JP7112642B2 - 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 cord electrically connected to the terminal, a holder rotatably supported by the frame, 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 are provided.

The frame has walls surrounding the perimeter of the terminals.

The wall part is formed with a groove part formed in a groove shape and through which the cord is passed, and a retaining part projecting upward from the cord and preventing the cord from coming off upward from the groove part.

The retaining portion prevents the cord from coming out upward from the groove.

JP 2017-198544 A

Please refer to FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c). FIG. 7A shows how the tip of the cord 112 is inserted into the wall portion 150 according to Patent Document 1. FIG. FIG. 7(b) shows how the tip of the cord 112 inserted into the wall portion 150 is pulled. FIG. 7(c) shows a state in which the cord 112 passed through the wall portion 150 is attached to the terminal 170. FIG. In the liquid level detection device 110 according to Patent Document 1, when the cord 112 is passed through the wall portion 150 , the cord 112 contacts the tip of the terminal 170 , and the insertion of the cord 112 is blocked by the terminal 170 . Therefore, after inserting the cord 112 to the vicinity of the terminal 170 , it is necessary to pull the cord 112 to pass the cord 112 through the wall portion 150 .

It takes time and effort to pull the cord inserted into the wall. In other words, in the assembly work, if the cord touches the terminals, the working efficiency 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 the work of assembling a cord to a terminal.

According to the invention according to claim 1, a frame, a terminal fixed to the frame, a cord electrically connected to the terminal, a holder rotatably supported by the frame, and fixed to the holder A liquid level detection device having a circuit board whose surface is 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 level,
the frame has a wall surrounding the periphery of the cord;
The wall portion is formed with a groove portion formed in a groove shape and through which the cord is passed, and a retaining portion that protrudes upward from the cord and prevents the cord from coming off upward,
A gap larger than the thickness of the terminal is formed between the retaining portion and the cord so that the cord can be displaced upward when the cord is attached to the terminal. A liquid level detection device is provided.

As described in claim 2, preferably, the position where the retaining portion is formed is above the upper end of the groove portion.

Preferably, the bottom surface of the groove is inclined upward toward the terminal.

In the invention according to claim 1, a gap larger than the thickness of the terminal is formed between the retaining portion and the cord so that the cord can be displaced upward when the cord is assembled to the terminal. Since a gap larger than the thickness of the terminal is formed between the retainer and the cord, the cord can be displaced upward by more than the thickness of the terminal when the cord is attached to the terminal. Such a simple method can reduce the problem of the cord coming into contact with the terminals. It is possible to provide a liquid level detection device capable of improving work efficiency in the work of assembling a cord to a terminal.

In the invention according to claim 2, the position where the retainer is formed is above the upper end of the groove. Even if the distance from the bottom surface of the groove to the upper end of the wall is short and it is difficult to form a gap in the groove because the position where the retainer is formed is above the upper end of the groove, A gap is formed between the cord and the retaining portion by moving the position where the retaining portion is provided away from the upper end of the groove. In other words, it is possible to more reliably form a gap that is larger than the thickness of the terminal without being affected by the shape and size of the groove. That is, it is possible to more reliably provide a liquid level detection device capable of improving work efficiency in the work of assembling the cord to the terminal.

In the invention according to claim 3, the bottom surface of the groove is formed to slope upward toward the terminal. Since the bottom surface of the groove slopes upward toward the terminal, the cord is inserted into the wall while being guided by the sloped groove when passing the cord through the wall. That is, by inserting the cord along the bottom surface formed with an upward slope, the cord can be inserted upward where the gap is formed. This allows the cord to pass through easily. As a result, it is possible to further improve the work efficiency in the work of attaching the cord to the terminal.

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(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3a-3a of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged view of the wall shown in FIG. 3(a). 4 is a view of the main body unit shown in FIG. 3(a). FIG. FIG. 2 is a view when a positioning jig is fitted into the fitting groove shown in FIG. 1; 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the liquid level detection device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. It is a figure explaining the problem of the liquid level detection apparatus in a prior art.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates upper, and Dn indicates lower.
<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 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 fixed member 11 attached to a fuel tank, a main body unit 20 fixed to the fixed member 11, a holder unit 80 provided rotatably with respect to the main body unit 20, and a main body. a plurality (two) of cords 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. It has fixing member groove portions 11c and 11c that lack part of the member guide portions 11b and 11b.

