Liquid level detection apparatus

• US 7,350,413 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Ohike, Toshio, Nagakura, Syunsuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank; Rodney
• Application Number:
  US11/186,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 733/17, 733/05, 733/13
• US Class Current: 73/317
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/363 using electromechanically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/18 Switches operated by change of liquid level or of liquid density, e.g. float switch by magnet carried on a float H01H36/02

Abstract

A liquid level detection apparatus of the present invention includes contacts provided at a distal end portion of a contact plate, and resistance plates which are formed on a wiring board, and have respective conductor portions over which the contacts can slide, respectively, so as to detect a liquid level. Conductor patterns other than the conductor portions are formed on those regions of the wiring board which the contacts at the distal end portion of the contact plate contact during the time when an arm holder is mounted on the wiring board.

Claims

1. A liquid level detection apparatus comprising:

a float arm which includes a swing portion for swing around an axis of a rotation shaft portion thereof, and has a float mounted on a distal end portion thereof;

an arm holder which holds said float arm, and enables said float arm to be swung around the axis of said rotation shaft portion;

a contact plate which is fixed to said arm holder, and is operatively associated with said swing portion of said float arm;

a contact provided at a distal end portion of said contact plate; and

a resistance plate which is formed on a wiring board, and has a conductor portion over which said contact can slide so as to detect a liquid level;

wherein a conductor pattern formed other than said conductor portion is formed on a region of said wiring board which said contact at the distal end portion of said contact plate contacts when said arm holder is mounted with respect to said wiring board.

2. A liquid level detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductor pattern is formed along an inserting direction of said contact when said arm holder is mounted with respect to said wiring board.

3. A liquid level detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed in said conductor pattern such that said contact does not come into contact with said wiring board when said arm holder is mounted with respect to said wiring board.