KR101515567B1 - Fuel level sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel level sensor capable of preventing corrosion damage and reducing cost.
A fuel level sensing unit positioned at an outer wall surface of the column to sense a fuel interface level; and a fuel level sensing unit sensing a fuel level of the fuel, And anti-corrosion materials located around the connection of the column.
The embodiment of the present invention can provide a reliable fuel level sensor by preventing corrosion by filling corrosion prevention material at the connection portion between the cover and the column. In addition, it is possible to provide a fuel level sensor capable of improving reliability and reducing cost by incorporating magnets with high strength, durability, light weight, and low cost in the sensor portion.

Description

[0001] FUEL LEVEL SENSOR [0002]

The present invention relates to a fuel level sensor for sensing a fuel interface level in a fuel tank, and more particularly, to a fuel level sensor capable of improving reliability and reducing cost.

In general, a fuel level sensor for sensing the fuel interface level is installed in the fuel tank of the construction equipment. The control device of the equipment reads the resistance value or the output value (V) of the fuel level sensor, The remaining amount is displayed, and when the value is the maximum, the EMPTY warning light is turned on.

Figure 1 is a conventional PCB (3) with a built-in fuel level turn and fuel level sensor.

The fuel level sensor shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a cover 1 located at the upper end of the fuel tank, a stainless steel column 2 connected downwardly from the cover 1, and a stainless steel column 2, A printed circuit board (PCB) 3 printed with reed switches 13aa to 13lc and electronic circuits 16a to 16m positioned thereon and a float 4 having a magnet moving along the outside of the stainless column Consists of.

The fuel level sensor having such a structure frequently breaks / deforms due to the impact due to the flow of fuel to the welded portion of the cover 1 and the stainless steel column 2 over time. Such breakage may cause the fuel to penetrate into the interior of the fuel cell, causing damage to the PCB element, thereby failing to detect the fuel interface level, thereby deteriorating the reliability of the fuel level sensor.

Further, the magnet embedded in the float 4 is easily damaged by the impact, which not only lowers the durability of the fuel level sensor but also constitutes the expensive samarium, which increases the manufacturing cost of the fuel level sensor.

Also, due to the structure of a circular pipe having a high magnetic force, a phenomenon that the float of the gauge is caught in the middle due to the coagulation of magnetic foreign matters in the fuel may occur.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel level sensor capable of preventing damage caused by corrosion and reducing cost.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel level sensor comprising: a head; a quadrangular pole connected to the head in a downward direction of the head; a fuel level sensor located at an outer wall of the pole, And a corrosion inhibiting material positioned at a connection portion between the head portion and the column.

Wherein the head portion includes a straw hat-shaped cover having a stepped portion, a donut-shaped gasket to be coupled with the cover in a surface contact manner, and a flange positioned in a direction opposite to the cover with the gasket therebetween and in surface contact with the gasket , The corrosion inhibiting material is located inside the cover, and the column can be welded to the flange.

The cover may include a first surface that is in direct contact with the gasket, a sloped surface that is inclined and connected to the first surface, a second surface that is connected to the sloped surface and that is parallel to the first surface, And can be located in the inner space defined by the second surface and the inclined surface.

The corrosion inhibiting material may be an epoxy resin.

The fuel level sensing unit may include a floater having a cylindrical structure and having a rectangular transmission hole therein, a holder inserted into the transmission hole of the plotter and having a quadrangular shape of a quadrupole shape, Magnets may be included.

Four walls of the holder are formed with rectangular grooves, and the magnets can be inserted into the grooves.

The magnet may be a rectangular rod magnet.

The bar magnet may comprise neodymium (Nd).

The cover may further include a bent portion protruding in the gasket direction from the second surface, and the bent portion may be welded to the pillar.

And a plurality of electric elements electrically connected to the fuel level sensing unit and having a plurality of electric elements printed thereon, wherein the plurality of electric elements determine a fuel level using a sensing signal from the fuel level sensing unit.

The column may be made of stainless steel.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the column welded to the flange portion is extended and fixed to the cover by double-locking, so that a sufficient improvement effect against damage / deformation of the welded portion due to the impact of the fuel can be expected.

Also, by injecting a small amount of epoxy and silicon, which have been excessively injected, into the protruding pipe portion, it is possible to reduce the cost, simplify the process and improve the quality.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention can reduce a distance between a PCB element and a magnet to the shortest distance by using a float with a square pipe, float having a rectangular hollow, and application of a magnet having a low magnetic force It is possible to minimize the flocculation of the float by minimizing conductive foreign matter aggregation.

Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the float is not rotated and the small size neodymium rod magnet is used, the size of the float can be reduced in consideration of the buoyancy, have.

