Patent Publication Number: US-2021172660-A1

Title: Liquid storage container and manufacturing method thereof

Description:
This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/CN2018/121544, filed Dec. 17, 2018, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201711421540.7, titled “LIQUID RESERVOIR AND MANUFACTURE METHOD THEREOF”, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Dec. 25, 2017, and Chinese Patent Application No. 201721837705.4, titled “LIQUID RESERVOIR”, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Dec. 25, 2017. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, in particular to a liquid reservoir, and further relates to a method for manufacturing the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The liquid receiver is an important accessory in the vehicle air-conditioning system, and the functions thereof include storing refrigerant, filtering impurities, and absorbing moisture. With the continuous development of technology, vehicles are having higher and higher requirements for the cleanliness of refrigerants, and since the liquid reservoir can be used as a medium for drying and filtering, the requirements for the filtering capacity of the liquid reservoir are becoming higher and higher to ensure the cleanliness of the refrigerant. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the present application is to provide a liquid reservoir with a relatively stable filter assembly structure, which can relatively improve the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     To achieve the above object, the following technical solutions re provided in the present application. 
     A liquid reservoir includes a cover and a housing. The cover is hermetically fixed to the housing. The liquid reservoir further includes a flow guiding pipe, and one end of the flow guiding pipe is connected with the housing. 
     The liquid reservoir further includes a filter assembly, which is arranged in the housing. The filter assembly includes a first position-limiting assembly, a second position-limiting assembly, a filter member, and a molecular sieve. The first position-limiting assembly includes at least a first position-limiting member. The first position-limiting member includes a bottom portion, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The first protrusion protrudes from an inner peripheral edge of the bottom portion toward a side away from the filter member. A part of an outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe is limited by and in cooperation with an inner side wall of the first protrusion. The inner side wall of the first protrusion is located on an outer peripheral side of the part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe. The second protrusion protrudes from an outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion toward a side away from the filter member. An outer side wall of the second protrusion is located on an inner peripheral side of a part of an inner sidewall of the housing. 
     A method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir includes:
         providing a housing, and rolling an outer wall of the housing to form a position-limiting protrusion; providing a second position-limiting member and a flow guiding pipe, and assembling the flow guiding pipe with the second position-limiting member, to allow the second position-limiting member to be limited by and in cooperation with the position-limiting protrusion;   providing a filter member, and making one side of the filter member directly or indirectly abut against the second position-limiting member;   providing a first position-limiting member, assembling the flow guiding pipe with the first position-limiting member, and making another side of the filter member directly or indirectly abut against the first position-limiting member; and providing a cover, and fixing the cover to the housing by welding.       

     For the liquid reservoir manufactured according to the above method, an internal structure of the filter assembly is relatively stable, which can relatively improve the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to illustrate technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or in the conventional technology more clearly, drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology are introduced briefly hereinafter. Apparently, the drawings described hereinafter merely illustrate some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings may be obtained by those skilled in the art based on these drawings without any creative efforts. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a liquid reservoir according to the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is an perspective exploded view showing a cover, a sieve, and a gasket; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially enlarged view showing one side of the filter assembly and the housing shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged view showing another side of the filter assembly and the housing shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially enlarged view showing an assembly of the cover, a flow guiding pipe, the sieve, and the gasket shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially enlarged view showing an assembly of a cover, a flow guiding pipe, a sieve, and a gasket in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a partially enlarged view showing an assembly of a cover, a flow guiding pipe, a sieve, and a gasket in a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective sectional view of the liquid reservoir shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective sectional view showing the flow guiding pipe and the filter assembly of the liquid reservoir shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing components in the liquid reservoir according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic flowchart of a detailed method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective sectional view of the liquid reservoir according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic sectional view of the liquid reservoir according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir according to the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic sectional view of the liquid reservoir according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic sectional view of the liquid reservoir according to a fifth embodiment; and 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir according to the fifth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely as follows in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. It is apparent that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments according to the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Any other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without any creative work fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 9 , a liquid reservoir  100  includes a cover  1 , a housing  2 , a filter assembly  3 , a flow guiding pipe  4 , a sieve  5 , and a gasket  6 . The cover  1  is partially arranged in the housing  2 , and the cover  1  is hermetically fixed to the housing  2 . One end of the flow guiding pipe  4  is connected to the cover  1 . The sieve  5  is fixed to the cover  1 . 
