JP2011143736A - Reservoir tank and brake device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively suppress movement of a hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic fluid storage chamber during tilting of a vehicle; and improve visibility of the fluid surface of the hydraulic fluid from the outside. <P>SOLUTION: A welded part 5a of an upper half body 9 and a lower half body 8 is tilted downward from the front to the rear of the vehicle. A ceiling part 9b<SB>1</SB>and a ceiling surface 9b<SB>2</SB>in an upper part of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 are set parallel or substantially parallel to the welded part 5a. Therefore, even when a clearance occurs between the fluid surface of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 and the ceiling surface 9b<SB>2</SB>in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13, the clearance is relatively small. A fluid surface visible space portion 5c, through which the fluid surface of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be viewed, is disposed in a region toward the front of the vehicle in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 in which the height position of the welded part 5a and the height position of an LIS lighting line 9b<SB>3</SB>are relatively greatly separated from each other. This improves the visibility of the fluid surface in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of a reservoir tank used for a hydraulic brake device and a hydraulic clutch device using hydraulic pressure such as hydraulic pressure, and a technical field of a brake device using the same.

  Conventionally, in vehicles such as automobiles, there are vehicles that employ a hydraulic brake device or a hydraulic clutch device using hydraulic pressure. In these hydraulic brake devices and hydraulic clutch devices, a master cylinder that generates hydraulic pressure and a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid supplied to the master cylinder are used.

  As a conventional reservoir tank, a first reservoir chamber connected to one hydraulic chamber of the tandem master cylinder, a second reservoir chamber serving as a liquid amount detection unit for detecting the amount of hydraulic fluid, and the other hydraulic pressure of the tandem master cylinder A reservoir tank that is relatively long in the vehicle front-rear direction in which the third storage chamber connected to the chamber and the hydraulic fluid inlet are arranged in this order from the rear to the front of the vehicle has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

  The reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1 is formed in a container shape by joining the lower edge of the upper half and the upper edge of the lower half. In this case, the joint between the upper half and the lower half is formed at the protrusion, and the joint is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle so as to become lower from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The bottom surface of each storage chamber is also inclined at a predetermined inclination angle so as to become lower from the front to the rear of the vehicle in parallel or substantially parallel to the protrusion.

  In addition, the height of the allowable maximum amount (MAX) line of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank is set to a height position substantially the same as the end of the above-mentioned protrusion on the vehicle front side, and the allowable minimum amount (MIN). The height position of the line is set at a height position lower than the vehicle front side portion of the protrusion and higher than the vehicle rear side portion of the protrusion.

  Further, the liquid amount detection unit includes a float that moves up and down according to the vertical movement of the liquid level of the working fluid in the reservoir tank, a magnet provided in the float, and a reed switch that is turned on and off by the magnet. I have. When the height level of the hydraulic fluid level in the reservoir tank decreases and reaches the reed switch online height position set slightly above the MIN line, the float and magnet height positions are also activated. The position corresponds to the height position of the liquid level. As a result, the magnet turns on the reed switch and the warning light is lit.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-34849.

  By the way, when the vehicle tilts so that the front side of the vehicle is lowered, the hydraulic fluid stored in each storage chamber moves toward the hydraulic fluid inlet on the front side of the vehicle. For this reason, when the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid stored in each storage chamber is at a position slightly higher than the reed switch online, the liquid level height position at the liquid level detection unit is changed by the movement of the hydraulic fluid. There is a problem that the reed switch may malfunction as follows.

  However, in the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, the bottom surface of each storage chamber is inclined as described above, while the ceiling surface of each storage chamber is horizontal or substantially horizontal. For this reason, even if the hydraulic fluid is stored in each storage chamber up to the MAX line, a relatively large space exists above the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in each storage chamber. Thus, when a large space exists above the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in each storage chamber, the hydraulic fluid in each storage chamber easily moves when the vehicle is tilted. Therefore, with the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to solve the above-described problem.

