Oil level detector

Abstract

To provide an oil level detection device capable of improving visibility and pull-out working efficiency of an oil level gauge.SOLUTION: An oil level detection device 10 is mounted in a vehicle having a side member 4 disposed so as to extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a side part in a width direction of the vehicle, and detects a level of oil remaining in a device having an oil reservoir part inside. The oil level detection device includes an oil level gauge 12 and a guide pipe 14. By taking and putting an oil level gauge out of and into an opening 16 of the guide pipe, an oil level can be detected. An opening of the guide pipe is disposed upper than a lower end 4a in a height direction of a vehicle in the side member when viewed from a width direction of the vehicle. A handle part 12a is provided in an end of the oil level gauge. A tongue part 12e extending down in a height direction of a vehicle is provided in the handle part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an oil level detecting device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, oil amount detection devices have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses an oil level detection device that can detect the oil level without opening the engine compartment. The oil level detection device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is mounted on a vehicle and is used to detect the amount of oil remaining in an automatic transmission that has an oil reservoir inside.

[0004] In addition, the oil level detection device described in Patent Document 1 above has an oil level gauge and a guide pipe that guides the oil level gauge, and the oil level can be detected by inserting and removing the oil level gauge from the opening of the guide pipe.

[0005] In addition, in the oil level detection device described in Patent Document 1, the opening of the guide pipe is located inside the wheelhouse of the vehicle, and the guide pipe is positioned so that the oil level gauge can be pulled out from the back side of the wheelhouse toward the front side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-65768 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when the oil level detecting device described in Patent Document 1 is mounted on a vehicle having side members arranged on the widthwise sides of the vehicle so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the position of the lower end of the side member in the vehicle height direction may be lower than the position of the handle of the level gauge, which causes problems such as poor visibility of the handle of the oil level gauge from outside the side member and poor workability when pulling out the oil level gauge from the guide pipe.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide an oil level detecting device that can improve the visibility and ease of removal of the oil level gauge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0010] (1) The oil level detection device according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle having a side member arranged to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on the widthwise side of the vehicle, and is an oil level detection device for detecting the amount of oil remaining in a device having an oil reservoir inside, and is characterized in that it has an oil level gauge and a guide pipe for guiding the oil level gauge, and the oil level can be detected by inserting and removing the oil level gauge from the opening of the guide pipe, the opening of the guide pipe is positioned higher than the lower end of the side member in the height direction of the vehicle when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle, a handle portion is provided at the end of the oil level gauge, and the handle portion of the oil level gauge is provided with a tongue portion extending downward in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0011] According to the oil level detection device of the present invention, by providing a tongue portion that extends downward in the vehicle height direction on the handle portion of the oil level gauge, the shape of the handle portion of the oil level gauge extends downward, ensuring visibility of the oil level gauge from outside the vehicle (side member), and making it easy for an operator to grasp the portion extending downward from the handle portion with their fingers from below the side member. In other words, the tongue portion improves visibility from below and makes it easier to grasp from below. As a result, the visibility of the oil level gauge and the ease of pulling it out can be improved.

[0012] (2) In the oil level detecting device according to the present invention, the tongue portion preferably extends so as to reach below the lower end of the side member in the vehicle height direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction. This configuration makes it easier for an operator to grasp the tongue portion because it is easier to see from the vehicle width direction. This prevents the operator's hand from coming into contact with the side member when pulling out the oil level gauge. As a result, the ease of pulling out the oil level gauge can be improved.

[0013] (3) In the oil level detecting device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a recess is provided on the handle of the oil level gauge on the side opposite to the tongue. With this configuration, an operator can hook his / her fingers into the recess when pulling out the oil level gauge. This makes it easier to grasp and pull out the oil level gauge, improving the workability of pulling it out.

[0014] (4) In the oil level detecting device according to the present invention, preferably, the oil level gauge has the handle portion provided on one end side of the gauge portion inserted into the guide pipe, the handle portion having a first surface facing the gauge portion and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first finger rest portion on the first surface at a location where the tongue portion is provided, and a second finger rest portion on the second surface at an end opposite to the direction in which the tongue portion extends, so that the handle portion can be held with the operator's thumb in contact with the second finger rest portion and with one or more fingers other than the thumb in contact with the first finger rest portion. With this configuration, the operator can securely hold the handle portion with the operator's thumb and fingers other than the thumb, making it easier to pull out the oil level gauge.

