Venting Tank, Venting Tank Assembly, Cooling System and Motor Vehicle

The present disclosure provides a venting tank, a venting tank assembly, a cooling system having the venting tank and/or the venting tank assembly, and a motor vehicle having the cooling system. The venting tank assembly comprises a venting tank and a fluid connector. The venting tank comprises a tank body having a degassing space, and a connecting pipe having connecting pipe inlet and outlet channels. The fluid connector comprises an inlet section, an outlet section, and a connecting section which enables the inlet and outlets sections to be in fluid communication with the connecting pipe inlet and outlet channels, respectively. The fluid connector forms a bypass flow path communicating the inlet section with the outlet section such that part of a heat transfer fluid from the inlet section is guided into the degassing space, and the rest flows directly to the outlet section via the bypass flow path.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202311030264.7, filed Aug. 15, 2023, titled “Venting Tank, Venting Tank Assembly, Cooling System and Motor Vehicle,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a venting tank, a venting tank assembly, a cooling system comprising the venting tank and/or the venting tank assembly, and a motor vehicle comprising the cooling system.

BACKGROUND

A motor vehicle generally has a cooling system for cooling down heat generating component(s) in the motor vehicle. The cooling system comprises a heat transfer fluid circuit and a venting tank (also called an expansion tank or expansion pot). The venting tank is connected, via its inlet pipeline, outlet pipeline and corresponding pipe joints, in the heat transfer fluid circuit to degas a heat transfer fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a venting tank. More specifically, a venting tank for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, substantially as illustrated by and described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within and/or including the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “back,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. For example, while in some examples a first side is located adjacent to or near a second side, the terms “first side” and “second side” do not imply any specific order in which the sides are ordered.

The terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosed examples and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed examples.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a venting tank assembly for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, the venting tank assembly comprising a venting tank and a fluid connector. The venting tank comprises a tank body, a connecting pipe, and a connecting pipe separator. The tank body has a degassing space therein. The connecting pipe is connected to the tank body and located outside the tank body. The connecting pipe separator is provided in the connecting pipe and extends along a length direction of the connecting pipe to separate a connecting pipe inlet channel and a connecting pipe outlet channel in the connecting pipe, wherein the connecting pipe inlet channel and the connecting pipe outlet channel are each in fluid communication with the degassing space. The fluid connector comprises an inlet section, an outlet section, and a connecting section. The inlet section is configured for guiding a heat transfer fluid into the venting tank assembly. The outlet section is configured for discharging the heat transfer fluid out of the venting tank assembly. The connecting section is connected to each of the inlet section, the outlet section and the connecting pipe, such that the inlet section is in fluid communication with the connecting pipe inlet channel, and the outlet section is in fluid communication with the connecting pipe outlet channel. The fluid connector is configured to form a bypass flow path communicating the inlet section with the outlet section, and the bypass flow path is separated from the degassing space such that part of the heat transfer fluid flowing in from the inlet section is guided into the degassing space to be degassed, and the rest of the heat transfer fluid flowing in from the inlet section does not pass through the degassing space but flows directly to the outlet section via the bypass flow path.

According to the venting tank assembly in the first aspect described above, the connecting section is substantially tubular, and the inlet section and the outlet section are formed of a straight pipe having a communication opening through its pipe wall, via which the connecting section fluidly communicates with the straight pipe; and the fluid connector further comprises a connector separator substantially extending along an axial direction of the connecting section and comprising a first end and a second end that are opposite one another, wherein the first end is connected to the connecting pipe separator, the second end extends between the inlet section and the outlet section and defines a gap with the pipe wall of the straight pipe, and the gap forms the bypass flow path.

According to the venting tank assembly in the first aspect described above, the connector separator is formed integrally with the inlet section, the outlet section and the connecting section.

According to the venting tank assembly in the first aspect described above, the connecting pipe separator is formed integrally with the connecting pipe.

According to the venting tank assembly in the first aspect described above, an end of the connecting pipe is inserted into the connecting section and provided with a guide part, the connecting section is provided with a guide fitting part, and the guide part is fitted to the guide fitting part such that the connecting pipe is inserted into the connecting section in a predetermined orientation in a direction of rotation about an axis of the connecting pipe.