  On the other hand, the reservoir tank is required to be provided with a liquid level detection unit according to the safety standards of road transport vehicles, but it is in a state before the reed switch of the liquid level detection unit is turned on by a vehicle user or the like. In addition, it is required to make the amount of hydraulic fluid visible from the outside of the reservoir tank. By making the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid visible in this way, it is possible to know that the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid is approaching the reed switch online. For this reason, the reservoir tank is generally formed of a translucent resin in general. Therefore, it is conceivable to form the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1 with a translucent resin so that the liquid level can be visually confirmed.

  By the way, the reservoir tank is generally disposed in the engine room. Not only is the interior of the engine room relatively small, but many other parts such as an engine and a transmission are also disposed. For this reason, not only is the installation space for the reservoir tank limited, but the vehicle rear side of the reservoir tank is largely concealed by other parts, and when the hood is opened, the vehicle front side portion where the reservoir tank hydraulic fluid inlet is located. In many cases, only is visible from the outside. In particular, in the case of a reservoir tank that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction, such as the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, such a case increases.

  However, in the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1, since the joint portion and the reed switch online intersect at approximately the center position in the vehicle front-rear direction of the first to third storage chambers, it can be visually recognized from the outside. In the vehicle front portion of the reservoir tank, the height position of the joint is close to the height positions of the reed switch online and the MIN line. For this reason, when the liquid level is close to the respective height positions of the reed switch online and the MIN line, the liquid level of the working liquid is blocked by the joint. At this time, although the reservoir tank is formed of a translucent resin, the joint portion is thick, so the transparency of the reservoir tank is reduced, and the liquid level of the working fluid in the liquid level visual recognition space is reduced. Is difficult to see. Therefore, the reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the liquid level from the outside is not well visible even if it is formed of a translucent resin. In particular, since the liquid level of the working fluid rises due to surface tension on the inner wall of the reservoir tank, it becomes more difficult to clearly see the liquid level.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to effectively suppress the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber when the vehicle is tilted and to supply the hydraulic fluid from the outside. It is to provide a reservoir tank that can improve the visibility of the liquid level and a brake device using the same.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a reservoir tank according to the present invention includes a hydraulic fluid storage chamber that joins an upper half and a lower half and stores hydraulic fluid therein, and the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. And a reed switch that is turned on when the liquid level of the working fluid stored in the working fluid storage chamber decreases and the reed switch comes online. Is disposed on the front side of the vehicle and the reservoir tank is attached to the vehicle body so that the hydraulic fluid storage chamber is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle. The reservoir tank is attached to the vehicle body and in a horizontal state of the vehicle. The joint between the half and the lower half is lowered from the vehicle front side toward the rear side, and the ceiling surface of the upper half above the hydraulic fluid storage chamber is connected to the joint. Parallel or almost flat The vehicle rear side end of the reed switch online or the vehicle rear side end of the allowable minimum amount (MIN) line set at a position lower by a predetermined amount than the reed switch online is the vehicle rear side of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. It is set in the position which cross | intersects the said ceiling surface in the side.

  Further, in the reservoir tank of the present invention, a liquid level visual recognition space portion in which the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber can be visually recognized from the outside is provided in a vehicle front side portion of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. It is characterized by.

Furthermore, 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. And at least a brake cylinder
The reservoir tank is any one of the reservoir tanks of the present invention described above.

  According to the reservoir tank of the present invention configured as described above, the joint portion between the upper half body and the lower half body is inclined so as to become lower from the vehicle front side toward the rear side, and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber The ceiling surface above is set to be parallel or substantially parallel to the joint. In addition, the vehicle rear side end of the reed switch online or the vehicle rear side end of the MIN line is set at a position intersecting the ceiling surface on the vehicle rear side of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. Therefore, the ceiling surface in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber can be effectively lowered as compared with the conventional reservoir tank described in Patent Document 1. Thereby, even if a gap is generated between the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber and the ceiling surface in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber, the gap can be made relatively small. As a result, even when the reservoir tank is tilted so that the front side of the reservoir tank is lowered when the vehicle is tilted, the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber to the front side of the vehicle can be suppressed.