[0015] (5) In this case, it is preferable that the gauge portion and the handle portion are connected at an intermediate position between the first finger rest and the second finger rest. With this configuration, the gauge portion is positioned between the portion where the thumb rests and the portions where the fingers other than the thumb rest, allowing the operator to hold the oil level gauge in a stable state. As a result, the oil level gauge can be pulled out of the guide pipe in a stable state.

[0016] (6) In the oil level detecting device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a part or all of the guide pipe is a flat portion formed in a flat shape in a cross section, the oil level gauge has a gauge portion inserted into the guide pipe, the handle portion is connected directly or indirectly to the gauge portion, the gauge portion is insertable in the extension direction of the guide pipe at the flat portion and is formed so as not to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the guide pipe. With this configuration, the circumferential position of the guide pipe in the gauge portion is determined by the combination of the shapes of the gauge portion of the oil level gauge and the flat portion of the guide pipe, so that circumferential rotation of the oil level gauge relative to the guide pipe can be restricted.

[0017] (7) In the oil level detecting device according to the present invention, the guide pipe is preferably at least one of being unfixed to the vehicle body, being unconnected to the vehicle body, and being disconnected from the vehicle body. With this configuration, even when the guide pipe is unfixed, unconnected, or disconnected from the vehicle body, the visibility of the oil level gauge can be ensured, and the grip portion (tongue portion) can be shaped to be easily grasped with fingers from below. As a result, the visibility of the oil level gauge and the ease of removal can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an oil level detecting device that can improve the visibility and the ease of pulling out the oil level gauge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle equipped with an oil level detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing an oil level detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side of a vehicle. [Figure 3] 1 is an enlarged view of a main part of an oil amount detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are views showing how the oil level gauge according to the embodiment of the present invention is pulled out from the guide pipe. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view showing an oil level gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] (a) is a top view showing the handle and tongue, (b) is a back view (rear view) showing the handle and tongue, (c) is a side view (side view) showing the handle and tongue, and (d) is a front view (front view) showing the handle and tongue. [Figure 7](a) is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape at the bent portion of the guide pipe in comparison with other portions, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the bent portion of the guide pipe in (a) and the oil level gauge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] An oil level detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily drawn to exact scale. In addition, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0021] An oil level detecting device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below, taking as an example a vehicle 1 equipped with the oil level detecting device. In the following description, with reference to Figures 1 to 7, an overview of the vehicle 1 will be given, focusing on the parts related to the oil level detecting device 10, and then the oil level detecting device 10 will be described in detail.

[0022] <<Brief description of vehicle 1>> Vehicle 1 is equipped with a device such as a drive unit 2, such as a prime mover (engine) or an automatic transmission, that has an oil reservoir at the bottom of its casing and is used with lubricating oil stored in the oil reservoir. The lubricating oil is supplied to power transmission parts (e.g., pistons, gears, metal belts) and sliding parts (e.g., plain bearings) that make up the prime mover or automatic transmission, thereby lubricating the parts. In drive units such as automatic transmissions, pressure is applied to the lubricating oil by a hydraulic pump, and the lubricating oil is also used as hydraulic oil for switching between forward and reverse and for shifting gears in vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.

