JPH07291097A - Liquid quantity confirmation device in washer tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a liquid quantity confirmation device in a washer tank compact and capable of easily carrying out detection of liquid quantity of washer liquid without removal of a cap and peeing in a washer tank side part in an engine room. CONSTITUTION:A convex lens 12 is provided in a hole 11 formed on a cap 7, a float 16 is arranged on the liquid level of washer liquid 4 in a washer tank, a marker 18 is connected to the float 16 through a support member 17 and a guide member 15 is provided so that the marker 18 can move up and down at a downward part of the convex lens 12. Liquid quantity is confirmed by using the size of the marker 18 seen through the convex lens 12 changing in correspondence with a liquid level position of the washer liquid 4. It is possible to do so without removal of the cap 4 and peeping the side part of the washer tank. As an insulation countermeasure accompanying the installation of an alarm lamp is dispensed with, it is possible to simplify the structure accordingly and to decrease the manufacturing cost of the device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in a washer tank for cleaning a front windshield of an automobile.
The present invention relates to a device for confirming the amount of liquid in a washer tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional liquid amount confirmation device in a washer tank, there is a liquid amount confirmation device shown in FIG. In the figure, a liquid injection cylinder 2 is formed so as to project on the upper surface of the washer tank 1. A ring-shaped float 3 is inserted in the liquid injection cylinder 2 and floats on the washer liquid 4 in the washer tank 1. A pin 5 to be inserted into the float 3 is provided inside the liquid injection cylinder 2, and the float 3 moves up and down along the pin 5 according to the liquid surface and prevents the float 3 from falling off. . A cap 7 is detachably attached to the injection port 6 of the liquid injection cylinder 2.

In this apparatus, the cap 7 is removed, the liquid filling cylinder 2 is looked into from the filling port 6 and the position of the float 3 is visually checked to check the height of the liquid surface, and the liquid amount in the washer tank 1 is checked. I will confirm. A liquid quantity confirmation device of the same type as that shown in FIG. 4 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-326.
No. 95 (Jitsukaihei 3-123774) Microfilm, page 4, lines 6-12 and FIG.

Further, as another conventional example of the liquid amount confirmation device in the washer tank, there is a device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the figure, a communication hole 8 that communicates the inside and outside of the washer tank 1 is formed at the center of the cap 7 that covers the inlet 6 of the washer tank 1. A transparent tube 9 having one end connected to the inner side opening of the communication hole 8 and the other end inserted into the washer liquid 4 is attached to the cap 7. The tube 9 is provided with a scale 10.

In this device, when confirming the liquid amount (remaining amount) of the washer liquid 4, the communication hole 8 (one end side of the tube 9) of the cap 7 is closed with a finger, and in this state, the cap 7 is injected from the inlet 6. The tube 9 is removed and the tube 9 is separated from the washer liquid 4, and the liquid level of the washer liquid 4 inside is visually inspected through the tube 9 to confirm the liquid amount of the washer liquid 4. A liquid amount confirmation device of the same type as that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 51-47517 (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 52-138766), Microfilm, page 3, page 2-
It is shown in line 18 and FIG.

As still another example of the liquid quantity confirmation device in the washer tank, a conductor such as an electrode is provided in the washer tank, and a warning lamp is provided in connection with the conductor.
There is also a configuration in which the remaining amount of the washer fluid is confirmed by a warning lamp display.

[0007]

By the way, in the above-described liquid amount confirmation device in the washer tank of FIG. 4, since the liquid amount is confirmed by looking into the side of the washer tank in the engine room of the automobile, the engine room is narrow. When the liquid injection cylinder 2 was hard to see, the position of the float 3 could not be easily confirmed.

In the liquid amount confirmation device in the washer tank shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the washer liquid 4 is sealed in the tube 9 by pressing the communication hole 8 of the cap 7, so that the washer liquid 4 can be securely stored. In containing it in
It was necessary to carefully press the communication hole 8. Further, it is inconvenient because the cap 7 must be removed each time to check the liquid amount.

Further, in the conventional device of the type for confirming the liquid amount by providing a warning lamp, it is necessary to provide a conductor such as an electrode in the washer tank, and the structure becomes complicated due to the insulation measures. Which in turn leads to higher costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is compact in that the amount of washer liquid can be easily detected without removing the cap or looking into the side of the washer tank in the engine room. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for confirming the amount of liquid in a washer tank.

[0011]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to achieve the above object, a transparent member that allows the inside of the washer tank to be viewed is attached to the hole formed in the cap of the washer tank, the float is arranged on the washer liquid surface in the washer tank, and it is connected to the float to visually check. An object is provided, and a guide member is provided for guiding the object to be visually observed so as to be vertically movable below the see-through member.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the see-through member according to claim 1 is a convex lens, and the visual object according to claim 1 is set to a predetermined size. And

[0013]

According to the structure of the present invention, the height position of the float, and hence the distance of separation of the visual target from the see-through member, changes according to the washer liquid surface position. Since the size or color tone of the object changes depending on the washer liquid surface position, the remaining amount of the washer liquid can be confirmed by visually observing the object through the see-through member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the float height position, and hence the distance from the convex lens to the visual object changes depending on the washer liquid surface position, and accordingly the visual object seen through the convex lens. Changes depending on the washer liquid surface position.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A liquid quantity confirmation device in a washer tank according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the figure, a cap 7 is detachably attached to an injection port 6 of a liquid injection cylinder 2 provided at an upper portion of a washer tank 1. A hole 11 is formed in the cap 7, and a convex lens (a transparent member) is housed in the hole 11.
12 is installed. A tube 13 is attached to the cap 7 so as to be located in the hole 11. At the center of the cap 7, a plate-shaped guide member 15 having a long hole 14 extending in the longitudinal direction is vertically provided.

