JP7223293B2 - 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 holder rotatable with respect to the frame, an arm fixed to the holder, and a liquid level detector fixed to the tip of the arm. with a float that floats on the

The holder has a mounting portion on which the arm is mounted and a biasing portion that biases the arm toward the mounting portion. The placing portion and the biasing portion are integrally formed in a substantially C shape.

The arm is sandwiched between the placing portion and the biasing portion and fixed to the holder. The arm is rotatably provided together with the holder.

JP 2015-212716 A

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the holder 160 and a slide core P', which is one of the mold parts for molding the holder 160, shown in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG.

The holder 160 has a fitting portion 161 fitted to the frame, and a body portion 170 formed in a direction in which the arms extend from the fitting portion 161 .

The body portion 170 has a mounting portion 172 on which an arm is mounted, and a biasing portion 174 formed at a position facing the mounting portion 172 and biasing the arm toward the mounting portion 172 . These mounting portion 172 and biasing portion 174 are connected by a wall portion 173 . The mounting portion 172, the wall portion 173, and the biasing portion 174 are continuously formed in a substantially C shape when viewed from the side.

Such a holder 160 can be molded by pouring resin into a mold, curing the resin, and taking out the cured resin (holder 160) inside the mold. In addition to a mold M' that can move in the front-rear direction, the mold includes a slide core that can move in the left-right direction so that the front-rear mounting portion 172 and the biasing portion 174 having a substantially C-shape can be removed from the mold. P' is used.

Here, the mold for molding the holder 160 becomes more expensive as the number of slide cores P' increases. The more expensive the mold is, the more expensive the holder 160 molded by the mold and the liquid level detection device including this holder 160 are.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level detection device that can be manufactured at low cost.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a frame fixed to a member to be attached, a holder rotatable with respect to the frame, an arm fixed to the holder, and a fluid fixed to the tip of the arm A liquid level detection device comprising: a float floating on a surface;
The holder has a mounting portion for supporting the lower surface of the arm on which the arm is mounted, and an urging portion that contacts the upper surface of the arm and biases the arm toward the mounting portion,
The placement section is provided to avoid a portion facing the urging section,
The upper surface of the portion of the arm placed on the placing portion is exposed to the outside of the holder,
A liquid level detection device is provided in which a portion of the holder facing the urging portion is an opening formed in an opening shape.

As described in claim 2, preferably, the urging portions are formed at least at two locations so as to sandwich the placing portion with respect to the extending direction of the arm.

As described in claim 3, preferably, the mounting portions are formed at least at two locations so as to sandwich the urging portion with respect to the extending direction of the arm.

In the invention according to claim 1, the placement section is provided so as to avoid the portion facing the biasing section, and the upper surface of the portion of the arm placed on the placement section is exposed to the outside of the holder. A portion of the holder facing the urging portion is an opening formed in an opening shape. In other words, both the placement portion and the biasing portion are visible when viewed from the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the holder, respectively. Therefore, a slide core for forming the placing portion and the urging portion is not required. Therefore, the cost of the mold for molding the holder can be reduced. By using an inexpensive mold, the holder can be made inexpensive, and as a result, the liquid level detection device can be made inexpensive. That is, it is possible to provide a liquid level detection device that can be manufactured at low cost.

In the invention according to claim 2, the urging portions are formed in at least two locations so as to sandwich the placing portion with respect to the extending direction of the arm. When the arm is assembled to the holder, the arm can be attached while one of the two biasing portions is elastically deformed, and then the arm can be assembled while the other biasing portion is elastically deformed. can. In other words, the urging portion can be divided into two parts and assembled while being elastically deformed separately. The force required for elastically deforming each biasing portion can be reduced as compared with the case where a single biasing portion is formed and elastically deformed. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach the arm to the holder.

In addition, the arm can be fixed more reliably by forming the biasing portions at two locations so as to sandwich the placing portion.

