JP7112641B2 - Liquid level detector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a float type liquid level detection device.

Many devices, such as vehicles powered by liquid fuel, are equipped with fuel gauges so that the remaining amount of liquid fuel can be known. The fuel gauge includes, for example, a liquid level detector that detects the liquid level of liquid fuel stored inside the fuel tank. Such a fuel gauge displays the remaining amount of liquid fuel based on the liquid level height of the liquid fuel obtained from the liquid level detection device. As a liquid level detection device, a device is known in which a float is made to float on the liquid level and the height of the liquid level is detected from the position of the float. There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100001 as a conventional technique relating to such a float-type liquid level detection device.

A liquid level detection device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a frame, a terminal fixed to the frame, a holder rotatably supported by the frame, and a terminal fixed to the holder, the surface of which is in contact with the terminal. It has a circuit board, an arm fixed to a holder, and a float fixed to the tip of the arm and floating on the liquid surface.

The holder has a bottom facing the back surface of the circuit board, a first wall rising from the bottom, and a second wall rising from the bottom facing the first wall. and a biasing portion extending from the second wall toward the circuit board.

The biasing portion biases the circuit board toward the first wall.

A circuit board is provided between the first wall portion and the biasing portion. A side surface of the circuit board is in contact with the first wall.

JP 2018-080951 A

When assembling the liquid level detection device, it is necessary to attach the circuit board to the holder. As one method of assembling the circuit board, the biasing portion is elastically deformed toward the second wall portion to push the circuit board between the first wall portion and the biasing portion, and the biasing portion is returned to its original position. There is a way to get it back in shape. In such a method, it is necessary to elastically deform the urging portion to a large extent.

If the amount of deformation of the biasing portion is small, the space for assembling the circuit board in the holder becomes small, and it takes time to assemble the circuit board. In other words, when the amount of deformation of the urging portion is small, the working efficiency of the assembly work of the circuit board is lowered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level detection device capable of improving work efficiency in mounting a circuit board to a holder.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a frame, a terminal fixed to the frame, a holder rotatably supported by the frame, and a circuit board fixed to the holder and having a surface in contact with the terminal. , an arm fixed to the holder, and a float fixed to the tip of the arm and floating on the liquid surface,
The holder has a bottom portion facing the back surface of the circuit board, a first wall portion raised from the bottom portion and in contact with the side surface of the circuit board, and a first wall portion facing the first wall portion. a second wall rising from the bottom; and a biasing member extending from the second wall toward the circuit board and biasing the circuit board toward the first wall. including the part and
There is provided the liquid level detection device, wherein the second wall portion is formed with a plurality of slits extending upward from a portion to which the biasing portion is connected.

Preferably, a side surface of the circuit board faces the slit.

In the invention according to claim 1, the second wall is formed with a plurality of slits extending upward from the portion to which the biasing portion is connected. By forming a plurality of slits, the portion sandwiched between the slits of the second wall portion can be easily elastically deformed together with the urging portion. Here, the circuit board is assembled to the holder by being pushed between the first wall portion and the elastically deformed urging portion. Therefore, the portion of the second wall portion that is continuous with the urging portion is easily elastically deformed together with the urging portion, so that the amount of deformation of the urging portion can be increased. time can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to provide a liquid level detection device capable of improving work efficiency in mounting the circuit board to the holder.

In the invention according to claim 2, the side surface of the circuit board faces the slit. Since the side surface of the circuit board faces the slit, the side surface of the circuit board disposed between the first wall portion and the urging portion is exposed to the outside of the holder during assembly of the circuit board to the holder. state. Here, the slit is formed in the second wall facing the first wall. Therefore, for example, by pressing a pin or the like against the exposed portion of the circuit board, the circuit board can be moved toward the first wall portion. That is, the circuit board can be more reliably brought into close contact with the first wall by a simple method of moving the circuit board toward the first wall through the gap formed by the slit. As a result, it is possible to provide a liquid level detection device capable of improving work efficiency in mounting the circuit board to the holder.

