Passive Magnetic Position Sensor for Fuel Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling level indicators in fuel tanks face issues with mechanical wear due to sliding contacts and are sensitive to mechanical disturbances, particularly when the contact element is exposed to fuel, leading to potential damage and inaccurate signal generation.
Innovation Solution
A filling level indicator with a contact element that is spaced apart from the resistor network and deflectable by a magnetic force, featuring a planar tape-shaped contact region with multiple portions that can be independently deflected to establish an electric connection, ensuring durability and redundancy in signal generation, allowing for accurate and wear-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a sliding contact is used on the resistor network, then the filling level can be determined with a simple mechanical structure, but the contact is subject to inevitable wear and mechanical damage from fuel exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding contact mechanism with a magnetic field-based detection system. A magnetic sensor detects the position of a float through magnetic field interaction without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and fuel exposure damage while maintaining the ability to determine filling level accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the float and the sensor. The magnetic field transmits positional information from the float to the sensor without requiring direct physical contact, thereby eliminating mechanical wear and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a contact element with finger-like portions deflectable by magnetic force is used, then wear-free contact is achieved, but the contact element becomes highly sensitive to mechanical disturbance influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the deflectable finger-like contact element with a magnetic sensor that detects float position through magnetic field interaction. This substitution eliminates the mechanical sensitivity issues while maintaining wear-free operation, as the magnetic sensor has no moving parts that can be disturbed mechanically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic field interaction to create a contactless copy of the positional information. The magnetic sensor detects the float's position through the magnetic field without physical contact, eliminating both wear and mechanical sensitivity while preserving the functional information.
3Measurement precision
If the sliding contact and resistor network are disposed entirely in the fuel within the fuel tank, then the filling level can be directly measured, but damaging effects from fuel exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit measurement information through the fuel without requiring the sensor and resistor network to be in direct contact with the fuel. The float moves in the fuel while the magnetic sensor remains protected, eliminating fuel damage while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the fuel-exposed mechanical sliding contact with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetic sensor and protected resistor network detect float position through magnetic interaction without fuel contact, eliminating damaging fuel exposure while preserving accurate filling level measurement.
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
The solution provides a durable and accurate signal for determining the fuel level, with redundant signal generation ensuring reliability and resistance to mechanical disturbances, while avoiding direct contact with fuel, thus reducing wear and improving assembly and transportation handling.
Implementation Method 1
the contact region is formed by a planar tape-shaped element, which is partially deflectable by the magnetic force of the magnetic element
Data Source
AI summary
A filling level indicator for determining a filling level in a tank includes: a resistor network; a contact element arranged spaced apart from the resistor network; and a magnetic element movable relative to the resistor network and the contact element. The contact element has a contact region deflectable by the magnetic element. The contact region is deflectable so as to produce an electrically conductive connection between the contact region and the resistor network. The contact region comprises a planar tape-shaped element that is partially deflectable by a magnetic force of the magnetic element. The contact region has at least two portions that are arranged mutually adjacent to, and mutually spaced apart from, one another.