JPH0214955B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an electrical water level display device, a lid element formed with connections for inflow and outflow of fuel, and a housing provided under the lid element and having a water storage space. The present invention relates to a fuel purification device in which a float having a permanent magnet attached to a water level indicator is provided in a water storage space, and a pulse generator having an electric switch in a rod-like member is controlled in relation to the water level.

Such a device is known from DE 30 09 899 A1, in which a water storage space is formed in the housing below the filter element. At the bottom of the housing there is a relatively large opening into which a plug screwed constitutes a drainage device and also a pulse generator for a water level indicator. Here, a float is guided on the rod of the pulse generator. A disadvantage of this device is that because of the large volume of the inserted filter, only little space remains for the water storage space. Furthermore, in order to accommodate the stopper together with its additional equipment, the housing of the device must have a relatively large opening. Therefore, existing housings cannot be used with this device. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that an automatic throttling device is not provided to prevent fuel from flowing out of the filter when the water accumulated in the water storage space is discharged. In practice, the disadvantage is that in many cases the electrical connection cables are led into the housing of the purification device from below and are therefore difficult to handle in unfavorable mounting conditions of the device. A further disadvantage is that the water level indicator is provided with parts that must be replaced frequently, ie replacement filters. In this case, the risk of damage to the water level display device is relatively high. By guiding the float that operates the electric switch onto a member fixed to the stopper,
The volume of the float must be relatively small. This can compromise the strength and accuracy of the water level indicator.

On the other hand, a conical deflection umbrella is provided in the housing at its upper part, the free outer edge of which forms an annular gap between the inlet and the outlet, and which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the fuel purification device. The fuel purification device of the present invention has a simple structure, in which the element is provided with a pulse generator, and the rod-shaped member passes through the deflection umbrella piece and has a switch under the deflection umbrella piece. It has the disadvantage of allowing a large water storage space. In this device, in particular, the central opening for introducing the pulse generator is in any case in the lid element, so that existing components can continue to be used. The advantage is that a water level indicator is now provided in a device that does not have to be replaced constantly. In particular, the risk of damage to the pulse generator is largely avoided.
Furthermore, electrical connection cables are led to the device from above,
Ease of handling is therefore also often advantageous. Furthermore, by arranging the pulse generator in the lid element, additional devices can also be easily provided at the bottom of the housing.

The measures set out in the implementation section of the patent claim allow advantageous developments and improvements of the device according to claim 1. Claim 2 provides that an automatic throttling device is provided at the bottom of the housing to throttle or prevent the outflow of fuel after the water has been discharged.
The arrangement according to terms is particularly advantageous. With the arrangement according to claim 3, the efficiency of the device during water separation can be significantly increased. The arrangement according to claims 4 to 6 allows for a simple and operationally reliable construction, so that even if the purifying device is slightly tilted, it still functions perfectly. A very advantageous and inexpensive construction results from patent claim 7. This is because in this case only one float takes on two functions, namely the function of operating the switch and the function of throttling during drainage. According to patent claims 8 to 11, a particularly suitable design is obtained which allows for a particularly simple and inexpensive construction as well as reliable sealing after draining.

