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US 9,003,878 B2Granted
Variable orientation fluid level sensor with optional slosh guard
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorsNicholas Lee Mawhinney, Michael Zaitz
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Abstract
A fluid level sensor assembly comprises a sensor mounted to a sensor housing. A carrier extends from the sensor housing in an angled orientation. A float is located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier. A fragment is secured to the float, and the sensor detects a location of the fragment as the float moves within the carrier.
Claims26
A fluid level sensor assembly comprising:
- a sensor mounted to a sensor housing;
- a carrier extending from the sensor housing in an angled orientation;
- a float located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier;
- a fragment secured to the float, wherein the sensor detects a location of the fragment;
- and
- wherein the float has a barrel shape and the fragment is secured to one end of the float, and wherein the float is assembled within the carrier such that the fragment end is closest to the sensor, and wherein the width of the carrier prevents the float from rotating traverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrier.
3 more elements
A fluid level sensor assembly comprising:
- a reservoir for a vehicle washer system;
- a reed switch mounted to a sensor housing and secured to the reservoir;
- a carrier extending from the sensor housing in an angled orientation wherein the reservoir has one of a side mounting location and a bottom mounting location for the carrier;
- a float with a barrel shape located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier and is prevented from rotating transverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrier;
- a magnetic fragment secured at one of the float, wherein the float is assembled within the carrier such that the magnetic fragment is closest to the reed switch wherein the reed switch detects a location of the magnetic fragment;
- and
- wherein the carrier further comprises a plurality of fingers extending from the sensor housing and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier, and wherein the fingers are spaced from one another sufficiently to allow the float to be assembled within the carrier such that the longer axis of the barrel shaped float is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier, such that the finger prevents the float from rotating traverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrier.
4 more elements
A washer reservoir and fluid level sensor assembly comprising:
- a fluid level sensor comprising;
- a sensor mounted to a sensor housing;
- a carrier extending from the sensor housing in an angled orientation;
- a float located within the carrier such that the float may move along a longitudinal axis of the carrier;
- a fragment secured to the float, wherein the sensor detects a location of the fragment, wherein the float has a barrel shape and the fragment is secured to the one end of the float, and wherein the float is assembled within the carrier such that the fragment end is closest to the sensor, and wherein the width of the carrier prevents the float from rotating traverse to the longitudinal axis of the carrier;
- a connector secured to the sensor housing on an opposing side from the carrier, wherein the connector has a connector pin electrically connected to the sensor, and a flanged backing to secure the connector to the sensor housing;
- and
- a grommet assembled on the exterior of the sensor housing;
- and
- a reservoir for a vehicle washer system having one of a side mounting location and a bottom mounting location, wherein the fluid level sensor is assembled at the mounting location such that the grommet fluidly seals the fluid level sensor within the reservoir and the connector is accessible to the exterior of the washer reservoir.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.