JP3784396B2 - Portable fuel tank and liquid fuel combustion device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable fuel tank, and more particularly to a fuel tank used in a liquid fuel combustion apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel tank in a liquid fuel combustion apparatus such as an oil fan heater or an oil stove that can be easily replenished without reversing the fuel tank upside down when liquid fuel such as kerosene is replenished. It is disclosed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fuel tank includes a tank portion 1 and an upper plate 2 that covers the upper portion of the tank portion 1. A supply port 3 is provided on the upper surface of the tank unit 1, and an outer lid 4 that closes the supply port 3 is attached to the upper plate 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. And the handle 5 for carrying is attached to the upper board 2 so that opening and closing is possible. A fuel display window 6 is provided on the side of the tank unit 1 so that the amount of liquid fuel in the tank can be confirmed from the outside.
JP 2002-372231 A

  When replenishing liquid fuel, the fuel tank is removed from the housing of the liquid fuel combustion device. At this time, the liquid fuel is replenished from the replenishing port on the upper surface of the tank while checking the amount so that the liquid fuel does not overflow. However, since the display window is on the side surface of the tank unit, when checking the display window while replenishing, there is a difficulty that the body must be placed in the middle and viewed from an oblique direction. Further, when the fuel tank is mounted on the liquid fuel combustion apparatus, the fuel tank is accommodated in the housing. Therefore, the display window of the fuel tank cannot be visually recognized from the outside. During use, the lamp display is based on the electric liquid level detection method, and it does not fulfill the fuel display function that allows the remaining amount in the tank to be visually confirmed in detail.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel tank in which the amount of liquid fuel can be visually recognized not only when liquid fuel is replenished but also during use.

  The present invention is a portable fuel tank provided with a replenishment port on the upper surface, and a display unit for displaying the amount of liquid fuel in the tank is provided on the upper surface. And it attaches to the housing | casing of a liquid fuel combustion apparatus so that attachment or detachment is possible, and the upper surface of a fuel tank comprises a part of upper surface of the said housing | casing.

  In a fuel tank having a structure in which liquid fuel is supplied from the upper surface, if there is a display unit on the upper surface, liquid fuel can be supplied while looking at the display unit. As a result, the liquid fuel can be filled to the full extent and will not overflow.

  When the fuel tank is mounted on the housing of the liquid fuel combustion apparatus, the upper surface of the fuel tank becomes a part of the upper surface of the housing, so that the display unit is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the liquid fuel amount in the tank can be confirmed by the display unit.

  As a display part, it shall have a three-dimensional form so that it can visually recognize from a different direction. What is necessary is just to form a display part so that it may protrude on the upper surface of a fuel tank. Specifically, the display unit has a pointer and a scale that move relative to each other, and the pointer is formed in three dimensions so that it can be seen from above and from the side, and the scale corresponds to each direction. And are arranged at a plurality of locations. In this case, the pointer moves. Alternatively, the scale may be a three-dimensional shape, and either the pointer or the scale moves. Thereby, the pointer and the scale can be visually recognized from above or from the side, and the amount of liquid fuel in the tank can be confirmed from anywhere.

  The pointer has an elastic shape, and the movement range of the pointer is defined. The pointer moves according to the amount of liquid fuel and points from the empty state to the full state. When the pointer tries to move beyond the moving range, the pointer is elastically deformed.

  That is, when the movement range is defined, the movement of the pointer is restricted by the stopper so that the pointer does not exceed the movement range. When a force that moves beyond this is applied to the pointer, the pointer is elastically deformed to absorb the applied force and prevent the pointer from being damaged.

  Specifically, the pointer is rotatable around the proximal end so that the distal end moves along a scale provided on the display unit, and an intermediate portion connecting the distal end and the proximal end is formed. It is thinner than the tip and base ends so that it can be elastically deformed. By forming such an intermediate portion, a shape having elasticity is obtained. And the force and impact which were added to the pointer are absorbed by the middle part being bent. When the force is no longer applied, the pointer is restored to its original shape by the elastic force.

  A liquid level detection device for detecting the amount of liquid fuel in the tank is provided, the liquid level detection device including a float that moves up and down according to the liquid level of the liquid fuel, and a spiral plate that rotates in conjunction with the up and down of the float It has. A spiral plate is connected to the base end portion of the pointer, and the pointer rotates according to the upper and lower sides of the float.

