CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED AYYLlCATION
This application is a patent of addition to Indian Patent Application number
1302/DEL/2015 filed on 1 1 th May, 201 5.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present inventinn relates to a file1 tank assembly for vehicles and more
particularly to a hermetic fuel tank assembly for vehicles such as motor cycles,
scooters, moped, scooty, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The statements in this section merely provide background information related
to the present disclosure'and may not constitute prior art(s).
Generally, the automotive vehicles are equipped with a fuel level sensor in a
fuel tank to sense or indicate the level of the fuel remaining 'in the fuel tank.
Examples of such fuel level sensors include the subject matters disclosed in 250933,
262944, 256778, and the like. Typically, the fuel level sensors are known for
sensingldetecting the level of stored- fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle. The fuel level
sensors typically comprises of a float and its arm in a fuel tank which includes a
variable impedance element who3e impedance varies in proportion to the fuel level in
the fuel tank. This impedance is read by a coil-type fuel gauge mounted in a vehicle
information display instrument positioned in front of a rider7s/driver's seat of the
vehicle. Thus, a signal corresponding to the level of'the fuel as sensed by the fuel
level sensor can be transmitted to the gauge to inform the level of the fuel remaining
in the fuel tank. Further, the purely mechanical fuel level sensor includes the float, a
spiral strip of metal, and the fuel gauge. In operation, the float moves according to the
fuel level in a vertical direction along the spiral strip of metal, which is attached to an
indication needle of the fuel gauge. As the fuel level rises and.lowers, the float causes
the strip of metal to turn, thus moving the indication needle of the fuel gauge and
informing the rider about the current fuel level, preferably by indicating the same in
the information display instrument device of the vehicles.
Conventionally, the fuel level sensors are provided with an arm having a
buoyant member i.e. the float at the end of the arm. The arm is pivotally mounted to a
f i m e assembly via a housing that accommodates a carrier that carry plurality of
movable contact members on a ceramic resistor card. The ceramic resistor card
includes multiple traces that typically extend out like the spokes of a wheel in an arc
that is appruximalely of 85 degrees. Thus, as the level of the he1 changes, the float
moves up and down and causes the arm to which it is attached to change its angle and
therefore move the contact along the arc shaped conductive traces of the ceramic
resistor card, which subsequently sends a signal to the fuel level indicator. These
ceramic based fuel level sensors are open and exposed to the fuel in the fuel tank.
Usually, these fuel level sensors employ silver (Agj based conductive inks (Ag, Pd,
Pt) and high contents silver contacts (Paliney6, Ag/Ni). These materials function in
fuels that contain moderate sulfur level or may be in a bio fuel such as ethanol based
fuel (mainly used in automobiles in US and ~ r a z i lt)h at subsequently results in thin
lacquer contamination or a complete deterioration of the fuel level sensors. In other
words, these silver based fuel level sensors produce opens or a shift in resistance
when exposed to such extremely reactive fuel. These existing fuel level sensors, when
subjected to such ethanol based fuel, demands a regular servicing, maintenance and
thus replacement resulting in enhanced overall cost of the fuel level sensors.
Moreover, considering the advantages of the bio fuel on the individual and the
environment, there must be an improved fuel unit assembly suitable to the
requirements of the modern vehicles in India and abroad as well.
Various attempts have been made to replace- the conventional fuel unit
assembly to meet the necessities of the present fuel unit assembly in all kinds of
vehicles. However, the concepts could not be commercially accepted due to some
drawbacks such as absence of non-degradable components, failure in achieving a
shielded structure for the fuel unit assembly, extensive cost with respect to the
manufacturing of a suitable fuel unit assembly, and the like.
