JP2539651Y2 - Fuel tank level measurement device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring a liquid level in a fuel tank having a main tank chamber and a sub tank chamber provided at a lower portion of a tank body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a known fuel tank for an automobile.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a tank main body of a fuel tank.
Are formed to separate the main tank chamber 3 and the sub tank chamber 5 from each other. The bulging portion 2 is formed to avoid interference between the bottom wall of the tank main body and the functional parts of the vehicle body.

A feed pipe 7 feeds a fuel supply device for supplying fuel from the main tank chamber 3 to an engine (not shown). A feed pump 8 is attached to a suction end of the feed pipe.

[0005] Numeral 9 is a vertical type fuel gauge which has a float 10 which moves up and down according to the liquid level, and detects the liquid level by changing the resistance value according to the position of the float 10. The liquid level from the bottom of the main tank chamber 3 to the upper end of the tank body 1 is detected.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a return pipe for returning surplus fuel not consumed by the fuel supply device to the inside of the tank body 1. At the tip of the return pipe 11, a nozzle 13 projecting into the chamber 12 is formed. Further, a throttle portion 14 is formed at a lower portion of the chamber 12, and the throttle portion 14 is disposed in the main tank chamber 3. A suction pipe 15 communicates the chamber 12 with the sub tank chamber 5. One end of the suction pipe is connected to a suction passage 16 of the sub fuel gauge 20.

The sub-fuel gauge 20 detects a liquid level in a range from the bottom of the sub tank chamber 5 to the upper end of the bulging portion 2 and is disposed in the float chamber 21 to detect the liquid level. A float 22 which moves up and down in response to this, and a reed switch 2 which is turned on / off by the float 22
3 is provided.

The reed switch 23 is turned on when the float 22 is at the raised position, and is turned off when the float 22 is at the lowered position.

Now, when the feed pump 8 is driven,
Fuel is supplied from the main tank chamber 3 to a fuel supply device via a feed pipe 7, and surplus fuel supplied to the fuel supply device is returned into the tank body 1 via a return pipe 11.

At this time, the fuel is jetted out of the nozzle 13 toward the throttle portion 14 by the discharge pressure of the feed pump 8. Therefore, a negative pressure region is generated around the nozzle 13 in the chamber 12, and the fuel in the sub tank chamber 5 is transferred to the main tank chamber 3 through the suction passage 16 and the suction pipe 15 by the negative pressure. Then, the suction pipe 15, the chamber 12, the throttle section 14, the return pipe 11, and the nozzle 13
And the like constitute a transfer unit (feeding means) Q.

Here, the remaining fuel amount in the tank body 1 is confirmed by the fuel meter 17, and the indicated value of the fuel meter 17 remains in the main tank chamber 3 and the sub tank chamber 5. The total value of the fuel is displayed.

That is, when the liquid level in the sub-tank chamber 5 is higher than a certain level, the float 22 is in the raised position and the reed switch 23 is turned on.
2, the reed switch 23 is turned off, and the detected value of the fuel gauge 12 in the main tank chamber 3 is corrected and displayed on the fuel meter 17.

[0013]

When the transfer unit Q breaks down, the fuel in the sub tank chamber 5 is removed from the main tank chamber 3.
The fuel meter 17 is no longer sent to
Despite the fact that "Y" is not displayed, there is a problem that running becomes impossible due to running out of fuel, and it is not possible to run with confidence until "EMPTY" is displayed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank liquid level measuring device that can travel with confidence until "EMPTY" is displayed.

[0015]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a main tank chamber and a sub tank chamber are formed at a lower portion of a tank main body, and the fuel in the main tank chamber is supplied to an engine. From the bottom of the main tank chamber of a fuel tank provided with a feed pipe and a feeding means for feeding fuel in the sub tank chamber to the main tank chamber when fuel is being fed by the feed pipe. In a fuel tank level measuring device provided with a main sensor that detects a liquid level of fuel in a range up to an upper part of a tank body and outputs a liquid level signal according to the liquid level, A sub-sensor for detecting the fuel level in the range from the bottom to the top and outputting a sub-level signal corresponding to the detected level; and adding the main level signal and the sub-level signal Output the total remaining liquid level signal Calculating means, a display means for displaying the value of the total remaining liquid level signal, and determining whether or not the main liquid level signal and the sub liquid level signal fall within preset setting conditions. And a failure judging means for judging that the feeding means is defective when the value is in the inside and clearing the value of the sub liquid level signal input to the adding means to zero.

