JP6040740B2 - Liquid level detector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid level detector that detects the height of a liquid level.

  Conventionally, a liquid level detector is provided with a seal structure for preventing liquid such as fuel from entering inside. As one type of such a seal structure, for example, a liquid level sensor disclosed conventionally in Patent Document 1 is a thin plate terminal for transmitting an electrical signal, a wall of a sensor housing provided around the terminal, a wall and a terminal. And a seal coat agent positioned between them. In addition, a constricted portion is formed on each side end face of the terminal. Furthermore, a straight V-groove extending from one constricted portion to the other constricted portion is formed on each plate surface of the terminal.

JP 2004-152546 A

  Now, the inventors of the present invention pay attention to the fact that the seal film such as the seal coat agent becomes particularly thin at the portion covering the ridge line portion of the terminal, and the thickness of the seal film is improved at the portion covering the ridge line portion. The structure to be made was studied repeatedly. As a result, the inventors of the present invention have conceived a configuration in which each groove is formed such that the deepest portion of the end face groove such as the constricted portion and the deepest portion of the V-groove are continuous with each other.

  In the above configuration, the liquid sealant before curing flows into each deepest part of each groove by being applied to the terminal. And the sealing agents which flowed into each groove | channel can be mutually connected in each continuous deepest part. Therefore, in the sealing film obtained by curing the sealing agent, the film thickness can be secured even in the portion covering the ridge line portion.

  However, in the above configuration, the position of each linear V-groove formed on each plate surface is aligned in the extending direction of the terminal. Thus, when the deepest portions of the V-grooves overlap each other in the plate thickness direction, the plate thickness of the terminal is significantly reduced. Therefore, even if the sealing performance of the sealing film is improved, it is difficult to ensure the strength of the terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level detector capable of suppressing a decrease in strength of a terminal while enhancing the sealing performance of a sealing film. That is.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides terminals (35a to 35c, which transmit a detection signal related to the liquid level of the liquid by means of a sealing film (80) obtained by curing a liquid sealing agent (89). 235), a predetermined area (AA) extending in a strip shape is covered with a sealing film, and a direction perpendicular to the extending direction (LD) of the predetermined area is defined as a width direction (WD). The ridge line portion (46) between the pair of side end surfaces (40c, 40d) provided at both ends in the width direction and the first plate surface (40a) and the second plate surface (40b) connecting the pair of side end surfaces. Each having a terminal, a wall portion (33) provided around the predetermined region, and a seal film positioned between the predetermined region and the wall portion. End face groove (43) and A first groove (41, 241) that is recessed from the plate surface and extends from one of the pair of end surface grooves to the other, and a second groove (42, 242) that is recessed from the second plate surface and extends from one of the pair of end surface grooves to the other. preparative, mutual deepest formed in a predetermined area so that (41c, 42c, 43c, 241c , 242c) are continuous, and the intermediate portion and the intermediate portion of the second groove of the first groove, contact the extending Shinkata direction It is characterized by being shifted from each other.

  In this invention, the intermediate part of the first groove formed by denting the first plate surface, and the intermediate part of the second groove formed by denting the second plate surface, in the extending direction of the predetermined region extending in a strip shape, They are offset from each other. Therefore, the deepest portions of the first groove and the second groove can be arranged so as not to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the predetermined region. Therefore, even if each groove in which each deepest portion is continuous is formed in a predetermined region in order to increase the film thickness of the seal film in the ridge line portion, a significant reduction in the terminal thickness in the predetermined region can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the strength of the terminal while improving the sealing performance of the sealing film between the predetermined region and the wall portion.

  Note that the reference numbers in the parentheses are merely examples of correspondences with specific configurations in the embodiments to be described later in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and limit the scope of the present invention. It is not a thing.

It is a front view of the liquid level detector by 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole terminal shape in which the inner case and the sealing film were formed. It is the enlarged view which cut out and expanded the characteristic part of the terminal. It is a figure which shows the state which formed the sealing film in the terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows the longitudinal cross-section of the terminal in the center of the width direction, Comprising: It is the VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of a sealing film, Comprising: It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other part of the configuration. In addition, not only combinations of configurations explicitly described in the description of each embodiment, but also the configurations of a plurality of embodiments can be partially combined even if they are not explicitly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. .

