A device for monitoring a liquid level of a liquid storage tank for a vehicle is capable of improving sensing sensitivity of a liquid level sensor by employing a structure capable of amplifying an electromotive force, which is generated by an electrode, at an electromotive force amplification layer including a carbon micro coil (CMC) and accurately sensing a frozen state of a liquid to perform a heating function so as to resolve the frozen state of the liquid.

In at least some implementations, a liquid level sensor, includes a liquid level responsive member that moves in response to changing liquid level, an electrically conductive contact associated with the liquid level responsive member, a circuit including a rectifying element and a) one or more conductive elements, or b) one or more resistive elements or c) one or more conductive elements and one or more resistive elements, wherein the contact is arranged to engage at least one of the elements in a, b, or c, and a power supply. The power supply is adapted to provide a voltage to the circuit causing a current flow in a first direction in the circuit wherein the current flows through the contact and to provide a current flow in a second direction in the circuit wherein the rectifying element prevents current flow through the contact.

An electrical connection includes a first electrical conductor assembly having a first electrical conductor with a first electrical conductor surface and a second electrical conductor assembly having a second electrical conductor with a second electrical conductor surface which is engaged with the first electrical conductor surface such that the second electrical conductor assembly and the first electrical conductor assembly reciprocate relative to each other along a path. The first electrical conductor surface and the second electrical conductor surface provide electrical communication between the first electrical conductor assembly and the second electrical conductor assembly along the path. The second electrical conductor surface has a first area of gold having a first magnitude of hardness which engages the first electrical conductor surface and also has a second area of gold having a second magnitude of hardness which is greater than the first magnitude of hardness.

A paper shredder bin-full sensor with a push bar, a conductive element coupled to the push bar, a sensing contact assembly normally set apart from the conductive element, and a signaling contact coupled to the sensing contact assembly. Sensor includes a push bar sweeper between the conductive element and the push bar, and a biasing element coupled to the push bar sweeper, the biasing element elastically resists the shredded material force. A predetermined shredded material force presses the push bar, causing the conductive element to couple to the sensing contact assembly, in turn causing a waste bin-full signal to emanate. Push bar can be articulated and non-articulated. Articulated push bars include upper and lower push bars, and respective tensioning element connecting the respective upper and lower push bars. Lower push bar is extended from upper push bar. Paper shredder can have articulated or non-articulated push bars.

A filling level indicator for determining a filling level in a tank, having a resistor network, a contact element, and a magnetic element. The contact element is arranged spaced apart from the resistor network, and the magnetic element can be moved relative to the resistor network and the contact element. An electrically conductive connection can be established between the contact element and the resistor network by deflecting the contact element. A plastic spacer element is arranged between the resistor network and the contact element and is hot-swaged to the resistor network and/or to the contact element.

A liquid surface detecting device includes a movable body, a circuit board, segment electrodes, an output electrode, and a resistive element located across the segment electrodes and the output electrode to be electrically connected thereto. The segment electrodes are arranged on the mounting surface in an electrode region. The resistive element includes first and second resistive portions on both sides of the electrode region in the movement direction. The resistive element is electrically connected to the output electrode at each of the first and second resistive portions. The movement direction in which the movable body moves according to a decrease of the liquid surface level is defined as a reference direction. The second resistive portion located further in the reference direction than the first resistive portion is completely cut off to block a conduction between its output electrode side and electrode region side.

A fluid level sensor for sensing a level of a fluid within a toroid-shaped tank includes a float ring, a float structure, a gauge shaft, and a tiller arm. The float ring rotate s within the toroid-shaped tank about a first rotational axis. The float structure exhibits buoyancy in the fluid disposed within the toroid-shaped tank and supplies a force to the float ring based on the level of the fluid within the toroid-shaped tank. The gauge shaft is mounted for rotation about a second rotational axis and rotates about the second rotational axis to a position representative of the level of the fluid within the toroid-shaped tank. The tiller arm supplies the rotational drive force to the gauge shaft when the float ring rotates.

A liquid surface sensing device is installed in a fuel tank having an opening in a ceiling part. The opening is closed by a flange with a gasket constituted by an elastomer providing a seal between the flange and a peripheral edge of the opening. The liquid surface sensing device being assembled to the flange includes a sensing unit disposed vertically below the flange and sensing a liquid surface of a liquid, a lead wire connecting the sensing unit to an external device via the flange, and a guide bending the lead wire extending diagonally downward from the flange to form a valley portion to direct the lead wire diagonally upward.

A printed circuit board having conductor tracks formed on one side of a substrate. The substrate is able to be cohesively bonded at a contact face to a cover for protecting the conductor tracks. In this case, the substrate includes a step, which forms a barrier with respect to an auxiliary material for promoting the cohesive bond, in order to prevent any wetting of the conductor tracks with the auxiliary material. A sensor having a printed circuit board for use in a fuel filling level measurement system of a vehicle.

Methods and apparatus are provided for determining an offset detection for a fuel level sensor fault. The method includes receiving an electrical resistance reading from a potentiometer of a fuel level sensor and generating an estimated fuel level based on an established fuel usage table that references the electrical resistance reading. The fuel level sensitivity is calculated based on the change in electrical resistance readings divided by the change in the estimated fuel levels (R/F). The fuel level sensitivity is compared to a predetermined sensitivity curve to determine any necessary offset to the electrical resistance reading. Finally, the fuel usage table is updated with the offset to the electrical resistance reading.