JP6336921B2 - Liquid level detector - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a liquid level detection device (for example, a device that detects the amount of fuel stored in a fuel tank of an automobile or the like) that detects a liquid level of a liquid stored in a container.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid level detection device including a float that moves up and down in accordance with the liquid level, an arm that converts the vertical movement of the float into a rotational movement, and a support member that supports the arm. . The support member holds the arm by two holding portions arranged in the axial direction of the arm. The holding part has a holding groove part opened in the direction of the rotation axis of the arm. The arm is clamped by the clamping part by being inserted into the clamping groove part. By forming the width of the holding groove part slightly narrower than the diameter of the arm, the arm is held by the holding part.

JP 2001-124616 A

  In the above technique, since the clamping groove is opened in the direction of the rotation axis of the arm, if the arm is applied with a force in the direction of the rotation axis of the arm, the arm may come off from the clamping unit and fall off the support member. There is.

  The present specification provides a technique for suppressing the arm from falling off the holder even when a force in the direction of the rotation axis of the arm is applied to the arm.

  The liquid level detection device disclosed in the present specification includes a float, an arm, a sensor, and a support member. A float is attached to the arm. The arm converts the vertical movement of the float into a rotational movement. The sensor detects the rotational movement of the arm. A sensor is fixed to the support member. The support member rotatably supports the arm. The support member is fixed to the sensor, and has a pair of axial direction restricting portions facing each other with a gap in the rotation axis direction of the arm. The arm is disposed in the gap of the axial direction restricting portion.

  In the liquid level detection device described above, when the arm is applied with a force in the direction of the rotation axis of the arm (hereinafter simply referred to as “rotation axis direction”), the arm abuts the axial direction restricting portion so that the arm moves in the direction of the rotation axis. Movement is restricted. Thereby, even if the force of a rotating shaft direction is provided to an arm, it can suppress that an arm falls from a holder.

The structure of a fuel pump module is shown. The front view of the magnetic sensor unit of 1st Example is shown. The disassembled perspective view of the magnetic sensor unit of 1st Example is shown. The side view of the magnetic sensor unit of 1st Example is shown. Sectional drawing of the VV cross section of FIG. 2 of 1st Example is shown. A partial perspective view is shown in order to explain the situation where the arm of the 1st example is given the force of the direction of the axis of rotation of the arm. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the cover is removed. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the arm shape used for the fuel quantity detection apparatus of 2nd Example, and shows sectional drawing which shows the cross section similar to the VII-VII cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the arm shape used for the fuel quantity detection apparatus of 3rd Example, and shows sectional drawing which shows the cross section similar to the VII-VII cross section of FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the supporting member used for the fuel quantity detection apparatus of 4th Example, and shows sectional drawing which shows the cross section of the same position as the VII-VII cross section of FIG. 4 in the state which removed the arm. . The figure for demonstrating a mode that an arm is attached to the supporting member of 4th Example is shown. The figure for demonstrating a mode that an arm is attached to the supporting member of 4th Example is shown.

  The main features of the embodiments described below are listed. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements, and exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations.

(Feature 1) In the liquid level detection device, it is fixed to the arm and covers the axial direction restricting portion and the portion disposed in the gap between the axial direction restricting portion of the arm and is supported so as to be slidable in the rotational direction of the arm. A cover supported by the member may be provided. According to this configuration, the cover fixed to the arm covers the axial direction restricting portion and the arm, so that the arm can be prevented from being detached from the support member due to detachment from the axial direction restricting portion.

(Feature 2) In the liquid level detection device, the axial direction restricting portion may be arranged along a circumference centering on the rotation center of the arm. According to this configuration, the arm can rotate along the axial direction restricting portion.

(Feature 3) In the liquid level detection device, the arm may have a curved portion that curves along the axial direction restricting portion. According to this configuration, the arm can stably rotate the arm along the axial direction restricting portion.

(Feature 4) In the liquid level detection device, the support member is disposed at each inner peripheral end of the axial direction restricting portion, and has a gap with respect to one axial direction restricting portion and the other axial direction restricting portion. You may further have the cylindrical part which supports. The arm may have a facing portion that faces each other with the cylindrical portion interposed therebetween. In this configuration, the arm is supported by the support member with the cylindrical portion interposed therebetween. According to this structure, it can suppress that an arm shifts | deviates with respect to an axial direction control part.