Under unfavorable conditions of use, the problem arises that the material of the float stretches and partially impairs the functionality of the device. This is particularly the case when certain types of fuel have to be purified and relatively high temperatures occur during operation, causing the plastic of the float to swell. A particularly advantageous configuration for solving this problem results from patent claim 12, whereby the purification device is fully functional even under such unfavorable conditions of use. In particular, the fact that the float forms only one sealing point between the drain pipe piece and the water storage space prevents binding of the float and additional friction of the float. The design according to claim 13 provides an advantageous assembly of the device. By forming a flat valve in the drainage device according to claim 14, reliable sealing by the float can be performed after drainage. Further advantageous configurations emerge from the following description of the further exemplary embodiments and the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a fuel purification system 10 with an electrical water level indicator. The device 10 has a lid element 11 in which an inlet connection 12 and an outlet connection 13 are formed. Furthermore, the lid element 11 has a central connecting tube 14. Lid element 11
A cup-shaped housing 15 is attached to the holder. In the housing 15 and in its upper region there is a conical deflection umbrella 16 whose inner edge 17 is attached to the connecting tube 14 . The free outer edge 18 of the deflection umbrella piece 16 has an inlet connection port 12 and an outlet connection port 13 between the deflection umbrella piece 16 and the inner wall of the housing 15.
A narrow annular gap 19 is formed between the two. The bottom 21 of the housing 15 has a needle-like bulge 22 into which the insertion piece 23 fits. Drainage device 2 by insertion piece 23
4 is screwed to the housing 15. The insert piece 23 forms a valve seat 25 inside the housing 15, and the valve cone 26 of the throttle float 27 faces this valve seat. The throttle float 27 is essentially formed as a flat disc and has a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity of the fuel to be purified and less than the specific gravity of water. A multi-arm guide member 28 inserted into the housing 15 guides the throttle float 27 in the radial direction and further limits its axial movement. Guide member 2
The free lower end 32 of the pulse generator 31 rests on the radially extending connecting edge 29 of the pulse generator 8 . The pulse generator 31 essentially consists of a rod-shaped member 33 whose upper end 34, which is designed as a threaded plug, is screwed in a fixed manner into the central connecting tube 14 in a sealing manner. The bar member 33 is made of plastic and has a reed switch 35 therein, the electrical connection lead 36 of which leads out from the upper end 34. The reed switch 35 is thus located just below the plane formed by the outer edge 18 of the deflection umbrella 16. An upper stopper 37 of the display float 38 is formed on the rod member 33 near this surface. This display float 38 is slidably guided on the bar 33 and its upper end position is defined by an upper stop 37 and its lower end position by an end 32 which likewise serves as a stop. The display float 38 is a permanent magnet 3 formed in an annular shape.
9, and the reed switch 35 is connected by this magnet 39.
is manipulated. The specific gravity of the indicator float 38 is selected so that it sinks in the fuel to be purified but floats on top of the water. The rod-like member 33 has a reduced diameter in the area between its upper end and the upper stopper 37 so that the space within the housing 15 is connected to the outflow connection 13 under the deflection umbrella 16 via the central connection piece 14. It's summery. The pulse generator 31 is therefore part of a water level indicator 41 which is connected to an alarm device (not shown).

The operation of the fuel purification device 10 will be explained below. The fuel to be purified flows into the interior of the housing 15 via the inlet connection 12 . The incoming fuel is forced through the narrow annular gap 19 by the deflection umbrella 16, the flow being accelerated and the water contained in the fuel being separated under the action of gravity. The fuel is diverted downstream of the annular gap 19 and flows upwardly into the space formerly under the deflection umbrella piece 16 and then via the central connecting piece 14 to the outlet connection 13 . The separated water sinks due to its high specific gravity and accumulates in the water storage space of the housing 15. When the surface of the water accumulated on the bottom 21 reaches the squeezing float 27, this squeezing float 27 moves toward the guide member 2.
The water surface carries the float 27 upward until it hits the connecting side 29 of 8. As the water level within the housing 15 rises further, the display float 38 begins to float on the water and separates from the end 32. Its permanent magnet 39 is then approximately at the level of the water surface. The display float 38 is guided on the rod-shaped member 33 with such a clearance that it is not constrained and produces as little friction as possible. Finally, when the water level increases so that the permanent magnet 39 reaches the height of the opening/closing reed of the reed switch 35, the switch 35 generates a pulse, which is applied via the connecting conductor 36 to a display device (not shown). The display device allows the operator to read that the maximum water level has been reached or exceeded.
After reaching or exceeding the maximum water level, the operator begins the drainage process by opening the screw on the drainage device 24. At this time, water flows out from the water storage space of the housing 15 through the insertion piece 25 and the drainage device 24 to the outside. In this case, the water level in the housing 15 decreases until the indicator float 38 hits the end 32 which serves as a stop. As the water level continues to fall, the aperture float 27 also falls, and its valve cone 26 engages the insertion piece 23.
Approach valve seat 25 located at . At the end of this process, after most of the water accumulated in the housing 15 has flowed out to the outside, the valve cone 26 throttles the outflowing water and finally impinges completely onto the valve seat 25, allowing the fuel to flow out from inside the housing. Avoid spills. In this case, guide member 2
8 provides complete guidance of the throttle float 27, so that even if the device 10 is slightly tilted or the water level fluctuates, an automatic throttle or closure at the end of the draining process takes place and fuel spills are largely avoided. Ru. When the display float 38 hits the end 32, the lead switch 35
is not operated, so the alarm signal generated on the display device is canceled.

