JPH051937A - Level sensor device for liquid tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To precisely display a level position even when a liquid tank is horizontally or vertically used by providing an arm member having a float installed to its top part, and extending a float part orthogonally to an inclined surface to which a level display part is installed. CONSTITUTION:A float part 53 having an arm member 52 having a float 51 installed to its top part is extended orthogonally to the inclined surface 50A of a liquid tank 50 having a level display part 55 for displaying a level position 54 in a liquid tank 50. When the liquid tank 50 is horizontally placed, and the liquid quantity is sufficient, the float 51 is situated in B-position and rotated to C-position as the liquid quantity is reduced. The movement of the float 51 is energized to the display part 55. Similarly, when the liquid tank 50 is vertically placed, and the internal liquid quantity is sufficient, the float 51 is situated in the B-position and rotated to the C-position as the liquid quantity is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level sensor device for a liquid tank, and more particularly to a level sensor device for a liquid tank mounted in a portable liquid tank of a separate type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a separate type liquid tank has been developed which can be detached from a part of a device and carried as needed. This separate type liquid tank is excellent in storability of liquid fuel and the like, and is particularly often used as a fuel tank for ships and the like. For example, in the case of an outboard motor equipped with this fuel tank, this fuel tank is usually attached as a fuel tank of the outboard motor to a predetermined location of the outboard motor. When the internal fuel is exhausted, the fuel tank is removed from the outboard motor and used as a portable fuel storage container. Further, the empty fuel storage container (fuel tank) is carried to a fuel facility or the like to be replenished with fuel. Then, it can be attached to the outboard motor again as a fuel tank for the outboard motor. Further, two or more fuel tanks are usually prepared in a ship, and one of them is installed in an outboard motor and the other is stored as a spare fuel container.

Further, the above fuel tank is equipped with a mechanical level sensor device for confirming the internal fuel capacity from the outside. This level sensor device is shown in FIG.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of the first conventional example, a float portion 53 having a float 51 and an arm member 52 having the float 51 attached to the tip thereof and arranged toward the inside of the fuel tank 50; A liquid level display unit 55 that is activated by the float unit 53 to operate and displays the liquid level position in the liquid tank 50. The float portion 53 is installed in the fuel tank 50, and when the fuel tank 50 is in the horizontal position, the bottom portion 50D
It is arranged so as to be perpendicular to. The float 51 is adapted to reciprocally rotate in the upper left direction (left in FIG. 9) up to a distance 51A depending on the height of the liquid level position 54 in the fuel tank 50. Then, by being urged by the movement of the float 51 during reciprocal rotation,
The liquid level display 55 displays the liquid level position 54. Then, the driver of the ship or the like can use the liquid level display unit 55
To predict the remaining cruising range and the timing of refueling. Here, reference numeral 54A indicates a state in which the liquid level in the fuel tank 50 is lowest.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the fuel tank 50 is always designed on the assumption that it is used in a horizontal state. Therefore, even when the fuel tank 50 is vertically placed when refueling the fuel tank 50 or storing it as a reserve fuel, the float portion 53
The float 51 is designed so as not to rotate in the upper right direction (right side in FIG. 9) from the reference sign A shown in FIG. For this reason, the liquid level display unit 55 has a disadvantage that the operation of the reciprocating rotation of the float 51 is not correctly biased and accurate liquid level display cannot be performed. In addition, the driver may erroneously read the display on the liquid level display unit 55.

[0005]

[Object] An object of the present invention is to improve the inconvenience of the conventional example, and particularly to accurately display the liquid level position in the liquid tank even when the liquid tank is used in a horizontal or vertical installation state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a level sensor device for a liquid tank capable of achieving the above.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a float portion having a float and an arm member having the float attached to the tip thereof is disposed toward the inside of the liquid tank, and the float portion is energized. A level sensor device for a liquid tank, which is activated and displays the liquid level position in the liquid tank, is provided, and the liquid level display unit is provided on a part of the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank. This float is installed parallel to one inner wall surface of the two inner wall surfaces close to the liquid level display section and installed at a predetermined angle with respect to the other inner wall surface. The arm member side of the liquid tank is provided with a support member at a predetermined position of the liquid tank for supporting the float mounted on the tip end of the arm member so as to reciprocally rotate parallel to one inner wall surface. Further, the outer wall portion near the corner of the liquid tank equipped with the liquid level indicator is an inclined surface, and the float portion is extended in a direction orthogonal to the inclined surface. This is trying to achieve the objectives mentioned earlier.