The main unit 20 is composed of a frame 30 fixed to the fixing member 11 and a terminal 70 fixed to the frame 30 and to which the cord 12 is attached.

Please refer to FIGS. The frame 30 includes a body portion 40 having a lower surface 40d in contact with the fixing member 11, a shaft portion 60 provided on the right side surface 40b of the body portion 40 and rotatably supporting the holder unit 80, and the body portion 40. and a flat portion 31 formed outward from both side surfaces 40a and 40b (left side surface 40a and right side surface 40b).

The body portion 40 includes a terminal fixing portion 41 fixing a terminal 70 , a first opening 42 formed in front of the terminal fixing portion 41 and facing an upper surface of one end side of the terminal 70 , and the terminal fixing portion 41 . (below the holder unit 80 in FIG. 1) and facing the upper surface of the other end of the terminal 70, and the first opening 42 formed in front of the cord 12 to surround the periphery of the cord 12. and a wall portion 50 which

Please refer to FIG. Between the terminal fixing portion 41 and the wall portion 50, a slit 44 is formed from the left side surface 40a of the main body portion 40 toward the right side surface 40b.

The terminal fixing portion 41 is a portion of the main body portion 40 in which the terminal 70 is embedded. The tip (front end) of the terminal 70 embedded in the terminal fixing portion 41 faces the wall portion 50 .

Two first openings 42 are formed side by side in the left-right direction. The two formed first openings 42 are a first opening left portion 42a and a first opening right portion 42b in order from the tip of an arm 82 (a portion to which the float 83 is fixed) to be described later. call.

Please refer to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b). The wall portion 50 includes a groove portion 51 that lacks a portion of the main body portion 40 in a groove shape, a wall portion facing portion 52 that is adjacent to the groove portion 51 and sandwiches the side surface of the cord 12, and the groove portion 51 and the wall portion facing portion. It has a projecting portion 53 projecting upward from the upper end of the portion 52 and a retainer portion 54 projecting upwardly of the cord 12 from the side surface of the projecting portion 53 .

Please refer to FIG. Two wall portions 50 are formed at the front end portion of the main body portion 40 and surround the periphery of the cord 12 respectively. Of the two formed wall portions 50, one is formed above the first opening left portion 42a and the remaining one is formed above the first opening right portion 42b.

Please refer to FIG. Between the cord 12 and the retaining portion 54, a thickness greater than the thickness of the terminal 70 (in the vertical direction) is provided so that the cord 12 can be displaced upward when the cord 12 is assembled to the terminal 70 (see FIG. 3). A gap 55 having a long length is formed. The gap 55 is a gap formed between the cord 12 and the retaining portion 54 when the cord 12 is passed through the wall portion 50 . When the vertical length of the gap 55 in the vertical direction is L1 and the thickness of the terminal 70 is L2 (see FIG. 3), L1>L2.

Please refer to FIG. 3(a) and FIG. The groove portion 51 is a groove formed in a substantially U shape from the upper surface 40 c of the main body portion 40 toward the lower surface 40 d of the main body portion 40 . A bottom surface 51 a of the groove portion 51 is formed with an upward slope toward the terminal 70 . The lower surface of the cord 12 is close to the apex 51b of the bottom surface 51a which is formed with an upward slope. A gap 55 larger than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 is formed between the cord 12 and the retainer 54 when the cord 12 is close to the vertex 51b of the bottom surface 51a. Since the bottom surface 51 a of the groove portion 51 is formed with an upward slope, the cord 12 is directed toward the gap 55 when the cord 12 is inserted into the wall portion 50 . In other words, the cord 12 is guided in a direction avoiding the terminal 70 .

Please refer to FIG. Both side surfaces 51c and 51d (left side surface 51c and right side surface 51d) of the groove portion 51 are formed so as to approach each other toward the rear side. Since the bottom surface of the groove portion 51 is formed with an upward slope and both side surfaces 51c and 51d of the groove portion 51 are formed so as to approach each other, the insertion opening (entrance) of the cord 12 (see FIG. 1) is wide. Become. This allows the cord 12 to be easily passed through the insertion opening of the wall portion 50 .

