TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a leakage detecting device, and more particularly to a device and a method to provide a signal representative of oil leakage in vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[002] Conventionally, a clutch chamber, transmission oil chamber and engine oil chamber form transmission housing in agricultural vehicles. The clutch chamber is disposed between the transmission oil chamber and the engine oil chamber. The transmission oil chamber and the engine oil chamber are provided with oil seals so that no oil leakage occurs to the 10 clutch chamber area. If oil leakage occurs from any of the corresponding oil seals of the transmission oil chamber and the engine oil chamber, the oil gets accumulated in the clutch chamber. Further, the accumulated oil may splash all over the clutch assembly. The clutch components are usually made up of cerametalic friction material. The oil leakage in the clutch 15 chamber reduces the frictional properties of the cerametalic friction material. Thereby, demanding replacement of the whole clutch assembly. The cost incurred in replacing the whole clutch assembly is huge.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a device and a method to provide a signal representative of oil leakage in the vehicles which 20 eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a device to provide a signal representative of oil leakage in vehicles. 25
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[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method to provide a signal representative of oil leakage in vehicles.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a device to provide a signal representative of oil leakage in vehicles 5 which is simple in construction, easy to manufacture and inexpensive.
[007] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating 10 embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 15
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the 20 drawings, in which:
[009] FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of a transmission housing of a vehicle, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of the transmission housing assembled with a device to detect oil leakage in a clutch chamber, 25 according to the embodiments as disclosed herein;
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[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a front sectional view of a device detecting oil leakage in the clutch chamber of vehicles, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method to detect oil leakage in the vehicles, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. 5
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-5 known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples 10 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0014] The embodiments herein achieve a device to provide at least one signal representative of oil leakage in vehicles. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method to provide at least one signal representative of oil leakage in vehicles. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly 15 to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures there are shown embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of a transmission housing of a motor vehicle, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. In an 20 embodiment, the motor vehicle (not shown) used for the description is a tractor. However, any type of motor vehicle can be used along with the embodiments as discussed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, a device is used in a dry clutch assembly of the tractor to detect oil leakage. However, it is also within the scope of the 25 invention to implement/practice the usage of the device in any leakage prone region without otherwise deterring the intended function of detecting
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fluid leakage as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0016] In an embodiment, the device 100 includes a body 102, the body 102 defining an opening 104, a cover 114, at least one input terminal 106, at least one output terminal 108, a floating member 110, and a 5 controller (not shown).
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of the transmission housing assembled with a device to detect oil leakage in a clutch chamber, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. The device 100 includes the body 102. In an embodiment, the body 102 is configured to be 10 cylindrical in shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide body having any shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of supporting as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The body 102 includes a first portion 102a (not shown) and a second portion 102b (not shown) extending from the first 15 portion 102a. The first portion 102a of the body 102 includes an externally threaded portion (not shown) and the second portion 102b is connected to the cover 114. The body 102 defines the plurality of external threads to engage with a plurality of internal threads defined in the vehicle. Thereby the body 102 is fastened or engaged inside the vehicle. Further, the first 20 portion 102a of the body 102 defines an opening 104. The body 102 is defined for a predetermined length l (not shown).
[0018] Further, the second portion 102b of the body 102 is adapted to be connected to the cover 114 as shown in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, the cover is made up of transparent material such that the oil leaked inside 25 the clutch chamber 116 is visible to an operator. The cover 114 is adapted to collect the oil leaked to clutch chamber of the vehicle.
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[0019] The device 100 further includes the at least one input terminal 106 and the at least one output terminal 108 disposed in the body 102. In an embodiment, the input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108 are strips of electricity conducting material. In an embodiment, the input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108 are made up of copper. However, 5 it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any material without otherwise deterring the intended function of conducting electricity as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108 extend to a predetermined length inside the body 102. The input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108 are 10 further connected the controller (not shown).
[0020] The device 100 further includes the floating member 110 disposed within the cover 114. The floating member 110 is adapted to be displaced between a first position (not shown) and a second position (not shown). The first position of the floating member 110 is towards the cover 15 114 and the second position of the floating member 110 is towards the input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108, respectively. The floating member 110 is displaced vertically upwards by the oil leaked inside the clutch chamber 116 of the vehicle.