  In particular, when the normal amount of hydraulic fluid is stored in the reservoir tank by setting the reed switch online and the MIN line as described above, the hydraulic fluid stored in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber is activated. It becomes possible to contact all the ceiling surfaces in the liquid storage chamber. That is, the hydraulic fluid can be substantially filled in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. Therefore, even when the reservoir tank is tilted as described above, it is possible to more effectively suppress the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber to the vehicle front side. In addition, as the amount of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank decreases, the liquid level decreases to near the reed switch online, and between the hydraulic fluid level in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber and the ceiling surface in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. Even if a void is generated in the gap, the void can be further reduced. Accordingly, even when the reservoir tank is tilted as described above, the movement of the hydraulic fluid to the front of the vehicle can be more effectively suppressed.

  In addition, a liquid level visual recognition space portion in which the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber can be visually recognized from the outside is provided in the vehicle front side portion of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. The position where this liquid level visual recognition space portion is provided is a position where the height position of the joint portion and the height position of the reed switch online and the MIN line are relatively far apart in the vehicle front side region of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber. is there. Therefore, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber can be easily visually recognized in the liquid level visual recognition space portion at a position where the liquid level rises due to the surface tension of the hydraulic fluid. Thereby, the visibility of the liquid level in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber can be improved, and the installation space of the liquid level visual recognition space can be set efficiently.

On the other hand, according to the brake device using the reservoir tank of the present invention, the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank can be suppressed when the vehicle is tilted, so that the brake operation can be performed more reliably.

It is a figure showing typically a brake equipment provided with an example of an embodiment of a reservoir tank concerning the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank of the example shown in FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing when the visibility in a liquid level visual recognition space part is favorable, (b) is explanatory drawing when the visibility in a liquid level visual recognition space part is not favorable. (A) is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the upper half neck part in which a filter is provided, (b) is a figure which shows an example of a drop-off prevention part. The other example of embodiment of the reservoir tank of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 2, (b) is a top view of a lower half body. (A) is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the other example of the upper half neck part in which a filter is provided, (b) is a figure which shows the other example of a drop-off prevention part. (A) is sectional drawing of the reservoir tank which has an air movement path, (b) is sectional drawing of the direction orthogonal to the vehicle front-back direction of an air movement path.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
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. The reservoir tank 5 is attached to a tandem master cylinder 4 fixed to the vehicle body. In this case, the reservoir tank 5 is attached so that the longitudinal direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the vehicle or substantially the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  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 operated by the output of the booster 3 to supply the hydraulic fluid in the primary hydraulic fluid chamber 4b to the brake cylinder 6 of one system, and the secondary piston 4c is operated to activate the secondary The hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid 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.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the reservoir tank of this example. In the following description, the height of the bottom of each part refers to the height when the reservoir tank is attached to the vehicle body and the vehicle is leveled.
As shown in FIG. 2, the reservoir tank 5 used in the brake device 1 of this example includes a container-like lower half body 8 that stores hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the tandem master cylinder 4 and opens upward. The upper half body 9 is welded to the lower half body 8 and closes the upper end opening of the lower half body 8. In that case, both the lower half body 8 and the upper half body 9 are formed of the same resin which is transparent or translucent. The upper half 9 is provided with a hydraulic fluid inlet 10 and a cap 11 for opening and closing the hydraulic fluid inlet 10.

The lower half 8 of this example includes a hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 and a hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 that communicates with the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12.
The hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 includes a fluid amount detection chamber 14, a primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15, and a secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16. When the reservoir tank 5 is attached to the vehicle body via the tandem master cylinder 4, the hydraulic fluid inlet 10, the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12, the liquid amount detection chamber 14, the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16, and the primary hydraulic fluid The storage chamber 15 is arranged in this order from the front of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 2) to the rear of the vehicle (right side in FIG. 2). The liquid amount detection chamber 14, the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16, and the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 are each partitioned by a partition wall 17.

