JP2568568Y2 - Bottom-reference type liquid level detector - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid level detecting device mounted on a vehicle, and more particularly to a bottom-based liquid level detecting device provided with a detection position adjusting mechanism for a sensor unit based on the bottom surface of a tank. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel tank of a vehicle is equipped with a float type liquid level detecting device having a sliding resistance type sensor unit for detecting a remaining fuel amount of the fuel tank. A so-called bottom-based liquid level detection device has been proposed which takes into account changes in the bottom surface of the tank due to changes in the bottom surface due to changes in the remaining weight or temperature due to changes in the tank weight, and changes in the shape of various tanks.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-73632 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 61-1134 disclose a structure in which the sensor unit is urged in the vertical direction.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 193421 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-123522 propose a configuration in which a support arm and a float position are linked to adjust the angle by contacting the support arm with a tank bottom surface.

[0004]

However, the former has a problem that the vertical movement mechanism is complicated and the place where the unit is attached to the tank is limited. In the latter, the extending direction of the support arm can be appropriately set. Although the mounting position on the tank is free, the number of parts is still large in the above proposed structure, and the structure is complicated as compared with the unit structure having no bottom reference mechanism, and the cost has to be increased. Was. That is, even in the latter structure,
It is said that the liquid level detection device is completed only after the sensor unit is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate part to the tank with the bracket support, the support arm is fixed to the sensor unit, and the coil spring is mounted on the bracket part. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of parts is large, the work of assembling them is complicated, and the device price is eventually increased.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a support arm is formed to extend directly from a mounting plate portion to a tank, and a sliding resistance type sensor unit is fixed at an intermediate portion of the support arm. And a spring portion in which the support arm itself is wound in a coil shape.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a metal (for example, hard steel wire) support arm 2 is fixed to a mounting plate portion 1 in a mounting hole portion of a tank by an appropriate fixing means such as welding or bolting or caulking. Then, the collar 3 made of resin is attached to the front end side, and extends with a predetermined length so as to form a free end 4 to be in contact with the bottom surface of the tank.

The support arm 2 is made of a long metal material in the shape of a round bar, and is formed as a material having a certain degree of elasticity. It is fixed by fixing means. The sensor unit 5 has a sliding resistor made of a winding resistor or a printed resistor substrate in a metal housing,
It has a well-known structure that generates an electric signal corresponding to the liquid level at the contact position of the sliding contact that comes into contact with the resistor. That is,
A swing arm 7 having a float 6 attached to the tip of the sensor unit 5 is rotatably attached to the sensor unit 5, and the sliding contact is interlocked with the rotation fulcrum to move the float 6 to the floating position (liquid level height). ) Is converted as a change in resistance value by the rotation angle of the swing arm 7 according to the above.

Further, a spring portion 8 wound in a coil shape in advance when the support arm 2 itself is formed is formed in the upper portion of the sensor unit 5 of the support arm 2. Here, the coil is wound four times, but the number of turns may be freely selected depending on the elastic modulus of the material of the support arm 2 or its thickness or the diameter of the coil. The angle of the support arm 2 may be changed about the spring portion 8.

In the embodiment, a low-frequency warning level detection sensor 9 composed of a thermistor is provided at the tip of the support arm 2, and the connecting cord 10 is routed to the plate 1 while being entangled with the support arm 2. The resistance type sensor unit 5 is connected to an electrical connection terminal 11 of the plate unit 1 together with a connection cord for electrically extracting a change in resistance value.

With the above arrangement, a bottom-level liquid level detecting device is completed. As described above, a plurality of components such as an angle adjusting unit, a biasing spring, and a support arm in this type of conventional detecting device are used. Since they are all formed integrally by the support arm 2, the number of parts is extremely small, and thus the assembling work of the detecting device is also simplified.

The position of the present invention will be described with reference to a detection state when the tank is mounted on the tank. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate 1 is mounted in a mounting hole on the tank in a sealed state. As a result, the position of the sensor unit 5 is determined in a state where the free end 4 of the support arm 2 is in contact with the tank bottom surface.
That is, when the swing arm 7 of the sensor unit 5, for example, which is restricted to a predetermined rotation range by the rotation restricting piece, is at the lowermost point restriction position, the position of the rotation arm 7 is To move in a fixed state.

As a result, even if the tank bottom surface changes up and down, the free contact end 4 of the support arm 2 can be
And the lower side of the support arm 2 is angle-adjusted about the spring portion 8, so that the free contact end 4 is always in contact with the tank bottom surface, and the float 6 which is eventually interlocked with the free end 4 is moved. The sensor unit 5 includes a fixed detection base point based on the bottom surface of the tank, and is therefore stable with reference to the bottom surface of the tank with a simple configuration for detecting the liquid level.

[0013]

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, the detection device according to the present invention can have the spring function and the angle adjustment function on the support arm itself, and the number of parts is extremely small, so that the assembling work of the device becomes simple and eventually. The economical effect that the base reference function can be satisfied without increasing the price of the device can be obtained, and the number of components can be reduced by providing the support arm itself with various necessary functions. It is possible to stabilize the dimensions and characteristics of the entire apparatus without requiring accuracy. In particular, by designing the support arm itself with high precision, it is suitable for stable mass production, and also has an advantage that assembly adjustment with other parts becomes extremely simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the device of the present invention is attached to a tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plate part 2 Support arm 4 Free contact end 5 Sliding resistance type sensor unit 6 Float 7 Swing arm 8 Spring part

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A plate fixed to a tank wall;
A support arm extending from the plate portion to the bottom side of the tank, a sliding resistance type sensor unit fixed at an intermediate position of the support arm, a swing arm rotatably supported by the sensor unit, The support arm has a free end where the distal end extending downward from the sensor unit contacts the bottom surface of the tank, and the support arm itself is located between the sensor unit and the plate portion. A bottom-based liquid level, comprising: a spring wound in a coil shape, wherein the angle of the support arm is adjusted around the spring in accordance with the contact of the free end with the tank bottom. Detection device.