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid level detector 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in a fuel tank 90 that stores fuel as liquid. The liquid level detector 100 detects the height of the liquid level 91 of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 90 while being held by the fuel pump module 93 or the like. The liquid level detector 100 includes a housing 20, a float 60, a magnet holder 50, a Hall IC 70, and the like.

  The housing 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes an inner case 21, terminals 35a to 35c, an outer case 31, a seal film 80, and the like. The inner case 21 is made of a resin material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin. The inner case 21 is provided with three through holes 25 through which the element housing chamber 24 for housing the Hall IC 70 and the terminals 35a to 35c pass.

  The three terminals 35a to 35c (see also FIG. 1) are formed in a longitudinal shape by a conductive material such as phosphor bronze. Each of the terminals 35a to 35c thus formed into a thin plate shape by extending in a strip shape is used for transmission of a detection signal such as a voltage between an external device and the Hall IC 70. A cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in each of the terminals 35a to 35c, that is, a cross section of each of the terminals 35a to 35c has a rectangular shape. With such a shape, each of the terminals 35 a to 35 c has four ridge line portions 46. The thickness of each terminal 35a-35c is about 0.6 millimeters (mm), for example. Each terminal 35 a to 35 c passes through the inner case 21 by passing through one of the three through holes 25.

  Each terminal 35a-35c has the protrusion part 36 and the connection part 37, respectively. The protruding portion 36 is a portion protruding outside the inner case 21 in the terminals 35 a to 35 c. The connection part 37 is a part accommodated in the inner case 21 in the terminals 35a to 35c. The connection unit 37 is connected to the Hall IC 70. In addition, a predetermined area AA (see also FIG. 3) covered with the seal film 80 is defined in advance in an intermediate portion in the extending direction of each terminal 35a to 35c.

  The outer case 31 is made of a resin material such as PPS resin. The outer case 31 accommodates the inner case 21 by being formed so as to cover the outer side of the inner case 21. The outer case 31 is formed with a shaft portion 32, a covering portion 33, and the like. The shaft portion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The shaft portion 32 is fitted in the magnet holder 50 to support the holder 50 in a rotatable manner. The covering portion 33 extends along the width direction WD (see FIG. 3) of each of the terminals 35a to 35c. The covering portion 33 is provided around the predetermined area AA in each of the terminals 35a to 35c.

  The sealing film 80 covers a predetermined area AA of each terminal 35 a to 35 c and is located between each terminal 35 a to 35 c and the covering portion 33. The sealing film 80 is in close contact with each of the terminals 35a to 35c and the covering portion 33, thereby closing a gap generated therebetween. The seal film 80 prevents the fuel that enters the covering portion 33 through the terminals 35a to 35c from entering the inner case 21 from the gap between the inner case 21 and the terminals 35a to 35c.

  The float 60 shown in FIG. 1 is formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of a fuel such as foamed ebonite. The float 60 can float on the liquid level 91 of the fuel. The float 60 is supported by the magnet holder 50 via the float arm 65. The float arm 65 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and is inserted into a through hole 61 formed in the float 60.

  The magnet holder 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed in a disk shape from a resin material or the like. The magnet holder 50 holds the float arm 65 and is externally fitted to the shaft portion 32 so as to be rotatably supported with respect to the housing 20. With the above-described configuration, the magnet holder 50 rotates relative to the housing 20 integrally with the magnet 51 so as to follow the liquid level 91. A pair of magnets 51 are accommodated in the magnet holder 50. The pair of magnets 51 are arranged so as to face each other with the shaft portion 32 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a magnetic flux that passes through the Hall IC 70 housed in the element housing chamber 24.

  The Hall IC 70 shown in FIG. 2 is a detection element that detects the relative angle of the magnet holder 50 with respect to the housing 20. The Hall IC 70 is composed of an element body 71, three lead wires 72, and the like. The element main body 71 is accommodated in the element accommodating chamber 24 so as to be sandwiched between the pair of magnets 51. Each lead wire 72 extends from the element main body 71 and is connected to each connection portion 37 of each terminal 35a to 35c. The Hall IC 70 receives a magnetic field action from the magnet 51 in a state where a voltage is applied to the element main body 71, thereby generating a voltage proportional to the density of the magnetic flux passing through the Hall IC 70. The voltage generated in the Hall IC 70 is measured by an external device as a detection signal via each lead wire 72 and each terminal 35a to 35c.

