JP2011025736A - Reservoir tank and brake device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress any incorrect operation of a liquid amount detection device even when the working fluid in a reservoir tank is moved much larger than in a normal condition. <P>SOLUTION: A reservoir tank 5 includes a working fluid feed unit 17 on a front side of a vehicle, working fluid storage chambers 10, 11 on a rear side of the vehicle, and a liquid amount detection unit 21 for detecting the amount of the working fluid in the working fluid storage chambers 10, 11. The liquid amount detection unit 21 has a float chamber 24a to be communicated with the working fluid storage chambers 10, 11 via a slit 24b, a float 25 to be moved according to the level of the working fluid in the float chamber 24a, a magnet 26 supported by the float 25, and a reed switch 23 to be ON-OFF controlled by the magnet 26. Further, washboards 37, 38, 39 extending in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are provided in a vicinity of the float chamber 24a of the liquid amount detection unit 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a reservoir tank for storing hydraulic fluid and a technical field of a brake device equipped with the hydraulic tank, which is used in a hydraulic brake device such as a hydraulic brake device using hydraulic pressure such as hydraulic pressure. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in vehicles such as automobiles, there are vehicles that employ a hydraulic brake device as a hydraulic actuator using hydraulic pressure. In this hydraulic brake device, a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid supplied to a master cylinder that generates hydraulic pressure is used.

  As a conventional reservoir tank, a liquid level detection device for detecting the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank is provided, and the float chamber of the liquid level detection device is communicated with the liquid storage chamber by a slit provided on the rear side of the vehicle body. Thus, a reservoir tank has been proposed in which even if the reservoir tank tilts forward when the vehicle is braked, the amount of hydraulic fluid in the float chamber is secured to a predetermined amount so that the liquid level detection device does not malfunction ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  Further, in the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, a predetermined number of ribs that are linear and have different lengths are extended in the vehicle front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction when the reservoir tank is mounted on the vehicle. Yes. These ribs prevent the hydraulic fluid from flowing in the reservoir tank and reinforce the reservoir tank.

JP 2002-67923 A.

  However, in the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, although the amount of hydraulic fluid in the float chamber of the liquid level detection device can be secured to some extent during deceleration by braking the vehicle, the vehicle is much more rapid than normal deceleration. No consideration is given to the inflow or outflow of hydraulic fluid into the float chamber during sudden deceleration of the vehicle or during sudden acceleration of the vehicle, which is much faster than normal acceleration.

  Also, for example, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates after sudden acceleration, or when the vehicle suddenly accelerates in the opposite direction, the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank moves largely forward or backward in the reverse direction. There is a case in which the hydraulic fluid that moves greatly backwards or in front of the vehicle swings back. However, in the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the swinging back phenomenon of the hydraulic fluid. Furthermore, no consideration is given to the case of large movement of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank when the vehicle is traveling on a steep slope. In particular, when the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank is reduced and the liquid level is located in the vicinity of the lighting position of the warning light of the liquid level detection device, there is a possibility that the warning light is erroneously lit.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object thereof is to provide a liquid chamber in the float chamber of the liquid amount detection device even when the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank moves much larger than usual. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reservoir tank that can reduce the inflow or outflow of hydraulic fluid and suppress malfunction of the fluid amount detection device, and a brake device using the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a reservoir tank according to the present invention is provided on the vehicle front side in a state where the reservoir tank is mounted on a vehicle, and a hydraulic fluid supply unit to which hydraulic fluid is supplied from a hydraulic fluid supply port, A hydraulic fluid storage chamber that is provided on the vehicle rear side in a vehicle-mounted state and stores hydraulic fluid flowing from the hydraulic fluid supply unit, and is disposed between the hydraulic fluid supply unit and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber, and A fluid amount detection unit that detects a fluid amount of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber, and the fluid amount detection unit communicates with the hydraulic fluid storage chamber through at least a slit, and in the float chamber A float that is accommodated and moves according to the level of the working fluid in the float chamber, a magnet supported by the float, and a switch that is on / off controlled by the magnet. In the reservoir tank having at least a hose, a plate-like wave barrier extending in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the vehicle front-rear direction is provided in the vicinity of the float chamber of the liquid amount detection unit. .

  In the reservoir tank of the present invention, an intermediate portion of the wave preventing wall in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction is positioned on the vehicle rear side, and both ends of the wave preventing wall are on the vehicle front side from the intermediate portion. It is characterized by being inclined so as to be located at

  Furthermore, in the reservoir tank of the present invention, the wave preventing wall is formed in a curved shape, a triangular shape, or a polygonal shape, and is disposed on the vehicle front side from an intermediate portion to both ends in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction. It is characterized by being inclined.

