An oil level sensor

Abstract

The present invention provides an oil level sensor, belonging to the field of mechanical technology. It solves the problems of poor adaptability and low detection accuracy of the existing oil level sensors. This oil level sensor includes a mounting seat, a pressure sensing probe, and a filter member disposed on the mounting seat and capable of extending into the fuel tank. The mounting seat has an oil inlet passage, and the pressure sensing probe is disposed at the oil inlet passage. The mounting seat has a connecting member for fixing the mounting seat on the outer wall of the fuel tank. The filter member includes an oil passing portion in the shape of a tube and an oil filtering portion disposed at the port of the oil passing portion. The oil inlet passage is communicated with the oil passing portion. The oil passing portion can move relative to the mounting seat to adjust the length extending into the fuel tank and can be mutually positioned after adjustment. This oil level sensor can adapt to fuel tanks of various shapes, wall thicknesses, and sizes, has good applicability, and impurities in the oil fluid will not contact the pressure sensing probe, avoiding corrosion and preventing impurity accumulation, ensuring the detection accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of mechanical technology and relates to an oil level sensor. Background Art

[0002] The oil level sensor is a device that works inside the fuel tank of a car or motorcycle and can transmit the oil level information to the car dashboard so that the car driver can know the oil level information at any time.

[0003] The existing conventional oil level sensors are all float swing arm type sensors. When the oil level sensor works normally, due to its own gravity and the buoyancy of the fuel, the float swing arm assembly will remain at a certain height in the oil. When the oil level changes, the relative position of the float swing arm assembly will also change to change the resistance value of the resistor box, and convert it into a corresponding electrical signal to transmit to the vehicle instrument system, so that the driver can timely understand the current oil level of the vehicle tank. The above sensors have many breakpoints, short life, poor response sensitivity and unstable performance.

[0004] In order to solve the above defects, people have developed a pressure-sensitive oil level sensor, such as the Chinese patent application (application number: 20132073899.0). The sensor includes a shell and an upper cover fixedly and hermetically connected, the upper cover is provided with an electrical socket assembly fixed thereto, the bottom plate of the shell is provided with a control circuit board fixedly connected thereto, the control circuit board is electrically connected to the electrical socket assembly, the control circuit board is provided with a pressure sensing probe and a pressure strain module, the bottom plate of the shell is provided with an oil hole at a position corresponding to the pressure sensing probe, the pressure strain module converts the pressure strain into a strain electrical signal, and the strain electrical signal is processed by the control conversion module and output to the instrument system.

[0005] The upper cover of the above-mentioned oil level sensor is snap-fitted and fixed at the installation port of the oil tank, and the shell extends into the oil tank. The pressure sensing probe at the bottom of the shell senses the pressure change of the oil in the oil tank, which solves the above-mentioned problem well. However, it still has the following defects: the entire shell of the sensor extends into the oil tank. In order to ensure the accuracy requirement of the detection, it can only be applied to oil tanks with specific shapes, structures and depths, and has poor applicability. Moreover, the pressure sensing probe directly extends into the oil tank, and the oil in the oil tank will have more or less impurities. These impurities will also enter the pressure sensing probe with the oil, which will cause corrosion to the pressure sensing probe over time, and impurities are also prone to accumulate there, affecting the detection accuracy of the pressure sensing probe. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems in the prior art and to propose an oil level sensor. The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: how to solve the problems of poor adaptability and low detection accuracy of the prior oil level sensor.

[0007] The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions: An oil level sensor includes a mounting base and a pressure sensing probe. The mounting base has an oil inlet channel, and the pressure sensing probe is disposed at the oil inlet channel. It is characterized in that the mounting base has a connecting member for fixing the mounting base on the outer side wall of the fuel tank. The sensor further includes a filter member disposed on the mounting base and capable of extending into the fuel tank. The filter member includes an oil passing portion in the shape of a tube and an oil filtering portion disposed at the port of the oil passing portion and capable of filtering impurities. The oil inlet channel is communicated with the oil passing portion, and the oil passing portion can move relative to the mounting base to adjust the length extending into the fuel tank and can be positioned relative to each other after adjustment.

