Float arm assembly and method of manufacture

Abstract

A float arm assembly and method of construction therefore has a float arm with a free end and another end arranged for operable communication with a float arm position sensor. A float is molded to the float arm to provide a unitary and rigid float arm assembly.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to fuel systems, and more particularly to fuel level transmitters for use in fuel tanks. Background technique [0002] Vehicles with internal combustion engines typically have fuel tanks that hold fluid fuel. Typically, the fuel tank has a fuel level transmitter to provide an indication to the user, for example on a fuel level gauge, as to the amount of fuel in the tank. Typically, the fuel level transmitter is coupled to a float arm assembly having a float arm extending through a float to facilitate attachment of the float to the float arm. In addition, it is known to use at least one or more washers combined with fasteners such as self-locking Tinnerman® type washers or nuts and received at adjacent opposite ends of the float, thereby Hold the float securely on the float arm. [0003] Fasteners are used to secure the float to the float arm, typically in secondary operations, resulting in variation between fl...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the fasteners used in securing the float to the float arm add additional weight to the assembly

thereby affecting the buoyancy of the float in the fuel and thus its performance

Furthermore, the secondary operation of using fasteners to fasten the float into the float arm complicates the assembly process and, therefore, increases the costs associated with the assembly of the float arm assembly

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