[0007]

First, when the liquid tank 50 is placed horizontally and the amount of liquid inside is sufficient, the float 51 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Is at the position B, and as the liquid amount decreases, it rotates to the position C. When the amount of liquid in the liquid tank 50 increases due to replenishment or the like, the float 51 rotates to the original position B. The operation of reciprocating rotation of the float 51 is urged to the display unit 55 via the arm member 52 and the fulcrum shaft 2 as a supporting member. on the other hand,
When the liquid tank 50 is placed vertically and there is a sufficient amount of liquid inside, the float 51 is, for example, the symbol B in FIG.
It is in the position and rotates to the position C as the liquid amount decreases. When the amount of liquid in the liquid tank 50 increases due to replenishment or the like, the float 51 rotates to the original position B. The operation of reciprocating rotation of the float 51 is urged to the display unit 55 via the arm member 52 and the fulcrum shaft 2 as a supporting member.

[0008]

First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the conventional example described above.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a vertical state of a liquid tank 50 having a liquid tank level sensor device 1 according to this embodiment mounted thereon. On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a horizontal state of the liquid tank 50 equipped with the liquid tank level sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIGS. 1 and 3, a liquid tank 50 having a float 51 and an arm member 52 having the float 51 attached to the tip thereof is provided.
Level sensor for a liquid tank provided with a float portion 53 arranged toward the inside of the liquid tank and a liquid level display portion 55 that is operated by being biased by the float portion 53 and displays a liquid level position 54 in the liquid tank 50. The device 1 is provided, the liquid level indicator 55 is provided on a part of the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank 50, and the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank 50 equipped with the liquid level indicator 55 is inclined. The surface 50A is provided, and the float portion 53 is extended in a direction orthogonal to the inclined surface 50A.

This will be described in more detail. Liquid tank 50
As described above, it is a separate type and can be detached from a part of a device (not shown) or the like, and can be carried as needed. An external view of the liquid tank 50 is shown in FIGS. 8 shows a front view of the liquid tank 50, FIG. 9 shows a left side view of FIG. 8, and FIG.
Shows a plan view of FIG. As shown in these drawings, the liquid tank 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a handle portion 50C for carrying the liquid tank 50 or vertically placing the liquid tank 50 on a part of its outer wall. It is equipped.

The liquid tank 50 is equipped with the liquid tank level sensor device 1 of this embodiment. This liquid tank level sensor device 1 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a liquid level display unit 55 that displays the liquid level position 54 in the liquid tank 50, a float unit 53 that urges the liquid level display unit 55 to perform a display operation, and the float unit 53 at an appropriate position. In addition, the fulcrum shaft 2 is rotatably supported.

The float portion 53 is composed of a float 51 and an arm member 52 having the tip end 52A of the float 51. And this float part 53
As shown in FIG. 5, it is supported by the fulcrum shaft 2 and reciprocally rotates about the fulcrum shaft 2 only between the reference signs B and C.

The liquid level display section 55 includes F (FULL) 4 and E
It is composed of a display plate 55A marked with (EMP) 5 and a needle-shaped member 3 connected to the rear end portion 52B of the arm member 52 via a fulcrum shaft 2. The tip 3A of the needle-shaped member 3 reciprocally rotates between the reference numerals 4 and 5 in accordance with the rotational movement of the arm portion 53 about the fulcrum shaft 2. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the liquid level display portion 55 is mounted on the inclined portion 50A as a part of the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank 50, and the liquid level display portion 55 is inclined. It is equipped with the same inclination as that of the portion 50A. Here, FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow D, and FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of arrow E.

The float portion 53 described above extends in a direction orthogonal to the inclined portion 50A of the liquid tank 50 and toward the inside of the liquid tank 50, as shown in FIGS. That is, the fulcrum shaft 2 that supports the float 53 is θ (0 <θ <with respect to the bottom surfaces 50B (in the vertical state) and 50D (in the horizontal state) of the liquid tank 50.
It is installed at 90 °).