     The cover  1  includes a peripheral wall portion  11  and a shoulder portion  12 . An equivalent diameter of an outer peripheral side of the shoulder portion  12  is greater than an equivalent diameter of an inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall portion  11 . An open end of the housing  2  includes a mating portion  22 , and the mating portion  22  is in cooperation with the shoulder portion  12  to limit the position of the shoulder portion  12 , so that the position of the cover can be limited by the housing through its cooperation with the housing. The peripheral wall portion  11  may be in clearance fit with an inner side wall of the housing  2 , which facilitates assembling the cover to the housing. The cover  1  is fixed to the housing  2  by welding. The cover  1  has a first port  13  and a second port  14 , one of the first port  13  and the second port  14  serves as a refrigerant inlet, and the other of the first port  13  and the second port  14  serves as a refrigerant outlet. The housing  2  has a liquid storage cavity  23 , and the second port  14  is in communication with the liquid storage cavity  23 . An end of the cover  1  facing a bottom portion of the housing  2  is defined as a first end portion  17  of the cover. The first end portion  17  of the cover faces a molecular sieve  34 , and the first end portion  17  of the cover is provided with a first position-limiting recess  15  and a second position-limiting recess  16 . The first position-limiting recess  15  and the second position-limiting recess  16  are recessed from the first end portion  17  of the cover. The first position-limiting recess  15  is in communication with the first port  13 , and the second position-limiting recess  16  is in communication with the second port  14 . An end of the flow guiding pipe  4  is located in the first position-limiting recess  15 . The flow guiding pipe  4  includes a first side wall portion  41 , a first end port  42 , and a second end port  43 . The first end port  42  and the second end port  43  are respectively located at two ends of the flow guiding pipe  4 . The first port  13  is in communication with the first end port  42  and the second end port  43  is in communication with the liquid storage cavity  23 , so that the first port is in communication with the liquid storage cavity. The first side wall portion  41  is located on an outer peripheral side of the flow guiding pipe  4  in a radial direction. The first side wall portion  41  may be in clearance fit with an inner side wall of the first position-limiting recess  15 , so as to facilitate the installation of the flow guiding pipe with the cover. The first side wall portion  41  is further provided with a guide side surface  411  which is opposite to the side wall of the first position-limiting recess  15  to facilitate the installation of the flow guiding pipe with the first position-limiting recess. It is also applicable that, according to actual conditions, the inner side wall of the first position-limiting recess  15  is provided with an inclined portion  18 , and the inclined portion  18  is opposite to the flow guiding pipe  4 , which also facilitates the installation of the flow guiding pipe with the cover. The cover includes at least one groove portion. In this embodiment, the cover  1  includes a groove portion  151 . Apparently, different numbers of groove portions may be provided according to actual conditions. The groove portion  151  is arranged on the inner side wall of the first position-limiting recess  15 . The liquid reservoir  100  further includes a first seal  71  which is partially located in the groove portion  151 . The first seal  71  is in close contact with the outer peripheral side of the flow guiding pipe  4 , and is capable of sealing the cover and the flow guiding pipe to prevent the internal leakage of the refrigerant. 
     The sieve  5  is fixed to the first end portion  17  of the cover, and is arranged in the housing  2 . The sieve  5  includes a filter portion  51  and a flange portion  52 , and the flange portion  52  extends outward from the filter portion  51 . The flange portion  52  abuts against an inner side wall of the second position-limiting recess  16 , and abuts against a bottom wall of the second position-limiting recess  16 , so that the sieve is mounted in the second position-limiting recess with its position being limited by the same. An outer peripheral side wall of the gasket  6  is in interference fit with the inner side wall of the second position-limiting recess  16 . A bottom wall of the gasket  6  abuts against the flange portion  52 , and the flange portion  52  is arranged between the bottom wall of the second position-limiting recess  16  and the bottom wall of the gasket  6 . At least part of the gasket  6  is arranged in the second position-limiting recess  16 . The positions of the sieve  5  and the gasket  6  are limited by the second position-limiting recess  16 , and the sieve is mounted in the second position-limiting recess with its position being limited by the second position-limiting recess via the gasket. The sieve  5  includes multiple meshes  53 . The meshes  53  are in communication with the second port  14 , so that the refrigerant can be filtered by the sieve. 
     The filter assembly  3  includes a first position-limiting assembly  32 , a second position-limiting assembly  31 , a filter member  33 , and the molecular sieve  34 . The filter assembly  3  is arranged in the housing  2 . The second position-limiting assembly  31  faces the bottom portion of the housing  2 , and the first position-limiting assembly  32  faces the cover  1 . The first position-limiting assembly  32  is opposite to the second position-limiting assembly  31 . The filter member  33  is arranged between the first position-limiting assembly  32  and the second position-limiting assembly  31 . One side of the filter member  33  abuts against the first position-limiting assembly  32 . Specifically, the filter member  33  abuts against an outer bottom wall of the first position-limiting assembly  32 , and another side of the filter member  33  abuts against the second position-limiting assembly  31 , so that the filter member is limited between the first position-limiting assembly and the second position-limiting assembly, so as to prevent the filter member from moving under the excessive flushing force of the refrigerant and prevent the filtering effect from being adversely affected. The second position-limiting assembly  31  includes a second position-limiting member  311 . The second position-limiting member  311  includes a first position-limiting hole  3111 , a third protrusion  31121 , a fourth protrusion  31122 , and a first bottom portion  3113 . The third protrusion  31121  and the fourth protrusion  31122  face away from the filter member  33 . The third protrusion  31121  protrudes from an inner peripheral edge of the first bottom portion  3113  toward a side away from the filter member  34 . The fourth protrusion  31122  protrudes from an outer peripheral edge of the first bottom portion  3113  toward the side away from the filter member  34 . The first position-limiting hole  3111  penetrates through the first bottom portion  3113 . An inner side wall of the first position-limiting hole  3111  is the inner side wall of the third protrusion  31121 . A part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  is limited by and in cooperation with the inner side wall of the third protrusion  31121 . The inner side wall of the third protrusion  31121  is located on the outer peripheral side of the part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4 . The outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  is in interference fit with the inner side wall of the third protrusion  31121 . An end portion of the flow guiding pipe  4  is substantially flush with a free end of the third protrusion  31121 , so that the flow guiding pipe is fixed to the second position-limiting member. An outer side wall of the fourth protrusion  31122  is located on an inner peripheral side of a part of the inner side wall of the housing  2 . The outer side wall of the fourth protrusion  31122  is in clearance fit with the inner side wall of the housing  2  to facilitate the installation of the second position-limiting member with the housing. The flow guiding pipe  4  includes a protrusion  44  and a main body wall portion  45 . The protrusion  44  protrudes from an outer peripheral side of the main body wall portion  45 . The protrusion is limited by and in cooperation with the second position-limiting assembly; or, the protrusion is limited by and in cooperation with the first position-limiting assembly. In this embodiment, the protrusion  44  abuts against the second position-limiting assembly  31 . Specifically, the protrusion  44  abuts against the first bottom portion  3113 , so that the position of the flow guiding pipe is limited by the second position-limiting assembly. 