[0021] The floating member 110 further includes at least one first 20 floating member of cork 110a and at least one second floating member 110b. The first floating member 110a is made up of one of cork or wood or styrofoam and the second floating member 110b is made up of electricity conductive material. In an embodiment, the second floating member 110b is made up of copper. However, it is also within the scope of the invention 25 to provide any material without otherwise deterring the intended function of conducting electricity as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
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[0022] The device 100 further includes the controller (not shown) which is connected to the input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108. The controller is adapted to generate a signal in responsive of the connection made by the floating member 110 with the input terminal 106 and the output terminal 108 to detect oil leakage in the vehicle. The 5 controller is configured to generate a signal when the electric circuit is closed by the floating member 110 which is displaced vertically upwards by the oil leaked inside the clutch chamber 116 of the vehicle. The controller is configured to detect leakage of oil in the vehicle. The detection of the oil leakage in the vehicle is indicated by at least one of 10 audio signal (such as alarming sound), visual signal and electronic on/off command to any hand held device.
[0023] The device 100 further includes the fastening means 112 to fasten the device 100 to the vehicle. The fastening means 112 is attached to the body 102 at a predetermined position. In an embodiment, the fastening 15 means 112 is a hexagonal head. The hexagonal head provided on the device 100 is tightened at the bottom of clutch chamber 116 with a spanner by the operator. Further, the fastening means 112 may be selected from a group consisting of hexagonal head for tightening, square head, and two flat faces opposite to each other. 20
[0024] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method to detect oil leakage in the vehicles, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. A method for detecting oil leakage in vehicles is disclosed. At step 402, the method includes providing a body 102. The body 102 defining an opening 104 to receive leaky fluid. At step 404, the method includes connecting a 25 cover 114 to said body 102. At step 406, the method includes providing at least one input terminal 106 and at least one output terminal 108 in said body 102. At step 408, the method includes disposing a floating member 110 in said cover 114, said floating member 110 is adapted to move
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between a first position and a second position, said first position being towards said cover 114 and said second position being towards said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108, respectively. At step 410, the method includes connecting a controller in communication with said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108, said controller is adapted to 5 generate a signal in responsive of connection of said floating member 110 with said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108 to detect fluid leakage.
[0025] Thus, the device 100 provided at bottom of clutch chamber 116 shall collect oil at very early stage. The device 100 includes the 10 electronic connections which provides an audio or a visual signal to customer at very early stage of leakage. Thereby the customer gets a warning in terms of audio/visual signal of presence of oil in clutch chamber 116 at very early stage. A corrective action can be taken at the early stage which may save a huge cost to the operator or customer. 15
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are 20 intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the 25 embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A device 100 for detecting fluid leakage in vehicles, said device 100 comprising:
a body 102, said body 102 defining an opening 104 to receive leaky fluid;
a cover 114 adapted to be connected to said body 102;
at least one input terminal 106 and at least one output terminal 108 disposed in said body 102;
a floating member 110 disposed within said cover 114 and adapted to be displaced between a first position and a second position, said first position being towards said cover 114 and said second position being towards said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108, respectively;
and
a controller in communication with said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108, said controller is adapted to generate a signal in responsive of connection of said floating member 110 with said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108 to detect fluid leakage.
2. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body 102 defines a plurality of external threads to engage with a plurality of internal threads defined in said vehicle.
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3. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device 100 further includes a fastening means 112 to fasten said device 100 to said vehicle.
4. The device 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fastening means 112 is selected from a group consisting of hexagonal head for tightening, square head, and two flat faces opposite to each other.
5. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover 114 is made up of transparent material.
6. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating member 110 is displaced vertically upwards by said leaky fluid.
7. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating member 110 includes:
at least one first floating member of cork 110a; and
at least one second floating member 110b, said second floating member 110b is made up of electricity conductive material.
8. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover 114 is adapted to collect said leaky fluid.
9. The device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to indicate leakage of fluid by at least one of audio signal, visual signal and electronic on/off command to a hand held device.
10. A method for detecting oil leakage in vehicles, said method comprising:
providing a body 102, said body 102 defining an opening 104 to receive leaky fluid;
connecting a cover 114 to said body 102;
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providing at least one input terminal 106 and at least one output terminal 108 in said body 102;
disposing a floating member 110 in said cover 114, said floating member 110 is adapted to move between a first position and a second position, said first position being towards said cover 114 and said second position being towards said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108, respectively; and
connecting a controller in communication with said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108, said controller is adapted to generate a signal in responsive of connection of said floating member 110 with said input terminal 106 and said output terminal 108 to detect fluid leakage.