Please refer to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b). The wall facing portion 52 is composed of two walls 52a and 52b facing each other. The two walls 52a and 52b forming the wall facing portion 52 are formed in parallel along the vertical direction. The distance between the two walls 52 a and 52 b is the same as the width of the groove 51 . The upper end of the wall facing portion 52 is continuous with the upper surface 40 c of the main body portion 40 . The lower end of the wall facing portion 52 is continuous with the lower surface 40 d of the main body portion 40 .

The projecting portion 53 includes a first projecting portion 53 a projecting upward from the upper end of the groove portion 51 and a second projecting portion 53 a adjacent to the first projecting portion 53 a and projecting upward from the upper end of the wall portion facing portion 52 . 2 projections 53b. A plurality of (two) protrusions 53 are formed with a space between the groove 51 and the wall-facing portion 52 .

The first protrusion 53a and the second protrusion 53b are continuous with each other. The amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 53 a and the second protrusion 53 b is greater than the thickness L<b>2 of the terminal 70 .

The retaining portion 54 protrudes in the horizontal direction from the side surface of the second protrusion 53b. In other words, it can be said that the position where the retaining portion 54 is formed is above the upper ends of the groove portion 51 and the wall portion facing portion 52 . As a result, a gap 55 (see FIG. 4) larger than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 can be formed more reliably between the retaining portion 54 and the cord 12 .

Furthermore, the retaining portion 54 is formed on each side surface of the two projecting portions 53 projecting across the space formed between the wall portion facing portions 52, and protrudes toward each other. Also refer to FIG. The value (L3) of the distance from the vertex of one retaining portion 54 to the vertex of the other retaining portion 54 is smaller than the value (L4) of the diameter of the cord 12 . This can prevent the cord 12 from slipping out of the groove portion 51 .

Please refer to FIG. A flat plate member Bo is fitted in the gap formed by the slit 44 . For example, by fitting the plate member Bo into the slit 44 when attaching the cord 12 to the terminal 70, the cord 12 passed through the wall portion 50 can be inserted to a position where it contacts the plate member Bo. This allows the cord 12 to be placed in the correct position. The width of the slit 44 is the same as the thickness of the plate member Bo. As a result, rattling of the plate member Bo can be suppressed.

Please refer to FIG. The shaft portion 60 has a cylindrical (substantially rectangular shape in the figure) shaft base portion 61 , a through hole 62 passing through the center of the shaft portion base portion 61 , and a through hole extending from the shaft portion base portion 61 . and a shaft protruding portion 63 that surrounds the shaft portion 62 and protrudes rearward (fixing member 11).

The shaft base portion 61 has a first end face 61a which is an end face on the fixing member 11 side of the shaft base portion 61 and has a substantially O shape, and an end face opposite to the first end face 61a. and a second end surface 61b having a substantially O shape.

An arm 82 , which will be described later, is inserted into the through hole 62 . The diameter of the through hole 62 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the arm 82 . The arm 82 (holder unit 80) rotates about the through hole 62 as an axis.

The flat portion 31 includes flat portion side end portions 31a, 31a guided by the fixing member guide portions 11b, 11b, and projections upward from the flat portion side end portions 31a, 31a into the fixing member groove portions 11c, 11c. It includes fitted planar portion fitting portions 31b, 31b.

Please refer to FIG. The frame 30 is fixed to the fixing member 11 by fitting the flat portion fitting portions 31b, 31b into the fixing member groove portions 11c, 11c.

Please refer to FIG. The terminal 70 has a terminal base portion 71 having a flat plate shape on which the cord 12 is placed, a terminal connection portion 72 provided on the terminal base portion 71 and electrically connecting the terminal 70 and the cord 12, A terminal rising portion 73 which is continuous with the terminal connection portion 72 and rises from the side end of the terminal base portion 71, a terminal notch portion 74 obtained by cutting a part of the terminal rising portion 73 in a groove shape, and a terminal base portion. and a terminal contact portion 75 (see FIG. 2) extending from the rear end of 71 toward the circuit board 81 (see FIG. 2) and in contact with the circuit board 81 .

Please refer to FIG. 3(a) and FIG. In the front-rear direction, the position where the terminal notch 74 is formed is the same as the position where the slit 44 is formed. The terminal notch portion 74 is a portion cut out so that the plate member Bo does not come into contact with the terminal rising portion 73 when the plate member Bo is fitted into the gap formed by the slit 44 . The width of the terminal notch portion 74 is the same as the thickness of the plate member Bo.