According to the venting tank assembly in the first aspect described above, the fluid connector further comprises a splitter seal configured to fluidly communicate the inlet section and the outlet section with the connecting pipe inlet channel and the connecting pipe outlet channel respectively in a sealed manner.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a venting tank for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, the venting tank comprising a tank body, a connecting pipe, and a connecting pipe separator. The tank body has a degassing space therein. The connecting pipe is connected to the tank body and located outside the tank body. The connecting pipe separator is provided in the connecting pipe and extends along a length direction of the connecting pipe to separate a connecting pipe inlet channel and a connecting pipe outlet channel in the connecting pipe, wherein the connecting pipe inlet channel and the connecting pipe outlet channel are each in fluid communication with the degassing space.

According to the venting tank in the second aspect described above, the venting tank further comprises a flow deflector plate provided in the degassing space and configured such that the heat transfer fluid flowing into the degassing space flows along a path around the flow deflector plate to the connecting pipe outlet channel.

According to the venting tank in the second aspect described above, a bottom of the flow deflector plate is connected to a bottom wall of the tank body, and a top of the flow deflector plate is not lower than the maximum liquid level of the tank body.

According to the venting tank in the second aspect described above, the venting tank further comprises a guide pipe and a guide pipe separator extending along a length direction of the guide pipe and separating an inflow guide channel and a return flow guide channel in the guide pipe, wherein the inflow guide channel fluidly connects the degassing space with the connecting pipe inlet channel, and the return flow guide channel fluidly connects the degassing space with the connecting pipe outlet channel; and the flow deflector plate extends along the length direction of the guide pipe and is connected to the guide pipe separator.

According to the venting tank in the second aspect described above, there are gaps between two ends in a length direction of the flow deflector plate and a side wall of the tank body.

According to the venting tank in the second aspect described above, the connecting pipe, the connecting pipe separator, the flow deflector plate, the guide pipe and the guide pipe separator are integrally formed in one piece.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a cooling system, comprising a venting tank assembly according to the first aspect described above and/or a venting tank according to the second aspect described above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a motor vehicle, comprising a cooling system according to the third aspect described above.

FIG.1shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle100according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The motor vehicle100comprises a cooling system110. The cooling system110is configured for providing cooling for heat generating component(s) of the motor vehicle100.

FIG.2shows a simplified block diagram of the cooling system110. As shown inFIG.2, the cooling system110comprises a heat transfer fluid circuit200, and a venting tank assembly210, a cooled component220, a heat exchange device230and a pump240which are connected in the heat transfer fluid circuit200. The cooled component220is, for example, a battery, an electric motor, or other component(s) of the motor vehicle100.

A heat transfer fluid (e.g., coolant) in the heat transfer fluid circuit200circulates and flows between the heat exchange device230and the component220. The heat transfer fluid absorbs heat emitted by the component220when flowing through a cooling passage (not shown) of the cooled component220, and releases the heat when passing through the heat exchange device230, so as to cool the component220through the circulation and flowing of the heat transfer fluid. The pump240is configured for providing power for the circulation and flowing of the heat transfer fluid.

During operation of the cooling system110, gas is generated from the heat transfer fluid due to heat and other reasons, and excessive gas will affect the normal operation of the cooling system110. The venting tank assembly210is connected in the heat transfer fluid circuit200for degassing the heat transfer fluid.

FIGS.3A-3Fshow the specific structure of the venting tank assembly210according to an aspect of the present disclosure.FIG.3Ais a perspective view of the venting tank assembly210,FIG.3Bis a front view of the venting tank assembly210,FIG.3Cis an exploded view of the venting tank assembly210,FIG.3Dis a cross-sectional view along line A-A inFIG.3B,FIG.3Eis a cross-sectional view along line B-B inFIG.3D, andFIG.3Fis a partial enlarged view of part C inFIG.3D.

