JP2018105727A - Liquid level detector and fuel cell system - Google Patents

Liquid level detector and fuel cell system Download PDF

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JP2018105727A
JP2018105727A JP2016252519A JP2016252519A JP2018105727A JP 2018105727 A JP2018105727 A JP 2018105727A JP 2016252519 A JP2016252519 A JP 2016252519A JP 2016252519 A JP2016252519 A JP 2016252519A JP 2018105727 A JP2018105727 A JP 2018105727A
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liquid level
pair
liquid
tank
capacitance
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JP6581963B2 (en
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剛義 山本
Takeyoshi Yamamoto
剛義 山本
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2016252519A priority Critical patent/JP6581963B2/en
Priority to CN201711426787.8A priority patent/CN108240851B/en
Priority to GB1721991.6A priority patent/GB2558424B/en
Priority to DE102017223801.1A priority patent/DE102017223801B4/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/56—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats using elements rigidly fixed to, and rectilinearly moving with, the floats as transmission elements
    • G01F23/60—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats using elements rigidly fixed to, and rectilinearly moving with, the floats as transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F22/00—Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/18—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/18—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids
    • G01C9/20—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids the indication being based on the inclination of the surface of a liquid relative to its container
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
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    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
    • G01F23/261—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields for discrete levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
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    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
    • G01F23/263—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
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    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
    • G01F23/263—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
    • G01F23/265—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors for discrete levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
    • G01F23/263—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
    • G01F23/268—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors mounting arrangements of probes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G01F23/68—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G01F23/68—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means
    • G01F23/70—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using electrically actuated indicating means for sensing changes in level only at discrete points
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/76—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats characterised by the construction of the float
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/80—Arrangements for signal processing
    • G01F23/802—Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment
    • G01F23/804—Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04126—Humidifying
    • H01M8/04141—Humidifying by water containing exhaust gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H01M8/04164—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal by condensers, gas-liquid separators or filters
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04291—Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/02—Details
    • G01C9/06—Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
    • G01C2009/062—Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means capacitive
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C9/00—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels
    • G01C9/18—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids
    • G01C2009/185—Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels by using liquids dielectric
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
    • H01M8/0606—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/0612—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues with means for production of gaseous reactants from carbon-containing material
    • H01M8/0618—Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
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  • Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)
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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid level detector capable of measuring liquid level in a tank while detecting inclination of the tank.SOLUTION: A liquid level detector 10 includes: a float part 20 movable in a vertical direction being guided by a guide rod 45 which is vertically installed in a liquid storage tank 1 for storing liquid 2; and a pair of electrode parts 30 which are fixed integrally with the float part 20 disposed being faced to each other in the vertical direction. The liquid level in the liquid storage tank 1 and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 are detected based on the electrostatic capacitance between the pair of electrode parts 30 which changes depending on the inductivity of insulators disposed between the pair of electrode parts 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

本発明は、液面状態検出装置及び該液面状態検出装置を備える燃料電池システムに関する。   The present invention relates to a liquid level detection device and a fuel cell system including the liquid level detection device.

近年、水素と空気中の酸素を取り込み化学反応により電気エネルギーを生成する燃料電池の、コージェネレーションシステムや燃料電池車等への利用が進んでいる。燃料電池に供給される水素は、例えばガスコージェネレーションシステムでは、天然ガスと改質水から水蒸気改質法等によって生成され、燃料電池車では、水素ガスを高圧圧縮した水素タンクから得られる。燃料電池が水素と酸素から電気エネルギーを生成する際には水分が発生するが、このとき得られる水分が改質水として利用されたり、水素タンクから得られる水素ガスの加湿に用いられたりする。   In recent years, the use of fuel cells that take in hydrogen and oxygen in the air to generate electrical energy through a chemical reaction has been promoted in cogeneration systems, fuel cell vehicles, and the like. For example, in a gas cogeneration system, hydrogen supplied to a fuel cell is generated from natural gas and reformed water by a steam reforming method or the like. In a fuel cell vehicle, hydrogen is obtained from a hydrogen tank in which hydrogen gas is compressed at high pressure. When the fuel cell generates electric energy from hydrogen and oxygen, moisture is generated. The moisture obtained at this time is used as reforming water or used for humidifying the hydrogen gas obtained from the hydrogen tank.

但し、改質水や水素ガスの加湿のために必要な水分量は、燃料電池から排出された水分の一部で充分である。このため、燃料電池から排出された水を蓄えるタンクが燃料電池システムには設けられている。例えば、特許文献１に記載の燃料電池システムでは、アノードオフガスを循環させるための配管にキャッチタンクが設けられ、燃料電池から排出された水分が再度、燃料電池に戻らないようにしている。   However, a part of the water discharged from the fuel cell is sufficient as the amount of water necessary for humidifying the reforming water and hydrogen gas. For this reason, a tank for storing water discharged from the fuel cell is provided in the fuel cell system. For example, in the fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1, a catch tank is provided in a pipe for circulating the anode off gas so that moisture discharged from the fuel cell does not return to the fuel cell again.

特開２０１２−９９４４５号公報JP 2012-99445 A

上記説明したタンクを含む燃料電池システムでは、タンク内の水位の計測が必要である。また、タンクが傾斜すると水分を供給できない状態になることも考えられるため、タンクの傾斜も検出する必要がある。このため、特許文献１に記載の燃料電池システムでは、水位センサと傾斜センサが配設されている。しかし、当該水位センサと傾斜センサはそれぞれ独立したセンサであるため、２つのセンサを設置するためのスペースがそれぞれ必要となるばかりでなく、部品点数及びコストの低減の点で改善の余地があった。なお、当該課題は燃料電池システムに限らず、液体を貯蔵するタンクを備えた他のシステムにも適用される。   In the fuel cell system including the tank described above, it is necessary to measure the water level in the tank. Further, since it is possible that moisture cannot be supplied when the tank is inclined, it is necessary to detect the inclination of the tank. For this reason, in the fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1, a water level sensor and a tilt sensor are provided. However, since the water level sensor and the tilt sensor are independent sensors, a space for installing the two sensors is required, and there is room for improvement in terms of the number of parts and cost reduction. . In addition, the said subject is applied not only to a fuel cell system but to other systems provided with the tank which stores a liquid.

本発明の目的は、タンク内の液面高さの計測及びタンクの傾斜を検出可能な液面状態検出装置及び該液面状態検出装置を備える燃料電池システムを提供することである。   An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level detection device capable of measuring the liquid level in a tank and detecting the inclination of the tank, and a fuel cell system including the liquid level detection device.

上記の目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、
液体（例えば、後述の実施形態での液体２）を貯蔵するタンク（例えば、後述の実施形態での液体貯留タンク１）内に立設されたガイドロッド（例えば、後述の実施形態でのガイドロッド４５）に案内されて上下方向に移動可能なフロート部（例えば、後述の実施形態でのフロート部２０）と、
前記フロート部に一体固定され、上下方向に対向配置された一対の電極部（例えば、後述の実施形態での一対の電極部３０，５０，６０）と、を備え、
前記一対の電極部間に存在する絶縁物の誘電率によって変化する前記一対の電極部間の静電容量に基づき、前記タンク内の液面高さ及び前記タンクの傾斜を検出する、液面状態検出装置である。 In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1
A guide rod (for example, a guide rod in an embodiment to be described later) standing in a tank (for example, a liquid storage tank 1 in an embodiment to be described later) for storing a liquid (for example, a liquid 2 in an embodiment to be described later). 45) a float part (for example, a float part 20 in an embodiment to be described later) guided by 45) and movable in the vertical direction
A pair of electrode portions (for example, a pair of electrode portions 30, 50, 60 in the embodiments described later) that are integrally fixed to the float portion and arranged to face each other in the vertical direction,
A liquid level state in which the liquid level in the tank and the inclination of the tank are detected based on the capacitance between the pair of electrode parts, which varies depending on the dielectric constant of the insulator existing between the pair of electrode parts. It is a detection device.

請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、
前記一対の電極部の形状は、平面視において、円形である。 The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The shape of the pair of electrode portions is circular in plan view.

請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項２に記載の発明において、
前記タンクの傾斜は、前記一対の電極部間の静電容量を、前記一対の電極部間が液体で満たされている場合の静電容量と比較した大小関係、及び前記一対の電極部間が空気で満たされている場合の静電容量と比較した大小関係に基づき検出される。 The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2,
The inclination of the tank is such that the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions is compared with the capacitance when the space between the pair of electrode portions is filled with a liquid, and between the pair of electrode portions. It is detected based on the magnitude relationship compared to the capacitance when it is filled with air.

