Patent Publication Number: US-2021179049-A1

Title: Reservoir tank

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a reservoir tank that is used for a hydraulic system. 
     In the related art, a hydraulic brake device and a hydraulic clutch device are known as a hydraulic system using a hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic systems each have a master cylinder configured to generate a hydraulic pressure and a reservoir tank configured to store a hydraulic fluid. In a case where the hydraulic system is used for a vehicle, the reservoir tank is designed so as to store a sufficient quantity of hydraulic oil in a storage chamber so that a supply port configured to supply the hydraulic oil from the reservoir tank to the master cylinder does not run out of the hydraulic oil due to inclination of the vehicle while traveling on a ramp or during acceleration/deceleration. 
     For example, WO2015/064638 discloses a reservoir tank where an inlet for injecting a liquid from an outside into a storage chamber in which hydraulic oil is stored is provided on one side of a vehicle, a communication passage extending from the inlet toward the other side of the vehicle is provided, a communication opening configured to enable communication between the communication passage and the storage chamber is formed, and an upper part of the storage chamber is formed with a surface part configured to be higher from the one side of the vehicle toward the communication opening on the other side in a state where the storage chamber is mounted on the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Here, the reservoir tank is provided between other devices in a bonnet of a four-wheeled vehicle, for example, and a top surface of the storage chamber may be located in a position lower than an upper limit fluid quantity line of the reservoir tank. In a reservoir tank having two storage chambers of a primary chamber and a secondary chamber where the two storage chambers and the inlet of hydraulic oil are aligned in a predetermined direction, when both top surfaces of the two storage chambers are located in positions lower than the upper limit fluid quantity line, if the top surfaces of the two storage chambers are configured as inclined surfaces, as disclosed in WO2015/064638, it is necessary to provide a top surface of the reservoir tank with a communication passage passing through the two storage chambers and leading to the inlet. 
     However, in a case where the communication passage passing through the two storage chambers is provided on one side surface-side of the reservoir tank, when a fluid level of the hydraulic fluid is tilted forward of the vehicle due to the inertia force that is generated upon deceleration of the vehicle, the hydraulic oil in the storage chamber located on a front-side is leaked further forward, so that the minimum quantity of the hydraulic oil may not be maintained in the storage chamber. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above situations, and an object thereof is to provide a reservoir tank capable of efficiently injecting hydraulic oil into two storage chambers and maintaining a minimum quantity of the hydraulic oil in the two storage chambers even though a vehicle is tilted. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reservoir tank that is used for a hydraulic system of a vehicle and is configured to store a hydraulic fluid to be fed to a master cylinder. The reservoir tank includes an inlet provided on a top surface of the reservoir tank on one side in a first direction; a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber sequentially provided in the reservoir tank from the other side in the first direction; a first rib connected to the top surface and a bottom surface of the reservoir tank and partitioning the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; and a second rib connected to the top surface and the bottom surface of the reservoir tank and partitioning the second storage chamber and a space on the one side further from the second storage chamber. The first rib includes a first partitioning part extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, one end-side of the first partitioning part in the second direction being connected to one wall surface of the reservoir tank; and a first passage formation part connected to the other end-side of the first partitioning part in the second direction, extending in the first direction, and configured to form a first fluid passage between the first passage formation part and other wall surface facing the one wall surface of the reservoir tank for enabling communication between the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber. The second rib includes a second partitioning part extending in the second direction, the other end-side of the second partitioning part in the second direction being connected to the other wall surface of the reservoir tank; and a second passage formation part connected to one end-side of the second partitioning part in the second direction, extending in the first direction, and configured to form a second fluid passage between the second passage formation part and the one wall surface of the reservoir tank for enabling communication between the second storage chamber and a space on the one side further from the second storage chamber. In a state where the reservoir tank is mounted on the vehicle, a top surface of the first storage chamber is inclined relative to a horizontal plane so that a height position of a connection part with the first fluid passage is highest, a top surface of the second storage chamber is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that a height position of any one position adjacent to the first partitioning part of the first rib is highest, and the height position of the connection part with the first fluid passage of the top surface of the first storage chamber, a height position of a connection part with the first storage chamber of a top surface of the first fluid passage, the height position of any one position of the top surface of the second storage chamber, a height position of a connection part with the second storage chamber of a top surface of the second fluid passage, and a height position of a connection part with the space on the one side further from the second storage chamber of the top surface of the second fluid passage satisfy a relation of H1≤H2&lt;H3≤H4&lt;H5. 