     The first position-limiting assembly  32  at least includes a first position-limiting member  321 . The first position-limiting member  321  includes a position-limiting hole  3211 , a first protrusion  32121 , a second protrusion  32122 , and a bottom portion  3213 . The first protrusion  32121  protrudes from an inner peripheral edge of the bottom portion  3213  toward a side away from the filter member  34 . The position-limiting hole  3211  penetrates through the bottom portion  3213 . An inner side wall of the position-limiting hole  3211  is the inner sidewall of the first protrusion  32121 . A part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  is limited by and in cooperation with an inner side wall of the first protrusion  32121 . The inner side wall of the first protrusion  32121  is located on the outer peripheral side of the part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4 . The outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  may be in clearance fit, in particular a small clearance fit, with the inner side wall of the first protrusion  32121 . A radial distance between the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  and the inner side wall of the first protrusion  32121  is 0 to 0.25 mm, which facilitates the installation of the flow guiding pipe with the first position-limiting member. The second protrusion  32122  protrudes from an outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion  3213  toward a side away from the filter member  34 . An outer side wall of the second protrusion  32122  is located on an inner peripheral side of a part of the inner side wall of the housing  2 . The outer side wall of the second protrusion  32122  may be in clearance fit, in particular a small clearance fit, with the inner side wall of the housing  2 . A radial distance between the second protrusion  32122  and the inner side wall of the housing  2  is 0 to 0.28 mm, which facilitates the installation of the first position-limiting member with the housing and prevents the inner wall of the housing from being scratched during the installation of the first position-limiting assembly. 
     The housing includes at least one position-limiting protrusion. The position-limiting protrusion protrudes from the inner side wall of the housing. The second position-limiting assembly is limited by and in cooperation with the position-limiting protrusion. The fourth protrusion is limited by and in cooperation with the position-limiting protrusion. The position of the housing is limited by the first position-limiting member. In this embodiment, the housing  2  includes a position-limiting protrusion  21  which protrudes from the inner side wall of the housing  2 . The position-limiting protrusion  21  includes a first position-limiting protrusion  24  and a second position-limiting protrusion  25 . A distance between the first position-limiting protrusion  24  and the cover  1  is greater than a distance between the second position-limiting protrusion  25  and the cover  1 . The second position-limiting assembly  31  is limited by the position-limiting protrusion  21 , and the fourth protrusion  31122  is limited by and in cooperation with the position-limiting protrusion  21 , thereby realizing the axial position-limiting of the second position-limiting member with respect to the housing. The first position-limiting member  321  is limited by the housing  2 , thereby realizing the axial position-limiting of the first position-limiting member with respect to the housing. The liquid reservoir  100  includes a first cavity  1001 , a second cavity  1002 , and a third cavity  1003 . The first cavity  1001  includes at least a region on one side of the first position-limiting assembly  32 , the second cavity  1002  includes at least a region on one side of the second position-limiting assembly  31 , and the third cavity  1003  includes at least a region between the first position-limiting assembly  32  and the second position-limiting assembly  31 . The first position-limiting member  321  further includes a through hole  3215 , and the through hole  3215  penetrates through the bottom portion  3213 . The second position-limiting assembly  31  at least includes the second position-limiting member  311 . A bottom portion of the second position-limiting member  311  includes a communication hole  3115 . The first cavity  1001  communicates with the third cavity  1003  through the through hole  3215 , and the second cavity  1002  communicates with the third cavity  1003  through the communication hole  3115 , so that the refrigerant can pass through the first position-limiting member and the second position-limiting member to be filtered by the filter member. The molecular sieve  34  is arranged on one side of the first position-limiting assembly  32 , and the molecular sieve can absorb moisture in the refrigerant. 