In the previous patent application 1302/DEL/2015, the applicant had
I demonstrated a hermetic fuel unit assembly for ethanol fuel vehicles that includes a
I top plate suspended from the top inside of a. fuel tank to hold a fuel unit assembly, a
I central lower annular arm extending down from the center of the top plate, a bracket
snap-fitted to the extending arm of the top plate, and a U-shaped housing operably
connected to the bracket by fasteners. The U-shaped housing is provided with a base
wall a d atleast fuur side walls extending generally perpendicular to the base wall to
create an enclosed compartment. The enclosed compartment filrtrthcr includes a thin
I
film resistor disposed in the enclosed compartment of the U-shaped housing, a wiper
placed above the thin film resistor in the enclosed compartment for movement along
an arc shaped conductive trace carved on the thin film resistor. The present subject
matter further discloses that the U-shaped housing is hermetically shielded by a first
.-
cover by ultrasonic welding. The first cover is provided with an aperture extending
there through the first co.ver wherein the aperture is covered by a first carrier
projected to receive a float arm with a float floating in the fuel in the fuel tank. The
structure is uniquely provided with a second cover covering the first carrier providing
the path for guiding the movement of float arm in the fuel in the fuel tank.
Ho'wever, the subject matter disclosed in the patent. application
1302/DEL/20 15 had the arrangement of cover from the sides (lateral) having
maximum exposure, thus increasing the total surface area and therefore inviting
maximum chances of leakage. Additionally, the design in the said subject matter
require high amount of epoxy for settling various sealing of the voids provided in the
design of the said subject matter. Further, the structure looked unstable since the
quantity of snap-fit arrangements is comparatively higher. Therefore, the overall cost
of the design according to the present subject matter is also higher.
Hence, there is an urgent need for an improved fuel unit assembly that can
provide a more reliable sealing mechanism for the fuel unit assembly that is
dimensionally stable when exposed to the harsh contents available in the ethanol
based fuel, thus subsequently limiting the exposure of fuel level sensors to the liquid
surroundings that consequently reduces the particulate contamination, sulfination,
-
dendric growth, and the like. Therefore, we need an advanced fuel unit assembly
without losing the basic requirements of reliability, safety, less cost, customers'
satisfaction and the like.
I BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
/
The present subject matter relates to a hermetic fuel unit assembly for vehicles
that includes a top plate suspended from the top inside of' a fuel tank to hold a fuel
unit assembly, a central lower sulllular arm extending down from the center of the top
plate, a bracket snap-fitted to the extending arm of the top plate, and a Ushaped
housing operably connected to the bracket by fasteners. The U-shaped
housing is provided with a base wall and atleast four side walls extending generally
perpendicular to the base wall to create an enclosed compartment. The enclosed
compartment according to the present subject matter includes a thin film resistor
disposed in the enclosed compartment of the U-shaped housing through.its lateral top
side, a wiper placed above the thin film resistor in the enclosed compartment for
movement along an arc shaped conductive trace carved on the thin film resistor. The
present subject matter further discloses that the U-shaped housing is hermetically
shielded by a first cover by ultrasonic welding. The first cover is provided with an
aperture extending there through the first cover wherein the aperture is covered by a
first carrier projected to receive a float arm with a float floating in the ethanol and
other fuel in the fuel tank. The structure is uniquely structured with a provision that
the bracket is extended to hold and support the first carrier by means of a hinge along
which the float arm moves in the specified portion. The hermetic fuel tank assembly
for vehicles according to the present subject matter advantageously facilitates a
completely shielded fuel.unit assembly that can be implemented in ethanol fuel or a
fuel comprising gasoline and ethanol wherein the percentage of ethanol ranges from
25% to 100%.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the vehicle with the fuel
tank, an engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat, brake lights, tail lights, and other
necessary components of the vehicle.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the fuel tank with a fuel
supply port formed on the upper surface of the fuel tank.
An object of the present subject matter is to close the fuel supply port by a cap
unit.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the fuel unit assembly
with sensors/detectors for sensingldetecting the level of stored fuel in a fuel tank of a
vehicle.
An object of the present subject matter is to provide the top plate with atleast
four spaced aperture to receive fasteners for connecting the top plate to the inside top
of the fuel tank.
An object of the present subject matter is to fasten the structures with screws,
snaps, rivets, buttons, zippers, and the like.
Another object of the present subject matter is to structure the lower surface
of the top plate with a knife edge surface that engages a flat rubber gasket to securely
seal the opening of the fuel tank.