  The bottom surface 12a of the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 has a slope inclined so as to become lower from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle (that is, from the hydraulic fluid inlet 10 side toward the liquid amount detection chamber 14). . Further, a step 18 is provided at the boundary between the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 (specifically, the liquid level detection chamber 14), and the entire bottom surface 12a of the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 detects the liquid level. It is higher than the bottom surface 14 a of the chamber 14. The bottom surface 14a of the liquid amount detection chamber 14 is formed horizontally. The hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 and the fluid amount detection chamber 14 are always in communication. Therefore, the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 through the hydraulic fluid inlet 10 of the upper half body 9, and the hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic fluid supply unit 12 further flows into the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13. Become.

A liquid volume detection unit 19 is provided in the liquid volume detection chamber 14. The liquid amount detection unit 19 is provided substantially at the center of the reservoir tank 5 in the front-rear direction, and detects the amount of hydraulic fluid stored in the reservoir tank 5. The liquid amount detection unit 19 has a pair of notches 19a ₁ extending in the vertical direction.
A cylindrical partition wall 19a having only _one notch 19a ₁ (shown in FIG. 2), a float 19d disposed in the float chamber 19b in the cylindrical partition wall 19a and having a magnet 19c, and a liquid amount detection unit 19 And a reed switch (LIS) 19e operated by a magnet 19c. Cylindrical partition wall float chamber 19b by the notch portion 19a ₁ 1
The fluid volume detection chamber 14 on the outer periphery of 9a is always in communication, and the working fluid enters the float chamber 19b. In that case, in the normal state where the reservoir tank 5 is attached to the vehicle body, the level of the hydraulic fluid in the float chamber 19b and the level of the hydraulic fluid in the fluid amount detection chamber 14 are always the same. .

Then, the float 19d moves up and down in the float chamber 19b in accordance with the height of the hydraulic fluid level in the float chamber 19b, so that the hydraulic fluid in the fluid amount detection chamber 14 is reduced and the level of the hydraulic fluid level is reduced. When the height becomes the LIS lighting line (LIS online) 9b ₃ slightly above the minimum MIN line position defined in advance, the float 19d becomes a height position corresponding to the height of the liquid level. Then, at this height position of the float 19d, the magnet 19c turns on the reed switch 19e and the warning lamp is lit.

The liquid amount detection chamber 14 is always in communication with the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 above the partition wall 17, and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 is always in communication with the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 above the partition wall 17. Yes. The bottom surfaces of the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 are inclined surfaces that are inclined so as to become lower from the front of the vehicle toward the rear of the vehicle. In that case, the bottom surfaces of the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 are lower than the bottom surface 14 a of the liquid amount detection chamber 14. And if the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16 falls, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the liquid quantity detection chamber 14 will also fall. When the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the primary hydraulic fluid reservoir 15 and the secondary hydraulic fluid reservoir 16 becomes the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ , the magnet 19c of the float 19d operates the reed switch 19e as described above and the warning lamp is lit. To do.

A primary hydraulic fluid supply port 20 and a secondary hydraulic fluid supply port 21 are provided on the bottom surfaces of the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 and the secondary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 16, respectively. The primary hydraulic fluid supply port 20 is connected to the primary hydraulic fluid chamber 4 b of the tandem master cylinder 4, and the secondary hydraulic fluid supply port 21 is connected to the secondary hydraulic fluid chamber 4 d of the tandem master cylinder 4.
When the reservoir tank 5 is attached to the vehicle body and the vehicle body is in a horizontal state, the upper edge of the lower half body 8 is inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal so as to be lowered from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