[0008] This oil level sensor further includes an electrical socket assembly and a control circuit board electrically connected to the pressure sensing probe. The electrical socket assembly is fixed on the mounting base, and the control circuit board is disposed inside the mounting base. This oil level sensor is used to be mounted at the bottom of the side surface of the fuel tank or at the bottom of the fuel tank. This oil level sensor has made an improved design on the overall structure. The mounting base can be directly fixed on the outer side wall of the fuel tank through the connecting member, and the filter member extends into the fuel tank. The oil in the fuel tank first filters out impurities through the oil filtering portion of the filter member, and then enters the oil inlet channel through the oil passing portion. The pressure sensing probe disposed at the oil inlet channel senses the change in the pressure of the incoming oil. The impurities in the oil do not come into contact with the pressure sensing probe, avoiding corrosion and preventing impurity accumulation, ensuring the detection accuracy. Moreover, the mounting base of the entire sensor is fixed on the outside of the fuel tank, only the filter member extends into the fuel tank, and the filter member can also adjust the length extending into the fuel tank, so as to adapt to fuel tanks of various different shapes, wall thicknesses and sizes, with good applicability. And the filter member can adjust the length extending into the fuel tank, that is to say, during installation, it can be adjusted so that there is a proper distance between the oil filtering portion of the filter member and the inner wall of the fuel tank, thereby avoiding the situation that the oil filtering portion is blocked due to the deposition of fine impurities in the fuel tank, further ensuring the detection accuracy.

[0009] In the above-mentioned oil level sensor, the mounting base has a connecting post protruding upward. The oil inlet passage extends to the connecting post and penetrates through the top end of the connecting post. The oil passing portion is sleeved on the connecting post, and the inner wall of the oil passing portion abuts against the outer wall of the connecting post. The oil passing portion can slide relative to the connecting post and the two can be positioned. The oil passing portion is sleeved on the connecting post, forming a structure of a telescopic tube between the two. By adjusting the sliding of the oil passing portion relative to the connecting post, during installation, the insertion length of the filter element can be adjusted according to fuel tanks of different shapes, wall thicknesses, and sizes, so that after installation, the oil filtering portion of the filter element can be kept at a more appropriate position in the fuel tank, thereby enabling adaptation to various types of fuel tanks, effectively avoiding the influence of impurities on detection, and ensuring the detection accuracy. Moreover, since the mounting base is installed on the outer side wall of the fuel tank, it is only necessary to ensure the sealing performance at the connection between the mounting base and the fuel tank. The sealing requirement between the connecting post and the oil passing portion is not very high. As long as the inner wall of the oil passing portion abuts against the outer wall of the connecting post to prevent impurities in the oil from entering, the processing is relatively convenient.

[0010] In the above-mentioned oil level sensor, the mounting base also has a positioning post protruding upward. The side wall of the oil passing portion has a protruding positioning portion. The positioning portion is sleeved on the positioning post and the positioning portion is in tight fit with the positioning post. Through the cooperation of the positioning post and the positioning portion, it can play a guiding role during installation and adjustment, avoiding skew between the oil passing portion and the connecting post. After the adjustment is completed, it can also play a positioning role, enabling the filter element to maintain an appropriate insertion length after extending into the fuel tank, and the oil filtering portion to be kept at a more appropriate position in the fuel tank, thereby enabling adaptation to various types of fuel tanks, effectively avoiding the influence of impurities on detection, and ensuring the detection accuracy.

[0011] In the above-mentioned oil level sensor, the positioning portion is in the shape of a plate, and a positioning hole is formed in the positioning portion. A plurality of protruding teeth are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the positioning hole. The positioning post is inserted into the positioning hole, and a plurality of teeth abut against the outer peripheral wall of the positioning post to achieve tight fit. Through the tight fit of a plurality of circumferential teeth with the outer peripheral wall of the positioning post, the contact area is reduced, making the operation during installation and adjustment relatively simple, and effectively avoiding the deposition of impurities between the inner wall of the positioning post and the positioning hole.

[0012] In the above-mentioned oil level sensor, the cross-section of the tooth along the radial direction of the positioning hole is in a V shape. The V-shaped design makes each tooth in line contact with the outer wall of the positioning post, with a small contact area, and after tight fit, the clamping effect is better.

[0013] In the above-mentioned oil level sensor, the V-shaped bending part of the tooth has an arc transition. The arc transition makes the assembly more convenient and not easily cause scratches.

[0014] In the above oil level sensor, a sealing block is further provided on one side surface of the mounting seat having a connecting column. The sealing block is made of a flexible material and is in close contact with and seals the side surface of the mounting seat. Through the provision of the sealing block, the seal at the connection between the mounting seat and the fuel tank can be achieved.