Furthermore, the reservoir tank of the present invention is characterized in that a predetermined number of the wave barriers are arranged on at least one side of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side from the float chamber.
Further, in the reservoir tank of the present invention, a plurality of the wave preventing walls are disposed on at least one side of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side from the float chamber, and these wave blocking walls overlap in the vehicle front-rear direction. It is characterized by being arranged in this way.

Furthermore, the reservoir tank of the present invention is characterized in that a passage partition extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided.
Furthermore, the reservoir tank of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the passage partition walls are provided, and the passage partition walls are arranged in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction.
Furthermore, the reservoir tank of the present invention is characterized in that a predetermined gap is formed between the passage partition and both ends of the wave barrier.

  On the other hand, the brake device of the present invention operates with a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid, a master cylinder that is supplied with hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank and generates brake pressure during operation, and hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder. The reservoir tank is at least one of the above-described reservoir tanks of the present invention.

  According to the reservoir tank of the present invention configured as described above, the wave barrier extending in the direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction is provided in the vicinity of the float chamber of the liquid amount detection unit. As a result, even when the vehicle suddenly accelerates, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates after sudden acceleration, or when the vehicle suddenly accelerates after suddenly decelerating, the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank moves rapidly and greatly The hydraulic fluid can be prevented from flowing into the float chamber by the wave barrier. Therefore, it is possible to reduce malfunctions of the liquid level warning lamp (incorrect lighting and erroneous lighting), and it is possible to improve the liquid level detection performance of the liquid level detection unit.

  In addition, the intermediate portion of the wave barrier in a direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction is positioned on the vehicle rear side, and both ends of the wave barrier are inclined so as to be positioned on the vehicle front side from the intermediate portion. As a result, the air in the reservoir tank easily flows toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage on the front side of the vehicle. As a result, even if a wave barrier extending in a direction orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction is provided, air accumulation due to the wave barrier can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, a reservoir tank is provided by arranging a plurality of wave barriers on at least one side of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side from the float chamber, and such wave barriers overlap in the vehicle front-rear direction. Even if the hydraulic fluid in the inside moves rapidly and greatly, the hydraulic fluid can be more effectively suppressed from flowing into the float chamber by the plurality of wave barriers.

  Furthermore, by providing a passage partition extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the hydraulic fluid moves to the left and right sides of the vehicle even when the vehicle is tilted to the left and right sides (a direction orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction). The amount of hydraulic fluid in the float chamber is hardly changed. Therefore, even if the vehicle is greatly inclined to the left and right sides, it is possible to reduce erroneous lighting of the liquid level warning lamp by the passage partition.

  Further, the reservoir tank is reinforced by the wave barrier and the passage partition. By the way, even if the amount of the hydraulic fluid changes slightly, the resin reservoir tank, which has a relatively low overall height and a relatively wide width that changes the internal space volume and greatly changes the internal pressure, generates stress concentration. Easy to do. However, even in this type of reservoir tank, stress concentration can be suppressed by reinforcing the reservoir tank by the wave barrier and the passage partition. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress the whitening and swelling of the reservoir tank caused by the change in the internal pressure in the reservoir tank.

  On the other hand, according to the brake device equipped with the reservoir tank of the present invention, the reservoir tank can be used during sudden acceleration of the vehicle, sudden deceleration of the vehicle, sudden deceleration after sudden acceleration of the vehicle, or sudden acceleration after sudden deceleration of the vehicle. Even if the hydraulic fluid in the tank moves rapidly, the amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank can be detected more reliably, so that the brake operation by the brake device is stable even in relatively severe driving conditions of the vehicle. Can be executed.

It is a figure showing typically a brake equipment provided with an example of an embodiment of a reservoir tank concerning the present invention. An example of embodiment of the reservoir tank concerning the present invention is shown, (a) is a front view and (b) is a longitudinal section along the longitudinal direction of a reservoir tank. 2A is a view of the upper body of the reservoir tank of the example shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from below, and FIG. 3B is a view of the lower body of the reservoir tank as viewed from above. (A) is a figure explaining the flow of the hydraulic fluid at the time of hydraulic fluid injection | pouring using FIG.3 (b), (b) is a figure explaining the flow of the air at the time of hydraulic fluid injection | pouring using Fig.3 (a). (C) is a figure explaining the flow of the hydraulic fluid at the time of sudden acceleration and sudden deceleration using Fig.3 (a). (A) thru | or (c) is a figure explaining the flow of the hydraulic fluid at the time of the rapid deceleration operation | movement after sudden acceleration using FIG.2 (b). (A) thru | or (c) is a figure explaining the flow of the hydraulic fluid at the time of the rapid acceleration operation | movement after rapid deceleration using FIG.2 (b).