     As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently inject the hydraulic oil into the two storage chambers and to maintain a minimum quantity of the hydraulic oil in the two storage chambers even though the vehicle is tilted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial view depicting a configuration example of a reservoir tank in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the reservoir tank shown in  FIG. 3  is a I-I sectional view shown in  FIG. 1 , as seen from an arrow direction. 
         FIG. 4  is a II-II sectional view shown in  FIG. 2 , as seen from an arrow direction. 
         FIG. 5  is a III-III sectional view shown in  FIG. 2 , as seen from an arrow direction. 
         FIG. 6  is a IV-IV sectional view shown in  FIG. 2 , as seen from an arrow direction. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an aspect where the reservoir tank is tilted forward. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a height position of a top surface of a connection part of a first storage chamber and a first fluid passage. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a height position of a top surface of a connection part of a second storage chamber and a second fluid passage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinbelow, favorable embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification and the drawings, the constitutional elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted with the same reference signs, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. 
     (Hydraulic Brake Device) 
       FIG. 1  is a pictorial view depicting a configuration example of a hydraulic brake device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A hydraulic brake device  1  may be configured to be similar to the hydraulic brake device of the related art, except a configuration of a reservoir tank  10 . 
     The hydraulic brake device  1  is a brake device where hydraulic oil (brake oil) is used as a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic brake device  1  includes a brake pedal  7 , a booster  25 , a tandem master cylinder  20 , the reservoir tank  10  and wheel cylinders  3 . The reservoir tank  10  is mounted to the tandem master cylinder  20  fixed to a vehicle body, for example. Also, the reservoir tank  10  is mounted so that a longitudinal direction follows a front and rear direction of a vehicle, for example. 
     When a driver of the vehicle steps on the brake pedal  7 , the booster  25  is actuated, so that a pedal pressure is boosted and output in a predetermined servo ratio. By the output of the booster  25 , a primary piston  21   a  of the tandem master cylinder  20  is actuated to feed the hydraulic fluid in a primary hydraulic fluid chamber  23   a  to the wheel cylinders  3  of one system. At the same time, a secondary piston  21   b  is actuated to feed the hydraulic fluid in a secondary hydraulic fluid chamber  23   b  to the wheel cylinders  3  of the other system. When the hydraulic pressure of the tandem master cylinder  20  is transferred to each of the wheel cylinders  3 , each of the wheel cylinders  3  generates a brake force, so that a braking force is generated for each of wheels  5 . 
     The reservoir tank  10  has a receptacle-shaped lower half body  30   b  opened upward, and an upper half body  30   a  welded to the lower half body  30   b  to close an upper opening portion of the lower half body  30   b . A tank main body  30  configured by the upper half body  30   a  and the lower half body  30   b  has an internal space  11  in which the hydraulic fluid to be fed to the tandem master cylinder  20  is stored. 
     The upper half body  30   a  and the lower half body  30   b  are formed of transparent or semi-transparent resin, for example. An upper part of the upper half body  30   a  is provided with an inlet  30   c , and the inlet  30   c  is provided with a cap  31  for opening and closing the inlet  30   c . In the tank main body  30 , a filter (not shown) is provided below the inlet  30   c . A side surface of the upper half body  30   a  is denoted with an upper limit fluid quantity line  15   mx  indicative of an upper limit fluid quantity of the hydraulic fluid and a lower limit fluid quantity line  15   mn  indicative of a minimum quantity. 
     (Configuration Example of Reservoir Tank) 
     A configuration example of the reservoir tank  10  in accordance with the present embodiment is specifically described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 .  FIG. 1  is a side view of the reservoir tank  10  mounted on the vehicle, as seen from a horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and the shown right and left direction corresponds to the front and rear direction of the vehicle. In  FIG. 1 , an axial direction of the tandem master cylinder is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that a front-side of the vehicle is higher.  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the reservoir tank  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , as seen from above. 
       FIG. 3  is a I-I sectional view shown in  FIG. 1 , as seen from an arrow direction.  FIGS. 4 to 6  are a II-II sectional view, a III-III sectional view, and a IV-IV sectional view shown in  FIG. 2 , as seen from arrow directions. In each drawing, the shown upper and lower direction corresponds to a vertical direction. The sectional views shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6  partially depict only a part at which a first storage chamber  51   p  and a second storage chamber  51   s  are located. 
