KR20050013060A - Level gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A level gauge is provided to obtain a predetermined drawing strength and to simply fix a gauge member to a handle without using an insert molding method. CONSTITUTION: A level gauge includes a gauge member(20) having a long shape. A handle(22) includes an inserting unit(32) for receiving one end of the gauge member(20). A locking member is mounted at the inserting unit, and one end of the gauge member matches with the locking member. The locking member includes a push nut. A mounting unit is provided to mount the push nut(36). The mounting unit is formed at the handle(22). The mounting unit(34) continuously extends in a direction perpendicular to a center line of the inserting unit(32). A column unit(38) inserted into the inserting unit(32) is press-fitted into the push nut(36).

Description

LEVEL GAUGE {LEVEL GAUGE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level gauge for inspecting the quantity and quality of an engine or a mission, in particular oil contained in an engine or a mission of an automobile.

In general, an apparatus such as an internal combustion engine or a transmission includes an oil tank and stores oil such as lubricating oil in the oil tank. In this kind of device, an opening tank is formed in the oil tank, So-called level gauges are widely used to check the amount of oil in the oil tank, and the state of contamination.

In general, the level gauge is composed of a metal gauge member and a synthetic resin handle, and the gauge member is fixed to the handle.

For example, in patent document 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the narrow width part 102 is formed in the one end side of the gauge member 100, and the triangular bulge part ( 104 is formed.

On the other hand, the handle 106 is formed with a closing member 108 for closing the opening of the oil tank (not shown), the one end side of the gauge member 100 is inserted into the closing member 108. Insertion portion 110 is formed. The inside of the insertion part 110 is formed with the small hole part 112 which is slightly larger than the width | variety of the narrow part 102, and narrower than the maximum width part of the bulging part 104. As shown in FIG.

The closing member 108 side is inserted into a coil (not shown), and the bulging portion 104 side of the gauge member 100 is inserted into the small hole 112 through the insertion portion 110, thereby expanding the bulging portion 104. The gauge member 100 is heated by flowing a high frequency current through the coil in a state where the maximum width side of the c) is stopped at the inlet of the small hole 112.

Thereby, the inner peripheral surface of the small hole part 112 which the bulge part 104 contacts is melted, and the bulge part 104 is pushed in the small hole part 112. As shown in FIG. Then, the high frequency current is stopped and the circumference of the bulge 104 is cooled and solidified, and the bulge 104 is welded to fix the gauge member 100 to the handle 106.

In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a method of forming the gauge member 120 integrally with the handle 122 by insert molding to fix the gauge member 120 to the handle 122.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 10-153468

However, in the case of patent document 1 shown in FIG. 4, the work of fixing the gauge member 100 to the handle 122 is cumbersome and the number of working hours increases. In addition, since the inner circumferential surface of the small hole portion 112 is melted and the bulge portion 104 is welded to fix the gauge member 100 to the handle 122, dispersion occurs in the pullout strength of the gauge member 100.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, when the handle 122 is molded by inserting the gauge member 120, a method of fixing the gauge member 120 to the handle 122 is easy, and The predetermined drawing strength can be secured, but the insert molding is semi-automatic, resulting in a long cycle and high molding cost.

Moreover, in order to prevent the liquid leakage between the blocking member 124 formed in the handle 122 and the opening cylinder (not shown), such as an oil tank, after the shaping | molding of the handle 122, the groove part 124A of the blocking member 124 is formed. The O-ring 126 is mounted on the handle, and the handle 122 is usually wider in order to be easily gripped by hand.

For this reason, since the 0 ring 126 cannot be inserted from the handle 122 side, the 0 ring 126 must be inserted at the end of the gauge member 120, so that the 0 ring 126 is moved until the 0 ring 126 is mounted. The distance is longer and takes time.

In addition, when insert-molding the gauge member 120, the positioning part 128 for positioning the gauge member 120 is required, and since the gauge member 120 has a long length, the mold becomes large and the mold There are problems such as high cost.

In view of the above facts, it is an object of the present invention to provide a level gauge that can secure a predetermined draw strength and can easily fix the gauge member to a handle by a method other than insert molding.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of use of a level gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view showing a level gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a level gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention is fixed to a handle.

4 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional level gauge

5 is an exploded perspective view showing another conventional level gauge

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

18-Level gauge 20-Gauge member

22-handle 32-insert

34-Mounting part 36-Push nut (locking member)

The invention according to claim 1 includes an elongated gauge member, a handle having an insertion portion into which one end side of the gauge member can be inserted, and a locking member mounted in the insertion portion and engaging with one end of the gauge member. It is characterized by having.