[0016]

According to the present invention, the main sensor outputs a main liquid level signal corresponding to the main liquid level corresponding to the liquid level of the main tank chamber, and the sub sensor detects the liquid level of the fuel in the sub tank chamber. A sub liquid level signal corresponding to the liquid level is output, and the adding means outputs a total remaining liquid amount signal obtained by adding the main liquid level signal and the sub liquid level signal. Then, the display means displays the value of the total remaining liquid amount signal.

On the other hand, the defect judging means judges whether or not the main liquid level signal and the sub liquid level signal are within predetermined set conditions. The value of the input sub liquid level signal is cleared to zero. As a result, the adding means outputs only the main liquid level signal, and the display means displays the remaining liquid amount in the main tank chamber.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a fuel tank liquid level measuring device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same members as those shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

2 to 4, reference numeral 50 denotes a sub-fuel gauge for detecting a liquid level in a range from the bottom of the sub-tank chamber 5 to the upper end of the bulging portion 2. The sub-fuel gauge 50 has a cylindrical shape. And a reed switch unit 27 attached to a lower portion of the casing 26.

The casing 26 has the flange portion 25 formed on the upper part and the suction passage 16 as a suction pipe extending to the bottom wall of the tank body 1. The casing 26 is formed on the upper surface of the tank body 1. The lower end of a connector 30 as a suction pipe integrally formed with a lid 29 for closing the mounting hole 18 is received in the suction passage 16, and the chamber 1 is connected via the suction pipe 15 connected to the connector 30.
The fuel in the sub tank chamber 5 is sucked up by the negative pressure generated in the sub tank 2.

The distal end of the suction passage 16 is formed to be thinner than the portion for receiving the connector 30. Around the distal end, a partition wall 31 forms an outer wall of the suction passage 16 and the partition wall 31 forms a suction port. A donut-shaped float chamber 32 whose lower side is opened is provided between the road 16 and the partition wall 31. In the float chamber 32, reed switches 33a, 33 provided in a reed switch unit 33 described later are provided.
A float 35 having a magnet 34 for operating b and 33c is provided vertically.

On the upper wall of the partition 31, a float 3 is provided.
The upper stopper 36 is formed so as to protrude, and a communication hole 37 for taking in air when the fuel liquid level is lowered is formed, while a suction port 38 is formed at the lower edge of the partition wall 31.

The flange portion of the caging 26 is
A seal member 39 is attached to the attachment hole 18 by a predetermined fixing means and a portion for receiving the connector 30 via a stopper 40.

On the other hand, the reed switch unit 27 attached to the lower part of the casing 26 closes the lower part of the casing 26 and a hook 41 provided on the partition wall 31.
A plate 43 provided with a claw 42 engaging with the terminal 43a, and terminals 44a, 4
4b, 47a, 47b, and a reed switch part 33 provided with well-known reed switches 33a to 33c which are turned on and off by the float 35 at the distal ends of the terminals 44a, 47a.

The plate 43 is placed below the casing 26,
When the claw 42 of the plate 43 is engaged with and attached to the hook 41 of the partition wall 31, the terminal 44 is inserted into the suction passage 16 of the casing 26, and the reed switch portion 33 is disposed in the suction passage 16. .

The lower stopper 45 of the float 35 is integrally formed on the upper surface of the plate 43.
The ends of the terminals 44 extend in the circumferential direction of the plate 43 so as to be arranged outside the periphery of the partition 31 of the casing 26 when the plate 43 is attached to the casing 26, and are raised. Is formed.

By the way, the reed switches 33a to 33c are arranged in order from the top of the reed switch section 33. The reed switch 33a lowers the fuel level in the sub-tank chamber 5 and raises the float 35 from the bottom. Turns on when the float falls below H1, the reed switch 33b turns on when the float 35 drops below the height H2 (<H1), and the reed switch 33c turns on when the float 35 drops below the height H3 (<H2). Things.