(Feature 5) In the liquid level detection device, the end of the arm opposite to the float is opposed to a part of the arm located on the float side of the cylindrical portion with a gap smaller than the width of the cylindrical portion. May be. According to this configuration, the cylindrical portion is prevented from falling off between the end of the arm opposite to the float and a part of the arm located on the float side of the cylindrical portion, and the arm is prevented from falling off the support member. be able to.

(Characteristic 6) In the liquid level detection device, the arm may have an elastic deformation portion that expands the interval between the opposing portions by elastic deformation between the opposing portions. According to this structure, the space | interval of an opposing part can be expanded by changing an elastic deformation part. As a result, the arm can be attached to the cylindrical portion.

(Characteristic 7) In the liquid level detection device, the outer peripheral surface of a part of the cylindrical portion may be shorter than the distance of the outer peripheral surface of the other portion of the cylindrical portion from the rotational shaft of the arm. Good. The outer peripheral surface of another part may be arrange | positioned at a fixed distance from the rotating shaft of the arm. According to this configuration, when the arm is attached to the cylindrical portion, the arm can be easily attached to the cylindrical portion by inserting the portion having a short distance from the rotation axis of the arm of the cylindrical portion into the opposing portion of the arm. .

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel pump module 10 is a unit for supplying fuel in a fuel tank 4 mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile to an internal combustion engine (not shown). The fuel pump module 10 is disposed in the fuel tank 4.

  The fuel pump module 10 includes a fuel pump unit 12 and a fuel amount detection device 20. The fuel pump unit 12 is accommodated in the fuel tank 4. The fuel pump unit 12 is attached to a set plate 6 that closes the opening of the fuel tank 4. The fuel pump unit 12 sucks the fuel in the fuel tank 4 into the fuel pump unit 12, boosts the fuel, and discharges the fuel outside the fuel pump unit 12. The fuel discharged from the fuel pump unit 12 is supplied from the discharge port 14 to an internal combustion engine (not shown).

  The fuel amount detection device 20 includes a float 22, an arm 24 to which the float 22 is fixed, and a magnetic sensor unit 30 that detects a rotation angle of the arm 24. The float 22 floats on the fuel in the fuel tank 4 and moves in the vertical direction according to the fuel level. The float 22 is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 24. The base end of the arm 24 is rotatably supported with respect to the magnetic sensor unit 30. Therefore, when the float 22 moves up and down according to the fuel level in the fuel tank 4, the arm 24 swings and rotates with respect to the fuel pump unit 12.

  The arm 24 is made of a metal having resistance to a fuel such as stainless steel. The arm 24 is made of a cylindrical rod-shaped member. A float 22 is attached to the tip of the arm 24. The base end of the arm 24 is attached to the magnetic sensor unit 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magnetic sensor unit 30 supports the arm 24 rotatably with respect to the fuel pump unit 12. 2 and the subsequent drawings, a part of the arm 24 on the float 22 side is omitted. The magnetic sensor unit 30 includes a support member 34, a magnet 44, a cover 36, a magnetic sensor 48 (see FIG. 5), and a lead wire 32.

  The support member 34 is fixed to the outer wall of the fuel pump unit 12. The support member 34 is made of resin. The support member 34 includes a main body 35, a cylindrical portion 42, and a pair of axial direction restricting portions 40. The main body 35 has a flat plate shape. The back surface of the main body 35 is attached to the outer wall of the fuel pump unit 12. On the surface side of the main body 35, an axial direction restricting portion 40 and a cylindrical portion 42 are disposed.

  The cylindrical portion 42 protrudes from the surface of the main body 35. The cylindrical portion 42 has a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X of the arm 24 as the central axis. That is, the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 42 has the same distance from the rotation axis X over the entire circumference when viewed around the rotation axis X.

  A pair of axial restricting portions 40 are disposed at both axial ends of the cylindrical portion 42. Each axial direction restricting portion 40 has an annular shape centering on the rotation axis X. The inner diameter of each axial direction restricting portion 40 has the same length as the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 42. The inner peripheral surface of each axial direction restricting portion 40 is located on the same plane as the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42. The outer peripheral surface of each axial direction restricting portion 40 is located outside the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. The pair of axial direction restricting portions 40 are opposed to each other with a gap substantially the same as the wire diameter of the arm 24 in the rotation axis X direction on the outer side of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 42. .