  Next, details of the sealing film 80 formed on the liquid level detector 100 will be further described. 3 shows the terminals 35a to 35c and the inner case 21 before being embedded in the outer case 31 (see FIG. 2). Each of the terminals 35 a to 35 c is connected by a connecting part 39. Under such a state, the seal film 80 (see FIG. 2) is formed by the liquid primer 89 as a sealant applied to the range including each predetermined area AA of each protrusion 36.

  The primer 89 is obtained by making hydrin rubber or the like into a liquid state with a solvent such as toluene. The applied primer 89 is left to be heated or at room temperature. As the solvent such as toluene evaporates through these steps, the primer 89 is cured while being pulled by the surface tension at the center of the plate surfaces 40a and 40b and the side end surfaces 40c and 40d (reference) shown in FIG. . Therefore, the seal film 80 formed by curing the primer 89 is likely to be thin at the four ridge lines 46.

  Hereinafter, in order to ensure the film thickness of the sealing film 80 in each ridge line part 46, the structure provided in each terminal 35a-35c is demonstrated in detail based on FIGS. In the following description, the characteristic configuration provided in the terminal 35c of FIG. 3 is used, but such characteristic configuration is also provided in the other terminals 35a and 35b. For convenience, in FIGS. 4 to 7, the extending direction of the terminal 35 c is the extending direction LD, and the direction along the long side of the rectangle in the cross section orthogonal to the extending direction LD is the width direction WD. A direction along the short side of the rectangle is a plate thickness direction TD.

  In the terminal 35c of FIG. 4, the wall surfaces provided at both ends in the width direction WD along the plate thickness direction TD (see FIG. 6) are referred to as side end surfaces 40c and 40d. Moreover, in the terminal 35c, let the wall surface along the width direction WD which connects each side end surface 40c, 40d be the 1st board surface 40a and the 2nd board surface 40b. The first plate surface 40a and the second plate surface 40b are located on the opposite sides in the plate thickness direction TD. Furthermore, a ridge line portion 46 is formed between the first plate surface 40a and the side end surface 40c and between the first plate surface 40a and the side end surface 40d. Similarly, a ridge line portion 46 is formed between the second plate surface 40b and the side end surface 40c and between the second plate surface 40b and the side end surface 40d.

  The terminal 35c is formed with a first fixed groove 44, a second fixed groove 45, a first seal groove 41, a second seal groove 42, and a pair of end face seal grooves 43. One set of the first fixing groove 44 and the second fixing groove 45 is located in each area that is out of the predetermined area AA (see also FIG. 3) and that is located across the predetermined area AA in the extending direction LD. Is provided. On the other hand, a plurality of first seal grooves 41, second seal grooves 42, and a pair of end face seal grooves 43 are provided in the predetermined area AA.

  The first fixing groove 44 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is a groove recessed from the first plate surface 40a, for example, by about 0.2 mm, and extends from one side 40c to the other side 40d of the side end surfaces. The first fixed groove 44 is a groove having a rectangular cross section, and has a pair of inner wall surfaces 44a and a bottom wall surface. Each first fixed groove 44 is bent at the center in the width direction WD. In each first fixed groove 44, a section from the center toward each side end face 40c, 40d extends linearly in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction WD. Thereby, each 1st fixing groove 44 is made into the shape spaced apart from the predetermined area | region AA as it goes to the center of the width direction WD.

  The second fixed groove 45 is a groove that is recessed from the second plate surface 40b, for example, by about 0.2 mm, and extends from one side 40c to the other side 40d of the side end surfaces. The second fixed groove 45 is a groove having a rectangular cross section and has a pair of inner wall surfaces 45a and a bottom wall surface. Each second fixing groove 45 is bent at the center in the width direction WD. In each second fixed groove 45, a section from the center toward each side end face 40c, 40d extends linearly in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction WD. Thereby, the 2nd fixed groove 45 is made into the shape which adjoins to predetermined area | region AA as it goes to the center of the width direction WD.