The upper half 9 has a cylindrical upper half neck 9 a that constitutes the hydraulic fluid inlet 10, and a box-like upper half body 9 b that is fixed to the upper surface of the lower half 8. The upper half body neck portion 9a is provided at the front end portion (left end portion in FIG. 2) of the upper half body trunk portion 9b. In this case, the upper half neck portion 9a extends obliquely forward and upward from the front end portion of the upper half body trunk portion 9b. When the reservoir tank 5 is attached to the vehicle body and the vehicle body is in a horizontal state, the ceiling surface 9b ₂ inside the ceiling portion 9b ₁ of the upper half body portion 9b and the lower edge of the upper half body 9 are both in front of the vehicle. To the rear of the vehicle (that is, from the upper half neck portion 9a side to the rear end side of the upper half body 9), the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal is the same as the inclination angle θ or the upper edge of the lower half body 8 or It is inclined at almost the same inclination angle. Therefore, the projection-like welded portion 5a (corresponding to the joint portion of the present invention) formed by aligning and welding the lower edge of the upper half 9 and the upper edge of the lower half 8 is also provided in the reservoir tank 5. The vehicle is inclined at the same inclination angle θ or substantially the same inclination angle with respect to the horizontal so that it is lowered from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle when mounted on the vehicle body and in a horizontal state.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the welded portion 5 a is located below the welded portion 5 a at the position where the upper surface 19 d _{1 of the} float 19 d located at the position corresponding to the LIS lighting line 9 b ₃ corresponds to the liquid amount detecting portion 19 ( Specifically, it is provided so as to be positioned (below the mating surface of the lower edge of the upper half 9 and the upper edge of the lower half 8) indicated by a two-dot chain line. The ceiling surface 9b ₂ is provided as close as possible to the lower edge of the upper half 9. That is, the ceiling surface 9b ₂ is provided as close as possible to the welded portion 5a between the upper half 9 and the lower half 8.

As described above, the ceiling surface 9b ₂ of the ceiling portion 9b ₁ is inclined at the inclination angle θ, so that when the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the reservoir tank 5 up to the maximum MAX value, the air in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 becomes the hydraulic fluid. It easily moves toward the inlet 10. Thereby, air does not remain in the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5.

  By the way, the reservoir tank 5 of this example is disposed within the engine room of the vehicle. However, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the latter half of the reservoir tank 5 is hidden by a vehicle body member such as a toe board. It has become. Therefore, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, when the bonnet is opened, the visible region of the reservoir tank 5 is substantially in front of the reservoir tank 5 including the hydraulic fluid inlet 10 on the vehicle front side from the fluid amount detector 19. Part 5b.

  Further, in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the region corresponding to the liquid amount detection chamber 14 of the front portion 5b of the reservoir tank 5 in the region where the liquid level visual recognition space portion 5c of the hydraulic fluid is visible (the step 18 and the liquid amount detection portion). The liquid volume detection chamber 14) on the vehicle front side between the 19 cylindrical partition walls 19a is provided. Since the reservoir tank 5 is formed of a transparent or translucent resin, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the liquid level visual recognition space portion 5 c, that is, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 is from the outside of the reservoir tank 5. Visible.

And the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ is set at the height position of the liquid level which becomes the position α at the substantially center in the front-rear direction of the ceiling surface 9b ₂ of the ceiling portion 9b ₁ in the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15. That is, the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ intersects the ceiling surface 9b ₃ above the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 located on the most rear side of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 at the position α. Therefore, the ceiling surface 9b ₂ has a part on the vehicle rear side lower than the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ and the other part higher than the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ . Similarly, the vehicle front side portion of the welded portion 5a is positioned higher than the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ , and the vehicle rear side portion thereof is positioned lower than the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ . At this time, the welded portion 5a and the LI
The S lighting line 9b ₃ intersects the intersection position β of the secondary storage chamber 16 on the rear side of the center position of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 in the vehicle front-rear direction. Incidentally, the welding portion 5a and the ceiling surface 9b _2, together with those of the vehicle front-side portion is positioned higher than the MIN line, their vehicle rear side portion can also be made to be lower position than the MIN line. In this case, the welded portion 5a and the MIN line, further is positioned a little rear side of the vehicle from the β intersection of the welded portion 5a and the LIS lighting line 9b _3.