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

First, FIG. 3 shows a state in which the above-mentioned liquid tank 50 is horizontally placed. In this figure, the float 51 is in the B position when the liquid amount in the liquid tank 50 is sufficient (when the liquid surface position is up to the position 54 in FIG. 3), and the float 51 has the arm member 52 and the fulcrum shaft. The tip 3A of the needle-shaped member 3 connected via 2 is attached to the display plate 55A with the reference numeral 4 (FUL).
L) is shown (see FIG. 5). When the amount of liquid in the fuel tank 50 decreases, the float 51 moves to the C position, and the tip 3A of the needle-shaped member 3 moves to the position of reference numeral 5 (EMP) attached to the display plate 55A accordingly. To do. Here, the float portion 53 is connected to the liquid tank 50 by the fulcrum shaft 2.
Is supported in a state orthogonal to the inclined portion 50A. Therefore, the rotating operation of the float portion 53 is performed by the fulcrum shaft 2.
It rotates in the direction orthogonal to 50 A of inclined parts centering on. Here, reference numeral 54A in FIG. 3 indicates the fuel tank 5.
The state where the liquid level in 0 is the lowest is shown.

Next, in FIG. 1, this figure shows a state in which the liquid tank 50 is placed vertically. Even in this case, the float 51 is at the B position when the liquid amount in the liquid tank 50 is sufficient (when the liquid surface position is up to the position 54 in FIG. 1) as in the horizontal state described above. Yes,
The tip 3A of the needle-shaped member 3 connected to the float 51 via the arm member 52 and the fulcrum shaft 2 indicates a reference numeral 4 (FULL) attached to the display plate 55A (see FIG. 5). Also,
If the liquid volume in the fuel tank 50 decreases, the float 51
Moves to the C position, and accordingly the tip 3A of the needle-shaped member 3 moves to the position of reference numeral 5 (EMP) attached to the display plate 55A. As described above, the float portion 53 is supported by the fulcrum shaft 2 in a state orthogonal to the inclined portion 50A of the liquid tank 50. Therefore, the float unit 5
The rotation operation of 3 rotates about the fulcrum shaft 2 in a direction orthogonal to the inclined portion 50A. Here, reference numeral 54A in FIG. 1 indicates a state in which the liquid level in the fuel tank 50 is lowest.

As described above, when the amount of liquid in the liquid tank 50 is sufficient, the B position of each float 51 corresponds to whether the liquid tank 50 is placed horizontally or vertically. Therefore, whether the liquid tank 50 is vertically or horizontally placed, the accurate liquid surface position is displayed on the liquid surface display section 55. Further, when the amount of liquid in the liquid tank 50 decreases, the float 51 causes the liquid tank 5 to respond to the decrease in the amount of liquid.
Move to C position 0 in the vertical and horizontal positions. The relative position of each float 51 at the time of this movement substantially corresponds. Therefore, also in this case, a relatively accurate liquid level position is displayed on the liquid level display unit 55.

[0019]

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the first embodiment described above.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a vertically installed state of the liquid tank 50 having the liquid tank level sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment. On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a horizontally placed state of the liquid tank 50 to which the liquid tank level sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment is mounted. The float 51 and the float 51 in FIGS.
And an arm member 52 attached to the tip portion 52A of the float portion 53, which is disposed toward the inside of the liquid tank 50.
The liquid tank level sensor device 1 is provided with a liquid level display section 55 that is activated by the float section 53 and operates to display the liquid level position 54 in the liquid tank 50. The liquid level indicator 55 is provided on a part of the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank 50, and the float 53 is provided.
Is arranged parallel to one inner wall surface 50E of the two inner wall surfaces adjacent to the liquid level display portion 55, and the other inner wall surface 5
The arm member side 52B of the float portion 53 is attached to the tip portion 52A of the float portion 53 at a predetermined angle with respect to 0F.
A support member (fulcrum shaft) 2 that allows the float 51 mounted in the above to reciprocate in parallel to one inner wall surface 50E and supports the float 51 is provided at a predetermined position of the liquid tank.

