JPS641160Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention relates to a liquid level detection device for a washing tank in an automobile.

Liquid tanks in automobiles are sometimes installed in the space between the trim that forms the interior wall of the vehicle at the rear of the vehicle and the outer panel in order to utilize the extra space in the vehicle body (for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 52-75336). ). In this configuration, when injecting liquid into the tank, it is necessary to detect the liquid level, but since this tank is sandwiched between the trim and the outer panel as described above, the liquid level cannot be detected. It is not easy to see.

As a means for detecting the liquid level in the above-mentioned case, there is one disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 57-114922. According to this configuration, one end of the transparent cylindrical body is inserted into the tank by a predetermined length, the liquid in the tank is allowed to enter the cylindrical body, and then the other end of the cylindrical body is closed. When the cylindrical body is removed from the tank in this state, the liquid remains inside the cylindrical body, and the liquid level in the tank can be detected by reading this liquid level.

However, even if such a liquid level detection means is applied to the above-mentioned automobile tank, it is complicated to insert and remove the cylindrical body from the tank, and moreover, when it is dark outdoors such as at night, the inside of the cylindrical body It is difficult to visually check the liquid level.

This idea was created with the above-mentioned circumstances in mind, and it allows the liquid level of the wash tank to be easily adjusted even when it is dark outside.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a detection means that can accurately detect the liquid level, has a simple structure, and maintains a good external appearance of a vehicle body.

A feature of this invention for achieving the above object is that a part of the lens of the combination lamp is used as a level gauge for a wash tank.

Examples of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, the rear part of the interior of the automobile 1 is used as a luggage compartment. Further, a door opening 2 for taking luggage in and out is formed on the rear surface of the vehicle body, and a rear door 3 is provided that allows the door opening 2 to be opened and closed.

On the other hand, trim 4 that forms the interior wall at the rear of the vehicle body
A washer tank 7 is provided between the outer panel 6 and the outer panel 6. The lower end of a communication pipe 8 is connected to the upper part of the washer tank 7, and the upper end of this communication pipe 8 is connected to the side edge 9 of the door opening 2. The upper end of this communication pipe 8 is opened to the outside of the vehicle body and serves as an injection port 8a for supplying cleaning liquid to the washer tank 7, and this injection port 8a is covered by the rear door 3 with the door opening 2 closed. Further, the lower part of the washer tank 7 is communicated with the backwind side via a pump (not shown).

A combination lamp 10 is provided on the outer surface of each side edge 9 of the door opening 2. The combination lamp 10 has a vertically elongated shape with a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a back lamp, etc. arranged vertically, and each pump has a lens 10a and a light 10b.

One side of the lens 10a of the combination lamp 10 serves as a level gauge 11 for detecting the liquid level of the washer tank 7. The level gauge 11 is made of transparent resin, has a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross section, and is fitted into the main body of the lens 10a. The upper and lower ends of the level gauge 11 are connected to the washer tank 7 via resin hoses 12, 12, respectively.

According to this invention, the combination lamp is installed on the outside of the car body, and the level gauge is part of the lens of the combination lamp.On the other hand, cleaning liquid is generally supplied to the wash tank from outside the car body. Therefore, when the washing liquid is supplied from outside the vehicle, the liquid level in the washer tank can be similarly detected from outside the vehicle, and therefore, this liquid level detection work can be done easily.

Furthermore, the level gauge is a part of the lens of the combination lamp, and since the light from the combination lamp passes through the level gauge, it is possible to read the liquid level on the level gauge even when it is dark outdoors. Therefore, the liquid level in the washer tank can be accurately detected. In this case, a combination lamp having other functions such as a tail lamp is also used for reading the liquid level of the level gauge, so that the means for detecting the liquid level of the washer tank is simply configured.

Furthermore, since the level gauge is a part of the lens of the combination lamp, the level gauge does not look strange in the combination lamp, and therefore the appearance of the vehicle body can be maintained in good condition.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show an embodiment of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a partial rear view of an automobile, FIG. 2 is a view taken along the - line in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view taken along the - line in FIG. 2. 1...Car, 7...Water tank, 10
...Combination lamp, 10a...Lens, 11...Level gauge.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An automobile equipped with a water tank at the rear of the vehicle body and a combination lamp consisting of a tail lamp or the like on the rear surface of the vehicle, characterized in that a part of the lens of the combination lamp is used as a level gauge for the water tank. Liquid level detection device for wash tank.