     The first position-limiting assembly includes at least one filter sieve, and the filter sieve is fixed to the bottom portion; and/or the second position-limiting assembly includes at least one filter sieve, and the filter sieve is fixed to the first bottom portion. In this embodiment, the first position-limiting assembly  32  includes one filter sieve  35 . Apparently, different numbers of filter sieves may be provided according to actual needs, and the second position-limiting assembly may include the filter sieve as well. The filter sieve  35  is fixed to the outer bottom wall of the bottom portion  3213 , which further improves the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     The first position-limiting assembly and/or the second position-limiting assembly include at least one recess, and the recess is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the first position-limiting assembly and/or the second position-limiting assembly toward the flow guiding pipe. In this embodiment, the recess includes a first recess  3114  and a second recess  3214 . The second position-limiting assembly  31  includes the first recess  3114 , and the first recess  3114  is recessed from the outer peripheral wall of the second position-limiting assembly  31  toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . Specifically, the first recess  3114  is recessed from an outer wall of the fourth protrusion  31122  toward the third protrusion  31121 . The first position-limiting assembly  32  includes the second recess  3214 . The second recess  3214  is recessed from the outer peripheral wall of the first position-limiting assembly  32  toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . Specifically, the second recess  3214  is recessed from an outer wall of the second protrusion  32122  toward the first protrusion  32121 . Apparently, only one of the second position-limiting assembly and the first position-limiting assembly is provided with the recess according to actual needs. The liquid reservoir further includes at least one seal, and the seal is partially located in the recess. In this embodiment, the liquid reservoir  100  includes a second seal  72  and a third seal  73 . The second seal  72  is partially arranged in the first recess  3114 , and the third seal  73  is partially arranged in the second recess  3214 . The second seal  72  is in close contact with the inner peripheral wall of the housing  2 , the third seal  73  is in close contact with an inner peripheral side wall of the housing  2 , and thus the second position-limiting assembly and the first position-limiting assembly are hermetically connected to the housing to prevent the internal leakage of the refrigerant. Apparently, a corresponding number of seals may be provided according to the number of recesses. 
     Herein, the compression ratio of the seal may be 15% to 30%, which is conducive to the installation of the position-limiting assembly and the seal. 
     While the liquid receiver is in operation, in a case that the cover  1  is located below the housing  2 , the refrigerant flows in through the first port  13  and then enters the housing  1  through the flow guiding pipe  4 , the molecular sieve  34  absorbs the moisture in the refrigerant, then the refrigerant is filtered by the second position-limiting assembly  31 , the filter member  33 , and the first position-limiting assembly  32 , part of the liquid refrigerant flows out of the liquid reservoir  100  from the second port  14  through the sieve  5 , and the gaseous refrigerant is within the liquid storage cavity  23 , such that impurity filtration, moisture absorption, and gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant are realized. In practical use, a flow direction of the refrigerant may be contrary to the above process. In a case that the cover  1  is located above the housing  2 , the refrigerant flows in through the second port  14  and then enters the housing  1  through the sieve  5 , the refrigerant is filtered by the first position-limiting assembly  32 , the filter member  33 , and the second position-limiting assembly  31 , the molecular sieve  34  absorbs the moisture in the refrigerant, part of the liquid refrigerant flows out of the liquid reservoir  100  from the first port  13  through the flow guiding pipe  4 , and the gaseous refrigerant is within the liquid storage cavity  23 , such that impurity filtration, moisture absorption, and gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant are realized. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , a method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir  100  in this embodiment mainly includes the following steps: 
     A housing  2  is formed by extruding a metal materials or casting a metal material, then a bevel edge is lathed on an end of the housing, and a first position-limiting protrusion  24  is machined on the outer side wall of the housing  2  by rolling or spot-punching. 
     A flow guiding pipe  4  is provided, a protrusion  44  is formed by a cold extrusion process by means of a specialized mold, a second position-limiting member  311  is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, to allow the second position-limiting member to have a first position-limiting hole  3111 , a third protrusion  31121 , a fourth protrusion  31122 , and a first bottom portion  3113 , a first recess  3114  is formed on the outer side wall of the second position-limiting member  311  by rolling, and the second position-limiting member  311  and the flow guiding pipe  4  are assembled together and then fixed by riveting; or the second position-limiting member  311  is connected to the flow guiding pipe  4  by injection molding. 
     An open end of the housing  2  is placed to face upward, a molecular sieve  34  is provided and placed in the housing  2 , a second seal  72  is provided and placed in the first recess  3114 , an assembly of the second position-limiting member  311 , the second seal  72  and the flow guiding pipe  4  is placed into the housing  2 , and then the first position-limiting protrusion  24  abuts against the second position-limiting member  311 . 
     A filter member  33  is formed by die-cutting non-woven fabrics, the filter member  33  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 , then the filter member  33  is pressed against the second position-limiting member  311  by a jig, and then the filter member  33  is flattened. 
     A first position-limiting member  321  is formed by stamping a metal sheet or stamping a metal plate or injection molding a plastic material. 
     A second recess  321  is formed by rolling on the outer side wall of the first position-limiting member  321 . 
     A filter sieve  35  is formed by die-cutting a metal mesh, and the metal filter sieve  35  is fixed to the first position-limiting member  321  by spot welding. 
     Apparently, the processing of the filter member  33 , the first position-limiting member  321 , and the filter sieve  35  may be performed at the same time. A third seal  73  is provided and placed in the second recess  321 , an assembly of the first position-limiting member  321 , the third seal  73  and the filter sieve  35  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4  and then placed in the housing  2 , and then the first position-limiting member  321  is pressed against the filter member  33  by a jig. A second position-limiting protrusion  25  is formed on the side wall of the housing  2  by spot-punching, and the second position-limiting protrusion  25  abuts against the first position-limiting member  321  to fix the first position-limiting member  321 . 