  The arm 24 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42. The arm 24 has a curved portion 24 a that is curved in a semicircular shape at the end opposite to the float 22. The curved portion 24 a has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42. The arm 24 further includes a pair of facing portions 24b that face each other. The arm 24 is attached to the support member 34 by inserting the facing portion 24 b into the cylindrical portion 42. As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the arm 24 is attached to the support member 34, the arm 24 is disposed in the gap between the pair of axial direction restricting portions 40.

  A cover 36 to which a magnet 44 is attached is attached to the support member 34 and the arm 24. The cover 36 is disposed on the support member 34 so as to be slidable in the rotation direction of the arm 24 around the rotation axis X. The cover 36 includes a cylindrical outer edge 38 that covers the outer periphery of the arm 24 and the pair of axial restricting portions 40, and a disc-shaped disc that covers the axial restricting portion 40 and the cylindrical portion 42 from the opposite side of the main body 35. Part 39. According to this configuration, the cover 36 can suppress the arm 24 from falling off the support member 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 36 has two notches 36a. The cover 36 is fixed to the arm 24 by sandwiching the arm 24 by each of the two notches 36a. As a result, the cover 36 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the arm 24.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 36 includes a cylindrical magnet housing portion 37 on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 42. The magnet housing part 37 has a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X as the central axis. The outer peripheral surface of the magnet housing portion 37 faces the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42. When the arm 24 rotates, a first sliding state in which the inner peripheral surface of the outer edge portion 38 of the cover 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the axial direction restricting portion 40 slide, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 and the inner surface of the arm 24 are moved. Synchronized with the rotation of the arm 24 about the rotation axis X by the sliding state of only one of the second sliding state in which the peripheral surface (that is, the surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42) slides. Then rotate. The cover 36 holds the magnet 44 housed in the magnet housing portion 37. The magnet 44 has a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X as the central axis. The magnet 44 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 42 while being held by the cover 36.

  The support member 34 accommodates the magnetic sensor 48. The magnetic sensor 48 is disposed behind the magnet 44 (on the fuel pump unit 12 side). The support member 34 is fixed with respect to the magnetic sensor 48, and the arm 24 and the cover 36 are rotatable with respect to the magnetic sensor 48. For this reason, the magnet 44 fixed to the cover 36 is rotatable with respect to the magnetic sensor 48.

  The magnetic sensor 48 detects the rotational movement of the arm 24 and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank 4 to a fuel meter (not shown) based on the detection result (see FIG. 1). ). The magnetic sensor 48 is a magnetic sensor that detects the rotation angle of the arm 24. For example, a known sensor using a Hall IC can be used. Specifically, the magnetic sensor 48 has a Hall element that detects the direction of the magnetic field of the magnet 44. The magnetic sensor 48 is covered by the support member 34 so as not to be exposed to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 2, three lead wires 32 extend from the magnetic sensor 48. The three lead wires 32 are connected to the power supply line 52, the output line 54, and the ground line 56, respectively. The power supply line 52, the output line 54, and the ground line 56 pass through the set plate 6 and are connected to the fuel meter.

  In the present embodiment, the arm 24 is disposed in the gap between the pair of axial direction restricting portions 40 facing each other with a gap in the rotation axis X direction. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support member 34 and the arm 24 when the arm 24 receives a force F in the direction of the rotation axis X. Even when the force F is applied to the arm 24, the arm 24 is restricted from moving in the direction of the rotation axis X by contacting the axial direction restricting portion 40. As a result, the arm 24 can be prevented from falling off the support member 34 due to the force F.

  Further, when the float 22 moves in the vertical direction, the arm 24 is guided by the cylindrical portion 42 and the axial direction restricting portion 40 and rotates about the rotation axis X. The arm 24 rotates in the sliding state of only one of the first sliding state and the second sliding state. At this time, the arm 24 directly contacts either the axial restriction part 40 or the cylindrical part 42 of the support member 34 that accommodates the magnetic sensor 48 even if the arm 24 tends to be displaced from the magnetic sensor 48. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the arm 24 from rattling against the magnetic sensor 48. As a result, the magnet 44 fixed to the arm 24 via the cover 36 can be prevented from rattling with respect to the magnetic sensor 48. Thereby, a detection error can be reduced. Further, the number of members for attaching the arm 24 to the support member 34 can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the arm 24 has a curved portion 24 a that curves along the axial direction restricting portion 40, so that the arm 24 can be rotated along the axial direction restricting portion 40.

