JP2019026265A - Tank apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent generation of air bubbles on a liquid surface even in a case where a height of the liquid surface fluctuates or the liquid surface shakes greatly.SOLUTION: A tank apparatus includes a tank body 10 that stores liquid, and a plurality of floats 30 that is provided inside of the tank body 10 and floats on a liquid surface of the liquid stored in the tank body. The float 30 has a substantially columnar shape, and is spread over the liquid surface so that a longitudinal direction is substantially orthogonal to the liquid surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a tank apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid level fluctuation preventing apparatus in which a plurality of liquid level fluctuation preventing members are laid in layers on the liquid level so that the liquid tanks are adjacent to each other inside the liquid tank. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-99075

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the liquid level fluctuation preventing member is a sphere or a regular polyhedron, when the liquid level greatly fluctuates, another liquid level fluctuation is placed on the liquid level fluctuation preventing member. There is a possibility that the prevention member gets on and the swing of the liquid level cannot be suppressed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tank apparatus that can reliably suppress the fluctuation of the liquid level.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a tank device according to the present invention includes, for example, a tank main body that stores liquid, and is provided inside the tank main body and floats on the liquid level of the liquid stored in the tank main body. A plurality of floats, wherein the float has a substantially columnar shape and is spread on the liquid surface so that a longitudinal direction thereof is substantially orthogonal to the liquid surface.

  According to the tank device of the present invention, the substantially columnar float floats on the liquid level of the liquid stored in the tank body so as to be substantially orthogonal to the liquid level, and the float is spread on the liquid level. Since the float has a substantially columnar shape, a certain float among a plurality of floats spread on the liquid surface does not ride on another float. As a result, even when the liquid level fluctuates greatly, the float can reliably suppress the fluctuation of the liquid level. Therefore, the generation of bubbles on the liquid surface can be prevented.

  Here, the float may have a substantially prismatic shape, and protrusions having a substantially pyramid shape may be formed on both end faces. As a result, even if the liquid level fluctuates and a certain float out of a plurality of floats spread on the liquid level rides on another float, it can be prevented from remaining on the float. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the gap between the liquid levels becomes large and the liquid level fluctuates while the float rides on another float.

  Here, the float may have a substantially hexagonal prism shape. Thereby, a float can be spread over the liquid level without any gap.

  Here, the tank body includes a return filter provided so as to protrude downward from the upper surface of the tank body, and the return filter includes a filter medium for filtering the liquid and the filter medium therein. A filter case, and a bottom surface of the filter case is provided with an outflow part for allowing the liquid to flow from the return filter into the tank body. The float includes a side surface of the filter case, the tank body, May be provided. Since the filtered hydraulic oil flows into the tank body at a position away from the liquid surface, the liquid flow does not directly hit the float. This can prevent the float from moving violently on the liquid surface.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably suppress the fluctuation of the liquid level.

It is a principal part perspective view which shows the outline of the hydraulic-oil tank apparatus 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the float 30, (A) is a side view, (B) is a top view. It is a figure which shows typically the state which spread the float 30 so that there might be no clearance gap most. It is a figure which shows the substantially cylindrical float 30A concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, although the tank apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking a hydraulic oil tank apparatus installed in a work machine (for example, a hydraulic apparatus) as an example, the present invention can be applied to tank apparatuses other than the hydraulic oil tank apparatus. Further, hereinafter, the hydraulic oil will be described as an example of the fluid, but the present invention can be applied to various fluids other than the hydraulic oil.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an outline of a hydraulic oil tank apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. The hydraulic oil tank device 1 is provided in a hydraulic circuit for hydraulic oil supplied to the hydraulic device. In the hydraulic circuit, the hydraulic oil is introduced into the hydraulic oil tank device 1 through the hydraulic device.

  The hydraulic oil tank device 1 mainly includes a box-shaped tank body 10, a return filter 21, a suction strainer 22, and a float 30. For the sake of explanation, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the float 30 with hatching. In FIG. 2, only the main parts are shown, and illustration of some parts is omitted.

  The tank body 10 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and hydraulic oil is stored inside. The tank main body 10 has a hollow inside, and a return filter 21, a suction strainer 22, and a float 30 are mainly provided inside the tank main body 10.

  A return filter 21 and an air breather (not shown) are provided on the upper surface 10 a of the tank body 10. The air breather filters the air that enters the tank body 10 as the oil level rises and falls to prevent dust from entering the hydraulic oil.

  The return filter 21 is provided inside the tank body 10 so as to protrude downward (−z direction) from the upper surface 10 a of the tank body 10. The return filter 21 mainly includes a filter case 21a, a lid member 21b, an inflow pipe 21c, a filter medium 21d, and an outflow pipe 21e.

  The filter case 21a is a bottomed substantially cylindrical member and is formed of metal. The filter case 21 a is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the upper surface 10 a of the tank body 10. The lid member 21b is provided on the outer side (+ z side) of the upper surface 10a so as to cover this hole. An inflow pipe 21c is provided on the side surface of the filter case 21a, and an outflow pipe 21e is provided on the bottom surface of the filter case 21a.