     An initial structure of the cover  1  is formed by extruding a metal material or casting a metal material, then the cover  1  is formed by lathing and milling, to allow the cover  1  to have a first port  13 , a second port  14 , a shoulder portion  12 , a peripheral wall portion  11 , a groove portion  151 , a first position-limiting recess  15 , and a second position-limiting recess  16 . 
     A sieve  5  and a gasket  6  are provided, the metal mesh is die-cut to form an initial structure of the sieve by a special mold, the gasket  6  is formed by cutting a pipe, the sieve  5  is partially placed in the second position-limiting recess  16 , then the gasket  6  is placed in the second position-limiting recess  16 , and the gasket  6  is in interference fit with the second position-limiting recess  16 . 
     A first seal  71  is provided and mounted in the groove portion  151  of the cover  1 , the flow guiding pipe  4  is placed in the first port  13 , an assembly of the cover  1 , the sieve  5  and the gasket  6  is partially placed in the housing  2 , and the cover  1  is sealed to the housing  2  by argon arc welding; or the cover  1  is sealed to the housing  2  by vacuum electron beam welding; or the cover  1  is sealed to the housing  2  by friction stir welding. 
     For the liquid reservoir manufactured according to the above method, the internal structure of the filter assembly is more stable, which relatively improves the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a liquid reservoir  101  according to a second embodiment includes a flow guiding pipe  4 ′. A second position-limiting assembly  31 ′ includes a second position-limiting member  311 ′. The second position-limiting member  311 ′ includes a first position-limiting hole  3111 ′, a third protrusion  31121 ′, and a first bottom portion  3113 . The first position-limiting hole  3111 ′ penetrates through the first bottom portion  3113 . A side wall of the first position-limiting hole  3111 ′ is an inner side wall of the third protrusion  31121 ′, and an outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4 ′ is in clearance fit with the inner side wall of the third protrusion  31121 ′, which facilitates the installation of the flow guiding pipe with the second position-limiting member. The flow guiding pipe  4 ′ penetrates through the first position-limiting assembly  32 ′. The flow guiding pipe  4 ′ includes a protrusion  44  and a main body wall portion  45 ′. The protrusion  44  protrudes from an outer peripheral side of the main body wall portion  45 ′. The protrusion  44  abuts against with the first position-limiting assembly  32 ′, so that the position of the flow guiding pipe is limited by the first position-limiting assembly. The second position-limiting assembly includes at least one filter sieve. In this embodiment, the second position-limiting assembly  31 ′ includes one filter sieve  35 , and the filter sieve  35  is fixed to the first bottom portion  3113 . The structures and positional relationships of other components in the liquid reservoir  101  are similar to those of the liquid reservoir  100 , which will not be described herein again. 
     A method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir  101  in this embodiment mainly includes the following steps: 
     An open end of the housing  2  is placed flat, a molecular sieve  34  is provided and placed in the housing, a third seal  73  is provided and placed in the second recess  3214 , an assembly of the first position-limiting member  321 , the third seal  73  and the flow guiding pipe  4 ′ is placed into the housing  2 , and the first position-limiting protrusion  24  abuts against the first position-limiting member  321 . 
     The open end of the housing  2  is placed to face upward, a filter member  33  is formed by die-cutting non-woven fabrics, the filter member  33  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 , then the filter member  33  is pressed against the first position-limiting member  321  by a jig, and the filter member  33  is flattened. 
     A filter sieve  35  is provided and is fixed to the second position-limiting member  311 ′ by spot welding. 
     A second seal  72  is provided and placed in the first recess  3114 , an assembly of the second position-limiting member  311 ′, the second seal  72  and the filter sieve  35  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 ′ and then placed in the housing  2 , and then the second position-limiting assembly  31 ′ is pressed against the filter member  33  by a jig. 
     A second position-limiting protrusion  25  is formed on the side wall of the housing  2  by spot-punching, and the second position-limiting protrusion  25  abuts against the second position-limiting assembly  31 ′ to fix the second position-limiting assembly  31 ′. 
     The processing methods of the components in the liquid reservoir  101  are similar to those of the first embodiment, which will not be described herein again. 
