Water level sensor and tank comprising same

Abstract

A water level sensor according to the present invention comprises: a first guide portion extending in one direction; a second guide portion extending in the one direction; a float disposed movably between the first guide portion and the second guide portion while being guided by the first guide portion and the second guide portion, the float including a through portion allowing a fluid to pass therethrough; and a detection portion for detecting the position of the float.

Description

Water level sensor and tank containing same

[0001] The present invention relates to a water level sensor and a tank including the same.

[0002] To detect the level of a fluid contained in a tank, a known level sensor is configured such that a float floats in the fluid, and the float rises and falls according to the fluid level, and the position (height) of the float is detected at this time to measure the level. Conventional level sensors often include a guide structure that surrounds the float to guide the rising and falling movement of the float. However, since such a guide structure is formed in a closed manner with respect to the float, it can cause an increase in the flow resistance within the tank, and there is also a problem that foreign substances may become caught or accumulate between the float and the guide structure during long-term use. These problems lead to malfunction and errors in the level sensor.

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a water level sensor and a tank including the same that can prevent foreign substances from getting caught or accumulating around a float.

[0004] A water level sensor according to the present invention comprises: a first guide portion extending in one direction; a second guide portion extending in the one direction; a float that is installed movably between the first guide portion and the second guide portion and guided by the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and includes a through portion that allows a fluid to pass through; and a sensing portion that detects the position of the float.

[0005] Additionally, the float may be engaged with the first guide portion on one side and with the second guide portion on the opposite side.

[0006] Additionally, the penetration portion may be formed by at least one of one side and the opposite side of the float being partially concavely sunken into the inside of the float.

[0007] In addition, the penetration portion is formed between one end and the other end of the float, and the one end and the other end of the float can be positioned along the extension direction of the first guide portion.

[0008] Additionally, it may include a reinforcing member for rigidly reinforcing at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0009] Additionally, the reinforcing member may be formed to extend in a direction away from the float.

[0010] Additionally, the float may include a protrusion formed on one side of the end portion facing away from the sensing portion.

[0011] In addition, the reinforcing member may include a reinforcing member for rigidly reinforcing at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member, and the reinforcing member may include an avoidance member in which the reinforcing member is partially removed so as not to interfere with the protrusion.

[0012] Additionally, the above avoidance member can be formed so that the protrusion can be supported on one end of the reinforcement member.

[0013] Meanwhile, a tank according to the present invention includes a housing for accommodating a fluid; and a level sensor for measuring the level of the fluid within the housing, as described above.

[0014] In addition, the first guide portion and the second guide portion of the water level sensor extend upward from the bottom of the housing, the float is disposed inside the housing and moves according to the water level of the fluid by buoyancy of the fluid inside the housing, and the detection portion can be disposed outside the housing.

[0015] In addition, the water level sensor further includes a reinforcing portion for rigidly reinforcing at least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion, the float includes a protrusion formed on one side of an end portion farther away from the sensing portion, the reinforcing portion includes an avoidance portion in which the reinforcing portion is partially removed so as not to interfere with the protrusion, and the avoidance portion can be formed such that the protrusion is supported on one end of the reinforcing portion so that the float can be separated from the bottom of the housing.

[0016] The water level sensor according to the present invention is provided with a penetration portion that allows fluid to pass through the float, thereby preventing the phenomenon of foreign substances being caught or accumulated around the float due to the fluid stagnating around the float.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tank including a water level sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1.

[0019] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part Ⅲ of Figure 2.

[0020] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ⅳ-Ⅳ of Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part V of Figure 4.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the periphery of a float of a water level sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] A water level sensor and a tank including the same according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a tank including a water level sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portion III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of portion V of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the area around a float (230) of a water level sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a tank according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing (100) and a water level sensor (200: 210; 220; 230; 240; 250; 260; 270).

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tank may be, for example, a reservoir tank applied to a thermal management system for a vehicle, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0027] The housing (100) serves to accommodate a fluid (e.g., coolant). The housing (100) may include an inlet for introducing fluid, an outlet for discharging fluid, and an internal flow path leading from the inlet to the outlet.

[0028] The water level sensor (200) serves to measure the water level of the fluid within the housing (100). The water level sensor (200) includes a first guide part (210), a second guide part (220), a float (230), a first reinforcement part (240), a second reinforcement part (250), a magnet (260), and a detection part (270).

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first guide portion (210) extends vertically and is positioned adjacent to one side of the float (230). This first guide portion (210) may extend upward from the bottom of the housing (100). In addition, the first guide portion (210) may be formed integrally with the housing (100) (e.g., injection molded).