  If the proximal end of the pointer is attached to the spiral plate, the pointer will move beyond the movement range as the float moves up and down, but the movement of the pointer is restricted. When the pointer hits either the empty or full position stopper, the float does not move. However, since the pointer is elastically deformed, it is possible to eliminate the adverse effect of hindering the movement of the float caused by the positional deviation.

  Further, when the pointer is difficult to elastically deform, it is necessary to keep the movement range of the pointer between the stoppers. However, by giving elasticity, it is possible to display the full state from the empty state to the full state.

  According to the present invention, by providing the display unit on the upper surface of the fuel tank, when the liquid fuel is carried and replenished, the amount of liquid fuel can be reliably confirmed while being replenished. When used by being mounted on a liquid fuel combustion apparatus, the display unit can be visually recognized by exposing the upper surface of the fuel tank to the outside. At this time, the fuel tank becomes a part of the upper surface of the housing, and it is not necessary to provide a display portion or a display window on the housing, so that the structure is not complicated in many fields and the number of parts can be reduced.

  The oil fan heater of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. Reference numeral 10 denotes a box-shaped housing formed by the front plate 10 a, the top plate 10 b and the back plate, and is placed on the mounting table 11. The casing 10 includes a burner, a fan, an ion generator, and the like. A housing chamber 13 for housing the portable fuel tank 12 is formed in the housing 10. An opening leading to the storage chamber 13 is formed in the top plate 10b, and the storage chamber 13 is open on the top surface. In the figure, 15 is an operation unit, 16 is a hot air outlet, 17 is a positive / negative ion outlet, 18 is a temperature sensor, 19 is a combustion state confirmation window, and 20 is a liquid fuel remaining amount warning lamp.

  The basic structure of the fuel tank 12 is the same as that of the conventional one shown in FIG. 9, and is composed of a tank portion 1 and an upper plate 2, and is configured to deliver and replenish liquid fuel from the top. The upper plate 2 is provided with a display unit 21 for displaying the amount of liquid fuel in the tank.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the display unit 21 includes a pointer 22 that moves according to the amount of liquid fuel, a holder that supports the pointer 22 movably, and a scale 23 marked on the holder.

  The pointer 22 is three-dimensionally formed so as to protrude upward. Specifically, the pointer 22 is an L-shaped bar member whose front end portion 22a is bent upward. The pointer 22 rotates around the base end portion 22b.

  The holder includes a base 25 attached to the upper plate and a cover 26 that covers the base 25. A plurality of claws 27 are formed on the cover 26. When the claws 27 are hooked on the periphery of the base 25, the base 25 and the cover 26 are integrally engaged, and a space for turning the pointer 22 is formed. Is done.

  The cover 26 is formed in a fan shape in plan view, and its front side is raised to form a window portion 28. The window portion 28 is formed from the front surface to the upper surface and has a three-dimensional shape. The rear side of the window portion 28 of the cover 26 is covered with the upper plate 2 and is not exposed to the outside. The cover 26 is formed of a translucent resin so that the inside of the holder can be seen from the outside through the window portion 28. Note that only the window portion 28 may be formed of a translucent resin.

  A scale vertical wall 30 is formed inside the cover 26. The vertical wall 30 is vertically formed on the window portion 28 toward the lower side, and is visible from the side. A film on which characters and the like as shown in FIG. 3 are printed is attached to the vertical wall 30. This is the scale 23 for the side. Further, a film on which characters and the like are similarly printed is affixed to the upper surface of the window portion 28, and this becomes an upward scale 23. The scale 23 may be drawn directly on the vertical wall 30 or the window portion 28.

  A base end portion 22 b of the pointer 22 is fitted into the support shaft 31. The support shaft 31 is inserted into a through hole 32 formed in the base 25 and is supported rotatably. Between the vertical wall 30 and the front surface of the window portion 28, the distal end portion 22 a of the pointer 22 is positioned, and the pointer 22 rotates along the vertical wall 30. When the window portion 28 is viewed from the outside, the pointer 22 and the scale 23 can be seen together. Reference numeral 33 denotes a stopper for restricting the rotation of the pointer 22, which is provided on the empty side and the full side of the scale 23, respectively, and defines the movement range of the pointer 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fuel tank 12 includes a liquid level detection device that detects the amount of liquid fuel in the tank, a fuel remaining amount detection device that detects that the remaining amount of liquid fuel has decreased, and a tank. And a water detection device for detecting the presence or absence of water in the inside.