請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、
前記一対の電極部の各電極部は、平面視において、検出される前記タンクの傾斜方向に分割された複数の分割電極部（例えば、後述の実施形態での上部電極板５１，５２，６１〜６４及び下部電極板５３，５４，６５〜６８）を備える。 The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1,
Each electrode part of the pair of electrode parts has a plurality of divided electrode parts (for example, upper electrode plates 51, 52, 61-1 in an embodiment described later) divided in the inclination direction of the tank to be detected in plan view. 64 and lower electrode plates 53, 54, 65-68).

請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項４に記載の発明において、
前記分割電極部の形状は、平面視において、検出される前記タンクの傾斜方向に対して線対称の４分円である。 The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4,
The shape of the divided electrode portion is a quadrant that is line-symmetric with respect to the detected tilt direction of the tank in plan view.

請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項４又は５に記載の発明において、
検出される前記タンクの傾斜方向は、前記タンクから液体が流れ出る方向に等しい。 The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5,
The detected tilt direction of the tank is equal to the direction in which liquid flows out of the tank.

請求項７に記載の発明は、請求項４から６のいずれか１項に記載の発明において、
前記タンクの傾斜は、前記タンクの傾斜方向にそれぞれ位置する前記一対の電極部の各分割電極部間の静電容量の大小関係に基づき検出される。 The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The inclination of the tank is detected based on the magnitude relationship of the capacitance between the divided electrode portions of the pair of electrode portions respectively positioned in the inclination direction of the tank.

請求項８に記載の発明は、請求項１から７のいずれか１項に記載の液面状態検出装置を備える、燃料電池システムである。   The invention according to claim 8 is a fuel cell system comprising the liquid level state detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

請求項１に記載の発明によれば、本発明に係る液面状態検出装置が、液体を貯蔵するタンク内に立設されたガイドロッドに案内されて上下方向に移動可能なフロート部と、当該フロート部に一体固定され、上下方向に対向配置された一対の電極部と、を備えるため、一対の電極部間に存在する絶縁物の誘電率によって変化する一対の電極部間の静電容量に基づき、タンク内の液面高さ及びタンクの傾斜を一つの装置によって検出できる。   According to the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid level state detection device according to the present invention is guided by a guide rod standing in a tank for storing liquid, and is floatable up and down, And a pair of electrode portions that are integrally fixed to the float portion and arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction, so that the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions varies depending on the dielectric constant of the insulator existing between the pair of electrode portions. Based on this, the liquid level in the tank and the inclination of the tank can be detected by one device.

請求項２に記載の発明によれば、平面視において円形の一対の電極部により、全方向に対するタンクの傾きの有無を検出できる。   According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the inclination of the tank with respect to all directions by the pair of circular electrode portions in plan view.

請求項３に記載の発明によれば、タンクの傾斜は、一対の電極部間の静電容量を、当該一対の電極部間が液体で満たされている場合の静電容量と比較した大小関係、及び一対の電極部間が空気で満たされている場合の静電容量と比較した大小関係に基づき検出されるため、一対の電極部間の静電容量から、全方向に対するタンクの傾きの有無を検出できる。   According to the invention described in claim 3, the inclination of the tank is such that the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions is compared with the capacitance when the space between the pair of electrode portions is filled with liquid. , And the presence or absence of the inclination of the tank with respect to all directions from the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions, because it is detected based on the magnitude relationship compared to the capacitance when the space between the pair of electrode portions is filled with air. Can be detected.

請求項４に記載の発明によれば、検出されるタンクの傾斜方向に分割された複数の分割電極部により、当該分割電極部の分割方向への傾斜を精度よく検出できる。   According to invention of Claim 4, the inclination to the division direction of the said division | segmentation electrode part is accurately detectable by the some division | segmentation electrode part divided | segmented in the inclination direction of the tank detected.

請求項５に記載の発明によれば、検出されるタンクの傾斜方向に対して線対称の４分円形状の複数の分割電極部により、当該分割電極部の分割方向への傾斜を精度よく検出できる。   According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of divided electrode portions that are line-symmetrical with respect to the detected tilt direction of the tank are used to accurately detect the tilt of the split electrode portion in the split direction. it can.

請求項６に記載の発明によれば、検出されるタンクの傾斜方向が、タンクから液体が流れ出る方向に等しく設定されるため、液体を排出するタンクの傾斜を検出するための液面状態検出装置として好適に使用できる。   According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the detected tilt direction of the tank is set equal to the direction in which the liquid flows out of the tank, the liquid level state detecting device for detecting the tilt of the tank that discharges the liquid Can be suitably used.

請求項７に記載の発明によれば、タンクの傾斜は、タンクの傾斜方向にそれぞれ位置する一対の電極部の各分割電極部間の各静電容量の大小関係に基づき検出されるので、当該分割電極部の分割方向への傾斜を精度よく検出できる。   According to the invention described in claim 7, since the inclination of the tank is detected based on the magnitude relationship of the electrostatic capacitances between the divided electrode parts of the pair of electrode parts respectively positioned in the tank inclination direction, The inclination of the divided electrode portion in the dividing direction can be accurately detected.

請求項８に記載の発明によれば、燃料電池システムの信頼性が向上する。   According to the invention described in claim 8, the reliability of the fuel cell system is improved.

（ａ）はタンクに設置された本発明に係る第１実施形態の液面状態検出装置を示す縦断面図であり、（ｂ）は図１（ａ）に示された液面状態検出装置の要部拡大斜視図である。(A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the liquid level state detection apparatus of 1st Embodiment based on this invention installed in the tank, (b) is the liquid level state detection apparatus shown to Fig.1 (a). It is a principal part expansion perspective view. 液面が所定の高さ以上である場合の液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図である。It is a principal part enlarged view of a liquid level detection apparatus in case a liquid level is more than predetermined height. 液面が所定の高さより低下した場合の液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図である。It is a principal part enlarged view of a liquid level state detection apparatus when a liquid level falls from predetermined height. 液体貯留タンクが傾いたために傾斜した第１実施形態の液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図である。It is a principal part enlarged view of the liquid level state detection apparatus of 1st Embodiment inclined because the liquid storage tank inclined. （ａ）は本発明に係る第２実施形態の液面状態検出装置が備える一対の電極部を示す斜視図であり、（ｂ）は一対の電極部の平面図であり、（ｃ）は一対の電極部の電気回路図である。(A) is a perspective view which shows a pair of electrode part with which the liquid level state detection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention is provided, (b) is a top view of a pair of electrode part, (c) is a pair of It is an electric circuit diagram of the electrode part. （ａ）は液体貯留タンクが水平であるときの図５に示す液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図であり、（ｂ）は液体貯留タンクがＡ方向へ傾斜したときの図５に示す液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図であり、（ｃ）は液体貯留タンクがＢ方向へ傾斜したときの図５に示す液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図である。(A) is a principal part enlarged view of the liquid level detection apparatus shown in FIG. 5 when a liquid storage tank is horizontal, (b) is the liquid shown in FIG. 5 when a liquid storage tank inclines in A direction. It is a principal part enlarged view of a surface state detection apparatus, (c) is a principal part enlarged view of the liquid level state detection apparatus shown in FIG. 5 when a liquid storage tank inclines in the B direction. （ａ）は本発明に係る第３実施形態の液面状態検出装置が備える一対の電極部を示す斜視図であり、（ｂ）は一対の電極部の平面図であり、（ｃ）は一対の電極部の電気回路図である。(A) is a perspective view which shows a pair of electrode part with which the liquid level detection apparatus of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention is equipped, (b) is a top view of a pair of electrode part, (c) is a pair of It is an electric circuit diagram of the electrode part. （ａ）は液体貯留タンクがＣ方向へ傾斜したときの図７に示す液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図であり、（ｂ）は液体貯留タンクがＤ方向へ傾斜したときの図７に示す液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図である。(A) is the principal part enlarged view of the liquid level detection apparatus shown in FIG. 7 when a liquid storage tank inclines in C direction, (b) is FIG. 7 when a liquid storage tank inclines in D direction. It is a principal part enlarged view of the liquid level state detection apparatus shown. （ａ）は改質水を貯留するキャッチタンクを含む燃料電池システムの改質水ポンプの平面図であり、（ｂ）は改質水ポンプの側面図である。(A) is a top view of the reforming water pump of the fuel cell system including a catch tank for storing reforming water, and (b) is a side view of the reforming water pump. Ｃ方向へ大きく傾斜した状態を検出する図５に示す液面状態検出装置の要部拡大図である。It is a principal part enlarged view of the liquid level detection apparatus shown in FIG. 5 which detects the state largely inclined to C direction.