A large volume of water can thus be stored in the housing 15 of the device 10. Furthermore, the pulse generator 31 is preferably integrated into the lid element 11 from above, so that the electrical connection lines 36 can be easily handled. The pulse generator 31 is connected to the device 10 in this way.
By providing this, an automatic throttle device for the drainage process can be easily provided at the bottom 21 of the housing 15. Since element replacement, such as in a filter, is not required in this device 10, constant removal and installation of the pulse generator is also eliminated. On the other hand, the pulse generator 31 can be constructed relatively inexpensively and can be constructed so that it can be easily replaced if the reed switch 35 breaks down.

FIG. 2 shows a device 1 according to FIG. 1 as a second embodiment.
0 indicates a device 50 that differs in the following points, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. First, deflection umbrella piece 1
A flat annular mesh screen 51 is provided on the free edge 18 of 6, which now separates the actual water storage space 52 in the housing 15 from the space in the deflection umbrella 16. The mesh sieve consists of a water-repellent material with a fine mesh, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency of water separation. The pulse generator 31 is now a tubularly formed member 53
This tubular member 53 has a blind hole 54 that opens upward.
A reed switch 35 and its connecting wire 36 are housed therein. The tubular member 53 is connected to the reed switch 3
5 is formed in such a length that it is located below the mesh sieve 51. The tubular member 53 has a free end 55 which projects into the water storage space 52 and is formed into a conical shape.
Only one float 56 is provided in the water storage space 52 and assumes the functions of a squeezing float and a display float. The float 56 has a central boss 57 which is connected via a flat connecting edge 58 to an outer guide ring 59. A recess 61 is formed in the boss 57, which is located coaxially with respect to the pulse generator 31 and is open towards it, into which an annular permanent magnet 39 is inserted. A valve cone 62 is located on the side of the boss 56 facing the insertion piece 23 and cooperates with the valve seat 25 of the insertion piece 23. In the range of the valve cone 62, the concave hole 61 and the throttle hole 63 form the water storage space 15.
It leads to The float 56 is guided along the inner wall of the housing 15 by a guide ring 59 . To avoid tilting of the float 56 during use, a guide ring 59 is provided.
is formed to have a relatively large height. Since the float 56 is configured to float on the water but sink in the fuel, the height position of the float 56 and thus the permanent magnet 39 is a measure of the water surface position.