  The first fixing groove 44 and the second fixing groove 45 are bent in directions opposite to each other in the extending direction LD. In addition, the first fixed groove 44 and the second fixed groove 45 are shifted from each other in the extending direction LD. Thus, both ends of the first fixing groove 44 in the width direction WD are arranged so as not to overlap with both ends of the second fixing groove 45 in the width direction WD in the plate thickness direction TD. In addition, the center of the first fixing groove 44 in the width direction WD is arranged so as not to overlap the center of the second fixing groove 45 in the width direction WD in the plate thickness direction TD.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the molding material of the case 31 flows into the first fixing groove 44 and the second fixing groove 45 in the step of forming the outer case 31. Thus, a plurality of fitting walls 34 having a shape that complements the fixing grooves 44 and 45 are formed in the covering portion 33 that covers the predetermined area AA and its peripheral area. Each fitting wall 34 can restrict the movement of the terminal 35 c in the extending direction LD and the width direction WD (see FIG. 4) with respect to the covering portion 33 by fitting in the fixing grooves 44 and 45.

  The first seal groove 41 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is a groove that is recessed from the first plate surface 40a, for example, by about 0.1 mm, and extends from one of the pair of end surface seal grooves 43 to the other. The first seal groove 41 having a groove depth shallower than the fixed grooves 44 and 45 is a groove having a V-shaped cross section formed by cutting the first plate surface 40a into a V shape. In the predetermined area AA, for example, four first seal grooves 41 are formed at substantially equal intervals in the extending direction LD. Each first seal groove 41 is curved in an arc shape so as to be separated from the inner case 21 (see FIG. 3) toward the center of the width direction WD.

  The second seal groove 42 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is a groove that is recessed from the second plate surface 40b, for example, about 0.1 mm, and extends from one of the pair of end surface seal grooves 43 to the other. The second seal groove 42 having a groove depth shallower than the fixed grooves 44 and 45 is a groove having a V-shaped cross section formed by cutting the second plate surface 40b into a V shape. In the predetermined area AA, for example, four second seal grooves 42 are formed at substantially equal intervals in the extending direction LD. Each second seal groove 42 is curved in an arc shape so as to approach the inner case 21 (see FIG. 3) toward the center of the width direction WD.

  Each end face seal groove 43 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is a groove recessed from the side end faces 40c and 40d, respectively, and extends along the plate thickness direction TD (see FIG. 7). Each end face seal groove 43 reduces the dimension in the width direction WD of the terminal 35c in the predetermined area AA. The pair of end surface seal grooves 43 facing each other in the width direction WD are aligned in the extending direction LD.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the first seal groove 41, the second seal groove 42, and the pair of end face seal grooves 43 cooperate to form a continuous seal groove around the terminal 35 c in the circumferential direction. doing. A plurality (four in the first embodiment) of a series of seal grooves including the grooves 41 to 43 are formed in the predetermined area AA. In the series of the first seal groove 41, the second seal groove 42, and the pair of end face seal grooves 43, the bottom portions 41c, 42c, and 43c that are the deepest portions of the grooves and are V-shaped apexes are continuous. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first seal groove 41 and the second seal groove 42 are curved in the same shape in opposite directions in the extending direction LD. Therefore, the 1st seal groove 41 and the 2nd seal groove 42 will be most separated in the center of the width direction shown in FIG. Further, in the longitudinal section of the predetermined area AA in the center in the width direction WD (see FIG. 4), the first seal grooves 41 and the second seal grooves 42 are arranged alternately along the extending direction LD. In addition, the interval between the first seal groove 41 and the second seal groove 42 adjacent in the extending direction LD is substantially constant. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate portion of the first seal groove 41 and the intermediate portion of the second seal groove 42 are shifted from each other in the extending direction LD. Therefore, most of the first seal grooves 41 are arranged so as not to overlap the second seal grooves 42 in the plate thickness direction TD (see FIG. 6). In addition, the intermediate part of each seal groove 41 and 42 has shown the range inside each bottom part 43c of each end surface seal groove 43 in the width direction WD.

  Next, a mechanism for improving the film thickness of the seal film 80 at the location covering the ridge line portion 46 by the series of seal grooves 41 to 43 described so far will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The primer 89 applied to the first plate surface 40 a flows into the first seal groove 41 and is held in the first seal groove 41 while being pulled by a pair of inclined surfaces forming the seal groove 41. By being pulled on each slope in this way, many primers 89 are held in the vicinity of the bottom 41c. In addition, due to the same action, a large amount of the primer 89 is also held in the vicinity of the bottom 42c in the second seal groove 42.