(Second embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 8, the fuel amount detection apparatus of 2nd Example is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the same cross section as the VII-VII cross section of FIG. 4 in the fuel amount detection device of the second embodiment, that is, a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. . In FIG. 8, the cover 36 is removed. In the fuel amount detection device of the second embodiment, the shape of the arm 124 is different from the shape of the arm 24 compared to the fuel amount detection device 20 of the first embodiment. Since other shapes are the same as those of the fuel amount detection device 20 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The arm 124 includes a curved portion 124a similar to the curved portion 24a of the arm 24, and a facing portion 124b similar to the facing portion 24b. The arm 124 further includes an engaging portion 124 c at the end opposite to the float 22. The engaging portion 124 c is curved along the axial restricting portion 40 from the facing portion 124 b close to the end opposite to the float 22 (that is, the facing portion 124 b positioned above). The end portion of the engaging portion 124 c is disposed in parallel to a portion extending from the axial direction restricting portion 40 of the arm 124 to the float 22. A gap between the end portion of the engaging portion 124 c and the portion extending from the axial direction restricting portion 40 of the arm 124 to the float 22 is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 42. According to this configuration, the arm 124 can engage with the cylindrical portion 42. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the arm 124 from being detached from the cylindrical portion 42. When the arm 124 is attached to the support member 34, the arm 124 is elastically deformed, so that a gap between the end portion of the engaging portion 124c and the portion extending from the axial direction restricting portion 40 of the arm 124 to the float 22 is formed. The arm 124 is attached in the unfolded state.

(Third embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 9, the fuel amount detection apparatus of 3rd Example is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the same cross section as the VII-VII cross section of FIG. 4 in the fuel amount detection device of the third embodiment, that is, a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the cover 36 is removed. In the fuel amount detection device of the second embodiment, the shape of the arm 224 is different from the shape of the arm 24 compared to the fuel amount detection device 20 of the first embodiment. Since other shapes are the same as those of the fuel amount detection device of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The arm 224 includes a facing portion 224b similar to the facing portion 24b of the arm 24, and an engaging portion 224c similar to the engaging portion 124c of the arm 124 of the second embodiment. The arm 224 further includes two curved portions 224a and an elastic deformation portion 224d disposed between the two curved portions 224a. Each curved portion 224 a extends along the axial restriction portion 40. The elastic deformation portion 224d extends from one end of each of the two curved portions 224a in a direction away from the cylindrical portion 42, and is connected to the cylindrical portion 42 at a position that is the farthest away. According to this configuration, when the arm 224 is attached to the support member 34, the elastic deformation portion 224 d is elastically deformed, so that a portion extending from the end portion of the engagement portion 224 c and the axial direction restriction portion 40 of the arm 224 to the float 22. The arm 224 can be attached in a state where the gap is widened. As a result, when the arm 224 is attached to the support member 34, it is possible to suppress the arm 224 from being plastically deformed.

  Note that the shape of the elastic deformation portion 224d is not limited to the above-described shape. For example, the elastically deformable portion 224d may extend so as to intersect with each other in a direction away from the cylindrical portion 42 from one end of each of the one curved portion 224a and the other curved portion 224a. The elastic deformation portion 224d only needs to have a shape that allows the arm 224 to be easily elastically deformed as compared with the curved portion 124a of the second embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
With reference to FIGS. 10-12, the fuel amount detection apparatus of 4th Example is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the same cross section as the VII-VII cross section of FIG. 4 in the fuel amount detection device of the third embodiment, that is, a cross-sectional view showing a portion corresponding to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. . In FIG. 10, the cover 36 and the arm 24 are removed. The fuel amount detection device of the fourth embodiment differs from the fuel amount detection device 20 of the first embodiment in the shape of the cylindrical portion 342. Since other shapes are the same as those of the fuel amount detection device of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The cylindrical portion 342 has a part of a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X as a central axis. Specifically, the cylindrical portion 342 includes a portion 342b in which both left and right ends of a cylindrical shape having the rotation axis X as a central axis are cut in the vertical direction. The portions 342b are arranged in parallel to each other. The other portion 342a has a partial cylindrical shape with the rotation axis X as the central axis. Thereby, the width of the portion 342b in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the upper and lower end portions 342a of the cylindrical portion 342. In other words, the cylindrical portion 342 goes around the rotational axis X, and the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the left and right ends of the portion 342b is shorter than the distance from the rotational axis X of the outer peripheral surface of the portion 342a. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the portion 342a is disposed at a certain distance from the rotation axis X.