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, horizontal and vertical refer to a state in which the reservoir tank is mounted on a horizontal or substantially horizontal vehicle, and the maximum storage level (MAX line) and the minimum storage level (MI
N line) is a horizontal line in the same state of the reservoir tank.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a brake device provided with an example of an embodiment of a reservoir tank according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic brake device 1 of this example is basically the same as a conventionally known two-system hydraulic brake device. That is, the hydraulic brake device 1 includes a brake pedal 2, a booster 3, a tandem master cylinder 4, a reservoir tank 5, and a brake cylinder 6.

  When the driver depresses the brake pedal 2, the booster 3 operates to boost and output the pedal depression force with a predetermined servo ratio. The primary piston 4a of the tandem master cylinder 4 is actuated by the output of the booster 3 to supply the working fluid in the primary fluid chamber 4b to the brake cylinder 6 of one system, and the secondary piston 4c is actuated to activate the secondary fluid. The hydraulic fluid in the chamber 4d is fed to the brake cylinder 6 of the other system. When the loss stroke of each brake system disappears, the tandem master cylinder 4 generates hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic pressure of the tandem master cylinder 4 is transmitted to each brake cylinder 6, each brake cylinder 6 generates a braking force, and each wheel 7 is braked.

  Incidentally, the reservoir tank 5 used in the brake device 1 of this example has a low overall height and is formed in an elongated shape in the vehicle front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle body. However, although the reservoir tank 5 has an elongated shape, it is formed to be relatively wide as compared with the conventional case. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the reservoir tank 5 has two bodies, a lower body 8 and an upper body 9. The upper body 9 is welded to the upper end opening of the lower body 8 in a liquid-tight manner along a horizontal plane or a substantially horizontal plane by heating and pressurization, and is formed in a relatively elongated container shape. In addition, the reservoir tank 5 is not limited to two bodies, but can also be comprised by three bodies of the lower body 8, the upper body 9, and the intermediate body between these. In the following description, it is assumed that the reservoir tank 5 is composed of two bodies.

  In the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the minimum reservoir level (MIN line) of the hydraulic fluid is set in the lower body 8 when the tandem master cylinder 4 to which the reservoir tank 5 is attached is mounted in the vehicle body and in the horizontal state of the vehicle body. In addition, the maximum storage level (MAX line) of the hydraulic fluid is set in the upper body 9. In this case, the distance in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2A) from the hydraulic fluid supply port 15 of the reservoir tank 5 of this example to the MIN line and the MAX line is mounted on the vehicle on which the reservoir tank 5 is mounted. It is set to be the same as that of a conventional reservoir tank.

A primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 and a secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11 are provided on the right side of the lower body 8 in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b). The primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11 are partitioned by a partition wall 12. However, the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11 are connected to the hydraulic fluid storage chambers 10 and 11.
When the upper body 9 is welded to the lower body 8, the upper body 9 is always in communication with each other through a gap between the upper end of the partition wall 12 and the upper wall lower surface (ceiling surface) 9 a of the upper body 9. Yes. As shown in FIG. 2B, a primary hydraulic fluid supply port 13 that supplies hydraulic fluid to the primary fluid chamber 4 b of the tandem master cylinder 4 is provided at the bottom of the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10, and a secondary At the bottom of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11, a secondary hydraulic fluid supply port 14 that supplies hydraulic fluid to the secondary fluid chamber 4 d of the tandem master cylinder 4 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3A, the hydraulic fluid supply for supplying hydraulic fluid into the reservoir tank 5 is provided on the upper left side of the upper body 9 of the reservoir tank 5 in FIG. 2B. A mouth 15 is provided. The hydraulic fluid supply port 15 includes a cap 1 that opens and closes the hydraulic fluid supply port 15.
6 and a conventionally known cap seal (not shown) are provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, a hydraulic fluid supply unit 17 is provided below the hydraulic fluid supply port 15. The hydraulic fluid supply unit 17 is defined across the lower body 8 and the upper body 9. The hydraulic fluid supply port 15 and the hydraulic fluid supply unit 17 are communicated with each other through a hydraulic fluid supply passage 19 formed by a cylindrical member 18.