These reed switches 33a to 33c are connected so as to short-circuit each of the resistors R1, R2 and R3, as shown in FIG. The sub-sensor 60 is composed of the resistors R1 to R3 and the reed switches 33a to 33c, and the terminal 47b is connected to the averaging circuit 61 shown in FIG.

The sub-sensor 60 includes a reed switch 3
The combined resistance between the terminals 44b and 47b is changed in three stages by turning on and off the 3a to 33c, and a voltage (step detection signal) corresponding to the combined resistance is output to the averaging circuit 61. That is, the sub sensor 60 has a liquid level of H1, H
When it becomes 2, H3, this is detected.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 62 denotes a main sensor composed of a vertical fuel gauge similar to the conventional one, which changes the resistance value according to the position of the float 10 and applies a voltage (liquid level) corresponding to the resistance value. Signal), the liquid level from the bottom of the main tank chamber 3 to the upper end of the tank body 1 is detected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric system of the liquid level measuring device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 61 denotes a stage detection signal output from the sub-sensor 60, for example, sampled every 0.1 second, and this sampled stage detection signal is, for example, 1 second.
An averaging circuit that averages every second and outputs the averaged average step signal SD. 63 samples the liquid level signal output from the main sensor 62 in the same manner as described above,
This is an averaging circuit that outputs the averaged average liquid level signal SM.

A summation circuit (adding means) 64 adds the average step signal SD and the average liquid level signal SM to determine the total remaining liquid amount of the tank body 1, and outputs an addition signal SG indicating the total remaining liquid amount. ) And 65 are addition signals S output from the addition circuit 64.
An averaging circuit that averages G every tens of seconds, for example, and outputs the averaged addition signal SH every tens of seconds. These averaging circuits 61, 63 and 65 are provided to remove the influence of the fluctuation due to the fluctuation of the liquid level due to the oscillation of the vehicle body or the like.

Reference numeral 66 denotes a correction circuit (correction means) provided with a time constant circuit for correcting the average addition signal SH.
6 is a correction addition signal SJ obtained by reducing the average addition signal SH with the lapse of time at a rate corresponding to the value of the rotation signal SK output from the rotation sensor 67 for detecting the number of rotations of the engine.
Is output. Reference numeral 68 denotes a display (display means) for displaying the total remaining amount of fuel according to the value of the correction addition signal SJ. The display 68 is displayed by the drive circuit 69.

Reference numeral 71 compares the average liquid level signal SM output from the averaging circuit 63 with the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65, and when the difference is smaller than a predetermined value, the average liquid level signal SM This is an abnormality processing circuit that outputs an average liquid level signal SM when the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value and determines that the output is abnormal.

Reference numeral 72 compares the average step signal SD output from the averaging circuit 61 with the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65, and outputs the average step signal SD when the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value. When the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the abnormality processing circuit determines that the abnormality is abnormal and cancels the output of the average stage signal SD.

The abnormality processing circuits 71 and 72 are provided with the respective sensors 60 and 72 when the liquid level fluctuates greatly due to the swing of the vehicle body or the like.
62 removes the detected signal.

An average circuit 73 averages the average liquid level signal SM output from the abnormality processing circuit 71 every several tens of seconds, for example, and outputs the averaged average liquid level signal SL. Is an average circuit for averaging the average step signal SD output from for example every several tens of seconds and outputting this averaged step signal SP.

Reference numeral 75 indicates that the average liquid level signal SL output from the averaging circuit 73 is equal to or less than a predetermined set value A,
When the average step signal SP output from the averaging circuit 74 is equal to or greater than a preset value B (<A), the transfer unit Q has failed and the fuel in the sub tank chamber 5 has been transferred to the main tank chamber 3. Failure determination circuit that determines that there is no failure (failure determination means)
It is.

The failure determination circuit 75 is provided with the transfer unit Q
Outputs a reset signal R when it is determined that the device has failed. By the reset signal R, the adding circuit 64 processes the value of the average step signal SD output from the averaging circuit 61 as zero, and outputs the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 63.
Is output.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to a time chart shown in FIG.