Another object bf the present subject matter is to configure the top plate with
atleast two bee-hive shaped structures to receive a plurality of terminals.
Another object of the present subject matter is to provide the fuel unit with
rubber insulation in order to protect the terminal from shortening out.
Another object of the present subject matter is to rivet the wiper with metallic
contacts to move on the thin film resistor for sensing the resistance value
corresponding to the level of the fuel remaining in the fuel tank of the vehicle.
Another object of the present subject matter' is to hermetically seal the first
cover and the U-shaped housing by ultrasonic welding.
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to fix an elastomeric seal in
the aperture wherein the seal is tightly gripped on the thin film resistor.
Another object of the present subject matter is to provide the first carrier that
covers the aperture,
Another object of the present subject matter is to connect the first cover and
the U-shaped housing in a completely shielded environment.
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to apply the fuel unit
assembly in ethanol fuel vehicles as well as other kind of fuel vehicles.
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to manufacture the Ushaped
housing, the first cover, the carriers, the top plate, and the fasteners with
plastic.
Yet another object of the present subject matter is to extend the bracket to
hold and support the first carrier by means of a hinge along witch the float arm moves
in the specified portion.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an easy, compact,
less'costly and advanced hermetic fuel unit assembly for ethanol fuel vehicles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary narrated above and the following detailed description of the
invention can be understood with the drawings appended to this claim. The
illustrations provide the details of the invention. However, it should be understood
that the invention is not limited'to the arrangements shown. In the drawings:
FIG. l'show a perspective view of a vehicles in an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a fuel tank of the vehicles in an embodiment of
the present subject matter.
FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of a hermetic fuel tank unit assembly for the
vehicles in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of a hermetic fuel tank unit assembly for the
vehicles in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a U-shaped housing in the shielded fuel tank unit
assembly for the vehicles in an embodiment of the present subject matter.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a compartment inside the U-shaped housing in
the shielded fuel tank unit assembly for the vehicles in an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a closed hermetic fuel tank unit assembly for the
vehicles in an embodiment of the present subject matter. .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not
limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the
present subject matter to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In
the accompanying drawings, like reference alphabets and numerals are used to
indicate like components.
The present invention relates to a fuel tank assembly for vehicles and more
particularly to a hermetic fuel tank assembly for vehicles such as motor cycles,
scooters, moped, scooty, and the like. The following description is merely exemplary
in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. The
. present invention will hereinafter be described in detail below as applied to a motor
cycle 100. However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to
other vehicles 100 such as three wheelers, four wheelers, and the like. Upward, lower,
front and rear directions (see the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1) will be
described with respect to directions as seated by the rider on the motorcycle 100.
FIG. 1 illustrates a two wheeler 100.that may include a he1 tank 102 and an
engine mounted ahead of a rider's seat 104, a frame 106 and two relatively large sized
wheels 108 on which the frame 106 rides. The structure is necessarily provided with a
pair of left and right front fork members rotatably supported by a head pipe 110 on
the front end of the vehicle frame. The steering of the two wheelers 100 is possible
via a front wheel which is mounted on the front fork member whereas the rear wheel
(drive wheel) is at the rear end. FIG. 1 shows a handlebar 112 secured to an upper
portion of the front fork member, and the front and rcar portion of the handle bar 112
is covered with a handle cover which is further divided into forward and backward
portions. The two wheeler 100 are also provided with various lights mounted
externally on the vehicle to indicate certain information about the vehicle to other
drivers and pedestrians. These lights mainly include brake lights and tail lights
besides indicator light bulbs which are provided to indicate the driving direction of
the two wheelers. The two wheeler 100 is further provided with the intelligent vehicle
information display instrument 114 (as shown in FIG. 2 later) (also known as a
speedometer) located between the handle bars 112 of the. two wheeler 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 114 may be viewable by the rider of the motor
cycle 100 when the rider is seated on the seat 104 and operating the vehicle 100. The
vehicle information display instrument 114'may be disposed generally in front of the
rider so that the rider can inspect or view a variety of information that form part of
the vehicle information display instrument 114, which information may indicate an
operating condition or conditions of the vehicle. The vehicle information display
instrument 114 may be provided with audio/visual warning indicators comprising
information such as speed, the fuel level, telephone, bluetooth, rpm of the engine, tell
tale symbols, turn signal indicator, hazard warning indicator and / or other indicators.
