JP3526655B2 - 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 suitable for use in an oil tank for motorcycles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-13928 discloses an oil level detecting device for a four-cycle engine. This device includes a float that moves up and down according to the liquid level, a hollow rod-shaped member that guides the up-down movement of the float, and a switch that is provided in the rod-shaped member and that turns on and off according to the up-and-down movement of the float. Part, a switch part holder for holding the switch part in a predetermined position, and the switch part holder and one end of the rod-shaped member are attached to the switch mounting part on the liquid case side where the liquid is stored. A fitting mounting portion for mounting is provided, and the switch portion holder and the fitting mounting portion are integrated by insert molding.

[0003]

By the way, when the switch holder and the fitting mounting portion are insert-molded as in the above-mentioned conventional example, equipment such as special molds and jigs and manpower are required for the manufacturing, High cost.

In addition, after the rod-shaped member is molded, the switch part is assembled, the switch part holder is insert-molded into the fitting mounting part, and then the float is assembled. In addition, since the manufacturing process is different and cannot be continued, the productivity is further deteriorated. Then, this application aims at solving such a problem.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a liquid level detecting device according to the present invention comprises a float that moves up and down according to the liquid level, and a rod-shaped member for guiding the up and down motion of the float. a switch unit for turning on and off in response to vertical movement of the float, the liquid level detecting apparatus provided with a portion for mounting the upper end of the rod-like member to the liquid case the liquid is accommodated, the liquid case To install to
Is fitted to the switch mounting part on the liquid case side by fitting
The fitting mounting part for kicking and the upper part of the bar-shaped member are mounted.
In addition, the switch part is detachably attached to the mating attachment part.
A switch part holder for holding it in place and these
A seal sandwiched between the switch holder and the mating mount
The switch section holder and the seal member.
Each has a hole for the rod-shaped member for passing the rod-shaped member,
The rod-shaped member consists of a pair of terminals, and
And the holes for the rod-shaped members on each of the seal members.
It is passed through and engages with the switch holder, and the seal
The material has a disk shape, and the outer periphery of the material is a switch on the liquid case side.
H for liquid-tight fitting to the mounting part and mounting to the liquid case
Between the switch and the switch mounting part of the liquid case.
To the hole for the rod-shaped member provided in the seal member.
By sealing the material tightly, the circumference of the rod-shaped member can be sealed.
And are characterized.

At this time, the claws provided on the fitting mounting portion are used to
The switch holder to and from the mating mounting part with the ruler member in between.
It can be freely engaged. Moreover, seal this nail
By closely passing the holes for the nails provided on the member,
It can also be sealed . Further, through the terminals that constitutes the rod-shaped member, a power supply, with an indicator for displaying flashing the switch section and the liquid level changes, so as to form a liquid level detection circuit, the indicator in the liquid level detection circuit It is also possible to provide a delay circuit for delaying blinking.

[0007]

[Function] The portion for mounting to the liquid case is composed of the switch holder and the fitting mounting portion , each of which is a separate body,
Moreover, since they are detachably engaged with each other, the switch part holder and the fitting attachment part can be integrated by engaging in the complete assembly process of the float.

Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the conventional insert molding of the switch holder and the fitting mounting portion, which can reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the productivity.

Further, since sandwiching the sealing member during coupling of the switch unit holder and fitting the mounting portion between both members, with mounting of the seal member is facilitated, fitting processing and switching unit holder a for attaching the sealing member It is not necessary to apply it to the mating attachment side. In addition, the seal member has a liquid cable on the outer periphery.
Liquid-tightly fit the switch mounting part on the
Between the mounting part and the switch mounting part on the liquid case side.
Seal the space. Also, for rod-shaped members provided on the seal member
By closely passing the rod-shaped member through the hole of
Can be sealed.

