JPH0316033Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Purpose of the Invention The present invention relates to an oil level gauge suitable for insertion into a bent guide tube.

In recent years, as engine control mechanisms have become more complex,
As various types of equipment are placed inside the engine compartment of automobiles, the space has become narrower, so the guide tube for inserting the gauge, which protrudes from the oil pan, is often bent to prevent interference with surrounding equipment. In order to insert it into such a bent guide tube, an oil level gauge with a bendable insertion rod was developed, but when inserting or removing it, the gauge piece attached to the tip of the insertion rod There was a problem where the guide tube was rubbed strongly against the inner circumferential surface of the guide tube, requiring a large amount of force. In order to avoid this problem, a widened part is formed at the rear end of the plate-shaped gauge piece, a cap with an inward flange formed at the tip, and a widened part between the tip surface of the insertion rod and the flange. By fitting it onto the tip of the insertion rod and fixing it by caulking, the gauge piece can be freely supported to swing at a certain angle around the widened part and rotate around the axis. A method has been considered, but this method requires the gauge piece to be inserted into the cap and the cap must be caulked, making assembly difficult.

The present invention was developed in view of the above points, and allows the gauge piece to be easily attached to the insertion rod, and also supports the gauge piece so that it can freely rotate and swing around its axis. The object of the present invention is to provide an oil level gauge that can obtain the desired oil level.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a hollow insertion rod having moderate flexibility and elastic restoring force, which is made by closely winding a flat steel wire in a spiral shape, and a guide tube (not shown) is attached to the rear end of the rod. A rubber plug 2, which is integrally formed with a seal part 3 that fits tightly and a stopper 4 that contacts the edge of the guide tube, and a handle 5 made of a curved round steel wire are fixed, and the tip of the insertion rod 1 is fixed. In the section, a support rod 6 having a flange 7 formed at the tip and a bottom plate 9 formed at the rear end.
It is fixed by fitting a cylindrical caulking part 8 having a shape on the outside and caulking its outer periphery.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gauge piece 11 is made of a long and thin elastic metal pipe, and its outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the bottom plate 9 and its inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the collar 7. At the rear end of this gauge piece 11, a protruding end is attached to the rear end of the gauge piece 11.
A pair of locking pawls 12, 12 are formed by punching and protrude toward the inner side in an oblique position facing the tip side of the gauge piece 11. While pushing down against the
After that, the push-in is regulated by the end surface coming into contact with the bottom plate 9, and the protruding end of the restored locking piece 12 comes into contact with the collar 7, so that the gauge piece 11 cannot be detached and cannot be rotated around the axis. It is supported so that it can swing freely around its rear end.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show modified examples of the gauge piece 11, and the gauge piece 11a in FIG. 4 has oil reservoirs on the outer peripheral surfaces of the tip and rear ends that indicate the lower and upper limit positions of the oil level, respectively. When oil adhering to the gauge piece 11a flows down, it collects in the grooves 13a and 14a, and by visually observing this, the position of the oil level can be determined. It has the advantage of being able to reliably determine that it is located above the grooves 13a and 14a where it has accumulated.
The gauge piece 11b in FIG. 5 has two through holes 13b and 14b formed in place of the grooves 13a and 14a described above.
Reference symbol c indicates a gauge piece in which two recesses 13c and 14c are formed, respectively, and has the same advantages as the gauge piece 11a.

Structure and effects of the device As specifically explained in the above embodiments,
The oil level gauge of the present invention has a support rod having an outward facing flange fixed to the tip of a flexible elongated insertion rod, and the rear end of an elongated tube-shaped gauge piece made of an elastic material. A pair of locking pawls are formed in the section, the protruding ends of which project toward the inner surface of the gauge piece, and the rear end of the gauge piece is held against the elasticity of both the locking pawls. The gist is that the protruding ends of both of the locking pawls, which are pushed into grooves formed at the rear of the flange and restored by elasticity, are disposed opposite to the flange with a gap, and the gauge piece is inserted into the groove. When attaching the gauge piece to the support rod, it is only necessary to push the rear end of the gauge piece into the groove formed behind the collar of the support rod, making the installation process quick and easy. Since the protruding end touches the flange to prevent movement in the pulling direction, there is no risk of the gauge piece coming off easily, and the gauge piece is supported freely for swinging and rotation around the axis. When inserted into or removed from a bent guide tube, the gauge piece rotates and oscillates, suppressing its bending. The height of the oil level can be clearly displayed without being damaged, and the sliding resistance with the guide tube is small, allowing smooth insertion and removal. No bending force is applied, resulting in excellent durability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged partially cutaway front view of the tip;
The figures are partially cutaway perspective views of the gauge piece, Figures 4 to 6.
The figure is a partially cutaway perspective view of a modified example of the gauge piece. 1: Insert rod, 6: Support rod, 7: Tsuba, 10: Groove,
11, 11a, 11b, 11c: Gauge piece, 1
2: Locking claw.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A support rod having an outward-facing flange at the tip is fixed to the tip of a flexible elongated insertion rod, and a protruding end is attached to the rear end of an elongated tube-shaped gauge piece made of an elastic material. A pair of locking pawls are formed that face the tip of the piece and protrude inward, and the rear end of the gauge piece is connected to a groove formed at the rear of the collar against the elasticity of both the locking pawls. An oil level gauge characterized in that the protruding ends of both of the locking pawls, which are pushed inward and restored by elasticity, are disposed opposite to the collar with a gap.