As the fuel is consumed from the state in which the fuel is filled in the tank body 1 as shown in FIG. 6A, the liquid level of the fuel decreases. The reed switches 33a to 33c of the sub sensor 60 are all turned off until the liquid level drops to the position of the height H1 from the bottom of the sub tank chamber 5. Therefore, from time t0 to time t1 (the time when the reed switch 33a is turned on) shown in FIG. 6, the sub sensor 60 outputs a step detection signal having a constant value.

On the other hand, the main sensor 62 outputs a liquid level signal according to the drop of the liquid level. And the averaging circuit 6
3 outputs an averaged average liquid level signal SM, and outputs an average circuit 6
1 outputs an averaged average step signal SD.

The addition circuit 64 outputs an addition signal SG obtained by adding the average liquid level signal SM and the average step signal SD. The averaging circuit 65 averages the addition signal SG output from the addition circuit 64. Are output every several tens of seconds, for example.

If the fuel is consumed at a constant rate, the value of the average addition signal SH decreases along a straight line from time t0 to time t1 in FIG. 6C.

Then, the correction circuit 66 calculates the value of the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65, for example, from the value of SH1 until the output of the signal SH1 at time ta to the output of the signal SH2 at time tb. The correction addition signal SJ1 (see FIG. 6D) that decreases with the passage of time is output. The correction addition signal SJ1 is output by a time constant circuit and decreases exponentially. However, since the time from the time point ta to the time point tb is about several tens of seconds, it can be regarded as a substantially straight line ( The time constant is set so that it can be regarded as a straight line.) The time constant is determined according to the rotation signal output from the rotation sensor 67.

Then, the total remaining amount of fuel, which is the value of the correction addition signal SJ1, is displayed on the display 68 by the driver 69.

When the fuel level drops to the position of the height H1, the reed switch 33a is turned on (time t2). When the reed switch 33a is turned on, the resistor R1 shown in FIG.
Is short-circuited, the value of the step detection signal output from the sub-sensor 60 sharply drops. As a result, the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65 also sharply drops at time t2. For example, in FIG.
As shown in (C), the average addition signal SH changes from SH3 to SH4.

The time constant circuit 66 calculates the average addition signal S
The correction addition signal SJ2 that decreases with the passage of time from the value of H3 is output (see FIG. 6D). The correction addition signal SJ2 determines a time constant according to the rotation signal SK output from the rotation sensor 67, and is output by a time constant circuit (not shown) based on the determined time constant. .

When the value of the rotation signal SK is large, fuel consumption is large when the value of the rotation signal SK is large.
Is determined to decrease greatly with the passage of time.

The averaging circuit 65 outputs the average addition signal SH4 several times until time t2. If the value of the correction addition signal SJ2 is larger than the value of the average addition signal SH4, the correction circuit 66 outputs the correction addition signal SJ2. At time t2
Until then, the correction addition signal SJ2 is output.

Similarly, when the liquid level of the sub tank chamber 5 drops to H2, H3 at times t2, t3, the reed switches 30b, 30c are turned on, and the averaging circuit 65 outputs the average addition signals SH5, SH6. Also, the correction circuit 66 outputs correction addition signals SJ3 and SJ4 that decrease with the passage of time. Then, the total remaining liquid amount of the fuel, which is the value of the correction addition signals SJ3 and SJ4, is displayed on the display 68.

Thus, even if the sub-sensor 60 detects the liquid level of the sub-tank chamber 5 in three stages and the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65 changes stepwise, the time constant circuit 66 Is corrected to a correction addition signal SJ that decreases with the passage of time, so that the display value of the display 68 is
It will change continuously as the fuel decreases,
The displayed value also indicates an almost accurate remaining amount of fuel. The sub-sensor 60 is connected to the reed switches 30a to 30a.
Since 30c is used, the liquid level measuring device is inexpensive.

On the other hand, the abnormality detection circuit 71
Is compared with the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65, and when the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the average liquid level signal SM is output. When the difference is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the abnormality is abnormal, and the output of the average liquid level signal SM is canceled.

