JP4717230B2 - Device for visually confirming liquid level in fuel tank - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fuel tank for an engine-equipped work machine, a motorcycle, or the like, and in particular, in a fuel tank equipped with a filter cylinder for filtering replenished fuel at a refueling port, it is possible to visually check the fuel full state during refueling. The present invention relates to a fuel full liquid level visualizing device in a fuel tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A fuel tank equipped with a filter cylinder for filtering replenished fuel at the fuel filler opening is known, for example, from Utility Model Registration No. 2515310.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a fuel tank, since the inside of the filter cylinder is dark, it is difficult to visually check the full liquid level when refueling.
[0004]
Therefore, it is also known to display the fuel full scale on the inner peripheral surface of the filter cylinder, but it is difficult to see the fuel full scale on the inner peripheral surface of the filter cylinder, and if the fuel tank is tilted, Even if the liquid level of the supplementary fuel matches the fuel full scale, the liquid level does not become an accurate full liquid level.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a fuel tank capable of visually confirming the full state of fuel relatively accurately regardless of whether the fuel tank is horizontal or inclined when refueling. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel full liquid level visualizing device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fuel tank equipped with a filter cylinder that extends below the fuel filler port and filters the replenished fuel, and has a fuel full level in the fuel tank. In what is set to the level which crosses the up-down direction intermediate part of the said filter cylinder , in the said filter cylinder , it is for confirming visually that the fuel level in the said fuel tank has reached the said fuel full level. A float that can be visually recognized from the oil filler opening, and an outer diameter of the float is set smaller than an inner diameter of the filter cylinder so that the float can move in the horizontal direction in the filter cylinder. The bottoms of the filter cylinders are connected via a flexible support member, and the flexible support member fills the fuel after the fuel level exceeds the bottom of the filter cylinder when refueling into the fuel tank. Until the volume level is reached The float is allowed to float on the fuel level during this period, but when the fuel level reaches the fuel full level, it becomes tensioned and the float rises above the fuel full level. This is a first feature.
[0007]
Furthermore, the present invention provides a fuel tank equipped with a filter cylinder that extends below the fuel inlet and filters replenished fuel at the fuel filler opening, and the fuel full level in the fuel tank is intermediate in the vertical direction of the filter cylinder. In the filter cylinder, the level in the filter cylinder is visually confirmed from the fuel filler port for visually confirming that the fuel level in the fuel tank has reached the fuel full level. A rod shape that accommodates the float to be obtained, sets the outer diameter of the float smaller than the inner diameter of the filter cylinder so that the float can move in the horizontal direction, and penetrates and supports the float vertically A support member is swingably connected to the bottom of the filter cylinder, and a level indicator that is bent in a bowl shape on the upper surface of the float is formed at the upper end of the rod-like support member. T When the fuel is supplied into the tank, the float of the float is allowed on the fuel liquid level until the fuel level reaches the fuel full level after the fuel liquid level exceeds the bottom of the filter cylinder. The second feature is that when the fuel reaches the fuel full level, the float is controlled to rise above the fuel full level .
[0008]
In addition to the second feature of the present invention, the rod-shaped support member is inserted into a support hole provided at the bottom of the filter tube so as to be raised and lowered and swingable. A third feature is that a retaining piece for preventing the supporting member from coming out of the supporting hole is provided.
According to each of the above features, the float levitation restricting means (the flexible support member in the first feature and the rod-like support member in the second feature) is in a horizontal state or an inclined state when the fuel tank is full. Regardless, by visually observing that the float is immersed in the fuel level from the fuel filler port, it can be relatively accurately known that the fuel level has reached the specified fuel full level.
[0009]
In particular , according to the first feature, the float can be allowed to move in the horizontal direction while restricting the float floating with a simple structure, and the fuel full liquid level visualizing device can be provided at low cost. it can.
[0010]
In particular , according to the second feature, when the float is submerged in the fuel liquid level, the level indicator can be easily visually checked, and it can be accurately known that the fuel liquid level has reached the full level. Moreover, since the level pointer is formed by bending the upper end portion of the rod-like support member, the structure is extremely simple.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on one embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel full liquid level visualizing device in a fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the operation of the device when the fuel is full, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuel full liquid level visualizing device in the fuel tank according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is at the time of fuel full. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the apparatus when the fuel tank is in an inclined state when the fuel is full.
[0013]
First, the description starts with the description of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, the fuel tank 1 is made of synthetic resin, and a cap 3 is usually screwed around the outer periphery of the fuel filler port 2. A retaining ring 4 is mold-bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the fuel filler opening 2, and a synthetic resin filter cylinder 5 is attached to the retaining ring 4.