  The inflow pipe 21c penetrates the side surface 10b of the tank body 10, and the hydraulic oil flows into the filter case 21a through the inflow pipe 21c.

  The filter medium 21d is provided inside the filter case 21a. The filter medium 21d is a member that filters hydraulic oil, and has a substantially cylindrical shape having a thickness in the radial direction. The filter medium 21d is formed by folding a filter paper using a synthetic resin, paper, or the like, and connecting both ends of the filter paper that has been folded and rounding it into a cylindrical shape.

  The hydraulic oil filtered by the filter medium 21d flows into the tank body 10 from the return filter 21 through the outflow pipe 21e (see the arrow in FIG. 1). The outflow pipe 21e is provided on the bottom surface 21f of the filter case 21a. Therefore, the filtered hydraulic oil flows out to the tank body 10 at a position away from the oil level L.

  The suction strainer 22 is a member that prevents foreign matter from entering the hydraulic pump, and is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the tank body 10. In the present embodiment, an outlet 10d for allowing hydraulic oil in the tank body 10 to flow out to a hydraulic pump (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface 10c, and a suction strainer 22 is provided on the upper side (+ z side) of the outlet 10d. .

  The suction strainer 22 has a substantially cylindrical filter medium. The filter medium is, for example, a metal plate-like member in which a large number of holes are formed, and is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by connecting both ends and rounding into a cylindrical shape. By inserting the outlet 10 d into the hollow portion of the suction strainer 22, the suction strainer 22 is positioned and fixed to the tank body 10.

  The hydraulic oil stored in the tank body 10 is sucked into a hydraulic pump (not shown) via the suction strainer 22 and supplied again to the hydraulic device.

  The float 30 is a substantially columnar member inserted into the tank body 10. A plurality of floats 30 are provided inside the tank body 10. The float 30 is formed so as to float on the hydraulic oil, and floats as the oil level L of the hydraulic oil stored in the tank body 10 changes. In the present embodiment, the float 30 is formed using a material having a specific gravity lower than that of the hydraulic oil. However, a material having a higher specific gravity than that of the hydraulic oil is used and a cavity or the like is formed therein to make the specific gravity smaller than that of the hydraulic oil. May be.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the float 30, (A) is a side view, and (B) is a plan view. The float 30 includes a substantially hexagonal columnar column 31, and protrusions 32 and 33 formed on both end surfaces of the columnar unit 31.

  The protrusions 32 and 33 have a substantially pyramid shape (here, a substantially hexagonal pyramid shape). Since the protrusions 32 and 33 are sufficiently small with respect to the columnar portion 31, the float 30 has a substantially hexagonal column shape as a whole.

  In FIG. 3, the tips of the protrusions 32 and 33 are sharp, but the tips of the protrusions 32 and 33 may have an R shape. Further, the heights of the protrusions 32 and 33 are not limited to the form shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIGS. The float 30 floats on the oil surface L so that the longitudinal direction is substantially orthogonal to the oil surface L (see FIG. 1). At this time, the center of gravity of the float 30 is below the oil level L. Since the float 30 floats on the oil level L, a plurality of floats 30 are spread on the oil level L so that adjacent floats 30 are in contact with each other (see FIG. 2). The float 30 is disposed between the side surface of the filter case 21a and the tank body 10 in a plan view (when viewed from the + z direction).

  Next, the function of the hydraulic oil tank apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of hydraulic oil.

  During the operation of the hydraulic device, hydraulic oil flows in the hydraulic circuit. As shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic oil flows into the return filter 21 via the inflow pipe 21c. The hydraulic oil filtered by the return filter 21 flows into the tank body 10 from the return filter 21 through the outflow pipe 21e.

  The hydraulic oil that has flowed out to the tank body 10 is stored inside the tank body 10. When the float 30 does not float on the oil level L, the tank body 10 vibrates with the vibration of the work machine and the oil level L becomes violent, and bubbles are generated in the hydraulic oil (the oil level L is fine). There is a risk that air bubbles may be caught by shaking). On the other hand, in the hydraulic oil tank device 1, since the float 30 is spread on the oil surface L, the movement of the hydraulic oil is blocked by the float 30. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the oil level L from fluctuating (swing of the oil level L) and to prevent the generation of bubbles on the oil level L.

  Further, when driving of a hydraulic excavator or the like provided in the work machine is started, the height of the oil level L changes abruptly. Since the float 30 floats on the hydraulic oil, even if the oil level L fluctuates, the float 30 moves following the oil level L. Therefore, even if the oil level L is ramped along with the change in the oil level L, it is possible to suppress the ramping of the oil level L and prevent the generation of bubbles.

  Since the filtered hydraulic oil flows into the tank body 10 through the outflow pipe 21e at a position away from the oil level L, the flow of the hydraulic oil does not directly hit the float 30, and the float 30 is not hydraulic oil. It will not fall down by the flow of.

