Transmission filler assembly

• US 4,331,185 A
• Filed: 07/14/1980
• Issued: 05/25/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vize, Robert M., Rinaldo, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, Jr., Houston S.
• Application Number:
  US06/262,069
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 33/126, 33/126.7 R, 33/126.7 A, 33/126.4, 141/1, 141/94, 141/95, 141/96, 141/326, 141/325, 141/327, 141/392, 141/285, 141/348, 138/109, 220/86 R, 137/588, 74/606 R, 184/1.5, 184/105 R, 123/196 R
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0408 Exchange, draining or filling of transmission lubricant
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/04 by dip members, e.g. dip-sticks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

Service personnel may confuse one dip stick for another in vehicles having a number of fluid reservoirs. When the reservoirs have air entrapped within them during filling, hydraulic lock can occur. Herein, a filler tube structure (20) and a dip stick tube structure (30) have their top ends held within a tubular fitting (40) which is covered by a single cap (58). This eliminates any possible confusion as to the dip stick tube structure (30) which corresponds to a particular reservoir or chamber (12). In the preferred embodiment venting of the chamber (12) to which the fluid is being added is provided via an interior passage (32) of the dip stick tube structure (30), thus preventing hydraulic lock.

Claims

1. An assembly (10) for adding liquid to a closed interior chamber (12) defined by a case (14), the chamber (12) having top (16) and bottom (18) portions, comprising:

a filler tube structure (20) having input (22) and exit (24) portions, the exit portion (24) being in communication with the top portion (16) and the input portion (22) being generally above the exit portion (24);

a dip stick tube structure (30) having an interior passage (32) and having upper (36) and lower (38) end portions, the upper end portion (36) being positioned adjacent and generally parallel to the input portion (22);

a tubular fitting (40) having first (42) and second (44) end portions, the first end portion (42) being circumferentially sealed to the upper end portion (36) and to the input portion (22); and

a cap (58) removably attachable in a sealed covering relationship with the second end portion (44).

2. The assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a venting structure (60) having a vent passage (62) having one end (64) communicating with said top portion (16) and another end (66) communicating with said interior passage (32) external of said case (14).

3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a dip stick (34) adapted to fit in said interior passage (32), having lower (54) and upper (56) ends and having a handle (52) attached adjacent said upper end (56), said handle (52) being of a size and construction to fit within said fitting (40) and being free from interference with said cap (58).

4. The assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upper end portion (36) is located generally above said input portion (22).

5. The assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2, further including:

a block (70,70'"'"') attached to said case (14,14'"'"') opposite said top portion (16,16'"'"') and having a fill passage (26,26'"'"') communicating said top portion (16,16'"'"') with said filler tube structure (20,20'"'"'); and

wherein said vent passage (62,62'"'"') includes a first portion (68,68'"'"') communicating said top portion (16,16'"'"') with said block (70,70'"'"') and a second portion (74,74'"'"') communicating said first portion (68,68'"'"') with said interior passage (32,32'"'"').

6. The assembly (10) as set forth in claim 5, wherein said dip stick tube structure (30) includes a first tube (76) which includes said upper end portion (36) and a second tube (78) which includes said lower end portion (38), a first passageway (80) through said case (14) and a second passageway (82) through said block (70), said first (80) and second (82) passageways connecting said first tube (76) to said second tube (78).

7. The assembly (10) as set forth in claim 5, further including:

a boss (90) attached to said block (70'"'"') and having a central bore (92);

wherein said dip stick tube structure (30'"'"') is connected to said bore (92); and

wherein said second portion (74'"'"') passes through said boss (90) and communicates with said bore (92).