Referring toFIGS.3A-3F, the venting tank assembly210comprises a venting tank310, a fluid connector320, a sealing ring330, a limiting ring340, and a latch350. The venting tank310comprises a tank body311, a connecting pipe312, a connecting pipe separator313, a flow deflector plate314, a guide pipe315, and a guide pipe separator316.

The connecting pipe312is located outside the tank body311, and comprises a connecting pipe proximal end3124connected to the tank body311and a connecting pipe distal end3125away from the tank body311. The connecting pipe distal end3125is inserted into the fluid connector320and fixedly connected to the fluid connector320via the latch350. The sealing ring330is sleeved on the connecting pipe312and clamped between the fluid connector320and the connecting pipe312to connect the fluid connector320to the connecting pipe312in a sealed manner. The limiting ring340is sleeved on the connecting pipe312to limit the sealing ring330.

The connecting pipe separator313, which is substantially plate-shaped, is provided in the connecting pipe312and extends along a length direction of the connecting pipe312. A width direction of the connecting pipe separator313(i.e., the vertical direction according to the orientation shown inFIG.3E) is along a radial direction of the connecting pipe312, and opposite sides in the width direction of the connecting pipe separator313are each connected to a pipe wall of the connecting pipe312, so as to separate a connecting pipe inlet channel3121and a connecting pipe outlet channel3122in the connecting pipe312.

The fluid connector320comprises an inlet section321, an outlet section322, a connecting section323, and a connector separator327. The inlet section321and the outlet section322are connected to other pipelines of the heat transfer fluid circuit200. The inlet section321is configured for guiding the heat transfer fluid into the venting tank assembly210, and the outlet section322is configured for discharging the heat transfer fluid out of the venting tank assembly210. The connecting section323is connected to each of the inlet section321, the outlet section322and the connecting pipe312respectively, such that the inlet section321is in fluid communication with the connecting pipe inlet channel3121, and the outlet section322is in fluid communication with the connecting pipe outlet channel3122.

Specifically, the inlet section321, the outlet section322and the connecting section323are each substantially tubular, and the fluid connector320is of a three-way pipe joint structure when viewed from the outside as a whole. The inlet section321and the outlet section322are formed of a straight pipe325, two ends of the straight pipe325respectively form the inlet section321and the outlet section322, and the straight pipe325is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the connecting section323. The straight pipe325has a communication opening3251passing through its pipe wall. The connecting section323comprises a connecting section proximal end3231and a connecting section distal end3232opposite to each other. The connecting section proximal end3231is in fluid communication with the straight pipe325via the communication opening3251, and is thus in fluid communication with the inlet section321and the outlet section322. The connecting pipe312is inserted into the connecting section323via the connecting section distal end3232.

The connector separator327is substantially plate-shaped and extends along an axial direction of the connecting section323. The connector separator327comprises a first end3271and a second end3272that are opposite one another in a length direction. The first end3271is connected to the connecting pipe separator313, and the second end3272extends between the inlet section321and the outlet section322. A width direction of the connector separator327(i.e., the vertical direction according to the orientation shown inFIG.3E) is along a radial direction of the connecting section323, and each of two opposite sides in the width direction of the connector separator327is connected to a pipe wall of the connecting section323and an inner wall of the straight pipe325, so as to separate a connector inlet channel3201and a connector outlet channel3202in the fluid connector320. The connector inlet channel3201fluidly connects the inlet section321with the connecting pipe inlet channel3121, and the connector outlet channel3202fluidly connects the outlet section322with the connecting pipe outlet channel3122. There is a gap328between the connector separator327and the pipe wall of the straight pipe325, and the gap328communicates the inlet section321with the outlet section322, so as to form a bypass flow path329which will be described in detail below.

The connecting pipe distal end3125of the connecting pipe312is provided with a guide part3123, the connecting section distal end3232of the connecting section323of the fluid connector320is provided with a guide fitting part3233, and the guide part3123is fitted to the guide fitting part3233such that the connecting pipe312is inserted into the connecting section323in a predetermined orientation (or direction) in a direction of rotation about an axis of the connecting pipe312, so that the connector separator327is aligned with the connecting pipe separator313in a circumferential direction, that is, the two appear to extend continuously, so as to quickly and accurately connect the connecting pipe312to the fluid connector320.