In the invention according to claim 3, the placement section is formed at least at two locations so as to sandwich the biasing section with respect to the direction in which the arm extends. As a result, the area of the mounting section on which the arm is mounted is increased, and the arm is supported by the mounting section with the increased area. As a result, the arm can be stably fixed to the holder.

1 is a perspective view of a liquid level detection device according to Example 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the frame and holder shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an action during molding of the holder shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an action when an arm is assembled to the holder shown in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a holder according to Example 2 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a holder assembled in a conventional liquid level detection device;

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 1>

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a liquid level detection device 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The liquid level detection device 10 is mounted, for example, inside a fuel tank (not shown) 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 mounting member 11 attached to a fuel tank, a body unit 20 fixed to the mounting member 11, and a holder unit 50 rotatably provided with respect to the body unit 20. , an arm 12 fixed to the holder unit 50, a float 13 fixed to the tip of the arm 12 and floating on the liquid surface, and a cord 14 electrically connected to the main unit 20. are doing.

The mounting member 11 includes a plate member 11a attached to the fuel tank, guide portions 11b and 11b raised from both ends of the plate member 11a, and portions of the guide portions 11b and 11b formed in a thin shape. It has guide part groove parts 11c, 11c in which the body unit 20 is fitted.

The attached member 11 is made of polyacetal, for example. It should be noted that other synthetic resins can also be used as the material of the member to be attached 11 .

The attached member 11 may be directly attached to the fuel tank, or may be attached to the fuel tank via another member. Alternatively, it may be formed integrally with the fuel tank.

The main unit 20 includes a frame 30 fixed to the mounting member 11 and terminals 21 fixed to the frame 30 and capable of conducting electricity.

Also refer to FIG. The frame 30 includes a flat portion 31 fixed to the attached member 11 and formed on a flat surface, a raised portion 32 raised forward (toward the front of the drawing) from the flat portion 31, and the raised portion 32. and a mounting portion 40 formed on the side wall of the raised portion 32 and to which the holder unit 50 is rotatably mounted.

Please refer to FIGS. The planar portion 31 has a guided portion 31a guided by the guide portions 11b, 11b, and a locking portion 31b that is continuous with the guided portion 31a and locked by the guide grooves 11c, 11c. The flat portion 31 is fixed to the attached member 11 by engaging the guide portion groove portions 11c and 11c at the engaging portions.

Please refer to FIG. The accommodating portion 33 includes a terminal fixing portion 33a provided in the center of the accommodating portion 33 and fixing the terminal 21, a lower opening portion 33b provided below the terminal fixing portion 33a and facing the terminal 21, and a terminal fixing portion. and an upper opening 33c formed above 33a and having the cord 14 crimped onto the terminal 21 .

The terminal fixing portion 33a is made of synthetic resin. The terminal 21 is fixed to the terminal fixing portion 33a by being partially embedded inside the resin.

The lower opening 33b is configured by a substantially rectangular through hole. The lower end of the terminal 21 is exposed inside the lower opening 33b.

The upper opening 33c is composed of two substantially rectangular through holes. The terminal 21 has its upper end exposed in the upper opening 33c. The size of the two through holes is the same.

Also refer to FIG. The mounting portion 40 has a projecting portion 41 projecting laterally from the side wall of the rising portion 32 and a substantially cylindrical fitted portion 42 provided at the tip of the projecting portion 41 .

The projecting portion 41 connects the raised portion 32 and the fitted portion 42 . The protruding portion 41 protrudes from the side wall of the rising portion 32 so as to have a substantially triangular shape. The projecting portion 41 does not interfere with the rotating holder 60 .

Please refer to FIG. The fitted portion 42 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and includes an upper surface portion 42a that is an end surface on the inlet side with respect to the insertion direction of the arm 12, and a lower surface portion 42b that is an end surface on the exit side with respect to the insertion direction of the arm 12. , an outer peripheral portion 42c that connects the upper surface portion 42a and the lower surface portion 42b and constitutes an outer peripheral surface, a first hole portion 42d that is opened in the center of the fitted portion 42 and into which the arm 12 is inserted, and an arm from the lower surface portion 42b. 12 and a shaft portion 42e on which a holder 60 is rotatably provided.

