Filling Level Indicator

Abstract

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 spaced apart from the resistor network, and the magnetic element is movable relative to the resistor network and the contact element. The contact element has a contact region deflectable by the magnetic element. An electrically conductive connection between the contact region and the resistor network can be established by the deflection of the contact region. A spacer element is disposed between the contact element and the resistor network. A predefinable spacing is generated by the spacer element, which is formed from a fuel-resistant material.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A filling level indicator for determining a filling level in a tank, comprising: a resistor network; a contact element disposed so as to be spaced apart from the resistor network; a magnetic element configured to be movable relative to the resistor network and the contact element; a contact region of the contact element that is deflectable by the magnetic element; wherein an electrically conductive connection between the contact region and the resistor network is established by a deflection of the contact region; and a spacer element formed from a fuel-resistant material disposed between the contact element and the resistor network and configured to generate a predefinable spacing between the contact element and the resistor network.

11. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fuel-resistant material is a corrosion resistant metallic material.

12. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the contact element is formed from a plastics material.

13. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: an electrically conductive coating on the contact element arranged on that side that faces the resistor network.

14. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spacer element is temperature-insensitive and dimensionally stable in a temperature range from −40 degrees to +125 degrees celcius.

15. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: a ceramic carrier substrate on which the resistor network and the spacer element are disposed; wherein the spacer element is one of screw-fitted, adhesively bonded, or interference-fitted to the ceramic carrier substrate.

16. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spacer element is one of screw-fitted, adhesively bonded, or interference-fitted to the contact element.

17. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spacer element is embodied integral to the contact element and conjointly with the contact element to form a common unit.

18. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the resistor network has a plurality of contact faces which are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart, wherein an electric signal is generated by bringing the contact region of the contact element into contact with at least one contact face of the resistor network, and wherein each contact face of the resistor network reflects a defined filling level in the tank.

19. The filling level indicator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the spacer element is configured to generate the predefinable spacing between the contact region of the contact element and the resistor network.

Description

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a filling level indicator 1. The filling level indicator 1 has a housing 3 and a carrier substrate 2 in which the contact element 4 and the spacer element 5 are disposed. The carrier substrate 2 is preferably formed from a ceramic material. A resistor network 6 is applied to the carrier substrate 2. The resistor network 6 comprises an electrically conductive network, wherein each portion of the resistor network 6 is assigned a specific electric resistance.

[0022] The contact element 4 is spaced apart from the resistor network 6 by the spacer element 5. On account thereof, a defined spacing is generated between the contact element 4 and the resistor network 6. An electric contact can be generated between the contact element 4 and the resistor network 6 by deflecting the contact element 4 in the direction of the resistor network 6. A current circuit can be closed by this electric contact, on account of which a signal that can be processed by a downstream control unit is generated.

[0023] The spacer element 5 in the exemplary embodiment of the FIGURE is formed by a metallic material which is in particular configured so as to be resistant to the corrosive influences of the fuel. In one alternative embodiment the spacer element 5 can also be formed by a plastics material which has sufficiently resistant material properties.

[0024] A magnet element which is disposed below the carrier substrate 2, or the resistor network 6, respectively, is not illustrated in the FIGURE. The magnet element can be moved along the carrier substrate 2, on account of which a partial deflection of the contact element 4 can be caused.

[0025] The spacer element 5 is preferably adhesively bonded, welded, interference-fitted, or screw-fitted to the contact element 4 and/or the carrier substrate 2. Alternative fastening methods between the aforementioned elements are also envisageable.

[0026] The objective pursued by the filling level indicator 1 is in particular the achievement of a filling level indicator 1 that does not have to be completely sealed in relation to the fuel that surrounds the filling level indicator 1. Minor quantities which do enter the filling level indicator 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 do not have any damaging influence on the spacer element 5. A filling level indicator 1 that has a particularly high resistance to the damaging corrosive influences of the fuel is thus achieved. This is in particular favorable in terms of a long durability.

[0027] The exemplary embodiment in the FIGURE is in particular not of a limiting nature, and serves for illustrating the concept of the invention. Embodiments which deviate from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, in particular in terms of the dimensions, the choice of material, or the design of individual elements, are likewise envisageable and are within the scope of protection of the present invention, as long as a sufficient resistance of the spacer element 5 in relation to the fuel is achieved.

[0028] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.