In the invention according to claim 1, the handle is formed with an insertion portion into which one end side of the elongated gauge member can be inserted, and a locking member is mounted in this insertion portion, and the gauge member is engaged by engaging one end side of the gauge member. Secure to the handle.

In this way, the locking member is mounted in the insertion portion, and the gauge member is fixed to the handle through the locking member, thereby reducing the labor and the cost. In addition, since the gauge member is engaged and fixed by the locking member mounted in the insertion portion, the predetermined pulling strength can be secured as compared with the case where the gauge member is fixed to the handle by welding.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the locking member is a push nut. In the invention according to claim 2, when the one end side of the gauge member is pushed into the push nut, the inner periphery of the push nut penetrates into the one end side of the gauge member, and the gauge member is fixed at an arbitrary position, and the gauge member hangs on the push nut. Fit.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the mounting portion is connected to the center line of the insertion portion in a direction orthogonal to the center line, and the mounting portion to which the push nut is mountable is formed on the handle.

In invention of Claim 3, the mounting part which connects in the direction orthogonal to the centerline of the insertion part, and which a push nut is mountable is provided in the handle. This eliminates the necessity of using a mounting jig for mounting the push nut and the like, as compared with the case where the push nut is pushed in from the insert and mounted on the handle, and the push nut can be easily attached.

Embodiment of the Invention

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the level gauge which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10, such as an internal combustion engine and a transmission, is equipped with the oil tank 12, and stores the oil 14, such as lubricating oil, in the oil tank 12. As shown in FIG. The oil tank 12 is provided with an opening cylinder 16, and the so-called level gauge 18 enters and exits from the opening cylinder 16 to check the amount of oil 14 in the oil tank 12, the contamination state, and the like. do.

As shown in FIG. 2, the level gauge 18 is comprised from the gauge member 20 made of metal, such as cylindrical SUS, and the handle 22 made of ring-shaped synthetic resin, and the handle 22 is substantially The blocking member 24 which forms a cylinder shape is formed.

This closing member 24 is sized to fit inside the opening cylinder 16 (refer FIG. 1), and the flange part 26 protrudes between the closing member 24 and the handle 22, and the opening cylinder ( The peripheral end surface 16A (refer FIG. 1) of 16 is made to be able to contact.

The annular groove portion 28 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the closure member 24 so that the zero ring 30 can be mounted. The zero ring 30 is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the opening cylinder 16 in a pressed state, so that the oil 14 (see FIG. 1) in the oil tank 12 (see FIG. 1) leaks or rubbish. Prevent intrusion

In addition, the cylindrical insertion part 32 is formed in the center part of the cross section of the blocking member 24 along the axial direction of the blocking member 24. As shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface of the blocking member 24 is provided with a mounting portion 34 which communicates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion portion 32.

Here, the push nut 36 can be attached to the mounting part 34, and the center line of the push nut 36 and the insertion part 32 of the mounting nut 34 are attached. The mounting part 34 is formed so that a center line may substantially correspond.

On the other hand, the gauge member 20 is comprised by the cylinder part 38 and the gauge part 40, and the cylinder part 38 is made the size which can fit inside the insertion part 32. As shown in FIG. The outer diameter of the cylinder 38 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the push nut 36. In addition, the tip end portion of the cylindrical portion 38 is chamfered to facilitate insertion into the center portion of the push nut 36.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 by such a structure, when the cylindrical part 38 is press-fitted to the push nut 36, the push nut 36 is carried out by the notch part 36A formed in the center part of the push nut 36. FIG. In the state where the diameter of the center of the tube is enlarged and the penetrating portion of the push nut 36 is penetrated, the inner edge portion of the push nut 36 penetrates into the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 38 to prevent retraction of the cylindrical portion 38. To engage the gauge member 20. As a result, the gauge member 20 is fixed to the handle 22.

In addition, the insertion part 32 is formed to the inside of the mounting part 34, and the tip end of the cylindrical part 38 is arrange | positioned in the insertion part 32 in the state which penetrated the push nut 36. As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the gauge part 40 has a flat plate shape, and the straight lines 42 and 44 are drawn in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylinder part 38 on the both end sides of the gauge part 40. The symbol L (LOW) is written in the vicinity of the straight line 42 located at the tip side of the gauge member 20, and the symbol F (FULL) is written in the vicinity of the straight line 44. As shown in FIG.