以下、本発明の実施形態について、図面を参照して説明する。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

（第１実施形態）
図１（ａ）は、第１実施形態の液面状態検出装置の構成を示す縦断面図であり、図１（ｂ）は、図１（ａ）に示された液面状態検出装置の要部拡大斜視図である。図１（ａ）に示すように、液面状態検出装置１０は、液体貯留タンク１内に配設され、貯留された液体２の液面Ｒ、及び液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を検出する。なお、液面状態検出装置１０は、液体貯留タンク１の底部１ａから立設したガイドロッド４５に沿って摺動可能に配設されているため、液面状態検出装置１０が検出する液体貯留タンク１の傾斜は、液面状態検出装置１０の傾斜に等しい。 (First embodiment)
FIG. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the liquid level detection device of the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the liquid level detection device shown in FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, the liquid level detection device 10 is disposed in the liquid storage tank 1 and detects the liquid level R of the stored liquid 2 and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1. Since the liquid level detection device 10 is slidably disposed along the guide rod 45 erected from the bottom 1a of the liquid storage tank 1, the liquid storage tank detected by the liquid level detection device 10 is used. The inclination of 1 is equal to the inclination of the liquid level detection device 10.

液面状態検出装置１０は、フロート部２０と、フロート部２０の下部に一体固定された一対の電極部３０と、を備える。   The liquid level detection device 10 includes a float unit 20 and a pair of electrode units 30 that are integrally fixed to the lower part of the float unit 20.

図２に示すように、フロート部２０は、合成樹脂などによって、内部に密封空間２１を有する中空円筒状に形成されている。密封空間２１には、液体貯留タンク１に貯留される液体２よりも比重が軽い流体が封入される。例えば、液体２が水である場合、密封空間２１には空気が封入される。これにより、フロート部２０は、液体貯留タンク１に貯留される液体２の液面Ｒ付近に浮かぶ。   As shown in FIG. 2, the float portion 20 is formed of a synthetic resin or the like into a hollow cylindrical shape having a sealed space 21 inside. A fluid having a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 is sealed in the sealed space 21. For example, when the liquid 2 is water, the sealed space 21 is filled with air. Thereby, the float part 20 floats near the liquid level R of the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1.

また、フロート部２０は、密封空間２１を密封可能な蓋部２２を備える。蓋部２２を開いて密封空間２１に液体２よりも比重の小さな流体を封入してフロート部２０の浮力を調整することで、液体貯留タンク１に貯留される比重が異なる各種液体に対応可能である。   In addition, the float unit 20 includes a lid unit 22 that can seal the sealed space 21. By opening the lid 22 and enclosing a fluid having a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid 2 in the sealed space 21 and adjusting the buoyancy of the float unit 20, various liquids with different specific gravity stored in the liquid storage tank 1 can be handled. is there.

一対の電極部３０は、所定の距離Ｌだけ離間して上下方向に対向配置された上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２とを有する。上部電極板３１及び下部電極板３２は、それぞれ円板状に形成されている。本実施形態の一対の電極部３０は、上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間に存在する絶縁物（例えば、水や空気）の誘電率によって静電容量が変化することを利用した静電容量式センサの電極を構成する。   The pair of electrode portions 30 includes an upper electrode plate 31 and a lower electrode plate 32 that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance L and are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. The upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 are each formed in a disk shape. The pair of electrode portions 30 of the present embodiment is an electrostatic that utilizes the fact that the capacitance changes depending on the dielectric constant of an insulator (for example, water or air) existing between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32. It constitutes the electrode of the capacitive sensor.

上部電極板３１は、フロート部２０の底面２３の下面に固定され、下部電極板３２は、底板３４の上面に固定されている。フロート部２０の底面２３と底板３４とは、上下方向に延びる複数のスペース柱３５によって連結されている。複数のスペース柱３５は、円周方向に離間して形成され、隣接するスペース柱３５の間には窓部３６が設けられている。したがって、上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間は、複数の窓部３６を介して外方に開放されており、液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２や液体貯留タンク１内の空気が出入り自在となっている。   The upper electrode plate 31 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom surface 23 of the float unit 20, and the lower electrode plate 32 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 34. The bottom surface 23 and the bottom plate 34 of the float part 20 are connected by a plurality of space columns 35 extending in the vertical direction. The plurality of space columns 35 are formed to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and a window portion 36 is provided between the adjacent space columns 35. Therefore, the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 is opened to the outside through the plurality of windows 36, and the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 or the liquid storage tank 1 The air can go in and out freely.

また、一対の電極部３０の側方には、支持部３９が延設されている。支持部３９に形成されて上下方向に貫通するガイド孔４０には、ガイドロッド４５が摺動自在に嵌合している。ガイドロッド４５は、液体貯留タンク１の底部１ａから立設するパイプであり、その下部には、液面Ｒの最低位置を検出するために一対の電極部３０の下方への移動を阻止するストッパ４６が設けられている。なお、ガイドロッド４５の横断面は矩形であり、ガイド孔４０はガイドロッド４５の断面に応じた形状を有するため、液面状態検出装置１０は、ガイドロッド４５に沿って上下方向に摺動移動するが、ガイドロッド４５を軸に回転しない。   Further, a support portion 39 is extended to the side of the pair of electrode portions 30. A guide rod 45 is slidably fitted in a guide hole 40 formed in the support portion 39 and penetrating in the vertical direction. The guide rod 45 is a pipe erected from the bottom 1a of the liquid storage tank 1, and at the lower part thereof is a stopper that prevents the pair of electrode portions 30 from moving downward in order to detect the lowest position of the liquid level R. 46 is provided. Since the guide rod 45 has a rectangular cross section and the guide hole 40 has a shape corresponding to the cross section of the guide rod 45, the liquid level detection device 10 slides in the vertical direction along the guide rod 45. However, the guide rod 45 does not rotate around the shaft.

上部電極板３１及び下部電極板３２には、それぞれリード線３７が接続されており、その一端は出力コネクタ３８に接続される。液面状態検出装置１０が備える不図示の処理部は、出力コネクタ３８から出力される一対の電極部３０間の電位差等に基づき一対の電極部３０間の静電容量を算出し、当該静電容量に基づき液体貯留タンク１内の液面高さ及び液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を検出する。なお、一対の電極部３０間の電位差を示す信号が、無線によって処理部に送信されても良い。また、処理部は、液体貯留タンク１の外部に設けられても、フロート部２０の密封空間２１内に設けられても良い。処理部が密封空間２１内に設けられる場合、液体貯留タンク１内の液面高さ及び液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を示す各信号は、リード線３７を介して出力コネクタ３８から出力される。   Lead wires 37 are connected to the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32, respectively, and one end thereof is connected to the output connector 38. A processing unit (not shown) included in the liquid surface state detection device 10 calculates a capacitance between the pair of electrode units 30 based on a potential difference between the pair of electrode units 30 output from the output connector 38, and outputs the electrostatic capacity. Based on the capacity, the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 1 and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 are detected. Note that a signal indicating a potential difference between the pair of electrode units 30 may be transmitted to the processing unit by radio. Further, the processing unit may be provided outside the liquid storage tank 1 or may be provided in the sealed space 21 of the float unit 20. When the processing unit is provided in the sealed space 21, each signal indicating the liquid level in the liquid storage tank 1 and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 is output from the output connector 38 via the lead wire 37.

一対の電極部３０間の静電容量Ｃは、式（１）によって表される。   The capacitance C between the pair of electrode portions 30 is represented by the formula (1).

Ｃ＝ε×Ｓ／Ｌ …（１）
但し、「ε」は上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間に存在する絶縁物の誘電率［Ｆ／ｍ］、「Ｓ」は上部電極板３１及び下部電極板３２の面積［ｍ２］、「Ｌ」は上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２との離間距離［ｍ］である。 C = ε × S / L (1)
However, “ε” is a dielectric constant [F / m] of an insulator existing between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32, and “S” is an area [m 2 ] of the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32. , “L” is a distance [m] between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32.

液面状態検出装置１０は、液体貯留タンク１に貯留される液体２の液面Ｒの高さが変化すると、フロート部２０の作用により、ガイドロッド４５に案内されて上下方向に摺動移動する。液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２が所定量より多い場合、図２に示すように、上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間には液体２が充満している。一方、液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２が減少して、図３に示すように液面Ｒがガイドロッド４５に設けられたストッパ４６の位置よりも低くなると、上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間は空気中に露出する。   When the height of the liquid level R of the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 changes, the liquid level detection device 10 is guided by the guide rod 45 and slides in the vertical direction by the action of the float unit 20. . When the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 is larger than a predetermined amount, the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 is filled with the liquid 2 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 decreases and the liquid level R becomes lower than the position of the stopper 46 provided on the guide rod 45 as shown in FIG. The space between the electrode plates 32 is exposed to the air.