In addition, the claws provided on the fitting mounting portion are used to seal the sheet.
The switch holder to and from the mating mounting part
It can be engaged at any time. Moreover, this nail is used as the seal part.
Close the area around the nail by passing it tightly through the hole for the nail provided in the material.
You can also Further, if a delay circuit is provided in the liquid level detection circuit, the blinking of the indicator will be delayed even if the switch is turned on / off at an instant due to ripples on the liquid level, etc., so that flicker is reduced. Moreover, if the rod-shaped member is composed of fixed contacts, the structure can be simplified.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment configured as an oil level switch for scooters will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a side surface of the oil level switch in a half cross section from one direction A (see FIG. 2) (the cross section is along the line 1-1 in FIG. 3),
FIG. 2 shows a direction B different from the direction A of FIG. 1 by 90 ° (see FIG. 1).
2 is a side view (a cross-sectional portion is taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 3) shown in a half cross section.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the oil level switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 1 and A corresponds to FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along the line 4A-4A in FIG. 1A, and 4B-4B in FIG.
It is a figure which also describes each cross section along a line as B, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the rear half of the vehicle body of the scooter to which this embodiment is applied, and FIG. 6 is a liquid level detection circuit diagram using an oil level switch.

First, referring to FIG. 5, an oil level switch 6 is attached to an attaching portion, which will be described later, of an oil tank 4 supported by a rear end portion of a rear frame 2 extending in a left-right pair in a diagonally upward rearward direction.

In front of the oil tank 4, a storage case 8 having an open top is supported by the rear frame 2, and the inside thereof has a large capacity to accommodate the full-face helmet 10. The opening of the storage case 8 is It is opened and closed with the seat 12.

A stand lock lever 14 is rotatably supported at a portion above the rear portion of the container 8 which is opened and closed by the seat 12 so that the rotation of the main stand 16 can be locked.

A battery 20 is housed in a battery holder 18 which is formed integrally with the rear wall surface of the container 8 and extends below the oil tank 4.

A swing type power unit 24 is swingably supported to the rear frame 2 via a link 22 below the storage case 8. A pipe bush is provided at the connecting portion of the link 22.

The circumference of the cylinder 26 of the two-cycle engine constituting the swing type power unit 24 is covered with a shudou 28, and the inside is forcibly air-cooled by a cooling fan (not shown).
2 is guided around the vaporizer 34 to prevent icing.

The duct 30 is provided obliquely rearward on the side surface of the crankcase of the rear power unit 24, and the air guide plate 32 connected to the rear end portion is formed as a portion integrally extending forward from the front end portion of the air cleaner 36. , Covers the side surface of the vaporizer 34.

The carburetor 34 is an intake manifold 38.
Through the reed valve 40 in the crankcase.

The rear portion of the power unit 24 is connected to the rear end portion of the rear frame 2 by a rear cushion 42, and rotatably supports the rear wheel 44.

Reference numeral 46 is an exhaust muffler, and 48 is an exhaust pipe. The rear part of the vehicle body between the seat 12 and the power unit 24 is covered with a rear cover 1.

As is apparent from FIG. 6, the oil level switch 6 includes a pair of parallel terminals 50 also serving as rod members,
It is provided with a float 52 formed of a foamed member or the like guided by the terminal 50, and a switch portion that is turned on / off by the vertical movement of the float 52.

The switch portion is composed of a movable contact 54 attached to the float 52, and an expanding portion 56 bent and formed at the lower end of the terminal 50 so that the movable contact 54 comes into contact with and separates from the movable contact 54.

The switch section forms a series liquid level detection circuit with a power source such as a battery to which one of the terminals 50 is connected and an LED indicator 58 connected to the other side, and the liquid level detection circuit is further delayed. The circuit is connected.

The delay circuit is composed of a capacitor C in parallel with the indicator 58 and a resistor R connected in series between these and the switch unit, and blinks the indicator 58 at a predetermined time when the switch unit is turned on and off. Delay with a constant.
The preferred capacitance of the capacitor C in this embodiment is 50 μm.
It is about F.

Next, the detailed structure of the oil level switch 6 will be described. As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 2, the oil level switch 6 includes a first cap 60 and a second cap 62 on the upper end side of the pair of terminals 50, and a third cap 6 on the lower end part.
4 is provided.