[0015]
The retaining ring 4 has an inward flange portion 4a at the lower portion and a cylindrical portion 4b protruding downward from the inner peripheral end of the flange portion 4a. The upper surface of the flange portion 4a expands the upper end of the filter cylinder 5. The diameter part 5a is received, and the outer peripheral surface of the filtration cylinder 5 is guided by the cylinder part 4b.
[0016]
The filter cylinder 5 is configured by stretching a filter net 7 for filtering the replenished fuel on a large number of windows 6 formed on the peripheral wall. The filter cylinder 5 has such a length that the bottom portion 5 b comes below a prescribed fuel full level F in the fuel tank 1 in a state of being attached to the holding cylinder.
[0017]
A spherical float 10 is accommodated in the filter cylinder 5, and the float 10 is coupled to the other end of a flexible support member 11 such as a string having one end fixed to the center of the bottom portion 5 b of the filter cylinder 5. The flexible support member 11 has a length that restricts the float 10 from rising above the fuel full level F with respect to the bottom portion 5b of the filter cylinder 5, and has a connecting portion with the bottom portion 5b. As a fulcrum, the horizontal movement of the float 10 is allowed. The float 10 is viewed from the fuel filler port 2 by a refueling operator, and is preferably colored, for example, in order to facilitate the visual inspection.
[0018]
The operation of the first embodiment will be described.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the fuel level 8 in the fuel tank 1 is lowered below the bottom 5b of the filter cylinder 5, the float 10 is received by the upper surface of the bottom 5b of the filter cylinder 5 and is flexibly supported. The member 11 is greatly bent.
[0020]
In order to replenish the fuel in the fuel tank 1, the cap 3 is removed, and the fuel is injected into the filter cylinder 5 from the opened fuel filler 2. The fuel injected into the filter cylinder 5 is filtered by the filter net 7 when passing through the multiple windows 6 of the filter cylinder 5 and fills the fuel tank 1, so that the fuel level 8 in the fuel tank 1 is As it rises and exceeds the bottom 5b of the filter cylinder 5 upward, the float 10 floats on the fuel level 8, but when the fuel level 8 reaches a specified fuel full level F, As shown in FIG. 2, since the flexible support member 11 is tensioned and restricts further floating of the float 10, according to the further rise of the fuel level 8, the float 10 is submerged below the fuel level 8. Will do. In this way, the state in which the float 10 changes from the state where it floats above the fuel level 8 to the state where it floats below the level 8 can be easily confirmed visually by the refueling operator 2 from the refueling port 2. . That is, the refueling operator knows that the fuel in the fuel tank 1 has reached the specified full level F, and finishes fuel supply. As a result, excessive fuel supply can be prevented.
[0021]
In this case, in particular, even when the fuel tank 1 is slightly inclined as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible support member 11 is always in a posture perpendicular to the fuel liquid level 8 due to the buoyancy of the float 10. Therefore, the floating height of the float 10 on the fuel level 8 does not vary greatly, and therefore the float 10 indicates the fuel full level F relatively accurately.
[0022]
In addition, the use of the flexible support member 11 as described above as the float rising restricting means for regulating the floating height of the float 10 from the bottom 5b to the filter cylinder 5 simplifies the structure and thus reduces the cost. It is effective in planning.
[0023]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 correspond to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the previous embodiment, respectively.
[0024]
This second embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in that a rod-like support member 21 is used as a float levitation regulating means for regulating the levitation height of the float 10 from the bottom 5b of the filter cylinder 5. The rod-like support member 21 is inserted into the attachment hole 22 of the float 10 and is inserted into the support hole 23 of the bottom portion 5b of the filter cylinder 5 so as to be raised and lowered and swingable. At the lower end of the rod-shaped support member 21, there is a retaining piece 21a that is bent into a bowl shape and engages with the lower surface of the bottom portion 5b. The retaining and level indicator 21b to be engaged is formed respectively.
[0025]
Since the other configuration is the same as that of the previous embodiment, in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are assigned to portions corresponding to the previous embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.
[0026]
Thus, when the fuel in the fuel tank 1 is full, the rod-like support member 21 has the buoyancy of the float 10 regardless of whether the fuel tank 1 is in a horizontal state or an inclined state, like the flexible support member 11 of the previous embodiment. As a result, the posture perpendicular to the fuel level 8 can be maintained, and therefore the float 10 can always indicate the fuel full level F relatively accurately.
[0027]
Moreover, since the level pointer 21b located on the upper surface of the float 10 is formed at the upper end of the rod-like support member 21, when the float 10 is submerged below the fuel liquid level 8, the refueling operator still has the fuel liquid. The level indicator 21b exposed on the surface 8 can be easily seen, and it can be accurately known that the fuel level 8 has reached the full level F. Moreover, since the level indicator 21b is formed by bending the upper end portion of the rod-like support member 21, its structure is very simple.