     For the liquid reservoir manufactured according to the above method, the internal structure of the filter assembly is more stable, which relatively improves the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a liquid reservoir  102  according to a third embodiment includes a cover  1 , a housing  2 ′, a filter assembly  3 ″, and a flow guiding pipe  4 . The filter assembly  3 ″ includes a second position-limiting assembly  31 , a first position-limiting assembly  32 ′, a filter member  33 , a third position-limiting assembly  91 , a filter pad  36 , and a molecular sieve  34 ′. One side of the filter pad  36  abuts against the third position-limiting assembly  91 , and another side of the filter pad  36  abuts against the molecular sieve  34 ′. The molecular sieve  34 ′ is placed between the filter pad  36  and the first position-limiting assembly  32 ′, one side of the molecular sieve  34 ′ abuts against the filter pad  36 , and another side of the molecular sieve  34 ′ abuts against the first position-limiting assembly  32 ′. The positions of the second position-limiting assembly  31  and the third position-limiting assembly  91  are limited by the housing  2 ′. The third position-limiting assembly  91  includes a third position-limiting member  911 . The third position-limiting member  911  includes a fifth protrusion  91121 , a sixth protrusion  91122 , a second position-limiting hole  9111 , and a second bottom portion  9113 . The filter pad  36  abuts against an outer bottom wall of the third position-limiting assembly  91 . The fifth protrusion  91121  protrudes from an inner peripheral edge of the second bottom portion  9113  toward a side away from the filter pad  36 , and the sixth protrusion  91122  protrudes from an outer peripheral edge of the second bottom portion  9113  toward a side away from the filter pad  36 . The second position-limiting hole  9111  penetrates through the second bottom portion  9113 . An inner side wall of the second position-limiting hole  9111  is the inner side wall of the fifth protrusion  91121 . A part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  is limited by and in cooperation with the inner side wall of the fifth protrusion  91121 . The inner side wall of the fifth protrusion  91121  is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the part of the outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4 , and the protrusion  44  is limited by and in cooperation with the third position-limiting assembly  91 . An outer side wall of the sixth protrusion  91122  is arranged on an inner peripheral side of a part of the inner side wall of the housing  2 ′. The outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  is in clearance fit with the inner side wall of the fifth protrusion  91121 . The outer side wall of the sixth protrusion  91122  is in clearance fit with the part of the inner side wall of the housing  2 ′, which facilitates the installation of the third position-limiting assembly with the housing. The third position-limiting member  911  further includes a through hole  92 , and the through hole  92  penetrates through the second bottom portion  9113 . The second position-limiting assembly and/or the third position-limiting assembly include at least one recess, and the recess is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the second position-limiting assembly and/or the third position-limiting assembly toward the flow guiding pipe. In this embodiment, the second position-limiting assembly  31  includes a first recess  3114 , and the third position-limiting assembly  91  includes a second recess  9114 . The first recess  3114  is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the second position-limiting assembly  31  toward the flow guiding pipe  4 , and the second recess  9114  is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the third position-limiting assembly  91  toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . The liquid reservoir further includes at least one seal, and the seal is in close contact with an inner peripheral wall of the housing. In this embodiment, the liquid reservoir  102  includes a second seal  72 , and a third seal  73 . The second seal  72  is partially located in the first recess  3114 , the third seal  73  is partially located in the second recess  9114 , and the second seal  72  and the third seal  73  are in close contact with the inner peripheral side of the housing  2 ′. The housing  2 ′ includes a position-limiting protrusion  21 , and the position-limiting protrusion  21  includes a first position-limiting protrusion  24  and a second position-limiting protrusion  25  which both protrude from the inner side all of the housing  2 ′ toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . The sixth protrusion  91122  is limited by and in cooperation with the position-limiting protrusion  21 , the third position-limiting assembly  91  is limited by and in cooperation with the first position-limiting protrusion  24 , and the second position-limiting assembly  31  is limited by and in cooperation with the second position-limiting protrusion  25 , so that the positions of the second position-limiting assembly and the third position-limiting assembly are limited by the housing. The third position-limiting assembly includes at least one filter sieve, and the filter sieve is fixed to the second bottom portion. In this embodiment, the third position-limiting assembly  91  includes a filter sieve  35 , and the filter sieve  35  is fixed to the second bottom portion  9113 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 to 15 , a method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir  102  in this embodiment mainly includes the following steps: 
     An open end of the housing  2 ′ is placed to face upward, a blocking member is partially mounted into one end of the flow guiding pipe  4 , and a predetermined amount of the molecular sieve  34 ′ is placed into the cavity of the housing  2 ′. 
     A filter pad  36  is formed by die-cutting non-woven fabrics, the filter pad  36  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 , then the filter member  36  is pressed against the molecular sieve  34 ′ by a jig, and then the filter pad  36  is flattened. 
     A third position-limiting member  911  is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, to allow the third position-limiting member  911  to have a fifth protrusion  91121 , a sixth protrusion  91122 , a second position-limiting hole  9111 , and a second bottom portion  9113 , and the second recess  9114  is formed on the outer side wall of the third position-limiting member  911  by rolling. 
     A filter sieve  35  is provided and fixed to the third position-limiting member  911  by spot welding. 
     A third seal  73  is provided and partially placed in the second recess  9114 , an assembly of the third position-limiting member  911 , the third seal  73  and the filter sieve  35  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4  and then placed in the housing  2 ′, the third position-limiting assembly  91  is pressed against the molecular sieve  34 ′ by a jig, and then the blocking member is taken out. 
     A second position-limiting protrusion  25  is formed on the side wall of the housing  2 ′ by spot-punching, and the second position-limiting protrusion  25  abuts against the third position-limiting assembly  91  to fix the third position-limiting assembly  91 . 
     The processing technology and installation methods of the second position-limiting member  311 , the first position-limiting member  321 , the filter member  33 , the flow guiding pipe  4 , the cover  1 , the sieve  5 , and the gasket  6  are similar to those of the first embodiment, which will not be described herein again. 