[0015] In the above oil level sensor, the sealing block further has a communication hole opposite to the mounting hole on the fuel tank. An annular convex edge I protrudes circumferentially from the edge of the communication hole. Both the connecting column and the positioning column pass through the communication hole. The design of the annular convex edge I can better ensure the sealing effect. At the same time, a communication hole is provided on the sealing block, so that even if impurities accumulate, the impurities first enter the communication hole and accumulate at the bottom of the communication hole, which is equivalent to forming a sealing layer generated by the accumulation of impurities in a circle at the sealing connection between the sealing block and the mounting seat in a changed direction.

[0016] In the above oil level sensor, the oil filtering part is in a disc shape. Along the axial projection of the oil passing part, the oil filtering part coincides with or can cover the communication hole. The filtering area is increased, ensuring that the oil can enter the oil inlet channel more smoothly and ensuring the detection accuracy.

[0017] In the above oil level sensor, the connecting member is a connecting bolt. The connecting bolt passes through the sealing block, and the sealing block further has an annular convex edge II arranged around the connecting bolt. The mounting seat is fixed on the outer side wall of the fuel tank through the connecting bolt and is sealed by being pressed by the sealing block.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present oil level sensor has the following advantages:

[0019] 1. The mounting seat of the entire sensor is fixed on the outer side of the fuel tank, only the filtering element extends into the fuel tank, and the length of the filtering element extending into the fuel tank can be adjusted, so as to adapt to fuel tanks of various different shapes, wall thicknesses and sizes, and has good applicability.

[0020] 2. The impurities in the oil do not come into contact with the pressure sensing probe, avoiding corrosion, and no impurity accumulation will occur, ensuring the detection accuracy.

[0021] 3. During installation, it can be adjusted so that there is a suitable distance between the oil filtering part of the filtering element and the inner wall of the fuel tank, thereby avoiding the situation that the oil filtering part is blocked due to the deposition of fine impurities in the fuel tank and further ensuring the detection accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the present oil level sensor.

[0023] Figure 2 is a top view of the present oil level sensor.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic assembly structure diagram of this oil level sensor on the fuel tank.

[0025] Figure 4 This is an assembly structure diagram of the mounting base and the sealing block.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the filter element.

[0027] In the figure, 1 is the mounting base; 1a is the oil inlet channel; 1b is the connecting column; 1c is the positioning column; 2 is the pressure sensing probe; 3 is the control circuit board; 4 is the electrical socket assembly; 5 is the connecting piece; 6 is the filter element; 6a is the oil passing part; 6b is the oil filtering part; 6c is the positioning part; 6c1 is the positioning hole; 6c11 is the engaging tooth; 7 is the sealing block; 7a is the communicating hole; 7b is the first annular convex edge; 7c is the second annular convex edge; 8 is the fuel tank. Specific embodiments

[0028] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention and in combination with the accompanying drawings, the technical solutions of the present invention are further described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0029] Embodiment 1

[0030] This oil level sensor is used to be installed at the bottom of the side of the motorcycle fuel tank 8 or at the bottom of the fuel tank 8. As Figures 1-5 shown, this oil level sensor includes a mounting base 1, an electrical socket assembly 4, a control circuit board 3, a pressure sensing probe 2 and a filter element 6. The pressure sensing probe 2 and the electrical socket assembly 4 are both electrically connected to the control circuit board 3. The electrical socket assembly 4 is fixed on the mounting base 1, and the control circuit board 3 is arranged inside the mounting base 1.

[0031] Specifically, the mounting base 1 has a connecting piece 5 for fixing the mounting base 1 on the outer side wall of the fuel tank 8, and the connecting piece 5 is a connecting bolt. A sealing block 7 is also arranged on one side surface of the mounting base 1 for abutting against the outer side wall of the fuel tank 8. The sealing block 7 is made of a flexible material and abuts against and seals the side surface of the mounting base 1. The sealing block 7 also has a communicating hole 7a opposite to the mounting opening on the fuel tank 8. An annular convex edge 7b protrudes circumferentially at the edge of the communicating hole 7a. The connecting bolt passes through the sealing block 7, and the sealing block 7 also has an annular convex edge 7c arranged around the connecting bolt. The mounting base 1 is fixed at the bottom of the side of the fuel tank 8 or at the bottom of the fuel tank 8 through the connecting bolt, and is sealed through the sealing block 7.

