Float Arm Fixing Torque Reduction via Stoppers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid level detecting devices face issues where the float arm can come into contact with nearby members during assembly, resulting in a heavy load on the float arm fixing portion, which may cause deformation and increase costs and size due to necessary reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a design with first and second stoppers that restrict the rotation angle of the holder, allowing the float arm to contact the stoppers in a way that reduces torque on the arm fixing portion, distributing overload and maintaining detection accuracy without structural reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the float arm is fixed to the holder with a strong fixing portion to endure heavy loads during assembly, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing stoppers that prevent the float arm from contacting nearby members during assembly operations. The stoppers are positioned in advance to intercept potential collision forces before they can be transmitted to the float arm fixing portion, thereby preventing the need for reinforcement structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The stoppers serve as intermediary elements between the float arm and nearby members. When the float arm contacts a nearby member during assembly, the stopper absorbs this collision force first, acting as a mediator that protects the float arm fixing portion from direct exposure to heavy loads.
2Force
If the rotation angle range of the holder is restricted by stoppers, then the float arm contact force is reduced, but the detection range may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different stopper configurations at different locations along the float arm. First stoppers are positioned near the tip to handle tip-contact forces, while second stoppers are positioned near the base to handle base-contact forces. This localized approach allows force distribution at specific points without unnecessarily restricting the overall rotation angle range.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper system is segmented into multiple functional elements (first stoppers and second stoppers) positioned at different locations along the float arm. This segmentation allows the rotation angle range to be restricted locally at specific critical points where contact forces occur, while maintaining broader rotation freedom in other regions.
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 enables the float arm fixing portion to endure loads without cost or size increases, reducing deformation influence on liquid surface level detection and maintaining high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a Hall element which is provided in the sensor housing and detects a displacement of the magnet of the holder
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid level detecting device includes a sensor housing, a holder held rotatably by the sensor housing, a float arm fixed to the holder, a float attached to the float arm and following a surface level of liquid stored in a tank, a magnet provided in the holder, and a Hall element detecting a displacement of the magnet. The float arm is fixed to the holder so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the holder. The sensor housing has stoppers which restrict a rotation angle range of the holder to a first rotation angle by bringing a portion of the float arm, which is positioned between a tip of the float arm and the rotation axis, into contact with one of the pair of first stoppers.