1 is a cross-sectional view and a simplified circuit diagram of a conventional fuel level sensor.
2 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view showing a fuel level sensor in an assembled state.
4 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing the head portion of Fig.
5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the fuel level sensing unit of FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.
6 is an overall perspective view showing a fuel level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, configurations and operations of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is noted that the terms "comprises" or "having" in this application are intended to specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof in one or more other features or acts, , Components, parts, or combinations thereof, as a matter of convenience, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. That is, throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements, not excluding other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

Also, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, a repeated description, a known function that may obscure the gist of the present invention, and a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully describe the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings and the like can be exaggerated for clarity.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a fuel level sensor in an assembled state.

2 and 3, the fuel level sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a head part 150 located at the upper end of the fuel tank, a lower part positioned below the head part 150 and connected to the head part 150 (Hereinafter, referred to as " stainless steel column 102 "), a rectangular PCB 102 (hereinafter referred to as " stainless steel column 102 " ) Substrate 103, and a fuel level sensing unit 140 that moves along the outer wall surface of the stainless steel column 102 and incorporates a magnet. Corrosion preventing material is filled in the connection portion between the head part 150 and the stainless steel column 102.

4 is a cross-sectional view specifically showing the head unit 150 of FIG.

4, the head portion 150 includes a straw-shaped cover 101 having a stepped portion, a donut-shaped gasket 132 which is engaged with the cover 101 in a face-contact manner, a gasket 132, And a flange 134 in the form of a donut.

The cover 101 is composed of a first surface 101a, an inclined surface 101b, and a second surface 101c. The first surface 101a of the cover 101 is formed with a first hole 101d for surface contact with the gasket 132 and the flange 134. [ The first hole 101d overlaps the second hole 132b formed in the gasket 132 and the third hole 134b formed in the flange 134. [ A first through hole 132a through which the stainless steel column 102 is inserted is formed in the center of the gasket 132. A second through hole 134a is formed in the center of the flange 134. [ Here, the first hole 101d, the second hole 132b and the third hole 134b which are positioned so as to overlap with each other may be formed with fasteners 151 (for example, an eyelet or a bolt nut or the like) As shown in Fig. Thus, the cover 101, the gasket 132, and the flange 134 can be firmly fastened while being in surface contact with each other.

More specifically, the cover 101 includes a first surface 101a directly contacting the gasket 132, an inclined surface 101b connected to the first surface 101a so as to be inclined, A second surface 101c which is connected to the first surface 101b and is parallel to the first surface 101a and a bent portion 101e which protrudes in the direction of the gasket 132 from the second surface 101c and is fastened to the stainless steel column 102, . The bending portion 101e may be formed by various methods such as welding, bolt-nut fastening, or the like, as a fastening method between the stainless steel columns 102. As described above, as the stainless steel column 102 welded to the flange 134 is joined to the bent portion 101e by welding or by a bolt nut fastening method, a sufficient The improvement effect can be expected.

On the other hand, the cover 101 having such a structure is provided with an internal space A defined by the second surface 101c and the inclined surface 101b. That is, the inner space A is a space between the second surface 101c, the inclined surface 101b, and the gasket 132, and is a space where a part of the stainless steel column 102 is located. Structurally, the second surface 101c and the gasket 132 are opposed to each other with the inner space A therebetween, and do not directly contact each other. Here, the inner space A of the cover 101 may be filled with an anti-corrosive material. In addition, the anti-corrosion material may only be filled in a portion of the stainless steel column 102 located above the flange 134 of the entire stainless steel column 102.

Corrosion preventing materials are made of materials excellent in heat resistance, electrical insulation and adhesiveness. For example, an epoxy resin or a silicone cone may be used. As a result, as a part of the stainless steel column 102 located above the flange 134 of the entire internal space A of the cover 101 or the entire stainless steel column 102 is filled with the corrosion-preventing material, 101 and the stainless steel column 102 are prevented from being corroded.

In addition, by injecting a small amount of epoxy and silicon, which have been excessively injected in the prior art, into the internal space where a part of the protruded stainless column is located, it is possible to reduce the cost, simplify the process and improve the quality.

The stainless steel column 102 is formed in a rectangular shape. An upper stopper 110a is located at the upper end of the stainless steel column 102 and a lower stopper 110b is located at the lower end of the stainless steel column 102. [ The stainless steel column 102 penetrates the inside of the upper stopper 110a and the lower stopper 110b. The upper stopper 110a and the lower stopper 110b serve to prevent the fuel level sensing unit 140 surrounding the stainless steel column 102 from being separated.

A fuel level sensing part 140 surrounding the stainless steel column 102 is positioned between the upper and lower stoppers 110. The fuel level sensing unit 140 is electrically connected to the PCB board 103. The fuel level sensing unit 140 senses the fuel level and transmits the sensed signal to the PCB board 103. Electric devices such as a hole position printed on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 103 or Hall sensors 113a to 113h may be used to determine the remaining fuel amount by using a detection signal so that the user can know the remaining amount of fuel.