This will be described in more detail. In FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, the respective constituent members of the display unit 55, the fulcrum shaft 2, and the float unit 53 which compose the liquid tank level sensor device 1 are the first embodiment described above. It is the same as the example. The difference is that
It is in the rotating direction of the float portion 53. To explain this,
In FIG. 6, the float 53 is reciprocally rotated about the fulcrum shaft 2 between the symbols B and C in the liquid tank 50. The fulcrum shaft 2 allows only a predetermined rotation direction in the reciprocating rotation of the float portion 53. That is, the float portion 53 is the inner wall surface 50E of the liquid tank 50.
, While always maintaining a parallel state (liquid tank 5
Even if 0 is placed vertically and horizontally, the float portion 53 is always reciprocally rotated (in a vertical state). Also, fulcrum shaft 2
Is configured as shown in FIG. 5 described above, and is provided on the inner side surface of the inclined portion 50A as a part of the outer wall near the corner portion of the liquid tank 50 and near the display portion 55. Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment described above. Even in this case, the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The liquid tank 50 includes a float 51 and an arm member 52 having a tip portion 52A attached to the float and is arranged toward the inside of the liquid tank 50. The liquid tank 50 is operated by being biased by the float portion 53. The liquid tank level sensor device 1 including a liquid level display unit 55 that displays the liquid level position inside is provided, and the liquid level display unit 55 is provided on a part of the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank 50. With the float section 5
3 is disposed in parallel with one inner wall surface 50E of the two inner wall surfaces adjacent to the liquid level display portion 55, and is extendedly installed at a predetermined angle with respect to the other inner wall surface 50F. The arm member side 52B of the
A fulcrum shaft 2 as a supporting member for allowing the float 51 mounted on A to reciprocally rotate parallel to one inner wall surface 50E is provided at a predetermined position of the liquid tank 50, and the liquid level display The outer wall portion near the corner of the liquid tank 50 equipped with the portion 55 is an inclined surface 50A.
Since the float portion 53 is extended in the direction orthogonal to
Float 51 even when the liquid tank 50 is placed vertically or horizontally
Can be rotated (moved) according to the amount of liquid. Therefore, the liquid level indicator 55 has a relatively accurate liquid tank 50.
The liquid surface position inside is displayed. Further, although an electric level gauge can be used to make ones having similar properties, the liquid tank level sensor device of the present embodiment is less expensive than those. Further, the structure of the liquid tank level sensor device of this embodiment is relatively simple.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence rate of failures and the like.

[0023]

According to the present invention, which is constructed and functions as described above, according to the present invention, the float and the arm member having the float attached to the tip end thereof are disposed toward the inside of the liquid tank. A level sensor device for a liquid tank is provided, which includes a float part and a liquid level display part that is activated by the float part and operates to display the liquid level position in the liquid tank. It is equipped on a part of the outer wall near the corner of the tank, and the float part is arranged parallel to one of the two inner wall surfaces close to the liquid level indicator and to the other inner wall surface. A fulcrum as a support member that is extendedly installed at a predetermined angle, and that supports the arm member side of the float part by allowing the float equipped at the tip end to reciprocally rotate parallel to one inner wall surface. Align the axis of the liquid tank The liquid tank is equipped with a liquid level indicator, and the outer wall part near the corner of the liquid tank equipped with a liquid level indicator is an inclined surface, and the float part is extended in the direction orthogonal to this inclined surface. The float can move according to the liquid volume even when the tank is placed vertically or horizontally.
Therefore, the liquid level display section displays a relatively accurate liquid level position in the liquid tank. Further, in the liquid tank level sensor device according to the present embodiment, the movement operation of the float portion is directly transmitted to the display portion. Therefore, the display unit can provide an unprecedented excellent level sensor device for a liquid tank that can delicately display the amount of liquid in the liquid tank.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view when a level sensor device for a liquid tank of the present embodiment is installed in a liquid tank and the liquid tank is placed vertically.

FIG. 2 is a view of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the liquid tank level sensor device of the present embodiment in which the liquid tank level sensor device of the present embodiment is installed in a liquid tank.

FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of arrow E.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a liquid tank level sensor device according to the present embodiment.

6 to 7 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the present embodiment.

8 to 10 are external views of a liquid tank equipped with the level sensor device for a liquid tank of this embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Liquid tank level sensor device 2 A fulcrum shaft as a supporting member 50 liquid tanks 50A Slope as a corner 50E One inner wall surface 50F Inner wall surface on the other 51 float 52 Arm member 53 Float section 55 Liquid level display

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A float having a float and an arm member having the float attached to its tip end and arranged toward the inside of a liquid tank, and the inside of the liquid tank operated by being biased by the float. A liquid level indicator for displaying the liquid level position of the liquid tank level sensor device,
The liquid level display part is provided on a part of the outer wall near the corner of the liquid tank, and the float part is parallel to one of the two inner wall faces adjacent to the liquid level display part. It is installed and extended at a predetermined angle with respect to the other inner wall surface, and the arm member side of the float portion is reciprocally rotated in parallel with the one inner wall surface by a float equipped at the tip end portion thereof. A level sensor device for a liquid tank, characterized in that a support member for allowing and supporting is installed at a predetermined position of the liquid tank. 2. A liquid characterized in that an outer wall portion near a corner of the liquid tank equipped with the liquid level indicator is an inclined surface, and the float portion is extended in a direction orthogonal to the inclined surface. Level sensor device for tanks.