  Further, the primer 89 applied to each side end face 40 c, 40 d flows into each end face seal groove 43 and is held in each end face seal groove 43 while being pulled by a pair of inclined surfaces forming the groove 43. By pulling on each slope in this way, many primers 89 are also held in the vicinity of each bottom 43c.

  And the primer 89 hold | maintained at the 1st seal groove 41 can be connected with the primer 89 hold | maintained at each end surface seal groove 43, maintaining the film thickness in the bottom part 41c. Similarly, the primer 89 held in the second seal groove 42 can be connected to the primer 89 held in each end face seal groove 43 while maintaining the film thickness at the bottom 42c. Based on the above principle, it is possible to ensure the film thickness of the seal film 80 in the entire region in the circumferential direction including each ridge line portion 46 of the terminal 35c.

  In the first embodiment, the bottom 41c of the first seal groove 41 and the bottom 42c of the second seal groove 42 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the plate thickness direction TD. Therefore, even if a series of continuous seal grooves of the bottom portions 41c, 42c, and 43c are formed, a significant decrease in the plate thickness of the terminals 35a to 35c in the predetermined area AA can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in strength of each of the terminals 35a to 35c while improving the sealing performance of the sealing film 80 between the predetermined area AA and the covering portion 33.

  In addition, in 1st embodiment, since the 1st seal groove 41 and the 2nd seal groove 42 are the shapes which curve in the mutually opposite direction, these each bottom part 41c, 42c becomes further difficult to overlap in the plate | board thickness direction TD. Therefore, the plate thickness of each of the terminals 35a to 35c is more easily secured. In addition, according to the form in which the seal grooves 41 and 42 are spaced apart at the center in the width direction WD, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the bottom portions 41c and 42c overlap the plate thickness direction TD at the center portion of the predetermined area AA. Can be done. Therefore, a significant reduction in the plate thickness at the center in the width direction WD of the predetermined area AA that particularly requires strength can be prevented. Therefore, the effect of suppressing the strength reduction of each of the terminals 35a to 35c can be exhibited with higher reliability.

  In the first embodiment, since a plurality of series of seal grooves 41 to 43 are formed, the reliability of the seal film 80 is further improved. In addition, since the first seal grooves 41 and the second seal grooves 42 are alternately arranged, the second seal grooves 42 shifted with respect to one first seal groove 41 are different from the other first seal grooves 41. Overlapping situations are avoided. Therefore, even if the 1st seal groove 41 and the 2nd seal groove 42 are formed in multiple numbers, the intensity | strength of each terminal 35a-35c can be maintained reliably.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the seal grooves 41 to 43 are formed in a V-shaped cross section, so that it is easy to secure the amount of the primer 89 held on each bottom 41c, 42c, 43c. Therefore, the film thickness of the seal film 80 in the portion covering each ridge line portion 46 can be ensured more reliably. Further, if the seal grooves 41 and 42 are slightly shifted in the extending direction LD, the bottom portions 41c and 42c formed of V-shaped apexes do not overlap in the plate thickness direction TD. As described above, the configuration in which the seal grooves 41 and 42 are shifted in the extending direction LD is combined with the configuration in which the cross sections of the seal grooves 41 and 42 are V-shaped, thereby improving the sealing performance of the seal film 80. The effect of ensuring both the strength of the terminals 35a to 35c is remarkably exhibited.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the relative movement of the terminals 35a to 35c in the extending direction LD with respect to the covering portion 33 is restricted by the fitting walls 34 being fitted into the fixing grooves 44 and 45, respectively. The Furthermore, since each fixed groove 44, 45 is bent in the extending direction LD, relative movement of the terminals 35a to 35c in the width direction WD with respect to the covering portion 33 is also restricted. As described above, it is possible to further suppress the damage of the seal film 80 and the deterioration of the sealing performance due to the movement of the predetermined area AA in the covering portion 33.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the groove depths of the fixed grooves 44 and 45 are deeper than the groove depths of the seal grooves 41 and 42. In addition, the cross section of each of the fixing grooves 44 and 45 is rectangular. Due to the shape of the fixing grooves 44 and 45, the fitting wall 34 can be reliably locked to the inner wall surfaces 44 a and 45 a of the fixing grooves 44 and 45. Therefore, the relative movement of the predetermined area AA in each direction LD, WD is more difficult to occur.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the set of fixing grooves 44 and 45 are shifted from each other in the extending direction LD. Therefore, the plate | board thickness of each terminal 35a-35c can be ensured also in the area | region remove | deviated from predetermined area | region AA. In addition, according to the shapes of the fixing grooves 44 and 45 bent in directions opposite to each other, the plate thickness of each of the terminals 35a to 35c can be further ensured at the center and both ends in the width direction WD. Therefore, the effect of maintaining the strength of each of the terminals 35a to 35c is exhibited with high certainty even in a region outside the predetermined region AA.

