JPS62174616A - Liquid level detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate variation on an instrument display depending upon a road surface and a drive and to accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid by allowing a float arm and a float to move in a housing along the 1st and the 2nd chambers. CONSTITUTION:When a fitting member 2 is fitted and fixed to the upper end opening part 5 of a tank 4, the lower end part of the housing 7 is rotated with the spring force of a spring 10 up to the position where it abuts on the bottom surface of the tank 4. Consequently, the float 16 which floats directly on the liquid surface fluctuates in the 1st curved chamber 18 on the basis of the bottom surface of the tank 4 according to the liquid level variation in the tank 4. Consequently, the float arm 19 rotates around a rotating shaft 28 as a support shaft while guided in the 2nd sectorial chamber 21 narrowed down by a step surface 22 within a range controlled by stoppers 24 and 24A. The rotating shaft 28 coupled integrally with the base end side of the arm 19 through a coupling member 29 is rotated by the rotation of the arm 19 and that is detected as variation in electric resistance through the operation of a potentiometer. Then, a through hole 31 is formed in the housing 7 and variation on the instrument display depending upon a road surface and a drive is eliminated.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Related Technology and Problems] In a conventional liquid level detection device of this kind, the liquid level detector body is attached via a gasket to an opening at the upper end of a tank that stores liquid such as fuel. The base end of the float arm is rotatably supported on the liquid level detector body within a range regulated by a stopper, and the tip of the float arm floats on the liquid surface and follows changes in the liquid level. A float that moves up and down is installed,
A detection actuator is provided on the base end side of the float arm to respond to rotation of the float arm due to vertical movement of the float,
The liquid level detector main body is provided with a detection part that electrically converts the vertical movement of the float through the detection operation part, and the float directly moves up and down in response to changes in the liquid level in the tank. Accordingly, the float arm is configured to rotate and electrically detect the liquid level via the detection operation section and the detection section. In such an arm float type liquid level detection device, when the liquid level in the tank changes due to road conditions such as the slope of the road surface or driving conditions such as vehicle acceleration/deceleration and turning, the liquid level change is directly reflected by the float. There was a problem in which the information was transmitted to the float arm, causing the readings on the instruments to fluctuate unexpectedly. In order to eliminate such problems, a buffer material that is fixedly suspended from the upper part of the tank and in contact with the float is provided, and a hole is provided to introduce the liquid in the tank to make the liquid level the same. An arm rotatably attached to the main body of the vessel is connected to the float in the cylinder via a connecting member so that the vertical movement of the arm rotates the arm to detect the liquid level. Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 52-60860 discloses a system that provides a time difference between the change in the liquid level in the tank and the change in the liquid level in the cylinder, thereby making it less susceptible to the influence of road surface conditions and driving conditions. However, this is because the float moves up and down inside the cylinder.
In addition to the hole at the bottom end of the cylinder, the liquid in the tank also flows into the cylinder from the movement groove of the float arm provided in the cylinder, which increases the flow rate of liquid and causes changes in the liquid level in the tank. The time difference with the change in the liquid level in the cylinder is small, and the sufficient effect of preventing fluctuations in the instrument display due to the influence of road surface conditions and driving conditions cannot be expected. In addition, since the liquid level detector body is suspended from the top of the tank, the lowest position of the float cannot be determined based on the bottom of the tank, which makes it difficult to accurately detect the remaining liquid level. I have a problem that I can't do it.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention surrounds at least the float arm, the float, and the pivot portion of the float arm with a housing, and the housing includes a first chamber substantially along the movement area of the float, and a float arm. forming a narrow second chamber substantially along the rotation area of the
A through hole communicating between the inside and the outside is provided in the housing, a mounting member constituting a part of the liquid level detector body is fixed to the tank, and the liquid level detector body including the housing is mounted to the mounting member. The housing is provided so as to be elastically movable via an elastic member, so that the lower end of the housing can elastically come into contact with the bottom surface of the tank.

[Effect]