1 is a perspective view of a liquid level detection device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the holder unit shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3; FIG. FIG. 4 is a 4 arrow view of the holder unit shown in FIG. 3 ; 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the action of the liquid level detection device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, Fr indicates the front, Rr indicates the rear, Le indicates the left, Ri indicates the right, Up indicates the upper side, and Dn indicates the lower side. ing.
<Example>

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a liquid level detection device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The liquid level detection device 10 is installed, for example, inside a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle. The liquid level detection device 10 detects the height of the liquid level of the liquid fuel filled in the fuel tank, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the height of the liquid level.

The liquid level detection device 10 includes a fixed member 11 attached to a fuel tank, a main body unit 20 fixed to the fixed member 11, a holder unit 60 provided rotatably with respect to the main body unit 20, and a main body. a cord 12 connected to the unit 20;

The fixing member 11 includes a flat plate-shaped fixing member plate portion 11a attached to the fuel tank, fixing member guide portions 11b, 11b provided at both ends of the fixing member plate portion 11a and exhibiting a substantially L-shape, and a fixing member guide portion 11b, 11b. and fixing member groove portions 11c, 11c lacking part of the member guide portions 11b, 11b.

The main unit 20 is composed of a frame 30 fixed to the fixing member 11 and terminals 21 fixed to the frame 30 .

Please refer to FIGS. The frame 30 includes a body portion 40 whose rear surface is in contact with the fixing member 11, a shaft portion 50 provided on the right side surface 40a of the body portion 40 and rotatably supporting the holder unit 60, and both sides of the body portion 40. and a plane portion 31 formed from the surfaces 40a, 40b (the left side 40b and the right side 40a) toward the fixing member guide portions 11b, 11b.

The body portion 40 includes a terminal fixing portion 41 fixing the terminal 21 , a plurality of openings 42 , 43 , and 44 formed above and below the terminal fixing portion 41 , and one portion of the body portion 40 so as to avoid the cord 12 . and a body portion groove portion 45 lacking a portion in a groove shape.

Two openings 42 and 43 are formed above the terminal fixing portion 41, and one opening 44 is formed below the terminal fixing portion 41 (a portion corresponding to the rear of the holder unit 60 in FIG. 1). The upper ends of the terminals 21 face the openings 42 and 43 formed upward, and the lower ends of the terminals 21 face the opening 44 formed downward. A lower end of the terminal 21 facing the opening 44 abuts on a surface 61 d of a circuit board 61 attached to the holder unit 60 and described later.

Please refer to FIG. A main body groove portion 45 formed in a groove shape surrounds the outer edge of the cord 12 . The main body groove 45 is formed at the upper end of the main body 40 .

Please refer to FIG. The shaft portion 50 has a cylindrical (substantially rectangular shape in the drawing) shaft base portion 51 , a through hole 52 passing through the center of the shaft base portion 51 , and a through hole extending from the shaft base portion 51 . 52 and protruding rearward (fixed member 11 side).

The shaft base portion 51 has a first end face 51a which is an end face on the fixing member 11 side of the shaft base portion 51 and has a substantially O shape, and an end face opposite to the first end face 51a. and a second end surface 51b having a substantially O shape.

An arm 62 , which will be described later, is inserted into the through hole 52 . The diameter of the through hole 52 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the arm 62 . The arm 62 (holder unit 60) rotates about the through hole 52 as an axis.

Please refer to FIGS. The planar portion 31 has planar portion side end portions 31a, 31a guided by the fixing member guide portions 11b, 11b, and protrudes forward (toward the holder unit 60) from these planar portion side end portions 31a, 31a. Planar protrusions 31b, 31b fitted in the fixing member grooves 11c, 11c are included.

Please refer to FIG. The frame 30 is fixed to the fixing member 11 by fitting the planar projections 31b, 31b into the fixing member grooves 11c, 11c.

The terminal 21 is composed of a first terminal 21a and a second terminal 21b having the same size and shape. The first terminal 21a and the second terminal 21b extend from the tip of the arm 62 described later (the part where the float 63 is fixed) toward the part of the arm 62 inserted into the through hole 52 (see FIG. 2). , are fixed in this order.

The first terminal 21a and the second terminal 21b are both fixed to the frame 30 by being partially embedded in the terminal fixing portion 41 respectively. Upper ends of the first terminal 21a and the second terminal 21b face openings 42 and 43 formed above the terminal fixing portion 41, respectively. The lower ends of the first terminal 21a and the second terminal 21b face openings 44 (see FIG. 2) formed below the terminal fixing portion 41, respectively.