図２に示した状態では上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間には液体２が充満しており、液体２が水である場合、その比誘電率εｒは８０．４（２０℃時）であるので、図３に示した上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間が空気に露出した状態と比較すると、一対の電極部３０間の静電容量は大きな値を示す。一方、空気の比誘電率εｒは１．０００５９であるので、図３に示した上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間が空気に露出した状態では、一対の電極部３０間の静電容量は小さな値を示す。なお、比誘電率εｒとは、上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間にある絶縁物（媒体）の誘電率εと真空の誘電率ε０との比（εｒ＝ε／ε０）である。   In the state shown in FIG. 2, the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 is filled with the liquid 2, and when the liquid 2 is water, the relative dielectric constant εr is 80.4 (20 ° C. Therefore, the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 30 shows a large value as compared with the state where the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 shown in FIG. 3 is exposed to air. On the other hand, since the relative dielectric constant εr of air is 1.00059, in the state where the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 shown in FIG. The electric capacity shows a small value. The relative dielectric constant εr is the ratio of the dielectric constant ε of the insulator (medium) between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 to the vacuum dielectric constant ε0 (εr = ε / ε0).

したがって、本実施形態では、一対の電極部３０間の静電容量を算出することで、液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２の高さがガイドロッド４５に設けられたストッパ４６より低いか否かを検出することが可能となる。   Therefore, in this embodiment, whether the height of the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 is lower than the stopper 46 provided in the guide rod 45 by calculating the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 30. It becomes possible to detect whether or not.

次に、液体貯留タンク１が傾いた場合に液面状態検出装置１０が行う傾斜の検出について、図４を参照して説明する。   Next, the detection of the inclination performed by the liquid level detection device 10 when the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined will be described with reference to FIG.

液体貯留タンク１が傾くと、液面状態検出装置１０も傾く。液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２の液面高さがガイドロッド４５に設けられたストッパ４６より高い状態において、液面状態検出装置１０が傾くと、図４に示すように、上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間の一部が空気中に露出し、当該空間には液体２と空気とが混在する。この状態の一対の電極部３０間の静電容量Ｃ３は、液体２と空気との混在比率に従って変化し、図２に示した上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間が液体２で満たされている場合の静電容量Ｃ１より小さく（Ｃ３＜Ｃ１）、図３に示した上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２の間の空間が空気で満たされている場合の静電容量Ｃ２より大きい（Ｃ２＜Ｃ３）。すなわち、Ｃ２＜Ｃ３＜Ｃ１の関係が成り立つ。   When the liquid storage tank 1 tilts, the liquid level detection device 10 also tilts. In the state where the liquid level of the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 is higher than the stopper 46 provided on the guide rod 45, when the liquid level detection device 10 is tilted, as shown in FIG. A part of the space between the plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 is exposed to the air, and the liquid 2 and air are mixed in the space. The capacitance C3 between the pair of electrode portions 30 in this state changes according to the mixture ratio of the liquid 2 and air, and the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 shown in FIG. It is smaller than the capacitance C1 when it is satisfied (C3 <C1), and it is smaller than the capacitance C2 when the space between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 shown in FIG. 3 is filled with air. Large (C2 <C3). That is, the relationship C2 <C3 <C1 is established.

したがって、本実施形態では、一対の電極部３０間の電位差等から算出した静電容量を、静電容量Ｃ１，Ｃ２と比較して、その大小関係を導出することで、液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を検出することが可能となる。なお、静電容量Ｃ１，Ｃ２は、液体貯留タンク１に貯留される液体２の種類及び一対の電極部３０の構造に固有の値であるので、予め測定された値が不図示のメモリ等に記録されている。   Therefore, in the present embodiment, the capacitance calculated from the potential difference between the pair of electrode portions 30 is compared with the capacitances C1 and C2, and the magnitude relationship is derived to thereby incline the liquid storage tank 1. Can be detected. The capacitances C1 and C2 are values inherent to the type of the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 and the structure of the pair of electrode units 30, and thus the previously measured values are stored in a memory or the like (not shown). It is recorded.

また、一対の電極部３０を構成する上部電極板３１及び下部電極板３２の平面視形状は円形であるので、本実施形態では傾斜方向は検出できないものの、傾きの有無は、上部電極板３１又は下部電極板３２の円周方向におけるあらゆる方向に対して検出可能である。さらに、傾斜の検出精度は、上部電極板３１及び下部電極板３２の面積Ｓ及び上部電極板３１と下部電極板３２との離間距離Ｌの少なくとも一方を調整することで変更できる。   In addition, since the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 constituting the pair of electrode portions 30 have a circular shape in plan view, the inclination direction cannot be detected in this embodiment, but the presence or absence of the inclination is determined by the upper electrode plate 31 or Detection is possible in all directions in the circumferential direction of the lower electrode plate 32. Further, the inclination detection accuracy can be changed by adjusting at least one of the area S of the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32 and the separation distance L between the upper electrode plate 31 and the lower electrode plate 32.

（第２実施形態）
図５（ａ）は、本発明に係る第２実施形態の液面状態検出装置が備える一対の電極部を示す斜視図であり、図５（ｂ）は、図５（ａ）に示された一対の電極部の平面図であり、図５（ｃ）は、図５（ａ）に示された一対の電極部の電気回路図である。第２の実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ａが第１の実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０と異なる点は、一対の電極部の構成である。この点以外は第１の実施形態と同様であるため、第１実施形態と同一又は同等部分には同一符号又は相当符号を付して説明を簡略化又は省略する。 (Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 (a) is a perspective view showing a pair of electrode portions provided in the liquid level detection device of the second embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 (b) is shown in FIG. 5 (a). It is a top view of a pair of electrode part, and FIG.5 (c) is an electrical circuit diagram of a pair of electrode part shown by Fig.5 (a). The liquid surface state detection device 10A of the second embodiment is different from the liquid surface state detection device 10 of the first embodiment in the configuration of a pair of electrode portions. Except for this point, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or equivalent portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

図５（ａ）及び図５（ｂ）に示すように、第２実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ａが備える一対の電極部５０の各電極部は、検出される液体貯留タンク１の傾斜方向（ＡＢ方向）に対して線対称に形成され、かつ、上記傾斜方向に分割された２つの分割電極部を有する。すなわち、一対の電極部５０を構成する上部電極部は、４分円形状の２つの上部電極板５１，５２から構成され、下部電極部は、４分円形状の２つの下部電極板５３，５４から構成されている。本実施形態の一対の電極部５０は、図５（ｃ）に示すように、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３を対とした静電容量Ｃａの静電容量式センサと、上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４を対とした静電容量Ｃｂの静電容量式センサの２つのセンサの電極を構成する。   As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, each electrode part of the pair of electrode parts 50 provided in the liquid level detection device 10A of the second embodiment is detected in the tilt direction of the liquid storage tank 1 detected. It has two divided electrode portions that are formed in line symmetry with respect to (AB direction) and are divided in the tilt direction. That is, the upper electrode part constituting the pair of electrode parts 50 is constituted by two quadrant-shaped upper electrode plates 51 and 52, and the lower electrode part is provided by two quadrant-shaped two lower electrode plates 53 and 54. It is composed of As shown in FIG. 5 (c), the pair of electrode portions 50 of the present embodiment includes a capacitance type sensor of capacitance Ca and a pair of upper electrode plate 51 and lower electrode plate 53, and upper electrode plate 52. The electrodes of the two sensors of the electrostatic capacity type sensor of the electrostatic capacity Cb in which the lower electrode plate 54 and the lower electrode plate 54 are paired are configured.

図６（ａ）は、液体貯留タンク１が水平であるときの液面状態検出装置１０Ａを示す要部拡大図であり、図６（ｂ）は、液体貯留タンク１がＡ方向へ傾斜したときの液面状態検出装置１０Ａを示す要部拡大図であり、図６（ｃ）は、液体貯留タンク１がＢ方向へ傾斜したときの液面状態検出装置１０Ａを示す要部拡大図である。図６（ａ）〜図６（ｃ）に示す液体貯留タンク１の各状態（水平状態、Ａ方向への傾斜状態、Ｂ方向への傾斜状態）における、一対の電極部５０に存在する絶縁物及び静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂを以下の表１に示す。   FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a main part showing the liquid level detection device 10A when the liquid storage tank 1 is horizontal, and FIG. 6B is a view when the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the A direction. FIG. 6C is a main part enlarged view showing the liquid level state detection apparatus 10A when the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the B direction. Insulators present in the pair of electrode portions 50 in each state (horizontal state, inclined state in the A direction, inclined state in the B direction) of the liquid storage tank 1 shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c). The capacitances Ca and Cb are shown in Table 1 below.