In the illustrated aspect, the guide part3123is a protrusion protruding radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe312and extending along the axial direction of the connecting pipe312, and the guide fitting part3233is a groove recessed radially outward from an inner wall of the connecting section323and extending along the axial direction of the connecting section323. Two guide parts3123are provided on opposite sides in the radial direction of the connecting pipe312, and correspondingly, two guide fitting parts3233are provided on opposite sides in the radial direction of the connecting section323.

Two openings3234passing through the pipe wall of the connecting section323are provided on opposite sides in the radial direction of the connecting section323, and two engagement grooves3126are provided on opposite sides in the radial direction of the connecting pipe312. Each engagement groove3126extends along the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe312on an outer wall of the connecting pipe312and is connected to the two guide parts3123. The latch350is, for example, a substantially U-shaped resilient clip comprising two substantially parallel legs351. Each leg351passes through one of the openings3234of the fluid connector320and is engaged in one of the engagement grooves3126of the connecting pipe312.

The connector separator327of the fluid connector320is formed integrally with the inlet section321, the outlet section322and the connecting section323, for example, by molding or injection molding, so as to facilitate manufacturing and assembly, and to ensure the sealing of the connecting portions to prevent fluid leakage.

It should be noted that although in the illustrated aspect, the inlet section321and the outlet section322are formed of the straight pipe325substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the connecting section323for ease of design and manufacturing, in some other aspects, the straight pipe325may be configured to form a non-90 degree angle with the axial direction of the connecting section323, or the inlet section321and the outlet section322may be formed of a bent pipe, or the inlet section321, the outlet section322and the connecting section323may be respectively formed of three pipe sections, and the three pipe sections are connected to one another to form a Y shape or other shapes.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.3A-3F, the venting tank310is connected in the heat transfer fluid circuit200via the connecting pipe312and the fluid connector320. During operation, the venting tank310is designed to be arranged according to the orientation shown inFIGS.3B and3E, so that the direction of gravity is basically along the vertical direction inFIGS.3B and3E.

The tank body311has a degassing space3111therein. The degassing space3111contains the degassed heat transfer fluid and a gas located above the liquid surface of the heat transfer fluid. The tank body311comprises a top wall3112, a bottom wall3113, and a side wall3114. The top wall3112is opposite the bottom wall3113, and the side wall3114is connected to the top wall3112and the bottom wall3113. According to the orientation shown inFIG.3E, the top wall3112is located above the degassing space3111, that is, on the side close to the gas, and the bottom wall3113is located below the degassing space3111, that is, on the side close to the heat transfer fluid. The connecting pipe inlet channel3121and the connecting pipe outlet channel3122are in fluid communication with the degassing space3111to guide the heat transfer fluid to flow into and out of the degassing space3111, respectively.

In this way, the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid circuit200flows from the inlet section321of the fluid connector320through the connector inlet channel3201and the connecting pipe inlet channel3121into the degassing space3111in the tank body311to be degassed, and the degassed heat transfer fluid flows to the outlet section322of the fluid connector320through the connecting pipe outlet channel3122and the connector outlet channel3202, and then flows into other pipelines in the heat transfer fluid circuit200.

The guide pipe315is arranged inside the tank body311, and the guide pipe separator316is substantially plate-shaped and extends along a length direction of the guide pipe315. A width direction of the guide pipe separator316(i.e., the vertical direction according to the orientation shown inFIG.3E) is along a radial direction of the guide pipe315, and opposite sides in the width direction of the guide pipe separator316are respectively connected to a pipe wall of the guide pipe315, so as to separate an inflow guide channel3151and a return flow guide channel3152in the guide pipe315. The inflow guide channel3151and the return flow guide channel3152are in fluid communication with the degassing space3111.