[0023] The vehicle 1 is provided with equipment for detecting the amount of oil remaining in an oil reservoir in the drive unit 2 such as the prime mover or drive device described above. In this embodiment, an oil level detection device 10, which will be described in detail later, is provided as equipment for detecting the amount of oil in the drive unit 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0024] 1, the vehicle 1 has wheel wells 3 at four locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle body, each of which houses the upper portions of the wheels. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 has side members 4, which are members that constitute the vehicle body and are arranged so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on the sides in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0025] <About the oil level detection device 10> The oil level detection device 10 is for detecting the amount of oil remaining in the drive unit 2 mounted on the above-described vehicle 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the oil level detection device 10 has an oil level gauge 12 and a guide pipe 14. The oil level detection device 10 can detect the amount of oil in the drive unit 2 by inserting and removing the oil level gauge 12 into and from an opening 16 provided at the end of the guide pipe 14, as shown by arrow X in Figure 4.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, the oil level gauge 12 has a handle portion 12a, an upper cover portion 12b, a seal portion 12c, a gauge portion 12d, and a tongue portion 12e. The handle portion 12a is a portion that an operator holds (grabs) by hand when inserting or removing the oil level gauge 12 from the outside of the drive device 2. The handle portion 12a is attached to one end of the gauge portion 12d. The gauge portion 12d is inserted into the guide pipe 14. The handle portion 12a is connected directly or indirectly to the gauge portion 12d.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a recess 12f is provided in a portion of the handle portion 12a of the oil level gauge 12 opposite the tongue portion 12e side. As shown in Figure 6(a), the recess 12f is provided at the end of the handle portion 12a opposite the gauge portion 12d side when viewed from above. The recess 12f is formed in a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from above. The recess 12f is provided with a second surface 122 and a second finger rest portion 122a, which will be described later.

[0028] 5 and 6, the handle portion 12a has a first surface 121 facing the gauge portion 12d and a second surface 122 opposite the first surface 121. The first surface 121 has a first finger rest 121a at a location where the tongue portion 12e is provided. The second surface 122 has a second finger rest 122a at an end opposite to the extending direction of the tongue portion 12e.

[0029] The second finger rest 122a is a portion that can be contacted by the operator's thumb when the operator grasps the handle portion 12a. The second finger rest 122a may be any portion that can be contacted by the thumb. For example, the second finger rest 122a may be chamfered or concave to facilitate contact with the thumb. In this embodiment, the second finger rest 122a is concave to conform to the shape of the operator's thumb. This allows the operator to grasp the handle portion 12a with the operator's thumb in contact with the second finger rest 122a and one or more fingers other than the thumb (for example, at least one of the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger) in contact with the first finger rest 121a. In other words, the length of the first finger rest 121a is long enough to accommodate one or more of the operator's fingers.

[0030] The handle portion 12a and the gauge portion 12d are connected at an intermediate position between the first finger rest portion 121a and the second finger rest portion 122a. The top cover portion 12b and the seal portion 12c are disposed between the handle portion 12a and the gauge portion 12d. The top cover portion 12b and the seal portion 12c prevent foreign matter from entering the drive device 2 from the outside and prevent lubricating oil splashes and the like from leaking from the drive device 2. The top cover portion 12b and the seal portion 12c may be integrally molded from an elastic material such as rubber.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the tongue portion 12e is provided on the handle portion 12a of the oil level gauge 12 and extends downward in the vehicle height direction (vertically downward). Specifically, the tongue portion 12e extends downward from the lower end of the side member 4 in the vehicle height direction (vertically downward) when viewed in the vehicle width direction. This makes a lower end portion 121e (range S shown in FIG. 3) of the tongue portion 12e visible from the outside of the side member 4 (in the vehicle width direction). Also, as shown in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(d), the tongue portion 12e is formed so as to taper by a predetermined width from the upper side to the lower side in the vehicle height direction. This shape makes it easier for an operator to grip the tongue portion 12e.

[0032] 5, the length from the underside of the upper cover portion 12b of the oil level gauge 12 to the tip of the gauge portion 12d is set so that the tip of the gauge portion 12d is immersed in the lubricating oil stored in the bottom of the casing of the drive unit 2. In addition, a plurality of marks 12g are provided at the tip of the gauge portion 12d to confirm whether the amount of oil is appropriate.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the guide pipe 14 is a pipe for guiding the oil level gauge 12 toward an oil reservoir at the bottom of the drive unit 2. The guide pipe 14 has an opening 16 at one end (tip). The oil level gauge 12 can be inserted into and removed from the guide pipe 14 through the opening 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening 16 of the guide pipe 14 is located above the lower end 4a of the side member 4 in the vehicle height direction, as viewed in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the opening 16 of the guide pipe 14 cannot be seen from outside the side member 4 (in the vehicle width direction).