Further, the welded portion 5a of the upper half body 9 and the lower half 8, similarly with vehicle front side portion thereof is positioned higher than LIS lighting line 9b _3, the vehicle rear-side portion thereof than LIS illuminated line 9b ₃ Lower position. Therefore, the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ is a liquid level visual recognition space portion 5c.
Then, it is located between the MIN line position and the welded portion 5 a of the upper half body 9 and the lower half body 8. In that case, the intersection of the lower half 8 and the welded portion 5a of the upper half 9 is inclined at an inclination angle θ and the welded portion 5a and the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ as described above β is hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 It is located on the vehicle rear side from the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the height position of the welded portion 5a and the LIS lighting line and the MIN line is relatively large apart in the liquid level visual recognition space portion 5c. Therefore, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be easily visually recognized in the liquid level visual recognition space 5c at the position where the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid rises due to the surface tension of the hydraulic fluid, and the installation space of the liquid level visual recognition space 5c is increased. It will be set efficiently.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the LIS lighting line position and the MIN line position and the positions of the welded portions 5a of the upper half 9 and the lower half 8 are considerably close in the liquid level visual recognition space 5c. If so, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid is blocked by the welded portion 5a. At this time, the reservoir tank 5 is formed of a translucent resin. However, since the welded portion 5a is thick, the transparency of the reservoir tank 5 is reduced, and the operation in the liquid level visually recognizing space portion 5c is performed. It becomes difficult to visually recognize the liquid level. In particular, since the liquid level of the working fluid rises due to surface tension on the inner wall of the reservoir tank 5, it is difficult to clearly see this liquid level.

Furthermore, when the LIS lighting line and the MIN line are set as described above, when a normal amount of hydraulic fluid is stored in the reservoir tank 5, the hydraulic fluid stored in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 is stored. Is in contact with all of the ceiling surface 9 b ₂ in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13. That is, the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 is almost full of hydraulic fluid. Therefore, even when the vehicle tank is tilted so that the front side of the reservoir tank 5 is lowered, the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 to the vehicle front side is suppressed. Further, as the amount of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 decreases, the liquid level decreases to near the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ , and the hydraulic fluid level in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 increase. Even if an air gap is formed between the ceiling surface 9b ₂ and the air gap, the air gap is relatively small. Therefore, even if the reservoir tank 5 tilts in the same manner as described above, the movement of the hydraulic fluid to the front of the vehicle is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, a filter 22 is disposed in the upper half neck portion 9a. The filter 22 is supported by a filter support member 23 attached in the upper half neck portion 9a. The filter support member 23 includes an upper frame 23a, a lower frame 23b, and a predetermined number of connecting pillars 23c that connect the upper frame 23a and the lower frame 23b. Further, in the upper half neck portion 9a, a drop prevention portion 9c for preventing the filter 22 from dropping is provided integrally with the upper half neck portion 9a.

As shown in FIG. 4 (b), disengagement prevention part 9c are transverse cross-sectional are upper half neck portion 9a and the arcuate sidewall portion 9c ₁ and cross-section is an upper half body neck portion 9a trapezoidal side wall portion 9c ₂ has a portion of the upper half neck 9a which is formed in a cylindrical shape, the arcuate side wall portion 9c ₁ and rib 9c ₃ cross shape formed in the diameter direction integrally from. The cross-shaped rib 9c ₃ prevents the filter support member 23 supporting the filter 22 from dropping downward.

According to the reservoir tank 5 of this example configured as described above, the welded portion 5a between the upper half body 9 and the lower half body 8 is inclined so as to become lower from the vehicle front side toward the rear side. The intersection position β between the welded portion 5a and the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ is located on the vehicle rear side from the center of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 in the vehicle front-rear direction. With weld portion 5a of the upper half body 9 and the lower half 8 is inclined to become lower toward the rear side from the vehicle front side, 9b of the ceiling portion 9b ₁ ceiling surface above the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 ₂ is set parallel or substantially parallel to the welded portion 5a. Further, the vehicle rear side end of the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ or the vehicle rear side end of the MIN line is set to a position intersecting the ceiling surface 9b ₂ in the primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber 15 which is the rearmost vehicle side of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13. Is done. Therefore, the ceiling surface 9b ₂ in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 is defined as Patent Document 1.
Can be effectively reduced as compared with the reservoir tank described in (1). Thus, even if a gap is generated between the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 and the ceiling surface 9b ₂ in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13, the gap can be made relatively small. As a result, even when the vehicle tank is tilted so that the front side of the reservoir tank 5 is lowered, the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 to the vehicle front side can be suppressed.