The guide pipe315has the same inner diameter as the connecting pipe312and is coaxially connected to the connecting pipe312. The guide pipe separator316extends along the length direction of the connecting pipe separator313, and one end in the length direction of the guide pipe separator316is connected to one end in the length direction of the connecting pipe separator313, such that the inflow guide channel3151is fluidly connected to the connecting pipe inlet channel3121, and the return flow guide channel3152is fluidly connected to the connecting pipe outlet channel3122, so as to fluidly connect the degassing space3111to the connecting pipe inlet channel3121via the inflow guide channel3151, and to fluidly connect the degassing space3111to the connecting pipe outlet channel3122via the return flow guide channel3152.

A lower part of the guide pipe315(according to the orientation shown inFIG.3E) is connected to the bottom wall3113of the tank body311, that is, the bottom wall3113of the tank body311provides part of the pipe wall of the guide pipe315, so as to facilitate the gas in the heat transfer fluid to be discharged upwardly by gravity, and to facilitate the degassed heat transfer fluid to be fully discharged from the degassing space3111.

It should be noted that although in the illustrated aspect, the guide pipe315has the same inner diameter as the connecting pipe312and is coaxially connected to the connecting pipe312for ease of design and manufacturing, in some other aspects, the inner diameters and/or orientations of the guide pipe315and the connecting pipe312may be different.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.3A-3F, the flow deflector plate314is provided in the degassing space3111, the bottom3141of the flow deflector plate314is connected to the bottom wall3113of the tank body311, the top3142of the flow deflector plate314is not lower than the maximum liquid level in the tank body311(i.e., the designed nominal liquid level), and the flow deflector plate314extends along the length direction of the guide pipe315and is connected to the guide pipe separator316, so as to force the heat transfer fluid flowing from the inflow guide channel3151into the degassing space3111to flow to the return flow guide channel3152along a relatively long curved path passing around the flow deflector plate314, to improve the degassing effect on the heat transfer fluid.

There are gaps between opposite ends3143,3144in a length direction of the flow deflector plate314and the side wall3114of the tank body311, so that the heat transfer fluid flowing from the inflow guide channel3151into the degassing space3111flows along two substantially U-shaped paths passing around the two ends3143,3144of the flow deflector plate314, and then flows into the return flow guide channel3152. The U-shaped flow path of the heat transfer fluid is schematically shown by arrows inFIG.3D. It should be noted that since the lower part of the guide pipe315is connected to the bottom wall3113of the tank body311, the heat transfer fluid only flows along the U-shaped path shown by the solid line inFIG.3Dat a level not higher than the guide pipe315, whereas the heat transfer fluid flows along both the U-shaped path shown by the solid line inFIG.3Dand the U-shaped path shown by the dotted line inFIG.3Dat a level above the guide pipe315.

It should be noted that, although in the illustrated aspect, there are the gaps between the opposite ends3143,3144in the length direction of the flow deflector plate314and the side wall3114of the tank body311, in some other aspects, it is possible that there is a gap between only one of the two ends3143,3144of the flow deflector plate314and the side wall3114of the tank body311. In addition, although in the illustrated aspect, the flow deflector plate314is configured as a flat plate extending along the length direction of the guide pipe315for ease of manufacturing, in some other aspects, the flow deflector plate314may be configured to extend in other directions and/or be configured in other shapes.

Continuing to refer toFIGS.3A-3F, the tank body311is of a split structure, comprising an upper tank body3116and a lower tank body3117. The upper tank body3116and the lower tank body3117respectively define an upper half and a lower half of the degassing space3111(according to the orientation shown inFIG.3E). The connecting pipe312, the connecting pipe separator313, the flow deflector plate314, the guide pipe315, and the guide pipe separator316are formed integrally with the lower tank body3117, for example, by molding or injection molding, so as to facilitate manufacturing and assembly, and to ensure the sealing of the connecting portions to prevent fluid leakage.