FIG. 1 further shows a headlight 116 provided, as an attachment to the top middle of
the handlebar of the motor cycle, to light the road ahead.
In an embodiment of thc prcscnt subject matter, FIG. 2 discloses a
perspective view of the fuel tank 102 provided with a fuel supply port 118 formed on
the upper surface of the fuel tank 102. The fuel supply port 118 may be closed by a
cap unit (not shown) which is basically a cap to seal the fuel tank 102. The cap unit
can arbitrarily be opened and closed because its hinge portion is rotatably supported
through a hinge pin. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the locking unit
incorporates a lock bar which is capable of moving/retracting sideward by means of
an ignition key. The fuel tank 102 is further provided with a fuel pump (not shown)
mounted either externally to the fuel tank 102 or in the lowest portion of the inner
bottom surface of the fuel tank. The fuel pump and its function is not within the scope
of the present subject matter. In an cmbodirnent of the present subject matter, the fuel
tank 102 is also provided with a file1 unit assembly for sensing/detecting the level of
stored fuel in a fuel tank of a vehicle. The fuel unit assembly may vary in
configuration, as discussed later, depending on the configuration of the fuel tank 102
and also on the basis of inserting the fuel level sensors into the fuel tank 102. The
present subject matter will hereinafter be described in detail below as applied to one
of the types of fuel unit assembly i.e. an adjustable lever type fuel unit assembly.
However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to a second type
of fuel unit assembly i.e. a simple lever type fuel unit assembly.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate a
respective front and a rear perspective views of a hermetic fuel unit assembly 200
(hereinafter may be referred as fuel unit assembly) for ethanol and other fuel vehicles.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the hermetic fuel unit assembly 200
is structured of a top plate 202 suspended from the top inside of the fuel tank 102 to
hold the fuel unit assembly 200. The top plate 202, which is squarely shaped in
configuration, is provided with atleast four orderly spaced apertures 204 to receive
fasteners (not shown) for connecting the top plate 202 to the inside top of the fuel
tank 102 in a preferred embodiment of the present subject matter. The shape of the
top plate 202 is not restricted within the scope of the present subject matter. In an
embodiment of the present subject matter, top plate 202 and the fasteners are
preferably made of plastic in order to avoid the possibilities of reactions or hazards in
ethanol fuel. The fasteners may include, however not restricted to, screws, snaps,
rivets, buttons, zippers, mushroom fasteners, and the like. In an embodiment of the
present subject matter, the lower surface of the top plate 202 is provided with a knifeedge
surface that engages a flat rubber gasket 206 to securely seal the opening of the
fuel tank 102. The top plate 202 is structured with a snap-fit arrangement on the
lateral sides of a central lower annular arm 208 extending down from the center of the
top plate 202 in an embodiment of the present subject matter. This extending arm 208
is designed to receive the snap fit of the upper end of a plastic bracket 210 in a
preferred embodiment of the present subject matter. In an alternative embodiment
(which is llvt sl~uwn), [he brackel 210 may either be threaded with the top plate 202
or press fitted with an appropriate locking adhesive. The top plntc 2112 is fi~rthcr
provided with atleast two integral beehive shaped structures 212 to receive a plurality
of terminals 214. The terminals 214 ,are rectangularly shaped and are made of
conductive material. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the fuel unit
assembly 200 may be provided with rubber insulation or plastic insulation in order to
protect the terminal 214 from shortening out. Tn an exemplary embodiment of the
present subject matter, the top plate 202 is operably connected to a U-shaped housing
216 via the bracket 210 by fasteners.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the U-shaped shielded housing 216
provided with a base wall 218 and atleast four side walls 220 extending generally
perpendicular to the base wall 218 to create an enclosed compartment 222, in an
embodiment of the fuel unit assembly 200 in accordance with the present subject
matter. FIG. 6 illustrates the enclosed compartment 222 in the U-shaped shielded
housing 216 disposes a thin film resistor 224 (also known as TFR) and operatively
along a guiding slot (not shown), in an embodiment of the present subject matter. The
U-shaped shielded housing 216 further includes a wiper 228 placed above the thin