A disk-shaped float 16 is floated on the liquid surface of the washer liquid 4 stored in the washer tank 1. The float 16 is provided with a marker (visual object) 18 via a support member 17, and the marker 18 is connected to the float 16.

The support member 17 is connected to the support main body 19 and the support main body 19 hung vertically on the float 16, and is substantially L-shaped.
It is composed of a character-shaped marker holding portion 20. A frame 21 into which the guide member 15 is inserted is provided at an upper portion of the support main body 19 and regulates the horizontal displacement of the float 16. A pin 22 that is inserted into the elongated hole 14 of the guide member 15 is provided above the support body portion 19 so as to regulate the vertical displacement of the float 16.

The marker holding portion 20 is connected to a portion of the upper portion of the supporting main body portion 19 on the cylinder 13 side, and the tip portion is inserted into the cylinder 13. A disc-shaped marker 18 whose diameter is shorter than the inner diameter of the cylinder 13 is held at the tip of the marker holding portion 20. The marker 18 moves up and down in response to the displacement of the liquid surface of the washer liquid 4 and the vertical movement of the float 16. When a predetermined amount of washer liquid 4 is stored in the washer tank 1, the marker 18 is set to a position substantially reaching the convex lens 12, while the marker 18 is removed from the cylinder 13 when the washer tank 1 becomes empty. The member dimensions are set.

The surface of the marker 18 is colored red for easy viewing. The surface of the marker 18 may be colored with another color having a color system opposite to that of the washer liquid 4 instead of the red color.

The operation of the liquid quantity confirmation device in the washer tank constructed as described above will be described.

When a specified amount of the washer liquid 4 is stored in the washer tank 1, the marker 18 is positioned so as to almost reach the convex lens 12 and appears through the convex lens 12 as shown in FIG. .

When the washer liquid 4 is used and the liquid level is lowered, the float 16 and thus the marker 18 are moved downward and separated from the convex lens 12. Then, the convex lens 12
The size of the marker 18 that can be seen through becomes smaller. For example, if half the specified amount of washer fluid 4 is used,
As shown in part (b) of FIG. 3, it appears smaller than that shown in part (a) of FIG. 3, and when the washer fluid 4 becomes empty, the marker 18 comes off the tube 13 and accordingly The marker 18 disappears as shown in part 3 (c).

In this way, by visually observing the size of the marker 18 through the convex lens 12, the washer fluid 4
You can check the remaining amount of. Therefore, the cap 7
The remaining amount of the washer fluid 4 can be checked at a glance by simply looking inside through the convex lens 12 provided in the. This is convenient because the remaining amount of the washer fluid 4 can be checked without removing the cap 7 or looking into the engine room. When the washer tank 1 becomes empty, the marker 18 comes off the tube 13 and the marker 1 is passed through the lens.
Since 8 is no longer visible (see FIG. 3C), it can be reliably detected that the washer tank 1 has become empty.

As described above, since the liquid amount can be confirmed by visually observing the size of the marker 18 through the convex lens 12 provided on the cap 7, the washer tank in the engine room required for the device shown in FIG. 4 described above. No need to look into the side of 1. Also,
In the device shown in FIG. 4, it was necessary to provide a drop-out prevention measure such as the pin 5 so that the float 3 would not fall out in the washer tank 1, but such a fall-out prevention measure need not be provided. Only the structure becomes simple.

Since the liquid amount can be confirmed by visually observing the size of the marker 18 through the convex lens 12 provided on the cap 7, it is necessary for the device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
It is not necessary to remove the cap 7. Further, in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is a possibility that the liquid amount cannot be properly confirmed due to the improper pressing of the communication hole 8, but in the present embodiment,
Since the liquid amount can be confirmed by visually observing the marker 18 through the convex lens 12, such a problem does not occur.

Further, the insulation measures and the like which are required for the type of device for confirming the liquid amount by providing a warning lamp are not required, and the structure is simplified accordingly, and the cost of the device is reduced. Can be planned.

[0028]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the height position of the float, and hence the distance from the see-through member to the visual target changes according to the washer liquid surface position, and accordingly, the visual check through the see-through member is made. The size or color of the target changes depending on the washer liquid surface position, and the remaining amount of washer liquid can be confirmed by visually observing the target through the see-through member. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the cap or look into the side of the washer tank in the engine room. Furthermore, the insulation measures required in the type of device for confirming the liquid amount by providing a warning lamp are not required, so that the structure can be simplified and the cost of the device can be reduced accordingly. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the height position of the float, and thus the distance from the convex lens of the visual target changes according to the washer liquid surface position, and the size of the visual target that can be seen through the convex lens is accordingly changed. Since the amount changes depending on the washer liquid surface position, the remaining amount of the washer liquid can be confirmed by visually observing the size of the target object through the convex lens.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid amount confirmation device in a washer tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional example of a liquid amount confirmation device in a washer tank.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another conventional example of the liquid amount confirmation device in the washer tank.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an operation of the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Washer Tank 4 Washer Liquid 7 Cap 11 Hole 12 Convex Lens 15 Guide Member 16 Float 17 Supporting Member 18 Marker 19 Supporting Body 20 Marker Holding Part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transparent member for visually observing the inside of the washer tank is attached to a hole formed in a cap of the washer tank, a float is arranged on the washer liquid surface in the washer tank, and the object to be visually inspected is connected to the float. A device for confirming the amount of liquid in a washer tank, characterized in that a guide member is provided for guiding the visual target so as to be able to move up and down below the see-through member. 2. The liquid amount confirmation device in the washer tank according to claim 1, wherein the see-through member is a convex lens, and the object to be visually observed has a predetermined size.