These caps support the pair of terminals 50 with a space therebetween, and the first cap 60 is formed on the wall portion of the oil tank 4 by the seal member 66 sandwiched between the first cap 60 and the second cap 62. It is a fitting attachment portion for fitting the switch attachment portion 68 in a liquid-tight manner.

The first cap 60 has parallel terminal holes 70 through which the terminals 50 pass, and a flange portion 72 that abuts the upper end portion of the switch mounting portion 68 on the outer periphery of the upper portion, and below the flange portion 72 is the switch. Mounting part 68
The small-diameter portion 74 is formed so as to match the diameter of the hole.

Further, a pair of lock portions 76 are opposed to and extend downward from the lower portion of the small diameter portion 74, and inwardly facing claws 78 are formed at the respective tip portions.

The second cap 62 functions as a switch holder necessary for increasing the liquid level measurement accuracy by accurately mounting the first cap 60 at a predetermined position of the terminal 50.

The second cap 62 has such a size that the opposite side faces enter between the pair of lock portions 76,
A portion overlapping with the lock portion 76 forms a tapered portion 80 having a narrow upper portion.

The upper surface 82 abuts on the seal member 66, and the lower surface 84 has a width between the pair of lock portions 76, and a recess 85 with which the claw 78 is engaged is formed.

Further, a pair of terminal holes 86 corresponding to the terminal holes 70 are formed, and the upper part thereof is an engaging groove 88 into which the inwardly facing claw 51 formed by cutting and raising the terminal 50 is inserted.

The third cap 64 has an expanding portion 5 on the upper center side.
6, a slope 90 for supporting 6 is formed, a side portion is formed with a projecting portion 65 which is one step lower, a terminal hole 92 is formed therethrough, and an engaging groove 94 is formed in a part thereof.

The tip portion of the expanding portion 56 bent again in the vertical direction is inserted into the terminal hole 92, and the outwardly facing claw 57 formed by cutting and raising in this portion is engaged with the engaging groove 94. It has become.

The float 52 is a cylindrical member having a space inside which penetrates the terminal 50, and the lower end portion 96 has a lower end portion 96.
It is a slope parallel to 6 and the expansion part 5 is on this slope.
The movable contact 54 forming an inclined surface parallel to 6 is exposed.

The movable contact 54 is a ring-shaped member having a substantially L-shaped cross section, and the upright wall portion 55 is incorporated in the float 52.

Therefore, the movable contact 54 abuts on the expanding portion 56 as the float 52 moves downward when the liquid level L drops to a predetermined height, whereby the pair of terminals 5 are connected.
While 0 is conducted, the downward movement of the float 52 is stopped.

As is apparent from FIGS. 1 to 4, the sealing member 66 is formed on the lower surface of the small diameter portion 74 of the first cap 60 and the second
It is a disk-shaped member that is sandwiched between the upper surfaces 82 of the caps 62 and that has an outer circumference slightly larger than the circumference of these surfaces and that is made of a suitable elastic material such as rubber.

As is particularly clear in FIG. 4, a pair of holes 67 for tightly passing the lock portion 76 and a pair of holes 69 for tightly passing the terminal 50 are formed, and the lock portion 7 is formed.
6 and the terminal 50 are sealed so as not to leak liquid to the outside.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. 1 and 2, first, the lower end portion of the terminal 50 is attached to the third cap 6
4 is pushed into the terminal hole 92, and the outwardly facing claw 57 is engaged with the engaging groove 9
The third cap 64 is attached by engaging with 4.

[0044] Subsequently through terminal 50 to the inside of the float 52, after further through the second cap 62 and the sealing member 66, through the terminal 50 to the terminal hole 70, first cap 6
0 and the second cap 62 are pressed toward each other.

Then, the second cap 62 is engaged with the inward claw 51 in the engagement groove 88, and the claw 78 is engaged with the recess 85, whereby the first cap 60 and the second cap 6 are engaged.
Two are united.