     In the present specification, the front and rear direction of the vehicle is referred to as a first direction, and is denoted with an arrow X. Also, a width direction of the vehicle is referred to as a second direction, and is denoted with an arrow Y. Also, a height direction of the vehicle is denoted with an arrow Z. In the below, when referring to front or rear, it means the front or rear of the vehicle, a side in front of the vehicle corresponds to “one side in the first direction” of the present invention, and a side behind the vehicle corresponds to “the other side in the first direction” of the present invention. 
     The reservoir tank  10  is inclined so that a front-side becomes higher as a whole along the axial direction of the tandem master cylinder  20 . In conformity to this, the internal space  11  of the tank main body  30  is inclined so that a front-side becomes higher as a whole. The inlet  30   c  is provided at the upper part on the front-side of the reservoir tank  10 . The internal space  11  of the reservoir tank  10  is partitioned by a plurality of ribs, so that the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  are formed on a rear-side of the internal space  11 . 
     The first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  are provided in order of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  from the rear-side. A bottom surface of the first storage chamber  51   p  is provided with a hydraulic fluid supply port  49   p  that communicates with the primary hydraulic fluid chamber  23   a  of the tandem master cylinder  20 . Also, a bottom surface of the second storage chamber  51   s  is provided with a hydraulic fluid supply port  49   s  that communicates with the secondary hydraulic fluid chamber  23   b  of the tandem master cylinder  20 . 
     The first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  are partitioned from each other by a first rib  53  connected to a top surface and a bottom surface of the reservoir tank  10 . The second storage chamber  51   s  and a space  52  on a further forward side than the second storage chamber  51   s  are partitioned from each other by a second rib  55  connected to the top surface and the bottom surface of the reservoir tank  10 . Note that, “the top surface” and “the bottom surface” of the reservoir tank  10  are an upper surface and a bottom surface of the internal space  11  of the reservoir tank  10 , and mean a surface of an upper part of the upper half body  30   a  or a bottom part of the lower half body  30   b.    
     The first rib  53  includes a first partitioning part  53   a  extending in the second direction Y and a first passage formation part  53   b  extending in the first direction X. The first partitioning part  53   a  is connected to one wall surface  57 L of the reservoir tank  10  on one end-side in the second direction Y. In the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, the first partitioning part  53   a  is connected to the wall surface  57 L of the reservoir tank  10  on the one end-side corresponding to a left side of the vehicle. The first passage formation part  53   b  is connected to the other end-side of the first partitioning part  53   a  in the second direction Y and extends rearward. The first passage formation part  53   b  is arranged spaced from the other wall surface  57 R of the reservoir tank  10  located on the other end-side in the second direction Y corresponding to a right side of the vehicle, thereby forming a first fluid passage  61  between the first passage formation part and the other wall surface  57 R. 
     The first fluid passage  61  connects to the second storage chamber  51   s  on a front-side and connects to the first storage chamber  51   p  on a rear-side, thereby enabling communication between the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s . Atop surface of the first fluid passage  61  is formed so that a height position becomes higher from the rear toward the front (refer to  FIG. 4 ). 
     Also, the second rib  55  includes a second partitioning part  55   a  extending in the second direction Y and a second passage formation part  55   b  extending in the first direction X. The second partitioning part  55   a  is connected to the other wall surface  57 R of the reservoir tank  10  on the other end-side in the second direction Y. In the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, the second partitioning part  55   a  is connected to the wall surface  57 R of the reservoir tank  10  on the other end-side corresponding to the right side of the vehicle. The second passage formation part  55   b  is connected to one end-side of the second partitioning part  55   a  in the second direction Y and extends rearward. The second passage formation part  55   b  is arranged spaced from the one wall surface  57 L of the reservoir tank  10  located on the one end-side in the second direction Y corresponding to the left side of the vehicle, thereby forming a second fluid passage  63  between the second passage formation part and the one wall surface  57 L. 
     The second fluid passage  63  connects to the space  52  on a front-side and connects to the second storage chamber  51   s  on a rear-side, thereby enabling communication between the second storage chamber  51   s  and the space  52  on the further forward side than the second storage chamber  51   s . Atop surface of the second fluid passage  63  is formed so that a height position becomes higher from the rear toward the front. 