In particular, by setting the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ and the MIN line as described above,
When a normal amount of hydraulic fluid is stored in the reservoir tank 5, the hydraulic fluid stored in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can come into contact with all of the ceiling surface 9 b ₂ in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13. Become. That is, the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be substantially filled with the hydraulic fluid. Therefore, even when the reservoir tank 5 tilts as described above, it is possible to more effectively suppress the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 toward the vehicle front side. Further, as the amount of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 decreases, the liquid level decreases to near the LIS lighting line 9b ₃ , and the hydraulic fluid level in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 and the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 increase. Even if a gap is formed between the ceiling surface 9b ₂ and the ceiling surface 9b2, the gap can be further reduced. Therefore, even when the reservoir tank 5 is tilted as described above, the movement of the hydraulic fluid to the front of the vehicle can be more effectively suppressed.

Also, the height position of the actuating fluid height and MIN line height position of the welded portion 5a at the vehicle front side region of the storage chamber 13 and LIS lighting line 9b ₃ is separated relatively large. And
A liquid level visual recognition space 5c is provided in this region. Therefore, the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be easily visually recognized at a position raised from the outside by the surface tension of the hydraulic fluid in the liquid level visual recognition space 5c. Thereby, the visibility of the liquid level in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be improved, and the installation space of the liquid level visual recognition space 5c can be set efficiently.

  On the other hand, according to the hydraulic brake device 1 using the reservoir tank 5 of this example, since the movement of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5 can be suppressed when the vehicle is tilted, the brake operation can be performed more reliably. .

FIG. 5 shows another example of the embodiment of the reservoir tank of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, and (b) is a top view of the lower half.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the liquid level visual recognition space 5c is provided in the liquid level detection chamber 14 on the vehicle front side between the step 18 and the cylindrical partition wall 19a of the liquid level detection unit 19. 5 (a) and 5 (b), in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the vehicle front side portion of the cylindrical partition wall 19a of the liquid amount detection unit 19 intersects the step 18. Accordingly, the reservoir tank 5 of this example is shorter and more compact in the vehicle front-rear direction than the reservoir tank of the above example. Then, the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the liquid level viewing space 5c is provided in the liquid volume sensing chamber 14 corresponding to the pair of cutout portions 19a ₁ of the cylindrical partition wall 19a of the fluid quantity sensor 19.
Other configurations and operational effects of the reservoir tank of this example are substantially the same as the reservoir tank 5 of the example shown in FIG.

6A and 6B show still another example of the embodiment of the reservoir tank of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 4A, and FIG. 6B shows a filter support member of this example. It is a top view similar to (b).
In the example shown in the aforementioned FIGS. 4 (a) and (b), disengagement prevention part 9c is cross section transverse section is an upper half body neck 9a is arcuate side wall portion 9c ₁ and the upper half body neck portion 9a platform The side wall 9c ₂ and the upper half neck 9a formed in a cylindrical shape from the side wall 9c ₂ , as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), in the reservoir tank 5 of this example, A substantially cylindrical side wall 9d is formed integrally with the upper half neck 9a in the upper half neck 9a, and a predetermined number of notches 9e are formed in the side wall 9d. Then, the rib 9c ₃ a cross-shaped is formed integrally with the generally cylindrical side wall portion 9d.
Other configurations and operational effects of the reservoir tank of this example are substantially the same as the reservoir tank 5 of the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows still another example of the embodiment of the reservoir tank of the present invention. (A) is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 (a), and (b) is along the line VIIB-VIIB in (a). It is sectional drawing.
In the reservoir tank 5 of each example described above, the ceiling surface 9b ₂ in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be lowered, so that it may be difficult for the air above the hydraulic fluid level in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 to move. .

