Patent ID: 6617968
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: F16H,F16N,G01F

Abstract:
A drive axle housing of a motor vehicle, said axle housing comprising:an enlarged central portion housing a differential assembly; said central portion forming an oil reservoir containing a certain amount of lubricating oil; a pair of opposite axle tubes extending from said central portion; and a capacitive oil level sensor mounted to said central portion of said drive axle housing and provided for measuring an oil level in said oil reservoir, wherein said oil level sensor is partially immersed in said oil reservoir, and wherein said capacitive oil level sensor comprising: an L-shaped housing having a first leg at least partially immersed in said oil reservoir and a second leg disposed substantially perpendicular from said first leg and extending outside said drive axle housing substantially horizontally, said first leg houses an oil level detecting capacitor at least partially is immersed in said oil reservoir to detect said oil level.