[0032] Furthermore, the mounting base 1 is provided with an oil inlet passage 1a, and the pressure sensing probe 2 is arranged at one end port of the oil inlet passage 1a. The mounting base 1 is provided with an upwardly protruding connecting post 1b, and the other end of the oil inlet passage 1a extends to the connecting post 1b and penetrates through the top end of the connecting post 1b. The mounting base 1 is further provided with an upwardly protruding positioning post 1c, and both the connecting post 1b and the positioning post 1c pass through the communication hole 7a. The filter element 6 includes a tubular oil passing portion 6a and an oil filtering portion 6b arranged at the port of the oil passing portion 6a and capable of filtering impurities. One end of the oil passing portion 6a is sleeved on the connecting post 1b so that the inner cavity of the oil passing portion 6a is communicated with the oil inlet passage 1a, and the other end of the oil passing portion 6a extends into the fuel tank and has the above-mentioned oil filtering portion 6b. The inner wall of the oil passing portion 6a abuts against the outer wall of the connecting post 1b, and the oil passing portion 6a can slide relative to the connecting post 1b, so that a telescopic tube structure is formed between the two. The oil filtering portion 6b is in a disc shape, and in the axial projection along the oil passing portion 6a, the oil filtering portion 6b coincides with the communication hole 7a or can cover the communication hole 7a, increasing the filtering area and ensuring that the oil can enter the oil inlet passage 1a more smoothly, thus ensuring the detection accuracy.

[0033] The side wall of the oil passing portion 6a is provided with a protruding positioning portion 6c. The positioning portion 6c is in a plate shape, and a positioning hole 6c1 is opened on the positioning portion 6c. A plurality of protruding teeth 6c11 are arranged on the inner peripheral wall of the positioning hole 6c1. The positioning post 1c is inserted into the positioning hole 6c1, and a plurality of teeth 6c11 are abutted against the outer peripheral wall of the positioning post 1c to achieve a tight fit. Through the cooperation of the positioning post 1c and the positioning portion 6c, it can play a guiding role during installation and adjustment to avoid deflection between the oil passing portion 6a and the connecting post 1b. After the adjustment is completed, it can also play a positioning role. Moreover, through the tight fit of a plurality of circumferential teeth 6c11 and the outer peripheral wall of the positioning post 1c, the contact area is reduced, making the installation and adjustment operation relatively simple, and it can also effectively prevent impurities from depositing between the inner wall of the positioning post 1c and the positioning hole 6c1.

[0034] Furthermore, the cross-section of the tooth 6c11 along the radial direction of the positioning hole 6c1 is in a V shape, and the V-shaped bending part of the tooth 6c11 has an arc transition, so that each tooth 6c11 is in line contact with the outer wall of the positioning post 1c. The contact area is small, and after the tight fit, the clamping effect is better.

[0035] This oil level sensor has made an improved design on the overall structure. The mounting base 1 is of an external type and is installed at the bottom of the side of the fuel tank 8 or on the bottom surface of the fuel tank 8. The filter element 6 extends into the fuel tank, so that the oil inlet passage 1a is connected to the inner cavity of the fuel tank 8 through the filter element 6, that is, the oil pressure in the oil inlet passage 1a can be kept consistent with the oil pressure in the fuel tank 8. The oil in the fuel tank 8 first filters out impurities through the oil filtering part 6b of the filter element 6, and then enters the oil inlet passage 1a through the oil passing part 6a. The pressure sensing probe 2 provided at the oil inlet passage 1a senses the oil pressure of the incoming oil and transmits the detected signal to the control circuit board 3. The control circuit board 3 processes the oil pressure signal and then converts it into an oil level strain signal for output to the instrument to display the oil quantity. Therefore, when the oil level in the fuel tank 8 changes, its oil pressure also changes, so that the change of the oil pressure is sensed in real time by the pressure sensing probe 2 to realize the display of the oil level in the fuel tank 8. During the detection process, the impurities in the oil do not come into contact with the pressure sensing probe 2, avoiding the corrosion of the pressure sensing probe 2 by the impurities and also preventing the accumulation of impurities at the pressure sensing probe 2, ensuring the detection accuracy. Moreover, the mounting base 1 of the entire sensor is fixed on the outside of the fuel tank 8, only the filter element 6 extends into the fuel tank 8, and the filter element 6 can also adjust the length extending into the fuel tank 8, so as to adapt to fuel tanks 8 of various different shapes, wall thicknesses and sizes, with good applicability. At the same time, the filter element 6 can adjust the length extending into the fuel tank, that is to say, during installation, it can be adjusted so that there is a suitable distance between the oil filtering part 6b of the filter element 6 and the inner wall of the fuel tank 8, thus avoiding the situation that the oil filtering part 6b is blocked due to the deposition of fine impurities in the fuel tank 8 and further ensuring the detection accuracy.