Figure 2018105727
Figure 2018105727

表１に示すように、液体貯留タンク１が水平状態のとき（図６（ａ）参照）、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３の間の空間、及び上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４の間の空間は、いずれも比誘電率εｒが空気よりも大きな液体２（水）で満たされるため、静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂとなる。   As shown in Table 1, when the liquid storage tank 1 is in a horizontal state (see FIG. 6A), the space between the upper electrode plate 51 and the lower electrode plate 53, and the upper electrode plate 52 and the lower electrode plate 54 Since the space between them is filled with the liquid 2 (water) whose relative dielectric constant εr is larger than that of air, the capacitance Ca = capacitance Cb.

一方、液体貯留タンク１がＡ方向に傾斜している状態（図６（ｂ）参照）では、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３の間の空間は液体２（水）で満たされるが、上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４の間の空間の一部は液面Ｒより上方に飛び出して液体２（水）と空気が混在するため、静電容量Ｃａ＞静電容量Ｃｂとなる。   On the other hand, in the state in which the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the A direction (see FIG. 6B), the space between the upper electrode plate 51 and the lower electrode plate 53 is filled with the liquid 2 (water). Since a part of the space between the electrode plate 52 and the lower electrode plate 54 protrudes upward from the liquid level R and the liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed, the capacitance Ca> the capacitance Cb.

また、液体貯留タンク１がＢ方向に傾斜している状態（図６（ｃ）参照）では、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３の間の空間の一部は液面Ｒより上方に飛び出して液体２（水）と空気が混在し、上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４の間は液体２（水）で満たされるため、静電容量Ｃａ＜静電容量Ｃｂとなる。   When the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the B direction (see FIG. 6C), a part of the space between the upper electrode plate 51 and the lower electrode plate 53 protrudes above the liquid level R. Since the liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed and the space between the upper electrode plate 52 and the lower electrode plate 54 is filled with the liquid 2 (water), the capacitance Ca <capacitance Cb.

したがって、本実施形態では、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３の間の静電容量Ｃａと、上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４との間の静電容量Ｃｂとの大小関係に基づけば、液体貯留タンク１が水平であるか、Ａ方向に傾斜した状態であるか、Ｂ方向に傾斜した状態であるかを検出することが可能となる。なお、本実施形態でも、第１実施形態と同様に、一対の電極部５０間の静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂの少なくともいずれか一方を算出することで、液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２の高さがガイドロッド４５に設けられたストッパ４６より低いか否かを検出することが可能である。   Therefore, in this embodiment, based on the magnitude relationship between the capacitance Ca between the upper electrode plate 51 and the lower electrode plate 53 and the capacitance Cb between the upper electrode plate 52 and the lower electrode plate 54, It is possible to detect whether the liquid storage tank 1 is horizontal, in a state inclined in the A direction, or in a state inclined in the B direction. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the liquid 2 stored in the liquid storage tank 1 is calculated by calculating at least one of the capacitances Ca and Cb between the pair of electrode portions 50. It is possible to detect whether the height is lower than the stopper 46 provided on the guide rod 45.

（第３実施形態）
図７（ａ）は、本発明に係る第３実施形態の液面状態検出装置が備える一対の電極部を示す斜視図であり、図７（ｂ）は、図７（ａ）に示された一対の電極部の平面図であり、図７（ｃ）は、図７（ａ）に示された一対の電極部の電気回路図である。第３の実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ｂが第１の実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０と異なる点は、一対の電極部の構成である。この点以外は第１の実施形態と同様であるため、第１実施形態と同一又は同等部分には同一符号又は相当符号を付して説明を簡略化又は省略する。 (Third embodiment)
FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a pair of electrode parts provided in the liquid level detection device of the third embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 7B is shown in FIG. It is a top view of a pair of electrode part, and FIG.7 (c) is an electrical circuit diagram of a pair of electrode part shown by Fig.7 (a). The liquid surface state detection device 10B of the third embodiment is different from the liquid surface state detection device 10 of the first embodiment in the configuration of a pair of electrode portions. Except for this point, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or equivalent portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

図７（ａ）及び図７（ｂ）に示すように、第３実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ｂが備える一対の電極部６０の各電極部は、検出される液体貯留タンク１の傾斜方向（ＡＢ方向及びＣＤ方向）に対して線対称に形成され、かつ、上記傾斜方向に分割された４つの分割電極部を有する。すなわち、一対の電極部６０を構成する上部電極部は、４分円形状の４つの上部電極板６１〜６４から構成され、下部電極部は、４分円形状の４つの下部電極板６５〜６８から構成されている。本実施形態の一対の電極部６０は、図７（ｃ）に示すように、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５を対とした静電容量Ｃａの静電容量式センサと、上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６を対とした静電容量Ｃｂの静電容量式センサと、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７を対とした静電容量Ｃｃの静電容量式センサと、上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８を対とした静電容量Ｃｄの静電容量式センサの４つのセンサの電極を構成する。   As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, each electrode part of the pair of electrode parts 60 provided in the liquid surface state detection device 10B of the third embodiment is detected in the tilt direction of the liquid storage tank 1 to be detected. It has four divided electrode portions that are formed in line symmetry with respect to (AB direction and CD direction) and are divided in the inclined direction. That is, the upper electrode part which comprises a pair of electrode part 60 is comprised from the four upper electrode plates 61-64 of quadrant shape, and a lower electrode part is the four lower electrode plates 65-68 of quadrant shape. It is composed of As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the pair of electrode portions 60 of the present embodiment includes a capacitance type sensor of capacitance Ca and a pair of upper electrode plate 62 and upper electrode plate 65, and upper electrode plate 62. A capacitance type sensor of capacitance Cb with a pair of the lower electrode plate 66 and a capacitance sensor of capacitance Cc with a pair of the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode plate 67, and an upper electrode plate 64 The electrodes of the four sensors of the electrostatic capacity type sensor having the electrostatic capacity Cd with the lower electrode plate 68 as a pair are configured.

図８（ａ）は、液体貯留タンク１がＣ方向へ傾斜したときの液面状態検出装置１０Ｂを示す要部拡大図であり、図８（ｂ）は、液体貯留タンク１がＤ方向へ傾斜したときの液面状態検出装置１０Ｂを示す要部拡大図である。図８（ａ）及び図８（ｂ）を含む液体貯留タンク１の各状態（水平状態、Ａ方向への傾斜状態、Ｂ方向への傾斜状態、Ｃ方向への傾斜状態、Ｄ方向への傾斜状態）における、一対の電極部６０に存在する絶縁物及び静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂ，Ｃｃ，Ｃｄを以下の表２に示す。   FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a main part showing the liquid level detection device 10B when the liquid storage tank 1 is tilted in the C direction, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the liquid storage tank 1 tilted in the D direction. It is a principal part enlarged view which shows the liquid level state detection apparatus 10B when it did. Each state of the liquid storage tank 1 including FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B (horizontal state, inclined state in the A direction, inclined state in the B direction, inclined state in the C direction, inclined in the D direction) Table 2 below shows the insulators and capacitances Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd present in the pair of electrode portions 60 in the state).

Figure 2018105727
Figure 2018105727

表２に示すように、液体貯留タンク１が水平状態のとき（図６（ａ）参照）、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５の間の空間、上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６の間の空間、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７の間の空間、及び上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８の間の空間は、どれも比誘電率εｒが空気よりも大きな液体２（水）で満たされるため、静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂ＝静電容量Ｃｃ＝静電容量Ｃｄとなる。   As shown in Table 2, when the liquid storage tank 1 is in a horizontal state (see FIG. 6A), the space between the upper electrode plate 61 and the lower electrode plate 65, and between the upper electrode plate 62 and the lower electrode plate 66. , The space between the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode plate 67, and the space between the upper electrode plate 64 and the lower electrode plate 68 are all liquid 2 (water) having a relative dielectric constant εr larger than that of air. Since it is satisfied, capacitance Ca = capacitance Cb = capacitance Cc = capacitance Cd.