  According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, when the arm 24 is attached to the support member 34, the cylindrical portion 342 is inserted into the facing portion 24 b of the arm 24 so that the portion 342 b passes through the gap of the arm 24. . Thereby, when the arm 24 is attached to the support member 34, the deformation amount of the arm 24 can be reduced.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, during operation of the fuel amount detection device, the arm 24 is disposed with the portion 342a interposed therebetween, so that the arm 24 is prevented from rattling in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis X. Can do.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, these are only illustrations and do not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the axial direction restricting portion 40 has an annular shape. However, the axial direction restricting portion 40 may have a partial annular shape arranged in the rotation direction of the arm 24 in addition to the annular shape, and may be separated from each other along the rotation direction of the arm 24. You may have the shape which lined up.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the cylindrical portion 42 supports the pair of axial direction restricting portions 40 with a space therebetween. However, for example, the member that supports the pair of axial restricting portions 40 with a space therebetween may have a shape other than the cylindrical shape. For example, a shape in which partial cylindrical shapes are arranged intermittently may be used.

  In addition to the fuel amount detection device 20 that detects the amount of fuel in the fuel tank 4, the “liquid level detection device” in this specification is a device that detects liquid in the container, for example, the amount of water stored in the water storage tank. It may be.

  The “sensor” may be any sensor that detects the rotational movement of the arm 24 in addition to the magnetic sensor 48.

  In the above embodiment, the magnetic sensor 48 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank 4 to the fuel meter. However, the magnetic sensor 48 detects the rotational movement of the arm 24 and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the level of the fuel level stored in the fuel tank 4 to the fuel meter based on the detection result. Also good. In this case, when an analog signal output from the magnetic sensor 48 is input, the external CPU specifies the height of the liquid level of the fuel stored in the fuel tank 4 and the specified level of the liquid level. May be displayed on the display.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

4: Fuel tank, 6: Set plate, 10: Fuel pump module, 20: Fuel amount detection device, 22: Float, 24: Arm, 24a: Curved part, 24b: Opposing part, 30: Magnetic sensor unit, 34: Support Member: 35: body, 36: cover, 37: magnet housing portion, 38: outer edge portion, 39: disc portion, 40: axial direction regulating portion, 42: cylindrical portion, 44: magnet, 48: magnetic sensor

Claims (8)

Float,
The float is attached, and an arm that converts the vertical motion of the float into a rotational motion;
A sensor for detecting the rotational movement of the arm;
The sensor is fixed, and includes a support member that rotatably supports the arm,
The support member is fixed to the sensor, and has a pair of axial direction restricting portions facing each other with a gap in the rotation axis direction of the arm,
The said arm is a liquid level detection apparatus arrange | positioned in the said clearance gap of the said axial direction control part.   It is fixed to the arm and covers the axial direction restricting portion and a portion of the arm that is disposed in the gap of the axial direction restricting portion, and is supported by the support member so as to be slidable in the rotational direction of the arm. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover to be operated.   The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the axial direction restricting portion is disposed along a circumference centered on a rotation center of the arm.   The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, wherein the arm has a curved portion that is curved along the axial direction restricting portion. The support member is disposed at each inner peripheral end of the axial direction restricting portion, and has a gap with respect to one of the axial direction restricting portions and supports the other axial direction restricting portion. Further comprising
The liquid level detection device according to claim 4, wherein the arm has a facing portion facing each other with the cylindrical portion interposed therebetween.   The end of the arm opposite to the float is opposed to a part of the arm located on the float side of the cylindrical portion with a gap smaller than the width of the cylindrical portion. 5. The liquid level detection apparatus according to 5.   The liquid level detection device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the arm includes an elastic deformation portion that expands a distance between the opposed portions by elastic deformation between the opposed portions. The outer peripheral surface of a part of the cylindrical portion is shorter than the distance from the rotational axis of the arm of the outer peripheral surface of the other portion of the cylindrical portion,
The liquid level detection device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the other portion is disposed at a constant distance from a rotation axis of the arm.

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