The reservoir tank 5 is mounted such that the longitudinal direction thereof is the vehicle longitudinal direction or substantially the vehicle longitudinal direction. Here, the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 is shown in FIGS.
3A and 3B, the horizontal direction of the reservoir tank 5, the lower body 8, and the upper body 9, that is, the elongated direction of the reservoir tank 5. Specifically, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 is substantially a straight line connecting the center of the hydraulic fluid supply port 15 and the center of the primary hydraulic fluid supply port 13 of the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10. Direction.

  In this manner, in a state where the reservoir tank 5 is mounted on the vehicle, the hydraulic fluid supply port 15 and the hydraulic fluid supply unit 17 are located in front of the vehicle from the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11. . The ceiling surface 9a of the upper body 9 is an inclined surface that rises substantially linearly from the primary hydraulic fluid reservoir 10 side toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage 19 side. By making the ceiling surface 9a such an inclined surface, the air in the reservoir tank 5 easily flows from the primary hydraulic fluid reservoir 10 side toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage 19 side, and the hydraulic fluid reservoir tank 5 It is easy to vent air inside.

  The hydraulic fluid supply unit 17, the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10, and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11 are always in communication with each other through the fluid passage 20. The fluid passage 20 extends in the lower body 8 and the upper body 9 along the substantially longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 (substantially the vehicle longitudinal direction).

As shown in FIG. 2B and FIGS. 3A and 3B, a liquid amount detection unit 21 for detecting the amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 is provided at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 2B, the liquid amount detection unit 21 includes a switch housing unit 22 provided in the lower part of the lower body 8, a normally open type reed switch 23 housed in the switch housing unit 22, A cylindrical guide wall 24 that protrudes upward from the bottom of the lower body 8 and has a float chamber 24a therein, and is accommodated in the float chamber 24a of the cylindrical guide wall 24 and within the cylindrical guide wall 24 A float 25 that moves up and down while being guided by the cylindrical guide wall 24 according to the vertical movement of the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid, and is supported by the lower portion of the float 25 and moves up and down integrally with the float 25 to reed. And a magnet 26 for controlling the opening / closing of the magnet.

  The float chamber 24 a in the cylindrical guide wall 24 and the fluid passage 20 outside the cylindrical guide wall 24 are communicated with each other through a slit 24 b provided in the cylindrical guide wall 24. The slit 24b opens forward in the reservoir tank longitudinal direction of the cylindrical guide wall 24 (in front of the vehicle when the reservoir tank 5 is mounted on the vehicle body) and opens upward from a predetermined position below the MIN line. In addition, a predetermined gap is provided between the upper end of the cylindrical guide wall 24 and the ceiling surface 9a, and the float chamber 24a is always open upward and communicates with the fluid passage 20.

  Therefore, in the normal horizontal state of the reservoir tank 5, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a and the hydraulic fluid in other parts of the reservoir tank 5 (primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10, secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11, etc.) The liquid level is on the same horizontal plane.