As can be seen from the above, in order to fully degas the heat transfer fluid in the degassing space3111, the flow path for guiding the heat transfer fluid to degas is set to be relatively long. If the entire flow of the heat transfer fluid flowing into the venting tank assembly210from the inlet section321passes through the degassing space3111via the flow path to be degassed, a large pressure drop will occur in the heat transfer fluid circuit. In order to ensure that the circulation pressure of the heat transfer fluid circuit meets requirements, the venting tank assembly210forms the aforementioned bypass flow path329communicating the inlet section321with the outlet section322in the fluid connector320, and the bypass flow path329is separated from the degassing space3111such that part of the heat transfer fluid flowing in from the inlet section321is guided into the degassing space3111, and flows into the outlet section322after being degassed in the degassing space3111, while the rest of the heat transfer fluid flowing in from the inlet section321does not pass through the degassing space3111but flows directly to the outlet section322via the bypass flow path329. By designing the size of the gap328between the connector separator327and the straight pipe325, a flow of the heat transfer fluid flowing into the degassing space3111can be conveniently and accurately controlled, and the structure is simple, and is easy to design and manufacture.

As an optional configuration, the venting tank310further comprises a flow limiting structure317provided in the inflow guide channel3151to further limit the flow of the heat transfer fluid flowing into the degassing space3111. Specifically, the flow limiting structure317is a stop block formed integrally with the guide pipe315, and is arranged at one end of the inflow guide channel3151away from the connecting pipe312to block part of the cross-section of the inflow guide channel3151. In this way, by designing the size of the flow limiting structure317, the flow of the heat transfer fluid flowing into the degassing space3111can be conveniently and accurately controlled, and the structure is simple, and is easy to design and manufacture.

Thus, by selecting one venting tank310from a plurality of venting tanks310having flow limiting structures317of different sizes and/or by selecting one fluid connector320from a plurality of fluid connectors320having gaps328of different sizes to form the venting tank assembly210, multiple proportional relationships between the flow of the bypass flow path329and the flow of the degassing flow path passing through the degassing space3111can be conveniently obtained to meet the requirements of various application environments.

Optionally, the gap328between the connector separator327and the straight pipe325and/or the flow limiting structure317is sized such that 10% to 40% of the total flow of the heat transfer fluid flowing in from the inlet section321of the fluid connector320enters the degassing space3111to be degassed, and the remaining flow bypasses the degassing space3111via the bypass flow path329.

As an optional configuration, the fluid connector320further comprises a splitter seal324. The splitter seal324fluidly communicates the inlet section321and the outlet section322respectively with the connecting pipe inlet channel3121and the connecting pipe outlet channel3122in a sealed manner, so as to more accurately control the proportional relationship between the flow of the bypass flow path329and the flow of the degassing flow path.

FIGS.4A-4Cshow the specific structure of the splitter seal324.FIG.4Ais a perspective view of the splitter seal324as viewed from front to back,FIG.4Bis a perspective view of the splitter seal324as viewed from back to front, andFIG.4Cis a radial cross-sectional view of the splitter seal324.

Referring toFIGS.4A-4C, the splitter seal324comprises a radial sealing portion3241and a circumferential sealing portion3242. The circumferential sealing portion3242is arranged around the radial sealing portion3241, and the radial sealing portion3241is connected, via its opposite ends4243in the length direction, to the circumferential sealing portion3242. The axial length of the radial sealing portion3241is greater than the axial length of the circumferential sealing portion3242. The radial sealing portion3241comprises end sealing surfaces4244located at its opposite ends4243and extending axially, and a radial sealing surface4245connecting the end sealing surfaces4244to each other. The radial sealing surface4245extends radially and is located on a side of the radial sealing portion3241away from the circumferential sealing portion3242.

The radial sealing portion3241forms an inner cavity4246for receiving the first end3271of the connector separator327, and an opening of the cavity4246is located on a side of the radial sealing portion3241close to the circumferential sealing portion3242. The splitter seal324is made of an resilient material, for example, integrally formed in one piece from a rubber material. The cavity4246is sized to be slightly smaller than the size of the first end3271of the connector separator327, such that the radial sealing portion3241can be wrapped around the connector separator327to retain the splitter seal324in the fluid connector320by means of the connector separator327.