Similarly, the abnormality processing circuit 72 includes an averaging circuit 6
1 is compared with the average addition signal SH output from the averaging circuit 65, and when the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the average level signal SD is output. At this time, it is determined that the output is abnormal, and the output of the average stage signal SD is cancelled.

The averaging circuit 73 is connected to the abnormality processing circuit 71.
Are averaged every several tens of seconds, for example, and the averaged average level signal SL is output. Similarly, the averaging circuit 74 averages the average step signal SD output from the abnormality processing circuit 72, for example, every several tens of seconds, and outputs the averaged average liquid level signal SP.

The failure judging circuit 75 determines that the average liquid level signal SL output from the averaging circuit 73 is equal to or less than a predetermined set value A and the average liquid level signal SP output from the averaging circuit 74 is When the set value B (<A) or more,
It determines that the transfer unit Q has failed and outputs a reset signal D. The reset signal D causes the addition circuit 64
Performs processing with the value of the average step signal SD output from the averaging circuit 61 as zero.

That is, the adding circuit 64 outputs the average liquid level signal SM output from the averaging circuit 63. As a result, only the remaining liquid amount of the fuel in the main tank chamber 3 is displayed on the display 68. If the fuel in the sub tank chamber 5 cannot be used due to the failure of the transfer unit Q, the remaining liquid amount in the sub tank chamber 5 is displayed. It will not be done.

Therefore, the driver can travel with confidence to the display of "EMPTY" on the display 68. Incidentally, when the transfer unit Q is out of order, the remaining amount of liquid in the sub-tank chamber 5 is displayed even though the fuel in the sub-tank chamber 5 cannot be used.
Although "EMPTY" is not displayed, there is a problem that running becomes impossible due to fuel shortage, and the display 68 displays "EMPTTY".
It means that you cannot drive with confidence until "Y" is displayed.

In the above embodiment, the sub fuel gauge 50 is provided with three reed switches 33a to 33c. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sub fuel gauge may be provided with one reed switch. Of course, the same type as the main fuel gauge 62 may be used.

[0061]

According to this invention, when the fuel in the sub tank chamber becomes unusable due to a failure of the feeding means or the like, the value of the sub liquid level signal input to the adding means by the fault judging means is cleared to zero. As a result, the vehicle can travel with confidence until the display means displays "EMPTY".

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a fuel tank liquid level measuring device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fuel tank;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a sub fuel gauge for detecting a liquid level in a sub tank chamber;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view in which the above-mentioned sub fuel gauge is partially exploded,

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing connection between a reed switch and a resistor;

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing signals output from the main circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory view showing a configuration of a conventional fuel tank liquid level measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank main body 3 Main tank room 5 Sub tank room 7 Feed pipe 60 Sub sensor 62 Main sensor 64 Addition circuit (addition means) 66 Correction circuit (correction means) 68 Display (display means) 75 Defect judgment circuit (defect judgment means)

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A main tank chamber and a sub-tank chamber are formed at a lower portion of a tank body, a feed pipe for supplying fuel from the main tank chamber to an engine, and fuel supply by the feed pipe. Detecting the liquid level of the fuel in a range from the bottom of the main tank chamber to the upper part of the tank body of the fuel tank provided with a feeding means for feeding the fuel in the sub tank chamber to the main tank chamber when the fuel tank is being operated. In the fuel tank liquid level measuring device provided with a main sensor that outputs a liquid level signal according to the liquid level, detecting the fuel level in the range from the bottom to the top of the sub tank chamber A sub sensor that outputs a sub liquid level signal corresponding to the detected liquid level, an adding unit that outputs a total remaining liquid level signal obtained by adding the main liquid level signal and the sub liquid level signal, Display means for displaying the value of the remaining liquid amount signal It is determined whether the main liquid level signal and the sub liquid level signal are within preset setting conditions, and when it is within the preset conditions, it is determined that the feeding means is defective. A liquid level measuring device for a fuel tank, comprising: a failure judging means for clearing a value of a sub liquid level signal input to an adding means to zero.