In the reed switch 23, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 (specifically, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24 a) is higher than the liquid level for warning display (slightly above the MIN line). When the float 25 is in a position corresponding to the liquid level of the working fluid and is not affected by the magnetic force of the magnet 26 of the float 25, it is turned off and no warning is displayed. When the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid falls below the level required for warning display, the magnet 26 and the float 25 are lowered together with the liquid level, the reed switch 23 is turned on by the magnetic force of the magnet 26, and a warning display is performed. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (a), first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27 and 28 project downward from the ceiling surface 9a of the upper body 9. The first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27 and 28 are slightly bent only once, and extend as a whole in substantially the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 (that is, substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction). Further, the first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27 and 28 are arranged over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 including the vicinity of the installation position of the liquid amount detection unit 21. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b), the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29, 3 are directed upward from the bottom surface of the lower body 8.
0 is projected. The first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29 and 30 are also slightly bent only once, and extend as a whole in substantially the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 (that is, substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction). Further, the first and second lower body side passage partitions 29 and 30 are connected to the liquid amount detection unit 2.
1 is disposed over a predetermined region in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 including the vicinity of one installation position. In the state in which the upper body 9 and the lower body 8 are welded, the first lower body side passage partition wall 29 and the first upper body side passage partition wall 27 partially abut each other, and the second lower body side passage partition wall 30. And the second upper body side passage partition wall 28 partially abut each other. The fluid passage 20 is divided into three parts in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 by the first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27 and 28 and the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29 and 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, first to third lower body side wave barriers 31, 32, and 33 protrude from the bottom surface of the lower body 8 upward. The first and second lower body side wave barriers 31 and 32 are both disposed between the liquid amount detection unit 21 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11, and are substantially concentric with the cylindrical guide wall 24. Is formed. That is, the first and second lower body side wave barriers 31 and 32 are both in the reservoir tank longitudinal direction front side (
It is in the shape of a thin circular arc plate that is recessed on the front side of the vehicle. The third lower body side wave barrier 33 is disposed on the front side in the reservoir tank longitudinal direction (the vehicle front side) from the liquid amount detection unit 21. The third lower body side break wall 33 has a thin circular arc shape with a circular arc having substantially the same diameter as that of the first lower body side break wall 31 and having a concave in the reservoir tank longitudinal direction front side (vehicle front side). In this case, the third lower body side wave barrier 33 is opposed to the slit 24b in the front of the reservoir tank in the longitudinal direction (front of the vehicle). Further, a predetermined gap is formed between each end of the first to third lower body side wave barriers 31, 32, 33 and the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29, 30. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid and air can flow through these gaps.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (a), first to third upper body-side wave barriers 34, 35, and 36 project from the ceiling surface 9a of the upper body 9 downward. The first and second upper body side wave barriers 34 and 35 are both disposed between the liquid amount detection unit 21 and the secondary working fluid storage chamber 11, and are substantially concentric with the cylindrical guide wall 24. Is formed. In that case, the 1st and 2nd upper body side wave-break walls 34 and 35 are formed in the same size as the 1st and 2nd lower body side wave-break walls 31 and 32, respectively. Therefore, both the first and second upper body side wave barriers 34 and 35 are formed into arcuate thin plate shapes in which the reservoir tank longitudinal direction front side (vehicle front side) is recessed. The third upper body side wave preventing wall 36 is disposed on the front side in the reservoir tank longitudinal direction (vehicle front side) from the liquid amount detection unit 21. The third upper body side breakwater wall 36 has a circular arc thin plate shape with a circle having substantially the same diameter as the first upper body side breakwater wall 34, and has a concave shape in the reservoir tank longitudinal direction front side (vehicle front side). A predetermined gap is formed between both ends of the first to third upper body side wave barriers 34, 35, 36 and the first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27, 28. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid and air can flow through these gaps.

In the state where the upper body 9 and the lower body 8 are welded, the first upper body-side wave barrier 34 and the first lower body-side wave barrier 31 are abutted with each other over the whole, and the second upper body side The wave preventing wall 35 and the second lower body side wave preventing wall 32 are abutted with each other over the whole, and the third upper body side wave breaking wall 36 and the second lower body side wave breaking wall 33 are abutted with each other over the whole. Combined. Thus, in the vicinity of the periphery of the cylindrical guide wall 24 of the liquid amount detection unit 21, the first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, 39 made of arcuate thin plates that are recessed on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 are formed. Is done. That is, the first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, 39 have inclined surfaces with their intermediate portions protruding in an arc shape rearward in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 from their both ends. The first to third wave barriers 37 and 38 are arranged so that at least a part of them overlaps in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, and 39 are not necessarily formed in an arc shape, but may be formed in a curved shape that protrudes rearward in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 have intermediate portions in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction protruding most rearward in the longitudinal direction, and both ends thereof are positioned in the longitudinal direction forward from the intermediate portions. As long as it is an inclined surface, it can also be formed from a part of a plan view triangle, a part of a plan view polygon, or a part of an elliptical or oval curved surface. However, it is desirable that the first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, 39 are formed in a circular arc, and the first and second wave preventing walls 37, 38 are formed in a circular arc concentric with the cylindrical guide wall 24.

In the reservoir tank 5 of this example configured as described above, when the hydraulic fluid is injected into the reservoir tank 5 from the hydraulic fluid supply port 15, the hydraulic fluid operates as indicated by an arrow α in FIG. From the liquid supply part 17 through the fluid passage 20 divided into three, it flows into the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11 and the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 and is stored. In that case, the hydraulic fluid flowing through the central fluid passage 20 is mainly between the first and third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 and the first and second lower body side passage partitions 29, 30. Flows through the gap. At this time, since the flow of the hydraulic fluid is relatively slow, the gaps between the both ends of the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 and the first and second lower body side passage partitions 29, 30 are provided. There is little influence of the aperture.

  Further, by injecting the hydraulic fluid into the reservoir tank 5, the air in the reservoir tank 5 passes through the three divided fluid passages 20 of the upper body 9 as shown by an arrow β in FIG. It flows toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage 19 on the supply port 15 side. In that case, since the ceiling surface 9a is inclined so as to incline upward from the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage 19, air smoothly and easily moves toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage 19. To flow. The air flowing through the central fluid passage 20 forms gaps between both ends of the first to third upper body side wave barriers 34, 35, 36 and the first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27, 28. Flows through.

