JPH0564736U - Oil level gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The oil measuring unit can be manufactured at low cost, and
Provided is an oil level gauge that can be reliably set at a predetermined position and can accurately measure the amount of oil. [Structure] A gauge body 1 and a guide tube locking portion 2 are provided. The guide tube locking portion 2 is composed of a locking body portion 21 and a wire connecting pipe 22, and the locking body portion 2
25 is composed of a guide tube fitting portion 23 having slit-shaped grooves 25 ... 25 and a protruding piece 26, and a leaf spring 4 arranged on the outer periphery of the guide tube fitting portion 23.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an oil level gauge such as engine oil for automobiles.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an oil level gauge for measuring the amount of oil such as automobile engine oil, the one shown in FIG. 5 has been widely known. This one is provided with a long gauge main body a having a gauge section c at its tip and a guide tube locking section b arranged at the rear end of this gauge main body a. In b, a fitting portion b1 made of rubber, which is fitted into the inner periphery of the rear end portion of the guide tube d for guiding the gauge portion c of the gauge body a into the oil, and a rear end surface of the guide tube d which is in contact with the rear end surface of the guide tube d. The end face contact portion b2 is provided. When measuring the oil, first, the gauge main body a is passed through the guide tube d from the gauge portion c on the tip side thereof, and the rear end surface of the guide tube a is brought into contact with the rear end surface of the guide tube locking portion b. After setting by pressing until the portion b2 comes into contact, the set oil level gauge is pulled out from the guide tube d and the position of the oil adhering to the gauge portion c is observed. In addition, e in the drawing indicates an operation grip portion of the oil level gauge.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in this structure, the fitting insertion portion b1 of the guide tube locking portion b is inserted into the inner circumference of the rear end portion of the guide tube d, so that the accuracy of the inner circumference diameter of the guide tube d is small. When using a non-inner diameter finished product such as electric resistance welded steel pipe, post-processing must be performed, and a drawn steel pipe that does not vary in inner diameter, which is expensive to manufacture, must be used. I have to. As a result, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the oil measuring unit is high.

Further, since the fitting insertion portion b1 of the guide tube locking portion b is made of elastic rubber, the rear end surface of the guide tube d and the rear end surface abutting portion of the guide tube locking portion b. It is difficult to tell whether or not b2 is in contact, and even if it is pressed until the rear end surface of the guide tube d and the rear end surface contact portion b2 of the guide tube locking portion b are in contact, they are still pressed. When the hand is released, it may be pushed back by the elasticity of the fitting insertion portion b1 and a gap may be formed between the rear end surface and the rear end surface contact portion b2. As a result, there is a problem in that the oil level gauge cannot be accurately set at a predetermined position and a measurement error becomes large. Further, if it is left as it is with a gap between the rear end face and the rear end face abutting part b2, when it is used in an automobile or the like, it may come off due to vibration or the like.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to make it possible to manufacture an oil measuring unit at low cost, and moreover, to reliably set it at a predetermined position and accurately measure the oil amount. It is to provide an oil level gauge that can.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention solves the above problems by providing an oil level gauge having the following features. The oil level gauge of the present invention comprises an elongated gauge body having a gauge portion at the tip, and a guide tube locking portion arranged at the rear end of the gauge body. The guide tube locking portion is a rear end surface contact portion that contacts the rear end surface of the guide tube that guides the gauge portion of the gauge body into oil, and an outer peripheral locking portion that is locked to the outer circumference of the rear end portion of the guide tube. It is equipped with and. Further, as described in claim 2, the inner pipe locking portion is provided with a fitting insertion hole into which the rear end portion of the guide tube is fitted, and the inner side surface of this fitting insertion hole forms an outer peripheral locking portion, and the fitting insertion hole is formed. Provided is an oil level gauge having a rear end face abutting portion on the rear end face thereof and further having inner diameter enlarging means for facilitating enlargement of the inner diameter at the time of insertion on the peripheral wall of the fitting insertion hole. By solving the above problems, Further, as described in claim 3, the guide tube locking portion is provided with a fitting insertion hole into which the rear end portion of the guide tube is fitted, and the inner peripheral wall of the fitting insertion hole is projected from the inner peripheral wall or A recessed locking portion is provided, and this locking portion is recessed or projected so as to correspond to the locking portion on the outer circumference of the rear end of the guide tube when the guide tube is fitted and inserted. The above problem is solved by providing an oil level gauge in which the rear end surface of the guide tube and the rear end contact portion of the guide tube locking portion are fitted into the gauge main body locking portion at the same time. ..