     In this way, the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  are connected to each other by the first fluid passage  61 , and the second storage chamber  51   s  and the space  52  on the further forward side than the second storage chamber  51   s  are connected to each other by the second fluid passage  63 . The hydraulic fluid that is injected into the internal space  11  of the reservoir tank  10  via the inlet  30   c  flows from the space  52  into the second storage chamber  51   s  via the second fluid passage  63 , and also flows into the first storage chamber  51   p  via the first fluid passage  61 . 
     A top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p  and a top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  are all located in positions lower than the upper limit fluid quantity line  15   mx . The top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  may also be all located in positions lower than or higher than the lower limit fluid quantity line  15   mn . The top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p  is inclined relative to a horizontal plane so that a height position H1 is highest at the connection part with the first fluid passage  61 . Specifically, the top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p  is formed so that a height position becomes higher from the one wall surface  57 L toward the other wall surface  57 R of the reservoir tank  10  and becomes higher from the front toward the rear (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
     Also, the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that a height position H3 of any one position adjacent to the first partitioning part  53   a  of the first rib  53  is highest. In the present embodiment, the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that the height position H3 is highest at the connection part with the second fluid passage  63 . Specifically, the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  is formed so that a height position becomes higher from the other wall surface  57 R toward the one wall surface  57 L of the reservoir tank  10  and becomes higher from the front toward the rear (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). 
     The reservoir tank  10  configured as described above satisfies a following relation. 
       H1≤H2&lt;H3≤H4&lt;H5
 
     H1: the height position of the connection part with the first fluid passage  61  of the top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p    
     H2: the height position of the connection part with the first storage chamber  51   p  of a top surface  61   a  of the first fluid passage  61   
     H3: the highest height position of the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s    
     H4: the height position of the connection part with the second storage chamber  51   s  of a top surface  63   a  of the second fluid passage  63   
     H5: the height position of the connection part with the space  52  of the top surface  63   a  of the second fluid passage  63   
     For this reason, when the hydraulic fluid is injected into the internal space  11  from the inlet  30   c  in a state shown in  FIG. 1 , the hydraulic fluid is sequentially supplied from the space  52  into the second fluid passage  63 , the second storage chamber  51   s , the first fluid passage  61 , and the first storage chamber  51   p . When injecting the hydraulic oil into the reservoir tank  10 , if the air remains in the hydraulic fluid, an actual hydraulic fluid quantity may be deficient with respect to the minimum quantity. 
     In contrast, according to the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, as the hydraulic fluid flows into the first storage chamber  51   p , the air is discharged to the second storage chamber  51   s  via the first fluid passage  61 . At this time, the top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p  is formed so that the height position H1 of the connection part with the first fluid passage  61  is highest. For this reason, the inside air is pushed out into the first fluid passage  61  until just before the first storage chamber  51   p  is filled with the hydraulic fluid. Since the top surface  61   a  of the first fluid passage  61  is formed so that the height position becomes higher from the rear toward the front, the air pushed into the first fluid passage  61  moves to the second storage chamber  51   s.    
     Also, the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  is formed so that the height position H3 of the connection part with the second fluid passage  63  is highest. For this reason, the inside air is pushed out into the second fluid passage  63  until just before the second storage chamber  51   s  is filled with the hydraulic fluid. Since the top surface  63   a  of the second fluid passage  63  is formed so that the height position becomes higher from the rear toward the front, the air pushed into the second fluid passage  63  moves to the space  52  on the further forward side than the second storage chamber  51   s . In this way, the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment can suppress the air from remaining in the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  when injecting the hydraulic fluid. 
     Also, according to the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, even though the reservoir tank  10  is tilted forward during rapid deceleration of the vehicle or traveling on a downslope, it is possible to maintain a sufficient quantity of the hydraulic fluid in the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s.    
       FIG. 7  depicts a state of the hydraulic fluid in the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  when the reservoir tank  10  is tilted forward. In the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, the connection part of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the first fluid passage  61  is provided on the rear-side of the first storage chamber  51   p , and the front-side of the first storage chamber  51   p  is configured by a closed space. For this reason, even though the reservoir tank  10  is tilted forward, the leakage of the hydraulic fluid from the first storage chamber  51   p  toward the second storage chamber  51   s  is suppressed, so that it is possible to maintain a predetermined quantity of the hydraulic fluid in the first storage chamber  51   p.    