[0034] 2 to 4, the other end (base end) of the guide pipe 14 is connected to a connection port (not shown) provided in the casing of the drive unit 2. The guide pipe 14 communicates with the casing of the drive unit 2 via the connection port. Therefore, by inserting the oil level gauge 12 through the opening 16, the oil level gauge 12 can be guided to an oil reservoir provided at the bottom of the drive unit 2. The guide pipe 14 also serves as a pouring spout for pouring lubricating oil into the drive unit 2. By fitting a seal portion 12c provided on the oil level gauge 12 into the guide pipe 14, the guide pipe 14 can prevent the intrusion of foreign matter and the leakage of lubricating oil and can hold the oil level gauge 12 so that it cannot fall off. In this embodiment, the guide pipe 14 is at least one of being unfixed (unfixed) to the vehicle body side such as the side member 4, being unconnected (unconnected) to the vehicle body side, and being disconnected from the vehicle body side.

[0035] 2, the guide pipe 14 has three regions from the base end to the tip end: a base end portion 14a, a bent portion 14b, and a tip end portion 14c. The guide pipe 14 has a bent shape with the bent portion 14b as the boundary.

[0036] The base end 14a is a portion that is connected to a connection port provided in a casing of the drive unit 2. The base end 14a is formed so as to stand up from the casing of the drive unit 2 when connected to the drive unit 2.

[0037] The bent portion 14b is located midway between the base end portion 14a and the tip end portion 14c, and has a curved shape with a predetermined curvature. A part or all of the guide pipe 14 is a flattened portion 140 formed in a flat shape in a cross-sectional view. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the guide pipe 14 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape at the base end portion 14a and the tip end portion 14c, whereas the bent portion 14b has a flattened portion 140 with a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape flattened with a predetermined flattening ratio. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the gauge section 12d is formed so that it can be inserted in the extension direction of the guide pipe 14 at the flattened portion 140 but cannot rotate in the circumferential direction of the guide pipe 14.

[0038] The flattening ratio of the flattened portion 140 of the bent portion 14b is determined in consideration of the width of the gauge portion 12d of the oil level gauge 12. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7(b), even if the gauge portion 12d of the oil level gauge 12 comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the bent portion 14b, only both ends in the width direction of the oil level gauge 12 come into contact, and the size is determined so that other portions do not come into contact with the inner wall surface of the bent portion 14b.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the tip portion 14c is a portion that an operator accesses when performing an oil level detection operation. The aforementioned opening 16 is provided at the end of the tip portion 14c. The tip portion 14c is formed so as to extend via the aforementioned bent portion 14b toward one of the two wheel houses 3 provided on the front side of the vehicle 1. Therefore, the opening 16 is present inside the wheel house 3.

[0040] The tip 14c is disposed horizontally or inclined upward from the horizontal. From the viewpoint of preventing lubricating oil from dripping when pouring lubricating oil into the drive unit 2 or when pulling out the oil level gauge 12, it is desirable that the tip 14c be inclined upward from the horizontal. For example, it is desirable that the tip 14c be inclined upward from the horizontal at an angle in the range of 5° to 10°.

[0041] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects (1) to (7) can be obtained.

[0042] (1) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the handle portion 12a of the oil level gauge 12 is provided with a tongue portion 12e that extends downward in the height direction of the vehicle 1. As a result, the shape of the handle portion 12a of the oil level gauge 12 extends downward, ensuring visibility of the oil level gauge 12 from outside the vehicle 1 (side member 4), and the shape of the portion extending downward from the handle portion 12a can be made to be easy to grasp with the fingers of an operator from below the side member 4. In other words, the tongue portion 12e improves visibility from below and makes it easier to grasp from below. As a result, the visibility of the oil level gauge 12 and the ease of pulling it out can be improved.

[0043] (2) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the tongue portion 12e extends downward from the lower end of the side member 4 in the height direction of the vehicle 1 when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle 1. This configuration makes it easier for the worker to grasp the tongue portion 12e because the tongue portion is easily visible from the width direction of the vehicle 1. This prevents the worker's hand from coming into contact with the side member 4 when pulling out the oil level gauge 12. As a result, the ease of pulling out the oil level gauge 12 can be improved.