On the other hand, after the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 is reduced and the vehicle is suddenly accelerated in a state where the fluid level is slightly higher than the fluid level requiring warning display (slightly above the MIN line). There may be a sudden deceleration. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 5A, the reservoir tank 5 is tilted relatively largely toward the rear side of the vehicle due to the rapid acceleration of the vehicle. Then, the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 moves to the vehicle rear side and flows into the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 10 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 11, so that the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a is reduced. As a result, the reed switch 23 is turned on and a liquid level warning lamp (not shown) is lit. Next, when the vehicle is suddenly decelerated, the reservoir tank 5 that is greatly inclined toward the rear of the vehicle rotates toward the front side of the vehicle. As a result, the hydraulic fluid is moved back to the vehicle forward side and the hydraulic fluid moves back to the vehicle forward side. And in the conventional reservoir tank which does not have a wave barrier, as shown in FIG.5 (b), when the reservoir tank 5 will be in a substantially horizontal state, many hydraulic fluids will be arrow γ by this rocking back phenomenon.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cylinder passes over the upper end of the cylindrical guide wall 24 and flows into the float chamber 24a. For this reason, the liquid level of the working fluid in the float chamber 24a rises, the reed switch 23 is turned off, and the liquid amount warning lamp is turned off. Further, when the reservoir tank 5 is largely rotated to the front side of the vehicle, the working fluid in the reservoir tank 5 that has moved to the rear side of the vehicle moves to the front side of the vehicle and flows to the working fluid supply unit 17 and the working fluid supply passage 19. Therefore, the working fluid in the float chamber 24a is reduced again. As a result, the reed switch 23 is turned on again and the liquid level warning lamp is lit again. Thus, in a conventional reservoir tank that does not have a wave barrier in the vicinity of the liquid level detection unit 21, the liquid level warning lamp malfunctions (erroneously turns on or turns off), and the liquid level of the liquid level detection unit 21 Detection performance becomes unstable.

On the other hand, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, in the vicinity of the float chamber 24a of the liquid amount detection unit 21, the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, extending in the direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction. 39 is disposed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the reservoir tank 5 is largely inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle due to sudden acceleration of the vehicle and the hydraulic fluid is about to flow toward the rear side of the vehicle, the center of the three-way fluid passage 20 is divided. As shown by an arrow δ in FIG. 4C, the hydraulic fluid flowing in the fluid passage 20 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 by the third wave barrier 39 (mainly the third lower body side wave barrier 33). The fluid flows while being guided in a substantially perpendicular direction (a direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction). In addition, since the hydraulic fluid guided in this manner flows relatively rapidly, the hydraulic fluid is squeezed by the gap between both ends of the three lower body side wave barriers 33 and the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29 and 30. Therefore, it is suppressed that the hydraulic fluid which exists in the hydraulic fluid supply part 17 and the hydraulic fluid supply channel | path 19 side flows to the vehicle rear side. As a result, the hydraulic fluid is suppressed from flowing into the float chamber 24a of the liquid amount detection unit 21. Further, although not indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4C, the first lower body side break wall 31 and the third lower body side break wall 33 and the third lower body side break wall 33 are also formed by the first and second lower body side break walls 31 and 32. The hydraulic fluid between the first and second lower body side break walls 31 and 32 is prevented from flowing toward the vehicle rear side in the same manner as the third lower body side break wall 33 described above.
Therefore, the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a is prevented from flowing out of the float chamber 24a of the liquid amount detection unit 21. In particular, in this example, since the slit 24b is disposed on the vehicle front side, the working fluid in the float chamber 24a is more effectively suppressed from flowing out of the float chamber 24a. In this way, by suppressing the inflow and outflow of the hydraulic fluid to the float chamber 24a, the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a is maintained for a relatively short period of time even if the reservoir tank 5 is largely inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle. The amount of liquid hardly changes. Thereby, erroneous lighting of the liquid amount warning lamp is reduced.