The function of this device 50 corresponds substantially to that of device 10, with a single float 56 taking over the functions of display float and aperture float. When the float 56 reaches the pulse generator 31 due to the rising water level, the float 56 is moved by the conical end 55 that enters the recess 61
are additionally centered and guided. In this case, the throttle hole 63 also provides a limited braking effect. With this construction, the float 56 can be constructed relatively large, which ensures a more reliable sealing at the end of drainage. By using only one float for two functions,
The device 50 is advantageously constructed as being particularly simple and inexpensive. The guiding of the float 26 within the housing 15 also facilitates a simple construction of the device 50. The tubular member 53 of the pulse generator 31 can here be constructed relatively short and, moreover, its construction allows the pulse generator 31 to be easily replaced.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a device 70, which differs from the portion shown in FIG. 2 in the following points:
The same symbols are used for the same parts. Now, the pulse generator 31 has a significantly long tubular member 71,
The conical end 72 of this tubular member comes a short distance from the insertion piece 23. A flat seat surface 73 is formed on the insertion piece 23. A sealing portion 75 provided at the center of the aperture float 74 rests on this seating surface at the position shown. Connecting side 7 from sealed part 75
6 extends into a conical ring 77 which opens towards the deflection umbrella 16 . This ring 77 is provided with additional guide tongues 78 on the outside. The conical ring 77 is the connecting side 7
6 , from which a centering recess 81 extends into the sealing part 75 . By means of the conical end 72 of the pulse generator 31 entering the recess 81, the housing 1
The position of the throttle float 74 with respect to 5 is aligned. The distance between the end 72 and the inner end of the recess 81 is
The size is such that the throttle float 74 can perform a sufficient opening stroke. Since the outer diameter of the throttle float 74 is selected to be considerably smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 15,
Even under extreme conditions of use, no binding occurs between the float and the housing. The outer diameter of the display float 82 that contacts the support surface 79 is selected to be smaller than the diameter of the support surface 79. The display float 82 has a central guide hole 83 into which the annular permanent magnet 39 is inserted. The cylindrical portion of the tubular member 71 is connected to this guide hole 8.
3 to completely guide the float 82. Furthermore, an outflow restrictor 84 is incorporated into the insertion piece 23.

The action of the device 70 is first in that the throttle float 74 can perform a stroke movement that is limited by a mechanical stop, and the indicating float 82 is guided in further strokes by the pulse generator 31.
This is consistent with the operation of the device 10 according to the figures. The difference, however, is that the throttle float 74 is no longer guided by the housing or by a fixed part of the housing, but only by the pulse generator 31.
In this way, it is possible to ensure that the device 70 operates reliably even under extreme usage conditions. That is, at high temperatures with suitable fuel, the plastic of the floats 74 and 82 will swell significantly, thereby allowing the outer diameter of the floats to expand appropriately without binding the floats within the housing 15. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that, despite the fact that both floats 74, 82 are guided by the pulse generator 31, there is only one sealing point between the water separation space 52 and the drainage device 24. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous for the indicator float 82 to rest on the support surface 79 towards the end of the drainage, thereby pressing the sealing part 75 of the throttle float 74 against the additional seat surface 73 and ensuring a good seal. Reliable and good sealing is further facilitated by the configuration as a flat valve. It is also advantageous that the float allows easy assembly due to its structure. That is, before attaching the lid element to the housing 15, the aperture float 74 is easily attached to the housing 1.
5 and the indicator float 82 can be placed thereon, the indicator float 82 being centered in the aperture float 74 by the conical ring 77 itself. After attaching the lid element to the housing 15, the pulse generator 3
1 can be easily installed, with its conical end 72 passing through the guide hole 83 into the recess 81 and aligning the two floats 74, 82.

The outflow throttle 84 prevents the sealing portion 75 of the throttle float 74 from quickly hitting the seat surface 73 due to the suction action and preventing drainage. Drainage can now advantageously be carried out during operation of the fuel pump, in particular without venting the device 70. This prevents erroneous operations. In other words, there is no risk of gasoline spilling out and exploding due to the pressure acting on the pressure reservoir.