Referring toFIGS.3A-3F, the inner diameter of the connecting section proximal end3231of the fluid connector320is larger than the size of the communication opening3251, thereby forming a stepped surface326between the communication opening3251and the connecting section proximal end3231. The first end3271of the connector separator327extends from the communication opening3251of the straight pipe325beyond the stepped surface326and into the connecting section323. The end of the connecting pipe separator313close to the connecting pipe distal end3125is retracted toward the inside of the connecting pipe312relative to an end surface of the connecting pipe distal end3125. When the fluid connector320receives and is fixedly connected to the connecting pipe312, the connecting pipe312is located in the connecting section323of the fluid connector320, and the first end3271of the connector separator327and the radial sealing portion3241of the splitter seal324retained thereon at least partially extend into the connecting pipe312. The radial sealing portion3241of the splitter seal324is clamped between the connector separator327and the connecting pipe separator313, and the radial sealing surface4245of the radial sealing portion abuts against the connecting pipe separator313. In addition, the two end sealing surfaces4244of the radial sealing portion3241abut against an inner surface of the connecting pipe312. The circumferential sealing portion3242of the splitter seal324is clamped between the end surface of the connecting pipe distal end3125and the stepped surface326of the fluid connector320.

In this way, the circumferential sealing portion3242of the splitter seal324communicates the connecting pipe312with the communication opening3251in a sealed manner, and the radial sealing portion3241of the splitter seal324connects the connecting pipe separator313to the connector separator327in a sealed manner, to communicate the inlet section321of the fluid connector320with the connecting pipe inlet channel3121in a sealed manner, and communicate the outlet section322of the fluid connector320with the connecting pipe outlet channel3122in a sealed manner, so as to more accurately control the proportional relationship between the flow of the bypass flow path329and the flow of the degassing flow path.

It should be noted that although in the illustrated aspect, the connector separator327is connected to the connecting pipe separator313via the splitter seal324, in some other aspects, no connector separator327may be provided, or the connector separator327may be provided by the connecting pipe separator313, provided that the proportional relationship between the flow of the bypass flow path329and the flow of the degassing flow path can meet the requirements. For example, the connecting pipe312is inserted between the inlet section321and the outlet section323of the fluid connector320, and there is a gap between each of the connecting pipe distal end3125and the connecting pipe separator313, and the pipe wall of the straight pipe325, so that the inlet section321is in communication with the outlet section323to form a bypass flow path. Further, part of the pipe wall of the connecting pipe312facing the inlet section321and part of the pipe wall facing the outlet section323may be cut off, so as to facilitate the flowing of the heat transfer fluid from the inlet section321into the connecting pipe312and from the connecting pipe312into the outlet section323.

According to the venting tank assembly of the aspects of the present disclosure, by separating the connecting pipe inlet channel and the connecting pipe outlet channel in the connecting pipe, and by separating the connector inlet channel and the connector outlet channel in the fluid connector, only one connecting pipe and one fluid connector are needed to connect the venting tank in the heat transfer fluid circuit. Compared with a conventional solution of connecting the venting tank in the heat transfer fluid circuit by means of two separate pipelines, namely an inlet pipeline and an outlet pipeline, and the corresponding pipe joints, the present disclosure can save space, reduce the number of parts (such as pipelines, pipe joints, pipe clamps, etc.), facilitate manufacturing and installation, and can reduce costs. In addition, according to the venting tank assembly of the aspects of the present disclosure, the connector separator of the fluid connector for separating the two channels and the straight pipe for forming the inlet section and the outlet section are used to form the bypass flow path, so that there is no need to add an additional bypass pipeline structure, which can further simplify the structure and save space, reduce the number of parts, facilitate design and manufacturing, and reduce assembly steps.

Although the present disclosure is described with reference to the examples of aspects outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, which are known or anticipated at present or to be anticipated before long, may be obvious to those of at least ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the technical effects and/or technical problems described in this specification are exemplary rather than limiting; Therefore, the disclosure in this specification may be used to solve other technical problems and have other technical effects and/or may solve other technical problems. Accordingly, the examples of the aspects of the present disclosure as set forth above are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all known or earlier disclosed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.