In the first embodiment, the covering portion 33 corresponds to the “wall portion” recited in the claims,
The first seal groove 41 corresponds to a “first groove” recited in the claims, and the second seal groove 42 corresponds to a “second groove” recited in the claims. Further, the end face seal groove 43 corresponds to an “end face groove” described in the claims, and the bottom portions 41c, 42c, 43c correspond to a “deepest part” described in the claims, and the first fixing groove 44 and The second fixing groove 45 corresponds to a “fixing groove” described in the claims. The primer 89 corresponds to the “sealing agent” described in the claims.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a modification of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the first fixing groove 244 and the second fixing groove 245 of the terminal 235 according to the second embodiment, and the first seal groove 241 and the second seal groove 242 will be described in detail.

  The first fixing groove 244 and the second fixing groove 245 are formed as a set in a region opposite to the inner case 21 (see FIG. 3) with the predetermined region AA interposed therebetween. Each of the fixing grooves 244 and 245 is a groove having a trapezoidal cross section, and has a pair of inner wall surfaces 244a and 245a and a bottom wall surface. The groove widths of the fixed grooves 244 and 245 are gradually reduced as they approach the bottom wall surface along the plate thickness direction TD. The first fixed groove 244 is curved in an arc shape so as to go to the center in the width direction WD and thus away from the predetermined area AA. On the other hand, the second fixing groove 245 is curved in an arc shape so as to approach the predetermined area AA toward the center of the width direction WD.

  The first seal groove 241 is a groove that is formed by cutting the first plate surface 40a into a U shape and has a semicircular cross section. The groove depth of the first seal groove 241 is gradually increased from both ends in the width direction WD toward the center. The first seal groove 241 is bent at the center in the width direction WD. In the first seal groove 241, a section from the center toward the side end faces 40c and 40d extends linearly in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction WD. Thereby, the 1st seal groove 241 is made into the shape spaced apart from the inner case 21 (refer FIG. 3) as it goes to the center of the width direction WD.

  The second seal groove 242 is a groove that is formed by cutting out the second plate surface 40b into a U shape and has a semicircular cross section. The groove depth of the second seal groove 242 gradually increases from both ends in the width direction WD toward the center. The second seal groove 242 is bent in the opposite direction to the first seal groove 241 at the center in the width direction WD. In the second seal groove 242, the section from the center toward the side end faces 40c and 40d extends linearly in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction WD. Thereby, the 2nd seal groove 242 is made into the shape which adjoins the inner case 21 (refer FIG. 3) as it goes to the center of the width direction WD.

  Also in the second embodiment described above, the primers 89 held in the seal grooves 241, 242, and 43 can be connected to each other as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the film thickness of the seal film 80 can be ensured in the entire region in the circumferential direction including each ridge line portion 46. Furthermore, also in the second embodiment, the bottom portion 241c of the first seal groove 241 is arranged so as not to overlap the bottom portion 242c of the second seal groove 242 in the plate thickness direction TD. Therefore, a significant reduction in the thickness of the terminal 235 in the predetermined area AA can be avoided. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the strength reduction of the terminal 235 while improving the sealing performance of the sealing film 80 between the predetermined area AA and the covering portion 33.