  A base 41 is fixed to an opening 40 formed on the upper surface of the tank portion 1, and a lower portion of the base 25 is fitted into the base 41 via a sealing material. An opening 42 is formed on the bottom surface of the tank portion 1, and a water tray 43 is provided so as to close the opening 42. The water receiving tray 43 is attached to the outside of the bottom surface of the tank portion 1 via a rubber packing 44. The water receiving tray 43 is made of a stainless steel plate, and is electrically insulated from the tank portion 1 by a packing 44.

  The liquid level detection device conveys the liquid level position to the display unit 21 in conjunction with the float 45 that moves up and down according to the liquid level of the liquid fuel, the guide rod 46 that guides the float 45 in the vertical direction, and the float 45 up and down. And a spiral plate 47 for the purpose. The guide rod 46 passes through the float 45, and the upper end of the guide rod 46 is inserted and held in a holding cylinder 48 formed in the base 25. The lower end of the guide rod 46 is bent into an L shape, is engaged with the support base 49, and is supported so as not to rotate. The support base 49 is attached in the water tray 43.

  The spiral plate 47 is an elongated flat plate twisted in a spiral shape, and is inserted into the vertical groove 50 of the float 45. The upper end of the spiral plate 47 is fitted into the groove of the support shaft 31, and the spiral plate 47 and the pointer 22 are mechanically connected. The lower end of the spiral plate 47 is formed in a needle shape and is placed on the support base 49. Thereby, the spiral plate 47 is rotatably supported in the tank, the support shaft 31 rotates with the rotation of the spiral plate 47, and the pointer 22 rotates along the scale 23.

  The float 45 floats in the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 12, and when the liquid level changes, the float 45 also moves up and down. As the float 45 moves up and down, the spiral plate 47 rotates. Then, the pointer 22 rotates via the support shaft 31 and points to the scale 23 corresponding to the liquid level position.

  When the fuel tank 12 is accommodated in the housing 10, the upper plate 2 is exposed to the outside and constitutes a part of the upper surface of the housing 10. The display unit 21 provided on the upper plate 2 is also exposed to the outside, and the display can be visually recognized. In addition, since the display unit 21 protrudes from the upper plate 2, the pointer 22 and the scale 23 can be seen not only from above but also from the side of the front or side. Therefore, the amount of liquid fuel in the tank can be easily confirmed from any direction.

  When the liquid fuel becomes low, the fuel tank 12 is taken out from the housing 10 and the liquid fuel is replenished. When replenishing from the replenishing port 3 on the upper surface of the fuel tank 12, the person's viewpoint is above the fuel tank 12, but since the display unit 21 is on the upper surface of the fuel tank 12, it can be seen from above. Therefore, the replenishment amount can be confirmed, the liquid fuel can be prevented from being excessively added, and the liquid fuel does not overflow.

  The fuel remaining amount detection device uses a non-contact type sensor including a magnet 51 and a reed switch 52 that reacts to the magnet 51. The magnet 51 is held by a hook 53 attached to the lower part of the float 45 and is suspended below the float 45. The reed switch 52 is installed on a tank base 54 on which the fuel tank 12 is placed so as to face the tank unit 1.

  When the liquid fuel in the fuel tank 12 decreases and the float 45 descends, the magnet 51 is positioned in the water receiving tray 43 and close to the reed switch 52. Then, the reed switch 52 is turned on, it can be detected that the remaining amount of liquid fuel has decreased, and the remaining amount warning lamp 20 is turned on. Here, the timing at which the reed switch 52 is turned on can be determined by the distance between the magnet 51 and the float 45. The length of the hook 53 may be adjusted according to the remaining amount of liquid fuel to be notified.

  Thus, by using the float 45 of the liquid level detection device as a constituent member of the remaining fuel amount detection device, the constituent members of each device can be shared and the number of parts can be reduced.

  The water detector electrically detects the presence or absence of water using the difference in electrical conductivity between the liquid fuel and water. Since water having a specific gravity higher than that of the liquid fuel is collected in the water tray 43, a first electrode 60 that contacts the water tray 43 and a second electrode 61 that contacts the tank unit 1 are provided. The first electrode 60 protrudes from the tank base 54 toward the water tray 43, and the second electrode 61 protrudes from the tank base 54 toward the bottom surface of the tank unit 1.