Please refer to FIG. The holder unit 80 includes a holder 90 rotatably supported with respect to the frame 30, a circuit board 81 fixed to the holder 90, an arm 82 fixed to the holder 90, and a tip of the arm 82. and a float 83 floating on the liquid surface.

The holder 90 includes a fitting portion 91 fitted to the shaft portion 60, a holder base portion 92 continuous with the fitting portion 91 and formed along the direction in which the arm 82 extends, and It has an arm fixing portion 93 that is formed to fix the arm 82 and a storage portion 94 that is formed in the holder base portion 92 and stores the circuit board 81 .

The fitting portion 91 includes a first contact portion 91a in contact with the first end surface 61a, a first hole 91b formed in the center of the first contact portion 91a, and a second end surface. 61b, a second hole 91d formed in the center of the second contact portion 91c, the first contact portion 91a and the second contact portion and a connecting portion 91e connecting the 91c.

The shaft protrusion 63 is fitted into the first hole 91b, and the end of the arm 82 protruding from the through hole 62 faces the first hole 91b.

An arm 82 is inserted into the second hole 91d.

The through hole 62, the first hole 91b and the second hole 91d are coaxially formed.

The circuit board 81 is fixed to the holder 90 by housing the circuit board 81 in the housing portion 94 .

An end portion of the terminal contact portion 75 is in contact with the circuit board 81 . As the holder 90 rotates, the circuit board 81 slides against the terminal contact portion 75 .

The arm 82 includes a rotary shaft portion 82a inserted into the through hole 62 and the second hole 91d and facing the first hole 91b, and a swing portion 82b extending vertically from the end of the rotary shaft portion 82a. , consisting of

A float 83 floating on the liquid surface is fixed to the tip of the swing portion 82b. The swing portion 82b may be formed to extend straight toward the float 83, or may be formed to meander toward the float 83 and extend.

Please refer to FIG. The cord 12 is composed of a cord conducting portion 12a whose end is fixed to the terminal connection portion 72, and a cord insulating portion 12b covering the periphery of the cord conducting portion 12a.

Please refer to FIG. Cord 12 extends outwardly to allow connection to an external device. Of the two cords 12 , one has its upper surface facing the first opening 42 and the other has its upper surface facing the second opening 43 .

Next, the action of the present invention will be described.

Please refer to FIG. 3(a) and FIG. The frame 30 has a wall 50 which surrounds the cord 12 at its perimeter. The wall portion 50 has a groove portion 51 having a groove shape and through which the cord 12 is passed, and a retainer portion 54 provided above the groove portion 51 . A gap 55 that is larger than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 (longer length L1 in the vertical direction) is formed between the retaining portion 54 and the cord 12 .

Please refer to FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). FIG. 6(a) shows the insertion of the cord 12 into the wall 50 according to the invention. FIG. 6(b) shows a view in the direction of arrow 6(b) of FIG. 6(a). When the cord 12 is inserted into the wall portion 50 along the bottom surface 51 a of the groove portion 51 , the cord insulating portion 12 b reaches the tip of the terminal 70 . At this time, the lower surface of the cord insulating portion 12b is in contact with the vertex 51b of the bottom surface 51a, and a gap 55 larger than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 is formed between the cord insulating portion 12b and the retaining portion . (L1>L2).

Please refer to FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d). FIG. 6(c) shows a diagram in which the cord insulating portion 12b inserted into the wall portion 50 is displaced upward. FIG. 6(d) shows a view in the direction of arrow 6(d) of FIG. 6(c). When the cord insulating portion 12b reaches the tip of the terminal 70, the cord 12 is displaced upward. When the cord 12 is displaced upward, the lower surface of the cord insulating portion 12b is positioned higher than the upper surface of the terminal base portion 71. As shown in FIG. At this time, since the diameter L4 of the cord 12 is larger than the distance L3 between the retaining portions 54 (L3<L4), the cord 12 is prevented from coming off upward.

