 38 Indicator 25, 45 Magnet 28 Back side member (magnetic material)

Claims (5)

A float type level gauge that floats on the liquid and detects the liquid level with the float,
On the display board with a constant torque spring that pulls the float so that the float stops at the liquid level and moves with the liquid level, and the indicator has a scale indicating the liquid level corresponding to the vertical movement of the float A float-type liquid level gauge characterized by moving. A float type level gauge that floats on the liquid and detects the liquid level with the float,
A first wire having one end fixed to the float is provided, and the other end of the first wire is wound around a pulley. A main wheel that is coaxial with the pulley and is rotatable integrally is provided. A torque spring is provided, and the constant torque spring urges the main wheel so that the float can move along with the liquid level, and one end of a second wire is fixed to the main wheel, An indicator is installed on the two wires, and the indicator is capable of reciprocating along a scale engraved on a display plate indicating the liquid level.   By winding the other end of the second wire around the auxiliary wheel and fixing it, and providing the auxiliary wheel with a constant torque spring having a lower elastic force than the constant torque spring provided on the main wheel, the second wire does not become slack. The float type liquid level gauge according to claim 2, wherein   4. The float according to claim 3, wherein a magnetic body is disposed along the display plate, a magnet is installed on the indicator, and the indicator is attracted to the magnetic body to suppress vibration of the second wire. Liquid level gauge.   The float type liquid level gauge according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the indicator can be arranged at an arbitrary position in a portion between the main wheel and the sub wheel of the second wire.

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