Liquid level measuring device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9383245-B2
Application number	US-201414181693-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 16, 2014
Priority date	Feb 19, 2013
Publication date	Jul 5, 2016
Grant date	Jul 5, 2016

Abstract

A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level of liquid stored in a container may comprise a discharging unit, a first storing space, and an electrode unit. The discharging unit may be configured to discharge the liquid compressed by a pump. The pump may be configured to suck the liquid stored in the container and feed the liquid toward a liquid usage device by pressure. The first storing space may be located in the container and configured to accept the liquid discharged from the discharging unit. The electrode unit may be disposed in the first storing space and comprising a first pair of electrodes configured to measure the liquid level of the liquid within the first storing space. The electrode unit may compose at least a part of a wall surface defining the first storing space.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level of liquid stored in a container, the liquid level measuring device comprising:
a discharging unit configured to discharge the liquid compressed by a pump, the pump being configured to suck the liquid stored in the container and feed the liquid toward a liquid usage device by pressure;
a first storing space located in the container and configured to accept the liquid discharged from the discharging unit; and
an electrode unit disposed in the first storing space and comprising a first pair of electrodes configured to measure the liquid level of the liquid within the first storing space, wherein
the electrode unit composes at least a part of a wall surface defining the first storing space,
wherein the liquid level measuring device further comprises
a second storing space located in the container and configured to accept the liquid discharged from the discharging unit; and
a second pair of electrodes disposed in the second storing space and configured to measure conductivity of liquid within the second storing space,
the second storing space is disposed between the discharging unit and the first storing space and communicates with the first storing space.

2. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 1 , wherein
one electrode of the first pair of electrodes and one electrode of the second pair of electrodes are one common electrode.

3. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 1 , wherein
the electrode unit comprises a substrate on which the first pair of the electrodes and the second pair of the electrodes are disposed.

4. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 1 , wherein
the second storing space is located within the first storing space.

5. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 4 , wherein
the first pair of electrodes comprises:
a first electrode having a cylindrical shape; and
a second electrode having a cylindrical shape and disposed inside of the first electrode, and
the second storing space is defined by an inner surface of the second electrode.

6. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a temperature detecting unit stored in the second storing space and configured to detect a temperature of the liquid within the second storing space.

7. A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level of liquid stored in a container, the liquid level measuring device comprising:
a discharging unit configured to discharge the liquid compressed by a pump, the pump being configured to suck the liquid stored in the container and feed the liquid toward a liquid usage device by pressure;
a first storing space located in the container and configured to accept the liquid discharged from the discharging unit; and
an electrode unit disposed in the first storing space and comprising a first pair of electrodes configured to measure the liquid level of the liquid within the first storing space, wherein
the electrode unit composes at least a part of a wall surface defining the first storing space,
the liquid level measuring device further comprises:
a wall disposed on a lower side of the electrode unit and comprising a wall portion composing a part of the wall surface defining the first storing space; and
a check valve disposed outside of the first storing space,
the wall portion comprises a communicating opening communicating inside and outside of the first storing space, and
the check valve is configured to allow the liquid to flow from the inside to the outside of the first storing space through the communication opening and restrain the liquid to flow from the outside to the inside of the first storing space through the communication opening.

8. A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level of liquid stored in a container, the liquid level measuring device comprising:
a discharging unit configured to discharge the liquid compressed by a pump, the pump being configured to suck the liquid stored in the container and feed the liquid toward a liquid usage device by pressure;
a first storing space located in the container and configured to accept the liquid discharged from the discharging unit; and
an electrode unit disposed in the first storing space and comprising a first pair of electrodes configured to measure the liquid level of the liquid within the first storing space, wherein
the electrode unit composes at least a part of a wall surface defining the first storing space,
the liquid level measuring device further comprises:
a wall disposed on a lower side of the electrode unit and comprising a wall portion composing a part of the wall surface defining the first storing space; and
a storing case disposed outside of the first storing space and defining a third storing space storing the liquid flown from the inside to the outside of the first storing space,
the wall portion comprises a communicating opening communicating inside and outside of the first storing space, and
the storing case comprises an opening portion communicating inside of the third storing space and inside of the container.

9. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 8 , wherein a cross-sectional shape of the opening portion is a narrow shape.

10. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 8 , wherein the opening portion opens toward a bottom of the container.

11. The liquid level measuring device as in claim 8 , wherein the storing case comprises an embankment reducing a flow passage area in which the liquid flows within the third storing space.

Assignees

• Aisan Ind

Inventors

• Kato Nobuhiro

Classifications

• G01F23/241

  for discrete levels · CPC title

• B60K2015/03111

  Swirl pots · CPC title

• G01F23/24

  by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid · CPC title

• B60K2015/03217

  Fuel level sensors · CPC title

• G01F23/242

  Mounting arrangements for electrodes · CPC title