The float moves within the housing along the first and second chambers within a movable range determined based on the bottom surface of the tank.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in the first embodiment of FIGS. The mounting is fixed to the upper end opening 5 of the tank 4, and the support part 6 of the liquid level detector main body l is vertically provided to the mounting member 2, and the upper end of the base side of the box-shaped housing 7 is attached to the lower end side of the support part 6. A receiving portion 8 formed protruding from the
is pivotably mounted on a shaft 9 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, one end 10A of a spring 10 wound around the shaft 9 is fixed to the supporting part 6 side by being locked to a protrusion 11, and the other end 10B is fixed to the receiving part 8 side. Protrusion lI
By being locked and fixed to A, the seat plate 7C fitted to the lower end of the housing 7 is elastically abutted and fixed to the bottom surface of the tank 4. In this case, in order to restrict the displacement range of the housing 7 with respect to the mounting member 2 and the receiving portion 8, a restriction hole 12 is provided in the support portion 6, and a movement width is provided in the restriction hole 12 to receive the protrusion 13 that engages. It is formed in part 8. Is the box-shaped housing 7 a pair of housing bodies? Peripheral wall portion 14 of A and 7B
one housing body 7A is attached to the support part 6 via the receiving part 8, and both housing bodies 7A are attached to the support part 6 via the receiving part 8.
A, 7B has a protruding wall portion 17A of the one housing main body 7A, which extends approximately along the movement area of the flow H6.
A curved first chamber 18 is formed by the flat wall portion 17B of the other housing main body 7B, and the first chamber extends from the first chamber toward its base side almost along the rotation area of the float arm 19. A second chamber 21 narrowly partitioned by the flat wall portion 20A of the one housing body 7A and the flat wall portion 20B of the other housing body 7B is formed, and the first chamber 18 and the second chamber 21 Stepped portion 22
The housing body 7 of the second chamber 21 is
On the A side, there is an arc-shaped projection 2 that guides the float arm 19.
3 and the upper and lower limit stoppers 24 of the float arm 19.
24A is formed. A potentiometer 25 serving as a detection portion is fitted into the base end side of the second chamber 21, and its flange 26 is fixed with screws 27. Further, the base end side of the float arm 19 provided with the rotation axis of the potentiometer 25 which is the detection operation part is fitted, and the screw 3
It is fixed at 0. A float 16 disposed in the first chamber 18 is disposed on the tip side of the float arm 19.
is installed. In addition, through holes 31 are provided at the top and bottom of the housing body 7A, respectively, to communicate between the inside and the outside. Therefore, when the mounting member 2 is fixed to the upper end opening 5 of the tank 4, the lower end of the housing 7 rotates by the spring force of the spring 10 until it comes into contact with the bottom surface of the tank 4. The float 16 floating directly on the liquid surface moves up and down in the curved first chamber 18 with the bottom of the tank 4 as a reference in response to changes in the liquid level, and as a result, the float arm 19 is moved by the stepped portion 22. Stopper 24.24A inside the narrowed fan-shaped second chamber 21
The rotation of the float arm 19 causes rotation that is integrally connected to the base end side of the float arm 19 via the connecting member 29. The shaft 28 rotates, and the change in electrical resistance is detected by the action of the potentiometer 25.

In this case, even if the liquid level in the tank 4 changes due to road surface conditions such as the slope of the road surface, or driving conditions such as vehicle acceleration/deceleration or turning, the liquid in the tank 4 can be maintained through the small through holes provided at the top and bottom of the housing 7. 31 into the housing 7 and until the liquid level in the housing 7 becomes the same as the liquid level in the tank 4, the change in liquid level directly affects the liquid level in the box-shaped housing 7. Fluctuations in the instrument display due to the influence of road surface conditions and driving conditions can be effectively prevented without being transmitted to the float 16.
Compared to the conventional system in which only the float 16 is disposed in the cylinder, the liquid does not flow in from the movement groove of the float arm 19, so the time difference is considerably larger, and the display fluctuation can be effectively prevented. It will be held in Furthermore, by positioning the lower end of the housing 7 on the bottom surface of the tank 4, the liquid level can be detected with the bottom surface of the tank 4 as a reference, and the amount of remaining liquid can be accurately detected.

4 and 5 show a second embodiment, in which the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The mounting is fixed to the upper end opening 5, and a plurality of guide rails 32 are vertically provided on the mounting member 2.
A flange 33 is formed protruding from the side surface of the box-shaped housing 7.
The housing 7 is vertically movable along the guide rail 32 by inserting the housing 7 into the mounting member 2 and the flange 3.
A coil spring 34 is interposed between the housing 7 and the housing 7 so that the lower end of the housing 7 is elastically abutted and fixed to the bottom surface of the tank 4. A linear first chamber 18A is formed on the front end side of the box-shaped housing 7 by wall portions 17A and 17B that protrude from both housing bodies 7A and 7B, respectively, along the movement area of the flow eye 6. , substantially along the rotation area of the float arm 19 from this first chamber 18A toward the base side and the tip side, and both housing bodies 7A.
, 7B's flat walls 2OA and 20B form a narrowly partitioned second chamber 21A, and the first chamber 18A and second chamber 21A are connected by a stepped portion 22,
Upper and lower limit stoppers 24.24A of the float arm 19 are formed on the housing main body 7A side of the chamber 21A. Further, a float 16, a float arm 19, a potentiometer 25, and a through hole 31 are respectively arranged in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The float 16 is slidably inserted into the insertion hole 35 of the float arm 19.

