Filling level indicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9766110-B2
Application number	US-201214366337-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2012
Priority date	Dec 19, 2011
Publication date	Sep 19, 2017
Grant date	Sep 19, 2017

Abstract

A filling level indicator includes a retainer, a bow rotatably supported on the retainer and having a lever arm fastened thereto, a float fastened to the lever arm, and a filling level sensor arranged in the retainer. The filling level sensor has a substrate, a resistance network arranged thereon, a contact spring structure, and a cover, connected to the substrate, that covers the resistance network and the contact spring structure. A magnet is connected to the bow or the lever arm and acts on the contact spring structure such that an electrical signal corresponding to the filling level is generated according to the pivoting range. The mount has a wall thickness that can be penetrated by the magnetic field of the magnet, and so metal particles are held on the outside of the mount by the magnetic field of the magnet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A filling level indicator, comprising:
a holder ( 1 );
a bracket ( 5 ) rotatably mounted on the holder ( 1 );
a lever arm fastened to the bracket ( 5 ) and having a float fastened to the lever arm;
a filling level sensor arranged in the holder, the filling level sensor having:
a substrate ( 4 ),
a resistor network arranged on the substrate ( 4 ),
a contact spring structure, and
a cover connected to the substrate, the cover covering the resistor network and the contact spring structure; and

a magnet connected to the bracket or the lever arm, the magnet being configured to act on the contact spring structure such that an electrical signal corresponding to a filling level is generated according to the pivoting range of the bracket or the lever arm,
wherein the bracket ( 5 ) has a mount ( 12 ) for the magnet, the mount ( 12 ) having a wall thickness penetrable by the magnetic field of the magnet such that metal particles are held on the outer side of the mount ( 12 ) by the magnetic field of the magnet, and
wherein, in the region of the mount ( 12 ), the bracket ( 5 ) has a wall thickness that is 20% to 50% of the diameter of the magnet.

2. A filling level indicator, comprising:
a holder ( 1 );
a bracket ( 5 ) rotatably mounted on the holder ( 1 );
a lever arm fastened to the bracket ( 5 ) and having a float fastened to the lever arm;
a filling level sensor arranged in the holder, the filling level sensor having:
a substrate ( 4 ),
a resistor network arranged on the substrate ( 4 ),
a contact spring structure, and
a cover connected to the substrate, the cover covering the resistor network and the contact spring structure; and

a magnet connected to the bracket or the lever arm, the magnet being configured to act on the contact spring structure such that an electrical signal corresponding to a filling level is generated according to the pivoting range of the bracket or the lever arm,
wherein the bracket ( 5 ) has a mount ( 12 ) for the magnet, the mount ( 12 ) having a wall thickness penetrable by the magnetic field of the magnet such that metal particles are held on the outer side of the mount ( 12 ) by the magnetic field of the magnet, and
wherein, on the side of the bracket ( 5 ) facing the substrate ( 4 ), the mount ( 12 ) has a disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) arranged parallel to the substrate ( 4 ).

3. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

4. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) has a radial extent that is two to four times the diameter of the magnet.

5. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) is at a distance from the substrate of preferably from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm.

6. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) terminates flush with the side of the mount ( 12 ) facing the substrate ( 4 ).

7. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) is formed only on longitudinal sides of the bracket ( 5 ), and the bracket ( 5 ) extends at its free end beyond the mount ( 12 ) for the magnet.

8. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) has a thickness increasing from radially outward in the direction of the bracket ( 5 ) in a ramp-like manner, wherein the side of the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) facing the substrate ( 4 ) is oriented parallel to the substrate ( 4 ).

9. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the disk-shaped widening ( 13 ) has a thickness increasing in the ramp-like manner at an angle of 15°-60°.

Assignees

• Benner Hans-Guenter
• Pauer Bernd
• Continental Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Benner Hans-Guenter
• Pauer Bernd

Classifications

• G01F23/363 Primary

  using electromechanically actuated indicating means · CPC title

• G01F23/30 Primary

  by floats · CPC title