  Both electrodes 60 and 61 are connected to a power source, and a closed circuit is formed by the first electrode 60, the water tray 43, the water and liquid fuel in the tank unit 1, the bottom surface of the tank unit 1, and the second electrode 61. The presence or absence of water is detected from the minute current flowing in If there is water in the fuel tank 12, water having a high specific gravity is collected in the water tray 43. Then, the resistance of the closed circuit changes, and the current flowing through this circuit also changes, so that the presence of water can be detected.

  Since the fuel tank 12 is structured to deliver liquid fuel from the top, even if water is mixed in, it accumulates at the bottom of the fuel tank 12 and water is not supplied together when liquid fuel is delivered. Therefore, even if the presence of water is detected during operation, the operation can be continued as it is. The water can be drained after the liquid fuel is reduced, and there is no need to dispose of the liquid fuel unnecessarily for draining water.

  Here, in the liquid level detection device, the spiral plate 47 is kept substantially parallel to the float 45 in order to accurately detect the amount of liquid fuel in the tank. That is, the spiral plate 47 is inserted into a slit provided in the vertical groove 50 of the float 45, and the spiral plate 47 is held so as not to rattle. Accordingly, since the spiral plate 47 rotates without rattling with respect to the vertical movement of the float 45, the pointer 22 can be prevented from being shaken, and the scale 23 can be accurately pointed.

  The pointer 22 is connected to the spiral plate 47 via the support shaft 31, and the pointer 22 also rotates about the support shaft 31 in conjunction with the spiral plate 47 that rotates according to the position of the float 45. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the movement of the pointer 22 is restricted by the stoppers 33 on both sides. When the pointer 22 comes into contact with the stopper 33, the tip 22a of the pointer 22 does not move any further. However, when the spiral plate 47 further rotates, the proximal end portion 22b of the pointer 22 rotates.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the pointer 22 has an elastic shape and can be elastically deformed. The proximal end portion 22b of the pointer 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the distal end portion 22a is formed in a thick flat plate shape, and rises perpendicularly to the proximal end portion 22b. An intermediate portion 22c that connects the base end portion 22b and the tip end portion 22a is formed in a straight line, and is a flat plate that is thinner than the base end portion 22b and the tip end portion 22a. A cylindrical portion 22d is formed at the center of the intermediate portion 22c and is thick only here.

  When the distal end portion 22a of the pointer 22 comes into contact with the stopper 33, when the spiral plate 47 is further rotated by the vertical movement of the float 45, the proximal end portion 22b is rotated. The distal end portion 22a of the pointer 22 does not move, but the portion between the proximal end portion 22b and the cylindrical portion 22d of the pointer 22 is bent. The portion between the cylindrical portion 22d and the tip portion 22a hardly bends. When the spiral plate 47 rotates in the reverse direction, the intermediate portion 22c is restored to the original linear shape by the elastic force of the pointer 22. In this manner, the pointer 22 is elastically deformed, so that it does not break even if an excessive force is applied to the pointer 22 and the pointer 22 can be prevented from being damaged.

  The cylindrical portion 22d of the pointer 22 becomes a stress concentration point, and when the movement of the distal end portion 22a of the pointer 22 is restricted, the stress from the spiral plate 47 is applied to the distal end of the proximal end portion 22b and the cylindrical portion 22d. Become. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pointer 22 from being bent due to the presence of the cylindrical portion 22d. Further, when the pointer 22 is greatly bent, the distal end portion 22a approaches the proximal end portion side. Then, the distal end portion 22a hits the vertical wall 30 and cannot be elastically deformed, and an excessive load is applied to the pointer 22. However, if the cylindrical portion 22d exists, there is almost no deflection on the distal end side than the cylindrical portion 22d. The vertical wall 30 is not approached and hit, and damage to the tip 22a can be prevented.