Modifications may, of course, be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, instead of the integral float 56 of FIG. 2 made of plastic,
A float made of steel plate configured as a hollow body can be used. This results in a high buoyancy and a high resting weight on the valve seat during drainage, and suction effects are largely eliminated. This configuration allows corrosive fuel to pass through the water separator.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partially cut away elevational view of the third embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Fuel purification device, 11... Lid element, 12... Inflow connection port, 13... Outflow connection port, 15... Housing, 16... Deflection umbrella piece, 18... Outer edge, 19... Annular gap, 31... Pulse generator, 33, 53, 71... Rod-shaped member, 35... Electric switch, 38, 56, 82...
Display float, 39...Permanent magnet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water level display device comprising: an electrical water level display device; a lid element formed with a connection port for fuel inflow and outflow; and a housing provided under the lid element and having a water storage space; In a fuel purification device in which a float having a permanent magnet attached to an indicator is provided in a water storage space and a pulse generator having an electric switch in a rod-shaped member is controlled in relation to the water level, the float is installed in the housing 15. A conical deflection umbrella piece 16 is provided at the top, the free outer edge 18 of which forms an annular gap 19 between the inlet 12 and the outlet 13 and which extends over the lid element coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fuel purification device 10. 11 is provided with a pulse generator 31, and its rod-shaped member 33 serves as the deflection umbrella piece 1.
6 and below this deflection umbrella piece 16 is a switch 35.
A fuel purification device characterized by having: 2 Float 2 that squeezes wastewater to the bottom 21 of the housing 15
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a drainage device 24 with 7 is provided. 3. A water-repellent mesh sieve 15 is provided between the annular gap 19 and the outlet 13 and is attached to the free outer edge 18 of the deflection umbrella piece 16, and the pulse generator 31 passes through this mesh sieve 51. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a float 38; 82 attached to the pulse generator 31 and used for display is guided on the rod-shaped member 33; 71. 5. A guide member 28 is provided in the housing 15 near the bottom 21, and the throttle float 27 is guided within the guide member 28.
Apparatus according to claim 2. 6 The rod-shaped member 33 connects the guide member 28 to the housing 1
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device is kept in contact with the bottom 21 of the 5. 7. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that an integral float 56 is used for operating the switch 35 and for throttling during drainage. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the float 56 is guided in the housing 15. 9 A rod-shaped member 53 protrudes from the deflection umbrella piece 16 by approximately the length of the switch, and a recess 61 for centering the float 56 corresponding to the free end 55 is provided in the float 56, and a magnet for operating the switch 35 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess 61 is fitted with a recess 39. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the float 56 has a valve cone 62 that cooperates with the drain pipe piece 23. 11. Claim 9, characterized in that the float 56 is formed as a substantially rotationally symmetrical element and has a recess 61 in which the free end 55 of the pulse generator 31 with the switch 35 fits. The device described. 12 A rod-shaped member 71 terminates at a distance from the drain pipe piece 23, and its free end 72 enters the centering recess 81 of the throttle float 74, and this float 7
A sealing part 75 of 4 is provided between the free end 72 and the drain pipe piece 23, the float 74 has a support surface 79 for the float 82 which operates the switch 35, the latter float 82
3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rod-like member 71 is guided by a central guide hole 83. 13. Means 77 for centering the display float 82 is formed on the aperture float 74,
Apparatus according to claim 12. 14. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the sealing part 75 forms, together with the drain pipe piece 23, a flat-seat valve 73. 15. Claim 12, characterized in that the distance between the inner wall of the housing 15 and the outer diameter of the throttle float 74 is larger than the elongation of the float 74 due to swelling of the material forming the float 74, particularly plastic, during use. The device described in. 16 When the throttle float 74 comes into contact with the drain pipe piece 23, the free end 72 of the rod-shaped member 71 enters the centering recess 81, with a gap corresponding to the opening stroke of the throttle float 74 between the two parts. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that: 17. Claim 1, characterized in that the switch 35 of the pulse generator 31 is provided in the blind hole 54 of the rod-shaped member 53; 71 that is sealed from the internal space of the housing 15 and opens to the outside. Equipment described in Section. 18. The throttle float 74 and the display float 82 are guided only by the rod-shaped member 71 of the pulse generator 31 and control only one sealed point 73 between the water storage space 52 and the drain pipe piece 23. 2. The device according to claim 2, wherein: 19. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the drainage device 24 has an outflow restriction 84.