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second guide portion (220) extends substantially parallel and vertically to the first guide portion (210) and is positioned adjacent to the opposite side of the float (230). This second guide portion (220) may extend upward from the bottom of the housing (100). In addition, the second guide portion (220) may be formed (e.g., injection-molded) integrally with the housing (100).

[0031] The float (230) is installed between the first guide part (210) and the second guide part (220) so as to be able to move up and down depending on the fluid level by buoyancy caused by the fluid while being guided by the first guide part (210) and the second guide part (220).

[0032] More specifically, the float (230) includes a first groove (231) extending vertically on one side (the left side of the float (230) with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5; hereinafter, referred to as the “left side” for convenience) so that a first guide portion (210) is received, and a second groove (232) extending vertically on the opposite side (the right side of the float (230) with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5; hereinafter, referred to as the “right side” for convenience) so that a second guide portion (220) is received. The first groove (231) and the second groove (232) are formed over the entire height of the float (230). In other words, the first groove (231) and the second groove (232) are formed from the top to the bottom of the float (230).

[0033] Accordingly, the first groove (231) of the float (230) and the first guide part (210) are interlocked, and the second groove (232) of the float (230) and the second guide part (220) are interlocked, so that the float (230) can be guided by the first guide part (210) and the second guide part (220).

[0034] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the float (230) includes a through-hole (233). The through-hole (233) serves to allow a fluid to flow through the float (230). For example, the fluid may pass from the front of the float (230) through the through-hole (233) to the back of the float (230), or may pass from the back of the float (230) through the through-hole (233) to the front of the float (230). Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being caught or accumulated around the float (230), for example, between the float (230) and the first guide portion (210) or between the float (230) and the second guide portion (220), due to the fluid stagnating around the float (230).

[0035] More specifically, the penetration portion (233) may be formed adjacent to the left side of the float (230). In other words, the penetration portion (233) may be formed by partially recessing the left side of the float (230) into the inside of the float (230). In this way, the penetration portion (233) is provided on the left side where the float (230) engages with the first guide portion (210) to allow fluid to flow, thereby more effectively preventing foreign substances from getting caught or accumulating at the area where the float (230) engages with the first guide portion (210).

[0036] Additionally / or, the penetration portion (233) may be formed adjacent to the right side of the float (230). In other words, the penetration portion (233) may be formed by partially recessing the right side of the float (230) into the inside of the float (230). In this way, the penetration portion (233) is provided on the right side where the float (230) engages with the second guide portion (220) to allow fluid to flow, thereby more effectively preventing foreign substances from getting caught or accumulating at the area where the float (230) engages with the second guide portion (220).

[0037] The penetration portion (233) is formed over the entire thickness of the float (230). In other words, the penetration portion (233) is formed from the front to the rear of the float (230).

[0038] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the penetration portion (233) is exemplified as being formed between the upper and lower portions of the float (230). As will be described later, a protrusion (234) is formed on the upper portion of the float (230) and a magnet (260) is embedded in the lower portion of the float (230). Therefore, since the penetration portion (233) is formed between the upper and lower portions of the float (230), the penetration portion (233) can be optimally designed without being restricted by the protrusion (234) or the magnet (260).

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first reinforcing portion (240) is a kind of rib for the first guide portion (210) and serves to rigidly reinforce the first guide portion (210). The first reinforcing portion (240) is formed to extend from the first guide portion (210) and may extend in a direction away from the float (230). More specifically, the first reinforcing portion (240) may extend toward the opposite side of the second guide portion (220) with respect to the float (230). Therefore, since the first reinforcing portion (240) does not block or obstruct the front of the through portion (233) formed on the left side of the float (230) as described above, it is possible to ensure that the fluid can smoothly pass through the through portion (233), and thus the phenomenon of foreign substances being caught or accumulated between the float (230) and the first guide portion (210) can be more reliably prevented.

[0040] Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the second reinforcing portion (250) serves to rigidly reinforce the second guide portion (220) as a kind of rib for the second guide portion (220). The second reinforcing portion (250) is formed to extend from the second guide portion (220) and may extend in a direction away from the float (230). More specifically, the second reinforcing portion (250) may extend toward the opposite side of the first guide portion (210) with respect to the float (230). Therefore, since the second reinforcing portion (250) does not block or obstruct the front of the through-portion (233) formed on the right side of the float (230) as described above, it is possible to ensure that the fluid can smoothly pass through the through-portion (233), and thus the phenomenon of foreign substances being caught or accumulated between the float (230) and the second guide portion (220) can be more reliably prevented.

[0041] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the float (230) may include a protrusion (234). The protrusion (234) may be formed on one side of the upper portion of the float (230). In the drawing, the protrusion (234) is illustrated as being formed on one of two portions divided by the second groove (232) on the right side of the float (230). In this case, the second reinforcing portion (250) may include an avoidance portion in which the second reinforcing portion (250) is partially removed so as not to interfere with the protrusion (234) in the section where the protrusion (234) is positioned while the float (230) moves up and down. If the protrusion (234) is formed on the left side of the float (230), the first reinforcing portion (240) may include such an avoidance portion.