At this time, the terminal 50 has the claw 51 and the engaging groove 8
The engagement of 8 prevents the slip-off in the downward direction, and the protrusion 53 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) provided in the intermediate portion of the terminal 50 to project in the lateral direction prevents the slip-out in the upward direction. As a result, the relative position between the first cap 60 and the terminal 50 is accurately positioned.

Therefore, the assembly is completed by simply fitting the first cap 60, which is the fitting attachment portion, and the second cap 62, which is the switch portion holder, to each other, so that the assembly of the oil level switch can be completed in the successive assembling steps. You can

Therefore, since insert molding, which is a completely different process from the conventional assembly process, is not required to be sandwiched, the manufacturing is remarkably facilitated and the production efficiency is improved.
And the manufacturing cost is reduced.

At this time, the seal member 66 is also sandwiched and fixed between the first cap 60 and the second cap 62 at the same time, so that no special processing for attaching the seal member 66 is required, and the attaching work becomes quick. .

Further, since the liquid level detecting circuit is provided with the delay circuit, even if the switch portion is momentarily turned on and off due to the wavy of the liquid level or the like, the delay circuit does not blink the indicator 58 to prevent flicker. Yes, even sensitive LEDs can be used.

Moreover, since the terminal 50 itself is used as the rod-shaped member, it is possible to efficiently use the parts, simplify the structure, and suppress an increase in the number of parts.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, the rod-shaped member may be formed separately from the fixed contact.

Further, the movable contact can be attached to the upper end or the intermediate portion of the float. Moreover, the switch unit can be as rie <br/> de switch.

Further, the object to be used is not limited to the oil tank, but can be used for various tanks, and can be used for various tanks of automobiles other than motorcycles.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Fig. 1] Side view of the oil level switch is in one direction A
Half-section view from

FIG. 2 is a similar half sectional view showing the above figure from a direction B different by 90 °.

FIG. 3 is a diagram in which top views corresponding to A and B directions are also shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram additionally showing each cross section taken along lines 4A and 4B of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the rear portion of the vehicle body of the starter to which the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a liquid level detection circuit according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols] 4: Oil tank, 6: Oil level switch, 50:
Terminal, 52: float, 54: movable contact, 56: expanded portion, 58: indicator, 60: first cap, 62:
2nd cap, 64: 3rd cap, 66: seal member, 68: switch mounting part

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A float which moves up and down according to the liquid surface, and the rod-shaped member for guiding the vertical movement of the float, and a switch unit for turning on and off in response to vertical movement of the float, the upper end of the rod To the liquid case containing the liquid
In a liquid level detection device having a part for mounting ,
The part for attaching to the liquid case is the liquid case.
Mating mounting for mating mounting to the switch mounting part
Part and the upper part of the rod-shaped member are attached and
Removably attached to the attached part and the switch part
Switch section holder for holding the switch
And a sealing member that is sandwiched between the holder
And the switch holder and the seal member are
The rod-shaped member has a hole for passing the rod-shaped member, and the rod-shaped member is composed of a pair of terminals.
The rod shape provided on each of the holder and the seal member
It is passed through the hole for the member and the switch part holder
The sealing member is in the shape of a disc, the outer peripheral portion of which is the liquid.
Liquid-tightly fit the switch mounting part on the case side, and
Part for attaching to the base and the switch of the liquid case
A seal is provided between the mounting portion and the seal member.
By closely passing the rod-shaped member through the hole for the rod-shaped member,
A liquid level detecting device characterized in that the periphery of the rod-shaped member is sealed . 2. The switch attachment holder is used as the fitting attachment portion.
Equipped with a claw for detachable engagement, and pass this claw tightly
A hole for a claw for
When engaging the switch part holder with the claw that has been passed through
With the seal member, the fitting mounting portion and the front
The switch member holder is integrated with the seal member.
Seals around the nail.
Liquid level detector. 3. A through the terminal constituting the rod-like member, a power supply, with an indicator for displaying flashing the switch section and the liquid level changes, so as to form a liquid level detection circuit, the liquid level detection 2. The liquid level detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a delay circuit for delaying blinking of the indicator in the circuit.