[0044] (3) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the recess 12f is provided on the handle 12a of the oil level gauge 12 on the side opposite to the tongue 12e. This allows the operator to hook his / her finger into the recess 12f when pulling out the oil level gauge 12. This makes it easier to grasp and pull out the oil level gauge 12, improving the efficiency of the pulling-out operation.

[0045] (4) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the operator can grip the handle portion 12a with the operator's thumb in contact with the second finger rest 122a and with one or more fingers other than the thumb in contact with the first finger rest 121a. This allows the operator to securely grip the handle portion 12a with the operator's thumb and one or more fingers other than the thumb, making it easier to pull out the oil level gauge 12.

[0046] (5) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the gauge portion 12d and the handle portion 12a are connected at an intermediate position between the first finger rest portion 121a and the second finger rest portion 122a. This allows the gauge portion 12d to be positioned between the portion where the thumb rests and the portion where one or more fingers other than the thumb rest, allowing the operator to stably hold the oil level gauge 12. As a result, the oil level gauge 12 can be pulled out of the guide pipe 14 in a stably state.

[0047] (6) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the gauge portion 12d is formed so that it can be inserted in the extension direction of the guide pipe 14 at the flat portion 140 and cannot rotate in the circumferential direction of the guide pipe 14. As a result, the circumferential positioning of the guide pipe 14 at the gauge portion 12d is determined by the combination of the shapes of the gauge portion 12d of the oil level gauge 12 and the flat portion 140 of the guide pipe 14, so that the oil level gauge 12 can be restricted from rotating in the circumferential direction relative to the guide pipe 14.

[0048] (7) In the oil level detecting device 10 according to the above embodiment, the guide pipe 14 is at least one of being unfixed to the vehicle body, being unconnected to the vehicle body, and being disconnected from the vehicle body. This configuration ensures visibility of the oil level gauge 12, and allows the grip portion (tongue portion) to be easily grasped with fingers from below, even when the guide pipe 14 is unfixed, unconnected, or disconnected from the vehicle body. As a result, the visibility of the oil level gauge 12 and the ease of removal can be improved.

[0049] (Variation) The above embodiment can be modified as follows.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the tongue portion extends so as to reach below the lower end of the side member in the vehicle height direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, it is sufficient that the tongue portion extends downward in the vehicle height direction, and the tongue portion does not have to extend so far as to reach below the lower end of the vehicle height direction. This also improves the visibility of the tongue portion from below the side member and makes it easier to grasp from below. As a result, the visibility of the oil level gauge and the ease of pulling it out can be improved.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the tongue portion extends downward in the vertical direction of the vehicle when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the tongue portion may be arranged at an angle within any range relative to the downward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, as long as the tongue portion is visible from below in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0052] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of applications of the present invention, and it goes without saying that any other embodiments within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1: Vehicle 4: Side member 4e: Bottom edge 10: Oil level detector 12: Oil level gauge 12a: Handle part 12e: Tongue 12f: Recess 14: Guide pipe 16:Aperture 121: Front page 121a: First division 122:Second side 122a: Second finger part 140: flat part

Claims

1. An oil level detection device that is mounted on a vehicle having a side member disposed so as to extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle at a side portion in a width direction of the vehicle, and that detects an amount of oil remaining in a device having an oil reservoir therein, Oil level gauge and a guide pipe for guiding the oil level gauge, The oil level can be detected by inserting and removing the oil level gauge from the opening of the guide pipe, an opening of the guide pipe is disposed above a lower end of the side member in a vehicle height direction when viewed in a vehicle width direction, A handle is provided at the end of the oil level gauge, An oil level detection device characterized in that the handle portion of the oil level gauge is provided with a tongue portion that extends downward in the vehicle height direction.

2. 2. The oil level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the tongue portion extends so as to reach below a lower end of the side member in the vehicle height direction when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

3. The oil level gauge has the handle portion provided on one end side of a gauge portion that is inserted into the guide pipe, The grip portion has a first surface facing the gauge portion and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first finger rest portion is provided at a portion of the first surface where the tongue portion is provided, The second surface has a second finger rest at an end opposite to the extending direction of the tongue, 3. The oil level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion can be gripped with an operator's thumb in contact with the second finger rest portion and one or more fingers other than the operator's thumb in contact with the first finger rest portion.

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