[0028]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can perform a various design change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the feature of the present invention as described above, the float floating regulating means (first in Features flexible support member, in the rod-like support member second feature), at the time of the fuel tank fuel full amount, the fuel tank Regardless of whether the fuel is level or inclined, the fact that the float is immersed in the fuel level can be seen with relative accuracy that the fuel level has reached the specified fuel full level. it can.
[0030]
Further, in particular , according to the first feature, the float levitation restricting means is constituted by a flexible support member that connects between the bottom of the filter cylinder and the float, so that the float levitation is controlled by a simple structure. The movement in the horizontal direction can be allowed, and the fuel full liquid level visualizing device can be provided at low cost.
[0031]
In particular , according to the second feature, the float levitation restricting means is constituted by a rod-like support member that penetrates and supports the float in the vertical direction and is swingably connected to the bottom of the filter tube, and the upper end of the rod-like support member. Since the level indicator that bends in a bowl shape on the upper surface of the float was formed, the level indicator was easily visible when the float was immersed in the fuel level, and the fuel level reached the full level. Can be known accurately. Moreover, since the level pointer is formed by bending the upper end portion of the rod-like support member, the structure is extremely simple.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel full liquid level visualizing device in a fuel tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the apparatus when the fuel is full.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the apparatus when the fuel tank is in an inclined state when the fuel is full.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel full liquid level visualizing device in a fuel tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the apparatus when the fuel is full.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the apparatus when the fuel tank is in an inclined state when the fuel is full.
[Explanation of symbols]
F ... Fuel full level 1 ... Fuel tank 2 ... Filling port 5 ... Filter cylinder 5b ... ... Bottom of the filter cylinder
8... Fuel level 10... Float 11... Float levitation regulating means (flexible support member)
21... Float levitation regulating means (bar-shaped support member)
21a: retaining piece
21b Level guide
23 ... Support hole

Claims (3)

A fuel tank equipped with a filter cylinder (5) that extends below the filler port (2) and filters the replenished fuel at the filler port (2) ,
In the fuel tank (1), the fuel full level (F) is set to a level crossing the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the filter cylinder (5).
In the filter cylinder (5) , the fuel filler (2 ) for visually confirming that the fuel level (8) in the fuel tank (1) has reached the fuel full level (F). The float (10) that can be visually recognized from the filter cylinder (5 ) is accommodated , and the outer diameter of the float (10) is adjusted so that the float (10) can move in the horizontal direction in the filter cylinder (5). Set to a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of
The float (10) and the bottom (5b) of the filter tube (5) are connected via a flexible support member (11),
The flexible support member (11) is configured so that the fuel full level is reached after the fuel level (8) exceeds the bottom (5b) of the filter cylinder (5) during refueling into the fuel tank (1). The float (10) is allowed to float on the fuel level (8) until reaching (F), but when the fuel level (8) reaches the fuel full level (F) and turned in, the float (10), said fuel full amount level, characterized in that to regulate the (F) or more floating, fuel full amount liquid level visual equipment in the fuel tank. A fuel tank equipped with a filter cylinder (5) that extends below the filler port (2) and filters the replenished fuel at the filler port (2),
In the fuel tank (1), the fuel full level (F) is set to a level crossing the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the filter cylinder (5).
In the filter cylinder (5), the fuel filler (2) for visually confirming that the fuel level (8) in the fuel tank (1) has reached the fuel full level (F). The float (10) that can be visually recognized from the filter cylinder (5) is accommodated, and the outer diameter of the float (10) is adjusted so that the float (10) can move in the horizontal direction in the filter cylinder (5). Set to a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of
A rod-like support member (21) that penetrates and supports the float (10) vertically is connected to the bottom (5b) of the filter tube (5) so as to swing freely, and at the upper end of the rod-like support member (21), Forming a level indicator (21b) that bends in a bowl shape on the upper surface of the float (10);
The rod-like support member (21) is configured so that the fuel full level (after the fuel level (8) exceeds the bottom (5b) of the filter cylinder (5) during refueling into the fuel tank (1)). The float (10) is allowed to float on the fuel level (8) until it reaches F), but when the fuel level (8) reaches the fuel full level (F), the float (10) 10), said fuel full amount level (characterized by regulating the F) or more floating, fuel full amount liquid level visual equipment in the fuel tank. The fuel full liquid level visualizing device in the fuel tank according to claim 2 ,
The rod-like support member (21) is inserted into a support hole (23) provided at the bottom (5b) of the filter tube (5) so as to be lifted and lowered freely, and at the lower end of the rod-like support member (21), A fuel full liquid level visualizing device in a fuel tank, characterized in that a retaining piece (21a) for preventing the rod-shaped supporting member (21) from coming out of the supporting hole (23) is provided .

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