一方、液体貯留タンク１がＡ方向に傾斜している状態（図６（ｂ）参照）では、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５の間の空間は液体２（水）で満たされるが、上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６の間の空間の一部は液面Ｒより上方に飛び出して液体２（水）と空気が混在するため、静電容量Ｃａ＞静電容量Ｃｂとなる。このとき、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７の間の空間及び上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８の間の空間には液体２（水）と空気が混在しているが、混在程度が同程度であるため、静電容量Ｃｃ＝静電容量Ｃｄとなる。このように、液体貯留タンク１がＡ方向に傾斜している状態における一対の電極部６０間の静電容量は、「静電容量Ｃａ＞静電容量Ｃｂ、かつ、静電容量Ｃｃ＝静電容量Ｃｄ」となる。   On the other hand, in the state in which the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the A direction (see FIG. 6B), the space between the upper electrode plate 61 and the lower electrode plate 65 is filled with the liquid 2 (water). Since a part of the space between the electrode plate 62 and the lower electrode plate 66 protrudes above the liquid level R and the liquid 2 (water) and air coexist, the capacitance Ca> the capacitance Cb. At this time, liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed in the space between the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode plate 67 and the space between the upper electrode plate 64 and the lower electrode plate 68, but the mixing degree is the same. Therefore, capacitance Cc = capacitance Cd. As described above, the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 60 in a state where the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the A direction is “capacitance Ca> capacitance Cb and capacitance Cc = electrostatic capacitance. Capacitance Cd ".

また、液体貯留タンク１がＢ方向に傾斜している状態（図６（ｃ）参照）では、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５の間の空間の一部は液面Ｒより上方に飛び出して液体２（水）と空気が混在し、上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６の間の空間は液体２（水）で満たされるため、静電容量Ｃａ＜静電容量Ｃｂとなる。このとき、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７の間の空間及び上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８の間の空間には液体２（水）と空気が混在しているが、混在程度が同程度であるため、静電容量Ｃｃ＝静電容量Ｃｄとなる。このように、液体貯留タンク１がＢ方向に傾斜している状態における一対の電極部６０間の静電容量は、「静電容量Ｃａ＜静電容量Ｃｂ、かつ、静電容量Ｃｃ＝静電容量Ｃｄ」となる。   When the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the B direction (see FIG. 6C), a part of the space between the upper electrode plate 61 and the lower electrode plate 65 protrudes above the liquid level R. Since the liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed and the space between the upper electrode plate 62 and the lower electrode plate 66 is filled with the liquid 2 (water), the capacitance Ca <capacitance Cb. At this time, liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed in the space between the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode plate 67 and the space between the upper electrode plate 64 and the lower electrode plate 68, but the mixing degree is the same. Therefore, capacitance Cc = capacitance Cd. Thus, the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 60 in a state where the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the B direction is “capacitance Ca <capacitance Cb and capacitance Cc = electrostatic capacitance”. Capacitance Cd ".

また、液体貯留タンク１がＣ方向に傾斜している状態（図８（ａ）参照）では、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５の間の空間及び上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６の間の空間には液体２（水）と空気が混在しているが、混在程度が同程度であるため、静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂとなる。また、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７の間の空間は液体２（水）で満たされるが、上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８の間の空間の一部は液面Ｒより上方に飛び出して液体２（水）と空気が混在するため、静電容量Ｃｃ＞静電容量Ｃｄとなる。このように、液体貯留タンク１がＣ方向に傾斜している状態における一対の電極部６０間の静電容量は、「静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂ、かつ、静電容量Ｃｃ＞静電容量Ｃｄ」となる。   When the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the C direction (see FIG. 8A), the space between the upper electrode plate 61 and the lower electrode plate 65 and the space between the upper electrode plate 62 and the lower electrode plate 66 are used. In this space, liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed, but since the degree of mixing is the same, capacitance Ca = capacitance Cb. The space between the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode plate 67 is filled with the liquid 2 (water), but a part of the space between the upper electrode plate 64 and the lower electrode plate 68 protrudes above the liquid level R. Since liquid 2 (water) and air coexist, capacitance Cc> capacitance Cd. Thus, the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 60 in a state where the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the C direction is “capacitance Ca = capacitance Cb and capacitance Cc> electrostatic capacitance”. Capacitance Cd ".

また、液体貯留タンク１がＤ方向に傾斜している状態（図８（ｂ）参照）では、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５の間の空間及び上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６の間の空間には液体２（水）と空気が混在しているが、混在程度が同程度であるため、静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂとなる。また、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７の間の空間の一部は液面Ｒより上方に飛び出して液体２（水）と空気が混在し、上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８の間の空間は液体２（水）で満たされるため、静電容量Ｃｃ＜静電容量Ｃｄとなる。このように、液体貯留タンク１がＤ方向に傾斜している状態における一対の電極部６０間の静電容量は、「静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂ、かつ、静電容量Ｃｃ＜静電容量Ｃｄ」となる。   When the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the D direction (see FIG. 8B), the space between the upper electrode plate 61 and the lower electrode plate 65 and the space between the upper electrode plate 62 and the lower electrode plate 66 are used. In this space, liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed, but since the degree of mixing is the same, capacitance Ca = capacitance Cb. Further, a part of the space between the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode plate 67 protrudes upward from the liquid level R so that the liquid 2 (water) and air are mixed, and the space between the upper electrode plate 64 and the lower electrode plate 68 is mixed. Since the space is filled with the liquid 2 (water), the capacitance Cc <the capacitance Cd. Thus, the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 60 in a state where the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined in the D direction is “capacitance Ca = capacitance Cb and capacitance Cc <electrostatic capacitance”. Capacitance Cd ".

したがって、本実施形態では、上部電極板６１と下部電極板６５の間の静電容量Ｃａと、上部電極板６２と下部電極板６６の間の静電容量Ｃｂと、上部電極板６３と下部電極板６７の間の静電容量Ｃｃと、上部電極板６４と下部電極板６８の間の静電容量Ｃｄとの大小関係に基づけば、液体貯留タンク１が、水平であるか、Ａ方向に傾斜した状態であるか、Ｂ方向に傾斜した状態であるか、Ｃ方向に傾斜した状態であるか、Ｄ方向に傾斜した状態であるかを検出することが可能となる。なお、本実施形態でも、第１実施形態と同様に、一対の電極部６０間の静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂ，Ｃｃ，Ｃｄの少なくともいずれか一方を算出することで、液体貯留タンク１に貯留されている液体２の高さがガイドロッド４５に設けられたストッパ４６より低いか否かを検出することが可能である。   Therefore, in the present embodiment, the capacitance Ca between the upper electrode plate 61 and the lower electrode plate 65, the capacitance Cb between the upper electrode plate 62 and the lower electrode plate 66, the upper electrode plate 63 and the lower electrode Based on the magnitude relationship between the capacitance Cc between the plates 67 and the capacitance Cd between the upper electrode plate 64 and the lower electrode plate 68, the liquid storage tank 1 is horizontal or inclined in the A direction. It is possible to detect whether it is in the state of being inclined, inclined in the B direction, inclined in the C direction, or inclined in the D direction. In this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the liquid storage tank 1 stores the electrostatic capacity Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd between the pair of electrode portions 60 by calculating at least one of them. It is possible to detect whether the height of the liquid 2 is lower than the stopper 46 provided on the guide rod 45.

なお、上記説明したＡＢ方向とＣＤ方向の間の中間方向への傾斜の検出は、液体貯留タンク１が傾斜している方向と、その時の各静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂ，Ｃｃ，Ｃｄとの関係を予めマッピングし、算出した静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂ，Ｃｃ，Ｃｄとマップを用いることによって可能となる。また、ＡＢ方向及びＣＤ方向に限定されず、検出したい傾斜方向に一対の電極部を分割して分割電極部を設けることにより、所望方向への傾斜を精度よく検出することができる。   The detection of the inclination in the intermediate direction between the AB direction and the CD direction described above is the relationship between the direction in which the liquid storage tank 1 is inclined and the capacitances Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd at that time. Is made possible by previously mapping and using the calculated capacitances Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd and the map. Moreover, it is not limited to AB direction and CD direction, By dividing | segmenting a pair of electrode part into the inclination direction to detect and providing a division | segmentation electrode part, the inclination to a desired direction can be detected accurately.

次に、上記説明した液面状態検出装置を燃料電池システムに適用した実施例について説明する。なお、ここで使用する液面状態検出装置は、図５に示した一対の電極部５０を備えた第２実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ａとする。   Next, an embodiment in which the above-described liquid level detection device is applied to a fuel cell system will be described. In addition, let the liquid level state detection apparatus used here be the liquid level state detection apparatus 10A of 2nd Embodiment provided with a pair of electrode part 50 shown in FIG.