film resistor 224 in the compartment 222 for movement along an arc shaped
conductive trace carved on the thin film resistor 224, in an exemplary embodiment of
the present subject matter. The wiper 228 is riveted with metallic contacts to move on
the thin film resistor 224 for sensing the resistance value corresponding to the instant
fuel level in the fuel tank 102, as discussed later. In an embodiment of the present
subject matter, the thin film resistor is pushed along the base of the U-shaped housing
to smartly get accommodated in the U-shaped housing. In a preferred embodiment of
the present subject matter, the U-shaped shielded housing 216 is hermetically
concealed by a first cover 230 (shown later in FIG. 7) to completely enclose the
compartment 222 of the U-shaped shielded housing 216 as shown in FIG. 6. In an
embodiment of the present subject matter, the U-shaped shielded housing 216 and the
first cover 230 are made of fuel resistant plastic, such as but not restricted to, acetyl
polymer. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the U-shaped shielded
housing 216 is co~vlected to the first cover 230 by ultrasollic welding. However,
various other processes such as laser welding, spin welding, heat plate joining,
vibration welding, and the like may be utilized to connect the U-shaped shielded
housing 216 and the first cover 230. In an exemplary embodiment, the first cover 230
is provided with an aperture 232 extending there-through the first cover 230. The
aperture 232 discloses an elastomeric rubber seal 234 tightly gripped on the thin film
resistor 224. In another embodiment, the aperture 232 is covered by a first carrier 238
designed to receive a float arm 240 with a float 242 (shown in FIG. 3) floating in the
fuel tank 102. In an unique embodiment of the present subject matter, the first carrier
238 is designed integrally with the bracket 210 as shown in FIG 7. The first carrier
238 is hold and supported by the bracket 210 by means of a hinge (not shown) along
which the float arm 240 moves in the specifiedportion. In another embodiment of the
present subject matter, the bracket 210 is also purposefully mounted on the U-shaped
housing 216 by other means such as fasteners, and the like. Hence, the first cover 230
is connected to the U-shaped shielded housing 216 such that the compartment 222
containing the thin film resistor, wiper, and the like is completely shielded from the
liquid environment. In other words, the first cover and the U-shaped housing 216 are
permanently attached assuring a throughout life of the fuel unit assembly 200.
During operation, the hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 is operationally
connected to the fuel tank 102, as discussed above. The fuel in the fuel tank 102
cause the float 242 to rise to the top thereof once the fuel tank 102 is filled with the
fuel. As the fuel level increases or decreases in the fuel tank 102, the float 242 is
raised or lowered to rotate the wiper 228 relative to the thin film resistor 224 via the
float arm 240 floating in the fuel. The rotation of wiper 228, and thus metallic
contacts move to different positions thereof to vary or provide a different predetermined
resistance to indicate the level of the ethanol fuel remaining in the fuel
tank 102 and thus informing the rider about the current fuel level, preferably by
indicating the same in the information display instrument device 114 in the vehicles.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the thin film resistor 224 is stationed
below the terminals 214 that may be soldered for a permanently assembly. These
terminals 214 may be sealed by a sealing material such as but not restricted to araldite,
epoxy, and the like. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the
terminals 214 may be covered with a rubber sealing in order to protect them from any
breakage, failure, or liquid. In this manner, the compartment containing the thin film
resistor, wiper, metallic contacts, terminals, and the like are permanently sealed to
ensure a substantially, and preferably entirely liquid free (ethanol fuel free)
environment within the compartment of the fuel tank assembly in accordance with the
present subject matter.
The hermetic fuel tank assembly for vehicles according to the present subject
matter advantageously facilitates a completely shielded fuel unit assembly that can be
implemented in ethanol fuel or a fuel comprising gasoline and ethanol wherein the
percentage of ethanol ranges from 25% to 100%. The arrangement according to the
present subject matter discloses a liquid free environment resulting in a secured
surrounding conditions, esp for silver (Ag) based conductive inks (Ag, Pd, Pt) 'and
high contents silver contacts (Paliney6, Agmi) required for thin film resistors.