Further, when the reservoir tank 5 is largely rotated toward the front side of the vehicle due to the rapid deceleration after the rapid acceleration of the vehicle, the hydraulic fluid is about to flow toward the front side of the vehicle as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c). The hydraulic fluid flowing in the central fluid passage 20 is the first and second wave barriers 37 and 38 (mainly on the first and second lower body sides) as indicated by arrows ε and ζ in FIG. Waves 31 and 32 are guided and flow in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 (a direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction). Moreover, the hydraulic fluid guided in this way is squeezed in the gap between the both ends of the first and second lower body side wave barriers 31 and 32 and the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29 and 30. Therefore, it is suppressed that the hydraulic fluid which exists in the vehicle rear side from the 1st and 2nd lower body side channel | path partition walls 29 and 30 flows into the vehicle front side. As a result, the hydraulic fluid is suppressed from flowing into the float chamber 24a of the liquid amount detection unit 21. Further, although not indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4C, the operation between the first lower body side break wall 31 and the third lower body side break wall 33 is also performed by the third lower body side break wall 33. The liquid is suppressed from flowing from the third lower body side wave barrier 33 to the front side of the vehicle in the same manner as the first and second lower body side wave barriers 31 and 32 described above. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a is prevented from flowing out of the float chamber 24a of the liquid amount detection unit 21. In this way, by suppressing the inflow and outflow of the hydraulic fluid to the float chamber 24a, the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a is maintained for a relatively short period of time even when the reservoir tank 5 is largely inclined toward the front side of the vehicle. The amount of liquid hardly changes. Thereby, erroneous lighting of the liquid amount warning lamp is reduced.

  On the other hand, in a state where the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 is reduced and the hydraulic fluid level is in a position slightly higher than the hydraulic level requiring warning display (slightly above the MIN line), There is a case where the vehicle is suddenly accelerated after being suddenly decelerated. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the rotation posture of the reservoir tank 5 and the flow mode of the hydraulic fluid are simply the same as those shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C. It only reverses. Therefore, in this case as well, the inflow and outflow of the hydraulic fluid to the float chamber 24a are suppressed as in the case described above. That is, even if the reservoir tank 5 is greatly inclined to any side of the vehicle front and rear, the amount of hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a hardly changes during a relatively short period of time. Thereby, erroneous lighting of the liquid amount warning lamp is reduced.

  As described above, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, and 39 are disposed in the vicinity of the liquid amount detection unit 21. Thus, when the vehicle suddenly accelerates, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates, when the vehicle suddenly decelerates after sudden acceleration, or when the vehicle suddenly accelerates after suddenly decelerating, the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 moves rapidly and greatly. However, the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, and 39 can suppress the working fluid from flowing into the float chamber 24a. Therefore, the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 can reduce the malfunction of the liquid level warning lamp (incorrect lighting, erroneous lighting), and the liquid level detection performance of the liquid level detection unit 21. Can be improved.

  In this case, the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 are arranged so as to overlap the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side from the float chamber 24a in the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, even if the working fluid in the reservoir tank 5 moves rapidly and greatly, the working fluid flows into or out of the float chamber 24a. These first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 can be further effectively suppressed.

  Further, the first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, 39 are made to project the middle part thereof in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5 to the rearmost side in the longitudinal direction, and both ends thereof are intermediate between them. An inclined surface is provided so as to be located on the front side in the longitudinal direction from the portion. Therefore, the air in the reservoir tank 5 easily flows toward the hydraulic fluid supply passage 19 on the vehicle front side. As a result, even if the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 extending in the direction orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction are provided, the air accumulation by these first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 is effective. Can be suppressed. In particular, since both end portions of the first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, 39 are located on the front side in the longitudinal direction from the middle portion thereof, the first to third wave preventing walls 37, 38, 39 are inclined so as to rise to the front side in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank 5. Since the gap between the ceiling surface 9a and the upper ends of the first to third wave barriers 37, 38, 39 is large, the air easily flows and the generation of the air pool is more effective. Can be suppressed.

Further, the upper body 9 is provided with first and second upper body side passage partitions 27, 28 extending substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the first and second lower body side passage partitions 29, 28 extending substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction.
30 on the lower body 8. And these 1st and 2nd lower body side channel | path partition walls 29,3
Between 0, the liquid amount detection unit 21 is disposed. As a result, even when the vehicle is tilted to the left and right sides (direction orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction), the hydraulic fluid is restrained from moving to the left and right sides of the vehicle, and the amount of hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 24a is Almost no change. Therefore, even if the vehicle is largely inclined to the left and right sides, the first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27 and 28 and the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29 and 30 cause the liquid level warning lamp to be erroneously lit. It becomes possible to reduce.

Further, in the resin reservoir tank 5 having a relatively low overall height and a relatively wide width as in this example, even if the amount of the hydraulic fluid slightly changes, the spatial volume in the reservoir tank 5 changes and the reservoir tank 5 changes. The internal pressure in the tank 5 changes greatly. For this reason, in such a reservoir tank 5 mounted on a vehicle, stress concentration is likely to occur in the reservoir tank 5 at the time of vacuum pressure filling operation of the hydraulic fluid. Due to this stress concentration, the resin that is the base material of the reservoir tank 5 is whitened or the reservoir tank 5 is swollen. However, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the upper body 9 and the lower body 8 are reinforced by the first and second upper body side passage partition walls 27, 28 and the first and second lower body side passage partition walls 29, 30. Even if the internal pressure in the tank 5 changes greatly, the stress concentration described above can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress whitening and swelling of the reservoir tank 5 caused by changes in the internal pressure in the reservoir tank 5.

