Patent ID: 7343799
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting a liquid level comprising: a resistance plate; a sliding arm pivoting above the resistance plate in accordance with the liquid level; a plurality of first conductive segments, arranged on the resistance plate in a pivoting direction of the sliding arm; resistive elements, each connecting adjacent ones of the first conductive segments; a plurality of second conductive segments corresponding to said plurality of first conductive segments, electrically connected to each other, and arranged on the resistance plate in the pivoting direction; a first contact part, provided on the sliding arm, and sliding on the first conductive segments in accordance with a pivoting movement of the sliding arm; wherein the first contact part has a first semisphere portion; and a second contact part, provided on the sliding arm, and sliding on the second conductive segments in accordance with the pivoting movement of the sliding arm; wherein the second contact part has a second semisphere portion; wherein the first conductive segments and the second conductive segments are arranged such that a first timing, at which the first contact part is brought into point contact with one of the first conductive segments, is synchronized with a second timing, at which the second contact part is brought into point contact with only one of the second conductive segments which corresponds to the one first conductive segment, while a third timing, at which the first contact part is detached from the one first conductive segment, is synchronized with a fourth timing, at which the second contact part is detached from the one second conductive segment; wherein a width of each first conductive segment in the sliding direction of the sliding arm is different from a width of each second conductive segment in the sliding direction of the sliding arm; and wherein each interval between the plurality of first conductive segments in the sliding direction of the sliding arm is different from each interval between the plurality of second conductive segments in the sliding direction of the sliding arm.