  The float 30 has a substantially hexagonal column shape, and the longitudinal direction is substantially orthogonal to the oil level L. Therefore, the center of gravity of the float 30 is below the oil level L. Therefore, even if the oil level L is violated due to vibration of the work machine or the like, it is possible to prevent a certain float 30 among the floats 30 spread on the oil level L from riding on the other floats 30. it can. Further, by forming the protrusions 32 and 33 on both end faces of the columnar part 31, even if the float 30 rides on another adjacent float 30, the float 30 that rides on the float naturally falls. , The oil level L can be returned.

  The hydraulic oil stored in the tank body 10 flows out of the tank body 10 through the suction strainer 22 and the outlet 10d. In the hydraulic oil tank device 1, in order to prevent generation of bubbles on the oil level L by the float 30, bubbles contained in the hydraulic oil stored in the tank body 10 and bubbles flowing out of the tank body 10 are reduced, and the pump Problems due to inhaling air can be prevented.

  According to the present embodiment, even when the oil level L fluctuates greatly, the float 30 can suppress the fluctuation of the liquid level. Moreover, by making the float 30 into a substantially columnar shape, a certain float 30 among the floats 30 spread on the oil surface L can be prevented from riding on the other floats 30. Therefore, generation | occurrence | production of the bubble in the oil surface L can be prevented.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, by providing the protrusions 32 and 33 formed on both end surfaces of the columnar portion 31, one float 30 among the floats 30 spread on the oil surface L can be used as the other float 30. It is possible to prevent it from staying on top. Therefore, when a certain float 30 rides on another float 30, a gap is formed in the oil surface L, and a situation in which the oil surface L swings can be prevented.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, the float 30 can be spread over the oil level L more by making the float 30 into a substantially hexagonal column shape. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the floats 30 are laid out so that there is no gap. FIG. 4 shows a state where the float 30 is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the oil level L. By making the float 30 into a substantially hexagonal column shape, the float 30 can be spread over the oil surface L without any gap. Further, by making the float 30 into a substantially hexagonal column shape, when the oil level L is shaken and the float 30 moves, the adjacent floats 30 collide with each other, so there is no gap between the floats 30 and the oil level L Generation of bubbles can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the columnar portion 31 has a substantially hexagonal column shape, but is not limited to a substantially hexagonal column shape, and may be a substantially columnar shape. Further, the protrusions 32 and 33 formed on both end faces of the columnar part 31 are not essential. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a substantially cylindrical float 30A may be used. However, the smaller the gap between the oil levels L, the higher the effect of preventing the generation of bubbles on the oil level L. Therefore, it is desirable that the columnar part has a substantially prismatic shape. In order to prevent the float from climbing, it is desirable to form protrusions on both end faces of the columnar part. In the case where protrusions are provided on both end faces of the substantially cylindrical float 30A, the protrusions may be substantially conical or hemispherical.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are included. . For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. In addition, a part of the configuration of the embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of the other embodiment, and other configurations can be added to, deleted from, or replaced with the configuration of the embodiment.

  Further, in the present invention, “substantially” is a concept including not only the case where they are exactly the same but also errors and deformations that do not lose the identity. For example, “substantially orthogonal” is not limited to being strictly orthogonal, and is a concept including an error of, for example, several degrees. Further, for example, when simply expressing as orthogonal, parallel, coincidence, etc., not only strictly orthogonal, parallel, coincidence, etc. but also cases of substantially parallel, substantially orthogonal, substantially coincidence, etc. are included.

  Further, in the present invention, “near” means including a region in a certain range (which can be arbitrarily determined) near a reference position. For example, in the case of the vicinity of the end, it is a concept indicating that the region is in a certain range near the end and may or may not include the end.

1: Hydraulic oil tank device 10: Tank body 10a: Upper surface 10b: Side surface 10c: Bottom surface 10d: Outlet 21: Return filter 21a: Filter case 21b: Lid member 21c: Inflow pipe 21d: Filter medium 21e: Outlet pipe 21f: Bottom surface 22 : Suction strainer 30, 30A: Float 31: Columnar parts 32, 33: Projection

Claims (4)

A tank body for storing liquid;
A plurality of floats which are provided inside the tank body and float on the liquid surface of the liquid stored in the tank body;
With
The tank device, wherein the float has a substantially columnar shape and is spread on the liquid surface so that a longitudinal direction thereof is substantially orthogonal to the liquid surface. The tank apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the float has a substantially prismatic shape, and substantially pyramid-shaped protrusions are formed on both end faces. The tank apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the float has a substantially hexagonal column shape. A return filter provided inside the tank body so as to protrude downward from the upper surface of the tank body,
The return filter has a filter medium for filtering the liquid, and a filter case provided with the filter medium inside,
The bottom surface of the filter case is provided with an outflow part for allowing the liquid to flow from the return filter into the tank body,
The tank apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the float is provided between a side surface of the filter case and the tank body.

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