Filling Level Indicator With Magnetic Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling level indicators for fuel tanks face issues with mechanical wear and sensitivity to disturbances due to sliding contacts and the need for accurate, wear-free signal generation.
Innovation Solution
A filling level indicator with a contact element spaced apart from the resistor network, featuring a magnetic element that moves along a circular arc, deflecting a planar tape-shaped contact region with separated contact portions to establish an electrically conductive connection, ensuring uniform deflection and reduced mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sliding contact is used on the resistor network, then electrical contact is established, but mechanical wear occurs and the contact element is highly sensitive to mechanical disturbance influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding contact mechanism with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A magnetic element deflects a contact element with finger-like portions to establish electrical contact with the resistor network, eliminating mechanical sliding and its associated wear and sensitivity to mechanical disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact element is designed as a flexible structure with finger-like portions that can be deflected by magnetic forces. This flexible design allows the contact element to respond to magnetic actuation while maintaining mechanical robustness and reducing sensitivity to external mechanical disturbances.
2Measurement precision
If the contact element is highly sensitive to mechanical disturbance influences, then precise contact is achieved, but installation and transport become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical actuation and sensing mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system. The magnetic element acts on the contact element to establish precise electrical contact without requiring the contact element to be mechanically sensitive, thereby facilitating easier installation and transport.
3Productivity
If a sliding contact arrangement is used, then signal generation is achieved, but the contact element is subject to inevitable wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the sliding contact mechanism entirely by using magnetic field actuation to deflect the contact element into contact with the resistor network. This non-contact actuation method preserves the signal generation capability while eliminating the mechanical wear that limited the service life of traditional sliding contacts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design provides a mechanically robust and accurate signal generation system that is less prone to wear and mechanical disturbances, allowing for precise determination of the fuel tank's filling level with reduced sensitivity to vibrations and improved installation and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The contact element has a contact region which is deflectable by the magnetic element
Data Source
AI summary
A filling level indicator for determining a filling level in a tank, having a resistor network, a contact element, and a magnetic element. The contact element is spaced apart from the resistor network and the magnetic element is movable relative to the resistor network and the contact element. The contact element has a contact region deflectable by the magnetic element. An electrically conductive connection between the contact region and the resistor network is produced by deflection of the contact region. The contact region is formed by a planar tape-shaped element and the contact region has contact portions that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The contact portions are separated from one another by separation regions.