Further, the presence of elastomeric seal and the second cover guarantees a robust
construction of the shielded fuel unit assembly that can be implemented in any kind
of fuels such as gasoline fuel or bio-fuel. Furthermore, such fuel unit assembly
remarkably exhibits a dimensional stability when exposed to harsh chemicals present
in the ethanol fuel or any other variety of fuels. Additionally,. since each part of the
said shielded fuel unit assembly is made of plastic, hence the drawback of corrosion
has reduced outstandingly. Further, since the arrangement of U-shaped housing is
from the lateral top side, hence the possibilities of leakage has drastically got reduced.
Furthermore, the quantity of snap-fit arrangements have also reduced to a great level,
hence this would further reduces the cost of the structure. Also, since the bracket is
extended to hold and support the first carrier, hence the possibility of failure in load
test, vibration test and other similar tests. Thus, the present subject matter ensures
least requirement of servicing and maintenance that subsequently lowers the overall
cost of any file1 level measuring apparatus. In addition to this, the position of bracket
has also been reversed, as compared to the parent application 1302/DEL/2015, that
gives addiliunal benefit to the overall structure of the hermetic sealed fuel unit.
Moreover, the present subject matter discloses an improved, advanced, reliahlc, and
customers' friendly hermetic fuel tank assembly for ethanol fuel vehicles.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to
the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all variations,
substitutions and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

WE CLAIM:
1. A hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles comprising:
a top plate 202 suspended from the top inside of a fuel tank 102 to hold the
hermetic fuel unit assembly 200;
a central lower annular arm 208 extending d o h from the center of the top
plate 202;
a bracket 210 snap-fitted to the extending arm 208 of the top plate 202; ;
a U-shaped housing 216 operably connected to the bracket 210, by fasteners;
wherein the U-shaped housing 216 comprising:
a base wall 218;
atleast four side walls 220 extending generally perpendicular to the base
wall 218 to create an enclosed compartment 222;
a thin film resistor 224 disposed from the lateral top side LTS into the
enclosed compartment 222 of the U-shaped housing 216;
a wiper 228 placed above the thin film resistor 224 in the enclosed
compartment 222 for movement along an arc shaped conductive trace
carved on the thin film resistor 224; wherein
the U-shaped housing 216 is hermetically shielded by a first cover 230
provided with an aperture 232 extending there through the first cover 230;
a first carrier 236 movably hinged to the bracket 210 as its integral part
wherein the first cover 230 receives and provide the path for guiding the
movement of the float arm 240 in the in the fuel tank 102.
2. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the U-shaped housing 116 is connected to the first cover 230 by ultrasonic
welding.
3. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the bracket 210 is extended to hold and support a first carrier 238 by means of a
hinge along which the float arm'240 moves in the specified portion.
4. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim .l, wherein
the U-shaped housing 116, the first cover 230, the carriers (236,238), and the
fasteners are preferably made of plastic.
5. ' The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the lower surface of the top plate 202 is provided with a knife-edge surface that
engages a flat rubber gasket 206 to securely seal the opening of the fuel tank 102.
6. The hermetic fie1 unit asscmbly 200 for vehicles as clailllecl in clailll 1, wherein
the top plate 202 is provided with atleast two integral beehive shaped structures
212 to receive a plurality of terminals 214. . .
7. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the thin film resistor 224 is operationally moved in the enclosed compartment
222 along a guiding slot of the U-shaped housing 216.
8. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the wiper 228 is riveted with metallic contacts to move on the thin film resistor
224 for sensing the resistance value corresponding to the instant fuel level in the
fuel tank 102.
9. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the aperture 232 is provided with an elastomeric rubber seal 234 tightly gripped
on a first carrier 236 implanted on the thin film resistor 224.
10. The hermetic fuel unit assembly 200 for vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the fasteners may include screws, snaps, rivets, buttons, zippers, mushroom
fasteners, and the like.