Please refer to FIG. The holder unit 60 includes a holder 70 rotatably supported with respect to the frame 30, a circuit board 61 fixed to the holder 70, an arm 62 fixed to the holder 70, and a tip of the arm 62. and a float 63 floating on the liquid surface.

Please refer to FIGS. The holder 70 includes a fitting portion 80 fitted to the shaft portion 50 , a holder base portion 71 formed continuously with the fitting portion 80 , and an arm 62 formed in front of the holder base portion 71 . a bottom portion 73 formed at the rear portion of the holder base portion 71 and in contact with the circuit board 61; A wall portion 74 , a second wall portion 75 provided opposite to the first wall portion 74 and raised from the upper end of the bottom portion 73 toward the frame 30 , and a second wall portion 75 extending from the first wall portion 74 . A claw portion 76 projecting toward the wall portion 75 and a biasing portion extending from the second wall portion 75 toward the circuit board 61 and biasing the circuit board 61 toward the first wall portion 74. 77 and .

Please refer to FIG. The fitting portion 80 includes a first contact portion 81 contacting the first end face 51a, a second contact portion 82 contacting the second end face 51b, and a first contact portion 82 contacting the second end face 51b. and a connecting portion 83 that connects the portion 81 and the second contact portion 82 .

The first contact portion 81 has a first hole 81a at its center. The shaft protrusion 53 is fitted into the first hole 81a, and the end of the arm 62 protruding from the through hole 52 faces the first hole 81a.

A second hole 82a is formed in the center of the second contact portion 82 . An arm 62 is inserted into the second hole 82a.

The first hole 81a and the second hole 82a are formed coaxially with the through hole 52, respectively.

Please refer to FIG. The bottom portion 73 faces the back surface 61 c (front surface) of the circuit board 61 . The bottom portion 73 is formed with a plurality of bottom contact portions 73 a that protrude toward the circuit board 61 and contact the circuit board 61 .

The second wall portion 75 has a plurality of slits 75a formed upward from a portion (continuous portion) to which the urging portion 77 is connected, and a portion sandwiched between the slits 75a (second slit 75a). A lacking portion 75b is provided by removing a part of the second wall portion 75 so that the thickness of the second wall portion 75) is reduced.

Two slits 75 a are formed along both sides of the urging portion 77 and have a substantially U-shape. By forming the slits 75a on both sides of the portion to which the urging portion 77 is connected, the portion of the second wall portion 75 sandwiched between the slits 75a can be easily elastically deformed.

Please refer to FIGS. The slit 75a is formed upward from a portion to which the biasing portion 77 is connected so that the upper side surface 61a (side surface 61a at the upper end) of the circuit board 61 supported by the holder 70 is exposed to the outside. . Since the slit 75a is formed so that the upper surface 61a of the circuit board 61 is exposed to the outside, it becomes possible to press a pin or the like against the circuit board 61 through the gap formed by the slit 75a. In addition, since the slits 75a are formed so that the circuit board 61 is exposed, it becomes possible to elastically deform the portion sandwiched between the slits 75a more easily.

Please refer to FIG. The under-wall portion 75b extends from the portion where the biasing portion 77 is connected to the second wall portion 75b toward the rear so that the portion of the second wall portion 75 sandwiched between the biasing portions 77 can be largely elastically deformed. It is a part lacking the part 75 . Further, the thinned portion 75 b is also a part of the second wall portion 75 near the biasing portion 77 that is cut so that the elastically deformed biasing portion 77 does not come into contact with the second wall portion 75 . As a result, the portion of the second wall portion 75 that is sandwiched between the biasing portions 77 can be largely elastically deformed, and the elastically deformed biasing portion 77 is prevented from coming into contact with the second wall portion 75 . be able to.

The claw portion 76 sandwiches a portion (lower end) of the circuit board 61 together with the bottom portion 73 so that the circuit board 61 biased by the biasing portion 77 does not come off the holder 70 .

The biasing portion 77 includes a biasing portion curved portion 77a extending toward the circuit board 61 while curving from the second wall portion 75, and a first wall portion 74 provided at the tip of the biasing portion curved portion 77a. and an urging portion projecting portion 77b projecting toward.