[0042] Due to the protrusion (234), the float (230) has an overall asymmetrical shape, and if the protrusion (234) of the float (230) is not oriented so as to be located at the avoidance portion of the second reinforcing member (250), the float (230) cannot be properly mounted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a worker incorrectly assembles the float (230) (e.g., assembling the float (230) by changing the direction up and down or left and right). In particular, in the case where the float (230) is formed to extend in the vertical direction as in one embodiment of the present invention and the magnet (260) is built into the lower part, if the float (230) is assembled by changing the direction up and down, there is a problem in that the distance between the magnet (260) and the detection unit (270) increases, which may lower the detection performance of the detection unit (260). However, by providing the protrusion (234), it is possible to prevent such a problem in advance.

[0043] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the protrusion (234) moves along the space deleted by the avoidance portion and can contact the upper surface of the second reinforcement portion (250). As the protrusion (234) contacts the second reinforcement portion (250), the float (230) can be spaced apart from the inner bottom surface of the housing (100). That is, the protrusion (234) functions as a stopper and can prevent the float (230) from colliding with the inner bottom surface of the housing (100) as it descends according to the water level. Accordingly, noise generated by the collision between the housing (100) and the float (230) can be reduced, and the durability of the housing (100) can be increased.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the magnet (260) can be built into the lower part of the float (230). The sensing unit (270) detects the position of the float (230). For example, the sensing unit (270) can be placed on the lower side of the float (230) to detect the strength of the magnetic field of the magnet (260), thereby detecting the position of the float (230). When the level of the fluid contained in the housing (100) is high, the float (230) moves upward and away from the sensing unit (270), so that the strength of the magnetic field will be measured relatively weakly by the sensing unit (270), and when the level of the fluid contained in the housing (100) is low, the float (230) moves downward and closer to the sensing unit (270), so that the strength of the magnetic field will be measured relatively strong by the sensing unit (270). Therefore, the level of the fluid in the housing (100) can be measured through changes in the strength of the magnetic field.

[0045] The detection unit (270) can be installed on the outside of the housing (100).

[0046] The water level sensor and the tank containing it described above are merely one of the water level sensors and tanks containing them according to various embodiments of the present invention. The technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and encompasses all modifications that can be easily made by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A first guide portion extending in one direction; A second guide portion extending in the above direction; A float that is installed movably between the first guide portion and the second guide portion and guided by the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and includes a through portion that allows a fluid to pass through; and Including a sensing unit that detects the position of the above float, Water level sensor.

2. In paragraph 1, The above float is engaged with the first guide part on one side and engages with the second guide part on the opposite side. Water level sensor.

3. In paragraph 2, The above penetration portion is formed by at least one of one side and the opposite side of the float being partially concavely sunken into the inside of the float. Water level sensor.

4. In paragraph 1, The above penetration portion is formed between one end and the other end of the float, One end and the other end of the above float are positioned along the extension direction of the first guide portion, Water level sensor.

5. In paragraph 1, Including a reinforcing member for rigidly reinforcing at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member, Water level sensor.

6. In paragraph 5, The above reinforcement portion is formed to extend in a direction away from the float, Water level sensor.

7. In paragraph 1, The above float includes a protrusion formed on one side of the end portion far from the sensing portion. Water level sensor.

8. In paragraph 7, Including a reinforcing member for rigidly reinforcing at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member, The reinforcing part includes an avoidance part in which the reinforcing part is partially removed so as not to interfere with the protrusion. Water level sensor.

9. In paragraph 8, The above avoidance part is formed so that the protrusion can be supported on one end of the reinforcement part. Water level sensor.

10. A housing for containing the fluid; and For measuring the level of the fluid in the housing, including the level sensor according to claim 1. tank.

11. In paragraph 10, The first guide portion and the second guide portion of the water level sensor extend upward from the bottom of the housing, The float is placed inside the housing and moves according to the level of the fluid by the buoyancy of the fluid inside the housing. The above detection unit is placed on the outside of the housing, tank.

12. In paragraph 10, The water level sensor further includes a reinforcing member for rigidly reinforcing at least one of the first guide member and the second guide member, The above float includes a protrusion formed on one side of the end far from the sensing portion, The above reinforcement part includes an avoidance part in which the reinforcement part is partially removed so as not to interfere with the above protrusion, The above avoidance member is formed so that the protrusion is supported on one end of the reinforcement member so that the float can be separated from the bottom of the housing. tank.

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