図９（ａ）は、改質水を貯留するキャッチタンクを含む改質水ポンプの平面図であり、図９（ｂ）は、図９（ａ）に示す改質水ポンプの側面図である。改質水ポンプ７０は、下部に設けられた給水口７１から改質水を取り込み、排水口７２からＸ方向に送水する。   FIG. 9A is a plan view of a reforming water pump including a catch tank that stores reforming water, and FIG. 9B is a side view of the reforming water pump shown in FIG. 9A. . The reforming water pump 70 takes in the reforming water from a water supply port 71 provided in the lower part and feeds the water from the drain port 72 in the X direction.

改質水ポンプ７０による改質水の供給量は、例えば、５cc/minと微量であるため、繊細な制御が求められる。このため、改質水ポンプ７０の傾斜の特に改質水の送水方向（Ｘ方向）への傾きは精度良く検出する必要がある。燃料電池システムの一例としては、改質水ポンプ７０の改質水の送水方向への傾きを検出すると、燃料電池システムを緊急停止する制御を行っている。   Since the amount of reforming water supplied by the reforming water pump 70 is as small as 5 cc / min, for example, delicate control is required. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately detect the inclination of the reforming water pump 70, particularly in the direction of the reforming water supply (X direction). As an example of the fuel cell system, when the inclination of the reforming water pump 70 in the direction of feeding the reforming water is detected, the fuel cell system is controlled to be urgently stopped.

一方、改質水ポンプ７０の送水方向（Ｘ方向）以外の方向への傾斜は、軽度の傾斜であれば改質水の送水に大きな問題はなく、燃料電池システムの緊急停止も不要である。一方、過度の傾斜は、改質水の送水だけでなく、他のデバイス動作にも影響する可能性があるため、燃料電池システムを緊急停止する。   On the other hand, if the inclination of the reforming water pump 70 in a direction other than the water supply direction (X direction) is a slight inclination, there is no major problem in the water supply of the reforming water, and an emergency stop of the fuel cell system is unnecessary. On the other hand, the excessive inclination may affect not only the reforming water supply but also other device operations, and therefore the fuel cell system is urgently stopped.

本実施例の液面状態検出装置１０Ａは、図５（ｂ）に示した一対の電極部５０の各電極部において分割された２つの分割電極部の分割方向（ＡＢ方向）を、改質水ポンプ７０の送水方向（Ｘ方向）に一致させて配設される。液面状態検出装置１０Ａは、静電容量の関係が「静電容量Ｃａ＞静電容量Ｃｂ」又は「静電容量Ｃａ＜静電容量Ｃｂ」であれば、改質水ポンプ７０のＡ方向又はＢ方向への傾斜を検出するため、燃料電池システムは緊急停止される。   The liquid surface state detection device 10A of the present embodiment uses the reforming water in the dividing direction (AB direction) of the two divided electrode parts divided at each electrode part of the pair of electrode parts 50 shown in FIG. It arrange | positions according to the water supply direction (X direction) of the pump 70. FIG. The liquid surface state detection device 10 </ b> A is configured so that the electrostatic capacity relationship is “capacitance Ca> capacitance Cb” or “capacitance Ca <capacitance Cb”. In order to detect the inclination in the B direction, the fuel cell system is urgently stopped.

また、改質水ポンプ７０の送水方向（Ｘ方向，ＡＢ方向）と直交するＣ方向及びＤ方向に改質水ポンプ７０が傾斜した状態における、一対の電極部５０に存在する絶縁物及び静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂを以下の表３に示す。   In addition, in the state where the reforming water pump 70 is inclined in the C direction and the D direction orthogonal to the water feeding direction (X direction, AB direction) of the reforming water pump 70, the insulators and electrostatics present in the pair of electrode portions 50 The capacities Ca and Cb are shown in Table 3 below.

Figure 2018105727
Figure 2018105727

表３に示すように、改質水ポンプ７０のＣ方向又はＤ方向への傾斜が軽度の場合、一対の電極部５０の一部が液面Ｒより上方に飛び出しているため、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３の間の空間及び上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４の間の空間には、多くの液体２（改質水）と少量の空気とが同程度に混在し、静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂとなる。このときの静電容量Ｃａ、Ｃｂの値は、主に液体２の比誘電率εｒによって決まる。   As shown in Table 3, when the reforming water pump 70 has a slight inclination in the C direction or D direction, a part of the pair of electrode portions 50 protrudes upward from the liquid level R, so that the upper electrode plate 51 In the space between the upper electrode plate 53 and the lower electrode plate 53, and in the space between the upper electrode plate 52 and the lower electrode plate 54, a large amount of liquid 2 (reformed water) and a small amount of air are mixed to the same extent. Ca = capacitance Cb. The values of the electrostatic capacitances Ca and Cb at this time are mainly determined by the relative dielectric constant εr of the liquid 2.

一方、改質水ポンプ７０のＣ方向又はＤ方向への傾斜が過度の場合、図１０に示すように、一対の電極部５０の大部分が液面Ｒより上方に飛び出しているため、上部電極板５１と下部電極板５３の間の空間及び上部電極板５２と下部電極板５４の間の空間には、多くの空気と少量の液体２（改質水）とが同程度に混在し、静電容量Ｃａ＝静電容量Ｃｂとなる。このときの静電容量Ｃａ，Ｃｂの値は、主に空気の比誘電率εｒによって決まる。   On the other hand, when the reforming water pump 70 is excessively inclined in the C direction or D direction, as shown in FIG. 10, most of the pair of electrode portions 50 protrude above the liquid level R, so that the upper electrode In the space between the plate 51 and the lower electrode plate 53 and in the space between the upper electrode plate 52 and the lower electrode plate 54, a large amount of air and a small amount of liquid 2 (reformed water) are mixed to the same extent. The capacitance Ca = the capacitance Cb. The values of the capacitances Ca and Cb at this time are mainly determined by the relative dielectric constant εr of air.

このように、改質水ポンプ７０がＣ方向又はＤ方向に傾斜した際の一対の電極部５０間の静電容量の値は、改質水ポンプ７０の傾斜角度によって変化するため、改質水ポンプ７０の傾斜角度と静電容量の値を予めマッピングすると共に、静電容量に閾値を設定しておくことで、改質水ポンプ７０が送水方向（Ｘ方向）とは直角なＣ方向又はＤ方向に過度に傾斜した際に、燃料電池システムの停止警告等が可能となる。   As described above, the capacitance value between the pair of electrode portions 50 when the reforming water pump 70 is tilted in the C direction or the D direction varies depending on the tilt angle of the reforming water pump 70. By mapping the tilt angle of the pump 70 and the capacitance value in advance and setting a threshold value for the capacitance, the reforming water pump 70 is in the C direction or D direction perpendicular to the water supply direction (X direction). When the vehicle is excessively inclined in the direction, a stop warning of the fuel cell system or the like is possible.

以上説明したように、上記第１〜第３実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０，１０Ａ，１０Ｂは、液体２を貯蔵する液体貯留タンク１内に立設されたガイドロッド４５に案内されて上下方向に移動可能なフロート部２０と、フロート部２０に一体固定され、上下方向に対向配置された一対の電極部３０，５０，６０とを備え、一対の電極部３０，５０，６０間に存在する絶縁物の誘電率によって変化する一対の電極部３０，５０，６０間の静電容量に基づき、液体貯留タンク１内の液面高さ及び液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を一つの装置によって検出できる。   As described above, the liquid surface state detection devices 10, 10 </ b> A, and 10 </ b> B of the first to third embodiments are guided by the guide rod 45 erected in the liquid storage tank 1 that stores the liquid 2 and move up and down. And a pair of electrode portions 30, 50, 60 that are integrally fixed to the float portion 20 and arranged to face each other in the vertical direction, and exist between the pair of electrode portions 30, 50, 60 The liquid level in the liquid storage tank 1 and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 can be detected by a single device based on the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 30, 50, 60 that varies depending on the dielectric constant of the insulating material. .

また、第１実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０が備える一対の電極部３０の形状は、平面視において、円形である。さらに、液体貯留タンク１の傾斜は、一対の電極部３０間の静電容量を、一対の電極部３０間が液体２で満たされている場合の静電容量Ｃ１と比較した大小関係、及び一対の電極部３０間が空気で満たされている場合の静電容量Ｃ２と比較した大小関係に基づき検出される。このため、一対の電極部３０間の静電容量から、全方向に対する液体貯留タンク１の傾きの有無を検出できる。   Moreover, the shape of a pair of electrode part 30 with which the liquid level detection apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment is provided is circular in planar view. Furthermore, the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 is such that the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 30 is larger and smaller than the capacitance C1 when the space between the pair of electrode portions 30 is filled with the liquid 2. Is detected based on the magnitude relationship compared with the capacitance C2 when the space between the electrode portions 30 is filled with air. For this reason, the presence or absence of the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 with respect to all directions can be detected from the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions 30.