Please refer to FIGS. 6(e) and 6(f). FIG. 6(e) shows a diagram in which the cord 12 is inserted until the tip of the upwardly displaced cord 12 contacts the plate member Bo. FIG. 6(f) shows a view in which the cord 12 passed through the wall portion 50 is attached to the terminal 70. FIG. The plate member Bo is an assembly jig provided so that the cord 12 can be assembled with the terminal 70 at the correct position. Therefore, by inserting the cord 12 until the tip of the cord conducting portion 12a abuts on the plate member Bo, the cord 12 is arranged at the correct position. After that, the cord 12 is displaced downward so that the cord 12 is placed on the terminal base portion 71, and the terminal 70 and the cord 12 are electrically connected. After the terminal 70 and the cord 12 are connected, the plate member Bo is removed from the slit 44 (see FIG. 1).

Please refer to FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d). In the above description of assembly, the method of displacing the cord 12 upward after inserting the cord 12 into the wall portion 50 has been described. However, in addition to the above method, there is a method of inserting the cord 12 along the bottom surface 51a of the groove portion 51 formed with an upward slope so that the cord 12 is directed upward while being guided by the bottom surface 51a of the groove portion 51. . According to such a method, the problem that the cord 12 contacts the terminal 70 can be more easily suppressed.

Next, effects of the present invention will be described.

Please refer to FIGS. In the liquid level detection device 10 of the present invention, the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 is greater than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 between the retaining portion 54 and the cord 12 so that the cord 12 can be displaced upward when the cord 12 is attached to the terminal 70 . A large gap 55 is formed. Since the gap 55 larger than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 is formed between the retaining portion 54 and the cord 12, when the cord 12 is assembled to the terminal 70, the cord 12 is pushed upward by the thickness L2 or more of the terminal 70. The cord 12 can be displaced. By such a simple method, the problem of the cord 12 coming into contact with the terminal 70 can be suppressed. It is possible to provide the liquid level detection device 10 capable of improving work efficiency in the work of assembling the cord 12 to the terminal 70 .

The position where the retaining portion 54 is formed is above the upper end of the groove portion 51 . Since the position where the retaining portion 54 is formed is above the upper end of the groove portion 51, the distance from the bottom surface 51a of the groove portion 51 to the upper end of the wall portion 50 is short, making it difficult to form the gap 55 in the groove portion 51. Even in such a case, a gap 55 is formed between the cord 12 and the retaining portion 54 by moving the position where the retaining portion 54 is provided away from the upper end of the groove portion 51 . That is, the gap 55 larger than the thickness L2 of the terminal 70 can be formed more reliably without being affected by the shape, size, etc. of the groove 51 . That is, it is possible to more reliably provide the liquid level detection device 10 capable of improving work efficiency in the work of assembling the cord 12 to the terminal 70 .

A bottom surface 51 a of the groove portion 51 is formed with an upward slope toward the terminal 70 . Since the bottom surface 51a of the groove portion 51 is formed with an upward slope toward the terminal 70, when the cord 12 is passed through the wall portion 50, the cord 12 is guided by the groove portion 51 formed with an upward slope while passing through the wall portion 50. will be inserted. That is, by inserting the cord 12 along the bottom surface 51a formed with an upward slope, the cord 12 can be inserted upward where the gap 55 is formed. This allows the cord 12 to pass through easily. As a result, it is possible to further improve the work efficiency in the work of assembling the cord 12 to the terminal 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.

Also, the wall facing portion and the second protrusion shown in the embodiment are not essential constituent elements. In other words, the wall facing portion can be eliminated as needed. In this case, the retainer forming the wall is provided so as to protrude upward from the side surface of the first protrusion.

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 12... Cord 20... Main unit 30... Frame 40... Main body part 45... Slit 50... Wall part 51... Groove part 51a... Bottom (bottom of groove part)
54... Retaining part 55... Gap 70... Terminal 81... Circuit board 82... Arm 83... Float 90... Holder

Claims (3)

A frame, a terminal fixed to the frame, a cord electrically connected to the terminal, a holder rotatably supported by the frame, and a surface contacting the terminal fixed to the holder. A liquid level detection device comprising: a circuit board mounted on a liquid surface; an arm fixed to the holder;
the frame has a wall surrounding the periphery of the cord;
The wall portion is formed with a groove portion formed in a groove shape and through which the cord is passed, and a retaining portion that protrudes upward from the cord and prevents the cord from coming off upward,
A gap larger than the thickness of the terminal is formed between the retaining portion and the cord so that the cord can be displaced upward when the cord is attached to the terminal. and a liquid level detection device. 2. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the position where the retaining portion is formed is above the upper end of the groove portion. 3. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of said groove portion is inclined upward toward said terminal.

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