  In addition, also in the second embodiment, the relative movement of the terminal 235 in the extending direction LD with respect to the covering portion 33 is restricted by fitting the fitting walls 234 into the fixing grooves 244 and 245. Furthermore, the relative movement of the terminal 235 in the width direction WD with respect to the covering portion 33 is also restricted by the curved shapes of the fixing grooves 244 and 245. As described above, it is possible to further suppress the damage of the seal film 80 and the deterioration of the sealing performance due to the movement of the predetermined area AA in the covering portion 33.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the groove depths of the first seal groove 241 and the second seal groove 242 increase toward the center. Therefore, the amount of the primer 89 held in these seal grooves 241 and 242 can be increased. As described above, the sealing performance of the sealing film 80 can be further improved. In addition, the first seal groove 241 and the second seal groove 242 are shaped to be separated from each other toward the center in the width direction WD. Therefore, even if the groove depths of the first seal groove 241 and the second seal groove 242 are increased toward the center, the thickness of the terminal can be ensured. As described above, the effect of achieving both improvement in the sealing performance of the sealing film 80 and ensuring the strength of the terminal 235 is further enhanced by the above-described configuration.

  In the second embodiment, the first seal groove 241 corresponds to the “first groove” recited in the claims, and the second seal groove 242 corresponds to the “second groove” recited in the claims. To do. The bottom portions 241c and 242c correspond to the “deepest portion” recited in the claims, and the first fixed groove 244 and the second fixed groove 245 correspond to the “fixed grooves” recited in the claims.

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to the above embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments and combinations without departing from the gist of the present invention. can do.

  In the first embodiment, the first seal groove 41 and the second seal groove 42 are curved in an arc shape. Therefore, the length of each seal groove 41 and 42 can be ensured longer than the length of each seal groove 241 and 242 of the second embodiment. As a result, in the seal film 80, the seal length in the circumferential direction can be extended for thick portions formed so as to follow the seal grooves 41 to 43. As described above, the configuration in which each of the seal grooves 41 and 42 is curved in an arc shape can contribute to improvement of the sealing performance of the seal film 80.

  In the above-described embodiment, the entire area of the first seal groove and the second seal groove is shifted from each other in the range inside the respective bottom portions of the end face seal grooves. However, the intermediate portion of the first seal groove may be at least partially displaced from the intermediate portion of the second seal groove in the extending direction LD.

  In the said embodiment, the 1st seal groove and the 2nd seal groove were bent in the mutually opposite direction. However, the first seal groove and the second seal groove may be bent in the same direction as long as the first seal groove and the second seal groove are positioned in the drawing direction LD. Further, the first seal groove and the second seal groove formed on the front and back sides of the terminal may not be farthest apart at the center in the width direction WD. As described above, the paths from the first end seal groove and the second end seal groove to the other end face seal groove may be appropriately changed. Similarly, the first fixing groove and the second fixing groove formed on the front and back sides of the terminal may not be farthest from each other at the center in the width direction WD, and each of these fixing grooves is from one side end face 40c to the other side. The route to the end surface 40d may be changed as appropriate.

  In the said embodiment, each cross section of the 1st seal groove and the 2nd seal groove was formed in V shape and a semicircle. However, the shape of each cross section of the first seal groove and the second seal groove may be changed as appropriate, such as a rectangular shape. Similarly, the shape of each cross section of the first fixed groove and the second fixed groove may be changed as appropriate. Further, the cross sections of the seal grooves and the fixed grooves do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the center line of the extending direction LD along the width direction WD. For example, the position of the apex is on one side of the extending direction LD. An offset V shape (for example, a bowl shape) or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, four series of seal grooves are provided in the predetermined area AA. However, the number of the series of seal grooves formed in the predetermined area AA may be changed as appropriate. Moreover, the shape of the series of a plurality of seal grooves provided may be different from each other. Furthermore, the interval between a series of adjacent seal grooves may be changed as appropriate.

  In the above embodiment, the plurality of fixed grooves are formed in the terminal, but the number of fixed grooves may be changed as appropriate. For example, one fixed groove may be formed in each region located across the predetermined region AA in the stretching direction LD. In such a form, one is formed on the first plate surface and the other is formed on the second plate surface. Further, the terminal may not be provided with a fixing groove.

  In the above embodiment, the sealing film is formed of hydrin rubber. However, the material of the sealing film is not limited to hydrin rubber. Rubber materials other than hydrin rubber, epoxy resin, and the like can be used as the material for the seal film. Furthermore, the process of forming the sealing film may be changed as appropriate. Further, as the predetermined range AA to which the primer is applied, it is desirable to secure at least the size of the first and second seal grooves in the extending direction LD.

