HOUSING FOR FLOAT SWITCH MECHANISM

摘要

HOUSING FOR FLOAT SWITCH MECHANISM A sheet-metal housing for a float switch mechanism of the type which can be mounted in an aperture of a tank or vessel. The mechanism comprises a body portion to which the housing is connected, and a float which is held captive in the housing, the latter being electrically conductive and the float carrying an electrical contact for engagement with an inner housing wall in response to changes in the level of liquid in the vessel. The housing is constituted as a one-piece sheet metal member that is bent into a cylindrical shape from a flat metal stamping, and has a pair of adjoining longitudinal edge portions one of which comprises a lateral offset to enable it to overlap the other. One edge portion has an aperture, and the other edge portion has a tab which extends radially outward through the aperture and is bent back upon the outer surface of the first edge portion so as to securely retain the portions against separation. The apertured edge portion is thus sandwiched between the other edge portion and the tab. In addition, there is at least one abutment disposed at the end of the member and extending partially across said end so as to engage and hold the float captive therein. Pre-plated metal stock can be advantageously employed, eliminating the need for plating operations following assembly. The advantage of the present invention over the devices of the prior art is mainly that manufacturing costs are reduced compared to those which would be incurred if the housing were to be made as a drawn sheet metal part.