  The pointer 22 is attached to the base 25 with its base end 22 b fitted into the support shaft 31. If there is a misalignment between the base end portion 22b of the pointer 22 and the support shaft 31 at the time of attachment, the distal end portion 22a of the pointer 22 contacts the stopper 33 as described above before the float 45 reaches the upper limit position or the lower limit position. A situation occurs in which the movement of the pointer 22 is restricted. If the movement of the pointer 22 is restricted, the rotation of the spiral plate 47 is also restricted, and the float 45 cannot be moved up and down. However, since the pointer 22 is elastically deformable, the rotation of the spiral plate 47 is not restricted, and the phenomenon that the float 45 moves up and down smoothly and the float 45 does not move up and down can be prevented.

  Thus, if there is a position shift when the pointer 22 is attached, the movement of the float 45 may be deteriorated, and a shift occurs between the movement of the pointer 22 and the movement of the float 45 due to this position shift. When the pointer 22 is elastically deformed, the displacement between the distal end portion 22a and the proximal end portion 22b of the pointer 22 can be absorbed, and the movement of the float 45 is not hindered.

  When the fuel tank 12 is empty and the fuel tank 12 is turned upside down, the float 45 moves rapidly. Then, the pointer 22 also moves rapidly and may collide with the stopper 33. At this time, since the pointer 22 is elastically deformed, the impact at the time of the collision can be reduced, and the pointer 22 can be prevented from being damaged.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The display part is formed in a hemispherical shape, and a scale is marked on the spherical surface like a meridian with the most apex as the center. The pointer is formed in a semicircular shape, and rotates around the top. The pointer is connected to the spiral plate via a support shaft. With such a form, it is visible not only from above but also from the front and rear. Further, the pointer and the scale need only be in a relatively moving relationship, and the pointer may be fixed and the scale side may be rotated.

  Although the fuel tank is used in a liquid fuel combustion apparatus such as an oil fan heater, it may be used as a portable fuel tank or a liquid container.

The perspective view of the oil fan heater of the present invention Oil fan heater perspective view with fuel tank removed The figure which shows the example of a display in a display part Cross section of display Cross section of fuel tank Cross section near the bottom of the fuel tank Top view of the base that supports the pointer in a freely rotatable manner (A) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional view, and (c) is a plan view. A perspective view of a conventional fuel tank

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tank part 2 Upper plate 3 Supply port 10 Case 12 Fuel tank 13 Accommodating chamber 21 Display part 22 Pointer 23 Scale 43 Water catcher 45 Float 46 Guide rod 47 Spiral plate 51 Magnet 52 Reed switch 60 1st electrode 61 2nd electrode

Claims (6)

A portable fuel tank that is detachably attached to the casing of the liquid fuel combustion device, and in the mounted state, the upper surface constitutes a part of the upper surface of the liquid fuel combustion device,
A portable fuel tank provided with a replenishing port for replenishing liquid fuel and a display unit for displaying the amount of liquid fuel in the tank on an upper surface of the portable fuel tank. The display unit is arranged at a plurality of positions corresponding to the bent shape pointer that moves in accordance with the amount of liquid fuel and the bent shape pointer so that the display portion can be viewed from above and from the side. The portable fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein the portable fuel tank has a scale. The display unit has a pointer that moves according to the amount of liquid fuel,
The pointer is shaped to have elasticity, and its movement range is defined by stoppers provided on both sides of the pointer,
2. The portable fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein when the pointer is about to move beyond the specified movement range, the pointer is elastically deformed by coming into contact with the stopper. 3. The pointer is configured to be rotatable around a base end portion so that a distal end portion moves along a scale provided on the display unit,
The portable type according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate part in the first half is thinner than the tip part and the base end part so that an intermediate part connecting the tip part and the base end part can be elastically deformed. Fuel tank. A liquid level detection device for detecting the amount of liquid fuel in the tank is provided;
The liquid level detection device includes a float that moves up and down according to the liquid level of the liquid fuel, and a spiral plate that rotates in conjunction with the vertical movement of the float.
The portable fuel tank according to claim 4, wherein the spiral plate is connected to a proximal end portion of the pointer, so that the pointer rotates according to the vertical movement of the float. A housing in which a storage chamber having an open top surface is formed;
A portable fuel tank detachably mounted in the storage chamber,
In a state where the portable fuel tank is mounted in the storage chamber, the upper surface of the portable fuel tank constitutes a part of the upper surface of the housing,
A liquid fuel combustion apparatus, wherein a top surface of the portable fuel tank is provided with a supply port for supplying liquid fuel and a display unit for displaying the amount of liquid fuel in the tank.

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