     Similarly, the connection part of the second storage chamber  51   s  and the second fluid passage  63  is provided on the rear-side of the second storage chamber  51   s . For this reason, even though the reservoir tank  10  is tilted forward, the leakage of the hydraulic fluid from the second storage chamber  51   s  toward the space  52  on the further forward side is suppressed, so that it is possible to maintain a predetermined quantity of the hydraulic fluid in the second storage chamber  51   s.    
     In the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , at the connection part of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the first fluid passage  61 , the height position H2 of the top surface  61   a  of the first fluid passage  61  may be higher than the height position H1 of the top surface  59   p  of the first storage chamber  51   p  (H2&gt;H1). Thereby, it is possible to efficiently move the air discharged from the first storage chamber  51   p  to the first fluid passage  61 . 
     Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 9 , at the connection part of the second storage chamber  51   s  and the second fluid passage  63 , the height position H4 of the top surface  63   a  of the second fluid passage  63  may be higher than the height position H3 of the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  (H4&gt;H3). Thereby, it is possible to efficiently move the air discharged from the second storage chamber  51   s  to the second fluid passage  63 . 
     When the reservoir tank  10  has all the configurations shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the relation of the above height positions satisfies a following relation. 
       H1&lt;H2&lt;H3&lt;H4&lt;H5 
     When the above relation is satisfied, the air can be efficiently discharged from the first storage chamber  51   p  to the space  52  on the further forward side than the second storage chamber  51   s  in order of the first fluid passage  61 , the second storage chamber  51   s  and the second fluid passage  63 . 
     Also, as shown with a range surrounded by the dashed-dotted line V in  FIG. 4 , the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  may have an upward concave portion  69  connected to at least the top surface  63   a  of the second fluid passage  63  on the rear-side in the first direction X. The upward concave portion  69  is provided, so that the air discharged from the first storage chamber  51   p  via the first fluid passage  61  can be moved to the second fluid passage  63 . Also, the upward concave portion  69  may be connected to each of the top surface  61   a  of the first fluid passage  61  and the top surface  63   a  of the second fluid passage  63 . Thereby, the air discharged from the first storage chamber  51   p  via the first fluid passage  61  is difficult to move toward the front-side of the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s , so that the air can be more efficiently moved to the second fluid passage  63 . 
     As described above, according to the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, when injecting the hydraulic fluid from the inlet  30   c  provided on the front-side, it is possible to supply the hydraulic fluid to the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  while efficiently discharging the air from each of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  provided on the rear-side. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the air from remaining in the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s.    
     Also, according to the reservoir tank  10  of the present embodiment, the connection part of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the first fluid passage  61  is provided on the rear-side of the first storage chamber  51   p , and the connection part of the second storage chamber  51   s  and the second fluid passage  63  is provided on the rear-side of the second storage chamber  51   s . Therefore, even though the reservoir tank  10  is tilted forward during the rapid deceleration of the vehicle or traveling on the downslope, it is possible to maintain the sufficient quantity of the hydraulic fluid in the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s.    
     Although the favorable embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. It is apparent to one skilled in the art of the present invention that a variety of changes or modifications can be made within the scope of the technical spirit defined in the claims, which are also understood to be included within the technical scope of the present invention. 
     For example, in the above embodiment, the top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  is formed so that the height position becomes higher from the front toward the rear in the first direction X and becomes higher from the other wall surface  57 R toward the one wall surface  57 L. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The top surface  59   s  of the second storage chamber  51   s  may also be formed so that the height position becomes higher from the front toward the rear in the first direction X and becomes higher from the one wall surface  57 L toward the other wall surface  57 R. In this case, when a rear part of the top surface  59   s  is provided with a passage connected to the second fluid passage  63  and formed so that a height position of a top surface becomes higher from the other wall surface  57 R toward the one wall surface  57 L, it is possible to efficiently discharge the air from the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  into the space  52 . 
     Also, in the above embodiment, the Y direction that is the second direction is a direction directed from the left toward the right in the vehicle width direction. However, the second direction of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the second direction may be a direction directed from the right toward the left in the vehicle width direction, and the configuration of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  may be bilaterally symmetrical to the configuration of the first storage chamber  51   p  and the second storage chamber  51   s  of the above embodiment.