  In the above embodiment, the PPS resin has been described as an example of the material of the housing 20. However, the material of the housing is not limited to PPS resin, and may be other resin materials.

  In the said embodiment, the plating layer which exhibits the corrosion resistance with respect to fuel is formed in the surface of each terminal. The step of forming such a plating layer may be performed before the step of forming each groove, or may be performed after the step of forming each groove. Moreover, each groove | channel may be formed by pressing the convex part provided in the metal mold | die to a terminal, for example by press work, or may be formed by cutting.

  The present invention has been described based on an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle level detector 100 that detects the remaining amount of fuel. However, the application target of the present invention is not limited to such a liquid level detector, and is a liquid level detection device in a container for other liquids mounted on the vehicle, such as brake fluid, engine cooling water, and engine oil. May be. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to vehicles but also to liquid level detectors provided in liquid containers provided in various consumer devices and various transport machines.

AA predetermined region, LD extending direction, TD plate thickness direction, WD width direction, 33 covering portion (wall portion), 34, 234 fitting wall, 35a to 35c, 235 terminal, 40a first plate surface, 40b second plate surface 40c, 40d side end face, 41, 241 first seal groove (first groove), 41c, 241c bottom part (deepest part), 42, 242 second seal groove (second groove), 42c, 242c bottom part (deepest part) 43 End face seal groove (end face groove), 43c Bottom part (deepest part), 44, 244 First fixed groove (fixed groove), 45, 245 Second fixed groove (fixed groove), 46 Ridge part, 80 Seal film, 89 Primer (sealant), 100 Liquid level detector

Claims (11)

This is a liquid level detector in which terminals (35a to 35c, 235) for transmitting a detection signal relating to the liquid level of the liquid are coated with a seal film (80) obtained by curing the liquid sealant (89). And
Predetermined regions (AA) is covered by the sealing membrane extending in a strip, when the predetermined area stretching direction (LD) and perpendicular to the direction of the width direction of the (WD), a pair provided before Symbol width direction both ends of the direction The terminal in which the ridge line part (46) is formed between the first end face (40a) and the second end face (40b) connecting the side end faces (40c, 40d) and the pair of side end faces;
A wall (33) provided around the predetermined area;
The sealing film positioned between the predetermined region and the wall,
The terminal includes a pair of end surface grooves (43) recessed from the pair of side end surfaces, a first groove (41, 241) recessed from the first plate surface and extending from one of the pair of end surface grooves to the other, The second groove (42, 242) that is recessed from the second plate surface and extends from one of the pair of end surface grooves to the other is such that the deepest portions (41c, 42c, 43c, 241c, 242c) are continuous. Formed in a predetermined area,
Wherein the first groove intermediate portion and the second groove intermediate portion of the liquid level detector, characterized in that located Oite displaced from each other prior to Kinobe Shinkata direction.   The liquid level detector according to claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove are bent in directions opposite to each other in the extending direction.   3. The liquid level detector according to claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second groove are farthest apart at a center of the predetermined region in the width direction.   The liquid level detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first groove and the second groove are both formed in a V-shaped cross section.   5. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the pair of end surface grooves, the first grooves, and the second grooves, the deepest portions of which are continuous with each other, are formed in the predetermined region. The liquid level detector according to item.   The liquid surface according to claim 5, wherein the first groove and the second groove are alternately formed along the extending direction in a longitudinal section of the predetermined region in the center in the width direction. Detector.   The liquid level detector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a groove depth of at least one of the first groove and the second groove increases toward a center in the width direction. . The terminal forms a fixing groove (44, 45, 244, 245) extending from one of the pair of side end surfaces to the other in a region outside the predetermined region,
The said wall part is formed in the shape which complements the said fixing groove, and has a fitting wall (34,234) fitted to the said fixing groove, The one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid level detector.   The liquid level detector according to claim 8, wherein the groove depths of the first groove and the second groove are shallower than the groove depth of the fixed groove. The terminal forms the fixing groove on each of the first plate surface and the second plate surface extending outside the predetermined region,
The liquid level detector according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the pair of fixing grooves are shifted from each other in the extending direction.   The liquid level detector according to claim 10, wherein the pair of fixing grooves are bent in directions opposite to each other in the extending direction.

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