The biasing curved portion 77 a biases the circuit board 61 toward the first wall portion 74 . The biasing curved portion 77 a is also a portion that is elastically deformed toward the second wall portion 75 when the circuit board 61 is assembled to the holder 70 .

The biasing portion projecting portion 77b is a portion that locks the circuit board 61 biased by the biasing portion curved portion 77a.

Please refer to FIGS. A front surface 61d (rear surface) of the circuit board 61 is provided with a plurality of electrodes (not shown), with which lower ends of terminals 21 fixed to the frame 30 are in contact. A bottom abutting portion 73 a protruding from the bottom portion 73 toward the circuit board 61 is in contact with the back surface 61 c of the circuit board 61 . The circuit board 61 slides on the terminals 21 as the holder 70 rotates. When the holder 70 rotates, the electrode with which the terminal 21 is in contact is switched. The height of the liquid surface of the liquid fuel (not shown) can be specified by the electrode with which the terminal 21 is in contact.

Please refer to FIGS. The upper side surface 61a of the circuit board 61 with which the biasing portion 77 abuts faces the slit 75a. A lower side surface 61 b (side surface 61 b at the lower end) located on the opposite side of the upper side surface 61 a is in contact with the first wall portion 74 .

Please refer to FIG. The arm 62 includes a rotary shaft portion 62a inserted into the through hole 52 and the second hole 82a and facing the first hole 81a, and a swing portion 62b extending vertically from the end of the rotary shaft portion 62a. , consisting of

A float 63 is fixed to the tip of the swing portion 62b. The swing portion 62b may be formed to extend straight toward the float 63, or may be formed to meander toward the float 63 and extend.

Please refer to FIG. The cord 12 has a lower end connected to a terminal 21 and extends upward so as to be connectable to an external device.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained.

Please refer to FIGS. A biasing portion 77 extending from the second wall portion 75 toward the circuit board 61 is formed in the holder 70 . The second wall portion 75 is provided with two slits 75a formed upward from a portion where the biasing portion 77 is connected. The biasing portion 77 biases the circuit board 61 toward the first wall portion 74 . The upper side surface 61a of the circuit board 61 faces the slit 75a.

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the process of assembling the circuit board 61 to the holder 70 . Please refer to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b). FIG. 5A is a diagram showing elastic deformation of a portion (second wall portion 75) sandwiched between the biasing portion 77 and the slit 75a (see FIG. 3). FIG. 5(b) is an enlarged view of the biasing portion 77 and the second wall portion 75 shown in FIG. 5(a). To assemble the circuit board 61 , the biasing portion 77 is elastically deformed toward the second wall portion 75 . By the way, two slits 75a are formed in the portion where the biasing portion 77 is connected. Therefore, when the biasing portion 77 is elastically deformed toward the second wall portion 75 , the portion of the second wall portion 75 sandwiched between the slits 75 a is also elastically deformed together with the biasing portion 77 . In the vicinity of the urging portion 77, a portion of the second wall portion 75 is cut to form a thinned portion 75b. Therefore, the biasing portion 77 can be largely elastically deformed together with the portion of the second wall portion 75 sandwiched between the slits 75a.

Please refer to FIGS. 5(c) and 5(d). FIG. 5(c) is a view when the circuit board 61 is pushed between the first wall portion 74 and the biasing portion 77. FIG. FIG. 5(d) is a diagram when the force applied to the biasing portion 77 for elastic deformation is removed. The operation of pushing the circuit board 61 between the first wall portion 74 and the urging portion 77 is performed in a state where the portions sandwiched between the urging portion 77 and the slit 75a are elastically deformed. The lower side surface 61 b of the circuit board 61 is arranged near the first wall portion 74 , the circuit board 61 is rotated around the lower side surface 61 b , and the upper side surface 61 a is arranged near the biasing portion 77 . When the upper side surface 61a and the lower side surface 61b are arranged in the vicinity of the first wall portion 74 and the biasing portion 77, respectively, the force applied to the biasing portion 77 for elastic deformation is removed. As a result, the portion of the second wall portion 75 sandwiched between the urging portion 77 and the slit 75a tries to return to its original shape and comes into contact with the upper side surface 61a of the circuit board 61 . Thus, the circuit board 61 is arranged between the first wall portion 74 and the biasing portion 77 .