また、第２実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ａが備える一対の電極部５０を構成する上部電極部は、平面視において、検出される液体貯留タンク１の傾斜方向に分割された２つの上部電極板５１，５２を備え、下部電極部は、同様に、上記傾斜方向に分割された２つの下部電極板５３，５４を備え、液体貯留タンク１の傾斜は、液体貯留タンク１の傾斜方向にそれぞれ位置する一対の電極部５０の各分割電極部間の各静電容量の大小関係に基づき検出されるので、各電極部の電極板の分割方向への液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を精度よく検出できる。   Moreover, the upper electrode part which comprises a pair of electrode part 50 with which the liquid level state detection apparatus 10A of 2nd Embodiment is provided is two upper electrodes divided | segmented into the inclination direction of the liquid storage tank 1 detected in planar view. Similarly, the lower electrode portion includes two lower electrode plates 53 and 54 divided in the above-described inclination direction, and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 is in the inclination direction of the liquid storage tank 1, respectively. Since the detection is based on the magnitude relationship of the capacitance between the divided electrode portions of the pair of electrode portions 50 positioned, the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 in the dividing direction of the electrode plate of each electrode portion can be detected with high accuracy. .

また、第３実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ｂが備える一対の電極部６０を構成する上部電極部は、平面視において、検出される液体貯留タンク１の互いに直交した２つの傾斜方向に対して線対称に形成された、４分円形状の４つの上部電極板６１〜６４を備え、下部電極部は、同様に、上記直交する２つの傾斜方向に対して線対称に形成された、４分円形状の４つの下部電極板６５〜６８を備え、液体貯留タンク１の傾斜は、液体貯留タンク１の傾斜方向にそれぞれ位置する一対の電極部６０の各分割電極部間の各静電容量の大小関係に基づき検出されるので、各電極部の電極板の直交する２つの分割方向への液体貯留タンク１の傾斜を精度よく検出できる。   Moreover, the upper electrode part which comprises a pair of electrode part 60 with which the liquid level state detection apparatus 10B of 3rd Embodiment is provided is planar view with respect to the two inclination directions orthogonal to each other of the liquid storage tank 1 detected. It is provided with four quadrant-circular upper electrode plates 61 to 64 that are formed in line symmetry, and the lower electrode part is formed in line symmetry in the two inclined directions orthogonal to each other. Four lower electrode plates 65 to 68 each having a circular shape are provided, and the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 is such that each electrostatic capacity between the divided electrode parts of the pair of electrode parts 60 respectively positioned in the inclination direction of the liquid storage tank 1. Since the detection is based on the magnitude relationship, the inclination of the liquid storage tank 1 in two orthogonal directions in which the electrode plates of the electrode portions are orthogonal can be detected with high accuracy.

また、検出される液体貯留タンク１の傾斜方向は、液体貯留タンク１から液体２が流れ出る方向を含むので、第２及び第３実施形態の液面状態検出装置１０Ａ，１０Ｂは、燃料電池システムの改質水ポンプ７０の傾斜を検出するための液面状態検出装置として好適に使用できる。   In addition, since the detected tilt direction of the liquid storage tank 1 includes the direction in which the liquid 2 flows out of the liquid storage tank 1, the liquid surface state detection devices 10A and 10B of the second and third embodiments are the same as those of the fuel cell system. It can be suitably used as a liquid level detection device for detecting the inclination of the reforming water pump 70.

また、液面状態検出装置１０，１０Ａ，１０Ｂを備えた燃料電池システムは、信頼性が向上する。   Moreover, the reliability of the fuel cell system including the liquid level detection devices 10, 10A, 10B is improved.

なお、本発明は、前述した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、適宜、変形、改良、等が可能である。例えば、液面状態検出装置１０，１０Ａ，１０Ｂは燃料電池システムへの適用に限定されず、貯留される液体の液面高さと傾斜とを同時に検出することが要求されるタンクには、液体の種類、用途にかかわらず適用することができる。   Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like can be made as appropriate. For example, the liquid level detection devices 10, 10A, and 10B are not limited to application to a fuel cell system, and a tank that is required to detect the liquid level height and inclination of the stored liquid at the same time is used in a tank. It can be applied regardless of type and use.

１ 液体貯留タンク
２ 液体
１０，１０Ａ，１０Ｂ 液面状態検出装置
２０ フロート部
３０，５０，６０ 電極部
３１，５１，５２，６１，６２，６３，６４ 上部電極板
３２，５３，５４，６５，６６，６７，６８ 下部電極板
３５ スペース柱
３６ 窓部
４５ ガイドロッド
４６ ストッパ DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid storage tank 2 Liquid 10, 10A, 10B Liquid level detection apparatus 20 Float part 30,50,60 Electrode part 31,51,52,61,62,63,64 Upper electrode plate 32,53,54,65, 66, 67, 68 Lower electrode plate 35 Space column 36 Window portion 45 Guide rod 46 Stopper

Claims (8)

液体を貯蔵するタンク内に立設されたガイドロッドに案内されて上下方向に移動可能なフロート部と、
前記フロート部に一体固定され、上下方向に対向配置された一対の電極部と、を備え、
前記一対の電極部間に存在する絶縁物の誘電率によって変化する前記一対の電極部間の静電容量に基づき、前記タンク内の液面高さ及び前記タンクの傾斜を検出する、液面状態検出装置。 A float part that is guided by a guide rod standing in a tank for storing liquid and is movable in the vertical direction;
A pair of electrode portions that are integrally fixed to the float portion and arranged to face each other in the vertical direction,
A liquid level state in which the liquid level in the tank and the inclination of the tank are detected based on the capacitance between the pair of electrode parts, which varies depending on the dielectric constant of the insulator existing between the pair of electrode parts. Detection device. 請求項１に記載の液面状態検出装置であって、
前記一対の電極部の形状は、平面視において、円形である、液面状態検出装置。 The liquid level detection device according to claim 1,
The shape of the pair of electrode portions is a liquid surface state detection device having a circular shape in plan view. 請求項２に記載の液面状態検出装置であって、
前記タンクの傾斜は、前記一対の電極部間の静電容量を、前記一対の電極部間が液体で満たされている場合の静電容量と比較した大小関係、及び前記一対の電極部間が空気で満たされている場合の静電容量と比較した大小関係に基づき検出される、液面状態検出装置。 The liquid level detection device according to claim 2,
The inclination of the tank is such that the capacitance between the pair of electrode portions is compared with the capacitance when the space between the pair of electrode portions is filled with a liquid, and between the pair of electrode portions. A liquid level detection device that is detected based on the magnitude relationship compared to the capacitance when filled with air. 請求項１に記載の液面状態検出装置であって、
前記一対の電極部の各電極部は、平面視において、検出される前記タンクの傾斜方向に分割された複数の分割電極部を備える、液面状態検出装置。 The liquid level detection device according to claim 1,
Each electrode part of a pair of said electrode part is a liquid level state detection apparatus provided with the some division | segmentation electrode part divided | segmented in the inclination direction of the said tank detected in planar view. 請求項４に記載の液面状態検出装置であって、
前記分割電極部の形状は、平面視において、検出される前記タンクの傾斜方向に対して線対称の４分円である、液面状態検出装置。 The liquid level detection device according to claim 4,
The shape of the divided electrode portion is a liquid surface state detection device that is a line-symmetric quadrant with respect to the detected tilt direction of the tank in plan view. 請求項４又は５に記載の液面状態検出装置であって、
検出される前記タンクの傾斜方向は、前記タンクから液体が流れ出る方向を含む、液面状態検出装置。 The liquid level detection device according to claim 4 or 5,
The liquid tank state detection device, wherein the detected tilt direction of the tank includes a direction in which liquid flows out of the tank. 請求項４から６のいずれか１項に記載の液面状態検出装置であって、
前記タンクの傾斜は、前記タンクの傾斜方向にそれぞれ位置する前記一対の電極部の各分割電極部間の各静電容量の大小関係に基づき検出される、液面状態検出装置。 The liquid level detection device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The liquid level state detection device, wherein the inclination of the tank is detected based on a magnitude relationship of capacitances between the divided electrode portions of the pair of electrode portions respectively positioned in the inclination direction of the tank. 請求項１から７のいずれか１項に記載の液面状態検出装置を備える、燃料電池システム。   A fuel cell system comprising the liquid level detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
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