After the oil 14 attached to the gauge portion 40 of the level gauge 18 extracted from the oil tank 12 shown in FIG. 1 is wiped clean, the oil tank 12 is placed in the oil tank 12 again. The amount of oil 14 stored in the oil tank 12 can be known by the position of the oil 14 attached to the position of the gauge part 40 in the state pulled out from the state. In addition, the oil 14 attached to the gauge part 40 also shows the viscosity of the oil 14 or contamination.

In addition, although the symbols of the straight lines 42 and 44 and L and F were displayed on the gauge part 40, respectively, here, since it is only necessary to know the position of an upper limit and a lower limit, it is not limited to this, for example Instead of a straight line, notches or holes may be used, and the symbols L and F are not necessarily required.

The operation of the level gauge according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3, the mounting part 34 which communicates with the insertion part 32 which inserts the cylindrical part 38 of the gauge member 20 is formed in the handle 22, and this mounting part 34 When the cylindrical portion 38 is inserted from the insertion portion 32 and press-fits into the push nut 36 in a state where the push nut 36 is attached to the push nut 36, the diameter of the central portion of the push nut 36 is enlarged, The inner edge of the push nut 36 digs into the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder 38 to prevent retraction of the cylinder 38 and the gauge member 20 is engaged. As a result, the gauge member 20 is fixed to the handle 22.

As such, the gauge member 20 is fixed to the handle 22 only by pressing the cylindrical portion 38 of the gauge member 20 into the push nut 36 mounted on the mounting portion 34, thereby facilitating the operation. .

For this reason, work man-hours can be reduced and cost can be reduced.

In addition, since the gauge member 20 is fixed by being pushed by the push nut 36 mounted in the mounting portion 34, the predetermined pullout strength is compared with the case where the gauge member 20 is fixed to the handle 22 by welding. Can be secured.

In addition, although the push nut 36 may be fixed to the insertion part 32 by pushing the push nut 36 in the insertion part 32, it pushes in the direction orthogonal to the centerline of the insertion part 32. As shown in FIG. The push nut 36 is mounted as compared with the case where the push nut 36 is pushed in from the insert 32 to be mounted on the handle 22 by allowing the mounting portion 34 to which the 36 can be mounted to pass through. Since it is not necessary to use a mounting jig or the like, the push nut 36 can be easily mounted.

In addition, since the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 38 of the gauge member 20 is disposed in the insertion portion 32 while penetrating the push nut 36, the gauge member 20 is supported in the insertion portion 32. There is no shaking. Moreover, by making the one end side of the gauge member 20 into the cylinder part 38, processing can be simplified and cost can be reduced.

In addition, although the push nut 36 was used here as a means of engaging the gauge member 20 with the handle 22, since the gauge member 20 can be engaged with the handle 22, it is limited to this. It is also possible to use a spring nut, a snap ring, or the like.

Moreover, although the shape of the handle 22 was made into the ring shape, since it is only a shape which is easy to pull out the level gauge 18 from the oil tank 12 (refer FIG. 1), it is not limited to a ring shape, For example, It may be T-shaped.

Since the present invention is configured as described above, in the invention described in claim 1, since the locking member is mounted in the insertion portion and the gauge member is fixed to the handle through the locking member, the man-hours can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. have. In addition, since the gauge member is engaged and fixed by the locking member mounted in the insertion portion, the predetermined pulling strength can be secured as compared with the case where the gauge member is fixed to the handle by welding.

In the invention according to claim 2, when one end of the gauge member is pushed into the push nut, the inner edge of the push nut is dug into one end of the gauge member so that the gauge member is fixed at an arbitrary position, and the gauge member is hooked on the push nut. Fit.

In the invention according to claim 3, it is not necessary to use a mounting strip or the like for mounting the push nut, as compared with the case where the push nut is pushed in from the insertion portion and mounted on the handle, so that the push nut can be easily attached.

Claims (3)

Long gauge member, A handle having an insertion portion capable of inserting one end side of the gauge member; And a locking member mounted in the insertion portion and having a locking member capable of engaging one end side of the gauge member. The method according to claim 1, Level gauge characterized in that the locking member is a push nut. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And a mounting portion connected to the center line of the insertion portion in a direction orthogonal to a direction perpendicular to the insertion portion, the mounting portion for mounting the push nut formed on the handle.