[0007]

[Action]

 In the present invention, since the fitting insertion portion of the guide tube locking portion is formed by fitting the outer circumference of the rear end portion of the guide tube, the accuracy of the inner circumference diameter of the guide tube is not required, and the electric resistance welded steel pipe is not required. It can also be applied to products that do not have an inner diameter finish such as. Further, as described in claim 2, the inner wall enlarging means for facilitating the inner diameter expansion at the time of insertion is provided on the peripheral wall of the fitting insertion portion of the guide tube locking portion, whereby the fitting insertion portion has a rear end of the guide tube. The outer circumference of the part can be easily inserted. Further, as described in claim 3, the guide tube locking portion is provided with a fitting insertion hole having a locking portion on the inner peripheral wall, and a gauge provided on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the guide tube when the guide tube is fitted and inserted. When the rear end surface of the guide tube and the rear end surface contact portion of the guide tube locking portion are engaged with the main body locking portion at the same time, the guide portion is guided when the locking portion enters the gauge main body locking portion. It resonates with the tube and emits a sound, and it is possible to convey the feeling that it entered into the hand.

[0008]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the oil level gauge of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of FIG. 1 in section.

The oil level gauge of the present invention comprises an elongated gauge body 1 and a guide tube locking portion 2 arranged at the rear end of the gauge body 1.

The gauge body 1 is composed of an elongated member 11 and a gauge portion 12 attached to the tip of the elongated member 11.

In this embodiment, the elongated member 11 is composed of a wire 11 formed by twisting a plurality of steel wires, and a guide tube 3 shown in FIG. 2 for guiding the gauge body 1 to an oil case has a long length. Even when it is curved three-dimensionally along the direction, it can be inserted along the inner wall of the gauge body 1 and can return to a straight line by the elastic restoring force of the wire 11 when it is removed after insertion. It is designed to be compatible with various types of guide tubes 3. The elongated member 11 is not limited to the one formed of the wire 11 and may be a conventionally used rod-shaped member, a flat-shaped member, or the like, which can be appropriately changed.

The gauge portion 12 is made of a plate having a predetermined thickness, and has a measurement groove 13 formed on one surface with a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction, and the tip side of the measurement groove 13 is formed. The upper level portion 13a and the low level portion 13b are displayed on the rear end side. The gauge portion 12 is fixed to the distal end portion of the wire 11 by inserting the wire 11 into a hole (not shown) provided on the rear end side of the gauge portion 12 and then pressing the wire 11 from the outside.

The guide tube locking portion 2 is attached to the rear end of the gauge body 1 and is locked to the rear end of the guide tube 3, and the locking causes the gauge body 1 to be set at a predetermined position. The guide tube locking portion 2 in this embodiment is composed of a locking main body portion 21 and a wire connecting pipe 22 attached to the locking main body portion 21.

The locking body portion 21 is made of synthetic resin, and has a guide tube fitting portion 23 on the tip side (right side in the drawing), a leaf spring 4 arranged on the outer periphery of the guide tube fitting portion 23, A guide tube fitting portion 23 and a rear end side operation grip portion 27 integrally formed are provided. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide tube fitting portion 23 has a fitting insertion hole 24 that is formed at a predetermined depth in the axial direction from the tip end surface and has a diameter substantially equal to the outer circumference of the rear end portion of the guide tube 3. The inner circumference of the fitting insertion hole 24 forms an outer circumference locking portion 24a, and is engaged with the outer circumference of the rear end portion of the guide tube 3 fitted in the fitting insertion hole 24. On the other hand, the rear end surface forms a guide tube contact portion 24b that contacts the rear end surface of the guide tube 3. The locking body 21 is not limited to the one made of synthetic resin, but may be made of metal, rubber or the like.

Further, on the side wall of the fitting insertion hole 24, three slit-shaped grooves 25 ... 25 along the front-rear direction are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. These slit-shaped grooves 25 ... 25 are used as an inner diameter enlarging means for easily enlarging the inner diameter, and the outer circumference of the guide tube 3 is easily fitted into the outer circumference of the guide tube 3. The inner diameter enlarging means is not limited to the slit-like groove extending in the front-rear direction, but can be appropriately changed by, for example, forming a spiral groove or partially reducing the wall thickness of the side wall of the fitting insertion hole 24. Further, when the slit-shaped groove is adopted as in the present embodiment, the effect can be exhibited by providing not only three but at least one.

