Level sensor comprising a float for determining a fuel level in a fuel tank, and kit for such a level sensor

• US 20070151338A1
• Filed: 12/17/2004
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Benner, Hans-Guenter, Pauer, Bernd, Peter, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/317
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/32 using rotatable arms or other pivotable transmission elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/38 using magnetically actuated indicating means

Abstract

Disclosed is a level sensor (7) for a fuel tank (1), comprising a holdling part (11) that can be mounted in different positions on a support (13). The support (13) is fastened to a swirl pot (4) while the holding part (11) bears a lever arm (8) that supports a float (9). The inventive level sensor (7) can be adjusted to different fuel tank dimensions by mounting said level sensor (7) differently on the support (13).

Claims

1. A level sensor for determining a fuel level in a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, with a support provided for fastening in the fuel tank, with a holding part connected to the support, with a mounting, which is arranged on the holding part, for a lever arm supporting a float, and with fastening means arranged on the holding part and the support, characterized in that the fastening means (19) of the holding part (11) correspond with the fastening means (20) of the support (13) in positions of the holding part (11) in which it is rotated about a horizontal axis and about a vertical axis.

2. The level sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a front side and a rear side of the holding part (11) each have identical fastening means (19).

3. The level sensor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding part (11) has two housing parts (16, 17) which can be connected to each other, with one of the housing parts (16, 17) according to choice forming the front side and the other of the housing parts (16, 17) according to choice forming the rear side of the holding part (11).

4. The level sensor as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that a lever arm (8) having a clip (10, 10′

) of plastic and a lever wire (12) which is fastened to the clip (10, 10′

) and supports a float (9), and in that the clip (10, 10′

) is mounted in both housing parts (16, 17) of the holding part (11).

5. The level sensor as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that one of the housing parts (16) of the holding part (11) has a receptacle (22) for a resistance network (23) of a magnetically active position sensor (21) or a thick-film network of a potentiometer and the other housing part (17) has a slideway (25) for the lever arm (8).

6. The level sensor as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the receptacle (22) is formed symmetrically with respect to a rotatable installation of the resistance network (23) of the magnetically active position sensor (21) or of the thick-film network of a potentiometer.

7. The level sensor as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the lever wire (12) has an angled portion (28) which is introduced into a recess (27) of the clip (10, 10′

), and in that the recess (27) of the clip (10, 10′

) is arranged outside the housing parts (16, 17) of the holding part (11) and at a distance from the mounting (26) of the clip (10, 10′

).

8. The level sensor as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the support (13) of the two housing parts (16, 17) of the holding part (11) has arms (14) at least partially engaging around it and a stop (15) for supporting the holding part (11).

9. The level sensor as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (19, 20) of the support (13) and of the holding part (11) are designed as latching hooks and latching recesses.

10. The level sensor as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the housing parts (16, 17) have latching means (18) for their connection to each other.

11. The level sensor as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the lever wire (12) is guided via the holding part (11).

12. A kit for a level sensor as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that two clips (10, 10′

) are provided, one of the clips (10′

) having, on its side facing away from a magnet (24) of the position sensor (21) or a contact of the potentiometer, a bent portion (29′

) for securing the lever wire (12), and the other clip (10) having the bent portion (29) on the opposite side.