     For the liquid reservoir manufactured according to the above method, the internal structure of the filter assembly is more stable, which relatively improves the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a liquid reservoir  103  according to a fourth embodiment includes a cover  1 , a housing  2 ′, a filter assembly  3 ″, and a flow guiding pipe  4 . The filter assembly  3 ″ includes a second position-limiting assembly  31 ″, a first position-limiting assembly  32 , a filter member  33 , a third position-limiting assembly  91 ′, a filter pad  36 , and a molecular sieve  34 ′. The flow guiding pipe  4  includes a protrusion  44  and a main body wall portion  45 . The protrusion  44  protrudes from an outer peripheral side of the main body wall portion  45 . The protrusion  44  abuts against the third position-limiting member  91 ′. One side of the filter pad  36  abuts against the third position-limiting assembly  91 ′, another side of the filter pad  36  abuts against the molecular sieve  34 ′, and another side of the molecular sieve  34 ′ abuts against the first position-limiting assembly  32 . The positions of the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ and the third position-limiting assembly  91 ′ are limited by the housing  2 ′. The third position-limiting assembly  91 ′ includes a fifth protrusion  91121 , and an outer side wall of the flow guiding pipe  4  is in interference fit with an inner side wall of the fifth protrusion  91121 , so that the third position-limiting assembly is fixed to the flow guiding pipe. The second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ includes a first recess  3114 , and the third position-limiting assembly  91 ′ includes a second recess  9114 . The first recess  3114  is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ toward the flow guiding pipe  4 , and the second recess  9114  is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the third position-limiting assembly  91 ′ toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . The liquid reservoir  103  includes a second seal  72 , and a third seal  73 . The second seal  72  is partially located in the first recess  3114 , the third seal  73  is partially located in the second recess  9114 , and the second seal  72  and the third seal  73  are in close contact with the inner peripheral side of the housing  2 ′. The housing  2 ′ includes a first position-limiting protrusion  24  and a second position-limiting protrusion  25  which both protrude from the inner side all of the housing  2 ′ toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . The third position-limiting assembly  91  abuts against the first position-limiting protrusion  24 , and the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ abuts against the second position-limiting protrusion  25 . The second position-limiting assembly includes at least one filter sieve, and the filter sieve is fixed to the first bottom portion. In this embodiment, the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ includes one filter sieve  35 , and the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ includes a second position-limiting member  311 . The second position-limiting member  311  includes a first bottom portion  3113 , and the filter sieve  35  is fixed to the first bottom portion  3113 . 
     A method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir  103  in this embodiment mainly includes the following steps: 
     A flow guiding pipe  4  is provided, a protrusion  44  is formed by a cold extrusion process by means of a specialized mold, a third position-limiting member  911 ′ is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, to allow the third position-limiting member  911 ′ to have a fifth protrusion  91121 , a sixth protrusion  91122 , a second position-limiting hole  9111 , and a second bottom portion  9113 . A second recess  9114  is formed on the outer side wall of the third position-limiting member  911 ′ by rolling, and the third position-limiting member  911 ′ and the flow guiding pipe  4  are assembled together and then fixed by riveting. 
     An open end of the housing  2 ′ is placed to face upward, a third seal  73  is provided and placed in the second recess  9114 , an assembly of the third position-limiting member  911 ′, the third seal  73  and the flow guiding pipe  4 ′ is placed into the housing  2 ′, and the first position-limiting protrusion  24  abuts against the third position-limiting member  911 ′. 
     A filter pad  36  is formed by die-cutting non-woven fabrics, the filter pad  36  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 , then the filter member  36  is pressed against the third position-limiting member  911 ′ by a jig, and then the filter pad  36  is flattened. 
     A blocking member is partially mounted into one end of the flow guiding pipe  4 , and a predetermined amount of the molecular sieve  34 ′ is placed into the cavity of the housing  2 ′. 
     The first position-limiting member  321  and the filter member  33  are assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4  in sequence, the first position-limiting member  321  is pressed against the molecular sieve  34 ′ by a jig, and then the filter member  33  is flattened. 
     A filter sieve  35  is provided and fixed to the second position-limiting member  311  by spot welding. 
     A second seal  72  is provided and partially placed in the first recess  3114 , an assembly of the second position-limiting member  311 , the second seal  72  and the filter sieve  35  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4  and then placed in the housing  2 ′, the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ is pressed against the filter member  33  by a jig, and then the blocking member is taken out. 
     A second position-limiting protrusion  25  is formed on the side wall of the housing  2 ′ by spot-punching, and the second position-limiting protrusion  25  abuts against the second position-limiting assembly  31 ″. 
     The processing technology and installation methods of the second position-limiting member  311 , the first position-limiting member  321 , the filter member  33 , the flow guiding pipe  4 , the cover  1 , the sieve  5 , and the gasket  6  are similar to those of the first embodiment, which will not be described herein again. 