The upper surface portion 42 a and the lower surface portion 42 b are sandwiched between holder units 50 . The surfaces of the upper surface portion 42a and the lower surface portion 42b are formed to be smooth so that the holder unit 50 can rotate smoothly.

The first hole portion 42d is a through hole having substantially the same diameter (outer shape) as the arm 12, into which the arm 12 is inserted. The holder unit 50 and the arm 12 rotate together with the fitted portion 42 as an axis.

Please refer to FIG. The terminal 21 includes an embedded portion 21a embedded in the terminal fixing portion 33a, a terminal portion 21b provided below the embedded portion 21a and facing the holder unit 50, and a cord 14 provided above the embedded portion 21a. and a crimped portion 21c.

The terminal 21 is fixed to the frame 30 by embedding the embedded portion 21a in the terminal fixing portion 33a.

Please refer to FIG. The holder unit 50 has a holder 60 rotatable with respect to the frame 30 and a circuit board 51 fixed to the holder 60 and rotatable together with the holder 60 .

The holder 60 has a fitting portion 61 fitted to the fitting portion 42 and a body portion 70 formed along the arms 12 extending left and right from the fitting portion 61 .

The fitting portion 61 includes an upper portion 61a adjacent to the upper surface portion 42a, a second hole portion 61b opened in the upper portion 61a and into which the arm 12 is inserted, and a portion extending from the upper portion 61a to the mounted member 11 side. an intermediate portion 61c extending to the middle portion 61c, a lower portion 61d continuous with the intermediate portion 61c and facing the upper portion 61a, a third hole portion 61e formed in the lower portion 61d, and a side wall of the intermediate portion 61c. and an intermediate groove portion 61f (see FIG. 1) partly formed in a groove shape.

The fitting portion 61 is fitted by sandwiching the upper portion 61 a and the lower portion 61 d against the fitted portion 42 . By fitting the fitting portion 61 , the holder 60 is rotatably attached to the frame 30 .

In addition, as long as the holder 60 can be rotatably attached to the frame 30, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the holder 60 is sandwiched between the upper portion 61a and the lower portion 61d. For example, the fitting portion 61 can be configured by only the upper portion 61a and the second hole portion 61b. In this case, the frame 30 and the holder 60 are rotatably fixed with a push nut or the like.

Please refer to FIG. The intermediate groove portion 61f is a mark provided in the intermediate portion 61c and has a substantially triangular shape. The intermediate groove portion 61f serves as a mark for cutting the rear portion of the upper portion 61a when the fitting portion 61 is to be configured only by the upper portion 61a and the second hole portion 61b. The holder 60, which is cut at the rear of the upper portion 61a, is rotatably attached together with the frame 30 by being fixed with a push nut or the like. The shape of the intermediate groove portion 61f may be, for example, a substantially square shape other than the triangular shape.

Please refer to FIG. The second hole portion 61b and the third hole portion 61e are formed coaxially with the first hole portion 42d.

Please refer to FIGS. The body portion 70 includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped base portion 71 formed on the side of the upper portion 61a, a mounting portion 72 provided in the center of the base portion 71 on which the arm 12 is mounted, and a base portion. A wall portion 73 protruding forward from 71 , urging portions 74 and 74 protruding from the wall portion 73 toward the arm 12 , an opening 75 provided in the base portion 71 , and an arm portion extending from the base portion 71 . and a detachment prevention portion 76 extending toward 12 .

Please refer to FIG. The base portion 71 has a storage portion 71a that stores the circuit board 51 and a projection portion 71b that projects rearward from the base portion 71 . The base portion 71 has a substantially rectangular shape.

Rotation of the holder 60 is restricted when the protrusion 71b comes into contact with the rising portion 32 (see FIG. 1). That is, the holder 60 has a rotatable region defined by the raised portion 32 .

Please refer to FIG. The mounting portion 72 is provided to avoid portions corresponding to the urging portions 74, 74, and supports the lower surface of the mounted arm 12. As shown in FIG. The mounting portion 72 has a concave surface that is in contact with the arm 12 .