[0036] Embodiment 2

[0037] The structure and features of this embodiment are basically the same as those of Embodiment 1. The difference lies in that: the outer peripheral wall of the oil passing part 6a has an external thread, and the inner wall of the oil inlet passage 1a has an internal thread. One end of the oil passing part 6a extends into the oil inlet passage 1a and the two are connected by screw fit.

[0038] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the present invention. Those skilled in the art of the present invention can make various modifications or supplements to the described specific embodiments or use similar ways to replace them, but will not deviate from the spirit of the present invention or exceed the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0039] Although terms such as mounting base 1, oil inlet passage 1a, connecting column 1b, positioning column 1c, pressure sensing probe 2, control circuit board 3, electrical socket assembly 4, connecting member 5, filter member 6, oil passing portion 6a, oil filtering portion 6b, positioning portion 6c, positioning hole 6c1, locking teeth 6c11, sealing block 7, communication hole 7a, first annular flange 7b, second annular flange 7c, fuel tank 8 are used more frequently in this text, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. The use of these terms is only for more convenient description and explanation of the essence of the present invention; interpreting them as any additional limitation is contrary to the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An oil level sensor, comprising a mounting base (1) and a pressure sensing probe (2), wherein the mounting base (1) is provided with an oil inlet channel (1a), and the pressure sensing probe (2) is arranged at the oil inlet channel (1a), characterized in that, The mounting base (1) is provided with a connecting member (5) for fixing the mounting base (1) on the outer wall of the fuel tank (8). This sensor further includes a filtering member (6) disposed on the mounting base (1) and capable of extending into the fuel tank (8). The filtering member (6) includes an oil-passing portion (6a) in the shape of a tube and an oil-filtering portion (6b) provided at the port of the oil-passing portion (6a) and capable of filtering impurities. The oil inlet passage (1a) is communicated with the oil-passing portion (6a). The oil-passing portion (6a) can move relative to the mounting base (1) to adjust the length extending into the fuel tank (8) and can be mutually positioned after adjustment. The mounting base (1) has an upwardly protruding connecting post (1b). The oil inlet passage (1a) extends to the connecting post (1b) and penetrates through the top end of the connecting post (1b). The oil-passing portion (6a) is sleeved on the connecting post (1b). The inner wall of the oil-passing portion (6a) abuts against the outer wall of the connecting post (1b). The oil-passing portion (6a) can slide relative to the connecting post (1b) and the two can be positioned.

2. The oil level sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting base (1) further has an upwardly protruding positioning post (1c). The side wall of the oil-passing portion (6a) has a protruding positioning portion (6c). The positioning portion (6c) is sleeved on the positioning post (1c) and the positioning portion (6c) is in a tight fit with the positioning post (1c).

3. The oil level sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning portion (6c) is in the shape of a plate. The positioning portion (6c) is provided with a positioning hole (6c1). The inner peripheral wall of the positioning hole (6c1) has a number of protruding locking teeth (6c11). The positioning post (1c) is inserted into the positioning hole (6c1), and a number of locking teeth (6c11) abut against the outer peripheral wall of the positioning post (1c) to achieve a tight fit.

4. The oil level sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cross-section of the locking teeth (6c11) along the radial direction of the positioning hole (6c1) is in a V shape.

5. The oil level sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The V-shaped bending portion of the locking teeth (6c11) has an arc transition.

6. The oil level sensor according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that On one side surface of the mounting base (1) having the connecting post (1b), a sealing block (7) is further provided. The sealing block (7) is made of a flexible material and abuts against and seals the side surface of the mounting base (1).

7. The oil level sensor according to claim 6, wherein The sealing block (7) further has a communication hole (7a) opposite to the mounting opening on the fuel tank. An annular flange one (7b) protrudes circumferentially at the edge of the communication hole (7a). Both the connecting post (1b) and the positioning post (1c) pass through the communication hole (7a).

8. The oil level sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The oil-filtering portion (6b) is in the shape of a disc. Along the axial projection of the oil-passing portion (6a), the oil-filtering portion (6b) coincides with or can cover the communication hole (7a).

9. The oil level sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connecting member (5) is a connecting bolt. The connecting bolt passes through the sealing block (7). The sealing block (7) further has an annular flange two (7c) provided around the connecting bolt.

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