Feed device intended for mounting in a fuel tank

• US 6,467,514 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Korst, Otto, Pantring, Detlef
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/718,677
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 141/18, 141/94, 141/95, 141/192, 141/197, 141/198, 141/285, 141/286, 732/90.R, 733/13, 733/17
• US Class Current: 141/198
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/077 with means modifying or controlling distribution or motion of fuel, e.g. to prevent noise, surge, splash or fuel starvation
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03217 Fuel level sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03453 for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03467 by clip or snap fit fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 33/003 Controlling the feeding of liquid fuel from storage containers to carburettors or fuel-injection apparatus control of electrical fuel pumps F02D41/3082, controlling fuel flow to a common rail F02D41/3845; Failure or leakage prevention; Diagnosis or detection of failure; Arrangement of sensors in the fuel system; Electric wiring; Electrostatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/0082 Devices inside the fuel tank other than fuel pumps or filters electrical pumps submerged in fuel tanks F02M37/10, jet pumps F02M37/025
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/363 using electromechanically actuated indicating means

Abstract

In a feed device with a filling-level sensor fastened to a wall of a baffle, the filling-level sensor has a lever wire for holding a float. A carrier for mounting the filling-level sensor to a wall of the baffle has a first carrier part connected to the baffle and a second carrier part having the mounting for the lever wire. The pivoting range of the float is set by the selected orientation of the second carrier part on the first carrier part. The feed device is consequently suitable for use in differently constructed fuel tanks.

Claims

1. A feed device for installation in a fuel tank, comprising:

a baffle arrangeable for collecting fuel in the fuel tank;

a feed unit arranged in said baffle for feeding fuel out of said baffle;

a filling-level sensor having a carrier, a mounting, and a lever arm having a lever wire connected with a float and a yoke, wherein said yoke is pivotally connected to said carrier via said mounting, and wherein said carrier comprises a first carrier part and a second carrier part, said first carrier part being connectable to a wall comprising part of one of said baffle, said feed unit, and another part of the fuel tank and said second carrier part comprising said mounting, wherein said second carrier part is selectively mountable on said first carrier part in one of at least two different orientations.

2. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said first carrier part is connected as a materially integral part of said wall and said first and second carrier parts are connected via a positive connection.

3. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said first and second carrier parts are connected to one another via a latching connection.

4. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said second carrier part comprises first and second lugs facing said first carrier part, and wherein said first carrier part comprises a stop and a latching means for engaging behind one of said first and second lugs for prestressing said second carrier part against said stop.

5. The feed device of claim 4, wherein said second carrier part is selectively connectable to said first carrier part in one of a first orientation in which said latching means engages behind said first lug and a second orientation in which said latching means engages behind said second lug.

6. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said first carrier part is connectable in at least two different orientations at an intended position on said wall.

7. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said carrier is arranged on an inside of said baffle.

8. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said first carrier part comprises vertical strips and said first carrier part is connected to said wall via said vertical strips.

9. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said filling level sensor comprises a position sensor operatively arranged on said second carrier part for converting a position of said lever arm into electrical signals.

10. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said lever wire is connectable to said yoke in one of at least two different orientations for changing an intended pivoting range of said float.

11. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises two slideways for supporting the pivotal movement of said yoke, said slideways being arranged on mutually opposing sides of said mounting.

12. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said yoke comprises a plurality of legs which extend away from a region of said mounting, and wherein said yoke further comprises latching connections respectively arranged on said plural legs for holding said lever wire on said yoke.

13. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said carrier further comprises two stops for limiting the pivoting range of said yoke.

14. The feed device of claim 1, wherein said carrier further comprises stops for limiting the pivoting range of said lever wire.

15. The feed device of claim 7, wherein said baffle comprises a top edge arranged for limiting the pivoting range of said lever wire.