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 5(e) shows a diagram of moving the circuit board 61 toward the first wall portion 74. As shown in FIG. A slit 75a is formed in the second wall portion 75 so that the upper side surface 61a of the circuit board 61 is exposed. Accordingly, the pins Pi or the like can be pressed against the circuit board 61 through the gaps formed by the slits 75 a to move the circuit board 61 toward the first wall portion 74 . As a result, the lower side surface 61b of the circuit board 61 can be brought into close contact with the first wall portion 74 more reliably. The operations shown in FIGS. 5(d) and 5(e) can be performed simultaneously.

Next, effects of the present invention will be described.

Please refer to FIGS. A plurality of slits 75a are formed in the second wall portion 75 upward from the portion where the biasing portion 77 is connected. By forming the plurality of slits 75 a , the portion of the second wall portion 75 sandwiched between the slits 75 a can be easily elastically deformed together with the biasing portion 77 . Here, the circuit board 61 is assembled to the holder 70 by being pushed between the first wall portion 74 and the elastically deformed biasing portion 77 . Therefore, the portion of the second wall portion 75 that is continuous with the biasing portion 77 is easily elastically deformed together with the biasing portion 77, so that the amount of deformation of the biasing portion 77 can be increased. It is possible to shorten the time required for the assembly work of the board 61 . As a result, it is possible to provide the liquid level detection device 10 capable of improving work efficiency in the work of assembling the circuit board 61 to the holder 70 .

Please refer to FIGS. The upper side surface 61a of the circuit board 61 faces the slit 75a. Since the upper side surface 61a of the circuit board 61 faces the slit 75a, the circuit board 61 placed between the first wall portion 74 and the urging portion 77 during the work of assembling the circuit board 61 to the holder 70 is prevented. , the upper side surface 61a is exposed to the outside of the holder 70. As shown in FIG. Here, the slit 75 a is formed in the second wall portion 75 facing the first wall portion 74 . Therefore, for example, the circuit board 61 can be moved toward the first wall portion 74 by pressing a pin or the like against the exposed portion of the circuit board 61 . In other words, the circuit board 61 is more reliably brought into close contact with the first wall portion 74 by a simple method of moving the circuit board 61 toward the first wall portion 74 through the gap formed by the slit 75a. be able to. As a result, it is possible to provide the liquid level detection device 10 capable of improving work efficiency in the work of assembling the circuit board 61 to the holder 70 .

It should be noted that the liquid level detection device according to the present invention has been described as being used for detecting the liquid level of liquid fuel inside a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle or the like. However, the object to be detected by the liquid level detection device is not limited to liquid fuel inside a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle or the like. That is, the liquid level detection device can be applied to all devices that can detect the liquid level height. For example, it can be applied to construction machines, factory equipment, etc. in addition to vehicles such as vehicles.

Moreover, in the embodiment, the manual or semi-automatic production (assembly work) was exemplified, but it can also be applied to fully automatic production.

That is, the present invention is not limited to the examples as long as the action and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The liquid level detection device of the present invention is suitable for detecting the liquid level of liquid fuel inside a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Liquid level detection apparatus 11... Fixing member 12... Cord 20... Body unit 21... Terminal 30... Frame 40... Body part 50... Shaft part 52... Through hole 53... Shaft part protrusion part 60... Holder unit 61... Circuit board 61a …Side (top end side)
61b... Side (lower end side)
62... Arm 63... Float 70... Holder 73... Bottom 74... First wall 75... Second wall 75a... Slit 75b... Shortened part 77... Biasing part 80... Fitting part

Claims (2)

a frame, a terminal fixed to the frame, a holder rotatably supported by the frame, a circuit board fixed to the holder and having a surface in contact with the terminal, and an arm fixed to the holder , and a float fixed to the tip of the arm and floating on the liquid surface,
The holder has a bottom portion facing the back surface of the circuit board, a first wall portion raised from the bottom portion and in contact with the side surface of the circuit board, and a first wall portion facing the first wall portion. a second wall rising from the bottom; and a biasing member extending from the second wall toward the circuit board and biasing the circuit board toward the first wall. including the part and
A liquid level detection device, wherein a plurality of slits are formed in the second wall portion upward from a portion to which the biasing portion is connected. 2. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein a side surface of said circuit board faces said slit.

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