The fuel level sensing unit 140 includes a float 142 having a cylindrical shape and having a rectangular third through hole 144 therein, a holder 120 inserted into the third through hole 144 of the floater 142, And a magnet 146 positioned on the wall surface of the holder 120. [ 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembled configuration of the sensor unit 140 of FIG.

As the magnets 146 of the fuel level sensing unit 140 move vertically, electric elements such as the hole position of the PCB substrate or the Hall sensors 113a to 113h may use the sensing signal such as the change of the magnetic force to change the remaining fuel amount So that the user can know.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fuel level sensing unit 140 will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the plotter 142 has a cylindrical structure, and the third transmission hole 144 is formed in a rectangular shape so that the rectangular stainless steel column 102 can pass through.

The holder 120 has a quadrangular quadruple shape and a fourth through hole 120a is formed so that the stainless column 102 can penetrate the center. On the four wall surfaces of the holder 120, grooves 120b having a long rectangular shape into which the magnets 146 can be inserted are formed. That is, a total of four grooves 120b are provided on the wall surface of the holder 120, and a magnet 146 is inserted into at least one of the four grooves 120b.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the float has a rectangular hollow portion, so that the distance between the PCB element and the magnet can be reduced to the shortest distance, so that a neodymium magnet having a low magnetic force can be applied. On the wall surface of the holder 120 The magnets 146 can be inserted into only one of the four grooves 120b. Accordingly, the number of necessary magnets can be reduced, and the weight of the magnets can be reduced.

 Here, the magnet 146 is also a long rectangular bar magnet so that it can be seated or inserted into the groove 120b. These bar magnets are high strength, lightweight and inexpensive neodymium (Nd) magnets. Accordingly, the durability of the magnet built in the fuel level sensing unit 140 can be improved and the manufacturing cost of the fuel level sensor can be reduced.

In this manner, the stainless steel column is used in a rectangular shape and the inside of the float has a rectangular hollow portion, so that the distance between the PCB element and the magnet can be shortened to the shortest distance. Thus, the neodymium magnet It is possible to minimize flocculation of the conductive foreign matter and improve the problem of hanging of the float on the stainless steel column.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention uses a small Neodymium bar magnet with a direction that is not rotatable, and as the magnet is inserted into only one of the four directions of the float, the weight of the magnet is reduced, And it is possible to reduce the size of the float considering the buoyancy, thereby reducing the cost and expanding the application of the design.

Meanwhile, the fuel level sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to all technical fields requiring measurement of fuel level such as automobile, construction equipment, and the like.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood. The embodiments described above are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

1: Copper 2, 102: Stainless steel pillar
4, 142: Float 3, 103: PCB substrate
110a: Upper stopper 110b: Lower stopper
140: fuel level sensing unit 101: cover
101: first surface 101b: inclined surface
101c: second surface 101e: bent portion
132: gasket 134: flange
142: holder 120: holder
101d: first hole 132b: second hole
134b: third hole 132a: first transmission hole
134a: second transmission hole 144: third transmission hole
146: Magnet

Claims (11)

Head portion;
A fuel level sensing unit positioned at an outer wall surface of the column to sense a fuel interface level;
And a corrosion preventing material located at a connection portion between the head portion and the column,
The head
A straw hat-shaped cover having a step difference;
A donut-shaped gasket fastened to the cover in a surface contact manner;
And a flange disposed opposite to the cover with the gasket interposed therebetween and in surface contact with the gasket,
Wherein the corrosion inhibiting material is located inside the cover,
The column is welded and connected to the flange,
The cover
A first surface in direct contact with the gasket,
An inclined surface connected to the first surface in an inclined manner,
And a second surface connected to the inclined surface and parallel to the first surface,
Wherein the corrosion inhibiting material is located in an inner space defined by the second surface and the inclined surface. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the corrosion inhibiting material is an epoxy resin. The method according to claim 1,
The fuel level sensing unit
A plotter having a cylindrical structure and having a square-shaped transmission hole therein,
A holder inserted into the transmission hole of the plotter and having a quadrangular quadrupole shape,
And a magnet located on at least one of the four wall surfaces of the holder. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein a square groove is formed in four wall surfaces of the holder, and the magnet is inserted into the groove. 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6,
Wherein the magnet is a rectangular bar magnet. 8. The method of claim 7,
Characterized in that the bar magnet comprises neodymium (Nd). The method of claim 1,
The cover
And a bent portion protruding in the gasket direction from the second surface,
And the bent portion is welded to the column. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a PCB to which a plurality of electric elements are printed, the PCB being electrically connected to the fuel level sensing unit,
Wherein the plurality of electric devices determine the fuel level using the sensing signal from the fuel level sensing unit. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the column is made of stainless steel.

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