Further, a projecting piece 26 is provided on the inner side wall of the fitting insertion hole 24 over the entire circumference near the tip side. The protruding piece 26 is adapted to be fitted into the gauge main body engaging portion 3a formed by being recessed from the outer peripheral surface over the entire outer periphery of the rear end portion of the guide tube 3. The gauge main body locking portion 3a of the guide tube 3 has a length L1 from the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 to the gauge main body locking portion 3a and a guide tube contact portion 24b of the fitting insertion hole 24 to the protruding piece 26. The length L2 is set to the same position, and when the guide tube 3 is fitted and inserted, the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 and the rear end surface abutting portion 24b of the locking body 21 are contacted at the same time. Is designed to fit in. The number of the protruding pieces 26 is not limited to one provided, and a plurality of protruding pieces 26 may be provided, or one or a plurality of protruding pieces 26 may be provided instead of the one provided over the entire circumference of the side wall of the fitting insertion hole 24. It can be changed as appropriate, such as being formed of a protruding piece or partially provided.

In this embodiment, the protruding piece 26 is provided on the inner wall of the fitting insertion hole 24 and the recessed gauge main body locking portion 3 a is provided on the outer periphery of the guide tube 3. It is also possible to provide a recessed locking portion on the inner wall of the guide tube 3 while providing a gauge main body locking portion 3a protruding from the outer peripheral surface on the outer circumference of the guide tube 3.

The leaf spring 4 is made of a metal member formed in a ring shape, is attached to a position on the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube fitting portion 23 outside the protruding piece 26, and the protruding piece 26 is inwardly moved. It is designed to be urged.

The operation grip portion 27 is provided with a finger insertion hole 27 a that is formed to a size that allows a finger to be inserted. A finger is inserted into the finger insertion hole 27 a and this oil level gauge is put in and taken out from the guide tube 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect, and can be appropriately changed, for example, by forming it in a T shape.

On the other hand, the wire connecting pipe 22 is made of metal, and has a wire fitting insertion portion 22 a for fitting the rear end portion of the wire 11 on the front end side, and the rear end side is inserted into the locking main body portion 21 by insert molding. It is fixed to the shaft core in the fitting insertion hole 24 of the locking body 21. The connection with the wire 11 is formed by fixing the wire connecting pipe 22 to the locking body 21 and then inserting the rear end of the wire 11 into the wire inserting portion 22a to insert the wire inserting portion 22a. It is performed by pressing from the outer peripheral side to fix them.

Next, the function of the oil level gauge of this embodiment will be described. In order to measure the amount of oil in the oil case, the oil level gauge is first passed through the guide tube 3 from the gauge section 12 on the front end side as in the conventional case, and the outer periphery of the rear end section of the guide tube 3 is locked by the main body 21. Then, the guide tube 3 is pressed into the fitting insertion hole 24 and is fitted into the guide tube contact portion 24b of the fitting insertion hole 24 until the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 comes into contact. This completes the oil level gauge set. At that time, the slit-shaped grooves 25 ... 25 of the fitting insertion hole 24 widen the fitting insertion hole 24, so that the fitting operation of the guide tube 3 can be easily performed. Further, the guide tube contact portion 24b of the fitting insertion hole 24 and the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 come into contact with each other, and at the same time, the protruding piece 26 of the fitting insertion hole 24 fits into the gauge main body locking portion 3a of the guide tube 3. Therefore, the feeling of the fitting is transmitted to the hand, and when the fitting is fitted, the projecting piece 26 is fixed to the gauge main body locking portion of the guide tube 3 by the elastic force of the locking main body 21 and the biasing force of the plate spring 4. Since the sound of hitting the surface of 3a resonates with the guide tube 3 and is emitted, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the guide tube contact portion 24b of the insertion hole 24 and the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 are in contact with each other. it can. As a result, the ambiguity of the contact between the guide tube locking portion 2 and the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 as in the conventional case can be prevented, and the gap between the guide tube contact portion 24b and the rear end surface of the guide tube 3 can be prevented. Instead, it can be reliably set at the specified position.

Further, since the rear end portion of the guide tube 3 is set by fitting it into the fitting insertion hole 24, the accuracy of the inner diameter of the guide tube 3 is not required, and the inner diameter of the drawn steel tube does not vary. It is possible to use not only those that are not used, but also those that are not finished with an inner diameter, such as electric resistance welded steel pipe, without any post-processing, and manufacturing costs can be kept low.

After that, the oil level gauge set in the guide tube 3 is pulled out from the guide tube 3 and the position of the oil adhering to the gauge portion 12 is confirmed, whereby the oil amount in the oil case can be measured.