  Furthermore, according to the brake device 1 of the present invention, since the reservoir tank 5 of the present invention is used, at the time of sudden acceleration of the vehicle, at the time of sudden deceleration of the vehicle, at the time of sudden deceleration after the sudden acceleration of the vehicle, Even if the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank moves rapidly and rapidly during sudden acceleration after sudden deceleration, the amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank can be detected more reliably. Thus, it is possible to execute stably even in relatively severe driving conditions.

  For example, in the above-described example, the suppression of the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 at the time of sudden acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle has been described. However, the present invention can be applied when the vehicle travels on a steep slope. The present invention can also be applied to the suppression of the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 when traveling down. In short, the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

The reservoir tank according to the present invention can be suitably used for a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid, and is used in a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic brake device that utilizes hydraulic pressure such as hydraulic pressure.
Moreover, the brake device according to the present invention can be suitably used for a hydraulic brake device that brakes a wheel using hydraulic fluid stored in a reservoir tank.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hydraulic brake device, 2 ... Brake pedal, 3 ... Booster device, 4 ... Tandem master cylinder, 5 ... Reservoir tank, 6 ... Brake cylinder, 8 ... Lower body, 9 ... Upper body, 9a ... Ceiling surface, 10 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber, 11 ... Secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber, 17 ... Hydraulic fluid supply part, 19 ... Hydraulic fluid supply passage, 20 ... Fluid passage, 21 ... Liquid quantity detection part, 23 ... Reed switch, 24 ... Cylindrical shape Guide wall, 24a ... float chamber, 24b ... slit, 25 ... float, 26 ... magnet,
27: 1st upper body side passage partition, 28 ... 2nd upper body side passage partition, 29 ... 1st lower body side passage partition, 30 ... 2nd lower body side passage partition, 31 ... 1st lower body side break wall, 32 ... 2nd Lower body side break wall, 33 ... third lower body side break wall, 34 ... first upper body side break wall, 35 ... second upper body side break wall, 36 ... third upper body side break wall, 37 ... first Wave barrier 38, second wave barrier 39, third wave barrier

Claims (9)

A hydraulic fluid supply unit provided on the vehicle front side when the reservoir tank is mounted on the vehicle and supplied with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid supply port; and the hydraulic fluid supply unit provided on the vehicle rear side when the reservoir tank is mounted on the vehicle and the hydraulic fluid supply unit A hydraulic fluid storage chamber for storing the hydraulic fluid flowing from the hydraulic fluid, and a fluid volume detection that is disposed between the hydraulic fluid supply section and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber and detects the hydraulic fluid volume in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber And a fluid volume detection unit is accommodated in the float chamber and at least in the float chamber communicated with the hydraulic fluid storage chamber through at least a slit, and according to a liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber In a reservoir tank having at least a float that moves, a magnet supported by the float, and a switch that is on / off controlled by the magnet,
A reservoir tank characterized in that a plate-shaped wave barrier extending in a direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction is provided in the vicinity of the float chamber of the liquid amount detection unit. The wave barrier is inclined such that an intermediate portion in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction is positioned on the vehicle rear side, and both ends of the wave barrier are positioned on the vehicle front side from the intermediate portion. The reservoir tank according to claim 1. The wave barrier is formed in a curved shape, a triangular shape, or a polygonal shape, and is inclined toward the vehicle front side from an intermediate portion to both ends in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The reservoir tank according to claim 2. 4. The reservoir tank according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of the wave preventing walls are disposed on at least one side of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side from the float chamber. A plurality of the breakwater walls are disposed on at least one side of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side from the float chamber, and the wavebreak walls are disposed so as to overlap in the vehicle front-rear direction. The reservoir tank according to claim 4. The reservoir tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a passage partition wall extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. The reservoir tank according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the passage partition walls are provided, and the passage partition walls are disposed in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The reservoir tank according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a predetermined gap is formed between the passage partition and both ends of the wave barrier. At least a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid, a master cylinder that is supplied with hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank and generates a brake pressure during operation, and a brake cylinder that operates with hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder;
The brake device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir tank is the reservoir tank according to claim 1.

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