Also refer to FIG. The wall portion 73 has a flat surface on the arm 12 side. The wall portion 73 is provided near the arm 12 and connects the mounting portion 72 and the biasing portions 74 , 74 .

Please refer to FIG. The biasing portions 74 , 74 contact the upper surface of the arm 12 and bias the arm 12 toward the mounting portion 72 . The urging portions 74 , 74 are provided so as to avoid portions facing the mounting portion 72 . That is, the arm 12 is exposed to the outside of the holder 60 at the upper surface of the portion placed on the placement portion 72 .

The opening 75 is formed so that the portions facing the urging portions 74, 74 are open. A plurality of openings 75 are formed according to the number of biasing portions 74 , 74 .

Please refer to FIG. The detachment preventing portion 76 is close to the arm 12 and prevents the arm 12 from detaching from the placing portion 72 and the biasing portions 74 , 74 .

Please refer to FIG. The circuit board 51 is in contact with the terminals 21 fixed to the frame 30 and slides on the terminals 21 as the holder 60 rotates.

The arm 12 includes a rotating shaft portion 12a inserted into the first hole portion 42d, the second hole portion 61b, and the third hole portion 61e, and a swing portion extending vertically from one end of the rotating shaft portion 12a. 12b.

A float 13 that floats on the liquid surface is fixed to the tip of the swing portion 12b. The swing portion 12 b may have a shape extending straight toward the float 13 or a shape extending in a meandering manner toward the float 13 .

Please refer to FIG. The cord 14 is crimped by the portion of the terminal 21 exposed at the upper opening 33c.

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

Please refer to FIG. In the liquid level detection device 10 , a holder 60 made of resin is rotatably provided with respect to the main unit 20 . The holder 60 has a mounting portion 72 and urging portions 74, 74 which are provided to avoid portions facing each other.

The biasing portions 74 , 74 are formed at at least two locations so as to sandwich the mounting portion 72 with the direction in which the arm 12 extends as a reference.

First, the operation of molding the holder 60 will be described.

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 4 describes a method of molding the holder 60 according to Example 1. As shown in FIG. The holder 60 is molded by pouring resin into a mold, curing the resin, and taking out the cured resin (holder 60) inside the mold. The holder 60 inside the mold can be taken out by dividing the two molds M constituting the mold.

Here, both the placing portion 72 and the biasing portions 74, 74 are visible when viewed from the upper surface side and the lower surface side. Therefore, the visible placement portion 72 and biasing portions 74, 74 do not interfere with the forward and backward movement of the mold M when the holder 60 is removed from the inside of the mold. In other words, the mold does not require a slide core for the mounting portion 72 and the biasing portions 74 , 74 .

Next, the operation of attaching the arm to the holder 60 will be described.

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a description of attaching the arm 12 to the holder 60. As shown in FIG.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 5(a). For mounting the arm 12, first, the arm 12 is inserted into the first to third holes 42d, 61b, and 61e with the rotating shaft portion 12a, and the mounting portion 72 and the biasing portion are mounted around the rotating shaft of the arm 12. Rotate toward portion 74 , 74 . The biasing portions 74, 74 are divided and formed at two locations.

Please refer to FIGS. 5(b) to 5(c). When the rotated arm 12 reaches the first position of the divided urging parts 74, 74, the arm 12 is sandwiched between the first urging part 74 and the mounting part 72, and the first position is applied. The force portion 74 is assembled while being elastically deformed. After completing the assembly to the biasing portion 74 at the first location, the arm 12 is rotated toward the biasing portion 74 at the second location. When the arm 12 reaches the urging portion 74 at the second location, the arm 12 is assembled while elastically deforming the urging portion 74 at the second location. On the way, it is also necessary to urge the detachment preventing portion 76 downward. The arm 12 is thereby attached to the holder 60 . Since the urging portions 74, 74 are divided into two, the force when assembling the respective urging portions 74, 74 (first and second locations) is the same as that of forming the urging portion 74 by one. It becomes smaller than in the case of elastic deformation.