Therefore, when the mounting member 2 is fixedly attached to the upper end opening 5 of the tank 4, the spring force of the coil spring 34 is applied until the lower end of the housing 7 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the tank 4. The float 16 floating directly on the liquid surface moves up and down in the linear first chamber 18A with the bottom of the tank 4 as a reference in response to changes in the liquid level, and as a result, the float arm 19 is narrowed by the stepped portion 22. The second rectangular chamber 21A is rotated about the rotation shaft 28 within the range regulated by the stopper 24.24A, and the rotation of the float arm 19 connects it to the base end side of the float arm 19. A rotating shaft 28 integrally connected via a member 29
rotates and is detected as a change in electrical resistance by the action of the potentiometer 25. In this case, even if the liquid level in the tank 4 changes due to road surface conditions or driving conditions, the change in the liquid level is not directly transmitted to the housing 7, as in the above embodiment, and there is a considerable time difference, so fluctuations in the instrument display are prevented. Good prevention. Furthermore, by positioning the lower end of the housing 7 on the bottom surface of the tank 4, the liquid level can be detected with the bottom surface of the tank 4 as a reference, and the amount of remaining liquid can be accurately detected.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment showing another bottom reference structure, and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the above embodiment. The mounting is fixed to the upper end opening 5 of 4, and the mounting member 2
A housing 7 is connected to the lower surface side of the housing 7 via a plate-shaped elastic piece 36, and the mounting angle of the housing 7 to the mounting member 2 can be elastically displaced by the elastic piece 36. In this case, the elastic piece 36 is approximately L-shaped, with one piece 36A fixed to the mounting member 2 and the other piece 36B.
is fixed to one side of the housing 7, and the angle between the two pieces of the elastic piece 36 is set slightly larger than a right angle, so that the lower end of the housing 7 elastically hits the bottom of the tank 4 due to the spring force of the elastic piece 36. It is designed to be fixed in place. therefore,
When the mounting member 2 is fixed to the upper end opening 5 of the tank 4, it rotates by the spring force of the elastic piece 36 until the lower end of the housing 7 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the tank 4. The liquid level can be detected using the bottom surface as a reference, and the amount of remaining liquid can be accurately detected.

Although the above embodiment shows a case where a potentiometer is used as the detection section, the resistance value may also be detected using a variable resistor and a contact (in addition, in the case of a digital meter, The digital signal may be detected by a group of contacts arranged in an evolved code and a movable contact.In addition, at least the float arm, the float, and the pivot portion of the float arm may be surrounded by a box-shaped housing, and the detection operation may be performed as appropriate. The float arm may be configured to surround the housing and the detection unit.The float arm may be a rotatable float arm with a float provided through another arm. The structure that allows the liquid level detector main body including the housing to be elastically deformed may be modified as appropriate.Furthermore, the seat plate does not need to be fitted to the lower end of the housing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention includes a housing that surrounds at least the float arm, the float, and the pivot portion of the float arm, and the housing includes a first chamber that extends approximately along the movement area of the float, and a first chamber that extends approximately along the rotation area of the float arm. A second chamber is formed in the housing, a through hole is provided in the housing to communicate between the inside and the outside, a mounting member constituting a part of the liquid level detector body is fixed to the tank, and a mounting member is fixed to the tank. The liquid level detector main body including the housing is provided so as to be elastically movable via an elastic member, and the lower end of the housing can be elastically abutted against the bottom surface of the tank, so that It is possible to prevent fluctuations in the instrument display due to the influence of state and operating conditions, and to accurately detect the amount of remaining liquid based on the bottom of the tank.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 3 show the first embodiment, with Figure 1 being an overall vertical sectional view, Figure 2 being an overall cross sectional view, Figure 3 being an exploded perspective view, and Figures 4 and 5 being an overall longitudinal sectional view. Two embodiments are shown, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the third embodiment. 1-・Liquid level detector body 2・-Mounting member 4-Tank
7.--Housing 10, 34.36--Elastic member 17A, 17B--Wall portion 18, 18^...First chamber 19.--Float arm 20A, 20B
- Wall parts 21, 21A - Second room 25 - Detection part 28 - Detection actuation part 31 - Through hole Patent applicant Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. agent Patent attorney Mamoru Ushiki @6 Figure 1 Figure 2 ■ l No. Figure 3 @ Figure 4 + 79 @ Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] The proximal end of a float arm is rotatably supported on the liquid level detector body, and a float that moves up and down following changes in the liquid level in the tank is disposed on the tip end of the float arm. A detection actuation section that responds to the rotation of the float arm due to the vertical movement of the float is provided on the base end side of the body, and the vertical movement of the float is electrically converted into the liquid level detector body via the detection actuation section. In the liquid level detection device, at least the float arm, the float, and the pivot portion of the float arm are surrounded by a housing, and the housing includes a first chamber substantially along a movement area of the float, and a float arm. a second chamber that is narrowed along a rotational region of the housing, a through hole communicating between the inside and the outside of the housing, and a mounting member that forms a part of the liquid level detector main body in the tank; is fixed, and the liquid level detector body including the housing is provided to be elastically movable with respect to the mounting member via an elastic member, and the lower end of the housing is elastically abutted against the bottom surface of the tank. A liquid level detection device characterized by the following features: