Overflow tube

Abstract

An overflow tube is provided at an oil pan and when the oil pan receives an amount of a working fluid exceeding a prescribed amount the overflow tube causes the fluid to overflow to allow the fluid to have a level set at a prescribed level. The overflow tube has an end portion positioned in the oil pan and defining an opening of a drain hole receiving and passing the fluid overflowing. The end portion has a curved surface facing vertically upward and extending to surround the opening of the drain hole, and curving in a direction in contact with a generally horizontal direction. The overflow tube can thus help to set the fluid's level at a prescribed level precisely.

1 . An overflow tube provided at a case body and causing an amount of a working fluid exceeding a prescribed amount received by said case body to overflow to set a level of said working fluid at a prescribed level, the overflow tube comprising an end portion positioned in said case body and defining an opening receiving and passing said working fluid overflowing, said end portion having a curved surface facing vertically upward and extending to surround said opening, and curving in a direction in contact with a generally horizontal direction.  
     
     
         2 . An overflow tube provided at a case body and causing an amount of a working fluid exceeding a prescribed amount received by said case body to overflow to set a level of said working fluid at a prescribed level, the overflow tube comprising an end portion positioned in said case body and defining an opening receiving and passing said working fluid overflowing, said end portion having an inclined surface facing vertically upward and extending to surround said opening, and inclining from a circumference of said end portion toward said opening vertically downward.  
     
     
         3 . An overflow tube provided at a case body and causing an amount of a working fluid exceeding a prescribed amount received by said case body to overflow to set a level of said working fluid at a prescribed level, the overflow tube comprising an end portion positioned in said case body and defining an opening receiving and passing said working fluid overflowing, said end portion having a surface facing vertically upward and extending to surround said opening, and formed to be uneven.  
     
     
         4 . The overflow tube according to  claim 3 , wherein said surface is satin finished.  
     
     
         5 . The overflow tube according to  claim 3 , wherein said surface is serrated to have a plurality of teeth arranged along a circumference of said opening.  
     
     
         6 . The overflow tube according to  claim 3 , wherein said surface has a groove extending from a circumference of said end portion toward said opening.  
     
     
         7 . An overflow tube provided at a case body and causing an amount of a working fluid exceeding a prescribed amount received by said case body to overflow to set a level of said working fluid at a prescribed level, the overflow tube comprising: 
 an end portion positioned in said case body and defining an opening receiving and passing said working fluid overflowing; and    a guiding member provided at said end portion in a form of a string extending from a circumference of said end portion toward said opening.    
     
     
         8 . An overflow tube provided at a case body and causing an amount of a working fluid exceeding a prescribed amount received by said case body to overflow to set a level of said working fluid at a prescribed level, the overflow tube comprising an end portion positioned in said case body and defining an opening receiving and passing said working fluid overflowing, said end portion having a surface facing vertically upward and extending to surround said opening, and lipophilically coated.