On the other hand, in a normal state in which the oil amount in the oil case is not measured, the oil amount measurement set state may be set in which the rear end of the guide tube 3 is fitted into the fitting hole 24 as in the conventional case. However, since the protruding piece 26 of the fitting hole 24 fits into the gauge main body locking portion 3a of the guide tube 3 and is further urged by the leaf spring 4, vibrations when used in an automobile, etc. It is possible to prevent the product from coming off even if it is received.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the oil level gauge according to this embodiment, the gauge body 1 has the same structure as that of the previous embodiment, but the operation grip portion 24 is not attached to the guide pipe locking portion 2, and the wire connecting pipe 22 is not provided. It is supposed to be attached to.

More specifically, the guide tube locking portion 2 is made of synthetic resin as in the previous embodiment, and is provided with fitting insertion holes 24, slit-shaped grooves 25 ... 25, and protruding pieces 26, respectively. On the other hand, the wire connecting pipe 22 has a wire insertion portion 22a for inserting the rear end portion of the wire 11 on the tip end side, and an operation grip portion 27 formed by winding it in a ring shape on the rear end side. The space between them is fixed to the locking body portion 21 of the guide tube locking portion 2 by insert molding, so that it is arranged on the shaft core in the fitting insertion hole 24 of the locking body portion 21. It is set up. By doing so, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the previous embodiment.

Although the leaf spring 4 is used in the above-mentioned embodiment, a sound is generated when the leaf spring 4 is fitted into the gauge body engaging portion 3a of the guide tube 3 even when it is not used, Since it is possible to confirm the engagement of the two and the confirmation of the engagement even when no sound is generated, it is not always necessary to use the leaf spring 4 and can be appropriately changed.

[0028]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above in the embodiments, the present invention does not require the accuracy of the inner peripheral diameter of the guide tube, and can be applied to an electric resistance welded steel tube having no inner diameter finish. As a result, the cost of the oil measuring unit can be reduced. Further, by providing the guide tube locking portion with the inner diameter enlarging means as described in claim 2, the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the guide tube can be easily fitted into the fitting insertion portion, and the work can be performed more smoothly. Moreover, it can be performed more reliably. As a result, when the guide tube locking portion is made of, for example, metal, it can be used without being formed into an elastic shape, and can be made of synthetic resin, metal, etc. in addition to rubber. .. Further, as described in claim 3, a locking portion is provided on the inner circumference of the guide tube locking portion, and when the guide tube is fitted, the guiding main body locking portion is provided on the outer circumference of the rear end portion of the guide tube. By fitting the rear end surface of the pipe and the rear end surface abutting part of the guide tube locking part at the same time, the locking part resonates with the guide tube when entering the locking part of the gauge body. You can make a sound and convey the feeling that you entered. As a result, it can be surely determined that the guide tube locking portion has reached the predetermined position in the guide tube. As described above, the present invention can provide an oil level gauge that can be manufactured at low cost, can be reliably set at a predetermined position, and can accurately measure the oil amount.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gauge main body 2 Guide tube locking part 3 Guide tube 11 Wire 12 Gauge part 21 Locking main body part 22 Wire connection tube 24 Fitting insertion hole 24a Outer peripheral locking part 24b Guide tube abutting part 25 Slit-like groove 26 Projecting piece 27 Operation Grip

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A long gauge body having a gauge portion at its tip, and a guide tube locking portion arranged at the rear end of the gauge body, wherein the guide tube locking portion is a gauge of the gauge body. A rear end surface abutting portion that abuts a rear end surface of the guide tube that guides the portion into the oil, and an outer peripheral engagement portion that is engaged with an outer periphery of the rear end portion of the guide tube. Oil level gauge to be. 2. The guide tube locking portion has a fitting insertion hole into which a rear end portion of the guide tube is fitted, and an inner side surface of the fitting insertion hole forms an outer peripheral locking portion, and a rear end surface of the fitting insertion hole. To form a rear end face contact portion, and further, an inner diameter enlarging means for easily enlarging the inner diameter at the time of insertion is provided on the peripheral wall of the fitting insertion hole. The oil level gauge according to claim 1. 3. The guide tube locking portion is provided with a fitting insertion hole into which a rear end portion of the guide tube is fitted, and the inner peripheral wall of the fitting insertion hole is projected or recessed from the inner peripheral wall. The gauge body locking portion is provided with a concave portion or a protruding portion so as to correspond to the locking portion on the outer periphery of the rear end portion of the guide tube when the guide tube is fitted and inserted. 3. The oil level gauge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear end face of the guide pipe and the rear end face abutting portion of the guide pipe engaging portion are fitted together at the same time.