     For the liquid reservoir manufactured according to the above method, the internal structure of the filter assembly is more stable, which relatively improves the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a liquid reservoir  104  according to a fifth embodiment includes a filter assembly  90 , a flow guiding pipe  4 , and a housing  2 ′. The filter assembly  90  includes a second position-limiting assembly  31 ″, a first position-limiting assembly  32 ″, a filter member  33 ′, and a molecular sieve  34 ′. The second position-limiting assembly  31 ″ includes a first sub-assembly  301  of the second position-limiting assembly and a second sub-assembly  302  of the second position-limiting assembly. The first position-limiting assembly  32 ″ includes a first sub-assembly  321 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly and a second sub-assembly  321 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly. The filter member  33 ′ includes a first filter member  331 ′ and a second filter member  331 ″. The first filter member  331 ′ is arranged between the first sub-assembly  321 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly and the first sub-assembly  301  of the second position-limiting assembly. One side of the first filter member  331 ′ abuts against the first sub-assembly  321 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly, and another side of the first filter member  331 ′ abuts against the first sub-assembly  301  of the second position-limiting assembly, so that the position of the first filter member is limited between the first sub-assembly of the first position-limiting assembly and the first sub-assembly of the second position-limiting assembly. The second filter member  331 ″ is arranged between the second sub-assembly  321 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly and the second sub-assembly  302  of the second position-limiting assembly. One side of the second filter member  331 ″ abuts against the second sub-assembly  321 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly, and another side of the second filter member  331 ″ abuts against the second sub-assembly  302  of the second position-limiting assembly, so that the position of the second filter member is limited between the second sub-assembly of the second position-limiting assembly and the second sub-assembly of the second position-limiting assembly. The molecular sieve  34 ′ is arranged between the first sub-assembly  321 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly and the second sub-assembly  321 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly. One side of the molecular sieve  34 ′ abuts against the first sub-assembly  321 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly, and another side of the molecular sieve  34 ′ abuts against the second sub-assembly  321 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly, so that the position of the molecular sieve is limited between the first sub-assembly of the first position-limiting assembly and the second sub-assembly of the first position-limiting assembly. In this embodiment, the first sub-assembly  301  of the second position-limiting assembly includes a first recess  3011 , and the second sub-assembly  302  of the second position-limiting assembly includes a second recess  3021 . The first recess  3011  is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the first sub-assembly  301  of the second position-limiting assembly toward the flow guiding pipe  4 , and the second recess  3021  is recessed from an outer peripheral wall of the second sub-assembly  302  of the second position-limiting assembly toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . The liquid reservoir  104  includes a second seal  72 , and a third seal  73 . The second seal  72  is partially located in the first recess  3011 , the third seal  73  is partially located in the second recess  3021 , and the second seal  72  and the third seal  73  are in close contact with the inner peripheral wall of the housing  2 ′. The housing  2 ′ includes a first position-limiting protrusion  24  and a second position-limiting protrusion  25  which both protrude from the inner side all of the housing  2 ′ toward the flow guiding pipe  4 . The first sub-assembly  301  of the second position-limiting assembly is limited by and in cooperation with the first position-limiting protrusion  24 , and the second sub-assembly  302  of the second position-limiting assembly is limited by and in cooperation with the second position-limiting protrusion  25 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 to 18 , a method for manufacturing the liquid reservoir in this embodiment mainly includes the following steps: 
     A first sub-assembly  3012  of a second position-limiting assembly is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, and a first recess  3011  is formed on the outer side wall of the first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly by rolling. The first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly and the flow guiding pipe  4  are assembled together and then fixed by riveting, or the first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly is connected to the flow guiding pipe  4  by injection molding. 
     An open end of the housing  2 ′ is placed to face upward, a second seal  72  is provided and placed in the first recess  3011 , an assembly of the first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly, the second seal  72  and the flow guiding pipe  4  is placed into the housing  2 ′, and the first position-limiting protrusion  24  abuts against the first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly. 
     A first filter member  331 ′ is formed by die-cutting non-woven fabrics, and the first filter member  331 ′ is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 . 
     A first sub-assembly  3211 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, the first sub-assembly  3211 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 , and the first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly, the first filter member  331 ′, the first sub-assembly  3211 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly are together placed in the housing  2 ′. 
     A blocking member is partially mounted into one end of the flow guiding pipe  4 , and a predetermined amount of the molecular sieve  34 ′ is placed into the cavity of the housing  2 ′. 
     A second sub-assembly  3211 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, and the second sub-assembly  3211 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 . 
     A second filter member  331 ″ is formed by die-cutting non-woven fabrics, and the second filter member  331 ″ is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4 . 
     A second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly is formed by stamping a metal sheet, or stamping a metal plate, or injection molding a plastic material, a second recess  3021  is formed on the outer side wall of the second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly by rolling, and the metal filter sieve  35  is fixed to the second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly by spot welding. A third seal  73  is provided and placed in the second recess  3021 , an assembly of the second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly, the third seal  73  and the filter sieve  35  is assembled with the flow guiding pipe  4  and then placed in the housing  2 ′, and then the blocking member is taken out. 
     Apparently, the processing of the first sub-assembly  3012  of the second position-limiting assembly, the first sub-assembly  3211 ′ of the first position-limiting assembly, the second sub-assembly  3211 ″ of the first position-limiting assembly, the second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly, the first filter member  331 ′ and the second filter member  331 ″ may be performed at the same time. 
     A second position-limiting protrusion  25  is formed on the side wall of the housing  2 ′ by spot-punching, and the second position-limiting protrusion  25  abuts against the second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly, to fix the second sub-assembly  3022  of the second position-limiting assembly. 
     The processing methods of the cover  1 , the sieve  5 , and the gasket  6  are similar to those of the first embodiment, which will not be described herein again. 
     For the liquid reservoir manufactured according to the above method, the internal structure of the filter assembly is more stable, which relatively improves the filtering effect of the liquid reservoir. 
     Based on the above description of the disclosed embodiments, those skilled in the art are capable of carrying out or using the present application. Many changes to these embodiments are apparent for those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Hence, the present application is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is to conform to the widest scope in accordance with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.