Therefore, the reservoir tank 5 of this example as shown in FIG. 7 (a), an air movement passage 24 consisting of a groove in the ceiling portion 9b ₁ of the upper half body 9 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided. As the groove of the air moving passage 24, for example, a concave groove 24a having a rectangular cross section projecting upward shown in (b1) of FIG. 7B and a trapezoidal cross section projecting upward shown in FIG. There are a concave groove 24b, a concave groove 24c having a V-shaped cross section projecting upward as shown in (b3), a concave groove 24d having a circular cross section projecting upward as shown in (b4), and the like. Of course, the groove of the air moving passage 24 can be formed in a groove having another cross-sectional shape.

According to the reservoir tank 5 of this example, the groove-shaped air moving passage 2 is formed in the ceiling 9b ₁ of the upper half 9.
4 is provided, the air in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 can be moved more easily toward the hydraulic fluid inlet 10 when the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the reservoir tank 5 up to the maximum MAX value. It becomes. Thereby, it can suppress that air remains in the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir tank 5. FIG.

In addition, by forming the air movement passage 24 in a groove shape, the volume of the gap above the liquid level of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 increases, but the groove of the air movement passage 24 is formed in the ceiling b ₁ . Since it is partially provided, this volume increase can be suppressed to a minimum volume increase. Therefore, lowering the ceiling surface 9b ₂ does not substantially impair the effect of suppressing the movement of the hydraulic fluid, and hardly changes the hydraulic fluid movement suppressing performance.
Furthermore, the strength of the ceiling portion 9b ₁ of the upper half 9 can be increased by the groove-shaped air moving passage 24. Thereby, the pressure-resistant deformation strength of the reservoir tank 5 can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, A various design change is possible within the range of the matter described in the claim.

The reservoir tank according to the present invention is used in a hydraulic brake device or a hydraulic clutch device that uses hydraulic pressure such as hydraulic pressure, and can be suitably used as a reservoir tank that stores hydraulic fluid.
Moreover, the brake device according to the present invention can be suitably used for a 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, 5a ... Welding part, 5b ... Front part, 5c ... Liquid level visual recognition space part, 6 ... Brake Cylinder, 8 ... lower half, 9 ... upper half, 9a ... upper half neck, 9b ... upper half body, 9b ₁ ... ceiling, 9b ₂ ... ceiling, 9b ₃ ... LIS lighting line, 9c ... Drop-off prevention unit, 19d ₁ ... upper surface, 10 ... hydraulic fluid inlet, 12 ... hydraulic fluid supply unit, 13 ... hydraulic fluid storage chamber, 14 ... fluid amount detection chamber, 15 ... primary hydraulic fluid storage chamber, 16 ... secondary hydraulic fluid reservoir, 18 ... step, 19 ... liquid amount detecting unit, 19 ... cylindrical partition wall, 19a ₁ ... notch, 19b ... float chamber, 19c ... magnet, 19d ... float, 19e ... reed switch (LIS), 22 ... filter , 23 ... Filter support member, 2 ... air travel path, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d ... groove

Claims (3)

A hydraulic fluid storage chamber that joins the upper half and the lower half and stores the hydraulic fluid therein, a hydraulic fluid inlet that supplies the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic fluid storage chamber, and a reservoir in the hydraulic fluid storage chamber And at least a reed switch that is turned on when the level of the working fluid drops and the reed switch comes on-line. The working fluid inlet is disposed on the front side of the vehicle and the working fluid storage chamber is disposed on the vehicle. In the reservoir tank attached to the vehicle body so as to be arranged on the rear side,
When the vehicle is attached to the vehicle body and the vehicle is in a horizontal state, the joint between the upper half and the lower half is lowered from the vehicle front side toward the rear side, and the hydraulic fluid The ceiling surface of the upper half above the storage chamber is parallel or substantially parallel to the joint,
A vehicle rear side end of the reed switch online or a vehicle rear side end of an allowable minimum amount (MIN) line set at a position lower than the reed switch online by a predetermined amount is the ceiling surface on the vehicle rear side of the hydraulic fluid storage chamber A reservoir tank characterized by being set at a position intersecting with   The liquid level visual recognition space part which can visually recognize the liquid level of the said hydraulic fluid in the said hydraulic fluid storage chamber from the outside is provided in the vehicle front side part of the said hydraulic fluid storage chamber. Reservoir tank. 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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