Next, the effects of the invention will be described.

Please refer to FIGS. The mounting portion 72 is provided to avoid portions facing the urging portions 74 , 74 , and the upper surface of the portion of the arm 12 mounted on the mounting portion 72 is exposed to the outside of the holder 60 . A portion of the holder 60 facing the urging portions 74, 74 is an opening 75 formed in an opening shape. In other words, both the mounting portion 72 and the biasing portions 74, 74 are visible when viewed from the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the holder 60, respectively. Therefore, a slide core for forming the placing portion 72 and the biasing portions 74, 74 is not required. Therefore, the cost of the mold for molding the holder 60 can be reduced. By using an inexpensive mold, the holder 60 can be made inexpensive, and as a result, the liquid level detection device 10 can be made inexpensive. That is, it is possible to provide the liquid level detection device 10 that can be manufactured at low cost.

The biasing portions 74 , 74 are formed at at least two locations so as to sandwich the mounting portion 72 with the direction in which the arm 12 extends as a reference. When the arm 12 is attached to the holder 60, the arm 12 is attached while one of the two biasing portions 74, 74 is elastically deformed, and then the other biasing portion 74 is elastically deformed. The arm 12 can be assembled while being deformed. In other words, the urging portions 74, 74 can be divided into two and assembled while being elastically deformed separately. The force required to elastically deform each of the urging portions 74, 74 can be reduced as compared with the case where the urging portion 74 is formed by one and is elastically deformed. Therefore, assembly of the arm 12 to the holder 60 can be facilitated. In addition, the arm 12 can be fixed more reliably by forming the urging portions 74, 74 at two locations so as to sandwich the mounting portion 72 therebetween.

<Example 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Please refer to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the holder 60A of the liquid level detection device 10A according to the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 4 above. Reference numerals are used for parts that are common to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the liquid level detection device 10A according to the second embodiment, the mounting portions 72A, 72A are arranged at least so as to sandwich the urging portion 74A with respect to the direction in which the arm 12 (see FIG. 1) extends (horizontal direction in the drawing). It is formed in two places. The mounting portions 72A, 72A and the biasing portion 74A are both visible when viewed from the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the holder 60A.

Also in the liquid level detection device 10A according to the second embodiment configured in this way, the predetermined effects of the present invention can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the liquid level detection device 10A according to the second embodiment, the arm 12 has a larger contact area with the mounting portion 72A than the liquid level detection device 10 (see FIG. 4) according to the first embodiment. The arm 12 is supported by a mounting portion 72A having a large contactable area. Arm 12 can be fixed more reliably.

The liquid level detection devices 10 and 10A according to the present invention have 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 is not limited to the liquid fuel inside the fuel tank mounted on the vehicle or the like, and any object capable of detecting the liquid level height may be used. That is, it can be applied to construction machines, factory equipment, etc., in addition to vehicles such as vehicles.

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, 10A... Liquid level detection apparatus 12... Arm 13... Float 30... Frame 60, 60A... Holder 72, 72A... Placement part 74, 74A... Biasing part 75... Opening part

Claims (3)

A frame fixed to a member to be attached, a holder rotatable with respect to the frame, an arm fixed to the holder, and a float fixed to the tip of the arm and floating on the liquid surface. In the liquid level detection device having
The holder includes a mounting portion on which the arm is mounted and which supports the lower surface of the arm, and a biasing portion which contacts the upper surface of the arm and biases the arm toward the mounting portion. have
The mounting portion is provided to avoid a portion facing the biasing portion,
an upper surface of a portion of the arm placed on the placing portion is exposed to the outside of the holder;
A liquid level detection device, wherein a portion of the holder facing the urging portion is an opening formed in an opening shape. 2. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the urging portions are formed at at least two locations so as to sandwich the mounting portion with respect to the extending direction of the arm. 2. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portions are formed at least at two locations so as to sandwich the biasing portion with respect to the extending direction of the arm.

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